My Real First Mission

Thursday Afternoon

Logan had gone off on some personal business tracking down an old enemy, so Beast stepped in to oversee my gym class. About thirty minutes after that was over, I heard his voice crackle over the intercom:

"Please excuse this announcement; all X-Men report to the planning room, all X-Men to the planning room please."

Finally, another mission! For real this time! Not that it didn't get interesting before, but I'm an official member now! With a suit! Not to mention a few more days of vital training.

Kurt grabbed his costume, a black bodysuit with a big red 'V' stretching from his waist over his shoulders, and went to change in the bathroom.

"Knock on the door when you're done, mein Freund."

I confirmed with a nod before I changed into my own suit. Mostly plain black with pink-ish violet for the gloves, boots, belt, and neck area. After getting dressed, we both went to the mission planning room as requested. Scott and Rogue both arrived soon after, filling out our ranks.

"As some of you are already aware, an ongoing series of burglaries began recently. Normally this would be left to law enforcement, but these thefts have been targeting advanced research laboratories containing cutting-edge technology, and each of the items reported missing thus far could individually be dangerous in the wrong hands. The most recent break-in occurred at 11:00 PM Tuesday night; an experimental alloy, and the advanced manufacturing tech used to produce it, both disappeared. While we cannot be positive what the stolen technology is for, Professor X and I believe we know where they are most likely to strike next." Beast explained

"It is our belief that at least one more burglary will occur, probably soon. Based on previous locations and items targeted, the two facilities at greatest risk of a break-in would be HAL Laboratories and the local Stark Enterprises research division. In prior thefts, security and communications were disrupted for several minutes, leaving no trace nor footage of the perpetrators. As we will not be able to receive a distress call, you will be guarding both facilities throughout the night, until further notice. It's possible the 'Brotherhood' led by Mystique is involved, but I have another theory. I believe this may be the work of an old acquaintance of mine, a powerful man who can manipulate magnetism named Magneto. He seemingly disappeared some years ago, but I am certain he is still alive and plotting. If he's behind this, this mission could have ramifications for years to come. Remain vigilant, and be on your guard, X-Men." Professor X continued

"We'll be splitting into two teams, led by Cyclops and Phoenix, to protect both locations simultaneously. Individual team composition is up to your discretion." Beast finished

After some discussion over the best distribution of utility and firepower, we had our squads. Storm, Shadowcat, and Nightcrawler were with Cyclops at Stark Enterprises; Rogue, Beast, and I were with Phoenix at HAL Laboratories. We soon boarded the X-Jet, and the squad led by Cyclops got dropped off, while my squad continued to HAL Labs. After landing the Jet, Phoenix directed us to form a perimeter around the building.

"Stay put, out of the way of security. Keep your eyes and ears open, whoever's behind this hasn't been spotted even once before. If you see anything suspicious, radio me immediately. If that doesn't work, just think as loud as you can, and I should pick it up. Alright everybody, fan out." She said

We all took different positions around the lab, waiting for something to happen. After what must have been hours of basically nothing going on, Phoenix interrupted my thoughts.

I thought this mission would be exciting! Saving the world won't always be a thrill I gue—

"Trouble on Rogue! Everyone form up at the northeast entrance!"

I quickly refocused and started running to the other corner of the building. I saw a few people I'd either met or been warned of, but one of the apparent burglars was new.

"It's practically the whole damn Brotherhood! I'm calling for backup from Scott!" Phoenix shouted

I could see Beast dodging the whipping attacks of Toad's long tongue while trying to contend with Blob, the strong fat one, as well. Quicksilver swept Rogue's legs out from under her, and then he was on me. It almost seemed strange how he didn't move for a few seconds before he ran over to me, but I was distracted by him swiftly kicking me in the face. Trick attacked Phoenix and the new girl assaulted her at range with bolts of red energy, until she was hit in the face by one of Toad's slime balls. Quicksilver easily dodged my admittedly amateur attacks, putting me in a headlock where I couldn't see or grab him. Though I couldn't speak and almost lost consciousness, I saw a puff of smoke in the distance. It didn't take long for Nightcrawler and Shadowcat to join the fight. Nightcrawler bailed me out while Shadowcat went up against Trick. We shuffled dance partners and I thought I'd be paired up with Toad, but he was hit by a blast of red energy, sending him into Rogue and as a result unconsciousness. Guess I'll take the crazy witch lady. Her hands began to glow red, rocks floating in the air, and I saw an opening. I took a breath and made eye contact, only to feel a strange and uncomfortable sensation.

