Well! Hello, hello! Missed me? :) Well, I'm back, refreshed and have all the time in the world to write again! Yeah, the exam is over and I'm in a VERY good mood to write hehe (considering that I had one HELL of a sex last night. MEOW-OW-OW!! Talk about a stallion!). So! Here's the next part of Dreams of an Angel. Hope you all enjoy it! Any comments or suggestions, well, you know how to contact me.
Before the show, onwards to the boring part! Legal matters! Hehehe. You can press 'fast-forward' now.
Well, first of all, this story, as you will certainly find out soon, is TOTALLY fictional. So! If any of you truly believe in it... dude, I'm worried about you. Secondly! None of the guys in the Backstreet Boys are gay! (No matter how hard I wished it :P). But nobody say we couldn't dream it, heh heh. Thirdly, Warren Worthington is actually a character from Marvel Comics, X-men known as Angel or recently Archangel. Okay fine, I admit it. I'm bored and I am making a pathetic attempt to make life a lil' bit interesting. Its not like I'm gonna publish it or something. What else to talk about hmm? Oh, there may be some adult gay scenes in this story. Unlike my brother, I don't mind writing naughty stuff ;) so! If you're underage, naughty, naughty! I can only ask you to go away, but I cannot do anything else to stop you from reading on anyway. Hell! I've been sneaking into the internet to watch gay porns since I was 13! So, if your parents or whoever responsible for you catch you, don't say I didn't warned you. However, if you're homophobic... well maybe I can seduce you enough to turn you around heh heh. I do so love a challenge ;)
Anyway, enough talk. Any comments or boos or suggestion or whatever, just sent it to the same address as in NNTs, goldenknightuk@yahoo.co.uk . Yeah, we shared the same address. Don't ask. Long story.
Okay then! On to the show. Now, don't be shy now. If you got any comments or suggestions, just drop me a note. You do the request, and I'll do the show.
Andy
Howie leaned back against his seat and sighed, throwing the files onto the desk before him. Down through the years, the 'Right' has amassed quite a store of information on every single big shot in the country known to be mutant supporters. Some of the names on the list surprised even him but he just ignored it all in the end. They are fools. All of them. Let them wait and see. When those accursed mutants kill their love ones or worst, then they'll realize their folly. By that time, it'll be too late.
Love ones. Thinking of that brings images of Jessica back into his mind - her smile, her sweet blue eyes... she doesn't have much beauty to offer to the world except her smile. When she smiles, it seems to warm everything around her. She may be blind, but her eyes are still beautiful, gleaming with ever lasting peace. She may not be rich, but that doesn't affect her spirit in any way. All she cares for is peace in her heart and enjoying life to the fullest. It is no wonder that eventually he would fall in love with her...
Ever since their accidental meeting outside the mall, she has been like an older sister to him, despite the fact that she is several years younger. She couldn't see the world, but she is a good listener. Howie could talk and bitch to her about his problems and works for hours and she would still listen to him with unceasing interest and offer him a sage advice or two in return.
When did he finally admit that he is in love with her? He has no idea. All he remembered was that one day when his heart told him to book a flight back to New York and tell her how much he loved her. It was all settled. The guys knew. Well... Howie was sure they suspected... and even expected the big news. Brian knew of course. Howie is not as blind as not to see him listening when he booked his flight. That guy may be quiet, but he notices things around him well... too well. Give him a clue or two and he'll put two and two together and bingo, he'll puzzle out the whole thing. God know how many secrets he carries under that curly hair of his. One day, he'll find himself nosing around something he shouldn't have and land himself into trouble.
Everything was set for him, everything was arranged... until those cursed mutants destroyed and took everything away from him. Angrily, Howie picked up a dart from the nearby box and hurled it to the dartboard hanging on the wall across the room. Bulls-eye. Strike right on target. A picture was pinned across the dartboard, featuring five people on it, with the word 'X-factor' written below them. The dart lay buried at the heart of one blue-skinned metal-winged man - a freak, just like the rest of the mutants.
But this particular mutant stood out to him compared to the rest. 'The Right' has proven to be a very valuable source of information and Howie has never been disappointed by the service they offered so far. Kevin and the rest thinks he joined 'The Right' because he hates mutants and will always hates them for taking Jessica away from him. But to Howie, this goes even further than hate. This is a matter of revenge. Jessica didn't deserve to die. Mutants can fight and destroy each other for all they want, but they should not have involved Jessica. But they did. Jessica died because of their petty war... and that, Howie cannot accept.
