Disclaimer: I do not own the X-men and I think this is the last time I will add this at the beginning of my chapters. If you don't know that I do not own them by now then you are not smart enough to understand what you are reading and this site is not for you. Now on with the next chapter and I sincerely hope you enjoy it as much as the rest of the story.
David's POV
I sat on the back patio of the X-mansion in the cool night air with some of the closest friends I have around the fire pit. The orange flame dances in the moonlight giving off a beautiful warming glow as it illuminates the faces of those close by. As much as I am enjoying it I cant help but stare off into the trees at the end of the lawn and into the woods on the institute grounds.
"Your worrying about her again David." Jubilee said breaking the trance I found myself in.
"I cant help it, she is not making friends here. She spends all of her time with either me or occasionally with Logan, other than that she stays to herself." I spoke up and everyone looked off in the direction I was staring into.
"Maybe she could make friends if she wasn't so creepy." Kitty said and I turned my head and glared at her.
"She is not creepy Kitty, she is kind and thoughtful she is just nervous around a lot of people and new surroundings. She grew up training to be a killer that's all she has ever known. Once you get to know her she is actually a great girl." I said and kitty sunk back in her chair seemingly ashamed.
"That was a bad choice of word Kitty, but David you have to admit she can be a little unnerving. She is so cold and cunning and calculating in everything she does." Jubilee said and she does have a point I just hope one day they can see her the way I do. "Not to mention the fact that she threatened me, I never heard her speak before that I didn't know what to say to her." She then added.
"Well its not like no one has tried, but when we do she either pops her claws or growls and walks off. How are we supposed to get her to open up?" Bobby then asked and I just smirk when I turn to him. Everyone else is wearing jackets and even I am wearing a thermal to protect me from the cold but Bobby is still wearing cargo shorts and a tee shirt.
"You want to get her to open up? You fight her, you have to show her no fear to earn her respect, She is still controlled a lot by her animal instincts." I replied and earned looks from the group.
"Is that how you got her to open up to you comrade?" Piotr then asked me.
"That's exactly how, although I didn't have much of a choice. It was either that or end up dead or a science project." I explained and saw that it only raised more questions, so I decided to answer them before they were asked. "It was in the facility in Canada, the one I got captured in. She was being controlled chemically by a man named William Stryker. She is the one who captured me but after I learned she was developing a tolerance to the serum they were injecting her with I was presented with an opportunity. Stryker came into the room my cell was in to inform me they would be attempting the adamantium bonding process on me. While he was talking the serum began to wear off, I used the last of the reserve energy I had to shove Stryker into a wall and it caused him to drop his syringe. It broke on the floor and the animal inside her broke free. She killed the guards in the room and cut the door to my cell open where she then proceeded to attack me. I tried explaining I meant her no harm but she wouldn't listen, we tussled for a few minutes and I grabbed her and jerked her around till her back was facing me. I thought I had the upper hand when a claw emerged from her foot and she kicked over her own shoulder puncturing between my ribs and into my lung. I began to heal and still faced her down and the animal in her relinquished control. We then helped each other escape and she has shown me nothing but loyalty and respect ever since and I giver her the same." I said to the group as they all stared on in shock as they never heard the full story. "Besides when these sentinels come I am glad I made a friend out of her. It will be nice to have her watching my back maybe you all should think about that." I then informed them.
"But she is not a part of a team, she will not be fighting the sentinels." Piotr said and I just smirked at the clueless Russian.
"You have seen how protective of me she can be, do you honestly think that if she knows I am fighting that she will not be right beside me?" I then asked and everyone seemed to agree with me. "I wont ask any of you to fight her to earn her respect but could you at least make a little more of an effort? Maybe say hi to her when you pass her in the hall?" Ithen asked hoping they could at least try for me. A young girl that age shouldn't be spending that much time alone. Not that she seems unhappy but she doesn't necessarily seem happy either, just content and that's boring she needs more excitement in her life.
