A Place to Call Home

by TheHuntress21

Some secrets…never last forever. No matter hard you try to hide them; the truth will eventually come out. Because as Logan lied in his bed, the nightmare turned into a memory...telling the little secret...showing the hidden truth…changing everything. For as fate would see, and time will mend…when one life ends...another begins. First Story in a continuing series.

21. Highway To Hell

Happy New Year! Haha, I know, I know, I'm horrible for making you wait so long for this chapter. But Finals and the Holidays are over and I don't go back to school until the twentieth, so I hope to be able to write on this story while on my break. Anyways, hope you enjoy it. : )

Chapter Twenty One

Highway to Hell

"Did you see this?!" Senator Kelly ranted as he threw down the morning paper. Trask looked as the Senator pointed to the bold inked paper, turning away from his work. As he walked near, Kelly added louder, "Genosha has closed its boarders!"

"Ah, Yes…" Trask responded, glancing down at the unopened paper with the bold heading bright as neon lights. He turned to Kelly, asking "What do you think he's up too?"

"He's closing in ranks; that's what!" Kelly snapped back hotly. His fist clenched, and he added angrily "And it's only a matter of time before he makes his move!"

Trask nodded solemnly to the idea, not shooting it down in the slightest. It was only natural for a species to fight its own extinction, and mutant kind was to him no different than the Neanderthal; savagely clinging to what it had left while humanity came down upon them like rain. Kelly seemed to be in a hurry for this genocide to begin, for his posture changed and he asked stiffly "How long before we can launch the Sentinels?"

"A full contingent?" Trask replied, raising a questionable eyebrow. He peeked over at his monitors, and then turned back to Kelly with a shrug, answering "About two weeks…"

"This could be over in two days!" Kelly blared back impatiently. Trask frowned at the Senators reaction, and held a hand up to calm the furiously panicking man. He tried to keep his voice level, as he chipped back "Our offsite locations are delivering them as quickly as possible, Robert."

Kelly apparently didn't like that answer, for he threw up his hands exasperated with a curse, and shouted loudly "Unbelievable!"

He swerved and turned on Trask with a hot point of the finger, snapping "I'm telling you, I will not get caught unprepared!"

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Trask smarted back; offering out his hand in a motion for answers. Kelly's eyes darkened in thought and he turned away with a hand on his chin, explaining "We need to slow Magneto down…we need to get someone inside Genosha…"

Kelly suddenly grabbed at his pocket and pulled out a cell-phone; flipping open the top and pressing a few buttons on the keypad. A highlighted name appeared on the illuminated screen and a dark smile appeared on the Senators face. He turned to a skeptical Trask, saying darkly "And I believe I saved just the right person for the job."

xxx xxxx xxx

Logan didn't know whether he was on the brink of feral rage or simple insanity. This damn game of cat and mouse, trying something in the past to change the future, let alone could send someone straight over the cuckoo's nest. Now add in the mixture your child might be at risk, then throw in battling both an army of robots with a island of mutants ready for war, hinting at a fellow missing member starting an apocalyptic rampage upon the earth that will end all life as we know it...and congratulations, you have just won a free membership to the Looney Farm.

Logan didn't need feral senses to feel the growing tension between the team after hearing the lovely time bomb placed on their shoulders overnight. The tension was almost palpable…a kind of collective breath as everyone waited for the ball to drop. They were all just wondering what would hit first. So it was no surprise that when Logan reached Charles that morning, he came straight to the point with a chipped growl of "What the hell do ya got for me, Charles?"

Logan growled more and crossed his arms, snarling "Because the clocks running, both sides are lining up and I'm out of plays!"

"Fortunately Logan, I have discovered something." Charles replied, not perturbed by the feral's gruff nature. He walked up the rest of the way out of the fogging astroplane, adding "It was in Master Molds' old data core and could very well be the flashpoint of the war."

"What happens?" Logan replied. Charles half smirked, half frowned, and replied "Magneto's helmet gets stolen."

Logan blinked a few times, his shoulders loosening and he questioned, "What?"

"I know…it doesn't make sense…" Charles explained, shaking his head. He looked back to Logan, answering "But from what I can gather, it's taken by a mutant spy working for Senator Kelly."

Logan gave a harsh snort in reply, asking sarcastically "What mutant would be stupid enough ta steal from Magneto?"

"I dink…dat would be Remy." A familiar Cajun's voice filtered through the whitening fog. Logan jerked around to see Remy hanging close to the entrance to Charles' bedside, a weak smirk on the southern man's face. Realization crossed the gruff feral's face and Logan replied dryly "Gumbo…hell, it makes senses now."

"How so Logan?" Charles interjected with a questioning look of his own. Logan played a smirk on his face, glancing at the Cajun walking up into the room. He shrugged his broad shoulders, smarting "Gumbo might be a lot of things…but he ain't that stupid."

Remy tossed him a glare and probably would have motioned a particular finger if the Professors conscious had not been watching. Logan's feral smile morphed onto his face and he gave the Cajun a wink to antagonize him; Charles mentally sighing at the silently squabbling duo. It was good to know some things never changed. Logan turned back to Charles, saying dryly "Gumbo must of turned down the job and Kelly went ta somebody else."

Charles nodded and Remy looked to each of his fellow X-men, stating dryly "Remy guessin he not doin dat dis time."

"Correct, son." Charles interjected before Logan could spill out the comment on his lips. Remy gave a warm grin to the familiar endearment while Logan shifted into a more strategic role. The feral cracked his neck, asking "Okay, Chuck…what's ya plan?"

"Oui." Remy chipped in. His red pupil eyes sparked up with mischief as he smarted "Because last time Remy checked…da X-men weren't exactly given da welcome mat da last time dey showed up."

Logan might have given a dark glare towards the smiling Cajun but his senses had picked up a change in Charles demeanor. He looked to his old mentor to find the aging mind silent, looking in another direction, a far off gaze in his eyes. Logan cocked his head slightly, raising an eyebrow, asking "Chuck?"

Charles at first did not answer, changing Remy's smile to a questioning frown and Logan's gaze hardened. Finally, the Professor looked to them both and broke the unusual silence by saying quietly "What I am about to ask of both of you is something I thought I would never do…"

Charles looked to the façade horizon again, adding "But war changes things…changes…the choices were willing to make…"

"What are ya thinking Chuck?" Logan asked gently; a tone he only rarely used for anyone except Emily. Remy decided to remain silent, knowing it was better just to wait and listen. Charles slowly looked to them both, explaining "In order to get both sides to lay down arms, we must show them what their legacies will behold for the future."

Charles sighed, glancing at Logan, an expression on his face that told the feral he wasn't going to like what he had to say next. The Professor's gaze firmed and he finished "And in order to do this, I must show them what will happen if they choose the paths they are taking."

Remy cocked an eyebrow in questioning, unsure of what the Professor meant, when he noticed Logan's eyes become cold as ice. The feral bared his menacing canines in an aggressive manner and he growled protectively "No way in hell."

"Logan…" Charles began but the feral cut him off with a motion of his hand. Logan growled darker, adding gruffly "Ain't happenin, Chuck."

Remy glanced from the steel glare of Logan's 'Look', to Charles calm and determined frown, almost wanting to scratch his head. He instead flipped a card around, looking to the ruffled feral, saying "Remy don't understand…."

"The only way Chuck's talkin ta us is from the future, and he's doin that through his body…." Logan replied curtly; still glaring at Charles. His tense muscles bulged and his sneering canines gritted, the feral adding "And the only way he can talk ta anyone is if that person is standing next ta his body."

Logan jerked his head over to the wide eyes of the Cajun, snapping darkly "Get it now, Swamprat?"

Remy's ruby red eyes could have curdled milk and he spat in French "Pas de l'enfer!" (Hell No!)

Charles looked to each angered face with a calming expression. He knew the anger was a mask for fear; there were endless ways this could go wrong. However, the risk was far less severe than the outcome. It was better to risk one life than to damn an entire population. Sadly, Charles was not able to get his across before Logan and Remy began trying to shoot down his ideas with guns blazing. Finally, Logan relented with an exasperated "Even if this would work, Charles…."

"Big if!" Remy chimed in and Logan gave a growl to silence him. The feral looked to Charles again, his voice rising, as he added "I don't even know how the hell we'd even get em' here!"

"We trick them." Charles replied coolly; finally allowed the privilege to speak. Remy's ruby eyes were blazing, as he snapped back defensively "Que?!" (How!?)

"By having one believe the other attacked first and intervening when they come to blows about it." Charles answered pointedly. Logan crossed his thick arms, his glare unchanging, as he snarled "And we're gonna do that by…."

"By going with Kelly's plans to sabotage Genosha and snatching them both when Magneto comes for the Senator." Charles answered; not even needing to explain how he knew of what Kelly had talked of on the phone with Remy.

A stunned silence filled the quiet walls of the astroplaned room, both mutants blinking a few times at their mentor. Remy was the first to speak, looking slowly over to Logan. He asked "You sure dis da Professor, Mona ami?"