'The Right' has served him well. Using their vast network of communications, Howie managed to acquire the information he needed - who was responsible for Jessica's death. And the answer came in the form of that blue-skinned metal winged freak. He looks familiar for some reason and he called himself Archangel.
'Archangel my ass,' Howie thought in disgust.
Oh the rest of this so-called X-Factor was also involved with the whole New York incident. But this particular freak was one of those who wreck destruction all over the city that day. This freak was the one who sent that debris over Jess' apartment and killed her. The others can crash and burn for all they want, but that guy... that freak will die by his own hand. For his love... for Jessica.
Pulling open the small drawer beside him, he pulled out a gun he acquired secretly in the months past. Examining it carefully, he traced the muzzle with his fingers lightly. None of his bandmates will approve of this, but then, what would they know? They never have the love of their life taken away from them the way Jessica was taken away from him. They wouldn't understand. Howie doubt even his own family would understand. No. He has to go through this alone. And he will. The day when he first uses this gun will be the day when he kills that blue-skinned freak.
He stared dully at the phone as it suddenly rang. Feeling not in the mood to talk to anyone at that particular moment, he let it rang on and allowed the answering machine to answer it.
"You've reached Howie's phone, but he's not in. You know what to do." His voice suddenly appeared from his answering machine.
Beeeeeeep!
"Hi! Howie? It's me Kirk, from 'The Right'. I'm sorry we couldn't get enough info about that Worthington brat to be of any satisfaction. But maybe this'll cheer you up. We got words from within the Worthington Industries that one of the board members is willing to part with some information about Warren in exchange for some cash. His name is Daniel Hawthorne. Getting in touch with him will be difficult and may take up several weeks, maybe even a month. Worthington keeps a tight hold on his staffs, his board members, most of all. I heard he placed all sort of securities and safeguards, even traps to keep prying eyes like us out of his businesses and affairs. If we're detected, he'll be upon us in no time and his army of lawyers is not something you want to mess around with. But I didn't say it's impossible. If you're interested, gimme a call and we'll start pulling the strings straight away. This may be our only chance to discover the locations of some of the mutant hidey-holes he's been supporting, so think about it. We may even find that blue-skinned freak you've been so obsessed about. So gimme a call if you're up to it. Later."
For the first time of the day, Howie smiled. Finally, something new about that traitorous, mutant-supporting bastard Warren fucking Worthington. Looking at the files and scattered notes on his desk, he dismissed it with a glance and continues to examine the gun in his hand quietly. He'll give Kirk a call later when his mood improved. He needs to call him later anyway to talk about the rally they will be organizing soon. As much as he hates dealing with all that stuff, at least it'll occupy his mind for a week or two. He doesn't have anything planned for his vacation yet anyway. Maybe he'll go and visit AJ later... or go over to Atlanta to see how's Brian doing. AJ did planned for a gathering at Brian's house soon for a nice barbecue. Maybe he'll give Nick a call and check up on him. Yeah. Later... when his mood improves.
His attention was snatched away again as the phone rings for the second time. Now, who could that be? He let it rang on and allowed the answering machine to answer it again.
"You've reached Howie's phone, but he's not in. You know what to do."
Beeeeeeep!
"Hello, Mr. Dorough. I'm Dr. Derek Farshaw, Head of the Geneticist Team calling on behalf of the staff from 'The Right' Genetic Research Center. We from the research center would like to express our sincere appreciation for your willingness to fund our latest research on X-Gene Neutralization. So far, I assure you, sir, the research has been going far better than expected. At the rate we are going right now, I say we'll have the whole system ready within two months time. We have recently been introduced to Dr. Nathaniel Essex, a very brilliant geneticist I have ever encountered in my life, to be honest. It was really because of his contributions that we felt that we could reduce the whole operation within two months time. With your permission, we would like to invite him into our ranks of researchers. If you agree, do contact me and I'll deal with the matter immediately. Thank you, sir. Good day."
Again, Howie nodded in agreement. The moment Kirk told him the details about the research, he knew that this would be a huge opportunity to wipe out mutants from the world once and for all. He doesn't care how much money he has to spend for this. The cost was massive, and he the amount he agreed to spent from his own account only cover half of the total cost. The rest were covered by the various wealthy members of 'The Right'. But for Jessica's memory, he is willing to do anything.
