9

Poetry in Motion or

Perfect Match

A week after Jadyn's powers came she was well enough, and brave enough, to request use of the Danger Room. Xavier had smiled in amusement stating that she "really did know much about the X-Men." In the end he had agreed. It was about time she began learning to utilize her powers…especially if she was to become one of them.

The conversation flooded back to her as she made her way down to train:

"You mean become part of the X-Men?" She had asked.

"That is what you wanted isn't it?" He regarded her with his smiling eyes and a hint of seriousness. "But I must have you know it is a very difficult profession."

"Not any more so than teaching." Jadyn quipped, but returned to her previous solemnity. "Yes, sir, I do very well understand what kind of life it is. There are a lot of sacrifices, aren't there?"

To that Xavier nodded. "Very well then, welcome to the team and I hope you won't regret it." He said this because Jadyn was just getting used to only living in the mansion among them. To put herself in situations like the X-Men were used to could probably be too much, and despite what she said about being sure what she was getting herself into, he was concerned.

"Oh, I won't, Professor." She beamed.

Now she entered the control room to the Danger Room. She had talked to Scott earlier about training because she didn't know how to use the DR properly. She knew what it could do, but making out all those switches and buttons…. Ack! Cyclops said he would have it taken care of. She thought he meant that he would be down here, but he wasn't. She wrinkled her nose, confused. What did he do, leave me a manual?

The answer to her needs soon came from below. She heard the sound of fighting and at first she was startled. Then she realized that someone was training. She walked over to look out the observation window. She gasped. It was Kurt, and he was absolutely stunning!

X X X

When Scott Summers had approached him about looking after Jadyn in the Danger Room Kurt Wagner was a little uneasy at the prospect, and worried. First of all, she was so new to the mansion and had, according to the leader, just recently been inducted into the ranks of the X-Men. That didn't surprise him in the least. She had a fighter's spirit, always ready to do whatever was needed, whenever it was needed. She would be a perfect addition to their team.

However, he wasn't sure if he would be the best for her to work with. She had great potential, yes, but had she had any contact with fighting before? He hoped so, but he expected her not to be. He saw her life before arriving there fairly normal, school and friends and family. He did not see her as the type to need fighting abilities. Even so, she had just got out of the infirmary due to the manifestation of her powers. What if they went wild again? What would he do?

In the end Kurt had decided that they would cross that bridge if need be and said he would make sure Jadyn had proper help. Besides, as of late he hadn't had time to get down to the Danger Room so this was a good reason to do so. He arrived a little earlier than Scott had said Jadyn would so to give him time to train himself. He changed his clothes, set the program and teleported down.

Half an hour later he was deep into his fight with his simulated enemy, a nameless, faceless brute. Nightcrawler avoided it easily, employing the acrobatics he was so famous for. In his hand glinted another one of his tools, a sword of remarkable style and quality. One of many types stored for training. This particular one was a simple fencing type, rigged with tiny electronics to correspond with the simulation. Each hit was calculated and the damage was taken out on the hologram. Very neat toy, indeed.

He moved quickly, his motions fluid and graceful. He was precise with his attacks. Not only did he make use of the sword in his hand, but his amazing fighting abilities, also. To anyone watching it would be obvious how he had nearly succeeded in Stryker's devilish plan. He was a force to be reckoned with, and despite his usually peaceful and mild demeanor, he had the heart of a warrior.

He delivered the last blow to the simulation, and the hologram deactivated. With a weary sigh he sat down on the floor to rest before it was to continue. "Do you wish to proceed?" came a computerized voice. He opened his mouth to answer, but suddenly the program shut off, issuing a quiet, "Thank You." He stood and looked up.

In the window was Jadyn waving at him enthusiastically. She must have turned it off. She ducked her head and moments later her voice invaded the room. "That was marvelous! You're wonderful!"

Kurt found himself smiling at the girl. He teleported back up to the control room. "You really think so, meine freundin?" He inquired.

"Yes! Absolutely!" She cried, "boy, would I have liked some of my old friends back where we came from to have seen that." As an afterthought she said, in explanation, "they think you can't fight. Heh, but you're… wow." She averted her eyes in an almost embarrassed manner. She hated when she began to rattle.

"Danke." He said.

