X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter One Hundred Seventy One
Author's Word: Thanks for the reviews, fam. Why am I posting again so fast? Sometimes life actually not being hectic connected combines well with inspiration. Let's all savor it, shall we? Please enjoy and review!
Barely one full foot inside his work station before the bottom of Hank's shoe met with something small, round, and oddly slippery. For the first time in too long for him to remember, he landed hard on his back. Remaining that way in a daze at the unexpected change in elevation in addition to his keen reflexes choosing the wrong time for a coffee break, Hank blinked a few times.
Pushing himself up at last, he met with the face of his lethal assailant. Prepared for combat, he confronted the shiny red sphere that peered back with immeasurable defiance. Taking forceful hold of it, Hank leapt to his feet. Returning to the hall, he commanded his powers to assist him in searching for a certain fledgling of his.
The scientist's growing sense of smell brought him to the main level and his ears picked it up by directing him into the living room. The sound of the extremely familiar childish laughter increased. He spotted his son on the couch, in jolly hysterics from the animated antics on the television.
Approaching, Hank spoke with, "Having fun?"
Before Trav could respond, he reacted to the tall frame blocking his view of the screen. "Dad, I can't see."
"That's the general idea." Hank flicked the tube off then faced the puzzled child again. "What have I told you about leaving toys on the floor, especially in the lab?"
Biting his lips, Trav scraped fingernails against one arm of the sofa. "I was coming back to pick them up."
"Trav, you know when you're in the lab, any toys stay in the playpen," Hank emphasized the last three words, "It's dangerous and someone can easily fall. I know. I did a moment ago."
Trav's tone dropped significantly. "I'm sorry, Daddy." He then put forth, "But Kiki was playing, too."
"Kiki is taking a nap with Brian." Hank gestured grandly towards the doorway. "So her big brother who knows much better is going to pick up in Daddy's lab. Yes?"
"Yes," Trav responded obediently but with a heavy sulk as he slid out of his comfortable seat.
IIIIIII
Orange belt tightened around his waist, Cody raised his knee to examine the seam by his inner thigh recently double-stitched back together for him. He could not have been more grateful for his mother's one-of-a-kind sewing abilities. The last thing he needed was to be the one slim guy capable of splitting his pants.
"Watch it!"
Cody promptly veered around on the bench. Two large boys in the beginner's class had another between them that could easily put Cody's own slim shape to shame over by the lockers.
"Sorry," the bowed head of light brown mumbled.
One of the other boys picked up on the eyes zeroed in on them. "What're you looking at, Howlett?"
Cody responded with a small smirk, "As far as I can tell, not much."
They muttered something and Cody easily picked up on it as grumblings about him believing himself so "great" since joining intermediate. The mutated boy merely brushed it off as they proceeded out to the gym.
When his class began, Cody joined the rest to demonstrate particular motions as directed by the Dans. Always aware of how much of an peculiarity he must have appeared, standing several inches below most of the others, Cody allowed all on-lookers to enjoy the oddball show. His concentration remained on smooth execution while attempting to drown out all else in his surroundings.
They dispersed, making way for the beginners to take to the mats. Cody observed with chin propped up on one knee. His focus mainly stayed on the one he'd seen in the locker room, who's positioning seemed awkward. Cody silently coaxed him to keep on until he got the right feel. The Canadian native then winced when he slipped up soundly on the mat.
Despite their attempts to muffle it, Cody easily picked up on the snickers that resulted. He felt a punch to his own stomach at the look that appeared on the now distraught one's face.
Before their Dan could inch forward, Cody bypassed him with hand protracted. "You okay?" He linked up with him with a short nod.
"Thanks," the deep blue eye possessed boy whispered.
Cody said, "Keep it up. You'll get it in no time." He returned to the bench.
After glancing back and forth between the youths, the Dan called for order and resumed things.
IIIIIII
Making his way into the eating establishment, Erik paused at the bulletin board only a few feet from the door. His eye caught one particularly clipping pinned at the center.
"If it isn't the local celebrity."
"Vanessa," Erik acknowledged the one who strolled his way with tray propped up on one hand.
"I found that in the paper a couple weeks ago," Vanessa faced towards the article, "I thought it would be nice to feature something so uniquely genuine." Her brown eyes met with him again. "Your Rebecca is a talented writer."
"And far more than what I deserve," Erik stated.
Vanessa wondered, "How could such an 'exceptional' man carry a low opinion of himself?"
Erik said furtively, "If you only knew."
Vanessa invited, "Bend my ear any time," then moved to dispense refills.
