Through Hellfire and Back,

Part 22

Disclaimer: OX-men Evolution is the property of Marvel and Kids WB. All the characters in this story are the property of Marvel, although some have been delightfully evolutionized for the sake of this story.

Enjoy!

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It was midmorning by the time Phantomclaw arrived back in her dorm, her only relief from the night's activities that her flight transport back to Snow Valley had remained untouched and undiscovered by anyone else in the Boston vicinity. Good thing; she was going to be in enough trouble without having to call head base for a pickup; if the White Queen considered sending one at all. Something told Kitty her mentor wasn't going to like the news from this botched job.

Having just enough time to slip from uniform to civvies, she grabbed her backpack at 9:00 in a rush, too late to make it to her first class. She mentally swore, half her mind cursing the X-men with everything she had for making her late, while the other half processed the excuse she was going to give her headmistress.

No, not an excuse; telepaths didn't like lies. Which meant the moment she entered the administration building Kitty would be forced to look right into the eyes of her teacher, the woman who had taken her in, trained her, given her so much. She would have to look her into the eyes and tell her what was all ready no doubt a known fact, from the moment she missed her earlier check-in.

She, Kitty Pryde, Phantomclaw, most promising and devote member of the Hellfire club, had failed. She had failed against the X-men. She had failed against the mutant rivals she had sworn she would help defeat.

She had failed the White Queen.

The day had just started, and already she could tell it was going to be a total wash. Good thing this was Friday.

As she walked up the front steps and slipped open the long glass doors, she was met by another, one who made her discomfort feel oh-so-much worse.

"Well well, look what the cat dragged in. What took you so long, pretty-kitty?"

Kitty glared at the Caucasian boy, who leaned casually on the school foundation. "What are you doing here, Manuel? Don't you have a Physics session to be in?"

"Ms. Frost gave me a freebie. Said she wanted someone here to give notice the second you came in. Seems teacher's pet was a naughty little kitty last night, didn't get back to the cat house on time." Smirking, he pointed in the brunette's direction, clearly enjoying the scowl that was growing over her features. "I'm here to make sure you get in line and see Frost first thing." He offered his arm, grinning the entire time. "Want me to take you there?"

Kitty lashed out, slapping his arm aside. " I know where the office is, you jerk!" Still frowning, her mood officially shifted from dismal to just plan angry as she started marching down the hall.

It didn't take long for her to reach the head office, it's thick mahogany doors sealed tight, one hand raising towards the gold plated handles, intent on clasping the right firmly. Blue eyes scanned the halls for prying eyes, sourly tempted to skip procedures and simply phase right through; but, no, that might be considered too risky. Besides, suppose there was someone else inside, suppose Ms. Frost was greeting a new staff member, or......

~Come _IN_ Katharine....~

Kitty gulped, slowly opening one of the doors and allowing herself entrance, all the while attempting to still the chaos in her mind. ~Be strong girl, show her just what you've been taught.~ Shutting the door tightly behind, her pupils drifted from gazing at the impeccable flooring, upwards, towards back of the filled chair which greeted her.

"You're late, Kitty." There was no emotion in Emma Frost's voice as she spoke, only a cold, hard, solid declaration, which echoed within Kitty's ears. The chair spun, shifting the White Queen's visage from the sunlit window and great outdoors to the student in front of her. Her arms were folded, her back straight, although she continued to sit in her administrative chair. Her eyes were icy, sharp, as she glared at her pupil eye to eye.

"I know, my Queen." Taking her position in front, Kitty kneeled down on one knee, closing her lashes and prostrating herself in front of her superior.

"May I ask why?" The room temperature continued to drop. Ms. Frost was named so for a reason.

"X-men got in my way." Kitty hissed.

This caused Ms. Frost to raise her eyebrows, her initially frozen features warming to a light cool as she brought her hands together.

"Do tell....." She said, taking out a glass and a bottle of brandy from one of her drawers.

"Total ambush." Kitty continued. "I did well against the first five, but Miss don't-touch-me got in her one good hit."

This brought the headmistress to a near shock. "And you're still here? With me?" She asked, slightly astounded. Then, slightly calmer, "I would have thought they would have killed you first chance."

Kitty smirked at this, at last finding the strength she needed to look at her leader once more. "Fools don't know how to secure prisoners better- thought I was unconscious longer then the reality." Her eyes dropped once more. "Still, I should have done better. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize." Ms. Frost waved her off. "You are the best of all my students, but you are still just one. Xavier's lackeys might make mistakes, but they're not fools, and they clearly caught you off-guard. There's no shame in your defeat." Meeting the girl's eyes, her stern disposition returned. "Provided, of course, it happens only once. Next time, I trust, you will have no problems."

"I'll train myself night and day until they fall." Kitty said flatly.

