Chapter 8 - Bonding II

Attention:  Generation X and their villians, as wellas any other mutant mentioned in this story, is property of Marvel Comics. The character Richard Cale is named after family relations.  Any otherreference to anything copywrighted is a chance happening.
====================================================
Changes
Chapter 8 Bonding, Part II
            Penancelooked out at the sky above her.  It was a while after Jubilee hadtaken her from the Biosphere.  It was just a couple of moments afterthe time when the shadows disappear.  She had decided to go to theroom that the food was kept.  She entered the room to see the noisemakerwas in the room.  He had gotten an apple from the fruit basket. He must have been getting ready to find her.  Jubilee had left herawhile ago.  He turned to her and said something.  She rememberedthat Rich said his name was Sean. He said something to her as he handedher the apple.  She could make out some of the words.  One thatshe made out was Biosphere, the building where the outdoors was indoors. She then was overjoyed with another word he said. Rich.  She was goingto see Rich again.  He must have been in the Biosphere. She ran outof the building and toward the Biosphere.  She heard the noisemakerwas following behind her.  She wondered what he wanted.
            Penanceentered the building and started looking around.  She looked aroundfor Rich.  The noisemaker yelled out his name.  It wasn't longuntil she heard his voice.  {Hi Yvette.}  She turned to see himwalk out into the open.  He had transformed into her form again. She ran over and gave him a hug.  The noisemaker started to say somethingand Rich held up his hand. Rich returned the hug and said, {He was aboutto warn me about how sharp your skin is.  I guess he was afraid youwould hurt me.}
            Penancelooked into his eyes.  {I would never hurt you, Rich.  I don'twant to do anything to lose you.  Now, what has been happening toyou today?}
            {I'vebeen meeting everybody today, Yvette.  I have met with Angelo, Paige,Jubilee and Mondo.  After I spend some time with you, I get to meetMonet, Jono, and Everett.  It's just been so eventful, but it hasbeen a long day}  He sat down and continued, {Yvette, I had a terribledream last night.  One I fear is a premonition.  I'm afraid thatHe is coming, the one that everyone calls Emplate.}
            Penancestarted to shudder, {Rich, He might try to take me again. He tried it before. I hope that we can avoid Him.  If He gets control of you, I couldn'tdo anything to fight you.  I couldn't even think of hurting you.}
            Richlooked in her eyes and said, {Yvette, if He does control me, try to run. Knowing that you are free might give me a chance to escape. Even the smallesthope is all that is need.}
            {Wouldn'tit be a lost cause?}
            {Afamous person once said, "Lost causes are the only causes worth fightingfor."}  Rich stopped talking and looked and the noisemaker. He seemed to be saying something.  She could only make out one word"Name". Rich nodded and said, {Sean is wondering what your name is. ShouldI tell him?}
            Shethought about it for a while.  She had gotten used to everyone sayingPenance or Penny. She heard the words often enough and was used to them. She got used to trusting everybody here and felt that she could let themknow her name.  {You can tell him, but I do like the nickname Penny.}
            {Penancecould be your codename.}  He smiled when he said it.  She feltlike that she would faint.  She was truly in love with him. He then started drawing some symbols in the ground.  He had done thatlast night, when he was teaching her English.  She started to recognizedthe symbols. The first six were her name.  Some of the others formedPenny and Penance. She noticed the world name had appeared twice. The rest of the time they were together, she let Rich know what was okayto tell, and what she didn't want to tell, just yet.  Some thing hadto voiced. Towards the end, Rich finally said, {Shall we meet tonight,to learn more about the English language.}
            {I'llbe waiting.}  She then decide to do something a little bit bold. She went up to Rich and kissed him.  She then ran out of the building,past the man named Sean.  She had notice that Sean had a look of amazementon his face.

