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Sean was not surprised at all, but his big question was what caused her to space out this
time. "Okay, what got her spaced out this time."
Paige, who had just gotten in from her morning jog, said, "She spaced out when we were
talking about Rich. When Ah said something about him not hurting people, she just spaced out."
Jubilee, who had just walked in said, "Do you want me to get Rich? I saw him over in
the lounge, playing a weird flute."
Sean thought it over and might be good to get Rich over here. Rich might have some
insight to what lead to Monet's recent spell. "Ye better go get the lad, Jubilee. If worse comes to
worse, we might need Rich to pull her out."
Jubilee quickly left the room and then returned with Rich walking in after her. He had a
calm look on his face, yet it was a look of little sleep. Rich looked straight and Sean and said,
"What's up?"
Sean signed and said, "Rich, do you have any idea why Monet went into one of her
spells?"
Rich looked and Monet and asked, "Is she cataleptic?"
"No, lad, she is autistic. Apparently, she started thinking about something, and since you
talked to her before, and she asked about you, I can only assume that you might have an
insight."
Rich let a look of regret cross his face, as if he knew something was going to happen.
He then said, "Maybe I shouldn't mentioned my nightmare to her. I hate it when my mind does
things like this. I wish I had a better idea why it happens." Rich started pacing.
"Well what was this nightmare about, Richard." Sean turned to see Emma standing at
the door to the kitchen. "I think you would want to consult me about it."
"Ms. Frost," Rich said almost calmly, "I would not like to subject anybody to my
nightmares. I might have made a mistake telling Monet. If it would be Ok with everybody, I like
to get on with today, I think......" His words trailed off and Sean looked at Emma. Her eyes had
a glow in them that signal the use of her telepathic abilities. He collapsed on the floor as the
glow disappeared from her eyes.
"Ms. Frost," Jubilee yelled, "how could you do that? Maybe there was a reason he didn't
want to say anything."
Sean was almost ready to talk when he saw a look on Emma face. "Emma, I take it you
are regretting what you did?"
"Sean, he believes his nightmares are signals of the future. He's afraid his nightmare
will come true, and since it is concealed in his mind very deeply, I hope it doesn't. It must be
something he is greatly afraid of."
It was then Sean noticed that Monet had snapped out of her spells, for she had let out a
gasp of surprise. "That's why he was afraid." She then looked down to the floor and saw Rich
lying there. "Did Ms. Frost scan his mind?"
Sean spoke up, "Aye, she did that, lass. Now Monet, can ye tell us what Rich said about
his nightmare." He hoped that Monet would say something about this instead of lapsing into one
of her autistic spells.
Just as Monet was about to say something, Rich finally was gathering his wits about him.
He abruptly shouted, "Monet, say one word and I will make our little talk earlier common
knowledge. He started to get up and looked at Emma. It was obvious that he was not happy
with her. "Ms. Frost, if I wanted everyone to know about those dreams that I occationally have, I
would have said something. Trust is an item I usually give to people. If you want to know about
me, Ms. Frost, you must prove youself worthy of my trust. So far, only one person here has
earned that, and I take it that most of you have figured out who that is." He turned and went to
leave the room. Sean probably could guess where he was going to go. He decided that their
was only one way to calm Rich down.
"Everybody, could you please leave. I think the lad needs some time to be alone." He
noticed that Rich stopped and turned. Sean looked at Rich. There was a look of knowledge on
his face. Sean had a feeling that Rich knew what was going to happen. Sean gave a look at
everyone and they all left the room. Emma stayed behind, a little shook up from what she had
learned.
Rich still have a look of anger on his face and said, "If you want to talk, Mr. Cassidy, I
will, but I would like an apology from Ms. Frost before I speak." It was obvious that Rich was
angry, and he was going to live up to his heritage. British people could be stuborn, and Rich
was definately going to let that be true.
Emma had just gotten her wits together and said, "I'm sorry, Richard. I had thought that
it would be best to see if you did know about what had caused Monet's spell. When you
mentioned your nightmare, I thought I could understand better. It appears you have locked all
those fears up. You only let those tales out when you want to tell them. I couldn't even get into
them. Could you tell us what you fear will happen?"
Sean couldn't believe it, Emma Frost had been humbled. He also had to agree with
Emma. This had shaken Rich up. The last time Rich was shaken up was when he saw the
image of Emplate. "Lad, I know you told Monet, but why? And could you tell us? If you are
going to be here as a student, you must trust us."
