Merry Christmas everyone. Thanks for the feedback: Steven P. P., Pandora, Chia4, Eboni, Ice Princess, Sue Penkivech, T. Riddle, signals x lost
Sorry for the trouble with reviewing. FF.net required the removal of all A/N chapters, so the Ch. numbering went backwards and that caused some confusion with the review system.
Jean ran into Cerebro's chamber. The computer's innards were scattered across the room. Hank and Xavier sat in the center of it all as they feverishly worked to repair the damage.
"I know where Scott is." Jean declared.
Xavier gave her an interrogative look.
Jean tapped her forehead. "I could sense him. He's headed for that base we found in California."
Xavier frowned. "Jean, even with Cerebro's assistance the west coast is too far away for me to establish a link with the mind of a non-telepath. Are you certain that this isn't a case of wistful thinking on your part?"
"It's Scott." Jean replied firmly. "I could find him on the other side of the planet if I had to."
"Take the X-Jet, check out your hunch." Xavier said. "If he's not there don't waste time searching. Cerebro should be repaired within the next few hours. Then we'll certainly be able to find him."
"Thank you Professor. He's there, you'll see."
As Jean hurried toward the hanger bay Rahne fell in beside her. "I eves dropped." She explained. "You might need some back up."
"Thanks." Jean said.
****** ****** ******
With a sigh of relief Scott waded into the underground lake. Carefully he lowered Pietro into the water. Fred and Todd were already happily splashing each other. After a few moments they returned to Scott's side. "So Quickie's going to be okay now?" Todd asked. "We're out of the heat, we've got water, everything's gonna be fine right?"
Scott checked to make sure Pietro's head was above the water then took a long drink before answering. "Chances are we'll all be fine waiting here until they find us, but I'd be happier if we had a doctor look at Pietro. At the least he should be on an IV to get rehydrated."
"I'll start looking for comm. gear." Todd volunteered.
"Me too." Fred stated. "I saw a Denny's back around the corner. They'll have a phone."
"Um Fred, how about you stay in the water for a while longer." Scott suggested gently.
"I wanna help." Fred replied.
"I know." Scott said. "Just rest for a little longer, please."
****** ****** ******
"Erik, what are you doing here?" Xavier demanded as he paused in the Institute's open doors.
Out on the lawn Magneto, flanked by Pyro and Colossus, stood against the every mutant left at the Institute.
"Mezmero is back. He has your student, Rogue. She has all of our powers." Magneto declared. "I have operatives tracing her movements. Unless you wish to concede another victory to Apocalypse you'll help me stop her."
"Where is she?" Wolverine snarled.
"Climbing a mountain in Tibet." Magneto replied. He activated a comm. link and tossed it to the fierce Canadian.
"Who is this?" Wolverine snapped.
"M. Logan, a pleasure speakin' wit' y' 'gain. Rogue's a hundred feet behind Wanda and I. We've been doin' our bes' to make de pass unpassable but de femme has too many options at her disposal. Mystique an' Mezmero be wit' her. Y' bes' come quick if y' want her back."
"She best be in one piece when we get there or I'm taking it out of your hide Cajun." Wolverine replied terminating the link.
//Chuck, you listening?// Wolverine thought.
//I'm here.//
//Something's up. I wouldn't have pegged the Cajun as being likely to go back to Magneto. As for Wanda teaming up with her father, I think we would have noticed the flying pigs by now. Still I think we'd better check this out.//
//Agreed.// Xavier met Magneto's eyes. "When will you be ready to leave?"
"Now would be acceptable."
****** ****** ******
Scott kept one hand on the wall of the hall as he walked. "Todd?" He yelled.
"Right here, yo!" Todd called back. "I thought you were watching out for Quickie?"
"He was starting to come around and Fred was feeling better. So I thought I'd leave them on their own. Fred doesn't have it in him to stay mad if they actually talk. Any luck finding comm. gear?"
"It took me fifteen minutes to figure out how the doors work." Todd said.
"I'll take that as a no." Scott said. "Don't worry about it. We couldn't figure this place out when we were here before either. Storm thought it was evidence of a lost civilization. Jean swore up and down someone was watching her the whole time we were here. Lance insisted it was part of a government conspiracy. I thought it was aliens."
"Could have been aliens involved in a government conspiracy, you know, like 'the X-Files'." Todd said. "So what do we do?"
"Push buttons, hope we get lucky."
