Chapter 13: Boot Camp


The week went by fast and before I knew it my family was waving goodbye to me as the schoolbus departed to the horrid "Ironback Survival Camp". I had heard horror stories from Natalie and Angie about this place. Natalie had gone last year and she said the guy who worked here was mean, green, and ugly. Of course when I saw him I didn't expect him to be green, but he was mean and ugly.

"You will not be making wallets, necktie racks, or paperweights. You will not be engaging in potatosack races, waterballoon tosses or pony rides," Sergeant Hawke said. He was the head guy of the survival camp.

He was introducing me and the other kids about the camp. It seemed none of the kids were too fond of being here. They were forced into it just like I was by my manipulative mother who I dare not speak of.

The sergeant turned and got him some kid's face. He spat, "You will be taking twenty-mile hikes, repelling two hundred foot cliffs, and crossing treacherous water with no more than a rope and all the courage you can muster. Do you read me?"

The kids wiped some spit off his face. I looked over past him and saw that the "X-men" were here too. Scott Summers, Jean Grey, Kitty Pryde, Kurt Wagner, Rogue, and Evan Daniels were all here. I looked to my left to see the Brotherhood was here too: Pietro Maximoff, Lance Alvers, Fred Dukes, and Todd Tolensky. Just great! A mutant filled survival camp. Oh joy…

"Yes, Sergeant Hawke, sir," all the kids said in unison.

"I said, do you read me?" Sergeant Hawke asked.

"Yes Sergeant Hawke, sir," the kids repeated. I was getting tired of this…

Sergeant Hawke crossed his arms and said in a stern manner, "Welcome to Ironback Survival Camp. A name you won't soon forget."

He turned to face me and spoke, "Now, here we have a young lady, Haley Woodmorrow,-"

"Woodrow," I corrected, a little peeved he had gotten my last name wrong.

"-whose scholastic achievements at Bayville High have earned her the rank of group leader," he explained. "You will be following her lead. You've got ten minutes to stow your gear and report to the training field. Dismissed!"

Apparently no one was too happy with this. I know I certainly wasn't. Me? Group leader? Hello! I was "all brains" and "no brawns" remember? I couldn't lead these people, especially not without a leash. Why would they listen to anything I had to say?

I looked over at the X-men. Kitty slapped her forehead and groaned, "Oh, I'm gonna be dead in like, two days."

"What about me? I'm a city kid!" Evan complained.

"What did we ever do to deserve this?" Kurt asked, putting his hand under his chin.

"I'm goin' A.W.O.L. Anyone know how to hotwire a school bus?" Rogue asked, going towards the bus. I certainly didn't but I wished I did at the moment. I would give anything to leave this horrid place and return to my suburban life back in my home sweet home.

A smile adorned my face and I skipped toward my teammate. I spoke, "Come on Rogue. If we're enthusiastic about this whole thing, maybe it'll even be fun."

"You're just saying that aren't you?" Rogue inquired accusingly.

I nodded meekly and responded, "Yep."

"Thought so," Rogue said and walked back toward the bus.

Suddenly Mr. Knight Shining in Armor AKA Scott Summers appeared and grabbed Rogue's shoulder, causing her to stop in her tracks. He spoke, "Whoa, whoa. Slow down, Private. C'mon, we're not washin' out in front of the whole school. Besides, Professor X. endorses this place."

"Yeah, at least he gave us a choice; survival training here or with Wolverine," Jean said. Once she had said that everyone have a shudder. I didn't know what the big deal was so I just stood there, waiting for Rogue's response.

"Ugh, some choice," she said, crossing her arms indignantly.

So with that they picked up our stuff and grumbled (a lot). Evan looked out into the sky and groaned, "Man, Sgt. Hawke should really be told that I'm a city kid."

While the X-men walked away I stood behind. I looked behind me toward the Brotherhood. Lance, Todd, Blob, and Pietro were all standing in a line looking displeased as ever. I stood up and walked over to them.

