Shout outs:
The Uncanny R-Man: No, sinister isn't a clue. I'm sure it seemed that way though. Big fight'sin this chapter.
ishandahalf: You'll find out in this chapter.
LanceIsHot: Don't worry, the answer is in this chapter.
X-TREM-X23: She's a young girl in this, but she's like 15. And the request; might happen, maybe.
LadyDeathStrike1: Here's more.
Disclaimer: I don't own X-men Evolution.
Chapter 7: No More Captivity
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bobby stared at her for a long time, giving his own guess at who the perpetrator of their kidnapping could be. Before he could ask though, Rogue darted toward the others.
"It's time to go. We've got to find the others." She stated sternly, receiving nods from the other four. Bobby still wanted to know who was behind everything, who was Mastermind working for, but he followed Rogue out of the door. They darted down a few tunnels, Rogue in front, as she knew now where everything was. With Mastermind's knowledge, finding the others would be much easier.
More cells soon came into to view, though they were empty.
"Dammit! The must have already been taken!" Ray shouted angrily, slamming his fist against the wall.
"They're nearby," Rogue whispered, and took off again. Nobody questioned her; only exchanging confused glances, and took off after her.
They reach Sam less than a minute later. Jamie and Bobby helped support him as the group of escapees departed again. The only mutants left to find were Roberto, Amara, Rahne, and Danielle. Bobby suspected Rogue had referred to the three girls when the empty cells had been found.
After jogging through a few more tunnels, they found Roberto in a lone cell, sleeping peacefully. Jubilee shattered the lock with a sizzling burst of energy, and stormed into the cell. Grabbing onto Roberto by his shirt, she shook him violently.
"Wake up sleepyhead!"
Roberto's eyes opened slowly, and a small smile appeared on his lips. "Come all this way to wake me, Jubes?"
Jubilee sighed angrily and tossed him on the floor, while Bobby expected Rogue to take off into a run again. Oddly, she simply strolled cautiously to a door nearby. Jubilee and Roberto joined the others as they trailed Rogue slowly. Ahead of them, she reached the door and softly pushed it open.
The group entered a large room seemingly empty, until Rogue moved over to the tired forms of Amara, Rahne, and Dani. Before they could try to resist her, she forced her way into their fuddled memories, and just like she'd done to Jamie, diminished the lies and allowed the true memories to resurface in the three girls' minds. After a moment, they were looking around awkwardly.
"Join the club of confusion," Jamie said with a smirk. "I was controlled too." The three girls nodded and stood up gauchely, seeking aid from their nearby friends. Bobby took this opportunity to question Rogue.
"Wanna tell me who did this to all of us?" He asked her, receiving a slight glance.
"I can't really explain it, but---"
Rogue stopped mid sentence as the double doors to the side exploded open, and three figures hurdled backwards to them. One crashed into Bobby and Rogue, while the other two managed to rebound off the ground and spring onto their feet.
Pushing himself out from underneath the figure, Bobby found a frowning Remy.
"Well hello, chere, glad ta find you again. I was gettin' tired of those two crazy mutants over dere." Remy stated, ignoring Bobby, and glaring over at a recovered Logan and X23. The two fighters stared with anticipation, as they eyed the doors they'd just been tossed through only seconds ago. A floating figure drifted into the room, a cape fluttering behind them.
"I was startin' to think you'd given up, bub!" Logan snarled at the floating figure. A low chuckled sounded through the air, as the figure drifted onto the ground.
"And I was starting to feel like you were giving up."
By now, everyone knew who the stranger was, if not before, but after the recognizable voice. Some gave themselves a kick for not realizing who it was before, while others felt quite confused.
Bobby muttered darkly, "Magneto."
"Wait a minute! I thought you and the Professor were friends again, not enemies!" Jubilee demanded.
"I'm not his enemy, Jubilation, I simply have different perspectives and motives than your dear mentor."
"Save the talk till after the fight! You'll have plenty of explaining to so then!" Logan roared at Magneto, and then charged wildly at him. Without much effort, Magneto halted him a few feet away and lifted him into the air. With his metal controlling powers and Logan's adamantium skeleton, dealing with the feral mutant would be simple. Magneto whirled his wrist around, spinning Logan's body around, slowly at first. As his rotation increased, his claws suddenly faced the others, and Magneto launched him like a human drill. The mutants in the middle jumped to the side, avoiding the attack. Logan stopped in mid air, turned a round by Magneto, and jerked through the air before slamming against a pillar. Noticing her predecessor's demise, yet acting wildly, X23 leapt forward with rage. Her movement halted instantly, for less than second, and then she was sent reeling backwards.
