Notes to Readers: Even though I'm not getting any reviews, I'm still going to write because I have nothing to do as of now. If I find something else to occupy my mind, I most likely will completely stop writing my two fictions or I will just add a chapter here and there when I'm bored. I had a reallyx99 good plot for this story. It all came to me like three days ago. If I could just get some reviews, I know that my readers would be most satisfied, but I guess it is not to be.

This is a straight to the point chapter. 3 fights in one chapter, so is really not much of a side story in here. Just fights.

Chapter 11: The 2nd day of the Tournament: Part I

Everyone had taken there seats for the 2nd round of the tournament. Today everyone knew that Iris would be fighting, and they were quite curious to see her powers. The X-Men, Xavier, and Dr. Harrington had already taken the seats for the day. Scott spoke first.

"Professor, do you think Iris will show the potential you presume she will?" Scott had become genuinely interested in the peculiar mutant.

"I suspect Iris will show us more than her powers. I have the most unusual feeling about her Scott." Ororo kissed Logan and walked to the center of the ring to announce the next fight.

"Welcome to day two of the tournaments. As such, we are now in Round 2, but first let me introduce the winners of yesterdays match ups. Shun-Ling, who defeated Bobby. Brittany, who defeated Jubilee and Brian who defeated John." The three winners of the first round stepped out of the building and into the ring, smiling, bowing and waving. Once their introductions and gloating was completed, they stepped back into the building.

Ororo proceeded to call the two contestants for the first fight of the 2nd round.

"Fight 1 Round 2: Iris vs. Shun-Ling"

Iris looked up at Shun-Ling and they smiled at each other. This was going to be a fight of no ill will. Shun-Ling was to walk out first, since she had won the fight yesterday. As Iris was leaving, Remy wished her luck.

"Bon chance (good luck) Iriz." Remy kissed her cheek.

"Merci Remy." She continued her walk. Right before she walked through the exit, Neo grabbed her where no one could see (she was walking down a corridor, so the room housing the fights was on one end and the exit on the other). He wrapped his arms around her waist and looked into her eyes.

"You should make Remy stop kissing you in such a romantic manner." He asserted.

"If you know anything of Remy, he is a hopeless romantic. He means nothing by his actions. He is like a brother to me.

"Yes, I'm sure." Neo said sarcastically, as he pulled Iris closer to him.

"Do I hear a touch of jealously?" She asked, smiling slightly.

"Yes you do." At this, he kissed Iris passionately. When she pulled back, he faced was flushed and lips pouting from the kiss.

"Good luck my dear." He let her go and walked back down the corridor, seeming to disappear into the dark corners. She walked out a few moments later, regaining her composure. She stepped into the ring and looked at her friend.

"Shall this be a high steak match?" Shun- Ling asked her with a hint of mischief in her voice.

"Of course Ling." Iris turned to the Professor Xavier and spoke loudly.

"We both call 'ring out' Professor." She turned to Ling and smiled. Then Ling turned to them.

"We also call 'no powers.' This will be a match up determined by physical strength alone. No powers."

"I accept." Iris spoke.

"Then I accept your decisions. 'Ring out' and 'no powers'. Let the fight commence." The Professor spoke loudly. Everyone was in an uproar about the call of no powers. How did they expect to fight? Beat each others brains out until one or the other passes out? People looked on in curiosity and a few telling others that they had been seen sparring multiple times.

"Ready Iris?"

