Again... *so* sorry it's taking me forever to update. I'm breaking this chapter up cuz I figure a shorter update is better then none at all. Blame school if you need to point fingers :) And the fact that I find this chapter *really* hard to write. I dunno why... it just is.
Pietro fans will prolly wanna kick me for this chapter cuz Pietro's not in here... he's in Part II. Sorry.
Review Responses- Thank you. Thanks. Danke.
Mandy- None taken. I like my angst better too. And yeah I don't get the Pie nickname really lol. Tro makes more sense.
KS-Fan- Yay! You liked the pyro scene. That makes me happy lol. It came out of no where and I ended up liking it too for some reason. I think I just wanted to think of some way to incorporate Pyro's insanity junk from the show lol. I don't think laughing like a maniac is... normal hehe. And don't worry about Wanda, she gets to have loads of fun in part II. Wow... huuuge compliment about mags (he's still such a pain to write)- thanks.
Testament1- lol... nah, u don't.
Wizard1- I don't think pyro knows it's never too late ;) And as for Wanda... yes.
Calamari Rings- lol.. Caught me, it was sorta a filler... eh, o well.
Windwalker- Yep, I want to incorporate *everyone* but it's essentially a bro-hood fic... but to play it fair I gave the new recruits screen time. I love using them.
Abbie Soler Star- Aww thanks for reviewing
Kamalakali- Don't hate me for the lack of Tro... *please!* lol. I promise he'll be back.
Yma- Yay! I consider it high praise when someone says I do mags ok. As I've said b4... he's such a pain.
Black Arachne- Thank you :) Compliments are grand things.
MiracleChick- Ooo.. Good way to describe Mags... sinister but not heartless. Anyway, thank ya much.
IceBlueRose- lol... I'm sooory bout the slow updates. *sigh* It's hard being a closet case fanfic writer and deal with school and the rest of life lol. Isn't that sad? I'm a *closet case* fanfiction writer lol. Anyway, I didn't think the last chapter *sucked* really... I'm just not all that confident in the whole action writing department.
Kay guys, thanks so much. I love hearing from you ppl.
Chapter 21- Getting Out Part I
Magneto stormed his way angrily down the hall, his daughter trailing behind him.
"Dad? What happened?"
Magneto took a deep breath and forced himself to slow his pace. He had to be very careful of how he acted around Wanda. "They refused," he said flatly, "I expected them to be skeptical of course, but I thought they would agree to reason in the end."
Wanda nodded and continued to follow her father down the corridor, leaving him to brood. His plan had not gone well with the older X-Men. Scott it seemed, had been wanting an excuse to tell Magneto what an imbecile he was ever since the Asteroid M incident. Both he and Rogue had laughed at his offer to control their powers, much to Magneto's annoyance. At one point, Kurt had actually attempted to lunge himself at Magneto. He'd paid dearly for it, the foolish kid.
Reaching a door, Magneto wondered vaguely about what to do with the others. He hadn't expected such adamant refusal from all of them. He would have to worry about it later though, at the moment, he needed to have a few words with his brotherhood, and remind them who rescued from the pitiful lives they once lived.
"Go and get Fred for me please Wanda," he said, opening the door, "Tell him not to come in until I tell him to do so."
Nodding, Wanda continued down the hall while Magneto entered the room.
"Colossus, wait outside."
Lance's head snapped to the doorframe at the sound of the voice. Todd shifted nervously and resisted the urge to run for the door like a mad man. He wasn't that dense; he was very aware of what kind of damage his metal anklets and bracelets could do. The two waited in silence as their former boss approached them, his expensive dress shoes clicking softly on the hard floor. He came to a halt in front of the two boys and prepared to say something when Lance cut him off.
"Where's Pietro?"
"I beg your pardon?" Magneto was a bit surprised that of all the things Lance should have been concerned about, the whereabouts of Pietro seemed to be the most pressing to him.
"Where is he?"
"He's here. I need to have words with him separately. Now, we have many things to discuss."
"Um...not really, no," Lance said coldly. He had no interest in being cooperative with the man who had ruined what meager life he had put back together for himself.
"Of course we do Lance. I'm sure you're confused as to why I left you boys on your own, but you have to understa..."
"Go to hell," Todd snapped.
Magneto's expression faltered momentarily, but he forced himself to hold a look of concern. He had to convince Todd and Lance that he was truly acting for their own benefit. They had been so ready to take his side two years ago and he doubted that much had changed. It didn't occur to him that Todd Tolansky getting mouthy with the powerful Magneto was proof enough that things had indeed changed.
"Todd, please, let me explain myself. I know this probably hasn't been easy on you two..."
"Ya think?" Lance muttered under his breath.
Magneto ignored him and continued with his speech, "...but I had my reasons for putting you through all that. You see, Fred needed to learn a lesson in power and leadership, a lesson he failed miserably. I did not interfere because I hoped he would see his errors on his own, and he has."
"Bull shit," Lance said dryly. He didn't show it, but Lance didn't feel as brave as he sounded at the moment. He knew what type of damage Magneto could do to people both physically and mentally. His brief encounters with the powerful mutant had shown him that there were two very different sides to Magneto. On Asteroid M, he had seemed genuine in his concern for Scott and Alex, but the instant the two had entered his machine, Magneto revealed the whole truth about it altering their minds. Magneto seemed convinced it was a good thing, but Lance figured that if he really was so concerned about the boys' well being, he would have told them about the alterations from the start.
