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The x men sat in the vast living room of Lily's house. The walls were made of mahogany. The double front doors was on one side of the room, opposite the large double doors that lead to the hall. There was a large gold, red and antique brown area rug covering the hard wood floor. There were two sofas and five chairs that all matched. They formed a semi-circle around a semi-circle coffee table and were facing a fireplace. Above the fireplace mantel, which was about four feet high, was a flat screen tv hanging on the wall. A VCR was placed on the mantel and was surrounded by pictures and a few candles on either side. Charles adored some of the many paintings hanging on the walls.
Everyone was seated and was taking sips of their tea or water and munching on snacks that were placed on the coffee table. A conversation, mostly between Professor and Lily was going on. Scott was listening and would join in. Logan just sat and watched. On the coffee table a chess game between Terri and Trey was going on and the rest of the kids were talking with each other.
The children were taken by an anti mutant group. One of her friends had gotten away and came here. He told us about the men chasing them and I searched for the minds of the boy had described. Terri was beaten up badly when she was captured. She finally fell unconscious when she got distracted and was hit with the but of a gun. When Terri woke up she was taken to a room where she was cut with a knife, leaving scars along her body. Then she was rapped by one of the men. informed the Professor.
My goodness. How do you know this? Lily said.
I am a telepath. While Terri was unconscious I went into her mind and scanned her brain for what happened. Lily she is disturbed by this deeply. She needs help to deal with it.
Lily looked in Terri's direction and heard the girl laughing. She wished she could see her face to know what Terri's eyes showed. was she happy? or was it a cover up? She seems happy, but i'm no psychologist. She is good at hiding her feelings. I know that much.
Then Scott spoke. She's burrying her pain inside her. She was rapped and she's trying to act as if it doesn't bother her. We would like to offer our help to her. We could help her deal with it. We could even help her and her friends practice and gain more control of their powers. You could come see them of course, infact you caould stay at the mansion too if you like.
Lily sat quietly for a minute. If any of the children say that they don't mind going then feel free to take them. This includes Terri. As for me, I perfer to sat here. I'm an old woman and I like quiet once in a while. But leave your number and address so I know where to go and who to call incase of emergency.
Xavier nodded his bald head. Professor, I am also worried about my other students.They haven't come back now. I thought they went out for a run like they do every morning. That was yesterday morning.
I'll find them I promise. Until then keep in touch. Charles had written down the schools address and phone number and handed it to Lily.
The three adults then spoke to the kids and told them that if they wish they coulld stay with the Professor as long as they want while the Professor looks for they other kids. All the kids agreed to go and were given time to pack some clothes. While they were packing two adults came inthrough the front door with two little kids in their arms. The kids jumped down and began to run to the rugg to play fight. The adults noticed Xavier and Scott sitting on the couch and Logan in a chair. Hey Lily we're home. We have guests. said the female. She had Brownish red hair and two tone eyes; one green one blue. She smiled kindly at the visitors. The man had maroon hair styled into spikes and his ead eyes were tough looking. Where his eye brows would be were scales. They extended from the top of the eyes upward at 45 degree angle and faded quickly into the skin. Lily smiled, Professor, Logan, Mr Summers, this is Carmen Davison our doctor here. She also teaches science and math to the kids here. The gentle man is Drake Anderson, also called Dragonfire. He does exercising, Literature and history. I used to do most self defense, but now Drake does that. The people shook hands with everyone. Lily then lookied to where she heard the kids playing. They are the two youngest kids. The girl is Samara Pearson. We call her little SeaAngel because of her swimming abilities and her fish like characteristics. We think she'll be able to control water when she's older. She's only 4 right now. The boy is a little younger. He's 2 and his name is Bryan Brite. He already has some power in his mutation. He screems and it creates sonic waves and he has increased hearing. We call him Sonic. Bryan looked normal with bright blond hair except for the silver and one dark blue eye. The children stopped playing when their names were mentioned and smiled up at Lily. Kids guess who's back. Terri's... she was about to say up in her room but Terri had just come down, ...coming down staris. The children turned and ran to her knocking her down. She sat at the bottem of the stairs in the hall laughing as the children hugged her.
Fond of her huh? Scott said. Logan rolled his eyes.
Where you goin' Terri? said Bryan. I'm visiting Xavier's school. I won't be goon long. You two stay here. I'll call ok? and I'll see if you two can visit. Terri hugged Samara and kissed Bryan on the forehead lovingly. The rest of the kids were coming down stairs and everyone filed into the living room. We're ready.
