-'Who Wants to Live Forever'-
A/N: God knows you can't write more unless you get reviews. Speaking of reviews,
TKD: I'm glad I made everything clearer. Seriously though, anytime you think anything is a little off, be sure to review and tell me. It's great stuff. I'm happy that I got McCain right; it took me forever to get it how I wanted. And its not a canon evil immortal, sorry :(
The Incredible Bouncing Ferret or...something: I'm scared...oh so very scared. :P Thanks for the review
A/N 2: I finally put the evil Immortal in, about damn time. And don't worry about the tension between Beast and Logan; they both have the best intentions at heart. And with the Deputy, remember that a dead cop is very hard to cover up. I tried my best with the sword fighting, but I'm not very sure about it. Took me long enough. Sorry for the wait people, but it might be even more of a wait for the next part, I'm working two jobs and trying to pay for my wedding/honeymoon etc. not to mention all the little ideas running rampant around in my tiny little brain are driving me crazy.
Granted it's a short drive, quite leisurely, but still.
A/N 3: Because of ff.net's new software/changes, I'm gonna change a few things, and instead of the backslash, I'm having to use the horizontal breaks. And also " " = Speech ' ' = Thought :: ::= Speakers, radio, TV, etc... Disclaimers: I don't own anything relating to Marvel Comics or Highlander. Highlander universe season 5, "Comes a Horseman."
Dedicated to everyone that has ideas but doesn't think they're good enough
--------------------------------------------
Deputy Henry Eggertson sighed as he saw a car parked infront of the Xavier Institute for Gifted Children. "Goddammit, not another one."
Since the school's 'outing' a few months ago, the Sheriff's department had the thirty two year old make passes by the large estate during his patrol. Every couple of days or so, there'd be some anti-mutant graffiti, a protest, or a few of the local Friends of Humanity chapter putting on something, which Henry didn't really think too much of as long as they kept it quiet.
But there had been a few wackos that wanted to scale the wall with rifles and a homemade bomb. Especially after what happened with that Sefton girl a few weeks ago. Deputy Eggertson sighed as be he flipped the patrol car's lights on and pulled over behind the dark gray Lexus. He quickly radioed in. "Jake this is Henry. I got a eleven-fifty four, suspicious vehicle, at the Xavier institute, respond."
::Roger Henry, we've been having threats recently. Be advised it maybe another armed FoH nut job.::
Henry smirked. "Copy, I'll radio back in 5."
The person in the driver's side was Caucasian, Henry guessed about thirty, thirty-two years old, about two hundred-ten pounds, red hair, blue eyes. The trench coat was probably not a good sign. He walked over to the driver side window and rapped his baton on the glass.
The man rolled down the window and smiled. "How may I help you officer?"
Henry sighed and nodded to the glove compartment. "You mind showing me your license and registration please?"
The redheaded man smiled and handed the deputy his drivers' license before leaning over and rifling through the papers in the glove compartment. Henry leaned with one hand on the car and spoke. "Well Mister... Daniels, may I why you came all the way from... Toronto... to park here by yourself, at five o-clock in the morning?"
The man discovered to be Arthur Daniels handed the policeman his car registration and sighed. "Well, you see, I'm with the Associated Press and- "
Deputy Eggertson held up one hand and interrupted the so-called 'reporter'. "Listen, 'Daniels' I have a lot of freaks and psychos that come out of the woodwork claiming to be the press or whatever that just want to make some trouble with the muties. I don't care if you're a mutie, human, or a goddamn space alien as long as I don't get any trouble."
The redheaded man pursed his lips and leaned back into the chair. "Now an alien, that would make for some good news, but I was merely-"
Henry sighed and rolled his eyes. "Sir, I'm sorry, but I'm gonna have to ask you to leave."
The man known as Arthur Daniels took one look back at the police cruiser, the blue and red lights whirring brightly. He turned back to face the deputy and nodded. "Is there a hotel nearby that I can stay at?"
Deputy Eggertson nodded and motioned down the road. "Take a left at the next intersection and about six miles down the road there's a La Quinta." [1]
As Daniels started the car, Henry leaned in to ask one last question. "Can I ask how long you're planning to stay in Bayville Mr. Daniels."
The redheaded man smiled evilly. "Oh don't worry..." the man squinted to read the deputy's uniform. "Deputy Eggertson, I'm sure you'll be seeing more of me."
Henry crossed his arms over his chest. "Is that a threat Mr. Daniels?"
The man merely rolled up the window before driving off.
---------------------------------
Kurt stood alone in the Danger Room and checked his holowatch, which he very recently found out could also tell the time. The wonders of modern technology: holograms and teenagers that can show up early. Slowly the felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise and the low current race along his spine. He turned and faced his instructor as the elder mutant walked into the room and set down a black duffel bag infront of him. He growled, "Well kid, I'm glad you decided to show up early for once."
