Warning: angst. So much Henry angst. 
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Chapter twelve: 
Henry Swan-Mills 
Class: other, fairy tale character 
Powers: none
Dimension: Earth 9

This superhero thing is harder than it looks. 

For a guy with no powers it was even harder. 

The first few weeks of having gym I woke up to pain. Not cause I was seriously hurt of anything, but my muscles and body was just screaming in pain due to how much work it was.

Of course, not every class required you to be active. History was interesting, and Tech Lab was....okay, if you didn't focus on what Tony said too much.

Spy Skills was cool too, but I wasn't that good at it. Science I wasn't great at either, but Doctor Banner helped me after class so I wasn't too confused.

Or, at least, he did before he went on a rampage and destroyed half of the school. Speaking of which, magic was used to put it back together, so I planned on mentioning that next time I had Tony's class.

Oh, and the teachers decided on--

"Hey if it isn't Prince Charming!!" Cassie teased. I rolled my eyes.

"I'll explain this to you again Cassie; he's my grandfather."

"Right, and Snow White is your grandmother but the Evil Queen--."

"Not the Evil Queen anymore."

"Is your mother, but according to the stories she's also the stepmother to Snow White."

"Correct."

"You see how confusing this is right?" I sighed, but a smile was on my face.

"Yeah Cassie, kind of like how your dad got out of prison and became a hero." She glared at me and I laughed, walking into Gym.

Only to be stopped by Wolverine.

"Hold on there bub. We gotta talk." Cassie walked off to get changed, and I sighed.

"Alright. What is it?" Logan crossed his arms. He was shorter than Hugh Jackman; a lot shorter. I had to try my hardest not to laugh at how short he was, because I knew where Hugh was taller, this one was more violent.

"You ain't gonna pass this class if you keep continuing like you do." He said bluntly. I frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the fact that you ain't athletic kid, not by a long shot. Last class Cassie Lang ended up carrying you to the finish line, and the class before that your buddy Universe was the only reason you made it without a scratch." I clenched my fists tightly. This was so unfair.

"What do you expect me to do?! I don't have any powers!!"

"I could list off several heroes I know that don't have powers but I know that won't mean a damn thing to you Mills. Long story short I'm assigning you a sword fighting tutor."

"Excuse me? I don't need a tutor." Logan snorted.

"Yeah, you do." I glared at him and Logan sighed, "Look, kid I know you ain't got powers, but there are others way you could be helpful. Your sword fighting is....subpar at best. Get enough training and you could be knocking down LMDs like a pro. I'm just trying to help you out Mills."

"I'll be fine. Like you pointed out, Cassie and Steven have my back."

"Yeah but do you have theirs?" Logan handed me a Stark pad with a blue demon on it. Nightcrawler.

"He's one of the best swordsmen in this school. The other already has a kid training under him. Kurt agreed to tutor you after school Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. You don't show up without an explanation and it's a detention you got that Mills?" I nodded curtly. I still didn't think I needed a tutor.

"Yeah. I got that." Handing it back to him, I walked into the boys locker room. What you wore during gym depended on your class; Cassie wore her Stature costume, and the rest of the Young Avengers wore their costumes too. If you didn't have one, then SHIELD provided black spandex with the symbol of your class on it.

My symbol was two crossed swords with an apple in the middle. Not as bad as it could be.

"What did Logan want to talk to you about?" Steven and Cassie asked, almost in unison.

"I'm getting a sword fighting teacher." I muttered, gripping the sword by my side tightly. As a going away present, Hook and Grandpa had gotten me a sword; worthy of a pirate and a hero.

"Well it could be worse. I thought you were in trouble." Steven said. Somehow, he was allowed to wear his pink and yellow star shirt and jeans in class. I didn't understand why he could wear normal clothes and we couldn't.

"Yeah, no kidding. I thought Logan was going to run you through with his claws."

"Nah, Logan wouldn't kill a student." I said. Stature snorted.

"You sure about that?"

"Alright class, today will be the typical Danger Room run through. Split into your teams of four and get ready. Rememeber, teamwork is important; sometimes the only people you can count on are the ones right next to you." Stature, Steven and Magik. They were my teammates.

Magik sort of scared me to be honest. Giant sword by her side, and her outfit didn't help it. Also, she sort of controlled like, limbo or something. Undead armies weren't normally what perfect angels controlled.

"Are we sure Prince Charming over there will be useful this time?" She asked. I glared at her.

