The Truth Hurts
Chapter XXXI: The Bonds that Tie
By: Michelle
Magneto glared at Graydon with extreme hatred. If he wasn't so valuable, I would kill him right here and now. Humans like him make me proud to be a mutant.
Mystique strut away from her unwanted son over to her former lover. She turned to look at Graydon, but found herself to be ashamed to be his mother. I have created a monster, haven't I?
Despite the hostilities he harbored against Mystique, Sabretooth wrapped his arms around her and allowed her to lean against his chest. Then, he whispered in her ear "I told you he would never accept us."
Mystique stayed strong as she felt him hold her close. She knew he is right. She just didn't know who she hated more at the moment: him, herself, or the son they created.
Kurt could not even look at his brother. And to think, I actually felt sorry for him. He looked around the room not sure of what to think of next. Why won't this nightmare end? Lord, give me strength.
Rogue could still feel Graydon's hatred in her head. Why do you hate us so much? Because you are mutants. What did we ever do to you? You were born.[1] She covered her ears. He even mutant bashes us in my mind.
I wonder if Magneto will let me roast him after we torture him. Pyro smiled as he watched a fireball grow in his hand.
The images danced around Mastermind's head as he thought of new ways he wanted to manipulate Graydon's thoughts.
Graydon looked around the room as he gave them his devilish smile. They are all going to regret the day they underestimated me.
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He clung to his position on the ceiling. He made no sound, not even a whisper. He just watched and listened, waiting to make his move.
He despised her at the moment. He thought she was perfect. She was a mystique. He had chosen her to bare his son, and now he regretted that decision. Well, not exactly. He had no right to judge her. After all, he abandoned his son too. But, he had a closer connection to his son than she did. Kurt just didn't know he did.
He stood at the doorstep of his friend's home and knocked. He knew they would be there because the circus was taking its months off before the next tour. When she opened the door, her jaw nearly hit the floor. He could tell instantly that his friend, Margali, was surprised to see him, especially after so many years.
"Margali, my dear." He said smiling. "Are you going to invite me in or am I going to have stand here all day?"
"Oh...Come in Azazel." She replied. "It's just that…well it has been awhile."
He nodded and walked in. She looked over his uncanny appearance. He hid demonic appearance by his magic. And As usual, he was in his black suit and tie. He wasn't a business man, but he was out on business. He was checking up on his child.
He looked around. "Where is he?"
"He is in the room playing a game with Stefan and Jemaine." She answered as he heard the children giggling. He walked towards the bedroom they were in, but quickly found himself blocked by his friend, who wanted answers. "It has been almost four years Azazel. Why have you taken so long?"
"You know me, Margali." He answered. "I had other business to attend to."
"You have had trouble getting over Raven, haven't you?" She said as a matter-of-factly. "There was something about her that made her different from all the rest."
He stood silent for a moment debating what to say next. Margali was a smart woman and knew him too well. He knew she would never believe any of the lies he wanted to tell her. "She truly was a mystique." He admitted. "Now, let me see him."
Margali opened the door to the room revealing the children playing a game of Candyland.
Kurt picked up a card and smiled. "Two blue." He said moving his blue game piece forward on the board.
Azazel smiled as he saw his son smiling as he inched closer to winning.
Kurt glanced up at the door to see his foster mother standing next to a strange man. Forgetting about the game, he panicked and hid under the covers of his bed. He wasn't taking any changes.
"This is my friend, Herr…"
"Draco."
"Herr Draco." She nodded at the name he chose for them to call him. "This is my son Stefan (5) and my daughter Jemaine (4)." She said walking in. "And the one hiding under the covers is Kurt (3½)."
"Hallo." He greeted her two, and then walked over to his hiding son. He gently uncovered Kurt. Like all of his children, their appearance made it difficult to be accepted by others. And as always, they learned from the day they were born how cruel the world could be to those who were different. Judging from his son's reaction, Kurt proved to be no exception.
Kurt shook as the cover lifted off of him, revealing his appearance. He was still too young to understand why people hated him, but he was old enough to understand he was different from the rest of the world. Margali told him he was special, but he didn't quite understand why.
"Hallo mein kind." [2] Azazel said to calm him. "You don't have to hide. I'm your mutter's friend, Herr Draco."
Kurt looked up at him with his golden eyes. "Hallo Herr Draco." He said softly as he played with his spaded tail. "I'm Kurt Wagner."
"Nice to meet you Kurt." He smiled as he looked at his son for the first time since he left him with Margali. Kurt was the combination of both him and Raven. His son inherited her chin, nose, blue skin, and her smile. From him, Kurt inherited his dark black hair, pointed ears, fanged teeth, tri-fingered hands, and spaded tail. The only thing he had from both of them, was his golden eyes.
