Chapter 4 - Understanding

Attention:  Generation X and their villians, as wellas any other mutant mentioned in this story, is property of Marvel Comics. The character Richard Cale is named after family relations.  Any otherreference to anything copywrighted is a chance happening.
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Changes
Chapter 4 Understanding
            Paigewalked into the med lab just as Jono had finished telling Rich about thefeatures of the med lab.  Sean had told her about his shake up andto be prepared.  She knew that she was going to show him the Biosphere,and that Penance would probably be there as well.  She hoped thatthere wouldn't be a repeat of the incident in the Assembly Hall, but therewas no guarantee on that.
            "Isee that Paige is here," said Jono as Rich turned to see her standingat the door.  She nodded and he smiled.  "I guess it is timethat you see the Biosphere."
            Richlooked at him with a certain look that Paige couldn't identify. She knewthat there was a bit of sadness in Jono's tone.  Part of her was stillhurt by his outburst back at her home, but part of her was upset. He jumped to a conclusion that was totally false.  She turned to Richand said, "Richard, I am Paige Guthrie and I will show you the Biosphere." She motioned for him to follow her and she left the med center.
            Richfollowed her at his usual pace and when they were outside of the building,he said, "So, who made the mistake?  Who let their mind or heart takecontrol?"
            Paigestopped and turned in defense.  She was shocked at what Rich had said. Did he learn that from Jono.  Sean had told her that he had Jono'sability briefly and might have learned that.  She decided to act asif she didn't know what he was talking about.  She sternly said toRich, "What do yah mean by that?"
            Richstopped and said, "If you think that I learned that from Jono, I didn't. He hasn't had as traumatic a life as Penance had.  I recognized thelook of lost love.  I have had that look.  In most cases, itwas my mind that took control when my heart said it wasn't right. But I think that it is the other way around in yours and Jono's case. I think that your hearts both know it's right, but somebody's mind didthe thinking and said it wouldn't work.  Am I right?"
            Histone was almost stern, but he didn't shout it.  She stood still. Paigefelt a bit ashamed.  She said, "You're right.  Jono let his minddo the thinking, but you can't understand what it is to deal with?"
            "Ican't understand what it is to deal with a heart that says it will work,and a mind that says it won't?  I can understand that.  I wasin a similar situation.  My mind knew it wouldn't work between onegirl and me, but my heart said it would.  In some case, the heartis right, while in others the mind is right.  I think in your case,the heart is right.  But, time will tell."
            Shelet the words sink in.  Rich seemed to know what he was talking about. She felt ashamed for thinking that he used his mutant ability to learnthat information.  She said to Rich, "Rich, Ahm sorry for accusingyou of using your abilities to find out about that.  It's just, Ihaven't told anyone about that.  I feel the only person that knowsabout that is Ms. Frost.  I just thought
that, well.."
            "Iunderstand.  Believe me, its hard to keep things from me, especiallyif you are a mutant.  I hate that part of my ability.  It makesit hard to keep friends."
            Shesmiled and said, "It's Okay. I think that your ability might make you morefriends here than you know.  Now, come on.  You must see theBiosphere."  She ran in the direction of the round building markedBiosphere.
            "Hey,Paige.  I was just wondering," he yelled as he tried to stay at herpace, "what is your mutant ability?"
            "Oh,Ah'm a metamorph.  I have the ability to transform myself into differentsubstances, just by shedding my skin."
            "Weird! I like it," he yelled as they reached the Biosphere.  She opened thedoor and let him enter first.  He then shout as she entered the building,"Utopia."
            "Begya pardon?"
            "Utopia. Paradise.  It appears to be a virtual paradise in here. Let me guess,Penance spends a lot of time here."
            "Yes,she does.  We might run into her while we're in here.  I hopeshe doesn't cause you to, well, you know."
            "Youmean like back in the assembly hall.  Don't worry.  I think shewould rather have me as a friend."
