"Remember, the sentinels you are going to fight in a few days can not only copy your powers, they'll know what they are before you get to use them," professor said as he watched his X-Men train.
Ororo hit a sentinel with electricity, quickly moved away and let Scott who was out the sentinel's sight blast it with an energy beam.
"Thanks, Cyclops!" Ororo said as she lit up another one.
Pietro used his speed to draw one away from Hank, who used the distraction to punch the sentinel a few times, "Damn, these things are tough!" he said.
"Beast, over here!" Raven called after him.
"Go, I'll finish this one," Pietro said.
Jubilee was throwing fireworks at another one. The sentinel was getting close to her, plasmoids forming in his chest, copying her ability.
"Jubilee, watch out!" Scott yelled. Kurt came in, and was able to get her away from the blast in time, "You okay?" he asked.
"Yes, thank you!" Jubilee said relieved.
Raven played a bait, avoiding the sentinel's attacks quickly and gracefully, giving Hank time to pick his shots. "Move, Raven!" he said as he grabbed the sentinel and dropped him down like a sack of potatoes.
"Nice!" Raven said.
Meanwhile Logan was using brute force. He got stabbed by the sentinel's devices a couple times, but he healed instantly. "Ya know I get pissed easily, right?" he said before he clawed away at the mutant killer machine, picked it up and threw it at the one that was attacking Scott earlier. "Ya welcome, Cyke!" he said and made a courtesy.
Pietro had his hands full with one of them and didn't notice another one approaching him. Thankfully, Jean noticed. "Quicksilver, get ready for a takeoff!" she said. She swiftly moved her arms. Using her telekinesis, she sent Pietro flying in the air right into Ororo's arms, and she sent one sentinel crashing into the other. Very much like Logan has done.
"You two really belong together," professor shook his head watching Jean and Logan.
"Hey, Quickie, what's up?" Ororo asked as she softly landed with him.
"Never been better!" he smiled at her.
"Okay, we've landed, you don't have to hold on to me anymore."
"Oh, right. Got a little carried away there..."
"Careful Jubilee, that one throws energy beams," Kurt warned.
"Let him throw!" Jean said. She telekinetically reflected the energy back at the sentinel. Logan jumped in and finished it off with claws to the head.
"Good team work, you two," Jubilee said.
Ororo shot a lightning at another one, then Scott ended it with a blast.
This went on for a few more minutes until they finished the last remaining one. They actually wore out the though, durable sentinels.
"If we can do that to the ones they're sending after us, we're good," Jubilee said.
Raven was kneeling by the one that Hank dropped. "I think this one is totaled," she said. Hank smiled, and gave her a hand to help her up. Not that she needed help, he just couldn't resist any opportunity to be close to her. Raven took his hand, "See? We're still a team!" she said cheerfully as she stood up.
"Yeah. I'll always be your teammate," Hank smiled, "That sounded much better in my head," he added.
"You good, man?" Kurt came up to Scott, and touched his face, arms and chest.
"Seriously dude, I'm fine!" Scott said pushing him away.
"Awesome!" Kurt said as he hugged him.
"I'm glad you're okay too," Scott said as he reluctantly hugged him back.
"Do I get a hug?" Logan grinned at Jean, spreading his arms.
Jean rushed in and gave him a long kiss instead.
"Charles, I must say I'm impressed!" Eric said.
"Yeah, seems like a hell of a kiss," Charles joked.
Eric laughed out loud, "I meant their fighting skills, but sure."
"I've known them since they were scared individuals, unsure of their capabilities. Look at them now! They will save our kind once again, and make one step closer to achieve peace between humans and mutants," Charles said.
"I really hope you're right, Charles."
Jean was at Hank's office. It was time to remove the stitches. She was surprised they remained intact through the last few days.
"You must have done a very good job, Hank! It lasted through two brutal practices and a few of my Phoenix outbursts," she said.
"And an encounter with Wolverine..." Hank added.
Jean covered her flushed face, "Yeah, for real!" she said laughing.
"I'll always be grateful to him for finding Charles who was able to stop Raven from making a huge mistake," Hank said.
"You know about it?" Jean asked.
"I do, I was there that day."
"But how come you didn't recognize him when he came here?"
"I did. But he acted very strange, he seemed to not remember me at all. I didn't know what his plans were. That's why I insisted on him telling me who he was and what he wanted from Charles. Then you showed up, and I figured you'd hear his thoughts and knew if it was safe to have him around."
"He really didn't remember you. It took a very powerful memory to make him remember the old timeline and the time travel," she said, "How was he the day he came to you and the professor?" Jean asked.
"He was strong. Determined," Hank said while removing her stitches, "He did all he could to change the future. And I'm not only talking about the war that was about to happen. There was something more that drove him. I didn't know what it was at first, but now I do," he said.
"What was it then?" Jean asked.
"It was that kind of determination you have only when someone you love very deeply is concerned. It all made sense when I saw your true abilities. He wanted to stop your powers from taking control over you in the future. He wanted to save you, and he would sacrifice everything to do so. I know this because..."
"Because you would do the same for Raven," Jean finished for him, "She loves you," she said.
"Did she tell you that?"
"No, but I can feel it," she said.
He loved her as well, no doubt about it. But would they actually end up together one day? Would she stop running and stay with him at the school?
"Okay, looks like it healed very well. The scar will fade in time, it'll barely be visible," Hank said.
"Thank you, Hank," Jean smiled.
"Will ya join in next time, or you'll just watch the show again?" Logan teased Eric.
"Well, I'm not sure what use I'll be against non-metal machines, but I'll figure something out," Eric said.
"D'ya really believe there will be peace between humans and mutants? Or ya just sayin' it to make Charles happy?"
"I honestly don't know," Eric admitted, "But Charles has proven me wrong many times. I need to trust him on this," he said.
"Ya better not betray us this time," Logan said, "Last time I trusted ya I ended up under water."
"Again, I'm sorry. And no, I won't betray you. You can ask Jean to read my mind if you don't believe me."
"What d'ya think about Quicksilver?" Logan asked.
"Quicksilver?" Eric was surprised by the question, "A little goofy, but seems very reliable," he said.
"So ya like him?" Logan smiled.
Eric frowned. What was this all about? "I do," he shrugged, "Why are you asking?"
"We're 'bout to go on a mission with him. Just wanted to know your opinion," Logan said.
"I so can't wait till he finds out!" Logan thought.
Jean walked out of Hank's office and ran into Moira.
"Hi, Moira!" Jean greeted her cheerfully.
"Hi, Jean, I was looking for you!" she said, holding a big gift bag in her hands.
"Well, you found me! What's going on?"
"Charles told me about Scott accidentally cutting your uniform."
"It was more of my fault, really, I got distracted."
"He also told me about your Phoenix powers," she said. "I thought this would go nicely with them," she handed her the gift bag.
Jean was curious and excited to find out what was in it. She looked in, and pulled out a brand new uniform. It was mostly red, fiery red with hints of yellow on the sides, and a yellow phoenix in the chest area. Jean was lost for words, "Moira, this is...beautiful," she said.
"I'm glad you like it. It should fit you well," Moira said smiling.
"Oh my goodness...thank you so much!" Jean hugged her, barely holding tears in.
"You're very welcome, Jean! And I just want to tell you that Charles believes in you, and so do I," she said.
This was it for Jean, she couldn't hold the tears back any longer, "I am so moved, Moira. I can't thank you guys enough," she said.
"Just kick the sentinels' asses for me," Moira laughed.
"I will," Jean said, "And I'll proudly wear it as I do so."