X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter One Hundred Sixty Seven

Author's Word: Hi, fam. How's everything? I'm not sure if this has been a good week or a significantly less stupid beyond reason week. In any case, please enjoy and review!

"Gregory Haddon… Juan Hernandez...Walter Hickert…"

Hands with moistened palms dangling at his sides and legs not even an inch apart, the locked brown eyes stayed in place. Their attention remained on the imposing men hardly three yards from where he stood. Though he found concentration difficult with the clapping and photography that circled him, he used his newfound training to keep any reactions to his sensitive ears under control.

"Codicat Howlett."

As if the seemingly magic words freed him from an immobility spell, he reanimated and stepped forward. The orange accessory presented to him, he bowed deep, shook hands with the instructor, and accepted the belt. The very second he had the item in his possession, the small arena erupted with cheer.

"Yes!" One fist pumped, Logan zealously informed the strangers- along with a few of his housemates- around him, "That's my son. Mine!" He brought the woman at his side closer to it and kissed her head. "Look at our boy, Fox."

Hands blurring together with applause, Kayla eased against her husband's chest while uttering with an abundance of pride, "You did it, baby."

Waving a triumphant fist, Victor said, "My Mighty Mite."

"Way to go, Cody!" Joey belted out in such a manner that it startled the others near him.

"We love you!" shouted Becky.

"Go, Code Man!" came from Sean while Maya called out, "Yay, Cody Wody!"

"Co-dy, Co-dy, Co-dy!" chanted Cordelia and the other teenagers.

Leon looked on with his features both satisfied as well as unsurprised.

The Dan took in the spectators that nearly overtook a third of the seating and remarked cheerfully, "Our Cody has quite the fan club." He said specifically to the boy, "Treasure them as they do you."

Cody bobbed his head with a grin never firmly attached to his face.

IIIIIII

Three tables pushed together provided enough seating for the members of the X-Men within the classic American cuisine dining establishment.

Returning from the buffet with Joey, Cody laid down his loaded plate as he retook his seat. The white dish contained two fried chicken legs, a near mountain of mashed potatoes with gravy, three biscuits, two slices of meatloaf, and a lengthy corncob.

"Too overwhelmed with excitement to eat tonight, Cody?" Charles joked.

"I'm trying to hurry up," Cody said.

Cordelia wondered, "What on earth for?"

Cody stated matter-of-factly, "To eat some more."

While the rest of their group laughed, Sean said, "Sounds like a plan to me."

"I can't believe my best friend's a karate master," Joey marveled.

"Though he hasn't achieved full mastery yet," Hank informed.

"Well, he will," Joey countered. "He's going to get all the colors. Just you wait and see, Uncle Hank."

Hank held his hands up in defense. "I have no doubt."

Leon looked across the table at Cody. "Now that you snagged the orange belt, you're moving up to intermediate. Ready for it?"

The small food machine swallowed his massive mouthful in order to speak. "I sure hope so."

Peering away from her baby in her arms, Emma put forth, "I hear it takes quite the mental discipline to advance."

"The hardest part of that is, ya know," Cody darted his eyes about at the other customers, "not being Silver Cat."

"And you've handled that well already," said Erik.

"But if this is too much for ya, you can always hold off on makin' eleven tomorrow," Logan threw out glibly.

"No way, Dad," the boy turned down.

"Are you sure?" Kayla's eyes glowed with amusement. "We can wait for your party or you can step back and be seven or eight again."

Cody shook his head hard. "Nope. Eleven or nothin', Mama."

Trav piped up, "I can't wait to be seven or eight."

"Aw," Raven touched a hand to his back, "sure you can."

Maya turned to Leon. "What's your highest belt?"

"Brown," Leon answered. "First level. And that took… a lot."

"So is black right after brown?" Sean asked.

"Dependin' on how the school's setup, there's two or three degrees of brown before you even get to go at black," Logan explained.

"I'd love to be a black belt," said Frank. "But, um, let's just say I wasn't in karate very long."

"Right there with you, Frankenstein," Alex sympathized.

"I thought it was just going to be a lot of silly fighting like that wrestling and boxing the boys watch on TV." Becky glanced towards Cody. "But I loved watching you. It was almost like a dance."

"That's half the work right there, Tink," said Victor. "Makin' it look good."

Scott pointed across the way. "The dessert bar just opened up."

