The Danger Room (open)

[Cyclops]

Cyclops wore his classic X-Men costume, blue and yellow with his visor strapped over his deadly eyes. He stood stiffly outside the Danger Room and silently contemplated the events that had taken place at the War Memorial just recently. He was mourning that day, he let others do the fighting.

But Scott saw clearly that day what the future would hold. The war was not over, at least not for the Untouchables. They faced new enemies now. Eachother, the government and the public. There would be deadly battles ahead, and Scott was determined to train his X-Men even further, especially the young Shadowcat. Scott worried for the younger X-Men.

"All X-Men to the Danger Room", he said slowly into his communicator. Cyclops continued to stand outside and wait for his team members to arrive for a grueling day inside the newly renovated training room.

[Gambit]

Remy LeBeau, much to his own surprise was the first to arrive after being called by Cyclops. He peered around, a bit surprised as it was just him and Scott. That hardly ever happened, and it was enough to make even the suave Cajun feel a little awkward. He hoped someone else would come by soon.

"Dis cause of dat capon from da memorial, no?", he said as he looked up and down the door of the infamous training room.

Quickly, Gambit reached into his pocket and pulled out a deck of cards. "X-Men are gonna make him the misere!"

Remy peered around and sighed as he leaned again the wall. "Dat is if da others show up!"

[Shadowcat]

Kitty Pryde's hazel eyes went wide as her communicator on her desk began to speak. She jumped off of her bed in her dorm within the school and immediately ran to the communicator. It had been a while. Excitedly, she dropped her clothes and pulled on her X-Men outfit that bore a bright yellow and a deep ebony. She found herself running to the Danger Room, phasing through the walls and the floor to get through her destination.

As Kitty approached the room, walking through the shiny, silver hallway. Pulling her hair up and tying it tightly, she peered over to the two men standing, obviously waiting for the others to come. "Hey, I'm here!" Kitty announced happily as she dropped her arms from her hair. Before she spoke again, she realized the stern expression of Cyclops and a man she hadn't seen in a while, Gambit.

This must be about the attacks on the Memorial. Kitty wished she could have swallowed her tongue. She was too carefree for her own good, sometimes.

[emmafrost]

Emma stepped out of the elevator dressed in her costume that consists of long white opera gloves, white leather pants that disappear seamlessly into white boots, a white belt and choker both include an X symbol and a white leather bodice that leaves her midriff exposed and has a long white cape that emerges from the bustline. She walked up to the others already seeing not many where there and raised a brow at Kitty's costume the girl needed to come up with something better then that or Colossus would go looking for someone else.

[colossus]

Colossus was not looking forward to training in the Danger Room, at least not after the previous day.

"I should not have eaten so many of the shrimp," he grumbled as he let his feet carry him out of the elevator and toward the Danger Room.

He had just finished with a shower and had decided to spend an uneventful day sketching and relaxing when his communicator had chirped to life and decided the day's fate for him.

I hope I am not late, he thought to himself as he approached the room in question. He was garbed in one of his many uniforms, one of the latest, in fact. While he discovered that he was not late, he was saddened to realize that he was not as punctual as usual, as a few of the others were already there.

Eyes downcast, Piotr nodded his head in their direction before taking up residence next to Remy and crossing his arms over his broad chest.

[Gambit]

"'Bout time den!", Gambit exclaimed as Kitty Pryde rushed up to him and Cyclops. He looked down at the slightly giddy girl and smiled. She was always one of the first ones to the scene, zipping through walls had that affect.

Upon looking back up he saw Colossus and Emma Frost walking up to the trio. He leaned up against a wall and wondered what would happen next.

"One more person and we make teams, no?", Remy questioned feeling suddenly excited about the training which would soon occur.

He looked next to him at Colossus and frowned before slapping the large man on the back. "You still dat shy, eh podna?"

[Shadowcat]

Kitty Pryde grinned wide to Remy as he greeted her. After nodding to Cyclops, she turned to see Emma Frost approach; Kitty sighed irritatedly and leaned up against the wall, crossing her arms and pouting. She did not like that woman, and that woman did not like her. It was a fact, so it was okay to draw out Kitty's feelings with an annoying, audible sigh. Soon enough, Piotr Rasputin trotted up, looking uncomfortable. He must think he's late or something. Kitty thought to herself and chuckled inwardly. Piotr was such a funny guy.

"You still dat shy, eh podna?"

Shadowcat, with Gambit in front of her and Colossus on her left, immediately reacted to Remy's comment with stifled laughter and a scrunched up face. Because Kitty was prone to... well... finding things humorous, she grinned and hid her laughter. His accent was just so funny; it certainly had been a while.