Kurt grinned and rolled his eyes. "Herr Logan, I-"
"Catch."
Kurt's arm automatically shot out and grabbed the hilt of a long European style Rapier. He stared at the blade in shock for several seconds before stammering out a response. "Where did-"
Logan held onto the bag and started lecturing. "You've had more training with it, you're comfortable. That's good. The Rapier's deceptive speed combined with its excellent reach can be a great ally. Especially when the fencer behind it is about as fast and hyper as the Energizer Bunny on crack. It compliments your speed and suits your personality, fast and frenetic."
Kurt grinned as his ego was inflated. "Herr Logan, you do not need to lecture me about zhe Rapier. I have been training with it since I was a child. "
Logan dropped the duffel bag and pulled out a long curved Katana in its sheath. He quickly unsheathed the Easter style blade and deadpanned. "Well Elf, if I'm boring ya."
The young mutant's face paled as he realized he had in effect challenged the Wolverine to a duel.
"Eeep."
In the blink of an eye Kurt found himself, dodging the gleaming blade of the sword and went on the defensive. He quickly brought up the Rapier and used it to deflect the massive power behind Logan's attacks. "Don't you zhink we should do some exercises first?"
"This is the exercise." Logan cut the young mutants tirade off with an upward slash and elbowed him in the face. The long curved blade of the Katana screamed by Kurt's face as he leaned back to dodge another strike.
-----------------------------------------
"Hey, Rogue."
The southern Goth groaned and rolled over in her bed, facing away from the brunette girl. "Kitty, I swear to almighty Gawd. If you don't let me get some more sleep, I'll dye your clothes black and take away your Britney CDs, now let me sleep."
Kitty grinned as she plopped down onto the bed, next to Marie, who promptly muttered something about the death of many stuffed animals. "Rogue, like what's your plans for Christmas? It's in three days."
There was a mumbled reply about Christmas being a sham proliferated by greedy corporations and merchandising companies.
The younger girl fell back on the bed and smiled wistfully. "I wonder what Lance'll get me?"
There was no response from the lump on the bed beside her.
"He knows that I want some jewelry, I mean, like who doesn't want jewelry. Can't really go wrong with that. Maybe a necklace, earrings, oh, he could show up in a tuxedo at the front gate looking all nice and handsome. He'll show up the first day of Hanukkah with a dozen flowers in one hand and invite me down to the limo he rented. He could take me out on a nice date with champagne and flowers and he could get the guy with the violin to come over and play for us..."
Rogue growled and slowly crawled out from underneath her covers. "Ugggh. Alright I'm up, I'm up whaddaya want?"
Kitty grinned widely. "Weeellll, nothing really, I just wanted to make sure that you got your holiday shopping done."
Rogue groaned as she walked over to the dresser and shuffled through some clothes before settling on a dark green shirt black gloves pants and a see- through mesh. "Weren't you complaining about how Christmas was overshadowing Hanukkah and that any holiday that requires the ritual slaughter of millions of trees..."
Kitty ran over and started pushing Rogue into the bathroom. "Well, you see I decided that its not the type of religion you are, it's the spirit of the season, now go take a shower, you've got pillow hair."
Rogue glared at the young girl before grabbing a change of clothes and a towel. As an after thought she turned to the younger mutant. "If you follow me in there, I aint gonna be accountable for my actions."
Kitty sighed as the door slammed shut in her face. "Hurry it up. I was able to steal Jean's SUV for the day and I don't want it to go to waste."
Rogue opened the door and poked her head out. "How in the hell did you manage that?"
Kitty smirked evilly. "Oh, I was able to distract her with something..."
------------------------
Jean smiled as the glare of the large screen TV illuminated the otherwise dark room. Onscreen, the spirited William Turner confronted the swashbuckling Captain Jack Sparrow. [2]
::Where's Elizabeth?::
::She's safe, just like I promised. She's all set to marry Norrington, just like she promised. And you get to die for her, just like you promised. So we're all men of our word really... except for Elizabeth, who is in fact, a woman.::
-------------------------
Kurt barely had time to dodge the Katana's razor sharp edge as his instructor sliced the air inches from his nose.
The young mutant flipped back onto his back legs narrowly missing the pointed tip of the large blade and took off running with his instructor in fast pursuit.
The danger room had been set to idle for their training. No lasers, no flamethrowers, no assorted death machines. The stark white room lay flat and unresponsive. The two combatants were prohibited from using powers. The goal of the session was simple...
Kurt dodged a downward swipe and went on the offensive.
...fight.
His instructor assumed a traditional eastern fighting stance. He rested most of his weight towards the rear leg and held the blade next to his chest, the edge parallel to the ceiling. The two mutants attacked each other simultaneously. Kurt saw an opening to his left and trust the point of his Rapier. Logan spun out of the way, using the torque of his movements to slice diagonally upwards deflecting the Rapier. "With long swords, like the Katana, it makes your opponent reach in further to attack you."
