Thanks to:
Furygrrl – Where's Jean? I'm afraid you won't find out here! It's sadly a Jean-free zone. But the next chapter will feature gratuitous Jean! She will confront Apocalypse, although whether she does it soon or with the other X-Men I refuse to tell – ain't I mean? On a related subject, my bio gets updated whenever I have an idea and I've updated this evening on a possible Evo-Over 18 fic (but I stand by what I say – one multi-chapter at a time!) which just seems to have arrived in my brain whole. About my Evo-over 18 post, I'm back in college tomorrow and bricking myself about the perfect people that seem to surround the original Miss small-dark-and-sullen (that would be PB) that I'm imagining will be there, which is why I felt kinda disassociated with Jean. Normally I love Jean, especially today when I went to an ice-cream parlour and read the new 'Essential X-Men' which featured Jean being really bitchy to Emma Frost. I think Emma is really cool, but Jean made her look like a total amateur, although I don't think anyone appreciated my "Go Jean!" comment, made very loudly!
Oceanbang – I have to admit, I have no plans with the Horsemen right now. I've not got that far ahead of the fic. All I know is that they will be different to the show and the groups who go to confront them will be different too! Maybe not all four, but at least two of them.
Enfant-terrible – It would have been fun to do the Phoenix in Jean/Rogue's mind but to be honest I think it would take a writer with a lot more talent and knowledge of the saga to do. There will be more Pyro/Jean love, although it might be kinda ambiguous and you will defiantly have to wait for it. Sorry!
XX-Goth-Gal – You are so right about Jean being like Xavier and I never noticed until you pointed it out! I read somewhere that good sub-plots just happen and I guess this is an example, I didn't intend that but it's a damn good analogy. This chapter has no Jean, but I hope you enjoy the Rogue/Kurt plots. Later chapters will contain Lancitty and Jean sub-plots.
X00001 – If Logan did that, it would ruin all the fun!
LadyEvils – I'm beginning to feel sorry for Scott too, and it's me tormenting him! Will Mystique end up over the cliff? I dunno, but Rogue has some one else she hates more than mamma-kin now…
UniversalAnimeGirl – I hope you got my mail! I mentioned you in my bio coz I was having trouble with the sequel and it was your reminder about Rogue's power being psychological that made the love aspects of this fic, not to mention the transcripts site that saves me about an hour in front of my video! I liked your ideas and would check them out. And I will be nicer to Scott from now on as well as giving Lance and Kitty a chapter to themselves to work out Lance's angst. I know that she wasn't seen having some of the personalities drained, but I'm choosing to believe that it's because the action was elsewhere. And the 'Jean went Rogue' comment cracked me up too – I hadn't thought of that!
Kurttyscogue – Kurt finds out a few home truths here, although I'm saving Kitty and Lance for the next chapter.
Raphaella – It does seem to have gone a long way from the beginning, when I just kinda wondered how Jean would fit in with the Brotherhood! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Rogue14 – The New Recruits don't have much to do in this chapter but I intend to rectify that!
Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men.
Author Note - this is an identical chapter to the other chapter nine, save for me rectifying a glaring oversite that Furygrrl pointed out to me and I managed not to notice in spite of my checks!
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Professor Xavier glanced up at Logan as he approached. The look on Wolverine's face told him that the hunt for Jean Grey had turned up nothing. Rather than comment, Xavier turned his attention back to where the New Recruits were playing basketball. There were rather too many powers being used to say the game was fair, but at least they were no longer upset about Jean delving into their minds.
"Couldn't find her," growled Logan. "She's too advanced."
"Yes." The Professor kept his eyes on the game.
"So…how's Rogue?"
"She'll be fine physically." Professor Xavier finally turned his head to look at Logan. "But this whole experience has left her very weak. And poor Kurt…"
"What about him?"
The Professor sighed. "Rogue allowed me to enter her mind. It was confused, but I found out what Jean had been hiding from her. Mystique may well be Kurt's mother."
Logan grimaced. "Oh boy."
