L.A. Presents: Spider-Man Episode 8: Enter The X-Men (Part I)

Darnell and Aquia thunder pass Rachel’s Mercedes Benz on the highway. Aquia throws up her arms and begins yelling in pure excitement. Darnell-How did you go from being nearly scared to death of going fast in New York City to a bike riding wild woman in Westchester? Aquia laughs and begs Darnell to go faster. He grins a little and throttles up the bike even faster. They approach a small gas station and make a stop to pick up some refreshments. Rachel exit’s the car and enters the store. Inside there are a few men in the back and a cashier clerk in the front of the store. Darnell and Aquia enter the store when the men in the back grow incredibly silent. Darnell-What do you want to drink, Aquia? Aquia-I think a small can of strawberry soda will do. Darnell grabs the soda from the cooler when the men begin pacing towards the front of the store. Rachel gives Darnell a suspicious look and he nods his head. The men make their direction towards Aquia and then stop. Man1-You know, mutants are not allowed here in this store. Cashier-Look guys don’t make any trouble. She can shop here as long as she has money. Man2-Shut up mutie lover! We know how to handle mutants here… Darnell begins walking towards them when Rachel motions him to stop. She winks her eye at him and she advances towards the men. Aquia-Well, if you are going to “handle” me…you might as well handle her too. The men turn around to see Rachel surrounded in a blue aura. A few minutes later, Darnell and Aquia walk out of the store with some sodas. Josh notices Rachel walks out of the store grinning as she approaches the car. Josh-What happened? Rachel-Oh nothing, just some friendly guys paying for our sodas. Josh’s eyebrows arch up and then he shrugs his shoulder. They drive away in the Mercedes and Darnell speeds off right behind them. As they enter the highway, the men are hurled out of the store doors by means of a telekinetic blue aura. They continue making their way up the street until Rachel notices the address number. She continues driving until she observes a huge gate entrance that has a speaking panel on the side. She drives up to the panel and presses the button. Rachel-Hello, this is Rachel Williams and Joshua Beck. Charles-Ah, Mr. Beck and Ms. Williams. We have been expecting you. Please enter… The gate to the entrance opens and Rachel drives through with Darnell following right behind her. Darnell looks at the very long driveway and the vast green field that engulfs the area. He concentrates back forward to notice the huge mansion before him. Aquia-That is a school? Darnell-Damn, looks more like a mansion to me! They continue driving as they come upon the front doors of the mansion. Rachel and Josh get out of the car and Darnell and Aquia take off their helmets and dismount the motorcycle. They look around the monstrous exterior of the mansion in bewilderment when the front door opens. They all turn their attention towards the door when an older, bald man in a very sophisticated hovering chair exit’s the door. He continues his pace until he reaches the front steps. Charles-Welcome to my school for the gifted. I am Professor Charles Xavier. Please, come in. They give each other an unfamiliar stare as they enter the mansion. They notice the Professor going into a very well decorated room and then he stops. They follow him into what seems to be a den and stop. Charles-Please, have a seat. Rachel, Josh, Darnell and Aquia sit down on a couch in front of him. Charles-Rachel and Josh, I have been monitoring your work for quite some time now. You two have come up with some very fascinating ideals. Rachel-Thank you Professor, and thank you for inviting all of us here. Meet my friends… Charles-Darnell Thomas and Aquia Bloom. Yes, I know them. Darnell and Aquia eyes bulk as he makes his statement. Charles-Or should I say, Spider-Man? Don’t be alarmed, I am “gifted” as well. Telepathy, and not to mention the fact that I have monitored all of your mutant signals from here. Aquia-Wow. Darnell-Wow is an understatement. You yourself are a mutant and have a school for mutants. As well as being as powerful as Rachel…. Rachel-No, he is MORE powerful than me. Charles-Yes, but I sense your true potential and with some time…you could even rival me. Josh-Okay, now how did you pick up our mutant bio-signatures? Charles-In