"He truly has Lance. He'll tell you himself. He didn't realize how much it effected you. In his mind, he was establishing himself as dominant."
"You sound like the Discovery Channel yo. People don't just beat the tar out of their 'friends' to prove they're the boss," Todd responded.
Magneto raised an eyebrow and studied Todd. "Why do you say that? It makes perfect sense for..."
"No it doesn't yo! We knew Lance was the boss and he never tried to hit us. I know Freddy yo, or I used to anyway, he wouldn't have gotten the idea to beat us into submission or some crap like that unless someone else put the idea in his head!"
"Cut this shit out. Why the hell did you bring us here?" Lance seethed, "You wanna use us again? Walk all over us again? Go ahead and try. My powers are useless at the moment. Oh, what's that? You suddenly don't give a damn about me anymore? Big surprise."
Magneto bore his eyes into the Lance's, then Todd's, deciding his cheerful attitude was no longer needed. The boys were clearly not interested in his offer.
"How dare the two of you speak to me without respect! Did you forget who it was that rescued you from the sorry lives you lived? Did you forget who's mercy it was that allowed you to live in a house and not out on the streets? You two owe your *lives* to me! Don't you realize what I'm trying to do? I'm *trying* to help you; to protect you from the cruelty of humans who will threaten and destroy our kind."
Magneto paused and took in the expressions of his former followers. Lance's was stone. He glared up at Magneto from behind his long bangs, showing no signs of guilt or repentance. Todd's face was similar, though not as confident; his fingers were clawing Lance's forearm as though the smaller boy would fall over if he let go.
"We," Lance stated, swallowing hard, "don't owe you anything. We don't want anything to do with you or your plans. Not now, and not ever. Like Todd said; go to hell."
Magneto set his jaw and narrowed his eyes at Lance. He was surprised at how determined they were to refuse him. He wasn't thrilled that he had to make sacrifices, but he could not afford to lose *both* of these boys, and Lance's powers were more efficient than Todd's; the toad had not even gained access to Asteroid M, and Lance was of a more suitable age for a soldier as well.
Magneto raised his palm, never breaking his gaze from Lance. "Fine. I suppose some people just refuse to accept help. I'm afraid I cannot take no for an answer though Lance. I'll have to convince you some other way."
The master of magnetism spread his fingers slightly and called the metal cuffs around Todd's limbs towards himself. Todd let out a slight yelp as he was lifted into the air.
"What the hell are you doing!?!" Lance roared.
Magneto stared into Lance and flicked his wrist. Todd's left arm was forced up and back by his bracelet and an odd popping noise echoed through the room followed by a sharp cry of pain from Todd.
"It's your choice Lance. Join my army and I, or I continue with this," Todd's arm was forced back further to emphasize his point. "It's really a good offer when you think about it. You will be fighting side by side with your own kind, defending your future."
Lance's eyes widened and his stomach turned as he glanced from Todd's hovering figure to Magneto. "What good will all this damn killing each other accomplish!"
Magneto forced Todd's leg out and contorted it awkwardly in mid-air. "I have no intention of killing him Lance. Make your choice; the longer you take to decide, the longer he suffers."
Todd gasped as his leg was forced up once again. "Don't listen to him Lance! He'll own you and you know it. Don't worry about it yo. I can handle a little pain!"
"Hush. You don't know what pain is yet." Magneto said softly, his voice chilling Lance to the core.
Magneto swiftly brought Todd's right arm band up to his mouth to silence the boy, crushing his lips against the toad's teeth and causing blood to break free. Tears of pain stung at the corners of Todd's eyes as he stared hard at Lance, willing the older boy to refuse Magneto despite the fear in his eyes.
"You son of a bitch!" Lance screamed as his eyes rolled back into his head and the ground began to rumble.
Todd screamed in protest from behind his metal gag but Lance ignored him and spread his palms out. The floor split in two and Lance brought up his foot then slammed it down again, sending a shockwave directly at Magneto.
Magneto rose into the air, an amused smile on his face, as Lance dropped to his knees. The brunette's eyes appeared from behind his skull and he focused on his target. Taking a deep breath, Lance pressed his palm into the floor and forced a portion of the ground to erupt upward and towards Magneto.
"Have it your way!" Magneto's voice boomed as he easily avoided Lance's attack. He began to twist Todd's arm once again and a loud crack filled the room, followed by a sharp cry of pain.
Lance gasped for air and tried in vain to shake off the splitting pain in his head as he looked up at Magneto and Todd.
Todd nearly choked as he looked at Lance. There were tears running down Lance's face. Lance Alvers was crying. As far as Todd was concerned, wether it was from physical pain or emotional torment, Lance's tears were almost scarier than the fact that Magneto had just snapped his arm in two.
Lance glared at Magneto as though he wanted nothing more than to force the powerful mutant to spontaneously combust under his gaze. "DAMN YOU! WHY?! WHY US?!"
"You'll join me then." Magneto said calmly.
Lance looked at the ground and nodded. "Just let him go," he said softly.
