Sequels The Goddess's X4...Divided and Fallen

[Goddessreicho]

X4 Divided and Fallen
Chapter Five: Part Three
Misunderstood


Ororo poked her head in Marie’s room to make sure she was alone, and saw that she was. She wrapped her in the home knitted blanket tucking the upper edges around her chin and shoulders. Ororo thought she saw the poor girl snuggle in.

While walking out she began to hum and remembered something else she had forgotten early. They needed to tell the students about Scott.

Ororo: Holy Goddess! How on earth did I nearly forget about that?

One her way up to the faculty wing, she also tries to remember to tell Scott about Jubilee.

~Library~

Logan followed the scent of the Mansion’s other part time feral until he came to him in the section for medical textbooks. Before greeting him verbally he gave him a man-nod.

Logan: Hey

Hank: Why hello there, Wolverine. What are you still doing up at this ghastly hour?

Logan: I…

He begins to pace, and run his hands through his winged hair. Hank lowers his head and looks at the troubled man over the rim of his glasses. He closes his book and places it next to the others he had taken out. He gives Logan his complete attention.

Logan: I got something mailed to me the last time I left here.

Hank: Well, good for you!

Logan: This is not funny. [He ignores Hank’s pout.] I’ve been carrying this thing around for days.

Logan takes out the ring and places it in front of Hank.

Hank: This is it. Is this a joke? [He picks it up in his big hang and sniffs it. He pulls back abruptly.]

Logan: You smell it too.

Hank: Gunpowder? It’s organic too.

Logan: Smells homemade, right?

Hank nodded slowly.

Hank looked at the ring closely. He scratched his chin at the intricate flowery design and then he peered inside at the inscription. The lines of the foreign language had been faded away over time, but it also looked scratched away recently, like with sand paper.

Hank: This is very peculiar. I recognize the flower, and the writing may be easier to translate if it were all there. The workmanship on this ring is incredible. The flower is clearly the Prunus Serrulata.

Logan: English please.

Hank: I’m sorry. This is a cherry blossom design. Ororo has a dozen trees in the backyards. But, this writing seems to be Japanese. It would be hard to translate with all the wear and tear, along with the recent defacing. Why would you want this translated if you rubbed it off.

Logan: Don’t look at me like that. I had it sent to me like that.

Hank: Give me sometime to translate this and run some test. I have some questions myself.

He looked at Logan through his glasses, and he could tell he hadn’t gotten everything off his chest.

Hank: What else is there?

Logan inhaled and looked away.

Logan: What are the chances of a mutant ability to…control time?

Hank raised his brows and gave it some serious thought.

Hank: It’s not entirely impossible. I’m sure there would be limitations on that person’s ability. It would also take a toll on that person’s psyche.

Logan: I would imagine they would be unhappy.

Hank: This is about that man on the mission, isn’t it. Are you sure he wasn’t telekinetic? He could have just stopped you.

Logan: No no no. [Shakes head] This was different. He didn’t just stop me, he stopped everything in that room, except himself. I saw things float in midair.

Hank: Oh my stars and garters, my boy! [He ignores Logan’s growl at that sentiment] You didn’t tell me that. This changes things. Especially my theory on Scott. Anything else I should know?

Logan wasn’t sure he was ready to talk about how Lucas smelled like Ororo and himself. When he thought about it, he wasn’t ready to face it himself. The more he ignored it, the more it just didn’t happen. He also deliberately left out Bishop’s prior knowledge of Rogue’s accident. If Bishop hadn’t sent Colossus down there when he did, they may have lost Rogue and the other woman.

Logan: Nope, that’s it.

Hank: Alright. I’ll take this and get back to on this. Logan, is this just between you and I?

Logan: You got it, bub.

He walked out of the library knowing that this could only mean bad things.

~Faculty Dorms~

Ororo knocked for a second time on Scott’s door. She waited again until she heard the soft, “come in.”

Ororo: I didn’t think you went to bed.

Scott simply nodded his head. Ororo sat down next to him and let out a sigh.

Ororo: There are other…issues that you need to know about.

Scott looked at her softly wishing he had something personal to say to her.

Scott: I’m almost afraid to ask.

Ororo then told him about Magneto’s letter about his missing daughter, Illyana’s similar disappearance, and how Logan believes that the only common link is Dr. Strange.

Scott: Is he insane?

Ororo: I know! I know!

Scott: Let me get this straight. He thinks he’s going to just walk up to the Sanctum Sanctorum, be let in with claws bared, and just be able to…what? Beat what he wants to hear out of Strange?

Ororo: [bubbles with laughter] I know, it’s hilarious. I really don’t want to be laughing at this, but it’s too funny. He think’s that me coming along is “extra baggage that will slow him down.”

Scott let out an uncharacteristic snort.

Scott: So, I take it he doesn’t know that you’re probably the only person here who can see the front door.

Ororo slapped him in his shoulder and held up her index finger to her lips, giving him the universal sign for, “shhhh.”

Ororo: You’re going to ruin it. It’s a surprise.

After sharing a good hearty laugh with a woman who had become a sister to him, he turned to look at her seriously.

Scott: When you go, will you be coming back?

Ororo: Scott! How on earth could you ask me that?

Scott: Did you ever make a decision about Strange’s offer?

Ororo doesn’t answer and merely looks at nothing across the room.

Ororo: Scott, that was years ago. I’m sure he’s forgotten about it.

Scott: You didn’t answer the question. What about the others? Did they stop asking?

Ororo: Scott, if I’m still here, that should say something.

Scott: Once again, you’ve managed to completely avoid the question. So, I will take both answers as a no. Besides, all staying here says is that you’re fulfilling an obligation.

Ororo: It’s…it’s not like that.

Scott: [instead of looking at her, he looks down at his own hands and clenches them] Being around people you love should never be an obligation.

Ororo: This isn’t about me any more, is it?

Scott: Yes, it still is.

Ororo: You always were a terrible liar.

Scott coughed uncomfortably and tried valiantly to steer the conversation back.

Scott: You want to know something crazy? Agatha came to visit me while I was recovering. I guess she thought I was sleeping. She kept mumbling stuff. I guess it was typical really old lady behavior. She burnt some incense and pressed down on my forehead really hard. It almost felt like she was babysitting all over again.

Ororo: She just wanted to make sure that your Chakra of Insight was unblocked. I’m sure you slept pretty well after that. And, I bet you had sweet thoughts of loved ones past too, hmm?

Scott: Actually yeah. Huh. You always were good with things like that.

Ororo: And you always did my taxes.

Both share another laugh.

Scott: Agatha asked about you. She wanted to know why you weren’t there yet.

Ororo: Scott, I got there as soon as I heard.

Scott: Margoli was the one who called you. I wanted to laugh so hard Agatha wanted to use my cell phone, but didn’t know how. Margoli couldn’t stop laughing. She had sensed you were…not well, and um very unhappy. I heard Agatha say that you haven’t been happy since you left the mountain.

Ororo remembered hearing Scott’s ring on her phone a few days back, but that particular memory was hazy. She didn’t like to be reminded of how she had constantly regretted her decision to follow the bald western man and help build his dream of a better tomorrow.

