Disclaimer: I do not own the X-men or any rights to any other marvel characters. I do not profit from the solicitation of said heroes or villains and sadly I most likely never will. However I wont let that deter me, I will continue to write as long as you continue to read so here you go with the next exciting installment.
On another note I reached my tenth review today and will be posting two chapters as a result. Here is number 2 I hope that you like reading it because I definitely enjoyed writing this one. It is one of my favorites and I would really appreciate some reviews on it.
David awoke Tuesday morning expecting it to be a morning like any other. Little did he know things were going to be anything but ordinary. He took a long shower allowing the water to wake him up fully. After he finished his shower he threw his usual clothes on and headed for the cafeteria. He arrived shortly later to see Jubilee already there much to his surprise.
"Hey babe, I always beat you here, what gives?" David asked as he immediately recognized the lack of sleep evident in Jubilee's features. The bags under her sullen eyes were a huge change from her normally vibrant cheerful eyes.
"I woke up a few hours ago, I couldn't get back to sleep." A very tired Jubilee answered solemnly as if something heavy had been weighing on her, causing exhaustion but still keeping rest from making its nightly appearance.
"Nightmare?" David asked concerned as something was obviously troubling her and he was determined to get to the bottom of it.
"Something like that." Jubilee answered but didn't go into detail.
"Wanna talk about it?" A hopeful David then asked hoping she would want to get it off of her chest.
"After breakfast. For now get your strength up." Was all she said as her fork clattered against her own plate aimlessly.
"Uh ok." Was David's only answer as he thought about her strange choice of words.
David ate quickly half eager half fearful to find out what Jubilee had to say. After breakfast had finished in the cafeteria many of the students had left to go have fun during their summer vacation. After the last of David and Jubilee's group left, David was ready to begin their talk.
"So about this nightmare. What has gotten you so freaked out?" David quietly asked so that none of the students still remaining could hear.
"It wasn't necessarily a nightmare. Its more of something that has been asked of me." Jubilee replied a little too sadly for David's liking.
"What is it? Who asked you to do what?" Inquired David beginning to get slightly angry that someone would dare upset his girlfriend.
"I don't know if I can even say it. Can we go talk to the Professor?" Jubilee then asked not realizing how much her words were getting to David.
"Jubilee! What the hell is going on? You are starting to freak me out." David's voice began raising with each passing word.
"David, I cant. Lets go see the professor please." Jubilee said nervously.
"Alright. Lets go." David said grabbing Jubilees hand and helping her up so that they could begin their journey without wasting one more second.
"Chuck, Jubilee and I are on our way." David projected to Charles as they began heading to the second floor.
"Is Everything alright David? You sound worried." Charles asked after David spoke so abruptly.
"I don't know Chuck, Jubilee wont tell me anything all, she said is she cant tell me what's bothering her and that we should come see you. I hope you can explain." David replied just as quickly as before.
"Oh I see, yes I can explain. I will see you shortly." Charles said relieved to know what was bothering David so much.
"David slow down. Or at least let go of me. My legs are not as long as yours. I'm practically jogging to keep up." Jubilee tiredly stated, as it was too early and she had too little sleep to be moving so quickly.
David slowed his pace but did not say a word as he rounded a corner and headed down the long teachers wing. The hallway seemed endless as they passed door after door before finally reaching the one they were seeking. David didn't bother to knock as he had already informed Charles that he was on his way. He opened the door and nearly pulled Jubilee inside before closing the door harder than he normally would have.
"David, Jubilee, good morning." Charles eagerly said to the frustrated David and the worn down Jubilee as he waved his hand toward the chairs across from his desk.
"What's going on Chuck? Something is clearly bothering Jubilee and it somehow involves you." David said clearly angry now.
"David, please calm down it is nothing to be concerned about. The reason for Jubilee's worry is an experiment that involves you. Jubilee is not very excited about it as there is a small chance that it could be dangerous." Charles calmly explained hoping his tone would sooth the young man's anger.
"Really? You have my attention Chuck. What is this experiment?" Asked David who had refused a seat when Charles Gestured for him to sit.
"Well I have personally been training with Jubilation several days a week..." Charles began to say when David forgot his manners and cut the man off.
"So that is what she has been lying to me about. What does that have to do with the experiment?" David asked frustration still rolling off of him in waves.
