X-Men Evo 5 Marrow and Momentum

Episode 5: Marrow and Momentum

We open at a woman's basketball game, the crowd cheering wildly just as a whistle blows.

"Angela, over here!" one of the girls calls to a blond who spins and passes the ball.

The crowd cheers.
"Ohhh."
"Get her!"
"Steal the ball! Set up your zone. Don't let her shoot."

"Is it always this exciting?" Ororo asks of the couple sitting next to her.

"No. This one's a real nail-biter." the male says.

"Come on, 10 seconds. Let's go. Grant, Daniels is open. Now!" the coach calls out to a black haired girl who passes it to Angela.

"You can do it, Angela. Shoot, shoot!" Ororo calls, getting into the spirit.

Angela jumps, making the the shot but falls hard to the floor. She takes a heavy roll as the final bell sounds. Storm noting a bad gash opening on Angela's arm from the fall that she cradles carefully. The team cheer and pick her up in celebration. A white haired boy leaves in a huff.

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In the girl's locker room.

"Good game, Angie." One teammate says as she washes up and leaves.

Another notes Angela rubbing her arm, "You going to be ok Angie?"

"Just fine, I just sprained it," Angela's blows off the wound as her friend leaves until she is all alone, "Good game girls."

"Your not all you're cracked up to be Daniels," The white haired boy says from the entry way.

"PIETRO!" She shrieks, "Get out of the woman's locker room."

"I was just leaving," Pietro says and is gone in a blink.

Angela looks around, and takes a deep breath, her arm still looks pretty bad as she pulls her hand away, and shuts her eyes tight, the bruising and cuts sealing up.

"Seems like that boy has been competing with you and your brother ever since you were babies." Ororo smiles as she comes in.

Angela's heart skips a beat, but she reigns it in, "H-Hey, auntie O, what's up? Where's dad and mom?"

"Waiting outside. I think the girls' locker room makes your father nervous."

"R-Right. Some game, huh? It's cool that you showed."

"And miss my favorite niece's big game? Heh. Not a chance."

"Thanks again for coming, auntie."

Suddenly Ororo demeanor changes, getting serious, "Angela, are you all right? I've been concerned about you lately. You know, about the things we've discussed before."

"Yeah, yeah, no problem, auntie O. everything's cool."

Ororo grabs Angela's arm, it's fully healed, "Angela, I saw what happened to you out there tonight when you fell."

"W-What are you talking about," Angela protests, "It was just a sprain."

"You and I both know better...does Chris have any gifts as well."

Angela looks away, "N-No."

Ororo cracks a knowing grin.

"L-Look it's no big deal, certainly nothing X-Man worthy. I just heal faster then normal...if I think hard about it. It's not really worth it."

"Isn't that something best decided by your parents."

Angela sighs.

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The Daniel's house.

"Still can't get over that last shot, baby. What a beauty. You're gonna remember this game for a long time." her father offers, it's clear by skin tone alone that Angela is adopted.

"Yes. Wasn't it exciting?" her mother adds in.

Storm and Angela are off on their own near the edge of the yard, "What amazes me is that you've kept it concealed this long."

"I'm telling you it;s nothing."

"Angela, you need to take this seriously. The Xavier Institute can offer you training. You and your brother."

"Chris isn't a part of this. And neither am I, your blowing this out of proportion."

Storm looks up to the second story of the house, "You could have so much untapped potential. Besides what about Chris, ever since he found you he's been hiding away in his room. What is going in between you two."

Angela looks away just as he father calls, "You should go rouse your brother before he misses dinner." And quickly makes haste filling a plate.

"On it dad."

Ororo quietly follows after, hanging back to remain undetected as Angela slips into a second bedroom, she listens closely.

"Auntie O's getting suspicious, maybe you can make a appearance." Angela says in a low whisper.

"Y-Yeah sure," a boy responds his voice a bit horse but quickly recovers, "hit the sheets Angie."

There is a moment's silence before a boy emerges from the room, munching on a plate of food, Ororo running into him as he rounds a corner, "We should talk Chris."

"Can't it wait for tomorrow, let the folks enjoy Angie's victory?"

Ororo sighs.

