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Skye and Donovan had stopped in at the cottage basically to discuss some recent anti mutant activity that happened while the others had been back in America. They knocked once then walked in smiling seeing their cousin getting down wine glasses while his boyfriend was getting a plate of snacks together as they'd been expected. "Ello mates.", Skye greeted giving her cousin and then Billy a kiss on the cheek on getting. "How was yer trip to da states?", Donovan asked snatching a small sausage from the tray and eating it. "Oh we had a good time. Rose however I think had the more eventful visit.", Billy teased looking to the living room area. Rose pinned to a chair with an extremely large orange fluffy object. Donovan and Skye both looked at the furry object with interest as they walked closer. "W'at is dat on yer lap lassie?", Donovan questioned. Rose stuck her tongue out at Billy as she brought a hand over starting to pet Octopus who raised his large head looking with gold eyes at the visitors. "He is my new cat and his name is Octopus.", Rose grinned. "Dat ain't a cat, dat's a wee tiger.", Donovan said sitting down on the couch. "Cat. I saw him and fell in love.", Rose laughed scratching Octopus between the ears resulting a booming pur. "I still say it's debatable which sold her on the beast. Octopus himself or the man who introduced them.", Atif teased bringing in the wine. Skye raised an eyebrow. "Dis da bloke ‘ho ya claimed ain't yer bloke?", Skye questioned sitting down. "Wait wat bloke?", Donovan asked confused. He looked from his twin to Rose. She shook her head. "Merrick isn't my bloke, Skye.", she chuckled and continued to scratched Octopus. Billy rolled his eyes setting the tray down on the coffee table. "Not hers except for when she's in Bayville...", Atif teased. "Wait da bloke ya told mah sister is, to be polite, a tramp?", Donovan questioned.

She shook her head."Merrick isn’t mine when I'm there...well not only mine. He has a little black book of women he sees.", she defended. "Yeah which how many nights during our visit wasn't he in your hotel room?", Billy counted. Skye just smirked silently. Rose frowned. "Does it matter?", she asked. "Well no. Just kind of proving Atif’s point that while in Bayville he was just with you.", Billy stated. "I know but there isn't a rule or anything. It just happened to turn out that way.", she shook her head slightly. "Merrick and I are just friends. And he introduced me to this amazing fluffy man, huh Octopus?",she smiled scratching the cat’s head. Octopus's booming pur filling the room. "Oh aye just friends? Dose pictures Ah've seen on yer phone tell a different tale mate.", Skye interjected. Rose rolled her eyes but did smile a little. “So there are some benefits….”, Rose shrugged a little. “But still just friends otherwise. Now enough about my private life. What’s been going on while we were away. You’d said there was some trouble brewing. Let’s talk about that as it’s actually important.”, Rose suggested eager for a change in subject. “Oh alrig’t. Let’s talk bout da trouble den. Rader not ‘ear more bout you in da Merrick bloke anyways.”, Donovan agreed. Skye rolled her eyes at her brother. “Fine. Well w’ile ya lot w’ere off in America dat group o humans we’d been running up against every now and again, dey established an official group callin’ demselves da Church of Humanity. Dey ‘ave taken up residence in an old Church of England ‘ere local and taking on closed churches all over England and Scotland. Dey trying ta make demselves an official religious group. Since dey officially got established we’ve ‘ad ‘ell of a time round ‘ere. Dere’have been at least one attack against a mutant each week sometimes more. Just few days back we stepped in w’en da bloody ‘eadens tried ta ‘ammer a young mutant boy, he dinna look more dan fifteen, to a cross of all tings!”, Skye explained her collar and face turning a bit red with her anger as she went on.

Billy, Atif and Rose all went silent. Rose gulped back anger and a growl at this disturbing news. “I see….well if they’ve gotten officially established and are legally seen as a religion we can’t do too much about that, but we sure the hell can make sure we are out and about to protect people. This point forward at least two of us will go on patrol every night without fail.”, Rose said. The others nodded in agreement. “If we are going to do this Rose, to make the five of us an official team we are going to need a better base than our place. Plus to protect ourselves we need uniforms that can hide our faces. Like we did back at the Institute.”, Atif suggested. Rose sighed taking a breath thinking about it. “You’re right. Not really sure where we can setup here in the UK that would even come close to what we had at the institute.”, Rose said petting Octopus. “Call Landon.”, Atif stated. Which this got him weird looks. “Why? What does Landon have to do with anything happening over here?”, Rose asked. “He doesn’t have anything to do with it sure. But name one person that has a more detailed database of information than him. If there is somewhere here we can set up shop he’ll know it.”, Atif explained. Skye and Donovan raised their eyebrows. “Wat would Landon kne den?”, Donovan asked. “Landon is...well he’s an inquisitive type of man. Since we were kids he’s sought to know everything he can about mutants and with his access to the X-Men database he knows more than most do. Alright I’ll call him see if he’s got any suggestions or leads that would help.”, Rose explained reaching for her cell and made the call. At least there wasn’t the weirdness anymore. She was okay and happy for him that he’d found love with Rachel and he knew about her sleeping with Merrick and just like the night she got caught kissing Merrick Landon backed her on it saying she should do whatever will make her happy.

Landon was on a break between sets drinking some water when his phone went off. “Rose?”, He questioned reaching for his phone. The other members of the band raising an eyebrow. “Hey Rose. What’s up?”, Landon greeted answering the phone. “Hope I’m not interrupting something, you sound a tad um out of breath.”, Rose greeted teasing slightly. Landon laughed. “Oh trust me if it was something along those lines I wouldn’t have answered the phone. No I just got into the green room at the club. Boys and I are in between sets. So what do I owe the pleasure of my best friend calling all the way from Cambridge?”, Landon laughed taking another sip of his water. Rose laughed shaking her head. “I’m calling on business actually. You of course know what me, Billy and the Kearney cousins have been up to over here across the pond.”, Rose said. Landon nodded. “Oh yeah what we were raised and trained to do, protecting people. So how might I, a humble history teacher in training or well sax player tonight, be of service?”, Landon asked. “A new ‘religious’ organization has officially taken root here. They call themselves..”, Rose was explaining. “Church of Humanity? They’ve gone legit? Well shit.”, Landon interrupted. Rose blinked. “You know? How do you know?”, Rose questioned. Landon laughed. “I’m me, of course I know. They have smaller footholds here in the states, mostly in the midwest and south. Forge has a whole file on them that I’ve read a few dozen times.”, Landon explained. “Of course. You know for someone who plans to not continue being a hero you sure do keep up to date.”, Rose pointed out. Landon smiled. “Well I might be a team leader anymore but doesn’t mean I stop caring. Now what can I do for you in regards to them? I can send you a copy of the database I’ve currently go on the group.”, he offered. “Well that would be a great start. But well if we are going to really do any good over here we need a base of operations and a way of doing this where our identities are kept safe. Like how the X-Men do. Ideas?”, Rose asked.

“Hm… hold on.”, Landon reached for his bag pulling out his tablet and getting into his database. “Alright here we go this should be of use. Old team called Excalibur, defuncted even before I was born, ran out of Muir Island off the coast of Scotland. Place was established by Professor Xavier’s colleague a human who was on our side named Doctor Moira MacTaggert, she died ten years ago. But all the information I have on Muir Island shows... yes the tech is a bit dated but it’s all form Forge so it’s still operational and kick ass.”, Landon said. “Muir Island? Hmm but off Scotland how will that be easy for us. I mean Skye can fly but…”, Rose said thinking. The others just listening to her half of the conversation wondering what was fully being discussed. “Oh well see the fun of that is Muir Island has a very interesting piece of tech and I don’t just mean the jet, not as awesome as the x-jet but still awesome. No the cool tech is actually a teleportation device. I’m sending you the intel now. Check out Muir Island and see if it can suit your needs. Let me know if you need more information or if I should let Forge know you may require some tech upgrades.”, Landon explained. “Wow...um that actually sounds pretty awesome. We’ll check it out. Thanks Landon. You are always there for me.”, Rose said. Landon laughed. “Always have and always will Rose. Talk to you soon. Tell the guys hi. I’ve gotta hit the stage. I’ll call you soon might have some news .”, Landon said smiling thinking about the engagement ring in his bag. “Alright. Well thanks for the intel. Night Landon have a good set.”, Rose said hanging up.

The other four looked at her waiting. “Landon suggests Excalibur, defuncted mutant organization from over twenty years ago. They had a base off the coast of Scotland called Muir Island. Landon says it’s teched out like Atif and I are used to just maybe a bit out of date. So I say this weekend we check it out see if it can suit our needs. Landon seems certain it will.”, Rose said. Aitf nodded. “Well Landon is rarely wrong about this kind of stuff. Soo…”, Atif said handing out the glasses of wine and holding his up. “Excalibur?”, Atif questioned looking at the group. Billy smiled and raised in glass. “Excalibur.”, Billy agreed. In his mind Billy laughed a little at the idea that as the son of Wanda Maximoff he was about to become an official member of a team of heros. “Excalibur.”, Skye said smiling and nudged her brother. “Aye, Excalibur. Wat ya say fearless leader?”, Donovan asked raising his glass looking to Rose. Rose sighed and nodded raising her glass. “Excalibur.”, Rose agreed. As their glasses clinked Octopus raised his head and let out a meow. Rose was thinking about what she’d just agreed to. To take on the leadership role of a whole new team. A team separate from the X-Men. She considered talking to Duncan about the formation of the team, but she decided against it he was a controlling person and this was not his team. No as she looked at the faces of her friends she knew that this was not the X-Men this was her team and her team alone.
