Two weeks ago

Franklin Abbot nearly tripped as he dashed down the stairway. He glanced behind him and there it was again. It wasn't running and yet it seemed to get closer no matter how fast he ran. He slammed into the dual front doors, his arms shaking as he tried to grab the handle.

The shadow continued walking towards him, not making a sound as it descended the stairs. Several nearby lights began to flicker as it strolled by. Finally Franklin managed to turn the knob and rushed outside, slamming the door behind him. He pulled out his keys as he ran to his car. The shadow walked through the door like a ghost, not breaking its stride in the slightest.

His shaking hands had difficulty unlocking the door. Then the car alarm came on, the vehicle's lights flickering as the horn become a quiet humming like sound. He jumped inside but the shadow was nearly upon him. It reached out its hand, the transparent black hand phased right through the window.

Franklin scrambled to the other side and opened the passenger door. The shadow passed into the car, the vehicle's power now gone. Abbott ran towards the front gate, a long distance away but it was his only chance. A bolt of electricity shot past him and impacted a nearby tree. It fell to the ground, its base on fire.

Abbott turned around to see the shadow was still chasing him. Small streaks of energy coursed through its body, converging on its chest. They combined into round bright sphere. A bolt of electricity shot out of it. Franklin jumped out of the way, nearly getting hit. He scrambled back to his feet and made a mad dash into the woods.

He glanced back to see the figure was gone. About to breathe a sigh of relief, he turned forward and gasped. The nearby cliff was much closer then he anticipated. He stopped just as he reached the edge, several rocks falling into the ocean below. A sound caught his attention as he turned around once again to see the shadow standing mere inches away.

A bolt of electricity hit Franklin in the chest, sending him screaming to the cascading waves below. He made a loud splash as his body hit the water, disappearing from sight. After a few moments, Franklin's body floated back to the surface. Face down and not moving, lifeless. The shadow stared at the body before a bolt of lightning came from above and hit it's own body, disappearing in a flash of light.

Present Day

"Aww man, your dad really sucks yo." grumbled Toad as he searched through the wreckage of the former Brotherhood Boarding House. With a grunt, he tossed it aside. All the Hood members were salvaging what they could from their former home.

"Hey, at least father was trying to fight that guy. Which is more then I can say for the rest of you." said Wanda, using her powers to move various debris. "What exactly were we supposed to do? That guy was fighting your father head on. That's something even the geek squad can't do." responded Kine.

"I hope Pietro's found a good hotel because I am not taking Xavier up on his offer." said Chris. He offered to put up the Hood for the night but they weren't interested. All they wanted to know was what happened to Lance and how to possibly get him back. After that brief conversation, the Hood tried to fight anything useful while Pietro ran off to reserve some hotel rooms for them.

"HAHA! Paydirt!" yelled Chris, pulling his camera out of the wreckage. "It's still in one piece?" said a disbelieving John. "Yeah, it still works too." Chris said cheerfully. "Gee, you'd think that guy just saved his one true love." Toad whispered to Fred.

Kine moved away from the others and started digging next to a tree in the backyard, eventually uncovering a suitcase. Specifically, the one with all the bearer bonds. "Careful with that." said Wanda. "Yes mom." Kine whispered underneath his breath. "Hate to be blunt fellas but I don't think we're going to be getting much more out of this." said John, indicating the wreckage.

Pietro zipped up. "Alrighty folks. We've got rooms at the Huntington Hotel. They're not happy about having mutants but since nobody goes there anyways, they'll happily take our money." said Pietro.

"Alright, Pietro you're running there. We'll make two trips to the hotel. One with Blob and one with the rest of us." said Wanda.


At the hotel, everyone got comfortable rather quickly. Chris and Kine took one room, John and Pietro another, Fred and Toad a third, and Wanda taking a whole room by herself. The others didn't want to share a room with her except Toad and Wanda threatened to stake his tongue if he tried.


"Let me out." came a gentle whisper. She glanced around but there was nothing but darkness. Then a rumble behind her, the sound of something hitting bricks. She turned around to see a massive twenty foot tall brick wall that seemed to extend forever in both directions.

