Through Hellfire and Back,

Part 14

Disclaimer: X-men Evolution is the property of Marvel and Kids WB. All the characters in this story are the property of Marvel. Nothing much here folks, just another turn of the screw.

Enjoy!

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A large structure of solid construction, the Massachusetts Academy was easily one of most prominent buildings within Snow Valley. From it's humble beginnings in the 1700's as a boarding school, to it's current status as one of the most prestigious private schools in the country, the Academy was considered education at it's finest. Parents who could afford it's high tuition could rest easy, knowing their prodigy was learning alongside the future leaders of the country, while those who's child managed one of it's rare scholarships would often leap at the chance. Enrollment at the Academy meant success; it's very name recognized and approved of by all of those applying to Ivy-league colleges in the years that followed graduation.

Stepping out directly in front of the impeccable building from a light yellow taxicab were a cheery American couple dressed in their normal attire. With a sigh the woman turned around, as her eyes dotted on the classical main entrance even as her husband paid the driver. From it's marble front fountain and small statues, to it's large doors, stone steps and small concrete paths, leading to areas of more modernized and practical construction. It was the sort of place she would have dreamed of attending as a young girl, had her parents been able to afford such an education. However, knowing her own child was now learning inside these walls gave comfort.

Thinking of her offspring, she wondered if showing up unannounced as they were was such a good idea. Certainly, they didn't want any repeats of the scene they were greeted to last time. Perhaps it would have been wiser to call first. Ahh well, she allowed herself to take a deep breath. It was pointless now. Oh, she'd be so shocked to see them!

Her husband patted her on the shoulder, looking genuinely impressed with their current surroundings. To their left he took note of a group uniformed sports players heading off to the back field for their warm-up, even as other students started to pass them by, books in hand as they wavered to and from areas. He was about to suggest they go to the front desk, to find out where their intended quarry currently resided, when a familiar face turned the question moot point. With the warmest of smiles, he stroked his beard and called out to the figure who had stepped out the front door, and was making her way down the steps.

"Sweetheart!"

Kitty Pryde 's eyes went wide as she looked up, utter disbelief marked on her face.

~It couldn't be...... they wouldn't dare........~

Yet there they were, three feet away and getting closer. They were right in front of her.

Her parents.

"Mom? Dad?" Her throat staggered, "What are you doing here?" There was a slight edge in her voice, but it was mangled by another primary emotion: complete and utter shock. Fortunately for her parents, they didn't take notice.

"You haven't contacted us in so long! We were starting to worry! So your father arranged a flight, and here we are!" Madelyn Pryde bent down slightly and embraced her daughter in a fierce hug, which was, strangely she noted, not returned. Her eyes took to the girl's odd features. "Kitty honey?"

Kitty wouldn't say a word, but simply continued to stare.

"Is everything all right dear?" Her father put on his "worry" face. Perhaps, he mused silently, she was taking longer then expected to adjust to her new school. Or perhaps, he thought bitterly, they hadn't gotten her out of that ridiculous idea of a "school" from Bayville fast enough.

Kitty blinked, shaking herself out of her silent reverie.

"You came to see me?" she asked pointedly.

"Why of course we came to see you!" Madelyn Pryde gave her daughter a corky grin. "Who else would we come to see?"

"You came to see me. After all...... I mean, like...... after you both.... I thought you.... didn't you......." Blue eyes continued blinking rapidly, trying to process information that simply wouldn't compute.

"Ahem." A clearing of the throat was heard as a soft, cool and collected voice rose out from behind the trio. The Pryde parents turned, to see a forth party calmly striding in their direction. Dressed in her light gray no-nonsense attire and silver rimmed classes was a woman in her late twenties, early thirties. Both parents gave an unintentional step back, as she came towards them, carrying herself like a lady of status. Her face held no emotion, save a spark of smile for pleasantries.

Madelyn released her daughter. "Oh, I'm sorry, we didn't see you there miss...?"

The woman continued to act politely as she extended her hand courteously. "Emma Frost, Headmistress of the Academy. Mr. and Mrs. Pryde, Katherine's parents, correct? "

"Call me Carmen," Kitty's father said while accepting the hand Ms. Frost offered, giving it a firm shake before his wife followed suit. The voice registered as one he had talked briefly with before on the phone when he had been inquiring if an opening was available. He nodded in approval.

"A decided pleasure." The woman glanced back and forth between the parents. "What brings you both to our fair school?"