The Poland native's gaze carried across the tiled space with her.
IIIIIII
Various pieces of red oak wood scattered all around them in one isolated corner of the lower level, Logan worked on grouping them by size. To his right, his youthful assistant ran sandpaper over some of the smaller parts handed to him. Though Logan knew the boy had trouble focusing one hundred percent in school, he usually had more ease when it came to projects that actually interested him. The man also detected a certain amount of unspoken heat emitting off his firstborn since his return home that afternoon.
"How's that comin', Cat?"
"S'okay," came the somewhat distracted reply.
"Never thought I'd be puttin' another one of these together so soon." Logan used his carving knife to even out an edge of one bar. "Guess that's women folk for you. New shoes or a baby, they all gotta have it."
Cody raised his head. "Dad?"
"Hm?"
Cody gingerly laid a few of his smooth pieces to the side. "Why are some people such stupid, ugly, tard-faced jerks?"
"Hey," Logan protruded his pointer finger, "you leave the ugly outta this. Now, what's goin' on? Somebody givin' you grief?"
"Please. Their cracks roll off me like the tide, but there's this new little guy in the beginner's class," Cody recounted. "Mike. I tried talkin' to him later, but he's crazy shy. He's just a kid, too, eight or nine. A couple guys were pickin' with him and laughin' every time he made a mistake. It's always tall guys, too. They make me sick with that mess."
"Tell me about it," Logan sympathized. "There's always livin', breathin' pieces of puss out there that need to make themselves feel big by puttin' other people down. Try doin' the same to them and they can't start blubberin' fast enough."
A darker countenance took over Cody's face. "I can make 'em blubber alright."
"You keep your head," Logan knocked lightly on that particular part of the boy, "You've been doin' too well in karate. Don't let these mooks bring you down with 'em."
"Yeah, I know. Doesn't mean I just wouldn't love to…" He used his right fist to punch his palm.
"Come on." Logan pushed the pieces closer to the corner and got up, flexing his arm. "Let's put them gloves your ma got you to good use. Grab 'em and meet me in the gym."
Cody bobbed his head and hastened up to his room powered by the steam he most certainly wanted to release.
IIIIIII
Kicking around in a circle inside the inflated water holder, Trav could not help sending envious eyes towards the older kids in the bigger pool. His brooding became interrupted by a sudden impact of water on his back.
He glanced over at his giggling sister. "Oh yeah? I'll get you, Kikiko!" He sent out waves of water with both hands.
Out along with Alex monitoring the outdoor activities, Hank honed in on his own two children. "Let's simmer down, you two."
Kiki's concern next went to her plastic seahorse toy.
Getting behind her, Trav pinched down on one of her pigtails.
"Quit it!" she ordered, moving away from him.
Trav waited for her to look away again before pounding his fists and splashing her hard.
"Trav!"
The heavy rebuke froze the six-year-old in place at first until he slowly turned around. "Um, yes Daddy?"
Large feet marching their way, Hank picked him up out of the water. "I think you need to cool off inside for a while."
The boy instantly demanded, "What did I do?"
Hank gave him a knowing look as he dried him off with the nearby towel. "I told you to stop, didn't I?"
"But Kiki started it…"
"And she stopped," Hank reminded plainly. "You didn't. Now, go on inside and lay down for a while."
He crossed his arms with an expression to match. "Aww!"
Hank leaned in closer towards his ear. "Do you want a spanking?"
"No," Trav whimpered, bowing his head.
Getting into his outdoor shoes, he made a very slow trek to the McCoy wing. Not caring one bit about his wet trunks, he wormed his way under the covers and rested between the two fluffy pillows.
Raven passed through an hour later and found him completely passed out. Smiling, she took a seat near him and bent to kiss his cheek.
A small murmur provided his initial reaction before his brown orbs happily greeted her yellow. "Mommy."
"Hi, Pooh," she cooed him. "Want to come down for a treat?"
"Okay!" He sat up eagerly.
"But first, let's get you changed."
Unbothered by the barely damp sheets she could easily swap out later, Raven got him out of his blue trunks. She folded them away then dressed him in a pair of briefs, shorts, and his orange dinosaur t-shirt.
When they arrived in the kitchen, Trav grinned at the chocolate chip cookies cooling on the island. He waited with some difficulty at the table until his mother returned with Kiki in tow. After settling her in a chair beside her brother, the shape-shifter gave them three cookies each along with a paper cup full of milk and sipper for Kiki.
Having devoured his trio all too quickly, Trav peered down at Kiki's napkin, which still contained a cookie and a half. He snatched the whole one away.
