(A/N - I'm deviating away from the movie here as far as timelines go. I suppose this is more the "alternative" world that was created after days of future past. Or perhaps just an au in general.)

Chapter 6

"All those things inside of me"

Eight hours ... Eight buggin hours it took to fly all the way to New York. Even with the five hour sleep he took on the jet, Mortimer was more tired than ever.

"Did you sleep well?" Jean asked as they stepped off the jet. Mortimer said nothing as he looked around the large open area. It seemed to be underground. A convenient way to hide a jet he supposed.

Jean didn't seem put out by his lack of answer. "I'll show you around the school, then I'll show you to your room. How old are you?" Jean asked.

"Dunno." Mortimer stated. "15? Maybe 16? I lost track a few years ago." The statement should come across as depressing but it seemed Mortimer really didn't care how old he was.

"Well then ... Once we show you around you can decide if you want to stay or not. We'll get you some enrolment sheets, if you want, and we can get you started on your entrance exam."

"Entrance exam?" Mortimer asked. No one told him he had to take a damn entrance exam.

"It's just to see what classes and grades you'd be suitable for. Age doesn't really mean anything, especially when a lot of our students miss years of school, if they even go at all."

Mortimer once again didn't say anything as she lead him up an elevator into what looked more like a mansion than a school.

She took him through classes as Ororo made her way in another direction, away from them.

All the classes seemed typical for a school, physics, math, science, biology, English, drama, gym which took place outside instead of an actual gym, social studies, history, geography.

"Do you have any alternatives to gym?" He asked.

"Well we also offer two other courses, though it's rare anyone signs up for them. They only have five or six students in each."

"What are they?" Mortimer asked more intrigued by these classes than in the ones he'd been shown already.

"We offer an acrobatics class, there's six students there. And a martial arts class. There's five there."

"What level black belt is the instructor at?" His interest in this school peaked just slightly. He may be a black belt, but he wanted to learn more.

"Fourth I believe." Jean said. "Perhaps fifth. I'm not entirely sure."

"I want to join that class." Mortimer said.

"It's a tough course." Jean said looking at him. She doubted this scrawny kid would last in that class more than a week.

"I'm a tough kid." Mortimer replied.

Jean smiled. "You can join the class. But the minimum requirement is at least five mandatory classes, with three optional if you'd like to enrol."

"What are the five mandatory classes?"

"Math, science, history, social studies and geography." She explained. "It's also recommended to take gym, but since you'll be attempting martial arts it won't be a requirement."

"Sign me up then." He said. Even if he had to take the other classes he wanted to further his skills in martial arts. He wanted to improve himself physically so that it would be easier for him to survive.

"Alright. Let me take you to Professor X. He'll have everything you need to enrol." She said leading him back down the hall.

0o0o0o0

Mortimer sat against a wall outside of the school, looking out onto an empty field. The exams were tedious at best ... All simple answers he'd learned when he was with ...

Mortimer sighed deeply as he brought his cigarette to his mouth.

"Those things will kill you." Mortimer jumped at the gruff voice and looked to see a large muscular hairy man with a cigar in his mouth.

"You're one to talk." Mortimer said pointing his own cigarette at the mans cigar.

"You the new kid?" The man asked leaning against the wall next to where Mortimer was crouched.

"You seen me before?" Mortimer asked as if that were the most obvious question in the world.

"I've only been here a week." He said looking at the boy. "My names Logan." He said though he didn't seem as if he wanted to be there just from that simple statement.

"Toad." Mortimer said not looking at the man. "Did the bald man put you up to coming out here?" He asked.

"He did." Logan confirmed. "He thought it would be good for us to meet since we'll be spending four nights a week together."

"Four ni-" Mortimer paused looking up at him. "You're the one teaching martial arts? You don't look old enough to be a renshi."

Logan looked down at the kid surprised. "You know your stuff. You taken martial arts before?"

"I have a black belt." Mortimer said.

"You steal it?" Logan asked clearly joking. Mortimer glared at him but said nothing. Truth be told he no longer had his belt. He lost it when Will had attacked then. The only belt he had was Amida's, which he had taken before the building collapsed further, burying his Sensei, and the closest thing he had to a father, further be with the rubble. "Just asking." Logan said holding his hand up. "See you in class tomorrow then. You have history first thing in the morning."

"How do you know that?" Mortimer asked.

"I teach the class. You're on my roll call, Mortimer." He called out as he walked away.

((A/N - Alright and here's chapter six. As always looking forward to reviews.))