The Truth Hurts
Chapter XXVI: Temptation Island
By: Michelle
Xavier studied his team before he began. He could tell, without reading their minds, that they knew he was hiding something from them.
Ororo brushed her hands through her hair. He could tell how worried she was. She loved Kurt and was afraid she was going to loose him. She looked up and stared him in the eye for some answers. She knew there was something he didn't tell her the other day.
Kitty hooked up the communicator to the mainframe. Sure she was smart, but didn't seem to understand why everything was happening. The only thing she really knew was that her favorite German professor was gone. She looked up to him for answers.
Jubilee covered the sleeping Rahne with a blanket. She was scared. One of her best friends was gone. She turned to her mentor for answers.
Colossus stood like a soldier waiting for his orders. He could tell he was ready to go on this mission. He was good friends with Rogue and Kurt, and was worried about them both. He gazed over to him for answers.
Iceman folded his arms and leaned against the wall. He had a black eye now and kept shooting angry looks at Gambit who respond the same. He rolled his eyes and turned to him for answers.
Gambit turned a card in one hand and held his side with the other. Every so often he would flip Iceman off because of the busted lip he gave him to have him do the same. He shot him a glance with his fiery red eyes trying to hypnotize him for answers.
Wolverine stood in the middle of the two giving them both looks to keep them from trying to attack each other again. Deep inside, he could tell Logan was afraid. Kurt was a good friend to him and Rogue was like a daughter to him. He was ready to slice and dice anything to get them back. He stared at him angrily ready for answers.
Xavier took a deep breath. It was time to tell them.
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Kurt, Graydon, and Rogue flew back up against the wall as four figures walked into the cell. They struggled to get free but remembered the metal bracelets around their wrists, neck, and ankles.
Magneto stepped forward first giving them a wicked smile as he welded the metal bracelets to the wall. They could tell this was all his idea in the first place. What he was up to in particular was still a mystery to them.
Pyro walked in next making designs with the fireball in his hand. He smiled slightly at Rogue, who felt a chill run down her spine.
Sabretooth growled as he walked in the room, causing Graydon to turn ghost white. Kurt and Rogue looked at each other trying to figure out why he would do that, but somehow they knew they would quickly find out.
She walked in the cell graceful in her disguise. Her brown hair fell a little below her shoulders and curled at the end. Her black leather top and short black leather shirt clung tightly to her body as she stood in the matching boots and gloves.
"Huh." Kurt said confused. Where's Mystique?
"Mutter." Graydon said. I don't like this.
"Momma Raven." Rogue said wondering what she would be doing with Magneto.
She placed her hand on her hip and shifted her appearance.
"Oh My Gott!!!" Kurt said forgetting momentarily about his beliefs.
"Shit." Graydon said. But at least she didn't metamorph the clothes too.
"AAAAHHHHH!" Rogue panicked, just realizing Momma Raven was really Mystique in disguise.
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Xavier took a deep breath before he answered. "When I started out my research, I never realized how far this would take me. I knew when I started it would be something big, but nothing compared to what I am about to tell you. I didn't realize how much I would discover and how much I didn't want to."
"What are you talking about Chuck?" Logan asked confused. I don't like when you drag out your answers.
"When Kurt insisted in knowing about his family, I was afraid to tell him the truth after he allowed me to scan his mind." Xavier met each of their eyes as he continued to speak. "What I found proved to be disturbing to him and those he is closest to."
"What did you find Professor?" Jubilee asked before anyone else could.
"Kurt's mother is Mystique."
Gambit put away his card as he sensed Ororo and Logan's unshaken thoughts. "Who else know about dis?"
"I did." Ororo hung her head feeling like a failure.
"So did I." Logan folded his arms.
"And so did Rogue." Xavier added, and then continued his revelations. "At the debate, I scanned Mystique's mind to find out more. Apparently, Kurt is not her only child." He paused. "Graydon Creed is her son as well, making him and Kurt half-brothers."
Ororo looked over at him shocked. "Are you sure?" She said wanting to deny the connection, but she knew it was true. "That man hates mutants."
"And he has reasons." Logan said, remembering pieces from his past. 'Mystique and Sabretooth were not exactly the world's greatest parents."
"They abandoned him when they found out he wasn't going to become a mutant." Xavier added.
'Oh God." Ororo remembered. "That's why Sabretooth referred to Kurt as his stepchild."