            Richfelt like he was on cloud nine.  If he had a flying ability rightnow, he would be soaring. Rich also noticed the amazement on Sean's face. It was then when the Headmaster of the school said, "I cannae believe whatI saw.  Penance kissed ye.  I still cannae believe that you cantouch her without being shredded."  Rich started to laugh and thereaction that Sean was giving.  He knew that his laugh wouldn't bevocalized since he still had Yvette's ability, but he was happy, and
relaxed.  He started to laugh and Sean went, "You think this isfunny.  You're laughing at this because of me reaction."
            Richcouldn't believe it.  Sean had heard his laugh.  Rich decidedto try and speak.  It was easier this time when he said, "You canhear me? Maybe I have can tell her what to do to talk."
            Seansmiled.  "Rich, getting Penance to tell us a little more about herself,even if it is through ye, is a remarkable feat.  If ye can get herto talk, that you mean many changes for us all. We might be able to evenfind a way to stop Emplate."
            Richwas listening to all this as he climbed into a tree.  It was hardto stay still, probably because of Yvette's life in the clutches of thatmonster.  Rich perched in the tree and said, "I know that Emplateis evil, but how bad can he make things."
            Seanhad a solemn look on his face.  "Rich, one of the members of the X-Menis a mutant named Bishop.  He comes from about 80 years in the future. We know that he came back in time to stop the traitor of the X-Men, whichhe believes he did to a degree.  He also told Monet how hundreds ofbeing like Emplate live and hunt mutants."
            Richthought about it for a moment.  "Sean, I hope that if I get stuckin a particular mutant ability, I don't want it to be Emplate."
            "Rich,lad, how long will you have Penance's ability.  I want you to meetwith Monet next."
            "Ithink it will be about a while yet, Sean, but when you send Monet in, makesure she is alone.  I don't think she wants anybody knowing abouther secrets yet.  She must reveal them to you as she wants to, notbe forced into it."  Sean nodded and left the Biosphere to get MonetSt. Croix.  Rich hopped that this might change her mind about him. She, in her nightmare, saw a side of him that he didn't think existed,but what if it did exist. May it not be the true, may he not have an evilbone in his body.

            Monetentered the Biosphere cautiously.  Sean had told her that Rich mightstill have Penance's abilities.  Even after the talk she had withRich earlier, she didn't want to meet him.  His ability could allowhim to find out some things she didn't want know.  She then realizedthat he could find out everything about her brother, and maybe.. no hecould find out about that.  She
never wanted to tell anyone how she discovered her abilities, or whathad happened that led to that discovery.  She almost jumped when sheheard movement to her left.  She turned to see Rich walking out ofthe trees, brushing the leaves off his shirt and pants.  He lookedat her and said, "Hello Monet, I guess it's time to face the music. Monet, I want to let you know that what ever I find out about you, I willnot tell a single soul unless you wish me to tell."
            Monetfelt very relieve at that.  "Rich, I thank you for that.  I wantyou to be careful, although.  I have not had a happy family life."
            Richstarted to step toward her and said, "I can imagine.  Now, Monet,what is you codename, and your abilities."
            Monetturned started to levitate and said, "Well, Richard, my codename is M. My abilities are flying, super-strength, super-speed.  I also havenight vision"  She looked over in the trees and said, "In the darknessof those trees, I can see evidence that Penance perched in the tree overthere, or maybe they were places when you landed while you had..."
            "Monet!!" The sound of Rich's yell had stopped her talking.  She looked at Richand noticed that he was clutching his arms.  "Monet, why are my armsbleeding?"
            "MonDieu, if I knew that this was going to happen, I wouldn't have agreed tothis.  This is how my ability first appeared."  She grabbed himand flew him over to the control room of the Biosphere where the robotswere controlled for training.  She found the first-aid kit and bandagedhis arms. She decided to explain to Rich how her ability first appeared,the truth of how her ability appeared, not the story she would tell others. "Rich, my ability first appeared when I was in my
early teens.  My brother, Emplate, had left the house a while before,but my father always said he would return.  The one time he returned,I was reading a book.  He had snuck up behind be and grabbed me byarms.  He had bit into my arms and started to consume my abilities. The first ability was to see mutagenic auras.  To identify mutantsby there auras, I used to have that ability as well as he did.  Ifelt I could warn mutant of my brother, but I lost that ability, at leastI think it's gone.  It was then I discovered my immunity as a psionicexplosion knocked him away.  But my arms we bleeding for a while afterwards."
            "Well,my wounds will heal when your abilities leave me.  I don't want thisto affect any chances and a friendship."
            Forthe first time since Rich had arrived, Monet honestly felt comfortablearound him. Monet then decided, "Rich, I think I should show you aboutmy ability."  With that, she started to show Rich all the things shecould do.  The two of them flew, and tested all the other aspectsof her ability.