Logan glanced his way, rolling his shoulders and smarted back "I'm askin the same thing, Gumbo."

Charles appeared to be weary of the resistance of his X-men and replied tiredly "I assure you both, anything we would do to Eric's island, he would have more than enough supplies to repair in hours what we break in minutes."

Logan gave such a loud snort of his nostrils that it nearly echoed off the wall. The feral's crossed arms tightened and his voice growled "There's just the little problem of inciting a war…"

"Stopping a war, Logan." Charles corrected pointedly. He looked firmly to each of them, adding "If we control the outcome of this, we may very well end the horrors I see around me every day."

Remy and Logan tossed each other a glance, and then looked to the Professor. Logan seemed to relent a miniscule, saying slowly "So…what, Chuck? We have Gumbo go the island and…"

"He alludes to stealing Magnetos helmet and destroying Genosha, while in reality, he only sets off two singular bombs on the telecommunications towers that will enrage Eric enough to go after Kelly." Charles explained. He motioned his hands to himself, adding "When he does, the X-men will be there to intervene at the precise moment to bring them both to my bedside and I will be able to show them what is behold of their futures if they continue on the paths they are on."

"And how we gonna keep Wanda and the Speed Demon from going bananas with their pops gone?" Logan questioned; his voice still alluding he was not keen on the plan just yet. Remy nodded to his inquiry, adding himself "Or dey entire country wit Kelly?"

"It will not take long to show them what is to come." Charles replied; Logan catching a flicker of anguish in the aging Professors eyes. Charles quickly recovered though, finishing assuredly "Before anyone realizes their departures, they will already be back at home."

Logan gazed at the Professor for a long time; almost begging the telepath that this was all some sort of joke. Yet, Logan's ice blues looked into Charles; and what he saw was haunting.

Logan slowly rubbed the back of his thick hair with his hand, a few conflicting emotions rolling around in his noggin. The feral again looked up to the Professor, saying quietly "Ya sure this is the only way, Charles?"

"The stealing of Magnetos helmet is what starts the dominos to fall, Logan." Charles answered in the same quiet tone. His aging eyes gazed deep into Logan's, the Professor stating "If we stop that singular outcome, that one moment in history…we might just very well end the war."

Logan could tell that Charles had crossed the road from asking into pleading. As if the damned soul was crying out to the saint to save them from the dark. It did not pass Logan how ironic it all was; not too long ago he had been the soul begging for mercy from the one he was sent to kill. So if Charles was willing to risk a little bruise to the ego and a little dent in the moral compass…maybe Logan could be willing to at least try and fight. It wasn't like anyone was going to get hurt.

Logan slowly released his crossed arms and rubbed at the back of his head again. He sighed deeply, his graveled voice saying resigned "Alright, Charles…alright."

Logan straightened up and gave a curt nod, adding "We're on it."

Charles appeared a mixture of emotions, a weak grin giving show to none of them. Remy was simple balking at Logan but straightened up as the feral glared his way. The Professor left after with no goodbyes, the astroplane slowly drifting away as the two X-men were left with their thoughts. Slowly, Remy turned to Logan, saying quietly "Why Remy git da feelin he goin down da road to hell?"

Logan merely nodded in understanding to the question…for he felt in some ways he was too. A small smirk fell on his lips however, and he looked to the Cajun, smarting gruffly "We'll, it ain't like ya haven't been there before, Gumbo."

Remy's confused face morphed into a humored one and a faint smile etched on the Cajun's lips. He shook his head to Logan, replying "Touché, Monsieur."

The duo started off out of Charles' room at that point, the Cajun slapping the muscled feral up on the shoulders with a good natural air. Remy smirked at the frowning feral, boasting "You ready to ride into hell wit Remy, Mona ami?"

Logan cautiously grinned and shrugged his large shoulders, replying "Hell, why not…"

The feral chuckled darkly, adding "Be like old times."

"Except Remy don't remember pissing off a King…" Remy smarted back; a dance to his ruby red eyes. Logan grunted and remarked "Then I guess ya don't remember Wakanda back on 01'."

A contagious laugh echoed off the walls as the Cajun responded back "Remy forgot about dat!"

Logan chuckled again, feeling the Cajun's devil may care attitude leech onto him. He elbowed the southern man, teasing gruffly "Let's just hope Metal Head don't hold a grudge like T'challa."

Remy laughed again and Logan slowly broke out into a feral grin. We'll, even if they were on the road to hell…at least they could say it was paved with good intentions.

xxx xxxx xxx

Emily quietly sketched out the last of her drawing and her soft blue eyes gazed once again into the twinkling Christmas tree. She noticed Emma walk towards it, humming softly as she set down a box and the telepath began reaching for a few handmade ornaments. Emily stopped drawing and asked "What are ya doing?"

"I'm taking the tree down." Emma replied back; reaching to unplug the lights. Emily's face saddened and she asked quietly "Do ya have to take it down?"

Emma looked towards the child at the sound of her disheartened voice and grinned warmly. She replied gently "It's not Christmas anymore, darling."

"But Tildie's family keeps it up all the way until after New Years." Emily defended. Her soft eyes looked again at the majestic pine covered in silver and gold, the child asking hopefully "Can't we do that?"

Emma grew silent, her grey eyes glancing to the tree and then to the little girl. She felt her heart soften at the child's almost yearning look towards the tree; Emily really had enjoyed its splendor so much. It really wouldn't be that much harm in keeping the pine up a few days longer, besides, it still was lush and green as the day they had bought it.

Emma gradually relented and looked to the girl with a warm grin, saying "I don't see why not."

She grinned more as Emily's rare smiled beamed on her face; the telepath giving a once good look at the tree again. Emma then plugged in the lights, sitting down next to the child on the couch, quipping "I think find it quite splendid myself, actually."

Emily giggled and nodded beside her; the child's soft eyes gazing deep into the twinkling lights on the evergreen. Emma watched her with tender feelings brushing against her heart. A few extra needles to vacuum was worth the expression on the child's face. Emily sighed contently beside her, and out of the blue, gently rested her head against Emma's shoulder.

The telepath froze. Besides holding the child as she had cried not so long ago, Emma knew in the six months Emily had been here, any affection for non relatives had been distant. Yet, here the child was, resting her head on Emma's shoulder, in an affection that almost seemed…natural. Almost as if she had been resting on Emma's shoulder this way her entire life.

Emma slowly thought of how to respond, thinking back to the way Logan often petted Emily's head, and even reached out to do the same. Yet her fingers barely reached the child's scalp before a loud thundering of footsteps toppled into the living room; Tildie standing at the door with a wide smile. Emma retracted her hand to hide it when Emily slowly leaned up from her shoulder, Tildie saying proudly "I'm back!"

"Training's over so soon?" Emily asked. Tildie nodded, answering "Yeah, Remy got a call and then just disappeared to find your dad."

Emma mimicked the odd look Emily had on her face of the odd circumstance around the early cancelation for training. However, Emily was quick to shrug it off and look to Emma, asking hopefully "Since she's done, may we go outside, Emma?"

Emma's attention was quickly averted back to the little girls, who gave the cutest faces in hopes for the answer they wanted. The telepath smirked, glancing to the freshly fallen snow outside and back to the puppy eyes staring at her. Emma pointed her index finger at the duo, saying "Only if you both put on all your winter stockings and…."

Emma gave each girl a stern look, saying crisply "If I catch you playing Knights and Dragons again, I will tell the Brute this time."

"Yes ma'am!" Tildie answered quickly but Emily smirked dryly. She glanced to Tildie and then to Emma, a sparkle of challenge in her eyes, the little asking slyly "But can she maybe accidently make something?"

Emma quirked an eyebrow but Emily smiled and nodded to the wooden art case on the floor, adding "Just so I can use my new present ya gave me."

Emma gave the child a narrowed eye and a smirk slowly formed on her face as Emily grinned. She shook her head, wagging her finger teasingly at Emily, snipping "You cheeky little poppet…."

Emma looked to Emily and then Tildie, suddenly saying firmly "Nothing larger than a car."

Both girls would have blinded an army with the beaming smiles they gave, both wiggling off from the couch in a chorus of "Thank you!"

Emma quietly laughed as both little girls snatched up the art supplies and scurried out into the foyer for their winter coats and gloves. Emma shook her head again, sighing…and felt herself slowly reach for the spot Emily's head had been.

"What….adorable little girls…" A females voice mocking cooed from within Emma's mind. The telepath stiffened and looked to her right to see a raven haired women, dressed in a elegant black dress, give her a mocking smile, saying "That smaller one could make anyone feel such…sentiments, couldn't she?"

Emma glared darkly to the figure appearing opposite from her on the couch, the raven hair women giving an equal seething look with her piercing green eyes, a thick white fog surrounded them both. Emma decide not to fight off the telepathic connection, instead crossing her legs and leaning back, chipping darkly "What do you want, Selene?"

