Void
Written By: Matdeception
Rough Draft Begun: 8/10/11
Rough Draft Complete: 8/14/11
Revision Begun: 8/15/11
Revision Ended: 8/16/11
Disclaimer: Mouse is a communist. He meows 'Victory for the Proletariat' even as he rules over my household with an iron catspaw. He is upset we don't own Ranma of X-men: Evo, he wants to rule over them too.
Credits: Zane (TFF) for inadvertently answering a question about cinnamon rolls. PcHeintz72 (Spelling errors, wrong word usage). Foesjoe for a wonderful idea on something that perfectly alters a later plot point (Even if he isn't aware he did it).
-0-0-0-
A mind is like an egg; The skull was the shell, the Albumen it's physical self, and the oh so delicious yolk their precious memories.
He had a duty to perform, a function to serve a being of Divinity. When one supplies the core of His plan, one must simply make sure that core is readily available.
A mind is like an egg; Easily crushed.
He had a lot of eggs to crush.
-0-0-0-
Chapter 5: Stirring the dough.
-0-0-0-
Kitty risked a peek, phasing through the wall just enough to see what was on the other side.
She immediately noticed the smell of oh so delicious eggs, the tantalizing taste of cinnamon rolls freshly pulled from the oven, and heard the soft calm humming of the woman that had quite frankly freaked her out last night. Storm seemed normal this morning, moving about with a calm grace as she busied herself with her morning ritual. Kitty took strict notice of her hair, perfectly combed with not a single strand out of place; Another good sign. She was smiling however, while not full proof evidence she was still psychotic, it was enough to keep the California girl on edge. What to do, what to do...
When her tummy rumbled, she came to a decision. She could always run away phasing if Storm proved to be crazy still; It was a plan.
"Morning Ororo." Jean came into the kitchen through the proper entrance, waving at the older woman as she moved for the refrigerator, grabbing some orange juice and pouring it into a cup.
"Good morning, Jean." Storm smiled pleasantly, before turning her head directly to the partially head-through-the-wall phased girl. "Kitty, is something wrong?"
"Hey..." Kitty winced, emerging into the room fully. "...like, no more lemonade?"
Jean choked on her orange juice, casting fearful looks at the older woman and Kitty both.
Ororo had the decency to blush lightly. "Ah, yes... sorry about that. I don't know what came over me."
Kitty grinned, stepping back through the wall.
Storm stared at the wall thoughtfully, throwing Jean a glance, the red-head just shrugging. That was when she heard it, a squeal of excitement "She's normal!" followed by a stampede as the other kids barged into the kitchen.
Ororo blinked, enduring sudden hugs from her nephew, Kurt, and even Scott. Rogue was a bit more sedate, a light smile and a wave of the hand her show of affection. "My... my goodness."
"You had us worried there Storm." Scott said truthfully.
Evan grunted, "Yeah, never wanna see you on a lemonade kick ever again!"
"Sorry." the Nubian woman managed to squeak out, blushing in morbid embarrassment at yesterday's craziness.
"It's good ta have ya back." Rogue smiled lightly, idly poking around the food on the counter island. She raised an eyebrow at the cinnamon rolls. She picked one up and took a nibble, frowning slightly. "Huh... not enough cinnamon."
"DAMN IT!" Ororo screamed, picking up the tray of cinnamon rolls and slamming them into the trash can.
There was a synchronized sweat-drop at that.
Kurt grabbed Scott, vanishing in a puff of smoke as the Weather Witch turned a hungry gaze on the lot of them.
Kitty meeped, grabbing Evan and phasing through the wall.
Jean and Rogue sweated, being the only ones left. The goth slowly backed up, chuckling lightly, "Ah, yeah, meetin Risty, gotta go!" she turned and booked it.
"Yes... school and..." Jean winced when Ororo grabbed her hand.
The Weather Witch was all smiles despite the dark look in her eyes, "Leaving so soon? But you simply must stay and try my next batch. They'll be perfect, I promise!"
Jean internally wailed at the unfairness of it all, even as she lightly smiled on the outside. "Uh... sure."
-0-0-0-
Ranma yawned, scratching the back of his neck as he slowly descended the stairs. That had to have been the most wonderful night sleep he had ever had in as long as he could remember. He didn't realize it, but there was this... tenseness whenever he slept, yet today it was like he had finally been able to relax and truly rest; Like the world had been shifted off his shoulders. He wondered what had changed between yesterday and today, but eventually shrugged the thought off as unimportant.
He peeked into the dining room, frowning slightly. Where was everyone? And y'know, come to think of it the mansion was pretty damn quiet today. Heck, if yesterday was at all normal he imagined the place would still be packed with chattering kids wolfing down whatever breakfast Ororo had managed to cook up. Yet today there was nothing but eerie silence; Like the mansion had become a ghost town.
The pigtailed boy shrugged after a bit, deeming whatever the problem was unimportant as he headed for the kitchen. He spotted Ororo, the white haired woman pulling a pan with rolls, that smelled absolutely divine to him, from the oven. He only idly noticed the red-head, Jean, sitting at the counter looking absolutely miserable.
"Morning." he chirruped, stepping around the Weather Witch and heading for the refrigerator. Jean shot him a hopeful look that quickly became an annoyed frown before she turned away again. Weird, what was her problem?
"Ah, Ranma!" Ororo demurred, "Did you sleep well."
"Sure did." He said, grabbing a cup and filling it with juice before shutting the refrigerator. "How about you?"
"Well..." she spoke, setting the steaming pan of rolls down on the counter. "... I can't complain." there was something to her words that set him on edge somewhat; her words dipping down into that erotic allure she had expressed briefly the night prior. She grabbed a single roll, setting it on a plate before sliding it in front of Jean. "Third batch the charm, right?" she smiled brilliantly even as she pointedly stared at the girl.
Jean laughed nervously, "Yeah! I'm... I'm sure this batch will be perfect!"
Ranma frowned thoughtfully. This was... similar to what she forced Logan to endure last night, at least if the groveling crying of the feral-like man was to be believed. Yeah, he was sure of it. Well, at least it wasn't lemonade; He had enough of the sweet drink for the next month.
The red-head nibbled, forcing a fake smile as she chirruped, "Hmmm! Good! It's perfect Storm!"
Ororo smiled brilliantly, picking up another roll and putting it on a plate before offering it to him. Ranma shrugged, taking the plate. He caught a look from Jean there, something desperate in her eyes that tickled his senses. It was like she was trying to tell him something... whatever. He took a bite from the roll, frowning darkly. "Aren't these suppose to be cinnamon rolls?"
"Yes." Ororo frowned darkly, "Are... they not perfect?"
Ranma snorted, "There's barely any cinnamon at all! It's about as perfect as only having right side shoes!"
"GAARRGH!" Storm snarled, grabbing the pan of rolls and slamming it against the wall. She leveled the meanest glare Ranma had ever seen on the red-head, "Jean..." her tone rather dark, "... lies do not become us."
Jean sweated, "Uh... please..." she groveled, "... please just let me go."
Ranma set his plate down, frowning as he considered the situation. Ororo was clearly bat shit crazy, and Jean... the poor girl looked so miserable and desperate he couldn't help but feel sorry for her. What to do, what to do... Ah! "Hey Ororo."
"Yes?" the Witch leveled a half glare his way.
He casually pointed behind her, "Look, Logan's running off with your recipe book!" he crowed.
Ororo ripped around, a slight lightning bolt dancing across her arm as she readied a 'tender' blast to stop the theft. She frowned, no one was there. There was a flash of movement to her right, she glanced over just in time to see Jean's chair fall on its side, the girl and Ranma nowhere in sight. "How... how rude."
"Morning Ororo." Xavier wheeled in with a happy smile. He looked around curiously, "So... what's for breakfast?"
"Oh Charles... today we're creating the perfect cinnamon rolls!" She chirruped happily, tilting her head and smiling that eerie smile of hers. "Isn't that great?"
Xavier sweated.
-0-0-0-
Jean was rather surprised she didn't scream the moment Ranma had grabbed her, but she was quite frankly willing to deal with being manhandled if it meant escaping Ororo's bit of craziness for the day. Her world became a stream of lights of color, unable to make sense of anything as the boy rocketed from the house. She felt her gut clench as he jumped over the wall in a flip, landing lightly and finally bringing this roller coaster ride to a stop. She breathed slowly, trying to calm her frazzled nerves and peel her fingers off his shirt from where she had reflexively grabbed him.
Ranma sighed, lowering her to her feet. "Is she always going to be like that?"
"Dear god I hope not." Jean steadied herself, hand pressed against her head to fight off the dizzy feelings from such rapid speed.
"How long were you trapped there, anyway?" he asked, glancing through the gate back to the mansion.
Jean grimaced, "Since everyone abandoned me." she turned and began walking the long walk towards school. She couldn't believe she had been left to fend off Ororo all by herself like that! She imagined at least Scott would have returned to mount a rescue, that he didn't irked her greatly.
Ranma blinked, rushing to catch up with her. "Abandoned you? What's that about?"
The red-head took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "She seemed normal this morning, okay? When she started freaking out the others high tailed it, leaving me to deal with her."
"Ah." Ranma frowned thoughtfully, "That's kinda dumb. I figured you guys were this close tight knit group, what with being some kind of super-hero squad. Didn't think heroes left their buddies behind like that."
Jean frowned at that. He was right, even if it was something as childish as escaping Storm's tender loving care. Ever since their 'lesson' at the hands of Ranma there had been a bit of a divide amongst the team, or rather between her and the others specifically. That reminded her of the harsh words they had shared with her in the Danger Room, and the mostly cooled anger she had over it. "Heroes don't." she mumbled tiredly.
"Meh." Ranma put his hands behind his head, gazing up into the clear sky with a frown. "Well don't you worry none. I won't leave you behind."
Jean glanced at the boy thoughtfully. She couldn't hold back a slight smile at that, "Thank you."
-0-0-0-
Kitty leaned up against the fence, keeping her eyes focused on the road as she waited. Really, she couldn't believe Storm was still crazy. What was up with the woman? Going from her normally cool and collected self into some kind of deranged perfectionist made her hackles rise. She felt a little bad at fleeing, and could only hope whoever got stuck with the woman could forgive her. Of course, she realized with a slight grimace, her fleeing had the unintended side effect of leaving Ranma behind to find his way to school on his lonesome. Really Kitty, how could you leave your sort-of boyfriend behind like that?
She blushed slightly, cupping her cheeks at the mere thought of having a cute boyfriend like Ranma.
"Kitty."
The girl blinked, looking up at the tall dark and handsome Lance. "Eer... hi Lance!"
The Avalanche frowned, glancing around. "Where's that guy you're all hard up for?"
"Ranma?" Kitty shrugged, "I, like, didn't think to check on him before leaving."
"Oh?" Lance relaxed a bit at that, "So... you finished with him, then?"
"Like, what?" The California girl blinked.
Lance grimaced, "You're finished with him, done running around like you're together..."
Kitty snorted, "Like, not a chance." she grinned a bit then, "We aren't finished yet."
"Okay..." he frowned thoughtfully. "... just be careful alright? Guy like that leaves a trail of broken hearts." he said before walking away.
Kitty scratched her cheek cutely. What the devil was Lance trying to get at? It wasn't like she and Ranma were dating, heck aside from some light hugging and concerned looks the guy hadn't even done anything with her, but Lance made it sound like he was leading her around by the nose. She shrugged that thought off as Ranma and Jean came into view.
"Hey guys!" she chirruped, heading them off.
Jean stared at her for a moment, frowning darkly. She glanced to the boy, "Thanks again Ranma, I'll see you later."
"Right." The boy waved, eying the red-head thoughtfully as she entered the school.
"Like, something wrong?" Kitty blinked, wondering at the dark looks she had gotten. "Is Jean angry at me or something?"
"Eh..." Ranma shrugged, "... she's a bit upset, yeah. She got stuck as Ororo's guinea pig."
"Ah." Kitty nodded. Well that explain everything as far as she was concerned. She latched onto Ranma's arm, smiling cutely, "Come on, like, school's waiting!"
-0-0-0-
Taryn glanced around the corner, frowning thoughtfully. She could see Jean slowly walking in her direction, behind her and outside the Great Disaster was talking with Kitty Pryde. She almost shuddered at the sight of the little peppy girl grabbing the guy like that, reflexively lowering her head and trying desperately not to be noticed.
Jean rounded the corner, catching sight of her and freezing. "Taryn... what on earth are you wearing?!"
