Hangover Hell
Chapter Fourteen: Uncharted Territory
"What the hell, just get off of me!" Amara shrieked struggling as best as she could.
"Look bitch, sit down and shut up! Make this easier for yourself" Jordan hissed.
Before much more happened, Jordan felt himself getting thrust aside by a strong force. He looked up only to see red hair and a not so happy face. Jordan tried to hit his opponent but found that just before his fist met his target he felt it singe. It was like it was on fire. No correction, it was on fire.
Panicking he tried his best to shake it off. Moments later the burning was gone. He looked at St John, then Amara. He knew they both saw the flames, but they didn't seem at all phased by it. He was panting. Had he lost his mind? He wondered but he was sure that he felt those flames.
He saw his hands were still red and was terrified, "Something weird's going on here, you freaks!" he accused before scampering off.
Amara sighed to herself, "Now you work you stupid powers!" She tried to get up but slipped. What would usually have been effortless for Amara, completely drained her. The small fire had sucked out the last collection of energy she had.
St John stretched out a hand to help her up. She would have taken it but found that her vision was blurring. She saw him mouth some words she couldn't understand before everything went black.
He saw her lose her consciousness. Suddenly she looked so peaceful. He could somehow tell something was wrong, she felt exhausted and it seemed that the small fire had made her weak, which was strange considering that he saw her burn so much more with ease. He assumed that she wasn't well at this point. Taking a breath he scooped her up and called the cab...
The motorbike was outside the small shop, and Remy and Rogue were busy buying some food for them to take to wherever it was that they were going so that they wouldn't be hungry. Rogue was in the other aisle trying to find some snacks while he was to get the beer.
He went through the refrigerators when he thought he heard something. He looked around and saw Rogue, he shook it off and smiled at her.
"Sandwiches and chips okay?" she asked.
"Sure," he replied grabbing two bottles of beer. They took it to the cashier and purchased their goods before retuning to Remy's motorbike. They lifted the seat and put the food inside before getting on the bike and driving off.
Unknown to them a man in black behind them took out a phone and reported, "They just left the store after buying beer and food. They're heading north-west"
She just came out of the toilet, partly to puke and partly to wash her face. Pietro obviously knew he was the father considering he knew her well enough to know that she wasn't the type to go around sleeping with guys. She felt so lost. It also felt like no matter what she did she was betraying everyone.
She was lying to Crystal, if she kept the baby, Pietro would feel obligated to it, obviously Crystal would know she slept with him. If she got rid of the baby, she would be betraying it, not even giving this little life a chance in the world.
Out of nowhere Crystal grabbed one of Kitty's hands and lead her to a quieter area of the school. "Okay, now spill! What's wrong?"
"Nothing" Kitty replied as convincingly as she could.
"Okay, I'll give you one more chance, what's wrong?" Crystal tried more sternly.
"I'm so totally scared, I don't know what to do any more. It's like my whole life is crashing, I made a HUGE mistake..." She admitted, "Crys, I'm pregnant!"
"PREGNANT!?" A bewildered Crystal repeated, "You never even told me you lost your virginity!"
"It felt weird talking about it... I wanted to, but I couldn't" Crystal looked at her sympathetically and hugged her. She knew Kitty was trying her best to not cry.
"It's gonna be okay, now, who's the father?" Crys went on. Kitty became edgy at the suggestion of the baby's father. She pulled out of her friend's hug and tried to change the subject, "Umm next block's gonna like start soon," she began walking towards her locker.
Crystal rolled her eyes and grabbed Kitty's arm, "It's only halfway through lunch, have you eaten?"
"I'm not really hungry, in fact all I want to like do now, is go home."
"I'll take you to sick bay, kay? Then you can go home and we'll talk about this later"
Kitty nodded.
Pietro was sitting with a few of his friends at lunch. His focus wasn't quite there and he just stared out the window. He hadn't even touched his lunch.