Kiki spotted it and instantly stopped nibbling on her one piece. "Hey!"
Raven turned from putting a load into the dishwasher. "What's wrong?"
"That's mine!" The short little finger pointed out the cookie Trav had wasted no time sinking his teeth into.
Drying her hands on a dish towel, Raven approached the table with a patient countenance. "Trav, did you take that from your sister?" Unable to voice a dishonest word to her and not wanting to admit the deed, either, he nodded. "Tell her you're sorry, please."
"Sorry, Kiki," Trav mumbled, not facing her.
Raven retrieved a new cookie out of the jar for Kiki. While the now carefree toddler enjoyed it, Raven picked Trav up at the waist and carried him away.
She sat him on top of the island then locked their eyes. "Taking things isn't nice. Would you like it if someone did that to you?"
"No, Mommy," the little boy answered. "I'm sorry."
Raven pressed a kiss to his forehead. "I love you." She repositioned him to stand on the floor. "Go play."
"I love you, too." As he left, though, he still could not help how sour his stomach now felt at the look she had given him before.
IIIIIII
Dressed in green teddy bear covered one-piece outfit, the bitty hands clutched at parts of the soft blanket between him. Shining blue eyes seemed to scan his immediate environment.
Popping head up from the side of the bed, Joey announced, "Here I am, Brian."
A toothless smile resulted until the older one lowered out of his sight. Brian made use of his arms to raise his upper body somewhat. He did not have to search for long as Joey appeared again and now climbed up to join him on the bed.
Observing from a reasonable distance away, Hank said, "It's truly amazing. Just look at him. He's developing at the same rate of any other two-month-old."
Charles said, "I never carried any doubt. Except for when he starts to crawl. We'll have to be on our feet at all times then."
The warm smile only grew on Emma's face at the way Brian never ceased following Joey's movements along the wide mattress. She wondered if perhaps crawling inspiration would come sooner than anticipated.
IIIIIII
Tall frame leaned back as far as it could go in the executive chair, Erik switched back and forth between animating the metallic ball toy on his desk to making his paper clips link together. He spun his seat slightly towards the ornaments lined up on his mantle, none captivating him in the least.
Arriving in cheer attire through one partly open steel door, Becky wore a smile that only increased at the sight of him. "Hi, Papa."
Her voice capturing the fullest of his attention, he turned to her. "Anya." He opened arms for her.
Depositing pom-poms on the couch she went to take over his lap space. "How was your day?"
"Positively dreary until about now." Erik brought arms around her for a squeeze. "How was your practice?"
"Really great," she told him somewhat somberly. "It's hard to believe the season is almost over. But if Scott is playing fall ball I'll get to cheer then, too." Becky's senses spoke to her as she studied his face. "Is everything okay, Papa?"
"Yes, of course," he assured her. "Papa's only a little lost in thought. You know how we grown-ups are."
Becky nodded. "Where are the boys?"
"They left with Sean a bit ago. Another of those must-see horror pictures is playing." Erik then proposed, "What's say you and I get a training session in just the two of us?"
"Okay," Becky responded, knowing such opportunities did not come along often with the males about.
Erik let her up to go change into her uniform. After another minute or so of pondering going nowhere on his part, he pushed back and up out of his seat. He journeyed upstairs to convert into what he understood so much better; Magneto.
IIIIIII
On route into the playroom, Trav stayed in place at the sight before him. In the small hands of his sister, he discovered his plastic toolbox. Spinning on his heel, he sped downstairs just as his father returned to the lab.
"Daddy, Daddy," he hurried up, tugging on the man's white coat. "Kiki's playing with my tool kit."
"That's nice, son," the somewhat absent scientist responded, going to fish around in the second drawer of his desk.
Trav gaped after him. "Aren't you gonna fuss her out?"
Hank faced him at that. "Trav, if you absolutely must have that kit, go ask her for it. Nicely."
"But it's mine and she took it," Trav emphasized. "Mommy fussed me out when I took her cookie."
"That's because a cookie cannot simply be given back and you knew you were doing wrong." Hank regarded him under his glasses. "And I doubt highly if your mother was so harsh with you over it."
Trav glared. "It's not fair!"
"Trav," summoning all patience, Hank spoke kindly, "son, please. I have a lot of work to do. Now, please run along and play."
The six-year-old headed back up, his footsteps turning into stomps before he made it all the way up. He continued that way into his family's sitting room. Picking up a dump truck of his, he promptly hurled it to the floor.
Despite his attempts to focus on the tasks awaiting him, the growing overhead noises combined with his unique hearing. Letting off a sigh, Hank went up.