He looked up again in amusement as the phone rings again. Hmm... suddenly he felt glad he decided not to answer any calls right now.
"You've reached Howie's phone, but he's not in. You know what to do."
Beeeeeeeeeep!
"Hey buddy! How're ya doing?" AJ's voice filled the room. "Hope you're having a good time. I'm down at the beach right now and man! I've never felt so bored in my life. So I thought I'll just call you to make your life hell for a minute or two. Oh well, I guess you're too busy with that rally you're organizing for 'The Right'. Sorry I cannot join you, dude. But hey! Gimme a call some times okay? If you don't, I'll hunt you down and you wouldn't like that, dude. Okay, I'll get out of your hair right now. Hmm... maybe Nick'll answer his phone. Talk to ya later, buddy!"
Leaning back against his seat, Howie continue to stroke the gun in his hand. Its too bad AJ doesn't see the way Howie see about mutants. But then, AJ has always been a happy-go-lucky guy. He likes Jessica too, but he's not in love with her. So AJ, despite being his bestfriend, will never understand how he feels. And yet, AJ has always been there for him and he has always been a good friend. He even attended the meetings with 'The Right' just to accompany Howie, eventhough he doesn't like those people in that organization at all.
But a friend could only go so far. Howie doubt AJ would let him go on with his plans. No, it's better to leave AJ out of this. This war is between Howie and the mutants, particularly that blue-skinned freak. And he will not rest until all mutants are exterminated. For Jessica... for his love... he is willing to do anything...
'Beautiful scene.'
Nick looked at the lake before him appreciatively as he walked along the bank, treading the ground carefully as to not get too much dirt on his shoe. He didn't bring any spare ones considering that he went straight to Westchester after the last show. Maybe he should take a day off or two just to drop by at his home, maybe visit his folks in doing so just to check up on them and then returning back here. After all, it's not like he planned to come here at the first place. His original plan was to go home, visit his family, rest for a couple of days and then maybe going off somewhere to a nice, relaxing vacation.
Walking on, he saw a nice dry spot by the lake. Professor Xavier sure knows his stuff all right. After his brief and traumatizing flight with Warren that morning plus a very stern aftermath lecture by Scott, which, thankfully, is all directed to Warren, (Man! That guy really is worst than Kevin!), Nick went straight to the study for his first lesson with the professor. The session was mentally exhausting! In five hours, Nick forced himself to become acquainted with various different kinds of emotions, so that he could identify it easily and quickly in the future without waiting for it to overcome his mind and lose control again. He also learns how to project emotions to someone else and also use his mind to buffer any excess emotions. Some of these, he can do relatively well, but others... like buffering excess emotions, well... he can do it but always with spotty successes. Xavier assured him that it would improve with enough practice.
But there was one area where he truly excels. Creating and maintaining an empathic shield has now became second nature to him. Maybe it's because he has subconsciously done it before. He actually surprised himself when he created the shield in one smooth try. The professor was not surprised though. Nick got the impression that the professor is a very difficult person to surprise anyway. But Nick has to admit; he is a good teacher. No wonder Scott and the others respected him so much.
Not only did Xavier taught him how to create an empathic shield, he also guided Nick to create another barrier to protect him own mind from telepathic intrusion. Nick smiled absently. Now he doesn't have to worry of telepaths poking around his mind. He dimly remembered of how suspicious he was when he first met Jean two days ago. It's kinda creepy to think of how much his life has changed in just two days. Before this, he was just a normal celebrity out to have a good time with his friends. Now he's a mutant, posing as a normal human being. Some part of him mourned for those good old time when he doesn't have to worry about anything. But he knew that he didn't ask to be like this. He's a mutant and no amount of complaining will change anything.
His attention was drawn to a slight movement amongst the leaves of the tree near him. Looking up, he saw a sparrow perched on one of the branches, looking at him curiously. Reaching out empathically, he touched the bird's mind and smiled as the feelings of curiosity and wariness washed over him. So that's what a bird poised for flight at the slightest signs of danger feels like. Well, Xavier told him to practice right? Frowning in concentration, he gently projects his feelings of friendship and reassurance into the sparrow's mind.
'Come here, little birdie. You know me. I'm a friend. I wouldn't hurt you.' Nick thought to himself as he held out his hands, never breaking his gaze from the sparrow. He briefly cast his mind back to remember his own feelings in the past whenever he met an old friend, and gathering these feelings, he project it further into the bird's mind.