"Just like a sparring match Ling." Iris ran at Ling first. Since it was no powers, she could not even fly. She had to be wary, if she was to forget that for even a fraction of a second, she would be disqualified. Ling crotched ready for the attack, but she didn't know how she was going to go about this. Her great stamina was a large aspect of her winning fights sometimes, but she also knew the fighting pattern of her opponents. Iris was not a patterned fighter and that was something that made her dangerous in any battle. It was as if she fought as she went along and thought of battle strategies during battle. This made her unpredictable. She would have to take her out as soon as possible. Iris ran towards her and was almost in her arms reach. She continued not to move. Iris calculated a move that was drastic, but effective. Right before she reached Ling's arm reach, she dropped to the ground, using her left hand to push off the ground and flip over Ling's head. While upside down, she saw that Ling had swung, but hit only air. As she felt herself coming down, she moved her body into the momentum of her fall, spun and kicked Ling in the back of the head. She thought that she should be on the ground, but she wasn't. Even though the force that was placed at the back of Ling's head was great, she was a quick thinker and very tall, at least 6'4. Before the force sent her flying, she had predicted the attack from the rear, had turned and grabbed Iris' leg. Everyone had begun rising out of their seats, even though it was the beginning of the match. They were anxious to see who would prevail. Ling couldn't do much with Iris, since the force was carrying her back. She saw Iris tensing and untensing her muscles so her body could adjust to the momentum around her. Ling saw that she was soon to collide with a tree. Right before she was to hit, she slung Iris with all her might into a nearby tree. Iris, not expecting this, could do nothing but brace herself for the impact. She didn't know Ling contained such upper body strength. She impacted with two trees and was still going. She already felt a deep gash on her right leg and minor cuts across her body. She crossed her legs to brace herself. When she felt her momentum slow, she twisted her body around to face the next tree. She felt the air around her pull at her body when she turned. When the tree was close, she grabbed a branch and pulled herself up. She sat to catch her breath, since her wind had been knocked from her person. She reached down to her largest gash and pulled a strip of her clothing off and wrapped it around her thigh. The bleeding was profuse, but she needed something to stop it. She would have to be wary of the use of her left leg. She looked around. More than enough trees were placed around her, so she could easily make it back to the ring without placing herself in harms way. She began her journey back to the ring. She almost slipped twice, due to the increasing pain in her leg. Once she made it back into the ring the fight continued.

People were shocked that she had made it back without seemingly a scratch until they saw her leg. She didn't even limp closer to take her stance, but since she wasn't able to use her powers, she had shut down her quick healing process. That meant that the wound would continue to bleed throughout the fight. Ling looked at her apologetically, but Iris only smiled. She had to think of a plan. Ling had great stamina and she had to think of a way to tire her out as quickly as possible. This time, Ling was the one who engaged the mini battle. She ran to Iris as quick as possible and attacked. Iris kept her right leg guarded the entire time, as she thought of how she was going to win. Ling picked up her pace and so did Iris and then it hit her. She would engage in one of the fastest moving fights of her life. Iris would tire Ling out by fighting her and not giving her ant leeway to regain her enormous stamina. And so Iris and Ling fought for over two hours.

No one dared move a muscle as the licks were continually passed from one to another. Both their faces had begun to bleed as their fight became an all out boxing match. They would hit each other and step back, but Iris would always engage back into the battles, determined not to let Ling regain herself. Ling's eyes were beginning to swell under the amount of pressure and strength Iris was hitting her. See knew if she didn't try and end the fight soon, she wouldn't be able to see past her nose. She decided to get dirty and punched Iris in her right leg on the gash. Iris screamed in pain, since the wound was so deep, Ling hit only muscle tissue and bone. She moved a safe distance from Ling and expected the wound. The gash had reopened itself (the blood had began to dry somewhat) and the pain had intensified. Iris knew her right leg was no good anymore because of the hit, so she stayed in place and decided to let Ling come at her. Ling knew that that was a very dirty move and some people showed their disapproval by booing at her, but she knew she had to end this fight and thinking Iris wasn't moving because she couldn't so she ran full speed at Iris. Iris was standing at the edge of the ring and didn't have an idea how she was going to win. Ling was closing in on her and she knew to win, she had to go threw intense pain. She saw that Ling was going to try and use force to knock her out of the ring. As Ling got in arms reach, Iris spun on her right leg and kicked Ling in the back of the head with the same leg. The pressure Iris applied to her leg caused her to fly with Ling. Ling couldn't stop, so she fell out of the ring. Iris fell on top of her, continuing to cry out in pain. Her leg was completely useless. Ling was unconscious and Iris didn't try to move herself as Charles debated the outcome of the battle. Ororo walked to the middle of the ring.

