True Lies Chapter 18: Chaos Part 1, a x-men: the movie fanfic

True Lies

Chapter 18: Chaos Part 1

By: Michelle2

Note: This fanfic takes place 1 ½ years after X-men 2. While I enjoyed the various films since X-men 2, I always envisioned my trilogy as the sequels. The imagination is awesome.

True Lies is the third part of my trilogy. Part 1: The Truth Hurts. Part 2: Sweet Little Lies.

As always: I don't own the characters or make money off my fanfics. I enjoy having fun.

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R.I.P. my little dog, Remy: May 2005 – January 24, 2020

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Some of these scenes were inspired by the comics, Avengers 500-503.

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"A Twinkie is not that same as a cigarette," Hank argued with Remy as the group left cafeteria to enjoy the last 15 minutes before the afternoon classes began. "And, contrary to what you believe, you cannot get addicted to eating Twinkies."

Even Hank didn't believe his own words. He wished there was something more to distract him from the hole Trish Tibly left when they broke up. She had a booming career; he was a teacher, scientist, and X-man. Duties were making it difficult to be in a functional and meaningful relationship. They parted ways amicably—that's what they told everyone.

Talia and Clarice ran to play with some of the toys in the rec room, while other students gathered around the foosball and pool tables. Hank didn't want to argue with Remy in front of the students. It was hard enough to keep up with all the rumors, but Remy didn't know when to quit.

Remy laughed. "Dey are exactly de same, homme. In fact, Twinkies are more dangerous to consume. Think about dis, de only things dat would survive de Apocalypse are Twinkies and cockroaches."

Kurt, Bobby, Alex, and Lorna tried to hide their laughter, but they failed miserably.

"Will you four stop encouraging him?" Hank fussed. If it wasn't for the blue fur, his face would have been red.

"I hate to admit it, Hank," Kurt said. "But he has you zhere."

"You are not helping, my friend," Hank griped. He sat on the far end of the couch, looking at Scott and Emma. He was jealous of them; he was sure Emma had picked that up, but his frustration with Remy was obvious.

"It's been one day, homme," Remy smirked at him. The blue furry mutant was not amused.

Scott wasn't sure what the conversation was about, and Emma smiled. "They giving you a hard time, Hank?"

Hank wagged his finger at Remy. "This one is."

Remy only smirked. There was a fire in his eyes that Hank didn't trust. "Hold on, I got something ta help ya."

Remy dug in his pocket for his wallet. Using one hand, he fumbled a bit, but he eventually retrieved what he was searching for.

He placed a sticker with a Twinkie on it on Hank's arm. "It will help with the urges."

"Are you kidding me?" Hank replied.

Kurt fell out of his chair, unable to control his laughter.

"It's scratch and sniff, too," Remy added.

Hank looked at the Twinkie sticker stuck to his blue fur. Remy had been waiting for the right moment to set him up, and he fell for it.

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Logan and Steve looked around the lobby as the lights flickered uncontrollably.

"What the fuck?" Logan said, and Steve Rogers didn't correct him.

The lights made him dizzy. The sunny shone through the windows, making the lobby warm despite the cool air that blew outside. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong. Yet, he couldn't pick up Mystique's scent or even an enemy that would attempt to challenge the Avengers.

That's when they heard the screams coming from outside. They took off running through the lobby. Then, they saw something hit the pavement. Logan recognized the cracking sound it made. It was one of the moments he wished he didn't have acute hearing.

When they burst through the tower doors, the commotion around them made it hard to make out what had actually happened. There were so many voices in the crowd that Logan couldn't focus. All he could do is join Steve Rogers' side as he dropped to his knees beside his friend.

Clint Barton's lifeless eyes stared up at them. He was dead; there was no denying that. The blood leaked from his head; the scent burned Logan's nose. For decades, he got the thrill of killing an enemy, especially one that shot him first. But now, death was something he didn't want to think about, because when he heard about death, he thought of Jean.

"What happened?" Steve scanned the crowd for some answers from anyone willing to offer. Logan could smell the salt from his tears. The younger man was trying not to cry, but even the toughest of men shed tears.

"He jumped from the tower," a shaky voice in the crowd said.

"No, he was pushed…pushed from the tower," another voice said.

Logan pulled out his phone and dialed Scott as Steve Rogers closed Clint's eyes. By then, the undercover S.H.I.E.L.D. agents came out of hiding and managed the crowd.

He recognized Agent Hill from the night before. She glanced to him, acknowledging a failure on both their parts, but she never said a word. Instead, she called for an ambulance and covered Barton's body with her jacket.

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Ororo sat down at Professor Xavier's desk. Like her, he was enjoying on of Remy's students' extra culinary creations.

"Is something bothering you, Ororo?" Xavier asked.

She smiled. She looked to him as a father figure, even though he could never replace her own. Her father and mother would both be proud of the choices she made in her life. She had a rough start but managed to get on track. Now, she was a teacher, helping others to do the same. Talia and Clarice proved to be a challenge.

"How has the search for a preschool teacher coming along?" she asked.

He sensed her worry. Though she was far from her due date, having two young mutants running around the mansion wasn't easy. With the exception of a handful, the student body consisted of teenagers. "I've been searching months, though with two littles the matter is more pressing. I know we cannot just pass them from classroom to classroom to accommodate the ages, but the interest in teaching here is sparse."

"Because the students are mutants," she said.

"Unfortunately, it is a factor that keeps many teachers away," Xavier admitted.

Ororo sighed. She wished things were simpler at the school. The staff had trouble accommodating the growing student body, and the new hires didn't last long.

"Everything is going to be alright, Ororo," he said, sensing her worries. He didn't have to read her mind to know she was concerned about her expanding family. "Things have a way of working out."

Ororo smirked. "They do, don't they?" His calming voice is what she needed to hear to help her mind get at ease.

"Sometimes." Professor Xavier paused. His body seemed to tense, and a wave a fear washed over his usually calm face. He sensed something. Fear—it had to be something wrong at the mansion. An attack. A hurt student. Or perhaps something else. Logan. Where was he? He was away—away from the mansion.

