Since I started the X-men Supreme fanfiction series, I’ve done my best to balance the need to inject action and adventure into the story along with drama and character development. One of the qualities that makes X-men so compelling is how the more intimate moments with these characters are explored. They don’t always have to be fighting killer Sentinels, battle Magneto to save the world, or clash with Weapon X. It’s also important to highlight the personal growth of the X-men, especially after a major event.
X-men Supreme Volume 5: Dark Truths has thrown a lot of conflicts at the X-men so far. They’ve struggled to maintain a fragile treaty with Genosha, they fought Sinister in the once-hidden kingdom of Nova Roma, and they confronted Fantomex and the Weapon Plus program. They haven’t really had an opportunity to step back and remind themselves what it feels like to be human. That’s an important component of being X-men and I’ve had these share of moments in X-men Supreme. I’ve explored date nights between couples and downtime outside the Xavier Institute. Well now with the end of the Weapon Plus arc, I think the X-men have more than deserved a breather and I intend to give them that in X-men Supreme.
That’s not to say the lingering aftermath of Weapon Plus won’t be addressed. But before X-men Supreme enters another event, I’m going to let the X-men have a little fun. And to do that, the X-women are going to enjoy a badly needed girls night out. They’re going to set aside one night out of a week, hope that Sentinels don’t attack, and use it to enjoy themselves. It’s not a date night and it’s not a night where they have to save the world. They’re just going to be a group of young women enjoying themselves.
Even though X-men deal with many serious matters, there’s always room for a little fun. I feel as though X-men Supreme Volume 5: Dark Truths hasn’t had enough fun in it. There’s always room for humor and it doesn’t just have to happen in arcs involving Deadpool. I want this fanfiction series to be balanced. It can be both serious and entertaining and I think giving the X-women a night for themselves will help keep that balance. It’ll also have a few minor developments that will come into play later on in this fanfiction series so it’ll still carry plenty of weight. As always, I’ve prepared a a preview that gives a taste of the kind of night the X-women are in for.
“HELLLLLLOOOOOOOOO NEW YORK!” proclaimed a jubilant Betsy Braddock.
“We’re not even officially in the city yet and you’re already this excited?” teased Jean.
“Sorry luv. It’s been a while since I’ve had a night on the town, let alone a night in the Big Apple.”
“Did I say I disapproved?”
Spirits were high among the X-women. Betsy, Jean, Kitty, and Ororo were about to begin their excursion into New York City. Since an off night was so rare, they didn’t just drive into the city. They rented a limousine, courtesy of Professor Xavier’s credit card, to take chuffer them. They were just outside the downtown area when Betsy and Jean decided to greet the city by standing up through the sunroof. The cool winds along with the crisp evening air offered the promise of an exciting night.
Inside the limo, Kitty and Ororo were conserving their energy. Ororo was helping herself to some complimentary drinks. Even though these were her students and she was technically a chaperon, she carried herself as one of the girls. She even wore one of her favorite dresses, which had a leopard skinned pattern along with a very low cut skirt. Kitty’s dress was probably the most conservative, consisting of a nice blue petite that nicely augmented her figure. As the youngest, this was a rare opportunity for her to be a normal rowdy teenager.
“Guess we’re skipping a couple of steps. I feel like I should be going a bit crazier,” commented Kitty as she looked towards Jean and Betsy.
“Don’t get too ahead of yourself, Kitty. You’re still young. You’ll have plenty of opportunities for craziness,” said Ororo.
“I’m also an X-man, remember? How limited are those opportunities going to be? I’m not even old enough to drink.”
“You can still have fun without drinking, luv,” said Betsy as she and Jean slipped back into the limo, “Keep in mind you’ve got two telepaths by your side. If someone were to think your old enough, well that’s not entirely their fault now is it?”
“You better not be toying with me, Betsy,” grinned Kitty.