"The training has involved her learning to pass her pyrotechnic energies through solid objects." Charles said before pausing to give David a chance to say anything. After silence was all that hung in the air Charles continued. " It began with her passing her Gifts through objects like glass as it would be easier for her to still be able to see what she was doing. After she mastered that she began to pass through wood and even steel. With her new ability and your control I believe that she may be able to insert one of her paff's as she calls them into your body to boost your own gifts." Charles finished his explanation knowing he had to at least offer David the chance to boost his own natural gifts even if there was a risk involved.
"Really that sounds amazing! When can we do this?" David asked his anger now fading.
"David, what if you cant control it inside of yourself? You could get hurt really bad." Jubilee said defeatedly although she knew David's response would have been similar.
"Jubilee I can handle it. I have handled incredibly powerful energy we can start at a small paff just to test the water so to speak." David offered some relief only being able to hop that she would take it.
"David even my small ones explode. Do you not understand what explode means? Can you keep it from exploding? Have you tried something like that, much less inside of yourself?" Jubilee argued causing David to stop and think for a moment.
"Jubilee please have faith in me." David pleaded taking Jubilee's hand. "You can put the paff in somewhere that I can heal if things do go bad. On top of that I am sure Hank will be there, right Chuck?" David then asked knowing where Charles stood on the matter.
"Of course David, we will be taking all precautionary measures at our disposal." Answered Charles.
"You see Jubilee this is not very dangerous. You see how hard I work on my powers. Think about how far this could advance my training. This could help me to explain how it all works on a completely higher level." David said clearly he was going to have to fight for this.
"David I cant do it, I am sorry." Jubilee hung her head as she refused.
"Jubilee, look at me." David said placing one hand under her chin and lifting her face to his. "With everything I have been through, you know that I can handle this. You have been here by my side to help me with everything even when I have not asked not that I am not grateful. But now I am asking for your help. Please don't take this opportunity away from me." David pleaded as he looked deep into Jubilee's eyes.
"Ugh Damn it David! I knew this would happen. Alright I'll do it." Jubilee said finally giving in. Knowing that David would be able to talk her into it.
"Thank you thank you thank you Jubilee your the greatest. I swear one day I will pay you back." David said as he picked Jubilee up clear out of her seat and spun her in a circle before putting her back down.
"You damn well better." Jubilee remarked angrily that she had lost the battle that had taken place.
"Alright Chuck, where are we doing this? When are we doing this? Lets go!" David more stated than asked unable to contain his excitement.
"Half an hour in the Danger room. Take the extra time to prepare yourself in anyway you can." Charles answered giving David some time to still change his mind if he so chose.
"Alright Chuck half an hour. You better not be late." Was David's reply before he left the room with Jubilee in tow once again.
David used his spare time to spend with Jubilee at her request. She wanted to spend every free minute in David's arms incase he ended up in another Coma or worse. The two laid in David's bed silently enjoying the warmth of the other. David began to feel Jubilee growing more and more tense as the time ticked by. Jubilee was visibly shaking as there were five minutes left. David squeezed Jubilee's hand gently and kissed her forehead.
"Everything will be ok babe. Please have as much faith in me as I have in you." David said as he got out of bed knowing they could not stay there any longer.
Jubilee said nothing only squeezed David's hand back before getting up and following him from the room. They reached the elevator and David guided the hesitant Jubilee onto it slowly. He pressed the button for the sub basement and waited to reach the floor. When the elevator came to a stop David's excitement peaked along with Jubilee's nerves. David gently guided the shaking Jubilee to the Danger room where he punched in his code and entered the room to an awaiting Charles, Logan, Beast, Storm, Scott, and Jean.
"You see Jubilee, everyone is here to help ensure my safety." David waved his arm around at the room full of experienced mutants.
"Lets just get this over with." Came Jubilee's quivering reply.
"David, Jubilee. I am glad to see that you made it." Charles smiled then frowned slightly at the nervous wreck that was Jubilee.
"Of course Chuck can we get started?" David asked knowing that Jubilee needed to get through this as soon as possible.
"Do you have any questions first?" Asked Charles.
"Nope its not very complicated. And I feel that if we wait much longer Jubilee may faint." Said a very Eager David.
"OK I would like you to remove your shirt and lay down." Charles suggested.
David removed his shirt and lay on the floor. Jubilee knelt next to him and grabbed his hand fearfully. The pit that had formed in her stomach had dropped out completely. David smiled up at Jubilee and looked into her eyes. She looked back into his and saw the determination that she had grown so fond of. The look in his eyes the need to progress himself eased her discomfort enough for her to smile back.
