X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Seventy Nine

Author's Word: To reflect everyone's thoughts with this telepathic ability I've been accused of having, a new chapter? So soon?! That's right. Inspiration will do that to you, mainly crazy long reviews. Also Jazzy, so glad you liked the previous chapter and Merry Christmas to you. Please enjoy!

Superman smashed against Batman's chest, causing the former to cry out in a deep electronic voice, "Up, up and away!" The pair of action figures full on grappled on the short brown table. Fighting sound effects came compliments of the young boys who wielded them.

Frank jumped up and scurried to the top bunk. "Too bad Bat Brains can't fly."

"He doesn't need to," Scott countered. "He has the bat-plane." He started loading him into the toy aircraft.

Frank rolled his eyes. "Batmobile, bat-plane. This guy has too much money to be so moody."

"Oh?" Scott "flew" the plane over to their beds. "So are you so moody because you always end up blowing your allowance?"

"I don't blow it," Frank defended. "I invest in candy."

At that moment, their door magnetically flung open, revealing the displeased robe adorned individual in the hall.

Swallowing hard, Frank greeted meekly, "Hi, Erik." He started down.

The metal wielder stepped inside. "Why are you two, yet again, out of bed?"

Scott tried to explain. "We're too excited about the tournament. It's supposed to be a big match."

"Then you should have come asked for warm milk," Erik said matter-of-factly. "You've had more than your fair shares of warnings about this since we arrived here."

"Aw Erik, no," Frank groaned.

"No, Frank." The man pulled out their desk chair and sat facing him. "Oldest first."

Said oldest poked his lips out as he came over.

Erik lowered him across his lap and gave him seven swats on top of his pajama bottoms. He then lifted the young teenager into a hug.

"Go lay down, boychick," Erik said into his ear.

Frank nodded and went towards the lower bunk, rubbing his behind.

A nervous Scott approached without being commanded.

Erik put him over his knees and ran a comforting hand down the thin back before giving him five smacks.

He brought the eleven-year-old upright and hugged him tightly. "Going to mind now, yes?"

"Yes, sir," he responded promptly.

Standing with him, Erik carried Scott to the top bunk and laid him down.

"I want eyes closed and mouths shut until morning." He placed the blanket over Scott then dipped down to tuck Frank back in as well. "Understood?"

"Yes, sir," they replied tiredly.

Erik stood, clicking off their light as he took his leave.

IIIIIII

The headmaster's arm around his neck securely, Alex guided, "Okay, up." He helped Charles into a standing position. "Now one step on right." Charles moved forward with the designated foot. "Okay, one step on left." A small wince left Charles as he did. "Ease into it. It's not a race."

Charles continued taking the small steps with Alex at his side. "Yet it feels as if I'm up against an intangible clock."

"It's going to be like learning to walk again," Alex said. "And none of us remember how we pulled it off the first time around."

Charles looked ahead thoughtfully. "Actually, I do. I was a little over a year old. I heard my father return from a very long trip and I fled from our housekeeper to go greet him."

Alex glanced at him in fascination. "You still remember it that clearly?"

"Benefit of my mutation I suppose."

Alex recalled, "When Scott was learning to walk, Mom had to grab him before he ran into our radiator. He always woke up falling over something then screaming his lungs out about it."

"I can just picture it," Charles chuckled. "It thrills me that the two of you have had this time together."

"Yeah, me too." Alex stopped their motion. "Ready to do an about face?"

"Full speed ahead."

Turning around, Alex led them back to where they'd parked the wheelchair.

IIIIIII

Kicking the refrigerator door shut, Sean brought the six-pack over to cram into the duffel bag with the other snack items.

"Okay, root beer check." Sean started putting them in. "And we get to pretend it's the real thing."

"Sounds good to me," said Frank.

"Wonderful influence, Seanie." Erik came in with Becky in his hold, both in beige pants and purple turtlenecks.

Alex came in through the front way, rolling Charles' chair ahead. "Too bad you and Charles can't tag along, Erik."

"I'm afraid brutal pugilism isn't my first choice for entertainment," Charles said.

"And my duties will be elsewhere." Erik nuzzled Becky's cheek, making her smile.

"Where's Hank?" Alex asked.

Scott told him, "He went to pull the truck around."

"Let's head out then," Alex directed. While the others proceeded through the door, he went to retrieve the snack bag. He noticed the silent Joey seated at the island. "What's wrong, Eel?"

Joey looked up at the older blonde. "Will you play with me when you get home?"

"You got it," Alex guaranteed. "But only if I can get a hug." Joey smiled and outstretched his arms. Alex squeezed him strongly. "Love you, baby bro."

"Love you, too," Joey returned.

Hoisting the duffel bag up, Alex left out.

