The Uncanny G-boys

[Author's Note: Hopefully Beast came out as eloquent as he should -- apologies to the McCoy fans if I failed! -_- And the quote is an actual Shakespeare sonnet -- I researched something! Teehee! *Is proud* ]

He woke with blinding white light above him and the cold metal of a table beneath his bare back. He couldn't move his head too well but he tried to see to either side of wherever he was. Mostly everything was blurry. Then one of the blurs to his right resolved into a small table where there lay several silvery objects and numerous syringes. Terror seized up throughout him, his heartbeat tripling. It was his greatest fear come true -- he was in some government laboratory, and they were going to dissect him to find the cause of his powers. He attempted to sit up in hopes of dispelling the unclear vision and seek out an escape route. His momentary hope was dashed by a useless struggle against the straps holding him down.
In actuality there were no restraints, nor even a hint of threat in the medical room. His body was simply too weak to obey the commands of movement but his mind, now detached from the physical realm, could not register that fact. He uttered strangled cries that were short on sound as his panic heightened.
Someone entered the room as a mere ripple of air, taking on form and substance as he hurried to cross the room. He gently took the struggling boy by the shoulders and tried to push him back down before he hurt himself. "Quatre, Quatre, it's okay now, calm down."
His words had no effect, for all the blond boy saw was a person-shaped blur, felt only the rough pressure of them shoving him down, heard a voice that seemed very angry... He finally gave real sound to a frightened cry then returned to choking.
"Trowa, step back." The stern voice of Professor Xavier broke the tense atmosphere. The boy released Quatre and did as told. Xavier closed his eyes and went still for several long moments. Trowa saw Quatre's eyes dilate and then the blond boy fell silent, slowly relaxing. Xavier came up beside him. "You can go now...I have to take over from here."
Trowa nodded and slipped his hands into his pockets as he headed out of the room. He only paused long enough to cast an indifferent glance at the bed across the room, encased in a special material which held a comatose Dorothy. The Professor had seen to it that she not cause any other trouble until he found out why she had done such a thing.

The lunchroom was crowded but Duo managed to spot Trowa making his way toward their table, strangely without any food or drink. "Yo, Trowa! Where ya been all morning?"
"With Quatre."
Heero and Wufei, who had been discussing a math test, immediately went silent. They'd all heard rumors of what had happened. Duo, with a solemn face, waved down to the other end of the table where Hilde and Catherine sat with some other girls. The two picked up their books and lunches and scurried over. "So how is he?" Duo asked in a quiet voice. Catherine hugged her books to her chest anxiously.
Trowa was annoyed at having a larger audience which he revealed with a faint scowl as he folded his arms and gazed at the tabletop. "He's awake but he's in bad shape. The Professor needs to take some time to rebuild his mind."
There were shocked stares all around. Duo's eyes were huge. "Sh-she trashed him that bad??!" His hands flew to clutch the sides of his head. "Holy shit...A-And she was fucking with my mind, too...Oh shit...I can't believe that..." He moaned and sank down in his seat, muttering, "Oh, shit..."
Catherine gripped her books more tightly."I knew I should have gone with him..."
Trowa tossed a glare at her. "Like you would have been able to stop her."
Catherine glared right back, just short of a hurt expression. Before things could become too tense Heero interrupted, "I don't think any of us could have helped."
Duo put a fist down on the table, a gesture weakened by his lost nerves. "Yeah, well, it shouldn't have happened at all. I mean, why'd she go after Quatre, anyway? I know we haven't known him too long, but he seemed like a nice guy." The others nodded.
"It'll be a while before we find out." Trowa promptly phased out of view before anyone else could ask a question he had no answer for. Only Catherine was able to follow a brief ripple in the air heading toward the exit before all traces of him disappeared, leaving the others to wonder if he was still there or not.

Xavier carefully probed the shattered thoughts for signs of a cohesive anything. What he did finally find was an image of a small boy huddled as if in a corner, his knees drawn up and his face down, arms clinging tightly to his folded legs.
Quatre?
Pro-Professor..? Tentative recognition was in the tone. The little boy looked up, his face awash in tears. Then a sob burst forth. N-No! I - I don't want to--!! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!
In the physical realm the entranced Quatre emitted a whimper. Xavier withdrew his telepathic link for the moment, adopting a pensive gaze. They were still so much like normal children, courting rivalries and misunderstandings...And disagreements could turn just as dangerous.

