On normal days, working at the museum was not a particularly challenging job. There was cleaning. There was organizing. There was avoiding patrons and especially the obnoxious patron's children. But today was not turning out to be one of those days.

It started with a mutant. Normally, Evelyn was ok with other mutants. They minded their own business, and unless they were sleeping on the artwork, no problem. But this mutant had a temper problem. Evelyn only caught the tail end of the conversation, as the yelling worked it's way to the second floor exhibits, but the accusations of the 'prejudiced venue' were clear enough. As she slowly made her way to the stairwell, the conversation became clearer.

"You should be ashamed of how blind you are. You are just giving me a hard time because I'm a mutant. You don't like mutants, do you?!"

"We're fine with mutants, you just need to calm down sir."

"No, you have a problem with my species don't you. I bet you kick all the mutants out huh?"

"That's not true. We even have a mutant on staff! See?"

The man turned, yellow eyes focused on Evelyn as he scoffed with laughter. "You call THAT a mutant? You think I believe that? You don't have any mutant artwork, you're just purists with your human paintings and historical 'mummies'. Not even a good dinosaur in the mix." The more he yelled, the brighter his eyes seemed to glow. Evelyn's echoes were buzzing with warning.

And then, she found out what his powers were.

He took off running, bolting towards the stairs and racing into the nearby exhibition. Evelyn took a few steps forward to stop him, but a quick dodge and he was around her and in the exhibit. As she turned, the echoes watched his hand run across one of the nearby paintings, and her mind buzzed with distress at the careless action. It wasn't until the colors started melting and jumping out of the painting that the distress started to transform into horror.

Screams echoes down one of the hallways, and what looked like an oddly familiar ghost zipped past. [Ghost. Featured in artwork Chance Encounters at 3am] A oddly shaped bulldog napped at the heels of another patron. There was the distinct thud further down the galleries, and the crash of a shattering display case. Evelyn turned, a scream escaping her mouth as hooves narrowly missed her face. The paint strokes stood out even as she yelled, and in terror she glanced at the painting where the horse should be....

Rather than running out of the museum like the regular patrons, however, she rushed further inside, unable to process her disbelief. Her yells echoed through the halls as she hurried after the mutant. "Whatever you're doing, stop!" She yelled, dodging another horse as it raced through the narrow room.

It can't be! Room by room, chaos was erupting. Patrons frantically tried to defend themselves, and Evelyn watched in fear as she tried to catch up to the source of the chaos. The paintings!

Kyle knew something was going to go wrong this day.

He never could say why he felt when trouble was likely to come. It was, more than anything, something that he felt on an instinctive level. The slight tingle in the air, the chill that went down your spine for no reason, the whispers in the wind. Perhaps it was merely his sixth sense, or his long history of fending for himself, that gave him the notice that trouble was coming or afoot. Whatever the reason, Kyle seemed to just know when he'd have to be ready for a fight.

But be damned if he didn't have his normal means.

Today, it was as simple as being in the right place at the right time. He had been getting a hotdog for himself, watching carefully the two cops chatting with one another a short distance away, when their call came over the radio. 911 calls from the museum, talk of some kind of disturbance, unable to get an exact read on the situation because it sounded too insane to be real. Of course, in a world where someone could spew fire from their hands, that wasn't saying much. Kyle didn't even wait to hear the full call; he was gone at museum and strange.

Evelyn.

Kyle's bike was perfect for getting through the often clustered streets of New York, going where those big, bulky cars could not. So it came as no surprise that he made it to the museum before the police were able, his feet already bolting up the steps to the front doors before the sound of sirens could even be heard. Considering he didn't know what he was talking into, he was fully in that silly costume of his...well, silly till people noticed that those shiny things attached to his arms were blades. Then they didn't laugh so much.

What Kyle came upon actually stunned him for a moment in its...its...insanity. It was if someone had flicked a finger and turned all the art into the museum to life. Horses ran back and forth, various beings from the different arts mingled about the halls and terrified patrons fled back and forth amongst it all. Utter chaos, at its finest. It took Kyle only a moment more to collect his bearings, remember his purpose...and kick one of the mummies that were shambling his way into the nearest display case.