Kurt dodged as his instructor's counter nearly took one of his arms off. "Ja, I am seeing zhat."
The two opponents stopped their attacks and backed off. Kurt opted for a more familiar fencing stance and stood with his two legs far apart, his left hand curved up in a 'C,' holding the blade outward with his dominant arm.
Logan's face was impassive as he held the long smooth katana out in front of him with both hands. The cold silver sheen of the metal reflected the bright lights of the Danger room.
Kurt grinned and ran towards his opponent. The young blue mutant flipped into the air and used the point of the Rapier to parry away the sleek blade of the Katana and kicked Logan square in the ribs, using the backwards thrust to move away. Logan grunted and slashed down, barely missing the young student's left side.
-------------------------
"Do you think he is going a little hard on the boy?"
Xavier smiled and nodded as Hank McCoy walked up behind him and watched the display from the control room of the Danger room. "I suppose. I was never the one to impose the... physical aspect of training. Logan is more than adequate in that respect."
McCoy nodded and leaned against the wall, keeping his gaze down upon the Danger room. "Kurt told me earlier that he has had extensive training with swords."
"Yes, it was one of his acts in the..."
"Munich Circus I know, the mere mention of the word 'circus' infront of the boy causes him to talk faster that I believed humanly possible."
Xavier smiled. "You've been talking to Kurt?"
McCoy nodded and turned back to watch Logan and Kurt fence. "A few times, mainly during his weekly checkups."
Xavier pursed his lips and nodded. "What did you two talk about?"
The blue furred mutant grinned and shook his head. "I am afraid I can't tell you that."
Xavier turned to face the other mutant. "Doctor-patient confidentiality?"
"No, just secrets between the blue and furry. Mainly grooming tips."
-------------------------
In a flurry of motion the two mutants continued to fence.
"The worst thing the Rapier fighter can do is to allow his weapon to be bound up with the point off to the side."
Kurt swiped the Katana to his left and thrust the Rapier towards Logan's shoulder.
Logan parried the thrusting attack and stepped up into Kurt and carefully placed the flat side of the Katana against Kurt's chest. "Once you're past a Rapier's point, the weapon is almost impotent. He also must avoid fighting close-in where the Katana's force and slicing ability will instantly dominate."
The young mutant pushed off his instructor and growled in frustration. "Zhen what do you want me to do?"
Logan held up his hand and interrupted the young mutant. "Fight!, a weapon is only as good as the person behind it."
Kurt put his arms on his knees as he tried to regain some of his breath. "I did not know zhat my inferiority was troubling you Herr Logan."
The elder mutant growled and held the long blade behind his back with one arm. "Kid, this aint the time for jokes. Part of the learning process is knowing that there are people better than you and that you might have to change your tactics. Me, I've had years of training. With almost any sword you can think of. Like I said, the weapon is only as good as the person behind it. For my style of attack, the Katana is more...suitable. For you, it's the Rapier, but you gotta learn to change. Change is hard, but it beats everything else."
------------------------------
McCoy grinned. "Why I do believe that our dear Mister Logan is being a bit of a show off."
Charles Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Where did you reach that conclusion?"
The blue mutant deadpanned. "He isn't using his claws."
Xavier chuckled. "Well, he doesn't want to dismember the young boy. Besides a nice little fencing exercise might help Mister Wagner get back into practice."
McCoy turned back to the fight and mumbled under his breath. "The cheesy one liners are a bit much though."
------------------
Logan hissed in pain as he felt the tip of his student's Rapier slice through his shoulder. He looked up and growled in anger as the blue furred mutant suddenly realized the magnitude of his error.
"Oh Scheiße."
- Oh Shit -
--------------------------
Xavier grinned. "Yes, well, I believe that Mister Wagner is now putting on a good show as well."
The large blue mutant took out his glasses and put them on. "Oh is he? I believe I see him running away from Logan while screaming."
Xavier nodded and rolled his wheelchair over to the command display. "Yes, perhaps I get ready to call off this training exercise just in case."
Beast sighed and cleaned his glasses. "Yes, we don't want Kurt to get injured. It might be prudent just incase Logan were to loose control and..."
Xavier shook his head. "Logan would never consciously hurt a student."
"Its not the 'conscious' part I'm worried about."
Xavier hesitated and turned to face McCoy. "I have known Logan for many years now, long after he lost his memory. I have gone into his mind countless times to try and resuscitate the dead embers of those memories. Even without being inside his mind, Logan and I have been friends for many, many years; so don't take what I am saying as an insult to him. It is nothing of the sort."
McCoy sternly turned to face the professor. "What do you mean then?"
Xavier shook his head as he watched Logan's Katana reflect the light off like a perfect mirror. "I trust him completely with the safety of the students and the safety of this facility. He is here to teach the students how to survive. He is teaching Kurt how to fight and that is what he is there for. I can think of no one better suited or equipped to take on the mission laid out for him."
