Chapter 11: Power Outage
Disclaimer: I do not claim any characters! Oh and by the way I know no one will believe me but I wrote this chapter before I knew anything about X3, mine is different anyway.
"Jean, Cyclops, Storm. I've picked up an extremely powerful mutant on Cerebro. I need you to locate it before Magneto can find it." The Professor briefed three of his X-men. "Where to?" Scott asked. "Not too far, New London, Connecticut." Professor responded. His three x-men nodded at the orders and exited the office.
"I wonder what this one is." Scott said boarding the X-Jet. "There are so many varieties of possible mutant powers it's almost impossible to guess" Jean replied sitting next to Ororo. "Oh, let him guess" Ororo buckled up and Scott started the jet. "I think it's a girl" Scott began. "How old?" Jean interrupted. "Fourteen, I don't know, and because it's someone that Magneto is interested in, I'm going to guess she has some sort of psychic ability " About half an hour later the x-jet landed.
"This place is a mess." Jean exited the jet first; they appeared to be at an old rundown building. The place reeked of rotting garbage, and turned over boxes and containers of various liquids were knocked over anywhere. Conveyor belts were covered with dust and rats scurried into their dark corners. "Hello?" Ororo called out. Some boxes fell over and they all heard the sound of little feet running. "We're not here to hurt you, we want to help you." Jean tried. Just a moment later, Jean felt something cling to her legs. Attached was a little blonde haired girl who was scared out of her mind. "I don't see anyone else." Scott looked around quickly. "We're going to take you somewhere safe, ok?" Jean picked up the girl and carried her to the jet; Ororo and Scott followed,
"Professor, we have her." Scott walked into the Professor's office, the girl right behind him. "Welcome Caitlynn. I'm Professor Charles Xavier." "What do you want?" The professor wheeled closer. "We want to help you." The girl nodded "Ok" she spoke softly, but then a panicked look covered her face. At that moment everyone inside the mansion except for Caitlynn passed out. "Get up, please." Caitlynn tapped the Professor on the shoulder with a very concerned look on her face. Then someone came from behind her and took Caitlynn from the X mansion. A while later everyone came to. "Professor, are you alright?" Scott loomed over the professor's desk. "Yes, I'm fine Scott. I want you to follow me outside. Scott followed the Professor outside to a secluded area. "Take off your glasses and open your eyes." Xavier instructed Scott. "With all due respect." Just do it." Scott complied and nervously opened his eyes only to be greeted by a world of color.
"Miss Munroe, may I go to the bathroom?"" Kitty raised her hand and Ororo nodded. Kitty got up, walked straight into the door, and fell backwards, "what?" the class started with ripples of laughter. "Stop it, it's not funny." Kitty yelled to the class and rubbed her nose. "I'm broken." She muttered to herself and turned the knob on the door. "Attention all students this is Professor Charles Xavier. As I'm sure all of you have noticed at the present time we are all powerless. All rules still apply, for counseling see me or any of your professors." The intercom clicked off. The students all immediately began trying their powers, all failing. John stared into the flame of is Zippo then closed it in anger. "Class is dismissed." Ororo closed her text book.
"Kitty, wait for me." Rogue got up from her desk and took off her gloves, and walked up to Storm and stuck out her hand, Ororo grasped it and gave her hand a light shake. "Have fun, don't get into trouble." Rogue smiled and then ran out of the classroom with Kitty. "It's gonna take me so long to get everywhere now I can't hardly remember being normal." Kitty whined. Rogue nodded understandingly but couldn't stop smiling." And of course you're happy. Oh my god, I totally forgot." Kitty gave her friend a hug. "Kitty, can I borrow some of your clothes?"
