Chapter 10: Don't Punch Cthulhu
Charles looked up at the sound of a knock on his study door.
"Charles? It's me. Is it okay if I come in?" Raven's voice questioned from the other side. Charles got up and unlocked the door, then hastily retreated to the sofa. Raven eyed him with concern as she entered. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm safe for now." Charles replied. "I believe I can suppress it as long as I remain calm. I'm sorry if I scared you earlier. I… I was upset."
"Are you really sure you should be fighting this?" Raven asked, sitting in the armchair and pulling it up to face him. Charles smiled weakly.
"I am fairly sure, yes." He confirmed. Raven frowned at him looking like she wanted to argue, but he continued. "This isn't about denying my mutation, Raven. This isn't even the first time it's happened. It's just more sustained."
"I don't remember…"
"You wouldn't. It all happened before your arrival. We were practically babies…" Charles trailed off. There was a haunted look in his usually bright, blue eyes. "Mother told you how I had a twin?"
"Yeah, I remember, but there was some kind of accident in your nursery and…" Raven's brow furrowed when she noticed the guilty way he'd begun to avoid her gaze. "Charles! You were like, two years old! You couldn't have been responsible!"
"We were fighting over a toy." Charles confessed quietly. Raven just stared at him, shaking her head in disbelief. "I didn't mean to—I didn't know what I was doing. I just wanted him to let go and then he just sort of… Flew. He was so still. The maid ran over and grabbed me. She was screaming for someone to help us, but it was too late. I already couldn't feel him anymore…" Charles sniffed and wiped away a stray tear, still refusing to look at his sister. "There were a few more incidents, but Mother just kept covering them up. I'm not sure how much she knew, or what she thought it was. No one else died, at least. When I was eight, I locked it all away. I thought that it was all over."
"Charles…" Raven said quietly, uncertain what she wanted to say, and pulled him into a hug. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry."
Charles sniffed, clinging to her for a moment as he tried to gather his wits. The objects on the desk behind Raven were beginning to vibrate.
"You need to go." Charles observed, wiping covertly at his cheek. Raven glanced back over her shoulder at the objects on the trembling oak desk, but then just turned back to Charles to fuss with the navy blue throw draped around his shoulders.
"It's getting pretty cold in here." She noted, not meeting his eyes.
"Raven…"
"Maybe you should migrate to a room where the windows aren't all shattered." Raven continued ignoring him. Charles grabbed her hands and forced her to look at him.
"Raven, you need to leave. I'll be alright, I promise, but it isn't safe for you to be here right now."
Raven drew in a deep breath before nodding and standing to leave. She paused to place a quick kiss on the top of his head before exiting the room. Charles ran a hand through his hair and shut his eyes, flopping back on the couch. He had to get ahold of himself. This simply couldn't continue. He needed to be better when the others returned. He was going to see Erik when he came home, and their son. It had to be under control, so it would be, he decided, getting to work on the solution.
"Get out of the way." Moss snapped, aiming her pistol at Apocalypse's chest. He crossed his arms. It was clear that he wasn't going to budge. "Fine. I didn't like you anyway." Moss concluded and opened fire.
"No!" Erik protested, reaching out an arm instinctively from where he lay on the floor, but alas, his powers were still being suppressed. Arawn's body slumped face-down on the floor in a pool of ruby-black blood. Jubilee was huddled behind him on the floor with her arms held up to shield her head.
"Seriously?" Moss remarked indignantly at Jubilee's completely uninjured state. The Blonde shrugged it off. "That kid must've had some thick skin."
"You will find that was a rash decision on your part." I told her before receding from Jubilee's mind. Moss frowned at the little girl's normalizing appearance, reloading her revolver then snapped her attention to me. I sat up and pulled out my breathing tube, coughing and gasping in air. She aimed her gun at my head.
"Eugh! Tastes like plastic."I remarked. She smirked hatefully, pulling back the hammer on her revolver. "You never learn, do you." I said, finally acknowledging her.
"Famous last words." Moss returned. She was about to pull the trigger when a wet-sounding cough broke the tense silence. "Holy shit…" She gasped taking a hasty step away from Arawn. The others all stared as he pushed himself up off the ruined carpet looking understandably annoyed. He sat up and the bullets rolled off of him onto the floor. Moss aimed her gun at his head. I scoffed.
"I'd give that an F+." I quipped, stretching. Arawn ripped open his stained and tattered, black, button down shirt to pull one more bullet out of a rapidly vanishing wound in his chest.
