Meg parked her car in the front and got out. Her face was pinched and pale with worry as her stomach churned in terror. She rushed into the mansion, only to see a grey mass lying in the hall. She remembered what Leon told her and realized it was Hank. She rolled him over and begged. "Hank! Hank wake up!"
He was already groaning and his eyes opened. "Mmmm…Margarette?"
She sighed in relief, but became serious. "What happened?"
Hank looked around. "I-I wanted to take a stroll around the grounds…I felt so tired all of sudden I—"
Both their eyes widened as the realization hit them. They both got up and ran around the Institute shouting for the children, their noise waking more of the students and staff.
When everyone gathered and found that the Leonardo and Lafayette children were missing, they formed a plan.
"Hank, Forge, Ororo, Leon, and I will try to get the power back on." Scott explained. "Jean…I need you to work Cerebro for us…can you handle it?"
Jean nodded solemnly.
"Logan, you and Storm need to act as guardsmen for the grounds. Today may be the day Magneto sends the Brotherhood to attack. Mansi and Xi'an will watch the students. Moira, Sean, and Meg will tend to our wounded. When the power is back, the X-Men and I will go after the children."
"Me too." Leon added. Meg nodded in agreement.
Forge raised his mechanical arm. "Me four."
"As will I." Hank answered.
Moira argued. "Hank, no, you're still adjusting to your new body. Now isn't the time—"
Hank interrupted her with a quote. '"The time is always right to do what's right."'
"You can't argue with MLK Jr. quotes, Dr. MacTaggart." Forge told her.
Moira sighed and shrugged. "Like I can stop ya'…but what about you two." She asked Leon and Meg. "You haven't been on a mission in years."
Meg answered. "This isn't just another mission, Moira." Her green eyes flashed. "I will get them back."
"God help anyone trying to get in our way." Leon clarified.
Cyclops glanced at them. "Then what are we waiting for?"
Before anyone could move, Forge interrupted. "Hold on—Dom took the jet."
"Meaning?" Sean asked.
Forge brought a holographic screen up from his arm. "That we can track them with the jet…they're in New York."
"Where though?!" Mansi asked frantically, holding a sleepy Fleur on her hip.
"New York, they're in the city." Forge explained. At this, everyone ran to get ready as students looked on.
Amara asked Lorna. "They'll find them right?"
Trinity gasped as Komodo released her and the ground came rushing toward her face. Allie suddenly placed a field around Trinity as she fell, and the field bounced off the ground; saving Trinity from breaking her neck. When the field disappeared, Trinity got to her feet. Komodo was still chasing her family. Trinity grabbed a trash bin lid and went after Komodo. She went up behind him and bashed him in the back of the head. Komodo went down on one knee, but got back onto his feet and turned to face her. Trinity tried to hit him again, but he knocked the bin out of her hands. Trinity ran back down the stairs and Komodo followed her. Cara wrenched her hand out of Kendra's and followed. Kendra tried to go after her, but she heard Allie scream from the rooftop. "HELP!" Kendra went up to the roof when the screaming continued.
Komodo grabbed Trinity and placed her into a headlock. Trinity choked and scratched at the man's scaly flesh. Cara screamed as she grabbed a glass bottle from the ground and chucked it at his head. The bottle bounced off his head, but it distracted him. Trinity slipped out of the hold; coughing as she grabbed Cara and ran. She kicked over a trashcan, which fortunately tripped Komodo. They ran into the street and Trinity felt the mortal terror of her other family members.
Dominic saw Allie, Kendra, and…He stopped running and saw Kenneth was—! Dom started running toward them to help—he only had two more buildings to jump—
Enhance suddenly appeared out of an opened roof hatch. He grabbed onto the back of Dominic's neck. Dominic's muscles twitched when he felt the rush of power go through him. He heard the hum of sonic energy run, just not over his hands, but all over his body. Enhance released him and Dominic floated off the ground as the energy buzzed. He shook as he tried to keep from blasting all the sonic energy he had. It was unbearable to hold onto—but he never created this much sonic energy—not even against the Juggernaut. Enhance laughed as he watched. "Isn't amazing? The best part is, your power will continue to elevate to the point it might kill you. But if you surrender and join us, then I will stop enhancing your powers if not—well, you will be the face of the newest mutant attack. I don't think New York ever saw a sonic energy explosion that could take out an entire street."
Dominic scowled at him as his heart raced to the point it matched the frantic pulse of the sonic energy he was emitting. He then let lose a small blast from his feet. It shattered the spot of the roof he was floating above and sent him into the sky 20 feet. He continued to fly, until he was in the clouds and could see the Statue of Liberty. He gasped for breath and couldn't hold the energy anymore. He let it go and his ear drums popped when the sonic energy exploded from him.
Kendra made it to the roof and almost fell over when she saw the strange sight. A metal statue of her brother stood on the roof, a woman and the teenager from the hotel stood in front of it, and Allie was in her force field and sobbing while holding onto Artie who was gazing at the statue in horror. Allie wept. "H-he turned Kenneth into metal—he-he turned him into a statue!"
Kendra's knees buckled as she glared the Acolyte down. "Turn him back!" She grabbed the laser gun from her pocket and pointed it at them.
"Gambit." The woman called out.
Two hands suddenly grabbed Kendra from behind and wrenched the gun from her hands. Kendra struggled, but there was suddenly a large explosion above them—knocking them back and off of the roof.
Kendra concentrated and her silver light blazed as their fall slowed to a float above the ground. She then kicked away from the surprised man and recognized Gambit as the man blocking the alley. Her lavender eyes widened when she gazed at his face—he looked just like Leon did as a college student, except Gambit had brown hair and pale skin…how…?
Still floating, Gambit calmly held his staff behind him as he whistled. "Cho! (Wow) I heard you were powerful, but this is impressive."
Kendra scrutinized him darkly. "Are you going to kill me too?"
"Alohrs pas, (Of course not,) your big brother will be fine." Gambit told her casually.
Kendra's light went out and they landed on their feet. "If you take one step near me, you'll regret it."
He chuckled as his red eyes watched her in amusement. "I won't hurt you, you know."
"Excellent," She hissed as she tried to walk over to the fire escape. He swung over his staff to block her. "Mais, that don't mean I can let you go—"
Kendra smacked the staff away and got into a fighting stance.
Gambit raised his hands up. "Arrete toi (Stop it)—before you hurt yourself—"
Kendra tried to kick him, but he blocked her and spun her around. He then held her good arm behind her back. Kendra gritted her teeth to keep in a scream, but paused when she saw a puff of black and purple smoke on the horizon. She grinned and opened her mouth to let out the loudest scream she ever uttered. "KKKKUUUUUURRRRRTTTTT!"
Gambit winced in annoyance.