McCoy nodded, watching Xaviers face as the professor's eyes refused to leave the fight.
"But I also heard about what happened when I went missing. Logan has his faults. He does not like others telling him what to do. He has trouble understanding other people. He pushes them away slightly, even though some like Kitty and Rogue have gotten under his skin. And now that he has someone that might be able to see him on equal footing, he could confront some of those issues. He would never say it, but he prides himself on being the last man standing from a fight."
Xavier sighed and leaned forward, bringing up several commands on the monitor. "All that being said, he cares more deeply for the students than you or he believes. And it would do Logan a deal of good to realize that."
McCoy nodded and looked back out at the fight. "And Kurt?"
The meaning was not lost on the professor. Xavier sighed. "Kurt needs someone that he feels he can connect to. It doesn't have to be just one person. We should all get as close as we can to the students, Logan included. Its important that we do so."
The Beast sighed and turned back to the professor. "And what if something happens?"
The professor's face was unreadable as he worked on the terminal. "Then it is even more important."
Xavier finished bringing up the correct 'end simulation' prompt and hesitated. He looked back out to the Danger room to see the Kurt and Logan racing across the floor in a blur of steel, blue fur and skin. "I think I would like to watch the end of this fight." He turned and faced McCoy.
The blue furred instructor sighed and turned back to face the glass screening. "It is a great thing when the student passes the teacher. It would be good to see that."
Xavier nodded and turned back to the fight. They both watched in silence for several seconds until they saw Kurt get tripped and fall flat on his rear end.
"Well, I don't think that we have to worry about that happening in the meantime."
McCoy sighed. "No, I don't believe that we will."
-----------------------------------------
Logan grinned as he heard the blood pounding through his veins. The elf mirrored his smile and continued to attack. Their movements increased in tempo and frequency. As one attacked, the other defended. When one defended, the other attacked. Their fencing became more intense and frenetic. Kurt flipped overhead and swiped the long Rapier down hard against the Katana, creating a spark of electricity.
The blade flew back and forth against each other, neither yielding in power or speed. Logan's movements became more animalistic and fluid. With a feral grace Kurt had never seen before, Logan exploded into a frenzy of slashes and strikes all aimed at the young mutant's torso and neck.
Kurt's heart beat like a steel drum as his instructor lunged at him with a scream. He brought the Rapier up to block the initial strike and was rewarded with a steel fist to the chest. The Wolverine bared his teeth and swiped the long blade horizontally, knocking Kurt's Rapier away. He kicked the youth's back, forcing Kurt to fall to his hands and knees.
---------------------
Charles Xavier felt his heart stop as he watched the elder mutant drop the student to his knees and laugh.
---------------------------
The Wolverine whispered an old apology as he forced the blade down. "There can be only one..."
---------------------
Xavier frantically pounded on the keyboard, turning off the simulation. He grabbed the microphone and began shouting into it.
--------------------
::LOGAN! STOP!::
Kurt looked up sheepishly as his instructor's sword hovered mere inches above the base of his skull. Logan breathed hoarsely as he willed the strong blade in place, neither moving it up nor down. His hands tensed and coarsely strangled the handle of the blade as a small tempered voice reached his ears.
"Herr Logan..."
---------------------
In the control booth, Beast charged out the door, while Xavier decided to take matters into his own hands. He placed his fingers on his temples and quickly concentrated on the elder mutant below him.
---------------------
'Logan...'
The Wolverine growled as his Katana fought gravity and his strength to say in midair having a will of its own. His senses reveled in the memories associated. A small village in the desert coated red with blood. The horsemen rode on. A long curved scimitar fell against the night sky. The cloudless night sky erupted into lightning.
Kurt dared not move as he stared back into his teacher's emotionless eyes. "Herr Logan..."
The images flashed through the elder mutant's mind relaying back to the telepath. Headless bodies fell to the ground as the sky exploded in energy.
'LOGAN STOP THIS NOW!'
Logan's eyes widened as he took a step back. With a shake of his head, whatever demons had been haunting him floated away from his sight. He looked down at his hands, shaking and covered in sweat.
"Herr Logan, are you okay?"
The grizzled mutant looked up into the face of the blue teenager staring at him with concern and worry. The student took a tentative step forward and held out his open hand.
"Herr Log-"
"Its okay kid."
Kurt watched as his instructor sheathed his sword and exited the Danger room. "You're lowerin' your guard on the left. Next week we're starting Katana training, no excuses. I expect you to be ready by then."
The teenage mutant let out a sigh he didn't know he was holding and walked over to where his swords lay. He picked up the long Western European style blade before grabbing a towel and walking to the showers.
------------------------
[1] I don't own La Quinta, although I have stayed there, its pretty nice.
[2] Pirates of the Caribbean rocks, its really good. I own the DVD but nothing else.
