the-girl-who-walks-with-mutants

[the-girl-who-walks-with-mutants]

I just think about Nightcrawler sometimes and giggle while twirling my hair.

[the-girl-who-walks-with-mutants]

Questions for self ship/OC x canon couples

✧༺♥༻∞ Remember to practice reblog karma, please and thank you! ∞༺♥༻✧

Who makes the other blush all the time and who finds it adorable?

Who sings in the shower?

What would their song to each other be?

Who embarrasses the other in public with kisses and pet names?

Who curses, and who reprimands the other for it?

What small quirks do they love about each other?

Who makes the other laugh more?

Who gets jealous easier?

How did they know they were right for each other?

Who brings up the subject of kids first?

Who's adorable when they're sleepy, and who gets grumpy and irritable?

Who's more protective?

How do they express their feelings (Words, visual art, a song, etc.)?

Where would they go on a 3am adventure?

Who has a hobby only the other knows about?

How do they hype each other up?

Who picks flowers for the other?

Which one wears the "I'm with stupid" t-shirt?

Who's the better dancer?

Who infodumps and who listens with heart eyes?

[the-girl-who-walks-with-mutants]

I'm curious--how do you guys go about creating your OCs?

[the-girl-who-walks-with-mutants]

Uncanny Icon Chapter 3: Second Genesis

Kurt Wagner x Original Female Character (Adrian Grey)

Rating: M

Chapter Summary:

The Professor has collected the team and now, it's time to meet everyone!

This is our first proper Giant Size X-Men 1 chapter, part two will be out next week! Not much else to say this week, so dive right in and enjoy Adrian finally meeting all her new teammates, including a very adorable, fuzzy blue elf.

[this is chapter is extra special thanks to MORE fantastic art by @lazywrites of our Indelible Icon!]

Adrian stares at herself in the mirror, rubbing her temples to try and tune out the growing hustle and bustle of the mansion below. When she was little, she picked out one of the two attic rooms for a reason, to give herself enough distance from the main areas of the house and let herself rest without constant emotional outpour entering her mind from her fellow students. But so many new sounds and minds, so much excitement, nerve, and anticipation… it was impossible to block out.

The new team has been arriving the past few hours, greeted one-by-one by the Professor, shown to temporary rooms and given their uniforms. Unstable molecule suits, that’s what the Professor called them. Apparently, they were a gift from Reed Richards, the same material used in the Fantastic Four suits. They were certainly an upgrade from the little uniforms that Adrian grew up in. Those still hang in her closet, unused. The black and yellow training uniform was a classic, a bit of nostalgia to look at and remember how small she used to be, how young. The other is a thing of nightmares. When each of the X-Men had to pick their own designs, Adrian was the last to get a colour scheme. As a result, she was stuck in an ugly yellow and pink number, perhaps to show everyone that she was still a girl despite the pants and the short hair she wore, compared to her sister’s green mini-dress. No matter what, Adrian despises it, happy to let it rot in the dark corners of her closet.

Looking back at the mirror, the sounds of her teammates’ emotions slowly beginning to dull as they were called one-by-one to the living room for the mission debrief, Adrian knows that she’s going to choose a costume that is simply and unequivocally her. Adrian Grey, the Icon.

She thinks of what she wants, watching the molecules begin to react to her desires, shaping themselves to her specifications. A sleeveless bodysuit, starting with yellow to match her powers. A bit boring, she thinks, and a red section is added to the chest, from the neckline and descending down into a point by her navel. Turning, she adds the same shape to end at the small of her back. Then red, thigh-high boots, the tops ending in a point as well. Looking down at the shoes, she keeps the heel low and comfortable, but adds a little curve to the tip of the toes.

Almost there…

Two red belts across her hips, angled to form an X, red fingerless gloves attached to gold bangles around her wrists. Finally, she adjusts the knot of a long red scarf around her neck, letting it hang behind her down her back. Doing a little spin, she shakes out her hair. It was far too long for her tastes, now reaching past her collarbones, but that isn’t something that can be adjusted by unstable molecules. Maybe after all this, she’ll cut it again. Maybe to her chin, maybe ear, maybe shorter.

‘Icon, to the living room please,’ the Professor’s telepathic voice calls to her mind. She gives an affirmative thought back. Despite years of not enjoying leadership, avoiding the boring, administrative parts of heroism, all of it is now thrown in her lap. Icon, co-leader of the X-Men.

With that, she walks out of the room.

XXX

‘You will tell us why you have dragged us here, Professor!’ a voice snaps from the living room as Adrian approaches. ‘I, for one, am swiftly losing my patience!’

Stepping just beyond the doorway, she can hear the Professor answer calmly, never one to raise his voice in the face of conflict, ‘Sunfire, I assure you, it is not my intention to waste your time. I merely wanted to wait until all our members were present before beginning.’

Adrian feels the push in her mind, giving her the cue to enter the room as the Professor continues, ‘My friends, allow me to introduce Adrian Grey, the psychic Icon. She will be co-commander on this mission.’

Before she can answer, wanting to give some sort of quip to show herself as both experienced but still humble or something of that nature, there’s a sudden BAMF! sound, the smell of smoke and brimstone filling the room. In a blink, she feels her hand grabbed and a soft kiss placed on the back of it. Her eyes snap down to see the blue, demon-looking mutant – Kurt Wagner, a.k.a. Nightcrawler. From the photo in his file, she recognises the black curls, golden eyes, the hand which has only three digits instead of five.

He's giving her a little bow, saying in a soft, lilted tone, perhaps a bit lower in pitch than she expected, ‘It is a pleasure to have such a beautiful Fräulein as a commander, Meine Dame.’

Adrian is flustered, a small blush forming on her cheeks. She clears her throat, trying to look away from those eyes, ‘Oh, well, aren’t you the sweetest little thing...’

‘Hey, furball, leave the lady alone,’ a gruff voice barks out from further in the room. Wolverine. It makes Adrian suddenly all too aware that there are seven pairs of eyes watching this scene. Nightcrawler smiles at her once more with his elongated canines, pressing a second kiss to her hand before teleporting away back to his original spot across the room. Adrian clears her throat once more, saying with a much more serious tone, ‘I’m only second-in-command on this mission, I’m not the one who will be giving orders, that would be –’

‘That would be me.’

