Jenskott: You have no idea how hard it is to keep all the characters strait. Yeah I wanted to show mor of Amara's past and you'll see how the triangle will end up as.
Sparky Genocide: Well you're Sinister is kind of a joke compared to the comics and other things so it's not really a wonder, but then again that fic is more humorous then serious. Plus I wanted to show that he's a major villain.
IvyZoe: Rogue was already close to people in the show but if you want we could show a bit more.
Aaron: Happy that you like how the Kurt/Wanda paring is going and how it's going slow like with Remy/Rogue. We didn't want to rush things, the card game might be a weekly thing after all. Yeah Amara does have some problems but it will work out for her eventually but now how you might think. You'll have to see about X23.
Sean Malloy-1: I have a few ideas for X23 but I don't want to spoil things.
Mark C: Yeah it will be awhile before Kurt is ready and maybe next time Logan will be at the poker game. Yeah there is a lot of bonding but they'll need it for later.
Coldqueen: I can see that as for Slickboy, he thinks that the best actor to play someone like Slayer would probably be either Jet Li in terms of skill and Orlando Bloom in terms of appearance. And that got me thinking if I had to pick a person to play Vincent I would pick Tom Welling.
Wolviesfan: Yeah we kind of tweaked Logan's past a bit, a little from the comics, cartoon and our own personal touches.
Bensbrokenbones: Well now I know one thing you like to read with Kitty, and yeah X23 is different form Logan in that respect and I try to show that when I write her. I'm glad one person out there gets that Sinister is an evil scientists and not insane. There is a difference and I'm glad you saw it.
GothikStrawberry: Yeah Amara has more problems then anyone there knows about and I'm not sure how they kicked Selene out in the comics. You do the same thing Scott does at cards, didn't know that. I think those few things were hiding who he was from the world, and having to live like that, she can relate to certain things.
Thanks to: X00001, Simba317, Wen1, LadyDeathStrike1, misspresh, Doza, The Uncanny R-Man, Silver Warrior
Hellfire and Brimstone
CHAPTER 37: TRAINING DAYSWanda & Rogue
Wanda woke up early the next morning, still in Kurt's bed even after the unfortunate incident that had gotten out of control the night before. Kurt was still asleep, and not tossing or turning from restlessness or nightmares for a change, which was definitely a good sign. Sleep had become quite a commodity for those who had undergone the worst of the Hellfire incident and Kurt was no exception. Wanda knew he still struggled with nightmares of his rape, and yet she still let things get out of hand last night with her actions.
Even though Kurt hadn't blamed her in the slightest, Wanda still mentally kicked herself for getting to sexual with him when he was still trying to cope. She just…Lost control of herself in the moment. It was something she usually so good at, but Kurt just brought out so many things in her that she found it somewhat hard not to let it get a little heated. That didn't make what she did any more justified as she slipped out from the sheet so of his bed, giving her fuzzy boyfriend a light kiss on the forehead, hoping he could continue to sleep peacefully into the morning, for she knew he needed it.
Luckily, there wasn't anybody roaming the halls this time around, so nobody saw her come out of Kurt's room as she made her way back to hers. After a quick shower and a change of clothes, Wanda heard some of the others rushing down for breakfast already. However, after the lingering effects of the previous night, she didn't feel like being around a crowd all that much and chose to get some much needed fresh air.
She found herself in the back on the balcony overlooking the pool. It was a peaceful feeling being able to enjoy a quiet moment, allowing her thoughts to drift. The events of what happened last night played over in her head once again, and as always she mentally slapped herself in the end. It was not her proudest moment, for she actually may have hurt the one person she had truly developed deep feelings for. Kurt had treated her in a way nobody else had and her feelings for him had grown so much in wake of the Hellfire incident. While she may not have known a whole lot about relationships, she knew that what she let happen last night was her fault and it the more she thought about it, the more she beat her self up about it.
'Damn it!' she cursed to herself as she leaned over the rail and looked at the pristine sunrise in the distance, 'Why did I have to do it? How could I have let myself lose control like that? I know it's still fresh in his mind…I know it still affects him…And I know how it feels. So why did I do it? Why did I have to go on to hurt the one boy I may actually be developing serious feelings for?'
As Wanda continued kicking herself mentally, Rogue flew in from above after another morning flight. Normally, she would see Gambit standing out there waiting for her since he knew she was coming to enjoy his company, but since she had chosen to end her flight early today, she was met with another face…One she hadn't expected to say the least.
"Hey Wanda…What are ya doin' out here?" asked Rogue as she landed next to her, seeing that she was in some sort of stupor.
"Nothing…" she said in a monotone voice, "It seems like you're enjoying those new powers of yours."
"Well…They have they're benefits," admitted Rogue, but Wanda's mind remained else ware and Rogue was quick to pick up on it.
