Uncanny X-Men (Marvel Omega)

Into The Light, Part II

The Xavier Institute

Some days it just does not pay to get out of bed in the morning.

Take this day for instance. Sure, it seemed good enough to begin with. There was gonna be an announcement about the new campaign for mutant civil rights. All of us here at the Xavier Institute were pretty psyched about that.

Then, Cassandra Nova Xavier, some bald old lady who claims to be the sister of Professor X (who's dead or missing or something – don't ask me what, I just got here myself) revealed to the world that she's Professor X. Personally, I don't really buy it, but stranger things have been known to happen. That's a story for another time, though.

Like, right after she announces this, on national TV, Cyke's psycho-bitch of an ex-wife, Madelyne Pryor and her semi-son Nate Grey (and trust me, that's one family tree I don't even wanna try to explain) show up to tear the school apart.

By the way, I'm Jubilation Lee. But everyone here just calls me Jubilee. Sort of like my codename-slash-nickname. I just came back here after spending time at another branch of the school (again, story for another time).

Pretty much everyone around the mansion has either been taken out, or is working on getting the students to safety. That means our only line of defense is composed of Ever, Colossus, Deathbird, and yours truly. Two ex-villains, one hero-turned-villain-turned hero, and me. Yeah, it's a fun match-up.

Ever's splitting his time between using his telepathy to block out Maddie and Nate so they don't take over our minds or something, shielding us with telekinesis, and trying to contact Jean. For an ex-Morlock, the guy's actually pretty powerful. But when your body's like, a big percentage of brain matter, I guess you're kind of expected to be pretty big in the ol' ESP department.

Colossus and Deathbird are pretty much taking up the front line. Deathbird's an egotistical bitch to begin with, and also a little psychotic. So she doesn't really take kindly to Maddie Pryor stealing her thunder. She already got put down once by her, and now she wants revenge.

Colossus is doing his best to try and pummel Nate, but it's not really doing much damage. Nate's left eye just keeps glowing, and Colossus' fists keep stopping short of striking Nate's body. Nate actually seems to think it's funny, 'cause all he's doing is standing there with his arms folded and giggling like a smitten little schoolgirl whenever Colossus' punches fall short of their goal.

As for me, my powers are distance-based, so I'm letting loose with all the fireworks I can muster. Deathbird's probably dense enough to believe she's actually a threat to Maddie. Colossus and I know better, though. We know there's not much we can do to stop these two crazies, but at least we can hold them back for a bit. At least until back-up gets here. But right now, we need some of the heavy hitters like Jean or Storm or Wolvie.

I glance over to Ever, and I see his eyes shift slightly. He notices my glance, and connects me into his little psychic conversation. Seems like he's finally gotten in touch with someone.

{Jean?} he asks.

{No, Cassandra.}

Just great. There's something I never really liked about that wrinkly old chick. And after today, I like her even less.

{We're on our way back to the mansion right now,} says Cassandra through the psi-link. {Just try and hold them off until we get there.}

{We're doing the best we can,} says Ever. {Right now, our forces are pretty thin. Most of the team has either been neutralized, is off on a mission, or is working on leading the students to safety.}

{I hope you don't know the location of where the students are being taken.}

{Think we're stupid, Cassie?} my thoughts ring out. I know Ever didn't expect me to speak up, and he gives me a look that says, "Thanks a load, Jubes." But I just can't stand this self-righteous bitch who treats us like a bunch of amateurs. Hell, I've been involved in this game longer than she has, and I'm only nineteen.