Heads turn to see Scott enter, his ruby quartz glasses traded for a visor made of the same material which gives him total control over his powers.  The Professor gestures to Scott, saying ‘And may I present Scott Summers, known as Cyclops. Now that we are all here, he will fill you in on the details of your mission.’

This is the point where Adrian stops listening. She knows the score, she knows the plan. Before the arrival of the new team, Scott asked Adrian to watch the mutants during his speech, to give him feedback on any members that may be cause for concern or any particularly suited for heroism. She leans back against the wall next to him, her eyes scanning over the seven faces, a unique cast of characters to be sure. All so different and yet all so open. The original team began to learn how to close off their minds, to leave some of their deeper emotions hidden from Adrian’s subconscious readings. But these minds and hearts were open to her.

Her eyes are first drawn back to Nightcrawler, crouched up on the coffee table, tail swaying gently. She can feel his dedication, and a genuine kindness in him, though there is a fading sadness, something that happened before he arrived, something terrible…

But then her mind is drawn sharply away, overpowered by an extreme passion from the big Russian, Colossus. Despite how intimidating his physical form is, his face is sweet, his heart good, and his motives pure.

The rest are a bit more difficult to get a particular read on. While she can hear everything, empathic telepathy is not quite as straightforward as its thought-based cousin. Humans are complicated creatures, mutants more so. And that’s maybe why Adrian prefers to be around mutants, as that complexity makes it easier to tune out the emotions as white noise. Her powers aren’t based on precision. She can’t hear exact words or ideas, but the themes, the pressures, the heat and chill and neutrality that is unique to each emotional trigger and output.

Of the others, they each have a trend to them that she can key in on relatively easily. Storm presents herself as a mightier-than-thou being, truly believing herself the goddess she is known as. Banshee is tired, blasé about the idea of heroism but having enough loyalty to the Professor to come back for one last ride. Both Sunfire and Thunderbird seem displeased, but for very different reasons. Sunfire is angry at the idea of being forced to help those he doesn’t know and thinks a mission like this is the commodification of his abilities.

The anger that bristles around Thunderbird catches her attention for a moment and she initially thinks that maybe he is like Sunfire. And yet… she can feel pain. Its hidden, buried deep in him, beneath the anger, beneath the displeasure, beneath everything. She would be tempted to think that he didn’t even know that it was there if not for the steady beat of it like a drum, timed to his own heart, panging with each move, each breath. Adrian knows what trauma feels like, she knows the knots that are formed trying to piece yourself back together, the ties that continue to unwind each time you think you’re fixing things, letting more and more slip through the cracks. She has to look away as the pain begins to gnaw at her too, joining the two together for a moment so brief that he doesn’t even notice… but Adrian, now more than ever, regrets her initial dissatisfaction at his inclusion.

And Wolverine?

Adrian has never encountered a mind like his before. It feels… hollow, in some way, like a book bored through with holes by bookworms. The pieces are all there but the words, the meanings, the plot… were missing. Even with focus, digging deeper, she can’t fit the pieces together, can’t fill the gaps. She has no idea how intensely she’s been staring, the worry marked by a wrinkle between her brows, until her gaze is confronted by a pair of eyes hidden behind a spiked mask. The emotion was clear. Get the fuck out of my head, Red.

He then turns to Scott, who has finished up his story of the missing X-Men. ‘Buncha kids missing, now what?’

‘Simple,’ Cyclops answers, ‘we go back to Krakoa to find the original X-Men and the mutant that defeated us in the first place.’

Adrian feels the fire of anger even before Sunfire pipes up, surging into her mind like throwing gasoline on a blaze. ‘You may return to Krakoa as you wish, Cyclops, but not I. I will take no part in this fool’s errand.’

That makes her engage in the conversation, resting her forearm on Scott’s shoulder to lean forward, her eyes narrowing. ‘That sounds like you’ve come thousands of miles for jack-shit then, Shiro Yoshida. Not interested in an opportunity to finally help your fellow mutants?’

Sunfire’s starfish-like red mask glowers down at her, the heat continuing to rise as he crosses his arms across his chest. ‘I have no allegiance to my fellow mutants, little Icon. And I will not risk my life to help them merely because you, Cyclops, or the Professor ask me to.’ With that, he storms off, though there is no particular destination in his mind.

She turns back to the new team, shifting her weight onto one leg, her hip jutting out. ‘Anyone else wanna leave? No?’ Her eyes scan each mutant, daring them to move. When none do, she smiles broadly, dimples on her cheeks. ‘Well, then on that note, we’ve got a job to do. Welcome to the X-Men, you lot. I hope you survive the experience.’

XXX

The Blackbird is a model of modern technology, a marvel that most governments could not yet dream of… it’s just a shame that Adrian could not give a damn about planes. She sits in the co-pilot’s seat, her feet up on the dash, glancing over at Scott once in a while to see if he needs help with take-off. Of course he doesn’t. He’s done this a thousand times before. His nerves are placed on the mission ahead, not the act of piloting a plane. Adrian doesn’t have that same level of emotional foresight.

‘If Sunfire’s outburst is anything to go on, I do not believe I like what one would call mutant camaraderie.’ The voice is deep and rich, ageless and warm, like honey to soothe the throat. Adrian turns her head, realizing that it is Ororo Monroe. Of course her voice is just as powerful as her mutation.

‘I promise,’ Adrian responds, trying to quell the internal murmurings of disquiet, ‘it’s not always like this.’

But even she isn’t convinced by her statement.

John Proudstar leans forward, his arm on the headrest of Adrian’s seat, ‘Well, it ain’t like we’re here to be a mutant appreciation society. We’ve all got our stupid reasons for being involved in this fiasco… an’ patting each other on the back ain’t gonna be one of them, Ginge.’

Adrian frowns until John moves once more, pointing out the window for Scott. ‘Hey, One-Eye, we got somethin’ followin’ us!’

‘Icon, open the hatch!’ Scott orders and Adrian leaps into action, dropping the hatch with a push of a button, getting out of her seat to greet… Sunfire!

‘Well, I’ll be damned, look who decided to join us!’ She says with a clap of her hands as Shiro lands in the plane, the hatch closing once more. ‘You decided you want to help your kind after all?’