Upon entering his first class the next day, Duo sought out Heero and elbowed him rather roughly. "Hey, no Prof means no Physics!" He grinned eagerly, but instead was doing a miserable job at covering up his worry.
Heero didn't reply, only pointed toward the Professor's desk where a tall man in a white lab coat and tan fedora was facing the chalkboard. When the class had settled the man spoke in a cultured tone, "Good morning, class. I will be filling in for the Professor until he is able to return from a...higher calling. I am Doctor Henry McCoy, and it is a pleasure to meet you all."
He lifted a hand -- one that was covered in blue fur and sporting claws -- and wrote his name in a delicate script on the top corner of the board. Then he turned, removed his fedora, and smiled behind a pair of round, black-rimmed glasses. His, well, beastly looks startled some of the class, yet from the back, from a certain violet-eyed student, came the exclamation, "Coo-oo-ool!"
Henry grinned, showing his quaint fangs. "I am glad you think so, Mr. -- Maxwell, isn't it? And I am sure you will all think it is 'cool' that we will not be having any work today." Before too many cheers were spoken he held up a furry hand to silence them. "Unless, of course, you perceive a minor essay to be hard work." Disappointed groans were the reply. "Now now, this isn't a research project, nor anything of the like. You can write it any way you wish. The topic is...your feelings about being the individual that you are." He gave them all an earnest look. "I think you know what I mean by that."
Nods answered him all around, and within seconds everyone was scrambling to find paper. "Take your time, there will be no need to rush -- this project has essentially been spread across your classes for the rest of the day. However, if you chose to delay it until later, please be mindful of your fellow students and keep the chatter to a minimum. If anyone has trouble determining what exactly to write I will gladly relate how I feel about being 'the Beast'..."

"That was a weird essay," Hilde commented as she plunked down next to Duo at lunchtime.
"You finished yours already?!" He gaped at her from the other side of the plum he'd been about to bite into.
"You didn't start yours?" she countered.
"Nope, but I've been thinking about it a lot since hearing Beast's story. Made everything seem kinda...cool."
"Dr. McCoy, you mean. Don't be disrespectful."
"Hey, he said he didn't mind being called that!"
"So? He's still a teacher."
The pending argument was interrupted when Heero and Catherine joined them. "Anyone heard anything about Quatre?" the former asked.
Duo shook his head. "Let's wait till Trowa and Wufei get here."
"I'm here," a voice said out of nowhere. Trowa phased in next to Catherine's seat, calmly sipping a soda.
"You are weird, dude." Duo shook his head again, this time in dismissal.
Catherine recovered from Trowa's appearance and said, "Last time I saw Wufei, he was talking with Beast."
Hilde shot her a look that could kill. Duo laughed.

Several minutes earlier Henry McCoy was contentedly pulling a book from his briefcase to enjoy a nice lunch break. He paused mid-way through leafing toward the last sonnet he had read when he sensed a presence at the door. He glanced over the rim of his glasses at a boy of Chinese descent who looked slightly uncomfortable standing there in loose black sweatpants and green sweatshirt; actually, he looked like he'd be more comfortable in a glass of water. Henry set aside his book and waved him in.
Wufei nodded gratefully and entered, setting his binder down on one desk while seeking a perch on top of the one next to it. He hesitated a moment, then spoke haltingly, "Dr. McCoy, I've been thinking about that essay, and...well, I'm having a lot of trouble writing it. It's hard to ask the other teachers because...well...To be frank...They all look completely human. I'm not sure they'd quite understand...this..." He stretched his neck a bit and motioned to the faint line of scales that ran up behind his ear, ending at his hairline, and -- where hidden by his clothes -- lined his limbs on two sides and stopped at his wrists and ankles; after that the webbing tookover. He splayed his fingers to illustrate this, as well.
Henry nodded. "The physical manisfestation of our abilities can often be cumbersome. The best one can do is adapt as quickly as one is able, for we have reached the point of no return. These attributes are nothing to be ashamed of; they help to make the individual become more unique in his or her own right." He smiled. "And please feel free to call me Beast."
Wufei's face colored in embarrassment at the thought of what he would normally consider a breach of respect toward an adult. And his skin turned not the usual reddish hue but rather a bluish-green. Henry quirked his brow. "Shall I assume some of your friends aren't letting you forget the fact of this development?"
The boy nodded and sighed with a trace of annoyance. "One in particular. He think it's great fun. I wish he'd grow something strange..."
Beast chuckled. "Think of it as him being jealous. Although I am sure he has an issue of his own that he wishes to bring to light but is afraid of how others will react."
Wufei was silent for several minutes as he considered this. He murmured thoughtfully, "Yes, I suppose he might..."
"So do you think you can complete your essay now?" His tone held curiosity, implying that he had particular interest in the writings that would result from their discussion.
"I hope so..." Wufei absently poked at the webbing between his left thumb and forefinger. "Y'know, powers are hard enough to get used to -- but this..." He frowned.
"Give it time, my young friend. You just might find it useful."
The boy continued to frown but nodded in concession. After a few long moments of seemingly-distracted webbing poking, he said, "I have one other question, Dr. Mc -- Beast..." He hesitated.
Henry quirked his brow again. "Yes..?"
"This essay -- does it have anything to do with what happened to Quatre Winner?"
Beast gave pause then sighed. "Alas, yes. We are attempting to see how the students are adapting to their abilities in the hopes that the incident won't be repeated." He sighed again, casting his eyes down. "Now if only we could know that all are being truthful." There was an unidentifiable sorrow in his face.
"I know almost everyone here. Dorothy was the only one I'd name as a real troublemaker..." Wufei's visage became imploring as he couldn't find words for the question he wanted to ask.
Beast seemed to sense it, though."Professor Xavier's goal is to help humans and mutants coexist peacefully. If there is to be dissension within his very own school...it is very hard on him, and on those of us who merely want to live quiet lives. That young lady has done more than defeat Mr. Winner's abilities."
"And what if there are others with her attitude?"
"It is my greatest hope that they can be convinced that a more productive goal would be to assist their fellows rather than challenge them."
Wufei nodded a final time then slid off the desk, reaching for his binder. "Thanks for your time, ...Beast. I will make sure my friends and I complete the assignment."
"You are most welcome, Mr. Chang. Please feel free to stop by if you have any matters to speak of."
Wufei gave a genuine smile. "Thanks." He waved one webbed hand then headed out the door.
Beast reclaimed his book and read only half a sonnet before the bell rang.
"Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea,
But sad mortality o'ersways their power,
How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea,
Whose action is no stronger than a flower?"