"Cool." Todd replied. He hopped between consoles hitting as many buttons as quickly as he could.
Scott took a more methodical approach. He punched every button on the console closest to the door then moved on to the next one.
"Stop that!" A voice commanded. One of the screens came to life. It showed a scowling man with a prosthetic eye and white hair. "Are you impaired or deliberately trying to activate the self-destruct?"
"Yo Scott, this guy look like you on Asteroid M before Magneto's advancement thingy wore off."
"Umm Sir," Scott said turning toward the voice. He ended up talking to a speaker. Todd grabbed his shoulder and turned him toward the screen. "We'll be out of your hair shortly if you'd just direct us to a phone."
"Don't bother. Sensors picked up your plane landing outside. Try not to blow the place up before you leave." With that the screen clicked off.
"Friendly guy," Todd commented.
Scott shrugged.
****** ****** ******
A taxicab pulled to a stop in front of the Institute's gates. A man with blond hair, dark glasses and a white cane stepped out and paid the driver.
"The gate's closed and it looks like they've got quite the driveway." The cab driver said. "You sure you don't want me to stick around in case you need a hand?"
"I think I can manage." Matt replied with a wry smile.
The driver nodded then looked embarrassed as he realized Matt couldn't see his response. "Okay, if you're sure." He said.
The soft buzz of electricity guided Matt unerringly to the intercom unit mounted at the side of the gate. He rung the bell and a few moments later a woman's voice with a Scottish burr asked. "Who's this?"
"Matt Murdock, I'm here to speak with Charles and several of the students about some legal matters."
"Matt… Matthew. Yes Charles mentioned calling ye about Lance. I'm afraid everyone's out at the moment but if ye don't mind waiting..."
"I don't mind." Matt replied and the gate slid open.
Matt paused at the cool air radiating up from the pavement. Past experience told him the cause but common sense argued against the existence of ice patches on the driveway at this time of year. Matt swept his cane across the ground easily picking up on the lack of friction then shrugged. He was dealing with mutants after all.
He paused for a moment to verify that he was alone then gave in to temptation. He took two running steps at the ice then slid. When another temperature change warned him that he'd reached the end of the ice he tucked himself into a quick summersault and landed with a flourish. Matt grinned boyishly and shook his head at his own foolishness but really, who could ignore ice or snow in May?
As he approached the house his expression became more serious. The front door opened with a slight creak and a blast of air conditioning. Perfume wafted on the breeze, the scent was over-laid with a more medicinal scent.
"Ms…" Matt asked extending his hand.
"Dr. Moira Taggart. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. Have you been able to sort out things for Lance?" Moira asked as she ushered Matt inside.
"I need him at a pre-trial hearing in order to put this matter to rest." Matt replied. "I'm all but certain the charges will be dismissed. I also need to speak with several other students: Scott Summers and Katherine Pryde. They're being called as witnesses for a motion to try Greg Samual's case separately from the other three teens involved in the Bayville High shooting."
"I didna think lawyers delivered summonses." Moira commented.
Matt grimaced. "Everyone involved agreed my presence here would be less inflammatory than another visit from the police after the last incident."
Moira sniffed at the reminder.
After a moment she said. "Greg Samual, he's the one who broke Rahne's arm and killed that boy. How are they trying to get him off?"
"His father was killed several months ago; he was crushed by a car thrown by the Juggernaut. Greg Samual is terrified of mutants. They're pleading insanity. His lawyer wants to distance his case from Duncan Matthews and his escalating battle with Lance."
****** ****** ******
Pietro lay back against the gentle incline of the sandy lakebed and stared up at the metal ceiling a handful of feet above him. A few flood lamps near the entrance to the base proper lit the area but they seemed to be set on dim. When he'd first regained consciousness Fred had been supporting him. The larger teen had asked a number of worried questions but once Pietro proved he was nominally okay Fred had moved to the other edge of the lit area and started ignoring him.
"I would have come back if I could." Pietro said breaking the uncomfortable silence between them. "I tried to get Magneto to go rescue you. He wouldn't. I tried to go after you myself but…. There was something… I couldn't get out of the base until after it was all over and you guys were back at the Mansion. I did try."
"You shouldn't have left in the first place." Fred stated.
"Yeah." Pietro agreed. "You know me. I always act before second thoughts have a chance to catch me."
"You do whatever you like and never think at all about any one else." Fred complained. "And when you get in trouble we end up having to bail you out."
