The Next Day
"Natalie, will ya get up already?"
Cold water met the young girl's face, and she jumped awake screaming, and her eyes flashed bright green. Rogue just stepped aside, smiling.
"Thanks, Rogue." Natalie stated calmly as she wiped her face off with her sleeve.
"Not a problem, sugah."
"Wait a minute. . . what time is it?"
"Time fo' ya to get crackin' if ya still plan on goin' off with that Pyro man."
Natalie gasped as she read 5:30 on her clock. "Oh no! He'll be here in an hour!"
Natalie turned to run into the bathroom. She slid on the rug, and with both feet flying up, landed on her tender back.
"Ah. . . I knew I'd do that one day."
Natalie picked herself up and shut the bathroom door. Rogue tried to suppress a laugh, but failed. She covered her small smile with a gloved hand as she watched Natalie come out of the bathroom.
"That was quick."
"Heh..." Natalie laughed sheepishly. "I forgot my clothes."
"Come on girl."
St. John grabbed Wanda and pulled her to her feet. She let herself be
taken to her father. Why Pyro? Why not the Russian? Her father knew of
her obsession with the fire god, mostly due to Pietro. And he knew that
Wanda wouldn't fight St. John because of that.
"Ya too easy sheila. Why don't ya fight back?"
Wanda just ignored him.
"Oh come on now sheila! Don't be like this! I thought we had an
understanding. . ."
Wanda glared at him. He just grinned maniacally.
"Don' worry miss. Ol' Magsey's just gonna have your memories changed
again, no big deal."
He laughed. "Maybe I'll take ya out sometime when this is ovah with."
Wanda hung her head. It was hopeless.
"Natalie come on! I like really gotta pee!" Kitty whined.
"Don't rush me! This is crucial!"
"HOW is putting on mascara crucial?! It's not like you actually show your
eyes, anyway!"
Natalie appeared shortly from the bathroom, wearing a white ribbed tank,
a pleated khaki and red plaid skirt, and brown Roxy flipflops. Her hair
was flipped out a little, and her eyes were darkly covered with
sunglasses.
"Aw Nat!"
Natalie smiled and lowered her face. "You like?"
Kitty didn't seem to hear her. "This is what you call crucial Nat!"
Kitty frowned and jumped, phasing through Natalie, and slamming the door
behind her.
"She's so funny." Natalie laughed. "Now where is that Aussie. . ."
"Wanda! So good to see you, my child."
"Save it." Wanda's eyes flashed darkly, and she gritted her teeth at her father.
Magneto scowled at his only daughter and turned away. Pietro merely snickered at the confrontation. The silver-haired speed demon was truly regretful that Wanda had to endure this treatment, but if it kept the Maximoffs alive. . .
"Eh. . . Magneto? Boss? Might I be excused, sir, I have something to take care of. . ."
Magneto turned to glare at the Australian man.
"What is it boy?"
"My date, sir."
Magneto shook his head slowly, up and down. "Ah, yes, your. . . date."
Wanda stared at the two men, mouth agape. Her violet eyes flashed in anger. The player!
"Go then."
"Thankyou sir."
Magneto turned to face Mastermind as Pyro left the room. Gambit leaned into the corner, his trademark smug smirk embedded into his handsome face, and the somber Russian, who rarely uttered a sound, stood next to him, arms crossed, looking especially somber today.
"Jason, come forth, and do your job. Quickly. We have other things to take care of."
Mastermind stepped lightly over to where Wanda was cuffed into a chair, presumably made of the same metal that had previously kept her from escaping her prison.
"Get away from me. . ." Wanda began to struggle with her bonds.
"It's okay, little one. All good things will come in time. . ."
"No. . ."
"Shh. . . relax child. . ." Jason began waving his hand in front of the young goth's face, and watched her gaze helplessly at him.
"No. . . not again. . . my head. . ."
"6:35. . . I won't freak out, it's no big. . ."
Natalie swallowed, trying to control herself.
"OH WHERE THE FRUIT IS THAT DAMNED AUSSIE?!"
Keep it down!
Oh, sorry Jean. Didn't mean to interrupt whatever it is you're doing. . . what are you doing?
None of your business.
It wouldn't be Scott by any chance would it? Natalie though darkly.
