VivaGlam's latest ficlet is up on the page (sorciere.freeservers.com / journey / index.html) - 'Malevolent Enmity', a rather dark Zach and Laetitia centric piece. Go read ^^

A/N 1: You know the drill - ideas for fic and character development, questions, plotbunnies, suggestions, flames, character pictures, ficlets, corrections, additions, comments, and everything in between can be mailed to hack_heaven@usa.net.

A/N 2: SilentPegasus: *smirk* Of course I put Jhonen with Ben and Ryan - I need him alive later *eg*

Archangel: Oh, the Unholy Trinity will get to have fun later *vague gesture in the direction of the future plotlines*

Italics indicates thoughts/telepathy

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Chapter Fifty-Two: A Foundation of Distrust

* * *

She had a hangover. Funny...she didn't remember being out drinking.

Pheonix frowned, trying to remember what had happened, but her memories seemed strangely distant. Every time she almost caught one of those elusive memories, it seemed to seep through her mental fingers before she could take a good look at it. She frowned...it didn't feel right. The one time she'd ever drunk enough to forget what she'd been doing the night before, the feeling had been different. It had been a black void, completely devoid of memories, while this...

No...something was wrong.

Slowly, painfully slowly, Pheonix managed to sit up, desperately wishing for a painkiller to take away the hangover. She took a moment to let the headache diminish a bit, then opened her eyes, ready to close them again if the light was too strong.

Bare walls. Bare, gray walls. Bare, gray walls that looked suspiciously like-

- A cell? What the fuck?!

A surge of adrenaline cleared her mind of the grogginess, and the events in Chicago returned to her with frightening clarity - the checkpoint, their attempts to get away, the standoff in the warehouse, the needle in her arm-

Fuck!

She looked around, hoping to find her teammates somewhere, and found Hal lying unconscious next to her.

"Hal?" she asked worried and nudged the girl. "Hal!"

The young albino moved slightly and mumbled something incoherently, and Pheonix let go. The older girl seemed to be okay - she was probably just still influenced by the drugs, Pheonix decided.

A faint sound made her spin around, suppressing a whimper as the headache returned with a vengeance.

"Who-" Pheonix stopped abruptly as she realized whom one of her other cellmates were. No - this was impossible. It couldn't be- "*Pandora*? What the fuck?!" she asked disbelieving.

Diana blinked once, then twice, trying to clear her mind as she slowly sat up. The voice sounded familiar, but she was still too groggy to recall where she knew it from. Diana forced aside her discomfort and looked at the disbelieving girl, feeling her eyes widen in confusion.

"Pheonix..." she whispered, watching the other mutant carefully. She tried to get a feeling for Pheonix' thoughts through her powers, but the only result was pain as the last traces of the drugs did their job. Diana suppressed her whimper, refusing to let the other mutant see her weak.

For a long time the two just watched each other, both waiting for the pain to disappear, both uncertain, worried, and more than a bit distrustful, both unwilling to make the first move.

Oddly, Diana found that she couldn't bring herself to hating Pheonix and Hal despite of what had happened. She had been thinking about things for a while and had realized something: Deirdre had said that it had been Blade, Nike, Melee, and Jhonen behind Prue's murder - she hadn't mentioned anything about the rest of the Shadow Alliance. Knowing Blade and Nike, it was quite likely that none of the other members of the team knew what had happened. And Pheonix' behavior only served to make that theory all the more likely - with the help of Ryan, Diana had once had the chance to take a brief look at Pheonix' mind, and had found herself pleasantly surprised. Deep down, Pheonix was a good kid - she had a heart, she had a conscience, she could feel guilt...she wasn't the kind of girl who could help kill an innocent person, and then act so calmly around one of the victim's friends.

They didn't tell you, did they? Diana asked silently, but of course there was no reply from Pheonix. Their powers were useless here - there was no way she could have heard the whispered thought.

Finally Diana had had enough of the silence and steeled her resolve. She was the second in command of the Guardians, and it was about time she started to act like it.

"Where did they capture you?" she asked, deliberately making her voice as neutral as possible to avoid provoking the younger girl.

"Who?" Pheonix asked. She already knew the answer, of course - her only reason for asking was to avoid giving up any information herself.

"The FoH," Diana replied, playing along, and decided to add a bit more in the hopes of getting Pheonix to open op. "They caught us by one of the checkpoints in Chicago, so I suspect that this is an internment camp of some sort."

Pheonix nodded slowly, filing the information away for a possible future use. Diana raised an eyebrow, waiting for Pheonix' reply, and the dark-skinned girl sighed. Oh, well - it wasn't like Diana could actually use the information for anything, and they were in the same situation now, anyway.

"They cornered us in the industrial part of town," Pheonix said, her voice becoming angrier as she explained what had happened. "We noticed the checkpoints and tried to get out another way, but the assholes hunted us down like some goddamn animals."

