Chapter 4: Chapter four : COLD PLAY (I)
Obligatory Disclaimer : I do not own anything (except maybe OC characters) all characters, places, worlds, universes…etc mentioned here belong to their respective owners and/or companies.
This is purely a work of fiction. Not meant to offend or incite, but to entertain and maybe inspire.
'Mental conversations'
"Normal spoken conversations".
*****************************
COLD PLAY I
*****************************
The man with glinting metallic claws lunged at me. I slid backwards creating space between us.
Ice spears hovering around me
Vzp! Vzp! jammed through his body and nailed him to the ground.
Flooshckklc A larger ice spike shot from the ground and impaled him through the chest raising him with it. The man barely desisted his beast like grunts and he tried clawing at the ice.
I jumped at his face with two smaller spikes in my hand going through his eyeballs, lodging into his brain.
"Urghhh!" he grunted in pain and blindly lashed out chipping away my armor. A thin layer of ice began to rapidly form over his skin from the point of contact I had with him. His grunts abruptly ceased as did all his movements. He was a frozen solid as glass.
I punched at him with an enlarged fist. Clank! Crash! His metallic skeleton shot out of his shattered-to-pieces frozen flesh that now littered the silver floor.
"Agh!" I grunted as a sledge hammer like force struck my mind. I saw the woman in white smiling seductively and mockingly at me. My body changed into its organic ice form. The clothes on me freezing solid and falling off. The woman's face scrunched up in distress, the psychic blasts no longer working on me, a recently discovered unique and appreciated property of my ice form. I lashed my hand out.
Vzz! Accelerating circular discs of ice sped past her body, cleanly separating it into a mutilated and dismembered statue.
The one with a visor fired red beams of energy at me. Pushing me back. He fired again, I learned my lesson the first time.
A clear ice shield morphed over my hand, he fired continued beam at me, pushing me back slowly. I refined the ice shield to the point where I felt the beams begin to divert on its mirror like surface, easing the force exponentially.
I turned the shield to the to a slightly bent angel reflecting the damage to the blue figure that was creeping up on me blasting it back and into the wall.
Two clones formed from the ice ran at the man, he turned his sight from me to blast them apart. I utilized the distraction, I shot forward on an ice sled. He turned his sight back towards me, not noticing the danger behind him.
When he did, it was too late. His whole head was encased in ice, a swift punch from my speeding figure turned it into pieces of frozen pebbles. The man fell to knees and then forward.
"Phew" I took a breath turning back into my flesh form— naked. I changed back into organic ice, the stylish trousers with side chains reappearing on me. I was still learning to isolate the clod from damaging my clothes by manipulating the immediate temperature gradient over my skin but it's not been very easy.
The room dissipated into a stream of light particles as did the bodies and all the mess.
I walked out the now silver and distinctively metallic danger room. I admitted the fact that it's technology was so advanced it was close to magic. This was my second time in it. And it was vastly different from the first time, I think they set it to marathon mode. I had been fighting over and over for hours on end over various sceneries. The last one was meant to be deadly.
Dr McCoy was in the control room alone, replaying the fight and nodding along. "Wait till they see this" he muttered between chuckles.
"Hey Doc" I said.
"Ah Robert, I was just replaying the danger room scenes. I have to say it's as entertaining as it is equally if not more terrifying. You are quite limitless in your creativity and applications" He clapped my shoulder. Noting down his observations on a pad he pulled out.
"The psychic resistance function of your organic ice form performed well I see"
I nodded. "It did. It was like a barrier was built around my mind that threw back whatever was thrown at it."
"Yes, indeed. Very mirror like in that regard." he closed his notebook and gestured for me to follow him as he hummed a melodious tune.
We walked down a section and through a door then into his lab. It looks like your typical mad genius laboratory. Glowing cylinders with bubbling substances. Giant tesla coils with blue arcs of electricity dancing on them. A neat cluster of monitors all displaying different results, graphs and such. A large white machine that looks like a CT scanner? I'm not too certain.
The lab was large enough to hold all these and more and still have enough space in it. Or maybe it's the fact that everything is neatly kept and arranged.
