Rogue, A Crowd Of Her Own

Author: Icy Flame
Chapter Three

Xavier's Institute for Gifted Children was a literal fortress. With state of the art wireless technology, it was harder to get into then Fort Knox. It could detect break ins from the slightest detection. With twenty-four hour video surveillance, the protective monitoring, it sets off an alarm for any possible abnormal conditions. Summoning forth several lasers this diverse system, it had the highest observation equipment entrenched in the landscape. The systems were so highly sensitive that if the barest disruption were to occur, even the slightest tweak in the system resulted in immediate detection. So you can understand the over load it went through as an eighty-six Jeep Wrangler, going eighty mph, charging straight into the front gate, frazzled it.

"LANCE!" Todd screeched, griping the seat in front of him with all his strength, at the same time holding Wanda's prone form in the car.

The jeep screeched to a stop at the front steps. Jumping out of the jeep as fast as they could the Brotherhood hustled up the steps to Xavier's. Pounding on the door but not waiting for an answer, they rushed into the building. Lance led the way, being the only one who knew the direction of the med bay.

As they rushed the doors, Hank McCoy flipped down from the ceiling he'd been clinging to earlier. Beast looked at the youngsters confused, when Charles had asked him to perform a few tests on Rogue he had been caught up in his element, not even noticing the stamped heading his way. Often such noises arose around the Institute, one got used to them after a while.

So when the Brotherhood crowded into the med bay, all yelling at once he was startled.

"What is it that I may attend to for you boisterous gentlemen on this distinctively meritorious eve?"

Before any of the other boys could step forward, Pietro set his sister down on a bed and began spewing forth the events that led to their arrival.

Figuring that unless Xavier wanted to help them he wouldn't have actually let the rivals inside, Hank stepped forward and began doing a diagnostic of the young women before him, trying to keep up with what the young Maximoff was telling him.

He gave her a systematic check, going over the vitals closely. Nodding her took out a clipboard and began filling it out, checking boxes every now and then. Freddy shuffled around, uncomfortable with the situation and unaware how to handle it.

"Don't just stand there you blue fuzzball, SAVE HER! She's not breathing. Oh god honeybuns, hang in there! God dammit do something! She'll have brain damage!" Todd howled.

"I'm afraid mister Tolensky that there is nothing in my power that I can do to change the situation in the least."

"What?" Pietro blanched, his pale complexion turning ashen.

Scene Change

Raven gazed sullenly at her daughter. It had been so long, so terribly long since she had been able to be around her children. Allowed to hold them, the price seemed too high now that she looked back. She'd taken just about forever to get back to see them. Raven felt so alone. Unbearably so, but that was the life an assassin. The thrill was so advanced, racing after head figures in politics, economics anything and everything. Taking possibly fatal risks every day, learning unimaginable information, using blackmail, keeping her body in top physical form, all of it been in order to earn a paycheck. Suddenly though the negatives started to over balance the pros, winning out.

She began to wonder what it was like to have a normal life. To just sit back and raise children, wait for your husband to come home like a good little homemaker. Making sure the children left on time for school with all their homework complete. Being on the PTA board and decorating for holidays. The hardest decisions being what to cook for dinner, chicken or pork chops?

Sighing deeply she pondered her choice of living her life as she had. What she'd lost seemed so much greater in comparison as to what she had gained. Groaning as she felt a headache coming on Mystique settled into a more comfortable position; gazing sullenly at her daughter, was there still a chance she could have that?

Scene Change

'So tell me, what do you think is required for our escape?'

'Where are your loyalties?'

'Depends on your ingenious plan.'

'A breech should become apparent soon enough from her.'

'That's when we put it in motion?'

'Not a moment before.'

Scene Change

Charles sat in the library, flipping through a large tomb concerning some of the minor differences between conscious and unconscious functions. He was getting to an interesting topic concerning a human's amazing capabilities. 'Have to make sure to keep this away from Logan, wouldn't want to add the students being dunked in water for three minutes as part of training.' Suddenly four minds popped up, heading swiftly towards the institute. His brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to probe the minds coming towards them for hints of violence or threat. He found no source of either but Xavier did come across a broad wave of panic, apprehension, and dread.

As soon as the force breached the gate, Charles wincing as he realized how much it would cost to replace the gate again, he was able to delineate the intruders. Defining their purpose was not as easy. Delving into their minds for a brief second, he found that their concern was towards Scarlet Witch, Wanda Maximoff.

Sending out a warning for everyone to leave the path to the hospital open, allowing the 'hood boys free passage throughout the building.

Placing his book back up on the shelf, he wheeled out of the room and down the hallway himself. Getting to the elevator, he pushed the button and entered a few minutes later.

Waltzing down the hallway was Sam, dancing with an imaginary partner to ballroom music blaring from his headphones. Xavier just shook his head until he noticed Amara, and Ray doing similar actions. Although Amara had Nelly jetting from her, own personal speakers while Ray had country droning. Deciding that as long as they were not blocking the path to the med bay that they were harmless he swiftly wheeled past them.

"There are some things in this institute that I don't even care to know about." He mumbled to himself, finally arriving at the med bay.

"Ah hello everyone." Upon receiving, no return greeting he continued on. "I must say I was most curious as to why you suddenly decided to gathered in the medical bay."

"It's Wanda sniff yo. She's…she's oh god honeybunch… and we never even got to daaaaaate!" Todd wailed, flinging himself around her body.

Lance shifted uncomfortably as the youngest Brotherhood member howl with despair. Freddy looked unsure, not understanding if he should be happy that Wanda would no long glare at him threateningly when he asked if she was going to finish her dinner, or if he should be saddened that they'd lost Scarlet Witch. Pietro looked like he was going through shock. His pale features were ashen and eyes watery.

End Scene