"Not Prince Charming, and yes. I've gotten better with my sword." She snorted.

"That's not saying much." The gym floor started to shift underneath us, the danger room kicking into action. It was a labyrinth, like there normally was. I had complained to Steven about it, and he said one of his friends, Victor had told him that the labyrinth was just until Logan could get a feel of what we can do, and to get us used to the school's program. Sometimes they did something like intense dodgeball or something. 

"Get ready cupcakes!" Coach Hedge. Saytr, and totally out of his mind. 

"Wonder what it is today." I muttered. Part of me regretted not asking Mom if I could take Doctor Strange's class teaching magic, but the rest of me remember the magic was the source of most of the problems in my house. 

Siren. Three teams entered at a time, required to take a different path each time. When the next three entered, the labyrinth would switch it up again. Keep things interesting. 

"Come on!!" Stature exclaimed, running forward. Magik, Steven and I followed behind her quickly, not wanting to get separated. 

"Lets go left." Magik all but practically ordered, walking to the left side of the maze. Steven's shield appeared on his arm, and with a hesitant look passed between the three of us, we followed her. 

"Its dark." Stature whispered. 

"You don't say." 

"Hold on, I think I can get my gem to glow. That'd give us some light." Steven lifted his shirt optimistically, a smile on his face as his pink gem began to glow. 

"Thanks Steven. You think you can hold it?" He nodded. 

"Yeah, it's just light." Holding up her sword, Magik stopped us. 

"Quiet. I think it's the mazes first challenge for us." Next to me, Stature began to grow. 

"What do you think it is? I could probably just step on it." Steven and I raised our weapons, getting ready. 

"No, you can't. Not if its what I think it is." 

"Well what is it?" I was ignored. Magik's sword began to glow and I got ready for a fight. What would it be this time? Just some simple LMDs? Perhaps some Greek monster from the myths? 

"Can't you just teleport us away?" Steven asked. 

"It'd follow...now get ready, its getting closer." 

"What is?!" Okay, maybe I said that a little too loudly. A large red beam shot towards us, hitting Statue and sending her stumbling backwards. 

"Cassie!" 

"Sentinels!! Run!" 

"But Cassie--."

"RUN!!" Magik pushed me forward, and I knew deep down she doubted my ability to fight. She wanted me to run while the rest of them actually fought that thing. Granted, it was tracking mutant DNA; it was Magik's fault it was here, not mine. 

Instead of running like she insisted, I went over to see if Stature was alright. Steven shielded us from another optic blast while Magik tried to rip it apart with her sword. 

"Are you alright?" Shrinking down, Stature nodded. 

"Yeah, I'm fine Henry, thanks. Sentinels are no small thing though. I mean, they hunt X-men for a living." 

"I know, I read the comics. It might just be an LMD but it still thinks like a Sentinel. Which means Magik is the key." 

"Comics? Key to what?" Ignoring her I ran behind Steven's enlarged shield and called out to Magik,

"Illyana you have to listen to me!! I have an idea!!" Ignored. Of course.

"Magik!! We have a plan, come on!!" Steven called out. Teleporting behind us, she glared at me. 

"This better be good Charming." I rolled my eyes. Why didn't anyone understand that I wasn't Prince Charming? And that Prince Charming wasn't even his real name?! 

"It is. Stature, hold it off for a second. Sentinels track mutant DNA--."

"Of course, everyone knows that." She said dully. While Stature had her rematch with the giant robot, Steven's shield still protecting us from any wayward blasts. I didn't know how long he could hold it for however, so I talked faster. 

"Which means you lead it here and you can lead it away. It may be an LMD but it is programed to think like a real Sentinel. You lead it away and the rest of us can get it from behind. Then you open a portal to limbo or whatever you go and deal with it there. Aren't your powers stronger there?" She nodded. I could tell she didn't like working with me, but considering our grade depended on it, she went along with it.

"Fine, but if this fails, its on you Mills. Stature, fall back!!" Magik teleported back to the robot, gaining its attention, while the rest of us made a run for it. 

"Are you sure this will work?" Steven asked, as we side stepped into a different path, Magik running past us with the Sentinel behind her. 

"It should. I don't see why it won't." I answered. 

"You ready?" I asked them, after a few more seconds. They both nodded. 

"Lets go then." We didn't have a battle cry. We really should've thought of one, but currently we didn't have one. 