A long moment of silence where the two just watched each other suspiciously, then Diana sighed.

"There really isn't much use in holding old grudges right now, is there?" she commented.

Pheonix' eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Much as she hated to admit it, Diana had a point. They were locked in a cell that belonged to the fucking FoH - they had more than enough problems without adding team loyalties to the list

"Got any suggestions?" she asked, already suspecting where the older Guardian was going.

"Yes...a truce. Let's forget about politics, at least until we're out of here. If we want to escape, we have to work together," Diana explained, carefully watching Pheonix' reaction.

"A truce?" Pheonix repeated.

"Yes. I'm willing to put aside our old grudges if you and Hal are, too," Diana said, her voice leaving no doubt about the seriousness of the suggestion. "West won't like it after what happened, but I think he'll be able to accept it."

"Who's West? And what do you mean, after what happened? What the fuck are you talking about?!" Pheonix demanded.

"West is the boy over there," Diana explained, motioning towards the unconscious Guardian. "And he's the newest member of our team."

Pheonix didn't reply, and Diana sighed.

"And the other thing...I'm afraid that Blade and Nike have been keeping secrets from you..."

* * *

Slowly, reluctantly, Kyle's mind fought its way out of the darkness that engulfed it, and made its owner aware of the pain in his body. Kyle groaned and for a moment he just lay on the floor, silently praying for the pain to go away. There was no such luck, though, and Kyle sighed, slowly opening his eyes.

An unmoving figure close to him was the first thing that caught his attention, and his eyes widened as he recognized Suzuka's characteristic black and golden hair. Pushing aside his discomfort, Kyle made his way to Suzuka and quickly checked the girl. Strong, steady pulse, no visible bruises...physically, she seemed to be okay. Kyle sighed in relief and slowly got up on his feet, supporting himself again the wall. The cell was almost completely silent - soundproof, probably - and it was a true blessing to Kyle's aching head. He stood there, feeling the headache fade away ever so slowly, when-

"Hello, Sanderson."

What?!

The voice made Kyle spin around, barely noticing the pain that accompanied the motion. Adrenaline kicked into his system as every instinct in his body screamed at him in a desperate attempt to warn him of the sudden danger, but it was a waste of energy - Kyle already knew that voice all too well.

Like some twisted nightmare, he found Blade leaning causally against the wall next to the bulk where the still-unconscious Jordane was resting.

He reacted instinctively, determined to incapacitate Blade before the older mutant had a chance to do anything, but the only result was a stab of pain in Kyle's mind as the remains of the drugs kicked in. Kyle gasped at the sudden pain, and Blade smirked, taking a step away from Jordane's unmoving shape.

"I'm afraid you can't use your powers here," he remarked with a hint of smug amusement, earning a glare from Kyle.

For a long moment there was only silence as they watched each other carefully, sizing up the potential threat the other might pose, and Kyle became painfully aware of the bad situation his lack of powers had put him in. If he'd still had his powers at his disposal, there was no doubt that he would have had the upper hand, but in this case...no. Kyle wasn't sure how many of Blade's fighting skills that could be contributed to his mutation, but he didn't want to find out.

Blade arched an eyebrow, confident in his abilities, and silently dared Kyle to try something - anything at all. Kyle eyed him warily, ready to defend himself if needed by, then frowned as he realized something - Blade had yet to make any threatening moves.

It didn't make sense - Kyle knew Blade, and knew that the older mutant preferred to attack rather than be attacked. He had to be planning something; there was no other explanation. Determined not to let down his defenses, Kyle watched his cellmate carefully, searching for any sign of an impending attack.

"Where are we?"

Brief, sharp question, and hopefully one Blade knew the answer to. Kyle had his suspicious about the cell, but he wanted them confirmed.

"An internment camp, I believe. This cell doesn't look like a part of a normal prison." Tense muscles, eyes carefully watching Kyle, but there was still no sign of real danger just yet.

"Why am I not surprised that you know how a prison looks from the inside?" Kyle asked acidly, smirking slightly as Blade's eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"Unlike certain other people, I haven't made a habit of being caught in drug raids," the other mutant replied coldly.

Kyle frowned, his mind still not working at full speed. How did he...?

And suddenly the answer became all too clear. Realization dawned in Kyle's eyes, and Blade smiled, a hint of cruelty shining through.

"Yes...Jhonen. After that little incident with Twilight, he was more than willing to tell us what we wanted to know."

"What did you do to him?" Kyle demanded, his voice every bit as cold and unyielding as Blade's.

Another smirk, the older mutant obviously enjoying the situation he'd put Kyle in.

"We didn't do much...we just offered him what he really wanted," Blade replied, every word taunting Kyle, reminding him of the young boy they'd failed to protect. "Power. Control. Freedom. Everything you failed to give him."

Kyle clenched his fists, refusing to let Blade's mocking words get to him. "Freedom?" he repeated. "Yeah, the freedom to get himself killed!"

