Subject: [OTL]: (New Mutants 2/Wisdoms/X-folk) Breeze Book 2 Chapter 5/? (PG-13) Date: Sat, 31 May 2003 13:09:25 -0700 (PDT) From: Phil Hartman will1@earthling.net Breeze Book 2 Chapter 5 by Phil Hartman DISCLAIMER: They're all Marvel's (or their creator's), except for those who are mine. No money is being made off of this. Please don't sue. -------------------------------------------------------- 2/2/2003: St. Joseph's Cathedral, Salem Center, NY: 09:00 hrs EDT: -------------------------------------------------------- He felt ... uncomfortable. #That's putting it mildly,# Joe Bailey thought as he finished a set of Hail Marys in the pews of St. Joseph's. The 15-year-old boy sighed, looking at the altar, and sent up another prayer. #God, please ... bring Nate home safely.# The red-headed teen tried not to choke up at the thought of his missing cousin. Nathan Summers was the closest thing to a brother that Joe had. The younger boy had looked up to Joe for a long time, and had given his cousin help when Joe's own psionic powers had manifested. Joe stood, trying not to think unholy thoughts about Nathan's captor. From what Joe understood of "Mister Sinister," the geneticist had had an unhealthy interest in Joe's side of the family as well as the Summerses for a long time. #He cloned Aunt Jean to make that - person - Madelyne Pryor,# Joe thought, frowning while he headed for the confessional. #And now he's taken Nate to use against Apocalypse. What kind of name is 'Apocalypse,' anyhow ? This freak's got to be totally profane to be slinging around a title like that ...# Joe sighed again; Catholicism was an odd fit for him, having been raised by his liberal ex-Catholic grandparents, John and Elaine Grey. But from what little Joe could remember of his mother Sara, Jean Grey-Summers' older sister, she had wanted her children raised in the church. #Gail couldn't care less. But Gram and Gran let me attend parochial school in Annandale-on-Hudson. It's just felt right ... until now,# Joe thought, leaning against the confessional door for a moment. After his and Gail's mutant psi-powers had fully emerged in June 20002, the twins had joined their cousins and a host of other young mutants at Xavier's school. Although Gail had had a more difficult initial transition, Joe had fit in well at first. #Then I really started seeing what some of us could do,# Joe thought, shivering inside a bit. #Frank Richards' powers alone - the guy WARPS REALITY ! Isn't that ... sacreligious, even if he's really careful about how he uses his powers ? And my psi-powers - I don't like reading minds ...# #And then there's ... Brigit ...# Joe blushed deeply at the thought of his Scots girlfriend. Brigit Shane was a year younger, but more skilled in the use of her mutant fire powers. She also was sweet, gifted musically and poetically, and had stirred Joe's heart. #I feel so strongly for her ... but is that ... are we right ?# Joe thought, shaking his head and entering the confessional. "Father, forgive me, for I have sinned. It's been ... a long time since my last confession," Joe began. "And it's been a very long time since I've heard one," a German-accented voice came through the screen. Joe arched an eyebrow, then squinted. "Father Wagner ?" Joe asked, surprised. "Ja, Joseph. I've been in town for a few days now, trying to decide if I should show my face at the mansion," Kurt Wagner said in a wry tone. "We could use you," Joe said, faintly. The blue-furred Kurt Wagner had struck Joe as an odd one to pursue the priesthood, but after several talks with Nightcrawler, the boy had come to regard the former X-Man and leader of the defunct Excalibur as a sincere and wise man. "I've heard. Please, know that Nathan is in my prayers. I've been trying to find him myself - you'd be surprised who comes in here - but there's been no sign so far," Kurt said grimly. "What can I help you with ?" Joe closed his eyes and mumbled, "I'm having doubts, Father. About my mutancy, and about my faith. About ... my heart ..." "Ah. There's a young fraulein, ja ?" Kurt said, his yellow eyes visible through the screen. "Brigit Shane," Joe said, blushing. "I can't stop thinking about her. I mean, Nate's in trouble, and I'm ... dreaming ... about Brigit." "Ach. To be young and in love again ... I've been in your position, Joe," Kurt said, sighing. "Love and lust are two sides of a well-worn coin. Having feelings for Brigit, that's no sin in and of itself. It's where you let those feelings take you that could be troublesome." "So how do I keep from messing up ?" Joe asked. "Be wary of your thoughts, and try to have a diverse array of hobbies. Pray. Spend time with other friends or a group of friends. And don't feel guilty about caring for Brigit. You can only do so much for Nathan. Worrying yourself sick will only worsen your situation," Kurt recommended. "Thanks," Joe said, half-smiling. "Anything else ?" "Ja - five Hail Marys and five Our Fathers," Kurt