XXXXXX
After moving his neck around, John stepped up on the mat as Toad began to circle him. He couldn't help it, but he felt a little nervous, not knowing what the other mutant was capable of. John wasn't a trained fighter, but he knew how to defend himself. That's what spending a lot of time on the streets, fending for yourself will do to you.
"Now let's see how well you can defend yourself fire-boy," Toad said while getting into a fighting stance and tossing the teen a pair of gloves. John glared at him, the nickname really starting to annoy him now.
After putting on a pair of gloves, John put his fists up waiting for the other mutant to make the first move.
Toad smirked at him, than in a flash his long tongue snapped out of his mouth and caught John around the ankle and pulled, bringing him down to the ground.
John blinked in surprise and then quickly moved out of the way as Toad used his enhanced agility in launching himself high into the air and bringing his knee crashing down on the mat where John had previously been.
"What the hell are you doing? You're not supposed to use your powers!" He growled.
"Who ever said that?" Toad laughed.
"Magneto."
"Well he's not here now, is he?"
"Oh that's it." John dug in his pocket for his lighter but the long tongue came at him again, this time grabbing his wrist and throwing him across the mat, causing him to land hard on his chest.
John gasped for air as he got back up, silently cursing his decision not to wear his wrist lighter. Toad suddenly came running at him and jumped into the air with a spin kick, John ducked and came back up with a punch to the other mutant's eye sending him stumbling backwards.
"That was pretty good," Toad remarked while rubbing his eye. "I guess I'm gonna have to start takin' this seriously."
"Bring it on." John responded.
Toad planted one foot on the floor and drove off of it, his elbow smashed into John's face and his weight knocked the pyromaniac off balance. John fell, but pulled Toad off his feet with him. Toad rolled over the other mutant, sinking his other elbow into his stomach, and rolled to his feet.
John then came back with a shot to the ribs that knocked the air out of Toad, sending him doubling over gasping for air.
He then balled up his fists and put his hands together, clubbing the other man in the back as hard as he could sending him down to the ground. Before he could capitalize, Toad sent his leg up and kicked John in the chest.
Toad nipped up but John quickly tackled him back to the ground. Their sparring session lasted another two or three minutes before Toad finally called a stop to it. He almost out of breath, surprised that the younger mutant had been able to keep up with him.
John was kneeling on the ground catching his breath as Toad came over and extended his hand. He took it and Toad helped him to his feet.
"I must admit, I'm pretty impressed." Toad said.
"Really?"
"Yeah, your punches are really good. Next time we'll work on kicks and blocking better. You hit hard but you leave yourself open too often."
Toad patted John on the back as he walked off the mat and out of the training area. John took a deep breath as he walked over and sat down on one of the chairs.
"You okay?" Said a voice.
John looked up to see Gambit standing there before sitting down on the chair across from him.
"I'll live," he responded while rubbing his side. It kind of hurt but he had felt worse when he use to have occasional wrestling matches with Bobby Drake.
"That was kind of exciting." Remy smiled. "Your fight with the tadpole. It seemed like you were fighting more on emotion than anything."
"Oh yeah?" John responded while taking out his lighter and flipping it open.
Remy then took out a pack of cards from his trench coat pocket and began shuffling in the style of one who is terrifying familiar with cards in a way that would discourage a potential competitor from engaging in a game. John was immediately intrigued.
"You play, mon ami?" Remy asked.
"Play what?"
"Anything. Name it."
John couldn't help but laugh.
"I know a little poker, but Go Fish and Bullshit are really all I can play."
"I could teach you," Remy said, laying the cards on the table face-up, than flicking one side so that they all turned over.
"Teach me what?"
"Well, we could start with a little Fifty-two card pick up, poker doesn't work so well with just two. I think between two, War might be best, oui?" Remy asked, dealing with hands so quick they blurred.
"Actually, Gambit, I'm not really in the mood to play cards. Maybe later."
Remy stopped dealing and placed his cards back in his pocket.
"Alright," he said while standing up. He hand went back into his trench coat and pulled out a pair of sunglasses. "I'm headed to the bar, any interest in joining me for that?"
"I'm not twenty-one."
"So?"
John thought about. The last time he did anything social with anyone was going to that food court with Bobby and Rogue…and that didn't end very well. But what the hell, maybe getting out of the place with clear his mind a little, make him forget about those soldiers he burned.
"Alright, I'll go."
Remy smirked as he led the way out of the abandoned warehouse and together they walked down the street. John hooked his thumbs in his pockets before taking a quick glance at his teammate and decided to make small talk.
"So, where are you from?" John asked.
"New Orleans, mon ami. The filthy jewel of Louisiana." Remy answered. "You?"
"Australia."
"Really? You don't have an accent."
"I didn't spend anytime there. My parents moved to New York before my first birthday," he explained.
"Your parents still around?"
John made a small noise in his throat and Remy wondered if he had brought up a sensitive subject for the other boy.
"They're dead," he finally responded.
They remained quiet for as they continued walking, John could see the bar from the distance. He then looked over at Remy and looked at his sunglasses.
"Isn't it hard to see?" John said, remembering his red eyes that had no pupils.
"I see fine," Remy responded, "but now that you mention it…" Remy then took his black glasses off and placed them on John's nose then busted out laughing at the way John looked.
"Alright, Frenchy," John said, a smile forming on his face as he playfully pushed Remy's shoulder and gave the glasses back to him.
After they arrived at the bar, Remy ordered a drink for both of them then soon took off to play a game of pool with three other guys in the corner while John remained seated at the bar.
John shifted on the bar stool as he picked up the glass and brought the drink up to his lips. Just then, something on the television caught his attention. It was some kind of political advertisement.
"Hello, my name is Graydon Creed and I'm here to talk to you about the mutant problem."
John took out his lighter and flicked it open while staring at the screen as the man continued.
"Are you tried in living in fear, about the possibility of a mutant being able to read your mind? Or walk through the walls of your house? Or to be able to control metal? Then call your local congressman, and demand that they support the passing of the Mutant Registration Act and finally get this problem under control."
John hadn't noticed, but the flame in his lighter had grown bigger by the time the commercial had finished.
Suddenly the bartender turned around and saw him and dropped the bottle he was holding.
"Holy shit! We've got a fuckin' mutant in here!" The bartender yelled. "Jerry, get your shot gun and blast him to hell!"
