Issue #4 - Diamond and Ruby

Issue #4 - Diamond and Ruby

Jake woke up not feeling tired at all, even though he had moved in to the institute the day before and he had worked out quite hard in the gym too, but thanks to the other young mutant, he was relaxed and well-rested. His bruises had disappeared because of his healing powers. His exhaustion was dispelled very quickly and easily. Erik just touched his body and sent a wave of energy right through every cell of his organism... overloading it with this awesome feeling! He felt as if he could do anything! He had only felt it few times, this sweet feeling of being energized by the Polish mutant, but it worked like a drag... He wanted more of it, more of this beautiful feeling. It was so intoxicating. Ah, pure sweetness! Now though Robinson was waking up and taking care of all the thigns he had to do right after standing up. He was full of energy, so he did it all in a record time. He put some boxer briefs on and smiled at himself in the mirror, feeling that this day was going to be awesome! Especially that he was going to try and help Jason's friend. He would do anything in his power to meld his mind, to repair it and to save the blondhaired man from the terrible fate of being a vegetable. The sooner he was ready, the sooner they'd start, so he rushed off to the kitchen, where he noticed his redhaired teacher. Now, that was quite a sight... because he wore only his red boxer briefs. He was making himself some tea and when he spotted the young mutant, he grinned at him, "Hello, Jake. How have you slept? The first night, huh. I hope you've had pleasant dreams." He laughed. "Wanna something to drink? Water, tea, cofee? 'Cause it seems we're the only ones already up. Dream's been working on something very late, so she's dog-tired and is still sleeping, while Erik... dunno about Erik, you should know better, especially after I saw you two bonding in the gym. I hope that it was a good workout session." Jason smiled in an impish way, "God, you've no idea how much I need to exercise!" He yawned and stretched his muscles.

Jake felt good today, ready to take on the world. Or at least try to help Jason's friend. He liked the feeling, like nothing could stop him. He stared at himself in the mirror and grinned for a moment before getting dressed. The workout yesterday had been a good one, he felt like he could almost see a difference.

Once dressed, he met up with Jason, surprised to find him in just his boxer briefs in the kitchen, revealing a rather perfect body. "I slept great," he said with a smile, managing to keep his cool and keep his eyes (mostly) from wandering repeatedly up and down Jason's form, "and I'm not sure about Erik, he seemed kind of tired when we went to bed. I probably kept him up late and tired him out." He smirked a little as he looked at Jason, wondering how Jason would interpret that.

He watched as Jason stretched, "You look like you already work out enough, they look fine to me."

Jason laughed at Jake's comment, "Yeah, I bet you tired him out. He was so happy to finally get to meet someone closer to his age. And he finally got a chance... I doubt that he knew what he'd get himself into though! Who would've guessed it that you'd be a jock, certainly not him. It's actually very ironic that you tired him, a guy with healing factor, while you seem to be in such a great form." He gave Robinson his usual cocky grin, as he turned round (and so the mutant could see his well-shaped ass through his boxer briefs) to pour the boiling water into the cup with his red tea. "Thanks," he nodded when he heard a compliment, "you certainly look like a real all-American guy. Have you trained for a long time?" He asked, "I used to play football when I was in high school and then in college, so I guess it kind of shows, huh?" He laughed... damn him, Jake just couldn't keep his eyes off this hot redhaired hunk! Why did he have to come here in his boxer briefs only anyway?

Jake nodded as Jason talked about tiring Erik out, "Yeah, I guess that's the price though. I mean, I couldn't have kept up if he didn't keep like boosting me or whatever. He never tires out! It is kind of crazy. I never thought mutants would be able to do stuff like that."

As Jason turned around, Jake got a bit more quiet, staring at his perfect form. It took a moment before he replied to Jason's comment, having barely heard it as he thought about some dirty things.

"I.. uhh yeah it shows. You must have been pretty good."

"So, you want something to drink or no?" Jason asked, still turned with his back to Jake, letting him admire his red boxer briefs... or rather what was hidden beneath them. "And yeah, a bit, I mean, to be good at football you have to be a good teamplayer, but you do know that. Though physical condition is also required, of course." He laughed, when some sudden thought hit him, "Hehe, sorry, just thought about something, it doesn't matter anyway." He turned to face his student, "So, I guess we're up for some real teamwork today, huh?" He grinned.

Jake stared at Jason's backside for a few moments while he waited for the guy. He definitely looked in shape, and Jake thought about how different Jason was from Andrew, and that he kind of liked it.