As the young people jumped up, Erik called out, "I want all vegetables vanished before we leave this restaurant."

"Here, here," Charles seconded then grasped Sean by the wrist. Bring me back the biggest slice of strawberry shortcake.

Sean winked at him in reply then made a path for the various sweets.

IIIIIII

Feet contained in white socks crept along the hardwood floor. Making use of his eyes and ears for a brief moment, he began his journey up into the loft. However, a pair of strong arms from behind prevented him from inching beyond the mid-point.

"Ah!" Cody reacted, squirming vigorously.

"What do you think you're doin'?" Victor growled lightly into his ear.

"Just, uh," the tilted boy flashed a smile up at the man, "comin' to see you, Uncle Vic."

A knowing Victor corrected, "Ya mean comin' to sneak a peek at your loot. You better watch it, Mite." He tossed the thin lad over his right shoulder. "Don't forget you got some birthday swats to go along with them presents."

Raising himself up as best he could, Cody wrapped arms around his uncle's neck and nuzzled at him with his cheek and nose. Unable to resist the youth, Victor purred back at him.

Kayla stood from the edge of the bed when the two males made their way into Cody's room. "There you are."

"You know this kid." Victor tossed him onto the bed, producing a short giggle from the child. "Tryin' to glimpse the goods."

Kayla shook her head in humor. "Of course."

"Night, birthday brat," Victor waved. "Night, little sis-in-law." He bent at the knees to reach her stomach. "Night, little scoot."
Kayla smiled as he walked out and settled herself in beside Cody on the mattress. "Let's see… what kind of story do you want to hear tonight?"

Cody got in near to her, outlining her stomach with his finger. "You pick, Mama."

Finger combing at his soft strands of her, Kayla thought for a few seconds. "One early morning not terribly long ago, a woman awoke before the rest of her household. No special reason. She simply wanted to greet the new day and have some time to herself to think. However, she met with a surprise when she arrived at the creek. Someone else was already there; a man. Now, she knew this man already and did not care for him in the slightest. She started to leave, but then noticed something that made her stay in place. With the man perfectly still in the water, so entranced in his own concentration, the colors of sunrise painting him- she saw something she never seen in him before."

"What was it?"

"Beauty. Absolute beauty. Along with his strength and this quiet yearn for peace. Soon, he turned around and found her there. He invited her to take a swim with him. And she did. Though she was wet and her hair a mess, that was the most fun she'd had in sometime. Afterwards, they sat together, watching the water and talking. They talked about so many things. But something in particular he said to her stood out."

Cody stared brown eyes into hers. "What, Mama?"

"He said to her," Kayla continued, "He never saw himself as much of a family man, but if he ever really had the chance, he'd love to have a son more than anything."

Corners of his mouth rising upward, Cody burrowed against her front. "I love you, Mama."

Kayla pressed her lips against his forehead. "I love you, light of my life."

Strolling in with a short whistle about him, Logan gingerly climbed over his wife to get on top of their child. "Guess what."

Cody pressed their noses together. "What?"

"I eat almost-eleven-year-olds." Logan nipped down on his ear.

Cody laughed and pretended to scratch at him. "I thought you ate almost-ten-year-olds."

"They don't fill me up as good." Logan left a tiny bite on his neck. "Alright, time to conk out. And make it snappy." He and Kayla stood from the bed to help fix the covers over Cody. "The sooner you get up, the sooner we can get to the madness."

Cody attempted to rise. "I'm up."

Kayla laughed and Logan nudged him back down. "Nice try, wise guy."

"Good night, honey." Kayla patted Cody over his blankets and out started out.

Logan went around to the other side of the bed and paused, taking a moment to intertwine fingers with the boy. "Good night, son."

"Good night, Daddy," he returned.

"Close your eyes." After the youngster did as instructed, Logan walked over to turn off the light and leave the door ajar as he departed. He met up with Kayla in the hallway and gripped her at the waist. "Hey."

Kayla brought her arms up to go around his neck. "Our son is really happy."

Logan nodded then inquired, "How about his mother?"

"What do you think?" She arched her head back to kiss him.

IIIIIII

Slipping into the formerly instrument loaded studio, Maya eagerly tipped over to where Sean sat in the middle of the piano bench.

"Finished at last." She held up the orange and black bag for his viewing.

"Finally," he reacted with something of a relieved sigh.

"Oh you try taut stitching in-between studying for finals."