Magneto lowered Todd and the younger mutant curled into a tight ball, cradling his arm gingerly. He immediately began shaking, in too much pain to stay conscious much longer.
"I'm sorry it had to be this way Lance. It's your own fault. This could have been so much more peaceful."
"Just leave," Lance commanded, his voice toneless.
Magneto headed for the door, then paused. "You will *both* be joining me."
Lance's head snapped up and his bloodshot eyes locked with Magneto's. "What?"
"You will both be joining me," Magneto repeated. "There's someone here to see you as well."
Lance broke his gaze from Magneto and stood up shakily, heading for Todd's shivering form. He knew he couldn't argue. Magneto would just torment Todd if either of them refused to cooperate, it was that simple. He wondered if that was why the acolytes were so 'loyal.'
He heard Magneto exit and mutter a few words to someone before the door slammed shut. Lance gently picked Todd up off the ground and carried him toward the couch near the corner of the room. The normalcy of the room's set up bothered him to the extreme. He knew it was only meant to create the false welcoming attitude that Magneto was going to try and fake throughout the beginning of the interview, but at least there was somewhere comfortable to put Todd.
"Uh, hey Lance."
Lance froze, still dazed by what had just happened, as he was putting Todd down. "Fred?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Magneto beamed down at Roberto as the dark boy rose slowly out of his chair. Magneto had serious doubts that he would have any luck with Xavier's students after his encounter with the older X-Men, but it seemed as though at least two of the little brats would come peacefully.
After taking a few moments to calm himself after meeting with Lance and Todd, Magneto had once again resumed his concerned and considerate attitude. If the events went peacefully his new soldiers would be loyal to him of their own accord. He honestly didn't like having to resort to force, but some people just refused to accept help sometimes. He was confident that Lance and Todd would forgive him in time, and realize that his actions were all for the better.
He extended his hand to Roberto, who timidly reached out his own hand. 'This will be so much simpler.'
Magneto's thoughts were interrupted by a distinct growl from Rahne. 'Ok, so maybe not as simple as I could have hoped for.'
"They're making the right choice dear. Come now, you can't blame them for seeing the truth. The world will never accept us unless we force them to," Magneto explained to Rahne.
The Scottish girl did not look at all impressed. She completely ignored Magneto and instead continued to glare icily at Jubilee and Roberto, both of whom were now standing next to Magneto with nervous looks on their faced.
"What do ya think ya'r doing? Have ya lost ya'r minds completely!?"
Roberto bit his lip and looked up at Rahne. "Well, you've gotta admit Rahne, with all this anti mutant stuff going on lately, he- he might be right."
"Yeah but what good will it do to prove all those idiots right, and that we're dangerous or something?" Bobby demanded, "I can't believe you guys!"
Magneto held up a palm to silence the younger students and looked towards Jubilee and Roberto. "Not everyone will understand, but you're making the right choice. Things will be..."
Magneto's eyes widened in astonishment as Rahne morphed into a wolf and lunged at him, fangs barred. She dug her canine's into Magneto's calf just as Bobby began to ice the man in place. Chaos broke out in the room as the new recruits began to throw everything they had at the master of magnetism. Both Roberto and Jubilee seemed to change their minds about their decision, now that they seemed less powerless in the situation, and quickly joined the others.
Although he was actually very amused, Magneto had not expected such audacity from these students. He would not be mocked by such inferiors however, and did not let his amusement show.
"Enough!" he raised each of the students into the air by their metal cuffs as his eyes flashed their dangerous yellow. "There is more than one way to help you see the light and join me, and I will not hesitate to use it!" his eyes shifted to Rahne who was twisting against his magnetic hold in her wrists and ankles. "My, my, my. Aren't we a feisty one, hmm? If you hold still dear, it will be less painful."
Rahne tilted her head to look at Magneto and glared at him. "Kiss my ass!"
~*~*~*~*~*~
Lance stared at Fred evenly, not daring to blink. He wasn't afraid any more at this point. Quite the opposite in fact. He'd wanted to get back at Fred for what he'd done to the brotherhood for a long time, and it looked as though he was about to get his opportunity. He was more than willing to vent some frustration at the moment.
"Did he...did he explain it to you? Why I, uh, why I...you know."
Lance continued to stare, his throat becoming dryer by the second. Fred lumbered over to Lance and smiled weakly at him. It was such a forced smile that Lance almost cringed. He was slightly surprised however, to notice that Fred looked extremely nervous.
"I don't give a rat's ass what that creep has to say" he spat.
Fred's eyes darted nervously from Lance to Todd, and then to the door. "I- I uh, didn't know he was going to do that. You didn't give him much of a choice though; he wants to help us."
Lance's expression morphed into one of anger as he studied Fred. "How does hurting someone help them!? Hell, you should know. Do you realize what you did to us? Do you even feel the slightest bit sorry? Damnit Fred, if it wasn't for you, none of this would have happened!"
Fred looked down at Lance's feet, unable to look the older mutant in the eyes. "I- Magneto said it was the best way. I didn't think... well shit Lance!"
"Shit what?!"
"Just... shit! I was stupid, ok? Happy now? I'm dense! An idiot! I got all confused and I hurt you because of it. But listen to me Lance, he's still right. The world has to be taught a lesson. We can't just let them think that we are going to accept their new laws to control us!"
