-Bayville Middle School-
Marigold was sitting in band practice, she had been practicing everyday on her french horn for the test today. "I wouldn't worry Marigold. You are very talented. Just relax and have fun with playing the musical piece." Mr.Wade said walking up behind the girls chair and resting a steady hand on her shaking shoulder. Marigold pushed her glasses up her nose and held onto the french horn tightly in her hands. "I can't help but be nervous." She admitted. Mr.Wade walked around the chair and kneeled in front of her, smiling as he spoke to her.
"You know some of the greatest musicians of all time got nervous every-time they performed, do you know what they did to help calm themselves?" Marigold shook her head, holding her french horn closely to her chest. "They took all that nervous energy and pushed it into their performance! I have heard you practicing this piece, and I know you will do great." He said, before wishing her luck and going to the front of the band room to start class. 'I know you will do great.' Marigold shivered, an odd feeling running through her veins at those words.
"Your not cold are you? It's always so hot in this room!" Sandy said sitting in the row behind her, holding her trumpet in her lap. "No, I'm just so nervous about the test!" Marigold whispered, pushing the odd feeling out of her mind as Mr.Wade started class. Sandy rolled her eyes, "You will be fiiiiine. Your like the best french horn player in our whole band, and you've only been playing for a few months!" Marigold smiled at her friends words.
"You don't seem very nervous..." She noted. Sandy grinned. "Why be nervous when I know I'm the best trumpet player here?" She said with a big grin. A few of the other trumpet players around her started protesting and Mr.Wade couldn't help but laugh at the group. "Alright! Whenever the trumpets are done goofing off we can begin practice!" He called out so that the section could hear him. Everyone laughed together before practice began.
Marigold tried to focus on the music in front of her, but with the test at the end of class making her nervous she was having a hard time. "Remember Marigold, no matter how you do on your test, I and the rest of the Xavier Institute will always be proud of you. You don't have to achieve a goal at this school to receive praises and affection. As long as you are trying your best we will always love you." Marigold sighed in relief as The Professors words he has shared with her last night came up in her memory. She wasn't at the facility anymore. She didn't have to worry about failure here. With that thought in her mind Marigold tried her best to enjoy her favorite class of the day.
-Xavier Institute/ Danger Room-
Marigold was running through a test with Rogue, Cyclopes, Jean, Shadow-cat, and Nightcrawler. Their mission was to get the whole team across the danger room and make it to the goal without being knocked down by one of the orb bombs, if you got hit you were out. And the whole team had to do it together or they all failed. The buzzer sounded in the air and the team started running across the danger room. Orbs were flying all around and everyone was dodging them as they raced towards the goal at the other end of the large danger room. Marigold was using her shields to block any orbs from hitting her, while also trying to protect the other students as well when she could.
Nightcrawler made it through the goal by teleporting and called out, "Hurry up, were running out of time!" as the rest of the group was running towards him. "We all can't just teleport to the end like you Nightcrawler!" Shadow-cat shouted, the orbs simply phasing through her as she made it to the goal. Jean and Marigold ran through the goal at the same time moments after Shadowcat and turned to see only Cyclops and Rogue left. Cyclops was about to run through the goal as well, but Rogue got knocked down by one of the orbs. None of the others were allowed to leave the goal because they were already in it, so Cyclopes had to run and go grab her. He reached her and held out his hand to her,
"Forget it. I got hit, that means I'm out." Rogue said sitting up on her knees looking defeated. "No one gets left behind." Cyclopes said before lifting her up over his shoulder. He started running and Rogue held onto the back of his X-men uniform as the timer kept running. "This is so embarrassing." Rogue said as the team cheered them on. "Come on! It's all or none!" Jean shouted from the goal. Cyclops and Rogue were only a few feet away from the goal when the buzzer sounded, indicating the end of the mission.
"Times up." Storm said entering the danger room as everyone groaned and protested. "Good save Cyclops. Impressive teamwork today." Storm noted as the group joined together. "But we failed." Cyclops said, sounding upset. The danger room door opened again and Spike came into the room dressed in his X-men uniform. Everyone seemed pretty angry or annoyed as he looked up at the group. Marigold nervously pushed her glasses up her nose, feeling the tension in the room.