He looks unimpressed, answering only ‘My reasons shall remain my business and mine alone, little Icon. Best to remember that.’

But they both know better.

No matter what Shiro says, he has a deep sense of duty. He’d never have actually let them go off without him, but perhaps his own ego needed to make a show of it. Either way, she lets him sit and returns to her own place at the front of the plane.

‘We have two hours ‘til arrival,’ Scott tells the team.

‘That’s team leader speak for talk amongst yourselves,’ Adrian adds with a smile, ‘Mingle and make friends.’

‘Icon, don’t disrespect my leadership.’

She glances at Scott, hearing his thoughts. The ability to psychically communicate isn’t something Adrian is naturally good at, but comes with a certain level of familiarity with the mind. She huffs. ‘What part about that was disrespectful, exactly?’

‘You’re making jokes. Now isn’t the time.’

‘I’m trying to make sure people don’t turn into dour little pessimists. You want them to work together, they actually have to like each other at least a little bit.’

She sees his shoulders tense out of the corner of her eye.

‘Any intel from the meeting?’

Adrian is almost tempted to share her insights about Wolverine or John, but it feels too personal to tell Scott. So she shrugs. ‘Everyone checks out. Good little boys and girls ready to be thrown into war, just like Xavier expected.’

‘Good.’

The two look at each other for a moment, almost daring one another to say something else. But they are quickly interrupted by the sounds of the team beginning to mingle. Adrian grins, knowing she won the unspoken argument.

‘Icon, I would like to speak to you.’

Adrian turns to see Ororo standing over her. She gives a smile. ‘Of course, what’d you need?’

The taller woman sits in one of the closer seats as Adrian spins hers around. She holds herself with such a grace, a precision, it makes Adrian feel like a tomboy rolling in mud by comparison. But Ororo doesn’t look down on her, at least not any more than she does the others. ‘You said that it is not always like this, I would like you to elaborate for me.’

Adrian blinks, thrown off-guard a bit by the directness, but appreciating it at the same time. ‘Oh, well, I’ve been doing this sort of thing since I was thirteen with the other team, so its… different.’ She realizes that she’s probably sounding like an idiot, so decides to approach the question the way she knows best, with emotion. She leans forward in her seat towards the other woman. ‘Finding out you’re a mutant is one thing, but finding out how many of us there are is another. The X-Men seem disjointed right now, but we’re a family. That’s the beauty of this whole thing, we’re not just here to fight and work together, its… its special.’

‘What a load of bull.’

Adrian’s head whips around towards Wolverine. ‘I wasn’t aware you were listening.’

‘Yeah, seems to be a lot of people listening when they shouldn’t.’ He counters, clearly knowing that she had been in his head earlier.

Adrian goes to respond, but Ororo puts a hand on her own, drawing her attention back. ‘I appreciate your honestly, Icon, and I hope that you are right. It is a dream I would enjoy seeing to fruition.’

[see the rest and to stay on top of new updates, as well as fun facts about references and comic book lore here at my AO3! AO3 gets early access, so make sure to follow the story there as well!]

[the-girl-who-walks-with-mutants]

Uncanny Icon Chapter 2: Dossier

Kurt Wagner x Original Female Character (Adrian Grey)

Rating: M

Chapter Summary:

We're gathering the team!

While the Professor is out gathering new recruits, Adrian and Scott are taking a look at who their new teammates will be, with some interests questions, comments, and concerns along the way. Including a special addition: Adrian Grey's own Cerebro file!

Our last chapter pre-Giant Size X-Men 1, but references to the story, particularly the origins of the new team members.

[this is chapter is extra special thanks to fantastic art by @lazywrites of our Indelible Icon!]

‘The Professor is currently out collecting our teammates, and since your telepathy isn’t compatible with Cerebro, we’ll have to make do with the paper files,’ Scott says as he slides the pile across the dining room table towards Adrian. ‘Each was handpicked by Xavier to best help with the mission, though I will say, they are… well, you’ll see.’

‘I’m going to ignore that dig on my powers, Slim, otherwise I might be offended.’ She frowns at the files, pulling them towards herself. ‘But seriously, what’s so bad about them? They’re just mutants, how much worse than us could they possibly be?’

‘You’ll see,’ he repeats, crossing his arms.

Grabbing the first file, Adrian flips it open, ‘Okay, talk me through what we’re working with.’

File 1: NIGHTCRAWLER [Kurt Wagner, 20, Germany, teleportation]

‘Xavier got a psychic warning that Wagner will be attacked by an angry mob, so he’s the first stop,’ Scott explains as Adrian pulls the papers out of the file.

‘Angry mob? What is this, the 1800s, why would they…’ she looks down at the photo pulled from the Cerebro database. ‘Oh.’

Adrian always knew that there were mutants with more explicit mutations. Her own powers cause her eyes to change colour, Warren’s wings could only be hidden with a specific type of harness, but this?

This is something completely different.

The face that looks back at her is a dark blue, almost indigo, with heavy shadows around golden eyes, a solid colour with only the faintest sign of a pupil. Black hair curls around pointed ears. A half-open mouth reveals sharpened canines. That mouth is soft, sly, contrasting nicely with a sharp jaw and defined cheekbones, a strong brow reminding her of a classic Hollywood hero, just in different colours, of course. According to the file, he was completely blue, with hands and feet each with three digits instead of five and…

‘A tail?’ she exclaims, looking between the file and Scott.

‘Yeah, I know, it’s a bit much but…’

She holds a hand up. ‘Well, hold on, it’s not a bad thing.’ She quickly notices his disappointment. ‘Hey, I’m not calling him hot, but, you know, kinda cute, I guess.’ Another look. ‘Okay, okay, fine. Is teleportation his only non-physical mutation?’

He nods, ‘Only primary mutation. Some ability to stick to walls and hide in shadows, but also trained in acrobatics and swordsmanship. Grew up in a circus, apparently.’

‘Hm,’ she closes the file with a little smile, ‘blue Errol Flynn, sounds fun. What’s next?’

File 2: WOLVERINE [classified, unknown, Canada, healing factor*]

‘Well, great, we went from a devil to a non-entity, that’s helpful.’ Her eyes then bug wide as she reads the footnote.