"I never expected you guys to come after me." Pietro said. "Thanks."
"Yeah, well... It wasn't my idea."
"You still came."
Fred glanced away he looked embarrassed. "You're welcome." He muttered.
****** ****** ******
Gambit watched as Mezmero turned off the main path. "Dis is it cherie." He said to Wanda. "If we're gonna hold dem 'til reinforcement get here we're gonna need to make a stand now."
"Father said that Mezmero is controlling Rogue."
"Hit him wit' everyt'ing y' got." Gambit replied. "I'll make sure y' get your shot."
"Remy my powers aren't that reliable." Wanda warned.
"Oui, but one of us has to be de bait." Gambit replied with a shrug. "Do your bes' mon amour." Remy blew her a kiss then slipped away.
Wanda's power was always there, always available. Her rage was just the lens through which she focused it. There had to be a different lens, she thought.
Gambit fastened a few buttons on his trenchcoat. The light material blended better with the snow than his dark uniform. He broke the seal on two additional packs of cards and crept around behind the trio.
Rogue was the main threat. He couldn't fight her, couldn't even hope to fight her. You didn't sneak up on a telepath. You didn't go hand-to-hand against someone possessing reflexes, agility, strength and endurance well beyond what was humanly possible. You didn't get in a shootout with an opponent who had a full armory when all you carried were grenades. Of course Rogue was only a puppet, it wasn't Pietro's reflexes he had to beat it was Mezmero's.
Mystique was a vindictive bitch. It wouldn't take much to get her to chase him. The danger was that Mezmero would choose to keep Rogue for his own protection.
Gambit checked his escape route then attacked. Gambit's cards where aimed at Mezmero and Mystique. He didn't wait to see them explode, he just turned and ran. Eight steps later he jumped off the side of a cliff.
The angry scream of an eagle told him Mystique had taken the bait. Rogue came silently, the power radiating off the girl made his hair stand on end as it wrapped around him. "I gave y' de chance cherie." He whispered. "Take it."
****** ****** ******
The X-Copter sped across Eastern Europe headed toward Tibet.
"Erik, are you certain it's this urgent?" Xavier asked. "I could still summon Jean. She could pick-up Avalanche and Shadowkat on the way. The X-Jet is faster than the helicopter. For the delay of perhaps three hours we'd have at least three, maybe seven more experienced X-Men."
"In exchange for leaving Wanda and Gambit alone against Mezmero, Mystique and Rogue? No thank you Charles. The battle will be over before they could arrive."
"All right Erik. X-Men, I would like each of the instructors to pair up with one of the new recruits. Magma, you will be with me. Spyke, Nightcrawler, watch one another's backs."
"We made a good team last time Beast." Iceman said.
"That we did."
"Cannonball, as the only two member of the team capable of flight I believe we would be most effective working together." Strom commented.
"I guess that leaves you and me." Wolverine said with a glance at Berserker.
"Try not to sound so enthusiastic." Berserker replied.
"Oh yeah I've always wanted to play babysitter in the middle of a fight." Wolverine complained. "Chuck if ya don't trust the kids we should leave them in the playpen."
"I trust them Logan." Charles replied. "I simply prefer that they have a more experienced partner to watch over them."
"Well I work best alone. You watch the kids."
"I'm gonna think you don't like me." Ray said sounding plaintive.
"Goddamnit kid, do you all practice that tone?" Logan demanded as he raised his hands in surrender.
"Of course ve do." Kurt laughed as Ray grinned. "At least ten minutes before bed vithout fail."
Logan just shook his head.
****** ****** ******
As Rogue lifted into the air Wanda made her move. She crystallized her perception around the trust Remy placed in her placed in her then darted toward Mezmero. An electric blue glow leapt from her hands to surround him.
Mezmero turned toward her, his walking sticking was held like a weapon. Wanda smiled and it came to life. The staff writhed like a snake. It twisted free of his grasp and looped itself around him binding his arms to his sides.
Mystique drove at Wanda with talons outstretched. Wanda's eyes gleamed with wicked amusement. She flicked her fingers. A blue bolt struck Mystique and the eagle tumbled out of the sky. It landed at Wanda's feet in the form of a rabbit.
Rogue floated above the battle. Remy hung above the side of the cliff struggling in the grip of her powers. Wanda hesitated afraid that Rogue would drop him if she attacked. "Do it cherie!" Remy ordered. Wanda's mouth was set in a determined line as the blue glow of her powers leapt from her hand.