"Sup?" One of his friends asked with concern. It wasn't like Pietro to not eat lunch and not say anything. They scanned him thoughtfully.
He dismissed them without much thought only causing more suspicion but at that point, he really didn't care about anything.
Arriving in the toilet, Wanda stopped Jubilee abruptly and said, "I overheard some of the x-kids chattin', something about a mission where they might need your powers, not too sure though."
Jubilee nodded thoughtfully and when she realized that her friend wasn't planning to say anything else she questioned while she turned to the mirror to brush her hair, "What are you getting at?"
Wanda smiled eyes not leaving her friend's, "I'm not even sure about this, but say they did ask you for help, would you? What ever you say is totally cool with me though..."
Jubilee stopped brushing her hair and looked at her friend, "If it didn't involve leaving the brotherhood, and if this mission could prevent bad things happening, I would" she replied honestly.
After lunch, it seemed that the rest of the day droned on quickly. After school, just before she and Bobby reached the carpark in which the brotherhood car was parked, none other than Jean, Scott and Kurt approached.
"What have we done now?" Bobby whined even before a word had been spoken. Kurt coughed. It was an awkward situation. Silence. It felt weird. More Silence. At last, it seemed, Jean gave in, with a sigh and said, "We need you guys in a mission, the professor will give you two a briefing if you're interested, we may need your powers in this one."
"We're interested, we'll be there at around dinner time" Jubilee answered for the both of them earning her a look from Bobby.
"Actually," Scott corrected, "It would be better if you kinda came now"
The couple glanced at the faces of three of their former teammates. They were perplexed with some issue or another. The mission sounded serious. They looked at each other searching for some response.
"Okay, okay" Bobby surrendered, "Jean could you tell them telepathically we'll be home later?"
The three x-men flinched inwardly at how Bobby called the brotherhood house 'home'. It was still weird, them not being part of the xmen.
Rogue and Remy had arrived at a park. He was laying back on the grass enjoying some quiet time. She on the other hand was only going to join him after she looked around at the flower display. She was never the type to go around smelling flowers, but something about them reminded her of her mom.
There were so many different types suddenly she heards something, it was faint, but she definitely heard something. The park was empty when she and Remy arrived (not same park Amara was in...) . She twirled around when she caught a glimpse of back in the trees. She rushed over to Remy urgently,
"Look Chere, dat one looks like a deck o' cards" He laughed pointing up to a cloud that looked nothing like a deck of cards.
"Remy, I heard something, someone's following us" She reported in a jumpy tone. She kept looking around.
"Chere, it's a public park," He teased dismissing what she said and sitting up. He smiled at her and kissed her, "Not everyone dat goes to a park is spyin' on us" He kissed her again. She pushed him off.
"Ah'm not goin' crazy Rem, I saw someone in the trees." She retorted.
"Was it a monkey?" Remy asked playfully caressing her cheek.
"AH'M NOT-" Before she finished her sentence. They both heard something. It was like the sound of your phone when you're losing the signal, or static.
Remy scanned his surroundings and listened carefully. He could hear the ruffling in the trees, "Dere's about thirty of'em Chere, in de trees. Y'were right but act natural." He whispered softly.
He lay back on the grass to look at clouds, she mimicked him and they pretended to be absorbed in clouds but the reality of it was that they were tense.
Remy was especially worried considering that on more than one occasion while he was with Rogue he thought he heard something out of the ordinary. They listened for movements, Rogue strained her ears as much as she could to hopefully predict these people's whereabouts.
Remy must of seen her try to place where the people were and not be able to. "Dey be getting' closer and closer t'us chere" he said softly in her ear, "About ten're still in de trees"
Professor Xavier was floating in his wheelchair before St John, "Thank you so much Pyro, err... I'm sure Amara's grateful. Would you like to stay for a drink?" he offered politely. They were in the Med Bay where Amara was being checked up by Dr McCoy.
Amara stirred. The Professor and St John rushed towards her but were stopped when Hank held up one of his blue furry hands.
