Well, for all those who waited the few days I was away. Here's the next chapter., be warned though, Its really long. The next two are about as long as well.

Thanks to all who reviewed me.

Disclaimer: I don't own em. Just some belong to me. If you like a character, just ask me before using.

Beta'd by : A Lid.

*~*

The Call to Arms

Rogue sat in her room, rubbing a hand across her stomach. She couldn't feel anything, but she knew that a child was there. Her child, her and Erik's. She had given up hope of ever having a child, much less getting married, but Erik had given her that chance, and she loved him all the more for it. She had hated turning Remy aside, she had loved him deeply, but she knew Erik was the one for her. She loved him more than Remy, and Remy had to understand that. Not that he should still be complaining, what with him and Emma Frost carrying on like rabbits. She scowled, then composed her face. She shouldn't be getting jealous. Besides, Emma was apparently done with him. The two were barely talking these days. For that matter, she hadn't seen Remy for a few days. She had been avoiding him, but she should have seen him sometime. She didn't relish the prospect of telling him about her child, she knew that nobody had told him, as per her explicit orders. She wanted to break the news to him as gently as she could. She wasn't heartless; she knew Remy might even appreciate her telling him personally.

She got out of bed.

No time like the present. She walked out of her room, intending to find Remy. She walked into the common room in the X-men's personal quarters on Muir Isle. She found only Emma, Bobby and Wanda there. Wanda had become very friendly with her recently, and Rogue had begun thinking that perhaps they could be a real family, albeit with Rogue playing more of a sister's role than step- mothers. Wanda was nearly her age. The good thing was both Emma and Wanda were close to Remy. Well all the women were, but especially these two. Bobby smiled as he saw her. He had once harbored deep feelings for her, but he had never acted on them, as she had been with Remy then. He had later begun to think of her more as a sister. They were now close friends. He had recovered almost completely from his injuries. Now only Sarah remained, still in a coma.

"Hey, what's my favorite girl doing up and about at this time of night?"

Wanda pouted at him, "Hey, I thought I was your favorite girl Bobby?"

"Sorry, Wand's, but you know your mom will always be first in my book."

Wanda frowned slightly at 'mom', but then smiled at Rogue to show her she wasn't annoyed by it.

"Actually Booby, ah wanted to know where Remy was, ah figure he oughta be told about Erik and my baby, before he found out in anothah way."

They looked surprised.

"Don't you know Rogue? He's been gone for nearly two days now. He just up and left. I thought you know Ororo said to give him a day and then start worrying."

Rogue stared at Emma.

"He's gone? But, he shouldn't have, not at this tahme."

She turned and began walking down to the communications bay. Emma and Wanda caught up to her as she walked down the hallway.

"Rogue, what're you doing?" that was Wanda.

"He's been gawn for two days without word, and none of ya'll told me?

"Rogue, we thought you knew, sorry." Emma looked slightly contrite.

"Where are you going anyway?"

Rogue looked at Emma, "You're a telepath, where do you think? Ta contact him from the communications room."

Emma flushed slightly and opened her mouth to say something when Ororo appeared.

"By the goddess, where are you all going?"

"To contact Remy, Ororo, ah didn't know he was gone."

"How? He has no communication device, apart from on the jet, and he's not answering that."

She paused as they reached in front of the communications room, looking intently at Ororo.

"There's only one place he coulda gawn, an' that's Bella's grotto. He always goes there if he wants ta be alone."

Ororo looked surprised; she had not remembered that apparently.

"Of course, I should have thought of it, but Sarah was weighing on my mind."

Rogue opened the frequency and attempted to contact both the X-jet and Bella's grotto. There was no reply from either.

"Oh Goddess. If he doesn't answer that, it means something's happened to him." Ororo sank into a chair.

"Why will he always answer that?" Emma was curious.

Rogue lay slumped in her chair, worrying about Remy. He had been her charge Dammit. She had been left in command. Sort of.

She answered Emma numbly.

"Remy has a small device with him that lets him know when anybody is trying to contact Bella's grotto. He'll always be able to answer it. This means only that he's been caught, if not he would have answered. It either means he's captured or. no! He's not dead!"

Ororo looked up and two trails of wetness streaked her face

Emma and Wanda stared. They had never seen the woman lose her calm, ever. This was bad.

"He is not dead, by the goddess he is not." Her voice in contrast to her face was cold and hard.

"We will find him."

Rogue got up and strode up to the wall. Remy, dead or captured by Apocalypse's minions. Or perhaps captured by someone else. This wasn't fair. She could tell Ororo was frantic with worry. She felt worried too. She had never stopped loving him, just not as much as she loved Erik. perhaps. He could still make her knees weak, and turn her into so much mush with a word. He had always been good at that. She still sometimes fantasized about having him again. She colored guiltily as she took control of her thoughts. This wasn't the sort of thing to be thinking about. It must be the baby she thought, she had heard that women became unreasonable and underwent sudden mood switches. She cleared her thoughts of all irrelevancies and focused on the problem as Erik had taught her.

Gambit. They had to find him. The first place to go would be Belladonna's grotto. There were only two more craft that could cross the Sea Wall safely. One was the massive hybrid Jet, and another X-jet, a prototype that Erik and Logan were working on with some humans. It would have to be that. The hybrid was too valuable to lose; besides it was also very conspicuous. She had to decide who to take with her. She would have to go, she couldn't very well leave Remy in others hands. No matter what Erik said, she would be going.

Ororo would go as well. That was obvious. The rest of Roulette would want to go as well, but she wouldn't take all of them. She would take Renegade, Iceman, Emma Frost; she too would want to come, and Scarlet Witch. A good team, with herself for a powerhouse, Storm, Iceman and Renegade for sheer power, Emma for telepathy and Scarlet Witch for the added boost of luck. Quicksilver would take over while she was gone. She got up and turned to the others to tell them her decision.