Does that girl ever get into any normal kind of trouble?

As if brought forth by the thought, Evelyn came racing by, her eyes watching the madness around her, even as her path kept her rushing headlong through the heart of this madness. Headlong into the path of one of those horses. Moving as fast as his trained body allowed him, Kyle managed to tackle her out the way just in time, the horse flattening the space she had been moments prior. Quickly gathering her to her feet, Kyle gripped her shoulder firmly to make sure he had her attention.

"You and this museum have the worst luck. Care to explain, aside from the obvious, what is going on this time?'

Getting tackled to the ground was typically not the best way to great someone. But considering the alternative, and considering the person who tackled her, Evelyn could think of worse options. A battle ready skilled companion was something worth having nearby when the museum was erupting into chaos, and Evelyn decided she'd ask the questions of How and why later. For the moment, there was too much to deal with. Too much, in fact, to even consider trying to get a hold of a more experienced x-men to help diffuse the situation.

Back on her feet, Evelyn reassessed what was happening. Like her tryouts, the amount of chaos kept her echoes split and made focusing difficult, so it took a second to coordinate the words for Kyle. "There's a mutant running around. Everything he touches, it comes--" She quickly side stepped as another horse galloped past, reflexes much quicker this time. It was clear she was transitioning from museum employee into training mode. "We have to stop him before any of the artwork gets damage!"

As a well dressed man struggled to free his jacket from a painted dog's jaws, she considered the other risks. "And we should probably get the patrons to safety." Her priorities may be a little confused, but the intentions were still good. Taking off down one of the hallways, she didn't wait for Kyle to follow. Knowing him, he was bound to stay close least she do something dumb.

Not that she would. Or did. Or was about to. She just needed a weapon and her fingers were crossed that no one got to the armory room yet.

It was in these situations that Kyle was not only at his best, but most at home. Having been traveling on his own for several years, having to defend himself against all kinds of people, mutants and humans alike, Kyle had learned how to handle himself quite well. It was in those moments, in the midst of battle and chaos, that Kyle had learned the best way to survive. And win. And by the god's above, he was damned good at it.

Which is easily why, even in this shocking and utter madness, Kyle was calm and calculated. His attention was divided, yet no less diminished, keeping track of the madness around him and Evelyn in equal order. Her explanation of the situation was quick, but to the point. Enough for him to at least get the idea of what was going on and what was needed to be done to stop it.

Dodging with her to evade the charging horse, Kyle turned his attention partially to a man suddenly charging them. He would have hesitated, save for the fact that its face was all wrong. A painting come to life then. Evading it, he shoved the "thing" into a wall before snapping his head aside to track Evelyn, who was yelling even as she was moving.

Cursing under his breath, Kyle shot after her, his quick strides bringing him to her side even though she had the head start. Upon hearing her words as he came pace beside her, Kyle chuckled through his mask. "Right...people come first. The artwork...well. We'll see. Kyle knew which he'd put before the other.

Kyle had no idea where they were going or who they were chasing...a fact he needed to correct. "So where are we going and who should I be putting through a wall? Does he stand out in anyway? Have you seen how his power works; through touch or mentally?" Questions, questions...but knowledge was power. And life.

>>"Artwork...well. We'll see."

Evelyn wanted to protest, but there was little time to argue with Forte when painting subjects were squabbling and fighting on either side. At least the ceramic pieces were untouched by the powers, but a few got thrown in the arguments quickly escalating. It took a second to process the questions over the echoes, and Evelyn rubbed her forehead turning a corner.

"He has glowing yellow eyes, jeans, t-shirt with what looked like red-paint splatters on it. He touches the paintings and they just come to life. The only ones that should be alive are the ones he's touching, so if we follow the trail--" She dodged out of the way of one of the sculptures pushing it's companion off the pedestal, hitting the ground with a thundering crack. "Let's just hope we stop him before arms and armory."

A painting jumped into the path, and Evelyn ducked under it's punch, sending a kick to the back of it's knees. At least this time she was feeling more confident with herself, but her confidence only went so far. She didn't want to break any of the paintings, so her fighting was somewhat restrained. She hoped Forte would keep it together.

