Thank you everyone for your reviews! Now, a lot of you were mentioning a mutant called Callisto whom I quickly looked up online (I do a lot of research when I can.) However, even before this mutant had been mentioned I had been planning to follow the Morlocks setting as it is in the game X-Men Legends since you learn about the Morlocks during the plot and fight them, etc. So, I'll be using the leader used in the game, the appearance of their Den and appearance of the characters. After all, it is movie-verse so it could very well turn out this way onscreen! Reasons for this leader however, are part of the plot.. and it'll all come clear as we go along!

Chapter 7

Through the murky darkness of the sewer tunnel, the large circular stood silent. A greenish tint was in the air and made the environment seem somewhat mouldy. Gambit was still stood a short way in front of the group, eyes watching the circular door in front of him suspiciously. It had a smaller green wheel in the centre that looked like if it were turned, it would unlock. However, Gambit appeared hesitant to do this.

"We can't just stand here forever," said Scott as he walked forward towards Gambit, causing a sudden splash as his boots waded through the water. It then seemed that Scott was now ready to accept that there were mutants living in the sewers, "We need to let them know we're here."

"Don't worry, Cyclops," muttered Gambit quietly as he watched the door, "They'll know we're here.. and they'll be waiting for us on the other side of this door."

The X-Men shared cautious glances. "Shouldn't we open the door?" asked Storm, but before she could finish her sentence, the wheel in the centre of the door had turned without any aid from this side. Gambit and Scott quickly pulled back as the large metal door swung open towards them with a droning creak. Light spilled inside the dank tunnel as the door was pushed open through the shallow water. Gambit and Scott, the mutants nearest the door hesitantly peered in as the door was opened. The X-Men behind them walked closer to view inside.

A large hollow cave opened out from the circular opening in the brick tunnel end. The gurgling shallow water at their feet trickled gently across the smooth brick opening and spilt idly into a narrow little stream that ran across steps and upon a stone floor before it was deposited continuously into a vast lake of sewer water that swirled around the centre of the cavern. Walkways surrounded the cave-like area with rickety metal railings separating what could only be living space from the greenish water.

Small shacks were stood against the grimy brick walls, shelters made out of rusty corrugated metal and grubby tarpaulin. An uneven mixture of bricks and cobbles made the floor, which trickled with damp. But the X-Men couldn't enter this den of sorts because there was a small group stood a short way from this entrance. The greenish tint to the environment seemed to affect the people living there, for they even seemed a little green themselves. From what the X-Men could see, these people looked very strange. They were weird even for mutants. They were all dressed in ragged clothes, torn and dirtied, styles that were out of fashion. But even so, their clothes were customised enough with threatening looking additions that no one was ready to question their appearance. There were mixtures of ages, gender and size but all look particularly bitter and displeased at the arrival.

The closest was a tall young woman who was stood a little way in front of the team. Her hair was a deep magenta and fell in short shaggy waves about her head. Whilst proportionality her body was normal, out of her back arched three curved shapes. The colour and texture proved it to be bone. The rest of her body was clothed in a tight green and black outfit, cropped to reveal her midriff whilst the rest covered long booted legs. Her face was twisted into an unwelcoming smile and her eyes glared harshly beneath her fringe and protruding bones at her forehead.

"Gambit," she said softly, with the same smile on her face that was oddly disconcerting. "What a surprise to see you here again."

Gambit watched her in return with a cautious expression before it smoothened with a charming smile, "Marrow," he greeted with a courteous bow. He glanced over at some of the other Morlocks stood around Marrow. All looked displeased and regarded Gambit with narrowed eyes.

Marrow also studied the people Gambit was with. Her face consorted with a fierce frown, "The X-Men," she said, in a tone that suggested she would prefer to spit as she spoke their name.

Scott stepped forward, to the side of Gambit and past him. Gambit watched Scott curiously as he made to pass. Gambit instinctively held out his arm to stop Scott travelling down the steps. Marrow laughed quite cruelly at Gambit's actions, and the small group of Morlocks behind her joined in after.

"Where's Magneto and Mystique?" said Scott fiercely, clearly not taking the hints that these Morlocks were far from friendly. "Two mutants got lost. Did you see them?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," said Marrow in an airy voice as she gave Scott a glared once over like he was carrying something contagious.

Gambit then intervened, "Then why were you all stood here waiting for us if you didn't not know we'd come looking."

Marrow snapped her eyes upon him, "Obviously nothing gets past you, does it Gambit?" she sneered.

"We've come to find them, so move out of the way and let us go, kid."

"And who are you?" snarled Marrow as her eyes fastened upon Wolverine.

"Nobody you need to know about," retorted Logan with a snarl to over power hers.

"They are staying here. When unwanted people, mutant or humans alike stray into the Morlock's Den, they don't leave. You know that Gambit," Marrow spread him a grim smile. "Especially anyone associated with the X-Men or the Brotherhood."

Wolverine snorted quietly, "Oh hell. This is too much trouble, why can't we just leave them to the freaks?"

"Logan.." hissed Jean quietly.

Marrow stretched her arms slowly with an echoing crack. Her eyes flashed nastily upon Logan. "We've heard that the Mutant Registration act is going to be passed, because of something you, the X-Men, did in Canada. So I see no reason for us to let you come into our home and retrieve wanderers."

"Then let us help you," said Scott, brushing Gambit's arm aside, "Gambit told us you lost outside help a year ago. We will help you; we will battle against the Registration Act. We will give you the aid you lost." The state of their Den proved that the lack of outside help was affecting them badly. Almost everything was dirty and ruined, from a mouldy looking sofa overlooking the water to a rusty bedstead sat miserably in the corner. It was poverty.

Marrow folded her arms slowly, watching Scott with a curious expression as she thought, "And what do you want in return?"

"Your cooperation. And that means letting the lost mutants free."

For a short moment, Marrow remained silent. She took one glance over the nearby surroundings of the poor home she watched over. "Very well.. But remember this, don't lose our trust." Marrow eyes slowly settled upon Gambit, "Because that's one thing the Morlocks do not forget." She turned slowly, shouting across the cavern, which echoed eerily with her voice, "Thornn! Bring them over!"

The crowd parted as a female Morlock led Magneto and Mystique across the main bridge that arched across the deep murky water below. The two mutants still weakened by their mind control and lack of nutrition, had been no match to fight the angry Morlocks. But their ego looked battered more so than their bodies. Thornn, a brown furred woman with long curls of deep crimson stopped besides Marrow with a nod. A long prehensile tail swayed behind her.

"Take them," said Marrow sharply to Scott. Magneto passed her with an angry sweep of his cloak as he flashed her a look of pure hatred. Followed by Mystique, he climbed the short steps out of the door to join the X-Men. Both he and Mystique looking bitter and disgraced. "Come back again when you have succeeded. For now.." she gave Gambit a glare, "we are on your side. Go."


Thank you for reading! Please review, they help me so much!