A/N Right then, must admit, half this was written by hand, because my computer broke for a while. But then it wasn't and so I wrote this. Hope you enjoy. Minor violence warnings.

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The Sign reading the 'Floor 190' was a welcome sight for Jake, as it meant he was only seven floors from the top. It seemed like very little when he looked down at the spiraling staircase below. His leg were aching and tired from the long walk, worsened by his still sore shins. Yet despite the discomfort he was in high spirits, assured that surely his friends were safe, or at the very least not in any trouble they couldn't handle. For the first time since arriving in Vegas he was smiling genuinely. A slight, tempered smile, but none the less; a smile.

"So Jake, how's life at the Institute?" Jubilee asked suddenly. It broke the comfortable silence so abruptly that Jake had to pause for a moment to comprehend what was being said.

Jake was getting annoyed of constantly being asked that question, mostly because no matter how many times he had been asked it, he never had given a suitable answer. All he could think to say was 'good' or 'Ok', as anymore involved talking about his feelings, something he didn't like doing.

"Err, Ok, I guess." Was the answer he finally settled with uncomfortably before readying himself for the expected barrage of questions that would pick at him for more details.

"Oh good, are the lessons still coma inducing?" Jubilee replied with a faint chuckle. Relieved at being asked an easy question Jake didn't hesitate to answer.

"Not for me, I really enjoy my lessons, my favorite subject is History with Mrs. Ororo, I love learning about all the amazing people and events that happened ages ago, but I don't not like any of my lessons." Jake said enthusiastically, not even taken a breath in between sentences. "Actually, that's not strictly true, I tend to fall asleep in Geography a lot, not that I don't like it, or Mr. Rasputin, he's cool, its just that I've memorized the textbook because I have a photographic memory, so I know it already and find Mr. Rasputin doesn't talk very interestingly, and his accent makes it hard to pay attention, its odd though because Mark, my friend, really likes it and can get defensive of Mr. Rasputin when Quinn, my other friend, talks about him."

"Goodness kid, do you normally talk that much so fast?" Jubilee asked with a giggle.

"Yeah, kind of, sorry." Jake half mumbled in embarrassment.

"Don't apologies Jake, it's refreshing to here someone else's voice. I've spent the last two weeks with a guy who's vocabulary consisted of belching, cursing and telling me to be quiet. She said in response. "Who was it that said a person who talks a lot is either a genius or a moron. Hmmn, I may have made it up, but it doesn't matter, either way your the former."

Jake beamed happily and proudly, nearly falling again as a result.

"Just try not to get 'too' annoying." She added. " I quite like you and Id hate to have to throttle a new friend."

Jake was too stunned to reply, an ecstatic giddy feeling that was barely containable swept over him; he had made a friend.

Just then they stopped, Jake looked up and realized they had reached the top. The fire door that blocked their way was quickly forced open with one swift kick. As soon as Jake stepped out he was dazzled and blinded by the millions of rainbow colored lights that were illuminating the whole of Vegas. Jake was amazed at the sight, it was as though the city had come alive. Almost as if it sleeps during the day & explodes with color, light & music when the sun goes down.

Jubilee stopped and pouted, and after a moment Jake realized the Blackbird was still invisible and he had no idea how to get in it. She gave him a question look, which he replied to with a shrug of the shoulders. They both paused for a moment, contemplating what to do next. Jubilee suddenly began laughing, practically becoming hysterical. Jake looked up with a frown, but quickly found himself joining in with her. Jake half fell onto the ground as he sat down to rest, still laughing.

The sudden and deafening roar of helicopter engines shattered their humor. Before Jake could even see where the helicopters were, the rooftop was peppered with gunfire. The world seemed to go slow, sand and dirt covering the roof was thrown into the air as bullets smashed around him, suddenly Jubilee stumbled and clutched her stomach. Jake watched as she fell backwards in an unconscious heap. Almost instinctively Jake transformed and leapt to his feet before he scurried over to Jubilee. Her eyes opened slightly as he took her hand, he saw the blood slowly soaking around the hole in her uniform. He felt panic gnawing at him as he tried to figure out what to do.

The sudden gusts of wind around him told him that the helicopters were closing in, adding to his urgency. Jubilee seemed to try to say something, but no sound came from her paling lips. The fire that had roared in her eyes seemed to dim, slowly becoming vacant. He effortlessly lifted her and slid behind a vent, he set her down and checked her pulse. There was something, though it was barely detectable. Shots rang through the air but Jake ignored them as he was impervious to bullets. With a sudden determined confidence, Jake placed his hand over the wound. He carefully pulled the bullet out before tearing a sleeve of his sleeve and sticking it over the wound. She seemed to rouse, but her eyes merely fluttered before she slumped back.

An alien feeling swept over him, a knot tied itself in his stomach and his jaw clenched without thinking, he was angry. He stood up and turned to his attackers for the first time. There was four black helicopters that were unloading dozens of the black suited, black sunglass wearing gunmen that had been attacking them.

