X-Men: Evolution

Blood Magics

A/N: I'm back. Exam time is nearing and I'm stressing a bit, but I've got time right now. Last week of classes really doesn't have much to do, just the studying for exams next week. Not going to start studying for another few days, because it honestly drives me crazy after a few days of reading it, so I'm going to start later rather than earlier so I don't burn out before next week even becomes the present time. So I've got time right now.

Well, I wrote this chapter specifically so three events could occur. Now, two of them, I'm sure you could pick out easily. I'm sure they stick out. But the third… I bet you'll never guess. ;) you're more than welcome to try, though. If you tell me what you think, I'll let you know if you got it right, and if you did, I'll give you a shoutout in the next chapter!

Well, I also made it to show Dragon getting a little more confidence out in public (or trying to), and to get into her state of mind a little more, but those aren't the reasons I meant, just to let you know.

So, let's get to it!

Disclaimer: I do not own X-men: Evo.

11. Confused Kinetics

"I did tell you-several times-that this would end badly." Xavier told Dragon's father.

"Yes," he sighed, "You did. But I had to see my daughter. I had to try to explain. I really… never meant to abandon her. I never wanted to hurt her… or her mother. Not a single day has gone by for me, not one, where I didn't mourn Christina's death or wonder what happened to Danielle. Do you… think she'll ever understand… or forgive me?"

"I don't know, Paul." Xavier's voice was even. "Given her personality, then if she were a whole person, then yes, I believe she would one day forgive and understand you. However, Dragon is not whole. Too many things have happened to her for that… no, she is shattered. When I spoke to my more inquisitive students about it, I have told them- and will keep telling them- that time will heal her confused mind. However… I can place no certainty in that statement whatsoever. That isn't to say it won't happen; it is a possibility and may well become a truth. However, it is far more likely that it will not. In order to grow properly, a young child must be constantly surrounded by people, to guide them and help them learn. With no guidance, the mind is nearly unable to develop. Where survival is concerned, Dragon will, of course, be just fine. She has adapted to thinking rapidly under pressure and making the best choice to get out alive. If she hadn't, she wouldn't be here. But in situations that are not life and death, that cannot be fought through or escaped from, decisions that some would consider normal, everyday events, she has little idea of how to handle herself. She has not had the necessary guidance to teach her how to make the best decision."

"Well, can't you help her?" Paul snapped, feeling a sudden surge of anger. He didn't mean his tone to be as harsh as it was; he knew it wasn't Xavier he was angry with- it was himself.

"Of course. My students and I will help her through her decisions whenever we can. I cannot, however, go inside her mind to straighten it out. Communicating telepathically, and seeing the images she wants me to see, is easy enough, as I only need to touch her mind. However, the one time I became curious and delved deeper, I almost was unable to find my way back out. When a mind is as confused as hers is, it is… messy. It took all the concentration I had not to become lost. Were I to try and help, I would likely make the situation worse, as I have little doubt in my own mind that I could become trapped within hers. That being the case, there is a small chance that the areas of her mind behind in development will slowly catch up; there is a large chance they will not. There are certain times in a person's life where they best learn about certain things; those times have long since passed in Dragon's lifetime, and it's most likely far too late now. But rest assured; whether her mind stays unstable or not, she has a place here. And I will do what I can to ensure help is available whenever she needs it. It would be best, however, if you did not come to see her again, Paul, unless she has called for you."

"Yes, Professor. I will go, and I will stay away until she decides she is ready. If she does decide.

"Thank you, Professor Xavier, for telling me that my daughter is alive. I feel no less guilt for not being there, but I'm truly grateful and happy that my daughter, at least, did not pay for my mistake with her life. Thank you."

With that, Dragon's father left, Xavier watching his retreating figure for several moments before going back inside the institute.

The following Saturday morning was filled with the usual: students sleeping in, crowding the rec. room, making a mess of the kitchen, and making plans for the day. As of late, breakfast for Tabitha usually included, at some point, Dragon (possibly accidentally) knocking over Tabitha's glass of milk when she wasn't looking, and/ or causing her to break the glass, to which Tabitha had wizened up and usually tried to use a plastic cup. This morning, however, Tabitha knocked over her own milk in surprise.

Rogue had mentioned a new café that had opened, and Kitty and Kurt had both jumped on the idea of going. what surprised was not that, however, but rather that Dragon had just announced that she wanted to go, too. And Tabitha wasn't the only one surprised. Most of the people in the kitchen stared at her, causing Dragon to shift nervously.

