The Truth Hurts

Chapter XXXVIII:  Final Confrontation

By:  Michelle

"I vill."  Kurt replied as he released the embrace he had with Ororo.  He had to defend his mother.  He didn't care about all the pain she had caused him.  He knew what was right in his heart.  He loves her and forgives her.

"Kurt."  Storm said softly as she felt him let go.  What is he doing? 

He looked into his love's pleading eyes.  "I have to do this."  He kissed her lips softly.  Then, He took his place next to Mystique.  "Mutter."

"And so will I."  Rogue answered standing up feeling more powerful than she had ever felt before.  She didn't care about all the pain Mystique caused her.  It was overpowered by the loving memories she had of the only woman she knew as mother.

No.  I can't loose her like this.  Iceman limped over to stop her. 

She pushed past Iceman.  This had nothing to do with him or Gambit.  It had to do with her mother.  She took her place on the other side of Mystique.  "Momma."

Mystique glanced quickly at the two standing beside her.  Mutter.  Momma.  I never thought I would hear those words…again.  

So this is how it's going to be.  "Then, let the battle begin."  Magneto narrowed his eyes on the X-men.  "And let's not have any interruptions." 

Metal bars shot out of the wall wrapping around Storm, Jubilee, and Iceman and pinning them to the wall.  Colossus and Wolverine's metal bodies flung them to the wall as well. 

They all struggled to get free, but the harder they fought the more Magneto confirmed his control. 

"That's much better."  Magneto replied seeing them calm down. "You too Pyro."

"Fuck."  Pyro whined as his lighter was snatched out of his hand and Magneto pinned him against the wall with his tanks.

Then, he returned his attention back to Mystique and her children.  "Now then, let's play a little game shall we."

Mystique took a deep breath.  I don't like the sound of this.

"Let's play THE TRUTH HURTS."  Magneto smiled hoping to break their spirits.  He signaled for Mastermind to assist him.  "Let me tell you about your Mother that you two are so proud to defend."

The images appeared clearly before them.

"It's a shame really Nightcrawler."  Magneto said as the image of Mystique tossing him off the waterfall appeared in front of them.  "You were her first born son."

 "Behold.  The devil's child."

"Throw it into the falls."

"Send him back to the hell he came."

'Why couldn't you love me Azazel?'  She whispered to herself and dropped the baby to a watery grave.

She waited until the crowd left before she changed back into her true form.  She looked down at the crashing water below. 

"Oh well.  Not like she cared or anything."  Magneto added.  "She could always produce another right?"

 "Thanks, for your help."  Mystique studied the two.  "Victor…Logan."

"Anytime."  Victor growled while Logan rolled his eyes. 

"The name is Leni Zauber, but you can call me Mystique." 

"And why would they call you that?"  Victor questioned suggestively.

"Wouldn't you like to find out?"  She hinted back.

"Unfortunately the offspring from this reunion was more of a devil than you are."  Magneto reminded them. 

"Graydon, I've told you once before."  Raven fussed, snatching a box of personal belongings out of her nosey six year old son's hands.  "No digging."  She sighed.  "Go find your father."

"Sorry, Mutter."  Graydon hung his head and ran out of the room.

As she looked at the contents of the box, she didn't care where her son ran off to.  She just wanted him out of her hair.  "He's more trouble than he's worth."

"RAVEN."  She heard Victor growl.  "COME GET HIM OUT OF HERE.  I'M TRYING TO SLEEP."

She stormed into the next room seeing him disturbing his father's sleep and grabbed her son by the arm.  "I swear son.  I ought to send you to boarding school."

"But it's not like she cared about him either."  Magneto added.  "But he wasn't the one thrown off of the waterfall.  No, your half brother Graydon Creed was lucky enough to be adopted."

"It wasn't meant to be, Raven" He tried comforting his lover.  "The X-gene didn't pass on to him.  There was nothing we could do about it."

She stared angrily at him.  "Bull shit.  The X-gene comes from the male.  AND YOU DIDN'T PASS IT YOU SON OF A BITCH." 

