OOC: This is the IC thread for the "Splitting the Union" plot. Please keep OOC chatting to a minimum in this thread. If you are interested in taking part in this plot, please send me a PM before you start posting.

We have an OOC and discussion thread Here. Please do not start chatting there unless you have either been invited or have recieved permission from me through PM. Thanks.

Finally, here are the original plot thoughts.

This plot will take place all overt he globe, but all of the action will take place right here in this thread. Good luck everyone and happy RPing!

Glare ran forward with a blur in his eyes. The tears flowed desperately, and all he could think was one word, repeated over and over again.

No... No... No!!!

She was dead. She had died. Nightdream was dead. Beth was dead. Zeke had been unable to save her in time. It had been his fault, he knew it. There was nothing he could do now. Nothing. Instead, as Zeke thought of the ramifications of his recent dream, he could do nothing but run. Run, because he knew something or someone was after him. Someone wanted Zeke dead, and Zeke knew it.

No... Noooo!!!!

How could it have ended like this? After these last few days, how could Beth have been snatched away from him so rapidly, and his vision increase so simply at least for that brief moment. Zeke's greenish-yellow eyes shifted back to their normal color, as his mutation slowed and he stopped emitting suflur. He had to get that structure now.

It had a gate, and it was large. There were people there, people who could help him. There were those who actually did not fear and murder mutants, but rather was kind, gentle, loving. A community of mutants. It was all clear now, Beth's dreams brought me to this moment, brought me to go to the community of mutants.

Zeke staggered at a run onward. In a few moments, he stood before a large black gate. This was it, the place of his dream. The place where mutants were accepted and loved. Zeke looked at the sign on the right side, "The School of Gifted Youngsters." Hmmm....

Zeke's tears began to dry as his mind kicked back into gear. He began to think a little straighter, and finally worked up the brainpower to realize he needed to get inside the gate. And fast. Maybe someone here could help him. Zeke was no youngster, at twenty years old he was a man. A battle hardened man. But yet, he too needed acceptance, love, help. He needed a place to hide. A base of operations to learn and understand what was happening to him. A place where he could get control of himself and find answers. Perhaps a place to find love once more...

Ezekiel stepped forward and rang the bell beside the gate. He heard the gentle ring and then stepped back and waited. Perhaps someone would come greet him soon. He needed help... and perhaps he could provide some help of his own. Yes, he needed to speak to the headmaster of this school, and ask if he could be of some help. And be helped.

Eldwyn was sitting next to his window smoking and reading a book with his feet on the desk. From his room he had a great view of the front yard, the gate, and the trees beyond. He loved to watch the sun rise in the distance. "Damn, I picked a great room." It was around mid afternoon, when he noticed a man walk up to the gate. He seemed to stand there for a bit. "Must be new. I love new people." Though he had only been at the mansion for a few weeks, he had already met so many new people. Ok, so many young kids, but that was all the same to him. He watched the man ring the buzzer and wait for some minutes. 'I might as well go if no one else has responded yet.' With that he pushed the window up and open as far as he could. He lifted himself out of the window. 'No time like the present to practice this some more.' He closed his eyes and concentrated. He brought an image of himself being held on a lift type thing, bringing him slowly to the ground. When he opened his eyes, he saw he was indeed floating dowards. He touched down lightly and began to walk to the gate.

Wearing his grey long-sleeve button-up, black slacks, and a pair of dress shoes he approached the gates. "Hey there!" He called out to the man. "What can I do for you?" He stood about a foot from the gates.

Ezekiel muttered something under his breath as he waited for someone to answer. It had been quite an exhausting day to say the least. The screams had subsided a little, but his mind's chanting had not.

No... No... No..... No.... No....

This simply had to be a dream world. Perhaps he was just in one of Beth's dreams now? No, he couldn't be, Beth was dead. She had died in his hours ago. She had met her end, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Then the vision.

Zeke threw his head to one side as he pondered what he had seen. A man with one foot on the ground and the other planted on Zeke's chest. The man was short, fat, ugly. He was like something of a nightmare. He stood on Zeke and looked deeped into his eyes, then exclaimed, "I'm gonna kill you Ezekiel White." Then a blur, as the world started to spin, and he had found himself holding the body of the girl he loved. Then he had known, it was time to run.

He had used his sulfur to hide her body. He would come back for it soon enough. Right now he had other matters to worry about, like getting inside this school and talking to some of these mutants. To find acceptance, and to gain and create security.

Suddenly, interrupting Zeke's thoughts, a young man, maybe a little younger than Ezekiel came out of the building. In fact, the young man glided to the ground out of a window. A mutant. Zeke stepped forward towards the gate once more and heard the young man's greeting.

