Hey, what's up peoples. The moment you've all been waiting for is here. The fight between Naruto and Hulk begins this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or X-Men: Evolution
"Naruto?" Naruto's eyes shot open at the voice in his head. He looked around, but saw nothing but the hotel room they had checked into upon arriving in the small town in Montana. Naruto couldn't remember the name, but knew it was close to the Canadian border. He looked down at the sleeping form of Phoenix. If she had felt the presence in his head, it didn't register even the slightest twitch on her peaceful face.
Throwing on some clothes, Naruto left the hotel room, traveling to the roof of the building. "Alright" he thought. "How the hell did you get the number of my head…Xavier?"
"So I was right then" resonated the voice of Professor X in his mind as Naruto sat down and entered a meditative position. "You really are Fox."
"Some psychic you are if it took you this long to figure it out" replied Naruto. "You never answered my question. How are you getting around my mental barriers?"
"You've been in my mind twice Naruto" said Xavier. "In order to do that, you had to penetrate my own barriers, and in doing so fractured your own. We share a slight telepathic connection because of the mental contact. I'm merely using Cerebro to enhance the connection."
"Oh…joy" thought back Naruto. "So let me guess, you've already told everyone in the mansion of what you've learned about my identity?"
"No. Only Ororo and Logan. While they may not seem it, your 'death' has deeply disturbed my students, and revealing your identity to them could potentially be catastrophic. I don't mean to take up much of your time now, but I think I at least deserve to have some answers" replied Xavier.
"And what makes you think that?" asked Naruto.
"Because rumors have spread through the mansion that you can teach Rogue to control her powers. If my intuition is correct, Scott will attempt to track you down as well. I don't wish to force my students to either do or not do anything, but I am concerned for their safety" repliedXavier.
"Your concern is touching. Yes I can teach Rogue to control her powers. However, if Cyclops wishes to learn to control his, he'll have to get that information from me, but not without a price. Make sure he's aware of that" replied Naruto.
"Of course" replied Xavier. "But what is it you plan to do? I know you have some sort of plan, as I have caught glimpses of it from your mind, but only a name…Exodus. What is it?"
"Now that is information you are not deserving of yet. But I will tell you this. The way things work around here…they're gonna change." With that, Naruto tuned out Xavier. Getting up, he was about to go back inside. However, when he turned, Laura was standing in the doorway.
"Hey, you should go back to bed. We're all going to need our rest for tomorrow" he told her, walking up and resting a hand on her shoulder.
"I know" replied the clone girl. "But there's something I need to do, if it's alright."
"Do whatever you gotta do Laura" said Naruto. No sooner had the words left his lips when Laura threw her arms around his neck, pulling him in for an extremely forceful, but not at all unpleasant, kiss. It lasted for nearly a minute, before Laura pulled away, leaving a slightly dazed Naruto. Blushing, the girl uttered a quite 'Goodnight' before dashing back inside.
"Is that how all my first kisses with girls are destined to go?" thought Naruto, shaking his head before he too re-entered the building. Entering his hotel room, Naruto once more took his place next to Phoenix, who curled up next to him in her sleep.
Back in Bayville, Xavier pulled off the cerebral interface helmet used to operate Cerebro with a sigh. Turning, he exited the room, only to run into both the other adults of the institute.
"So how 'bout it Chuck?" asked Logan. "Is it the kid?"
"Yes Logan it was" replied Xavier with a sigh, lacing his fingers in front of his face. "It seems that, if your trip to the mall was any indication, then Naruto is also adept at shape-shifting. Possibly as much so as Mystique."
"But if this were true, why would he even bother going to school, regardless of how short lived it was?" asked Ororo.
"My guess would be to gather information. I don't believe he's out to destroy anything, although his last message to me was a bit ominous" said Xavier.
"What'd he say?" growled out Logan.
