Through Hellfire and Back,

Part 25

Disclaimer: X-men Evolution is the property of Marvel and Kids WB. All the characters in this story are the property of Marvel and Kids WB.

Enjoy!

*********


Anyone who was anyone in Snow Valley knew about the Valiant Knight. When it came to late-night dance clubs the short but flashy building, with its blaring punk music, wild decor and neon entrance, was considered *the* place to strut your stuff on Friday and Saturday nights. Boarding students and locals flocked to a lengthy line up promptly at seven, with the comers and goers typically moving and shaking until well past midnight. Two floors separated the drinkers from the non, as alcoholics and vodka connoisseurs flashed their ID to gain access to the upper level, where a world of cocktails and exotic imports awaited. Without ID, a typical High School student wouldn't find themselves that far, but a cover fee allowed access to the trendy, dazzling D.J of the main floor. Some, respected patrons or others by invite could wave the fee, but only if they managed to get on the "A" list, a position which appeared as hard as heck to obtain. Still, all who came agreed, even with the hefty entrance price, the Knight was well worth the trip. What better place to show off a new leather skirt or jacket then under a wave of bright colors, spotted lights and, if the outfit was revealing enough, hordes of soon-to-be admirers.

The Knight also served to boost the reputation of local educator and shareholder Emma Frost: positive proof that teacher's weren't all bad, even if they frowned upon such cosmetic displays of individuality in the Academy classrooms. While the local Massachusetts Academy was rather strict with its elegant attire and uniform policy, the Knight was a free for all, allowing everything from long necked sweaters and jeans to bikini tops and slut boots. As long as a designer label could be spotted somewhere, the bouncers wouldn't care less.

Unknown to most patrons however, the Knight also served as a secrete off-base training area for the students of Headmistress Frost's own higher learning program. While it was hardly as high-tech as the base under the school, the areas below provided more then adequate space for extra workouts, all well concealed by the high-powered stereos and glitter on the ground floor and above. It was in the lower part of the building that Frost had intended her special guests to arrive.

First however, they had to make their way into the building.

"So where is this 'door' we're suppose to find?" Nightcrawler questioned, as true to his code name he found himself creeping within the shadows of the darkness, his keen night vision allowing him to take a clearer picture of the surroundings then his companions. He wrinkled his nose at the stench which surrounded them; while the front of the building was all glitz, the back was hardly as appealing. Dumpster after private dumpster, filled with god only knew what; neither he nor any of his teammates had opted to open one and find out.

"Our hostess appeared quite determined that we would find it easily," Ororo turned a corner next to her nephew. She and professor Xavier had arrived by private charter in Snow Valley only two hours ago, meeting the rest of the team with the X-jet and switching into uniform. They had made their way downtown with some unease; she herself had been forced to create slight fog banks when the darkness of back streets and alleyways weren't enough to conceal them. Somehow, letting the local population know that mutants walked among them didn't sound like a good thing, in her senses or the others. They had, however, managed to make it to the Valiant Knight, now all they had to do was get in. "I believe she called it a _private entrance_."

It was Rogue who asked the question on everyone's mind. "Yeah, but a private entrance to what?"

Behind her, Charles Xavier could only nod his head as both Scott and Jean followed in step . Cyclops the student leader had become quite determined that, with Xavier's obvious lack of physical fighting prowess, their mentor would be much safer huddled in the group then in the lead. No telling how long it would be until they came across their first attack, or who would lead the charge. True, Xavier's mind was a more formidable weapon then most in existence, but then again, so potentially was Frost's. Worse, the White Queen was well aware of how to block attacks directed at her pupils. All in all, although no one said a word on the direness of their situation, mental mutual agreement was that it wasn't good.

Kurt continued to spy ahead along the wall, even as the Rogue watched his back.

Spike called it first. "Found it!" he smirked, pointing dead ahead at a small metal framework, its dark coloring allowing it to seemingly blend in even more with the shadows surrounding. All in all, it gave the appearance of an impenetrable fortress: solid, steel, with a multitude of external and internal ironclad locks which chinked against the framework.

