Cipher's Wake

By Cypher

Chapter Three: Waking Up

Xavier released a content sigh as he let his mind wander across the world. With the recent awakening of Apocalypse and the residual battles, he hadn't been able to use Cerebro for scouting purposes in a long time. Searching for the powerful mutant and trying to find Magneto took up most of his time. Today, though, things had been quiet for long enough that he had decided to devote his time reviewing all the mutants Cerebro had detected and filed away.

More and more are appearing every day. Anti-mutant laws won't last forever, not with a growth rate like this. Unfortunately, those in power are human, and are afraid. Once or twice he had seriously considered using his powers to influence anti-mutant Senators, but he always pushed his dark impulses aside. He hadn't always had them, not this powerful. No, it was the death of Douglas that had made the darker side of his mind come forth.

He had failed to protect one of his charges. He had failed before, but it had never resulted in death. What was worse, Douglas showed real promise. He believed that when he grew up, he'd partake in mutant affairs, as his parents were. He'd want a safe place for mutants, to see his children accepted and protected. Instead, he's lying under a pile of rubble.

Xavier didn't blame himself as much as Kurt or Logan, but he had allowed the blond to go searching for a mysterious temple even though he saw the signs of Apocalypse. It was even in his notes that Exodus had some connections in Tibet. He shook his head. Douglas was the forgiving type, but it was still hard, even for Xavier, to forgive himself.

And because of the death, his protective instinct had grown, so much that he began thinking about more unethical ways to protect his students. He had done it before, to protect them, by erasing minds. But now he was contemplating changing the minds and wills of people in power. Senators, House Representatives, even the President. He had never acted on his new impulses, but they were growing in size.

He wasn't the only one feeling more protective. Logan was visibly tense around other people, and threatened those who tried to hurt the students. The New Mutants had increased their own protection by staying close to each other, especially around Jamie. The X-Men were a lot more cautious, and more willing to make the hard choice to save themselves. It's not what I wanted to teach them, not what I wanted them to succumb to, but it's like Pandora's box. It can't be put back. Only contained.

Shaking his thoughts from his head, Xavier resumed going through Cerebro's files. Well, well. Looks like Jonah appeared briefly. He had given up trying to find that mutant. It was obvious he wanted to live a normal life, and wanted nothing to do with the people who Douglas had died for. And there's a new one in Europe. Powerful, but Cerebro's having trouble getting a lock-"AGH!"

Images of pain and fear marched across his psychic field, amplified by Cerebro's instruments. It lasted only a minute, but the intensity left Xavier breathing hard, trying to will the nausea away. After a few minutes he was able to control himself again, and he began analyzing the psychic bundle. Cerebro had detected it, but was still extrapolating at the very least, who it could be, as well as where.

Xavier, on the other hand, felt a pit grow in his stomach. Removing the Cerebro interface, he waited calmly for the computer to allay his fears. I've felt that before, and only once, from one mutant.

"Mutant signature detected. Accessing archive files."

He's dead. We all mourned him. He couldn't just reappear after three months, could he?

"Name, Douglas Ramsey. Code name, Cipher. Age, 16. Current location, Germany. Exact coordinates, unknown."

Xavier pinched the bridge of his nose. Douglas. How is you're alive? And why haven't you contacted us? He looked up at the screen displaying Cipher's profile. What is going on here?

~*()*~

Jamie Maddox was bored. Normally he'd go and bug Kurt about it, but today Kurt was out with Kitty. A few months ago, he would've gone to his other best friend, Douglas, but as he had to remind himself from time to time, Douglas was dead. Jamie wished he hadn't died, but he was glad it saved everyone else. If it weren't for him, he might not even have Kurt to hang out with.

The other New Mutants had become more protective of him. Rahne helped him a bit more on his homework, and Roberto liked to rough house with him now, and reminded the others to include him in activities. Even Sam was treating him better, giving him pointers on how to pick up girls. I think they feel a little guilty at the way they treated Douglas. It made sense. Neither Roberto or Sam had really treated Douglas with much respect, and were trying to make up for it by filling the brotherly void he left.

None of the New Mutants were available, though. Most of them were in a special training session that Scott had organized at the last minute. Jamie, however, wasn't invited. It's not fair. I'm just as good as the rest of them. Still, the leader of the X-Men had said these exercises were too advanced for someone so young.

Now he was wandering around the mansion, looking for anyone to play with. He had already finished his homework, and there was nothing good on TV, so he had grabbed his chess board, a gift from Kurt, and gone searching. Mr. McCoy was busy translating stuff from Apocalypse's temple with some of Douglas' notes, and Ms. Monroe was busy fixing dinner. Xavier had locked himself in Cerebro, and the other students had vanished.