"What's with you guys? At least their trying," I chirped, gesturing toward the X-men. They didn't look happy and they didn't even look like they were trying but I pointed them out anyway. At least Jean was doing something. She was refilling her water bottle. That's something right?

"Group leader. Scholastic achievement," Fred grumbled and pointed at himself (with his thumb). "That shoulda been me."

"You can't even spell scholastic achievement, Blob," Pietro remarked.

I waved my hands around in defense and spoke, "You think I want to be group leader? I'd much rather it be you…well maybe not you…The point is I don't want to be group leader. Besides, it looks like Scott has already stolen that position from me anyway."

Looking over at Scott, I could see he was already barking orders at the X-men even though that was my job. Even though I didn't want to be group leader, that didn't mean I appreciated Scott undermining me and making decision without me. The nerve!

"Whatever. I may not be able to spell scholastic achievement, but I can spell doomed," Fred said, punching his fist in his hand, "which is what that goody goody gang is after I get them alone in the woods."

"Yeah, I can hear it now: 'Search and rescue efforts abandoned for missin' teens. No traces found'," Todd laughed. He looked over at me and added, "You should really join in on the fun toots. I mean after all, you didn't join the X-geeks like I thought you would. Maybe you should stick around with us."

I crossed my arms and made a face. I spoke, "Just because I didn't join the X-men doesn't mean I'm going to join you guys either."

With that I spun on my heel and walked away.

Later that day we were rock climbing. Everyone was hanging from a rope. Jean was in the lead followed by Kurt, Scott, and Lance. Then came Pietro, Kitty, me, Evan, Todd, and at the very bottom was Fred. I looked down to where Fred was. He wasn't even on the rope yet.

"Argh! I'm not built for this kind of stuff," I could hear him grumble.

I looked up and saw how competitive Scott and Lance were being. I was the group leader! Shouldn't I be doing something about this? Apparently no one cared that I was group leader though. When I reached the top I saw that Scott and Lance were making their way toward a pulley thing. It was like an elevator and they were pulling themselves to the bottom. There they rushed toward some inflatable rafts.

When the rest of the "team" and I reached the inflatable rafts Lance asked Scott, "You swim?"

"Yeah," Scott said, puzzled.

"Pity," Lance smirked devilishly.

He held out his hand and the ground under Scott began shaking. It toppled him into the stream.

"Hey! That cheatin' chump!" Evan called out, enraged. Spikes popped out from his forearms and he began to fling them when suddenly Jean appeared behind him to stop him.

"Listen, we agreed not to use any powers out here, remember?" she said. "You know, just man against nature."

"That guy needs his boat popped," Evan pointed.

"Yeah, well, Scott's cool. He'll handle it like a team player should," Jean said.

I crossed my arms and just watched the scene unfold before me. I wasn't psychic or anything but something told me Jean was wrong. In the stream, Lance paddled along. Seeing the finish line on the other bank, he began to paddle faster when suddenly Scott fired at him and tipped the boat over.

Jean scowled.

Scott took Lance's raft. Back on the bank, the X-Men (except Jean) jumped and cheered while Scott got to shore and ran through the 'FINISH' banner with his arms up like a dork. Sergeant Hawke blew his whistle as Lance glared from the water and punched it. Evan and Kurt high-fived as the X-Men continued to cheer, minus Jean. Obviously she was not impressed by Scott's display of 'using your powers when your not supposed to.'

"That loser Scott should have lost and you know it!" Fred said, pointing at Jean angrily.

"Yeah, just because he slipped and took a bath, the guy went ballistic!" Pietro accused.

The X-men and Brotherhood both glared at each other. Obviously they had this rivalry for a long time.

"Slipped? More like avalanched!" Kurt yelled.

"He stole that first place ribbon," Todd said, pointing his dirty, grimy index finger at Kurt.

"He did not!" Kitty yelled.

"You want that ribbon so bad? I'll pin it to your forehead!" Rogue yelled at Todd.

Frustrated I watched the scene unfold before me. For a group leader, I wasn't a very good one. Annoyed, I put my hands to me ears. I was the only one amongst them who wasn't taking any sides. In fact, I didn't really care.

