A/N: Okay folks I finally finished this chapter. I've been looking forward writing this on for a long time. So I hope that it's enjoyed also in last chapter I said that Beast would be staying in the mansion but later on I had him in the X-jet with the other group. Basically I screwed up so If anyone cares I've changed that to the way I meant plus some grammatical errors.

Acadian Angel: The Ring reacts differently to everyone. It took Bilbo a whole lifetime to be corrupted, But I must point out that as the movie says "the hearts of men are easily corrupted" Hobbits are stout creatures and for some reason with stand the Ring's evil better then men. Plus what you said also is very true. Xavier's power is also affecting the power of the Ring but as you said he's a strong man and In this chapter we get to see some of that inner strength come back.

Vampire Queen: Thanks for reading and for reviewing. as far as your question goes... It's only a matte of time.

Nienna of Sorrow: Thanks for your review. If you hadn't pointed out my spelling errors I wouldn't have found my mistake with Beast. I owe you one. I'm glad your enjoying the story

Brattax23: Thanks for the review.

Chapter 6

Terror and Losses

"What's going on!" Cyclops yelled pounding on Frodo's locked door. He had heard Frodo screaming and what sounded like Wolverine roaring. Suddenly there was another growl. Cyclops took action. He quickly lifted his glasses and blew the door down in a flash of his optic blasts. He as he entered the room he heard Rouge come in behind him.

"What happened?" She gasped. To their horror they saw Frodo lying on his stomach blood trickling from his head. Wolverine stood hunched over him claws drawn.

"Wolverine!" Cyclops yelled the other mutant faced him and growled lunging savagely at him, before Cyclops could do anything Rouge jumped in the way knocking Wolverine in the face. He flew backwards hitting the wall. Wolverine slowly got up holding his head. He looked up.

"Scott...Rouge..." he said confusedly "how did you...?" Suddenly he seemed to regain his senses. "Frodo!" He said stooping down to the hobbit. "I woke up! I could swear that I smelt Sabertooth I followed the scent to here. Then I saw Frodo...only it wasn't him I saw it was Sabertooth and I...No!" Quickly he pulled Frodo's body up, but to his surprise the only blood was that from the head wound he got when he fell from his bed.

"But I...stabbed him!"

Cyclops knelt down besides them. There were three claw rips in Frodo's clothes but he was not bleeding, He looked closer the rips did not reveal skin but something shiny underneath Frodo's clothes. Suddenly Frodo began to come to; He opened his eyes and saw Wolverine stooping over him. Frodo began to scream.

"Help!" He struggled

"No, calm down kid." Wolverine said stepping back Frodo continued to scream. It took a good ten minutes to calm him down.

"How did you survive Wolverine's claws?" Cyclops asked "they can rip threw solid steel!"

"Its called mithril" Frodo said unbuttoning his shirt revealing a shiny shirt of mail. "My Uncle Bilbo gave it to me. It' s as hard as dragon's skin."

"Well it saved your life." Cyclops said then he looked to Wolverine "There's only one person in this mansion that could have done that to you"

"But the Professor would never do that." Rouge said

"Get the others," Cyclops replied.

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"There!" Nightcrawler yelled pointing out the window.

"Yes I see it" Storm said she watched as a Sentinel flew away. "I wish to follow it but we must help those on the ground" below them they could see the wreckage of another sentinel and six people. As the X-jet lowered they began to be able to make out what they looked like. The X-jet landed.

"De don look happy to see us" Gambit commented looking out the cockpit window. The six companions stood ready for battle with weapons drawn. The X-men exited the plane and stood before the other group

"I am Sto..." the X-men leader began but was cut short by the short bearded bearded.

"You people are those of whom the orc talked about!" He held his axe up "what have you done with Frodo?"

"If you just give us a moment to explain" Beast said stepping forward suddenly the blonde haired pointy eared one drew and arrow and pointed it straight at him.

