Hello hello, so yes, this is my first fanfic ever... I hated that they cancelled this series and just wanted 'unleash my imagination'. I'm sorry that this is sooo long, I didn't know how it would look on here... but please review! Encourage me to upload another chapter ~
"The Professor caught a trace of Pietro and Domino here yesterday, if this is a secret hideout for the Brotherhood, we have to keep a low profile," Hank warned, following close behind Scott who led the team.
"That's going to be hard. Considering Elf already took out those mutants outside," Logan muttered.
"They didn't mean any harm to us Logan. They were just aggressive." It was Scott who redirected his comment.
"Does it matter now?"
Scott winced but led on. "Where is Kurt anyways?"
At those words, a bamf sounded to his side and sulfur was sensible.
"It is all clear ahead the corridor." Kurt reported, joining the group between Jean and Logan.
"Stick together." Scott turned a corner. "If they attack we're going to need backup."
"I bet they're expecting us," Logan muttered.
As the team stalked through the abandoned warehouse, large doors laid ahead, worn out but rusty and suspicious.
"Kurt," Scott gestured to the double doors. He understood the unspoken request and teleported inside, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. As far as his orbs could see, nothing was out of the ordinary, just another long walkway that lead into a fork of directions. He turned to the kaput doors, and noticed the lock, though odd as it was from the inside. Tentatively reaching for the contraption, he pulled it, and it broke with ease, many flakes of rust falling to the floor.
The doors opened, and on the other side, his teammates awaited a report.
"All clear?" Scott asked.
"Safe as vell," was his response.
At that, Kurt, Logan, Kitty, Bobby, Jean, Ororo, and Hank followed behind Scott as he walked along the small corridor, dirty from the floor to the walls and the air thick of must and dust.
"This is gross," Kitty whispered to herself.
"Deal with it," Logan mumbled.
"Why would Magneto have the Brotherhood hideout here? It's not exactly sanitary." Kitty winced as a rat scurried from a nearby wall and close to her feet. She picked up her pace from the back of the group and next to Bobby.
"We're not sure what the Brotherhood could be doing here yet, and I highly doubt Magneto would be picky on exactly where they meet," Hank suggested.
An unsure sound came from the back of Kitty's throat, but it went unnoticed.
The team walked on for a few short minutes of silence, but halted once observing the four different directions to take.
"We can pair and take a hallway," Hank suggested.
"Go ahead. Look out for any signs of the Brotherhood and watch yourselves, I don't need anyone getting hurt," Scott said.
"It's not us you need to worry about," Logan growled, displaying his claws and parting down the right corridor.
"You're coming with me Elf," he said, and Kurt quickly followed at his side.
With the others into pairs as well, Kurt and Logan began a long journey down the foyer, until coming to a stop at a closed door that seemed much more replenished then it's surroundings. Logan did not hesitate to open it, as it was only a turn knob door. Peering inside, there was a darkened stairwell with unbalanced rails and an eerie composure of blinking headlights.
"You first Herr Logan."
Logan grumbled under his breath but ascended the stairs reluctantly, Kurt as his heels.
"Vat do you think the Brotherhood are planning here Logan?"
"I don't think anything is even in this place. Chuck probably talked Scott into taking us here to get out on a mission, to escape from the mansion. But with all of us here, even Pryde and Drake, it must be something."
"Perhaps ve are supposed to find sumsing, but not exactly a trace of the Brotherhood."
"Maybe," Logan stiffed a laugh. "I'd like to see the look on Summer's face when he realizes we're here for nothing special."
"I'm sure it's important, simply that the Professor has other intentions for us."
"I wouldn't know, and I don't care. If Magneto's gang of minions is here I'm taking them down. I'm tired of searching for something and finding nothing."
"I cannot imagine vhy."
"And how come you're so breezy about this whole thing? Doesn't anything ever get you angry?" They reached the first entrance to the second floor and started their search there.
"Do not think I am so choleric Logan, but nein, I am not bothered by this... if the Professor has requested we do this, I vill," Kurt explained.
"Why do you always listen to what Chuck says?" Logan asked, humor tinted in his question.
"I am loyal to the Professor Logan, as you should be…he helped all of us."
"Heh," he chuckled. "Whatever you say Elf."