"So this is my fault."  He growled at her.  "REMEMBER, I DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS.  YOU WERE THE ONE WHO INSISTED TO REPLACE THE ONE YOU LOST.  YOU USED ME RAVEN.  I WAS JUST A TOOL IN YOUR SICK TWISTED LITTLE GAME."

"So NOW it's MY FAULT."  She snapped back.  "Remember that day on the mountain. I believe it was you who wanted me."  She altered her appearance into his rival, claws and all.  "Just to piss Logan off."  She said in his voice. 

"This has nothing to do with that."  He growled as she changed back.  He placed his hand on her shoulder.  "Graydon is not one of us.  He never will be.  He'll never accept us.  He's a human.  You have to accept that.  His world is against ours.  I know you know that.  We had no choice."

"I know." 

"Of course, Graydon will never forgive his parents for it."  Magneto almost pities the young Graydon crying in his room.  Then, he remembers he was the enemy.  "But third time is a charm, right?"

"Hi there."  Raven stooped down and smiled at the little girl before her.  "I'm Ms. Raven and this is my friend Ms. Irene."  She said motioning to the older lady standing next to her.  "What's your name?"

"Marie."  The little girl replied shyly. 

Raven stood up and smiled to her father.  "We'll take good care of her while you are gone, John." 


"Rogue was never easy to handle.  Isn't that right?"  Magneto smiled at her.  "But Mystique always wanted a daughter."

"You ain't serious about doing that are you?"

"Don't be such a baby Fred."  Rogue said poking his huge stomach.  "It's just a stink bomb."

"So where you gonna throw it." 

"I don't know Lance."  Rogue smiled mischievously.  "Maybe the Principal's office."

"You're such a terrorist, Rogue." 

"I know."

"Rogue was perfect.  But she let you slip right through her fingers."

Raven watched as her heartbroken thirteen year old daughter was taken back by her father. 

"Momma"

She ignored Rogue's pleas to stop him.  She just stood by and let them leave. 

"Until the day she told me about your powers."  Magneto smiled.  "Never thought twice about telling me."

"What are you so cheery about, my dear/" Magneto asked. 

She smiled and walked around him.  "I know someone who can power the machine."

"She even set you up for it."

"I had no choice."  She pleaded for Bobby to understand.  "No, you don't understand me…"

"If I were you."  He cut her off.  "I would get myself out of here."

She looked at him contemplating what he said.  "What do you mean?"

"The students are freaked.  The Professor is furious."  He said.  "I don't know what he'll do with you."  He could tell he was starting to hurt her.  "I think it will be easier on your own."  Rogue turned away fighting the tears.  "You should go."

"And she never did anything to save you."  Magneto reminded her.

Tears streamed down Rogue's face as the front of her hair streaked white.

"I didn't find out about Kurt until after the incident."  Magneto sighed.  "But it didn't surprise me that you were her son."

Kurt rolled his eyes back as he his pulled out his knife with his tail.  He placed it in his hand as he looked down at the president.  He smiled revealing his sharp teeth as his tail twitched anxiously behind him.

"I found it remarkable how Nightcrawler and Rogue connected so well."  Magneto said.  "Even though they really didn't know each other."

Rogue sat down next to Kurt.  "Thank you."

"Bitte sehr."  He smiled back.

"So, can you hear what they are saying?"

"I could take a closer look." 

They both smiled at each other with mischievous grins.

BAMF

"But even though you were her children, she still tried to hurt you."

Rogue's bare hand touched Ms. Marvel's arm, and began draining her.  She could tell Ms. Marvel's powers and life-force was being drained from her as Rogue's screams pierced her ears.

Ms. Marvel tried to fight it, but something went wrong.  She backed away as Ms. Marvel fell unconscious and Rogue held her head fighting the psyche that engulfed inside her. 

Mystique stood satisfied at what she had done as Kurt rushed over to calm down Rogue. 

"Kurt, you are nothing like her."

"You know, outside the circus, most people were afraid of me. But I didn't hate them. I pitied them. Do you know why?"  Kurt watched as Storm slowly shook her head NO. "Because most people will never know anything beyond what they see with their own two eyes."

"Well I gave up on pity a long time ago."

