25) Monster
Rated T
Warning(s) Mentions of violence
The explosion rang out startling Erik who quickly made his way through the wreckage. Raven and Azazel followed close behind careful as another building began to shake. Not far ahead they spotted Charles Xavier flanked by Alex and Hank. Charles's face was a mixture of sereneness and calculation. He regarded Erik and his team coldly. All around them was destruction and death, humans crying out for help before being silenced. Charles could not reach them all. It was then that they noticed the child in Charles's arms. A human child no more than two. The young girl clung to Charles like a child to their mother and regarded Erik's approach with round frightened eyes. Erik eyed the child then glanced at Charles. "Leave us." Erik ordered. Raven and Azazel nodded and vanished. Hank and Alex looked to Charles for confirmation. He nodded and urged them to lrave. They did so looking back as they went. Erik glanced at Charles. "You think holding her in your arms will protect her?" He asked voice cold. Charles's gaze never wavered. "You will not harm her as long as I have her." He replied voice cold. Erik scoffed as though he was speaking to a child. "Come Charles give me the child, no need to taint your hands with her foul blood." He replied. Charles pulled the child closer. "She's just a child." He voiced softly. "The child of a human general who is trying to kill us." Erik snapped. Charles shook his head, allowing the little girl to burrow further into his chest. "I won't let you have her Erik." He said voice tight. That answer enraged Erik who lunged for Charles. The wheelchair was knocked to the ground and Charles quickly placed himself over the child in hopes of guarding her. But Erik was stronger, he threw Charles out of the way and grabbed the child by the neck holding her up.
"Erik! No!" Charles cried out. Erik glared at Charles. "You allow our people to die for vermin like this!" He snarled. The child whimpered and began to cry out for her mother. Her mother who lay dead not twenty feet away. Charles attempted to pull himself up his unfeeling legs lay unmoving and useless. "She's just a child." He managed. Erik's gaze was frightening. "You're a fool Charles." he snapped. Turning to the girl he tightened his grip preparing to snap her neck when he felt a pair of arms wrap around his legs. He glanced down to see Charles staring up at him. "What have you become Erik?" He asked voice soft. "You'll gladly kill an innocent little girl, just because of who she is. Have you really become such a monster?" He asked. Erik kicked Charles off of him. "Shut your mouth Charles, or I'll shut it for you."
"You're no better than Shaw!" Charles cried out stopping Erik in his tracks. Erik turned to Charles looking betrayed. "What did you just say?" He asked, voice dangerous. Charles sat up. "I said that you're no better than Sh-" Erik tossed the girl aside and tackled Charles his rage filling his mind, he wrapped his hands around Charles's throat and began to squeeze. "You dare compare me to him!" He snarled shaking Charles as he strangled him. Charles grabbed at Erik's hands trying to free himself. Erik squeezed harder causing Charles to gasp. "You know nothing Charles, nothing!" He shouted. Charles eyes began to roll into the back of his head. With a shove Erik pulled himself from Charles who lay gasping and twitching on the ground. Erik glanced towards the toddle who stood petrified staring at him. Then back to Charles who face was beginning to return his normal skin tone. Then he turned and walked away from the site meeting up with Mystique who glanced at him as he passed. Was he truly a monster for what he was doing? He wondered. He and the Brotherhood quickly made their way to safety passing a snarling Hank who shot Erik a murderous look. A Erik made it to the ship he looked at his hands feeling as if they were drenched in Charles's blood. Charles after catching his breath dragged himself weakly over to the child and gathered her into his arms and waited for Hank to return.
A quarter way there, guys. Hope you like it.