"Then, like why was Rogue taken?" Kitty asked looking up from the computer.
"Cuz Sabretooth her step daddy." Gambit answered her.
"No way." Iceman argued against him. "That's bullshit."
"It ain't bullshit, Pretty Boy." He replied back. "Rogue dun told me earlier dat she Graydon's adopted sister."
"Yeah right." Iceman shook his head. "Rogue doesn't have any siblings. She was an only child."
"No, Gambit is right." Xavier said as Logan glared at the two before they began fighting again. "Rogue is Graydon's adopted sister. Momma Raven, as Rogue called her, was Mystique in disguise."
"Hold up." Logan said still eyeing the two. "Are you saying that Mystique is Kurt's, Graydon's, and Rogue's mother?"
"Yes."
"If Kurt and Rogue are missing" Colossus said aloud. "Then, Graydon may be too."
"I would not be surprised at that accusation Colossus." Xavier agreed.
Ororo turned to Xavier for her last questions. "What would Mystique want with all of them? She gave Kurt, Graydon, and Rogue up. Why the sudden interest?"
Xavier glanced around the room again before he gave them an answer.
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Kurt, Graydon, and Rogue struggled to get free while she stood around and watched. She had expected one reaction would be to freak out, but this was ridiculous.
Kurt tried to bamf himself out of the room only to receive a strong electrically surge flow through his body. After a few failed attempts, he finally realized the pain was coming from a large metal collar around his neck. His eyes began to water as he debated why his own mother would do this to him.
Graydon gave up fighting quickly. It was a lost cause. He felt so weak compared to his older brother, but was glad he didn't have that shock collar around his neck. He almost felt sorry for him. Key word. ALMOST.
Rogue's face streamed with tears as she fought to get herself free. And she thought she was scared that night on Liberty Island. Her eyes flashed blue for a second, as she ripped one of the bracelets around her wrist from being weld to the wall. She felt momentary freedom of one arm, before Magneto took care of it.
Mystique looked at all three of them finally together. The abandoned son. The worthless son. The sheltered daughter. For a moment, she was speechless. She just didn't know what to say to them.
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"Why Mystique be wanting them after all dis time?" Gambit asked seeing that Xavier was silent again. "It like she be creating some sort of family reunion."
"She is." Xavier hung his head then looked back up. "Or she is trying too."
"Something doesn't sound right." Wolverine added his opinion. "Mystique had plenty of opportunities of making amends with each of them. If she wanted to reunite them, she would have done it already. And I know Mystique; she doesn't have that kind of a heart. She must be being influenced."
"And I agree with you Wolverine." Xavier nodded. "She wouldn't scheme something like this by herself. She's much too clever for that."
"Then, Magneto must be putting her up to this." Storm added. "After all, he has been trying to rebuild the Brotherhood."
"It's too hard training anymore young mutants like Pyro to be effective Acolytes." Wolverine reminded them. "Or recruiting new mutants to sympathize with his cause, especially, since we intercept him before he can succeed."
"So he be taking part of our team." Gambit concluded. "Ta be making it part of his own."
"Precisely." Xavier said, finally understand Magneto's plan all along. "He's going to use Mystique's connection to Kurt and Rogue to tempt them into joining the Brotherhood."
"And if they refuse?" Iceman asked coming out of his silence.
Xavier looked at all of them with fear in his eyes. "Then, there will be two less X-men for him to deal with."
BEEP
BEEP
"Hey I like totally found them." Kitty smiled looking up from the computer screen. "Ya'll are like never going to believe where they are at."
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Mystique stood in silence as she looked over each of their faces.
How do you address the son you dropped to his death?
Kurt gave up struggling. He looked tired, out of breath, and out of faith. He just stared at her with his golden eyes wondering what he did to deserve this.
She walked over to him and touched his tattooed cheek to wipe off away a tear. He pulled away at first feeling betrayed by her. However, his good Christian soul refused him to stay angry with her. She was his mother after all.
"Hello Kurt." She said softly to him fighting an inner battle with her conscience. "My son."
Kurt was speechless. He didn't know what to say to her. He loved her even though he barely knew her. However, deep down he hated her for what she did. He didn't know if he could ever forgive her.
She hated his silence. Didn't he care about me? I am his mother. I gave him life. I threw him away. He must hate me.
She looked over his appearance. Kurt was a tall and attractive looking man. His sapphire blue skin, covered with various angelic symbols, came from her. His golden eyes met with hers briefly before he looked away again. They were another one of her features.
