X-Men Forged: Lost Son

by JasonLauchlan

Jason is now an X-Man, and after a harrowing first semester, the next semester throws everything its got at him. From rekindled rivalries to new threats from the shadows, this is all overshadowed by a mysterious figure doting upon Jason, as well as Jason finally finding love. How will Jason deal with the next several months? And will finally Jason find out his mysterious origins?

7. Chapter 6: Tremors

CHAPTER 6: Tremors

Xavier Institute for Gifted Children – Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 – 2:03 AM

Jason found himself in the kitchen, fixing himself a glass of milk. He was hoping that it could allow him to fall asleep. It wasn't even a month into the new year, and he found that there wasn't enough time on the day for everything he had on his plate, let alone the night. He mildly wondered if there was a mutant that knew how to stop time, or if Dr. Strange knew any spells that could stop time. He knew such thinking was irresponsible, but hey, sometimes it felt good to fantasize about the impossible.

As he leaned against the counter, enjoying the two-precent moo juice, he found that his mind was still compiling a list of things to do tomorrow. He had to mentally kick himself; no wonder he couldn't sleep. His brain was still wide awake. Whoever said that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak clearly didn't account for the brain.

"Jason?"

Jason turned to the source of the voice and saw Kitty walking into the kitchen. "First Jean, now you? Is there a list somewhere that has people wanting late night talks with me?"

Kitty rolled her eyes. "Very funny, Jason. What are you doing?"

Jason blinked. "I'm leaning against the counter in nothing by my PJ's, drinking milk. Was that a serious question?"

"I mean what are you doing up?"

"My brain seems to think that I don't need sleep," Jason said glibly. "I'm hoping that a glass of milk will convince it to stop thinking for the night."

"When did you like become just a jokester?"

"Kurt's been showing me the ropes," Jason said, smiling as he took another sip of milk. "Whether for good or ill is yet to be told. And what are you doing up? Try to resurrect the Bayville Sirens?"

Kitty put her hands on her hips, but before she could respond, alarms blared all around them.

"What the—? Kitty asked.

Jason paled. "No, not again…"

Suddenly, the ground beneath them shook, rattling the dishes and shaking the cupboards. Jason and Kitty tried their best to stay on their feet, wondering what was going on.

"An earthquake? But wha—" Kitty's question died on her lips as Jason locked eyes with hers. They came to the exact same conclusion.

Lance.

XXXXXXXXXX

Moments earlier, a slightly battered dark green jeep had pulled up to the front gates of the Institute. Driving it was a tall boy wearing an armored suit with a distinctive glass dome shielding his head. Climbing out of the Jeep, he picked up a rucksack from the backseat and strode towards the front gates. He looked them up and down. Doubtless there was no one to open the gate for him at this hour, and a lot of good knocking would do. Shrugging to himself, he guessed he would have to let himself.

Coiling his fists, he reached out with his powers, feeling the sonic energies in the ground. He knew how to feel them ride them and divert them into powerful waves to create localized tremors. He didn't have the nerve to try anything too hard; the last thing he wanted was to collapse an entire city, despite some days feeling like it. Lance was a powerful seismokinetic, and his former team leader had given him the name "Avalanche," for his perpetuity for causing mayhem on a Richter-scale level.

The earth shook for only a few seconds, but it dislodged the gates enough so he could walk in. As soon as he stepped in, he realized he could hear faint alarms coming from the Institute building itself. Well, he was here to see them anyway, so they might as well come to him.

Looking around, he suddenly realized he was surrounded by turrets. Pietro had told him that the Institute had some rather rigid defenses, ones that only he himself could dodge, but Lance wasn't interested in dodging. Giving the ground a good stomp, a shockwave of force dislodged the turrets aim away from him. Sniffing, he continued towards the Institute.

He had barely passed the fountain near the front doors when the doors themselves burst open, allowing the X-Men to come pouring out to confront him. Lance had to bite his lip at the half-clothed platoon that greeted him. "Don't get dressed on my account, anyone," Lance said coolly.

Logan, clad in only sleep pants, stepped right up, his signature adamantium claws still bore. "Care to explain why you're shaking up our house in the middle of the night?" Logan growled, then he sniffed a few times. "…all alone?"

"Yeah, gramps," Lance answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I came to join the X-Men."

If there was any faster way to disarm the X-Men with just a few words, none could fathom what they could be, much less fathom what they just heard. Logan himself was struck dumb. "You…what?"

"Getting hard of hearing, gramps?" Lance jeered.

Logan growled.

"We heard you the first time, Lance," Jason said, stepping forward. "But you might want to extend us a little grace if we still can't believe it."

"Believe it, Scarhead," Lance said. "I'm here to join the X-Men."

Logan finally found his tongue. "Yeah? Well, I want to grow wings and fly. Do you see me turning into an angel?"

A small chortle ran through the crowd, causing Lance to frown.

"Guess what else ain't happenin', bub…"

"Can we all settle down?" Jason asked his compatriots before he turned back to Lance. "Listen, Lance…I…well…you don't just join the X-Men."

"Why not?" Lance said, scowling.

"We don't accept bullies for one," Scott said.

"Scott!" Jason exclaimed, his neck snapping towards him.

"Everyone, please settle down," came a voice through all their heads, including Lance's.

Lance had to shake himself. "Ok, that's a little creepy."

Jason smiled. "If you become an X-Man, you'll have to get used to it."

The X-Men parted like the Red Sea as Professor Xavier rolled out in his wheelchair, flanked by Ororo and Hank. "As you might have surmised, Mr. Alvers, we're a little shocked to see you here after our many months on contentious relations."

Lance calmed down, much to the shock of everyone again. "Yeah, I can't say I blame you, but I really do want to join the X-Men."

"Perhaps this is a conversation better suited in my office," the Professor said. "As it so happens to be, it will be warmer in there."

Now that the shock of the adrenaline was wearing of, the not-as-well-clad X-Men were starting to shiver. Even Lance suppressed a shudder in the winter air. "I'm game."

"Very well. Scott? Logan? Jean? Jason? Kitty? Please escort Mr. Alvers to my study…and perhaps make yourselves a little more presentable."

Jason looked down at his half-naked self, and even Lance could see how red in the face he was beginning to look.

In due time, Lance was taken to the Professor's study, where a better garbed crew awaited him.

"Feel free to take a seat, Mr. Alvers."

To very little surprise of many of them, he sat next to Kitty. Only Jason sat adjacent to him while Scott and Logan had taken protective stances on each side of the Professor, a fact not lost on Lance. Jean was the only other person to be sitting down.

"Now," the Professor began. "Why do you wish to join the X-Men?"

Kitty couldn't help herself. "Yeah, Lance? Like why leave your friends in the loser brigade?"

"Kitty…," Jason admonished.

"Hey, we're all totally thinking it!"

Jason pursed his lips. "Thinking it, maybe, but not saying it."

Lance scowled at Jason. "You got something to say to me, Scarhead?"

"Everyone, please," the Professor said. "Allow Mr. Alvers to answer."

There was a flash of gratitude from Lance, and Jason quickly saw it. Lance turned to Kitty as if to answer her question first. "They're all right, but try living with them long enough…"

Jason had to concede that point, and his scarred face showed it.

Scott was not convinced. "What are you up to, Lance? We all know that you didn't break down the gates and damage a quarter of our security turrets just to make jokes."

"Only a quarter?" Lance said, not being able to help himself.

Scott gritted his teeth, but a stern look from both Jean and Jason silenced him.

Lance sighed, removing the glass dome from his suit. "Look, I get it, you all don't trust me, and you all have good reason…but…well…" Lance sneaked a quick look at Kitty and then back at the Professor. "Let's just say that it's time I made a change."

"Why?" Jean asked.

"Ever since the whole mess on Asteroid M, the Brotherhood has been up shit creek without a paddle. Without Mystique around anymore, we've been stuck in a complete rut. We live in a dump, the only food and water we get is at school, and I'm sick of just sitting on my ass waiting around. We don't even have the energy to deal with you guys anymore."

"Well, that's nice to hear," Jason quipped.

"Jason…," Jean admonished.

"Sorry."

"So, yeah. I don't have anywhere else to go, so I thought I'd give it a shot here. You all already know my powers, so I can definitely keep pace with you all or maybe be even better." He sent a small smirk at Scott.

Scott had to will himself to not reach for his visor to not look Lance to the moon.

The Professor considered things silently, but then spoke up. "I see no reason to not give Mr. Alvers a chance." Scott sharply looked at the Professor, shocked, but the Professor continued unabated. "Kitty? Jason? Could you show Lance to one of the spare bedrooms and make sure he's well-stocked with basic toiletries?"

As Jason stood up, Kitty stood up and made for the door. "Come on, Lance, let's just get this over with."

Lance looked at Jason, who returned his look. It appeared that neither of them expected Kitty to be so cold. Lance sighed and followed but stopped as Kitty phased through the door instead of opening it. Lance was unsure how to continue for a moment, but then Kitty phased right back through, her face back to a smile. "Just kidding!" she said as she pulled Lance right through.

Suppressing a laugh, Jason looked at the others, and grew concerned when he saw stone-faced aggravation on both Scott and Logan's face. Jean was doing her best to remain impassive. Jason turned away, opening the door himself and made to follow Kitty and Lance.

Once the door shut, Scott couldn't contain himself anymore. "Professor?!"

"Yes, Scott?" the Professor replied expectantly.

"You have to know that this will blow up in our faces!" Scott exclaimed. "I know Lance! He wouldn't do something like this unless he wanted something!"

Jean and Logan made a knowing look at each other, but they mutually decided to leave Scott and the Professor with their conversation.

"Of course, Scott, and I've already surmised what he desires."

"What?! Then why did you let him join?"

The Professor smiled. "He desires to get closer to Kitty. I'm sure that I'm not alone in surmising that Kitty and Mr. Alvers possess an admittedly strange chemistry between them. Perhaps that will be enough to convince Mr. Alvers that there really is a better way, and Kitty may be the one to show him the way."

Scott fumed, but he had no argument against that.

"All I ask is that you give him a chance. You are a junior leader of the X-Men, Scott, so please, set an example to the others. For now, though, please return to bed and try to relax."

Scott looked ready to argue again, but the Professor made his decision clearly and he knew there was no hope in convincing him. Sighing, he made his way to the door and made his way back to his own room, leaving the Professor to his thoughts.

XXXXXXXXXX

Meanwhile, Kitty and Jason had taken Lance to an empty spare bedroom. Kitty opened the door to let them all in. "And here is your room, sir," Kitty said with exaggerated posh. "We are deeply sorry that there are no mints on the pillow, but I believe the last occupant has left gum under the chair."

Lance rolled his eyes, but any retort died on his lips as he saw the room. "Wow, you guys really do live it up in here. Not bad!"

"Yeah, we do all right," Jason said, choosing not to join in Kitty's little game. "This room is a little smaller compared to some of ours, but that generally means no roommates." Jason continued. "Just down the hall on the right is a supply closet for any toiletries you might want. Body wash, deodorant, whatever you need, although I wouldn't choose the red bottles."

Lance put his rucksack down on the bed. "What's in those?"

"Nothing much, really…unless you want to smell like flowers that still have only scientific names."

Lance smirked. "You're right; that sounds like something you'd want anyway."

Jason smiled, tolerating the jab. "Pietro ran out of barbs to get a rise out of me, Lance. I doubt you'll do any worse."

"That sounds like a challenge."

"I'm telling Pietro that you stole his line."

"If you two are quite done," Kitty cut in. "…then allow me to welcome you to Mutant Manor. Breakfast is at 7; pleas enjoy your stay." Kitty made to leave, but then stopped herself. Sighing, she turned back to Lance. "Lance, listen. I totally think it's cool that you want to be an X-Man, but this isn't like anything you've ever done before. It's hard work to become one, and you have a reputation. No one here is going to cut you any slack, especially Logan."

"His training sessions are legendary in their brutality," Jason added.

Lance scoffed. "Please! I got this!"

Jason looked at Kitty. "He's got bravado, that's for sure…"

"But we knew that!" Kitty said. "Just don't say I didn't warn you, Lance. Good night…and good luck."

Lance's cockiness softened at Kitty's valediction, but he didn't respond as Kitty left. He noticed that Jason was still there with a strange look on his face. "What?"

Jason looked at Lance. "You really do like her, don't you?"

Lance blanched but quickly covered it up. "What's it to you?"

"Nothing," Jason said. "…but I do have a piece of advice."

Lance scowled. "Do I have a choice?"

"Yeah, but I promised it's not what you're thinking."

Lance weighed the option to tell Jason to shove it, but of all the X-Men so far, Jason was one of the few at least trying to give him a fair shake. "Fine…"

"Don't try to change yourself for someone, Lance. Otherwise, you might discover that the person you are changing for has changed as well."

Lance blinked, processing this advice. If what Jason was saying was true, then why was he even trying to become an X-Man? Could this all be a waste of time? "Well? Then what do you suggest?!" Lance said, a little louder than he meant.

Jason didn't appear perturbed by the outburst. "Just be the best version of yourself."

Lance felt his anger flash evaporate. He expected Jason to be condescending, patronizing even, but he didn't expect that at all. Was it really that easy? "Hmm, you make it sound so easy."

"I didn't say that it would be easy, Lance," Jason said. "…but I am saying that it's the best thing to do for both of you." Jason turned to leave. "Good night, Lance. See you tomorrow."

"Wait? Scar—I mean, Jason?"

Jason turned back to Lance.

"Thanks."

Jason nodded. "You're welcome, and good luck tomorrow."

Jason closed the door, leaving Lance to himself and his thoughts. Lance fell back on the bed, floored at how soft it was. All he had to sleep on back at the Brotherhood house was a couch with torn up upholstery. This was like sleeping on a cloud. Lance caught himself before he fell instantly asleep. It wouldn't do any good to fall asleep while in an armored suit.

He quickly shed his suit, turned off the lights, and before he even had time to think about tomorrow, he was already out. This was better than sleeping on a cloud…

XXXXXXXXXX

Later that morning, 7:03 AM

Jason wasn't the kind of person to drink an energy drink packed with almost every legal stimulant known to man, but after last night, he felt like he needed it. Grimacing as the concoction coursed down his esophagus, he already felt awake enough to converse intelligibly at least. He tried to ignore the bustle from all the students trying to get enough of a balanced breakfast before the mad dash to school, but he couldn't help but overhear the gossip about their newest member: Lance Alvers.

He chanced a look around, and he couldn't see Lance among the crew just yet. It's possible that he overslept or was running behind. It's also possible that this was his first night in a long time on a proper mattress. On that mindset, he was beginning to see why the Brotherhood were the way they were.

Locating a place to sit down, he barely got started on his scrambled eggs when Piotr sat down next to him. Quickly swallowing, Jason greeted his best friend. "Hey, Peter…"

Piotr nodded. "Hello, Jason."

Jason sensed something was off in Piotr's mood, but he didn't want to be too forward about it, or at least not at first. "Get better sleep after last night?"

Piotr smiled. "Back at my farm, my papa and I were getting up very early to be milking the cows."

"Like before daybreak?"