A crack formed in the center, another impact from the other side increased its size. Then another and then another. "I want out Marie. Let me out." said the voice again, this time more frustrated. Another impact enlarged the crack. "You can't keep me in here forever Marie. I won't let you keep me locked away any longer." the voice said with anger. A wave of terror filled her as the crack began to expand even further.

Rogue's eyes shot open as she caught her breath. She breathed a sigh of relief when she realized the whole thing was just a dream. It was still dark and her roommate Kitty was still asleep. Rogue glanced at her clock which read 3:28 AM. She groaned as she leaned her head back against her pillow, hoping to get a few hours of sleep. But she doubted that would happen.


The next morning, everyone except for Pietro was eating in the hotel lobby. Fred was scarfing down virtually everything in sight, giving the hotel staff a heart attack. "I'm still hungry. Excuse me guys, I'm going to see if they've got anything else in the kitchen." said Fred.

"That's what they get for having an all you can eat breakfast." snickered Chris. "Guys, I've gone it!" yelled Pietro, zipping in. "Found a brain cell you can use?" chuckled Toad. "A girl that will actually want to date you?" laughed Kine. "Like any of those will ever happen." said Wanda, rolling her eyes.

"Hahahaha, very funny." said Pietro, not amused. "Actually, I've found the solution to our current residence problem." he continued, holding up a newspaper. He pointed to a section that read Raven Manor now for sale.

"What? You want us to live in Bayville's haunted mansion? Are you out of you're mind?" yelled Toad. "Yeah, haunted mansions are never a good thing." agreed John. "Get serious you idiots, there are no such thing as ghosts." said Kine. "But paranormal investigators have gone to that place for years and always concluded that the place was haunted." said Toad. "Yeah but they've never proven a thing. Remember that most people thought the Earth was flat at one point. Just because a bunch of people believe in something doesn't means it's true." shot back Chris.

"Time out. What's Raven Manor?" asked Wanda. "It's about a ten minute drive from the X-Geek place. The building is a little bigger then theirs but not as much property around it. It was built around 1904 and it's changed hands several times. The latest owner had it as his summer home but wanted to get rid of it after his caretaker got blasted by a lightning bolt and took a header off a cliff." answered Pietro.

"The ghosts killed him?" gulped Toad. "Unless one of the ghosts is Storm I highly doubt that." groaned Chris. "But what about those accounts of all those strange events that happen there?" asked John. "Second hand accounts from unreliable sources without a shred of evidence. That's the same story for every supposed haunting." said Kine.

Wanda sighed as everybody started yelling at each other. She also heard yelling from the kitchen, mostly screaming from various hotel staff trying to stop Fred from eating everything in their freezer. "Something tells me the hotel manager isn't going to accept our money anymore. We might as well check this place out." said Wanda. Fred stepped out of the kitchen, carrying a massive handful of various foods and deserts. "Okay guys, I've got enough for my morning snack." he said.


Rogue ducked, avoiding yet another blow then quickly jumped backwards to avoid a spinning kick. Normally, Rogue would be the one on the offensive but today Sarah Vale was the one dishing out the punishment. For some reason, she just couldn't get that dream out of her head.

Rogue shot forward and paid the price when Sarah caught her in a Judo over the hip take down. "Well this is a first. It should be me on the ground not you." said Vale. "Ah didn't get much sleep last night." muttered Rogue as she got to her feet. Every morning, Sarah and Rogue would practice martial arts in the ballroom.

Sarah shot her a look. "Sleep's got nothing to do with this." she said, taking a defensive stance. "Ya'll callin me a liar." growled Rogue. "No, just not telling the whole truth." replied Sarah. She lunged forward and did a spinning kick that Rogue managed to avoid. Unfortunately, Rogue underestimated how close Sarah was and how quickly she spun around again for a leg trip. The sweep knocked Rogue off her feet.

"You're the one that taught that move to me. What is really going on?" asked Sarah, helping Rogue bad to her feet. "Nothin. Just some weird dream." answered Rogue. "Must have been some dream to knock you off your game this bad." said Sarah before looking at the clock.

"C'mon, we've gotta get ready for school." said Sarah, heading out the door. Rogue started to follow when pain shot through her head. She leaned against a wall to keep her balance as wave of images flashed before her eyes. Anger rose inside of her as she punched the wall in frustration.