A/N: God knows you can't write more unless you get reviews. Speaking of reviews,
TKD: I'm glad I made everything clearer. Seriously though, anytime you think anything is a little off, be sure to review and tell me. It's great stuff. I'm happy that I got McCain right; it took me forever to get it how I wanted. And its not a canon evil immortal, sorry :(
The Incredible Bouncing Ferret or...something: I'm scared...oh so very scared. :P Thanks for the review
A/N 2: I finally put the evil Immortal in, about damn time. And don't worry about the tension between Beast and Logan; they both have the best intentions at heart. And with the Deputy, remember that a dead cop is very hard to cover up. I tried my best with the sword fighting, but I'm not very sure about it. Took me long enough. Sorry for the wait people, but it might be even more of a wait for the next part, I'm working two jobs and trying to pay for my wedding/honeymoon etc. not to mention all the little ideas running rampant around in my tiny little brain are driving me crazy.
Granted it's a short drive, quite leisurely, but still.
A/N 3: Because of ff.net's new software/changes, I'm gonna change a few things, and instead of the backslash, I'm having to use the horizontal breaks. And also " " = Speech ' ' = Thought :: ::= Speakers, radio, TV, etc... Disclaimers: I don't own anything relating to Marvel Comics or Highlander. Highlander universe season 5, "Comes a Horseman."
Dedicated to everyone that has ideas but doesn't think they're good enough
--------------------------------------------
Deputy Henry Eggertson sighed as he saw a car parked infront of the Xavier Institute for Gifted Children. "Goddammit, not another one."
Since the school's 'outing' a few months ago, the Sheriff's department had the thirty two year old make passes by the large estate during his patrol. Every couple of days or so, there'd be some anti-mutant graffiti, a protest, or a few of the local Friends of Humanity chapter putting on something, which Henry didn't really think too much of as long as they kept it quiet.
But there had been a few wackos that wanted to scale the wall with rifles and a homemade bomb. Especially after what happened with that Sefton girl a few weeks ago. Deputy Eggertson sighed as be he flipped the patrol car's lights on and pulled over behind the dark gray Lexus. He quickly radioed in. "Jake this is Henry. I got a eleven-fifty four, suspicious vehicle, at the Xavier institute, respond."
::Roger Henry, we've been having threats recently. Be advised it maybe another armed FoH nut job.::
Henry smirked. "Copy, I'll radio back in 5."
The person in the driver's side was Caucasian, Henry guessed about thirty, thirty-two years old, about two hundred-ten pounds, red hair, blue eyes. The trench coat was probably not a good sign. He walked over to the driver side window and rapped his baton on the glass.
The man rolled down the window and smiled. "How may I help you officer?"
Henry sighed and nodded to the glove compartment. "You mind showing me your license and registration please?"
The redheaded man smiled and handed the deputy his drivers' license before leaning over and rifling through the papers in the glove compartment. Henry leaned with one hand on the car and spoke. "Well Mister... Daniels, may I why you came all the way from... Toronto... to park here by yourself, at five o-clock in the morning?"
The man discovered to be Arthur Daniels handed the policeman his car registration and sighed. "Well, you see, I'm with the Associated Press and- "
Deputy Eggertson held up one hand and interrupted the so-called 'reporter'. "Listen, 'Daniels' I have a lot of freaks and psychos that come out of the woodwork claiming to be the press or whatever that just want to make some trouble with the muties. I don't care if you're a mutie, human, or a goddamn space alien as long as I don't get any trouble."
The redheaded man pursed his lips and leaned back into the chair. "Now an alien, that would make for some good news, but I was merely-"
Henry sighed and rolled his eyes. "Sir, I'm sorry, but I'm gonna have to ask you to leave."
The man known as Arthur Daniels took one look back at the police cruiser, the blue and red lights whirring brightly. He turned back to face the deputy and nodded. "Is there a hotel nearby that I can stay at?"
Deputy Eggertson nodded and motioned down the road. "Take a left at the next intersection and about six miles down the road there's a La Quinta." [1]
As Daniels started the car, Henry leaned in to ask one last question. "Can I ask how long you're planning to stay in Bayville Mr. Daniels."
The redheaded man smiled evilly. "Oh don't worry..." the man squinted to read the deputy's uniform. "Deputy Eggertson, I'm sure you'll be seeing more of me."
Henry crossed his arms over his chest. "Is that a threat Mr. Daniels?"
The man merely rolled up the window before driving off.
---------------------------------
Kurt stood alone in the Danger Room and checked his holowatch, which he very recently found out could also tell the time. The wonders of modern technology: holograms and teenagers that can show up early. Slowly the felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise and the low current race along his spine. He turned and faced his instructor as the elder mutant walked into the room and set down a black duffel bag infront of him. He growled, "Well kid, I'm glad you decided to show up early for once."