When the weekend came they took to cars from Cambridge it was almost half a day's drive just to a dock at the northern coast of Scotland then they had to commision a boat to taken them to the remote island. As they disembarked from the boat Donovan sighed in relief to have ground under him having never liked being on the water, he had a tendency of getting sea sick. Which he quickly found some bushes and promptly threw up the contents of his stomach. “Please tell me in da future getting ‘ere won’t require a boat…”, Donovan asked wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Rose rolled her eyes. “Poor wee lamb, canna stomach a small boat ride.”, Skye teased pouting playfully at her brother. Atif and Billy chuckled a little. “To answer your question, if all the tech Landon told me about is still functional no we won’t need to make that long drive or take a boat. We’ll teleport.”, Rose explained. “Like beam me up Scotty teleport?”, Donovan asked. Rose sighed starting to follow the trail letting her claws pop to cut through the overgrowth. “God you’re a geek.”, Atif shook his head at his cousin starting to follow Rose. Billy shook his head and followed along the trail behind Atif, Skye grabbing her twin by the arm and tugging him up the trail behind the others.
They could see the building in the distance it was bit hidden from view because of the vegetation having grown wild over the decade since the death of Moria. “Ah really ‘ope dis place is all yer mate Landon told ya.”, Donovan said moving up to the front and creating one large sword of his hot knives and started to hack away at the plants getting more cut back than her bone claws were able to. “Ye of little faith. Landon has never steered me wrong before.”, Rose shook her head letting Donovan take over hacking away at the overgrowth. “Remind me again w’y da t’ree of ya put such faith in dis Landon fella?”, Donovan asked. “Well I have faith in him because he’s the one who planned down to the smallest detail in taking my mother down who no one had been able to defeat before.”, Billy explained. “And despite who my family is and that I was raised to be his rival he defended me, protected me, and accepted me with just Atif’s say that I’m a good guy. So anyone that can put that kind of instant faith in me deserves it in return.”, he added. “From when we were in diapers Landon was always the leader. He was there for us growing up. We stumble he caught us. So it’s not blind or misplaced faith. Landon has proven himself over and over to Rose and I growing up.”, Atif explained. “Landon was the guy with the plan. And he’s also the guy that if you needed someone to have your back he’s there.”, Rose explained. “Alrig’t just ‘ope dis wasn’t some fools errand.”, Donovan said sighing finally getting to the door trying to open the door.
“Er it’s locked and Ah see some control panel. Yer mate ‘appen ta give ya da access code did he?”, Donovan asked pointing to the panel. Rose smiled taking her tablet out of her pack. “He didn’t, but he got the guy who made the security system to give it to me.”, she smirked pulling up the file Forge and sent her and hit the correct pattern into the keypad. The whole system had unlimited power having it’s own power station that used solar energy from panels scattered over the island, wind from wind mills placed at the far end of the island to get the most wind, and water from a lagoon located on the island. From that simple entry of the passcode the whole building came to life lighting up at the doors opened. Rose went ahead first pushing cobwebs out of her way looking around. It wasn’t grande like the institute but it certainly had what they needed. She saw a kitchen, a lounge, a meeting room. She could see more doors down the corridor as she pulled up the blueprints Landon and Forge had sent her. She smiled. “Oh yeah this will do. It’s got rooms with cots if we need to stay the night. There’s a medical center which I can work out of when someone’s injured. There’s a hanger with an old school version of the jet, and yes there is a danger room. We just need to clean the place up. Forge said I could reach out to him if I needed anything upgraded since he still has remote access.”, Rose smiled starting to look around more. “‘ow long did ya say dis place ‘as been empty?”, Skye asked looking around brushing away dust here and there. “Landon said ten years.”, Rose commented as she opened a door and smiled. “Ah ha. Cleaning supplies!”, she yelled tossing out brooms, dusters, and mops. “Let’s clean up. Skye you get all the high spots.”, she said looking to the others. They nodded taking their cleaning supplies started to clean up the old building.
It took them most the weekend but they finally got the whole building finally clean. Rose radioed in the morning for the boat to come back for them so they could drive the teleport disc back to the cottage. Donovan of course was not thrilled with having to take the boat back, even though he was promised it was the last time. It was a long journey back to the cottage and they all just kind of crashed there for the night not even testing the teleportation disc. It was the next day they finally tested out the teleportation disc. Sending them each one at a time to Muir Island. “Alrig’t so dat is bout da coolest ting Ah’ve seen”, Donovan proclaimed as they all arrived once more to Muir Island. Rose chuckled. “You think that was cool. Just wait. Come on guys lets see about doing some training…”, she smiled leading the way to the danger room. Atif and Billy smirked following along having both been in a danger room before. Skye and Donovan followed along curious about what the others were smirking about. They followed them into a large metal room and looked at each other confused. “So wat we doing?”, Donovan asked. “Just wait…”, Rose smirked pulling out her tablet and connecting it to the computer system to upload some of her old training sessions. “Since you two aren’t trained like we are, let’s start easy.”, Rose said. “Easy?”, Donovan questioned. “Ah been in plenty of fig’ts in mah life.”, he defended. Billy chuckled. “Wat so funny?”, Donovan asked looking to Billy. “It’s just cute is all.”, Billy taunted. “Pardon?”, Donovan questioned stepping closer to Billy who he was much taller and broader than.
Billy looked up still a smug smile of his lips. “It’s very cute that you think your playground brawls compare even in the tiniest amount to the type of rigorous training the three of us have endured in our lives.”, Billy stated smiling. “Ah gunna wipe dat smug smile off yer face.”, Donovan glared. “Rose...run the simulation, please. I want to show Donovan here just how mediocre his fighting prowess is.”, Billy requested not looking away from Donovan and still smiling. Rose sighed and rolled her eyes. Atif shook his head grabbing Skye’s arm and taking a step back. Skye looking a bit confused. “Run simulation dojo 2.1”, Rose stated clearly stepping back. Skye blinked in awe as the room transformed to a Japanese dojo and even included a stand of weapons. “Pick your weapon and let’s do this…”, Billy stated. “Ah choose mah fists.”, Donovan said taking a boxing type stance and making a jab at Billy. Billy grabbed Donovan’s wrist with both hands firmly and using Donovan’s own momentum brought him over his shoulder to land on his back and twisted Donovan’s arm dislocating his shoulder, stepping on the shoulder. “My point proven yet? You ready to learn now or do you need further examples?”, Billy requested. Donovan winced he may heal from injuries but that doesn't mean they didn’t hurt. “Alrig’t so ya kne some moves. Let’s train den.”, Donovan agreed. Billy let go and stepped back as Rose came over and helped Donovan to his feet and popped his shoulder back into place. “Alright so that’s over. Now for the real training.”, Rose instructed. Since they were an odd number Rose decided to run the session having Skye and Donovan as a sparring set and Atif and Billy not wanting to pit one of the more seasoned fights against the new guys.
It would take a while but Skye and Donovan were at least quick learners. Which was good because the team started following Rose’s schedule where always two went out on patrol. They had to wear street clothes for the moment generally hoodies so if it was necessary to step in they could kind of hide their faces with the hoods. There had been a couple close calls of their faces getting seen and finally Rose put in a call for a favor from Violet. Violet agreed to help Rose and the team out with uniforms and requested that they all show up at Muir Island so she could do some measurements and show them her rough idea. “Alright so you guys ready to head to the island? Violet and Adian will be meeting us there and I think they are bringing their son Nash and nephews Marco and Taylor.”, Rose said looking at the others. “Ah still canna believe our uniforms are gunna be designed by the Violet Asher of V Designs! Ah love her clothes.”, Skye said a tad giddy. Atif and Rose rolled their eyes never having looked or thought of Violet as a celebrity. She was just Misses Asher growing up for them. Rose’s sister-in-law Teresa was Violet’s little sister so Rose saw her as family. “Yeah well take a few calming breaths. She’s just a person.”, Rose said starting up the teleporter and stepping onto the disc disappearing. Atif patted Skye on the shoulder before followed Rose. The others followed one at a time arriving at the island.
Violet and Adian had already arrived in the X-Jet with the three boys in tow. None of them really saw the need for them if all she was doing was going to do measurements on Rose’s new team. But a chance to fly in the x-jet wasn’t one they’d pass up. The three boys were lounging on the sofa in Muir Island when the team started to arrive. Rose shook her head arriving first seeing the backs of the three boys, she knew Marco was at the end with his auburn hair, next to him was Nash with his dark brown near black hair, and then at the end the oldest of the trio Taylor with his dirty blonde hair. It was funny to look at them as Nash stood out the most. He may be of a slim build like his cousins but he was much taller like his father. “Enjoying the video games boys?”, Rose teased leaning over the back of the sofa. They laughed a little not even taking their eyes off the screen playing their racing game. “Yes we are.”, Taylor answered. Atif chuckled seeing the boys as he arrived. “Of course they come an ocean away to a new place and the first thing they do is sit in front of a television and play video games like they would be at the institute. Nash shrugged. “Carter say hi fyi.”, he commented focusing on the game. “Ah there’s two faces I know. Hello kids.”, Violet greeted smiling giving Rose and Atif each a hug as others started to arrive. Adian stayed off to the side but gave a nod of his silent greeting, he was never one for words unless they were important. For being in her late thirties Violet had aged rather well not even a grey in her soft brown hair though a few tiny age lines near her honey brown eyes.
Skye made the cross over and stopped seeing Violet and blinked. Violet raised an eyebrow looking past Billy to the new face looking at her. “Um…”, Violet said with an arch of her brow. “Vi this is Skye Kearney aka Iolar. She’s apparently a huge fan of your fashion line.”, Rose introduced as Donovan arrived. “And that’s her twin Donovan.”, she added. Violet smiled sweetly. “Of course their twins. Other than Darren I don’t think Kearney’s know how to breed without multiples.”, Violet laughed softly. Donovan smiled. “Blessing and a curse. At least most times wid da exceptions of Uncles Evan and Iver and our cousins Evan and Hiro we come in sets of boy and girl. So no reason ta ‘ave more. Granted grandah and grandmum dinna see it dat way ‘aving four sets. And der was one Kearney born long before wee Darren dat dinna have a twin. Great Uncle Adean. But he and Great Auntie Clarie did have ah set o twins.”, Donovan defended with a smile. Skye still stood silent in awe looking at Violet. “Um alright dear you are starting to weird me out. Could you speak or at least stop gawking it’s kind of rude.”, Violet said. Donovan nudged his sister. “H.hhh...hhh...hi.”, Skye stammered out. “Um alright so did you come up with a symbol? Something that kind of unifies all the uniforms like we have the ‘X’?”, she asked turning her attention back to Rose deciding Skye just needed some time to decompress.
