nextgen_citizen:

"If we do this... there's no going back. This is going to burn through every favor you and I have above my pay grade." Police Captain Erica Strauss poured herself and her associate a shot of whiskey. The strongest she had.

"And yet you will do it. District X's time is over, and this is the way to do it." The gentleman raised the glass, before downing it. He pushed a dossier across the table to her. "This file does not exist. There is no file which contains this exhaustive a cataloging of the District's residents, and their... unique qualities. Just make sure you don't get anyone with wings involved. The media loves them, almost as a rule."

"Nobody's going to love anything about that hellhole after this, not until it's torn down and rebuilt as high-rises." Strauss flips through the files, downing her own drink. "This... if this existed--" she humors him. "--it would be perfect. Let's see those brats try to derail this now."

-----


"The public was shocked today as, in an historic announcement, the governor signed an act to grant emergency powers to the 11th Precinct. Martial law and standing search warrants for the entire District X area have been put into effect. Policymakers are still reeling, as this is the first act of it's kind within the city. Captain Erica Strauss was available for comment earlier today."

"I want everyone in the five boroughs and beyond to understand that no-one involved in this is looking to make any kind of history. These are unfortunate measures to have to be implemented, but it's been determined there is no other appropriate response to the still surging crime wave from District X, and the continuing allegations of disappearances. I'd like to thank my fellow captains of the neighboring precincts for helping to pool emergency funds, as, in an effort to protect taxpayers from the cost of bringing in the National Guard, as well as keeping public safety our first priority, we will be bringing in the brave men and women of Castleton Security Holdings to support our own men and women as we deploy into the District." Every syllable was crisp, except for the parts where the public would respond better to signs of stress or remorse.

Strauss locked her gaze on a camera. "I want those people hiding within this district of our fair city to know that we will not stop. We will put everything as it should be. To the law-abiding citizens of District X, I promise you this, we will be among you."

----

The searches started the next day at dawn. Doors were pounded on. Homes were turned upside down. Residents were subject to 'mandatory relocation' to hotels and shelters in other parts of the city. Every 'successfully' searched building had security stationed nearby afterwards. By nightfall, and the enactment of the district-wide curfew, over five hundred residents had been moved, with well-crafted gentle assurances they would be back in their homes soon.

The efficiency alone was something of wondrous terror.

nextgen_citizen:

"And we're back. If you're just joining us, we're talking today about what local voices have been calling the 'Exodus of Mutant Town', along with the current wave of mutant crime sweeping the five boroughs. With us are Julian Howard, the man behind the modern sensation of X-Factor, and Police Captain Erica Strauss, of the 11th Precinct, which oversees District X.

Before we had to go to break, Mister Howard had brought up the reports of disappearances of transients and the alleged sewer-dwellers of the district. Captain Strauss, your thoughts?"

Strauss gave a practiced smile and tilted her head with a modest shrug. "Well, to be honest, we're at a bit of a loss for the situation. Strictly speaking, we're not even sure that people like that can be classified as 'missing'."

hellfireprince:

Each member of X-Factor receives word of the meeting at X-Factor Plaza's Boardroom with instructions to attend as soon as possible on a matter of urgency. Julian has some minor refreshments set up, but doesn't have the usual feast ready; they may need to move quickly regarding this matter.

Julian waits in the boardroom for the team to arrive.

They'll all notice immediately that there are no cameras in sight.

nextgen_citizen:

A pair of uniformed officers arrive at the Whedon residence around noon, knocking sharply at the door.

"This is the police!" The older of the two officers hollers.

nextgen_parent:

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first annual Maria Stark Foundation Charity Auction. I'm Alison Blaire and your host for tonight's festivities. Prepare yourselves for a night of fun to help a worthy cause. In just a few minutes many very handsome men will be brought out one by one for your chance to win a date with one of them.

Before we begin I would like to bring out Her Imperial Highness Anya Stark. Miss Stark helped arranged tonight's event and will give you a little more information on the charity organization tonight's proceeds will help."