Kurt, feeling relaxed, got up and went back to the game. "Will you play Candyland with us, Herr Draco?" He suggested and held out a red game piece.
"Red, that's my favorite color." He said taking the game piece for his hand. "But I don't know how to play. You will have to teach me." He smiled and sat down next to Kurt. As he listened to Kurt explain how to play, he felt something he never felt before. For a moment, he actually felt her had never abandoned his son at all. He felt like a true father.
He hung his head. He had taken a particular interest in both Raven and Kurt. It was something he never did before with his other flings and children. He still cared about Raven. That never left him. And Kurt, he had a purpose for him, but that is a whole other story.
He narrowed his eyes on all of them. I'm waiting.
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Click
Sabretooth pushed Mystique away as he heard the noise. GRRRR. He looked in the top corner of the room, noticing that the camera was off. Gambit. GRRRR. "They're here."
Mastermind concentrated hard trying to figure out what Sabretooth was talking about. "They are on the first level." He said to Magneto. "There are five, maybe six of them."
"Damnit." Magneto spat. I didn't think they would find us this fast. "Pyro, Sabretooth. Go greet our guests. We will finish up here." He watched the two quickly leave the room. Then, signaled to Mastermind while he suggested. "Mystique, why don't you join them?"
"What?" She questioned. "I am not leaving here."
"Go." He said noting he wanted no argument. "Now."
Mystique glanced at Kurt and Rogue debating whether or not she should leave, but she knew she had no choice at the moment. She sighed and left the room, leaving Kurt, Rogue, and Graydon alone with Magneto and Mastermind.
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"Kitty, do you know where Kurt, Rogue and Senator Creed are?" Storm asked as she led her team into the heart of the lair.
"They are like with Magneto." She replied. "He has like everyone on the 3rd level."
"Are you sure?" Storm asked.
"Yeah…no wait." Kitty replied. "There are three leaving the room."
Wolverine looked over to Storm. "They know we're here."
Damnit. "Professor, can you tell us who it is?"
"It's Sabretooth, Pyro, and Mystique." Xavier answered. "It won't be long before they reach you."
"Ok." Storm looked at her team. "Wolverine you take care of…"
"Don't even have to say the name Darlin'." He said extending his claws.
"Colossus and Jubilee, I need the both of you to take care of Mystique." Storm ordered. They both nodded knowing the task would not be that easy. "Iceman, I need you to take care of Pyro. Gambit, you are coming with me to find Kurt, Rogue, and Graydon."
"No." Iceman stepped forward. "I should be the one helping you find Rogue. I'm coming with you. Gambit is fighting Pyro."
"No, I need Gambit with me." Storm replied to him questioning her orders.
"Rogue is my girlfriend." Iceman stated. "I should save her, not him."
Somebody is jealous.
"I need you to fight Pyro."
"No Storm." Iceman challenged again. "I am going after Rogue."
"Don't question my authority again." Storm said. "Gambit is coming with me and you are staying here."
"Rogue is my girlfriend, not his." Iceman folded his arms. "You are only choosing Gambit because he is like a brother to you."
"You are right. He is like a brother to me." Storm admitted glancing over to Gambit. "But he is also my teammate and yours as well. And in order for us to succeed, we need to work as a team. You need to fight Pyro because you are the only one who can counteract his flames. Gambit needs to come with me because he is the only one who can sneak around this place without being caught."
Iceman stepped forward to protest but found himself speechless. He knew she was right.
Storm sucked in a deep breath knowing she won the argument. "Let's go Gambit." She turned on her heel and followed the directions Kitty began giving her.
Gambit gave Iceman one quick and silent glare before he turned to follow her.
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As Magneto watched Mystique leave the room, Mastermind began his work.
Mystique walked over to Rogue. "My daughter." She smiled tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "You have grown to be so beautiful."
Magneto smiled and signaled to Mastermind his next instructions.
Mystique turned to her son and smiled. "Kurt."
"Ja." Kurt gazed at her form next to Rogue.
"Go with Magneto." She ordered. "He has a task for you to carry out."
He looked at her with the utmost suspicion. She wants me to go alone, with him. Is she nuts?
"Go on, my son." She encouraged. "I'll be there to join you in a second. I just need to have a mother-daughter talk with Rogue."
Reluctantly, Kurt nodded and did as he was told. Something is not right here. He took one last glance at his newly found family and walked out the door. He knew that there was no way to turn back as Magneto welded the door shut.