No! Do I look like a whore to you?
Need I answer that oh great red-haired witch?
I see your point, oh pesky southern bitch. By the way, don't get yourself killed by that pyromaniac. Trust me, I won't be there to pick up the mess.
Glad to know you're here for me.
Isn't everyone?
Not necessarily.
Shut up.
Bite me.
Ding!
Natalie whipped her head around, ignoring Jean's response. "He's here!"
She opened the door, smiling. No Aussie. Disappointed, she let the door hang open as she turned around mournfully.
"What was that noise?"
"Oh, sorry dudette, I just had to. . . you know. . . it was so easy. . ."
Bobby Drake, aka Iceman, help up Kitty's laptop as he appeared from the kitchen. He clicked the play button on it, and the mansion's doorbell could be heard again. Kitty laughed, sticking her head out of the kitchen door.
"That is so not funny Ice cube. . ."
Natalie turned around to shut the door when she saw St. John staring down at her, smiling, and holding a red rose.
"Oh wow. . ." She breathed.
She stared him over. Baggy blue jeans, black workman's boots, white tee shirt that discreetly showed off his ripped muscles, and a black leather jacket draped over his left arm. So stunning. . .
She snapped back to reality and slapped him arm.
"How long have you been there?"
"Only a minute, love."
"Why were you late?"
"Mags wouldn't let me go."
"So I see. Care to come in?"
Natalie motioned at the door.
"Actually, if it's all the same to you, I'd rather not. . ."
"Hey Bub, come here."
Natalie groaned. Leave it to the beaver with adamantium claws and a downright bitchy attitude. May God be with the Aussie.
St. John walked slowly inside. Natalie followed him, and Bobby and Kitty stared from the kitchen.
Logan grabbed St. John roughly and whispered to him. The Aussie shook with fear. What was said was completely inaudible, but somehow Natalie didn't think she wanted to know anyway.
"Come on love, let's go."
He grabbed Natalie's hand and walked out.
"Have her home by eleven or I'll skin you alive, son!"
Wanda twisted in her chair, new memories and images being imbedded in her skull.
"Stop it! Stop it!"
"Hold still, my child."
She saw herself being dragged away to the nightmarish castle, the one from her dream. It slowly transformed into another memory, of her former self and her father reading poetry together. But this time, it wouldn't work. All the anger, the digging, and the frustration, had finally come together to free her of the dream world she lived in.
"NEVERMORE! NEVERMORE!" She quoted, screaming.
Blue hex bolts flowed through her body, illuminating her. Her chair erupted, cracking and breaking apart. She broke free, and hexing the others, threw them into the wall. They'd never get her. . . or so she thought.
She turned tail and ran. She was nearly to the stairs when it happened. A metal orb was thrust at her by a barely conscious Magneto, knocking her out of the window.
"WANDA!" Magneto cried out after her before losing consciousness.
The Scarlet Witch screamed as she fell into icy winter waters that made up the local river.
"Where am I?!"
"Thanks so much, St. John. It's great. Reminds me so much of home. . ." Natalie looked off dreamily.
St. John had blindfolded Natalie (much to the dismay of Logan) and had driven her in his fiery BMW to the beach, and made dinner for two: shrimp, catfish, gatortail, grits, hushpuppies, coleslaw, green beans, spiced peaches, and keylime pie. Okay, it was a ton of food. But it was good.
"I'm glad you like it, love."
Natalie looked at him questioningly. "Can I ask you something if ya promise not to get mad?"
He grinned. "Go ahead."
"You seem awful nice, St. John. Why are you working for Magneto?"
He swallowed. "Honest truth sheila?"
She grinned. "Well, yeah."
"I was a tough little bugger. Street kid. Always in trouble. Magsey recognized me gifts and offered money, but I said no."
He took a sip of tea and continued.
"I thought nothing of it, until I run into Gambit. He bails me out of a fight. I met up with that bloke when we were tiny kids, when I visited the states with me parents and got lost. Ended up at the Thieves Guild."
"The whaaaa?" Natalie questioned.
He shook his head, grinning. "Nevermind."
"Wait, I've heard of them! They're like the Southern Underworld, right?"
He just stared at her, grinning.
"Right. . .?"
He continued to stare at her with that grin. He crossed his arms.