Remy opened his eyes. He was in Candra's bedroom. Over the past two days he had been here more and more often. Candra was like an insatiable wildcat. His back bore numerous marks courtesy of her wild nature. Whenever Sinister wasn't doing weird tests to determine his mutant physiology, Candra would call him to her. In only two days she was already running him ragged. Eight times since the first time. Candra didn't have much patience in her, and she loved to play games. Oh how she loved them. She also made sure he was in a subordinate position. She always called him at first for talking to him about turning over to their side, and trying to find ways to counter his empathy. It always worked well with her. Every time she tried he could take control of the situation. Once or twice he had just grabbed and kissed her before she could say or do anything. The first time she had responded ardently, then when he broke to take a breath, she had nearly unhinged his jaw. The second time she had responded by grabbing him and pulling him into her bedroom, the first time he had gone there. She had then tied him to her bed and taken what he considered complete unadulterated and absolutely immoral advantage of him. Perhaps his most embarrassing moment. Thank God no one had been there.

He brushed his hair back from his forehead. Sinister had been very amused to learn that he was sleeping with Candra. He had been surprised at first then shrugged it off. His main stance towards that was amusement now. Remy had not been amused. He hated Sinister with the very core of his being. The External knew secrets about him that he had thought long buried. Including the one that still gave him nightmares at night. His deepest and darkest secret that filled him with self loathing every time he thought of it. Candra shifted beside him. He froze hoping she wouldn't wake. He enjoyed his sex like any other man, but she was too much, and an external to boot. He felt loathing every time he penetrated her, and wild elation and desire at the same time. She shifted beside him again. He realized he was transmitting his emotions outward as he saw Candra's nipples harden below a thin diaphanous sheet. He had been shocked when Sinister had told him about it. It would have explained a lot of things, especially about why so many people had hated him when he had joined the X-men, and why only telepaths and people with strong mental blocks, such as Logan, Rogue, Erik and Moira had been the only ones to accept or take a liking to him from the start. Sinister had told him he had probably sent out his feelings of self-hatred. Also another reason why he could get women to love him, though he was charming enough anyway, Sinister had added with a wry grin. Sinister had thought it was one of the reasons his empathy worked so well against Candra. It was more of him unconsciously transmitting his emotions, not a direct empathic assault on her. Which did nothing to explain why every time she had been affected she had tried to kiss him. Unless... he brushed that line of thought away. He didn't want to think that way. Not about an enemy. He looked at her. She was very desirable, wickedly beautiful, with a firm and very curvaceous body, soft in all the right places. Her mouth was softly pouted, a perfect little bud to kiss. He saw her breathing become shallower and saw her open one catlike eyelid. She looked at him with desire burning in her eyes. He leant forward and she met his mouth halfway with her own. He bent over her. What the hell, he did want it now. Perhaps he could set a new record.

Jean sat behind Erik as he and Logan maneuvered the craft through the Sea Wall. She made certain everyone was wearing a dampener. Without it any mutant attempting to breach the Sea Wall would be sensed immediately. She had seen what had become of the last group of Sentinels that had trine to cross the Wall. Hundreds of Reavers had appeared and torn the massive robots apart. That had been the last time any one other than the X-men had attempted to cross it. They were heading home, in order to equip Creed with their own equipment. He would have to be shown to know-it-all. She would enter him in her records as being an X-man, which would give him access to nearly all of what the X-men had. There was no uniform as such, but whatever weapons and other paraphernalia they had would be given to him to select from. Erik also wanted to find out more about the strange mutant they had fought the Prelates for.

Jean lay back and attempted to find Scott in her head. She had been thinking about him a lot. She already missed him a lot, even though it had been only about a week since he had left Muir Isle. She had been very conscious that she had fought against his brother. They didn't look alike, except that they both had a powerful build, and their powers were similar. They both had strong jaws, just short of being too prominent, and both had straight, slightly narrow noses. She tried to locate him in her mind, and found him, a little to their south-east. He was fairly close and getting closer. Still he didn't seem to be moving. They would pass fairly close to him if they kept going this way. Her heart filled with elation, the type of which she had not felt since she had last seen Scott.

She was close enough now to feel his emotions slightly. His mind was working fast, she could tell that much. He was only a few miles south-east. In a minute they would be past him. Perhaps she should go to him. She could sense his thoughts now. He was tired, sore and confused. Panic was there, but held at bay by his indomitable will. A strong sense of helplessness pervaded his emotions, but she found that even then he was thinking of her. Of course, she should have realized he would feel her as well. His thoughts brightened, but then suddenly fell into gloom and despair. He thought she was coming to him, and that caused despair? He must be in danger. She must go to him.

A strong sense came from him then. He didn't want her to come. In fact he went as far as demanding she not come. Jeans eyes widened. Fear was rampant in that last thought. He was afraid that if she came she would be hurt, or worse. That meant he was in danger. She had to help him. They would soon be out of range.

She doubted Erik would stop for Scott, he didn't trust him, or as far as she could tell like him very much. She would have to convince him.

Suddenly Scott sent her a message. A very strong one.

* Don't come now Jean. Not even all the X-men could get me out of this. However I'd like your help later. The other External's have captured me. They're using me to find the blind seer Destiny. She's in Antarctica. Prepare for a fight and come get me out of there. I'll be heading there later today. I don't know how long it will take to get there. Just follow behind and you'll find Avalon. I fear these External's mean no good to the world, and if they use Destiny, it would just be a case of one tyrant deposing another. Convince the X-men and come to Avalon. I love you. *

That was the last she felt from him. Then he was gone. She could still sense him somewhere south west of her now, but she couldn't feel his emotions so strongly anymore. They were getting weaker as she moved away from him. Suddenly she was aware someone was shaking her.

"Jean? What is it? Wake up!"

She looked up to see Kitty looking down at her worriedly. Behind her stood Logan and Piotr also looking worried. Creed was looking at her from his seat, and she could tell Erik was worried from his tense posture as he sat controlling the jet.

"Are you alright? What happened, why are you crying? You just phased out for a few minutes."

