Chapter 2 – Testing

Underground Med Lab, the Institute, Mass.

Beast turned to the door when he heard them approach. Pappy, Mally, and Logan walked thru the door, Logan giving Beast a small salute.

"...Blimey, how many dungeons does this castle have, Wolfie me boy?" Pappy was saying to Logan. Logan had gotten Pappy to stop calling him 'Mr. Logan', but Pappy had started with 'Wolfie'. He couldn't wait for the kids to hear it, the teasing would never end.

"Hello gentlemen," Beast intoned, "I hope we are all feeling spry and sprite today? Did that medicine I gave you help with the fatigue from the time change?" Mally and Pappy nodded yes.

"Splendid!" Beast scribbled furiously on his pad. "Well, lets perform a physical evaluation on you two. Who wants to go first?"

"Take the laddie!" Pappy piped up. 'That ways, I can keep my eye on this blue furry doctor, see if he tries any funny stuff an such.' Pappy thought. "Fine by me, Doctor. What do ya need me ta do?" Mally wanted to be helpful.

"Well, remove your clothes down to your under garments, and sit down on the examination table."

Mally stripped down to his skivvies, and jumped up on the table. Logan growled "I'm gonna take my leave here doc. You got it from here?"

Beast nodded. "Yes Logan, thank you."

Logan nodded. "Good. I got to make a Danger Room program for the kid here. See ya." Logan walked out.

Beast turned back to Mally. "Mallory, the first thing I need from you is a blood sample, if you don't mind. Just a slight pin prick, and the rest of the exam will be pain free." Beast picked up a needle and a swab and prepared Mally's arm. As the doctor went to push the needle in, it stopped about 2 millimeters from his skin, bent upwards, and broke.

"Peculiar," Beast said. "Perhaps a defective needle? Lets try again."

Beast got another needle, and tried again to the same affect. "Mally, do you know a reason why I can get the I.V. set in your arm?"

"Can't say as I do, doc, I haint been to the doctor since my 'roo-ness' set in, 4 years ago." Mally looked up, thinking. "Try as I might, I can't remember bein' sick or cut up any since then either." He just shrugged.

"I better call the Professor down here." Beast said, picking up the intercom.

'I'll be right there gentlemen' they heard in their heads.

"By my saints," exclaimed Pappy, "He be like a banshee doin' that!"

Poolside, the Institute, N.Y.

There were still 2 weeks left on summer break, and most of the students were enjoying it as much as possible. Westchester county was having a warm 'indian summer', and it was still nice enough to swim and get some sun.

Scott, Bobby, Kurt, Sam, Forge and Jamie were having a 3 on 3 water basketball 'championship'. Every game they played was a 'championship', at least according to Bobby, who also doubled as 'announcer' when they got together.

"Drake takes the pass to the corner from Guthrie, puts it up, and – the fans go wild as he gets another two! Will he ever stop!?!" Bobby could be a little dramatic at times.

The girls, Jean, Kitty, Rahne, Rouge, and Jubilee were catching some rays poolside. Jean and Kitty were looking at stuff on Kitty's laptop, Rahne was braiding Jubilee's hair, and Rouge was reading a book.

The kids, Freddie, Jaime, and Paige, were off to the side of the patio, trying to launch the model rocket Freddie had built.

"Ok, Houston, we're a go for launch; 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!" Freddie pressed the button on the launch pad. Nothing happened. The three kids looked disappointed. "What went wrong?" moaned Freddie, "I set it up exactly like Forge showed me to!"

Freddie got up. "FORGE! Please come an show me how to wire this thing again! PLEASE!"

'Time out guys," Forge asked, "let me go help the Fredmeister real quick."

Forge climbed up out of the pool, his bionic leg wet and shining in the daylight. Forge would always stop to do things for Freddie. He was kinda like his big brother, and Forge knew Freddie had never been real good with people. On the outside, people see a 13 year old kid weighing in at 445 pounds, and they turn away in disgust. Freddie couldn't help it, and when you thought about it, his powers were pretty cool. Can't shoot him, can't move him, superior muscle control – plus lower level super strength. Just because he was a big boy, people turned him into a freak, working at a carny, letting people laugh at the 'Worlds Fattest Boy'. That's where the Professor had found him, two years ago.