Kendra smirked and muttered. "Now you're in trouble 'Couyon' (Stupid person)."
The woman and man, who was called Chrome, got up after the explosion and dusted the dirt from their black and red uniforms as they stared at the large hole in the clouds where explosion came from.
Allie stared at it and hoped it wasn't Dom…where was he?
The woman had dark blue hair and piercing brown eyes that analyzed Allie and Artie. "My name Maria Cortez de la Rocha. I'm a mutant just like you."
Allie let go of Artie and stood in front of him to snap. "You're nothing like us!"
Maria stared at Allie. "I understand you are afraid, if my brother Fabian was in any danger I would be terrified, but you have to trust that we are not your enemies. I know that you just want to be safe with your family."
Allie felt unsettled that Maria understood her and murmured. "You don't understand anything."
"Really? I know your greatest fear is being abandoned by every single one of your friends and family. You're afraid people would leave you like your father does. You're afraid of being alone Alicia." Maria came closer to them. "If you come with us, you will never have to worry about that."
Allie felt her hands shaking as Maria told her about her greatest fear…it was just like Kendra said. Maria was playing her.
"Artie." Maria cooed. "I know all you want is to belong to a family."
Artie peeked over at Maria.
"You think that you'll be safe escaping with your little friend Cara, but they will take you to the X-Men. Artie, we traveled a very long way to get and to fight for you. We have already accepted you. Are you sure the X-Men would?"
Artie's pink face looked downcast as he processed this, and Allie turned to him. "Don't listen to her. Her powers are reading people's fears and emotions. She knows about your desires. She's trying to trick you."
Maria sniffed. "How can you trust a girl you just met Artie? Especially one who left Cara behind—her own sister."
Allie snarled. "Shut up!" She wanted to go after Cara, but Trin and Kenny told her to keep running—Trin saved Cara. She must have.
"Artie. The Institute is the safest place for you. I never thought I could fit in anywhere—but there—people care about me. They will accept you—trust me." Allie rambled this all to Artie who gazed at her with wide eyes. "Please, don't leave me. Please stay with us."
Artie gave her a small smile, a nod, and suddenly an image of him holding onto her and Cara's hand flashed into her head.
She smiled back. She glanced over at Maria and Chrome.
Maria's face appeared angered, but she calmed it into a cool mask. "Very well, since you are children, you fail to grasp the severity of this issue."
"No, I know how much trouble you guys are in. Because once the X-Men get here—" Allie giggled. "Well, let's just say you guys should run now."
"Not without you we won't." Maria said sweetly, making the children edge closer together.
The clouds above them began to darken and gather. Allie looked up and smiled when she saw lightning flash within the mass of clouds. A small cyclone suddenly formed and went straight for Chrome. The teen tried to fly away, but he was instantly sucked into the whirlwind and into the clouds. Maria took the large laser cannon from her back and fired at the clouds. Ororo suddenly flew out of the clouds, lightning exploding from her hands as she dived toward Maria.
Storm easily avoided her lasers and shattered her cannon with her lightning. Storm then spun and kicked Maria's face without an ounce of hesitation. Maria fell to the ground and tried to get up, only to be kicked a second time. Maria flipped over and lost consciousness. Allie let down her field and embraced Storm.
Ororo held her for a moment, but then let go when she saw Kenneth. "Goddess…no…"
Allie bit her lip as she stared at Kenneth. "Ororo…is he going to be okay?"
Storm doesn't answer as she stared at the statue.
Kurt teleported before Gambit and Kendra.
Gambit's brow furrowed. "And they call me the devil." He glanced at the sky and was astonished how dark it became.
Nightcrawler's tail swished about as he growled. "Looks can be deceiving—why don't we just handle this like gentlemen?"
Gambit chuckled as he held onto Kendra. "Now where's the fun in that, Diable?"
Nightcrawler grinned. "I couldn't agree more." He suddenly teleported behind Gambit. Gambit blocked a hit with his staff and let Kendra go.
She stepped back and watched as Gambit and Nightcrawler fought. Gambit got out a card and it was covered in a glowing purple energy. He then threw it and it exploded in Kurt's face; knocking him back. Kendra ran to the mouth of the alley where the gutter was. Her hands glowed as she pulled the sewage water into the air. She then spun and shot the brown water at Gambit.
Gambit heard the rush of water and turned around, only to be knocked down by a stream of sewer water. He choked on the ground and felt like he was hit by a bus. He got up and saw Kendra and Nightcrawler were gone.
Trinity screamed when Komodo pulled her back, and threw her and Cara toward the wall. Trinity held onto her sister and felt the pain of her back smashing against the wall. She lost her grip on Cara and she fell beside her on the ground. Trinity laid there as she tried to regain her sight which was grey and black. Cara shook her sister as Komodo approached. "Trini! Get up!"
Trinity lifted her head and stared at Komodo, she had to try to use her powers on him. Komodo got closer, but she couldn't do anything. Suddenly, a large grey form leapt off the roof from their left and tackled Komodo.
It was Hank McCoy.
Trinity got onto her elbows and croaked. "Uncle Hank?!"
The Beast and Komodo fought tooth and nail. In the midst of the battle, Beast shouted. "Run!"
Trinity didn't need to be told twice. She picked up Cara and raced away.
As soon as Komodo tried to follow, Hank grabbed onto him and threw him to the ground. "We are not finished yet!" He shouted into the brute's face and the creature roared back. As they fought, Hank smirked: Oh how he had missed this.
Trinity ran into the street, thinking it was clear, since everyone ran, but there were a few cars left. The first one slammed onto their brakes and had to swerve to the left to miss her. Another crashed into it, and slammed the first one into a parked car beside her; totaling all the cars. The drivers leapt from their vehicles to keep running. Trinity peered in the direction they were running from and saw flashes of red. She sensed Cyclops, Marvel, Wolverine, and Psylocke were here…wait, Leon and her mom were here too!
Mystique set up her sniper rifle on the roof and set up her shot for Trinity. She had Trinity within her cross hairs. One shot through the head: easy. Mystique pulled the trigger. She pulled again. She growled in frustration and checked her weapon to see that it was empty. She checked her bag and couldn't find any of her bullets. "Damn it!" She cursed as she grabbed a hand grenade from her belt. She jumped over to another roof closer to Trinity. She saw Cara was still with her. Mystique pulled the lever and threw it toward them: Better to have one prophet on our side than another on Xavier's.
Trinity slid down to her knees in relief. They were here. They were safe. Cara froze but then shrieked. "Grenade!"
Trinity looked around but didn't see anything. She stood quickly and heard a 'ting' of something bouncing off the car next to her. She saw the grenade fall at her feet. A hot flash of fear followed by a cold sweat ran through them, and Trinity ran, holding onto Cara tightly.
