Chapter Five Luna breathed in sharply and sat up. She felt sore and stiff. She looked down and saw that she’d fallen asleep at her desk, her head propped up on her journal all night. She had stayed up somewhat late, writing about her day. She muttered something unintelligible and read what she had last written. Why am I afraid of Logan when he seems to be afraid of me? “Jeez,” she grumbled. “I must have been tired.” But she knew better. Things felt so right with Logan but, at the same time, so wrong. They tiptoed around each other, offended each other, but they were alike enough to be soul mates. She shook these thoughts away and got up to shower and get ready for breakfast. Oriana dressed the next day, pulling on a pair of black gym shorts and golden spaghetti-strap shirt. She headed out of her room and met up with Luna who was coming out of hers. "Good morning, how was your sleep?" Oriana asked as Luna stretched stiffly. "I fell asleep at my desk..." she said and trailed off as she entered the kitchen. "I'll fill you in later." Logan was already seated and drinking coffee. Luna seemed unable to meet his eyes. She rushed to the coffee pot and poured herself a cup, though she couldn’t stand the stuff. She absentmindedly took a muffin and began munching on it, wondering how she could possibly survive as a member of this team when she couldn’t face one of her own. She gritted her teeth. She was being ridiculous. What happened last night was of Logan’s making. Then again, she didn’t have to kiss him back. She was stronger than this. Why the girly turn all of a sudden? Oriana cocked an eyebrow at Luna's quick and shy movements. She glanced at Logan, he was peeking up from his coffee cup and watching Luna who seemed unable to meet his eyes. Oriana poured herself some milk and buttered a piece of toast, then went and sat down at the table. Luna came and sat down next her, making sure she was as far away from Logan as she could be. Oriana looked towards the door as Scott came in and smiled at him. Scott smiled back, grabbed some breakfast, and came and sat down at the table with them. "Feeling better today?" Oriana asked, noticing that he was able to sit down quickly and not wince. Scott chuckled. "Yes, I've been feeling better since last night." Luna watched their banter with amusement, glad that there was something to think about besides Logan. “What’s on the menu today?” Luna asked Scott as he ate his morning meal. “Danger Room,” he mumbled around a mouthful of food. “Danger Room?” she repeated. “Yeah,” Logan spoke up. “It’s where we do our training. The room runs a simulation of combat, and we run through, practicing survival techniques.” “Simulation,” Oriana said thoughtfully. “Like a hologram or something?” “Little more realistic than that,” Logan said with a grin. “Why do you think they call it the Danger Room?” Oriana raised an eyebrow then grinned. "Sounds like fun." The four of them finished eating their food and were walking out of the kitchen when Kurt bamfed in front of them. "Where are you going?" he asked in his thick, German accent. "Danger room. You coming?" Logan asked, and Kurt nodded. Oriana stepped forward and bit her lip, then grinned at Kurt. "Um, I was wondering… Could you teleport me to the Danger Room? I've always wondered what it was like." Kurt laughed and nodded. Oriana stepped up and hugged him. "See you in a few minutes." In a cloud of smoke, they were gone, Luna stuck standing between Scott and Logan with a surprised look on her face. “Uh, so, either of you gentlemen want to lead the way?” she asked them. Logan took her arm, and she was tempted to wrench away from him. But something about the firmness and gentleness there made her hold onto him. He led her to the elevator, where they went belowground and into the steel corridors Xavier had shown her before. They reached a door with an embossed “X” on it, and it swept open for them to pass through. Oriana was already in the room, giggling and carrying on with Kurt. Oriana looked up towards the group as they entered, a huge grin across her face. "That was awesome!" she said, dashing over to Luna who laughed at her. "It is pretty cool, isn't it?" Oriana nodded, tossing her gold and sliver hair over her shoulder. "Okay, if you two are done jabbering," Logan said, and Oriana shot him a glare, "we will get started with the training." "Fine. But first, you’re going to have to explain what the heck we're doing," Oriana said, raising an eyebrow. Scott grinned. “The object is to survive,” he said. He turned to Kurt. “Would you mind setting up the simulator for us?” “No problem,” he said, bamfing away. “Get ready,” Logan said, his claws popping out of his knuckles. “Ready for wha—” Luna’s words were cut short as a laser shot from the wall and nearly singed her hair. She dodged and gasped at her close call, cartwheeling out of the line of fire. Throwing stars were launched from a nearby