Fallen
Kitty sat in the X-Mansion's infirmary, her face completely void of any color. Her normally wide and enthusiastic eyes now looked ragged and weary from all the crying. Kitty slowly looked around the room.
Wanda was in the bed across from her. Her face was covered in bruises and she had broken bones in numerous places on her body. On the bed next to Wanda lay Todd. Being the smallest and most fragile, Todd had suffered the most. His face was much worse than Wanda's, and not only did he have several broken bones, but there were two very deep gashes: one on his right arm and the other on his right leg. Pietro came next. He may have suffered the least because he was further from the epicenter of the disaster than everyone else.
On Kitty's side of the room slept Freddie, who actually needed two beds. Able to withstand enormous amounts of damage, Freddie looked almost normal. His shoulders were covered in bruises and cuts because he tried keep the building from falling on to Todd.
Kitty then turned her attention to the bed next to her. Lance's face was protected by his helmet, and he only had minor cuts…but it was his spine that was of concern. If Lance wasn't able to heal properly and quickly, he would be paralyzed from the waist down. Kitty's eyes began to well up with tears again, so she covered her face in her hands. Kitty turned away from Lance's bed and stared out the window…
*Flashback*
It was pitch black, and Kitty couldn't see anything, not even herself. She called out for her friends, for Lance…and there he was, staring at her in the distance. She ran to him as fast as her feet could carry her. Upon leaving the darkness, she found herself in the middle of a street surrounded by tall buildings. She looked up to see that the sky was covered with dark, purplish-red clouds. She looked around but Lance had disappeared. She called out his name, but he did not appear this time. Kitty began to shake; the feeling of being all alone was getting to her.
The ground beneath her suddenly lurched, causing her to fall. Kitty now looked shocked. As she began to stand, another jolt threw her off balance. The tremors came more frequently now, and were growing in intensity. The clouds in the sky were swirling around like a swarm of bees. The buildings around Kitty were finally giving way and crumbled before her eyes. Kitty didn't know what to do. She was too afraid. The ground beneath her suddenly gave way and she fell.
Kitty thought she was falling into the darkness…into nothing. She didn't even utter a single scream. She was so convinced that this was her end that she closed her eyes and awaited calmly for death to grasp her by its cold and numbing hand…but death didn't come. Kitty landed hard on what looked to be a hill. She glanced upwards and saw that the clouds were still jetting around like mad through the hole she had just fallen through.
Something caught her eye, and she craned her neck to see what it was. It was too far up the hill, so she got up and walked towards. At the hill's summit was a small tombstone. Kitty was afraid to see who's name was on it, but knew that she had to find out. She looked down and screamed…
Kitty awoke with a jump, inside the Blackbird. Those of her fellow X-Men, who had recovered from the Marauders's attack looked back at her. Kitty was shivering and sweat was dripping from her head. She closed her eyes and screamed inside her head…Please be a dream…Oh, God, please be a dream…
Kitty opened her eyes to see that Lance and his comrades were all lying in the back of the Blackbird. She ran to Lance and held him in her arms.
*End Flashback*
Kitty finally noticed her reflection in the mirror. She saw how worn out she now looked. Kitty hadn't left Lance's side ever since they had reached the mansion. Xavier even allowed her to miss a couple days of school so that she could be with him. The longer she looked at herself, the more disgusted she became…What am I doing? Look at me, wasting away just sitting here like this. I shouldn't be crying…I should be doing something. Yes, that's what Lance would do…It's what he would have wanted me to do. The expression on her face was now of anger and determination. I swear I'll make those Marauders pay, even if it's the last thing I do.
**********
The rest of the teens were eating breakfast. Everyone was quiet, and the only sounds were those of utensils against plates and bowls.
Jubilee: You think that maybe we should check up on her.
Rogue: I think it's best if she just had time to herself.
Jubilee: But she's been in there for three days.
Jean: Jubilee's right. It's not healthy for Kitty to spend all her time in an infirmary.
Scott: True, but none of us knows what she's going through. We shouldn't rush her if she's not ready.
The other teens nodded in agreement.
Bobby: What do you guys think the Marauders want with us?
Everyone immediately stopped eating, some in mid-chew. The subject hadn't been brought up since their return. No one wanted to talk about it, especially while Kitty was still in the state that she was in.
Bobby: I'm mean really. Why use the Brotherhood to get to us?
Nobody seemed to be willing to give an answer.