Kurt grinned and rolled his eyes. "Herr Logan, I-"
"Catch."
Kurt's arm automatically shot out and grabbed the hilt of a long European style Rapier. He stared at the blade in shock for several seconds before stammering out a response. "Where did-"
Logan held onto the bag and started lecturing. "You've had more training with it, you're comfortable. That's good. The Rapier's deceptive speed combined with its excellent reach can be a great ally. Especially when the fencer behind it is about as fast and hyper as the Energizer Bunny on crack. It compliments your speed and suits your personality, fast and frenetic."
Kurt grinned as his ego was inflated. "Herr Logan, you do not need to lecture me about zhe Rapier. I have been training with it since I was a child. "
Logan dropped the duffel bag and pulled out a long curved Katana in its sheath. He quickly unsheathed the Easter style blade and deadpanned. "Well Elf, if I'm boring ya."
The young mutant's face paled as he realized he had in effect challenged the Wolverine to a duel.
"Eeep."
In the blink of an eye Kurt found himself, dodging the gleaming blade of the sword and went on the defensive. He quickly brought up the Rapier and used it to deflect the massive power behind Logan's attacks. "Don't you zhink we should do some exercises first?"
"This is the exercise." Logan cut the young mutants tirade off with an upward slash and elbowed him in the face. The long curved blade of the Katana screamed by Kurt's face as he leaned back to dodge another strike.
-----------------------------------------
"Hey, Rogue."
The southern Goth groaned and rolled over in her bed, facing away from the brunette girl. "Kitty, I swear to almighty Gawd. If you don't let me get some more sleep, I'll dye your clothes black and take away your Britney CDs, now let me sleep."
Kitty grinned as she plopped down onto the bed, next to Marie, who promptly muttered something about the death of many stuffed animals. "Rogue, like what's your plans for Christmas? It's in three days."
There was a mumbled reply about Christmas being a sham proliferated by greedy corporations and merchandising companies.
The younger girl fell back on the bed and smiled wistfully. "I wonder what Lance'll get me?"
There was no response from the lump on the bed beside her.
"He knows that I want some jewelry, I mean, like who doesn't want jewelry. Can't really go wrong with that. Maybe a necklace, earrings, oh, he could show up in a tuxedo at the front gate looking all nice and handsome. He'll show up the first day of Hanukkah with a dozen flowers in one hand and invite me down to the limo he rented. He could take me out on a nice date with champagne and flowers and he could get the guy with the violin to come over and play for us..."
Rogue growled and slowly crawled out from underneath her covers. "Ugggh. Alright I'm up, I'm up whaddaya want?"
Kitty grinned widely. "Weeellll, nothing really, I just wanted to make sure that you got your holiday shopping done."
Rogue groaned as she walked over to the dresser and shuffled through some clothes before settling on a dark green shirt black gloves pants and a see- through mesh. "Weren't you complaining about how Christmas was overshadowing Hanukkah and that any holiday that requires the ritual slaughter of millions of trees..."
Kitty ran over and started pushing Rogue into the bathroom. "Well, you see I decided that its not the type of religion you are, it's the spirit of the season, now go take a shower, you've got pillow hair."
Rogue glared at the young girl before grabbing a change of clothes and a towel. As an after thought she turned to the younger mutant. "If you follow me in there, I aint gonna be accountable for my actions."
Kitty sighed as the door slammed shut in her face. "Hurry it up. I was able to steal Jean's SUV for the day and I don't want it to go to waste."
Rogue opened the door and poked her head out. "How in the hell did you manage that?"
Kitty smirked evilly. "Oh, I was able to distract her with something..."
------------------------
Jean smiled as the glare of the large screen TV illuminated the otherwise dark room. Onscreen, the spirited William Turner confronted the swashbuckling Captain Jack Sparrow. [2]
::Where's Elizabeth?::
::She's safe, just like I promised. She's all set to marry Norrington, just like she promised. And you get to die for her, just like you promised. So we're all men of our word really... except for Elizabeth, who is in fact, a woman.::
-------------------------
Kurt barely had time to dodge the Katana's razor sharp edge as his instructor sliced the air inches from his nose.
The young mutant flipped back onto his back legs narrowly missing the pointed tip of the large blade and took off running with his instructor in fast pursuit.
The danger room had been set to idle for their training. No lasers, no flamethrowers, no assorted death machines. The stark white room lay flat and unresponsive. The two combatants were prohibited from using powers. The goal of the session was simple...
Kurt dodged a downward swipe and went on the offensive.
...fight.
His instructor assumed a traditional eastern fighting stance. He rested most of his weight towards the rear leg and held the blade next to his chest, the edge parallel to the ceiling. The two mutants attacked each other simultaneously. Kurt saw an opening to his left and trust the point of his Rapier. Logan spun out of the way, using the torque of his movements to slice diagonally upwards deflecting the Rapier. "With long swords, like the Katana, it makes your opponent reach in further to attack you."
