What is to Come

Chapter Twenty Eight

Kelly was scared, though he would never admit it. Creed had been murdered, Trask and HE were planning something, new groups were popping up all the time. This whole thing had snowballed out of his control. It occurred to him, as he made his way to the bottom of a bottle of brandy, that he'd never been in control to begin with. It had all been an illusion, and he was no longer needed. That above all else was what frightened him. Creed had outlived his usefulness and look what happened to him. It was true that Sinister, as he was now calling his benefactor, claimed to have nothing to do with Creed's death and in fact seemed very angry about it.

Though his anger seemed to stem from the argument he and Creed had been in before Creed's death. Sinister blamed Creed for using Sinister's favorite 'pet' without permission and it had somehow slipped away. Kelly knew very little about the situation, since he only knew what he had overheard, but from the sounds of it, a very dangerous and unstable project had escaped Sinister and Sinister had no idea where it might be. If Kelly wasn't already so afraid of everything else falling apart, the idea of such a creature running around loose would terrify him. As it was the idea of it alarmed him.

At one point, he asked Sinister for a description so he could have his MRD agents keep an eye out for it, but Sinister informed him that it was nothing to do with him and would give him no further information. Kelly didn't even now if the creature in question was male or female, or if it looked human or was deformed...he knew nothing really, but feared the havoc it could cause both for the populace and his political career.

He'd done everything Sinister had ordered! He even pushed through the marriage act, even though it was possibly career suicide! The least the other man could do was keep him in the loop. Instead he got a figrative part on the head and told not to worry about it, as if he were a child who's mother was comforting him after a scary dream. He was insulted, but couldn't think of a way around all this. He was in to deep to just cut off contact, and any attempt to expose Sinister would be his own downfall, so despite his clear misery he would continue to follow orders, and he would continue to slowly drink himself to death because he was afraid.

~O~0~O~

Wanda and John had recently returned to the palace following their honeymoon on the far side of the island, when they learned about the latest troubles happening with their friends. Kurt had contacted Todd to let him now that he was no longer in the mansion, or country. The two had become friends since high school, and he didn't want Todd to be concerned when he couldn't reach Kurt at the mansion. Todd in turn informed Wanda and Pietro of Kurt's troubles. Pietro told his father what happened, and Wanda called Rogue to check in on them.

Rogue told her about Sabretooth's visit and claims about the impending danger. Wanda's reaction, understandably, was to suggest that those who were on their list come to Genosha. "We can protect you all, you can stay in the palace. No one, not even this 'Sinister' would dare attack the palace. No one who cross my father like that."

"That's not entirely true. I appreciate the offer, and I'll of course let Kitty and Jean know, but for me and Remy, I think we're better waiting here for now." Rogue said. "Logan ain't going to let anything happen to us. He ain't lettin anyone off the grounds alone right now."

"That's no way to live though Rogue, if you came here, you could be safe, and still go places. You could be safe and free at the same time. I think you all should come, after what happened with Kurt and this guy hunting you all, and the restrictions they keep adding ,and everything else." Wanda said. This wasn't the first time she'd tried to talk the residents of Xavier's to join them, nor would it be the last, but she wasn't surprised when Rogue said no either. To change the subject, Rogue told Wanda of her engagement, and the recent births of Nathan Summers and Meredith Rasputin.

In turn Wanda told Rogue about the upcoming arrival of Pietro and Crystal's child, and the expansions of the island government, and her wedding. She had hoped Rogue would come to the wedding, but understood why Rogue wouldn't. Rogue had, at the time, said the next wedding she attended would be her brother's and that she refused to go to anyone else's first. Wanda had heard from Todd that Kurt would be getting married the next day, so Wanda assumed that Rogue would be attending, and it was why she was finally announcing their engagement. Like several others Wanda had already known, unlike most of them it was because Rogue had told her. Rogue was excited and felt that she had to tell someone, so that she wouldn't accedinatally tell anyone else. Had she known they would all figure it out, she would have handled it the same way, because even now she felt guilty being so unhappy over everything that's happened.:"

Meanwhile, Erik and called Charles and had gotten the full story of wat happened when they were warned about Sinister. Charles told him everything Victor had said to him and part of what he had said to Logan. Erik was understandably upset to learn that ,years ago now, Sinister had planted Victor in his ranks as a spy. He understood, far better than his daughter, why it was a bad idea to just try to hide the former idnap victims on Genosha. After all, it was entirely possible that there were additional spies on the island. Perhaps even in the palace though he felt paranoid even thinking this. He was concerned for the safety of his children, above all else, and the safety of the haven he was trying to create.