"Oh, we just thought we'd check in on our daughter." Mrs. Pryde gave an embarrassed chuckle. "You know how kids are; with all the moving we wanted to see for ourselves at how well she'd settled in." At this she maneuvered to Kitty's left, placing the girl between both parents. Her right arm extending around the back to the girl's opposite shoulder, she gave one more affectionate squeeze.

Kitty stiffened, then shot a look directly to her Headmistress, one which held both confusion and slight indignation, as well as a silent plea for help. Frost picked up on the tension immediately, and decided measures on her part were going to be needed in order for the situation to dissolve. Gently taking Kitty by the hand and pulling her away from the tender moment, she checked her watch before straightening the girl's pack.

"My apologies to you both, but I'm afraid right now isn't a good time for Kitty. I believe your daughter is expected at her..... astrophysics tutoring session, which should begin in a few minutes. It's that right, Kitty?"

"Right! Gotta go!"Kitty didn't need to be told twice. She gave a halfhearted wave before heading towards the field, moving in a brisk walk which bordered an all-out run.

Emma chuckled silently as she watched the girl go, giving and inward sigh of relief. That had been close, far too close, for her tastes. She returned her attention to the remaining Prydes. "In the mean time, might I invite you both into my office? I believe I have a few items to discuss with you both."

"Oh? Well, if it's necessary." Carmen's eyes drifted briefly from his fleeting daughter to her principle.

"Have fun dear! We'll see you shortly, okay?!" Madelyn called out after Kitty, before the girl turned a corner and moved out of sight.

"Indeed." Emma muttered, pushing her glasses back slightly. "If you will, follow me please." The blond woman walked ahead, over the steps before holding open the door, allowing the two parents to step inside before escorting them towards her office.

*****

Once inside, Carmen Pryde and his wife sat down as Miss Frost graciously showed them a pair of seats. Absently, he noted the expensive furniture and proofs of a higher education, while his wife cooed over the lovely drapes and couch cushions. A small smile of approval tugged at his lips. Yes, now more then ever he was definitely pleased at his decision to transfer Kitty to the Academy. Possibly, this one office impressed him even more the immense outdoors. Here, was even more evident that Kitty had been placed in a high standard learning environment and safe haven; quite the opposite, he was certain, of the chaotic mess Charles Xavier called an Institute. Here, his Kitty would be able to live the much more normal, proper life that every parent dreamed for their children. She would study hard, nourishing the natural, normal gift of the mind she had been given, and outshine even the brightest of her generation.

There was a firm click behind, and Carmen's attention was returned once more to their hostess as Miss Frost closed the door, before moving past and sitting down comfortably at her own seat, fingers connected and arms calmly resting on her desk. The slight smile which had been on her face before broadened to a full fledged grin, one of which Carmen found himself agreeing with. Hopefully, that grin would be related to the reason why she had brought both he and his wife to her work station. Good news by the look of it, something which the Pryde patriarch wouldn't mind hearing at all.

His wife, Madelyn however, found herself blinking as she examined the imposing figure which sat before her. If Mrs. Pryde didn't know better, she'd swear Miss Frost appeared less...... amiable, then the woman she had met outside. No, not less amiable..... less warmhearted perhaps, more charming, but in a way that gave her goose bumps. Overall, Mrs. Pryde suddenly felt uneasy for some reason, as if there was something about this woman she didn't know.... but should know. She blinked once more, pushing such thoughts aside as she returned her hostess with one of her most polite smiles, eyes absently returning to admire the decor once more. She was just being silly. Miss Frost was one of the most refined women she had ever met; a perfect, she noted, role-model for her daughter.

"Mr. Pryde, Mrs. Pryde......" the headmistress's eyes sparkled with hidden amusement, "I would first of all like to congratulate you both."

This caught both of their attentions immediately, forcing them to sit up and straighten further in their chairs. "Oh?" Carmen Pryde warmed widely at this unexpected address.

"Yes indeed." Emma Frost nodded her head in approval, one hand bemusedly brushing away a wisp of stray blond hair. "You've both done a wonderful job with Kitty. She's become one of our very best pupils, and I cannot tell you both enough at just how glad we are that you were willing to enroll your daughter at our fine Academy."

Both Prydes began to beam. Such high praise wasn't always easy to come by, and for a woman such as Frost to speak so highly of their daughter, despite the numerous students which roamed her halls...... it was a treat to their awaiting ears!

"Why, thank you." Madelyn spoke in a quiet voice full of emotion, the smile on her face threatening to burst.