Taryn blinked, looking down at her old Furikan High uniform. Sure it was a bit out there as far as the American standard was concerned, but whatever. She didn't wear it because she had some psychotic flash back to her time in Furikan, no she wore it because it was a matter of simple practicality. She glanced up at the redhead, "My body armor." she said simply.
"What?" The girl breathed, eyes wide.
Taryn sighed, pulling back her lapel and exposing several layers of hard cloth beneath the uniform. "Specially made Kevlar, designed specifically to resist and repel shuriken, daggers, and cats claws." she fingered another layer beneath the Kevlar, "Impact resistant gel-pads, for the random inanimate object of doom, especially duck shaped potty training toilets." she flipped her skirt up, exposing her behind, or would have if she wasn't wearing boxers, "Boxers to deny the letch his perversions." she pulled a pair of wire cutters connected to a slim steel cable from her pocket, "Wire cutters in case the psycho principal puts barb-wire on the fences again..."
Jean sweated, "Uh... okay... wow, just wow."
"It pays to be prepared!" the brown haired girl snapped harshly, pointing her finger down the hall. "Don't you see what's going on?"
The red-head glanced in that direction, frowning thoughtfully. "Uh... it's just Ranma..."
"THE WALKING EMBODIMENT OF CHAOS!" Taryn screeched, "Third rule of Bayville Survivors Guide; Never call him by his first name!"
"Okay..." Jean started backing up slowly, "... is crazy contagious? First Ororo and now Taryn?" she mumbled under her breath.
"Oh sure, mock me!" the brown haired girl huffed, "Don't deny it, I can see it in your eyes!" she pointed one finger at her, "But hear my words Jean Grey! Before the end of the year you'll be wishing you heeded my warnings! When the Great Enemy gets here they will feast on the unprepared, they will cull the weak and mindless like so much chaff! You. Have. Been. Warned!" she finished, turning around and racing down the hall.
Every single student within earshot just stopped and stared, Jean rubbed her forehead irritably. "Well... at least today can't get any stranger!"
-0-0-0-
Evan liked skating, he also liked... bending the rules. He skated down the halls, expertly zigging and zagging on his board to work around people. He was so good at it he could actually let his body run mechanically while his thoughts drifted to far more important issues; Like his dear, if slightly insane, aunt. Ororo had really taken that short step to the side obsessive compulsive, and for the life of him he couldn't understand what the hell was wrong. What had changed between yesterday and the day before? Well, aside from Ranma showing up... He frowned darkly at that. Was that prick doing something to his aunt? He swore he'd keep on eye on that gender-bender and find out the truth!
"WHOA MAN!" a whiny voice screamed as Evan rounded the corner, the sudden noise bringing him out of his thoughts as he bodily rammed into the Toad. Evan stumbled off his board, accidentally pushing the little guy to the ground as he fought to remain on his feet.
"Damn it Toad!" Evan snapped, kicking up his skate-board. "Watch where you're going!"
Toad grumbled, pushing himself up tiredly. "Yo man, you were the one skatin around in school! Don't be blaming the Toad for this!"
Evan idly noticed Ranma and Kitty showing up from down the hall, the former blinking before narrowing his eyes at the scene.
Evan grimaced, pushing off the morbid embarrassment at Toad of all people actually being right. "Eer... shut up!" He actually pushed the little guy back, for his pride if nothing else.
Toad just blinked, looking down at where Evan had pushed him, before looking back up. "Aw man, really? You really wanna do this?"
"Make sense idiot!" The skater snapped.
"Bah." The Toad fell into a stance, fists raised slightly, "Yo man, I don't wanna do this! Just walk away an we can forget this ever happened, cool?!"
Evan raised an eyebrow at that. Toad was actually standing up to him? He... well he was shocked, amused, and not the tiniest bit impressed the guy had a spine after all. "Uh..." he glanced behind Toad, frowning at Ranma. "... whatever. It's cool, sorry I ran into you like that."
Toad blinked, lowering his fists slightly, "What?"
"I said I was sorry." Evan grunted, turning around and walking away.
-0-0-0-
Ranma watched the scene curiously, grinning as Todd stood up for himself on his own this time. "That's how you do it, buddy." he whispered softly, moving away lest the lanky boy saw him.
Kitty frowned cutely, "Like, you really shouldn't teach Toad to fight."
"Eh?" Ranma glanced at the clingy girl. "Why's that?" Was he doing something wrong teaching the little guy to stand up for himself? He didn't think so, but far be it from him to assume he knew everything about the guy.
"Like, he's part of the Brotherhood." Kitty offered as if that would explain everything.
Ranma frowned thoughtfully at that. "Uh... what's the Brotherhood?"
The California girl blinked, eyes wide. "What... you mean, like, you don't know?!"
"Know what, Kitty?" the pigtailed boy glanced at her pointedly.
"Like, the Brotherhood are our..." Enemies? No, she didn't think she could ever call them that, not with Lance there. Eerm. "... rivals!"
"Rivals..." Ranma repeated, eyes narrowed slightly. "... you mean to say Xavier's group fights with them?"
"Well, kinda." Kitty grumbled, "Not, like, really a fight. We beat them all the time." Well, that had been true of late, Kitty mentally pointed out. Actually it had been pretty close in the beginning, but they had finally beat them through numbers alone.
"How many kids are in this Brotherhood?" She missed his calculating gaze.
"Well, there's Toad there, Pietro, Fred, and Lance of course." she shrugged slightly, "Mystique leads em, but we haven't seen hide nor hair of her since this big fiasco with Rogue and Kurt."
"Ah..." Ranma smirked suddenly, "... it's good to have rivals."
-0-0-0-
Kurt idly rubbed his forehead, sighing at the 'word' hidden beneath his image inducer. Really, all things considered Ranma could have punished him like any normal person, buzzing 'Pervert' into his head was taking things just a tad bit too far if you asked him. Heck, he'd take a month of double duty with Logan over what Ranma did.
"Hey Kurt." Scott spoke up from behind him.
Kurt blinked, "Uh, hey Scott."
"Just wanted to say thanks." the leader of the X-men grinned slightly, giving the boy a thumbs up. "For saving me from Ororo."
"Oh, no problem!" He grinned, before frowning slightly, "I wonder who got stuck with her, though."
Scott frowned thoughtfully, "Well... couldn't be us, or Kitty. Saw her out front twenty minutes ago."
"Evan? Rogue? Jean?" Kurt listed the potential victims, wincing a bit. "Oh man, I hope it wasn't Rogue."
Scott made a point of leaning around him to stare outside the nearby doors. "Clear skies, so I doubt it." Needless to say he wouldn't be surprised if Rogue just drained the woman to escape her clutches, even if it would cause freakish weather for a time.
"EVAN DANIELS!" they heard Principal Kelly scream from down the hall, "There will be no Skate-boarding in my halls!"
"So, Evan's here, we can rule out Rogue..." Kurt looked behind Scott, "Jean."
Scott frowned, glancing back. The red-head was there, walking on the opposite side of the hall towards them. He moved to intercept the girl, "Hey Jean..."
Jean just looked at him, her eyes a degree colder then ice. "Summers." her tone was neutral, but he couldn't miss the fact she had reverted to using his last name. Oh this just pointed to the very real possibility she was the one who got left behind, the mere thought of which made him wince internally. Still... he could be wrong, best to make sure.
"Uh..." Scott winced slightly, "... how did it go with Ororo?" He realized immediately that was the wrong thing to say to the girl.
"How did it go?" Jean repeated bitterly, "Fine. Absolutely fine." she half snapped, stepping around the boy and continuing on her way.
"Jean..." he called out after the girl.
"Leave me alone." she growled back, not even bothering to look at him as she ducked down an adjacent hall.
Kurt winced, "Oh man."
-0-0-0-
Ranma wondered about Kitty, while he was glad to have a friend in her he couldn't help but ponder how... clingy the girl was getting. Ah well, he was sure this had to be some custom Americans, or at least those Americans who lived wherever the girl had been raised, did to show their friendship. He glanced up and down the halls, eying the kids meandering about and heading off to lunch. His stomach rumbled a bit at the prospect of food, but he forcibly pushed the notion off.
This lunch break he had plans to enact.
Covertly making his way to the cafeteria, he managed to dodge Kitty on her way up the stairs, hiding behind some rather burly football players until she was out of sight. Couldn't let her catch him this time, he highly doubted she'd want to spend lunch with the people he was aiming to spend it with. He examined the throngs of kids, eyes moving too and fro as he looked for the kids in question.
There, a table near the middle, he spotted Todd. The lanky little guy sat with his big friend, but that was it. He deftly moved through the crowd, stepping up to the table and only hearing the tail end of whatever Todd was telling Fred.
"... and he apologized!" Toad grinned slightly, rubbing his hands together nervously.
Fred smiled slightly, "Good. Don't let those X-freaks put you down!"
"Hey Todd." Ranma said cheerfully, putting his hands on the little guys shoulders.
Toad froze with the contact, nervously turning his head back and up, "Uh... heh... Ranma, uh, sup?"
Fred frowned somewhat, but said nothing as he watched on.
"Just came by to say I'm proud of you." Ranma drew his hands back, sliding into a chair next to Toad. "For that Duncan creep, and for Evan this morning."
Toad winced, "Uh, you... uh... thanks?"
Ranma smiled lightly, "You did good."
"Yeah..." Fred grumbled, eying the pigtailed boy with a frown, "... what do you want?"
Toad blinked, linking between Fred and Ranma curiously, "Uh..."
"Just wanted to check up on my friend." the guy waved friends concern off, "And make sure he hasn't gotten any flak for yesterday."
"... Friend?" Fred said dumbly.
Toad felt something there he had only felt twice before in his short life: A subtle warmth in his chest at being called some ones friend. Only Fred and Lance considered him that before, and now Ranma...
-0-0-0-
"No way!" Risty frowned, "I won't do it, you can stop asking Rogue!"
"Ah come on Risty!" The Southern Belle whined slightly, "Jus fer an hour or so afta school! Please?"
Risty sighed, shaking her head tiredly. "I'm sorry Rogue, I can't."
"Why not?" Rogue grumped, perhaps a bit petulantly.
"Ranma." Risty said simply. "He's the Master here, he wouldn't want me training you privately, not with out clearing it with him first." Really, the last thing she was going to do was antagonize a kid who by all rights could kick the crap out of her and everyone she knew with one arm tied behind his back. "And why are you so interested in training?"
Rogue grumbled, turning her head away slightly. "Jus... want ta train?" she responded lamely.
"Uh huh." Risty grinned a bit, "And... what, show your handsome instructor how fast you're learning?" she raised an eyebrow at the slight blush spreading across Rogue's cheeks, "Oh... show him how good you are, and maybe get some... private..." she stressed the word. "... lessons from him? Hmm?"
"It ain't like that!" Rogue blushed despite her words.
Risty laughed lightly, shaking her head. Really, Rogue was just a bit out of her league with Ranma. She thought it rather cute the girl was willing to dive headlong into training to try and prove herself to the guy, but rather unrealistic if she was being honest with herself. If rumors were to be believed, the guy already had an army of girls back in Japan trying to do the exact same thing.
Rogue blinked, frowning curiously, "Hey... is that Ranma at the Brotherhood's table?"
"What?" Risty blinked, glancing towards them. She raised an eyebrow at that; Sure enough it was Ranma hanging with Toad and Fred. She didn't see Lance or Pietro immediately, but a quick scan of the nearby area let her catch sight of the Avalanche's trademark brown trench coat and a flash of Pietro's silver hair as they moved towards their table. "Huh... wonder what's going on?"
-0-0-0-
Lance eyed the boy warily. What the hell was he doing here? He threw Pietro a glance, the silver-haired kid frowning dangerously as he noticed the boy as well. He couldn't help but grimace, given Peitro's habit for flying off the handle this could end up bad, and even if the guy pissed him off with playing around with Kitty like he did he wasn't quite willing to let the guy get clobbered for it. "Be cool, speedy." he snapped darkly as they approached the table.
Pietro rolled his eyes, "Whatever."
"... show you some more moves." Ranma looked at Todd thoughtfully, "One trick is nice, but it usually only works once or twice before people adapt."
"Really?" Toad blinked, "Ya mean, you don't mind or anything?"
Fred snorted, "He said he'd do it, why the hell are you complaining?"
"Hey guys." Lance greeted neutrally, hands in his pockets as he slid into his seat.
"Who invited the gook?" Pietro sneered, taking a seat slightly removed from Ranma.
Toad grimaced, rubbing his hands together nervously, "Uh... you shut up!"
Lance raised an eyebrow at that; Toad standing up to Pietro? Would wonders never cease.