Kurt teleported Kenneth and Kendra to Leon and Meg. Storm flew down with Allie and Artie. Meg knelt down and took Allie into her arms. "Alicia!"
Allie held onto her mama tightly and noticed she was wearing a uniform like the X-Men, but before she could comment on it—her mother bellowed. "How dare you run away! You could've been killed!"
Allie pointed to Kenneth. "Mama, you have to help Kenny!"
Leon was busy staring at the statue in horror as he held the weeping Kendra under arm protectively.
Meg touched the statue at it was covered with green energy for a moment, but nothing happened. "Who did this?" She whispered, but then she ordered. "Storm! Nightcrawler! Find my daughters! Wolverine and Psylocke have already gone looking for Dominic—hurry!" She couldn't move her eyes off of her nephew…was he—no. She will cure him.
Kurt and Storm went off. Ororo flew up and suddenly saw Trinity and Cara. She used Jean's telepathic rapport:
I see Trinity and Cara! They are over in the car pileup! They are safe—
Kurt teleported toward the cars.
Trinity and Car started running away from their spot and before Storm could get closer—there was a small explosion followed by a large fiery inferno of the cars blowing up.
Ororo yelled. "NO!" Trinity and Cara…no. She flew toward the wreckage: Meg! There was an explosion! We need you!
Meg received the message through Jean's rapport and felt her heart race as she ran. She felt like she was running through water—she needed to go faster—she needed to save them.
Kurt stopped and stared at the burning ruin in dismay, but teleported over. He teleported into the wreckage in search of their bodies. He didn't see anything and teleported back out; fur singed and skin searing. "Trin! Cara!"
Trinity got up from behind the mail box around the corner. She gagged as she tried to catch her breath. She had never run so fast in her life. Cara sat behind the mailbox with her knees up to her chest. "We made it…" She hid her face in her knees to block out what she saw if they didn't make out of the explosion. Trinity heard Kurt call her name, and was about to go toward it, but Kurt suddenly ran around the corner. "Trin!" He shouted.
Cara got up to go over to him, but Trinity pushed her back behind the mailbox and got out her Taser-gun. "Don't you even touch her!" She roared at him.
Kurt stopped and gazed at her in shock. "Trin, what are you—"
"That demented trick didn't work on me with my tia—it won't work now." She snarled; blood thundering in her ears where fury replaced the fear she had experienced all day.
Kurt's frown turned into a scowl as she transformed back into Mystique. "Clever girl." She suddenly struck the gun out of Trin's hand when she tried to make a shot—the electric shot zapped into the street sign instead.
Trinity heard Kurt call her name in the distance and was about to scream for help, but Mystique beat her to it by punching her in the throat. Trinity gasped and coughed as Mystique punched her in the face, and walked toward Cara, who was standing by the mailbox—paralyzed with fear.
Trinity grabbed Mystique and pulled her away and stood in front of Cara. "Go!" She hissed to Cara, but the girl couldn't move.
Mystique got a knife out and slashed at Trinity—slicing her hoodie instead of her neck. Trinity grabbed onto Mystique's wrist when she tried to stab her. She held Mystique's wrist over her head and stared at the knife hovering over her face. Mystique tried to use two hands to stab her, and Trinity retaliated by holding both her wrists away from her.
Cara acted and was slamming her small fists into Mystique's legs and pulling on her while screaming. Mystique responded by kicking Cara away from her and into a parked car. Cara held her head as she watched from the ground; sobbing.
Mystique's strength force Trinity's back to lean against the mail box, which she used as leverage to keep from being gutted. Mystique snorted. "Why even bother trying? We both know you're a dead mutant walking—" She suddenly transformed into Sophie. It was like she was alive again. The same orange cat eyes, furry cat ears, and gold freckles. But Sophie wasn't alive. She was dead. But just seeing her glaring down at Trinity as she tried to stab her was the last straw.
Trinity fell into a cold shock and stopped struggling, causing the knife to get closer.
Sophie's voice told her. "Your guilt of murdering your best friend is so obvious, even our telepaths were able to notice it when they touched your mind for a moment. Think about it Trinity—you killed Sophie. You're going to get your family killed, and all of mutant kind. It's because you're a murderer. You're better off dead like Sophie."
"Trini! Don't listen to her!" Cara wept.
Trinity listened to this in terrified silence, but felt the hot fury and adrenaline return as she growled to her opponent. "Change out of her body."
"What?" Mystique hissed, still in the form of Sophie.
Trinity felt the strength fill her and she shoved Mystique off and continued pushing her toward the store window. "CHANGE!"
She shoved Mystique against the window as hard as she could—and the glass shattered beneath Mystique as she was thrown through the window. Mystique landed on the glass, transforming back into her blue self. Trinity stood in the shattered opening of the store and glared at her before scooping up Cara and racing away.
Wolverine followed Psylocke through the city and was shocked to see that everyone had evacuated. He could see a police blockade down the street, but like always, the police didn't make a move to stop them. They were simply there to keep the people safe and away from the fighting. And by people, the non-mutated ones.
Psylocke suddenly turned to their right and ran. Logan followed her and could finally pick up Dominic's scent. "You found his brainwaves, Psyche?"
Betsy answered telepathically. Yes, but he's hurt.
Logan ran faster and Betsy managed to keep up. They ran onto another street, where a group of people stood around a large crater in the ground. Apparently, this part wasn't evacuated because it was the farthest from the fight. They pushed through and saw Dominic lying in the center of the crater; clothes shredded and eyelids heavy as his chest heaved. Betsy leapt down into the crater to Dominic, and Wolverine followed.
Betsy placed her hands on either side of his face. "Dom? How do you feel?"
He croaked. "Like I practice on level ten in the danger room for 24 hours without food or sleep…and that the Juggernaut beat me up when I finished. Is everyone alright?"
"Yes." Betsy sighed. "It's good to see your sense of humor is still fresh. Can you walk?"
Dominic bent his legs and lifted himself up, only to fall back over. Betsy caught him before his face could hit the rubble. "Yeah…no, I can move, but I'm just so tired."
Wolverine lifted him up into a fireman's carry and carried him out of the crater. Betsy followed. "Did Enhance attack you Nic?"
"Yeah…the prick…" He muttered sleepily. "I flew up so I wouldn't explode on a building or street…"
The crowd parted to let them through as they stared on in shocked silence, some taking pictures while others ran back into the buildings to get away.
When the X-Men made through a couple of police officers stood before them. One had his weapon drawn, the other stood back to observe. The one with the gun ordered. "Now stop right there. We can't let you go."
The other officer lectured. "Mackey, put that gun down and leave 'em alone! That's an order."
The policeman ignored him.
Logan handed Dominic over to Psylocke and walked up to the armed officer. "I said freeze!" The man fired, and Logan flinched as a bullet lodged itself into his shoulder, but he quickly unsheathed his claws and sliced the gun into pieces.