"Da…"

Jason grimaced. "There isn't enough coffee in the world to convince me to do that."

"We needed to," Piotr said. "The cows would be in pain if we did not."

Jason looked at Piotr and then at his glass of milk. "Well…I guess I didn't realize how necessary it was." He looked back at Piotr. "Well, maybe it's just me, but I have a feeling something is on your mind."

Piotr looked at Jason. Jason waited patiently; he didn't want to pressure Piotr at all, but he also wanted to impress upon Piotr that he was open to talk about whatever it was. Piotr sighed, "Are we being sure that Lance should be staying here?"

Jason had a hunch that was the reason why Piotr was so concerned. He was there with the rest of the X-Men when Lance bulldozed his way into the Institute and made his request known. Piotr was certainly not alone in his reservations, and they were well earned at that.

"To be honest, Peter," Jason said. "I'm not sure about any of this at all. I was there when the Professor allowed him to stay, and Scott was certainly unhappy about it. Scott thinks that Lance has a hidden agenda to being here, and I think he's right."

"But what?" Piotr asked.

Before Jason could answer, the man of the hour showed up. At once the kitchen quieted down, and Lance felt like he could see every eye locked on him. Jason pretended to not notice him but was watching him deftly in his peripheral vision. He looked like he was ready to chew them out, but Kitty practically materialized at his side and pulled him away from prying eyes and towards the dishes. The tension effectively cut, everyone else decided other topics were worth talking about.

Jason looked back at Piotr. "That."

Piotr looked confused and lowered his voice. "What is it?"

Jason suppressed a smile as he continued. "Kitty doesn't like the Brotherhood any more than we do, but she's been warming up to Lance; Lance, despite his aloofness, has been warming up to Kitty. Whatever is going on between them is enough for Lance to want to explore it, including potentially disavowing his teammates among the Brotherhood to be beside her."

"You mean…?"

"Is it really that strange?" Jason said. "Affection makes people do things they didn't think they would do, and if given the chance to mature into love, then it could become one of the most powerful forces in the world, melting away even the chilliest of hearts. It could even bring together people that originally were on opposite sides of the battlefield—" Jason shook himself, realizing he'd been carrying on. "Good lord, why'd you let me go like that? That all must have sounded so corny…"

"No…," Piotr said softly, laying a hand on Jason's shoulder. "No…it was beautiful."

Jason looked at Piotr, the latter's steel-blue eyes ironically soft. Not for the first time did Jason want to sink into the serenity they offered, but his brain was already coming up with excuses on why he shouldn't. Piotr deserved someone that was firmer in their convictions, untainted by guilt and sorrow. Piotr had enough of his own that he shouldn't bear the burdens of another.

"Jason?"

Piotr's voice snapped him out of his ruminations. "Oh, uh, sorry…"

"What is wrong?"

Jason really wanted to tell Piotr, but this was neither the place nor the time to discuss it. Sighing in disgust at himself for lying, he said, "Sorry, Peter. My mind has been an absolute mess the past couple of weeks and I've been drifting off a lot lately."

He didn't dare look at Piotr; he knew that Piotr could see through him enough. He also knew that Piotr was gracious enough to not push the issue to avoid upsetting him, and it shamed Jason how much he had counted on that. He definitely did not deserve Piotr at all; Piotr should be with someone else.

"We'd better get ready for school," Jason said hollowly.

"Ok," Piotr said, also sounding a little quiet.

Jason winced at hearing it. He knew that he had to tell Piotr everything, but how can he be honest with Piotr when he couldn't even be honest with himself?

XXXXXXXXXX

Later that day…

The first day of school with Lance was strangely uneventful. Lance had seen no sight of his Brotherhood comrades all day. It wasn't uncommon for any one of them to play hooky, but all four of them? If they weren't generally self-centered, he would have thought they were looking for him, here or anywhere, but there was no sight of them. He wasn't sure how he felt about that, really.

He had already arrived back at the Institute, parking his jeep in the shared garage, and was looking to get back to his room and take a nap. He got into the hallway when he ran into Jason, in uniform, holding something that looked like a fat manila parcel.

"There you are, Lance. I was looking for you."

One of Lance's eyebrows shot up. "Why?"

"Well, a couple of things," Jason said. "One, all the newer members of the Institute are scheduled for a training session, and the Professor requires everyone to show up."

Lance frowned. "Is that what it's really like around here? School and training? When do you guys sleep?"

"Well, normally we catch our sleep when everyone else does, as long as we don't get any surprise earthquakes in the middle of the night anyway."

Lance rolled his eyes. "Didn't realize you had jokes, Scarhead."

"I'm literally here all night, Shaker…"

"Fine," Lance said. "What else then?"

"To give you this." Jason offered the parcel.

Lance took it but didn't open it. "What is it?"

"Your new uniform, standard issue I'm afraid."

Lance looked at Jason. "What's wrong with mine?"

"Not up to code," Jason said matter-of-factly. "The armor on your suit isn't firmly attached to the fabric, and the dome won't do you any favors against the turrets in the Danger Room."

Lance scowled, but tore open the parcel, revealing the suit inside. "That's it? This doesn't look anything like the ones you all wear."

"Like I said, standard issue. Only the X-Men themselves get uniforms more unique to themselves. If you end up joining the X-Men, you'll get a new uniform like we all did."

Lance scoffed. "So I'm training with all the newbies is what you're saying."

"I did," Jason replied. "And you already have the advantage with your experience. This first exercise should be a breeze for you, I'd think."

"Look who you are talking to, Scarhead!" Lance pointed at himself. "Every session you'll come up with will be a breeze! Get that new uniform for me ready, Scarface, because I'll be an X-Man in a week!"

Not giving a chance for Jason to respond, Lance spun around on his heels and made his way down the hall. Jason watched him go with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. Confidence is definitely an asset, but the delusion was real.

"Jason?"

Jason turned to see Jean in her own uniform coming down the hall. "Hey, Jean…"

"Was that Lance I heard?"

"Yeah, it was," Jason answered, turning back down the hall. "He's feeling pretty confident about the training sessions. You know, his typical bravado."

"Hmm…" Jean looked thoughtful. "You didn't tell him, did you?"

Jason looked at Jean. "Tell him what?"

"That today's exercise is the Blackbird flying exercise?"

"What about it?"

"You know Bobby always likes to volunteer first, right?"

Jason's mind finally put together the pieces. "Oh, boy…"

XXXXXXXXXX

Moments later…

Avalanche sat in the front row of the craft, the rest of the new mutants in seats either beside or behind him, each one showing looks of unease. He originally wasn't sure why, but when he noticed Cyclops and Iceman in the front seats—and the latter being in the pilot's seat—he began to feel squeamish himself.

"All pre-flights checks are done," Cyclops said, going down a list on a clipboard as Iceman practically danced in his seat. "All right, Iceman. Take her up, nice and slow…"

The connotations in Cyclops' tone were not lost on Avalanche's part.

Iceman, however, seemed oblivious. "You heard him, New Mutants! Hang on to your lunch!" he said as he sharply pushed the thruster level forward.

The craft shot forward, causing everyone to feel pushed into their seats by the g-forces. Avalanche felt like his throat was flattening into a penny, but still managed to cry out. "Hey, slow down, will ya!?"

The rest of the New Mutants looked like they had white-knuckle grips on their seats. Avalanche realized that Iceman's behavior was expected, and he instantly began regretting his life choices.

The craft shot out of the hangar and into the blue sky. Almost immediately, Iceman pulled back on the steering, shooing the craft upwards into the sky. "Bobby! You're going too steep!"

Iceman didn't seem concerned, riding on pure adrenaline. "All right!"

The control panel lit with warnings and alarms. Suddenly, the engine stalled and the craft began to lurch. "Oh, come on!" Iceman exclaimed.

"Level out, Iceman!" barked Cyclops. "I'll get the engine back online."

But Iceman was not heeding Cyclops' commands, trying to do the whole thing himself. The craft went into a tailspin, plummeting to the waters and rocks below.

"Pull up! Pull up!"

Iceman had a death grip on the controls, trying his hardest the pull back, but nothing was working. Suddenly, everything went black and the craft lurched forward. Everyone in their seats slammed into their restraints painfully on impact.

Meanwhile, outside the flight simulator craft, Wolverine, Shadowcat and Alchemist watched with annoyed expression as the craft automatically leveled itself. Behind them, a dejected Nightcrawler—the only one not in uniform—was despondently mopping the floor around them. He was still carrying out his punishment for the events with Tabitha around the middle of last month, and he was only about half-way through the month of penance.

The door hissed open, and Iceman bounded out, looking completely unbothered by the sim failure. "Did you see that?! It only took me twice as long to crash and burn this time!"

Alchemist rubbed a hand across his face, while Wolverine's scowl deepened. "Two times zero is still zero, Hotshot." Not giving Iceman a chance to argue, he pressed on. "Look, kid! This isn't flying in outer space! Hot-doggin' like that won't cut it at all in a real flying exercise. You pull a stunt like that, and you're nothin' but a smear, you got it?! You can't pull stunts like that until you know how to fly!"

Iceman felt small in front of Wolverine, which was an accomplishment as Iceman was a few inches taller than him.

Alchemist and Shadowcat listened to the two in silence, while Alchemist was looking at the rest of the New Mutants gingerly making their way out of the simulator craft. They were in there for barely a minute, and they looked like they rode an entire day's worth of carnival rides.

Shadowcat looked at the clipboard she was holding. "I'm like not sure how I should score that…"

Alchemist looked at Shadowcat. "Like Logan said, two times zero is still zero."

Shadowcat looked at the craft again and immediately noticed Avalanche having a harder time getting out of the craft. Walking forward, she tried to help. "Lance? Are you ok?"

Avalanche instantly straightened up at hearing Shadowcat's voice. "Yeah, I'm fine! Like I said, a piece of cake!"

Neither saw Alchemist look skeptical.

"I told you there was nothing to this X-Men stuff…"

Shadowcat blinked but seemed convinced. "Oh…well…good!" She walked away.

Avalanche finally noticed Alchemist looking at him with his arms crossed. "What?!"

Alchemist tilted his head towards the doors behind him. "First door on the left."

Avalanche immediately put a hand to his mouth, attempting to quell a vile concoction in his stomach. Without another word, he raced towards the direction Alchemist motioned towards.

He was so committed to reaching the bathroom before he ralphed that he didn't notice Professor Xavier roll past him and into the room. He immediately saw a freshly told-off Iceman slink his way towards the lockers, and when he saw Wolverine looking resolute as he did, he definitely knew what happened.

"Logan, weren't you just a little too harsh with him?" As Wolverine turned towards him, the Professor continued. "After all, you are rather…cavalier with your flying yourself…"

"Yeah…," Wolverine conceded. "…but unlike them, I can walk away from a crash."

"Indeed," the Professor said. "…yet these mutants look up to you, despite their grumbling. Perhaps you should lead by example?"

Wolverine sniffed. "I'll leave that to Slim…"

Alchemist stood nearby, choosing to remain silent and keep his opinions to himself. Nightcrawler had paused his mopping to watch Iceman walk away, wondering if he should have said something himself.

"What are you looking at, Elf?" Wolverine barked. "As far as I can see, you still have about two weeks of probation left, now get back to it."

Nightcrawler dejectedly got back to mopping the floor. "Yes, sir…"

Alchemist briefly looked with pity at Nightcrawler, but he turned away, "Meanwhile, I'll make sure the inside of the simulator doesn't have any unpleasant surprises from any of our people who weren't fortunate enough to get to the bathroom."

"Leave that to the Elf, Scarface," Wolverine said, halting Alchemist.

Nightcrawler looked disgusted, but he didn't dare argue.

"Walk with me, Alchemist," the Professor said, turning to leave.

"Yes, Professor."

Alchemist followed the Professor into the hallway, slightly behind him. The Professor sensed some trepidation from the young Alchemist. "Do you have something on your mind, Jason?"

Alchemist stopped on his tracks, looking back towards where they came for a second before he turned back to the Professor. "A little. It's Kurt, Professor."

The Professor folded his hands. "What is it?"

Alchemist sighed. "I know that there's still more time for the punishment to go…but I'm wondering if we could be a little lenient for him."

One of the Professor's eyebrows shot up slightly. "You're one of the more compliant members of the Institute, Jason. I assume you have a reason to advocate for Kurt."

"Seeing him out there just breaks my heart. I know that he broke the rules while under probation at the time back then, but I think he learned his lesson."

"I understand the kindness towards your teammate, Jason," the Professor replied. "…but the rules exist for a reason, and to your admission, he did break them while under his original probation."

"I know, but…" Alchemist briefly pressed his lips together. "I did the math on the length of time of his probation to upcoming events. There's an upcoming dance at school a week after Saturday, which is two days before his probation is set to end. I have it on good authority that I believe one of the girls in his glass wants to ask him out, but he's been down and depressed about the idea that if she does, he is duty bound to say no. I fear that it will crush him that such an unforeseen consequence to his bad decision back then could rob him of a pivotal moment of his teenage years. I know I have no authority to make such a request, but I'm hoping you can grant some leniency, at least let him go to the dance."

The Professor considered Alchemist's request silently. He understood the need to be stern and consistent with dealing out punishments, but if those same punishments keep someone from experiencing potentially once-in-a-lifetime events that could be life-changing, it might be too harsh. Kurt's offense was relatively minor as he was coerced, but the fact remained that he knew he was on probation when he did it.

"I will consider your request, Jason. There's much to consider, but I will have a decision before the day of the dance. You have my promise."

"That's all I can ask," Alchemist said. "Now, was there something you wished to ask me about?"

"Yes," the Professor replied. "It's come to my attention that you've taken an interest in Lance's development here at the Institute."

Alchemist nodded in acknowledgement. "Yeah, I have…"

"I'm pleased. I know that there is considerable friction between many of the X-Men and Lance due to their history, and I was afraid that if none of his peers stepped forward to help him along, his resentment might only strengthen."

"That's still a real possibility, Professor," Alchemist said. "I'm the most worried about Scott. Lance and he have a strong rivalry due to them having been junior leaders of their respective teams. Lance still carries a guarded bravado around him, resistant of offers for help or guidance, and…" Alchemist chose his next words carefully. "…still chooses more disrespectful means of addressing his teammates."

"Old habits are often hard to break," the Professor said. "…and his guard is not unmerited either. I know that he has had…colorful interactions with you before, but to all appearances, he doesn't appear to despise you as personally as a few others."

"We battled against each other a few times over the course of the past year, but never one-on-one. Any resentment is likely just on a professional level, so to speak."

"Perhaps that might prove beneficial to us," the Professor surmised. "Lance is very guarded understandably, but I believe that he will lower his guard as long as we keep our emotions in check."

"I agree," Alchemist said. "…but I am a little concerned that Lance's attitude with some of the more obstinate members my aggravate things."

"Yes, I fear that you are right…"

XXXXXXXXXX

February 3rd, 2012 – 4:57 PM

Another day, another training session. Avalanche and the rest of the New Mutants were waiting their turns on a new exercise headed by Wolverine. On the grounds, Wolverine had set up a field where on one end was the party of students, while on the other end…was a lot of nothing.