As they wandered passed many empty equipment storages and vacant doors, there came a junction of two hallways. One was darkened, the other lit vaguely from two blinking ceiling lamps.
"This place is huge." Logan was the first to step forward and sniff the air.
"Vat is it?" Kurt stopped in his tracks as Logan did.
"There's someone here."
Though all was silent, there was a lingering anticipation in the warm air that could have meant anything, and the pair sensed it immediately.
"This does not seem right."
"Shh." Logan was listening closely while Kurt was searching the darkness, his nocturnal eyes adjusting and sighting nothing out of the ordinary. Their senses were extremely sharp and apprehended danger, though they could not detect any.
"What do you see Elf?"
"Nussing, vat do you hear?"
"Nothing."
Logan stepped further to the dark side of the hallway just as he heard a faint footstep. Under the cover of darkness the foe was going to have an advantage, but not before Kurt noticed them. A dim figure emerged at least twenty feet away in the pitch black, but abruptly stopped in their tracks, almost sensing Kurt's gaze.
"Someone is there," Kurt whispered, preparing to leap into action.
"Perfect." Logan readied his adamantium claws, but was cut short in some attempt of attack when a loud zing echoed through the hallways and every head lamp shut off to blackness.
Kurt gasped just before he and Logan jumped separate ways to evade a large wave of energy. As quickly as it all happened, the pair stood to their feet and awaited on edge for another attack.
Logan growled and Kurt bared his teeth, as they waited several restless seconds in silence before patter on the floor was heard . As Logan turned to defend himself, a quick and utterly sharp cry arose from his lips once receiving a heavy blow to the back of his head. Falling to his knees, he grabbed the nape of his neck and groaned. Kurt turned to his fallen comrade, prepared to aid him, but found himself under charge. A swift sound shocked Kurt, as the attacker jumped onto his back and wrapped legs around his waist. Startled, the teleporter could do nothing as hands clasped his forehead, and within a second, sent a flashing light to his vision. Kurt fell to his knees as well, with dazed spots of purple and blue swimming through his mind. He did not notice the assailant retreat back to Logan.
The man shuffled on his feet, only to curse as a figure slid under his legs, grabbing them at the last minute and pulling, face planting him into the floor. He cursed once again, then stood quickly, sharper than ever.
"Where are you," he growled.
Quickly turning and pouncing to the nearest sound, he fell with a body underneath him, though he was shocked to see giant yellow orbs staring into his.
"Elf! Watch where you're going," he growled, pushing away from the younger mutant and listening keenly for their assaulter.
"Logan zis is not working, they're playing with us," Kurt said, getting to his feet, still half shocked by the weight of the older, shorter man.
"Trust me I know."
From Kurt's side, a sound popped and he side stepped quickly out of the way, missing a sharp kick. Though the flailing limb did not belt him, Kurt seized the leg and held a grip, but barely had time to gasp once he was pulled to the ground. The force sent them down, and Kurt was flung away with a strong friction of energy, sliding him many feet away across the floor . His adversary stood, and was about to go in again, when an almost guttural growl distracted them.
Logan sprang forward, for certain he would collide with the person but was confounded when an unseen force stopped him in mid air. For a spilt second he thought of Jean, but remembered it was a foe. As the sense in the air warned Logan he was in for trouble, the lamps abruptly turned on, even those which had been darkened before. Logan was dropped heavily onto the floor, then barely peered up to get a glance at the traducer. Breathing heavily and adrenaline heightening, Logan was disappointed as the attacker was no where in sight.
"Damn wuss," he groaned, steadily getting to his feet for what seemed like the hundredth time that night, then noticed Kurt, and kneeled next to him.
"Elf, you okay?"
He only groaned, and blinked his eyes.
"Vat has happened?"
"Whoever it was is gone." Logan's gruff voice was obvious.
"I doubt zat. Ve need to find the others," Kurt said, leaning against the nearest wall and rubbing his head. "Zat mutant Logan…was not Quicksilver or Domino.."
"I know."
"Are you for certain ve are up against The Brotherhood…?"
"I'm not so sure. We need to find the others. Now."
Quickly they headed back to the stairwell , but Kurt stopped. "Maybe zis would be a little faster."