"Professor, what's wrong?"

"Lock down the mansion. I'll contact Scott on my way to Cerebro."

Ororo didn't argue with the man. She knew better that to second guess his judgment.

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As they walked to the rec room, Emma tucked her hair behind her ear. While she could feel Scott's eyes watching her every move, she could also sense his interest in her. Yet, he hesitated to make a move. Normally, men would throw themselves at her feet, but Scott kept his distance. Pain lingered inside him.

"How was your time with Professor Xavier this morning?" Scott asked. The nervousness in his voice made her smile.

"Interesting," Emma replied. "I enjoyed the way he approached his class discussions with the students, and their engagement was intriguing to witness. We've been in talks throughout the day about what subjects I could teach once the spring semester starts. He wants me to prep a few lessons to introduce myself and study my teaching techniques as he prepares the schedule."

"That sounds great," Scott looked down at his feet. He was purposely trying to avoid eye contact with her. "I'm glad you decided to stay."

Emma sat down on the couch, listening to the students socialize. It reminded her of her home. "I am, too. S.H.I.E.L.D. was an option, but it wasn't the right fit. How long have you worked here?"

"Since I graduated college," Scott replied, sitting next to her. The leader of the X-men relaxed long enough for him to look her in the eye this time. "I was a student here. One of Xavier's first students. This place has been my home since I first developed my powers."

Emma smiled, but she sensed the pain he felt when he thought more about his home. She wanted to say something and not pry, but before she could speak, their moment together was interrupted by the faculty and staff returning from the cafeteria. Hank, Remy, Kurt, Bobby, Lorna, and Alex and several students filled the once moderately quiet room.

"It's been one day, homme," Remy smirked at Hank McCoy. The younger mutant was persistent in his game with the blue furry doctor. Though she couldn't get a read on him, she knew there were dark secrets the man was hiding. He had more than one motive to agree to interrogate Sabretooth.

Scott wasn't sure what the conversation was about, but he had welcomed the interruption. "They giving you a hard time, Hank?"

Hank wagged his finger at Remy. "This one is."

Remy smirked. "Hold on, I got something ta help ya." He dug in his pocket for his wallet. Using one hand, he fumbled a bit, but he eventually retrieved what he was searching for. He placed a sticker on Hank's arm. "It will help with the urges."

"Are you kidding me?" Hank replied.

"It's scratch and sniff, too," Remy added.

The eruption of laughter washed over her. Emma knew she made the right decision, but still she could sense the uneasiness they had around her. They didn't know her and didn't trust her, and she felt the same way about them. However, there was always a way. She looked to Scott, whose demeanor changed when the group came in the room.

"You have to excuse some of them," he said. "They forget they are the adults here."

Remy smirked. The culinary instructor had a flare in his eye for mischief. "We interruptin' somethin', Scott?"

Scott's jaw tensed. He wanted to say something, but he stayed calm and weighed his options on how to reply.

"You have to excuse our Acadian friend, Emma," Hank said before anyone could speak. "His less annoying half is at school, and he doesn't know how to behave himself. He tends to be a bad boy when she is away."

"Hey, dis here bad boy got himself a sponge bath dis morning," Remy replied.

"Too much info," Bobby said. There was a hint of resentment in his voice.

Remy only smirked. "Jealous."

Scott shook his head. He wanted to apologize to her about the conversation that could potentially develop, but while she waited for his apology—one that he would surely stumble to get out and she would find cute the way he tried not to be nervous—his cell phone rang.

When Scott looked at the caller id, he sighed, but in his mind, she heard him say Damn. He glanced up at her, and said, "It's Logan. Excuse me."

She watched him step away, leaving her in the middle of a bunch of rowdy faculty and laughing students. She could belong here, if she wanted to. They would accept her, because that was the type of people they were. He could love her, if he opened his heart again…

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Mystique glanced to her left and right. She could see the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents closing in on her. She wasn't far from the tower, but she had to make her move now. She had to stop it.

She stepped forward, ready to sprint her way past them all—then it happened. The screams interrupted her plans. She looked up to see him falling until he slammed on the ground.

"OH MY GOD! IT'S AN AVENGER!"

The screaming echoed around the city. Another Avenger was dead. The panic erupted, and the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were no longer interested in what she was doing. They ran to the man—she was positive it was a man—who was dead.

Within seconds, Captain America and the Wolverine ran through the lobby and to the man. She wanted to scream like the rest of the people around her, but she couldn't. She was too much in shock, but it was her opportunity to make a move.

She stepped out of view for a moment to alter her appearance to someone they wouldn't question, and then she moved slowly towards the tower.

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Wanda looked at her hands and fell to her knees. What had she done? She had killed her friend—a man who loved her and wanted to be with her, a man she wanted to be with, and man who accepted all her faults. Now, he was dead. He was dead because of her.

"Mutter."

She felt them each place a hand on her shoulder. William. Thomas. She still had her boys…but they would come for them. They would come to take them away from her.

And they would pay…

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They were just ants compared to the tower that loomed over them. Steve Rogers called for an evacuation of the tower, and Agent Hill had her agents blockade the surrounding area. News crews were arriving, even before the ambulance.

"Pick up, Scott. Come on. Pick up. Pick up," Logan muttered under his breath.

He could hear the sirens in the distance. He shouldn't have been at the tower, but then again, he had a mission. Raven. Where was she? She didn't do this, but he needed proof. He couldn't concentrate with all the damn sirens.

"Logan, so nice to hear you voice again," Scott said as he answered the phone. "But then again—"

"Shut up, Slim, and listen to me," Logan interrupted.

"Logan, you cannot just call me and expect me to take you seriously after the way you left this morning's meeting," Scott fussed.

He listened to the lecture Scott gave him. He didn't bother to interrupt him again. The ambulance arrived at the scene and began loading Clint's body in black body bag before Scott paused to allow him to speak.

