Pain throbbing in his shattered leg, Scott watched them leave.
Something different happened though... they left him not in complete
darkness, but in bright illumination. Although it made his eyes sting to
look around in the light, it was better to see what surrounded him. He did
not get much of a chance in his 'teaching' sessions, so he took this chance
to review the seemingly hopeless situation.
As he looked about himself, he decided that it would have been just as beneficial to look around in darkness. There was nothing in the room, besides himself, and the restraint posts he was manacled to.
An uncountable number of images showing his own demise flashed through his tormented mind, not one of them in the least bit tempting. It was doubtful that he would survive his predicament, so he saw no point in hoping.
Oh for God's sake, Scott, shouted a distant voice in his subconscious, if you think that way, you're going to die no matter what happens. He barely heard it, but mentally took note of what it had said.
He moved an inch, and instantly regretted it. Every single part of his body ached in any way possible. Arms, legs, feet, hands, head, back, shoulders, everything.
Scott ran through his mind the explanation Magneto had given, and a shiver went down his spine while he fought back an overcoming sensation to gag. A revolting taste streamed into his mouth followed by the sensation again.
But this time, he was unable to hold it back. He leant as far forward as he possibly could and vomited on the cold, metal floor, all the time fighting back overpowering unconsciousness.
When he was absolutely sure he had finished, he moved back to the position that he found least uncomfortable, and breathed heavily, ensuring the taste had vanished completely. But, he knew that it would not vanish completely, some of it would remain for a long, long time.
As he sat alone, the vile taste lingering in his mouth, he tried to think positively.
He failed.
* * *
Logan pushed open the door to Xavier's office, and charged in. The Professor was sitting behind the desk, Storm seated opposite him, both staring at him, curiously.
"I'm dying to kick some Sabretooth butt, but I'm stuck in this school," he whined, glaring at Xavier, who turned to Storm.
"Storm, would you kindly lead the way to the danger room?" Xavier said calmly, a small smile forming as he regarded Logan.
Logan had heard of this danger room, but had never -in all his time at the school- used it. From what he had heard, the danger room was amazing for training, and for just relieving stress. It sounded like a good idea to Logan, although he would probably just be hitting a big beanbag with 'Sabretooth' written on it.
He had no idea just how wrong he was.
* * *
"Wow," Logan exclaimed as the three of them entered a huge, white- walled room. There was an observation area, raised up high in the wall, with reinforced panelling to watch through. The floor of the training area was slightly padded, but not enough to take away the feeling of reality. "This is... big."
Xavier chuckled. "I'm surprised you have never used this room before, it's very practical." He wheeled himself around and made his way up to the observation area, followed closely by Storm. Logan moved to accompany them.
"No Logan, you stay here," Xavier said as they moved into the little elevator. A few moments later, they appeared in the room above.
"It's impressive," Logan called up to them, watching Storm type on a keyboard, "but how can I fight Sabretooth in here... there's nothing to hit."
"That's what you think," Xavier replied, nodding to Storm.
A huge bestial roar made Logan whirl, coming face-to-face with a shimmering image of Sabretooth.
"Wow," Logan mumbled, then looked up at Xavier. "He's holographic?"
"But very life-like," the Professor stated.
Suddenly one of Sabretooth's monstrous paw-like hands swung at him, knocking him back and into the wall. Logan was temporarily stunned, and shocked. But as he rose, he laughed quietly. "Fine."
He charged the image, ploughing it square in the stomach, knocking it flying backwards, hitting the wall with a loud crack. Logan was surprised at just how real the hologram felt, like genuine flesh and bone, exactly like he had hit Sabretooth. It made him feel great. No wonder everyone said this room was fantastic, it truly was a marvellous invention. Chuck obviously spared no expense for his beloved team.
And that includes me now, Logan thought to himself. He almost didn't notice the image rise from the padded ground and lunge for him. Logan dropped on his back, grabbing the shimmering animal hides and bringing his boots into Sabretooth's gut, sending him careening over Logan.
Logan rose, feeling a great sense of triumph wash over him. He removed his black jacket, to be left wearing a white vest shirt, making combat easier and more comfortable. He tossed the jacket aside.
Whilst he awaited Sabretooth's recovery, he called out to Xavier, "Just how life-like are these things?"
