Chapter Four: Danger Room

Rogue, Kitty, and Alison knew that the day was coming for when they would truly be initiated. But Kitty still had mixed feelings towards it all. She wondered what her parents would be thinking of it if they truly found out what she was able to do.

But there was also the fact that she'd be in constant danger, as Logan had told her one day when they'd gone out to lunch in the city.

"Now Kitty," he said, "you need to know that some of this crap is serious and dangerous, and you need to make sure you concentrate when you're fighting against enemies. That includes mutants."

"What do you mean?" she asked. "There are mutants who are trying to kill us? Or are against us?"

"Yes," he answered. "They are known as the Brotherhood. They are led by a man known as Magneto. He and Professor X used to be good friends, but then there was an incident, and so we've become bitter enemies. The X-Men against the Brotherhood."

"How many times have you guys battled together?"

"A lot. The last few times these little battles have happened, we've lost. No casualties, just losses. We need to make sure we show them that the X-Men aren't just a delusional team of mutants who care for the species that's trying to kill us. That's why we've recruited you three girls. We thought it'd be good, because you all have abilities that we can use against the Brotherhood. You have more of a chance with not getting injured."

"The only problem there is that if I'm surprised or something like that, I can't phase as easily," Kitty admitted honestly. "I learned that after a boy surprised me at my normal school. I went running for my life, and when I tried going into one of the unused classrooms, I couldn't go through it until I had calmed down."

"Interesting." Logan scratched at the stubble on his chin. "Well, don't worry a thing. Usually, when we have others join the X-Men, we start them off with something real easy." He smiled. "Now, about your friends, what have you learned of them? Other than just their powers and backgrounds, I mean."

"I don't know if I should say anything. They might not like it if I tell a person we don't completely trust. I trust you as my mentor, but not as a friend. I just don't know you enough for that."

"What about them? Are you able to trust them? It's been only about a week since you first met Rogue and Alison. How much can you trust them? Actually, hold on a minute, let's rephrase that. Out of the two girls, which one do you trust most?"

Kitty was forced to think for a moment, and then found her answer about a minute later.

"As much as I love Alison, I trust Rogue most," she answered. "I see a lot of myself in her. She seems like the one I can call to come and help me most. I just don't want to have to tell all this to Alison. She's such a good friend; it's just that she's..."

"Different?" suggested Logan. "I understand what you mean, and I'll make sure that I don't tell Alison of this." He smiled at her. "Now, you need to finish lunch and be ready for what's to come next. You have a heck of a lot of training coming up, and it all starts tomorrow. You have three days of this training, and if you're able to get all the way through at least two of these days, then you will be a true member of the X-Men."

"What if I don't get through two of them?"

"Well, you'll still be a member, but you won't do as much. Understand?" Kitty nodded. "Good, now eat up so we can get back. Being out here in the open is scary enough to me already."

Later that day, Kitty found herself going through the most simple tests, such as stealth and speed. Stealth was the best for her, as she was able to hide in the shadows very easily, and when one of the fake robot enemies came at her, she attacked like a cat.

But as for speed, although she was good, she had trouble getting away from the robots as they came after her. At the end of the day, exhausted and tired, Kitty went to Logan. She was sweating more than ever and panting heavily.

"Want to know how you did?" he asked her.

"Yes," she said.

"I give you an A for all this," he told her. "You did real well, kid. You're a natural when it comes to stealth, and although you could have done better in speed, I can't blame you for not doing as well. Go get some rest, Kitty. You're gonna need it for tomorrow. Be here at 9 A.M. sharp!"

Kitty nodded and walked away from the room.

Her whole body was sore due to the training. She looked at the clock at the top of the stairs and realized how long she'd been training. When she'd started, it had been 3 P.M., and presently it was almost 7.

Once she entered her room and closed the door, she collapsed on her bed, waiting for the other girls to come back from their training.

Rogue was the first to arrive. When she saw Kitty on her bed, breathing heavily, she frowned.

"What's the matter?" she asked.

"I spent nearly 4 hours training with Logan," she said. "I'm so exhausted, I could go to sleep right now."

"Well, I don't blame you on the exhaustion part. But I haven't had to deal with the rigorous training."

"Lucky you."

"It's because of the way my mutant ability is. Jean says that I'll be in that simulation training thing tomorrow with you and Alison, though. Are you ready for it?"

"Once I start sleeping, I will be," Kitty said. "How much more has Jean been helping you?"

"The funny thing is, whenever I have some of that other mutant's power, I can read their mind. Jean's been helping me with that and how to deal with it if it ever happens again."

Alison finally showed up right then, looking less exhausted than Kitty, but exhausted all the same.

"Can someone please turn out the lights for me?" she asked wearily. "I need my sleep. As much as I want to help the X-Men out, this training isn't helping!"

