As always, apologies for the delay and the length of the chapter. The next one will probably show up around New Years. Reviews are always welcome.
~quietcutie651
Our group spread out along the walls next to the huge wooden double doors that announced the entrance of the castle. Scott and Ororo took the lead on both sides while the rest of the team, the younger ones, lined up behind them to back them up. I was the last one on the right. On Scott's signal, the doors were blasted open by an over enthusiastic Jubilee and the team's rushed foreword. I lingered for a moment, fearing what I would find when I caught up with Logan and Rain. Pausing to redouble my shields, I jogged through the remnants and pieces of wood.
I gasped in horror and stopped short at the sight that greeted me. The entire team had been taken out without any sound, or struggle. Ryan, Brantley, and Aidan stood over their bodies grinning, gloating, and beckoning me foreword. I choked on tears as my eyes searched out every wound, trying to determine if it was fatal. Scott's scalp was a red mess of caked blood. Ororo was similar, crimson blood streaking through her long white hair. Some of the others had stab wounds and claw marks and were left moaning or unconscious on the floor. Others still, didn't have a mark on them.
"Hey little sister." said Ryan with a lopsided grin. I squeaked when he addressed me and Brantley and Aidan chuckled softly. Instinctively, I ducked my eyes, avoiding eye contact and focusing on my friends. I couldn't summon up enough courage to speak so I settled for shaking like a leaf in a storm.
"Aw look!" squawked Aidan. "She's scared. Poor stupid little thing!"
"We have a surprise for you sister." Ryan said, ignoring his little brother. Without waiting for a response, he raised his hand and snapped his fingers quietly.
Everything went black.
When I woke up my head felt fuzzy. I was tired. I felt myself falling foreword and I twitched involuntarily, straightening to my full height in the chair.
...in the chair? Suddenly, my vision snapped into place. I was sitting at the head of a ridiculously big dark wooden table. I tried to gather myself, tried to understand what had happened, what was going on. I took stock of myself, trying to be aware of my body. Was I hurt? Could I move?
The answer was no to both. I couldn't see anything physically tying me down, but I was incapable of standing or even moving more than an inch in any direction.
What I was wearing confused me. I was in an elegant dress that swept the floor. It swamped me in hot, stifling material that weighed on me. It was deep green and cut in such a way it made me think of 'Ye Olde England'.
Around me, my friends' eyes began to flutter as they awoke. Ororo's head rolled on her shoulders while Rogue tried to lift hers unsuccessfully. Remy moaned as his consciousness returned and Ryan shot him a look, stifling the sound. Remy shuddered, a painful look crossing his face.
"Welcome!" said Ryan, hands outstretched. "To our little gathering." He stood at the head of the table, gesturing subtly to a slave who quickly moved foreword and removed his robe. Underneath was an old fashioned set of clothes fit for a king. Apparently that's what he fancied himself.
That's Ryan all right. Always thought he was a prince. And when Father banished us, he appointed himself king of the world.
Charlie? Oh my God, Charlie, we're in big trouble! What are we gonna do? Logan's gone and I have no idea where Rain is-
Stay calm. I'm working on a plan.
Well? What is it?
I…I'm not exactly sure yet…
Charlie!
I'm working on it!
Bobby jerked awake then, startling me out of my hurried conversation with Charlie.
"Ow." He said, shaking his head briefly. And then, looking up and seeing where he was, "Holy crap!"
"Silence!" Ryan thundered. Mouths snapped shut involuntarily. At my right hand, Scott struggled to speak, working his jaw.
"Stop." I whispered. "You'll just hurt yourself."
"I'd listen to her, Blinkey." Said Ryan, flicking his fingers. A jeweled knife appeared in his hands and he proceeded to nonchalantly clean under his fingernails.
I bowed my head under his speculative gaze. I studied the polished whorls on the table waiting on Charlie's plan to surface in my mind. If only he would hurry up!