Logan answered Kitty, "its Cyclops isn't it? He's nearby, and he did this? What did he do?"

She could hear the anger in Logan's voice.

"He's in trouble. It's, oh never mind, we'll discuss it when we get back to Muir Isle, with the other X-men. What he has to say concerns them as well." She sat back in her seat.

Erik and Piotr shared a glance, one that Jean knew she wasn't meant to see. Her eyes narrowed, but she let it go. Once they realized the import of Scott's message, they would understand.

Gavin and Bobby sat in the cockpit of the jet, their easy banter flowing over the others. While Rogue knew that they were worried, especially Gavin, she felt their banter was not appropriate. However she also knew that it was their way of dealing with any stress or anxiety, so she didn't say anything. They had passed the Sea Wall a few minutes ago. They were closing in on what had once been Louisiana. Apocalypse had torn the city of New Orleans apart, and built his new base there, after the Citadel had been destroyed by the Human High Council and the X-men led by Xavier and Magneto. Apocalypse's old horseman Death had died there, along with Sarek. Death had gone insane, and his Inhuman armies had laid waste to what had once been Apocalypse's grand capital. The already ruined city had been on its last legs when the Citadel had been assaulted. With the destruction of the Citadel the world had rejoiced, but Apocalypse wasn't done. Returning from the moon, where he had been recovering from the battle at Wundagore Mountain, he had demolished all of the Human high Council's warships, wounding the human High Council leader Dr. Bolivar Trask badly. Then he had sent four Externals to assault the X-men's allies. They had destroyed anyone they suspected had connections to the X-men. Rogue had been young at the time, in her teens. Her home had been comparatively untouched by Apocalypse. His forces ruled of course. However in the course of a battle with the X-men the External's Exodus and Archanfel had nearly decimated her hometown, killing hundreds of people. Her powers had already begun to show, and she had taken to avoiding people. Therefore she survived the assault and was rescued by the X-men. They had helped her escape and taken her to their base in Westchester, near the old Citadel. She had tried to learn control over her powers, but had failed till Magneto had shown her how it was possible for him to touch her. Remy had also helped her, and soon she didn't need the dampener to block her powers. She had had Erik and Xavier to thank for her control. However she had fallen in love with Erik and Remy had been hurt, badly. Even now, nearly two years later he still had feelings for her, and she still loved him, though not as much as Erik.

She sometimes wished she could have both of them, but that would not be fair to Erik or Remy. She had made her choice, and she would have to let it go at that. She was happy with her choice, and she was only concerned for Remy right now. Because he was an X-man, because he was part of her team, because he was. Remy.

They had reached the boundary of any detection field. The craft landed and they disembarked, looking around. Rogue couldn't really remember the way too well. However she knew Ororo knew the way. She led them onward, all of them moving silently, even Gavin and Bobby. This close to the Tower, nothing moved, not even insects could be seen. They moved forward, walking around the desolate ruins of New Orleans. Rogue looked around and found what she was looking for. A wrecked building with a small, half-torn poster of a circus on the front wall. She walked by it and found she could remember the way. She and Ororo were the only two other than Remy who knew the way, simply because of the amount of times they had been there. Rogue slightly more than Ororo. She reached the blank looking wall with the hidden lever. However instead of the wall there was now a gaping hole.

"Oh no," Rogue whispered.

They ran inside the grotto. Scorch marks could be seen on the walls, and a half burned card lay on the ground. Near the corner lay Remy's duster, discarded. Rogue ran to it and picked it up.

"At least we know the stupid Cajuns still alive." Bobby walked up to her, still in ice form.

Rogue was just standing there, holding the duster in her hands, wringing it in worry.

"Let me see that Rogue," Emma said gently, taking it from her and searching through the pockets.

Rogue looked around for Ororo, but couldn't see her. She walked into the next room, where Belladonna's grave was, the angel on its head seeming to look at her, as though blaming her for his capture by the Tower. Ororo knelt in front of the statue. Rogue was again filled with the peace of the room, feeling it permeate her. She knelt beside Ororo.

"Fohgive me." Ororo turned to her, but Rogue was talking to the gravestone.

"Ah'm so sorry, ah was careless and he got caught. Ah know ah've hurt him unbearably, and that to you that would be the worst thing ah could do. Ah'll get him back though Belladonna. I love him also, and ah won't let him die, not while ah still live. Whoever took him will have hell tah pay when ah get my hands on him." Rogue's eyes were tightly closed and her fists were bunched by her side. She stood in front of the angel, palms spread outward in supplication.

"She will not hold it against you, the kidnapping I mean. We will get him back, but you are in no position to make any promises about sacrificing yourself. Your responsibilities are toward Erik and your child.' Ororo's voice was kindly but firm.

Rogue flushed, but turned and walked out of the room. She took one last look at the angel and then walked out of the grotto.

"I found a small communication device and a smaller locator for the X-jet he took." Emma handed the two items to Rogue. The communicator was the one that linked Belladonna's grotto to him. She turned her attention to the locator. There were many like this for every X-jet. Each would trace where the X-jet was in proximity to the individual using it. His was positioned fairly close to theirs; he must have hidden it before leaving it.

"It must have been the Tower. How they found out about this is a mystery. In all likelihood they probably increased their security grid; either that or he was seen going in by a patrol, though it's unlikely. However they found out, it's not important. What is important however is that we find and bring him back. It's not likely we'll be able to sneak into the Tower. We'll probably have to go back. What do you say Rogue?" Wanda turned to Rogue.

"As much as ah hate to leave him in their hands, yoah probably right Wanda. We can't get him back on our own. We'll need help, and foh that we'll have to go back to Muir ahle. We'll take the other jet as well."

She walked out of the room, the others following. Ororo was the last to come looking into the room one last time before coming. Rogue could see the determination on her face, and was sure it was mirrored by hers. They would have to get back to Muir Isle and get ready to save Remy in some way or the other. She would be prepared for anything.