time, but I would like to talk about the matter in hand. I would like you two to become teachers here at my school. Though you are both very still young, I feel as if you can provide a great aid here. And I would also like to invite both Aquia and Darnell to stay here and for all of you to become…X-Men. Josh-No way, are you telling me that THIS is the base of operations for those mutant terrorists? Charles-*chuckles* No my dear boy, we are not terrorist. We are a mutant kind that wish for peace and coexistence with humans. We also help mutants home and control their mutant abilities. Darnell-I remember a story about a mutant band that destroyed the Mutant Registration Office. They wanted all mutants that were unknown to come forward and reveal themselves. Charles-Yes Darnell, had we not successfully carried out that particular mission…there would not be any idea of how many mutant casualties would have suffered at the hands of the government. Rachel-So you are not terrorists, more a mutant task force. Charles-Sort of speak, but for the benefit of mutant and humankind. There are those who don’t wish to see my vision and they will cause harm for the world. I plan on meeting such head on and making my stand. Darnell-You know Professor X, I admire that playa. Taking on everything against the odds to achieve your goal. Rachel-Yes and you must understand Professor, all of this is a lot to take in right now and… Charles-No need to explain, take the entire weekend to make a decision. This is a very serious choice and I will help in anyway to make you feel comfortable. All-Thank you, Professor. A voice suddenly speaks in the room but is nowhere to be seen. Henry-And now that introduction to Xavier 101 has been delegated. How about a tour? Darnell looks up to see a blue-furred bestial mutant hanging upside down by his large feet. He unclenches his feet and drops in front of them. Henry-Salutations, I am Dr. Henry McCoy. Also known as Beast. Aquia-Big blue hands and big blue feet. *giggles* Henry-I am much more than that, I also have a big brain. Darnell laughs when more mutants enter the room. Charles-Ah, I think a tour is in order. Rachel, there is something I would like to show you. Josh, I think Beast would like to see what advances you have made in science. Aquia, Jubilee will take you on a tour of the mansion and to meet the students. And if I am correct, I think Darnell would like to see our training facilities so Bobby escort him to the Danger Room. Darnell-I gotta remember that you are psychic, Professor. The group laughs as all of them are escorted to different areas of the mansion. Rachel follows Professor Xavier as they enter an elevator. Rachel-That chair is unlike anything I have seen. Charles-Yes, Beast or Mr. McCoy is a very unique scientist. I can control this chair with my mutant abilities. Rachel-That is very impressive, but I think if he just wires the conduits into the main power source…it will be even 99.9% efficient. Charles-And I thought I was smart. They both laugh as the elevator stops and the door opens. Rachel is surprised to see a very technological equipped room with what seems to be a helmet. She steps outside of the elevator and observes the room. Rachel-Now this is impressive! And what is that? Charles-That is Cerebro. It magnifies my powers beyond its limits. I can find any mutant or human in the world with this device. Rachel-And is how you picked up Darnell’s, Josh’s, Aquia’s and my mutant bio signatures. Charles-Indeed, I would like you to try to use it…with the right training for it of course. In another part of the mansion, Husk skips down the hall and pokes her head into Shadowcat’s room. Paige-Heya Kitty and Rahne… Kitty-What is up with the “howdy” salutation, Paige? Rahne-Yeah, I smell something fishy. Paige-You gals should really relax. Remember the Spider-Man we have been following up on the news lately in New York City? Kitty-Yeah, Wolfsbane can’t seem to shut up about him. Rahne-Hey! Kitty-Well you know it is true. I thought the Professor was saying he might even try to invite him here. Paige grins. Paige-Well what if I said he was with Iceman and was going to the Danger Room for some special action? Both Rahne and Kitty leap of their beds and grab Paige excitedly. Kitty and Rahne-Tell us you are not joking! He is here! Paige-Yep and some more people are down there to