"Nope, no way. No stitching here." He raised his fingers, wiggling them. "Too many past pokies." Maya laughed and lowered down onto the bench with him. "We are going to be grand duke and duchess in the present department."

"Don't be so sure," Maya cautioned. "All he can think about is whatever Wolverine is giving him."

"I'll bet," Sean said. "How cool is it when parents aren't clueless on gifts? Got to say, a BMW topples the itchy canary yellow sweater any day."

Maya smiled with a breathy laugh. "And who needs a Sweet Sixteen when you can have a Sweetest Seventeen?"

IIIIIII

The sun cascading a particularly bright ray across his face and illuminating his already color rich features, Cody awoke with a moan. Rubbing at his eyes to clear them, the significance of the morning did not hit him until a second later. He stilled in place, developing a wide smile.

Hopping out of bed, he sped out so quickly he had to stick himself into reverse when a blur taped to his door caught his attention. Now paused to get a good look, the big birthday card only made his glow intensify. He scanned each signature from the other X-Kids before hurrying on for his original destination.

When he arrived inside the suite next to his own room, he went to the foot of the bed and climbed up to worm his way between his parents. The move proved a bit challenging because, as usual, his father had gone to sleep with his mother in his arms. With a small grunt, he managed to situate himself snuggly in the middle of the two. As if powered by one wire, the adult Howletts stirred at the same time.

An unspoken joy filling her eyes, Kayla reacted, "And who is this?"

Logan squinted eyes at him. "Do we know you, kid?"

Cody head-butted him. "Yeah, I'm your kid. Remember?"

"Ours?" Logan raised an eyebrow. "Pal, you got the wrong family. Our son's a little bitty boy. You're a big cat."

"Wait, let me check." Brushing hair away from his eyes, Kayla let off a mock gasp. "Cody, it is you."

Cody laughed. "Told ya!"

Kayla folded arms around him closely. "Happy birthday, CoCo."

Logan knocked on Cody's forehead. "Happy Birthday and you're still as ugly as the day your granddad told us it was a boy."

"Thanks, Mommy." Cody turned his head to stick his tongue out at Logan. "Nnah, Daddy." Logan snorted and moved to enclose him between them both. "We gonna go eat?"

"Ohhh," Kayla never loosened their hold, "in a little bit."

Cody studied the saddened corners of his mother's eyes. "What's wrong, Mama?"

"Nothing, sweetheart." She touched her stomach. "I think the baby wants to wish you a happy birthday."

Scooting down on the mattress, Cody laid his ear against her middle to listen to the movements within. It only took the briefest moment for the heartbeat to ring out to him.

IIIIIII

Half the table felt the sharp gust of wind as Joey all but flew clear across the dining room to tackle the child who walked in just ahead of his parents.

"Haaappy birthday," Joey squeezed as tightly as he could, "best, best, best, best friend!"

"Son, please," Charles chuckled. "We mustn't suffocate the Birthday Boy."

Cody clamped onto Joey back and said, "That's okay. I like it."

Becky came over next and hugged him from behind. "Happy birthday, Cody! Did you see your card?"

"Yep," Cody responded happily, "it's a zillion times better than any of the ones I got at my old school. Thanks, you guys."

Kiki toddled over to leave a kiss on his cheek and he smiled at her.

"Come." Erik used his power to push out Cody's chair. "A lavish cereal banquet for the guest of honor."

"Uh oh, that'll have to wait." Logan pointed with his thumb out of the room and winked at his son. "Guess who's comin'."

"Uh oh," Cody echoed his father then cautioned his friends, "You guys better move."

In walked Victor, who stood completely quiet, eyes zeroing in on the significant boy like a telescope. He growled at him and Cody attempted a snarl back. Lowering to all fours, Victor started up a chase. They raced smoothly around the table.

Emma nearly grew dizzy at their movements. "What are they doing?"

Kayla raised a hand. "Please. It's wise not to disturb them in their natural habitat."

Pouncing at his intended prey at last, Victor clutched Cody then performed a somersault on the floor with him securely in his grasp.

When they came upright, he ruffled at the already atrocious bedhead. "Happy birthday, Mite."

Grin planted on his face, Cody leaned against him. "Thanks, Uncle Vic."

Alex looked to Erik as he put forth, "Oh and we're weird?"

Erik responded, "Merely misunderstood, boychick."