"We all die eventually." A shrug, empathizing the indifference of the words, then followed by a more biting tone. "But unlike you, we won't ask him to die for the species that wants us dead."

"We're not dead yet, aren't we?" Kyle bit back.

"Key word being 'yet'." The reply came only fragments of a second later, as Blade had already anticipated Kyle's argument. "Make no mistake, Sanderson - if we don't get out, they'll execute all of us."

"They wouldn't be able to keep it a secret from the media, and the public would never allow the government to get away with that," Kyle argued, feeling the first hints of doubt enter his mind. No, he didn't trust Blade, not by a long shot, but the older mutant had a point. It was limited how long you could keep hundreds of thousands of mutants imprisoned. What had the government planned? Lock up the cells, toss away the key, and keep them trapped for the rest of their natural lives? Not likely.

"The media will lose interest," Blade replied, his voice reflecting the ruthlessness of the words. "And when they do, we'll all be victims in an unfortunate prison riot."

"You're paranoid!" Kyle snapped. "They'd never be able to get away with that."

"They already have!" Blade growled, finally losing his temper. "I know, because I've helped them stage it once!"

Kyle's eyes widened in shock, his mind desperately trying to keep up with the information it received.

"You *helped* the government kill our own kind?!" he demanded, angry and disbelieving. "How the hell could you do that?!"

A chilling smile, sending shivers down Kyle's spine.

"Actually, it was human criminals that got killed in that case. I found it rather enjoyable."

Kyle closed his eyes briefly, feeling vaguely nauseated at the cold remark. The man was insane, there was no other word for it. Christ...with Blade as their boss, no wonder the other members of the Shadow Alliance were twisted.

"You're sick," Kyle replied, half disgusted, half morbidly fascinated by the other man.

"Of course. It's the only way to survive in this world," Blade replied with a smirk, well aware of the effect his words had had on Kyle. The Guardians' reaction to him rarely failed to amuse him - so determined to stop him. So righteous in their anger. So worried about his next move. So afraid of what one man could do.

Amusing, yes, but in this case it could also prove to be an unwanted problem. They were stuck together in this cell, powerless and in the hands of the military. Getting into a fight with Kyle was something he did not need. It wasn't that he was afraid of his own safety - if it really came to a fight he was confident in his ability to win - it was more the fact that he didn't want to do the humans' dirty work for them by killing Kyle...accidentally or not.

There was no reply from Kyle, and Blade's eyes narrowed, watching the other thoughtfully. Kyle noticed Blade's sudden interest and tensed, expecting the worst, but the only reaction from Blade was a faint, smug grin.

"Relax, Sanderson. If I wanted to attack you, I would have done so by now," he remarked, still watching his cellmate carefully.

"So you're telling me that you won't attack me?" Kyle asked and glared at Blade. "Somehow, I don't believe you."

Blade smirked. "Actually, I have a suggestion for you." Kyle didn't reply, and Blade continued. "A temporary truce, just until we get out of here. And once we escape, you and your team can continue your futile crusade, if you want to."

Kyle laughed briefly, not believing what he'd just heard.

"A truce? *You*, of all people, are suggesting a truce? Forget whatever games you're playing, Blade. I'm not stupid."

"No games," Blade replied and shrugged. "I just don't want to give the humans the satisfaction of seeing us fight among ourselves. And think about it, Sanderson. You have everything to win, and nothing to lose."

"Except my life," Kyle replied acidly.

"I don't think you got my point," Blade said, and this time there was a hint of threat in his voice. "If you want to fight, we'll do so, and you'll lie dead on the floor in two minutes. I'm sure Suzuka will try to get even when she wakes up, which will bring her in the same situation. Is that what you want?" No reply from Kyle, and Blade continued in a less threatening manner. "For once in your life stop letting your morality rule your decisions, and let your common sense decide instead."

Kyle's eyes grew cold, but even then the first hint of doubt could be seen in them. "What you suggest builds on trust, and I don't trust you, Blade."

"You don't have a choice." The reply was harsh and brutal, and all too true. "If we fight, I win, we both know that. Now if you insist, we can find some secluded spot once this is over, and fight until we're both dead. But right now, it would serve both of us better if we agree on a truce."

Kyle faltered slightly at those words. He didn't trust Blade, never would, but in this case it seemed that he didn't have a choice. Agree or die. Brutal and simple - exactly what he had learned to except from Blade.

I just don't want to give the humans the satisfaction of seeing us fight among ourselves.

Blade's words echoed in Kyle's mind, and he reluctantly had to admit that the other had a point. The humans would no doubt find it immensely amusing to see two mutants fight to the death, and Kyle didn't feel very eager to serve as entertainment for their captors.

Blade raised an eyebrow, watching Kyle impatiently.

"Well?"

Kyle sighed, and slowly, reluctantly, he made his choice.

"Agreed."

* * *