The Matthias Chronicles

Vol. 1 Story 10: The End Of The Beginning

By Wraith

Alicia Shaw and her sister Melissa stood outside of the door to their dorm room in Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Their new headmistress, Emma Frost was running down the rules and regulations of the school before adding a brief aside.

"Alicia, Melissa, I have known your father Shinobi for most of his life and agreed to take you two in as a favor to him. However if either of you display your father or grandfather's penchant for trouble making, you both will be out of here in the blink of an eye. Am I understood?"

Alicia brushed her dyed red hair from her face and flashed her brightest smile at Frost. "Of course ma'am! My sister and I appreciate your faith in us given our rather spotty past. We will do our best to validate your trust!"

Emma was satisfied with Alicia's proclamation as well as with her moxie. Melissa, who had been silent since Emma picked up the sisters at the airport, was another story.

"And you, Melissa? Are you going to be on your best behavior too?"

Melissa's head remained bowed and her gaze fixated on the floor. "yes ma'am." Melissa's mouse-like voice was barely audible over the squeaking of her old, beat-up sneakers on the hardwood floor.

Emma felt that the girls' sentiments were genuine, yet she didn’t go the extra mile and scan their thoughts to find out definitively. Rather, she was using her mental powers to see how the other two new students were fairing with Sean as their tour guide.

*********************

Sean was leading two of the new students, Zoë Parker-Marley and Paul Jordan through the biosphere while running down the classes that the school offered.

"Aside from the requisite math, science, and literature; we also offer classes such as 'Late 20^th Century Mutant Revolutions' and 'Commercial Genetic Manufacturing'; or as the other students call it: 'Designer Genes'."

Zoë was paying more attention to the biosphere's vastly varying environment then she was to Cassidy's speech. Paul, on the other hand, was taking copious notes and sweating profusely as his body temperature fought to maintain stasis.

"Mr. Cassidy, sir. Previously you mentioned the chance to study hands-on with noted geneticist, Henry McCoy."

"Aye, sure'n you're right Paul."

"However, I was wondering if there would be any opportunities to interact with comparable experts in the fields of either astronomy or quantum physics?"

"That's a fair question lad. Perhaps we could wrangle the Professor's friend Lilandra to lend us some of her expertise. Although she's always rather busy with her responsibilities."

"Oh… I see… Well thank you anyway sir," Paul's voice trailed off to a small whisper.

"Ach! Lad ye sure aren't very forceful are ye? Sometimes ye must fight for yure beliefs. Hopefully that’s one of the things you'll be learning while here."

Sean then looked around them for the, now missing, female student.

"Now where did Zoë get herself too?" Sean floated a good 50 feet in the air, far above any of the treetops, and used his loudest (non-destructive) voice. "Zoë? Zoë! Where are ye lass?"

A voice came from bellow him and to the southwest. "I'm down here sir."

Sean flew down to where the voice was originating from and saw nothing but grassy earth.

"Where are ye?"

Suddenly, a patch of grass and topsoil, roughly the size and shape of a blanket, rose up from behind him. Emerging from underneath the blanket was the dreadlocked young woman.

"Sorry Mr. Cassidy, but I wanted to see how well I could use my powers in unfamiliar terrain. I mean, you don't get much moist, grassy soil in New Mexico."

"Ah, I appreciate, and admire your initiative however in the future I would hope that you would at least let one of your headmaster's know when you plan to experiment with your powers; lest you make a dangerous error. Especially with yure powers lassie."

****************

Paige stood up from Jono's bed and took her backpack from the foot of it. For the week that Jono had been back at the school, he and Paige had avoided each other like the plague. Jono's admission of his love for her made the two uncomfortable Paige especially. Not only was she still involved with Chris, but also Jono was convinced that "love" was the word to best describe his emotions. Paige was overwhelmed and wasn't sure she felt the same.

While Chris was out in town with Angelo and Jamal, Paige and Jono spent some time alone together in almost half a year. It started off innocent and stayed that way. Paige went to Jono's room to bring him up to speed on what he missed at the school.