Rogue may not have exactly been best friends with Wanda…Hell, she was somewhat apprehensive towards her after she moved in after the Brotherhood disbanded…But she had come to see that she wasn't an enemy anymore. Over time, she grew somewhat accustomed to her presence, but she never really talked or connected with her.
But now…She had other reasons to worry about her in this current state. Now, she was her brother's love interest.
"Wanna talk about it?" she said, knowing all to well the look of one who was troubled by one thing or another.
"Am I really that obvious?" said Wanda, letting out an exasperated sigh as she rested her head in her hand, feeling the onset of a rather rough headache coming on.
"Well to be fair…Ah know that look pretty damn well," quipped Rogue as she leaned up against the banister next to Wanda, "So are ya gonna tell me or what?"
Wanda hesitated briefly, not knowing how Rogue would take what she had to say about the incident. Since it involved her brother, she had a feeling she wouldn't be too thrilled…Then again, it was probably better she found out sooner from her rather than later.
"It's just…Well, I'm pretty sure everybody has told you about me and Kurt by now," she said, choosing take the gradual route rather than just spitting it out and getting it over with.
"Yeah, that was…Unexpected," said Rogue, feeling somewhat awkward about talking to her now since she was now so involved with her brother.
"I know…" said Wanda, who was feeling just as awkward talking to Rogue for the first time about her and Kurt, "And…I know you and I didn't exactly connect when I first moved in, but Kurt's just been such a great guy and…Well, getting to know him and having him help me with so much has…Kind of had an impact."
There was a brief silence between them as Wanda struggled to find the right words. She knew she was going to have to tell her about the incident sooner or later, but for now it seemed as though she wanted to delay it as much as possible.
"Yeah…Kurt kinda has that affect on people," said Rogue, managing to sound somewhat more light-hearted in an effort to ease some of the tension.
"No kidding," said Wanda in agreement, "I guess I should be surprised that I fell for the guy. I mean…While you were…Kidnapped…He was so devastated and worried that I…I guess it kind of brought out those feelings I had a lot sooner than either of us thought. And then after…You know…"
"The rape…" said Rogue, completing her thought, not wanting to avoid it anymore since it only caused her more pain.
"Yeah…That," said Wanda, still not wanting to say it for obvious reasons, "I guess it just sort of happened. And I know I'm probably not the first person you'd want romantically involved with your brother but…Just know that I really, honestly like Kurt…A lot."
Rogue took a minute to digest that, having a few mixed feelings about the notion of her brother dating the Scarlet Witch. On one hand, she was glad he had found somebody to fill the void left by Amanda. She remembered all too well the impact that heartbreak had on him. But then again…This was Wanda Maximoff…Daughter of Magneto, twin sister to Pietro, and a former member of the Brotherhood. While she knew she had no right to judge her since she had repeatedly proved that she was different from them, and that still left some uneasy feelings in the pit of her stomach since Kurt was her only family.
But even if it did leave such feelings, could she really do anything about it? Would it make a difference in how she feels about him? After all…She was one in the Brotherhood too before she joined the X-men. She may not have known Wanda very well, but at least she had been there for Kurt when she was kidnapped. That alone left her with reason to believe that spoke the truth when she told her how she felt about her brother.
"Look…" said Rogue with a sigh, "Ah know we ain't exactly pals and all…But who mah brother dates is none of mah business. I mean…If he likes ya and you like him…There ain't much I can do about that. It's just…Kurt's mah only family and…"
"Yeah…I know," said Wanda, cutting Rogue off, having a good idea how she probably felt, "But I would never do anything to hurt him…Believe me, I never would. I just…"
"Then why are ya out here mopin'?" asked Rogue curiously, "Did somethin' happen? And is it something Ah should know about?"
Wanda had dreaded this part as she took a deep breath and began to let Rogue in on what happened. She only hoped that she wouldn't want to test out her new super strength on her when she found out, but then again…Part of her felt as though she may deserve it.
"Well…It's complicated," began Wanda, "You see…Last night, I went to see Kurt in his room after the Danger Room session because I was worried about him. I mean…He's been getting almost no sleep these past few days…"
"Yeah…I know," said Rogue, knowing full well why sleep was so difficult after the traumatic ordeal they had both been through.
"And I don't blame you," said Wanda in response, choosing not to state the obvious, "But I still wanted to help him. And well…We began talking and he began getting a little distraught over it so I started to hug him and…Well, one thing led to another and we started kissing and…I kind of…I let it get a little too heated…"
"Oh no…" said Rogue, not looking too thrilled about what she had just heard, "You didn't…"
"No!" said Wanda quickly, knowing what Rogue was probably thinking, "It didn't get that far! I…I took my shirt off and I began kissing him more and then he just…He freaked out. He…He pushed me away and practically freaked out. He was breathing hard, he was shaking, and I just…I was just so stupid. I knew he wasn't ready for stuff that sexual…I knew he was still…Coping. But I just…I'm sorry Rogue…I really am. Believe me, I'd never hurt Kurt intentionally, I'd never…"
"I of all people should have known what he was going through!"
