AN: Three in one day, haven't done that in a while

Chaotic Boredom: No, it's Captain BRITAIN and Betsy who are twins. You know, Brian and Elizabeth Braddock?  Just wanted to clarify your minute of kung-fu-sion,, er… confusion

Chapter 46: Break the Shell

As Berserker stood before Magneto, he inwardly cringed at the malevolent gaze of his employer.  Ever since his unauthorized stunt at the steel mill, Magneto was more than a little peeved at the mutant.  However, he had apparently decided to give him a chance at redemption.

"Berserker.  You are to take Psylocke to the Institute.  From there she'll do the work, your just to stay within range.  Marrow will accompany you."

He nodded, as he left the room. Psylocke entered, and knelt before Magneto.

"You are to kill Professor Xavier, and anyone who gets in your way.  My old friend has become a nuisance, and it is time that he was removed from this game."

Psylocke nodded, and, rising to her feet, left.  Heading towards the transport spheres. Berserker found that Marrow was already waiting.

That evening at the institute, three metallic spheres landed on the roof of the building, disgorged their contents, and left again.  As the two mutants watched, Psylocke slipped down the wall, and entered through the Rec Room.

Rogue sat in the rec room, watching the T.V. disinterestedly.  She heard the turning of the door handle behind her, and, turning around, saw the shape of a person standing at the door.  The person threw the door open, and, seeing Rogue, attacked.

Rogue barely got out of the way, pulling off her gloves as she did so.  Turning, she saw the one Acolyte that almost none of them had ever beaten in simulator missions.

Psylocke.

Cursing, she ducked as the mind-controlled mutant attacked. Reaching out with her hand she touched the exposed skin on Psylocke's thigh.  Rogue cried out when the other mutant lifted her, and threw her across the room, without her hands.  Before Rogue could react, a poker for the fireplace flew into her chest.  Luckily, it did not bury into the wall.

Psylocke slipped off as several X-Men charged down, Logan in the lead.  Seeing the Rogue's condition, he ran over, and yanked out the poker. Knowing that she would die otherwise, he turned to the kids.

"I'm gonna have to do this.  Find out who did this, and get them." He then placed Rogue's hand on his.

The effect was immediate, as he wound healed at an incredible rate.

"Cheri, who did this?" Asked Remy.

"Psylocke." Was all he said.

"Dat' non good, mon amis."

"No joke." Said Kyle.

"What's her objective?" Said Remy.

"Not what, who. She's after the Professor."

Marrow sat on the roof, her legs over the edge, contemplating what had happened to her on these grounds not more than a few weeks ago.  Her time here had been short, but it was still vibrant in her mind, the smells, the sights, the sounds. She had felt like she belonged here, a feeling she hadn't even felt with the Morlocks.

She sighed quietly.  She wished she could stay here, but she couldn't.  Even though she thought that maybe, just maybe, Magneto might be lying to her, she wasn't sure. It could all have been nothing more than a trap.

Psylocke slipped along the walls, heading towards the Professor's room. She reached the door, and opened it, slipping into the room.

From behind her, a powerful blow landed on her back.  Turning around, she saw herself facing off with Captain America.

Brian Braddock faced the girl named 'Psylocke'. Her face was covered with a sash, preventing him from seeing her face.  Flying forward, he was amazed when a blade of energy formed in her hand. There was only one mutant alive that he knew could do that.

Before he could say a word, she attacked him.  Flying out of the way, he was shocked when she threw a shurican after him.  He flew forward, and slammed her into a wall.  However, that was his undoing, as Psylocke slammed a blade into his head.

Rushing back into the room, she found two more mutants on either side of the bed, the two from the failed assassination attempt on the president.

Amara rushed forward, knowing that her boyfriend wasn't ready to face Psylocke. Before Kyle could stop her, she had attacked the other girl

Psylocke smirked in her mind, as she brought her knee up into the girl's stomach. Before Magma could react, she was backhanded, her human form flying across the room. 

Following, Psylocke landed on her with both of her feet, slamming into Amara's ribcage, and cracking it.

Lifting the Princess up off the ground, she flung her across the room, and followed.  When Amara hit the far wall, groaning, Psylocke followed up with a fist into her gut. 

She let the princess fall to her knees, then swung her leg out, catching her across the face. Amara spun through the air, slamming onto the ground.

 Sometimes when your hopes have all been shattered,

there's nowhere to turn.

Kyle listened as her body hit the floor, and did not move.