Setting a hand on Logan's shoulder, he uneasily made a great struggle to teleport them a level below their previous location, consequently within a few feet of Bobby and Kitty, but the two pairs were both equally surprised to see each other. Under Bobby's arm, he was supporting Kitty. She was barely able to walk.
"What happened to her?" Logan asked, he hurried and helped to sit her on a crate, while Kurt quickly followed.
"I have no idea. One minute I turned and she was literally passed out. She could barely stand up," Bobby explained, helping Kitty sit up against the nearest wall.
"My brain hurts," she murmured. "A lot."
Logan stiffed a laugh. "The psycho attacked you too then."
"Did you see who the assailant was?" Ororo appeared from a distant hallway, looking very wary, with Hank following behind.
"We didn't see, but we felt em'," Logan said, Kurt and himself rubbing their necks in unison.
"They certainly did something," Hank said, scratching his head. "After they attacked us, they drained Storm's energy completely, I'm guessing the same with you Kitty…"
"And Scott."
Everyone turned as Jean walked in, a hand on Scott's back, as if soothing him.
"Now what the hell is going on in here," Logan muttered, getting to his feet. "I thought we came here to find out what Magneto was up to."
"This might still have something to do with him," Hank said. "As we speak he still tries to recruit many to his side, does he not? I'm suspecting the attacker attacked as a warning. Maybe this mutant is a recruiter, and we are in a rendezvous point of some sort."
"Or maybe they're just trying to start some trouble."
Jean looked to Logan and seemed to silently disagree with his comment.
"The Professor must have called us here for a reason. This can't be a hideout for the Brotherhood if we're only up against one mutant," she said, all eyes going to her. "He sent us here because of this one person. Isn't it obvious?"
"Now in what reason would Chuck make us do that? And without telling us?"
"He didn't tell any of us, because he knew if we were aware of what our mission was, we wouldn't take this as something to be fragile about. And it is."
"This mutant attacked us Jean, how are we supposed to handle this in a 'fragile' way?" Scott asked in almost disbelief.
"Scott, you're the leader aren't you? I'm sure you can think of something."
He blinked. Logan smirked.
"I wasn't able to find them because they blocked me out," Jean continued. "We all have to spilt up and search again."
"Splitting up did us no good," Hank said, silently expressing concern for the three weakened members of the group. "If what we must do is catch this mutant, we need to find a more elaborate plan."
"I say we leave. Screw whoever is here and if Chuck want's them so bad, he can send others to do it. We have no business hunting for mutants."
"Logan," Ororo scolded, strength back to her features and aura. "If The Professor wants us to do this, then we shall do so."
"This is a waste of time…," he grumbled, leaning back against a wall.
Storm didn't pay a glance to him, but instead stepped forward to help Kitty up off the crate.
"We stay in larger groups. That should give us some advantage. Kurt," Storm turned to him," I want you and Kitty to be ready at all times. Jean will warn all of us if there is trouble and you two will be our transportation."
"Or we could keep it easy and go on until we find the little brat," Logan gruffed.
"For all we know Logan, this mutant may be extremely dangerous. We have to take extreme precautions. And if we are wrong, that they might have something to do with Magneto or the Brotherhood, it's critical we find them."
"Hank is right," Scott stepped forward, his strength gradually coming back as well as Kitty's. "We're not leaving until we take this one down."
"Now let me get this straight. We have to be 'fragile' but cautious, and now Summers you want us to bring this mutant down?" Logan husked. "Make up your mind."
"Maybe you can think of something Logan," Scott retorted.
"Better than evading !"
"We're not evading Logan we're being practical. Something you can't seem to understand."
Logan's eyes narrowed and he growled, Scott stalked towards him, almost to eye level. Neither of their daring gazes wavered, even if Scott's was not noticeable.
"Both of you stop." Jean interjected the best she could. "We're not getting anything done here with you two bickering. So if you don't quit it, we may never finish this mission for The Professor and we may never find this mutant."
As Jean spoke those words, a sound familiar to all of them suddenly set them on edge. A blustering energy of friction echoed through the hall. The attacker deliberately dimmed off only the lights bordering the eight, engulfing their surroundings in complete black. As they all huddled under the last source of light, isolated with a width of ten feet, they readied themselves. The majority of the team had experienced the mysterious mutants' abilities enough to know how quick they had to be on their feet.
"Be careful everyone," Scott murmured, looking into the dark for motion.