After Cody went around so that Maya and the others could also wish him a happy birthday, they all settled down to eat from the array of cereal boxes.

Cody lowered his spoon to ask, "Dad, can I open presents after we're done eating?"

"We could," Logan shrugged casually. "Though I thought you may be more interested in test firin' RX22."

Dropping his spoon right into his bowlful of milk, Cody slipped into partial catatonia. "Are you serious?"

Logan replied, "As soon as you're done gettin' dressed, meet me in the range."

"Too cool!" Maya reacted.

"I'd like to see that myself," Leon said.

"Oh, me too!" Frank seconded wholeheartedly.

"If you're interested, we'll see you down there," Logan offered.

Becky frowned a little. "I don't like the sound guns make."

Erik took her hand in his. "We'll wait upstairs."

"We'll all keep Kayla company," said Hank. "I'm afraid Kiki and Trav's ears are too sensitive for the range."

"Aw, phooey," Trav imitated Donald Duck but did not protest beyond that.

The moment they finished eating, Joey and Cody excused themselves. They broke into a run for the stairs as soon as they got out of sight. Cody yanked up a pair of jeans and a gray t-shirt of his father's reading "COMBAT" in bold black letters across the front. Joey dashed in wearing jeans and a blue t-shirt with a picture of Merlin wielding his wand on it.

Once both had clothes on, they journeyed down to the lower level of the house. In the range, Logan, Victor, Maya, Sean, Leon, Frank, Scott, along with Charles and Emma had gathered while the rest of the house remained upward.

"There you are." Rifle in his possession, Logan turned towards his son. "Get your gear on. The rest of you cover your ears and step back against the wall."

Going to the table, Cody clamped on his eye and ear protection. "Ready, Dad."

"Not until you're in position," Logan corrected.

Victor added, "Eleven ain't the age of senility, kid."

Cody stood in the correct stance. A satisfied Logan took the first shot, causing most of the others to flinch at the noise that resulted. He readied the gun for Cody then handed it over.

The gleaming child focused intently for several seconds to properly size up the target some ways away from him. He pulled the trigger, connecting with the center.

"Yes!" he nearly jumped but refrained due to the weapon he carried.

"Hm, not bad." Logan looked over his shoulder. "What do you say, Vic?"

"Only about a half inch off," Victor determined. "The Mite's alright."

"Ohhh," Frank had to keep from bouncing in place, "I've got to try this out."

Scott raised his hand eagerly. "Me, too!"

"Uh uh," Cody shook his head, "it's my birthday and nobody takes a shot until I say so. And I say my best friend goes next."

Both hands slapping across his own chest, Joey's eyes enlarged. "Me?"

"Him?" an equally incredulous Sean reacted.

"Joey, you've got to see what this feels like," Cody urged.

"Um," Joey glanced towards the telepaths, "can I?"

Ready with an answer, Charles started, "No, no. The very idea is out of the—"

"Sugar," Emma brought him over to face her, "we're on a contained range. He'll be protected. It's only another form of defense." She tugged on his shirt. "Let him try it."

Sighing though the nose, Charles walked towards Joey. "This is in no way, shape, or form a pass for you to go about attempting to operate firearms. If I catch you within so much as a few feet of one without my permission…" He allowed the threat to linger there.

Joey nodded. "Yes, Daddy. I promise." He smiled. "Thank you."

"Let's see what you got, Sparky," Logan said as the short blonde headed over. "Cody, help him get suited up."

"Now don't be nervous," Charles coached. "But be careful, completely attentive, focused—"

Emma squeezed his arm. Try not to wreck both your nerves in the process.

Joey found the ear protection a little aggravating but did not dare mess with it. He listened intently to Logan then swallowed when the weapon made its way into his hold.

"Wow is it heavy," he marveled.

"I know. Here, this is the position." Cody adjusted his legs for demonstration.

Joey got in place.

Sensing the heavy heartbeat, Logan pressed a hand against his back. "Just squeeze the trigger, nice and easy."

Almost short of breath, Joey gave it a slow pull and gasped when the bullet expelled.

"You did it," Cody threw up victorious hand then looked in the direction of the older boys with a sneer. "Told ya he could."

Joey glanced up. "Can you take it back now?"

"No problem." Logan carefully received the weapon from him, not missing the sweaty palm prints left on it, but he did not comment.

"About six inches off." Victor looked at Joey. "Not too shabby for a first time out."