see him in action. Kitty and Rahne both rush to their closet to find make up and their uniforms. Paige skips gingerly out of the room and grins from ear to ear. Meanwhile, Darnell is in the Danger Room while Iceman, Rogue, Gambit, and Nightcrawler are above in the control room. Bobby-You ready Darnell? Darnell-Damn skippy playa! Kurt-He has a lot of confidence. Rogue-And sort of cute too. Gambit-Mon ami, Gambit is cuter. Bobby-All right Spidey, going to give you a New York City theme. Iceman activates the panel and the Danger Room illuminates and suddenly gives a New York City background. Kurt-What level are you setting it for, Bobby? Iceman grins and turns the digital dial to 18. Gambit-Oh yeah, Spider is going to get squashed. Rogue-Hush your mouth, swamp rat. Darnell runs and jumps off the top of the building. He activates the DV to give him his uniform and begins to mildly swing through the simulated city. Kurt-What, he has some kind of device that stores his uniform? Bobby-Impressive. Spider-Man releases from the web line and clings to the side of a building. Spider-Man-Wow, now this is really impressive! Feels so real. Suddenly, Spider-Man’s spider sense blares and he leaps from the building as a heavy laser blast tries to blind-side him. He shoots a web line to swing and notices 6 armored mechs on pursuit towards him. Spider-Man-I guess they are really wanting to see me in action. I’d better not disappoint them. Spider-Man makes a sharp web swing around the corner of a building and adheres to it. He quickly crawls up the building and turns around and looks down. The mechs come around the corner and Spider-Man leaps from the building and lands on top of one of the mechs. He wraps his arms around the head of the Mech and snatches it off. The headless Mech manages to grab Spider-Man and tosses him off. All six of the Mechs then unravel their lasers unleash a concussive barrage of blasts at Spider-Man as he continues falling down through the air. Spider-Man shoots two opposite web lines and swings backwards while dodging the massive blasts. Spider-Man-Okay, I think I need a new game plan… Spider-Man observes the Mechs as he continues dodging the laser blast in mid air. He notices some cables on the underarms of the mechs. Bobby-He isn’t attacking, he is just avoiding their fire. Gambit-Maybe Spider figure if he cant beat em, he could just run until they run out of batteries, no? Rogue pops Gambit upside the head when Wolfsbane and Shadowcat enter the Control Room in their uniforms and a lot of make up on their faces. Kitty-Is he here! Kurt-Umm, who would that be? Rahne-Spider-Man, is he here!? Bobby-He is down there right now.. Wolfsbane and Shadowcat rush to the glass to see Spider-Man in battle with the Mechs. Kitty-Oh wow, he is even more thrilling in person! Bobby-Would you two tell me why you have enough make up on your faces to make even a blind man wear sunglasses? Rogue-Ain’t it obvious? These gals done got them a fever of a spider bite. Not too far down the hall from the Danger Room, Josh and Beast are having a conversation about the D.V. in his laboratory. Hank-Fascinating, laser scanning the host to fit the clothing in a way and the tiny nanotechological bugs to work as a cohesive unit to make the simplest cloth. Josh-In a nutshell, yes. I am working on a new type of D.V. just for Darnell though. One to provide his Spider-Man uniform protection from extreme temperatures of heat and cold. The D.V. units also provide regeneration, all the host has to do it activate the D.V. and wuala! Instant repair! Hank-Most impressive, our uniforms also provide protection from extreme heat and cold. I make a remarkable breakthrough in protective wear. I am anxious to see more of your work. Josh-Well I didn’t want to boast, but we do have some work in our car. Beast grins as both of them walk out of the lab. Almost nearing the outside pool, Aquia and Jubilee continue making their way through the mansion. Aquia-You guys should have some kind of transit for this huge place! Jubilee-Well, most of the time I just get Kurt to teleport me here in there. Aquia-Cool, this place sounds so great. Jubilee-It is, we are all mutants and we all have a blast…sometimes that is. As they walk out of the door, there are only a few mutants by the pool. Piotr is somewhat captured by Aquia’s blue eyes and makes an advance towards