"Mackey!" The officer shouted and placed a hand onto the gun at his side, but didn't draw it.
Wolverine then lifted the man toward him by his collar. Dominic watched, but couldn't hear what Logan told the officer, but the man looked like he was going to faint and kept nodding. Psylocke winced—apparently she heard what Logan was saying.
Logan let the officer go as he analyzed the other cop who was watching them stoically. The policeman gave them a nod. "Go on. Get that boy taken care of."
"Smart man." Logan muttered and went on with Betsy.
Psylocke sighed and handed Dom back to Logan. "You shouldn't have attacked that officer Logan."
He shouldered Dominic, who held onto his jacket. "If I didn't, he would've taken a shot at us—and then he would probably be in worse shape—"
"Logan." Psylocke shook her head, but she couldn't help smirking.
He raised a brow and explained. '"If a man comes at me with fists—I'll meet him with fists, but if he pulls a gun or threatens the people I'm protecting, I have no sympathy for him.'"
Dom listened as they rushed back to the others.
Trinity ran back into the empty street, the real Kurt Wagner teleported in front of her. "Trin!"
She stopped and laughed—she laughed in relief that they found them. She laughed at her own stupidity of thinking she would be fine without them. She laughed because she was happy that she was alive. Cara didn't make a sound and watched as Trinity laughed and cried; concern framing her young face.
Kurt held Trinity up as she laughed madly, until she stopped. "Where—"
Kurt took Cara from her arms, who buried her face into his shoulder. "Everyone's alright Trin."
Trinity felt everyone in her family was safe…except Kenneth and Dom—they felt fatigued—
A gunshot interrupted her thoughts, and Nightcrawler teleported them away. Trinity gasped at the pain she felt of being shot.
She suddenly realized she was fine…she felt someone's else's pain.
She looked up and croaked. "Oh—no, no!"
Leon/Ignite didn't remember how he got into a fight with Mimic and spun with his batons as fast as he could. He landed strikes of fire and electricity, which Mimic was absorbing with matching orange energy, since the mutant was using Leon's powers for himself.
Ignite managed to block Mimic's strikes so far. Analyzing his fighting. It's been a long time. "So Calvin—what's it like being a terrorist? Better than studying at Xavier's?" He wanted him to get mad—slip up. Make a mistake so Leon could take advantage of it.
Mimic threw another fire punch—he has improved with fighting, but he wasn't an expert with Leon's own powers: good. "At least the Acolytes actually fight for mutant rights! Xavier and his X-men are too afraid to even fight dirty, or do anything that requires you to leave your mansion!"
"We still fight—as you can see dumb-ass." Leon muttered as he blocked and delivered his own strike.
"You X-Men can only fight fair—like you're too afraid of making any sacrifices!" Calvin criticized as he made a fire kick, which Leon narrowly dodged.
Ignite landed another electric blow on his opponent's arm. He then took Mimic's hesitation and leapt behind while landing another strike and shoving a small tranquilizer dart into his neck. And Hank used to laugh how Leon always had one hidden in his glove. As he administered the dart, he saw the unconscious body of Jean as Scott was busy fighting off Random with Forge; both sides firing red lasers and avoiding them…so that's why he joined the fight; he almost forgot. Mimic landed a hit across Ignite's face; knocking him to the ground. Moron! Why did he not pay attention? He then remembered Calvin's insult.
Leon smirked up at him. "Who ever said I played fair?"
Mimic was swaying, which rapidly changed when his legs buckled as the tranquilizer kicked in. "Wh—what did you do?"
Ignite stood. "Isn't it obvious Cal? I've beat you. By the way," He slammed his baton against the back of his head to knock him out. "That's for my kids."
Leon's head snapped up when a gunshot snipped through the air. He glanced over to Betsy who was with the children. Her blue eyes mirrored his fear.
He turned to Cyclops, who yelled. "Go! We got this!"
Ignite ran toward the shot, and took a short cut through the alley. As he ran through he heard a crash, and saw Wolverine was fighting Frenzy, he hesitated, but went on: Logan can take care of himself.
Leon raced forward and stopped when he saw Hank slam Komodo against the wall; knocking the mutant out. Beast heaved a tired sigh. "I am afraid I was unable to mollify Mr. Mellencamp—and had to—"
"Kick his ass." Leon panted as he continued to run, and Hank followed on all fours like an ape. He was actually running faster than Leon in this form.
"You were always the eloquent one—" Hank then asked. "What is our next fight?"
"There was a gunshot—"
And then there was an explosion. Leon's back crashed against the wall and he slid down to his knees. Beast helped him up and their assailant walked through the smoke toward them. Leon opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't find the words. The young man who stood before them…it was like looking into a mirror of his past. He felt his heart stop when he saw those eyes…only once in his life he saw eyes like those. Those eyes that haunted his nightmares.
Beast went forward and attacked. The man leapt over him and they fought. Leon finally stepped in and threw the man against the wall and held him there. The man's strange eyes were wide when he noticed Leon. Ignite snarled. "Who the hell are you?! Is this some sort of trick? Did Magneto come up with this?! ANSWER ME!"
"Leon!" Hank scrutinized his friend and the other man with eerily similar features.
The man got out a card and purple energy suddenly covered it. He flicked the card at Leon's chest and the explosion knocked Leon into Hank, and they both tumbled to the ground. When they got to their feet—the man was gone.
Beast asked Ignite. "Did you know him?"
Leon was too busy looking around for him to answer, but remembered what he needed to do. "Let's go."
They ran off, to their first destination.
They had taken refuge in an abandoned taxi…
Trinity pulled off her hoodie and pressed it against the wound to stop the constant blood flow.
Cara just couldn't stop crying.
Trinity whispered to her. "It's okay—it's going to be okay Cara!"
"But Kurt—!" Cara couldn't finish.
Trinity pressed the hoodie against Kurt's wound—bullet hole beneath his right clavicle that was spewing blood. Kurt's golden eyes were slits as he concentrated on uttering a few words. "We…need—hec!" He made a noise between a choke and groan. "T-to…move!"
Trinity shook her head as she made sure he stayed laying down on the back seats. "You can't move!"
"You mean I shouldn't…" He argued, but gave her a small smile. "I've had worse—"
Trinity grimaced. "Stop lying—just don't move…" She tried contacting someone—Jean or Betsy. But she wasn't a telepath. She searched for anyone nearby, and was relieved to sense her mother. Trinity felt hope fill her, and then panic when the blood soak her hoodie and then onto her hands. Kurt was becoming weaker as the pain went on. She looked around as she tried to stay calm. "Come on Mama…"
Kurt's hand suddenly gripped her wrist when they heard someone running toward them—and it wasn't Trinity's mother. "Mystique…" Cara whispered.