Avalanche blinked in confusion. "What? Are we playing tag or something? Where's the actual training?"

Wolverine growled, but Alchemist who stood nearby with a clipboard cut in. "A little word of advice, Lance: when it comes to Logan's training sessions, expect the unexpected."

"If you two are quite done," Wolverine growled. "We have this little thing called training that I want to get done before the next New Years, so pipe down!"

"Sorry, Logan," Alchemist apologized.

"Man," Avalanche thought to himself. "Who pissed in his cereal?"

"Listen up, kids," Wolverine continued. "In this exercise, you are supposed to defend yourself from whatever gets thrown at you, near and far. Each of you will take turns standing in the middle of that field where that circle is and think fast."

All the New Mutants looked to see a modest circle in the area created only like a quarter-foot-tall fencing like. It reminded Avalanche of the throwing circles the track team often used.

"If anything—and I mean anything—gets in that circle with you, your turn is over. Red will be observing every one of your performances and then will inform Scarface of the results for record. She will not be assisting, but she will stop the exercise for you if anything gets in that circle with you. Anything gets in that circle, you're done. You step out of that circle, you're done. Capiche?"

"If we collapse on the ground and cry, we're done?" came a quip from Iceman.

Wolverine stepped right up to him and growled. "Looks like the comedian is volunteering to go first. In the circle, Freezer…"

The New Mutants stifled a chuckle as Iceman practically skulked his way towards the circle. Avalanche merely rolled his eyes. A defensive exercise? Kids stuff. When was the real training going to start?

Iceman stepped into the circle, and almost as soon as he did, a turret rose from nearby bushes and immediately opened fire. Iceman barely had the nerve to summon enough ice between him and the turret to shield himself, but before he could steady himself, another turret focused on him and fired spinning saw blades. Iceman fired ice beams to freeze them into place, the extra weight causing them to veer off course…all save for one which Iceman had turned his back to because he thought he had sufficiently frozen it.

Marvel Girl, who had been floating above the course and keeping tabs on the New Mutants, caught it with her telekinesis as soon as it entered the circle. "You're out, Iceman!"

Iceman turned to Marvel Girl. "Oh, come on!"

"Sorry, Bobby," Marvel Girl said. "A saw blade entered the ring."

Iceman turned to see the frozen blade suspended in air still. Defeated, he returned to the group.

As Alchemist wrote down Iceman's score based on Marvel Girl's feedback being beamed into his head, Wolverine called up the next one. "Your next, Jube…"

Jubilee gulped but made her way to the circle. In a similar fashion to Iceman, as soon as she stepped in, turrets opened fire at her, but she was ready for them having seen Iceman's round. Her pyrotechnic plasmoids weren't particularly defensive in strength, but they messed with the sensors of the turrets, throwing off their aim. She was able to disorient the turrets for a solid thirty seconds before one popped up and fired bolas that tripped her up.

"You're out, Jubilee!" Marvel Girl said. "Not bad though!"

Jubilee took the compliment, but still felt like a failure for messing up so soon.

Avalanche watched the rest of the New Mutants attempt the test with varying success—depending on who was thinking—while dealing with a growing feeling of boredom. His powers weren't activated, yet his leg was jumping more than his signature tremors as he sat and waited. He began to feel a strange respect for Pietro's impatience.

Finally, it was Avalanche's turn. He stood up as several Multiple clones came back to the field, looking dejected. Alchemist was voicing his concerns about the scoring. "I'm not sure if it was that fair for Multiple to be scored so harshly, Logan. His powers aren't particularly useful in a contained field like that."

Wolverine glared at Alchemist. "A good offense is the best defense, Scarface. If any of these kids put themselves in a box, their powers won't do them much good out there in the real world."

Avalanche had overheard Wolverine's take on the matter, and he quickly got an idea how he could finish this test fast. "Can I wrap this up already, old man?" he said.

Wolverine's glare shot to Avalanche, and the latter somehow managed to not clench up inside. "Shut your mouth and get out there…"

Avalanche suppressed the urge to roll his eyes for the umpteenth time but didn't respond. As he was closing in on the circle, he stealthily reached out with his seismokinetic powers to feel the area, ready to strike as soon as the test commenced.

Sure enough, as soon as he stepped in, he heard the turrets begin to rise. At once, he smashed his foot down into the dirt. A seismic shockwave fired off in all directions, shaking the earth all around him and shaking the turrets so violently that some collapsed while others bent at unnatural angles, all ceasing function. In just seconds, the field was clear. No more turrets rose up to challenge him.

Marvel Girl had watched the entire series of events with bewildered amazement. There was no need to beam her opinions on scoring to Alchemist, who was steadying himself from the tremors. When Wolverine recovered, he looked at the carnage and frowned. Alchemist simply pursed his lips briefly before writing down a score. "A good offense is the best defense, or so I'm told…"

Wolverine glowered at Alchemist as the New Mutants surrounded Avalanche, their voices crashing together in a cacophony of praise and affection for his performance. Avalanche smugly smiled as he said. "And that's how it's done."

Marvel Girl stood nearby, having freshly floated back down to earth, crossing her arms and smiling with amusement. He could only imagine how Scott would feel if Avalanche quickly became an X-Man. He did have the potential, no one could deny that.

XXXXXXXXXX

February 4th, 2012 – 2:04 PM

The next training session for the New Mutants took place in the heated indoor pool. On the deep end of the pool stood Wolfsbane, Iceman, Avalanche and Cannonball, bracing themselves for the start of the exercise. In the poll across from the four New Mutants were four X-Men in swimwear, namely Nightcrawler, Alchemist, Rogue and Shadowcat. Judging from the side was Cyclops, Colossus and Marvel Girl.

"All right, New Mutants," Cyclops started. "Your task is to rescue your drowning victims quickly and safely. You only have thirty seconds to rescue your assigned victim. Wolfsbane, you have Nightcrawler. Iceman, you have Alchemist. Avalanche, you have Rogue. Cannonball, you have Shadowcat."

Avalanche frowned; not only did he not get paired with Shadowcat, but he got paired with Rogue. Full body scuba suit notwithstanding, he didn't want Rogue six feet from him, much less right next to him. He'd been drained once before, and he wasn't looking forward to another dose of that. Avalanche knew he would have to do something about that.

"All right, everyone!" Cyclops bellowed. "To your marks…"

All four lined up.

"Get set…"

All four tensed.

Cyclops looked at Marvel Girl, who held up a stopwatch. Nodding, he put a whistle in his mouth a gave it a shrill blow.

Wolfsbane transformed into a red-furred wolf and dove into the water, doggy paddling towards her assigned victim. Iceman iced himself up and created an ice bridge to glide down towards Alchemist, reaching his victim first.

While Iceman was pulling Alchemist from the water, Cannonball got into the water while Avalanche launched a life preserver. "Catch, Rogue!"

Rogue was so surprised at being addressed that she only had time to look up before she took the life preserver to the head.

"Lance, be careful!" Cyclops yelled.

Avalanche didn't seem to hear Cyclops, only choosing to dive right in. He did not like swimming as his powers didn't work as well in the water, but he was going to do this session his way. Cannonball was only a little bit ahead of him, but Avalanche had caught up. Cannonball was on his way to Shadowcat when he suddenly felt himself getting hip-checked. He was so surprised that his powers activated and he veered off course…and right into Rogue.

"Have to admit," Avalanche thought to himself. "That worked out better than I hoped." He quickly swam towards his new victim of choice: Shadowcat.

Shadowcat saw Avalanche in front of her, smiling. She had watched the entire ordeal from her position, but she couldn't bring herself to be annoyed. Sighing, she said hollowly, "My hero…"

"You know it!" Avalanche said, scooping up Shadowcat and taking her to the shallow side of the pool and up the ladder.

Cyclops was on him like an angry goose. "Wrong victim, Alvers, and you just wiped out two people!"

Avalanche cast an uncaring glance towards where Rogue and Cannonball landed. They looked a little rattled, but otherwise unharmed. Marvel Girl was checking up on them. He looked back at Cyclops. "Yeah, but look at who I saved."

Shadowcat rolled her eyes. "Lance, that wasn't the point of the exercise, you know?"

Cyclops' mouth pursed at the lack of reproach in Shadowcat's voice, but he decided to remain focused on Avalanche. "Alvers, you don't get to pick and choose who to rescue. This is not a game!"

"They're fine, Summers," Avalanche said sharply. "I'd say open your eyes, but…"

Before anyone could continue the argument, Rogue came stomping by and shoved both Avalanche and Shadowcat back into the water. "Jerks…"

Iceman and Alchemist made their way past an irate Rogue and thought better than to talk to her. "So…who won?" Iceman said.

Alchemist winced despite his shivering; he knew that was the wrong thing to say.

"It's not about winning, Bobby!" Cyclops exclaimed as he pointed to a floundering Avalanche. "You're just as bad as he is! This is not a joke, this is not a contest, this is not a game!"

Marvel Girl came up, knowing that she needed to intercede fast. "Scott, take five!"

Cyclops looked at Marvel Girl. "But—"

"Take…five!" Marvel Girl said more insistently.

Cyclops looked ready to pop, but instead thought better than to argue. Huffing once, he spun around on his feet and left the pool area.

Shadowcat climbed out of the pool, followed by a bewildered Avalanche. "Wow, I totally never seen Scott so mad before…"

Iceman crossed his arms. "He could really learn to chill, and that's coming from me…"

"Bobby!" Alchemist and Marvel Girl shouted in unison, causing Iceman to jump.

"What?!" said a bewildered Iceman.

"Scott may have overdone it, Bobby," Alchemist said. "…but he was right about one thing: this is not a game. Hit the showers…"

Iceman looked angrily for a moment, but thought better himself. He left quietly.

Alchemist turned to Avalanche. "And Lance?"

"What?!" he replied sharply.

"Lance!" Shadowcat intervened.

"It's all right, Kitty," Alchemist said, and continued at Avalanche. "Lance, we get it. There's something going on between you two, and it's sweet, but you don't need to constantly prove it with these antics. Dial it back a notch and keep it out of the training sessions. When we're in uniform, we're all business. Personal relationships can't interfere with the mission, or else they could get compromised. Just…try to understand that, all right?"

Avalanche simply glowered at Alchemist. "Noted. You done?"

"Lance!" Shadowcat said again.

Alchemist sighed. "Yeah, I'm done…"

"Good." Avalanche decided to leave.

"Lance, come on!" Shadowcat followed him out.

Alchemist sighed, suppressing a shiver as he stood there in nothing but his wet swimming trunks. Colossus, who had chosen to remain silent for the entire venture, decided to speak up. "Are you all right, Jason?"

"I'm fine," Alchemist said. "I was worried that this drama would start boiling over, and I'm afraid we're getting to that point…"

Marvel Girl put a hand on his shoulder. "You're doing what you can, Jason…"

"Thanks, Jean," Alchemist said. "I'm worried about Scott though. I think old grudges are going to win out…"

"Yeah, I'm afraid you are right…," Jean concurred.

Colossus nodded, and as he did, his eyes drifted down over Alchemist's body…and briefly looked further down. At once, he blushed and turned away, clearing his throat.

Both Marvel Girl and Alchemist heard it. Alchemist spoke first. "Peter? What's wrong?"

Colossus looked back at Alchemist, and his gaze fell again for the briefest of seconds, causing him to look way again, stammering. "I…I…"

Marvel Girl couldn't help but feel Colossus' thoughts, and against her better judgement, she looked herself. She turned away herself, blushing as red as her hair and cleared her throat herself.

"What?" Alchemist said. "What got you two all flustered?"

"Oh…" Marvel Girl tried very hard to order her own thoughts before answering, but there's only so much one can do. "…we're just trying to think about other things besides the produce section at the grocery store."

Alchemist blinked in confusion. "What?!"

Colossus looked again, and quickly looked away, trying every impulse not to stare. "Jason…you—your…"

"Just look down, Jason," Jean said, refusing to look.

Alchemist looked down, and then he saw how much his swimming trunks were plastered against his lower half in great detail. Now it was his turn to blush. "Shit!" Alchemist stuck his hands in the pockets and tried to fluff out the shorts to hide the downstairs, but the shorts were working against him.

"You can leave now, Jason," Marvel Girl said.

"Yeah, I will," Alchemist said quickly, and made his way to the lockers to change into something drier…and less clingy.

Marvel Girl sensed that Colossus was fighting more looks towards Alchemist. Marvel Girl sighed internally; these two were fighting their impulses with each other way too much, and she wanted them to just get together already. Maybe she might have to do something about it after all or else it would drive her crazy…

…and judging by what she saw, they were both going to be very happy once they did.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Lance, come on!" Kitty said. "Stop walking away and let's talk about it!"

"What's there to talk about?" Lance said. "Everyone here is way too uptight!"

"I told you that this wasn't going to be a walk in the park, you know!" Kitty replied. "You think we just sit around the house like the rest of the Brotherhood? Being an X-Man takes constant training, and yeah, it can totally suck, but it's what we got to do!"

Lance fumed inside, but he knew that Kitty was right. Considering how many times the X-Men tangled with the Brotherhood and were victorious most if not all the time, that wasn't something you just did. Still, would it kill the X-Men to just chill for a little while? "I hear what you're saying, Kitty, but you have to admit, sometimes the others act like we will all die if we just take it easy for just a moment."

Kitty sighed. She should have known that Lance wouldn't understand that the X-Men weren't just the opposing side; they were a peacekeeping force that required constant vigilance. "I feel you, Lance, but we do get to have our personal time, but training isn't that time."

Lance scoffed. "You sound like all the school counselors we had in the last school we were in."

Kitty put her hands on her hips. "Lance! I'm trying to help you here! Can you please listen for like just a sec?"

Lance forced himself to calm down. He was frustrated, but it wasn't fair to take it out on Kitty, and he knew it. "Fine, sorry, Kitty…"

Kitty relaxed before continuing. "It's like I said: things are much stricter around here, but even Scott knows that we all have to blow off steam once in a while. Jason knows that better than most, honestly."

Lance made a strange face at hearing that. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Kitty looked conflicted for a moment. "Let's just say that he's been through much more than most of us our age would ever expect to go through."

Lance didn't answer right away, but he felt he had to ask. "Is that why he has the scar all over his face?"

"Well, there is that," Kitty conceded. "…but lately Jason's been pushing himself much harder due to what happened—" Kitty checked herself, realizing that she nearly said something about the Deathstrike incident to someone who—by hierarchy standards—wasn't someone fully privy to everything to what happened.

Lance was waiting for Kitty to continue, growing confused when she did not. "What happened…what?"

Kitty looked at Lance, warring between two logics. Lance wasn't an X-Man yet, so she wasn't sure how much information she should be sharing, but he was a New Mutant officially, and even they were fairly knowledgeable about that night. However, could Lance use it against them?

"Hello? Kitty?"

Kitty shook herself out of her introspection. "Sorry, Lance, just thinking."

Lance crossed his arms. "Well?"

Kitty sighed. She opened the can of worms; and it was too late to clean up all the dirt and grime now. "A couple of weeks ago, someone cornered us inside the Danger Room, someone that wanted to kill all of us."