"Not another step, Orc!" He said

"Stop this!" another said stepping in front of the long bearded one and the blonde one. "If they wanted to fight us they would have attacked us already!" He approached the X-men. " I am Aragorn these are my companions, Boromir, Gimli the dwarf, Legolas, and these two hobbits are called Merry and Sam. One of our dwindling fellowship has recently been taken by these creatures. Do you know where they have taken him? " He said pointing at the wrecked Sentinel. "What are these mechanical monsters?"

"Not much for small talk is he?" Nightcrawler said leaning over to Gambit. Storm approached Aragorn

"I am called Storm and these are my teammates called Beast, Gambit, Jean, and Nightcrawler."

"You didn't answer his question." Boromir said "What are these creatures and where have they taken our comrade?"

"They're called Sentinels" Jean responded

"And I suppose that you know where they come from." The short bearded one interrupted stepping forward with his axe drawn. "They're in on it with these 'sentinels' Aragorn I know it!" He looked at Jean. "Where have they taken Gandalf!" He demanded

Gambit jumped forward pulling out three cards and charging them. "Dat's not da right way to treat a lady." He challenged. Immediately the blonde elf drew his bow.

"Whatever kind of magic your planning on using I'd suggest you don't for I will not miss!" He said. Gambit immediately locked eyes with the elf he could tell that this one would be trouble for him.

"Enough of this!" Storm interceded she looked to Aragorn "We have Frodo at our mansion, as for your other friend we do not know but we will help you find him."

Before anyone could react Sam ran forward past Aragorn and Gimli and up to Storm "you have Mr. Frodo!" He said gleefully "is he alright? Did he escape the orcs?"

"We saved him from them" Nightcrawler said

"Then he is alright" Boromir said "and the Ring? Does he still have it?"

"Ring?" Jean gasped looking thoughtfully at Storm.

"You had best come with us" She said looking at the band "we have much to talk about."

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"Aw don see no one." Rouge said as they inspected Xavier's room, which was down the hall from Frodo's who had stayed there to regain his composure.

"Professor!" Jubilee called there was no answer the room was dark and quiet.

"He's here." Wolverine said "I can smell him! Come out Chuck!" He yelled "we got questions for ya bub!"

"I can't see him anywhere." Cyclops commented.

But they were being watched. Xavier sat huddled in a corner with the ring on his finger. Though his x-men appeared blurry to the vision. The Ring enhanced other senses. One of them being his telepathy. He had never felt so much ease entering someone's mind as he did now. His mind control over Wolverine would have worked if Frodo hadn't been so well armored.

"We'll try harder next time." He thought

"NO!" He countered himself "this has gone on far enough!"

"They'll take it from us!" He challenged, before his internal conversation could continue. Wolverine suddenly started to move closer. Quickly Xavier stretched out his mind and touched Wolverine's making the mutant mentally lose the scent.

"No one must find us" he thought but he suddenly became aware that someone had found him. He had that feeling of being watched. Suddenly a bright light engulfed the room. A fire wreathed cat-like eye appeared before him.

"You cannot hide!" He heard it say. "There is no life in the void only death" Xavier wrenched the Ring from his finger screaming. His X-men rushed to him. Though they knew that everything was not right with him, they wanted to help their mentor.

"Professor!" Cyclops cried "what happened?"

"An eye!" Xavier said looking at him " A fiery eye! I've been found " little did Xavier know that Sauron had already found the mutant realm some time before. The Ring had kept calling out until it connected once again with its master. Sauron had sent for its retrieval

Before anyone else could react they heard Frodo scream out. Cyclops looked at Xavier

"Go," he said "I'll be fine I was just shaken" the X-men left the room. Xavier pulled himself into his wheelchair. He felt a chill run through him. He remembered the eye.

"I have to hide" said to himself

Meanwhile Frodo was writhing in pain on the floor holding his shoulder. "The Wraiths!" He screamed "They're coming!" Rouge struggled to keep the hobbit under control. Suddenly she heard Jubilee say

"Wolvie what's going on outside?"

Rouge looked out. The moonlight and stars had disappeared and everything had gone dark.

"They are coming" Frodo gasped almost in a trance like state.

"We have to calm him!" Cyclops said "Jubilee go see if the Professor feels well enough to come and help him!" Jubilee ran to Xavier's room but returned a few seconds later.

