Disclaimer: I do not own anything belonging to X-Men or Marvel. This chapter is based on the X-Men Evolution episode "The Cauldron."

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Cauldron

Rogue stopped the car, and Bobby jumped out. Oh yeah, let the weekend begin Woohoo," he slid across the hood.

"Wait, you're forgetting you're homework," Rogue said. "Better make that ignoring it." She pulled the car into a parking space and walked up the steps of the mansion.

Bobby walked by the wooded area in the backyard. Something in the trees jumped across. "Kitty, are you climbing trees again," he asked. He walked through the bushes. "Evan, is that you?"

Something moved behind a bush. He sped towards it on a sheet of ice. Toad was crouched behind it, and looked up at him. "So that's how you want to play it," Toad said. He stuck his tongue out at Bobby, but Bobby grabbed it and threw him back.

Toad leaped into the air and shot his tongue at a tree branch. He broke the branch off and swung it at Bobby. "What are you trying to prove," Bobby asked.

"That I'm a champ," Toad said. "And guess what, we've all got to prove it." He swung the branch at Bobby again. Bobby grabbed it and tossed it behind him. He shot three snowballs out of his hand, knocking Toad against a well, and he tumbled into it.

Bobby looked down; all he could see was darkness. Suddenly, a giant metal sphere came hurtling to the ground. The top opened up, and Bobby crept towards it. He looked inside, and four metal tentacles grabbed him and pulled him in. The sphere closed, and flew back into the sky.

Toad pulled himself out of the well with his tongue. "No, wait, it wasn't over, I could have won," he said. "It should have been me!"

Peter walked through the door to Cerebro. "Testing out the new Cerebro upgrades," he asked.

"Yes," Xavier answered. "And it's picked up a new mutant. His name is Cody Banks. I believe Rogue knows him."

Rogue met Xavier and Peter in the hangar. "Cody is okay," she said. "I don't believe it! I thought he was in a coma, or worse!"

"I know how you feel. We have no way of knowing in what condition he's in, so we must be careful."

"Of course," Rogue said. "Come on, let's go!" She ran up the ramp to the X-2. Xavier wheeled towards it, and the lift took him up, and Peter followed.

David, Evan, and Kitty ran into the hangar, just as the jet took off. "What's the deal," Evan said. "I thought we were Hawaii bound?"

"What's all this," Skinner entered the hangar.

"We got ditched," David said.

"Can you blame Rogue," Kitty said. "The kid she thought she put in a coma is alive. I'd be just as excited as she is."

"Wait a tic," Skinner said. "Hawaii isn't the only beach in this country, is it?" The others looked at him. "Road trip anyone?"

Skinner pulled an black SUV out of its parking space. Evan sat in the passenger seat, and Kitty was in the back. "Hurry up David," Evan said. "Before Kevin shows up and dry docks our plans."

David jumped into the back of the SUV. "I couldn't find Bobby so I left him a note." Skinner pulled the car out, and sped out of the driveway.

Mystique crept out of the bushes as the truck pulled away. "Change of plans, they're on the move," she said into her cell phone.

"Not for long," a voice on the other end said.

Peter brought the X-2 down on the beach. "See anything," Rogue asked.

"Not yet," Peter said. "Let's take a look around."

Peter and Rogue left the jet, and walked down the beach. A set of footsteps led to a cliff, then suddenly stopped. "What do you think it means," Rogue asked.

Peter looked at them. "Magneto," he said.

Xavier sat in the X-2. Magneto, I know you're here, he thought. Show yourself. Suddenly, the X-2 began to move. It spun around and began to rise into the air. Rogue and Peter turned, and Peter jumped onto one of the wheels as the jet took off.

Rogue started to follow, when a voice stopped her. "Hello, my dear," Magneto stood behind her.

"Magneto," Rogue said.

"What have you done with Cody?"

"I'm afraid, I told a bit of a fib to get you here." He held up his hands. "But before you attack me, I want you to listen to what I have to say. I assure you, this time, I mean no harm." He waved his hand behind him, and a metal sphere landed on the ground. "All I ask is for you to listen."

The X-2 spun around through the air. Peter took his metal form, and dug his metal hands into the wing. He pulled his way up.

Xavier flipped a few switches. He turned the wheel, but nothing happened. "Relax Charles, I am in control now," Magneto's voice said.

"Magneto, what is the meaning of this," Xavier asked.

"I am simply taking steps to ensure our survival." Colossus grabbed the roof of the jet. "Ah yes, Colossus, the man made of metal," Magneto said. "As you know, I am the master of magnetism." Colossus felt as if his fingers were being pulled back. Suddenly he lost his grip, and he plunged into the ocean below.