What she wasn't prepared for was a small band of Infinites swooping down on them, led by a commander.

"Oh, shit. Looks like we know how they found him, must have been a security grid increase. It's done faster than I'd have expected. Oh well." Bobby turned to ice form again and took to the skies, riding the ice waves he created. Gavin began to absorb energy, sending it out at the Infinites as fire. Rogue also took to the sky along with Ororo. Emma and Wanda remained on the ground. They would be of least use in this battle.

x---------------------------- --------------x

Sinister watched the radar in his laboratory carefully. He had expected some sort of search would be conducted for Remy Lebeau. He had not expected them to be so late though. He had begun to think no one would come to look for him. That would have played into his hands as well. However this way he could finish off more rebels as well. However he frowned as he saw the mutant signatures. He had expected three or four mutants, and from the group Roulette at that. These mutants were mostly X-men, with only two being from Roulette. The group he had put there to attack upon registering a mutant would not be able to deal with this group. Perhaps he should take a hand as well. He considered then decided not to. Candra would soon be done with Lebeau, and he didn't want to miss a chance for testing his mutation. Besides, he had another project to work on. He turned to the chamber where the clone was growing. He would be approximately ten human years in age by now. The celestial technology was already imparting basic knowledge to his brain. However Sinister wanted him to learn about the world himself. So that he would hate Apocalypse, and be willing to help him take him down. The other Externals thought his other plan was the true one, but in fact it was only a diversion to this plan, and a back up plan if this one failed. He had several other plans set in motion already, after all it paid to have more than one egg in the basket.

x------------------- -------------x

Rogue was pissed, and when she was pissed it wasn't wise for any enemy to be caught by her. She flew swiftly, knocking down three Infinites in one swoop. Around her the wind blew strongly, the lightning cracked. She smashed the third Infinite she took down into the ground, leaving a broken body. In the sky above Iceman dueled with two Infinites, moving quickly out of their fire, freezing one with one hand, while sending wave of ice at another. Renegade shot fire at another Infinite. Scarlet Witch was shooting hex bolts at any Infinite she could, taking two down before the others could avoid her bolts. Emma set her sights on the only target that would be affected by her powers. She mercilessly took control of the commander, disorienting him with a psi-blast to make taking control easier. She was better at this than anyone, including Exodus and Xavier. It had been the reason she had risen to the highest echelons of the Hellfire Club. She searched his brain to see if anything could be salvaged from the programmed husk Dark Beast had left it. Finding nothing she quickly shut off his brain, letting the body drop dead.

Winds grabbed the remaining Infinites, wrapping them up and a lightning bolt incinerated them. Rogue stood from the body of a battered Infinite. She still seethed with rage, but it was lessening now. Not going away, certainly not that, but being replaced with a cold anger.

"Whoevah took you Remy, he or she's dead."

"I concur, but it seems wiser to leave now, whoever sent them, or made them patrol this area would be sure to know. It seems apparent that they have new security grids, or perhaps some sort of ward. Whatever it is, we are doing no one any good remaining here."

"She's right; we better get back to the plane." Renegade looked around slightly nervously as he said it. He was usually very self confident and brash, much like his mentor Remy, but now that his leader had gone, perhaps dead or held in captivity, he was losing that cockiness. It was to be expected, one of his friends lay in a coma, injured by the enemy, and Remy was captured by them. Rogue realized she would need to keep an eye on him. He was nearing the limit of his self-control.

They split into two teams, Storm and Renegade heading off to Roulette's X- jet while Rogue, Emma, Scarlet Witch and Iceman went to the hybrid. Rogue had told Storm privately about her concerns over Renegade, and Storm had decided to talk to him. Rogue was hopeful; Storm could be very convincing and inspiring. As she settled into her chair she pulled Remy's duster closer to her, it was all that remained of him, and she had no intention of letting it go. As she thought of him her thoughts turned toward the other man in her life. Erik would not be pleased to find out she had been gone, but perhaps he would not have retuned as yet. She hoped.

x----------------- ----------x

"She what!?!" Erik yelled as he sent all the metallic or semi-metallic objects into the air, including a very annoyed Logan.

"She went off to search for the Cajun, he disappeared around the same time you did, taking Roulette's X-jet. Apparently they were very worried as she couldn't find any trace of him." Warren spoke quickly, knowing that Erik was in a dangerous mood. Ever since he found out about Rogue being pregnant he had forbidden any heavy danger room sessions for her, including forbidding her to leave Muir Isle. The one time she had been into a Danger Room with Pietro's help, he had hung Pietro in the air for over half an hour, lecturing him loudly. He had then made Pietro undergo a two hour long grueling session that left Pietro exhausted and with numerous cuts and bruises. That had been the last time Pietro helped her get into a session and the last time Rogue tried anything like that. Even after he had gone she had decided not to go for any session, knowing that he would find out for sure. However Erik was probably angrier than before, as this time she had gone right to the border of the tower's security grid, putting her in considerable danger.

"I don't think any of us could have stopped her, father." Pietro spoke up quietly from the corner.

"What is wrong with her? Doesn't she understand that she has to stay out of any potential worrying situations and stay clear of any physical harm being done to her?" He paced around the room, still unconsciously holding things in mid-air. Logan's face was getting darker and darker. Jean doubted he would attack Erik, even if he could, but she didn't want to see what happened the next time Logan partnered Erik in a danger room session. Then again if he didn't put Erik down soon, Logan would probably stick him as soon as he did.

Victor stood in a corner watching the leader of the X-men, who had stood calm in front of a thousand undead killers, practically tear his hair out over the thought of his wife doing what she had been doing for nearly a decade. His face looked shocked; however he had grabbed on to something as soon as he saw Logan rise. As much as people believed him to be rather dull- witted, he was fairly sharp when he needed to be.

