…While the beasts of prey, come from caverns deep, viewed the maid asleep…
William Blake
***
Kitty hurried down the stairway after Bobby, trying to look like she wasn't following him. Although she had been here for almost two weeks now, she still didn't know her way around properly. The whole compound was huge, and she found it even more difficult to figure out where she was because all of the hallways and corridors looked alike. She'd had the same problem in the old Institute when she had first arrived. Eventually she had just decided that if she used her powers, (apart from giving her extra confidence with their usage) she would get everywhere much quicker and wouldn't have to worry about how to get from the first floor living room, to the third floor bathroom and then back down to the Library which was on the second floor. Everything was either up or down. You just needed to know where.
It didn't take long, running down to the lower levels of the complex, maybe a minute. What did take the time was the preparation everyone had to go through for everybody to be ready to leave.
For Kitty there wasn't much, all she had to do was change into her uniform, which was chemically unbalanced in such a way that she could phase through everything and the uniform didn't stay behind. It also didn't rip very easily, which made it extra durable during high-contact danger room sessions.
She followed Jubilee through the door and into the girls' locker room. Rogue, herself, Jubilee and Jean where the only girls there. Amara was still working undercover, and to risk being seen in league with them would have been devastating.
Quickly removing her normal civilian clothes and donning her uniform, she managed to watch Rogue, who she hadn't gotten to talk too much since the first time they had met outside the doctor's surgery. Right now she had a look of mixed emotions on her face, while she pulled her tight black uniform on.
It was practically the same as her previous uniform. The one she had worn when she was a member of the X men. The green breast plate remained. And so did the boots, but the belt with the little golden X had gone, and had been replaced by a simple black belt. She had also removed the gloves from her ensemble.
Her hair, although not much longer than it had been four years earlier, was now long enough, that she needed to tie it up, so it was tied in a small pony-tail at the base of her head. The white stripes framed her face, just slightly too short to fit in the hair tie with the rest of the hair.
She was furiously latching her leather boots on, flicking the latches with such a force that the noise it made was piercing to Kitty's ears. Jean and Jubilee hadn't seemed to have noticed, as they ignorantly went on with their business.
She remembered back to the time before the Institute had been raided; back to when Rogue and Kitty had shared (albeit reluctantly) a room. They were the only two members of the household who had to share a room, and it wasn't because there were no rooms to spare. The Professor had said it was because 'Rogue needs to become accustomed to living in close proximity to others. If she lives her life having to stand an arms distance away from people, she will gradually go insane.' Kitty had always taken this explanation without further question, and it had always helped her in forming a friendship with the girl.
One particular night, after a small scuffle with the Brotherhood of Mutants, in which Rogue had absorbed both Lance and the Blob, Kitty had been woken by Rogue mumbling things in her sleep. Kitty had watched with morbid interest for a few seconds, how Rogue had tossed and jerked so violently in the bed, the covers quickly becoming twisted in her legs. And the way that she managed to mumble the strangest things all while sounding frightfully scared at the same time.
Eventually, Kitty moved to wake her up, but a minute before she reached her she jolted into a siting position. Fully awake, though she was a little bit disorientated. The Professor had obviously been woken by the dream his student had had, (and the next day it was discovered that Jean had also felt Rogue's distress) and had led her off into his office to calm her down, and *possibly* to help her sleep by blocking those memories from her head.
That was the first time that Kitty had realised how disturbing it was for Rogue to actually absorb someone. When Rogue had first joined the Brotherhood, everyone was informed about her powers, "The ability to absorb a persons memories, personalities and in the case of mutants their powers." But until that very moment, she had never seen the affect that the memories had on her friend.
Maybe that was what made Kitty watch Rogue so intently, while the other two just went on with their business. She was probably one of the only ones who knew what happened when Rogue absorbed a person.
"Are you alright?" Jean asked Rogue quietly. She stole a quick glance in Kitty's direction, sending a soft silent message. I can tell that something is wrong too.
Rogue continued furiously lacing up her boots, "I'm fine. Hurry up, we need to get going." She said shortly, avoiding eye contact with everybody in the room.
Jean and Kitty shared yet another glance, this time it was Kitty who said something.
"You can talk about it. We'll understand."
Rogue turned around and glared at both Kitty and Jean. "Lay off, I don't want to talk about it." She then stood up, as she had finished with her boots, and left the room. The door banging shut behind her.
Jubilee stared at the door that was still rocking slightly. "Well… that didn't go to plan did it?" She stood up, and brushed the front of her uniform which was the same as Kitty's old one, just yellow instead of purple, "Good try though."
She flexed her fingers and continued out the door following Rogue.