"Make me dip shit!" Silver-hair taunted.
"Take it easy, Todd." Ranma waved the little guys concern off. "I can handle this jerk."
"That so?" Pietro raised an eyebrow. There was a slight flicker of movement and a nasty crack as Ranma's head snapped back.
"What the hell Pietro?!" Lance roared, moving to deck the silver-haired bastard.
Ranma rolled his head back, smiling eerily, "That all you got, limp dick?"
Pietro raised an eyebrow, before flickering into action again. He winced then, the pigtailed bastard grabbing his speeding hand by the wrist, squeezing painfully. He tried to hit him with his free hand, but found his movements to be painfully slow... almost normal!
The pigtailed bastard idly knocked his slow punch to the side. "Not so tough with out your speed, eh?"
Toad boggled at the sight of it.
Fred blinked, "Hey... what gives Pietro? Finally run out of steam?"
Pietro winced, trying mightily to break Ranma's hold and utterly failing, "Shut... shut up! Do something you idiots! He's breaking my wrist!"
Lance frowned. While Pietro certainly deserved to be brought down a peg or two, he'd be damned to just stand around while some one other then him did it. "Let him go." he snapped dangerously, standing up and looming over the guy threateningly.
Ranma glanced up at him with a cocky grin, shrugging slightly. "Sure." he let go.
Pietro sighed in relief, holding his aching wrist protectively. "How the..." he quickly tested his speed, watching his fingers disappear in a blur, frowning thoughtfully. "... you took my powers away."
"Yep." Ranma shrugged, ignoring the stunned looks from Toad and Fred both.
Lance grimaced, sitting back down as a sudden wave of nervous apprehension bubbled to life in his gut. If he could take powers away... if he could take powers away then they were just normal, which wasn't something he liked. He loved his powers, loved being different, if some guy could just up and take their powers away... well... he felt very uncomfortable just being near the guy. "What do you want?"
Ranma smiled lightly, "Well, came to check on Todd here mainly, but since everyone is here..." he eyed them all curiously before continuing, "... not sure if you lot know this, but Xavier hired me to teach his kids how to fight."
Toad winced, "Oh man..."
Pietro frowned, "Yeah, and?"
"And..." Ranma chuckled, "... Well, I've already broken them same as I just broke you, speedy."
Lance frowned at that.
"You didn't break anything!" Pietro snarled. The fact he kept his distance, protecting his hurt wrist spoke volumes to the others.
"Yeah, sure I didn't." The pigtailed boy rolled his eyes at that, "Anyway, now that I've broken them I'm in charge of building them back up. And that's why I'm here."
Fred blinked, "Uh... okay?"
"What do we have to do with this crap?" Lance snapped, eying the boy dangerously.
"You are their rivals, aren't you?" The boy moved to clarify.
Lance wanted to roll his eyes at that. Rivals? That was a bit of a stretch, but... he guessed you could call their hate/hate relationship that. "I guess."
"Good!" Ranma grinned, "See, I can train them to fight. Throw punches, kicks, all that jazz, but the real learning comes from actually fighting people. Forces you to observe and adapt on the fly, which is what fighting is all about."
"Okay..." Toad spoke slowly, "Like, why are you telling us this?"
"Simply put, I need you to fight them." Ranma shrugged, "But not yet. If they've been beating the lot of you up for awhile now, just attacking them won't help anyone. What I'm saying here is I'd like to train you up so you can in turn train my kids, and vice-versa."
Lance blinked. "Wait wait... you want to teach us to beat up Xavier's kids?"
"That... uh..." Pietro grinned nastily, "... I like the idea."
Fred snorted, "You like anything that makes the X-freaks squirm!"
"I deny nothing!" the silver-haired guy shrugged.
Toad glanced around nervously, "Uh... I don't think Mystique..."
"We'll need to think about it." Lance finally said.
Ranma nodded, smiling as he stood up. "Cool. Let me know what your answer is... oh, one more thing." he looked at them all pointedly, "If any of you tell Xavier's group about this, consider my offer gone." He waved, moving off.
"Okay, that was... weird." Lance said after awhile.
Pietro shrugged slightly, "Whatever, I say if he wants to teach us to beat up the X-freaks, why the hell not?"
Fred shrugged, "I don't see why we should bother."
"Hey..." Toad meekly defended, "... the guy is good, kay? If he can teach some one like me to beat up some one like Duncan in less then an hour, just think what he could do if he put time into training all of us."
Lance sighed, shaking his head. "Whatever. We'll shoot it by Mystique, see if she gives a damn."
-0-0-0-
School ended on an all around good note, Ranma decided finally. He pitched his offer to the Brotherhood, watched Todd use some of that new confidence he earned by beating up Duncan, and all around he felt relaxed. Heck, he hadn't even had to deal with turning into a girl yet, which was a win no matter how you looked at it.
"Ohhh!" Kitty pouted, pinching his side gently. "How could you have lunch with out me? I looked everywhere for you!"
He blinked, eying the little girl latched to his arm. "Oh? You wanted to have lunch again?" he frowned thoughtfully, "I, uh, thought that was a one time thing."
"Well it wasn't!" she informed matter of factly.
"Okay, okay..." he sighed. "... I'm sorry. If I had known you still wanted to have lunch with me I would of made damn sure I was there."
Kitty smiled brightly, "Apology accepted." she said as the entered the Mansion. Her nose crinkled slightly at the rather oppressive smell of cinnamon about the place. "Ugh!"
Ranma chuckled lightly. "Looks like Ororo's still on her cinnamon roll kick." he started for the kitchen, blinking curiously as Kitty detached herself and moved far away. "Kitty?"
"Uh, sorry, but, like... Danger Room session. Can't be late... ah... bye!" she squeaked out, phasing through the floor.
"Okay." he just shook his head at that. Really, it was like the girl was afraid. He moved to the kitchen, glancing around curiously as he entered.
Ororo was there, humming lightly as she stirred something in a bowl. Xavier was near by, his face smeared in places with cinnamon and... was he wearing a bib? Ranma chuckled at that; Yeah, in a grotesque way the bald man looked like a giant baby being fed their meal.
Xavier's eyes flashed open then, slightly unfocused and hazy. "Guh... help... help me." he moaned in desperation.
Ranma raised an eyebrow at that. "Wow Ororo, you've... uh... been working real hard, haven't you?"
"Creating the perfect cinnamon roll requires patience, diligence, and fortitude." the Nubian woman said with a smile.
"I'll bet." Ranma grunted, "So... when did you want me?"
Ororo blinked, glancing at the boy curiously, "Whatever do you mean?"
"Didn't you say you'd be 'kidnapping' me for something Educational on Tuesdays and Thursdays?"
Eyes gleaming, Xavier grinned darkly. "Yes, yes she did. Ranma!" he stared at the boy pointedly, "Your lesson begins immediately. Now quick, unlock my chair so I can get the fu... uh, get down stairs for a Danger Room session."
Ororo frowned darkly, glaring at the bald man. "Are... you trying to leave? Before perfection!?"
Xavier sweated, mumbling incoherent apologies and crying pitifully at the same time.
Ranma pursed his lips thoughtfully. Part of him toyed with the idea of rabbiting, but another part of him just couldn't get Xaviers horror etched look out of his head. He sighed, shaking his head, "It's a switch up, Ororo." he said as he moved behind the crippled mans chair and started fiddling with the locks. "Boss here has work to do, but don't worry." he smiled lightly, "I'll take his place."
"Yes!" Xavier nodded frantically, "Ranma will take my place, so..." he felt his chair shift slightly as the locks disengaged, wasting no time in bolting from the kitchen lightning fast.
Ororo stared at him thoughtfully. "You... want to help me?" she sounded doubtful, but at the same time hopeful.
"Sure do." he said with a grin, stepping up to her and grabbing the bowl she'd been stirring. "Here, let me do this. You can start rolling the dough and sprinkling the cinnamon."
"Ah..." Ororo blushed lightly, nodding slowly. "Sure... thanks."
-0-0-0-
Jean sighed, tossing her bag to the side. Cheer leading practice had gone well enough, she guessed. She made a mental note to pull Taryn aside and speak with her; Her insistence on using pom-poms that some how contained sharp weaponry couldn't be allowed. She briefly thought of Duncan, wondering about her absent boyfriend; Was he sick? Or was he really hurt after Toad knocked him around yesterday? Hmmm.
"Hey Jean..." Scott tentatively stepped up to her, looking for all the world like a timid little puppy that just got kicked. "... we, uh, have a Danger Room session."
Jean nodded, "I'll be there, Summers." She pointedly walked around the boy, heading for the kitchen. She quickly found herself held in place, Scott grabbing her shoulder. "What?"
"Don't go in there." The boy grimaced, "Ororo's still on her cinnamon roll thing, unless you want to end up her guinea pig again."
The red-head grimaced. She most certainly did not want to end up under Storm's care again. She was about to turn around when a thought hit her. "Who's her current victim?"
Scott smiled slightly, pushing his glasses up as he responded rather nastily, "Ranma."
"I... see." Jean frowned, crossing her arms. She really, really didn't want to get stuck with Storm again, but at the same time she couldn't justify leaving him there. His words came back to her then, 'Don't you worry none. I won't leave you behind' and she knew she had made her decision. "I don't believe I'll make it to the Danger Room session after all."
Scott blinked, "What?"
"I'm going to be with Ranma." she said, turning on her heel and confidently striding into the kitchen.
-0-0-0-
Ranma busied himself forming the rolls, setting them spread out in exact measures on the pan. Truth be told, he had been dreading this 'special' time he was slated to have with the Nubian woman. Especially after yesterdays bit of crazy, and then this morning. Yet... well, he could think of doing worse things then helping the woman create the perfect cinnamon roll. Oh he could think of far better things to do, like sleeping, but if this was the extent of her educational lessons he figured he was getting off light.
Ororo hmmed, blowing on a fresh batch of rolls, steam rising off them lightly. "Ready to test this batch?"
Ranma idly noticed Jean stepping into the kitchen, a seriousness to her posture and eyes that gave him slight pause. Was she crazy?! Showing up here was just asking to be conscripted into the cause. Ah, well, whatever her reasons she'd had to deal with the consequences he guessed. He grabbed a roll, smelling it tentatively. "Smells good." he mumbled, before taking a bite. Slowly chewing, savoring the roll before he frowned slightly. "Next batch let's add a bit more butter."
"DAMN IT!" she picked up the pan, only to find him pushing it back down.
"Ororo." Ranma began seriously, "Perfection is about patience, right?"
The Nubian woman grimaced, "I know that."
"Then be patient." he grinned, picking up a roll and offering it to her. "Try a roll, see if you can figure out what's missing."
Jean raised an eyebrow at that. "Ah... hi?" she waved timidly, stepping up to the island counter
Ororo hmmed, nibbling the tiny pastry. She cracked a wide smile then, eagerly scarfing the little roll down.
The pigtailed boy threw the red-head a glance while Ororo was distracted, "Hey Jean."
"Can I... try one?" the girl asked softly, taking a seat.
"You want to help?" Ororo blinked, before smiling brightly. "Ooh! With two helpers we'll get this done twice as fast!"
Ranma eyed the red-head curiously, "Uh, you sure about this Jean? You could be stuck here for hours." He thought she had had enough of Storm's tender loving care this morning, yet here she was back for more? A glutton for punishment, he guessed.
Jean nodded with a tight smile, "I won't leave you two to figure this out on your own."
-0-0-0-
Xavier only idly paid attention to the kids in the Danger Room; Quite frankly he had far more important things on his mind, namely Ororo and what he was going to do about the woman. It was one thing to harass Logan, another thing entirely to make him wear a damn bib as she force fed him cinnamon rolls. He idly debated about melting her brain, just a good ole fashion wipe out to clear whatever insanity had plagued her, but such dark thoughts were quickly buried, nuked, and brushed under the rug. For now.
"This has to end." Logan intoned darkly. He wasn't paying the kids in the Danger Room any attention at all.
"Agreed." Professor X nearly snarled, looking at the man darkly, "Take care of her, Logan."
"When I'm done with her..." he chuckled darkly, claws popping out. "... she'll never force feed me another glass of lemonade ever again!"
"To hell with her lemonade!" The bald man snapped, slamming his fist against his arm rest, "Cinnamon rolls! They are the enemy!"
"You're such a baby." Logan snorted, ignoring the hell-fire daggers the man glared at him with that little quip. No, Xavier did not appreciate being linked to the picture of a baby because he had been forced to wear a bib!
"Just get it done." The Professor snapped!