Ororo: Scott, what if you were in my place. What if someone came along and offered you something like a chance to see Jack to justice or…

Scott: [flinches at Jack’s name and turns his head away] My real family?

Ororo: Precisely. What would you do? Leave without turning back, or stay because…you’re weighed down by ideas, other people, problems, just stuff. I feel like a threadbare doormat and I am beyond tired. I’m literally to exhausted to think about starting anew in someplace else.

Scott thought about it. The only thing that ran through his mind was the Professor’s note. Was he also here on false pretences like Jean? It certainly seemed like that. Does that mean that everything else was tainted? His feelings for Jean, his work on the team, the work with the students, the Dream itself? He looked at Ororo who he noticed was thinner than he last saw her, and had deep circles under her eyes. Spending the last eighteen months doing the job of three people had taken its toll on the outside. He dare not think about what had happened on the inside. Knowing how things worked around here, he was sure that she had no time to herself, let alone a piece of gratitude. He swallowed. Sure he had Jean…sometimes, Logan had his time for himself and Jean’s attention, Xavier had his dream and Moria even as a friend. Now that he knew that Ororo had yet again skimped out on something for herself was somehow anther proverbial kick in the nuts. Scott never knew how to approach her about this.

Ororo: Scott, before I forget, we have to tell the students that your back.

Scott: I know, I was just going to call an assembly in the morning. I can say that Jean thought that she had killed me, and it upset her.

Ororo: Good thing that isn’t a lie. One more thing, I was hoping you could talk to Jubilee about underage smoking.

Scott grounded his eyebrows at her. Ororo inhaled suddenly, and smacked her face.

Ororo: Oh goddess, Scott. I completely forgot about what happen in your foster home…I wasn’t thinking. Maybe, I can get someone else to do it.

The options where herself, or chain-cigar smoking Logan. The latter adult was disqualified for obvious reasons, and every adult knew about Ororo’s unspoken problem.

Scott held up his hand to stop her. Apparently she wasn’t the only one taken a personal dive for the team.


~Early Next Morning~

Logan finished off the last slice of pizza and swallowed the grease. Once that heart-attack-on-a-plate was finished off by a cold soda, he dashed upstairs to wake up Storm and Colossus. Today was the day they confronted Dr. Strange.

 

[MaleRogue]

Last part of Chapter Five guys. Sorry I haven't been around lately. But I got some bad news about my Mum. She's really my best friend, and it was her idea to read me her X-men comic books right before bed when I was a child. She encouraged my older brother to do the same with Spider-Man. She helped fan my love of writing, and fantasy/sci-fi. She's a writer and scifi/fantasy fan too. Even at 60, she would come to Comic and Anime Conventions and be one of the coolest people in the room. She even sewed my Lulu costume (from Final Fantasy X) and giggled when people asked for my picture because I filled my costume so well! Mum also loves Murder She Wrote and Law and Order (all eleventeen versions), and we would watch them for hours together. So, my story is really dedicated to her, and her love for the X-men, and a really good mystery. Wish her well folks, she needs it.

Well by the looks of it you have a very loving sweet momma
She sounds very cool and very very nice, a good mom.
I hope everything is well, I don't know what has happend but I hope everything is well.

Good luck to both of you.

 

[PhoenixRisen]

OMG an update!!!! YAY!!!! I can't wait to read it but I have to have a nice chunk of time where I can sit down and enjoy it!!!! I'm excited!!

Edit: But then I realized I skipped past any posts because I didn't want to be spoiled and I saw what your had written about your Mum.....

Goddess my prayers are with you!! She sounds like a wonderful lady and I'm sure she is proud that her encouragement of your creativity has led to things like this book you are writing--I hope she is reading it and enjoying it as much as me!!!! Tell her PhoenixRisen sez to get better and wishes you both tons of luck, I know together you can overcome anything you want to goddess...you are one tough but loving person!!!

 

[Goddessreicho]

My mother did pass away today. I want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. They meant so much. I told her and she was impressed and very pleased.

Thank you so much.

Just to let you all know I will finish this story, but my life is going to turn upside in a short while. So it will be a bit.

Thanks for everything.

 

[MaleRogue]

:'( No....

Oh my god.

My sincere condolances.

My thoughts are with you Goddess.

Take your time, and remember that you have to remember all te good things in your mums live with you and your family.

Think happy thoughts.

My prayers and thoughts will be with you

 

[@JeanGrey]

Oh god...

My sincere condolences to you and rest of your family. You are a strong girl, you will do fine ,although it takes time.

My thoughts with you.

 

[Goddessreicho]

Thank you so much everyone for all you thoughts, prayers, and condolences.

Just to let everyone know, as soon as my computer is moved to my new home (for know), I will update. I should get it set up sometime in the middle of this week. South Jersey weather is literally in a State of Emergency right now. I coulda had it done this weekend if not for the monsoon and snow.

So in about 10-12 days, I should have an update.

 

[DarthCyclopsRLZ]

Holy f...

Completely missed that piece of news due to my semi-exodus to the comics forum...

I know it's late, but...

My sincere condolences.

Take your sweet time, chica. And not just for this. You're entitled to.

The only piece of advice I'll give - and I know what I'm talking about, my old man passed away five years ago - is to remember how much you loved one another rather than think of the What-If's and Why's.

Been said before, but what the hell. My thoughts are with you.

 

[PeRfEcT_StOrM]

Aww oh my god no, im so sorry reico, my sincere condolences. just remember everything will be ok. after a storm, theres always sunshine.

 

[Goddessreicho]

As promised guys, a brand new update. Enjoy, and because I live for them...review please!


X4 Divided and Fallen
Chapter Six: Geese, Turkeys, and Chicken


Just as Logan let out a low bass belch and walked to the fridge for another soda, he heard the PA system come on. He stopped short.

There was a PA system! Where the hell was that when Styker attacked?

“Attention all students,” Ororo’s soft and yet frighteningly commanding voice said, “there will be a early morning assembly held in the library at 7:15. Attendance is mandatory, and pajamas are ok. I repeat…”

Logan rolled his eyes. Great, he thought. They would never head out in time for their investigation of Strange. Sure enough as he leaned on the frame of the kitchen and he saw some students who were already awake and dressed, but most where pj clad bewildered and still very sleepy. Some of the younger elementary school children even had one piece footies and where being lead by the had by some older students. Logan had to smirk. Sure it was beyond cute, but it had the familiarity of a fairy tale or story book home even though the characters where random strangers. He shook his head and smiled. These people where going to be the death of him, again.

He silently followed the pack of students down the hall to the library. Once everyone was settled he noticed that everyone was quiet and looking at Ororo. Logan motioned for her to hurry up and start, but she held up a finger for him to wait a minute. As if on queue, a few of the older students came filing in. Kitty, Peter (both looking kind of flush and hurried), Bobby in a suit and on a cellphone, Jubilee smacking on gum and hanging up her cell phone, and Alison Cressmire following Jubilee and looking worried. Logan watched Ororo glare at the late students, whom she was obviously expecting to be late, and feared her wrath for them.