"Wanda, stop…" said Rogue, cutting her off as she heard Wanda grow a tad bit hysterical in her tone, "Just…Just stop, okay."
Wanda was forced to swallow a large lump in her throat as Rogue took a minute to process this. She knew about what Kurt had gone through and it only made her hate Selene even more. It was bad enough she had to have her raped so brutally…But to do the same thing to her brother and making him suffer like that was just beyond cruel. She hated that woman with a passion, but it didn't stop her from feeling uneasy about touch and intimate contact. And with what Kurt went through, she had no doubt that he was the same.
Sure, part of her was a bit mad that Wanda did something like that to make Kurt experience that sick feeling she often got when she thought about it. But she couldn't just lose her temper over it when Wanda clearly felt remorse. Like it or not, this was still her brother's girlfriend and it probably wouldn't work to anybody's advantage if she lost it. After taking a few deep breaths, she finally turned to the weary Wanda Maximoff, hoping to set things on the right track between them if she was going to be involved with her brother.
"What did ya mean by…Ya of all people?" Rogue asked her but she was kind of afraid of the answer, she had heard that only Kurt had been hurt that way and none of the others.
Wanda sighed and closed her eyes, she guess Rogue of all people would understand. "Back in the Asylum, when I was sixteen there was a guard there that…Like to take advantage of the female inmates," Rogue was stunned shocked at hearing this, she had never known in fact she was sure no one knew about that.
"He was caught…But not before he had his own 'fun' with me and the others for a few months." She decided to leave it there, she didn't like to talk about that. Although while the others had been at school and she was studying Xavier also used that time for counselling sessions and after about six months she finally told him of her experiences.
She had broken down at that point, coming to face those demons for the first time in years and Xavier helped her though it, in fact he helped her to face a lot of things about her past with those and would always be grateful to him. But now sitting with Rogue and telling her this and about Kurt was hard.
Rogue looked at Wanda as though seeing her for the first time. He didn't realize just how little she knew her and yet they had a lot in common it seemed, "Look…Ah'm not mad at ya," she said calmly, "Ah believe ya when ya say ya don't wanna hurt him…But Ah've just got so much else goin' on with mah own problems and Ah don't wanna make em worse by gettin' mad at mah brother's girlfriend."
Wanda was able to breathe a sigh of relief a bit after hearing that, but she was still uneasy, mainly because she was still blaming herself so much for what happened.
"I'm glad you believe me…" said Wanda, "And…I don't want to make things even worse for you given everything that's happened, but…Rogue, I think I may be falling in love with Kurt. He makes me feel things that I've never felt before and he's treated me in a way no one else ever has before. And I just…If I'm going to be in a relationship with him, I don't want it to come into conflict with you. I know how much you value your relationship with Kurt…Believe me, after my whole family completely ditched me, I know. And I don't ever want to come between that."
Rogue thought about that for a moment as she took in what Wanda had just said. She had no idea that things were already that deep between her and Kurt. She had no idea they were already at the point where they felt like they were genuinely in love. Even if it was with someone she didn't fully know, she was still happy that Kurt found someone. She just didn't want to see him suffer through the same pain she was…Even if she knew that was pretty much unavoidable given the circumstances. And if Wanda could be there and help him through this…Then she was okay in her book as long as she didn't hurt him.
Finally, Rogue managed to smile somewhat at the Scarlet Witch, which seemed to both surprise and please her. She was glad she got a chance to get this out of the way and maybe…This would all be for the better.
"Ya really love my brother…Are ya sure about that?" asked Rogue, wanting to know definitively.
"Yes…I'm sure," said Wanda without any hesitation.
"Then Ah guess Ah've got nothin' to say other than good luck to the both of ya," she said with a smile, "Ah hope ya both really find somethin' with each other. And if ya can be there for him and help him when he's worried sick about meh…Then I guess yer alright and Ah have no right to judge. Ah believe ya when ya say that ya regret what happened last night and Ah don't think ya should feel all that bad about it. Besides…If ya ever did hurt him…Just remember that Ah now have the strength to bend solid steel with mah bare hands, so ya know Ah'll be there to protect him."
"Uh…Thanks," said Wanda, managing to smile back even if she couldn't help but feel a little weary, "I'll keep that in mind."
-Danger Room-
The X-Men team was now in the Danger Room all together for the first time in quite a while. Logan was adamant that it was time for the entire team to start working together mainly because he thought if this Slayer guy was telling the truth, he wanted them all to be ready. So he was going to have the X-Men train more and harder as well as the New Mutants. They hadn't been ready before but he was gong to make damn sure they would be.