"Someone's gotta wake him up." Kitty said standing next to Rogue, John, and Bobby. "I happen to know that that is not the smartest thing to do." Bobby commented as they all stared at Toad still asleep on his bed. "Oh my god, I'll do it." Rogue walked over to Toad's bed. "Hey, wake up!" She poked him causing him to roll over. "Hey, house rules." Rogue poked him one last time. He groaned and sat up revealing sift brown hair and blemish free tan skin. Toad rubbed his eyes a looked at Rogue in front of him dressed in a skirt and tank top that showed a couple inches of belly. "Why the hell are you dressed so bloody skimpy?" He got off the bed in his jeans. "I am not!" Rogue pretended to be offended, "Well it's certainly a change from your day to day attire." Now he was just being sarcastic. Rogue rolled her eyes. "Look in the mirror" Rogue gestures towards the piece covered in clothing in the corner. Toad looked at her like she was stupid and began walking towards the reflective glass and as soon as his reflection was visible he stopped and turned around. "What happened?" "No one really knows except a few of the teachers. All we've been told is that for the time being, we are all 'normal'" Bobby accented the word with quotation fingers. Toad looked down at his hands and smiled to himself, then looked quickly up at Rogue and Kitty. "Now if you ladies will leave, I've got to change." Toad shooed them out dressed, and spiked his hair.
"See this makes more people happy than just me. Granted he's not the best example, but I'll take any support I can. Ten bucks says he's goin out tonight." Rogue looked at Kitty daring her almost. "Ok, I'll take that bet; but something tells me that he's got a new opinion on you. Oh, and I'll have you know, I saw you looking." Kitty said coolly. Rogue opened her mouth as if to speak but no words came forward. "I was n--. I…Ok fine, but if you put knowing him aside, he is pretty hot." Rogue defended. "Oh, I'm not disagreeing with you, I just wanted you to say it first. Next time, you might want to keep your eyes in their sockets though." Kitty laughed, and Jean Grey approached. "Hey girls, who's hot?" Jean had overheard their conversation. "Well you know with the whole no powers thing, people are changing. Colors and characteristic features and stuff." Rogue began but Kitty cut in shortly after. "Basically she's beating around the bush as if not to tell you that she's think Toad is a major hottie." Kitty Grinned at Rogue's surprised face then back to their teacher. Jean normally would have cringed at the thought of anyone being attracted to the green slimy wart boy, but managed to suppress it. "Well I guess that sometimes other things take away from our better features. You girls have fun tonight." Jean squeezed Rogue on the shoulder and continued down the hallway. John and Bobby came walking down the stairs towards the girls. "Hey guys!" Kitty waved as the reached the bottom of the stairs.
"We got permission to go off campus tonight." John smiled grandly. "So where has Amara been all day?" Bobby asked John. "Well after the news she went straight to the professor and asked to go home to see her family till her powers came back. Her family was more than happy to hear that we're on a school vacation." John frowned at the thought of his girlfriend still pretending like she's normal. Rogue suddenly grabbed Kitty's shoulders and spun her to face her. "Oh, my god. Do you think we could go to the mall!" Kitty's eyes got huge and a smile crossed her face and she turned to her boyfriend. "Baby…" Kitty played and Bobby shook his head "No, we're not goin to the mall." Kitty frowned and put on a puppy face. "Kitty, no." Kitty leaned on Bobby and looked him right in the eyes, he was falling for it. Bobby looked to John for support and he shook his head to not give in, but Kitty was too strong. "Ok" Kitty squealed with joy and gave Bobby a kiss on the cheek. John just shook his head at Bobby. "Oh, come on. She's a professional, I can't beat that." Bobby tried to explain to John who was still thinking about holding bags and bags of clothes. Toad came down the stairs and saw Kitty jumping anxiously waiting to go and turned around to go right back up. "Oh no you don't." Rogue started. "You are not leaving us alone with them." John finished. "Why, where you going?" Toad asked. "You'll see." The five of them piled into Scott's Nissan as permitted and drove off. "I am not getting out!" Toad said as they pulled up to the mall. "Yes you are." Rogue grabbed Toad's arm and he almost instinctively flinched, then remembered about the no powers and let her drag him out of the parked vehicle.
"Professor we're never going to find her. If you don't have your powers , it's impossible."
"Scott, I know you're worried, and we will locate her somehow. For now though, enjoy the break." The professor gave a kind smile to Scott who nodded and went off to find Jean. The phone rang. "Hello, old friend." Magneto's vive came over the receiver. "Eric." Xavier responded. "how are you?" Magneto asked already knowing the answer. "I think you know exactly how we are, where's the girl?" Professor cut to the chase. "Charles, you don't plan to rescue her, do you?" Magneto asked with a laugh. "She did it us, she'll do it to you. Then where will you be?" Professor X raised a point. "Ahead of you, Old friend. I have the girl and she can counter the effects. ." "We'll see." Both men hung up the phone, the professor gave a heavy sigh, this would be a difficult challenge.
