#xmereboot chapters

~~

The night was still. There was no distant sound of cars on the road, or chirping of birds, or even rustling of leaves.

 And then, suddenly, light- a blinding, yellow flash that burst from the Institute and enveloped it.

 As quickly as it came, it went, and there was stillness once again.

 --

 Sunlight would filter into the room, the early morning rays tinted a soft green as they came through the curtains. Jean sat up, took a good stretch, a waggled a hand for her brush as she left the bed. She would start changing, pausing.

 Her brush had remained unmoved from it's spot on the nightstand. She waggled her hand again, frowning sharply.

 It didn't move so much as an inch. And she was suddenly aware of the quiet. "...What....?"

 There was a THUNK a few doors down. "OUCH!"

 She would exist her room, hair still disorderly, slightly dazed and half dressed. "Wha...?"

 Kitty was pressed against the bathroom door. She was utterly flummoxed, and kept trying to get her hands through, but couldn't seem to.

 Jean picked up pretty fast, brow knitting together when she realized she couldn't just... KNOW what was wrong. "Y-You too?"

 "I..I don't--"

 CLUNK-THUMP

 "OW! WHAT?!"

 Todd had attempted to wall jump.

 He had failed. This was horrifying to him.

 "Wh-What is HAPPENING!?" Jean asked, moving quickly to him. "N-none of our powers are...?"

 "Where's the professor?" Todd asked quickly, shakily standing up.

 "I... I don't know." She replied. "I... Guess we have to track him down?"

 This was so... weird.

 Kitty started down the stairs. "Professor?!"

 "I'm down here!" He called, in the lobby.

 Jean moved down quickly. "Wh-What is going ON? None of our powers are working!"

 "Yeah man!" Todd said, "I-I was tryin' to jump around and I just...I couldn't stick!"

 Things would only get more OFF as Pietro joined the scene. 

Slowing from a run.

Out of breath.

 Todd gestured wildly to him, utterly aghast.

 "Right, we're calling a meeting." Xavier said, hand moving to his temple. He would pause mid reach, suddenly realizing. "Ah... I'm going to need all of you to gather everyone..."

 "O-of course..." Jean replied, shaken.

 Most everyone started to file downstairs quickly, after realizing themselves that their powers weren't working. Fred had tried to lift the couch. He was horrified when he could not. Lance was on said couch, stunned by this and the fact that his frustration hadn't even triggered a SLIGHT rumble.

 "So why are we having a meeting?" Kurt would ask from the second floor, climbing onto the banister.

 "KURT NO--" Jean told him, Kurt hopping off.

 He would very, VERY quickly realize he couldn't port to a solid landing, flailing suddenly. "WEH!"

 Fred dove forward. He caught Kurt in his arms, grunting slightly with the effort required. It still wasn't much effort, but now Fred could actually feel the effects of lifting something so light, and it was, again, horrifying.

 Kurt hadn't needed to be caught since he was tiny, first learning to climb and balance. It was... off. Sobering? He couldn't place the emotion. "..O-Oh. That's why."

 "WHAT IS GOING ON," Kitty asked loudly in exasperation.

 "Mph." Rogue would approach, still in a sleepy daze. "So noisy this mornin'..."

 Pietro paused for a moment, longer than he'd ever paused before. He would then stroll over, suddenly cupping her face.

 There was a pause, Rogue's eyes widening when Pietro DIDN'T keel over. "... HOLY SHIT."

 "PROFESSOR?!"

 “All of you, just relax! We can't figure this out if we panic!"

 "Guys-- GUYS!" Scott called from atop the stairs. "What is going ON? You know it's Saturday, don't you?"

 Rogue looked to him, pull away from Pietro and stroll to Scott. "...Scott. Don't freak out." She would then steal his shades.

 His eyes were closed and covered immediately. "Rogue, what are you doing?!"

 "Just open your eyes." She said, tugging off her glove and gently, hesitantly, taking his arm. "It'll be okay."

 The touch startled him. Scott paled considerably when he realized Rogue was...

 He took a deep breath, lowered his hands, and opened his eyes.

 It was normal. Everything was normal.

 He looked shell-shocked.

 "Our powers...None of them are working.." She explained, slightly shocked herself. She couldn't help but smile though. This whole thing was scary but.. somehow liberating?

 Jean turned to Xavier, whose brow was creased in worry. "We need to find the root cause of this, how many of us were affected..."

 "By the looks of it, all of us," Logan was coming into the room to join them.

 He had a small band-aid on his face. This elicited a sharp gasp of shock from the students.

 "WHAT IS HAPPENING!? WHY THIS!?"

 Ororo shook her head. "I can't even summon a breeze." She confirmed, Xavier's eyes narrowed. "... We need to find the root cause of this. All of you..." He looked to the gathered X-men. "... Just... live as normally as you can, for now."

 They all looked around, exchanging uncertain glances.

 Normally?

 "I'm gonna call S.H.I.E.L.D," Logan was the first to start away, "I don't like this at all."

 And so they began to disperse, Jean taking a deep breath. "Alright, well! They'll.. they'll figure it out soon, you'll see." She said, trying to keep positive. "And until then we... make the best of it."

 Pietro scoffed, sulking off. "Easy for you to say..." He grumbled. Everything had been dragging all morning. His feet, his thoughts. In frustration, he picked up the pace, starting into a trot, then a run, then a sprint.

 He growled when his lungs started to ache.

 NONE of this was okay.

 Pietro's mind was racing, but even then it was too slow. Thoughts took an eternity to form, it seemed. He scowled, turning and deciding to look for Evan. He hoped it didn't take too long to find him.

"And you just woke up like that?" Evan was talking with Augustus, standing in the doorway of Auggie's dorm. 

The younger mutant was sitting on his bed, looking utterly exhausted. "Yeah, it's like...I dunno. Like someone punched me in the head."

 "Evan!" Pietro slowed his run, glancing in. "... What's with him?"

 "He had a rough night." Alex was with Auggie, too, frowning slightly, his eyes narrowed in concern behind his bangs. He'd been attempting to tell him about the 'meeting' but, well. He'd gotten distracted.

 "I think it might be a side effect of what's going on,' Evan hypothesized. He gave Auggie a sympathetic look, then moved out with Pietro, "We'll let the Professor know, alright? Take it easy."

 "Y-Yeah. Thanks…”

 "Yeah. Just tell me if you need something!" Alex told him, Pietro watching a moment longer before keeping after Evan. "... So. How are you taking this?"

 "I mean, it's...weird," The understatement of the day, "But probably a lot better than other people. What about you?"

 "I...." Pietro scowled, reaching and grabbing his hand. "I hate this."

 Evan nodded, "I figured."

 "I'm slow! I-I'm tired! It takes so long to even form a thought!" He flailed his free hand. "It took ten minutes to find you-- do you know how LONG that is!?"

 Evan chuckled a little, "Welcome to my world, dude."

 "How do you DO this?!" He asked. "I-I feel... God I don't even know! Slow and clumsy and stupid and!" Pietro's free hand would grab his scalp, nails digging in.

 Evan squeezed his hand, "Stop that. Pietro, it's gonna be okay."

 He took a deep breath, shuddering on the exhale. He knew finding Evan was a good idea. "... What... What if our powers don't come back?"

 "...Then," Evan pulled him close, "We'll get through it. Together."

 Pietro gripped Evan tight, huffing sharply. "Yeah... Guess we will, huh?"

 ~~~

 "Could it be a bio-weapon?"

 Fury and Logan were talking on the phone.

 "We dunno, Fury. Everything looks normal so far, but..."

 "I see..."

Coulson was furiously searching through the base's records, eyes narrowed. "Do we have any record of anything LIKE this...?" He muttered.

 Xavier, with Logan, was rubbing his temple. "What... what did he offer?" He asked, not used to having to ask the question.

 "They dunno yet," Logan muttered a reply to him.

 "Have you felt any negative side-effects?" Fury asked.

 "One kid got a little sick, but nothin' deadly."

 "Ask them if anyone's changed to something more human? Like their blue folks." Coulson offered. He had no idea if that information would help, but it would be SOMETHING.

 "Has anyone's appearance changed?"

 "McCoy’s did. That’s about it. Nothin’s working."

 Xavier shook his head. "Not even the slightest, side powers... Bobby commented on it being cold." He told Logan. It had been a moment of shock for the lad.

 "What I'm tryin' to say, bub, is that it's like we're...'

 'Human." Fury finished, "Hm...Well. I'll send a team over to investigate. You all hold tight."

 Coulson shook his head, gathering files. "Quite..." He said, poking his head out and searching the hall for a free agent.

 One woman passed him, her nose buried in a clipboard.

 "Ah! Excuse me!" He called, waving her down.

 "Oh! Yes, Agent Coulson?"

 "Can you take these things to my office Miss..." He would glance to her name tag. "Romijn?"

 The woman nodded quickly, "Yes, sir."

 "Thank you. Just leave them on my desk."

 "Don't leave the school,' Fury was saying, "Keep yourselves safe."

 "Can't imagine they WOULD sir." Coulson offered as he ducked his head back in. "Without their powers well... It would be too dangerous. They wouldn't stand a chance."

 Fury nodded gravely.

 This didn't bode well.

 ~~

 "So." Jean started, looking over the duo. "I... Guess this must be nice?"

 Rogue smirked slightly, jacket tied around her waist and arms bare. "I mean. You could say that, yeah."

 Scott was still looking around. He hadn't seen colors aside from various shades of red since...well. "This is...wow." That was all he could say, really. 

 Jean sat across from them, smiling slightly. "Well... at least one good thing came from this?"

 "No kiddin." Rogue nudged him. "Wait til ya see what outside looks like."

 "Oh man!" Scott paused, "Do...Do you think we should? I'm not sure if it's safe."

 "Not safe HOW? We'd still be at the Institute."

 Scott knew that still wasn't enough. They had to be cautious.

 But...it had been so long since he'd seen a blue sky.

 "...Maybe if we just step out on the porch for a little while."

 "Of course!" Rogue gave Jean a slide glance.

 Jean just offered a smile. "I can't see much going wrong on the back porch."

 Scott smiled at them. "Well, alright. Just for a little bit."

 "Great!" Rogue stood, offering her hand. On instinct, Scott hesitated. But he didn't hesitate long. He took her hand gently, standing.

 "Man..." They started out, Jean smiling softly. "Been YEARS since I could do this."

 At least SOMETHING good was coming out of this mess.

 "I know," Scott said, "It's... I forgot how much I missed this."

 "I know. It's so... Wow." She'd forgotten how different skin to skin could feel. "This is just... Incredible. And man, it must be nuts for you."

 Scott chuckled, "It's just...yeah." When they stepped outside, Scott's breath caught. He was speechless.

 "Heh." Rogue watched him. "Nice?"

 "Beautiful..."

 "Heh... Yeah." She replied, giving his hand a squeeze.

 He was able to tear his eyes from the world and looked to her. His eyes softened. "...You know," He smirked playfully, "There are other colors besides black and purple."

 She perked, sputtering a laugh before managing a scoff. "ARE there?" She asked.

 Scott couldn't play along for long, breaking out in a laugh, "Y-Yeah!"

 "I can't believe you became a color expert so fast."

 "Hey now," He ruffled her hair, "I used to see like everybody else, you know!"

 "HAH~" She waved him off. "Yeah yeah. What colors would YOU suggest, huh~?"

 Scott thought about it for a moment. He reached and stroked a bit of Rogue's hair, "Maybe...Blue?"

 "I-I, uh...I'll give it a shot~" She said, running her thumb over his hand.

 "Cool...cool." He realized the uncertainty- would he get to see that? How long was this going to last? His smile faded.

 Rogue perked, free hand clenching slightly before she stroked his cheek. "Hey. I... know this could end at any time. But... We can enjoy it for now, right? And... Maybe work towards somethin' like this when it goes away?"

 "Like...like this?"

 "Ya know, this whole...control angle Prof's always talkin' about. Cause, not gonna lie? I wouldn't argue bein' able to do this more often."

 "Well...I'm sure you could. I know you could," Scott said, "But, uh...not me." He ran a hand through his hair, and when his fingertips brush the familiar scar at the back of his head, he shivered a little. “What happened to me is permanent.”

 "Mm..." She would take his other hand. ".. We'll figure somethin' out. For now.. Let's just enjoy this?"

 "Yeah..." He squeezed her hands. "Let's."

 ~~

 Jean was back inside, stirring tea for herself, TV on low in the background. It was so... odd. Not having other's thoughts and feelings at the edge of her mind.

 "Heeey," Kitty sat beside her, "How ya feelin'?"

 "Oh! Kitty, you uh. You startled me."

 "...Oh my god, that's weird."

 Jean managed a laugh. "I guess it must be, huh?"

 "Eeyeah," Kitty chuckled. "So...What's it like with all the quiet?"

 "It's... It's odd. I know I'm not home alone but.. It feels like I AM."

 "Whoa."

 "Mmhm... How about you? What's it like having to find the door?"

 "Eh," Kitty shrugged, snickering, "It's not all bad. Sometimes I forget, but...It actually wasn't that long ago that I was a 'human', y'know?"

 "Mm... That's true, isn't it? We've all grown so accustomed to them but, save for a couple cases, we were all 'human' once.."

 "Heh...Yeah." Kitty got quiet.

 That was so weird to think about.

 "... Do you think we'll go back? To having powers again? Being 'mutants'?" Though she supposed that, technically, they were still mutants. They just... lacked powers.

 It was odd.

 Kitty shrugged, "I...dunno. I hope so."

 "Do you?" Jean smirked slightly. "I remember a time you weren't keen on this whole mutant business."

 "Well," Kitty grinned, "I think I got the hang of it."

 "You did! As your senior x-man, I am glowing with pride~"

 Kitty bowed dramatically. "I am honored."

 "As you should be! Now." Jean would chuckle. "How about we have some tea, and put something on. A little distraction won't hurt anything."

 "Oh!"

 ~~

 Ororo was sitting inside, staring out the window and the light snowfall.

 She waved a hand; the snow continued to fall. "I don't know WHAT I expected..."

 "Habits die hard," Hank told her.

 She chuckled, patting the spot beside her. "I'd forgotten what it was like to have the elements not bend to my wills."

 "Ha! What a transition that must be!" Hank sat beside her, "...I don't like this. I mean, I'm...I'm grateful to look like this again, for however long. But there's something seriously wrong."

 "There is. Something caused this. And I can't stand that we don't know what...or even who."

 "Well...I suppose we have options to pick from," Hank sighed quietly.

 "We do, don't we... and to think, all of this started out so simple." As simple as it could, she supposed.

 "And now here we are."

 "Quite... What do you make of all this, Hank? Losing our powers, what makes us Mutants?"

 Hank looked out at the snow. He thought for a while. "...Honestly, I...don't quite know what to make of it. Whether this was some sort of-of weapon attack or..."

 "No matter WHAT the cause, it's troubling." Ororo offered him a slight smile. "And I hate to say I've no idea how to handle this in the long term."

 "Hoo...Me neither."

 "Mmm. Well." Ororo gave him a slight smile. "At least we have each other?"

 He returned it. "Quite right! We'll get through this all together, I should think!"

 She chuckled, appreciating the enthusiasm. "Don't we always?"

 "Well, uh, usually!"

 "Often enough. ... You know. We don't usually have quiet moments like this. How about you show me some of the basics of knitting?"

 Hank's face lit up. "I'll go get my yarn!"

 "I'll be here. Perhaps brew some more tea while you get it."

 "What an excellent idea-- Ooh! How about we start a whole knitting circle! Let's get some of the kids in on this!" Hank was far too excited.

 "An excellent idea! I'm sure a couple of them could use something else to do today." She chuckled. His enthusiasm was contagious.

 ~~

 "-- so then I started thinking," Augustus was feeling a bit better it seemed, though he was still exhausted, "What kind of parents could hate their kid for something they can't control? So I left."

 "Man... " Alex replied, having been listening with rapt attention. "That sounds like it was rough dude."

 "Yeah, well..." Auggie chuckled, shrugging, "That's how it is.'

 "I'm sorry dude." He said, pausing a moment before taking his shoulder. "You didn't deserve any of that."

 Augustus gave him a small smile. "No one does...But. That's why I'm here, isn't it?"

 "Yeah.. Guess so. H-hey. If you ever need me for anything like, ya know, to talk. I-I'm around, haha..."

 "Hey, man, I appreciate--" The phone on the nightstand buzzed. Auggie grabbed it quickly. As he read the messages, his face grew distant, and he paled a little.

 Alex's stomach clenched. "Auggie? Are you okay?"

 Augustus pocketed his phone, and he was quiet for a moment. He put a hand on Alex's shoulder, "We're friends, aren't we?"

 "Y-yeah! Of course we are!" He replied, perhaps a bit too quickly.

 "Good. I need you to trust me," He squeezed his shoulder, "Alright?"

 Alex perked, nodding slowly. "Y-You got it."

 "I need you to help me get out of here."

 He had to pause. "... W-Wait. Why do you wanna LEAVE?"

 Auggie grunted. "I...I'm..." He swallowed hard. "I've been playing two sides."

 Alex had to swallow the sudden lump in his throat. "Y.. you WHAT?"

 "Alex, listen!" He pleaded quietly, grabbing both his shoulders, "I-I didn't want to! She's...she's gonna..." Auggie's hands shook.

 Alex bit his lip, looking over him.

 He couldn't handle him looking like that. "Okay, okay." He replied, taking his hands. "Tell me from the top. What happened?"

 Auggie sighed in relief. "I was supposed to be feeding intel to...her," He shuddered a little, "But I can't-- I can't do this anymore."

 "Her WHO?" He asked. "A-And of course you can't, you're a good guy!"

 "I can't say, okay! She'll...she'll hurt me," He muttered, leaning closer, "I need to leave so I can break clean with her. I don't want you or anyone else here getting hurt."

 Alex frowned sharply. "... Y-You could stay. I'm sure Prof would understand..."

 "If I stay, she's going to destroy you." Augustus's tone was firm. "Please, Alex. I need you to trust me. I'll come back."

 "I..." He squeezed his hand. "... Okay. I... I'll help you." Alex gave him a slight grin. "But you BETTER come back, okay? Or I'll have to find you." He couldn't voice his fears. This was hard enough for Auggie already.

 Auggie smiled. "I promise."

 "Okay... I'll... I'll help you sneak out tonight."

 "I knew I could count on my Alex."

 Alex couldn't help but flush. "H-haha.. W-well. Ya know~"

 Auggie released him, "I need to take care of a few things. Can we just...keep this between us? Until things are resolved."

 "You got it. It'll be okay Auggie, okay? We'll get through this."

 "Heh...I believe that."

 ~~

 Miles away, Wasp was gearing up. Her suit was in place, gauntlets tested.

 If something was depowering mutants, then by God she was going to figure out what it was.

 "Wasp," Fury greeted her as he entered, "You don't need to do this, you know. We have plenty of capable soldiers along if things get dicey."

 "Don't worry Sir, I'm well aware." She gave her wings a test buzz.

 Fury's mouth twitched, and a small line formed between his brows. "I'm not sure I want to put you at such a risk, Wasp."

 "I'd argue I'm always at risk. Besides! Gauntlets have a back up sting, and we'll know how big the impact zone of whatever made them use their powers was, yeah?"

 "...I suppose you're right. Just be careful."

 "Aren't I always?" She asked, smirking slightly. "... Maybe don't answer that."

 He held in a chuckle. "Good luck, Agent. Wish I could be there myself, but..."

 Since Trask had disappeared, Fury had been very, very busy.

 "Don't worry sir!" Wasp stood straight, giving him a salute. "I'll represent us well, AND get to the bottom of this!"

 "I know you will."

 "And if it makes you feel better, I'll check in every fifteen minutes." She half teased.

 "On the dot." Fury insisted.

 "Hah. Understood, sir."

 ~~~

 Xavier sat in the front room, staring out the front room. It was odd, to wait on someone and have no idea when they would arrive. Logan and Hank were by his side. "When do you, uh, think they'll arrive?" Hank asked.

 "I don't know."

 "Surely they won't take too long?" Storm asked, behind him.

 "Mm.."

 "Perhaps we should round the children up," Hank suggested.

 "Probably... Ah."  A ship would land on their lawn, the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo emblazoned on it's side.

 Grunting, Logan went to open the door for them. Hank started upstairs to round everyone up. "Everyone! Let's get down to the living room!"

 Wasp would approach, taking them in. "Professor Xavier!" She greeted, stopping before the porch.

 A small team trailed behind her, already scanning the property, some with a type of reader. A few moved inside. Logan side-eyed them, and out of habit gave a sniff.

 "Smell anything?" Wasp asked, frowning slightly. "Or are your powers still down?"

 "The latter. At least in my case." Xavier told her.

 Logan shook his head slightly. "Nothin'." He grumbled.

 Augustus peeked his head around the corner. He wasn't seen, at least not yet. It came close when a S.H.I.E.L.D agent moved past him, scanner in hand. He went white.

 Time for a change of plans.

 "Alright. They'll be checking around, and know better then to try anything." Wasp assured. "And if they DO try anything, well." Her wings buzzed to life. "They won't again. Now, I'm going to do an overview on your roof." And with that, she excused herself to do just that.

 Augustus quickly darted away.

 Wasp would land on the roof, surveying the property and calling in. "There. Fifteen, just as promised."

 "What's your status?"

 "No trouble, so far. Everyone's still down. I'm-" She paused, suddenly.

 Wasp had done a test 'sting', to see how damp her powers were.

 But her sting had been full power. "... I'm... not affected?"

 "...Hm." That was unusual.

 "Either I'm some sort of anomaly, or we're not barking up the right tree."

 "Could it be something in their food?" Fury suggested, "I can't imagine any sort of disruptor would be able to be THAT specific..."

 Another thought occurred to him.

 "...Maybe a mutant could, though."

 She perked. "Sir?" She asked, suddenly on edge.

 "I want you to be on alert. Make sure all Institute residents are in sight."

 "I'll have them gathered and keep personal watch." She told him, eyes narrowed. "I won't let anyone leave."

 "Kids!' Hank opened the back door. Scott, having heard the ship land, had already risen to come in, but he still jumped a little in surprise at the sudden appearance of his teacher. "We're all gathering in the living room."

 "Right," Scott turned, "I'll go round up the others."

 Rogue nodded, bumping his shoulder. "Me too. Meet you there?"

 He smiled. "You bet."

 "Good." She started up the stairs, deciding top to bottom would be best.

 Alex was the first she found, in a corridor's doorway. "Alex! Downstairs, we're meeting in the living room."

 "Oh! You got it!"

 Augustus grimaced. He tried to, silently and as quickly as he could muster, move down the hallway before Rogue could see him.

 "Auggie!" Too late. "Having a meeting, living room!'

 For a second, he was rigid. Then, slowly, he turned. It was Rogue.

 He decided to work with this.

 "So. What's it like?"

 ".. I'm sorry?"

 "Being in control." He smiled. "Nice, right?"

 Her eyes narrowed slightly. "What are you talking about?"

 He sauntered up to her. Augustus took her chin. "What's it like being able to touch people again?"

 She jerked back away from him. "What is- what are you doing?!"

 "Can't you see that you're so much better off this way?" Augustus asked, "Wouldn't it be fantastic to remain this way? Forever?" His smile widened. "I can do that for you."

 Rogue paused. ".... Augustus. What are you playing at?" She asked, fists clenching.

 "I'm not playing," He told her. He stepped closer, "What I'm offering you is a chance to feel normal again."

 "Augustus." She replied, sharper. "How could you-" She jerked, suddenly, realization dawning. ".. You... you didn't. You didn't do all this."

 He chuckled. "I can shut down all kinds of systems- electronic, muscular, vascular, respiratory...And, as a matter of fact, mutations."

 She took a deep breath. "Be willin' to bet you've known 'bout yerself the whole time."

 "I know a lot more, too. Like...that your mother really misses you."

 Rogue stiffened. "You keep away from Irene, you hear me?!" She shot back, not even realizing her feet had slid into stance.

 Augustus laughed. "I'm not talking about her! I'm talking about...Well." He offered his hand. "Maybe if you come with me, I can just introduce you, Anna Marie."

 She stared at the hand a moment. Then, coldly. "I ain't going anywhere with you."

 A little shrug. "You'll come around. We're practically made for each other, you know."

 Rogue's reply was to quickly turn down the hall. "PROF!" She called, running down to the living room.

 She didn't notice Alex pressed in the doorway, fists clenched tight, biting his lip hard.

 Logan was the first to meet her. "Kiddo?!"

 She almost ran into him, grabbing his arm and yanking. "A-Augustus was a mole! He did this!"

 "What!" Hank was just making it to them.

 "WHERE IS HE?" Logan demanded quickly.

 "Back down the hall, this way!"

 Logan took off at a run, but stopped suddenly, curled in on himself and cried out. "AAAUGH!"

 "Logan!"

 Six metal claws tore their way through his knuckles.

 Rogue's eyes went wide, and she scrambled back, suddenly grabbing for the jacket tied around her waist. "No... Oooh nonono..." She muttered, quickly turning tail to the living room. "GUYS!!"

 Hank ran after her, but soon he, too, was halted as the tendons in his limbs flexed, and a guttural roar escaped him. There came a loud blasting noise from the living room, and shouts.

 Alex had wandered into the living room, eyes blurred with tears.

 He was now staring at Scott, shell shocked as he realized he'd taken a blast from his brother.

 Jean would have been of some help, but she had suddenly stumbled back against the wall. Emotions and thoughts assaulted her, almost too fast to keep up with.

 Scott couldn't stop. He had managed to direct his blasts into the wall and ceiling, but he couldn't turn them OFF.

 "Scott-- AAH!" Kitty now found herself falling through the floor. Lance jerked for Kitty, and suddenly a rumble shook the Institute, Lance unable to stop it. Nearby there was another scream, and suddenly smoke and fire. Ice quickly crawled down the hallway, coating half of it behind a thick block.

 Wasp was on the comm. "I NEED ALL UNITS MAKING A PERIMETER!" She barked, followed by about ten other orders.

 The Institute was in absolute chaos, as everyone's powers jump-started and spiraled out of control at once. Thunder cracked, the wind howled, and a torrential downpour of rain and ice buffeted the old mansion and rocked the S.H.I.E.L.D ship outside. Furniture and walls and ceilings were ruined as bone spikes impaled them. Then, everything started to float.

 Professor Xavier could feel every mind at once. It was almost too much, too much information to contain. Amid the chaos, Xavier felt someone he didn't know. He checked quickly, finding Augustus.

 And then, just as suddenly, nothing. "H... he's gone..."

 Just as quickly as the chaos had started, it stopped. Everything fell back down into place, then there was silence. Everyone was exhausted; it had felt like they'd all suddenly gotten the mother of all sugar-highs, then crashed thirty seconds later. Poor Kitty managed to crawl her way out of the floor before collapsing in a heap.

 Needless to say, the poor Institute was looking a little worse for wear.

 "Wh-what was THAT?!" Kurt managed, Pietro slumping onto the couch.

 "That!" Wasp started, heaving a sigh and running a hand through her hair. "Was likely a 'restart' on your powers coming back."

 Hank picked himself up, blue and furry once again. Luckily his glasses had survived the transformation. "I-Is everyone okay?" He called. He got many groans in response, plus a, "The carpet's ruined," "My whole body just had a cramp," and a couple, "Jesus H Christ's."

 "I think a couple of me got lost." Poor Jamie meekly responded amidst a pile of himself.

 Storm shook her head, Wasp groaning and calling in. "Agent Wasp here."

 "Report."

 "It was a mutant. The X-men had a spy in their ranks." She grunted, rubbing an arm. "He escaped in the chaos of everyone's powers returning."

 Fury grunted. "Great. Secure the area, make sure everyone is accounted for."

