Friends were gathered to lay the young woman to rest. Many of the heroic friends had to come in their civilian identities while others kept to their costumes if their identity wasn’t widely known. It was ironic to think that before the attack that cost Angelica her life there had been discussion of the wedding guest list and the fact that many of their heroic friends would have to hide their identities still. It wasn’t an amusing sort of irony. Near the front of the seating arrangement sat Angelica’s father. It had been hard to explain to family and friends that didn’t know of Angelica’s heroic life how she had died. They believed her to be the victim of a terrible skiing accident. While her father had known, it wasn’t any easier making the call. Hearing the man break down had almost caused Vance to breakdown himself. Sitting beside the man for a second funeral, after the first was for her family and civilian friends, made it even worse.
Further down the line were the members of the Chicago X-Men team that had made it. Jean sat somberly, Jubilee lying against the woman’s side with tears rolling down her cheeks with her arm still in a sling. While the girls were far from what many would call friends, they had become very friendly with one another. Kitty and Terry sat on the other side with Longshot at their side. Seeing the usually jovial man so somber with the rest was almost off putting. Just something didn’t sit well with it. Scott hadn’t even bothered to show up. The fact that the man wasn’t even there for the funeral stabbed at the respect that Vance had once held for the leader, especially since Shiro had even shown up, as his relationship with Vance being somewhat rocky when the man had tried to take Angelica under his wing for training.
Having a non-superhero priest oversee the proceedings would have been difficult with the identity issues for some and, though they had tried to find a way to do it through a request by Jean to the local community, Kurt had stepped up to offer his help. His blue fur had a slight shine to it in the sunlight as the demonic looking mutant brought an end to the moving sermon chosen by Angelica’s father. As the proceedings came to their apparent end people began to rise and mingle. Some spoke of the tragedy of young death in their chosen line of work. Others shared stories of how they knew Angelica in the past. Vance wanted no part of any of it. Rising, a hug and firm handshake were given to Bartholomew as the man returned both and gave an understanding nod. There would be more time for them to talk later. Right then Vance had to get away from it all.
“Not thinking about slipping out the back are you?”
Vance turned to come face to face with a very familiar face. If the day wasn’t what it was currently the young man probably would have smiled. It had been quite some time since any of the old New Warriors had been seen. “Mickey. Thought you were in Los Angeles. School and such.”
“You really think I wouldn’t be here for the funeral? School’s not going anywhere, though it seems you are,” said the Japanese American hero as she pointed a finger at the heavy bag that was packed and waiting by Vance’s feet. Her raven hair swayed softly in the air as a slight breeze passed through. The Turbo armor had been left behind and instead a black skirt that went to her ankles and white blouse and black blazer had been chosen for the day. It was almost odd to see Mickey in something so professional looking. It wasn’t the usual attire she would choose in their younger days.
“I have business to attend to.”
“Or you’re running away, which seems to be a usual choice for costumed folks when tragedy strikes. We’re not the most emotionally well adjusted lot.”
“I don’t have a place here anymore.”
“That’s the grief talking and you know it. Cleary you have your team who cared about you and Angelica. I’m sure with all that happened they didn’t have to be here, but they took out time to come with you here. You do have people that care about you, Vance, even if you don’t see it.”
“The person I cared about most is gone. That is what matters.” Vance’s eyes began to wander, almost as if seeking the quickest way out to avoid any others.
Mickey’s face changed as a frown began to form upon the delicate features. “I really forgot how self absorbed heroes could get once I hung up the costume. A whole world out there that needs help and all you can think about is stalking off alone and no doubt seek revenge. Typical.”
“Don’t act as if you know me deeply. We weren’t best of friends or anything. Just teammates.”
“That makes us family.” Vance’s eyes slid over as a large figure moved through the crowd flanked by a few others. Elvin Haliday was another former New Warrior that had spent time as an Avenger under the moniker Rage and, from what Vance had last heard, Elvin was serving on the West Coast branch of the illustrious superhero team. It was hard to miss someone like Elvin in any crowd as the young man towered over most and his bulk and muscles kept him standing out. Unlike Mickey, Elvin was in his full Rage attire.