However all of this was secondary to her. She wanted to tell what she knew of Scott's message. She was convinced it was important, but she wasn't sure if the others would believe it. Nearly all the X-men, except Psylocke, Shadowcat and strangely Logan believed he was telling the truth. Logan could usually tell when someone was lying though, so she figured he would have caught the truth in what Scott said. However he didn't really believe in the bond that she had unconsciously created between herself and Scott. No one else did, that was for certain, not even Psylocke, who had been his staunchest supporter, not that that was saying much.

She knew that it would not be prudent to bring up the issue right now, though she wasn't sure how long she could delay.

"Erik, calm down. Putting yourself through tension isn't going to help anything. Rogue is bloody-minded, you know that. She's a fighter and she can take care of herself. She wouldn't have stayed around while one of her team was captured. You would never have done so, therefore you can't hold her responsible." Jean's words were intended to soothe him.

He turned towards her angrily, "Oh what do you know? The woman I love is gone to one of the most dangerous places for her; she could already be dead for all I know. You know nothing of knowing the one you live could be dead or dying while you are helpless to do anything!" Jean was taken aback by the vehemence of Erik's words, then she drew herself up and looked at him in the eye. Scott could be dying right now, he was in some sort of danger, she knew that much, but from whom she didn't know. For nearly a week she had lived with the constant knowledge that he was somewhere, perhaps dead, perhaps dying. She had never said anything, and tried to remain calm and steady. Now however her growing frustration broke out in the form of anger.

"Do not presume to believe what I do and do not know. My own love could be dead or dying as we speak. He's in danger, that much I do know. Do not be stupid Erik, you aren't a stupid man. I think. Now stop moping about and start showing yourself to be a leader." Jean composed herself and then looked at him and said in a much gentler voice, "Rogue will be back, and you will realize how foolish you're acting. Now I would suggest you let Logan down before he decides to kill you the instant you do."

Erik looked at Logan in surprise, then flushed, letting all the objects down. Logan unsheathed his claw and began to slide it across his metal stub. Pietro looked at Jean with a new respect. Not too many people had faced down an irate Magneto, except Remy, Logan and Xavier. Remy wouldn't have before Rogue left him for Erik, but Logan was usually unfazed by him, and Xavier was the only one who could ever really handle Erik when he was angry.

"I'm sorry. Pietro, you and Logan take Victor to meet the other X-men and show him how to use all the different weapons and gear we have. Jean I know you have something to say, but I feel we should wait till all the X-men are here. Warren, come with me, I need to find Moira and tell her of Victor's joining us. The briefing on the new mutant we found can wait till a full meeting. The rest of you are free to go wherever you want. Just be ready for a meeting when the others return." He swung out of the room, Warren beside him.

Jean watched him go. Sometimes she thought he was the pregnant one, with the way his moods changed so quickly.

x------------------- -----------x

The four horsemen knelt in front of their lord and master. Or rather the four holograms of them knelt in front of him. The External's watched from behind the holograms, standing facing Apocalypse. Holocaust stood a little to the right of Apocalypse. The recently arrived Rasputin also stood next to the Externals, if a little to the side. He didn't trust the immortals at all.

"My position is secure, and I have been able to spread some seeds of discontent. The low key empathy powers you granted me have made that job much easier. Suspicion is rising in this city. Soon I shall have made these weak humans fight against each other." Plague stopped speaking and after a curt nod from his master, stepped back. Beast stood up, ready to report what he had managed to do. War had only said that she had not yet managed to find it. Apocalypse had known what she meant. Hers was probably the most important mission. Death had said little, merely stating that nothing had changed since his last report. Apocalypse had been satisfied by it. Beast had appeared most eager to tell what he knew.

"Master," his voice befitted his name. Apocalypse was pleased with that touch. Death's voice was hoarse and wheezy, yet commanding and firm at the same time. War's voice was brisk and abrupt, yet like a cool melody at the same time. Plague's voice was cold and had a hint of malice in it. However Beasts voice was the most impressive. It was a growl deep in his throat, that sounded as though live embers were crackling deep down, which they probably were. A strange glow emanated from his mouth. His next words sent a small ripple of surprise down Apocalypse.

"I have found Avalon. The blind seer Destiny is its leader. None have questioned my appearance yet. I managed to sneak aboard a shuttle heading here. Many mutants are here great lord. So is Cain Marko, Juggernaut, and an extremely powerful mutant who I only know the name of Shiro. He is pure fire, lord. He is the self-named protector of this place. I shall contrive to bring him down."

Apocalypse considered this with his eyes half closed.

"Do as you must to give me Avalon. With this I would be able to shatter the hopes of millions." Beast bowed to him and stepped back. They were all in human form, however behind cloaks it was difficult to tell who they may have been once, if they had been anyone at all.

"Very well, you have done well. Continue to please me and you shall have high positions once this world is mine."

The horsemen bowed again and the holograms vanished. Apocalypse turned his gaze to his lieutenants. It was nearly time to finish off his enemies. The other External's and Rasputin had taken the news of Holocaust's position as his second in command well outwardly. Inwardly he was sure they were stunned and already plotting ways to be rid of Holocaust. Holocaust had been pleased and had assured him that he would be worthy of the honor. Apocalypse was sure that he would be worthy. He was still too self- confident and believed himself infallible. His only weakness was his impatience and his eagerness. It would get him killed. He underestimated his opponents too much. However he had cause to underestimate his opponents. Not even he could release such vast amounts of energy. Holocaust had flattened Rio de Janeiro by himself. If he could be trained properly he would be great. He also lacked some ambition. He was completely loyal to him, which meant that he would never seek to remove him for power for his own benefit. Apocalypse had no such illusions about his other lieutenants. They all schemed to gain higher positions, to eventually oust him and rule in his place. The first Death had been the first to attempt it, and he had been destroyed, though it was because of himself. He had been mad. He had cost Apocalypse a lot of time and resources. A lot of valuable celestial technology had perished with the Citadel. As a result he had to strip ship of nearly half its technology to place in the Tower. If the X-men had not killed Maximus, he would have done so himself.