VRRROOM! The rocket sailed high up in the air, deploying its parachute, floated slowly down to earth.

"Woohooooo!" yelled Freddie, "Perfecto! Thanks Forge, you da man!"

"Aw, Fred, I only uncrossed 2 wires. You did the rest yourself, big man."

"Yeah, that's right, I did, didn't I!? YeeHAWWWW!" Freddie ran at top speed (which was still pretty slow) over to the diving board at the pool.

"SUPER BELLY BUSTER!!" He shouted, performing a not-so-graceful belly flop, creating a hugh splash and tidal wave.

Jean had covered the girls with a mental shield when she saw Freddie coming, but they still screamed anyway, just so he could have his fun.

"Freddie Dukes!" screamed Jubilee, "If I have ta do my hair again before tonight, you are a DEAD MAN!"

Meanwhile, back at the Med Lab

"Never really gave it much thought, Professor," toned Mally, "I mean, if I got me arm bit by a dingo or somethin', I felt the pressure of the bite, but not really the sharpness of the teeth, as such. Does that make sense to you?"

"It makes perfect sense Mallory." said Xavier, rolling to the head of the med gurney Mally laid apon. "With your permission Mallory, I'm going to scan a part of your mind, the part that we know normally controls what we call telekinesis. Is that OK with you?"

"I guess so Professor, but what is telekinesis? Did I say that right?"

"The apparent production of motion in objects, as by a medium without contact or other physical means – er, I'm sorry Charles, I did not mean to interrupt. That just happens to be one of my favorite definitions.", the doctor apologized.

"Perfectly alright Henry; Mallory, did you understand that?" Xavier asked.

"Too right Professor, it means to move things wit me mind, like Jean does. Are you saying that I can do that too?" Mally's eyes were widening.

The Professor smiled. "Well, I am thinking more of you projecting a shield, somewhat like what Ms. Grey does when she forms a 'bubble' around a team mate to protect them. My guess would be that you can form a mental 'bodysuit' around yourself that protects your person in the same manner. Now, I would like to begin that scan, if I may, Mallory." The Professor put his hands on either side of Mally's head, closed his eyes, a look of deep concentration coming over his face.

Mally actually 'felt' something in his noggin. Best way to describe it, it 'felt' like he was a file cabinet, and someone was ruffling thru him.

Too rippa weird...is that you, Professor?thought Mally.

Yes Mallory, I'm not making you uncomfortable am I?

No, it's just so creepy...but I feel fine.

Good. Now just relax, I'll only be a few more minutes.

In a bit, the Professor looked up at Beast. "It's as I thought, Mallory projects a shield around his person, most likely capable of stopping all lacerations, and projectiles of a small arms caliber. He can learn to turn it off in time, but if we are to get any blood samples today, I'll have to shut it off for him. Temporarily, of course Mallory" said the Professor, sensing Mally's nerves.

Charles shut down Mally's shield, telepathically asking Mally to 'pay attention' as to how it felt when the Professor stopped and started the force field, using this as a first lesson for Mally.

"Too weird..." said Mally, wincing as the doctor stuck the needle in, drawing a blood sample.

Up in the control area of the Danger Room

'I'll set the test in an Outback setting," thought Logan, 'give the kid a home field advantage for his first run." Logan had been asking Pappy questions about the boys athletic history before his mutation happened. He had seen Mally take out the dingo pack the night they picked him up. 'Lets see, the kid used ta play soccer, ran cross – country, and used to play pick up games with his mates of that Aussie Rules Football.' Wolverine smiled to himself. 'Brutal game. I guess the kid is tough enough for some detainment drones to try and catch him.' His smile widened as he programmed in some tough obstacles for Mally.

Back at the Med Lab

"Well now Mr. O'Bryanson, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Hank smiled at Pappy.

"I jest do not like hospitals, ye grand fuzzy Beastie! That's where sickies go ta die, an we AIN'T DEED YET!" yipped Pappy, putting his shirt back on. "I ain't never been sicker than a chill or a bruise, and I worked the docks for 45 years before me hip gave up the fight fer me! I'm a Scot, and that's the way we're built. Tough like, ready for a days work an all." Pappy proudly jumped down from the gurney, displaying his youthfulness.