"Sebastian wants to know why all our telepathic calls have been unanswered." Selene quipped back; resting back into the large chair she 'sat' in among the smoky white fog. Emma sneered a grin and adjusted herself more into her chair, answering coolly "I said I would call if I had a lead…"

"Which might be found much faster if you were using a certain machine, dear." Selene quipped back in a snap; her tone slipping into one of accusatory anger. Emma gave the fellow telepath a mocking smile, saying 'sweetly' in reply, "I believe you forgotten the art of patience, dear."

Emma relished Selene's piercing glare and relaxed herself more into her astroplane chair. She gave an unemotional look to her face, explaining "To prevent suspicion, you must first act in a manner that is trustworthy, which takes time…."

Emma shrugged and tossed her long blonde hair back, adding "The X-men have not needed Cerebro, nor has Scott asked for me to use it in a search for Jean, so I have had no excuse to use it as of late."

"I doubt Scott has waited two months to ask for you to search for his precious girlfriend!" Selene snapped; she completely disregarding her regal manner to sit up in the chair. Emma quirked an eyebrow at the telepath's outburst and looked to see Selene gripping at her chair's arms with tight knuckles. Emma tightened her gaze to hold ice, she saying slowly "I get the feeling this isn't Sebastian's reservations I'm dealing with."

"You should have gone with my plan and taken the X-men out…" Selene retaliated with a dark tone but Emma scoffed at her. She uncurled her legs from another and stood up in her chair, exclaiming "Do you realize how preposterous that is?!"

Emma narrowed her grey eyes till they were slits, her piercing glare matched with one by Selene. Emma tried to compose herself, hissing "If Jean is found and would discover their demise…"

Emma huffed, leaning back into the chair with a shake of her head. She darted her piercing cold eyes back to Selene, saying darkly "Then the Inner Circles' centuries old plan will be as ash among the ground of our dead bodies."

Selene's lips positioned to a thin line, her cold emerald eyes steady but she said nothing in retort. Emma slowly crossed her leg over the other again and straightened in the chair. She glared her piercing eyes into Selene, saying coldly "Tell Sebastian that I have everything under control and will be using Cerebro as he speaks."

Selene half smirked, loosening into her chair and hissed back "I'll relay the message."

"Please do." Emma snipped back just as bristly. She waved away the astroplane with a flick of her wrist, not caring to share passing pleasantries as Selene dissolved away from existence. Emma sighed as the thick white fog evaporated back into the living room; the Christmas lights glimmering among the shadows of the afternoon sunlight. Emma shook her head, huffing under her breath, muttering "And they call me the cold hearted bitch…"

A feral's chuckles resonated in the room as Logan's voice suddenly asked humorously from behind, "Talkin ta yourself, Frost?"

Emma almost jumped out her chair in surprise and faltered to stand, gasping out "Logan!"

The feral gave her a wicked grin at her startle and Emma's surprise turned to anger, she snapping "Don't sneak up on me!"

"Thought ya couldn't do that ta telepaths." Logan teased; a peek of his canines appearing from behind his half smile. Emma bore her glare more to him, saying irritably "Normal people aren't feral mutants with the naturally ability for stalking…"

Emma dusted at her blouse; glaring hot again as Logan chuckled at her. She now understood why Emily often joked of putting bells around Logan's neck; Emma could still feel her heart racing against her chest. She thought of making a quip of buying a nice loud necklace for the feral, when Logan suddenly turned serious, stating "I need ya ta use Cerebro today and help us out with a mission."

Emma shook her head and stared at the feral, wondering if she had heard him right. How ironic this conversation had started only minutes before her lovely chat with Selene. Emma quickly recovered her sense of bewilderment, asking calmly "What am I to do?"

"Just keep an eye out and make sure ta keep tabs for my signal." Logan replied in a vague tone. Emma picked up on it, quirking an eyebrow up and pressed "A signal for what?"

Logan grunted out a snort, turning away from her to leave, saying gruffly "I'll tell ya if I need ya ta know."

Emma frowned at the feral's stand-offish nature, ready to quip back but Logan paused at the door and looked back, saying quietly "It's a direct order from Charles."

Emma could tell by the tone of his voice that he was in no mood for arguing or the little game of wits they always seemed to play. Emma decided it was best then to merely nod, watching as the feral gruffly turned away and walked down the hall towards the elevators. Emma remained truly puzzled as she followed behind him, watching the feral with a critical eye as she parted ways with him to Cerebro. When she final made it to the large doom like machine, Emma glanced back to the exit where Logan had made a right towards the War Room, a quirk of an eyebrow falling on her face.

Emma turned then, sitting down at the place where one of the most powerful telepaths in all of history had sat in on a daily bases. She again glanced behind, her sharp grey eyes narrowing, the telepath quipping "We'll, Charles…I thought I was the only one with skeletons in my closet…"

Emma turned back to the machine, placing the helmet onto her head and pressed the machine to on. She closed her eyes, focusing in on the whirl of the machine, muttering suspiciously "I wonder what kind of skeletons you and Logan are hiding in your own…"

And what Emma did next would very well haunt her for years to come. She always looked back and wished she hadn't decided to pry in to Charles mind; wished she had just left everything well enough alone. Yet, the second Emma turned the machine on she went looking for answers….answers she would have rather lived without.

Emma circled in around Charles's mind, careful not to alert the powerful telepath to her presence and slowly pricked at the stored memories of his mind….finding a future memory….

Emma could sense this was a memory Charles had read from another; though she could not tell who. She looked around to see it was the pitch of night at the front of the mansion, the snow just starting to flutter down from the sky. Emma sensed it was New Years Eve, the bright moon rising up to the center of the sky telling it was only minutes before midnight. It was calm….and out of that peace…a high pitched demonic scream echoed along the clouds.

Emma jerked around to see a hellish winged figure, a winged creature blazing in pure fire and felt her stomach drop. The Phoenix. The god like entity was soaring downward, giving another loud demonic call of his vocals as it descend upon the familiar figures of Remy and Emily. The telepath saw Remy push the child out of the way as the creature came rushing at full speed towards them; reaching out its fiery talons to grab at the Cajuns shoulders. The Phoenix began snapping its breaks and screeching out as Remy tried fighting it off of him.

Emma turned at the sound of Emily's terrified sobbing, the child screaming to the animal "Stop it!"

The Phoenix surprisingly adhered to the child's frantic cries and froze in place. Emma felt her heart quicken to the sound of Emily's rushing heart beat as the creature turned its demonic gaze upon her. In an almost alluring sense of awe, the creature dissolved away to reveal a suited Jean Grey; her once soft eyes filled with the fires of hell as crimson colors glowered around her.

Emily's eyes widen and she watched as the fire tinted Jean Grey walked towards her, the Phoenix's haunting pure fire gaze hypnotizing the child. Remy groaned and reached out to stop Jean but she lashed out with a screeching cry, using her telepathic powers to force the Cajun back down into unconsciousness.

Emily seemed to realize Jean was walking to her and began to crawl backward into the forest, whimpering out "No, no, no…"

Emily clawed her way up to stand against a tree, trying to use it for protection and hid her trembling form. She shook her head, screaming out "Get back! Leave me alone!"

Jean merely grinned darkly and snaked out a hand to grab at the child's nearest wrist. She yanked the frightened child forward and dragged her out of the forest as Emily cried, screamed and kicked. Jean slapped her face to keep her quiet and Emily gave out a sobbing shout and shirked under the telepaths iron grip.

Jean forced her to her feet and grabbed the child roughly by both wrists and squeezed them till the child cried out in agony. Emily looked up with a terrified and tear stained face, sobbing out "What do you want?!"

The Phoenix gave out a sinister smile, her hollow fiery eyes glowing red, as she hissed darkly "He tried to take her away from us…tried to kill our Jean…."

The Phoenix gave out a demonic laugh mixed in with a birds call, and looked down at the frightened child whimpering beneath her grip. She dug her sharp finger nails deeper into Emily's wrist, snarling "So it is only fair I take you from him."

Emily's tear stained face grew alarmed and she began fighting off with vigorous thrashing. The Phoenix merely laughed at her attempts and transformed into her large creature form, the demonic animal giving out a screeching demonic call as its fiery form consumed the child…the fiery tired growing ablaze to the skies as the child disappeared from view, both Jean and Emily's voices falling in sync as the child gave out a anguished and bone chilling scream….

Emma tore off Cerebro's helmet as she too let out a horrified scream; grabbing fists full of her hair as she tried erasing away that horrible image of Emily's death. Emma shook her head rapidly, tears forming along her eyes and the telepath recoiled to her knees to keep the sickening feelings rising from beyond her stomach.

"Frost?" Logan's voice called out alarmed, his bulk racing in with incredible speed. His claws were out and ready, the hair on the feral's neck raised to a point and he snarled while sniffing around him. Emma quickly sat up and composed herself as the feral growled out concerned "Ya alright?!"

"I'm fine!" Emma spoke too quickly; wincing at the quick in her voice. She wiped away any tears on her cheek and cleared her throat, saying more steadily "Cerebro overwhelmed me, that's all."