"Another one's dead," Logan said. His voice left him at that moment. He wasn't angry or sad or wanted to kill. Instead, he felt guilty. He was there talking to the man a couple hours earlier and now he was dead.

"What?" Scott's voice was calm on the other end.

"An Avenger," Logan replied. He looked around the scene. Chaos. "Another one is dead."

"What do you mean? Logan, what happened?"

"I wish I knew…just turn on the news," Logan scanned the crowded. Her scent hit him. Raven. Damnit. "I gotta go."

"Lo—"

Logan hung up his phone and stepped away from Rogers and Hill. He had to get to her, before she did something stupid.

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Scott felt like the wind was knocked out of him. He walked back into the rec room where the laughing couldn't suppress his fears. Logan could be an ass, but the man would never lie to him, especially about something like this.

Emma was asking Remy a few questions, and he was doing his best to answer them with his version of the truth. Kurt and Hank discussed plays, while Alex, Lorna, Bobby, and one of the students played pool. Jubilee helped Talia and Clarice color pictures, and other students entertained themselves in numerous ways. Life could be simple, but then again, they were X-men.

Emma sensed something was wrong right away. It was hard not to think of Jean doing the same thing. "Scott, what's wrong?"

"That was Logan," he replied. His meek response caused Hank, Kurt, and Remy to gain his attention. "He said an Avenger is dead."

"Who?" Hank stood up. At one time in his career, he served as an Avenger and became friends with many of them.

"I don't know. He didn't say," Scott replied.

Kurt's face paled. Then, he looked at him, demanding answers. "Mystique? Did she?"

"I'm not sure," Scott picked up the remote to the television and flipped through the channels looking for an answer when he heard a voice in his head.

"Scott, I have a great feeling that chaos awaits us. Have all students called back into the mansion, lock down the school, and have all X-men suited. Storm will join you shortly."

"Scott, what is it?"

They all stared at him, pausing in their harmonious activities to look upon him with concern. Something wasn't right. They could all sense it.

Scott took a deep breath to compose himself. "Professor Xavier wants the school locked down, and all X-men to suit up. Alex and Lorna, call all the students in the mansion. Remy, call Rogue and tell her and Kitty to head back to the mansion, and then join Hank to review the security system for the lockdown. Kurt, I need you, Ororo, Bobby, and some of the older students to help relay the message about the lockdown. No one is to go outside the mansion."

No one argued with him, and the television in the background explained the urgency in the matter. The X-men were hypnotized.

""This is Trish Tilby reporting live in front of Avenger Tower where, once again, another Avenger has suffered an ill fate…

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She was crazy, but then again, so was he.

Logan ignored the scene that surrounded him Rogers had called for an evacuation of the tower; he still wasn't sure what had happened to cause Barton's death, but anyone in the tower could be next. Tony Stark was on his way—a fact the captain couldn't avoid. Agent Hill was on top of the situation, but Stark's arrival was sure to cause commotion.

A crime scene. They had to treat it like a crime scene. There were too many deaths to ignore this time. Four dead Avengers.

That's when he caught her scent. She had inched her way closer to the tower. She was brave or incredibly stupid to disguise herself as Nick Fury, but then again, she never did things the easy way.

In turn, he found himself drawn to her. There was a lot of history there—things he liked remembering, but others he'd rather forget.

Logan followed her back in the tower. He wondered if she cared that he was on her trail.

"Going up?" Fury asked, as he held the door to the elevator open. She slipped up. The tower was being evacuated. No one was foolish enough to use an elevator when the lights had been flickering prior to Barton's death, but she didn't know that. She didn't know the danger she was in.

"Yeah," Logan replied, as he entered the elevator.

"I'm going to 70. What's your stop?" Fury asked as the elevator closed.

"That's fine, Darlin'," Logan answered as she looked over her shoulder. She shifted her image seamlessly from Nick Fury to her blue form. She wore a white knee-high dress with a skull belt. Her read hair was longer than he remembered, and her golden eyes glared at him. "I'm getting off wherever you are."

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Rogue walked with Kitty on her way to her next class. College was supposed to be the best time of her life, but she still didn't feel she fit in. She did well in her classes, and she enjoyed the freedom she had in course offerings. However, she still didn't know what her end goals were. She wanted to be a teacher at Xavier's school, but when it came picking an area of study, she didn't know what she wanted to teach.

Kitty knew what she wanted to do before entering college—she already planned the next semester. Like Rogue, she was an education major, and after careful consideration, she decided to focus on history like Ororo. She was going to follow in her mentor's footsteps and earn a bachelor's in education and a master's in educational leadership.

Rogue thought about her mentor—she guessed it was Logan, but there were times when her head spun so much she couldn't even focus. At times, she was tomboy compared to her friends. Sure she liked to dress up and gossip and paint nails—girlie things as Remy would say—but she also liked to get dirty and use her hands. She often found herself in Logan's woodshop, having him show her how to make furniture. She even took his mechanics class as an elective. His age made things complicated. He learned by experience not by textbooks, which made his role in education unique.

She thought about talking to Remy about it. Like her, he was trying to figure out what he wanted to do as teacher at the school. His AOS degree allowed him to teach culinary arts, and his fluency in French helped him secure a part-time job as an instructor, but he was still on a temporary status. Xavier wanted him to earn a bachelor's in education, so he could be a full-time faculty member. Remy agreed to go to school but only as a backup option—and as a way to stay out of trouble.

"What classes do you have left to attend today?" Kitty asked as they paused in front of the building of Rogue's next class.

"I have world history and then a science lab," Rogue replied. She didn't mind her history course, but she wanted to skip the lab.

"Okay," Kitty smiled. She was so happy to be on-campus and out of the mansion. Why didn't Rogue feel the same way? "You want to meet me in the library. I'm going to log on my computer and check the schedule again. I'm hoping they updated the course offerings for math."

"Alright. I should be done by 3:00," Rogue smiled back, but it was fake. She wondered if Kitty read her deception, but when her friend didn't say anything, she figured she was just being polite.