"Hmm, well yes sir Mr. O'Bryanson, be that as it may, however, I take the health of all people enrolled or employed by the Institute very seriously. If you or your son ever need assistance, please feel free to consult me always."

"Aye, an thankie Mr. Beast. Ye are like a big blue health plan of sorts."

Xavier smiled. "We are finished here, correct, Henry?" Beast nodded. "Lets go upstairs and see if we can find some lunch. Mallory, you and I need to discuss what classes you will take when school starts, and decide what chores you will take on here a the Intitute. Then I believe Logan has your afternoon planned out."

Mally smiled weakly. 'Chores. Not rippa, no way, no how.' He thought.

Upstairs, in the kitchen area

Mally brought a large platter of fruits, veggies and cheese over to the table where the Professor had already parked his chair. The Professor had just gotten a cup of tea, Earl Gray.

"Looks very healthy Mallory. Tell me, does your diet include any meat at all? I'd hate for you to miss out on the bar-be-que's that Sam does, they are very tasty." Xavier closed his eyes, remembering the Kentucy flavor.

"Ya see Professor, I like meat fine. Been known to enjoy a burger or ten before my change. But now, when I eat meat, I don't get sick as such, but I get wicked sleepy, like somebody slipped me a mickey, catch my drift Professor?" Charles nodded. "Like now, if I eat a burger, I need 8 or 9 hours to sleep it off. So I just sticks wit me produce and cheese. I loves me a good loaf of bread too, and I'll eats me noodles til morning comes." Mally smiled, then began to dig in.

"I see. There must have been a change in your digestive habits that accompanied your mutation. It has happened before. Your classmate Kurt has to eat almost continually, and some of his choices are... well, less than palatable."

They finished lunch, talking about school. Xavier had gotten Mally's records from years ago when Mally had dropped out of school. They decided it would be best if Mally got his GED, then decided on the future.

"Good," Mally mused, "I didn't hate me lessons back then, but I was never gonna be a rocket scientist either. I hope that don't disappoint ya Professor."

"Not in the slightest Mallory. In fact Forge will be taking the GED course with you, for different reasons. Forge's mind is advanced, and normal schooling tends to frustrate him. But, like yourself, he does need a diploma. So be it. Later, I have to get you and your father to sign some papers, but for right now, I believe Logan is ready for you in the Danger Room.

Mally got up to take his plate to the sink. "I hope I'm ready for Mr. Logan..."

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Poolside, the Institute

Rahne, Kurt, do you hear me?

Kurt stopped eating his candy bar, and Rahne sat up in her beach chair. Yes Professor/Herr Professor? the two thought back.

Logan needs you in the Danger Room. Please report immediately.

Wolfsbane and Nightcrawler simultaneously groaned aloud, drawing looks from their friends.

Yes Professor, we hear you.

Nightcrawler walked over to Wolfbane, stuck out his hand, which she took, then they disappeared in a !bamf! of sulfur smoke.

"What was that all about?" wondered Jean.

Staging Area, Danger Room

Mally and Kurt had changed into X-men uniforms and were waiting with Logan for Rahne to come out of the girl's locker room. They had some trouble finding pants long enough for Mally's 6 foot 7 inch frame, so Mally just grabbed some padded soccer goalie shorts from Freddie Duke's locker, and put his plaid kilt back on overtop. He had to cinch the shorts up tightly, but they fit good over his bigger hips and thighs. Logan gave him one of his bomber jackets to put on, as he had gotten word from Doc Beast that the boy didn't really need the usual body armor. The arms were a little long, so Mally just rolled them up a bit, revealing a plaid liner that almost matched his kilt. He borrowed some cut off leather gloves from Kurt, and a black knit cap from Sam Guthries locker to keep his dreads out of her face.

"Vell, mein freund, you look like a cross between an Australian rock star or an evil goth kangaroo man...fantastisch!" Kurt slapped him a high five...or two, in his case.

"He looks damn fine, like a punk metal god –"Rahne put her hand over her mouth, trying to pull her words back in, turning pink all over.

Mally just smiled and twitched his whiskers at her. Rahne smiled and looked away.