Her mentor smiled. "Good girl." She took a sip of brandy. "Now, I trust that was it? There was nothing particularly unusual about the incident? Who was there?"

"Most of the team, save Storm, the Professor and the New Recruits from last year- Spike, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean and Rogue in succession. Nothing really special- I was outmanned and outpowered, but not really outwitted for most of it. I should have been keeping my eyes peeled for that last one."

"Yes, you should have." Ms. Frost fingered the rim of her glass. "I would have thought you learned such lessons in practice. No matter, anything else?"

"Well........." Kitty frowned, did she really want to bring up such an unimportant matter before Ms. Frost? With a slight breath, she continued. "There was this one funny thing..... when they held me captive. I mean, it was lax security for a prisoner- *way* more lax then normal, but then again I was unconscious. Still.... it's like I said earlier, they're all a bunch of fools.... but I wouldn't have figured they be _that_ bad y'know? And, well, there was the way they were talking......."

"Talking?" The glass in Emma's hand juggled a little.

"Yeah, they kept saying stuff like they couldn't believe it, that 'I' betrayed them. I mean, where do you think they came up with that bunk?"

If Kitty's statement alarmed Emma Frost, she didn't show it. "Hmmmm, well, perhaps their illustrious leader has performed a few mental mind tricks."

"Mental tricks?" Kitty echoed unintentionally.

Emma recovered quickly. "Yes.... you've read the dossiers on Xavier correct? You know all about how he can use his mind as a powerful tool of persuasion."

"Yes, I remember... so, he went into the minds of his own followers?"

"Xavier must have convinced his 'X-men' that you are in fact one of them, that they should welcome you with open arms." This part of their conversation had gone on far too long, for her tastes. "No doubt had they taken you to meet with him, he would have erased your mind completely. After all my dear Phantomclaw, what better way to dispose of an enemy then make them one of you're own?"

"I... understand. Xavier's more cunning then I thought. Then again, I wouldn't put it passed the guy either." Kitty's eyes glossed over, a stirring upon her mind. Yes, Xavier, it was all his fault, wasn't it? It had always been Xavier, hadn't it? She shook her head, the reality of her situation upon her once more. She hung her head, eyes returning to their earlier downcast position. "However, none of that changes the fact," her left fists, still at her side clenched upon itself. "I failed you."

"Yes, you did." Emma Frost put down her glass and hid the bottle, hiding the pleasure she felt as she watched Kitty growl in frustration. Frustration against Xavier and his cronies- how sweet it was. "Now, tell me, how do you intend to make up for it?"

"I'll kill the X-men for their interference!" Kitty snapped, eyes lifting to lock with those of her mentor. "Those jerks won't know what hit them!"

"Good girl." No longer hiding her delight, a sinister smile swept over Ms. Frost's features. It stopped abruptly, her face becoming more serious as she considered the full state of this affair. "However, I would rather you not face them alone."

"I can handle it!"

"You would be able to, properly prepared yes. However, numbers still count, and as I've already stated, Xavier's little army aren't clowns. It would be in your favor to have reinforcements. Besides, your teammates need the exercise, while I..." her smile returned, "I would like to finally meet Xavier first hand."

Kitty smirked. "Just say the word, and I'll get the others. We can all hop over to Bayville and-"

"No." Kitty was cut off. "That won't be necessary. The Rogue has your memories- no doubt the lot of them are already on their way."

"Then where do we fight?!" Kitty protested. "We can't take it here at the school. Even if they do manage to get in without outside detection from the dorms, a fight here would mean- "

"A lot of bloody damage, not to mention risk of them getting further information on our training facilities, yes, I know. " The White Queen cut her off once more, this time with more of a hiss. "Even if the Rogue manages to recall each and every one of your memories regarding the security, I'd as soon not give them opportunity to catch more." Besides, there were parts of her facilities even Kitty was unaware of; she wanted to kept her personal workroom as private as possible. "However, Xavier and his students will still be here in Snow Valley, and currently they have the advantage of time- the lot of bloody fools are most likely preparing to strike here even as we speak. Besides...." she averted her eyes to the window, "I have no intention of going to his desolate little Bayville. The fight would be in his court, and why even the odds?"

"Then what do we do?" Kitty's voice calmed slightly, yet with the sharp intonation of alertness.

"Hmmmmm....." Emma Frost tapped her desk with one of her index fingers eyes closing in thought. This was hardly a matter to be taken lightly; although the White Queen had full confidence in the superiority of her mind and charges, she wasn't about to forget the formidableness of the so-called 'X-men' either. After all it had been Xavier's tutoring which created the Shadowcat, and Phantomclaw was far to precious a resource to loose; far too precious. However, to loose the academy.. to loose her school..... she might very well eliminate any chances of finding even more powerful mutants for the Hellfire club's cause.

