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CHAPTER SEVEN

The cell in which they found themselves wasn't so much a cell as a giant glass sphere. It needed to be large, since it was currently playing host to eleven mutants and one ordinary human. Of those imprisoned, the one in the worst shape was Professor X. His legs were almost completely gone as a result of Avalanche's attack, leaving only his head, arms and torso. Storm knelt by him, examining the damage with some concern. "I'm sorry, Professor, but…I wouldn't even know where to start repairing this. Forge was the one who built your body in the first place and…"

"…he is long dead,"Professor X concluded. "Well, losing the use of my legs is not a new experience for me. If there is anything that can be done, it must be done another time. For the moment, our problem is what state Black Tom and the Brotherhood intend to leave us in."

"He'll try and kill us,"Banshee replied. "It's the only way he can legally inherit th'keep." He looked at Siryn. "I really wish you hadn't come here, Therese."

Siryn shrugged. "I kind of had to, Dad. You were in trouble."

Banshee smiled at her. "And very brave it was of you too."

"That's why he wants to kill you,"Warren noted. "What about the rest of us?"

"I guess he figured that the X-Men would come after him if I was killed. Best to get you before you got him."

"But why did he need to keep you alive?"Bobby asked.

"If Sean had been killed, the Professor would have sensed it,"Moira pointed out. "You wouldn't have held back as much."

"Yeah, that makes sense,"Wolverine agreed.

Rogue was examining the surface of their prison. "If I had my powers, I could break this easily."

"So could I,"Colossus echoed. "But we don't."

Beast tugged at his collar, identical to the ones worn by the others. "This is indeed an ingenious if somewhat nefarious invention. Do you have any idea of the operation?"

Jubilee shrugged. "They put them on us while the rest of you were unconscious. Said they would stop us using our powers. That's all I know."

"There is a chance,"Professor X observed. "I sent out a telepathic message to Sam while still active. He knows what has happened."

"So we're waiting for those New Mutants to come and rescue us?"Wolverine asked. "They're just kids!"

"Most of us were once,"Rogue pointed out.


"I tell you, I heard the Professor,"Sam insisted to the rest of the older students: Leech, Doug, Dani…and, by default, Rahne.

"Right,"Doug commented sarcastically. "The X-Men couldn't handle something so they asked you for help."

"Not just me, all of us! He needs the New Mutants, us."

"What if you're wrong?"Dani asked. "What if we just get into trouble and make things worse for the X-Men?"

"We can't think like that. We've been messing about in training. Now it's time to put these powers to good use."

"Sam's right,"Leech agreed. "The X-Men do need help sometimes. We need to get out there."

"I could call Havok and Polaris back,"Wolfsbane suggested.

Sam shook his head. "No time. But…it'd be good if you could come with us."

Rahne nodded. "Okay, I'm onboard."

"Dani, sort out a uniform for her."

Dani looked at him, somewhat disgruntled. "Why me?"

"Because you'll be better at telling what size she is." Before Dani could respond to the remark, Sam had led Doug and Leech out into the hallway. He quickly spotted his sister. "Paige!"

Paige looked round. "Yeah, what is it, big brother?"

"I hate to say this but…you're in charge." Sam paused for a moment before adding,"Don't break anything."


Cannonball was already at the controls of the spare X-Jet when Dani and Rahne arrived. Like the three boys, they had changed into green New Mutant uniforms. Dani looked at Cannonball with some concern. "Do you know how to fly this thing?"

"I've seen Logan do it loads of times."

Not exactly mollified, Dani took her seat.

Doug glanced across at Rahne. "You okay with that uniform?"

Rahne pulled at it slightly. "I'm not sure about the colour."

"Neither was I at first,"Leech agreed. "You get used to it."

"Everyone strapped in?"Cannonball asked as he pulled on the joystick. "Because here we go!"


Avalanche was watching the captive X-Men on a monitor screen. Black Tom came up behind him. "Quite an enthralling sight, isn't it?"

Avalanche glanced back at him, seeming less than enthralled. "They're not doing anything."

"Not so far. It's all about building up tension."

"Yeah, real nice,"snorted Juggernaut as he and Blob approached. "But when are we gonna kill them?"

Black Tom looked at Blob. "Is that what you want too?"

Blob shrugged. "Seems like a good idea."

He looked at Avalanche. "And you?" Avalanche nodded. "Then you should all be pleased. I have some ways to dispose of our X-Men and my dear cousin. And they should be very entertaining."