X-Men: Night of the Living Brain Dead
by
Ben Church
All major characters are the property of Marvel Comics except
Hotshot.
Chapter 6
Will was nervous. He'd never been on a plane before. His
parents had always driven everywhere. He couldn't understand what it
was that he was afraid of. If the plane crashed what did he have to
worry about? A stray piece of jagged metal or broken glass? The
chances of that happening were slim, but never the less he was worried.
His nervousness was momentarily replaced by amusement when his eye
patch set off the metal detector at the gate. The guard made him empty
his pockets, and then patted him down. Will realized that the patch
made him look like a terrorist as well as a pirate. But the moment
passed and the nervousness returned. Betsy saw his discomfort and
smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry, it's safer than driving."
"Yeah," he replied, "But I know how to drive. I don't have
the first idea about flying." Finally, it was time to board the plane.
Will felt his discomfort change to anticipation as the plane taxied
out onto the runway. By the time they were airborne he had decided
that flying was the most fascinating sensation he'd ever felt.
After a while, the novelty wore off. In order to pass the
time he decided to fill out the application and registration forms for
the Massachusetts Academy.
He read the letter from the Board of Trustees, which turned
out to Professor Xavier. Then he read the history of the Academy and
the profiles on the Instructors. Next he filled out the application.
Application for Entrance into the Xavier Institute for Gifted
Youngsters
1. Name: William Alexander Davidson
2. Date of Birth: 6/28/78
3. Age: 18
4. Sex: Male
5. Social Security Number: 756-75-9476
6. Major: Music Performance
7. School Previously Attended: Burlington High
8. Grade most recently Completed: 12
9. Extra Curricular Activities: Band, Chorus
Course Preferences
10. Genetics- The X Factor, Mutant Biology and Physiology
11. Energy Projection and Manipulation- Thermodynamics
12. Physical Education- Strength and Muscle Training, Dexterity,
Acrobatics and Martial Arts
13. Seminars- Grace Under Pressure, Weaponry, Mechanics and Alien
Technology, International Culture and History,
Fine Arts: Specifically Instrumental Music- Piano, Guitar,
Harmonica, Violin
14. Would you be interested in taking additional classes other than
the ones you have indicated? Yes.
15. All of our students have a code name by which they are known
when they are in class. This name should fit in with your
powers and\or personality. Please specify what you would like
your code name to be:
Will thought hard about this last one. He thought about his
power and tried to come up with a name that made sense. Finally he had
it. He filled out the last space on his application, Hotshot.
He spent the remainder of the trip alternately gazing out the
window at the ground below and studying the face of the beautiful woman
dozing in the seat beside him. He realized that while she knew
everything about him, he knew next to nothing about her. He resolved
to get to know her better later. He had always found it hard to be
friends with someone he did not know very well.
"So what do ye think the lad'll be like Emma?" Sean asked.
"I honestly don't know Sean." Emma replied. "We'll just have
to wait and see. How're you coming along in your attempts to
communicate with Penance?"
"I've reached an impasse I'm afraid. The lass doesna respond
to any language I've tried."
"Well perhaps she never learned any language per-se. Maybe we
should try another plan of action, instead of communicating, we should
try teaching her."
"Teach her to talk?"
"Sure, why not?"
"It's so crazy it just might work."
Emma got up. "I'm going to go pickup the young man. You sure
you don't want to come?"
"No I think I'll start trying to teach Penance."
"Suit yourself. I'm looking forward to meeting him. Bye."
To be continued...