Just as she was about to start, Bobby walked up to her and turned so that his back was facing the crowd and whispered in her ear, while still on the cell phone. Logan sat on the chaise under the window, swung his legs over so that he looked lazy. and feigned indifference while watching and listening as the scene unfolded.

Logan’s astute hearing caught an urgent deep male voice on Bobby’s phone. Hank, perhaps? There was another man who was being a brute in the background. Logan could have sworn he heard him before. The fog of memories in his mind would not part for him to remember.

Bobby pulled the phone from his ear and jestered wildly at it. Ororo sighed and shook her head no, and pointed to the ground, obviously insisting just the opposite of what the exasperated Bobby wanted. Logan looked very carefully at Bobby’s mouth and was able to read his lips, which was a handy skill to have, but utterly pointless in a man with enhanced animal senses. Logan pondered at who wasted their time to teach him that skill. He watched Ororo press her lips together and grab Bobby’s cell in one fluid unnaturally fast movement. That made him raise a brow. It sure wasn’t the first time the high and mighty Ororo surprised him with something slightly underhanded.

Ororo put her hand on her temple and rubbed. Logan could tell that Hank was trying to soothe her with a compromise. Logan didn’t understand what all the fuss was about. It wasn’t like she didn’t know about the younger man’s internship at the Department of Mutant Affairs. Then he thought about it. Monday morning, assembly, Scott… He made a mental note to begrudgingly give Ororo a little more respect. She was the only one who not only was in the position to tell everyone that Scott was back, but she was also the only one who thought to do it. He sat on his hands to not smack himself.

Bobby and Ororo talked for a few more minutes, and she told him to stay for the first ten minutes, then he could go. He had mentioned something about Marie briefly, as an afterthought, before he took his seat.

Ororo: Not bad everyone, a 7:15 assembly starting at 7:40 isn’t a complete disaster. After all it is still before eight.

She looked passed all the sunken heads and the shuffling of shoulders displaying how sorry everyone was.

Ororo: There is one simply reason why I called this meeting. As you know, roughly eighteen months ago we had a faculty member who had a little trouble controlling her mutation.

All of the X-Men who were at Alcatraz looked at each other with wonder. Kitty turned to Piotr and Bobby and mouthed, “a little?!”

Ororo: Ms. Grey was a great person. I want to tell you what happened for real. Do not believe what you hear. Yes, Ms. Grey did kill Professor Xavier. Yes, she did kill mutants and humans alike at Alcatraz. But I also beg you to remember what happened at Alkali. Jean Grey gave all for us. For Mutants. For the Dream. Please remember that our consistent actions define us, and makes us who we are. We are allowed to have mistakes. It’s what we do afterwards, and how we behave that makes us true people.

Peter: I have a question. You mentioned Alkali. Wasn’t that where she came from and where Mr. Summer’s went?

Jubilee: Yea, didn’t she tie one over on Mr. Summers too?

Logan winced visibly at the double entendre. He gathered his head in his hands when Jubilee mentioned Jean kissing him back in front of the Jet. Of course, that was when Ororo finally picked her head up and looked his way. It was clear from her dead pan expression that she also picked up on the double meaning. How the students found out about Jean’s “time of indecision” was beyond Logan.

They didn’t understand that he was the one who initiated everything. She would have never teetered over towards him if he hadn’t tempted and teased. She would have never “tied on over” on Scott if she was truly happy. That was where it burned the most for Logan. Instead of making anyone happy in this situation, he managed to make everyone miserable. In finally seeing this, he was also able to see that Jean was also to blame. She knew exactly what she was doing to both Logan and Scott, and yet she made no real discernable effort to stop. She said she made her choice, but only after she had her fun, thusly stringing them both along. Logan knew it was the truth, but chose to believe otherwise. Did Jean become that bad off because they all: Scott, Xavier, Hank, Ororo and himself, enabled her? Especially with her own lack of discipline.

There was a low murmur amongst the students. Ororo stayed quiet and looked at the threshold entrance of the library and the figure shrouded there. The students followed her gaze and had dropped draws when the figure’s eyes reflected a red light from the window.

Scott slowly walked up the center aisle and took his place next to Ororo. Every students jaw dropped to the floor and stayed there.

Scott: I know everyone has questions. And they will be answered, just not right now. But to keep it simple: Yes I am really alive. Yes I am actually the same Scott Summers. And yes, I am here to stay. Now as for classes, because we are extremely short staffed for now, we will be breaking you down into small groups and administer classes that way, same for the state tests, until we can find qualified teachers. Younger students will get classes during the day, older students at night.

Jubilee: Oh you have got to be kidding!

Other teenagers joined in vocally to show their displeasure. Scott held up his hand to quiet them.

Scott: Would you rather we postpone your classes all together and have you be a year behind or just not graduate?

No response.

Logan grinned. He had to hand it to the man. Scott certainly had his way with the kids.

Ororo: Bobby, now you can leave. Peter, and Logan let’s go as well. Scott, they are all yours.

As those four left, they turned back to see Scott nearly tackled by enthusiastic children and he could here Ms. Grey’s name whispered angrily.

Bobby headed out to the garage, and Ororo pulled him in for a hug.

Ororo: Good luck. Give Hank a run for his money.

Bobby: Thanks Ms. Monroe. If I found out anything juicy, I’ll let you know.

She smirked. The three turned into the elevator to go down to the subbasement.

Peter leaned on the walls letting his thoughts about his lost sister seep through his immense upper body. Logan pulled down his Stetson, and grit his teeth wishing he had a cigar in-between them. He knew it was only a few titanium enforced feet until the underground. He let his eyes wonder to the Headmistress and cocked his head to the side. She was assuming a nonchalant pose but it was a lousy farce. Her hands were gripping the handicap bars with a white knuckle death grip, and her head was bowed down as sweat collected on her neck and nape. Logan was about to ask her what was wrong, but Peter silently shook his head. Before any more could be said about it the door opened leading to the halls of the subbasement.

All three walk out and towards the uniforms to get suited. Ororo falls back and throws her air back and lets a cooling wind blow of the crowdedness and the suffocation of the elevator. No matter what, she told herself, she would take the stairs. She just didn’t want to hear any lip from Wolverine.

Logan walked straight to the uniforms and took his out and walked to the changing rooms when Ororo held her hand out to stop them.

Ororo: Logan, we won’t be in combat. Uniforms aren’t necessary.

Logan: Says who, Lady?

Ororo: You know what, whatever, Logan. Bring it for all I care. It’s 89 degrees and the humidity is at 54% and rising. The oxygen is lowering in the city an exponential rate. For someone with enhanced senses it should be interesting. Have fun.

Logan: I’ll take it with me.

Ororo: Good idea.

Peter walks directly in-between them and glares at them both with his uniform in hand.

Peter: Lets move.

Ororo knew that it would be a waste of time to take her uniform, so she didn’t bother. Logan narrowed his eyes at her. What did she know?