Trinity leaned over Kurt to stay out of sight as Cara laid on the floor of the cab. Trinity bit her lip when her shirt started to soak in the blood from the hoodie. Kurt shut his eyes from the pressure and panic. "We need to go!"
"Shh." Trinity could sense Mystique was walking passed the taxi and searching for them. Kurt still held onto Trin's wrist so tightly, that her hand was going numb.
Trinity waited for Mystique to pass them, and almost cheered when she finally did. The taxi door suddenly opened. Trinity jumped up, but was relieved to see it was Storm. Ororo saw Kurt and gasped. "Kurt!"
She tried to pick him up.
"Don't move him!" Trinity ordered. "My mom is almost here!"
Storm nodded and set him back down. Kurt's chest was slowly rising and falling, like breathing was too exhausting for him. Trinity kept the pressure—what else could she do? Should she take the pain away like she did with Logan—would that help?
The window to their right shattered as a bullet went through. Cara screamed, and Storm shoved Trinity down onto Kurt. "Stay here." She growled softly.
She got out of the taxi and into the sky, clouds already thundering and shifting around the furious goddess.
Allie waited and held Artie's and Kendra's hands to comfort them…or was it to comfort herself?
Wolverine and Psylocke stood guard over them. Wolverine's hair was all messed up as his bruises healed from a fight he had, and Betsy was looking after Jean, who was unconscious.
Allie let go of her cousin and friend's hands and stood over Dom. He seemed to be half-asleep. She sat beside him and he noticed her. "Hey…" He croaked.
Allie's lip trembled. "Are—are you feeling better."
"Yeah…I'm not hurt Allie…just tired. It's all good." He reassured her, hand gently grasping her wrist.
Allie tried to give him a smile, but her lip was quivering too much.
Then everything just went wrong so fast.
Betsy suddenly doubled over; holding onto her head. "SHIT!" She cried.
Allie placed a field around them and Betsy was able to open her eyes and stand. Something was flying toward them. It was Exodus.
He crashed through the field and into Wolverine. Allie doubled over as pain stabbed her brain, and watched as Wolverine fought against him, but they were evenly matched. Logan's claws came out as he fought against Exodus with everything he had. Allie's eyes widened when the gleaming claws slashed through the muscle of Exodus's arm—blood splattering onto the road.
Exodus retaliated by creating a psionic red blade around his arm and slashed it through Logan's middle. Knocking him out.
"LOGAN!" Allie cried and was about to run over to him, but Artie held her back as Kendra stood in front of them in a fighting stance.
Betsy, finally able to stand, leapt at Exodus and attacked. A purple spike of sonic energy formed from her fist as she slashed at him. They dueled; psychic knife against sword.
Kendra screamed for help as Artie hopped up and down anxiously. Forge joined and shot at Exodus with his arm canon; giving Betsy better leverage.
Enhance was racing toward them. He was headed toward Cyclops, who was busy finishing off Random. Allie placed a field around Cyclops to protect him. Enhance glanced around and saw her. He started running toward her now. Allie shook as he got closer. Forge shot at Enhance, but he dodged each blast. He made it over to Kendra and Allie. Kendra shoved Allie behind her and tried to take Enhance out, but he struck her; knocking the girl to the ground. Her skull smacked the concrete as her eyes fell shut. Artie knelt beside her and tried to shake her awake.
Enhance grabbed Allie's arm and Dom tried to get up. "NO! GET AWAY FROM HER!" He stumbled to his feet and tripped toward him.
Enhance grabbed Dom and threw him; sending him several feet away. "This girl is going with the Acolytes. She is a mutant and belongs with us."
Allie felt anger boil her blood as she fought against him. She finally pulled her arm out of his grasp by forming another field around herself.
Enhance gritted his teeth. "Very well." He placed a hand on her field.
Allie's eyes dilated as it happened again. Her heart raced as her head burned and felt like it was going to explode.
Forge yelled to her. "Allie! Your fields are projected from your body—you can form those fields around yourself, if you have enough power!"
Allie understood and the growing field began to shrink and bend into more complex shapes that curved and bent around her body like armor. She felt the force of the power die down as she used her fields. She was finally covered in a force field suit. She grinned at Enhance, who watched: dumbfounded. Allie raised her fists. She then attacked. Her hits slammed against Enhance as he tried to protect himself. "Ah—your powers are wasted. You belong with the Acolytes!"
Allie rumbled; voice echoing behind her field. "I don't belong to you!" She slammed her fists into his stomach—punching him quickly, and finished by throwing him to the ground.
She then turned toward Exodus who was busy gawking at her with Forge and Betsy. Allie's grin reappeared as she pointed to Exodus. "You're next." She paused when Kenneth's statue began to glow. Kendra woke up and shouted. "Run!" She picked up Artie and ran.
They all ran away from it and the statue exploded with golden heat and light. Kenneth gasped as he floated above them—covered in a golden light. He finally fell to the ground; light disappearing. He panted as his flesh steamed. Kendra ran up to him and embraced him as Dom exclaimed. "How did you do that?!"
Kenneth looked around. "I—I have no idea."
Exodus crossed his arms as he chuckled. "Magneto will be pleased with you all. You are incredibly gifted—" He was suddenly blasted from behind by Cyclops. Betsy then slashed her psionic blade into Exodus's head—knocking him out.
The children gap at this as Logan chuckled. "Nice job you two."
Kendra was frowning. "You just…"
Betsy flipped her hair behind her. "Yeah."
"Wow." Dom chortled from the ground.
Forge peered over at Kenneth. He threw off his own jacket and handed it to the boy.
Kenneth was confused and saw his powers burned off his clothes. He covered up as his face turned red and then purple.
Allie's field suddenly started to disappear as exhaustion flowed through her. Cyclops caught her before she hit the ground. And held her as she fell into a deep sleep.
Winds blew and circled about them as Storm threw bolts of lightning at Mystique, who was dodging them quickly.
Cara covered her ears as thunder roared and shook the ground.
Trinity watched Kurt grow weaker and weaker. She bit her lip until she tasted blood to keep from crying. "…Kurt…I'm so sorry." She whispered.
Kurt gulped and managed to murmur. "Not your fault…"
Trinity's face contorted. "It is though…I thought I could—"
Kurt gasped as tremor of pain shot through him again. Trinity's eyes squinted as she saw the blood was pooling onto the seats. "…Kurt, please…"
He smiled up at her. "You…worry too much…we X-Men never die…we each have nine lives, you know…"
Cara crawled back up and held onto Kurt's hand.
He smiled at her. "You alright?"
Cara nodded and bit her lip as tears ran down her face. "Please don't die Kurt."
Kurt lifted himself onto his elbows and grinned through the pain. "Don't worry…I—ugh," He gasped as his face contorted, but the smile returned. "Won't."