Emma thanked anyone listening that Logan had bought her lie; apparently her mixture of emotions had hidden the changed in heart beats. The feral grunted out an understanding noise, his claws going in with a faint tink and Logan cracked his neck. Emma listened as his footstep came up behind her and was surprised when he laid a large hand comfortingly onto her shoulder.

"Ya gonna be able to handle…" Logan gently began to ask, but Emma cut off his concern with a firm, "Yes."

She sighed, shocking herself by laying a hand over Logan's on her shoulders. Emma turned to him with a weak grin, looking up and saying quietly "I'm fine, Logan."

Logan gave her a rare gentle look and patted her shoulders; apparently buying her façade. Emma relaxed into the chair as he made his way out but looked at him oddly as he began to chuckle. He turned to her, smarting "Just try not ta scream like that again…"

Emma weakly grinned. Logan turned away, walking out, adding teasingly "Hell, ya sounded like ya saw the devil himself."

Emma's expression turned grim and the same sickening feelings recoiled in her stomach. She could feel her skin pale as her forehead broke out into a sweat. For what she had saw…Emma could very well debate to anyone that it had been much worse than seeing the devil.

xxx xxxx xxx

Kurt gave one last hug to his sister in goodbye and hurriedly rushed into the elevator towards the lower levels of the Mansion. He waved to Emily as the doors closed, pulling down his uniform shirt to the rest of his chest and adjusted the remaining suit as the elevator descended down. Kurt knew he was late but what were you to expect from a set of vague orders only ten minutes ago. Yet, if Logan had any reservations for Kurt's tardiness, he didn't appear to be showing it, his face unreadable as Kurt walked in to the loading bay.

"I'm ready…" Nightcrawler stated, adjusting the last of his suit. He looked up to only see Wolverine and Gambit near the X-jet and gave the pair a confused look. Nightcrawler looked to the empty room and then the X-jet, asking "Vere are zee others?"

"We're it." Wolverine stated bluntly, turning to walk up the ramp into the X-jet. Nightcrawler followed after him and Gambit, asking incredulously "Only zree X-men to face all of Genosha?"

"We aint facing nobody, elf." Wolverine replied gruffly, hefting his large muscled frame into the pilot seat. He glanced over at the bewildered blue mutant, explaining "Last time I brought a team onto that island…"

"Wolvie got spanked…thoroughly." Gambit teased from the left side seating; smirking with a flip of a card as Wolverine shot him a glare through his mask. The feral growled, turning away from both humored men, grumbling "Metal bones…master of magnetism…he saw me coming a mile away…."

"And den made you walk dat mile a couple hundred times as he sent dat fat iron ass of yours backwards." Gambit bit back again, a sparkle to his devilish red eyes. Nightcrawler tried to hide his smile as Wolverine's thickly annoyed growl echoed off the walls. The feral snapped his head towards the smirking Gambit, snapping gruffly "Can it, Gumbo!"

"So vats our move zen?" Nightcrawler interjected; knowing he better intervene before Gambit tried something else. Wolverine looked to him, then motioned to the smirking Cajun, explaining "You and I are gonna cover the smartass over here while he goes with the plan we discussed…"

Wolverine snorted low, flipping a few switches and smarted gruffly "I knew Gumbo ain't the type for subtly, so I needed a extra person on the ground ta make sure ta keep his ass out of the fire…."

"Just keep Remy in da frying pan and we all good." Gambit quipped in; a grin forming into both Nightcrawler and Wolverine's faces. The X-jet started off with a low whirl of the engine and the feral mutant looked around at his teammates while hesitating on the thruster control. Wolverine sighed, cracking his neck, saying to them "We'll…"

Wolverine slowly pushed the thruster control forward, saying "Road ta hell…here we come."

xxx xxxx xxx

Gambit whistled as he shuffled is cards through his fingers; pretending as if he did not have a care in the world. His ruby eyes darted over Genosha's large rock formations and billowing tide as he slowly made his way through the streets. He tipped his head to a few women in passing, a smug grin falling on his face as blush appeared on their cheeks. He continued onward up the crowded streets, walking steadily to the large castle looming overhead. The southern man partly grimaced at the towering metal building with sharp spikes gleaming in the cold winter sunlight. We'll, no one had ever said the road to hell wasn't going to look beautiful.

Gambit felt an odd sensation of being watched, his dark eyes looking up to see a green hair beauty with eyes of emerald green. The Cajun smirked to himself, a few choice thoughts rolling in his head, when a growl echoed off his earlobe.

"Don't even think about it, Gumbo." Wolverine growled within the hidden earpiece; the feral glaring at him from his position in the invisible X-jet. Gambit's smirk grew sly as Wolverine added crisply "Ya on a mission, not a booty call."

Gambit glanced one more time at the green haired beauty and smirked to see her look away with a child like blush. He chuckled to himself, smarting "You're no fun, Wolvie."

Gambit only got an annoyed snarl in reply as Nightcrawler could be heard coughing a laugh in the background and the Cajun's ruby eyes danced. Wolverine just hoped the Cajun would behave himself. An unfamiliar growling echoed from behind and Gambit turned lazily to see a monster green mutant walking on all fours towards him. The Cajun made a tipping motion with his fingers to the Guard and in return the monster gave him a suspicious glare.

A familiar brunette with emerald eyes made her way past the behemoth; a hard frown appearing on Wanda's face as she realized who it was. Gambit's lips turned to a devilish smile, he giving a bow and reaching for Wanda's hand, saying "Mademoiselle, you have grown quite beautiful…"

"Save the flatter for someone who falls for it, Remy." Wanda cut him off curtly; pulling her hand away before he dared kissed it. She gave him a cold glare, demanding "What are you doing on this island?"

Gambit straightened upward, a little frazzled by her blunt refusal of his charm. He cleared his throat, looking at Wanda with another debonair smile, smoothing "Aside from being blinded by your dazzling beauty…"

A cold warning glare from Wanda and a growl from the Guard told Gambit it was time to cut off the cream. His debonair smile lessoned to a more formal expression, Gambit stating seriously "I seek an audience wit da King of Genosha."

"That's out of the question." Wanda replied curtly. She turned away, looking briefly over her shoulder with a smirk, adding "And your trespassing, Gambit."

Gambit's eyes widen as Wanda made a circling motion with her hands, the Guard reared up to 'escort' him from the palace entrance. The green mutant was quick to thrust out his hand and wrapped it around the Cajun's throat, growling as he lifted the mutant up off the ground. The Guard flashed his canines as he threw Gambit with a heavy shove, the Cajun toppling as he was thrown a yard away. Gambit hissed as his body smacked across the paved granite, and somehow managed to grab himself from sliding any further along the smooth rock.

Gambit could hear the Guard snickering as he got up from his knees; a dark gaze appearing on his ruby red eyes. The Cajun slowly smirked and shook his head at the two, sighing "I tried to be a gentlemen…"

And with that the Cajun grabbed at the inside of his coat, pulling out his staff and extending it out with a hard flick of the wrist. He gave a slight twirl of the bar, placing it in the other hand and reared it back in a defensive pose. The green monster Guard was quick to give a loud roar in challenge, racing up and leaping, his claws fully extended. However, Gambit flicked it wrist just as the mutant leapt, feeling his kinetic energy surge through the staff. He smirked and flipped the staff up, down and around in fluid motion, giving a hard smack of the bar across the Guard's body with a satisfying zap of the kinetic energy.

The mutant was sent back flying backward; landing to the ground roughly as smoke could be seen billowing from his searing skin. The green monster wearily got up on his hind legs, a dark monstrous growl thundering from its throat. Gambit smirked, flipping out a card from his pocket and using it as a substitute middle finger. This only enraged the monster more and it came barreling toward him on all fours, roaring and baring its teeth to ripe him apart limb from limb. The Cajun merely chuckled, forming the middle finger card into three and igniting them all with a hot burst of his kinetic energy. He then gave them a careful toss towards the raging bullet train of mutant muscle and watched in dark satisfaction as the granite exploded with a burst of purple light.

The Guard was sent careening backward yet again, this time crash landing into the pool with a splash. He was apparently not going to give up, for he tried pushing his way to his feet but saw Gambit walk up leisurely with a smirk on his face; the Cajun planting his knee up on the fountain with an arrogant stride.

"Ah Ah Ah…" Gambit teased with a wag of his finger. He slowly dipped that finger into the pool, the Guard watching in horror as the entire crystal blue water turned an electric purple. The green monster looked up to see the Cajun smirk, Gambit smarting "I'd fold dis hand if Remy was you."

The Guard nodded and the Cajun smirk widen. However, a metallic buzzing noise began to hum along the bubbling of the fountain and Gambit looked up to see the seven sharp metal crystals above the fountain begin to circle in motion. Within minutes they went from hovering above the trickling fountain…to being aimed in a spear like circle around the Cajun's throat.

"Young man, I have little patience for the flaunting of powers." Magneto stated firmly; walking out beside a livid Wanda. Gambit turned around, avoid the sharp impediments aimed towards him, and replied "My apologizes, monsieur…"

Gambit glanced to the floundering Guard in the pool who tripped back into the water with a loud splash. The Cajun smirked, smarting to Magneto "But he did start it."