"Hi." Zeke said in a matter-of-fact voice. "My name is Ezekiel, and I have been brought here by a mysterious force."

Zeke took in a deep breath and then let out a sigh. "I need to come in and speak with your headmaster right away if I can please. I need a place to stay, a place where I can be safe, and it has been revealed to me that this school is that place."

Ezekiel stared at the young man walking towards him. A pleasant day for walk... that's for sure...

Any hint of play dropped from Eldwyn's face. Rarely does he show such a serious face as he did now. 'There's something in this man's voice, so serious. Scared, worried, nervous?. Almost like he's barely holding himself together.'

Stepping up to the gate, "Names Eldwyn. I hope you'll forgive me for not opening the gates immediately, but with this mysterious force bringing you here, I have to ask what's going on. Even a summary will do." While he spoke he sent suggestions to the man 'Calm, safe, trust.' Calm was the strongest, he knew the man needed to calm down, that was already apparent. He sent one last thing to the man: 'You want to tell me everything.'

Of corse everything was a suggestion, if he was strong minded and willed, without knowing he would completely overcome and dismiss them. If he did hear them, he would percieve them as his own thoughts. 'Sorry Tricity, I know you asked me not to do this, but I feel in this situation, it's warented.'

Ezekiel watched as the young man became much more serious in his demeanor after taking one glance at Zeke. Zeke slowly grabbed one of the bars and clung on for dear life. This day had been extremely stressful, and Zeke wasn't one to lose his cool easily, but today had been very bad. The girl he loved murdered, his life being sought for. No, this day hadn't been so great.

Zeke felt a slight sensation of tugging peace as the man who called himself Eldwyn spoke. Perhaps the man was mind control mutant. Who knows...

Gently, the No... No... No... subsided, and Glare began to think even clearer than he was alrady capable of. He knew Eldwyn had something to do with it, but he hadn't fought the calm thoughts which penetrated his mind, but rather welcomed them.

Finally a though came accross his mind. Tell him everything. No... he couldn't quite do that. He pushed the thought away and began to speak. He would only tell as much as he needed to right now. Trust with Glare was easy to gain, but it took longer than 30 seconds.

"Hi Eldwyn, let me start over. My name is Ezekiel. I'm a mutant." Zeke sighed deeply, "I'm not quite sure where to start. Let me explain something quickly, because I really need to get inside these walls. My best friend died this morning, in my arms. Murdered. I'm a little stressed by that fact, so forgive me. In any case, through some mutant power, I feel drawn to this school."

Zeke decided not to tell Eldwwyn about the vision. No, that would come later if he explained it at all. "I'm here because a mutant ability brought me here, and I need a place to stay. That's all I ask. A safe place here to stay."

Zeke could tell the man was a little confused. "Listen, my friend has been murdered, and I'm worried that some evil mutants might try and kill me too. The mysterious mutant ability has revealed to me that here I will be safe from killers. You seem like a nice guy."

By this time, Zeke had a grip on himself and had brought his manliness back to the forefront. On the oustide he was being braver than he felt deep inside. "Will you help me?"

Eldwyn studdied Ezekiel while he spoke. "I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I truely am." Remorse showed on his face clearly.

'evil mutants might try and kill me too.' That got his attention quick, and it showed. Still calm, "I'm sorry to question you like this. I can tell you're still holding back something. But I won't push you. This place is a safe house so to speak." He opened the gates just enough to let the man in before shutting them. He looked over to the buzzer and mentally pushed and held it. He spoke clearly and directly so to be heard through it. "John, let Tricity know I'll be bringing someone to see her." He had intentionally dropped his customary Miss. in her name. It was apparent he was serious by his tone. Looking to the man, "You said you wanted to see the Headmaster of the school correct. If what you say is that important, let us not delay any longer." He began to walk towards the house. *click, click, click* Went his heals as he walked. There was still no play in his body at this point. Brow set in a determined furrow.

IN NEW YORK CITY, IN AN "MTV"

Ira pulled over after taking the MTV for a joy ride, and took out the notebook on his target. 'What was his name again?
Ah here it is.
He read some more.
"mumble mumble.. last known location... Jerusalem!!! Shit."
Ira took another quick squiz at the manual to get the basics of the MTV's navigation system and managed to find the button that brought up the on-board computer.
'Let's see. Gps, autopilot, bingo.'
He drove out of the city then engaged the flight mode, and the autopilot, heading for Jerusalem. (sp?)

