Chapter 13: Misery

I looked up at Magneto and tried to control my anger. How dare he send my girlfriend out to steal for him! I took a few deep breaths as Magneto moved away from me. I discreetly pulled on the ropes holding me down. They were still secure.

"I thought you might want to know that your girlfriend is in the next group because of your display of rebellion last night." I tried to act surprised. "However, I do believe you all ready knew this."

My anger began to show, but I stayed quiet. He headed toward the door, "We're also bringing Xavier here to see our productivity."

Then he was gone. Alex immediately began to struggle. I sighed, "Alex, don't."

Lance gave a rough jerk against Alex's neck. He gave a pathetic yelp of pain and fell still again. Lance used his other hand to tip Alex's head up to face him. "Keep still before I make you still permanently."

My blood ran cold but I stayed quiet. Jean, I have more news. Magneto said that they're going to bring the Professor here.

That's great. Blob's in charge of my group. We'll be able to overpower him with little difficulty.

Stay safe.

Don't do anything stupid while I'm out.

I looked up at Lance to see what was going to happen next. He seemed content with just watching me be helpless.

Scott, I just got word that Magneto's sending out another team with Toad at the same time as us.

He must be gearing up for the professor's arrival.

Yeah, but that also means there will be six fewer of us here too. Watch your back, baby.

I will.

Alex struggled against Lance's hold again. I sighed as Lance gave a rough jerk of his arm. Alex made a sound of pain before surrendering with a slight whimper. I drew in a deep breath and heard that door opening again. I grumbled to myself, figuring the situation was about to get worse. My fears were confirmed when Pietro pulled a bloody and battered Rogue into my line of sight. Everyone stayed quiet as Pietro tied her down. I subconsciously watched him pull the knots until they were solid. Once they were tight, he took a few steps back and glanced at me.

"Magneto's still aggravated at you."

"I know." I said it calmly in hope that I would not bait him.

"Then you know that it's your fault that Jean's out doing whatever Blob wants?"

I nodded. Even if I was trying to stay out of trouble, I did agree with him on that one. I glanced at Rogue. Her eyes were glued forward.

I heard Alex's gasp for air the same time Rogue called, "Alex!"

My head shot sideways. Alex wasn't breathing! I could clearly see the fear on his face as he struggled for air. Lance released his hold on my little brother as he realized what was going on. Alex collapsed on the floor in a motionless heap. Unable to find my voice, I leaned forward to see if he was still alive and if the situation was improving at all.

Alex managed to roll over and catch a bit of air. I froze as emotion slowly overwhelmed me. Lance stood above him completely helpless. I heard Rogue's ragged beat but couldn't tear my eyes away from Alex. My heartbeat was thunderous in my ears.

"Al?" It came out as more of a very quiet whisper.

A few rattling coughs shook his torso, but Alex managed to sit up. He finally caught a deep breath. As his color returned to his face, the tension in the room was highly visible. I drew in a shaky breath, "Lance-"

"Shut up, Summers," his voice was hushed as if he'd scared himself again. He didn't move but his eyes showed obvious terror. I decided to stay quiet anyway. Alex blinked slowly and looked up at me. I held his gaze for a few moments. No one said anything.

Finally Pietro moved forward a step. I caught the fearful sweep Alex made with his eyes. Alex scooted back and into the desk. He continued to push back. I tensed so that I was straining against my bonds. Pietro breathed, "I'm not gonna hurt you, kid."

Whoa, compassionate Pietro! He must have some of his mother in him after all. I relaxed slightly but stayed on my guard. Both Alex and I watched Pietro take Alex's vital stats like a professional. He looked up at Lance, but I couldn't see his face. Lance nodded and seemed happier. I relaxed a bit more.

Pietro rose to his feet and spoke to Alex, "You can sit on the desk if you'll stay quiet and still."

Alex nodded, still trying to catch his breath. Pietro helped him climb to his feet and settle onto the desk. Lance stayed a couple of steps away in a sort of daze. I leaned back, but only after Pietro had moved away from my brother.