Kitty and Jean shared yet another glance and finished getting ready. They then walked out the door, and into the waiting room. Where most of the team members were waiting to be directed to their posts.
Remy, Logan and Kurt were all there waiting, as well as Rogue and Jubilee. The other guys emerged from the guy's changing rooms. Warren came out last; Kitty reasoned that his uniform would be a bit more difficult to get changed into when you had huge angel wings with a span of over fifteen feet.
Logan started hissing commands as soon as Warren was in the room. "Ok… whoever was with Gambit the other day goes with me. Everyone else, who was with Rogue, goes with Rogue again. Bobby, Sam you're with my team too. Kurt you go with Rogue. Everyone understand?" He waited a few seconds for people to ask questions then headed into the hanger, where the Black Bird II and the Velocity were held.
Everyone else followed silently, the people assigned to Logan walked towards the Blackbird, and everyone else towards the Velocity. Kitty followed Bobby again began to walk the gangplank that led up to the cockpit.
After taking her seat in the 'bird and buckling her seatbelt, she watched Logan and Jamie work the controls of the plane. The gangplank went up; the various lights in the cabin lit and the engine turned on, sending a buzzing feeling through her toes. Logan took a hold of the joystick in front of him, and began to glide the plane upwards. It rose a few feet off the ground, the jolted and hovered back down.
Logan frowned, flicked a little switch and tried again. The same thing happened, with the plane eventually hovering back down to the ground. He clicked on the radio to the others in the Velocity.
"Rogue, can you see if anything is holding us down, we can't get off the ground," He said shortly.
A soft buzzing noise continued for a few seconds then Rogue's voice came off through the speakers, "I can't see anything—". She was cut off by a voice that sounded softly through everybody's head.
You will not get off the ground until you let both Malice and I onboard each of your aircrafts. Psylocke's short British voice said curtly.
Logan pressed a button and the gangplank was let down again. He got angrily out of his seat and stormed down the walkway, flipping out his claws when he reached the bottom.
Kitty and Gambit both hopped out of their seats instantly, following him as quickly as they could. They arrived in time to see the automatic door open to reveal Psylocke and Malice, dressed in their full combat gear, walking confidently towards them.
"Let us off the ground, or you'll have me to answer to," Logan growled menacingly at Psylocke who looked unconcerned.
She smiled softly, "No, you've heard our request. That's all we ask." She didn't seem at all intimidated by Logan.
Logan growled again, he took a step forward and froze; a soft purple light surrounding him. He struggled in the spot, his whole body quivering against an invisible force. Kitty was ready to bet that Psylocke had something to do with it. Her theory was proven when Psylocke spoke next.
"You can struggle all you like Logan, but it won't do you any good." she said it so lightly, it was as though it didn't take much thought at all. "My power depends on my will, and you're strength depends on your physical boundaries. I will always win against you Wolverine."
"Why do you want to come with us?" Logan managed to say, though with great difficulty, as his jaw was held fairly tightly by Psylocke's telekinetic powers.
"Orders," Malice said shortly. "Magneto said we weren't to let you lot out of our sight, and we don't intend on it. Plus—," She took a long cynical glance at Kitty, "You need somebody who can look out for themselves in a fight."
Kitty took an unconscious step forward, and opened her moth to retaliate, but Gambit grabbed her arm and held her back.
"I know she's a chienne but your powers ain't much of a defence 'gainst lightenin'." He whispered harshly under his breath. She angrily pulled her arm out of his grip, but didn't take another step forward. Malice, who had seen all of this, raised a slender eyebrow at her, and smirked.
"So, I'll go with you in the Blackbird Logan, and Malice shall accompany the other group in the Velocity. Tell them to open the hatch to let her in, and I'll let you go." Psylocke ordered.
Logan growled again, but said out loud, "Rogue, open up your door, you have another passenger."
The door of the helicopter swung open, to reveal Angel, who looked slightly pissed off. Malice nodded at Psylocke and walked over to the Velocity. Psylocke smiled.
"Thankyou and we should be going on our way," Psylocke waved a hand in Logan's direction, and he suddenly became much less tense. He retracted his claws and rubbed his fists, looking like a dog that was licking his wounds.
Psylocke walked swiftly past Gambit and Kitty and into the Blackbird. Gambit and Kitty reluctantly following, and Logan storming in last.
***
Trask slapped the two file folders down on the desk. Both were well labelled: PRYDE, Katherine Joanne, and GREY, Jean Elizabeth. There was also a full colour photo of both affixed to the cover, as well as several profile shots inside the folder. Scott took the one entitled GREY, Jean, while Emily took the other one.
"These are the two escapees. Jean Grey, and Katherine "Kitty" Pryde. Both were former members of the Xmen, and both had highly useful Abilities."