Magneto walked down the metal corridor when he passed a woman with short red hair. "Mystique, where are you going?" The girl stopped and faced him. "No where, that brat did something. This is me." Magneto was worried, but only for a second. Mystique had soft pale skin now, but the rest was the same. With the need for clothes she chose an emerald green dress that she has once taken from a store a while back. "Where's the girl now?" Magneto turned to the woman. "She ran; I'm still looking for her. Sabertooth scared her away." She could tell that Magneto was aggravated. "And why didn't you keep up with her?" Magneto asked calmly. "I was about to when I passed out. When I woke up, I looked like this, but rather than track her down completely nude, I thought that I would get dressed." Mystique said with an attitude and walked off continuing her search for the girl.
"Alright, we're ready" Kitty called and she and Rogue emerged from the bathroom. "Finally" John stood up from leaning against the wall. Kitty was wearing a short light blue halter top, with a black mini skirt, and black flip flops for comfort. Rogue was wearing a long metal grey skirt with slits that went all the way up the thigh, but with built in shorts so it didn't look skanky. Rogue completed the outfit with a burgundy off the shoulder top and black heels. "Damn" was the next thing that John said. Bobby spun Kitty around, obviously liking what he saw. Kitty took her hair down from the usually ponytail and gave the tie to Rogue who threw her hair into a quick French twist, leaving the white strands to frame her face. "You're being strangely silent." Rogue got up in Toad's face. Toad took a step back "Don't do that." Rogue rolled her eyes "Sorry". Toad told her to spin around with his finger. "Very nice, better than that winter apparel you wear every other day." He couldn't possibly tell her that he thought she was the most beautiful girl he's ever laid eyes on, then what would she think? "Thanks" Rogue looked at him for a minute and smiled. "Let's go".
When they arrived at the club, Toad walked up to the bouncer and talked to him. After a few minutes the bouncer let the group skip the line and didn't check anyone's ID. "What was that about?" John asked curiously. "He is an ally of Magneto's; he listens for any tips on powerful mutants or opportunities and tips him off. It just took a little while for me to convince him it was me." Toad explained. "Would you look at this place?" Rogue walked through the dancing people under the flashing lights. "Rogue, I mean, Marie come on." Kitty led Rogue through the mix of people and they began dancing causing a few heads to turn. "Hey hot stuff." A girl in a strapless black dress approached Toad, when he ignored her she tapped him on the shoulder. "Excuse me, hi. Do you generally ignore girls at clubs?" She had fiery red hair and aqua blue eyes. 'No, I'm used to girls hitting on me' Toad thought. "No, love, just seeing how far you'd go." She smiled. "British, hot. I'm Naomi. And you are?" She put her finger to her chin, "Name's Todd, can I get you drink?" She shook her head. "Not yet, I'd rather dance."
"Well there's something we never see." Kitty commented. "What?" Rogue asked and followed Kitty's finger. "Look who's on the dance floor." Rogue felt a slight twinge of jealousy, though she didn't know why. "Who's he with?" Rogue asked instead. Kitty took a second glance. "Just some club hopper. Why, you aren't jealous are you?" Kitty played. "No, why should I be?" 'She's only all over him, unbuttoning his shirt, probably think she's so hot, if she only knew what I knew she wouldn't---' Rogue cut off her own thoughts when she realized that someone was talking to her. "Do you wanna dance?" The guy with jet black hair asked again. Kitty smiled and waved her friend off then went to dance with Bobby. Rogue looked around, Toad was still with that red head, Kitty was already dancing with Bobby, and John was the center of a crowd of girls. "Sure."
"You are quite the catch, how is it you're single?" Naomi asked as she and Toad left the dance floor to sit at a booth against the wall. Naomi draped one arm over Toad's shoulders and used her free had to massage his chest. 'Could get used to this' Toad thought. "Well I just haven't found anyone that I care to put up with." Toad responded to Naomi's question. "And what about me?" Naomi asked seductively. She was about to pull her best moves on Toad when all the sudden, "Get off of me!" Rogue's voice was heard above the music and rang even louder in Toad's ears. "Sorry, love" Toad pushed Naomi off and left her in booth still in shock. Toad then saw a few guys trying to keep from Rogue from escaping. "Todd! Help me!" Marie called. He looked straight at her, this guy was all over her. With one punch, Toad got in the circle and with a second punch knocked the guy completely out. "Come on, we're leaving." Toad carried Rogue away from the guys and they left the club. A few minutes later, Kitty, Bobby, and John showed up outside. "Sorry, we couldn't make John leave" Kitty pointed her thumb at the accused.
