"The key to any hand-to-hand combat is focus, and anticipation." Logan paced in front of Evan and I. Logan had chosen Evan to assist me because he was the one who most recently learned how to fight, and he wanted to help advance both of our skills rather than pairing me with someone as experienced as Scott.

I can do focus, I thought. Anticipation isn't too bad either. I used to anticipate winning.

"Anticipation is the hard bit," he said, and I groaned inwardly.

"How long are we going to be out here for?"

"As long as it takes for you to beat him, Squirt, so try not to get too excited."

I'm going to be dead by the end of this.

We were in the training room, where a boxing ring had been set out, and padded mats covered the majority of the floor, and paneled half of the walls.

"At least I'll be comfortable."

"It isn't about comfort," Logan snapped. "It's about survival."

I looked at Evan who was struggling not to laugh.

"First is stance," he started and continued to lecture until he reached blocking. "We'll begin with weapons rather than fists, wouldn't want you kids really hurting each other." I thought he was actually being nice until he added, "Although that would be entertaining."

He picked up two wooden sticks from the floor and threw them at us. I didn't even catch mine. This was off to a great start.

After twenty minutes of hearing the sticks clash together, I was sweaty and tired. I'd managed to block at least two of Evan's advances. The others had bruised various parts of my body. Mr. Logan insistent that I needed to visualize what I thought my opponent was going to do next.

"But what if he feigns!" I'd protested.

"You block it nonetheless."

When the hour was finally up I was exhausted. I wanted to curl into a ball and go to sleep. My muscles were aching; even muscles I didn't expect to use were worn out!

"It's not the worst I've seen," he said, as a way of consoling me. If I thought Wolverine would be any less intimidating in sweat pants and a tank top then I was wrong.

"I heard Pietro was here yesterday," Evan said as we walked to diner together. "What a creep, was he spying on us or something?"

"No, Kitty invited him."

He stopped in his tracks. "Why?"

"Kitty and Rogue are under the impression that I should quote-unquote 'get to know him' for the sake of the Institute."

"Again, I'm forced to ask why?"

"Haven't you heard about Magneto's rumored plans?"

"Heck, that guy's been trying to take down Professor X since day one. I wouldn't worry about it. Besides, the X-Men got yo' back." He laughed.

I smiled. "I know, but he's scared this time."

"Hey, I'll talk to Auntie O. If the Professor has some secret, then she'll be sure to know about it."

When the elevator pinged as we reached the hallway, Evan stopped me before I got out. "Look, Lula. You're new here, right? And pretty soon you'll get used to how we do things around here. Who we do and don't hang out with."

I nodded, not sure where this was going. "Take my advice, don't hand around Pietro, okay? He's a vain, selfish loser."

"Pro tip." I saluted. "Duly noted, but someone has to take the bullet, Evan. And I'm pretty sure it has to be me."

I leant across the table and whispered in Rogue's ear, "I have an idea."

The corners of her mouth twitched. "And you need some help?"

Kurt was already straining his ears to hear my plan, so I decided to let him in on it too. "I need a lot of help."

"Does it have anything to do with four weirdoes and Boom Boom?" Kurt asked.

I snuck a glance at Scott, who was engaged in conversation with Jean. "Maybe." I winked.

Kitty, who was sat next to Kurt said, "I'm in! But what if we get caught? Again, I might add."

I don't know what had happened to me, but all of a sudden I wasn't bothered by the risks. This was something I needed to figure out for myself, and even if I had to clean all of the X-Men suits for a month, it would be worth it.

"What's the plan?" Rogue asked.

"We better let Spyke in on the action," Kurt said. "He loves anything to do with hating on the Brotherhood."

"I want to break in," I explained.

"To Mystique's house?" Kitty's jaw dropped, but Kurt covered it up but shoving a bread-roll in her mouth.

"They do it to us all the time," Rogue said, nodding along. "Why don't we give them a taste of their own medicine?" Her eyes suddenly lit up. "I have a better idea!" She leaned in close and said in hushed tones. "Why don't we break into the school instead? If Magneto's up to something, Mystique will know what it is. If he's hiding his plans from the Brotherhood, which he's done before, then she's not going to file anything at the house. So where will she keep it?"

"In the Principal's office!" we mouthed.

"Exactly."

"How do we get the Professor to agree to us going out in the first place?" Kurt asked.

Luckily I had a plan. "We'll tell the Professor that we've been feeling the pressure of balancing school and training – with Wolverine's new work ethic he wouldn't find that hard to believe – and that we're going out to the movies or something."

"Okay, so you have thought this through a little." Kurt said in between shoveling the burgers.

"Cover of darkness. Movie lasts a couple hours; plenty of time for a break-in."

"Sweet!"

When everyone's plates were cleared I coughed discreetly and motioned for Evan to follow me. "Are you up for a reckless, potentially dangerous and stupid endeavor?" I asked him in all seriousness.

"When am I not?"

"Good. Just follow our lead."

The Professor, who must have believed we really were under a lot of strain, decided, "why wouldn't it be okay?" for us to go out for the evening. So long as we had adult supervision. Which is when my totally genius plan started to look a little sketchy.

Then I had an epiphany. "Toby!" I exclaimed. "We'll invite Toby, Professor. We can't show our powers to normals, right? He'll keep us in line, I promise!"

He looked skeptical for a minute but smiled. "Alright. How much damage can six teenagers do?" He chuckled. "Be back my curfew."

When the five of us walked out of the Institute, carrying bags stuffed with our costumes, Scott and Jean didn't bat an eyelid.

"They probably can't wait to have some 'alone time'." Rogue gagged.

I'd called Toby and gave him a condensed version of the plan. He'd have to learn about the breaking-and-entering when we got there.

We got to the garage and looked at the Siren car. Kitty shook her head, adamant that the boys would contaminate it.

"With six of us, we're going to need a bigger car." I turned to the X-Mobile.

"Oh no," Kurt grumbled.

I rubbed my hands together. "Oh yes."