Lance narrowed his eyes. "What happened to you?" he said acidly, "First you half loose your mind and try to kill us. Now you're telling me we should fight for mutant rights? Since when did you care about anything more than what shows came in on the boarding house TV?!"
Fred looked down at Lance and shook his head slowly. "You wouldn't understand Lance. Magneto gave me a chance. He trusted me. Someone finally gave me some recognition. Not to mention he saved my life. He- he took me in Lance. I'm not going to turn on him. You don't know what it's like. People always respect you."
Lance raised his eyebrows. "People respect *me?* Ha! You've been brainwashed, that's all there is to it."
Fred sighed and shook his head again. "No; That's Wanda. Come on though Lance, you step into the boarding house and become the leader. I don't care that Magneto put Pietro and charge a few times, you were still the one we listened to. And didn't you tell us that you took charge of all those little X-Geeks when you skipped off to the institute? I may not be that bright Lance, but I know when someone is respected."
Lance didn't know what to say to that. One, he was having an almost intelligent and completely civil conversation with a guy he wanted to knock into next century. Two, he had never been aware that anyone respected him at all. He didn't have the slightest idea why anybody would, and he hadn't ever really thought about it for that matter.
"What's the big deal? It's not that important," Lance said, shrugging.
Fred glared almost poutingly at Lance as he folded his arms over his chest. "It's a big deal to me, ok?"
Todd suddenly stirred from his position on the small couch and let out a muffled groan. "Lance?"
"Hey, you ok Todd?" Lance asked, immediately going over to the smaller boy and ignoring Fred's presence for the time being.
Todd cracked his eyes open, barely. "Why'd you try an' fight him yo? That was pretty stupid."
"So I got a little carried away. I couldn't really help it," Lance admitted, "Are you alright?" he asked again.
Todd's head swayed on his shoulders and he struggled to keep himself lucid. "It hurts."
"Hey Todd?" Fred said timidly. "You uh...uhh..."
"Todd steadied his head long enough to focus on the blob and then looked back at Lance. "Wha's 'e here for?"
Lance just shrugged. He had wondered the same thing himself.
"I thought maybe...that maybe...well... uh, that maybe I could make things ok again."
Todd swallowed, forcing his tongue to obey his command despite that fact his mind was slowly slipping out of consciousness again. "Somehow Fred, I don't think that's gonna be very instantaneous."
Lance furrowed his brow and looked at Todd. He was almost certain that the pain was affecting the younger mutant's brain; he could have sworn that Todd has just used a word like 'instantaneous.'
"I guess not," Fred stammered. "But... things'll be better now that we're all on the same side again; right? You... you know Magneto is right, don't you? You'll help us fight?"
Todd winced as fresh jolts of pain shot up his arm and through his shoulder. Lacking the strength to formulate another sentence, he lifted his good hand up and gave Fred the finger before he again went limp on the couch, the pain winning the battle for dominance.
Lance smirked and looked back at Fred. "I think that about says it all."
"Lance, take a good look at what Magneto is offering..."
"No! Fred, it doesn't matter. Don't you get it? There's no way out. If we refuse he'll just torture us, so we're stuck on your side no matter what."
Lance paused and frowned as a new realization washed over him. His life was over. No matter how he looked at it, he was a slave; his freedom gone. The thought was so eerie to him that it took everything he had not to break down right then and there. He could barely remember the last time he had felt this helpless.
Fred shifted awkwardly and Lance realized that he probably hadn't left the room yet because someone had to keep an eye on him and Todd.
"Fred," he said suddenly, his last plan of hope forming in his mind, "do you really want this? Do you really want to be a slave to Magneto your entire life?"
Fred tilted his head slightly and studied Lance. "I'm not his slave."
"DAMNIT FRED! Let us out of here!" lance exploded, "Please! Say we knocked you out, say *anything,* just please, let us out of here. I don't want any part of this! Todd's still just a kid, and I don't even want to know what all this is going to do to Pietro!"
Fred's eyes widened as Lance pleaded with him. Lance Alvers simply did not beg. "If I let you go," he said softly, "will you let Todd and Pietro know how sorry I am? I'm not sorry for joining Magneto," he added quickly, "but...but the other stuff. Will you tell 'em?"
Lance's voice constricted deep in his throat as he tried to process what Fred had just said. "You mean you're going to let us out?"
Fred pulled out a syringe and Lance instinctively flinched.
"This was in case you got violent," Fred said simply. He then pressed the needle to the soft skin just behind his ear, one of the few places on his body that could be penetrated by a needle, and injected himself. "You're making a huge mistake Lance," he said, settling himself into an odd position on the ground.
It took Lance a few seconds to realize what the blob was doing and for a moment he just stood there, waiting for Fred to attack or something. Then it dawned on him that Fred wasn't going to attack, he was knocking himself out. It was such a genius idea that Lance wondered if it was some type of trap. Either way, he didn't have anything to loose at this point. Without so much as a backward glance at Fred, Lance picked Todd up off the couch and headed for the exit.
'Gotta find Tro and the others. Gotta get the hell out of here. I need to delete the word normal from my vocabulary since it obviously doesn't exist in my world. I just want to get away from all this...'