The sparrow looked at him curiously for a moment longer, chirping at him once or twice, causing Nick to giggle a little. The bird looks like it is asking 'Excuse me, have we met before?' Then, suddenly, the sparrow flapped its wings and swooped down, landing right onto Nick's palm, chirping ceaselessly.
"Eureka." Nick said to himself as he gently strokes the bird. "Too bad I'm not a telepath, little bird, else I could reach out into your mind and finds out what you're saying."
The bird continues to chirp happily, and feeling his mind, Nick could tell that it is enjoying his stroke. The softness of its wings reminded Nick of Warren.
"So! How far are you related to Warren? First cousin? Second cousin?" Nick laughed softly as he gently strokes the bird's wings. The thought of Warren hatching from an egg caused him to chuckled again.
"Laughing and talking to yerself, huh? Should I be worried, kid?"
Startled at the sudden voice near him, Nick turned around quickly, barely refraining himself from jumping up in surprise. He was so focused to the bird that he was not even aware of the presence of another mind within the vicinity.
"Oh, hi Logan." Nick greeted the man who is leaning lazily against the nearby tree, watching him amusedly. Turning back, he discovered that the sparrow is gone. "Aww, damn!"
Logan chuckled from where he stood before moving closer towards him.
"Wings was looking for ya." He said. "What are ya doin' here all alone anyway? Yer not homesick already, ain't ya?"
Nick almost frowned as he felt the other man's mind. The man is calm, alert and in control on the surface but feeling deeper, Nick could feel a tightly suppressed animalistic urges - bloodlust, rage, frenzy...
"Yer're playing with fire, kid. I suggest ye stop poking about in my mind before I lost my temper." Said Logan as he sat on a truck of a dead tree right across Nick.
"Oh! Sorry!" Nick mumbled and quickly withdrew his empathy out of Logan's mind. "Bad habit."
Logan only snorted as he lights his cigar.
"Had a long day with Charlie?" he asked after a puff.
"Mentally exhausting." Nick smiled. "How did the training session go?"
"Same thing again and again. Cut 'n' slash all the way." Logan answered before looking at Nick thoughtfully. "Yer okay, kid? Yer had a rough time last night."
"I'm doing great." Nick answered quietly, thinking of how he projected Warren's emotions all over the mansion last night. "Sorry about last night. Won't happen again."
"It's all right. In fact, we should have thanked you."
"Thanked me?" Nick asked in a startled voice. "Why?"
"We all knew Warren's been having problems." Logan replied. "But we never knew it was that bad. You made us realized it. If you didn't, he'd still suffer alone."
Nick shrugged quietly, not knowing exactly what to say. The two stare at the lake for a moment or two.
"Why do you hate Warren?" Nick asked suddenly.
"Hate him?" Logan replied. "I don't hate him. Why d'ya say that?"
"Because I felt something whenever you two are in the same room." Said Nick, without breaking his gaze from the lake. "Not resentment... something else. I couldn't put my finger on it. More like... annoyance... but... I don't know... why are you laughing?"
Nick frowned at Logan as he chuckled softly.
"Naah, I don't hate him. Annoyed, yeah. 'Cause he's an arrogant prick." Logan replied before taking another puff of his cigar. "He was not always like what he is now in the past. He'd look down on everyone, and flaunt his money everywhere... thinking he's so high and mighty all the time."
"Well, he's not like that now." Said Nick quietly. "I guess the Apocalypse incidence changed him."
"He told you about that?" asked Logan.
Nick nodded quietly.
"Apocalypse changed everyone." Logan admitted after a while. "Warren most of all."
"Were you there with him at the time?" asked Nick curiously.
"Naah. I was with the X-men in Dallas."
Again, silence stretched for a moment or two.
"Does it hurt?" asked Nick quietly.
"What hurt?"
Nick pointed to his wrist in silence.
"All the time." Logan murmured gruffly in answer. "You okay with everything here, kid?"
"Yeah, I'm cool." Nick answered though his voice betrayed him. Logan smiled.
"Still at odd with the idea of being a mutant, huh?"
Nick sighed and nodded.
"I doubt I'll ever get used to it."
"Ya'll get used to it, don't worry. You know that we'll always back you up if you run into any sort of trouble right?" said Logan. "We take care of each other here."
"Yeah." Nick answered as he smiled slightly. "Thanks."
"Nick?" Logan called him again, softly this time.
"What?"
"At my call, drop to the ground." Said Logan.
