ENTER MAYHEM

CHAPTER 5: DANGER ROOM

Vincent spent the bulk of yesterday after the unpacking, looking around the mansion and getting to know the people he would be living with a little more. This place was huge, and it had everything, a music room with a piano, a lounge, rec room, and even a small gym, but no one really seemed to use it.

He also tried to pry as much information as he could get out of them about this Danger Room. As far as he could tell it was some kind of training area. Vince looked forward to it. It sounded like a place where he could finally let loose without worrying about destroying the place.

That night as he went to his new room, with a feeling like the young man had finally found a place where he belonged.

He was on a cold steel floor. He could see the walls surround me. They were solid but he could still see through them, they looked like glass but was stronger. There were people in white coats standing around. One of them came up to me. He had a needle and grabbed my arm.

The young boy tried to fight, and yell out to stop, but he wouldn't listen, he injected something into his arm. It hurt, but soon it hurt a lot more. It felt like his body was on fire, he couldn't focus, and fell to the ground clutching his stomach.

"This is for your own good. This will make you strong." Was all the boy heard.

Vincent woke up with a start. Another one of his nightmares, it was nightmare that he numbered, number one, the first one that kept coming back to him in his life. He looked around almost expect to see his old room, but then he remembered that he lived at the Institute now.

Vincent fell back unto his bed. He looked over at the clock it read 7:15. 'I'd better get up and get something to eat first before I have that Danger Room session, I think I'll need the energy.' He thought to himself as he got up from his bed.

After a quick breakfast he caught up to Sam and Ray. "Hey guys where's this Danger Room, that we're supposed to go to?"

They both had this smile on their face as they led me to a wall, and opened it up to reveal an elevator. "Cool do we have our own Batcave or something?" Vince asked jokingly.

Sam laughed at that. "Yeah, we kind a do."

He thanked them and went back to my room to get his 'uniform' on so that he didn't have to use the change rooms. Vince was still self-conscience about my scars in front of new people. Luckily I took only a couple of seconds, and we rode down together.

After everyone had changed I noticed all the 'New Mutants' as they were called had to wear the same uniforms. Well except for Tabby, who had this really unique one that left little to the imagination.

Vince also noticed that Sam stealing glances at her in the 'uniform', when she wasn't looking. 'Man that guy has it bad, and the fact that he's looking at her while she's not looking, most likely means he hasn't gotten the nerve to ask her out yet.' Vincent thought to himself.

As they entered though a set of steel doors, Vincent was amassed at the size of the place. It was huge, and for some reason reminded him of the arenas those gladiators fought in.

Wolverine was there in a black uniform, and the 'X-Men' who seemed to consist of Scott, Jean, Kurt, Kitty and Rogue, were there, and they too had much better uniforms.

Vincent knew that he shouldn't think so much of these things, but these New Mutant uniforms were just so….dorky. He felt like a real idiot in this thing. Plus it was skin tight, and he thought he caught several of the girls looking at him, and that made him REAL uncomfortable. He wasn't used to that kind of attention.

"Alright, kids listen up." Wolverine said. "We're going to have a lever 5 for today, because of the new guy, and I want to see team work out there, any questions?"

"Uh yeah I got one." Vincent spoke up.

"A level 5 is an average level session, don't worry." Wolverine replied think he knew what he was going to ask.

"Uh that's nice but that wasn't my question."

"Yeah then what is it bub?"

"Why do they get all the cool uniforms and the rest of us except for Tabby have to where the geeky uniforms." Vincent stated. If he voice wasn't even and serious you'd think he was either being picky or joking, put he was serious.

Everyone looked at him with surprise, and Wolverine looked like he was just slapped in the face.

"Look bub, the X-Men earned those uniforms and are the most experienced team." Logan almost growled out his answer.

"Oh so I guess that makes Tabby the best member of the New Mutants." Vincent said, with a shrug, with a look like he accepted that.

"You got that right boy." Tabby said, while striking a pose.

The other didn't like that though. "What do you mean you're not the most experienced, at least I never left for the Brotherhood, I should be the one to get my own uniform." Said Booby who was vary annoyed that Boom Boom, would think that.

"Hey she had her reasons Bobby." Sam said coming to her defense.