Kurt dodged as his instructor's counter nearly took one of his arms off. "Ja, I am seeing zhat."
The two opponents stopped their attacks and backed off. Kurt opted for a more familiar fencing stance and stood with his two legs far apart, his left hand curved up in a 'C,' holding the blade outward with his dominant arm.
Logan's face was impassive as he held the long smooth katana out in front of him with both hands. The cold silver sheen of the metal reflected the bright lights of the Danger room.
Kurt grinned and ran towards his opponent. The young blue mutant flipped into the air and used the point of the Rapier to parry away the sleek blade of the Katana and kicked Logan square in the ribs, using the backwards thrust to move away. Logan grunted and slashed down, barely missing the young student's left side.
-------------------------
"Do you think he is going a little hard on the boy?"
Xavier smiled and nodded as Hank McCoy walked up behind him and watched the display from the control room of the Danger room. "I suppose. I was never the one to impose the... physical aspect of training. Logan is more than adequate in that respect."
McCoy nodded and leaned against the wall, keeping his gaze down upon the Danger room. "Kurt told me earlier that he has had extensive training with swords."
"Yes, it was one of his acts in the..."
"Munich Circus I know, the mere mention of the word 'circus' infront of the boy causes him to talk faster that I believed humanly possible."
Xavier smiled. "You've been talking to Kurt?"
McCoy nodded and turned back to watch Logan and Kurt fence. "A few times, mainly during his weekly checkups."
Xavier pursed his lips and nodded. "What did you two talk about?"
The blue furred mutant grinned and shook his head. "I am afraid I can't tell you that."
Xavier turned to face the other mutant. "Doctor-patient confidentiality?"
"No, just secrets between the blue and furry. Mainly grooming tips."
-------------------------
In a flurry of motion the two mutants continued to fence.
"The worst thing the Rapier fighter can do is to allow his weapon to be bound up with the point off to the side."
Kurt swiped the Katana to his left and thrust the Rapier towards Logan's shoulder.
Logan parried the thrusting attack and stepped up into Kurt and carefully placed the flat side of the Katana against Kurt's chest. "Once you're past a Rapier's point, the weapon is almost impotent. He also must avoid fighting close-in where the Katana's force and slicing ability will instantly dominate."
The young mutant pushed off his instructor and growled in frustration. "Zhen what do you want me to do?"
Logan held up his hand and interrupted the young mutant. "Fight!, a weapon is only as good as the person behind it."
Kurt put his arms on his knees as he tried to regain some of his breath. "I did not know zhat my inferiority was troubling you Herr Logan."
The elder mutant growled and held the long blade behind his back with one arm. "Kid, this aint the time for jokes. Part of the learning process is knowing that there are people better than you and that you might have to change your tactics. Me, I've had years of training. With almost any sword you can think of. Like I said, the weapon is only as good as the person behind it. For my style of attack, the Katana is more...suitable. For you, it's the Rapier, but you gotta learn to change. Change is hard, but it beats everything else."
------------------------------
McCoy grinned. "Why I do believe that our dear Mister Logan is being a bit of a show off."
Charles Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Where did you reach that conclusion?"
The blue mutant deadpanned. "He isn't using his claws."
Xavier chuckled. "Well, he doesn't want to dismember the young boy. Besides a nice little fencing exercise might help Mister Wagner get back into practice."
McCoy turned back to the fight and mumbled under his breath. "The cheesy one liners are a bit much though."
------------------
Logan hissed in pain as he felt the tip of his student's Rapier slice through his shoulder. He looked up and growled in anger as the blue furred mutant suddenly realized the magnitude of his error.
"Oh Scheiße."
- Oh Shit -
--------------------------
Xavier grinned. "Yes, well, I believe that Mister Wagner is now putting on a good show as well."
The large blue mutant took out his glasses and put them on. "Oh is he? I believe I see him running away from Logan while screaming."
Xavier nodded and rolled his wheelchair over to the command display. "Yes, perhaps I get ready to call off this training exercise just in case."
Beast sighed and cleaned his glasses. "Yes, we don't want Kurt to get injured. It might be prudent just incase Logan were to loose control and..."
Xavier shook his head. "Logan would never consciously hurt a student."
"Its not the 'conscious' part I'm worried about."
Xavier hesitated and turned to face McCoy. "I have known Logan for many years now, long after he lost his memory. I have gone into his mind countless times to try and resuscitate the dead embers of those memories. Even without being inside his mind, Logan and I have been friends for many, many years; so don't take what I am saying as an insult to him. It is nothing of the sort."
McCoy sternly turned to face the professor. "What do you mean then?"
Xavier shook his head as he watched Logan's Katana reflect the light off like a perfect mirror. "I trust him completely with the safety of the students and the safety of this facility. He is here to teach the students how to survive. He is teaching Kurt how to fight and that is what he is there for. I can think of no one better suited or equipped to take on the mission laid out for him."