            "Youare the first person to ever communicate with her.  I think you mightbe a gift to all of us.  Well, let me tell you about the Biosphere."Paige prepped for her prepared lecture on the Biosphere when she realizedthat Rich had stopped moving.  She turned and saw that he was startingto change, but this time it wasn't as painful as it had been earlier. She then noticed stand about four feet from him was Penance.  Penanceseemed to be happy.  Paige walked over to the two and pulled out anapple.
            Penancelooked in her direction almost cautiously and then saw the apple. Paige handed the apple to Penance and said, "Here you go, Penance. I figuredyou would be here."  The apple was instantaneously sliced, but Penancemanaged to hold onto the slices.  She then took half the slices andhanded them to Rich.  He said something to her that Paige, herself,couldn't understand, but Penance understood as she smiled.  The twojust ate the apple and Paige decided that her lecture on the Biospherewasn't as important as the possible chance at communicating with Penancewas.

            Richcould tell that Penance was happy to see him.  After the first encounter,he guessed that she trusted him.  When he realized she was nearby,he stopped and looked at her.  She came out of hiding and smiled.When Paige came over to them both and gave her an apple, he watched asit was instantaneously sliced in her hands.  Penance then held upsome of the slices to him.  It was then he realized she also had psionicabilities as she asked {Would you like some?}
            Hethanked her, aloud and watched as Paige just watched.  He then saidto Penance, {Penance, is that what everybody calls you?}
            {No. Jubilee calls me Penny from time to time.  She treats me like a sister.}
            {Isthat your real name, Penance?}
            {No. My real first name is Yvette.}
            {Thatis a lovely name.  It seems to suit you.}  She appeared to blush,but it was hard to tell because of how red her skin was.  {Would itbe Okay if I called you that?}
            {Ithink that would be nice.  You are the first person to ever communicatewith me.}
            {Didn'tany one else talk with you.}
            {Alright,the first person I feel totally safe with.  The fiery one, he spokewith me a couple of times, although I didn't understand what he said. I got the impression that he and the others didn't want to hurt me, althoughI hurt her.}
            Richlooked at Paige and said to Penance, {You mean Paige Guthrie.}
            {Ifthat is her name, I'm not sure.  We are communicating in, I guess,my language.  I'm surprised that you understand it, being American.When I first arrived, the only thought in my mind was to leave and livefree.  I had been a prisoner of Him for years.  When the skin-ripperattacked me, I fought in defense.}
            {Noteto myself:  Do not get on your bad side.}  He saw her act asif she was chuckling. He had made a friend for sure.
            {Youare funny.  I hope you never run into Him.  You might lose thatand your life.  I'm still recovering, which is why I very rarely trustany one.  Jubilee, the one with sparks, is the only person I trulytrust, but I can't talk to her.  When you arrive and could speak tome, I felt safe for the first time since Him.}
            Richstarted to shudder.  He started feeling the fear he felt earlier. He felt that he better try and ask now than later.  {Yvette, my mutantability is allowing me to talk with you, and use your abilities. On my way here, I think He saw me.  I sensed Him, and I am scaredby this.  I'm afraid I might turn into Him.  Can you tell mewhat it was like?  I may need help.}
            Yvetteseem to shudder for a moment and finally, {I will tell you all I know. I lost my parents in the war.  I lost most of myself to Him, I don'twant to lose someone like you to Him.}
            Rich'seyes went wide.  Did he just hear what he thought he heard. He said{Yvette, did you just say what I think I heard?}
            Shelooked like she was almost embarrassed.  She finally replied, {Yes. I think I might be falling in love with you.}
            Whenhe heard that, he felt like he could have been knocked over with a feather. {Well, now.  I haven't just made a friend.  I just might havemade a girlfriend.}  He let a small smile show and said, {Later on,I'll stop by and you can tell me about Him, or as they call Him, Emplate. I might even try to teach you some English.}
            Yvettesmiled.  {I think that would be terrific.  I could talk to Jubilee,the noisemaker, His relation, the fiery one, the skin-ripper, the one thatextends his skin, the glowing man, the changer, or even the mind witch. I could also talk with the little boys or, most importantly, you.}
            {Ok. See you here tonight, Okay}  She nodded and bounded off.  Heglanced at Paige and she seemed to wondering what in the world had justhappened.  He then heard what sounded like some children coming theirway.