"Winner of this fight is Iris by way of knock-out." Everyone cheered as Neo ran to help Iris up. She feigned him off at first, until he picked her up in his arms and began carrying her off to the med wing. People looked on as he seemed to not be bothered by the looks they were receiving, while she argued that she was fine. He stopped in the middle of the crowd and put her down.

"About damn time you ass!" She dusted herself off and went to walk away. She only got a few steps before the throbbing pain in her leg demanded she stop. She stood frozen in place, trying her best not to scream from the pain in her leg. She was Remy coming towards her and then she felt Neo's strong arms around her waist and then she was back in his arms. Before he was able to get far, Remy stepped in front of him.

"Where are you taking Iriz?" Remy said rather annoyed.

"Look at her! She needs medical attention now. She is loosing consciousness because of her blood loss." Neo's clothing was becoming covered with blood. Remy looked at Neo menacingly, but permitted him to pass only because of Iris. Before they were completely past Remy, he rubbed on Iris' head and whispered in her ear.

"Be safe Remy's une petite chere ami." Neo pushed past Remy and ran to the medical wing of the building that housed the fighters. Ororo and Logan had been following the couple and soon they found themselves in a small room where they were healing Iris' badly wounded leg. Neo stayed with her.

"How did ya let ya' self get so badly wounded?" Logan spoke sternly to her for being so careless with her well-being. Iris turned to him slightly.

"When I fight, I have no use for weakness or pain, so I try and detach my physical condition from the fight. It's easier that way." Neo was sitting on the bed, massaging her hand softly. This did not go unnoticed by Ororo and Logan. Ororo walked to her bedside and moved some hair from her face.

"If you don't care for your physical form in a battle, you will eventually wear yourself to thin." Even though Iris knew Ororo was genuinely concerned, she didn't agree, but she kept that to herself and simply smiled. When the nurses came in, Ororo stepped to the side.

"Ms. Iris, you wounded your leg very severely. Most of your leg muscles are torn, your ligaments are torn and bone is scarred, but of course we can heal you as good as new." They walked to her and held their hands over her leg. With a few well placed words, Iris' leg was completely healed and only the smallest shadow of a scar was left.

"We are sorry, but your leg was injured so badly, that that scar is permanent."

"That's fine. I know the penalty for fighting the way I do." Iris stated simply.

"We do advise you to rethink your attitude towards your physical while fighting. You are wearing your body entirely too much for your own good. Now you are well, you may continue your battles." The head nurse finished chiding Iris. She hoped out of bed, being led by Neo, followed by Logan and Ororo, heading for the exit, until the nurse stopped her.

"Ms. Iris. Good luck out there. You seem to be a very unique fighter to say the least." Iris nodded her thanks and they continued out the door. Ororo kissed Logan and ran ahead of them to announce the next battle.

"The second fight in round 2 will be as follows.

"Fight 2 Round 2: Neo vs. Brian"

Once again, everyone went silent. Neo had been the other most anticipated fighter, the other being Iris. They were the newest students and the most enigmatic. Brian walked arrogantly to the ring and waved the crowd. The girls swooned and the guys cheered for their friend. Neo looked at Iris and smiled cockily.

"What? You think I'm going to loose? I expected more from you than that look you are giving me now."

"I'm not concerned about you. I'm just curious. I have never seen you fight before. Will you call 'no powers'?"

"Hell no. That takes every last drop of fun out of the damned fight anyway. You and that girl were beginning to bore me to unmerciful tears. Thank the heavens it ended." He finished with a smile, but he was being serious.

"Oh you go to hell Neo. Let's see you do a grand job then." Iris crossed her arms. He leaned in closer to her and whispered in her ear.

"I'll not just do that, but I'll make every female here want to fuck me madly, including you my angel." She was taken aback, not by his forward comment, but because he had called her "his angel." She wasn't just surprised, but she felt that she had been called that before.

"Whatever Neo. You couldn't turn me on if you tried." I pushed her behind a tree and touched her between her thighs. She was so surprised, she arched to his touch. He smiled, kissed her and said.

