As Gabriel emerged from the van he could feel the wave of disappointment hit him. They were expecting something more. Fangs, wings or something not an ordinary looking guy. Gabriel smiled at them all, something he hadn’t done in a long, long time and he felt the warmth of these people smile back at him.
“This is Evan, Gabriel.” The Professor said pointing at the dark skinned guy clutching the skateboard under his arm.
“Hiya.” Evan said.
“Gabriel will be staying in the free room in your part of the building could you show him to it, and show him around please.”
“Certainly Professor.” Evan said moving toward Gabriel with his hand outstretched. “I’m Evan you can call me Spyke as well.”
“Okay Spyke-as-well.” Gabriel joked as Evan eyed him suspiciously.
“You’re going to fit in just fine.”
“So my assignment is to take photos of Madelyn Pryde? That’s fantastic boss lady you really are a lot better than I give you credit for.” Toad said before being side kicked into a wall.
“Shut up and listen Worm. You will do this assignment, the rest of you will make sure that the rest of the X-Mice are kept to busy to do anything to help her. Shockwave I want you to find the new mutant and see just how strong his powers really are. If he lets his emotions rule him like I think he does then we have a huge weakness to exploit. Now get to it.”
“Sure thing boss lady.” Toad said rubbing his shoulder.
Gabriel awoke with a start; well almost he hadn’t really slept. His mind was in turmoil every time he closed his eyes he could see his father pushing through the crowd getting slashed and clubbed as he tried to save him. Gabriel couldn’t help but wonder what he would have done if the X-Mice hadn’t stepped in. No, actually he knew the answer to that question. He would have let Mystique help him and joined her not only willingly but happily he would have waged war on humanity with a song in his heart and a smile on his face. But now he was going to become one of the X-Mice a protector so that others like him could develop their powers and eventually when powers were the norm nobody would be discriminated against. A pipe dream Gabriel knew it would never happen but he had to try else he would become so disillusioned with the system he would try to destroy it like the Brotherhood Professor Yaffle had told him about. But first Gabriel needed a name. He had to have something like Shadow Cat, Night Crawler, Cyclops, Wolverine or Rogue something cool but what. His powers were to repel but that would be a bad name. “Fear me for I am Repel.” Gabriel laughed at himself. No he wanted something better.
“Why not Force?” Professor Yaffle’s voice said inside his head. Gabriel hated the idea of the psychic mutants reading his mind all the time but he guessed it would yet another thing to adjust to.
“It seems too powerful I don’t want my name to be arrogant I want to be a defender not an attacker.” Gabriel said voicing his thoughts more articulately than he thought he could.
“Well there is a question that only you can answer. Perhaps speaking to Storm could help she is very wise in matters of the heart.”
“Thank you Professor.” Gabriel said trying to quiet his thoughts so he could sleep.
“Stinky, poopy baby.”
Madelyn awoke with a start.
Rogue’s voice had sounded so real but it was just a dream.
“Sure it was sugar.”
Madelyn sat straight up.
There at her door was Rogue. Fully clothed and holding Madelyn’s bed sheets in her left hand. In her right was a baby bottle.
“How…when…why…what’s going on Rogue?” Madelyn demanded.
“Don’t get fussy ma’ little kitten.” Rogue teased. She moved into Madelyn’s room leaving the sheets outside and closed the door. “I just came to make sure your diaper was wet.”
Madelyn looked down hoping that what she was feeling against her skin was wrong. Unfortunately it wasn’t, she had once again wet her diaper.
“Gonna’ cry?” Rogue asked.
“No.” Madelyn spat at Rogue.
“Don’t get fussy sugar or I’ll get ma camera.”
“What do you want Rogue?”
“To feed you.”
“WHAT?”
“Don’t shout baby, or else you will attract unwanted attention to your condition.”
“You want to feed me. Why?”
“It’s the second most demeaning thing I can do to you.”
Madelyn knew what the first was so she decided not push Rogue.
“Okay then.” Madelyn sulked.