They all agreed to make an effort and that was enough for me. I will talk to her and try to get her to at least be less hostile towards the other students. That's really all I can do Logan offered to teach me to growl and use that to make her more submissive but that's seems too much like training an animal. She is a human and she should be treated like one.
I got up from the group and excused myself before telling Jubilee I would see her later and giving her a kiss. I made my way toward the tree's where I have been sensing her energy for the past hour. She sensed me coming and began running through the trees. I know she is trying to make a game of this and I decide to play along. I tune out my energy sensing ability and rely on my other senses. I can pick up the scent of decaying wood from a tree that has fallen in the distance, A skunk passed by here nearly an hour ago I can smell the water from the pond a hundred yards to my right and the scent of honeysuckle and wildflowers from the west lawn one of her favorite places. I look up just in time to reach a hand up and stop her in mid air where I then toss her aside and she lands on her feet and skids back a few feet. I get into a fighting stance and smile as she does the same. We slowly walk towards each other and begin circling looking for a chance to strike. She extends her claws in a futile attempt to elicit some fear and it dawns on me, as much as this is a game she is testing me. She is concerned as whether I am still worthy to be the alpha. Time to prove I am up to the challenge. She lunges forward with her right hand and I sidestep with a smirk on my face but don't attack in return. She pulls her hand back and searches my face as we continue to circle and feel each other out. She strikes again and this time I block her wrist with my own she pulls her wrist back quickly opening a wound on my arm. Ok I gotta let her know that wont fly. I strike back and she dodges, I sweep for her legs and she leaps into the air clear over my head, I grab her leg and put a stop to her momentum by slamming her to the ground. She hits the ground hard but doesn't hesitate to turn over and kick me in the stomach. I stumble back a step holding my stomach, she sees an opportunity and jumps to her feet she strikes quick and I lift my face up smiling I grab her arm and pull her into my side before she can react again I hip toss her to the ground and form a ball of crackling electricity I managed to absorb from training with Storm today in my hand and put it right in front of her face.
"You win David." She said holding her hand into the air.
I withdrew the electricity and grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. She immediately popped a claw from her foot and made an attempt to kick me. I grabbed her leg and swept the other from beneath her. She hit the ground again and gave me a smile that let me know it was really over this time. "Testing me Laura, What happened to loyalty of the pack?" I asked demanding an answer.
"You passed, you just seemed like you might be going soft spending time with those weaklings. I had to make sure that you were still up to your responsibilities." She replied although it didn't lessen my anger any.
"Those people are friends and every one of them are far from weaklings." I replied angrily and she stepped back but didn't back down.
"But you could take either one of them out with little to no problem." She said in a now softer voice which helped me to calm down.
"I'm not so sure, If Piotr, the big guy, got his hands on me he could crush me in an instant. The small brunette Kitty could go into her phasing state and I would never be able to lay a hand on her. Bobby could freeze me in seconds. Rogue could kill me in minutes with just a touch, and Jubilee has the reaction time and flexibility of a gold medal gymnast, her power wouldn't be much use against me but she wouldn't need it. Every one of them has their strengths and weaknesses, you of all people should know that. Maybe if you took the time to talk to them you would see that they are not as bad as you think. Not everyone is the enemy Laura, I would trust each of them with my life the same as I would you." I explained and put an arm around her shoulder. "One thing you never have to worry about is me forgetting about my responsibilities as the alpha of our pack." I then comforted her and she leaned her head into my side as we walked back into the mansion.
"How do I talk to them? We don't have anything in common." She then asked and I just smiled as we kept walking.
"Since I have been back I have not trained with my team yet so we scheduled a session for tomorrow. If you promise not to kill the blue haired girl I would like you to join us." I said and she stopped dead in her tracks.
"I have never been in the danger room, is it fun?" She then asked and I chuckled at the question.
"Something tells me you are going to love it." I said pulling her back into me and heading back to the mansion. "Its getting late you should get to bed." I then told her giving her a nudge toward the mansion.
"I want to stay out here with you." She said softly.
"I am just going to make sure its ok for you to join us and put the fire out and I will be going to bed as well. If I am not in there in 10 minutes you have my permission to come looking for me ok." I then said and she nodded before yawning and heading inside.
