Memories

………………………..Logan…………………………

I followed their combined scent as I raced through the streets, the smell growing stronger by the second. They couldn't be less than a minute away.

"Getting Close!" I yelled out to Colossus, who was on my tail.

Over the journey the thought had come to mind that there were two bikes, 4 guys, and one girl. At least one could fly…

That's going to be embarrassing… And if I have to look stupid in this god damn helmet, I'm not having some bloke riding in front OR behind me. They don't like it? Blow their safety; they'll have to walk.

I guess that left Kitty with me and Bobby with Colossus. He won't be laughing after that.

A picture came to mind again of the two of them red faced together on a bike, and I didn't stop the grin coming to my face.

That'll shut him up.

I slid the bike to a 45 degree angle as I swerved around the corner, my shin scraping painfully against the road.

A fresh wave of sea salt hit me as I turned to see Bobby and Angel.

Something was up, they were pale as anything and both of their muddy faces had tear tracks.

And worst of all….no Kitty.

A fire burned inside of me as I skid my bike towards them, stopping in front of them with steam and dirt flying everywhere. Their faces showing a flicker of relief.

"Where's Kitty?" I asked loudly over the purr of the bike.

"She's gone." Angel whispered in a broken voice, looking down as if ashamed.

I got off the bike and grabbed his shirt, lifting him off the ground and staring into his eyes.

"What do you mean she's GONE? Gone WHERE?!"

A low growl started to bubble from inside me, I focused on nothing else than this kids' face. I needed something, colossus could sought these guys out. Is she hurt? Has the general got her?

"Come on kid, give me answers!" I felt my military side kicking in, and I let it. Too much was potentially at stake.

"she ran away…felt guilty…General was playing with our minds…she ran off…" He muttered pathetically, as if a huge burden had been weighed across his shoulders.

I softened, realising my teeth were clenched and bared, I slowly relaxed them, and I lowered my arms, resting him back on his feet.

"She's somewhere in New York?"

He gave a weak nod of his head and I released him.

"For now." Bobby croaked, he was on the floor now, staring into a void. I'd never seen two people more broken than these two people now, tormented, in more psychological pain than they should have at their age. Something more terrible and unforgivable than Kitty running away had happened, otherwise they'd already be looking for her.

My heart broke, whatever had happened, Kitty had run off. Away. Right into the General's arms. Scared. Alone. In pain. Broken.

"Which way did she go?"

I muttered, growing angry at the sudden filling of tears in my eyes.

Bobby lifted a shaky finger towards the right, and that was all the information that I needed.

"Colossus: Sort these two out. You two, Kitty's in danger, the quicker you piece yourselves back together, the quicker she'll be found."

With that I tore away from them all and started off towards the direction Bobby had pointed. This was going to be pretty unsuccessful. There was barley and chance we'd see her. But I needed something…anything…to be moving, to get my mind working…and to close my feelings off…like I've always done. It's only recently that it's gotten harder.

…………Kitty POV………..

My heart throbbed against my ribcage, a stitch at my side. I'd eventually came to rest at a deserted train station.

I slumped down onto a bench as another train zoomed by and blew the discarded newspapers and rubbish around.

Tears were still pouring from my eyes. I was more confused…more lost than I've ever been before. Where will I go? How am I going to eat? Can I get a job? No they'll be looking for me, it'd be too easy to find me…

My mind thought back to my friends but I forced them out of my mind.

It took me a second to realise footsteps echoing towards me. I looked around, before jumping out of my seat in fright.

It was Him: Army uniform and cape billowing ominously behind him. I stumbled backwards, fear gripping me before I came to my senses. A fury rose inside of me; it was his fault. My fists clenched as I took an aggressive stance, preparing myself for a fight.

It's not my fault that your friends' hearts are broken. It's yours.

He stepped towards me again, lips curving into an evil grin, eyes hungry.

Not, it's your fault.

I thought as forcefully as I could, but I knew he was right, and worse: I knew that he knew that too.

Wouldn't you like to forget?

He asked in his metallic voice. My mind started to throb but I ignored it.

No, of course not. All I have left is my guilt and my memories.