"Uhh, am I late?" He asked. "You apart of this team or what?" Cyclops asked as he stormed past Spike and out of the danger room. "Way to go Spike, we could have really used your help today." Jean said as she, Rogue, and Shadowcat walked by him. "Yea, now we have to do it again tomorrow because we failed today." Nightcrawler said as he too stormed out of the danger room. Marigold held onto Storm's hand with hers as Spike called out an apology, going unheard by his angry teammates.
"Your making a habit out of this Spike." Storm said, sounding upset. "Nobody can count on you anymore." She said before pulling Marigold out of the room with her, leaving Spike on his own. "Go ahead and change out of your uniform and meet me in the library so we can work on your homework alright Marigold?" Storm asked, her tone much softer with her. The young girl agreed and Storm let go of her hand so she could go on. As the young girl made her way to her bedroom she couldn't help but feel bad for Evan, sure she was upset with him for missing the danger room training today. But it wasn't completely his fault that the team had failed.
She made it to her room and changed, quickly making her way down the hallway. She ran into Kitty on her way, but stopped when she saw what Kitty was wearing. "Uh Kitty, what is that?" She asked, looking at the pyramid shaped hat her friend was wearing. "Oh this! It's supposed to help stimulate brain power. I have a totally hard geometry test coming up and I need all the help I can get. Do you like it?" Kitty asked with pride. Marigold raised an eyebrow looking at the odd hat, but if it made her friend happy..."I think you can pull anything off Kitty." The teen smiled and gave Marigold a quick kiss on the cheek before practically skipping down the hallway.
- Bayville Middle School/ The Next Day-
There was a crowd of students in front of Mr.Wade's office door, all buzzing with excitement and nerves. "Wow!" "You did so good Marigold!" Congrats!" The young girl looked shocked at the results of the test that were taped onto the front Mr.Wade's office door. Sandy pushed her way through the crowd and gave Marigold one of the biggest grins she had ever seen. "First chair! I told you, you would be great!" Sandy said hugging her friend.
"You got third chair! That's really good too." Marigold said pointing to her friends name on the list. "Yea, I guess we both rock huh?" Sandy said swinging her arm over her friends shoulder. Marigold smiled, so excited to tell everyone at the Institute that she got the top results on her test! The door suddenly opened and everyone watched as Mr.Wade stepped out of his office. He shut the door and quickly got out of the way so the students could continue to look at the list. He smiled when he saw Marigold and walked over to her. "Congrats Marigold. I knew you would do great." He said before walking by her. "I know you will do great." She smiled, happy with her accomplishment until she heard someone whispering about her under their breath,
"She only got first chair because she's such a teachers pet. Just like the rest of those students from Xavier Institute." Marigold tried to shake off the odd comment that didn't sound good as she walked away from the crowd around the door and joined Sandy and a few of her other friends in a corner of the band room. "Hey Sandy, what's a teacher's pet?" She asked. "Oh, it's a student who sucks up to the teacher so that they can be favored by that teacher so they get special treatment and good grades. Why?" Sandy asked, more than used to her friend not knowing such terms now that they had been friends for awhile.
"Oh, no reason. I heard it earlier today and didn't know what it was." Marigold said, brushing off the question. The rest of the group continued to talk and Marigold let her thoughts wonder. She wasn't a teachers pet was she? She didn't try to do anything to get Mr.Wade to like her, or any of her teachers for that matter. Was it really a negative thing like that person whispering made it out to be? Class started shortly after, but Marigold couldn't stop thinking about what that person had said.
- Later that Night-
Thunder roared in the air and the lightning lit up the sky as Marigold was walking down the hallway of Xavier Institute when she heard Evan talking in his room. His door was open so she poked her head in to see him reading off a sheet of paper to himself pacing around the room.
"Show his heart, and grief his shadows...uh, like shadows - awh man! I'm never going to get this." He said getting frustrated. "What are you doing Evan?" Marigold asked, getting the boys attention. "I'm trying to memorize this poem for one of my classes." He said falling back onto his bed in defeat. "Looks like you need some brain power!" Kitty said walking up to the door wearing her odd hat with pride. "You really believe that thing works?" Evan asked, sounding skeptical. "I walk through walls, you shook pointy spikes, and Marigold can turn invisible. What isn't there to believe?" Kitty asked. "Yea, I think I'll pass. Thanks though." Evan said as Kitty rolled her eyes at him. She left to go study and Marigold picked up the piece of paper with the poem on it.