AN: Ok, feel free to tell me what sucks and what doesn't. As I've mentioned... action isn't my strong point. O well though. And I *promise* loads of Pietro and family angst next chapter, k?
Pietro fans will prolly wanna kick me for this chapter cuz Pietro's not in here... he's in Part II. Sorry.
Review Responses- Thank you. Thanks. Danke.
Mandy- None taken. I like my angst better too. And yeah I don't get the Pie nickname really lol. Tro makes more sense.
KS-Fan- Yay! You liked the pyro scene. That makes me happy lol. It came out of no where and I ended up liking it too for some reason. I think I just wanted to think of some way to incorporate Pyro's insanity junk from the show lol. I don't think laughing like a maniac is... normal hehe. And don't worry about Wanda, she gets to have loads of fun in part II. Wow... huuuge compliment about mags (he's still such a pain to write)- thanks.
Testament1- lol... nah, u don't.
Wizard1- I don't think pyro knows it's never too late ;) And as for Wanda... yes.
Calamari Rings- lol.. Caught me, it was sorta a filler... eh, o well.
Windwalker- Yep, I want to incorporate *everyone* but it's essentially a bro-hood fic... but to play it fair I gave the new recruits screen time. I love using them.
Abbie Soler Star- Aww thanks for reviewing
Kamalakali- Don't hate me for the lack of Tro... *please!* lol. I promise he'll be back.
Yma- Yay! I consider it high praise when someone says I do mags ok. As I've said b4... he's such a pain.
Black Arachne- Thank you :) Compliments are grand things.
MiracleChick- Ooo.. Good way to describe Mags... sinister but not heartless. Anyway, thank ya much.
IceBlueRose- lol... I'm sooory bout the slow updates. *sigh* It's hard being a closet case fanfic writer and deal with school and the rest of life lol. Isn't that sad? I'm a *closet case* fanfiction writer lol. Anyway, I didn't think the last chapter *sucked* really... I'm just not all that confident in the whole action writing department.
Kay guys, thanks so much. I love hearing from you ppl.
Chapter 21- Getting Out Part I
Magneto stormed his way angrily down the hall, his daughter trailing behind him.
"Dad? What happened?"
Magneto took a deep breath and forced himself to slow his pace. He had to be very careful of how he acted around Wanda. "They refused," he said flatly, "I expected them to be skeptical of course, but I thought they would agree to reason in the end."
Wanda nodded and continued to follow her father down the corridor, leaving him to brood. His plan had not gone well with the older X-Men. Scott it seemed, had been wanting an excuse to tell Magneto what an imbecile he was ever since the Asteroid M incident. Both he and Rogue had laughed at his offer to control their powers, much to Magneto's annoyance. At one point, Kurt had actually attempted to lunge himself at Magneto. He'd paid dearly for it, the foolish kid.
Reaching a door, Magneto wondered vaguely about what to do with the others. He hadn't expected such adamant refusal from all of them. He would have to worry about it later though, at the moment, he needed to have a few words with his brotherhood, and remind them who rescued from the pitiful lives they once lived.
"Go and get Fred for me please Wanda," he said, opening the door, "Tell him not to come in until I tell him to do so."
Nodding, Wanda continued down the hall while Magneto entered the room.
"Colossus, wait outside."
Lance's head snapped to the doorframe at the sound of the voice. Todd shifted nervously and resisted the urge to run for the door like a mad man. He wasn't that dense; he was very aware of what kind of damage his metal anklets and bracelets could do. The two waited in silence as their former boss approached them, his expensive dress shoes clicking softly on the hard floor. He came to a halt in front of the two boys and prepared to say something when Lance cut him off.
"Where's Pietro?"
"I beg your pardon?" Magneto was a bit surprised that of all the things Lance should have been concerned about, the whereabouts of Pietro seemed to be the most pressing to him.
"Where is he?"
"He's here. I need to have words with him separately. Now, we have many things to discuss."
"Um...not really, no," Lance said coldly. He had no interest in being cooperative with the man who had ruined what meager life he had put back together for himself.
"Of course we do Lance. I'm sure you're confused as to why I left you boys on your own, but you have to understa..."
"Go to hell," Todd snapped.
Magneto's expression faltered momentarily, but he forced himself to hold a look of concern. He had to convince Todd and Lance that he was truly acting for their own benefit. They had been so ready to take his side two years ago and he doubted that much had changed. It didn't occur to him that Todd Tolansky getting mouthy with the powerful Magneto was proof enough that things had indeed changed.
"Todd, please, let me explain myself. I know this probably hasn't been easy on you two..."
"Ya think?" Lance muttered under his breath.
Magneto ignored him and continued with his speech, "...but I had my reasons for putting you through all that. You see, Fred needed to learn a lesson in power and leadership, a lesson he failed miserably. I did not interfere because I hoped he would see his errors on his own, and he has."
"Bull shit," Lance said dryly. He didn't show it, but Lance didn't feel as brave as he sounded at the moment. He knew what type of damage Magneto could do to people both physically and mentally. His brief encounters with the powerful mutant had shown him that there were two very different sides to Magneto. On Asteroid M, he had seemed genuine in his concern for Scott and Alex, but the instant the two had entered his machine, Magneto revealed the whole truth about it altering their minds. Magneto seemed convinced it was a good thing, but Lance figured that if he really was so concerned about the boys' well being, he would have told them about the alterations from the start.
