Uncanny X-Men (6th series) #6

(six years ago)

The Simon-Pinette estate in Clintwood, Virginia, where inside her large bedroom, Becca sits on a stool while her mother sits behind her, brushing her long hair. 'Mama. Why can't I brush my own hair?' the girl enquires. Scattered around her are an assortment of toy horses, stuffed toys, a rocking horse and a tea set, where several of the toys are set up having a tea party. 'Indulge your mother, Becca. I do so enjoy our time together. I rather hate that you're growing up' Becca's mother responds, before asking her daughter if there is something else on her mind. Becca smiles and reveals that she was talking to Liam, who is a new assistant groundskeeper, who is ever so nice.

'Is he? How sweet' Becca's mother responds while frowning. 'He showed me a picture. He's got a daughter the same age as me. She goes to school. A nice school in town, he says' Becca tells her mother, before remarking that she was thinking she could go there, too. Becca's mother quickly tells her that they are done, and instructs her to go get dressed for her lessons. 'Yes, Ma'am' Becca responds as she leaves her room. The well-dressed woman looks furious as she raises her mobile phone and snaps 'Hello, Groundskeeper Jacobs? I caught a new man leering at me through the window as I was dressing. He was touching himself. Mr. Jacobs, I want him fired immediately. I believe his name is Liam'.

(present)

Haven House, one hour from New Orleans, where a team of X-Men look concerned. Anna Marie and Remy LeBeau a.k.a. Rogue and Gambit, respectively. A blindfolded Logan a.k.a. Wolverine. Jubilee and Kurt Wagner a.k.a. Nightcrawler stand together, as Rogue thinks to herself that the new kids are still mostly a mystery, and have been behaving pretty much – this particular one has been as sweet as sugah – until today. 'NO. I WON'T. I WILL NOT!' It's Becca Simon Pinette a.k.a. Calico who rides her horse, Ember, and looks very unhappy. 'She looks ornery as Sabretooth on a bad day. An' she has the power to back it up' Rogue thinks to herself. 'Becca. It's okay, sweetness' Rogue tells her, assuring her that they aren't trying to make her do anything she doesn't want to do. Jubilee approaches Becca and calls her Calico, while explaining that Mr. St. Juniors says it is a rule for kids who stay here – they all have to go to school.

Rogue realizes that something bad is about to happen, she wonders how Logan doesn't see it – before remembering that he can't see at the moment. 'I'm not going. You can't – you can't make me!' Becca exclaims. 'It's goblins. They're all goblins!' she utters. 'Kid. Listen. It ain't like that' Wolverine begins, before Calico exclaims 'Ember. Bronco buck!' and the horse suddenly kicks backwards – straight into Wolverine, knocking him backwards, while Rogue, Gambit, Jubilee and Nightcrawler look on, shocked. 'Logan!' Jubilee calls out, concerned, while Rogue flies over to Calico and, addressing her by her full name, warns her to stop this now. Becca hangs her head and folds her arms, before apologizing. 'Rogue. I meant – I meant Miss Rogue. Ms. LeBeau' she frowns.

Inside Haven House, Sofia Yong a.k.a. Jitter and Hotoru a.k.a. Deathdream look out a window, as Jitter asks him what has happened. 'The horse girl killed Mr. Logan. I think' Hotoru responds matter-of-factly, before asking Jitter if she knows whether there is any lemonade in the refrigerator.

'Good Lord. You okay, Logan?' Jubilee asks as she goes over to help Logan stand up. Logan informs Jubilee that they could have a little problem. 'You remember the last time I was hit that hard?' Logan asks her. 'No...?' Jubilee replies. 'I don't either. And she didn't even muss her hair' Logan frowns.

Rogue thinks to herself that Harvey X and Sarah Gaunt both tried to warn them – one of the kids here at Haven might be the Endling, the last mutant on Earth. The one who watches as every mutant dies. Rogue notes that Calico was last on her list of suspects, but after this morning, she might have been bumped up on the list. Hands on hips, Rogue tells Calico that they are going to have a talk – mutant to mutant. 'I'm not a mutant. Mama said' Calico responds. Gambit suggests to Rogue that he deals with this. 'Walk with me, child' he tells Calico. Rogue knows that with anyone else, she would side-eye them, but Remy has a gift with people – either pissin' them off or helpin' 'em through. Like he did her.