 "I'll get info on anyone who ISN'T to you as soon as possible."

 "Good. I want you to interview the witnesses. Figure out who he was working for."

"Understood. I'll..." Wasp looked over the group. "... I'll get to it soon as they get themselves together."

 ~~

 Augustus had run, far and fast, and hadn't stopped running until he reached the city. He had to brace himself on a wall- he had already been entirely spent from the previous night, and combine that with half an hour of sprinting and he was sure his body was going to give up.

 He had wanted to steal one of their vehicles, but it would have taken too much energy, too much time.

 Mercifully, he was able to wave a taxi down.

 "Where ya headed?" Asked the driver.

 "Take me home," Augustus wheezed.

~~

"Okay so!"

It was another day and another training session in the danger room, the setting low as the New Mutants tried to find a stride. "We all have nicknames."

Rogue nodded, watching from above. "Uh-huh?" She replied.

"Iceman, Multiple."

"Riiiight."

"Even Augie, with Pulse! What I don't get is MY name." Alex rolled away from a blast, grimacing at it.

"What's not ta get?" Rogue asked.

"Havok? What kinda name is HAVOK?"

She could only smirk a little. "I'unno. Anyone wanna offer Havok some reasons for his codename?"

"'Cry havoc, and let slip,'" Jubilee released a volley of sparks, "'The dogs of war!'"

"You do pack a punch, dude," Augustus chuckled.

"Also you broke the danger room first day!" Jamie added.

Alex rubbed the back of his neck. "Sss.. Fair enough~?"

"I think it suits you," Augustus's eyes began to glow, and the lasers were shut off.

Alex faltered a moment. "A-ah yeah?" He asked.

"Yeah. Focus." Bobby urged him, giving Augustus a nod.

"Amara!" Jubilee called. The younger girl had been standing at the side, and jolted at the sudden attention. "You've got an opening, hurry!"

Grunting, Amara ran forward. Rogue watched, frowning slightly.

She couldn't help but feel some kinship for the girl, all things considered.

Amara ran as fast as she could. Walls rose up under her feet, making her stumble and have to jump. The goal was in sight, an illuminated pedestal amidst a swarm of obstacles. Amara started to blast the walls that rose up to block her, careful to--

Her foot caught, and she fell, hitting her chin hard on the floor. Her body acted on its own, flames suddenly covering her and firing from her outstretched arm.

"Oop!" Jamie skittered away, eyes wide.

Rogue stood quickly, ready to end the simulation if needed. "Ya alright?"

Amara tried to get up, but her heart was hammering and her limbs were shaking. The fire spread, becoming stronger. "I-I--!!"

"Alright, we're done!" Rogue calling, canning the simulation. "Breathe, Amara, it's okay!"

"I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm--!!" Amara couldn't bring the flames down. The new recruits hurried out of the Danger Room.

Rogue ran down herself, eyes wide and trying to remember what she was supposed to do. First things first, calm her down. "Amara, it's okay! Everyone's fine!" She called in.

Amara tried to control her breathing. The flames pulsed with her struggled breath. "I..." She muttered, squeezing her eyes shut tight. Slowly, the flames started to die down. "...I'm sorry..."

"It's okay." She assured, moving in once they'd died down enough. "You did better. Calmed yourself down."

Amara couldn't look at her. She stood shakily, flames still licking off her body. "I wouldn't call that 'better'."

"Baby steps, Amara." Rogue looked back to the rest of the group. "Take a break, all of you."

The group filed away. Discomfort was thick in the air, and the few who dared glance back at Amara seemed to regret it.

"Alright." Rogue started once they were alone. "Let's talk."

Amara grunted, "Okay...'

Rogue nodded, sitting and patting the spot beside her. "So. What do you think happened out there?"

"I-I...freaked out, I guess."

"Hmm..." Rogue nodded. "Powers can get pretty scary, huh?"

Amara nodded. "...I don't think I'm ever going to get the hang of this."

"Mm. Why not?"

A scoff. "You saw what happened."

"I did. ...I'm gonna tell you a secret. One that doesn't leave this room, okay?"

Amara paused. "O...Okay?"

"I'm scared of my powers too."

"...Oh," It was a little weird to hear her say that. Rogue always seemed to confident.

"I lost control of them once. It..." She gripped her arm a little tighter. "It was a bad scene."

Amara was quiet for a moment. "...And?"

"I got help. I still need help." She gave Amara a slight smile. "Like to think there's nothing wrong with that."

"I...see."

"You're a smart kid Amara. You can figure this out."

Amara twiddled a bit of her hair. She offered Rogue a small smile. "Thanks."

"You bet. If you want, we can work one on one."

"I'd like that!"

"Awesome. Ya free now or you wanna schedule something?"

"Um--" Amara looked around at the now ashy floor. "...Maybe later."

"Can't blame ya." A phone buzzed, Rogue perking. "...That for you?"

Amara jolted. "U-Uh!" She quickly glanced at the notification, "Yeah, I, uh...I better go."

Rogue looked over her a moment, more than a little amused. "Alright. I'll clean this up, don't worry about it."

Nodding, Amara quickly headed out. She paused to peek back in the door for a second, "Thank you."

"You bet. Go take yer text, we'll figure out a time later."

Amara hurried away, flipping through her phone. Her nose scrunched with new frustration. "Again.."

The messages were all pretty mundane, really.

Asking what she had for breakfast, how her day had been.

The issue was more in the sender.

Amara started typing a reply, "How did you get this number???" She'd asked this many times before.

"I can't make friends?"

The previous replies had been just as dodgy.

"WHY would you wanna make friends???" Amara replied exasperatedly.

"Why not? You're a cool chick. Well, a hot one but, you get the point."

"STOP"

"C'moooooooon. You could just give me a shot?" The was a pause.

"It's not like I have anyone around here to talk to."

Amara sighed loudly. She started to type out "Uuugh," but deleted it. "Whatever."

"Haha, nice. So seriously how ya doing this morning? Holdin up?"

"Fine."

"Good." A pause, then another message. "You got any good tunes? I need to mix it up."

Amara sighed, softer this time. "IDK What are you into?"

"Ah, ya know. Whatever. Shit I can dance to?"

She considered it a moment. "Mother Goose."

No, she would not explain who that was. It was a mystery that had to be solved.

There was a pause. "Do I get a hint?"

"Nope."

"A treasure hunt then. Alright, I can dig it!"

Amara chuckled a little, despite herself. "Cool. Lemme know what you think."

"Can do. Thanks."

Amara tucked her phone, silencing it before she got another text.

This was weird. Very, very weird.

Rogue rolled her neck, looking at what was left of the scorching on the floor. She liked to think she was making progress, at least with this.

"How's it comin'?" Augustus peeked his head in, whistling, "Looks like you're, uh...making progress."

"Somethin' like that. What'd you need?"

"Just thought I'd check up on you," Augustus stepped in, "Need any help?"

"Appreciate it. Get me a clean bucket, would ya?"

He gave a dramatic bow. "As you wish."

She sputtered a short laugh. "Thanks. Don't have to do this with your break."

"I know. But I want to."

"Well, I appreciate it. So!" She started, popping her back. "Imagine you're pretty settled in by now?"

He nodded. "Pretty much."

"Havin any problems?" Outside the obvious, of course.

Augustus shrugged, "Not really. I mean, it'd be nice to have some more control, but...'

"Ah...Yeah. I feel ya." She wished she could promise it would come with time, but.. well.

"...Wouldn't that be nice?"

"Hrm?" Rogue paused, looking over him.

"To be in control."

"Hmm... Yeah. But hey, bright side. you've made a lot of progress already."

Augustus stared at her for a few seconds, his face unreadable. Then, he smiled, and said, "Heh, well! I have some good teachers."

"Shoot~ Yer a little flatterer, ain't ya?" She asked with a chuckle.

"Me~?" Augustus moved past her. For the briefest moment, it felt like his hand brushed hers, but...it was so fleeting. She paused a moment, glancing at him.

But the contact had been so brief, she had to doubt it was even there... and there was no reason to embarrass him, especially if he hadn't. "You." She replied, popping her back. "Alright... Think we're about good. Wanna grab lunch?"  

"Yeah, I'm starving!"

"Oh yeah? Well damn, guess we'd better feed ya then." She waved him along. "Can't have you fade away on us."

Augustus chuckled. "You really are a superhero..."

"Ppfft what? Don't be so dramatic man~"

He laughed. "What can I say? I have a flair for it."

"Apparently!"

They walked along quickly, Rogue rolling her neck. "So what are you in the mood for?"

"Aah, I'm not picky."

"That narrows it down." She chuckled, rolling her shoulder next. "Right. Let’s get to work."

She wouldn't be the only one.

Miles away, on the Island of Genosha, Gambit found himself before Magneto's door. He found himself here a lot, lately.

But he decided to take that as a good thing, knuckles rapping against the solid metal.

The door opened. "Gambit."

"You wanted to see me, Boss?"

Magneto didn't waste time with small talk. "I have a very important extraction for you."

"Sure boss. Where am I goin?"

"Chicago. We've located a mutant who is, apparently, untouchable."

Gambit perked at that. "Ya don't say... Well. Guess I'd better go introduce myself, ah?"

"Indeed." Magneto replied, "We could use an immovable object at our disposal."

Gambit smirked. "I guess havin' Juggernaut charge him to see how immovable is out of the question?"

"Just be sure to get this one this time."

Gambit raised his hands, only a bit defensively. "A'course, boss. Consider it done."

"I will expect it done."

"A'course, boss. Anything else?"

"No." Magneto turned the page in the folder he was reading.

"Alright. I'll be off then." He said, turning on a heel. "Chicago... Of all the places for a fighter to be."

~~~

"YOU ALL CAME FOR A SHOW, YEAH?" In Chicago, a bat would be clanged against the bars by a young, muscular man.

He would get a group shout in return. "WHAT WAS THAT WEAK SHIT? C'MON, I WANT AN ANSWER!!"

Gambit was honestly impressed by the roar he managed to incite.

Another fighter entered the cage. The crowd went even crazier.

Well this worked out quite nicely; better than having to test the kid himself.

"OOOHOHOHO," Unus cackled, rolling his neck. He set his bat aside, cracking his knuckles. "Don't even NEED the swatter fer you!"

"Yer gonna want it, ya little shit!" The bear of a man launched himself at him,

Unus wouldn't even have to move to knock the man away. And it was a forceful knock back to boot, sending the man head over heels. The man was certainly stunned, but only for a few moments. Wheezing a curse, he stumbled back to his feet.

Unus taunted him, "Man, really? Was that your BEST go at this? That was just sad."

"C'MERE!" A punch was swung.

It would stop dead, Unus giving an exaggerated yawn. "Ya finished warming up?"

"Wha...What the FUCK?!"

"I'm the UNTOUCHABLE Unus, ya dingle." He replied, slamming a punch into the man.

The fighter staggered back, utterly dazed.

"Looks like YOU ain't untouchable though!" He cackled, rolling his neck. "You wanna try again? Every shot's a free one! Well, mostly."

The fighter lunged drunkenly, but not for Unus. He picked the discarded bat up from off the floor and sent it hurtling down right onto Unus's head.

It just...stopped. Unus' smirk suddenly vanished. "Ay, AY! NOBODY. BUT NOBODY." He would crack a punch into the man. "TOUCHES WHAT'S MINE!"

With that, the fight was over. Bells sounded, and the crowd roared as the fighter crumpled before the young man’s feet.

Unus cackled, grabbing his bat back up. 'THAT'S RIGHT!!" He called, cackling. "Anyone else want some!?"

Gambit smirked. Oh yeah. They had to have this kid.

And so it was that, after the whole shebang was over, Gambit found himself in the back, slipping past security.

Unus was posturing in his jacket, a black and gold trimmed thing. He'd pulled a shirt on to boot, his 'swatter' over one shoulder. "Lookin' damn good, champ~" He snickered to his reflection, jolting when he noticed Gambit slipping in. "Wh-"

"Easy Mr. Untouchable~ I'm with... well let's call him a potential friend."

Unus would turn, glowering down at the other man.

Gambit didn’t let it faze him. "Oof. That's a sour face. Come all this way for Magneto himself, and that's what yer gonna give me?"

There was a sudden pause.

"YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"

That... had not been what he had expected.

"You're with MAGNETO!? Holy shit, wait." He paused, waggling his bat Gambit's way. "Aaah man we goin' to Genosha?"

"...I mean." Gambit smirked, giving a half shrug.

"Well damn, Creampuff!" He grabbed a duffle bag. "Spit that shit out sooner!"

Okay. Alright, he HAD to put this enthusiasm to work. "I mean. First, you gotta pass a lil test."

Unus paused. He gave Gambit a way, wry grin. "Bring it on."

~~

"So, ya know. We're kinda similar issue wise but her powers are a bit more uh. Volatile. Wanna help her out, but I ain't sure where to start." Rogue was, currently, having girl time with Kitty.

"I mean, Fred and Jean like to meditate. Maybe get her into that?" Kitty grimaced as she did battle with a tenacious knot in her hair, "A lot of powers are tied into, like, your mental state."

"Fair enough. I think it's like.. she thinks somethin' will go wrong, so when anything does she just... She psychs herself out, I think?" Rogue huffed. "So maybe, if I can, just get her meditatin' and have something go right for her?"

"Ouch. See, there ya go!" Kitty prevailed over the insidious knot, and started to redo her ponytail. "You're a genius!"

"Pft." Rogue snickered. "Dunno if I'd say THAT. But thanks."

Their break would suddenly be broken by Jean knocking the door. "Kitty, Rogue! Professor wants us!"

Kitty sighed. "We know what THAT means."

"We do. But it needs to be done."

Rogue sighed heavily, moving to a stand. "We're comin'..."

It wasn't long before a team was assembled. The mission was a typical, high stakes- a mutant causing mayhem.

"Don't know why they keep doing this." Jean was saying. "As if people aren't scared enough."

"Some people just react to fear with fear," Evan replied, "And some...well. Some just wanna take advantage of it."

"Sounds like the latter, in this case." Rogue said. "Robbin’ a bank? Come on now."

Evan offered his friends a smirk, "Nothing we can't handle, right?"

"Of course not." Jean chuckled, setting a course to Chicago.

Unus would have a suitcase of money and be standing before the Bank, a shot suddenly ringing out. "That was a warning, mutant! Put the money down and your hands up, no funny business either!"

He grinned, long and wry. "Or WHAT?"

That did it. Several officers suddenly fired upon him. A few started to stop when, to their horror, the bullets just dropped meekly at Unus's feet.

"HAH!" He cackled, bat over one shoulder. "How did I know~? Man, at this rate, I'm a shoe in!"

Some continued to fire, perhaps in the vain hope that one was bound to hit. Other officers fell back, and one foolishly brave policeman decided to try and go at him with her baton.

"Last mistake, lady!" He told her, swinging down.

It would suddenly pause, his hand shaking against the sudden force on his bat. "Wha-"

"That's ENOUGH." Jean told him, coming upon the scene, hair lifted slightly. It was taking a surprising amount to hold the bat in place.

Evan, spiky as ever, fired a few projectiles to try and pin Unus by the pants.

When they fell limply, he was perturbed. "Ooo..kay."

Rogue would blast Scott's eye beams at Unus. Shouts went up as they ricocheted back, digging into the concrete of the bank's entrance pillars. "Oh you gotta be KIDDING! Jean!"

"I... I can't get a read on him." She realized. "It's like he's not THERE!"

"HAH! Holy shit, this is what he wanted me to prove myself too? Geesh, come ON~~"

"Alright," Evan ran forward, firing into the ground around Unus, "Different approach!"

Unus didn't even flinch, head tilting slightly. "The fuck is this?"

Soon he was entirely encircled. "A cage."

"...Oh." Unus looked around. "Oh that's. That's some real craftsmanship my guy!" He said, giving his bat a waggle. "It's a shame I gotta break it."

And break it he did, spikes splintering and falling to pieces.

He was slightly stronger than Evan had anticipated. He tried to keep up, putting up new spikes where old ones fell, but there was only so much Evan could do on his own.

Jean was holding Unus back as much as she could, but she was starting to feel some crowd control would soon be in order. Rogue grunted, fists clenched. There wasn't much choice... "Evan!" She called, glove coming off. "Give me a hit, just a short one!"

"Uh- okay!" Evan quickly released a line of spikes before he took a step back towards her.

They would be fine! This would be fine! What happened before was a fluke, it wouldn't happen again. She wouldn't let it.

Rogue had barely registered she and Evan had made contact until spikes tore through her suit, Evan's immediate thoughts rushing through her head.

--cops are scared we gotta be quick.

Evan had to shake himself. "HOO. Okay."

"Y-Yeah." She agreed, shooting spikes from her hand.

"Oh!" Unus grinned, pausing in his smacking. "Man, y'all got some fancy powers!" He told them, smirking suddenly before slamming his bat into the spikes around him. "But nothin' as good as what I got!"

"Just keep 'em coming," Evan told her, "He'll tire himself out eventually."

"Y-yeah! Right!"

"Oh WILL I? Y'all ain't landed a single hit! I'm Unus the UNTOUCHABLE!" Jean would grab his bat again, having failed to lift Unus himself. "And ain't NOTHIN’!" He growled, area around him suddenly cratering. Jean flinched as he tore the bat from her grasp with.. whatever he did, the spikes around him shattering.

Onlookers cried out in fear. In reflex, one officer fired a shot at Unus, one that whizzed by the X-men dangerously close.

Rogue jerked, stumbling back. Her heart raced, and she jerked, spikes up along her arm suddenly growing almost overtaking it.

"Whoa!" Unus stepped back, whatever force he'd exerted back to normal levels. "Holy SHIT lady!"

Evan had had a similar reaction, but he was able to maintain control. "Rogue!"

Rogue, unused to Evan’s powers and mind racing, was not okay. Spikes sprouted along her back, which only added to it. She tried to pull them back in, eyes widening and heart racing when they refused to budge. "E-Evan!"

Unus made a run for it. "And that's my cue to go folks! Been fun!"

Jean jerked her gaze away from Rogue, suddenly torn.

Evan wasn't. He kept by Rogue, "You're okay, just..."

The police and other onlookers watched in horror. Quickly, a gun was raised.

That brought Jean back to them, standing between the spiked mutants and the crowd. "We need to go. This is out of control."

"I-I'm sorry-"

"Not your fault. It's okay Rogue."

"Keep a shield on us," Evan told her. He took Rogue's arm and quickly led her away. "Just breathe, Rogue, it's okay."

"The-They won't STOP!" She replied, spikes sprouting along her brow.

When they got back to the Blackbird, Evan had to sit her down. (He'd apologize to the Professor about the seats later.) He rubbed her arm, hand gliding softly over the smooth spikes. "Take a deeeep breath."

She nodded, taking it in slow. It was a little easier without all the extra stimuli, and the lack of said stimuli let her focus. The touch on the spikes was an odd sensation. She could feel it, It was distant... but even the distant touch was welcome. "Mm.."

"Let it out slowly," Evan held out his arm to show her as his spikes receded with his breath. "See?"

She nodded, following his breathing. Her spikes would slowly, surely recede, leaving holes and tears in their wake. Many still remained, but at least they were at a manageable length.

"There you go," He offered her a smile, "You got it."

"Mmhm... Th-thanks..." She replied, Jean taking the Blackbird into the air.

"No prob...Ahem," Evan scooted away, averting his eyes.

The thing about Rogue's suit was that it didn't reform like Evan's did. It was a little awkward.

Jean flipped it to autopilot. "So." She started, shrugging off her jacket and offering it to Rogue.

It was an appreciated gesture, Rogue accepting it and tugging it on. "That was the WORST."

"What even was that?" Evan asked, "What's his deal?"

"I don't know. I couldn't feel him, or hear his thoughts or.. anything." Jean told them.

"I don't think anythin' could hit him! It all just! Bounced off!"

"So it's a...force-field type of thing?" Evan suggested.

"Looks like it. One he just... has on." Jean replied. "At least we got a name out of him?"

"Yeah but. What did he WANT?"

Evan shrugged. "Money?"

"If that was all, why the big show?" Jean asked. "And what did he mean by 'proving himself'?"

"...Oh hell."

"What? What's wrong?"

Evan scowled, "What if somebody else got to him first?"

"Oh... Oh no." Jean muttered.

Rogue frowned hard. "Question is... Magneto or Mystique?"

"Either way, we need to plan."

"No kidding. We'd better get back, ASAP."

~~~

"This..." Xavier was troubled by the news. "Oh dear..."

"Jean was kind of able to stop him, but not for long." Evan told him, "I don't know how we're going to fight this...yet. But we'll think of something, right?"

"Of course." He replied. "There must be some kink in his armor, somewhere..." Xavier muttered. "Thank you all, for bringing this to my attention."

"...So," Kitty spoke up after some silence, "What do we do now?"

"I'll talk with the other instructors. And once we've figured something out... Well, I'll let you know then."

Rogue nodded, rubbing her arms. "Mmhm..."

As they were dismissed, Evan glanced at her. "...How're you doing?"

"...Mmfine." She replied. "It's... Just another notch, heh."

Evan was doubtful. But, he didn't want to push her. With one last pat on the shoulder, he left Rogue to her own devices.

Rogue being left to her own devices would involve her moving to the kitchen, trying to get something to calm her nerves.

The spikes would go away over time. Until then, she just had to remain calm.

If she didn't think about it for a second, Rogue could have sworn Augustus hadn't left the kitchen. He was in the middle of drinking a soda, and when he noticed her come in he sputtered slightly. "Mmp! H-Hey!"

"Oh." She said, giving him a little wave. "Hey." She was a bit distracted, fumbling the bag of cocoa powder from the pantry.

Auggie watched her, slowly wiping soda from his mouth. "You, uh...have an incident?"

Rogue grunted, setting a mug aside. "... Could call it that, I guess."

"Geez." There was a pause. "...Do you want to talk about it?"

"Mm... I guess? Not much to talk about." She replied, mixing her drink. "I messed up, and we lost the guy."

"Oh, I'm sure it wasn't all your fault."

"Maybe not all of it." She admitted. "But my freaking out didn't help things..."

Augustus's mouth quirked up in a sort of smile. "Well..." He leaned against the fridge, "I don't think you could've helped it, right?"

She paused, heating up her mug. "How do you mean?"

"I mean," He shrugged, "The situation was totally out of control, wasn't it?"

"I mean... I guess? Could have done SOMETHING..."

"Sometimes you just can't do anything, right?"

She didn't reply, instead removing her mug to stir it. If you paid close enough attention, you'd notice the tips of spines start to peek through her jacket.

"Some things are just...out of your control.'

"Hrm." She sipped it, spines growing ever further. "They shouldn't be..."

Auggie's smile grew, minutely. "It's not like you can help it, right?"

She growled sharply, spikes jutting out from every which-way. A few embedded themselves in the wall. "I just need time to get used to them, alright!?"

Augustus hissed. He held his shoulder, wincing in pain.

Rogue jerked, stumbling away from him. "Oh-- oh geez! A-Augustus I'm sorry-- Are you...oh god."

"I'm fine, I-I'm...Sss," He gripped his shoulder tighter, "I'm okay."

"No you're not! I-I just! I HURT you! I hurt you bad!" She managed, tone rushed and gripping at the spines coming forth. She yanked a cluster out, hissing loudly. "I-Go get help. I can't..."

Augustus turned quickly, "Hey- anybody! HEY!"

"I-I need to go." She told him, moving out of the kitchen and clenching the spikes tight. "I... I'll send someone your way- I'm so SORRY Augustus."

"Rogue..." Augustus watched her go. He let his hand drop off his shoulder- his pristine, undamaged shoulder.

Again, his mouth quirked up.

~~

Rogue had chosen to seclude herself in her room.

The door was locked, and she was sitting on her bed, hugging her legs close and face buried in her knees. Her coat had been shed, spines up along her arms having receded to nubs at least.

But they still existed, as did a number of them in her trashcan. She'd been there for hours, guilt knotted and thoughts cycling.

There came a knock on her door.

"Rogue?"

Kitty shuffled from foot to foot. She hoped Rogue would answer- she needed to eat after all, not to mention this dinner plate was getting a little warm on her fingers.

"Mm?" Rogue replied, muffled.

"I brought you food."

"Mm." There was shuffling behind it, the door unlocking after a minute and opening up. "Thanks..."

Kitty stepped in, and she winced at the sight of her friend. "Oh, Rogue..." She handed her her food, "How can I help you?"

"Ah.." Rogue gave her a wry attempt at a smile. "It's okay. Brought me food, yeah?"

"Well, yeah, but..."

"It's... I'll be fine. Is uh... is Augustus okay...?"

"He's perfectly fine." Kitty took Rogue's hands. "Are YOU okay?"

"I... Yeah." She replied. "Will be, anyway."

"Okay...Well," Kitty held her arms out for a hug, offering a small smile, "I'm here if you need me. Whenever."

Rogue perked, pausing a moment. "Shoot, Kitty." She chuckled, glancing at her arms a moment. It was an awkward hug, Rogue keeping the nubs pointed AWAY from her friend. "Yer the best."

Kitty squirmed a little uncomfortably, but she kept her hug firm. "I know~"

"Pft." Rogue pulled back, nudging her. "And humble too."

"Aren't I~?"

"Mmhm." She replied, ruffling her hair. "It'll... it'll be fine. Just gotta keep my distance while they run their course."

"Well...Okay." Reluctantly, Kitty headed out, "Just let me know if you need something! Or wanna chat or...whatever."

"I will. Thanks Kitty." She replied. "For dinner and.. everything else."

"What are friends for?"

"Heh. Fair enough." She replied, looking to her dinner. Truth be told, she hadn't been that hungry... but it was looking pretty good.

~~

"No, not good. I was the BEST~!!" Unus was... making friends, back on Genosha. "Couldn't even TOUCH ME!"

Gianna was very impressed. "Whaaaat? Man, I wish I coulda seen that!"

"Well hey, guess what?" He replied, smirking. "You stick with ME, and you'll get'ta~" He replied.

Mellencamp, sitting and hunched beside Gia, was tentatively impressed. He wasn't sure how much of this he bought, after all.

Gia grinned up at her scaly friend. She gave him a light jab in the ribs, "He's got a big mouth. I like him."

Randy, as he fiddled with one of his prosthetic legs, gave her a look.

Mellencamp gave her a snicker, nudging her back. "You WOULD."

"WHO WOULDN'T~?" Unus added.

"Soooooo, did you actually HIT anybody?" Gia had her priorities. "I'd wanna hit them. I'd wanna hit them a lot."

"... Ya know." Unus paused. "I broke all their shit, but nah."

"Are you serious."

"I was havin' fun gloating! I'll crack one ‘a 'em next time."

Gianna cackled, "LAME!"

"'EY, EY." He replied sharply. "I still WON, didn't I?"

"Is it a win if nobody hit anybody?"  Seamus pointed out.

"Yeeeeah," Gia sneered, "It's like you just ran away~"

Unus snorted. "Alright, so where's YOU guy's victory stories, ah? YOU ever actually beat 'em?!"

"We've hit 'em."

"Alright FINE!" He replied, waggling his bat at them. "Next time I see 'em, I'll crack one of the dweebs!!"

"I'll believe it when I see it." Randy muttered.

"HAHA! Yeah!" Gia agreed.

Unus scoffed loudly. "Well yer gonna! And it's gonna be AWESOME!"

"Uh-huh."

Gianna smirked, "HEY NILS!"

A younger kid passing by jolted and turned quickly. His dark skin was like yarn, wound thickly around his frame, and it seemed to unravel slightly in his alarm before shifting back into place.

"Think this guy can hit an X-man~?"

"U-Uh..."

Unus cackled, smacking his bat against a nearby half wall for emphasis. "Sure he does! He’s smart, ain'cha Nils?!"

