I really don't know what to say anymore but sorry. The work, the summer vacation ( I went away for a week to relax and swim a bit… :-) ) and of course the European cup (what can I say I love soccer…) has thrown my schedule completely off. Anyways… 2 more chapters left before the end.

A less than perfect storm

Tayrion

The attack came as suddenly as a summer storm. The outer walls and defenses of the mansion were destroyed before anyone could even bat an eyelash. Logan was the first one to run outside to find the source of the attack. He then saw a lonely figure standing where the main gate of the mansion used to stand. He was just standing there as if he was waiting for the x-men to show.

He recognized him as the guy who had attacked Scott, Kurt and Rogue and had abducted him a few days ago. His anger swelled up inside him. With a sudden 'snikt', his claws came out and he started running towards the attacker, without waiting for reinforcements. You got me once Bub, but I didn't have the chance to fight you then. This time you're not getting away from me.

Just as Logan was about to deliver the first blow, the Professor contacted him telepathically which distracted him just for a few seconds. No Logan! We should first find out what he wants! Taking advantage of Logan's hesitation Crane raised his fist to strike a blow at Logan. Damn! That's what Logan thought last before being propelled several feet away from Crane, by a powerful punch that could probably have broken his jaw if it wasn't adamantium supported.

At that point Scott and Ororo came out to the mansion's ground. Ororo immediately released a powerful tornado to try and keep Crane immobilized. At the same time, Kurt and Bobby appeared out of thin air some feet away from Crane, and Bobby despite being dizzy from the teleportation, concentrated and froze some of the air around Crane to effectively imprison him in a block of ice, leaving just his head out of it.

Scott then stepped forward and spoke to Crane in an authoritative tone. "Ok. As you see we immobilized you. Now tell me what it is that you want exactly?"

Crane just looked at him and laughed. "You immobilized me? Is that what you think?" As he said these words the block of ice around him started to rapidly melt and suddenly Scott found himself trapped in an exact same block of ice. Ororo was the first to react and she released an electric discharge straight to the chest of Crane. At first it seemed like it had hurt him but then he just looked at her and smiled. Kurt and Bobby froze as they saw Ororo being struck by the very same lightning that's usually hers to command. Ororo fell to the ground gasping for air as she felt her entire body burning. As Crane started approaching the fallen Ororo, Kurt teleported right next to her and then teleported her inside the mansion, to safety.

Scott using his optic blast started melting the block of ice that was holding him. In the meantime Logan, who had come around from the punch attacked him once more, but this time he didn't do so alone, as Hank McCoy had also come out to the mansion's garden. They both let out an angry, almost animal, growl and fell upon their attacker. Crane realizing that the biggest threat was Logan, he blocked his attacks grabbing both of Logan's hands and keeping them at bay, while leaving himself open for Hank's attacks. Hank's claws tore the side of Crane causing him extreme pain, but Crane didn't back down nor did he release his hold of Logan. He was obviously far more powerful than Logan and tried to force him to his knees. As Logan felt his bones aching, Crane was hit by Scott's optic blast, which forced him to release his hold of Logan. As Crane fell to his knees, Hank readied himself to deliver a powerful blow to him. But then Crane lift his head and with eyes glowing crimson red, fired a blast from close range at Hank which sent him tumbling to the ground unconscious.

The Professor who was telepathically linking the whole of the X-Men team, contacted Scott. He can absorb the energy you're throwing at him and then rechannel it back at you. Scott knew that the Professor was right. But then how do we stop him Professor? The Professor then told Scott: You keep him occupied as much as you can and I'll try to access his mind and find out what he wants, or else I'll try to shut him down.

At that point the badly hurt Logan interjected something in their minds. Professor I have a feeling his actually holding back. I felt his power when he tried to force me down and when Hank tore right at his ribs. I'm not certain but I think he can take us out for fun.