McCoy nodded, watching Xaviers face as the professor's eyes refused to leave the fight.
"But I also heard about what happened when I went missing. Logan has his faults. He does not like others telling him what to do. He has trouble understanding other people. He pushes them away slightly, even though some like Kitty and Rogue have gotten under his skin. And now that he has someone that might be able to see him on equal footing, he could confront some of those issues. He would never say it, but he prides himself on being the last man standing from a fight."
Xavier sighed and leaned forward, bringing up several commands on the monitor. "All that being said, he cares more deeply for the students than you or he believes. And it would do Logan a deal of good to realize that."
McCoy nodded and looked back out at the fight. "And Kurt?"
The meaning was not lost on the professor. Xavier sighed. "Kurt needs someone that he feels he can connect to. It doesn't have to be just one person. We should all get as close as we can to the students, Logan included. Its important that we do so."
The Beast sighed and turned back to the professor. "And what if something happens?"
The professor's face was unreadable as he worked on the terminal. "Then it is even more important."
Xavier finished bringing up the correct 'end simulation' prompt and hesitated. He looked back out to the Danger room to see the Kurt and Logan racing across the floor in a blur of steel, blue fur and skin. "I think I would like to watch the end of this fight." He turned and faced McCoy.
The blue furred instructor sighed and turned back to face the glass screening. "It is a great thing when the student passes the teacher. It would be good to see that."
Xavier nodded and turned back to the fight. They both watched in silence for several seconds until they saw Kurt get tripped and fall flat on his rear end.
"Well, I don't think that we have to worry about that happening in the meantime."
McCoy sighed. "No, I don't believe that we will."
-----------------------------------------
Logan grinned as he heard the blood pounding through his veins. The elf mirrored his smile and continued to attack. Their movements increased in tempo and frequency. As one attacked, the other defended. When one defended, the other attacked. Their fencing became more intense and frenetic. Kurt flipped overhead and swiped the long Rapier down hard against the Katana, creating a spark of electricity.
The blade flew back and forth against each other, neither yielding in power or speed. Logan's movements became more animalistic and fluid. With a feral grace Kurt had never seen before, Logan exploded into a frenzy of slashes and strikes all aimed at the young mutant's torso and neck.
Kurt's heart beat like a steel drum as his instructor lunged at him with a scream. He brought the Rapier up to block the initial strike and was rewarded with a steel fist to the chest. The Wolverine bared his teeth and swiped the long blade horizontally, knocking Kurt's Rapier away. He kicked the youth's back, forcing Kurt to fall to his hands and knees.
---------------------
Charles Xavier felt his heart stop as he watched the elder mutant drop the student to his knees and laugh.
---------------------------
The Wolverine whispered an old apology as he forced the blade down. "There can be only one..."
---------------------
Xavier frantically pounded on the keyboard, turning off the simulation. He grabbed the microphone and began shouting into it.
--------------------
::LOGAN! STOP!::
Kurt looked up sheepishly as his instructor's sword hovered mere inches above the base of his skull. Logan breathed hoarsely as he willed the strong blade in place, neither moving it up nor down. His hands tensed and coarsely strangled the handle of the blade as a small tempered voice reached his ears.
"Herr Logan..."
---------------------
In the control booth, Beast charged out the door, while Xavier decided to take matters into his own hands. He placed his fingers on his temples and quickly concentrated on the elder mutant below him.
---------------------
'Logan...'
The Wolverine growled as his Katana fought gravity and his strength to say in midair having a will of its own. His senses reveled in the memories associated. A small village in the desert coated red with blood. The horsemen rode on. A long curved scimitar fell against the night sky. The cloudless night sky erupted into lightning.
Kurt dared not move as he stared back into his teacher's emotionless eyes. "Herr Logan..."
The images flashed through the elder mutant's mind relaying back to the telepath. Headless bodies fell to the ground as the sky exploded in energy.
'LOGAN STOP THIS NOW!'
Logan's eyes widened as he took a step back. With a shake of his head, whatever demons had been haunting him floated away from his sight. He looked down at his hands, shaking and covered in sweat.
"Herr Logan, are you okay?"
The grizzled mutant looked up into the face of the blue teenager staring at him with concern and worry. The student took a tentative step forward and held out his open hand.
"Herr Log-"
"Its okay kid."
Kurt watched as his instructor sheathed his sword and exited the Danger room. "You're lowerin' your guard on the left. Next week we're starting Katana training, no excuses. I expect you to be ready by then."
The teenage mutant let out a sigh he didn't know he was holding and walked over to where his swords lay. He picked up the long Western European style blade before grabbing a towel and walking to the showers.
------------------------
[1] I don't own La Quinta, although I have stayed there, its pretty nice.
[2] Pirates of the Caribbean rocks, its really good. I own the DVD but nothing else.