I can't fight her, she'll just take me out again, like at the mill.  Then she'll kill the professor, and it will be my fault!

 You wonder how you keep going (going).

Think of all the things that really matter,

Amara was laid out on the ground. She wasn't unconscious, but was close.

I hope Kyle can fight her, because he's the only one who can.  He's the only one who can save the Professor.

 and the chances you've earned.
The fire in your heart is growing (growing).

She tried to speak, but all that came out was a soft moan.

It was enough.

Kyle heard the soft moan from his girlfriend, and his features steeled themselves.  Even as the Professor, who had been telepathically warned by Jean, watched him from bed, where he falsified sleep, he was amazed at the change in demeanor.  Kyle had found it within him to fight again.

And he was pissed.

 You can fly if you try leaving the past behind.

Heaven only knows what you might find.

Dare
Dare to believe you can survive.
You hold the future in your hand.
Dare
Dare to keep all your dreams alive.
It's time to take a stand.

You can win if you dare.

Marrow heard the sounds of struggle, and knew what was happening.  Making her decision on a question she hadn't know she was debating, she stood, and walked over to stand next to Berserker.

 Everybody's trying to break your spirit,

keeping you down

Betsy struggled, like she always did, inside of Psylocke, knowing it would do no good.  She watched as the male mutant rushed forward to face her, and hoped that, this time, he would succeed in freeing her.

 Seems like it's been forever (ever). Oh!

There's another voice if you'll just hear it,

Kyle's leg swung around, catching Psylocke in the temple, knocking her across the room.  She fell to her knees, and rushed forward, attacking Kyle.

The blind martial artist flipped over her charge, and landed on his hands in a flip, evading Psylocke's return attack.  He then turned, and pulled a jumping kick, catching her with his left foot across her face. She sailed into a wall, and staggered to her feet.

 saying it's the last time

Looks like it's now or never.

"Hey Ray."

"Yeah Sarah?"

"Take a nap."

BAM!

A bone jutted out of Marrow's shoulder suddenly, knocking out the other mutant.

Inside, Betsy came out of her mind control, and telepathically screamed.

PROOOOOFEEEEESSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOR!

Xavier shot up in bed, realizing who it was who stood before him, who it was who had been made Psylocke.

Betsy Braddock

 Out of the darkness you stumble into the light.

Fighting for the things you know are right.

Reaching out telepathically, he began to calm the frantic girl

Calm down Betsy! I'm going to help you!  Put your training back into place, control yourself!

Professor, he'll send his sphere's again!

Not if we can help it. Came Jean's mind voice.

The red-headed mutant stood in the doorway, Lorna behind her.  As the metal sphere that was Magneto's preferred mode of transport flew through the Professor's large window, the two reached out, and, using their powers, held it back.

 Dare.
Dare to believe you can survive.
The power is there at your command.
Dare.
Dare to keep all your dreams alive.
It's time to take a stand.

You can win if you dare (dare) (dare).

We can't hold it forever! Do this quick, Professor, please!

The bald mutant nodded, and sent himself into Betsy's mindscape.

The interior of Betsy's mind was barren. Grey and smooth, nothing to it.  Suddenly, the Professor realized that this must be the shell.  Reaching around the Astral plane, the plane of the Psychics, where he was most powerful, he found a small box.  Reaching to it with his mind, he felt the familiar presence of Betsy within it.

He smashed it.

Dare.
Dare to believe you can survive.
You hold the future in your hand.
Dare.
Dare to keep all your dreams alive.
The power is there at your command.

Jean and Lorna's grip on the sphere failed finally, and it landed next to Betsy.

As it's tentacles came out, intent on wrapping around her, she screamed. She would never go back! NEVER!

Suddenly, two flashes of white cut the air, slamming into the sphere.  Sparks flew, and, as Jean looked towards their origin, she saw the girl Evan had saved standing there.

Oh! Dare,

Dare to keep all your love alive.
Dare to be all that you can be.
Dare.
There is a place where dreams survive.
It's calling you on to victory
Dare.
Dare.

Ooooo Ohhh

"I did some thinking since I left. This is the first place I ever felt at home with, since I was banished by the Morlocks. Even then, I still feel more comfortable here. Maybe I should try sticking around here for a while."

The Professor nodded, and said.

"Very well then.  Jean, would you take Betsy to get some tea? Lorna, would you and Kyle help Brian and Amara. And would all of you, GET OUT OF MY BEDROOM!!"