The three got into the bullet proof XUV and headed out for the heart of New York City.


~Greenwich Village
New York City, New York
177 A Bleaker St~


Logan parked across and got out to watch for traffic not waiting for Peter or Ororo. Peter just shook his head and jogged after him. Ororo slowly got out put her sunglasses on and put a few quarters in the meter. The last she wanted was a ticket, especially for this. She sat on the hood of the car and made her self comfortable. This was going to be entertaining.

Logan looked at the address on the piece of paper, then at the building in front of him, then down at the paper again. Something was wrong. This couldn’t be right.

Instead of an upper class townhouse like they expected, Logan and Peter were staring at a Starbucks closed for construction. Logan looked back to question Ororo, but she merely casually shrugged. Logan and Peter both walked up to the windows and saw a closed down coffee house with dust and debris on the tables, chairs upturned, rust on the machines. There was still inventory on the shelves.

Colossus: This doesn’t feel right.

Wolverine: Sure don’t.

Wolverine leaned in and sniff. He tried a different window that was boarded up, and pulled back abruptly. Just then Storm dodged a few cars and ran over there.

Storm: Oh goddess, I forgot. This is the old address. He moved. He turned his home into an office a few blocks down. I forgot all about that. It’s not far, we can get there faster on foot.

Peter looked confused, and Logan wasn’t even close to buying it.

Wolverine: Wanna tell me what’s goin’ on, Storm?

Storm: I just did.

Wolverine: Then why is it I don’t smell a damn coffee bean in there.

Colossus grabbed Wolverine’s arm and began to nearly drag him in the direction that Storm was talking about.

Colossus: We shouldn’t waste any more time.

Storm: Yes, go ahead. I’ll catch up in a minute. I just want to make a quick call.

She watched them walk away, and took out her phone to use it when she saw Wolverine look back at her. When they turned the corner, she put it away without using it. Afterwards, she backed up from the canopy of the “Starbucks” and waved at a window above. Within minutes, giddy footsteps could be heard running down stairs and without anyone on the busy New York street could notice, the Starbucks disappeared and a large gothic inspired building with all of the signature architectural pieces. Grotesque relief’s of gargoyles, flying buttresses, humongous stained glass windows, giant stones that comprised the building itself.

The heavy wooden doors were thrown open and a women in early fifties, who looked fifteen years younger, threw them open and nearly tackled Storm to the ground in a warm embrace.

Storm: Margoli! My, my. It’s nice to see you too.

Margoli Szardos: I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am to see you here, now.

Storm: I think I can guess.

Margoli: No no, hun. You don’t understand. Something awful has happened. Clea is frantic.

Storm: Oh Goddess no! Don’t tell me. Where is he?

Margoli: Come in and we can talk.

Margoli lead Storm past the wide open foyer into a the sitting room. Tea was warm and waiting for them in beautifully hand painted china. Margoli poured Storm some and she sipped it.

Storm: So what happened? Where is everyone?

Margoli: Stephen had called a meeting with the coven. Nothing out of the ordinary, although he did say that it was important and that attendance was mandatory. Not a problem. As it so happened, Clea was out at the time, and Wong was recovering artifacts. So he was alone. When Agatha and I came for the meeting, he wasn’t here. We figured he was out, or he was running late. Then when Clea came home, we realized that he wasn’t in the house, and the book he was working on wasn’t closed.

Storm: Oh no! Clea must be worried sick. Stephen would never not tell his wife where he was going.

Margoli: I know. It’s been two days, and no word. Clea is working on their mutual contacts. Wong is overseas trying to find word. And Agatha hit the streets. I stayed here hoping to here word.

Ororo: So, nothing yet. No word from Strange. Not a phone call or note from anyone else. These is no longer a random coincidence.

Margoli: What do you mean?

Ororo: Stephen is the third person to disappear unexpectedly. I will admit he is the first human to go, the other two were mutants. But the circumstances have to many similarities to not be considered related.

Ororo stands up suddenly as an idea struck her.

Ororo: Sorry Margs, but I have to go.

Margoli: Already! Child, you just got here.

Ororo: I am so sorry. But listen, tell Clea to keep an open schedule. I am going to call her to the Mansion soon so she can give me details about everything. I have a feeling that this is bigger than Dr. Stephen Strange, himself.

 

[flavio_lebeau]

Whoa, am I just in love with Storm. Nice to see her slightly forgetting the alcohol. I love how she seems tired, half depressed, but still manages to take care of everything. She's fragile, but not because of lack of personality like in three movis, but for excess of duties.

Only things I'm a bit worried is the "too calm" story. I know lots have happened that needs to be explained though, so I'm waiting to see what happens. Also not sure on the increasing number of characters, but I'm sure you'll work them right. Though for a movie I don't think they would apply, to this story it's just fitting nicely. Waiting to see what happens to Rogue too. Let's see how you treat Ms. Marvel powers (I'm not a fan of movie Rogue getting them, I hope you'll change my mind )


On a side, but not less important note, I'm extremely sorry I didn't know about the facts in your life. I'm sincerely sorry and hope that, like Darth said, you have the good moments, only them, on your head. Continue with your great work on this story.

 

[Goddessreicho]

I'm glad Storm is being enjoyed. Really glad. I know alot of other characters have taken a bit of a back seat, but that's going to change. The next chapter is the halfway point and the recap episode, and it will wrap of major plot points and make alight some of the more subtle ones. Rogue, Scott, Bobby, Hank will all be back with a vengeance, lol.

As for the influx of characters, well I do apologize about that. I know alot of people don't know who they are or anything about Dr. Strange, and that's ok. The next chapter is specifically designed to explain stuff. Oh and some of the smaller characters will be seen again in later chapters and the sequel. I just needed to introduce them before it was too late.

And after this there are only two more characters needed for the story. And I think everyone will like them

 

[PhoenixRisen]

I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum Goddess. I haven't been online much lately but I was thinking about you and her a lot nonetheless, so you have my sympathies and love!!!

I can't wait to get back into your story now!!

 

[storm-x-fan]

As promised guys, a brand new update. Enjoy, and because I live for them...review please!


X4 Divided and Fallen
Chapter Six: Geese, Turkeys, and Chicken


Just as Logan let out a low bass belch and walked to the fridge for another soda, he heard the PA system come on. He stopped short.

There was a PA system! Where the hell was that when Styker attacked?

“Attention all students,” Ororo’s soft and yet frighteningly commanding voice said, “there will be a early morning assembly held in the library at 7:15. Attendance is mandatory, and pajamas are ok. I repeat…”

Logan rolled his eyes. Great, he thought. They would never head out in time for their investigation of Strange. Sure enough as he leaned on the frame of the kitchen and he saw some students who were already awake and dressed, but most where pj clad bewildered and still very sleepy. Some of the younger elementary school children even had one piece footies and where being lead by the had by some older students. Logan had to smirk. Sure it was beyond cute, but it had the familiarity of a fairy tale or story book home even though the characters where random strangers. He shook his head and smiled. These people where going to be the death of him, again.

