A/N: I'm so sorry it took me so long - I was actually going to post it a week ago, but I had to deal with a whole lot of trouble around my new residence hall! Thanks to Claremonty, Descena, furygrrl and Amakusa for their reviews, and to all readers! And don't worry - those of the unresolved issues, which I won't need for later on, will be dealt with in the next chapter. To everyone who reads this – hope u like it, and don't forget to tell me what u think!
'Telepathy'/"Mental Answer"
Visions
Chapter 9: Shadows Of What Could Have Been
Previously: "But by all means, welcome" he gazed around himself, speaking simultaneously to the X-Men, his associates and the gathered soldiers "to my stronghold – the Bastion of both yours, and the humans' fallen dream…"
And true to his purpose, the Director's words did have an effect on everyone, eliciting stares ranging from horror and shock to vague recognition all around, and making the mutants divert their attention from the prisoners, who, they had in the meantime realised, had been drugged into semi-stupor, completely excluding any chance to get them out as quickly as the team wished. However, Hunter's address for some reason affected Jean differently, as a particular piece he had spilled unwittingly ensnared her thoughts. Bastion…it was as if the word was a catalyst, triggering a dormant branch of sorts of her telepathy, which had already been shaken out of its slumber by her, albeit short-lived, final evolution, and whose effects she was powerless to stop from overtaking her completely.
For, out of the depths of Time, she found herself almost forcefully connected with another, very familiar astral presence, while through her mind's eye, flashed its silent, yet so vivid message - a warning myriad of memories, from a future that, she knew with her whole being, couldn't be allowed to exist, whatever it took her to make sure of this…
…Betrayal leading to her imprisonment - as short as it was, but long enough for her captors to pump her with the drugs especially designed to inhibit her DNA, striving to ensure that she would remain in their control, so as not to impede their plans. The sounds of battle outside and Erik's voice, shaking with pain for her, yet soothing, despite his own injuries, telling her she was safe before darkness claimed her...
Twenty years of recovery, her mind struggling to chase away the nightmare that was now reality - mutant massacres, creations turning against their creators, death camps for humans and mutants alike under the Sentinels' iron feet, endless decimation, and the end of almost everyone she'd known. It would surely have driven her into insanity, if she hadn't been constantly immersed in the fierce, unconditional love of two men, both - living, breathing, fighting solely for her, and for the day when she would awaken once more…
Waking up, only to meet a pair of endlessly relieved sky-blue orbs, and the tears withheld in their depths, born out of knowing that she was finally out of danger, as she then caught another, this time crimson gaze looking on from the shadows, mirroring the emotions in the other man's… Destruction and blood raining around, while she brushed a silvery lock away from the peaceful face of the Resistance's Leader, as the harsh truth shred her into a million agonising pieces. But the light heartbeat from within the bump in her abdomen brought back her life and fire, as - rage building rapidly within; she resolutely faced a familiar, gloating enemy, vowing eternal vengeance on him and his kind…
And deep in a South Pole cavern, tears streaming down her cheeks, she clutched tightly the cold, lifeless hands of the only two men, who had ever held her heart – and who ironically, happened to be the sole ones, she couldn't bring back, finally letting herself truly hate the man, who had turned traitor of them all…
It was too much, too excruciating, that she had to choke the scream of pain threatening to escape her lips, hurling the visions back to their source, at last able to once again feel her own body shivering in Erik's gentle hold. He quickly grasped that she was, thankfully, unharmed and recovering at a fast pace, enveloping her in his calming warmth, which infallibly helped her deal with the assault her mind had just experienced. Yet, like the rest of their team, he too had found himself reliving all the horrors, ache and losses of that mortifying possibility, though in his case, because of their bond, it had been as potent as her own.
However, while the mutants struggled for breath, still submerged in the sheer impact of what they had unwittingly witnessed in the past few seconds, and the implications it had concerning the current situation, the other two supervisors of the Sentinel project, finally managed to recover from their own shock at the Director's last words, with Gyrich snapping at him "I've had enough of your desire for control! What do you mean it's yours, damn it? Unless you've forgotten, Bolivar and I still run this scheme as well!" Yet, Hunter's blinding gaze pierced straight through the NS agent, and both he and Trask backed away in fear, as a cruel smirk gradually creased his features "Not anymore."
And before they could bring themselves to react in any way, both men found guns pointed at them too. However, when Trask gave immediate orders to the troops to withdraw, he was shockingly met with a whole bunch of defiant expressions, as the Head Guard stated right in his face "You are no longer the ones in charge around here." Yet, the bigger blow for the pair came when both Trask and Gyrich, unable to hold back their gasps of horror, as well as the mutants, noticed that about a hundred of the soldiers sported glowing gazes just like Hunter's.
"Oh, no…" was all the grizzle-haired scientist could muster, feeling his knees begin to buckle from under him, while his colleague couldn't even speak. The Director, for his part, didn't even acknowledge the other two men or the mutant team, speaking instead only to Phoenix "Despite your efforts, he's safe – and you'll never reach the other one. You won't take my future away from me again…" However, her whole air said 'Don't think you've won yet.', as she locked her flaming gaze with his, smirking "I wouldn't count on that, for, as the ultimate nexus being, my mind reaches through Space, Time and Reality, to every one of me there is, and could be, and I know you're no longer who you were – but nor will I let you be who you are for long…Bastion, child of Master Mold and Nimrod."
That acted like a real nuclear explosion, making everyone – even the soldiers, stare at the two, fully dumbfounded. However, the two human leaders of the Genoshan project were in particularly bad state from Phoenix's revelation. Gyrich in fact looked ready to be sick, whether from fear or simple disgust no one knew, as he threw the red-haired psychic a stunned gaze, gesturing towards Bastion "He's a robot?" But it was Trask – eyes glassy, and giving off the odd impression that something was stripped from their depths, who replied "Not completely anymore…which explains a lot…"
He was utterly shaken, his hands trembling, as he caught his spinning head in them, still trying to process the whole story "What did I mix myself into?" while Gyrich spat out to the hybrid, fists clenched and face twisted in anger, as he couldn't take his horrified look from those hundred sentries that sported glowing eyes "What have you done to them, you sick bastard?" his rage abruptly changed to a blank expression "What have we done…?" Yet, Bastion glared at him with a mixture of disdain and disgust "A bit too late for that, don't you think? I kept my end of the deal, and it's not my fault they got destroyed. But I have come up with something better…" He gestured towards the affected soldiers, and the mutants gasped, starting to realise what he wanted, as some pieces of the puzzle finally fell in their places.
