X Men The Firewalker
*This story is based, loosely, on The XMen, a property owned by Marvel Comics. I will add my own elements to blend the story and characters, but will try to stay true to the continuity of the comic book. This is my first submission to Nifty, so forgive me if it's very bad. :) Also, most of the XMen stories have wilted and died over time, but I will try to keep this one going, as long as my interest stays high. Any feedback is always appreciated. Send mail to kyjedi@msn.com. Thanks!
This issue is from the perspective of Bobby Drake, as I try to set the tone and story for the rest of the series. Hope you like it.
Issue 2 "The Iceman"
Part 1 - The Rooftop
The stars shone brightly agains the clear night sky. I could make out a few of the constellations, but did not know too many of them. The wind was light and warm. Very uncomfortable for me, of course, but I didn't mind too much. Warmth was one of the things I was missing from my life. I knew that now.
I sat on the roof of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters in the middle of the night, as I did most of the time these days. I was finding it more and more difficult to relate to the other students here, as they just didn't understand the things I was going through. Of course, they didn't know what I was going through, and that was probably for the best.
I'd always considered myself a ladies man, through and through. I went through them like they were books. I read them for awhile, but when I got to the last page, I was done with it and threw it on the shelf with the rest and forgot about it. But lately, I'd been puzzled by new feelings stirrin within me. I wasn't interested in the women I'd meet. I'd go out with the guys, and we'd meet some women, and, of course, I'd be polite, but that's about it.
Then I started noticing the guys. I would sit for hours and stare at Scott as he'd work out, his body a finely tuned work of art. I'd watch Warren soaring through the air, his beautiful wings enhancing the rest of him. I'd walk up and down the streets of New York, noticing the guys walking by giving me looks.
That was when I knew that I was gay. I don't know when exactly it happened, it just sorta happened. I didn't wake up one day and say "I'm gonna be gay today!", as most people think. I just happened slowly, before I even had it figured out. Now I didn't know what to do. I couldn't tell the others at the school. They wouldn't understand. Plus, what kind of life could I have? I'm a mutant, and I'm gay. If someone liked me for one, they'd hate me for the other. I knew that none of the others here at the school felt the same, I was sure of that.
Suddenly I felt someone close by. I turned to see Ororo gliding on the wind currents, coming towards me.
"Hello Storm." I said, looking back to the stars.
"Bobby." She said, sitting on the roof beside me, not saying anything else.
"What brings you up to the roof this time of night?" I finally asked, after a few minutes of silence.
"I was worried about you, and knew you would be up here. I've seen you up here quite a bit over the last few weeks. I came to see if I could help." She said, looking at me and smiling.
I turned to face her. "I'm alright. Just thinking alot." I could tell she wasn't going to give up, so I settled back against the roof, and got ready.
"I don't want to pry, but you've been a great friend to me over the years. We've learned alot from each other, and about each other. If something troubles you, I just want you to know that I am here for you, no matter what." She said, and turned to look back up at the stars. "They're beautiful, aren't they?"
"Yes." That was all I could say. I had become enthralled by the stars since things started being different. I thought that if I looked up at them long enough, all the answers would come to me.
"I'm going to bed now. Don't forget that we have a new student arriving in the morning. And don't forget about my offer." Ororo said, as she got up and turned to head inside.
"I won't. And Ororo?" I said.
"Yes?" She replied, turning around and smiling.
"Thank you." I said, and returned the smile, making sure she knew it was genuine.
Part 2 - The Meeting
<Attention all students! I require everyone to report to my office in ten minutes>
I jumped up in the bed, startled by the professor's mental summons. Damn! I'd overslept again.
<And, Robert, we'll discuss your sleeping habits after the meeting.>
I got up out of bed, grumbling about living with a house full of telepaths. No doubt, Jean and Betsy were getting a kick outta that one. The meeting must be about the new kid. Guess he's a morlock or something, and the professor doesn't want us to make fun of him. Like that won't happen.
I didn't have time to shower or anything, so I just threw on some shorts, a t-shirt, and a baseball cap and headed downstairs. To my surprise, the office was crowded.
"Wow...who died?" I said as I walked in, with my usual sarcasm.
"You, if you don't stop oversleeping, snowbrain!" Hank said, grinning.
"Oh great, that last bit from the prof wasn't just for me then, huh?" I said, already knowing the answer.
"Nope, the biggest topic of conversation so far has been your inability to program an alarm clock!" Hank said, laughing the whole time.
"Ha ha." I said, and took my usual seat between my best friend, Henry McCoy, and my teacher, Ororo Munroe. I sat there, chatting with Hank about his late night in the lab, when the professor came into the room and stopped behind his desk.
"Good morning everyone. Today I'd like to introduce our newest student here at Xavier's. But before I get started, there are a few things I need to inform you of, in order to make his stay here as painless as possible." The professor began, as he glanced around the room at the twenty or so people gathered there.
"Oh great, this is the part where he tells us he's even uglier than you." I whispered to Hank.
"While I'll keep the story of how he was found secret for now, I will tell you that his mother was killed before his eyes exactly five years ago tomorrow, by someone we all know...Mr. Sinister. Apparenly Sinister was after the boy, and was only thwarted by the arrival of Phoenix." The professor continued, drawing gasps from the crowd at the mention of the Phoenix. "Needless to say, he will need lots of support from his peers. We do not know what his mutation is right now, but will be spending the next few weeks working that out. I'd like you all to make him feel as welcome as possible." The professor emphasized that last part, and with a knowing look on his face, looked directly at me.