Anya walked out on stage and smiled. "Thank you, Ms. Blaire. All of the proceeds from tonight's event will go directly to Doctors Without Borders or Médecins Sans Frontières. This organization was created in 1971 in France to benefit the citizens of the world. The organization is committed to bringing quality medical care to people caught in crisis regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation all across the globe. MSF operates independently of any political, military, or religious agendas.

I'm happy to announce on behalf of the Maria Stark Foundation, that all money collected here tonight will be matched dollar for dollar by the Maria Stark Foundation."

"Thank you Miss Stark and that is a very generous offer by the Maria Stark Foundation. Now it's time to begin. So open those wallets and let's bring out our first man." Anya left the stage and went to take her seat.

"First we have the son of Captain America Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff. James Romanov-Rogers is currently an Avenger and has recently moved to Seattle to lead the West Coast Avengers."

"Let's start the bidding at a hundred dollars."

nextgen_holiday:

There's a piece of paper and a pen attached to a bulletin board. Across the top is written:

New Year's Resolutions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
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+

Anonymous entries accepted.

pym_kitten:

Chris had always thought that the six day interval between Christmas and New Year's was the hardest section of days on the calendar to get anything done at all. However, this year on the 28th, she had something she damn sure wasn't going to miss. Pauline had invited her to come to one of her shows, and to go out afterward for sandwiches and whatever else.

For fun, and to make sure Pauline saw her there, she'd brought along a sign with a picture of a kitten with "I CAN HAZ!" pasted beneath it.

She couldn't help but grin as the band was introduced and brought out.

nextgen_holiday:

Christmas. Yule. Saturnalia. Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Many cultures have celebrated and still celebrate a winter festival. There have been many names for it over the millennia. No matter the name it is a time to come together and celebrate with feasts and gifts with friends and loved ones.

Each culture has a legendary figure who would deliver gifts to children during this time. In Russia and some Slavic cultures he is known as Ded Moroz, Grandfather Frost, and comes not on Christmas but on New Year’s along with his granddaughter Snegurochka, or ‘”Snow Maiden”. In the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe he is known as Father Christmas. In the Netherlands and Belgium he is known as Saint Nicholas or “Sinterklaas” and in France he is known as Père Noël. In the United States we know him as Santa Claus.

No matter the name or who is delivering gifts, it is the season of peace, joy and togetherness. It is the season for thinking about loved ones, friends and those less fortunate. It is a time to witness the goodness and generosity the human race is capable of. It is a time for peace on Earth and goodwill toward man.

clothesline:

X-Factor was a team, right?  Jason didn't know much about teams, but he was aware that MOST teams actually sat down and got to know each other.  He didn't rightfully give a damn, but the press did.  So, like a good boy int he public eye, Jason set up a dinner with his team at Masa.  If somebody was unable to find something appropriate to wear in their current wardrobe, they were set up with information to contact Jason's people and get something appropriate.  As for Jason?  He was looking fancy and dashing in a custom suit.  He was always overdressed.

Jason, of course, was at the restaurant to make sure everything was in order.  The menus were already on the table, including the all-important drink menu.  They were seated near a window so the press could see them having a great time.  And by God, they were all going to smile-even if Jason would have to force them by the hairs on their lips.

hellfireprince:

DJ Whedon will receive a message asking him to meet with Julian around ten a.m. to discuss a favor of importance. He'll request that they meet in the boardroom at X-Factor Plaza on the third floor, and that DJ should come hungry.

When DJ arrives, Julian is there in one of his usual tailored suits, along with a pretty blond woman and two other men who look like scientists of some kind.

"DJ! Glad you could make it." Julian says cordially, getting up to shake his hand. "Before we get down to the reason for the meeting, I'd like to meet Dr. Jennifer Crane. These are her assistants, Miles and Warren.

There's food, of course, so please don't be shy. Let's all eat, and then we'll talk about why I asked you to stop by today." Julian says.

hellfireprince:

The results are in: Everyone wants a piece of X-Factor.

He's gotten offers from Letterman and Leno. Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein want to speak to Jason about joint projects.  Slash and Gene Simmons thinks DJ and Pauline are the future of music. Harry is morphing into a young heartthrob; between the ladies from The View and Oprah, the young man might never know another day of obscurity in his life.