"SHUT-UP!" I barked.

This didn't get their attention though. So I did the only thing I could. I used my powers.

Rubbing my hands together, I extended them forward. A light shot straight ahead, making a line between the X-men and Brotherhood for a moment. It disappeared. Finally the arguing ceased and everyone looked at me.

"Haley, you shouldn't use your powers like that," Jean said, shaking her head.

"Yeah, well, you guys gave me no choice," I said, shrugging.

"Don't try to control her Red," Lance said. "She already dumped you guys. Don't think you can change her mind."

"I am not trying to control her!" Jean said.

Great. My interference had only caused a bigger problem. Now the two teams were arguing again. It was rather flattering though considering they were arguing about me. Then again it could have just been an excuse to start arguing again and try to win that argument. Oh well. I tried.

Suddenly Sergeant Hawke appeared. He glared at every one of us and then blew his whistle.

We were forced to do pushups.

"…Fifty-seven, fifty-eight, fifty-nine, sixty," we chanted.

Fred collapsed.

"Now on your feet," Sergeant Hawke ordered.

My wobbling legs found it hard to get up off the ground, but they managed to. I groaned and rubbed my back.

"Here at Ironback, we got ways to weed the loudmouths from the tough guys. We fight it out in the wilderness, against the wilderness. You grunts wanna prove how tough you are?" Sergeant Hawke asked. He adjusted his hat and pointed at Lance. "Fine! First team to snatch a flag I planted up there on Mt. Humiliation and brings it back to me, wins. Since this team seems to be in competition with each other Scott Sumner will be in charge of this team and Haley Woodmorrow will be in charge of that team."

Oh great! Just great! Scott gets to be in charge of the X-men and I get stuck with Brotherhood. Just wonderful! If you haven't picked up on the sarcasm here yet, you should. I looked up at where Mt. Humiliation was. It was rather large and covered with snow.

"Cakewalk. Our team can take a sauna. I'll get it myself," Pietro said, pointing at himself.

Pietro was the fastest person and mutant I had ever met. Obviously he was the best choice.

"Not if I beat you there," Kurt said, pointing at himself. But so was Kurt, considering his 'teleportation'. The German accented boy crossed his arms and smiled smugly.

"The whole team or no one! As proof, I want a snapshot of every member right there at the top," Sergeant Hawke thundered. "Are we clear?"

"Sir, yes, sir," we mumbled.

"You leave in five from opposite trails. Be ready," Sergeant Hawke growled and with that left.

I was ready to collapse on the rocky ground. I was SO not ready to deal with being in charge of the Brotherhood. It didn't really matter though. They wouldn't listen to a word I said. The problem was how to deal with them.

"Better say your farewells, Sumner," Lance said, "'cause you guys aren't comin' back."

"Oh, you got somethin' in mind, rock tumbler?" Scott asked, and began taking his glasses off. "'Cause I-"

Suddenly Jean appeared and grabbed Scott's arm.

"Scott, what do you think you're doing?" she asked.

"What? Nothing! I'm just fed up with those delinquents gettin' away with everything while we're stuck playin' by the rules," Scott said, exasperated.

Lance cocked an eyebrow. He spoke, "Hey! We don't need our powers to beat you."

"Oh, fine, then! We'll all play it straight and you know what? We'll wave to you from the top!" Scott challenged.

Lance and Scott walked away from each other, glaring. Could I possibly survive with the Brotherhood? Scott was right. They didn't play by the rules and I didn't want to get hurt because of that. Oh well.

I ran toward my teammates in order to catch up.

After a while I found my self on the edge of the mountain, clinging to the wall. I screamed when suddenly a loosened rock began to topple over. I closed my eyes waiting for it to smash on top of me when suddenly I felt myself being lifted off the ground and wind rushing past me. When I opened my eyes I found Pietro next to me.

"Thanks?" I asked, unsure.

Pietro shrugged.

