Chapter 7: Tony Stark
BAYVILLE, NEW YORK
The week had passed pretty slowly, homework, Genkai's training, and the relative teenage angst was running rampant through the Institute. Good thing it was Saturday, Yusuke needed a break. He was starting to like school, which was weird, really weird, since he usually hated everything academic. With people like Jean, Hank, and the Professor, he was getting his homework done in time to do other stuff, like hang out with Keiko. Scott was really cool around him, acting like he owed both Yusuke and Kuwabara for helping him fight Duncan and his gang.
Kuwabara was still trying to regain his spiritual energy, but Logan had told him to focus more on his physical power. The Professor told him his powers would come back in time, and told him just to be patient. He was also starting to like the girl named Tabitha, and wondered why she wasn't here at the Institute.
Kurama had started getting a reputation at Bayville High; he always had girls chasing after him. It was like he was back at home, he tried to focus on his studies, but sometimes he couldn't get away from the girls. Back at the Institute, he had made some new friends, Jean, Kurt, Scott, Rogue, and this little kid named Jamie. Jamie was codenamed 'Multiple' because whenever he was hit he would make copies of himself. Kurama helped him out with his math and English when Rahne was doing her homework. Kurama was also taking a liking to Rogue, she was smart, funny, but the sad thing was she could never touch anybody because of her powers, so he decided to help her silently.
Keiko was getting used to the Institute, and Hank had done a blood test to check to see if she did have the X-Gene that hadn't been activated yet. Today she would be finding out if she did have a dormant X-Gene or not, but either way she was staying at the Institute. She had become really good friends with Jean, because she was hurting inside from Duncan's true self. She had also become friends with Kitty, who had taken her to the mall before Genkai's training started for the day. She always wondered why Yusuke was extremely tired out after the first six weeks of training, now she knew why, Genkai was a slave driver! She secretly wished that she didn't have powers, because Genkai would get on her case.
Yusuke was in the kitchen, grabbing a snack and some water after Genkai's training. He looked back to see Scott, Kuwabara, Evan, and Kurt walking into the room, completely exhausted from what Genkai made them do. He looked at the clock, and noticed it was 1:00 PM, and training did start at 7:00 AM. He took out a couple more water bottles, and saw them resting on the couch in the living room. He walked out and handed them to his friends.
"Thanks…Yusuke…how can you not be…exhausted after what Genkai put us through?" Scott panted, still tired from the ordeal that Genkai did for training.
"Ja, I mean, the balancing on Evan's spikes, the ten mile run around the mansion, the swimming, I'm vhiped!" Kurt groaned as he grabbed a water bottle from Yusuke.
"I'm just used to it," Yusuke replied, "Thing is, you can't let grandma get to you, or else she'll make the training even harder."
"You did this training before, right, Urameshi, does it get any harder?" Kuwabara asked, grabbing one of the bottles out of his friend's hand.
"Trust me, it does," Yusuke replied, and he jumped down onto the couch, "Pretty soon, she'll probably be getting Logan to rustle up some of the monsters from the Forbidden Forest back at her place for your next round of training."
"Monsters?" Kurt, Scott, and Kuwabara gasped, and Kuwabara vividly remembered the monsters and demons he encountered in the Forbidden Forest, "You got to be kidding me!" Kuwabara yelled.
"Nope, sorry," Yusuke replied, and he chugged his water bottle.
Scott sighed, and turned on the TV, quickly flipping through the channels. He then noticed something on the screen, it was the news, and was in New York.
"There has been another report of 'The Angel' today, witnesses say this strange winged man rescued a couple from a burning building," the reporter told the viewers, "And, also, another strike for the Daily Bugle's credibility, witnesses say the newest issue reports the Spider-Man stealing jewels when they noticed he was stopping the robbery…"
"The Professor isn't going to like this…" Scott mumbled, and then Yusuke noticed the Professor wheeling himself in, "Hey, Professor."
"Hello Scott, Genkai tells me that you are all progressing in your training," Charles told them, "Oh, I will be expecting a guest today, he is going to help me get everything set on the repairs and upgrades for the Danger Room."
"Who is he?" Scott asked.
"Tony Stark," Charles replied, "He helped me build the Danger Room, and also helped me acquire and upgrade the Blackbird and Velocity. He will be staying here for a few days as well, so he will know what needs to be upgraded."
"He knows about mutants?" Evan asked as the Professor caught his attention.
"Yes, he does, and he has also kept the secret ever since I met him," Charles explained, "He owns Stark Enterprises, and he backs the famous Iron Man, who works with the Avengers."