"Papa," Becky buttoned her red peacoat while Erik straightened her scarf and hat, "if Raven and Auntie Em have the snow cruiser and the boys have the truck, what are we using?"

"The bottoms of our feet," Erik informed her. Becky bowed her head and whimpered. "And by that of course I mean my feet." He got up, lifting her.

"Don't let my little princess freeze," Charles cautioned.

"Perish the thought." Erik walked out with the little girl snuggled in his grasp.

"Daddy?" Charles glanced over at his little one's voice. "Can I go ride Xander?"

"Go on," Charles allowed. "Stay right on the grounds."

"We will." Joey headed for the door, stopping only to grab his oversized leather jacket.

Charles watched him go, unable to combat the helplessness he felt in that moment.

Out in the barn, Joey got Xander saddled up then climbed up onto his back. Taking the reins, he trotted the chestnut creature out and into the thick of trees. Joey dipped down to hug the back of Xander's long neck as they moved.

Much more charged now, Joey directed Xander into a gallop. They rode along at a steady speed until a small body wielding a stick barreled out in front of them. Xander reared up and Joey had to grab on firmly to keep from falling off. Frightened himself, Joey's body sent volts out at the other boy.

"No!" Joey yelled out when he dropped after the electrical contact. He hurried down from Xander and went to kneel over the motionless black haired boy. "Please, please. Are you okay?"

The brown eyes abruptly shot open. "That was great!" He sat up, looking to Joey eagerly. "How'd ya do that?"

Joey glanced at Xander, who offered no ideas for an explanation. "Sometimes when I get scared I do that by accident. I'm really sorry. Please don't tell my dad."

"I won't. I ain't mean to scare you. I was just playing explorer." He extended a hand. "I'm Cody."

The blonde smiled and shook with him. "I'm Joey."

Cody got up and walked over to Xander. "What's his name?"

"Xander," Joey responded. "I named him for my big brother."

Cody looked astounded. "You mean he's all yours? Those rich kids at the resort don't even got their own horses. They usually rent 'em. You don't sound like them, either. Mama says their noses stay so up in the air, their maids need stilts to pick 'em."

Joey laughed at that. "We don't live there." He pointed. "We're staying in a house back there."

"Good, you ain't far from me. I don't get to see much of other kids when school's out. You wanna play explorers?"

"Sure," Joey accepted happily. "How do you play it?"

"You gotta listen real close," Cody said covertly.

"We better go on Xander. We'll be safe that way." Joey mounted his horse again. "Come on."

"You'll really let me ride with you?"

"Course," Joey said without hesitation. "Do ya know how to ride?"

"A little bit." Cody used the stirrups to get up behind Joey. "My daddy took me out to the stables before."

"Which way should we go?"

"Hm," Cody hummed. "You pick."

With a tug to the reins, Joey directed Xander straight ahead to parts unknown.

IIIIIII

Despite the heavily packed arena, Hank, Alex, Sean, Frank and Scott managed to claim seats. Sean, Frank and Scott sat lined up between Hank and Alex.

Hank found it strange to have such a turnout for an early afternoon event until he read the program. "Apparently this one fellow has yet to be defeated."

Frank said, "This is gonna be so cool."

The lights went dim, shining down solely on the scrawny announce in the center of the ring.

He spoke into the overhead microphone. "Welcome one and all to today's Fists of Fury Match-up. In this corner at six foot two, weighing three hundred pounds," the light flashed over to the bald and toned giant who seemed to exhale fire, "Taurus," loud applause sounded, "and in this corner at five foot seven, weighing two hundred and thirty pounds," the light lit up on the dark and wild haired figure, body practically coated in hair, "Wolverine."

"Guess Wolverine has his hands full," Scott commented.

"Actually Scott, it's Wolverine who is undefeated," Hank informed.

Sean's eyes jumped. "Seriously?"

Alex stated, "Size doesn't mean squat, Seanie."

The referee stepped in to explain the practically nonexistent rules then brought the match to a start.

Initially, the competitors engaged in a stare off. At last, Taurus charged forward. He slammed right into Wolverine and kneed him in the lower abdomen, kicking the wind out of him, before punching him hard in the face. Wolverine toppled to one knee, clutching his stomach in agony.

Taurus started to dealt another punch, but Wolverine grabbed his fist in one hand. Then the blue eyes came up, twinkling. He yanked the hand, flipping the larger man onto his back, Up righting himself, Taurus made an angry path for him again. Wolverine ducked and somersaulted away.

"Yeah!" Frank cried out among the others. "Go Wolverine!"

Making use of the ropes encasing the ring, Wolverine swung his entire body back. He rocketed forward, delivering a maximum impact punch to Taurus' jaw. Before he could retaliate, Wolverine gave out similar blows to his chest and stomach, He finished by swiftly kicking him into the ropes. Taurus collapsed onto his front with no plans to rise any time in the immediate future.