"Of course you can come!" Kitty said brightly. "Thing is, Dragon, you won't really be able to hide. But you can definitely come if you want to!"

Dragon swallowed hard and lifted her head slightly higher. "Don't need to hide. I'm sick of hiding."

"Then let's all go this afternoon!" Kitty was very enthusiastic about the idea. Rogue smiled discreetly, thinking it was about damn time Dragon started trying to have confidence and take pride in herself.

At the café, they all sat at a table, Rogue keeping one eye on Dragon. While they had walked there, Dragon had ridden on Rogue's shoulder. It had been uncomfortable having her so close to her skin, but she said nothing and let her stay there. After all, she knew exactly why Dragon had chosen her; she was far less likely to go near other people then Kitty or Kurt.

Dragon had kept her head up and her eyes forward instead of hiding though nearly everyone they had passed stared, but that didn't mean she wasn't scared. In fact, Dragon's grip on her shoulder had been very tight, her claws digging in slightly, painful but not enough to compel Rogue to say anything. That was why she was keeping an eye on her. Dragon was quiet until kitty finished looking at the little menu booklet and put it in front of her.

"Keety, Dragon can't read." Kurt voiced the very words Rogue was thinking. "Zhere's no use in giving her zhat."

"I'm working on it." Dragon sounded a little hurt. "I know seven letters now. That's an E." Dragon tapped the E in the word "Menu" printed on the front of the little booklet. Rogue smiled down at the table before being able to stoop herslf. Quickly she put on a straight face- she didn't want Dragon to think she was laughing at her- and looked over at Dragon.

"So it is. Here, Ah'll help ya."

Going over the menu with her, Rogue told Dragon what they had and explained what it was if Dragon asked.

For about an hour, things were calm and peaceful. Other than attracting a lot of stares- even more than usual- it was perfectly normal. That is, until…

"Dragon!" Rogue yelled and pushed her off the table- barely in time. A fist sized rock crashed into right where the dragon had been just an instant before, smashing the ceramic bowl her order had come in. Rogue had just seen it out of the corner of her eye. Taking a proper look at the people who'd thrown it, she felt a sinking feeling as she recognized the familiar faces. "Ah, God, not them agahn. What is that kid's problem?" She muttered. Getting up, she scrambled to get to Dragon, who had also noticed exactly who was the force behind the rock and bolted in panic.

"Come here, you little tiny freak!" Tanner shouted. Rogue spotted Dragon scrambling through various pairs of legs- when had the area around this outside table become so crowded- and started after her, only to bump into one of Tanners' friends.

'What the Hell?' Rogue suddenly found herself boxed in, not just by Tanner's friends but by other mutant- hating personnel that had decided to join in. 'Uh-oh…'

Dragon would have to manage on her own for the moment.

The moment they were surrounded, Kurt grabbed Kitty's arm and 'ported out of sight- though not too far away. Letting go of Kitty, he 'ported back to the area, this time to the roof of a building. His eyes flicked rapidly, scanning the crowd, and after several minutes he 'ported back to Kitty. Shaking his head, he told her,

"I couldn't see eizher of zhem. How did it become so crowded so fast?"

"If you didn't see them… " Kitty bit her lower lip, then closed her eyes. Professor X had often told her she was too loud when she tried mentally broadcasting. Rogue had once- not that long ago- managed to contact him from the school, so she would surely be able to catch his attention.

'PROFESSOR!'

Xavier winced. 'Kitty? That's wrong?'

'We're being attacked!'

'By who?'

'Just mutant haters… but there's dozens of them! Kurt and I got out, but we've lost track of Dragon and Rogue! This place went from quiet to crowded in seconds, and they vanished!'

'Alright, Kitty. I'm sending the team. If you see Dragon or Rogue, try to get them out, but otherwise stay out of it until we get there.'

'Right!'

If there was ever a time to panic, Dragon thought that this might be it. She was trapped by who knew how many people, and one of them had stuck a knife in her side, giving her a brief, horrible flashback to her last night with her mother. She had bit that particular person's arm, and he'd pulled back, taking the knife with him, and she was luckily not bleeding very badly, but it still hurt. That was one of the reasons she couldn't fly out- the gash was too close to her wing joint. The other reason was that they were too close- if she tried, they could easily just know her out of the air before she got over their heads.

"Get- get back!" she cried. "Stay away!"