He had, however, overheard that Bobby wasn't part of Scott's special training. Since he wasn't in the Danger Room, or in the main room, Jamie figured the teen had to be in his bedroom. That's where he was heading now, though he was keeping his eyes open for any other students. No other students presented themselves by the time he reached Bobby's door, though. He knocked lightly, since it would be a bit impolite to just barge in.

"Come in."

Jamie twisted the knob and glanced around the room, finally spotting Bobby sitting at his desk and typing on a laptop. "Hey Bobby!"

Bobby offered him a quick grin before returning his attention to the screen. "Hey squirt. What's up?"

Jamie tossed his game onto the bed and stood behind the ice mutant. "I was bored, and hoping you would play chess."

"Fraid I don't know how."

Jamie's mouth dropped. "You?"

"Hey, you think I have time for chess when I'm trying to beat Mortal Combat?" Bobby turned a page in the book sitting next to his computer and read through it.

"So what're you doing?"

"Going through the last part of Douglas' computer codes. Because of the whole mess going on around here, I haven't been able to."

Jamie looked at the book as well, now recognizing the handwriting. "Oh. So...what is it?"

"He wrote that it was a fail safe should the mansion ever fall into enemy hands."

"Cool." Jamie rubbed his head. "So...what is it?"

Bobby chuckled. "I have no clue. That's why I'm putting the code in. I should be done in a few, if you wanna hang around to find out."

Jamie shrugged and looked out the window. Not like there's anything better to do. He glanced at the book again, remembering how he had caught Douglas writing in it one time. I wonder if this code was what he was writing when I interrupted him. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Kurt's tried to make up for his absence, they all have, but...it's still hard. They think I've forgotten, because I'm young. I haven't. I just don't let it show.

"Sweet!"

Jamie blinked at Bobby's outburst. "What?"

"It's a backdoor into the Cerebro system! Man, we could play some great pranks with this." Bobby rubbed his hands together, a huge grin on his face.

"We shouldn't play with Cerebro."

Bobby rested a hand on Jamie's shoulder. "Jamie, we won't touch Cerebro itself, but through Cerebro we have access to the entire Institute computer system. We could play with lighting, windows, defenses, the whole thing."

Jamie glanced from Bobby to the screen. Currently it was displaying a map of Europe, with notes up that it had located a new mutant. "I dunno..."

"Didn't you want to get Amara back for her teasing? We could put her room light on a random activation pattern. You know, make her think her room's haunted or something." Bobby was positively glowing.

"Well..." Jamie had to admit it was a tempting offer.

"Mutant signature detected. Accessing archive files."

Both mutants jumped at the feminine voice that came from the laptop's speakers. "Geeze. Shoulda figured it hacked into sound, too. Hmm...wonder if we can pick up the microphones around the Institute as well." Bobby began writing notes on a sheet of binder paper.

Jamie continued watching the screen, curious as to who it had found. "Uh...Bobby?"

"In a minute. Doug, if you had told me that-"

"Name, Douglas Ramsey. Code name, Cipher. Age, 16. Current location: Germany. Exact coordinates, unknown."

Bobby stopped talking and stared at the laptop as if he had never seen one before. "I...it didn't just...did Cerebro just say..."

Jamie, on the hand, couldn't say anything. After all that pain...all our worry...he's alive? His breathing came in gasps and he collapsed against the edge of the bed. He's alive? He...it can't be.

"Jamie? You okay? Either of you?"

Jamie glanced to his left. He hadn't even registered that he had duplicated himself when he hit the floor. "Bobby...did..did it just...?"

"I think so." Bobby came over and sat next to the two Jamies. "Doug's...alive." He rubbed his face. "I don't believe it."

Neither do I. Jamie looked at the screen once more. Neither do I.

~*()*~

"I have my doubts about this...experiment, Exodus. Should you have failed, he'll summon Xavier and this entire base will be compromised."

Exodus barely glanced over his shoulder to acknowledge Magneto's statement. "You have already moved the Blood...the Cyttorak crystals to a new location. There is little else of value here." He continued to read the screen before him, explaining recent histories that he had failed to acquire from the blond lying in a room just one floor beneath them. "There is nothing to be concerned about."

Magneto narrowed his eyes. "Do not just dismiss me, Exodus." He closed his fist, and with it the magnetic fields within the computer Exodus was sitting at, causing it to implode. "I don't care how long you were a god. You work for me now, and you will allay my fears until I'm satisfied."

Exodus' eyes glowed yellow momentarily as he considered attacking the mutant behind him, but he knew he would make no move against his new leader. "Then what do you want to hear from me?"

"A guarantee that this...test won't end badly, with me losing a safe house."

"You have it." Exodus stood up, sweeping his cape behind him, and headed for another computer terminal. "I have placed his conscious mind into a catatonic state. His subconscious, which I have programmed, will be dominant. He is not programmed to try to contact the outside world."