“Only to the extent that we tolerate underage drinking,” said Jean, “But the point of a girls night isn’t to get drunk. We’ve got shopping, restaurants, and all the Broadway shows the Professor’s credit card can afford. Let’s do our best to diversify on this rare night of freedom!”
“Speak for yourself,” said Betsy, “You and Kitty are both have handsome studs waiting for you back at the mansion. Me and Ororo are single so we have to mingle.”
“I’m not sure hooking up should be our top priority, Betsy,” said Ororo.
“Why not? Remy and I are over and you’ve moved on from Logan. Why not open our eyes (amongst other things) to some willing and able men? Hell, I would argue that you’re the one most in need of some studly male company!”
Ororo blushed profusely. The subject of her personal life hadn’t come up since she broke up with Logan. She was content to avoid relationships for a while, but that was quite a while ago. It certainly couldn’t hurt to be open to the idea, albeit in a more restrained manner than Betsy was implying.
“If you’re going to be that friendly tonight, remember some of the ground rules,” said Jean, “We’re not bringing anyone back to the mansion and no one is letting anyone pass out in a bedroom with some stranger.”
“You make it sound as though we’re throwing ourselves out there, Jean. I thought you had more respect for us than that,” said Betsy, pretending to sound appalled.
“I didn’t say male company wasn’t welcome,” said Jean, “If you or Miss Munroe find some action, we won’t stop you. But if anyone senses any funny business, don’t expect us to stand aside.”
“I hope it doesn’t come to that, Jean. We don’t need our off night becoming a search-and-rescue mission,” said Ororo.
“If it’s all the same to you guys, I’m hoping to avoid that stuff tonight,” said Kitty, “It seems we already get way too much of that.”
“This coming from a girl who’s dating a tall, handsome Russian farm boy?” made Betsy, “That’s a surprise…unless there’s some drama already.”
“Like I said, I’d like to avoid that tonight. So how about we have a few more drinks before we hit the high end shopping district?”
“Works for me,” shrugged Jean.
Kitty’s insistence on avoiding relationship talk was a bit telling, but not enough to belabor. If it was serious, she wouldn’t be so eager to get this night going. With that in mind Jean used her telekinesis to levitate a few glasses from the complimentary cooler. She showed off some psychic skill, pouring a small helping of champagne as she guided it to each girl.
“We’ve got another twenty minutes before we begin our assault on the Big Apple. So let’s squeeze in one quick toast,” said Jean as she grabbed her glass.
“Assault, Jean? You’ve been picking up on way too many of Scott’s quirks,” commented Betsy.
“Call it whatever you want, Betsy. As far as I’m concerned, this is every bit as serious as a mission. We may be X-men, but these are the kinds of nights that remind us that we’re still human. As such, humans need a little fun in their lives. It keeps us grounded and makes us better at everything we do. So I propose this toast in the spirit of our humanity. May this girl’s night out make us better heroes!”
“Better heroes…I can drink to that,” said Ororo with a smile.
“Me too!” agreed Kitty.
The four X-women tipped their classes and gulped down their drinks. The limo entered the city limits, officially beginning of their night out. For once, there would be no concerns over missions, politics, living weapons, or anything of the sort. They were just four young women out to have a good time.
In addition, I have another quick update to the pics section. My good friend, Mack, has submitted another wonderful piece for X-men Supreme Issue 68: The Phoenix Saga Part 6. It's another testament to the emotion of that story and one I think he captured wonderfully. Thanks again, Mack!
X-men Supreme Official Panels
These intimate moments between the X-men will help add some extra depth before X-men Supreme Volume 5: Dark Truths enters the home stretch. The end is in sight and it might end up being the conclusion of this fanfiction series. I still haven’t decided, but I do have plenty to explore with these characters in future volumes of X-men Supreme. And I want to keep those characters sharp and compelling. That’s why it’s so important that readers take the time to provide feedback. Please post your comments directly in the issues or contact me directly. Either way is fine. Any kind of feedback helps inspire me to make this fanfiction series more awesome. Until next time, take care and best wishes. Excelsior!
Jack
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