He nodded in agreement once Jason turned around, then shook his head, "Naw, I'm fine I guess, not really thirsty right now." He glanced away, then back, raising an eyebrow, "What do you mean? What'd you think about?"

Jake paused a moment, "And how will this work anyways? You said teamwork, but, I mean, will you be helping? Can you? I'm not even sure how to do it."

"Ah, right, you don't know it yet. Well... cheerleaders are also part of the team, right?" He laughed, "Then I'll be the pretty cheerleader captain, while you'll be the quarterback. Right?" He was shaking in laughter now... and it surely wasn't helping! His whole body was trembling and it only made Jake hornier and Jason look sexier. "And well, I trust in you, I believe that you can do it." He put his hand on Jake's arm and squeezed it, giving him a confident smile. "And when I say I believe in somebody, they simply have to accomplish that." Cocky grin.

Jake laughed a little as Jason talked about being the cheerleader captain while Jake was the quarterback. "You'd better watch it there, because the cheerleader captain has always ended up.. Well.. nevermind.." He grinned devilishly at Jason, shaking his head and chuckling at the thought that the cheer captain always ended up with the quarterback.

Jason reached out and grabbed his arm, giving it a squeeze, and Jake looked down, then slowly slid his gaze up to look at Jason and he nodded, smiling back, "I know, don't worry. I'm going to help your friend."

"It seems that someone's trying to take my sexy, cocky and devilish grin away from me!" Jason laughed, noticing Jake's facial expression as they talked about the cheer captain and the quarterback. It was certainly a dirty thought - him ending up with his hot red-haired teacher... now, wow. It was hard to stop thinking like that once he started! "Yep, I'm sure of it, Mr. Quarterback. J.A.K.E!" Jason parodied a cheerleader's voice as he pronounced the name of his student, moving around madly, trying to best imitate moves the girls did on big matches. And then he began laughing uncontrollably.

Jake did indeed find himself getting excited at the thought of having his teacher. The guy definitely seemed to like to flirt. Maybe it'd be possible. It felt strange to even consider that, until the other day Jake had never been with anyone, and now here he was thinking about his teacher.

Luckily Jason's cheerleader impression made him forget about it briefly and he started laughing along with Jason. "That's right," he said, "that's how you do it." He shook his head a little, still grinning.

"Haha, yeah, J.A.K.E here will wakey-wakey E.M.M.A.N.U.E.L!" He continued his wild cheerleader dance, trying not to burst into laughter even more, but he didn't realize they had been so loud and so...

"What the heck is going on here?" Dream's irriated voice came to the mutants' ears as she entered the kitchen, wearing a silk orange nightie. She stopped in track, seeing Jason do... whatever he was doing. "Eerm, Jason?" She mumbled in shock.

"Oh, uh, erm, hi, Dream!" Even Jason seemed to lost his chain of thought as he noticed and heard his fellow teacher. "We didn't wake you up, did we, because..."

"What the heck were you doing? And don't change the topic. And..." her eyes lingered on his half-naked physique, "...put something on!"

"Ah-ha! I know you want me, I know you want cha..." He hummed the song that came to his mind and then burst into laughter.

"This is not even funny, Jason."

Jake shook his head, laughing as Jason went through the whole dance and cheer for the two of them. It was hilarious and he found himself liking the guy even more. Jason was going to be a good teacher.

But then Dream's irritated voice came in and Jake blushed deeply in embarrassment.

"Sorry, we were just having some fun.. trying to relax before going to help Emmanuel and stuff.."

Jason started singing again though, and Jake couldn't help but snicker a few times.

Dream sighed loudly, very loudly, "Jason, you need to grow up. I swear it's like living with a pack of young wolves... all in one person, who's not even a lycantrophic mutant! I can only hope that once Emmanuel's back, you'll be less likely to go around half-naked..."

"Heey, I'm not half-naked. Now, am I?"

"...imitating cheerleaders and singing some stupid songs. And of course, trying to humor me on my bad day."

"Do you ever not have a bad day?"

"This conversation is over." She said coldly, as she retreated to her room.

"Geez, that was cold... even for her." Jason scratched the back of his head and sighed.

Jake was grinning as he watched the exchange between Dream and Jason. It was amusing for sure. Until she seemed to get particularly irritated and stormed back to her room, then Jake paled a little. "She isn't too pissed off, is she?" he asked. He didn't want her to dislike him this quickly after arriving.