Rogue walked up the stairs to her class. She wondered if her classmates in her classes felt the same way she did. Afterall, they were just 18 almost 19 like she was. How are you supposed to know what you want at that age?

Rogue heard her phone ring, snapping her back to earth. It was Remy. How did he know she needed his voice to calm her?

"Hi, swamp rat," she said softly. She wanted to cry; she wanted him to hold her in his arms and tell her everything would be okay. "I miss you. I was just about to go to class—"

"Rogue," he said. His voice wasn't comforting. There was something troubling him.

"Remy, what's wrong?" she asked. Fear washed over her. Maybe he was questioning his goals in life too? Maybe he was questioning his decision to be with her? "Remy?"

"Rogue, there has been another Avengers death. Professor X wants everyone to return to the mansion," he said. His voice was calm that time, but she sensed a hint of mourning.

She felt guilty for feeling relieved of her fears. She couldn't image her life without him. Then, she digested what he actually said. "An Avenger is dead," she said louder than she intended. Some of the students in the hallway turned in her direction.

"Yeah," he replied. "Rogue, you and Kitty need to get back to the mansion. Professor X is putting the school on lockdown. He wants the X-men to go to the tower."

"Okay, we'll be home soon," Rogue nodded and turned away from the classroom, passing her instructor on the way out.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

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"This is Trish Tilby reporting live in front of Avenger Tower where, once again, another Avenger has suffered an ill fate. As you can see behind me, Captain America and the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. are on the scene, trying to sort out what exactly happened. Witnesses report that the Avenger jumped, but others claim he was pushed out the tower."

"Trish, have the Avengers officially made a statement about which Avenger has fell victim to this recent string of events?"

"No, unfortunately not. The area was roped off within 30 seconds, and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents have been keeping quiet about the situation. We did, however, hear that Captain America called for an evacuation of the tower."

"Look, Vati. Uncle Cap is on TV!" Talia's pointed.

Talia Josephine Wagner's voice snapped the X-men back to reality. The little one wasn't old enough to understand what had happened.

"T.J., let's go upstairs to play," Kurt looked around the room as the X-men began to follow Scott's orders. "You too, Clarice. Jubilee, can find Ororo and meet me upstairs."

Scott patted him on the shoulder, and Kurt stepped away with the two girls. No one needed to say what was on their mind for him to understand. Another death at the tower meant another weekend where Talia wouldn't visit her mother.

Kurt held hands with the two girls as they walked by his side. All he wanted in life was a family—blood-related family-, and his family all started with Talia. He questioned if he worked hard enough to provide for her every need. He questioned if he gave up on his relationship with Wanda too haltingly. Was it his fault Wanda wasn't a bigger part of Talia's life?

He looked down at his daughter. Talia looked just like him: sapphire skin; curly black hair; spaded (but retractable) tail; golden eyes. There were rare moments where Talia would make a face or pose and look like her mother.

"Vati, can we watch a princess movie?" Talia asked. Clarice echoed the idea.

"Ja," Kurt replied as they walked up the stairs. They bounced up and down, but he didn't fuss at them.

Instead, he thought about Wanda. He did give the relationship a try, but they were doomed from the beginning. Wanda's mind was such a mess that it terrified him.

"Kurt," Ororo greeted him at the top of the stairs. Jubilee stood with her, and the girls let go of his hand to greet her. He felt guilty for thinking about Wanda, especially when he had Ororo. "Is there something wrong?"

"I don't vant T.J. to know about zhis. I don't vant…I don't vant her to vatch the news," Kurt said. His voice was shaky. He thought about all the negative things that surrounded the situation. He knew better than to think that way. He needed to pray.

"Okay," Ororo replied. She grabbed his hand, and together they relayed lockdown protocol to the students.

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Captain America pinched his brow. He had called for an evacuation of the tower, and Tony Stark and Dr. Strange were already aware of what had happened. Each was on his way.

Was this his fault? He questioned himself over and over. Clint Barton was dead. How could this have happened?

"Captain," Agent Hill's voice caused him to turn.

"Yes."

"I hate to do this, but I need to ask you and the Wolverine to leave the area," Hill said. Her voice was stern but filled with emotion. She did her best to remain calm, but she was only human. In the inside, she was in turmoil like him. "I have to treat this as a crime scene."

"Of course," Captain America replied. He looked around him. Logan was nowhere in sight. "Has anyone seen the Wolverine?" he asked as another agent walked by him and Hill.

"You mean the short guy with claws?"

"Yeah," Captain America nodded.

"He joined Director Fury in the elevator," the agent said as he returned to his duties.

"Fury arrived at the Avengers Headquarters in Europe this morning," Hill said, privately to him.

"That means Mystique is in the tower," Captain America replied. He couldn't believe he was so stupid to let her slip by him.

"Rogers, we need to talk."

Captain America turned at the sound of his voice. Iron Man was the last person he wanted to see.

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"That phrase could be taken the wrong way," Mystique replied. She pulled out her guns and aimed at him.

"Put the guns away, Raven," Logan said, but she didn't comply. She knew better than to challenge him, but as the elevator ascended, she didn't put the guns down. She wasn't going to let him stop her from her mission. She swallowed; he could smell her fear. "Raven, put the guns down."

"You don't what's going on here, Logan," she said. Her voice was shaky; he wondered if she knew that. "You don't understand."

"Enlighten me, Darlin'," Logan demanded. She lowered the guns and kept her distance. "You've had S.H.I.E.L.D. agents on your every move for weeks. They know you visited Creed. They know you've had sights on this tower. What I don't get is why?"

Mystique held her head high as she spoke. "Destiny."

"What?"

"Destiny…I found a diary or what's left of one in the house…when I went back to get closure," she replied. She leaned against the elevator's wall and holstered her guns. Her eyes glistened as she tried to withhold the tears. She still was in mourning; he could sense it by the way she said her lover's name. "Irene's house was in shambles when I returned to Mississippi. Everything we had together, all our pictures of Rogue—everything was destroyed—but I found this diary.