"Very well." Magneto replied. His tone darkened as the cold in his eyes, as Magneto asked "But the next words you utter had better be a very good explanation for why you are here, X-man."

"All cards on the table…Remy always like dat…" Gambit replied with a devilish smirk. He grew serious again, adding "You familiar with Senator Kelly, oui?"

The haughty and dark expression returned was enough of an answer. Gambit nodded with a clearing of his throat, explaining "Oui…we'll he has paid me quite well to…steal your helmet."

"What would he gain by doing that?" Wanda questioned. She looked the Cajun up and down, adding "And I thought you had left the Guild years ago!"

"Times like these make us realize whose side we really on, Cherie..." Gambit smoothed over with a stone like expression. Wanda gave him an unconvinced glare while Magneto…simply listened. Gambit looked back to him, continuing "And dat helmet would prove to da world dat Magneto is not untouchable."

Gambit clenched and unclenched his fists with a snap of his knuckles and wearily kept an eye on the still circling metal spears. He raised an eyebrow to Magneto, finishing "Robbing a king of his crown would be…humiliating."

Magneto remained unscathed and holding into his emotionless mask. He looked at Gambit with cold eyes, asking "So is that what you intend to do?"

"If I had wanted your helmet…" Gambit started to replied. His devilish smirk grew back on his lips and the Cajun shrugged, boasting "We both know you'd already have woken up wit out it."

A whisper of a smirk appeared on Magneto's face while Wanda was clearly not amused. She walked forward as the metallic spears seemed to slow down, she demanding "Then tell us what you are doing here, Gambit."

The Cajun shrugged and motioned to the beautiful palace with arms spread wide, saying "I am simply requiring sanctuary in your remarkable city."

Wanda bore a seething glare into his ruby red eyes, hissing back "The X-men must have not likened a traitor in their midst then."

Gambit again remained unaffected by her biting remarks; it was a merely a test and he knew it. A way to see if he would take offense. Gambit merely just smiled devilishly and pointed to his ribs, smarting darkly "I still hav' de scars of when Wolverine escorted me out, mademoiselle."

Wanda continued eyeing him but both noticed the metallic spears suddenly lose their ability to fly in circle and flew back to their original post above the fountain. Both looked over to Magneto who simply stated "I will consider your request."

Wanda's eyes widen and she tried to urge "Father…"

"Until then you will be confined to the guest quarters." Magneto continued, flashing a look to his daughter to remain silent. Gambit made a small curtsy, replying "A generous offer, Monsieur."

He smirked, adding in a hidden sarcastic tone "It would be both a pleasure…and an honor."

Magneto apparently did not catch the sarcasm, for he merely nodded in reply and looked to his daughter, stating commandingly "Wanda, show him to his room."

Magneto turned away before he noticed the seething glare on his daughters face and the devilish grin reappeared on the Cajuns lips. Gambit was quick to offer up his arm out towards the young maiden but Wanda snubbed it with an icy gleam in her eyes. She managed to point in the direction her father was going, hissing pointedly "That way."

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Wolverine had to admit to himself, he was starting to like Wanda a little more as time went by. Finally, someone other than just Rogue was hanging up the Cajun and leaving him out to dry. The feral chuckled again to himself as he noticed Wanda snub Gambit's offering of an arm; strike that, he was starting to love this young woman.

Wolverine turned away from the duo below making their way into the palace and looked at Nightcrawler as the kid finished stretching out his muscle. Wolverine handed him a small communicator, instructing "Okay, eyes open. Keep to the shadows."

Nightcrawler nodded as he fiddled in the earpiece to his pointed ears, and Wolverine order with a hint of tease "And if you have to…in list that girlfriend of yours."

Nightcrawler's eyes widen then narrowed, he defending "She's not my girlfriend."

"Not accordin ta Half-pint." Wolverine stated back; a smirk falling on his lips. Nightcrawler's expression turned annoyed. Apparently little girls tended to tell juicy little gossip to their big muscled fathers; even if it did have a lick of truth to them. Wolverine flashed his canines in a all knowing feral smile but grew serious again, stating "Just report back what ya find."

Nightcrawler nodded, turning away to teleport to the closest towers he could see from the X-jet. However, he paused in movement and glanced towards Wolverine again, muttering "She's not my girlfriend."

Wolverine gave a grunt as the blue furry mutant teleported out of existence; chuckling to himself when the young man disappeared completely. He shook his head, flexing his muscles with a sigh, his low voice rumbling amused "Sure, elf."

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Wanda felt as if she had been given a puzzle to solve only the puzzle had missing pieces. She had gone to her Father and asked why he had let Gambit into Genosha; entrusted him into their home. He had simply explained the former X-man could be useful and anything he might try would be easily dealt with. Wanda, however, was not convinced; something was going on and the Cajun was a part of it. She just needed to find the missing pieces of how and why.

A soft teleporting noise went off to her right and Wanda jerked. She soon saw a pair of familiar yellow eyes emerge from the shadows of the building as a germen voice whispered out "Vanda…"

"Kurt?" Wanda questioned, taking a daring step towards the blackened walls. A figure formed out from the eerie blackness, the glowing yellow eyes becoming more distinct as Kurt climbed down the side of the wall. He replied "Vanda, I need to speak vith ju."

"Kurt!" Wanda exclaimed; oblivious to the eagerness in her voice. She looked around for anyone watching before looking up at the blue acrobat, asking "What are you doing here?"

"I have important information…." Nightcrawler replied, scaling down the rest of the wall with ease. He landed next to Wanda gracefully, adding "Senator Kelly has sent someone in to steal jur fazer's helmet…"

"We know." Wanda replied with a hint of stiffness in her voice. She motioned to the guest rooms not far away, adding "As soon as Gambit arrived, he told us everything."

Nightcrawler nodded but Wanda was not convinced of his act upon hearing the X-men 'traitor'; Wanda slowly giving him a firm look. She walked over, saying "I am not a fool, Kurt."

The blue mutant was caught off guard, he blinking a few times at the female mutant and Wanda narrowed her eyes. She glanced towards Gambits quarters, then back to Nightcrawler, asking "What is really going on?"

Nightcrawler could not look in Wanda's eyes after that and found himself staring opposite into the rolling sea shore. He cleared his throat, glancing at her, muttering "It's complicated."

Wanda frowned at him and suddenly gave an exasperated sigh, claiming "I am tired of everyone feeding me fairytales or lies, Kurt..."

She gave him a brazen look, edging in a little closer, adding "I wanted to be treated as if I have a brain."

Nightcrawler gazed at her with his bright yellow eyes and Wanda gave him a soft look. She gently grabbed his soft blue hand, her voice an almost plea, "Tell me, Kurt."

Nightcrawler gazed back into her eyes again, his mouth daring to open once but a low growl came from his headset. Wolverines voice came through in a gruff warning of "Elf…"

The feral's message was clear. You could bring in the girl but she was to be left in the dark. Sadly, it seemed Wanda was not the type to blindly follow the herd anymore. Nightcrawler felt himself fidget uncomfortably as Wanda continued holding his hand and starting at him with her haunting emerald eyes. Her gaze was begging, pleading almost. Nightcrawler shifted his gaze around, then back to her, suddenly asking quietly "Can I trust ju?"

Wanda was quiet at first; only a sad grin falling on her lips to show any idea of what was going on in her head. She slowly reached out and touched Kurt's cheek, brushing along his soft fur. Finally, Wanda whispered "I am not them in this war anymore, Kurt."

Nightcrawler's reaction was a little surprised but quickly calm. It was then, despite the near cussing fit going on in his ear from Wolverine, that Nightcrawler told Wanda everything he possibly could, safe the other things that might get his ass sliced off if he dared speak of it. Once the furry blue mutant had spilled the beans, Wanda became deadly silent. Her emerald eyes were steady, unchanging and stared into him deeply. She finally muttered, "You are all insane."

Nightcrawler felt a sharp right hook to the gut when she said that; hearing Wolverine growl in his ear along the lines of kicking his ass to kingdom come. However, Wanda continued, adding "You are all insane…if you plan on doing this without my help."

Nightcrawler honestly felt his mouth drop open at her sudden claim and Wolverine's voice blasted high enough to be heard from the hidden earpiece, the feral exclaiming flabbergasted "What the hell did she just say?!"

Wanda appeared to find humor out of Wolverines voice suddenly coming outward as Nightcrawler winced; the female laughing quietly. Her gaze was firm though, even as Nightcrawler appeared unsure and asked hesitantly "Vanda…"

Wanda held up her hand to silence him, defending rather boldly "It's about time someone shows my Father and the pompous idiot of how ridiculous their hatred has become!"