"He said that the ways things work in the world are going to change" replied Xavier. "I don't know what it means, but it obviously has something to do with his Exodus project. How is Scott?"
"He seems desperately conflicted" replied Ororo. "I honestly don't know whether he will stay here or join Fox."
"What's his game, anyway?" asked Logan. "I mean, he gets a hold of an evil Jean, a clone of me, and Rogue. It's like he's building his own version of the X-men or the Brotherhood."
"Perhaps he is, Logan" said Xavier. "However, his offer to help Laura and Rogue seems more out of generosity than a quest to prove mutant superiority. I think he may try to train his own group of mutants, but to train them to use their powers without fear of human reaction. However, it's only speculation."
"It makes sense though Professor" said Ororo. "He seems to merely be looking for a fight. But why? I believe that maybe, just maybe, he's out to prove something."
"Yes Ororo, I see your point. But what point could he be trying to make?" said Xavier.
"Seems to me he just wants to prove superiority. You've heard him say that that I'm his only 'challenge'" said Logan.
"Perhaps. But I can't shake the feeling that perhaps we're missing something. This goes much deeper than vanity, I know it" said Xavier. He was about to say more, but the intercom suddenly blared, Jean at the other end.
"Professor? Are you down there?" she asked. Pressing the button on the wall next to him, Xavier waited just a moment before answering.
"Yes Jean, what is it?" he asked.
"Professor, you have a call from one Dr. Curt Connors" she said, causing the man to raise an eyebrow.
"Connors? I haven't heard from him in years. Give me a moment, I'll take the call." Wheeling into another room, Xavier picked up the phone, finding the line Connors was waiting on.
"Curt, is it really you?" asked Xavier.
"It's been a while. I think the last time we saw each other was when you opened your institute" came the reply from the other end.
"Yes, it's been years my old friend. Was this a social call, or do you have something to ask me?" asked Xavier in a cheerful tone, and he could hear the embarrassment in his old colleague's voice.
"You always know, don't you? As a matter of fact, I'm gonna call up an old favor you owe me" replied Connors.
"Alright, alright" said Xavier, chuckling a bit. "What kind of favor?"
"One of the students working in my lab has been incredibly interested in the fields of genetics, and has recently taken an interest in your work in particular these past few days. I was thinking that maybe you could humor him with an interview of sorts? He's more than willing to come to you, if that's an issue" said Connors.
"No, not at all. In fact that's perfect. I'd be happy to see him any time he's willing" said Xavier.
"Thanks Charles, this really means a lot to him. He's a genius when it comes to science and genetics. Reminds me of you back in the good ol' days. His name is Peter Parker. Depending on when he leaves, he'll be there some time tomorrow" said Connors.
"Not a problem my old friend. Say hello to Martha for me" replied Xavier.
"I will" said Connors. Then the phones were hung up.
"Chuck, are you sure that it's a good time to be giving a kid an interview with all the shit that's been happening lately?" asked Logan.
"Ordinarily yes, but Curt is an old friend, and I do as a matter of fact owe him a favor. And I really will not say no to a boy who is so willing to learn" said Charles.
"I don't know" said Logan. "Sounds like something's up if you ask me."
"Logan, are you ever at ease?" asked Ororo.
"No" was his reply, before he headed straight for the Danger Room. Xavier and Ororo merely shared a slight glance before silently making their way to the upper portion of the mansion.
"Target in site" said Naruto through his com-link. "This guy better be strong."
"Oh, he is" replied Ross. "However, we do not want him transforming. You're just a last resort. We cannot lose him again."
"Understood" came the voice of Laura over her own com-link.
"What's the plan Fox?" asked Rogue. Naruto turned to his team.
"Alright, here's the deal. In the event that the target changes, Laura and I will confront him. We can take the beating better than either of you. Phoenix, you'll give us long range support and cover with your power. If all else fails, Rogue will be our last resort, and will drain him." Once he got nods, he quickly turned off his com-link, signaling the others to do the same.