"See that's the good thing. I don't even have to try." He walked off and entered the ring. Iris came from behind the tree, hormones in check. Her eyes followed Neo, as well as all the other females' eyes. When he entered the ring, he took off a light cloak that he had covered his entire array of clothing. When his cloak had fallen, everyone literally heard the intakes of breaths from the females. Neo wore a very tight black muscle shirt that was tucked in a pair of low setting burgundy pants. They were not tight, but very baggy. On his feet, he wore a pair of black combat boots. A chain belt was fitted around his waist, holding the large pants in place. He stood cockily in place with his arms crossed and looked over the crowd. Every female of all ages looked him over. Even Ororo had been surprised of his sheer size. With his height and his appearance, he looked like a reigning god. His arms were large, but not overly large, and sheer muscle. When he moved, nothing extra moved on him, only muscle tensed and relaxed as he moved. He had no fat anywhere on his body. His chest was broad and well defined, so much that it was seen through the shirt. It led down to a trim waist and his legs were left to the imagination, since the pants were so big. He had on a pair of white battle gloves, contrasting with his entire apparel. His hair was in its ever present upswept state with two earrings in his right ear and his cross around his neck. After he finished basking in his attention, he looked at Brian, seemingly for the first time and spoke.

"No rule calling. Is the fine with you." Even though it sounded like a question, Iris and Brian knew it was a mere statement.

"Fine." Brian created to large cement poles each around 14 feet long and 6 inches thick. He launched himself at Neo. Neo was taken aback by his quickness to take him out. Neo steadied himself and made his katana appear. Brian ran full speed and prepared to knock him out the ring. In a flurry of flashes and cement flying, Brian's creations were reduced to small pieces scattered across the ring. Neo stood smiling with his katana in hand. It was still in tact and seemingly without a scratch on it. This shocked the crowd and infuriated Brian. Neo was not one to toy with his opponents so he decided that this was going to be a quick fight. He decided to use his katana to his advantage, since Brian's power had no affect on it. He channeled his powers into his sword and ran towards Brian. Before Brian could follow up, he simply turned himself into his stone form. This didn't stop Neo though. He cut and slashed at the stone figure of Brian, till he heard a loud groan and Brian collapsed to the ground. His body was covered with lacerations and gashes. He was bleeding profusely and couldn't move. When Neo looked out around the crowd, most people's mouths were open or their eyes were as big as saucers. Neo smiled and stood in his current position, waiting for Ororo to come announce him as the winner. Everyone was stunned because, they hadn't seen anything. One minute the two were standing in perfect health at opposite sides of the ring, the next, Brian was collapsing to the ground and Neo was 2 or so feet from his body with his sword by his side, with small traces of blood on it. The nurses came and retrieved Brian, while Ororo walked to the center of the ring.

"Winner of Fight 2 in Round 2; Neo." No one could even cheer. Never had they seen someone with such speed. There were a few students at the school whose specialty was speed and they were the only ones who were able to see him, though very little. Neo walked out of the ring, while nodding to Xavier and the others. He didn't stop his steps until he was in front of Iris. He looked down at her.

"Told you." Neo spoke cockily.

"Told me what? You were so cocky when you took your cloak off, I decided to turn my head and the fight was over so quickly I couldn't enjoy you winning." She finished the statement with a smile. She touched his face and removed some small traces of cement. They continued their small talk, until the next fight was announced.

"Fight 3 Round 2: Remy vs. Brittany"

Remy was shocked, but Brittany was a little upset. She had not assumed she would be fighting Remy. She had always wanted to fuck him. They both thought this was a bad match up. She walked to the center of the ring and awaited her opponent. Remy had walked over to Neo and Iris. He was angry to see them together, but he knew Iris would not treat him different, even in front of that bastard.

"Remy I didn't think they would put you up against such a weak opponent." Iris said while smirking at Brittany across the way.

"Remy tinks that it be a dreadfu' miztake. I care not to fight zhat girl."

"Like you have a choice Lebeau." Neo spoke with venom in his voice.

