The movie ended after hours. It wasn't bad for a zombie flick and at least kept my mind off the huffing and puffing from Jean as she eyed Cyclops. Everyone else remained either in their own world or silent throughout the film. When it finished Kurt teleported us each to our own destinations, Bobby went on his date, Cyclops wanted to be in his room, Jean wished to be alone, the rest left to do their own thing at school and Rogue volunteered to take me to Charles.
We walked through the wooden halls of the mansion until she stopped in her tracks to talk with me. By the look of desperation on her face Rogue wanted my full attention, "I need help."
"Sorry Rogue but I've wasted enough time already–" She interrupted me.
"You're the only one, please." She removed her glove, "I can't touch anyone. My power, you felt it before. Help me control it."
"It didn't feel all that bad–" Rogue stopped me, "I killed someone!" She yelled.
I could see tears forming in her eyes, "he was my boyfriend. My powers didn't appear until we kissed–and it was just for one blissful moment. I…I don't want to be alone forever, please."
Rogue looked me in the eye, a tear falling down her cheek. This was the first time someone asked for my help. I scratched my head unsure of how to proceed with the situation at hand, "listen Rogue, I can't help you. That's not my area of expertise. I only came here–"
"You felt my power right?" she said, gripping my hand with her ungloved hand. Instantly I felt a sudden sensation of energy leaving my hand but no harm was done. I nodded and she continued, "then let me just hold your hand. Try to practice turning it off… At least let me find out if that's possible."
Her voice was filled with honesty and not a single shred of selfishness, she felt human to me unlike many of the scumbags I've met on the job. A part of me wanted to say yes, I would have liked some help in the past. But I know my mission, HYDRA. Sensing she wouldn't let this go, I gave her a little hope even if it was a lie, "I'll think about. I too have my own problems to deal with. Can you tell me where Charles is? I need to finish my mission before I can consider anything else."
"Ok." Her voice was shaky, unsure if she believed it, "it's right there. I only wanted to talk with you alone in case I couldn't later."
I nodded and walked across the hall getting ready to knock when the door was opened by Logan. A voice welcomed me in, "A pleasure seeing you again my boy. I hope Rogue didn't bother you." Charles said from behind his desk.
Entering the room I saw Coulson sitting in one of the two chairs in front of the desk drinking tea, not bothering to look at me. At the door stood Logan and Hank as if they were bouncers. Standing at the sides of the room were Mystique, Cyclops' older brother Havok, and a young Storm.
"Please, sit, tea perhaps?" Said Charles in a fatherly voice.
I sat down giving a side glance to Coulson hoping to show my annoyance for leaving me behind but he ignored me, "No thanks Professor Xavier."
"Charles is fine, I still haven't taught you anything to earn that title." He said but I heard a subtle sigh from Logan.
Coulson put his little tea cup and plate on the desk to speak, "we are still talking about joining our two forces on operations to protect–"
Mystique cut him off, "your boss wishes to discard our people on suicide missions." She said it as a fact.
Charles intervened, "that's not what he said Raven."
Raven pointed her hand at me, "there's literally a child soldier sitting in front of you Charles. I must be stupid then." She chuckled in anger.
"Do I look like the child next to you? Mystique?" I said seeing the hypocrisy.
"Ah… Storm is a trainee. She is only here to see how we work, nothing more." Responded Mystique.
I glanced at Storm, "ya, sure. I must be stupid then."
"Ehem," said Coulson at my side, wanting me to look at him, "we, are here to discuss cooperation. I only wish to reach a middle ground with the X-men."
Charles spoke slowly while keeping his eyes on Raven, "it would be great to show the world that mutants can work together with the government to assist in making it a safer place."
"But not at our expense alone." Said Hank from the back, "Hank." Replied Charles in a quiet tone, wanting him to keep his thoughts to himself however he kept going, "it reaches a point where they expect us to do the heavy lifting. Tell me Charles what if a mission falls through, people get hurt or worse. Who's fault will it fall to?"
"I assure you that SHIELD will pay the repercussions of any damages that can occur." Coulson chimed in.
"People will blame the same group, like always." Logan said in a tired voice, he was calling bullshit to Coulson's argument.
Coulson straightened his back, "Look I get it, people like to kick the little guy." That earned an exaggerated laugh from a couple of the people present, "but let me paint you a picture. SHIELD gets a call from a town, city, country. Imagine whatever comes easy to you. Two words come from it, Mutant threat. Our job is simple, take care of it. Heck I can send the kid here, a Mutant to take care of it but he's one of my people. The headline won't be Mutant saves the day but SHIELD. Are you seeing where I am going with this, X-men?" He picked up his tea again.
I could see a faint smile on Charles who no doubt saw the argument coming. He waited for the other X-men to think and specifically wanted Raven to answer.
From the corner of my eye I saw her roll her eyes at Charles, "let's do a vote, who's in favour of helping take down Mutants who wish to use their powers to cause harm and in turn put us in danger. But do not get involved in problems the government causes worldwide."