"On top of which, she also adopted Rogue when she was four. Destiny foresaw what her powers would be and took advantage of her orphaned status to gain control of them. She's tormented. She's found out things that would drive anyone out of their minds, let alone a teenage girl who already has issues about being used for her powers."
"Not good." Logan thought about it. "Have you told Kurt about his past?"
"I had to. I couldn't keep the knowledge from him."
"How did he take it?"
"Not well. He's spent most of his time since talking to Mystique, who's nothing but a statue. He needs answers, but there's no way for him to get them."
"And Rogue?"
"She's still retaining some of Jean's powers, her telekinesis, but the telepathy and the enhancements Jean got from Magneto's machine have gone. I have no idea if she can still control her powers or not, she refuses to even try to touch anyone else. She's very upset. She doesn't want to talk to anyone."
"Not even Scott?"
"Especially not Scott. He feels as though he was manipulated. He has no idea who it was that he fell for, whether it was Rogue or if Jean did something to him."
"Did she?"
"She didn't alter his mind. But Jean has been masquerading as Rogue for a long time. From what I can tell from them, Scott and Rogue only began dating after Jean had taken over. He feels used and Rogue doesn't know what to do."
"Has she spoken to Kurt?"
"They're in the gazebo right now. I don't want to intrude, but I think Kurt's glad to have found out they're siblings of a sort. Rogue's been too badly hurt by the whole issue. I imagine that Kurt is the least of her concerns right now."
Logan glanced in the direction of the gazebo. "And Scott?"
"In the Danger Room."
"Mystique?"
"No change. I've let Forge take her with him. He's gone back to the Brotherhood. I haven't told Rogue or Kurt yet, but it was upsetting Rogue to have her around although Kurt might not take it well."
"When are you gonna tell them?"
"Oh, I'm not…"
At the gazebo, Rogue was leaning against the railing looking over the cliffs. Kurt was sitting on the bench, his tail twitching nervously. She was obviously in no mood to talk, but Kurt decided to try anyway. "Logan's still out trying to track down our loving mother."
"Go away."
"Huh. Is that any way to treat your little brother?"
"Rogue turned around, eyes blazing. "We're not related!"
"Oh, now that's just denial talking."
"Mystique may have given birth to you, but she only adopted me." Rogue turned her back on him and began staring out to sea again.
"Either way sis, we're in this together. I mean it Rogue."
Rogue didn't reply.
"Whatever you're going through, I'm here for you OK?"
There was still no answer. Sighing, Kurt stood up and thought about teleporting away, but when he saw Logan approaching he decided not to. The man had only just returned from his search for Jean and he might have brought news. Whatever it was, good or bad; Kurt was determined to be there for his newfound sister.
Logan stopped on the gazebo and cleared his throat to get Rogue's attention. She turned and raised an eyebrow, obviously wanting to know if Jean had been found but not able to bring herself to ask.
"No sign of her," said Logan bluntly. "You've no idea where she could have gone?"
"How would ah know?"
Logan frowned, feeling sympathetic for the girl but not knowing how to show it. "Try not to let things get to ya."
"Nothing gets to me anymore."
Logan and Kurt exchanged glances and Logan tried again. "Y'know what, uh, what Apocalypse and Jean did to you, that wasn't your fault…Rogue?"
"Ah'm fine Logan."
"Ok."
Rogue glanced over her shoulder. "Why does the Professor have to keep Mystique around here anyway?"
"You don't have to worry about that anymore Rogue. She's gone."
Both Rogue and Kurt looked shocked.
"We tried everything he could to help her, but she's just solid stone now."
"So where is she?" asked Kurt.
"Gave her to the Brotherhood."
"WHAT!?" Kurt leapt up, yellow eyes gleaming. Logan was startled. Angry Kurt was like being attacked by a kitten.
"Charles knew how much it affected Rogue having her around…"
"So you just gave her away? I don't believe it! The Professor gave our mother to the Brotherhood!"
Rogue snorted. "So what?" She walked past Logan and Kurt back toward the mansion.