IN THE LOW SKIES SOMEWHERE NEAR NEW YORK

Ira sat back and read the vehicle's manual. The vehicle's propulsion systems hummed gently, and Ira began to realise he was hungry. He skipped through the manual to find the Index, and located a certain keyword. 'Hmm, refreshments.' He followed the reference to the section he wanted and read about how to work it. Surprisingly enough, the refreshments, if you could call a stash of nutrition bars that, were just in the wee compartment found between the two front seats. Ira took one and opened it, sniffed it carefully, then started eating it when he'd decided it smelt ok.

Zeke stepped forward into the yard and past the gate, and looked around a little more. Comforting a beautiful green grass was all around, and a tennis court could be seen in the distance. Before him was the large school, and it seemed from his viewpoint that there was activity inside.

Ezekiel listened carefully and Eldwyn spoke into the reciever. He heard the name "Tricity" and at once dedcucted that this must be the headmaster... or rather Headmistress of the school.

Zeke finally spoke. "Thank you for your sympathy. It has been a long hard day, but yes, I need to speak to your headmaster right away. I will explain the whole story soon enough, but I can only tell the headmaster right now. Please understand that trust is very hard to have when your best friend was murdered in your arms only hours ago."

A big sigh. "I do not mean to decieve you... and you seem like a good man." Zeke ran the ramifications through his mind in an instant, and finally decided he felt he could trust this man. "I'll tell you what, if your headmaster allows me to stay here, come by my room tonight and I will fully explain everything."

Zeke said one last thing before following Zeke toward the school, "Thank you for your help Eldwyn." Finally Zeke quit talking and took a deep breath as he followed. He was much more calm now than he had been a few minutes ago, and it felt good to spill some of the truth to someone.

While walking along with Eldwyn, Zeke suddenly tripped over his own shoelace. With a small cry of suprise he fell to the ground and hit his head on the concrete hard. Blood poured from a newly created wound, concrete typically is merciless. But Zeke didn't even know he was bleeding, he had already blacked out on impact.

'I do not mean to decieve you... and you seem like a good man.'

Eldwyn attempted a smile, though he was concerned so it did seem forced, yet also real. "Thank you, I do my best. Don't worry about decieving me. To be doing so means you have your reasons, reasons for which I'm sure are very important to you." He slowed his pace momentarily as he looked back to Zeke, "I'm quite confident you'll be allowed to stay."

They were nearly to the mansion doors when Eldwyn heard a cry of surprise behind him. He turned around just in time to see Zeke smash his head on the ground. "Shit!" Turning him over he saw the bloor pouring out of the wound. Eldwyn immedately ripped the bottom of his shirt, all around its length horizontally, "I know it's not the cleanest but still, it'll have to do." He tore a second strip like the first. The shirt was now a good four inchest shorter than it had been. With the first, he folded it up tightly, pressing it to the wound with his mind, while he lifted Zeke's head with his hand and wrapped the second around his head, pressing down on the first strip and the wound. Tying it off tightly on the back of the man's head. He took Zeke's arm around his shoulder, and began carrying him through the doors, which were thrown open sharply, and began to head toward the infirmary.

Somewhere between reality and fantasy, Zeke found himself in an ambiguous dream world. He found himself lying on the ground, in a huge open field. Wheat sprouted up all around him, and he could see nothing but dirt and wheat. The sky was completely white, almost yellow it was so white. Zeke pulled himself up to his elbows and stared through the rows of wheat.

A figure. As suddenly as it came, it vanished. Gone. Struggling upward, Zeke finally found his feet and stared off into the hilly distance. Everywhere he looked, everywhere, there was nothing but rows and rows of wheat upon rolling hills. Nothing else. Just wheat, hills, and a white sky. A flash. A figure. Again, it vanished before he could recognize it, as if it had never been there.

His mind must be playing tricks on him. He spun around and around, searching for something, but he didn't quite know what. Out of nowhere, a voice rang out. "Zeke." It was decided female and airy, almost unreal, but it was definitely audible. He turned and saw nothing.

Zeke leapt in fear and something grabbed his shoulder from behind. He head spun and he was met face to face by a young woman. Beth! Before he could say anything she put her finger to her lips, "Shhhhh... come." She turned and ran off.

Zeke was stunned, by finally convinced his feet to start moving. Beth was already running way ahead, much farther than it had seemed seconds ago. Ezekiel ran faster, and faster, and faster. he was exhausted, yet Beth kept running so he kept running. Running, faster, faster, running.

Without warning, Beth disappeared behind a row of wheat, and she was gone. Zeke stumbled to where he had last seen her, desperately trying to find her. Nothing. He fell to his knees in dismay and disarray.

"Don't give up!" Shouted a voice. "Only you can save them. You must learn perseverance Zeke. Perseverance. There is danger brewing."