When she hit the ground, the rest of the mutants attacked Magneto with their respective powers. The Master of Magnetism dodged and blocked most of the attacks, using metal objects in the room as shields and projectiles. Every couple of blocks he'd cast a projectile in the general direction of his foes, or send a magnetic pulse that took down anyone close to him.
Remy and Rogue took more strategically innovative routes, trying to ambush or surprise Magneto. Remy took off first, from the side, lunging at Magneto with his staff in hand. But the older mutant was keen of his surroundings, and caught him by dropping and thrusting the younger mutant over himself with his foot. As Remy toppled onto the floor, Rogue sprinted from the same side, reaching out at Magneto's exposed face with bare hands. However, he caught both her wrist, struggled slightly, and then flipped her behind him similar to what he'd just done to Remy.
When Rogue slid along the ground, Magneto quickly jumped to his feet, now more irritated, and focused his powers on the room itself. The walls, ceiling, and floor shuddered violently before crumbling and rupturing while metal pipes, bars, and other objects he could manipulate emerged. His opponents were all knocked to the floor, giving them a disadvantage as metal coils snaked around them and trapped them. Logan and X23 hopped to their feet quicker than the others did, and both dived at Magneto. A casual flick of the wrist sent them both spinning wildly, claws out, as the spun dangerously overhead. Remy also managed to escape the coils, only to be batted to the side by a large pipe when he tried to advance on Magneto.
The New Mutants used their respective powers to try to free themselves, while the others, with powers not suited for their trapped dilemma, struggled with strength. Rogue however, had managed to escape the coils by sinking into the shadows, barely noticeable by Magneto. When he did finally notice her, the older mutant sent waves of metal pieces like throwing darts at a dartboard. Rogue was the unlucky target, yet she managed to our run most of the projectiles.
Magneto started to jog to keep up his attack against her, when Remy took the opportunity he'd waited for. As the older man broke into a quick stride, Remy hurled his long staff through the air, where it came in between Magneto' legs, just as he was in mid stride. The Master of Metal became twisted up because of the staff, and lost his balance, falling to the ground.
Rogue spun out of the way as a piece of metal pierced through a pillar she'd just run by a split second before. Noting that the time was right, she broke into a faster dash at Magneto. By the time he was onto his knees, she tackled him onto his back. He managed to block one of her gloved hands, but the other one slapped onto his face.
The others watched as the absorption commenced, and both mutants cried out slightly. Rogue held on enough to retrieve answer and knock him out, but she preferred not to store such a big chunk of his psyche in her mind. Then silence greeted the group, as Rogue slipped into Remy's strong arms, giving a soft groan as she did. Remy lifted her up in his arms, making sure to keep from any skin contact. Logan took one look at Magneto, and tossed him over his shoulder.
"Is everyone okay?" He asked, surveying the mutants around him. Everyone seemed more or less fine, despite how they felt about the situation. Most just wanted to get out and back home. There was much to explain to the Professor.
The group waited anxiously as X23 exited the room, returning a few minutes later with Mastermind unconscious. Ray helped her carry the man, as the rest waited for someone to lead.
Logan led the way, taking the others back to the hole in the ceiling. It was a slow process, but with the aid of their powers, everyone made it to the surface. Night still reigned, and most of the New Mutants were tired, due to their lack of sleep. And it was a long walk back to the mansion, since they did not have any vehicles large enough to support all of them. Therefore, the trek back started with silence. Everyone felt glad to be free of captivity, but most were more concerned about Magneto. They'd really thought that he and the Professor were on the same side. The sudden event now though, easily changed their minds.
The group moved along quietly, the New Mutants gathered in their respective couples. Bobby had his arm around Jubilee, and she ad her head resting on his shoulder. Sam and Rahne, both shy, still kept close to each other where their arms kept brushing against each other. Ray had his arm around Tabitha's waist, while she had her arms locked around his chest. They had to walk slowly to keep intertwined, but the didn't care. Amara and Roberto were very close as well, keeping each one arm intertwined. Jamie and Dani walked close, but not as close as the others did, as they were mainly close for comfort after their ordeal. Logan and X23 continued to lead the way, while Remy held Rogue close, having set her on her feet a while back. Minutes drifted by quickly, and finally they were near.
None took off in an excited sprint. They were joyous to finally be home, but they were too tired to express it. All they could do was smile, and remember that things were finally back to normal.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A/N: Next chapter has plenty o' fluff between the couples, as well as the motives behind the kidnapping. It's the last chapter. Please review!!