The X-Men and other spectators leapt from their seats with roars and cheers.

IIIIIII

"So how old are you? Eight?" Cody guessed. He currently lay beside Joey up against a log in the snow with his arms folded behind his back.

"Nine," Joey answered. "My birthday was back in spring."

"Mine was June," Cody said. "I'm ten. My daddy let me load and fire his service pistol."

Joey's eyes enlarged. "You mean his gun?"

"Mmhmm," Cody nodded. "He's got a whole collection of rifles, automatics, everything."

"My uncle has a gun," Joey recalled. "At least that's what my big brother says. He'd never let me near it, though."

"Why not?"

"I'm not allowed to do much," Joey said. "I might hurt myself."

Xander turned from munching on branch tips, neighing lightly.

Cody put forth, "I'll be he hears our bounty." He paused a moment. "So do I."

Joey took a moment to listen. "I don't hear anything."

"Right over here." Cody walked off to a far bush and peered through it. "Look, Joey."

The blonde came over, grinning upon sight. "Oh wow." He carefully lifted the large spotted rabbit up to hold. "He's so cute, but how'd you hear him?"

"I'm not sure," Cody said honestly. "Sometimes I just hear or smell things. Right now I hear a bunch of deer up ahead," he pointed, "and I can smell the honey in the beehive," he gazed up at the twenty foot tree towering them, "up there."

Cuddling the rabbit, Joey stepped closer. "Are you a mutant?"

Cody looked at him. "I figure we both are."

Joey nodded in confirmation.

IIIIIII

Waiting on the older X-Men to get out of the bathroom, Scott and Frank remained inside the truck in the nearly empty arena parking lot. Glancing to his right, Frank spotted someone slouched against a tree, puffing on a cigar.

"I don't believe it— it's Wolverine." Frank hopped out of the car.

"Hey, wait." Scott ran out after him.

At the rapid paced steps approaching, Wolverine put out his cigar against the tree to talk to the boys. "Somethin' I can do for ya, fellas?"

"Could you sign this?" Frank held out his program.

"Sure." Wolverine took the leaflet and removed a pen from his leather jacket pocket. "You got a name?"

"Frank Tolbert. Your match was so far out. You swept and mopped the floor with that guy."

"Just a coup'la moves leftover from my army days," the man dismissed.

Frank grinned. "You're army? My dad's a US marine."

Scott added, "Mine was in the air force."

"Good blood," Wolverine nodded. "You two interested in enlistin' or are ya just pretty boys?"

"No way," Frank quickly denied. "But I'm more into science and political history."

"Big brain, huh? You're alright." Wolverine looked to Scott. "What about you, slim?"

"I want to be a pilot," responded Scott.

"Yeah? Well, keep your heads in the books," Wolverine handed Frank back the autograph, "and you'll be golden."

Scott noticed something. "You don't have a mark on you."

Wolverine ran a hand along the side of his own face. "Let's just say I'm a fast healer. Anyway, I need to take off." He walked over to his black and blue motorcycle and slipped his helmet on. "Catch ya later, kids!" He revved up and rode off.

The boys visually followed his path out of the parking lot.

IIIIIII

Magnetically unlocking and opening the front door, Erik stood back while Becky merrily skipped inside ahead of him.

Charles rolled through to see Erik unloading their bag into the nearest chair. "I see you purchased your weight in paperbacks, brother."

"No. This is all your niece," Erik told him. "I was done in five minutes. She must have spent over an hour in children's literature. Then I caught her over in the teen section."

"The teen section?" Charles wrapped an arm around Becky's waist. "Princess, what is the meaning of this?"

"It was only a few from there," Becky insisted.

"Take a look at all of these." Erik removed a short stack from the bag. "The Chronicles of Narnia, Little Women…"

Charles picked up the one he dropped. "Contemporary Torture Methods, Ninth Edition?"

Erik plucked the book out of the Professor's fingers. "That's for my insomniac nights."

"Look what else, Uncle Charles." Becky showed him the one she had with her.

"A children's Torah. That's very lovely, Princess."

"Let me see that, Anya." Erik took the book, scanning through the enlarged colorful words. It had been the only one she'd wanted to carry herself. "A little overly simplified in parts, but the Hebrew is accurate enough. Now," Erik gave it back to her, "best find a safe place for it. These others as well."

Becky made a face. "Could you bring them in? They're sooo heavy, Papa."

A disgruntled Erik pointed towards her bedroom. "Go read your Torah."

The head of curls smiled and danced out on the tips of her toes.

Charles laughed.

Erik started gathering up the books. "Are the ladies home from the fashion show?"

"Not yet, but Hank got in touch a bit ago. The boys really enjoyed the big fight."