She told him about Monet's new change of character since Jamal joined the school. He was taken aback by the fact that Monet now seemed human! Paige also told Jono about Sara's kidnapping and the accompanying appearance of an incredibly powerful mutant named Franklin Legionnaire. Jono seemed less interested in Legionnaire then he did in Paige's relationship with Chris.

Paige fielded all of Jono's questions about just how serious she and Chris had become. They hadn't slept together; in fact it was the farthest thing from their minds. Rather, Paige explained, she and Chris were not in any rush and were fine just having fun together.

"Well that's everything Jono," Paige stretched and yawned. The two had been talking for almost two hours straight.

<<Leaving so soon luv?>>

Paige looked at her watch and noted the time. "Yeah Jono, Ms. Frost wants me to act as a representative of the student body for the four new students."

******************

Angelo held the front door of Armand's Records open while Chris and Jamal walked out with close to $1000 worth of equipment and music. Chris and Angelo were smirking at the situation, as Jamal's emotions were easily deciphered.

"Hey Jamal, next time you wanna put some big money on a game, try not to bet on the Clippers!"

Jamal responded dryly. "Ha ha ha, fuck you Chris. You guys know I don’t follow sports that much. All I know are stats. The Clippers lost their last twelve games; I thought they were due."

"Hey ese, nobody's due against the Lakers!"

"So I see Angelo," Jamal carefully placed the milk crate full of twelve-inch vinyl records he was holding into the back of the van. "Chris, I know what these are," Jamal pointed at the crate. "But what is that," Jamal said pointing to the large box that Chris was holding.

"Inside this box my good man is the greatest musical innovation of the last thirty years. The 'Technics SP 1200' turntable," Chris was visibly beaming. "I've already had one SP 1200 for a year now, but couldn't do much with it till I got a second one and a crossfader."

Angelo rolled his eyes. "Man if I have to hear you talk about your turntable anymore, I'm gonna break the damn thing!"

The air surrounding the three young men suddenly grew stale and heavy.

"My, my Señor Espinosa, you are rather aggressive aren't you? Well let's see if I can't take the fight out of you." The voice shattered the calm of the suburban day like an air raid alarm. Franklin Legionnaire stood behind the three young mutants, arms crossed wearing his usual Louis XIV era clothing.

"Who the hell is this cabron?"

Chris placed the new turntable and cables in the back of the van and stood in a battle stance that Psylocke taught him. "Angelo, meet Franklin Legionnaire."

Angelo sized up the well-built mutant. "This guy? Are you kidding me? I've puked up scarier shit than him!"

Legionnaire stood motionless and made no sound. The only indication that he was tapping into his mutant abilities was the opaque red hue that flooded the whites of his eyes. "Discretion, young Mr. Espinosa, is the better part of valor."

Before Angelo could wonder aloud what the hell this reject from the Royal Shakespeare Company was talking about, he realized he wasn't standing anymore. In fact he wasn't solid anymore. Without moving so much as a pinkie, Legionnaire had reduced Angelo to a puddle of skin.

The few bystanders standing around couldn't believe their eyes. They began running away frantically, spilling their $3.99 cappuccinos and calling 911 on their cell phones.

"Chris, that's a classic jujitsu battle stance. Where did you learn that?"

Chris' eyes were closed and his breathing was steadying. "Jamal, would you rather I told you where I learned this, or would you rather help me kick Legionnaire's ass?"

The two charged at Legionnaire from their martial arts battle stances. Jamal flew at their opponent with his fists outstretched, while Chris executed a flying kick.

"I see you have decided not to fight me with your mutant powers my sons. You disappoint me, however I will play along." Legionnaire blocked the attacks on his person with equally skilled blocks, and fought back with martial arts techniques that Chris had never seen before.

Between catching his breath after Legionnaire's foot landed in his chest, Chris looked over towards Jamal. His half-brother was still holding off Legionnaire. The two of them looked like a frantic videogame fight, or a kung-fu movie stuck on fast-forward. But eventually Jamal flew backwards in Chris' direction. The young man continued flying backwards until he was embedded in a bank's brick façade.

Chris ran, or rather limped, over towards Jamal. "Hey man, are you alright?"