He surfaced, and watched the jet fly away. He turned back to the beach and began swimming back to the island.

Kevin opened the front door of the mansion. "Hello, is anyone home," he said. He closed the door behind him. "Professor?" He walked up the stairs. "Where is everyone?" As he walked down the hall, he felt like someone was watching him. "Well, look what the cat dragged in." He turned and Mystique stood behind him. He jumped at her and kicked, sending her down the stairs.

Skinner and the others drove down the winding road by the beach. "I can't wait till we get to the beach," Kitty said. "I have been in some serious need of a vacation…"

Suddenly, a jeep behind them slammed into the back. "What's going on," Skinner asked.

Kitty turned around to see Pyro and Toad driving behind them. "It's Pyro and Toad," she said.

"I'll slow them down," Evan said. He shot spikes out of his arm, and then stuck into the jeep's grill.

Pyro fired a flame at the left side of the car, and Skinner swerved into the guardrail, and the SUV broke through it and slid down the mountain. It crashed to a stop in Juggernaut's hands. "Going somewhere," he asked.

Pyro drove up behind them. "Let's party," he said.

Peter walked onto the beach, soaking wet. Something growled above him. Sabertooth was crouched on the rocks. "You look tired," he said.

"Why do I get the feeling I wasn't dropped here by accident," he said.

"You got that right." Sabertooth jumped off the cliff at Peter.

The X-2 sped over the North Pole. The Northern Lights shone above him. A strange, gigantic rock was floating above. It appeared as if some sort of building was attached to the top of it. "What is this place," Xavier asked.

Magneto stepped out onto his deck. "Welcome Charles, to sanctuary; Asteroid M."

Xavier wheeled up behind him. "What is all this about," he asked.

Magneto turned. "A rebirth."

Kevin was thrown into a statue. Mystique jumped at him, but he kicked her away, sending her sliding across the floor.

"You're X-Teens face a trial by fire," Magneto continued. "As do my own recruits. Mutant pitted against mutant; one shall lose, one shall win."

Sabertooth tackled Peter. Peter knocked him away.

"Only those who emerge victorious will earn their place here, at Asteroid M," Magneto said.

Sabertooth jumped down on him, and he rolled out of the way.

Juggernaut picked up the X-Teens truck and tipped it over, dumping them onto the sand.

"Once gathered here at this place of solitude," Magneto continued. "They can then fully realize their abilities, safe from those who might mistreat them.

"Eric, don't do this," Xavier said.

"You are an idealist, Charles; I am a realist. It's a dark future that rushes towards us, and we must face it prepared." He magnetically pulled Xavier's chair behind him.

Juggernaut jumped on top of Kitty, and she disappeared under him. She phased through his body, and staggered out. "Oh God," she said. "I need a shower." She passed out on the hot sand.

"Time to prove yourself," Pyro said. He blew a flame into the sand. A wave of sand approached Skinner and Evan. The two tried to run, but it fell over them.

David stood by the Brotherhood's jeep. He needed Hyde. Toad came leaping toward him, and he shot his long tongue. David opened the door behind him, and Toad's tongue shot inside. David closed the door, and Toad smacked into it. "Time for you to meet Hyde," he said.

"It's over David," Pyro said, walking up to him.

"And this is your reward," Juggernaut said, pointing at the sky. Three metal spheres appeared out of the sky.

Kevin walked up the stairs. Mystique sprinted from the upstairs hallway, and jumped down, tackling him. The two rolled down the stairs, and Mystique jumped up. "Give up and I'll make this quick," she said.

"Unfortunately for you, I don't give up," Kevin said.

"I shouldn't even have to prove myself to him." She flipped toward him. Kevin sidestepped, and stuck his leg out. Mystique tripped over it, slamming her head on the floor and knocking her out.

A large metal sphere burst through the wall and crashed on the floor. It opened up, and two metallic tentacles reached out and pulled Kevin inside. It then lifted into the air, shot through the roof, and sped into the air.

Sabertooth swiped his claws. Peter ducked, then kicked him away. He took his metal form. "Tell me where the Professor is," he said. "And maybe I'll go easy on you."

"Hey, he had it easy; a free pass to sanctuary while the rest of us gotta fight to get in," Sabertooth said. "Which actually suits me just fine." He growled and sprinted towards Peter.

Four metal spheres flew towards the gigantic asteroid, and entered a large tube. "The gathering is almost complete," Magneto said. "Just Colossus and Sabertooth to go. A storm is coming for mutantkind, Charles, and our resolve must be ironclad. Side with me, not against me."

