I own a creepy brown ceramic monkey but not the X-Men. The world is an unfair place.
Irual, glad you liked the fight scene, it was my favorite part about writing chapter 6
Chiglet66, thanks for taking the time to read my stories.
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Ch.7 - Reunited
"I think we're being followed yo."
Lance followed Toad's gaze and spotted a black sedan two cars back and one lane over. He, Toad, Fred and Pietro had followed the train tracks to a nearby road and had managed to hitchhike from there. At the moment they were piled into the back of a red pickup truck. The truck took an exit and sure enough the black car quickly changed lanes and took the same exit. With a quick look to see in anyone was watching him Toad spit his slime towards the car's wheels. The vehicle slid and nearly lost control as it pulled off the road. Before it even came to a stop Pietro jumped off the truck and ran over to it. By the time the people inside began to unbuckle he had their hood up, their spark plugs removed and was back in the truck bed.
"That should keep them from catching up."
He said with a smirk as he dropped the spark plugs at Lance's feet. They stayed in the truck for another hour until they reached the outskirts of a city. With the sun going down in a few hours they knew they needed to find a place to crash for the night. While looking for a cheep motel the sound of train whistles hit their ears.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Grins that screamed trouble were shared and the four found their way to the train yard.
"That one."
Pietro had run into the main office building and came back with a copy of the train schedule and their routs.
"It's going all the way to New York and we can jump off about a mile from the place the Professor showed us."
Quickly the group crossed the tracks and headed for the open box car Pietro had pointed to. The hardest part proved to be getting Fred into the train car. With a combined effort they managed to pull him in before the engine picked up too much speed. It was comforting to be traveling by railroad again. The car they had jumped into was half full of wooden crates but there was plenty of room for them.
"Do you think the others made it out ok?"
Lance asked to no one in particular as he leaned against the open door watching the countryside go bye. No answer was given and the four young men settled in for a long ride.
The woods were quiet except for the wind blowing through the trees. They had been walking for hours and the children were growing tired but were too scared to voice their complaints. Even so it was clear they were close to exhaustion.
"Kitty, should we stop? The kids can't go much further."
Forge already had one little girl asleep on his back and he agreed with Kurt. Looking over the tired faces Kitty knew Kurt was right.
"Ok, lets take a break."
The kids eagerly stopped walking, some sat against trees while others completely laid down. With an eye on the children Kitty, Kurt and Forge tried to plan their next move.
"We can't stay here."
"And we can't keep moving, the kids are exhausted as it is."
Searching the woods for any sign of life her gaze turned up a nearby tree.
"Kurt, do you think you could head up that tree and get a look around?"
"Ya."
He was gone in a puff of smoke and returned moments later.
"There is a town north of here, it doesn't look that far."
Before the kids could fall asleep they continued with their hike. With Kurt leading the way the group soon came to the edge of the woods. There was a road running parallel with the tree line and the group stopped before walking into the open.
"I'll stay with the kids."
Kurt said with a half grin. It would be easier for Kitty and Forge to go unnoticed in the town, blue fur and a tail tended to draw attention. Agreeing to be back before nightfall the two left the group well hidden in the woods and they began their trek down the road. By the time they reached the town the sun was going down and the streets were mostly empty. Kitty was the one to spot the school first.
"Can you drive a bus?"
Not waiting for a reply Kitty took hold of Forge's hand and pulled him in towards the building. Around the back they found a line of parked school buses behind a ten foot chain link fence. Kitty got them in and while Forge worked on starting the bus Kitty disappeared into the school. She came back minuets later with a bag full of food she had found in the cafeteria for the summer school lunches.
"You ready?"
"Yea, just waiting for you."
The bus roared to life and after phasing through the fence they quickly returned to the place where Kurt was waiting. Stopping just long enough for everyone to get on Kitty did a quick head count as she and Kurt passed out the food. After eating the kids spread out one to a bench, quickly falling asleep as the days events took their toll. Kitty and Kurt sat in the front two benches while Forge drove. With a flashlight and a map she found behind Forge's seat Kitty looked at their rout with Kurt.
"How are we doing on gas?"
"Just under a full tank, I should be able to drive for a while before we hit empty. You two get some sleep and I'll wake you up in a few hours to change drivers."
