Disclaimer: I do not own the X-Men, Wolverine, or Jubilee. This story does not follow X-Men cannon; please treat this as an elseworld timeline. Any situations or scenarios presented in this story that resembles another story is completely coincidental.
Setting: This story takes place after the events in "Ravaged Souls".
The Cleansing Process: Ravaged Souls part two
Chapter 1: Healing
"Not ready my BUTT!"
Another laser beam blasted toward Jubilation Lee, as she dodged it with relative ease. Danger Room training sequences were typically tedious but on this occasion, Jubilee was a force to be reckoned with.
"I'll show you who's ready!" Jubilee shouted as she disintegrated a nearby sentry gun.
Behind her, two robots hovered towards her. Their targeting systems were set to fire as, Jubilee focused on dodging the laser fire in front of her. Just then, the robots froze. Their chest began to glow when suddenly, they shriveled into a steaming heap of plasma debris.
"Thought I didn't know you were there huh?" She scoffed toward the steaming pile of metal.
"That's it! I'm tired of dancin' for you dweebs!" shouted Jubilee.
It began as a spark of plasma in front of Jubilee. Slowly, it started to expand all around her, encasing her in a cocoon of light. The cocoon of plasma rose into the air and hovered in the middle of the Danger Room. The laser fire shot toward her mercilessly, but was absorbed by the plasma field. Suddenly, the cocoon burst out in a spectacular display. The blast wave engulfed every inch of the Danger Room, reducing everything to rubble.
Jubilee landed on the hard metallic floor of the Danger Room in a crouched position as though she was about to take on an army of Sentinels and win. Sweat beaded on her brow.
"That's a pretty neat trick, darlin'," Logan said over the intercom.
"Alright Wolvie. Crank it up," said Jubilee enthusiastically.
"No. Yer done for now," said Logan calmly.
"What are you talking about?" asked Jubilee. "I'm just getting started!"
"Save it for tomorrow," said Logan. "Now get cleaned up. I'm leaving to Auger's in thirty with or without you."
"Yes, Daaaad!" smirked Jubilee.
For a moment, she thought she saw Logan frown which made her giggle all the more as she strutted out of the Danger Room.
Auger's Inn
"Don't talk with your mouth full", said Logan.
Jubilee flashed him a 'yeah, whatever' look and continued on her rant, spraying Logan with bits of cheeseburger.
"I am like so ready to be back on the team. I mean, you saw what I could do now. That's not baby stuff you know." Jubilee said.
"Mmm hmmm," mumbled Logan, checking out the red head at the next table.
"Dude, you haven't listened to a word I've said all night!" exclaimed Jubilee.
"You call mumbling through your food talkin'?" asked Logan.
"Men!" said Jubilee, tipping his hat as she left the table.
Logan didn't need to know what Jubilee was mumbling about, as she huffed her way toward the pool table. He already understood how she had been feeling. He was there four days ago when Scott told her that she was not ready to come back to the team.
"How many times do I have to say that I'm okay? I've gained more control and intensity over my powers. I'm in the best physical condition that I've ever been…"
"It's not you physical condition or powers that concerns us," said Scott cutting Jubilee off. "It's… well…"
"What?!" said Jubilee, who was clearly getting annoyed.
"It's you emotional stability," Jean said as gently as possible.
Jubilee looked over to Logan who stared vacantly at the ground.
"Oh, please!" said Jubilee, clearly annoyed. "You've got to be kidding me?"
"Sometimes, the mind takes a while to heal." Jean said hesitantly.
"Look, I've been to counseling because you wanted me to go. I write my feelings down in a stupid journal because you want me to. I've done everything you've asked of me. It's been over six months already. How many more hoops do you want me to jump through?" Jubilee had had enough.
"Ya really want to prove that you're ready, darlin'?" asked Logan quietly.
"Of course. You know I do," Jubilee said.
Logan looked over at Jean and Scott as though they are discussing something silently.
"Alright Jubilee. We'll run a scenario for you in the Danger Room in five days," Scott said.
"We'll let you know afterwards if you are on the team," said Jean.
Logan's senses were brought back to the present as he heard a howl of pain emanating from the billiard room. When he went to investigate the ruckus, he saw Jubilee slam a local frat boy, more than twice her size, face first against the wall.
"Watch where you put your paws you filthy scumbag!" Jubilee shouted. "Next time you want to touch a lady, you better ask nicely first!"
He howled louder in agony as Jubilee twisted his arm further up his back. Logan could see that Jubilee was utilizing a nerve pinch maneuver that he had taught her years ago. He couldn't help but smile at that.
"Dude, you're getting beat up by a girl!" laughed his fellow frat boys.
"Let him go, Jubilee," said Logan, who was attempting to stifle his own amusement.
Jubilee finally let the guy go after much begging from the boy and walked over to where Logan stood.
"Who was he botherin' anyway?" Logan asked as they made their way back to their booth.
"Me. The dork started to grope me while I was trying to line up my next… Hey! Wolvie get back here!" shouted Jubilee as Logan proceeded to rough up the same frat boy that Jubilee had slammed against the wall.
As Logan finished Jubilee's handiwork, Jubilee went to order up another beer for Logan. It was difficult for the barmaid to hear her order with the TV blaring in the background.
"…thought to be a mutant related slaying. Police have come up with a composite sketch of the suspect. If anyone has seen this man, please contact local law enforcement. Do not attempt to apprehend this individual…" Television continued to blare. Jubilee remained transfixed on the screen.
"Think I went a little too rough on that one", Logan began. "He'll probably have to change his shorts."
Logan looked over at Jubilee who was not paying attention to him but at the television screen above the bar. He noticed the look of shock and horror upon her face.
"What's wrong?" He asked seriously.
On the screen, he saw a police sketch of someone that resembled him.
"…we believe this is the person responsible for the murders which began five months ago." The police stated.
"Are we dealing with a serial killer here?" asked the reporter.
"We believe so."
To Be Continued