*note: mutant subjected to experiments that resulted in an adamantium coating on entire skeleton, including three claws on each hand (unknown if claws present pre-operation)*

‘I’m sorry, adamantium?’

‘My reaction exactly,’ Scott confirms, pushing over the photo. ‘Apparently he was part of a project called Weapon X headed by a sector of the Canadian government, but there aren’t a lot of details.’

‘And here I thought Canadians were supposed to be nicer than us.’ Adrian looks down at the photo of the Wolverine. It’s a photo in uniform instead of civilian garb, and she immediately makes the connection between the name and the image of the man with a spiked mask. She looks up in disbelief. ‘Scott, this is the guy that fought the Hulk! We want this guy? Seriously?’

Scott shrugs. ‘Well, the Professor wants him. Though, he may technically be government properly, so I’m not sure if the Professor will be able to get him.’

‘Wait, a person is government property?’

‘His skeleton is.’

She leans back in her chair, rubbing her forehead. ‘Jesus Christ.’

File 3: BANSHEE [Sean Cassidy, 38, Ireland/USA, sonic scream]

‘Oh, okay, its Sean, that’s fine.’ She tosses the file without another word.

Scott raises an eyebrow.

‘What? I pay attention to the people we interact with on one-off missions sometimes.’ She rolls her eyes at his continued disapproving glance. ‘What? He’s a ginger Irish guy who calls himself Banshee, I think I get the gist.’

‘Well, he was also part of Interpol and –’

She waves it away, ‘No, no, I get the gist, its fine.’

File 4: STORM [Ororo Munroe, 27, Kenya, weather manipulation]

Adrian lets out a low whistle. ‘We’re recruiting goddesses now, huh? Finally giving the Avengers a run for their money?’

The woman is beautiful, probably one of the most beautiful women Adrian has ever seen. Deep skin contrasting with blue eyes and a mane of white hair. Her nose is regal, lips full, the turn of her eyes reminding Adrian of a cat. She was also naked, her top half shown in the photo only covered by her hair.

‘We’re not calling her a goddess,’ Scott says, distracting Adrian from the photo. ‘She’s worshipped by a tribe in Kenya, but she’s still just a mutant. Manipulates the weather.’

She raises an eyebrow, ‘That sounds suspiciously like a goddess, Slim. Like that’s a lot of power and if she actually has control over it enough for people to worship her? I’ll call her a goddess at that point.’

‘Well, I suppose the problem is going to be convincing her that she is really just a mutant and she should help us. But the Professor apparently met her as a child, so is convinced that he can sway her to join.’

Adrian hums, only half listening to his explanation as an idea comes to her. ‘Hey, if that’s the case,’ referring to her previous point, ‘Could Jesus have been a –’

‘No,’ he answers sternly before she can finish her question.

File 5: SUNFIRE [Shiro Yoshida, 28, Japan, solar radiation manipulation]

‘Oh, you don’t recognise this one?’

Adrian looks up at him from the photo of a Japanese nobleman that’s she’s pretty sure she’s never seen before. ‘What?’

‘Well,’ he starts, leaning back in his seat, ‘since you said you were so good at remembering people that the team has interacted with before, I just assumed…’

She throws the file at him. ‘Don’t be sarcastic,’ she retorts as she grabs the next one, ‘it doesn’t suit you.’

He laughs at her and, despite her annoyance, she’s at least glad he’s able to joke around, considering the circumstances.

File 6: COLOSSUS [Piotr Nikolayevich Rasputin, 19, Siberia, metal mimicry/super-strength]

‘Fucking hell, dude,’ she barks out as she reads the specs on the next mutant. ‘Six foot six in regular form but when mutation is activated, Rasputin’s skin turns to a form of organic steel, increasing his height up to seven foot five?’ She stares at Scott in disbelief. ‘We’re the same age, I didn’t know we even came this big!’

‘Don’t be childish, Adrian,’ Scott crosses his arms, tone sharper than before.

Adrian picks up on the switch instantly, as per the nature of her powers. With Scott being the only other person in the mansion, all she could focus on were those subtle changes in his emotional state. ‘What? You don’t like my jokes? Or you don’t like the idea of a Commie on the team?’

He shrugs, ‘I’m not against it.’

She gives him a look.

‘I’m not,’ he says with more conviction. ‘I’m just wanting to make sure we don’t have any members that could jeopardize the mission, that’s all.’

Adrian does a quick look over the files so far, ‘So what, you got a problem with… a German, a Russian, and someone from Japan? You do realize it’s not 1942, right? The Professor is bringing in mutants. It’s not like we’re getting a Nazi, a KBG officer, and an imperialist on the team.’

‘That isn’t what I meant.’

‘No, no I know what you meant.’ Scott, along with most of the original X-Men, always had a problem with full accepting that being a mutant wasn’t just the same as being different. Just like people could hate others because of their race, gender, sexuality, or religious beliefs, they could also hate mutants. But it was often forgotten by that first generation that these things could overlap. There could be black mutants, gay mutants, Soviet mutants, anything and everything. This new team is a testament to that reality. And even if they disband after this mission, it’s a step forward. Adrian has always felt the need to hide the stranger parts of herself even among her classmates, but the last thing she wants is for these new members feel the need to do the same thing just to placate Scott and the others.

She closes the file on the young man, whose face already reveals a kindness that few people can ever hope to achieve. ‘We’re mutants, Slim. Just remember that we don’t all get to have a happy little childhood and not all of us only have problems when our powers manifest. You know that, I know you do. The Professor gave us a chance, give it to someone else now.’

And then she pulls out the final file.

File 7: THUNDERBIRD [John Proudstar, 26, USA, super strength/speed/agility]

Even Adrian isn’t immune to some hypocrisy.

She frowns.

‘What’s wrong? He’s a good addition. Professor says he’s looking to prove himself, needing a cause to fight for. And since you said we deserve to give everyone a chance…’

Her eyes flash gold for a moment, his patronizing tone reminding both of them that just because they’re the only ones left, doesn’t mean they will always get along perfectly. ‘Don’t put words in my mouth, Summers.’

Scott leans forward on his elbows, gaze never wavering. ‘So what’s wrong with him?’