"Your so cute with her, its almost like you have another sister." Jubilee said as I approached and grabbed her hand pulling her to her feet.
"I practically do we are pack mates." I then said and Jubilee looked at me questioningly.
"She mentioned something about that what does it mean?" Jubilee inquired as she shivered slightly.
"Ill explain it once we get to our room for now its past curfew and we should all be heading in." I said addressing everyone who began getting to their feet. I stuck my left hand out and the flame grew extremely large before dwindling back down just as fast and extinguishing before everyone's eyes.
"Its so cool that you can do that. Normally I have to drop a block of ice on it." Bobby said wide eyed.
"Are you going to be able to sleep after absorbing that energy comrade?" Piotr asked.
"I have an a few activities to tire me out before calling it a night." I then said grabbing jubilee and lifting her off the ground and kissing her in front of everyone.
"Oh my god you two, TMI." Kitty gasped and everyone else just laughed when jubilee's face turned bright red. "Just please don't keep us awake again." She then said and I thought Jubilee would faint from the embarrassment.
We all said our goodbyes and good nights before heading inside and to our own rooms. Me and jubilee made it to my room and I stripped my thermal off.
"How can you already be removing clothes I am still freezing." Jubilee more stated than asked.
"Come here." I said pulling her into my arms and began making the heat energy from the fire course through my body heating my body temperature up.
"Oh my god when did you learn to do that?" Jubilee asked amazed at the warmth as she snuggled in closer.
"Just something I picked up." I replied and sat on the edge of my bed and pulled her into my lap.
"There is something I want to ask you." I said knowing that the best time to ask would be when I was embracing her tightly.
"Shoot." She replied burrowing her face into my chest.
"Would it be ok with you if Laura Joined us for our team training tomorrow? You are the team leader." I asked and she unburied her face to look at my face.
"I don't think that is a good idea David." She then said and my smile sank at hearing those words.
"She promised me she wouldn't kill Surge which is really the only one I am worried about her hurting. She is a hell of a fighter, I mean she captured me that speaks for itself as far as her abilities. She has an adamantium skeleton the way Logan does and she has his healing factor so you don't have to worry about her getting hurt." I pleaded and I could see her face soften. "Besides you should have seen her face when I suggested it earlier she seemed genuinely excited and I haven't seen that from her since I got back. I don't want to devastate her by telling her no." I then added.
"She can hear us right now can't she?" She asked and I shook my head yes.
"Yes Laura you can join us tomorrow." Jubilee said a little louder and I could picture the smile on her face in the next room even though she didn't reply.
Jubilee got back to her feet and removed her yellow Jacket and shoes before climbing into my bed and motioning for me to join her. I got in and she continued to snuggle up to the space heater she was using me as, not that I mind. "So tell me about this pack thing." She then said and I was more than happy to fill her in.
"Laura grew up in the facility I rescued her in. She has been beaten and mistreated and trained to kill her whole life that was all she knew. When I showed I didn't fear her but also meant no harm she took an instant liking to me. After we escaped the facility we came to a diner in Canada where I called Logan, I introduced us to the waitress as David and Laura Kinney brother and sister. I think since then she has seen me as a brother. That's where the pack bond comes in, I am a little confused about it myself, I am not sure if there is more to it than just calling ourselves a pack but it seems almost ingrained like a instinct to protect a family member. I would put my life on the line to protect her and I know she would do the same for me." I said and I looked down half expecting Jubilee to have fallen asleep but I smiled when I saw her wide eyes and knew she was hanging on every word.
"She said due to our relationship that I am a part of the pack now. Does that mean that she would give her life to protect me?" She then asked.
"Something tells me she would, I have noticed her keeping an eye on you and at first I was worried but it seems to be a protective thing, maybe because she knows how I feel about you and she does it out of respect for me, but there is the possibility that she sees you as a pack mate." I said and she still laid there interested in how it all worked. "I know it is a little confusing but there is a lot more to Laura than you notice. She is extremely loyal and Protective, a lot like Logan." I then added.