Then again, they just needed to catch the guy faster.

Kyle eyes were ever vigilant as he followed Evelyn against the trail of madness that had descended upon the museum. Paintings come to life, inanimate sculptures prancing about like nobody's business and even hollow suits of days old armor beginning a slow clanking to life...it was like something out of a horror movie mixed with that of a comedic theater. It would have been funny, actually, save for the things brought to life were trying to off the patrons. That wasn't as amusing.

Listening to her explanation for the man who was the cause of this whole mess, Kyle let his eyes wander into their path ahead, seeking out anyone who matched that description. Trying to find him amongst this madness is gonna be like looking for a needle in a....got him! Kyle only caught a glimpse of the man, but it was enough to pick out the features Evelyn described. That, and he touched an armored statue as he went around the corner, which suddenly sprang to life.

"I ever tell you you're never boring to be around? You seem to attract just the most lovely of situations."

When the painting jumped for Evelyn, Kyle had been on a hair trigger to intercept and protect Evelyn from it. He almost didn't need to bother. Compared to the girl he'd first met here a while back, to the stunning but shy girl he'd given a harsh lesson to, this Evelyn was new. This Evelyn dodged like it was second nature to her and even through a counter to boot; knocking the painting being off balance with a shot to its knees even as she continued to move forward. Very effective...save for the painting was already looking to regain its balance.

Kyle stopped that cold with a running clothesline that knocked it flat. It wouldn't be too badly damaged...hopefully. Stepping up his pace to catch up to Evelyn, Kyle smirked beneath his mask. "Well well...looks like someone's learned how to avoid that smack on the ass. Impressive." Even as he finished his sentence, Kyle saw the painting coming, pitchfork in hand. Barely breaking his stride, Kyle's arm flashed up, a bolt of per energy catching the man square in the chest, knocking him off balance. Using his foot as a pivot as he passed, he spun once and caught the man with a spinning backhand, knocking him out of sight and out of the equation.

"Don't hold back; every one of these paintings may be precious, but everyone still standing is a threat to the people here. At the very least, aim to remove them as threats."

Kyle's comment was a somewhat twisted compliment, but Evelyn accepted it for what it was. At least when it came to artwork her primary focus was on making sure the museum was ok, and not on whoever happened to make comments about her butt. Although she was fairly certain if he ever tried hitting her like that again, she'd find some way to kick him in the groin. She hoped she could be fast enough for it though. A failed kick just came across as a temper tantrum rather than being a threat.

"If we can just catch up to the guy though, maybe we won't have to worry about fighting the art..." Evelyn said. She desperately didn't want to be responsible for any paintings getting ruined. Almost everything in this museum was irreplaceable, whether it was a sculpture, statue, or a bench. Around another corner, and then they had reached the arms and armory.

Holy army of knights...

Metal horses reared up on their hind legs, the empty forms galloping in a circle, their riders swinging weapons at one another and clattering with the loud rumble of metal hitting metal. Evelyn scrambled sideways, eyes skimming for one thing among the displays that was worth the risk of lingering. There they were, a pair of sai brought in just the other week...Without giving warning to Forte, she darted for the display case, for once grateful it was broken like most of the other cases. It took a split second to reach in, snatch the blades, and turn back around.

It almost took a second too long to bring the weapons together to catch the mace swung at her head. Metal clanged on metal, vibrations shooting up her arms, but there was no time to delay. Forward, sai hooked the armored horse by one of the legs and yanked as she ran. There was a thunderous thud as the equine went down and she backed away.

Over the clamor of metal she almost missed the footsteps behind her, barely turning in time to duck and avoid the spear swung at her head.

Kyle had thought he'd seen everything. The museum going out of control had been a bit of a surprise to him, but only due too the sheer mass of the chaos going around him. Once that initial shock had worn off, everything that was going wrong around him just became another situation, another problem that could be solved, most likely with the fists that had helped him through far worse. It was a day at the office, as far as Kyle was concerned.

Until he saw the army of knights atop their metal steeds. That, honestly, was something new for him. Good thing the surprise didn't keep him from vaulting a sculpture to avoid being turned into manure by the brawling exhibits. Spinning upon his landing, Kyle immediately took stock of the situation and sought out two things with his eyes; Evelyn and the mutant. Of the mutant there was no sign; of Evelyn, there was far too much.