"It took sometime but I was able to acquire materials to build a prototype uniform you could wear even in your organic ice form without damaging it. As well as other forms"
We walked to a display board where he tapped on some buttons. And the black screen cleared. Displaying a man-panty(that's what it looked like) with a red x symbol on it. I blankly stared at it then back at the doctor. I turned around to walk out of the lab.
"Hahaha. I'm joking" a deep laughter erupted from his lips as he held me back. He used his furry fingers to wipe away a tear. "Oh, you should have seen your face, Robert." he said with even more laughter.
"Very funny Dr McCoy"
The background changed, the metal sliding out to present another one.
"The materials are layered with rare unstable molecular fabric I obtained from my colleague Dr Richards. He was kind enough to donate it. The fabric will be able to attune and adapt to your body's physical properties when your form changes while still retaining its structural integrity" he explained. He hit a switch. A flame thrower spat red hot raging flames at the material and it barely even smoked. The screen retracted into the walls and the uniform slid out on a mechanical rack.
The lower wear was an all black, slim fit combat jeans trouser . The leather like bomber jacket next to it was also black but with a yellow highlights on the collars, some bands on the arms and a large yellow X on the front. The trousers were very fitting and cozy. I slid the bare jacket on, I noticed hoodie on the back, it looked great like this even without an undershirt. Dan would be proud.
I also grabbed a pair of black sneaker inspired footwear on the rack below the screen and slid those on too.
"I'm working on an upgrade that will allow it more properties. Such as color change and smart interactions. Although the trouser has more of the molecules than the jacket, it shouldn't be much of a problem when the upgrades are ready." he rummaged through a drawer and steadily pulled out a metallic belt with an X buckle and two very black gloves with a yellow X on the back. "This is your belt and your glove. It has the various functions as the others, it should also be able to withstand your temperatures when you're in ice form"
I raised a brow. "Isn't that for only the official X-Men?"
"Yes it is, Drake" a voice said walking out of the shadows, Cyclops.
"Welcome to the team Kid." wolverine added "Heh, anyone who freezes Scott's head off like that deserves to be on it" he chuckled, striking a match and using it light his cigar. As he too stepped out from behind.
"We'll make an official announcement tomorrow, sorting you guys into your squads. But you have earned yourself a spot on the main team. Your bravery was commendable as were your tactics. The fact that you stood up for your colleagues in such a situation was very important" Cyclops continued.
"You're rough around the edges with your somewhat uncontrolled lethal choice of actions. But that can be smoothed out"
You know what this seems like to me? Like they were holding onto something they didn't want to lose. In this case, me going to work for Shield(I still had Nick Fury's card). Wolverine and the rest wanting me on the team might be slightly genuine, but Scott(I became the new magneto) Summers? I don't think so. His actions have double meanings, the man has been spending too much time with Emma frost. Maybe I'm a little too hard on him, try telling him that. The man has been on my case since I got here, I'm not dumb. And I won't be surprised if I end up on his student group.
Mind you, I don't see myself as the center of the world. I'm not some super centric essential main character, the universe doesn't revolve around me. In the grand scale of things, I would barely even matter. I'm not self conceited. I don't have a great purpose, I'm like any other person out there in the world, the only difference is I've just got powers, powers I don't let get to my head. They don't entitle me to superiority, there others out there with greater abilities or even minds and wills. I'm just one man, in an endless infinite universe, compared to that all I am small. It's the truth, and it's ok, I accept it. And then I live with it. As long as I've got a life, I'll live, I'm not special. I'm like you, I'm normal. We're all unique, but no one is really special. The world is large, I've seen a lot. We use our uniqueness to stand out, sure. But that doesn't mean we're above others, for they too are unique. I'm not special.
"Although it seems rushed, we have given it very much thought. I and the rest of the X-men know we could use your abilities.".
"To be honest we could use a hand considering all we've got on ours" Hank agreed.
"Then I'll gladly accept it. It's an honor to be on the team with you guys" I said. It really was, I mean when you go past it all. It's like joining your favorite characters in real life, without all the childish rainbows and unicorn bulshit.