"If I am in the pack and you are the alpha what does that make me?" She then asked intrigued about it all.
"It makes you my mate. I know we are not feral but from what I know about these things Mates bond for life. That would also explain our unbreakable psychic link." I then said and she leaned up and kissed me.
"I couldn't have chosen a better mate, I love you David." Jubilee then spoke softly.
"I love you too Jubilee." I replied before pushing her onto her back on the bed where I spread her legs apart and climbed in between them. "Now about burning off this excess energy."
Laura's POV
I woke up feeling strange, Its not very often that I feel this emotion. I never did at all before I met David but I feel like I have a place where I belong now. I got out of the warm bed that I learned is much more comfortable than the cold cot I grew accustomed to when at the weapon plus Program. It took a while to adjust after coming here for a while I could not get comfortable, I tossed and turned until I decided to sleep on the floor. I entered the bathroom which was much nicer than the cold metal one at the facility its much more inviting. I got a hot shower and dressed in some of the clothes David gave me that I altered to better fit me. There is only so much I could do and they are still way to big on me but they are comfortable and I can move well in them. I make my exit from the room and immediately bump into a young girl running through the hall. She hits the ground and my claws unsheathe.
"Sorry I didn't see you." She said getting to her feet paying no attention to my claws. I can tell from her scent that she doesn't fear me, but she also smells familiar.
"You should watch where you are going, it could be bad for your health." I snarl at the girl expecting her to back down.
"I said I am sorry but don't you ever threaten me. Most of these people here might be afraid of you but I'm not." She replied stupidly, doesn't she know I could kill her right here and walk away without and ounce of remorse. That's when the I recognized the familiar scent.
"Your David's Kin." I said resheathing my claws.
"I am his sister, my name is Rebecca. Now are we going to have a problem?" She asked and clenched her fists.
"No I didn't recognize your scent I apologize. I'm Laura." I said knowing I couldn't hurt this girl or David would have my head.
"I know, everybody talks about you. They think you are weird but they don't understand you." She said which I didn't expect and I learned to be pretty good at expecting everything.
"And you do?" I inquired, intrigued by her lack of fear and whatever hidden knowledge of me she thinks she has.
"I see you in the forest a lot, Your feral you like to run and stay in touch with your animal side." She said before she began to grow a golden brown fur coat and she transformed into a giant lioness. My claws unsheathed and I prepared for an attack but it never came. Instead she transformed back into her normal appearance and I withdrew my claws. "I understand you better than most." She then said and I remember where else I recognized her scent from. The first few days here I tracked it through the woods. I thought it to be a threat after hearing of no attacks and seeing that whatever animal it was just liked the area I let it be.
"I guess you do." I then replied and walked away from her.
I made my way down the stairs to the mess hall or cafeteria as they call it here and made myself a plate. Everyone else stood back and waited until I was finished before gathering their own food. Its not unusual and part of me finds it annoying. Although I should be happy I used to have to wait until everyone else was finished or I would be shocked with a cattle prod. I don't know what it is like to be shocked for most people but with a metal conductor covering every bone in your body it is very painful. I took a seat by myself as usual. Occasionally since David came back he sits with me but he knows I prefer solitude when I eat. I begin to dig in to my food when I notice Rebecca getting her food. I was extremely surprised when she decided to sit next to me.
"I don't like people near me when I eat." I said slightly angry that she disturbed my meal.
"Neither did I when everyone avoided me. But I realized I was just making myself believe that to make me feel better." She said with no intention of moving. I growled a warning at her and she just growled in return. She is really beginning to piss me off but she is David's sister and I cant hurt her. She is lucky for that.
"Can you please leave me alone?" I asked nicely in hopes that it would work.
"I am being quiet I am not talking, I don't see what the problem is." She then said. Maybe if I tell her the truth she will leave me alone.
"Do you know what it is like to get very small rations every morning and then have guards take what you do have from your plate and not be able to do anything about it because you know if you do you will be beat within an inch of your life only to heal and go through the same thing a week later? That's why I don't like people near me when I eat." I explained angrily.