"Alright half-pint, control yerself. Listen up people; you all have similar styles of fighting, so this exercise was designed to force ya to work as a team to defeat it. Here's a hint – Nightcrawler, take point; Wolfsbane and Mally take the flanks. You should be able to protect the back with yer heightened animal senses."

"Wait, this ain't fair a bit!" Mally exclaimed.

"What's wrong wit you bub? What's yer gripe?" Logan stared at Mally.

"Right, everyone else gets a rippa name – 'Nightcrawler', 'Wolfsbane', those names rock! All I get is 'Mally'? It's me own name, but it don't sound tough like say 'Shadowcat' or 'Iceman' or even 'Blob'!" Mally sat back down on the bench, frowning.

'Dear Lord, KIDS!' thought Logan. "Well whatta ya want to be called bub? It's yer call."

"Don't rightly know. Not to much scary about being a kangaroo. I mean, 'Kangaman' ain't gonna make anyone shake in their booties."

"Whatta 'bout 'Rue'?" Rahne offered.

"ROO!?! Sounds like a kiddie show dinosaur – why not just call meself 'Barney' and be done wit it?" Mally sarcastically smiled at Rahne.

"No ye dim brute," she said, "R-U-E, as in 'you will rue the day you messed with this bloke!'" she finished, poking him in the chest with every last word.

"Too right, yeah, I see what yer sayin'. Yeah, 'RUE', me thinks that'll work right fine. Bonnie Rahne, that was some good thinkin' for a dingo!" Before he could think about it, he picked her up in a big 'kanga' hug.

"Put me down ye hairy ape!" giggled Rahne, as Kurt teleported onto Mally's back, grabbing both of them in a celebration hug. "Lob Gott, he has a name! Vunderful!" Kurt shouted.

Logan watched them with a pie eating grin on his mug. 'Whatta bunch of animals these three are...' he thought.

"ALRIGHT! THAT'S ENOUGH!" Wolverine barked, "Nightcrawler! Wolfsbane! Rue! Get to the start point pronto!" They jumped to get to their appointed positions.

Danger Room

They ran into the biggest room Mally had ever seen. "Holy God! No way this can be under ground..." he breathed.

"Impressive, eh, mein freund?" Nightcrawler asked. "And Logan has not even turned it on yet!"

There was a weapons rack along a near wall, with everything from sword and shields to hand grenades and firearms. Mally looked them over.

"Mr. Logan, can me and Nightcrawler 'zap' to me room right quick? There's somethin' I think I'll be needin' there." Mally went over to Kurt and they !bamf!'ed back to his room, then came right back again, Mally holding his Cricket bat.

"I'm not much of a puncher, but I've used this before against some drunken wankers what came to pick at me one day last year. Thanks Nightcrawler." Rue raised the bat overhead, stretching out a bit.

"Alright then, starting Program: 34ECTH in 3, 2, 1..." They heard Logan's voice on the monitor.

All of a sudden, they were in what looked, smelled and sounded like the Outback.

Rue took a deep breath. "TOO RIGHT! This room is RIPPA!", he shouted, feeling relaxed to be back in his 'homeland'.

"Don't get too comfortable, bub, it's about to get hairy!" came from Logan.

Suddenly, nine drones appeared in front of them, floating about 3 feet off the ground.

MUTANTS SIGHTED. DETAIN IMMEDEATELY.

"I vill take the 3 in zee middle, you 2 take either side!" Nightcrawler shouted, his accent more pronounced with his excitement.

'Whoa boy, these ain't dingo's are they,' Rue thought to himself. 'Oh well, who wants to live forever anyway!' With that thought, Rue jumped 40 feet in the air towards his set of drones. As he came down, he swung down on top of the first drone, using his downward motion to increase the force of the blow. He buried the bat 6 inches down into the drones computer 'brain', disabling it for good.

Danger Room, Control Box

Logan smiled up in the control room. Lotsa potential in the kid.

You watchin' this with me Chuck? The kids good, he definitely ain't scared to pitch in. A couple of hand ta hand sessions with me, would be a good start, eh?

Yes, Logan, I am watching. Mallory is most impressive. I look forward to any progress you can make with him on your end. Xavier was in his office, sitting quietly with his eyes closed, smiling.