"Can it Summers," Logan growled, before a baleful, metallic sound materialized to the right. All eyes fixated to the commotion, while a strained edgy sense ran throughout their minds. Then, a dozen tiny shards of metal cut through the air, heading straight towards the team.
Jean was the first to react, casting a veiled wall of telepathy and stopping the shards in their tracks. One by one, they fell to the metal floor, clicking and clanging each time, though that sound was soon forgotten once another strike was taking toll.
An agile figure emerged from the darkness running, catching Hank's attention first. With one swift motion, the assailant bounded forward high in the air, hurdling over his massive shoulders and at the same time consuming his energy. Once springing and mounting off the languished Hank, the assault moved to Logan, as his vision was blurred by only feet, for the second time that day catching a face plant. He staggered back into Kitty, though she phased herself and turned just in time to also receive a blow, but to her stomach. She fell back as Bobby barely had enough time to catch her, and they landed in a heap of limbs. Storm took her chances next, using what little was left of her drained powers and motioned her hands to gyrate a gush of wind, advancing it towards the assaulter. Though it caught them off guard, they just as quickly flipped backwards and adjusted back on their feet. With the flick of a wrist, an unseen momentum was flung to Ororo, launching her back into the wall with a thud.
A ray of laser beam flashed straight towards the aggressor, but they quickly rolled to the side, bringing down Kurt along the way and pinning him to the floor. With a quagmire, Kurt was now straddled by the enemy, as they flicked fingers, barraging Logan, Scott, and Jean to the nearest wall with invisible force. Although the impact was alarming, Jean was able to use telepathy and hurl the mutant backwards and off of Kurt, but not before he examined the foe.
To his surprise, Kurt discovered their attacker was a woman, a teenager no older than himself. Long blonde hair cascaded along her sides and back, surprising for it should have given her identity away. Though as she was tossed backwards, Kurt saw she wore a black suit, hiding her in the darkness.
He focused on her figure, as she attacked Bobby and Kitty with cat-like skills, throwing Bobby to the floor and tangling Kitty in her own limbs.
Kurt stood, and prepared to progress his own offense when Storm took her opportunity. Spontaneously, Ororo charged small bolts of lightning from her bare fingertips, missing the first few attempted shots but finally hitting her target. The girl fell to her knees with a slight cry, the slightest trace of vapor rising from her back. Though she seemed down for the count so easily, Storm was not so certain, and neither was any on else, for as Jean helped Hank steady himself, the others crowded around their assailant. Logan was the first to react, upon seeing exactly who it was.
"You've got to be kidding me," he groaned. "We've been getting our asses kicked…by some girl?"
"That's what it would seem," Storm said, eyes still very alert. She was right to do so, for the girl stood to her feet, causing everyone to shuffle quickly on call. It was then most of them were able to see a clear appearance of what she looked like.
Blonde hair, dark green eyes, and red lips were set a straight line. Her black spy-like outfit drew her curves and smooth visage. She looked like a lethal assassin.
"Listen kid, we don't need any trouble," Logan tipped. "I don't think you want any either…back off."
"Don't provoke her Logan," Jean said, slyly but intimately trying to reach inside her mind, but whatever barrier the girl set up around her thoughts was strong.
"None of you provoke me." The eight were slightly startled as her voice was shaky, not all weary or even stern. She was afraid.
"So you talk now," Logan muttered, dropping his claws, but wavering.
"I don't want anything to do with any of you…" She was soft spoken.
"If you calm yourself, then we can get this settled," Ororo said, stepping forward subtly. Before she could reach the girl or speak another word, a loud whistling in their ears caused them all to grimace in pain and grasp the sides of their heads, trying gravely to keep out the sound. The pitch was incredibly high, extra sensitive to Logan's ears which now felt as if they were to burst. Though Kitty and Kurt could have easily withdrawn away and Bobby, if he really concentrated, could have blockaded the sound with his ice composure, they were all at that moment in too immense discomfort to handle.
But it was Kurt who managed to scrutinize the girl as her eyes glowed a dark tint of green. He made a spur of the moment decision, and leapt forward, slamming into the girl, briskly pinning her to the ground with a firm grip while knocking the wind out of her as well. She landed with a loud metallic, almost sickening boom, and it took Kurt a few moments realize she was out cold.