            Franklinremembered seeing Mr. Cale back in the assembly hall, and knew that Paigewas going to bring him to see the Biosphere.  He knew that Artie andLeech would like meeting him.  He led them over to the area wherePaige was standing.  He then saw Penance bound off and, he could onlyguess that it was Mr. Cale, but he must have been near Penance for a while.His normally white skin had turned red, and his hands were like claws. His hair had turned into a smaller version of Penance's hair.
            Animage appear as Artie seemed to ask if Mr. Cale was a second version ofPenance. Paige noticed the image and turned to say, "No, Artie. Rich isnot a mutant like Penance.  His ability allows him to mimic mutantabilities, personalities and even their knowledge."
            Mr.Cale turned to face them and kneeled down to their level.  He thenetched in the ground a small message.  It read "Franklin, you don'thave to call me Mr. Cale.  My name is Richard, and I prefer to becalled Rich."
            "Ok. I want to introduce you to my friends."  He motioned to boy with greenskin and big eyes.  "This is Leech."  He then motioned to Artieand said, "This is Artie."  Rich nodded at both boys and then motionedas if he was wondering something.
            Paigespoke up, "Franklin, Ah think Rich wants to know what your mutant abilitiesare?" Rich made a motion of putting his finger to his nose, and was nodding.
            Leechspoke first, "Leech's ability is to suppress other mutant's abilities." Rich's eyes went wide as Leech then said, "Artie's ability is to projectimages.  Leech and Artie are good friends."
            Franklinnoticed that Rich seemed to be a bit confused about how Leech talked. "Rich, Leech always talks like that.  My ability is to alter reality. I hang out with Leech since his ability doesn't let mine go out of control. The last time I had used my ability was when I destroyed Onslaught." Franklin still remembered how Onslaught made his parents disappear. He started to feel said.
            Paigerealized what was happening.  She went over to Franklin and said,"Don't worry. They are still in your heart."  She turned to Rich andsaid, "You have to understand that Franklin lost his family to Onslaught."Franklin looked over at Rich and noticed that he had returned to the normallook he usually had.
            Richhad a look of understanding and said, "I know what it's like to lose someoneclose to you, but I have never lost my entire family.  I offer mysympathies."
            Franklinlooked at Rich and thanked Rich.  "I guess I still can't forget whathappened to them."
            "Don'thold the pain in.  I lost a loved one when I was a little bit olderthan you.  I didn't cry about it until 9 years later.  It's goodto let go of the pain when it happens, not to hold it in."
            Franklinthought about the advice and said, "I understand, sir.  I hope youwill be staying here for a while.  I think you could be a good friendto have."  He watched as Rich nodded and smiled.  For all hecould tell, Rich was happy with the statement.  Franklin was aboutto say something when Mr. Cassidy walked over.
            "Wellnow Rich, I take it that ye have met the we lads."
            "YesSir.  I always have a spot in my heart for kids.  It comes frombeing the eldest child of sibling and or cousins."
            "Well,I thought that we could all welcome you here by having a meal together. We usually welcome new students with a bit of a celebration."
            "Aslong as we don't dance.  I can't dance at all."
            Franklinwas puzzled at this remark, just a bit.  "Rich, what did you meanby that?"
            Richtook a look at him.  He then said, "Franklin, have you ever heardof a group named Three Dog Night?"
            Franklinknew that group.  They were an old group, but they had terrific music. "There the group that do 'Joy to the World'.  I like that song."