Something they don't explain in all the stories is how awkward combat could be; you never read about Captain America or Batman hesitating because they aren't sure where they're needed. You don't see in movies Spiderman awkwardly kicking Doctor Octopus because its the first time he's really done something like that. Even in X-men, when new mutants are being attacked by these same robots, they always have some idea of what they're doing. 

It's false advertising. 

I didn't know my place here. Somehow, I found myself on the sidelines again, watching as everyone else battled this giant robot. Statue held it down till Magik opened a portal and with the help from Steven, they both pushed it in. Magik appeared a few moments later with good news that the robot was in fact, defeated. 

"We did it!! Nice job team!!" Stature cheered, high giving Steven. I sighed, putting my sword back where it belonged on my side. I doubted I'd be needing it again. 

"Nice job Charming. Seems you are good for something." It was supposed to be a compliment, I know it was. If perhaps her brother, Colossus was here, it would've been a different version of a compliment. Something like, "good job comrade". But Magik wasn't Colossus, and her version of a "compliment" didn't lift my mood. 

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

After gym, I had History (which was technically now known as Dimensional History), Care of Magical Creature, lunch, Spy Skills and a study hall. 

I spent my study hall in the library talking to Grandma.

Well, it was more like complaining. But I'm calling it talking. 

"So Professor Logan says I need a tutor now. A sword fighting teacher that is. You wouldn't happen to have any sway with the teachers would you?" Grandma chuckled. The school had come to know her as 'Ms Belle', something she was fine with and didn't make any effort to change. 

"Unfortunately for you, I don't. However, at the parent open house night, I'm sure if its still not working out then one of your mothers can talk to the Headmasters about it. But give it a chance Henry; I know it doesn't seem like it, but I do believe he is trying to help you, and I'm sure Kurt will do his best to help you as well." I sighed, standing up. 

"It's not about that, it's about how unfair this, and everything else is. The school was built for kids who already had some form of training, not kids who need it!! Nothing about this place is fair!!" 

"Henry, if this place was unfair, then I don't think Logan would go out of his way to get you a tutor." Grandma said simply, going back to organizing spell books. 

"He gave me a tutor because he doesn't believe I can do it." Another chuckle came from Grandma as she turned around to face me.

"I'll admit, I don't know him that well. But do you really think that he would give up his time if he didn't believe in you?" The bell rang and I didn't answer her question before practically running out the door. 

Logan didn't give me anything, really. He didn't give up any time, he's just forcing me upon some kid. I bet it's because he doesn't actually want to deal with me. 

Before heading to the lunch room to grab a snack (provided after school for anyone who wanted to eat while they study or whatever), I stopped by the gym to check when I was due to see my tutor. 

Three o'clock, on the dot. Gym. Don't be late or else. 

Useful information given in typical Wolverine style. 

Which meant I had about an hour or so before I had to be back there. Great. 

Struggling to understand what Agent Romanova was asking us to do in the assignment she had given us, I tossed it aside, frustrated by everything. Maybe Mom was right to insist that I stay home. 

I decided to use my spare time and write a letter. To both moms and everyone else who might be reading it. 

But what to include? If I complain, they'd pull me out for sure. Either that or storm the castle and demand an explanation, which would be embarrassing to say the least. After about four different drafts, I decided to just tell them about the parent open house, which I'm sure they already knew about. I told them to come so they could meet all my friends and teachers. I'd tell them about the tutor later

I was almost late by the way. I needed a watch or something, but I managed to make it to the gym in time. 

Every High School has the popular kids. Granted, here, it wasn't so much they were Mean Girls popular, but everyone (especially in the higher grades) knew everyone. 

The X-men were popular. Most people knew them, and if they didn't, you at least knew some members, such as Kurt Wagner, who made a point to be nice to everyone, despite his appearance. 

The Hamato brothers were a different story. There was four, but now it was down to three. Leonardo, the responsible one. He didn't mind helping out younger students or getting into very loud arguments with his brother Raphael. The hothead, who almost everyone avoided, excluding people like Connor Kent, who was practically his best friend. Then there was Mikey, who was friendly with anyone who would talk to him. He was easy to get along with. 

So. Leonardo Hamato and Kurt Wagner were sparring in the middle of the gym. I'm guessing Leo was who Logan was referring too. 

"You're Steven's friend....Connie right?" She nodded, smiling. 

"Yep!! You're Henry right? One of his roommates?" I nodded, then gestured to the sparing students. Even with his teleportation, Kurt couldn't seem to catch Leo off guard. It was interesting to watch. 

