A stifled moan escaped the icy lips of the indigo coloured demon as he stirred in his throbbing state snuggling deeper into the pile of snow that engulfed him. The creature's tail shot up like a submarine's telescope and crooked in half, surveying from left to right inspecting the area. Nightcrawler projected his teetering arms up as he tried to regain his composure and get back on his feet, no such luck. The demonic mutant sank back into the snow; his whole body tingled painfully and something felt eerily different.
"Was ist dieses?" he inquired as he strained his hoofed hands around his scarred neck. There was something there a collar of some sorts made out of an unknown metal. Nightcrawler strained his body to function under his command as he sluggishly pulled his lower torso to sit on the snowy ground. His yellow eyes widened as he saw Ororo lying face down in the icy sand a few inches away from him; most of her form was concealed by the snow except for the bits of her black cape. The pain in his legs subdued as he hastily crawled over to the distressed female.
"Fräulein Storm, Fräulein Storm open your eyes," he called as he shoved the snow away from her body and began to pull her from her frigid position. Her closed eyelids twitched as she strained her mouth to move in small gasps while the male mutant pulled her to rest in his arms. "Fräulein Storm, please open eyes." he pleaded while the wind wider began to shift her shoulders towards his chest to fee off the minor warmth he was giving off. A low groan escaped her throat as she consciously brought her gloved hands to clutch her pounding head and then brushed leisurely against her caged neck. Ororo's eyes shot open; hazel eyes darting from Kurt to the snowy environment in confusion.
"Kurt, where...what happened?" she inquired as she wormed out of his embrace and sat on the snow beside him; her hand still lingered on the tight ringlet attached across her neck.
Kurt flushed and rubbed the area of his arm where the window goddess was leaning against him. Nightcrawler shook his head to organize his jumbled thoughts; his cobalt locks bouncing. "I haven't the foggiest of the ideas, Fräulein Storm," he admitted, "When I awakened I found us both lying in the snow and we both seem to have a collar attached to our necks." he exclaimed as Ororo took a closer look at the device tapered around his skin.
The woman frowned and narrowed her eyes in thought. "It does have a different design, but clearly....." Storm thought to herself as she ran her fingers against the metal device. "Yes, the same person who created the collar that Sabertooth wore created the collars we're wearing now except his seemed a lot thicker and not as thin as ours and his had a red light etched onto the frame while yours is blue." she pondered her mind tracing over the possibilities of what was the function behind these areola.
"Why would anyone go to all this trouble to get these collars plastered onto on our necks?" Nightcrawler questioned as he dug his two fingered hand into his pocket seeking out his rosary; his palms began to sweat nervously as he felt nothing but cold fabric. His hand frolicked impatiently around the space and grasped only but air and cloth. "Was? mein rosary fehlt!" Kurt bellowed in heated panic as his tail went into a roguish swish to the right.
Ororo turned her contemplated gaze towards her team mate in distress. "Rosary….did something happen to it Kurt?" she questioned as she saw the mutant muster up his strength so he'd be able to stand and getting a better view for his missing possession; his head tossed from side to side in panic stricken alarm.
The mutant frowned and sank bank onto his knees while he began to push his hands against the snow looking for the beaded cross. "Ja," he finally choked out while still continuing to search; he gave Storm his back to face. "My rosary is missing." he panted while wincing one eye shut his hands were getting a little numb from the cold, but he still continued to madly dig.
The weather witch narrowed her eyes and shuffled towards the digging mutant and quickly ceased his shivering hands by placing a gentle hand to rest on them. "Kurt," she said kindly getting his mild attention while he withered to free the appendages, "Kurt!" she said in a louder voice locking her hard gaze with his. "We'll find it don't worry but let's do it without giving you frostbite." she breathed as she rubbed her hands against him to gain a slight friction of heat.
The demon slouched his shoulders even more and rocked silently on his haunches as his leader continued to rub against his hands. "Traurig, Fräulein Storm. I was being of a real dummkopf." he mumbled as his slender eyelashes began to shadow his sombre gaze; his sinuous tail began to wrap miserably around his feet.
"It's alright Kurt that was something very special to you. It's very normal to see people react the way you did, there was no need to apologise." she reassured as she released his hands and stood up despite the quivering in her leg. The woman took a deep breath and looked up at the sky; the snow already has stopped its rampage. She knitted her brow as she summoned some wind. Nothing happened, not even the slightest zephyr breeze. The weather witch swallowed the cold lump in her throat. "Oh Goddess, I can't feel it. I can't feel anything." The wind rider trembled in thought as she tried to conjure up some more wind or even the slightest crack to the sky with a fierce lightning or even the sluggish shift of clouds to reveal more of the sun. Nothing everything remained as it was.