Lance almost scoffed at that, but he suddenly noticed the heaviness of Kitty's tone and the haunted look on her face. "You're not kidding, are you?"

"Do I look like I'm kidding, Lance?"

Lance wasn't sure how to react. On one hand, what Kitty said sounded completely exaggerated, but on the other hand, the look on Kitty's face was almost bedeviled. Kitty wasn't the bravest of girls—as a matter of fact, Lance always kind of considered her a little delicate—but never had he seen her this haunted before. "What happened?"

Kitty bit her lip. "Some person that Jason had met twice before and barely escaped with his life found us here. She almost killed Jason more than once, and this time around, we all teamed up to stop her, but she was so fast and relentless. She almost got us…until Jason killed her."

"Wait, he did what?!"

"You heard me, Lance…"

He did, but he still couldn't believe it. Jason killed someone? That's something that none of the Brotherhood could say about themselves, and he would hazard a guess that most on the X-Men themselves could either—he could only think of one who possibly did immediately. "H-how?"

At that simple question, Kitty recoiled. Her mind conjured images of seeing Jason all bloodied up and seeing a deformed corpse behind him. Kitty wasn't in the room when it happened—she had been getting the others out and only Scott, Jean and Piotr were there to see it up close—but what she had seen was enough to haunt her for a while. She heard that Jason had refused to talk about it to most everyone, and she herself had seen Jason's overall demeanor grow more enclosed as a result. "I don't know…and it's not my place to say even if I knew." Kitty turned to Lance. "If you really wanna know…you know who to ask, if he will talk about it."

"But—"

"Ask Jason, Lance," Kitty said. "…but don't be mad if he doesn't tell you. He's been spending some additional time in the Danger Room for private sessions since then. You might find him there…" Kitty turned to leave but stopped herself. Sighing, she turned back to Lance. "Lance, Jason may not say it, but he genuinely wants you to be an X-Man."

That surprised Lance. He half-expected Jason to be just as much as against the notion as all the others. "Well, he certainly doesn't show it…"

"He has to be impartial, Lance," Kitty said like it was obvious. "…but he wants you to succeed. It's Scott you might have to watch out for. He's our junior leader, and he's a little…stuck in his ways."

Lance crossed his arms. "He's got something stuck, that's for sure…"

Kitty choked back a laugh but recomposed himself. "Anyway, this is about the time that Jason usually goes to his solo training. You might catch him once he's out."

Kitty finally left, leaving Lance to his thoughts. He wasn't sure he even wanted to talk to Jason, but after hearing what he heard, how could he not? What in the world could have driven Jason to kill? There was always this running joke among the Brotherhood boys that Jason was a nutcase—after all you can't get an ugly scar like he did and not be crazy, right?—but was that enough to kill someone? Would Jason snap if he asked?

Lance was confident in his own skills to handle Jason on a normal day, but Jason's raw power was something beyond his comprehension. Jason was able to be creative with his power making him unpredictable. What would a crazy Jason do with them?

Lance decided perhaps he should watch Jason first. You could never be too careful…

XXXXXXXXXX

Meanwhile, in the Danger Room, Alchemist—having dawned his uniform again—stood silently in the middle of the room, eyes closed and breathing evenly. It had been over two weeks since the events with Deathstrike, and he'd been counting the days silently since then. He had elected to spend some extra time in the Danger Room doing solo exercises to master his mutant ability of transmutation.

Since Asteroid M, he had unlocked the capability to use his alchemy without any form of a physical activation mechanism. He simply needed to think about it and understand the transmutation to perform it. The lack of physical activation made restraining his powers more difficult, and both he and Dr. Strange had to intensify their exercises to discipline his mind to not activate them accidentally. For about a month, he thought he was doing well…until the night with Deathstrike.

He felt his power grow in his hands as his mind flashed to that night. He regulated his breathing and focused on that. He hadn't spoken to many people about it—namely Jean, Piotr and the Professor—and he had counted on the others to not bring it up with him so he could focus on recovery. He did confide in Scott about his new difficulty handling his power at this point, and Scott was quite empathetic given his own inability to control his powers fully.

He opened his eyes and took a deep breath. Let's try this again… "Danger Room, activate training simulation codename Dead City, difficulty level 7."

"Scanning," said a polite female synthetic voice as a thin beam of light shone over Alchemist's form. "User recognized. User X-10; codename: Alchemist. Voiceprint required for level 7 difficulty. Confirm?"

"Confirmed."

"Voiceprint accepted. Preparing simulation. Simulation commencing in 5 seconds…"

Alchemist braced himself.

"3…2…1…Good luck…"

The room changed from the steel dome of the Danger Room's interior to a desolate city landscape, destroyed by a volcanic inferno and populated only by fiery demons. It was both an unnerving and amusing exercise, and he had to wonder who initially programmed it since it reminded him of a video game.

Alchemist took off at a run, and at once was assailed by minor demons. Alchemist transmuted the ground to throw them into the air, allowing him to proceed without battling. The goal of the Dead City exercise was to get to the other side without taking a single hit. It was challenging, and there were a lot of ways to take damage, safeguards notwithstanding.

A near-platoon was between him and the next area, and he knew that he couldn't hope to get through them, so he had to get around them somehow. Looking around quickly, he espied a rusted I-beam sticking out from the side of the building, pointing towards the horde. Smiling, he got an idea. He transmuted a platform to raise himself up to the beam. That transmutation attracted the demons' attention, and they came swarming. "All the better," Jason thought to himself.

Climbing onto the beam, he stepped towards the end of it, summoning his powers from within and firing them into the beam, bending it downwards. Crouching as he does, he steeled himself for what he was planning to do. This would require precise timing, and the demons weren't about to let him try more than once.

As the demons clambered up the transmuted column to varying degrees of success, Alchemist counted down his head. Finally, he re-transmuted the beam to bend sharply upwards, while at the same time jumping. The amplified thrust fired him over the entire group and to the other side. He quickly transmuted a magnetic field around himself to slow him down, preventing an unceremonious if not painful landing. It was a trick he learned from battling Magneto, but he could only do it for a few seconds due to the energy needed to maintain it.

He took off for the next area, a much narrower field of access and over a large lava pit, and no other way to get across. Alchemist knew a trap where she saw one, and there was no way to avoid detection. However, there was no choice. Alchemist took off at a run. It didn't take long for the ambush to be sprung. Flying demons flew in from all directions, and to Alchemist's annoyance, they were content to stay at range and simply open fire at him. Dodging some fire and using quick transmutations to block others, he pressed on as fast as he could. He knew that stopping on this bridge was suicide, but rushing was just as bad.

Suddenly, he felt the heat of one blast come too close to him. That near miss enraged him to the point of shooting fire himself. "That's enough!" Throwing his hands out, his body fired an alchemic pulse that disintegrated the demon's sulfurous bodies…most of them rather. One was able to recover and fire a fireball right at a recovering Alchemist, striking him in the leg.

As Alchemist collapsed to the ground, the simulation instantly melted away, returning to grey monotony of the Danger Room.

"Mission failed. Would you like to retry?"

Alchemist hissed a curse at his injured leg. He took his hand off the wound, and he saw only swelling and a minor burn. Despite the appearance of fire, what he ended up getting was little more than a stun laser burn. Still, it hurt more than it looked. He worked himself back up to a standing position, kicking himself. He did worse this time than last time. He wasn't about to end today on a low note. "Confirmed. Repeat exercise."

"Acknowledged. Restarting exercise in ten…nine…"

Alchemist brushed off the pain and prepared for another attempt, shaking off his frustrations at losing so fast.

Suddenly, the countdown stopped. "Override received and acknowledged. Countdown aborted."

"Wait, what?" Alchemist said. "I did not issue an override!"

"I'm sorry, Jason…"

Alchemist felt a breeze pick up as he spun around to face the source of the voice. "Storm?" Sure enough, Storm descended from the observation nest above the room, her trademark winds rustling her hair as well as Alchemist's. "What did you do that for, Storm? I wasn't done!"

"Jason…," Storm simply said gently. "…the exercise can wait."

Alchemist sighed. He knew what was coming. "How was Wakanda…?"

Storm crossed her arms. She knew Alchemist was deflecting, but it wouldn't do well to call it out. "It was relaxing and refreshing. It's healthy to take time to oneself and reflect." She turned serious. "I'm sorry that my time away from here has not been as beneficial for most of you here."

Alchemist turned away, trying to banish the images of that night. "What did the Professor tell you?"

Storm's blue eyes softened. "Enough."

Alchemist dared to look at Storm again and saw compassion in her eyes. He wasn't sure if that was any better, despite how much time had passed. "I'm fine, Storm, I really am…"

Storm looked down at the leg wound had hurt. "You're hurt, Jason…"

Alchemist looked briefly at the wound but paid it little mind. "It's nothing…"

"Let me treat it in the infirmary…"

Alchemist was about to sharply affirm his stance, but his mind flashed back to the time the last time someone offered to help him when he got hurt in the Danger Room. He had no desire to repeat that chain of events. "I'm really ok, Storm," he said, struggling to keep his voice even. "It's not as bad as it feels…"

Storm knew he was masking effort, but she wasn't sure if it was for the pain or his emotions. "Come, Jason, let's talk."

Alchemist sighed. He knew there was no getting out of this; he might as well get it over with. "I won't need the infirmary. It's nothing a cold compress won't cure." He looked at Storm. "What did the Professor tell you?"

Storm crossed his arms; she knew what Alchemist was referring to. "Like I said: enough," she answered. "…but he chose to leave out a crucial issue…"

That piqued Alchemist's interest. "What's that?"

"Your welfare."

Alchemist could only stare.

"He did not mention that you've been spending extra time in the Danger Room for reasons you've chosen to keep to yourself, which I respect," Storm continued. "…but I would be remiss if I wasn't concerned for you."

Alchemist looked away, stung by Storm's kindness. He only recently became an X-Man, and in a large part, Storm's equal in form of ranking, but Storm had both a motherly kindness like a spring morning. While he hadn't been on missions with Storm yet, her prowess of the elements was legendary. To have all that power inside a kind heart was both amazing and gratifying.

Alchemist took a few steps towards another part of the room as Storm watched silently. Alchemist stopped and looked down at a nondescript portion of the floor. "It was right here," he said and pointed to the floor. He noted grimly how clean the floor looked; there was no mark to show what befell here only a couple of weeks ago. "We all held out ground here and we managed to pin her down over there." Alchemist pointed to the far wall. "We thought we had knocked her out enough to figure out what to do next, but she came shrieking out of the smoke…and…then…" Alchemist clamped his eyes shut and turned away, hearing that shriek in his mind again as well as the miasma of her blood. "I…I lost control, Storm…"

He dared to look at Storm who had not moved. When Storm didn't say anything, he continued. "It was so fast…she came right out, her claws shooting right at my head…and in that moment…I..." Alchemist sighed as the memories came rushing back. "…I just moved and the next thing I know, my powers acted for me. I killed her, Storm…because I didn't have control…"

Alchemist looked at Storm again. "That's why I've been locking myself in here, to try to get more control on my powers." He looked at his hand, sparkling with alchemic power. "I keep trying to keep my head cool in bad situations, but…it's been a challenge…" He remembered his outburst of emotion in the most recent exercise in retaliation to a near-miss.

Storm smiled as she put her hands on her hips. "Jason, respectfully, you are going about this the wrong way."

Alchemist looked at Storm, one of his thick eyebrows up in confusion.

"You already have extensive control of your powers, so they are not the problem. The problem lies deeper within."

Alchemist blinked. "How do you figure?"

Storm's eyes grew sad. "Because I too had my moment with trauma."

Alchemist's eyes softened. "You did?"

"Yes…," Storm said, her tone growing heavier. "My mother was a priestess of a small tribe in Africa, known for their skills in sorcery, while my father was a photojournalist. One day, we were in the Middle East when a suicide bomber drove his vehicle into the embassy we were at. My parents were killed, and I was buried beneath a mountain of rubble. I was only six years old." Storm rubbed her arm, clearly uncomfortable with these recollections. "My powers awoke underneath the rubble, creating a massive whirlwind that silenced the voices of war and hatred around me. The next thing I remember was being in a hospital in Cairo, and in the years that followed, I survived by stealing what I could. I used my powers to keep my pursuers at bay. I'm not proud of what I did, but at the time, I did what I thought I needed to. That was until the Professor found me and liberated me from my chains, both without and within."

Storm looked at Alchemist, smiling. "It is not your power that struck down your adversary, Jason. It was you…"

Alchemist looked stung, feeling the voices accusing him of murder rise to the surface. He hadn't forgotten the first nightmare he had experienced since that harrowing night.

He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. "…you saved your team and yourself from certain death. You did not lose control; you had no choice."

Alchemist looked at Storm, his eyes disbelieving. "I've been told that a lot of times, Storm, but I still don't think I believe it. Even if it were true, that means I intended to transmute the metal in her body to crush her heart and skull like it did. There are only two alternatives: either I lost control and caused her death unintentionally, or I intended to do so and that I killed her deliberately." He looked away again. "Neither option leaves me room for grace from anyone, least of all myself."

Storm sighed. "Jason, there is a third alternative…"

Alchemist looked back at Storm.

"…that Deathstrike invited her demise by throwing herself at you."

Alchemist blinked, but Storm pressed on. "Deathstrike proved herself to you and everyone that she would not settle for anything less than your deaths. If you hesitated, you would have been killed, of that I am most certain. She had to have known the odds were against her, but she foolishly chose to challenge you one last time, hoping to catch you off guard. She failed and suffered final consequences. Had you not acted, you and maybe others might have been killed or seriously hurt."

Alchemist turned away. "But—"

Storm grabbed his shoulder and turned him back towards her. "Jason, listen to me. She made the move to kill you; you did not force her. You cannot predict how people will react, Jason; you can only control how you respond. What happened was terrible, but you did what you had to. No one here is blaming you for anything, and if anyone is, they are grossly misinformed."

Alchemist could only look in silence as Storm commanded his attention. Storm possessed this gravitas that commanded the conversation whatever it was, and Alchemist always felt like not giving a grain less of full attention was disrespectful. Storm was doing everything in her power to expel Alchemist's guilt, and he was wanting her to do it, but it had a firm grip on his soul. Ashamed, he looked down. "I wish I could absolve myself, Storm…I really do…"

Storm smiled. "Because you do not require absolution. You simply need to believe in yourself."

Alchemist looked back up, his eyes wet. No one has ever told him to simply do that.

"This might be bold of me to suggest, but you spent most of the term last year assuaging Piotr's own personal demons based on his own personal guilt. Perhaps you should allow him to do the same."

That forced a smile on Alchemist's face. "Yeah, I guess I should follow my own advice, shouldn't I?"

"We are often our own worst critics," Storm said, smiling as well. "Immune to the very guidance we offer. It's simply another part of being human, mutant or otherwise."

Alchemist had to agree. "I suppose so…" He smiled again. "Thanks, Storm. Like I said to the Professor, this will still take time for me, and I hope you all remain patient with me…but I think I can go without another training session today."