"I've read this before." She said looking over the words. "Really? You think you can help me memorize it?" Evan asked sounding hopeful. "Sure, what class do you have to learn this for anyway?" She asked hopping onto the bed next to Evan. "It's for my chemistry class." Evan said sounding annoyed. "You learn literature in chemistry class?" Marigold asked in confusion. "No - well. Just between you and I...I kind of got caught skipping my chemistry class the other day, and my teacher said he would let me off the hook if I memorized this." He said gesturing to the paper with the poem on it.
"Oh, well I can help you memorize it!" Marigold said. "Thanks man! I'm glad your not like the other teacher's pets in this house. Like Jean or Scott." He said. "Uh, is it bad to be a teacher's pet?" Marigold asked. "Not bad...it's just lame ya know." Evan said shrugging his shoulders. Marigold frowned. "Oh, so if someone calls you that then your...lame?" She asked, pushing her glasses up her face. Evan made a face and rolled on the bed to face her, "Why are you asking me? Is someone calling you names at school?" He asked. "Oh um, not to me face." Marigold said, suddenly a lot more nervous than before. Evan frowned,
"If someone is being mean to you I can deal with them." He said. "No! no, it's not like that...I got first chair in band and someone said that about me, they didn't mean for me to hear them but I did." Marigold said fiddling with her glasses. Evan sighed and pulled the young girl under his arm. "Trust me dude. They were just jealous. I bet that person said that because they were upset they didn't get first chair." Marigold gave the boy a skeptical look.
"Trust me girl! the last thing I would call you is lame." Evan smiled when that seemed to cheer Marigold up, the doorbell rang interrupting their moment and they both left his room to see who was at the door. Jean made it to the front door before they did and pulled it open to see Mr.McCoy. "Mr.McCoy um, what are you doing here?" Jean asked, surprised to see her teacher at the door. "Hello Jean. I'm here to see Professor Xavier." He said as Jean welcomed him in. "Who is that?" Marigold asked Evan. "My Chemistry teacher. I wonder why he's here to see The Professor...he has been acting weird lately." Evan said watching as Jean lead the teacher down the hall towards The Professor's office, and out of their sight. "I wouldn't worry about it too much. Now come on, that poem isn't going to memorize itself." Marigold said, pulling the confused boy back into his room.
- Later That Night-
The X-men were all suited up, watching the news after being pulled out of their beds in the middle of the night by The Professor.
"A state of emergency has been put in place. Reports of a wild beast continue to flood in."
The news continued on as the video switched to the principle of Bayville High holding a torn up chemistry jacket.
"I saw it with my own eyes! I know who the beast is...It's Mr.McCoy! A Chemistry teacher in our own school. He's gone mad!"
Everyone was watching the news, the high school students seemed shocked at the revelation that their Chemistry teacher was a mutant. "Based on sightings and the damage around the city it's clear that he's headed north." Wolverine said looking at the map on the computer screen they were using to try and track down Mr.McCoy. "Let's head him off, and remember we don't want him getting hurt. But the well being of yourself and your teammates comes first." The Professor said as the group split up to go to the cars and chase down the beast.
-Marigold's Pov-
I was with Wolverine and Spike. We were in a car racing around the city to try and find Mr.McCoy.
"Wolverine. We've spotted him in the scrap yard."
Jean said over the communicators.
"We're on our way."
Wolverine said. "Come on. We've got a beast to catch." He said as he turned the wheel in the car, doing a U-turn in the middle of the road and speeding to get to the scrap yard as fast as he could go. We pulled in to see Mr.McCoy about to attack Jean and Shadowcat, causing Wolverine to growl in anger as he ran and tackled the beast down.
They wrested for a few moments before the beast got the upper hand and picked up Wolverine over his head, throwing him into a pile of scrap cars. Spike and I ran up to check on Jean and Shadowcat, watching as the beast got the upper hand. When Wolverine didn't get up from his position in the scrap cars the beast turned back to Jean, Shadowcat, Spike, and I.