However, as she looked over the rest of him, she slowly felt the hatred growing inside of her. Even though it was curly, He had his father's jet black hair. His teeth were razor sharp fangs like his. His ears were pointed like his. His misshaped hands and feet. But the one feature she hated the most was his long spaded tail. It was the one define feature that made him his father's son.
She backed away and turned to his brother.
How do you address the son you can care less about?
Graydon stared at her with his soulless black eyes. He may have had the face of an angel, but he had the soul of a devil. As always, she ignored him and kept walking.
"What's the matter Mutter?" He yelled at her. "Ashamed to face you human son. Or are you just living with a guilty conscience."
He may have hated her gusts, but at least he was willing to speak with her. She stopped and sighed. "You always had a mouth on you, didn't you Graydon."
"Always one to point out another's flaws." Graydon replied. "Never one to notice your own."
She shot him a hateful glance and head towards her daughter.
How to you speak to the daughter you let slip through your fingers?
She looked over her daughter and smiled. Marie was always her favorite. Her face streamed with tears. She could see the fear and hatred building up inside of the girl. No. The young woman that was before her. Her little Rogue grew up a long time ago.
She almost wanted to smack Rogue for that skimpy little nightgown she was in. It showed too much of her flawless porcelain skin for her tastes. She was a little nervous her daughter was missing a glove too.
Moving on, she noticed how long her daughter's hair had gotten since the last time she saw her. She also noticed the black bandanna that held it out of her face and did not approve, especially since it reeked of a certain Cajun her husband wouldn't mind shredding to pieces.
"My little Rogue." She tried to comfort her. "You were always my favorite."
"You…You…sniff…All this time…" Rogue stared at her with her emerald eyes as she struggled to find the words to say. "I don't understand…"
"Of course you don't, My Dear." Magneto interrupted. "That's why ALL of you are here."
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"OK, like I totally located them." Kitty said as the rushed around her to see. "I used that walkie-talkie thingy and traced it to its recipient. Apparently, that Sabretooth guy like still has his on him. So, it was like so easy to track."
"Half-pint." Logan looked down at the Valley Girl. "Point."
"They are at Genosha." Kitty replied. "It is a small island near the east African coast, not too far away from Madagascar. Unlike it's African neighbors Genosha bloomed and blossomed, and was one of the richest and most advanced nations worldwide."
"Magneto owns lands there." Xavier remembered. "Near the city of Carrian Cove." He looked at his team. "X-men. Suit up." He didn't have to repeat himself. They were way ahead of them.
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Mystique stepped back and allowed Magneto to take over. He smiled as he looked over each of them.
"Are you going to kill us?" Rogue asked suddenly feeling deja vu'.
"Kill you." Magneto laughed. "My Dear, what ever gave you that idea."
"The fact that the three of us are hooked to a fucking wall." Graydon spat.
"I don't plan to kill any of you."
"Speak for yourself." Sabretooth growled and stepped towards Graydon.
Magneto placed his hand out and stopped him. "But it can be arranged."
"Vat do you vant vith us then?" Kurt asked.
"I'm here to open your eyes." He replied walking over to him. "We have allowed you to be blinded for too long."
"Blinded from vat?" Kurt asked now confused.
"From seeing your true destiny." Magneto said and began to explain. "You see Nightcrawler, Rogue, Xavier has poisoned your minds with ideas of peace and harmony between mutants." He turned to Graydon. "But we all know that will never be possible. There will always be hatred and fear of us."
"That's not true." Rogue said speaking up.
"Are you sure?" He looked at Graydon. "Even your brother here would rather see you dead than to make peace with you."
Kurt and Rogue both began to doubt their faith in Xavier as a sinister smile came over Graydon.
"You two have been fighting on the wrong side for far too long." Magneto continued. "And tonight, I am giving you both the opportunity to make the right choice." He looked at Nightcrawler, then at Rogue. "Join us."
Kurt looked down at his misshaped feet. Did I make the right choice? Xavier is good to me. He gave me a home and job. He gave me a chance at a real life. He looked down at his image inducer that was currently turned off. Yet, outside of Xavier's walls, I still have to hide from a world that hates and rejects me. His head filled with images of Ororo. What about my liebe? I love her. Yet even she knows the world outside of Xavier's is a cruel place.