“Yeah just as you asked. we kind of debated about it a bit. but this is what Skye drew.”, Rose said pulling a piece of paper out of her back pocket and unfolded it. Violet took the paper looking at the design and nodded. “So kind of a phoenix. I’ll assume that’s symbolism since you are bringing the Excalibur name out of retirement and giving it new life. Very nice.”, Violet said nodding setting the paper down moving to her bag and pulling out a tablet and a measuring tape. “Let’s get to work then. Who wants to be measured first?”, Violet asked stretching the tape out with a smile. Donovan shrugged. “Ah’ll go first.”, he said stepping forward. Violet looked him over a moment. “Alright stand perfectly still with back straight legs slightly apart and arms straight out.”, she instructed grabbing a chair to stand on to get measurements of his shoulders and arm span. “Let’s see Donovan Kearney: 18.5 neck, 54 shoulders, 52 chest, 50 waist, 37 arms, 35 length.”, she said measuring Donovan’s torso as she spoke the program on her table was entering the measurements. “55 hips..”, she said getting down from the chair and starting to measure his lower half. Donovan feeling a tad weird about this. “14 front rise, 31 thigh, and lastly…”, she said getting the inseam…43”, she concluded. Rose and Skye both laughed a little at the slight blush on Donovan’s face having Violet measuring his inseam. Donovan trying to not consider the fact for her age she was rather attractive. Nash glanced over his shoulder and shook his head. “Ease up dude that’s my mom. One I can hear your thoughts. Two I’m stronger than you and could and would knock your old ass through one of these metal lined cement walls.”, Nash stated. Violet shook her head putting the tape down and looked to her son. “Nash behave or else you can go find the danger room with your father.”, Violet threatened. Adian rolled his eyes but looked sternly at his son. Nash sighed. “Yes mom…”, Nash said going back to playing the video game.
Violet patted Donovan on the arm. “You can put your arms down now and relax. And don’t worry too much, you aren’t the first or last young man to get embarrassed having his measurements taken.”, she assured. “Atif and Rose I have your measurements on file as you haven’t gotten bigger, so William. You are up.”, she said calling Billy forward. “Well at least there’s no awkwardness for me, unless you're having your husband do the measuring Misses Asher.”, Billy staid stepping over and standing as she’d previous instructed Donovan. Violet chuckled. “That’s very true. So shouldn’t take too long. William Maximoff: 30 waist, 37 hips, 11 front rise, 22 thigh, 34 inseam, 15 neck, 38 chest, 33 sleeves, and 32 total length.”, she said quickly finishing the measurement without any issues. Donovan had moved to lean by the wall next to Rose. “Dat could ‘ave been worse on me.”, he commented quietly. “How so? Gets worse than you having dirty thoughts about a woman old to be your mother with her husband and son on the room? Her son, one of her nephews and then her being telepaths and can hear what you were thinking. So what would have been worse?”, Rose asked shaking her head. “Could ‘ave been you taking mah measurements.”, he smirked with a wink. Rose rolled her eyes saying nothing. Donovan was a flirt, but she was not interested in flirting or hooking up. She had university to focus on and this team. No she saved flirting and hooking up for her time in Bayville where she’d have Merrick. Donovan may have the wide shoulders like Merrick and be about his height too but he wasn’t Merrick.
“Alright so...Skye if you have gotten a bit more acclimated please step over so I may get your measurements for your uniform.”, Violet called Skye over. Skye nodded and walked over in silence not sure what she could say to Violet beyond wanting to apologize for her behavior. Skye stood motionless like her brother and Billy had. “Skye Kearney: 14 neck, 37.5 bust, 28.5 waist, 36.5 hips, 22 thigh, 8.5 rise, and 28.5 inseam.”, Violet said clearly as the program took down her every word. Taylor had turned his attention slightly to look as Skye was being measured. He was older than his cousins and yes back home he had a very cute and very sweet girlfriend Riley, it was hard to not just take a look. He didn’t of course know Skye’s powers. Skye snorted. “Keep yer thoughts ta yerself jail bait.”, Skye commented. Taylor blinked and smiled. “I’m sixteen. That’s not jailbait in any country.”, Taylor defended. Violet shook her head picking up her tablet and playing around with the app before scanning the image Rose had given her. “Aye Ah suppose sixteen is legal. ‘Owever Ah doubt yer lass back ‘ome would appreciate yer looking or tinking like dat bout someone else. Plus ya couldn’t ‘andle me lad.”, Skye teased tussling Taylor’s hair before walking over to Rose. Marco chuckled and reached around Nash to smack Taylor’s chest. “Burn dude.”, Marco teased. “I’ll show you burn…”, Taylor said holding up his index finger igniting with a small fire. “Boys. Danger room now.”, Adian suddenly spoke his voice rich and deep. Skye blinked as the large man spoke. The boys groaned putting the controllers down. “But dad..”, Nash tried to argue but Adian just stared him down. “Yes sir. Which way Rose?”, Nash sighed. Rose pointed and tried to not laugh at the three boys were marched down the hall with Adian behind them.
“Thank you so much for helping out Vi. Hope you don’t get in any trouble with Duncan about this.”, Rose said walking over to Violet. Violet snorted. “Like that old man gets to dictate who I make clothes for. It’s my job after all.”, she smiled looking up a little from her tablet. “God you favor your mother in appearance till I look at those eyes. And then there he is, there I find Professor Logan.”, Violet smiled before looking back to her tablet. Rose smiled playing with her locket. “Thanks. I’m actually thinking about talking to dad about changing my codename. Lycan was my X-Men codename. I’m not an X-men anymore. And with him retired I think the world could use a Wolverine again.”, she sighed. Violet nodded. “I’m sure your dad would like that. Miss him being active in the field. Growing up and training under him was rigorous for sure but rewarding. No one left fights like him. We all do what we can. We fight the intolerance and do everything we can to keep people safe. We have passion for what we do. But your dad always had more than passion in a fight.”, Violet sighed. “If her dah so great w’y he retired? Is it because he just got too old? Ah was told he’s got a ‘ealing power like mine and claws like Rose.”, Donovan asked. Violet smirked and looked to Donovan. “Professor Logan is certainly not too old to be in the fight. He’s old in years but his healing he looks about my age actually. Which given I met him when I was fourteen and I’ve now caught up with him in how old he looks is amusing. And he doesn’t have have claws like Rose. Professor Logan’s bones including his claws are laced with an unbreakable metal known as adamantium. He is and always will be the most feared man on the planet because really no matter his age he is the best at what he does and what he doesn’t isn’t very nice.”, Violet said with a smile.
Rose, Atif and Billy all were smirking as Violet was shutting Donovan down about his questioning of Logan’s abilities. “Alrig’t. Still believe it when Ah see it. But if he so good w’y did he retire?”, Donovan questioned. “He didn’t do it willingly. Duncan forced him into it. Professor Logan...twenty-one years ago…”, Violet tried to find the words. Rose moved closer and hugged her she knew even now all these years later thinking about that night was painful for many who’d survived it. Atif sighed. “I’ll explain his Vi.”, he said before looking to his cousin. “Twenty-one years ago the Acolytes lead by Scarlet Witch, Wanda, went for total domination goals. They had one of their members Polaris, Lorna, as the President. And Scarlet Witch wanted to make sure the X-Men could not stop her. Using the military as an advantage she launched a strategic strike against the X-Men. Pretender, Kim, along with a but load of soldiers armed to the teeth attacked Logan and Aurelia taking Logan which they only captured him because he allowed them so Aurelia could escape. At the same time The Hive divided up, Christian attacked and captured Mikali and Annai while his brothers tried to capture Kurt and Isis. Kurt managed to get Isis to the institute and Aurelia also got to the institute. However Pyro, John, had come with probably the largest group of soldiers to take on the school with power inhibiting drug loaded darts. They killed my dad, they killed our cousin Evan, and took the lives of Reine Marcellin, Alexander Kroscolov, Nash, Lauren Patterson, Hiro Sohma, Jay, Celeste Stepford, Phoebe Stepford, Mindee Stepford, Owen Meany, and Haruka. They kidnapped my mom while she was rather pregnant with me and my sister. They also took others like Alison, Jean, our aunt Mary, and Warren. Then in their foolish attempt to get the Haven to side with them they took Aislinn. In the final battle when a rescue was made based on intel that my dad Azriel and his brother Colby gathered after Wanda beheaded their triplet Darren all but one was saved. The one that wasn’t saved in the end was Logan. He was blasted with Wanda’s reality warping powers and the powers of Solangel when those powers collided it altered reality. Only the X-Men, Haven and humans involved remembered the truth where the Acolytes’ and the rest of the word remembered it to be the friends of humanity that did the attack. Logan was sent to another dimension. It wasn’t still our team with the help of Billy and Tommy opened a door to that dimension was Logan set free.”, Atif explained holding back tears himself as he talked about the great losses.