"Uuuuh--"

"I'm just saying, Ni-ni! If he's 'untouchable' does that go both ways?"

"Well I mean like- HEY!! NO! SHUT YER FACE!"

Mellencamp couldn't help but crack up, tail thumping.

Gianna grinned, "WHY DON'T YOU MAKE ME?"

Nils started shaking, and he backed up. Randy took one look at him, then at Gianna and Unus. He pointed a finger and-- ZAP!

"OOOW!!"

"OW SHIT!"

Unus, for all his bragging, wasn't COMPLETELY untouchable. His shield had to be active, after all. "What was THAT FOR!?"

"Being assholes," Randy answered, waving Nils along, who scampered away before things could get worse.

Unus scoffed loudly. "Whatever, man! Point is, I'll get it! Got everything TOTALLY under control!"

Randy smiled, a tight, humorless thing, "We'll see."

"Damn right we will." He replied, snickering and turning to head on his way. "Gonna be a good time..."

~~~

Rogue, days later was still not having a good time. The spike had finally, FINALLY receded.. but she wasn't exactly feeling up to par yet.

Of course, some things you had to fake until you made, so she was out on the porch, getting some air and... thinking. She'd been thinking a lot lately. She swung idly on the porch swing, wringing her hands in the early winter chill.

"Mind if I sit with you?" Scott poked his head out of the door, two cocoas in hand.

Rogue glanced back at him, shaking her head and scooting over for him. "If ya want."

He sat beside her, then offered her a mug, "Pretty chilly out, isn't it?"

"Yeah." She accepted it. "Won't be able to go outside before long." Rogue managed a chuckle. "Not without Kurt or Jamie ambushin' us."

Scott smiled. "They're relentless."

"No kiddin. Mm..." She settled in, sipping away. "Thanks for this, by the way."

"Figured you'd need it," Scott took a sip of his own. "...You've been pretty quiet lately."

"Well...Ya know." She replied, shrugging. "Had a lot on my mind."

"Like?"

"Just..." She huffed, watching the slight cloud her breath made. "Stuff."

"Oh." Scott leaned back, "Alright."

"It's... really not a big deal."

"I think it is, Rogue."

Rogue didn't look at him still. "Oh yeah?"

"Yes. You're obviously hurting."

"I'll get over it Scott."

Scott sighed. He was quiet for a while, as he stared out at the sinking sun and glistening snow. "...I know it's scary."

Rogue swallowed hard, gripping her mug a little tighter.

Scott continued, "And I know it's frustrating. But isolating yourself isn't going to do you any good."

She couldn't help the scoff that escaped her. "The alternative ain't much better."

"I don't agree with that."

"Well! What else is there, Scott?! Hurting my friends, my team?!"

"You can't do this alone, Rogue!"

She would stand suddenly, tears brimming. "I can't do it all, Scott!"

"Yes you CAN!" Scott followed, "I promise you, you can!"

"I can't control ANY of them, Scott! I thought I was doing better but-but I'm NOT!" She rubbed her eyes furiously. "I'm exactly where I started! I-I'm broken or something."

He grasped her shoulders tightly, perhaps tighter than he'd meant. "You are NOT broken!"

"Then what's WRONG with me?!"

"You're disabled," Scott's tone was firm, but gentle, "So am I. So are a lot of mutants. It's not something you can help."

Rogue swallowed hard, trying to compose herself.

She didn't quite manage that, instead grabbing him in a tight hug.

The action stunned him, but only for a moment. They stood there for some time, warm despite the settling chill around them. Finally, Scott broke the silence, muttering against the fabric of Rogue’s knit hat. "You're not broken."

Rogue sniffed sharply, quiet for a moment. She gripped a little tighter, giving him a nod.

He gently rubbed circles into her back, "You're going to be okay. I've got you."

"It's just! I feel like I keep going backwards! I know it's not true, but!"

"I know. It's going to get better."

"Mmhm..." She replied, pulling back and wiping her eyes with her sleeve. "I.. Thank you."

He smiled. "Don't sweat it."

"I mean it." Rogue managed a slight smile. "This all.. it gets really heavy sometimes."

"I know...We got you, alright?"

"Alright... Just. Remind me every once in awhile?"

He chuckled. "I promise."

"Heh.. H-hold ya to that."

Scott's smile widened, and he opened his mouth to say something.

He didn't get the chance, as a snowball suddenly hit his cheek. "Ack! Nope!" He took her wrist quickly and tugged her inside. "Take cover!"

"Oop!" She ran after, holding her hat on before sputtering a laugh. "The dorks started early this year!"

"I don't want ANY PART OF THAT."

"Nope. Let's just plot our revenge inside. Where it's cozy warm." She chuckled, gripping his hand just a little tighter.

~~

"Dude that's... that's all heavy shit." Alex was saying, voice low.

It was a day or so later, things settled, but tense.

Scott nodded slowly. Xavier had called all the students together, but had yet to show up himself. "Yeah..."

"I... Geezus. I'm glad you're okay." He muttered.

"It's...not me I'm worried about," Scott glanced at the meek form of Piotr. He rubbed his arms like they were sore, even if they were back to their human state, and he kept his eyes on the floor.

Alex nodded slowly, nudging him. "You holding up okay?" He asked.

Jamie was at Piotr's other side. "Are... are you gonna stay?"

Piotr swallowed hard. "I...I do not think I have a choice."

Before they could expand on this, Xavier arrived. He looked far more tired than Jean had seen in years.

"I... I'm sure you all have questions." He started.

More silence followed, a tentative, uneasy kind.

"I suppose it's time then... Time to tell you all everything."

It was almost as if everyone was holding their breath, the room was so silent. The X-men, new and old, watching Xavier with rapt attention.

"I suppose..." He started, eyes distant. "The only place is to start is when we first met."

~~~

Xavier was a chipper, eager lad. There was a spring in his step, his hair tousled. He quickly scanned the minds of those around him, pausing for only a moment.

But nothing, again.

There would be someone, surely. There had to be, with such a wide pool to draw from.

He took a moment, bouncing on his heels and turning on them, down and random path.

Studies were hardly necessary when he could just glance teachers for the answers.

Ahead, students milled about, waiting for their next class to start, scarfing down a late breakfast, messing around. (Sometimes all three at once.) It wasn't unusual to see students by their lonesome, noses buried in notebooks and textbooks, or just in general enjoying the company of themselves. One student stood out among the rest, with a shock of light blond-- no, white hair that contrasted wonderfully with his dark skin. He was moving a few marbles about in one hand while he concentrated on his book.

He had to pause, take the other man in. He was... well, Charles Xavier wasn't going to lie to himself; this was an attractive gent before him.

As such, he could afford a break in his search. He turned sharply, oh-so casually making his way to the white haired man before him, gleaning his mind. A topic of conversation couldn’t hurt his chances.

The young man's mind was a collected one, but perpetually in rapid motion. All sorts of things- schematics, equations, calculations, history, among a thousand other things- were all neatly but hurriedly moving through his thoughts, even as he read. There were memories of winter, hot, aromatic food, a far-too full but ultimately happy family home--

And gunshots, and the twisting of metal, high into the sky.

Oh. Oh that was a shame.... wait. There was something else there, something more.

Charles gave a slight grin, quickly falling into step beside him. "Lo there!!" He greeted, with a bit too much energy.

The man jolted a bit, actually bringing his book up to his nose as if to shield himself. He peered at Charles...curiously, slightly alarmed, slightly annoyed. "Hello."

"I couldn't help but notice you, had to introduce myself!" He grinned, offering a hand. "Charles Xavier!"

The man's eyes flickered from Charles's hand to his face. After a moment of thought, he seemed to decide to be...polite. Tentatively polite. "Charmed."

His grin grew ever wider somehow. "Excellent. Have you anywhere to be? I'd like to chat."

"Er, well," He checked his watch. Class wasn't for another half hour or so. "...Alright."

"Perfect! I've the best spot!"

The best spot was by a fountain, tucked amid trees and just far off the main path that foot traffic was rare. Charles took a seat, taking the scene in. "So. Where to start..."

Erik-- that was the name Charles had gleaned-- gave him a rather guarded, judging look, that on its surface was just polite enough. "I really can't talk for long, sorry."

"I know, I know." He replied. "But... Well, I suppose we could just cut to the heart of the matter." He said, resting his elbows on his knees, chin in his hands. "I'm a mutant too."

Erik's composure was completely broken. A mix of shock, fear, and then incredible glee crossed his face. "You're a--" He immediately became guarded again. "Prove it."

Charles gave him a short laugh. "Well... I can glean you want an on campus job. The library, stocking books. You're hoping it will be quiet and no one will bother you there."

"...Hmm." Erik leaned very close. He searched Charles's face, eyes narrowing. "Impressive."

"I can be more impressive, if you'd like~" He replied, lilt in his tone. "It's easy, for a telepath."

"What number am I thinking of?"

"It’s not a number at all.” He replied easily. “It’s snow. Freshly fallen." Charles gave him a little smile. "Dusting the world in white."

"...You know," He said softly, "I don't think you're an agent, Charles. I want to believe you." Conspiratorially, Erik brought his hand close, and he opened it. The marbles he'd been manipulating, glinting almost chrome, started to float gently through the air. "Despite my better judgement, I think I will."

"That is magnificent." Charles managed, voice soft. "And excellent, that's-- fantastic!!" His energy was back in full force. "We'll need to discuss this further! Oh, but! You've class iiiin-" He checked the mind of a distant student. "Eighteen minutes!"

"Ha!" Erik smiled, genuinely. "Yes. Well...I'm sure we can figure something out."

"Surely." A pause as Charles decided Erik really was quite handsome. "Perhaps one of our rooms. I've no roommate to speak of."

"That sounds alright to me." The marbles dropped perfectly into Erik's hand, and he pocketed them.

"Perfect. Can I?" He pressed a hand to his own temple, his other hovering beside Erik's. "Show you where it is."

Erik nodded a little. "Alright..."

Charles nodded, pressing his hand to Erik's temple gently. He would be guided to Charles' dorm from the common area, right down to the room number.

Erik blinked. The sensation was strange, and it disoriented him for a few moments. "That's..." He breathed, "Incredible."

"I appreciate the praise~"

Erik chuckled. He stood, and turned to go. "Don't be late."

"Hah! Of course not." He replied.

He would wait a moment, then quickly start out. He was going to need to tidy, if he was going to have a guest over.

~~

"Well, it's..." A few years later, they were standing in the New York winter, gazing up at the old, dilapidated Xavier Manor. Erik gave Charles a teasing smirk, "It's got plenty of room, at least."

"It's been in the family for years." He defended. "And it will! We'll fix it up!" He replied, climbing the stairs, testing the porch. "House so many others!" He leaned on a rail, ignoring the groaning protest of the wood. "It'll be perfect!"

"Careful, Charles," Erik put one foot on the old stair...and promptly put it back down on solid, snowy ground. Then he added, "We need to find others first, you know."

"I know, I know." He replied, testing the deck. "But still! Forgive me for being excited! It's an event!"

Erik beamed at him. "It is." The wood shook a little, and there was a great creaking and bending sound. When it was done, in a moment or two, the deck was slightly sturdier. "We must replace these screws, though. Terribly out of alignment, so much rust I can barely move them."

Charles laughed, stepping off the porch. "The screws and everything else. I imagine at least one pipe has burst somewhere."

“Oh, many." Erik assured him, "There's lots to do, Professor Xavier."

"Oh, I like the sound of that..." He replied, musing for a moment. "Like it a lot. Well! Best get down to business. Fix this old house up and... and figure out a better way to find more. Took me ages to find you."

Erik stepped closer, taking his shoulders gently. "We'll figure it out," He promised, smiling, "Together."

His own smile softened, and he nodded. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

~~~

"Perhaps we could... I don't know, amplify my range?" Xavier was saying, months later. The house was back in order, save some details. They'd based themselves in a study, plans of all sorts on the table.

"Yes, but," Erik took a frustrated breath, "How? If-- If we're to reach other mutants on a global scale-- Charles, the kind of power that would take!"

"Maybe start small... but even that!" He groaned, rubbing a temple. "...Maybe... maybe we need help." He muttered softly.

Erik was quiet. He looked up at Charles, eyes tired. "We can't turn to anyone, Charles. You know how things are."

"Surely there must be somewhere..." He said, tone soft. "I... how can we do this all alone..."

"We'll manage. We've always managed, Charles." Erik insisted.

"Mm..." He gave a slow nod, shuffling through papers.

Erik watched him for a moment, then stood. He wrapped his arms around Charles' shoulders. "We haven't sunk yet, right?"

Charles perked, a smile ghosting his lips. "No... I suppose we haven't. Not yet."

"We won't."

He reached up to pat an arm, heaving a sigh. "So optimistic these days. Am I rubbing off on you~?"

Erik smirked a little, and drew a little closer. "And if you are?"

"Then I'll consider it a victory~" He chuckled, watching him fondly.

"Well..." Erik patted his arms once, then returned to his desk. "Alright."

There was quiet, a bit longer. "... Perhaps. A good first step is to simply push myself. Further than I have before."

"Charles, that's dangerous." But Erik knew it was necessary. Sighing, he added, softer, "Not too far."

He nodded, slowly. "Have to take a couple risks, after all."

~~~

Charles's idea of a test was more than a couple of risks.

It was an entire stadium of risks. Thousands of people, all packed together. It was perfect, with hopefully only minor chance of something going wrong.

"Don't push it," Erik warned him, "Don't overwhelm yourself."

"I'll be fine, Erik. If we're to do this alone, I have to be at my best, right?"

"...Right."

"I'll be careful." He assured, settling in. He would close his eyes, extending himself outward, slowly at first.

Mundane thoughts passed him by, excitement about the game, bets, statistics.

His brow furrowed as he tapped into more and more, reaching further.

Erik watched him carefully. His hand fidgeted. The metal binding of his notebook started to move, minutely.

Xavier would suddenly perk. His brow furrowed deeper, eye twitching slightly.

"...Charles?"

Charles had stumbled upon... a troubling network. The further he went into it, the more troubled he became.

He felt it becoming too much, but he had to go deeper. Had to probe until he had an answer. Not just into the one, but those with him too.

"Charles, answer me," Erik demanded softly, concern rising in his tone. "Charles!"

"Hold on..." He muttered softly, hand twitching.

"What are you seeing?"

"I don't have it all yet... just a bit more..."

"Don't lose yourself, Charles!" Erik urged him.

"I won't, I just need to-!" He cut himself off, paling slightly.

Erik stared at him, measuring his expression. "...What have you found, Charles?"

It took him a moment to answer, coming back slowly. "I..." He muttered, standing slowly.

The world seemed to spin around him, and he stumbled, grabbing Erik for support.

"Charles!" Erik caught him and held him tightly.

"W... we should go." He muttered, Erik sounding distant.

Go? What had he seen?

Erik didn't doubt Charles, though. Nodding slightly, he helped Erik along.

It wasn't until they'd gotten to the car, Charles getting himself back in order. "They were... People and... When did we get back to the car?"

"Breathe," Erik bid him, rubbing his shoulder carefully, "Not everything at once."

He nodded quickly, reorienting himself. "I'm Charles Xavier.... you're my best friend Erik... Do we have a mortgage due or was that someone else.. No it doesn't matter, they--! There were people Erik! They weren't mutants, but they were looking for them!"

Erik paled. "What...?"

"I don't know everything... why did I have you bring me out." He asked, turning to the door. "I-I don't know who they all are, I about lost it in there amid everyone I need to go back!"

"Charles," Erik got him by the shoulders firmly. "You are not lost! You pushed yourself too far, too quickly, and you're disoriented. Look at me."

He flubbed a weak protest before doing as Erik asked. He breathed deep, trying to even himself out.

Erik closed his eyes and rested his forehead against Charles's. "You're safe," He murmured, "I won't let anyone hurt you."

He let loose a shuddery breath, his own eyes closing. Softly, he replied, "I love you too..."

Erik paused, for just a moment. He drew back slightly to look at Charles, pursing his lips.

Then, he kissed him.

Charles didn't pull away. If anything, he leaned closer, hand brushing Erik's cheek.

~~

"WAIT." Pietro had to take a moment. "When you say 'deepened your relationship' are you... you and my dad...?"

"Yes." Xavier replied.

All eyes were now on Pietro.

"...Holy shit, dude."

"I know!" He replied, Xavier letting him take a moment to pull himself back together.

This was a lot to process, he was sure. It was a lot to process even now, just looking back.

There was some chattering among the students for a few moments, mostly expressions of disbelief, but it died back down rather quickly.

Fred cleared his throat. "So...What happened next?"

"Well..."

~~~

"We... we should go home." Charles muttered, pulling back only slightly. "Need to organize all this, figure out what it means for us."

"Indeed." Erik started the car. "...Charles." He murmured as they pulled out of the parking lot, "What are we going to do about...those types?"

"I... I don't know yet." He replied, reaching for and taking his hand. "I don't know that I could wipe the knowledge of mutants from their minds. Short memories yes, but otherwise?"

"...I see." Erik's voice was quiet, and there was a cold edge to it. "No matter."

"Please don't be rash."

"I hardly think it's rash to defend ourselves."

"We don't even know what they want. It... it could be good news..." He muttered, offering a hand to him.

Erik sighed. "You don't know that, Charles. We have to be careful."

"I know. But it can't hurt to hope, can it?"

Erik glanced at him. His lips pursed, and he didn't bother replying. His knuckles tightened on the steering wheel.

The matter would subside.

Not completely, there was always that fear in the back of their minds.

But the manor would be restored, the duo would grow closer.

"You'll be careful, yes?" Charles was asking, teasing only slightly. Erik wouldn't be out  all day.

He probably wouldn't even be gone for more than an hour.

"I'm always careful," Erik smiled. He planted a soft kiss on Charles's lips, then turned to leave. "Hold the fort, will you?"

"I will." He chuckled, brushing his hair back gently. "See you soon, love."

Erik considered himself a very prompt man. He didn't expect to be gone long, of course. He gave Charles one last kiss, then headed out.

It wasn't long after Erik had left that a knock would sound. Charles had to pause, a moment, and looked through the peephole.

A stern faced, greying man stood at the door. Charles swallowed hard, cracking it open.

"Can I help you...?" He asked.

"Rick Stoner. And perhaps I can help you."

~~

It had been a half hour and a mind scan later that Charles had Stoner on the front porch. He hadn't let the man inside, and he'd made sure to keep the small porch table between them.

Somehow, he'd been tracked down. Somehow, they'd discovered what he was.

But they hadn't let on about knowing about Erik, and he planned to keep it that way. From the porch, he could see all the way down the drive, and he would warn Erik before this... Rick Stoner even saw him.

A figure, soon, approached from the distance. Even far away it was clear that he was massive. What had started as a slow, methodical lumber quickly turned into a full-out charge. "CHARLES!"

Charles jerked, eyes wide. "C-Cain...?" He muttered, mouth dry.

Stoner reached for his piece, Charles grabbing his arm. "N-No! No, you can't fight him with that." He told him, hand to his temple.

He paled, realizing he couldn't peer into Cain's mind. "Wh...?"

As Cain hurtled closer, it became apparent that he was wearing an incredible armored suit. Most prominent was the gigantic, metal dome that covered his head, and completely blocked Charles's powers. He ripped the old iron gate apart as he charged forward, and he cratered the pavement with each frantic step.

Charles was suddenly aware of Stoner dragging him inside. "Move, move!" The old military buff shouted, Charles sprinting to an office.

He dialed the old phone, quickly, fumbling the receiver. "Pleasepleaseplease..."

The phone was picked up on the fourth ring. "Charles? Sorry, I just got to the car.'

"Erik, please!" Charles couldn't help his frantic tone. "Please, get home soon, I-"

"I--" Erik fumbled with the car phone as he hurriedly started the engine, "Charles, what's happening?"

"Cain, m-my-God, Erik, I can't read him! He's in a suit of armor! I-I can't read him, I can't stop him, Erik please!"

"Cain is-- Charles, hold on--!"

There was a deafening crash, and the line went dead.

Erik pushed the car to its absolute limit- at one point he wasn't sure the tires were even touching the road as he raced down the highway. He skidded to a stop on the lawn, and beheld the demolished mansion's front.

He ran. "CHARLES!"

Stoner was with Charles, the remains of a barricade and most of the room between them.

"That was my last grenade! He's gotta have SOME weakness!!" He was saying, Charles scowling hard.

"If-- he just didn't have the helmet!"

"I'll call a squad! We'll evacuate, get it off! Something!"

"YOU THINK YOU CAN STOP ME, CHARLES?!" Cain screamed. Debris from the wreckage of the explosion bounced harmlessly off of him as he slowly plodded forward. He ripped the barricade down with a single hand. "I have become INVINCIBLE!"

Cain swung his arm into Stoner, cratering him in the wall nearby. "I'm UNSTOPPABLE!"

Stoner would peel away, hitting the ground hard. He would try to reach for his radio, but every move felt like agony.

"Cain, it doesn't have to be this way!"

"This is the only way," Cain grabbed Charles around the neck, and he lifted him. Slowly, his grip tightened, "I'm going to make you suffer. I'm going to make you feel pain as I HAVE FELT PAIN!"

His lungs screamed for air, his neck bruised. He tried to free his neck of Cain's hand, fingers slipping uselessly down it. "Hh.. Hhn!" Was all he could manage, even that a soft gasp.

"I'm going to--”

Cain suddenly fell silent. His arm started to shake. With an incredible groan of metal, Cain's fingers were splayed open- perhaps farther than a hand should be able to- and Charles was released. His brother screamed in agony as, all at once, his metal armor began to collapse and twist.

Charles would hit the ground hard, picking himself up as he gasped, air flooding his lungs. He stared, wide eyes in shock, at the sight before him.

Erik floated over the rubble, his arm outstretched as he puppeteered the Juggernaut. Cain's great helmet caved it quite suddenly, hugging his skull. He writhed, and gasped for air as his limbs were twisted and bent at odd angles.

His helmet continued to close in, with a sickening creak.

"E...Erik!" Charles managed to gasp. "I-It's enough! Y-You'll kill him!"

Erik seemed to snap out of a daze. His eyes found Charles.

Slowly, he lowered his hand. The metal surrounded Cain's head was released, and he collapsed, unconscious or unable to move. Erik floated towards Charles, then dropped to the ground. "I..." He was afraid to touch him. Erik's mind was frantic- should he call 911? How would they explain this? Who was that man in their home-- how had Cain GOTTEN here?

Charles had no such reservations, at least about touching Erik. He would grab him in a hug, burying his face in Erik's shoulder. His shoulders shook, and he gripped him tight.

Erik hesitated, but finally laid his hands gently on Charles's back. He was silent, still, for a long time.

Then, the metal pipes torn from the destroyed walls of the mansion flew towards Stoner and wrapped around him, and he was pinned to the wall.

"Who are you?"

"KK!"

"Erik." Charles soothed, wiping his eyes and collecting himself. "Th-this is Rick Stoner... He... He came by. He knows what I am. I tried to keep him from knowing about you, but... Cain showed up. Rick's fine! He-He defended me, bought us time for you to get here!"

"For all we know he could have BROUGHT Cain here, Charles!" Erik said sharply, and he gestured to the crumpled form of the Juggernaut. He looked back at Stoner, eyes narrowed dangerously. "WHO ARE YOU?"

"R-Rick Stoner. H-head of S.H.I.E.L.D." He replied, eyes steely. "And if I'd wanted Charles Xavier out the picture, I wouldna needed to use somethin' that volatile."

The metal around Stoner released him, though it instead hovered menacingly close.

"Leave, and never come back."

"Mm..."

"I.. I think it's for the best, Mr. Stoner."

Stoner would heave a sigh, picking himself up. "You know how to find me, if you need me." He said, backing out, eyes on Erik.

"I... I don't believe that will be necessary."

Erik watch him silently. The metal followed Stoner out of the wreckage, and remained in the air at the edge of the crumbled entrance wall, ready to strike if need be.

They wouldn't need to. Stoner would get into his car, give the entrance a final look, and drive away.

Charles released a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.

Erik stood with Charles, and carefully started to walk. "We may have to leave," He murmured softly. But, firstly, there were wounds to attend to.

"I..." He frowned, feeling the shattered wood of the wall, eyes side. "Perhaps... for a while... until we can make repairs..."

Erik didn’t reply.

When Charles was tended to, they returned to find that Cain was gone. In his place was a card, with an almost heraldic logo, and Stoner's name.

Charles paused, eyes wide. "H... How did he? When?" He muttered, taking the card.

"He won't bother you again" was all that written.

Erik was silent, and the expression he studied the note with was cold, unreadable. He turned, and started to bend the metal pieces of piping back into shape. "Rest," He ordered gently, "I'll keep watch."

"I... Are you sure?" He asked. Charles hadn't let go of him since he'd entered, though couldn't argue he was tired beyond belief.

"Yes." Erik squeezed his arm gently. "I won't be far."

"...Alright." he muttered, kissing him gently. "I... I'm glad you were here in time..."

Erik traced Charles's cheek, then down, feather-like, to some of the bruising on his neck.

"I'm never letting this happen again."

"I know. It wasn't your fault..."

~~

Charles groaned in exasperation. He rubbed his eyes, settled at the table. "... Erik. We need to face facts. This can't be done alone."

"You don't know that." Erik snapped. "You couldn't possibly know that! We just need to- to try a little harder!"

"Erik." He said, firmly but not unkindly. "We've done as much as we can. We're running ragged and going nowhere."

He got a sharp huff in reply. Erik was silent for a while.

He knew, deep down, that Charles was right. He hated to admit it.

Charles would take his hand, fingers curling gently around his. He didn't say anything, simply offered his support for now.

"...We can't trust anyone." Erik mumbled weakly. "Please, Charles."

"I won't let anyone do anything that would hurt us." He promised, squeezing gently. "We just... need someone with experience in these things."

Erik didn't say anything, but the look he gave Charles said it all. He was defeated.

Charles would move his chair to sit beside his. "We'll take it slow." He assured, kissing his cheek. "We'll back out if anything happens."

"...Fine."

"It'll be worth it, you'll see. We're going to help so many people."

S.H.I.E.L.D had, apparently, been rather eager to speak with Charles and Erik again. It wasn't long before a meeting was set up between them, and it was only a bit longer than that before they were given a lab- an actual lab- to work in, with a skilled team at their disposal. They were working, it was said, "for the betterment of all mankind."

With the proper resources, and their own vast scientific and engineering skills, soon they had a plan.

Then a prototype.

Charles for his part, was ecstatic. "It's incredible! Erik the implications, I could-- I did!!" The test run had been amazing.

Erik beamed at him. He picked Charles up and swung him around a few times. "You DID it! You actually did it, Charles-- you're incredible!"

Charles had to laugh, arms looped around his shoulders. "I-I could see so many-- it was amazing! I-I'm not sure where they are yet but!!"

"In time," Erik told him, "I-It will be just..." His eyes were a little wet as he smiled down at him, "Phenomenal."

"It will. I... I feared I was alone, once? And then I found you and." He chuckled, brushing his cheek. "Everything's gotten better since."

Tears rolled down Erik's face, but he was joyful. He kissed Charles gently. "You will never be alone again."

Charles tangled his fingers in Erik's hair, utterly content. "I know. I know~ Not with you at my side."

"Oh, Charles, that's terribly corny. I love it."

"I hoped you would. I have more."

~~

"The diagrams?"

Erik was on edge. "Why?"

"Our engineers want to see if they can make it more efficient." Stoner was saying. "As of now, it's demands are are… less than acceptable."

"No." Erik's voice was quiet, stern.

Stoner took a deep breath. "I understand your concerns. But we need to make sure the project is worth the energy it consumes. Otherwise, we'll be shut down."

"You can take these files over my dead--!"

"Ah, Erik!" Charles entered the scene, all smiles. "There you are, I had some things I wanted to go over!" He said, giving Stoner a nod.

Stoner returned it. "Charles. I was just asking Erik for the plans to Cerebro."

Charles had to pause, reorder himself. "... I'm sorry?"

"Charles, the military is inquiring about our work."

"Please try to understand. Should we not deliver results, funding will be cut off. With a more energy efficient machine, we can cut those costs and deliver better results."

"Nm..."

Erik looked at Charles silently, pleading.

"... Give us a moment." He said, tugging Erik aside.

What do we do? He asked; mentally would be the best way to have this conversation.

We take our research and we run. Erik told him. We can't let them have it! God knows what they'll do!

But! What about what we're leaving behind! W-We can't replicate this on our own!

Charles, you have to consider what they would DO with this technology!

I have! Surely... Rick's proven himself trustworthy, hasn't he?

I don't trust any of them. Neither should you.

Erik. I... Do we have much choice in the matter?

Erik regarded him. Slowly, a coldness started to creep into his eyes. Turning sharply on his heel, he marched away.

This was not a fight he was going to win.

Charles reached for him, to go after. He would pause, sighing hard. "I... I can give you half. You understand, I'm sure..."

"Of course."

Erik marched in a blind anger, moving out of the lab and down the hall. The more he walked, the less angry he became. Instead, a cold fear, and a bitter sadness started to fill his chest.

Mistake.

This had been a mistake. He'd made a mis--

A woman passed him, turning a corner. Her skin flickered, for a brief moment, into a dark blue.

Erik froze.

~~

"I...." Charles sighed hard, looking over the group. "I regret that day. I truly do... The rift that exists now started then."

"...Professor," Kitty's voice was quiet, "Did you...What happened to the files? Did you ever find out?"

"... I did. I almost wish I hadn't..." He muttered, voice soft.

"...What...did they do?"