"Ok, whenever you are ready Jubilee." Charles said softly wheeling himself up next to the kneeling teenager.
"I'm ready Jubilee." Said David.
"I suppose it's now or never. Where would you like me to insert it?" Jubilee asked her boyfriend.
"Right here." David said putting his palm into hers and lacing his fingers with her own. "On one sweetie." David awaited Jubilee's confirmation before beginning to count down. "Three, Two, One."
Jubilee began pushing her paff into David's hand slowly, tears filling her eyes as she did so. David's free hand rose into the air and hovered over the one Jubilee pushed her energy into. He focused on expanding the energy slowly throughout his whole hand and then his arm. The energy began to navigate to David's shoulder and collarbone. It began making its way south to David's heart. David's chest suddenly rose off of the floor much like one would expect from a person being shocked in a hospital. His breathing quickened and he began shaking violently.
"Hank, Please help him, He's going to die!" Screamed Jubilee as soon as everything began.
"Wait, Hank." Logan said Holding the advancing beast back.
"Logan, release me he is having a seizure!" Beast shouted at the feral whose arm was holding onto him.
"No!" David shouted as his shaking began to slow but his heart rate stayed high. David turned over and began to rise to his hands and knees. He began coughing slightly before getting fully to his feet on shaky knees. His legs quickly straightened and he lifted his head an unusual fire burned deep within his eyes.
"How do you feel David." Charles asked curiously.
"Chuck I feel amazing!" David yelled in a as of yet unheard tone of voice. "In fact Scott give me everything you got. Don't hold back."
"David, no!" Yelled Jubilee as a picture of David on the hospital bed flashed through her mind. "Remember last time?"
"Jubilee, I have never felt this kind of energy. I can control it. You gave me the power to control it." David said an unwavering confidence was unmistakable in his body language as he held his arms outright. The veins in his arms bulged as blood coursed through them at a quickened pace. His chest rose and fell at a normal rate now and a large grin played across his features.
"Professor should I?" Scott asked worriedly knowing what the outcome of such an attack could be, but not refusing after seeing David in this new light.
"David are you sure that's what you want? I would advise against it." Charles said offering his advice but not refusing Scott yet.
"Chuck, I can handle it. Read my mind you can see the power for yourself." David stated confidently.
Charles attempted to see David's thoughts for a few seconds before replying. "David I cant break through, the energy you have taken has created some kind of shield I have never before seen." Charles said wide eyed clearly surprised at the level of power involved.
"That should give you the same confidence I have. Besides if I don't burn off this energy that could be just as dangerous." David explained knowing that would get through to at least Charles.
Charles turned to Scott and nodded giving him the all clear. Scott turned a dial on his visor and hesitantly released all of the power his visor would allow. A bright red flashed headed straight for David who didn't break a sweat in stopping the force in its place. The red beam began flowing in a circle above David's head creating a halo like ring 5 feet in diameter.
"Storm, lightning now!" David yelled as the red ring still hung in the air above him.
Storm then looked to Charles for approval. When he gave her the same nod her eyes began to turn a milky white. Clouds filled the air high in the danger room. Suddenly a bright yellow flash of electricity shot straight for David. As it entered the center of the red ring it stopped as well. David did the same with the electricity. Once a crackling electric ring was formed David fused it with the optic energy. The red ring began to crackle and light even brighter. David split the ring in half and then split both halves in half creating four rings circling his body now. David could be seen with a huge grin spread across his face as he showcased his power.
"Jubilee, You have done more than enough, But If you could assist a little further I would really appreciate it." David said to his now smiling girlfriend.
Happy that David had been right all along and now feeling confident after not seeing him struggle one bit Jubilee decided she would help as well. Jubilee formed a paff the size of a basketball inside of her hands and shot it straight for David. David merely concentrated on the ball to stop it having no need to use his hands any longer. The ball began to grow larger until David could no longer be seen behind it. The group looked on Excitedly at the light show that was being put on for them. David opened a hole in the paff and stepped inside of it closing the hole behind him. David raised the paff into the air with himself inside of it. He then began making the four rings circle around the ball at a high speed.
"You guys may want to cover your ears, this is going to be loud." David warned the group.
"David please tell me your not going to do what I think you are going to do." Charles said concerned for the group.
"Relax Chuck." David said with a wink to Charles.