After Kurt left, Mystique turned her attention back to Rogue. "And now for your task, my daughter."
"What do you need me to do, Momma?" Rogue asked as her mother began.
"Your dear brother here has valuable information that we need."
Rogue glanced at Graydon. "What type of information?"
"Valuable information that could mean the life and death of all mutants." Mystique answered. "The Friends of Humanity need to be stopped."
Rogue looked at her bare hand. I just got that lunatic out of my head. "What is it that you want me to do?"
"I want you to absorb all of his memories…his mind."
Rogue's eyes widened at her request.
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He looked down into the room with confusion. What the hell is going on down there? Who is my son talking to? His eyes widened as his son walked out the door with the master of metal. Time to make my move.
BAMF
He appeared in the shadows and watched Kurt follow his former lover's employer.
"Hallo, Herr Draco." Ten year old Kurt smiled at him as he came for one of his visits. He could tell by the excitement in his son's voice that he was happy to see him.
"Hallo Herr Draco." Jemaine, Margali's daughter greeted. "Where did you go on your travels this time?"
"I bet it was someplace cool." Stefan suggested. "Like Egypt or the Americas."
"Did you bring us anything back?" Kurt gave him a toothy grin.
"Kurt, Jemaine, Stefan." Margali fussed. "Let Herr Draco settle down before you start pestering him."
Azazel laughed. "It's quite alright Margali. I don't mind."
She gave him one of her looks. "So where did you go?"
"I went to Canada." He replied. "It was very beautiful this time of year."
She sighed knowing he went to spy on Raven. "You mean the snow…RIGHT."
"Yes…the snow." He sighed and looked at the children. "So what do I have in my suitcase for you three?" He said changing the subject.
As he moved quickly along the ceiling, he realized he hadn't changed much. He was still sneaking around spying on them, but this time he had a different purpose.
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Graydon looked at Rogue trying to figure out what was going on. Who is she talking to? It's definitely not me. It can't be that mutant freak in the corner. Damn, that thing is hideous.
He began worming around in the chair trying to get free. Damn metal mutant bastard. I hate mutants. I hate them. When I get free, I'm going to make sure all of them don't leave this place alive.
Fuck. He took a deep breath. I hate being trapped. I want out.
Graydon looked over to Rogue and watched her gaze at her bare hand. I don't like this. I really don't. I don't know what the hell she did to me a little while ago, but I sure as hell don't want it to happen again.
Why is she looking at me like that? He watched her eyes widen. I swear that girl is freaky. I guarantee, if her head starts rotating and shit I'm going to run with this fucking chair strapped to my back.
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"Damnit." Storm sighed as she listened to Kitty and Xavier. "They split up again."
"Stormy, we are going to have to split up too." Gambit said knowing it was the only way.
"I know." She looked around. They were on the 3rd level, but the winding tunnels made their path to Kurt, Rogue, and Graydon a tedious one. They were moving well as a team, but separate she was not so sure. She watched as Gambit placed a hand on his side. He's being a typical male, not able to admit when he is in pain. "Are you going to be alright alone?"
"Oui." He smiled flashing his red on black eyes. "Gambit gonna be fine. Ya know me."
"Yeah, I know you." Storm replied. I know you too well. . She was like a big sister watching over him. He was the little brother picking and teasing with her all the time by calling her Stormy. They were not related by blood, but by a bond. A bond that was created when he saved her life. That was how their relationship worked. She sighed softly. Now I understand how Kurt feels about Rogue.
"Kitty, ya gonna guide me." Gambit said into his headset.
"Like totally." Kitty answered.
"Professor." Storm said into her headset.
"I'm here Storm." Xavier answered.
Storm looked at Gambit and smiled.
"What?" He asked sensing her worried about the task at hand.
"Be careful, brother." Storm pulled him into a hug. My Brother, Remy LeBeau, the Prince of Thieves.
Gambit winced a little but didn't let her see it as he hugged her back. My Sister, Ororo Monroe, the Weather Witch. "Tu aussi, soeur.[3] Everything gonna turn out alright. You see."
As they both released, they looked at each other for a moment. They turned silently and separated knowing it could be the last time they saw each other.
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Kurt followed Magneto through the tunnel. He didn't know where he was going or what Magneto wanted him to do, but he knew for sure he wasn't going to do it.
He could hear Magneto talking, but wasn't paying attention to a single thing that came out his mouth.
He felt the collar around his neck. If it wasn't for this blasted thing, me, Rogue, and unfortunately Graydon would be out of here and home. But, it looks like Magneto knew I would try something like that.
