Author's note: This was a very complicated chapter to write. Xavier speaks through his mind as well as with his voice, and he'll be doing both in this chapter. The words in only italics are thoughts, and the words quotated are spoken aloud. Words with both are spoken aloud with more intensity. I hope it isn't too confusing. Paragraphs have also been broken up for emphasis. Now we're really playing with literature… :-)
Chapter Seventeen:
Xavier lowered his hands from his temples and looked over at Sid confidently.
"The prisoners have been located and are on their way here," the Professor said with quiet pride, "Your sister is with two of the X-Men…and two of the Brotherhood…"
Sid grinned for the first time since entering the compound, "God help them all. We'll probably hear her before we see them…"
Xavier smiled and was about to speak again when another voice rang harshly through the hanger.
"They will never again see the light of day…"
The sound echoed from everywhere, and Xavier felt the words touch his mind as well as his ears. Sid glanced around in confusion, but Xavier's gaze fell solidly to the place where the dark form stood on the level above them.
"I did warn you, Charles," the voice of the stranger said loudly, "Now those who followed will meet the same fate as those who were taken…"
Xavier moved his wheelchair forward and stared up towards the dark second level. From within the shadows, a dim red light gave away the stranger's place on the grated overhang. But, Xavier felt the presence with more than his physical senses.
"Who are you?" Xavier said aloud.
And…Xavier continued in his mind, If you are the same individual who spoke to me on the jet previously…I also warned you…about threatening my people…
A vicious laughter rumbled through the room. Sid was staring wide-eyed between the Professor and the darkness above, uncertain to what was happening. The Professor was also staring upward from his seated position, however, his presence made him seem to grow tall and powerful.
Don't be a fool, Xavier, the stranger's voice ran in his mind, How do you intend to protect them?
Xavier breathed deeply once, in order to focus his mind, and calm his quiet anger.
"I asked you a question," Xavier said loudly, "I do expect an answer…"
I have had many names, Charles, the stranger said in his mind, For I am one of many…
"That is an answer that has no meaning", Xavier replied, "Words with no substance. You are defining yourself as nothing…so what reason is there to believe you are anything more?
Legion, rang in Xavier's mind, and he suppressed a wince as a strange twinge shot through his skull.
The laughter sounded again, cruelly amused and aware of the Professor's pain.
Don't play your games with me, Charles. I will take what I want…and you will watch as they are given to me.
Xavier drew himself up, and began to speak telepathically to the unseen enemy.
Perhaps…I have not been clear… the Professor said calmly. It was time for the figure above to understand his power.
Closing his eyes, Xavier began to focus on the vague form of the speaker. He did not need his sight to know where the danger was, and he concentrated.
I may not know who you are...but that does not mean I fear you…
The grated platform shuttered slightly, and the stranger glared down at him.
What are you trying to do, Xavier? Harm me?
A strange vibration filled the air again and flowed past the Professor. His wheelchair shook from the invisible force, but he did not draw his own power back.
I have no interest in harming anyone…
Now, Charles, that's not exactly true, is it? You certainly enjoyed your power at Alkalai Lake, did you not? The freedom…the forgotten need for boundaries and control…
A need not forgotten…but torn from my control…
Yes, that is what you tell yourself…it is a shame you cannot tell it to Jean Grey…
I thought you said not to play games…yet, you try to overwhelm me with the memory of those lost…
It haunts you, Charles…SHE haunts you…
The room shook suddenly, as a wave of anger passed through the Professor. His concentration was increasing, and his mind was filled with the sense of the stranger.
Is that the only power you have? To shame me into submission? Rather childish tactic…
The room vibrated violently again. Sid stumbled and tried to move toward the Professor. However, Xavier had a strange smile on his face.
This time, it was the anger of the enemy that rattled the compound.
Go on; speak of your children, Charles. Speak of those you wish to save. They will be mine…
Why do you want them?
Would you like me to show you who they really are? Would you like to see what haunts their thoughts?
Violent images began to fill Xavier's mind. They were the memories, fears, anger, of all those around them. Not simply the mutants, but also the soldiers, and their commander. William Stryker's face flashed past him, and Xavier inhaled sharply in surprise.
The room began to rumble, as the Professor opened his mind. He allowed the images in, instead of fighting against them. He listened to those passing thoughts as he had in the jet. What would have easily overwhelmed those of a lesser strength, only forced the Professor to concentrate harder.
Xavier took in all that was shown to him by the stranger, no matter how unpleasant or hateful…and focused on those minds from which the memories had been drawn.
Do you hear them, Charles? All those you wish to protect? All those vile, evil deeds…all those wicked thoughts? In the end, do they deserve to be saved?
Xavier's eyes were wide, and the images in his mind began to move faster.