"What the fuck?" Moss exclaimed. Apocalypse shot her a bemused expression, before shifting his attention over his shoulder to Jubilee.
"You alright, Cariad?" He inquired. She nodded mutely. "Good." He replied and swept her up into his arms, depositing her onto the bed beside me. "There you go." He turned back to Moss, pausing to regard Erik briefly before he spoke. "You were saying?"
"I killed you." Moss said. She shook herself. "That's it? You're a regenerator? Why the hell didn't anybody tell me!?"
"Mmm…' Apocalypse acknowledged. Moss looked thoughtful, then snapped her gaze up to meet his. Instead of incapacitating him with her psionic attack it was reflected right back at her, causing her to stumble back into the table behind her. She fell to the ground, knocking a chair over on her way down. Arawn raised an eyebrow, watching this with passive detachment. Erik gasped and pushed himself up off the floor as Moss's hold on him failed.
"One moment." Apocalypse told him and stepped forward taking Moss's gun. Erik went over to check me for injuries, eyeing the other mutant warily. "Now, as I've mentioned, Miss Moss, I have rules." Apocalypse explained, kneeling down in front of her, then he paused, coughing a bit. He spit a bloody bullet out into his hand. "Ugh. Excuse me. Where was I?"
"Your rules." Erik supplied helpfully.
"Yes. Thank you. My Rules." Apocalypse continued. "Three of which refer specifically to killing. One: No killing infants (It is unfair and unkind). Two: No killing interesting individuals like young master Xavier here. And last but not least is number three: You do not kill me."
Moss blinked up at him, looking like a cornered wild animal.
"Not to wreck the mood or anything…" I cut in, earning myself a reproachful scowl from Erik. "But just out of curiosity, when we escape, are you going to get in the way?" Apocalypse slowly turned to give me a look that said, 'Seriously, Child?'
"Cheeky, aren't we." He responded, with a spark of amusement in his fiery, red eyes.
"Well?" I prompted.
"Francis!" Erik rebuked.
"Thank you." Apocalypse said. He turned back to Moss and any trace of his mirth left his visage in the blink of an eye. He looked her over with an unreadable expression. Erik's hold on my arm tightened, so perhaps he recognized it. "Hmmm… Perhaps it would be best if there were no children present to witness what I am about to do." Apocalypse reflected. Erik didn't need any further prompting; he just scooped Jubilee up off the bed and wrapped his other arm around me for support, quickly dragging us out of the room.
Part way down the hall we stopped at the sound of Moss' horrified scream coming from the room behind us. Jubilee clamped her hands over her ears and looked back at the door in shock. Erik put a hand on her shoulder and continued to lead us away.
"He'll probably still come after us once he's finished with that one." I noted. Erik shushed me. "Just thought you ought to know."
Charles lay back on the sofa, resting his head on the armrest and closed his eyes. He opened the in the dream. Looking to his right, he saw his two-year-old twin brother Michael building a palace out of scarlet blocks. They were in the nursery, but all the colors around them had dimmed, making everything appear bleak and monochromatic, except for Michael and his blocks.
Charles sat up and shrugged off the scarlet throw, leaving it behind on the black-leather couch.
"How did I get here?" Charles asked, coming to sit on the floor opposite the little ghost. He didn't really expect an answer. It was just a memory after all, a projection that was still too young to talk. Still, he figured it couldn't hurt to try. "I sealed this off ages ago." Charles continued, studying the phantom, who just continued to play with his blocks. "It was sealed away. I didn't have any other incidents since Dr. Morris. There have been several triggering events since then—But why would Amahl Farouk give me more power? He wouldn't. So: How did I get here?"
Charles got up and began to explore the nursery. Everything was as it had been on the day of the incident, minus Miss Abby, their nurse and Charles himself. Charles looked back to the couch. As usual, he'd brought it into the dream with him, creating a portal of sorts, to allow him an easy escape from the dream-world. It was gone. His grandfather's silver-handled cane was lying on the floor in its place on the edge of the colorless, Persian rug.
"I left that propped up on my desk." Charles noted, narrowing his eyes suspiciously as he considered the offending object. Charles Francis Xavier is nothing if not controlled. When he uses his ability, whether to project onto the astral plane or to explore his own or another's mind with his telepathy, he is always precise. He never brings anything in with him without consciously intending to. Seeing unexpected projections within a dreamscape was one thing. This was wrong. His point of exit should not change. "I'm not alone." Charles observed.
Marie and Alex stopped talking and looked up towards the stairs at the sound of someone coming down the stairs. Logan stood and sniffed the air.
"It's them. Erik and Francis. They've got the girl with them." He reported. A moment later, we came into view. Marie stood to greet us.
"No. Stay back." I corrected. "You too, Vater." I added over my shoulder, barely registering his surprise over our link. I transitioned, using the resultant boom to break open the door to Marie's cage. The circuit keeping the bars electrified short-circuited as an added bonus.
"Francis!" Marie exclaimed, running out and grabbing my shoulders so she could look me over.
"I'll live, Mammina." I assured her, then looked to where Erik was busting Logan and Alex out with his magnetism. "We should go."
"What about the other prisoners?" Alex asked, frowning.
"Not my problem."
"Francis!" Marie and Logan scolded.
"Give me a break. I have been locked in a cage for weeks, shot, electrocuted, and nearly murdered twice. I'm allowed to be a bit impatient!" I snapped. Marie stared at me with frighteningly watery eyes. "Don't cry." I added hastily.
"She pulled me into a hug. I patted her shoulder uncomfortably, thankful that she'd reigned herself in this much.
"Do you know where the others are?" Logan asked after a brief hesitation. I pointed back over my shoulder.
"Back that way and turn left for Cain. They've moved the other one so…"
"Thanks kid." Logan replied, turning to Erik. "I'll see if I can get them out, and meet up with you at the rendezvous point." Erik nodded and Logan ran off to fetch you. Marie released me adding.
"I'll help." And sped off after him.
Erik looked none too pleased at that, but she was gone before he could do much to dissuade her.
"She'll be fine." I assured him. Jubilee walked up and slipped her hand in mine, looking up at him questioningly. Erik sighed and began to lead us back to the stairs.
"Keep sharp." He instructed Alex. Alex nodded.
"Hey, Look at it this way." I continued. "At least most of the Shadow Kings minions have already been injured pre-escape this time."
"You know, sometimes I worry about your humanity." Alex told me. I smirked.
"Only sometimes?"
"Well, they are bad people." He pointed out diplomatically.
"Spoken like a true blond." I returned. He glared at me.
"What the F—"
"Boys!" Erik cut in sharply, waiting until we were both looking up at him before saying. "Be silent."
Charles cast his gaze around the room, searching for other clues about the foreign influence in his subconscious. There would be other details that were off, things that didn't belong. Just as every telepath has their own unique signature, every mind leaves a unique imprint on the dreamscape. The really interesting thing was that there was no telepathic signature, obvious or not. Whoever this was, they weren't registering as a telepath at all. There! Charles walked over and pulled the offending book from its place on the bookcase. It was a worn, leather-bound book that did not belong there.
"Grimm's Fairy Tales." He read aloud. "Interesting… You know I actually have one of these upstairs in my room. Cain brought it up from the library when Raven had the measles, but…" He trailed off when he saw the faded writing on the last page. He recognized the handwriting immediately. "Can't be." He swallowed and snapped the book shut with a loud clap, returning to his search.
He scanned the rest of the room but he couldn't seem to pick up anything else amiss. He knew there was something right there in front of him that he was missing. A thought suddenly drifted through his mind. Why am I here? He had come here to find a way to control his telekinesis had he not? Maybe it was time to try that out. He closed his eyes and reached out, no longer depending on the usual five senses, but on that other sense, feeling the vibrations of the different objects around him. Something did stand out. It felt entirely unfamiliar, so he called it into his hand, opening his eyes at the feeling of something soft but weighted in his grip. It was a doll. The face showed obvious signs of wear. There were cracks in the porcelain and what looked like a burn mark marred one painted cheek. The dress had been torn and re-sewn in three separate places and the fingers on one hand had broken off and had been lovingly reattached. Charles carefully tucked the doll under one arm and knelt down across from 'Michael', looking up briefly as a little boy with deep auburn hair ran past the doorway laughing. Red. Charles thought to himself. It was so obvious now. He remembered the dark-blue blanket that Raven had wrapped around his shoulders before she left, and the ivory colored blocks that he and Michael had been given to play with when they were small. 'Michael was watching him intently now. Charles smiled at him and held out the doll.
"I believe this is yours, Love." He told her calmly. The slender, redheaded, little girl held out her arms to accept the treasured toy. "I read these to you when you were little." Charles realized holding up the Grimm's Fairytales. "Or I will depending on how much things have changed." The little girl nodded. "You did this?"
The little girl hugged the doll to her chest quickly averting her gaze.
"No, no. I'm not cross with you, I promise." Charles clarified. "I'm merely curious. You've reached out to me somehow. You triggered my latent ability, but why did you reach for me?"
The little girl looked up at him with big, sad eyes and sniffed.
"Find me, please?" She requested. "I'm lost. Please, help me." Charles frowned in concern.
"I don't understand…"
She reached out and grabbed on of his hands. For a second, the image flickered red, changing from a tiny, child's hand to that of a grown woman, then back.
"Professor X?" The woman called. Then she was a girl again. "I want to come home."
I abruptly halted, ceasing not only to run but to move altogether. It took the others a second to notice and turn back to check on me.
"Francis?" Erik questioned jogging back to me. "What is it?" I didn't respond but closed my eyes reaching out through the familial link. Erik frowned becoming concerned. "Francis? Are you alright?" He clicked his fingers in front of my unseeing eyes.
"Shit." Alex muttered. Jubilee, who he happened to be carrying on his back, covered his mouth. "Sorry, Squirt."
I blinked, coming back to myself.
"Sorry, what?" I asked Erik his frown only deepened.
"What was that?"
"Something happened to the link. You didn't feel it?" I said, not quite surprised. Erik's eyes narrowed.
"What happened?" Alex inquired, pulling Jubilee's hand away from his face.
"A thing." I replied beginning to walk. "We should keep going. They're going to catch up." We didn't get much farther into the woods before they did indeed catch up to us. Erik grabbed me and pulled me behind him. I rolled my eyes. Like that would help. Arawn came strolling out to the front of the group.
"So, I'm fine." I observed. Alex looked incredulously at me. "What? I'm interesting."
"Boys." Erik reminded us. I made a zipping motion over my lips.
"How many times am I going to have to come and fetch you?" Arawn asked as the four soldiers moved to surround us.
"I would suggest that you cease." Erik replied stoically. Arawn smiled.
"I'll bet you would." He commented, clearly amused.
"Just this once, don't take it personally." I advised him.
"What?" Arawn asked with a frown.
You'll want to DUCK. I projected to the other X men. I leapt, spinning, into the air and transitioned, sending the thugs around us flying back into trees, but this time instead of switching right back I landed with one arm outstretched to Apocalypse's chest. When I solidified my hand was right in the center of his heart. A jolt of electricity danced over his body, then I yanked my hand away, covered in pitch black blood and heard him drop to the forest floor. I stood and surveyed my handiwork.
"Yep. He's going to take it personally." I concluded. Alex and Jubilee were staring at me openmouthed. Erik just looked resigned. "What do you want? He'll get better!" I said defensively. "Honestly! …Anyway, we should be gone when he wakes, or would you really rather play fair?" A muscle in Erik's jaw twitched but he nodded in agreement. Weird, why the hell is he mad?
"He's right. Let's keep moving."
Pietro jolted awake in his bed, his blue-grey eyes snapping open to scan the hotel room which the CIA had allowed him while his apartment was being scrutinized. He reached up and placed a hand to his head as he sat up. He'd felt something over our link. What the fuck was that? It didn't hurt, so there was that. He sighed in relief when he felt my signature ever-so-faintly as it brushed his mind.
What did you do? He projected fondly.
Wasn't me.
His eyes widened and his anxiety returned.
What do you mean it wasn't you?! What was that? I've never felt anything like that before, from you or X.
I doubt it was him. I have no idea. You good?
I think so. Your Dad?
…
Fluke?
He's not with us. Can't reach him directly.
What?
Oh, Vater's becoming impatient. Gotta go.
"Francis!?" Pietro called out pointlessly, then threw his pillow at the wall and got out of bed, pulling on a pair of trousers. He needed to know what was going on, but he couldn't risk breaking cover and knew for a fact that he was being watched. He couldn't even call the mansion due to a wire tap on his phone. There was a knock at his door. Who the hell could that be, at 6 am?
"Captain Kinkaid?" He greeted the unexpected visitor.
"Hi, Agent Frank." The Captain replied. "I'm sorry, Sir. I know it's late, but you told me to come to you if I needed help with anything extraordinary? Well I've got something for you."