Kitty: Because they wanted to eliminate the competition…
Everyone turned towards the doorway and gasped.
All: Kitty!
Kitty: And because they new we would take it personally.
Kurt: Kitty, are you…are you…
Kitty: I'm fine.
Alex: Are you sure? You don't look so hot.
Kitty: I know. I'm about to go take a shower, and then I was thinking that we should all go out.
The others looked at each other.
Jean: You sure you don't want to rest? A lot's happened.
Jubilee: Yeah, you don't have to pretend everything's okay because…
Kitty: Guys, please stop. I've finally realized that I'm not helping Lance or the others but just sitting around moping all the time. Besides, being cooped up in a room like doesn't do much for a girl's complexion.
Finally seeing their friend smile again, the teens mobbed her with hugs and began chattering like mad. Once everyone had finished giving Kitty a hug, they finished their breakfasts and then prepared to go to the mall.
At the mall, everyone noticed that Kitty wasn't her normal enthusiastic self, but they were glad that she was at last doing something fun. No one mentioned the Brotherhood or the Marauders, but they didn't have to. After about two hours at the mall, Jean received a telepathic message from Xavier.
Jean: Guys, we've got to go. The Professor says he's found out where the Marauders are.
As they left, Kitty clenched her fists.
The X-Men met in Xavier's office, where he had a holographic projector all set up.
Xavier: This is an abandoned warehouse in the desert.
Bobby: Figures. (Xavier eyed him) Sorry.
Xavier: Unfortunately, the only thing I can tell you is the layout of the building and its surroundings. That psychic of theirs is quite formidable.
Logan: Here's the plan. There's an underground tunnel that runs along here. (He pointed at the holographic image) Directly beneath the warehouse is a security room. One group will go there to turn off the alarms.
Kurt: Couldn't I just go down there by myself.
Xavier: We don't know what's down there exactly, so we wouldn't want to put you in any unnecessary danger.
Logan: And the only access to the tunnel is from the warehouse itself, so we're going to have to blast our way down. (He looked at Scott who nodded) Scott, Kurt, Jubilee, Jean and I will head there. As for the rest of you, you'll wait for our signal. Going in through the front is too risky, so you'll head in through the back.
Xavier: Now I want you all to be on your highest guard. These mutants are very dangerous.
Logan: Is everyone set?
Jubilee: Hey, has anyone seen Kitty?
Scott: I think she went down to check on Lance.
Kitty: I'm here. (Kitty phased through the door)
Alex: Man, she always shows up just in time.
Jubilee: Shouldn't we tell her the plan?
Logan: I'll fill her in on the way. Move out.
They filed out one by one, but Xavier called Kitty back.
Xavier: Kitty, are you sure you don't want to stay behind?
Kitty: Don't worry Professor. I'm fine, and they're going to need all the help they can get.
Xavier: All right, but I don't want what happened to the Brotherhood to affect your judgment.
Kitty: I won't. (Kitty phased through the floor to reach the others)
It didn't take long to arrive at their destination, but they had to land the Blackbird quite a ways, so as to avoid detection. Wishing each other good luck, the two groups separated. Upon finding the appropriate spot, Cyclops let loose his force beam and punched a hole through the earth in no time. The five X-Men jumped down into complete darkness.
Scott: Jubilee, a little light please.
Jubilee held up her hands and tiny multi-colored lights surrounded them. The X-Men found themselves in a circular tunnel, whose ceiling was ten feet above them. Because the tunnel had not been used in so long, the smell of mold and decay was rampant. The X-Men covered their noses as they walked, except for Wolverine who, although despised the smell, had to keep his nose on the lookout. They didn't have trouble finding the security room.
Nightcrawler: Well, that was easy.
Cyclops: A little too easy if you ask me.
Wolverine: Then you'll be glad to know that the hard part's just up ahead. We can't just break in because that'll set off an alarm.
Nightcrawler: Then I'll just…
Wolverine: Whoa, there. You can't just keep teleporting everywhere you want to. The inside of that room is filled with motion detectors on the walls, floor, and ceiling. You teleport in their and tell me where you plan on landing. (Nightcrawler fell silent)
Jean: You don't have to be so hard on him.
Wolverine: We can't take any risks. You know what the Marauders are capable of all, we all do. So, this is how it's going to work. (They huddled together and Wolverine explained)
Nightcrawler did get his chance to teleport, but Jean had to hold him steady in mid-air. Wolverine then gave Nightcrawler the codes to shut off the alarms. To avoid setting anything off, Nightcrawler used his tail to type in the codes. He then gave the thumbs up and teleported back out.
