DisclaimerI do not own the X-men or any marvel related property. Although that would be incredibly awesome chances are it will never happen and I have learned to accept that doesn't mean I wont keep e-mailing them until they file a restraining order against me haha.
I am glad that all of you that have stuck with me seem to be enjoying my fic. I love all of the reviews I have received so far I can only hope that you will continue to let me know your thoughts and share ideas with me. As far as my estimation goes I believe that I am roughly halfway through the story although I cannot be sure as more and more ideas come to me. I hope that you will continue to support me through this journey. Thank you all.
The next day started as any other. David and Jubilee had awoken gone their separate ways to get prepared for the morning. After showers were taken and they dressed themselves for the day they met back at the cafeteria.
"Well good morning Jubilee. I hope everything is well today." David smiled as he approached the table where his group of friends sat.
"Yes definitely Professor the day started off amazing I cant wait for class." Jubilee smiled back causing the students that knew what was going on to roll their eyes.
"Bobby I assume you finished your assignment." David then said to the sandy haired teen.
"Yea I got it done David." Replied Bobby.
"Ahem." David cleared his throat.
"Professor." Bobby corrected with a glare.
"I love this professor business." David laughed before heading to the teachers table.
"Hello Storm, Jean, Scott, Hank, Asshole." David began greeting the table finishing with Logan earning a growl from the man. Everyone returned their hellos and good morning as David took his seat.
"So Hank, I haven't seen a whole lot of Rachel but I picked her scent up in the sub-basement yesterday after a danger room session. Seems she likes hanging out with you. How has she been dealing with her appearance?" David asked the blue mutant.
"She has been handling it quite well actually." Answered hank who then proceeded to fold his newspaper before continuing. "She has quite a knack for science and has become quite the assistant in my lab."
"That's great Hank! I'm glad she is taking to you so well. But if at all possible could you convince her to do more than go to class and help you out. Not that I am not greatful but she has always been incredibly social but that changed once her appearance changed. I would like her to get out and spend time with kids her age." David said as he glanced at her table and saw her eating quietly by herself.
"David is it such a bad thing that she wants to focus her time into learning?" Cordelia then asked him.
"No but I don't want her to grow up here thinking her appearance is going to be the death of her social life. She has taken a complete 180 since she got here it seems the only people she talks to are the teachers. She is 12 years old and I am a little worried about her." Replied David as he eyed his food.
"I understand David, I will make an attempt to get her out of the lab on her free time I will even introduce her to some of the other students." Hank chimed back in.
"Thank you Hank. I really appreciate it." David smiled.
"No thanks necessary anything for a friend. My chemistry class is not until 11 and I heard that you are taking your class into the Danger room this morning. Would it be a burden if I were to observe today?" Hank then asked always in the pursuit of science.
"I don't see why not. You may even be able to help interpret some of their powers better and help me to teach them with any readings you find. I could definitely use the help." Answered David.
"I heard you gave an assignment on the first day. Bad form if you ask me. Would you mind if I asked what that was?" Storm then joined in on the conversation.
"Not at all Ororo. I told them to come up with a way to use their powers that may be a little out of the ordinary. Much like you manipulating the wind to allow yourself to fly. Or me controlling my own energy to fly, or Jean using her telekinesis to fly. Come to think of it a lot of using powers in an unorthodox fashion results in flying." David explained.
"That is a great idea David." Storm commented with a smile. "You are truly coming into your own here. I think you will make an excellent teacher as well as a trainer for your team."
"Thank you storm that really means a lot to me as confident as I am about most things I am a little concerned about teaching others." David admitted greatful for the praise he received. "Speaking of teams any ideas on your team mom?" He then asked turning to Cordelia.
"I opted out of training a team." She answered.
"What, Why would you do that?" David asked shocked.
"I have never been a part of a team I haven't been involved in combat and I have two girls to worry about." She explained.
"I guess you have a point there. You could always do a covert ops team full of shape shifters and other telepaths and empaths affecting peoples minds and emotions to keep yourselves hidden. That would be awesome. With the right team you would never have to see combat." David began rattling off his idea.
"And In the case we did I would have a team with very limited defensive or offensive tactics If we came across someone able to shield against telepathy." She added.
"Yea you have a point there. I guess its probably for the best that mom remains just that." David said hoping to get a rise out of her.
"Hey me being just a mom kept you safe for 17 years don't you forget that. Considering who your father is that was no easy feat." She then remarked.
"I never knew him as a mutant so I wouldn't know about that."
"Be glad you didn't He was a bad man." Cordelia said as she finished her breakfast.