[Storm]

When Cyclops' voice boomed through the communicator, Ororo had been in the arboretum, tending to her plants as she often did in her free time. Being surrounded by verdure always had a consoling affect upon the weather witch, but she did not fool herself into imagining this brief calm would last. Thinking of what had occurred at the War Memorial, it might as well be over. That the war they waged would have consequences was saddening, but predictable. Unsurprised to receive the summon, Storm swiftly left the greenhouse and flew over to the attic, donning her form-fitting, caped costume before proceeding to the lower levels. High heels clicked against the metallic surface rhythmically as she made her way down the corridor, cerulean gaze taking in the X-Men already present.

“Pardon my tardiness, I was in the greenhouse,” Storm said as she reached the group, lacing her arms over her stomach.

[colossus]

Colossus glanced up at Gambit's words and frowned as he felt his cheeks heat. But before he could respond, Storm joined their little group. He quickly nodded his head in her direction to offer her the respect she deserved before glancing back at Gambit.

"Some things never change, comrade," he offered as an explanation as he uncrossed his arms and let them hang at his side as he quickly transformed. "We are ready for the training now?" he asked as his silver eyes glanced around.

Then he caught sight of Kitty's scrunched up face and offered her a grin. Must she always laugh at me? he pondered briefly in good humour.

[Shadowcat]

As Storm approached, Kitty also bobbed her head in respect. The weather-controlling woman must have known about the attacks as well at the memorial. A saddening veil spread through Kitty's body. It wasn't fair that many took advantage of the solemn moment to attack-- and kidnap Tony Starks, of all people. Tony Starks, the head of Stark Industries. Of all people. Her hazel eyes narrowed at Emma Frost as she ran the events through her mind. But it was something she couldn't worry about now. Emma was here for a reason, and Shadowcat had to deal with the White Witch.

Kitty began to ponder the same thought as Colossus asked if we were ready for training. She shrugged, as if the Russian had been asking her, and gazed around curiously. All Shadowcat knew is that she was going to need an intense crash-course on her combat skills. Sure, Katherine could possibly be one of the most intelligent sixteen-year-olds in America, but that doesn't mean she always knows what she's doing.

The young woman pulled her arms back behind her and grabbed two parts of her ponytail, tightening the hold. "Yeah, what exactly are we going over?" She attempted to make her voice sound firm and determined, but Kitty was still frightened by the constant eruption of violence.

[Rogue]

Drawing no real attention to her rather late response to Scott's rallying call, Rogue slid through the metallic hallway to the Danger Room with strong, strident steps, Long legs drawing her closer to the group gathered before the circular doors. Clad from head to booted feet in dark, forestial green and strips of stark white, cape trailing lightly on the metallic floor behind and dually-toned hair covered over by that ever-present, loose cowl. Indeed, after everything that had occured at the War Memorial, such dressing down seemed only right.

Emerald eyes flickered from one face to the next, half cast in shadow by her hood. Resting on Kitty's countenance at last, lips quirked up by just a fraction as silent response to the phaser's query.

"Took the question right offa my lips," Rogue drawled steadily, turning her attention to Scott for an instant. "Y'gonna lay some elucidatin' light on us, oh Fearless Leader?"

[Storm]

Blue gaze flickered across the faces of the gathered X-Men, a warm smile curling her lips in greeting as few nodded their heads in Storm’s direction when she approached. What truly separated the X-Men from the rest of the superhero teams was, if not their noble aspiration towards peaceful co-existence, but also the fact that they were much like a family even if no actual genetic ties bound them. Although the goddess wasn’t that fond of some – Emma Frost came to mind – there were those who she indeed thought of as little brother, sister or even a daughter. Kitten she loved dearly, and Peter and Remy where up there as well. The Windrider would do anything within her power to protect her surrogate family, but what she feared was X-Men overstepping their moral boundaries now that Charles was dead, and new wars were brewing upon the horizon.

No doubt Cyclops had called this meeting to discuss which way the X-Men went now, but as their leader drifted into silence, Storm deemed it appropriate – and required – to step in. “Let us step into the Danger Room, shall we,” the weather witch suggested, making her way into the metallic dome which wouldn’t spring alive just yet. Leveling her eyes upon the X-Men, she thought of the matters than needed to be commented upon, a role of a leader coming so easily and naturally. “In the wake of the recent events, as well as the war that have undoubtedly changed so much, it is my belief that X-Men’s first priority should be further training – not simply our own, but that of the younger students so they would be prepared for possibly threats that might come our way. These are dark times we live in, perhaps the darkest since Charles Xavier founded the school and gathered the first generation of the X-Men. But the light always shines brightest in the darkness and X-Men have always been that light, and we will continue to carry on that legacy and fight for the dream the Professor introduced us to.” The Afrocentric tones that rolled off Storm’s tongue were laced with reassurance and belief; she did not think X-Men would ever fail, even in the difficult times like these, and she’d fight with all of her might to make sure they don’t.