"I'll kill her!" Erupted Sabertooth's voice from behind a metal door. "No, you won't. We need her to get back to normal, now come out of the there!" Mystique ordered from the hall. The door opened and all that was heard was Mystique's laughter. "Where did you, Where did you find those clothes?" Mystique laughed again. "They're mine, I ripped them off a man before coming here." Sabertooth looked down at his suit and removed the jacket. We need to find the girl now." Sabertooth said under his breath. Magneto came walking down the hall, took one look at Sabertooth, and just shook his head.
At the X Mansion, the sound of a motorcycle disturbed the silence. "Logan's back!." Rogue jumped off the couch and ran to the door, hugging the man the second he stepped through the door. "What the hell happened here, somethin's different. And why are you dressed like that?" Logan took a step back and looked at Rogue. "Logan, it's terrible. Ok, not really, but I feel like I should say it is." Logan raised an eyebrow. "And it is--?" Rogue put her un-gloved hand on the side of Logan's face. At first he flinched, realizing that it was Rogue, but then he realized nothing was happening. "We're all broken." Rogue said. Logan stuck out his claws and retracted them, healing as always, and decided to shrug it off. "So the first thing you do is decide to go to a club?" Rogue looked to her friends for an answer. "It wasn't just me, we all went. But I'll have you know, I am not going back." Logan gave her a questioning look. "What happened?"
"These guys were all over me, and they wouldn't let me leave, so Toad had to beat them off so we could go." Rogue didn't look Logan in the eyes. "Yeah, so where is he anyways?" Logan scanned his eyes over the group. Rogue nudged Toad a little forward. "No powers, remember?" Marie smiled at Logan. "Well I guess I owe you a thank-you, for watching for her. She's important to me and I don't want to lose her. So thanks." Logan and Toad exchanged nods, it would be a while before they were on a hand shaking basis. Logan then went upstairs and the left the group to themselves. "Well at least we've got Logan now, so we kind of have the upper-hand right?" Rogue looked around for agreement. "How does he always show up when you're in trouble?" John asked out of nowhere. "I don't know; I'm just glad he does." Rogue smiled warmly, and then all five students retired to their rooms.
Storm roamed the busy streets of New York hoping to find assign of dismay leading her to Magneto. "You're not special anymore." A small girl appeared in front of Ororo, then ran. "Wait!" Storm ran after the girl after realizing that it was the girl they had rescued just a few days before. "Please, they've got me; I just want to go home. Help me!" The young girl's voice echoed in Ororo's mind. "I'll give you them all, all the powers. Save me, hurry." The voice showed signs of worry. "Where are you?" Storm shouted above the crowded streets. "I don't know, but follow me." The image of the little girl reappeared before Storm once more and ran. Storm chased the form that only she could see. There were so many turns, and too many streets, but Ororo had the coordinates of her location every step of the way. "I'm inside." The girl disappeared and Ororo found herself in front of a large ditch, after searching through the surrounding woods, she found the hidden entrance. "I'll be back with help." Storm turned around and headed back to the X mansion.
"Professor!" Ororo ran through the front door and down the hall. "Professor" Storm opened the Professor's office only to find it empty. "What's wrong 'Ro?" Ororo turned to face the familiar voice. "Logan, where is everyone?" The pair left the office and walked down the hallway. "No one was here when I got back this mornin. I only saw Rogue and her friends." Logan stated. "I was in the city when the little girl made contact with me. She asked me to help her, and she led me right to Magneto's hideout." Storm said it as though it were the most amazing thing that had ever happened. "That's great, but what little girl?" Logan asked. "Oh, I forgot, you weren't here. A couple days ago, the professor had us track down this little girl, and her power apparently is that she can take away mutant powers and that's what happened here, and now Magneto has her, and we've got to get her back so we can get back to normal, or how we were anyways". Storm quickly explained. "Well doesn't seem like I missed anything too important, we can take the junior group. "Logan suggested. "Logan, we can't. They've only just finished their training. I--" Storm was cut off. "We can do it! We finished our training because we're ready." Ororo turned around. "Kitty, I know you are, but it's different this time. This time we don't have our powers to fight behind." Storm looked to Logan to back her up. "Miss Munroe, this is our fight too, we were taught to use our powers defensively anyways." Kitty responded. Ororo let out a deep sigh. "I just don't want to see you get hurt." Logan laid a hand on Ororo's shoulder. "They'll be fine." Storm nodded. "Get them together; we've got to move fast." Kitty nodded and ran to gather her friends.