Logan listened to her as the elevator climbed higher in the tower, but then again, he had some trouble focusing…

"Do you have to leave?" she asked. It was her turn to sit on the edge of his bed, watching him pack. She could have easily reached out her hand and took his, but she didn't.

"I ain't dealing with this nonsense from Stryker no more," he snapped. He didn't care how he packed; he just threw his clothes in a pile in the suitcase.

She got up and walked up behind him, leaning her head on his back and wrapping her arms around him. "So where do you plan to go?"

He turned in her arms. She planned to block his way until he gave her an answer. "Canada," he replied, moving her to the side. He didn't look her in the eye as continued to pack his belongings.

"I'm leaving too," she said. "I'm going to Mississippi…why don't you come with me?"

"You know I can't do that."

"Why not?" she approached him again, and she took the items in his hand and placed them on the dresser.

He only thought of an excuse. "What about your son? Kurt. That's his name, isn't it?"

"I'm going for him. His powers developed," she wrapped her arms around his neck. "He needs a father, James." Perhaps, she was looking for excuses too.

He took her arms from around his neck. He held them in front of his chest. They could settle down together. He didn't care about Creed's reaction. He didn't care about Stryker's threats.

"James, we could be a family," she said. "You, me…we don't have to run anymore. I can have my son back, and we could all be together as a family."

A family is all she ever wanted, but it was something she hadn't achieved. Her son's father left her shortly after she found out she was pregnant. Her marriage to Creed was a disaster; a human son was the final straw. Now, there she was seeking a family with him.

"I'm sorry, Raven," he said, walking away from her.

She never went for Kurt. She returned to Mississippi alone. Irene Adler gave her company. Irene gave her more than anyone else. When Irene died, he offered to help her, but it was her turn to walk away.

"The diary had them dying, Logan," Mystique said. "Four of them dying."

"Why didn't you come to the X-men?" Logan asked. He really wanted to know why she didn't come to him. "Why Creed?"

"Why would any of you have listened?"

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"Tony," Captain America said his name, holding his head high to match Stark's stature. He said Tony, rather than Stark or Iron Man to let him know that he wasn't going to be talked down to. They were both Avengers; they were both equals. Tony Stark was the last person he wanted to see, but the Avenger Tower was part of his many properties. If Big Brother was watching, then so was Tony Stark.

"What happened?" Stark's tone seemed cold, but the man was hurting all the same.

"We're not sure," Captain America replied. "S.H.I.E.L.D. is still investigating."

"Has the tower be evacuated?"

"Of course."

"And the Wolverine."

"We think he ran back inside the tower," Captain American admitted. Logan was proving to be more trouble than expected, but he wasn't going to tell Tony that.

"Great. Just great," Stark replied, stepping out his Iron Man armor. He straightened his suit and tie, and then he placed his sunglasses on and looked up at the tower. "So you're saying you don't know what happened, but you evacuated the tower, and there is an X-man running lose inside."

"We think he was after Mystique," Captain America replied. Afterall, it was the reason they came outside—to apprehend Mystique.

"So Mystique might be in there too," Stark shook his head. He was furious. "Anything else I should know. Perhaps Magneto plans to hold a birthday party and I wasn't on the guest list."

"Clint Barton is dead, and all you can think of is yourself," Captain America said. He wanted to scream, but he wasn't raised that way. He was good man, and maybe Tony was too, but today wasn't the day to play games.

"I am aware," Stark held up his fist and shook it. He looked like an angry father who wanted to spank his child but was holding back. "I wanted the tower evacuated months ago when we lost Vision and Scott Lang. Now Agatha and Clint are dead, within 10 days of each other, and there is an X-man—violating the agreement we have that all Avenger affairs are to be dealt with by Avengers."

"With all due respect, the X-men haven't violated our affairs. They were just looking out for mutant interests—Mystique is a mutant."

"Stop defending them, Cap," Stark snapped. "You spent half the morning leading an X-man in my tower and then you had drinks with him. How do we know the X-men weren't behind this?"

"I was with the Wolverine all morning. I've also been in contact with Beast all morning, and I trust Beast. I know he wouldn't do anything break my trust," Captain America replied. "Besides, Wanda's ex is also an X-man. They respect the agreement. Perhaps, we should do more to respect them."

"They may have your respect, Captain, but not mine, especially what happened with Carol Danvers," Stark steamed. He looked out to the crowd of reporters. "Where is Dr. Strange?"

"He was meditating across town," Captain America informed him. "He's on his way."

"Good," Stark replied. "I've got to deal with these reporters. Try not to screw anything else up, Cap."

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In order to stop smoking for good, you have to quit for a least two full weeks, or that's what Hank lectured him on Friday. Today was day 3, and he needed a cigarette more than ever. Rogue would be arriving at the mansion any minute, and she and Kitty were to report to change into their X-suits immediately. He needed to see her. He needed her faith in him. He was finding it hard not to tear apart the room, looking for a cigar or something to smoke to satisfy his cravings.

Reason to need a cigarette # 2: Stress

"You alright, Gambit?" Iceman asked, as he handed him a bottle of water and pain killers.

Gambit tried not to move too much to increase the pounding in his head. Looking at the tablet to check all the cameras make things worse, and the pain killers he was given weren't going to kick in for another hour. He shouldn't have waited too long to take them, but who would have thought something would happen to stress him out. "Withdrawal headache," he replied, taking the medicine with the water. "I'll be fine. I just need a few minutes."

"Okay," Iceman replied. "Let's get your arm back into a sling before Beast throws a fit."

Gambit placed the tablet on the war room table. He and Storm were to report for X-men duties, but he wasn't sure why. She was pregnant, and he was on medical leave. However, Cyclops insisted they suit up, so there he was in his X-suit, minus the trench coat, with his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend helping him put his arm in a sling.

Reason to need a cigarette # 4: Looking weak in front of girlfriend's ex.

"Merci," Gambit replied.