"When are we going to go see Emmanuel?"

"Nah, she's probably just PMS-ing. Hm, though it seems that you came in on a wrong time of the month, because she was just ok two days ago, but now... uhu, she's the bitch queen. Anyway, she'll be ok. Eventually." Jason shrugged, not really taken aback by his friend's behavior. He didn't really seem to care, but he knew her better, so perhaps he was right. "Well, we could go even now... but because certain someone had to point out I'm half-naked - while I'm not, am I? - I'll better get some clothes before we go and see him."

Jake just nodded a little as Jason talked about Dream. He didn't know what to say. Why was she in such a bad mood? Jake didn't know, but he couldn't figure it out right now. Maybe he'd talk to her later or something.

He looked towards Jason once she was gone, "I uh... well you aren't half.. you're mostly." He shrugged, then grinned, "But maybe you should put more on, we don't know how long this is going to take."

"Right," Jason laughed, "Okay, so, we'll see each other in ten minutes, okay? In the living room, and from there we'll go to the medroom. Is that ok?" He made sure before he went back to his room to put some clothes on, while Jake was observing his every move, every move of his exposed muscles. He loved the show the redhaired guy put... and the thought of possibility of having his own teacher... now, that was hot. Especially that his teacher was so young and so handsome. Not that Jason even needed to go back to his room to appear dressed. He smiled to himself, going back to his room and taking care of some thing before he decided it was the time to meet with the now fully dressed Mr. Rand. He wore a red t-shirt and blue jeans, looking so casual, unlike a real teacher. Dream was nowhere to be found... fortunately. "So, Jake, ready?" He asked with that self-confidance of his, when they entered the medroom. There was one person laying there and his status was constantly being monitored by the electronic equipment. When they approached Emmanuel, it became obvious that he was... wow, for the lack of better word, even hotter than Jason himself! He was roughly the same age as his friend. In short, he was devilihly handsome. His body was well-muscled, as was Jason's. His eyes were closed, so Jake didn't know what color they were, but he noticed the hot blond goatee and short blond hair on his head. "This is Emmanuel. He's been like this ever since we found him. I don't actually know when the attack came... but we certainly had to fight our way out of their facility." Jason said and checked his friend's condition on screen. All biofunctions were normal, but he still wouldn't wake up. "So, J.A.K.E..." He smiled, with his high-pitched voice imitating a cheerleader. He touched Jake's arm and then patted him on the back, "Go, go!"

Jake went upstairs to his room and killed some time while Jason dressed. He tried not to think about it, about how hot Jason looked in his boxer briefs and how nicely they cupped his ass. It was difficult, but he worried about Emmanuel and that made it a bit easier.

When it was time, he went downstairs and met up with Jason, who still looked incredibly sexy even in all of his clothes.

Jason let him to the medroom and Jake's jaw dropped a little when he caught sight of Emmanuel. The guy was amazingly hot. Absolute blonde perfection, and Jake had to think of other thoughts or risk his dick getting totally hard, he couldn't stop it from inflating a little however.

Jason encouraged him, but Jake hardly knew how to start. He had to think about it, think about how it felt when he had bonded with Andrew. He tried to slip into Emmanuel's thoughts, into that same place for just the two of them.

***
Health 2/2
Energy 15/15

Action 1 - Empathy + Int: 3 stones to try to initiate the bonding

Health 2/2
Energy 12/15
Defense 0
Mental defense 3 (Intelligence 2, Empathy 1)
Useful modifiers: Empathic Awareness 1

Jason was nervous, he was close and his emotions were stong, so Jake had no problem in sensing them... and feeling them as if they were his own! He felt as nervous as his teacher was. He almost began shaking, worried sick about this whole mind-melding thing. He touched the blonde embodiment of perfection and focused on his empathic ability. He had no training in it whatsoever, so he didn't know what he was supposed to expect from it. He only initiated this power of his once... and it was even a conscious decision! It just happened when he was laying on top of Andrew, beating crap outta him. He just kind of reached out and touched his mind... through physical contact they minds merged and so the both of them entered that dreamscape or whatever that was. The empath touched Emmanuel... but nothing happened.

"And? What's going on? Did it work? Uh, I don't think it did, but..." Jason shook his head, "Just relax... and try again." He encouraged the young mutant, giving him a gentle squeeze on his shoulder. It worked as a charm, because feeling that made Jake relax more and so he accessed his powers... at least tried to do that one more time. He closed his eyes, concentrating, putting all effort into it. He opened his blue eyes.