"I have summoned the Prelates here, as well as Dark Beast, Shadow King and another operative that you all know. Pierce too shall be coming as well as the leader of my Infinites, Rictor. They are not too important, but must know some part of my plan if they are to proceed accordingly."

They only had to wait a few minutes.

The Shadow king was the first to arrive, his presence only announced by a sudden darkening of the region near the corner of the room. Apocalypse looked at him right off, as did Exodus and Sinister. The only beings with any telepathic powers in the room, Exodus and Sinister knew where to look. The Shadow King bowed to Apocalypse then withdrew into the shadows, where only two pairs of gleaming eyes could be seen. The next to arrive was Dark beast, followed by the Prelates and Rictor. All the prelates bowed to Apocalypse, as did Dark Beast. Rictor was so shocked at being called he bent lower than any others. Apocalypse stared at him without any expression. He was weak; once his usefulness was ended he would have to be killed. As Rictor finally rose, the other Prelates entered followed by Pierce. The Externals in the room stared at the other Prelates, as did the Tower's Prelates and Rictor. Dark beast seemed to be surprised for a minute then became contemplative. Sometimes Apocalypse was not too sure how sane he remained.

Finally the last of them arrived, a man in a cloak. Apocalypse wanted to reveal him at the end. "Many of you must be wondering why I have summoned you here. You are all to know that the time is at hand. The world must be cleansed of all weaknesses. Recent events have made me realize that I must strike now."

The others all took heed of his words, including Rictor. Everyone except Rictor and Dark Beast knew he meant to start now anyway.

"However, you must first know each other. Therefore I must introduce you all."

He walked to the Sea Wall Prelates.

"These are the Prelates from the Sea Wall. They have done well so far, and are worthy, somewhat, of the title."

He indicated each as he spoke. He pointed to the bedlams first, who were in light-blue gray colored armor, with a darker blue colored uniform underneath the armor. They both wore huge gauntlets and large boots. "These are the Bedlam brothers."

He next pointed to Erik the 'red'. He wore a red uniform, with lighter red armor. A red mask covered his face completely, with two horns sweeping towards the front from the back. Small spines clung to his elbow armor.

". and this is Deathbird, the Arch-Prelate, and along with Havok, to be the commanding Prelate."

Deathbird was a tall woman, perhaps alien, who was covered in purple armor. The parts not covered, her midriff, thighs and arms, were bare. Her skin color was a soft golden-bronze. Jagged spines sprung from her gauntlets and boots. Wings were attached to her gauntlets; however they seemed almost alive when they moved.

Havok seemed a little disgruntled at having to share command over the Prelates. His promotion had been done so that his confidence would be bolstered, and the other Prelates would find it easier to deal with someone they knew. However he was a little too ambitious. He bore watching. He turned at last to the cloaked stranger. Only Dark Beast knew of his existence.

"This is my covert operative. He has long been my ally. He too shall now lead in the battle. He has proven to me that he is strong."

As he spoke the man revealed his face. Again he had to commend the Externals on their lack of expression. The only visible show that they had recognized Sebastian Shaw and were surprised was in a slight widening of Sinister's eyes and Candra shifting her weight. Exodus was still, but his mouth tightened very imperceptibly. Even watching for it Apocalypse nearly missed it.

Sammael showed no reaction; then again Apocalypse was sure Sammael might already have known. His eyesight was nearly as keen as his own was, and he could have seen who he was easily when he first arrived.

Apocalypse walked to his throne and faced them.

"Now you must all be prepared for the final battle against the X-men and Human High Council. They have long been a thorn in my side. Already the roots of suspicion are being planted in their minds. Soon they will be divided enough for my plan to work perfectly. The weak shall be destroyed, the strong separated and made stronger."

x--------------- -------------x

Rogue was back and everyone knew about it. The two jets landed. The whole of Roulette not counting Sarah was there, as well as Helena and Logan. Rogue came out of the first plane holding onto a duster. Looking at it and Rogue's face Logan's heart fell. Shit no, Gumbo can't be dead; Logan brushed the thought aside. Bobby, Emma and Wanda came out of the prototype jet, while Ororo and Gavin came out of the Roulette-jet. The whole of the assembled X-men ran forward, leaving Logan behind with Helena. She walked up to Betsy. Logan watched as Wanda announced what they had found out.

It wasn't as bad as he had thought, it may even be worse. Gumbo wasn't dead, but he had been captured by the Tower. Logan clenched his fist. The goddamn Tower had done so much in two weeks. Xavier had been killed; they had captured Betsy and then Jeannie. Sarah had been put into a coma. Even the Human High Council had felt the Towers brutality. In the assault only nearly a thousand soldiers had died. Out of all that had been transported in the Hybrid, only half had made it back. The Sea Wall was a more than adequate defense mechanism.

Betsy was being comforted by Helena; Ororo stood by Gavin, her hand on his shoulder.

Mystique stood back, a little aloof from all the rest. Logan was never sure what she was doing in Roulette. She was not very attached to any of them except Sarah. Then again Gumbo had saved her life. Perhaps that was why she remained. She and Nightcrawler didn't get along too well these days, especially after she joined Roulette, after repeated entreaties by him to join the X-men. She was also their only contact to Destiny. She had known Destiny, indeed had loved her a long time ago. She still disappeared at intervals to do some 'meditating' she called it.

Logan looked towards Rogue, standing a little off to the side of the other X-men. She still held the duster in her hand. He walked over to her.

"Hey Rogue? You alright-." He never got to finish his sentence as a shout of "Rogue!" was heard and Erik came running, the rest of the X-men arriving behind him. Erik ran up to her, immediately grabbing her by the shoulders, and shaking her.

"You crazy little. idiot! What's the matter with you? You're pregnant woman! I told you to stay here and you deliberately go to . to the bloody Tower practically. Are you insane? Do you have any idea." He broke off as he saw that she was crying as he shook her.

"Oh, Rogue I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shake you so much, it's just that I was so worried, what with you running off to find."

