Logan shot the approaching horde of Jamies a practised glare that stopped them dead in their tracks. “Pull yourselves together, kid, before you overwhelm Ranma here.”
Skidding to halt, the multiple copies of the young boy giggled nervously. “Sorry, Logan,” they chorused as one. Then, closing their eyes in concentration, they slowly faded away one by one, until only one Jamie Madrox was left.
“Woah,” Ranma breathed, “that's a neat trick, how'd ya do that?”
Jamie sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. “I don't know, I just do. It's my mutant power.”
Nightcrawler chose that moment to pop in and greet his half-brother, startling Jamie, and causing him to split up into six clones. “And I still can't really control it,” the young boy said.
“Hey zere!” Kurt greeted Ranma, not even glancing at the young boy who had just multiplied himself. It happened often enough that nobody except Ranma paid it any attention anymore. “Is it true? Are you really Mystique's son?”
“Uhm, yeah, I guess so,” Ranma answered, looking the other mutant over carefully. From what Ranma could see, he was covered completely in dark blue fur and had only three fingers on each hand, as well as a pointed tail waving behind him, which most people certainly would find more than a little creepy, unless they had encountered all kinds of mystical creatures, like Ranma had. Besides, the fact that Ranma himself now looked somewhat like a deflated, human-shaped, pink balloon also contributed to the fact that he wasn't really put off by Nightcrawler's appearance.
“Zat is so cool! Come and give your new brozer a hug!” The fuzzy elf crowed as he approached the pigtailed mutant with his arms spread widely in preparation for a hug.
Ranma leaned back, grimacing slightly. “Ah, I'm not really sure that's a good idea...”
“Nonsense!” Nightcrawler exclaimed, then closed the distance between himself and his brother with a sudden burst of speed, enveloping Ranma in an enthusiastic hug. “We're brozers, it's okay for brozers to hug each oze- Hey!” The blue-furred mutant let go of his victim as Ranma suddenly started to shrink and shift.
“Yeah, that's why I said it wouldn't be such a good idea for you to hug me...” Logan's son said with Nightcrawler's voice, visibly uncomfortable with his situation. After several seconds, Kurt's words finally registered in Ranma's head. “Wait, did you just say you're my brother?”
“Ye- yes,” Kurt answered hesitantly. Seeing the look on his copy's face, and taking it for anger, it dawned on him that Ranma might not have the best of opinions about him and Rogue, considering how they had treated Mystique. The professor had told them that Ranma actually liked the woman, maybe even loved her, which was only natural - she was his mother, after all. Therefore, their newest resident could very well be holding a grudge against them.
“Cool! I've always wanted a sibling!” Ranma exclaimed, his features brightening into a delighted smile, putting Kurt's fears to rest.
“Didn't Mystique tell you about her other children?” A new voice interrupted.
Ranma looked over Kurt's left shoulder, seeing a bald man approaching in a wheelchair, accompanied by a dark-skinned woman with platinum blonde hair and a big, blue-furred man who closely resembled a primate in appearance. “Uh, yeah, she did. I guess I didn't really realise what it meant until I met, uhm...”
“Kurt, but you can call me 'Nightcrawler', or 'bro', if you prefer!” Kurt supplied helpfully.
“Yeah, until I met Kurt here.” Ranma finished, one hand scratching the back of his head nervously.
Professor X chuckled good-naturedly. “I guess the last several hours were a little overwhelming for you.”
Ranma just shrugged and smiled confidently. “Nah, nothing I couldn't handle.”
Xavier, thanks to his telepathic abilities, picked up on Ranma's uneasiness despite the front of false bravado the teenager put up, but didn't comment on it. “I'm Professor Charles E. Xavier, head of this institute. This are Ororo Monroe, also known as Storm,” he said, indicating his female companion.
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Ranma,” The dark skinned woman greeted Logan's son politely.
“And Henry McCoy, also known as Beast.” The professor introduced the ape-like man accompanying him.
“Hey there, youngster,” Beast smiled at Ranma.
“Together with me and your father, they act as teachers of my school for gifted youngsters, helping young mutants to better understand and control their powers.” He smiled kindly at Logan's son, then continued, “I see you've already met Jamie Madrox and Kurt Wagner, so why don't we also introduce you to your adopted sister? Rogue, would you come here and greet our newest student?” He called out.
Rogue cursed lightly under her breath as she approached her latest sibling uneasily. She and Kurt had talked to Professor X after his initial announcement to gain some more information on their supposed brother and had found out that he was still on friendly with Mystique, which made it hard for her to have a positive opinion about him.
“Hi, Ah'm Rogue. Nahs ta meet'cha,” she said without much enthusiasm.
Ranma had picked up on Rogue's uneasiness and general negative attitude towards him and tried to smile at his adopted sister, but managed only a grimace. “Likewise. I'm Ranma.”
They stood around awkwardly, neither saying anything nor really looking at the other, until Rogue finally broke the silence. “Ah've still got some homework to do. Ah'll see y'all later.”
Ranma watched his adopted sister walk away, trying to keep the disappointment he felt from showing on his face and not really succeeding. “What's with her?” he asked once Rogue had disappeared up the stairs and around a corner.
“Don't sweat it, bro!” Nightcrawler said, slapping Ranma on his back. “Rogue's a little difficult at times. I'm sure she'll come around!”
“Yeah, it's nothing personal against you, kid,” Logan reassured his son. “She's had a rough life and she doesn't have the highest of opinions about Mystique.”
“Indeed,” Xavier added, “I'm afraid Rogue's relationship with Mystique is rather complicated and not very positive. But I'm also sure that, in time, she'll come to accept and like you for who you are, no matter who your mother is.” Turning towards Kurt, he said, “Why don't you show your brother around, Kurt?”
“Sure thing, prof!” The fuzzy mutant replied cheerily. “Come on, bro, follow me!”
Ranma shrugged. “All right, lead the way.”
The teachers of E. Xavier's institute for gifted youngsters watched the two brothers disappear, hearing Kurt talk about how happy he was about having a brother and telling Ranma that he could share his room.
“Are you quite sure about this Ranma's character?” Beast once more voiced his fears about what Ranma could do with his power should he prove himself to be of questionable morals, once the two youngsters were out of earshot.
Xavier steepled his hands in front of his face, his elbows resting on the armrests of his wheelchair. “Yes, I'm quite sure Ranma won't disappoint us.”
-Snikt!-
“Listen to Chuck, bub,” Logan growled, raising his extended claws threateningly, “That's my kid, too, so ya better watch what yer sayin' 'bout him!”
Beast waved his hands placatingly and smiled apologetically at Logan.
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(Posted Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:24)
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