"They are an exact replica of the real person," Xavier replied, voice calm, as always.
Logan shook his head. "No," he shouted, "I mean, can you kill them?"
He saw Xavier look at Storm in amazement, and then face him again. "Yes, you can."
"Good," Logan muttered, releasing his vicious claws. The sound of ringing metal filled the cushioned room, echoing around the ceiling.
Sabretooth rose, growling furiously, leaping to attack again. The life-size image shimmered wildly for a moment, then returned to normal.
"Come and get it, kitty," Logan growled back, waiting for the precise moment to strike out with his blades.
Sabretooth seemed to hover for a split second, and Logan took it as his cue to assault the beast. He raised the slivers of razor-sharp adamantium up and into the air just as Sabretooth came down at him. Logan felt the weapons slice through the image and heard it wail in agony. He loved it. He rolled over onto his back and over again so he was on top of Sabretooth.
He twisted the blades inside Sabretooth's abdomen, creating vicious holes in its body. Sabretooth howled again, in greater pain this time.
Logan brought the claws out, allowing the image of Sabretooth to slump back, twitching. Logan looked up at Xavier and Storm, who looked extremely astonished.
"Is he dead?" He asked them, panting slightly, sweating too. But, he truly felt alive. He always did when he was in battle.
"Not quite," Storm answered, looking down at a display, then focusing on Logan. He grinned.
Kneeling and turning Sabretooth over, he placed his claws at the base of the monster's skull. The image moved slightly, and Logan drove the metal into its neck, killing it.
Withdrawing the adamantium weapons, he rose again, glancing up at Storm, who looked a bit pale. Logan knew Storm didn't like to kill anybody, not even mutants... but this was war. She had done it before... well tried, and she could do it again.
"Another one," Logan demanded, much to his audience's surprise.
The image of the dead Sabretooth vanished, and one of Mystique appeared.
"Ah, we meet again," Logan greeted her mockingly. She cocked her blue head, which seemed to dance eerily. Logan shuddered, and then sized her up. He'd beaten her before, and he could definitely do it again.
She pounced on him, driving him down hard and into the padded floor. She dealt him a harsh blow to the ribs with a knee. Logan laughed as he brought up a clenched fist. The metal claws slid out, and into her belly. The feeling was glorious, even better than when he had done it for real.
He brought up his other fist and popped the claws, slicing through her like a hot knife through butter. Mystique's scream was music to his ears. He growled triumphantly, and threw her back and against the wall. She hit the padding with a thud. She tried to rise again, but Logan was having none of it. He walked over to her, delivering a shattering kick to her larynx. The loud snap was satisfying, as the image shimmered, then faded.
"More?" Storm wondered, quietly.
He nodded vigorously. "Hell yes!"
There was another shimmer, and Toad appeared.
* * *
Serena had sat and watched Warp and Toad train, fighting against each other. There wasn't a lot of fighting happening. Warp was standing against a wall, with that dead look in his eyes she found so fascinating. Toad was jumping around in front of him, dodging the columns, spears and grasping hands of floor, walls and ceiling Warp sent to stop him. Occasionally Toad would be struck, and would be sent rolling. He would jump up, hiss and rush Warp. Serena could tell Warp was getting tired, not that you could tell by his demeanour, but she could tell, she knew him, knew his stamina. He was tiring. Suddenly Toad had dealt Warp a stunning kick to the stomach, making him crumple on the floor. Toad's cry of victory was perhaps more vehement than it should have been. Warp had kissed her and gone for a rest. Toad did not look happy about that at all.
Not a lot was happening now, and there was nothing to do around the lair. Not since Magneto had ordered that they leave the captive alone for a short time, to recover. So she -Mystique too- was without anything to do. Stuck in this poor excuse of a base.
She needed to get out of here. Fast.
As if she had summoned, a huge golden eagle flew down beside her, and flapped its powerful wings. The eagle flickered momentarily, and then changed into the form of Mystique. She turned her blue head to Serena and smiled. "You want to get out of here?"
"Yeah. But we've got to stay in the lair, haven't we?" Serena replied innocently.
Mystique laughed quietly, so no one else could hear, especially not Toad, and told her, "Not if we're looking for something to help us."