            "That'sright.  They also did other songs, one being 'Celebrate' which therefrain goes 'Celebrate, Celebrate, Dance to the music.'  There songsseemed to have a message of peace in them."
            Franklinunderstood now what Rich meant by what he said earlier.  "I thinkwe will get ready for dinner now.  I hope you enjoy it here, Rich."With that he and Artie and Leech ran back to their tree house.
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            Mondolooked around the room.  He wanted Rich to feel as welcome as he did. He had set up the room to look exactly how it looked when he joined. He had everything setup just the same.  He watched as Sean had beenworking on a meal for everyone.  Ms. Frost walked over to him andsaid, "Mondo, you have done a great job at decorating.  I hope Richlikes it."
            "Ihave done my best to make it cheerful.  It is hard to understand whysuch a happy fellow like Rich, dresses in such gloomy colors.  Heseems to appear depressed."  He had gotten that impression when hesaw Rich for the first time, all dressed in black.  He watched asSean had brought Rich in the reception hall.  He smiled at Rich andsaid, "How do you like it?"
            Richglanced around the room and said, "Cheerful, but if a purple dinosaur jumpsout, I'm leaving."  Mondo was a bit confused at this.  Rich thensaid, "I guess it is like a party.  Let's celebrate.  Oh, isthis formal, or informal?"
           Mondo keptthe smile on his face and said, "It is informal, just as mine was. Although everybody came formally dressed.  I think that a celebrationshould be informal.  By the way, what did you mean by a purple dinosaur."
            "Itake it you aren't American.  Somebody developed a character thatis a purple dinosaur.  He has a perpetual smile on his face and isalways singing.  After about a minute of being exposed to this thing,you want to smash the television to pieces."
            "Justfor being cheerful.  I don't think that is a crime."
            "Mondo,I'm going to let you in on a trade secret to life.  One must realizethat life is not always cheerful, and if one always has a cheerful viewon life, they will most likely be the first to go."
            Mondocould not understand why Rich would say such a think.  It seemed totallyunbelievable.  "Is that what you believe.  I am sadly sorry foryou."
            "Don'tbe, Mondo.  I have heard all theories on life, from the Buddhist beliefsto one stated by Charles Manson."
            Ms.Frost gave him a startled look and said, "You don't admire that murderer,do you?"
            Richput his hand against his at his forehead and nodded downward. He finallysaid, "That murderer once said in an interview that he only played thehand life dealt him.  I know now that I was dealt the hand of a mutant. How I play my hand, only time will tell."
            Ms.Frost gave him a stern look and said, "If you ever think about doing anythingto hurt any of my students, I will make you regret it."
            "Ms.Frost, if I did anything to hurt anybody here, I would not be able to livewith my self. I don't lose my temper often, and when I do it is a scarysight.  I hope you never see me angry, but I can tell you one thing.Since I am epileptic, and I take medication for it, it can cause drasticmood swings in me, such as a fit of anger could turn into a crying episoderelated to what I could have done."  Rich almost tried to turn andleave.
            Ms.Frost had a look of shock on her face and said, "You are sensitive person,aren't you?"
            Rich'shead moved up and down.  Mondo couldn't understand what such a personwould wear such dismal colors.  He decided to ask the question thatwas bothering him.  "Rich, my friend, why do you wear such depressingcolors?"
            Richturned and looked at Mondo with a look of calmness, "Mondo, my favoritecolor is black.  I prefer black, not because it is a depressing color,but because it is a color of mystery. When one looks into a totally darkroom, one knows not what to expect.  Black represents a mystery, andI like to remain a mystery.  At times, I am a mystery to myself. I say one thing and do another.  I hope to find some sort of meaningto myself, as well as learn to use my ability to help everyone."
            Mondowas almost ready to say something when the rest of the students startedto come in.  Maybe he could talk with Rich tomorrow.  He wasquite interested in hearing Rich's views on life.
 

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