Instead of rendering Rogue powerless the bolt buried itself in the snow. The whole hillside melted in seconds and a torrent of water swept down the mountain. Mezmero, Mystique and Wanda were all caught in its grasp. Rogue made a come hither gesture and the three of them were plucked from the water. A blast of Wanda's powers leapt from Rogue's hand and struck Mezmero and Mystique. It restored his staff and her form.
Mezmero laughed at his two captives. "I'm a hypnotist children; not a telepath. Rogue already has her instructions; regardless of what happens to me she will carry them out. There is no one strong enough to stop her."
"You already have their power Rogue." Mystique pointed out. Rogue made a gesture of tossing something away and Wanda and Remy were thrown over the side of the cliff.
"Deir's no one to catch us dis time!" Remy yelled.
Wanda's expression was terrified as she wrapped them in her powers.
****** ****** ******
"You're doing great Rahne but I think I'd better take over for the landing." Jean said.
"Thanks for teaching me Jean." Rahne replied. "Are they really here?"
Jean smiled. "They're here. Scott's worried but what's new?" She activated the X-Jet's landing thrusters and brought the plane down in a vertical landing on the canyon rim.
Jean floated the two girls down to the canyon floor. "Is this it?" Rahne asked as she looked at the hole blasted in the wall of the canyon.
Jean nodded and they headed in. The rock walls soon gave way to a metal tunnel. They climbed down a ladder into the subterranean base. "Scott's coming." Jean said.
The entrance to the base proper was at the foot of the ladder. Rahne transformed into her wolf-self and loped inside. She followed the guys' scents. When the trail became warm Rahne threw back her head and howled. The eerie sound echoed through the base. A few minutes later she heard familiar bounding footsteps approaching and transformed back into her human shape a moment before Todd swept her off her feet. "Sweetie! Boy am I glad to see you!"
"Toad! Wait up! You're supposed to be guiding me!" Scott yelled.
"Will I do?" Jean asked as she planted a kiss on his lips.
"Oh yeah." Scott laughed. "I hate to cut this short but I think we should get Quickie back to Moira post-haste. He got the worst of our desert fun. Have you found Rogue and Mystique? Did you bring my visor?"
****** ****** ******
Mystique and Mezmero stood in front of a stone door and glared at one another confrontationally. Rogue stood behind them passively waiting her turn.
"What do you mean I'm the key?" Mystique demanded. "You told me it was Rogue who Apocalypse needed."
"You are both needed." Mezmero replied. "Do not fear. Apocalypse rewards those who serve him faithfully. He will not discard you as Magneto did."
Mystique glanced at the door but still she hesitated.
"Apocalypse is the only future. All other possibilities are shadows burned away by the reality of he who is our first and will be the last. You have seen his past; you know his power. To stand against him is to stand against the progression of the hours. He is inevitable."
Mystique nodded and transformed herself into a snake then slithered through a porthole in the door. Once inside the chamber she reverted to her native form. Mystique glanced around and saw the pedestal Mezmero had described. She placed her hand on the symbol in the center. A moment later she screamed as she disappeared in a flash of light.
The stone door rumbled ominously as it swung open. Rogue walked down the causeway leading to Apocalypse's prison. In response to her presence it opened to reveal the desiccated husk that was Apocalypse.
The X-Men and Acolytes burst into the outer chamber with Wolverine in the lead. Amara powered up, becoming living flame. Pyro paused to stare at her with lust bordering on awe. "No." Magneto told him firmly.
Mezmero was blown aside by half a dozen forms of energy crashing into him. The teams charged into the inner chamber. They arrived just in time to see Rogue sway and fall. Cannonball blasted across the room to catch her. He carried her to the far side of the room, away from Apocalypse.
The ancient mutant rose from his prison. He was flush and glowing with stolen power. A wave of his hand floored all the attacking mutants. He silently floated out of the chamber. As soon as Magneto regained his facilities he flew Apocalypse.
"Storm, follow them. Find out where Apocalypse goes." Xavier ordered. "I'll watch over Rogue. Kurt, Sam, search for Gambit and Wanda. Everyone else back to the X-Copter, assist Storm as best as you're able. Logan, update Jean on the situation. Storm will not begin an aerial battle, but I fear Erik tends to be rash and overconfident."