~~~

Charles was feeling tired, these days.

He'd been in the machine almost constantly, trying to MAKE it work better.

It wasn't going well.

Erik had been distant. He had pushed Charles and the rest of their team to work faster, harder; in his mind, they were sitting on a time bomb. Other than working, Erik had started to isolate himself.

That still didn't stop Charles from trying to connect. He knew something was wrong, he was pretty sure he was the cause.

He just... had to make it up to him. "Erik?" He asked, knocking on the door frame.

The hushed voices on the other side stopped. The door slowly opened, Erik peeking through the crack at him. He gave Charles a careful, questioning look.

"I've been told to break, for a bit. I thought we could share a coffee?" A hopeful grin. "I found a lovely nook."

"...Ah." Erik glanced behind him briefly. "Not now, Charles."

His face fell immediately. "Ah... Well, perhaps we can do dinner?"

"...We'll see."

"A-After all we... We haven't talked for a while."

Erik was quiet for a moment.

"...Charles. There's someone I'd like you to meet."

He perked. "Ah... really? Alright then."

"Quickly now," Erik ushered Charles in, closing the door swiftly behind him. Standing before them, bright red hair and dark blue skin standing out starkly from the pale colors of the room, was a young woman. She must have been slightly younger than they were, but her eyes were those of one who has seen too much, too soon. They widened in surprise, and she looked to Erik questioningly.

He gave her a small nod. "This is Raven."

His eyes went wide, his jaw dropped. He looked to Erik, then back to Raven. "... Lo! Charles Xavier!" Was all he could manage, offering a hand.

Raven carefully shook it. Mid-shake, her hand transformed itself to mirror Charles's, right down to the freckles and pores.

"OH!" He perked, looking over her. "That's amazing!"

She nodded slightly and quickly stepped back.

"Charles," Erik started softly, "You can't tell anyone about her, alright?"

"Ah...?" He frowned, slightly. "... Of course not." He replied, giving them a soft smile. "You have your reasons for remaining hidden. I wouldn't dream of exposing you."

"...Thank you." Raven whispered. Her eyes snapped to the door, and her form quickly shifted.

Erik watched it, too, waiting on bated breath.

When the footsteps passed, they both relaxed, but only slightly.

Charles waited a moment before he spoke. "How.. How in the WORLD did you two meet?"

"Raven has been..." Erik's eyes flickered to her, "Investigating S.H.I.E.L.D."

"I.. Oh." He wasn't sure how to take that, but. "I see?"

"Yes."

That was about as much as Erik was willing to elaborate, apparently.

"I uh.. alright then. Anything I should know?"

"In time."

".... Oh." He couldn't help but feel hurt by that.

"I promise, Charles," Erik started to lead him out of the door, "I'll explain everything. I just need a little more time."

Charles gripped his arm lightly. "I... Alright. I trust you."

Erik offered him a small smile. There was less love in it than there usually was.

There was fear.

Charles noticed. Of course he noticed. "... Just... Trust me, alright? We'll be alright."

"...Sure." Erik closed the door.

He couldn't help how his shoulders sagged, hurt in full.

Perhaps if he just... kept this secret, things would be fine. Surely...

A few days later, Erik was late coming into the lab.

"Ah. There you are. Everything alright?"

Every metal object- from pens, to pieces of Cerebro and other devices- were lifted. Suddenly, everyone in the room, save for Charles, had a weapon at their throat.

The pen at Stoner's throat started to slowly dig into him. "YOU!" Erik's fury was loud and powerful, and everything metal seemed to vibrate with his voice.

"HRKK!" He growled, gritting his teeth, stiffening and clenching at the sudden pain.

"E-ERIK!?"

"You sold everything! Our research, our prototypes, our test logs! You sold EVERYTHING to the Genoshan government!"

Charles paled, following his gaze. "Y... Stoner, you didn't...?"

"I told you this would happen!" Erik turned his gaze to Charles, "I knew we couldn't trust them! They think we're disposable-- a-a means to an end!"

"I..." he was thrown, shaken hard. "I can't... I TRUSTED you!" He said, turning to Stoner.

One of the guards' guns started to float towards Stoner.

"Murderers."

Charles froze. "E-Erik wait! D-Don't go to their level!"

Stoner grit his teeth, reaching for his own gun.

Erik ignored him. "People like you are a cancer." The gun cocked, "You have the blood of thousands of innocents on your hands and you are going to pay."

Stoner grabbed his gun.

"DON'T-!!" Charles' shout was cut short.

There was a single gunshot.

Stoner fell limp, blood draining in a rush.

"E....Erik..." Charles lost his voice, his face paling.

Erik's eyes snapped to Charles. "...We need to go. Now."

"I-!" He was aware, suddenly, of the troops around them arming themselves and taking aim.

Erik waved a hand. Their weapons jerked in their hands, going off uncontrollably. "NOW."

Charles had to force himself to run. His story sputtered here, as he couldn't remember much of this escape. It was a blur of emotions, thoughts and memories.

What he could remember was bullets rushing by them, alarms, the thunder of boots behind them, and a raven flying beside them-- all a haze.

Most clear however, was that Erik did not return to the Institute after that.

Life dragged after that. It was dark, lonesome. He could barely get from one day to the next.

He didn't know how to keep going on.

Erik kept in touch, but as time went on it became sparser and sparser- he didn't want to risk S.H.I.E.L.D finding him. Supposedly, they wouldn't; Raven, the young mutant, knew her way around S.H.I.E.L.D's protocols and security maneuvers enough to avoid or sabotage them.

Charles, unwilling and unable to hide from that horrible day, allowed himself to be taken into custody and rigorously interrogated. Mercifully, it seemed there was someone in his corner. After weeks of unending interrogation and trial, it was determined Charles Xavier had nothing to do with Erik's terrorism- though, of course, he suspected S.H.I.E.L.D would be keeping a close watch from the shadows.

Charles tried to call Erik as soon as he was able.

Perhaps the payphone wasn't the safest option, but after everything he'd dealt with.. He needed a friendly voice. He needed Erik to be close, to just feel and see him.. but this would be a second best.

It rang.

And rang.

And rang.

Click.

Ah... He couldn't. Of course not. He was running, hiding.

Charles had gotten off, but Erik wouldn't have. He sighed, tugging his coat around him tighter. It was best to just go home, most likely.

No matter how terribly lonely that idea was.

~~

It was months later. The night was cold; then again, most nights were now.

When Charles flicked the lights on in his bedroom, there was Erik, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Charles about had a heart attack, had to do a double take. "E-ERIK!?" He had the other man in a hug before he realized what he was doing. "Wh-where--?! I missed you!"

"Charles--" Erik nearly fell off the bed from the force of the hug. He managed a smile, small and exhausted and...distant as it was. He held Charles tightly for a few moments, then pushed him back gently. "I've been...There's a lot to tell and little time, I'm afraid."

Charles gripped him a little tighter. "I... L-Like what? I.. God, Erik, I thought I'd never see you again..."

"I've been moving, Charles-- learning. I've found so many mutants!" Erik held his shoulders tightly, "Raven and I, we-- we think we can stop this! All of this! We can save so many lives, Charles!"

"You... You have!!" Charles felt lighter for the first time since he could remember, really.

"Yes!" Erik started to pull him towards the door. "But we have to leave now- I'm not sure how long the surveillance will be disabled. They'll never find us, Charles!"

He paused. "Leave? For, wait, how long?"

"For how--" Erik frowned at him, "You didn't expect to actually stay here, did you?"

"I... Yes?"

"...Charles." Erik released him, "You can't-- We can't stay here. Not anymore. S.H.I.E.L.D has been watching this place constantly, it-- if we bring children here, NONE of them will be safe!"

"Where else are we going? Wh-where else would we HAVE them?"

"First we have to eliminate our enemies, Charles."

"Eliminate our enemies?"

"Obviously!" Erik was indignant, "You can't seriously expect to be able to bring up the next generation of mutants with S.H.I.E.L.D and God knows whoever else around?"

"I--" Charles gathered himself. "We can't just kill people!"

"They kill US!" Erik retorted, "Why shouldn't we defend ourselves?"

"If we kill them back- It's doesn't make it right! And beyond that." He groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Beyond that, the backlash we face could be even WORSE."

"How could they possibly hate us more, Charles? They've already-- they're abducting children!"

Charles swallowed hard. "I... Erik, I can't do that again."

He had no idea how much he would come to regret that statement.

Erik regarded him with wide, disbelieving eyes. Then, they hardened. "You're a coward."

"I-- There has to be a better way Erik!"

"I will not sit by while the lives of children- the lives of our people- hang in the balance!"

"And what of the ones you leave behind!" He snapped. "What of the ones without connections!"

"Well if we do away with S.H.I.E.L.D, it will at least be a starting point."

"We can't just- You want us to topple the military!? Do you know the panic that will cause!?"

Metal objects around the rooms started to levitate.

"Humans will panic regardless! They will hate and lash out and people will die, Charles! You cannot avoid casualties in this war!"

"We still have to minimize them! I'm not SAYING we don't fight back, I'm saying we do this smart! We integrate and educate!"

"How long do you think they'll let you do that, Charles? This has happened over-" Metal started to creak, "And over, and OVER in history! My parents lived through it!"

Charles groaned, running a hand through his hair. "They will look for ANYTHING to tear us apart. We look like a threat, and we brand mutants EVERYWHERE a threat! Can't help anyone if the're killed as soon as outed, now CAN WE?"

Erik was quiet for a moment. "...I can't go back, Charles."

"I... I know you can't." He had to steady himself on a desk. "I could never ask you to. I... You left, and I lived through torture. I can't let you or anyone else go through that..."

Erik started to step back towards the window. "Come with me, Charles." His voice was quiet, pleading. "Please."

"I..." He was tempted. He was so, so tempted. "...I can't. I love you, but I just.. can't."

Erik was very, very still. Something flickered in his eyes, for just a moment. When he blinked, it was gone.

"I thought I loved you, too."

He took a step back, out onto the balcony, then let himself fall back.

Xavier jerked, ran to the window, heart pounding.

~~~

"But he was... gone." He muttered softly, taking a deep breath. He hadn't noticed his tears, students stunned silent.

It was Scott who first broke the stillness. He moved over silently, and he put his hand on Xavier's shoulder.

He took a deep breath, tried to give him a smile. "... I wish I hadn't been so stubborn... If I hadn't pushed so many times, perhaps..."

"Y-You can't blame yourself."

"I had a hand in things going wrong, Jean. I'm as much to blame as he."

"...Professor," Scott started softly, "What he said, it-- it wasn't true."

"Hm?" He glanced to him, accepting a tissue box from one of the other students.

"We're not pawns." He cast a steady gaze around at the other students, "Right?"

"Of course not!"

Lance scoffed loudly. "Oh, yeah, it TOOOOTALLY sucks here, being loved and fed and cared about. Yup, he's got things pegged."

“If we were out there, we’d be hunted down, if we were with him, he’d make us attack people. Got a pretty good deal, as far as I’m concerned.”

"We've got you, Prof," Scott smiled down at the Professor, "We'll fix this."

He was quiet, a moment.

He clasped Scott's arm, smile warm. "Thank you. All of you."

Scott nodded. "So...What's our next step?"

"For now, we remain vigilant. We keep an eye out, and we plan for the best course of action. All of us, together."

~~~

It was a tense session, Xavier was having.

Jamie, having caught wind that Piotr had ended up at the institute, had tried to see him. He had been too late; his friend was kept under watch before he could. And now SOMETHING big was going down.

Though, the details were a bit hard to hear through the door.

It didn't help that Piotr was having difficulty speaking. He sat hunched in the chair, shivering at unreal cold, looking so much smaller than he was. "Th-They have...taken most of the island."

"Most? What of the rest of it?" Xavier asked, almost afraid to ask.

Piotr stared at the floor.

"Destroyed."

A coldness gripped Xavier. "I..." A thousand thoughts ran through his head, and he rubbed his brow. "I....see."

"...I-I...Please, do not make me..."

Xavier perked, slightly, as he came out of it. "Don't make you what, Piotr?"

"T-Talk about it."

Xavier frowned, took his shoulder gently. "You’re safe now. We... we can talk more if and when you're ready to do so."

Piotr could barely bring himself to nod. He couldn't meet Xavier's eyes. "Th...Thank you."

"You may stay here as long as you like." He told him.

Piotr looked up at him in surprise, even questioningly. "...I-I--"

"Jamie NO." Boomed Wolverine's exasperated voice from outside the door.

"Nyeh! I-I wasn't doing anything!" Jamie protested, Xavier rubbing a temple.

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised he's excited to see you..."

"You can't go in-- Stop squirmin', shorty! Git!"

Piotr looked to the door. "Oh..."

"C'mon Logan, why not!?"

Xavier nodded. "...I can understand if you need space, however."

Piotr took a deep, shaky breath. "I...I will be fine."

"Alright. I could show you to a room? Somewhere of your own to settle."

"O...Okay."

"Good... you're safe here, Piotr."

Piotr's throat went dry. He opened his mouth to speak when there was a loud thump on the door, and incoherent voices.

Presently, Logan was holding back two Jamies at once, and a third was squishing his face in an attempt at distraction.

It was ineffective.

"I should help Logan calm Jamie down." Xavier was saying. "Assure him you aren’t being interrogated or anything..." A pause. "At least, that's not my intent."

"Ah...Yes."

"Good... We'll speak again soon."

Piotr nodded slightly, then stood. When he made his way to the door, Logan was still struggling with Jamie. "You can't go in, kid! Listen--"

There was a fourth and fifth now. The fourth one was trying to tug his arm back, gain control on it. The other had wrapped around his leg. They were proving as effective as the face smusher.

"But why NOT? I failed him last time, this time I can actually help him out!"

"Jamie I am NOT gonna tell you again--"

"O-Oh." Piotr was taken slightly aback when he opened the door.

The five Jamies perked, pausing a moment. "PIOTR!" They shouted, one disengaging from Logan to latch onto Piotr's arm. "I'm glad you're here are you okay were they mean to you? No one will be mean here everyone's so nice!!"

Piotr lifted him up easily. He offered Jamie a smile, small and unsure as it was. "I am fine." He assure him.

Jamie gave him a grin, swinging on his arm slightly. "Oh good! We can hang out and I can introduce you and!"

"Jamie." Xavier started. "Perhaps we should let Piotr be a while, let him rest and settle."

"What whyyyy."

"It was, uh..." Piotr's skin flickered with metal, "A long trip."

Jamie frowned hard. "Well... Later then, right? After you rest?"

"Of course!"

"Great!" He said, dropping off him.

The other Jamies would disengage,the smusher patting Logan's face before they regrouped. "I'll see you then!"

Piotr waved to him. His hand fell heavily at his side, and his smile faded. Logan put a hand on his shoulder. "I'll show ya to yer room."

With a small nod, Piotr followed him.

Xavier kept after. "... I hope you will feel welcome here." He started. "And... I'm sorry I couldn't help you sooner."

"...Me too."

~~

It was a day or so later that Piotr's door would be knocked upon.

"C'mon Piotr! You can't stay in there forever."

Piotr tried to rub the exhaustion from his eyes. He wasn't very successful. "I know, Jamie," He mumbled, "I know..."

"You can meet some of my team! We're C-Team but Jubilee's got a better name in progress. They're all nice!"

He realized he probably wasn't going to win this battle. Piotr was too tired to argue. With a small grunt, he pulled himself off of his bed, then shuffled to the door. "Alright," He said, "Maybe meet some people, yes?"

"Yeah! They're nice don't worry. And Rahne's new too, so you're not the only one it'll be great!"

Piotr gave him a small smile. "I'm sure." He ruffled Jamie's hair, "Thank you."

Jamie laughed, waving him off. "You bet! What are friends for, right?"

"Y-Yeah."

The afternoon was surprisingly quiet. There were few students out and about, at least from what Piotr could see. Their leader, Scott, gave him a solemn nod from the kitchen as they passed by. Piotr returned it hesitantly.

It was very hard to tell if he was welcome here or not. The tension around the Institute was thick, almost choking.

"Things are a liiiittle tense but they'll warm up soon." Jamie assured, perking as he spotted Alex. "Oh, Alex!"

Alex, for his part, gave a slightly hesitant wave as they approached, taking Piotr in. "Hey, Jamie. Are uh..." He gave Piotr a slight, unsure grin. "You the new guy?"

Piotr nodded slightly. "Y-Yes." He hadn't seen Alex around before- then again, Piotr had barely left his room since coming to the Institute. How many more students had he failed to meet yet?

"I'm showing him around!" Jamie offered.

Alex nodded, looking Piotr over. An internal debate was going on, worry about previous events repeating.

"He's really nice!"

But Jamie trusted him, and Piotr... well despite his size, he seemed so... small, somehow.

Alex nodded along, offering Piotr a hand. "Cool. S'nice to meet you man."

Piotr shook it carefully, seeming to be fully cognizant of his own strength. He was like Fred, in that way, though much more timid. "Y-Yes, and you."

Well that just sealed it. "How about I tag along?"

"Aw, yeah! That sounds fun!"

"S-Sure." Piotr looked to Jamie curiously, "Where are we going?"

"I was just kinda showing you around." Jamie admitted.

Alex chuckled, nudging him. "Aimless wandering?"

"YEAAAH."

"You dork." he turned his attention to Piotr. "You wanna go outside? It's all snowy, but it's pretty nice."

"Oh, uh," Piotr nodded, "Sure. I do not mind snow."

And so the trio were outside, Alex having tucked himself into a hefty coat and warm knit hat.

Jamie had borrowed the kitty-eared hood, having taking quite a liking to it.

"During the summer I like swimming but uh. Bobby sort of has dibs on the pool in the winter." Alex laughed, hands shoved into his pockets.

Piotr didn't actually have a coat, or much of anything besides his sweater, but he seemed mostly unaffected by the cold. Despite himself, he chuckled. "That is good. It is used all year!"

Alex couldn't but chuckle himself, giving Piotr a nudge. "Fair enough~"

Jamie laughed himself, suddenly cut off by a snowball beaning his shoulder. "... Gentlemen. Excuse me. I have been called to war."

"Oh no."

"'Oh no?'"

"This happens sometimes." Alex replied, Jamie chucking his own snowball.

"Oh..." Piotr smiled, glancing at Alex, "Should we help?"

"Ya know what," Alex started, Kurt returning fire from somewhere. "Why not~?"

For the first time in a long time, Piotr actually felt light, for however fleeting it may be. With a grin, he scooped up snow in great handfuls, making snowballs quickly.

Inside, watching this scene, was Pietro. He snickered to himself, settled into a window nook. "Oh man." He muttered. He perked up suddenly as he felt his phone buzz. The message was from Wanda, a few photos attached. "Mm... Wish you'd come here too..." He muttered to himself, pausing. He flipped through the photos again, eyes narrowing slightly.

~~~

"If he won't talk to ya,"

The Professor's office seemed chillier than usual, as the teachers spoke hushed within,

"You should just go into his mind directly. We need to know what's been goin' on out there, Charles."

"You know why I can't do that, Logan." He replied.

"If  we don't know what's happening, more lives could be at risk." Ororo added.

"Yes!" Logan knocked his hand once on the desk for emphasis, "We can't waste anymore time on this."

"Now hold on--" Hank interjected, "We won't be able to get much from a panicked, exhausted mind."

"We've given him all the time we can allow!" Logan argued.

Xavier cut in. "I can't just go through his mind like that! He's a child!"

"I understand your concerns, Charles. But..." Ororo sighed. "If he can't talk about it, what more can we do?"

"People are dying, Charles." Logan said, "We need to do whatever it takes."

"I..." Xavier heaved a sigh. "I'll let him know the stakes. Perhaps I can avoid having to force it out of him."

The discussion would wait, however. The door swung open in a blur, Pietro mildly disheveled and clutching a few papers.

"'Ey!" Logan barked in alarm.

"Pietro?" Hank frowned, "What's wrong?"

The boy talked a mile a minute. "When we were kids we used code and she used it and-!"

"Pietro, please. Slow down, who used code?" Ororo asked, Pietro seeming to realize he was a few steps ahead.

He shoved the papers at them, dug for his phone. "Wanda. When we were kids, we had a code. Sh-she sent me pictures, bits of it in there and!"

Hank and Logan fumbled with the papers. "What..?"

"And she sent me a message and!" Xavier's eyes widened, looking over the papers. "Oh no..."

~~

"I'm just saying. Piotr was a mutant, his sister could be one too!"

"I do not have time for could be's." Magneto's voice was low and sharp. "He has betrayed us, so their safety is forfeit."

Wanda was pleading. "If she's a mutant, then letting her... Would you have punished me for Pietro's actions?"

He looked up from his papers at her. Magneto's face was steely, perfectly still, but something flickered in his eyes for just a moment. "...No," He answered, "I wouldn't."

"Then please don't punish her. I'll watch them, keep an eye on things. I... I don't want her to hate her mutation, father. I don't want her to be a mutant and end up hating that because of us."

She was watched for a few more moments. It was like the air was sucked out of the room, like gravity was crushing Wanda into the floor. Then, Magneto closed his eyes, and took a long breath. "Your soft-hearted tendencies are a weakness you can't afford, child." He returned to his papers, "If she bites the hand that feeds her, it will be your fault. Understood?"

"Understood. Thank you, father."

"Don't dawdle," The iron door opened for her, "And don't get attached."

She gave him a nod, excusing herself.

"... So." Gambit had been waiting beside said door, allowing this to play out  and waiting on his own orders. "You sure this'll be okay?"

"No." Magneto answered quietly. "Watch her."

"Got it. Want me to bring a couple extra hands, or is this a more subtle watchin’?"

"I don't care what you do. Just make sure you do it properly."

"Course, Boss."

~~

"We need to act fast." Xavier was saying, briefing his team. "Even with our information giving us a head start, there's no telling how much time we have."

"Stealth and speed should be our focus," Scott said. He looked pointedly at Pietro. "Keep in mind the lives that are hanging in the balance."

"I got it, Summers." He replied, shorter than he'd meant to.

"As long as we stay focused, we should be fine." Jean assured.

"We'll have to be.” Xavier said. “There's more riding on this than information, or pushing them back from a public space. This is to be treated as a volatile hostage situation."

Scott opened his mouth to speak more, when the door swung open. Piotr stood, metallic and petrified. He regarded them all with wide eyes, before turning to Professor Xavier. "I-I...I want to go. Please."

Xavier paused, air heavy. "... Are you sure you're up for it?"

"Yes," Piotr answered quickly. His fingers dug into the door, just a bit, sending small cracks through it.

Scott glanced at the Professor, certainly unsure.

Xavier regarded him, face stern. "...I want you to stay with Scott or Jean. When in the field, you follow their orders. Do not rush in. Can you handle that?"

Piotr nodded quickly. "Y-Yes! Yes, thank you!"

Scott motioned quickly, moving to the door, "We'll talk strategy in the Blackbird. Let's move!"

"Where are we going, anyway?" Kurt asked as they left.

"Belgium."

"Pretty sure I got a call once from there..."

~~~

The snow was heavy, in Belgium, especially out in the countryside. But that's where Piotr's family had been taken, and so that's where they went.

Pietro watched the snowy landscape approach, Blackbird landing, foot tapping a mile minute.

There was little sign of civilization all the way out here. There was an old, rotting fence, and beyond it a scraggly field, then a line of trees. The X-men felt cold, colder than the snow or frigid air.

There was silence.

The Professor did a scan of the area. He felt multiple enemies, some more familiar than others. Two were not, and he suspected Piotr’s father and sister. They were distant, however, and even Xavier’s abilities had limits. More so in his current, near exhausted and distressed state.

Jean took a deep breath. "Alright. We need a plan of attack." She started. "We need a better idea of what we're dealing with, but we can't get too close."

Scott said, " I want all of you to focus on getting the family out of there before anything big goes down. Jean, how close will you have to be to see inside?"

"Fairly. I think if I can get to the fence line?" She offered. "For a clear view of everything."

"S'pretty exposed..." Kurt muttered.

"It is..." Scott looked to Pietro. "Can you take her there, then get back here out as soon as possible?"

"I could...I’d make obvious tracks, though."

Kurt mused, tail twitching. "Maybe I could port us into that snow drift?" He offered. "Do it a lot at the Institute. Not a FUN option, but!"

Scott considered it briefly, then nodded. "Alright."

They would take each other's shoulders, be gone in a puff of smoke.

Rogue was the first to break the silence. "... So, what. We wait?"

"Yes." Scott answered.

"Great... Who do you think he has here? Guys we've seen or nah?"

Scott shook his head. "It could be anyone. Be prepared. Todd, Rogue, I want you to stay with the Professor. We’ve got to be careful."

“Got it, Summers.”

“Watch yerself, got it?” She told him, waving Todd back to the Blackbird.

Pietro grunted. "Right... " He wasn't sure how prepared he could be, all things considered.

Jean felt they were fairly prepared. She had positions, had a solid number. "Okay Kurt. Take us ba-"

LOOK OUT!

The warning rang in their heads almost too late, a scream blasting the snowbank apart. Jean struggled under it, her quick mental shield only just protecting them from the brunt.

The scream was an incredible volume, and it carried almost all the way to the Blackbird, hidden in the trees on the other side of the road. The X-men jolted. "X-men!" Scott called, hurrying, "Let's move!"

Banshee had been one of Gambit's choices, it would seem. The mutant made another pass, letting loose another shout.

He was met quickly by Scott's concussive blasts. Part of the X-men moved for the treeline.

As Banshee crashed down, Gambit cursed. "Son of a- Pyro! Get the defenses goin, now!"

There was a very pleased cackle in the distance, then a loud sound, almost like fireworks. Smoke quickly rose into the sky from the trees. Kitty, having forged ahead, using her powers to move quicker, had to pause and cough as smoke filled her lungs.

Pietro was forced to go around, growling half to himself.

"Focus the speedster!" Gambit would direct over radio. "He's a pain in the ass!" He grabbed up his phone, scoffing loudly as he dialed. “C’mon Boss, c’mon--”

“Gambit? What’s going on--?”

