AUTHOR'S NOTE Again, sorry for the delay! Hope you enjoy the chapter!
DISCLAIMER I own nothing from either X-Men or Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Oz met Professor Xavier right on schedule Wednesday evening. He watched the sun all afternoon and left for the lower levels as it began its descent behind the trees.
A deep reassurance washed over Oz when he heard the soft whoosh and hard click of the Danger Room's door locking him inside. He quickly hid himself behind the screen, stripped, and waited. The Danger Room had no windows; he had no idea how long it would be.
Finally, that familiar boiling sensation began in his blood. His hands grew into claws, his teeth to fangs, and his sand-colored hair to black fur. A low moan changed to a feral growl as the transformation completed and a werewolf leapt from behind the screen.
In the mansion above, the students listened in silence. Howls, snarls, and crashes echoed through the mansion throughout the night.
Back down in the Danger Room's observation deck, Professor Xavier calmly pressed record on a machine set in a bank of video monitors. He watched intently as the werewolf struggled to break anything in its path. Behind him, Scott, Jean, and Storm shared a nervous glance and wondered what exactly they had gotten themselves into.
Storm was the first to turn away. It was impossible to imagine that the quiet kind man who had been living with them could turn into such a monster. It had a fury unlike anything she had ever seen in humans, mutants, or even animals.
Xavier felt her discomfort. He turned and put a hand on her arm, giving his silent permission to return to the school's upper level. She smiled gratefully at him and fled the observation deck.
Meanwhile, Jean stood transfixed by the savage creature below them. For the first time since Oz arrived, she had total peace. His tormented mind was quiet. It was a silence deeper than sleep and she relished every second.
Scott watched the werewolf stoically, separating the monster from the man they had come to know. He noticed how relaxed Jean seemed and was grateful for it.
"You do not need to stay." Professor Xavier's words startled both Scott and Jean. They turned to look at him. He smiled. "I assure you that I will be fine on my own."
Scott looked at Jean, who looked so tired. He put an arm around her shoulder. "Come on, Jean. Let's go to bed."
Jean cast one last look at the werewolf tearing apart the Danger Room before nodding. She let Scott lead her to the door. "Goodnight, Professor," she said.
"Goodnight," he said warmly. "Sleep well."
She nodded. They left and Professor Xavier was left alone to watch over the wolf.
…
The next morning, Oz awoke surrounded by twisted and clawed shards of metal equipment, relieved to find himself still in the Danger Room. He quickly dressed and went to stand in front of the doorway. "Hmm," he said. There was no visible way to open the door.
Suddenly it slid open to reveal Professor Xavier in the hallway. He smiled. "Good morning, Oz."
"Morning."
Oz followed the Professor as they headed toward the elevator. "I, uh, hope I didn't break anything important last night."
"Don't worry about that. We have had far more destructive mutants in that room."
"Okay." Oz stood in the elevator, thoroughly uncomfortable being alone with such a powerful psychic. The elevator doors opened at the main level of the mansion and they turned down the left hallway.
"I thought you might like to see the tape as soon as possible," Xavier said.
"Yeah, sure," Oz replied. He looked into the deserted rooms and frowned. "Where is everybody?" he asked.
Xavier hid a smile. "Outside."
Oz glanced at him, then headed for one of the large windows in the nearest classroom. "Snow!"
"The students are currently engaged in what I believe is referred to as an epic snowball fight." The professor had to refrain from chuckling at the awed look on Oz's face. "Have you ever seen snow before, Oz?"
"Once," Oz said. "Last year on Christmas. But it was nothing like this."
Xavier closed his eyes. "It seems that Bobby Drake and Piotr Rasputin have ended up on the same team and are soundly trouncing the opposition. I'm sure the other team would not mind extra help."
"But what about the tapes?"
"There will be time later, I assure you. Go."
Oz waited a minute longer, then left to find his coat, a hat, and gloves. Professor Xavier smiled and left to find a window suitable for watching the battle.
…
Piotr laughed as a snowball flattened against his silver metal skin. Reaching out, he grabbed another handful of ammunition from Bobby. The other mutant was growing snowballs from thin air far faster than the other team could make them.
On the other side of the field, John was sending blasts of flame at whatever snowballs flew in his direction, while Kitty just let them sail through her. Theresa and Jubilee were also holding their own, but the four of them were no match for the two who had earned the nicknames "Iceman" and "Colossus."
"This isn't fair!" Theresa cried as she took a direct hit to the shoulder. "Bobby, no powers!"
Bobby grinned as several more snowballs appeared in his hands. "Tell that to your own team!"
"We even gave you an extra member!" Rogue pointed out as Bobby handed her snowballs.
Theresa saw Oz standing just outside the mansion door and her eyes lit up. "Oz! Come join us!"
Kitty and Jubilee eyes the werewolf nervously, remembering the savage sounds during the night. "I'll join the other team," Jubilee said. "Then we'll be even."
"Sounds good!" Rogue said, welcoming her friend over. She was not afraid of Oz; rather, she pitied him, but she could understand how the other girls could fear him. They did not have dangerous or destructive powers like her and Oz. They did not have the understanding that came with them.
Bobby and Piotr shared a look as Oz joined the line of the other team. "Ever seen snow before?" Piotr asked.
Oz smirked. "I pick things up quick."
"Well, California boy," Bobby said, "let's see what you got!"