"Remy waz not speakin' ta you. It iz bad enougf zhey put you againzt zhat weak Brian." Remy spoke with just as much venom, implying Neo had only won because, his opponent was weak.

"How dare you you pathetic, filthy…" Iris punched him in his side, to quiet him.

"Stop it both of you. Remy Bon chance ami." She kissed him on his cheek and hugged him tightly. He kissed her back and turned on his heels, only after glaring fire at Neo. After he walked away, Neo spoke.

"Why the hell did you kiss him Iris!"

"I have the right to do as I damn please. Why did you insult Remy, knowing full well he would retaliate?"

"Because he came over here like I wasn't standing by you!"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"You can't be around him anymore. That's settled!" By this time, they were both screaming and causing a scene.

"Are you daffy in the head? You nor anyone else will ever tell me what I can and cannot do or who I can be around." She had lowered her voice slightly.

"Fine. Do what you will. After all, I am not your man. I don't give a damn about your ass anyway" Iris was a little shocked that he had said this, but she did not let it show, she merely turned and walked away. He stood mad at her and turned and went the opposite way.

Remy was walking into the ring when he heard the mumblings of an argument. He couldn't hear the words, but they were very angry at each other. He continued into the ring. He was very angry by this time, because of Neo. He decided not the drag this fight out. Brittany ran at him full speed. To test her confidence level, he ran towards her with a hand full of charged cards. He threw them at her and most of them bounced off her shields. A few of them hit her, cutting and burning her in a few places, but they were not precise enough to cause any damage. She ran into Remy, but him being the more experienced fighter, he dropped to the ground and tripped her down. He knew that her shields could not block these sorts of attacks. She caught herself in time enough to save herself from hitting her face on the ground. When she rose, Remy hit her in the stomach with his uncharged Bo staff. He went to hit her again, but she grabbed the end and jerked it from him. With his staff in her hand, Brittany tired to hit him, but missed. She also tried to charge his bo staff with her own powers, which only caused the staff to burn her hand. She screamed in pain and dropped it. Remy laughed and charged some more cards. He strategically threw them, knowing full well that she would put up her barriers. What she didn't know was that Remy knew that she had not learned how to put an entire barrier up, so most of the cards broke threw and burned her. One exploded on her left side and caused her to fall down and hold her side. Remy flipped her and retrieved his Bo staff. He charged it up to its fullest potential and slammed it into the ground. A large electrical surge sped through the ring and hit her while she was on the ground. She screamed as the electrical charges surged through her body for over 10 seconds. When it was over, the fight was over and Ororo walked to the center of the ring.

"Winner of Fight 3 Remy!" Everyone cheered for Remy as he ran out towards the crowd. He pushed passed people who were leaving and going towards the fair, since that was the last fight of the day. He found Iris sitting behind a large pine tree. Iris looked up and smiled.

"Take a seat if you wish Remy."

"Of course Iriz." Remy sat down beside her, lifted her up and put her between his legs. She leaned back and relaxed her muscles.

"Now chere, what did zhat baztard zay ta you?"

"He only said that he didn't want me around you and I said I didn't agree with that. He then said that he wasn't my man and he didn't give a damn about me." Iris finished this angrily, but Remy caught the hint of hurt in her voice. Instead of fussing or replying to what she had said, he caught her chin in his hands and tilted her head up towards his. Iris removed his shades and stared into his eyes. They smiled at each other and Iris knew what his eyes held. All the love for her in the world. She loved Remy so much, but something was holding her back from loving him in the same way he loved her. He kissed her on her lips and she kissed him back and laid her head on his chest. She breathed in deeply. She had always loved the way he smelled. Surprisingly, it wasn't all cigarette smoke, but just a little bit, but most of the other smells were pine and a sweet hint of cologne that mixed with all these to make a very unique, but pleasant smell. She smiled to herself and Remy whispered to her.

"Stay wit me tanight Iriz." His voice was pleading.

"Yes." She whispered back to him and then they both drifted of to sleep, for the moment forgetting about Neo and all others around them.