He then noticed the grim looks on everybody's faces, and the duster in Rogue's hands. She looked up at him her eyes brimming with tears.

"He's not.?"

Rogue stared at him then blinked back the tears.

"No! He's not dead, he can't be." Then she buried her head in his chest. Erik held her close, and began to smooth her hair backward, stroking her.

"It's alright love, you know Remy's a fighter, he won't allow himself to be beaten by the Tower. Neither Jean nor Betsy were beaten by it, and Remy won't be either."

Rogue looked up at him.

"What I hate most is that I ignored him the last few days. He was driven away because all of us were so mean to him."

Ororo flinched as Rogue spoke. Logan hadn't noticed that the women were ignoring him. Even Wanda looked a bit abashed, as did Emma. No wonder the poor guy ran off. The man lived off his conversations with women, and if even Ororo wasn't talking to him. poor guy.

Erik looked at the assembled X-men.

"We'll be having a meeting in ten minutes. One of you please find Moira. She should be here by now. She was due back from Eurasia yesterday."

He sat with Rogue, trying to console her. Logan put his hand in his pocket and walked away.

Jean sat in her chair, watching Rogue give an account of what she had found. Most people reacted to it angrily. She wondered for a second what they had been like when she had been captured. Trying to rescue Remy was out of the question. The Tower would chop them apart at this stage. Moira made it clear that the Human high Council were against another attack on the tower. In fact many of them were trying to negotiate a peace treaty with Apocalypse. Jean nearly snorted at that; Apocalypse would never give 'flatscans' any peace treaty. Unless they were all under his control. Logan wasn't so well mannered. He laughed aloud, and Erik fixed him with a disapproving look. Most other X-men looked dubious as well. As Moira stopped speaking she waited for anyone to add anything to the topic at hand. No one said anything, and she began speaking before anyone could say anything else.

"If I may speak," she waited for Erik to close his mouth and nod almost in a surprised manner.

All X-men could speak when they wanted. Jean took a deep breath and continued, she knew there would be resistance.

"On the flight back from America, I received a telepathic message from Scott, who was near us at the time. He was in danger, and I wanted to help him. However he warned me against it, telling me instead what he was involved in." the others were watching her, more than a few faces showing their skepticism already. She continued however.

"He told me that the Externals who oppose Apocalypse had captured him and that they were going to use him in a plan to capture Destiny, from Avalon. He told me that they knew its location." The others stood up at this, however many still looked skeptical. Warren looked openly disbelieving. Jean also noticed Raven's sudden rigidity.

"He asked me to follow him with a team, keeping track with the psychic bond we share. He said they would kill him once they had her, and that if they came into power using Destiny's help, it would be little better than Apocalypse." The others all remained silent, then Warren burst out laughing. Jean stared at him angrily.

"You must be joking Jean. An ex-Prelate, the High Prelate at that, tells you through a 'bond' that you somehow have with him that he's going to Avalon, and that the other External's want to use him to overthrow Apocalypse? That's the most stupid sort of bait anyone can give for a trap.

Does he really believe we'll fall for this?" Warren was looking more annoyed now.

Jean opened her mouth to speak, but then Piotr spoke up, "Warren tovarisch is right. It must be a trap. If one set rather stupidly." He looked uncertain, but then he was a usually careful man, less so since he got engaged to Kitty, but still very cautious.

"Bobby sneered openly, as Warren had done, "He must be crazy, thinking we'll fall for such an obvious trap. I think he has some kind of hold on you Jean, what makes you think he could be telling the truth?"

Jean folded her arms, a sure indicator that she was getting angry.

The next to speak out was Moira, "He is a traitor to all mutants, and I still believe he should be hanged. He killed Xavier, he is using you Jean, to get at the X-men." Jean was slightly taken aback at the venom in Moira's voice.

"I don't think Cyclops is lying. He did not strike me as a dishonorable man. He would not stoop so low. He's done some nasty things, but he always respected his enemy, and he was never vicious in any of his attacks. I saw what he was truly like when he tried to question me in the hours before you arrived to rescue me."

Many X-men looked at her in surprise, including Helena, who was also at the meeting. "I think he had changed. He loves Jean, It's kinda obvious, even if you all can't see it, but he also struck me as being a clever guy. I don't think he would set such an obviously stupid trap." Kitty blushed as all the people looked at her, including a frowning Piotr.

The other X-men began arguing, most of them were certain it was a trap. Jean looked at Logan, who slouched in his chair, staring at the chaos. Victor, the newest X-man sat next to him, looking slightly bemused. He had had that look since he arrived.

Erik also sat watching, but he watched Jean, not the others, his eyes narrowed.

Finally the others quieted down as Erik spoke.

"I think that while Cyclops would not be so stupid, it can only be a trap."

Jean stared at him in anger and shock. How could he believe it was a trap?

"It isn't. None of you are seeing what's important. The other External's obviously have a plan. If they accomplish their plans, they may be able to dethrone Apocalypse."

The X-men looked at her. Erik spoke.

"That isn't too bad a thing from where I sit Jean."

Jean nearly snarled in frustration. Scott's message hadn't been too clear on specifics, but one thing it had held was fear and concern over the External's achieving their goals.

"You're missing the point. If the other Externals' dethrone Apocalypse, that's good. But they're just going to take his place, and if what Emma says they did was even half hearsay, then it may even be worse than Apocalypse."

Erik spoke again, his voice getting heated.

"If they fight each other, that will make it easier for us to step in at an opportune time and take them out with ease."

"Oh! For Gods sake Erik listen to yourself! These Externals aren't the ones we're used to, and even their actions are hard to predict. At least with Apocalypse we have a good guess at his strengths and at least we know where we stand with him. The other External's may even offer us friendship and betray us later. Who knows what their strengths and weaknesses are. They could be hiding things. Scott's message made it clear that he's worried, very much so."

Erik scoffed at that.

"So it's back to him again. We all agree that he's not to be trusted, not entirely. He is the enemy Jean, and I can't believe something the enemy says. For all we know this could be trap set by the other Externals."

