Disclaimer: I don't own them, I just enjoy playing with them. This story is in no way meant to infringe on the rightful owners of the X-men.
That said, I want to thank each and everyone of you lovely people who have read and reviewed this story. Also all of you who have marked it on your alerts and favorites.
"Alright listen up everyone, the first test is to see how well you fight without your powers. You'll be required to pin your opponent to the mat, or incapacitate them." Scott instructed the group. "Listen up for your opponent. Whoever wins will go on to the next round, until the there is one person left."
"First up, Firebug and Icy." Logan called out. He was the first to pit the kids against each other in sparring session, so he knew who would be well suited against each other.
The boys were both pretty much evenly matched. Both were good at wrestling. They should be, as much as they watched it. However, St. John didn't pull his punches. Which was the reason he had been able to flip Bobby on his back, and pin him for the count of three for the win. Once Scott blew his whistle, St. John stood up, and held his hand out to Bobby who laid panting on the ground.
Bobby let out a deep breath as he glared at his best friend, but then sighed acknowledging his friends win, with a smirk, and taking St. John's offered hand.
St. John smirked back and pulled Bobby to his feet.
"Good match." St. John offered for a peace offer.
"Yeah, I almost had you there." Bobby said rubbing his sore shoulder that had hit the floor hard.
"Yeah, almost being the word." St. John smirk grew bigger.
"Good job, boys." Scott called out pleased.
"Next, Gambit, and Tinman." Logan called out, making notes on his clip board.
"Good luck." Tinman offered before the match started.
"Same Homme." Gambit said with a brief nodded, then glanced over at the girls, eyeing Rogue specially and winked at her with a leering grin.
Logan frowned annoyed, and barked at Gambit. "Keep your mind on your opponent kid, not the girls."
"They're a lot more prettier Homme. What do you say Roguey, care to let this here Cajun take you out for a night on the town."
Scott blowing his whistle starting the match, prevented Gambit from hearing Rogue's answer, and landed Gambit on the floor, after Tinman swept Gambit's leg out from underneath him.
"Roguey, get back to Gambit later, non?" Gambit called out as he vaulted to his feet, and focused on Tinman.
"Ooh, he's so yummy looking. You're lucky Chica, ever girl at the mansion has had a crush on him since he showed up." Jubilee grinned. "Name's Jubilation Lee, but everyone calls me Jubilee or Jubes. This here is my BF Kitty. Nice to meet you." Jubilee said with a carefree grin.
"Hey," Rogue replied giving the two girls smiling at her an attempted smile, which felt more like a grimace to her. She looked back over at Gambit and answered Jubilee's earlier comment. "He's not bad looking." Rogue answered honestly, but didn't make anymore comments. Gambit was just to cocky and vain for her. Not that she was looking for a guy right now anyhow.
"Not bad looking?" Jubilee gaped at her. "Chica, he's stuff dreams are made of, and I mean wet dreams."
"Then why don't you go after him, if you're so into him?" Rogue asked curious, but Marie couldn't help enjoy the fact that she was actually have a girl talk for once in her life.
"He doesn't even know I exist." Jubilee sighed dishearten as she gazed fore long at the yummy Cajun.
"She's tried asking him out on a date, but he thought she had meant going out with a group of friend. Their big date, consisted of all us going out to a club, where the guys played pool, and flirted with girls at the club. While the girls hung out or danced." Kitty explained compassionately knowing how upset Jubes had been over the whole thing.
"I'm sorry." Rogue said after a few moments of not knowing how to respond.
"Thanks, but hey, you should really go out with him. I hear he's really a charmer and romantic." Jubes said seemingly to come out of her ogling.
"How did you hear that?" Rogue frowned curious.
"From the all the girls who have gone out with him." Jubes sighed as if she envied those girls.
"And just how many girls would that be?" Rogue asked suspicious, a deeper frown coming to her features.
"A lot." Kitty answered Rogue, her voice telling she thought the Cajun was no good for her friend, but knew there wasn't anything she could do, but be there for Jubes. "At least a third of the mansion."
"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not interested in becoming a notch on his bedpost." Rogue stated with a glare back at the handsome, but self-absorbed mutant. "I'm not going to tell you what to do girl, but I'd be careful of the swamp rat. Sounds to me he's only after one thing." Rogue warned the younger girl, who was watching the Cajun with a dreamy look on her face again. Rogue knew she had wasted her breath, but she hoped Jubilee didn't get her heart broken.
Scott's whistle blowing broken Rogue from her thoughts. She turned to see Tinman climbing to his feet, then offering Gambit his hand, to help him up. Gambit accepted good naturally, accepting defeat.
"Good job both of you." Scott answered, before looking to Logan for the next two kids.
"Rogue and Kitty." Logan called out figuring Rogue was getting ready to get her butt handed to her. He didn't want to humiliate her, but it was best that she was embarrassed now, instead of hurt later.
"Good luck." Kitty gave a small nervous smile to Rogue.
"You too." Rogue replied, then took the mat, and waited for Scott's signal.
The moment the whistle sounded, Kitty went lunging for Rogue, hoping to take the girl in a surprise attack. Rogue being quicker, dropped down, then swept her leg out, knocking Kitty's legs out from under her, causing the girl to fall on her back. Rogue wasted no time in going for the pin."
"One. Two. Three." Scott counted out, then blew his whistle ending the quickest match so far. Scott checked his stop watch to find that Rogue had pinned Kitty in under a minute.
Rogue climbed to her feet, and held out her gloved hand to Kitty, to offer her a hand up.
"Thanks." Kitty whispered embarrassed at being taken down so quickly.
"Sure," Rogue replied, then looked up to see everyone staring at her. Scott was smiling pleased. Logan was frowning as he stared at her intently, a hint of suspicion in his gaze. Jean looked constipated, while both Ro and Hank were smiling encouraging at her.
"Excellent job, Rogue." Scott called out.
Rogue only shrugged her shoulders, not wanting any attention. She didn't want to embarrass Kitty anymore. Rogue knew that Kitty was the weakness fighter out of everyone. The younger girl was more smarts, than she was brawns. 'She'd make a good researcher or schematics.' Rogue thought to herself.
"Yellow, you're up against Rogue." Logan called out more curious about this Rogue, person. He hadn't excepted her to be so quick on her feet. However, Kitty wasn't much of a fighter, Rogue could have just gotten lucky. Jubilee was a better fighter, and would let them get a better idea of Rogue's fighting skills.
"You ready, Chica." Jubilee grinned cracking her knuckles.
"Anytime you are." Rogue gave a small smile back. Marie liked Jubilee. She had a bubbling personality, that was full of energy.
The two girls took to the mat, and eyed each other waiting for the signal.
The whistle sounded, and Jubilee faked a right grab, when Rogue went to grab her. Giving Jubilee the opportunity to sweep Rogue's legs out from under her. Rogue fell with a thud on her back. A smile came to her face as she vaulted to her feet, enjoying the challenge, even if it wasn't much of one.
"Come on Chica, let's see what you've got." Jubilee egged on.
Rogue rotated her shoulders as she smirked at the other girl. The game was on now.
Jubilee went to make a grab at Rogue's arm, but Rogue jerked back, grabbing Jubilee instead, and proceeded to flip her over her shoulder. However Rogue, didn't go in for the pin this time. Instead backing up a step, letting Jubilee get to her feet.
The two went back and forth evading each other, while throwing punches and kicks. The match soon came to an end when Rogue made the final move, by tossing Jubilee again to the floor. This time easily making the pin. Jubilee struggled to get out of the hold, but Scott blew the whistle, making Rogue the winner.
"Cool moves, Chica, you've got to teach me that toss." Jubilee said as Rogue helped her to her feet.
"Sure." Rogue said with a brief smile at the girl, who wasn't embarrassed or upset that she had lost. Marie liked the girl even more.
Logan had studied Rogue as she and Yellow fought. He was shocked to see the girl, knew some complicated and challenging moves. She might be skinny, and little, but she had some skills. However, that didn't mean she was up to joining the team, and facing the Brotherhood, or the FOH. This was a facing off against people who weren't out to seriously hurt you. Logan didn't want to see her getting hurt, which is what would happen if she came up against the Brotherhood. He didn't like the thought of Creed getting anywhere near Rogue.
"Firebug, you and Tinman are up." Logan called out marking the two off his clipboard. Before glancing over at Rogue again, taking in her small body, and her scent. "She smells like wildflowers, and a winter wilderness. A strange mix, but it's smells good and right on her." Logan thought to himself, then frowned and shook himself out of his thoughts. Forcing his attention back on the two kids wrestling, where it should be. Marking down notes while keeping his eyes trained on the two boys, and off of a certain girl.
Scott blew his whistle signaling the end of the match with Tinman winning rather quickly, not as quick as Rogue, but still under three minutes. John was to much of a show off and a hot head. Pete knew this and used it to his advantage.
"Good job guys. Alright, that leaves Colossus, and Rogue." Scott called out, an uncomfortable and worried frown coming to his face, as the two took the mat.
"Good luck." Colossus said, being nice and friendly, but figuring he had already won. He didn't want to hurt her, so he would take it easy on her.
"You too." Rogue said knowing the big guy figured he had already won. She could tell by Scott's worried expression and the frown on everyone's face, that they all thought the same thing as Colossus.
"Never assume." Rogue said to herself, and prepared for the fight as she waited for the whistle.
"Professor, I'm not sure this is a good idea." Scott called out to the Charles nervously.
"Remember what I told you, Scott. You can not coddle her. If it was Jubilee or Kitty, would you be so hesitate?" Charles questioned.
"I'd be nervous, I guess, but not so concerned." Scott answered honestly.
"If she is going to join the team, she will face stronger and sinister opponents. At least Colossus, is not out to harm her. This is her battle, we need to know what she can handle." Charles reasoned.
"You're right, Sir." Scott said telepathically, then blew the whistle to start the match. However he was still nervous about Rogue getting hurt.
Logan scowled as he suppressed a growl, as he watched Colossus knock Rogue down to the mat not long after the match started. When Colossus, next slammed Rogue into the wall, the pencil in Logan's hand snapped in two at his tension. This time Logan was unable to hold back his low threatening growl at seeing Rogue's small frame being tossed about.
"What's with you man, get a grip." Logan ordered himself confused to what was wrong with him. He didn't understand why he was having a hard time watching Tinman trying to attack Rogue. Shaking himself, he tried to focus on their strengths and weakness for later training.
Colossus frowned surprised that he hadn't been able to pin Rogue yet. She was fast on her feet, and was able to evade his attempts to grab and pin her. He had managed to flip her, but before he could pin her, she had rolled away, and vaulted to her feet. A eerie grin coming to her face, as her eyes took on a predator's gleam. As she moved toward him, her moves were slow and deliberate.
The growl that escaped Logan this time was more interest and predator deep in the back of his throat as he noticed the change in Rogue's behavior. The look of pure predator in her eyes as she dodge all of Colossus's moves. Logan realized stunned that she was actually playing with Tinman, as a cat would play with it's prey.
Charles stunned as he picked up on Logan's realization, and his attraction to Rogue. Suddenly, it dawned on Charles that Logan's behavior toward Rogue, had been protective ever since seeing the girl. Charles picked up on Logan's own confusion to why he was irrationally upset at Colossus for attack Rogue.
Starting to realize that Logan was just as protective of Rogue as Scott, but for a totally different reason. Logan was drawn to her, he just didn't know it. Charles wondered if Rogue, and Logan would make a good couple. They were both dangerous, and had a fiery temper. He knew it would be awhile before either would be ready for a relationship. Rogue didn't trust anyone yet, and Logan didn't trust easily. Plus Rogue still needed time to recover from her recent ordeal. Pushing the thought aside for later contemplation, he focused back on the match below.
Growing tired of playing, Rogue decided it was time to go in for the kill, or at least figuratively. When Colossus grabbed for her, she did a spin to the left evading him, to come up behind him. Rogue used her heels to kick the large man's knees out from him, sending him crashing down to his knees. Then using her bent arm, she slammed her forearm near the elbow into his face. Sending his head wiping around. Grabbing him in a head lock, she squeezed hard, cutting off his air supply.
"Come on Colossus, knock her off." St. John called from the side lines. They guys cheered the big man on, or gave him advice.
All the while the girls where cheering Rogue on.
"Hold on Chica, you doing great." Jubilee called out excited.
Colossus rose to his feet, taking Rogue with him. She latched on, wrapping her feet around his waist. Using her legs to squeeze like a vice grip as well.
Freaking out that he could barely breath, and he couldn't pry her off. Thinking quickly, he ran backwards, slamming her hard into the wall, hoping that the impact would make her lose her grip, or at least ease it. However she only grunted, and held on tighter, determined to hold on. Slamming her into the wall again, made no difference. His vision was starting to blur, as darkness started crowding in. He dropped down to his knees, clawing at her arm that was squeezing him like vice grip. Unable to take anymore, he collapsed to floor.
"Scott?" Jean called out worried as she saw Pitro's face bright red, as he dropped to his knees. She could sense his fear at not being able to breath.
Logan watched surprised, an if honest rather impressed at how Rogue had handled taking Tinman down. He finally admitted that he could be wrong about her. She was stronger and tougher than she looked. When she went in for the kill, she didn't hesitate. However, he still didn't like the idea of her on the team, facing who knows what. Just because she was a better fighter than Chuck's kids, didn't mean she was up for going against some mutant haters or mutants wanting to hurt her. Plus the kids were better at fighting with their mutations. He'd have to wait and see how she handled fire, ice, two pyrokinetics, one being a charmer, a smart phaser, and Colossus's super strength, and invincibility due to his metal covering.
Scott blew his whistle, signally the end of the match. Rogue relaxed her arms, and legs. She climbed off of the larger man, as Jean and Scott hurried over to them. Jean started listening to Colossus's heart and taking his blood pressure. Checking is eye for a reaction. Rogue climbed to her feet, stepping back from the three, as they checked to make sure Colossus was alright. Rogue frowned worried that she may had hurt him worse than she thought.
Everyone was eerily silence as Jean checked their friend.
Then followed with a relieved sigh when there was a sudden deep breath, and a coughing fit from the big guy on the floor.
"Are you alright Pete?" Scott asked concerned.
"Yeah," Colossus whispered hoarsely, as he rubbed his throat, and coughed again. He sat up slowly, then looked around until he spotted Rogue looking upset. He meet her eyes, and could see that she was concerned about him too. He smiled at her, and gave her two thumbs up.
Rogue couldn't help the smile of relief that came to her face. She stepped over to him, and held out her gloved hand to him. Smiling he took it, and allowed her to help him up.
"You're a strong little thing. Teaches me never to assume just because someone's small, doesn't mean they can't bring me down." Colossus spoke with a bit of awe and humility.
"You know the saying. The bigger they are, the harder they fall." Rogue teased back, a smirk on her face.