Both men were glad that the other saw their side of things, for the first time in years. Eri saw the need for the school, and to continue to recruit the newest mutants to it. Charles, though he still believed that one day they would peacefully coexist finally saw a need for Genosha. One day, Genosha would not be needed, he hoped, but for now it was somewhere mutants and their families could go to be safe.

~O~0~O~

Logan agreed (reluctantly) to fly Remy and Rogue to Germany to attend Kurt's wedding. This was only after Charles agreed that the other four would remain inside the mansion the entire time they were gone, and Rogue agreed they would only stay for a few hours, for the wedding and reception. Kurt was disappointed his sister would not be staying longer, but understood and agreed when Logan explained it to him. In fact, when Logan told him what happened, Kurt tired to tal Rogue out of coming at all because he was afraid for her.

Rogue however informed him of her vow that the next wedding she would attend would be his, and had steadfastly refused to listen to any further arguments. Kurt had already agreed to return to New York for his sister's wedding that was scheduled for a week following his own.

Logan was on edge the entire time they were gone, and never let the couple out of his sight. Remy normally would have protested this, but he was concerned for Rogue's safety and sanity, so he agreed to everything Logan said. Rogue had been angrier about it until Remy sat down and explained to her what he was afraid of, she then agreed without further fighting. The last thing the couple wanted was to be angry with each other, especially as they had no idea when they next attack would occur, or where.

The wedding was without indecent, though Kurt sadly informed Rogue at the reception that Anti-Mutant sentiment was on the rise in Germany as well. His parents owned a small bakery, and twice since his return it had been vandalized. He was determined that if it happened again he and Amanda would be moving to Genosha. He just hoped he could talk his parents into joining them there. Anti-Human sentiment was forbidden on Genosha, a fact that was surprising to everyone who'd dealt with Magneto over the years. However, between his daughter-in-law and Mrs. Leech and the Gurthies, he had grown far more tolerant.

Shortly after the reception, which Logan spent grumbling in a corner, they were back on the Blackbird on the way home. "Well, I hope you enjoyed the trip, cause we ain't doin that again." Logan said to the couple in the back.

"Well aren't you just a pocket full of sunshine." Rogue grumbled back, to which Remy raised an eyebrow with a smirk.

When Rogue just glared at him in return, he couldn't hold in the chuckle anymore. Logan meanwhile, continued to glower up front. He couldn't help it, he was convinced that something terrible had happened at home while he was away. "it ain't funny" Rogue said after Remy tried to control his laughter and failed.

"Oui, it is. You said 'Pocket full of sunshine.' What's that even mean?" Remy said as he continued to laugh.

"It means, Imma kick your butt next DR if you don't knock it off!" Rogue said as she crossed her arms.

"Awe, don' be like that cherie." Remy said as he finally sobered and attempted to put his arm around her shoulders. She shrugged him off with a glare, and moved slightly away from him.

"You're making fun of me, you don't get to touch me." Rogue said, crossing her arms. "Weren't you paying attention to what Kurt said at all? Things are getting bad everywhere. I'm worried about my brother and you're cracking jokes over a phrase."

"An you're scared and taking it out on me."Remy said with a nod. Rogue rolled her eyes, but before she could respond Logan hit the auto pilot and stood up.

"I've had it with both of you. Yes things are bad everywhere, especially at home. Yes, Gumbo was laughing at you, get over it. Yes Stripes is stressed and being sensitive, again get over it. I don't watch soap operas and don't need one while I'm trying to fly so just be silent the rest the trip if ya can't get along."

With that Logan sat back down and both Southerners made a rude hand gesture at him ,but were no longer arguing. Logan informed them that he had seen them, then joined them in their silence. The rest of the trip was spent in mostly silence with occasional mild comments from one of the three regarding nothing of importance. Luckily the couple was no longer angry with each other, and quietly began talking about their own upcoming wedding again just before they arrived in New York.