He silently followed the pack of students down the hall to the library. Once everyone was settled he noticed that everyone was quiet and looking at Ororo. Logan motioned for her to hurry up and start, but she held up a finger for him to wait a minute. As if on queue, a few of the older students came filing in. Kitty, Peter (both looking kind of flush and hurried), Bobby in a suit and on a cellphone, Jubilee smacking on gum and hanging up her cell phone, and Alison Cressmire following Jubilee and looking worried. Logan watched Ororo glare at the late students, whom she was obviously expecting to be late, and feared her wrath for them.

Just as she was about to start, Bobby walked up to her and turned so that his back was facing the crowd and whispered in her ear, while still on the cell phone. Logan sat on the chaise under the window, swung his legs over so that he looked lazy. and feigned indifference while watching and listening as the scene unfolded.

Logan’s astute hearing caught an urgent deep male voice on Bobby’s phone. Hank, perhaps? There was another man who was being a brute in the background. Logan could have sworn he heard him before. The fog of memories in his mind would not part for him to remember.

Bobby pulled the phone from his ear and jestered wildly at it. Ororo sighed and shook her head no, and pointed to the ground, obviously insisting just the opposite of what the exasperated Bobby wanted. Logan looked very carefully at Bobby’s mouth and was able to read his lips, which was a handy skill to have, but utterly pointless in a man with enhanced animal senses. Logan pondered at who wasted their time to teach him that skill. He watched Ororo press her lips together and grab Bobby’s cell in one fluid unnaturally fast movement. That made him raise a brow. It sure wasn’t the first time the high and mighty Ororo surprised him with something slightly underhanded.

Ororo put her hand on her temple and rubbed. Logan could tell that Hank was trying to soothe her with a compromise. Logan didn’t understand what all the fuss was about. It wasn’t like she didn’t know about the younger man’s internship at the Department of Mutant Affairs. Then he thought about it. Monday morning, assembly, Scott… He made a mental note to begrudgingly give Ororo a little more respect. She was the only one who not only was in the position to tell everyone that Scott was back, but she was also the only one who thought to do it. He sat on his hands to not smack himself.

Bobby and Ororo talked for a few more minutes, and she told him to stay for the first ten minutes, then he could go. He had mentioned something about Marie briefly, as an afterthought, before he took his seat.

Ororo: Not bad everyone, a 7:15 assembly starting at 7:40 isn’t a complete disaster. After all it is still before eight.

She looked passed all the sunken heads and the shuffling of shoulders displaying how sorry everyone was.

Ororo: There is one simply reason why I called this meeting. As you know, roughly eighteen months ago we had a faculty member who had a little trouble controlling her mutation.

All of the X-Men who were at Alcatraz looked at each other with wonder. Kitty turned to Piotr and Bobby and mouthed, “a little?!”

Ororo: Ms. Grey was a great person. I want to tell you what happened for real. Do not believe what you hear. Yes, Ms. Grey did kill Professor Xavier. Yes, she did kill mutants and humans alike at Alcatraz. But I also beg you to remember what happened at Alkali. Jean Grey gave all for us. For Mutants. For the Dream. Please remember that our consistent actions define us, and makes us who we are. We are allowed to have mistakes. It’s what we do afterwards, and how we behave that makes us true people.

Peter: I have a question. You mentioned Alkali. Wasn’t that where she came from and where Mr. Summer’s went?

Jubilee: Yea, didn’t she tie one over on Mr. Summers too?

Logan winced visibly at the double entendre. He gathered his head in his hands when Jubilee mentioned Jean kissing him back in front of the Jet. Of course, that was when Ororo finally picked her head up and looked his way. It was clear from her dead pan expression that she also picked up on the double meaning. How the students found out about Jean’s “time of indecision” was beyond Logan.

They didn’t understand that he was the one who initiated everything. She would have never teetered over towards him if he hadn’t tempted and teased. She would have never “tied on over” on Scott if she was truly happy. That was where it burned the most for Logan. Instead of making anyone happy in this situation, he managed to make everyone miserable. In finally seeing this, he was also able to see that Jean was also to blame. She knew exactly what she was doing to both Logan and Scott, and yet she made no real discernable effort to stop. She said she made her choice, but only after she had her fun, thusly stringing them both along. Logan knew it was the truth, but chose to believe otherwise. Did Jean become that bad off because they all: Scott, Xavier, Hank, Ororo and himself, enabled her? Especially with her own lack of discipline.

There was a low murmur amongst the students. Ororo stayed quiet and looked at the threshold entrance of the library and the figure shrouded there. The students followed her gaze and had dropped draws when the figure’s eyes reflected a red light from the window.

Scott slowly walked up the center aisle and took his place next to Ororo. Every students jaw dropped to the floor and stayed there.

Scott: I know everyone has questions. And they will be answered, just not right now. But to keep it simple: Yes I am really alive. Yes I am actually the same Scott Summers. And yes, I am here to stay. Now as for classes, because we are extremely short staffed for now, we will be breaking you down into small groups and administer classes that way, same for the state tests, until we can find qualified teachers. Younger students will get classes during the day, older students at night.

Jubilee: Oh you have got to be kidding!

Other teenagers joined in vocally to show their displeasure. Scott held up his hand to quiet them.

Scott: Would you rather we postpone your classes all together and have you be a year behind or just not graduate?

No response.

Logan grinned. He had to hand it to the man. Scott certainly had his way with the kids.

Ororo: Bobby, now you can leave. Peter, and Logan let’s go as well. Scott, they are all yours.

As those four left, they turned back to see Scott nearly tackled by enthusiastic children and he could here Ms. Grey’s name whispered angrily.

Bobby headed out to the garage, and Ororo pulled him in for a hug.

Ororo: Good luck. Give Hank a run for his money.

Bobby: Thanks Ms. Monroe. If I found out anything juicy, I’ll let you know.

She smirked. The three turned into the elevator to go down to the subbasement.

Peter leaned on the walls letting his thoughts about his lost sister seep through his immense upper body. Logan pulled down his Stetson, and grit his teeth wishing he had a cigar in-between them. He knew it was only a few titanium enforced feet until the underground. He let his eyes wonder to the Headmistress and cocked his head to the side. She was assuming a nonchalant pose but it was a lousy farce. Her hands were gripping the handicap bars with a white knuckle death grip, and her head was bowed down as sweat collected on her neck and nape. Logan was about to ask her what was wrong, but Peter silently shook his head. Before any more could be said about it the door opened leading to the halls of the subbasement.

All three walk out and towards the uniforms to get suited. Ororo falls back and throws her air back and lets a cooling wind blow of the crowdedness and the suffocation of the elevator. No matter what, she told herself, she would take the stairs. She just didn’t want to hear any lip from Wolverine.

Logan walked straight to the uniforms and took his out and walked to the changing rooms when Ororo held her hand out to stop them.

Ororo: Logan, we won’t be in combat. Uniforms aren’t necessary.

Logan: Says who, Lady?

Ororo: You know what, whatever, Logan. Bring it for all I care. It’s 89 degrees and the humidity is at 54% and rising. The oxygen is lowering in the city an exponential rate. For someone with enhanced senses it should be interesting. Have fun.