Nightcrawler quickly stood up as he noticed the change in Storm's demeanour and her grief plagued face. "Fräulein Storm, are you of the alright?" he asked as he placed a comforting a hand on her quaking shoulder. Kurt snuck his glance all over the area they were in; his eyes narrowed. He saw nothing but trees and a snow covered ground. The only thing that seemed a little off was a large tree stump that was a few feet in front of them. "I do not see of the enemy, so why is so tense?"
Ororo gulped and clenched her fists together; she quickly turned to face the azure mutant in a flash. "Kurt, can you teleport?" she inquired, "Or can you use any of your powers in fact?" she spoke in a harsh voice as the diamond-shaped tip of the man's tail flicked to the left.
Nightcrawler removed his hand from her shoulder and placed it to lie against his side. His feet spread slightly and he waited for himself to teleport a few distances away but nothing happened. He still remained in the same spot. Kurt opened his mouth in astonishment his fangs darting out as he quickly turned to Ororo. She was fingering the collar on her neck and her head was leant forward as she inspected the ringlet on his. "Could the collar be possibly blocking of the powers of us?" he questioned already knowing the answer.
Storm nodded her head white hair tumbling over her face. "I'd believe so; the collar was flashing a shocking blue when you tried to teleport. I think that may be the other difference between the collars we are wielding and the one Sabertooth has. He was perfectly capable of using his mutant abilities but he seemed a bit odd like he was being manipulated, like all his senses were dulled as if he were being controlled like a puppet." the wind goddess presumed as she delved deeper into her theory.
Nightcrawler listened to her words very carefully as he ran his hand over the ringlet. "And so these must be made for thee blocking of powers, but why not be controlling of us instead?" he mumbled while perching his right hand to rest on his chin in thought.
The wind rider shrugged and half-heartedly checked her pockets for her communicator. It was gone, as she suspected. "Who knows, and were in the heart of this forest, no links to contact the others, and the X-Jet is nowhere in sight. This situation is looking quite bleak." she cursed while she walked over to the stump of wood dusted off the pile of snow to seat herself and gasped.
"Was ist es?" he asked as walked over her towards. He saw the woman gently brushing the snow over a flat black box. Ororo turned around and ushered him closer as she picked up the object.
"It's a laptop. It must have been left by our friends," she hissed as she opened up the device. Nightcrawler came in for a closer look; his eyes luminous with interest and curiosity he was still quite foreign to all this technology. Storm quickly tapped her finger on the power button and a distinguishable hum enveloped the area as a picture lit up. "Who in the world is that?" the weather witch mumbled and Kurt joined her as they intriguedly peered at the man on the screen.
The withered old man gave a wicked smirk up at his two new associates as he straightened the thick black sunglasses on his wrinkled face. The swirl of grey and white was donned on his head with a very tidy haircut. "Oh," he announced in a smooth voice staring straight at the two, "Welcome the beautiful wind goddess and mistress of nature Ororo Munroe!" the man bellowed in a grand voice as he tilted his head for some sort of mock bow with feigning praise. Ororo frowned and glared at the screen. "And how can I forget the infamous, demonic yet philosophical Kurt Wagner, I too welcome you." Kurt wrinkled his nose as he stared at the unknown man.
"I presume you both are wondering why you have been brought here. Why simple," he drawled, "You are here to play a game." he answered while both mutants listened intently tight frowns etched on their faces. "Now I'm a man that enjoys a good game especially its for hunting, nothing better than the sensual thrill of hunting a worthy adversary," the man grinned as he witnessed the disgusted look on his guests visages, "Now don't be giving me those sombre looks I'm not monster here, you are," he replied coldly, "You should feel great honour that I think so highly of such, mutant filth,." he interjected as both mutants tensed their bodies.
"You're probably wondering what these devices around my neck are. Well, I could explain it but a demonstration would be even better." he chuckled as the screens environment broadened showing an area of a dark and shadowed lab with numerous machines and flashing lights. All of old man's body was displayed thanks to the change and he was supporting his feeble weight on a black cane. "Sabertooth, come here if you please." the old man requested as the feline-like mutant stumbled into the picture. His dark brown ripped trench coat was removed showing his bandaged body from his run in with Storm; he still seemed to wear that arrogant smirk and his eyes seemed even more unfocused. "Good, now if you two look closely on yours and Sabertooth's neck you will see a slight difference of design." he said as the mutant dully swayed on his feet waiting for orders.