Rich sat down at the table and said, "I will say this, Monet and I both had nightmares. I
do not want to say what it was about. If you want me to say anything, just ask her if it is alright
first. Just let me calm down, I don't want anybody to worry more than they have to."
Sean turned to Emma and said, "Emma, I going to talk to Monet for a moment. Can you
keep an eye on Rich for a moment." He noticed that Rich had started to play his flute. Emma
had nodded and Sean went to talk to Monet. He found her and said, "Monet, I need to ask you
something."
Monet turned from the window and said, "Is it about the nightmare Rich had?"
"That it is, lass. He doesn't want to tell us about the nightmare unless he has your
concent." Sean had hoped that she would respond. He watched as Monet nodded, but it was
apparent that she was upset about it.
He turned to head back to the kitchen when Monet said, "I would like to be there, with
you, when he talks about his nightmare."
"Alright." The two of them walked back to the kitchen. Sean still heard the flute and
when they entered the kitchen he said to Rich, "Ok, lad. Monet said it was alright to tell us."
Sean noticed then that he had opened a Pandora's Box when Rich put down his flute.
"Brace yourselves, because her comes the hurricane." He started retelling the two nightmares
and Sean realized that Rich had a good reason to fear his nightmares, if they were predictions of
things to come.
He had just finished his tale of what the nightmares had been. Monet had shuddered
after hearing both nightmares, because of the fact that they might come true. They all had a
look of shell shock on their faces. "Do you all understand why I didn't want everyone to here
this."
Sean Cassidy spoke up first. "It took some bravery on your part to tell us about this. I
know that some students here have difficulty telling their secrets and fears. I hope that that
bravery rubs off on some of the other." He gave a look at Monet and she had a humbled look on
her face.
"I guess no matter what, the truth will aways be revealed. It makes me wonder how
overwhemed we will be when all the truths that Monet holds in her head, come rushing out."
Monet had a bit of a scared look on her face when he said that. Rich knew that he wasn't on her
favorites list, but it was obvious that she tolerated him. He figured it would be best to change the
subject. "Mr. Cassidy, could you tell me what's on the schedule for me today?"
Sean must have noticed how uncomfortable Rich had been with formality. "Rich, it be
alright with me if ye call me Sean. Now, I plan to have you meet with all the students today,
excluding the wee lads, and Emma and myself. I going to give you the option of how you want
to go throught the the line-up."
Rich felt a little confused by this. "I am a little confused by what you said. Now what do
you mean?"
"Well, I was thinking that you could meet everybody again, by codename, such as mine
is Banshee, and Emma's is White Queen, or by last name."
"Who would be first if it was by codename?"
"That would be Jono."
"Considering what happened last time, I think it would be best if we went by lastname."
"Alright, that means you'll be with Angelo Espinosa first."
"Let me see, he's the one with the extendable skin. I hope I don't get the craving for a
cigarette." He thought about it for a while. Rich wondered if he made the wrong choice by
making his choice that way. "I wonder if I made a mistake," he muttered under his breath.
Sean left the room. He was again alone in the room with Emma Frost. This was one
person he would have a hard time trusting. He kept an eye on her at all times. He didn't want
her invading his mind again. As he was waiting for Sean to come back with Angelo, Emma Frost
broke the silence. "Richard, judging by the way you are watching me, I take it you don't trust
me."
He couldn't hide the venom in his voice. "Really, how would you like it if I decided to
take a trip into your mind and learn your deepest darkest secrets, with you knowing it. It like
breaking into you house while you are there. That's what it feels like. I could compare it to
something worse, but I think you get the picture."
"I'm sorry about what I did, but you have to understand that I was doing it to find out what
happened to Monet. You have to admit that I had a good reason."
"If I didn't want to say anything, you could have respected my wishes. Under different
circumstances, your little intrusion can be excused, but not then."
"Alright. Just remember that if you are not in control of what you are doing, I will try to
stop you, using my abilities."
Rich thought about it. It might be a good idea to have her around, in case someone like
Emplate attacked and controlled him. "I think I understand what you mean, but if you want
information about me, just ask me." She nodded and Sean walked in with Angelo following him.
"Well Rich, I was thinking that you can use your abilities and train in the Biosphere."
Rich nodded and decided it was time he learned about Angelo and his abilities.
