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Chapter 17.5: Mentor

Special

"Listen up," Caliwone said to the students in front of him. "I am not a teacher but Xavier seems to think I should give this a try. You will be learning more-than-basic Martial Arts from me, so I am going to assume that you have at least a decent understanding of the art." Caliwone's eyes scanned across the group, picking out a few of the people that he had requested strongly to be here for and noting that four of them were not.

In fact, almost the entire student body had turned out for his lesson, with the exception of the four previously mentioned. "Before we continue, has anyone seen Sam, Rahne, Feral, and Kitty?"

"Well," Kurt spoke up. "I don't know about the other three, but I think Kitty is back with S.H.I.E.L.D."

Caliwone frowned slightly but let it go. He would deal with them the next time he saw them. "Fine," he said. "Let us begin." Caliwone looked around again, not trying to find anyone but to gauge reactions and judge confidence. Those would be the ones that had the best skill level. "The first thing you must always remember is that there will always be someone stronger, faster, or better than you. That is a lesson I, myself, have been reminded of since being on this planet. The way to overcome these handicaps is the use of your mind.

"Your mind is the most dangerous weapon in combat. It can defeat skill and overcome strength. Being able to discern you opponent's strengths and weaknesses, to out think your opponents tactics and predict his movements will see you claim victory."

In the group of students, someone raised their hand. "That's not fair for you to say," Bobby said. "You're an alien. Not only that, but you were trained for this kind of thing."

"Doesn't matter," Caliwone said. "Training is what I am attempting to do now and as for my non human qualities, yes, I was raised to fight so if anyone is qualified to train you, it is going to be me."

Another hand rose. "So how are you going to teach us?" Xi'an's French accented voice asked. "Not to sound un-envious of you but you like to fight high in the clouds a lot of times or at least, floating above the ground."

"The techniques I use in my battles, whether in the air or grounded are one in the same. The only thing that changes is my style. My block is going to be the same as will a punch."

"With your training, you have mastered numerous things like balance, stamina, experience," Berserker said. "How are we supposed to compete with that?"

"I am not training you to be on my level," Caliwone said. "The purpose is to give you an edge against people on your level or that slightly above." Caliwone snorted. "Besides, there are techniques that can be used to overcome those more powerful than yourself. Your only limitation is your own imagination.

"I have asked Logan to help demonstrate what I intend to teach you." Logan stepped forward. "For an Earthling, Logan has excellent hand to hand combat abilities, even removing his claws. I doubt that anyone of you will disagree." No one spoke up. "The first thing we are going to do is give you a real time demonstration of the way I expect you to be able to handle yourselves. I , myself will be moving at speeds equal to the standard human norm for someone as trained as I am with reaction time at the same level."

Logan settled himself into his ready stance, left foot only slightly forward with his fist pulled back just above his waist as Caliwone fell casually into his own stance. "I want you to notice first off that my mind is already strategizing and discerning him just by his stance. By the way he is square to me with his arms and hands low, I already know he is going to be an aggressive opponent focused more on attack then on defense.

"The stance he is in now is not what I would call a wise stance for any of you because of the openings, but with Logan's healing abilities, I would say it is suited. As for me, my stance is aimed at being more rounded for combat, my left hand up to guard, my right back for attack. My feet are positioned for balance as well as giving me the option to move quickly forward, backward, or to either side."

Caliwone nodded to Logan. Logan leapt forward with a quick punch that Caliwone was easily able to block, followed by another swinging punch, again blocked, and then a final straight punch that Caliwone was able to deflect over one shoulder.

Moving to the attack but doing his best to keep his moves simple, he slid forward and elbowed Logan in the rib cage. Grabbing the deflected arm, he twisted it behind Logan and kicked the back of Logan's knee. Logan fell to one knee and Caliwone wrapped one arm around his throat from behind and hooking his other behind Logan's head, being very careful not to squeeze.

"This is called a submission hold," Caliwone said. "Even the most powerful foe will succumb to this if the proper technique is utilized." He released Logan and the two set their stances again. "This time, Logan will be doing his best to hit me and I will be doing the same, again under the same restrictions.

"The key to battle is in the mind. Find a technique or style that will allow you to catch your enemy by surprise. Finding an effective way to surprise your opponent and make you less predictable is the goal. Note the main word is effective. Don't just do an attack that is too hard to perform because that will simply leave you open to attack. Changing your attacks from head and body strikes to a sweep will help towards that end as long as you don't telegraph you movements. That will only tell your opponent what you are planning and give him time to find a counter for it."

Logan leapt in again, swinging. Caliwone blocked twice then ducked a kick. Logan started another swing but stopped short as Caliwone moved to block it. Caliwone's eyes watched Logan reverse spin and lower his body as if to sweep. Caliwone hopped into the air in an attempt to jump it but Logan was already changing tact. As Caliwone found himself unable to dodge while in the air, Logan finished his spin and swung, extending his claws. Caliwone jerked back as Logan's claws swept past, cutting lightly into Caliwone's cheek.

There was a gasp from the students. "As I said, surprise and mind are the two biggest keys. Did you notice how Logan led me to assume he was going to sweep which forced me to jump? That is strategy and using my predictions to his advantage." The group collectively nodded, transfixed. "He also had the mindset t use his claws as a surprise, strategically extending them when he had the best opportunity to strike." Caliwone nodded, showing his approval. "These are a few of the skills that you will learn from me."

Caliwone and Logan walked through the students and matching people up of similar skill and experience with training gloves and foam head protectors which Caliwone quietly scoffed at. Xavier had insisted on them against Caliwone's arguments. From his point of view, their skills may increase but at a slower rate without feeling the pain of contact nor would they increase their body's resilience. Oh well.

They all began dooking it out, the use of powers strictly restricted. He had been right when he had done his sweep of the group about which ones had the most skill, except for Bobby. He always had confidence whether he knew what he was doing or not. Neena Thurman, probably one of the best in the group, was beating him up rather badly. All in all, Caliwone would say the group had potential. He smiled to himself. Maybe there was something for him here at the Institute other than annoying women.

To be continued...

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