Magneto watched as the red-skinned man called up more historical texts. "And what will this test prove?"

"That I have altered him sufficiently. On the surface, he will be the person the X-Men know, but beneath it he will be utterly loyal to us."

"Will Xavier be able to undo your work?"

Exodus smirked at the screen. "No. According to the child's mind, Xavier was afraid to probe too deeply for fear of harming him. No matter how curious, he wouldn't dare try again."

Magneto nodded. "Very well. Once you've determined if your programming is successful, what will you instruct him to do? Getting the X-Men here is simple, but once he's with them, we won't have contact."

"I am still formulating a plan, but I can assure you the X-Men will fall. As for contacting him, I believe your son will be an excellent messenger."

Magneto furrowed his brow, but knew Pietro was the only one who could bypass the mansion's defenses. "Agreed. Be sure to run your final plan by me first."

"In the meantime, I suggest that you put him to use while he's here." Exodus finally turned away from the screen. "It has been thousands of years since I laid eyes on Egyptian texts, and my ability to read it has declined significantly. The child, on the other hand, is perfectly fluent in it. Have him translate the writings gathered from the Sphinx. Perhaps there will be something we missed that can be used against Apocalypse."

"Agreed. I'll have Mastermind gather the materials." He turned and headed for the door. "And Exodus, I am watching you."

Exodus watched Magneto leave before going back to the computer. I know, master of magnetism. I know.

~*()*~

Douglas blinked awake to find himself staring at a gray ceiling. He tried to understand the brief flare of panic that surged through him, but when no explanation was forthcoming, he shrugged the feeling off as post-dream jitters. Sitting up slowly from the cot he was laying on, he winced. My head hurts. He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around himself. And who turned up the air conditioning? It's freezing. Forcing his eyes open, he searched around the room and found a white turtleneck. Not seeing anyone else present, he claimed it for his own and put it on, tucking it into the leather pants he was wearing.

Do I wear leather? Guess so. Funny, I don't even remember buying these. Sighing, he stared around the room, becoming somewhat depressed at finding only gray walls, perfectly matching the gray ceiling. You know, something's...wrong. For the life of me I can't figure out what, though. He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling an epiphany was on the fringes of his mind, but just out of his reach. What's going on here? I feel...fine. My mutation is still working, physically I'm healthy as a horse. I'm safe, I know that because I'm--actually, where the hell am I? I feel safe...but I have no clue where I am.

He winced again as his stomach rumbled. It feels like I haven't eaten in months. That revelation seemed crucial for some reason, but he wasn't sure why. I'm probably exaggerating. Though...I can't remember the last time I ate. Standing, and wobbling slightly until he got his balance, he looked to the ceiling. You know, once I have some food I'll probably be able to think straight. Right now I'm hungry and it's throwing me off a bit. Glancing around once more, he headed for the sole doorway he could spot.

He couldn't see a doorknob, so he stuck his hands in his pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels. So...is it unlocked? It didn't open automatically when he stepped in front of it, nor did it budge when he pressed against it. Okay. How do I get out? He really hoped he wasn't locked in. I don't think I'm a prisoner. Though if I am...great room. No windows, one door, simple cot. He eyed the numeric panel next to the door. Well, if it's a light switch, I'll know in a minute. Pulling one hand out of his pants, he tapped the controls, and was pleased to see the door slide into the wall. Like something out of Star Trek.

He left the room before the door decided to close again, and looked both ways. A frown marred his features as he realized he was even more lost out here. There was gray as far as the eye could see, and the sterile scent lingering in the air ensured he wouldn't be able to smell his way to a kitchen. It wouldn't have hurt to hire an interior designer? At the very least they could vary the corridor colors. If it's all like this, I'm going to be lost pretty quickly. He sighed and started off towards the right. I'm not going to figure anything out just standing around. Maybe I'll run into someone who can direct me to food, assuming they're not hostile. He was still fairly certain that he was safe, but he wasn't going to let his guard completely fall.

Twenty minutes and nine identical gray hallways later, he was back in front of the room he started from. At least he assumed it was the same room he had left not so long ago. Everything looks the same. For all I know I'm on the other side of this compound and just stumbled upon another open room. Or cell. Maybe it's some sort of cell...could I be in a prison facility? But then why would I feel secure. Unless I've somehow been twisted and....I have another headache. He leaned his shoulder against the door frame and rubbed his forehead. His stomach gave him a twinge of pain, to remind him of his mission, and its hunger. I know. I'll look again in a minute. When a meaty hand landed on his shoulder, he jumped and let out a yelp.

"Are you alright?"