Joey removed the protective equipment and left it on the table.

Cody walked towards the wall with him while the others lined up for their chance. "I thought you did great. Wasn't it cool?"

Joey lowered his voice as he said, "Cody, I… I don't want to shoot anybody."

"Oh don't worry. Me, either," Cody reassured. "This is just to use on bad people."

Charles stroked Joey's hair. Would you like to go upstairs?

Joey shook his head but latched onto Charles at the side.

Emma regarded their son kindly. Somehow she'd known that they had no need to worry in that instance.

IIIIIII

Silver wrapping paper sufficiently ripped to shreds beyond recognition, Cody uncovered a white box designed like a miniature suitcase.

"What's this, Leon?" he wondered.

The Japanese male answered, "Call it a karate survival kit. Has some essentials I used to swear by."

Opening it, Cody started pawing through it. "Bandages, alcohol—"

Kayla's eyebrow went up. "Come again?"

"Rubbing alcohol," Leon clarified. "Real athletes don't booze it up."

"Yeah, remember that. Drinkin's a killer," Logan stated before taking another swig from his Heineken.

Cody continued going through the kit. "Ointment, ooh- chocolate chip granola bars." He noticed two packets. "Cocoa?"

Leon explained, "You're too young for coffee."

"Ah." Cody unearthed the folded brown accessory at the bottom and gazed at Leon questioningly.

"That the last one I earned. Since I'm not doing much with it, I thought you could hang onto it until you get your own."

Cody smiled and carefully tucked it away. "You bet."

"Our turn!" Sean and Maya paraded into the living room, carrying opposite ends of a tiger striped case.

"No...!" Cody rushed over to him. "Is that?..."

"Open it and see," Maya encouraged.

Unzipping the case, Cody discovered the guitar within. "You got me my own?"

Sean claimed, "It's a desperately selfish attempt to keep mine safe from gooey fingers. Maya personalized the case."

"Thanks, Smiley," Cody hugged her first then Sean, "Thank a lot, copper head."

"Will you open mine now?" Joey requested.

Cody looked over. "You got me somethin', too? I thought you guys gave me the card."

"I know, but I wanted you to have this special." Joey nudged the tall colorful box forward.

Bending down, Cody untied the ribbon and removed the lid. Inside he discovered three canvases.

As he started going through them, Joey identified, "That's you, me, and Becky camped out in the basement back in Canada."

Becky came over. "Let me see."

Cody handed it over and picked up the second one. "Hey, it's Bounty and Xander."

Joey said, "Xander's how we met in the first place and Bounty is the treasure we found."

"This is so cool." Cody lowered it to the safety of a nearby chair in order to take hold of the last canvas. "Whoa," his lips upturned further, "it's me and Jaycee! Is that…?"

Joey pointed to the little girl in pink being held by the one in blue. "That's your new sister. Her eyes are closed because I don't know what color they really are and I didn't want to mess it up. I thought you could put it in her room so that she has a picture of all three of you together."

Kayla shared a glance with Logan then looked back. "Honey, let Mama see."

"This is the best!" Cody passed it to his mother before moving in to hug Joey. "Thanks, pal."

Logan held the canvas with Kayla, keeping his spare arm around her waist.

Cody next opened up a pair of black and white sneakers. "Wow, the new Chuck Taylors! Thanks, Uncle Vic."

Victor tossed at his hair. "The ad said they're the shoes that last. In your case, try not to wear 'em out in a week, huh?"

"I'll try," Cody said noncommittally. "Mama, I'm gonna open your present now."

"Hm?" Kayla along with Logan looked away from the canvas. "Oh okay, sweetie. Go ahead."

From the shape of the box Cody expected to find a few new shirts but instead unwrapped well-packed boxing gloves. "Oh cool! Just like the ones Dad uses." He held them up for all to see then ran to hug his mother from the side. "Thank you, Mama!"

Kayla kissed his temple. "I had an inkling you'd like them."

"Good because that last set are about kaput." Logan made two fists. "So think you're ready to take your old man on, huh?"

"You know it." A twinkle developed in Cody's eyes. "Know what else I'm ready for?"

Logan scratched his head in thought. "Kind of early for cake…"

"Daaaaaad…" Cody bounced up and down on the edges of his toes.

"You…" Logan followed his movements with his head. "Need a bathroom break. Why ain't you just say so?"