And Julian's thinking he may need to get another phone if the Owner of Suicide Girls doesn't stop trying to blow his up about having Lisa do a shoot for them.  Besides, Maxim wants first dibs.

As for Julian, bumping into Jay-Z at a recent after-party (he can't remember where) landed him a spot in Rihanna's newest video.

X-Factor's star was rising higher with each passing day, and he still hadn't had time to tell the team about X-Factor Plaza yet. He'd have to get them all together, but time was conspiring against them. And there was still the World Tour, actions figures and everyone's solo ventures to discuss. Not to mention his trip to New Orleans to open up another nightclub. 

Julian asks Paulo to call the rest of the team to the Outcast to discuss the next step in their adventure together and set down some rules. This is probably also a good time to give anyone who wants out the chance to get out clean.

indie_minor:

Pauline was absently humming, not consciously thinking about what song it happens to be. She's putting on her makeup. As always, she'll look  like she's wearing a bit too much, but the little eye-of-horus decor makes that look a purely aesthetic decision, not to hide something. Her gloves on the counter beside her.

It's been a week since DJ turned into a dinosaur in the middle of a show. It's funny how in this household, that made sense as a merely surprising and problematic situation, not a bad dream.

It's not until she's almost done that she realizes two things: that she's humming Krieger and Russell's "Come Look at the Freaks," and that she's no longer alone.

hellfireprince:

Julian was still counting the money and good press from the Battle of the Bands a few days later, when the Battle of New York began. People were calling the club at all hours, wanting to know when N.I.C.H Machinegun was performing again, and that put Julian in a good mood.

That all ended the moment Paulo came in and turned on the television.

"Sir, there is...something you must see." Paulo says, rewinding the newscast. TiVo was a wonderful invention.

Julian, for a moment, did not understand what--or who-- he was looking at. Over the space of a few more seconds, his recognition of the young man became clear.

"Andrew...?" Julian said, his eyes widening. "Paulo, bring the car around. I need to get to Ellis Island."

"Sir, may I suggest that you call in aid? The...terrorists have hostages, and you don't know their numbers. It would be unwise to walk into a situation like this without a plan and back up." Paulo said.

Julian considered it for a moment. "Very well. The X-Men can handle themselves. Call Lisa and the others and ask them to come here. If they aren't interested, fine, but anyone I want to talk to anyone who is. We need a plan and someone needs to get to those children." he says, keeping his eyes on the television.

Andrew, it would be unwise for you die right now. It might get us all killed.  Julian thought to himself.

hellfireprince:

( Read more... )</div>

nextgen_deviant:

The Eternals had always been a race that sought out the cold. It didn’t come as a surprise that their two cities of Olympia and Polaria were situated in the coldest climates on the planet. Olympia was in Antarctica, well secluded in a very desolate location. Only the most hardy and stubborn of humans would hope to find the city and even then the residents didn’t like interlopers.

The Eternals were a reclusive race, but there were a few who ventured out to mingle among their cousin humans.

Another race, the deviants, were another creation of the Celestial, were the enemies of the Eternals. They wanted to enslave the humans and rule the Earth. The deviants had always been stopped by the Eternals, but the shift of power was now changing.

The Deviants were stronger than they ever had been. They didn’t have the numbers they had had in the past, but now they had powers they never had. Powers that could now help them stand up to the accursed Eternals.

They climbed out of the cold waters and onto the ice shelf and headed for Olympia. An ally waited for them not far from the city.

Today was the day the Eternals would fall and the Deviants would start their rise to power.

hellfireprince:

The orange-and-black posters are put up at various locations around the city, though they are concentrated most heavily near the clubs and bars that advertise live entertainment, or 20 and under nights.

The fliers read simply: 



WHAT: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST- BATTLE OF THE BANDS

WHEN: 2-7-10

WHERE: The Popular Outcast

WHO: YOU


1st Place- $20, 000

2nd Place- $10, 000

3rd Place- $5,000



BRING YOUR A-GAME AND ROCK THE HOUSE!

(Note: No alcohol served during this event as minors may attend.)



Julian supposed the idea wasn't terrible, but he was skeptical when Paulo brought it up. Then again, how else was he going to find who he was looking for?