In his black uniform, he looked over at the others. He saw the two new members, Wanda and Piotr, there since they had been made part of the team not long after they joined up. "Alright listen up! I know some of you are still working out your own things with what happened, but in here ya got to put that all aside now." He saw the looks on a few of them and knew they were still fighting their own demons and this next part wouldn't be easy, but all the teachers agreed they should know, "We got information…That a few of the members of the Hellfire Club…Are still alive and out there."
He saw the shocked expressions on their faces that ranged from fear to hate. He saw a few like Scott take Jean's hand and Kurt and Rogue holding each other's hand and he knew the reasons for that.
"So we're not going to be so easy as last time. I'm going to train you kids harder then ever…And increasing the ranks of the X-Men." The others looked a bit curious and then the door opened and out walked Angle, Psylocke, and Gambit entered the room. "Where are the other two?" Logan asked seeing them.
"I think they're trying to get their new uniforms on," Betsy said to him.
"And not a moment too late I might add," Emma's voice was heard as they turned to see her walk in proudly showing off an all white uniform. Her boots went up just below the knees and she had on tight white pants. Her top as it were was just a giant X placed strategically covering her breasts and the top was hooked over her upper arms just below the shoulder. She had on something over her neck that pointed down and worked with the X top. She also had on a coat with no sleeves at all.
Vincent walking next to her was completely different, for he wore only black and some red. He had on boots and pants that were black and a dark shirt. He had on a jacket with a red X on the back that continued onto the front. He wore black gloves with a red X on them and a headband with a red square with a matching X on it on his forehead.
"Frost…What the hell is that?" Logan said at how much skin she was showing.
"You like it?" she teased and did a twirl, "I figure it for physiological tactics. I mean, most hired goons are men and while they're too busy taking a peek, it will leave them open. Besides, it goes great with my diamond form." To illustrate she turned her skin into that other form. Logan just sighed and pitched the bridge of his nose trying to ward off a headache coming.
"Alright, now that the fashion show is over let's get to the training." Logan looked up at the control room where Ororo was working and she worked the controls. The area around them became a city street at night and with no one around. "This simulation will have those cyborg mercs and other surprises in story for ya. You all will split up and take different routes. There are flags in the north, south, east and west and all have to be brought back here."
"Now Scott, I want you to lead the first team with Emma and Vincent. Jean, you'll lead with Shadowcat and Colossus. Betsy, I want you to take Gambit and Rogue. And Warren, I want you with Scarlet Witch and Nightcrawler," Wolverine told them all, "You're being timed and remember that teamwork is part of this so use it. So get going!"
The teams split off and went into the four directions. Scott was leading them down a street that seemed too quiet and at the end they saw a building in the back that looked like it was guarded, they crouched down by a car. "Well I guess we got to storm the fort," Vince said, looking at the defenses that to him looked like something out of a world war two only with those damn Cyborg soldiers.
"Any idea how to get in fearless leader?" Emma asked him seeing the guards, "Somehow I doubt the front door would be easy."
"Well…We could try the less scenic route," Vincent said and pointed to a manhole cover, Emma made a disgusted face at this idea.
"Yeah, but once we inside we could use a distraction," Scott said to him.
Vincent grinned at him and gave a quick look at the front, "How big of one do you need?"
With Betsy's team, they found a factory with few guards. "Maybe dis should be left for Gambit non? I am de professional thief in de group."
"Ya honestly think Logan would make that easy?" Rogue asked him and he just grinned at her and shrugged, causing her to roll her eyes.
"Alright then, how about we get to the roof and see if we can sneak in then. I figure a fast and quick extraction and then a quick getaway before they know we were there," Psylocke told them drawing on her ninja skills and training that she had with this new body.
With Jean's team, they were in an alley that was well fortified. Jean was making a TK shield as Colossus threw large heavy objects at the cyborgs. "I hope Katya can hurry," he then grunted as he took a rocket launcher to his chest and threw a garbage containers at them."
"She's close," the redhead said. She was in telepathic contact with her and they had seen the flag at the end and they were the diversion while Kitty went through the 'back door'. While all the attention of the cyborgs were on the two mutants they didn't see Shadowcat phase through the brick wall and saw the flag and quickly took it and went back through the wall. Jean had heard Kitty tell her through a mental link that she got it and told Piotr to pull back. It wasn't until they were gone when the cyborgs noticed the flag was gone.
Warren had taken to the skies as they came to a small park but had to dive for cover as he came under fire and landed on a roof top, Kurt teleported with Wanda next to him. "So what now Angel-boy?" Wanda asked him.
Warren saw the flag in the middle of the park. "Well, Kurt can teleport there, but I doubt he get it before being blasted."
