This chapter was a pain to write. Mainly because at this point Warren is suppose to be bored and impatient, so his POV is suppose to drift back and forth.
Sue Penkivech: Thanks! I'm glad you've liked it so far.
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Agent Fred Duncan, as the Prof explains, works for the F.B.I. and has a type of partnership deal going on with Xavier. I didn't really consider it, but I guess it does make sense for us to be working with the government. Maybe it would help us in the long run to prove mutants could be trusted. Duncan told us he was here to see our progress as well as give us some additional training. Though that would have to wait, as the Prof told us all to clean up the mess. With the three of us mopping together the work was done in no time. Well I would have been done faster, if SOMEONE didn't keep tripping me with snow.
"Now rest well my X-Men. We will start our lesson at 4:00 a.m. sharp--yes Bobby, that early." Xavier responded to the kids' groan, with a slight smile. The Professor and Duncan left in the direction of the study, so we moved back to our dorms. Scott bid us goodnight, saying he was going to try to get some studying in before going to bed. Bobby, not quite managing to suppress his grin, took off to the shower.
I was livid. I had never been made a fool in my life, yet a frozen twerp manages to do so twice. Twice! It was downright humiliating. My pride had been damaged, so it only seemed fitting that I returned the favor. A plan began to form in my head, but it would have to wait. Satisfied that my revenge would so be at hand I retreated to my room. By the time I had stripped myself of the harness I was starting to feel drowsy.
I might of fallen asleep then and there if not for the faint sounds I heard coming from the vent. Curious, I leaned in closer to listen.
"-the prototype is restricted of course. Trask feels that it should be on a need to know basis, and that I don't need to know. Which might mess things up for the trip." Duncan sighed.
"I don't think it will be a problem. I feel confident that we will be able to deal with any difficulties that may arise."
Trip? I knew I tended to blank out when the lectures came, but I was sure that I would have recalled that.
"Have you mentioned it to the boys yet? Or their parents?"
"No, not yet. I was planning on doing so after our session tomorrow," Xavier said, "Warrens' parents don't realize their son...condition. And you know about Scott."
"The Worthingtons don't know their kid has a pair of wings?! How could a parent miss that?" Duncan asked. It was a sore point for me. I had hated being stuck at private schools with strangers. My father often told me I needed to focus more on the important things in life. A fine thing for a man who hardly sees his son to say. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents dearly, but lately I feel we don't know each other. Well I guess we don't since they have no idea their son is a mutant. I wonder how they would take that. Would they disown me? Accept me?
I knew Scott didn't have to worry about it, but did Bobby?
"Warren found a way," Xavier replied, seeming perhaps a little impressed. It was hard to tell by his tone alone. "The problem I'm afraid lies in the Drakes. Or rather William Drake." Now that was interesting, I leaned in closer eager for more information.
"You think he'll object?"
"No. I know he will. Though technically I can do this without his say in the matter, I would prefer not to have to resort to that."
"Well he has to agree to this, we have to have all the boys together for this. Bottom line is, do you think he'll let Bobby go." It was deadly quite, and I feared the Prof might have sensed me for a moment. But then, very faintly, so much so that I barely caught it, he replied.
"Yes. In the end he'll realize this is for his sons' best interest."
When Duncan began the conversation again I was at a complete lose at what they were talking about.
"......I still have a hard time believing it about him. I mean, Scott I could see but--"
"I know Fred," Xavier sighed, "I was just as shocked to discover it. To find one was a shocking development in it's self, but another... Moria and I discussed this and we both agreed it was best to keep the separate for the time being. Having never encounter people as gifted as them before, we have no idea how they we react to each other. No, it's better this way. Once they learn more ..." Xavier trailed off. I hadn't a clue what they were talking about, but I was interested all the same. I might have keep listening if not for one small annoyance...
"Goodnight Papa Smurf." Bobby yelled from across the hall. Soon the thought of the mysterious conversation disappeared to be replace with sweet thoughts of revenge.
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The next day.
We all changed into our school uniforms and met the duo in the Danger Room. (Huh, "Danger Room" does have a nice ring to it.) The usual equipment was absent, the only thing different about the room were the blue mats. Off to the sidelines sat the Professor chatting almost animatedly with Duncan. Duncan chuckled and waved us over to them.
"Nice of you gentlemen to join us."
"We thought so too."
"Robert--"
"Sorry Professor."
"Anyway...," Duncan continued, "I am aware of your unique talents, and I have already witnessed some of them." He gave a meaningful, and unnecessary glance to Scott and Bobby. I rolled my eyes. "However, you may not always be able to rely on you powers to defend yourself. That is why I will be teaching you hand-to-hand combat,"he says taking off his jacket and walking to the center of the room. "Now, which one of you wants to go first?"