"Yea you have to know though mom, that as an X-man there is always a chance I will face off against him sooner or later." David reminded her.
"David stop I don't want to think about that. I'm still not even used to the fact that you are a member of the X-men." Cordelia stated hoping that the topic would be dropped.
"Sorry mom I will try not to bring it up around you." David decided to let it go as class would begin shortly anyway.
David made his way to the sub-basement as the students were directed to meet him for class. He entered the danger room and left the door open. He walked to the middle of the room to wait for his students to show up. David was extremely surprised to see who the first student was to show up.
"Jubilee, not the first student I expected to show." David said with his back to the door.
"I hate it that you always know exactly when I am around." Jubilee replied approaching David from behind.
"Its the smell of the gum that gives you away I can smell the watermelon from clear across the room." David explained as he turned to face the girl that entered the room.
"Well I must say I am excited to getting back to testing my powers. As much as I love the life of luxury here at the mansion there are times I miss the action." Jubilee said as she stood next to David waiting for the classroom to fill.
"Don't worry we will get you back into shape." David smirked knowing that would get on her nerves.
"Are you saying I am out of shape? You know as big as you are I think I could take you." Jubilee retorted putting her hand out behind her back and firing a small paff at David.
David smiled as she noticed that it didn't blow up or even leave an inch from her hand. " I am saying that at least your mind is still not prepared you should have known that I would have sensed that Jubilee. I believe attempting to attack your teacher is grounds for detention."
"You wouldn't." She replied with a glare.
"Na just next time if your going to do it, make sure its more than just some half assed attempt." David finished as he fired the paff at the far wall where it detonated in a shower of sparks. "Paige Guthrie right?" David then asked as another girl walked into the class.
"Yes Professor." The girl answered obviously trying to conceal a country accent.
"Glad you could make it. Would you mind filling me in on your power again?" David asked as he had quite a few students the day before.
"Yea I can shed my skin to take on materials as long as I know enough about the material." The blonde teen answered her accent creeping through slightly.
"I cant wait to see your demonstration that sounds really cool." Replied David.
"Uh actually I want to talk to you about that professor. Can I not demonstrate my powers in front of the class?" She then asked.
"Why is that miss Guthrie?" David answered back.
"Yea what's up with that hayseed?" Jubilee asked earning a glare from the girl.
"Well Professor when I shed one skin my clothes shed as well leaving me naked. I can stay in the form I change into for a while but it starts to become painful so I would rather not risk it." She explained clearly a little nervous.
"Nothing to worry about Paige I will let you off the hook today and I will work on a way to help you out with that in future classes." David informed the girl who he could see becoming more relieved by the second.
"Really thank you professor. That would be great." She then replied smiling.
The room soon began to fill with more and more students and David began getting excited to find out what some of the students had come up with for an assignment. The bell soon rang and David realized all of his class had shown up except for one student. He decided not to let it bother him and continued with his class.
"Alright class, for those of you that have not been here before this is the danger room. We run simulated training exercises here to progress our abilities and keep our skills sharp. It provides a safe location for us to use our gifts without destroying the institute and considering this class will consist mainly of using your powers we will be spending quite a bit of time here." David informed the students. "John, your late."
"I know sorry professor, I got lost." The flame manipulator said in a tone that suggested he was not sorry in the least.
"Many of the students here are just as new as you. Everyone else seems to have made it just fine. You have been at the institute long enough to know where the danger room is at whether you have been inside of it or not.I want to speak to you after class." David finished before shutting the danger room door in order to begin his class. "Now back to matters at hand. Did everyone do their assignment?" David then asked. After a mixture of nods and yesses he continued. "Does anyone know why I gave you the assignment I gave you?"
"Because giving us a goal to shoot for will cause us to use our powers more often resulting in greater control." Answered Alex.
"In part yes. Good Alex." David smiled at his teammate before looking to the rest of the class. "I also gave you this assignment because I was taught early on that coloring between the lines is only taught to hinder your creativity. I never found comfort in society trying to etch conformity into my veins. If being a mutant has taught you anything it is that you are far from normal and that's exactly what you should strive to be. Everyone of you has a gift. How you use it is up to you. I am merely going to help you use it to your advantage as much as you can." David explained. "Now who would like to go first. I would like a display of your powers and an explanation of what you would like to be able to do with them."
After a few seconds not one person had raised their hand. David looked to jubilee Knowing all it takes is one person to get the ball rolling. After giving her a pleading look she complied as she raised her hand.
"I'll go first professor." She said as she made her way to the center of the room.