Zeke kept trying to find the voice which echoed loudly, but he couldn't. "Where are you Beth?" he screamed.

"I'm here, don't worry. Remember my promise to you. Now go, the school is in danger. Return, tell them the danger."

Zeke fell over sobbing into the dirt. This was totally unreal, yet it felt so real at the same time. Go... Go... Go... As he continued to cry, the world started to change around him. It looked now more like he was being carried by Eldwyn, and the school walls were forming shape around him. With one final lurch, the dream sent Zeke's mind spiraling into a dismal pit, where he caught a glimpse of an evil mutant who kept chanting, "It is my duty to kill... my duty to kill..."

In a cold sweat, Zeke awakened, and collapsed out of Eldwyn's arms onto the cold hard floor of the infirmary. He said nothing, but just stared at the wall in disbelief.

Tricity pushed open the doors of the infirmary to have her daily visit with the Doc Prof when she saw Nyle trying to rouse an unknown person on the floor. She bent down next to the man and looked him over quickly before taking action. He seemed pale and delusional. "Nyle, help me out..." She placed her arms under the man's armpits and with Eldwyn's help, they were able to bring him to his feet. A moment later, Johnathon came into the infirmary and moved Tricity aside to help the man instead. They placed the guest into one of the empty beds and stepped back a bit in curiousity and confusion.

"Nyle, who is this?" She asked, stepping closer to the man's face and taking his hand. "Sir, are you alright? What's going on?" Tricity looked around to the three men for an explanation.

Ezekiel mustered the strength to pull himself up into a sitting position on the bed, and looked at the woman in front of him. She looked kind, and confused. She looked pregnant. Definitely pregnant. No matter, that really had no bearing on anything, just a random thought.

Back to business... pull yourself together Zeke! The dream! It had all seemed so real! Tell them the danger... The voice continued to ring in his head. My duty to kill... Crazy.

Zeke couldn't explain what he felt. This was just too weird. But there she had been... Beth. Clear as day, Beth was in his dream. He codename was indeed Nightdream, but could it be possible? No! There's now way...

He finally spoke to the woman holding his hand and staring at him with a little confusion. "Miss, my name is Ezekiel, I am a mutant. I'm sorry for barging in here like this, but I hit my head outside in yoru yard." Zeke brought his hand to his head nad felt the wound. The bleeding had stopped, but he was still in a lot of pain.

He looked over and saw Eldwyn there, with a ripped shirt. He put the pieces together in his mind, and finally realized that Eldwyn had bandaged his head with his own shirt. "I owe you one Eldwyn... thanks." He lifted his right hand to shake the man's hand. "I'll explain everything to you tonight if I can."

He turned back to the woman, "There's trouble coming, and I need to speak with you right away... in private if that's okay. I think you'll want to hear what I have to say. I'll explain everything. I'm assuming your the headmistress here?"

Tricity listened to the man with total confusion, not understanding what was happening. Her ears immediately perked up when she heard the man mention danger. She looked him in the eyes and tried to read him and her heart told her he seemed genuine in whatever it was he was feeling and trying to explain to her.

"Al...alright." Tricity looked over to Nyle and the Doc Prof who was making his way over with medical supplies. "Would you two excuse us for a moment, please? Don't go too far though." When the two were left alone, Tricity pulled the cart over to the bedside and started to remove the makeshift bandages from the man's head. She placed them in the nearby garbage and grabbed the gauze with alcohol, slowly putting it on his head with care. "Ok, Ezekiel. Tell me what's going on."

NEARING/AT JERUSALEM (sometime later)

Ira woke up to a buzzing noise and opened his eyes, rubbing away the sleep. He squinted against a small bright red light on the dashboard, and a little message on the screen beside it saying, 'Nearing Destination. Manual landing required'. The last nagging feelings of sleep left him when he read it, and he quickly picked up the manual and flicked through to the landing procedures. He'd already read it, but he needed a quick revision.
The MTV circled the landing area while he read. He finished reading, breathed deeply, and took the controls, disengaging autopilot.

...

One quite bumpy landing and a few dead birds later, Ira emerged shakily from the MTV, notebook in hand. According to it, his only lead were the guards of a building owned by a deceased man named Shma. The address was included. Ira stretched his legs, trying to recover from the landing, then walked over to a bush to relieve himself.
After doing that he climbed back into the MTV and engaged 'ground travel mode', pulling in the wings and suchlike, allowing him to drive normally. And dirve normally he did, down the nearby dirtroad towards a small blip on the vehicles electronic map.


SHMA'S RESIDENCE

Ira pulled up to the side of the road near the building and got out. He locked the car, just to be safe, then headed for the building to look around. He spotted a guard patrolling the property, and called out to him.