And realized he wasn't in Los Angeles anymore. Actually, it didn't feel like any place he had ever seen. It wasn't even that darkness when he first bonded with Andrew. He could control it, he felt safe there, while here... here looked at least strangely. He was walking on a rocky path, adorned with a lot of rose petals - red rose petals. He looked around only to see that he was surrounded by a whole labyrinth of... he didn't really know all those things that were there. Of everything? There were shattered diamonds, there was cash laying on the ground, there were ruined buildings, there were burning corpses, but there were also beautiful flowers that looked as if they were smiling to him. And then there was that path which the further it went, the more diamond-like it became. And somehow he knew that it was exactly where he should go. Everything stopped for a moment, as if observing his every move. It didn't seem like it was all too welcoming about his arrival. Was this Emmanuel's broken subconscious? Or... whatever it was, it was weird. And it certainly felt weird to be invading someone's most secret place like this. Jake reminded himself that he was doing it for the greater good and to save the guy's life and so, carefully, began moving towards the diamond path.

It took only one step for him to realize that they wouldn't let him. The labyrinth changed and rearranged. All those strange things disappeared from sight, there was only this single way - the diamond path. They wouldn't let him pass.

He heard a voice coming from everywhere... and nowhere. It was resonating inside his own skull. Or did he even have a body here? Probably not... but it still came as if from his very being. He felt his astral self stop in its track. He couldn't move... and then that paralyizng pain! He wanted to scream, but his mouth wouldn't open. It was so... aaaaarghh!

Jake frowned a little as his first attempted failed. He was definitely nervous, and Jason's nervousness bled right into him, making it hard to get any kind of connection. But the second time, after some reassuring from Jason, went better, and suddenly Jake found himself in what seemed like another world.

He wandered the path curiously, not sure what to expect. When he'd done this with Andrew they had wound up together, but there was no sign of Emmanuel here, so Jake kept wandering.

He saw the diamond path, and knew immediately that that must be the way he was supposed to go. But as he stepped towards it, the loud voice rang out, seemingly from all over.

Jake cried out internally as the pain resounded through his head and he fell to his knees, or at least that's what it felt like. The pain was intense and he could hardly think. He couldn't even open his mouth to scream. Pain was normally something he could deal with, but here he didn't know anything. He didn't know how to make it stop, or if he'd end up in a coma like Emmanuel. All he knew was that it hurt and he wanted it to stop. He couldn't even open his mouth to beg for it to stop.

Jake tried to pull himself inward, to shield himself from the pain.

***
Health 2/2
Energy 15/15

Action 1 - Empathy + Int: 3 stones all shifted to defense

Health 2/2
Energy 12/15
Defense 0
Mental defense 6 (Intelligence 2, Empathy 1, Action 3)
Useful modifiers: Empathic Awareness 1

Jake's invisible attacker - or was the whole dimension, the whole place attacking him? - didn't stop its assault, but thanks to his own empathic gifts the mutant was able to shield himself with his determination and redirect the pain into a shield forming around him. He struggled against the paralyzing hold and pushed the opponent out of his mind... or body... or whatever his form was! He was free of that thing's manipulation... for now, but if he didn't keep his guard up, he could become a victim at a later stage! Jake wasn't sure what exactly was happening to him, as he projected his feelings into his psychic self... and he looked with astonishment at his new form! He was still himself, looking the same as he did... almost the same. His skin changed into something similar to a crystaline object. He was a walking human-sized ruby! His body was beautifully reflective and red - his favourite colour. Was this some kind of extension of his psyche? Or something more metaphorical he couldn't tell. Nonetheless, it certainly helped him in keeping that strange voice out of his mind! He still felt a powerful presence in his thoughts... but with some effort he managed to push it out!

Jake has succeeded in getting control of himself and has broken free from the entity's domination thanks to his empathy. He also somehow transformed into a ruby form, which gives him a permanent +3 (the number of stones spent in previous panel) to Mental defense - something like Psychic toughness: (+3) for as long as he maintains his Empathy power (he has to place at least one stone there for it to have effect; it can be used to do anything). He can still shift stones to defense to increase his mental defense even further. The psychic attacker attacked Jake again, but thanks to his ruby form he managed to mostly deflect its psionic attack... and only suffered a stun damage of 1 red stone.