I expected Slim to go first, if nothing else than to please his superiors. When I heard Duncan thank me for volunteering I thought I had heard wrong. It was then I notice my team mates had taken a step backwards, giving off the impression that I had step forward. They both looked all too innocent when they wished me good luck. With a team like this who needs enemies...
I stepped onto the mats facing Duncan and awaited instructions. He started off with a lame speech about the art of Judo, which I tuned out. When out of no where he attacks. I just barely manage to deflect the blow when he comes at me again. I'm holding my own but that's all. All too soon he ends the match by flipping me onto the mat.
"Not bad Worthington, not bad at all. Still work for improvement though. You throw your punches to far to you right, leaving your left side open. But nothing that couldn't improve with a little practice." I'm far too shamed to object so I just nod. "Alright we'll work in pairs then, Summers you spar with Worthington, Drake your with me." That statement and then groan that followed brightened me up considerably.
The first spar match between Scott and me ended within two minutes. With me as the victor. Though after each match my partner seemed to pick up on a different weakness and improve his own form. I was beginning to worry I might lose to him when the Prof called off the session.
"Very good X-Men, but I think that's enough for now. After lunch we'll pick up on your regular training route."
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After lunch we took on our normal routes with the Prof. Cyclops was more precise than I would have gave him credit for. I flew through an obstacle course. Luckily, I made it out without losing to much face. The Professor ensured me that next time it would be more challenging for me. And that my time was far to slow. I silently fumed choosing to watch Iceman instead of ranting.
"Finally! I was beginning to think you forgot about me!" Bobby cried. His test was to shield himself from Cyclops blast. That alone, attacking Slim was out of the question. The kid was doing good at first. He was quick, making ice shields a second before his friend stuck. Cyclops however found a new means of attack. A beam shot onto the far wall behind Iceman, then was deflected. Bobby didn't know what hit him until it was too late.
"Oh man!" He groaned. A look passed between our supervisors as Scott helped his team mate stand up.
"You were easily distracted Bobby. Next time focus." Bobby opened his mouth but closed it quickly, not bothering to reply to the Prof.
"Now then, I have an announcementt to make." Duncan went on, still eyeing the kid. "Professor Xavier and I both feel you all need to work on your team work. Normally we would decide to train you at this school for a certain length of time. However the Professor and I both have important business in Washington D.C. So the only way we can accomplish both is for you three to come with us."
"What business?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me again.
"Never mind Warren." Xavier answered in a voice that clearly said that topic closed. "If all goes as planned we will leave at the end of the week. Any question?" Scott looked thoughtful but shook his head as Bobby spoke up.
"Can I get a new uniform?" He asked. Duncan chuckled, Xavier looked exasperated.
"I meant about the trip, Robert."
"I know, but it is-well sort of, since we'll be training and all."
"May I inquire what is wrong with your current--*sigh* You froze your uniform again, didn't you?"
Bobby nodded, having the grace to at least look a bit sheepish. "Well yeah."
"You should be more careful--"
"I try to be Professor, really I do! But when you call us we're all in a hurry to change, so I can't help but freeze up fast! Then, you know, the clothes become brittle a break off."
"You will have to make do with what you have left Bobby. Perhaps it will teach you not to rush."
"All I have left is the boots and the underwear thing that we wear over the uniform!" Bobby raged, seemly unaware of the audience he had.
"Then that will be all you will wear." Xavier said, looking embarrassed about the whole conversation.
"But I'm a minor! Is that even legal?!" At this point we all filed out, not bothering to hear the rest.
I took that time to begin phase one of my plot. If all went as planned tomorrow would be a day Bobby Drake would always remember.
A/N: Trask is actually the creator of the Sentinels. In the Children of the Atom mini series Duncan learns of it. Even if the series isn't in continuity (which I am keeping this in story) I wanted to include it. The conversation between Xavier and Duncan is about Bobby and Jean. It's based on the information in X-Men Forever #3. (I know because I reread it before writing this chapter.) Chris Clamount had Cyclops be a expert in Judo, which got me wondering where he learned it. So it only made sense that Agent Duncan would teach the team. Bobbys' clothes did break off when he iced up to fast (no wonder he never had any money in the old days.) It always bothered me that all Iceman wore back in the old days were a pair of speedos and boots. As his school/training uniform! So this is my way of explaining why.
Next chapter: Warrens' revenge, Bobby has a huge conflict, more tension between the boys.