"Thank you Jubilee." Said David giving her a 'I owe you one look'. "Now how about a display?" he then suggested as she turned to face the class.
Her hand shot above her head and immediately a bright light display was put on for the class and a shower of different colored sparks rained down on David and Jubilee. Just when David thought her display was over she decided to kick it up a notch and fire a larger paff into the air where it detonated causing a rather loud explosion.
"That was amazing Jubilee, Now what is it you would like to be able to do that you have yet to achieve?" David asked trying to contain himself as he wanted nothing more than to kiss the girl at the moment.
"Well Professor, all I have been able to do is create sparks and paffs like you have just seen and that is enough for me I would like to be able to do more than just generate one or two at a time from my hands. I think I could possibly create many smaller ones from the tips of my fingers and control them the same way." Jubilee answered hoping she lived up to what he expected from his assignment.
"That is an excellent goal Jubilee, I see no reason why that would not be possible." David answered earning a relieved smile as she made her way back to join the class again. "Who is next?"
Bobby raised his hand next and Davis was thankful that he had friends that were willing to help him out as it seemed most of the class was nervous.
"Bobby your up." David said causing bobby to begin his trip to the front of the class.
"Now for your display."
"Jubilee how about a little help?" Bobby asked looking at the girl that had just rejoined the students. She obliged by shooting a paff toward the far side of the room where bobby then froze it in mid air. Instead of dropping to the ground as a ball of ice it then exploded shooting shards of ice directly back toward the students. David's Hand quickly shot out stopping the shards in their tracks where they fell to the ground.
"Bobby." David said angrily.
"Sorry professor I wasn't expecting that." Bobby said sheepishly.
"Its alright Bobby no one was hurt. Just try to be more careful next time. What would you like to be able to do with your powers?" David then asked him.
"Well I had two things. One I think I can probably already do." Bobby answered earning a curious glance from David.
"Which is?" David asked excited to see what bobby had come up with.
Bobby formed ice beneath his feet and it began to grow beneath him raising him high into the air. He then formed a slide in front of himself where he slid down it on his feet earning a few excited murmurs from some of the students.
"Impressive Bobby and pretty ingenious. What was the other thing?" David asked wondering what the second idea could be considering the thought put into the first idea.
"Well I would like to be able to encase myself in ice and still be able to move." Bobby answered.
"Like a frozen suit of armor. I have to admit bobby that would be pretty cool to see." David said gesturing to him to rejoin the students.
One by one David called the rest of the students to the front of the room to demonstrate and explain what they would like to be able to do. After all was said and done he was rather impressed at their commitment to the assignment and had decided not to give another one today. After every student but one had taken their turn David looked at his watch and decided to cut class short by a few minutes as it would take them longer to get to their next class from the Danger room. As he opened the door he stood by the doorway as the students began to file out. As the last student was making his way out David put his arm out to stop him.
"Did you forget that I wanted to speak to you?" David asked the pyro-kinetic student.
"No, just didn't want to hear it." John replied.
"What the hell is your problem John?" David asked getting frustrated with the students attitude.
"This school is my problem. I already know how to use my powers. I don't need this shit." John answered back angrily.
"Then why are you here?" David asked determined to figure out what the students problem was.
"Because it was either this or stay in the group home." John informed him.
If that is your only other option I would think you would be greatful to be here. How about you show a little respect to the people that are just here to look out for you. They are trying to help here. Not just you but mutants everywhere." David said hoping to reach the student.
"How? By taking down small groups here and there. Those people hurt mutants at every turn. Destroying a lab and freeing a few mutants here and there is not going to stop them. They need to be taken down permanently." John said with a seriousness in his voice that made David feel uneasy.
"Have you ever heard the expression an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind John?" David asked.
"Yea but I prefer lessons not learned in blood are soon forgotten. Can I go now?" John then asked a surprised David.
"Yea John go ahead. Just make sure your on time tomorrow." David informed his as he left the room.
"Chuck are you busy?" David asked telepathically.
"Not at the moment. Perhaps you should come to my office." Replied Charles.
"Ill be there in 5 minutes." David left the Danger room and made his way to the elevator where he saw john heading in the same direction.
"Get out of my way bitch." John said pushing past Jubilee who had stopped to wait for David after class.
"John, detention. And don't ever let me hear you talk to another student like that." David said angrily as he approached the two students.
"Fuck you professor." Replied John angrily.
"Detention all week, you wanna keep pushing this?" David asked.