Flanking Rage was another former member of the New Warriors…Namorita, the cousin of Namor and another member of the West Coast Avengers. The typical green bathing suit that was a costume for the Atlantean had been traded in for a black pantsuit. Apparently even Atlanteans knew that decency was in order for a funeral. “Family is always there for one another.”
“Not this time.” Without another word Vance turned and flew away leaving his stunned friends behind. While there was a small part of the man that was pained at having done such a thing, the majority seemed to no longer care. Vance was just fine going with the majority from there on out.
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#7
MAR 11 |
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“Everything Changes”
Graymalkin Island
The Next Day
Everything changed. It was the way of the world. Having been one of the first of Xavier’s students meant Jean knew that all too well. People came and went. Death. Life. Love. Loss. Everything went hand in hand and composed the existence each person had. In an instant such a change had befallen them. With the attack of Cassandra Nova’s forces the X-Men had found themselves humbled in so many ways. Friends were lost. Homes ruined. Lives upturned. A love that had seemed able to survive the test of time had been shaken to its very core.
A steady click could be heard in the background as an old grandfather clock kept the time with the rhythmic clicking of the gears, within an old wooden case with glass all around to see the insides as they went about their work. Years ago the clock had been given to the X-Men’s leader Scott by his love, when times were better. Now the clock sat within the office as if to be a reminder of times better. Two large bookshelves loaded down heavily with books of various sizes and subjects took up the wall across from the clock, while the other two walls were bare. A metallic vibe was heavy in the room as Scott wasn’t one for decorating. A picture of the first class of X-Men was perched on the edge of the bookshelf and seemed to be the only other personal item within the entire room.
A large oaken desk sat within the middle of the room, various drawers decorating the front of it. The leather chair that sat before the desk was where Jean sat and gazed upon the room deep in thought. Before the redhead stood a stack of papers with various file folders surrounding each bunch; they were files on various former members and allies of the X-Men, as well as mutants they were aware of. Each pile had been carefully organized and stored upon the work surface. Another quirk about Scott was his need for organization. Even the way the pencils were perfectly lined up one after the other spoke of his need for order. They had been gathered by Scott before to prepare for the need to bring in other mutants to the team at any point. Now such a point had arrived.
Angelica was gone now. Madrox had turned out to be a traitor duplicate. Vance was no doubt leaving, something more likely in her mind as she recalled what she had happened to glean from his mind. Scott practically already had one foot out the door. There would be others, she was sure of it. Things were changing and it was time to prepare to rebuild and make the team stronger. Jean had to do it, to prove that she wasn’t just the wife of Scott Summers. The team would flourish.
Frustration set in as little headway was being made through the papers. With a slight push of her telekinetic powers the woman pushed up from the chair and was soaring through the halls toward the lift, and soon enough was outside soaring into the skies over the lake that surrounded their home. Moving around the island brought her toward an open area near the giant X that was centered in the base platform. It was close enough to edge that she’d be able to gaze off into the distance and at the lake below. Bare feet settled upon the metallic flooring, red hair softly coming back down to lie across her back. With little effort she bent and was soon sitting off the edge letting her feet dangle in the open air below. A light breeze moved passed ruffling the edges of the pant legs of the loose lounge wear she had taken to wearing. A light spaghetti strap top finished off her choice of relaxation wear.
Faint stirrings of a familiar mind could be picked up as something purple and sleek came in on flapping wings. Jean smiled as the purple dragon came to a stop before her, landing upon the edge by her arm. “Hello, Lockheed.” A puff of smoke emerged as the dragon nuzzled her arm lightly. While the dragon was the pet of Kitty Pryde, he had been with the X-Men long enough to be cared about by all of them and care for all of them in his own way.
“Kitty’s been looking for you.”
Lockheed’s head tilted up at the woman, picking up on her words and the thoughts she sent his way. Most seemed to think that the dragon was simply just like a lizard or any other animal on the planet, but they did not know of the dragon’s extraterrestrial origins and Lockheed was content to play the pet and protector and friend to Kitty and her allies, betraying nothing of his culture and language and higher abilities.