"He truly has Lance. He'll tell you himself. He didn't realize how much it effected you. In his mind, he was establishing himself as dominant."
"You sound like the Discovery Channel yo. People don't just beat the tar out of their 'friends' to prove they're the boss," Todd responded.
Magneto raised an eyebrow and studied Todd. "Why do you say that? It makes perfect sense for..."
"No it doesn't yo! We knew Lance was the boss and he never tried to hit us. I know Freddy yo, or I used to anyway, he wouldn't have gotten the idea to beat us into submission or some crap like that unless someone else put the idea in his head!"
"Cut this shit out. Why the hell did you bring us here?" Lance seethed, "You wanna use us again? Walk all over us again? Go ahead and try. My powers are useless at the moment. Oh, what's that? You suddenly don't give a damn about me anymore? Big surprise."
Magneto bore his eyes into the Lance's, then Todd's, deciding his cheerful attitude was no longer needed. The boys were clearly not interested in his offer.
"How dare the two of you speak to me without respect! Did you forget who it was that rescued you from the sorry lives you lived? Did you forget who's mercy it was that allowed you to live in a house and not out on the streets? You two owe your *lives* to me! Don't you realize what I'm trying to do? I'm *trying* to help you; to protect you from the cruelty of humans who will threaten and destroy our kind."
Magneto paused and took in the expressions of his former followers. Lance's was stone. He glared up at Magneto from behind his long bangs, showing no signs of guilt or repentance. Todd's face was similar, though not as confident; his fingers were clawing Lance's forearm as though the smaller boy would fall over if he let go.
"We," Lance stated, swallowing hard, "don't owe you anything. We don't want anything to do with you or your plans. Not now, and not ever. Like Todd said; go to hell."
Magneto set his jaw and narrowed his eyes at Lance. He was surprised at how determined they were to refuse him. He wasn't thrilled that he had to make sacrifices, but he could not afford to lose *both* of these boys, and Lance's powers were more efficient than Todd's; the toad had not even gained access to Asteroid M, and Lance was of a more suitable age for a soldier as well.
Magneto raised his palm, never breaking his gaze from Lance. "Fine. I suppose some people just refuse to accept help. I'm afraid I cannot take no for an answer though Lance. I'll have to convince you some other way."
The master of magnetism spread his fingers slightly and called the metal cuffs around Todd's limbs towards himself. Todd let out a slight yelp as he was lifted into the air.
"What the hell are you doing!?!" Lance roared.
Magneto stared into Lance and flicked his wrist. Todd's left arm was forced up and back by his bracelet and an odd popping noise echoed through the room followed by a sharp cry of pain from Todd.
"It's your choice Lance. Join my army and I, or I continue with this," Todd's arm was forced back further to emphasize his point. "It's really a good offer when you think about it. You will be fighting side by side with your own kind, defending your future."
Lance's eyes widened and his stomach turned as he glanced from Todd's hovering figure to Magneto. "What good will all this damn killing each other accomplish!"
Magneto forced Todd's leg out and contorted it awkwardly in mid-air. "I have no intention of killing him Lance. Make your choice; the longer you take to decide, the longer he suffers."
Todd gasped as his leg was forced up once again. "Don't listen to him Lance! He'll own you and you know it. Don't worry about it yo. I can handle a little pain!"
"Hush. You don't know what pain is yet." Magneto said softly, his voice chilling Lance to the core.
Magneto swiftly brought Todd's right arm band up to his mouth to silence the boy, crushing his lips against the toad's teeth and causing blood to break free. Tears of pain stung at the corners of Todd's eyes as he stared hard at Lance, willing the older boy to refuse Magneto despite the fear in his eyes.
"You son of a bitch!" Lance screamed as his eyes rolled back into his head and the ground began to rumble.
Todd screamed in protest from behind his metal gag but Lance ignored him and spread his palms out. The floor split in two and Lance brought up his foot then slammed it down again, sending a shockwave directly at Magneto.
Magneto rose into the air, an amused smile on his face, as Lance dropped to his knees. The brunette's eyes appeared from behind his skull and he focused on his target. Taking a deep breath, Lance pressed his palm into the floor and forced a portion of the ground to erupt upward and towards Magneto.
"Have it your way!" Magneto's voice boomed as he easily avoided Lance's attack. He began to twist Todd's arm once again and a loud crack filled the room, followed by a sharp cry of pain.
Lance gasped for air and tried in vain to shake off the splitting pain in his head as he looked up at Magneto and Todd.
Todd nearly choked as he looked at Lance. There were tears running down Lance's face. Lance Alvers was crying. As far as Todd was concerned, wether it was from physical pain or emotional torment, Lance's tears were almost scarier than the fact that Magneto had just snapped his arm in two.
Lance glared at Magneto as though he wanted nothing more than to force the powerful mutant to spontaneously combust under his gaze. "DAMN YOU! WHY?! WHY US?!"
"You'll join me then." Magneto said calmly.
Lance looked at the ground and nodded. "Just let him go," he said softly.
Magneto lowered Todd and the younger mutant curled into a tight ball, cradling his arm gingerly. He immediately began shaking, in too much pain to stay conscious much longer.