"I believe she's regaining her consciousness but give her some quiet and time, I believe she has used far too much of her energy today." He told the the pair in a professional manner, "It is best for her if she does not see any visitors at this point"
Charles nodded knowingly gesturing to his student's rescuer to follow him out to the exit. St John took one last glance at Amara before doing so.
Out the door the Professor spoke, "Will you be staying for that drink Pyro?"
"Uh, nah, thanks though, I think I'll just jet off..." the Australian declined politely about to walk away but the professor stopped him.
"Either way, I have some questions to ask you, if you don't mind that is" He spoke in his usual conduct gesturing towards a private room in the Med Bay.
St John was reluctant but felt like he didn't have much choice, the professor sounded serious. He assumed that it had something to do with Amara. With a forced smile he followed Professor Xavior to the room. It wasn't really an actual Med Bay Room, it was more of a waiting room with a coffee table and sofas.
"It seems that you are tense by the way you're not looking at the room. Please, relax"
St John eased back onto the couch and tried to relax, but he was confused at the same time. "How can I help you?"
"I just have a few questions regarding the Alcolyte base, and of course Magneto" the professor explained, "You needn't worry, I do not seek answers that will harm your alliance with Magneto. Who is it that destroyed your base?"
Pyro chuckled, "You're joking?" Doesn't everybody know by now?"
"Many have said Rogue and Remy under the influence of alcohol, I just wanted it clarified." The professor spoke evenly.
"Well, it's officially clarified" Pyro replied lazily.
"I respect your discomfort speaking with me in such terms, I will not take too much of your time. Now I believe that the couple extracted an article of importance to Magneto, is this also true?"
"Yes, a jade figurine, I'm sure if you don't know it already, Magz is really ticked off, he's going to get that figure back and he will take down anything in his way. If that is all I think I'll be on my way" Pyro said getting to his feet.
"Thank you Pyro, I'm sure will find your way out." Pyro nodded and left the room while the professor hovered up to the briefing room where Scott, Jean, Kurt, Evan, Jubilee, Bobby and Jamie were.
"Where's Rogue?" Jean sighed.
Bobby told her, "She went some place with Remy, she still wasn't back by the end of school"
"Then where's Amara?" this time Scott asked
"She is in Med Bay at the present time, she is fine however" the Professor assured
Kitty phased in to the room looking paler than usual, but still trying her best to be her normal bubbly self, "Hey Jubes and Bobby, it's been like forever!" she exclaimed rushing over to hug Jubilee. The professor cleared his throat and Kitty smiled sheepishly then sat down.
"First of all, as Kitty has made obvious, Jubilee and Bobby have returned to aid us with this mission. I thank you both for that. As Pyro has just confirmed, Remy and Rogue have taken a jade figurine from Magneto." He pressed a button on a remote control and the computer screen showed a figurine of a type of animal that was of course jade. It wasn't an existing animal, it was the type of creature that probably the ancient Egyptians or some ancient civilization would have designed.
"We believe that this is the jade figurine that Magneto wants back, and if that is the case, he wishes to use it for a certain purpose." The professor continued.
"What purpose?" Jamie asked curiously.
"The purpose doesn't concern any of you, but let me just say in the hands of Magneto, it is trouble. Your mission now is to acquire a similar in size figurine, but this one is made of marble." He clicked another button and the image changed to a small marble figurine.
"These two figurines are one of 12 keys. The rest are smaller in size. These keys are scattered all over the world and the other 10 keys are small balls with the head of an animal inside. When exposed to UV light, the ball will show the head of the animal that is in its core. Anyway, the main focus of this mission is to acquire that marble figurine, it can be found in the cook islands," he clicked the remote again where the Screen now showed a map of the islands.
"From the information gathered, Ororo and Logan have concluded that it lies in one of the Southern islands, most likely in a volcano, which is why we needed Bobby. Hopefully Amara will be well by tomorrow to assist with you. We'd also like to ask for Pyro's assistance but I am wondering if you kids are okay with that."