-0-0-0-
Jean casually leaned against Ranma for a moment, dragging the boy out of his thoughts as the two waited for the latest batch to be done. Ororo had seemed pleased at first that the boy was helping her, but quickly found herself with little to do and thus insisted she resume the cooking all by her lonesome.
Ranma glanced at the girl, "Hm?"
"I... just want to apologize." Jean said softly, running her hand through her hair.
The pigtailed boy blinked. "Sorry? What for?" He seemed confused.
"For hating you." The girl said simply.
"You... hated me?" the boy frowned, "Why?"
"Well, you did kick me in the face." Jean drawled slightly, "And punched me out a second story window!"
The boy grunted. "Couldn't really take a chance with you." he admitted with some hesitance.
"Oh?" Jean frowned slightly, "Why do you say that?"
"Well..." the boy smiled slightly, turning his gaze back to the Nubian woman busy preparing yet another pan of cinnamon rolls. "... the others weren't any kind of danger to me. I knew after that first fight I was going to have to target you first, with out you the team just wouldn't work."
The red-head blinked at that, a demure blush coming to her cheeks. "Ah... I'm don't think..." she took a deep breath before continuing, "I don't think you're being fair to the others."
Ranma snorted, "Why so humble?"
"It's not a matter of being humble." Jean pointed out, "I'm just not as strong as you think." she leaned up on the counter, putting her head down as she crossed her arms. "Scott leads, he has the charisma and everyone's loyalty. He inspires them, pushes them to their limits... me? They think I'm a nuisance, or some goodie two shoes there to nag them." she grimaced slightly, "If it wasn't for Scott constantly siding with me, I'm pretty sure the others wouldn't even listen to me."
"What makes you think that?" Ranma frowned thoughtfully.
"I'm a telepath, Ranma." she said simply, "I try not to read their thoughts, but sometimes I can't avoid it. Evan, Kitty, Kurt, especially Rogue... they get really irritated with me. Scott... well..." she shrugged, "Him aside, yesterday just really hammered home the fact they don't like me much."
"Eh..." he shrugged slightly, "... sounds rough."
"It is." she closed her eyes, sighing tiredly.
"Maybe you shouldn't bother?" the boy said after a time.
"Bother with what, exactly?" Jean frowned, not opening her eyes.
"Bother giving a damn what the others think." Ranma said simply. "Why does it matter what they think anyway?"
She sighed, leaning back up. "It doesn't, but I'm too scared to stop."
Ranma raised an eyebrow at that one.
"It's..." she bit her lip thoughtfully, eying Ororo as she began sprinkling cinnamon over the prepared rolls. "... you build this illusion about the world in your head? You want to fit in with that illusion, but in order to do that you have to force yourself to act a certain way." she glanced at him, "I'm the popular girl, kind, selfless... maybe a little arrogant, but it's all a lie. I'm really just an idiot too stupid to change her ways, too cowardly to face the truth of it."
"Eh..." Ranma looked utterly confused, but he did ask, "... if, uh, you're a coward... why tell me this?"
"Because I barely know you." Jean pointed out simply, "And because you barely know me."
"And... so I won't care?" He raised an eyebrow at that thoughtfully.
"Exactly." Jean nodded, "If I told Scott this, he'd make assumptions. If I tried to talk to Evan, Kurt, or Kitty about it they'd run away. None of them like to face uncomfortable topics. Rogue... well..." she sighed, "... she's like me, really. The difference is she accepts the fact people look at her negatively, even if she yearns for the positive. I accept the fact I'm seen positively, even as I yearn for the truth."
"Okay." Ranma nodded, "Seems simple enough."
"Oh really?" the red-head drawled at that.
"Yep." he shrugged, "Just stop trying."
"It's not as simple as..."
Ranma cut her off with a piercing stare, "Sure it is. Aren't you guys all about getting the world to accept you for who you are, be damned your mutation?" he snorted, "Acceptance based on lies isn't acceptance. If you have to act just to keep friends, then they aren't your friends to begin with."
Jean frowned, "That's a bit idealistic, isn't it?"
"Doesn't negate the point." he shrugged, "I don't go around trying to be something I'm not. Either accept it, which is cool, or don't, then I don't care."
Jean mulled that over. Was it so simple? Just accept it or get out of my way? Truthfully it was a rather extreme way to consider the issue, but was that really so bad? "Does... that actually work for you though?"
"Sure." Ranma smiled slightly at that, "I've got plenty of friends. I've also got plenty of rivals, even an enemy or ten. Have to accept the good with the bad, but at least I don't worry about what most people think about me."
"I see." The red-head sighed, shaking her head tiredly. "I wouldn't even know where to start."
"Start with what pisses you off the most." Ranma shrugged, "Something that always upsets you when you run into it, then work your way from there." he hesitated a second, before gently squeezing the girls shoulder, "And hey, if it gets too hard, you can always come back and tell me about it."
"Thanks." Jean shook her head in amusement. "It's nice to know I can count on you to help demolish my life."
"What are friends for?" Ranma asked rather seriously.
Jean just laughed.
-0-0-0-
Logan glanced into the kitchen, frowning at the sight of it all.
Jean was smiling widely, idly leaning into Ranma as they talked about something. What, he didn't know, nor did he actually care. They were irrelevant, and thus he quickly ignored them. He spied his nemesis, the Nubian woman who had tortured him for hours yesterday with lemonade. She had her back turned toward him, busy making more rolls. He kept her in his sight even as he looked for his real target...
There, near the stove. A book with a white and green splattered cover, held open by a wooden spatula set in the middle. That damn little recipe book held hours of ruthless experimentation, it was the source of Storm's power and thus it had to be utterly annihilated. He tip-toed into the room, putting one finger to his lips as Jean and Ranma raised an eyebrow at him curiously. He wasn't concerned about them ratting him out, they had to be suffering as much now as he was yesterday under Storms supervision. He quietly reached for the book, inching closer and utilizing every ounce of skill in ninjutsu he possessed.
"Uh, Ororo. Logan's trying to steal your recipe book." Ranma ratted him out.
"Fool me once..." Ororo began, idly glaring at the boy.
"YOU TRAITOR!" Logan screamed, snatching the book and making a dive for the dining room.
-0-0-0-
Storm froze, whipping around with lightning dancing across her form. He dared... he dared to steal the culmination of all her sweat and tears?! She wouldn't stand for this, he would burn in righteous hellfire for this transgression! "FRY YOU THIEF!" she screamed as she lunged towards the man.
"Holy crap!" she heard Ranma shout, but paid him little mind as she neared the man. So close, she could taste the man's fear. So near, she could feel his rapidly beating heart. She reached out, ready to pump the thief with lightning until he learned she was not to be crossed!
Ranma suddenly grabbed her from behind, one arm wrapped tightly around her waist as he lifted her up slightly. The fool would dare help the thief?! He would burn too, then. He would die, they would all pay for their betrayal!
That was when he touched her, pressing one hand to her cheek. All at once... glorious, glorious release. The pain she had felt for the last two days utterly vanished, that same pain that had robbed her of the ability to sleep, that pain she could only ignore if she obsessively focused on something ridiculous like lemonade or cinnamon rolls. It was a release, a beautiful, glorious release of such pleasure she could only describe as...
Perfection.
-0-0-0-
Ranma blinked, the white-haired woman gasping, moaning, and convulsing almost as soon as he touched her. "What the hell?!"
Jean boggled, tapping her power as she scanned the woman. She quickly, ruthlessly cut her power off, blushing madly as she stared at the woman with wide eyes. "I... oh my god!"
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Logan snarled, glaring at the woman angrily.
Ororo's eyes were fluttering rapidly, the creepiest smile anyone had ever seen spread across her features. She convulsed for a good twenty seconds before finally stilling, unconscious at last.
The pigtailed boy glanced at Jean, "Uh... seeing as your all red in the face... uh... do I even want to know?"
"No, no you do not!" Jean stepped up to the unconscious woman, pressing one hand against he forehead. "We need to get her down to Hank." she glanced to Logan, frowning "Tell Xavier, I think she's really sick."
Logan grunted, running off.
"Well..." Ranma sighed, lifting the woman up bridal style. "... at least we're done with cinnamon rolls."
-0-0-0-
Hank raised one of her eyelids, flashing a light across her eye with a frown. "Medically, I can't find anything wrong. Perhaps exhaustion, but no cause for it." the blue ape glanced at the Professor, "Quite frankly I don't know what's causing her to act like this."
Xavier nodded slowly, "I've scanned her recent memories... she's been experiencing... I'm not sure how to describe it exactly." he frowned a bit, "Ants... like ants crawling over every inch of her body. She found relief by focusing all her thoughts and energy towards a goal... this feeling also made it impossible for her to sleep."
Jean frowned, idly running a cloth across Storms forehead, "Why didn't she tell someone?"
"She thought it would go away at first." Xavier hmmed, "It was a slow thing, she wasn't truly aware of it until she had already focused on creating the perfect lemonade."
"Huh." Ranma frowned, rubbing the back of his head thoughtfully, "Kinda like a poison then? She wasn't aware it was anything to worry about when BAM!" he clapped his hands together, "It was too late to do anything but endure it."
"I suppose." Xavier frowned. "I've viewed her memories of yesterday, the pain and focus was constant except for a brief window." he glanced at Jean, "When you said 'Too much sugar' she tossed the tray, and while she was walking out she... uh... felt immense relief."
Jean blinked, "Okay..."
"What does her throwing lemonade around have to do with her problem though?" Logan grimaced, "She was tossing enough lemonade around in the kitchen, and didn't look none too relieved then."
"I wonder..." Xavier tapped his chin thoughtfully, "What was different from that time to this time? What happened after she threw the lemonade?"
Jean looked at Ranma thoughtfully, "The... well, that was when your curse was activated."
Xavier and Logan blinked, turning their gaze to the boy.
"What?" Ranma nervously defended, "I don't see how my curse has anything to do with this!"
"Wait..." Jean frowned, "... if she was finally able to pass out after Ranma touched her, cancelling her mutation... wouldn't that mean her mutation is involved? If so, I don't think Ranma changing genders is going to effect that. I mean, why would it?"
Logan frowned, "So we're thinkin her mutation is some how at fault?"
"It makes sense." Jean pointed out, still frowning.
"Eh..." The pigtailed boy frowned thoughtfully, "... y'know, I never asked. But what is Ororo's mutation anyway? I know she can generate lightning and stuff, but is that it?"
Xavier shook his head tiredly, "No. She's a Weather Witch, Ranma. She's harmonized with nature, enough so that she can summon or banish storms, create tornadoes or even hurricanes."
"So..." he nervously tugged on his collar, "Uh... she could stop, say, random rainfall from appearing for no damn reason?"
"I would imagine there would be a reason for something like that." Xavier drawled, but nodded none the less. "But I suppose she could."
Ranma nodded, "Ah..." he glanced at the woman thoughtfully. His eyes suddenly glowed blue, gazing up and down the length of the woman before looking down at his own aura. While still looking at his aura, he reached out and touched the unconscious Ororo. "... well, ain't this some crap." he grimaced.
"You found something?" Jean raised an eyebrow at the whole glowing eyes bit.
Ranma let go of the woman, then touched her again, and repeated that process several times before nodding. "Uh... it looks like my aura is attacking her."
Xavier blinked, "What?"
"Every time I remove my hand it's like the outer edge of my aura starts lashing out. At what, I dunno, it vanishes a inch or two from my body." Ranma explained slowly, "When I touch her, it, uh, returns to normal." he frowned, touching Logan, then Xavier, then back to Storm to verify. "My aura stays the same when I touch you two, and if I look hard enough I can see these wavy indentions at the edge of her aura that vanishes once I touch her."
"Why the devil would it do that?" Hank piped in, staring at the boy curiously.
Ranma sighed, "Never knew if it was a fact or not, mind ya, but we kinda always assumed Jusenkyo curses had a... water magnet portion to it." he glanced at Xavier pointedly, "The kind of Water Magnet portion that makes rain spontaneously fall even on a clear day."
"Are... are you saying..." Jean breathed incredulously
"Yep!" Ranma winced slightly, "At least this time... it's all my fault." Where ever he was, he hoped Ryoga was laughing his ass off.
-0-0-0-
TBC
Note on Foreshadowing: Generally, the more 'specific' it is, the less you should absolutely trust it. It is only 'specifically' true from a certain perspective, but lacks explanations as to why it's seen that way.
Note on Dialogue: Dialogue is a funny thing; It's based entirely on the perception of the person speaking it. Just because so and so says this, even if from his perspective he believes it's true, doesn't make it so.