Why not join me? What else will you do? You can't go back, you can't go forward. You're stuck. I can help you.

"I'LL DIE BEFORE I HELP YOU!" I yelled openly, lunging at him.

But my limps stopped, I couldn't move, he'd stopped me.

My eyes roved to a metal bin, I lifted it with my mind and threw it towards his back, but he merely stepped out of the way.

You don't learn do you? I can read your thoughts. Any action you take is futile, useless. It's a shame you won't come willingly, you have great power.

I struggled against his grip, moving slightly against his power, my own only slightly lower than his, but he doubled his hold on me and I stopped.

Isn't it fortunate, that I am master of minds?

His voice echoed around the walls of my skull, as he stepped towards me, arm outstretched. I couldn't move, I couldn't yell out, I couldn't even levitate anything.

I couldn't help my friends.

I couldn't help myself.

He hovered his bare hand over my aching head, my body shook against his hold as I felt something warm and wet creep into my mouth, out of the corners of my eyes, out of my nose. Blood. My Blood.

Then I wasn't in the train station, I was running away from my friends- The memory vanished.

I was slapped by Bobby. Gone.

I was kissing Angel. Gone.

Bobby. Gone.

Angel. Gone.

Wolverine. Gone.

Everything I held dear, he took. I was nothing now, but an empty shell.

………………………………..

I fell to the floor, my head meeting the concrete painfully. A panicked voice filled my mind.

"Ashley? Ashley?" It asked worriedly. I looked up at the stranger, the stranger in a general uniform. He seemed tired, more than tired…Exhausted. Like he'd gone for a 20 mile run. Ashley…Was that my name?

"Who are you? Where am I?" A million questions filled my head, I couldn't remember…anything.

"I'm the General, your friend and mentor. We were on a mission before we were attacked by our enemies…the X-men."

I only stared at him curiously, but still confused.

"Come. You're hurt. Let's get you…home."

………………POV Bobby……………….

What have I done?

I'd asked myself the same question repeatedly for the past eight hours. We were back at the mansion again. All of the crew returned, but gone to look for Kitty, all had now returned except for Wolverine. Forge had made another helmet, which Storm was wearing.

My depression seemed to form a smothering blanket around me, pressing down, blacking out anything else.

She's gone. And it's my fault.

No one had found her, because she didn't want to be found…or the General has her. No! I can't think things like that. If he had her, we would probably know by now. Wasn't he finished with his mind games?

I hadn't been listening to the tv, but the mention of Kitty made me sit up and listen.

"Kitty Pryde is missing, said to of run away. Please stay on the lookout. She doesn't mean to harm, but is a mutant, and is therefore unpredictable. The government has asked that if anyone sees Miss Pryde, they are to report it to call 911 immediately-"

I stopped listening. A fury rose inside of me. How dare they speak about Kitty like that? She's not dangerous! She just needs help.

What am I doing in here? Kitty is missing. Kitty…The love of my life. True I was young, but I know what love is.

I stood up, causing everyone to look at me.

"I'm going to find Kitty." I announced. Everyone was shocked, since I hadn't said a word since she'd left. Before anyone could stop me I grabbed my coat from the chair and headed towards the nearest car.

I walked quickly through the corridors until I heard footsteps behind me.

"What do you want?" I asked gruffly to whoever it was.

"I'm coming with you." Came Angel's voice.

I wanted to say no. I wanted to find Kitty, set things right, lift my shame and guilt. But if bird brain came and we found her sooner, then he was more than welcome.

"Suit yourself." I replied, as I grabbed the Audi's keys off of the counter and slid into the car. Angel got in the passengers seat.

The car roared to life.

I'll find you Kitty, and I'll bring you back safety. I promise.

I've broken too many promises to you, but I'll make sure I see this one through…Even if my life is the cost.

The engine purred to life and we sped away from the manor…and back to New York.

…………….……………………………………………….

Hey! Sorry for not writing in so long!

I'm going on holiday soon, so I won't write for perhaps the next 3 weeks. But i'll try really hard at the weekend.

Don't lose faith and please comment!

Chocoholic.