"Great! Shad-" Scott swallowed hard, as a wave unease took everyone once more. It didn't take long for him to realize that the response had been automatic, one of the first things asked when a door blocked their path. Normally, such tasks fell on Shadowcat, who had been a natural for the job: taking everyone by the hand to allow entrance, or defuse any locking mechanisms.

Shadowcat however, wasn't with them, not yet. An alternative would be needed.

*SNIKT*

Logan the Wolverine called rank.

In less then a minute, the Valiant Knight's private entrance was slashed at its sides, falling with a thud thanks to an additional heavy-handed kick. As Spike moved to venture closer, Wolverine placed a hand on his should, warning him to remain back. Lightly, he tapped the tiled floor, then stepped foreword with caution. Eyes easily adjusting to the poor lighting, the former weapon-X sniffed the air curiously.

"She's here- through the hall, down a level or so. An' she an't here alone."

Grim faces spread all around.

"Nightcrawler," Cyclops addressed the blue X-man who ported to his side. "Stick with Wolverine at the lead and crawl along the walls. Your teleportation power might come in handy for scouting ahead." Kurt spoke not a word but gave a thumbs up as he ported next to Logan. "Jean," Scott spoke to the redhead at his side, "You and I will remain behind Professor X. Everyone else, up front behind Wolverine and Nightcrawler."

In a low voice, but with a slight smile, he uttered, "Let's go bring our Kitty back home."

Reassuring smiles split across the group, only to be washed over with fierce determination as, one by one, the X-men entered the building.

*****

Lance huffed, nearly collapsing on his knees. Okay, so maybe he wasn't as on top of it when it came to his stamina as he'd first mentally bragged. Time to hit the gym on a little more regular basis... after he found out what the heck was going down tonight.

He'd tailed his two homing pigeons to a rather trendy-looking club on the East side of town, hiding in an alley as he watched them slow down and, ignoring the lineup, flash a pair of cards to the front bouncer, before graciously entering.

Crud, this was one of those exclusive clubs wasn't it? The bouncer there would probably try to toss his ass out on the curb the second he set foot near their door.

Lance cut in front of the busy crowd on the sidewalk. The bouncer could try, but he wouldn't succeed.

As he moved towards the door, a large burly and well-muscled man with a black tank top, sunglasses and the word "Bambi" tattooed in a heart on the biceps of his left arm, held out a hand, refusing entry.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Lance got right to the point, as all his frustrations letting loose in a tidal wave of emotion. "There's this girl inside that I've gotta talk to right NOW! See, she hates my guts but I don't know why, and she won't let me talk to her on the phone, and I can't seem to meet her anywhere else. Now I know she's here because I heard two of her friends talking, and I want to see her because if I don't I could be loosing the greatest relationship of my life, at least it was a great relationship until she stopped talking and I really need to know if it's because she's only mad at me or seeing someone new, in which case I'll leave her alone. Only I need to get inside so I can actually look for her, because if I wait out here she might find out and then purposely avoid me, and then who knows how long all this will take?!!" Lance puffed, his vocal speed momentarily that of Quicksilver before he found the strength to calm down.

The bouncer simply looked at him, raising an eyebrow.

Anger and anguish etched over the rock tumbler's features as his eyes grew pleading. Once, just once, couldn't someone see it his way? "Look, man, you must've been in this situation before. Haven't you ever felt for someone so much that you'd do anything just to talk to them, only they won't listen? Haven't you ever feared that your one chance at happiness is literally walking out that door, and you'd do anything to find the speed to catch it? "

The guard sighed, shaking his head. Lance sighed and started to turn around. Maybe he could try and make his own entrance, using a little weakness in the building structure and some heavy moving in the alley. He was about to head off and try it, when he heard the door opening.

"1988, Madonna concert, Toni Glarea. Just don't screw this up, okay kid?"

Relief filled Lance's being as he ran inside. Now all he had to do was catch the two girls he'd seen earlier and find Kitty.