Shao (Little Dragon): Part Ten.
DISCLAIMER: Marvel owns all the characters. No money is involved (story of my life). Thanks to a slew of people (especially ChiKokoro, Ken Barnes, Amy Hunt) who helped me with their suggestions so some of the ideas weren't mine also.
SUMMARY: Jubilee heads out to teach survival class and gets a surprise. Logan also is on his way to teach the same class. Will they be able to work together?
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NOTES: Italics (e.g. ) means telepathic speech. Each telepath has a different signature. Phrases bordered by parenthesis mean the person is speaking in Japanese. Phrases bordered by are thoughts. Any questions see feedback for my email address and I'll answer as best as I can. Archive at will
A/N2: It really sucks when real life gets in the way of my updates. My apologies seem inadequate at how long it has been since I last did just that. Thank you for all of you who have kept up with me, and this story through its very slow updates. You are the life's blood of a writer.
Jubilee approached the edge of the forest where the students awaited her and tried to shake her darkening mood. It suddenly vanished when she realized that her former teammates were among those waiting. Paige was in deep conversation with Myrial, Mina, Jace, Jenna and Alliah. Their heads were pulled in a close conspiratorial semi-circle. Monet stood a little off to the side listening, as arrogant as ever; her pride stronger than her desire to join them.
Jono sat on the ground with Yin and Yang meditating, hands stretched out toward their hands but not touching. A small ball of energy emerged from his hand, gathered for a bit then slowly sunk into the Yin's palm. The energy flowed through his body then reemerged through his opposite palm to disappear into Yang's. They were sharing chi. Jubilee was aware the twins could do it but surprised that Jono had been able to join in. Was psychic energy kin to chi? Probably.
Multicolored cast shadows danced over her booted toes. Everett's energy signature was unmistakable, so was Matt's cursing. Jubilee turned in time to see Matt get caught up the kinetic net Everett cast. She bit down on her lower lip in an effort not to laugh at the younger boy's ire. Everett wasn't called Synch for nothing.
"What the? How innahell did you do that?" Matt tried to hold still knowing how his nets worked. It began to dissipate and he itched to punch the smug look of Ev's face. Once the net was gone, Matt realized that any retaliation would result the same way. He could only glare with impotent anger. "Lousy power stealer," he muttered.
Everett caught Jubilee's eye and knew they both were thinking the same thing; a shared memory from the past. She had told him the exact same thing during one of their Danger Grotto sessions. It seemed like so long ago. On the heels of the memory was the remembered pain of her 'loss' then the joy of finding her and the shock of her new form. Although committed to Monet, he couldn't help but wonder what could have been.
Jubilee watched every emotion play across his face. Though not a telepath, she knew what he was thinking. More memories surfaced of their own accord and she was forced to relive the humiliation of that day when she found Everett in Monet's arms. Quickly she averted her gaze though it did nothing to stop her dark mood from returning.
And met Angelo's smiling eyes. With his extra skin he fashioned his favorite name for her, 'Jubecita'. Usually it made her laugh, but Angelo began to realize, nothing about her was usual anymore. The coldness in her eyes made his heart sad. With great effort he kept the smile in his eyes and concentrated on manipulating his skin further. He inched up behind Monet and spelled another word above her head.
Her sudden bark of laughter startled everyone to attention. Jubilee coughed to cover more giggling and once again felt better. She cleared her throat and called them to order. Sweat began to trickle down her spine and she wanted this session done with so she could swim in the lake.
"So good of your team to join us Ev," she said formally.
"Anytime, Jubes. The Professor and Emma had business to discuss so we thought it'd be fun. Just like old times." He beamed at her.
Monet glanced about and sniffed. "These kids are too green for this to be any challenge."
Many of the 'kids' bristled. They closed ranks along the edge of the fire pit opposite Gen X. Shouted taunts erupted on both sides and Jubilee stared at momentary loss for words. All of them had been playing nice only minutes before. Trust Monet to ruin everything. At once she felt Jean brush her mind and she cracked her shield to let the telepath in.
Jubilee, I sensed your distress. Hang tight, assistance is on its way. Jean tried to keep amusement from coloring her mental voice. There was no need to tip her hand yet.
Jubilee was about to tell Jean, thanks but no thanks but the telepath's touch left her mind. There was a hint of laughter and Jubilee's eyes narrowed. Suddenly she felt like a rat in a trap.
Abruptly the taunts ceased and an uneasy silence filled the void. A sense of foreboding fell upon her; someone had come up from behind and the presence was achingly familiar. She knew who it was.
