Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine, except for Aurora, Rian, 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

Sych: Yes, they are related, but not in the family sense. Just think of it as being two parts of the same person, its destiny really for them.

Goth: Xavier is well now, that's why the X-Men had to wait because Charles was unwell, to use Cerebro. He is fine now and is taking care of Rogue. I have noted this in the chapters, if you still don't understand why, just read through it, Charles does go to Cerebro, this means he must be well.

LoneEagle: Logan's not being a wuss; he's just enthralled by Aurora, but he just get in good and proper in this chapter. Anyone who hurts Aurora is bind to get a chestful of claws! : P

I do have reasons for these things y'know! XD

Thank you for the reviews folks, I love 'em! Keep them coming, please! (:

Chapter 49

A roar shuddered the fall of the rain as claws effectively gripped to the back of Aurora. The large bear form shifted, trying to throw off the opponent. Through the dim light the slim line body of Serpentine could be seen, all four limbs grabbing to Aurora's flesh with claws. Black eyes flashed menacingly and the same dull venom dribbled over fangs to be licked away by the appearance of a tongue.

Logan gasped, his mind racing with an image that hit his insides with a nauseas thud. The body of Lucius lingered in his mind, how he carried him, the black venom wound, the name Charles had said. This must be Serpentine!

The image of Lucius dead in Logan's arms remained, of how he carried the cold body to the lab, but then the body had been mentally replaced.. by Aurora.

An earth shattering bellow of fury echoed the landscape as Aurora continued to try and thrown off the mutant on her back. Scott gasped, trying to line up his visor to fire and get the female off her.

Kurt shook his head, grabbing Scott by the wrist, "Nein! You'll get the girl!"

Orion then advanced, seizing the opportunity to wreck some damage to their opponents. Slim discs fired, whizzing through the rain. Through the darkness they whirled deadly, they couldn't be seen, only heard by those with the senses. A high gasp was sounded. It had caught Storm.

Still Aurora struggled with Serpentine whom crawled round her back and wrestled viciously with her tail at the bear's neck, it's muscles strong enough to constrict. Through the darkness, Logan saw a glint of white fangs dash down, direction towards the flesh of the fur-covered neck of Aurora.

Logan cried out, running forward as the bear attempted to throw off the mutant. As Serpentine was lowered, but unsuccessfully thrown off, Logan erupted with a roar and drove his claws through the oncoming thigh of Serpentine.

A howl of anguish shivered the evening, sound stilling the clouds above.

Serpentine collapsed off the back of muscle, hitting the floor with a cry as blood ran heavily through three massive wounds.

The bear was slowly panting softly, the figure shrunk and resumed back to the slim form of Aurora. She dropped to her knees, collected puddles splashing from her weight. One hand supported her body, the other round her neck as she gasped from the attempts of strangulation.

In the darkness Serpentine staggered to her feet, rising and moving towards Aurora, her tail lashed, ready to complete it's work. She made a leap.

A heavy and murderous roar ripped through the rain. Logan had sprinted towards the oncoming snake-like body. An arm grabbed at an ankle and he threw the wretched body down into the puddles, form slapping against the concrete. He then threw himself down slicing claws across her front, each attack met by an agonized cry. Each slim-line claw drove through the coat of scales and drew fresh pumping blood that slid over her form and stained the puddles that surrounded them.

Out of the corner of his eye he could see Orion advancing, he lifted his incredible weight off Serpentine who remained on the floor, gasping. Orion was moving towards Aurora, intending to complete Serpentine's work. She was blasted down by a stream of red laser before Kurt teleported and smacked her back down the instant she tried to stand.

In the darkness Pyro shrinked away from the glares he got from his old friends. His hand trembled over his lighter, trying to determine what to do. Should he kill the X-Men? Or give in to his conscience.

"Leave him." Muttered Logan and he helped Aurora to her feet gently, her hand still remained at her throat where a visible red mark showed the strength Serpentine had put into her constriction.

"Let's get inside before these lot get up." Announced Storm, a hand brushing away falling blood from the cut upon her cheek from the disc. She then turned, running on through the rain towards the doors they had exited from. The X-Men followed, running blindly through the onslaught of freezing rain, splashing through increasing puddles

Inside the temperature was still cold and damp patches ran over the walls. The room was square, concrete. Nothing hinted any signs of life. Logan lifted his head, eyes peering through the darkness of the building to the upper levels, "I can smell someone up there."

"Students?" Questioned Scott.

Logan nodded, "Come on.. We need to get them out of here."

Leading the group Logan sprinted up the stairs, X-Men close behind. They reached the upper level, the landing leading off onto corridors, a railing stopping their plummet to the lower level, however it creaked miserably, black metal weakening from years of poor condition.

Logan followed his nose, and the X-Men followed him.

Voices could be heard round the next corner, quiet murmurings of the students.

Logan turned the corner first after he lifted a hand to halt the others. He rounded the corner and immediately stopped with a gasp.

"Logan!"

"Logan, what is it!"

"Logan!"

He didn't reply, he remained stiffened before he was catapulted backwards off the barrier at a tremendous speed and let out a fresh scream as his body broke and smashed through the railings, sending a few bars of metal down to the lower level of concrete where they hit with a tremendous clatter. Three claws reached madly and made a desperate grab for the concrete that made the second level. There he hung, X-Men in shock.

"Fancy seeing you here.." A sharp voice then drawled from round the corner from a hidden form.

*** To view pictures and detailed profiles of my created characters, visit: (www.freewebs.com/xwotw)