"Alright" he continued. "And now we discuss, the real plan. It's quite simple, much like what I told you with the old shit-bag listening in, with only one major difference." He leaned in and smirked a twisted smirk. "I want my fight, so we're going to force Dr. Banner to change."
"Do you think that's a good idea?" asked Rogue.
"We've got our money; we have our prize waiting for us. All it takes is an incredibly irritating shadow clone, disguised as a civilian, and he'll transform. Even if we lose, as long as we 'survive' we get our stuff" said Naruto. "And if I'm good at anything, it's surviving things. Not that I intend to lose mind you, but there's always the possibility"
Looking out the window of the sedan, Naruto silently counted down, watching the slightly jumpy man keep looking over his shoulder. "And here…we…go" he said, as his shadow clone knocked into the man, causing both the good doctor and his clone to fall to the ground. Naruto's disguised clone quickly got up and began shouting things at Dr. Banner. It looked as though the man was trying to apologize, but the clone would have no part in it.
"Oh shit" Naruto heard over his com-link which he had switched back on. "Move in" said Ross. "Get that bastard out of there, we can't afford to get Banner worked up."
"Too late" said Naruto as his clone kicked the downed man in the ribs. As he tried to do it again, Banner caught the leg, throwing the clone into a wall, causing it to collapse on it. Naruto shuddered at the clone's final memory.
"Damn it, all of you retreat!" shouted Ross. "Fox, you and your team are up."
"Yes Sir" said Naruto. He and the team exited the car just as Banner stood up. He was now beginning to turn a greenish color and stood six feet, and was still growing. Removing his com-link, Naruto tossed it on the ground. "Hello you" he said, causing the finished-transforming being to glare angrily at him. "Laura, you stay back unless I call for your help. I can take this guy."
Apparently, even with his anger clouding his judgment, Hulk apparently understood, because he growled. Naruto jumped at the Beast, he was caught in mid-air by his giant hands and slammed into the ground…hard. Gripping the monstrosity's wrist, he whipped the green brute over his head and smashed him into the ground. Hulk however quickly turned and whipped Naruto into and through the side of a building.
"What are you doing, get in there" said Phoenix in Laura's mind.
"He told me to hang back until he asked for help" replied the girl.
"Does it really look like he's going to ask for help?" said Phoenix. Looking back at the fight, Naruto had jumped onto Hulk's back and wrapped his legs around his neck while wrapping his tails around the monster's arms. He sat there; punching the side of Hulk's head, but the green beast merely shook it off and reached over. Grabbing Naruto in the back, he flipped him over, ripping his tails free from his arms as he was smashed into the ground. Naruto shook off the stars he was seeing in time to hear an inhuman roar from Hulk as he raised his foot to stomp on his face.
"Whoa!" shouted Naruto, rolling out of the way. Raising his other foot, Hulk tried to step on him again, but Naruto once more rolled away, before shooting his clawed hand out and tearing at the Hulk's green skin, which was harder to pierce than he thought possible. The Hulk roared in rage before kicking Naruto across the street into another building. Not with the force to put him through the wall, but several spider-web cracks formed where he impacted. He dropped to the ground and looked up in time to see a car flying at him. He leapt to his feet, jumping up and running on top of the thrown vehicle as it slammed through the wall where he had just been. Naruto could hear the sounds of people screaming, but tuned them out. He was having fun.
He dashed in at Hulk, who threw a wide swinging punch at the Shinobi. Naruto ducked underneath it and leapt up, delivering an uppercut to Hulk's face, but the brutish monster wasn't even phased. Hulk threw a kick which connected to Naruto's jaw, launching him into the air. The ninja prepared to right himself, but was jerked back to earth by Hulk, who had yanked on one of his tails, sending him straight back to the monster man. Spinning, Hulk slammed Naruto into a car, scaring the crap out of the people inside it, and they quickly shifted to reverse before driving off. Feeling another pull on his tails, Naruto was jerked back to the ground in front of Hulk. Interlacing his fingers, Hulk swung his hands down on Naruto, who put up his arms to block.