"I'm sorry it had to be this way Lance. It's your own fault. This could have been so much more peaceful."
"Just leave," Lance commanded, his voice toneless.
Magneto headed for the door, then paused. "You will *both* be joining me."
Lance's head snapped up and his bloodshot eyes locked with Magneto's. "What?"
"You will both be joining me," Magneto repeated. "There's someone here to see you as well."
Lance broke his gaze from Magneto and stood up shakily, heading for Todd's shivering form. He knew he couldn't argue. Magneto would just torment Todd if either of them refused to cooperate, it was that simple. He wondered if that was why the acolytes were so 'loyal.'
He heard Magneto exit and mutter a few words to someone before the door slammed shut. Lance gently picked Todd up off the ground and carried him toward the couch near the corner of the room. The normalcy of the room's set up bothered him to the extreme. He knew it was only meant to create the false welcoming attitude that Magneto was going to try and fake throughout the beginning of the interview, but at least there was somewhere comfortable to put Todd.
"Uh, hey Lance."
Lance froze, still dazed by what had just happened, as he was putting Todd down. "Fred?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Magneto beamed down at Roberto as the dark boy rose slowly out of his chair. Magneto had serious doubts that he would have any luck with Xavier's students after his encounter with the older X-Men, but it seemed as though at least two of the little brats would come peacefully.
After taking a few moments to calm himself after meeting with Lance and Todd, Magneto had once again resumed his concerned and considerate attitude. If the events went peacefully his new soldiers would be loyal to him of their own accord. He honestly didn't like having to resort to force, but some people just refused to accept help sometimes. He was confident that Lance and Todd would forgive him in time, and realize that his actions were all for the better.
He extended his hand to Roberto, who timidly reached out his own hand. 'This will be so much simpler.'
Magneto's thoughts were interrupted by a distinct growl from Rahne. 'Ok, so maybe not as simple as I could have hoped for.'
"They're making the right choice dear. Come now, you can't blame them for seeing the truth. The world will never accept us unless we force them to," Magneto explained to Rahne.
The Scottish girl did not look at all impressed. She completely ignored Magneto and instead continued to glare icily at Jubilee and Roberto, both of whom were now standing next to Magneto with nervous looks on their faced.
"What do ya think ya'r doing? Have ya lost ya'r minds completely!?"
Roberto bit his lip and looked up at Rahne. "Well, you've gotta admit Rahne, with all this anti mutant stuff going on lately, he- he might be right."
"Yeah but what good will it do to prove all those idiots right, and that we're dangerous or something?" Bobby demanded, "I can't believe you guys!"
Magneto held up a palm to silence the younger students and looked towards Jubilee and Roberto. "Not everyone will understand, but you're making the right choice. Things will be..."
Magneto's eyes widened in astonishment as Rahne morphed into a wolf and lunged at him, fangs barred. She dug her canine's into Magneto's calf just as Bobby began to ice the man in place. Chaos broke out in the room as the new recruits began to throw everything they had at the master of magnetism. Both Roberto and Jubilee seemed to change their minds about their decision, now that they seemed less powerless in the situation, and quickly joined the others.
Although he was actually very amused, Magneto had not expected such audacity from these students. He would not be mocked by such inferiors however, and did not let his amusement show.
"Enough!" he raised each of the students into the air by their metal cuffs as his eyes flashed their dangerous yellow. "There is more than one way to help you see the light and join me, and I will not hesitate to use it!" his eyes shifted to Rahne who was twisting against his magnetic hold in her wrists and ankles. "My, my, my. Aren't we a feisty one, hmm? If you hold still dear, it will be less painful."
Rahne tilted her head to look at Magneto and glared at him. "Kiss my ass!"
~*~*~*~*~*~
Lance stared at Fred evenly, not daring to blink. He wasn't afraid any more at this point. Quite the opposite in fact. He'd wanted to get back at Fred for what he'd done to the brotherhood for a long time, and it looked as though he was about to get his opportunity. He was more than willing to vent some frustration at the moment.
"Did he...did he explain it to you? Why I, uh, why I...you know."
Lance continued to stare, his throat becoming dryer by the second. Fred lumbered over to Lance and smiled weakly at him. It was such a forced smile that Lance almost cringed. He was slightly surprised however, to notice that Fred looked extremely nervous.
"I don't give a rat's ass what that creep has to say" he spat.
Fred's eyes darted nervously from Lance to Todd, and then to the door. "I- I uh, didn't know he was going to do that. You didn't give him much of a choice though; he wants to help us."
Lance's expression morphed into one of anger as he studied Fred. "How does hurting someone help them!? Hell, you should know. Do you realize what you did to us? Do you even feel the slightest bit sorry? Damnit Fred, if it wasn't for you, none of this would have happened!"
Fred looked down at Lance's feet, unable to look the older mutant in the eyes. "I- Magneto said it was the best way. I didn't think... well shit Lance!"
"Shit what?!"
"Just... shit! I was stupid, ok? Happy now? I'm dense! An idiot! I got all confused and I hurt you because of it. But listen to me Lance, he's still right. The world has to be taught a lesson. We can't just let them think that we are going to accept their new laws to control us!"