What the fuck? Jean! Something's wrong with the red one, her mind isn't right!

"What do you mean her mind isn't..? Your right, her conscious will is being suppressed! But I can't do anything about it in the middle of a fight."

I have an idea, can you freeze her like you did with Rogue?

"For a few seconds, maybe."

That's all I need!

I knew what to expect this time, when the girl froze and I looked into her eyes. I pushed myself further than I ever had before, the term "pulse" didn't really do justice to the weight of my power. My head hurt, but it wasn't just my pain, it was hers. I could feel her struggle, her anguish; it was as if a metal brush was scraping against the inside of my brain. Despite all of that, or maybe because of it, I managed enough focus for one **** plea.

"Let me help you!" I shouted over the sounds of battle

Phoenix couldn't hold her any longer, but she didn't have to. I watched the girl close her eyes as the fight left her body. Like a dam breaking, she fell to her knees and started to sob. I rushed over in to attempt to comfort her in spite of the surrounding fighting.

"Damn it, she'll ruin everything! Time to cut our losses!" Quicksilver yelled

*VWOOSH*

He whizzed past me, Toad disappearing along with him.

*VWOOSH*

*WHOOSH*

Despite the noise, I didn't feel much wind when he grabbed Trick.

*WHOOSH*

"I thought you were better than this, Wanda." He shook his head, stepping towards us slowly.

"NO!" The girl, Wanda, clutched her head in pain.

"Stay back, asshole!" I roared at him

Why am I being so protective of this girl?

He swiftly ducked a large rock Phoenix sent his way, chuckling to himself.

"Next time, you won't be so lucky."

*WHOOSH*

He fled before we could respond. It was bad enough that we didn't know how far he could take his comrades or even what direction they were headed, but Blob had somehow disappeared without anyone noticing as well.

"Not him— th–the doctor lied to me... Not fixed..." Wanda muttered to herself before looking up at me. "You! Please, you said you would h–help me."

"I'll do whatever I can to help you, I swear, but first we need to get somewhere safe." I replied honestly

Though I'm not sure exactly how much I can actually help her... Removing her brainwashing should be doable, especially if I really am as powerful as Jean keeps saying I am, but there's clearly a lot more than that messing with her head.

"Can you come with us in our jet? We know a place where you'll be okay." Phoenix softly asked

"I– I think— Yes, I'll come." She stuttered and shook her head.

I guided her onto the X-Jet, along with the rest of the team. After concluding that The Brotherhood had really given up, we went to pick up Cyclops and Storm. We found them in the process of freeing themselves from a tangle of metal bars. I decided to stay in the jet and keep an eye on Wanda, while the others went to help and find out what happened.

"I can transmit the conversation so you don't miss anything, if you want."

Sounds good to me.

"Well, not long after I sent Nightcrawler and Shadowcat to help you, we were attacked by Magneto and Quicksilver." Cyclops said

"But that's impossible, we were fightin' Quicksilver." Argued Rogue

But... not if we were fighting the shapeshifter! The only one missing! He did seem a little off, and probably slower. That doesn't explain the apparent superspeed, but that's not the only thing unexplained about that fight.

"Psych thinks we were fighting Mystique, but there was something else going on to explain why she looked super fast." Phoenix interrupted

After everyone was up to speed, we left for the school. Wanda got visibly anxious whenever I wasn't nearby, so I watched over her until we arrived.