Chapter 10: Combat Skills & Mutant Powers
1 month later
Xavier and Ororo watch the activity on the lawn from Xavier's office.
"So what do you think?" Xavier asked.
"He's stubborn and strong willed, his academic grades are good."
"But?"
"He needs combat skills."
"Do you want to teach him?"
"Actually he takes to Logan more."
"Well, I'll talk to both."
Outside Ryder is playing basketball with Kitty, Rogue, Scott, Kurt, and Logan. Kurt started cheating by popping around the court. Ryder waited for Kurt to appear in front of the basket and tackled him.
"Hey, there's no tackling in basketball." Kurt protested.
"We never said you could use powers either." Ryder pointed out, smiling.
About an hour later, Ryder found himself in the gym with Logan. Logan is teaching Ryder self-defense at Xavier's request.
"Have you heard from Hamilton?" Logan asked.
"Ryder tried to punch Logan, but missed. "Yeah, Finn's having fun teaching him. Last week Ham disappeared during crew practice. One minute he's in the boat, the next the oars are rowing themselves."
Logan laughed.
"Did you know Finn when he was here?" Ryder asked as Logan threw him to the mat. "Oww."
"Yeah, Booby-Finn was a funny kid."
"How?"
"Well, he liked to play tricks on people. He would turn the stairs into an icy slide, put ice cubes in your bed, and freeze your feet to the floor. But he came in handy when the freezer broke." Logan said as Ryder tried to hit him repeatedly.
Ryder smiled. "Wow, he seems so different, except he still has a sense of humor." Ryder knocked Logan's feet out from under him. Logan fell onto his back.
"Good." Logan said as he jumped up. "How are the parentals?"
"Weird, my dad's denying, while mum is researching."
"Classic."
"How did yours react?" Ryder asked as he ducked under one of Logan's punches.
"Don't remember. It was a long time ago. See I can heal myself, then some secret group or government lined my bones with a metal and erased my memory."
"Bloody Hell!" Ryder punched Logan's right shoulder.
"Exactly."
Meanwhile Finn and Hamilton are out on the lawn. Finn decided Ham also needed combat skills. Finn was teaching Ham karate.
"So you actually went to Japan?" Ham asked as he following Finn's movements.
"For a month, we were helping some mutants over there."
"Wow. So what was it like growing up?"
"Tough." Finn said inhaling deeply. "My family was from Will's neighborhood. When I was 16 I accidentally froze and shattered the front door. I was so freaked that I ran away. Xavier found me after an incident at a bus station."
"What did you do?"
"I froze the bus, we almost got killed. Luckily Xavier grabbed me before the mob could."
"Ouch."
"Yeah, but you're in better hands."
"And if I disappear?"
"We just have to be careful not to lose you." Finn smiled.
"Not funny." Ham smiled back.
"But Jake's afraid she will."
"She won't, if somehow you fade away completely I'll attach a bell to you."
Ham glared at him. "Paint might work better."
"Bandages."
"Wouldn't that hurt?"
"Not band-aides, cloth bandages."
"Oh," Ham thought for a minute. "Wait, like the invisible man?"
"Sure."
"I don't want to think about that."
"Think about what?"
The two looked up to see Jake walking toward them.
"Hamilton wrapped in bandages." Finn replied as he sat down on the grass.
"Like the mummy?" Jake asked.
"Invisible man." Finn said as he lightly touched Ham's shoe.
"You're right, I don't want to think about it." Jake replied. "Ready for class?"
"What?"
"Remember, make-up computer lab for the day, I was kidnapped."
"Oh, right." Ham tried to step toward Jake, but fell on his face.
He rolled over to see Finn laughing. "Sorry, I couldn't help it."
"I'm so glad Logan warned me about you." Ham said, as his shoelaces broke apart. "I hope you have the cash to buy me new laces."
"Come on, invisible boy. We're going to be late." Jake said pulling Ham up. As they walked away Jake turned & winked at Finn.
THE END
Well ladies & gents it's been fun. I hope you enjoyed, even though nobody reviewed. L I'm not bitter. Buh-bye.
