FYI:

~Personal Thoughts~

~"Inner Voices"~

ESP

%The Written Word%

[Flashback]

"Normal Conversation (Duh)"

WOLVERINE

~They're late—all of them are.~ I was standing in the danger room waiting for the five twerps to finally decide to show up for their training. Kurt and Brian showed up first rubbing the sleep from their eyes as they slowly plodded over to a bench and sat down. "What took you so long?"

"Ve vere tired."

"Yeah, what's up with making us get up at the crack of dawn anyway?"

"You'll be getting up at the crack of dawn nearly every day that you're here, Brit."

"Joy." He propped his head on his fists as he closed his eyes trying to gain some last precious seconds of sleep. The door opened once again as Rogue and Betsy came through this time. Rogue seemed like she was sleep walking but Betsy was wide-awake.

"What's up with this uniform, luv. It's absolutely blah, no personal touch at all. I'd much rather have purple over black any day."

"Uh huh." Rogue plopped herself down next to Kurt and leaned her head on his shoulder as she attempted to go back to sleep.

"Oh, you really do look like an elf, luv! Way cool." Kurt looked up and gave her a small sleepy grin.

"Zey don't call me ze 'Blue Fuzzy Dude' for nozing."

"Kurt, ya call yaself that."

"Well, maybe you sleepy heads can tell me where Gumbo is."

"He must still be sleepin'. Normally Piotr wakes him up in time for trainin'." I shook my head. ~Figures Gumbo can't get his own ass out of bed.~ "Ah'll go get him!"

"No, you'll train. I'll go get him."

"Luv, who's gonna watch us train then?" ~Damn.~

"Alright, go get him Stripes." She jumped up and ran out of the room without having to be told twice. "Alright, we're mostly doing this to get you two newbies into the Cerebro. You'll be fighting one on one while Cerebro takes in your stats and data. So use whatever powers you have and don't hold anything back. Brit, you're first."

ROGUE

~Thank God, Ah'm outta there. Didn't feel much like trainin' anyway.~ Ah walked the halls back up ta the dorms lookin' for Remy. Ah finally reached his room an' knocked on the door a few times only ta get no reply back. ~Bet Logan's already got Bets, Brian, and Kurt sweatin' up a storm.~ "Remy, ya in there?!?! Come on we're supposed ta be trainin'!" Ah cracked the door open a few inches an' poked mah head inside. He was still fast asleep in his bed an' had all of his sheets tied in a knot as he laid there sprawled out. ~How can he still be sleepin'? Dumb question, he never set his alarm.~ Ah walked over an' shook his shoulder gently. "Remy, wake up already. Ya gotta get up before Logan comes up here an'…" Before Ah could finish mah thought Ah found mahself pinned ta the floor with Remy on top of meh. "Hey, get off of meh!" He had mah arms pinned behind mah back an' Ah couldn't move an inch from his hold.

"What y' doing up here sneaking 'round like t'at, Cherie." He slowly released meh as he sat up.

"Ah was tryin' ta wake ya up. Did ya forget that we had trainin'."

"Non, I was trying t' ignore it."

"Well, Logan's really pissed off now. So ya better hurry up. What do ya think ya doin'?" He'd dug 'round in one of his dresser drawers an' pulled out a cigarette an' the lighter John had given him.

"Going for a smoke, what's it look like?" Ah frowned as he opened the door ta his balcony an' stepped outside ta light up.

"Ya shouldn't be wastin' ya time smokin'." He sighed as he turned 'round an' looked at meh.

"I told y' I only smoke when Logan drags me out of bed t' early. De homme will get over it."

"Yeah, after he tears ya apart limb for limb." He stomped the cigarette out an' came back inside.

"Y' mind, Cherie, or y' gonna watch me change int' my uniform t'?" He was a li'l grumpy soundin' but was smilin' as Ah started blushin'.

"Ah'll just wait outside, but if ya ain't outta here in thirty seconds, Ah'm gonna be back in here ta make sure ya didn't go back ta sleep." Ah stepped outta the room an' waited an' just as promised Ah opened the door again in thirty seconds ta find him already dressed an' comin' out.

"Y' t'at anxious t' watch me dress?" Ah blushed again as he shut the door an' walked back down the hall with meh. He threw on his trench coat as we walked tawards the elevator. "Homme isn't t'at pissed if he sent y' for me."