Kurt teleported in front of her, stopping her in her tracks.
"Seriously, it doesn't bother you that the Brotherhood boys have her?"
"Why would it? Good riddance!"
"She belongs here, with us!"
"No she doesn't! Why does it even matter to you?"
Rogue walked away, Kurt watching her sadly. "It made me feel better…that's all."
Logan walked up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Listen Elf, I know what you must be going through…"
Kurt shook his hand off. "You don't know anything." He teleported away, leaving Logan wishing that the Professor had done his own dirty work.
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Forge sat on the floor of the bedroom that he and Mystique had briefly shared in the Brotherhood house. Pietro had been tormenting him ever since his return with the stone Mystique, but Forge knew that he didn't really have anywhere else to go. His parents had been pissed when he'd left and he didn't know how he'd explain the statue to them, especially when he told them it was actually his shape-shifting girlfriend who'd been turned into stone by an ancient mutant. They'd never let him leave the house again.
He was working on a device that he hoped would transform her back into human form. So far, nothing he'd tried had worked. It didn't help that he had no idea how he could possibly reverse the process and he was afraid of hurting her or making things worse. All he could think of was to somehow remove her mutation and so far he hadn't succeeded.
There was a hammering on the door, Fred again no doubt. He'd been trying to persuade Forge that since she was just stone now, it wouldn't hurt her if they used her as a gargoyle. Forge had been horrified by both the suggestion and the disrespect that the rest of the Brotherhood treated her with. The only person who seemed to have any sympathy for the woman was Wanda.
"Piss off Fred!" he yelled.
The door flew open and a blue and white streak entered the room and left with the statue. Snarling, Forge ran downstairs after Pietro, noticing the boy stood at the door to the kitchen with Fred and Todd also crowded around the door.
"Where is she?" asked Forge, trying to push past Fred. Might as well try to move a mountain.
"Shhhh!" Pietro turned his attention back to the kitchen, where Tabby was humming to himself and making a snack. She opened a cupboard and Mystique fell out pinning her to the floor. Tabby shoved the statue to one side and began making several large bombs.
"You know your trouble Tabby?" Pietro tried to dodge the barrage. "You've got no sense of humour."
Forge hurried over to Mystique and picked her up carefully. There seemed to be no change, even her terrified expression remained the same. Closing his eyes, he thought he smelled brimstone and wondered if he was already in hell.
Wanda walked down the stairs with a look of disgust on her face. "You immature clods."
"Ain't no disrespect if she's just a big ole chunk o' stone," insisted Fred.
"Yeah," added Toad. "And I heard that stone don't have any feelings." Toad shot out his tongue, hooked Mystique and yanked her right out of Forges hands and into his own. He knocked on her head. "Hello, McFly!"
"You give her back right now!" Forge ran over to Toad and tried to wrestle Mystique off him. They struggled briefly before Fred pulled her away from both of them.
"What do you care?" asked Todd, attempting to stare down Forge. "She's just a statue."
"You don't know that!"
"If nothing else, you should at least take her to see Agatha Harkness," added Wanda. "Maybe she could help her."
Fred stood the statue upright in the living room and Todd hopped on her shoulders. Putting his hand to his chin, Fred came up with an idea. "Hey, you know something? Tomorrow I say we make her into a fountain."
"Brilliant!" Todd leapt onto the boy's shoulders as he walked out of the room. "That way she could scare away the crows. And the garbage man!"
Forge watched the boys walk out of the room, an angry look on his face. "Don't worry," he said to Mystique quietly. "I won't let them hurt you. I'll fix this somehow, I promise."
"Hey Forge!" Pietro appeared at the door with a strange looking gun in his hands. "Found this in your room. What does it do?"
"Be careful!" Forge grabbed the statue and hit the deck, just in time to avoid being blasted by a red beam. He glared up at the smoking pile that had once been a chair and then at Pietro, who was grinning nervously.
"Uh…bye!" Pietro zipped off, chased by a much slower but very irate Forge, who left Mystique where she lay.