"Yes, my Lady," he once again addressed only Phoenix, mock reverence marring his tone "I've planned exactly that – in fact, it's already executed…" he feigned a frown "But I can't let you take my inspiration from me, now can I? Not when they've proven so irreplaceably useful…" She only gave him a defiant smirk "Trying to play creator, are you? Though you should know by now, that the only one who possesses that power stands right before you – in fact, you are the very proof of that, and not even your sick experiments can change it!"
He narrowed his eyes, snarling "We'll see, if the ultimate role is really reserved just for you…" then turning towards the soldiers with a slightly mad grin "Prime Sentinels, show them what power your creator holds!" And those hundred of the guards and military of the run-down complex, whose eyes had burned like Bastion's, threw away their guns, as, before the dismayed looks of the rest present, their features twisted into a mixture of human and robotic, bodies grew considerably taller and more muscled, as skin and clothes acquired a metallic shimmer, becoming protective armour plates.
Gyrich couldn't stand the horror of the sight anymore, slumping unconscious in Trask's arms, and the scientist, used the resulting diversion, dragging his colleague and himself away to safety, and as far from Bastion and the battlefield as possible. Yet, while the affected guards changed, Jean traded a look with Magneto, and warning their friends to ward off their minds, the redhead sent a rapid telepathic attack towards half of the remaining soldiers, rendering them in a permanent coma. In the meantime, the rest suffered a paralysing brain stroke, induced by Erik's manipulation of their blood-iron, as his partner gave him a slight mock-frown 'Too bad we must stick to playing with only a few of the bastards.' And he mirrored the disturbingly-wicked smile gracing her features right afterwards "But these will do too."
"Storm, Wanda," the metal-manipulator then shouted at the two, while the team directed seismic waves, fire and hot plasma at the so-called Prime Sentinels, who closed in on the mutants progressively, leaving the latter once more with no other choice but to fight "deal with their weapons – we can't take any chances!" And a whirlwind swiftly caught all the discarded or dropped guns, taking them away from any possible users, as the Scarlet Witch hexed off their mechanisms. In the interim however, the Master of magnetism turned to their team "You know what we have to do!" and surprisingly, everyone except Storm shot him gazes of accord, even with the results he had just hinted at.
But the weather witch looked at him appalled "The X-Men don't kill humans!" He shot her a sarcastic glance, while firing his magnetic blows at them "Really, now? They will certainly appreciate it – if you can even call them human anymore!" Yet Jean addressed her friend too, her own mind working quickly, as she tried each of her powers on several Prime Sentinels simultaneously "He's right 'Ro – but we'll harm without killing, and then we'll see what to do with them!" That didn't convince the white-haired African either, yet she had no time to protest further, as they were faced on this occasion with something even worse than Nimrod.
For, apart from Phoenix's fire, which had actually turned out to be the sole able to harm the Prime Sentinels, they proved practically invulnerable, escaping even the most vicious attacks without so much as scratch. Their every weapon and mechanism seemed akin to commanded not by electronics, but by a real mind, their reactions and defences – as fluid, swift and complex as if following an inborn, natural instinct. And Magneto indeed made quite the discovery, when he used his powers to penetrate and check out their structure, instead of attack, then calling to Jean "Their technology is akin to a part of them, but their brains and nerve system are still pretty much…organic!"
The mutants' shock, however, was not to end there, as the creatures, seemingly realising they could no longer rely only on their invulnerability, shifted their arms or torsos into massive weapons, complementing their usual equipment, and aiming at the team firepower, almost equal in might to the enormous energy blows Phoenix had demonstrated mere minutes ago. That, though, gave the psychic the final clues she needed to discern what had caused this occurrence, and all the other drastic, and rather astounding changes.
And it made her blood run cold, as her telekinetic touch only confirmed her suspicions about them carrying a certain, techno-organic virus, which she, like all others, had considered the exclusive possession of one particular, immortal mutant. But how Bastion had got hold of it was a true mystery, since that wasn't contained in her future self's memories, yet its existence in the Prime Sentinels explained quite a lot - he was trying to combine natural and artificial, evolve his own race in a way, and their adversaries were just the start in that direction.
He had in fact stolen mutant DNA's mechanisms and the way these helped them rule their abilities, to give his creations the control that they displayed now over their, albeit mechanical, powers, having also succeeded in transferring into technology what nature had gifted the next step in human evolution with. And he had used the virus to join Homo sapiens and the robots into one, combining it with some more mutant genes, so that the subjects could withstand it, as it was usually lethal to normal humans, though there was only one who could ever mould together with it… And it struck her – the Blood of Beginning, the amnesiac Gabriel had mentioned to Betsy, and which she had got from her friend's mind after the latter had prompted her silently to look inside it.
Yet Bastion hadn't been able to get that of the source, because the Fire had stood in his way - she must have stopped him on time in that possible future, before mistakenly hurling him into the past, since she had had little experience with those of her powers, not having used them in eons. So now, he must have settled for weaker DNA, a descendant…which at last gave her the missing piece as to who the strange youth with the partly-destroyed body really was. Playing creator indeed…and it made her sick to the core.
However, while Wanda used her probability skewing to the max to allow the psychic to also employ her matter manipulation, and Magneto - his control over natural iron levels and electrical impulses, to take out the creatures faster, Phoenix recalled something more – the Prime Sentinels' foundation remained human not mutant. Thus, they were bound to be far less resilient against the virus, than a more evolved recipient of it like Apocalypse, even less so, because of the weaker version of his DNA that had been used. Hence, it was simply a matter of time, before the strain started to destroy their bodies.
So, Jean and her magnetic partner exchanged identical, predatory grins, having shared her discoveries through their link, while the other X-Men diverted their adversaries' attention from them and the Scarlet Witch – Bastion had failed, before he had even had a chance of succeeding, and that was all they needed to know…
"Relax, Darkholme, or we'll need to change the floor lining, after this is over!" the top S.H.I.E.L.D. agent breathed out, hating the feeling of powerlessness enveloping him, as he regarded his colleague's incessant pacing of the main monitoring room. The blue-skinned woman, however, gave him a killer glare, no longer able to restrain her worry, or her anger towards the almost nonchalant attitude her colleague was displaying "And how do you propose I do that? They have been there for ages, and haven't even called yet – what do you expect me to think, you insensitive bastard?
"It's my son, and people who matter to me, as unbelievable as it may sound, that are risking life and limb for yours and the Agency's sorry behinds!" But her fuming didn't get out of him the reaction she had hoped for, as he stated evenly "I guess the local government doesn't want to reveal what's going on there, in fear of exposing it, since they haven't broadcast anything on the topic even on their encoded frequencies. 'Sides, may I remind you that they agreed to help out of their own free will?" His slightly sarcastically raised eyebrow didn't fail to further anger the shapeshifter, even though he hadn't intended it for any such purpose, but she spat at him, nonetheless "That doesn't mean I have no right to worry, prick!"