"No, he's pissed, but Bets talked him inta lettin' meh come."

"T'ank Deiu for Bets t'en." He gave meh a wink as we exited the elevator an' headed through the danger room door. Betsy an' Kurt were hard at it when we got down there an' Ah made the assumption Brian hadn't gone yet since he wasn't sweating, but for some reason Logan looked tired. "What happened to de homme?"

"Payback for getting me up so damn early is what." Brian smiled as he looked at Logan who was massaging his left shoulder.

"Ya beat Logan? That's never happened, ever!"

"First time for everything." His attention turned tawards Betsy an' Kurt who seemed ta be deadlocked.

NIGHTCRAWLER

~She's good I'll give her zat.~ We had been fighting for about ten minutes in simple hand to hand combat. She'd landed a few punches and kicks and so had I, basically leaving ze match even. Eventually Betsy somehow produced a knife of pink energy zat she vas determined to strike me vith. Every time she vent to attack me, I teleported avay just in time.

"Get back here, luv, so we can just end this!" She kicked at my legs as I jumped back and she zen svung down aiming for my right shoulder but I again teleported avay from ze attack just in time.

"No vay am I letting ja near me vith zat zing." I teleported again so zat I vas behind her and landed a kick squarely in her back. She stumbled forvard but found her footing again as she sent a roundhouse kick at me. I again teleported avay from ze attack.

Vhen I tried to kick her again she caught my foot in ze air. I fell to ze ground hitting hard, knocking ze vind out of me. She svung at me again vith the knife but I again teleported.

"Damn it, get back here!" She vas getting frustrated zat I vas escaping every time.

She ran at me again swinging ze knife but instead of teleporting I grabbed her vrist stopping her mid-sving. "What the…" I zen teleported both of us into ze air and let her go as I teleported back to ze safety of ze ground.

When she fell she lost her concentration and ze knife faded avay to nozing. I took ze one chance I had and pinned her arms behind her back before she could produce anozer one. "Uncle! You win, luv."

"I zought so." I released her arms and as soon as I did she grabbed me around ze neck and had me pinned to ze ground in a headlock. "Hey, ja gave up."

"No, I never give up, luv. It's not over 'til Wolvie over there says it is." I tried to look up and see if Logan showed any signs of ending ze fight but she had too good of a hold on me for me to move.

"Alright, let the elf up before you tear his ears off or something."

"Zank goodness, vhat vas zat anyvay? Ja said ja gave up."

"I told you it was a trick. I never give up a fight, luv, I was trained better than that." Rogue had returned at some point vith Remy and zey vere sitting next to Brian gaping at ze scene zat zey had just seen. Brian just smiled knowingly. ~Of course she's going to be good, her brozer just kicked ze crap out of Logan.~

"T'at was amazing."

"Where'd ya learn that?" Betsy shrugged as she sat back down wiping ze sweat off her forehead. I sat down vith her and tried to catch my breathe.

"Nice of you to join us, Gumbo. Think you two can handle a fight?"

"Sure t'ing, Homme."

"Um, why are ya havin' Cerebro take mah stats again?" Logan sighed before explaining.

"Chuck wants you to do this every time you absorb a new mutant so that Cerebro can track your new powers."

"Ah don't know how ta use Betsy's powers though, so there ain't nothin' new for it ta track."

"Just do your best and kick his ass for sleeping in so long."

"T'at ain't nice, homme."

"Well, I'm not in a nice mood, get going." Zey stepped out into ze middle of ze danger room and took zeir ready fighting stances. Rogue clenched her fists and took a few deep breathes before assuming a boxer like stance vhile Remy stood calm and relaxed vith his hand holding a small metallic rod.

ROGUE

~Ah can't do this. Ah don't know how ta use Bets' powers yet!~

~"Cool it luv, I'll just talk you through it."~

~"Besides, like what's the big deal, I'll just phase you through all his attacks."~

~"And y' can always fight fire wit' fire, if y' catch my drift."~

~Thanks ya guys.~

"Alright, you can start now." Logan gave us the sign ta start an' Remy extended his bo staff an' held it loosely at his side motionin' for meh ta start.

"Femmes first."

"Ya'll regret that." I stepped forward with mah right punchin' for his left shoulder. He dodged ta the right so Ah spun around kickin' high with mah left foot. He caught mah foot in the air so I elbowed him hard in the gut while Ah grabbed a handful of cards from his pocket.