"Now for them to only come home and inevitably practice the learned moves on each other." Erik looked around. "Where's Joey gotten off to?"

Charles replied, "Out on Xander. We're going to have to do something, Erik. He's felt so lonely of late."

IIIIIII

The chestnut brown horse along with the newly dubbed Bounty Bunny looked on as the blonde Merlin and brunette Arthur carried on their grand adventure.

From up in the tree, Cody exclaimed, "We ain't ever gonna win the battle now, Merlin. The enemy's all over."

"Nonsense," the small wizard pushed aside. "All you have to do is summon up the Knights of the Roundtable."

"Me?" Cody moved down a few branches then jumped down from the eight foot mark, landing straight on his feet. "You're the one with all the magic."

"I know. Only give me a moment." Raising the twig he'd chosen to use as a wand, Joey twirled it around before summoning up his power.

Sparks blew through the stick, surprising Xander for a moment and making the boys go down with fits of laughter.

"You've got some kinda crazy magic," Cody said, getting up.

"This is cool." Joey rolled over to his side in the snow. "I never get to play like this at home." He then realized it and rushed to his feet. "I have to get back now."

"Well, how about tomorrow?" Cody suggested. "Can you come back and play?"

"I'll sure try," Joey promised. He went over to pull on Xander's reins to get him up. "Hey, who's gonna take care of Bounty?"

"Don't worry." Cody picked up the rabbit. "I got him."

"Thanks." Joey mounted Xander.

"Hey, Joey?" The younger boy looked over. "You're a heck of a Merlin."

Joey smiled. "See ya tomorrow. Bye, Bounty."

With a neigh from Xander, he started them off in a gallop back to the house.

IIIIIII

Light grunts and flying snow greeted Cody as he made it back to his brick house.

Catching the youth's scent, Victor glanced back from shoveling. "There you are."

"Hey, Uncle Vic." The boy walked up to him, leaning against his side.

"Save it." Victor gave him a soft prod away. "This was supposed to be your job today."

"I know," Cody admitted. "But I got so caught up."

"Oh yeah?" Victor propped the shovel up and put his other hand on his hip. "Maybe next time I'll decide to get caught up and just let your old man give ya a whippin'."

"Ya won't do that," Cody said knowingly.

"Don't go testin' me." Victor's eyebrow went up. "What's that behind your back?" Cody pulled out the rabbit. "Ah, geez. Didn't your ma tell ya about the strays?"

"I had to take him," Cody urged. "He's mine and my new friend Joey's."

"Joey?"

"Yeah, he's somethin' else, Uncle Vic. He's just like us, 'cept he can make these sparks shoot right outta his body."

"Huh." Victor asked, "Didn't happen to catch a little green eyed fairy and a Big Foot with glasses hangin' around him, did ya?"

"No," Cody replied in confusion. "What're ya talkin' about?"

"Never mind," Victor waved off. "Now go put Bugs away and get the kitchen clean. Your dad'll be back from pickin' up your ma soon and she'll give you an earful if she has to cook in a lousy mess."

"Okay." Cody headed in. "Who'd Daddy go up against again?"

Victor shrugged. "Some bull."

IIIIIII

Once Raven and Frank had dinner prepared, the members of the X-Men gathered around the island with Charles and Emma, Hank and Raven on the opposite ends. Erik, Becky, Alex, and Joey sat across from Sean, Frank, and Scott.

"Wolverine is too cool," Frank went on. "He seriously acted like a regular person to me and Scott."

"Something was weird, though," Scott raised.

"What, dear?" Emma asked.

"Taurus socked him dead in the face, but he didn't have so much as a bruise when we saw him outside."

"Maybe they put special makeup on him or something," Raven tossed out. "To keep him handsome."

"He's not handsome," the shades wearer stated. "Trust me."

"You heard him, Scott. He heals fast," Frank reminded.

Hank looked over at him. "Is that what he said?"

Frank nodded. "Yeah, why?"

"Nothing." Hank returned to his dinner, but continuously felt déjà vuall around.

"Well, the show was nice enough, though far too much color in this upcoming season," Emma remarked. "And who calls a rabbit jacket a fashion statement?"

"I know," Raven concurred wholeheartedly. "Wearing Peter Cottontail? Seriously?"

At hearing a teeny snicker, Alex glanced down at his baby brother. "What's so funny, Joe?"

"I met a new friend while I was riding Xander," the little boy said.

Charles looked up curiously. "You did, little one?"

"Who?" Erik asked with far less enthusiasm than the British man.

"Bounty," Joey answered his father. "Bounty the Bunny."

A round of laughter sounded at the island.

"Wolves, horses, bunnies." Frank shook his head. "Joey, if you ever make a friend from your own species I'll collapse from the shock."

Joey merely smiled and took a long drink from his glass of milk.