"Um, that's thank you, right?"

"Yes." He answered, smiling wider. "It is. Would you like to begin?"

"Yeah." She said. "So, where do we start?"

"For today how about we just work on physical training. How are you with that?"

"Great!" She exclaimed, thinking back to all her Akido Lessons. She couldn't wait to get down there and see how she fared against Kurt. She knew she wouldn't even be close to his talent, but perhaps… one day. A mischievous smile graced her lips. "Let's get goin'!" She said. He began to move to the door before she stopped him, "hey, why are we walking?"

He looked at her in surprise. "I didn't think you would want to go that way."

"Um… yeah." She replied, as if it had been the most obvious choice.

"Are you sure? You do know that- -"

"Yes, yes, some people can't handle it. I can do it. Scouts honor." She said with a smile.

"Okay then, but remember, you asked." He reached out and took her hand in his. Seconds later they were down below.

"Whoa! That was cool!" Jadyn said excitedly, and Kurt only shook his head at her. She was such a strange girl. He was going to ask if she was okay, but apparently that wasn't needed. As she said she would she had handled it fine. When she noticed him studying her she added, "it's all about mind over matter, yes?'

"I guess so." He laughed. "Shall we begin?"

She immediately struck a defensive pose. "Yes, Mr. Wagner, sir!"

"You are a martial artist?" He asked, pleasantly surprised.

"Yup!" She answered, then more impatiently, "come on then, let's quit wasting time!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

X X X

Piotr was sitting on the couch when Mica bounded in the room. He was drawing but when he heard the door open to the Rec. Room he quickly shut his sketch pad. "Hey," Mica plopped down next to him, "What's up?"

"Sometimes it's hard to remember you're 14," Piotr said trying to hid a grin, "I mean sometimes you act so young."

Mica glared at him, "Hey!" suddenly Mica got a mischievous grin on her face and then she leapt at him. They both went tumbling to the floor, "Take it back!"

"Like you could make me." Piotr said a smile on his face, he proceeded to roll over and pin Mica down, "A little advice, don't take someone on whose twice your size."

Mica just raised an eyebrow, "Uh-huh."

Piotr's smile slowly vanished and he gazed intently at her, Mica shifted uncomfortably. She knew Piotr was about to kiss her and it wasn't that she didn't want him to, in fact the problem lay in the fact that she did want to kiss him, badly.

Mica had sworn when she walked out of Ben's apartment that day she would never let her heart guide her again. Not that she was in love with Piotr but Mica was certain that she could fall in love with him and that was a huge problem. Mica knew she had to make a decision quickly.

Piotr lowered his head and Mica put her hands flat on his chest however, instead of pushing away as she had originally intended Mica's lashes fluttered closed, she could feel Piotr's breath tickling her lips.

Suddenly the door banged open, "Piotr! Mica!" Bobby, Rogue, Kitty, and Jubilee came bursting in.

Piotr rolled off of her and stood, "What!?"

Bobby paused, but wisely said nothing, about that subject anyway, "Jadyn and Kurt are sparing in the danger room."

"Cool!" Mica said and she jumped and ran toward the danger room with the other's trailing behind.

Bobby hung back and grabbed Piotr, "What's with you and Mica?"

"Nothing." Piotr said and when Bobby gave him a look he added, "Really."

"Fine, have it your way." Bobby said and they took off after the others.

X X X

Jadyn tried to avoid another one of Kurt's relentless assaults, but it was useless. He had had much more practice and was far better than she was. At the beginning she might have had a chance to get a little ahead, but that chance was long gone now. She was getting tired and felt like she might keel over at any moment. Not only was she having a hard time trying to keep up with his movements, but he had to make it worse by teleporting all over the place. "Would you quit doin' that!" She cried, exasperated.

"Now, why would I do that?" He replied.

She growled at him when he appeared behind her, "do you know how annoying that is!?"

"That is why I'm doing it." He cracked, grinning at her. She attempted another hit, but he dodged. In doing so he grabbed her, immobilizing her by wrapping his arms around her and pinning her arms to her side.

"Let go!" She demanded.