Donovan went silent as his cousin told him what happened. Skye even felt some tears. “Professor Logan is a strong man, and he likes to shoulder his own burdens alone and deal with his own demons. So when Duncan wanted him to pass a psych evaluation and Logan wouldn’t talk about what happened while he was in that other dimension. It didn’t matter that he nailed the physical part of the test Duncan wouldn’t let him back on active duty. So Professor Logan retired to run his pub, spend time with Rose and also his grandchildren Xavier, Nikki and Reine.”, Violet spoke. “We all suffered so much from those events it’s a pain we will never fully recover from. A pain that we hope your generation and future generations never has to face. Which is why people like myself and Forge are willing to help your team. The X-Men cannot police the world. So teams like yours are important. Even if Duncan would rather you be affiliated and go through him. I understand he’s hard to deal with so reporting to him might not be something you want. And one day just remember he’ll retire and someone new from your generation will be chosen to lead. I’m sure whoever that is will want to work with you.”, she sighed and lightly patted Rose’s arm. “Your support means a lot to us.”, Rose assured. “We...dinna kne…”, Skye said sadly thinking of everything that Atif had just revealed. “We will do wat we can on our side of da pond. Ta protect people”, she added pushing a smile. Violet smiled. “With a Howlett to lead you I have no doubts you will do well. I’ll go collect the boys and get on our way. Once the uniforms are finished I’ll have them shipped to you at the cottage.”, Violet said giving Rose a hug. “Thanks so much Violet. And it was nice to see the boys even if they spent the time playing video games and getting in trouble.”, Rose smiled. “Well they are Hamiltons… trouble just comes naturally to us. Was a pleasure to meet you all.”, Violet said heading to get her husband and the boys so they could leave.
“Dose names ya listed, of da ones lost. Ah’ve ‘eard dose names before. Ya’ve both mentioned dem randomly.”, Skye commented. Rose nodded. “As a tribute to those who gave their lives for the school and for the others to live many chose to name their children after those they lost. Atif and Ashley are named for X-Men who died long before the attack on the school, though Atif’s middle name is Tanner for his father. Our friend Hope was also named for someone that died with the original Atf and Ashley. My nephew Xavier was named for the institute's founder who was one of my dad’s closest friends. Your cousins Evan and Hiro were named for their deceased uncles. Your other cousins Lauren and Owen were named for two of the people that died whom were close to your Aunt Mary. My niece Reine was named for her aunt who died. And Nash, who you met today was named for Violet’s first love who died. Duncan named his two younger children Ororo and Charles, Ororo for a woman he’d lost with the same incident as the original Ashley, Atif and Hope and Charles for the institute’s founder. And because my father was thought at the least lost my cousin Jimmy was named for him as his given name is James and my nephew Logan was obviously named for him but we just call him Junior since dad returned.”, Rose explained. Skye smiled a little. “Dat’s a rader bitter sweet way of honoring dem. Well Ah ‘ope dat our team can do as much good over ‘ere as da X-Men do over dere.”, she said. Rose nodded. “So do I. Come on let’s get back to training. Atif and Billy you two head out on patrol.”, Rose instructed. Atif and Billy nodded taking the teleporter back to the cottage to head out.
It took the rest of the summer but finally a package arrived with their new uniforms inside and Rose called the others to meet at the cottage. Skye was very giddy ready to check out her uniform never have had something like this before. “Alright so let’s see…”, Rose said pulling for the bag from the box. She smiled seeing Violet’s handwritten label on the bag that said ‘Wolverine 2.0’. “Looks like this one is mine.”, Rose said pulling out the light and durable kevlar uniform and mask. It was much like her old x-men uniform except in black instead of brown but still with the orange as a nod to her dad and then the phoenix logo on the chest. She pulled out the next one and tossed it to Billy as it said ‘Wiccan’. “Nice she gave me black and gold. I hated my academy uniform with the purple making me look so much like grandpa Erik.”, Billy said inspecting his uniform. She tossed the next bag to Atif. “Hmm like my old one but dark blue instead of yellow. At least I won’t feel like a honey bee.”, he smiled looking at his. “Ah here ya go Skye.”, she said handing the next one her her. “Oooo pretty. It’s purple. Oh Ah don’t get pants. Ah suppose it’s a good t’ing Ah pride mahself on mah legs.”, Skye giggled looking at her uniform. “And last must be for Donovan.”, Rose said tossing the bag at Donovan. He pulled the uniform out and looked at it. “Ah can work wid da red. Guess we ought ta try dem on.”, he said standing up. “Yeah probably. So go try it on Donovan we’re on patrol tonight anyways.”, Rose sighed picking up her uniform and heading up to her bedroom.
Octopus watched her curiously as she put on the uniform. She sighed as she put on the mask and looked in her mirror. “Here we officially go.”, she said before patting Octopus on the head. She glanced at her phone that sat ont he bed next to the cat. So much had been going on since she’d left Bayville in the short period of time. She hadn’t heard from Merrick but she wasn’t worried most times they didn’t talk during the school year. But she debated calling Merrick, talking to him about what all was going on getting a third party perspective. She sighed and shook her head she had patrol to go on. “Later Octopus.”, she she giving him a quick pet before heading down the stairs. Donovan had already changed into his uniform and was down in the living room waiting for her. He turned and blinked a little looking at her in the fitted kevlar uniform. “Wow…”, he said softly with a smile. She could look good in anything it seemed. He wondered exactly how good she might look in nothing at all. Rose just ignored the commented. “Alright let’s go then”, she said doing a quick test of letting her bone claws out and the sliding them back in. “You three should probably get your uniforms on and go train in the danger room so Skye can get used to the feel of her uniform when fighting. Donovan, with luck you won’t have to fight tonight. I hope it’s a quiet night.”, Rose said heading out the garden doors into the night. “Bye.”, Donovan said following after her.

Most of the patrol was quiet. “So s’ould we call it a ni’gt? We got plenty time we could maybe get a late dinner”, Donovan asked as they scurried over a roof top. Rose wasn’t paying any attention to what Donovan said as she’d caught the sounds of a scuffle near by. A young couple had been out on a date walking hand in hand down the street. However the girl was an obvious mutant her skin was a dark shade of green with subtle scales that had flecks of white. “Hey look at this. I wouldn’t be seen in public with a freak like that.”, one man said shoving the guy which caused him to bump into his date and then the girl bump into another guy. “Maybe he’s got a sick fetish. It certainly is a sickness to like a mutant piece of filth like this.”, the other man said glaring at the girl. “Why don’t you just leave us alone. We aren’t hurting anyone.”, the boy said gripping his girlfriend’s hand tight pulling her close as they ducked down an alley hoping to get away. However the two men followed after them. “Her mere existence is hurting our eyes.”, one said shoving the boy from behind knocking him down and into a wall. The guy groaned in pain his head hurting as he reached back feeling blood in his hair before trying to get up to help his girlfriend. “You know maybe if she didn’t have scales she might be pretty..”, one said shoving the girl against the wall gripping her shoulder so she couldn’t run. The other man walked closer taking a knife from his pocket and held it close to the girl’s face. “Let's see what she looks like with those scales off her face.”, he sneered.
Rose had already started moving in when Donovan realized she wasn’t even there. He rushed to catch up to her. Rose growled hearing the men speaking and her claws opped out as she used them to dig into the brick of the building getting down to land behind the two men. “Ahem, I think you should leave the girl alone.”, Rose growled her double sets of fangs grew out. She grabbed the one holding the knife by the shoulder sinking her nails into the man’s shoulders as they became claws. “What?”, the two were started by her appearance. One started to laugh looking at her in her costume. “And what are you supposed to be darling?”, one chuckled still holding the girl against the wall by her shoulder. The one whose shoulder she had pierced with her claws dropped his blade starting down to his knee in pain. “Get this blood bitch off me…”, he said.The larger one let the girl go and moved to take a swing at Rose. Rose pulled her claws from the other’s shoulder and turned grabbing the fist that was coming at her. “I’m your worst nightmare you son of a bitch….”, she growled throwing him over her shoulder. The girl took the chance to try and slip away from the two men and tried to help her boyfriend up. Donovan finally caught up and leapt down into the alley grabbing the one who’d bent to trying to pick up his blade.
“Ah dinna advice dat mate.”, Donovan said letting one of his hot knives form from his index finger and held it at the man. Rose was busy fighting with the larger one, who was rather caught by surprise that she was a better brawler than him. “Who are these people…”, the girl questioned to her boyfriend as they tried to stay clear of the fighting. “I don’t know but I’m glad they showed up…”, her boyfriend said taking out his phone and getting video on the masked red haired woman fighting off one of the attackers. Donovan was enjoying the brawl as he always did enjoy a fight. And these two men deserved exactly what they were getting, an ass kicking. And said ass kicking was being videotaped. With the two attackers defeated and out cold against the dumpster Rose looked to the couple. “You two should head home.”, she said grabbing Donovan’s arm. “Let’s move Laoch.”, she instructed with a nod. “Rig’t let’s move Wolverine.”, Donovan nodded as they headed further into the alley and back to the roofs. “Well dat was fun.”, Donovan chuckled when they got to the roof with a smile. Rose rolled her eyes. “What’s important is that we saved those two. This won’t be the last time we have to fight people. And eventually word will get out that there are masked vigilante. Let’s head back to the cottage and get to Muir Island.”, Rose instructed. Donovan sighed following after her. He’d wanted to take her out to dinner but that didn’t look like it was going to happen.
That video and stills from it were posted online. Word started to spread across Cambridge. As the months went on Rose and her team fought diligently to try and bring some amount of security to the local mutants. Soon they were even going outside of Cambridge traveling mostly up into Scotland and sometimes further south in England depending on where the information lead them. Word of a vigilante team was starting to become known across the United Kingdom. Every time Rose thought to call Merrick something came up to take her focus. She hoped that her not calling him wouldn’t give him the idea she didn’t care. Because that wasn’t true. That June she’d spent with him had actually been the best month she’d had in a long time. The month hadn’t been just about sex. They’d gone on dates and he’d stayed the night at her hotel. She had enjoyed spending that time with him. Being intimate on a different level had been nice. So she was hopeful that her not contacting him wasn’t taken as a sign that it had meant nothing. And she tried to not think about him not contacting her meant that time had meant nothing to him. She knew him well enough it had to meant something. He didn’t stay nights or cuddle with just anyone. He didn’t let people get that close, but he had let her. So it obviously meant something to him. Rose just brushed it off that she was busy with classes and the team and he was busy with his jobs.