"Look I am sorry you went through that but you need to wake up, you are amongst civilized people now. Even if someone did take your food there is plenty more where that came from. Your not in that place anymore." She said which really threw me for a loop. I expected sympathy or compassion but I did not expect her to be so blunt and abrasive. Then again she does have a feral side to her mutation and animals are not exactly known to be compassionate.
I sat there eating quietly thinking about what she said and she is right. No one at this place has once tried to hurt me except for Weapon X and he was just defending himself. She cant be any more than thirteen at the oldest by looking at her but she is a smart girl and fearless at the same time but then again look who she was raised around I really shouldn't have expected any less. I finished breakfast and made my way outside for some fresh air. My mind was racing from the events of today and I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings or I would have sensed what happened next coming. I was tackled to the ground with impressive force from behind. I turned over to face my attacker and a panther had me pinned to the ground.
"Rebecca!" I growled out angrily and unsheathed my claws looking for an opportunity to break free when she leapt off of me and took off into the trees. I gave chase but she was much faster than me in her Panther form. I began trying to pick up her scent but it seems to change with the animal she becomes. I had been searching for a few minutes both high and low before I picked up her human scent. She leapt off of a tree branch and landed right in front of me. I dived for her but she changed back into the tiger and ran nearly twenty yards away before turning and charging me.
Jubilee's POV
"Oh my god David, aren't you going to stop them they could really hurt each other?" I asked frantically as I saw Laura chase Rebecca into the woods.
"Nah they will be fine." He replied and shrugged his shoulders. "We are a pack after all. They are young and energetic, you can tell from their body language this is a game to them." He then said as if he was completely sure.
"How can you tell that?" I asked still worried.
"If Becca had any intention of hurting Laura she would have done it when she had her pinned instead of taking off into the woods. If Laura had any intention of Hurting Becca her claws would have been out and she would have been more cautious about running off into the woods after Becca." He explained and he made sense in a weird animal kingdom sort of way. "They are fine Jubilee, to be honest I am surprised they are hitting it off. Breakfast got a little intense between them I was listening in. Becca had some choice words and I think they struck a chord In Laura." He then said and I just looked toward the woods hoping to see them emerge soon laughing.
I didn't quite get my wish but damn close. After several minutes Laura emerged from the woods with a snow white artic fox walking beside her and I breathed a sigh of relief. Not only were they perfectly fine but Laura smiled for the first time I have ever seen and Rebecca seemed happy in her favorite form. I looked back to David and he just winked at me. I rolled my eyes giving him a know it all look before I headed inside.
I went to my room to get changed and prepared for training while David went to gather Laura and tell her to be ready in a half hour the rest of the team already knows the drill and after a week of training with other teams it will be nice to have my team back especially with David standing beside us once again. It will be a nice change to get back to having an unstoppable force helping us along but I am concerned about the session we are planning to run. The rest of the team have been left in the dark, David knows because it was his and Professor Xavier's Idea as David is the only one with experience facing a sentinel. Its only logical that he is with us when we battle the first ever simulated one.
I step off of the elevator to the sub basement nervously and begin walking toward the danger room. I am confused as to why my team is standing outside instead of going inside and warming up before we get started.
"What's going on everybody?" I ask the group collectively.
"David is inside talking to the weird girl." Surge replied and I shot her an evil look.
"She's not weird surge put the brakes on now. Especially considering she will be joining us on this training exercise." I told them which earned me a few looks.
"Are you sure we should allow that Jubilee? She could be more of a hinderance than help, she doesn't know how our team operates and as far as I have seen she is not exactly friendly." Sarah said and I would have agreed with her yesterday but David has a way of inspiring faith in not just himself but others as well.
"It will be fine she seems to listen to David which is why he is in there talking to her now. I'm sure he is laying down some ground rules." I replied just as the door opened and David greeted all of us. Laura just stood there emotionless as we all entered at least se didn't seem nervous or angry. Whatever David said to her must have worked.
