Flying Free: My Hero Evolution Wings of Change (X-Men/My hero crossover)

Chapter 28: Fun and Games

The refreshing spring air flows through his Fierce Wings as he sits on top of the hill looking down at the recruits starting to gather in the open field below him. Still stewing from his conversation with Logan earlier that morning, Hawks lowers his back to the ground to look up at the sky, longing for the day he could fly again. The thought of joining the recruits in their training was so... degrading. Is Logan just doing a power play to intimidate/undermine me? What is his problem?

Suddenly, in the distance, Hawks sees Jean join the recruits. While Logan and the Hank line the south side of the field, Jean and the X-Men and the recruits line up on the north side. Jean begins looking around the field, seemingly anxious, then stops when she sees Hawks from the distance. She runs up the hill towards him.

"Are you coming or what?" She says through her panting after just having sprinted up the hill.

"To what?"

"To Logan's training. He said he invited you."

"Oh, that? I mean, who does he think he is, anyway? How degrading!"

"Keigo, it was actually my idea to have you join."

"What? Why would you-"

"The best way for you to learn to use your quirk again is to be exposed to a fun situation when your reflexes will take over. For training today, we're playing dodgeball. That's it. The goal of today is just to have fun and kick some serious butt."

"Wait, your training is just to play games today?"

"Yeah, we've actually found games to be one of the most effective training tools. Come on, I showed up because I am hoping to be your partner."

"My- partner?"

"-for the game, I mean."

"Oh, yeah, of course. For the game."

Jean and Hawks look at one another for a moment, then Jean breaks the awkward silence.

"So, are you in or what?"

"Huh, uh, yeah, of course I'm in! Let's go kick some serious recruits' butt!"

****

Logan's booming voice cuts through the loud chatter of the recruits. "Everyone, bring it in and we'll begin today's training."

"Looks like the fun's over," Iceman says as they walk towards Logan.

A group of recruits see Hawks and Jean walking towards the group. Disregarding Logan's command, they race over to meet Hawks and Jean.

"Hawks, are you here to help? What are we doing today?" Cannonball exclaims more loudly than intended.

"Yeah, and is it something fun?" asks Multiple, almost equally as loudly.

"No way, I bet it's boring if Logan thought of it." Berzerker counters, loudest of all.

Jean looks up, hoping Logan cannot hear the insults from the recruits. To her dismay, Logan is looking over at them. Hawks, noticing Logan's glance too, tries to buffer the situation.

"I hope you guys brought your A game. Jean and I are joining you guys for training today."

"Yes!" Jean responds. "And we better get over there before Logan gives the instructions!"

Then Hawks, Jean, and their entourage run over to join the recruits for Logan's instruction.

"Okay listen up! We're going to try something different today."

The recruits look around at each other rolling their eyes.

Logan chuckles. "Hold your judgements until you hear what we are doing. You guys might like this one." he says, pulling out a red rubber ball from the bag.