Hey, Scott! I winced at Jean's sudden thought burst in my head. I told you that I wouldn't go down without a fight! Blob's been successfully overpowered. We're going to help the others with Toad.

OK, be safe.

I smiled inwardly. It wouldn't be long now. I settled back. I didn't know how much more Alex or Rogue could endure or even me for that matter. Hank was going to have a fit about this. I snapped back to reality as Lance approached me. He sent a swift blow to my chest and whispered "Be good" before he and Pietro left. I gasped in pain but tried to cover it. I watched Alex try to catch his breath for a moment.

"Hey, Al. A little help will be appreciated," I suggested when I noticed his breath was finally steady again. He stuck out his tongue but still got up. He waltzed over to me and glanced at the knots.

"Rogue, how good are you at untying knots?"

"Average."

Apparently Magneto could tie good knots. "Just blast it," I growled. We had an opportunity. I didn't want to waste it.

"But your hands-"

"You have enough control to do this," I urged. "Just concentrate."

A second later, I felt the rope fall away. I smiled to myself. He had potential. I brought my hands around slowly. Then I rose to my feet.

"Scott!" Alex enveloped me in a hug.

"It's okay, baby bro," I whispered.

He stuck out his tongue; I laughed. Then I went over to Rogue. I wanted to blast the rope, but unlike Alex, I didn't have the control. I settled for untying the messy knots. Amazingly enough I seemed to know how every knot would work out. I shook my head faintly and released the last loop. She brought her arms around in front of her with little effort.

"Are you okay?" I asked, circling back into her line of sight.

"Ah'm sore, but Ah'll live," she replied, running her fingers over a particularly bad bruise. "What do we do now?"

I was about to deliver a false answer about who know what when the door opened again. I glanced up. Sabretooth stuck his head in and looked around before leaving. I sighed as a chair was wedged under the doorknob. This was not good. Of course, we could blast our way out, but I didn't know which X-men were still around or where they were. Rogue rose to her feet and moved over by Alex. I glanced back at them, disgusted to see that they both still had on their clamps.

The chair was ripped away with a magnetic whirl. Why didn't we have wooden chairs? I flinched at the noise. The door swung open with the same amount of force. Magneto stepped into the room. I took a step to my right to be in front of the others. An angry snarl stayed on Magneto's face.

"What's going on here?" he boomed.

"My brother was almost killed," I shot back, just as angrily.

"Maybe you should learn to cooperate," he mused. "Where is Wolverine?"

"Didn't you say that you'd captured him?" I asked innocently while resisting the urge to smirk and taunt. Magneto froze, speechless.

Scott, do we rock or what?

Jean I never want to her the word 'rock' again.

Sorry, honey. Lance roughing you up?

Not currently. Status?

We took out Toad and we're on our way back.

Avoid the main road if you can.

Will do.

I turned back to Magneto expectantly. His hands came up and he jerked me forward by the metal clamps. I moved forward in hopes of lessening the strain. "I'm through playing games with you, Cyclops! Where is Wolverine?"

I sighed, "Well, I suppose he's with Blob and Toad by now. . . "

Magneto's eyes widened. He spun around and left the room. We all heard the door slam shut and Magneto yell, "Avalanche, Quicksilver, do something about them!"

Seconds later the door was thrown open again. The hinges groaned and barely held on. Lance came in looking angry and Pietro came in with a rising bruise on his cheek. Magneto knew how to get what he wanted.

I shot a look at Alex. He knew I wanted him and Rogue to make a break for it as soon as the chance arose. I realized just how bad of shape Alex was in when he silently agreed to do it.

"Great, an overprotective brother," Pietro muttered to Lance.

"We have to take them down one way or another." Both of them charged at me. I saw that and I heard Alex and Rogue run out. After that, I lost all sense of everything as it happened, but I knew I was blacking out. I slumped to the floor and lost consciousness.

TBC