Capítulo 20: Progress #20
I stood confidently in the Danger Room, the artificial setting of New York City laid out before me. It had been two weeks since I crossed paths with Tony Stark, and thankfully, nothing major had disrupted the peace during that time. I took Ororo out two more times, but my focus remained on mentoring the five young mutants before me - Armor, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Iceman, and Angel.
While Armor decided to join, others still refused to attend my lessons, but I wasn't bothered by it. I knew building trust would take time, and patience had always been one of my virtues.
With a warm smile, I addressed the eager group of mutants. "You know the drill. You have two hours to steal the handkerchief," I announced, knowing that this training exercise would challenge their skills and teamwork.
Without a word, the young mutants nodded, each one already envisioning their own strategy. Kitty phased into the ground, vanishing from sight with her impressive phasing abilities. Nightcrawler, ever the teleporter, vanished in a puff of smoke, teleporting to a strategic position that only he knew.
Angel gracefully took to the air, using his wings to soar high above the city streets. Hisako remained firmly rooted in place, ready to act at a moment's notice, while Iceman unleashed his ice powers, sending waves of chilling ice that slowly crept toward me.
I kept my smile steady as I maneuvered through the icy landscape Iceman had created. Ice walls surrounded me, forming a circular enclosure that would put my combat skills to the test. My eyes scanned the perimeter, staying alert for any signs of movement.
In an instant, I sensed Kitty's presence as her hand emerged from behind, reaching for the handkerchief tucked safely in my pocket. I swiftly sidestepped, evading her attempt with ease. However, I knew I couldn't let my guard down, for Nightcrawler teleported behind me.
I had to act fast. With calculated precision, I waited until Kitty's hand solidified again before swiftly gripping it and using her momentum to throw her in Nightcrawler's direction. The two mutants displayed impressive coordination, having learned from previous practice sessions. Nightcrawler opted to teleport away, avoiding Kitty's trajectory rather than trying to catch her.
As anticipated, Kitty phased through the ice without sustaining any harm, her powers proving formidable. Nightcrawler reappeared behind me, seizing the opportunity to make his move for the handkerchief.
As Nightcrawler's hand reached for the handkerchief, time seemed to slow down in my mind. My instincts kicked into overdrive as I processed the unfolding situation.
In the blink of an eye, one of the ice walls surrounding me split open, and Angel came soaring through it, his wings propelling him forward. A rush of air drew my attention upward just in time to witness the breathtaking sight of Armor descending from the sky.
She descended like a celestial creature encased in a gigantic transparent energy armor that gleamed in the simulated sunlight. The sheer elegance of her descent was a sight to behold. What's more, a cracking sound brought my attention to the ground, where ice crept toward my legs.
It was a textbook example of teamwork, an orchestrated effort executed with precision and finesse.
At that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. These young mutants had come so far in just two weeks of training. Their growth as a team filled me with genuine joy. The dedication and hard work they put into their training sessions were evident in every move they made.
But they still had a long way to go, and I couldn't allow myself to lose so easily. With a determined grin, I swiftly took action.
As Nightcrawler's hand extended toward the handkerchief, I read his movements like an open book. Swiftly, I took a step back, avoiding the immediate threat. Knowing Nightcrawler's teleportation patterns from our previous encounters, I quickly pivoted, ready to counter his next move.
The icy terrain turned into my ally as I skillfully weaved through the gaps between the ice walls that Iceman had created. I anticipated Angel's intentions, preventing him from diving down upon me from above without risking a collision. My senses remained alert, acutely aware of Armor's position and the limits of her energy armor.
Their combined assault hinged on precise timing and coordination, but I seized the slight delays in their actions to my advantage. When Kitty phased through the ice to reposition, I capitalized on the moment, stepping lightly on the ice and kicking up a cloud of snow, momentarily obscuring my position from their view.
Using the temporary confusion to my advantage, I moved with a silent grace to the side. The sounds of Kitty's phasing and Nightcrawler's teleportation provided perfect cover for my own footsteps. My combat training and keen observation skills allowed me to predict their moves, staying one step ahead of their efforts to snatch the handkerchief from me.
As the young mutants regrouped, reshaping their strategy, I capitalized on the opportunity to create more distance between us. I found a vantage point, utilizing the urban setting to my advantage, placing obstacles between us to hinder their attempts to reach me.
With each second that passed, my mind worked like a well-oiled machine, calculating my next moves with precision. I relied on my instincts, honed through years of combat training and experience. The challenge became a dance, a strategic ballet, with each step carefully measured and executed.
My heartbeat remained steady, and a sense of focus enveloped me. The exhilaration of the moment fueled my determination to outmaneuver the combined efforts. I reminded myself that this wasn't just a training exercise for the students; it was a way for me to test myself as well.
Making distance between me and the four mutants under the veil of the snow screen, I made my presence known as I cleared my throat. "You're starting to look more and more like a team..."
Grinning broadly, I taunted them, "Maybe you'll be able to touch the handkerchief in ten years..."
My words seemed to light a fire in the eyes of the five young mutants as they exchanged glances and sprung into action once more, intent on snatching the handkerchief from my pocket.
As the training sessions came to an end, Evan looked at the five mutants lying on their backs, their chests rising and falling as they caught their breaths in exhaustion. Despite their fatigue, he couldn't help but smile at their progress. "I suppose I was too harsh in my assessment," he admitted with a chuckle. "Maybe nine years of training will do, rather than ten."
The young couldn't muster any quips of their own in response, still catching their breath after the intense workout as they were. Evan casually shrugged off their banter. "Till our next lesson, then," he said, turning to head for the exit.
Outside the Danger Room, he found Ororo waiting for him, dressed elegantly in formal attire. Evan's smile widened at the sight of her. "There you are... are you ready to leave?" he inquired.
Ororo nodded gracefully. "I am. What about you?" she asked.
Evan replied confidently, "I barely broke a sweat... I'm ready to leave if you are." Indeed, he looked impeccable as ever, as if the past two hours had been a leisurely stroll instead of an intense training session with five powerful mutants. Thanks to the Extremis serum, he possessed boundless stamina that made such feats possible.
"Then let's head out," Ororo said, falling into step beside him as they walked. Her eyes held a hint of concern as she broached the subject of their destination. "Still... moving on from cafes and restaurants to political rallies seems like a big step, don't you think?"
Evan's expression turned serious, and he nodded gravely. "I'm afraid we're not going there to enjoy each other's company, but to fight for a future where mutants and humans can coexist," he explained. However, the seriousness quickly faded from his features, replaced by a gentle smile. "Nevertheless, that wouldn't stop me from enjoying your company," he added, his affection for her evident in his gaze.
...
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