"Am I right or not?!"
He burst out laughing. "What, I can't mess with you?"
"Fact is, I was right." She said smugly. "So you wound up at the Theives Guild. And what does Gambit have to do with this?"
"He's the Prince of Thieves, love."
"No way!"
"I swear on me own mother's grave!"
This was met with a smack in the back of the head.
"Ow! Bloody 'ell sheila! What did I do?!"
"Don't swear on your mother's grave for goodness sake!"
"Alright then love." He smiled.
"Anyways, back on track. Remy tells me he's working for Magneto in the States. That I should come. Says that bloke's influential. So here I am."
"Fair enough." Natalie mused.
"Okay sheila, your turn."
"Okay. . ." she laughed.
"Well I- ah!" Natalie threw her hands to her forehead, bending over. St. John grabbed her shoulder, trying to pull her up to talk to her.
"Natalie!"
The water. Everywhere. Rushing up and around her. Hands flew in front, and bolts of energy flew out. The girl pulled herself out of the water, panting heavily. She took a knife from where it had been kept hidden in her boot, and began slashing her arms. She dropped the knife, shaking, blood rushing from her hands. The pain. . .
Natalie jerked up, shaking. Her glasses fell off to reveal bright green eyes, then they quickly turned dark blue as she grew saddened and upset.
"A mutant's in trouble!"
"Which one?"
"I dunno, she-"
Ring.
"Hold on a moment love. It's important."
St. John picked up. "'ello?"
"Pyro, dis Remy. De witch escaped."
"Bloody friggin' 'ell mate! How?"
"Got knocked out an' into de river, homme."
"If it ain't always bleedin' somethin' or other. . ." he sneered.
"Ya gotta come back, homme. Now. Bossman, he be on de prowl."
"Be there soon, mate."
Click.
St. John shook his head wearily.
"Natalie, I'm sorry, but I have to bring you home. Something's come up."
"What is it?" She asked him, genuinely concerned. She knew what Magneto was capable of. She'd been stuck in a room with Scott for a day.
"The Bossman's daughter is missing."
Natalie's eyes widened, turning brown.
"And. . . what might her powers be?"
"Natalie, will ya get up already?"
Cold water met the young girl's face, and she jumped awake screaming, and her eyes flashed bright green. Rogue just stepped aside, smiling.
"Thanks, Rogue." Natalie stated calmly as she wiped her face off with her sleeve.
"Not a problem, sugah."
"Wait a minute. . . what time is it?"
"Time fo' ya to get crackin' if ya still plan on goin' off with that Pyro man."
Natalie gasped as she read 5:30 on her clock. "Oh no! He'll be here in an hour!"
Natalie turned to run into the bathroom. She slid on the rug, and with both feet flying up, landed on her tender back.
"Ah. . . I knew I'd do that one day."
Natalie picked herself up and shut the bathroom door. Rogue tried to suppress a laugh, but failed. She covered her small smile with a gloved hand as she watched Natalie come out of the bathroom.
"That was quick."
"Heh..." Natalie laughed sheepishly. "I forgot my clothes."
"Come on girl."
St. John grabbed Wanda and pulled her to her feet. She let herself be
taken to her father. Why Pyro? Why not the Russian? Her father knew of
her obsession with the fire god, mostly due to Pietro. And he knew that
Wanda wouldn't fight St. John because of that.
"Ya too easy sheila. Why don't ya fight back?"
Wanda just ignored him.
"Oh come on now sheila! Don't be like this! I thought we had an
understanding. . ."
Wanda glared at him. He just grinned maniacally.
"Don' worry miss. Ol' Magsey's just gonna have your memories changed
again, no big deal."
He laughed. "Maybe I'll take ya out sometime when this is ovah with."
Wanda hung her head. It was hopeless.
"Natalie come on! I like really gotta pee!" Kitty whined.
"Don't rush me! This is crucial!"
"HOW is putting on mascara crucial?! It's not like you actually show your
eyes, anyway!"
Natalie appeared shortly from the bathroom, wearing a white ribbed tank,
a pleated khaki and red plaid skirt, and brown Roxy flipflops. Her hair
was flipped out a little, and her eyes were darkly covered with
sunglasses.
"Aw Nat!"
Natalie smiled and lowered her face. "You like?"