"Im getting sick of this professor. I don't know why your picking on me in particular but if I doesn't stop I'll..." John began before David got in his face and cut him off.
"You'll what John? As strong as your powers are I can guarantee you mine are stronger. So stop with the threats, and put a stop to the attitude. Now you have class to get to I suggest you get on your way." David warned the teen.
John said nothing more before turning and leaving. David watched him board the elevator and saw the door close before turning back to Jubilee.
"God, what a dick! No wonder you never liked him. I should have listened to you." Jubilee said in disgust looking in the direction John had left in.
"Something needs to be done. That kid is a danger to everyone here." David said before asking. "Are you ok?"
"Yea I am fine he just bumped into me." Jubilee answered. "Thanks for dealing with that for me I wanted to paff the fucker."
"Maybe some other time Jubilee. For now I want to thank you for volunteering to go first. I really appreciate it Jubilee." David said as he called the elevator back to their floor.
"Of course professor. You looked a little heart broken when no one immediately volunteered." Jubilee replied as the elevator door opened.
As soon as the elevator door closed Jubilee jumped into David's arms giving him a kiss that made his knees go weak. "Wow what was that for?" David asked once she broke the kiss.
"One for sticking up for me with John and two because its pretty hot watching you get in teacher mode." She said adding a sexy smirk at the end.
"Well As I said before extra credit is still an option Jubilee." David replied shooting a sexy look back.
"Maybe I will take you up on that Professor Alexander." Was the last thing Jubilee said as the elevator door opened and she exited leaving David dumbstruck still standing on the elevator. His gaze at the teen was only broken once the door began to close again and he had to stop it.
He suddenly realized he told the professor he would be there in five minutes seven minutes ago. He exited the elevator and made his way to Charles' office where he heard the man invite him in.
"Morning Chuck." David said after entering the room and sitting on the sofa against the wall.
"Good morning David. I see you had some trouble with John again today." Charles said as he turned his chair to face David.
"Spying on my classes Chuck?" David asked.
"Not at all David I was however able to sense the anger coming from the young man as he left your class." Charles answered.
"Gotcha. We should think about removing the kid from the school professor. As much as I would hate to turn away any mutant there is something not right about him. I believe he will be a danger to the rest of the students here." David said as he began reflecting on what the teen had said to him knowing Charles would pick it up.
"I see what you mean David, However John is no longer going to be a problem in your classes." Charles informed him.
"How can you be so sure Chuck?" David then asked curiously.
"Because John has left the institute. He just left the grounds as we speak and he has no intentions of returning." The professor stated a little worried.
"You sound concerned Chuck." Replied David curiously.
"John is a beta level pyro-kinetic with emotional issues. That could in fact be a very dangerous combination David." Charles stated.
"I see your point. As much as I hate to see a mutant leave and go back into the world we live in its probably for the best. And as much as a little shit as he is I wish him luck. If he does cause problems for us in the future we will just have to cross that bridge when it comes to it." David said not sounding too worried.
"Onto a brighter note, How is your team selection coming along David?" Charles asked his mood picking up slightly.
"Good so far. Jubilee has joined along with Alex you know Scott's brother. I am still waiting on an answer from the German kid Kurt. I have a few others in mind But I have not approached them on the subject yet." David answered.
"I am surprised you have selected Jubilee. I would think that you would wish to keep her away from any Danger." Charles said.
"You know how stubborn she can be if it was something she wanted to do I wouldn't be able to talk her out of it. Besides if I didn't take her someone else would have. At least this way I can keep an eye on her." Explained David.
"I see, Although I cant say that doesn't raise concerns." Charles remarked hoping David knew what he was doing.
"Your worried that I will be focusing too much on her safety instead of the safety of my team collectively?" David more stated than asked.
"Yes I would not like to see anyone of you get hurt because your judgment became clouded." Charles replied sternly.
"No worries professor I am not going to head into any situation unprepared I will make sure my team knows to constantly be looking out for their team members as well as themselves. I wont deem them ready until they are able to cooperate as well as the X-men themselves. You seem worried that I am not going to take this as serious as I should Chuck." David stated a little angry that he wasn't being taken seriously.
"No not at all David." Charles defended. "But all of the other X-men members have had experience leading I just wanted to know that you would be able to handle any tough decisions you may need to face. It is not an easy thing to do. Especially with someone you care about to worry for." Charles informed him thinking back to past experiences.
"I will keep a level head Chuck." David informed the man.
"I can only hope that you are right." Charles said calmly.
"I Wont let you down Professor." David said to inspire faith knowing that Charles knew he only called him professor when he was being completely serious.