Soldiers in battle…
Years of torture…
Memories of torn childhoods…
Hateful thoughts of revenge and murder…
The Professor felt those minds, and concentrated.
***
All around the compound, people stopped in their tracks as the strange vibrations roared through the walls. The reverberations of two powerful minds at war.
The strange caps worn on the head of the soldiers began to vibrate as well. The sensation became painful against their skulls, and they began to remove the devices that divided their minds from the Professor…
***
Charles Xavier began to sense all those minds being freed. He could feel the malice echoing from the stranger, as he continued to send images of anger and hate.
The Professor listened, and used the minds around him to fight back…
"Yes," Xavier said aloud, and his voice reflected the power within him, "They do deserve to be saved…"
Psychically, he felt the dark force waver. Xavier sent images of his own then. Memories of his own, of the school, of the children, of his happiest moments…of his X-Men…of Jean…
This time, instead of laughter, Xavier heard the stranger growl in fury.
Xavier ground his teeth together as waves of pain rolled through his mind.
The voice of the stranger echoed loudly in his thoughts.
Don't pretend a few instances of peace make up for the pain you have caused.
Xavier struggled to fight back, his hands gripping the silver arms of his wheelchair.
Every moment is cherished…even after a loss is suffered…
You almost murdered the world, Charles…do you ever expect that to be forgiven?
The entire compound was now shaking violently. The power emanating from the two powerful minds was rocking the very mountain above them.
All those within struggled to stay on their feet, as the battle raged in the hanger.
***
Outside, Rogue was watching in horror as rocks and gathered snow tumbled down the mountainside. She ran up the platform of the jet as the wind blew violently and the snow became a blizzard. The cot on which Mary lay was still solid, but Rogue saw her head whipping back and forth feverishly.
***
The stranger stood above Charles Xavier and held out one hand toward the powerful mutant. His fingers were curled into claws, and he grimaced as the Professor's attack on his mind rattled the air around him.
It was impossible. Xavier was not supposed to be this powerful. But, it did not matter. If Xavier wished to stand in his way, he would die, and none of his X-Men would have the strength to save him.
"I'm growing tired of this, Charles," the stranger said aloud, "Time for you to speak to your dead child again…"
The stranger focused all of his power on Xavier's mind and began to tear it apart.
Xavier leaned forward in pain as the stranger attacked. Underneath the violent shaking of his body, the Professor felt his own blood touch his lips…
***
At the same moment, Mary opened her eyes and began to scream.
"NO!"
Rogue leapt back in surprise, and could only stare at her friend as she cried out.
"No! No! No! No! Nononononononononono…" Mary screamed again and again.
***
The stranger stumbled as the new sound interrupted his attack on Xavier.
NO! the silent cry echoed in repetition.
The scream came from a new voice, one he had not heard before, with a power unlike that of the Professor.
The stranger felt his hold on all those around him falter and he staggered backward in agony.
What is this? he thought loudly, What…is…this?
He was losing form…his physical body fading under the power of the new cry.
He had to find Stryker…there was still the mutant under his control…the one who could take the power of others…
***
Below him, Xavier inhaled deeply as he was released from pain.
He glanced upward and saw the darkness beginning to fade. Outside the hanger doors, the storm slowed, and the compound settled again to silence.
Xavier blinked, coming back to himself, and saw Sid Malloy standing at his side. The young man's face was filled with terror, even though he had not been able to feel the stranger's attack beyond the physical shaking under his feet.
"Professor Xavier?" Sid said, "What's happening? Are you alright?"
Xavier was breathing heavily, but managed to nod. Sid drew a handkerchief from his breast pocket and handed it to the weary man. The Professor wiped the blood from his face and mouth, his hands shaking.
His mind was calming and he could feel the frightened thoughts of all those in the compound, mutant and human alike.
"I'm fine…" Xavier finally said, his voice hoarse and strained. He stared upward to where the dark presence had been and wondered whose voice had fended off the powerful attack.
Xavier began to speak, and then paused. His mind wandered in thought for a moment, and then he met Sid's concerned gaze.
"I'm not sure exactly what happened," he admitted, "That force was…not human…"
Sid nodded, "What was it? A demon?"
Xavier shook his head, "I don't know…"
Legion, the word resurfaced in his mind and Xavier frowned.
"We need to get everyone out…"
"And they are coming…" a new voice added, but it was one Xavier recognized. He glanced over Sid's shoulder, and saw Erik Lensherr walking quickly toward them.
Xavier actually smiled at his old friend, though it was not returned.
"Mystique," Magneto began, gesturing to the woman at his side, "Heard your call, Charles…as did many others…not only mutants…who are now on their way to us as well…"
Xavier's smiled faded as Magneto spoke again.
"The next battle of this war…is upon us…"