Jean stared at him in shock and anger. She never expected him to take this stance.

"I know what's wrong. You're jealous of him. He was a far better tactician than either you or the Professor was. You can't stand it that someone else could so easily hunt down the X-men, especially one that you were part of. It's pathetic Erik." Jean was seething with rage and fury. A person could only handle so much,. And she had had enough of people thinking Scott was an enemy and refusing to believe her. It came down to not believing her.

Erik looked at her stonily. He rose from his chair in anger. The other X- men were silent. Jean was aware of the others looking at her in shock.

"You do not know what you are saying Jean. If I were you I would not continue on that line of thought. It could be unpleasant." The implied threat was there. Jean wouldn't take anymore.

"Oh shut up Erik. You think you can threaten me? It all boils down to one thing. If you don't trust Scott, you don't trust me."

The others were all taken aback, now more so than before.

"Maybe you're right Jean. Maybe we don't trust you anymore. The way you go on about him and the way you talk about a psychic link. Maybe you've been converted by the Tower and are working with him against us."

Jean stared at him stunned. They didn't trust her.

"Is that right? You don't trust me?"

Logan was the first to answer.

"Don't' be ridiculous Jeannie." He was followed by Betsy and Kitty, and Ororo soon after that. Kurt spoke up as well, as did Raven. However the others hesitated just too long.

"I see. Only a few of you trust me. I guess that settles it. You don't really trust me. I wouldn't have expected this, I guess Scott was right." She suddenly blinked back tears. She would not cry in front of them. She turned and ran out of the room.

She left a stunned silence behind her. No one could have expected this to happen. Logan snarled and banged his metal stub on the wall.

"Now look what you did. Yer all fools all of you. Pathetic. She would've given her life for any and all of ya. She would also trust ya with her life. To find ya don't trust her. that could have broken her, shattered her. Ya disgust me!" Logan growled once more and then walked out of the room, Victor hot on his trail.

Kitty punched Piotr's arm and said something angrily in a whisper. Ororo looked completely worn down.

"By the goddess, what we just did was not right." She sank into her chair and put her head in her hands.

Betsy remained sitting as well, next to Helena. She looked physically ill. She would never have believed it, but it seemed as though the team was being split. Raven excused herself and went after the others. Kurt looked at her quizzically then ran after her as well.

Erik stood with his head bowed, his palms flat on the table. Moira looked at him worriedly. He spoke then, "This meeting is done. Leave all of you." The others stood and left, leaving behind Erik and Rogue.

Rogue could hardly believe what had happened. She had been too confused to understand what was going on, and by the time jean asked her question she had taken too long. She still remembered the hurt and on Jeans face and the pain in her voice. The X-men were her only family, and they had just betrayed her. She was just protecting the man she loved, Rogue could sympathize with that. She felt slightly irritated when Jean had insulted Erik, but Erik was older, and he should have known better.

They should all have known better.

Jean sat in her room, crying on her bed. She barely noticed the door opening and footsteps coming in. Logan stood next to her, and then sat on the bed. He put her hand on her shoulder and she gripped it, trying to reassure herself. He picked her up and hugged her. She cried on his shoulder and then moved away.

"I'm sorry Logan. I didn't mean to, I mean, I don't want to give you the wrong idea." She trailed off. He smiled at her, to reassure her. He badly wanted to feel her in his arms again, but he knew that she loved Scott. He wouldn't do that to her. Not upon everything else.

Victor stood outside the room, and the others filed in, Kurt and Raven, followed by Sean. Sean had not been at the meeting, and he heard what happened. He had rushed from the infirmary to her room. He was extremely angry at the way she had been treated. He cursed Erik for being all kinds of a fool. He had been impressed by Scott, and he wasn't easily impressed. He had been one of the few who had spoken up for him, even though he hadn't met him till he joined them on the hybrid after they escaped from the Tower.

He walked up in front of Jean and knelt in front of her.

"Jean, I just want you to know, I trust you with my life, and I hope you know that. You're a valuable X-man, and I wouldn't want to lose you. Erik was just being stupid. We all trust you." Jean cut him off.

"No. What's done is done. They don't trust me. well I don't give a damn then. I'm leaving. Scott was worried, extremely so. One way or another I'm going to help him."

Logan put his hand on her shoulder.

"Ya know I'm at yer back Jeannie."

Victor walked up to her and stood before her.

"I ain't known ya that long either Jean, but I'm with ya too. Ya were the first to believe in me, and besides, I can't leave Logan alone. He'd go an' die on me, and then who'd I have left to kick ass from time to time."

Logan grinned devilishly at him. The two were getting along quite well for sworn enemies.

"I too am with you. You will need a guide to Avalon, I can take you there."

Jean looked at her in surprise.

"If she goes, zen she vill need somevun to take care of her. I too shall accompany you."

Jean looked at the dark blue mutant gratefully.

Sean hesitated for a second, then added, "I can't let ye go off withou' a proper gentleman helping ye. Ye can count me in too Jean."

Jean smiled at them through sudden tears. Perhaps she hadn't lost a family at that.

"We go then. As soon as is possible. And not a word to the X-men." Jean found it wasn't too difficult to think of the X-men as being another team. Perhaps she hadn't.

===========================================================

Ok. SO the X-men have split up. All because of Scott. Bad Scott. Of course, we all know it's not a trap. Or is it? Maybe it wasn't Scott who sent the message. Maybe it was. Ah, why the hell am I being cryptic?

Two more chapters for this fic, and then an epilogue.

Next chapter: Things get hot, as the teams are now split up, and Scott is heading for Avalon, where he has to capture the seer, Destiny.

Meanwhile Remy still suffers at the hands of Sinister and well, sort of, Candra. Plus, where are Apocalypse's horsemen?

All that and much more revealed in the next chapter. Stay tuned, Same .. X- time, same X-channel.

Nana nana nana nana, X-men! Ok..