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Skye and Donovan had stopped in at the cottage basically to discuss some recent anti mutant activity that happened while the others had been back in America. They knocked once then walked in smiling seeing their cousin getting down wine glasses while his boyfriend was getting a plate of snacks together as they'd been expected. "Ello mates.", Skye greeted giving her cousin and then Billy a kiss on the cheek on getting. "How was yer trip to da states?", Donovan asked snatching a small sausage from the tray and eating it. "Oh we had a good time. Rose however I think had the more eventful visit.", Billy teased looking to the living room area. Rose pinned to a chair with an extremely large orange fluffy object. Donovan and Skye both looked at the furry object with interest as they walked closer. "W'at is dat on yer lap lassie?", Donovan questioned. Rose stuck her tongue out at Billy as she brought a hand over starting to pet Octopus who raised his large head looking with gold eyes at the visitors. "He is my new cat and his name is Octopus.", Rose grinned. "Dat ain't a cat, dat's a wee tiger.", Donovan said sitting down on the couch. "Cat. I saw him and fell in love.", Rose laughed scratching Octopus between the ears resulting a booming pur. "I still say it's debatable which sold her on the beast. Octopus himself or the man who introduced them.", Atif teased bringing in the wine. Skye raised an eyebrow. "Dis da bloke ‘ho ya claimed ain't yer bloke?", Skye questioned sitting down. "Wait wat bloke?", Donovan asked confused. He looked from his twin to Rose. She shook her head. "Merrick isn't my bloke, Skye.", she chuckled and continued to scratched Octopus. Billy rolled his eyes setting the tray down on the coffee table. "Not hers except for when she's in Bayville...", Atif teased. "Wait da bloke ya told mah sister is, to be polite, a tramp?", Donovan questioned.

She shook her head."Merrick isn’t mine when I'm there...well not only mine. He has a little black book of women he sees.", she defended. "Yeah which how many nights during our visit wasn't he in your hotel room?", Billy counted. Skye just smirked silently. Rose frowned. "Does it matter?", she asked. "Well no. Just kind of proving Atif’s point that while in Bayville he was just with you.", Billy stated. "I know but there isn't a rule or anything. It just happened to turn out that way.", she shook her head slightly. "Merrick and I are just friends. And he introduced me to this amazing fluffy man, huh Octopus?",she smiled scratching the cat’s head. Octopus's booming pur filling the room. "Oh aye just friends? Dose pictures Ah've seen on yer phone tell a different tale mate.", Skye interjected. Rose rolled her eyes but did smile a little. “So there are some benefits….”, Rose shrugged a little. “But still just friends otherwise. Now enough about my private life. What’s been going on while we were away. You’d said there was some trouble brewing. Let’s talk about that as it’s actually important.”, Rose suggested eager for a change in subject. “Oh alrig’t. Let’s talk bout da trouble den. Rader not ‘ear more bout you in da Merrick bloke anyways.”, Donovan agreed. Skye rolled her eyes at her brother. “Fine. Well w’ile ya lot w’ere off in America dat group o humans we’d been running up against every now and again, dey established an official group callin’ demselves da Church of Humanity. Dey ‘ave taken up residence in an old Church of England ‘ere local and taking on closed churches all over England and Scotland. Dey trying ta make demselves an official religious group. Since dey officially got established we’ve ‘ad ‘ell of a time round ‘ere. Dere’have been at least one attack against a mutant each week sometimes more. Just few days back we stepped in w’en da bloody ‘eadens tried ta ‘ammer a young mutant boy, he dinna look more dan fifteen, to a cross of all tings!”, Skye explained her collar and face turning a bit red with her anger as she went on.

Billy, Atif and Rose all went silent. Rose gulped back anger and a growl at this disturbing news. “I see….well if they’ve gotten officially established and are legally seen as a religion we can’t do too much about that, but we sure the hell can make sure we are out and about to protect people. This point forward at least two of us will go on patrol every night without fail.”, Rose said. The others nodded in agreement. “If we are going to do this Rose, to make the five of us an official team we are going to need a better base than our place. Plus to protect ourselves we need uniforms that can hide our faces. Like we did back at the Institute.”, Atif suggested. Rose sighed taking a breath thinking about it. “You’re right. Not really sure where we can setup here in the UK that would even come close to what we had at the institute.”, Rose said petting Octopus. “Call Landon.”, Atif stated. Which this got him weird looks. “Why? What does Landon have to do with anything happening over here?”, Rose asked. “He doesn’t have anything to do with it sure. But name one person that has a more detailed database of information than him. If there is somewhere here we can set up shop he’ll know it.”, Atif explained. Skye and Donovan raised their eyebrows. “Wat would Landon kne den?”, Donovan asked. “Landon is...well he’s an inquisitive type of man. Since we were kids he’s sought to know everything he can about mutants and with his access to the X-Men database he knows more than most do. Alright I’ll call him see if he’s got any suggestions or leads that would help.”, Rose explained reaching for her cell and made the call. At least there wasn’t the weirdness anymore. She was okay and happy for him that he’d found love with Rachel and he knew about her sleeping with Merrick and just like the night she got caught kissing Merrick Landon backed her on it saying she should do whatever will make her happy.

Landon was on a break between sets drinking some water when his phone went off. “Rose?”, He questioned reaching for his phone. The other members of the band raising an eyebrow. “Hey Rose. What’s up?”, Landon greeted answering the phone. “Hope I’m not interrupting something, you sound a tad um out of breath.”, Rose greeted teasing slightly. Landon laughed. “Oh trust me if it was something along those lines I wouldn’t have answered the phone. No I just got into the green room at the club. Boys and I are in between sets. So what do I owe the pleasure of my best friend calling all the way from Cambridge?”, Landon laughed taking another sip of his water. Rose laughed shaking her head. “I’m calling on business actually. You of course know what me, Billy and the Kearney cousins have been up to over here across the pond.”, Rose said. Landon nodded. “Oh yeah what we were raised and trained to do, protecting people. So how might I, a humble history teacher in training or well sax player tonight, be of service?”, Landon asked. “A new ‘religious’ organization has officially taken root here. They call themselves..”, Rose was explaining. “Church of Humanity? They’ve gone legit? Well shit.”, Landon interrupted. Rose blinked. “You know? How do you know?”, Rose questioned. Landon laughed. “I’m me, of course I know. They have smaller footholds here in the states, mostly in the midwest and south. Forge has a whole file on them that I’ve read a few dozen times.”, Landon explained. “Of course. You know for someone who plans to not continue being a hero you sure do keep up to date.”, Rose pointed out. Landon smiled. “Well I might be a team leader anymore but doesn’t mean I stop caring. Now what can I do for you in regards to them? I can send you a copy of the database I’ve currently go on the group.”, he offered. “Well that would be a great start. But well if we are going to really do any good over here we need a base of operations and a way of doing this where our identities are kept safe. Like how the X-Men do. Ideas?”, Rose asked.

“Hm… hold on.”, Landon reached for his bag pulling out his tablet and getting into his database. “Alright here we go this should be of use. Old team called Excalibur, defuncted even before I was born, ran out of Muir Island off the coast of Scotland. Place was established by Professor Xavier’s colleague a human who was on our side named Doctor Moira MacTaggert, she died ten years ago. But all the information I have on Muir Island shows... yes the tech is a bit dated but it’s all form Forge so it’s still operational and kick ass.”, Landon said. “Muir Island? Hmm but off Scotland how will that be easy for us. I mean Skye can fly but…”, Rose said thinking. The others just listening to her half of the conversation wondering what was fully being discussed. “Oh well see the fun of that is Muir Island has a very interesting piece of tech and I don’t just mean the jet, not as awesome as the x-jet but still awesome. No the cool tech is actually a teleportation device. I’m sending you the intel now. Check out Muir Island and see if it can suit your needs. Let me know if you need more information or if I should let Forge know you may require some tech upgrades.”, Landon explained. “Wow...um that actually sounds pretty awesome. We’ll check it out. Thanks Landon. You are always there for me.”, Rose said. Landon laughed. “Always have and always will Rose. Talk to you soon. Tell the guys hi. I’ve gotta hit the stage. I’ll call you soon might have some news .”, Landon said smiling thinking about the engagement ring in his bag. “Alright. Well thanks for the intel. Night Landon have a good set.”, Rose said hanging up.

The other four looked at her waiting. “Landon suggests Excalibur, defuncted mutant organization from over twenty years ago. They had a base off the coast of Scotland called Muir Island. Landon says it’s teched out like Atif and I are used to just maybe a bit out of date. So I say this weekend we check it out see if it can suit our needs. Landon seems certain it will.”, Rose said. Aitf nodded. “Well Landon is rarely wrong about this kind of stuff. Soo…”, Atif said handing out the glasses of wine and holding his up. “Excalibur?”, Atif questioned looking at the group. Billy smiled and raised in glass. “Excalibur.”, Billy agreed. In his mind Billy laughed a little at the idea that as the son of Wanda Maximoff he was about to become an official member of a team of heros. “Excalibur.”, Skye said smiling and nudged her brother. “Aye, Excalibur. Wat ya say fearless leader?”, Donovan asked raising his glass looking to Rose. Rose sighed and nodded raising her glass. “Excalibur.”, Rose agreed. As their glasses clinked Octopus raised his head and let out a meow. Rose was thinking about what she’d just agreed to. To take on the leadership role of a whole new team. A team separate from the X-Men. She considered talking to Duncan about the formation of the team, but she decided against it he was a controlling person and this was not his team. No as she looked at the faces of her friends she knew that this was not the X-Men this was her team and her team alone.