With a cry of rage Jake launched himself forward, throwing his solidified arms at the nearest goon. He struck the tail of a helicopter with an extended arm and shattered it into two pieces, sending wildly spinning and smashing into the Hotel sign. The gunmen dived to cover as Jake stuck several at a time with his morphed arms. They stopped firing after realizing it was futile and simply tried to avoid the madly flying clear fists that rained down on them. Some attempted to flee, sprinting towards the fire exit Jake had used; they reached the step but were immediately confronted with the horrific sight of a blue monster running up the stairs. They barely had time to turn before he was on top of them, throwing them like ragdolls.

The helicopters began to flee, but not before Jake smashed one into the side of the building. The dust began to settle, and Jake felt himself calm. Something big and fast hurtled at Jake before passing him. He was nearly knocked from his feet as a horrendous shockwave shook the whole building, as if it had been hit by a missile. Jake spun round and stepped back, his jaw dropping in shock. A huge metal humanoid stood towering over him, painted in dark red and silver, with glowing red eyes that stared down at him. He heard Beast cry out something several meters from him, but couldn't hear what he said.

The metal goliath threw out his arms and launched two missiles from the palms. Jake leapt to avoid them as they smashed into floor where he was. Cyclops opened fire and struck it's head, whilst Beast threw himself at it, but neither did any damage. Jake launched himself upwards and struck it with morphed spiked arms, but they merely bounced off the metal body. It grabbed Jake with its massive hand but he simply slipped through and slid along it's arm, striking it's head repeatedly. The glowing eyes intensified before shooting out as laser beams. Jake instantly felt the pain as his body liquidated, but as the beams when through him the struck it's arm and blasted straight through. Jake attempted to strike the weak looking neck area but was finally thrown off as it unleashed a fireball from it's mouth. As he fell he involuntarily transformed into his human form but was caught by Beast just before he struck the floor.

A strange man leapt over them and drove his spiked fists into the metal creatures leg, Jake saw Mark and Quinn run to Hack, who had taken cover next to Jubilee. Caim was tentatively checking on her whilst their team leader was busily doing something on her PDA. He was quickly set down on his feet and watched as beast jumped to join the unknown X-Man. Jake rushed to join his friends, and was greeted with a weak smile from Mark. He returned it, before looking him over concerned at seeing the catalogue of injuries that covered his body. Mark gripped his arm and gave a nod, and it was as if all his worries were gone. Mark's smile was so warm and welcoming the chaos around him seemed to calm, it was a strange feeling, not in the least uncomfortable. Jake turned to check on Jubilee, she was breathing visibly, which was a good sign.

Shrapnel from an explosion sent all of them diving for cover, Jake landed next to Hack, who was completely focused on what she was doing. He span around and watched the battle that was raging, the metal man was obviously winning, Cyclops injured, beast nearly unconscious and the stranger was taking a beating, being smashed repeatedly into the floor. Jake felt too drained to do anything, the fire had damaged his glue self and he would take time to recover.

"Gotcha!" Hack proclaimed, making Jake jump in surprise. He turned to see her smiling and stared down to her PDA, it was flashing numbers and images unbelievably fast.

Hack had finally managed to access the signal that she had detected earlier, and, just as she thought, it was being directed at the Sentinel. Guessing it was some kind of control signal she went about finding a way to counter it. Piggy backing off the signal she accessed the satellite that was controlling it. She took control, breaking it's orbit and sending it crashing at the target she chose.

She got up and whistled loudly, all the men turned and obeyed her unspoken orders, but the others had no idea what was going on.

"Back to the Blackbird, we need to get out of here." She shouted over the explosions as the Sentinel fired a series of missiles at Beast and Cyclops. "The others will hold the Sentinel for a while, get Jubilee and get going!".

Hack accessed her PDA and signaled for the blackbird to uncloak. Jake helped Caim and Mark carry Jubilee to the plane, practically sprinting up the ramp. Hack followed after them and after ensuring Jubilee was fastened in, she took the controls. The plane roared to life suddenly. Jake took a seat and watched as the three men fought the 'Sentinel', Beast boosted the stranger up and he flew up and struck the giants face, ripping out an eye. It caught him and threw him at beast, sending them both hurtling through the air. Cyclops fired, aiming at the damaged eye, but found he did little damage. The Blackbird span a few meters above the ground and faced the Sentinel, suddenly a series of loud explosions ripped over its humanoid body as the blackbird opened fire from concealed weapons in the wings. The men took the opportunity to get away and sprinted towards the plane, leaping onto the open ramp. Hack didn't hesitate; she turned the Blackbird sharply to the right, narrowly avoiding the missiles the Sentinel fired in retaliation. As soon as the ramp was closed she accelerated, just as the burning wreckage of the satellite became visible. It smashed through a tower, going straight through it and collided with the Sentinel. It was thrown backwards from the hotel.

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Tada, here you go, that was alright wasn't it?