"This must be like preparing for war or something," Kitty said. "How was your day, Alison?"

"It was good. Storm helped me with controlling my emotions, which have to do with the exact intensity of my power," she explained. "Then I went through some training. I did well with speed, but failed on stealth."

"I did well on stealth, and although I did well with speed, it wasn't as good. Logan gave me an A for my grade today, though, which pleases me." Kitty yawned, unable to take it anymore. She didn't want to skip dinner, but she was too exhausted.

She finally gave in to going, but had to deal with almost falling asleep, as did Alison and Rogue.

"I'm off to bed," Kitty finally announced to Rogue. "Tell Alison where I am. I just can't stand this anymore. It's too hard to stay awake."

She stumbled up the stairs, and instead of opening the door and closing it, she phased right through the wall and collapsed onto her bed, hoping for peaceful sleep.

The next thing she knew, she was being shaken awake.

"Kitty, come on, it's time to get up," came Rogue's voice.

Kitty opened her eyes, fully rested, not tired at all, although she was still sore from the first bit of training.

"What'll you be wearing today?" Rogue asked her.

"Probably just my usual. White shirt, black jacket, blue jeans, and black boots," Kitty explained. "I'm ready for this to be done. I'm ready to become the next member of the X-Men."

Kitty made her way as fast as she could to where she'd last seen Logan. She found him there, standing and waiting on her.

"Ah, there you are. Glad to see you're all rested up," he said. "How do you feel?"

"Well, I'm sore, but I'm ready to prove myself for you," she said. "I'm ready for the X-Men."

"Well then, come on."

They passed Storm and Jean Grey, both waiting on their students.

"They should be coming," Kitty told them. At this the two teachers merely nodded.

"Don't worry about them. They don't talk too much to newcomers who want to be a part of the X-Men," Logan told her. "Once you are a member, they'll accept you even more."

Kitty smiled at such a prospect.

The two finally arrived in a room that seemed to be made entirely of chrome. Professor X was waiting on him.

"Hello, Kitty," he greeted. "I'm glad you could make it. Now, before we begin, I must tell you that in there, it can be brutal. But don't worry if you 'die,' because you won't truly die. It's all a simulation in there. This is called the Danger Room, and it's helped with training every member of the X-Men that are still there now. Logan has a different story, but that's because he'd already proved himself."

"So what should I do once I'm caught?" Kitty asked.

"You will try again. I do not know how many times you will try this, but it's best to know how well you can perform. But where are Alison and Rogue?"

"I last saw them getting ready," Kitty told him. "I'm not too sure if they're here or not."

"We are," said Rogue, appearing from behind them with Jean. Alison was near them with Storm. "Are we ready for this, girls?"

"Yes," said Kitty.

"You bet!" Alison exclaimed.

"Alright then. Logan will be in there with you, but you may not go to him. He is only meant to watch you," Professor X told them. "I wish you luck." He smiled at them, pressed a button on a control panel, and watched as the doors to the Danger Room opened.

The girls entered slowly and carefully.

Suddenly there was a whole new world around them. Fires blazed around on the ground. Kitty saw Logan standing there and watching them.

Robotic enemies appeared around them, and it was right then and there that Kitty, Rogue, and Alison had no idea what they could do. Kitty knew she had the strength and courage, though, and started on the enemies.

They began attacking her, although she was quicker than they were, and whenever they almost touched her, she phased right through and destroyed their central controls.

Meanwhile Rogue let herself become encircled by the machines. She let out a large attack that destroyed most of them. Having once been trained in martial arts by a friend, she was able to take them down one by one.

But one was able to land a hit, tearing through her shirt. Rogue destroyed the machine quickly and easily, but knew that there would be a problem with her shirt being torn.

Alison fought hard against the robots, but her powers weren't as good against them. She was hit four times by the machines before finally taking each one down. She sighed, knowing it would count against her.

The girls came together, trying to see if there were anymore enemies for them to face. Rogue noticed Kitty had not been touched, although she was sweating profusely, and her hands were shaking.

The three heard a deep rumble, and right at that moment, they saw a huge robot twice the others' sizes appear seemingly right out of the ground.

"Oh crap," Kitty said.

"You're right on that one," Rogue replied.

But they went after the machine anyway. Kitty saw a huge metal hand attempt to come down on her. She phased through, jumped, and landed on it.

Rogue started climbing onto it, doing her best to not fall off.

"Rogue, I'll handle this!" Kitty yelled to her. "Go back down there!"

"I'm not leaving!" Rogue told her. "We need to finish this together!"

"Alright then. We're going to need Alison to blind this thing, but first I'll need to make it come closer to the ground. Only then can we stop it for good." She then yelled down, "Alison, make sure to blind it as soon as its head comes closer to the ground!" She saw a thumbs up from Alison, signaling that it was the right moment. "You need to keep this thing distracted while I'm inside," Kitty then told Rogue. "I'm going in."