Lance narrowed his eyes. "What happened to you?" he said acidly, "First you half loose your mind and try to kill us. Now you're telling me we should fight for mutant rights? Since when did you care about anything more than what shows came in on the boarding house TV?!"
Fred looked down at Lance and shook his head slowly. "You wouldn't understand Lance. Magneto gave me a chance. He trusted me. Someone finally gave me some recognition. Not to mention he saved my life. He- he took me in Lance. I'm not going to turn on him. You don't know what it's like. People always respect you."
Lance raised his eyebrows. "People respect *me?* Ha! You've been brainwashed, that's all there is to it."
Fred sighed and shook his head again. "No; That's Wanda. Come on though Lance, you step into the boarding house and become the leader. I don't care that Magneto put Pietro and charge a few times, you were still the one we listened to. And didn't you tell us that you took charge of all those little X-Geeks when you skipped off to the institute? I may not be that bright Lance, but I know when someone is respected."
Lance didn't know what to say to that. One, he was having an almost intelligent and completely civil conversation with a guy he wanted to knock into next century. Two, he had never been aware that anyone respected him at all. He didn't have the slightest idea why anybody would, and he hadn't ever really thought about it for that matter.
"What's the big deal? It's not that important," Lance said, shrugging.
Fred glared almost poutingly at Lance as he folded his arms over his chest. "It's a big deal to me, ok?"
Todd suddenly stirred from his position on the small couch and let out a muffled groan. "Lance?"
"Hey, you ok Todd?" Lance asked, immediately going over to the smaller boy and ignoring Fred's presence for the time being.
Todd cracked his eyes open, barely. "Why'd you try an' fight him yo? That was pretty stupid."
"So I got a little carried away. I couldn't really help it," Lance admitted, "Are you alright?" he asked again.
Todd's head swayed on his shoulders and he struggled to keep himself lucid. "It hurts."
"Hey Todd?" Fred said timidly. "You uh...uhh..."
"Todd steadied his head long enough to focus on the blob and then looked back at Lance. "Wha's 'e here for?"
Lance just shrugged. He had wondered the same thing himself.
"I thought maybe...that maybe...well... uh, that maybe I could make things ok again."
Todd swallowed, forcing his tongue to obey his command despite that fact his mind was slowly slipping out of consciousness again. "Somehow Fred, I don't think that's gonna be very instantaneous."
Lance furrowed his brow and looked at Todd. He was almost certain that the pain was affecting the younger mutant's brain; he could have sworn that Todd has just used a word like 'instantaneous.'
"I guess not," Fred stammered. "But... things'll be better now that we're all on the same side again; right? You... you know Magneto is right, don't you? You'll help us fight?"
Todd winced as fresh jolts of pain shot up his arm and through his shoulder. Lacking the strength to formulate another sentence, he lifted his good hand up and gave Fred the finger before he again went limp on the couch, the pain winning the battle for dominance.
Lance smirked and looked back at Fred. "I think that about says it all."
"Lance, take a good look at what Magneto is offering..."
"No! Fred, it doesn't matter. Don't you get it? There's no way out. If we refuse he'll just torture us, so we're stuck on your side no matter what."
Lance paused and frowned as a new realization washed over him. His life was over. No matter how he looked at it, he was a slave; his freedom gone. The thought was so eerie to him that it took everything he had not to break down right then and there. He could barely remember the last time he had felt this helpless.
Fred shifted awkwardly and Lance realized that he probably hadn't left the room yet because someone had to keep an eye on him and Todd.
"Fred," he said suddenly, his last plan of hope forming in his mind, "do you really want this? Do you really want to be a slave to Magneto your entire life?"
Fred tilted his head slightly and studied Lance. "I'm not his slave."
"DAMNIT FRED! Let us out of here!" lance exploded, "Please! Say we knocked you out, say *anything,* just please, let us out of here. I don't want any part of this! Todd's still just a kid, and I don't even want to know what all this is going to do to Pietro!"
Fred's eyes widened as Lance pleaded with him. Lance Alvers simply did not beg. "If I let you go," he said softly, "will you let Todd and Pietro know how sorry I am? I'm not sorry for joining Magneto," he added quickly, "but...but the other stuff. Will you tell 'em?"
Lance's voice constricted deep in his throat as he tried to process what Fred had just said. "You mean you're going to let us out?"
Fred pulled out a syringe and Lance instinctively flinched.
"This was in case you got violent," Fred said simply. He then pressed the needle to the soft skin just behind his ear, one of the few places on his body that could be penetrated by a needle, and injected himself. "You're making a huge mistake Lance," he said, settling himself into an odd position on the ground.
It took Lance a few seconds to realize what the blob was doing and for a moment he just stood there, waiting for Fred to attack or something. Then it dawned on him that Fred wasn't going to attack, he was knocking himself out. It was such a genius idea that Lance wondered if it was some type of trap. Either way, he didn't have anything to loose at this point. Without so much as a backward glance at Fred, Lance picked Todd up off the couch and headed for the exit.
'Gotta find Tro and the others. Gotta get the hell out of here. I need to delete the word normal from my vocabulary since it obviously doesn't exist in my world. I just want to get away from all this...'
AN: Ok, feel free to tell me what sucks and what doesn't. As I've mentioned... action isn't my strong point. O well though. And I *promise* loads of Pietro and family angst next chapter, k?