Kurt emerged from his hiding place, fortunately a different chair than the one Pietro had blasted, sneaking over to Mystique and grabbing hold of her.
A noise in the doorway made him look up. Wanda was glaring at him, her hands glowing with energy. "You're in the wrong house, X-Man."
"Wait!" Kurt raised his hands in the hopes of warding off an attack. "She – she's my mother."
Wanda paused, a look of pity on her face, then abruptly lowered her arms and left the room. With a sigh of relief, Kurt took hold of the statue and teleported from the house, wondering vaguely what Forge was going to think about this.
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"Scott?"
Rogue walked into the kitchen, seeing the boy making a sandwich. He stiffened as he heard her voice, then turned to face her. He didn't smile and his expression was impossible to read behind his shades.
"Scott, ah…" Rogue ran a hand through her hair and sighed. "Ah don't know what to say. Ah had no idea…ah mean, this is all so…"
"Yeah." Scott put his plate on the table. "I know what you mean. I just – I can't get over it at the moment. I'm having a hard time with this Rogue. I need some space."
"Yeah, fine." Rogue walked out of the kitchen, trying to blink back tears. She had admired Scott for so long and now Jean had messed it up for her, used her body to date Scott and then left Rogue to pick up the pieces of his shattered ego. Right now she really didn't want to deal with anyone, not Kitty's well-meant attempts at understanding or Kurt's efforts to get to know her. All she wanted was to be left alone with her anger.
As she walked past Kurt's room, she heard his voice talking to some one. The door was open a crack and she took it upon herself to peek inside and see who it was.
"Why were you so full of anger?"
Rogue's eyes widened as she realised that the other person in the room wasn't a person at all, but a statue. Mystique. She threw the door open in fury.
"You DARE bring that THING into this house!?"
Kurt looked up, startled. "Rogue, she can't hurt us anymore!"
"Speak for yourself!"
Rogue turned her back and tried to get control of herself. Kurt approached her cautiously. "I know you have every reason to hate her. So do I – I mean, look what she's done to us! But she's still our mother."
"You have no idea what she's done to me," replied Rogue, her voice low and shaking with anger. "You don't know what I went through at the Brotherhood thanks to her and Jean Grey. Either you get her outta here or I will!"
"Rogue…" Kurt rested his hand on his sister's shoulder. "Anger and hatred destroyed her. If you don't get rid of yours, it will destroy you too."
"It already destroyed me." Rogue shook off his hand and stormed out of the room. Kurt stared after her for a moment, trying to deny what she had just said to him…then he heard a small noise behind him. He turned to see the statue crying.
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"…Nothing can be seen in it and apparently nothing can penetrate it…"
"…Mexican authorities have posted military units around the perimeter…"
"…Once again, two archaeologists have discovered a…"
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"What's the progress?" asked Beast.
Scott walked toward the dome, conscious of how he looked in his uniform in front of all the soldiers. "They're leery of us and I don't blame them."
"Let's move quickly," responded Xavier as the military left them. "They're not giving us a lot of time."
Most of the team busied themselves placing electronic devices in the ground, while the Professor tried to get a telepathic reading from the dome. He frowned. "I'm being blocked."
The Beast shrugged as he posted another device into the ground. "So let's shoot some particle rays through this thing and get a few readings."
He activated the devices, which all glowed brightly for a moment then exploded. Beast sighed. "On to plan B."
He retrieved a bag from the X-Jet and pulled a thick pair of elbow-length gloves from them, handing them to Kitty. She pulled them on, wiggling her fingers to ensure they were a snug fit, before walking over to the dome, ignoring the looks that Lance was giving her.
"As you phase your arms through, these should protect you from any kind of energy discharge," said the Beast, handing Kitty a large device that looked like a gun. Lance scowled, but chose not to comment.
Xavier added, "Just release the probe and withdraw. Do not try to phase all the way through under any circumstances."
Kitty nodded. "OK."