'Ororo, how's it going with your nephews?' Xavier mentally transmits.

'Just as I feared, professor. He's being stubborn.'

'All right. We'll go to plan B. Scott and Jean will arrive in the morning. By the way, Cerebro detected another mutant signature after the game tonight, but couldn't get a clear reading on it for some reason. Did you notice anyone else there unusual?'

Storm pauses in reflection a moment 'Maybe, but I'm not certain yet.'

'Very well. Keep me informed.'

Back at the X-Mansion Tod approaches Xavier, "So is it true. Is Chris or Angela mutants?"

Xavier looks over at him, "Possibly both, but they are being stubborn."

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The next day in school, at the lockers Angela finds her purse empty, "Not again!"

As she closes the door Pietro is standing there, "Something wrong?"

Angela gasps, "Where did you come from?"

"That's a question you should be asking on the basketball court."

"Hey, look, I know you're fast, man. But the coach isn't going to go co-op and there aren't enough guys interested for a men's team."

"Aha! You finally admit that I'm better than you."

"I said you were faster, not better. I still got a few tricks of my own, you know."

"Sure, you do, like getting ripped off for the second time this month. What's up with that?"

Angela sighs, "I even changed the combination."

"Hmm, sounds like a bona fide mystery, dude."

"Yeah, but I'm gonna trap this sleazeball."

"Sure, Daniels, but you're gonna need some bait."

Pietro says pulling a wad of cash from his own wallet and handing it over.

"Hey, thanks, man. I'll get it back to you on allowance day. Catch ya later."

"Not even on your best day, Daniels. You'll never catch me."

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The Daniels' living room.

"You don't give up, do you, auntie O?" Chris protests.

"That's because she loves you. She's concerned. We all are." Jean offers.

"This certainly explains why you're always squirreled away in your room and Angela will come home with blood stains in her clothes but no wounds." Chris' mom muses.

"We always knew this was a possibility, Vi. While you did not receive the mutant gene as I did the inability to predict who has it and who doesn't meant adopting a potential mutant child. Especially given how mutations can lead to the abandonment by the biologically parents."

"My parent's did not abandon me," Chris growls, "It's was that stupid project, stupid Shield. They took them away."

"They were Terrorists Chris," his father says putting a comforting hand on his shoulder, "They worked for HYDRA."

Scott gives a comforting smile and subject change, "It's really not so bad, Mrs. Daniels. Having special powers can be pretty cool sometimes."

"Oh, yeah? I'll tell you what, shades. Let me see what you've got that's so cool."

"Chris." his mom protests.

"Sorry, mom."

"No, really, it's ok. It's just...Scott's powers aren't really what you'd call...indoor-friendly." Jean says with a smile.

"Ok, whatever. Look, man, I like it right here, and I'm not going to some home for freaks. Now, if you'll excuse me, I got school stuff to take care of." Chris says storming off.

"Well, that went well," Jean grouses.

"Yeah, and I thought we were really making a connection there." Scott adds sadly.

"I apologize for my children, Mr. Summers. They're obviously dealing with a lot right now. I'll talk with him."

As the group move to follow up and check on the siblings they find both of them have vacated the house though a sheet rope in Chris' room.

"Ahh...hey, he's gone out the window." Jean shouts.

They hurry outside just in time to see Chris bolt off on a skateboard.

"We really need to work on our sales pitch." Scott notes.

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The school hallway, dark and silent.

"Ok, sneak thief. You wanna play tonight? Let's play." Chris whispers to himself.

A whirlwind flies down the hallway knocking him every which way, the winds to harsh to endure and sending debris everywhere. Chris presses against a wall his shirt shredding as bony plates form to protect him from the debris.

The Cyclone stops as Pietro, in a green and white uniform shows himself, "Oh what do we have here, your a mutant too? Surprise, Surprise!"

"Pietro?"

"Call me Quicksilver. Like the outfit? Made it myself. Took about a quarter second. Well, would you look at this? Seems my old pal has a few tricks of his own. But as usual... not as good as mine."

"W-What? H-How did you get powers?"

"Duh. I'm a mutant, like you. Remember, Daniels, anything you can do, I can do better. Mind if I take that back?"

