Back to Bayville – Part VII

Charles waited patiently as the computer attempted to establish a connection. Within minutes, Ororo's face filled the screen. "Hello, Storm. Any news?"

She smiled in greeting. "We have successfully located the cave and have documented all of the murals on the walls. I believe our search here has been quite fruitful."

Intrigued, he asked, "What were you able to find?"

"There was a large picture that I believe was supposed to be a representation of Apocalypse. Near the picture was an inscription that said 'The dream is the key. The link must be strong.'"

"Good. That particular quote coincides with the clues we have be given thus far."

Ororo nodded and continued. "It also appears that we have made an important discovery. I am sending you the image now."

Charles watched the image download and was not surprised at what he saw. "Hmm…thank you. I am almost back at the mansion. Stay where you are for right now and I will let you know what further instructions I have for you." Ororo's face disappeared as Charles continued to study the picture remaining on the screen. He pulled out the journal from Irene and flipped a few pages. The image on the screen mirrored the drawing in the book, a man with red on black eyes. The only difference in the two pictures was that the screen had an accompanying quote, 'And he shall come to protect us all.'

**********

Hank bounded over to the now unconscious duo lying on the floor. He checked both of their pulses and was relieved to find them both relatively strong. "Of all the days to pick to fall asleep outside your room . . ." he muttered to himself, gingerly picking them both up and heaving them over his shoulders. With the intent of placing them in the shielded bedroom, Hank raced out of the room, only to come to a complete stop at the edge of the stairs. Slowly, he turned and walked away from the stairs towards the front foyer. Placing Remy on a nearby chair, he opened the front door with Rogue cradled in his arms. He walked robotically down the driveway towards the front gate. With seemingly little effort he leaped over the gate and landed soundlessly. There, he deposited the unconscious girl into Mesmero's waiting arms.

"Thank you, Dr. McCoy," Mesmero said in delight. Hank simply stood rigid, a glassy look on his face. Mesmero turned to one of his companions. Ms. Frost, please ensure that Dr. McCoy and Mr. Lebeau and safely tucked away in mansion. Emma continued to exert her control over the good doctor and watched as he jumped back over the gate and trotted back into the house. Once inside, Hank scooped Remy back up and carried him back into the Rec Room, laying him down on the couch. He then walked over to one of the armchairs and settled into it, instantly asleep.

It is done, Emma informed.

Excellent. Ms. Braddock, if you would?

The trio stood still as dark shadows slinked over to them, quickly engulfing them all. Then, in the blink of an eye, they were gone.

Not soon after, the front gate opened and a jeep came racing in. Stopping near the front door, Logan, Kurt and Ray hurried out and sprinted into the house. Logan had caught Hank's scent upon entering the door and followed it into the Rec Room, the two boys trailing behind. Bursting through the doorway, they saw both Hank and Remy, who both appeared to be sleeping. A pile of papers was scattered at their feet.

Kurt scanned the room. "Vhere's Rogue?"

Wolverine sniffed the air. "I got a trail. Kurt, your with me. Ray, wake 'em up. The cajun ain't supposed to be sleepin' down here." Ray nodded and walked over to Remy.

Logan moved out of the room, focusing on Rogue. The freshest scent was mingled with Hank's and they followed it out the front door. When he reached the end of the trace, Logan let out a small growl. He was not pleased. "Bring us back to the house," he ordered.

They appeared in the Rec Room. Ray had managed to rouse both occupants and Remy now sat, rubbing his temples, while Hank stood with his arms crossed looking positively bewildered.

"Hank, what happened?" Logan asked.

Hank looked over at him. "Honestly? I'm not really sure. The last thing I remember was walking in and seeing Rogue and Remy glowing and then Ray woke me up."

"What?" Remy stopped rubbing his head. "Y' said we were glowin'?"

"Not only were you both glowing but you were touching."

"What?!" four voices asked in unison.

"Wait. Is that why you were knocked out?" Logan directed at Remy.

"Non. She was attacked. I t'ink de pain bounced along de link and knocked out bot' of us. Don' remember touchin' Rogue, t'ough."

Hank interjected. "I think you were both stuck in a dream."

"So vhere is Rogue now?"

"She was taken and I have a pretty good idea by who," Logan told them.

"What? How did anyone get in here?"

"They didn't. She was brought outside by what I'm assuming was a mind controlled Hank. That would explain why he don't remember nothin'."

"So who took 'er?" Remy's voice laced with concern.

"Caliban told us that Mesmero was here and he wasn't alone. I'd bet my bike it was him."

Hank nodded in agreement. "That would make sense. We have to alert the professor."

No need, Hank. I am in the hanger. The professor's voice rang in their minds.

Kurt sat down next to Remy. "Can you find her?"

Remy pressed the heels of his hands against his head. "I tried. I can feel 'er but I don' know where she is yet. She's still out of it."

Logan laid on hand on both their shoulders. "Don't worry, we'll find her. Now all of you get downstairs. The professor's waitin'."

Everyone traveled down into the conference room where the professor was waiting.