Cyclops: All right Jean, the signal. (Jean placed her hands on her temples and telepathically contacted Storm)
**********
Storm: It's time. (She motioned for the others to follow) Shadowcat, go inside and make sure the coast is clear.
Shadowcat nodded and phased in. Seconds later, she stuck her head through the door and told them it was safe. The warehouse was much bigger than it looked. It was three stories high, and half the size of the X-Mansion. It didn't look like someone's hideout, but exactly like what it was, abandoned.
Rogue: Something doesn't feel right.
Havok: Yeah, it's too quiet.
Ice Man: Maybe we should wait for the others.
Storm: Negative. We don't know how long it will take for them to get up here. Now come on, the Marauders should be at the top floor.
The X-Men found the nearest stair case and climbed it. The second floor was full of hallways and doors, so the X-Men had to do some searching in order to find the room with stairs that lead to the top floor. When the finally found it, they noticed someone was missing.
Havok: Where's Shadowcat? (The others looked around)
Ice Man: Maybe she's still in another room. (Ice Man slid through the entire second floor, but came back empty-handed.
Havok: You don't think she…
Filled with fear, the four X-Men ran up the stairs on to the final floor.
G: Nice of you to join us. It's too bad you're too late.
The X-Men then saw Shadowcat lying on the floor with a dagger next to her and gasped.
G: Don't worry she's not dead, but very soon, you all will be.
Vertigo stepped up and held out her arms. The X-Men were now on their knees, trying to resist the effects of her powers. The Marauders' laughs were soon stifled when Nightcrawler appeared behind Vertigo and kicked her. The rest of the X-Men entered the room moments later.
Wolverine: Nightcrawler, get Shadowcat out of here now and stay with her.
Nightcrawler teleported to Shadowcat and then vanished with her.
G: Well, at least now you're all here.
Cyclops: You're going to pay for what you've done. Everything is going to end here and now.
G: You're right, everything is going to end…for you.
G snapped his fingers, and the Marauders went in for the kill. Wolverine jumped for Friction, who raised his hands. Wolverine found himself moving so slowly, but he could do anything. Friction was so impressed by what he had done that he didn't notice Jubilee leaping out from behind Wolverine. She was able to flash a ball of firework right in his face. Staggering in pain, Friction let go of his hold on Wolverine. Upon landing, Wolverine charged and then rammed into Friction.
Vertigo, who had fully recovered from Nightcralwer's attack stretched out her arms again. Ice Man managed to freeze Vertigo's legs. As vertigo turned her efforts into freeing herself, Rogue took off her glove as she ran. She stopped right in front of Vertigo, and the two glared at each other before Rogue smiled and punched her.
Storm lunged for White Queen, who expertly flipped over her opponent. Storm quickly recovered and threw a bolt of lightning. White Queen jumped aside just in time. She was preparing to attack with her psychic lance, when she heard a voice call out.
Jean: Oh, no you don't.
White Queen turned around to see Jean's hands outstretched. White Queen's hand was forced open, and the psy-lance fell, fizzling into thin air. White Queen looked at Jean and was ready to attack her mentally when she was catapulted into the wall.
Havok: Aren't you kind of young to be fighting?
Polaris: I'll show you.
In an instant, both Cyclops and Havok found themselves dodging a rather large metal crate.
Cyclops: I don't think taunting the enemy is good thing to do right now.
Havok: Sorry, bro, but I can't help it if she's cute.
Cyclops: What?
Havok didn't get a chance to respond. As he opened his mouth to speak, another crate slammed into Cyclops.
Havok: Cyclops!
Havok turned to see two metal bars flying at him. He was able to roll under them and in front of Polaris. When he stood up, he tried to punch her, but she ducked and tripped him. Havok then kicked her leg and she fell on top of him.
Havok: Whoa, hey! I usually don't do this until after a couple dates, but hey, I like a little change too.
Polaris: Shut up!
Havok: Suit yourself, but you are going to pay for what you did to my bro.
Polaris could feel Havok's hands move under her stomach and gave him a frightened look. Havok quickly kissed her before blasting her off of him.
The X-Men then turned to face G, who was standing the center of the room. Jean was helping Cyclops get to his face.
Wolverine: This is it, bub. You've got no where to run, and no one to help you.