Stroking the dragon’s head lightly, Jean smiled as she picked up another friendly presence. “I know you’re there, Kurt.”
A blue furry face appeared beside her own as Kurt leaned forward to hang over her head. “Telepaths…always ruining the surprises.”
“One could say that life is more interesting without the surprises.”
“Ah, those with little heart for theatrics and a good shock.”
“I’m glad you came, Kurt.”
With his usual grace Kurt bowed and managed to slide into place sitting on the edge beside his friend. “It was my pleasure, Jean. These have been dark times and unity between friends is the force that keeps us positive towards the future. Besides, who am I to say no to a beautiful woman?” a toothy grin accompanied the last words.
Jean stifled a small laugh. “Charming as ever, my friend. Your wit and charm have been sorely missed. There haven’t been enough smiles around here lately. Though don’t let Bobby know you’re horning in on the joke territory.”
Lockheed’s wings flapped suddenly as the dragon took off with little other warning. Jean picked up that Kitty was the destination. “Men, always so fickle and ready to leave,” Jean spoke as the smile began to fade from her lips.
“Mein freund…do you want to discuss about Scott?”
“No, I’d rather not. I’m sorry I don’t mean to be withholding my friend. I’m not going to bottle my emotions up if that is what you fear. There is not much to speak of. Scott made his choice. I’ve made mine. I won’t let this team down. It’s time to step out of the shadow of the great Scott Summers.”
A warming smile was offered. “That is good to hear.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time I get back to the papers I left. The fresh air and company has renewed my energy. Thank you,” said the telepath as she turned and gave the man a slight hug. “I’m glad you’re sticking around, Kurt. We need someone like you more than ever.”
“You’re more than welcome and it is my pleasure. I won’t be going anywhere my dear.” Within moments the blue furred mutant was standing before his companion. A gallant bow with tail curling through the air punctuated the comment, before with a puff of brimstone the man was gone.
Jean waited a few moments, taking in the fresh air and the sight of the sunlight upon the lake before drifting back through the air toward the elevator. A few minutes later she entered the office space once again. Landing beside the chair she stared at the large pile. A single folder stood out more than others. Sliding it out, it was pulled open and the heart sank as the title of the papers within came into sight. Illinois State No Fault Divorce forms, for a dissolution of marriage. Part of her was ready to present them to Scott, to allow them both to go their own ways without baggage dragging them down. Yet there was another that broke at the idea of not being with the man. A tear began to form but was willed away before it could drop. It was not the time to be weak. Not when there was so much to prove.
A hand reached out and gripped the phone. A number remembered by heart was dialed. Moments later the other side clicked over as they answered. “Warren…its Jean. Can I come see you? It’s about Scott.”
Downtown Chicago
Fists met face as the mugger sagged in glowing hands. A cheer went up from onlookers as Justice tossed the mugger down and dropped the purse back toward its owner. Telekinetic forces lifted him far into the air once again. The exhilaration and adrenaline rush that once came with saving the life of another or performing a good deed were no longer there. Beating the mugger had just been another outlet for the grief.
“No matter how many faces you beat in, it won’t change.”
Vance sighed as he turned to see the form of Shadowcat upon the nearest rooftop. Part of him wanted to keep going and ignore the woman but this time the other part won out as he came to lightly land upon the same roof. “I’m not new to this game, Kitty; I don’t need a lecture.”
“Oh, I know you’re not. We all need reminding sometimes though, and I speak from experience.”
“What would you know about what I’m feeling?” The words were out of Vance’s mouth before he even thought about them.
“The woman you love was taken away. Once upon a time I lost someone very near and dear to me. While I wasn’t with Piotr at the time, he still meant a great deal to me. It took a long time for the heart to heal; I’m not even sure that I’ve even got there yet. It was easy to want to lash out and find the people that caused Piotr to ever have to reach that place. I dreamed of killing Mr. Sinister with my bare hands for ever letting that virus loose in this world. In the end though I realized all those dark thoughts got me nowhere. They were just a crutch to use so I wouldn’t have to let go and move forward. Angelica wouldn’t want you to be in this dark place.”