"How long has this been going on?" Connie shrugged.

"I don't know, they were doing this when I got here. Maybe they're sparring over who gets to use the gym?" 

"The gym can split into two different sections...you don't think they're showing off do you?" Connie shrugged again, and I sighed, looking at them once again. I wondered if they noticed us here...

To test my theory, I called out;

"Hey!! Am I in the right place?" They both looked, but Kurt longer than Leo did, giving Leo the advantage he needed. In a blink of an eye, he flipped Kurt over, pinning him to the ground with a katana pointed at the back of his head.

"I win." I heard him say, almost smugly.

"No fair!! I was distacted." Kurt complained, when Leo let him up.

"Always keep your eye on your opponent." He countered, and Kurt crossed his arms.

"This does not count as a victory for you Leonardo as we were both distracted by our new students. I call a rematch." Nightcrawler then teleported in front of me, a smile on his face.

"Hallo!! I am Kurt Wagner, but you may call me Nightcrawler if you wish. Are you Henry?" I nodded.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Herr Mills. Logan has asked that I assist you with your sword fighting."

"I don't need assistance. I'm only here so I don't get a detention." If I offended him, Kurt didn't show it.

"Because Leonardo and I have most of the same classes, we must share the gym with Leo and his student, Connie--."

"So we're only using half of the gym. Got it." I interrupted. Kurt nodded and lead me over to his side, just as the wall was being put up.

"Indeed Herr Mills. However, this will be an acceptable amount of space. Now, perhaps you should show me what exactly you can do?" He grinned, pulling out one of the swords strapped to his back. It reminded me of the one Hook uses; a pirate sword.

I pulled out mine and got into a fighting position, thankful that I changed back into my gym clothes for this. I hadn't really seen Kurt in action off the pages, but I knew he was agile.

"No teleporting." I said, before we began. He blinked. "Why would I teleport? That would be unfair."

"You did with Leo. Just wanted to make sure that you wouldnt."

"I did teleport with Herr Hamato, but he is also more skilled than you are." I didn't have time to process what he said before Kurt grinned at me again, saying

"En garde mein freund." It was quick, and fast. Even without his teleportation, Kurt disarmed me before I could even blink.

"Hm, nice try Herr Mills. Perhaps we should try that again." He had caught my sword with his tail, and tossed it back to me with ease.

"Now, en garde Herr Mills!!" I was ready this time...or as ready as I could be. I lasted about a mintue--I suspected he was going easy on me-- before Kurt disarmed me once again, somehow catching my sword with his tail, like it was another arm. I meanwhile, was on the ground.

"Haha!! You did better that time!" I rolled my eyes, despite the grin on Kurt's face.

"Please. I did no better than I did the first time; you just went easier on me the second time."

"I did nothing of the sort Herr Mills. Now I suggest that we work on your form--."

"My form is fine."

"Well then perhaps your reaction--."

"My reactions are also fine, thank you very much." I was annoyed and angry. I didn't think Kurt actually knew what he was doing; just messing around and playing teacher.

"We must start somewhere. There is no point in you being here if you are not willing to learn." I stood up and grabbed my sword from him.

"You're right, there's no reason for me to be here. Sorry for wasting your time." Ever try to get away from a teleporter?

"I am not letting you walk away Herr Mills." Suddenly he was in front of me, and the room smelt like sulfur and brimstone.

"My name is not Herr Mills, so stop calling me that. It's Henry, and like you said, there's no point in me being here." I tried to sidestep, but Kurt followed me.

"Why are you so unwilling to learn?"

"It's not that I'm unwilling...it's just this is help I don't need. I don't want someone holding my hand the whole time that I'm here."

"No one is holding your hand..we are just trying to help."

"I don't want your help." I'd figure this out on my own.

But I have to admit....this was harder than it looked.

Maybe Mom should pull me out.

________________________________________________________
Like I said, angst.

So much angst.

Anyway, sorry this isn't a Christmas/Holiday one, I do have one planned but of course, I have terrible time management. :/

Like, it's terrible. Even worse since I have new comic books to read.

SPEAKING OF I GOT MILES MORALES SO NOW I HAVE A BIGGER REFERENCE AS TOO WHAT HE'S LIKE ☺

Where was I? Oh yes. I'll try to update soon, I promise. I'm on vacation now so I don't have much to do right now.

Peace!! ^-^