"Fine then," Wanda said and waved her hands over the area, causing park lamps to flash before blowing up and everyone was shaking and pretty much going nuts, "HURRY UP I CAN'T KEEP THIS UP!" She snapped and Kurt immediately disappeared and then reappeared with the flag and she fell to her knees sweating. "God…Don't ever ask me to do something like that again."
"Technically I didn't," Warren said then she saw the glare wanted was giving him, "Okay then, Kurt maybe I should hold the flag while you get your girlfriend out of here."
In a building a red blast ripped through the floor as Scott and Emma came up from the whole. Scott helped her out of it, "Damn it, I swear next time I'm going into my diamond form and going through the damn front door," Emma said getting the wrinkles out of her uniform, "And this is a god damn new outfit too!"
"Emma, just give him the signal," Scott exasperated.
"Okay fine," she said and closed her eyes then suddenly a huge explosion was heard and lots of shouting, "There that should keep them busy."
Then a huge explosion was heard and the building shook, "What the hell is he doing? Blowing up the street?" Scott yelled at her as she went to the window.
She smiled looking out there, "Only part of it, boy he's having a lot of fun. Oh he's ripping off their cyborg limbs now, and beating them with it. There's a sight I'd never thought I'd see I mean I've heard of threatening to rib a limb off and beat a person with it, but I've never actually seen it."
Scott blinked under his visor and looked outside and was a bit shocked. "Jeez, he's really cutting loose."
"Well I think he's working out his issued with violence, I can relate." Emma said to him, "Now let's get that flag. I have a feeling that the front door will be just fine by the time we get it." They made their way though the building Emma turning into her diamond form since her telepathy was useless on robots and holograms.
They turned a corner and Scott pulled Emma back just as energy blasts went through the air where she had been. Scott had seen the troops guarding the halls and had moved quickly. Scott tried to get a look but more shots range out and slammed into the wall as he quickly pulled back. "Damn I can't get a shot off."
"Well then stay behind me and use me for cover, my skin is tough enough to take it." Then she sighed and looked at her new uniform, "It's a good thing I made a backup one. I should have known this was going to get ruined."
Emma walked out with Scott using her as a human shield as she took the hits easily enough and looked at the guards. She called out their locations to Scott who would shoot from behind. Halfway through the hall they were all defeated and her uniform was torn and singed in a few places. They went on Cyclops ignoring how angry she was at how long it would take her to repair it. He wasn't sure if Emma was just doing this to annoy him slightly or this was just her way of coping with stress. He figured it was a bit of both.
They found the flag in a room with tables and chair. It looked like a board room or something. In fact, the whole building looked like a turn of the century office complex with brick walls painted over and old fashioned lights that hadn't been upgraded. "Is it me, or does this look like a trap to you?" Emma asked him ask they walked towards it in the quiet room, he was about to say yes when a pair of double doors kicked opened and Cyclops overturned a table for cover, "Fuck! I hate it when I'm right like that!"
"Think you can pull the same trick?" Scott asked her.
Emma looked down at her uniform, "Not unless you want me standing naked at the end of it," she said coldly.
"Uh," Scott was a bit lost for words, "Okay new plan then."
Emma shifted back into her normal form, "How about backup?" She closed her eyes then in a few minutes a wall exploded and massive amounts of energy beams came out of the hole slamming into the cyborgs as Vincent, his own uniform in slight tatters came walking in. Emma smiled at him as she and Scott came out of what was left of their table, "I just love that man," she said with a smile.
"Sorry it took so long, had to clean us up an escape route," Vincent said as he picked up the flag.
Scott looked around at the devastation, "Jeez you never do anything subtle do you?"
"Actually I do, but only when it counts," he smiled over at him, looking around at his handy work, "You know I've been thinking of a code name for myself…What do you think of Mayhem?"
Cyclops thought about it and what he had seen him do, "It fits."
Betsy was now on the roof of the warehouse that her team was going into. She had Rogue fly them up and now Gambit was working on a lock. She had opted for the stealth method as Gambit grinned as he picked the lock, "Twenty seconds, Gambit is so good at his work," said the Cajun patting himself on the back, causing both women to roll their eyes.
"Just get in there already." Rogue said to him and he nodded to her going through the door as the two others followed. It was dark so Gambit took out a card and gave it a small charge making a small red glow. When he saw some light he took the charge away and they found themselves in a open spaced warehouse full of crates and guards.
They were ducking behind a few crates and Betsy formed a telepathic link with them all so they could talk with each other without speaking.
'I think we should try and sneak over to the side over there,' Betsy pointed to her right and the others nodded. They quietly moved and Rogue floated a bit off the ground. She knew she wasn't an expert with stealth like the others so she did the same thing that Vincent had showed her about using flight to walk quietly. She was glad for the flying lessons with him and Warren now as they really came in handy.