Abruptly the whistling stopped, a relief, but also a sign of concern. They all seemed to sigh in unison, and once their heads were completely cleared, the team unsteadily collected themselves and surrounded their teammate and fallen assaulter. She was completely benumbed, limp under Kurt's hold. He stood, breathing in a bated pattern but seeming almost reprieved.
"Nice job Elf," Logan barely commented, stepping nearer to the young mutant.
Kurt muttered something in German that went unnoticed, when his intentions hadn't been to harm her but simply cease her actions.
"What now?" Bobby quipped. Jean stepped forward, and knelt to the girl, laying a hand to her forehead and scanning anything she could.
"Now we take her back to the mansion, and see why in hell Chuck would even want her there," Logan mumbled.
"She'll be out for a long time, I can tell that much," Jean whispered, standing back to her feet.
Staring attentively to the mutant, Logan wanted nothing more than to square her straight in the face, even if she was knocked out, and a girl- a teenager. Rubbing his face and becoming aware of the sore spots only tempted him further.
Charles Xavier was going to pay.
Through the entire unsettled ride back to the mansion, the girl was kept under a secure watch, for even as Forge had been working on the Blackbirds security cell, it wasn't yet ready, leaving Kurt and Bobby to keep an eye on her. Though neither of them were too keen on that decision, they couldn't complain. Logan had made it clear they weren't to cause a ruckus, on hopes of keeping the girl unconscious before they returned back to the mansion. But Kitty on the other hand was too inquisitive.
"Jean," she whispered, catching the telepaths attention in the seat ahead. "Can you read her mind?"
"I've been trying, but she has a barrier…I can't get through it."
"Do you think the Professor will be able to?"
"It's hard to tell. If I can't get anything I'm not so sure he'll be able to. We'll see."
"Can you two keep it down?" Logan's voice was still stern but at a softer level. "If she wakes up there's no telling what she'll do to this thing."
Jean pivoted in her seat and glanced to the back of the jet, seeing Bobby and Kurt without a predicament confirmed the girl was still asleep.
"She's fine Logan, I told you she's not waking up for a long time," Jean said, eyes going back to his spot. "We're only a few minutes away from the mansion then we can get her inside."
"The problem is actually getting her out," Hank commented. "We don't want to cause too much commotion and I'm afraid if Kurt teleports her, she will come out to consciousness with a start."
"Why not just wake her up? Maybe if we just talk to her, she'll understand what's going on then she'll cooperate," Kitty suggested.
"The last time we tried to cooperate didn't go very well," Storm affirmed, a reminisce of the horrible whistle in her ears causing her to flinch. "I believe we should take a chance and have Kurt transfer her."
"Hey you guys," Bobby called," she's twitching."
"Well then shut up before she wakes and kicks your ass."
"Logan I do not think it matters now, we're here." Storm drew her eyes away from the mutant as well did Logan, as the Blackbird slowly came into view of the large mansion. The dusk sky was falling to black night and the large jet descended into the vacant tennis court. Once the Blackbird landed in the hanger and the opening court was closed, the team let out silent sighs and waited.
"Well, go ahead Elf," Logan broke the silence. "Be careful."
Kurt glanced to him tentatively, then back to the girl who seemed as if to wake any second. Though he knew what she was capable of, he couldn't help but feel something lenient. He certainly hadn't meant to knock her out and he didn't want to cause her anymore harm. But smoothly, he lifted her from the seat and flashed a look to the others for some sort of approval.
Logan nodded as did Scott, while Storm and Jean only acknowledged with their eyes. With a final glance, Kurt teleported away, and to the holding cells beneath the first story of the mansion. Though no mutants had been placed in the chambers for years, Kurt knew that they were functional, and he knew how to work them.
He set the girl down gently on the steel bench and backed away carefully, fully aware at any minute she could awake. Though he proceeded to lock the cell and leave, just as Logan had explained earlier, something paused his actions. A voice.
"Kurt, she is a guest not a prisoner. Escort her to the vacant room I have assigned for her, between Rogue's dorm and Bobby's, then come to the study where everyone is assembling to meet."
Not even questioning the voice for The Professor had spoken to him telepathically many times, Kurt reluctantly did as told and re-opened the cell.