Then lets be on our way. Xavier thanked Lily for her hospitality and everyone went outside. Lily, Carmen, Drake, Bryan, and Samara stopped on the porch while the others loaded the van. They waved good bye to eachother and the van drove off.
In the van Terri was thinking about what had happened to her. She wouldn't let anyone see she was hurting so she began to tell some jokes and humerous stories for the hour drive to Westchester. Only her friends thought she was ok, then again they knew nothing of the rape. they only knew of the torture. Xavier , Scott, and Logan all worried but laughed at the jokes anyway. They wouldn't push her to talk about it yet, but they'd have push a little bit soon. It wasn't healthy for her to do this. They had to help her.
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Mystique was getting Aurora, Rebecca, Jason and Annah fitted into a suit made for their powers. They were gonna practice fighting in them while Mystique, Sabertooth, and Toad went to take care of a few things. Magnetos voice boomed from above. Mystique, the others are ready. Hurry up. She nodded and left the room. She tld them to work out for an hour then have dinner then to work out for two hours. After that they were to go to bed. She would be back later.
Mystique came to the helicopter and hoped hin. Toad nodded. Lets head toward the woods. When we get there Creed'll point out the house, then we'll go in. Toad nodded as the Helicoptor took off. Sabertooth, gets to do what he does best. At this Sabertooth grinned a vicious grin. But not to the kids, got it? We need them as bait.
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It was Terri's first night at the mansion. They were all put into rooms. Terri was put into a smaller room ment for only one person. Fern and Trey had a room down the hall in the girls wing. Kowin and Jerel were in another room in the boys wing. Her room wasn't far from the adults rooms. She didn't know why they put her room so close.Terri went to bed early that night. She was tired and after dinner she excused herself, said good night, and went up stairs. She caught the eye of the Professor, who seemed slightly worried, but she ignored it and continued up stairs.
Terri's peaceful sleep was interrupted late during that night by nightmares. She trashed abotu in bed. She began to scream, No! NO! sweat began to trickle down her face and it mixed with the tears. The door slammed open and Scott and Logan came in. Ororo and the Professor followed. Jean came last. Some kids from nearby rooms crowded the doors and Beast stood in the doorway and told them to go back to bed.
Terri was still screaming and trashing. Charles came up and put his hands on her head. He reached out his mind to see what her dream was about. He saw pictures and feelings. Feelings of pain, shame, hurt, hatred, and fear. He saw pictures of a man with a dagger. The dagger dragged against her skin. Red. He saw drops of blood flow along her body. He saw him touching her. She was trying to get away. The man then removed his clothes and began to rape her. Charles was disgusted. How could this happen to her? He began to slip out of her mind but then her mind switched to something else. It was another man. They were in an alley. He held a dagger to her throat and was raping her. She looked younger, fourteen maybejust a little younger. The man got up when he was done and spit on her. Mutie Slut he said with a grin. He took the dagger and sliced her wrist. She was crying now from the pain. Xavier could hear her promising her self never again. Charles thought it was over but another memory came. This time the girl looked about the same except for the bulge in her stomach. She was pregnant, but not for long. She was giving birth. She laid back against the pillows and a woman came up and told her to push. Th ewoman looked familiar. Charles relized it was Lily. Time pased quickly in the dream and Xavier stood watching Terri hold her new baby boy. The boy had one dark blue eye and one silver eye. He had just a little tuff of blond hair. One word escaped Both the Professor's and Terri's lips; Bryan. Then she said, my strength , my love, my hope, my life. She then let Lily take the child and she laid down to sleep.
Xavier pulled from the dream. Terri had settled down and was sleeping peacefuly. It's ok, she'll be fine right now. Go back to bed. I'll stay. he whispered. The other X men wished him good night and they went back to bed. Xavier sat watching Terri. So she had a son. Was he from the second rape that he just witnessed? He hoped she'd talk to him. He didn'twant her to suffer with these things bottled up inside. He'd talk to her tomarrow.
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It was night time and Lily was having a bad feeling. It was 1:32am and she was up in the living room. she heard a twig snap and her head jolted up to listen. she pulled her self out of the chair and walked toward the window. All of a sudden the glass crashed and Lily felt something speed at her. She dove and stuck her cane high in the air to help flip whoever it was over her. She heard a growl and she smelt something feline covered in many furs. She couldn't see him but she could hear and smell him. Her nose picked up another smell, and another. One was female the other male. Take care of her Toad. Sabertooth, you come with me. There are two others here and they're younger. said the female voice. Lily screamed for Carmen and Drake to wake up and get the children out of here. She got ready to fight as quick as possible becasue she heard the other two going up the stairs.