Entering their common space, he crossed his arms. "Alright, what's gotten into you?"
"It's not fair!" Trav repeated his previous claim. "All you ever do is fuss at me! You never get mad at Kiki! Everybody likes her better, even Mommy!" He flung a smaller but harder car cross the room. "It's. Not. Fair!"
Hank stepped over, picking up his boy to sit with him on the couch. "That's enough tantrums, young man." He rocked with him a bit. "Calm down." He spoke again when he felt some tension expel from the small body. "What makes you think we like your sister better?"
"You never make her clean up."
"Because she's only three and she has a lot more trouble than you do with things like that."
Trav then brought up, "Well, you only made me get out of the pool."
"Because you were misbehaving after I told you both to stop," Hank reminded evenly.
Still unmoved, Trav went on with, "Mommy said it's not nice to take things, but you let her take my toolbox."
"Trav, you know she has not taken your toolbox," Hank said matter-of-factly. "If you ask her for it, I'm sure she'll give it to you. You have to remember that Kiki is a lot younger than you are and does not think the way you do."
"You still get mad at me all the time," Trav formed a pout, "I thought I was your little cub…"
Hank lifted him to hold against his shoulder. "Of course you're my little cub and you always will be. But Daddy has to punish you when you're naughty. It doesn't mean I don't love you. But you're a big boy and have to punished like one when you do wrong."
Trav said, "Then I wish I was a baby like Kiki."
"Really?" Hank pulled him back so that they could face each other. "Are you sure about that?"
He nodded resolutely. "Positive."
"Alright then," Hank nodded back. "From now on, you have to take a nap every afternoon. No playing ball in the yard unless I'm there. When you're in the lab, you have to stay in the playpen. More vegetables and a smaller dessert every night. No more—"
"Wait, wait," Trav interjected. "B-but why can't I play ball? And why do I have to have more veggies but small desserts?"
Hank explained simply, "Because those balls are much too hard and might hit you. And babies need more vegetables. Just look at some of the things Brian has to eat. And too many sweets will hurt your tummy."
"But that's no fun!"
"That's the way it is when you're a baby." Have gave him a teasing smile. "Unless you want to be a big boy."
"Big boy, big boy," he selected. "No more veggies, Daddy. I'll die."
Hank chuckled lightly then grew serious again. "Now, we have to take care of your little tantrum."
Knowing what he meant, Trav attempted, "I want to be a baby again, Daddy. I need a time-out."
"Nice try." Hank patted his cheek. "You're getting a spanking. However, if you're a good cub for me it won't last very long."
"…Kay."
Gently placing his son across his lap now, Hank offered his free hand. Trav seized hold of it with both his own smaller appendages. Not wanting to draw it out, Hank gave him eight strong swats all on his bottom.
"There we are," he picked him right up, "it's all over, little Cub."
Trav rubbed his slightly teary eyes against the man's coat. "That hurt, Daddy…"
"I know, but do you think you'll remember to talk to me when you're feeling upset instead of throwing a fit?"
"But sometimes you're busy."
"I'm never too busy if you really need to talk to me," Hank promised.
"'Kay, Daddy." Trav tugged on him in an infantile motion. "I will."
"Good. Because I love you so much." Hank dipped his head to nuzzle him. "And I hate seeing you even a little bit unhappy."
Trav smiled. "I love you, too, Daddy." He held on as Hank laid back on the couch with him. "I thought you had to work."
"Ah, it can wait," Hank dismissed, holding his son close to his chest with both arms around him.
The contented little boy settled down against his shirt.
IIIIIII
Arms stretched out across both ends of the bench, the unreadable eyes looked upon the clear overhead sky. The summer conditions accounted for a group of boys kicking a soccer ball down the street, teenagers parading in and out of the diner, and a number of highly humored arm in arm pairs.
"Peaceful little town isn't it?"
Erik glanced over at the head of long black waves in green and blue floral dress headed his way. "It seems that way."
She sat a few inches down on the bench. "These radiant warm nights remind me of the islands."
"Which islands?"
"Guadeloupe, Saint Martin…"
Erik moved to better face her, an intrigued sparkle in his eyes. "The lady is of the Caribbean."
"French Caribbean," Vanessa clarified.
"I had my suspicions," Erik said. "An accent reveals so much."
"Yes, it does." She sized him up. "Polish, German, a little Irish?"
"Yes to the first, highly… effected by the second, and oddly mistaken for the last quite often." Erik told her, "I've done quite a fair amount of traveling in my time."
Vanessa commented, "As if you didn't have worldly written all over you."