Her fist went right through, as if the wall was made of paper. Rogue pulled her hand out and realized it wasn't damaged. The headache and anger went away just as fast as they came, leaving Rogue wondering just what happened and why the image of Blob went through her head before she put that hole in the wall.


When the Hood (minus Pietro) pulled up to Raven Manor, their jaws dropped. The whole place was like something out of a Stephen King or Ann Rice novel. It was a three story Queen Anne Style Victorian mansion. "Okay, we've seen it now let's go." said Toad, turning around before Fred grabbed him.

"No no no. Don't make me go in there!" Toad pleaded as Fred carried him past the old steel front gates with the others. Woods covered the area around the building except the driveway. It made the whole thing seem a little creepier.

"Edgar Allen Poe eat your heart out." muttered John as they got closer. The driveway went into a complete circle in front of the mansion similar to the Xavier Institute. Only instead of a fountain the pavement surrounded a large gargoyle statue. The house itself has no sign of aging or wear down, the owner at least kept the outside looking good.

Parked in front of the house was a new Sedan where a thirtysh woman waited in business attire. "That's the real estate agent. Play it nice and don't act completely stupid." said Wanda. "No, I'm not going in there!" yelled Toad, useless trying to get out of Fred's grasp.

"You must be the Brotherhood. Tessa Fox, I work for Donald Pierce." the agent introduced herself. "As in the billionaire owner of Pierce Industries? Why does one of the richest men in the country have a place in Bayville?" asked Kine.

"Let's just say he took an interest in the area at one point but that time has come and gone." explained Tessa. "In other words, he saw Bayville for the dump it was and did the smartest thing possible." Chris muttered underneath his breath.

"Could we explore the place on our own if it's alright?" asked Wanda. "Certainly, just let me know if you need anything." nodded the agent.

The hood walked inside to a massive foyer with a large set of stairs and more gargoyle statues all around. "Seriously, what was the builder's obsession with those things?" asked John, staring at the statues.

"I like 'em." said Wanda. "Me too. I've always loved gargoyles. The Gargolyes cartoon series was also my favorite tv show." said Toad, brown nosing the best way that he could. Wanda moaned.

"I'm checking the kitchen." said Fred, leaving the others. "He was right about that Gargoyles show, it was an awesome cartoon." said Kine as he and Chris headed upstairs. Wanda walked off and Toad followed her, leaving just John alone.

He stared at a particular statue that gave him the creeps. The dead eyes with the evil smile gave him goose bumps. "BOOO!" yelled a voice behind John. Pyro screamed and tripped to the ground. Pietro busted up laughing behind him. "MAXIMOFF!" screamed John. Quicksilver quickly bolted from the room with Pyro in hot pursuit of him.


Fred found the kitchen and his jaw dropped. The room was enormous and there was actual food still around. Only enough to last everyone a few days or in Fred's case one day but still it was great. Blob licked his lips and prepared to make himself a snack. He didn't notice a human shaped shadow moving along the wall behind him.


Wanda walked down a narrow hallway filled with various pictures, all looked very old and very expensive. "Wow, these must be all originals." she said. Toad hopped in behind her and glanced at them. "So how much you think we could sell them for?" he asked.

"Maybe a couple…Wait a minute, we can't sell what isn't ours." said Wanda. "Sure we can. I know a great place where we could fetch a fine price…" Toad explained before Wanda smacked him in the back of the head.

"We don't own the place, at least not yet. And even then, we're not getting rid of them. I kinda like them." said Wanda. Toad's eyes lite up. "Of course we can't get rid of them. I really like them too. I'm a huge fan of the artists as well." Toad said, looking closer at one of the pictures.

"Du…Dus…Dutch? I mean Dusch Vulbrand is clearly a master of paintbrush strokes." said Toad. Wanda rolled her eyes and walked away, leaving Toad still talking out loud. "What he painted is very broad for interpretation. What seem like a circle to some might look like a…" Toad continued, trying to sound intelligent as possible before he noticed Wanda was gone.

"Wanda? Sweetums?" he called out, getting nervous being alone. He glanced around then heard boards creaking behind him, the sound of someone stepping closer. He turned around and saw two figures covered in bed sheets. They just stood there, silent and motionless.