"If you would all gather close, there are some things I must show you." He pulled out the journal from Irene and opened it.

"What're we lookin' at, Chuck?"

"This diary is a pictorial representation of our possible future. This particular book dictates events that coincide with the coming of the Apocalypse. What is drawn here may or may not occur but it does provide enough clues to give us a bit of a warning of what to expect." Everyone poured over the images as the professor turned the pages slowly.

"So is that big, black scary thing with the red head is supposed to be Apocalypse?" Ray asked.

"Yes. This image is similar to one that Ororo's team saw in Africa.

"He kinda looks like a creature from Hell with all the fire surrounding him like that. Is that where he's supposed to be from?"

"No. From what information we have gathered, he is trapped in a different plane of existence."

"Hey prof, what does dis mean?" Remy pointed to a man with eyes exactly like his own.

"That, Remy, represents you. According to the legend, you are the Supreme Guardian."

Remy could have sworn he heard five jaws hit the floor, including his own. "What?! Y'r kiddin' me, right? I ain't dat special. All I do is blow stuff up. How am I gonna stop dis t'ing from takin' over de world?"

Logan crossed his arms. "The kid's got a point there, Charles. He may be a pretty good fighter but do you really think he's got what it takes to save the world?"

"I am not sure, Logan. With everything that has been happening, I would have no doubt that he has a good chance."

"Mein Gott! That looks like Rogue!" Kurt had continued to turn the pages when the professor had started speaking and stopped at the drawing that resembled his sister lying spread-eagle, her face contorted in pain. Her entire body was encased in black and Mesmero's sickly green face loomed in the background, consuming the entire page. "He's going to hurt her!"

Leaning down, Logan studied the picture closely. "Do you think Rogue's the host?"

"Based on that drawing, it is difficult not to," Xavier replied. "The person I received this from also believes that may be the case. It would explain why Rogue was taken."

Hank rubbed his chin in thought. "If Remy and Rogue are indeed the two we are looking for, then they are relatively safe until the third door is unlocked, seeing as how both are 'protected.' We just need to figure out where the third key is before he gets to it."

"Could dis be helpful?" Remy had the book open to the last page, revealing a gothic cross and an ace of spades tethered together with a chain. "I jus' gave Rogue a charm bracelet wit' both o' dese charms on it. And dis part right here, 'Le rêve est clef. Le lien doit être fort.' It means 'De dream is de key. De link must be strong.'"

Ray looked confused. "Are you saying that the bracelet is the third key?"

"Non. When Rogue was firs' attacked, dey wanted sometin' from our minds. De professor t'oght dat dey were after somtin' from our dreams. I t'ink he was right."

"Do you have an idea of what it might be?" Hank asked, hopeful.

Remy ran a hand through his hair. "Honestly? Not really. We dreamed 'bout so many t'ings it could've been in any o' dem. It'd be like lookin' for a needle in de haystack wit'out knowin' what de needle look like."

"I believe that is one of the main security features of the last key. It is hidden in your minds, in your dreams, and, if I am not mistaken, you and Rogue need to be in relatively close proximity in order for your dreams to occur," Hank told him.

"True, but we remember what we dream 'bout, unless we're in it. Dat means dat dey could just go t'rough her head and look at everytin' we've seen so far."

"But how do they know vhat to look for?" Kurt piped up.

"I have no doubt that Mesmero has figured out what to look for." The professor sat back in his chair, his hands steepled. "These events are coming together much too quickly for my comfort. Rogue needs to be found before the situation escalates out of hand. I am not comfortable with her in the hands of Mesmero. I also fear for her safety should the third door be opened. If Apocalypse succeeds she will be lost to us forever. I have yet to hear from Erik's team in the Himalayas but will alert them of her capture as soon as I can. Storm's team is still in Africa waiting for orders. I shall keep them on standby while we search for Rogue. Kurt, take Ray and Remy and refuel the Blackbird. Ray, once we are ready to go I'll need you to stay behind with Amara, Bobby and Jamie and keep the mansion on alert." The three boys nodded wordlessly and filed out of the room. Xavier looked at both Logan and Hank. "I wish I could say otherwise but our immediate future looks a bit daunting. I have studied this book intensely and, while if gives no telling of the outcome, it also provides no answers on how to defeat Apocalypse. Should Apocalypse take Rogue as his vessel and transcend to our plane of existence, only Remy possesses the ability to return him back to his former location. However, there is a problem. The depiction of Remy's link to Rogue in this picture is quite accurate. The bond is quite strong but does have its weaknesses. He said himself that the attack on Rogue took him out of commission as well. I believe that if Rogue is taken over, it could prove quite fatal to Remy, thereby destroying our only hope for survival."

"So it's hopeless?" Logan couldn't believe his ears.

"Not entirely." Charles sighed deeply before continuing. "Irene, Rogue's guardian and the woman who gave me this book, discussed the idea of attacking the root of the problem."

Hank's eyes widened in shock as he began to comprehend the professor's meaning. "Are you suggesting that we kill Rogue?"

"I dislike the idea as much as you but it is an option we must consider."