"He's gone!" She said

"What!?"

"He's disappeared!" She repeated. Frodo in the meantime had calmed down. He looked at Jubilee and suddenly he said.

"I remember! The Ring! He must have it!"

"Yes he does" Cyclops said

"I have to get it back!" He said with a sudden energy "we have to find it! They are coming for the Ring!"

"Who?" Rouge asked

"The Ringwraiths" Frodo replied urgently "if they find him they'll try to kill him as they did me."

"I got his scent" Wolverine said from the hallway

"Lets go people" Cyclops said Frodo got up "you stay here" the X-men leader ordered "the mansion's defenses will protect you."

"No," Frodo replied "I must get the Ring back it was entrusted to me."

"Alright," Cyclops nodded "but stay close to me."

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"Everything has gone dark!" Nightcrawler said looking at the sky from his window. "No stars, no moon, all black...almost like a..."

"Shadow" Aragorn finished. "If what you say is true about your leader then he and all of us are in very real danger."

"But Strider" Merry said "Sauron is back on Middle-Earth. He couldn't do anything to us here."

"You forget what Gandalf said" Legolas commented "If the Dark Lord were to know that the Ring were here. He could just as easily send something to this world."

"And with this shadow there is no doubt in my mind" Aragorn said "the Nazgul are here. I fear for your leader"

"I fear for everybody" Jean said looking into Aragorn's eyes "if what you say about the Ring is true, Then Charles could become more powerful than we could possibly imagine."

Beast took a moment from the sober scene to see how the other passengers were doing. Sam was glued to his window. "Enjoying the scenery my young hobbit friend?"

"My old Gaffer will never believe this." Was all he could say. Gimli was however not so thrilled at the adventure of flying.

"How long until we get there" he said facing away from the window.

"Soon enough," Beast replied

"Good," Boromir said looking up from the paper sack that had been given him. "You people travel in this often?"

Beast looked into his pale face. "Well flying is not what we would say fit for everyone."

"Well I can tell tha..." Boromir tried to get out but was forced to deposit the rest of his stomach's contents in the bag.

"We be coming up on de mansion" Gambit said from the cockpit.

"By the Goddess" Storm said "it looks abandoned. There are no lights"

"Then we need to be prepared for anything" Aragorn said placing his hand on the hilt of his sword.

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Xavier sat in the Japanese gardens. All had gone dark. The strange panic that had grasped him had passed. He still felt much fear but now he was taking control again. The more he sat thinking the more the gravity of the recent events sunk into his mind. The Ring had indeed corrupted him. He had actually tried to kill Frodo! He was disgusted at his own actions. Xavier pulled the Ring from his pocket and eyed it. He had begun to realize why Frodo's mind had tried to block all memory of it. It no longer appeared so wonderful to his eyes.

"You have caused too much trouble." He growled at the Ring, he determined to be rid of it. Xavier drew back his hand to heave it into the grounds when he heard something approaching. He quickly began to put the Ring to his finger almost like a reflex. To his relief came Cyclops, Rouge, Wolverine, Jubilee and Frodo.

"Professor," Jubilee said running to him. "We were worried"

"Don't worry," he replied "everything is alright now"

"Not quite Charlie" Wolverine said with his arms folded

"Logan we need to discuss what happened..." Xavier began but the other mutant cut him off

"You know I hate it when people play with my mind!" He growled. "Frodo feels the same way"

Frodo stepped forward "I know why you have done all this." He said grimly "and I know that it wasn't entirely by your own free will. Give me the Ring."

Xavier hesitated he looked to Wolverine to Cyclops then to Frodo who's hand was outstretched for the Ring.

"Give it to me," Frodo said more forcefully "it is my burden to carry. It is an evil that you can not handle!"

Xavier clutched the Ring; it felt welded to his hand. "I..." He tried but words clung to his throat he felt a terrible fear. Suddenly Frodo gasped in pain and nearly collapsed clutching his shoulder. There was a terrible screeching wail.

"What's going on!" Cyclops yelled whirling around to find the source. The fear in the air was almost palatable. Wolverine sniffed

"There's the smell o death and fear;" he said his claws popping out of his hands. Jubilee was trying to help Frodo.