Kitty didn't seem to hear her. "This is what you call crucial Nat!"
Kitty frowned and jumped, phasing through Natalie, and slamming the door
behind her.
"She's so funny." Natalie laughed. "Now where is that Aussie. . ."
"Wanda! So good to see you, my child."
"Save it." Wanda's eyes flashed darkly, and she gritted her teeth at her father.
Magneto scowled at his only daughter and turned away. Pietro merely snickered at the confrontation. The silver-haired speed demon was truly regretful that Wanda had to endure this treatment, but if it kept the Maximoffs alive. . .
"Eh. . . Magneto? Boss? Might I be excused, sir, I have something to take care of. . ."
Magneto turned to glare at the Australian man.
"What is it boy?"
"My date, sir."
Magneto shook his head slowly, up and down. "Ah, yes, your. . . date."
Wanda stared at the two men, mouth agape. Her violet eyes flashed in anger. The player!
"Go then."
"Thankyou sir."
Magneto turned to face Mastermind as Pyro left the room. Gambit leaned into the corner, his trademark smug smirk embedded into his handsome face, and the somber Russian, who rarely uttered a sound, stood next to him, arms crossed, looking especially somber today.
"Jason, come forth, and do your job. Quickly. We have other things to take care of."
Mastermind stepped lightly over to where Wanda was cuffed into a chair, presumably made of the same metal that had previously kept her from escaping her prison.
"Get away from me. . ." Wanda began to struggle with her bonds.
"It's okay, little one. All good things will come in time. . ."
"No. . ."
"Shh. . . relax child. . ." Jason began waving his hand in front of the young goth's face, and watched her gaze helplessly at him.
"No. . . not again. . . my head. . ."
"6:35. . . I won't freak out, it's no big. . ."
Natalie swallowed, trying to control herself.
"OH WHERE THE FRUIT IS THAT DAMNED AUSSIE?!"
Keep it down!
Oh, sorry Jean. Didn't mean to interrupt whatever it is you're doing. . . what are you doing?
None of your business.
It wouldn't be Scott by any chance would it? Natalie though darkly.
No! Do I look like a whore to you?
Need I answer that oh great red-haired witch?
I see your point, oh pesky southern bitch. By the way, don't get yourself killed by that pyromaniac. Trust me, I won't be there to pick up the mess.
Glad to know you're here for me.
Isn't everyone?
Not necessarily.
Shut up.
Bite me.
Ding!
Natalie whipped her head around, ignoring Jean's response. "He's here!"
She opened the door, smiling. No Aussie. Disappointed, she let the door hang open as she turned around mournfully.
"What was that noise?"
"Oh, sorry dudette, I just had to. . . you know. . . it was so easy. . ."
Bobby Drake, aka Iceman, help up Kitty's laptop as he appeared from the kitchen. He clicked the play button on it, and the mansion's doorbell could be heard again. Kitty laughed, sticking her head out of the kitchen door.
"That is so not funny Ice cube. . ."
Natalie turned around to shut the door when she saw St. John staring down at her, smiling, and holding a red rose.
"Oh wow. . ." She breathed.
She stared him over. Baggy blue jeans, black workman's boots, white tee shirt that discreetly showed off his ripped muscles, and a black leather jacket draped over his left arm. So stunning. . .
She snapped back to reality and slapped him arm.
"How long have you been there?"
"Only a minute, love."
"Why were you late?"
"Mags wouldn't let me go."
"So I see. Care to come in?"
Natalie motioned at the door.
"Actually, if it's all the same to you, I'd rather not. . ."
"Hey Bub, come here."
Natalie groaned. Leave it to the beaver with adamantium claws and a downright bitchy attitude. May God be with the Aussie.
St. John walked slowly inside. Natalie followed him, and Bobby and Kitty stared from the kitchen.
Logan grabbed St. John roughly and whispered to him. The Aussie shook with fear. What was said was completely inaudible, but somehow Natalie didn't think she wanted to know anyway.
"Come on love, let's go."
He grabbed Natalie's hand and walked out.
"Have her home by eleven or I'll skin you alive, son!"
Wanda twisted in her chair, new memories and images being imbedded in her skull.
"Stop it! Stop it!"
"Hold still, my child."
