Shout outs:
ishandahalf: Yep, due to mind control.
Uncanny R-Man: Nope, it's the real Jamie. And no, it's not the Hellfire Club, but good guess. And I'm sure Rahne could have given Logan a beating, but she was weak from being captive so long, as were the rest of them.
Ms.Rogue LeBeau: Yes, she's in it now.
Disclaimer: I don't own X-men Evolution...
Chapter VI: Escape Route
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"There's really no other choice, Jubes, it's now or never."
Bobby gave her a forlorn glance, a glimmer of confidence in his eyes. "If we want to save the others, we'll need to find out what's going on and who's behind this."
Giving a slight sigh, Jubilee increased her smile and moved closer to Bobby.
"What's the plan, sir?"
After giving a delighted smirk, Bobby motioned with his hands on the dirty floor of their cell.
"First of all, we have no idea how this whole place is mapped up. There's no telling what kind of twist, turns, and traps could be lurking around each corner. I say we move quietly, move fast, stay together, and keep our senses keen. If we come across any of the others, we'll tell them about it, but we can't have them follow us. If three's a crowd, I'm sure we won't stand a chance against whoever's keeping us captive."
Once it absorbed in her mind, Jubilee nodded in agreement while moving toward the cell door. She gave a fake smile and poked at the lock, casting a sarcastic tone toward her boyfriend.
"So we'll just unlock it with those keys you happened to steal on the way here?"
"Very funny. Nope, we don't need keys. Watch and learn from the master."
Scoffing, Jubilee rolled her eyes and stepped to the side, waiting to see what trick Bobby was going to pull. She didn't doubt him, having known him for some many years, that he was more resourceful than most.
Bobby simply placed his hand on the outside of the lock, freezing it to ice inside and out with in a matter of seconds. Then he gripped the iced lock, squeezing it hard in his hand, and shattering it easily and quietly. He brushed the particles of ice off his hand as if it was dust.
"See, no sweat, Jubes." He remarked softly, grinning broadly like a macho head. Jubilee shivered and snatched up his discarded shirt, wrapping it around herself quickly.
"I'm takin' this if you don't want it, Bobby, I'm freezing!"
"Well, obviously I don't need it." His tanned, bare upper body suddenly turned icy blue and transparent almost, crystallizing over his skin and shimmering in the dim light. Then he grew serious, defrosting himself, and pushed open the door softly. "Time to move."
The two teens shot out of the cell, quickly taking in their surroundings, in search for any teammates. Jubilee moved along three empty cells, tracing her fingers along the bars lightly.
"I thought Rahne, Amara, and Danielle were in here before. I never heard anyone leave." She questioned, peaking in the cells through shadows.
"That's cause you were snoring Jubes, you passed out right after the massage." Bobby remarked quickly. "I heard them leave, forcefully. I never saw who took them though, it wasn't the right angle."
"Oh, right." Jubilee gave a sheepish grin, looking down at her feet. "Well, let's keep searching! They all couldn't have disappeared!" Bobby gave her a doubtful look. "Right?"
"Under these circumstances, there's no telling. But you're right, we've got to keep looking."
They quickly dashed through the closest door, keeping their eyes peeled for anything to jump out in front of them or grab them. Luckily, it seemed that they were alone and undetected, yet there was the uneasy feeling among them of being silently watched. Jubilee couldn't help but shudder, not because the chill in the air, and clung closer to Bobby. When she was almost on his heels, he whipped around and gave her a soft, concerned look.
"What's wrong, Jubes, you're not scared are ya?" He challenged her, giving her a soft smirk and wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"No!" She blurted a little too quickly, and blushed. "I'm just freaked, you know. Feels like were being watched by some sinister force or something. And I'm not bein' clichéd, Bobby, I really have that feeling!'
"Well, if you say so. Stick close to me then." Bobby whispered; his protective instincts heightening as he watched Jubilee shudder again. He drew her close, wrapping his other arm around her. "Come one Jubes, I'm right here. You don't have to be scared. I've never known you for the chicken type."
Jubilee looked up at him uneasily. "Yeah, well, I've never been kidnapped or thrown in a cell either now." Despite the cold, Bobby's body against hers brought some warmth, giving her a little more confidence. "You've got my back, right?"
"Always," he whispered, and started to continue, making sure she was close behind him. They continued down another hall, moving through a door, and found another empty cell.
"What, what if they're all being tortured?!" Jubilee almost shrieked, her voice shaking uneasily. Bobby suddenly gripped her by the shoulders, not roughly, softly and calmly.
"Listen Jubes, I'm not gonna let anyone touch you, okay? I need you to keep it together so we can find the others." Jubilee nodded at his stern tone, and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.
"Sorry, I guess I've been locked up too long."