Upstairs Carmen went to get the kids and Drake turned into a dragon, which his powers allowed. He surprised the two coming upstairs. His claws began to scratch the big cat man. The man took his own large clawed had and one easy swipe tore a large hole in the leathery wings. The man cried out in pain and fell. Sabertooth was beating him down. Drake was putting up a fight, spitting fire and burning the continually healing fur and skin. Mystique had slipped into the childrens room to be greeted by a chair on her back. She got up from the floor and swung around to hit the woman across the face with her feet. Mystique popped her knuckles and slammed her fist into the womans gut. Carmen keeled over then swept Mystique with her left foot. They both got up quickly but Mystique did a final blow into Carmen's face knocking her into unconsciousness. Sabertooth had just finished with the man, who was bleeding heavily and his breath was very weak. his wings were torn. Mystique grabbed each child and covered their mouths with a napkin she remembered to prepare and bring with her. When she came into the hall she gave Sabertooth the two children to carry and they went downstairs. Lily was beating the shit out of Toad. Toad forget her, come on, Toad lept out the window to the helicopter. Lily raced to where she heard voices. Sabertooth hurried out the door to let Mystique fight this. Mystique jumped in the air andknocked Lily back. Lily got back up and punched her enemy in the stomach. She found a pressure point in the back of theknee and pressed. Mystique fell and Lily grabbed another pressure point in the wrist then clawed her face leaving a long deep cut on her cheek. Mystique was mad. Mystique lashed out with the other hand a scratched Lily with her nails. Lily had blood running down her face.Mystique kicked Lily several times in the stomach. Lily cried out when on of her ribs cracked. Mystique spun the old woman by the armup in the air and twisted it until it snapped. Lily screamed.
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Terri jerked in her sleep. Xavier looked at her curiously.
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Mystique then clawed the woman's frail stomach, leaving deep gashes along her stomach. Mystique then picked up the frail body and tossed it against the wall. The body landed on her ankle turned sideways, cracking the bone. Lily blacked out from the surege of pain through her body.
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Terri jolted up in bed screaming Lily's name.
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Mystique dived to dodge Carmen, now awake. Carmen was foolish and came at her. Mystique grabbed her and threw her into a wall. When she tried to get up Mystique tossed her through the window. That caused Carmen to black out again. Mystique loaded the helicopter and it took off. Magneto would be happy.
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Calm down Terri, it was just a dream. Shhhh... Professor soothed.
No, it wasn't. I don't know what but somethings wrong, Professor. I felt like Lily was hurt. Somethngs not right. Please Professor... God I felt her pain, she's hurt. She needs help or she'll die. she brokedown crying. The Professor's face was worried. He placed a hand on her shoulder and she cried on his shoulder. His arms wrapped around her.
It's okay. We'll help her. Shhhh. The Professor mentally woke Jean and told her to be ready in the morning with Scott Logan and Ororo and to get a suit for Terri to wear. They were going to make sure Lily and the others were safe.
Terri soon cried herself to sleep and Xavier placed her back down on the bed. He rolled out of the room and let her sleep. She slept peacefully the rest of the night.
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Terri awoke the next morning to find Xavier sitting next to her bed. She shut her eyes and sniffed the air. She could smell blueberry muffins and fresh fruits. She opened her eyes again to see the Professor smiling at her. She smiled back and sat up slowly to stretch. she swung her legs off the bedand looked st the Professor. Good morning. he smiled. She tried to but failed. Terri we're gonna help your familyy but please eat this morning. I'd like you to come along with the X men when we visit your home, but eat something first. She nodded and the got up and walked to a table that was set with two plates and a small bowl of fruit, a plate with four muffins, two large glasses (one with Orange juice the other with milk), and two smaller glasses. Utensils and butter were also there.
They both sat down and ate quietly for a few minutes. The professor broke the silence. Terri how long have you known Lily? You seem close.
Yeah, ive known her for seven years. She means a lot to me. She's like the mother I never had. My mom had died when I was born. I was raised by my brothers and father. for three years until my father started to drink again. He...he became abusive mostly to my brothers. Once he hit me. That's when my eldest brother told authorities of the abuse. We were sent to orphanages. I was adopted but I ran when I was eight.