Angelo was wondering what Sean had in mind. He figured that Emma might of had a
hand in this as well, but with Rich's abilities, the Biosphere seemed the perfect place. He noticed
that Jubilee had taken Penance out of the building. When they entered the Biosphere, Sean said
to the two of them. "Angelo, Rich is going to have to learn more about everyone, especially if he
doesn't want his ability going chaotic. He decided to go through everyone by their names."
Angelo finally realized that it was for Rich's sake. Angelo nodded and then turned to
Rich. "So, Rich, how would you like to begin. Talking, or using mutant ability." Rich seemed to
have an air of mystery about him.
Rich stepped forward and said, "We don't have much to talk about, unless I start to
mimic you." Rich looked at his body and Angelo noticed the same thing that Rich did. His skin
appeared to be melting. "Angelo, I hope your codename makes sense for this."
Angelo almost laughed and then remembered what he went through when his ability first
appeared. He approached Rich and said, "It'll be Okay, amigo. Just concentrate. It takes some
time, but it will work. It strains the mind, but it can be done." He watched as Rich slowly pulled
his skin tight and looked like himself again. "Feeling better?"
"You must have a sense of humor to cope with this. Is that why you are such a joker?"
"Sometimes. I couldn't pull this stuff back home. I suppose you probably now know
about my life in the hood."
"I can only see gimpses of it. It appears that it wasn't as traumatic as other things."
"Oh, why do you say that?"
"You leaving the hood, it was the biggest sacrifice you ever made, and you lived to
regret it." Angelo realized that Rich must have latched onto his battle with the X-Cutioner. He
had to admit, the only thing he thought was good in his life, he was regretting.
"Your right on that, there are sometimes that I wish I could go back home. But, I can't. I
remember how much my 'death' changed things back home. I was there, in disguise, and saw
what it had done."
Rich gave him a knowing glance. "You miss her, don't you?" Angelo knew who Rich
was talking about. Angelo decided it was time to change the topic. He gave Rich a mean
glance. Rich just said, "Oh Kay, Let's talk about you're mutant ability. So, what can you do with
this ability."
"Watch." Angelo distended his skin and grabbed a nearby tree. He used his skin to pull
himself up into the tree. He turned around only to see that Rich was only a foot away from him,
doing the same thing.
"I see, a living bungee cord. Oh joy. Tell me. It this all that you can do?"
"As of right now, yes. That's why I got the code name Skin. I'm trying to lean to do
more, mainly so I can live a normal life." Angelo spent the rest of the time he was with Rich
showing other aspects, and flaws of have 6 ft of extra skin.
Paige looked around the Biosphere. She had seen Angelo leave, and Sean had told her
that it was her turn to meet with Rich. She was abit nervious, but she could handle it. She still
had in her mind that she was going to be an X-Man just like her brother Sam. Paige almost
jumped in fright when Rich stepped out in front of her. "Calm down, Paige. I was waiting for
Angelo's ability to leave me."
"Ah'm alright. You just startled me. Ah take it you are ready to learn about my mutant
ability."
"Let's see. Find out what it's like to rip my skin off my body. Now's a good time as
ever." He stepped forward and said, "Now, how do I control this? By the way, what is your code
name?"
"Husk. Now first, you have to do is focus on what you want to take the form of. Then, it
is just ripping your skin off." Paige decided to demonstrate by ripping her skin off and revealing
a body of pure diamond.
Rich just looked at her and said, "It must play havoc with your wardrobe. Well, I must try
this ability." He started ripping at his skin and revealed a body of obsidian.
Paige thought that he must be stuck on the color black. He choose a black element and
she said, "Ah think that the color suits you, Rich."
"And I think that Penance might become jealous if she hears that. Besides, there is
already someone who cares for you, he justs is having trouble accepting the feeling back from
you. Try to patch things up with him." Deep down, Paige knew that Rich was right, but she still
couldn't forgive Jono for what had happened at her home on Thanksgiving. She was almost lost
in that painful memory when Rich finally said, "Paige, how long does these changes usually
last?"
"What, Ah'm sorry, Ah was lost in thought. The phase changes usually last about as
long as needed. Watch." She ripped of the diamond skin that she had and reverted back to a
normal state.
"Ladies and gentleman, this is an interesting ability. I take it that sometimes you aren't
really in appropriate attire for your ability to wear out."
Paige blushed and said, "That's true. Ah sometimes have to rip my uniform off. Ah
must have had the most uniforms of the whole team."
"Since I am a gentleman, I will not look in your direction at those times."