"Very well." He suddenly released her, causing her to stumble forward precariously. She ended up tripping on her own feet and spinning around until she fell onto the floor. She was so beat she didn't even try to move. She stayed there for a minute, expecting to have a little more time, but as soon as she did take a stab at getting to her feet, Kurt pushed her back. He held her down by her wrists and to keep her from escaping his knees were placed against her sides.

At any other time she would have gladly welcomed a position like this, but not right then. "Get off!" She shouted.

Suddenly Mica's voice came over the intercom, "hey! If the two of you are gonna do that you better find a more private place!"

Jadyn blushed madly, silently vowing revenge. Kurt scrambled off her and stood. He reached down and helped her up. "Mica?"

"Yeah, and Rogue, Bobby, Piotr, Jubilee and Kitty. We came down to see what you were doing. Maybe we shouldn't have." She snickered suggestively.

Jadyn glared again, "we were fighting, Mica. Will you lay off?"

"Fine, I was only joking. Why don't you two come up here?"

Kurt put his hand on Jadyn's shoulder and teleported her up to the control room.

"I'm guessing you won." Bobby commented to Kurt, noticing Jadyn's ragged appearance.

"Yes."

"But next time," Jadyn said, "next time I'll - -"

"Lose." Piotr grinned. She narrowed her eyes at him, but started laughing, knowing it was true.

"Hey guys, let's do something." Kitty said. "We haven't done anything fun for days."

"Yeah." Jubilee agreed. "Let's watch a movie!" She turned to Mica, "hey, didn't you go rent some the other day?"

"Yeah." Mica said, "but what do you want to watch?"

Everyone thought. "Something with action." Bobby said. "Lots of action."

"No, I want something with Romance in it. I don't really feel like watching a bunch of guys punch each other out thanks." Kitty replied to that. "Other than that it doesn't matter."

"It has to be funny." Mica put in, then looked at Jadyn. The two began to smile before simultaneously saying, "The Princess Bride."

All the teenagers exchanged glances, unsure if they had ever heard of it. Kurt grinned, "that's perfect."

"You've seen it?" Mica asked in surprise and disbelief.

"Of course."

Jadyn smiled, "who hasn't?"

"Us." Bobby said, "apparently. Is it any good?"

"Absolutely!" Mica cried.

"Well, let's get going then." Jadyn said, "and we must beware of R.O.U.S's"

"Oh, but I do not think they exist." Kurt joked, and the two were off laughing.

As they walked off Mica turned to everyone else, "that's scary."

X X X

Magneto's base…

"That's her." St. John Allerdyce said peering over Mystique's shoulder to see the computer. The photograph of a familiar 19 year old mutant illuminated the screen along with her newly added profile. Mica Griffin. "She's only been a student for a couple weeks, that's when I first saw her. What's your interest in her anyway?"

"Not just her." Erik Lehnsherr said, scanning the information on the profile. "Was she with anyone?"

"Just that Logan guy and the weather witch. If there was anyone else I didn't see them." Pyro replied. "What's this about?"

Magneto grinned. "You have no idea the importance of what you have stumbled across, do you? You don't know what this means." For only an instant he pondered to himself and then he said to Mystique, "Raven, will you please cross reference the last name Griffin?"

She nodded, and within moments the search brought up two results. One was Mica, the other was Jadyn. Once again Magneto spoke, "Thalia Jadyn Griffin. Age 21. Position: Teacher, Biology and Chemistry. Powers: Energy Manipulation. Impressive."

"They're the ones, aren't they, Erik?" Mystique turned to look at the older man.

"Indeed they are. I was about to give up hope they would return, but now that they have…" He paused, then ordered quietly, "Pyro, why don't you give Miss Mica Griffin a call."

"When sir?" He raised an eyebrow suspiciously, curiously. "What's the plan?"

"When I give the word. Meanwhile, you know what to do, Mystique."

The shape shifter smiled. She knew exactly what to do.

Sorry everyone for the long period of no update. School got a hold of me and wouldn't let go. It slipped my mind. Also, I haven't had much time to hang out with my writing partner. This might put a damper on the story. While I can write a lot of this myself a lot of it relies on Angel. So I'll have to talk to her about it.

Well, hope ya liked this chapter. As an early warning it might be awhile before I get the next chapter up because of the school and friend issues.

Adieu, Adieu, Adieu ...

Apocalyptic Muse