"Ok, this is what we're going to do. I will take Shadow Cat and Ice Man and we'll search on the East side. Logan, you take Pyro and Rogue and search the West." Storm showed her plans on a map. "Storm, I have a suggestion." Rogue spoke up. "Yes, Rogue?" Storm asked quickly. "Well, we were thinking that Toad should probably come. I mean he knows what kind of things Magneto would be up to and where he might hide the girl." Ororo nodded giving permission and Rogue left and returned with Toad shortly. "You're going with Logan." Storm looked at toad. "Let's go." Everyone piled into an emergency use S.U.V. and drove to the location. "Logan be careful. Remember, safety first." Storm took her group and left.
Pyro began opening and closing his Zippo, just looking at the flame. "We'll get them back." Rogue said calmly. "Storm should be inside now, I guess I should say something inspirational, but I won't. Let's go." Logan found the entrance that Storm had told him about. Inside the hideout looked like Magneto's other hideouts, metal. As the group continued down the hall a voice that sent chills down Toad's spine was heard. "Well, well, well. What do we have here?" When the group turned around, no one saw what they expected. "She's different then I remember, clothes and all. "John whispered in Rogue's ear. "Let me see, well don't all of you look the same? Except, who are you-'' Mystique tilted her head to see the eyes of the person who was avoiding her gaze. "Toad, my god, what have they done to you?" Mystique spoke with disgust. "Mystique where are you? I hear you, but I don't see you. Oh wait, look who has to wear clothes now, it's almost, and dare I say it? Normal." Toad spoke with a flat tone. "You don't know who you've betrayed!" Mystique yelled. "No, I think I do." Toad knew exactly how to piss Mystique off, and it worked. "With a kick to the gut and a return kick to the lower back the fight started. "He can take care of himself, come on." Logan took Pyro and Rogue and continued down the metal hallway.
"I'm in here." Ororo heard the voice of the girl and turned to the nearest door. Of course the door was locked. "I won't let you get her." The man with the suit appeared behind them. "Then we're going to have a problem. "The small group turned around. "ok, you think we're going to take you seriously in that?" Kitty gave her honest opinion. "Shadow Cat shhh" After Strom finished her sentence; Sabertooth had her around the neck. "You can't save yourself now" Sabertooth whispered. "Ms. Munroe!" Kitty jumped onto Sabertooth's back and started beating him. "Ice man, do something!" Kitty ordered. "Umm…" Bobby tried hitting Sabertooth's arm to loosen his grip on Storm but ended up getting kicked in the stomach, and Sabertooth crushed Kitty against the wall. Soon enough, Wolverine came charging down the hall and tackled Sabertooth. Sabertooth let out a roar as three atimantium claws went into his back. Sabertooth released Storm as he fell, ultimately throwing her into the wall where she hit head first. "Storm!" Kitty shook Ororo's un-conscious body. "Go without us!" Logan ordered, still fighting Sabertooth. "Kitty, wait!" Rogue yelled running down the hall with John. "Logan where do we go?" Rogue yelled back as they walked away. "Get…the…keys" Logan told them.
"There aren't keys" Toad walked past Rogue. "We need Magneto." The X-kids continued to follow Toad and finally came to a solid steel door, which surprisingly opened when they reached it. The small group entered the office and the door shut firmly behind them. "No one's here." Rogue said quietly. Toad shook his head and walked over to the desk in the center of the room and pushed a button by the mouse. The entire desk slid to the right and revealed a staircase. "Ok, he has way to much time on his hands." Kitty informed the group as they made their descent. The stairs led to a room 3 stories high and the only thing in the room was a solid steel vault with a small bullet proof window. "What is it?" Bobby asked.