“X-men are here! Pretty sure it’s all of ‘em. Including their boss. You want me to board their jet? Prof should be on it.”

“...Do what you have to.”

The fire grew rapidly. Its walls twisted and bent, blocking a path everywhere you looked. Pyro laughed horribly as his flamethrower attachments fed the blaze. "HOW'S IT TASTE, YOU LITTLE SHITS?!"

Kitty, not one to be stopped quite so easily, took a deep breath and ran as fast as she could through. She gasped in shock when a giant, hulking shape ran almost right through her. Piotr, metal skin offering him protection, barreled ahead.

"Piotr!" Jean called, Kurt porting them through the smoke and fire. "Don't run ahead!!"

He ignored her, pointedly. He could see the shack in the distance, surrounded by a wide ring of fire. He pushed himself forward--

A dart of light barely missed his feet. He stumbled in surprise, then rolled quickly to avoid several more shots.

Gina.

He had to run. He HAD to keep moving.

Scott, some way's behind, was trying to run through the fire, and now multi-tasked to try and find their little sniper. She was somewhere above them. If he could just--

"SCOTT!" Evan called behind him. Scott turned quickly, but not in time enough to move out of the way of the falling tree. He braced for impact.

A loud CRUNCH sounded through the air. A pillar of rock had come up before him, catching the tree some few feet above him.

"Y-ya good Summers?!" Lance called, turning his attention to the inferno. "I'm gonna try slowing it! Everyone BRACE!"

The world rolled at that, ground seeming to become a liquid by his command. Silt and mud came forth in geysers, raining down, staining the snow that was left.

Pyro cursed loudly, and he did his best to keep the fire going, but it was now proving rather difficult. Above, in the trees, Gina also cursed as she was partially blinded by the earthen rain. She had to move. Hurriedly, she slid down the trunk and ran.

"You little-- AUGH!" Pyro stumbled back as several spikes were fired at him from the dying flames. Evan sped past him, trying to catch up to Piotr. One arm down, Pyro shot flames after him, but Evan's thick armor protected him for the most part.

Pietro, still trapped behind the flames, was starting to panic. He turned left, rushed down, suddenly stopping as a wall came up before him. "C'MON!!"

Piotr, by this time, had made it to the house. He busted through the door, and looked wildly around.

Nothing.

"Illyana!!" He called, "Papa!"

"Piotr!!" The shout would come from below, under the floorboards of the first floor.

Piotr looked around, but the entrance to the below wasn't obvious. In his panic, he started to punch through the floor.

Gambit jerked, looking from the field to Piotr. He grabbed up a wooden beam, charging the thing to the point that it steamed and glowed.

Right before he swung, Gambit's arm was suddenly pinned by two well-placed spikes. "MISS ME?" Piotr jerked his head around, briefly, but from his father's distressed call below he focused back on breaking through the floor.

"YOU LITTLE-" It would erupt in his hand, cutting him off, shredding his jacket to the elbow. He was thrown for a loop, ears ringing.

Banshee had recovered by this point, and shouted at the first group he saw, looking quickly for Gina.

The fire had quickly enveloped many of the trees, and Gina was finding it hard to stay out of its way, much less find another hiding spot. She hacked, eyes watering from the smoke. She thought she saw a shape moving nearby, and blindly fired upon it.

A moment later, her arm was through a tree.

"HEY!"

"That's enough of THAT." Kitty huffed.

"GINA!" Banshee called, sprinting her way. "I'M COMIN PUP, HOLD ON!"

Banshee would be met with a tree hurtling towards his facial region. Fred, carrying a discombobulated Scott, readied to grab another if need be.

Banshee jerked, ducking into a skid. The tree just missed him, save the branch that caught him in the face. "ACH FUCK!" He stumbled, disoriented. But fighting them would wait-Gina came first.

Piotr finally CRASHED through the floor in a whirl of wood, metal, and smoke. He stood there for a moment, panting. He looked up.

Light streamed in, bathing half the basement in soft light.

"Piotr!" Illyana yelled.

Wanda stood before the duo, taking a breath. "So you're here."

Piotr took a sharp breath. "Y-Yes." He murmured. He started to stand, but stumbled again when his sister and father embraced him.

She watched them, shoulders dropping as short sigh escaped her. "You know I can't just let you leave." She said, approaching slowly. Illyana gripped him tight.

Piotr kept his family behind him. "I..." He nodded slowly.

Things seemed quiet, despite the noise outside. It was distant, small flurries of snow escaping into the hole.

"... You're going to need to hit me."

"Wanda, I-I--"

"There's no other way for us. If I don't stop you, we'll both be in trouble." She took a deep breath, stopping before him. "Or, you make it look that I tried. And you stopped me."

Piotr regarded her, silently debating for a few moments. Wincing, he raised his fist. With concentration, his metal skin slowly became soft again.

"Make it good. Worse may face me if you don't."

"I'm sorry."

Piotr hit her. Hard.

She stumbled back, a support beam. She slid down it, bruise already forming. "G-go... before I drop it." She managed.

Drop-- Oh no.

Piotr picked up both his father and Illyana, and tossed them both through the opening he'd made. He tried to follow as quick as he could, but climbing back up was an entirely different matter, so he was clumsy.

Red ran up the support, over the floorboards.

Piotr would be snagged, Jean and Kurt having made it to the house, finally through the blaze. "A-are you alright?!" Jean asked.

"I-I--" Piotr glanced back, but only for a moment. "Yes."

Evan, clutching his shoulder, stumbled back inside from a hole in the wall. "C-C'mon!"

Kurt was by his side, supporting him. "I gotcha!"

Gambit wasn’t there. Gambit had pulled himself out, head still ringing. "Py-Pyro." He called in. "Do me a favor~?"

"WHAT?!" Came the irritated reply, a whizz of something, and a jangling of machine parts.

"Catch shit alight. Much as you can. I'm doing something that should cheer ya up." He told him, glaring across the field. “I got another job to finish…” Gambit, somehow, slunk through the carnage, the fighting, the other X-men. Unnoticed, somehow unseen, he made it to the jet, slipped along side it. He peeked up, slinking inside.

It looked like the plane was empty. Lucky him. The controls didn't look too hard to figure out--

Something swung down from the ceiling and suddenly Gambit had a foot to the face. "S'UP?" Todd sneered, hopping down from the ceiling.

He stumbled back, groaning loudly and grabbing his nose. "LITTLE SHI-"

Rogue would then bodycheck him.

The X-men were starting to make their retreated. Todd could see them, in the distance. "Yo Prof, uuuh how d'you turn this thing on?"

"The main controls- I've got them!"

"Fuckin!" Gambit groaned, Rogue grabbing his collar.

"Stay down!!"

The X-men started to rush into the Blackbird, Piotr and his family first. Scott, recovering from Banshee's blow, ushered everyone in quickly. "Go, go, go!"

Gambit adjusted his hand, jerking as his fingers were forced together, then his hands forced to his sides. Jean had a hand trained on him, forcing him still. "Everyone in?"

"Yes--" Scott grunted, "Let's hurry!"

The Blackbird would hum to life, flurries of snow billowing below it. The plane started to move forward, then up. The X-men started breathe a little easier.

Then the plane stopped.

Xavier jerked, looking to the instruments, mind racing.

Gambit started snickering, as if he was in on a private joke, and Xavier paused. "No..." He breathed. "He can't-!"

The ceiling of the Blackbird began to peel. A rush of wind and flurry of snow filled the plane, and it jolted violently as the roof was ripped away. Piotr and Fred quickly shielded Piotr's family.

Before them, a silent metal craft behind him, was Magneto. With a motion of his hand, the Blackbird started to slow crumple on itself.

Jean's attention was suddenly changed, Gambit released as she focused on the crumbling sides of the jet. He slipped past, jumping and climbing out the hole.

Xavier didn't even notice, throwing up a shield of his own. The telepaths' efforts were effective only in slowing down the metal.

"You sent the troops out in full force," Magneto said, eerily calm over the crunching of the plane, "How bold, Charles."

Piotr and Fred made an effort to keep the walls from closing in. Magneto turned his gaze to the former.

"And you."

Piotr cried out in pain as his metal arms started to twist and bend.

"PIOTR!" Illyana yelled, tears welling.

"L-Leave them out of it, Erik!" Charles pleaded, Pietro jerking and stumbling away from Piotr.

"Oh, Charles,"

Piotr was yanked back, his legs crumpling, his arms twisting behind him.

"You involved them the moment they stepped into your school. I know they're your good little soldiers."

"We're not SOLDIERS!" Scott yelled, clenching his teeth with exertion as he tried to help stabilize the Blackbird.

"Then why does he send you to your deaths?"

"There's no need for that Erik! We can talk through this!"

"I'll bet he hasn't told you anything," Magneto brought the floating roof of the Blackbird closer. It started to bend into a wickedly sharp point, almost as sharp as Magneto's voice.  "Do they know that thousands of mutants were enslaved and tortured because of YOU?"

Xavier felt things slow down, for a moment. "I..."

“Do they know how much blood you have on your hands?”

Kurt paled. "Prof...?"

Before questions could be asked, or vengeance had, a shout split the air.

"MAGNETO!" Banshee called from the ruins of the house. His face was bleeding, his hands dirtied. He held Wanda close, her clothes spattered and stained. She wasn't moving.

Magneto's attention snapped to Banshee, and for a moment a flicker of horror crossed his face. The Blackbird was dropped, quite suddenly out of the sky. They landed loudly, but thanks to the efforts of Jean and Xavier, they were mostly unharmed. Piotr's limbs were released, and he collapsed.

Magneto lowered his craft. "Quickly!"

Illyana rushed to her brother, gripping him tight.

Banshee would run on quickly, keeping her close.

The X-men, still shocked and sore and freezing, could only watch as Magneto's craft sped silently away, in the blink of an eye. An eerie silence fell upon the group, as their breathing evened out.

It hung in the air, tense.

"... We... we need to repair. Go home." Xavier managed, voice soft.

Scott was the first to speak. "R...Right."