Shaw wouldn't approve. Neither would the rest of the inner circle. Friction in the inner circle against one frequently meant a lowering of status, if not worse. Even a telepath of her considerable power might have trouble there, something she didn't need or want. Not that any of the fools she worked for could dethrone their queen so easily of course, but it would be..... a nuisance, nonetheless.

No, they needed to prepare for Xavier's students.... they needed to be prepared for their attack. They needed to show the so-called protectors of mutant and humankind that there was only one path the mutant population needed to follow- the Hellfire's path. A malicious smile appeared as an idea started to form.

"Perhaps...." she spoke and Kitty's eyes lit up, eagerly awaiting the decision. "Yes.... perhaps it's time they got acquainted with the true 'Hellfire club'."

"You mean-?"

"After class, round up the others and tell them to put on their Friday night best. If Xavier's students want to have a dance, the Hellfire club is more then willing to provide for them. We'll even give them an invite." She purred pleasantly, her mind already enjoying the possibility.

"Now then," Emma placed her glass down and pulled out her stationary notepad, noting the time on the clock, which hung on the wall adjacent to her desk. "You've missed Geometry, so take this piece to your teacher, indicating that I required your services at the head office this morning. I'll speak with them later on the matter; we'll have it excused for now." Kitty stepped up and took the piece of paper, slipping it into her book bag. "Talk to the others at lunch, I want everyone prepared an up-to-date on our current situation by the end of the day, am I clear?" Ms. Frost's gave one last cool gaze in Kitty's direction, to which she nodded. "Excellent, you're dismissed."

"Of course Ms. Frost." Giving a short bow, the ponytailed brunette walked back to the door and, least anyone catch her phase, manually opened it and stepped out.

*****

Watching her most promising pupil exit, Emma Frost smiled in delight. "Well well Xavier, it appears you've finally caught on to your pupil's most recent escapades. Such a pity." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. Oh, this was going to be sweet. Although she hadn't planned to pit her Phantomclaw against the protectors of a peaceful world, the opportunity she could smell now was going to make a delightful report. Even Shaw himself would be nothing more then putty to be shaped in her mind's eye after this.

Kitty alone wouldn't be able to stand up to the X-men. She was the White Queen's best student, but she had also been Xavier's once- the element of surprise was lost on her; no doubt the school had files on her moves and abilities recorded in every safe. However, that was only Kitty. Only one of the young powers she'd brought into her cause. Too bad for Xavier there were others- and with herself standing behind, there was no way they'd fail.

The images flowed freely in her head.

Xavier against the floor, mind a complete mess as he discovered he would never match her power. The White Queen had faith in her abilities; against her, he would be helpless, able to do nothing but sit and watch.

Watch as her Hellions ripped his little army to shreds..... while Kitty delivered unto him the final blow.

Yes, a sweet set of thoughts indeed.

Picking up her phone, she hit the buttons casually. ~Come then, try to take her back Xavier; I'll enjoy matching minds, particularly after you realize that you can't have her. That girl is the Hellfire club's ace in the hole, and she belongs to me!~


*****

Stepping out of the head office and making her way through the halls, Kitty winced slightly as another headache built up in her mind. For a brief moment the hallway went blurry, and she found herself leaning up against the lockers for support, legs weakening as it became difficult to think.

"Kitty-kat?" A friendly voice from behind, catching her off guard. Kitty whirled to see Sharon, books in hand and concern written across her face. "You is okay?" The fellow freshman spoke, one hand reaching out for her shoulder. "Sharon hear you get back late last night, and not make it in time for first class. Is something wrong? Is Ice-teacher mad?"

"I'm fine," Kitty fibbed, breathing more comfortable as the weariness started to pass. "Just got knocked down a little harder last night then usual, nothing I can't handle." She shook of the girl's offered hand. "Don't sweat it, I'll be fine once we get to English."

"Oh," Sharon's face lightened slightly, although a hesitant trace of concern lingered in her eyes. "Is good then. Come on," She grabbed Kitty's hand. "We no want to be late!"

Kitty smiled, accepting the hand as the duo made there way to class. Already, the headache was starting to fade, and her mood was starting to feel a bit better. She only hoped that she wouldn't have another relapse in class.

She'd had another just like it, shortly after she escaped the X-men and headed back home. Best she could tell, it was some sort of side-effect from the touch of Rogue she had received last night; a minor discomfort which seemingly returned to haunt her, but something which she was positive would disappear over time. She hadn't bothered to mention it to Ms. Frost- the thought hadn't crossed her mind- and it was silly really. After all, Rogue's powers weren't suppose to leave a permanent imprint, at least, not for the amount of time in which they'd touched. It was probably a short-term side effect, nothing more.

Still, as Kitty recalled the relapses silently, she couldn't seem to shake the nagging thought now in the back of her mind. Rogue's touch had taken her memories.... so why did it feel like a few different ones were starting to return?