When the weekend came they took to cars from Cambridge it was almost half a day's drive just to a dock at the northern coast of Scotland then they had to commision a boat to taken them to the remote island. As they disembarked from the boat Donovan sighed in relief to have ground under him having never liked being on the water, he had a tendency of getting sea sick. Which he quickly found some bushes and promptly threw up the contents of his stomach. “Please tell me in da future getting ‘ere won’t require a boat…”, Donovan asked wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Rose rolled her eyes. “Poor wee lamb, canna stomach a small boat ride.”, Skye teased pouting playfully at her brother. Atif and Billy chuckled a little. “To answer your question, if all the tech Landon told me about is still functional no we won’t need to make that long drive or take a boat. We’ll teleport.”, Rose explained. “Like beam me up Scotty teleport?”, Donovan asked. Rose sighed starting to follow the trail letting her claws pop to cut through the overgrowth. “God you’re a geek.”, Atif shook his head at his cousin starting to follow Rose. Billy shook his head and followed along the trail behind Atif, Skye grabbing her twin by the arm and tugging him up the trail behind the others.
They could see the building in the distance it was bit hidden from view because of the vegetation having grown wild over the decade since the death of Moria. “Ah really ‘ope dis place is all yer mate Landon told ya.”, Donovan said moving up to the front and creating one large sword of his hot knives and started to hack away at the plants getting more cut back than her bone claws were able to. “Ye of little faith. Landon has never steered me wrong before.”, Rose shook her head letting Donovan take over hacking away at the overgrowth. “Remind me again w’y da t’ree of ya put such faith in dis Landon fella?”, Donovan asked. “Well I have faith in him because he’s the one who planned down to the smallest detail in taking my mother down who no one had been able to defeat before.”, Billy explained. “And despite who my family is and that I was raised to be his rival he defended me, protected me, and accepted me with just Atif’s say that I’m a good guy. So anyone that can put that kind of instant faith in me deserves it in return.”, he added. “From when we were in diapers Landon was always the leader. He was there for us growing up. We stumble he caught us. So it’s not blind or misplaced faith. Landon has proven himself over and over to Rose and I growing up.”, Atif explained. “Landon was the guy with the plan. And he’s also the guy that if you needed someone to have your back he’s there.”, Rose explained. “Alrig’t just ‘ope dis wasn’t some fools errand.”, Donovan said sighing finally getting to the door trying to open the door.
“Er it’s locked and Ah see some control panel. Yer mate ‘appen ta give ya da access code did he?”, Donovan asked pointing to the panel. Rose smiled taking her tablet out of her pack. “He didn’t, but he got the guy who made the security system to give it to me.”, she smirked pulling up the file Forge and sent her and hit the correct pattern into the keypad. The whole system had unlimited power having it’s own power station that used solar energy from panels scattered over the island, wind from wind mills placed at the far end of the island to get the most wind, and water from a lagoon located on the island. From that simple entry of the passcode the whole building came to life lighting up at the doors opened. Rose went ahead first pushing cobwebs out of her way looking around. It wasn’t grande like the institute but it certainly had what they needed. She saw a kitchen, a lounge, a meeting room. She could see more doors down the corridor as she pulled up the blueprints Landon and Forge had sent her. She smiled. “Oh yeah this will do. It’s got rooms with cots if we need to stay the night. There’s a medical center which I can work out of when someone’s injured. There’s a hanger with an old school version of the jet, and yes there is a danger room. We just need to clean the place up. Forge said I could reach out to him if I needed anything upgraded since he still has remote access.”, Rose smiled starting to look around more. “‘ow long did ya say dis place ‘as been empty?”, Skye asked looking around brushing away dust here and there. “Landon said ten years.”, Rose commented as she opened a door and smiled. “Ah ha. Cleaning supplies!”, she yelled tossing out brooms, dusters, and mops. “Let’s clean up. Skye you get all the high spots.”, she said looking to the others. They nodded taking their cleaning supplies started to clean up the old building.
It took them most the weekend but they finally got the whole building finally clean. Rose radioed in the morning for the boat to come back for them so they could drive the teleport disc back to the cottage. Donovan of course was not thrilled with having to take the boat back, even though he was promised it was the last time. It was a long journey back to the cottage and they all just kind of crashed there for the night not even testing the teleportation disc. It was the next day they finally tested out the teleportation disc. Sending them each one at a time to Muir Island. “Alrig’t so dat is bout da coolest ting Ah’ve seen”, Donovan proclaimed as they all arrived once more to Muir Island. Rose chuckled. “You think that was cool. Just wait. Come on guys lets see about doing some training…”, she smiled leading the way to the danger room. Atif and Billy smirked following along having both been in a danger room before. Skye and Donovan followed along curious about what the others were smirking about. They followed them into a large metal room and looked at each other confused. “So wat we doing?”, Donovan asked. “Just wait…”, Rose smirked pulling out her tablet and connecting it to the computer system to upload some of her old training sessions. “Since you two aren’t trained like we are, let’s start easy.”, Rose said. “Easy?”, Donovan questioned. “Ah been in plenty of fig’ts in mah life.”, he defended. Billy chuckled. “Wat so funny?”, Donovan asked looking to Billy. “It’s just cute is all.”, Billy taunted. “Pardon?”, Donovan questioned stepping closer to Billy who he was much taller and broader than.
Billy looked up still a smug smile of his lips. “It’s very cute that you think your playground brawls compare even in the tiniest amount to the type of rigorous training the three of us have endured in our lives.”, Billy stated smiling. “Ah gunna wipe dat smug smile off yer face.”, Donovan glared. “Rose...run the simulation, please. I want to show Donovan here just how mediocre his fighting prowess is.”, Billy requested not looking away from Donovan and still smiling. Rose sighed and rolled her eyes. Atif shook his head grabbing Skye’s arm and taking a step back. Skye looking a bit confused. “Run simulation dojo 2.1”, Rose stated clearly stepping back. Skye blinked in awe as the room transformed to a Japanese dojo and even included a stand of weapons. “Pick your weapon and let’s do this…”, Billy stated. “Ah choose mah fists.”, Donovan said taking a boxing type stance and making a jab at Billy. Billy grabbed Donovan’s wrist with both hands firmly and using Donovan’s own momentum brought him over his shoulder to land on his back and twisted Donovan’s arm dislocating his shoulder, stepping on the shoulder. “My point proven yet? You ready to learn now or do you need further examples?”, Billy requested. Donovan winced he may heal from injuries but that doesn't mean they didn’t hurt. “Alrig’t so ya kne some moves. Let’s train den.”, Donovan agreed. Billy let go and stepped back as Rose came over and helped Donovan to his feet and popped his shoulder back into place. “Alright so that’s over. Now for the real training.”, Rose instructed. Since they were an odd number Rose decided to run the session having Skye and Donovan as a sparring set and Atif and Billy not wanting to pit one of the more seasoned fights against the new guys.
It would take a while but Skye and Donovan were at least quick learners. Which was good because the team started following Rose’s schedule where always two went out on patrol. They had to wear street clothes for the moment generally hoodies so if it was necessary to step in they could kind of hide their faces with the hoods. There had been a couple close calls of their faces getting seen and finally Rose put in a call for a favor from Violet. Violet agreed to help Rose and the team out with uniforms and requested that they all show up at Muir Island so she could do some measurements and show them her rough idea. “Alright so you guys ready to head to the island? Violet and Adian will be meeting us there and I think they are bringing their son Nash and nephews Marco and Taylor.”, Rose said looking at the others. “Ah still canna believe our uniforms are gunna be designed by the Violet Asher of V Designs! Ah love her clothes.”, Skye said a tad giddy. Atif and Rose rolled their eyes never having looked or thought of Violet as a celebrity. She was just Misses Asher growing up for them. Rose’s sister-in-law Teresa was Violet’s little sister so Rose saw her as family. “Yeah well take a few calming breaths. She’s just a person.”, Rose said starting up the teleporter and stepping onto the disc disappearing. Atif patted Skye on the shoulder before followed Rose. The others followed one at a time arriving at the island.
Violet and Adian had already arrived in the X-Jet with the three boys in tow. None of them really saw the need for them if all she was doing was going to do measurements on Rose’s new team. But a chance to fly in the x-jet wasn’t one they’d pass up. The three boys were lounging on the sofa in Muir Island when the team started to arrive. Rose shook her head arriving first seeing the backs of the three boys, she knew Marco was at the end with his auburn hair, next to him was Nash with his dark brown near black hair, and then at the end the oldest of the trio Taylor with his dirty blonde hair. It was funny to look at them as Nash stood out the most. He may be of a slim build like his cousins but he was much taller like his father. “Enjoying the video games boys?”, Rose teased leaning over the back of the sofa. They laughed a little not even taking their eyes off the screen playing their racing game. “Yes we are.”, Taylor answered. Atif chuckled seeing the boys as he arrived. “Of course they come an ocean away to a new place and the first thing they do is sit in front of a television and play video games like they would be at the institute. Nash shrugged. “Carter say hi fyi.”, he commented focusing on the game. “Ah there’s two faces I know. Hello kids.”, Violet greeted smiling giving Rose and Atif each a hug as others started to arrive. Adian stayed off to the side but gave a nod of his silent greeting, he was never one for words unless they were important. For being in her late thirties Violet had aged rather well not even a grey in her soft brown hair though a few tiny age lines near her honey brown eyes.
Skye made the cross over and stopped seeing Violet and blinked. Violet raised an eyebrow looking past Billy to the new face looking at her. “Um…”, Violet said with an arch of her brow. “Vi this is Skye Kearney aka Iolar. She’s apparently a huge fan of your fashion line.”, Rose introduced as Donovan arrived. “And that’s her twin Donovan.”, she added. Violet smiled sweetly. “Of course their twins. Other than Darren I don’t think Kearney’s know how to breed without multiples.”, Violet laughed softly. Donovan smiled. “Blessing and a curse. At least most times wid da exceptions of Uncles Evan and Iver and our cousins Evan and Hiro we come in sets of boy and girl. So no reason ta ‘ave more. Granted grandah and grandmum dinna see it dat way ‘aving four sets. And der was one Kearney born long before wee Darren dat dinna have a twin. Great Uncle Adean. But he and Great Auntie Clarie did have ah set o twins.”, Donovan defended with a smile. Skye still stood silent in awe looking at Violet. “Um alright dear you are starting to weird me out. Could you speak or at least stop gawking it’s kind of rude.”, Violet said. Donovan nudged his sister. “H.hhh...hhh...hi.”, Skye stammered out. “Um alright so did you come up with a symbol? Something that kind of unifies all the uniforms like we have the ‘X’?”, she asked turning her attention back to Rose deciding Skye just needed some time to decompress.