The door was wrenched open and Cara screamed, but Trinity shrieked. "Mami!"
Meg crawled into the cab and saw Kurt's state. She quickly went into action. She rolled up her sleeves. "Kurt this will be painful, but it will be over in just a moment."
Before Kurt could protest, Meg shoved her thumb and forefinger in the wound. He cried out as his tail wrapped around Trinity's wrist, almost crushing it. "Mom!" Trinity shouted at her mother, but stopped when she saw her hands glow with green energy. Meg placed the other glowing hand around the wound. He two fingers pulled out—extracting the bullet and the blood flow had already slowed. She then healed the rest of the wound as Kurt shut his eyes tightly and muttered something that sounded like a prayer through the pain.
Meg removed her bloody hands, green light dimming, and Kurt opened his eyes. The wound was gone and only dried blood remained. Kurt stared down at himself in amazement. "Ach!"
Trinity leaned against the car door and watched as her mother and Cara embraced. Her mom gazed back at Trinity, and Trinity stared at her silently. Trinity got out of the car when she sensed the rest of the X-Men. She saw Mystique standing still, since Cyclops's gaze and Forge's gun were pointed at her. Trinity saw Jean, who was holding a cloth to her bloody forehead. Leon and Uncle Hank were standing beside her…every X-Man was here. She smiled when she saw her siblings and cousins were also safe. She helped Kurt and Cara out of the cab when Logan snarled to Mystique. "You've gave us hell Raven," His eyes flickered over to Cara and Kurt. "Now it's time for me to return the favor."
Cyclops ordered. "That's not how we work Logan—"
"No, she's mine." Meg walked toward Mystique with a harsh glint to her eyes. "I have a message for Eric, and his followers."
Cyclops was about to intervene. "Meg, get away from her—"
Jean held him back though. "Wait, Scott."
Hank turned to Leon: worried. "We should stop her, Leon."
Ignite shook his head. "Not unless you want to walk with a limp for the rest of your life." But he kept his eyes on his sister.
Mystique glared at Meg as her eyes roved over to Trinity and Cara. Trinity felt her stomach turn—Mystique hated her…so much. Just as much as Creed…
Meg commanded. "You, your Brotherhood, Acolytes, Magneto—you all will stay away from my children. From my family. You will never hunt them again. You will not go within a foot of either of them…or else."
Mystique scowled. "I'm not listening to a traitor—what can you do X-Man?"
Meg struck Raven across the face. Raven retaliated and they fought like animals. Leon kept the children back as Jean ordered. "Stay put everyone."
Raven got out another knife and slashed at Meg. She in turn, got out a fan, which she used a shield. Mystique, quickly made use of her weapon.
"MAMI!" Trinity screamed when she saw the knife stab into her mother's stomach. Leon held onto Trinity to comfort her as Ororo grasped onto the twins' shoulders. Kurt hid Cara's face into his shoulder as Betsy held Dom back. Even Hank was about to attack, but Jean held him back. Cyclops and Forge were about to fire, but Meg staggered back and yelled. "No! This is between me…and her." She finally pulled the knife out of her stomach—face pale.
Raven grinned at her victory, but frowned when green energy flashed from Meg's wound and she was healed. Meg smirked darkly at her opponent's surprise. She threw the knife aside, grin gone and replaced with a mask of anger. "You kidnapped my baby. Tried to take away my son. Hunted my daughters…" She approached her slowly.
Mystique stood her ground and laughed. "What are going to do? Heal me?"
Meg's hand lashed out and her fingers wrapped around Mystique's throat.
Raven bared her teeth and scoffed. "You can't kill me X-Man—Xavier won't allow it."
Meg growled. "Too bad I'm not an X-Man anymore…" Mystique's eyes flashed and she then tried to fight back, but suddenly screamed. Everyone blanched when they saw Mystique's side bleeding, and holes and cuts forming on her skin. "And healing isn't the only power I have…your leader taught me how to open up old wounds—good as new." She then lifted Raven up and slammed her into the ground.
Raven cried out and choked as she stayed on the ground; being held down by Meg who ordered. "You tell Eric, if he or any one of his followers tries to harm or steal my children—I will use every lesson he taught me and use it against him. And I will not hesitate." There was a green glow as Mystique's wounds healed. Meg let go and left—leaving an exhausted Mystique on the ground.
Meg went over to Cara and picked her up. "Let's go."
Trinity stared at her mother with wide eyes and everything else became a blur. The X-Men led them over to the jet and they quickly got onto the Blackbird when they heard sirens growing near. Once they were in the sky, Dom saw MRD vans screeching into the area they were in and dozens of officers running through the streets. He shuddered and looked away from the window. Kendra leaned against her uncle Hank, whose fur was like resting against a pillow. Allie was still asleep and resting on the clinic bed. It took a while for Leon to convince Meg that she was alright.
Meg held Cara in her lap and rested. Trinity and Dom sat across from her and stared at her silently.
Meg finally spoke. "I wish you didn't have to see that."
"Magneto taught you how to do that…" Dom inquired.
"Yes. It was the first time in years that I did that." Meg told him. "Charles and I disagreed with that tactic of fighting…we found it inhuman and dangerous."
"So why did you use it?" Trinity asked nervously.
Meg glowered at her daughter. "To teach Eric—Magneto that I will not let him hurt my family, and that there is no limit to me or my powers."
"No other reason?" Leon asked his sister with a grim grin.
Meg sniffed. "I wanted to also teach that bitch a lesson."
"We thought you were going to kill her…" Ororo said, blue eyes anxious.
"No…not when they were there." Meg told her.
The Leonardos frowned at this.
Hank calmed them down. "Do not worry children, your mother would never kill anyone."
Meg held Cara tighter. "Right. Killing is never the answer…and neither is running away." She glared at her children who stared at the ground. She sighed. "I'm tired, and we will discuss this once we get to the Institute… and when Allie wakes up…" Her eyes finally shut as her body relaxed, but her arms continued to encircle Cara who stayed awake.
Kenneth stared at the ceiling of the jet as he waited for his ears to pop. He didn't want to think about the cold darkness…the paralysis of being transformed into metal. It was terrifying.
Uncle Leon suddenly knelt beside him. "You know, you're all lucky to be alive…"
"Yes sir." Kenneth answered robotically.
Leon tilted his head. "Now don't just say that Kenny—you have to mean it."
Kenneth bit his lip. "So we were just going to let Mystique go with Cara?"
"You know that's not true." Leon told him. "At least I hope you do. Your actions have been telling a different story about your common sense."
Kenneth slammed his fists into the arm rests and stood up. "I have always followed the rules! Unlike you!"
Everyone turned to listen. Leon stayed seated and watched Kenneth.
