Chapter 10

“Natey, where are we?”

Nate stared at the sprawling mansion for a few moments before answering, “This used to be my home, Ariel. Come on, let’s see if anyone’s here.” They walked up to the large school and knocked on the door.

“I should warn you, some of the people here may be a bit frightening to you,” Nate said, glancing around.

Ariel smiled and tightened her grip on his arm. “I could never be afraid with you around to protect me, Natey.” He ignored her comment as the door swung open.

Ariel stared into the face of a large blue, furry creature. It smiled and said, “Welcome back, Nathan, but who is your lovely visitor?” Ariel blushed and managed a timid greeting.

“Beast, this is my friend, Ariel.”

“Forgive me if I startled you, dear lady,” Beast said, kissing her hand.

Ariel blushed again and said, “That’s okay.” Beast hopped away from the door and beckoned them to follow.

Nate had seen the place many times before, but Ariel was amazed by it. He had to drag her along to keep up with Beast. Eventually, they arrived in the War Room, where Professor Xavier and Cable were conversing. As they entered the room, Nate winced and began to wobble. Ariel looked at him, instantly concerned. “Natey, what’s wrong?”

Nate shook his head and said, “I’ll be fine in a minute.”

Prof. Xavier turned to them and said, “It’s good to see you again, Nathan.”

“You too, Professor. Ariel, this is Prof. Xavier and Cable, my uh...uncle.” Cable smiled and greeted them both.

“Come with me, Nathan and Ariel,” Xavier said, heading out of the room, “I’m sure the others will be anxious to see you.”

They walked after Xavier and were followed by Cable, who placed a hand on Nate’s shoulder. “Uncle, huh?” he asked.

Nate shrugged and said, “It’s sorta true...I guess.” Cable chuckled and followed them all to the control center of the Danger Room.

Ariel gasped when she looked out of the thick glass window down into the Danger Room. The X-Men Rogue, Gambit, Iceman, and Storm were currently training inside. A lean, Native American man was sitting at the controls. “What program is this, Forge?” Xavier asked.

Forge glanced back at them and said, “Prime Sentinels, from Operation: Zero Tolerance.”

The X-Men were disarming the Sentinels with little or no difficulty. Storm electrocuted two with lightning bolts, while Iceman crushed one with a huge block of ice. Rogue simply smashed two together, and Gambit charged another two full of kinetic energy. Seconds later, the room was filled with bits and pieces of exploded Sentinels.

Forge cranked up the danger level to 10, and there was a loud hum as a new batch of Sentinels emerged from a hidden panel in the wall. “Nate,” Ariel said, her eyes wide, “aren’t those things dangerous?”

Nate responded, “More than that; they’re deadly.”

Inside the Danger Room, things were heating up. “Looks like Forge not gonna take it easy on us today,” Gambit said, plunging his staff into a nearby Sentinel’s chest.

“When has he ever, sugah?” Rogue asked, flying overhead.

“Hey guys, a little help over here?!” Iceman shouted, fighting off several others.

“On our way, Bobby,” Rogue said, grabbing the collar of Gambit’s trenchcoat as she flew towards Iceman.

Iceman was completely surrounded by Sentinels, and might have been in trouble if not for Storm’s lightning bolts, which blew them all apart. Iceman sighed in relief and sagged against the wall. “Thanks a lot, Storm,” he said, gasping for breath.

Storm placed a hand on his shoulder and said, “It’s not over yet, my friend. Look!” More Sentinels were coming from the panel, a seemingly endless flow of them.

“Can they really handle all that, Mr. Forge?” Ariel asked.

Forge shrugged and said, “If they can’t, we’ll find out soon enough.”

Ariel glanced up at Nate, who’s face was a mask of concern. She squeezed his arm reassuringly, but Nate’s eyes only narrowed in anger. “Forge, I really think that’s enough.”

“I don’t remember asking you, Nate,” Forge replied.

“What is Forge doing up there?” Rogue asked, crashing through three Sentinels.

“Gambit don’ like this, mon ami. Forge flying off the deep end, no?” Storm soared high into the air, tossing more lightning bolts at the approaching Sentinels.

“Storm, behind you!” Iceman yelled at the top of his lungs.

His warning came too late, and as Storm turned, she was blasted by a Sentinel. “Designate: Storm, acquired,” it said, grabbing her arm.

“They got Storm! Let’s move, guys!” Rogue shouted, even as she was blasted by two more Sentinels.

“Designate: Rogue, acquired.”

There was a series of explosions at the other end of the room as a lone figure flew through the crowd of Sentinels, destroying them as he went. He rammed through Storm’s Sentinel and caught her in his arms. Then he hovered in silence as he stared down at the rest of the Sentinels. Another series of explosions sounded as they all blew up, spraying the X-Men with spare parts. The Danger Room automatically begin to shut down, returning to its normal status.

The main doors slid open with a hiss, and Xavier, Ariel, Cable, and Forge entered the room. Forge ran straight to Nate and began to give him a stern lecture on interrupting Danger Room programs, jabbing his finger in Nate’s chest for emphasis. Nate, still clutching Storm in his arms, smacked Forge’s finger aside. “If you ever endanger Storm, or any other X-Man, like that again, I’ll kill you myself.” Nate walked past him and out of the room, followed by Ariel, Cable, Xavier, and the other X-Men.

As he headed for the infirmary, Nate could see someone heading towards him. He averted his eyes as he recognized Cyclops. “What have you done to Storm?” he asked in anger, reaching out to take her from Nate.

Nate pulled back and replied, “I just saved her life. Now please, get out of my way.”

Cyclops ignored his words and his ruby red visor began to glow.

“Scott, that is enough!” Xavier said, waving him aside. “Storm needs medical attention, and you are only making her condition worse by blocking Nathan’s path.” Cyclops moved out of the way, glaring at Nate all the while.

“Nate, who was that man?” Ariel whispered when they were several feet away.

Nate sighed and said, “No one, Ariel.” He turned to Cable and placed Storm in his arms. “Come on, Ariel, let’s go. It’s all too clear to me now why I dreaded coming back here.” He turned and walked down the hall, followed by Ariel. “Professor,” he said, not bothering to turn around, “tell my mother that I love her.”

“I’ll do that, son. Good luck to you both.”