The spinning rings began to restrict in on the ball until they combined with it creating one huge crackling ball of orange energy. David smiled and looked at Jubilee before expanding the ball outward and then imploding it onto himself. A loud explosion filled the entire room causing many of the members to shield their faces as the concussion of the blast headed toward them.
"Relax your all fine." David's panting voice was then heard through the cloud of dust.
As the smoke cleared the members of the x-men looked around making sure all of the others were ok. Once they realized they were all ok they all looked to David who could be seen catching his breath.
"David that was incredible." Scott said walking over and putting a hand on his shoulder.
"You could have seriously hurt one or all of us or even yourself. What you just did was incredibly stupid!" Jean shouted at David.
"On the contrary Jean, it was David who shielded everyone from his explosion." Charles told her.
"I am sorry to tell you this Charles but it was my telekinesis that shielded us." Jean remarked.
"Charles is right Jean. Your telekinesis wouldn't have been strong enough to completely shield you all. I directed the explosion away from you." David corrected between pants.
"Professor is that true? Is he really that powerful?" Jean asked in disbelief at what David had just said.
David decided to answer that for Charles. "Not without that boost. That extra energy in my body increased my energy tenfold."
"He is right Jean. The energy that Jubilee gave David greatly spiked his natural gifts." Charles explained again.
"Do you think that is smart to allow him to do this professor. We haven't seen that level of power since the likes of apocalypse or even." Jean began before she was interrupted.
"Jean that is quite enough. David has shown no sign of being evil or not being in complete control of himself for even a moment." Charles sternly said.
"Alright this is getting tense. What do you say we all take a breather." David interjected trying to ease the situation.
"That would be for the best, however David I would like to speak to you alone if you don't mind."
"Not at all Chuck. Your office?" David asked as that was the usual meeting place.
"I don't see the reason for an unnecessary trip. Everyone I would like to thank you for your participation. You may now go on about your day." Charles gestured toward the door signaling that this would be a private conversation.
"I'll see you in a little while Jubilee." David told her before giving her a quick kiss. "Thank you for everything."
"Why does Jean Hate me? I don't think I have given her a reason to." David asked after everyone left the room.
"Jean does not hate you my boy. Jean is merely concerned."
"About what?" David asked what she could be concerned about having just seen the display of his power.
"You David have just displayed a level of power which very few can even comprehend. Jean is one of only a handful alive that have ever experienced a strength that powerful. You are now a member of that elite group." Charles explained as he reflected back on the experience.
"I thought Jean was only an alpha level Mutant." David said now confused.
"Jean alone is, however her mind is inhabited by an entity that has sought out powerful telepaths since the beginning of time itself. It is only known as the Phoenix. It is uncontrollable and nearly unstoppable. It nearly killed Logan when it first appeared. Jean did in fact die as a result. Due to the nature of the phoenix Jean was returned to us. The phoenix remains dormant for now but none of us know for how long." Charles said softly as it still hurt to think back to when they had lost Jean.
"Wow that's one hell of a story. Why haven't I heard about this before?" Asked David.
"It is a bit of a sore subject you can understand why." Charles answered him.
"Yeah I suppose I can. So Jean is worried that I will have trouble controlling that power and tear the mansion and maybe the team to pieces. I understand her anger now." David admitted as the potential to have that power scared him a little.
"The reason I wanted to do this experiment was partly because of the phoenix. I knew you showed great potential but I had no idea you were capable of such power. With that sort of ability, if the phoenix arises you may be the only one capable of stopping it. I can only hope that it does not come to that. In the event that it does however I believe you may also need some field experience." Charles then told the young man.
"That's a lot of responsibility Chuck. You couldn't have just waited till it happened. You just told me the fate of basically the planet may rest on my shoulders some day. Wait did you just say field experience?" David then jerked his head up to search Charles' eyes for what the meaning behind the words.
"I thought that may draw your attention. And yes I said field experience."
"Does that mean what I think it means?" An extremely hopeful David asked.
"It does. David would you like to join the X-men?" Charles asked although he was already sure of the answer.
"Really? Wow Chuck it would be an Honor." David said as he grabbed the mans hand and shook it sincerely.
"I will have a uniform for you by the end of the week." Charles remarked as he began rolling toward the exit.
David was completely stunned and could think of only one thing. His mothers voice began to replay in his head. (Your going to do great thing I can feel it.)
I really hope that you enjoyed this chapter. I am also drawing a blank on a X-men code name for David if anyone has a suggestion please PM me with it. You will be mentioned in my next update.