"You're kidding me…" Kuwabara gasped, since Iron Man was one of his favorite real world heroes, "Maybe he can help me with a few projects I've been thinking of…"
Kuwabara grinned as he imagined the super x-ray glasses, super loud horn and his own customized car. He thought of the possibilities, grinning widely.
"Oh, and Scott, we will deal with this Angel and Spiderman characters when it becomes a possibility that they would expose mutants," Charles told his student, "I'll keep a watch on him with Cerebro."
"Alright Professor," Scott said, and Genkai came into the room.
"Since you all have been working so hard with my training, I have decided to give you Sundays off," Genkai told them, and she saw the grin on her trainees' faces, "But don't think that I am going easy on you! On Monday, after school, you will all learn advance combat techniques with me and Logan!"
She smiled as Yusuke, Kurt, Kuwabara, Scott, and Evan shrugged, and then started to walk off.
"'Advance combat techniques' vhat does that mean?" Kurt asked as he started dreading Monday.
"It means she is going to put us all through the Spirit Power techniques…oy, she probably wants to get you guys to do the Spirit Wave and Shot Gun attacks that she taught me!" Yusuke grimaced, remembering how hard it was for him to get those techniques down.
"She probably wants to teach you basic Spirit Power control," Charles said as he wheeled further into the living room, "Yusuke, Kuwabara, could you get Kurama and come into my office, I have something to give you three."
"Sure professor, uh, what is it you want to give us?" Yusuke asked as he got off the couch.
"I think it is time you officially become part of the X-Men, Yusuke," Charles told them, and Kuwabara followed him while Yusuke went to go get Kurama.
On the other side of the mansion, Kurama, Keiko, Rogue, Jean, and Kitty were taking a break. Jean had decided to take a shower since Genkai's training had gotten her sweating. Kurama went up to his room, and changed into his casual wear. He sat on his bed and grabbed one of his books. After reading for about ten minutes, he heard a knocking on his door.
"Come in," Kurama said as he flipped another page in his book and looked up, "Oh, hello Rogue."
"Hey, Kurama," Rogue started to walk into the room, "Ah see you've gotten a little garden in here now."
"Yes, well, I thought I would put a personal touch to my room," Kurama told her, and he put his book down onto his nightstand, "And my power requires ample plant life, watch…"
In the window box and various pots that were filled with dirt or just had little sprouts in them, ferns, roses, daisies, and other plants sprouted from the soil after Kurama waved his hand over them. He then picked out a rose, cut the top off, and made it go back into its bud stage. Placing it in his hair for safe keeping, he turned to Rogue, who was in awe.
"They're…they're beautiful…" Rogue gasped, looking at the flowers that Kurama had grown, "You could definitely give Storm a run for her money."
"I did notice her garden out in the front yard, very nice," Kurama said to her, "So… I sense you wanted to talk to me?"
"Oh, yeah…" Rogue blushed for a second, since she was still engrossed by the new foliage, "Ah was just wondering more about your past, Ah mean, you weren't always here, were you?"
"Well, no Rogue, I wasn't," Kurama started, "In Demon World, I was a leader of a band of thieves, we were the best, and I had many followers. Let me correct that, Yoko Kurama had many followers…"
Kurama told Rogue about the time he and his best friend and partner in crime, Kuronoe, who was a bat demon. His band of thieves were notorious in Demon World, hitting all the rich, wealthy demons since were too busy to care about the impoverished demons living in the cities and castles. Kurama's face then went dark for a moment.
"Is there something wrong, Kurama?" Rogue asked, noticing the depressed look on his face.
"I just…remembered the final heist that I and Kuronoe did…." Kurama replied sadly, "While fleeing that mansion, he dropped his pendant necklace, which belonged to his mother. He stepped right into a trap, and I watched him be impaled by bamboo spikes, and I could do nothing to save him…"
"Oh…Ah'm sorry…Ah…shouldn't have brought it up…" Rogue said, seeing the hurt in his eyes.
"No, its okay Rogue…you're the first person I've ever told," Kurama reassured her, "It felt good to get it off my chest…but I still feel guilty not being able to help him…"
"Things were out of your control, Kurama," Rogue comforted him, "Ya couldn't have done anything to help him…."
"He did tell me to run…but…" Kurama sniffled, and a tear went down his left cheek, "Thank you for trying to help me Rogue, you're a true friend."
"Not a problem," Rogue told him, then she got up, "Ah have to go now, it was nice talking to ya."
"Likewise," Kurama replied cheerfully, and then something caught his attention.
"Something wrong, Kurama?" Rogue asked, and she looked out the window to see a man with black spiky hair with a white highlight in the middle, and dressed in all black clothes and had a katana strapped onto his waist, "Ah!"
"Calm down Rogue," Kurama reassured her, "So I see you followed us."
"Yes, I'm surprised Koenma didn't stop me."