Again, he rose the girl's diminutive body and teleported again to the dorm level of the mansion. Noticing many of the other students were heading to sleep, he made haste to her dorm, not wanting to cause a skeptical for he knew that news traveled fast through the younger students. Once finding the said room, he entered and set the girl down for he hoped the last time that night. Though he also wanted to hurry to the others, he was tempted to stay and watch her.
She was not an enemy, that had already been made clear. But she was also just as vulnerable and innocent than any other mutant. Kurt was sure she hadn't meant to harm the team as much as they to her, but he couldn't be certain.
Leaving her once more, he teleported to the front of the mansion then a few minutes later had arrived in the study, where he expected to find most of the superiors of the house, but among the group filing in were only the team who was sent on the mission, and the Professor.
"Thank you for joining us Kurt," the Professor greeted at the head of the room with Hank and Ororo.
"The rumors that have already spread are not true, she is not a threat and she is being welcomed here just like any else of you would. I know this task was difficult but I'm very grateful you all agreed to do so and did a very well job. Though I wished she had not been harmed in the process, that might not have been avoidable. And because I know none of you seem ardent as to letting her wander the halls freely, I've had Kurt set her in a dorm, in between Rogue's and yours Bobby."
"What? Professor-"
"Don't fret Bobby, you shouldn't be worried, she's only a girl," The Professor smiled as he spoke. Bobby smirked sheepishly then abided through the rest of the lecture.
"Chuck she needs to be in a holding cell until we can control her, you didn't see what she did to us, she's dangerous."
"No Logan she is not, and we're not going to control her, it would only scare her more, and that is what causes her to react in such ways she did tonight. And so we don't see her as 'the mutant', her name is Lisa."
No one spoke, not even Jean, who had been eager to inquire the Professor as to why she couldn't reach passed the enclosure set around the Lisa's mind. Yet every one of them there were all stocked of questions, they were too tired to query then.
"Now I'm more than certain she will wake when morning comes and no earlier, so I want you all to make sure to keep an eye out when she does. If she happens to put up a fight do not engage her. Let her absorb her surroundings."
"What if she attacks one of the students?" Scott asked.
"I am more than certain she will not, but if by some chance it does occur… I give you all permission to handle it. But do not harm her."
"What do you expect us to do then?" Logan's tone was quizzical, but sarcastic.
"I expect you to be cautious Logan. We cannot afford to harm her or anger her in anyway, and that being said, it would be a better choice to leave her be. I simply wished to inform you of her presence now at the mansion. She will be treated like any other student here and nothing less, is that understood?"
"Charles I know your concern for her, but you didn't experience what we did tonight. If she wanted to, she could damage the mansion and hurt some of the children. I do agree with Logan," Hank opined.
The Professor sighed. "Alright. When she does awake, and if she does cause a problem then we will set her in a holding cell, but not until the morning. I'm positive she will only be a little startled. But let her adjust where she is. Now I want you all to get rest. Tomorrow will be an interesting day."
There were a few murmurs among them, but reluctantly Kitty was the first to depart.
"I'm beat, I'm goin' to bed," she declared, yawning and heading out to the main hallway. "Goodnight Professor!"
"Goodnight Kitty, goodnight to all of you," he bid them a farewell as they did to him, and soon everyone filtered out. Though he was alone, Charles felt as if there was someone still there, lingering in the air around him. Part of him knew it was only the presence of another strong telepath in the mansion but then again, he hadn't felt the same with Jean. Lisa was different.
When Jean had first resided to the mansion she was unstable and could not control her powers at all. With time she progressed but still, she didn't know the full extent of her abilities. Lisa on the other hand, was well equipped with her powers and it was obvious. The Professor knew she still had much to learn, but couldn't help but wonder whether she acknowledged it. If she was as powerful as he took her to be there was no telling what she knew or what she didn't. He only hoped she didn't cause trouble, for she was an asset to the team and an advantage in the future.
She was bound to have unveiled abilities and knowledge. He was rather excited to understand her further, but he would be patient. Charles Xavier was composed.
He didn't yearn to rush Lisa into becoming a student, and he doubted she would be eager to once she awoke. So he would wait.
Sighing contently, he let himself wander his own thoughts while the moon outside shined brightly into the cracked curtains. All was going to play out in a whimsical turn of events the next morning, and he discerned that matter.