Cyclops quickly cut him. You should be more careful of what you say telepathically Logan as the whole team is connected. Then standing right next to him told him out loud: "Bobby is listening and Kurt too. They don't need to know such negative suppositions, especially if it means them being more nervous in the battle." With that Scott run forward and fired a beam straight at Crane. Crane smiled and just took it straight in the chest. Then with a devious smile in his face, he fired a beam of his own from his eyes straight back at Scott. Before it hit him though, Scott released another beam from his eyes to block the one aimed at him, and then concentrated very hard to push the concentrated energy beam back at Crane. Crane was caught unprepared by Scott's trick and he was struck by the collective beam and sent flying through the Mansion's gardens right through the outside wall.

Bobby let out an excited cry and smiled. He then went through the wall to follow Crane's flight, before Scott had a chance to stop him. He was sent right back through the hole of the wall flying. Logan caught him though before he crashed into the wall of the mansion. Needless to say Bobby was out cold.

In the Professor's office Ororo was lying badly hurt on the couch Kurt was looking at the Professor anxiously and Rogue had just burst through the door.

Kurt signaled to her to remain quiet as the Professor was concentrating.

After a while the Professor gave up. "It's no use! I can not access his mind. I can't read it and I certainly can't turn him off. I have to figure out something now as Scott and Logan are running out of options."

"What's going on Professor?" asked Rogue very worried. "Who is this guy?"

"Take a look for yourself Rogue." Said the Professor pointing out of the window.

Rogue froze as she saw once more the assailant who had attacked them twice in the past. But this time he was attacking them in their sanctuary. But that's not why she froze and started turning pale. The Professor seeing Rogue's reaction got worried. "Rogue… Are you ok?"

"I…I… I…think I… know him." Rogue managed to stutter.

The Professor and Kurt seemed confused. "But of course you know him Rogue. He is the one who attacked you before isn't he?" asked the Professor.

"No… I mean… I REALLY KNOW him. I… or maybe Remy…?" said Rogue hesitantly.

The Professor's interest was now peaked. "Rogue… Is there any chance that Remy might know something about this guy?"

"I… I…don't know… Maybe…" Rogue seemed lost. She was confused and worried. The Professor turned her head so that she would look him in the eyes.

"Rogue look at me… I can help you sort out the memories in your mind if you let me. And if there's a chance to help Scott and Logan I believe we should do it."

Rogue seemed afraid. "I… don't know Professor. I…"

"Rogue… I promise you. You will be fine. I'll be with you the whole time. Rogue we're running out of time. Please let me help you."

Rogue seemed scared and uncertain. But she took in a deep breath and said: "Ok Professor. Do what you must."

Logan tried to blindside Crane, who was busy trying to deal with Scott. Logan took out his adamantium claws and jumped at Crane. Right before Logan had a chance to strike a blow at him, Crane turned around to face him and with lightning fast reflexes grabbed Logan by the throat and slammed him to the ground full force. From the high force of the impact, Logan lost his breath momentarily. He gasped for air as he clutched at his severely aching sides. After dealing with Logan, Crane turned once more to Scott. He fired an energy beam towards him and Scott managed at the last minute to jump out of its way. As Logan regained his breath he looked suspiciously at Crane. What's going on here. He could have fried me with that energy beam and instead he chose to hurt me with physical force. He's just toying with us. He doesn't want to harm us permanently.

As Logan stirred and tried to regain his composure, Crane turned to him and got ready to strike another blow, before Logan had a chance to defend himself. At that moment Kurt materialized next to Logan, grabbed him and teleported far to safety, just as Crane's blow struck the ground were Logan used to be.

Meanwhile Ororo came around in the Professor's office and saw Rogue and the Professor seemingly awake, but not responding.

Don't you worry Rogue I' m right here with you. The Professor and Rogue were standing in a desolate landscape and in the middle there was a huge tornado. "We have to get in there Rogue" said the professor. "If we want to have any chance of dealing with Remy's memories we're going to have to get to the middle of that tornado."

"I'm not sure I can do that professor. It might suck me in. And then I'll be lost in his memories forever." Said Rogue who was beginning to get more and more afraid.