"No problem," Iceman answered.

There was still an awkwardness between the two of them. Gambit supposed this was how Rogue felt when hearing about BellaDonna.

Reason to need a cigarette # 1: BellaDonna

Gambit took a deep breath. He didn't want to think about BellaDonna or the divorce proceedings. He needed something to clear his head…he needed a cigarette to make everything better. He sat down at the war room table, feeling the shakes come on. He needed to smoke. He needed this head to be foggy. He needed…he needed…

"Remy."

Her voice was like an angel's, but he couldn't look at her. He didn't want her to see him in his weakened state.

"He's having a withdrawal," Iceman said to her.

Rogue walked over to him and stood by his side. He felt her gloved fingers comb through his hair and guide him gently to her. He placed his head against her abdomen, feeling her soft embrace. Her delicate touch eased his pounding head.

XXXXXXXXMENXXXXXXXXXXXX

They were over halfway to their destination. She didn't care about the lights flickering the higher they rose; she just wanted to stop this madness.

"Why would any of you have listened?" Mystique's words came out harsher than intended, but she was mad…mad at all of them. "Why would any of you cared?"

"Damnit, Raven. We do care," Logan growled at her. "The X-men would have helped you."

"Would they, Logan?" Mystique demanded. She knew him enough to know he would do anything for her if she asked…if it meant something to her. He would have helped her with Irene's funeral, but instead, she contended to be alone—alone like he left her that day. "Kurt has his own worries and family, and Rogue insists to be with that damn thief. They don't care about me—"

"They do care, but you don't make it easy on them," Logan argued. "And you still haven't given me a straight answer."

She wasn't sure if she could give him a straight answer. She was angry at her children, but she was furious with him. Why did he have to be so difficult?

She was alone. Victor had left for another mission, and her son was in a circus not knowing how much she cared for him. The other son was adopted by a rich military family in D.C. Irene asked her to come home. There were just so many things spinning in her head. She didn't know what to do or where to go or if anyone cared. Victor trashed the room when he left for good.

"Raven." James' gruff voice echoed throughout the empty apartment. If he sliced the door down, she didn't hear it. "Raven, you still here."

"The bedroom," she said. Her voice was low, but he had heard it.

He peaked in the room; she was sitting on the bed. "How you doing, Darlin'?" he asked as he walked over to her.

"How am I supposed to be?" she replied. He sat down next to her.

He shrugged. "Looks like Victor redecorated."

"Among other things," she said. "Why are you here?"

"I came to check on you. I heard Victor left in a hurry after the adoption," James replied. He placed his hand on her shoulder. He hesitated being affectionate; she wondered if he really knew how. Like Victor, he had a hard time letting love in. The years of war hardened them.

"I'm a failure, James," she cried.

"What the hell you talkin' about, Darlin?" he asked, pulling out a cigar and lighting it. She hated the smell, but she didn't stop him.

"All I wanted was children, and I had two and gave both up. I'm a horrible mother."

"You ain't a horrible mother, Darlin'," James pulled her close to him, and she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"I gave up Graydon, and I threw Kurt off a waterfall," she replied.

He puffed on the cigar a few seconds and then offered, "It's not too late to turn things around with them. Kurt is a teenager or something like that, so why don't you go to him? Introduce yourself. Seek forgiveness. Lord knows we all did some horrible shit in our lives, Raven, but damnit don't let this eat you alive."

He was right. She was letting all the voices in her head take control over her life. They told her all about her faults.

"Look Raven, I can't tell you what you should do, but…" he paused. He wasn't going to say what she wanted. He wasn't going to say that they could be together; she could only hope that. "Change your clothes," he said instead. "Let's go out and celebrate. Me and you…"

"What are we celebrating?" she asked, debating what clothes she wanted to shapeshift into. She could use a change in scenery, and she didn't want to be alone.

"Freedom. After being married to someone like Victor, you could use a few drinks," he replied. He stood up and offered her his hand. His cigar hung partially as he smiled. "Let's drink our cares away."

"You care?"

"More than you know Darlin'."

Mystique hung her head. She never made anything easy on her children. She wondered if they really knew how much she cared about them. Every choice she made, she made for them…but everything was always complicated. She had to do things the hard way. "I never said I was a good mother, but I do love them," she replied.

She looked up as Logan's hardened face softened. He believed, even though he still had a hard time trusting her.

"Destiny's diaries tell the future. I was just following them," she admitted. "When I was younger…before Rogue and even Kurt, I tried to change things, but they only brought pain. I wanted to spare them this pain…"

"When you shut them out, Raven, you're only increasing the pain," Logan replied.

Mystique felt the walls closing in on her. He was right. Damnit. He was right. They reached out, but she pushed them away. She was the source of their pain.

"Raven, I didn't mean—"

Logan didn't get to his point; he didn't comfort her. He couldn't. The elevator stopped on the 66th floor. Like her, he went on guard. The lights flickered one last time, and everything went dark.

XXXXXXXXMENXXXXXXXXXXXX

He walked back to his headquarters after a long day of work. Rebuilding would be difficult, but the volunteers supported his mission. One nation for mutantkind.

But the day wasn't over yet. He still had planning to do for the next day.

That's when he heard the voice of an old friend.

"Erik."

"You know that's not my name, Charles," he replied. He was alone, but he still talked to his friend out loud. He looked at the helmet on the desk in front of him. He didn't have to wear it anymore, not on the island anyway. The island didn't have a telepath, but with the help of Cerebro, Charles Xavier could reach him, if needed.

"Erik, your daughter needs you."

"Charles, I have entrusted Lorna in your care. She doesn't need me now. It is best she doesn't know," he replied, but the words he spoke tugged his heart. Did his daughter need him when she had survived for this long without him? Did any of his children need him?

"This isn't about Lorna, Erik. It's about Wanda."