‘Nothing’s wrong with him. I’m just thinking logistically. This would make nine members on the team and there’s a good mix of offense and defence, good range of power sets. Is it necessary for one more who’s powers are just… improvements on natural human athleticism?’

‘You don’t want me to complain about some of the other members, you don’t complain about this one.’

She raises her eyebrows, eyes returning to brown as she smirks, ‘Why, Slim, are you compromising with me?’

He holds his out to her.

The smirk turns into a full smile and her hand finds his, shaking it.

XXX

As she stares at the files spread out across the table, the photos of soon-to-be teammates and allies, Adrian can’t help it as her face begins to sour. Her hands tug at the roots of her ginger curls, jaw tightening as stress starts to manifest. They had already lost so many people, what if it just happened again this time around. As Scott places his hand on her shoulder, she feels the wave of calm wash over her, pacifying her mind long enough for her to ask, ‘Are we sure this is a good idea?’

‘The Professor thinks so.’

‘I’m not asking about Xavier,’ she leans back in her chair, looking up at Scott, brown eyes meeting ruby quartz glasses. ‘I’m asking you. What do you think? Because I just… I just see more lives we’re just throwing away, I see more people who don’t know what they’re getting into, I see…’

‘Soldiers.’ Scott finishes for her, his hand now weighing heavy on her shoulder. He doesn’t like to question Xavier, and Adrian knows it. Scott Summers is team leader, the first mutant brought to the mansion, the perfect soldier, perfect student. He knows how to take action, carrying out the steps necessary to achieve Xavier’s dream. But now? He feels as Adrian does, that distrust gnawing at their hearts, the possibility that all they are just soldiers in a war they are too young to fight. Adrian is nineteen, Scott twenty-three. Is that meant to be enough? Old enough to go out on death missions but young enough to follow orders without question?

But they both know they’ll do it.

They always do it.

And in this case, the reward isn’t just saving humans that will hate them the next day, it’s to get their family back.

Adrian sighs. ‘You want Jean back.’

‘I want all of them back,’ he says.

She looks at him again, ‘Tell her you love her this time. You both deserve that. Don’t let her get away again because you’re scared she’ll say no. She won’t.’

He nods, pinching the bridge of his nose for a moment. No matter what he says, he’s never liked how easily Adrian can read people, how easy it is for her to unknowingly pick at wounds that haven’t been properly healed.

She’s right, though. She always ends up being right.

He ruffles her hair. ‘We’ll get them back.’

She nods, staring at the files once more. ‘A second genesis of X-Men.’

‘Second genesis,’ he repeats. Then he holds out a final file for her to take. ‘Welcome back, Adri.’

She flips the file open, seeing a photo of a familiar young woman with mid-length ginger hair curling wildly around a round face with strong brows and large, expressive brown eyes. A sharp, slightly crooked nose, soft jaw and cheeks dotted with freckles, a mouth turned down in a frown, making dimples appear on her chin.

File 8:  ICON [Adrian Louise Grey, 19, USA, empathic telepathy/psychic manifestation]

BASIC PROFILE INFORMATION: IDENTIFICATION

Name: Adrian Louise Grey

Known Aliases: n/a

Known Name Derivatives: Adri, Addy

Codename: Icon

Age: 19

Birthday: 9th June

Hair: Red

Eyes: Brown

Height: 5’4”

Identifying Features (scars, tattoos, birthmarks, etc.): stab scar on right shoulder (front and back) 2 inches long; circular scar on left hip 0.5 inch diameter.

Body Modifications: two lobe piercings on each ear

Known Medical Issues: hypermobility, allergies to mangos and strawberries, extreme intolerance for alcohol

BASIC PROFILE INFORMATION: MUTATION

               Primary Mutation: Empathic Telepathy*

               Secondary Mutation: Psychic Manifestation**

               Age of Activation (Primary): 4

               Age of Activation (Secondary): 12

               Any External Cause for Activation: n/a

Identifying Features (Primary or Secondary): psychic energy and constructs manifest as a yellow-gold colour; activation of either mutation causes a change in eye colour from brown to gold.

*empathic telepathy: the ability to understand and influence the emotions of others through an initial manipulation of one’s own emotional state. Differs from empathy due to the communicative element indicative of telepathic ability. Higher levels of empathic telepaths have the ability for illusionary visions, control of masses through joined emotional state, and potential reality-altering states.

**psychic manifestation: the ability to create constructs of psychic energy, limited only by the imagination and will of the user. Constructs last only as long as user focuses on their creation. Higher levels of manifestation may have the ability to construct semi-permanent images. Currently limit of size is dependent on the strength and mental fortitude of the mutant.

PERSONAL HISTORY [notes by Professor Charles Xavier]

Adrian Louise Grey is the youngest child of John and Elaine Grey [human] (Annandale-on-Hudson, New York). Two older siblings include Sara [human] and Jean [see separate file, MARVEL GIRL]. Raised in a single income home, father being the provider as a professor at Bard College. Current 50/50 split between mutant and non-mutant children in the Grey family – potential mutant ancestors indicated by the similarity of powers of Adrian and Jean?

Powers seemed to manifest early, but naturally. According to the family, there were no traumatic events associated in Adrian’s childhood to the activation of her primary mutation. As they described in my first discussion with them, it was her fourth birthday when she suddenly burst into tears and every time another human touched her to calm her down, she transferred her emotions to them and vice versa. Since that point, Adrian has constant surges of emotional data in her mind, unable to tune it out in the same manner psychic telepaths are able to.

Due to concerns about both Jean and Adrian, I arrived to assist the Greys in understanding their daughters’ specific needs. Began with Jean for several years before I was allowed to meet with Adrian, as the family believed that her mental health was far more severely damaged than Jean’s. By age 12, when her secondary mutation had developed, parents had pulled her out of school and were considering institutionalization due her increasingly troubling and erratic behaviour. I was then given access to Adrian. Any new emotional patterns triggered her. I was able to reach her through telepathy – naturally communicates on through psychic and body languages. To provide structure in her mind, psychic blocks were placed in key areas of the brain to act as temporary scaffolding until Adrian proves herself mentally and physically able to handle the full capacity of her powers.

