Blue text is where the information you provide will be placed…

David Van Den Bogaard
joins the X-Men to battle the Sentinels $22 ©Best

With love from,
Tony and Jen
Happy 9th Birthday

David Bogaard, age 9 years, of Massey, was playing a video game at the mall.  Suddenly he heard someone yell, "Oh no!  Not again!"  David turned around an saw a teenage girl standing in front of a game that was shooting out electrical sparks.  "Um, I guess there's a short-circuit in the machine," said the girl.  "Hi, my name is Jubilee."

What David didn't know was that Jubilee was a member of the X-Men.  Jubilee had special powers that caused the machine to malfunction.  Just then there was a huge explosion!  David and Jubilee emerged from the video arcade and saw a giant robot crashing through a glass wall at the entrance to the mall.

"it's a Sentinel, a robot built to hunt down mutants!" said Jubilee.  "You'd better stay inside the arcade.  My friend Storm and I will deal with this."  A blast of energy shot out of Jubilee's hands and smashed into the Sentinel.  "I sure wish Jake, Sarah and Megan could be here right now," thought David.

David could hardly believe what was happening!  Just then, someone else joined Jubilee.  The new arrival was able to fly and caused a giant windstorm to surround the Sentinel.  But that wasn't enough to stop the robot.  "Thanks for joining in, Storm," called out Jubilee.  "But I think we're going to need a big can opener to stop this metal menace."  David realized that Jubilee and Storm needed help.

Thinking fast, David ran to a hardware store and grabbed a garden hose.  Then David ran faster than he ever had before.  He zoomed at lightening-speed around the Sentinel, looping the hose around the legs of the robot.  Unable to move, the Sentinel toppled to the ground.  David had stopped the robot.  "Did you see that?" gasped Jubilee.  "I think we should have a chat with David," said Storm.

David was exhausted.  He sat down on the floor of the mall to rest.  A man joined Storm and Jubilee, and the three of them walked over to David.  "Nice job stopping that Sentinel, Speedy," said the young man to David.  "My name is Gambit, and we're members of the X-Men.   How would you like to come with us to Professor Xavier's School so we can learn more about your mutant powers?"  "Mutant?" said David with surprise.  "I'm a mutant?"

David traveled to the X-Mansion where he met Professor Xavier and the X-Men team members.  "Being a mutant means that we're born with something extra in our genes--something that gives us each a unique power," explained Gambit.  "But how do I control my powers?" wondered David.  "I didn't ask to be a mutant."  "No one ever does, sugar," said Rogue.  "But you're not alone.  We're here to help you."

In the corner, Wolverine and the Beast were viewing a computer screen that showed several Sentinel robots.  "I hate to break up your little tea party," growled Wolverine, "but it looks like the Sentinels tracked David back to the X-Mansion.  We're about to have visitors."  CRASH! A Sentinel blasted through the wall.  A dozen more Sentinel robots were right behind, ready to attack!

The X-Men began to battle the intruders.  Wolverine used his claws to rip open one Sentinel's arm.  "Chew on a plasma blast, pal," shouted Jubilee as she zapped a Sentinel.  Cyclops blasted one robot, and Gambit tossed an explosive playing card.  But there were too many Sentinels.  David realized that he had to do something to help the X-Men.  With his newfound powers, he started speeding in one big circle around the sentinels, zipping around them faster and faster.

The plan worked!  The Sentinels had only been programmed to deal with the X-Men.  The robots didn't know how to react to the super-fast running powers David possessed.  As David distracted the Sentinels, the X-Men teamed up to smash the Sentinels into little bits.  "Outstanding job, David!" said the Beast.

"You were great, David," said Jubilee.  "How would you like to stay here in the X-Mansion for a while?"  "Thanks," said David, "but I need to go home.  Jake, Sarah and Megan will be waiting for me."  "At least we can drive you home," offered the Beast.  Professor X smiled and said, "You're always welcome here, David.  Who knows?  Perhaps in a few years you'll be able to join the X-Men!"