Vance scoffed. “How do I even know what Angelica wants? She’s dead. Taken away because of age old rivalries and hatreds and whatever else spurred on those that attacked us. No, I’m done with it all. I won’t lose more that matter to me. At the end of the day what do our heroic deeds mean? The world is a bit safer but we’re alone…alone with our thoughts and our doubts and our regrets. While the rest of the world lives. It’s time for me to live.”
Telekinetic forces rippled around the young man as he rose from the rooftop. Eyes landed back upon the brunette. “Tell Jean…tell her I quit.”
Before Kitty could speak again Vance was back into the air and sailing away. A frown grew as she watched the man eventually move out of sight. There was a dark cloud in the horizon and its ironic foreboding nature was not lost on her at all. Dark times were coming for Vance, and perhaps for them all.
“Welcome to Graymalkin Island.”
Wide arms punctuated Bobby’s statement as he stared out at two youths. The two were more of newcomers to the team in a way, but one was more than familiar on a personal level. Christopher Bradley, recently having started going by the name Bolt as a hero on the New Warriors, had at one time been a protégé of sorts to Bobby. The young man had learned he was a mutant and lost his friends because of it. The X-Men came to him to help him learn but in the process had to break it to him that he was slowly dying from the Legacy Virus. Bobby had been a friend to the boy, promising he’d be there for him no matter what…a promise that had been meant to be kept until Onslaught.
The X-Men became embroiled in the goings on surrounding the emergence of the villain and other things were put on the backburner, like keeping track of Chris. The next time Bobby and Chris met it was under bad circumstances as Chris’ family had their house burned down as mutant fear and hatred ramped up during the aftermath of Onslaught and the assassination of Graydon Creed. Chris didn’t want Bobby’s help as he claimed the man was full of false promises. At the end of the confrontation Chris ended up going along with Wolverine’s old partner in crime Maverick. It was the last the two had seen of one another until just at that moment.
Chris seemed to be staring at Bobby and then broke the connection. Bobby had been ecstatic to hear of Chris’ coming to the team, as well as the young man having found a hero’s path with the Warriors. Alongside Chris was another former Warrior with mutant powers who had once gone by the name Timeslip, but had given it up for a time and gone back to being Rina Patel.
Theresa nudged Bobby’s arm, getting his attention back. The redhead, having chosen a green and yellow jacket over a white blouse and khaki pants which was ironic when compared to her costume, had chosen to help the icy mutant with the new team greeting. “Ye might want ta say something, Bobby.”
A nod was given as Bobby cleared his throat. “Rina, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Justice spoke very highly of you when he suggested you for the team.”
“Vance is a very kind hearted man. I am pleased to hear of his words. Will he be here?”
Bobby felt his smile fade a bit. “He’s…on a leave of absence at the moment. Chris, been quite awhile.”
“Yeah, it has. Bobby I…”
“Chris…”
Terry shook her head and took Rina’s hand as the young woman looked at her confused like. “Come on, let’s go check this place out and leave these two alone ta sort things out.”
Moments later the women were gone, and the two men stood awkwardly trying to summon up something to say on each side. Finally Bobby broke the ice of sorts. “Chris, I’m sorry I let you down before. There was no excuse for losing track of you, not after all you went through.”
Chris waved it all off. “Don’t worry about it. Things were different then. I was different. I was an angry young man dying of a strange virus. The New Warriors helped change that. I found friends and changed my outlook on things. Hell, I’m even cured now, something I hear came from the X-Men, so in a way you all did help me in the end.”
Thoughts flashed back a moment to the cure that had come at the cost of Colossus life, a loss that still resonated with them all. “Glad to hear it, kid. Now, we should get you settled in. Then we can see about you helping me catch a date around this place. After living with that hottie Namorita you’ve probably got some moves.”
Chris laughed and shook his head. “Same old Bobby.”
The Summers’ Room
Graymalkin Island
An entire dresser was empty as its drawers were out and hanging with not a stitch of clothing left within. They were shoved within a bag on the bed as other items soon followed suit, everything from a few books to a couple of framed pictures. Within the middle of the pile there was a picture of five young individuals clad in blue and yellow uniforms. Smiles were upon their faces and things seemed so much happier just within that one moment caught in time.