The Blackbird had somehow managed to limp home, after the efforts of their telepaths.

~~~

"Dude that's... that's all heavy shit." Alex was saying, voice low.

It was a day or so later, things settled, but tense.

Scott nodded slowly. Xavier had called all the students together, but had yet to show up himself. "Yeah..."

"I... Geezus. I'm glad you're okay." He muttered.

"It's...not me I'm worried about," Scott glanced at the meek form of Piotr. He rubbed his arms like they were sore, even if they were back to their human state, and he kept his eyes on the floor.

Alex nodded slowly, nudging him. "You holding up okay?"He asked.

Jamie was at Piotr's other side. "Are... are you gonna stay?"

Piotr swallowed hard. "I...I do not think I have a choice."

Before they could expand on this, Xavier arrived. He looked far, far more tired than Jean had seen in years.

"I... I'm sure you all have questions." He started.

More silence followed, a tentative, uneasy kind.

~~

"I knew it the whole time man!" With the Institute in it's current state, the X-Men had taken to cleaning-  "I can tell a weasel when I see one!" -and complaining about Augustus.

"I never liked that kid anyway. Always sayin’ rude shit. Pound 'im if I ever see him again!" Lance replied, Pietro nodding quickly.

"Hm..." Alex swallowed hard, silent thus far in this matter.

"What are we evening gonna do?" Kitty asked, "If he can disable ALL of our powers, then..."

"He was real messed up that morning," Evan pointed out, "I don't think he was faking throwing up. By the looks of it, he can't do something that big without really hurting himself."

"So he disables some of us, and the rest of us punch his face in. I like it." Pietro smirked.

Alex shuffled slightly. "I... I'm gonna go help down the hall..." he offered, voice quiet.  Scott frowned after him.

Most didn't hear him "YEAH!"

"And I don't even NEED my powers to break his nose!!" Lance declared, propping his foot up on the table in emphasis.

Down the hall, Bobby was chiseling away at the ice that coated it, huffing sharply. His constructs couldn't exactly be controlled once he made them. Or so it seemed, so far. "Might give it another shot. Not having to chisel sounds like decent motivation." He deadpanned.

"I believe in you." Jubilee was lamenting the holes that the other day's impromptu fireworks show had left in her poor jacket. She was entirely here for emotional support, which is to say to get support from Bobby. "I can't believe it hasn't melted yet!"

"Me either. I was in overdrive though, so." He half shrugged. "Maybe it's so cold it's freezing as it melts?"

Alex would slump in, sitting beside Jubi. "How uh... How are you guys doing...?"

"Heeeeeey," Jubi elbowed him, "We're chillin'.'

"Hah... C-Cool..."

Bobby glanced back at him. "... Ya holdin' up alright? You guys were pretty close."

"I... Ya just... Aha... Ya think ya know a guy..." He managed, averting his gaze.

"He was a JERK," Jubilee tried to keep his spirits up, "You're better off without that little two-faced weasel!"

"Mm.. Yeah." Alex glanced at her coat. "Are uh... You gonna get a new one?"

"She could always add some neon patches." Bobby replied, going along with the change in subject.

"That is an excellent idea, Bob-a-rino."

"Yeah, I know. Maybe you could help her." He told Alex.

"Pft. I uh.. Yeah. Maybe."

Jubilee offered him a grin, "It could be fun!"

"I mean none of them will match. I have zero eye for color."

"That's probably a bonus."

"That's a MEGA bonus."

"Hah! O-Okay~" He replied, giving her a nudge.

Bobby gave a short nod, smiling slightly. "Good deal. Now you both come help me chip away at this."

"I'm preoccupied, sorry hon."

"You're a fiend."

Further banter would be cut short by Cerebro going off.

The laughter died quite shortly. Things quickly became tense in the Institute.

"...Great."

Xavier, unable to help but answer the call, went to check what had triggered it.

What he found chilled him. "... We have to go."

"Wh-Charles!" Ororo could hardly believe it. "We're barely holding together!"

Logan concurred. "Prof, we need to lay low."

"It's a child Logan. She's so young and... We can't leave her where she is. She won't make it."

"...Hrm."

"I have to go. However badly off we are, I can't leave her to handle her own problems."

"Charles, be careful," Hank said, "There's no telling what's waiting for us out there."

"I know... Now. I... I need to speak to Todd."

The teachers looked at each other. "Why?"

"I think he'll be able to help."

~~

"Me?" When Xavier found him, Todd was bewildered, "Wh-- Why me?"

"You have..." He frowned, choosing his words. "Experience, in what's going on. I think you're the best to help her."

Todd frowned. "I...I dunno, Prof," He rubbed his arm, "I-I'm not too good with, like..."

"Todd. She needs SOMEONE who can help her understand what's happening to her... and that how her father treats her isn't alright." He frowned, taking his shoulder. "I understand if you don't think you can. I know your feelings on dogs, and I know we've been rattled recently. But I do think you're her best chance."

Todd looked down at the floor. "...Well," He heaved a sigh, "I-I guess I can...give it a shot?"

"That's all I ask. We... We'll get a couple other X-men to come along. Just... just in case."

"R-Right."

"Good. I appreciate this Todd."

"Well, uh...you know me, haha."

~~

It was hours later, on the Blackbird. "So... Scotland?" Kurt started. It was a bit of an awkward ride.

"Scotland." Scott repeated.

If this had been at an earlier time, everyone probably would've been more excited to be going.

"What uh... do you think they'll be like?"

"She's young." Xavier offered. "About Jamie's age."

"What are her powers?" Scott asked.

"She changes her shape, but only to one form. She can stop anywhere on that scale, however." Xavier explained.

"And that form is?"

"She becomes a wolf, fully changed."

"That's...okay, that's pretty awesome." Kurt said.

Todd curled in a little tighter on his seat.

Kurt noticed. "...You okay?" He asked quietly.

He got a little nod in response. Todd's knuckles tightened.

Kurt frowned, hardly convinced. "Are you sure?"

"I'm fine." Todd mumbled.

"Hmm... Okay." Best not to push it.

Xavier didn’t give him time too, anyway. "Alright. Everyone get ready. We'll be landing shortly."

Scott nodded, "Remember to be on guard."

"Got it." Kurt replied, flicking on his image inducer. "So uh, where we going?"

"Cerebro led me to the edge of town."

It would turn out that the only thing really out there was a church.

"...Alright," Scott shook off the creepy feeling he got, "I'll go in with you, Professor. Everyone else, stay back here until we send for you."

And so they started up the walk to the door. Xavier frowned, patted Scott's arm. "She's in there."

"Hrm."

They would find the door to the church locked, Xavier frowning slightly. "Hmm... Well then." He muttered, knocking loudly.

It was a quick moment before a slat in the door would open. "Yes, hello?"

Scott cleared his throat, "Good morning."

"Not from around here..." The man behind the door muttered.

"No, we're not. We were wondering if we could speak with you?"

"About?"

Scott glanced at the Professor briefly, "Your daughter, Rahne."

"You don't have any business with her!" He replied back sharply.

"Sir, we're just trying to help. We're from the Xavier School for Gifted Students."

"I don't need you people! Or your school!"

"You may not, sir, but your daughter does!" Scott insisted. "It would be really good for her to be around people like her."

"No, it wouldn't!"

"Sir, please." Xavier started. "This isn't something you can just ignore!"

The slat was slammed shut.

They stood there, somewhat shocked, though this wouldn't be the first nor the last time this occurred.

"...Want me to blast it down?"

"No, no. That won't help us here, I think... We should leave for now, come up with a plan with Kurt and Todd..."

"Charles? Charles Xavier?" A voice called out behind them.

He perked, looking to the source of the voice. "Well now... Is that you, Moira?"

This woman, Moira MacTaggert, reminded Scott of a Scooby Doo character- big thick glasses, curly hair only just contained into a scholarly do, and a strikingly colored blazer and skirt combo, with a turtleneck to boot, all colors that stood out on her dark skin. She marched down the walkway, a briefcase and folder in her hands.

She was a woman on a mission.

"By Jesus, it's been an age!" She shifted her folder so that she could shake the Professor's hand.

"It has! How have you been, what brings you here?" He asked, taking her hand and shaking. "Ah, Scott! This is my old friend and colleague, Moira!"

"Nice to meet you," Scott greeted her, shaking her hand as well.

"Well, I was comin' to howl that wretched man's ear off." Doctor MacTaggart glared at the door. "I don't suppose you've already spoken with him?"

"We have." He replied, sighing softly. "We were asking about Rahne but..." He shook his head. "You should meet my other students before we continue."

"Tell me you're going to break in and steal that girl away," Moira said. There was no hint of humor in her voice. "I can't stand for her to be there any longer."

"If it comes to that. But how about you tell all of us what's been happening first."

"Let's walk and talk," Moira waved them along, "He keeps her cooped up in there, like a prisoner! Homeschooled, so she doesn't even have that. No friends, nothin' to do in the outside world."

He frowned hard. "Was this even before she mutated?" He asked.

"It only got worse once she did."

"Mm... You're right. We need to get her out of there."

"You've got the means! Let's do it! Been tryin' the legal way for quite some time now. ‘No evidence of endangerment,’ they say. Fah!" Moira rolled her eyes, "That can all be sorted once she's out of that bloody church! Or at least given the option!"

"Quite. Thankfully, I think we have a means of getting inside to her." He gave her a slight smirk. "Even without the door."

"I am very interested."

"Good." He chuckled.

And it wasn't much longer before they’d found Kurt and Todd.

"Moira, these are two more of my students. Kurt Wagner, and Todd Tolansky. Getting in shouldn't be any issue at all."

Kurt perked. "Did... So the front door is out."

"Slammed right in our faces," Scott added. "So we're going to try a different approach. Rahne deserves to at least get the chance to decide what she wants."

Xavier nodded. "Quite. Now... Moira, do you know any windows we could get into?"

"Oh my gosh we're breaking into a church." Kurt wasn't sure how to feel about this revelation. It was for a good cause, at least?

"His office is on the east side of the building," Doctor Mactaggert answered, "And the old bell tower is for storage nowadays, at least as far as I've surmised."

"Good, good... Tell us everything you know." He said, turning his gaze to Todd. "Before we make any plans, I need to make sure you're alright with...well, all of this. It's a bit underhanded, but I think it's Rahne's best option."

"Well, uh," Todd postured a little bit, "I'm no stranger to breakin' in, y'know. S'cool wit' me."

Xavier gave him a smile, reaching and taking his shoulder. "Thank you, Todd. We wouldn't be able to do this without you."

Todd gave him a smile, unsure smile. He wasn't sure he believed the Professor, honestly, but he was here now so he might as well try and roll with the punches, so to speak. "So, uh, what's the plan?"

The plan was simple, really:

They would figure out when Rahne would be alone, and when Todd could... well, break in. Hopefully he'd be able to talk to her and explain a few things, such as what had been happening to her and her options.

Kurt would serve as a lookout, being able to move in the blink of an eye, and as a method of quick escape for the same reason.

Surprisingly, the church wasn't that hard to break into. Old windows, even older locks. Todd managed to slip in pretty quickly, and, when he landed with a soft thud on the ancient hardwood, he looked around.

It was sickeningly quiet.

"I'll be above." Kurt told him softly, vanishing in a puff of Brimstone to the shadowed rafters above.

If they listened carefully, they would hear a soft, repetitive 'swifsh' just down the way.

Todd glanced in the noise's direction. Honestly, from the sound of it, the Father didn't sound like the type to sweep. Still, as he decided to pad quietly closer, Todd's gut twisted anxiously.

There was a very familiar, awful feeling in the air.

It didn’t take Todd long to find company. The girl he would find was young, maybe Jamie's or Leech's age. Her hair was auburn, and... all over her. A short tail hung behind her, curling slightly between her legs.

There was a wall mirror nearby. It had been turned the other way, with the back facing her.

Todd's heart lurched. He was afraid to move for a moment, as old fears resurfaced and suffocated him.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, for just a second.

Taking a deep breath, Todd finally stepped forward out of the shadows, "Uh...Hey." He said softly, so as not to scare her too much."

She perked, tail bristling and ears perking. She whirled her gaze over her shoulder, clutching her broom close protectively. She took him in, then, slowly, decided he didn't LOOK too scary. "... H-H'ullo." She greeted, just as softly.

Todd rubbed the back of his neck.

Yep. Dog girl. Hoo boy.

"You're, uh, Rahne, right? I'm Todd."

"O...Oh." She gave him a little nod. "...A-Are you the one the Reverend turned away?" A shuffle. "I-I'm sorry he did that."

"Don't sweat it," Todd waved it off, snickering, "We're, uh, we're persistent."

"Oh... A-Alright." She said, looking over him. "Did you uh... You must need something, to come back."

"Well...I wanted to talk to you. Is that okay?"

"Oh!" She seemed surprised by this. "... O-okay. How come?"

"Do you know what the Xavier Institute is?"

Rahne shook her head. "I'm sorry..."

"That's okay." He reassured her. "We're a school in the United States, for people like..well, like us." To illustrate, he stuck his tongue out. And out. And out.

"Oh!" Her tail would finally swivel up from between her legs, bristling in her surprise.

His tongue came back in with a snap. "We wanted to offer you a chance to stay there," He continued, "Learn about your powers, learn how to control 'em."

Rahne's nose scrunched slightly, as she thought on this. "... S-So... there's nothing wrong with me...?"

"No," Todd shook his head, offering her a small smile, "There's nothin' wrong with you. I promise."

"Mm..." She would nod quickly, running her thumb over the broom's handle. "...C-Can I uh... Can I think about it? Before I decide?"

He nodded. Todd reached into his pocket and pulled out a communicator, "Here," He offered it to her, "When you decide, let us know. Do you have a place to hide this?"

"I-I do." She said, moving overly and carefully taking it. "I-it's where I put all my treasures."

"Good..." Todd's eyes flickered to the rafters above, "Let us know if you need anything, okay?"

"O-okay. Thanks, Todd."

"No problem." Todd started to back up, "Take care of yourself, alright Rahne?"

"I will. Y-You too."

"Heh, don't worry about me." Todd hopped onto the wall and started to climb. "I'm an X-man!"

She nodded, eyes wide as she took him in. "Oh... I-I see!"

Kurt, above, chuckled. "Show off..."

"Shaddap," He hissed softly, snickering. Todd made his way up into the rafters. He looked around, trying to remember which wind he'd come in from. "We clear?"

"We're clear." Kurt replied, porting down. "I don't think the Reverend's moved since we got in. How was it?"

"S'cool," Todd glanced back downwards, "She's gonna think about it."

"That's a start... What about you? You okay?"

Todd waved a hand, "I'm...I'm okay>"

"Mm... Yeah." He bumped his shoulder. "Let's go tell Prof we've at least got her a lifeline."

"Yeah."

~~

"I knew I could count on you." Xavier was saying, duo having explained.

"Soo...What happens now? We just gonna wait here til she comes to a decision?"

"We give her a few days, at least. Can't stay forever, after all."

The kids exchanged uneasy glances.

What would happen to Rahne if she didn't come with them?

"We'll do what we can for her. Now, I need to talk with Moira. If we can stay with you, that is?" Xavier asked her.

Doctor Mactaggert nodded, "Absolutely!" Though, all of them in her small apartment might’ve gotten a little...cramped.

It was alleviated however slightly with Kurt sitting on one of her shelves, his tail carefully wound around her knick-knacks. A few things had been moved about for Xavier's chair, and she even had a couch next her personal, cozy chair.

The only issue was it was a two seater.

Scott sat down first, back straight and proper. He was joined quickly by Todd, who proceeded to sit, turn (Nearly bopping Scott with his feet in the process) and lay with his back on the seat and his legs hanging off the back of the sofa.

There was an awkward silence.

Xavier decided to break it first. "So, Moira. What have you been up to lately?"

"Ooh, the usual. Paperwork, dissertations, saving the world one discovery at a time." She was only half-joking. "I suppose you all have been much the same...well, the saving the world part, anyways."

Xavier chuckled. "We do our best."

"You COULD call us Super Heroes, if you wanted~?" Kurt offered.

Doctor Mactaggert smiled at him. "I always have."

He gave her a toothy grin, deciding right there he liked this woman quite a bit.

"We appreciate it. Now, perhaps you can tell us a bit about Rahne? And perhaps why this Reverend is so..." His brow furrowed as he decided on an appropriate term. "Guarded."

"Well," She began with a sigh, "Rahne's mother died. The 'good' Reverend took her in, since her father was out of the picture. I've been trying to find him so that he can take her away from this wretched place, but I've come up with nothing."

"I'm surprised... I've never known you to NOT be able to track someone down..." Xander frowned. "And... his treatment of Rahne?"

"Can't be good..." Kurt muttered to the other two, hanging from the shelf as much as he could manage without falling.

"The Reverend is an incredibly strict man- insanely strict, if you ask me."

Todd nodded a little in understanding, his eyes narrowed at the ceiling as he listened.

"It's abusive. I've sent people after him before but nothing's ever come of it."

Xander frowned hard, hand to his chin. "I see... I may have to throw some weight about then, depending on how this goes..."

"Do whatever you need! So long as poor Rahne gets away from him."

~~

It was a few days later when something of real note would happen.

It was early evening, the last bit of the sun just setting. Rahne hadn't called once, and the church had remained closed to them.

Kurt was propped up on the arm of the couch, and heaved a great sigh. "... Is it kidnapping if we're rescuing her?"

"Yes." Scott answered. He watched as Todd paced anxiously around the coffee table. "...You're going to wear a hole in the floor."

"Hmm."

Kurt was about to reassure him, when suddenly Todd's communicator went off.

"O-oh! That must be her!!"

Todd fumbled with it for a moment before he was able to answer. "H-Hello?"

A loud sniff would answer him, Rahne's first attempt at speaking a voice crack. "T-Todd. I-I wanna go." She managed, voice breaking into a sob.

Todd paled. "O-Okay, kiddo, I'll be right there. Are you someplace safe?"

Scott's mouth twisted in concern.

"I-I'm in my room. I locked the door- we fought and!" Rahne would cry into the comm, her breath suddenly hitching at a pounding on the door. "G-go away!"

"I've told you not to lock this door! You are not leaving,  do you understand me?!"

"Y-yes I am!"

"We're leaving right now," Todd waved frantically at the other two, heading for the door. Scott moved to retrieve Xavier and Doctor Mactaggert. "Keep talking to me, kid." Kurt kept after Todd, brows knit together.

"You open this door now or so help me!"

"Please hurry!" She urged, the crack of wood in the background sounding.

Todd flinched at the sharp sounds. He waved frantically for the others, then headed for the door. "Rahne, we're leaving right now. Keep talking."

"Todd, what's happening?" Scott called from behind him.

 "He's got her in her room a-and I think he's bustin' the door down!"

"Moira, how fast can you get us to the church?" Xavier asked, urgency in his tone.

"Look at what you made me do!" The Father yelled, Rahne giving a sharp yelp.

"L-let me go!"

"Clearly I've not been strict enough! You've been influenced by-by monsters!"

The comm switch was still on, Rahne gripping it tight. "N-no I haven't! G-get away, I don't want to he here anymore!"

"I don't care what you want! I'm in charge here, not you!"

"I can handle another speeding ticket." She replied as they piled into her tiny car.

 "Floor it!" Todd urged, his voice cracking.

On the other end, the Reverend had finally gotten the comm from her. "No! Give it back! Todd!!"

"You listen to me!" He growled into the comm. "You stay out of my business and away from this chur-" He would cut himself off, a sharp gasp escaping him and other end going quiet.

"Rahne?! RAHNE!" Todd cursed loudly. The car lurched forward.

 The night was dark and frigid, and the moon cast cold light on the icy ground. The car skidded to a stop, sending a wave of white up from under its tires.

The church was eerily still, only a few lights on.

"Rahne!" Kurt called in, getting silence in return.

Scott looked to Xavier. "Can you sense her?"

"Mm... She's here. But be careful. The stress and her mutation... she isn't herself, right now."

Scott nodded a little, and he took a quick breath. "Alright," He said, "Let's take a look around. There's a lot of ground to cover, so..." He really hated to say it. "We might have to split up."

Kurt decided to be supportive, and so did not voice that this was the worst idea. "I'll keep in touch with you all. I don't want any of you without help, should the worst happen." Xavier added.

"If anything happens, Prof will let us know." Scott looked around, "We'll reconvene here. Todd, you go west, Kurt go north, I'll go east." He gave them a small nod, then the group split.

To the west was a courtyard. It was wide, high walled. Statues and worn paths dotted it, the trickle of a fountain filling the air.

Todd shivered in the late night cold, though perhaps the cold wasn't the cause. This place was straight out of a horror movie, complete with the cloudy sky and full moon. He thought he kept seeing shapes- were they shadows? Statues? Something else?

He took a deep breath, one that froze his lungs and throat. "...Rahne?" He called softly.

A rustling would suddenly stop short. It was followed by leaves and twigs being kicked up, a shadow slipping closer. It darted around and between and behind statues, never stepping out from their shadows.

His sharp eyes followed it. Todd's blood ran cold. "R...Rahne...?" He stepped closer to follow it.

It would stop, slinking under the arch of a statue. It was a small crawlspace, the edges worn away. She tucked herself back into it, a low growl sounding in her throat. Light would stream from the moon above, the edge lit enough to reveal paws, the end of a snout.

Oh hell.

It took Todd every ounce of his willpower not to run. "R-Rr..." He couldn't form words. The hands he held up were shaking.

Her nose would twitch, and Rahne would scoot out slightly. She had fully tipped to a small, red-brown wolf pup. Her shirt had torn in places, though was still mostly intact, hanging off her form.

Todd stumbled backwards in a panic, and he ended up slipping in the snow. There was a fear running through him, almost primal in its intensity. Maybe she wasn't a full wolf, but it hardly mattered to poor Todd.

She flinched back from his sudden movement, a startled bark escaping her. Rahne tucked herself further back, a half growl-half whine escaping her.

Todd yelped, and he shielded himself reflexively.

No no no no no--

He needed to tell the Professor he'd found her, but he couldn't concentrate. Almost of its own accord, Todd held up his hand.

"R-Rahne," He squeaked.

The noise would stop. She would stay in the alcove a moment.

Then, slowly, Rahne shuffled out, belly to the snow. Her ears were tipped back, and she leaned forward slightly, sniffing loudly.

Todd scooted back a bit, panic bubbling in his chest once more. His arm shook, but he willed himself not to move it.

Rahne sniffed his hand, nose bumping it. Her ears swiveled forward suddenly, and with a whine she pushed her head into his hand.

She, admittedly slowly, began to shift back, whines turning into light sniffles.

He flinched at the contact, but slowly relaxed as Rahne started to shift back. "H-Hey," Todd rubbed her head, "I'm here. I-I'm here..."

Rahne clung to his shirt, crying into his chest. "T-Todd..." She rasped. "I-I don't -wanna be here an-anymore."

"You don't have to," He murmured. Todd pulled his coat off and put it around her shoulders, "We're bustin' ya out, kid."

Rahne nodded, tugging it around herself. "Th-thank you... Th-the Reverend he... he won't let me leave but I--" A sharp sob, Rahne swallowing hard to try and calm herself.

"It's gonna be okay," Todd rubbed her head, "I'm not lettin' him take you back, alright?"

"Mmhm... I...I have stuff packed. Some." She replied, collecting herself slowly.

Todd stood up, his legs sore from the cold and body a bit numb, but he didn't care right now. "Alright, cool. C'mon, let's get you to the car."

"You have no authority to take her, Moira!" Xavier and Moira had, in the meanwhile, been found by the Reverend. A flustered, angry, disheveled Reverend.

"Like hell I don't, you sorry son of a--!"

Xavier would pat her arm. "I'm sure the Reverend will find-" He turned a hard, steely gaze to the other man. "That, given these circumstances, he is unfit to care for Rahne. And that should authorities become involved, well. It won't end well."

"Are you threatening me?"

"I am merely stating facts. You would know if I was threatening you."

"You're not getting her back!" Moira added, "I'll see to that, Reverend."

"You don't understand!"

"I believe." Xavier said slowly. "That we understand plenty." He would turn to Moira. "Now. Let's collect her things."

"You can’t-!"

"We can. And we shall."

Moira gave the Reverend a venomous look as they made their way past him. She resisted the urge to spit at him.

"She'll be well cared for, Moira." He promised, scowling as he took in the busted door.

"It's about time.'

"... I believe I'll give you my number. Just in case." Xavier offered.

She smiled slightly. "I appreciate that."

"I had hoped you might." He replied. "A familiar voice she can reach might help her settle in, too..."

~~

"--and the fridge is always pretty stocked cuz there's, like, a bazillion of us, so snack anytime ya want."

Todd had volunteered to help the Professor give Rahne the grand tour of the Institute, and they were finally circling back to the main hall. He gave her a grin, 'Whatcha think, kid?"

"It's so big! And everyone is s-so nice and!" Rahne was a little bit overwhelmed by it all.

"I know, right? It's pretty sick." Toddy chuckled, "You'll really like it here."

She nodded quickly, about to speak up.

"Todd." Ororo happened upon them. Rahne, at the new person, scooted behind Todd. This was a running trend. "I need to speak to Charles. It's urgent."

"Oh..." Todd nodded a little, "O-Okay."

"What's wrong?" He asked, having been letting Todd do the talking.

"We... Have a guest." She decided on. "I felt best to find you."

Huddled in Xavier's office, a blanket around his shivering shoulders, was a broad, doe-eyed young man. When the door opened, he jumped, turning quickly.

His face paled. Automatically, metal crept up the skin of his arms, face, and neck.

~~

“--appears these mutants are in the midst of a civil war. Authorities are still trying to put out the fires, but the it just seems to be growing. There are--”

The video paused, then replayed, then paused again.

“Hm...Yes. I think any of them will do just fine.”

Fingers tapped a screen, going through various folders of information until they found what they were looking for.

‘Xavier Institute for Gifted Children, Bayville, New York.’

~~

Days later, Jean would be watching intently. The X-men were sparring one on one today in the Danger Room.

Mutant to mutant combat was becoming more and more common lately.

"Easy!" Scott was calling over the intercom, "We just fixed the place up!"

He said this because, at the moment, Evan and Kurt were engaged in combat.

It was very pointy.

Kurt would port and posture. "There is no EASY in sword fighting~!" He cackled, porting again and jabbing at Evan.

Evan was able to deflect his blows, chuckling, "Sure there is," He slammed an armored arm into him, "YOU'RE easy~"

"OOF." Kurt stumbled, porting away from him. He ended up above him, latching onto his shoulder. "I'm hurt,  Evan! What a low opinion you have of me!" He cried dramatically, porting once more, leaving Evan's head in a big cloud of brimstone.

"Ack, Kurt!" Evan coughed, stumbling back. His body acted almost on its own, and he became sort of like a puffer fish, with spikes sticking out in every direction.

Kurt came back in beside him, attempting to sweep his legs.

Evan was knocked off balance, sending spikes flying everywhere...including one into the glass of the observation deck.

"OOOKAY," Scott brushed glass out of his hair, "It's a draw, you two are done!"

"Man, I had him!" Evan called.

"Oh please!" Kurt replied. "You only ALMOST had me~"

Jean shook her head, shards having stopped midair before her. They piled up on the observation deck. "I'm going next."

"Er, okay," Scott glanced at the group, "Anybody else?"

Nobody seemed very...keen on dealing with Jean.

Well, except one person.

"Eh, I'll give it a shot," Todd popped his back, then followed Jean out into the Danger Room, "Go easy on me, Jeanie!"

"Sure." She replied tersely.

Jean was no less intense in the danger room, the air seemingly... charged.

Todd's thinking was this: a quick match, an easy victory, and Jean would calm down. It would be fine, right?

"Uh, okay," Scott cleared his throat, "You know the drill. Ready...Begin!"

Todd leaped away from her quickly. Didn't want to make it TOO easy, right?

Jean certainly would not be making it easy.

Her hair and hand lifted, Evan's left over spikes waggled. She yanked her hand down, spikes breaking free and raining down.

"Yow!" Todd dodged as much as he could, but he still got a few cuts in his suit and jacket.

"Jean!" Scott said quickly, "Control yourself!"

"I am!" She replied, eyes narrowed. "I don't want it easy, Todd!" She told him sharply, a few spikes wavering again.

"Tch..." Todd crouched, "Fine!" He started jumping from wall to wall, obstacle to obstacle.

"Good!" The things would follow him, embedding in the wall and obstacles.

Luckily for Todd, he was pretty fast. "You can just pluck me outta the air, you know!" He called to her as he dipped and dodged, "I KNOW you can, I'm not heavy at all! This can be over in, like, two seconds!"

"This is training!" She replied, edge in her tone. "It's not SUPPOSED to be finished in two seconds!"

"It's what you'd do in the field, right?"

"Well we're not IN the field!" She rebutted angrily, eyes narrowing.

She wouldn't be able to do it to Emma.

Obviously he was getting nowhere. Todd let himself get just close enough, "What is WITH you?!" His tongue lashed out to hit Jean in the forehead, just enough to send her stumbling back. He HOPED to stir her to end it quickly.

She stumbled back, catching herself. Her eyes narrowed. "Nothing! Just.. take this SERIOUSLY!" She demanded, flinging her hand forth.

For a moment, everything was in slow motion. He knew he wasn't going to make the jump, but his mind was completely blank. In a split second, his fingers numb from cold and rain, scraped painfully on the chain link fence. He felt jaws wrap around his ankle, teeth tearing fabric and rending flesh and dragging him down, down--

His head hit the floor, and Todd was back in the Danger Room. He couldn't breathe for a moment, and he curled in on himself protectively. When he opened his eyes, they were wide with fear, tears brimming at the edges. He could only stare at Jean, too shocked to speak or move.

It took her a moment to realize what she'd done. When she did, she could only gape in shock, eyes wide. Her hands flew to her mouth, tears brimming. "I-... I'm sorry I...." Horror coiled in her gut, and she suddenly turned, bolting out of the Danger Room.

Fred, realizing with horror what had happened, came rushing in, "Todd!" He helped Todd to his feet.

"Jeanie..." Todd finally managed to mutter. His heart was still pounding in his chest, and his leg ached. And...now Jean was gone.

Something was really wrong.

~~

He'd taken a moment to clean up, get back in his regular clothes. (except he kept his jacket on; new holes or not, it was a damn comfy jacket) But Todd was pretty quick to search for Jean.

Jean had secluded herself into her room, face tucked into her knees. She felt sick to her stomach, amid the boiling anger. She scolded herself, she'd crossed a line that never needed to be crossed.

Todd hesitated at the door. He stood there for a moment, wondering if he would just make things worse. His fear for her won out on his fear of her, and he knocked gently. "Jeanie?"

She froze a moment before withdrawing tighter on herself. "I'm sorry..." She managed.

Todd's heart sank, "Jeanie...Can I come in?"

Silence, for a while. "...I guess?"

Todd took a deep breath. Carefully, he opened the door, "Um..." He didn't quite know what to say. "...H-How ya feeling?"

She glanced at him. Shame boiled up again, and Jean had to look away. "Should be asking YOU that, after what I did..."

"Aw, Jeanie," He sat down beside her, wringing his hands, "It...Don't worry about it, okay?"

"Don't worry about it!?" She asked, finally looking at him. "I-I! I HURT you! I-I did..." She ran a hand through her hair. "I did what Emma does to people."

Todd wasn't sure what to say next. They sat silently for a while, Todd hitting his heels on the bed nervously. Then, finally, "...Let's...Let's get out of here for a bit, huh?" He asked her, glancing over, "Get some air."

Jean heaved a sigh. For a moment, it seemed as though she wouldn't go for it.

"Let me get changed."

He breathed a sigh of relief, and hopped up. "Meet ya downstairs," He told her, ruffling her hair gently as he moved out.

Jean would be down before too long, a little more casual than her usual get up. "So." She started, hair pulled back still, headband in place. "Where we going?"

Todd shrugged, "I'unno...Pizza?" He asked, opening the door for her.

"Mm.. sure." It was better than moping in her room, she supposed.

"Cool, cool..."

The bus ride over there was pretty quiet. It wasn't until they were seated and waiting on their food that Todd tried to strike up a conversation. "...So...is that what you been workin' on?"

She perked slightly. "... Sort of."

"'Sorta', huh?"

"It..." She gripped her arms a little tighter. "It was never supposed to be like... THAT." She wondered if she could really say that anymore. She'd been trying to be like Emma for a while now, after all. Get on her level.

Well. Now she was.

Todd drummed his fingers softly on the table. "What...WAS it suppose to be like?"

"It... I guess I haven't a had a goal." Jean replied, sliding down her seat slightly. "I just wanted to be.. meaner." A wry chuckle. "So much for that..."

"I dunno," Todd laughed a little, "Seemed pretty mean to me."

"I.." She nodded. "That's the problem. I... I guess I didn't realize what I was going for." She huffed. "And now here we are..."

"Yeah..." Todd looked up at her, "Jeanie...Why do you wanna be this way?"

She shuffled a moment, letting the silence hang. "Oop." She thanked her lucky stars when their order showed up. "Looks like it was faster than we thought, don't want it to get cold. It IIIIS your favorite." She said, chomping down.

Todd was taken aback for a second. He gave her a bemused smirk. "It is," He admitted quietly. He'd get her to talk yet.

Jean munched away, turning her gaze outside. She had no idea how she was going to face everyone else, honestly.

Even trying to explain herself to Todd was hard enough.

"...You wanna take the long way home?" Todd asked her, "Or, I dunno, find something else to do?"

Jean gave him a slight nod. "Just... hanging out a while sounds nice."

"Cool." He focused on eating for now.

Jean would settle and do the same, glancing at him.

God, what had she made him SEE? Whatever it was, he'd hardly deserved it. Guilt started eating away at her again, and again she questioned what was WRONG with her. She didn't have any business being an X-man, at this rate.