wall, and Luna found herself in their path. She transformed, barely concentrating on what she was changing into, and leapt. Luckily, she had cleared the projectiles. But when she landed, she plopped against the floor, a ribbit croaking from her throat. Oriana burst out in laugher as a pink and black frog looked up at them and croaked again. "You should really watch what you’re- EEP!" she cried as a laser bolt went past her head. She stopped laughing and watched for the next attack. Three throwing stars shot towards were she was standing, and she waited until they got right in front of her and did a backbend. Her hands hit the ground, and she kicked her feet over, coming back into a standing position just in time to catch the next wave of throwing stars. She raised her left hand, and a stream of ice came flying out of it, freezing the throwing stars in mid air. Luna transformed, this time paying attention to her own shift. She did a back flip as the frozen throwing stars careened toward her. They smashed into a wall and shattered. Luna screeched as a laser gun popped out of a compartment in the wall and fired at her. Using her long, nimble arms, she grasped a rod running along the wall and hurled herself upward, reading her body’s signals well. Her long, slender tail flicked out and helped balance her. “Keep moving, monkey-girl!” Logan shouted, watching at the laser gun trained on her again. Apart of Luna’s mind grasped his words, and she swung as fast as she could to the next rod, then the next, moving steadily upward. Logan roared and charged the laser gun, slicing it to pieces as it blasted in Luna’s direction. The shots missed her, and she leapt to the ground again, looking up at Logan and making a cackling noise. “I don’t speak chimp,” he said, “but I’ll take that as a compliment.” "You guys ready for something a little harder?" Kurt’s voice came into the room. "Yeah, Kurt, kick it up," Scott said, and Oriana raised an eyebrow. "Harder?" she asked, but Scott did not even have to answer the question as eight huge robots came lumbering towards them, lasers firing. Two veered off from the pack and went towards Ori who had to twist, jump, and cartwheel to kept out of the line of fire. The one closest to her fired, and she dropped to the ground and rolled towards it. She came up right in front of and slammed her right hand towards it, palm open. The fire ball shot from her hand, sending the robot reeling backward, smoking. She let out a gasp of pain as a laser hit her shoulder. She turned to see the second robot coming towards her. She quickly placed her left hand over the spot on her shoulder to ease the pain, then went after the robot. Luna saw four of the androids shambling toward Logan and herself. Logan barred his teeth and brandished his claws at the first robot that approached. He spun and sliced it as Luna changed herself into a larger, more dangerous animal. Logan heard a low snarl behind him and raised an eyebrow, turning slowly to Luna. Her hackles were raised and her ears pinned back, her form that of a pink and black wolf. Luna launched herself at the robot nearest her as it fired at Logan. When her bulk slammed against the robot’s torso, it was knocked back several steps, making its laser fire go off course. Luna grappled with the android until she tore its circuits from its neck and it fell onto his metal back. Instantly, she saw the third and fourth robots tramping toward them with laser guns flashing. “I got the one on the left,” Logan said, hoping she understood as he sprinted toward the enemy he had indicated. Luna didn’t need to understand his words when she saw his actions. With a snarl, she changed her form again. She wanted this to be quick. And as a lioness, the greatest huntress to ever live, it would take seconds. Luna saw Logan violently dismantling the robot from the corner of her eye as her paws pounded against the floor, bringing her closer and closer to her enemy. She dodged laser bolts with grace and opened her jaws wide, colliding fullspeed with the robot. Its head fit into her maw, and her teeth clamped down. With one, rending tear and a shower of sparks, the androids head was torn from its neck. Luna tossed the prize away with distaste and heaved a soft roar. Then, she began cleaning her claws with her tongue, awaiting their next challenge. Logan approached her warily. He looked to Scott for a moment, who seemed to have his own situation under control. “Luna?” he asked. “You in there?” Tiredly, she changed back into her human form and nodded to him. “I thought you couldn’t understand human speech,” Logan said. “I mean, you were an animal.” “I don’t,” she said. “But somehow… It’s different with you. Like we’re speaking the same language.” He grinned and slipped his claws back into his knuckles before extending a helping hand to her. She took it and let him help her stand. “Whadaya say we help those two out?” he asked. “Sounds