They voted yes. Raven spoke again to Coulson, "remember this is the X-men, not Charles' X-men. We're a group who consider each other family, not some organisation who uses whatever sinister means to keep their power." She left with the rest of the X-men but Logan.
"She has a strong will, no wonder she's a hero. I'm glad we could come to a middle ground Charles. Now I'll leave the kid in your hands for the time being." He said finishing his tea.
"I beg your pardon? I'm leaving for SHIELD for my next mission." I said looking at him with the last bits of my patience.
He got up and smiled, "new orders, you weren't here. Agent Hawkeye will pick you up in his quinjet when his mission is done. Until then you stay here as a sign of good faith. Good day Agent, Elite."
"Cunning Bastard." I mumbled.
He patted my back as he walked for the exit, "your things are in the guest room. I left some spare cash, buy yourself some clothes. Military style doesn't suit you, live a little kid."
I looked at Charles in front of me as I waited for Coulson to leave, otherwise I might have hit him if I got up. "Logan will guide you to one of our guest rooms. I wish to talk with you tomorrow once you're well rested. For now, please enjoy yourself at the party."
Sighing I got up to follow Logan. He took me to the second floor and opened the door to one of the rooms down the hall. "You lift kid?"
"Ya?" I replied confused by the question.
"Your build doesn't fit a normal kid. Only Colossus has a similar physique. That comes with his mutation however, well I think, I'm not a doctor." He said.
"My build came from a lab." I answered.
"Likewise…" I felt he wanted to say something more but stopped himself out of guilt or a pity look, it was hard to tell. He spoke, however I had a feeling he wished to say something else, "Charles told me I could–find myself here. Truth is I'm lost when it comes to life, kid. But people like you and me… We know there's a part of ourselves left at that table, at the lab, ripped from us. I may not look like a teacher but I might be the best person here who could help you, just ask if you need me."
"Like Charles then?" I said with sarcasm, raising a brow doubting that the man in front of me could give any words of wisdom.
"You resemble the prick I was when I got here." He grinned and patted my shoulder, "rest well kid, I got a feeling they'll come get you later."
I watched him walk back down the stairs before entering the room. It was clean, a double bed, a desk that actually was a desk, a beautiful bathroom, and space, space that my room on the Helicarrier didn't have. On the bed my bag was placed with a band of money, 5k. I'm surprised Coulson left me that much when I have a card where I deposit my salary from SHIELD.
Putting the cash in the bag I settled it on the empty desk and laid down on the bed waiting for the time to pass. Day turned to night and I heard the students of the school starting the party yet I remained in bed. I prayed for once that my mind would let me sleep through the party since I felt that it would be uncomfortable for me to be at one without a mission to fulfil.
Maybe one or two hours passed when NightCrawler poofed himself into existence, "Kurt? Why are you in my room?"
"Sorry, mine friend." He said in his accent, "I lost a bet to Bobby, please forgive my appearance."
"Okay… You can go now." He placed his hands on me and teleported me.
Because I was lying down on my bed without having caused the world or fate any trouble I got thrown to the ground upon my arrival.
Around me stood Bobby of course, Kurt obviously, Kitty since Bobby planned this, Rogue who I hoped didn't have a hand in this and Jean with a thoughtful expression. Bobby spoke, "I was missing you buddy."
"Ya? Well fuck you too buddy." They laughed, "we couldn't leave our guest alone, that would be sad." Kitty said.
"If someone wants to be in their room Kitty. It's probably because they don't want to be bothered." I replied.
"Oh just get up, enjoy yourself for once officer. We got a BBQ going on." Bobby said, stretching a hand to help me get up, "one burger Bobby, then I'm gone."
They gave me a burger and I watched as the students did various activities across the large plot of land Charles owned. A girl called Dazzler sang and somehow lights appeared around her prompting the mutants near her to dance or get out of the way for those who did. Others stood in groups just talking as friends about their day, while some played games in their own mutant style of play.
I was half way through my third burger when Kurt came up to me, "there is much more to do then just eating. Why is it that you are standing alone, my friend?"
Perhaps due to the atmosphere I answered honestly, "I can't help it. I'm analysing my environment."
"What for?" He asked, "For threats in the vicinity." I replied with a straight face.
His face turned to pity, "you will only find friends here, mine friend. Come let's dance with our friends, there is more to experience than just this state of being."
I studied him for a bit, "I don't know how to dance but I'll give your way a chance as I can't deny what I do not know."
Kurt grinned and placed his hand on my arm teleporting me to the middle of the 'dance floor' of the lawn. Most of the gang was here. "Just follow me, officer if you need help finding your rhythm." Said Jean as she took my hands to guide me.
We spent the night dancing away until finally our group leader of entertainment got tired as he led us out of the dance floor. "You ever." He breathed in a puff of air after Kitty had used up all he had while they danced together, "you ever had fruit punch?" Said Bobby.
Our group went to one of the tables that served snacks and beverages, "try it. You'll love it, believe me." Said Rogue as she gave me a red cup filled with it.
Suddenly Cyclops came next to us. I could tell behind his glasses he was pissed. He spoke to Jean, "can we talk, alone."