“Yeah just as you asked. we kind of debated about it a bit. but this is what Skye drew.”, Rose said pulling a piece of paper out of her back pocket and unfolded it. Violet took the paper looking at the design and nodded. “So kind of a phoenix. I’ll assume that’s symbolism since you are bringing the Excalibur name out of retirement and giving it new life. Very nice.”, Violet said nodding setting the paper down moving to her bag and pulling out a tablet and a measuring tape. “Let’s get to work then. Who wants to be measured first?”, Violet asked stretching the tape out with a smile. Donovan shrugged. “Ah’ll go first.”, he said stepping forward. Violet looked him over a moment. “Alright stand perfectly still with back straight legs slightly apart and arms straight out.”, she instructed grabbing a chair to stand on to get measurements of his shoulders and arm span. “Let’s see Donovan Kearney: 18.5 neck, 54 shoulders, 52 chest, 50 waist, 37 arms, 35 length.”, she said measuring Donovan’s torso as she spoke the program on her table was entering the measurements. “55 hips..”, she said getting down from the chair and starting to measure his lower half. Donovan feeling a tad weird about this. “14 front rise, 31 thigh, and lastly…”, she said getting the inseam…43”, she concluded. Rose and Skye both laughed a little at the slight blush on Donovan’s face having Violet measuring his inseam. Donovan trying to not consider the fact for her age she was rather attractive. Nash glanced over his shoulder and shook his head. “Ease up dude that’s my mom. One I can hear your thoughts. Two I’m stronger than you and could and would knock your old ass through one of these metal lined cement walls.”, Nash stated. Violet shook her head putting the tape down and looked to her son. “Nash behave or else you can go find the danger room with your father.”, Violet threatened. Adian rolled his eyes but looked sternly at his son. Nash sighed. “Yes mom…”, Nash said going back to playing the video game.
Violet patted Donovan on the arm. “You can put your arms down now and relax. And don’t worry too much, you aren’t the first or last young man to get embarrassed having his measurements taken.”, she assured. “Atif and Rose I have your measurements on file as you haven’t gotten bigger, so William. You are up.”, she said calling Billy forward. “Well at least there’s no awkwardness for me, unless you're having your husband do the measuring Misses Asher.”, Billy staid stepping over and standing as she’d previous instructed Donovan. Violet chuckled. “That’s very true. So shouldn’t take too long. William Maximoff: 30 waist, 37 hips, 11 front rise, 22 thigh, 34 inseam, 15 neck, 38 chest, 33 sleeves, and 32 total length.”, she said quickly finishing the measurement without any issues. Donovan had moved to lean by the wall next to Rose. “Dat could ‘ave been worse on me.”, he commented quietly. “How so? Gets worse than you having dirty thoughts about a woman old to be your mother with her husband and son on the room? Her son, one of her nephews and then her being telepaths and can hear what you were thinking. So what would have been worse?”, Rose asked shaking her head. “Could ‘ave been you taking mah measurements.”, he smirked with a wink. Rose rolled her eyes saying nothing. Donovan was a flirt, but she was not interested in flirting or hooking up. She had university to focus on and this team. No she saved flirting and hooking up for her time in Bayville where she’d have Merrick. Donovan may have the wide shoulders like Merrick and be about his height too but he wasn’t Merrick.
“Alright so...Skye if you have gotten a bit more acclimated please step over so I may get your measurements for your uniform.”, Violet called Skye over. Skye nodded and walked over in silence not sure what she could say to Violet beyond wanting to apologize for her behavior. Skye stood motionless like her brother and Billy had. “Skye Kearney: 14 neck, 37.5 bust, 28.5 waist, 36.5 hips, 22 thigh, 8.5 rise, and 28.5 inseam.”, Violet said clearly as the program took down her every word. Taylor had turned his attention slightly to look as Skye was being measured. He was older than his cousins and yes back home he had a very cute and very sweet girlfriend Riley, it was hard to not just take a look. He didn’t of course know Skye’s powers. Skye snorted. “Keep yer thoughts ta yerself jail bait.”, Skye commented. Taylor blinked and smiled. “I’m sixteen. That’s not jailbait in any country.”, Taylor defended. Violet shook her head picking up her tablet and playing around with the app before scanning the image Rose had given her. “Aye Ah suppose sixteen is legal. ‘Owever Ah doubt yer lass back ‘ome would appreciate yer looking or tinking like dat bout someone else. Plus ya couldn’t ‘andle me lad.”, Skye teased tussling Taylor’s hair before walking over to Rose. Marco chuckled and reached around Nash to smack Taylor’s chest. “Burn dude.”, Marco teased. “I’ll show you burn…”, Taylor said holding up his index finger igniting with a small fire. “Boys. Danger room now.”, Adian suddenly spoke his voice rich and deep. Skye blinked as the large man spoke. The boys groaned putting the controllers down. “But dad..”, Nash tried to argue but Adian just stared him down. “Yes sir. Which way Rose?”, Nash sighed. Rose pointed and tried to not laugh at the three boys were marched down the hall with Adian behind them.
“Thank you so much for helping out Vi. Hope you don’t get in any trouble with Duncan about this.”, Rose said walking over to Violet. Violet snorted. “Like that old man gets to dictate who I make clothes for. It’s my job after all.”, she smiled looking up a little from her tablet. “God you favor your mother in appearance till I look at those eyes. And then there he is, there I find Professor Logan.”, Violet smiled before looking back to her tablet. Rose smiled playing with her locket. “Thanks. I’m actually thinking about talking to dad about changing my codename. Lycan was my X-Men codename. I’m not an X-men anymore. And with him retired I think the world could use a Wolverine again.”, she sighed. Violet nodded. “I’m sure your dad would like that. Miss him being active in the field. Growing up and training under him was rigorous for sure but rewarding. No one left fights like him. We all do what we can. We fight the intolerance and do everything we can to keep people safe. We have passion for what we do. But your dad always had more than passion in a fight.”, Violet sighed. “If her dah so great w’y he retired? Is it because he just got too old? Ah was told he’s got a ‘ealing power like mine and claws like Rose.”, Donovan asked. Violet smirked and looked to Donovan. “Professor Logan is certainly not too old to be in the fight. He’s old in years but his healing he looks about my age actually. Which given I met him when I was fourteen and I’ve now caught up with him in how old he looks is amusing. And he doesn’t have have claws like Rose. Professor Logan’s bones including his claws are laced with an unbreakable metal known as adamantium. He is and always will be the most feared man on the planet because really no matter his age he is the best at what he does and what he doesn’t isn’t very nice.”, Violet said with a smile.
Rose, Atif and Billy all were smirking as Violet was shutting Donovan down about his questioning of Logan’s abilities. “Alrig’t. Still believe it when Ah see it. But if he so good w’y did he retire?”, Donovan questioned. “He didn’t do it willingly. Duncan forced him into it. Professor Logan...twenty-one years ago…”, Violet tried to find the words. Rose moved closer and hugged her she knew even now all these years later thinking about that night was painful for many who’d survived it. Atif sighed. “I’ll explain his Vi.”, he said before looking to his cousin. “Twenty-one years ago the Acolytes lead by Scarlet Witch, Wanda, went for total domination goals. They had one of their members Polaris, Lorna, as the President. And Scarlet Witch wanted to make sure the X-Men could not stop her. Using the military as an advantage she launched a strategic strike against the X-Men. Pretender, Kim, along with a but load of soldiers armed to the teeth attacked Logan and Aurelia taking Logan which they only captured him because he allowed them so Aurelia could escape. At the same time The Hive divided up, Christian attacked and captured Mikali and Annai while his brothers tried to capture Kurt and Isis. Kurt managed to get Isis to the institute and Aurelia also got to the institute. However Pyro, John, had come with probably the largest group of soldiers to take on the school with power inhibiting drug loaded darts. They killed my dad, they killed our cousin Evan, and took the lives of Reine Marcellin, Alexander Kroscolov, Nash, Lauren Patterson, Hiro Sohma, Jay, Celeste Stepford, Phoebe Stepford, Mindee Stepford, Owen Meany, and Haruka. They kidnapped my mom while she was rather pregnant with me and my sister. They also took others like Alison, Jean, our aunt Mary, and Warren. Then in their foolish attempt to get the Haven to side with them they took Aislinn. In the final battle when a rescue was made based on intel that my dad Azriel and his brother Colby gathered after Wanda beheaded their triplet Darren all but one was saved. The one that wasn’t saved in the end was Logan. He was blasted with Wanda’s reality warping powers and the powers of Solangel when those powers collided it altered reality. Only the X-Men, Haven and humans involved remembered the truth where the Acolytes’ and the rest of the word remembered it to be the friends of humanity that did the attack. Logan was sent to another dimension. It wasn’t still our team with the help of Billy and Tommy opened a door to that dimension was Logan set free.”, Atif explained holding back tears himself as he talked about the great losses.