"While dear ole' Victor's collar is merely for subduing a mutant's or human's minds helpless and making me able to manipulate their every filthy thought, and also in a mutant's case it will enhance or decrease their mutant powers to a greater level as much as I please. Now for the smaller collars on your necks." he said as he pointed his black cane out at them. "Those aren't meant for controlling but merely for the blocking of powers to make sure there shall be no interference whatsoever during our little game." He turned to face the behemoth like man. "Sabertooth, you are excused. Go play with a piece of yarn or something." he stated coolly as the shaggy mutant lumbered off the screen.
The old man clucked his staff against the ground and checked his watch. His face brightening with faked alarm as he turned and displayed an evil smirk towards the bewildered mutants. "It's about time you start moving to the next round just head north, basically just start running in front of you if mutants don't know the difference. I do think it's fair if you somehow manage to win my game you will receive the key for those collars just by following the golden road, pardon my joke." he laughed, "But I suggest you start moving and stop looking at me with those baffled expressions my men shall be coming soon not to mention Sabertooth and some other friends and if they catch they kill you. Farwell for now." he said in a cheery tone as he gave them a small wave and the laptop turned off.
The wind rider began to press the power button numerous times to turn the device back on, but it was futile. "So this is just some sick game to toy with us." Ororo growled as she clamped the screen down. She quickly turned to her comrade quickly catching his eye then changed her view to stare at the ground. "Kurt, I'm sorry to have gotten you involved in this. Perhaps it would've been better if I went alone on this mis..." the weather witch ceased moving her full lips as Nightcrawler placed a disfigured finger on them.
The indigo mutant shook his head from side to side; small streams of the sun's hidden rays reflected the intricate designs of the scars on his face. "Shh, no needing for thee apology Fräulein Storm. It is not of your fault and well you see is that..."Kurt's face felt like it was ignited with liquid fire as his finger gently reached up to stroke her cheek where Sabertooth had scratched her. "I am enjoying time spent with you even if it is like this, although next time I would be of the preferring a private time in a garden, ja." he joked as he slid his fingers away.
Storm's lips curved into a small smile as she adoringly looked at the flushing blue mutant. Even in times like these he was able to lift her spirits and enlighten her soul. "Yes, I believe quality time near somewhere more relaxed would have been a much better setting, but I think it's time for us to leave." she hissed as her hazel eyes darted to the shadowed areas of the perimeter as she began to lower her body towards the ground.
Kurt nodded his head and looked down at the laptop still lying harmlessly on the splintered tree stump. "Should we be taking that machine with us it could be of the use?" he questioned as his shoulders began to slump and he began to shrink down low towards the snow; his tail flicked tensely to the side.
The weather goddess shook her head and began to lead her team mate deeper into the woods in the instructed direction. "No, it will be of no use to us anyway if we can't get it turn on so we might as well head north,…for now." she added quickly as she dashed deeper into the protection of the woods; the azure mutant trailed her hastily as his eyes examined every nook and craning sitting in the lingering shadows.
The weather witch stopped her progress as her boot crunched softly into the snow. She looked to the side where Nightcrawler lay crouched to the ground both his feet and his hoof shaped hands relied as good balance as well as his tail. Then Ororo switched her gaze to examine their tracks they have been double-backing and leaving false trails for quite some time but eventually whoever was after them would find the real prints and come after them.
"This is getting us nowhere," she growled to the mutant by her side, "We have to find a way to hide our tracks...if only it would snow just a little bit more...if only we had out powers in the first place." the wind rider sighed as she fingered the collar wound tightly on her neck.
Kurt warily eyed his fuming comrade and fidgeted his right hand into his pocket for guidance. He felt nothing but fabric. That's right it was gone. Nightcrawler tried his best to swallow the lump in his throat as he nervously brought his disoriented hand to rest on Storm's shoulder. "Sorgen sie sich nicht. It shall be of thee alright, Fräulein Storm." He whispered as he slid his scarred hand downward towards her arm then to wrist and finally her normal four-fingered hand clutching it in a sturdy grip he began to lead her forward.
The weather witch blinked in astonishment just for a split second her frantic and worrying mind felt eased as if perhaps they might get out of here unscathed. Her limp hand soon gripped tightly onto the demon's hoof as he led her deeper into the sanctuary of the woods. "Just what powers do you hold over me, Kurt?" the female mutant asked to herself as her cape dragged lazily behind her; it seemed to be doing a semi-good job of erasing their tracks but any expert tracker would still be able to hunt them down. Kurt's tail leisurely whacked her thigh in a playfully fashion.