Nightcrawler cocked an eyebrow at Wanda's crisp and bitter tone that had seemed through. She realized her slip and cleared her throat, stepping away from him with a folding of her hands. A bright light suddenly casted up from not far away and Wanda saw in the distance that Guards were making their rounds. She quickly turned back to Nightcrawler, whispering urgently "If my father knew you were here…"

Wanda looked back, then to Nightcrawler, and grabbed his shoulders gently. She looked into his pleadingly, whispering "Kurt, go. I'll handle this."

Nightcrawler didn't budge at first. Wand shook her head, giving his shoulders a push, whispering desperately "Please."

Nightcrawler looked as if he wanted to say no but regretfully gave a nod. Wanda gently smiled at him, pointing to where he could hide among the shadows. However, before she allowed either of them to part, Wanda stole another soft kiss upon Nightcrawler's cheek, cupping his face into her hands. Her soft emerald eyes showed much more than any words could say, Wanda turning away to rush towards the Guards. Nightcrawler stared at her as she left, suddenly hearing a feral voice half chuckle in his ear.

"Not ya girlfriend, huh?" Wolverine teased gruffly. Nightcrawler cleared his throat, scratching the back of his neck and hated the rush of hot around his cheeks forming. He shook his head, hearing the feral chuckle more, as he replied defensively "Nein." (No.)

xxx xxxx xxx

Gambit poked his head out cautiously from the guest room door. He smirked with a sparkle to his ruby red eyes when seeing no one was in sight. The Cajun then continued to slip out into the long metal hallway, careful not to have his shoes echo, glancing around the grander surrounding him. And people liked to tease him for liking the finer things in life, yet no one made a single joke of how Magneto had constructed himself an entire castle out of metal. Talk about monuments to oneself; Gambit had even saw a statue of Magneto in the main hall. It appeared the King had come quite arrogant in his growing age.

There was further proof of this arrogance when Gambit turned the corner into the Throne Room to find Lorna alone, not a single Guard in sight, and Magnetos helmet resting on his pedestal in plain view. Gambit almost saw it as a silent challenge from the Master of Magnetism; daring anyone to see how far they could get with either one of his treasures before hell reigned down upon them. We'll, Gambit was known to never be one to back down from a challenge.

Gambit watched with an amused smirk as Lorna hummed quietly to herself and arranged a few roses in a vase near the windows. The Cajun snuck up behind her, a devilish grin falling on his face as he couldn't help but glance at her curves; nature had certainly blessed this girl during puberty. Despite Wolverine's previous 'words of wisdom', the Cajun found himself staring into his Achilles Heel; Gambit could never resist flirting with a beautiful woman.

"Good afternoon, mademoiselle …" Gambit flirted in his sultry voice; smiling as Lorna gave a small squeak in surprise. She took a step back and accidently slammed into his chest, turning around with doe like eyes. Lorna shook her head, exclaiming "You're not supposed to be in here!"

Lorna's expression and demeanor turned to that of a shy little child, she pointing towards the exit. She whispered "You're not supposed to leave your room…"

Gambit laughed at her flustered state and beamed on his alluring smiles. He plucked a rose from the vase and twisted off the end, placing the flower into Lorna's hair; smiling more as a blush formed on her cheeks. Gambit reached for her hand, ready to kiss it, explaining "We'll, as a guest in your house, Remy thought it was impolite not to…"

"Lorna." Wanda's voice spoke out coldly. Lorna pulled her hand away and looked up alarmed at her sister while Gambit appeared even more amused. Wanda snaked a glare towards him, saying to her sister as she did so "Father would like to speak with you."

"Yes, Wanda." Lorna's soft voice said almost timidly, the young women quickly rushing out of the room with one last look towards Gambit. He smiled her, watching her blush as she left the room. Wanda's expression remained dead on and cold, the room filling up with an uncomfortable silence. Gambit went to clear his throat, but Wanda suddenly spoke "I know what you and the X-men are pulling."

Gambit remained unfazed, giving another smile, starting "Mademoiselle, as I told your father…"

"Save it, Remy." Wanda curtly replied. A flicker of humor danced in her eyes as the Cajun appeared unable to think of something back. She slowly walked over to her father's helmet, gently grabbing it from its pedestal. Her fingers traced along the rough edged metal as she whispered "You are many things…but a traitor is not one of them."

Gambit watched her with sharp red eyes, responding slowly "De Guild would have an argument to dat, Cherie."

Wanda smirked, pulling the helmet into both her hands and turning to the Cajun. She walked over to him, gently holding out her father's most precious item. Wanda's smirk widen, she replying softly "And Kurt is a very bad liar."

Gambit blinked, numbly grabbing the helmet from her hands and said nothing in return. Wanda stared at her father's helmet, a sense of…elation taking over her. It was not what she had expected at all…but felt as if it was right. That for the first time she was doing what she wanted. It was a good feeling.

Wanda gazed back up at the bewildered Cajun, stating "Whatever you and the X-men have planned, please keep in mind to make the damage to a minimum and make sure that none of my citizens get hurt…"

Her gaze hardened to ice and she threatened low "And you leave Lorna out of this, Gambit."

"Oui." Gambit replied with a nod to his head. Once Wanda felt her position had been made, she slowly went to leave, overhearing Gambit give a soft noise in his throat. She stopped to glance back at him, seeing Gambit looking her over, the Cajun saying quietly "You certainly have changed, Mon Cherie."

Wanda sadly grinned again, turning away. Her voice was barely audible as she spoke back "Don't you know, Gambit?"

Wanda looked towards the raging sea crashing against the sand and her grinned widen. With an overwhelming sense of peace, she whispered more clearly "It's a war against us and them."

xxx xxxx xxx

"Ya sure we ain't havin an opposites day, Gumbo?" Wolverine smarted to the Cajun through his earpiece. Gambit smirked, pushing Magneto's helmet aside in his bag and pulling out the explosives hidden in the sleeves. He shrugged, answering "Remy honestly don't know, Wolvie."

The Cajun heard the feral snort low, Gambit finishing up the codes to activate the explosives he had set up and making sure the timer was on. He overheard Wolverine chuckle in his hear, the feral smarting "Hell, we should get Elf ta wrangle in his girls more often."

"She's not my girl." Nightcrawlers voice came instantly back in the three way com; making both mutant men chuckle under their breath. Gambit finished the last of the explosives with a flick of the switches, and stated in a sigh "Da explosives are ready, Mona ami."

"Alright, then start packin ya bags and headin out of dodge…." Wolverine responded gruffly. Gambit started doing just that, overhearing Wolverine continue on "Elf, I want ya ta meet him at the…"

"Remy?" Lorna's voice suddenly called out quietly from the dark. The Cajun froze as the comlink became deadly silent. Lorna could be heard walking closer, calling again "Remy, where are you?"

A deadly snarl echoed in Gambits ear soon after, Wolverine growling out "Gumbo…"

"Remy did nothin! He swear!" Gambit swore into the headpiece; hiding his bag underneath a pillar. He stood up and backed up, overhearing Wolverine's obvious disbelief of his statement and turned around to smack right into Lorna. The Cajun grunted as the small petite young mutant gaze a squeak in surprise. She looked up at him surprised and Gambit quickly recovered with a sultry smile, flirting "You just can't stay out of my arms, can you, mademoiselle?

"What? You're the one who…" Lorna flustered, she stepping back quickly with a blush. Gambit wasn't paying attention, for he had just so happened to glance over Lorna's head, only to spot Guards not a few feet from where they stood. Thinking quickly, Gambit stated "We should go. Now."

"What? Why?!" Lorna exclaimed again; her breath catching, as Gambit grabbed her hand and led her down the courtyard. The Southern man took time to flash her a devilish smile and a sparkly of his ruby red eyes, flirting "Remy thought you'd want to show him the most romantic view of the island, of course…."

Lorna blinked and then giggled, nodding while leading the way; Gambit giving a sigh of relief as the Guards passed right on by. A dark chuckle that was borderline amused and still angry came through the headset and Wolverine smarted darkly "Smooth, Gumbo."

Nightcrawler could be heard sighing, muttering "Vanda's going to kill me…"

Gambit felt his neckline redden at the implications, and he turned his head to the earpiece, hissing "Remy don't need comments from de peanut gallery!"

"Excuse me?" Lorna asked in front of him. The Cajun startled at her voice, clearing his throat and shaking his jacket straight at her soft gaze. Gambit motioned to the towering falls they had stopped at, commenting "Remy said it is truly enchanting…"

The Cajun nodded towards the billowing sheets of water held up by metal towers, asking "What are dese structures?"

"The water distribution channels…they supply fresh water to the whole island." Lorna explained. She leaned carefully down on the bridge's side, cupping her face in her hands and gazed at the water falls longingly. Gambit slipped up next to her, draping his arms over the same ledge. His ruby red eyes looked to her and the falls, the Cajun stating "But to you, dis place is much more…"

"I love the falls." Lorna admitted; her soft eyes dancing. Her cheeks took on a child like glow as she added dreamily "They're so powerful, yet so calm and peaceful."

"Do you come here often?" Gambit inquired. Lorna nodded shyly, turning to him, answering "Every chance I get."