"Wufei! We missed you at lunch! Where were ya?" Duo slung an arm around the Chinese boy's shoulders just to annoy him, having caught up with him outside English Lit.
"Taking care of schoolwork." Wufei pinched Duo's gloved hand to discourage him only to shove the arm away an instant later. "Go find someone else to harrass, Maxwell."
The braided boy was taken aback. "Aw, geez, I was only joking around. Lighten up."
"Some other time. And please stop making fun of this." He pointed to the scales on his neck, then waved his hand in front of Duo's face. He then went into the classroom, leaving Duo to stare after him in confusion.
"Um...okay...sorry..." He scratched his head.
"Talking to yourself again?" Catherine came up beside him and grinned impishly.
"Er, no. Wufei just told me off."
"It's about time!" She giggled and patted his head then slipped past him to enter the room.
Duo shook his head as if to clear his senses. "Man, everybody's gone insane today."

A short while later both Wufei and Duo were deeply absorbed in essay-writing. The latter scribbled away while the former took much time to meditate on his words plus occasionally cast a glance at the last seat beside the windows where Quatre usually sat. Despite his distraction, the motion was not lost on Duo. The braided boy tore off a piece of paper, scribbled a note, and flung it at Wufei. He scowled but read it anyway.
You know somethin about the Q-man we don't? -D
No. -W
So what's with the staring?-D
I'm thinking. Can't a guy look out the window and think? -W
Not when you're being obveus -D
Obvious. -Hil
How'd you get ahold of that? -D
Easy. You guys are leaving papers all over the floor -Hil
Whatever. C'mon, Wu, ya gotta know somethin -D
After class. -W
The message was relayed from Duo to Hilde to Catherine before Wufei hastily stuffed the loose papers closest to him into his pockets. He tried to go back to being engrossed in his essay, but wondered if he should just keep quiet about what Beast had told him. The last thing he needed was Duo running loose telling everyone the purpose of the essays...even if others besides himself had made a connection. He decided...

"I know nothing new," Wufei informed the three once the bell had rung. "Happy now, Maxwell?" He whirled and slipped away into the crowded hall.
"Wow. What's with him?" Duo wondered aloud, sounding shaky.
Catherine briefly touched his shoulder. "Are you okay, Duo?"
He clenched his fists against his books and nodded. "Yeah--" He swallowed hard. "I -- I guess we're all a little messed up by this thing..."
Catherine patted his back in reassurance but said nothing more. It certainly wasn't like Duo to act so honest about his feelings. He was definitely right about their being affected. Although maybe it had to do with his essay...
Hilde poked at both of them. "C'mon, guys, we're gonna be late. We'll worry about Wufei later."

The slowly-turning-aquatic boy requested to be excused from his last class, seeking out a place to be alone while he finished his essay. He settled for the main staircase just below the classroom. Yet instead of writing he thought about how harshly he had treated Duo. Maybe I should apologize... He shuffled through his binder in search of a new piece of paper. Beast is right, after all. Maxwell does have something he's afraid of...

Back to the Uncanny G-boys

(c) 2001 - 2004 Autumn Loweck. This work may not be copied, distributed, or reprinted without the author's permission. Characters of Quatre, Trowa, Dorothy, Duo, Heero, Wufei, Catherine, and Hilde belong to the creators of the GundamWing series, Sotsu Agency, Sunrise, Bandai, and whoever else in Japan involved in this most cool anime. Professor Xavier and Beast belong to Marvel Comics, FOX, and all those other cool people who created the X-Men.