Sighing both in frustration and resignation as Evelyn darted through the madness towards something on the far side. That would have been fine, save that one of the metal knights had decided Evelyn was a real target now, bearing down on her even as she reached her objective. Sais? What an interesting choice.

Kyle had been moving even before the knight had brought his weapon down on Evelyn, clearing the distance with ease as his parkour skills worked even in this place. Before he could reach her to assist, however, Evelyn did something amazing before his eyes. She saved herself from danger. Parrying the attack, Evelyn quickly turned it into a counter, taking both of them down with a quick pull from her sai, already moving before the metal echoed upon the floor. It was, without a doubt, the strangest sight he'd seen today.

Too bad she failed to continue paying attention to her surroundings. Honestly, the girl could have such a narrowed view at times...

Kyle caught the knight as it was swinging its weapon around, using his energy to knock the arm off at the elbow. That would never have happened against a flesh and blood foe. But this was merely a suit, with nothing inside to keep it together. The right blow in the right place could easily break that cohesion apart. It also managed to change the trajectory of its swing, making it go off course, allowing Evelyn to dodge what would have been a very painful hit. Vaulting onto the horse, Kyle elbowed the knight to the ground before diving off the horse after Evelyn.

"This is getting out of hand; we have to try and control some of these things. I know you care for the art, but people are getting hurt while we leave them at the mercy of these things. I know we have to chase the cause, but we've lost his true trail and he could be anywhere in this madness."

Control some of these things... Evelyn shot Kyle a bewildered glance at the idea. The torso of the metal knight on the ground twisted, struggling to move without the invisible connections. These were supposed to be inanimate objects. How could you control any of it? "Well do you have a plan? I know we can't save everything but this art is irreplaceable!" Down the hallway, a few paintings squabbled, and she moved in the direction the echoes last saw the mutant. The art was starting to mingle now, and it was harder to guess what would lurk around every corner. Egyptian and Western Art bickered, and Asian art--

"Samurai!" Sai clanged against the metal blade, and Evelyn had to backpedal slightly to keep her balance as the blow struck. The figure was....weird. [Honda Tadakatsu, from Art of the Samurai exhibition.] The figure was highly stylized, squared shoulders and an almost geometric element to him typical of wood block style art. He could have looked almost comical, if his sword didn't have a very real clang to it and the force wasn't so dangerous.

A plan? Kyle had anything but a plan. There was just too much to handle; between the two of them, there was no way they could contain all the attacking art. If they devoted to the task and Evelyn would admit that some damage may be impossible to avoid, maybe. But that left whoever was doing this to create even more trouble, which couldn't be allowed either. Add to that the patrons who were in danger...the odds were severely against them in this scenario.

Unless they played a risky gambit. One that could get either of them seriously hurt no matter which path the other took.

They would have to split up. One to find the mutant, the other to do their best to contain the madhouse of art. Logically, it was the only plan that would work if they wanted to hopefully come away from this mess intact. The only question was which of them got which job. "I might have something...but I won't lie Evelyn. Its a bad draw no matter which route we tak...."

Speaking of routes, the one they were taking suddenly brought them into the path of a new threat. Evelyn, having been in the lead, was the first to face this new arrival. And what an arrival it was! A samurai of the past, fully clad in armor, as if time had not flown past its era at all. Its armor was as fine as something aged could be, its blade sharp for the display. Which also meant that the blade striking down at Evelyn could easily part her in two. If it hadn't been trying to kill her, Kyle could almost admire the beauty of it.

But even as he watched, Evelyn was being pushed back, that blade coming far too close for comfort. In fact, though her guard was good, the Samurai seemed to have all the years of experience behind it; a small line of red appeared on Evelyn's shoulder to show for it. Nothing serious but enough to tell Kyle that she would be outmatched soon. She, flesh and blood, could tire. That suit would not. That's it. Play time is now over.