Written By: Matdeception
Rough Draft Begun: 8/10/11
Rough Draft Complete: 8/14/11
Revision Begun: 8/15/11
Revision Ended: 8/16/11
Disclaimer: Mouse is a communist. He meows 'Victory for the Proletariat' even as he rules over my household with an iron catspaw. He is upset we don't own Ranma of X-men: Evo, he wants to rule over them too.
Credits: Zane (TFF) for inadvertently answering a question about cinnamon rolls. PcHeintz72 (Spelling errors, wrong word usage). Foesjoe for a wonderful idea on something that perfectly alters a later plot point (Even if he isn't aware he did it).
-0-0-0-
A mind is like an egg; The skull was the shell, the Albumen it's physical self, and the oh so delicious yolk their precious memories.
He had a duty to perform, a function to serve a being of Divinity. When one supplies the core of His plan, one must simply make sure that core is readily available.
A mind is like an egg; Easily crushed.
He had a lot of eggs to crush.
-0-0-0-
Chapter 5: Stirring the dough.
-0-0-0-
Kitty risked a peek, phasing through the wall just enough to see what was on the other side.
She immediately noticed the smell of oh so delicious eggs, the tantalizing taste of cinnamon rolls freshly pulled from the oven, and heard the soft calm humming of the woman that had quite frankly freaked her out last night. Storm seemed normal this morning, moving about with a calm grace as she busied herself with her morning ritual. Kitty took strict notice of her hair, perfectly combed with not a single strand out of place; Another good sign. She was smiling however, while not full proof evidence she was still psychotic, it was enough to keep the California girl on edge. What to do, what to do...
When her tummy rumbled, she came to a decision. She could always run away phasing if Storm proved to be crazy still; It was a plan.
"Morning Ororo." Jean came into the kitchen through the proper entrance, waving at the older woman as she moved for the refrigerator, grabbing some orange juice and pouring it into a cup.
"Good morning, Jean." Storm smiled pleasantly, before turning her head directly to the partially head-through-the-wall phased girl. "Kitty, is something wrong?"
"Hey..." Kitty winced, emerging into the room fully. "...like, no more lemonade?"
Jean choked on her orange juice, casting fearful looks at the older woman and Kitty both.
Ororo had the decency to blush lightly. "Ah, yes... sorry about that. I don't know what came over me."
Kitty grinned, stepping back through the wall.
Storm stared at the wall thoughtfully, throwing Jean a glance, the red-head just shrugging. That was when she heard it, a squeal of excitement "She's normal!" followed by a stampede as the other kids barged into the kitchen.
Ororo blinked, enduring sudden hugs from her nephew, Kurt, and even Scott. Rogue was a bit more sedate, a light smile and a wave of the hand her show of affection. "My... my goodness."
"You had us worried there Storm." Scott said truthfully.
Evan grunted, "Yeah, never wanna see you on a lemonade kick ever again!"
"Sorry." the Nubian woman managed to squeak out, blushing in morbid embarrassment at yesterday's craziness.
"It's good ta have ya back." Rogue smiled lightly, idly poking around the food on the counter island. She raised an eyebrow at the cinnamon rolls. She picked one up and took a nibble, frowning slightly. "Huh... not enough cinnamon."
"DAMN IT!" Ororo screamed, picking up the tray of cinnamon rolls and slamming them into the trash can.
There was a synchronized sweat-drop at that.
Kurt grabbed Scott, vanishing in a puff of smoke as the Weather Witch turned a hungry gaze on the lot of them.
Kitty meeped, grabbing Evan and phasing through the wall.
Jean and Rogue sweated, being the only ones left. The goth slowly backed up, chuckling lightly, "Ah, yeah, meetin Risty, gotta go!" she turned and booked it.
"Yes... school and..." Jean winced when Ororo grabbed her hand.
The Weather Witch was all smiles despite the dark look in her eyes, "Leaving so soon? But you simply must stay and try my next batch. They'll be perfect, I promise!"
Jean internally wailed at the unfairness of it all, even as she lightly smiled on the outside. "Uh... sure."
-0-0-0-
Ranma yawned, scratching the back of his neck as he slowly descended the stairs. That had to have been the most wonderful night sleep he had ever had in as long as he could remember. He didn't realize it, but there was this... tenseness whenever he slept, yet today it was like he had finally been able to relax and truly rest; Like the world had been shifted off his shoulders. He wondered what had changed between yesterday and today, but eventually shrugged the thought off as unimportant.
He peeked into the dining room, frowning slightly. Where was everyone? And y'know, come to think of it the mansion was pretty damn quiet today. Heck, if yesterday was at all normal he imagined the place would still be packed with chattering kids wolfing down whatever breakfast Ororo had managed to cook up. Yet today there was nothing but eerie silence; Like the mansion had become a ghost town.
The pigtailed boy shrugged after a bit, deeming whatever the problem was unimportant as he headed for the kitchen. He spotted Ororo, the white haired woman pulling a pan with rolls, that smelled absolutely divine to him, from the oven. He only idly noticed the red-head, Jean, sitting at the counter looking absolutely miserable.
"Morning." he chirruped, stepping around the Weather Witch and heading for the refrigerator. Jean shot him a hopeful look that quickly became an annoyed frown before she turned away again. Weird, what was her problem?
"Ah, Ranma!" Ororo demurred, "Did you sleep well."
"Sure did." He said, grabbing a cup and filling it with juice before shutting the refrigerator. "How about you?"
"Well..." she spoke, setting the steaming pan of rolls down on the counter. "... I can't complain." there was something to her words that set him on edge somewhat; her words dipping down into that erotic allure she had expressed briefly the night prior. She grabbed a single roll, setting it on a plate before sliding it in front of Jean. "Third batch the charm, right?" she smiled brilliantly even as she pointedly stared at the girl.
Jean laughed nervously, "Yeah! I'm... I'm sure this batch will be perfect!"
Ranma frowned thoughtfully. This was... similar to what she forced Logan to endure last night, at least if the groveling crying of the feral-like man was to be believed. Yeah, he was sure of it. Well, at least it wasn't lemonade; He had enough of the sweet drink for the next month.
The red-head nibbled, forcing a fake smile as she chirruped, "Hmmm! Good! It's perfect Storm!"
Ororo smiled brilliantly, picking up another roll and putting it on a plate before offering it to him. Ranma shrugged, taking the plate. He caught a look from Jean there, something desperate in her eyes that tickled his senses. It was like she was trying to tell him something... whatever. He took a bite from the roll, frowning darkly. "Aren't these suppose to be cinnamon rolls?"
"Yes." Ororo frowned darkly, "Are... they not perfect?"
Ranma snorted, "There's barely any cinnamon at all! It's about as perfect as only having right side shoes!"
"GAARRGH!" Storm snarled, grabbing the pan of rolls and slamming it against the wall. She leveled the meanest glare Ranma had ever seen on the red-head, "Jean..." her tone rather dark, "... lies do not become us."
Jean sweated, "Uh... please..." she groveled, "... please just let me go."
Ranma set his plate down, frowning as he considered the situation. Ororo was clearly bat shit crazy, and Jean... the poor girl looked so miserable and desperate he couldn't help but feel sorry for her. What to do, what to do... Ah! "Hey Ororo."
"Yes?" the Witch leveled a half glare his way.
He casually pointed behind her, "Look, Logan's running off with your recipe book!" he crowed.
Ororo ripped around, a slight lightning bolt dancing across her arm as she readied a 'tender' blast to stop the theft. She frowned, no one was there. There was a flash of movement to her right, she glanced over just in time to see Jean's chair fall on its side, the girl and Ranma nowhere in sight. "How... how rude."
"Morning Ororo." Xavier wheeled in with a happy smile. He looked around curiously, "So... what's for breakfast?"
"Oh Charles... today we're creating the perfect cinnamon rolls!" She chirruped happily, tilting her head and smiling that eerie smile of hers. "Isn't that great?"
Xavier sweated.
-0-0-0-
Jean was rather surprised she didn't scream the moment Ranma had grabbed her, but she was quite frankly willing to deal with being manhandled if it meant escaping Ororo's bit of craziness for the day. Her world became a stream of lights of color, unable to make sense of anything as the boy rocketed from the house. She felt her gut clench as he jumped over the wall in a flip, landing lightly and finally bringing this roller coaster ride to a stop. She breathed slowly, trying to calm her frazzled nerves and peel her fingers off his shirt from where she had reflexively grabbed him.
Ranma sighed, lowering her to her feet. "Is she always going to be like that?"
"Dear god I hope not." Jean steadied herself, hand pressed against her head to fight off the dizzy feelings from such rapid speed.
"How long were you trapped there, anyway?" he asked, glancing through the gate back to the mansion.
Jean grimaced, "Since everyone abandoned me." she turned and began walking the long walk towards school. She couldn't believe she had been left to fend off Ororo all by herself like that! She imagined at least Scott would have returned to mount a rescue, that he didn't irked her greatly.
Ranma blinked, rushing to catch up with her. "Abandoned you? What's that about?"
The red-head took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "She seemed normal this morning, okay? When she started freaking out the others high tailed it, leaving me to deal with her."
"Ah." Ranma frowned thoughtfully, "That's kinda dumb. I figured you guys were this close tight knit group, what with being some kind of super-hero squad. Didn't think heroes left their buddies behind like that."
Jean frowned at that. He was right, even if it was something as childish as escaping Storm's tender loving care. Ever since their 'lesson' at the hands of Ranma there had been a bit of a divide amongst the team, or rather between her and the others specifically. That reminded her of the harsh words they had shared with her in the Danger Room, and the mostly cooled anger she had over it. "Heroes don't." she mumbled tiredly.
"Meh." Ranma put his hands behind his head, gazing up into the clear sky with a frown. "Well don't you worry none. I won't leave you behind."
Jean glanced at the boy thoughtfully. She couldn't hold back a slight smile at that, "Thank you."
-0-0-0-
Kitty leaned up against the fence, keeping her eyes focused on the road as she waited. Really, she couldn't believe Storm was still crazy. What was up with the woman? Going from her normally cool and collected self into some kind of deranged perfectionist made her hackles rise. She felt a little bad at fleeing, and could only hope whoever got stuck with the woman could forgive her. Of course, she realized with a slight grimace, her fleeing had the unintended side effect of leaving Ranma behind to find his way to school on his lonesome. Really Kitty, how could you leave your sort-of boyfriend behind like that?
She blushed slightly, cupping her cheeks at the mere thought of having a cute boyfriend like Ranma.
"Kitty."
The girl blinked, looking up at the tall dark and handsome Lance. "Eer... hi Lance!"
The Avalanche frowned, glancing around. "Where's that guy you're all hard up for?"
"Ranma?" Kitty shrugged, "I, like, didn't think to check on him before leaving."
"Oh?" Lance relaxed a bit at that, "So... you finished with him, then?"
"Like, what?" The California girl blinked.
Lance grimaced, "You're finished with him, done running around like you're together..."
Kitty snorted, "Like, not a chance." she grinned a bit then, "We aren't finished yet."
"Okay..." he frowned thoughtfully. "... just be careful alright? Guy like that leaves a trail of broken hearts." he said before walking away.
Kitty scratched her cheek cutely. What the devil was Lance trying to get at? It wasn't like she and Ranma were dating, heck aside from some light hugging and concerned looks the guy hadn't even done anything with her, but Lance made it sound like he was leading her around by the nose. She shrugged that thought off as Ranma and Jean came into view.
"Hey guys!" she chirruped, heading them off.
Jean stared at her for a moment, frowning darkly. She glanced to the boy, "Thanks again Ranma, I'll see you later."
"Right." The boy waved, eying the red-head thoughtfully as she entered the school.
"Like, something wrong?" Kitty blinked, wondering at the dark looks she had gotten. "Is Jean angry at me or something?"
"Eh..." Ranma shrugged, "... she's a bit upset, yeah. She got stuck as Ororo's guinea pig."
"Ah." Kitty nodded. Well that explain everything as far as she was concerned. She latched onto Ranma's arm, smiling cutely, "Come on, like, school's waiting!"
-0-0-0-
Taryn glanced around the corner, frowning thoughtfully. She could see Jean slowly walking in her direction, behind her and outside the Great Disaster was talking with Kitty Pryde. She almost shuddered at the sight of the little peppy girl grabbing the guy like that, reflexively lowering her head and trying desperately not to be noticed.
Jean rounded the corner, catching sight of her and freezing. "Taryn... what on earth are you wearing?!"