Gambit leads Calico down past the side of the house, and Ember follows. Gambit tells Calico that he can see she has been hurt, and assures her that the X-Men aren't here to hurt anybody. 'Mama said -' Calico begins, to which Gambit interrupts her: 'Child. Look in my eyes. Everyone who sees me, I can't change what they see. These people taught me that I don't need to. You understand?' he asks. Calico hangs her head and frowns, and tells Gambit that her mama said she couldn't be a mutant, because she said mutants were made y goblins – doing nasty things with witches. 'And you love your mama. But it don't change who you are' Calico glances sideways and remarks that all her life she has felt wrong – like a foal with three legs. 'I'm a...' her voice trails off. 'Becca, you're one of us. You're a mutant' Gambit tells her. 'I'm a mutant' Calico declares. Gambit looks concerned, and asks her if she is okay. 'Don't be sad non, chere' Gambit adds.

'I'm a mutant' Calico admits, before she climbs onto Ember, who appears with fiery wings, as Ember flies up above the farm, 'I'M A MUTANT!' Calico screams, while Gambit looks up and smiles. 'Well. Good work, Remy. Whatever the hell ya did' Rogue thinks to herself. 'I'm a mutant!' Calico informs Nightcrawler and Rogue as she and Ember drop down to them. 'Yes, liebchen' Nightcrawler responds. 'I'm a mutant! You're a mutant! We're all mutants!' Calico utters as she leaps at Rogue and throws her arms around her. Wolverine is smiling as Jubilee helps him walk towards Calico, who quickly tells him that she is so sorry. 'Hey, what's a concussion between friends?' Wolverine responds. 'I'm a mutant. I'm going to school' Calico quickly declares.

'Pretty smooth, Dark Eyes' Rogue remarks as she kisses Gambit's cheek. 'She just scared. These kids, they don't got anyone but us now' Gambit responds. 'That...that's right' Rogue agrees, while realizing that she hadn't thought of it that way. 'Almost like we're there...huh' she thinks to herself, before Rogue asks Gambit if this little scene is bringing bac memories. 'Yeah' Gambit tells her, before reporting that Alice will have made them a sack lunch, maybe a cold-meat sammich, zagg's chips and praline for dessert. 'Marcus'll give 'em a little more truth. Does it every morning' Gambit recalls.

Later, at a bus stop, Marcus St. Juniors stands before his daughter, Chelsea, Sofia and Hotoru, and Valentin Correa a.k.a. Ransom, and Becca, who looks over to where Jubilee is standing with her horse. All five teens are wearing their school uniforms, and Marcus tells them to never let anyone take their value. 'I won't, Daddy' Chelsea responds. 'Yess, Mr. St. J-Juniors' Sofia agrees. Becca frowns as she realizes she can't take Ember to school. 'No' Jubilee confirms, and assures her that Ember will be fine. 'Okay, Chelsea to the rescue' Chelsea exclaims as she opens her backpack and produces a purple and green dinosaur, which she hands to Becca. 'Um, this is Tuffy. He survived a hurricane, so he's brave' Chelsea declares, informing Becca that she can borrow him, and that he will keep her from getting scared. 'Thank you, Chelsea' Becca smiles as she takes Tuffy and hugs Chelsea.