said, more seriously. "And try not to despair. He's a very annoying demon." "Despair is a demon ?" Joe asked, leaving the confessional and watching Kurt teleport into the larger sanctuary. "I fought him myself, once or twice," Kurt said, flashing a fanged grin. "Come, and I'll tell you about it ..." -------------------------------------------------------- X-Mansion: Indoor Track, Sub-basement 1: 09:23 hrs EDT: -------------------------------------------------------- "Bloody hell." "I told you, he's got a grip," Pete chuckled as he watched his nearly 7-month-old son grab onto Harmony's nose. Aaron giggled, standing on Harmony's lap as she supported him and let him play with her long black hair. "Dat's by node, you liddle prat," Harmony admonished good-naturedly as they st beside Pete on a bench along the track. Aaron released his aunt's nose, then sat in her lap and cooed while Harmony smiled at him. "You are far too fortunate, brother," the occult investigator said after a long moment. Harmony looked at Pete and asked, "How are things going ?" "Could be better, could be worse. Apocalypse's re-embodiment is a bloody pain in the arse; we'll have to hunt the git down," Pete grumbled. "As for the students, they're ... grim. More than regular teens, which was bloody annoying enough before. It's gotten a bit better, since they've realized that they can't do much to help Nathan. Rachel's been pushing herself to the limits of her powers on Cerebra. What I'm really concerned about is Charles Lehnsherr." Harmony nodded as she gently bounced Aaron on her knee. "The Professor seems to think the boy was just having a temporary fit," she said. "I can't tell any negative side-effects of his trip to Wundagore." Pete went pale for a moment. "Oh, bloody hell," he rasped. "I didn't even think 'bout that - Chuckles gets exorcised of any traces of the bloody Shadow King, but he was at Grand Central bloody Station for Chthon." "DON'T say that name so loudly !" Harmony chided Pete. Aaron fussed, until Harmony kissed the top of his head, and she gave Pete a gentler look. "If you're so worried, I'll do an aura scan of Charles before I go," Harmony said. She smirked and added, "Besides, it'll give me an excuse to bother Rupert." Pete cocked an eyebrow at Harmony and growled, "'Rupert' ? When did you get so bloody chummy with Giles ?" "Peter, please. Despite the Yanks' belief that there's a rampant array of mysticks running around in the Isles, the supernatural community in the mother country really is quite close-knit - except for the dark magi, of course, and we only talk to them when we're about to kick their arses or need some ugly bit of lore," Harmony laughed. "Besides, after what happened to his lady-love, Rupert could use some comforting ..." -------------------------------------------------------- "They're talking about my son." "Hmm. Interestin', dat you be showin' such an interest in de boy now," Remy Lebeau said, raising an eyebrow as he and Magneto entered the track. "Gambit, I may have been an absentee father for far too long, but that does not mean that you have to be paternalistic towards him," Magnus rumbled at his sometimes-rival for Rogue's heart. "I do care about Charles, greatly. And I was away for far too long. But consider this - would you rather have me here as his father, or keeping the Acolytes under lock and key ?" "New Avalon ain't gonna fall wit'out you," Remy half-grunted, watching as Magnus leaned on his cane. "An' I ain't de boy's father, true. I just sayin' dat I care about Chuck. He be Marie's son, after all, an' Gerard's -" "Gerard ?" Magnus asked, raising an eyebrow himself. Remy chuckled, then stopped and leaned against the wall. "One poss'ble name f'r Marie's an' my first-born, due in September," the Acadian said, half-smiling. Magnus' eyes widened, and he nodded. "So that was why Marie was acting so ... oddly ... when you two raced back from your honeymoon," he said. "Congratulations." "Merci," Remy said, giving a short bow. He and Magnus began walking again, and Remy added, "Marie t'inks it's a boy. It'd be a good sign; possibility of a big family." "Then I wish you all the best. Marie deserves happiness. And Charles will be a wonderful older brother," Magnus said absently. He glanced at Remy and added, "I do not have any intention of interfering in your relationship with Marie. In fact, as soon as I recover fully, I intend to leave, with Anya, and return to New Avalon." "Jus' make sure you tell Chuck goodbye - both Chucks," Remy said with a small smile. -------------------------------------------------------- "YOU'RE WHAT !?" Chuck Lehnsherr's grin brought an echo of it to his mother's face as she sat, knitting, in her and Remy's bedroom. "It's still early," Marie LaVonne-Lehnsherr-LeBeau said, patting her first-born son's cheek as she set down her knitting work. Chuck pulled his chair closer to the rocker Marie was sitting in by the room's bay window, and held