“Simpler times.”
Scott paused and glanced up to see his wife standing within the doorway, red hair hanging down and framing her within the opening. The plan had been to gather all his stuff and be gone before there was a chance for confrontation. Perhaps it could be seen as cowardly, but Scott didn’t really care at the moment. Such confrontations were a waste of time for the most part as there was nothing that was going to change the divergent path that had come before him.
“I suppose. The past always is.”
“Ours sure seemed that way,” said Jean as she entered the room fully and moved over to stand beside the bed, her gaze never leaving her husband. While the ruby quartz visor hid Scott’s eyes Jean always could tell when he was looking her way or not. “What happened to us, Scott? You keep slipping away and I don’t even feel like I know you anymore.”
The last of the clothes in his hands fell onto the bed as Scott let out a sigh and brought his arms up to cross over his chest. “We’re different now, Jean. I’m different.”
“This is because of Apocalypse, isn’t it?”
Scott visibly tensed at mention of the ancient mutant. “I was violated, my body and my mind. I basically died. That changes someone.”
A hollow laugh emerged from the red-head. “I was left for dead at the bottom of the bay, Scott. I think I know quite well what that does to a person. Yet I came back and I gave you your space. You’re the one that came running back to me and wanted to pick up where we left off in spite of your new family.”
“She was a clone, it doesn’t matter.”
“She was a person, Scott! She was basically me but different.”
“It’s all the past. This is now.”
“What is now? You bailing out once again? What’s the problem this time, Scott? What is your excuse for bailing out?”
“I’m done, okay?” Scott was exasperated and tired of the conversation. “I thought this would be the thing I need but it wasn’t. I don’t need this anymore. I don’t need any of it. I’m sterile.”
Jean’s face paled at the last part. “Are you sure?”
“Cecilia confirmed it. My encounter with Apocalypse has left me sterile. I can’t have children. That’s why we didn’t stay in Alaska. I can’t give you what you want, Jean, and I don’t want that anyway, not anymore. This world is no place for a child.”
“I can’t believe you would even say that.” Tears were threatening to come through but she refused to let them fall, refused to conform to the idea that she was weaker than he was because she was a woman. Level heads had to prevail. “You think that is all I wanted? I wanted my husband. So your solution is to bail?”
“There is nothing to bail from, Jean. You already spoke to this before, this marriage died some time ago. It’s time for us to stop pretending. I can’t play house anymore.” Scott grabbed the bag and headed for the doorway, before pausing and turning back. “I’m going back to Alaska. I need time away from this all.”
Jean turned to meet his gaze again. “So this is it then…we’re done?”
“I guess so.”
Not another word was uttered as the man moved through the door and shut it behind him leaving her alone. Jean wrapped her arms around herself and fell upon the edge of the bed. Eyes began to water as she stared at the doorway. It was over now. Their marriage had come to an end
People milled about trying to find their seats, bags being stuffed into overhead compartments. The flight attendant’s voice came over the speakers asking passengers to settle in as the flight would leave for New York soon. A woman moved into a row and settled into the middle seat, her eyes catching sight of the dark haired young man staring pensively out the window. There seemed to be a serious air around the man. Something that was almost palpable.
“Nervous about flying?”
Vance blinked from staring out the window and turned towards the woman. If he wasn’t in such a dark place a laugh might have roared out at the woman’s question. Not that she would know what he could do of course; it just seemed ironically funny in a way. “No…just lost in my thoughts. Of the past.”
“Ah, I get that sometimes. Got business or family in New York?”
“No…neither. I’m just…going home.”
The woman’s questions stopped as Vance seemed to drift back into thoughts and stared out the window once more. Soon enough the plane took to the air and Chicago became nothing but a pin prick of lights far below. Soon it would be nothing but a memory, like Angelica. It was time to go home at last.
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Next: In Astonishing X-Men #8: More Changes! More New Faces! Phoenix vs. the media!
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