Jamal picked pieces of brick out of his hair and tried to stand up. "That son-of-a-bitch used Northern Shaolin, Aikido, and Capoeria! Jesus Christ he's good."

Chris replied "'Sure Chris, I'm fine, thanks for the concern!'"

Jamal ignored the sarcasm and stood himself up. "Chris, I think our only chance of getting away alive is to fight off Legionnaire with our powers."

"But what about the school's rule against using powers in public?"

Jamal placed his hands on either side of his head and twisted. As his neck cracked Jamal rolled his eyes and spoke. "Well Chris, if you think that earning the trust of Cassidy and Em-- Frost is more important then living, then be my guest."

Chris stretched out his arms by his sides and extended his fingers. It was not truly necessary to place his body in such a position in order to absorb the static electricity in the air around him. However, Chris discovered that sometimes the sight of his body surrounded by a hue of blue-white light served to intimidate his adversaries. Legionnaire was neither impressed nor intimidated.

******************

Paige showed Alicia, Melissa and Zoë around the woman's dorm while Everett showed Paul the men's amenities. The new girls seemed to find the rooms to their liking. Alicia and Melissa were given a room to share while Zoë was assigned to bunk with Monet. After the girls got settled in, Paige decided that a "getting-to-know-you" session was in order. Despite the fact that Angelo, Jamal and Chris hadn't returned from town yet and Jubilee was still in China, Paige felt that the students currently on campus would serve as fine ambassadors for the school. If Chris were there, he would tell her that she was taking her responsibilities as student body liaison too seriously. Nevertheless, the four new students, along with Everett, Monet, Sara, Jono, and (of course) Paige sat in the den around a roaring fire (Paige's idea) and proceeded to introduce themselves and their abilities.

"Well, my name is Alicia Shaw. My sister and I are half-Japanese, one quarter-English and one quarter-Korean. Our family is old friends with Ms. Frost and our father sent us here because he doesn't have the time to raise us the way he would like, and he trusts Ms. Frost. We aren't here to become future "X-Men" or what ever it is you usually do here. We are just here to get an education and learn how to utilize our powers better."

Paige was ecstatic! She was glad that everything was going well. Perhaps they were humoring her, but at least they were talking.

Alicia continued. "My ability allows me to warp, change, mold, whatever you want to call it, the structural and physical integrity of my surroundings. Trust me it's a lot less interesting then it sounds!" Alicia pushed her perfectly brushed hair out of her face with her perfectly manicured hands. "My sister doesn't talk much, but her name is Melissa and she is what's technically known as a 'cryokinetic', meaning she can control cold temperatures with her mind."

Paige put down the bowl of home-cooked popcorn, wiped the butter and salt from her hands with a paper towel and turned to Zoë. "Well, how's about you gal?"

Zoë's blonde dreadlocks hung down to the notepad she had to look up from to meet Paige's gaze. She closed the plain composition book she wrote her poetry in and spoke to her fellow schoolmates. "I'm Zoë Parker-Marley. I was born and raised in Animas, New Mexico. My parents are really cool; they're sort of like hippies. Neither of them are mutants but they were always extremely involved for the fight for mutant's rights," Zoë paused to catch her breath. "They raised my to be proud of who I am and to embrace my abilities. My power allows me to control materials in the earth. I can grab the soil around me and reshape it or psionicly control the ground and any natural elements of it. Like foliage, rocks, and even some water," Zoë took a sip of her tea before continuing. "I think it's so great that my powers reflect the connection I feel with the Earth and nature!"

Paige looked towards Paul and asked him to keep the ball rolling.

"Uh-well… M-my name is Paul Jordan and I'm from this area. My power is simple pyrokinesis; I can control heat and fire. It's k-kinda good I guess. I'm sorry, I just get n-nervous when I speak in public."

Paul started to stare down at the ground, but his gaze caught Melissa's on the way down and they locked eyes.

******************

Legionnaire was smiling in spite of the physical pain his offspring were causing him. Truth be told he was actually smiling because of it! Chris and Jamal were making quite the formidable team!

Chris absorbed enough electricity from the ionosphere and surrounding electronic devices to cause a brownout in four of the buildings on the street.