Storm smiled again. "A wise decision. I believe Hank is in the infirmary if you wish to get that wound looked at."

Alchemist sighed. "All right, I'll go. 'Tis only a flesh wound, though…," he quipped as he made his way around Storm with an exaggerated limp.

Storm rolled her eyes. Boys will be boys, indeed.

"Oh, Storm?"

Storm turned to Alchemist.

"Thanks."

Storm smiled. "You're welcome, Jason…"

Alchemist made his way out of the Danger Room, casting aside his limp and feeling if not just a little bit better about things for the first time in the last few weeks. Storm was right, he kept telling himself, trying to squash the doubts. In fact, she was more correct than she probably intended. He did need to talk to Piotr and soon.

He only hoped he didn't wait too long.

XXXXXXXXXX

Sunday, February 5th, 2012 – 7:32 PM

Sunday evening hosted another training session with the New Mutants including Avalanche. Several of the members were required to go around the circumference of the Danger Room while dodging random obstacles. Alchemist—once again on supervision duties—watched with mild amusement that this was the exercise he first did when he came, but a more difficult version.

Laser turrets fired at the New Mutants, each one dodging the fire while others trying to take out the turrets. Cannonball managed to take out two turrets while Berzerker handled a third, permitting Magma, Iceman and Jubilee to proceed. Spikes shooting from the wall and ground, attempting to impale the students, but they were all too for them. Avalanche fell behind briefly, trying to get a read on the next area, and was promptly greeted by a wall that rose right up from the floor, blocking him.

"Psh, like that will stop me…," he thought to himself as he vaulted himself over…and almost right into a spike trap. Suppressing a yelp, he twisted himself to fall right between them by pure instinct. He lay there momentarily, frozen by his near escape.

"Snap out of it, Avalanche!" shouted Alchemist. "Your teammates are well ahead of you!"

Avalanche climbed to his feet, biting back a nasty remark. He ran to catch up, noting that the rest of the New Mutants were fairly far ahead of him at this point. The spikes attacked him as well, forcing him to dodge and duck as he ran. He took a tumble at one point, falling onto his back, a spike nearly missing his downstairs.

Meanwhile, Iceman, Jubilee, Magma and Cannonball had reached the finish line. Berzerker was right behind them, but not knocked off his feet by a turret that hit the ground behind him. Jubilee was helping Berzerker up when Avalanche came running. Before he could cross it, the buzzer sounded, causing all the New Mutants to moan in frustration.

"Time's up, team…," Alchemist said, meeting them at the finish line.

"Come on, Jason!" Iceman said. "Can't you cut us a break? We were this close!"

"My father used to say that close counts only in horseshoes and hand grenades," Alchemist said.

"But it was Lance who—"

"Did any of you go back to assist him?"

None of the others answered, only looked at each other guiltily aside from Avalanche.

"Even if all of you crossed the finish line within the time limit," Alchemist said. "Points would have been still deducted for not acting as a cohesive unit. You all are expected to pull your weight, but you also need to watch each other's backs. There's a much harder version of this test for the X-Men, and more points are deducted for squad behavior than not reaching the goal. If any of you have any hope to join the X-Men, you have to be able to work as a team."

Avalanche crossed his arms. He was perceptive enough to know that Alchemist wasn't focusing the lecture on any one person. Still, he didn't like being lectured, but having heard about what Alchemist did weeks ago, he felt better to stay silent.

Alchemist turned his head slightly, towards Avalanche, and his eyes bulged in alarm. "Lance, heads—"

Avalanche found himself smacked from behind by one of the course's obstacles as it swung around, sending him to the floor quite unceremoniously. Alchemist was at his side at once. "You all right, Lance?"

Avalanche picked himself up, wincing slightly but brushed it off. "I'm fine, Downs…"

Alchemist pressed his lips, but when he heard the other New Mutants chortling at the incident, he fixed them all with a glare. "So that was funny?"

The New Mutants immediately shut up.

Alchemist rose up slowly like a storm cloud about to erupt. "Locker room, all of you, before I ask Logan to sub me for the next session."

The New Mutants left, not daring to argue despite wishing they could.

Alchemist placed a hand on the offending machine, his lips pressed with annoyance. He noted that Avalanche still had not left. "Yes, Lance?"

Avalanche had not expected to be addressed. He was simply looking at Alchemist in a new light after what he learned. Shaking himself out of it, he turned to leave. "Nothing, Scarhead…"

"See you later then," Alchemist said.

As Avalanche left the room, Alchemist watched him go through the corner of his eye. When he was far enough away, Alchemist raised a hand to his ear and touched a button. "What the hell was that?" he said.

"What do you mean?" replied a voice over the comm. It was Cyclops.

"Don't give me that, Scott," Alchemist said sharply. "There are three of you up there last I checked. Kitty isn't the type, Kurt knows better than to do anything like this while on probation still, which leaves…"

There was a pause that confirmed Alchemist's suspicions. Finally, Cyclops replied back. "It was just a joke, Jason…"

"That's very uncharacteristic coming from you, Scott," Alchemist charged. "Even then, targeting the one you have the most issues with only makes this worse. You're not fooling anyone. I expect better from our junior leader. Alchemist, out…"

Alchemist yanked the earpiece from his year before Scott could respond. He was afraid that this might happen, and if it continued unchecked, it could drive Avalanche away, and what worried Alchemist the most is that was exactly what Cyclops wants to happen.

XXXXXXXXXX

Monday, February 6th, 2012 – 7:42 AM

The school week began, and Lance had offered a ride to a couple of his New Mutant peers to school. Despite them being rather annoying, he did find their love for fun and goofing off often more appealing company than the X-Men members themselves. It wasn't the first time he thought that being an X-Man wasn't for him, but all the New Mutants wanted to be X-Men as well, so if he decided to not join them, it would be a one-man team. While that was fine for him, he'd rather be on the same team as Kitty.

He noted that Scott and Kurt were right behind his group, and he could only imagine that Scott was still not happy about his enrollment here. If sticking around made Scott more and more frustrated, that was just another perk. He would be lying if he didn't admit that it was aggravating on occasion.

The garage doors opened, allowing Lance and his group to get into his jeep. As he did, he happened to look at Scott's typically immaculate red convertible…most days.

Lance smiled. "Love what you did with your car, Summers…"

Scott looked at Lance surprised, and this his eyes fell on his cars. "What the—?"

Sure enough, Scott's car looked like it had been chased by a demolition derby. Mud caked the chassis, the bumper was bent downwards and one of the headlights was broken.

"The mud is a nice touch…" Lance shot in before driving off. "See ya!"

"Hey! Alvers!" Scott cried out after him, but Lance was already gone. Scott was so mad that he might have blown off his glasses by sheer force. Teammate or not, that was too far.

"Well," Kurt said. "I guess we are walking. So much for my Burger Bomb…"

Scott nearly but Kurt's head off, but he held himself back. Kurt was not at fault here, and he didn't need to make things worse. Scott just needed to talk to the Professor about Lance…

XXXXXXXXXX

Bayville High School – 8:51 AM

Lance was on his way to his locker to pick up his books for his first class. As a sophomore, he didn't share many of his classes with his New Mutant acquaintances, and on that subject, he didn't share many classes with Kitty either since she was a Freshman. He looked forward to those even though now they live in the same mansion.

Suddenly, he found himself shoved up against the lockers by one of the largest hands in the school. "Where've you been…buddy?" a big voice said.

Initially, he was surprised, but as he saw the bloated form of the man the hand belonged to, he sighed. He expected this to happen. Sure enough, Fred, Pietro, Todd and even Tabith were all there looking right at him.

"Hands off me, Wide Load!" Lance snapped, shoving Fred's heavy hand off his shoulder.

Fred looked red, but Pietro cut him off. "Wow, like he hasn't heard that one before…"

Tabitha smiled coyly. "You know, we've heard this wild story about you. Wanna hear it? It's about something about you getting chummy and living with the Geek Squad…"

Lance glared at Tabitha. "Is that right?"

"I knew it!" Todd said. "When Mystique finds out—"

"Mystique…" Lance said, pointing a finger in Todd's face. "…is history! She's not coming back! And because she dumped us, the Brotherhood is history! You all need to realize that like I have!"

"Oh yeah?!" Fred said, his voice raising. "You…you…well…you see…"

Pietro rolled his eyes. "Wow, Blob. I've seen the New York Jets fumble more gracefully than you." He returned his focus to Lance to sneer. "So, is that it, Lance? You're becoming an X-Man? One of them?"

"So what if I am?" Lance said solidly.

"What?!" Todd shrieked.

"Aw, man!" Fred finally said. "I used to look up to you, Lance, but now?"

"Please, Blob," Lance said. "The only thing you looked up to was the menu at McDonald's."

"You're full of yourself, Lance," Tabitha said. "Take it from me who was one of them. You'll never fit in…"

"That's fascinating, Tabitha…" said a voice.

All turned to see Jason and Piotr looking at them.

"…because unlike you, he's putting in the effort. That was something I can't say about you."

"Stay out of this, Scarhead!" Pietro said, zipping up to him.

Jason didn't look fazed. "Pietro, ever since our last little skirmish, you're not nearly as threatening."

"I'm still better than you, so don't dare look down at me."

"Well, back in the mall parking lot, that was inevitable."

"Enough," came Piotr's voice. "We must be getting to class…" He glared at everyone else. "…all of us."

"Oh, yeah?" Pietro looked up at Piotr. "What are you going to do about it? Tell the principal on us?"

"He won't have to," came a new voice.

Everyone sprung apart like someone throw a grenade into the hallway. Jason turned to see Principal Kelly come down the room, looking a little annoyed. "Principal Kelly…"

"Mr. Downs," the principal said. "I thought we had an understanding that you would try to reduce confrontations with Mr. Maximoff."

Jason looked down, chastised. "I'm sorry, Principal Kelly…"

"Mr. Maximoff," Principal Kelly said a little harder, noting Pietro's smugness. "Get to your class now."

Pietro looked very close to tell off Principal Kelly, but furtive cutting motions from his teammates were able to dissuade him. Huffing, he left.

"I trust that the rest of you can put your differences aside today and get to your classes…"

"Yes, Principal Kelly," chorused the others.

"Thank you, but further infractions today could merit detention, understood."

Some nodded, while others again chorused their affirmation.

As Principal Kelly left, Jason made eye contact with Lance, who quickly broke it and left. The rest were leaving, but Jason noted that Tabitha remained behind, giving Jason a look. "Oh, boy…," he thought to himself before continuing out loud. "Yes, Tabitha?"

"What's your angle, Jase?"

"My angle?"

"Yeah, like what's your deal with Shakes? He isn't one of you guys at all."

Jason crossed his arms. "Us guys?"

"Yeah, people like uptight…nerdy…good two-shoes!"

Jason pursed his lips. He had no feeling for what Tabitha thought of him, but what annoyed him the most was that he knew that demeaning people she found sticks in mud was a deflection from her own run-ins with the law and that she thought he didn't know any better. Perhaps he needed to weaken her resolve a bit. "Is that what you really think of, and I quote, Wild Blue Yonder Boy?"

Tabitha blanched. "I—well—"

Jason pressed on. "I know that you're impulsive and fun-seeking, and we knew going in that your loyalties were fluid to say the least, bot do you really know your Brotherhood teammates as much as you think you do? You know full well that our tribes—for lack of a batter term—have clashed since each of our respective inceptions. Being with the Brotherhood might require you to stand against us…including Kurt. Is that what you really want?"

Tabitha for once was speechless. She knew enough of the history between the X-Men and the Brotherhood that their intense rivalry often came to literal blows. While relations have chilled slightly since the Brotherhood became leaderless, there was still a mutual resentment and today was no different. If the rivalry heated back up, could it really go back to blows? Could she fight against her former teammates?

Jason turned away to get to his own class. "I'm not going to tell you what to do with your choices, but I hope that you consider the potential range of consequences each one can create. See you later…"

Jason left, leaving Tabitha to her own thoughts. Unbeknownst to either party, Lance had stopped just around the corner and listened in. Not unlike Tabitha, he too switched sides, but he had not fully considered the consequences of that choice. He knew why he switched, but seeing his old teammates against for the first time shook him a bit. He thought he could act tough and shrug it off, but Tabitha's remark about not fitting in cut through his armor. What if she was right? What if after everything he was doing that it would never be good enough for them?

Lance made his way to his own class, his thoughts for the first time in a long time gloomy from the prospect of his choice.

XXXXXXXXXX

It was lunch time in the cafeteria, and Jason was sitting with many of the other Institute students. Much of the talk was about speculation on who was going to ask whom to the upcoming Sadie Hawkins Dance, and Jason quietly thought to himself that he couldn't wait for Friday to get here so the topic should change to something perhaps just a little more edifying. The general consensus seemed to be that many of the girls, including many at the Institute, still haven't asked any of the guys to the dance. From what Jason could see, he was the only one in his circle of friends that was "claimed," as it were, and that was mainly for political reasons, or so Alison has inferred.

The gossip was cut short when a surly Scott came to sit down with them. His stormy demeanor silenced everyone, but he didn't seem to notice as he got immediately started with his lunch. Everyone watched in silence as Scott ate his lunch with a militant discipline. Jason couldn't stand it. "You ok, Scott?"

Scott took the time to swallow. "Just peachy…"

The amount of ice Scott spoke with could have made polar bears fly south for warmer weather. "Did I miss something?"

Kurt decided to answer. "It looks like someone wrecked Scott's car this morning."

Much of the table shared gasps of surprise, shock and horror, but it was all cut silent when Scott said, "Not someone. Lance."

Choruses of "what?" and "really?" scattered around the table before Jason asked. "How do you know that?"

"Who else could it be?" Scott said.

"And by what process of elimination justifies this accusation?" Jason asked.

"If you heard the way Lance crowed when he saw it…," Kurt began.

"Did he say that he did it, Kurt?" Jason asked.

"Well…no…"

"If I had to guess, he found an opportunity to gloat over Scott's misfortune due to their rivalry," Jason analyzed. "He saw it and went for it without hesitation, and that seems completely in character."

"Who else could have done it, Jason?" Scott replied, holding his ground.

"You're asking the wrong person, Scott," Jason replied. "He's the likely suspect based on our prejudices, but is there actual evidence?"

"My car is covered in dirt and got battered like it felt into a sinkhole, something Lance can easily have done."

"Can? Yes. Did?" Jason let the question hang.

"Why are you defending him, Jason?" Kurt asked.

"I'm defending a teammate," Jason replied resolutely. "Lance may not have come from the same place that we did, and our extensive history with the Brotherhood has made us slow to trust them, but how does that make him a culprit?" He looked back at Scott. "Scott, you are understandably upset about your car, and I get it, but what good would it do to blame Lance without proof for something that he might not have done?"

Scott turned away, sour. The logical side of his mind knew that Jason was right, but all the history between them dictated that Lance was responsible, even in a miniscule way.

"Whoever did it definitely should be held accountable, I agree," Jason said. "…and we should figure out a way to see if there's a way to find out. Meanwhile, can we repair your car? You know I can help with that."