"But, Charles, you would be taking two lives, not just one!"

"I am well aware of the repercussions Hank."

"And how do you propose we do that? If I'm not mistaken, they are pretty much indestructible right now." Hank was trying very hard to control his outrage.

"Both become vulnerable as soon as the door is opened."

"I don't know, Chuck," Logan started. "I may butt heads with the Cajun but I don't know if I could just take him out like that. And Rogue," he simply shook his head. He would cut off his own legs before letting anything happen to her.

Charles pinched the bridge of his nose. "This is not the solution, merely an option that we may be forced to take. If we can get to Rogue before the door is opened then our options will be different."

All of a sudden, a puff of smoke filled the room, along with the unmistakable scent of brimstone, as Kurt appeared in front of them. "Come quick! I think Remy is hurt!"

**********

 Warren, Jean and Scott trailed behind determined Magneto as they walked through the rumored resting place of Apocalypse. Located deep within the Himalayan Mountains, it had taken them a while to locate the cave's entrance. The atmosphere in the cave seemed quite tense and everyone knew to keep on guard. Every once in a while, John, who was bringing up the rear, would try to lessen the tension buy releasing a flame butterfly or letting loose a flaming puppy. Jean appreciated the effort but it did little to alleviate her unease. Every few moments her eyes would dart around their pathway, trying to figure out what was making feel so uncomfortable.

Scott sensed Jean's nervousness. "You okay, Jean?" he whispered. For some reason, he felt talking too loud was not a good idea.

Jean looked at him and gave him a forced smile. "I'm okay. This place just gives me a weird feeling, that's all."

Scott could understand how she felt. From the moment they entered this place he felt really creeped out. They were walking down a very long corridor that was illuminated by widely spaced torches. He was quite surprised to find that they were lit. Not really knowing what to do, he reached out and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Meanwhile, Warren was struggling to keep his wings from ruffling. The path was a bit too enclosed for his comfort and he was starting to feel caged.

Warren . . .

What the-? Warren looked around at his teammates. None of them were looking at him.

Warren . . .

He heard it again, like a whisper in his ear.

It's time . . .

Jean stopped walking. "Do you hear that?"

Scott also stopped and turned to look at her. "Hear what?"

She was beginning to feel the hairs stand at the back of her neck. "It was a voice, like a whisper . . ."

Without warning, darkness covered them, the torches mysteriously extinguished. Scott turned in circles, hand on his visor, looking for the culprit. He was thankful that his visor allowed for night vision. In his search for any danger, though, he failed to see as two of his teammates suddenly disappeared.

"Pyro!" Mangeto's voice penetrated through the darkness. "Your talents would prove most useful right now."

"Sure thing, boss! Jus' give me a sec to find my light."

Scott could hear the telltale click of a Zippo lighter being snapped open. He turned in time to see the self-proclaimed pyromaniac turn a simple, dainty flame into a trail of fire, searching out the unlit torches. With their corridor now re-lit, Scott could easily see that they were now short two people. "Jean and Warren are missing."

Magneto's face held a grim look. "How convenient. Scott, please inform Charles of our current situation."

Obediently, Scott reached for his comm. link. "Professor, this is Cyclops."

They heard static for a moment before Xavier's voice could be heard. #Scott! I was just going to try and contact you.#

"Well, we kind of have a situation on our hands. We found the cave in the Himalayas but Jean and Warren have disappeared."

#Hmm. That certainly adds to the problem. Rogue has also gone missing. We are trying to locate her now. I'll try to find Warren and Jean as well. In the mean time, I will send Storm's team to provide you with backup. Let me or her know if your situation changes.#

"Will do, Professor." Cyclops closed the channel. "So what do we do now?"

**********

The professor, Logan and Hank appeared in at the entrance to the hanger. Kurt had teleported ahead of them and was trying to help Remy to his feet. A faint glow encased him, and he now sported a split lip.

"What happened?" Charles asked, rolling towards him.

Remy held his head. "Rogue, called out to me. She panicked, don' know where she is. Got 'er to calm down a bit."

"How did you get injured?"

"Rogue was gettin' feisty and some chienne punched her," Remy said, eyes sparkling with anger. "She still conscious but she be fakin' like she's knocked out. Got 'er shields real tight so dey can' figure it out."

"Can she talk to you?"

"Oui. Said she t'inks she's in some sort of cavern. An' . . . Jean an' Angel be dere, too?"

A look of hope crossed Xavier's face. "Scott just informed me that they had gone missing. Mesmero has probably taken her to the cave they are searching. Storm's team is on their way. We must hurry. It looks as if Mesmero has set his final plan into action." They all boarded the jet, except for Ray. Soon the jet roared to life with the professor at the controls. Ray could only watch as the Blackbird raced down the runway and out of the hanger.

"Good luck, you guys. Come back safe."

**********

Well that was shorter but it's nearing the end. Hope you liked it. I'm not really sure about the cave being in the Himalayas but that's where it's going to be in my story. Thanks again for the continued reviews. They make me feel special :) Happy reading!