Nightcrawler quickly looked at his tail and then at Ororo's amused face. "Ah, traurig. It sometimes has a mind of it is own." he said in a shy voice as the prehensile appendage swooped to the opposite side of the weather goddess.
Storm grinned and playfully eyed the tail and the previous movement it made when its owner allowed it swoop to the side. It nearly erased their prints. "It could work...." she breathed in a sceptical voice as she released her hold on the azure mutant and began to sashay towards a withered tree. In her crouched position she ran her gloved fingers along the base of the tree looking for a sturdy branch. Shifting the heavy snow to the side she relinquished a medium sized branch with numerous limbs sprouting in many directions.
Puzzled at her odd antics Nightcrawler cocked his head to the side and shuffled towards his team mate in concern. "Umh Fräulein Storm, do you really think this is thee time to be playing of the sticks?" he whispered as the woman turned around and stared at his tail. Kurt blinked and began to trace her gaze and his view softly landed on his third arm so to speak. "Eh," he murmured as she placed the branch into his arms.
"Kurt, I know this may be a lot to ask but would you be able to wrap that branch around the tip length of your tail?" she asked as the mutant stiffly nodded his head; he was still unsure of this idea of hers but he would follow it nonetheless. The azure demon timidly wrapped the branch around his tail and wagged it front of Ororo for her to continue. "Good, now keep your tail low and try swiping it against are footprints." she breathed as indeed he followed her orders.
The branch attached to the appendage, ninety percent dissolved their footprints. Both her oval liked shaped boot markings and Kurt's long, slender feet that stained the snow. Nightcrawler's face brightened as her idea dawned upon. "I am now of the understanding. Sehr gescheit, Fräulein Storm." he commented as the weather witch gave a small smile not too sure what he meant but it sounded right, and scuttled onward leading the way; her comrade's tail sweeping leisurely to the sides.
Ororo looked back at Kurt they had just entered a coniferous section of the woods. She smiled as she watched Kurt have his shy gaze unfocused on looking at her and slinked towards the ground. "Kurt, if your getting tired I can use my arm to sweep away the prints." she suggested as the man shook his head and quickly shuffled his body to be level with her; his tail knocked slightly against her thigh once more.
"Nein, it is of the alright, Fräulein Storm I ca...."Kurt's mouth quickly closed as his elfish ears twitched spastically. His demonic golden eyes narrowed dangerously as he pulled the weather goddess to the side so they could be protected in the shadow of a slumbering and battered tree.
The wind rider looked up at the mutant and leaned into his ear. "Kurt, what's wrong is there someone there?" she inquired as she tried to get a better view but only to be pulled into Nightcrawler's embrace as he shook his head and flinched his head to a northern right direction.
Two clad figures stealthily stalked southern into the woods. Their guns and weapons etched into their trigger happy hands and they hunted down a couple of strays. Their employer gave them specific instructions as to what they should do when they met up with the run-aways and they'd be paid plenty if their mission was a success. The first individual straightened his goggles and pointed in front of him. "I think I heard something over there." he mouthed as they both approached the given area in silence.
The weather witch gritted her teeth. The two oppressors were creeping towards them and they seemed to be fully armed and she and Kurt were totally defenceless as long as these damn collars were fully functional. "Doesn't look good." she whispered as she turned to face her associate who seemed a little calm. Ororo blinked in astonishment as he gathered her deeper into his arms and he began to climb up the large tree in silence. Nightcrawler made a soft grunt it wasn't easy even his agility and strength seemed a little off as he climbed up to a higher branch and soon settled to where he buried his leader in his cloak.
The two individuals quickly ran towards their designated location and stopped. They looked slightly irked and puzzled as they saw small remains of tracks and a snapped branch that lay to the side. A small shift in the pine tree from the front quirked them to hover their masked faces up and raise their weapons as they saw the bristle of a few pine needles and a small bird emerged.
"Keh, Just a bird, but where the hell could those mutants run off to perhaps this was another one of their mislead trails that they planted for us," the shorter figure growled as he and his partner marched off into the distance their weapons poised as they vanished out of sight.
"I think they are of the gone now." Nightcrawler whispered his lips tickled her ear as he loosened his grip upon the woman. Storm nodded her flustered head. Her body felt slightly hot which was quite odd considering their frigid environment and she felt the need to avoid the indigo mutant's eyes.