"Oh what for CYCLOPS!" She yelled.
"Jean, you've had too many cups of punch. I've seen the way you were dancing on him." He said sternly.
"Fine, if you consider yourself a man let's talk about who I spend time with." She said walking to an empty space.
I tested the drink, then drank it all in one gulp, "I don't know, maybe one more Rogue. I can't decide if I like it, also what's up with them? They always like this?"
She kindly served me another, "they were dating or were in a situationship? I'm not sure myself but I heard a rumor that Jean caught Cyclops kissing Emma when they were about to get serious. Since then they've been… Well this mess. Personally I wouldn't get anywhere near this burning bridge."
"Uh huh, cool. Anyway, what's in this?" I said drinking the second cup to the bottom.
"Fruit and alcohol? I'm not sure, I just drink hun." We giggled while pouring each other another drink.
"You know, I thought it was impossible for me to get drunk because of the whole experiment thingy. So, we must continue for science!" I said finishing the drink.
Bobby came next to us with Kitty, both of them grinning. "We could try something for science."
They gathered what they could of fruit punch without alerting the teachers watching the event into a large cup of ice Bobby made on the table. "Alright officer. Get under the table and when you're ready burn a hole in it so the liquid falls down. Let's see how much the super soldier can actually drink."
An audience surrounded us for the star event of the night. I got on the ground positioning myself for the large drink I was about to finish. My finger began to burn with heat aiming for the table when Kitty spoke, "wait! Let me get this on camera. Okay go."
I burned the hole and the juice started pouring down. About a minute went by with the chanting of the crowd screaming, "Officer! Officer!"
Not a drop was spilled and I got up to which Kurt grabbed my arm raising it to the air to appease the crowd around us. The teachers came and dispersed the group wanting to find who made it happen. We left in a hurry to go back to the mansion and hide. The group started laughing at the absurdity of it all when Jean and Cyclops walked in.
They were arguing heavily. "Jean, it was just a kiss!"
"Oh, just. A. Kiss. Then?" She came up to me and kissed me on the lips, the smell of alcohol penetrated my superior nose. It was a rancid kiss, and it was my first.
"You bastard!" Cyclops screamed running at me.
My senses kicked in from the sudden kiss and the madman coming at me had the same smell of alcohol. He threw a wild right hook with no technique. There was no need for it but I ducked under it and tripped him causing him to fall to the floor, he looked like a fool.
Jean let out a laugh. But I was pissed at her as well, "fuck you Jean!"
Everyone looked at me. I could see in their eyes that my face was red; not from anger but embarrassment. "You stole my first kiss." I said through alcohol. I left for the stairs and entered my room.
About half an hour went by until the alcohol wore off due to my super soldier serum I thought, "half an hour huh? Science… Good to know." I said to the empty room as I laid in bed.
With a clear head I thought of what happened, my response felt so childish. 'You stole my first kiss', that's a pathetic idea of romance to have as an agent of SHIELD. I let my guard down and ducked a punch from some wimp where I could have just caught his wrist without needing to move my legs. A pathetic display, I need *BAM* a noise came from the vents. It stopped and I continued thinking. I need to be on my toes if I want to catch the slightest trace of *BAM* once more the sound echoed from the vents of the room. A moment passed and I returned to my monologue. In order to find HYDRA, my five senses need to be on 100% of the time. During a mission there might be a chance that it's connected *BAM*.
This time I waited longer however the banging started to sound more repeatedly as they came up from the vents. There might be something dangerous happening in the school. I sighed and got up to put my ear next to it in an attempt to locate the sound. I'm no bat but I came to the conclusion that it echoed from somewhere deep inside the mansion, the basement?
I left the room and carefully looked across the hallway for any signs of aggression. Nothing, no noise could be heard of a fight. Softly, I went down the stairs and checked the kitchen where I saw lights. Only a dozen kids were up eating late night snacks. Also nothing dangerous nor a banging sound. During the tour of the place I wasn't shown any entrance to a basement so I spent a couple minutes finding the stairs to it. However what I found was an elevator, surprisingly no security needed to go down. I'm not sure if it went down fast or not but just a moment went by when it opened to reveal the basement, if you can call it that.
Where the mansion had a theme of using wood for its walls, floors or anything that could fit the theme; the basement had everything in steel or a shiny metal. Here I could hear the constant *BAM* coming from one of the rooms I believe. The outside or door was circular with a giant metal X in the middle. I stepped near it preparing to pry it open when it opened revealing what was behind it. A girl around my age stood there with armed men dead on the floor.
I instinctively started my power and watched as the bright red glow coursed across my arms when the men turned into lights and vanished, a hologram? And this advanced? Was this some training room? So many questions for what's supposed to be a school.
The girl with black hair that came down to her hips; both her hands had two metal claws that extended from her knuckles and a similar claw extending in each of her feet turned to look at me. Sweat was running down her face and body, she was drenched. With a raspy voice mixed with irritation she spoke almost as if a challenge, "who–are–you?"