The boy continued. "When you were my age you never listened and always got into trouble. You always told me to fight for what is right—this, this lecture, is hypocrisy. I'm sorry we had to disobey you all—but we can't just sit by and let things like this happen. I have powers, I have training, and I have a conscious! Let me use them and stop trying to lecture me! I know right from wrong."
Leon stood up and faced his nephew. "You're not me. And I am damn glad you aren't. That you never have to face and live with the mistakes I've made. You may know right from wrong, but you barely understand what could have happened today. And I hoped that you didn't have to, but I'll let you know what could've happened." He paused and peered at Dom, Kendra, and Trin. "Trin could've been shot and dead on the ground if Kurt didn't save her. Dom could've blown up part of New York city. And Kendra, Allie, and Cara would be gone with the Acolytes. And we couldn't save you from your transformation…no matter hard we try."
Kenneth's eyes watered as he swallowed the lump in his throat.
"It's scary isn't it?" Leon asked, looking at all the children. "Welcome to the real world." He goes up to the front of the jet.
Kendra asked Hank, not looking at him in the eye. "Could we have really died?"
Hank sighed. "Your uncle…is correct, but he is trying to frighten you from ever doing something like this again."
"I don't think he has to…" Kendra was watching Trinity, who was staring at Kurt with wide empty eyes.
Trinity sat in her chair silently as she stared at Kurt…
Jean knelt beside her. "Trinity…you know what you did was extremely dangerous…and…"
Trinity nodded, but didn't move her gaze from Kurt who was busy talking with Logan. "I'm never doing that again…" She murmured.
Jean stared at her and communicated. It's not your fault Kurt was shot Trinity…
Trinity shook her head. It was my fault
Trinity, don't go there. This is nothing like Sophie—
She was aiming for me and Kurt got in the way. He almost died Jean. It should've been me. How is it not like before?
Jean listened to this, and placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
Dominic sighed as the jet landed. He went over and checked on Allie. She was starting to wake up and talked to him. "We…there?"
Dom smirked down at her. "Yeah." He moved aside so uncle Hank could pick her up and carry her inside. A image of Allie flashed in his mind's eye—like a question…he looked down and saw 'Artie' staring up at him. "…uh…" Dom then understood, Jean said Artie communicated telepathically with images. "Don't worry…Allie will be fine. How are you feeling?"
Artie showed him a image of himself sleeping.
"Yeah, me too." Dom yawned and the boy copied him. Dom got out of the jet slowly—muscles sore. At least he could walk though, right?
Artie followed him. Dom stopped and then Artie stopped. He walked and the boy followed. Dom sighed. "Scott!"
Cyclops walked over. "What's wrong Dominic?"
"Um, what should we do with Artie? He's tired."
Artie was now leaning against Dom's side and Dom was frowning at this awkward moment.
Scott led Artie away. "I'll find him a room, come on Artie." Artie went with him, but gave Dom a wave as he left.
He turned around and screamed when he saw the furious face of tia Mansi.
She glared down at him; irate. "You."
Dom took a step back, but she latched onto his arm. "Are. You. All. Okay?" She asked calmly—a little too calmly.
Dom nodded quickly.
Her shoulders slumped and she looked fragile as she whispered. "Good…"
Dom was about to say something, but she bellowed. "Now go to bed! And if you set one toe out of your doorway—I will put locks on your door and bars on your windows!"
Dom was about to run away, but she grabbed him into hug, and then let him leave. As he left he heard her scream. "KEN! KENNY!"
He turned to see Mansi was holding onto the twins, her shoulders shaking as she cried. She then straightened up to screech her lecture at them. Dom held in a laugh as he hurried to his room.
Allie was being checked on by Moira, and she peered over at an angry looking Professor. She shook from exhaustion and nerves—afraid that the professor would yell at her. Uncle Hank stayed with her and the room was filled with a tense silence. Marian and Ray were in the clinic too, and were glancing at everyone curiously—Allie gave them a apologetic glance and mouthed. "I'm sorry."
Ray looked confused and shrugged. Marian gave her a warm smile and mouthed. "'S okay."
Allie smiled in relief.
Allie winced when Professor Xavier's voice cut harshly through the silence. "Alicia."
She turned and looked at him. He had bandages on his head and looked tired as well as furious. Moira cleared her voice. "Ray, Marian, let's get you upstairs."
They left, but Hank stayed and placed his massive hands on her shoulders—probably to make sure she wouldn't bolt from the clinic.
Xavier stared at her and finally spoke. "Do I need to tell how dangerous that mission was?"
"No sir." Allie answered timidly.
"Do I ever have to tell you never to do something like this again?"
"No sir."
"Then why did you disobey me?" He asked; grey eyes glaring her down.
Allie twisted her hair nervously, and finally answered. "Cause—I didn't want to lose Cara…and I was willing to break every rule to save her, sir."
Charles and Allie stared at each other. Charles finally answered. "You will be punished Alicia."
"I know…sir." She added.
He sighed. "You need to learn that this sort of behavior is not tolerated—no matter how pure the intentions."
Allie nodded and waited to hear her punishment.
Charles answered. "You will join the tutoring classes here in the Institute to build discipline and your mind."
"So more training?" She asked excitedly.
"Yes, in arithmetic, history, science, and literature." Charles kept a straight face, but Hank smiled at her exaggerated expression of distaste.
Allie sighed. "Okay."
Charles then told Hank. "Henry, I am proud that you went on this mission and helped the X-Men bring the children back."
Hank nodded. "If it weren't for your teachings Charles, we would not have pulled it off."
"Kiss-up." Allie whispered to him.
Hank gave her a playful flick in the head.
Charles asked. "Could you please bring Meg, Dominic, Kenneth, Kendra, and Trinitia in, I wish to speak to them."
Hank picked up Allie and threw her over his shoulder. "Of course Charles."
Allie squealed and giggled.
Charles allowed himself a small smile—he never met a student who was able to be so cheerful and bright after being punished. Alicia was a special child. They all were. He shivered when he realized how close he was to losing them today.
Trinity couldn't remember what her mother told them…or Xavier…just that Cara would now be a new student at the Institute, along with Artie. She sat on her bed and locked her door. When Hernando and Mansi knocked and called to her, she ignored them. She shut her eyes and opened them, but kept seeing blood. Hearing the shot. Feeling the pain. She stood up and paced around; tugged on her hair as she tried to remain calm. She finally left her room and searched for Kurt. She found him in the hanger with Forge.
Kurt hammered down a loose plate. "Think we can finish before breakfast Forge? Dom did a great job destroying her."
Forge was busy checking the control panel. "Actually, he flew her well, until he slammed her into the ground." He noticed Trinity. "Hey."
Kurt turned around and greeted her warmly. "Hallo Trinity."
Trinity stared at him…he was alive. Not dead. Not dead. She still saw blood—no, he was clean and fine…
Forge got out of the jet. "I'm going to check on Cerebro again." He leaves them alone.