Meanwhile Jamal was using every ability he had stored up to that point: Optic blasts, psionic attacks, popping out claws from the back of his hand, converting potential energy to kinetic energy and hurling objects at Legionnaire.

The potentate was impressed! Unfazed, but impressed nonetheless. Legionnaire knew that his sons would need much more practice before they could possibly harm him (hell, Chris didn't even understand the true nature of his abilities yet!), however their teamwork and adaptation to whatever attacks Legionnaire threw at them was remarkable.

Chris was almost totally spent, each time he absorbed more electrons it got easier for him to handle; but he was just too tired to do much more than prepare for a final attack. The smell of ozone filled the air around him as he aimed his out stretched arms at Legionnaire. With his hands together in the shape of a gun, Chris spoke:

"Bang. You're dead."

The white-blue bolt of concentrated electrons surged through the air at Legionnaire. The intended target easily sidestepped the attack and watched an exhausted Chris Storm hit the asphalt. Before Legionnaire had time to analyze the boy's weakness, Jamal blindsided Legionnaire at full speed. No enhanced strength or mass. No force fields. Just pure, unadulterated power.

As Legionnaire picked himself up off the ground he was startled to see blood falling from his mouth. He decided he learned all he needed to from the encounter and decided to make his leave.

In the blink of an eye, Chris and Jamal were back on their feet. Their muscles feeling rejuvenated and fresh as if the fight hadn't occurred. Angelo's body was reconstructed, the van was packed with Chris' equipment and the "normal" humans continued to walk the streets of Boston without a care in the world save their "normal" concerns. Jamal, Angelo, and Chris all looked at each other; each one remembering what condition they were in only two minutes prior. The unspoken agreement was to beat a strategic retreat.

***************

Paul collapsed onto his bed. His wiry frame wasn't made for lugging all of his earthly possessions up three flights of stairs to the room he would share with Chris Storm. As his lungs worked to refill with oxygen, Paul's concentration momentarily slipped from the task of restraining his unusual secret. Soon the red-orange liquid began to creep over him, starting at his forehead and gradually covering his entire upper body with a type of second skin. The foreign plasma continued its acquisition of Paul's outer self until a knock at the door startled him. As Paul sat up with a start, the liquid rapidly retreated and Paul regained his control and repressed the entity.

"Who is it?"

The voice from beyond the door meekly replied, "melissa. from earlier. i was one of the new girls."

Paul stood up and opened the door. "Hi Melissa. W-what did you n-n-need?"

Melissa stared down at the black carpeted floor of the hallway and spoke.

"well i wanted to talk to you for a little bit. you seem as shy as i am and i thought maybe we might have somethings in common that we could talk about."

************

Chris and Jamal carried the DJ equipment inside the mansion and started to pile it by the elevator while Angelo parked the van in the garage.

"Chris, what do you make of what happened earlier?"

Chris took the ink pen he was chewing out of his mouth and placed it behind his ear. "All things considered bro, I'd just as soon forget about our earlier encounter with Legionnaire."

Jamal's stare burned holes into Chris's carefully constructed "armor of coolness". "Dammit man! We can't just pretend that this shit didn't happen! He's not going to go away Chris!"

Jamal's tirade was interrupted when Emma handed him a letter that had arrived for him earlier. Jamal thanked Emma and looked at the return address. Once the letter's origin was revealed to Jamal, he turned to Chris, "We'll finish this conversation later."

Jamal sat on the outside steps in front of the house and read the correspondence:

"Jamal-san,

It has been nearly three years since you fled Japan and avoided our confrontation. This was both cowardice and foolishness on your part. The cowardice is obvious, but the foolishness applies because I have had three additional years to hone my skills. I am currently in your country, but I will be returning to Kanazawa on the 15^th. My father is dying and has requested that you return to Kanazawa before he can pass. My mother and Mika are awaiting your return gaijin. I too will wait for you. You will not avoid our battle this time. This time it is to the death hakujin!"

Jamal refolded the letter and placed it in his rear jean pocket. He thought that he was rid of Tetsuo when he fled Japan three years ago. The man's jealousy knew no bounds. Jamal knew he would have to return to Japan to visit his sensei and to face his destiny.