Kurt raised his hand and traced her cheek.  "Someone so beautiful should not be so angry."

"Sometimes anger can help you survive."  Storm said boldly.

"So can faith."  Kurt stared deeply in her eyes.

"Yet here you are ready to defend her."  Magneto turned his attention to Rogue.  "And you my dear.  How did you grow up to be such a smart, beautiful, and sweet young woman?"

"Gambit fine."  He lied turning away from her.  "It's not'ing."

"It doesn't look like nothing to me."  She replied and sat down next to him.  "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Non."  He chucked the second empty beer bottle in the air causing it to disintegrate.  He pulled out the third beer ready to open it before she stopped him. 

"Don't do this Remy."  She said realizing what he was trying to do to himself.  "Don't hurt yourself like this."

He hung his head still staring at the beer in his hand.  He fixed his eyes on her gloved hand that kept him from opening it.  Then, he pulled away form her grasp and opened the beer anyway ready to drink it.

"I know what it's like."  She admitted to him.  "My father doesn't want me home either." 

He sniffled.  Then, He looked at the bottle in his hand and debated drinking it. 

"You are not alone.  Don't shut us out."  He felt her place a gloved hand on his shoulder.  "Don't shut me out."  She turned his head with her other hand and looked into his demon eyes.  "Please Remy.  I don't want to loose you as a friend."

He dropped the bottle suddenly realizing the impact of her words.  He placed one of his hands on top of hers and squeezed it gently. 

"You are the opposites of your mother.  Unfortunately, we can't say the same thing about Senator Creed."  They all turned their attention to the waking Graydon.

"You see Senator."  Hank stood proud at the debate.  "Mutants aren't the cause of all catastrophic events occurring in our world."

"I doubt that."

"Senator Creed.  What would you do if you had a sister, brother or even a mother or father that was mutant?"  Hank questioned.  "Would you support the Mutant Registration Act?  Would you force them to expose themselves knowing fully well that they would be rejected by the four little words?  I am a mutant."

"YES."  Graydon answered without a care in the world. 

"After all you have seen, Are you sure you want to stand here to defend her?"

 "Let he vho is vithout sin, cast the first stone."  Kurt said stepping in front of Mystique.  "Everyone makes mistakes Magneto.  It's vhat makes us human as vell as mutant."

"Yeah."  Rogue added stepping forward next to Kurt.  "And if I remember correctly from the time I absorbed you, you have been no father to your own children."

"The truth hurts, doesn't it?"

Magneto steamed.  "Kill them all."

 Kurt back flipped away from Sabretooth's advance as Rogue dodged an illusion of snakes from Mastermind.  Mystique advanced Magneto with a high powered fight.  Everything seemed like it was in slow motion.

I can't run anymore,
I fall before you,

 "Go Fuck with someone else's mind."  Rogue said knocked Mastermind off his feet with one punch. 

Angry, he looked at her and used his illusions to make her see him everywhere around her. 

Here I am,
I have nothing left

Graydon sat up and looked around.  To him, it was the family reunion from hell.  Sabretooth.  Mystique.  Kurt.  Rogue.  He didn't know which on he hated more.

Though I've tried to forget,
You're all that I am,

Rogue looked around feeling her head spin again.  Her eyes blazed blue as she raised her hands to her head.

Take me home,
I'm through fighting it,

Meanwhile, Nightcrawler found a truly difficult fight with Sabretooth.  He wrapped his tail quickly around his ankle and pulled his off his feet.

Broken,

Sabretooth growled and quickly regain his composure.  He smacked Nightcrawler hard, causing him to roll across the floor stopping in the middle of too many Masterminds and a freaked out Rogue. 

Lifeless,

Graydon looked over behind him to see the X-men pinned to the wall.  He slowly stood up and looked them over.


I give up,

Nightcrawler could feel his cheek throb as he looked up to see Sabretooth heading towards him.

You're my only strength,

Mystique dodged a metal bar that flew her way.  She was surprised how well she was holding up against Magneto.  But then again…

Without you,
I can't go on,
Anymore,
Ever again.