            WhenJono had entered the Biosphere, he noticed that Monet was still there,standing about 10 feet from Rich.  He wondered why Monet was stillhere.  He started to approach Rich and said, "'Ello Rich, do youmind me asking why Monet is still here?"
            Richjust looked at him calmly and said, "Jono, after the incident yesterday,I thought it would be best if something, or someone kept me from flyingwhen I get your ability.  I asked Monet to catch me if I go flyingagain."
            "Iunderstand, I know I wounded someone the first time my ability appeared. Be careful although, you might wound Monet."
            "Idon't think he will, Jono.  He told me to stand behind him, and catchhim if he went flying."  Monet said as she moved directly behind him.
            "Well,Jono, let's get this over with."  He approached Jono rather quicklyand stopped just as an explosion knocked Rich backwards.  Monet caughthim and dropped back where he was standing when the explosion started. He nodded at Monet as she left the Biosphere.  He then turned to Jonoand said "Well, Jono, what codename did you set stuck with?"
            Jonowas a bit surprised at how comfortable Rich had seemed with his ability."Well, Rich, my codename is Chamber.  I guess you had an interestingfirst couple of days here so far."
            "Well,yes.  Communicating with Penance, the party, getting to know everybody,part of me wishes it would never end.  How about you first day, gov?"
            Jonothought back on the day he joined Generation X.  He didn't know howmuch Rich knew about that.  "Rich, can I ask you what you can senseas traumatic in my life?"
            "Let'ssee, your powers manifestation, the two ladies, Paige and someone else,that's what is almost predominant.  After I while, I might see youfirst day here as well."
            "Ok,well I will tell you now.  The first day I was in America, Emplateattacked me, tried to kill me, and Penance ran amok."  Rich'seyes went wide and Rich just stood in one spot.  Jono thought somethingwas wrong with him and said, "Rich, what's wrong?"
            "Emplateattacked on your first day.  I hope he does attack until I been herefor a while. Actually I hope he doesn't attack at all, ever."
            "Iwas able to overcome his attack, Rich, I think you could do it."
            "Jono,I would transform in to him.  The only way I could overcome an attackwould be in control of myself.  It is a far cry different than himchowing down on you."
            "Maybeyour right, gov, but anything can be overcome.  I mean look at me. I survived what happened to me."
            "No,you haven't, Jono.  You are a very angry person, because you are amutant.  You helped Penance because you saw her as a kindred spirit.A mutant who couldn't be accepted into society, no matter how hard theytry."
            Jonothought that Rich knew how to point out a character.  Rich was inhis persona, he knew the truth.  Jono then said, "Rich, you haveno idea what I have gone through in my life. The one that I love does returnthe feelings, because I blew it.  I thought she wanted a normal life."
            "Jono,there is the problem.  You have this preconceived notion of normal. Normal does not exist in nature.  Normal is not the course of nature,it is not the course of the universe.  Time judges what happens. Lettime take its course and you will be in the world that you are destinefor.  Apologize for the mistake and try to correct them.  Nowcan you show me some the aspects of your ability."
            Jonohad listen to Rich's view on the world and decided he would think aboutit.  He then decided that Rich should learn all about the psionicabilities that he had.