Paige seemed to notice many times before that Rich was a gentleman. "Don't worry, Ah
usually cover up before that happens. That has to one of the drawbacks of mah mutant ability.
Rich, I know I mentioned this earlier, but you don't seem to be used to waking early."
"That's true Paige, and don't try to hide your accent, it's who you are. One should never
be ashamed of who they are. Now, why do you ask?"
"Ah was wondering if you would like to jog with me. It's one of the few times Ah can
relax."
"Alright, I see you at 6AM or 6:30?"
"6:30. Ah do a workout every morning." She decided to leave after that. She figured
that Rich knew enough about her, than she could ever tell him. She knew that the process of
husking was time consuming, but Rich's own ability had to pull him out of it also. She decided
she leave early, so Jubilee wouldn't see the sight. Jubilee still thought it was a disgusting ability.
Jubilee had entered the biosphere quietly. She had learned a few things in her days with
Wolvie and the X-Men. She had talked briefly to Paige before she enter. Paige told her how
Rich had surprised her. Jubilee was determined to suprise Rich. She knew that it might not be
the best way for Rich to experence her abilities, but it might prepare Rich for somethings that he
will encounter. She noticed Rich waiting by a small stream that was in the biosphere. As she
approached him, she noticed that he put his hand to his head. He seemed to be in a bit of pain.
She relized her mistake when she screamed. He jumped in fright and she saw a dozen
pyrotechnic plasmoids knock her down. She was thankful that they were low level. She knew
that she couldn't be hurt by her abilities, but Rich used them against her, and as a result, she was
in a little pain.
He looked in shock. "I'm sorry. I wasn't in control. It is your own gut instinct, ya know."
"I know. The last time I had someone scare me like that was .."
He completed the sentence for her. "when Sabertooth broke free in the mansion.
Jubilee, that scared you alot and was traumatic for you."
Jubilee knew that he was right. She knew that he knew the reason by now and said, "It
was the first time Wolvie wasn't there for me. I honestly thought that I was going to die." She
almost broke into tears. She then noticed that Rich had walked over to her and sat down.
"I hope I never run into Sabertooth, if that is any consolation to you. And, I am sorry for
plasma attack. Jubilee, what was it like, being an X-Man?"
Jubilee was surprised by what Rich said. "You want to hear about when I was with the X-
Men! Nobody wants to here those stories. Why do you want to here them?"
He looked at her and said, "Jubilee, don't take any of this as an offense, Okay. What
you lack in maturity, you make up for in experience and wisdom."
She was almost glowing when she heard that. "Wow, do you always say stuff like that or
is it just who you are?"
He turned his head, acting as he was looking for someone else and said, "Alright, who
told you I like to startle people. I can't believe someone started a rumor like that about me."
She started to laugh and he smiled. "Ok, I take it you like to startle people."
"Of course I do, I like to start that rumor. By the way, Jubilee, is that your codename?"
"Yea. It was my nickname in school, and it stuck when I joined the X-Men along time
ago. It doesn't truly relate to my abilities, as you have figured out is to shoot pyrotechnic
plasmoids. I used to entain kids in a mall back in So Cal with them."
"So, how did you get hooked up with the X-Men."
"Long story, which I can tell you later. Anything you want to know about by ability, abit
more maybe."
"How dangerous is your ability, Jubes?"
The way he said it was almost like how some of the X-Men had said it. She always
thought of the X-Men as a family for her, and then Generation X, and now Rich seemed to
becoming the new member of the family. She thought about his question, though, because it
was odd. "Why do want to know, Rich?"
"Jubilee, when you snuck up on me, your own personality took became merged with
mine. I had a brief headache. The reactions, the actions, they are all you, including that you
fear your ability. When your mad, you can't control the sparks. I have a nasty temper, if I let it
loose. I have controlled it for a long time. The last time I let it lose was, well I forget. It wasn't a
pretty sight."
"You mean when you chewed out Emma?"
"No, that was just a fraction of the rage that I hold bottled up." Jubilee's eyes went wide
at that. Could Rich hold so much anger in him that she wondered if he was more dangerous
than all of villians that Gen X and the X-Men had faced.
She decided to answer his question. "Rich, I know that when I'm fumming, I don't have
much control. I once leveled a house with my fireworks."
"Remind me to stay away from you when I'm mad," he said with a smile.
Jubilee decided to be a little bit devilish. She looked at him. "Rich."
"Yes."
"Stay away from me when you're mad."
"You have a little devilish streak in you, don't you." He started to laugh and then said,
"How about telling me one story about you and the X-Men."