his mother's hand. "But ah think it's another boy," Marie - the former Rogue - said, smiling even more widely. "Oh, Charlie ... ah've dreamed of a large family. An' ah'm still young enough t'have one. Ah'm especially grateful to ya for acceptin' Remy." "He's not a bad guy, and he loves you. I don't want to stand in your way," Chuck assured his mother. "Mom, if there's anything at all I can do, just ask. This's great news, and I do want to help." Marie's eyes watered - especially when the room filled with a sulfurous stench for a moment. "I hope we're not intruding," a familiar voice said over the sound of teenage coughing. "Kurt ! An' - hey, Joe," Marie laughed, standing to hug her foster-brother and nod politely at Joe Bailey. Joe returned the nod, then looked questioningly at Chuck. "Mom just told me that she's pregnant," Chuck said, grinning at Joe. The older boy's face brightened, and Kurt's face lit up with an expression of wonder. "Wunderbar ! Ach, Marie - this is absolutely incredible !" Kurt cheered, hugging Marie as his tail flailed about. "I wish you all the best." "Thanks, elf," Marie said, smiling back. She waved as Kitty phased into the room from the floor below, carrying a wide-eyed Aaron. "KURT !!! Aaron, look, it's your godfather - how long have you been in town, you furry goof, and not TOLD me !? I've missed you," Kitty cheered, hugging Kurt with one arm. Aaron cooed, looking about, and let Kurt take him from Kitty. "I'm sorry, Katzchen, but I had to do some volunteer work at St. Joseph's. And ... I wasn't sure if you would want me around here, after what happened with Excalibur," Kurt sighed as he rocked Aaron slowly. "Wouldn't WANT you here !? Kurt Wagner, you overgrown fuzzball, you've got more right to be here than some of the furniture does !" Kitty insisted. "I came to see if Marie was doing all right -" The phaser looked intently at Marie, then at the knitting work Marie had set in the rocking chair. "No way," Kitty gasped, going wide-eyed. "September due date," Marie confessed, blushing. "Ah just wanted to wait and be sure ..." "Oh, Marie, this is WONDERFUL ..." Kitty gushed, hugging her friend. "Aaron will have a playmate - well, OK, maybe in a while - and you and Remy have waited so long ..." "Hey, we only got married in November !" Marie laughed. She noticed Chuck's face turning beet-red and added, "Let's not dwell on the process, Kit." "Thanks, Mom," Chuck pleaded, leaving with Joe. The women snickered, while Kurt shrugged and Aaron burbled. "Seems like things are looking up," Joe said, walking with Chuck to the New Mutants' side of the mansion. "They should be, after all the crap that's been going on. Man, I'm going to be a big brother," Chuck said in growing wonderment. He stopped at the top of the master staircase and half-smiled at Joe. "Hey, if you need to talk ... we're here," Chuck offered. "I know how hard it's been on you and Gail, and Ray, of course." Joe shrugged, but also nodded. "Maybe in time," Joe mumbled. "Right now, I just need to think ..." -------------------------------------------------------- Elsewhere: -------------------------------------------------------- He deflected another round of bullets, then telekinetically shoved Scalphunter into the far wall. "Enough," Sinister told Soulburn over the intercom. "You may rest for a time, Soulburn. Your skills are growing." "Yes, Master," Soulburn panted, sitting on a bench that manifested in the Marauders' training chamber. The boy ran a hand over his perpetually-buzzed brown and white hair, and watched as Scalphunter left. #I am stronger,# Soulburn thought, shivering nevertheless at the images in his mind - - *Apocalypse, looming over him* - and shaking. #But it's not enough,# the former Nathan Summers thought, trying not to tear up as his family's faces appeared before him again. #I miss them so much ... and my 'Master' is a monster, really ... but if I don't fight Apocalypse, they'll have to ...# #What am I gonna do ?# -------------------------------------------------------- Akkaba, Egypt: -------------------------------------------------------- The last of the Dark Riders gurgled, choking, and fell from the new Horseman's grasp. "You have lost none of your skills, Death," Apocalypse rumbled without malice as he watched his newest recruit kick the bodies of those dog-soldiers unfortunate enough to be told to fight him. "That's why you wanted me," Sabretooth chuckled, giving En Sabah Nur a smile full of sharp teeth. "So, who's my first target ?" Nur rose from his throne, then walked over to Sabretooth and stood over the already-tall blond mutant. "Infiltrate Essex's cabal," the External ordered. "And dispatch the Summers boy." -------------------------------------------------------- NEXT: Gailyn's turn in the limelight, with Dazzler; Rachel's crucible; Soulburn's final fate; Akakba gets urban renovation; and EVERYTHING changes ... --------------------------------------------------------