Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or X Men. Evie is my character.
Troubles of the Past
Personal thoughts
telepathic communications
Dream
Note: Thank you all for the reviews. I love them. Chris and Libby, Jean has Thomas, Evie has Nadene and Kitty is 4 mos. pregnant with Bryan. See the last story, Discoveries for the 20 year leap into the future where they got to see all their kids.
Chapter 9
"You won't get the chance to touch her again." Logan was beginning to feel his own fury build. He had to keep it in check. A berserker right now was the last thing he needed. His head had to stay clear and focused.
"And you think you will stop me? You are but a little man trying to handle that which is beyond his grasp." Matubu pushed until he got the reaction he wanted.
Logan growled and lunged across the dusty ground. Just as he felt he was about to make contact his target was gone. Before he could stop himself he felt a powerful arm trap one of his behind his back and another close around his neck. His free hand went to hold the arm from crushing his throat.
"You are no match for me," Matubu hissed in his ear. "Do yourself a favor and stay down when I hit you." With speed that left only a blur for the onlookers, Matubu released Logan and appeared in front of him.
Before Logan got his balance from quickly being released he felt a punch that caused him to stumble back and almost fall. Quickly regaining his balance, he glared at his grinning opponent and touched the pain in his cheek. Looking at the blood on his hand, he could feel his powers kick in and close the split.
"Is that you're power?" Matubu asked in amusement. "It's no wonder the woman could weaken you." He moved and punched again. When he appeared next, Logan was holding his side and stooped over.
Marie's heart sank. She knew Ororo had asked her to do it. Now her actions were used to hurt her friend. She flexed her hands and wished she could put just one finger on that loud mouth.
Remy saw her and knew exactly what she was thinking. Careful not to touch her skin at that moment, he put an understanding hand on the shoulder of her short sleeved shirt. He winked to calm her when she looked at him.
Releasing her powers, she placed a loving hand over his.
Ororo had been watching but could stand no more of Matubu's taunting. A tear silently crept down her face as she watched Logan stand straighter with a hand over his side.
In the next second, Logan reeled from three punches and fell to his knees as his legs were kicked from behind.
Shalimar moved to his side and wiped his brow. She handed him a drink and waited at his side for him to catch his breath.
Matubu arrogantly walked to Reena and reached for a drink. "This is much too easy. When we get home, this will make a most amusing story."
Reena glared at him then turned to see that her husband was straining to keep his calm composure firmly in place.
Friendship and loyalty strained against respect of custom as the onlookers watched their friend in what now seemed a poor option for settling this dispute. Tension which had begun high was now vibrating through every nerve in the room. Evie and Jean were the first to show any outward signs. Both cringed at the feelings they had. Not only were they dealing with their own but they could feel the strum of tension in everyone around them. They watched as Logan stood only to be punched from behind by a whirl of wind and dust. Each put her hands to her head as pain struck. Scott and Adam, both turned and pulled their wives into a full embrace; their bonds working again, to show they were fully attentive to each other.
Charles felt it and turned to see both women with their heads buried deep in the men's shoulders. Jean, Evie, you both must shield.
Can't, Jean sent back. Lowered them to try and calm everyone but it's too much. Can't get them back.
Tried to help Jean, Evie added. Backlash was unexpected.
Charles closed his eyes momentarily and appeared in both their minds. He extended his shields to reinforce theirs. When he opened his eyes again they both nodded their gratitude.
Matubu laughed as his voice boomed in the still air. "I'm bored with this already." He moved and punched again then watched as Logan spun from the punch to his face. "I thought you might at least give me a little challenge. Ororo will put up more of a fight than you are now." He moved and Logan doubled at the waist.
Ororo's eyes had been fixed on Logan. Every punch he took tore her heart. Now she saw the blood he spit and could take no more. Her hands covered her face as she slumped and felt Onnaka put a caring arm around her.
Shalimar watched as he took punch after punch. In her own fury her eyes turned feral. She closed them tightly to try and regain the control she felt was slipping. Suddenly all of her senses were tingling. Her breath caught in her throat as she turned and saw Matubu come to a stop off to her left.
The men could stand little more. Charles sensed their individual inner battles and knew his boys would react soon. You must all remain still, he sent to them without turning. This must be finished in the proper manner…no matter what the outcome.
Remy, Bobby, Jesse, Brennan and Scott all looked to one another, calmed by the professor's voice and pleased to know they were united in their indignation.
Logan took hit after hit and never landed one of his own. Matubu was giving him less time between attacks now. Playtime seemed to be over. With the speed and consistency of the attacks, his healing powers were not able to keep up. Breathing heavily he finally fell to his knees.