"Uncle Vic!" the boy wailed out. "Dad's bein' mean to me and it's my birthday!"

Victor smirked. "Lo', show that mite his gift before he KO's you without them gloves."

"Fine." Logan stood up lazily. "This way, outside." He began leading the way.

"Outside?" Cody and the other children murmured in puzzlement.

The highly intrigued group proceeded to the backyard together, where they met with a brown structure not far from the tree house. It came with a built-in table.

Charles appeared pleased. "When on earth did you put in a gazebo, Logan?"

"The parts were ready but I didn't get to finish installin' it until these ankle biters finally went to sleep. Go on." Logan gestured with his shoulder. "Give it a whirl."

While the other children looked unimpressed, Becky, Joey, and an ever quizzical Trav ventured forth with Cody. They sat around the circular bench together.

"Uh…" Cody gazed about. "I don't get it."

"That's because ya don't know how to listen. I said," Logan walked over, latching the tiny gate to keep them in, "give it a whirl." He indicated the table. "With this."

Becky realized it first. "Oh my goodness. Boys, hurry! Grab on."

They all gripped the edges of the wood and Becky started them off with a jerk. They followed her and soon found themselves spinning around in rapid motion.

"Whoooooa!" Trav bellowed.

"It's just like the tea cups at Disney Land," Joey realized, his blonde strands whipping about.

"I love it!" Becky grinned.

"Me, too!" Cody spoke to Logan in between turns. "Dad… this… is… the… coolest!"

"Yeah," Logan admired his fingernails smugly, "ain't it, though?"

"I want a turn!" Cordelia ran over.

"Mama!" Kiki tugged on Raven's dress him, pointing towards the wooden craft.

"I better ride with Kiki." Scott scooped her up. "So she won't be scared." He raced over with her.

"Eye Scream Team sticks together!" Frank hastened after them.

Raven said, "And I'm going because… outta my way!"

As the rest of the young mutants made a path for it, Kayla cautioned, "Easy. Everyone is going to get a turn."

"That's right," said Charles. "Now- stop that pushing! Raven!"

Strolling over, Erik took over control of the metal components, causing the ride to spin with even greater vigor. The current occupants screamed with a rare combination of joy and terror.

Accepting that the mere suggestion of returning indoors would be futile, Kayla and Charles rolled out the tiger shaped ice cream cake out to the yard on a cart. Emma went into the house and came back out with a now awake Brian so that he could, too, take part in the festivities.

Once she had all eleven candles lit, Kayla called out, "Come make a wish, Birthday Boy before we grownups eat it all."

They all managed to detach themselves to go with Cody over to the cake. As everyone sang the traditional song, he did not waste a second blowing out the candles.

"That was fast," Scott marveled. "What'd you wish for?"

Becky reminded importantly, "You know he can't tell."

"Hm," Cordelia hummed. "Something tells me it's warm and tiny like Brian, but made up of sugar, spice, and everything nice."

Cody said nothing but his eyes glinted.

After the cake was cut and sliced, Logan waited for his son to devour his second slice before tapping his shoulder. "It's about that time…"

Trav looked over worriedly. "The party's not over yet is it?"

"Nope," Logan answered. "In fact, it's time for the main attraction."

Cody put his plate down in the grass and jumped up. "I'm ready. Start countin'."

Hank wiggled his glasses. "What exactly are you doing?"

Victor explained, "Hide and seek. First one to find him, dishes out his birthday smacks."

"Another little ritual," said Kayla. "It's best to observe from a safe distance."

Charles raised, "Ever get the sneaking suspicion the Howlett-Creeds are a small, unknown civilization?"

"Yeah," said Raven. "They should be normal like us Lehnsherr-Xaviers."

"Ahem," Erik faced her, "Xavier-Lehnsherrs."

Raven made a "neiner" scowl his direction.

"Alright, Cat, get movin'," Logan signaled. "Ten… nine…"

Taking off as fast as his feet would carry him, Cody charged into the woods. He circled about twice then turned a left. Passing a clearing, he shielded himself behind a boulder wedged between two trees. Easing off his breathing, he waited as quietly as he could.

Some minutes passed and he became alert to a shadow moving by him. Cody remained still to listen then attempted to make haste for the opposite direction. Before he could gain a remotely sizable distance, the stout figure leapt down to block his path.

"Nice hustle, Mite, but you might want to work on coverin' your tracks better."