"Who…is he?" Rogue asked, and she started stepping back.
"He's Hiei, no need to worry," Kurama informed her, "The probation zone was only suppose to extend to Tokyo."
"It seems Koenma let me go here; probably he thought you weaklings would need my help," Hiei told Kurama, "Just wanted to tell you, I am not here to baby sit your little friends, Koenma ordered me to stick close to the detective, and you won't likely be seeing me again."
"Right," Kurama nodded, and Hiei vanished, making Rogue collapse, "Rogue!"
Kurama ran over to her, noticing she was still conscious.
"Man…that guys gotta be faster than Quicksilver," Rogue gasped, and Kurama helped her up, "Thanks…"
Yusuke then opened the door and burst to the room, "Hey Kurama, the Professor wants us to come to his office…hey, was I interrupting something?"
Kurama and Rogue both looked at each other then looked down at their interlocked hands. Both blushed, and let go of each other's hands and laughed. Yusuke got a confused look on his face, and turn to Kurama.
"Ah…uh better go…" Rogue stammered, then she walked out of Kurama's room really quick, completely embarrassed, 'Why am Ah feeling this way…he's just a friend…a good friend…'
Yusuke walked into the room and kept looking at Kurama and smiled.
"Nice job man, it looks like you got a girl to like you," Yusuke joked, and he noticed the blush on his friends face, "And you're beginning to like her too!"
"Uh…I am not…" Kurama retorted, still blushing, his face crimson, "She is just a friend. You said the Professor wanted to see me?"
"Yep, you, me, and Kuwabara," Yusuke then walked over to his friend, and elbowed him lightly in the ribs, "Say, you do like Rogue, don't you?"
"No..." Kurama stated, looking down to the ground, "She's just a friend…"
"Keep denying it man, keep denying it…" Yusuke joked with a sly smile on his face, "But…it is written all over your face."
"Let's just go see the Professor…" Kurama murmured, and started going out the door.
"Yeah, yeah buddy…" Yusuke joked, and followed his friend out.
In the Charles' office, Ororo, Logan, and Hank were standing in there, with three new folded uniforms on the table. Kuwabara went into the room first, and the Professor told him to wait for the others. Yusuke and Kurama entered the room a little later, and Yusuke was trying to hide his laughter.
"What's so funny, Urameshi?" Kuwabara asked, looking back as Yusuke and Kurama sat down in different chairs.
"You wouldn't guess who Kurama has fallen for! It's priceless!" Yusuke replied, clutching his gut.
"Who?" Kuwabara asked, looking over to his friend.
"You can tell him later, Yusuke," Charles told him sternly, "Now, onto business. You have been here for a few days, and I can see that you are not beginners due to your skill using your powers. So, I have decided to officially make you apart of the X-Men."
"Seriously?" Kuwabara asked hopefully, and the Professor nodded, "YES! This is going to be so sweet!"
"Now don't get the wrong idea, punk," Logan snarled, and Kuwabara instantly snapped back into upright position, "You won't be getting special treatment, you'll have to work harder, got it?"
"Yes sir!" Kuwabara replied, his voice quivering a bit.
"Now, these are your uniforms," Charles told them, and the three boys looked at the neatly folded uniforms on the table, "This is yours, Yusuke."
Yusuke picked up the first uniform. It consisted of an black jacket with an 'X' on the shoulders, black tank top, and black jeans.
"This is cool," Yusuke said, and then he unfolded the jacket, "Nice, this stuff is super strong."
"It is nearly indestructible Yusuke; it is a mix of Kevlar, artificial spider silk, and flexible titanium cloth. I thought it would be good for you to have strong clothing to deal with your power. Your codename is Gunner, since your special attack is that Spirit Gun of yours," Charles told him, and Yusuke sat back down with his folded uniform, "The next one is yours, Kurama."
Kurama picked his up, and it was like the same training outfit that he usually wore. It was an all black vest that extended down to the waist, a long black shirt and pants. On the shoulders and lapel, there was a yellow 'X'.
"Thank you, I'll take good care of it Professor," Kurama told the Professor, and he sat down on his chair with the uniform on his waist.
"Your welcome and your suit is the same as Yusuke's, same amount of strength and durability, and your codename is Fox, since you have a fox demon inside of you," Charles replied, and then he turned to Kuwabara, "This one is yours, Kazuma."
Kuwabara got out of his seat, and grabbed the final uniform. It was a black overcoat with red X's on the shoulders. The Professor then handed him a piece of wood, in the shape of a sword hilt.
"What's this, Professor?" Kuwabara asked as he grasped the piece of wood.