Jake gasped inwardly when he felt the pain finally lessen. It still throbbed, but it was managable now, he didn't feel like his head was about to explode. Slowly, he stood up, then looked down at himself and his new form. It was.. strange. Crystalline, yet very human, and the light caught beautifully off the ruby color.

He stood up straighter, looking around for the diamond path again. That had to be the way to find Emmanuel. Jake started walking that direction, trying to use his empathy to protect himself from further attacks.

As he walked, he tried to call out, "Emmanuel? Can you hear me? Are you here.. somewhere? Jason sent me.."

***
Health 2/2
Energy 14/15

Action 1 - Empathy + Int: 2 stones shifted to defense

Health 2/2
Energy 12/15
Defense 0
Mental defense 8 (Intelligence 2, Empathy 1, Ruby Form 3, Action 2)
Useful modifiers: Empathic Awareness 1

Jake continued to defend himself, but even as he focused his empathy into a shield around himself, he felt that his attacker was still somewhere near... and was looking for an opening. Or perhaps just recovering strength before hitting once again. The mutant was walking down the diamond path again, his steps were heavy and loud in his ruby form, but it still felt so comforting to know that he was protected by it. And he looked plain cool. His normally light brown hair was now auburn-ruby, while his skin looked like a true ruby in all aspects. It was incredible that he had managed to simply transform into this being in this place... and then he felt it. A sharp pain in the back of his head, as the reality shifted and once again he lost his way. There was no message from Emmanuel. Maybe he didn't hear the boy. Maybe he didn't want to. Or maybe it ws the place where Jake got himself into that blocked all methods of communication.

The young mutant found himself in an underground facility, going through various corridors, each of them looking almost the same, like a part of some military complex, kept hidden from the outer world. There were some agents in S.H.I.E.L.D uniforms going around (fully armed0, patrolling the area. He noticed the two guarding the nearby door. They didn't notice him yet... and then his eyes stared at a person who was similar to what Emmanuel looked like. Actually, Jake was pretty sure it was Emmanuel, but around 10 years ago. He was younger, less muscled, his body wasn't so developed, but he didn't loose any of his hotness. He was wearing a different uniform, which more resembled normal clothes than a true uniform. He approached the guards and asked them a few words which somehow escaped Jake's attention. They simply shook their heads and rejected his proposition. He didn't want to back out though and he was seriously getting on their nerves... That was exactly when one of them hit him in the stomach and then kicked the young adult in the chin, sending him to the floor. The other one, seemingly noticing Jake, turned his attention to the ruby boy. His eyes were set on his face as he aimed at him with his energy gun. Poor Jake couldn't even dodge it... and his psychic toughness wasn't enough to deflect all the damage! The bolt hit him, knocking him down and tiring him mentally.

Jake's been hit and while he didn't take any normal damage, he did take stun damage again! This time it was 4 red stone of damage! And it seems that the young Emmanuel could use some help! Of course, you're in danger too!

Jake walked along, glad of his new red form. It looked pretty cool and he could tell that it was protecting him a bit from whatever was attacking him. He walked along, heading down the diamond path, trying to keep his mental defenses up but still a little unsure of himself.

The change to the underground facility caught him off guard, and he watched the scene unfold. It was definitely Emmanuel, but younger. Was it really him? Or was it someone else? Or just another part of this crazy strange world?

He watched and then he was noticed, the guard firing at him. He winced as it hit him and sent him flying.

After landing, Jake picked himself up. It had felt like his defenses had helped, that was good. But would could he do to them. He didn't know.

"Leave him alone!" Jake called out angrily. He stood ready for the attack this time, hopefully. He wasn't sure what to do, but he didn't want them hitting Emmanuel again.

***
Health 2/2
Energy 11/15

Action 1 - Empathy + Int: 3 stones shifted to mental defense
Action 2 - Social Skills: 3 stones + 1 from Charisma = 4 to get them to leave Emmanuel alone

Health 2/2
Energy 5/15
Defense 0
Mental defense 9 (Intelligence 2, Empathy 1, Ruby Form 3, Action 3)
Useful modifiers: Empathic Awareness 1

The two guards didn't really care that Jake called out to them... They didn't care about his suggestion, they just smiled wickedly. One of them kicked the poor Emmanuel in the chin, while the other once again shot at the mutant! This time, however, the energy beam was deflected by the ruby form of the empathic mutant, leaving him unharmed. It seemed that if Jake didn't quickly think of something, they would hurt the blonde-haired hotness... and badly!