Roaring with anger. He pounced and I put a shield up around us. Mr.McCoy growled with anger as he tried to break down the shield, but it was stronger than he was. Each time he hit the shield I could feel it like he was hitting me directly. "Like, how do we stop him?" Shadow-cat asked fearfully as Jean got on her knees to hold onto me. With each hit Marigold started to cry out in pain. Cracks forming on her shield. Marigold's pulse raced in her veins, knowing she couldn't keep up the shields much longer.
Wolverine groaned in pain as he got back. He saw Mr.McCoy trying to attack us and he got up and jumped on the beast's back, pulling him away from the shield that was protecting us. Mr.McCoy threw Wolverine off his back and ran out of the scrap yard, a loud growl ringing in our ears as he got away. "You all stay together, I'm going after him." Wolverine said with a growl before running after Mr.McCoy.
"Everyone, Mr.McCoy is still heading North. Wolverine is chasing after him."
Jean reported in the communicators. "Where could he be going?" Marigold asked the group. Spike paced around for a few moments before gasping, "To get his head together!" He said in realization before running after Wolverine and Mr.McCoy. "Spike! We have to stay together!" Shadowcat called, but he kept running. So Jean, Shadowcat, and I ran after him.
"He's on the move again. We lost him."
Storm reported as Jean, Shadowcat, Spike, and I were running through the park. "Why are we here Spike?" Marigold asked him. "We need to get to the amphitheater in the park! I think that's where Mr.McCoy is headed." Spike explained as the group continued to run. We all got there and didn't see anyone, but we walked in as a group and started looking for the beast.
"Mr.McCoy?" Spike called out as he climbed up on the stage. We all heard a familiar growl and turned to see Mr.McCoy run onto the stage from the back, growling as his eyes landed on Spike. "Don't do this teach! This isn't you!" Spike said as he tried to get the beast to calm down. "You gotta fight this thing!" Spike said, right before the beast jumped to attack him, but Wolverine ran up behind him and tackled him to the ground before he could reach Spike. Jean, Shadowcat, and I ran up on the stage as the two started wrestling for dominance.
"He's in the amphitheater! Hurry we need backup!"
Spike said into the communicator as they tried to help Wolverine take down the beast. Wolverine got thrown again and Mr.McCoy took down Shadowcat and Jean, throwing his arm and knocking both of them off the stage. They both fell to the ground and were knocked out. Wolverine growled as he got back up, but Mr.McCoy was already attacking me and I threw my hands up, making shields appear around his feet and hands, holding him down on the ground, pulling his claws away from me. He growled and jerked his body around, trying to get out of the hold. "I-I can't hold him for very long!" I warned, already feeling my shields weaken as Mr.McCoy fought to free himself. My arms shook with the effort to keep him down.
Thunder rolled in the air and rain drops started falling around them as Spike walked closer to the beast. "May his eyes shine, and grief his heart. Come to shadows, sewn apart!" Spike shouted over the rain and thunder as he got closer to Mr.McCoy. "Spike no! Don't get any closer!" Storm said as she and the other X-men arrived to the scene. Cyclops and Rogue ran over to check on Shadowcat and Jean while Storm flew through the air and landed next to me, who was struggling to keep the beast pinned down.
"Sleep shall neither night nor day, hang upon his pin house lid." Spike said, ignoring everyone as he took a few steps closer to Mr.McCoy. The beast was growling, as if he were in pain as Spike recited the poem. "Spike - I think it's working! Keep going!" I shouted over the thunder and roaring , as everyone watched the beasts reaction. "He shall live a man forbid. Grey nights, nine times nine. Shall he dwindle peek and nine." Spike said, the beast only getting angrier. Nightcrawler teleported by my other side with The Professor.
"Do you think you can hold him down long enough for me to get inside his mind?" The Professor asked me. "y-yea. Just, AHH - Just hurry!" I said, my arms shaking from the strain and pain as Mr.McCoy was jerking even harder, cracks forming in the shields holding him down. The Professor wheeled himself next to Mr.McCoy, and put his hand in his forehead. "Spike, continue your poem. He can hear it." The Professor said before diving into his mind.