"Ok everyone today we will be doing something most of us have never done before. The Sentinel training program is up and running and we will be the first to test it." I told the team before turning to David. "David would you like to fill them in on the rest? You know more than I do." I then asked him.
"The sentinel Program has been outfitted with an upgraded A.I. system, it has no difficulty levels or safety protocols. It will start out easier and the more we fight it the more it will learn and improve increasing the difficulty. Do not take this thing lightly I have battled one of these and it nearly killed me, Hank still wont take this damn cast off of me until tomorrow." He explained and I smiled at the sad expression on his face as he looked at his cast.
"Ok everyone our only objective is to destroy the sentinel and stay alive. Are you guys ready?" I asked looking at the group and earned a few unenthusiastic yeses and a nod from David giving his approval. "Computer run program Sentinel." I then shouted and the room changed until we were standing on the front lawn of the X-mansion and staring down a robot that had to be every bit off 100 feet tall. I have seen the video multiple times and heard David explain what these things are like a few more times. I thought I was prepared but the pure size of it made me nervous. I took a quick glance around at my team and I saw the same fear on everyone's face apart from David and Laura. I know he has always been fearless but why is she so calm?
"Multiple mutants detected, objective: eliminate targets." The sentinel said and its voice made me even more nervous. At least when fighting humans they bleed, they feel pain they have limitations. This thing has none of that except for possibly limitations but I have no idea how high those limitations go. The Sentinel began stomping toward us, shaking the ground with every step and I was proud to see that my team held their ground.
Havok's hands began to glow red, Surge's eyes begin to crackle, Nightcrawler's tail begins to swish back and forth and David takes off running directly for the sentinel before lifting off the ground and flying into the air.
"David, what the hell are you doing?" I yelled as he was always quick to yell at us so for rushing into things.
"Getting it away from the mansion. This is only a simulation but we need to treat this as real as we can and there will be students in the mansion." He yelled back from the sky as he stopped in front of the Sentinel's face.
"Hostile mutant, convert to primary target." The sentinel yelled and David lowered himself and flew through the sentinels legs. The Sentinel turned around and began following david toward the edge of the mansion lawn.
"Nightcrawler get us over there." I shouted and we all grabbed each others hand apart from Laura who took off running after David. A second later and we were behind the sentinel where David had led it to.
"Havok give it everything you got." I yelled and began forming a paff in my own Hand. Havok released his blast and hit the sentinel in the back the force didn't even stagger the behemoth robot but only succeeded in singing the behemoth's back. "Damn!" I shouted and the Sentinel turned away from David to face us. A beam fired from it eyes and began blasting the ground near us I reacted quickly and tackled network out of the way of the blast while Nightcrawler teleported to Surge and teleported again to get her out of harms way. I looked up for Laura and she was the only one to make any Progress. Her claws dug into the Sentinels leg puncturing the metal but other than that she didn't even slow the thing down.
"What do we do David?" I yelled for help as I began running with Network to avoid its feet when it tried stomping on us.
"I had super strength and a lot of energy when I faced one. I don't exactly have those options at the moment. Improvise, as much as this thing is learning about you we need to learn about it." He yelled back across the battlefield before grabbing Laura and flying her into the air where he dropped her on the robots shoulder. She immediately began tearing away at the metal on its face and opening some opportunities, now I just need to wait for an opportunity to hit it.
"Laura look out!" I screamed as one of the Sentinels giant hands grabbed her from its shoulder and threw her hard at the ground.
"Nightcrawler!" David yelled and suddenly a blue puff of smoke appeared in the air caught Laura and Disappeared just as quickly. They landed on the ground 20 yards away and the sentinel aimed its hand cannon directly at them. As it fired they teleported again. but David had other ideas for the blast.
He flew directly into it and began absorbing the energy before flying directly towards where the blast was coming from. "David, NO!" I yelled as he was nowhere to be seen. I frantically began feeling for our psychic link but before I could find it a loud explosion rang out. I looked back toward the sentinel and its hand was missing. David landed back on the ground next to me with a smirk on his face. He is going to get it later for now we have other things to worry about. I fired a paff at the giants face and it staggered him upon detonation. It regained composure quickly and began firing more eye beams at us. It headed for Network and David steered it back at the robot.