His next motion was fast, as his body language spoke a much different tune. Suddenly he was in Evelyn's place, using his forearm blades to deflect the suit's weapon aside. And before it could recover, Kyle hit it hard. With his energy. Straight into the chest at a level that he reserved only when he intended to seriously injure. The suit, held together only by the magic of the mutant causing this, was blown apart, the various pieces of the armor flying scattered across the room. Kyle's face was mostly covered, but his eyes told the story now. As would Evelyn's echoes.

"This has gone on long enough. I know you care for this art Evelyn and I'd spare it as much as I could. But I'm not holding back anymore. If its a threat, I'm shutting it down. For good. Now let's go; I believe our friend is just ahead."

The echoes could read the tone in Kyle's voice, and what they were catching was somewhat foreboding. Evelyn wasn't sure she wanted to know what his plan was, but she was pretty sure it wasn't something she was going to like. At this point, there was the threat to all the paintings looming over her head. She couldn't do anything to save them, and that guilt was starting to weigh down and make her attacks cleaner and more focused.

She held her ground, parrying the Samurai's attack and getting a better stance. Somehow in the encounter though the sword still nicked her skin and left a line of blood behind. Before she could move again though, Kyle moved forward and the warrior was destroyed. Pieces scattered, and Evelyn blinked in surprise. She hoped that the piece would be ok once they caught the mutant.

Hoped, but the guilt in heart was weighed by the doubt.

She didn't respond to Kyle's statement, and moved down the hall. She had to get to the mutant before this got any worse. The echoes honed in on the trail, taking note of which paintings were closest to their locations, more freshly revived. They would catch up with the mutant, and she would shut him down for good. No one messed with her art. They closed in on the American Wing, pictures going from warriors to school children who ran through the rooms, giggling and playing. Silver plates and furniture remained stationary here. This area looked somewhat innocent.

Perhaps that's why she felt it was getting more dangerous. "So, how about that plan?" She remarked slowly.

Kyle had to admit this about Evelyn; she kept a pretty good poker face. He had no doubt what he had done to the Samurai had hurt her inside, considering how much she cared about the art this place held. Enough to go challenging armed robbers with nothing but a broom the first time he had encountered her. It spoke volumes to how far she'd come as a fighter since then, something Kyle knew he couldn't take full credit for.

But at least part of her skills had to have come from their training session, which is why Kyle followed her without question into the madness. She hadn't darted off in a random direction, instead heading in the direction he'd indicated...and then taken the control of their route herself.

It wasn't random, Kyle knew that. She didn't suddenly just decide to go left or right, not with such surety. She didn't even hesitate in the direction she took and as they passed by art bursting to life, some still digging their way free of their paintings, Kyle could see that they were getting close. Another few pieces of art met his fist and energy as they got to close for his comfort and he fired a couple of shots at art that he could see attacking other people but otherwise he stuck to the course they were following.

When they entered a part of the museum that didn't seem to be alive, Kyle knew something was going to go wrong. There was no way this place hadn't been affected yet. His eyes scanned the the area around them, picking out the fact that they had entered the American Wing. Which meant there could be any number of serious threats to come.

Never letting his eyes leave the room, Kyle calmly replied to Evelyn. "I was going to say we should go our separate ways; one to take care of the mutant, one to contain the artwork. But now...I think we may need to....DOWN!"

Even as he said it, Kyle was shoving Evelyn aside as a line of soldiers that looked like they were from the American Revolution leveled muskets at them. The weapons were highly inaccurate and would only be able to fire once before they needed to reloaded...but there were about half a dozen of them firing at once. The weapons suddenly erupted, bullets tearing holes in the walls behind them; one skimmed Kyle's side, leaving a red line that burned in its wake. Ignoring the pain, Kyle lashed out at the figures, already diving into the group of them, his fists striking what felt like real flesh.

"Evelyn, more incoming! Watch your back!" Despite his situation, he could hear them coming. The sound of hoofs on the floor, growing louder and even closer. And he was too busy to be able to help her this time; hopefully she would be able to handle herself for just a few more moments.

Battle paintings suddenly looked less appealing as Evelyn was forced out of the way of the path of the bullets and sent staggering into another wall. As the echoes echoed Forte's warning about the horses she turned, sai flashing up to meet the sword that came flying her way. The metal clanged loudly, and a second soldier took a slice at her side. She dodged, but the sting of pain told her it wasn't quite fast enough. Who knew art could hurt so much?