Kurt examined her nervously.
Trinity gazed at him—lost. He almost died…in her arms…
Kurt teleported up to her. "Jean told me about…about Sophie. Mein aufrichtiges Beileid…I understand what it's like to lose a friend…" He told her sincerely.
Trinity listened and winced when he mentioned her name.
"How are you feeling?" Trinity didn't say anything and continued staring at him. He rubbed the back of his neck in frustration—what should he do? He moved on to explain. "My job is to protect you, Trin. You didn't shoot that gun—it is not your fault. I did what I had to do, and I'm fine now." He patted his chest for emphasis. "Good as new, thanks to you and your mother." She stayed silent, and he continued. "You really took care of me. Thank you." He became worried when she didn't say anything. "Trin? You know it wasn't your fault? Right? Trinitia?"
Trinity suddenly wrapped her arms around him and embraced him tightly. Her eyes stayed wide open—like she wanted to make sure she was awake—as she hugged him; trying not to look him in the eye or she would break down crying. Kurt wrapped his arms around her and murmured. "It's okay… "
Wolverine wandered into the hanger with Forge and they saw Kurt was sitting on the floor with a sleeping Trinity in his arms. Logan smirked at this and Kurt hissed. "Shut up."
Forge raised a brow. "He didn't say anything."
"He was going to." Kurt whispered back.
Logan shrugged. "Well I guess I'll help Forge with the jet since you have your arms full, elf."
"You see!" Kurt complained to Forge. He then muttered to Logan. "Klugscheißer."
Logan laughed as he clambered onto the jet.
Kurt whispered. "Shh—she's sleeping!"
Logan scoffed. "She's gonna wake up anyway."
Kurt glowered at him and kept his voice quiet. "It took me an hour to calm her down—"
"How long did it take her to fall asleep? Cause you've been in here for two hours." Logan joked.
Kurt's tail twitched in agitation. "A few minutes…she was exhausted."
"Aw, so you've been cradling her this whole time?" Forge asked. "How sweet."
Kurt pouted, and growled. "Idioten." His face turned purple in embarrassment as the guys continued laughing.
Logan patted him on the back. "We're just pulling your tail, elf."
Forge grinned. "I never saw a prankster like Kurt get so mad over a joke…unless…"
Kurt's gold eyes narrowed at him.
Forge laughed. "God Kurt, calm down—I'm just kidding with you."
Kurt closed his eyes and ignored their laughter.
They worked on the jet as Kurt held Trinity, who remained asleep. Forge asked. "Hey Kurt…?"
Kurt sighed. "Another joke Forge?"
"Naw, just if she's been asleep for about an hour, why haven't you teleported her to her room?" Logan and Forge grinned at him.
Kurt tensed and then barked at them. "LASSEN SIE MICH IN RUHE!" (LEAVE ME ALONE!)
Trinity was startled awake and Kurt yelled at Logan and Forge, who were laughing loudly. "Halt den Mund!" (Shut up!)
Cara was sitting at the kitchen table and eating her third cookie Mansi made. Leon was being treated by her mama, and Cara waited until she left the room. Cara took a sip of milk and finally spoke what was on her mind. "Tìo?"
Leon turned to her. "Yeah?" He looked tired and worried.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
Leon chuckled and went over to the sink to wash his hands. "Yeah, just tired. I'm not as young as I used to be."
"You're lying." She told him.
He paused and shut off the water. "What makes you say that?"
"Because of who you saw." She answered, blue eyes bright. "You should talk to the Professor."
Leon had been thinking about the young man with the red eyes. "What I meant to ask is—what did you see?" He asked her sternly—crossing his arms.
"The fact that you'll accept your son is alive and a Brotherhood member." She took another sip of milk as Leon stared at her in amazement; heart dropping into his stomach as he held the table to keep himself up. "I had a vision on the Blackbird. You should accept that he is still alive, and what you saw was real."
Leon leaned against the table. "What did you see?"
"You and the professor were talking and realize that the man you saw can't be traced telepathically—a coincidence with your son."
Leon was surprised that she knew how to say 'coincidence' without a single stutter—the fact that she was saying any of this was astonishing as well as disturbing. "How is that a coincidence?" He croaked...thinking about his son...he would be that age...but it can't be.
"The professor couldn't find him and you assumed he's dead. But don't you think a man around your son's age who looks just like you is a little strange?" She asked gently. He stared at her with a mix of curiosity and uneasiness. She took another sip of milk. "Are you scared of me too?"
Leon knelt down beside her. "Never."
She stared at him with a serious expression. "I just say scary things, don't I?" Her blue eyes were wide as she waited for his answer. "I can't help it. I just see things. It makes mama sad when I do…I try not to…but…it just happens. People get worried when I tell them what will happen. I'm a lot like Trini—we scare people, right tìo? I know mutants aren't scary or bad…so why am I?"
Leon lifted her up and held her. "You aren't bad sweetie—just different. You're not a monster. Understand?" Leon held onto her as his mind spun—his son could be alive—what should he do? His eyes watered. His son could be alive...
Cara doesn't answer and stares at the back wall as she watched another vision play out inside her head.
Author's notes:
Ah! You're probably pissed that I made Gambit Leon's long-lost son.
Bro: "They're probably pissed because you took too long AGAIN."
"Yeah, talk to the family-drama-members who've been distracting me."
Brother throws a dirty sock into her face, making the author scream in a comedic fashion. "Stop blaming others."
"Yes sir. So, yay! part two is done! I loved writing this. Yes, Meg is a bad-ass, but what do you expect when you mess with a mama bear's babies?"
"Mangled corpses?"
"that was a rhetorical question! So, yeah, Meg's powers were inspired by the Stitch from the awesome movie "Push". Wonderful movie with Chris Evans and Dakota Fanning. I loved it when it first came out. Don't know why it wasn't popular. But enough with my opinions!
Cara-again, poor baby. Being a prophet is tough."
"Being any character in Taliym's writing is tough." Brother whispers.
"Stop crushing my dreams."
"Stop being obnoxious. Oh-oh."
"Curses, he has always been better with insults, I better use a different strategy. Be nice to me or I won't take you to practice anymore."
Brother glared her down. "Fine, then mom can take me and you can babysit the girls."
"Dammit! You win this round!" Author declared. "Reviews!
Nyx811: Thank you!
Admirer: I tried to do more Hank, and I am starting to work on the character sheets. It'll take a while. Thanks for reviewing!
We love reviews, and each review you make will go toward Taliym's imagination foundation of inspiration. Donate with a comment today and you will make a baby Trekie's day."
"Yeah, she's trying to become a Trekie. She's failing."
"No I'm not! Thanks for reading and reviewing! We don't own Marvel."