"Mr.McCoy. You can fight this. I know you're in there! Your stronger than the beast. Don't give up."
The Professor told him as Spike recited the poem over and over again. The beast roared out so loudly that it hurt my ears. But after that he stopped struggling. He went limp on the ground and I felt my arms fall to my side as the shields went away. My legs were shaking, and as I fell back Storm caught me in her arms.
"Are you alright?" She asked as helped lower me to the ground. "Y-yea. Is Mr.McCoy okay?" I asked with a slight slur in my tone, my head feeling dizzy. "We're not sure yet. But we were able to calm him down together. You did a good job." Storm said in comfort as I felt my body giving out on me. "Is she okay?" Wolverine asked running over. I heard them talking over me, but it sounded muffled. I looked past Wolverine to see The Professor and Spike checking over Mr.McCoy and I knew that he would be okay. I let myself relax in Storms hold, I felt my body moving, and a strong pair of arms lifting me off of the ground. When had I closed my eyes? I could smell motor oil and sweat, and I knew that Wolverine must be holding me. I knew that the mission was over, and I let myself rest knowing that everyone was okay.
-The Next Day-
"After a night of terror, local teacher Hank McCoy's whereabouts remain unknown. But until he is found police how vowed to continue their search."
The news reported continued talking about the 'missing' man, but Logan grabbed the remote and switched the TV off. "Alright everyone, get ready for school." He said as the students all got up from the breakfast table, except for Marigold.
"Can I please go to school? I promise I'll be fine." She said, still dressed in her pj's as Logan walked over to her. "No way baby bird. Your to spend the whole day resting, doctors orders." He said, pulling the girl up out of her chair and holding her in his arms, her legs automatically wrapping around his waist. She had passed out after holding the beast down for so long the night before and The Professor said it was from exerting so much energy at once and being in the cold of the rain combined, so he had told her that she needed to spend today resting and healing.
"I wish I could spend the day home 'healing'" Kurt said as he and the others went to go to school. "You wish elf...now get outta here." He said gently pushing the boy out the kitchen door. Marigold let her head rest on Logan's shoulder as he walked through the Institute and into the Professor's office where he was talking with Evan and Hank. Hank sighed as he looked into the mirror, looking at his furry blue reflection. "I still look like a monster." He said, sounding defeated. "But your now in the one place where that doesn't matter." The Professor said reassuringly. "I can still feel it though, inside of me." Hank said. "And you probably always will." The Professor said.
"The worst thing I could have ever imagined has happened...my teaching days are over now that I look like this." Hank said, turning back to the mirror. "What you need Hank, are students who know your secrets. Who have secrets of their own, and who need a man of your compassion to teach them." The Professor said wheeling himself to where he was beside Logan. Logan got the message and let Marigold climb out of his arms and into the Professors lap.
"How can the students trust me after I attacked them like I did?!" Hank asked. "That wasn't you teach. That was the beast inside you, but you took control of him." Evan said. "Yea, we know what it's like to struggle with your mutant abilities." Marigold chimed in. "Thank you, all of you. I hope that I can find a new home here." Hank said. "Everyone who is here is family. You will fit right in." The Professor said with a grin. "How are you doing young ma'am?" Hank asked, looking at Marigold. "I'm fine, just a bit -yawn- sore." She said, rubbing her eyes. "And tired. I'll take you back to your room. You should be resting anyway." The Professor said. "Yea, and you should be going to school chump." Logan said, grabbing Evan.
The boy sighed and followed the Professor and Marigold out of the room. "It's a bit rough getting used to everything, but you will be just fine. It will be nice to have another grown-up here." Logan said walking up to Hank. "I sure hope I can find a new life here, is that young girl your daughter?" Hank asked. Logan looked surprised, covering his blush with his hand as he ran it over his face. "Nah, she's just the youngest here. Gotta keep an extra eye on her to make sure the others don't get too rough with her and such. She's got a lot of baggage...most of the students here do. But that's why we're here. To help them." Logan said, folding his arms. "I sure hope I can help them, you all have helped me. I hope I'm able to return the favor...but not as Mr.McCoy anymore...but as Beast."