Scott began to relax a bit. While Jason was not a mechanic, his powers enabled him to repair surface damage very quickly, and perhaps with some more know-how, perhaps the innards. His car would be in good hands. "I would appreciate that…"

Jason nodded. "I'd be happy to, and once that's over with, we can probably figure out who did damage the car. Unless whoever borrowed it stayed on the grounds—and that is unlikely at best—there had to be an entry made at the front gate keypad. Maybe we could cross-reference—"

"That's a no go, Jason," Scott said a little bitterly. "When Lance first came here, use used his powers to open the front gate and they damaged the panel. We're still waiting on the parts for it…unless you can fix it."

Jason pursed his lips. "I'm still a little shy on handling electronics, especially computers. They're not exactly just a bundle of wires like the things in the you-know-what. What is the ETA of that being fixed, by the way?"

"I think Mr. McCoy said a few more days at least until they got the parts in," Kurt said.

Jason sighed. "Go figure, and why do I have the feeling for as long as this goes, it's only going to invite trouble?"

"Because where Lance goes, trouble goes," Scott said poisonously.

"We're back here again?" Jason said exasperatingly, but stopped himself as Lance himself walked by, and judging by the look on his face, he heard what Scott said.

Jason watched tensely as Lance glowered down at Scott. "Summers…," he greeted coldly.

"Alvers…," Scott greeted back just as icily.

Lance looked at Jason, and seemed to warm up. Cocking up his head in greeting, he continued. "Scarhead…"

Jason rolled his eyes. "Shakes…"

"What's going on over here, guys?" came a chippier voice.

Lance got a new attitude faster than Patti Labelle could ever hope for. "Hi, Pretty Kitty!"

Kitty looked around at the table, which seemed to also adopt a new attitude as well. The shift in tone was not lost on Kitty's part, however, as she cast a glance over the table. "What were you all talking about?"

"Nothing," chorused the table, and even to everyone's surprise, Lance.

Kitty looked suspiciously around the table but didn't seem pressed enough to confront the issue. "Hey, Lance! You sitting with us today?"

Lance stealthily glanced at Scott but looked back at Kitty. "Uh…well…I was thinking about sitting back in the corner table…"

Kitty looked disappointed. "Oh…you sure?"

"Yeah, I think so…"

Kitty looked at the table, looking torn, but she happened to see Jason stealthily give her an approving nod, she brightened up. "Well…can I join you?"

Lance looked up. "Really? You want to?"

"Sure! I mean, I sit with my friends here all the time, and I'm sure they'll be ok with it." She pointedly looked at Scott and Kurt. "Right, guys?"

Jason interceded before Scott or Kurt could retort. "You can sit with whomever you want, Kitty. You don't need our permission. Right, guys?" Jason echoed.

Scott and Kurt didn't seem in the mood to argue now they were facing a battle on two fronts. Choosing to tactfully remain silent, they wordlessly agreed.

"Come on, Lance! You know that lunch here is totally way too short!" Kitty practically dragged Lance to the designated table.

Jason watched them go with an amused expression. "Lovers…"

"You really think Kitty has a big thing for Lance?" Kurt said, his face displaying minor disgust.

"You're always saying 'trust the fuzzy one," Kurt," Jason countered. "Do you not think she does?"

"No!"

Jason cocked an eye at Kurt. "Who are you really trying to convince here, Kurt?"

"Can we drop this already?" Scott asked, taking both Kurt and Jason by surprise with his outburst.

Before either could react, Bobby had walked up to them and asked. "Drop what?"

"Nothing," Scott growled, decided that it was time to simply focus on his food for the rest of the period.

Bobby looked at Kurt and Jason, the latter just shrugging. "Ok, fine, keep being weird…" Bobby turned to leave, stifling a yawn.

Jason's brow fell. "You're already sleepy, Bobby?"

Bobby didn't expect to be addressed. "What?" he replied confused.

Jason cocked his head a bit. "What's up, Bobby? You're usually not this tired…"

"Hey, lay off him, Jason," Kurt said. "You know the newer students have been very busy with training this past weekend."

"Yeah," Bobby said. "I'm just a little worn out from all that, you know?"

Jason regarded Bobby a little longer and noted that he wasn't quite meeting Jason's eyes. What he did see was that Bobby looked physically exhausted. "Ok…but try to get some sleep tonight, ok?"

Bobby averted his eyes. "Y-yeah…sure…" And then he left.

Jason watched him go. "That was weird…"

"How?" Kurt asked. "We've all been busy with something this weekend. Who wouldn't be all worn out?"

"Sure," Jason conceded. "…but there's a difference between exhaustion and sleep-deprived. He looked a lot more like the latter…"

"Why would he not be sleeping?" Scott chimed back in.

"Why, indeed?" Jason trailed off, his fingers laced in thought.

He had no real reason to wonder about Bobby, honestly, but he couldn't help that something was off. Jason focused back on his own meal. He did chide Scott for presumptively accusing Lance for potentially doing something, and Jason did not want to be guilty of the same crime. At least for now, the best thing to do was just exercise vigilance.

XXXXXXXXXX

Later that night…

It was after midnight and much of the Institute was already sleeping. Lance felt like he couldn't sleep from the day's events and felt like a relaxing hot shower could slow down his mind enough to sleep. He had a feeling that an early day exercise was imminent this week—Jason had warned him that Logan was fond of those—and he wanted to try to get some sleep tonight, just in case.

In the shower, his mind replayed a lot of the events from this morning, mainly the confrontation with his former Brotherhood peers, the intervention by Jason and Piotr, and then overhearing Scott essentially blame him for wrecking his car. Huffing, Lance couldn't help but wonder what would it take for the X-Men to finally accept him as one of their own?

"Take it from me who was one of them. You'll never fit in…"

Tabitha's words rang in his head like cathedral bells. Was she right after all? Sure, some members seemed to be just fine with him, but they felt like outliers compared to the overall voice. When he heard Scott blame him for wrecking his convertible, it only solidified how much he knew that the X-Men might never fully accept him, and the worst part was is that Lance had nothing to do with what happened to Scott's car! He might have crowed about its situation at the time, but that did not mean he did it.

Sighing, he wondered how much Scott might have shared his suspicious with the other X-Men. Could it hurt his prospects here? Could it drive a wedge between Kitty and him? As he turned off the water, he realized that the shower did very little to banish the tribulations of the day.

Drying himself off and redressing, he thought it best to just get back to the room and hope for the best. As he did, he happened to look up and noticed movement in the dark. He wasn't sure, but he thought one of them was the little kid called Multiple. He also thought he glimpsed a yellow windbreaker that looked like Jubilee's.

Lance watched in silence, not daring to move as he watched them disappear down the hallway. "Well, that's not suspicious," he sarcastically thought to himself. "What are those dumb kids up to?"

Grateful that he was still barefoot, he silently followed them down the hallway. He had a strange fondness for the New Mutants of the Institute. They didn't take things as seriously as he did, and that wouldn't be the last time he thought that of them either. Despite that, he couldn't help but wonder what kind of mischief they could be plotting, and he couldn't help but wonder if he already knew.

He realized that he was nearly at the kitchen, and he had to wonder if they were simply sneaking to get a midnight snack. Shaking his head at the ludicrous nature of that idea, he knew that was definitely not the reason for their conspicuous behavior. They were being far too careful for something as small as that.

He watched around the corner as Multiple took a brief look into the kitchen and then quickly run past it. So, they were definitely trying to avoid being seen. Snaking his own away around the corner, he came upon the kitchen door and peered inside.

He had to stifle a gasp of surprise. On the kitchen table, smack dam in the middle of a plate, was Kitty's disembodied head with an apple in her mouth. That was the last thing Lance remembered that night because he passed out right there and then.

Kitty had been in the middle of fixing herself a midnight snack after a long night of studying. She felt like she kept hearing people outside in the hall, but every time she looked, there was no one. When it happened the first time, she dropped her pencil underneath the table and had gone under to get it, and then she heard it again. Phasing her head through the table, she looked out and saw no one again. Perplexed, she looked around, wondering if she was more tired than she thought.

Then, she heard something that sounded like someone falling. She looked again and saw two bare feet just lying there in the hallway. Yanking the apple from her mouth, she phased fully through the table and ran to see who it was.

"Lance?!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing?!"

Lance, however, did not answer. Kitty realized that he was in a dead faint. "Lance! Come on! Wake up!"

"Kitty?" came a new voice.

Kitty looked up to see Jason coming down the hallway in a T-shirt and pajama pants. "Jason! Help me out here!"

Jason looked down and saw Lance. "What the hell?!"

"I was just in the kitchen, and I heard a noise out here, and then I found him like this!"

Jason knelt down over Lance and started softly slapping him in the side of his face. "Lance, get it together…" Jason looked up at Kitty. "Kitty, go fill a cup with some ice water."

"Right!" Kitty said, trying to stay calm. She ran back into the kitchen and quickly got a glass of water. Bringing it back, she gave it to Jason.

"Sorry about this, Lance," Jason said, lifting the glass up and spilling a little on Lance's face.

Immediately, Lance shot up, coughing and sputtering. "What the—" he said as he wildly wiped his face clean of the offending water. He turned around and saw Jason with the water glass. "What's your damage, Scarhead?"

Jason pressed his lips in annoyance before answering. "What's yours? Why were you in a dead faint in the hallway?"

"I was—" Lance was about to object but then he realized he was sitting on the floor next to the kitchen door. "…oh."

"You ok, Lance?" Kitty ventured.

Lance blinked several times but didn't answer right away. He remembered something about seeing Kitty on a plate like some roast suckling. Was he dreaming? Was he sleepwalking?

"Uh…yeah…" Lance eventually said, and slowly got himself up. He still felt a little lightheaded, but he thought he would be fine. "I'll…uh…see you later, Kitty…"

Both watched him gingerly go back up the hall towards the sleeping area, blinking several times themselves. "That was totally weird," Kitty finally said.

"You said it," Jason said. "…but I have a bad feeling that we just missed something important."

"Like what?"

Jason looked down the hallway, away from where Lance was going. "I don't know…"

XXXXXXXXXX

The next morning…

"Attention, new recruits. There will be a special early session with Logan today at 6 AM. Please report to the hangar promptly."

The mental voice of the Professor stirred everyone who was still sleeping awake. Jason and Piotr stirred in their beds, the former groaning. "Not again," Jason moaned.

Piotr was less groggy. "Perhaps I can be helping you with getting up earlier…"

Jason laughed. "If I have to get up any earlier, I might have to get to bed a day earlier."

Piotr smiled at Jason's quip. "It seems that we will not be doing training this morning."

"No," Jason said as he pulled on a shirt. "…but we still have to be alert enough to make sure the New Mutants don't goof off enough. It's way too early in the morning for that bullshit…"

"Are you thinking they will misbehave?" Piotr looked concerned.

"This bunch?" Jason said humorlessly. "Count on it. I bet you Bobby will be the first to do so, the showoff." He sighed. "Well, we'd better get into uniform and make our way down to the hangar. Otherwise, Logan will make us do a training exercise if we're late."

In due time, Alchemist and Colossus were suited up and had joined Wolverine, Cyclops, and all the New Mutants including Avalanche. They were taking the elevator down to the hangar floor and Alchemist felt a very drowsy atmosphere in the entire car. He understood being very tired, but this kind of exhaustion was contagious.

The door opened and they stepped out into the hangar hallway. As they did, Alchemist noted that some of the New Mutants were particularly sleepy. Magma, Berzerker, Avalanche and Sunspot looked as tired as one might expect at being woken up this early. The others though…

Cyclops even noticed how sleepy some of them looked. "Logan, you think we might be running these kids a little too ragged?"

Wolverine didn't even look back at them. "Nah, this builds character…"

Alchemist kept his thoughts to himself, but he had to wonder why some of these others looked like they haven't slept in a week.

They entered the hangar, and immediately saw Kurt—out of uniform—dutifully cleaning the X-Jet. Alchemist felt a familiar pang of pity when he saw him again. The Professor had not let him know his decision since their last conversation, but then again, that was not his business. However, he could tell right now that either the Professor had not made his decision, or he had and mercy was not chosen.

"Say hello to the X-Jet, recruits," Wolverine said. Alchemist had to smile because he sounded like a proud papa. "Our pride and joy. Thanks to Scarface's helpful modifications, it can now go up to Mach 5 and handle altitudes up to 40,000 feet. Aside from what he did, it has new radar-suppressing abilities and a state-of-the-art light-reflective camouflage system. It will out-fly and out-fight anything on this planet with two wings."

"All that, and it even makes toast," Alchemist quipped under his breath.

During Wolverine's introduction of the X-Jet, Iceman's exhaustion seem to melt away and replaced by the machine version of puppy love, and he practically gravitated towards it.

"Hey!" Kurt objected, swatting Iceman's floating hand back with his tail. "No touching! I've been scrubbing this thing for almost four weeks!"

"Oh," Iceman said as he backed off. "Sorry…" Then a thought came to him. "Hey, does this demo mean we get to fly the real thing this time?!"

Wolverine blinked. "Yeah…that'll happen…" He turned his back to the X-Jet. "I got something a little more…down to earth in mind."

Alchemist stayed a bit to watch Iceman go, seeing his gaze linger just a little too long on the X-Jet. Narrowing his eyes, Alchemist fell into formation behind everyone else.

Minutes later, they stepped out into the cold early dawn's light of February. They didn't linger long as they strode towards the garage. "We're going to start with a simple driving lesson…with the X-Van."

The door slid open, and as it did, Alchemist thought he heard something going on between Jubilee and Multiple. He didn't have long to consider it though, because the door fully slid open…and saw a very different X-Van than he was expecting.

"What happened to the van?!" Wolverine said angrily.

Sure enough, the van looked like it went through an even worse adventure than Scott's convertible. Along with it being caked in mud, there were broken headlights and windshields, an axel looked broken judging by the lurch in the way it sat, and a flat tire or two did not help.

Cyclops rounded on Avalanche in an instant. "You have some explaining to do, Alvers!"

The sheer force of Cyclops' charge caused everyone else to jump apart. Avalanche stood his ground. "What is there to explain, Summers?!"

"What did you do to the X-Van! I know it was you!"

"Yeah? Where's your proof?!"

"Like I need proof! It's got your signature all over it! You've finally gone too fa—"

"ENOUGH!"

A green crackling discharge of energy fired between the two feuding men, forcing them further apart. Both turned to see Alchemist, his face twisted in fiery fury and his hand shot forwards towards them.

"Jason?" Colossus started quietly, but Alchemist did not acknowledge him.

"You two need to back off each other or I'll transmute an entire canyon between you two!"

Cyclops' eyes narrowed behind his visor. "Stand down, Alchemist!"

"He did not do it, Scott, and I know that for sure!"

Avalanche looked at Alchemist, somewhat anger that Alchemist interfered with his affairs again, but he remembered what he was told about Alchemist and thought better than to upset him further.

"How do you—"

Wolverine growled. "I don't care who didn't do what, or who says who did what…" He slowly turned to the group. "…but if I don't find out who did do it in the next two minutes, there will be a week's worth of drills for all of you!"

Everyone instantly fell silent at the threat; no one dared to speak up, neither to admit fault nor to challenge the threat.