They moved silently until they came to a break in the boxes and one by one they had to cross it. Rogue crossed the gap first and Gambit readied his new staff that he had just got from Beast. He was please with it and couldn't wait to try it out as he crossed the gap but a guard had seen him and popped up behind him ready to yell out and fire, but Betsy quickly grabbed him from behind and sent an energy blade into the head. With a human, it would knock a person out so the drones were programmed to simulate this.
She quickly pulled the body aside and hide it from view and then joined the others, Gambit nodded his thanks and made a mental note to brush up on his skills, he was getting rusty in his opinion. They saw the flag in an open area with a few guards.
'Damn, now what?' Rogue asked Betsy.
'I'm thinking.'
Gambit looked up at the lights. He noticed how the place wasn't that well lit, most likely because this kind of warehouse wasn't supposed to be used at night so it wasn't taken into consideration for the construction of it. 'How about Gambit blows de lights and on of you go for it?'
'Well I don't have any better ideas, so we might as well go for it.'
They took their places as Betsy said. She would be the one to go for it and memorized the area and then shut her eyes trying to get used to the dark. Gambit positioned himself just right and took a few cards and charged them and threw them at the lights, which then exploded in sparks, causing the whole area to become dark. Betsy ran off at that moment. Since ninjas were trained to use the dark this was easy for her and she listened to the confusion and chaos around her to avoid the men as she used her mind to remember where the flag was.
She found it and quickly retraced her steps but then a few flashlights hit her and she turned around. "Get her!" one of the men said, but then a huge crate flew out of the air slamming into the sources of light and those not hit were scattered. She looked over her shoulder to see Rogue lifting another one over her head and threw it, 'What are ya waitin' for? Let's get the hell out of here!' She thought at her and Betsy had to agree with her.
They all met up back where they started and the simulation ended and they heard Logan's voice over the PA system. "Okay that was good, now we got a few other simulations so get ready." There were a few groans as the new simulation stared up.
After that sessions and a few others, the team was making their way to the locker rooms to shower and change. A few of them slightly limping or shuffling from exhaustion. Emma was leaning on Vince, "God that was the most exhausted thing I've ever done." Then, she looked over at him with a grin, "Well…Second most exhausting." This earned a smiled and a chuckle from her boyfriend. She knew he was used to this kind of exertion and to be honest, since they found out that Shaw and Selene were still alive she knew they would come after them and she wanted to be ready she didn't want to be a victim again.
So she had an idea, "Vincent…I want you to train me."
He looked at his girlfriend, "What do you mean train you?"
"I want to learn to fight like you. I know I can't learn it all, but damn it…I'm tired of not being able to fight like some of the others here. I've seen the training they have come out and I want to be able to hold my own…So please…Teach me."
Vince considered her words, "Okay, but you have to understand no matter what we have between us we'll be nothing more then teacher and student, not girlfriend and boyfriend and not lovers," he said seriously.
Emma looked at his face and saw the seriousness of what he meant and put on her own serious face, "Okay then I can do that."
He smiled at her then, "Good, then get some workout clothing…We start tomorrow."
Kitty & Piotr – Piotr's Bedroom
Later that evening after dinner, Kitty and Piotr were finally ready for their first little art session. Piotr had been thinking about this and preparing for it for the better part of three days now, for he wanted everything to be perfect. He hadn't done a whole lot of model work with his art in the past. The most he ever did was with his family and Kitty Pryde was something completely different. Now, he would be sketching and painting a beautiful young woman that he already knew full well that he was falling for and the thought alone made him a bit nervous.
Kitty had also been looking forward to this ever since Piotr had asked her. While she never considered herself beautiful enough to be a model, it had always been a fantasy for her. She was pleasantly surprised to see that Piotr found her to be so beautiful and she knew his artwork was very good and the thought of him capturing her forever in a drawing was definitely an appealing thought…In more ways than one.
Kitty had chosen to wear the dress she had bought with Emma on their first session since Piotr seemed to find it so enticing. When she got to his room, she was already met with an elaborate set up that he had arranged for her during the whole ordeal. He had moved his bed off to the side somewhat and brought up a loft for her to lay on from the den. Since this was expected to take more than one session, this first part was merely to get a basic sketch of her outline that Piotr would later paint over in color. He had arranged everything so meticulously that Kitty couldn't help but feel special inside after seeing just how seriously he was taking this and it would definitely be interesting to see where it goes.
Throughout the first part of the session, Piotr told Kitty to sit and lay in various positions so he could best capture what he wanted. It took a little time at first for him to find the right one, but once he did things began to progress fairly smoothly and they began making light conversation as Piotr worked his magic on the board.
"So how many sessions do you think this will take?" asked Kitty as she lay as still as possible in the position he had told her to stay in.