She suddenly let out a breath, calming down considerably, no longer ready to pounce on the one-eyed spy "But how can you ever understand…?" That single phrase, however, and the distant, almost painful expression, which had passed, albeit briefly, over Mystique's face, managed to stir something indefinable in Fury. And he awkwardly took her hand, causing her to eye him utterly perplexed, yet it didn't make him withdraw. Nor did she take it away, as he muttered "Yeah…I can't imagine. Never had any kids myself - too much work, you see, and I'm hardly the fatherly type. Nor any friends really, when you're in the intelligence, you can't afford attachments, 'cause they more often than not mess up with the job…"
He noticed she was oddly neither angry, nor confused any longer, but her eyes sparkled with something akin to comprehension, as she put in tiredly, and a bit off-topic "Why do you love doing this then – vexing me to no end…? As some twisted kind of entertainment?" And to her surprise, he gave her a small half-smile "Partly 'cause it's amusing, yeah, but also 'cause you insist on doing the same to me – and I've started to rather like it. But can't let it show, now can I - won't help my 'tough guy' image."
Raven couldn't believe her ears, but she was sure she had heard clearly, and it baffled her, yet also made her spirits slightly higher. His hand didn't leave hers, and she could tell he was astounded, though pleasantly, that she didn't draw away either, unaware that this was the last he had wanted, having noticed how much reviving warmth there was in a simple touch.
"They'll be fine, probably something came up that held them for longer, but we both know they're professionals, Raven." his own, usually coarse voice's sudden softness startled them both, just as his use of her given name – for the very first time in fact, made her stare at him wide-eyed. Actually, she was close to shocked at finally seeing, not to mention feeling, that even Nick Fury was a warm-blooded, real human, after all – a fact, she had seriously doubted for the whole duration of their collaboration.
And unbeknownst to him, a small, meaningful smile touched her lips, as their linked hands gradually became tighter, seemingly out of their own accord, while she at last let her mind relax. Because, the current situation's very existence had just proven to her that there was always hope – even for the most hopeless of things, or people…
He could see it in their eyes, the blazing triumph raging, while they brought down his creations one by one, and far faster than he had ever hoped. Yet, he could do nothing but watch them fall, for if he interfered, he risked losing his own life - after all, they could be replaced, despite the time and effort it would take and the odd sentiments of attachment he had started having towards the products of his work, but if he was to perish, his vision would die with him. And he'd never give them, her the satisfaction, knowing that was exactly what she wanted - his unrelenting enemy, his eternal bane even in this time. Although it had long since ceased to be so simple, as he may have blamed her, hated her even for what had happened to him, yet he had also discovered that it had its benefits.
He had become the very embodiment of a possibility, he had entertained for some time already - that robots could cease to be man-made creations, and could become instead living technology, creatures of their own, with structure as refined as that of natural beings, but without their imperfections. Yet, this was something, his progenitors back in his future would never understand, immersed as they were in their quest for Sentinel domination – a heretic vision, that would have earned him his destruction, if they ever learnt about it, though one which could save them in the long-run.
Because they failed to see, that to survive their own species needed to advance as well, so that they could too receive gifts, like the ones evolution had bestowed on mutants, and becoming like them – the loathsome, flawed creatures of nature, was the only way to achieve it. Thus, reasonably, since robots refused to adapt, they were now faced with a battle they could never win, and this had made him delay his return permanently, until he had managed to reshape his future, giving his kind what he considered would grant them the ultimate victory.
He would still have to reconstruct the main participants from his history, as their presence and help was the only way for him to ensure his vision's fulfilment, and his own life and future. And hopefully, back in the place he had called home, they had forgotten about him, as he wasn't keen on waiting for that time's Phoenix to execute her judgement, since it was simply a matter of when, though he suspected that she desired to first see her mutants victorious, as a final humiliation to his birth race.
However, his current situation wasn't that good either, because even here she knew of and had lived out the pain he'd caused her, and would more than certainly not stop until he was a goner. Plus, though the mutants were now suffering much more serious injuries, than the cuts and bruises they had sustained, while fighting the normal Sentinels and Nimrod, they had also discovered the existence of the failure he had so desperately hoped to avoid…
He had had no choice, but to start with these patchwork creatures, since, even after so many experiments and tests, he still lacked the knowledge of how to do it properly – like her, when she had re-created him. And he knew, they were infinitely far from what he'd really envisaged as the next step in robotic evolution, being in fact natural and artificial pieces, forcibly joined in one body, almost literally glued together by the little trophy, he had managed to snatch from a now practically vegetative mutant.
Plus, he was equally aware, that the solution he had utilised to make their human bodies accept and merge with the virus, was hardly the best possible. But now, he was progressively unsure that, even if it were, they would survive the devastating force of her Fire – and its final judgement… Especially now that, having seen the frightful pictures of what would come to pass in their near future, unless they destroyed every single bit of his work, his adversaries were determined to do even the impossible, but to stop him. He felt a piercing pang in his insides, perhaps his dream was hopeless… But it was soon replaced by cold, ruthless resolve – for, Bastion was going to keep it living to the very end, whatever the means…
A whole lot of incapacitated bodies, much bigger than a normal human, yet not completely robotic either, now lay strewn on the already scorched ground, amongst the remnants of their predecessors. And the already, considerably tired mutants could once more breathe a bit calmer, as Wanda nearly collapsed from sheer exhaustion in Pyro's arms.
"It's over, Bastion." Phoenix's eyes bore a simple matter-of-fact look, as she addressed the hybrid, something akin to bitter triumph crawling in her voice "You've just proven yet again that I was right – and you can behold the end of your play with what is my sworn birthright." He, however, only gave her yet another disdainful smirk "I may have lost my patchy initial experiments, but that doesn't mean I can't make others. I live, and this is not the end!"
And with that, many thin long gashes of light erupted over his body, widening by the second, until a whole wave of energy emanated from inside him, enveloping his form in a force field of sorts. It moulded into his shape, working its way through the human appearance he had maintained, waking once more his original nature - and taking his attention away from the captives, though only for several seconds.
Yet, the X-Men took this as their cue, and not waiting for him to finish his transformation, they dashed for the now, close to unconscious prisoners, Erik sending a quick, magnetic blast into the collars' electronics', disabling their blow-up regime, as they then limply fell off their bearers. In that very moment, however, Bastion finally emerged from his change, having all the usual attributes of a Sentinel, but the size and general exterior were that of a human, despite the mutants' gut feeling, that he'll be a formidable adversary too.