"Nightcrawler get her out of here." David yelled motioning toward Network.
Once she was at a safe distance Nightcrawler returned and I had an idea. "Nightcrawler get me to the holes on its neck." I said and he teleported me to its shoulder I formed a paff in my hand but before I could toss it in, the Sentinel swatted at me but I was teleported away again.
"Surge can you hit the openings on its neck?" I asked and her eyes began to crackle, she fired and arcing blue bolt of electricity but the sentinel turned and took the hit just below its chin. It barely registered the attack before stomping towards us.
"David, some help would be good. I am running out of ideas here." I pleaded and hoped he had something.
"These things are too powerful for any one blast you will need to work together." He replied as he landed in front of me and began absorbing an eye beam that was meant for me. "I will present an opportunity when I do I want all of you to hit its face with everything you have. Laura I need your help." He began giving orders and its almost like this was his team again. "Laura I know you don't like to fly but I need your help. I haven't absorbed enough energy to give me the strength to affect it but it has increased enough to throw you can you handle that?" He then asked her and she nodded without hesitation. "Everyone get back let me draw its attention." He ordered and none of us questioned him he always knew exactly what to do in bad situations.
He began flying towards it throwing small blasts and absorbing more as the Sentinel fired them. He started avoiding its hands and feet as it attempted to knock him out of the air. He swerved and banked and showed off some incredible aerial maneuvers and I could swear if the Sentinel had any emotion it would be frustrated right now. One more eye beam deflected back in the sentinels face and David landed on the ground with his back toward the Sentinel. "Laura now." He yelled and she ran directly at him claws extended at an impressive speed. He cupped his hands, her right foot landed in his cupped hands mid stride and he tossed her high into the air. She flew at a fast paced and impailed her claws directly in the sentinels chest plate knocking him off balance. "Nightcrawler." He yelled and didn't have to say anything else. As soon as he saw Nightcrawler grab Laura he yelled for the rest of us. Its our cue. I fired the largest paff I could find just as it reached the sentinels face a red energy blast and blue electric bolt passed right into it. My paff quickly grew in size and turned purple in a split second before detonating on the Sentinels face. A bright explosion of sparks lit up the sky and once we could see again we witnessed a headless Sentinel topple to the ground.
I looked to David to see him sweating slightly from the effort it took to fuse our energies together and control that level of explosion and he did it all in what had to have been a tenth of a second. He definitely picked up some tricks while he was gone. Months ago that level of mastery over his gifts would have cause him to pass out now he merely broke a sweat. "End simulation." I said and the sentinel faded away along with the rest of the scenery. "You guys did good I am proud of you." I said facing an exhausted team. "You too Laura you did a great job." I said as I approached her.
"You would make an excellent replacement." I heard Network say and I turned to face her shocked at her words.
"What do you mean Network." I asked confused.
"You guys would be better off with someone whose powers can help you in combat. I can still tag along and remote hack security systems and surveillance cameras. All I do is hold the team back, you saw what happened with the Sentinel." She said and she has a point but she has trained hard to be a valued member of the team.
"Are you sure about this Sarah?" I asked using her real name.
"Of course, I have been thinking about this for a while but did not want to leave you stranded without a replacement. You now have an indestructible trained fighter to take my place and she just played a big part in helping take down a sentinel, I cant think of anyone more worthy." She replied.
"Did you have a part in this David?" I asked him and he nodded.
"I have known about her wanting to step down from the team for a while. I used this opportunity for a trial run." He answered and I was a little angry that I was left out of the loop. But she has a good reason for leaving and Laura does seem to make an excellent teammate.
"So what do you say Laura, would you like to join us?" I asked and she just stood there for a second.
"Go ahead Laura these are friends there is no reason to be quiet around them." David said and she smiled.
"Yes." she said and I was excited just to hear her speak.