Pietro say snatching back the money he 'gave' Angela and Chris set in her locker as bait.

"But why would you wanna rip m...Angie off?"

"Kicks, man. For the challenge. Look, when you live as fast as I do, there ain't enough things to occupy my time. I gotta entertain myself. And you thought you could stop me. well—uhhh–" Pietro quickly slaps him, "Wrong again."

"Don't bet on it." Chris swipes at him with bone claws but Pietro evades.

"Gaah! Too slow. What a surprise." Pietro yawns, "you know, I think you're gonna need some more time to work on those powers of yours. Maybe I can arrange it."

"What do you mean?"

"Can you say scapegoat?" Pietro says speeding off as sirens light the hall the police seconds from entry.

Chris shuts his eyes tight, armor retracting, "Come on Chris, think!" but the cops arrive soon enough.

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Jail.

"Chris! What happened? Where's Angie?" his mom says worriedly.

"Angie's fine she was just watching another hall, you know divide and conquer. She probably got out when toe police grabbed me."

"Welcome to the downside, pal. Misuse your powers, go to jail." Scott comments.

"It wasn't me."

"Hey, I believe you, Chris. In fact, I know you didn't do it."

"Chris, please listen to me. Let us help you."

"So we'll make you a deal. The professor will use his influence to get you out of here, and you and your sister give the institute a shot. What do you say?"

Chris sighs, taking Scott's offered hand, "Like I've got a choice?"

"Hey, hey. You've always got a choice. We just want to help you make it the right one."

Chris sighs, "Ok. Fine. Deal."

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The Principal's office.
"I'm honored that you've come." Ms. Darkholme speaks to a man in shadows.

"I'm not here for your little student body meeting, Mystique. Behold." A hologram appears on her desk of Quicksilver.

"Ah, so this is the speed demon I've been hearing about."

"Pietro Maximoff. He is of particular interest to me. I have waited for just the right moment to approach this young man, and now is the time."

"Then we shall extend the hand of friendship to the boy."

"It will not be that easy. He believes he needs no one, however, there may be a way."

"Yes?"

"Young Pietro has long had a grudge rivalry against Chris and Angela Daniels."

"The new mutants Toad told me about."

"Yes. Pietro has recently taken the advantage in that competition, and I believe Mr. Daniels would like to... settle the score."

"Well, then, I know just how to bring them together. Excellent. Then I will take it from there."

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Angela rounds a corner, it is still night.

"I've come to make you a proposition."

"Who? What!" Angela says nearly jumping out of her skin as Mystique emerges from the shadows.

"You don't own Xavier anything, but I heard how you and your brother don't want anything to do with them. Let me offer you another route...the Brotherhood."

"The what now?"

"A group of like minded mutants, mutants who don't like to be pushed around, mutant's who want to make their own rules. Freedom to do whatever you want...sound good?"

Angela smiles, "Yeah."

"There is only one catch, when I ask you to do something, you do it. But the rest of the time you have free reign."

Angela smiles, "Sounds like my kind of group."

Mystique smiles, "Good then there is just the matter of Initiation." Mystique snaps her fingers and Quicksilver bolts in, "Well well looks like I was wrong all along about you Angie. Care to trip the light fantastic."

Angela looks confused, "What happened to wanting to prove you better then me."

"That was before I knew you were a equal," Quicksilver bolts to her side, a hand on her shoulder, she brushes it off, "Come on Angie show me what you can do."

Catching him off guard she slugs him in the jaw, Quicksilver goes down, rubbing it, "Wow pretty strong for a little thing, that how you make all those baskets?"

Angela growls, "Only when I focus on it, I'm not a cheater and a thief like you."

She swings, faster then before, but Quicksilver dodges then moves in planting a kiss on Angela's cheek, "Awe come on sweet cakes is that any way to treat your old friend." with a shove he sends Angela into the street.

"There she is!" Cyclops shouts as he and Jean rush toward Angela, "Your parents are worried sick."

"To slow," Quicksilver says running past, "Say good bye to New York!" As he rockets past windows shatter and carts are flipped, Cyclops blast a a couple as Jean clears debris with her Telekinesis. Angela gets to her feet picking shrapnel out of her skin as her wounds heal.