He seemed destine to here her tell about her life with the X-Men. She decided to tell him
about the time she saved Wolvie's life.
Mondo entered the Biosphere and walked in Rich's direction. Rich still had abit of
Jubilee's power and was shooting sparks from his fingers. Mondo thought that Rich's ability was
similar to that of Everett's and his combined for some reason. He slowly approached Rich and
said, "Olla, Rich, how are you?"
Rich looked at Mondo and said, "Hello, Mondo. I'm just waiting for Jubilee's power to
leave so I can learn about your ability. Tell me Mondo, what exactly is your ability, and your
codename."
Mondo just smiled. He looked at Rich and said, "My name is my codename. That is
how life works. Life just does what it does."
Rich looked at him and said, "You have an interesting look on life, Mondo. But, what is
your ability."
"Well, I have been called an omnimorph. Watch." Mondo placed his hands on the
ground and looked at Rich. Rich had a look on his face that could only be amazement. Mondo
was starting to absorb the ground and was transforming into it. Rich finally understood what was
going on. Rich then stepped towards him and did the same.
"Looks simple. Let me try." Rich started to do the same and Mondo was simply
amazed. Rich had copied his ability and was using it. Mondo watched as he turned into the
same ground that he had absorbed. "Interesting ability, Mondo, what can you do with it?"
"It is simple my friend, come along." Mondo shifted into the ground and Rich followed.
For about ten minutes, Rich and himself shifted all over the biosphere. Eventually Rich started
to retake a human form. Mondo slowly reformed and said to Rich, "Is something wrong, my
friend."
Rich looked a little flushed and said, "Could you help me get to someplace with water, I
need to take some medication."
Mondo started to worry. "Rich, are you Ok? Are you feeling well?"
"It's nothing to worry about Mondo. I take medication for my epilepsy. It's just that I
feeling a little uneasy as well." Mondo helped Rich out of the Biosphere and back to the main
building. They entered the kitchen only to run into Sean and the three boys, Artie, Leech and
Franklin. Sean was fixing them a little lunch. Sean must have felt like a father to the kids.
Sean looked at Rich and said, "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing a little medication won't take care of, and a little lunch?" Mondo almost was
started question what Rich said earlier, at least until Rich said, "The medication for my epilepsy
requires food to be in my stomach." Rich managed to get some food together and took his
medication. Mondo realized that Rich seemed to be dependent on it.
Mondo's own concern seemed to be shared by Sean. "Rich, isn't there another way to
take care of your epilepsy?"
Rich looked at Sean and said, "Not without having my brain hacked up. I feel that the
medication is the less dangerous option. I'll be on it for life, but it is better than living with half a
mind." Mondo now thought he had a better understand why Rich had such a view on life.
Penance looked out at the sky above her. It was a long while after Jubilee had taken her
from the Biosphere. It was just a couple of moments after the time when the shadows disappear.
She had decided to go to the room that the food was kept. She entered the room to see the
noisemaker was in the room. He had gotten an apple from the fruit basket. He must have been
getting ready to find her. Jubilee had left her awhile ago. He turned to her and said something.
She remembered that Rich said his name was Sean. He said something to her as he handed
her the apple. She could make out some of the words. One that she made out was Biosphere,
the building where the outdoors was indoors. She then was overjoied with another word he said,
Rich. She was going to see Rich again. He must have been in the Biosphere. She ran out of
the building and toward the Biosphere. She heard the noisemaker was following behind her.
She wondered what he wanted.
Penance entered the building and started looking around. She looked around for Rich.
The noicemaker yelled out his name. It wasn't long until she heard his voice. {Hi Yvette.} She
turned to see him walk out into the open. He had transformed into her form again. She ran over
and gave him a hug. The noisemaker started to say something and Rich held up his hand. Rich
returned the hug and said, {He was about to warn me about how sharp your skin is. I guess he
was afraid you would hurt me.}
Penance looked into his eyes. {I would never hurt you, Rich. I don't want to do anything
to lose you. Now, what has been happening to you today?}
{I've been meeting everybody today, Yvette. I have met with Angelo, Paige, Jubilee and
Mondo. After I spend some time with you, I get to meet Monet, Jono, and Everett. It's just been
so eventful, but it has been a long day} He sat down and continued, {Yvette, I had a terrible
dream last night. One I fear is a premonition. I'm afraid that He is coming, the one that
everyone calls Emplate.}