            "Like,I don't see why I should come along, Ev."
            Everettlooked at Jubilee with caring eyes.  "Jubes, Rich is going to mimicmy abilities.  The only way that I can show him how to use them isto have another mutant around, and I figured that your ability would bethe best for him to get in synch with."  He took her hand and said,"Besides, I think it might be a change of pace.  He probably had ahard time mimicking Jono, and from what you told me, he seems to be theonly person who wants to her your stories."
            Everettenjoyed seeing Jubilee smile.  "Thanks, Ev, I hope your not goingto be jealous." He knew that he and Jubilee had been through a lot together. They had survived the Phalanx, they had been through a lot together, andshe did her best to comfort him after Emplate enthralled him. He then noticedthat Rich was just sitting in the field.  He watch Rich in amazementas his face reformed from the flare that was Chambers ability.
            Richlooked in his direction and said, "You must be Everett Thomas. I do believeI already know the Jubster.  Why is she here?"  Everett was caughtof guard at what Rich said.  It was obvious Rich noticed as he said,"I will probably come up with a nickname for everybody, Ev-man.  Youlike that one."
            Everettthought that Rich was almost like him, and then he said, "Rich, are youmimicking my abilities."
            Richstood up and walked over to Everett.  He looked him square in theeye and said, "Now, I have your abilities.  It seems the worse eventin your life was that deal with Emplate." He noticed Rich shuddered whenhe mentioned Emplate.  He can understand that.
           "Okay Rich,let me make this simple.  My codename is Synch."
            Richlooked at him and said, "Why?"  Rich jumped back when Everett's Technicoloraura appeared.  "What the hell is that?"
            "Rich,that is my aura.  It gets in synch with any mutants abilities. That is why I had Jubilee come in."  He turned to Jubilee and said,"Jubilee, how about you go hide somewhere.  I want to show Rich someto the aspects of my ability."
            "Okay. Let me guess, I'm the prey in a hunt."
            Richjust looked at her and shook his head.  As she ran off into the Biosphere,Everett looked at him and said, "What did you that for?"
            Richjust looked at him and said, "She was referring to a time when Sabertoothalmost killed her.  She is still shaky about anything like that."
            "Isee.  Rich, does that insight into people always happen when yourability kicks in."
            "Eachand every time.  It's lousy, but it's life."
            "Alright,now Rich, I want you to focus on Jubilee's mutant ability for now, Okay." He watched as the aura appeared around Rich.
            "Well,that's different,"  Rich exclaimed as he shot out sparks from hishand.  "Is that what your codename means, Ev, this aura gets in synchwith a mutant in the area."
            "Youhave that correct.  I'm just wondering what it will do if I get insynch with you?"
            "Maybeyou might get part of my ability, maybe accepting personalities. My mimicking ability might not appear on you."
            "Iunderstand.  Now, I think Jubilee has hidden herself in the biosphere. We are going to track her down.  Just launch your aura after her. It will track her down."  With one thought, Everett's own aura flew.One second, the aura around Rich flew out and Everett said, "We have tostay close to them, Rich."
            "Iknow, your still not sure on the range."  With that, the two rushedof after the auras. They stopped when they almost fell over Jubilee. Richkneeled down to where she was hiding and said "Tag, you're it."  Heturned back to Everett and said, "Ev, are you confident with your ability."
            Everettcould hide his pride on that fact.  "Rich, I have gotten used to myability and feel confident when using it.  I take it you don't feelconfident with yours."
            "Onlywhen I am in control of it.  My confidence comes from who I am mimicking."Everett was not surprised by this.  What that meant was that Richwould only be as comfortable as whoever he was near.  Everett decidedthat maybe he could help that confidence.
 
 

You are not authorized to comment here. Your must be registered and logged in to comment