"I won't let that happen Rogue. I'll be your anchor, I promise you that I will not let go no matter what. You have to trust me in this Rogue. I know what I'm doing." Said the Professor as he took hold of Rogue's hand.

Rogue still looked uncertain, but she took a deep breath and started walking towards the tornado with the Professor right by her side.

With each step she felt her heart becoming more and more heavy, but she drew strength from the professor who was silently urging her forward.  She was a step away from the edge of the tornado. From within it voices were heard. Remy's voice and her own intertwined. It was a very bizarre and frightening experience for Rogue. In that last step she hesitated and turned and looked at the Professor unsure whether she could actually take that last step. She was afraid. But not just afraid about herself. She realized now that she was beginning to be afraid of what she would find out. Was that her own fear or was it Remy's? She was very confused. "Professor I don't think I can do this."

"Rogue listen to me. I know that you must be very confused and scared, but I promise you again, that as long as I'm here with you I will not let anything happen to you. You've got to trust me. We must do this Rogue. It might be the only way that we can stop this assailant. We must find out If Remy knows anything about him. It might be our only chance Rogue. Now let's do this."

Rogue gritted her teeth and taking a deep breath entered the swirling tornado.

Meanwhile outside on the mansion's grounds, Crane delivered a thunderous blow at Scott that sent him flying through the air straight into the small lake that was in the middle of the mansion's gardens. Immediately Kurt went after him, as Logan made one last attempt at stopping this seemingly invincible brute.

Logan stood his ground and waited for Crane to make the first move. Crane seeing him, smiled and started walking towards Logan. "You amuse me Logan. You are without a doubt the most stubborn guy I have ever met. You just don't know when you are outclassed or even when you are beaten do you?" said Crane in a mocking tone.

"I'm standing aren't I?" asked Logan. "Which means that I ain't beaten. And since you ain't never gonna put me down, I guess that I'll just keep on standing." Said Logan with a sly smile on his face.

"Oh you think so do you?" asked Crane as he came to a halt just a feet away fro Logan. He looked at Logan really angrily. "Let's see how you deal with this!"

To be continued…

Star-Of-Chaos – I was actually going for bizarre, but strange is also good… :-) Did you guess right about the dark figure? It wasn't THAT hard was it?

Streetwise Girl- The dream was neat????? As I said above I was going for bizarre, weird or at least strange but neat??? Neat??????????????????? :-)

And when you say everything is falling into place does that mean that you figured out what's going on? And why the evil laugh??? I thought I only did the evil laugh!!! :-)

Enchantedlight- Yeah! Gr on him!! That's right!!!  But are you sure you're accusing him justly??? :-)

Misty7- The reason for not making X3 a Wolvie oriented film would be the fact that Jackman said he ain't doing 4. So number 3 should be a sort of passing of the torch to a new generation. And I'm certain that a character like Remy could fill in for Logan in the future.

Ishandahalf- actually now it's only two chapters left. Yes 20 will be the last chapter. Although to tell you the truth I had thought of a second story which picks up right after this one finishes, but now I can't see me doing it and doing it justice. I mean it's getting harder and harder for me to find the time to write this and I'm afraid that if I start writing a second story 2 things might happen: Either I will not complete it, which will be awful; or I will not do write it as good as I want it to come off, which will be equally awful. So I'm still not sure.

Haruechan- Sorry about the length of the last chapter (and you're probably not going too impressed with the length of this one either) I just want to finish with number 20, and I'm trying to fit them all exactly so as to finish with that number. :-) I'm glad you liked the song from Cold. I have to say that I agree with you which is why I used it after all… :-)

Leann- Sorry sweetie, but as you've noticed it's long past 10 days and I just managed to wrap up this chapter. I don't know what else to say anymore but sorry. It's getting harder and harder to find the time I need to write this. And don't worry about not knowing the story behind the song. By next chapter most of the questions will be answered, and I'll tell you the story behind the song.

Next: Probably all of the questions will be answered. :-)