like fun to me,” she replied, turning to see Scott and Oriana’s progress. "We don't need your help," Oriana said, racing past the two. She was being closely followed by two of the robots. Scott was finishing off the one that was on him then turned his eyes towards the two after Ori. "Oriana! Bring them by me!" he called. "You got it!" she yelled back, quickly changing her direction as she sprinted towards Scott. "When I say ‘three’, you drop to the ground and roll," Scott said. "What if I don't?" "Do you really want to find that out?" "I guess not." One.. Two… THREE!" Scott yelled, and Oriana dropped to the ground and rolled forward. Red lasers shot from Scott’s eyes and blew the two Robots to shreds. Oriana rolled and came up so close to Scott that their noses were touching. Oriana smirked at Scott's nervous twitch and moved her head slightly, rubbing their noses together before pulling back and grinning towards Logan and Luna. “Please tell me we’re done here,” she said, looking in Scott’s direction. She looked around, wondering if Kurt heard her. “Yeah,” Scott said. “I’d say that was quite a workout. Thanks, Kurt. Shut her down.” “Righto,” came the omnipotent voice around them. The doors opened before them, and they exited. “I think I know why you guys are so good at what you do,” Luna said. “With practice sessions like that…” Oriana nodded. "Yeah," she said as they walked down the hall, "it was fun though. Wouldn't you agree, Luna?" Luna looked at her and grinned. "Yeah, it was." "I need a shower now..." Oriana said, frowning and looking at her sweat drenched clothing. "I was wondering what that smell was..." Logan said, grinning towards her. Oriana looked offended and kicked him in the rear. "You’re not supposed to say anything. But since you did, I am not going to take a shower. I will see you three later," Oriana said as she turned down the hall that led to her room. Luna grimaced at Logan. “Very nice,” she growled. “What?” he asked, shrugging. “Oh, forget it,” Luna said, walking toward her own room. She sat down on her bed and pushed a lock of black and pink hair from her sweaty forehead. She realized that she probably needed a shower, too. She gathered her clothes and stepped into the bathroom, running the water. She stripped and stepped under the torrent of water, feeling it soothe her burning, overworked muscles. With a sigh, she pressed her head against the wall and let the cool water run down her back. X-Men… She jerked and crossed her arms over her bare chest. Someone was in the room with her and hadn’t even had the courtesy to knock. But it had sounded like Xavier… Come to my office, please. I have news. Luna shook her head and scrunched her face in thought. That had come from inside her head. That bald freak was transmitting a call into her mind. Flattery will get you nowhere, Luna… She blushed and shut off the shower, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around her waist. In a few moments, she was dressed again, this time in a pink skirt and blouse with knee high, black boots. They clomped loud enough to cause an echo effect through the hall as she entered Xavier’s office. She noticed that everyone else was already present, including Oriana, who nodded and smiled to her. “I told you I had news,” Xavier said. “But it is unlikely that it is anything you wish to hear.” He paused. “Apocalypse is moving.” “Moving?” Cyclops asked, leaning toward the Professor. “He’s left Egypt,” Xavier said. “There are news reports of a ‘creature” fitting his description moving northward, but his path has veered. Toward the Atlantic Ocean.” “Where do you think he’s going?” Storm asked, dread in her voice. “If forced to speculate, I would say he’s coming here, to New York,” Xavier said, watching several of the team blanch and others tense up with readiness. “Whatever those stones he was having Dennis Thorbes gather are for… he is obviously ready to collect them.” Oriana twirled a piece of her wet hair. "Let me guess… You’re wanting us to go after him? Find some way to stop him?" Xavier nodded to her. "That would be correct." "Ah, okay... um... How do you suppose we do that?" she asked. "I'm sure you all will think of something when you get there." He smiled. "Use your brains." Oriana gave a sarcastic laugh. "Easy for you to say." “Regardless of how you do it, you must,” Xavier said. “You are humanity’s only hope.” Luna let her head hang a moment, feeling torn at his words. Humanity hated her. She, in turn, was supposed to hate them. But she couldn’t. “With great power, comes great responsibility,” she muttered to herself. “Huh?” Oriana questioned, leaning toward her. “Nothing.” “I will feed the coordinates into the X-Jet’s computer,” Xavier said, “but remember that he is in constant motion. Their accuracy may be slightly off.” “We’ll find him,” Cyclops said with resolve. “And we’ll stop him.” “Suit up,” Xavier ordered, pride shining in his eyes.
|