Taryn blinked, looking down at her old Furikan High uniform. Sure it was a bit out there as far as the American standard was concerned, but whatever. She didn't wear it because she had some psychotic flash back to her time in Furikan, no she wore it because it was a matter of simple practicality. She glanced up at the redhead, "My body armor." she said simply.
"What?" The girl breathed, eyes wide.
Taryn sighed, pulling back her lapel and exposing several layers of hard cloth beneath the uniform. "Specially made Kevlar, designed specifically to resist and repel shuriken, daggers, and cats claws." she fingered another layer beneath the Kevlar, "Impact resistant gel-pads, for the random inanimate object of doom, especially duck shaped potty training toilets." she flipped her skirt up, exposing her behind, or would have if she wasn't wearing boxers, "Boxers to deny the letch his perversions." she pulled a pair of wire cutters connected to a slim steel cable from her pocket, "Wire cutters in case the psycho principal puts barb-wire on the fences again..."
Jean sweated, "Uh... okay... wow, just wow."
"It pays to be prepared!" the brown haired girl snapped harshly, pointing her finger down the hall. "Don't you see what's going on?"
The red-head glanced in that direction, frowning thoughtfully. "Uh... it's just Ranma..."
"THE WALKING EMBODIMENT OF CHAOS!" Taryn screeched, "Third rule of Bayville Survivors Guide; Never call him by his first name!"
"Okay..." Jean started backing up slowly, "... is crazy contagious? First Ororo and now Taryn?" she mumbled under her breath.
"Oh sure, mock me!" the brown haired girl huffed, "Don't deny it, I can see it in your eyes!" she pointed one finger at her, "But hear my words Jean Grey! Before the end of the year you'll be wishing you heeded my warnings! When the Great Enemy gets here they will feast on the unprepared, they will cull the weak and mindless like so much chaff! You. Have. Been. Warned!" she finished, turning around and racing down the hall.
Every single student within earshot just stopped and stared, Jean rubbed her forehead irritably. "Well... at least today can't get any stranger!"
-0-0-0-
Evan liked skating, he also liked... bending the rules. He skated down the halls, expertly zigging and zagging on his board to work around people. He was so good at it he could actually let his body run mechanically while his thoughts drifted to far more important issues; Like his dear, if slightly insane, aunt. Ororo had really taken that short step to the side obsessive compulsive, and for the life of him he couldn't understand what the hell was wrong. What had changed between yesterday and the day before? Well, aside from Ranma showing up... He frowned darkly at that. Was that prick doing something to his aunt? He swore he'd keep on eye on that gender-bender and find out the truth!
"WHOA MAN!" a whiny voice screamed as Evan rounded the corner, the sudden noise bringing him out of his thoughts as he bodily rammed into the Toad. Evan stumbled off his board, accidentally pushing the little guy to the ground as he fought to remain on his feet.
"Damn it Toad!" Evan snapped, kicking up his skate-board. "Watch where you're going!"
Toad grumbled, pushing himself up tiredly. "Yo man, you were the one skatin around in school! Don't be blaming the Toad for this!"
Evan idly noticed Ranma and Kitty showing up from down the hall, the former blinking before narrowing his eyes at the scene.
Evan grimaced, pushing off the morbid embarrassment at Toad of all people actually being right. "Eer... shut up!" He actually pushed the little guy back, for his pride if nothing else.
Toad just blinked, looking down at where Evan had pushed him, before looking back up. "Aw man, really? You really wanna do this?"
"Make sense idiot!" The skater snapped.
"Bah." The Toad fell into a stance, fists raised slightly, "Yo man, I don't wanna do this! Just walk away an we can forget this ever happened, cool?!"
Evan raised an eyebrow at that. Toad was actually standing up to him? He... well he was shocked, amused, and not the tiniest bit impressed the guy had a spine after all. "Uh..." he glanced behind Toad, frowning at Ranma. "... whatever. It's cool, sorry I ran into you like that."
Toad blinked, lowering his fists slightly, "What?"
"I said I was sorry." Evan grunted, turning around and walking away.
-0-0-0-
Ranma watched the scene curiously, grinning as Todd stood up for himself on his own this time. "That's how you do it, buddy." he whispered softly, moving away lest the lanky boy saw him.
Kitty frowned cutely, "Like, you really shouldn't teach Toad to fight."
"Eh?" Ranma glanced at the clingy girl. "Why's that?" Was he doing something wrong teaching the little guy to stand up for himself? He didn't think so, but far be it from him to assume he knew everything about the guy.
"Like, he's part of the Brotherhood." Kitty offered as if that would explain everything.
Ranma frowned thoughtfully at that. "Uh... what's the Brotherhood?"
The California girl blinked, eyes wide. "What... you mean, like, you don't know?!"
"Know what, Kitty?" the pigtailed boy glanced at her pointedly.
"Like, the Brotherhood are our..." Enemies? No, she didn't think she could ever call them that, not with Lance there. Eerm. "... rivals!"
"Rivals..." Ranma repeated, eyes narrowed slightly. "... you mean to say Xavier's group fights with them?"
"Well, kinda." Kitty grumbled, "Not, like, really a fight. We beat them all the time." Well, that had been true of late, Kitty mentally pointed out. Actually it had been pretty close in the beginning, but they had finally beat them through numbers alone.
"How many kids are in this Brotherhood?" She missed his calculating gaze.
"Well, there's Toad there, Pietro, Fred, and Lance of course." she shrugged slightly, "Mystique leads em, but we haven't seen hide nor hair of her since this big fiasco with Rogue and Kurt."
"Ah..." Ranma smirked suddenly, "... it's good to have rivals."
-0-0-0-
Kurt idly rubbed his forehead, sighing at the 'word' hidden beneath his image inducer. Really, all things considered Ranma could have punished him like any normal person, buzzing 'Pervert' into his head was taking things just a tad bit too far if you asked him. Heck, he'd take a month of double duty with Logan over what Ranma did.
"Hey Kurt." Scott spoke up from behind him.
Kurt blinked, "Uh, hey Scott."
"Just wanted to say thanks." the leader of the X-men grinned slightly, giving the boy a thumbs up. "For saving me from Ororo."
"Oh, no problem!" He grinned, before frowning slightly, "I wonder who got stuck with her, though."
Scott frowned thoughtfully, "Well... couldn't be us, or Kitty. Saw her out front twenty minutes ago."
"Evan? Rogue? Jean?" Kurt listed the potential victims, wincing a bit. "Oh man, I hope it wasn't Rogue."
Scott made a point of leaning around him to stare outside the nearby doors. "Clear skies, so I doubt it." Needless to say he wouldn't be surprised if Rogue just drained the woman to escape her clutches, even if it would cause freakish weather for a time.
"EVAN DANIELS!" they heard Principal Kelly scream from down the hall, "There will be no Skate-boarding in my halls!"
"So, Evan's here, we can rule out Rogue..." Kurt looked behind Scott, "Jean."
Scott frowned, glancing back. The red-head was there, walking on the opposite side of the hall towards them. He moved to intercept the girl, "Hey Jean..."
Jean just looked at him, her eyes a degree colder then ice. "Summers." her tone was neutral, but he couldn't miss the fact she had reverted to using his last name. Oh this just pointed to the very real possibility she was the one who got left behind, the mere thought of which made him wince internally. Still... he could be wrong, best to make sure.
"Uh..." Scott winced slightly, "... how did it go with Ororo?" He realized immediately that was the wrong thing to say to the girl.
"How did it go?" Jean repeated bitterly, "Fine. Absolutely fine." she half snapped, stepping around the boy and continuing on her way.
"Jean..." he called out after the girl.
"Leave me alone." she growled back, not even bothering to look at him as she ducked down an adjacent hall.
Kurt winced, "Oh man."
-0-0-0-
Ranma wondered about Kitty, while he was glad to have a friend in her he couldn't help but ponder how... clingy the girl was getting. Ah well, he was sure this had to be some custom Americans, or at least those Americans who lived wherever the girl had been raised, did to show their friendship. He glanced up and down the halls, eying the kids meandering about and heading off to lunch. His stomach rumbled a bit at the prospect of food, but he forcibly pushed the notion off.
This lunch break he had plans to enact.
Covertly making his way to the cafeteria, he managed to dodge Kitty on her way up the stairs, hiding behind some rather burly football players until she was out of sight. Couldn't let her catch him this time, he highly doubted she'd want to spend lunch with the people he was aiming to spend it with. He examined the throngs of kids, eyes moving too and fro as he looked for the kids in question.
There, a table near the middle, he spotted Todd. The lanky little guy sat with his big friend, but that was it. He deftly moved through the crowd, stepping up to the table and only hearing the tail end of whatever Todd was telling Fred.
"... and he apologized!" Toad grinned slightly, rubbing his hands together nervously.
Fred smiled slightly, "Good. Don't let those X-freaks put you down!"
"Hey Todd." Ranma said cheerfully, putting his hands on the little guys shoulders.
Toad froze with the contact, nervously turning his head back and up, "Uh... heh... Ranma, uh, sup?"
Fred frowned somewhat, but said nothing as he watched on.
"Just came by to say I'm proud of you." Ranma drew his hands back, sliding into a chair next to Toad. "For that Duncan creep, and for Evan this morning."
Toad winced, "Uh, you... uh... thanks?"
Ranma smiled lightly, "You did good."
"Yeah..." Fred grumbled, eying the pigtailed boy with a frown, "... what do you want?"
Toad blinked, linking between Fred and Ranma curiously, "Uh..."
"Just wanted to check up on my friend." the guy waved friends concern off, "And make sure he hasn't gotten any flak for yesterday."
"... Friend?" Fred said dumbly.
Toad felt something there he had only felt twice before in his short life: A subtle warmth in his chest at being called some ones friend. Only Fred and Lance considered him that before, and now Ranma...
-0-0-0-
"No way!" Risty frowned, "I won't do it, you can stop asking Rogue!"
"Ah come on Risty!" The Southern Belle whined slightly, "Jus fer an hour or so afta school! Please?"
Risty sighed, shaking her head tiredly. "I'm sorry Rogue, I can't."
"Why not?" Rogue grumped, perhaps a bit petulantly.
"Ranma." Risty said simply. "He's the Master here, he wouldn't want me training you privately, not with out clearing it with him first." Really, the last thing she was going to do was antagonize a kid who by all rights could kick the crap out of her and everyone she knew with one arm tied behind his back. "And why are you so interested in training?"
Rogue grumbled, turning her head away slightly. "Jus... want ta train?" she responded lamely.
"Uh huh." Risty grinned a bit, "And... what, show your handsome instructor how fast you're learning?" she raised an eyebrow at the slight blush spreading across Rogue's cheeks, "Oh... show him how good you are, and maybe get some... private..." she stressed the word. "... lessons from him? Hmm?"
"It ain't like that!" Rogue blushed despite her words.
Risty laughed lightly, shaking her head. Really, Rogue was just a bit out of her league with Ranma. She thought it rather cute the girl was willing to dive headlong into training to try and prove herself to the guy, but rather unrealistic if she was being honest with herself. If rumors were to be believed, the guy already had an army of girls back in Japan trying to do the exact same thing.
Rogue blinked, frowning curiously, "Hey... is that Ranma at the Brotherhood's table?"
"What?" Risty blinked, glancing towards them. She raised an eyebrow at that; Sure enough it was Ranma hanging with Toad and Fred. She didn't see Lance or Pietro immediately, but a quick scan of the nearby area let her catch sight of the Avalanche's trademark brown trench coat and a flash of Pietro's silver hair as they moved towards their table. "Huh... wonder what's going on?"
-0-0-0-
Lance eyed the boy warily. What the hell was he doing here? He threw Pietro a glance, the silver-haired kid frowning dangerously as he noticed the boy as well. He couldn't help but grimace, given Peitro's habit for flying off the handle this could end up bad, and even if the guy pissed him off with playing around with Kitty like he did he wasn't quite willing to let the guy get clobbered for it. "Be cool, speedy." he snapped darkly as they approached the table.
Pietro rolled his eyes, "Whatever."
"... show you some more moves." Ranma looked at Todd thoughtfully, "One trick is nice, but it usually only works once or twice before people adapt."
"Really?" Toad blinked, "Ya mean, you don't mind or anything?"
Fred snorted, "He said he'd do it, why the hell are you complaining?"
"Hey guys." Lance greeted neutrally, hands in his pockets as he slid into his seat.
"Who invited the gook?" Pietro sneered, taking a seat slightly removed from Ranma.
Toad grimaced, rubbing his hands together nervously, "Uh... you shut up!"
Lance raised an eyebrow at that; Toad standing up to Pietro? Would wonders never cease.