"Do I?"
Moving a portion of hair behind her ear, she said, "I should get back to work. Good night."
"Good night," he watched her stand, "Vanessa."
IIIIIII
"Is your dad coming for you?" Laci hugged her pink zip-up case to her front.
"Nah, Sean," Joey replied. "He'll probably be dragging his feet."
Laci spotted her mother's SUV pull up out front. "I have to go. Can I call you tonight?"
"Sure." Joey waved after the departing girl.
Changed out of his gi uniform, Cody walked up next. "Hey."
"Hey," Joey returned, "ready to go?"
Cody started to answer but looked back at a certain commotion penetrating his ears. Joey followed the now marching individual over to outside the boys' room, where a few members he recognized from the karate class gathered.
"What's the big hurry, huh?"
Mike attempted to bypass the taller male. "Just leave me alone, okay?"
"Leave me alone, okay?" The one over him pushed at his chest. "You'd make a better goal post than a martial artist."
"Size doesn't matter, Bert." A few on-lookers turned at Cody's voice. "You ought to know that after your big butt royally messed up on orange belt. Looked like you were doin' Swan Lake instead of karate."
With several "ooh"s filling his ears, the livid boy stood before him. "You better watch it. Mind your business while you're at it, Howlett."
The undeterred Cody shot back, "Go find some business and leave people alone, Randall."
"If you want to make something out of this, we can settle it right here."
Cody scoffed. "Yeah, like I'm dumb enough to try something here. You're not getting me booted out of class. But I'll take you and your pathetic crew on at Hope Park."
"Sounds like a plan." Bert gestured towards a few of his friends and they started out of the center.
"Cody, no." Joey grabbed his arm once the other boys were out of earshot. "You're gonna get in big trouble."
"Yeah," Mike piped up. "Really, Cody. Don't do anything on account of me."
"Relax, my uncle's guys have early practice now," Cody spoke to Joey then turned to Mike, "And I'm doin' this on account of jerks make me want to hurl." He headed for the doors with that.
"Cody!" With Mike at his heels, Joey ran after him. "Sean's coming for us!"
"Like he'll be on time," Cody dismissed.
Not having any refute for that one, Joey gazed Heavenly before continuing after him. Mike started to as well until he spotted someone coming up the street.
When they reached the park, Cody made a direct path for Bert and his group. "You want to talk about somebody else's skills at martial arts? You don't know the first thing about karate, like how we don't get better puttin' each other down."
"Save your mama's preschool advice, Howlett." Bert raised his fists. "We'll see how good that orange belt does you now."
Almost as soon as he swung his fist, he felt it grabbed and forced in place. Cody, Joey, as well as the surrounding children looked to see a large boy in green t-shirt and overalls had somehow snuck up.
Brown eyes narrowed, he accused, "Heard you been messin' with my brother."
Mike peered out from behind him.
Bert stammered for words. "Hey man, you got it all wrong."
"That's not the way I hear it." Tightening the grip on the fist he held, the newcomer said in stony tone, "You so much as breathe near him and I'll tear your head off and flush your body down the toilet." He gave Bert a forceful shove to the ground. "Got it?"
"Got it, got it," Bert reassured, scrambling to his feet.
Mike went to Cody. "You okay?"
"Uh," taken aback by the whole thing, Cody could only answer, "yeah."
As the crowd cleared out, Joey realized, "Uh oh! We better get back."
They hastened to do so, arriving at the same time the BMW pulled up in front of the center.
Sean stepped out of the vehicle, with a combined expression of surprise, curiosity, and worry. "And where are you guys coming from?"
Cody approached to explain, "Some guys were hassling Mike here," he indicated the correct boy with his thumb.
Sean raised both eyebrows. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, everything's okay now," Cody told him. "Sorry for takin' off."
"Sorry, Seanie," Joey added.
"Bullies…" A dark look crossed Sean's face before the normal jovial countenance returned. "Don't worry about it, long as you're alright. But we better get home."
Before they followed him into the car, Cody felt a heavy hand on his shoulder. "Thanks again for helping out my little brother."
Cody turned back around. "No problem. I'm Cody Howlett, by the way and this is my best friend."
"I'm Joey Xavier," the blonde introduced himself. "But it's funny. I don't remember seeing you guys here before."
"We just moved here from Texas," the stout boy explained. "Name's Fred Dukes."
Sean poked his head out of the window. "You guys want a ride home?"
"Thanks a lot," Fred accepted. "We're not far from here."
Proceeding for the car, the four boys talked with untold energy about that afternoon's little event.