Cody slapped his own forehead. "Knew I forgot somethin'!"

Victor swept him up and walked towards the trees with him. "Were you good this year?"

"Nope," Cody responded quite proudly.

"Oh yeah?"

Taking a seat on the boulder, Victor draped him across his lap. He began administering solid swats, but far from the firm strikes for wrong-doing. He reached eleven quickly.

Cody jumped at the twelfth. "Yow!"

"That ought to hold ya off. For a year, anyway." Victor picked him up to hold upright.

"Yours are always harder than Daddy's." Cody wrapped arms around his uncle's neck. "I'm gonna be extra bad in case you catch me first again next year just so it'll be worth it."

Victor bonked heads with him. "You go right ahead, but watch it. I can still catch ya in the off season ya know."

IIIIIII

Another wad of excess rubbish rolled into a ball, Frank toss it Leon's way. The long haired male used his mutation to make it disappear and reappear in his hand before sending it on its way to Alex.

After sinking it into the garbage bag he carried, he declared, "Yes, ten in a row!"

Entering the living space, Erik put fists to hips as he inquired, "What have the three of you devised now?"

"Helping with clean-up," Alex told him.

"Creative in addition to productive. You astound me endlessly, boychicks." Erik came over, lowering into a chair to observe their accuracy.

Frank threw a few more pieces of streamer before announcing, "Look out below!" He flung himself off the step stool, landing in Erik's lap.

The metal wielder coiled arms around the young teenager's waist as soon as he plopped down. "Keep growing at this rate and you won't need a ladder for much longer."

"Don't give him any ideas," said Alex. "Getting sick of small fries around here thinking they're allowed to get older. And speaking of small, geez Cody. That kid nailed at that tournament yesterday. It was almost better than watching one of his dad's fights."

"Just a few years," Leon spoke, "and he'll be a black belt."

Erik settled his gaze on him. "What of you? Any interest in reaching black yourself?"

Leon's tone carried a laugh to it. "No chance- well yeah, it'd be great, but I can't."

"Why not?" raised Frank. "Can't say you're too old to try again because Cody's Dans are like a thousand years old."

"Cody has the heart and mental strength necessary to make it all the way," Leon informed. "Making it to brown was hard enough but black? Impossible. I'm crazy."

Alex paused from clearing off the coffee table and raised one eyebrow at how easily the statement flowed from his lips.

"Says who?" Frank crossed his arms. "A bunch of shrinks?"

"Says me," Leon said matter-of-factly. "The guy who was taking anxiety meds not too long ago. Being able to function doesn't make me entirely sane."

Erik spoke with, "And anxiety coupled with doubt is not enough to convince me of your lunacy. Do you think you could train as an X-Man, face the field, and finish a difficult academic year on a high note if you so lacked mental capacity?"

Leon had no immediate words to follow that. "… Maybe. One day."

"If you need disciplinary help, I am here," Erik told him. "I'm particularly knowledgeable in that area."

"We know," Frank and Alex chorused.

The former accused, "You owe me a soda."

Alex narrowed his eyes and pointed a finger Frank's way. "You win this round."

IIIIIII

Done with their fourteenth consecutive spin, for that past hour at least, the lingering X-Kids darted about across the lawn. Becky moved about effortlessly on her toes, skipping from stray stones. Fireflies all around, Scott took delight in chasing after the illuminated creatures he called friends. He also stopped to help Kiki whenever she appeared ready to take a tumble. Trav rolled wildly across the lawn. Cody performed random flips and Joey attempted, albeit not as seamlessly.

"I'm tellin' ya, Fox, brace yourself," watching from the comfort of the patio furniture, Logan kept an arm around her shoulders. "The grandkids are gonna start rollin' out."

Kayla flicked the dish towel at him. "You stop it."

"I remember went that little knee knocker fit right in my hands," he raised one of the appendages for emphasis, "barely the size of a football. Had no idea what to do with him without breakin' him in pieces."

"Your son does not break so easily." She caressed her stomach and reached up to squeeze her husband's fingers. "Logan?"

The man dipped his chin to inhale the scent of her hair. "Hm?"

Kayla kept her eyes on the youthful antics before them. "I'm so glad we came here."

Dizzy yet again, Cody and Joey toddled amongst the others somewhat aimlessly. When Joey tilted slightly, Cody latched onto him and pulled them both down. Cushioned by the grass, the backyard filled and overflowed with their laughter.