Rogue looked down at the ground. I made the right choice. I know I did. Xavier accepted me without question. He understands me and has helped me get over some of my fears. Without him, I would still be wondering around the country hiding from myself. She thought about all her friends and teachers. Xavier has giving me a chance to have a normal life, surrounded by people who love and care for me.
"Well, Nightcrawler, Rogue. What do you say?" Magneto eyed both of them.
"NEIN."
"NO."
Magneto became furious. Fine. I'll have to do this the hard way. He turned to Rogue first. "Rogue, my Dear, do you really think Xavier has helped you? He knows the potential of your powers, yet, he holds you back. Imagine what you could do. How you can help the mutant race?"
"How?" She questioned. "By hurting innocent people."
"No, by ridding the world of those that reject you just because you are a mutant." He answered. "Don't you want to be able to walk down the street without have someone stare at you, turn their nose up at you, or harass you just because you are a mutant. Think about it Rogue. Don't you want a normal life?"
"Yes." Rogue shook her head. She agreed with him. She should be able to walk around without people pointing at her for covering ever damn inch of her body.
"So what do you say?" Magneto offered her again. "Join the Brotherhood."
He looked at her face and gave him her answer. "FUCK YOU."
"Fine." Magneto turned away from her angry at her rejection. "Suit yourself."
Kurt stared at him with his golden eyes as his enemy came to tempt him.
"How about you Nightcrawler." Magneto said. "Aren't you tired of hiding behind your image inducer? Hiding from the world who you really are. Hiding from yourself."
"Ja." Kurt answered. It was true. He shouldn't have to hide from anyone. "But…"
Magneto interrupted him before he could reject him. "Do you actually think those like Graydon would actually accept you for who you are?"
"That's their loss." Kurt answered.
"Kurt." Mystique stepped in. "You once asked me why I didn't stay in disguise all the time."
"Ja."
"And what did I tell you?"
"Because we shouldn't have too." Kurt replied knowing she was right.
"Then join us." She pleaded. "Fight with us."
Kurt thought for a moment. He wasn't sure how to answer. He was so confused. Mystique and Magneto were right, but so was Xavier.
"Nightcrawler, you are a man of God." Magneto attacked his faith. "Surely you have heard of the Ten Commandments. Specifically the Fifth one."
'Honor thy Father and thy Mother." Kurt said.
"You wanted to know about your parents, but here you are fighting against your own mother." Magneto said knowing he had him right were he wanted him.
"You're right." Kurt said looking at Mystique. I shouldn't be fighting against my mother. I should be fighting beside her. "I am on the vrong side."
"No Kurt." Rogue pleaded. "Don't listen to him."
"Yes Magneto." Kurt said ignoring his sister. "I will join you."
Magneto waved his hand around releasing Kurt from the wall.
Kurt looked down still seeing the bracelets on him. "What about these?"
"They'll stay for now." He answered. "Until you prove your loyalty." Magneto signaled for everyone to exit the cell.
As the bars of the cell closed behind them, Kurt looked back at Rogue and Graydon, wondering if he made the right decision.
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Conrad, the second in command of the F.O.H., looked over his tracking system. His eyes widened as he looked at the screen. "I've located him."
"Where is he?" One of the officers asked.
"Genosha." Conrad answered. "It's an island off the coast of Africa."
"How did get so far away?"
"I don't know." Conrad remembered the debate. But I have a hunch it has something to do with mutants. He turned and looked at the officer. "Get our men ready. It's time to hunt some mutants."
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Rogue felt Magneto's release of her after the bars of the cell bended back into position. She rushed to the bars and held on tight as she watched Kurt disappear with Magneto, Mystique, Sabretooth, and Pyro. Why Kurt? Why?
Graydon welcomed his freedom and rubbed his wrists. Damn mutant bastards. He looked over at his sister that stared out of the cell. He didn't know how to comfort her, nor did he care. I just want to get the fuck out of here.
Rogue turned around saddened that Kurt chose to go with Magneto. She looked at Graydon and wasn't too happy to be stuck in the cell with him. I want this to end. I want to be home. She leaned on the wall hoping her friends would be there soon.
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He glared at her with evil eyes as he watched his son being lead away from the cell. No. It can't be. His tail twitched nervously hoping his son would have more sense than that. He seems to be going willingly. Damn her.
He let out a low hiss. He could take out her and her three accomplices faster than lightning, but he didn't. He just hid in the darkness waiting for the opportunity to face his son alone.