"Yeah," she gasped as she wriggled further out of his comforting embrace and sat at the edge of the branch. She looked shyly at the mutant and only bore to catch the small glimpses of his long eyelashes. "Umh, Kurt will you be able to get us down?" she asked as the man gave a bashful smile and once again gathered her in his arms and leisurely hopped from branch to branch until they were again on the snowy forest floor. Nightcrawler noticed the branch laid in frayed pieces and looked at Storm. "It's alright I bet those two won't be following this trail for quite sometime we might as well move on, right."
"Ja," he chirped as they resumed the direction they were heading as the sky began to darken into night while the sun's view almost vanished out of sight with the evening sunset.
"How beautiful," Ororo swooned as Kurt and she approached the banks of a frozen lake. It was still partially covered in snow but the ice that was visible sparkled vivaciously with the sun's setting rays. "I'm half tempted to go ice skating right now," she joked as she began her transient towards the frozen water, "How about you Kurt?" she chuckled as she turned around and saw him in the same spot as he eyed the ice suspiciously until he caught her gaze and flushed.
"Well it is....well I have never been of the ice skating before." he said as he twiddled his abnormal feet and twitched his tail. The wind wider felt a little guilty as she glimpsed at his feet it would be hard to make skates for that size and his appearance might have helped with him staying away from public skating rinks.
"Well, when we get back to the mansion I can teach you how, but perhaps its better if we chance going around." she suggested as she extended her hands towards his. Nightcrawler grinned a sharped fanged smile as he locked his hand with hers and moved from his spot. Both he and Ororo began to walk onward hand in hand until the female felt the ground sink in too low as the pressure of her weight make contact with the floor.
Two grey machines emerged from their hiding spots within the frozen earth as both the two mutants eyes enlarged at the reflection of the two guns sitting tranquilly on top of the devices. Both Nightcrawler and Storm hastily let go of each other's link as they dodged the barrage of bullets aiming for their bodies. The weather witch dashed to the right as the machine followed her every movement cutting of the path to go around the lake. She curved her body to the left as she made an attempt to head back into the forest, no such luck as a bullet shot at the tip of her feet.
"Guess I have no choice," she thought to herself as she leapt upon the ice and began to run. The nip and crack of the bullets making spider-like cobweb upon the frozen lake as she almost got punctured in her right leg. It was too slippery and her movements were unbalanced as she nearly tripped and saw her gaze slide towards Nightcrawler who wasn't fending any better.
The gun that was trailing him was denying him any access to go in another direction except for the path on the lake. Storm's pupils shrunk as she saw the mutant get skidded across the shoulder as he dodged to the left. "Nightcrawler!" she shouted, "Get on the lake." She ordered as the device prowling after her stopped and laid motionless. "Out...of...ammo." she gasped as she spun around to see Kurt dashing upon the ice clutching his bleeding shoulder as his gun soon stopped dead and frayed motionlessly to the side. CRACK!
The wind rider traced the shifting and breaking ice that was underneath the blue demon. She quickly made a mad dash as she extended her arms. "Look out!" she bellowed as she shoved him out of the way. He fell roughly on his back and slipped to the side while she turned and twisted to move out of the way, but the ice shifted and cracked completely and as she was soon consumed by the icy depths.
Her arms spluttered to grasp onto something as she felt her body go numb and something was pulling her down; her cape was stuck onto something. Kurt quickly pulled himself from his cold aching position as blood dribbled down his right arm. His mouth gaped as he scuttled to his feet to aide the distressed mutant. He ran as fast as he could as he saw her arm sink beneath the surface.
"ORORO!" he screamed as he stretched out his bloody hand. His yellow eyes wide with fear and anxiousness as he painfully extended his aching arm to grab her. Nothing, Kurt's sharp teeth chattered as he only felt the cold sting of water meet his crimson streaked hands. Nothing but a cold sting.
Ah, finally finished editing this chapter. So everyone what did you think. Was it bad, good, needs work. Were the definitions alright. Oh and I'd like to thank Rose of Fantasy and Satsuki for explaining to me that How odd in German is better interpreted as Wie seltsam instead of Wie ungerade. Thank you again. Well guys don't forget to review and helpful criticism is always welcomed. Have a nice day.
Glossary
Asimiento Del Hielo- Grasp of Ice
Was ist dieses? - What is this?
Fräulein- Miss
Was? Mein rosary fehlt- What? My rosary is missing
Ja- Yes
Traurig – Sorry
Dummkopf- Fool/Idiot
Sorgen sie sich nicht- Do not worry
Sehr gescheit- Very clever
Nein- No