Shalimar eyed Matubu closely. When he moved to Reena, she quickly went to Logan's side. She wiped his face and held the bottle of water up for him to drink.
"I can't…even…land…a hit." Logan panted then took another drink as she held his head and the bottle. "How am I supposed to knock him out when I can't even see him?"
"Close your eyes," Shalimar whispered in his ear as she carefully watched their opponent.
Logan looked up incredulously, "Darlin', are you sure he didn't hit you, too."
She looked into his eyes and smiled a feral grin. "Listen to me. When you stand up, close your eyes. Healing is not your only power. Let your other senses take over. Reach out with them and trust them." Shalimar gasped as a gust of wind with hands pushed her away from Logan. She flipped herself up and over and landed gracefully on her feet.
Brennan and all the other men standing with him were in motion the instant they realized what had happened. Electricity danced in Brennan's upheld hand. The sparking card that magically appeared in Gambit's hand was ready to be thrown. Iceman's hand was frosted and Jesse's was stone as they stepped forward together. Cyclops' hand was on his visor control as he and Adam stepped to follow the others. Beast snarled a growl as he also moved to react.
"STOP!" Saket yelled quickly stepping forward.
Charles knew that alone wouldn't stop them. He closed his eyes and froze them all in place.
"Professor?!" Brennan yelled.
He sent to all of them but looked into Brennan's eyes. I'm sorry but we must finish this. Shalimar is fine. Let Logan repay Matubu the offense for ALL of us.
"Matubu, you will conduct yourself in a respectable manner. If that woman was injured, this would have been declared over and I would not have stopped her men. I will not interfere again but will gladly allow them to do it for me. Have I made myself clear?" Saket saw Matubu nod with a restrained grin. Anger was not an emotion Saket could allow himself at this moment. He reached deep within himself for his calm to be able to continue this for his sister's sake.
Jean and Evie both stepped forward and touched Brennan's arms as they focused their calm on him above the others. When the professor released everyone, he allowed them to lead him back to his place.
Remaining feral and glaring at Matubu she defiantly stalked back toward Logan and retrieved the towel and bottle from his side.
Logan looked at her with concern. His eyes narrowed as he heard a low growl in his ear.
"Close your eyes." Shalimar stood to her full height and slowly walked back to her place beside Charles.
With paternal concern, he reached for her hand. He was pleased to see her return his smile.
Matubu watched as Logan stood and prepared to face him again. "There will be no need for further interruption. This will end now."
Logan saw Matubu take one step and then he was gone. He closed his eyes but wasn't quick enough. He first felt a pain in his side and then a stab to his stomach made him curl in half. His face contorted in pain as he stumbled and struggled to stay on his feet. His eyes were closed from the pain when he heard her.
"Logan," Shalimar whispered, "please trust me. I know it sounds crazy but please try," she begged.
He squeezed his eyes tighter and turned his head in her direction.
She knew he understood. "Yes, keep your eyes closed and you'll be able to find him."
Logan stood and turned back to where he knew the center of the grounds was. He turned all his determination on keeping his eyes closed. He tuned the rest of his senses on Matubu.
Matubu snorted at this. "You can't even face my final attack. What a coward you are." He bolted toward Logan determined to make this his last pass.
Those watching weren't privy to Shalimar's advice and only saw what looked like Logan resigned to the fact that he was defeated. Sorrow spread through the entire group as they watched Logan waiting for the final blow.
Fists clenched and teeth bared as the final blow was cocked and aimed.
As he approached, Logan felt the air change. He heard the whir of material in the wind. He could smell the arrogance wafting past. Quickly extending an arm awarded him a clothesline of his attacker. With a feral growl he pounced on his prey. Relentlessly he punched. Once Logan got a feel for this guy he wasn't going to give up.
Ororo still couldn't look. She had had her hands over her face for the longest time. Curiosity got the best of her when she heard the gasp from those around her. Now with the shift in power in the room, hope was restored. She gasped when she saw the condition of Logan's clothes. Drying blood and many tares displayed the truth of his condition over the inconsistency display in his skin thanks to his healing powers.
Matubu used his speed to get away from Logan and stand on the opposite side of the clearing. Wiping the blood from his lip he glared and laughed. "Finally, this has become a fight. It's about time you showed some ability. Too bad it's too late. This fight is over." He moved again and was gone.
Logan used his heightened awareness to zero in on exactly where Matubu was and just where to hit him. His sensitive hearing gave away the location of his head. He also could hear the beating of the man's heart. In the heat of the battle though, it seemed to be beating in slow motion as every swing and punch seem to move just as slowly. Restraining the idea of releasing his claws and slicing this guy down, Logan balled his fist and slammed into his face.