"Y' a regular t'ief, Cherie."

"Ah learned from the best." Ah was gettin' a li'l uncomfortable with mah position so Ah charged a few of the cards which distracted him from his hold on meh. I back flipped away as they exploded dangerously close ta his face.

"T'at hurts, Cherie." He came at meh with his bo staff an' Ah raised mah arms in defense. Each blow vibrated through mah entire body as pain. ~Owww! Come on Logan, a li'l help here.~

~"Told you she was to dependent."~

~"Give it a break, luv, she needs help."~

~Besides, Ah'm supposed ta use all mah powers, ya said so yaself. But give meh a break, Ah'm not made of adamantium.~

~"You mean he said so, but whatever"~ Ah felt waves of relief reach mah arms as Ah continued ta block Remy's blows. Without realizin' it Ah had backed up inta a wall an' had run out of places ta go.

"Want t' just quit now?"

"Hell no." ~"Like it's my turn now."~ He swung at meh again as Ah stood there lettin' it pass straight through meh. While he stood there slightly stunned Ah took the opportunity ta connect mah fist with his jaw causin' him ta back up a li'l as he nursed the spot. "Want meh ta kiss it an' make it better. Ya can have a nice nap." He gave meh a murderous glare as he charged a few cards of his own. Ah cartwheeled out of the way at the last second. ~How do Ah use ya powers, Bets?~

~"Just hold your hand out in front of you in a fist. I'll do the rest, luv."~

Ah did as she told meh an' a staff of pink glowin' energy formed in it. ~That's nice Bets, but Ah don't know how ta use it.~

~"Non, but I do."~

Ah felt Remy's knowledge of fightin' sweep over meh as Ah swung the staff down at his legs causin' him ta jump away. We matched each other blow for blow for several minutes as Ah got the feel for his rhythm. High, low, middle, low, high, low, middle, low. Ah broke the rhythm by swingin' at his head while he went for mah feet. He was forced ta back away ta avoid the blow ta his head. Ah took opportunity of the space an' used the staff like a pole vault ta aim a kick at his chest. He again caught mah foot but Ah knew he would. Ah swung the pole down at his knees knockin' him ta the ground while Ah used his chest ta back flip away.

He lied there on the ground for so long Ah was afraid Ah'd knocked him unconscious. "Where'd y' learn a stunt like t'at, Cherie."

"Ya taught it ta meh." Ah pointed ta mah head as he gave meh one of his sideways cocky grins.

"T'en I'll just have t' come up wit' a new trick t'en." ~How many tricks can he have?~

~"Y' got me."~

He charged several cards an' tossed them so that they landed all 'round meh, knockin' meh off mah feet. Outta the smoke Ah saw his bo staff come flyin' down at mah head an' Ah was forced ta roll away from it. Ah ended up rollin' right inta his feet an' as Ah tried ta roll back the other way he stopped meh with his staff. ~Shit, now what do Ah do?~

~"Like it is soo phasing time again."~ Ah used Kitty's powers ta phase through his legs an' stood up behind him bringin' mah staff down across the back of his knees. He fell ta the ground in a kneelin' position an' kicked out connectin' with mah legs so that Ah fell down as well.

The staff fell from mah hands an' Ah had no time ta try an' make a new one as he rolled over on top of meh. Ah reached up an' pushed against his staff which was comin' a li'l ta close ta mah throat for comfort. All Ah could see was his staff inches from mah face an' his eyes glowin' down at meh as the smoke finally started ta clear.

"Alright, that's enough now." Remy rolled off meh an' offered meh a hand up. Ah took it still a li'l dazed as ta how quickly the fight had passed.

"Zat vas incredible! Ja two never quit ja attacks."

"I haven't seen a fight like that, luv, in a long time."

"Bets, you've never seen a fight like that."

"You two have been at it for forty minutes, I figured I should just cut it short before one of you ended up dead." Ah blinked a few times while Ah let what Logan said sink in. ~Forty minutes, that's a hell of a long time.~

"We were at it forty minutes, Messieur?"

~"Y' tellin' Remy. Good show, Cherie."~

~"Yeah, that was like totally awesome!"~

~"Good job, Stripes."~

~See, Ah can handle it, Ah just need a li'l help once in a while.~

~"Could still use a stiff drink though."~ Ah did mah best ta imagine a beer for Logan ta keep him happy.