Serena returned the smile, now thinking on the same track as Mystique.
"Come on. We'll take the helicopter," Mystique said, rising.
Serena followed obediently.
* * *
Bobby sat alone on a bench near to the trees around the perimeter of the school grounds. He could see the school off in the distance, and knew Rogue was there somewhere, probably looking for him. But he just wanted to be alone, and think.
Everything seemed to be going wrong recently.
Everything.
Even him. He used to be so positive... have everything figured out. But now, he was negative most of the time, and he didn't know what was going on, or even what he was doing anymore. Everything was screwed up.
He just wanted everything back how it was. Where everyone was happy.
A twig snapping behind him made him turn his head. What stood before him confused him; two women. Both dressed in black. One with long, flowing blond hair, the other with auburn, shoulder length hair, both about the same height. They both smiled at him.
He didn't recognise either, and decided that he shouldn't worry about it, but should stay alert.
"Hello," the blond woman said sweetly.
Bobby watched them walk around him, stopping in front of the bench. "Hi," he muttered, smiling weakly.
The auburn haired woman spoke, "We're friends of the X-Men. This is Serena."
"I'm Bobby. Did you want me to go and get-"
"Oh, no. If you could just give them a message for us?" Serena asked. Her smile seemed to fade a little.
Bobby nodded. "Sure."
What happened next was unexpected and a little frightening.
Serena's arm extended and held him where he sat, and the auburn woman changed completely, into a tall, blue, orange-haired monster. Bobby tried to get free, but her grip was too tight. The blue woman moved closer to him and told him in a menacing voice, "Just tell them that they had better be ready, because we don't intend to lose. We have a couple of surprises for your Professor... and tell Wolverine I'm ready for him this time." She moved away from him, and Serena released her grip. They turned and moved back into the woods quickly, leaving Bobby sitting on the bench, shaken.
As soon as he was sure that they were gone, he stood, and ran toward the school as fast as his legs would carry him.
* * *
Charles and Logan moved down one of the corridors in the school, talking.
Logan still carried his jacket, a little worn out after his training in the danger room.
"So," Charles began, "what did you think of the danger room?" He looked up at Logan, who glanced down at him.
"Well... it sure was something new," he replied quietly, donning his jacket.
"I thought as much," Charles said, confidently.
"What do you mean?"
"You enjoyed it," Charles explained.
Logan realised what he was talking about; "You read my mind."
Before Charles could reply, a door crashed open at the end of the corridor, and Bobby stood there, panting.
"What the hell?" Logan exclaimed.
As they moved toward Bobby, the young boy's knees buckled and he fell to the floor, shaking.
Logan ran to him, and Charles sensed the fright flowing through Bobby. Something had happened to him, something terrifying.
"What happened?" Logan asked, concerned. Bobby just sat there and shook violently. He couldn't speak, through breathing too heavily.
Jean, we need your help.
* * *
Jean turned to Logan after examining Bobby, who sat on the medical bed silently, still stunned by whatever had happened to him.
"He's okay, just badly shaken," she explained.
Logan moved up to Bobby and knelt down in front of him. "What happened?"
Bobby looked at him and replied quietly, voice a little shaky, "I was just sitting there, and these two women came up to me. They said... they said they had a message to give to you."
Logan looked up at Jean grimly, and then turned back to Bobby, who continued, "One was called Serena, and the other one didn't say her name."
"What did they look like?" Jean wondered, moving closer.
Bobby sighed and continued, "One had blonde hair and was quite tall, the other was the same height with ginger hair, but then she changed."
Logan stood and whirled. "Mystique," he said to Jean, who frowned.
"She said you had better be ready for them." Bobby looked between the two of them and persisted, "She said she had a couple of surprises for Professor Xavier, and..." He stopped and closed his eyes.
"What?" Logan asked, facing Bobby once more.
Jean felt sorry for Bobby. He was only a boy and this had happened to him. It was good that Mystique had chosen one of the older children; she dreaded to think what would have happened had Mystique picked on one of the innocent and vulnerable people on the grounds.
"She said that she would be ready for you this time," he finished, looking at Logan in particular. Logan turned to Jean again. His eyes were full of expression; anger, hatred and fear.
Logan was afraid. But not for himself.
* * *
A/N: Sorry about the tediousness of this chapter. It was just to establish the danger room that we all know and love. Thanks for reading, and the rest will be on the way shortly. Thanks again for your patience :)
As he looked about himself, he decided that it would have been just as beneficial to look around in darkness. There was nothing in the room, besides himself, and the restraint posts he was manacled to.
An uncountable number of images showing his own demise flashed through his tormented mind, not one of them in the least bit tempting. It was doubtful that he would survive his predicament, so he saw no point in hoping.
Oh for God's sake, Scott, shouted a distant voice in his subconscious, if you think that way, you're going to die no matter what happens. He barely heard it, but mentally took note of what it had said.
He moved an inch, and instantly regretted it. Every single part of his body ached in any way possible. Arms, legs, feet, hands, head, back, shoulders, everything.
Scott ran through his mind the explanation Magneto had given, and a shiver went down his spine while he fought back an overcoming sensation to gag. A revolting taste streamed into his mouth followed by the sensation again.
But this time, he was unable to hold it back. He leant as far forward as he possibly could and vomited on the cold, metal floor, all the time fighting back overpowering unconsciousness.
When he was absolutely sure he had finished, he moved back to the position that he found least uncomfortable, and breathed heavily, ensuring the taste had vanished completely. But, he knew that it would not vanish completely, some of it would remain for a long, long time.
As he sat alone, the vile taste lingering in his mouth, he tried to think positively.
He failed.
* * *
Logan pushed open the door to Xavier's office, and charged in. The Professor was sitting behind the desk, Storm seated opposite him, both staring at him, curiously.
"I'm dying to kick some Sabretooth butt, but I'm stuck in this school," he whined, glaring at Xavier, who turned to Storm.
"Storm, would you kindly lead the way to the danger room?" Xavier said calmly, a small smile forming as he regarded Logan.
Logan had heard of this danger room, but had never -in all his time at the school- used it. From what he had heard, the danger room was amazing for training, and for just relieving stress. It sounded like a good idea to Logan, although he would probably just be hitting a big beanbag with 'Sabretooth' written on it.
He had no idea just how wrong he was.
* * *
"Wow," Logan exclaimed as the three of them entered a huge, white- walled room. There was an observation area, raised up high in the wall, with reinforced panelling to watch through. The floor of the training area was slightly padded, but not enough to take away the feeling of reality. "This is... big."
Xavier chuckled. "I'm surprised you have never used this room before, it's very practical." He wheeled himself around and made his way up to the observation area, followed closely by Storm. Logan moved to accompany them.
"No Logan, you stay here," Xavier said as they moved into the little elevator. A few moments later, they appeared in the room above.
"It's impressive," Logan called up to them, watching Storm type on a keyboard, "but how can I fight Sabretooth in here... there's nothing to hit."
"That's what you think," Xavier replied, nodding to Storm.
A huge bestial roar made Logan whirl, coming face-to-face with a shimmering image of Sabretooth.
"Wow," Logan mumbled, then looked up at Xavier. "He's holographic?"
"But very life-like," the Professor stated.
Suddenly one of Sabretooth's monstrous paw-like hands swung at him, knocking him back and into the wall. Logan was temporarily stunned, and shocked. But as he rose, he laughed quietly. "Fine."
He charged the image, ploughing it square in the stomach, knocking it flying backwards, hitting the wall with a loud crack. Logan was surprised at just how real the hologram felt, like genuine flesh and bone, exactly like he had hit Sabretooth. It made him feel great. No wonder everyone said this room was fantastic, it truly was a marvellous invention. Chuck obviously spared no expense for his beloved team.
And that includes me now, Logan thought to himself. He almost didn't notice the image rise from the padded ground and lunge for him. Logan dropped on his back, grabbing the shimmering animal hides and bringing his boots into Sabretooth's gut, sending him careening over Logan.
Logan rose, feeling a great sense of triumph wash over him. He removed his black jacket, to be left wearing a white vest shirt, making combat easier and more comfortable. He tossed the jacket aside.
Whilst he awaited Sabretooth's recovery, he called out to Xavier, "Just how life-like are these things?"
"They are an exact replica of the real person," Xavier replied, voice calm, as always.
Logan shook his head. "No," he shouted, "I mean, can you kill them?"