"Everyone, please calm down…"

No one spoke as they felt the presence of the Professor in their heads.

"New recruits? Colossus? Avalanche? Please return to the mansion and get ready for school. Alchemist? Cyclops? Wolverine? Please meet with me in my office."

Cyclops looked livid, but he knew better than to argue with the Professor on the mental plane. Jean would likely pick up on it and he would never hear the end of that conversation. Silently, he backed down. Off to the side, he could feel that Wolverine was just as unhappy about this.

"We will be right there, Professor," thought Alchemist, feeling that neither Wolverine nor Cyclops were going to confirm the request.

"Thank you, Jason."

There was no further response from the Professor. Alchemist looked briefly at Cyclops and Wolverine but chose not to say anything. Alchemist could only hope they would follow him.

Moments later, all three were in the Professor's study going over what they had discovered.

"It has to be Lance, Professor!" Cyclops charged. "The mud? The dents? It looks like it went through a landslide, much less an avalanche!"

The Professor regarded Cyclops with a neutral expression. He then looked at Alchemist. "I understand you do not agree with this accusation, Jason."

"No, I don't," Alchemist crossed his arms. "Lance was in his bed for most of the night."

"Most?" Cyclops repeated.

"Scott?" the Professor chided before he turned back to Alchemist. "Can you elaborate?"

"Around midnight last night, I came across Lance and Kitty just outside the kitchen. Lance will probably kill me for saying this, but Kitty told me that he fainted for some reason outside the kitchen. I needed to splash him with cold water to wake him up. He went back to bed pretty confused."

"And you're sure he remained there for the rest of the night?"

Alchemist shrugged. "I can't say for sure, but it's reasonable for me to believe that he was."

Cyclops looked at the Professor, wanting to see if he would put Avalanche in his place. He grew frustrated as the Professor looked thoughtful instead.

The Professor looked at Wolverine. "What do you have to say, Logan?"

Logan crossed his own arms. "I don't like the kid, Chuck…but I couldn't smell him on the X-Van."

That shocked Cyclops. "What!?" he blurted out as he spun to Logan.

"I smelled everyone else on the X-Van, but not him," Wolverine reiterated.

"But—" Cyclops began but restarted. "But that doesn't mean he—"

"What are you saying he did, Scott?" Avalanche exclaimed. "You think he took it somewhere without driving it, shook it like a maraca and then put it back again without driving it?!"

"Calm down, Jason," the Professor said, and then sighed. "While it does appear that the X-Van has been misused by someone at this Institute, there is nothing to conclude that it was Mr. Alvers did it."

"But—?" Cyclops sputtered.

"I understand that you have your suspicions, Scott, but would I be wrong to extrapolate that your suspicions are purely based on Mr. Alvers reputation and little on actual evidence?"

Cyclops looked ready to pop, but he knew that he had nothing on Lance physically. He had to concede that he had nothing except his own predispositions. Sighing, although it almost sounded like a growl, he conceded, "No."

"I understand your frustrations, Scott, but we must be fair. Lance is a maverick, but from what I can tell, he is truly trying his best. As it stands, what remains suspect are his methods. Without more evidence, there's nothing else we can do. However, the fact that two vehicles on the Institute grounds being severely damaged in a consistent matter tells me that they are related. Logan, can you make sure that no one else accesses the vehicles in the garage without the senior member's supervision?"

"Whatever you want, Chuck…"

"Cyclops, Alchemist, I trust that this will satisfy you?"

"With all due respect, Professor," Alchemist began. "…but neither my satisfaction nor approval is not necessary. That being said, I do believe it is best approach." He looked at Cyclops. "And you, Junior Leader?"

Cyclops pressed his lips together, but he knew he was beaten. While he had a sympathetic mindset from Wolverine, Wolverine already committed to a solution, leaving Cyclops without a proper ally in this battle. Finally defeated, he said, "Fine."

"Very well," the Professor finished. "Scott? Jason? You are excused."

Alchemist simply nodded, but Cyclops chose to leave briskly without another word. Wolverine remained with the Professor, and Wolverine decided to make his thoughts known. "Slim isn't going to let this go, not that I blame him."

The Professor sighed. "Jason warned me as much mere days ago. I was hoping that Scott would prove me wrong…"

"There's too much bad blood, Chuck," Wolverine said. "These kind of grudges don't let go. I know that more than anyone."

The Professor knew better than to judge Wolverine too harshly. While Wolverine was hardly the exemplar of grace and forgiveness, his enemies were just as bad as him when it came to letting things go. "Perhaps you are right, Logan, but that does not excuse the behavior of either party."

Logan could only grunt. The inflections of the Professor's statement was not lost on his part.

"Whatever the circumstances of the X-Van, there's little that can be done for it now. I imagine Jason can help repair it after school. In the meantime, I will be gone for most of the evening to meet an old friend of mine. While I am away, can you make sure no further instances happen with the vehicles in the garage?"

"Can do, Chuck," Wolverine said…and then he smiled. "An old friend, huh?"

"Logan," the Professor replied while smiling. "…you are not the only person who has his own trove of secrets."

Wolverine chuckled but wisely chose not to press the matter.

XXXXXXXXXX

February 8th, 2012 – 3:21 AM

Lance was sore, and not just because of yet another Danger Room session earlier. The accusation from Scott earlier this morning was still on his mind, despite Jason's intercession. It just wasn't fair; Scott had a bone to pick with him and there was nothing he could do to change his mind. He had been knocking the training sessions out of the park—so he told himself—but he wasn't making any grounds with winning any trust. What would it take?! Saving the president from an entire legion of suicide bombers?

"Psst!"

Lance stirred in his bed. He could have sworn that fly was buzzing again. He opted to try to get back to sleep, when…

"Psst! Lance!"

"Ah, crap," Lance thought. He knew that voice. It was Jubilee. He groaned. "What do you want, Jube?"

"We're going to go out for another joyride," Jubilee started. "Wanna come? It's not like you won't get the blame for it anyway."

Lance turned to glare, and immediately saw that he and Jubilee weren't alone. He saw Bobby and Sam looking down at him, sharing the same mischievous smile that Jubilee had. Growling, he turned back in his bed. "Go away! I know you all wrecked the X-Van, and you did nothing when I almost took the heat for it! Leave me alone!"

Jubilee only shrugged. "Suit yourself, but Bobby tells me that this will be the best ride yet."

"Yup," Bobby whispered. "We're going to get some wicked frequent flyer miles from this ride."

"Leave him be," Sam said. "Let's go before someone catches us." They left as Lance smashed a spare pillow over his head to snuff out the excess noise.

XXXXXXXXXX

Meanwhile, Bobby, Jubilee and Sam were leaving Lance's room.

"Everyone, make sure we stay quiet," Bobby said. "Logan is on the prowl tonight, so we can't be too careful."

"Hey, guys!"

Alarmed, the three turned around just in time to see Jamie run around the corner, slide on the carpet, fall on his rear and split into four.

"Shh!" hissed the three.

"Damn it, Jamie!" hissed Bobby. "Are you trying to get us caught?!"

"Sorry!" said one of the Jamie's, but his remorse immediately turned to glee. "So, what are we using tonight?"

"'We'?" Sam rebutted.

"Not a chance, Multiple!" Bobby added.

Jamie wilted. "But—"

"No buts!" Jubilee hissed back. "You literally make a crowd! Now get back to bed…all of you!"

Jamie pouted as he turned back to his bedroom, moaning that he never gets to go anywhere.

XXXXXXXXXX

Lance had laid in his bed for only about a minute more as his sleepy mind worked through everything that the three troublemakers had done the past few days, and he nearly took the flack for it. They had some nerve to invite him on another escapade and get him in trouble for real. What in the world were they going to take anyway? They already wrecked the X-Van and likely Scott's car, and even they wouldn't have the nerve to wreck the Professor's Rolls Royce, and there was literally nothing left—

Lance nearly leapt out of the bed. "Wait a minute…did Bobby say 'frequent flyer miles'?" He immediately paled. "Shit, they're going to take the X-Jet!"

He ran out into the hallway, only to see that it was empty. "Shit, shit, shit…," He thought to himself. What was he going to do? Logan was on the prowl; should he go find him? No, bad idea. Logan was probably just as suspicious of Lance as Scott was, and not nearly as friendly. "Shit, shit, shit…" Time was running out, he needed help with this one, but who was going to help? His list was quite short, namely two people…

…and he knew which of those two he needed to get.

He made his way down the hallway of doors until he found Kitty's room. Thankful that he found the door slightly ajar, he quietly made his way in and found Kitty snuggled up with her favorite stuffed purple dragon that she called Lockheed. Normally, he would find this cute, but there wasn't time to admittedly-creepily admire the girl he liked. Trying to be quiet—so not to wake up Kitty's roommate, Rogue—he quickly but deftly tapped on Kitty's shoulder. "Kitty!" he hissed.

Kitty stirred but didn't awaken.

"Kitty, come on!" he hissed a decibel louder.

Finally, Kitty awoke. "Lance? What are you doing in here?"

"No time! We gotta get to the X-Jet!"

That startled Kitty enough to get awake. "What? Why?"

"I think a couple of the other students are trying to take it."

"What?!"

Lance shushed Kitty quickly, not daring to move or breathe as Rogue stirred in her own bed but did not wake up. Once the danger passed, he looked back at Kitty. "No time to explain here. Come on, I need your help!"

"But—"

"Kitty, please…I can't do this without you."

That threw Kitty. Lance was obstinate as a stone wall and asking for help had to be like tearing off an arm. She hoped she wouldn't regret this. "Ok, I'm up."

Lance nodded. "Come on, they have to be getting to the hangar by now…"

"Who?"

XXXXXXXXXX

While Lance and Kitty were trying to run for the hangar as fast as they could, Bobby, Jubilee and Sam had reached the hangar. "You really sure about this?" Jubilee sound, a touch of worry mixing in with her excitement.

"Positive!" Bobby said. "Let's do it!"

"Hot diggity!" Sam exclaimed.

"Let's get inside!"

The three ran up the loading ramp without any further hesitation. Jubilee wasn't keen to drive, content to be a jubilant passenger. Bobby took pilot, and Sam took the copilot.

"When the Professor said we'd be breaking barriers, I didn't think we'd be breaking the sound one!" Bobby cracked his fingers. "We're clear for liftoff!"

Bobby fired up the ignition, relishing the rumble of the jet's engines. "Strap yourself in ladies—er—lady and gentleman. No time for the safety demonstrations. We are rolling out!"

XXXXXXXXXX

The X-Jet pulled forwards towards the runway hall shakily. Bobby was so focused on having a good time that he didn't notice Lance and Kitty—still in their PJs—run into the hanger through an upper level door.

Lance immediately noticed the X-Jet pulling out. "Damn it! We're too late!"

Kitty looked down. "What are those idiots thinking?!"

"I think they aren't," Lance said. "We gotta stop them before they get themselves hurt or worse!"

"How?!"

Lance's brain raced. The only way they could is if they got on the plane somehow, but the doors were sealed. The only way they could get through now was through the fuselage. He smacked himself; why didn't he think of it sooner.

"Kitty, can you phase us in?"

"Well…yeah, but—"

"Then get us in!" Lance grabbed Kitty by the hand and pulled her over the side with him.

"LAAAAAANCE!" came Kitty's startled cry.

Despite Kitty's terror, she pulled through and phased both of them right into the rear part of the jet, the cargo area. Lance braced himself as both of them rolled like freshly struck bowling pins to the back of the cargo bay.

Painfully, they came to a stop. Kitty moaned. "Ow, I think bruised ever part of my body…"

Lance felt bad for subjecting Kitty to all this. "Sorry, I'll make it up to you somehow."

Rubbing a sore spot on her arm. "Let's just get to the cockpit so we can turn this thing back around. I'd like to get some sleep tonight."

"You and me both," Lance said, smiling sheepishly.

Suddenly, they felt the X-Jet smack against something, followed by the worst screeching sound they heard. The impact threw them back on their rears. "What was that?!" Lance said.

"Sounds like whoever is flying this thing is doing a bad job at it!" Kitty exclaimed. They'll tear this jet apart if they don't get it together!"

Another impact, this time on the other side. "Damn it!" Lance exclaimed. "They'd better hope we get there before we leave the ground, or else I might throw them off myself!"

XXXXXXXXXX

"Watch what you're doing, Bobby!" Jubilee exclaimed, strapped to her chair. "You're going to tear off a wing!"

"I know what I'm doing!" Bobby said, although the sweat on his brow betrayed his anxiousness.

"Whoa!" exclaimed Sam. "The hanger door is shut! Stop this thing before we smash through it!"

Bobby gritted his teeth. "We're going too fast! Where's the garage door opener when you need it?!"

Jubilee—having unbuckled herself—looked frantically around the cockpit, and then espied a cluster of buttons on the ceiling, and among them, one of them was labelled HANGAR DOOR CONTROL. "This one!" Without hesitation, she smashed it.

The doors slid open too slowly for the three's likes, but despite the perceived sloth speed of the door, Bobby managed to safely fly the X-Jet out the hanger without further damage.

"Whew!" Sam said. "I almost needed to change my pants."

Jubilee rolled her eyes. "Smooth, Sam…"

Bobby's bravado was back at full power as the jet shot out over the open bay. "All right! Where should we fly this thing! Hot dog it between the buildings of New York?"

Jubilee paled. "Hell no! We do that and every military base will think it's 9/11 the sequel!"

"She's right, Bobby," Sam said. "I'd rather not get blown out of the sky tonight."

Bobby rolled his eyes. "Fine, but where's the fun in flying this over open water?"

Jubilee suddenly got an idea. "I have an idea! Just keep this thing steady. Can one of you open the top hatch?"

Sam reached for the appropriate control. "Sure, but why?"

As the top hatch opened up, Jubilee stood directly underneath it. "Let's say this joyride just needs a little…flare, if you catch my drift." To emphasize the point, she created her trademark plasmoids and threw them into the air, each one exploding like a Fourth of July artillery shell. Each bang was punctuated only by Jubilee's jubilant laughter.

Bobby looked at the clouds as they raced through them. "I wonder if we can get all the way to Europe in this. Or maybe Brazil? Or maybe—"

"How about straight back home, you idiots?!"

Unbeknownst to the errant three, Kitty and Lance had managed to make their way to the cockpit, and Kitty just made her demanding request. Jubilee was startled enough by Kitty's sudden appearance that she dropped a small plasmoid.

"Kitty!" Jubilee exclaimed. "What are you doing here?!"

"What are you three doing here?!" Kitty said, hands on her hips. She might have been a freshman at school, but she still outranked every single person else here. "You three are going to turn this jet around right now, or you'd better hope we totally crash out here!"

Bobby and Sam looked at each other. They had been caught, and they knew it.

Suddenly, sparks started coming out of the main thruster level. Bobby noticed first. "What happened?!"

Jubilee looked at the sparkling throttle and saw some burn marks around the slot, and she knew what caused it. "Uh…oops?"

"'Oops'?" Kitty repeated.

Jubilee could only shrug.