The African goddess looked towards the Cyclops then, goading the man’s response and trying to see if he had anything to add or not. She wasn’t attempting to steal his thunder – no pun intended – but he was the acting leader of the X-team. If Scott remained silent, Ororo would take that as a cue to continue, but in the meantime she was also willing to listen to the others who might want to say something, too.

[colossus]

Colossus readily followed Storm into the Danger Room, as he would follow her nearly anywhere. Strangely, the room itself was not ready for some sort of a simulation. He knew from past experience that Cyclops normally preferred to get started right away. But, the man called their leader was oddly silent as Storm addressed the group as a whole, causing his entire body to stiffen more than usual.

He had, of course, seen the horrors at the War Memorial firsthand. Things had grown completely out of control and he feared that lives may have been lost. Deep down, he partially blamed himself for not moving into action quick enough, but looking back, he knew that there was nothing that he could do to change things.

The Goddess was absolutely correct on all accounts, in his opinion. He could not remember ever facing such a daunting time in the past. The X-Men had remained strong through the thick and thin, and even without the presence of their founder, they would remain strong.

Feeling somewhat awkward, he lifted his head and glanced at Storm. She held herself with such grace that for a moment he felt like some sort of gawking giant. But, he got over his shyness instantly and opened his mouth to speak.

“There will be others that will run from this,” he spoke as clearly as possible, “but the X-Men will remain strong, Storm. I for one will not back down from this threat. The Professor would have wanted us to fight against this, to band together.” He paused for a moment as he tried to gather his thoughts more firmly. “We must train harder,” he agreed readily. “Our ranks have diminished. We need more power.”

Then, feeling somewhat overspoken, he dropped his gaze to the floor and merely stood, letting his mind churn over things. Storm’s words were like poetry, flowing smoothly and hitting each nerve correctly. His words, on the other hand, had sounded like he’d thrown them into a blender along with a handful of gravel.

But, he had made his point, he hoped.

They would carry on.

[Shadowcat]

It was an odd feeling. Kitty believed that not many of the X-Men had ever felt truly threatened until now. It was now that any one of them could get bombed simply because they were a mutant. Shadowcat found herself honestly afraid. But as Storm spoke, she felt her fear diminish as her confidence override any sense of insecurity. Kitty felt powerful with Ororo's determination. Shadowcat, following Colossus and Storm herself, eagerly walked into the Danger Room, ready for anything to fly at her. She was immediately aware until she realized the room was not... 'on'. The young X-Man gazed around curiously. Maybe Storm wanted to tell them something else.

As Piotr spoke, Kitty smiled, but held back her amused expression. What he said was the truth. Many would indeed run away from this entire mess, but the X-Men had something that not any army randomly thrown together had: Family. Living together with these people, though it wasn't all glamorous, created an atmosphere where Kitty felt as if she'd known everyone since birth. That created a bond strong enough for Kitty. She lightly patted the man's large, metal shoulder with a smile. It was just a little gesture to tell him that Shadowcat supported him and his words.

Her gaze fell to her hands, where she silently rubbed her fingers, awaiting the next move. It was true was Piotr had said; they needed more training. Of course, other things were lacking as well, but it all came down to the brute strength and tactics. Her hazel eyes turned to Storm's crystal blue ones as she waited for her words.

[Iceman]

Bobby had only been awake for a few minutes when his communicator had come to life, as it had a way of doing that recently. "About time." Bobby could always use more practice. His powers were still uncertain; however, Professor Xavier had told him that there was a lot more potential that he could reach after lots of practicing.

He quickly donned his X-Men uniform. A black suit and black leather pains. He zipped up the jacket and the felt the two ice blue x's around his collar seemed to buzz with life. He grabbed his communicator, dashed out of his room and into the elevator.

I'm going to be cutting this one close. Bobby thought as he jumped out of the elevator before the doors had completely opened. He ran down the hallway taking turn after turn at full sprint. He slowed down as he saw all the other X-Men waiting around the Danger Room. He joined the back of the group as they all walked inside and Storm began speaking.

Bobby just listened to what was going on, not adding any input. He listened to Storm,
In the wake of the recent events, as well as the war that have undoubtedly changed so much, it is my belief that X-Men’s first priority should be further training – not simply our own, but that of the younger students so they would be prepared for possibly threats that might come our way. These are dark times we live in, perhaps the darkest since Charles Xavier founded the school and gathered the first generation of the X-Men. But the light always shines brightest in the darkness and X-Men have always been that light, and we will continue to carry on that legacy and fight for the dream the Professor introduced us to.”

Then he heard Colossus chime in with an inspiring and uplifting comment,
“There will be others that will run from this,” “but the X-Men will remain strong, Storm. I for one will not back down from this threat. The Professor would have wanted us to fight against this, to band together.” “We must train harder,” “Our ranks have diminished. We need more power.”

Bobby smiled at the comment because it was the truth. All they needed was people to watch each other's backs and they would be good for a long time.