"As many as necessary Katya," answered Piotr as he made a few basic sketches on the board, occasionally shifting his view from the easel to Kitty, "One can never be sure just how long it will take to capture one special piece of inspiration. It could take a few days…Or it could take a lifetime. When it comes to art, anything's possible."
"Spoken like a true artist…" grinned Kitty with a slight chuckle, "Well I hope we can do this before I'm old, gray, and ugly."
"I don't see how you could ever be ugly Katya," he said, giving her an honest smile, "Beauty always sticks with somebody whether other people see it or not. And you should never let anybody else tell you otherwise…Or else they would have to answer to me."
"Aww…That's sweet Petey," said Kitty with a sweet grin on her face, "It's good to have a boyfriend who's willing to protect me from all those evildoers out there who insult my appearance."
Piotr couldn't help but laugh slightly at Kitty's playfulness, for that was one of the qualities about her that he had always found so alluring. It was hard at times to keep himself from getting distracted by it, but given the subject of the task at hand, he managed to stay focused as he continued sketching.
"So do you like to sketch other people? Or do you just stick to the girls you can manage to sweet talk…" said Kitty with another chuckle.
"Well, I do landscapes for the most part," answered Piotr, "But I do enjoy drawing people too…Mainly my family back home. But…I guess that all depends on what inspires me."
"Aww…That's really nice of you," she said as she tried to remain still as she watched his eyes alternate between her and the easel, "Your parents must be very proud."
"Yes…I know," he answered, trying to hide the somewhat disheartened feeling he felt at the mention of his family, who he still missed so much, "They are truly wonderful people. Maybe you'll get to meet them one day."
"Yeah…Maybe," mused Kitty, wondering what it would be like given what Piotr had described to her in the past, "Do you think they'll like me?"
"Of course they'll like you Katya," he assured her with a smile, "How could anybody not like you? And I'm sure you'd like them too. They are kind, understanding people and they certainly wouldn't mind meeting such an interesting American girl like you."
"I guess I'll have to take your word for it," said Kitty as Piotr took a good long look at her face and sketched a few more things on the easel.
As Piotr continued to work, his mind then drifted towards Kitty's family. While he had told her a lot about his parents and sister back in Russia, he never got around to asking Kitty about her parents for some reason. When he thought about it, he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. He knew Kitty was from a traditional rich American middle-upper class suburban background and he was a Russian farm boy…Not exactly the most compatible backgrounds. He didn't know how her parents would react to her being romantically involved with somebody like him. He wasn't rich, he wasn't American, and his English wasn't exactly perfect. But still, he had very strong feelings for this girl and if he was going to have a relationship with her, he knew it would have to come up sooner or later.
"Katya…What about your parents?" asked Piotr as he once again glanced back at her to get a few more base details for his sketch, "Have you told them about me?"
"My parents?" said Kitty, "Yeah, they know. I told them I'm dating an ultra cute, handsome man from Russia that's really sweet and really kind to me."
"Really?" said Piotr, sounding a bit surprised that she had told her family already since they hadn't been dating that long, "You said that?"
"Of course…" affirmed Kitty, "How could I not? I'm not afraid of letting them know that I'm involved with a guy I really like. I'm really lucky to have someone like you Peter…Don't ever think I'm ashamed of us."
"I feel lucky to have someone like you too Katya," he said with a smile as he continued sketching, "Of all the people I've met here at the mansion, you have been by far the most interesting and enjoyable to be around. I just hope that your family approves of you being involved with someone like me."
"Are you kidding?" said Kitty with a light hearted laugh, "After the whole Lance thing, they'll think you're practically a saint! Trust me, they'll love you. It may be a bit tough for them that you're not Jewish, but that's minor at best. As long as you're the sweet, wonderful man that I know you truly are…You have nothing to worry about."
They both let out a laugh as they continued chatting into the night. Kitty had to admit, she was enjoying this little art session with Piotr. She wasn't as nervous as earlier now thanks to their casual conversation and Piotr was enjoying himself too as he talked and drew her, trying with every bit of skill to do justice to her beauty.
Time quickly began to move in a blur for them as Piotr kept drawing and Kitty kept making comments here and there. As the night set in and they both began to feel a bit tired, Piotr was nearly done with the initial sketch that he would go over with paint next time. It took him a while at the end to get the last few details he needed to effectively use during the painting process, but eventually he was satisfied with what he had, knowing that he could fill in all the necessary details with paint later on. However, the sketching with pencil was probably the easiest part of the portrait…The next part would be far more challenging as the daunting task of capturing Kitty Pryde and immortalizing her in the way he wanted to still loomed before him.
"Well…It's getting late," said Piotr as he made the last few marks on the canvass, "I think I've got what I need with the sketch and we can begin painting tomorrow night."
"Great!" chirped Kitty with enthusiasm, already looking forward to it, "Can I see what you've got so far?"