Ice Man: Yeah…we've got you trapped.
A malicious grin crept on to G's facing, quite to the surprise of the X-Men.
G: Speaking of traps, thank you for walking straight into ours.
A couple of the X-Men gasped, and the Marauders, who had all completely recovered, shared the same grin G had. G turned his head to his teammates and nodded. The four Marauders each touched and "M" on their outfits and disappeared, much to the surprise of the X-Men. G then held out a hand, palm up, and a little black ball formed. It began to crackle, and the warehouse began to shake.
G: Within minutes, this entire building will be drawn into complete destruction by its gravitational pull…Oh, and, just so you know, I activated the lockdown system.
Leaving the ball of gravity floating in the air, G touched his "M" and vanished. The X-Men looked at each other in panic.
Storm: Everyone, out, now!
There was a mad dash for the stairs, but like G said, finding the exit was going to prove difficult. No one could remember from which door they had come from and had to use precious time to find the right door. By this time, parts of the building were already beginning to fall to pieces. The X-Men had to use their powers to avoid getting crushed by falling objects.
Upon reaching the first floor, they noticed that the back door was completely blocked off. They had all almost made it safely outside when a particularly powerful jolt caught Jubilee off balance. Cyclops and Jean ran back to help their friend.
The windows that hadn't already been destroyed were now being closed off by metal slabs. The only opening was the front doorway, and Cyclops, Jubilee, and Jean were the only ones still inside. They could see the others telling them to hurry. Jubilee was the first to exit, followed by Cyclops. Just as Jean was about to set foot outside, a clear barricade shot from the ground, sealing the doorway. Jean pounded with her fists and cried out. Seeing the frightening expressions on his teammates' faces, Cyclops whirled around to see his love trapped. Not even thinking, he let loose a blast at the barricade. His attack did not even cause a dent. He fired a stronger blast, and was accompanied by Storm, Havok, and Jubilee. Even their combined efforts proved futile, and the building was going to fully collapse at any moment.
Cyclops: Nightcrawler! Get over here now!
Nightcrawler appeared in seconds, and noticed that Jean was staring at him helplessly. Just as he was about to teleport, the warehouse crumbled, causing large clouds of dust and debris to fly everywhere. When everything finally settled, screams and shouts of horror filled the air. The X-Men stood staring at was left of the warehouse. The only thing still standing was the clear barricade.
Anger and sorrow burning through his entire body, Cyclops began shooting at the rubble, in hopes of finding a sign that she was all right. No one wanted to go near him, and most had their head buried in their hands. Storm finally approached Cyclops and touched his shoulder. When stopped to look at her, it pained her to see his face full of tears. The look in her eyes made him calm down a bit, and he backed away.
Storm floated into the air with her arms outstretched. She then gazed up at they sky, her eyes completely white. The wind around them began to take shape. In mere moments, the funneling twister crashed down on the remains of the warehouse, lifting up all the rubble. Storm then dispersed her tornado, and what the X-Men saw next astonished them even more.
When the building collapsed, it caused the tunnels underground to cave in. Where the surface of the earth had been was now huge hole, with pieces of metal and stone sticking out.
Cyclops: We have to keep trying. She could be down there!
Wolverine: There's no use kid. Even if she is down there, we'd never be able to find her.
Cyclops: Yes we can! All we have to do is try! We can't just leave her there! Nightcrawler can.,.
Wolverine: You are not going to endanger anyone. Start using your head. The entire tunnel system has collapsed. You'll just have to accept that fact that…
Cyclops: NO!!!
Cyclops' fist landed on Wolverine's jaw, causing Wolverine to stagger back.
Cyclops: I'm not going to abandon her! I'll find her on my own if I have too.
Havok: Bro…
Cyclops: Save it Alex. My mind's made up, an no one's...
Cyclops felt himself suddenly lose all feeling in his body. As he slumped to the ground, Rogue could be seen behind him, with her hand out. A tear fell from her face when she spoke.
Rogue: I'm sorry.
Storm: You did the right thing.
One by one, the X-Men slowly walked back to the Blackbird. Wolverine was the last to leave, and he was carrying Cyclops. Wolverine whispered into the wind.
Wolverine: I promise to watch over him.
Fighting back the tears, Wolverine followed the rest of the X-Men.
This is such a sad chapter, and it was very hard for me to write. Still, all of this was necessary for future events. I hoped you all liked it.