The bus arrives, and the kids begin to climb aboard, while Becca looks back at her horse, Sofia tells everyone to play it quiet and not to use their powers. 'Got it' Valentin agrees. Rogue realizes that they still don't know where these kids have been, and what they have been through – other than they have been through a lot. 'If anyone up there's listening...watch over 'em, a little, wouldja?' she asks. Sofia walks down the bus aisle, and sees two boys sitting in seats opposite each other. 'Hey. We're n-n-n-new' she offers. The boys say nothing, so Sofia hangs her head as she walks past them, and the blond boy declares 'Well, that's just f-f-f-fascinating'. The boy with red hair laughs, and calling the blond boy Tommy, tells him that these look like piss-poor Haven kids. Valentin stares at Tommy, who asks him if he has something to say. 'Why'nt you just say it, how'd that be?' Tommy asks, while Valentin clenches a fist. 'Say it, farmhand' Tommy urges him, before Sofia puts a hand on Valentin's fist and tells him that it is okay. 'Now you got Stella the Stutterer doing your fighting for you? That how this is?' Tommy grins. 'Yeah, that's about what I thought' Tommy declares, while Valentin takes a seat next to Hotoru. 'Great start, Louisiana' Valentin frowns. 'Well. He seemed ever so nice. He reminds me of scabs' Hotoru offers. Sofia just hangs her head.

Back at the bus stop, Marcus tells Nightcrawler and Jubilee that they will be okay, and that kids have to make their own way. 'What's the first rule of Haven, you two?' he then asks. 'There's rules?' a confused Nightcrawler asks, looking at Jubilee, who quotes “Everyone has chores”. 'Very good' Marcus responds, and hands Jubilee a list. 'You and the blue fella...? You're on grocery duty. Van's behind the barn' Marcus reports.

Wolverine approaches Gambit and Rogue, who are hugging, and tells them that this hard for him – but he has a favor to ask.

On the bus:'Did I say something wrong?' Hotoru asks. 'Man, look at her. Look at Sofia. That jerk really hurt her feelings!' Valentin exclaims, asking Hotoru if he doesn't ever think about anyone but himself, to which Hotoru frowns.

Soon, in Marrigny Bywater, New Orleans, Jubilee smiles as she walks alongside Kurt, who is wearing civilians clothing and has a cap pulled down over his face. 'Could've teleported us here' Kurt notes. Jubilee tells him that it is quieter here than she thought, before they arrive at Guidry's Grocery store. A woman and two children walk in front of Nightcrawler and Jubilee, and step out onto the street. Jubilee looks at the children and asks Kurt if he ever thinks about kids. 'I think I am a better babysitter than parent. But, yes, I do' Nightcrawler confirms. 'You are missing -?' his voice trails off, as Jubilee confirms that she is – kind of a lot. Nightcrawler lifts his cap and bids good morning to the woman with the children, who looks on, shocked. Jubilee and Kurt enter the grocery store, and a friendly man at the counter asks them if he can help them find something. 'We're good, thank you' Jubilee waves. Jubilee begins to push a cart around the store and reads the list. 'Huh. They want some special local beer. “Besson's Dark”' she notes, to which Kurt tells her that, respectfully, they aren't German. 'I'll pick them something nice' he decides, before he excuses himself and teleports away. 'Kurt? Kurt?' Jubilee calls out, when a gun is suddenly placed at Jubilee's head. 'Ma'am I have to ask ye not to raise your hands, if you very much don't mind. An' keep them fingers unlit, please'.

Outside on the road, the mother cries out to her daughter, Lena, who is still on the road as a truck careens towards her. The little boy clings to his mother's leg, while the truck driver honks his truck's horn and shouts 'The brakes have failed! The brakes!' The little boy tries to pulls his mother back as she races onto the road, 'LENAAA!' she screams, when suddenly, Kurt teleports in front of the woman and pushes her backwards. 'No! NO!' the woman shrieks, before Kurt teleports over to the little girl and grabs her, telling her to close her eyes, as he tells her that it is all right, and that he is here, as he teleports away, just as the truck moves closer.