They smiled and congratulated me. I later left the lab and headed for my room, putting the X jacket in the closet with the belt and gloves. I liked the trousers and sneakers so I kept those on. I wore my sleeveless hoodie then headed for the cafeteria since it was lunch anyway.
|§§|
I took my loaded tray off the counter and looked around to find a seat. The cafeteria was always occupied and the students did have their seating groups and what not.
Indra sat with his friends, a green kid with dragon scales on his back and another that looked like humanoid water. They enjoyed each other's company. I would normally sit with him, but the kid should hang around people his age more.
I went towards and unoccupied table and placed my tray down and drew a seat forward. I pulled my hoodie back. Said a small prayer like John would and began eating. The chef had four hands, and maybe that meant four times the cooking talent. The food was always delicious.
"Hi, Robbie" Hisako came up to the table with her tray.
"Hey, Hisako. Sup"
Hisako was the girl with the hard light armor construct. She's asian, Japanese to be specific. She had a headful of shining black hair she kept in a ponytail. Her eyes were a wonderful hazel brown that were attention grabbing, she had this cute pointy nose, pink lips and a bright smile that fit her very well. She was also very witty.
"All good. Where are your friends, Drake? I thought you'd start sitting with the 'popular' kids by now." she added munching on her rice and sushi.
"Oh, well you know me. I'm prefer the peace and quiet of solitude. Plus I thought we were friends?"
"Gahh, can you stop sounding so sagely and grandfatherly." she groaned, "Of course we are, but next to Indra and maybe mindee there's probably no one else. I know they invited you to seat with them, You turned them down didn't you?"
"yep to the second and no to the first. I like being wise" I said.
"That won't end well." she added.
"Um..hi" a girl walked up to our table. "Can I join you guys?" She asked tensely.
"Sure, just grab a seat" I replied. The girl had golden blond hair in contrast to her deep blue eyes. An angular face that drew attention to her features, and full lips.
Did I ever tell you how everyone here looks like a supermodel. Almost everyone had pretty faces, sweet figures with all the curves in the right places. Such as this girl now, she'll probably be in her mid to late teens. There's been an influx of students lately must be due to the new semester.
"Thank you" she said taking a sigh of relief. Her gaze alternated from mine and Hisako's.
"I'm Laurie Collins, I'm from Connecticut and I'm new here" she briefly introduced herself.
"Welcome Laurie to the best table in the house, over on this side we're the heroes" Hisako joked, causing Laurie to giggle.
"I'm Hisako the great and this is my partner Rob the smooth crimina-"
I quickly interjected cutting her off. "I know you won't let that go. Don't listen to her, she'll talk your head off" I told Laurie.
She smiled at us. "It's nice meeting you both. And thanks for the hospitality."
"No need to thank to us."
Her gaze lingered on mine and went over my tattoos, examining each piece her eyes could over my chest to my arms. She blushed when our gazes met again. "Your tattoos look great"
Hisako kicked my leg under the table, 'smooth criminal' she mouthed silently to me. I ignored her and smile at Laurie.
"Thanks Laurie. You look amazing when you smile" Hisako stink eyed me when I said that.
"Laurie, what are your po—"
Slam! "You're just a show off!" someone yelled from another table. I turned my head to stare. It was someone of the 'cool' kids. Cool, what a fucking joke. Cool, if these childish fuckers knew half the shit I've done, they'd back away in fear. Cool, I hope they learn before they get thrown out into the real world.
I knew this guy, he's the one with telekinesis "So what? Because you think you fought some alien dude, because you think you've got some cool powers and now you think you're the king? You're just a fake show off, wear your clothes right for goodness sake! Why do you always display these shitty doodles you call tattoos?" He yelled heatedly and walked up to me. "I'm sick and tired of your shit! Since you're so hot, try me" everyone's attention was drawn to us. I wonder how he'd feel if he knew I was an X-Man. He must be feeling threatened, his social standing was being shaken up by an outsider. He was no longer the center of the universe and that must have not sat well with him. He probably has a severe case of narcissistic personality disorder, so of the attention and admiration he seeks isn't given to him he lashes out. And most likely because of his powers, he's been able to make it grow even more severe, he's used to people backing down.
