Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine, except for Aurora, Granite and Serpentine, and the weapons I gave to Orion, plus her name. But the character itself remains Marvel's. Plot is mine though.

Throughout story: " " = Speech ' ' = Thoughts ^ ^ = Telepath

Chapter 45

The sun lifted from the horizon defiantly, crawling up slowly to take its place in the sky above the faint shimmer of grey clouds that crept in from the far distance.

The sunlight shone in through each barred window, lighting the cells with dusty rays. The beautiful aura of gold upon the scene didn't change the mood however.

Bobby's head lifted and eyes strained open to meet direct dazzling rays of the morning sun. He made a small groan, his neck aching from such a bad position. Now with the new light, he scanned the cell. Three walls were concrete, and thick enough to withstand substantial attacks. The strong doors barred the front of the cell; thick metals strips of black preventing his freedom. The floor was dusty, old grey rubble randomly fallen from the ceiling was scattered around in all shapes and sizes, nestling in with the grit and dirt of the floor.

His eyes fell upon each part of the cell, taking in the state of their conditions with a frown. A large spider scuttled past his feet and up the opposite wall and the faint rustling of a rodent was heard a shadowed corner.

A loud noise erupted from one side of the wing, the metal door at the end being thrusted open by Serpentine who came in with a chorus of hissing and snarls. Bobby peered through his cell, waiting for her willowy form to pass by his cell. She passed, flashing him a glare from black balls of sight.

It went quiet, aside from the occasional scared whisper; the wing remained silent of speech. For the second time that dreadful morning another noise exploded the chilled air. Locks on each door snapped free, the sound repeating around till everything fell silent. Serpentine ventured back up the narrow corridor between the cells, keys jangling as she expertly dived in and out, unlocking chains and sending students on their way with a slap from her tail that made several cry out in pain as her extra limb of pure muscle contacted freezing skin.

Bobby found himself being shuffled through the narrow corridor, shoulder to shoulder with the hundred's of students that made their way through. He felt something tugging at his wrists and to his shock and dismay; Serpentine had left his chains binding wrists and all the other students.

Within a few minutes the students were in the same large room as yesterday. The metal that had held them down yesterday sat in a corner, glinting threateningly as they approached.

"Take a seat." Said Magneto calmly, stepping out of the shadows and into the bright sunlight that radiated through barred windows. His hand lifted and dropped, every student found themselves being dragged down by the chains at their wrists.

"We can't have you starving here. Need you alert when you listen to me don't we?" Said Magneto, gesturing to a row of tables at the far end of the room, bowls sat inexpertly scattered.

As eyes landed upon the food, students jumped up excitedly, many running towards a bowl and grabbing at it hungrily. Bobby came up to the table, peering down suspiciously at a single sausage that sat on his chosen plate. He lifted it curiously with his right hand, left hand following with the chains. He sniffed at it, doubting the cleanliness. Unfortunately, he was starving and would readily stuff his face with food that was a bit past its sell by date.

"I heard Mystique recovered these from the prison kitchen. They been there for .. like.. months." Came a voice from beside Bobby.

Bobby paused from the bite he was about to take, hand instantly moving it away, "Aaw God."

Bobby threw the sausage down upon his plate, which was instantly grabbed by a young boy beside him, who stuffed it into his face desperately.

Bobby sighed softly, shaking his head. His attention travelled to the chains at his wrists, which were so poorly put on his wrists were beginning to severely ache. Within an instant he lifted his palms. The lack of nutrition caused his powers to lack their level of energy. But ice managed to travel along the chains weaving inside and transforming each molecule into ice, and he snapped them clean away by brandishing his wrists to a concrete partition column.

The smashing crack of sound alerted the ears of every student, including the Brotherhood. All glanced his way whilst Bobby lingered quietly by the concrete block, a couple of feet away from the rest, he hands were now free of manacles. Serpentine growled, appearing by his side in a flash due to her agile slithering motions. Bobby gasped as she leered upon him, venom dribbling down over lips. A clawed hand lifted and it slapped harshly over his face.

The sound ricocheted over the walls, followed by terrified gasps from the students.

Bobby raised his free hands to land an attack against her. But Serpentine got a hold of the oncoming fists and instantly dropped them back into chains. Bobby paused in his motions, gasping as he felt the weight once more open his wrists. Serpentine growled some more, heaving another hit across his head.

More gasps.

Bobby staggered back slightly, eyes falling shut, mind whirring hopelessly to try and defeat the oncoming state.

But it was no use, Bobby collided back against the floor.. where he was left.

At the other side of the room, dominated by Magneto's shadow, Pyro gave a shocked gasp.

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