Back at Haven House, Rogue realizes that she still has some of Harvey X in her brain, and that she knew Logan wasn't himself, but she didn't know why – but whatever it is, it is paining him deep. Logan has a back with him and he tells Rogue and Remy that this isn't easy for him – asking for things. 'Like we don't know that, Logan' Rogue responds, before assuring him that they are listening. Wolverine pulls a bottle of tequila out his bag and reveals that he had these army buddies, good fellas, that they were tight, and survived a lot – most of them – and they made a vow on this bottle of damn fine tequila. 'A tontine, mon ami' Remy suggests. 'Yeah. Thats what they call it, I guess. Last one of us above ground...? They won the prize' Logan remarks. 'Oh, Ground Bear. Ah saw you drinkin' it. All your friends...?' Rogue utters, covering her mouth. Rogue thinks to herself that she thought Logan was mad at her, thought he didn't want to touch her – turns out his heart was old-fashioned broke. 'Ah'm so sorry' Rogue tells Logan as she hugs him. 'Me too, Moonbeam' Logan responds.

In the grocery store, Jubilee is quick to react, blasting the man who put the gun to her head with a flurry of plasma fireworks. 'Yeah, but see...I'm not all about non-compliance!' Jubilee exclaims as the man falls backwards into some grocery shelves, sending food and drink crashing down around him. It's Captain Ezra from the Graymalkin Prison. 'She's loose. She's loose! Get her, you bloody fools!' he shouts. The grocery store clerk ducks and covers his head, as three mutants wearing gray uniforms and collars around their neck approach Jubilee. It's Siryn, the Blob and Wild Child! Siryn greets Jubilee and tells her that she is sorry about this. 'But ye'r comin' with us, sweet lass' Siryn announces.

Outside, Nightcrawler teleports onto the sidewalk, 'I'm here. And you are safe' he tells Lena, while Lena's mother shrieks 'Let go of her! Let go!' She pulls Lena away from Nightcrawler, who begins 'Madam, I assure you -' before suggesting she shut up for a second. 'Is the driver...?' Nightcrawler begins, to which the woman, hugging her daughter, frowns, and remarks that he is fine, safe, they are all safe. 'What's your name?' the woman asks. 'Madam, I know I look like a demon' Kurt begins, before the woman asks him his name again. 'Kurt. I am Kurt' Nightcrawler announces. 'Kurt. Thank you. For the life of my daughter' the woman utters as she wraps an arm around Kurt, hugging him. 'And you look every bit an angel to me' she adds as she kisses Kurt. The woman notices a police officer approaching her and she tells Kurt to run, or do that thing he did. 'Go. Go!' she urges him. Kurt pauses, before thanking her, and he teleports away. 'That man. That thing. Where'd he go?' the officer asks, raising his gun above his head. 'Officer, I didn't see anyone. And unless you want me making your life an absolute hell for the next few decades? You didn't either' the woman warns the cop.

Nightcrawler re-materializes in the grocery store, and finds it in disarray, with damaged bottles and food all over the store. 'Jubilee? Jubilee?' he calls out, but gets no response.

Back at Haven House, Rogue doesn't like what she is thinking – and tells herself that this can't be right, as it's Logan. 'I been a little busted up inside. What I'm tryin' to say' Logan remarks. Holding the tequila bottle, he explains that the thing is, if he drinks it, then it is an ending. Another chapter of a long, long novel shut. 'If I buried this bottle again, with two people I trust...' Logan begins. 'I'd be honored, my friend' Gambit responds as he shakes Logan's hand – when suddenly, Rogue turns away: 'No. No. Ah want no part of this' she declares. Gambit is surprised by Rogue's reaction, to which Rogue asks him if he doesn't get it. 'His body's pretty much near immortal. Cain't be hurt by man nor beast. But his mind. His heart. Those are all-too-damn human' Rogue explains. 'What are you trying to say here, Anna Marie? And be careful' Logan responds. Rogue folds her arms and tells Logan that he already knows what she is saying: 'P.T.S.D. I'm saying you have P.T.S.D.' Rogue exclaims, shocking Logan and Gambit.