Phasing right through the metal of the robot, Kitty searched for the main control. She noticed what seemed to be a computer-shaped device in the middle of it.

Hurrying over to it through the wires, Kitty kicked it, causing the robot to lunge downward. Knowing what was about to happen, Kitty closed her eyes. Opening them again, she saw that it was time for it to end it.

Phasing her right hand right into the device, she found what she believed to be the main wire. Solidifying her hand, she disconnected the wire, and then phased her hand right back through.

She realized the robot was beginning to lean sideways, letting her know that she'd finished the job.

Kitty concentrated on the ground, and phased herself out of the robot and to a safe place. As she opened her eyes, she saw that she was back on the ground.

As the robot fell over, defeated, Rogue and Alison came over to her.

The simulation suddenly ended. Logan came over to them with a shocked expression on his face.

Professor X, Storm and Jean Grey came over too, also with the shocked expressions.

"Well, well," Professor X said happily. "You three truly are extraordinary. I've never seen anyone do what you did today. And you did it all in a window of less than 45 minutes. Well done!"

Rogue looked over to Kitty, a bright smile on her face.

"It was all thanks to Kitty," she said. "We wouldn't have done so well if it hadn't been for her."

"I'm more shocked than ever," Storm said. "It normally takes a very long time for the robot to be overcome, and it was more with brute strength than it was with brains and planning."

"If anyone deserves to become a member of the X-Men, it's Kitty," Alison said. "She's the one with the most brains, while Rogue and I both were hit."

"That doesn't matter," Logan told her. "Kitty had a little bit of an advantage there. Phasing through is something she does naturally; don't take it the wrong way, Alison."

"You three may leave the room for now," Professor X told them. "But stay until we call you back in. We need to talk this over."

Kitty led her friends out of the room. She bent over, breathing harder than ever.

"You alright?" Rogue asked.

"Yeah, it's just that I've never done anything like that before," Kitty explained. "Thanks for all your help back in there, guys."

"Well, you deserved it," Alison told her. "You were better than either me or Rogue. You were able to lead us through it all and you didn't give up."

"That, and you didn't get a scratch on you," Rogue added.

"Look, I know how well I did, but I don't exactly know if I'm ready for the X-Men or not."

"Kitty, don't say that!" Rogue exclaimed. "You're amazing! You think quicker than any of us, and you barely get hurt by anything! I don't understand why you're telling us that you're not good enough for the X-Men."

Before Kitty could say something, the door opened again.

"You can come in now," said Logan with a faint smile.

The girls entered. Professor X sat there with a large smile on his face.

"Girls, I have great news for you," he said. "All three of you are ready to join the X-Men! This is a proud moment, mostly because no one has ever finished the last robot off so quickly! Tomorrow you three shall be given your codenames, and tomorrow night you will have your chance for your first patrol." He left the room, leaving the girls smiling and happy.

"Well, this one was unexpected," Jean said. "I think I know of a better way in which we can fight Magneto. These three know more about tactics than we sometimes do."

"Well, I just go in there and go crazy," Logan joked, chuckling. "Kitty, you're truly amazing. You were being trained by me for only a day before we put you into the Danger Room, and already you've become an X-Men. I'll see you at dinner tonight."

After he'd left, Storm and Jean were the only two still there with the girls.

"So, you're Kitty," Jean said. "I looked through your files, and as it so turns out, you're the youngest member of the X-Men now. Congratulations on that."

"Thank you," said Kitty. "I just don't know what to say. It's kind of hard for me to think right now."

"You girls may go now," Storm said. "We've kept you here long enough." As the girls exited, she flashed them a large, bright smile.

Kitty was thinking of all that had happened in the past two weeks. She'd arrived, met Rogue and Alison, and then they'd been told that they would become the newest members of the X-Men. It was unreal. And now she was the youngest of them all.

"Hey, I'm going down to the living room," Alison told them. "See you guys in a bit."

Once she was gone, Rogue turned to Kitty.

"Look, Kitty," Rogue began. "You're an amazing friend, and I trust you more than anyone. You are a natural-born leader, and I'm definitely going to make sure that nothing happens to you, because you're my friend. Friends should stick up for one another, and that's what I'll do for you."

The two hugged each other. Kitty was happier than ever.

"Rogue, I know you're destined for greatness," Kitty told her. "You're more amazing than anyone I know. I'm glad to think of you as a sister. But there is one problem."

"What's that?"

"Getting enough sleep. I need to do something, because I'm exhausted again."

"Alright then. I guess I'll see you at dinner."

"See you at dinner!"

As the two friends left each other, they knew for sure that everything would be just right.