them. Jubilee-Some of the teachers and students are away on the west coast. Aquia-Certainly not that hunk… Jubilee-Ohhhhh, hehe! Piotr-Hello, I am Piotr Rasputin or you can call me Colossus. Aquia blushes as more students walk up. Jubilee-The hunky brit with the bandage over his mouth is Jonothon, and the cutey right there is Sam. Aquia-Oh wow, so many hotties. Meanwhile back at the Danger Room, Spider-Man enters the Control Room with his uniform battered and scarred from battling the Training Mechs. Darnell-Man, that kick ass. I could do that all day long. Kitty and Rahne smile like two schoolgirls as Darnell presses forward. Kitty and Rahne-Hey, nice to meet you. Darnell-Oh, was sup. My name is…. Kitty and Rahne-Spider-Man! Darnell-Um, yeah but my real name is Darnell. Kitty and Rahne just keep smiling as Gambit begins talking. Gambit-That was pretty good mon ami, but nothing is like the real thing. Darnell-Playa, I can handle anything. Rogue-I bet you can, sugar. Kurt-Well I am getting hungry. Who is up for some chow? Darnell-Oh hell yeah, I could definitely go for some chow. Kurt teleports near Darnell and then places his hand on his shoulder as they teleport out of the Control Room. Darnell gives a slight wave and a wink before the teleportation and Kitty and Rahne blush excessively. Rahne-Come on, we got to get to the kitchen now! They both bolt out of the control room when Rogue and Iceman burst into laughter. Gambit-Those girls gonna have a hard time with make up if they keep blushing like that. In the kitchen, Kurt decides to order some pizza on the phone. Darnell has a seat at the table when Kurt hangs up the phone and sits down next to him. Kurt-I am curious to know, why do you choose to be….this. Darnell-You mean the entire hero or vigilante deal? Kurt-Yes. Darnell-Funny thing is, a certain dream I had. Someone very special to me came to me in a dream and told me I would know what to do. Who I really admire are you guys though, fighting for a purpose and a world of people that fear and hate you. Kurt-It seems endless, but we manage to do what is right. As for myself, I have faith. Darnell-Faith, eh? Giving your demonicly blue appearance and your tail, I hope your faith is damn near invulnerable. Kurt-Without faith my friend, one can be an endless cause. Just then, Paige enters the kitchen. Kurt-Paige, this is Darnell. But most publicly name Spider-Man. Paige-Nice to meet you and I take it your “fan” committee was happy to see you? Darnell -Hahahaha! Oh, you mean the two store mannequins that were dressed up in make up faces and X-Men uniforms. Outside, the group eagerly inquires information about Darnell from Aquia. Sam-Wow, that sounds cool! Aquia-Yep, he is good. Jonothon-If you don’t mind me asking, what are your powers? Aquia-Truthfully, I don’t use my powers much. I have various abilities. Piotr-Enlighten us. Aquia grins a little and turns toward the pool. Suddenly the water in the pool begins twirling quickly. While twirling, the water begins elevating upwards in a spike until it is about 35 feet into the air. Aquia-Water controlling amongst some more things. Piotr-Impressive…very impressive. About thirty minutes later, Kurt teleports outside near the pool with some pizza. Kurt-All right everyone, chow time! Beast and Josh also arrive outside with Rogue, Gambit, and Iceman. Rachel and Professor Xavier also come outside for everyone to get better acquainted. Later that night, Darnell walks outside of the mansion and sits down on the front steps. He gazes upward at the stars and the brightly shining moan as he takes in a deep sigh. The front door opens when and Rachel walks outside and sits down next to Darnell. Rachel-Was sup homey? Darnell-Heh heh heh, you haven’t called me that in a long time. Rachel-Old habits die-hard. Darnell-Yeah, I guess that is true. How are you liking all of…you know this? Rachel-It feels so much like…like… Darnell-Home? Rachel-Yes, being here with other mutants and not having to hide who I really am. Heh, Josh and Dr. McCoy are still down in the mansion’s lower level talking science. What a pair of nerds. Darnell laughs. Rachel-Aquia seems to be fitting in here as well and I think she has some feelings for that Colossus guy. Darnell-Um, yeah. Rachel-Okay, now I am sensing some strong feelings in you D. You…you are not staying here are you? Darnell-*sighs* I really don’t want to