She saw herself being dragged away to the nightmarish castle, the one from her dream. It slowly transformed into another memory, of her former self and her father reading poetry together. But this time, it wouldn't work. All the anger, the digging, and the frustration, had finally come together to free her of the dream world she lived in.
"NEVERMORE! NEVERMORE!" She quoted, screaming.
Blue hex bolts flowed through her body, illuminating her. Her chair erupted, cracking and breaking apart. She broke free, and hexing the others, threw them into the wall. They'd never get her. . . or so she thought.
She turned tail and ran. She was nearly to the stairs when it happened. A metal orb was thrust at her by a barely conscious Magneto, knocking her out of the window.
"WANDA!" Magneto cried out after her before losing consciousness.
The Scarlet Witch screamed as she fell into icy winter waters that made up the local river.
"Where am I?!"
"Thanks so much, St. John. It's great. Reminds me so much of home. . ." Natalie looked off dreamily.
St. John had blindfolded Natalie (much to the dismay of Logan) and had driven her in his fiery BMW to the beach, and made dinner for two: shrimp, catfish, gatortail, grits, hushpuppies, coleslaw, green beans, spiced peaches, and keylime pie. Okay, it was a ton of food. But it was good.
"I'm glad you like it, love."
Natalie looked at him questioningly. "Can I ask you something if ya promise not to get mad?"
He grinned. "Go ahead."
"You seem awful nice, St. John. Why are you working for Magneto?"
He swallowed. "Honest truth sheila?"
She grinned. "Well, yeah."
"I was a tough little bugger. Street kid. Always in trouble. Magsey recognized me gifts and offered money, but I said no."
He took a sip of tea and continued.
"I thought nothing of it, until I run into Gambit. He bails me out of a fight. I met up with that bloke when we were tiny kids, when I visited the states with me parents and got lost. Ended up at the Thieves Guild."
"The whaaaa?" Natalie questioned.
He shook his head, grinning. "Nevermind."
"Wait, I've heard of them! They're like the Southern Underworld, right?"
He just stared at her, grinning.
"Right. . .?"
He continued to stare at her with that grin. He crossed his arms.
"Am I right or not?!"
He burst out laughing. "What, I can't mess with you?"
"Fact is, I was right." She said smugly. "So you wound up at the Theives Guild. And what does Gambit have to do with this?"
"He's the Prince of Thieves, love."
"No way!"
"I swear on me own mother's grave!"
This was met with a smack in the back of the head.
"Ow! Bloody 'ell sheila! What did I do?!"
"Don't swear on your mother's grave for goodness sake!"
"Alright then love." He smiled.
"Anyways, back on track. Remy tells me he's working for Magneto in the States. That I should come. Says that bloke's influential. So here I am."
"Fair enough." Natalie mused.
"Okay sheila, your turn."
"Okay. . ." she laughed.
"Well I- ah!" Natalie threw her hands to her forehead, bending over. St. John grabbed her shoulder, trying to pull her up to talk to her.
"Natalie!"
The water. Everywhere. Rushing up and around her. Hands flew in front, and bolts of energy flew out. The girl pulled herself out of the water, panting heavily. She took a knife from where it had been kept hidden in her boot, and began slashing her arms. She dropped the knife, shaking, blood rushing from her hands. The pain. . .
Natalie jerked up, shaking. Her glasses fell off to reveal bright green eyes, then they quickly turned dark blue as she grew saddened and upset.
"A mutant's in trouble!"
"Which one?"
"I dunno, she-"
Ring.
"Hold on a moment love. It's important."
St. John picked up. "'ello?"
"Pyro, dis Remy. De witch escaped."
"Bloody friggin' 'ell mate! How?"
"Got knocked out an' into de river, homme."
"If it ain't always bleedin' somethin' or other. . ." he sneered.
"Ya gotta come back, homme. Now. Bossman, he be on de prowl."
"Be there soon, mate."
Click.
St. John shook his head wearily.
"Natalie, I'm sorry, but I have to bring you home. Something's come up."
"What is it?" She asked him, genuinely concerned. She knew what Magneto was capable of. She'd been stuck in a room with Scott for a day.
"The Bossman's daughter is missing."
Natalie's eyes widened, turning brown.
"And. . . what might her powers be?"