Douglas felt his mind already scurrying to isolate the specific Russian dialect and words that the man's accent originated from. He turned around to face the newcomer and found himself staring at a well defined, muscle toned chest. He had to crane his neck up to meet the piercing, albeit, kind eyes that belonged to the man. He clamped down on his mutant power, pushing the urge to speak Russian to the side. They might not know of my mutant power, and I certainly don't look like I know Russian. He realized that the man staring at him was still expecting an answer. "Um, yeah, yeah, I'm fine. I just woke up kinda disoriented and-" His stomach let out another loud rumble. He ducked his head as he felt a blush creep up his cheeks, while the big Russian man laughed.

"You are hungry, da? Come with me." The taller man started walking away, down the same hall Douglas had started down earlier.

Here we go again. Douglas had to jog to catch up to and fall in step with the Russian. "So, uh, what's your name?"

"Piotr. You are Douglas?"

Douglas nodded. Okay, so I'm known here. He glanced at Piotr from the corner of his eye. That was a guarded tone. He's wary around me. Yet he's helping me. This is getting confusing. Or maybe...maybe I had brain damage and they're afraid to hurt me by revealing the truth? No, I would know if I had damage. "So, um, where are we?"

"Germany, in one of Magneto's bases."

Magneto... That name was significant. For an instant, fear and anger coursed through him, but it was quickly extinguished with a calm, fierce knowledge that Magneto was a friend. But I was afraid, even if it was for a nanosecond. Why? The tingling at the edge of his mind grew stronger, but it retreated as a mental barrier obstructed anything from being realized. Is...that part of my mutation? Or is it something...something wrong with me? Something that these people don't want me to know? Piotr offered Douglas a brief smile, and Douglas tentatively returned it. No. He doesn't want to hurt me. He's...too nice.

"Here we are." Piotr stepped into the open doorway and turned back, waiting for him.

Douglas nodded and stepped into the room.

"Hey, mes amis. Good to see you."

Douglas froze in his footsteps as he spotted the other people in the room. The redhead with the flame thrower was unknown to him, but the Cajun who spoke--How do I know he's Cajun?--and the old man with bushy eyebrows stirred anger in him. One that didn't calm after a minute. Before he knew what he was doing, he had released a ragged yell and launched himself at the nearest one of the two, the old man. "YOU!" His fist hit the elder in his nose, and he followed through by throwing him over his shoulder and into the wall. A staff passed before his eyes before his arms were caught by the Cajun--Gambit. He struggled against the hold, letting out a few swear words in French.

"Hey! Calm down, mon ami!"

"You're not my friend! You son of a-"

"What did they do to you, Douglas?" Piotr rested a hand on Douglas' shoulder once more.

Douglas glared at Piotr, then he paused and blinked, suddenly unsure of himself. "I...they...he..." Douglas' mouth opened and closed a few times. The knowledge was there, the reason he was angry was there, but again, he couldn't grasp why. I know I dislike them...but...why? His struggling stopped and his brow furrowed, as he tried to concentrate. Why...it's in there. I just...I just have to find it.

"You're not gonna attack Gambit if he lets you go?"

Douglas' concentration was broken and his head snapped to the side, looking at his captor. "I...no. To be honest...I don't know why I attacked you...at all."

Gambit frowned and released Douglas. It was obvious he was disturbed by the admission, but he wasn't volunteering any explanation.

"So, um, do you know why I attacked you?"

"It was probably a dream, mate. Have them all the time. One time I set Catman on fire after waking up."

Douglas tilted his head at Australian. "A...dream?" That doesn't seem right. But...I don't have any other explanation. "Okay, um, sorry, Gambit."

A grumble came from across the room. "What about me?"

Douglas scowled at the old man. "You I still don't like, Geezer. You creep me out."

Gambit let out at laugh at the old nickname. "So, Blonde, you hungry? Gambit show you all the good food."

Blonde...yeah, that sounds right. Douglas smiled slightly. "Yeah, that sounds great. You joining us, Piotr?"

"Da."

Douglas' smile grew. "Alright. Let's get something to eat."

And off in another part of the base, two yellow eyes flashed briefly, illuminating the haunting smile of a born again god.

~*()*~

~*()*~

~*()*~

Author's Prattle: Sorry about getting this chapter out so late. I meant to get it out this weekend, but I had to pull a double shift at work (plus I went to see Cirque du Soleil!). Then I caught a forty-eight hour flu that had me...well, you don't want the details, trust me. But, now, the day before Thanksgiving, I'm all better and ready to post again! So, here ya go!

A bit on Gambit. I haven't seen enough of the new season to accurately reflect his speech patterns. I talked it over with my beta, and I settled on a quasi-third person/first person dialect he'd use. If anyone can clarify if Gambit speaks of himself in the third person or the first, that'd be great.

Disclaimers. I don't own X-Men Evolution, Exodus, or Cipher. They all belong to Marvel. I'm just using them in an expression of creativity.

That's it for now! Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you enjoyed, and as always, reviews are welcome!