"Come play with us Todd. Come play with us forever and ever." they both said in feminine tones. Toad screamed and hopped away as fast as he could. As soon as he was gone, Kine and Terrance both removed their disguises and busted up laughing. "All bugs and no brain makes Toad a gullible boy." chuckled Chris.


"COME OUT MAXIMOFF AND DIE LIKE A MAN!" yelled John as he ran into the kitchen. The yelling startled Fred who jumped, nearly choking on his ham sandwich. "Geez Pyro, you nearly gave me a heart attack." said Fred. "HELP!" screamed Toad who hopped in the room and tackled John off his feet.

"Don't let them take me!" he pleaded, holding on as John struggled to shove him away. "Get off me bog breath!" yelled John. Suddenly, the two were hexed apart as Wanda stepped inside. "Will you two idiots please not wrecked somebody else's extremely expensive house?" she growled. Pietro zipped in. "Hello guys." he said before John tackled him. The two exchanged blows before Wanda hexed them apart.

"Could everyone please use whatever brain cells you have for the next few minutes and not make me play babysitter with all of you." said Wanda. "You should be grateful hot head. I talked with a very friendly Russian banker and we'll be able to convert some of those bonds into cash and put them into several bank accounts." said Pietro.

"And by friendly Russian banker, you mean money launder." grunted John. "That's racism. Just because a banker is Russian doesn't he does anything illegal." shot back Pietro. "In other words, he is." said John. "That's beside the point." grunted Pietro.

"Shut up you two. Now Toad, you were screaming that someone was going to take you earlier. What did you mean by that?" asked Wanda. "The two ghosts will get me. They said come play with us forever and forever." whimpered Toad. John, Pietro, and Fred all chuckled under their breath.

"Did they have bed sheets over them?" asked Wanda, though she already knew the answer. "Yeah, how did you know that?" asked Toad. "Come play with us Tolensky. Come with play us." echoed the feminine voices from before.

"AHHHHHHHHHH!" screamed Toad who instantly leaped behind Fred. Chris and Kine walked into the room laughing hysterically. The rest of the hood except Wanda and Toad joined in. "Here's Toady." laughed Fred.

"That's not funny guys." growled Toad. "Newsflash, yes it is." chuckled Pietro. "We personally love the joint. Finally we'll be living in a house that at least rivals those Xavier goons." said Kine. Chris nodded in agreement.

"Me too." said Fred. "Fred, you've only seen the kitchen." pointed out John. "That's all I need to see." replied Blob. "This place will suffice for my needs." said Pietro. "This place gives me the creeps. Let's split yo." said Toad.

"Okay, if you want us to stay raise your hand." said Wanda. Wanda, Pietro, Fred, Chris, and Kine raise their hand. "I love democracy." smiled Kine. John and Toad moaned.


"We'll take it. How much for it?" Wanda told Tessa. "The asking price is thirty million." the woman replied. "We'll take it." said Wanda. Tessa smiled. "Excellent, the estate is yours then." she said. "Wait a minute, don't you want to wait until you've gotten your money or moved his things out?" asked Wanda.

"Mr. Pierce doesn't care about anything in the manor. They're all yours for the keeping. Until the transfer is complete, consider yourself guests and make yourself at home. I'm also not trying to scam any of you if that's what you're thinking. I'll sigh whatever contract you need to prove that the building is solid condition." explained Tessa.

"Well…alright then." said Wanda, still confused. "A pleasure doing business with you Miss Maximoff. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get to a meeting. Good day." Tessa said before getting into her car and driving off.

Once she gotten onto the exit road, Tessa pulled out her cell phone and hit the speed dial. "Yes put me through to Mr. Shaw…Yes sir, they've agreed to take the estate…Wanda Maximoff was a little suspicious but hardly reason for concern…No they haven't a clue…If they do manage to survive what awaits them there, they will be more then worthy enough to join the Hellions sir."

(Okay they haven't gotten to hunting ghosts yet but I'll save that for next time. Also, I was originally going to have Self Possessed be separate from this but I was tired of putting it off and I wanted an excuse to keep the Brotherhood busy and not help the X-Men for the thirtieth billion time. Next chapter, a second personality inside Rogue's head with all the powers of those she touches breaks free and goes on a rampage. The Hood have their own problems when the so called haunting stories of their new home start to come true.)