Bobby nodded solemnly, and continued down the hall with Jubilee trailing him. As two voices filled the air near them, both halted to a stop. Jubilee clung onto Bobby, her fingernails almost digging into his bare arms. It didn't bother him, just as long as she kept quiet. The voices were soft, close, and did not sound threatening. They sounded familiar.
"...sitting around here waiting isn't going to do any good."
"...should try to break out or something and get the others."
"Shush! I heard something!"
As Bobby and Jubilee inched closer, a blast of electricity darted across the ground at their feet.
"Ray!!!" Jubilee screamed irritably, but instantly clamped her hands over her mouth.
"Jubilee? That you out there?" The male voice asked. Bobby and Jubilee cautiously stepped into view of the cell, finding Ray and Tabitha trapped on the other side of the bars.
"Hey guys, you bustin' out too?" Tabitha asked wildly, jumping up onto her feet and dragging Ray up.
"Yeah, we're trying to find out what's going on around here." Bobby supplied, icing the lock as he did. Ray and Tabitha waited as he froze the lock, then smashed it with his fist. The shattering sound cut through the air, causing Bobby to cringe. "Sorry about that."
"Nice technique, Snowman." Tabitha stated as she brushed past Bobby, Ray following her. "I myself would really like to find out what's----"
"Don't you dare try that on me!!!!"
Tabitha was silenced by a shout from nearby, on the other side of the door.
"What are we waiting for?" Ray demanded, and charged at the door in a mad dash. Throwing his six-foot-three frame and one hundred eighty-five pounds self against the door, Ray slammed it with his shoulder roughly, knocking the door open with a crack. Inside were Rogue, Jamie, and Mastermind, all staring at Ray in the doorway. Bobby jumped past him and fired off a sheet of ice aimed at Mastermind, who stood inches from Rogue trapped in a chair. The ice blast knocked him against the wall, holding him like frozen glue. Jamie however, stamped his foot and became five clones, then lunged at Bobby and Ray. Jubilee and Tabitha had to jump to the side, as the five Jamies tackled the two guys in front of them. Avoiding the scramble, the two girls rushed towards Rogue, while Mastermind started to break free.
"Hold still Rogue!" Jubilee warned, as she and Tabitha combined their powers on the thick, tight binding around Rogue's wrists. It succumbed quickly, freeing her in a matter of seconds. At the same time, Mastermind broke free of the ice sheet trapping him, covering the floor with shards of ice. He advanced toward the three girls threateningly, but Rogue lunged at him instead. Mastermind tried to block her, but failed as Rogue blocked his arm and grabbed his face with her bare hand.
The transfer kicked in, immediately, almost overwhelming Rogue with thoughts, images, secrets, and emotions, as well as the power that Mastermind wielded so well. She stumbled backwards into Jubilee and Tabitha's arms, while Mastermind sank to the floor in a dazed heap, drifting towards a forceful slumber.
Jamie, as only himself, crashed onto the ground near the girls, grunting in pain. Ray and Bobby appeared in the room, looking like they did just have a great scuffle. His shirt in tatters, Ray stepped up closer to the girls, Bobby as well, who had a busted lip.
"Can you change him, Rogue?" Bobby asked quickly, rubbing his bare arm against his lip. Rogue stood up awkwardly at first, and almost fell down onto Jamie. Ray and Bobby caught her, making sure to keep careful, since their arms and upper bodies were mostly bare. Rogue dropped onto her knees, pressed her hands on Jamie's broad shoulders to pin him down, and gazed into his eyes. Without a word, her eyes glowed a tint of bright blue, and she started to search his memories.
Mastermind had replaced a large chunk of Jamie's memories with false truths about the X-men and his loyalties. Rogue took heed to carefully reverse the process, restoring his real memories and ridding him of the fake ones. However, as she did, she realized something.
Jamie rubbed his eyes and groaned, looking like he was aching all over. Mostly though, during the scuffle, his shirt had been ripped in some places and he'd only received one punch across the jaw, not counting all the hits on his clones. His fall had been roughly on his back, but he was still faring okay.
"Ugh, anyone wanna tell me what happened?" Jamie asked groggily, looking around the room. Rogue suddenly grabbed Bobby's bare arm, with her gloved hand, and pulled him within earshot of her whisper.
"Where are the others?"
Bobby shook his head. "I don't know; Ray and Tabitha were the only ones Jubilee and I came by."
"Ah know where Sam is," Rogue suddenly blurted. "We need to move fast to find the others."
As Bobby nodded, and turned toward the others, Rogue clutched his shoulder. "But that's not all. When Ah absorbed Mastermind, I snatched an important chunk of information from his mind. Ah, Ah know who's behind all of this, the kidnapping, the plan, and Ah know a way out of this place."
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A/N: Only a few chapters to go; big battle next one, while the last will be some fluff and tying things up. Please review!!