The meal passed quickly, and once again the two were walking. Todd shivered a little; the late autumn air was passing through the holes in his jacket very well. But he didn't worry about that-- his concern was for Jean.

Of course, he was horrible at this, so it was taking him awhile to think of a way to bring up things without being clumsy about it.

Jean would break the silence first. "So... How are you feeling?" She immediately berated herself for the question.

"Me? Ha! I'm fine," Todd tried to assure her.

"Hrm..." She looked over him, slightly critical.

He gave her a small smile, "Really. It was nothin'."

"... You..." She squeezed an arm. "You were so SCARED."

"..Yeah," He put his hand on hers, "But it's okay."

"Is it? Is it REALLY?" She asked him. Jean would pause suddenly, gripping his hand and scanning the area.

Todd was immediately on alert. "...Jeanie?" He asked softly.

A can clattered between them, Jean jerking him back. It cracked open, gas filling the air. She hacked, world starting to spin.

A darkness would settle over them quickly, and for a while the world was still.

When they opened their eyes again, the world was dark and cold.

Jean sat up with a jerk, breath catching in her throat. "Wh...?"

It was just light enough to make out that there were walls, slick and metal, all around them. Todd sat up slowly, eyes wide as he looked around.

"Wh.. where are we?" Jean asked, reaching out mentally, trying to get her bearings.

"Oh good, you're seein' this too." For a second, Todd thought he was dreaming, or...

There was a sound of heavy footsteps, distant, but they shook the very earth.

Jean stood quickly. "... I don't know what that is. And I don't want to find out."

"I'm...gonna see what I can see," Todd started to climb up a wall.

"Okay. I'm going to see if I can find... Anyone."

They seemed to be the only two here, thus far. It was unnerving.

The wall was high, but it still didn't seem to reach the ceiling, which Todd couldn't even see in the darkness. When he got to the top, Todd peered out. For as much as he could see, which wasn't much considering the lack of light, there were more walls outstretched beyond them.

They were in a maze.

"Well?" Jean called up, having to squint to make him out in the dim light.

"Uuh...Jeanie, I think--"

Suddenly, it was as if two spotlights shone down on them, blinding, disorienting. Todd ducked behind the wall instinctively.

"M U T A N T S, D O N O T R E S I S T." The voice was deafening.

Jean flinched, arm up to shield her eyes. She squinted, trying to make out the source.

It was a giant robot-- at least, that's what it kind of looked like. It was a very rough frame, perhaps half finished, but the human qualities were still there in its build and in its soulless eyes. Todd leaped off the wall and landed with a grunt. "HELL no!"

"D O N O T R E S I S T." It raised its great hand and began to charge...something.

They didn't want to find out what it was.

Jean sent a psychic pulse forth, quickly turning and running. "Run, Todd!" She urged, panic in her tone. She had no idea where they were, or how they had ended up here... but she was not about to sit around and find out.

The robot's hand sputtered and sparked, but it still managed to fire its attack, some sort of electrical pulse.

Luckily for the X-men, they were scrambling away soon enough to avoid it. The robot pursued them, stomping after and charging another attack.

"Wh-What IS THAT!?" She yelled, stumbling and looking down a break in the path. She took a guess, sprinting down the left path.

Todd skidded after her, "I-I dunno!!"

The beam fired again, destroying the walls behind them. Then, ports on the robot's shoulders opened up, and missiles that exploded into gas began to explode around them. Coughing and hacking, they tried to navigate their next turn, but the gas made them nauseous and stung their eyes.

Jean stumbled, flicking a hand and trying to dissipate it. There had to be SOME way to get away from this thing!

Todd seemed to get an idea, "C-Can you-- I dunno, throw 'em back?!"

"I-I can try!" She replied, squinting through the gas. She grabbed one, mentally struggling with it a moment before shoving it back at the machine.

It exploded against the robot's face, and the thing stumbled. Todd quickly grabbed Jean's hand and tugged her around a corner. They wouldn't have a lot of time, but if they could get just a little farther they could hide.

She kept after him, trying to keep close to the wall. "M-maybe an alcove we can hide in!" Jean offered, looking over her shoulder.

Todd could only nod. He was entirely out of breath, and his lungs burned. They ran until their legs couldn't carry them anymore.

Mercifully, there was a place to tuck into, to hide. It was cramped, but Jean didn't care. She panted hard, gulping air down and trying to collect herself.

Todd took a moment to breathe, though it was labored. He didn't let go of Jean's hand as his eyes scanned the darkness. They HAD to find a way out of this place, but he wasn't seeing anywhere to go.

Jean squeezed his hand a little, breathing too hard to speak still. It took several minutes to recover, during which she listened for the steps again.

After a dead silence, the steps began again. There was whirring and beeping. A light, this time green and webbed, shone in the air and panned slowly across the tops of the walls.

"I-its h-hunting us down..." She panted, eyes wide. "W-We need to either move or..." She swallowed hard. "Camouflage the alcove."

"H-How do we do that?" Todd asked her, voice barely a whisper.

"I-if I had a scrap of something I could hold it flat against the wall but..."

Todd looked around quickly. "Uuh..." He pointed, "That part of the wall there looks a little loose, like the screws are-- Think you can try 'n move it?"

"Mm..." She glanced down the way, then focused on the loose bit. She tugged at it, mentally unscrewing it before giving a sharper yank.

The wall creaked and groaned, but it still wasn't coming out of its place. Todd grunted, glancing from the robot's line of sight to the wall, then to Jean.

He steeled himself.

"...I'm gonna help it loose," He muttered, "Okay?"

Jean froze a moment. "I..." She checked the line of sight herself, eyes narrowing slightly. "Okay. Be careful." She urged.

He nodded. There was a second or two where Todd thought he should...say something, do something, he wasn't sure, in case something happened. But he tried to put that at the back of his mind and, with one last squeeze of Jean's hand, darted out from their cover across the hall. He kept an eye on the robot's lights as he shimmed the wall loose.

It was a lot harder than he'd expected, even with the wall being partly unattached.

Jean kept tugging it herself, undoing screws as quickly as she could. "Come on, come on!" She whisper screamed.

They weren't quick enough. The movement of the wall in the corner of the robot's vision attracted its attention, and it immediately zeroed in on Todd. There was a loud whir, and the robot sort of hovered or flew or...super-jumped, as it were, landing in the hallway. It charged its beam again. "D O N O T R E S I S T."

"JEAN!!' Todd called. The robot's foot had completely trapped her in the alcove, but it didn't seem to notice her. He leaped away as the robot fired, the walls sparking and partially melting under its intense power. The robot pursued him, firing again, and then hovering when Todd got far away enough.

Jean had flinched away when it landed. She'd tried to push it away, but no such luck. And now, with it chasing Todd, she could only run after. "No no no!!" She half pleaded, skidding around a corner. A tile gave way slightly, and she stopped short. The rest of the floor would open up, Jean falling a bit with a yelp before catching herself. She hovered, getting herself back together before flying out. Todd! There are traps, be careful!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME-- Todd found out first hand with the wall he was jumping to suddenly developed a bad case of the spikes. He managed to fall short, rolling for a moment, then scrambled back into a run. Hide yourself, okay?!

What about you!? She asked, making it back up. She searched for a moment, frantically, before taking her best guess on which way to go.

Don't worry about me! He urged her. Just-- Just get somewhere safe!

Well that just wasn't going to happen. I'm not hiding while you're in trouble!

Jeanie, please! Todd yelped when the floor became electric, forcing him to take to the walls again. He was having trouble keeping ahead of the beam, and soon he and the beam were hitting walls at almost the same time. If anything happened to you, I'd--

It's not going to! She protested, coming upon another fork. She groaned, quickly taking to the air to try and get her bearings.

The walls on the way would flip open, heavy, metal ended bolas slung her way. She yelped, throwing up a quick shield, the things clanging loudly.

Todd had to make a leap of faith to avoid getting caught in the robot's beam. As he flew through the air, another panel opened on the robot. Cables flew out of it and wrapped themselves around his leg, yanking him back mid-air. "AUGH!" Todd yelped, and he tried to catch a wall, but the robot was too strong for him.

The metal at the base of the cables would suddenly crumple, the crunch echoing through the maze.

Jean had caught up, eyes narrowed and fist clenched so tight her knuckles had turned white.

Todd was rather suddenly freed, and he tumbled a bit. "Oof!"

The robot, meanwhile, staggered backwards, its lights flashing. "E R R O R E R R O R E R R O R--" It seemed disoriented, and that was enough for Todd to book it as far away from the machine as possible.

Jean yanked her fist back, inward. The arm would continue to crunch, wrenching in its joint. She dipped, slightly, taking a breath to steady herself.  

Todd ran until he could barely move. He ended up collapsing against a wall, panting and gasping for air. It took him a minute to get his thoughts straight. Jeanie?

Silence, for a moment.

Y-yeah. She replied, having retreated herself. Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm fine. Was...was that YOU?

Yeah... Couldn't let it do... whatever it was trying to do.

Todd rubbed his temples. That was terrifying...and amazing. But I dunno how long it'll keep it down. Can you try 'n zero in on me?

I think that'd be for the best. Try and find a way out, while we're at it.

Todd stood shakily, and started down the hallway. Take it easy for a while, okay?

She chuckled to herself. No promises, Todd. We need to get out of here.

Don't even gimme that "Cool Chick With Amazing Powers" attitude.

I have no idea what you mean.

Despite himself, Todd laughed a little. You're a telepath, of course you do.

And you're the telepath expert now, are you? She asked, smiling a little. He always made her feel better.

And don't you forget it!

Never. There was a pause, Jean making her way through the maze carefully. Where even are we? A maze yes but... how?

I...dunno? Todd paused to look around again. He'd come to a fork in the road. Why us? Do they...Quick, left or right?

She perked. Oh uh... left? But that is a good question... why us. And who? Who would make something like that-that robot!

Todd turned left, hoping she was right. I mean, obviously they know we're mutants.

They do. And they have quite a few resources...

...Could this be the government? The very thought was terrifying.

I... She paused. I don't know. I thought we were on at least decent terms with S.H.I.E.L.D but...

A noise startled Todd, making him jump. In the distance he could see the silhouette of the robot. It seemed like it was recovering, or at least trying to, and it started to scan the maze, its lights flickering rapidly. Todd picked up the pace.

Jean was quiet a moment. Maybe I could break it's sensors…

She didn't exactly sound sure of that.

Ya think so? Todd figured it was as good a plan as anything.

Maybe... damage them a little, at least.

You can do it.

She smiled slightly, hovering just below the lip of the walls. She peeked up, searching for it in the darkness.

Its green light barely missed her, the robot whirring loudly as the parts on its crushed arm shuddered and shifted.

She flinched slightly, watching a moment. She picked the eye closest to her, reaching out for it in her mental grip.

The eye flickered faster and faster, then it blew out. "E R R O R E R R O R--"

She slipped back down. G-got it! Should make things a little easier on us...

"I N I T I A T I N G - - A T T A C K M O D E."

Uuh, Jeanie--

The green light turned to red.

Or not!! She ducked low again, panic rising.

Missiles again shot from the robot, but instead of releasing gas, they just exploded, decimating the maze around them. Todd started to book it, leaping and rolling as more pits and swinging pendulums and falling walls were activated.

Jean was hardly in a better position. She kept ahead of the things best she could, trying to grab one of the missiles in her mental grip. It was a task and a half, doing this on top of everything else.

Jeanie! Todd managed to shield himself behind a moving wall as a missile exploded nearby. Just get to cover, alright?!

What cover!! It's destroying everything!

Stop trying to fight it! We can't take this thing on, at least not alone!

But! A missile would explode nearby, too close for comfort.

The robot seemed to be out of missiles, as none more were fired. It wasn't done yet, though, and it paused to scan what remained of the maze.

Please Jeanie, just-- Todd tried to calm his breathing down; he couldn't run if he couldn't breathe. Let's get back together, okay?

She swallowed hard, hiding amid some debris. I... alright. Okay. That... that might be for the best. Which side do you see? First step would be orientating themselves. And since the robot was the only real feature to the maze... it was the best she had.

It bothered Jean that it was the best she had.

Uuh... Tentatively, Todd peaked out from his cover. The right. You?

Mm.. left, but I see a bit of the right... It's not too far from me. You?

It's uuuh...Not far enough. He joked. I mean it's a way's.

Right... I'll come to you.

Let's meet halfway.

Mm... If you think you'll be okay.

Todd took a deep breath and, after a second of hesitation, darted from his cover. Don't worry so much.

Can't help it. She replied, watching a moment. You're too important to me. She told him, slipping out herself.

Todd stumbled a little. He felt a lump form in his throat, and as he ducked against another wall he tried to swallow it. Jeanie... When the scanner passed by him, he moved out again.

There was so much he wanted to say but he just couldn't make himself.

Jean said,. ... We'll get through this.

Well yeah! Yeah, we...We will.

She paused a moment. Jean swallowed hard, keeping on her way. She just had to hope she was right.

They traveled in silence for a while. The robot stood still, scanning the area over and over again. The bright side of this was that the scanner illuminated the maze, so it was a bit easier to get their bearings.

I can't believe we haven't heard from the Professor yet... Jean offered. I'm going to try and get in touch with him.

Okay, uh, just...be careful.

She couldn't help but smirk a little. I'm just calling Xavier, Todd. It'll be fine.

Well, just...Pay attention, okay?

Of course... Jean put a hand to her temple, brow furrowed.

There was a long pause. I... I can't. I can't get a hold of him.

Todd went cold. What? What do you mean?!

I mean I can't! I'm trying but he isn't responding!

Oh come on! Todd was getting incredibly exasperated at this point. It didn't help when the red light darted across him, and the robot raised its good arm to fire another beam.

Jean was trying not to panic now. I-I don't understand why-! Trying being the operative word. Where are you, we need to get back together, now!

HE IS RIGHT BEHIND ME, SOOO IF YOU SEE HIM UH--

WHAT?! She started that way, best she could. I'm coming, don't worry!!

NO, Jeanie! Hide! Todd pleaded.

Absolutely not! Not while you're in trouble!

Todd managed to snag a loose bit of pipe jutting from the wreckage as he ran. He didn't quite know why he picked it up yet until-- oh! The beam stopped? For the moment, anyways; it needed to charge for a few seconds. Figuring he had nothing to lose, he quickly tossed the pipe into the robot's hand. The pipe lodged itself into the opening.

"E R R O R E R R O R--"

Todd ran quickly. Where are YOU? Lemme find you!

What! Why, what does it matter!?

You need to rest, just-- just let me help you, Jeanie!

I don't need help!

Yes you--!

Something swung into Todd's arm, pinning him to the wall. His voice caught in his throat as sharp pain shot through his skin. He was afraid to open his eyes, but he did; a spike trap had him by the arm, mostly the sleeve of his jacket, though he could feel shallow cuts in his flesh.

Jean froze, breaking into a cold sweat. Todd? TODD?!

Todd struggled to free himself. The mechanism controlling the swinging spikes was doing a fine job of holding them to the wall. He started to rip the fabric of his jacket, but it still wasn't enough to free him.

He could hear the robot start to move again.

Desperately, he pulled his arm down as sharp as he could. The fabric tore completely off, and his skin stung again, but he was free. "Aw, fuck..."

Wh-where are you?! Jean had to pause, vision blurring. Todd, answer me!!

I'm... He was finding it hard to think clearly at the moment. He could only bring himself to run, hoping that the robot had lost sight of him.

Y-you're... She rubbed her eyes, tears burning. "I-I can't! G-goddammit!" She couldn't stop them, gut clenching.

I'm okay! Todd insisted when his head was clearer. It's nothing!...Jeanie?

It's not nothing!! She replied, having to lean against a wall for a support. I-I can't do ANYTHING! I can't stop that thing, I can't get us out, I can't even help you when it really matters!

Todd looked around quickly, then darted up the path when he came to another fork in the road. Jeanie, you're doing fine!

How am I doing fine?! I-I've been working so hard but when it comes to it-! Her breath hitched.

Todd grunted. But you've always been so good, Jeanie.

And now I'm falling behind! I-I can't BE Emma. I thought that was the way to beat her b-but! She choked out a sob. I can't be that mean! Not when it hurts you.

Jeanie, you... Todd paused. He could hear something up ahead. He quickened his pace. You don't have to be like her. You don't gotta be like anybody.

Yeah. Because being Jean Grey has been SUCH a big help lately. The tone was a little bitter.

We're all struggling, Jeanie. It's been tough. Todd paused to listen again. He was getting closer.

It shouldn't be!! I've been doing my best an-and that's always been more than enough but now!!

Todd peeked around the wall. He saw her, slumped against the wall, sobs rocking her shoulders. His elation quickly faded at the sight. He took a deep breath, realizing what he had to do.

He ran to her, and he held her in a tight hug.

Jean's breath hitched at the sudden contact. She paused for a moment before clinging to him tight.

"I still think you're pretty great " He muttered quietly.

Jean couldn't reply, for a moment. Her voice was caught in her throat, and she swallowed hard as she tried to calm herself.

Todd pulled back to wipe her tears. "You don't gotta do this alone, alright?"

"M-Mmhm." She replied, offering a slight smile.

Todd returned it, brushing her hair back behind her ear. For a moment, it was like they were back home.

It wouldn't last, as the wall beside them shattered.

Jean gasped, and she tugged him back. She quickly rubbed her eyes, collecting herself best she could.

The beam stuttered, no longer flowing continuously.

"U-Uh, okay!" Todd backed up, gripping Jean's hand, "I threw a pipe at it and I think it that's, uh, what's happening?!"

"Right! I-I don't think it can take much more!" She replied, bringing up a section of wall between them and it.

"So, uh...What do we do now?"

"I.. We need to get out somehow. It's been destroying walls, so.. I don't know, if this place has a thing ceiling or an edge to it!"

"Dooo you wanna find out?"

Jean glanced at him, gripping his hand a little tighter. "Let’s."

They started to run as the robot fired upon them. "Can you move its arm?" Todd asked her.

"I.. yeah! Watch our path!"

Nodding, Todd took the lead, not letting go of her hand. They maneuvered around the debris and walls and traps, which was a little more difficult when one of them couldn't concentrate on where they were going.

Jean was focusing on trying to forcibly maneuver the arm up and away from them. It was a bit of a task, however, with her focus at least partially split. "Come on, come ON!"

The robot fought against her influence, its arm shaking and groaning as it fired upon them. " D O N O T R E S I S T--"

"You can do it, Jeanie!" Todd called to her, "Just relax!"

"I know!" She replied, gripping his hand a little tighter. Jean swallowed hard before breathing deep, releasing tension from her shoulders as she slung her hand.

The robotic arm swung with hers, and its beam fired into the ceiling. Light shined dimly down through the new tunnel; the surface was a way's away, but it was possible. With new vigor, Todd called, "Jump on, okay! I'll climb halfway if you can float us up the rest of the way!"

"Ri-right!" She wrapped her arm over his shoulders, still holding the thing back. "Go, go! I can't hold it forever!"

Todd ran as fast as he could. He leaped onto a wall, ran up it, then used it as a springboard to get to the edge of the maze. He started climbing, grunting from the effort and stinging in his arm.

"You're almost there!" She urged, glancing away from the machine. The light was closer, almost by enough to get them out before they'd be shot at.

The robot was trying to get control of its arm. It started to fire gas missiles again as its malfunction worsened.

"Todd!" Jean decided this was their chance. "I'm going to send the gas back at it! Take a leap, and I'll carry us the rest of the way while it's blinded!"

"U-UH OKAY," Todd took a deep breath. When he thought they were high enough, he jumped.

Jean slung the cans back at the head of the machine. She would then grip Todd tight, flying up and out towards the opening quick as she could.

The projectiles stunned the machine, but only for a second. As they flew out, the robot fired its beam once more, barely missing them.

They rolled for a moment, before coming to a stop. Todd lay there, breathing hard, muscles aching from exertion. It took him a moment to make sense of what was around them; barbed wire, cement, run down buildings, trees...

Where were they?

Jean was getting herself back in order, reserves running low. "God..." She muttered, perking and looking around. "... It looks abandoned, wherever we are.."

Todd sat up as quick as he could. "W-Well," He said, "I don't wanna stick around!"

"Right... C'mon. I see a fence over there. We can probably slip through or get over it or.. SOMETHING."

Nodding, Todd offered his hand to help her up. "You okay?"

"Mm..." She accepted it, pulling herself up and stumbling only slightly. "Yeah. I'm alright. You?"

Todd shrugged, "I mean, I should be used to near-death experiences by now, right?"

Jean managed to laugh, despite herself. "F-Fair. But still."

Todd smiled a little. He hadn't heard her laugh in so long. The sound renewed him. He started into a brisk walk, "Let's hope that thing don't have a big drill, too!"

"Ugh no kidding. Wish we knew where it CAME from..."

"I'm not sure I REALLY wanna know."

"Right-" She flinched slightly, a presence intruding.

JEAN! Charles was a bit forceful, corner and relief layered with his mental presence. Finally, I feared the worst- Stay there, I'm sending Logan! Is Todd with you!?

Y-yes, he is. Easy, Professor, we're fine.

Todd managed to shimmy under the barbed wire. "Jeanie?" He asked, hopeful.

"Professor Xavier is sending Logan. I... Guess they've been looking for us." She chuckled, relief flooding her. She kept after him, deciding a little distance between them and the machine wouldn’t hurt.

Todd breathed easier. "Thank GOD..."

"He'll be here soon. .... I'm glad you were along Todd. I don't think I could have done this without you."

"Aww, Jeanie," Todd chuckled, "I-I'm sure ya coulda."

"I mean it, Todd." She replied, offering him a slight smile.

He averted his eyes, blush coming to his face. "Heh...Well--"

The bushes parted in a flurry of metal and leaves. "KIDS!"

Logan had been planning on scouring the entire east coast at this point.

Jean jumped about a foot, hovered a moment and threw up a mental shield. She would drop it of course, upon getting her bout of panic under control. "Logan!"

Logan grabbed them both quickly. "You kids alright?"

"Eeeh," Todd coughed, utterly squished in the enthusiastic embrace, "Been better. How'd ya find us so fast?"

"I was passin' over the area when Prof sent me the location."

Jean pat his shoulder.

Well, best she could, pinned as she was. "Gl-glad we got out when we did then."

Logan released them. "C'mon. Blackbird's nearby."

"Good... How long were we GONE?"

"About a day."

Jean sputtered. "Wh-WHAT?!"

Logan nodded gravely. "We were afraid...Hrm." He didn't want to say it.

"I... I see..." She replied, managing a smile. "Lets.... Lets just go home?"

"Please."

Jean nodded, starting back. "Oof.... When we get home, I'm saying hi to everyone, telling Professor what happened, and then taking an eighty seven year nap."

"Bruh," Todd examined his arm; he was more disappointed about the jacket than anything, really, "Think I'm just gonna crash on the way. Don't wake me up."

"Noted." She replied, laughing slightly. "...I'll try and fix that for you."

"O-Oh, really? It's okay, you don't have to."

"I know. I want to."

"Oh," Todd cleared his throat, and attempted to regain some composure, "W-Well, if ya REALLY want to.'

Jean nodded. "I do~" She gave him a slight smirk. "Do it right after my nap. My eighty seven year nap."

"That's fair." He snickered, nudging her.

"Well I am just so glad you think so."

"And I DO think so!"

~~

"-- giant has just barged through the line of police vehicles, cutting down all in his way. He's coming towards-- Oh god no--!"

The video paused.

"I don't think we need to relive every moment of this, do we?"

Senator Kelly shuffled uncomfortably in his seat. His fingers drummed on the table, their movements stiff from the bandages around his hand.  He wasn't sure if it was his bruised ribs or the sharp, cold air that filled the office, but he had a little trouble talking for a moment. He cleared his throat, "Quite."

"We've both seen first hand what these creatures can do, Senator," Trask offered him a tight smile, leaning forward on the desk, "In fact, I was testing our newest prototype when two of them attacked our facility."

The video changed- images of the robot firing its gas missiles, then its arm getting crushed. "We tried to resolve things peacefully, but you know how they can be."

Senator Kelly's eyes went wide.

"They're meddling with national security, Senator." Trask stroked his beard thoughtfully, "The lengths these mutants will go to subjugate the human race are unknowable and and direct threat. I wonder what they'll attack next..."

"And you want me to help you rebuild."

"Oh, not just that, Senator! Why, with your influence, we could build not just one, but a whole army of Sentinels! We could give America the peace and security it deserves..." Trask looked pointedly at Kelly's bruised face, then his injured hand, "Isn't that something we both want?"

Kelly considered it for a while, silent, face grave. Finally, he said quietly, "I'll see what funds I can delegate. Once you have more results...we'll see where we can take it through the system."

~~

It was days later, in a S.H.I.E.L.D. base, when things would take a turn.

"Honestly, you are RATHER well prepared." A dashing looking gentleman was saying, his hair properly coiffed and mustache fantastic. "I'm quite impressed. And thankful, it's making my job far easier." He said, soldiers standing stock stiff as they passed.

Around them lay the scattered remains of what was the base's turret defense system. What were not torn to bits lay dead on the floor, and the cameras were all malfunctioning.

"Make it good, Wyngarde," Magneto replied sharply. He had no time for frivolities.

"Of course, of course." He said, pausing before a hefty door. "You said he's in suspension? I should be able to make quick work of his memories before he can even form a thought." Wyngarde gave him a sly smirk. "And after that, well. Any thoughts he has will be what you allow."

With a wave of Magneto's hand, the door was peeled open. The soldiers around them did little to react, save for posturing and saluting as the duo entered the chamber. "Good."

Magneto made his way to the center console. He knew the codes, of course; his Acolytes had provided as much. When he was done, the middle of the floor opened up, and from the depths arose a giant stasis chamber. "Tell me when you're ready."

"Of course."

~~

Miles away, Creed would snort loudly. He'd been drugged, dragged out of his cell, and plopped into an interrogation chamber.

One with it's own set of tranquilizers, of course.

"We both know this is a waste of time, Fury." He snarled out, arms bound behind him. They no longer trusted him to have his hands free in the front.

Fury sat at a desk, behind a protective barrier about two feet thick. He leaned into the microphone, "I'm sure your schedule is very busy."

"Oh, yeah it's jam packed. Prisoner enrichment is FANTASTIC."

"Maybe if we didn't think he would EAT the other prisoners..." Coulson muttered, taking notes.

Fury leaned back in his seat, "Well, Creed, maybe if you're a good boy we can talk about rewards."

Creed scoffed loudly. "Don't patronize me." He replied sharply. It was probably most annoying when, out of everyone here, Fury snarked at him. "You're not getting anything out of me. Haven't broken yet, and I don't intend to."

After all, when Magneto got around to getting him, he wouldn't exactly be happy if Creed had mouthed off.

He glared at nothing a moment. How long HAD it been since he'd been locked up? Weeks, at least. Months?

Longer?

He didn't want to entertain that last thought, it was more than a little concerning.

"I am very curious as to what you think is left for you," Fury said, "I don't think you have much to lose at this point."

He gave him a slight growl. "Still got my pride."

"Can't see HOW." Coulson said, far away enough from the mic that Creed couldn't hear. Hopefully. "Considering the conditions."

"Look--" Fury had to pause when his phone rang. Frowning, he switched the mic off and answered, "This is Fury."

There was a moment of silence. Fury sat up suddenly in his chair, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. Finally, he nodded, and said softly, "Be right there." With a flick of the wrist, he switched his phone off, then moved out of his seat quickly, "Coulson, we'll have to cut this short."

"Why, what's happened?" He asked, slightly chilled to see such an expression on Fury.

"Wha-Hey!" Creed snorted loudly. "What, leaving already? I was almost looking forward to chattin’!"

Fury gave Sabretooth a wave as he turned to leave, "Get him back in his cell and meet me in the hangar."

"Yes sir." Coulson replied, speaking into his collar. "We've cut it short. Come retrieve Creed." He looked to Fury, eyes narrowed in concern. "What's happening?"

"The Juggernaut is loose."

~~

"Okay so."

Things were a bit more domestic at the Institute, news not yet having reached them.

"I have another album cover I need you to draw." Lance was currently commissioning Todd.

Todd, who was hanging from the banister waiting to ambush Kurt, gave a non-committal, "Uh-huh."

"Like, I want a demon chick with goat legs and badass armor on a platform? There can be whatever but it's gotta have a couple skulls and I want her hefting a giant weapon and lava crashing on the rocks behind her and is this a bad time?" He asked, smirking slightly.

"Uh-huh," Todd tensed, readying himself for the pounce.

He snickered loudly, giving Kurt a grin as he strolled past. "What's so funny?" Kurt asked him.

Not a moment later did Todd drop on him, "TAG!" He cackled.

"NGAH!!" Kurt yelped, porting away. His fur was ruffled, and he gave him a slight glare, pouting. "Oh. Oh it's ON now."

Grinning, Todd leaped back onto the banister and climbed, "Okay, demon lady goat legs lava skulls, got it!" He called to Lance as he dodged and ducked out of Kurt's way.

Lance gave him a mock salute as he took a step back. Kurt pounced past him, towards Todd. "C'MERE!" He called.

"RUN TODD!" Lance called after, snickering loudly. "Coupla NERDS..."

Logan suddenly moved past him, on high alert. Hank wasn't far behind him, "Logan, where are you going?"

When he reached the bottom of the stairs, Logan practically ripped the front door from its hinges. A second later, the wind picked up wildly, and a small aircraft touched down on the Institute lawn.

Lance perked, intrigued. He kept after Logan, standing behind him as the craft touched down. "Oh..."

Apparently, Logan had heard it coming before anyone else had. When Fury stepped out of the craft, Logan moved to meet him.

"Wolverine," Fury greeted, "I need to speak with the Professor, immediately."

"It's a matter of great importance." Coulson added.

Lance looked over them both, suspicion clear on his features.

"Hrm," Logan waved them in. He gave Lance a pat on the arm as he moved past.

"Why do we keep lettin’ these guys in?" Lance asked under his breath.

Coulson's short wave to him didn't help any; they were still the guys who broke into his home in the middle of the night.

"They're good allies," Logan assured him quietly.

"Mm..." Lance didn't seem convinced. He didn't have time to dwell, however, with Xavier wheeling onto the scene. "Fury. I'm sure you have a reason for the visit. Not the type to make social calls, after all."

"Can we talk on the way to Cerebro?" Fury was quite direct.

"Of course." Xavier was all business at that. Coulson gave him a nod, glancing back at Lance.

"You don't have to accompany us"

"Yeah well maybe I WANT to."

"Alvers," Logan said gruffly. HE was going with, that was for sure.

"Hrm... Fine." He huffed sharply, giving them one last once over before moving off.

Xavier waited until they were on the way down, made sure it was clear, and then looked to Fury. "So what IS the matter?"

Fury's jaw worked, though he'd steeled his features, "The Juggernaut has escaped."

Xavier faltered, for a moment. He paled, his eyes widened. "... Whe... How? He's gone?"

Coulson nodded. "He.. yes. Security was down, at the time, unfortunately."

"Do we know where he is? God we need to move the students, he'll be coming for me..."

"That's why we came here," Fury said, "We need you to track him."

"Hmm... Well." He started along once more. "I'll certainly try."

"I thought your Cerebro could find any mutant?"

"Juggernaut's helmet can keep me out."

Fury paused for a moment, "I see...'

"Do you have any idea who broke him out? I could always attempt to track them."

"They've been reporting Coulson and I were the ones seen entering the chamber."

"Which, by the way, we weren't. Lucky for us, OUR security was working..." Coulson muttered, knowing full well who would have taken advantage of THAT.

"I see... That rules out Mystique then, if it was both of you."

Fury nodded, "Finding the Juggernaut has to take priority. We'll worry about the how's and why's later."

"Right." Xavier replied, wheeling to Cerebro's chamber. "Shall we?"

"We shall."

~~

Above, in the living room, Lance was flipping through channels.

"Can we just PICK something?" Pietro asked.

"Hrm..."

Kitty leaned over the back of the couch, "Babe, what are you looking for?"

"I'unno. Something distracting, I guess?"

"He has no- go back one?"

"Why?" He asked, doing as Pietro asked anyway. "... Oh."

An anti-mutant rally was on the news.

"--is our God given right to protest. We should consider the safety of our country, and of our world at large."

Lance scowled, leaning in.

"Great. More of these." Pietro muttered. "Lemme guess his next line, 'we're abominations'." He scoffed.

"Just once." Lance muttered. "I wish these guys would get what they deserved."

"Senator Kelly, uck," Kitty grumbled, "He's like a weasel in a suit."

"The American People want to be sure that our families are safe! We--" There was an explosion that suddenly shook the very foundation of the building.

Lance's eyes went wide at that, leaning in.

The camera's feed would suddenly glitch red, cut out. It flickered a few times, until it found an untouched camera, at a wider angle.

Pietro's jaw slacked when Wanda took the stage, standing before Kelly. "Wanda...?"