"Ok Laura" said Naruto, before being hammered farther into the ground. He could feel his bones shatter and heal. "I could use" another crushing blow shut him up for a moment. This time, some bone had ripped through his muscles and skin before retracting and healing flawlessly. "A little help!" he finished as another blow smashed him deeper into the expanding crater.
As Hulk prepared to smash Naruto again, he heard a shout and felt several sharp objects pierce his back. He roared in rage and began to thrash, but couldn't shake the girl off, nor could he reach her. Seeing a building, he ran at it before jumping and turning in mid-air, smashing Laura between himself and the wall. When she didn't let go, he leapt into the air, before turning his body parallel to the ground, slamming down on her as they landed. He felt whatever was stabbing into him exit his body. Standing up, he saw the girl. The force of him landing on her while in her position had almost knocked her unconscious. She had a large gash on her forehead, but it healed quickly. Rolling over, she began crawling away, trying to stand. Picking her up by her neck, Hulk lifted her up to see her face-to-face. Growling at her, he casually threw her to the ground. He prepared to step on her, but when he brought his foot down, it was blocked by some invisible force. Finished healing, Laura shook off the shock to see Phoenix had formed a protective dome over her.
"That's enough" she said, lifting Hulk into the air. He roared at her and began to thrash with rage, but was going nowhere. "Rogue, get in there." Rogue nodded, but Naruto appeared in her path.
"No" he said. "We had enough trouble when you absorbed my power, the last thing we need is you turning into that" he continued. "Until you learn better control of your abilities, you stay back." Rogue seemed like she was insulted for a moment, but quickly realized that he was right. She backed away slowly, causing Hulk to stare for a moment, but his gaze was more focused on Naruto. The ninja walked up to the now immobile Hulk, pulling out an exploding tag. Running up now, Naruto was able to dodge a sloppy punch from the Hulk, leaping on top of the monster's arm, running up it an sticking the exploding tag to his chest. Kicking the green beast in the face, Naruto leapt off and back-flipped away, detonating the exploding tag. While it did seem to affect Hulk more than their other attacks, it had the unfortunate side effect of knocking him out of Phoenix's mental grasp. It also only increased Hulk's rage.
With a roar, Hulk ran at Naruto, preparing to dodge, Naruto was wholly unprepared for the beast to…clap. The force of the clap caused a great wind that blew Naruto back into the building wall behind him. This disoriented the Shinobi long enough for Hulk to deliver a punishing blow to Naruto, slamming him through the wall and out the other side of the building. He was flung into a car driving by, and he could hear the screams of those inside as they looked at Naruto and at the hole he had just made in the side of the building. When they did they screamed, seeing the Hulk emerging from the hole in the wall. They all quickly exited the car and ran.
Hulk looked down to his side at a parked car, before picking it up. He appeared ready to throw the car at Naruto, but the blonde countered by lifting the car he had slammed into, via his tails. Making use of them, he threw the car straight at Hulk, but the green monstrosity used his own car as a baseball bat and knocked the other car away, sending it crashing through the wall of another building. Running to Naruto, Hulk hefted the car over his head, and brought it down on Naruto, who quickly scrambled out of the way. However, he cried out in pain when one of his tails was caught by the car, crushing it and slicing into it with shreds of metal. Forcing himself to get through the pain, he used his strength to yank his tail out, to find it a bloody, shredded mess. It quickly healed, but the blood stayed on the fur of his tail.
"Fuck, this is starting to get interesting" said Naruto.
Chapter end
Sorry it's short. However, this is the best way to do this, because my original plan was to divide the fight among several chapters, showing more of what's happening with the X-men. However, I decided to stretch the fight out into two chapters.
Peace to all my Fans
Fan of Fanfics