Firmly, Jubilee reminded her heart that she and Logan were still fighting. The urge to spin around and launch into his arms was so strong it took a considerable amount of willpower to remain still. Before her body could betray her, Jubilee suddenly dropped to the ground and swept her leg backward.
Denim scraped against leather briefly; her foot sweep missed Logan by a split second. Claws hissed inches from where she'd been and as one, they spun into defensive crouches; his arms open in direct challenge, her sword drawn as if it extended from her arm.
"Hot damn that was fast!"
"Didja see? Her sword came out of nowhere!"
"The Professor would not approve"
Sod off, gel. This is what we're here for.
Others seconded Jono and became comfortable on the ground. It looked like this may take a while. There were no words; their locked gaze never wavered. Without preamble, both combatants took off their movements hard to follow. The sound of blades ricocheting against each other made everyone's hair stand on end. Thrust, parry, slash; each move followed by a chorus of gasps and whispered curses.
As mentor and student, Logan and Jubilee had always been able to anticipate each other's next move. One would unleash an offensive barrage the other would fall back into an unbreakable defense. Their sinuous movements became a battle dance but Jubilee decided to change the beat.
Paige jumped to her feet screaming at Jubilee. The woman had lost it, sheathing her sword. What was she thinking? "Are you crazy?!" Strong hands yanked her back down and covered her mouth.
Look at her face, luv. She bloody well knows what she's doing! Jono held fast willing Paige to settle down and not make herself out to be a fool. Even though Jubilee was their friend, he wasn't sure how she would react if Paige interfered.
Paige finally understood when Wolverine sheathed his claws, yet couldn't relax. Jubilee was playing on his much vaunted sense of honor but hand to hand, Wolverine still had the advantage. Didn't he? With his adamantium skeleton, he outweighed Jubilee by three hundred pounds and he was decades ahead in martial arts training.
Again they became still watching each other for the slightest betrayal of movement. Jubilee smiled at Logan, a quick flash of teeth. He was breathing hard and she felt a bright flash of pride that she had managed to give him a good run for his money. However fun this was she had a class to get back to. She gave him a small salute and threw three black marbles she had pulled from her hair tie when she sheathed her sword at his feet.
The three marbles exploded and sent up a blinding cloud of dirt and grass around Logan. Scented oil vaporized and swirled into the mix effectively blocking his sense of smell. His sensitive ears rang though the explosions were low grade. Soon the smoke cleared; Jubilee was gone.
"Turning your opponent's advantages against them is the key to survival in a hostile environment." Jubilee's voice echoed against the trees and Logan strained to get a bearing on her location.
Patience is a virtue and Logan while not known as a patient man was not unfamiliar with the concept. In the span of seconds his healing factor increased blood flow to his ear to buffer the ringing ear bones until their vibrating stopped. As the blood flow returned to normal he was able to place Jubilee somewhere in the trees to his right.
The wind picked up enough to dissipate the scent cloud. Logan smiled and went completely still his head cocked to the side nostrils flared and eyes closed. "And the other key to survival in a hostile environment," he began, then, suddenly he kicked off the ground.
She was moving quickly through the bottom boughs of the trees trying to double back behind him, a move he had taught her during their escape through Mandripoor. He paced her careful to remain within her line of sight just like always. Her training had increased exponentially but he knew eventually she'd panic. All he had to do was wait her out.
There! Just ahead, a rotted branch snapped. Jubilee grabbed for the next branch and it too snapped. She arched valiantly to twist around and land on her feet but settled for a classic 'tuck and roll'. She tumbled twice and landed heavily on her back close to him, stunned but otherwise unharmed much to his relief. He knew he had her now yet the victory was bittersweet.
Damn cryin' shame he thought. This had been their favorite game - played countless times over the years before she disappeared. The first time since her return that they got to indulge; all the enjoyment they usually took from it didn't come because she was still pissed at him. Staring into her glaring eyes, he still couldn't bring himself to admit he was wrong and apologize. Stubbornness was one common trait they shared to a fault.
"The other key," he repeated, "is to never panic." SNKIT! With great care Logan rested the flat side of tip of one claw against the big pulse in Jubilee's neck. "Tag! Darlin' yer it!"
Hesitant clapping erupted from their audience. The newer students looked confused. They weren't sure if what they just witnessed was just a well rehearsed display or real rivalry. The members of Gen X, however, looked indignant ready to leap to the rescue.
Logan almost laughed out loud. To think they actually thought he'd hurt her. Enough of this; it was time to begin class.