Originally assumed that Adrian’s primary mutation was traditional empathy, but abilities are baser, more instinctual, and thus are far more difficult to control. Her abilities lie on the primal level of the human brain, sensing the chemical changes of different emotions. The current theory for this is due to the existence of a “heart-space” in her mind separate from traditional “thought-space”, which operates on a more instinctual level and thus unable to control with typical telepathic methods. Prior to intervention, Adrian was prone to emotional outbursts, meltdowns, and periods of psychosis. With correct training and positive reinforcement, has extreme potential for power increase, control and evolution.

Brought to Xavier’s School at age 13, but not put into duty as an X-Men until age 14 and not given full membership until age 15 due to concerns over power stability. Youngest of the original class of mutants and as of current update, youngest student I have taken on. Left duty at 18 to pursue an Art History degree at Barnard College.

*note: as of latest update, only two psychic blocks have been removed. Check-ins occur every six months to adjust and remove as necessary*

*addendum: as of April, Adrian has been put on indefinite academic leave from Barnard, due to several incidents of mental trouble and poor grades*

*addendum: back in active duty*

NOTES

extreme potential but concerned about mental ability to achieve it

shows great skill in secondary mutation, only two known instances of any problems with psychic constructs due to mental distress

mental health continues to be a concern, but diagnosis proves difficult due to mutations

social anxiety in human-dominated spaces, behaviour is far improved around mutants (potential difference in emotional outputs?)

capable of co-leadership but should not be given sole leadership on any missions

currently little contact with non-mutants, no contact with parents, no known friends at college. Known human associates include:

Sara Grey-Bailey (Sister)

Peter Parker (former boyfriend, current acquaintance)

Piper Parker (Peter’s sister, roommate)

thrives in structured environments, but continues to have issues following direct orders

skill in martial arts and swordsmanship – primary weapon in battle is a psychically constructed sword (should pursue further?)

skill in sculpture and pottery (physical manifestation of secondary mutation?)

interest in musical theatre (soprano)

[see the rest and to stay on top of new updates, as well as fun facts about references and comic book lore here at my AO3!]

[the-girl-who-walks-with-mutants]

Uncanny Icon Chapter 1: Call to Action

Kurt Wagner x Original Female Character (Adrian Grey)

Rating: M

Chapter Summary:

The X-Men are missing!

Adrian Grey has been called back to the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters after a year away at college. Her old teammates have been lost on the island of Krakoa, and she needs to step up as second-in-command for a rescue mission.

Pre-Giant Size X-Men 1, but references the missing X-Men plot told by Scott Summers.

Westchester, New York, six years later…

Staring up at the stone of the mansion, Adrian isn’t sure how she was convinced to come back. She’s paid the cabbie, waiting for her change as the well-known walls and turrets of the place she once called home stare back at her.

‘You live here or sumthin’?’ the cabbie asks, taking far longer than necessary to count out the coins. Adrian’s hand taps a rhythm on the doorhandle, the pressure rising as she attempts to stabilize herself. One-on-one interactions were easier to control, but far more tedious to listen in on when the other person was trying her patience.

‘Or something.’

‘You rich, then?’

Adrian has never been a patient person. Snatching her change as soon as the cabbie offers out his hand, she quips, ‘not enough for that tip you’re gunning for.’ And then she slides out of the backseat, grabbing her bag from the trunk without another word. The annoyance of the cabbie spikes in her brain, a faint tone of well fuck you too, lady.

As the car drives off, she rubs a temple, the silence a welcome change. A few months ago, this wouldn’t have been a problem. She had been doing so well, she had gotten into Barnard and was on the art history course. Of course, it was a compromise. The expressive, creative energy of real art school is too much for her brain, and had nearly sent her into a panic attack when she visited them the year before. Art history, at least, gave her something close, in a more controlled environment.

Or so she had thought.

It had only taken a year before she was brought into the Dean’s office. He had attempted to keep a kind smile, but Adrian always senses falsity, always knows when people are lying. And when he suggested that she take a semester off to reassess her academic future, in light of several concerning incidents involving both students and staff, she knew what it meant.

Adrian Grey is crazy. Adrian Grey is unstable. Adrian Grey does not belong.

Of course, they didn’t know the real reason they were so afraid, made so uneasy by her presence. It is not just because Adrian is a problem.

Worse.

Adrian Grey is a mutant.

XXX

Six years ago…

‘Don’t hold my hand, you’re too old for that, you can handle your own thoughts for once.’ Jean says as the two Grey sisters enter the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters for the first time. Adrian drops her hand out of Jean’s, holding it around her teddy bear instead. Jean always said that Adrian was too old for teddies now, but he was her friend. A little ratty bear that her parents got for her the last time she was well enough to go to the zoo. Adrian would cling to him, the silence of the teddy with no mind, he could provide comfort in a way no human could.

She adjusts the teddy’s bow tie, so he looks prim and proper, making a good impression to the rest of the new students.

They were to be part of a first-generation. Six youngsters, six children with great powers. Mutants. That’s what the Professor had called them. Those born with something different inside them, that made them hated and feared, but also made them special. Here, they would have an opportunity to train in their abilities, to learn to control them and give them a cause to help others, both mutant and human.

Adrian tries to hide behind Jean as they meet their new classmates, but Jean is far too extroverted to let herself become a wall for her little sister. Walking into the room with pose and grace, she presents herself for everyone’s hellos and sweet words, her smile perfect, her eyes shining with joy. They were all boys, all older than Adrian. She clings to the bear again, holding him against her chest as if the silence would melt into her brain.

‘That’s a nice bear,’ one of the boys says. Her eyes snap up, meeting a pair of red glasses. The boy was Jean’s age, his brown hair nearly trimmed, smile soft. ‘Does it have a name?’

She blinks, confused that he’s having a normal conversation with her. People don’t talk to Adrian. People didn’t like Adrian. The idea was foreign, but she likes it. Holding the bear out, she whispers, ‘Kirby.’ She makes the bear extend its fuzzy paw, as if offering a handshake.

The boy with the red glasses takes the paw, giving it a little shake between a finger and thumb. ‘Nice to meet you, Mr. Kirby.’

The trust is palpable, tasting like a warm cookie on her tongue. So she takes a risk, saying in a hushed tone, ‘I’m Adrian.’

‘And nice to meet you, Adrian. I’m Scott, but you can call me Slim.’