"Oh great, he must want me to take him in and show him around. Why me?" I thought to myself. But before I could continue that line of thought, the door opened and Jean walked in. Then he followed in behind her. I felt my eyes get wide, and my stomach tied in knots. There, standing very close to Jean, was the most beautiful boy I'd ever seen. He seemed about my same age, with dirty blonde hair hanging down to his shoulders. He was well built, that much I could tell through his clothes. I could see the outline of his chest through his t-shirt, and the ripple of his abs. I looked at the well-defined, lightly tanned legs. His broad shoulders, and muscular arms. His deep, penetrating green eyes. I was sweating, I could tell.
"Bobby?" I heard Hank say, looking at me with concern.
"Huh?" Was all I could say, unable to take my eyes off the young man standing in the doorway. Suddenly he looked right at me, and I could see my reflection in his gaze. I could see the beads of sweat gathering at his brow. I had to look away. I glanced toward Jean, seeing a small smile form on her lips, and understanding on her face. She nodded to me, then looked over at Ororo.
"Everyone, I'd like to introduce Brady Carter. Welcome to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Brady." I dimly heard the professor say. I was looking at my feet, afraid to look at anyone else. I was afraid they all knew what I had been thinking. "If you wouldn't mind taking a seat, we'll continue on with the meeting." The professor continued. Jean began to move toward the chairs, with Brady following closely behind her. He seemed to be afraid to move very far away from her.
Suddenly, Ororo got up and moved down two seats. I looked over at her, but she just smiled and nodded. Then Jean sat down next to her, and Brady next to her. Next to me. I started sweating again. My hands were shaking.
I'd never felt like this before. Anytime I'd seen a girl I liked, I'd been cool...calm...collected. Now I was a wreck.
"Are you alright?" I heard a deep, loving voice say. I looked up, and there those dark green eyes were, staring at me with concern.
"I'm...mfine." I choked out, not believing the sound of my voice. I sounded like a little kid.
"Don't mind young Robert here." Hank said. "He hasn't been able to get rid of that annoying stutter he's had since he fell off a pony at the circus." Hank was laughing furiously, earning a glare from the professor, who was still talking about the upcoming semester.
"Oh, I knew someone that stuttered once. He was alot of fun to be around." Brady whispered to me. I melted at the sound of his voice, so strong, and yet so loving. I saw him look over at Jean, and knew that Jean was telling him something mentally, since I'd seen her do it lots of times.
"Jean says your my new roommate. That's why she asked the pretty white haired lady to move down." I didn't think he could be any more beautiful, but then he smiled. I saw the twinkle in his eyes as he looked at me. I had to look away again. I looked at Jean, and she looked back, confused at first, then had that knowing look in her eye.
<We'll talk later, Bobby> I heard her say in my mind.
"Talk about what?" Brady said to me. I looked at him dumbfounded.
"Oh, sorry, Jean and I share what she calls a psionic rapport. It's one of the things that Phoenix thing did. I heard her say something to you.
Sorry, I don't know how to block it out." He said, smiling at me again.
"Oh." That was all I managed to say. I didn't want to sound stupid again, but it seemed like I had control over my voice at last, so I tried to talk again. "I thought she only shared that with Scott." I said.
"Scott?" Brady looked at me, confused.
"Her husband, the big guy up there next to the professor." I pointed out Scott to him, who saw me and smiled. Scott always was a charmer.
"Oh, she hadn't mentioned it. But I guess it could be the same. Anyway, my name's Brady." He said, offering his hand.
"I'm Bobby...Bobby Drake." I shook his hand, noticing the incredible warmth of his skin.
"Nice to meet you Bobby. If you don't mind my asking, are you sick. You're freezing!" He said, rubbing his hands together. I just grinned.
"Sorry 'bout that. It's my mutation." I put my hands together, meaning to make a frozen snowball in my hands. When I opened my hands and held them out to him, I gasped at the sight.
"Wow, that's cool!" Brady said, taking the frozen heart from my hand. It started melting right through his fingers, and he quickly looked at me with a frightened look on his face.
"Huh...guess you're just too hot." I couldn't believe I had said that.
I could feel my cheeks turning red. I looked away quickly, ready to run out of the room.
"Thanks." He said, and I could feel him smiling at me, those green eyes penetrating me, seeing completely through me. "Sorry I melted your heart though." He said, with a light chuckle.
I laughed a little, and finally was able to look back at him. I looked into his eyes for a moment, and knew that was when it happened.
Suddenly the professor was in front of us. "Well, I hope the two of you heard at least something I said, but that's doubtful, since you didn't even hear me dismiss everyone." He smiled, and I looked around. Everyone was gone except for the three of us.
"Sorry professor." I said, and bent my head.
"I'm sorry, sir, it won't happen again." Brady said, looking the professor straight in the eye.
"It's alright. I had hoped you two would get along. Now, run along, and get to know each other. Bobby, show him around, but none of your practical jokes, alright?" The professor gave me a glare, but I knew he secretly laughed at my jokes.
"Yes sir." I said, getting up from the chair. "Come on, Brady, I'll help you with your stuff."
"Alright." Brady said, getting up and following me from the room.
To be continued.....