~How's that?~

~"Sucks, would of thought that being a rebellious teen you'd have tried beer by now."~

~Nope, but Ah can if ya want meh ta.~

~"Don't make me give you that speech, Stripes."~

~Hey Bets, why did ya give meh a staff rather than ya knife?~

~"Gotta keep some things as my own, luv."~

GAMBIT

"We were at it forty minutes, Messieur?" I stared blankly at Logan trying t' figure out how t'at could have possibly been forty minutes.

"What? Wasn't I speaking plain enough English for you, Gumbo?"

"Oui, just seems like it went fast, t'at's all." Rogue stood silently at my side flexing her fingers and arms as if in amazement that they still worked. I knew I was because I had hit her pretty hard wit' my bo staff several times during de fight. "Y' okay, Cherie."

"Uh huh. Ah'm just grateful Ah had Logan's healin' powers." Logan looked at her sideways for a moment.

"What do you mean you had my powers, Stripes." She shrugged at de fact t'at t'is was news t' him.

"Ah guess the Apocalypse never took ya. So Ah still have ya psyche in mah head. He's kinda rude though." He frowned at t'is as Betsy, Brian, and Kurt all headed t' de locker rooms.

"Well, you have my permission to kick his ass if you need to."

"Ah'll keep that in mind." Logan turned and left as well. She smiled as she grew quiet for a moment t'en laughed.

"Somet'ing y' want t' share?"

"Ya psyche said he'd gladly kick Logan's ass anytime." I smiled as well as I put an arm 'round her waist as we exited de danger room.

"Well, y' tell mini me not t' try anyt'ing fresh wit' my girl or he'll have me t' answer t'." She grinned up at me as she gave me a small peck on de cheek.

"Ta late, Sugah. He takes right after ya." She left my side as she ducked int' de girl's locker room leaving me t' go t' de boy's.

"Zat vas amazing Remy. Ja vere fighting for so long and vith all zat smoke Logan panicked zat one of ja vere hurt. He vas actually vorried about ja."

"T'at touches me t' de very soul."

"Yeah, I think the old bloke actually has a soft spot for you." I emptied my pockets of de various decks of cards dumping t'em all int' my locker as I changed int' jeans and a t-shirt. Brian stopped and stared at de decks t'at just lined de inside. "Think you have enough?"

"Non, never have enough when t'ey're all de ammo I have. Actually worried I might run out back t'ere."

"Ja got to be kidding. Ja could never run out, ja just pulled ten decks out of ja pockets." T' demonstrate my point I took eight of de ten boxes and crushed t'em t' prove t'ey were empty.

"Used most of t'em on t'at one attack t' create de smoke screen." Bot' of t'em formed small 'o's wit' t'eir mout's as t'ey watched me dropped de boxes int' de garbage.

PSYLOCKE

"That was a pretty amazin' fight ya had with Kurt." I looked up to see Rogue coming in after her pep talk with Logan.

"Yeah, but it was nothing compared to yours, luv. I never thought you'd master my powers so quickly."

"Well, Ah had a li'l help." She tossed a few cards that still lingered in her bomber pocket into her locker as she threw on a sweater with jeans. I also noticed the rather large collection of gloves that had accumulated there as well. She caught my stare and attempted to explain. "Ah, uh, well, Ah like ta have a choice." She shrugged as she slammed the locker door shut. "So ya here ta find Sinister, huh?"

"Yeah."

"It won't be easy ya know." I shrugged as she turned to leave.

"So, luv, when are the others getting back?" I caught up with her at the door and we walked down the hall together towards the elevator.

"The twenty-ninth, Monday." I nodded as we turned the corner to bump into the boys. Remy and Rogue received another chorus of compliments on their fight as I was lost in my thoughts. ~Really it's amazing she could do that. It took me years to master that and she did it within days. Wonder what the other students will be like? Is Kitty really as ditzy and funny as her psyche is?~

Ya like talkin' ta yaself, Bets?

Ha, no don't usually do that luv. I'll have to remember you can read minds now.

Ya do that.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Well, there was my attempt at action. So…everybody's coming back to the institute next chapter, so that should be some fun to write. Well, you'll have to let me know if you like the ze fuzzy dude aspect on life. I'll consider a Kitty one as well for next chapter.