"Why am I not surprised that you'd say that." Was Bobby's replay.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sam blushing slightly, when he noticed some of the looks he was getting. After that several of the other New Mutants decided to voice their own opinions. After several minutes Logan finally got all the arguments to stop.

"All night, that's it I'm tried of this uniform discussions, one week doesn't go by when this starts up so I'm ending it right now!" Logan suddenly had an idea to stop this argument, at least for maybe a few months.

"I got a wager for ya kids. I'll choose one member to run a special gauntlet. If that person can defeat the New Mutants and the X-Men or stay standing after ten minutes with each, you all get new uniforms."

"But what if we just let him beat us?" asked Magma.

"For incentive, the New Mutant that nails the target gets their own uniform and for the X-Man that gets the target, they get a week free of the Danger Room." Logan answered.

"OK, so who's the target?" Asked Roberto looking around to other the members.

"Him." Logan said pointed at Vincent. Vincent knew Logan was punishing him for bringing this up, so there was only one thought going in his head. 'Ah crap.'

The X-Men had gone up to the control room, to watch with Logan Xavier who was already there and Jamie, who Logan said he was still too little for this. Jamie wasn't happy with that, he really wanted to prove himself. He hated being the youngest and no one ever thought he was tough enough for this stuff.

The New Mutants had begun to circle Vincent, and they were powering up.

Vincent luckily when talking to the other the day before, had got the basic impression of the powers they all had, unfortunately he had never seen what they were actually capable of. Then again they had no idea what he was capable of either.

A grin formed on his face. One of things Vincent loved in life was a challenge. Bobby decided to start things off by shooting a blast of ice at him. Vincent decided to take to the air.

As he was in the air, Cannonball came barreling at him, and Sunspot wasn't too far behind coming from the opposite side. Vince had a plan. As soon as Cannonball got close enough, he grabbed Sam by the arm and using his speed and strength, altered Sam's path in the air and sent him right into Roberto.

They landed hard on the floor, Sam was getting up, with Tabitha's help. He was a little groggy, but otherwise fine because of his abilities. Sunspot was out cold, and back in his human form.

Vincent was feeling pretty proud of himself, until he was nearly fried by a blast of fire. Amara had taken his momentary distraction to her advantage. Iceman was creating an ice slide moving around him for a shot at his back.

Vince saw this and while Magma was firing at him, he flew right past Iceman, unfortunately she didn't see Bobby and melted his ice slide, and so Bobby fell flat onto his face onto the floor.

"AMARA WHACHT IT!" Bobby said while getting up.

"Oops sorry Bob-" She didn't finish to apologize, because Vincent took this time to give her a blast of energy. The energy had more force then power in it, and the only thing it did was send her flying across the room and into a wall.

Boom Boom had had enough. She let fly a whole heap of her energy booms at Vincent. So Vincent took to the air again. This time he opened both hands with his arms wide and several crimson energy spheres form in each hand.

"Uh oh." Was Tabby's only remark. She didn't know he could create his own types of energy bombs, at least that what they looked like to her, and she really didn't want to find out.

To bad she was right and that she was going to find out. Unlike Tabitha's bombs, Vincent could control what type of explosive power they had, like his energy blast. In other words they could be lethal blast or force blasts.

Vincent not wanting to hurt anyone opted for the force blasts like he hit Amara with. The energy bombs were sent at Taby too fast for her to dodge, and she was sent into the air, flying forward and landed on her back. The force of the landing knocked the wind out of her.

Ray took this time to start blasting him with several electrical shoots. Unfortunately Vincent just absorbed his energy attacks, without slowing down. In fact he seemed to only gain strength.

Vincent landed again. He wanted to give the rest of them a fighting chance. Cannonball tried to fly at him again, but this time Vincent just sidestepped out of the way letting him slam into the wall.

While his back was turned Iceman had got the perfect opportunity and sealed Vince in solid ice. Bobby was about to declare victory when Vincent exploded out from his prison, sending ice everywhere.

"You didn't think it was going to be that easy did you?" He said to Bobby.

Magma, and Sunspot had gotten back up and formed up with Bobby and Berzerker for a new offensive.

While all this was going everyone was eagerly watching from the control room.

"The kids got some moves." Was all Logan said.