Hisako tried getting up to defend but I gestured for her to seat. This kid was trying to mess with the wrong person. Thank God John isn't here to stop me from what I'm about to do.
"Sigh. I hope we have a healer" I rose from my seat at looked him straight in the eye he faltered and took a step back but still affirmed his stance. Slap! A crisp slap rang out through the room. His senses were scrambled he couldn't focus enough to get his powers working, I formed a sphere around us and descended on the little shit like God's anger. You need to thoroughly root it out, if not it could blow up in your face down the line.
Krak! "Argh! Ahh!" that was his fore finger. Thud a punch to the face disoriented him again. I'm teaching him a valuable life lesson. One he'll never forget. He activated his telekinesis but I was too close to him for it to actively use it properly. We were also in my fighting field. Hands formed from the ice held him tightly in place as I systematically hit him. "Please, please stop. I'm r-really ss-sorhyy" he begged. His fingers bent in ways they shouldn't, his face bloody.
'Stop your undignified actions immediately and let him out!' Emma Frost's angry voice intruded into my mind. Right this guy was her prized student. I held his bloody face up to eye level and stared at him. "You try shit at me again I'll freeze your brain. I believe you now know your place?" he frantically nodded. "Good" I said. Dissipating the ice sphere, the boy fell weakly to the floor he had a black eye, a busted lip and some broken fingers. The students nearest to us exclaimed and stepped back.
I looked around and most of them avoided my gaze, even Laurie shifted around uncomfortably.
Emma Frost looked at me with a angry unimpressed gaze.
"Go to the headmaster's office now. And prepare to explain yourself young man" she ordered. I walked away drawing my hoodie on. 'I said now' she tried manipulating my thoughts. I turned to organic ice form and cut off her mental link, the temperature in the cafeteria rapidly dropped. "Stop getting into my head without my permission." my favorite hoodie froze and got destroyed. Fuck!
I left the cafeteria and headed for the woods. Taking a stick out of the cigarette pack in my pocket. I walked further into the fields and lit the stick taking a deep calming drag. This is why I had John close to me. Sometimes I just lose control when I get into a fight. I curbed it as much as I could. I curbed it down till it barely even existed but it was still there. And now I wish John was here. I wouldn't want Cruz to see me now, she'd egg me on to do more damage. Cruz was insane, she was as close to friendly psychopathic anarchist as you can get. If she heard me say I was going to be a hero she'd laugh her ass off. 'You a hero? Yeah right. You don't deserve it. You're better as a monster, you and me, we're not good people. We don't deserve it' she'd say. I would tell her she's wrong. You are whatever you decide to be. No one is perfect. We are changing. We're getting better. And John would give me a thumbs up and then a rare smile. Dan would laugh and ask if he'll ever find love.
Sigh. I still miss them.
Vzzp! Vzzp! vzzpp! I shot my hands out at the sound of whistles. Clank! Cling! Flat and thin metallic blades struck the ice sheet and fell to the ground.
"The hell?" a multitude of heat signatures appeared in my vision. Heat signatures that looked oddly human, but with large armors and masks. It didn't take a genius to figure out that this was an attack.
|§§|
Bonjour mon ami. That's French for Bonjour my people. Haha.
A brand new ice cold chilling chapter of the Iceman. iceman was attacked?! By who? And why? Stick around to find out.
You enjoyed it? Leave a review and a comment. I seriously love reading those.
Don't forget to hit that like, follow and fave button!!
And for my daoist peeps, don't forget to vote! Let's raise the story like a wonderful dragon egg.
The higher it goes the more fiahhh!! I gain. Which will compel me to write more chapters.
Till we meet again.
Rain away-
Ps. I have a new story I'm thinking of writing but I don't know if you wonderful people would like to read it. Just head over to my patreon page and vote on the polls. It's free and public
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone