X-men Origins: Goliath
Chapter 3: Class In Session
As I slowly come around, an almost excessively bright light bursting toward me, I slowly awaken. My head dreary, I had almost forgotten the day before as I wake up confused as to where I am. After a few minutes I remember, glancing around the large and well-kept room before sitting at the side of the bed. Hands over my face, rubbing my eyes in a bid to keep them open for the day ahead, I get up off the bed stretching my legs and heading toward the wardrobe where seemingly, I forgot that I'd unpacked and set everything in the wardrobe already, as I pick out today's attire I mutter to myself lightly "wow, how drunk was I last night?" I ask myself, already knowing that I wasn't drunk at all; just merely surprised as this usually isn't my style to be so prepared.
After getting my clothes and leaving the room, the entirety of the conversation I had with Charles flooded back to me, as people swarm the corridors – some mutated and some looking very normal, for lack of a better word – as I head straight for the bathroom, not wanting to become distracted in conversation, but, of course, that was impossible. "So you're the new guy then?" I hear from my left as I look to where the voice is, seeing a relatively tall, pierced man with short blonde hair donning a sleeveless leather jacket. Stereotypically, he resembled a very obsessed punk rocker…but naturally – being in the academy – nobody could be stereotyped. I just simply smirk at him as I look to him "Can I help you?" I ask him, as I get a very sour response "yeah, you can stay out me way" he exclaims, a very strong London accent erupts from him as I look him straight in the eyes.
"They call me voodoo, mate, and you don't know want to know why" he says, as if threatening me as I stare him down, myself and this voodoo guy almost toe-to-toe as we shortly become separated by the hands of some guy wearing sunglasses and a leather bike jacket "ok, that's enough from you both, voodoo go downstairs, Alex you go get changed then meet me by your room, I need to speak with you" the guy with the shades says, as calm as he could be under the circumstances, as I go into the bathroom, getting shaved, washed and then of course changed, before returning to the room.
Not long in the room again, I hear a knock on the door; it's the kid with the shades on "You ok?" he asks me, this time his voice concerned as I nod "Yeah I'm good, kid was just intimidated by me, I assume" I shrug the kid off as the man closes the door as smiles "Tony, just likes attention…even if it means starting fights, he'll get it" he says, before a pause, and then continuing "anyway, I'm one of your trainers in here, my name is Scott Summers" he says, holding out his hand as I accept it, shaking his hand "what's with the shades...you know you're indoors, right?" I ask as he smirks a little "it's my mutation, I have laser vision…these are specially designed shades to allow me to see you, without turning you into an infrared donut" I laugh slightly, purely at the childish thought of what an infrared donut would look like
"So, I take it this means I'm to take classes now?" I ask as Scott nods "Your induction will be held by a man named Kurt Wagner, you'll know him when you see him…if you see him" he says as I hesitate "…if?" Scott smirks "He goes by the alias of Nightcrawler; he's a teleporter…and a very blue one at that" he explains as I interrupt him "wait, wait, so you're telling me my induction is going to be held by a teleporting smurf?" I ask him as I hear a third voice in the room, dominated by a heavy German accent "I'd appreciate if you do not mock me, Mr Mason, which means, no smurf comments" I turnaround to see the blue man Scott mentioned, despite the fact Scott failed to tell me he had a very demonic looking tail, almost like that of a blue Satan – not that it was what bothered me out of his whole appearance.
"Your induction will begin in one hour; inside the main study hall…Scott will meet you at the top of the stairs to show you and the other students where to go. You needn't worry about any materials or books, only a pen and paper to take notes, nothing more will be necessary" Kurt explained, his figure crouched over, almost frog like, before he vanished yet again in a cloud of blue smoke. I simply wave the smoke away as I look to Scott "Guess that explains a few things then..." I say as Scott nods, before heading for the door "Well anyway, I need to run, I have to meet a couple more kids before the induction begins" he says, before bidding goodbye for the time being as I just sit in the room, my eyes still not yet acquainted with the surroundings, looking around like I was nothing more than a lost child. After only a few minutes, I lay back on the bed casually…not intending on dozing, but reluctantly do so.
Suddenly, snapping my eyes open I hastily check my phone. Phew, 5 minutes early. Getting up and grabbing my nearest notepad and pen, I head to the top of the stairwell to wait on Scott, evidently not the only one. Struggling up the final few stairs, I very quickly notice there are at least 40, maybe 50 and very possibly up to 60 people here, all waiting for the same reason I am! I look around, stunned…barely 2 days ago, I was in the firm belief I was the ONLY person with strange skills and powers…and now I'm at the top of a stairwell surrounded by them, unable to move by being swamped by at the very least 40 of them. My entire view on things had just been flipped onto its head, and so on my thoughts on the way my life had been led…
"Glad to see you all made it here on time, please follow me and I'll show you to the main study" A recognizable voice spoke from outside the crowd before the ocean of bodies started flowing toward the south wing as I simply follow the rest of the bodies ahead of me. Barely 2 minutes past and everybody is already clambering into a large semi-circular room as each row of seats is gradually replaced by bodies being seated atop them, as I recognize the blue skinned, dark-haired person standing at the front of the seats, only this time donning a very formal suit and what resembles reading glasses. After sitting comfortably, I sit my notepad and pen onto the small but adequate desk in front of me, my eyes glancing around the room, in awe of all the various mutations the students have; from wings, to horns, to animalistic body parts such as gorilla arms…just about anything the mind can imagine; all of them were sitting in this very room…it's time like this it's strange looking supposedly "normal"
After a few minutes, silence overpowered the room as Kurt finally spoke "Good morning students, my name is Kurt Wagner, and please allow me to be the first lecturer to welcome you to Mutant Academy!" He said in a happy, almost encouraging voice. The room remains quiet, all except Kurt once more, "The next few days, will be very different for all of you…for some of you, you may have just discovered your unique abilities…for others, you are merely coming to grips with the gifts that were given to all of you. Regardless of what age your, what nationality you are, what job you're in, or how much money you have or don't have…Ladies and gentlemen, the mutant academy was founded by the great Charles Xavier for one reason and one reason only; as a safe haven for mutants worldwide and a shelter for those seen as otherwise "abnormal""
In awe of all of Kurt's word, the class remained silent…except one man. Ironically, as I glance down to where the voice is coming from, it's the same man that I had the "pleasure" of meeting earlier, "Wait, you're saying we're abnormal?!" he raises his voice slightly as Kurt looks to him, still calmly "No, you have misunderstood my statement, I had stated that this building is a shelter for mutants of all walks of life…the golden gates to those who have been seen by the humans surrounding him as "abnormal" Kurt explains better as the kid silences, a look of irritation across his face, but no voice to be heard.
After a short pause, Kurt carefully sorted the papers atop the podium; a glass podium, fitted to his exact height and spacious enough for plenty paperwork with being too big or too crowded. After which, he looked to the class, speaking once again "Now, as some of you might know, as well as enhancing the unique abilities of each individual…the mutant academy also supports the local defence authorities, and often aids them in criminal cases that may involve people with similar or equally different gifts from us" Not long after Kurt paused, Voodoo spoke again, this time in a rudely confused tone "equally different?" Kurt looked down, attempting to compose himself before answering calmly "yes, mutants with powers that may resemble one of your own, or just as easily be something you've never experienced before….somewhat relative to a trainee ambulance driver; he has just as much chance of aiding an injured man suffering an injury similar to his training courses, as well as the same chance that the injuries or illnesses that he is to treat are very different and new to his own experiences"
Voodoo clearly wasn't happy with Kurt, or the lesson, as he stood up, as if in rebellion "Illnesses? Are you saying we're sick?" Kurt looked to him a little more seriously "Please sit down, Tony and do not twist my words to please you" Kurt says as Voodoo blatantly ignores him "I wasn't here to be told we need help and that we're suffering 'illnesses'! If this is your idea of aiding our kind, then count me out!" Voodoo claims, marching up the centre stairs, as I notice him coming to me, his eyes locking onto me as he grins slightly, a very cruel grin at that "I'll see you soon, newbie" he says as I do my best to blank him, letting him walk on without me uttering a word to him.
As the whispering and muttering of the class begins, Kurt calms himself and then speaks loudly and clearly "Students, if I may have your attention for just one more minute, please, then we will be finished here" he states as the room silences again "…thank you. Now, as I was saying, If any of you are interested in taking part in the training or even the missions that we accept to aid this city, please speak to me or any of the other lecturers before 5PM this evening, if you cannot spot any of us around by then, please leave a note below this study room door, addressed to me, and I will meet with you and discuss things further….class dismissed"
As the room fumbles around, packing things away, I get up to leave before I hear Kurt's voice "Mr Mason, may I see you a second please…" he asks as I stay in my seat until everyone is gone. Several minutes later, the room is almost empty as Kurt calls me over to his desk, as I get up and go to him as asked. "I take it I needn't ask what that was about at the end?" he asks, his tone not suspicious, more resembling concern…as if he knows Voodoo's 'kind' as I shrug briefly "He's just some kid with problems, nothing I can't handle…" I respond casually as Kurt sighs "Alex, I know your history, and I have no doubt you can handle yourself, however should he start any fights or arguments, I'd rather you didn't participate…should he fight you, I beg of you to just leave the room" Kurt looks me dead in the eye, once again concern appearing in his voice as I sigh and nod "..Okay" Kurt nods and looks to his desk, as if trying to find a paper "And before I forget, you'll be visited this evening in your dorm by another lecturer, purely for introduction purposes, perhaps a small talk…" Kurt explains, not making any eye contact as he says this. "Might I know this lecturers name, or at least when they're to arrive?" I ask as he glances up at me, only briefly "8PM, and his name's Logan…though I doubt he'll tell you his name's Logan" he explains as I look slightly confused "What would he call himself, if not his name?" as Kurt smirks, as if wanting me to ask that question "He will go by his military alias, and X-men codename, Wolverine"
"Codename?" I ask as Kurt smiles "We are given codenames for the reason I explained to the class, we partake in police and authority missions, in which we cannot give our identities away, hence why we have codenames; for instance I am Nightcrawler…Mr Scott Summers is known as Cyclops, and of course your visitor tonight will be Wolverine" he says as I smirk "So, what am I then, 'Soldier'?" I ask sarcastically as Kurt tilts his head slightly, almost trying to ignore my sarcasm "That can be your homework for tonight, since you'll need it to help in our next mission in 3 days' time"
"Wait, 3 days? Kurt, I'm new here, I've barely been in 2 days and already you want me in missions?" I explain, surprised and trying to see if Kurt is joking or fully serious as he leans back in his chair, his hands clasped together "You were a military Captain for 4 years, your age is not the same as what you look and you have controlled more teams and trained more soldiers than I have possibly taught students…You have more experience than even some the academies own lecturers, Mr Mason, I personally don't even see why you're classed as 'a newbie' however, that is not my place.." he smirks as I smile slightly and nod "…ok, so 8pm then?" I say, smiling a little more, trying not to laugh slightly as Kurt smiles this time and nods "8PM, I'll inform Logan and he'll see you then"
The hours pass relatively quickly, with hardly anything done except for having dinner and getting a shower. After climbing out the shower and getting dressed again I check the clock. Seven O'clock. With one hour to pass I decide to leave the room, heading downstairs to the kitchen as I open the fridge…not much there. After a few seconds I reach in for a simple bottle of beer, closing the fridge to see Voodoo standing beside me, his arms folded and not looking happy "Miss me yet, Brick head?" he says to me, clearly a poorly formed insult, and variation of something more explicit as I smirk, not letting it bother me as I open my beer "That's good, I see what you did there.." I take a sip of my beer, feigning interest almost as mocking him as out of absolutely nowhere, Voodoo's arms takes a powerful swing towards my drink, slapping it out of my hand allowing it to smash against the wall. Bad move.
I step closer to him, almost instantly turning my arms and chest to granite, barely any time had passed before the change as Voodoo just looks at me, saying and doing nothing at first before he smirks and back away, remaining cocky despite leaving "You best watch yourself, careful who you side with…" he says before leaving. I try not to focus on what he said, simply reaching back into the fridge, grabbing a second beer and heading back toward my room as I notice a facially hairy man leaning against the wall beside my door as he smirks "You did get the message about the visit, right?" he raises an eyebrow as I open my door, allowing him in as I look to him "Let me guess, Logan?" I ask as he nods but looks away as he does so "Personally, I prefer Wolverine, but yes, that's me"
I enter the room, arranging chairs for Wolverine and I as I sit immediately, yet he remains standing "So, you going to tell me why I waited outside the door for you?" he asks me as I shake my head slightly "I ran into my old chum downstairs, got a bit distracted…" I say as I sip my beer "Would this 'old chum' happen to be nicknaming himself, Voodoo, by any chance?" Logan asks, once again raising his eyebrow "He might be…" I look away as Logan then takes a seat, looking to the floor then me "I know the story you know…I was ex-military as well, and the only difference is that you've known your powers before then, whereas I only learned of mine after my military duty" he explains as I just sit quietly listening, drinking my beer
"This Voodoo guy, any idea what his problem is with you?" Logan asks as I just shrug and shake my head "He said something about 'being careful who I side with' not that I'm sure I understand it…" I explain as Logan answers hastily "He didn't mention the name Eric at all, did he?" as I shake my head, meaning no.
After explaining the entire story, spending a considerable amount of time over it, I look to look "So, you're telling me that this 'Eric' guy, is part of a group called 'the brotherhood' and they are some sort of rebel mutant group…?" I ask as Logan nods as I shrug "Great, more reason for me to hate Voodoo then" I sigh as Logan decides then to tell me "The reason I asked you if he mentioned Eric, is because shortly after he left the introduction you were in, Eric had posted to the board he was leaving…and that Eric had bigger, better plans for him to expand in…
I sigh as I gently chuck my now empty beer bottle into the bin, as I look to Logan, shrugging and smiling slightly "Great, less problems for us, right?" I ask, praying to be reassured as Logan's look and voice seems unphased as he response "Alex you don't understand, Voodoo has chosen you for some reason to be his enemy, and if he is now training with Eric, nicknamed 'Magneto', chances are he'll be back…and back for you" he says before he stands up to leave the room "I'm pulling you out of your classes. As of now, you're attending training, tailored by myself" he says as I stand, as if to argue Logan's reasoning "A man like Voodoo I can handle, I'm ex-military remember" I say as he opens the door, standing in the doorway as he looks to me "Voodoo's powers were already powerful, more powerful than you can imagine…training from Magneto will only make him an even greater threat, meaning even if you stood a chance before he left, you won't have any chance now"
I sigh as I try to understand the gravity of the situation as a pause occurs before Wolverine calms his tone and concludes "Training begins 6am tomorrow, don't look for the facility, I'll be here to collect you" I just nod as Wolverine is almost gone "oh, and Alex…" he finishes as he smirks to me, almost sadistically and jokingly both at the same time "if you thought military training was tough…you have seen nothing yet" he says as he shuts the door, allowing me to be alone with my thoughts
…This is day 3 of my time here…I already have enemies…and now I hear that things just got worse than even I can understand, apparently….is this all just one giant joke…or have I entered into something beyond anything I've ever done? Whatever it is…I just pray I survive…