"Ja ve might actually have to fight him." Kurt said.

Scott was studying Vincent closely. If they did have to fight him he was going to be ready.

After about 5 minutes it was obvious that the New Mutants weren't going to win. Several of them had already been knocked down several times, and were starting to tire. Vincent however was enjoying himself, and wasn't showing the slightest bit of exhaustion.

When the ten minute mark finally hit Logan had had enough of this. He clicked on the microphone "Alright that's enough. New Mutants get up here." He switched it off and looking at the X-Men "Get down there and win."

Vincent was having a nice breather. His uniform was slightly ripped, torn and even singed a little, but he himself was otherwise fine for the most part. The New Mutants had given him one hell of a fight, but he had years of training and fighting experience on them.

The X-Men entered then all facing him.

Unlike the first fight, the X-Men had been watching him, and this time around they where prepared for some of his moves, plus they worked better as a team then the New Mutants, so Vincent was having a lot more trouble this time around.

About ten minute through things weren't looking so good, every time he'd launch an attack they would team up and counter attack, but thankfully for Vincent, he could easily dodge their attacks with his speed.

After being stopped by Jean's telekinesis and being hit by Cyclops's eye beam he was sent onto the floor.

Vince was getting up when he heard Scott say in a superior tone "Ready to give up."

Okay now he was getting mad, he decided right then and there to finish this. "There's something you don't know about me Summers."

"What's that?" Scott asked.

Vincent fully powering up, with his eyes and hands in a crimson glow, turned to look at him. "First I don't surrender, secondly I don't give up and lastly I…. DON'T…. LOSE!" The last part ended in a war cry as he made a beeline straight for Scott.

Scott tried to blast him, but Vincent was too fast, and as soon as he reached Scott, he gave him a solid blow to the gut.

While Scott was clutching his stomach, Vince told him to keep his eyes shut, them took off Scott's visor. Scott kept his eyes closed. Vince then kept the visor so his teammates couldn't get it to him.

Before he left to go after Jean next he looked at Scott. "Sorry about this, I'll bring it back after I finish this." Vincent hated to use Scott's powers against him like that, but his sensei told him to make your enemy's strength their weakness.

He flew up to Jean, she stopped him with her mind again, but this time he had a plan. When he stopped he started to jerk in every direction in super speed.

Jean was struggling to keep him still put it was like holding a paint can in one of those paint shakers. Eventually she lost control and he was free.

He drew both hands together and gave her a continuous stream of energy. Jean did her best to shield herself. But it was too much and the blast eventually got through. Jean was hit and slammed against the wall.

She was dazed by the hit and was falling. Vincent swooped in and caught her. Then Flying over Kitty he got an idea. "Hey Kitty think fast!" and he dropped Jean right unto Kitty.

Kitty had two choices. Catch Jean or let her phase through her. She had to catch her, and Vincent was counting on this. Jean landed right on Kitty pinning Kitty to the floor.

Vince landed again looking for the next victim when he heard a distinctive bamf sound.

Kurt had teleported right behind him and jumped onto his back. "I've got you now" Kurt said.

"Bad move Kurt, and sorry about your back." Was all Vincent said.

Kurt was pondering what he meant by that when suddenly Vincent fell backwards onto the floor too fast for Kurt to realize what was going on, and was slammed into the floor.

Vince got up with little effort. He turned just in time to she a hand reach for his face, and deflected it with one of his own. He turned fully to face Rogue.

They didn't bother to talk. Each let loose combinations of punches and kicks. Vincent was impressed. Rogue actually seemed to have some martial art training. A/N I think it was in the 1st season you see her alone practicing

During the fight he grabbed both of her fist. "Sorry Rogue can't let you touch me." He said with a smirk.

"Don't worry Ah won't hurt ya, it'll only be a tap." Rogue said while struggling to get out of his hold.

Vincent's face turned vary serious then "It's not me I'm worried about, you told me you also get a person's memories and I won't have you to have to go through that."

Rogue could tell he was serious. But before she could finish her thought she noticed that Kitty had snuck up behind him and was about to attack.

Too bad Vince had seen her eyes focus on something behind him, and guessed someone was coming. So he quickly let go of one of her hands as she fell forward at this unexpected action, he let go of the other hand and put him arm under her hers and flipped her right into an unexpected Kitty.