"You're invitation begs the question, 'What happens to those who don't come willingly'," Xavier asked.

"If necessary, sometimes salvation must be forcefed." Magneto led Xavier to another room. He pointed to three tubes, and inside were David, Bobby, and Kevin, each unconscious.

"Eric, you haven't save them, you've abducted them," Xavier said.

Pyro and Juggernaut stepped behind him. "A certain amount of persuasion may still me needed, I'll admit," Magneto said. "But for every unbeliever," he opened a door and Rogue stepped through. "There is a new convert."

"Rogue, no!"

Toad sat on a rock on the beach. A fly buzzed around his head, and it stuck it out, caught the fly, and crunched down on it. "I can't believe I was left behind," he said. "Twice." A second flew by his head. It flicked his tongue out behind him, and something grabbed him.

Invisible Man was holding onto his tongue. "Spill it Toad, what just happened," he asked. "Where'd the others go?"

Toad waved his arms. "Okay, okay," he mumbled. His tongue shot back into his mouth. "I don't owe Magneto anything anymore, that's for sure."

"Magneto," Shadowcat asked.

"Yeah, he's cleaning out the best from the worst, and we lost."

Invisible Man grabbed him by his jacket. "What happens to the winners," he demanded.

"Rogue, I don't understand," Xavier said.

"Professor wait, we're just here to listen, that's all," she said.

"What about them," he motioned to David, Bobby, and Kevin. "Are they here to listen as well?"

"Hey what is this," Rogue asked Magneto.

"Simply a precaution Rogue," Magneto answered. "Not everyone has the maturity to accept the need for change as you do; not yet."

"Let them out, now," she moved towards him. Pyro stepped in between them.

"I will, we just need to proceed cautiously. Trust me, they are perfectly safe."

Are they safe Rogue, Xavier thought to her. Are any of us safe?

Magneto turned and pushed Xavier away. A tube began to descend down on him. Peter! Peter, lose the battle! Magneto is… Gas filled the tube.

"No," Rogue said. She raised her fist to punch the tube.

"Do that and he'll not survive the decompression," Magneto said.

Colossus was slammed into a rock. "Lose the battle," he said. "I don't get it Professor."

He got up and ran towards Sabertooth. Sabertooth pounced, and the two collided, rolling down a hill. Sabertooth rolled on top of him. Colossus kicked him, and he flew into a tree.

"I know about Magneto," Colossus said.

"Then you know I'm the one who belongs at his side," Sabertooth said. "Not you."

"You're right, not me." His metal disappeared. Sabertooth threw a punch, and Colossus was thrown over the edge of the cliff.

A metal sphere descended out of the sky. It opened up, and Sabertooth climbed inside. Colossus burst out of the water and watched the sphere fly away. He looked around. On his left, a little ways away, was a helicopter.

Invisible Man, Shadowcat, Spyke, and Toad entered the mansion. "What happened here," Invisible Man asked. The door looked as if it had been blown off, and broken glass and wood was littered everywhere.

"Oh my God," Shadowcat said.

"This place is trashed," Evan said.

"You kids live like slobs," Toad commented.

"Morph," Shadowcat called. "Morph, are you in here?"

Mystique jumped down from the top of the stairs in front of them. "Morph is out," she said. "Can I take a message?"

"Hey, if you're still here, that means you're a loser too," Toad said with a laugh.

She picked him up. "Don't ever call me that!"

"What are you here for," Invisible Man asked.

"Simple truth; nobody discards me, especially not Magneto, after all I've done for him. So I'm paying him a visit. We can go together, or I can go alone."

"You won't be alone," Colossus said. "Magneto's got our friends, and we're going after him."

"Good, but I know him best, so I'm calling the shots," she said.

"Then get your own ride. X-Teens, let's go." Invisible Man, Shadowcat, and Spyke followed him out.

"Alright fine," Mystique said, shoving Toad forward. "But I expect to be consulted."

The basketball court opened up, and a helicopter rose out. "Welcome to the first test flight of the X-M Velocity," Colossus said. "We modeled it after the old X-Copter after Mystique trashed it." The Velocity picked up speed and flew off.

Rogue stood on Magneto's deck, looking out over the night sky. "Do not worry Rogue," Magneto said. "I invite you to embark on a wonderful renaissance." He motioned for her to follow.

Magneto led Rogue to a large, round door. "I built it right into the asteroid," Magneto said. Pyro, Juggernaut, and Sabertooth were there waiting. "Behold, the next step in mutant evolution."

"What is it," Rogue asked.