‘Why?’ she never had a nickname, and neither did Jean. Nicknames were never a thing in the Grey house.

Slim shrugs, ‘I think it’s just because I was really tall when I was your age. Why, does it not fit me? Should I be Shortie instead?’

And that makes her giggle. Adrian can’t remember the last time she giggled unless it was someone else’s joy bubbling over in her mind. This was her own amusement, her own feelings, her own joy. As each of the boys take their turns introducing themselves – Slim, Bobby, Hank, Warren – she finds herself smiling, her grip on the bear loosening as she realizes that, maybe, she won’t need the silence as much as she did at home.

XXX

In the mansion, she finds it silent. She knew the Professor wouldn’t be here, he was getting the other members of the team assembled. But the Mansion had always been abound with sounds and smells, a constant chaos that was once so comforting to her.

The silence was cold, an intrusion that didn’t provide the calm that she once so craved. Walking down the halls, she takes in the photos around. One catches her eye. Stopping, she looks at the first photo of Xavier’s first class of students. Six students, six mutants. She stares at each of the members, the class list first handed out fresh in her mind, listing their names, ages, and mutations.

Jean Elaine Grey, 16, telepathy and telekinesis

Scott ‘Slim’ Summers, 17, concussive eye-beams

Warren Kenneth Worthington III, 17, angelic wings

Henry ‘Hank’ Philip McCoy, 18, super-strength, agility and intelligence

Robert ‘Bobby’ Louis Drake, 14, cryokinesis

Adrian Louise Grey, 13, empathy and psychic manifestation

Her gaze shifts to the next, taken two years later, just before some of them would graduate from the school to go off to college. New additions were there. There was Alex Summers, Scott’s younger brother, and the green-haired girl, Lorna Dane. Photos of the group at picnics, birthdays, and, of course, newspaper clippings. Her eyes narrow, the emotions that pushed her back to this place rising once more.

Because Adrian didn’t return to the school out of a need to visit and relive the good old days.

Adrian came home because her family is missing.

The students of the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters are not merely mutants attempting to control their gifts to protect themselves from a world that does not understand them. They were the X-Men. Teen heroes, fighting in a war against the forces that would seek to destroy mutantkind, led by the Professor, who believes in a dream of mutant-human cohabitation.

Looking back at the original class photo, she looks at the training uniforms they all donned, yellow and black outfits that would become their original costumes out in the field. Her gaze drops to the label.

Jean Elaine Grey a.k.a. MARVEL GIRL

Scott ‘Slim’ Summers a.k.a. CYCLOPS

Warren Kenneth Worthington III a.k.a. ANGEL

Henry ‘Hank’ Philip McCoy a.k.a. BEAST

Robert ‘Bobby’ Louis Drake a.k.a. ICEMAN

Adrian Louise Grey a.k.a. ICON

‘Reminiscing?’

She sighs, turning her head towards the voice as she says, ‘Hey, Slim.’

Scott looks stressed. Granted, he was always tightly wound of course, but now, he looks tired. The Professor had only given her the basics of what had happened. The X-Men, without Adrian and Hank, went out on a mission to the island of Krakoa in the middle of the Pacific, but it went wrong. Scott was the only one able to escape. Jean, Warren, Bobby, Alex, and Lorna were all still captured, held prisoner by some unknown villain. His hair is dishevelled, and Adrian can tell he hasn’t slept very well.

When she frowns, Scott shakes his head, ‘Don’t worry about me.’

‘If I don’t, who will right now?’

The two look at each other for a moment, then meet in a hug, holding each other close for the first time in months. Adrian and Scott always had a complicated friendship. Beginning as a little kid looking up to an older teen, turning into fights and disagreements as Adrian began to have her own, often contradictory, opinions. But at the core of it all? They were found siblings, a brother and sister that would die for each other, do anything for each other. Scott’s feelings for Jean and Jean’s need to be the centre of his attention may cause them problems sometimes, but at the end of the day, they were the model for the beauty of Xavier’s dream of brotherhood. The ties that only mutants can hold, the connections only they can understand. By being different, they’re brought together, bound in a way that can never be broken.

‘I’m glad you came,’ he says, his tone softer than a moment ago as Adrian feels his walls begin to fall. ‘I wasn’t sure you’d take up the Professor’s offer, after everything…’

She pulls away, her hands on his shoulders, giving him a sense of stability that had been missing since Krakoa. ‘Well, it isn’t an offer, now is it? It’s a call to action. And no matter what, I’m not going to let my family suffer.’ Then her face hardens a bit, ‘Is Hank coming?’

Scott’s expression matches hers, the disappointment barely hidden behind his ruby quartz glasses. ‘No, he’s needed on Avengers business, said he was indisposed.’

‘So he said no.’

‘Adrian –’ he starts, but she holds a hand up to cut him off.

‘C’mon, Slim, he said no. You barely made it back and you’re still here. I fucked off from this place ages ago, and I’m back because you asked. Hank said no, didn’t give a good reason because he never does and you’re pissed about it.’ Her expression softens once more, biting at her cheek. ‘Look, I know you want to be high and mighty about it, but just let yourself be a little upset that he’s not coming. And if you aren’t yet, well, I can always make you.’

That makes him crack a smile, shaking his head. ‘I see college hasn’t matured you.’

‘Oh, I’m very mature, Slim. But that doesn’t mean I have that stick up my ass that you do.’

He ruffles her hair, just like he did when she was little, in the year when Xavier said she was too young to go on missions and would watch the rest go off to fight villains and criminals. ‘Okay, fine I’m upset. Happy?’

She nods, grabbing her bag and swinging it over her shoulder so they walk and talk along the way. ‘I’ll make sure to give Hank some choice words the next time I see him.’

‘Sure, buds, sure.’ They walk down the hall, his hand reaching out to take her bag for her, ever the boy scout. ‘But, Adrian, please stop calling me Slim. It’s not funny anymore.’

‘What,’ she says with a grin, one that far too often got labelled as maniacal, ‘you’re telling me the kids don’t know about Slim Summers anymore? When did he fall out of fashion?’

‘The sixties?’

She huffs, grabbing her bag back from him. ‘You’re no fun, Slim.’

‘Adrian –’

‘Oh please, using that tone with my name isn’t the threat it used to be,’ she cuts him off again, something she is all too good at. ‘Now gimme the run down… who are our new X-Men?’