Ok, so maybe the Brotherhood wasn't that heartless. But still…

After a while we were now on the side of the mountain. Todd was having a great time. He could easily cling to the side of the mountain because of the way he was built – toad like.

"What's takin' you boys so long?" he asked.

I coughed loudly.

"And girl," Todd said, looking back at me.

I was behind him and further down was Fred, Pietro, and Lance. Fred was punching and kicking holds in the rock face while Lance and Pietro were attached to him with rope.

"Man, if he slips and falls, we are history. Death by blubber bomb," I heard Pietro say.

"Fastest way to the top is a straight line, Pietro. We are winnin' this race, make no mistake," Lance said. He really wanted to win this thing, although I didn't entirely agree with him on his method. I knew better then to argue with him though.

While climbing on the rope I suddenly felt myself slip. I began to fall and I screamed LOUD. All of a sudden I felt my hand being caught. I looked up and saw that Fred had caught my arm. He lifted me up so that I was on the rope again. Phew!

Maybe I had underestimated the Brotherhood completely?

After a while we finally reached the top to the ledge. Todd, Fred, and I were there but Pietro and Lance were still dangling from the rope that was harnessed around Fred.

"Hey, Freddy, a helpin' hand?" Lance asked.

Fred pulled them up while the groaned in pain. "Uh! Uh, uh, uh, ow, ow, yah! Stop! Uh!" "Ah! Ow! Ow, ow, ow, ow, hey! Ow, stop!"

Lance and Pietro untied the rope from around them. We were now all standing at the entrance to an abandoned mine. It was boarded up with a large 'KEEP OUT' sign painted on it.

"An abandoned mine?" Lance asked, cocking his head.

"Toad's checkin' for a short-cut," Fred explained.

I took in a deep breath. Ok, that was it! I was not going in some abandoned mine where I could surely die! Uh-uh! No way!

"Um, Lance, this probably isn't a good idea," I said.

"Look, you want to win this too right?" Lance asked.

"Sure," I shrugged, "but not to the extent of getting myself killed! I'm not gregarious enough to do that!"

Ooh, 'gregarious'. Good word Hales.

"Your German?" Fred asked dumbly.

I shook my head.

Todd appeared from the inside and spoke, "Hey, there's a tunnel in there that's like a stairway to the top."

"Now you're talkin'! That flag is ours!" Lance said. He ripped off the board and began to go inside when I spoke up.

"Lance!" I cried. Like the rest of the Brotherhood he ignored me so I had no choice but to follow them. Stupid me!

The rest of the Brotherhood and I ran after Todd as he hopped along the tunnel. He stopped at the end of the tunnel. A ladder was set against the wall, going up into a lighted area. Looking up to where the shaft was, only a pinhole of light was coming through. Enraged, Lance slammed Todd against the wall.

"You bonehead! We can't get through there!" Lance yelled. The mine began shaking. "We're probably lost 'cause a' you!

Nobody listens to the intellectual blonde. Tsk. Tsk.

"I-I kinda figured you could uh, y'know, avalanche it loose a little bit?" Todd stammered.

"He's right. Give it some more juice, Lance, and you'll unclog it," Pietro said.

"What! No! This is crazy! I forbid you to use your powers Lance!" I shouted.

Lance, much like before, ignore me.

As the mine began to shake and suddenly a rock tumbled loose. It began to cave in. I screamed as the other Brotherhood members shouted in fear. I closed my eyes collapsed on the dirt filled ground. Closing my eyes, I awaited for the tumbling rocks to crush us. Nothing happened.

I looked up and saw that a yellow light shield had appeared. It was flickering on and off causing some small rocks to enter the shield. The Brotherhood was fine but if I didn't hold this shield up long enough they might NOT be fine. Something told me this shield wouldn't last long. My energy was slowly weakening.

Looking up I saw the presence of Kitty. I was slightly jolted with a startle and the shield vanished as quick. I felt my body tingle and weird sensation spread over it. Was I dieing?

After a while I found myself outside. I was lying on the ground with my back to the surface. The X-men were all crowded around me. I assumed Kitty was the one to save me. I sat up and spoke, "The Brotherhood-"

"Are fine," Scott said.