Sam felt the G-forces pull on him more strongly than before. "Wait, are we going faster?"

Jubilee grabbed a hold of the nearest seat. "Bobby! We're picking up speed! Slow down!"

Bobby tried to pull back on the throttle, but it was stuck fast. "Oh, crap! It seized up! I can't slow us down!"

Lance decided to sit down. "I just remembered…I hate flying."

"No time to get sick, Lance!" Kitty said, although he knew that Lance likely couldn't help his air sickness with this cavalier flying."

Sam leapt out of the copilot sit. "Bobby, keep us steady. Let me try to see if I can fix this."

"Do you know how?" Bobby asked.

"Well…no…but I hotwired a few cars before. Can't be that different…right?"

"Don't touch anything, Sam!" Kitty said. "The Blackbird's writing is very different, even for a jet's standards. Pull the wrong wire and we could like nosedive right into the ocean!"

Sam jumped back as if there was a rattlesnake in the writing. "Well…what do we do?"

Kitty fiddled with the communicator. "X-Jet to X-Mansion! Come in! X-Jet to Mansion!" She was answered by only static. "We must be too far away already! Where are we?"

Bobby looked around, trying to find anything that could tell him, but he honestly didn't pay that much attention to the rest of the controls. "Uh…well…"

"Check the GPS, glacier-brain!" Kitty said, pointing to the global positioning system display, showing a radar's view of their location.

"Oh…," Bobby said. "…uh, looks like we're travelling east over the Atlantic."

Bobby began to panic. "One of these switches has got to do something!"

"Bobby! Don't just press a random—"

Bobby pressed one button and a computer voice suddenly said. "Stealth mode disengaged."

Kitty glared at Bobby, who began to say. "Uh…"

"Say 'oops' and I'll phase you into a wall!"

Suddenly, the radar screen started beeping. Sam looked to see that the X-Jet was heading straight towards a single green dot. "Uh…what does that green dot mean?"

Kitty looked and immediately paled. "Oh, no! It's another aircraft! Could be a jumbo passenger jet."

"And we're heading straight towards it!"

Sure enough, when they all looked out the window, there were the flashing lights of a lone aircraft, and they were coming up on it fast!

Kitty quickly reached for the stealth controls, reengaging them. "Bobby, what are you waiting for?! Steer us away!"

Bobby snapped out of his terror and grabbed the controls, but found them not responding. "Oh, crap! The controls are seizing up some more! I can't get it to move right!"

As if the X-Jet protested any attempt to control it, the craft shook violently. Lance promptly turned into one of the seats and spilled his guts.

"My hero…," Kitty sarcastically thought to herself.

"What are we going to do?!" Jubilee asked, terrified.

"Buckle yourselves in, everyone!" Kitty commanded. "I got an idea!"

"But—" Bobby started.

"NO BUTS!" Kitty shouted. "Just hold on!"

Kitty grasped the pilot's chair as well as placed her hand on the ceiling. She took a deep breath, and concentrated. Her corporeal intangibility powers could extend beyond her person, and she has done that with other people and even vehicles, but she never had done it on anything as large as the X-Jet. There were no second chances here, so she had to succeed.

Everyone else felt a strange tingling as her corporeal intangibility brushed all their cells. Lance was already familiar with that feeling, and simply waited with bated breath. Bobby, Sam and Jubilee had never experienced it before, and had to suppress the urge to squirm, both from the power and the threat of deadly impact.

The jet's warning systems blared the imminent impact, but Kitty did not move. Lance grew worried as her fingertips began shaking.

The jumbo jet in front of them dominated the view, and everyone braced themselves. Suddenly, they shot through it like it was made of air and safely out the other side. Just like that, they were seeing the unbroken night sky, although it took a few seconds for them to realize it.

Kitty let go of her powers, finding herself very weak in the knees. She found herself in Lance's arms pretty quickly afterwards. Looking up, she saw genuine worry and concern in his eyes; it touched her. Lance could be redeemed yet.

"My hero…," she sighed.

"I'm not a hero," Lance said.

"The heroes always say that," Kitty said.

"Not to shatter this tender moment," Bobby impudently said. "…but we still need to figure out how to get this thing back home."

Lance scowled at Bobby, but before he could snidely remark back, someone else wanted to have his word in edgewise.

"Allow me to assist," came a powerfully stern mental voice.

Everyone blanched. It was the Professor.

"Professor?!" Kitty thought. "I-I can explain…"

"No need, Kitty," the Professor replied gently. "We currently have more pressing issues. Bobby, Sam, you will do exactly what I tell you to ensure a safe flight back to the mansion."

Bobby and Sam nodded profusely, despite the Professor not physically being there to see.

"I suggest the rest of you get in your seats. We will discuss tonight's events upon your return."

Everyone obeyed immediately. Lance helped seat Kitty in her seat, and with mild amusement saw her almost immediately fall sleep. Buckling himself in, he wondered what kind of punishment the Professor would come up with for the wayward students tonight.

A horrible thought rose in his head, and one after the other followed. What if he was punished alongside them as well? What if Kitty was? Would the Professor take their word that they were only here because they tried to stop them? Would Bobby, Jubilee and Sam throw them both under the bus?

Lance crushed his lips together in anger. If the Professor was anything like the authorities at his old school back in Illinois, then absence of evidence might not matter much. If Kitty got lumped in with the inevitable punishments about to be handed out, then that would prove once and for all about what he really felt about this place.

…and the Professor would get rocked harder than the entire state of California if he did…

XXXXXXXXXX

One hour later…

"Jason? Scott? Logan? Please meet me in the X-Jet hanger bay as soon as possible."

Moments later, a sleepy Jason had gotten himself dressed and trudged his way to the elevator that would take him down to the hangar. When he got on the elevator, he turned around and pushed the button to go down.

"Hold that door, please!"

Jason started himself more awake when he heard that plea. Quickly intercepting the door, he stepped back just in time to see an equally blurry-eyed—so to speak—Scott quickly got into the cab with Jason. Groaning from sleepiness, Scott turned to Jason. "Hey, Jason."

"Hey, Scott. Sleep well?" Jason replied dryly.

"Too early for jokes, Jason."

"Sorry."

"So, what do you think the Professor wants?"

Jason stifled a yawn. "At this hour? It's anyone's guess. Can't be too important or else he would have called a lot more of the team."

"Maybe you're right, but I got a bad feeling about this."

Finally, they came to the hangar doors, which were already open. Inside were a very serious looking Professor and Logan…or rather a very pissed Logan.

Jason rubbed his eyes a bit. "Hey, Professor, Logan, what's going o—" Jason looked upwards towards the X-Jet. "WHAT THE—"

The X-Jet looked like it went through a full wax with sandpaper instead. Scratches stretched from nose to tail, the engines were filthy, and there was at least one flat tire on the landing gear.

"Jason, I understand your shock," began the Professor. "…but let's mind our choice of words in the presence of our newer members."

"Sorry…," Jason replied automatically, but then blinked. "Wait…what newer members?"

Logan ruefully pointed to the X-Jet. "Those new members."

Everyone looked to see five young mutants appear from the umbra of the X-Jet, each one looking tired and sheepish.

Scott immediately zeroed in on one of them. "Alvers! I knew it! You've been behind all the vehicles being wrecked!"

Lance glared daggers, but Kitty immediately interceded. "Scott, no! He—"

Lance, however, decided to speak for himself. "You are obsessed, Summers! You've had it out for me since I got her, and I had enough of it!"

"You always were a troublemaker, and always will be! There is not a place on the X-Men for—"

"STOP IT!" Kitty and Jason shouted in unison, leaping in between them and pushing them apart.

"That is quite enough, all of you!" the Professor said, silencing them all. "Scott, that was wildly inappropriate of you to say! We accept everyone who is willing to do their best despite their backgrounds."

Scott huffed but silenced his rebuttal when he earned a fierce glare from Jason. "Say another word, Scott, and you and I will have words next."

The Professor turned to Lance. "Lance, a mark of being an X-Men is maintaining a cool head in the face of adversity, no matter where it comes from. Please do not antagonize your allies."

Lance pressed his lips together, but Kitty interjected. "Lance, please, don't make this worse!"

The Professor crossed his fingers. "Moreover, if the appropriate parties could step forward and settle this misunderstanding once and for all, it would help us end this ugly business." He glanced towards Bobby.

Jason happened to look at the Professor as soon as the latter looked towards Bobby. Jason's gaze soon followed. Bobby looked reluctant to talk at first, as did the others. Jason grew furious. "Was your plan to let Lance take the fall, or are you going to admit it finally?"

That threw Scott. "Wait, what?"

Jason released Scott and rounded on Bobby. "It was you, wasn't it, and not just tonight, correct?"

Bobby looked shocked, and Sam finally asked. "H-how did you know?!"

Bobby rounded on Sam. "Sam!"

Jason's glare was so hot that it could have melted Bobby. "Shut your mouth, Drake. I had a feeling when you and a few others were looking more harried and fatigued these past few days. Obviously, I couldn't act upon it because I had no proof...," Jason turned to Scott. "…which is why I was so adamant on defending Lance, Scott."

Scott felt like he was just slapped, properly chastised and humbled.

"Peace, Jason," the Professor said calmly. "There are lessons to be learned for all of us here." He turned back to the three New Mutants. "I trust this was by far not your first offense."

Bobby and Sam looked uncomfortable, rubbing their arms. Jubilee stepped forward, knowing that they had to own up now. "No, it isn't. We also borrowed the X-Van, Scott's car…"

Scott's jaw nearly unhinged at hearing that.

"…Logan's motorcycle…"

That was news to everyone. Jason's eyes went so big that they could have shed their own light. He dared to look at Logan, and saw he was furiously mortified, one single eye twitching slightly. "My…motorcycle…?" he repeated quietly and icily.

"Uh…just kidding!" Jubilee said.

Now it was Jason's turn to have his jaw nearly dislocate at the sheer audacity. He thought, hoping the Professor could sense it. "Professor? If there was any inkling that I had that these three deserve mercy, it's gone now."

The Professor didn't respond, but Jason had a feeling that he agreed. "I'm very shocked at you three. You've not only recklessly endangered yourselves for a moment of fleeting levity, but flagrantly broken numerous rules and the trust of all your peers with your actions. You also risked the exposure of mutantkind to the world. If it weren't for Kitty's actions, you all could have been killed as well as everyone on that plane she successfully phased you all through, and nothing in the world could have stopped inquiries into the matter. Because of your blatant disregard for the rules and the safety of your classmates, there must be severe consequences."

Before he could elaborate, Kurt walked into the hanger, he himself armed with towels and a can of wax. He was excitedly talking to himself. "Oh, here it is, the final layer of wax for the X-Jet. After that, just a few more days of my probation left, and it should be much easier!" He looked up at the X-Jet, and his face immediately fell. "W-what?! Oh man, there isn't enough wax in the world for that!"

The Professor looked at Jason, who looked back at him with understanding. The Professor smiled. "You can relax, Kurt. After observing your behavior these past few weeks—as well as well-minded clemency plea from one of your teammates—I've decided to commute the rest of your probation based on good behavior, effective immediately.

It looked like the sun had risen on Kurt's face, because he lit up like the celestial body itself. "Oh, thank you, Professor! I won't let you down again!"

"I trust you won't." He turned more severely to Bobby, Jubilee and Sam. "Yours, however, is just beginning. While I consider the terms of them, you may start by thoroughly cleaning the X-Jet, inside and out. Kurt? Would you mind showing them where they may get the required supplies?"

Kurt felt like asking what led to this development, but he did not want to push his luck. "Yes, Professor."

As Kurt led the three away, Scott looked at Lance, who still looked quite steamed. Gulping, he knew that he needed to apologize for a lot, and not just for tonight. "Lance…We-I owe you an apology. I misjudged you and said things very wrong to you. I'm not asking for your forgiveness, but I hope we can get beyond this…somehow."

Scott offered Lance a hand. Lance looked at it for a moment, his mind replaying everything over the past several days. Sure, Scott was apologetic now, but did that mean he finally learned? He doubted it. And what of the others? Everything he remembered these past few days taught him one thing.

"Forget it, Summers," Lance said coldly. "You might be sorry now, but that doesn't change anything. Perhaps you were right all along: I don't belong here, and I'm taking the hint. I'm out of here."

At that declaration, Kitty looked aghast. "You're leaving?"

Lance felt a pang of guilt for what he was about to say, but despite his feelings, he couldn't commit to this anymore. "Sorry, Kitty…but this place and me are not a good fit. The Brotherhood is like a vacation compared to all this high maintenance. I can't deal with it."

The Professor looked kindly at Lance. "Lance, despite what you may feel, you are always welcome. I'm sorry that we have not done our part in not making you feel welcome."

Lance looked down at the Professor. "Well, Prof, thanks for trying anyway."

"You don't have to go, Lance," Jason said. "If you want me to talk to the others—"

"I don't need help from you or anyone, Scarhead!" Lance said angrily. "I was fine on my own before, and I can do it again. Work on your issues before you try to help others for once."

Jason looked stung at that but remained silent.

Lance knew that wasn't entirely fair, but he never liked it when people interceded too much on his behalf. It made him look weak, and he despised being pitied.

"Lance, I understand your frustrations, but just remember that we will always be here for you if you change your mind."

"That will be the day," Lance said snidely.

Kitty ran after Lance, who stopped for her. Kitty's eyes were wet with tears, but she chose not to use words. Instead, she quickly planted a quick kiss on Lance's cheek and then turned away to let Lance go. Lance softened a bit, but hardened himself and left for the elevator, intent to empty his room and leave.

Once Lance disappeared from view, Kitty turned away and walked away.

Scott looked at Kitty, and made as if to say something, but Jason stopped him with a firm hand and a shaking head. Kitty noticed, however, and merely looked at Scott, and then stride quickly away. Scott sighed. "I really blew it this time, didn't I?"

Jason suppressed all impulses to respond sharply; he did not want to rub salt in the wound because they already knew this hurt.

"As I've said to some of your peers, Scott," the Professor said. "We can choose to learn from our actions or obsess in what could have been. Only one of those has a path forward."

Jason remained silent. This was a lesson that he learned himself.

"That goes for all of us, and for now, let's hope that Lance will consider the lessons he learned here; they are not so easily cast aside. For now, let us get some more sleep if we can."

Everyone broke away at that point. Jason kept his thoughts to himself, but he wondered how awkward it was going to be seeing Lance at school the coming morning…provided he would even show up.

XXXXXXXXXX

I did not mean for this to go on for three months, but my other creative outlet has been quite productive. I try to alternate days between artwork and writing so I can keep everything fresh and going, but sometimes days dry up. Hopefully this next chapter will be a little quicker; I've been looking forward to this next chapter. It's been a long time coming.

The Valentine's Day Sadie Hawkins Dance is fast approaching, and as the day closes in, girls snatch up the boys for dates as fast as they can, leaving to some awkward pairings. Jason himself wonders if he made the wise decision accepting the offer he had received as his heart clammers for his real desire. Meanwhile, an experiment of Forge's with Nightcrawler's teleportation invite more than what anyone could have bargained for. All this coming up in Chapter 7: Tonight.