"A genetic enhancer. Perhaps you've heard of the legendary Gems of Cyttorak." He held a large red crystal. "Well, they do exist. Once believed to hold mystical properties, these stones actually emit a very distinctive radiation."

"You're going to give us radiation," Rogue said.

"I'm going to evolve you, to finish you're growth. No more wearing those gloves on your hands. You're powers will be fully realized, giving you complete control."

"What about them," she motioned to the others in the tubes. "I want them released."

"They will be, but only after you've gone through the transformation. I want them to see what I'm offering." The door opened. "And it is an offer Rogue, I won't force you to go through it."

"We're supposed to just trust this thing works? You go through it then."

"I have; I'm fully advanced. But why don't I provide you with a real first-hand demonstration. Sabertooth," he looked at him.

Sabertooth turned and stepped through the door, which gave off a bright light. He walked in and disappeared inside. "In a few moments he'll emerge, reborn," Magneto said.

The Velocity flew over the North Pole. Colossus was at the controls, and Mystique sat next to him. "Oh yeah, this thing cooks," he said.

The others sat in the back, being pushed back against they're seats. "You hear that metal straining," Toad said. "We're breaking up, I know it."

"Couldn't be," Colossus answered. "This crate's built without an ounce of metal."

"None? That means we're flying in, what, cheap plastic?"

"I've got something huge on scanners," Mystique said. "Asteroid M, 46 miles and closing."

The door to the genetic enhancer opened. The others looked on anxiously. Sabertooth emerged, but unlike he had ever been before. He was taller, and bigger. His arms hung down to his knees, and he had a large jaw, with bigger teeth. He stepped in front of them and let out a roar.

"Rogue," Magneto said. "It's time to reach you're full potential. Rogue nodded, and stepped toward the door. "And now, for the appreciative audience," Magneto waved his hand at the others in the tubes.

Xavier shook his head. He looked up, and the door to the enhancer opened.

Bobby lifted his head and looked around. Rogue stepped inside the enhancer. "Rogue, no don't," he pounded on the glass."

Rogue, I know what Magneto's doing, Xavier thought. That thing will alter your mind, get out of there, please!

Rogue turned and headed for the door. It closed behind her.

"Too late Charles, she's mine now," Magneto said.

Rogue pushed against the door, but it wouldn't move. A strange red beam circled around her body, and she was suddenly trapped inside a blue beam of light. The floor began to move, and she was hit with some kind of electricity.

The others waited, staring at the door. It opened, and a figure stepped out. Rogue was taller, more muscular, and her hair was now completely white.

"Come, the world awaits you," Magneto said.

Bobby gasped.

Magneto grabbed Rogue's hand and touched it to his face. "See," he said. "You can now feel another's touch. Another benefit, is that your mind is clear of emotion. You now have a clear view of our dominant role here on Earth."

An alarm sounded. "Aircraft," Sabertooth said.

"Really," Magneto said. "Let's see who it is." He opened a window on the ceiling. A helicopter flew overhead. Magneto threw his hands up. Nothing happened. He tried it again. "No metal." He looked at Xavier, and Xavier smiled. "Rogue, defend us."

The Velocity came in, fast, and crashed onto the platform. It slid into Asteroid M, and the tail slammed into the wall. Rogue tried to move, but it was too late. Rubble fell down on top of her, burying her.

Shadowcat phased Spyke and Invisible Man through the side of the helicopter, and Colossus and Toad jumped out the top hatch. Mystique climbed up the ladder. "Knock knock," she said.

"Mystique," Magneto said. "You never could take no for an answer." Mystique jumped from the helicopter and kicked Magneto, knocking him back.

Colossus jumped on top of the four tubes, and pulled the cables at the top off. The tubes ascended. "Where's the X-2," he asked.

"Observation deck, that way," Xavier pointed to a hall on his right.

"Gather there," Colossus said as Sabertooth landed on him.

"Morph, David, prepare the jet," Xavier said. "Bobby, let's get to Rogue."

Juggernaut charged at Invisible Man. Invisible Man sidestepped, and Juggernaut crashed into a control panel. The door to the genetic enhancer opened.

Pyro shot flames overtop Spyke, and a pillar crashed down. Shadowcat phased up and grabbed him, phasing the both of them back down just as the pillar fell. They phased up in front of Pyro, and Spyke aimed a sharp kick into Pyro's gut, knocking him to his knees beside Juggernaut.

Mystique flipped backwards as two metal rods flew towards her. She bent backwards as they passed over her body. She took cover behind a pillar, and the rods came circling back. She jumped out of the way as one of the rods hit the pillar, knocking it over.