A flicker of resentment flashed across the young woman's eyes, as she added quietly "My father doesn't like me leaving the palace."

Gambit couldn't help but soften at the young woman before him and a sense of guilt rose within his chest. Beyond her beauty…she was still very much a young girl….entrapped while still claiming to be free. Gambit gave her a small grin, saying gently "A cage is a cage…even if it do look like a palace, Petite."

Lorna grinned back at him, a rosy red color falling on her cheeks and she turned her head away. Gambit took that moment to glance where his bag had been hidden; a sharp feeling rising in his chest to see a Guard sniffing around close by. The Cajun went to turn, starting "Lorna, perhaps we should get back before…"

However, his words were interrupted by Lorna's lips gently pushing onto his. Gambit's ruby red eyes widen with a spark of red as Lorna's kiss ventured further around his lips in a longing passion; a yearning. Gambit managed to gently pull her away, staring at her as both breathed in, Lorna giving him a wide smile. That familiar sickening feeling rolled around in his gut, and Gambit whispered gently "Lorna, I…"

A burst of hot crimson hex blasted between the two lovers with a burning intensity, making Gambit and Lorna separate with a shove to another. Their eyes followed upward to where the hex stream had come from and Gambit cursed in French when seeing Wanda standing on the side of the cliff….her hand illuminated in hex….her eyes burning intensely as the sea air whipped her brunette locks madly around her face.

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Wolverine cursed several obscenities under his breath upon hearing the prison doors slam on his other end of the line; listening as Gambit tried fruitlessly to reason with the enraged older sister. When he heard the Cajun again call out for Wanda with no success, Wolverine growled darkly into the earpiece "Of all the damn times ya screwed up Gumbo…"

The feral punched the side of the X-jet, causing a small dent, snarling "This one's gotta top em all!"

"How many time does Remy gotta say he sorry!?" Gambit hissed defensively in his earpiece. Wolverine gave a harsh snort, biting back "Until I can ya get it through ya thick skull not ta flirt with everythin that walks on two legs!"

Gambit only muttered a few nonsensical words in French back to the pissed off leader and Wolverine sighed. He continued to growl to himself while preparing to possibly join the fun. He paused in his outfitting to growl "Ya better just god damn hope that Kurt can calm the Princess down!"

Gambit suddenly grew very quiet. Wolverine arched an eyebrow up, but heard the Cajun whisper in a shaky tone, "Remy dink dat going to be a problem…"

"And why is that?" Wolverine snapped back. Gambit said nothing, but instead the tall tale signs of Lorna's relieved voice was picked up on the coms, she exclaiming "There you are, Remy!"

Wolverine's eyes widen, then darkened and the feral gave out a loud growl, snarling "Typical."

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Gambit stuffed Magneto's helmet into the thick of his trench coat and ran up to the edge of the docks to see Lorna already having the speedboat ready for a quick getaway. As soon as she saw him, her eyes lit up and she ran up to him with a tight hug. Gambit gently reciprocated the gesture, feeling more and more sickened at himself. He gently pulled the young girl away, saying gently "Perhaps you want to giv' dis more thought…"

"No, I'm just a little nervous…" Lorna admitted. She pulled away and grabbed at two packed bags she had made, turning to him with a nervous smile. Lorna added "I've always lived on this island."

She shrugged shyly, looking towards her only home, saying softly "I don't even know what the world is like out there."

Gambit winced at her innocent and unsure ramblings; slowly making his way to the boat. He climbed in, pulling it away from the dock, saying guiltily "I'm afraid, mademoiselle…it's a lot like me."

Lorna turned to him with an alarmed expression, walking forward, stuttering "But, wait…what are you doing?"

Gambit looked into her wide doe eyes, trying to break it gently, "I'm sorry, Remy can't take you wit him…"

"Why? What did I do?" Lorna's voice replied in a hurt tone; her eyes brimming with tears as she threw her bags down in alarm.

"Nothing, Ma Petite…" Gambit replied tenderly; hating the way her eyes continued to brim with tears. He looked away shamefully, muttering "I'm just not da man you dink I am."

"You're wrong." Lorna's hurt voice replied timidly. Gambit knew there was going to be a special place in hell for him one day for dragging Lorna into this mess. He didn't answer her broken hearted tone with a response, merely showing the helmet upward in his hands. Lorna's tears brimmed over, she shaking her head bewildered, stating "I..I don't understand."

"Hopefully…you will soon." Gambit replied. The Cajun said no more, starting up the engine and turning away the girl starting to cry on the beach. However, Lorna suddenly as clenching her fists, her voice rising as she screamed "You…you…Bastard!"

And with her shouting cry, she lifted her hands out and up, the helmet in Gambits hand flying outward several feet into the sky. Gambit looked up with a deadpanned look, muttering "Remy forgot about her daddies powers…"

Lorna swung her hands down hard and the helmet careened down like a bullet straight for the center of the engine, crashing into it with a thundering bang. The engine fizzled and popped as water began filling in the gaping hole, sending the boat sinking forward. Gambit groaned, adding "And her sisters temper."

Meanwhile as Gambit prepared to use a inflatable lifeboat to escape the water, Lorna reached outward to guide the helmet back into her hands. Once her fingers intertwined around the rough metal, the tears flowed down her face with a hiccupping sob. She turned around to look away from Gambit, only to see her father walking towards her. Magneto said nothing, only holding out his arms for her and Lorna ran into them with fresh tears. She buried her head into his shoulder, crying "I'm sorry father…I'm so sorry…"

As Magneto was consoling his youngest daughter, Wanda watched from up on the bridge near the water tower, thinking of horrific ways to make Gambit pay for making Lorna cry. However, a loud explosive boom startled her to look towards the telecommunication towers and she gasped when seeing a large billowing cloud of smoke filter to the sky…the tower crumbling to the ground with a resounding boom. Wanda grimaced, muttering "I said minimum damage…"

Another explosive boom rumbled a foot from where Wanda stood, causing the heiress to cry out and stumbled to the ground. She roughly grabbed for the supporting beam on her descent down and avoided bit of crumbling brick rolling towards her. Wanda tried climbing her way back up but soon heard a familiar teleporting noise, followed by two strong arms grabbing at her waist and a soft germen voice telling her to be still. Wanda obeyed and sense the familiar nothingness of teleporting and blindly latched onto her savior as both collided to the docks edge safely nearby.

Wanda gasped and tightened her grip on Nightcrawler as they stood up, the furry mutant giving her support to lean on. His soft yellow eyes gazed at her gently, he asking "Are ju all right?"

Wanda nodded, steadying herself onto her feet, replying "I…I think so..."

Wanda startled when hearing another loud boom echo off into the night and looked over to see another telecommunications tower crumble to the ground. She turned her head back to Nightcrawler, a dry smirk falling on her lips and she smarted darkly "Tell Logan I'm sending him a damn bill when this is all over."

Nightcrawler faintly grinned at her sarcasm and Wanda grinned gently back; she daring to lean in more against Nightcrawler's support.

"Wanda?" Magentos voice came out harshly in concern. Wanda jolted around to see her father giving Nightcrawler a dark look, his glance falling to her and then to him. Wanda pushed herself away from the furry elf, but kept herself positioned protectively in front of him. She replied calmly back, "I'm fine, father."

Magnetos expression never lighten, he turning to his youngest daughter and saying crisply "Lorna, join your sister in the palace."

"Are you going after Remy?" Lorna's soft voice replied. Magneto's glare iced and he stated darkly "No….It's the Senator who will pay for this."

Magneto glanced to Wanda and then to Nightcrawler, suddenly instructing "Restain him and escort him to the cells."

Wanda's expression grew alarmed and she exclaimed "Father!"

However, Magneto had already gone, he and Blink teleporting to a certain Senators location. When he was gone, Wanda quickly turned to the teleporter and placed both hands on his shoulders. She instructed "Kurt, go. Now."

Nightcrawler nodded and Wanda turned to her shocked sister, instructing "Lorna, do as I say and go to the palace. I'll explain everything later."

Lorna opened her mouth to resist but ended up screaming in fright as Wolverine suddenly appeared from behind with a terrifying snarl. The young girl raced behind her sister, but Wanda calmly grabbed her, staring into her with firm eyes. Wanda nodded to the palace, instructing "Go."

Lorna wildly looked to Wolverine, then to her sister, but Wanda gently pushed her in the right direction; the young girl finally running away while glancing back ever so often. Wanda turned her attention back to the growling feral, stating firmly "Stand down, Wolverine."

Wolverine gave her a challenging glare but Nightcrawler intervened and caught his attention, saying hurriedly "Magneto is going after Kelly!"

Wolverine quickly decided the mission was more important than some petty fight with a Brotherhood member, grabbing roughly at his headset to bark out "Hank, Hank come in."

After hearing the fizzle of static, Wolverine continued "The plans a go. I repeat the plans are a go!"

A little more static rattled out, a single world coming out from Hank of "Rogue?"