"Make me dip shit!" Silver-hair taunted.
"Take it easy, Todd." Ranma waved the little guys concern off. "I can handle this jerk."
"That so?" Pietro raised an eyebrow. There was a slight flicker of movement and a nasty crack as Ranma's head snapped back.
"What the hell Pietro?!" Lance roared, moving to deck the silver-haired bastard.
Ranma rolled his head back, smiling eerily, "That all you got, limp dick?"
Pietro raised an eyebrow, before flickering into action again. He winced then, the pigtailed bastard grabbing his speeding hand by the wrist, squeezing painfully. He tried to hit him with his free hand, but found his movements to be painfully slow... almost normal!
The pigtailed bastard idly knocked his slow punch to the side. "Not so tough with out your speed, eh?"
Toad boggled at the sight of it.
Fred blinked, "Hey... what gives Pietro? Finally run out of steam?"
Pietro winced, trying mightily to break Ranma's hold and utterly failing, "Shut... shut up! Do something you idiots! He's breaking my wrist!"
Lance frowned. While Pietro certainly deserved to be brought down a peg or two, he'd be damned to just stand around while some one other then him did it. "Let him go." he snapped dangerously, standing up and looming over the guy threateningly.
Ranma glanced up at him with a cocky grin, shrugging slightly. "Sure." he let go.
Pietro sighed in relief, holding his aching wrist protectively. "How the..." he quickly tested his speed, watching his fingers disappear in a blur, frowning thoughtfully. "... you took my powers away."
"Yep." Ranma shrugged, ignoring the stunned looks from Toad and Fred both.
Lance grimaced, sitting back down as a sudden wave of nervous apprehension bubbled to life in his gut. If he could take powers away... if he could take powers away then they were just normal, which wasn't something he liked. He loved his powers, loved being different, if some guy could just up and take their powers away... well... he felt very uncomfortable just being near the guy. "What do you want?"
Ranma smiled lightly, "Well, came to check on Todd here mainly, but since everyone is here..." he eyed them all curiously before continuing, "... not sure if you lot know this, but Xavier hired me to teach his kids how to fight."
Toad winced, "Oh man..."
Pietro frowned, "Yeah, and?"
"And..." Ranma chuckled, "... Well, I've already broken them same as I just broke you, speedy."
Lance frowned at that.
"You didn't break anything!" Pietro snarled. The fact he kept his distance, protecting his hurt wrist spoke volumes to the others.
"Yeah, sure I didn't." The pigtailed boy rolled his eyes at that, "Anyway, now that I've broken them I'm in charge of building them back up. And that's why I'm here."
Fred blinked, "Uh... okay?"
"What do we have to do with this crap?" Lance snapped, eying the boy dangerously.
"You are their rivals, aren't you?" The boy moved to clarify.
Lance wanted to roll his eyes at that. Rivals? That was a bit of a stretch, but... he guessed you could call their hate/hate relationship that. "I guess."
"Good!" Ranma grinned, "See, I can train them to fight. Throw punches, kicks, all that jazz, but the real learning comes from actually fighting people. Forces you to observe and adapt on the fly, which is what fighting is all about."
"Okay..." Toad spoke slowly, "Like, why are you telling us this?"
"Simply put, I need you to fight them." Ranma shrugged, "But not yet. If they've been beating the lot of you up for awhile now, just attacking them won't help anyone. What I'm saying here is I'd like to train you up so you can in turn train my kids, and vice-versa."
Lance blinked. "Wait wait... you want to teach us to beat up Xavier's kids?"
"That... uh..." Pietro grinned nastily, "... I like the idea."
Fred snorted, "You like anything that makes the X-freaks squirm!"
"I deny nothing!" the silver-haired guy shrugged.
Toad glanced around nervously, "Uh... I don't think Mystique..."
"We'll need to think about it." Lance finally said.
Ranma nodded, smiling as he stood up. "Cool. Let me know what your answer is... oh, one more thing." he looked at them all pointedly, "If any of you tell Xavier's group about this, consider my offer gone." He waved, moving off.
"Okay, that was... weird." Lance said after awhile.
Pietro shrugged slightly, "Whatever, I say if he wants to teach us to beat up the X-freaks, why the hell not?"
Fred shrugged, "I don't see why we should bother."
"Hey..." Toad meekly defended, "... the guy is good, kay? If he can teach some one like me to beat up some one like Duncan in less then an hour, just think what he could do if he put time into training all of us."
Lance sighed, shaking his head. "Whatever. We'll shoot it by Mystique, see if she gives a damn."
-0-0-0-
School ended on an all around good note, Ranma decided finally. He pitched his offer to the Brotherhood, watched Todd use some of that new confidence he earned by beating up Duncan, and all around he felt relaxed. Heck, he hadn't even had to deal with turning into a girl yet, which was a win no matter how you looked at it.
"Ohhh!" Kitty pouted, pinching his side gently. "How could you have lunch with out me? I looked everywhere for you!"
He blinked, eying the little girl latched to his arm. "Oh? You wanted to have lunch again?" he frowned thoughtfully, "I, uh, thought that was a one time thing."
"Well it wasn't!" she informed matter of factly.
"Okay, okay..." he sighed. "... I'm sorry. If I had known you still wanted to have lunch with me I would of made damn sure I was there."
Kitty smiled brightly, "Apology accepted." she said as the entered the Mansion. Her nose crinkled slightly at the rather oppressive smell of cinnamon about the place. "Ugh!"
Ranma chuckled lightly. "Looks like Ororo's still on her cinnamon roll kick." he started for the kitchen, blinking curiously as Kitty detached herself and moved far away. "Kitty?"
"Uh, sorry, but, like... Danger Room session. Can't be late... ah... bye!" she squeaked out, phasing through the floor.
"Okay." he just shook his head at that. Really, it was like the girl was afraid. He moved to the kitchen, glancing around curiously as he entered.
Ororo was there, humming lightly as she stirred something in a bowl. Xavier was near by, his face smeared in places with cinnamon and... was he wearing a bib? Ranma chuckled at that; Yeah, in a grotesque way the bald man looked like a giant baby being fed their meal.
Xavier's eyes flashed open then, slightly unfocused and hazy. "Guh... help... help me." he moaned in desperation.
Ranma raised an eyebrow at that. "Wow Ororo, you've... uh... been working real hard, haven't you?"
"Creating the perfect cinnamon roll requires patience, diligence, and fortitude." the Nubian woman said with a smile.
"I'll bet." Ranma grunted, "So... when did you want me?"
Ororo blinked, glancing at the boy curiously, "Whatever do you mean?"
"Didn't you say you'd be 'kidnapping' me for something Educational on Tuesdays and Thursdays?"
Eyes gleaming, Xavier grinned darkly. "Yes, yes she did. Ranma!" he stared at the boy pointedly, "Your lesson begins immediately. Now quick, unlock my chair so I can get the fu... uh, get down stairs for a Danger Room session."
Ororo frowned darkly, glaring at the bald man. "Are... you trying to leave? Before perfection!?"
Xavier sweated, mumbling incoherent apologies and crying pitifully at the same time.
Ranma pursed his lips thoughtfully. Part of him toyed with the idea of rabbiting, but another part of him just couldn't get Xaviers horror etched look out of his head. He sighed, shaking his head, "It's a switch up, Ororo." he said as he moved behind the crippled mans chair and started fiddling with the locks. "Boss here has work to do, but don't worry." he smiled lightly, "I'll take his place."
"Yes!" Xavier nodded frantically, "Ranma will take my place, so..." he felt his chair shift slightly as the locks disengaged, wasting no time in bolting from the kitchen lightning fast.
Ororo stared at him thoughtfully. "You... want to help me?" she sounded doubtful, but at the same time hopeful.
"Sure do." he said with a grin, stepping up to her and grabbing the bowl she'd been stirring. "Here, let me do this. You can start rolling the dough and sprinkling the cinnamon."
"Ah..." Ororo blushed lightly, nodding slowly. "Sure... thanks."
-0-0-0-
Jean sighed, tossing her bag to the side. Cheer leading practice had gone well enough, she guessed. She made a mental note to pull Taryn aside and speak with her; Her insistence on using pom-poms that some how contained sharp weaponry couldn't be allowed. She briefly thought of Duncan, wondering about her absent boyfriend; Was he sick? Or was he really hurt after Toad knocked him around yesterday? Hmmm.
"Hey Jean..." Scott tentatively stepped up to her, looking for all the world like a timid little puppy that just got kicked. "... we, uh, have a Danger Room session."
Jean nodded, "I'll be there, Summers." She pointedly walked around the boy, heading for the kitchen. She quickly found herself held in place, Scott grabbing her shoulder. "What?"
"Don't go in there." The boy grimaced, "Ororo's still on her cinnamon roll thing, unless you want to end up her guinea pig again."
The red-head grimaced. She most certainly did not want to end up under Storm's care again. She was about to turn around when a thought hit her. "Who's her current victim?"
Scott smiled slightly, pushing his glasses up as he responded rather nastily, "Ranma."
"I... see." Jean frowned, crossing her arms. She really, really didn't want to get stuck with Storm again, but at the same time she couldn't justify leaving him there. His words came back to her then, 'Don't you worry none. I won't leave you behind' and she knew she had made her decision. "I don't believe I'll make it to the Danger Room session after all."
Scott blinked, "What?"
"I'm going to be with Ranma." she said, turning on her heel and confidently striding into the kitchen.
-0-0-0-
Ranma busied himself forming the rolls, setting them spread out in exact measures on the pan. Truth be told, he had been dreading this 'special' time he was slated to have with the Nubian woman. Especially after yesterdays bit of crazy, and then this morning. Yet... well, he could think of doing worse things then helping the woman create the perfect cinnamon roll. Oh he could think of far better things to do, like sleeping, but if this was the extent of her educational lessons he figured he was getting off light.
Ororo hmmed, blowing on a fresh batch of rolls, steam rising off them lightly. "Ready to test this batch?"
Ranma idly noticed Jean stepping into the kitchen, a seriousness to her posture and eyes that gave him slight pause. Was she crazy?! Showing up here was just asking to be conscripted into the cause. Ah, well, whatever her reasons she'd had to deal with the consequences he guessed. He grabbed a roll, smelling it tentatively. "Smells good." he mumbled, before taking a bite. Slowly chewing, savoring the roll before he frowned slightly. "Next batch let's add a bit more butter."
"DAMN IT!" she picked up the pan, only to find him pushing it back down.
"Ororo." Ranma began seriously, "Perfection is about patience, right?"
The Nubian woman grimaced, "I know that."
"Then be patient." he grinned, picking up a roll and offering it to her. "Try a roll, see if you can figure out what's missing."
Jean raised an eyebrow at that. "Ah... hi?" she waved timidly, stepping up to the island counter
Ororo hmmed, nibbling the tiny pastry. She cracked a wide smile then, eagerly scarfing the little roll down.
The pigtailed boy threw the red-head a glance while Ororo was distracted, "Hey Jean."
"Can I... try one?" the girl asked softly, taking a seat.
"You want to help?" Ororo blinked, before smiling brightly. "Ooh! With two helpers we'll get this done twice as fast!"
Ranma eyed the red-head curiously, "Uh, you sure about this Jean? You could be stuck here for hours." He thought she had had enough of Storm's tender loving care this morning, yet here she was back for more? A glutton for punishment, he guessed.
Jean nodded with a tight smile, "I won't leave you two to figure this out on your own."
-0-0-0-
Xavier only idly paid attention to the kids in the Danger Room; Quite frankly he had far more important things on his mind, namely Ororo and what he was going to do about the woman. It was one thing to harass Logan, another thing entirely to make him wear a damn bib as she force fed him cinnamon rolls. He idly debated about melting her brain, just a good ole fashion wipe out to clear whatever insanity had plagued her, but such dark thoughts were quickly buried, nuked, and brushed under the rug. For now.
"This has to end." Logan intoned darkly. He wasn't paying the kids in the Danger Room any attention at all.
"Agreed." Professor X nearly snarled, looking at the man darkly, "Take care of her, Logan."
"When I'm done with her..." he chuckled darkly, claws popping out. "... she'll never force feed me another glass of lemonade ever again!"
"To hell with her lemonade!" The bald man snapped, slamming his fist against his arm rest, "Cinnamon rolls! They are the enemy!"
"You're such a baby." Logan snorted, ignoring the hell-fire daggers the man glared at him with that little quip. No, Xavier did not appreciate being linked to the picture of a baby because he had been forced to wear a bib!
"Just get it done." The Professor snapped!