The Brotherhood were brushing dust off of themselves. Fred pointed at the flag which was not to faraway. The giant mutant spoke, "Pietro?"

"I'm there," Pietro said knowingly. With that he sped off past Kurt, Kitty, and Evan.

Kurt glared. "Hey!" He teleported.

Suddenly the sky seemed to darken. I looked up and saw a monstrous blue jet plane that I quickly recognized as the Black Bird that Jean had showed me when I went to the Xavier Institute. It was clouding over the sun, thus casting a shadow over us.

"X-Men, Professor X is in danger and so is Mystique," a voice said over the P.A.

"Up to it?" Scott asked, glancing at Lance.

"Let's go," Lance smirked.

"Haley?" Kitty asked.

I shrugged. Might as well.

When we arrived inside the X-Jet everyone was in uniform (except me). Flying in the X-Jet was like being on a roller coaster. And I absolutely LOVED roller coasters. It took a lot out of me not to wave my hands around in glee.

When we arrived at the Xavier Institute, I followed the rest of the crowd since I didn't know where exactly to go. The lovely 'Storm"' had already explained the 'mission'. I honestly felt like a superhero.

We stood in the doorway as 'Cyclops' called out, "Take a break, Wolverine!"

"We'll take it from here," Avalanche said.

"Well, now, this is a surprise," Mystique said, sounding shocked.

I gasped, as a large man wearing an orange bodysuit was ready to grab Professor Xavier.

Jean closed her eyes and rubbed her temples as she began lifting the large man into the air with her telekinesis. I ran into the room, not sure how to help.

"Cain's helmet … remove it!" the intimidating Wolverine said, struggling to speak.

'Juggernaut' reached out for Jean when suddenly Blob appeared, blocking his way. Blob smirked, "Unstoppable? Meet the unmovable."

Nightcrawler teleported on top of Juggernaut's back and began unbuckling one of the buckles on the helmet before Juggernaut picked him up and hurled him off. Juggernaut growled and charged at Blob. As a result the large mutant was flung to the opposite side of the room. He then looked at me and began charging at me. I gulped and slipped on the ground underneath him so that now I appeared on the other side of him. I rubbed my hands and sent a small speck of light toward the large mutants helmet where another buckle was undone. He growled. His voice thundered across the room. Furious, the large mutant began coming at me. I bit my bottom lip when suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked behind me to see a blue Kurt. It was a little unnerving to be around him since he looked so elfish/devilish, but I knew better than to judge someone based on their looks (unless they look like they've been doing drugs).

Cyclops crouched in front of Juggernaut and fired at him. The enrage mutant picked up a mace from the ground and chucked it at Cyclops. He dived out of the way. Avalanche sent a tremor under Juggernaut's feet. He fell onto his hands and knees. Quicksilver ran onto his back and undid another helmet buckle. Juggernaut got up and Quicksilver tumbled off. Storm appeared and sent some wind Juggernaut's way. He fell down again. Shadowcat and Rogue phased through the wall in front of him.

"Get the latch!" Rogue called.

Shadowcat and Rogue got the last two buckles undone and ran off. Juggernaut got up again. Toad leapt onto the wall and grabbed onto Juggernaut's helmet with his tongue. The orange suited man grabbed his head.

"Argh! No!" he cried in vain.

"I'm sorry Cain," Professor Xavier said.

The large man began to loose consciousness, his hand inches away from the old man's wheelchair. We all began to cheer and rushed toward the Professor.

"Now, there's something you won't see every day," the blue skinned, red head woman said. She still gave me the creeps but right now I wasn't the object of her attention.

That day I learned that the Brotherhood wasn't as heartless as I assumed them to be. That was a big fault mainly on my part. Still, that didn't mean they were the perfect angels. I knew I couldn't completely trust them but now I knew they weren't completely bad. They were bad just not to the extent of being heartless. Oh just forget it!


Violet: I'm still looking for some suggestions of love interests for Haley. Remember to R/R.