"Oh no…" said Piotr quickly as he set the canvas aside so she couldn't see it, "You must not see it until it is completely finished. Trust me…It'll work better that way. You just have to promise me…No peaking."
"Oh…Okay. I promise," said Kitty, sounding somewhat disappointed, but not at all disheartened.
"Very well," said Piotr as he set his stuff aside, "Then I think we are done for the night."
"Great!" said Kitty as she got up from the loft, "I can't wait do it again later. Thanks again for doing this Peter."
"Oh no…Thank you for giving me the chance to do something so inspiring Katya. I can't tell you how much it means to me."
"Aww…You really are a sweety Petey," said Kitty with a warm smile as she gave him a big kiss on the lips, "Same time tomorrow?"
"Uh…Da, that would be great," he answered, his face blushing slightly from her kiss.
"I can't wait…Goodnight Peter."
"Goodnight Katya…Sleep tight."
And with that Kitty left his room, leaving the Russian born mutant behind with a wide smile on his face as he looked forward to their next session…Knowing that when this painting was finished, it would definitely be one of his most proud works.
-Sinister's Complex-
Sinister was watching over a giant metallic square room through thick bullet proof glass watching X23 in her new black combat gear that was a bit like her old one only with light Kevlar body armor under it all that he got from the files at DARPA who were experimenting with new combat gear. He watched as the girl was shredding though robots and automated defenses.
Deathstrike was training the young girl, shouting things out to her to improve her technique and style. They also would spar together and she made sure that the others all had portable devices capable of sending blinding pain and/or making her body limp. Viper seemed to like it, but Gauntlet and Deadpool were pretty much occupied themselves however they saw fit.
"So she is what you were after?" came the voice of Selene from the shadows walking up behind him. He smirked not taking her eyes off her.
"No my Black Queen, she is mainly a means to an end. I want the X-Men. They are trained and well educated and they are some of the best prime examples of mutants in the world and when I came across Viper and learned how that young girl had bested them all," he smiled looking on as she worked the course, "She'll help me capture them."
Selene looked at the girl and tilted her head, "And…Just how are you controlling that little wild animal?"
"With a device implanted into her neck that connects to her nervous system and can make any amount of pain and access to her most terrifying memories."
She smiled thinking of the uses for such a device, "I always knew you were a genius…May I barrow a few for later? I think it would make things very interesting for my 'playthings'."
Sinister gave an amused laugh. He knew her too well and how she liked to 'play' with her captives. When he met her back in Britain over fifty years ago he had been intrigued by her beauty and later her personality. Where he was a master of science she was into the supernatural and at first they clashed, but later on they saw how also they were two sides of the same coin.
He had never felt like this with another woman since his wife had died back in the 19th Centaury. His work had consumed his life and then she walked into it and it was a nice bonus to his long life to fine a partner that would not only be ageless like himself, but wasn't repulsed by his beliefs or his actions. And he knew it was the same for her as well. "Well my dear I think I can easily accommodate your wishes."
She smiled and walked sexily up to him and drew lazily on his chest with her finger, "Thank you, you always did know what to get a girl. I still use a few of you other toys you've given me over the years."
"It is a pleasure my dear to make you happy."
"Oh I think we make each other happy in our own ways," she purred to him. Normally she wouldn't demean herself like this acting like this for anyone, but Sinister was the exception. Unlike that fool, Shaw, she saw Sinister as a true man worthy of her. He had power, intelligence, and wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty. It was also hard to find men that could satisfy all her urges as well.
"So how goes the hunt for the girl?" Sinister asked about the daughter Selene had been raising until her escape two years back."
Selene's demeanour took a more rigid and cold stature, "I have no idea," she said coldly, "I think I trained her too well in the use of magic. She keeps herself hidden at all times…But I'm more worried about this presence I keep feeling that is watching us."
She moved to the window looking into the distance and not really looking into the training area, "Someone is out there…I've been feeling his presence for a while now. Whoever he is, he's powerful and he's good. But he lacks the experience that I do. I have studied the mystical arts longer then anyone. I have learned secrets that have been long forgotten. Whoever this is can't hide himself from me forever."
"Well then I'll leave that to your very capable and lovely hands."
She smiled a little and looked at him over her shoulder, "I must return before Shaw starts wondering where I am, but I can't wait to see how you handle Xavier's little troop of mutants. I have a feeling that will be very interesting results."
She walked back into the shadows and they seemed to envelop her. Sinister smiled as she left and turned back to his newest little addition. She was on the floor in pain and he guessed she tried to attack Deathstrike again when her back was turned. He had to admit the child had determination, but she would learn soon that it was healthier to work with him then against him.
NEXT UP CHAPTER 38: OVERCOMING THE PAST
If you want to see what Emma's costume go to Uncanny X-Men dot net and then go to Spotligh and on Emma look up her costume gallery it should be the last one. I would put the link but links don't show up.