[see the rest, follow along with the latest updates, and see fun facts about references and comic book lore over here at my AO3!]

[the-girl-who-walks-with-mutants]

Giant Sized X-Men 1 pg23-24 by Dave Cockrum

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started reading THE SEX MEN recently

[the-girl-who-walks-with-mutants]

Uncanny Icon: Prologue

Kurt Wagner x Original Female Character (Adrian Grey)

Rating: M

Summary:

In 1963, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby debuted their band of merry mutants, the X-Men! But what if there was a sixth gifted youngster? How would the story change? How would relationships form and dynamics diverge? Enter the Indelible Icon!

Beginning with Giant-Size X-Men #1, follow the story of Adrian Grey aka Icon, the youngest founding X-Men member. With an ability to read emotions, Adrian's story is one of love, loss, and overcoming obstacles, from dastardly villains to personal demons in classic X-Men, soap opera style. Along the way, see her find her closest friends amongst the newest recruits to the team and, perhaps, love with our favourite fuzzy blue elf!

Whether you're a fan of the Claremont run, a lover of Nightcrawler, or just need something to fill the X-Men '97 void, Adrian's story is sure to be... Iconic!

[I have the first three chapters up on AO3 but now that I've made this blog, I'll post the first three chapters to get you caught up over this weekend, and then will update every week with the AO3 page!]

Annandale-on-Hudson, New York…

She’s screaming again. Not her outside scream, not the scream that breaks through her vocal cords, coming out her mouth with noise and power. It’s the scream that only she can hear, the one in her mind, the one that no one else can hear. No one else can hear the noises, the fear, the joy, the rage, the pain, the pain, thepainthepainthepain…

‘Adrian Grey?’

Her eyes snap open. That wasn’t right. The only voice that was ever in her mind was Jean’s, and even then it was only when she was upset. But this? Cutting through the emotions, the clips and hushes and breaths… is a voice. Unfamiliar, masculine.

She needs to answer, she knows that people don’t like when she doesn’t speak with her mouth. Answers require mouth, mouth is body, body is real. Body means normal. Show everyone that you’re fine, that you’re normal, Mother says when they let her go outside, those days she feels safe enough to brave the storm of noises and feelings of the world.

She blinks her eyes, peering over her shoulder from the darkened corner of the room. From first glance, one could be tempted to say they were animal eyes, reflecting the light of the hall. But Adrian’s eyes aren’t reflecting, they’re glowing. They’re eyes that blink in the same golden shade as the shining energy that warps around her in shapes and forms she barely knows how to control.

The voice comes back, this time aloud, for her ears this time, not her mind.

‘Miss Grey, your parents have asked me to speak to you, because they believe I can help. Do you know where you are?’

Her hand touches the wall corner she’s cowered against. She nods, her head hitting the wall though she doesn’t seem to notice. Physical is real, physical is here. ‘My room.’

‘Good. And how old are you, Miss Grey?’

‘Twe-Thirteen,’ she corrects herself midway. It had been her birthday recently. Her parents bought her a cake and let her eat a slice in her room. It’s been years since she had a birthday party like Jean and Sara got every year. It’s not safe for you, sweetie, Father would say, patting her head when she asked, you wouldn’t enjoy it. They were scared for her. Scared of her? ‘I’m thirteen.’

‘Adrian, I would like to help you, if you would let me,’ the voice continues, getting closer. She hides her face again, the energy swirling around her solidifying, constructing a protective shield around her. No touch, no touch, notouchnotouchnotouch –  ‘Miss Grey, I will not harm you, I will not touch you without your explicit permission. You are a very special girl with powers that are causing you a great deal of pain. I believe that I will be able to help you control them.’

Slowly, she lifts her head, the energy beginning to fade. As her vision begins to take focus, her eyes return to their original brown shade, emphasising just how young she really is, how small, how scared.

The voice belongs to a man her parents’ age, if not a bit younger, bald with thick, expressive eyebrows. He moves forward in a wheelchair, leaning down to get closer to her level on the floor. He holds a hand to her. ‘Allow me to help you.’

The emotions flow easily now, as they always do when she meets someone’s eyes. The hope, the dream, the conviction. The wave of promise and safety.

‘Who are you?’

He smiles, his hand reaching out to her once more.

‘My name is Charles Xavier.’

[see the rest, along with fun facts about references and comic book lore over here at my AO3!!]

[the-girl-who-walks-with-mutants]

On this date in 1975, the all-new, all-different X-Men debut in Giant-Size X-Men #1, introducing Storm, Nightcrawler and Colossus! Also debuting: Thunderbird and the future Magik of the New Mutants. Oh and some guy named Wolverine might’ve been there, too. By Len Wein and Dave Cockrum!

[the-girl-who-walks-with-mutants]

Nightcrawler (1985)

[the-girl-who-walks-with-mutants]

me writing the worst paragraph of my life knowing that a sexier, more hydrated version of me will fix it later

[the-girl-who-walks-with-mutants]

For all those who follow me for my cool occult/vintage aesthetic, I'm so sorry, but I've written my first fanfiction in nearly 10 years! For the Kurt Wagner lovers out there (of which I know there are many), I'm doing an KurtxOC fanfiction rewrite of Claremont's X-Men run (with hopes to continue all the way to Krakoa - wish me luck). The first THREE chapters are up, so take a look and leave a kudos and a comment!

Here's the summary:

In 1963, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby debuted their band of merry mutants, the X-Men! But what if there was a six gifted youngster? How would the story change? How would relationships form and dynamics diverge? Enter the Indelible Icon!

Beginning with Giant Sized X-Men #1, follow the story of Adrian Grey aka Icon, the youngest founding X-Men member. With an ability to read emotions, Adrian's story is one of love, loss, and overcoming obstacles, from dastardly villains to personal demons in classic X-Men, soap opera style. Along the way, see her find her closest friends amongst the newest recruits to the team and, perhaps, love with our favourite fuzzy blue elf!

Whether you're a fan of the Claremont run, a lover of Nightcrawler, or just need something to fill the X-Men '97 void, Adrian's story is sure to be... Iconic!

Also includes some amazing art from @lazywrites, which should be reason enough to check it out!