Logan: I’ll take it with me.

Ororo: Good idea.

Peter walks directly in-between them and glares at them both with his uniform in hand.

Peter: Lets move.

Ororo knew that it would be a waste of time to take her uniform, so she didn’t bother. Logan narrowed his eyes at her. What did she know?

The three got into the bullet proof XUV and headed out for the heart of New York City.


~Greenwich Village
New York City, New York
177 A Bleaker St~


Logan parked across and got out to watch for traffic not waiting for Peter or Ororo. Peter just shook his head and jogged after him. Ororo slowly got out put her sunglasses on and put a few quarters in the meter. The last she wanted was a ticket, especially for this. She sat on the hood of the car and made her self comfortable. This was going to be entertaining.

Logan looked at the address on the piece of paper, then at the building in front of him, then down at the paper again. Something was wrong. This couldn’t be right.

Instead of an upper class townhouse like they expected, Logan and Peter were staring at a Starbucks closed for construction. Logan looked back to question Ororo, but she merely casually shrugged. Logan and Peter both walked up to the windows and saw a closed down coffee house with dust and debris on the tables, chairs upturned, rust on the machines. There was still inventory on the shelves.

Colossus: This doesn’t feel right.

Wolverine: Sure don’t.

Wolverine leaned in and sniff. He tried a different window that was boarded up, and pulled back abruptly. Just then Storm dodged a few cars and ran over there.

Storm: Oh goddess, I forgot. This is the old address. He moved. He turned his home into an office a few blocks down. I forgot all about that. It’s not far, we can get there faster on foot.

Peter looked confused, and Logan wasn’t even close to buying it.

Wolverine: Wanna tell me what’s goin’ on, Storm?

Storm: I just did.

Wolverine: Then why is it I don’t smell a damn coffee bean in there.

Colossus grabbed Wolverine’s arm and began to nearly drag him in the direction that Storm was talking about.

Colossus: We shouldn’t waste any more time.

Storm: Yes, go ahead. I’ll catch up in a minute. I just want to make a quick call.

She watched them walk away, and took out her phone to use it when she saw Wolverine look back at her. When they turned the corner, she put it away without using it. Afterwards, she backed up from the canopy of the “Starbucks” and waved at a window above. Within minutes, giddy footsteps could be heard running down stairs and without anyone on the busy New York street could notice, the Starbucks disappeared and a large gothic inspired building with all of the signature architectural pieces. Grotesque relief’s of gargoyles, flying buttresses, humongous stained glass windows, giant stones that comprised the building itself.

The heavy wooden doors were thrown open and a women in early fifties, who looked fifteen years younger, threw them open and nearly tackled Storm to the ground in a warm embrace.

Storm: Margoli! My, my. It’s nice to see you too.

Margoli Szardos: I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am to see you here, now.

Storm: I think I can guess.

Margoli: No no, hun. You don’t understand. Something awful has happened. Clea is frantic.

Storm: Oh Goddess no! Don’t tell me. Where is he?

Margoli: Come in and we can talk.

Margoli lead Storm past the wide open foyer into a the sitting room. Tea was warm and waiting for them in beautifully hand painted china. Margoli poured Storm some and she sipped it.

Storm: So what happened? Where is everyone?

Margoli: Stephen had called a meeting with the coven. Nothing out of the ordinary, although he did say that it was important and that attendance was mandatory. Not a problem. As it so happened, Clea was out at the time, and Wong was recovering artifacts. So he was alone. When Agatha and I came for the meeting, he wasn’t here. We figured he was out, or he was running late. Then when Clea came home, we realized that he wasn’t in the house, and the book he was working on wasn’t closed.

Storm: Oh no! Clea must be worried sick. Stephen would never not tell his wife where he was going.

Margoli: I know. It’s been two days, and no word. Clea is working on their mutual contacts. Wong is overseas trying to find word. And Agatha hit the streets. I stayed here hoping to here word.

Ororo: So, nothing yet. No word from Strange. Not a phone call or note from anyone else. These is no longer a random coincidence.

Margoli: What do you mean?

Ororo: Stephen is the third person to disappear unexpectedly. I will admit he is the first human to go, the other two were mutants. But the circumstances have to many similarities to not be considered related.

Ororo stands up suddenly as an idea struck her.

Ororo: Sorry Margs, but I have to go.

Margoli: Already! Child, you just got here.

Ororo: I am so sorry. But listen, tell Clea to keep an open schedule. I am going to call her to the Mansion soon so she can give me details about everything. I have a feeling that this is bigger than Dr. Stephen Strange, himself.

i love the update. It looks cool!!

 

[Goddessreicho]

God, guys. I'm am so sorry about the lack of updates. My time has been swallowed by road trips (NEW CAR A PRIUS!!!!!!) hanging out and partying with older sisters, and just plain partying.

I know, I know. I'm an awful human being. But, I PROMISE, no I swear on my Earth Wind and Fire vinyl (well technically Mum's) that I will work on this and ya'll will see an update in about 10 days.

 

[Goddessreicho]

Bump! I'm working on it. The ending to this next chapter is going to be a doozie.

 

[Goddessreicho]

Here it is folks, err those three who still want to know, the long awaited update has arrived. I apologize, I've been working on my own original fiction, which I've been blessed to work on with a real editor. So hopefully the writing is getting better. *Crosses fingers*

X4: Divided and Fallen
Chapter Seven
Laid Bare


Scott paced back and forth in the debriefing room. He was acutely aware of the stares and the mummers of his fellow X-men. And to add shock to surprise, all of the current team was in attendance, thanks to the new scheduling. Scott suppressed a smile. It wasn’t too often a plan came together, especially messing around with these moochers.

He looked again. Yup, all except for one had shown up…on time nonetheless. Piotr, Kitty (both looking kind of flush, for the second time), Logan, Bobby, and Warren. It was already time to start. He just wasn’t used to speaking to the X-crowd without the splash of white hair. It had just become so routine.

Everyone had taken their customary seats in the amphitheater-esqe room all looking up expectantly at the man with the red Oakley’s. He stood in a seemingly comfortable and yet highly firm “A” shape in front of a see through dry erase board. He calmly walked to the side so that his audience could clearly read what had been written.

Across the board, in read blue and black ink, was a time line of events with tapped up pictures of the victims involved. The immediate impression was that everything that had happened recently was related.

Scott watched as his team read the sequence of events with bewildered expressions. From Wanda’s sudden upheaval to Illyana’s frighteningly quick and violent disappearance and their only connection, Dr. Strange, missing as well. On the other clear board, Scott had listed everything that they were able to find out about the missing people.

[Scott’s notes:]

Wanda appeared to have just wondered off with no word. No struggle, nothing was taken. The only way that anyone knew that something was amiss was that she was out of contact with her father. That was unusual. Wanda is in her mid thirties, and a mutant whose mutation, as far as its been documented, is the ability to manipulate environmental probability. Also may have access to mystical and arcane abilities.