Donovan went silent as his cousin told him what happened. Skye even felt some tears. “Professor Logan is a strong man, and he likes to shoulder his own burdens alone and deal with his own demons. So when Duncan wanted him to pass a psych evaluation and Logan wouldn’t talk about what happened while he was in that other dimension. It didn’t matter that he nailed the physical part of the test Duncan wouldn’t let him back on active duty. So Professor Logan retired to run his pub, spend time with Rose and also his grandchildren Xavier, Nikki and Reine.”, Violet spoke. “We all suffered so much from those events it’s a pain we will never fully recover from. A pain that we hope your generation and future generations never has to face. Which is why people like myself and Forge are willing to help your team. The X-Men cannot police the world. So teams like yours are important. Even if Duncan would rather you be affiliated and go through him. I understand he’s hard to deal with so reporting to him might not be something you want. And one day just remember he’ll retire and someone new from your generation will be chosen to lead. I’m sure whoever that is will want to work with you.”, she sighed and lightly patted Rose’s arm. “Your support means a lot to us.”, Rose assured. “We...dinna kne…”, Skye said sadly thinking of everything that Atif had just revealed. “We will do wat we can on our side of da pond. Ta protect people”, she added pushing a smile. Violet smiled. “With a Howlett to lead you I have no doubts you will do well. I’ll go collect the boys and get on our way. Once the uniforms are finished I’ll have them shipped to you at the cottage.”, Violet said giving Rose a hug. “Thanks so much Violet. And it was nice to see the boys even if they spent the time playing video games and getting in trouble.”, Rose smiled. “Well they are Hamiltons… trouble just comes naturally to us. Was a pleasure to meet you all.”, Violet said heading to get her husband and the boys so they could leave.
“Dose names ya listed, of da ones lost. Ah’ve ‘eard dose names before. Ya’ve both mentioned dem randomly.”, Skye commented. Rose nodded. “As a tribute to those who gave their lives for the school and for the others to live many chose to name their children after those they lost. Atif and Ashley are named for X-Men who died long before the attack on the school, though Atif’s middle name is Tanner for his father. Our friend Hope was also named for someone that died with the original Atf and Ashley. My nephew Xavier was named for the institute's founder who was one of my dad’s closest friends. Your cousins Evan and Hiro were named for their deceased uncles. Your other cousins Lauren and Owen were named for two of the people that died whom were close to your Aunt Mary. My niece Reine was named for her aunt who died. And Nash, who you met today was named for Violet’s first love who died. Duncan named his two younger children Ororo and Charles, Ororo for a woman he’d lost with the same incident as the original Ashley, Atif and Hope and Charles for the institute’s founder. And because my father was thought at the least lost my cousin Jimmy was named for him as his given name is James and my nephew Logan was obviously named for him but we just call him Junior since dad returned.”, Rose explained. Skye smiled a little. “Dat’s a rader bitter sweet way of honoring dem. Well Ah ‘ope dat our team can do as much good over ‘ere as da X-Men do over dere.”, she said. Rose nodded. “So do I. Come on let’s get back to training. Atif and Billy you two head out on patrol.”, Rose instructed. Atif and Billy nodded taking the teleporter back to the cottage to head out.
It took the rest of the summer but finally a package arrived with their new uniforms inside and Rose called the others to meet at the cottage. Skye was very giddy ready to check out her uniform never have had something like this before. “Alright so let’s see…”, Rose said pulling for the bag from the box. She smiled seeing Violet’s handwritten label on the bag that said ‘Wolverine 2.0’. “Looks like this one is mine.”, Rose said pulling out the light and durable kevlar uniform and mask. It was much like her old x-men uniform except in black instead of brown but still with the orange as a nod to her dad and then the phoenix logo on the chest. She pulled out the next one and tossed it to Billy as it said ‘Wiccan’. “Nice she gave me black and gold. I hated my academy uniform with the purple making me look so much like grandpa Erik.”, Billy said inspecting his uniform. She tossed the next bag to Atif. “Hmm like my old one but dark blue instead of yellow. At least I won’t feel like a honey bee.”, he smiled looking at his. “Ah here ya go Skye.”, she said handing the next one her her. “Oooo pretty. It’s purple. Oh Ah don’t get pants. Ah suppose it’s a good t’ing Ah pride mahself on mah legs.”, Skye giggled looking at her uniform. “And last must be for Donovan.”, Rose said tossing the bag at Donovan. He pulled the uniform out and looked at it. “Ah can work wid da red. Guess we ought ta try dem on.”, he said standing up. “Yeah probably. So go try it on Donovan we’re on patrol tonight anyways.”, Rose sighed picking up her uniform and heading up to her bedroom.
Octopus watched her curiously as she put on the uniform. She sighed as she put on the mask and looked in her mirror. “Here we officially go.”, she said before patting Octopus on the head. She glanced at her phone that sat ont he bed next to the cat. So much had been going on since she’d left Bayville in the short period of time. She hadn’t heard from Merrick but she wasn’t worried most times they didn’t talk during the school year. But she debated calling Merrick, talking to him about what all was going on getting a third party perspective. She sighed and shook her head she had patrol to go on. “Later Octopus.”, she she giving him a quick pet before heading down the stairs. Donovan had already changed into his uniform and was down in the living room waiting for her. He turned and blinked a little looking at her in the fitted kevlar uniform. “Wow…”, he said softly with a smile. She could look good in anything it seemed. He wondered exactly how good she might look in nothing at all. Rose just ignored the commented. “Alright let’s go then”, she said doing a quick test of letting her bone claws out and the sliding them back in. “You three should probably get your uniforms on and go train in the danger room so Skye can get used to the feel of her uniform when fighting. Donovan, with luck you won’t have to fight tonight. I hope it’s a quiet night.”, Rose said heading out the garden doors into the night. “Bye.”, Donovan said following after her.

Most of the patrol was quiet. “So s’ould we call it a ni’gt? We got plenty time we could maybe get a late dinner”, Donovan asked as they scurried over a roof top. Rose wasn’t paying any attention to what Donovan said as she’d caught the sounds of a scuffle near by. A young couple had been out on a date walking hand in hand down the street. However the girl was an obvious mutant her skin was a dark shade of green with subtle scales that had flecks of white. “Hey look at this. I wouldn’t be seen in public with a freak like that.”, one man said shoving the guy which caused him to bump into his date and then the girl bump into another guy. “Maybe he’s got a sick fetish. It certainly is a sickness to like a mutant piece of filth like this.”, the other man said glaring at the girl. “Why don’t you just leave us alone. We aren’t hurting anyone.”, the boy said gripping his girlfriend’s hand tight pulling her close as they ducked down an alley hoping to get away. However the two men followed after them. “Her mere existence is hurting our eyes.”, one said shoving the boy from behind knocking him down and into a wall. The guy groaned in pain his head hurting as he reached back feeling blood in his hair before trying to get up to help his girlfriend. “You know maybe if she didn’t have scales she might be pretty..”, one said shoving the girl against the wall gripping her shoulder so she couldn’t run. The other man walked closer taking a knife from his pocket and held it close to the girl’s face. “Let's see what she looks like with those scales off her face.”, he sneered.
Rose had already started moving in when Donovan realized she wasn’t even there. He rushed to catch up to her. Rose growled hearing the men speaking and her claws opped out as she used them to dig into the brick of the building getting down to land behind the two men. “Ahem, I think you should leave the girl alone.”, Rose growled her double sets of fangs grew out. She grabbed the one holding the knife by the shoulder sinking her nails into the man’s shoulders as they became claws. “What?”, the two were started by her appearance. One started to laugh looking at her in her costume. “And what are you supposed to be darling?”, one chuckled still holding the girl against the wall by her shoulder. The one whose shoulder she had pierced with her claws dropped his blade starting down to his knee in pain. “Get this blood bitch off me…”, he said.The larger one let the girl go and moved to take a swing at Rose. Rose pulled her claws from the other’s shoulder and turned grabbing the fist that was coming at her. “I’m your worst nightmare you son of a bitch….”, she growled throwing him over her shoulder. The girl took the chance to try and slip away from the two men and tried to help her boyfriend up. Donovan finally caught up and leapt down into the alley grabbing the one who’d bent to trying to pick up his blade.
“Ah dinna advice dat mate.”, Donovan said letting one of his hot knives form from his index finger and held it at the man. Rose was busy fighting with the larger one, who was rather caught by surprise that she was a better brawler than him. “Who are these people…”, the girl questioned to her boyfriend as they tried to stay clear of the fighting. “I don’t know but I’m glad they showed up…”, her boyfriend said taking out his phone and getting video on the masked red haired woman fighting off one of the attackers. Donovan was enjoying the brawl as he always did enjoy a fight. And these two men deserved exactly what they were getting, an ass kicking. And said ass kicking was being videotaped. With the two attackers defeated and out cold against the dumpster Rose looked to the couple. “You two should head home.”, she said grabbing Donovan’s arm. “Let’s move Laoch.”, she instructed with a nod. “Rig’t let’s move Wolverine.”, Donovan nodded as they headed further into the alley and back to the roofs. “Well dat was fun.”, Donovan chuckled when they got to the roof with a smile. Rose rolled her eyes. “What’s important is that we saved those two. This won’t be the last time we have to fight people. And eventually word will get out that there are masked vigilante. Let’s head back to the cottage and get to Muir Island.”, Rose instructed. Donovan sighed following after her. He’d wanted to take her out to dinner but that didn’t look like it was going to happen.
That video and stills from it were posted online. Word started to spread across Cambridge. As the months went on Rose and her team fought diligently to try and bring some amount of security to the local mutants. Soon they were even going outside of Cambridge traveling mostly up into Scotland and sometimes further south in England depending on where the information lead them. Word of a vigilante team was starting to become known across the United Kingdom. Every time Rose thought to call Merrick something came up to take her focus. She hoped that her not calling him wouldn’t give him the idea she didn’t care. Because that wasn’t true. That June she’d spent with him had actually been the best month she’d had in a long time. The month hadn’t been just about sex. They’d gone on dates and he’d stayed the night at her hotel. She had enjoyed spending that time with him. Being intimate on a different level had been nice. So she was hopeful that her not contacting him wasn’t taken as a sign that it had meant nothing. And she tried to not think about him not contacting her meant that time had meant nothing to him. She knew him well enough it had to meant something. He didn’t stay nights or cuddle with just anyone. He didn’t let people get that close, but he had let her. So it obviously meant something to him. Rose just brushed it off that she was busy with classes and the team and he was busy with his jobs.