At school, the four new students stand in a line as an older man tells them that they may refer to him as Principal Owens, or simply, Mr Owens. He claims that they are bending the rules a great deal for the four of them to attend while they clear their junior papers. 'Mr. St. Juniors has a lot of faith in you' he notes, while suggesting that they behave themselves, and then they will be fine. 'And we keep a low profile, for everyone's safety. Understood?' the principal asks. 'Understood, Principal Owens' one of the young mutants responds. 'Good luck, kids' the principal remarks. Immediately, Becca turns to a group of girls standing nearby and introduces herself. 'I'm a mutant! We're not goblins!' she shouts. The girls frown, while Sofia hangs her head: 'Give me strength, Lah' she mumbles.

At Haven House, 'You ain't a therapist, Rogue. You can't just -' Logan begins, before Rogue turns her back on him and answers her phone: 'Kurt? Are you okay?' Rogue asks. Kurt walks through the grocery store and informs Rogue that he can't find Jubilee. He explains that he was distracted – and there is red on the floor, everywhere. 'I think... I think some of it's blood' he announces, nervously.

Back at school, 'Hey, g-g-g-g-great to s-s-s-see you, Stutterin' S-S-S-S-Stella' the bully from the bus, Tommy, calls out as he walks up behind Sofia and taps the back of her head. 'You're such a jerk, Tommy!' a girl calls out. Valentin sees this interaction and looks angry – but when he sees the principal staring at him, he hangs his head and does nothing. 'Behaving sucks' he mutters. Another student walks towards Becca: 'Hey, you're Becca, right?' he asks as he hands her a note. 'Hi! I'm a mu-' Becca begins, to which the student tells her that he doesn't care. 'They need to see you in the gym. Something about your papers' the student explains.

Inside, the bully Tommy heads into the boys' rest room, while telling his friends that his dad says if they let any more freaks in this school, they ought to start charging an entrance fee and selling peanuts to throw. 'Heh, good one, Tommy!' one of the lackeys responds. 'Not that I wouldn't do her, for charity's sake -' Tommy begins as he looks at himself in the mirror and combs his hair. Suddenly, a tentacled creature emerges from the mirror, and Tommy steps backwards, frightened. Hotoru can be seen standing in a stall and a demonic voice suggests to Tommy that he should be nicer to girls. 'We are calling you to the grave, Tommy' the voice adds.

Meanwhile, Becca arrives at the gym, only to find it empty. 'H'lo? Anyone here?' she calls out.

In the boys' rest room, Tommy spins around and slams Hotoru against a wall. 'You did this, you little freak! You think that's funny?' Tommy asks, while two of his friends stand at his side. 'No. But I do. No one's watching. Let's behave'. It's Valentin, and he stands in the doorway, fists clenched, while Tommy and his cronies look over at him.

Becca suddenly sees several armored guards in the gym and nervously approaches them. 'Do I know you?' she asks. 'No. But you're about to, girlie' one of the guards responds.

'I might have forgotten to say this... but I'm a boxer' Valentin informs the bullies as he punches one of them in the face, but then gets a fist to his face by Tommy's other cronie, while Tommy goes at him from behind. 'Pretty good. I have to say. Got two words you might want to remember' Valentin announces, before he remarks “Olympic Hopeful”. He then blocks Tommy's next punch and warns him to never ever touch his friends again. 'We clear, bro?' Valentin asks, before Tommy and his cronies rush from the rest room. 'Sometimes' Hotoru remarks as he looks at Valentin. '“Sometimes” what?' Valentin asks. 'Sometimes I think of people other than myself' Hotoru points out.

'Okay. You asked for this. Ember!' Becca exclaims, but one of the guards tells her that they are afraid not – and Becca is struck by a taser, which causes her to scream. 'Keep going, boys. I'll call it in' one of the guards states. The other guards all begin to taser Becca, too, while the first guard picks up a phone and announces 'Yes, Dr. Ellis. We got the equestrian. Yes, alive. But she won't be show jumping anytime soon'. He adds that they will tag and collar her and get her out before anyone can say boo.

Finally, at Graymlkin Prison, Dr. Corina Ellis tells the guard 'Well, that is pleasant news' and instructs the guard to bring her here immediately. 'And if she tries to escape? Bust her teeth out for me, won't you?' the cruel woman adds.