-0-0-0-
Jean casually leaned against Ranma for a moment, dragging the boy out of his thoughts as the two waited for the latest batch to be done. Ororo had seemed pleased at first that the boy was helping her, but quickly found herself with little to do and thus insisted she resume the cooking all by her lonesome.
Ranma glanced at the girl, "Hm?"
"I... just want to apologize." Jean said softly, running her hand through her hair.
The pigtailed boy blinked. "Sorry? What for?" He seemed confused.
"For hating you." The girl said simply.
"You... hated me?" the boy frowned, "Why?"
"Well, you did kick me in the face." Jean drawled slightly, "And punched me out a second story window!"
The boy grunted. "Couldn't really take a chance with you." he admitted with some hesitance.
"Oh?" Jean frowned slightly, "Why do you say that?"
"Well..." the boy smiled slightly, turning his gaze back to the Nubian woman busy preparing yet another pan of cinnamon rolls. "... the others weren't any kind of danger to me. I knew after that first fight I was going to have to target you first, with out you the team just wouldn't work."
The red-head blinked at that, a demure blush coming to her cheeks. "Ah... I'm don't think..." she took a deep breath before continuing, "I don't think you're being fair to the others."
Ranma snorted, "Why so humble?"
"It's not a matter of being humble." Jean pointed out, "I'm just not as strong as you think." she leaned up on the counter, putting her head down as she crossed her arms. "Scott leads, he has the charisma and everyone's loyalty. He inspires them, pushes them to their limits... me? They think I'm a nuisance, or some goodie two shoes there to nag them." she grimaced slightly, "If it wasn't for Scott constantly siding with me, I'm pretty sure the others wouldn't even listen to me."
"What makes you think that?" Ranma frowned thoughtfully.
"I'm a telepath, Ranma." she said simply, "I try not to read their thoughts, but sometimes I can't avoid it. Evan, Kitty, Kurt, especially Rogue... they get really irritated with me. Scott... well..." she shrugged, "Him aside, yesterday just really hammered home the fact they don't like me much."
"Eh..." he shrugged slightly, "... sounds rough."
"It is." she closed her eyes, sighing tiredly.
"Maybe you shouldn't bother?" the boy said after a time.
"Bother with what, exactly?" Jean frowned, not opening her eyes.
"Bother giving a damn what the others think." Ranma said simply. "Why does it matter what they think anyway?"
She sighed, leaning back up. "It doesn't, but I'm too scared to stop."
Ranma raised an eyebrow at that one.
"It's..." she bit her lip thoughtfully, eying Ororo as she began sprinkling cinnamon over the prepared rolls. "... you build this illusion about the world in your head? You want to fit in with that illusion, but in order to do that you have to force yourself to act a certain way." she glanced at him, "I'm the popular girl, kind, selfless... maybe a little arrogant, but it's all a lie. I'm really just an idiot too stupid to change her ways, too cowardly to face the truth of it."
"Eh..." Ranma looked utterly confused, but he did ask, "... if, uh, you're a coward... why tell me this?"
"Because I barely know you." Jean pointed out simply, "And because you barely know me."
"And... so I won't care?" He raised an eyebrow at that thoughtfully.
"Exactly." Jean nodded, "If I told Scott this, he'd make assumptions. If I tried to talk to Evan, Kurt, or Kitty about it they'd run away. None of them like to face uncomfortable topics. Rogue... well..." she sighed, "... she's like me, really. The difference is she accepts the fact people look at her negatively, even if she yearns for the positive. I accept the fact I'm seen positively, even as I yearn for the truth."
"Okay." Ranma nodded, "Seems simple enough."
"Oh really?" the red-head drawled at that.
"Yep." he shrugged, "Just stop trying."
"It's not as simple as..."
Ranma cut her off with a piercing stare, "Sure it is. Aren't you guys all about getting the world to accept you for who you are, be damned your mutation?" he snorted, "Acceptance based on lies isn't acceptance. If you have to act just to keep friends, then they aren't your friends to begin with."
Jean frowned, "That's a bit idealistic, isn't it?"
"Doesn't negate the point." he shrugged, "I don't go around trying to be something I'm not. Either accept it, which is cool, or don't, then I don't care."
Jean mulled that over. Was it so simple? Just accept it or get out of my way? Truthfully it was a rather extreme way to consider the issue, but was that really so bad? "Does... that actually work for you though?"
"Sure." Ranma smiled slightly at that, "I've got plenty of friends. I've also got plenty of rivals, even an enemy or ten. Have to accept the good with the bad, but at least I don't worry about what most people think about me."
"I see." The red-head sighed, shaking her head tiredly. "I wouldn't even know where to start."
"Start with what pisses you off the most." Ranma shrugged, "Something that always upsets you when you run into it, then work your way from there." he hesitated a second, before gently squeezing the girls shoulder, "And hey, if it gets too hard, you can always come back and tell me about it."
"Thanks." Jean shook her head in amusement. "It's nice to know I can count on you to help demolish my life."
"What are friends for?" Ranma asked rather seriously.
Jean just laughed.
-0-0-0-
Logan glanced into the kitchen, frowning at the sight of it all.
Jean was smiling widely, idly leaning into Ranma as they talked about something. What, he didn't know, nor did he actually care. They were irrelevant, and thus he quickly ignored them. He spied his nemesis, the Nubian woman who had tortured him for hours yesterday with lemonade. She had her back turned toward him, busy making more rolls. He kept her in his sight even as he looked for his real target...
There, near the stove. A book with a white and green splattered cover, held open by a wooden spatula set in the middle. That damn little recipe book held hours of ruthless experimentation, it was the source of Storm's power and thus it had to be utterly annihilated. He tip-toed into the room, putting one finger to his lips as Jean and Ranma raised an eyebrow at him curiously. He wasn't concerned about them ratting him out, they had to be suffering as much now as he was yesterday under Storms supervision. He quietly reached for the book, inching closer and utilizing every ounce of skill in ninjutsu he possessed.
"Uh, Ororo. Logan's trying to steal your recipe book." Ranma ratted him out.
"Fool me once..." Ororo began, idly glaring at the boy.
"YOU TRAITOR!" Logan screamed, snatching the book and making a dive for the dining room.
-0-0-0-
Storm froze, whipping around with lightning dancing across her form. He dared... he dared to steal the culmination of all her sweat and tears?! She wouldn't stand for this, he would burn in righteous hellfire for this transgression! "FRY YOU THIEF!" she screamed as she lunged towards the man.
"Holy crap!" she heard Ranma shout, but paid him little mind as she neared the man. So close, she could taste the man's fear. So near, she could feel his rapidly beating heart. She reached out, ready to pump the thief with lightning until he learned she was not to be crossed!
Ranma suddenly grabbed her from behind, one arm wrapped tightly around her waist as he lifted her up slightly. The fool would dare help the thief?! He would burn too, then. He would die, they would all pay for their betrayal!
That was when he touched her, pressing one hand to her cheek. All at once... glorious, glorious release. The pain she had felt for the last two days utterly vanished, that same pain that had robbed her of the ability to sleep, that pain she could only ignore if she obsessively focused on something ridiculous like lemonade or cinnamon rolls. It was a release, a beautiful, glorious release of such pleasure she could only describe as...
Perfection.
-0-0-0-
Ranma blinked, the white-haired woman gasping, moaning, and convulsing almost as soon as he touched her. "What the hell?!"
Jean boggled, tapping her power as she scanned the woman. She quickly, ruthlessly cut her power off, blushing madly as she stared at the woman with wide eyes. "I... oh my god!"
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Logan snarled, glaring at the woman angrily.
Ororo's eyes were fluttering rapidly, the creepiest smile anyone had ever seen spread across her features. She convulsed for a good twenty seconds before finally stilling, unconscious at last.
The pigtailed boy glanced at Jean, "Uh... seeing as your all red in the face... uh... do I even want to know?"
"No, no you do not!" Jean stepped up to the unconscious woman, pressing one hand against he forehead. "We need to get her down to Hank." she glanced to Logan, frowning "Tell Xavier, I think she's really sick."
Logan grunted, running off.
"Well..." Ranma sighed, lifting the woman up bridal style. "... at least we're done with cinnamon rolls."
-0-0-0-
Hank raised one of her eyelids, flashing a light across her eye with a frown. "Medically, I can't find anything wrong. Perhaps exhaustion, but no cause for it." the blue ape glanced at the Professor, "Quite frankly I don't know what's causing her to act like this."
Xavier nodded slowly, "I've scanned her recent memories... she's been experiencing... I'm not sure how to describe it exactly." he frowned a bit, "Ants... like ants crawling over every inch of her body. She found relief by focusing all her thoughts and energy towards a goal... this feeling also made it impossible for her to sleep."
Jean frowned, idly running a cloth across Storms forehead, "Why didn't she tell someone?"
"She thought it would go away at first." Xavier hmmed, "It was a slow thing, she wasn't truly aware of it until she had already focused on creating the perfect lemonade."
"Huh." Ranma frowned, rubbing the back of his head thoughtfully, "Kinda like a poison then? She wasn't aware it was anything to worry about when BAM!" he clapped his hands together, "It was too late to do anything but endure it."
"I suppose." Xavier frowned. "I've viewed her memories of yesterday, the pain and focus was constant except for a brief window." he glanced at Jean, "When you said 'Too much sugar' she tossed the tray, and while she was walking out she... uh... felt immense relief."
Jean blinked, "Okay..."
"What does her throwing lemonade around have to do with her problem though?" Logan grimaced, "She was tossing enough lemonade around in the kitchen, and didn't look none too relieved then."
"I wonder..." Xavier tapped his chin thoughtfully, "What was different from that time to this time? What happened after she threw the lemonade?"
Jean looked at Ranma thoughtfully, "The... well, that was when your curse was activated."
Xavier and Logan blinked, turning their gaze to the boy.
"What?" Ranma nervously defended, "I don't see how my curse has anything to do with this!"
"Wait..." Jean frowned, "... if she was finally able to pass out after Ranma touched her, cancelling her mutation... wouldn't that mean her mutation is involved? If so, I don't think Ranma changing genders is going to effect that. I mean, why would it?"
Logan frowned, "So we're thinkin her mutation is some how at fault?"
"It makes sense." Jean pointed out, still frowning.
"Eh..." The pigtailed boy frowned thoughtfully, "... y'know, I never asked. But what is Ororo's mutation anyway? I know she can generate lightning and stuff, but is that it?"
Xavier shook his head tiredly, "No. She's a Weather Witch, Ranma. She's harmonized with nature, enough so that she can summon or banish storms, create tornadoes or even hurricanes."
"So..." he nervously tugged on his collar, "Uh... she could stop, say, random rainfall from appearing for no damn reason?"
"I would imagine there would be a reason for something like that." Xavier drawled, but nodded none the less. "But I suppose she could."
Ranma nodded, "Ah..." he glanced at the woman thoughtfully. His eyes suddenly glowed blue, gazing up and down the length of the woman before looking down at his own aura. While still looking at his aura, he reached out and touched the unconscious Ororo. "... well, ain't this some crap." he grimaced.
"You found something?" Jean raised an eyebrow at the whole glowing eyes bit.
Ranma let go of the woman, then touched her again, and repeated that process several times before nodding. "Uh... it looks like my aura is attacking her."
Xavier blinked, "What?"
"Every time I remove my hand it's like the outer edge of my aura starts lashing out. At what, I dunno, it vanishes a inch or two from my body." Ranma explained slowly, "When I touch her, it, uh, returns to normal." he frowned, touching Logan, then Xavier, then back to Storm to verify. "My aura stays the same when I touch you two, and if I look hard enough I can see these wavy indentions at the edge of her aura that vanishes once I touch her."
"Why the devil would it do that?" Hank piped in, staring at the boy curiously.
Ranma sighed, "Never knew if it was a fact or not, mind ya, but we kinda always assumed Jusenkyo curses had a... water magnet portion to it." he glanced at Xavier pointedly, "The kind of Water Magnet portion that makes rain spontaneously fall even on a clear day."
"Are... are you saying..." Jean breathed incredulously
"Yep!" Ranma winced slightly, "At least this time... it's all my fault." Where ever he was, he hoped Ryoga was laughing his ass off.
-0-0-0-
TBC
Note on Foreshadowing: Generally, the more 'specific' it is, the less you should absolutely trust it. It is only 'specifically' true from a certain perspective, but lacks explanations as to why it's seen that way.
Note on Dialogue: Dialogue is a funny thing; It's based entirely on the perception of the person speaking it. Just because so and so says this, even if from his perspective he believes it's true, doesn't make it so.
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