Graydon walked slowly over to one of his dead F.O.H. officers and took his gun.

My only hope,
(All the times I've tried

Magneto managed to back Mystique into dead end.  The wall behind her began to shake as he ripped all the metal out that supported it.


My only peace,
(To walk away from you)

 "They need elevators in this place."  Kitty said as she and the Professor phased up through the floor to see the X-men either trapped or in a battle.

My only joy,
My only strength,
(I fall into your abounding grace)
 

I can't take it anymore.  Rogue opened her eyes feeling more powerful than she had ever been before.  She felt like she could fly.

My only power,
My only life,
(And love is where I am)


My only love.

Graydon took aim at his first target.  I hate you.  Vater.

I can't run anymore,
I give myself to you,

Mystique fell back slightly as the wall disintegrated behind her.  Taking one glance at the outside, she quickly regained her balance. 

I'm sorry,
I'm sorry,

Sabretooth's eyes widened as he felt the bullet hit him.  He looked over to see his flesh and blood being the one pulling the trigger once again. 

In all my bitterness,
I ignored,

Rogue glanced around her forgetting the incident that was happening a few feet over from her.  Remembering her training with Wolverine, she studied each one carefully looking for the slightest flaw in one.  Then, she spotted one with yellow eyes.

All that's real and true,
All I need is you,

More blood splattered on Kurt's shirt as he backed away from Sabretooth.  He glanced behind him to see Graydon pull the trigger again.

I hate you Demon.

When night falls on me,

"You can't defeat me, Mystique."  Magneto said knowing he had her right where he wanted her.  "And you know it."

I'll not close my eyes,

Rogue attacked faster than Mastermind could elude her anymore.  She flung him hard against the wall, leaving a slight dent.

I'm too alive,

Kurt sprung up on his feet as fast as Sabretooth dropped in front of him.  He looked Graydon in the eye, knowing he was the next target.

And you're too strong,

Kitty grabbed Storm's hand and phased her free, Then, worked on the rest of her friends.


I can't lie anymore,


To protect her mother, Rogue ran towards Magneto.  "Don't underestimate the Rogue." She jumped forward, grabbing him and flying him straight into the wall. 

I fall down before you,

Before he could BAMF out of the way, Kurt felt the bullet hit him in the side.

"Kurt."  He could hear Storm cry as he grabbed his wounded side.


I'm sorry,
I'm sorry.

"Momma, are you alright?"  Rogue asked as he clumsily flew over and landed beside Mystique.  I'm gonna have to get use to this.


My only hope,
(All the times I've tried)

Graydon turned to his next target.  I hate you Sis.


My only peace,
(To walk away from you)

"I'm alright Rogue."  Mystique said finally looking her daughter in the eye. 


My only joy,

"Graydon, NO."  Kurt grabbed his brother's hands in attempt to stop him. 


My only strength,
(I fall into your abounding grace)

"Out of my way DEMON."  Graydon struggled but managed to pull the trigger.  I hate you Mutter.


My only power,
My only life,
(And love is where I am)

"Rogue, get out of here."  Mystique pushed her daughter onto the ground.  She felt the sting against her arm.


My only love.

Kurt punched Graydon in the face causing him to drop the gun, but it was too late.  Everything seemed to return to reality again.

Mystique felt the tears roll down her cheeks as she took one last look at her two children.  I can  not hurt them anymore.  She purposely took the last step backwards falling to her death. 

"MUTTER."  Kurt yelled as he was too hurt to save her.  I forgive you.

"MOMMA."  Rogue yelled, but knew she wouldn't be able to save her.  I forgive you.

Mystique could hear their cries for her.  It's better this way.  This ends their pain.  The pain I caused them.  I love you Kurt.  I love you Rogue.

BAMF

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

AUTHOR'S NOTES:  Not one of my favorite chapters, but its done.  Two more to go.  They will definitely be better.  I promise.  No more fights.  Thank GOD. 

The song I used to drown out most of the fighting is October by Evanescence.  It's a non-album track but if you download it, it will become one of your favorites.  I love Evanescence.  It's what I listen to when I write.  It shows with the real depressing chapters.