Illyana Rasputin was thirteen years old diagnosed with a terminal illness. Very little knowledge on that. Mutation is believe to have been manifested. Powers were said to be mystical in nature.

Dr. Stephen Strange is in his mid forties and a colleague of Professor Xavier. A master of holistic healing and arcane arts, his patients included Xavier, Jean (as a youth), Wanda, Illyana, and potentially Ororo. Also previously worked with Hank for therapy after his accident. Was last seen in his basement with his work and apparently wondered off. Unfinished arcane activity was found at the scene, highly out of character and very dangerous.

[End notes]

Kitty looked around at everyone still reading and glanced up at Scott still thinking.

Kitty: So, know what? I mean we all ready knew all of this to begin with.

Scott: It’s our job, now, to find out what we can about these three victims while we can.

Logan: Assuming that they’re all victims.

Piotr: Just what exactly are you saying. Do you have any idea what it feels like to see my sister up there? I can assure you, *comrade*, that she didn’t ask for any of this.

Warren acted quick to diffuse the potential argument.

Warren: Ok look, Logan. For just a minute, lets pretend your not a paranoid old man, and see this at surface level. Within the last two weeks we have had two mutants and a wizard, who have all had connections with the supernatural, turn up missing. Don’t you find that odd?

Bobby: Yea, I can’t believe I didn’t notice that before. Everyone who is one that board is connected to magic.

Logan snorted and was obviously not buying any of this.

Scott rubbed his chin again in thought. He grabbed the blue dry erase pen and drew out another table.

Scott: Alright everyone, I need people to list everything that the victims had in common.

Peter mentioned how it looked as if Wanda and Dr. Strange wondered off either in the middle of something or suddenly canceling arrangements which was out of character. His sister was the only one who had put up some kind of fight.

Kitty talked about how their mutations or arcane knowledge was a rarity and was technically unmeasured.

Scott: From this information we can profile the next potential victims and maybe even the perpetrator.

Bobby: I just realized that I can talk to Hank and probably get a list of mutants with that kind of power. We can warn them or something!

Everyone stopped.

Scott: What do you mean…a list?

Bobby: That’s how Hank found you, Scott. One of Hank’s bosses handed him a memo that listed mutants…

Logan: Excuse me? List!

Scott: Logan, shut up. This may actually be a good thing, for now. See if Hank kept that memo. We may need it a.s.a,p. Our next mission is to find out what the victims have in common to see if we can prevent another or catch whomever is doing this, and can someone please tell me where Ororo is?

Logan sniffed the air.

Logan: She’s somewhere here in the sub-basement.

***Med Lab***


Ororo sat on Marie’s right side and watched very carefully as Emma held her hands steady over the unconscious girl’s face. Emma has in such a deep concentration that her hands were shaking as were her shoulders. Sweat beaded at her forehead and collected at her hairline, revealing darker roots under her blond crown. Ororo wanted to snicker but grit her teeth to show her discipline. She remind Emma in a “gentle” way about her roots later.

Ororo still kept her eyes on the psychic transference in front of her. She wanted to make it clear to Emma that her presence was just barely tolerated.

Emma: Jesus, Ororo. I get it. Ok. You don’t like me. Now can you please stop projecting bad thoughts so I can help the girl. It’s starting to get in the way, much like herself.

Ororo: If you think that I’m leaving you anywhere near my student, then you have lost what’s left of your sanity.

Emma: [sighs deeply] If I can trust you with the triplets, then the least you can do is give me the benefit of the doubt with Marie.

Ororo folded her arms and crossed her legs in the chair, giving Emma a blank empty and irritating look.

Ororo: Of course Em. I mean, after all, you’ve earned it.

Emma: You know what you can do with your sarcasm, right? I’ll have you know, I would never harm a student.

Ororo: On purpose, well, even I wouldn’t believe that. But your negligence has had it’s consequences on students before.

Emma had the decency to look away ashamed. After a minute she regained her haughty composure and glared at Ororo.

Emma: Your one to talk, thief. Besides, at least I’m not a scaredy-cat.

Ororo: It’s better than being a questionable murder.

The two women look at each other. Both knew that knew that neither one of them should be working with children with their felonies listed on their reocords. If it hadn’t been for Xavier giving both a second chance and fuddling around with the court system, Emma nor Ororo would be teaching.

Marie started to stir in her sleep fitfully.

Emma: She’s trying to find an anchor, someone to hold on to. Is she close to anyone?

Ororo: Bobby and Logan. Let me go get them.

Emma watched her leave and turned back to Marie. The girl’s mind was a mess. Paths winding and broken, often leading off into nowhere. Thoughts being interrupted by, oddly enough, other people. Not other thoughts, like a normal mind. The were at least half a dozen other personalities in there. Emma wondered how the poor girl was able to function on a normal day to day basis with most of them screaming at her like they were. She knew that if Marie ever did something truly bad and blamed it on an alternate personality, it would be true.

But, everyone knew that Marie wouldn’t do anything like that. In fact, she always been totally in control of everything she’s ever done. Ironically enough the only Marie can’t control, Emma thought, was her own mutation. Then it hit her.

That was part of her ability. Marie may not be able to control the physical side of her mutation, but she had complete domain over mental capabilities to contain the life forces she absorbed. Emma assumed the reason why Marie was having difficulty was because she didn’t know that she could do it.

She hoped that the people Marie were reaching out to were able to help her. They needed to be able to put themselves and their own issues aside and focus purely on being strong enough for the lost girl. If not…

*~*

Ororo walked through the subbasement to the War Room where she knew that Scott was going to hand it to her for being late. Sometimes she just didn’t understand that man. His people skills were beyond deplorable. She knew for a fact that he’d been to see Marie only once. He wondered why he and Jean had issues and why she was feeling trapped. His inability to communicate how he felt was tearing him away from people who cared about him.

And Jean! Why didn’t she work on this with Scott? Why did she have to hop and skip in front of the next man to show her attention? Why couldn’t she see what that did to Scott? By the Goddess, the woman was an empath! Jean was either a crappy girlfriend, a shotty psychic, ridiculously naïve, lazy, or greedy not to see what playing coy around Logan would do to everyone involved. Yes, it was quite obvious that Jean thrived on attention. But this time she took it to far, and she hurt more people than what she could have imagined. Sure, she may have chosen a man. But in Ororo’s mind, there shouldn’t have been a need for a choice. It should have been a hand’s down common sense path. If Jean was still here, Ororo would have given her a piece of her mind, loudly.

Ororo stopped just shy of the War Room and thought about that. No, she really wouldn’t have done that. This was Jean’s problem, and since it did not directly effect the school, the children, the dream, or Ororo herself, she would have just let Jean drown in her own self made misery until she realized her mistake and owned up to it. Knowing Jean, that would take a while. She smiled at that. It was so nice to see that everyone made mistakes, and no one really had the room to talk. Thinking about that lead her to dream about the new merlot that was just sitting there waiting to be opened up for a glass or two tonight right before bed. It was a California Nappa wine, Almaden. Damn, she thought. Ororo seriously contemplated calling out of this meeting sick, and curling up with her wine a little early today. She looked at her watch. 5:47 pm. Ok, then. A lot early. She heard voices, and a gruff baritone spoke her name and then said something about her being right outside the door.