Wanda. Her name brought up memories of earlier times. Had he have known that Pietro and Wanda were his children in those early brotherhood days, he would have embraced them more. He could have guided them. They would have understood his motives for everything he did. Now, it seemed too late. While a part of Pietro clung to his ideologies, Wanda was a little more distant. Both served with the Avengers—they looked out more for human causes than their mutant brothers and sisters. "She has turned her back on our kind," Magneto answered.

"She's still your daughter, and she needs you."

"Get out of my head, Charles," Magneto fussed. He didn't want to talk about Wanda anymore. "Take care of Lorna for me," he said and placed his helmet on his head.

XXXXXXXXMENXXXXXXXXXXXX

Nightcrawler stepped out of the men's locker room to see Storm in her X-suit. "You're not going on a mission," he blurted. His tone was harsher than expected.

Storm kissed him on the cheek. "I'm just following orders. Cyclops knows I'm pregnant," she said, and they walked to the war room.

She was right. Cyclops knew she was pregnant, and he would never put her in danger. But Nightcrawler was still afraid. No one knew what was going on in New York City at Avenger Tower. To make things worse, Logan's cell phone signal had been spotty since entering the tower.

When they walked in the war room, the motherly instinct took over Storm. "Is he alright, Rogue?" she asked, checking over Gambit.

"He's having a withdrawal headache; this situation isn't helping," Rogue said. "What is going on? Shadowcat and I were listening to the radio on the way home. The city is going crazy."

"I know, Rogue," Storm replied. "No one is really sure."

Storm looked over her shoulder at him. Perhaps she saw him smile for a brief moment. She was a good mother-figure to everyone she encountered; she would be a great mother to the little one she carried. He wanted to wrap her in his arms, but the X-men filled the room. Iceman brought Gambit a cup of expresso. Havok and Polaris followed him in, taking their place across the table from Rogue and Gambit. Cyclops took his place at the head of the table, and the White Queen stood by his side. Emma's all white attire made her the oddball in the room. Beast entered the room, but he had a hard time keeping composure.

The television loomed over them, displaying the scene from the city. Tony Stark walked towards the cameras and began taking questions.

"Cyclops, what is going on?" Havok asked his brother the question everyone had on mind.

Cyclops looked around the room. "Shortly before 12:30, Wolverine and Captain America went to intercept Mystique on route to Avenger Tower. Before they made it out the door, an Avenger plummeted to the ground, dying upon impact. The Captain ordered an evacuation of the tower to make sure everyone else in the tower was safe as S.H.I.E.L.D. began their investigation. Some time in the commotion, the Wolverine ran back into the tower. His cell phone signal has been spotty since reentering the tower, and we cannot pinpoint his location as of yet."

"So our mission is to save Logan?" Iceman asked.

"Professor Xavier called the mission," Cyclops replied. "He's been in Cerebro since Wolverine's last call."

Polaris folded her arms. "So who died this time?"

Beast didn't seem amused by her tone, but he was too broken hearted to snap at her. Nightcrawler felt for the other blue, fuzzy colleague. "Clint Barton."

Storm covered her mouth and hugged him. Nightcrawler couldn't believe it, nor could anyone else. They all knew Clint from his visits to the mansion. If Pietro wasn't available, Clint would join Wanda to pick up Talia for her weekend visits. Clint liked to joke with the students and show off his flawless aim.

Nightcrawler kissed the top of Storm's head and then glanced at the television. "Turn zhat up."

No one argued with him.

"Mr. Stark."

Tony hid his eyes under a pair of sunglasses and strut around in a suit that cost more than what Nightcrawler made a month. The man walked with an air of confidence that made him jealous. Stark seemed untouchable like a god, but he could see the man was hiding his pain. Afterall, Tony Stark was human.

"Mr. Stark, this is the fourth Avenger death."

"So I see the press has learned how to count."

"Mr. Stark, there are reports that one of the X-men have been snooping around the tower."

"I am not of liberty to say."

"Do you know what happened to the Avenger?"

Tony Stark went to answer, but something caught his attention. The camera angled up, revealing a darkening sky. The bright red ring formed above the tower.

"Are you getting this?"

"I see it."

Panic erupted through the crowd of reporters, and the camera man had trouble steadying his camera.

"What is it?"

"It's a portal."

A Chitauri ship emerged from the red ring.

"IT'S AN INVASION!"

Nightcrawler's eyes widened. Everyone was focused on the television as the Chitauri circled around the tower.

Beast said it best: "Oh my stars and garters!"

XXXXXXXXMENXXXXXXXXXXXX

"What the fuck?"

Logan and Mystique stood in the darkness; he dug in his back pocket for his cell phone. Touching the power button on the side lit up the screen. His background wallpaper was a picture of him standing next to Rogue on her graduation day. He knew he had a flashlight app or setting on his cell, but he hated the cell because it made him feel old—he didn't need anymore help with that. Rogue would have laughed at him trying to figure out the cell in the dark.

Mystique, on the other hand, knew what she was doing. She snatched the cell from his hand and effortlessly found the app. The small flashlight lit up the elevator enough to see around. "Honestly, you are as bad as Victor."

"Don't compare him to me," Logan fussed. "They keep making this shit smaller and more complicated and then it breaks before the contract is up."

Mystique smirked. "Are you going to give me a 'they don't make them like they used to' speech?"

Logan rolled his eyes. He fell into that trap. "Shine the light on the doors."

Mystique didn't argue. She aimed the flashlight towards the elevator doors, so he could pry them open with his claws. "That's a good picture of you and Rogue."

"Yeah well," he said prying the doors open. They were halfway between the 66th and 67th floor. There was a small gap with easy access to the 67th floor. "I was proud of her. She worked hard to graduate on track after running away from that father of hers. She completed extra classes each semester and a few in the summer. Not many kids have that drive to succeed."

"Rogue has always been smarter than she gives herself credit," Mystique said. "She's just not that smart when choosing a boyfriend."

"The Cajun ain't that bad," Logan admitted. He looked at the gap again. If he could fit through it, then Mystique could too. "It was a shitty thing to step him up like that…you know Creed nearly killed him."