He saw Xavier look at Storm in amazement, and then face him again. "Yes, you can."
"Good," Logan muttered, releasing his vicious claws. The sound of ringing metal filled the cushioned room, echoing around the ceiling.
Sabretooth rose, growling furiously, leaping to attack again. The life-size image shimmered wildly for a moment, then returned to normal.
"Come and get it, kitty," Logan growled back, waiting for the precise moment to strike out with his blades.
Sabretooth seemed to hover for a split second, and Logan took it as his cue to assault the beast. He raised the slivers of razor-sharp adamantium up and into the air just as Sabretooth came down at him. Logan felt the weapons slice through the image and heard it wail in agony. He loved it. He rolled over onto his back and over again so he was on top of Sabretooth.
He twisted the blades inside Sabretooth's abdomen, creating vicious holes in its body. Sabretooth howled again, in greater pain this time.
Logan brought the claws out, allowing the image of Sabretooth to slump back, twitching. Logan looked up at Xavier and Storm, who looked extremely astonished.
"Is he dead?" He asked them, panting slightly, sweating too. But, he truly felt alive. He always did when he was in battle.
"Not quite," Storm answered, looking down at a display, then focusing on Logan. He grinned.
Kneeling and turning Sabretooth over, he placed his claws at the base of the monster's skull. The image moved slightly, and Logan drove the metal into its neck, killing it.
Withdrawing the adamantium weapons, he rose again, glancing up at Storm, who looked a bit pale. Logan knew Storm didn't like to kill anybody, not even mutants... but this was war. She had done it before... well tried, and she could do it again.
"Another one," Logan demanded, much to his audience's surprise.
The image of the dead Sabretooth vanished, and one of Mystique appeared.
"Ah, we meet again," Logan greeted her mockingly. She cocked her blue head, which seemed to dance eerily. Logan shuddered, and then sized her up. He'd beaten her before, and he could definitely do it again.
She pounced on him, driving him down hard and into the padded floor. She dealt him a harsh blow to the ribs with a knee. Logan laughed as he brought up a clenched fist. The metal claws slid out, and into her belly. The feeling was glorious, even better than when he had done it for real.
He brought up his other fist and popped the claws, slicing through her like a hot knife through butter. Mystique's scream was music to his ears. He growled triumphantly, and threw her back and against the wall. She hit the padding with a thud. She tried to rise again, but Logan was having none of it. He walked over to her, delivering a shattering kick to her larynx. The loud snap was satisfying, as the image shimmered, then faded.
"More?" Storm wondered, quietly.
He nodded vigorously. "Hell yes!"
There was another shimmer, and Toad appeared.
* * *
Serena had sat and watched Warp and Toad train, fighting against each other. There wasn't a lot of fighting happening. Warp was standing against a wall, with that dead look in his eyes she found so fascinating. Toad was jumping around in front of him, dodging the columns, spears and grasping hands of floor, walls and ceiling Warp sent to stop him. Occasionally Toad would be struck, and would be sent rolling. He would jump up, hiss and rush Warp. Serena could tell Warp was getting tired, not that you could tell by his demeanour, but she could tell, she knew him, knew his stamina. He was tiring. Suddenly Toad had dealt Warp a stunning kick to the stomach, making him crumple on the floor. Toad's cry of victory was perhaps more vehement than it should have been. Warp had kissed her and gone for a rest. Toad did not look happy about that at all.
Not a lot was happening now, and there was nothing to do around the lair. Not since Magneto had ordered that they leave the captive alone for a short time, to recover. So she -Mystique too- was without anything to do. Stuck in this poor excuse of a base.
She needed to get out of here. Fast.
As if she had summoned, a huge golden eagle flew down beside her, and flapped its powerful wings. The eagle flickered momentarily, and then changed into the form of Mystique. She turned her blue head to Serena and smiled. "You want to get out of here?"
"Yeah. But we've got to stay in the lair, haven't we?" Serena replied innocently.
Mystique laughed quietly, so no one else could hear, especially not Toad, and told her, "Not if we're looking for something to help us."
Serena returned the smile, now thinking on the same track as Mystique.
"Come on. We'll take the helicopter," Mystique said, rising.
Serena followed obediently.