"It is similar to the Shining Sword that you first used to access your Spirit Energy," Charles replied, "Genkai told me that is how you tapped your power for the first time, and since you lost your Spirit Energy, I thought it would be a good way to get it back, like putting training wheels on a bicycle."
"Thanks Professor!" Kuwabara exclaimed, and then he began to focus on the sword, "Come on…come on…."
After a few tense moments of concentrating, a little spark came out of the hilt. Kuwabara got a depressed look on his face, but the Professor smiled.
"It is going to take some practice, but I am sure you will be able to create your Spirit Sword again," Charles assured Kuwabara, and he placed his hand on his arm, "Your codename is Light Saber, due to your Spirit Sword power."
"Thanks Professor…" Kuwabara said as he sat down.
"Your welcome, and now you three are dismissed," Charles told them, and he watched the three new X-Men walk out of the room.
A couple hours later, a limousine drove up into the grounds of the Institute. On the sides of the black car, there was the Stark Enterprises logo showing. As it pulled up to the front steps of the mansion, Kurt noticed someone pulling up.
"Vhoa, Stark Enterprises, got to tell the Professor!" Kurt then disappeared into a cloud of smoke as a man, roughly early forties with black hair, beard, and moustache walked out of the limo sporting a blue business suit.
He walked up to the door, and rang the bell. In a few moments, the Professor, followed by Logan, Hank, and Ororo appeared at the door.
"Thank you for coming, Tony," Charles said as he shook the man's hand.
"Likewise, Charles Xavier," the man, Tony Stark replied as he shook the Professor's hand and put his hand on his shoulder, then looked at the watch on Hank's wrist, "Oh, I see you're wearing one of my companies holo-watches…"
"Dr. Henry McCoy, Mr. Stark," Hank finished Tony's sentence, and turned off the hologram, "So, you know about mutants?"
"Yes, for a long time now," Tony replied, "Hello, Logan."
"Long time no see, Stark. Still working along with S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Logan asked, giving Stark the evil eye, "I know Iron Man is still working with their Avengers."
"Iron Man still doesn't want to abandon his friends there, Logan," Tony said sternly, "They still need my backing for all their equipment."
"Yeah, yeah…" Logan muttered, and he walked back into the Institute.
"Please, come in and meet the students," Charles invited the multibillionaire in; 'I assume you brought your Iron Man suit?'
'Yes, and I made it non-magnetic in light of you telling me about Magneto's recent activity,' Tony replied, "Of course, lead the way."
The Professor telepathically contacted all the X-Men and New Mutants into the foyer, as well as Genkai. All the students gathered into the foyer, and they met the famous Tony Stark. Genkai however, wasn't impressed, in fact, she seemed downright pissed!
"I hope you aren't a member of the former Black-Black Club," Genkai said, looking at his attire, "I don't want to go through that crap again."
"Excuse me?" Tony asked, surprised a bit by the old woman's outburst.
"The Black-Black Club, a group of stuffy rich guys who ran the Dark Tournament," Yusuke clarified, "But, you don't seem the type to do that stuff Mr. Stark."
"Thank you…"
"Yusuke Urameshi," Yusuke told him, and he shook the multibillionaire's hand.
The rest of the students introduced themselves, and they were surprised that he actually knew about mutants.
"Well, mutants have been under wraps for a long time, but I only started to know about them when Charles Xavier here came to me and asked if I would build a facility underneath his family mansion that would help locate and train mutants," Tony told them, "That was about 12 years ago."
"Cool…" Kuwabara said as he imagined Tony building all the cool stuff in this place.
"Now, onto business," Tony said, straightening his tie and turning to the Professor, "Charles, you wanted me to upgrade and repair the Danger Room?"
"Yes, and also I want you to upgrade Cerebro," Charles replied, and he wheeled himself to Kurama, "You see, there are more than just mutants that I have to track now. Kurama here, for example, has the spirit of a fox demon inside of him. I also couldn't track Yusuke or Kazuma with Cerebro, even though Kazuma has the X-Gene. It is due to their Spirit Powers, and I need to track that, and also Demon Energy."
Tony stood there for a few seconds, "That can be done, but it will be difficult."
"The Danger Room will also need an upgrade for Yusuke's and Kurama's high power output," Charles told Stark.
"Alright, show me to my room and I can get started ordering the equipment for the Danger Room and Cerebro," Tony told him, and Ororo offered to show him up to his room, "Thank you Miss…"
"Monroe, Ororo Monroe, but the students call me Storm due to my powers," she replied, and he smiled and started following her up the stairs.
Jamie then went to the door and saw a group of men wheeling out a tabletop with a tarp over it, "I wonder what that is…"
Hank then went down into his lab to get Keiko's blood test results. It took the whole day for him to get the results, and his face lit up when he saw her results, and he began to run up to the foyer to give her them…