She would sling a hand forth, the stage under him suddenly buckling.

Senator Kelly fell, collapsing into the rubble with a shout. Security began to take shots at her, and the crowd began to scatter in a panic.

It did them no good, Wanda snapping. Sparks flew up around her, shots all missing their mark.

Cars around the event exploded, fires starting.

Wanda would stomp a plank, the mic resting on the end. The whole thing would spark, fly through the air.

She snagged it, smirking. "This rally is now under Genoshan control. Pyro, ring them in, if you would.

Everyone was just SO eager to be here."

Pietro grabbed the TV. "Goddammit, Wanda, the hell are you doing?!"

The cameras would cut out amidst screams and smoke and fire.

Kitty started running, "Professor-- Logan-- STORM!"

Ororo was the first to answer. "Kitty! What's the matter, calm down." She urged, taking her shoulder upon finding her.

"Th-There was a rally, and-- and Magneto--!"

"Do you know where?"

"Minnesota- The Powr-8 building, I think?"

"Alright... I'll tell the professor. Be ready."

They assembled a team quick enough; Kitty, Scott, Jean, Evan, and Kurt. Pietro also insisted on going; this had gotten very personal very quickly. The rest of the X-men were left to defend the Institute, in case the rally attack was a diversion.

Though, not everyone was happy about it.

"We HAVE a team, Alvers!" Scott was saying as they loaded up, "We need you to stay behind."

"Come on, it's been ages since I got to go on a mission! I want to help!"

"We need you to stay and keep the Institute safe." Jean told him.

"LOGAN is staying here! He counts for like five guys! What's the deal, why do I keep getting sidelined!"

"I'm not gonna argue with you," Scott said firmly, "You're STAYING."

"Just tell me why I can't go! Come on, Summers, please!"

Scott's words left him before he could stop himself. "Because there's been ENOUGH damage!"

Lance had to pause. "I.... What?"

Scott grunted, "I...Look," His tone softened, "We just need to be careful, okay?"

Lance's fist clenched slightly. "... Whatever." He turned away. "I'll try not to wreck the place while you guys are gone."

"Why are you like this?" Kitty asked Scott as the Blackbird took off.

"Scott didn't mean it." Jean assured. "We're all just... very stressed."

"UGH."

~~

"Ugh."

Gambit was echoing this sentiment for other reasons.

He'd been put in charge of watching their prime hostage. "Can't believe this..."

Senator Kelly, dazed from his fall and bleeding slowly from his forehead, didn't dare struggle against his bindings.

One threat of "blowing a new hole in you" was enough to keep him compliant.

"Yer a lucky man, Senator! If ya weren't so important well, I'd probably just kill ya now. All that Anti-mutant talk, why. It just hurts my feelings."

Kelly paled considerably. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing could come out, not a sound.

"HOOO-WEE!" That jubilant sound and the smell of burning oil heralded Pyro's arrival, "Baby, you SEEN how the place is lightin' up right now?! We got 'em all corralled, haha!"

Presently, there was a giant ring of fire around the building, trapping people inside and keeping authorities out.

Gambit snickered, turning his attention to Pyro. "Oh. I've seen. You're welcome on that little start, by the way."

Gambit was QUITE proud of the line of explosions he'd caused. He sighed dramatically. "Must be nice, havin’ a FUN job."

"Awww, but you're SUCH a good babysitter!" Pyro grinned crookedly, "If it were me I'da STUCK this fuckin' pig!" He stomped once near Kelly, making the senator squeal. Pyro laughed. "Ah," He gestured to the device on his back; he'd gotten a new toy, sleeker, sturdier, more powerful. He was quite fond of it, "Duty calls, don't it~? Ey, where's the tin man?! S'posed to be helpin’ me wreck the place!"

"He's not?" Gambit asked, eyes narrowed slightly. "Christ." He scoffed. "Dunno why she gives him so many fucking chances."

"Ugh, I'll find 'im," Pyro started away, though he paused to give Senator Kelly a harsh kick that sent him sprawling on the floor, "Fuckin' pansy little..."

"Burn a little hotter for me when ya do, ah?" Gambit asked, turning a smirk to Kelly. "He's fun, ain't he?"

Kelly found courage to speak, though it was a weak, thin courage, "The...United States government will NOT stand for this."

"It's cute how you think I care." Gambit gave him a grin, though it lacked any sort of warmth. "Though I am curious to see how they'd react. Especially with a high profile man like yerself at risk."

"W-We will NOT bow to you!"

"Ah see. But you expect US to roll over for you. Asking a bit much, aintcha? Oh well. In time…”  

~~

Piotr was, in fact, dragging people out of the way of the fire.

"Please don't move," Piotr was saying as he laid an injured man back, "Everything will be...okay.'

He was telling himself that as much as he was the other man.

"'Ey!"

Piotr turned, and a hand smacked hard into his chest, "What do you think you're doin'?!"

"I'm...There are people who were close to the--"

"Who CARES about them, you're supposed to be tearin' that building up! Can't keep this fire burnin' forever!" Pyro grabbed him by the collar and tugged him down to his level, "You care about these shitheads more 'n our job, huh?"

Piotr grunted, "I.."

"Allerdyce!" Piotr would be rescued by a very miffed Wanda. "What is going on down here?!"

"Tellin' this jackass to do his job!"

She looked between them. "'Telling'." She replied flatly.

Pyro growled, shoving Piotr away, "Just get in there!"

"Wanda," Piotr said, "There are people who are hurt."

"I'll take care of it." Wanda assured Pyro. "Just keep the circle going. We don't need them scattering."

She didn't address Piotr yet.

Grumbling loudly, Pyro set about stirring the fire on. "Fuckin'..."

"You'll have fuel soon!" She assured, turning her gaze to Piotr. "... I know you want to help. But we have a job to do."

"I didn't join to hurt people!" Piotr was emboldened, which surprised even himself.

Wanda perked slightly. "... We all have to do things we don't want to do. You know what's at stake." She replied, tone stern.

"There...There has to be a better way. Shouldn't there?"

Wanda frowned. "These people would have us killed. They would have all mutants destroyed. How can there be any other way?"

Piotr gave her a hard stare. "...Then...we must really be monsters."

She paused. But only for a moment. Wanda would turn away. "Just get it done, Piotr. You can help if you want after your task is completed."

Piotr frowned after her. He looked to the fire in the distance...

Carefully, he turned and started towards it.

~~

Lance's knuckles were white. He was gripping the couch far too tight, not even paying attention to the news story going on about the attack.

He was too focused on trying to calm down, to keep the rumbling to a minimum. But it just! The earth shook slightly as hurt took another spiral into anger, Lance's fist balling tighter.

A big hand found Lance's head. "Hey dude."

"Hrm." He replied, adjusting himself to try and shrug him off. A task and a half, when he didn't let go of the couch.

Fred ruffled his hair lightly, then moved to sit beside him,

Lance glanced at him, huffing slightly. Then, with considerable effort, he released the couch, moving to muss his hair back into place.

"...How ya feelin'?" Fred knew Lance too well at this point.

"Fine." He replied. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Fred gave him a look. "Dude."

Lance groaned, slapping a hand to the couch. "Too 'DANGEROUS'. I'm too DANGEROUS to let out, what the hell is that!"

"Oh..." Fred rubbed the back of his neck, "Who said that?"

"Summers. Thought we were past that...." He grumbled. "Unless the teachers think so too. Explain why I keep gettin’ cut for missions."

Fred was quiet for a moment, "...I know it's crappy n’ everything, but you know," He nudged Lance's shoulder, "You pack a punch, dude."

Lance rubbed his shoulder, nodding slightly. "I know..." He was quiet, a moment. "... I don't know if I'm ever gonna get a handle on them. My powers."

"Aw, don't say that."

"Well that's what it FEELS like."

"Well..." Fred shrugged, "We should work on it."

"I've been working on it." He replied, a bit harsher than he'd meant. "...But." He huffed. "Guess it can't hurt to work more."

Fred nodded. He slid off the couch, "C'mon."

Lance nodded, following after him. "Mmhm..." He smirked slightly. "You got a game plan for this training session or?"

Fred shrugged, "Not really."

"So we're winging it."

"Eeyup." Fred led him out onto the training ground.

Lance rolled his shoulders. "Better than moping, I guess."

"Okay, dude," Fred cracked his knuckles, "Let's try aaand...hit that target over there. JUST that target."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Uuuh... Right, right... how hard can this be?" He muttered, sliding his foot back. He raised a hand, fist clenching.

The ground would shake, Lance's eyes narrowed.

Fred stumbled a little, "Hoo, okay! Let's, uh...let's try again."

Lance nodded, taking in a sharp breath. He swiftly slid his foot forward, ground rolling. It quickly approached the target... and several others. Lance jerked, letting up.

It slowed, but not quite quick enough. The target was jostled, as was everything surrounding it. "Come oooon..."

"Hmm...So, what're you thinking when you do that?" Fred asked him.

"What am I... what?" He asked, pausing. "I... hm."

"Like," Fred figured out how he could phrase it better, "Do you focus on one thing?"

"I... don't actually think so? I don't think I actually do. I just... I need to hit the target, is all I think, I guess."

Fred nodded slightly, "Try, like, focusing on just the one target.'

Lance nodded. He took a long, deep breath, staring it down. He clenched and yanked his fist back, a slanted spire of rock jutting out. The poor target wasn't just hit, it was broken free of its stand, Lance wincing slightly.

Fred whistled, "Well...At least you hit it?"

"Yeah... and tore up everything around it." He grunted. "I just! There HAS to be a way to be more precise, right?" He asked. "I have to have a way to like, make it smaller around?"

"Um, maybe you could try, like..." Fred punched his fist forward, "Focus on that specific direction? Map it out in your mind."

"Maybe?" Lance agreed. "Like... thinner and more... focused." He gave him a tentative grin. "At least to start?"

Fred returned it, nodding, "Worth a shot."

He nodded, rolling his shoulder. "Right... Thanks, Fred."

"Shoot," Fred shrugged, "You figured out what you had to do, bud."

"Yeah, well. You helped. A lot."

Fred ruffled his hair, "Go ooon, give it a try." He chuckled.

He nodded, rolling his neck. "Right... Smaller and focused, smaller and focused..."

Lance would, after some minutes, have littered the law with rock pillars. They were various sizes, at various angles, and he grunted. "Well... I'm getting the angle thing down."

"That's progress, innit?" Fred asked.

"Slow progress...But. Yeah."

"Yo, can ya cool it with the shakin' for a minute, Alvers?" Todd called out the window, "We're tryin' 'a hear the news."

"Excuse you, I am TRYING to better myself."

"Better yourself later!" Alex told him, looking out himself. "This is important!"

Fred patted his back, "Maybe a break would be good."

Lance slumped, glancing over his shoulder. He was hardly satisfied with his results but... "Yeah, alright. I have at least one half of it down."

"You'll get it."

"Yeah.. C'mon. Can't hurt to listen to the news too, right?"

~~

The ring of fire Pyro had made was still burning quite strong. Firefighters were trying to put it out, but the mutant was able to keep his flames going forever. The entire area around the building, including several blocks away, was completely sealed off from the public as authorities tried their damnedest to get inside the Powr-8 building.

"Alright." Jean pulled her hand away from her temple. "They're in there. But we're going to need to be careful, they have hostages."

Pietro nodded, eyes narrowed as he looked over the building.

"All of you be on guard. We have no idea what they're planning." Storm told them.

"Kitty," Scott turned to her, "Can you take us all through the fire?"

"Uum..." Kitty bit her lip, and after a moment of thought, gave a nod and a shrug, "Worth a shot?"

"I can port a couple of us through." Kurt offered, nudging her. "At least two more."

"Okay, good," Might lose less limbs that way, was Kitty's silent thought, "So! Who's, uh, who's going with who?"

"I'll hitch a ride." Pietro said, taking Kurt's shoulder. "You comin' on the express, Evan?"

Evan nodded and took Pietro's hand. "Yep."

"Jean and I will go with Kitty," Scott said, "If you don't mind, Storm?"

"No. I'll keep an eye on you all from above." She told them. "Be careful. All of you." She added, looking over them in turn.

Scott took Kitty's shoulder, then offered a hand to Jean, "Ready?'

Jean nodded, taking his head. "Ready."

Kurt gave them a thumbs up, porting past the fire.

Storm took to the air. Storm would fly overhead, eyes narrowed at the building.

She heard a scream, turned her gaze just past it. The shout was remarkably familiar; Banshee was on the scene, it would seem.

And that just wouldn’t fly.

Kitty took a deep breath. "Okay..." She muttered. Carefully, she stepped through the fire, hoping nobody got singed in the process.

"We're fine, Kitty." Jean assured her, over the blaze.

Kitty breathed a sigh of relief. "GOOD," She released them and looked around, "Man..."

Kurt had ported in relatively close.

"Alright. We need to take this slow. We don't know where they are in there." Jean said.

"Mmhm." Pietro was hardly paying attention, focusing more on the building.

Scott carefully stepped around some debris, "Can you track them, Jean?"

She nodded, a hand to her temple. "There are a group of hostages... and one of them is with another."

"That'll be the Senator," Evan grunted, spiking up.

Scott nodded, "Lots of ground to cover...Alright. We'll get the group first. Senator Kelly is too important to kill, at least right now."

"Got it."

"Where's Wanda?" Pietro asked.

"I'm not sure yet."

"Well! Find her, maybe?"

"Pietro," Scott said sharply, "Focus."

"I am. I'm gonna help you guys, but I'm also finding out why she's DOING this."

"We need to save the hostages first."

"Fine." He replied, moving inside. "How about we do that then."

With a short huff, Scott followed him inside.

"So what's the plan?" Kurt asked, following Scott.

"We...find the hostages," He told him. That was about as far as Scott had gotten in his own head.

"Yes. And then what? How do we get them out?"

"If we can get the fires out, we can get everyone away from the area."

"If that's the case, we'll need to fight and beat Pyro." Jean said.

Kurt smirked. "Leave it to me. I've been practicing for a rematch."

"We're not 'leaving' it to anyone! We fight together." Scott said, "Alright?"

Kurt perked, deflating slightly. "Mm.. Alright, I guess..."

Things were too quiet as they traveled through the Powr-8 building. Even the noise from outside seemed too distant, the sirens and voices almost lost amid the dull roar of the fire.

Something would clatter, though it was hard to tell how close with the echo.

Jean jerked, taking Scott's shoulder. "Scott, look out-" She wasn't able to finish her thought.

A small light whizzed by them, striking Jean square in the chest. Her muscles were instantly paralyzed and she fell.

"Jean!" Scott called, trying to catch her, but another hit him, and he was down.

Kurt jerked, grabbing the duo and porting out of sight.

Pietro grabbed Evan, tugging him away as a massive reptilian mutant slammed down. He roared loudly, nostrils flaring. "Who the HELL."

"That's a GOOD question!" Kitty called. She was managing to phase through the projectiles, which were coming quicker and quicker.

Evan fired spikes from his arm at their giant assailant, quickly growing more in their place. Mellencamp turned his gaze to Evan, snarling loudly and charging.

"NOPE." Pietro would drag him out of the way, scooping Evan up as he did. "I'll move, you fire!"

"Y-Yeah, keep it steady!" Evan called, aiming again.

"I'll do my best!" He replied, Mellencamp pulling away from the wall he'd crashed into.

Kitty, meanwhile, was phasing her way through the wall, "I-I'll go get Kurt!"

"WE GOT THIS, NO WORRIES," Evan called, aiming and firing again.

They probably did, right?

~~

Kurt had managed to collect himself, at this point.

Scott and Jean were laid out, and he was trying to rouse them. "Come on, come on!" He urged, patting Scott's chest.They were breathing still, but...? "Aaach!" He groaned,tail flicking in frustration.

Heavy footsteps came towards him. They were slow, unsure even, but they were coming closer nonetheless.

Kurt's fur frizzed. He looked back to the source, then to his downed friends. He stood quickly, getting between them and the sound, sword drawn. He hoped he could lead whoever this was away.

There was a glint of metal in the low light. The heavy silhouette paused, seeming to have now taken notice.

There was a silence.

Kurt swallowed hard. "G-Go back the way you came." He managed, breaking the silence first.

"...Are you X-men?"

He took a moment,though nodded slowly. "Mmhm."

"...Are you hurt?" The figure tentatively stepped forward.

Kurt jerked, taking a half step back, sword raised. He paused a moment, searching the figure's face.

Colossus stepped into the light, squinting at them, "Are you?" He asked quietly, face softening.

Kurt wasn't sure was to make of this other mutant; he certainly wasn't like the other acolytes. He stood stock still for a moment, sword still pointed his way.

Something in Colossus, be it his face or his soft tone, caused him to lower it, but only just. "Wh-why? What are you going to do if we are?"

Piotr spoke carefully, "Help...you?"

"... hey were zapped. Now they won't move. What do you know about that?"

"Aah," Piotr nodded his head, "That will wear off, don't worry."

He nodded slightly. "Good... good.... Who are you?" Kurt gave him a slight, unsure smirk. "Too nice to be an Acolyte."

"Ha, well..." Piotr rubbed his arm, "I guess I am."

"Wha... Why help us then?" He asked.

"I don't like seeing people hurt."

Kurt couldn't help but believe him. "... How long does it take to wear off? I don't want them out in the open while they're like this."

"It depends. A few minutes, an hour maybe."

He groaned loudly. "I can't leave the rest of them hanging for that long..!"

Piotr perked, 'There are more?"

"I... " He nodded, kicking himself for letting it slip. ".. You don't want people to get hurt, right? Does that extend to your hostages?"  

"Yes."

"...Alright. We're here to save them." He admitted.

Piotr nodded. That much was obvious. "Well...I tried to get many people away from the fire."

He nodded. "...Do you have somewhere I can keep them safe?" He asked, glancing back at Scott and Jean. "At least until they recover."

"Mm...Maybe," Piotr muttered, "Follow me."

He nodded, tugging the two up. "We're gonna be okay. This guy seems alright."

Piotr led them to a tucked away corner of the building, "You cannot stay here for very long," He said, "Please leave soon."

"Right after we save everyone." Kurt promised. "Danke."

Piotr grunted softly, nodding, "Yes..." He perked up at a noise, and he started away quickly.

Kurt perked. "What is it? Where are you going?"

"You done yet?!" Demanded a sharp voice.

"Almost."

"Well hurry it up! Can't wait around here forever!"

Kurt’s fur frizzed. "...Where is he?" He asked Colossus.

Colossus was silent. He looked back at Kurt, face apologetic, then continued quickly on.

Kurt made a snap decision. He made sure Scott and Jean were properly hidden, then ported after him, keeping to the shadows.

"Take out that pipe," Pyro ordered, pointing. Nodding, Piotr smashed it with a wave of his fist. Pyro smirked as he made his way over to a valve and started to crank it. "Place is gonna go up like a matchbox."

Things would happen very quickly.

Kurt ported from the shadows above to the pipe, feet on either side of the crank. He then slammed the butt of his sword into Pyro's face.

Pyro had little time to react. He stumbled back, clutching his eye, "UGH!"

Kurt wouldn't give him a chance to recover, porting behind him and jabbing his sword at Pyro's pack, looking to bust it.

A metal hand caught him and flung him off before he could do much damage.

"Argh..." Pyro growled, whirling, "You little--!" He readied his flamethrower.

Kurt ported, catching himself on a pipe as he recovered from the fling. He jerked as Pyro aimed at him, porting once more. Pyro would find that Kurt hard ported right in front of him, the smoke of brimstone providing cover enough for Kurt to swing a kick up into his jaw.

No time to test if his new sword would slice through these tubes.

Cursing loudly, Pyro swung his arm, "YOU LITTLE FUCKER!" He roared. Flames came bursting forth from the nozzle before Piotr could yell to stop him, and in a split second the room exploded into flames.

"Shizcoff!" Kurt decided that perhaps it was best to cut his losses. He ported away once more, giving Piotr a look of apology before he did.

He landed hard back where Scott and Jean had been left, groaning and pulling himself up. "Please be better, PLEASE be better!"

If they could respond, they had little time to do so, as flames hurtled down the hall towards them as the basement exploded.

He grabbed them, porting once more.

ANYWHERE was better than here.

He found himself upstairs, overlooking the foyer from a few flights above. Evan and Pietro were still engaged with Mellencamp, and they had little time to react as flames spread quickly across the floor. Kitty emerged from a wall, three people in tow. "Kurt!" She grunted.

"Be right down! You two should be okay for a minute.." He muttered, porting down to her. "Pyro lit gas! It's going up in smoke!"

"There's so many people still inside!" Kitty said, narrowly avoiding a stray spike that lodged itself in the wall beside her.

"Me-me~!" Another joined the fray, sliding down the railing and aiming her glowing fingers, "HOLD 'EM STILL!"

"We need to move fast!" Kurt grunted. "I can port people outside, if you can bring them through!?"

"I'm-!" He snapped, Pietro and Evan already gone. "TRYING!!"

Kitty nodded quickly, handing Kurt her hostages before running back through the wall. "This uh. Is gonna be weird." He warned them, porting out.

"Pietro," Evan called, "Slow down a bit, I can't hit him!"

Light whizzed by them. "Yeeeah, slow down!" Gianna cackled.

"I can't!" He replied, glaring at Gianna. "She'll hit US if I do!"

Evan groaned. He shot a spike wall between them and Mellencamp, though it was in vain. He'd been having no trouble busting through them so far.

And bust through he did! Through he took an extra minute to crack one of the spikes in his jaws, out of frustration.

Kitty had another group along with her when she reemerged. Luckily, it didn't look like anyone was hurt, though they were terrified. Gianna took the time to take a potshot at her, for the hell of it, and that made a couple people yell in panic. "HAHA~"

Kurt would port back in shortly after. "Th-they're out! Next ones need to come on, NOW!"

There was a deafening crash. Stone and glass and metal rained down upon them as a new hole formed in the wall above. A S.W.A.T van hung precariously, its front end entirely destroyed. Another joined it, knocking down the front wall almost completely.

In the distance, amidst rubble and smoke and fire, came a towering figure of muscle and metal.

Kurt froze, gripping the civilians just a little tighter. "Oh hell..."

~~

"SHIT." Lance was glued to the screen, mouth dry.

Alex was near frantic. "Do you think Scott's okay, what do you think is going on in there?!"

"A practical giant just entered the the building, which is still going up in smoke, even with this rainfall!" The camera was shaky, as the helicopter tried to get the best view without getting hit. "We still have no word of what's happening in-"

She would be cut off, her cameraman shouting a warning, a massive section of concrete wall thrown their way.

The image cut out.

The Brothers exchanged a shocked glanced with each other, and then with Logan and Beast. Logan was quiet for a moment.

"...We're loadin' up."

"I'm going!" Lance told him. "I know you guys are worried about me making things worse, but I can't- I'm not standing by again! Not with THAT!"

"We need you, kiddo," Logan said, "Gonna need all the power we GOT."

He perked, then gave him a firm nod. "Got it. I'll do my best Logan."

Alex shuffled, swallowing hard. "D-does that mean I can go too? I- I can't lose Scott twice." He managed.

"No," Logan said firmly, "None 'a you new kids are goin'."

"But-" Lance would take Alex's shoulder firmly. "Easy man. I'll bring BOTH our brothers back, okay?"

Alex swallowed hard, though nodded.

"The rest 'a you are STAYING," Logan pointed at the new kids before hurrying off.

~~

It would seem like forever before they arrived, the once proud conference building practically in shambles.

S.H.I.E.L.D. would be bringing back up before long, but that didn't mean they could slack.

Not by a longshot.

"What do you think is going down in there?" Lance asked, eyes narrowed.

There was a rumble, and part of the wall of an upper floor caved in.

"Chaos." Logan replied gruffly.

"So... What's the plan?" Lance asked him.

"Ain't no time to scout it out." Rogue added.

"We're just gonna go in and knock heads."

"There's a plan I can follow..." Lance muttered, glancing at Fred. Fred had clenched his fists, and his knuckles were white. He kept his gaze forward.

Inside, the building was falling apart around the X-men as Juggernaut rampaged. "I'M GONNA BREAK EVERY BONE IN YOUR LITTLE BODIES!" He screamed, swinging his fist and taking out the stairs. Luckily he missed Kurt...barely.

"Gotta catch me to break me!" Kurt replied, unable to keep the hint of panic out of his tone. He was hoping taunting would open things up but. No such luck, just yet. The smoke and fire didn't help matters, supports groaning.

Scott had regained some control over his muscles, but it wasn't much. He couldn't get a bead on the Juggernaut, especially when he would charge. Evan was trying to keep both the Juggernaut and the other two Acolytes busy, but with his focus split so much, he could barely hit anything, not that it would have affected the giant Juggernaut very much anyway. Kitty was trying to get the remaining people out of the building before it came crashing down around them, and she was running out of time.

Jean was trying to keep the building together, but she only just had HERSELF in order. Her efforts weren't helped by her frustration, Jean growling in exasperation.

Pietro skid back, avoiding Mellencamp dropping from above. "Fuck!" He shouted, backpedaling from the larger mutant's tail swinging.

"Pete!" Evan called, "You gotta put me down and deal with--" Part of the ceiling came down, narrowly missing them, "-- Juggernaut!"

"What?!" He half yelped, stumbling slightly. "Are you insane?!"

"You're the only one who can take him, dude!"

"Where does that leave you!?"

"Dealing with the REST of them!" Evan fired at Mellencamp again, spines winding up his arms in thick shields.

Pietro growled, holding Evan a little tighter. "He's HUGE! And the other one could do- who KNOWS what she did to Jean and Scott!!" Mellencamp swung a clawed hand at them.

"Find out!" He urged; Pietro scowled. "Fuck off!"

"Pietro," Evan was firm, "Put me down NOW. Before the whole building comes down!"

"I-" He fumbled over his words. He knew Evan was right. He didn't have to like it. "Y... You have to promise you'll be okay!"

Evan offered him a smile. "Who do you take me for?"

"I... Okay." He put on the speed, pausing a ways away. He released Evan, looking over him. "... Be safe." He urged, giving his forehead a quick peck before speeding at the Juggernaut.

A split second later, light narrowly missed Evan and cratered the wall. "STAY STILL~" Gianna urged him, cackling. Evan rolled out of the way quickly.

"Hey ugly!" He called to Mellencamp, armor growing up his arms, "Let's dance!"

Mellencamp returned his wit with a roar, charging him. He would leap at him, claws poised to pin,

before ripping and tearing, of course.

Evan met him head-on. The spikes in his legs and feet kept him upright, and his armor shielded him, but Seamus was still very strong and he was dragged backward from the force.

"Aww, Me-me!" Gianna called, "I can't hit him if you're--" A hand came out of the wall and cold-clocked her. Kitty stepped out a moment later, looking all too proud of herself.

Whether from the noise or just his investment in Evan, Mellencamp hadn't noticed. He powered against Evan, acidic spit dripping from his maw.

It was about this time that Wolverine made his grand entrance. He leaped onto the Juggernaut's back, adamantium claws slicing at the giant's armor, but he was tossed very quickly.

"Logan!" Scott managed to call, and he tried to move his head.

"I got 'em!" Rogue called, running to the duo. "Ya alright? What... How did this..?" They didn't LOOK injured.

"Can't... can't move." Jean explained, best she could.

"Rogue..." Scott was as urgent as he could be, "Take...my powers!"

"Wha-" She froze, hesitating a moment.

"Rogue!" Jean urged. "H-he'll be fine!"

Rogue grunted, deciding the situation was a little too urgent to falter. One more under the belt couldn't hurt... "Just a bit." She told him, yanking her glove off and brushing his forehead. The contact was short, but it was enough, Rogue's eyes glowing bright.

"Get Juggernaut!" Scott urged her. The Juggernaut was grappling with Fred now, and, try as he might, Fred was losing.

"Got it... Hold on Fred, I'm comin'!" She called, running over, eyes glowing bright. She would circle to the side, zeroing in on Juggernaut before letting a blast loose.

Juggernaut was thrown off balance by the blast, giving Fred enough brevity to slam him into a wall. It didn't stop the beast for long, and he swung a heavy fist into Fred before preparing another charge.

"Kitty!" Todd called as she stepped out with a few more people, "Lemme help!"

"Todd!" She sighed in relief, and moved quickly to get the rest of the people out of the building. It would go a lot quicker with help.

"Good havin’ you!" Kurt told him, porting in beside them. A few extra hands on the Juggernaut let him focus on getting people out.

Lance was currently trying to stabilize the building. With, of course, as little shaking as possible. He didn't want the whole place coming down on them, after all. "C'mon, c'mon! You worked on this!"

Pietro had attempted to lift a clasp, but had found the helmet fused to his suit. "Are you-?!" He was forced to back off, eyes narrowed. "The clasps are fused, I can't open 'em!"

"Are you serious?!" Rogue asked, glaring Juggernaut down and unleashing another eye blast.

The Juggernaut fought through the blast, hurtling towards her with a yell. Wolverine made a mad dash and snagged Rogue out of the way. She hissed, cutting the beams. "H-how are we supposed to take him down?!"

"We just gotta hold him off, kid!" Wolverine told her.

"Great..."

"You guys okay?" Lance called, running to them.

"Fine, but we can't keep lettin' him charge." Wolverine said, "Gonna bring the whole place down!"

Lance nodded, looking around. "I could try to slam him out? One good pillar of rock!"

"We want the building to NOT come down, Lance." Rogue said.

"I've been working on it! Less rumbles, I swear!"

"Lance!!" Fred called, recovering from the hit at last. Juggernaut readied another charge, this time aiming to take the building out.

"Got it!" He replied, steadying himself. Just had to focus on the ONE thing, that was all that mattered. Concise and focused as possible. He would clench his fist, foot quickly sliding forward.

A hefty pillar jutted forth, meeting Juggernaut dead on and from a lower angle.

"Argh!" He was knocked flat. In a split second, lights shown on the building.

"All mutants put your hands up!" Came the voice from the above helicopter.

"All... even us?" Lance asked, almost disbelieving it.

Another voice, more familiar, said, "X-men, step aside. We'll take it from here."

Rogue took that as her cue to go back to Jean and Scott.The former was QUITE frustrated with this whole turn of events, it seemed, and her scowl was plain as she stumbled to her feet.

"YOU WON'T TAKE ME BACK!" Juggernaut roared as he stumbled to his feet.

Lance readied himself, to bring up another pillar.  

"CAIN," He wouldn't get the chance, Wanda appearing on the scene. "We're leaving." She ordered. Pietro froze a moment, voice catching.

He and Wanda met eyes, for a moment.

She averted her gaze back to the Juggernaut, quickly. "They won't take you twice. But a retreat is in order."

She snapped her fingers, a wall lighting up red and starting to crumble, taking the rest of the building out first. "You'd best get the rest of the humans out, X-men." She advised. Mellencamp quickly pulled away from his tussle with Evan, giving him a snarl before he ran to snag up Gianna.

The S.W.A.T car was first to fall free, crashing with an echo.

"Maximoff!" Logan called quickly. He was the only one fast enough to get the rest out, after all, as they building started to come crashing around them.

"But- I- She- AUGH!" He darted off, really hating how many people were right about things today.

Growling, Juggernaut hesitated a moment, then followed his group quickly. "Next time, X-men!" He promised.

"I'll be waiting!" Lance challenged, shoulders setting. He didn't keep his stance for long, turning and running to help Rogue with Scott and Jean.

"Logan," Scott grunted, "We need to go after them."

"No," Logan was short, firm, "We got a hundred guns pointed at us, kid."

As the fires died down from the rain and efforts of the disaster relief, that became clear. Police, S.W.A.T, and others surrounded the building, weapons pointed at the group. Aside from Pietro, the X-men remained quite still, as if any sudden movement would set the firing squad loose on them. S.H.I.E.L.D's aircraft touched down in the plaza, and soldiers swarmed the building.

Lance watched them hard, throat dry. Storm would land beside Logan, standing tall despite her shortness of breath.

Pietro couldn't help but be ansty, especially when Coulson stepped out. It didn't help when he approached them. "Well! All things considered, this could have been worse." He started.

Logan could only offer a nod in reply. Nearby, paramedics swarmed the freed hostages.

Coulson continued, "We're going to have to do a headcount.. and the building is... well, it's going to be condemned, if it can be salvaged at all." Lance grunted. This wasn't a helpful speech. "Juggernaut escaped, as did the other acolytes. But! You did get people out! You saved lives today, and I'd say that's what matters."

"Got a favor to ask ya, Coulson," Logan said, "We can't get outta here with all this fuzz around."

God forbid these kids get locked up or worse.

"Ah." He nodded, waving a hand. "Got it. Follow after me, I'll explain to 'the fuzz'. The X-men are allies of S.H.I.E.L.D. should suffice..."

As they cautiously trailed behind Agent Coulson, Fred clamped Lance on the shoulder. "Told ya you could do it."

Lance perked, giving him a slight smile. "Yeah... You did. Thanks.” He was still going to need to work on things, but… It felt good to know.

"Jean," Scott was saying, as he stumbled along, "Are you alright?" He'd recovered, for the most part, though his movements were slow.

"Fine." Her tone said otherwise, as did the tenseness in her features.

Scott, of course, wasn't convinced, but now wasn't the time to get into it. He squeezed Rogue's arm, perhaps in thanks, perhaps to comfort her as well.

"...You okay?" She asked. "Not to woozy? I didn't take too much?"

He shook his head, "I'm fine. You did good."

"Good..." She replied, already tugging her glove back on.

As the X-men retreated, Senator Kelly was escorted out of the building on a stretcher. Media began to swarm him, much to the distaste of paramedics and law enforcement.

"Can't imagine this event has improved his opinions." Storm told Logan quietly.

Pietro fell into step beside Evan, hooking a finger in his as he glanced back at the building and Kelly. "Yeah..."

"Well...It coulda been worse." Logan muttered, "Could always be worse."

"Of course... What do you think they hoped to accomplish, with all this?"

"Fear. A show of power."

"And what a show it was... They have the Juggernaut. And he's listening to them."

Logan nodded, scowling, "I don't like it."

"I don't either. How did Magneto even get him out? And without anyone knowing." She asked, eyes narrowed. "There's much to this we don't know. And I don't like it."