Magneto jumped down in front of her, and the second rod came right at her. Toad jumped up and grabbed it, then shot his tongue out and caught the other.

Mystique charged at Magneto and jumped. Magneto magnetically threw a large metal crate at her, knocking her back into the open genetic enhancer. A blue beam shot out. "No, my enhancer," Magneto said. "Get out of there!"

Sabertooth kicked Colossus in the gut, knocking him to his knees. Sabertooth stomped down, and Colossus jumped up. Toad looked down on them. Colossus threw a hard punch to Sabertooth's jaw. Toad threw one of the metal rods. Sabertooth ducked, and the rod stuck into a circuit breaker. Sabertooth dove out of the way as it exploded.

David's body began to explode as he got bigger. Hyde grabbed the rocks on the ground and began to dig.

The asteroid began to tremble. "This rock's cracking up," Pyro said.

Rogue, are you alright, Xavier thought. He began to mentally lift the rocks.

Toad jumped out of the way as a rock fell. He jumped over to Pyro and Juggernaut. "Let's make like a toad and hop to it," he said.

"Whch side are you on Toad," Pyro asked.

"The side that lives, come on!"

Hyde pulled more rocks away from the entrance. "Coming through," Juggernaut yelled as he charged. Hyde moved and Juggernaut crashed through the rocks. Pyro and Toad followed behind him.

"Get in the jet, now," Morph said. Invisible Man led the pack, and Shadowcat and Spyke went after him.

"Rogue is still buried, and Colossus has his hands full," Hyde said.

"Let's go," Morph said. The two ran back.

Sabertooth picked up Colossus and threw him against a pillar. Hyde threw his shoulder into Sabertooth, and Sabertooth went flying into the wall. The ceiling fell down on top of him.

Xavier lifted more rocks. Suddenly Rogue's fist burst through the rubble. Bobby looked at her and smiled. "You and the others, you're ruining everything," Rogue said to him. "This was our chance to unite, all of us."

"Unite," Bobby said. "For what Rogue, and at what cost? Look what Magneto did to you."

"He's helped me. I'm evolved; no more training, no more hurdles. My powers are now at my mercy. We are the future."

"Really Rogue? Are you the future? Because if you are, I don't want any part of it." He turned and walked away.

"You're right," Xavier said. "Mutants shouldn't be divided. But we didn't draw the line, Magneto did. It's still there, you've just crossed over it." He wheeled after Bobby.

"What was I thinking," Rogue said.

"What about Rogue," Colossus asked.

"She'll do what she must," Xavier said. He wheeled by, and Colossus ran after him.

Colossus started the X-2. Bobby stood at the door, looking back at the asteroid, and Xavier was behind him. "We couldn't force her," Xavier said. "She's too powerful."

"Here she comes," Bobby said.

Rogue ran across the platform. Suddenly, it broke, and the X-2 fell. The jet plummeted to the ground. At the last minute, Colossus pulled up, and the jet righted itself.

Rogue flew down to the jet. Bobby opened up the door. "Rogue," he called down. Then a loud explosion came from the asteroid. Two massive rocks fell, one on each side of the jet. The jet tilted onto its wing, and Colossus began to fly. It spun out of control and Rogue grabbed one of the wings. She pulled back, and set the jet down on the ground.

Rogue looked at the asteroid, and three metal spheres shot out. Another explosion fired, and the asteroid began to plummet to the earth. Rogue flew towards it, faster than she had ever flown before.

She positioned herself under it and raised her hands. The asteroid continued to fall, and she put all her wait into it. She pushed as hard as she could. She felt it might be slowing, but she couldn't tell. She looked down, and the ground was getting closer. With one last, major effort, she pushed up, and the asteroid sailed high into the air.

Suddenly she felt weak. Her body grew smaller, and her hair began to turn brown again, with the exception of one streak. She closed her eyes, and began to fall down to the ground. She hit the ground, creating a small crater.

She tried to sit up. Bobby ran over to her. "Easy Rogue," he said. "I'm here."

"Bobby, is everyone okay," she asked.

"See for yourself." The other X-Teens and the remaining Brotherhood stood by the X-2.

"I'm sorry, all of you," Rogue said. "Professor, I just…made some bad choices."

"More like misinformed choices," Xavier said, approaching her. "But we owe you our lives."

The Brotherhood stood in the corner. "Three metal spheres shot out of that asteroid before it blew," Pyro said. "Magneto's out there, believe it. And he'll be back."

"Magneto will be back," Morph said. "I'd bet my life on it."

"Yes, he will," Xavier said. "But when he is, we will be ready, together, because we are the X-Teens."