"Telekinesis and Telepathy for Jean, and Corporal Intangibility for Kitty." Scott clarified.
Trask nodded. "Katherine was about to be enlisted into the Assassin Project, as a stealth worker. And Jean, although she would have been a great asset, did not fit the requirements of the entire operation, so she was going to be eradicated. They were both in the waiting room, a room we stick them in so that we can prepare to ship them, when they escaped."
"How did they escape?" Emily asked, looking at the Health Records of Kitty.
"Through an unlocked window. The room was supposed to have been checked before they were placed in it, so that there wasn't any possible means of escape, but some of our security personnel were a bit lax that day."
Scott nodded, taking his eyes off a full shot of Jean, who was standing against a height chart, showing her as being 5 foot 8. "Those personnel have been dealt with accordingly, but we still haven't found any clue as to where they are now." Trask explained, sitting down dejectedly in his seat.
"We believe we have found at least one of the escapees." Emily continued, flipping through the file on Kitty Pryde. "Katherine Pryde was seen at the recent terrorist attacks on Senator McPherson. She killed three Police officers injured 7 and wasn't hit at all by any of the bullets that were shot at her. I suppose that is because of her ability to become intangible?"
Trask nodded, "She can walk through anything, and let anything go through her."
"Do you have any other information on them?" Scott asked, finally closing the folder, and placing it on top of the other closed folder of Kitty.
"We don't personally, but our Florida Base might. I believe there is a subject who knew the two people in question before they were taken into our custody. He might give you further insight into your case."
"Could we have his details?"
Trask nodded and walked over to a filing cabinet that was in the corner of the room.
"His name is Piotr Rasputin. He knew both of the people in question. He was also part of Magneto's Acolytes, who fought occasionally with the XMen, and have a good insight into the way that they work both individually and as a team. He is scheduled to begin Project assassin in a few days, so I suggest you go see him before then."
"We shall." Emily said standing up. "In the meantime, could you provide us with the transport to get us there? We are in quite a hurry, and booking a plane flight would be a time consuming matter."
Trask didn't say anything for a few seconds, then walked back over to the filing cabinet and took out another file. This one labelled 'FERGUSON, Clarice'
"She should be able to take you to your destination." He said, handing the file to Emily. "She can teleport, and is graduated member of Project Assassin like you. I'll send for her."
Scott nodded and waited patiently while Trask made a phone call. He hung up the phone and almost immediately a blond haired medium sized woman appeared before them.
"Blink, you are to teleport Scott and Emily to our Daytona complex, and you are to come straight back." Trask commanded.
Blink nodded and put a hand on both of their shoulders. All of a sudden, they were no longer in Trask's office, but in the lobby of a new building. Blink left as soon as she came in, and they were left to find Piotr.
***
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this, except Emily, Senator McPherson and Chase (But I don't like him)
A/N: Yeah… I am SO sorry for the delay in updating, but my nice new shiny beta, ZenZen, took a while in returning the finished product to me. So in penance for this awful crime… here are some shout outs!!
Rogue151 – Yeah, Rogue is a bit sneaky. But it wasn't really all her. Magneto knew what was going to happen when he let her touch him… so the responsibility flows both ways.
Little Took – aww!! You missed work for me?! I fel honoured… but don't get yourself fired or anything…. that would be bad. And wow?! my plot magnetic? You do mean that it's repulsive right?! cos that would make sense.
ishandahalf – Yeah… plotting galore!! And I'm sorry about my very late update. My bunny couldn't find any crack. The price just keeps going up these days…*shifty eyes*
Caliente – Yeah, Everyone feel sorry for Scott, the poor bastard. And Magneto is a bit of a bastard.
LewsThereinInsanity – Yes… the paperclips are safely locked in my paperclip jar… don't worry…
DoWriter12 – Yeah!! 100!! Hope I get to 150 soon… another milestone!?!
ZenZen – You'll get comments at school… you don't need em here
DemonRogue13 – I made someone cry? awww… I actually cried when I killed him. A lone tear fell down my cheek, and I was very sentimental and edgy the rest of the day.
bloody_lady – Yep, well here is my update. My next chapter is going to be much sooner. And that's a promise.
nessie6 – Yeah, I did know Pyro died in the original comics. I just like fiddling with him as a character because he and I have one very big thing in common. We're Australians. Go the little Kangaroo men from down under!! Yeah!! And about Roberto… I think I fully forgot about him in this fic. Unless I mentioned him somewhere in the earlier chapters. I'll have to go check…
Yep, well there is your shoutouts… Hope they all work for you. And I PROMISE I'll have the next chapter out by… Sunday… is that good enough for you? It's written on paper (sorta)
Yeah, well I have some assignments to go do now, so Buhbye my friends!!