And truly, when seeing their actions, he immediately launched on the team and the former prisoners, his full power on the highest levels. Yet just then, the Blackbird appeared in a bamf, several metres away and at once, when the blue, furry mutant who had brought it there ported away from it, the jet got covered by a magnetic shield. Bastion was clearly livid now, his whole being oozing liquid anger, as he snarled darkly "You won't stop my work, or what I've planned for the future!"
But his attack on the rescuers was swiftly stopped by a telekinetic field, encasing both them and the former captives. Phoenix and Magneto coordinated their powers in perfect sync, making the shields disappear simultaneously for mere split seconds, yet enough for Nightcrawler to teleport all of the freed mutants to the jet, together with Logan who was to fly it. And as Wolverine started the engines, ready to dash into the sky towards S.H.I.E.L.D.'s base, where their fuzzy team-mate had returned for a single moment just to get the plane, the two leaders withdrew their fields completely to allow it to gain height.
The whole group immediately engaged Bastion, so as to not let him get a shot at the Blackbird, yet he still managed to land a couple of blows on one of the wings, though thankfully, not enough to impede its otherwise safe escape. "You'll pay for this – and I'll watch you suffer, just like before!" Bastion spat out, the rage blinding him so much, making him forget completely about all else, as the sole thought running through his mind was of revenge, for everything he had failed at.
He threw his most vicious attacks at all mutants, Magneto and Phoenix above all, yet they didn't hold anything back in their own responses either, keeping their ground firmly, while Jean called to her metal-wielding partner 'Erik, we must get to Master Mold – all his defences went down during the fire earlier, I made sure of it!' And he gave her a silent wink, catching onto her unspoken idea "We'll continue fooling around with Bastion's ego – and it'll be his downfall." She turned to the rest of their team right away, while all still fought the furious hybrid 'Guys, we need to split now, if we want to be done with all of this by sunrise!' and quickly grasping what she was aiming at, Thunderbird, Pyro and the Scarlet Witch used the short space in-between deflecting Bastion's attacks, to return her a trio of affirmative looks.
'Kurt,' Jean next addressed the teleporter 'you'll have to break in Bastion's lab – we need all the files from his personal computer. Before you leave though, turn on its self-destruct mechanism – nothing from there must ever see the light of day! And transport Neal, John and Wanda in Master Mold's chamber, but guys,' she glanced at the three quickly 'do it on my exact signal, 'cause I want to see Bastion's face when he realises what I've prepared for him!'
They all nodded at her, projecting a 'We'll wait!', before Kurt disappeared in a bamf with them towards their designated targets. And in the meantime, the rest kept on diverting Bastion's attention from realising where the four had gone, taunting him at every opportunity, successfully playing on his ego and temper, and praying silently that he wouldn't regain his cool anytime soon…
"He's not here, you idiot" Trevor Fitzroy snarled at the still shaken, green-skinned mutant "and if you haven't noticed, you got us three whole years behind him!" Bantam, having just escaped unscathed from several anti-mutant extremists curtsey to his partner, trembled as usual, yet still managed to chew out "B-boss, t-this i-is where he first arrived, but I must have got the wrong turn in the portal-" The taller man roughly let go of him, cutting him off, both enraged and frustrated "That much I figured out for myself already! But why would he stay, since he has a time portal of his own, and why not use his powers – he always was an effing show-off…? Unless…"
And though such deduction appeared to him more than ridiculous, he couldn't help reaching it, his very insides boiling at the thought "That son of a bitch's doing something to change the future, he wants to rule for himself, and has been preparing his way - as if Master Mold wasn't enough!" He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails drew blood, yet he couldn't care less about the pain "And he sure as heck won't come back with us, but if we don't find and return him, we die! Damn it, why is it always us?"
However, he didn't have much time to wonder, as Bantam exclaimed suddenly "Boss, I'm getting a reading! Blimey, it's practically breaking the system!" and Fitzroy too checked the mechanisms of his armour, shooting back indignantly "I'm receiving it too – I can't believe the git's alive, after all!" His eyes squinted incredulously "And who would have thought…Genosha." the time-traveller pushed his green bangs away from his gaze hastily "We still have to deliver him back to his 'papa', if we're to live another day, so let's get going, pygmy." Yet, in that very moment, the green-haired mutant leapt three metres high in fright on hearing his com's sound.
He didn't dare to not pick it up, even in the present situation, and his master's stern, mechanical tone made the hairs on the back of his neck stand bolt-upright "You have failed me so far, Mutant Traitor! And if you do not bring Bastion back until this next day comes, you shall not live to see the sunrise! She killed Nimrod already and is coming for me – my offspring is now our final hope…" There was something akin to desperation in that last, yet Fitzroy brushed it off, too preoccupied to be afraid for his own life, as the junk pile never issued empty threats.
And sending his master a quick affirmative reply, he closed his com, whirling to Bantam, who was already prepared. He dragged his smaller partner by the collar, and calling up the energy he had absorbed and stashed earlier on, they went back to their future, since they couldn't travel through space, and were thus forced to use it as a starting point. However, the moment they hit the floor of Master Mold's chamber, they knew something was terribly amiss.
And sure enough, Bantam screamed, yet it drowned in all the noise around, as Fitzroy managed to push him over just in time, for both of them to evade the attack of one of the Resistance members, and the chief robot's equally violent reply. Crawling behind some rubble, from what turned out to be the ceiling, both time-travellers barely caught their breath and wits, as the green-haired mutant spat out "Fucking idiots – had to be crashing in just now!" but his rant was cut short, as he was forced to dive to his side, in order to escape the crumbling debris. Mutants and robots fought left and right, members of both sides falling one after the other, yet Trevor Fitzroy had only one thought swirling in his mind – survival.
So, he spat at Bantam, who had just managed to stand from having been bowled over by an overzealous Sentinel, hurrying to join the battle "Let's move, twat, or we'll be toast by morning!" The smaller mutant nodded frantically, signifying his readiness, and Fitzroy lunged from behind his hideout towards a couple of the Resistance mutants, absorbing their energy so fast, that they didn't even have time to scream. Then, with Bantam clinging tightly to him, he opened a time portal tossing his partner in, and jumping after him with the speed of light.
However, the tunnel swerved and shook dangerously, going awry for some reason. And the moment both mutants fell rather hard, on what was supposedly the Genoshan landscape in the unpopulated part of the island, they knew something wasn't right, as it was way too firm to be mere soil. "What the heck?" Fitzroy muttered, as they fought to regain their focus, and a scarlet blur assaulted their vision, while a quite obnoxious voice said "My, my, look what Time decided to suddenly drag in…"
The moment the comms had gone on, both people in the monitoring centre had nearly jumped, but had gathered their cool with lightning velocity, especially since one of the officers on duty had exclaimed "Boss, agent Darkholme, they've just landed - one of the operation team, and apparently the prisoners!" And Raven and her companion finally let out the painful breaths, caught in their lungs the instant they had seen the light, indicating incoming communication flare to life. Fury, who had already given orders to prepare the medical facility, now called them again, telling them to expect eight patients in mere seconds.
However, Mystique quickly let go of the relief, and its place was easily taken up by dread, as she asked almost blurring the words in the process "Is Nightcrawler flying the jet?" but the officer shook his head "No, Ma'am – it's Wolverine. Mr Wagner must have stayed behind-" The shapeshifter didn't wait for him to finish though, and completely by-passing her colleague's barely spoken 'Wait.', she bolted at top speed towards the hangar, where she literally cornered Logan, while the medics swiftly took away the former captives.
"Where's my son?" she fixed the feral mutant with a dangerous glare, promising bodily harm, if he didn't reply at once, and he knew better than to tempt fate – or the furious female before him. Nonetheless, he raised a hand "Take it easy, woman! Red needed him tah do somethin', so he remained with the rest, but he was fine last time I saw 'im." That made Mystique's anxiety dissipate, albeit not by much, yet she was considerably calmer now "Why didn't any of you sent communication – what happened in that place?"
The Canadian's brow creased in concern of his own, as his dark eyes bore a deadly glint, while he explained to both her and Fury, who had joined them "We stumbled on somethin' much bigger than jus' the Sentinels – and now both Gyrich and Trask're sure as hell regrettin' they ever mixed up with that nutter!" Seeing his companions' baffled looks however, and knowing they weren't going to let him go before he fed them everything, he said, rolling his eyes "Come, yah two – we better get tah a quieter place, an' I'll tell yah all I know."
And as they proceeded back towards the main monitoring room, both hosts sensing the story wasn't a pleasant one at all, Mystique was still unable to stop her heart from racing wildly. She didn't show any outward signs of her troubles, yet her colleague had quite the experience in deciphering usually unreadable people. Thus, he needed less than a couple of seconds to discern her inner state, catching once again her hand in his, glad to feel this simple gesture's instant effects on her, as she once again didn't draw away…
It was by no means an easy task, but prompted by the situation both time-travellers managed to not let unconsciousness claim them, as hazy minds and fuzzy eyes tried hard to assimilate what had happened. And through their thoughts, simultaneously shot the only logical conclusion – the swirling time portal had landed them in the wrong place. But before either had any time to mull over this occurrence or the reasons for it, they felt rough hands grasp them by the elbows, hauling them to their feet, and shackling them with some weird cuffs.
And as their vision finally cleared, they gathered their concentration, now realising that the scarlet blur was in fact the armour of the tall man, standing in front of them, wearing the most arrogant expression they had seen – he could sure beat Bastion in this one "You must excuse us for the welcoming, but we here aren't used to niceties, seeing as to who our usual 'guests' are." Their eyes darted around confused, now noticing their considerably futuristic, even for what they've seen, surroundings, and that with the exception of the man in crimson armour, their captors all had something in them, that just didn't fit for normal humans.
Seemingly perceiving that, the strange man sighed in mock apology "Pardon me for not introducing ourselves. I'm known as Eric the Red, these gentlemen are Shi'ar troops under my command, and the humble place you have errantly landed on is my space station – the last Shi'ar outpost, before the immediate Earth atmosphere. And don't think of trying to escape with your powers, for it will be both impossible and pointless – you'll have to return to your future, but in a very short time it will be no more, so I suggest you remain and enjoy our hospitality." the two didn't like his smirk at all "Permanently. Not that you have a choice really." His falsely nice air didn't do any good to the two time-travellers' already plummeting hearts, especially as they noted the strangers' weapons, which were significantly more advanced than anything they've encountered, even in their future.
Fitzroy, however, couldn't help struggling in his bonds, shooting the troops' leader a highly angered look "Shi-what? Last outpost? Who the hell are you, people - some mad aliens, watching us?" Yet, the glance Eric the Red gave them, froze the blood in their veins "I wouldn't add the 'mad' bit, but the rest is in fact true. We, Shi'ar are a highly advanced race, as I'm sure you have already realised by our equipment," there was a clear tad of cruel pleasure in his voice, his gaze dashing for a split second towards the weapons his soldiers were holding "and we have observed your measly planet for centuries, helping you out when the need arose. Or dashing your, sometimes way too alarming, hopes and aspirations."
His air grew even darker, as he went on "However, intruders aren't allowed here, and if anyone actually manages to infiltrate the station, whatever the means, they're punished with death." His features twisted in a face of something, that was supposedly mercifulness, yet one, which was more scary than appeasing "But this turns out to be your lucky day, gentlemen – for, my station is right in the middle of a major renovation process, and unfortunately" they saw his fists clench in silent rage, which though didn't reach the surface "I happen to be short of two 'workers', we're still searching for."
The tone and look he had said the word 'workers' with, set off the alarm in both mutants' minds, and their already growing fears were only confirmed, when they were met by the stranger's vastly satisfied grin "So, enjoy your stay…at my detention colony…"
The instant Kurt had dropped them in the chamber, Wanda, St John and Neal had grasped that something just wasn't right. And a more careful look towards the giant Sentinel it held, gave them their answer, as they saw that it was seemingly turned off. Coming progressively closer towards the huge mass sitting on a platform of sorts, they noted that it indeed wasn't operational – and that several strings of explosives lined around its waist, legs and upper body. And there were quite a lot of those latter, positioned at strategic points in the chamber.
Before the three mutants could shake off the surprise at this development however, a familiar voice came from the shadows "Don't be alarmed – we're on your side, at least as far as this is concerned." And the trio couldn't help narrowing their eyes in disbelief at Trask, who finally came into view, a remote detonator in hand, Gyrich limping after him, muttering "Speak for yourself, Bolivar, I'll never associate with the likes of them!"
Thunderbird crossed his arms, scoffing at him sarcastically "You're free to go then – just mind the extremely angry hybrid raving outside." That definitely had an effect on the NS agent, who withdrew so quickly, like he had been scolded "No way am I getting out to that maniac!" followed by him scowling at the mutants "But that doesn't mean I suddenly have to like you." Neal shrugged "Frankly, I couldn't care less." as Wanda spoke to Trask "Phoenix said to wait for her signal, so when we tell it's time, you press your button, and we'll add our powers to the whole explosion." The scientist stared at her incredulous "How will we survive?" but she simply gave him an impassive look "I'll keep us in a probability bubble – and we'll all pray that it proves a good enough protection from the likelihood of us ending up dead."
Gyrich sneered "So much for sanity!" yet, Pyro grabbed him by the front of his clothes, no longer able to stand the man "Listen, you arrogant ass, you got a better plan – be my guest, but none of us is leaving this place, before that pile of junk is no more, 'cause that's why our mates are risking their lives outside right now! And need I remind you, it was your crazy shit that got us in this mess in the first place! So, if I was you, and you want to actually have a chance of escaping here alive, I wouldn't get in our way!"
Then, however, he let go of the government rep in disgust "You ain't worth it…" but he had more than stressed his point, as the latter didn't wait to be told twice, before he shut up and withdrew in a corner. Just as they had sorted out their differences though, Gyrich, who had been staring blankly at Master Mold, let out a blood-freezing scream, drawing everyone's attention towards the giant robot. And to their utter dismay, his companions saw that the machine's eyes had flared to life, bolts of energy running through them.
Trask gaped speechless at the occurrence, before he managed to find his voice again, stammering "B-b-but I switched h-h-him off!" Yet, the even greater shock came, when Master Mold spoke, his dead, mechanical tone making their skin shiver "You cannot destroy me, pathetic creatures – this world will belong to us!" he tried to move, yet his severely depleted energy levels, and the cords tying the explosives round his body didn't let him budge at first.
However, mere seconds later, the ropes gave away, and he broke free, standing up with speed unusual for his bulk, immediately shooting his lasers at the five people present. The three mutants targeted him with their powers instantaneously, diverting his attacks and keeping him at bay, while their unexpected companions hid behind a couple of columns, Trask reaching quickly in his pocket for the remote, his finger lying on the button, prepared to push it. And they all sent a silent plea for Phoenix to hurry with whatever her plan was, as the situation was getting out of hand way too quickly…
They were both one being, their minds transcending time itself, so closely connected, that they were practically living through the same experiences. Even the decimating battles they were both faced with mirrored each other - equally crucial, and each as violent as the other, only their scenarios differed. The future's Resistance struggled to get close to their main target, their numbers receding, but not as much as those of its opponents, though many mutants had bathed the once shining, metal floor in their blood, mingled now with the useless junk that were most of the Sentinels.
And meanwhile, the team from the present employed all their best efforts against Bastion, thankfully without any casualties, yet unsurprisingly, managing to make his temper boil, so he was kept away from the complex, and unaware of what was going on inside. But in the end, settings mattered not, for she, who wielded the ultimate powers of creation and destruction, despite still not having them in the present, had a single purpose - making the cursed race of once man-commanded machines, Bastion included, pay for each and every atrocity they had committed against the children of nature, her creations.
She could tear them bit by bit, and she would have, no doubt, enjoyed it immensely, yet it was no longer enough for her, as, though they had some sensitivity towards physical pain, it would be nothing compared to the other, the non-bodily ache. And she wanted them to feel what it was like to be utterly humiliated, brought face to face with complete defeat, see all dreams and hopes crumble, while being helpless to prevent or stop it, make them experience what it meant to lose everything... She knew that it was nearly impossible, since they had practically no emotions, yet she was equally aware that if there was someone out there capable of bringing about the impossible, it was herself.
And so, while Phoenix of the present hurled at Bastion another round of fire-blasts, causing several deep and long gashes in his armour, which took longer than the usual to heal, she also finally sensed the occurrence of an accomplishment, previously considered unfeasible - and the beginning of what she had so feverishly anticipated. And letting a small, victorious smirk quirk her lips, she made her telepathy rapidly speed towards their three comrades hidden in the bowels of the base, giving them the agreed signal…
It actually rang akin to an alarm in their minds, less than a minute after Master Mold had broken free and attacked them. And they sprang into action immediately, the levels of their adrenaline rising through the roof, as Neal cried "Now, Trask!" The scientist's movements were quick and methodical, and he hit the button with such force that he almost broke it.
At the very same time, the three mutants combined their powers, shooting them at the father of all Sentinels, now bent on obliterating him, while Wanda caught them all in a probability bubble, which would hopefully keep them alive as they ran for it. The resulting explosion was massive, and they could feel its vicious wave nipping at their heels, even after they had darted at least five hundred metres away, Trask dragging Gyrich behind him like a rag doll.
Luckily, they almost bumped into Kurt who, having finished with his task only a minute ago, had felt the detonation coming from Master Mold's chamber, deciding instead to seek them in the corridors. Yet now, he simply grabbed onto them, and the whole group made a teleporting dash, landing outside on the scorched ground, as behind them the complex finally collapsed in an enormous pile of dust and rubble, burying the remnants of what had once been inside.
And struggling to regain their breath and the balance on their heavy legs, they saw, not so far away from their spot, the rest of their team and their final antagonist still locked in a deadly struggle. However, at that same moment, Phoenix and all others heard an anguished cry from the ruins, which though, fell silent forever in a mere instant, and in complete sync with that of its owner, but from a different time.
For, Jean, unbeknownst to all but her metal-wielding partner, had coordinated, through the telepathic link she had maintained with her future self, both the demise of Master Mold in the present, and the complete obliteration of the future, which should never have happened. And now, both mutants and humans watched, brutal pleasure rising in the former's veins, as Bastion felt the effects right away. His glowing, enraged eyes suddenly grew wide with shock and disbelief, as he abruptly stopped mid-confrontation, whirling his gaze straight to Phoenix – confusion, dread, and what oddly seemed like a plea, forming a chaotic blend in its depths.
Yet, the visions of all he had caused to her and those she cared for still haunted her mind inescapably, and her own look held nothing but ruthlessness, for she took infinite pleasure at knowing he was wholly trapped in the loop she had spun for him. And in his blazing gaze she could see all the helplessness, despair and defeat she had hoped for, while she spoke to him in a deadly whisper "Whose dream is fallen now…?" as his body became bathed in light, similar to the one that had signalled his transformation, yet now it only made him dissolve into nothingness, his last cry of agony resonating through every piece of their minds.
They were alone now in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but destruction and ruins, yet finally able to truly breathe, as the adrenaline evaporated, letting a tidal wave of tiredness consume them all. And the mutant team slowly gathered together, limping a bit or sporting other injuries and bruises, but all glad to be alive, supporting each other with a now unrestrained feeling of relief. As Erik held her in his embrace, not finding enough words to thank whoever was above that they had all made it, Phoenix sensed the others' lingering confusion about the whole occurrence.
However, their team-mates were all too spent to even remember to ask anything right there and then, being dangerously close to falling into slumber as they stood. Besides, in that very moment, Lance's com-link beeped, and he turned it on, Wolverine's gruff voice coming from the other end "Curse yarh nosey bosses, Avalanche – didn' let me get away, 'fore I spilled all tah them! Jus' don't tell me I missed the party!"
And to them, it oddly sounded as the most pleasant thing they had heard since last night, with Lance replying with a weary smile, as the rest could do nothing but just watch the sky get progressively lighter towards the east, while the moon's silvery glow gradually receded "We're done, Logan – you can tell Fury we have a couple of extra packages for him," he added looking sideways to Trask and Gyrich, who had squinted away, a bit wary of the mutants "but otherwise we're all set to go home." And truly, there was nothing else any of them wished to do right now…
Setting Cerebro down after nearly a whole night of using it, now understandably felt like the best of sensations, but the exhaustion it had left him with was definitely worth experiencing. For, he knew for certain that everyone was safe and alive, even though his favourite student had once more come way too close to the irreversible end - and he had been forced to just watch, since she had kept him out of her mind permanently.
However, as he mulled that last over, a familiar voice startled him out of his reverie "How're they? Any news?" and he glanced at the door, meeting the tensely expectant expressions of Pietro, Tabby, Amanda and the younger mutants, who had attempted to join the team. Yet, his fatigued smile made them relax visibly, as he replied "All of them are fine – a bit battered and bruised, but otherwise out of danger. And they're successful." A collective sigh of relief came from the group, as Kurt's fiancée couldn't hold back "Can we contact them? When are they returning?" and Xavier shook his head "Let them have some sleep – they'll stay for awhile at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s base, to recuperate and wait for the mutants they freed, along with Betsy and Warren, to get back on their feet, so they can all come home."
But seeing the disappointed faces of all his besiegers, he added "A couple of days at most." And the young people all gave him grateful looks, before rushing to find Moira and tell her the news. Not even five minutes had passed since their leave, however, and the Professor felt warm, caring hands massage his shoulders, as he leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes, a smile stretching his lips slowly, his mind jumping into the sensation of pure pleasure. "Mmm, you must be careful, because I may get used to this – or someone can walk in on us." he murmured to the charming intruder, who grinned at him from behind.
"Let them see, I can't stand hiding anymore. Both of us are long past the adolescence bit of seeking cover, as if we're doing something against the rules. Besides, it's always refreshing to have a bad habit or two – and I'm sure, no one would mind." Xavier shook his head with a smile, taking one of Moira's hands, and leading her to sit on the chair on his left, catching her green gaze with his blue orbs, then putting in pensively "I think, you're right - we go way back…and we missed a lot already."
A humorous glint played in his look "Plus, neither of us is getting any younger…" She shot him a falsely-appalled glance "Speak for yourself, Charles!" yet, almost instantly, her expression grew sombre, as she sensed his well-masked unease "They all made it in one piece, yet there's a 'but' somewhere inside, isn't there…?" He nodded "And it primarily revolves around Jean. What happened there, what she did…it nearly cost our team their lives – and we almost lost her too."
Moira, however, frowned a bit at him "Charles, you know that whatever you do, you can't stop her, if she decides to leave – one way or another. Though, I don't understand you – Jean used to take reckless risks, but she's never been careless, when it comes to others!" The Professor sighed darkly "Still, she did exactly that last – intentionally or not, I do not know, she blocked her mind from me completely during the entire mission. And I fear what may come to pass in the future…" Moira stared at him in disbelief, finally discerning what was truly plaguing him "You're scared of her!" she stood abruptly, tearing her hand away from his, before adding in a grave whisper "I can't recognise you..." He gave her a somewhat pleading look "She's highly unpredictable, sometimes I think I don't know her anymore… Moira, please, try to understand, what I've seen-"
But she cut him off, wholly taken aback by his train of thought "We've all seen what she can do, especially during the Hellfire affair, but this can't even hope to be a plausible cause for you to show so little trust in her! Because, whatever it was that Jean did, I'm more than sure she had good reasons for it. Yet, your sole thought is to control her, even though she exerts perfect command over her powers. And for your sake I hope you won't do something rash," however, she failed to catch the brief flash of what seemed like a mixture of regret and something else resembling hidden guilt, at that phrase of hers "because you do realise that a certain best friend of yours won't let you do anything of the sort to her, don't you?"
His look grew even darker "Ah, Magnus… Another part that worries me – I can't help feeling as if I have let the wolf in with the sheep..." But, Moira, now in a truly annoyed mood, only shot at him exasperated "This may happen between men and women, Charles, I don't need to start educating you on that, now do I? And Jean is hardly a sheep – she would very certainly give you a good telepathic blast for even comparing her to one, because she's entirely capable of taking care of herself. Besides, it doesn't matter who's the man that she chooses - she has a good head on her shoulders. And you should support her, instead of following blindly those groundless fears of yours." Seeing his rather lost expression however, she put a hand on his shoulder "I know what Jean means to you, but she has the right to her own life, like all of us."
He sighed, a bit too long, as if trying to hide something he felt ashamed of behind an inconspicuous cover "Perhaps, you're right – I simply don't know how to let her go…" The blue-eyed redhead gave him a slight half-smile "Many parents never learn this, I myself aren't sure if I have - after all, Kevin hasn't left me yet. You must talk to her though, try to see the reasoning behind her actions – and if you don't accept it, at least attempt to understand." and the telepath nodded, finally beginning to see that she might be right after all.
He drew her slowly to himself, and she surprisingly allowed it "What would I do without my voice of reason?" She, though, outright laughed at that one, coming to sit on the arm of his chair "Lose your remaining clear wits, maybe? And before you ask – yes, it is indeed that way between those two." He shook his head resignedly "Who would have thought, though? My oldest friend and my best student – what a pair! I didn't even realise it was this serious…"
Moira rolled her eyes "Men! Always as blind as bats, when it comes to these things! But don't worry – he would sooner tear out and eat his own heart, than hurt her in any way." He raised an eyebrow "You think that calms me down?" but she only rolled her eyes again "Oh, you grumpy old man, just shut up!" before pulling him in for a rather long and passionate kiss…
They had been truly asleep on their feet, when they had arrived, dropping by the med facility only to check on the former captives' state and have their own injuries treated, except Logan, whose were already gone. However, no sooner had they done that, and tiredness had taken over, leading them to bunk on the first bed they spotted, with their uniforms still on. And now, their two hosts were faced with quite the amusing sight, with Lance and Neal lying sprawled all over their respective beds, both snoring lightly. Storm had chosen the place farthest from the door, tucked amongst several blankets, looking as if wrapped up in a cocoon.
Kurt had curled up in a ball on his cot, and his mother couldn't help tucking behind his ear one of his bangs, which had almost fallen in his mouth, as he breathed serenely. She lingered by his side a little longer, then standing up, and in the process catching a glimpse of a black-haired witch and a flame-manipulator, who had taken a rather cosy position in another bed. At least, she noted with a humorous air, Pyro had taken off his precious fuel pack and flame-throwers, though she was aware he would trade those any day for the woman in his arms.
Right then, a familiar helmet, discarded on one of the bedside tables together with a pair of black gloves, drew Mystique's attention. And she didn't have to look far for their owner, who currently had his back propped both on the pillows and on the bed's board, so he acted as a cushion himself. And his cape happened to cover from the waist down a certain red-haired telepath, stretched leisurely over his chest. Her face was buried in his neck, as both slept peacefully, bodies entangled in an inseparable blend of scarlet, black and dark blue…
"Are you coming?" the one-eyed man, standing in the doorway, asked his associate quietly, seeing her unabashed interest in the last pair, while himself feeling rather awkward, like they were intruding on their privacy. A smile brushed her lips, as she joined him at his spot "At least they're all without any irreparable injuries. The ones freed will have to sleep off the drugs they had been pumped with. The blond girl – Heather, has a rather acute post-traumatic stress disorder, so both she and the amnesiac will need some psychic working with them, but overall there's hope for everyone." He nodded a bit stiffly, yet she knew that underneath it he was as relieved as herself – not that she had expected him to suddenly become all-open.
Instead of dwelling any longer on his reactions however, she tugged her partner behind her, heading for the main monitoring room, where they and the severely restless Wolverine, whose healing factor had stripped him of the need to sleep, were supposed to receive communication from the Mansion. They then had to deal with Gyrich and Trask, both safely contained in two prison cells, but Raven could hardly concentrate on anything else beside what the last sight she had witnessed before exiting the med bay, said clearer than words. Though, goodness only knew what would happen, when it became public knowledge…
It was over...their first big challenge in some time - and they had been victorious, but though the Dark One had always been confident that his Flame would be successful, he honestly couldn't care less about the situation's outcome. For, he had, thankfully, been alone throughout the whole endeavour, or his unfortunate henchmen would have suffered the turbulent force of his blank despair. Because the mortals' future might have been saved, yet neither it nor they meant anything to him - unlike her, who had done the unthinkable just to preserve their unworthy existence...
And it had been the worst blow he had ever been subjected to, more soul-shattering even than the other two times she had left him, seeing as to how on this third occasion, unlike the previous, she had actually let him in, finally ceasing denying that they were bound by the threads of life itself. Both had been ready to abandon everything else, with him ditching his plans and cohorts, and her - deserting the mortals to their doom and blocking permanently the man, who dared strive for her affections. Leaving everything that didn't matter behind, only have the Universe again…and each other, and that was all he needed…
But in the last moment she had withdrawn once more, and it had destroyed him yet again, a cry of utter misery escaping his tortured being. For, the Universe itself, let alone him, had experienced practically physically the repercussions of her sacrifice. Yet, the real pain, the one worse than anything bodily could ever be, the same that ripped him into countless unbearably suffering pieces, came from a very different source – an emotion, as powerful and ravaging as any of her abilities.
She had fed its unquenchable thirst with potent, all-consuming hope for a possibility, which she had then quashed so brutally, that it had left them both hanging onto what remained, in a desperate effort to salvage at least their sanity. For him it was his initial plan, and for her – his rival, the mutant Apocalypse had once enslaved as his Horseman of War and who, what was even worse, proved entirely capable of giving her, and being, everything that she needed, without compromising at all her true self or restricting her in any way.
And despite such occurrence's supposed impossibility, for the first instance in a long time, the Dark One felt an emotion, usually utterly alien to him – fear…that the other just might succeed in what he was pursuing, or that in fact he may already have… Because his former Horseman's feelings for Phoenix ran as deeply as his own – and much to his dismay, she was showing signs of beginning to reciprocate, which revelation only served to amplify the immortal's agony. Was he always meant to keep in the shadows like he had in the possibility she had recently destroyed, was he truly just the past she wanted to leave behind…?
"What else do you expect?" he snarled at himself, bile rippling viciously inside his veins, threatening to explode and make him undergo the painful healing process afterwards, doubling thus his already unbearable inner torment "You are a shadow – a mere remnant of who you once were, so how can you even imagine her seeing you any differently!" And he hated himself, loathed his very existence, because he was incomplete – even with his Darkness' return he was still not whole, and would perhaps never be.
"But he is…" he whispered, his voice choking on his own words' severe truth "and she will not be with a man, who lacks a part of his soul…" because she had reached out to him of her own accord, yet she had also returned to his rival freely. And he couldn't help damning the other man to hell and back, however, it wasn't so much by reason of their rivalry, as Apocalypse was certain that she only needed time to see where, and with whom, she truly belonged. But it was because Magneto's mere presence had unwittingly aided Phoenix in deciding to give up her birthright for those, who didn't deserve such a gesture on her part.
For, the Dark One knew what she had seen...and though he wished more than anything to spare her the further pain, she had already began unravelling for herself what the selfish mortals were truly capable of – and that was only the start. But, clenching his fists tightly, eyes narrowed determinedly, he was perfectly aware where he stood - he wasn't going to abandon her, whatever her choice for the time being. Yet, in the process of Apocalypse teaching him his proper place, the Master of magnetism was going to lose everything…
"My Lord? Is everything fine?" Mesmero's voice came as if in a daze to the mutant he spoke to, and he ignored it, lost completely in his turmoil. The old psychic – actually surprised that nothing was destroyed yet, only shook his head meaningfully, deciding wisely against bothering their Master, when he was in one of his moods. Closing the door behind him however, he nearly ran into his blue-haired colleague, who snapped at him "Watch where you're going, damn it!" But on seeing the older mutant's expression, Exodus calmed down considerably, asking in a whisper "Is he at it again?"
The other man nodded "And I am certain that his Lady is the reason…" Du Paris sighed to himself "She can do that – torment endlessly anyone, who had had the misfortune of falling into the enticement of her demonic flames… And He is not the only one…" However, Mesmero had heard him, and he addressed the younger psychic coldly "Have you no self-preservation instinct whatsoever, or are you suicidal?" The taller man glared at him with darkened eyes, while adding in a low, dangerous tone "My focus point – that is all I'm using her as, old man, so get your head out of whatever place you have stuck it in! I need to concentrate on something, when I exercise my new powers, if I don't want them to kill me, and her image works excellently for that purpose."
The older telepath, though, raised a slightly incredulous eyebrow at his colleague, yet the latter only growled at him frustrated, before sauntering angrily down the corridor, while Mesmero whispered "And there goes another of her victims, this time right in the middle of our camp - that woman is not to be underestimated at all…"
A/N2: Reviews're my eternal inspiration, so u know what to do! ;-D And I promise to get the next Chapter up in less than a month!