Logan tuned them out, and continued to worry that something was wrong at home.

~O~0~O~

When Kelly reached the bottom of his fourth bottle, he realized he was done. There was no way to walk away from all of this, but he was simply done. He couldn't take anymore of it. Trask had called him about thirty minutes before, to inform him that the next stage of their project was ready. They planned to microchip all the mutants on the registration list to better track them. They also intended to include a very powerful birth control in the injection without informing those they were injecting.

It was a good plan, Kelly and Trask had agreed that that it was the next logical step in controlling and containing the problem. Sinister heard about the plan somehow, because Kelly had wisely kept in him the dark about the full project. As soon as Sinister learned about it, he came in to veto the birth control part. He was fine, happy in fact, with the micro-chipping, but he steadfastly insisted that they were not to interfere with the mutants reproducing.

Sinister informed Kelly that mutants breeding was imperative to his plans and therefore he (Kelly) was to inform Trask that the secret ingredient of the serum was to be removed immediately before shipment. Reluctantly Kelly had made the phone call, which had confused Trask at first, until Kelly said that they needed to run the first line of microchips as just the tracing devices to ensure everything worked correctly before moving forward. When Trask asked what they would do with the first round then to keep them from breeding. Kelly looked to Sinister, but thinking quickly he informed Trask that they would just have to bring them all back in, and tell them the chip was faulty in some way. Trask agreed that it was a good plan as long as they could round them all back up. Kelly had hung up shortly after this, and Sinister left, reminding him on the way out that he (Sinister) was always watching.

That was when Kelly realized he was done. He wanted out more than anything. Sinister always knew everything, seemingly before they even thought it. Kelly couldn't go on like this, so he wrote a nice long letter to his staff, opened a fifth bottle and began to search for the bottom, completely ignoring the bitterness the power he'd added. By the bottom of the last bottle he was passed out, and by the time anyone thought to wake him it was to late. He found his freedom, at last. Sinister would be annoyed when he discovered the loss of a second pawn so quickly, but it wouldn't hinder his plans, simply a minor inconvenience to the madman who had far greater reach than anyone knew.

~O~0~O~

Bobby wasn't sure what woke him, at first. Then he heard a second time, Emma whisper his name. He turned over to see his girlfriend sitting on the edge of his bed with red eyes and a frown on her face. He moved over, inviting her to join him wordlessly. She hesitated for a moment, which confused him before slipping under the covers and into his arms.

"Is everything okay?" Bobby asked, already falling back to sleep despite his concern.

"Bobby, I want you to know that I love you." Emma said.

"I know, I love you too." Bobby mumbled.

"I want you to promise me that you'll remember that, no matter what happens,okay?" Emma said with a slight quiver in her voice.

"Of course,darling." Bobby said. "I love you, always. No matter what. Don' worry though, nothing's gonna happen to us."

"...I know, just don't forget." Emma whispered as he drifted back to sleep hoping he calmed her fears.

When Bopbby's alarm went off a couple of hours later he was alone. He wasn't sure if the visit from Emma the night before had even happened or if it was part of a dream . He got up and dressed, planning to visit her room to make sure she was alright.

Before he got farther than the landing the alarm system activated, sending strobe lights of color and loud blaring through out the school, waking anyone still in bed. Bobby went the rest of the way down the stairs, assuming he would meet Emma in the war room, and talk about whatever had been bothering her after they dealt with whatever was happening now.

Remy, Rogue and Logan had just arrived home a few minutes earlier and were the first arrivals , followed by Bobby, then the new parents Jean,Scott, Kitty, and Piotr, followed by Xavier. Everyone else came in a few minutes later after Logan had already left following a silent conversation with the Professor. No one else knew what was happening until the Professor pulled an image onto the screen.

They watched in horror as Logan slowly walked toward Jubilee, Angelo, and five unknown mutants in their early teens all hanging the front lawn, nailed to to sign that was illegible with the bodies in the way. As several of the girls, and a few of the men broke down in tears, Bobby looked around and asked if anyone had seen Emma.