"Calm down" she said

"Hide me!" He gasped

Xavier reached out with his mind and tried to touch what was approaching there were six of them. He tried to read their minds further but everything was clouded. He connected with a single thought

The Ring

Xavier gasped as he stopped his mind probe. "We must get out of here..." he began but it was too late. Six black clad figures emerged from the shadows.

"Just like in my dream," Xavier whispered to himself horrified. An unknown fear gripped his heart. The rest of them felt it too as they began to back up at the advance of the Wraiths.

"Give us the halfling" one of them hissed all of them had long dark swords drawn, The X-men gathered around Frodo.

"Come get 'em" Wolverine challenged bearing his claws. Xavier eyed Cyclops he was drenched in sweat. Xavier scanned his mind. The dark fear was gripping him. A fear that was being generated by the Wraiths.

"Don't come any closer!" Cyclops yelled frantically. The six paid no heed as they advanced pointing their sword sat the mutants. The terror suddenly became too much for him and Cyclops snapped

"NO!" He yelled as he broke away and ran the opposite direction from the gardens. It was also too much for Jubilee as she was huddled in the shadows hiding and crying. Leaving only Rouge and Wolverine between the Ringwraiths and Frodo.

"SCOTT!" Xavier yelled but

Wolverine suddenly lunged at the creatures and began ripping at them. The Nazgul met his attacks which seemed to do little to them, though they did screech in pain when his claws made contact. Wolverine finally stabbed one firmly in the stomach. The creature wailed. Wolverine roared in delight of his triumph. But it was short lived the Ringwraith suddenly stabbed Wolverine through with its sword. Wolverine fell. Rouge charged into battle and was thrown to the side by the enormous strength of the Nazgul. Nothing separated them from Frodo now. They approached the terrified hobbit. Rouge made split second decision as she removed a glove from her hand and flew full speed at the lead one who had his hand outstretched for Frodo. She shoved her hand deep into the hood.

Xavier watched in horror as Rouge made contact with the Wraith she fell back and began to scream her face faded in and out of visibility.

"DARKNESS! DEATH! AAAAAAAGH!" she screamed writhing on the ground. The fear gripped Xavier even more. The Wraiths were about to take Frodo. But Xavier could only think of one thing. Escape! Without thinking he put the Ring on.

In an instant the Ringwraiths turned from Frodo realizing that he no longer had the Ring. They perceived the new wearer. One of them drew a small dagger from its cloak.

Xavier stared in horror as they turned toward him and moved with a dagger drawn. The now white regal creatures were just as terrifying as they had been. Xavier fell from his chair. The lead Nazgul pulled the blade back and started to stab. But it did not reach the Professor. In that very instant Wolverine threw himself in the way. The dagger stabbed into his shoulder. The mutant howled in pain Xavier removed the Ring and dropped it exhausted. Wolverine kicked the Wraith back. Berserker fury now grabbed Wolverine as he attacked viciously the Wraiths, which surrounded him and were meeting his blows with their own. Suddenly a bright flash light the air and the familiar sound of Jubilee's fireworks could be heard.

"Wolvieeee!" She cried as she blasted into one of the Wraiths which was knocked back. Before they could turn on her. Another blast came blowing one of the Wraiths far away. Cyclops stood defiantly having mastered his fear. He blasted another one. Finally the Nazgul retreated seeing the situation become increasingly hard to retrieve the Ring.

Xavier heaved for breath. Rouge had stopped screaming but was still in pain. Jubilee was helping Wolverine. Xavier looked to the ground below him seeing the Ring lying before him. Before he could grab it another hand came and took his. He looked up to see Cyclops

"Let it go sir," the mutant said. Before Xavier could react. Frodo grasped the Ring and sighed.

Xavier looked into the eyes of the hobbit. The weight of it all came crashing down on him. Xavier broke down and sobbed.

"It's okay sir." Cyclops "it's over."

"I hope so" Frodo said.

Next chapter. The Fellowship and the X-men get to know each other. Gimli gets to know the Danger room. Wolverine battles his wound. and Magneto meets Gandalf!