Danger Room, session in progress

Nightcrawler had just finished with his 3rd drone, jabbing his swords thru its ocular sockets. He looked to the side Rue was on, his furry eyebrows raising up at the sight of Rue just finishing a kangaroo style 'mule kick', completely ripping the arms off his last drone, making it spiral out of control. They both turned their heads to Wolfsbane. She was in were-wolf form, slashing and gouging the drone with her claws.

"Hey lads, not that I be needin' yer help, but would ya bail a lassie out!?" Wolfsbane cried.

Rue took a cricket batters stance, like he was waiting for the pitch to be thrown. "Yo Nightcrawler, game on, eh mate?"

Nightcrawler got the plan, and transported overtop the drone, grabbing on, then transported again, popping up right in front of Rue, pushing the drone forward.

Rue raised his bat and swung, knocking the drone about 15 feet in the air. Nightcrawler transported to 'field' the drone, grabbed it, then transported again to 'pitch' it to Rue. This time the drone flew about 10 feet, then hit the ground, powering down.

"And that's the ballgame!" said Rue, wiping the sweat from his eyes.

"Nice going bruder!" yelled Nightcrawler, giving him a 'high two'.

"Yeah, ye did OK for an Aussie, seein' this is yer first time an all." quipped Wolfsbane, morphing back to her human form.

"Hey, I'm only half Aussie, ya dingo, the rest of me that ain't kangaroo is Scots, thanks to me Pappy." Rue marched around, imitating a bagpiper, making Wolfsbane giggle.

"OK, ya did alright, although it coulda been faster," Logan piped thru the intercom, "you softies hit the showers. Good job for a 1st timer Rue."

"Softies!? Coulda been faster!? What's this guy expect?" Rue whined.

"Hey laddie, at least he said 'good job' to ya." Rahne said, unsnapping her collar. "Most don't even get that."

Boys Locker Room, the Institute

"Man, you vere great out there today!" Kurt said, tying up his shoes.

"Thanks mate, you too. Must be rippa to be able to pop in 'n' out like that." Returned Mally, wrapping his dreads up in a towel, turban style.

"Yah, I just wish I could make it smell better, I mean, it's like I cut a fart every time I do it." Kurt held his nose. "Very Stinky."

"Ah, that's nuttin' Wait till ya get a whiff of me after a couple o' veggie burgers!" laughed Mally.

The two finished dressing, then picked up their towels and dirty clothes. "Kurt, from one freakazoid to another, can I ask you a question?" Kurt nodded and sat down.

"I mean, the mansion is great an all, and the grounds seem ta go on forever, but can mates like you and me go out ta town without people bein' scared of us?"

Kurt got a big grin on his face, and stood up. "Lets go find Forge. I tink its time you got a new vatch."

Forge's room, upstairs, Boys Dorm, the Institute

"Hey Forgie, do you have a second?" Kurt stuck his head around the doorway.

"Sure elf," Forge replied, "what's on your mind, blue boy?"

Kurt and Mally walked into Forge's big room. There was the usual bed and dresser, TV & game console on one side, but the other side looked as though it had been decorated by a mad scientist possessed by an Indian spirit.

"I vas vondering if you if you had another one of those 'image inducer' vatch thingy's lying around by any chance?"

Forge looked from the blue elf to the red kangaroo. "Yeah, I guess you should have one too Mally, just gimme a second to program it for a red head." He bent over a table, searching thru all the gear.

"What does this thing do, mate?" Mally asked Kurt.

Kurt just smiled his devil grin, then pressed a button on his watch. His image started to shimmer, then he was replaced by a teenage boy with dark hair, 'normal' looking as the next guy. "Vat do you think, bruder?"

Mally laughed. "Rippa! And it'll do the same for me?"

"Ja" Kurt grinned.

"Too Right, now I can go shopping for some things I need." Mally was overjoyed, and a bit in awe of Forge. "Thanks Forge. You don't know how this makes me feel."

Forge turned and smiled, handing over the new image inducer. "No prob, glad to help."

"Now ve can take you to the mall to get vhat you need. Let's go." Kurt headed toward the door.

"Did someone say mall?" Kitty's head phased thru the floor, with a big smile on her face.

End – Chapter – 3 – Out on the Town

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