Ororo: [whispered to herself]: Damn you, Wolverine, and your obnoxiously large nose. I should give you something real to smell.

Before she could put her password, the hydraulic door hissed then opened slowly to reveal a perpetually scowling Canadian.

Logan: I heard that.

Ororo: Fine then.

She walked by him, and he inhaled hoping to catch a whiff of the usual morning dawn smell on her and instead he got a mouthful of methane. He inhaled again. Yulp, she really did fart when she walked in front of him.

Logan: Nice one.

Ororo turned her head and blew raspberries at him. Scott glared at them both and looked at Ororo expectantly waiting for an answer for her tardiness.

Ororo: What?

Scott: Well…

Ororo: I was with Marie. Yes, remember her? When was the last time you saw her? And please tell me why you left Emma alone with her?

Scott: Look Ororo, I don’t have to explain myself to you, but I will tell you this. Emma is the only psychic around with the know-how and experience to help Marie.

Logan turned his head very slowly to glare at Scott. The last time someone said that, the results were far from acceptable. He had the distinct feeling that right then and there Ororo’s patience was up.

Ororo walked straight up to Scott, ignored the audience, and preceded to give her stance on things, as she usually did.

Ororo: You are insane to trust Emma farther than you can throw her. Sure, you can say that she helped you. Fine. Whatever! If you think there was no ulterior motive behind that, then you are far too naïve for you own good. Do you honestly believe that she cut all ties with Shaw and his cronies? Goddess, Scott! Where do you think the new wing, the two Olympic sized pools, and the new cars came from? What about Emma’s new stock options or her brand new global real estate purchases? That’s just a bit strange on a principle’s salary, don’t you think? Instead of wasting time and effort with Strange, which I told you would be a farce, we should have been investigating Hellfire or profiling the victims long before this. What is it when I speak? No one hears a bloody word I say! Is there a reason why you, Jean, that hairy man right there, or the majority of the students don’t take me seriously?

As her voice picked up, the room’s temperature began to rise making beads of sweat appear on people’s faces. The air became stifling, and it was almost hard to breathe. The rooms air pressure began to drop. Scott opened his mouth to retort or tell her to stop messing around with the room’s environment, but found he couldn’t. The oxygen levels had also suddenly decreased.

Mistaking the silence for more antagonism, Ororo left the War Room without glancing back. Scott was quick on her heels.

Scott: What the hell is your problem?

Ororo: Should I really answer that, again? Weren’t you even listening? I JUST TOLD YOU WHAT MY PROBLEM IS? Wow, this is what I’m talking about. Get it yet?

Scott narrowed his eyes at her, then quietly walked away.

Scott: You know what, I’ll talk to you later, when you’re sober.

Ororo: Ha! You wish. I am sober. Haven’t had anything all day. If I had I would have been taking this up my back end quietly like I usually do. See the difference now? Damn Scott. You wonder why you had issues with Jean. This would be one of them. Avoiding verbal confrontation isn’t always the best idea.

Scott: You’re one to talk. When was the last time your solutions were found at the bottom of a bottle?

Ororo: I don’t drink for answers. I go after my answers head on. I don’t rely on being comfortable either. I know that just because everything seems ok, doesn’t mean that it can’t be worked on. Complacency doesn’t mean happiness.

Scott blinked hard. Sure she just hit the nail on the head, and they both knew it. That doesn’t mean he would ever have to admit that.

Scott: I know that.

Ororo: Are you sure? Because you never acted like it.

Logan: Enough both of you!

Ororo looked up and Scott turned around to see Logan in the doorway to the War Room looking at them both with furious eyes.

Ororo groaned: Don’t you have some naïve stubborn students to sucker in the Danger Room so you can beat on them, or something?

Logan: You know what? I was going to agree with you wholeheartedly. I know your angry about things, and you haven’t had much of an outlet. Everyone around here is running around thinking about what they want and how to get it. But, Scott, she’s right. We shoulda been focusing more on the victims. Preventing another disappearance would have been a much smarter idea.

Scott: Our main priority is catching whoever is targeting mutants. That’s why I still believe that Strange is behind this.

Ororo: Strange disappearing under very similar circumstances as Wanda and Illyana should say something to you. What needs to happen for you to get this through your head, hmm? Another disappearance?

Scott walked back into the War Room. Everyone tried really hard to look as if they weren’t eavesdropping. They all failed miserably. Scott was not in the mood for bull.

Scott: Alright then, who here thinks we should start this investigation over again?

Kitty, Piotr, and Logan all voted for Ororo’s idea of restarting the think tank. Whereas Bobby and Warren chose to follow Scott’s current ideas.

Before anyone realized what had just happened, Emma burst into the room. Panting, sweating and barely breathing.

Emma: Marie is awake! But she’s asking for…for Magneto and some other guy.

This stopped everyone in their tracks.

~Meanwhile upstairs~

Carrie heard the doorbell ring again for the third time. She poked out three short stubby fingers and counted them again. Yup, that was three. She had been practicing her numbers enough to know that much. She jumped out her comfortable spot on the couch and bounded up to the big mahogany doors.

The five year old girl pulled open the heavy door all by herself just a crack to peak her head outside. There she saw a woman with a baseball cap on hiding the upper portion of her face. Carrie noticed that her clothes looked something like a uniform. Wispy pieces of short spiky red hair escaped out with the wind. The woman looked down at the girl and smiled.

Woman: Can I come in?

Carrie: No. Sorry. No strangers allowed.

Woman: How do new people come in then?

Carrie carelessly shrugged. But then an idea dawned on her.

Carrie: People who deliver food come in all the time. Come back with something good, ok?

Afterwards she promptly slammed the door in the woman’s face. The woman couldn’t believe it. Rejected by a five year old. Security sure did get a boost since the last time she was there. At least the little girl didn’t totally block her. She was able to get through a bit. She made it a note to get to know people a little better.

The woman turned around and headed out to her car. Papa John’s wasn’t too far away.

 

[La_She-Beast]

Wow, I can't guess who's Papa John.

And I think what happened with Marie is :

Spoiler

Mystique has taken control on her

Eeenyways. Hope you get your scripts posted daily/weekly!

Besos

 

[PhoenixRulz]

OMG more more MORE!!!

 

[Goddessreicho]

Hiya again, tis I the Goddess. I took a breif brake but now I'm back. I should update again soon.

@LSB, I'm so sorry Papa John's is a Pizza place. And about that spoiler...well all I can say is um guess again

@ Phoenix Rulz thanks for the enthusiasm!

 

[PhoenixRulz]

wow, u sure got alot of creativity!! i mean this is awesome!! i pretty sure that the woman who answered the door was Jeane/Phoenix..........but who knows!! OMG this is goin good n i need more!! this is by far a storyline that has me hooked n the most character development ever in any of the movies!! wow just amazing! omg wen r we gettin to read the rest!! i am so excited 4 this to come out!! :-D t: