Hey guys~ I loved waking up to all of those reviews and follows and favorites. That made my morning~ So let me make yours! With a new chapter of course! Don't worry, there'll be another update this afternoon. At least, I hope there'll be. I kinda need to stay after for a while.

She couldn't stop thinking about it. Not about that uneasy premonition, not about the whole trip to Russia, and especially not about Moira emerging out of Charles' room. Maybe she shouldn't have gone there in the first place. Whatever the queasy feeling was, it was probably nothing. She sighed and pulled her legs up to her chest and rested her head on her arms, curling up into a ball. She hated being stuck here. They should be out there with Charles and Erik taking down Shaw. Instead they were here being ridiculed by stupid CIA agents, eating Oreos, or playing a stupid pinball machine. Amaya snorted. And they wondered why she refused to trust the government people.

"Man, you're killing me!" Darwin exclaimed.

"Had a lot of spare time," Alex replied, pressing the machine's buttons. The dings and the sounds of the machine filled the room. Everyone else was eating Oreos or sipping on their drink.

"I didn't know the circus was in town." Amaya glanced up, seeing a couple of the so called "CIA" agents. They were total douches. "Hey, come on, honey. Give us a little... No? Come on, let's see the foot." They continuously taunted and insulted them and they expected them to give them their trust? Ha. Ridiculous.

Hank stood up and went over to the glass.

"There it is. Come on, Big Foot, let's go."

He pressed the button to close the curtains and gave a short wave as they disappeared from view before returning to his seat.

"They're just guys being stupid," Raven said.

Angel scoffed. "Guys being stupid, I can handle. Okay? I've handled that my whole life. But I'd rather a bunch of guys stare at me with my clothes off than the way these ones stare at me."

"At us..." She added unhelpfully. But it wasn't like Raven didn't know how it felt to be looked at like a freak. She had no choice but to hide her true appearance much like how Angel had to hide her wings.

They paused, hearing a strange sound. It sounded like air whooshing, but it wasn't. Not even a second later, it was followed by a lifeless thump. Darwin looked up from watching the score on the pinball machine rise. His smile slowly faded away as there was another sound and another thump. Amaya raised her head, her gaze hardening. She knew that sound. So her premonition was right.

"What was that?" he asked. "I don't know. Something doesn't feel right." He moved towards the window with Alex in tow. The rest of the mutants stood along the window. When he opened the curtains, the courtyard was completely empty. It was painfully and unnaturally still and silent. They looked around in search for any sign of what was going on, but they found nothing. Amaya frowned and stepped up. That sound was his sound of traveling. She recognized it fair enough, now where was he?

On cue and with a blast of fire and smoke, a red figure stood afloat high above the facility. His tail moved fluidly behind him as he held the man in black in the air. With a smirk, he disappeared in another puff of fire and left the man to drop. Running on instinct, Amaya quickly disappeared and reappeared to grab the man. They vanished before they could hit the ground and landed inside of the room. Amaya groaned, rolling onto her front to get up. She wasn't used to transporting another person, but he was alive.

"What-?"

Amaya's head snapped up, hearing Azazel reappear. She let out a curse and disappeared once again. The others watched as she attempted to save the falling agents. Screams and sickening sounds of people falling to their deaths were all they heard. They panicked and backed away from the glass while quickly searching for any sign of Amaya. The girl appeared on the floor, curling up on her side. Her chest rose and fell heavily whilst her face contorted in pain. She could feel herself slipping, feel herself losing control. Not only that, but she was only able to save a total of six people, six, out of everyone who fell out of the sky. Alex ran over and helped her up, forcing her to lean against him to support her while she needed it.

"Are you okay?" Raven asked.

"Son of a bitch," she mumbled, glaring out the window. A group of agents were already outside with guns, searching desperately for the red man.

One of the men hit the glass, ordering them to get back when he suddenly appeared. They screamed, pointing at him but by the time they started shooting, he'd already disappeared. He repeatedly appeared behind the men when they least expected it. They lost control of their guns and everyone quickly dove down behind the couches to avoid getting hit. Darwin stood protectively in front of them, ready to change to rebound any stray bullets.

They jumped, turning to the other window when a large tornado spun through. It destroyed Cerebro and sucked in any man who tried to stop it. Amaya's eyes narrowed. She remembered him too. Everyone pulled themselves back, forming a small protective ball while chaos ensued around them. Raven averted her eyes and squeezed them shut in a desperate attempt to keep from seeing more killing but it was no use. She could still hear their screams and the sound of their deaths.

"Stay here my ass!" Darwin shouted when Azazel reappeared. "Let's go!"

They shot out of the room, running down the hall to get away from whatever the hell was happening, but there was a wall of armed men standing there, waiting for whoever was attacking to walk down that way. They quickly intercepted the mutants and forced them back into the room. A shower of explosions shook the building and without a choice, they ran back into the room. Almost as soon as they did, a man was sent flying through the window with the tornado in it. Everyone ducked down, screaming. The tornado faded away to nothing, the man in gray from the boat stepping into the room. They watched in horror as Azazel killed the final agent in his way.

The seven of them crowded together as the two closed in. Shots resounded outside of their doors. Raven stared in fright. What could it be now?

"If you want the mutants, they're right through that door. Please, leave us normal-" The man on the opposite side was cut short by the sound of his bones cracking. They could only stare in shock. They thought the CIA was supposed to be protecting them, yet they gave them up that easily?

A third figure entered the room. The man wore a strange metal helmet, his face cruel, yet painted with an amused smile as if he were entertained with the meager attempt the humans put up against them. He practically radiated power.

The moment Amaya set eyes on him, her eyes flashed dangerously and she stiffened. This was the man she hated, standing right before them, and she could barely even stand.

"The telepath?" the man asked, turning to Azazel.

"Not here."

"Too bad. Well, at least I can take this silly thing off." He took the helmet off of his head and ran a hand through his brown locks. "Good evening. My name is Sebastian Shaw. And I am not here to hurt you."

"Freeze!" One more agent called.

"Azazel." He killed the man swiftly, allowing for Shaw to continue. "My friends, there is a revolution coming. When mankind discovers who we are, what we can do, each of us will face a choice. Be enslaved or rise up to rule."

"You and I both know that's total bullshit spilling from your mouth," Amaya snarled. Alex tightened his grip on her, giving her a warning look. Was she crazy?

His gaze shifted to her, his smile growing. "Fiammaya-"

She let out a low growl at the use of her full name.

"I see you still haven't gained control of your abilities," he remarked, watching the way her eyes changed to red and purple and the whites shifted to black. The others stared at her in surprise, but Raven recalled that familiar look. That was the same form from when they first met.

"Go suck a dick, fuckface."

Shaw merely chuckled. "Your vocabulary has certainly grown, hasn't it? Your abilities would be of great use to us, Amaya. Come back, and I promise you won't be punished."

Her eyes narrowed. "Not on your life."

"Shame... Though, I have a feeling you will reconsider. As for the rest of you, choose freely, but know that if you are not with us, then, by definition, you are against us. So, you can stay and fight for the people who hate and fear you, or you can join me and live like kings. And queens." He held his hand out towards Angel, knowing her resolution was wavering.

As he wanted, the girl slipped her hand into his and stepped off with him.

"Angel..." Raven breathed.

"Are you kidding me?" Darwin looked at her.

"Come on. We don't belong here," she said, turning around to look at them. "And that's nothing to be ashamed of."

Darwin held out his hand to her, but she already continued heading out with Shaw.

Raven frowned. "We have to do something."

Darwin turned around to Alex after a moment. He seemed to murmur something that made Alex frown and shove him off. Amaya watched on in confusion. She was right there next to them, but couldn't hear what they were talking about.

"Stop," Darwin called. "I'm coming with you."

Shaw paused and gave a smile. "Good choice. So, tell me about your mutation."

"Well, I adapt to survive. So, I guess I'm coming with you."

"I like that," he chuckled.

Darwin took his spot next to Angel. "Alex!"

"Get out!" He quickly handed Amaya over to Raven who pulled them away from harm. Her eyes widened. They couldn't be... Darwin grabbed Angel and quickly transformed.

"Do it!"

"No!" Amaya screamed, but it was too late. Alex had already thrown his attack and Shaw had already absorbed one of his rings.

Darwin shifted back questionably as Azazel pulled Angel from his arms.

"Protecting your fellow mutants? That's a noble gesture." He smirked. "Feels good."

Darwin frowned and went up to Shaw, aiming a right hook that was quickly blocked. Shaw gripped his face with his other hand. "Adapt to this," he whispered, infusing Darwin with a ball of energy. He released him and rejoined his group. He watched as Darwin struggled to contain the energy surging through him, shifting from form to form, but with no use. He looked back at Alex as he disintegrated into nothing. Shaw gave Amaya a fleeting smirk. "Food for thought, my dear. How are you so sure that they'll still stick by you when they find out what you have done? And that poor child-"

Amaya's eyes flared and she would have lunged at him had Alex not held her back. Shaw's smirk grew and with a flash of smoke, they were gone. The air was filled with silence, two of their friends, gone. Amaya was absolutely furious. Her fists were clenched tightly, teeth grit. The shadows stirred dangerously, stretching and swirling into forms as if they had a life of their own, and she didn't even care that she was losing control.

"Amaya, calm down. Your shadows, they're-"

She shifted her dark gaze to Alex, completely taking him back. "Don't. Touch. Me." Her voice was dark, and they could practically feel the anger coming from those three words.

Alex quickly pulled back and held his hands up in defense. He did not want to get in her way. Amaya turned around and left the room, disappearing into the ruins of the building without another word.

.:-:-:.

Charles had been anxious ever since they left the Soviet. Something didn't feel right. The closer they got to the CIA base, the more thoughts he should have been able to hear. He should have been able to feel the kids enjoying their time together as he usually did. But now, he heard little. There was nothing but regret and sadness that grew stronger by the second. They didn't have to wonder why. As soon as they saw it, Charles' heart sank. The place was in ruins. Broken concrete and stone were everywhere. The once strong standing base was gone and all that was left was rubble. He found the kids, but there were only five of them. He knew there were seven when they left.

As soon as the car stopped, Charles jumped out and pulled Raven into a hug. Thank god she was alright. He scanned the few there for another familiar face, feeling a flood of relief when he found her. She was curled up into a ball several feet away from where the others were sitting, her head buried in her arms. She didn't even look up or move when they had arrived. What had Shaw done to her?

"We've made arrangements for you to be taken home immediately," he told everyone else.

"We're not going home," Sean replied.

"What?"

"He's-" He looked to Alex. "Not going back to prison."

"He killed Darwin," Alex told him.

"All the more reason for you to leave." Staying would only put them in more danger, and if this was what happened while, there was no way he could allow them to. "This is over."

Raven frowned. "Darwin's dead, Charles. And we can't even bury him."

"We can avenge him," Erik suggested, earning everyone's attention.

"Erik, a word, please." Charles took the man aside. What was he thinking? They couldn't do anything against Shaw to stop him when he stopped by. Sending them in to fight would be sending them in to their deaths. "They're just kids."

"No. They were kids," he countered. "Shaw has his army, we need ours."

Charles sighed. They did need to stop Shaw, and it was obvious normal humans wouldn't be able to stop him. The end would be the same if they didn't succeed, but if they did and they had even a glimmer of hope, they could save the future. "We'll have to train..." He turned around to the others. "All of us. Yes?"

Alex nodded. "Yeah."

"Well, we can't stay here," Hank said. "Even if they reopen the department, it's not safe. We've got nowhere to go."

Charles' lips curled into a small smile. He knew just the place. "Yes, we do. Get in the cars."

Raven grinned. She knew exactly what he was thinking, and it was perfect. One, they'd be able to train without anyone interfering, and two, they'd be able to go back home after so long.

Charles walked over to the curled up girl. He couldn't tell if she was sleeping, crying, or just sitting there. Any of the three could be an option. He tried to reach into her mind, but she'd blocked off all access. Shaw had wanted her back. He had obviously done something to her, but the question is what. He placed a hand on her shoulder and crouched down to her level.

"Amaya, we're-"

Her head snapped up and before anyone could even breathe, she grabbed Charles' arm and pulled it behind his back. She pinned him to the ground on his stomach, gripping the back of his throat and pushing his head against the ground while pulling his arm painfully behind him.

Erik watched the whole event unfold with a hint of surprise. Those dark eyes, he knew them. Two different colors surrounded by black... He recognized the way she moved and how the shadows curled in her wake.

"Amaya!" Charles groaned. Had she always been this strong? "It's me! It's Charles!"

She blinked, her eyes shifting back to their normal purple state. Charles felt her mind reopen, at least, a part of her mind, and he felt the rush of guilt. She quickly got off of him and helped him up. "Charles! I'm sorry- I just- I didn't mean to- I'm so sorry- I-" Her eyes were wide with panic, struggling to find the words to say. He'd never seen her like this before.

"It's alright." He rose to his feet and rolled his shoulder once before placing a hand on her cheek, meeting her eyes and trying to calm her mind. "It's alright. I know you're on edge. You didn't hurt me."

She nodded, taking an uneven breath.

"What happened?"

Her gaze shifted to the ground and she shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself. "I... I'm going to go wait in the car..."

Charles watched her leave, frowning. He turned to Raven who had come over to see if he was okay. "What happened? What did Shaw do to her?"

"I don't know... Shaw only talked to her... But he knew her. He knew what to say to make her angry and to make her lose control, which she began to do. After they left, she came out here and curled up into a ball like earlier. She didn't say or do anything else. She stayed like that until now..." Raven watched as the girl slipped into the car, waiting restlessly. "What do we do?"

"What we can do." He went over to the car and took his seat in the middle, between Amaya and Raven as Erik got in the front. Moira went to take the other car with the rest of them. Throughout the ride, Amaya stared out of the window, but Charles knew better. She was in her mind. He could feel the torrent of emotions coming from her. He wordlessly took her hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze as he reached into her mind again to calm her down, bringing her back. She looked up to Charles for a moment before bringing her knees to her chest and curling up against him. If this was all he could do for now, then he let it be. What she needed was comfort, and he was more than glad to give it.

Don't worry guys, she'll let him in eventually and there'll be more romance in the mansion and some bonding with Erik over the whole similar experience with Shaw sort of thing. Coming up soon~ Don't forget to review and I'll see you later~!