Through Hellfire and Back,

Part 21

Disclaimer: X-men Evolution is the property of Marvel and Kids WB. All the characters in this story are the property of Marvel, although, once again, some have been slightly Evolution-fied for this story.

No, please, don't bother mentioning just how late I am at getting this out. I figured I wouldn't leave anyone hanging longer then the end of April and- oh hey, now it's the end of June. But, in my defense, the lag time was really unavoidable by all accounts; there was simply no way I could have been fully prepaired for some of the bombshells that hit back between April & May. Short story- due to events beyond my control, my workload and personal life just got backed up to hell, while I found myself on serious burn-out that took a heck of a lot of time to recover from. Fortunatly, things are stable again, which means (hopefully) when I'm not working I'll be able to get back to writing! Really want to close this story up soon too; aside from the fact that it's nearing climax, I do have a few other projects that I'm dying to work on.

So what are you waiting for? Enjoy!

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An eerie feeling embedded itself across the X-men for the rest of that night. For most, the previous events seemed too unreal. Moments ago they had come to Boston in hoped of capturing what they thought was a new mutant gone astray,

And now.....

Jean Grey used her telekinetic abilities to carry in the prone form of one Kitty Pryde, former teammate Shadowcat.

Her body was motionless, slack, her eyes shut and mind a closed door as she remained comatose from the shock of Rogue's memory absorbing power. With invisible hands Jean attempted to keep her hold over Kitty's arms and legs tight, yet without causing any discomfort as she lay her down softly upon the X-jet's ground of cold steel, and with an additional thought, covered the girl slightly with a blanket. Stepping out of the cargo bay, she joined the others huddled in the front deck, keeping the door open slightly, and glancing back towards the still prone form more then once. Green eyes couldn't hide the concern as she recalled memories of the kid sister she'd taken in only a year ago, suddenly mixing with flashes of a battle which had gone on only all too recently. Her concern was shared by five others- all of the other present X-men.

It was unthinkable; of all the X-men, to have the loyal and tough as nails Kitty Pryde fight against them? Kitty the thief? Kitty the attacker? Her kicks kept the entire scene flashing in everyone's memory. Kitty's face..... Kitty's moves.... but, as Rogue's latest revelation put into question: what about Kitty's mind?

Jean turned towards Kurt and Evan, who, supporting the slightly hazed gothic girl on their sore shoulders, allowed her to sit down with ease. For the most part, Rogue seemed to be taking the situation well- as she had pointed out when offers first came to help her in, this was hardly her first experience in the world of memory absorption. However, when her steps into the X-jet grew shaky and caused a near *collapse, it was obvious this transfer had been a bit more breathtaking then most. Under her breath, Jean could have sworn she'd heard her teammate mutter "jumbled thoughts" and "damn tough freak job." The complaints of a slight headache did nothing to easy concerns.

Nonetheless, they were the X-men, and they did have a job to do.

Wolverine sat down at the controls, starting the engines and preparing for direct dial-up to the Professor. The beastly X-man closed his eyes in thought, senses keen as circuits buzzed, closing the main hatchway and flicking on more lights. They wouldn't leave the area right away; Stripe's new memories might reveal a puzzle piece onsite that needed to be looked after first. However, best to be prepared, least some passing police patrol spot their current position, over top a nearby building.

Grunting, he moved in his chair and flicked an eye towards the back doors, behind of which he could still see a glimpse of the brown haired slumberer's form. Kitty.... what had happened? What had they done to her? What.... who caused such a switch? Offhand, he was tempted to scratch where his claws lay concealed. He hated a battle that he couldn't flight, and hoped a few answers and finger pointing could be dished out soon. Forget truth, he just wanted a person to be responsible for all this, and a name to that person. Then he could march down whatever road they walked and show them just what happened to those who messed with a friend of the Wolverine.

Scott Summers sat down next to Rogue. He hated questions when there was struggle, and hated to be the one who had to ask. However, questions were on everyone's mind, and answers were needed, and fast. "So let me get this straight..." He started, glancing to meet her grey eyes. "That thief is Kitty......" Scott pointed to the former Shadowcat, still knocked out, "but she doesn't remember that she is Kitty?"

"She doesn't remember that she's Shadowcat, Scott." Rogue put a hand to her head and graciously accepted a glass of water offered from Kurt, two tablets of extra-strength Tylenol from Jean. "Best ah can tell, it's like someone went into her mind, ripped out half the girl's memories and smacked a whole batch of new ones there in place. She's still the same person.... only she isn't." She paused, furrowing her brows in frustration. "I mean, everything up until us, that's all true, I think........ didn't hold on long enough to really catch much of those. After her powers manifested though.... from day one as a mutant, she's all screwed up. There's no memory of compassion there.... at least, not from the people who actually gave it. She doesn't remember Xavier, or us." Rogue paused once more in thought, the Tylenol slowly giving her beating head a break, clarity shifting through. "Or more appropriately, she doesn't remember liking us, joining us. She doesn't remember the professor taking us in, joining the team....."

Dark eyes closed as Rogue swallowed a heavy breath. A lighthearted chuckle hit her lips, but one which was clearly marred with confusion and disbelief.