Angela growls and lunches at Quicksilver, who dodges again, "You got Chris arrested for busting those lockers!"

Quicksilver stops to taunt, "Yeah so, I trashed those lockers, not like you can prove it Daniels."

"Jean he can't run if his feet aren't touching the ground!"

"On it!"

Telekinetic lifting Pietro Angela charges at maybe half Pietro's speed, body checking him into a wall before he can overwhelm Jean.

Pietro groans as Angela stalks over, pinning him under a bolstered leg muscle with a smirk as she takes out a tape recorder.

"Yeah so, I trashed those lockers, not like you can prove it Daniels."

Then she turns to the Alley and growls, Mystique turning into a hawk and taking flight, "If your taking Trash like Pietro consider that my rejection letter!"

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Another jail cell.

Pietro speeds from edge to edge of his cell, "Hey. Hey! Hey, let me go! Hey! Hey! You gotta let me outta here! I want outta here! Unh! Wha—you?"

A shadowed figure suddenly appears, floating before the cell doors, "It is good to see you again, Pietro, even under such distressing circumstances."

"Yeah, well, you can make them a lot less distressing, you know. Come on, hustle it up! Move it!"

"Still impatient... but you have grown much, Pietro, and I have need of your services if you think you can handle the job."

"Ooh. Sounds like a challenge. Ok, whatever you want. Just let's bail this jail."

"Very well. Come with me."

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The Institute. Breakfast.

"So where's this new guy, yo?"

"Still sleeping. they had a rather difficult evening." Xavier explains.

Kurt ports in and sniffs the air, "Ah. I love the smell of bacon in the morning."

"Something doesn't smell right with those kids." Logan grumbles, "I don't know what. Pass the sausages, red."

Jean floats the sausages over to Logan.

"I suspect you may be right Logan, there is more to their powers then meets the eyes. I tried to open telepathic contact earlier and met with static...on both of them. That is not typical of physical mutations."

"Is anything typical in mutations," Tori muses.

"I suppose not."

Logan growls as he sees Kurt hanging from the chandelier, "Elf!" then sighs, "how many times I gotta tell ya? Ask, and it'll get passed to ya."

"Sorry. I didn't want to interrupt you." Kurt says porting to his seat as Logan passes the sausages over.

"That's better. Now mind your manners."

Outside the room Angela listens.

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Danger Room.

"This is your fifth run, Empath. You want to take a break?" Scott wonders as Angela catches her breath.

"No time for breaks. You got me here to train, so let's train."

"You heard the man. Let's roll." Logan says flatly.

Angela drops to four limbs and charges down the track, leaping and dodging optic blast and explosive balls from Scott and Logan, when she suddenly skid and rolls off the track getting quite bruised in the process.

Scott hurries to her side as she isn't healing, "Alright, that's enough looks like you hit your endurance limit. Your going to the infirmary. Logan go find Chris."

"No!" Angela shrieks.

"No so loud," Kurt says trying to stop his ears from ringing.

"I-I just mean Chris' powers take a lot more out of him, he's still sleeping. He's in no shape to train."

Scott sighs, "Fine. But as soon as he is able I want him in here. You on the other hand need to rest and get your energy back up to heal those wounds."

"I'll drop her off," Kurt says porting away with Angela.

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Pool out back of the mansion, sometime later.

"Look out! Cannonball! Aah!" Kurt say porting high in the sky for a power dive.

"Hey!" everyone calls out in surprise as their soaked.

The professor rolling out to see Chris heading for the high board, "Congratulations, Chris. I understand you've been cleared of all charges."

"Yeah. It feels good to have that off my record. Hey, thanks for your help, professor."

"Eww! Professor! Kurt's totally getting fur in the pool!" Tori jokes.

"I am not!"

"We're just glad to have you with us." Xavier says laying a hand on Chris's shoulder, "And if you ever need someone to talk to...about anything...that's why we are here."

"T-Thanks. But I'm fine really."

"I would like your permission to run some tests, these long periods isolated in your room because the drain your powers have on you is not healthy."

Chris looks away worried, "N-No it's fine...b-but if you insist."