Kitty was floored once again by her own teammate.

Vincent looked around seeing all the X-Men were either still out or just getting up, he went into a fighters stance, waiting for next wave.

"Alright that's enough." They heard Logan voice bellow from the speakers. "It's ben ten minutes so that's all for today hit the showers."

Vincent feeling vary proud and very tired of himself walked over to Scott, and gave him his visor back.

Up in the control room, Logan still couldn't believe it. He lost the bet and both teams lost. Against one person. ONE. They haven't had a day like this since they first went up against the Scarlet Witch.

Logan turned to face Xavier "Charles how the hell does a mutant become that powerful. He was obviously trained my a martial arts master, but his power is almost unreal."

"Actually Logan I sensed he was holding back." Xavier stated. Logan looked at the Prof. to see if he was kidding. He could see he wasn't. "The only reason he didn't use his full power is because it scares even him."

That last statement actually gave Logan a slight chill, though he'd never admit to such a thing, and was glad he and Charles were the only ones in the control room. Beast came in at that moment, with a file in his hands.

"Ah I see his results are in. Beast is it as we feared?" the Prof asked Hank, with a concerned look on his face.

"I'm afraid so Professor, his blood work-" but he was stopped by Logan

"Wait a minute how'd you get any blood out of the guy, his skin must be harder than titanium?" Logan interjected.

"Oh apparently he has some control over his 'invulnerability'. He can actually turn it 'off' as it where but he prefers not to, for obvious reasons. Also he said that in a weakened condition it actually turn itself 'off' or become weakened like himself."

"Okay but what's this 'as we feared thing'?" Logan looked at the Professor.

Hank spoke up at that question, "He apparently doesn't have normal mutant DNA, we've found he has a type of enhanced mutant DNA."

"You mean like The Juggernaut!" Logan nearly yelled out that last part.

"Something like that, but unlike him his X-gene wasn't activated through mysticism, but through science." Beast said with a hint of regret. He was a man of science, that others would use that for unholy purposes turn his stomach.

Logan had put two and two together. "He was experimented on wasn't he." It wasn't a question. Logan knew all too well what kind of things people could do to mutants.

There was nothing but silence in the control room. No one could speak, they were all too busy imagining what hell that kid must have went through.

Vincent had gone back up to his room, after trying to see if anyone was still mad at him, and to smooth things over. The New Mutants didn't care even Tabitha because he won the bet. The X-men took it well enough too.

He changed out of the ruined uniform and flopped onto his bed. He was thinking about his new life and the things he left behind.

He was wondering what everyone was doing back in Toronto.

About Mary.

Mary seemed to occupy most of his thoughts. He hated how they parted, she was his best friend. 'Was being the operative word.' He thought to himself. 'The past is the past, you have to move on.'

He decided that was what he needed to do. He needed to move on. He had a new life, a new start, and it was time move on.

Toronto

Mary was racing down the street to the orphanage. 'What were you thinking?' She told herself. 'How could you have done that?'

She had spent the last few days thinking of nothing but Vincent and how she treated him. He had come to her, and while turned him away. He was her best friend and that was how she treated him?

She had to apologies to him, she had to talk to him, she couldn't let their friendship end like that. She went through the doors of the orphanage and saw Father Michaels. "Father is Vincent in, I have to see him."

Father Michaels looked at her with great sadness. 'Oh no, she doesn't know.'

Seeing his face she knew something was terribly wrong. Father Michaels told her how Vincent had left for the states two days ago. How he was gone.

Mary felt numb inside. "He…he can't be gone." Was all she could say. Father Michaels just placed his hand on her shoulder, silently comforting her. "Father….I….I need to be alone." She told him.

"Of course my child." It ached his heart to see his 'children' suffer but he left.

After he had gone, Mary walked up to Vincent's room. She opened the door expecting to see all his stuff there. But it wasn't. It was all gone, just like he was.

He sat down on his bed. It hadn't been slept in. She curled up onto the bed, thinking he was truly gone, and she might never see him again. She would never see her friend again, she wouldn't see his face, or that smile she loved. The worst part was he probably thought she hated him.

She just cried at that.

Well next up chapter 6: Old friends, new enemies.