"She doesn't even remember having a roommate. No fights over the stereo, no late night chitchats, 'nothin. She remembers every detail of the mansion, every face that's ever showed up on our door, but she's got no personal feelings for any of'em. The danger room practices, the fights with Magneto, Juggernaut- they an't there at all...... or if they are, they're all buried so far she doesn't know they exist. Sort of like she's a robot and someone reprogrammed her, so that now she sees herself as an enemy instead of part of the team."

No one was aware of the lone blue eye, which slowly opened, narrowing as sensitive ears held onto each word. Her body lay still, her breathing slow yet regular, as she contemplated her latest predicament. Decision was immediate. Most of her strength was still at bay, but if she waited a little longer, if she took the gamble that the X-men would continue their pointless conversation a little longer.......

Covering her with a blanket; how foolish could some people be? Such a softhearted approach might be well and good for a low-level group of scum like the Brotherhood, but they weren't up against one of Magneto's minions this time. They were up against a member of the Hellfire, and a Hellfire always got away; particularly when all it took to get away was a simple slip through the landing gear. One more minute..... two....

"So, do we know who did it?" Evan asked, scratching his head in slight confusion. Although he was hardly a dunce, the bone-generating teenager was willing to admit, the entire situation still had him more then puzzled. Beside he caught a glance at the faces of Kurt and Scott, realizing he wasn't the only one.

"Ah think so..... ah just gotta bring it up in my mind. There's so much to sort through... they really did a number on her."

"Yeah, but who's 'they'?" Scott stood up, facing the front of the jet as he rested his hand under his chin. "I mean, who, or what, could possibly do anything like that?"

"Hey, what about that Mesmero guy!?" Evan snapped his fingers. "I mean, he did the same thing to Jean, remember! Remember how he used her to steal those rings?!"

"Yeah!" Kurt moved to attention, hope dancing over his face. "This could be his work! If we radio the Professor, maybe he can pick up the trail."

"Ah, guys?" All heads turned towards Rogue once more. "Ah hate to be the barer of bad news, but this an't Mesmero. What I got when I knocked Jean out was nothin' as complex as this."

"Besides," Jean placed her hands on her hips. "Mesmero was a hypnotist who took control, not a....."

Green eyes grew wide as recognition filtered in. The world spun for a moment, as Jean's body became as stiff as a wooden doll.

"Not a...... Jean?" Scott's full attention turned towards her as Kurt waved a hand in front of her frozen face. "Jean? Jean!"

"......a telepath. Scott, this is the work of a telepath!" Jean's red hair went from free flowing waves to dead-set shock as experienced insight rang through.

"WHAT?!" A series of shouts filled the Blackbird. Even Logan's attention was moved.

"Waitaminute, you mean like you and the professor man? Another one?!"

"That's whacked!"

Jean's arms reached out in a calming gustier. "No, wait, hear me out! Mesmero could take over the mind, but he couldn't block signals, which was what happened when I tried to tap into Kitty earlier. It was like there was someone... something else there, shielding Kitty and keeping my mind out. Only, unlike Magneto...."

"Kitty an't wearing no helmet...." Rogue interjected. A mask perhaps, but Logan had taken care of that upon his entrance, and there had been no evidence of any other headgear on the girl's top.

"So they're using another way to do the blocking; and if that 'something' has the ability to alter the map of the mind....."

Wolverine stepped up, cutting Scott off at the pass. "Then they'd be able to take over half-pint no sweat. Great, Chuck is gonna love this."

"Vell at least Kitty's no longer a threat. We got her back, safe and sound." Kurt glanced through the door at the motionless brown blanket on the silver steel floor. "I'm sure that Professor Xavier can-" His voice faltered as his eyes glanced back at the blanket again, this time in slight shock. The covering was there, but what about the form of the girl beneath. Before, the spread had been draped over a body of mass.... now it seemed to settle more in a bundle. Teleporting back slightly, he scooted closer, and lifted the fabric slightly.

"SHE'S GONE!!"

"WHAT?!" Scott yelped, as the others encircled space formally occupied by Shadowcat, now empty save for the old wool covering.

"Oh man, she must've phased through when she woke up!" Evan shook his head. "Now what?!"

"It's my fault." Scott hung his head. "I thought she wouldn't be up for a while yet- I should've tried to secure her better."

"Mine too. I shouldn't have given her that cover." Jean cringed, a feeling of ridicule and foolishness sweeping over as she considered her last-moment action.

"Hey Jean can you pick her up again?" Kurt glanced her way.

In response, she put her hands to her head, trying once more to get a signal. Defeat flashed over her features. "No." The redhead sighed. "Whoever 's been protecting her is still active; she's still being blocked. I can't get so much as a trace."

"Wonderful." Logan growled. "So now we've got a loose mutant thief to deal with. Again."

"Any ideas man?" Evan's eyes shifted to Scott, hopeful.

"Ah do." Rogue's voice broke the dense cloud of defeat, as the other X-men looked at her expectantly. "Remember how ah was able to find Magneto with his old memories before?" She made eye contact with Wolverine and Nightcrawler, both of whom nodded in response. "Well, who's to say that won't work twice? Let's wait a while; if I can get my head around Kitty's memories, they might give us a clue to where she's gone."

Logan grunted, eyes averting to the daylight sky, which was starting over the horizon. Almost morning: not good. "Not a lot to go on, but we don't have many options either. Fine Stripes, you get a trace on half-pint; the rest of you hang tight. Once we sort a little more of this through I'm gonna give the professor a call-in."