Lord. Please help me. I'm in need of your assistance. Save us from this. I know if it by your will, we will make it out. But if I don't, please grant me this last request: to be able to tell Ororo how much I love her and what she means to me. Please Lord. Help us.
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"Touch him Rogue." Mystique insisted.
"Isn't there another way?" Rogue asked as she glanced over at Graydon.
"There is no other way." She replied. "He won't tell us willingly."
"But…"
"The fate of all mutants rests on you." She said. "You are our only hope. If the Friends of Humanity are allowed to continue their hate crimes, no mutant can be safe. Think of the children at Xavier's School. Remember the attack by Stryker. Remember how scared those children were. Imagine what will happen if the Friends of Humanity attacked. Even the X-men won't be enough to stop them."
Rogue listened to every word she said. She heard about some of the things the F.O.H. had done. It sickened her to know that Graydon, her own brother, was their leader.
"Come on Rogue." She smiled innocently. "Do this for me? I had always loved you, my daughter. I have always believed in you. I had always been there for you. Don't let me down now."
Rogue stared at Graydon with extreme hatred and walked towards him. He may be my brother, but he has to be stopped.
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Magneto stopped as he entered his office. Then, he turned to face Kurt. "You haven't been listening to a word I've said, have you."
Kurt remained silent, knowing his captor was right. But, then he felt like a hand was placed on his shoulder for support.
"You may think you are fooling me, Nightcrawler, but you are wrong. He said. "I know what you are thinking."
"So vat am I thinking." Kurt answered in a challenge.
"I know you want that collar off your neck. I know you want to return to Xavier's School so you can be with your precious Storm." He spat. "I know you are only pretending to join me to get closer to your mother."
Kurt sucked in a deep breath. He knew he was caught in the act, but he didn't feel alone.
Magneto walked towards him. "The world is a cruel place, Nightcrawler. You of all mutants should know that." He pointed to Kurt's image inducer that was currently switched off. "But, you let the world control who you are by forcing you to disguise yourself."
"Not all people think that way Magneto." Kurt answered. "And for those who do, the Lord will open their eyes."
"God works too slowly for my liking."
"The Lord works in mysterious ways." Kurt said staying strong. "And has a reason for all that he does."
Magneto laughed. "Then what's His reason for sending that sniveling brother of yours to destroy us all. What does He want in return?"
Kurt looked him directly in his eye. "Faith."
Magneto narrowed his brow at him. "I'm the one in control here. Remember that." He said tighten the collar and the bracelets as he lifted Kurt into the air. "Where is God to rescue you now?"
Kurt felt the pressure on his neck, wrists, ankles, and tail as he lifted in the air. I look to the Lord for help at all times, and he rescues me from danger. Turn to me, Lord, and be merciful to me, because I am lonely and weak. Relieve me of my worries and save me from my troubles. Consider my distress and suffering and forgive all my sins. See how many enemies I have; se how they hate me. Protect me and save me; keep me from defeat. I come to you for safety. May my goodness and honesty preserve me, because I trust in you.[4] Kurt looked up and a tear rolled down his cheek.
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Gambit stopped before a large room. According to Kitty, there were three people inside. He looked over the door and held his side. Shit, it's welded all the way around.
He placed his ear against the door listening for any sounds. Rogue. He pulled away quickly. I have to get inside.
Thoughts off blowing the door open filled his mind as he looked around, but he knew it risked hurting anyone inside. There has got to be another way. A smiled lit up his face as he saw the vent. Yes!
Within a blink of an eye he scaled the wall and climbed into the vent. He could hear her voice growing loud as he inched his way over to an opening. He increased his mental shields as he sensed a mind wondering.
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Jubilee looked over to Colossus and whispered. "Are you nervous?"
"Da." He answered as he looked around the room they all were in. This isn't a danger room session. He thought as he noticed the twenty foot ceilings. They can be anywhere.
An icy tear rolled down Iceman's cheek. I hope Rogue is alright.
Wolverine turned abruptly. Their scent lingered in the air. "Get ready. We're not alone."
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Storm hurried around the tunnels. Even with the Professor's guidance, she knew she could be too late.
Kurt, I'll be there soon. She felt a tear roll down her cheek.
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Gambit pulled off the grate quietly and looked down noticing the scene. Rogue. He could see her walking forward with her bare hand reaching out to touch Graydon's cheek. What is she doing?
He glanced over to the figure behind her and pulled out three aces.
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He watched as his son stood bravely against his captor. But, as he saw his son lifted into the air, he knew it was time to make his move.
BAMF
[1] X-men Season 2 'til death do us part, Part 2
[2] Hello, my child
[3] You too, sister
[4] Psalm 25:15-21