talk about this now. Rachel-Hey, this is me you are talking to. We can… Darnell-I said I don’t want to talk about it right now. I am going to split, Gambit was telling me about a bar not too far from here and I need something to drink. Rachel-You go and do that, you need some time. Rachel slowly gets up and walks back into the mansion. Darnell gets up and walks around to the garage. He cranks up his motorcycle and jets out of the garage. He screeches onto up the long driveway and sharply turns out of the outside gates and heads speedily up the street. Shortly, another motorcycle gears up behinds him and then speeds up alongside him. Logan-Follow me. Darnell gives him a cautious look as he pulls ahead of him. Darnell-Ah hell, what do I have to lose? Darnell follows steadily behind him. A few minutes later, they both enter a bar that has huge neon lights and a few motorcycles outside. They both park and take off their helmets. The other biker has “blown away” hair and long sideburns. Logan-*sniffs* Looks like Wolfsbane and Shadowcat tried to make an impression on ya. Darnell-I guess so. Logan-Da names Logan. Darnell-I’m Darnell, are you a teacher there too? Logan-Hell no, I like the action. So, are you a drinker? Darnell-One way to find out… After a few rounds of beer and vodka, Darnell and Logan sit steady at a small table in the corner of the bar. Logan-You seem to handle your liquor pretty well, kid. Darnell-Well this “kid” has had plenty of drinking days. Logan-Who would have ever thought the Spider-Man would be such a drinking frenzy. Darnell-I guess all that hero stuff does put a damper on my partying persona. Logan-So are you gonna join the X-Men? Darnell-I am really not trying to think about it much. I just want to relax and get shit faced. Logan-Sounds like a plan to me bub. They both continue drinking when a man near the pool table notices Darnell. Man1-I know that bastard from somewhere? Man2-That kid? Man1-Damn right, he was the one in that store with the mutants. The man runs outside to tell all the other bikers. Darnell-Damn, my powers must be affecting me because I can’t seem to get drunk. Logan-Works that way with those healing powers. Just keep suckin them back a few more hours and then say that same sentence. Darnell grins when he notices the bar getting very quiet. Darnell-Is it usually this peaceful? Logan-Hell no. The Cajun and me were here the other night and we watched this one guy get his ass handed to him by a woman. My type of woman. A man walks up at the table and has a seat. Man1-Don’t I know you boy? Darnell-Boy? Logan-You got a problem bub? Man1-Yeah, this boy and his mutie lady friend attacked us. Darnell-You asshole, you threatened my friend and you were dealt with. Personally, you are lucky I didn’t do anything. Man1-Oh yeah? More men walk up to the corner of the bar. Man1-Now I think you should apologize or my pals and me will have to make ya. Darnell-I am sorry…..that I didn’t put your ugly ass out of the front door myself. Darnell kicks the legs of the chair where the man is seating and sends him soaring to through the group of men and knocking them down. Logan kicks back in the seat and watches as Darnell leaps on top of the table. Darnell-I was hoping to get some action… A man with a pool stick swings at Darnell but he crouches and makes a leg sweep at the man. The man falls over and Darnell leaps into the air doing a frontward flip and grabs the pool stick. He takes the end of the stick and rams it into the stomach of a biker that tries to sneak up on him. He then throws the stick at the back of the head of another man that tries to run away. A man pulls out a double barrel shotgun when Logan comes down on him extended three-foot long metal claws from the top of his hands and slices the gun in half. Logan-If you are gonna play, play nice. The man runs in fear when Darnell grabs him and throws him over the bar. Darnell-Wow, nice back scratchers. Logan unveils three more claws on his other hand. Logan-I ain’t called Wolverine for nothing kid. Outside of the bar, Gambit and Rogue are about to enter the bar. Gambit-I saw it all, that girl really put something on them. Rogue-She should have, a girl can kick butt too you know. Suddenly, three man come crashing out of the bar windows shattering it and landing roughly outside. Gambit-Damn party must be good tonight, no? TO BE CONTINUED….