"What?" Nick frowned as he looked at Logan's amused face.
"Just do it." Logan grinned. "One... two... three... NOW!"
Puzzled, Nick could only comply and they dropped to the ground.
"OH SHIT!!! AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!"
Nick looked up in surprise as Warren flew over him. Finally understanding what was going on, he laughed as Warren's attempt to grab him failed. Instead, the winged-man balance was thrown off by the surprise and he ended up flying headlong into the lake.
"Missed me, Bird-Boy!" Nick yelled as he laughed at the sputtering angel in the middle of the lake.
"You warned him didn't you, Logan?" said Bobby as he slides towards them on his ice-slide, fully shifted in his icy form. He laughed as he saw Warren making his way towards them from the middle of the lake.
Logan only grinned as he puffed his cigar again as he looked at Warren in contentment.
"How did you know?" asked Nick.
Logan winked and tapped his finger on his nose.
"This nose is more sensitive than you can ever imagine, kid." He chuckled softly. "I can smell the stink of these two from miles away."
"I'll get you for this, Logan." Warren grumbled darkly as he crawled out of the lake. Nick and Bobby laughed again at the sorry state Warren is in right now. The poor man was covered from head to toe with mud and weeds. "So you find this amusing huh?"
With that, Warren spread his wings and flapped it forward a couple of time, showering everyone around him with mud and water.
"Son of a b-!" Logan cursed as he tried to turn around.
"Whoa! Quit it! Warren!" Bobby shouted.
"Aaaaarrgghh!!!" Nick shouted as he backed away.
"Who's laughing now?" Warren laughed triumphantly.
"Okay! Okay! You win!" Nick laughed and Warren stopped flapping his wings. "Geez! Warren, what the hell are you wearing?"
Nick looked for the first time at the skintight blue-and-white costume Warren is wearing which, admittedly, didn't leave anything much to anyone's imagination. It took all of Nick's will and strength not to blush at the sight of all those bulging muscles and six packs and not to mention that obvious bulk at the crotch... Nick quickly looked away as he felt a small blush creeps into his face. Please, don't let anyone notice it!!
But for some obvious reason, that costume fits Warren in everyway. It fits the man's blue skin and golden hair and Nick almost laughed at the image of a golden halo decorating the chest area.
"It's my team costume, smart-ass. So stop laughing." Warren huffed and smiled proudly as he tilted his head up arrogantly, causing Logan to rolled his eyes and snorted. "My codename is Archangel... for obvious reason..."
He let his wings fluttered lightly as he said that before grinning.
"Arrogant brat. I ain't gonna listen to this." Logan grumbled. He looked at his extinguished cigar and shook his head quietly as he stood and walked away. "Anyone need me, I'll be in the hangar."
"That's one grumpy old man." Said Bobby as he watched the man walked on.
"Mmm-hmm. So how's the practice?" said Nick.
"It was okay. Not much different that the others I guess." asked Warren as he followed Nick and Bobby towards the mansion. "How was your session with the professor?"
"It was cool. I'm getting the hang with the whole empathy thingy." Nick answered before grinning evilly. "I think I'm ready to make the world love me!"
"Oh no you don't!" said Warren firmly even as Bobby laughed.
"Kidding! Kidding!" Nick laughed at last. "What? You think I'm gonna be another Magneto or somethin'?"
"It happened." Said Warren as they reached the lawn. "You taught someone and they turned against you."
"Oooh, look! I forgot they're playing baseball this afternoon. Hey, Remy! Wait up!" said Bobby as he instinctively shifted into his ice form and create an ice slide towards the field. "Wings, Nick, wanna join in?"
"I think I'll stay out, Bobby. I'm soaked to the bone, thanks to Nick here. You go ahead, Nick. I need a shower anyway." Said Warren as he headed inside.
"Count me in, Bobby!" Nick grinned as he rushed to join in. It has been long since he pitched a ball. Time to brush up his skills.
"Join my team, Nick." Jubilee hollered from where she stood. "We'll beat the crap out of these LOSERS!"
"Don't bet on it, bitch." Bobby grinned, shifting back to his human form as he picks up the bat. "Prepare to be humiliated."
"Remember, mon amis. No powers or y'll be disqualified. Hear that Rogue?" said Remy.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll run instead of fly this time." Rogue grumbled from where she stood.
"And no more hurricane wind to deflect the ball this time, Storm!" Jean grinned at the African woman.