168 Issue #10

A few days later, an assembly was called for all the students and staff. Since it was such a beautiful morning and the wind was not blowing too hard the meeting was held on the mansion's front lawn.

Jack and the other staff sat in the front seats with all the students behind them in order of age, the youngest students were at the front while the oldest students were further back.

Many of the children were talking and whispering among themselves while waiting for the assembly to start. Most of the talk was revolving around the X-Men training squads, especially Jack's squad.

Guy 1: "I hear that Mr. Frost's squad is going on their first mission soon."

Guy 2: "Really? Cause I heard that they had already gone on it and beat some Sentinels."

Guy 3: "Your news is so outdated. I heard that they fought Hydra as well as the Sentinels."

Guy 4: "Who cares about who they fought? I'm jealous of Quentin. He is in a squad full of babes."

Guy 2: "Haha. More like bears than babes. Felicia nearly cut off Dr. Hank's hand, Anatasia threw Bobby out the third-floor window, and Laura... well Laura is Laura. The only good one on the team is Melody."

Guy 3: "Who cares if they have attitude problems? Isn't it better to get to observe them up close? And with the type of training they do, I'm sure he has gotten a few peeks at them."

Girl: "You guys are perverts. Plus You're missing the most important thing."

Guy 1: "And what's that?"

The young lady rolled her eyes them.

Girl: "Martha got a body while Laura and Melody got new powers. Even if you gave me a million reasons, I couldn't be convinced that it was all a coincidence."

Guy 1: "You mean that..."

Girl: "Yep. It had to have been Mr. Frost that had done it."

Guy 2: "Shit! That makes him even more amazing."

This wasn't the only group. There were many other groups of students that were also talking about it. Although none of the members of the team spread what was happening, Jack's actions and the changes to the Inquisitors were too major for anyone to ignore.

Thus, many students and staff were curious as to what happened on Jack's squad and many even wanted to join. Dozens of students felt that they had 'useless' powers like Melody so they wanted to change just like she did.

The people in question ignored all the gossip about them though. The Inquisitors did not want to share their gifts with others while Jack was not so willing to just hand out his pills to anyone. If he did that, it would disrupt the natural order of mutants.

After waiting for 15 minutes, Scott and Ororo finally walked up on stage to announce what they had to say.

"Hello, students and staff. We are glad that this year has started off so strong. We have had a large increase in the number of students which is always a great thing. But with an increase in students this semester, it has also shown that many more students have shown interest in the training squads.

So due to this increase in students who wish to participate, we will be having a field day in 3 weeks. This will be a chance for the students that were not present last semester or have changed their minds since last semester a chance to join one of the training squads," Ororo started the speech

Scott took over after Ororo finished what she had to say

"That is right. And since we are keeping the squads down to the 10 we already have, we are increasing the maximum number of students per squad to 8 instead of 6.

During the field day, there will also be a competition between the 10 squads as they currently are. We want to see which students have shown the most improvement under their advisor.

And lastly, there will also be a staff competition during the field day as well. Many of you have heard tales of the staff but few have gotten to us in action. This will be your chance to see just how tough we are."

All eyes went straight to Jack. Whether it was because they wanted to join his squad or see just how strong the 'Strongest Mutant' was, that was anyone's guess. Either way, everyone was looking forward to Field Day.

"That is all we have come to say today. You all can take your time walking around since homeroom and 1st period have been canceled this morning," Ororo finished the speech and dismissed the students and staff

Jack called out to the Inquisitors and had them all follow him to his office. He wanted to go over what their schedule would be like for the next few weeks.

When they got to the office, Stella was sitting in Jack's chair, a cup of cocoa in her hands.

"Father," Stella smiled at Jack

"Daughter," Jack nodded in return before pointing toward the couch and chairs he had in his office. The Inquisitors took their seats as Jack walked over.

"As you all have heard, Field Day is in 3 weeks. This means that I expect you all to come in first place in 3 weeks. Whether it be Scott, Dani, or even Emma, you all are not allowed to lose. As an incentive, the person that performs the best on the team will get an X-Pill to unlock more of their X-Gene.

I scheduled the Danger Room for 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm every Tuesday and Thursday from now until the end of the semester. I will be putting you all through hell during this semester.

Not for the Field Day or whatever other competitions between students. It is because you all need to master your powers in order to better protect yourself. Right now, Scott and Ororo are still teaching the students how to thrive in the school. I'm gonna make sure you all know how to thrive in the outside world."

Even though Jack was planning to bring them all to Okkara in the future, that was still the future. He had to make sure they were in the best positions possible for the next two years.

'And even after I bring them there, who's to say that it will be peaceful forever? Should I intervene in every conflict that takes place between other mutants as an absolute dictator or should I stand aside and let them do as they please? The more powerful I get, the more I understand the responsibilities of having power.'