And then when you were nine, Lily found you.
They sat in quiet for a little while. They finished their breakfeast quickly and headed down to the lower levels. Terri the X men are going to wear their fighting suits just in case. I am sorry, but I went into your mind to retrieve some info. I wanted to see what type of suit you'd like best and I had Jean put to gether this outfit. I hope you like it. Xavier then hit a button and part of the wall slid away leeaving an inner chamber visible. In side the chamber was a suit on display. There was a pair of black leather pants with a silver buckled black belt For a shirt there was a tight white and black diagonally striped sleeveless shirt made out of a tough but soft material that Terri had never seen. A long black trench coat hung around the rest of the outfit. There were black tipless gloves, like biker gloves and a pair of shin high black boots. Terri picked one boot up and saw on the inside was a slot on the outside of the boot which held a dagger. Terri froze at the dagger. She remembered the dagger that drew blood from her body. The dagger that was held by a man who raped her. She didn't realize she'd dropped that boot. She shook herself and picked it back up. I'm sorry is there something wrong? asked the professor. He was worried, she could tell. No, nothing, she replied. its fine, really. I love it. She smiled at the Professor.
He nodded. I'll leave so you can change. Jean will be right back and she'll get you. I'll see you when you get back. Oh and Terri. I hope you and your friends are enjoying your stay. If there is anything I can do, or if you just need someone to talk to anyone here will listen.
I understand Professor. Thank You. I know who to go to when I need to talk. She smiled warmly at him before he exited. She then proceeded to put on her out fit and wait for Jean.
On the jet Terri wrigled, trying to get used to the shirt. It was comfortable but different. Logan, Scott, Ororo , and Jean were all especially nice to her. She wondered why. She just shrugged it off. She also noticed the looks from Logan and Scott when they saw the daggers in her boots. Scott was probably saying, she's to young to cary those' but logan probably said, hah! I got six daggers made of adantium. don't you feel bade.'
The arrived at the school in less than ten minutes. Terri knew something was wrong. Windows on the bottem floor were broken. Terri rushed from the Jet when it had landed. She kept her eyes and ears alert. She caught the scent of blood. She ran to the side before the X men stopped her. she whispered. she knelt down and patted her friends face. wake up. Come on. Carmen slowly opened her eyes. She was weak. She only said one word. Lily. Terri kissed the womans forehead and jumped throught the broken window. Terri was horrified at what she saw. So were the other X men when they came up from behind her. Lily lay next to the wall with her ankle twisted beneath her and blood was around the frail body. Terri ran next to her. Lily come on, get up. Wake up. Lily's eyes opened into two slits zand was releaved to find her little angels face.
Terri, the kids, a big cat man and small green man. A blue woman took them. I tried, so didDrake...and Carmen. Too strong. I'm not strong, Terri I'm...I'm sorry.' Her breathing was labored and were coming slower.
It's ok, we'll get them back, just hold on.
Can't. Drake upstairs check him. Logan nodded when he heard this and went upstairs. Terri, I can't make it, too old, frail...for that beating.
No you gonna hold on. Terri was now in tears.
Lily tore off necklace and gave it to Terri. Take it and remeber me...tell chilfren I love them... I... I love you...my...little cub...my blackwolf. With that Lily took her last breath. Logan, who just came down with a weak Drake over his shoulders witnessed the first time he'd seen Terri cry while she was awake. not another thing to bottle up' he thought. Terri cried onto Lily's deceased body. She'd lost her only mother. She barely felt the fingers of Ororo's hands help to the blackbird, nor did she see Drake and Carmen taken onto the jet, followed by Lily's limp body. She just cried. Jean sat next to her and she cried more. She knew she had to get her son back now, and Samara. She wouldn't let anyone harm them.
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Mission accomplished, sir, Mystique said laying the boy and girl down onto the soft beds of the fancy cell. She came out and locked the door.
Remember, Mystique, we need the rest of the kids if we plan to destroy Xavier and his team. How are the kids doing? Magneto said.
Excellent. I've never seen such skilled fighters. Lily taught them well. She and Drake anyway. Too bad she didn't join. She could have done us well. She's probably dead now. But that will lower that one girls hope. She was close to that woman. She's close to th boy two. she said with a grin.
Magneto curious asked, How close?
He's her son.
He grinned, the others seem to follow her lead. Just try and get her to believe we are the good side' alright? the others will follow. She nodded.