"Indeed." Her eyebrows then formed a slight frown as she turned her attention to a few of the papers on her desk, shuffling them slightly. "However...."

Mr. Pryde caught that. "However......?"

Miss Frost reached over across her desk and took hold of a small crystal glass of water, delicately wetting her lips before continuing. "However, I'm afraid your timing here is rather.... unfortunate. You see, Kitty is currently involved in a few rather.... delicate, shall we say, extracurricular activities and assignments. Her time, while not fully filled, she is a teenage girl after all, is rather short when it comes to visitation. I'm afraid I must recommend the both of you return to Northbrook." She adjusted her glasses slightly, as she read over the tops of several sheets. "I apologize, and will pay for your return fairs of course, but right now, I believe it best if you both leave, as not to disturb her studies."

"Oh?" Carmen's eyebrow raised slightly. "I was unaware the Academy has such a heavy workload."

"Well...." Emma's gaze returned to her guests as she batted her eyes, "Kitty is a special case after all. We've come to expect a little more out of her."

"Can't we at least have dinner tonight, before we say goodbye? I haven't heard from my little girl in so long, and after all she's-," Madelyn barely caught her husband's warning glare before cutting of the subject. No, they would not be discussing her former professor in this new environment. "You understand of course, we just want to make certain our daughter is all right."

Frost didn't budge. "I understand. However, in this case, I do believe the answer should still be 'no'."

"Oh." Mrs. Pryde's face started to become crestfallen. She'd been looking forward to spending more time with her only child.

Carmen pressed farther. "Well then, maybe we could come back later in the semester-"

"I'm afraid that won't do." Emma cut him off, eyes narrowing to a look of steel.

This, along with this sudden snap in the headmistresses voice, set alarms through the Prydes. Carmen stood up; if this woman was going to be difficult, he'd give her a piece of his mind!

"Now see here, Frost! We didn't transfer our daughter here to we could lose sight of her!"

"No," Emma spoke in a saccharinely sweet tone. "You sent her here because you honestly believed she would be much better under my tutelage then with that fool Xavier."

The Prydes gasped for breath, the mutant professor's name hitting them sharply. When they had transferred their daughter, both had made an effort to keep Xavier's name away from Kitty's records as much as possible, least someone make any sort of connection. Now, it appeared their work had done little good.

"H-how do you know about him?" Madelyn struggled to stand.

"My dear....." the White Queen finally stood to face them. "I know *everything*."

"*You*...." Carmen trailed off, clenching his teeth in anger. "I ought to report you the moment we leave!"

"Oh, you could...." Emma smirked, and her eyes flashed, ~...... but you won't~

Both Mr. and Mrs. Pryde could only gasp further as they heard the words spoken directly into their thoughts.

~SIT!~ Emma commanded. Without protest, they obeyed. ~Now then, let's get to the basics, shall we? I don't have time to make a perfect mental forgery with the likes of you two, so I'll have to settle for some good old telepathic commands and mind wiping, understood?~

Their eyes devoid of any consciousness, both Prydes blankly nodded their heads.

~Good. I've already told you both that Kitty is important here, correct? That means you both will have to change your perspectives. From now on, Kitty is no longer your affair. You will return to your home, and should anyone inquire about your daughter, you will tell them only that she is doing exceptionally well at the Academy. Nothing more, nothing less.~ She frowned, eyes narrowing further at her current victims. Oh, if only she had the power to take hundreds of minds this easy. Then it would be simple, so simple, to further establish her command. For now however, she'd settle for a pair of interfering protective parents. ~Remember, from now on, Kitty Pryde belongs to me. From this day forward, you will not visit her. You will not contact her.

She is no longer your concern.

She is no longer your daughter.

Do you understand?~

The figures nodded once more.

~Excellent. Now, when I break my current control, you are going to leave. You are going to leave fast. To any whom you might talk to, there is an emergency you must attend to at home. You will tell no one about our meeting here. You will remember nothing of our meeting here, save the commands I have given. Now GO!"

Mr. and Mrs. Pryde stood up and left the room, even as Emma opened the door. Such simple minds, so easy to manipulate.

It was for the best, she assured herself. If Kitty spend too much time with her parents, there could be trouble- either the girl might give away her position, or her parents might tweak at precious threads, unintentionally causing them to unravel. Hopefully, their sudden departure would keep things set straight; and if they had no more contact, they would be unable to cause more damage.

No one got in the White Queen's way.

No one.