But they laughed, several people trying to kick out at her. She looked around frantically, then took a deep breath. She wanted out, and so help her, she was getting out.

Picking a direction, Dragon blew a stream of Shadow Fire. Most people jumped away. The Shadow Fire didn't hit many people, but that was just fine- it gave her an opening. And Dragon took it.

Rogue weaved through the masses of people, clearing right in front of her with punches, kicks, and once or twice an absorption, if there seemed no otherfast way to clear the area so she could move. She definitely did not want to stay in the middle of a group of people all intent on hurting her. It stung her pride a little, running when she was a perfectly capable fighter, but she wasn't stupid. With this many people, she was bound to get hurt sooner or later.

'Where the hell are ya, guys? Ya better be okay…' suddenly, someone gripped her arm and threw her into a glass window. Glittering shards, some of them quite large, rained down on her. One large shard tore open her left pant leg from the knee down, though luckily didn't catch her leg other than the tiniest of cuts just below her knee. Another, smaller shard sank into her right hand. Cursing, she yanked out the glass shard and quickly looked around. She'd certainly broken the window she'd been thrown into, but she hadn't ended up inside the café. People were still moving toward her.

"'cause throwin' one inta a winda ain't enough." She muttered. At that moment, Dragon skittered out from under the crowd. Seeing Rogue, she put on the brakes, but didn't stop fast enough. Crashing into Rogue, one of Dragon's wings brushed against Rogue's skin through her torn pant leg.

Nothing happened.

Any other time, Rogue would have stared at dragon, immediately trying to figure out what just happened, how it was possible. But right now was a very bad time to do that. Rogue seized Dragon, then immediately let go as they both yelped- Rogue's cut hand had come in contact with Dragon's injured side. Placing her hands differently, she picked Dragon up, then forced her way through the mob to the alley between the café and the building next to it. The alley was wide enough that 2 people could walk side by side, even three, though they'd be a little squished. They could follow her, certainly, but they couldn't swarm her like before. Between her and Dragon, it would hopefully not be too hard to keep them back until either they gave up- ha!- or help arrived. She would have to give Dragon a few moments, though- she appeared to be hyperventilating- so it was up to her just now.

She knocked out the first couple people easily with well- aimed punches and kicks, then backed up, hissing in pain, when one of them sliced her arm open- fairly deeply- with a hidden knife they'd pulled out.

'Come on, team! Where are ya? Ah hate admittin' it, but Ah need help!' she thought desperately. And suddenly, her silent call was answered by a person whom she least expected.

The next thing she knew, there was a person right at her back. A soft scraping sound filled Rogue's ears, and a metal staff slid in front of her, the arms of the person holding it, clad in brown leather, appeared on either side of her. She knew who it was the moment he spoke, his voice horribly, achingly famillair.

"Y' might wan' t' try leavin' de belle fille alone, gentlemen. Hate for t'ings t' get violent, an' it jus' might- she don't like de game y'r playin' right now.

Rogue felt him move in even closer, snugging her against his chest, which she wasn't entirely comfortable with, but it was safer then outside his grasp.

"Matter of fact, Gambit don't t'ink he like it much, neither."

A/N there, the end of another chapter. Let me know if you don't think I did the accents very well, I'm kind of worried that Rogue's may not have come out very well.

Just so you know, Gambit will probably be based more on the version of him in the original 90's cartoon rather than evolution, as I watch the 90's cartoon more often, and I hardly saw him in the evo. series anyway, having not watched the final season and therefore not the Cajun spice episode I've been hearing about, though I believe I've gotten the gist of what happened.

Well, QueenofSpades123, he has gotten here, as I promised, and there will be eventual ROMY! Yay!

So, let me know what you think. See if you can guess the three events I needed to happen, it might be interesting to see what you come up with.

Anyway, I need to go try to pass my classes this year. This is already my second try, so I don't know what'll happen if I don't manage to fix what I have so far done wrong. Sigh…

So, leave a review please, and you can expect that you won't be seeing me until earliest the weekend after next, though that'll probably be early unless I get ambitious in my writing.

also, I've noticed that I've been working on this for over a year... I'm sorry. I blame a combination of college and the fact that I didn't finish this story before I started posting it. with the story already finished, I tend to type it up faster. but, well, hopefully, I'll be able to finish it over the summer. but I'm sorry. I feel ashamed at how long it's taking. I'll see what I can do to get it done.