"What a shame…" she sighed. "You don't know Gambit as much as you think you do. The man's got a darker side. Rogue shouldn't be involved with him; I'm surprised you even let her date him."

Logan grunted. "Rogue's tough—tougher than most people I know. I talked her about it, if that makes you feel any better. There's no letting Rogue do anything; she makes it clear that she doesn't need anyone's permission."

"She's stubborn."

"She gets that from you."

The flashlight outline some of her facial features. She was trying not to smile when she asked, "Who says she gets her stubborn attitude from me?"

Logan raised an eyebrow. "Who else would she get it from?" He knew the answer to that.

"I can imagine," Mystique said. She was closer to him now. Just minutes ago, she was ready to shoot him, and now she pressed her body against him. "You going to help me out?"

"No way I'm letting you out first," Logan said, taking the lead. He pulled himself up and slipped out the gap and onto the 67th floor. Emergency lights lit up the hallway enough for him to see. He could have just left her trapped in the elevator, but God help him when she did get out. "Give me your hand, Darlin'," he said.

She complied, and he pulled her up. "We need to get to the stairs," she said.

Logan grunted. She may have been Kurt's mother, but it was clear Kurt didn't get his politeness from her. "You know you could say thank you," he said, following her down the hallway. "My phone."

She handed it to him, and he placed it in his pocket.

"Where are we going?"

"Seventieth floor," she replied. She never looked back or asked him to continue following her, yet he did.

"Seventieth?" Logan repeated. He didn't understand what she was doing in the tower. Barton was dead, and Creed was in prison. Why was she insistent in being in the tower? What was she after? What was she following in the diary? "Raven," he grabbed her by the arm, turning her to face him. "I want answers. You were talking about four Avengers dying."

"I didn't know who killed them until the last minute," she admitted. He could sense she wasn't lying. She had no reason to.

"Who killed them?"

"The Scarlet Witch."

XXXXXXXXMENXXXXXXXXXXXX

Stark's games with reporters could be fun to watch. He liked to tease them and surprise them. Today was no different, but Captain America wasn't in the mood to be amused.

"Captain, I need to you clear scene," Agent Hill said. She seemed to understand the inner turmoil he was going through, but her training kept her outside appearance hardened.

"Sure," Captain America said. His shield felt like a weight. He and Logan were ready to apprehend Mystique when it happened, and now Logan and Mystique were somewhere in the tower. It just him and his shield. "Hill, can I ask you something?"

"What do you need, Captain?"

"Clint's brother, Barney. Can you find that information for me?" Captain America asked. "Clint had Fury keep that information private, but I…"

"I'll take care of it."

"Thanks, Hi—"

Captain America paused and looked up the sky. It was the afternoon, but the sky darkened at a pace that was too fast for a rainstorm. Above them—over the tower—a red ring formed. Then, it widened, and Chitauri war ships emerged.

The Chitauri's skeleton-like faces gave the Avengers nightmares. Captain America looked around at his surroundings. Stark's suit flew too him, and Hill ordered the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to be ready for incoming alien invaders.

But they were no match for them. He did what he never wanted to do—he called a code white.

XXXXXXXXMENXXXXXXXXXXXX

Rogue stared at the screen. She, like the rest of the X-men, were hypnotized until Beast belted out, "Oh my stars and garters!"

The sky opened up, and screams echoed over the television speakers. Three more Chitauri ships emerged from the red ring in the sky, and then individual Chitiauri jumped from the ships, clinging to the tower. Tony Stark's Iron Man suit engulfed him, and he, Captain America, and agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. began fighting.

"What's going on there?"

Gambit looked up and held Rogue's hand. "Chere, I got a headache, but am I seeing what I t'ink?"

"Yeah, Sugah," Rogue replied. She was afraid; they all were. Yet, as X-men, they did their best not to display all their fears. An enemy could use fear against them.

Beast's cell phone blared. He looked down at the phone. "Code White."

"What does that mean?"

"Emergency—All Avengers Assemble."

"Cyclops, we are waiting for your orders," Storm said. Her voice was shaky; it surprised Rogue. "What does Xavier want us to do?"

"We're going to help them," Xavier said. His voice caused everyone to turn their heads towards the doorway to the war room. He sat in his wheelchair at the other head of the table, and like his X-men, he had suited up. "The Avengers cannot do this alone, and Wolverine and Mystique are in grave danger."

"What are your orders, Professor?" Cyclops asked.

"I want Storm and Gambit to maintain the Control Center from the mansion," he said, turning to the two of them. "Gambit, you need to sync the x-jet to the Control Center, so you can operate the drone when we get to the tower. I also want all body cams on our suits activated, and if possible, I want you to tap into any cameras in an around the tower. Storm will be assisting you in this endeavor, as the two of you will also be monitoring the mansion."

"Yes, Sir."

"Cyclops and Nightcrawler, you two will be flying the X-jet. Beast, I need to communicate with the Avengers if possible, and of course, Emma, I want you to do the same with S.H.I.E.L.D. The more we know what we are encountering, the more we can be of assistance," Xavier said. "Rogue and Nightcrawler, you will enter the tower to retrieve Wolverine and Mystique as quickly as possible. Havok, you need to be ready to take over the jet. Shadowcat, Iceman, and Polaris, the three of you will receive transmissions from Gambit and Storm as well as anything we can thru the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. Any question?"

"Who are we up against, Professor?" Rogue asked.

"Wanda Maximoff."

XXXXXXXXMENXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Mutter," William said.

"Mutter," Thomas echoed.

Wanda was on her knees, staring at the hole Clint's body made when she pushed him out the window. He was her friend; she killed her friend.

"Mutter, you need to stand," William said, as he and his twin helped her stand. "Everything is going to be alright."

"We're here. No one will take us from you," Thomas added.

Wanda smiled. They would come for them. They would come for her.

They would come to take them away from her.

And they would pay…

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I was so happy to see the new ad for the new Disney+ shows. WandaVision looks awesome! I cannot wait to see how everything plays out.