* * *
Bobby sat alone on a bench near to the trees around the perimeter of the school grounds. He could see the school off in the distance, and knew Rogue was there somewhere, probably looking for him. But he just wanted to be alone, and think.
Everything seemed to be going wrong recently.
Everything.
Even him. He used to be so positive... have everything figured out. But now, he was negative most of the time, and he didn't know what was going on, or even what he was doing anymore. Everything was screwed up.
He just wanted everything back how it was. Where everyone was happy.
A twig snapping behind him made him turn his head. What stood before him confused him; two women. Both dressed in black. One with long, flowing blond hair, the other with auburn, shoulder length hair, both about the same height. They both smiled at him.
He didn't recognise either, and decided that he shouldn't worry about it, but should stay alert.
"Hello," the blond woman said sweetly.
Bobby watched them walk around him, stopping in front of the bench. "Hi," he muttered, smiling weakly.
The auburn haired woman spoke, "We're friends of the X-Men. This is Serena."
"I'm Bobby. Did you want me to go and get-"
"Oh, no. If you could just give them a message for us?" Serena asked. Her smile seemed to fade a little.
Bobby nodded. "Sure."
What happened next was unexpected and a little frightening.
Serena's arm extended and held him where he sat, and the auburn woman changed completely, into a tall, blue, orange-haired monster. Bobby tried to get free, but her grip was too tight. The blue woman moved closer to him and told him in a menacing voice, "Just tell them that they had better be ready, because we don't intend to lose. We have a couple of surprises for your Professor... and tell Wolverine I'm ready for him this time." She moved away from him, and Serena released her grip. They turned and moved back into the woods quickly, leaving Bobby sitting on the bench, shaken.
As soon as he was sure that they were gone, he stood, and ran toward the school as fast as his legs would carry him.
* * *
Charles and Logan moved down one of the corridors in the school, talking.
Logan still carried his jacket, a little worn out after his training in the danger room.
"So," Charles began, "what did you think of the danger room?" He looked up at Logan, who glanced down at him.
"Well... it sure was something new," he replied quietly, donning his jacket.
"I thought as much," Charles said, confidently.
"What do you mean?"
"You enjoyed it," Charles explained.
Logan realised what he was talking about; "You read my mind."
Before Charles could reply, a door crashed open at the end of the corridor, and Bobby stood there, panting.
"What the hell?" Logan exclaimed.
As they moved toward Bobby, the young boy's knees buckled and he fell to the floor, shaking.
Logan ran to him, and Charles sensed the fright flowing through Bobby. Something had happened to him, something terrifying.
"What happened?" Logan asked, concerned. Bobby just sat there and shook violently. He couldn't speak, through breathing too heavily.
Jean, we need your help.
* * *
Jean turned to Logan after examining Bobby, who sat on the medical bed silently, still stunned by whatever had happened to him.
"He's okay, just badly shaken," she explained.
Logan moved up to Bobby and knelt down in front of him. "What happened?"
Bobby looked at him and replied quietly, voice a little shaky, "I was just sitting there, and these two women came up to me. They said... they said they had a message to give to you."
Logan looked up at Jean grimly, and then turned back to Bobby, who continued, "One was called Serena, and the other one didn't say her name."
"What did they look like?" Jean wondered, moving closer.
Bobby sighed and continued, "One had blonde hair and was quite tall, the other was the same height with ginger hair, but then she changed."
Logan stood and whirled. "Mystique," he said to Jean, who frowned.
"She said you had better be ready for them." Bobby looked between the two of them and persisted, "She said she had a couple of surprises for Professor Xavier, and..." He stopped and closed his eyes.
"What?" Logan asked, facing Bobby once more.
Jean felt sorry for Bobby. He was only a boy and this had happened to him. It was good that Mystique had chosen one of the older children; she dreaded to think what would have happened had Mystique picked on one of the innocent and vulnerable people on the grounds.
"She said that she would be ready for you this time," he finished, looking at Logan in particular. Logan turned to Jean again. His eyes were full of expression; anger, hatred and fear.
Logan was afraid. But not for himself.
* * *
A/N: Sorry about the tediousness of this chapter. It was just to establish the danger room that we all know and love. Thanks for reading, and the rest will be on the way shortly. Thanks again for your patience :)