"We're on it." Rogue replied in the com link; cutting off with a sharp twist of her headset. Wolverine to shut off communications and looked to Nightcrawler; nodded towards the X-jet appearing nearby. Without a word, the two started off towards the Jet, only to hear Wanda suddenly say "When you return my father, make sure to slip in from the east side. The Guards don't often search that area because of the tides."

Wolverine glanced at her with a curious arch of a brow but she had already slipped past the hugely muscled feral to get to Nightcrawler. She quickly pressed a rough kiss on the surprised mutant's lips, holding his face delicately in her hands. When they pulled apart, Wanda smiled, stating dryly "Consider this as my official request to be one of your allies, X-man."

Nightcrawler numbly bobbed his head in acknowledgement and Wanda gave him one last gentle look before turning towards the palace after her sister. As she started walking, a slow smile began to creep up her lips. For the first time in a long time…Wanda truly felt at peace; she knew the truth beyond the fairytales and lies. She felt almost…free. Yeah, that was a good word. Wanda felt free.

Nightcrawler watched the women continue to leave, turning to see Wolverine giving him a wolfish smile. The feral nodded towards the brunette, smarting "Ya sure she ain't ya girlfriend?"

Nightcrawler glared back, saying nothing, the feral giving out a chuckle. The duo was interrupted by a splash, followed by a soaked Cajun crawling up the embankment near them, Gambit cursing in French as he dragged his soaked cloaked self into solid ground. Gambit rolled onto his back with a groan, spitting out sea water and looked up to his teammates with a grimace. Wolverine had no sympathy in his glare, giving a feral snort, and remarked "Serves ya damn right, Gumbo."

Gambit gave another groan, pulling to a sitting position on the sandy beach. He muttered, "Don't rub it in, Wolvie."

"Yeah? We'll maybe if I rub it in ya'll start listenin ta ya head…instead of ya other muscle." Wolverine bit back; offering a hand to the humiliated Cajun. Gambit took the hand and glared in the direction of Nightcrawler smirking. A soft static noise alerted the trio to their communicators, Gambit leaning in towards Wolverines for obvious reasons. Rogues voice came through clearly on the two unwater logged devices, the southern women stating "We got em, Logan."

Wolverine looked to the others, his face as equally as grim as theirs. The feral rolled his shoulders, sighed and instructed, "Take em' ta Charles."

xxx xxxx xxx

Wolverine stood by and watched the two unconscious men before him carefully. His white hooded eyes glanced from one to another; the feral's muscle thickly bulging under his uniform while a snarl framed his face. Emma might have often teased of the feral's 'protective' instinctual nature but many knew it was no joking matter; any one of these men dared anything…two body bags may be carried out of here instead of the men carried in.

Wolverine was not surprised to find that Magneto was the first to waken and look around disoriented. The aging man's cold eyes darted around the metal room, he stating "Where am I?"

Wolverine sneered his canines aggressively to the mutant king getting to his feet, answering back "A place I swore you'd never step foot."

"Why have you brought me here?" Magneto questioned; his eyes glancing towards the unconscious Charles. Wolverine narrowed his eyes, replying "Because there's something you both need to see."

Upon Wolverine's remark, Magneto looked over at the sound of moaning to find the man he had been ready to kill only seconds prior. Wolverine made it clear with his look, that idea was not an option. The feral's intimidating eyes bore into the kings, Wolverine adding "But I'm gonna let Charles show you."

Magneto quirked an eyebrow confused and paid no heed to his enemy gingerly picking himself off the floor. Kelly nervously walked up as the familiar white hue of the astroplane seeped through out the room. The Senator darted his eyes around as the astroplane enveloped the room and Kelly looked to Magento, asking "What are they doing to us?"

"Don't worry…." Charles voice came out from the hazy fog. He walked into view from the astroplane whiteness, adding reassuringly "You're quite safe."

Charles gaze fell upon the astounded Magneto, his expression softening and Charles added, "Eric…it's good to see you, old friend."

"Charles! How can this be?" Magneto asked perplexed with a widening of the eyes. He looked over to Wolverine, then to Charles, asking "Are you…are you conscious inside your body?"

"I'm afraid not." Charles replied with a sadden tone and a shake of his head. His eyes seemed to age a few more years as he added, "The coma I'm in will last for another twenty years…"

Magneto's face again showed a level of shock, while Charles finished, "That's where I am now, in the future."

Senator Kelly had remained quiet during this time, hoping to maybe find a way out of this kidnapping, but chose to scoff at the notion Charles was implying. Wolverine gave him a dark look while Kelly asked impudently "What kind of ruse is this?"

Wolverine flashed his canines, even Magneto giving the Senator an ugly look, the old king stating "It's no ruse, Senator…."

Magneto looked over to Wolverine, smarting darkly "This is why the X-men have been so…efficient."

Wolverine sneered at him, his muscles starting to bulge thicker, as Magneto stated "They've had inside information."

"Information I wish to now share with the two of you." Charles intervened; rising his hands upward to reveal the horror that was to come. Wolverine watched as familiar images of darkness and desolation surrounded them all, still feeling a sickening feeling roll in his gut at the screams and shouts of horror as the Sentinels made their pathways of death. Magneto instantly appeared horrified while Kelly was nearly green around the cheeks.

"The war you seek…the outcome you envision…" Charles explained in a hollowed voice; it echoing off the desolate planet that once was so vibrant. The telepath looked to the men, stating coldly "Behold your legacy."

Wolverine turned away at the ugly sight; noticing Kelly staring at it with complete and utter terror. The man's jaw was slacked open, Kelly shaking his head rapidly and walking backward…almost as if he fled far enough, he could escape the impending hell that was to come. Wolverine hoped it was getting to him; hoped her felt, heard, smelled and tasted the flames of hell licking at his hells. Wolverine had nothing to fear….for Kelly stared into the abyss of hell…and trembled at the sight.

xxx xxxx xxx

Emily sketched out the last of her drawing and listened to the late night news come on; glancing up as it was interrupted by a special message by Senator Kelly. The ten year old wrinkled up her nose at the sight of the man, sticking her tongue out at the image on the screen. She listened as he gave an apology to the public for his actions, Emily putting down her sketchbook to hear his heartfelt words of regret for the choice he had made. Her eyes widen and the little girl turned up the volume as the Senator proclaimed he was shutting down the Sentinel program and all other anti-mutant based operation within the city of New York. Emily sat stunned as the man turned to the camera, a few more wrinkles etched along his eyes, and Kelly said profoundly "This is a war…that no one will win."

Emma, at that time, had slipped into the living room and waited out as the Senator finished his speech. She gave the screen a grim image; one less weight lifting off her shoulders. When the Senator had stopped his speech and the television went to regular programming, Emma grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. Emily turned around with a frown at the sound of the remotes click; Emma gently grinning down at her.

"Come along, poppet. It's time for bed." Emma soothed quietly, holding out her hand for Emily to grab. The ten year old did so, but looked up to the woman confused, asking innocently "Where's daddy?"

"The brute is on his way …" Emma replied ominously. She smirked, adding dryly "He had to deliver something to its proper owners."

Emily looked up at her with a curious expression but the telepath merely grinned. There was no need to let on to the child of the king who was being carried away back to his kingdom; no matter how humorous it was to see Magneto drool on the carpet of the X-jet. Emily stopped at the entrance of her room with Emma, asking hopefully "Will he be back in time for me to say goodnight?"

"Of course, darling." Emma reassured the child in a soothing tone; helping her into bed. The small ten year old cuddled under the covers, smiling up at the women who finished the rest of the bed time rituals. Emma looked down at her with a gentle smile, asking softly "Are you comfortable?"

"Yes." Emily whispered, a yawn escaping her mouth. Emma grinned, turning away to shut off the light. That was when, out of the peaceful night, Emma heard the sweet child's soft voice call out lovingly "Goodnight, Aunt Emma."

Emma froze, her sharp grey eyes darting towards the child in her bed. Emily already had drifted off, her soft breathing and peaceful thoughts entering into the telepaths mind. Emma gazed down at the sweet and innocent little girl, a tender grin rising on her face. She reached outward, slowly touching Emily's forehead and brushing back the curls of her soft raven hair. Emma grinned, whispering softly "Goodnight, my poppet."

Emily's mouth twitched a grin in her slumber state; Emma quickly walking out of the room before the child could be disturbed. The women kept on walking, feeling her body carry her without permission. There were no tears, no fretting, only determination etched along Emma's eyes as she made her way down to Cerebro and entered into the hollowed sphere. For, though the road may be paved with the finest of good intentions…it still will lead to the fiery gates of hell.

Oh what a beautifully HORRIFIYING chapter I gave you! Haha, just try to soak that all in!

This chapter ended up being a little longer than expected but I thought with my long absence, you might enjoy a good read…so I chose not to split it up. When I do my revisions later this year, I might split it, but for now, just enjoy it in all its glory.

As I said, hope you enjoyed and thanks for all the reviews so far for the story. I have not gotten to answering all of the questions in reviews that might have been asked just yet, but I will soon. Thanks again and….please don't shoot me for making you freak out. Haha : )