Chapter 13
I swept a low side kick at Rogue's ankles, but the younger woman hopped adroitly over my leg and brought her foot squarely down on my calf. Curling my lip in pain, I reached up and yanked hard on Rogue's thigh, toppling her onto her back. The snickt! Of my claws being unsheathed should have warned her, but she attempted to scramble to her feet anyway, even as I planted my knees on either side of her ribcage and brought the razor sharp adamantium to within centimeters of her throat.
"Not bad," Scott Summers walked forward from where he had been observing our scuffle, at the edge of the wrestling mat. "Marie, your reaction time could be a bit faster. Brianna, don't be so quick to bring out the hardware all the time."
I got to my feet, brushing off the dust as I thought darkly of how many different ways I could hurt the man. For the last week he had been on my case, ever since I started training for my shot at being an X-man. I could sense Scott was opposed to the idea and was taking every opportunity to try and discourage me. Jean said it was to make sure I really wanted to do this, but even she knew it was more than that. He didn't want another "Wolverine" on his hands. Of course, all of Scott's pushing only made me more determined to earn my uniform.
I had decided, after that day in the hay barn when I tried to kill Logan, that the best chance I had of finding my past and putting it to rest was to join the X-men. With Xavier's resources and abilities, I could follow up on leads much more easily, and I would have the team's help if I needed it. All I had to do was pass the test.
Marie gritted her teeth in anger. Would she never be able to get the upper hand on Vixen? When she had been offered a spot on the X-team, she thought she was the only one. But then she found out that she and Vixen were both training at the same time and they had to work together! Marie was determined to make the team and prove herself to everyone once and for all, no matter who stood in her way. She had to admit a grudging respect for the older woman, though. Brianna was tough, resourceful and didn't take any crap from anyone. She reminded Marie a lot of Logan, and she couldn't help but like her a little bit.
Scott was going to do his damnest to make sure Vixen left the mansion even before her final test. The last thing the team needed, hell, the last thing he needed, was another renegade, claw-wielding amnesiac to upset the order and authority that Cyclops had with the students and the other X-men. And the fact that Magneto was after her signaled to Scott that there was something more in Vixen's past than he wanted to deal with. The worst thing of all, in Scott's loyal, monogamous mind, was that he found himself looking at her a great deal more than he should, and liking what he saw. Best to get temptation as far away as possible.
The serious young man gave a sigh of frustration. How he was going to get rid of Brianna, when she and Jean had become such good friends, was something else he had to figure out. He spoke sharply. "Alright, we're done for today. Marie, Brianna, same time tomorrow. And don't be late again." Scott's final comment was directed solely at Brianna, even though he knew her tardiness was due to a counseling session with the Professor. Maybe if he just pissed her off enough….
Suddenly, Scott felt himself being lifted off his feet as if by a great invisible hand. His arms were pinned to his sides and he hung uselessly in the air as Brianna approached him, her eyes flashing murder. "Listen, One-Eye, I don't know what your problem is, but I've taken out bigger …" She stopped short, her gaze suddenly blank, then flinched and put her hand to her head. Scott's feet made contact with the floor rather abruptly and he stumbled to regain his balance as Vixen shook her head, muttering to herself, "No, no…I can't…". A look of utter revulsion crossed her face and the sparring dummy that stood guard at the corner of the workout area exploded in a hail of vinyl and stuffing. Brianna crumpled to the floor, her head clasped in her hands, a faint whisper of "No, no…" escaping her lips.
Scott did the first thing that came to mind. Jean! We need you in the gym he called silently to the beautiful doctor as he and Rogue hurried to Vixen's side. She was breathing, and still conscious, Scott saw. Before he could touch her, Logan exploded into the room, all protective fury.
"What the hell is going on?" Wolverine crouched over Brianna's huddled form and fixed the younger man with a glare that would cut diamonds. "Scooter, if you hurt her…"
"No, we were finished." Scott's unreadable gaze never wavered. "She and I were having…words, and she just had some sort of attack."
Jean Grey flew into the room, medi-kit in hand, and took quick assessment of the situation. "Guys, stand back, please." She knelt quickly at Brianna's side. "Bree, can you hear me?"
Vixen raised her head a bit, eyes unfocused and full of tears. She stared at Jean for a moment, and then split the air with an ear shattering scream.