"It is a power magnifier." Magneto's voice came from behind the group. "It takes the normal mutant and makes it stronger, more powerful, then they can use their powers to the fullest." Magneto stopped in front of Toad. "Toad, I hardly recognized you." Magneto walked back down the group and stopped in front of Rogue, Toad grabbed Rogue by the arm and drug her a little behind him. "We're here for the girl." John stated. "Yes, I see. Unfortunately the second we got her in her holding cell, she took away my power and now I can't get her out." Magneto tried for the vote of pity. The group looked around to each other and frowned at their only option. "If we get her to give you back your powers, she goes with us." Rogue stated. "You've got yourself a deal." Magneto stuck out his hand. "The professor is your friend, not us." Bobby said. Magneto smiled and retracted his offered hand and the group went back up the stairs.
When everyone reached the cell, Wolverine, Storm, and Sabertooth were gone. "She leaves with us." Rogue said once more. Magneto replied with a simple "yes". "Don't trust him" Toad whispered to Marie. "Not for a second, do you have a better plan?" Rogue replied. "Caitlynn, we're here to get you, but you've got to give Magneto back his powers so he can get you out." Kitty called through the cell. Magneto stretched out his hand and the door bent open. "Fools" Magneto said grabbing Caitlynn. Suddenly a he and Caitlynn descended down a hidden elevator leaving the group stunned. "No! Where's he going?" Rogue turned to Toad sharply. "What? I'm sorry, are you going to listen to me now?" Rogue glared and punched him in the arm. "Now is not the time!" Toad nodded and they all went back in the office, down the stairs, and this time there was a hand beating against the glass of the vault. Magneto raised the vault high in the air and attached it to a large hook hanging from the ceiling, where bolts of lighting from electrical boxes in all four corners began striking the vault to charge it. "How do we get her now?" Rogue asked in a worried tone. "I can get her." Toad turned to Rogue. "No, it's too dangerous." "It's ok." Toad turned and began to walk away and Rogue grabbed his hand. Toad turned back once more and their lips met in a brief kiss. "I'll be fine." And Toad went off.
"John, I think you've been replaced." Bobby joked. "Shut up!" Rogue ordered to the boys behind and continued to watch with worried eyes as Toad used the crevices in the wall to climb all the way up. "No!" Magneto watched helpless as Toad managed to reach the vault and open the door. The second the door flew open Caitlynn reached out her hand and Rogue felt a sensation run through her body and knew that her powers were back. "Yes!" John yelled excitedly and blocked Magneto's exit with flames, Bobby quickly froze Magneto in place. Rogue walked over to Magneto casually. "Is should drain you dry, but I'm not a killer." Rogue laid her bare hand on the side of Magneto's face and slowly lowered the crate. "Back to normal." Toad said with Caitlynn in hand. "I'm sorry I stole your powers, I was just thinking what great powers you have and the next thing I knew, I had them all. I have a gift for you though, you'll know when you get it." Caitlynn smiled at Rogue. "You kids ready to go?" Logan finally appeared at the base of the stairs. "Where's Storm?" Rogue asked. "She's getting the jet ready." Logan smiled. "You're not Logan." Rogue zapped John, took his Zippo, and with a fiery burst sent Mystique flying across the room. "Let's go, we can wait by the car." All the kids left the ditch and emerged topside. "Thank God you're alright." Storm gave each of them a hug, except Toad, who she shook hands with instead. "I'm so proud of you all, let's get out of here." Everyone got back into the S.U.V. "good job guys. You pass." Logan said as soon as everyone was settled. "Pass?" John asked. "You'll see." Storm stated.
When they got back all of the teachers were present and the rest of the student body had re-assembled. Caitlynn apologized again and returned everyone's powers back. The professor wheeled in front of the proud X-kids. "Congratulations, all of you are now full fledged X-Men, you will join your fellow teammates on every mission. The professor handed each of them their very own uniform, even Toad who had now proved his loyalty, for the entire school to see. Every on-looker applauded happily, especially the teachers who had helped them grow and become who they were. The professor smiled "Make me proud."
A/N: Whew! That was an extremely long chapter, sorry about that, but you wonderful readers deserve it, it's been so long. I hope that y'all liked it, I got a little action and romance in there. I promise things will defiantly start heating up between Toad and Rogue now. Don't forget R&R. Love y'all!
-Shitaka