With a final glance over the sleeping children Kitty and Kurt made themselves as comfortable as they could. When Forge pulled off the road hours later Kitty awoke at the sudden jerk.
"Where are we?"
"Eastern Tennessee."
Stretching her arms she stood up and looked out the window. The sky was still dark and the only light came from the headlights. Showing her the road they needed to take Forge changed places with her and was asleep before Kitty hit the gas peddle.
The morning brought with it more soldiers and a very annoyed Colonel Brandon. He had spent weeks planning this attack and instead of a few dozen mutant prisoners he had over two hundred thousand dollars in property damage. The field was littered with twisted metal and upside down military vehicles while the remnants of their newest weapon were being collected. The Sentinel was supposed to be the answer to mutants but by the looks of the scattered metal parts it would need more work. What was left of the train still burned on the tracks, the thick black smoke rising into the air. A young soldier nervously stopped in front of him with a salute.
"Sir, we don't have any mutants in custody."
He nearly growled in frustration.
"I already know that, what I don't know is why the hell not!"
The soldier took a step back and was relieved when one of the lieutenants walked over with some papers, giving him the opportunity to return to the clean up.
"Sir, we have reports of a stolen vehicle from a nearby town, a missing bus from a local school and suspicious character sighting along the interstate. Also a few of our men had been following a small group of possible mutants but their car broke down before they could confirm."
"Which way are they heading?"
"East by the looks of it, but we don't know the exact destination."
There were some shouts from the engine and two men were seen running away from the tracks shouting for everyone to take cover. Seconds later a computerized voice could be heard.
"Self Destruct Engaged, Have a nice day."
The engine exploded. One of the men who had dived out of the train quickly ran to the Colonel.
"Sir, this triggered the self destruct."
In his hand he held a dashboard hula girl. The Colonel took it and spoke in a surprisingly calm voice.
"I want all information regarding Xavier on my desk in an hour!"
Dropping the hula girl he turned away from the soldiers and into a nearby tent. He needed a drink
With Storm providing cover Logan and Scott managed to clear a path for the Professor, Jean and Hank to follow behind. After commandeering one of the few trucks still on its wheels they rode Jean's telekinesis over the soldiers, landing safely on a deserted road. Only stopping to refill the gas tank and change drivers they drove through the night. It was early in the evening and they were all exhausted but as the truck rolled passed the main gate (which hung crookedly on its rusted and bent hinges) none of them seemed to notice. They had finally reached the meeting place and now that he was there Scott had a disbelieving look on his face as he studied the mansion.
"Professor, are you sure this is the place?"
The Professor just smiled and directed Hank to park near the front porch. As they stretched their sore limbs Jean and Scott looked around. The grounds were impressive even if in need of serious work. The grass was knee high and wild flowers had grown up around the brick wall separating the outside world from the mansion's front yard. Thick vines were growing up one of the columns near the front door and the mansion itself looked in need of a paint job. The tall windows had been boarded up and there was a chain across the front doors. Despite the disrepair the building still held onto its grandeur.
Logan made quick work of the chain and the doors groaned loudly in protest as they were pushed open. Leaves and old newspapers were littered across the entrance hall, white sheets were thrown over pieces of furniture and a few birds flew around the chandelier as the sudden intrusion. Venturing away from the group Jean and Scott explored the first couple of rooms and found a living room, a library and a dinning hall.
"Is this your home Charles?"
Ororo was blowing some of the leaves and newspapers out of the hall with her wind while Logan propped the doors open.
"Yes, I lived here until I left for college. I haven't been back since."
Jean and Scott returned and took a seat on the grand staircase. Nearby Hank pulled off one of the white sheets to reveal a grandfather clock. Logan was in the doorway watching the traffic go by when a school bus stopped just pass the gate, reversed and turned into the driveway.
"The kids are here."
Everyone rushed outside as the bus came to a stop. Storm breathed a sigh of relief and ran down the steps to great the children.
"Thank goodness you are all aright."
She pulled as many of them as she could into a hug before doing the same with Kitty, Kurt and Forge. Ushering the kids into the mansion Hank checked them for injuries.
"I'm hungry."
"Me too."
"Do you have anything to eat?"
The chorus of food related questions rang throughout the entrance hall. Storm looked to the Professor for an answer.
"There is a grocery store not far from here."