Through the turmoil, Evelyn caught sight of a smug figure standing in the doorway. His face was wrinkled with amusement as he watched them struggle, distracted from his mission. Evelyn twisted the sai free, hooked the soldier by the belt and yanked him from his steed. As the horse galloped away she disarmed him, but caught a fist across the cheek that sent her back into the wall again. This was a terrible place to fight, a the sound of reloading weapons carried and the second rider turned his horse so he could take another swing at her. At least there wasn't--

There was a flash of metal and a horse whiny of distress as a new group of soldiers came rushing into the room. This was suddenly a VERY crowded corner, as two medieval knights engaged with the American soldiers. At first she was grateful for the distraction.

Then something metal struck her in the head and she went crashing to the ground.

Shields hurt.

Kyle was being overwhelmed. The soldiers had been easy enough to handle once Kyle was in close; those muskets weren't much use in close quarters when his own weapon was better suited to the task. But for all his skills and the advantage he had, the soldiers were persisting in the need to continue existing. Normally, he might have been able to get around this simple fact. There were only five of them, after all, and it only took one good hit to drop them. Finish them quick, then get back to Evelyn to assist her against the incoming he'd seen.

Too bad not all of the incoming went her way. Nor did the incoming stop incoming.

Funny how this room was the quietest one a moment ago.

Now there were even more soldiers, from varying ages, clashing with one another...but more importantly, clashing with him. The men on the ground were a force he could handle; the riders were a much more difficult problem. Grabbing one of the charging soldiers, Kyle brought him over with a knee to the gut, followed by a harsh elbow to the back of the neck. Art or not, he wasn't getting up for a while, if ever again. But even with this one down, there were more and the chaos was getting worse.

Then he saw Evelyn, only a brief flash through the madness. But that was enough. Enough to see the metal shield that smashed her across the head and sent her down to the ground. Enough to see the mutant Evelyn had been talking about, enjoying this as if he was simply watching a movie, as if peoples lives weren't at stake. And most importantly of all, he saw the rider moving in to finish what his shield had started. Hell with it. Evelyn's more important. Time to get serious.

There was a flash as Kyle's hand erupted into alive; not bolts, not anymore. Instead, solid beams of his energy flashed out, catching the soldiers around him, sending them back whether it caught them cleanly or they blocked with their muskets. Kyle was already moving by the time the first of them hit the ground. He ignored everything around him, all the madness and chaos and focused on a single point; the rider bearing down on Evelyn. And then he threw a solid blast of his energy straight into the rider's chest; the clatter of his armor on the floor temporarily covered everything else. Sliding to a stop near Evelyn, Kyle quickly took stock of his situation; content that he had a few moments of peace, he checked her over fast.

"Evelyn...Evelyn, can you hear me? Are you alright?" Kyle's eyes left Evelyn only to stare at the mutant, to keep him in sight at all times. That smug look on his face; Kyle couldn't wait to remove it. Just as soon as he knew Evelyn would be alright. And could be left alone. What a fine day this was turning out to be.

Getting hit in the head was sort of a problem for Evelyn. With a mental based powers, and the playbacks, trauma meant more than just pain. Trauma meant a full on reboot, and a temporarily scrambled brain. Her knees hit the ground, then her hands, and her mind instantly flooded with memories and information. She couldn't move, she couldn't act. It was not the place you wanted to be when a medieval army was around you.

She could barely make out the sounds of the fight through her own memories. There were flashes of the museum, of getting kidnapped. There were images of paintings, and being at the mansion. There were faces of strangers, and friends, and walking through New York. Her brain was in the middle of a musical she watched when metal clattered on the floor. She heard a voice, but it was hard to focus.

"Brain, reboot. Fine just...processing..." Focusing, focusing. She blinked and dizzily caught sight of the sneering face of the mutant. The destruction around her washed in and out of thought. She reached out for the sai reflexively where it had fallen, and grasped a hand around it. She would be fine for now. This was going to hurt a lot later though.