Everyone in the room looked at each other, sure it would be weird working with an Alcolyte, but it sounded harmless.
"If you say we need him, okay professor" Jamie said for the group.
The professor smiled knowingly, "If you have any further questions, fell free to ask Logan and storm, they will be the team leaders, they will also notify which teams you're in. Good luck." And after that he exited the room.
Storm didn't waste any time and was straight to the point, "Okay, I am the leader of team red, we are to search the east side of the southern Cook Islands. My team will consist of Magma, Nightcrawler, Spyke, Multiple, Shadowcat and hopefully Pyro. The rest will, including Rogue, be in team blue with Wolverine. You are to investigate the west side of the southern Cook Islands."
There was a silent air of new found curiosity and what the keys were for. It remained silent as Storm kept briefing the mission.
Dodging punches through swerves, jumps and ducks, attacking defenses when possible, it had become a perpetual flow within half an hour. There were many men, clad in complete black from head to toe. However, that saying, 'there is strength in numbers' didn't seem to apply with this bunch. Perhaps it was because they were being put against Remy and Rogue, or perhaps it just looked like they were hopeless. Nevertheless, these guys deserved props for getting up again and again.
It was like they never stayed down. At this point Rogue was tempted to lose the glove, but she really didn't want any screaming voices trapped in her head. There was a whir so close to her that she practically felt it slice the air right next to her ear. It was one of Remy's charged cards.
She jerked her head to where the card was just milliseconds before and saw it hit a target. It was followed with about 4 more charged cards all aims at slightly different angles making an arch like shape. She was about to yell at Remy for aiming it so close to her but before she even opened her mouth Remy had called out "Chere, DUCK!" She obliged feeling the speed of some cards just above her. When she got up, more men had advanced, grabbing her arms, she shoved them off, grabbed one's arm and twisted it while kicking a person that was behind her.
She cart wheeled and did a spinning kick while upside down taking down a few men, who got up again almost instantly. There was a sudden punch at her side, leaving her gasping for air, but he saw a fist hit straight into her attacker's face. He punched the guy a couple more times, kneed him then grab him but his shirt, "Don't hit ladies" he advised before giving him a final uppercut.
After that a man yelled "Retreat!" and all the men scrambled away. Rogue and Remy were left at shock and confusion. There were a few men on the floor, the ones Remy had used his cards on. They weren't moving but Remy noticed that they had sparks and wires sticking out of them.
They approached the men more closely and saw that they were some type of robots. "What in tha world?" Rogue gasped. But before they had time to asses the actual scene Rogue came to a realization, "Oh mah god, I gotta go, I was supposed tah be in a briefing for a mission!"
Rogue burst in the room as Storm was just saying "That is all." She was panting.
"You took yer time Stripes" Logan snorted gruffly leaning back on a wall.
"Ah got a good reason, Ah promise" Rogue reasoned between breaths.
"What is it then Rogue" Ororo quizzed suspiciously.
"Ah was attacked bah (by) some weird robots at the park, they were wearing black, they looked like people, but the ones that were knocked out had sparks and circuits sticking out of them.
A/N: I know, it kinda took forever... First I was like, im so gonna get this done, then I had things come up, then I had no spare time, then I had a writer's block thingy coz I couldn't even remember what my ideas were, then I started writing a mini-story to get myself back into the habit and now I finally wrote this chapter! I said I would finish it, and I'll do what ever I can to do so!
Thanks to linzer-b who reminded me I still had an unfinished story to finish! And to everyone else who reviews... keeps me writin' ;)
OMG sorry it took so long!!! Perfectly good excuse. This chapter, I wrote ages ago in my brother's laptop before he moved out, but b4 he moved out there were internet problems on his laptop, so I couldn't get this posted up.... So since he's come back 4 the week I'm fixing it all up! SORRY FOR THE LONG DELAY!!!
All I can do is promise an update soon enough... I gotta start typing!