Scott and Jean volunteered to go and after retrieving the truck keys from Logan they left in search of food. When they returned Bobby and Jubilee were the ones to help carry in the groceries.
"How did you guys find your way here?"
Jean asked Jubilee as she handed over a few of the bags.
"X and Rahne led us out of the woods and we caught a ride with a nice old couple driving cross country in an RV. They dropped us off a few miles from here and we walked the rest of the way."
Following Bobby to the kitchen they handed over the food to Kurt and Evan who were helping Storm prepare a large dinner. Kitty was in the dinning room and had the kids setting out plates and silverware. Just as the smell of Storms cooking began drifting through the air the sound of a car coming near alerted them to more arrivals.
Wanda parked the car between the bus and the truck. Remy was one of the first to get out and he in turn helped Rogue from the car. The blood loss and pain killers had left her weak. Piotr and John exchanged a nervous look before heading towards the front steps while Wanda helped Remy with Rogue. John had just reached the top of the steps when Logan appeared in the open doorway with Toby and Kitty.
Once sure Remy had a good hold on Rogue Wanda rushed up the steps and gathered the young boy into her arms for a crushing hug. She kissed his forehead twice, held him at arms length to check if he was alright then pulled him into another hug. John waited for Wanda to be satisfied that Toby was unharmed and as soon as the boy was free John pulled him into a one armed hug.
"How you been mate?"
"Kitty and Forge stole a bus, we drove all night and day and now Storm is making dinner."
He said it all in one breath with a grin on his face. As soon as he finished he grabbed Wanda's hand and led them into the mansion as he continued to tell them about hiding in the woods and playing the license plate game.
As soon as Kitty saw Piotr she Kitty jumped into his arms.
"I am relieved to see you as well Katya."
He breathed out as he held her tight and buried his face into the crook of her neck.
"I was so worried about you!"
He let her down and kissed her. With her hand holding his in an almost painful grip he let her drag him into the mansion towards the smell of cooking food.
"Where's da doctor?"
Remy had his arm around Rogue's waist and was leading her gently towards the mansion. She looked paler then usual. Even though she insisted she was fine Remy forced her to sit on the stairs while Logan went to find Hank. Beast had just finished wrapping her arm in clean gauze when Pietro ran into the room. He was followed by Lance, Toad and Fred.
"You made it just in time for Dinner."
Hank said as he packed away his medical supplies.
"Sweet!"
Toad and Fred high fived as they headed towards the smell of food. Rogue and Remy followed them. Logan just shook his head and he closed the doors.
"You boys are the last ones here. Did you run into any trouble?"
Lance and Pietro exchanged looks.
"We were being followed at one point but we lost them."
Logan gave them a look that could almost be called approval.
Stacks of papers were strewn across the desk. He had spent the last several hours reading every document even remotely related to Charles Xavier and he finally had an idea where the mutants had run away to. His lieutenant entered he tent with a cup of coffee and a plate of food.
"Sir, the mess tent sent this over."
Taking the coffee he drank the black liquid and a dark smile came across his face.
"New York"
"I'm sorry sir?"
"They're in New York."
He pointed to an old black and white picture of a large mansion sitting on top of one of the paper stacks.
"Get me in touch with the Command. We need to change focus."
With a salute his lieutenant left him alone. Colonel Brandon picked up a copy of an estate deed and grinned as he read the name Charles Xavier.
It was a miracle that everyone could fit around the table. Storm had made large pots of spaghetti, green beans and corn to feed the hungry group and by the time the mutants were helping themselves to seconds stories were being traded.
"Ah can't believe yall got picked up by an RV."
Bobby had just finished telling about getting picked up by a nice elderly couple.
"Amara told them we were students and our bus broke down. They were heading to Main so we got lucky and they took us as far as Bayville."
The Professor called for everyone's attention and as soon as all eyes were on his he began to speak.
"I just want to say how proud I am of you all, you defended yourselves and your fellow mutants when we were under attack and when the time came to retreat you handled yourself with maturity beyond your years. We may never be able to return to our lives in the Circus but I am glad you are all safe and we are together again. This has been my family's home for generations and you are all welcome to stay here. Our future is uncertain but as long as we face it together I know we will prevail."
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I finished this sooner then I expected so I hope yall enjoy the early update! Colonel Brandon is named after my room mates boyfriend because he wouldn't shut up about wanting to be in the story.
Please Review.