She approached the dome, the probe whirring like a giant drill. Putting it to the side of the dome, she managed to get maybe a quarter of an inch into the side of the dome before a massive power surge threw her aside. Lance ran over and tried to catch her, flying backward as her momentum carried them away from the dome, her gloves still smoking. Beast grabbed the probe, which was still spitting sparks, throwing it up into the air before it exploded.
"Are you OK?" asked Lance frantically.
Kitty nodded. "I-I'm OK."
Scott put one hand to his visor. "Want me to try?"
"NO!" shouted the Professor. "We must avoid any active aggression."
Lance helped Kitty to her feet before pointing to the sky. "Do you mean, like that?"
A metal object shaped more like a bullet than a sphere approached at high speed. The Professor gasped as spotlights sought out the object. It flew twice around the dome before turning into a ball and an opening appeared at the top. Magneto floated out, indicating with his hands for the metal to fly into the dome. It did so, breaking into pieces and leaving not so much as a scratch. The people on the ground fled as metal showered down upon them.
The X-Men could see the gathering of the objects that Magneto used, from the tanks on the ground to the satellites pulled out of orbit to join the assault. They floated around Magneto briefly before hurtling down to the dome. They all hit with deadly force, yet not one of them penetrated. More satellites re-entered the earths atmosphere, glowing red hot upon re-entry, the three of them joining together as they flew toward the dome.
It was at that point that Apocalypse emerged from the dome.
Magneto re-directed the burning metal toward the figure hovering above the pyramid. A mere gesture by Apocalypse caused the deadly mass to turn away from him and hurl back toward Magneto. Startled, Magneto dodged to one side, avoiding the missile by mere inches.
Apocalypse clenched his fist.
Magneto began to scream as he was engulfed in a shower of sparks that seemed to get smaller and smaller, until in the blink of an eye, they had vanished – along with the Master of Magnetism.
"No…" The word was on the lips of everyone on the ground, particularly those who knew how tenacious Magneto was. It seemed impossible that anyone could ever get the better of him – and yet he had just been reduced to atoms.
Apocalypse re-entered the dome, turning his head at the last moment to make eye contact with the Professor. Xavier was devastated about Magneto and although he knew he couldn't afford to lose sight of the bigger picture, the eyes of the thing that had just murdered his oldest friend made his blood run cold.
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Kurt waited on the gazebo.
The setting was almost romantic, the scent of the ocean and the view that could only come at night, the almost total blackness and the background roar that was the backdrop of the water. He wished he were on a date, with some pretty girl who had come to listen to the sound of the sea with him…
It was not to be. He was waiting for a self-proclaimed witch to help release his mother from her petrified state, to help her get her life back.
He was beginning to lose hope. Wanda had said she would contact Agatha Harkness, but what if this were just another Brotherhood joke? To leave him out here with the unfeeling stone that was his mother would be the ultimate retribution.
Yet in the distance he fancied he could see a figure approaching. He narrowed his eyes, better than anyone else for night vision, until he distinguished the figure of an elderly woman approaching. It had to be her.
"Finally," said Kurt pointedly as the woman walked onto the gazebo. "I was afraid you wouldn't show."
Agatha ignored him, choosing instead to focus her attention on Mystique. She traced a finger across the statues face, Kurt waiting hopefully for some good news.
"Well? Can you help her?"
Agatha removed her hood. "No. But she can."
They both turned to the shadows surrounding the entrance to the gazebo, Kurt's eyes widening as he realised it was Rogue approaching.
"Rogue?" Kurt let himself believe that his sister might care after all. "Why are you here?"
"She's here to end the torment," said Agatha gently. "Isn't that right child?"
Rogue clenched her fists decisively. "Yes."
Agatha pointed toward Mystique. "If your mother is alive, only you have the power to save her. Rest your hand against the stone and absorb the mutation."
"Hold on a moment," said Kurt. "Is that even safe? What if she…"
"A moment is all it will take," interrupted Agatha. "It will free Mystique enough to unlock her own powers."
Rogue glanced down at her hands. "You're serious? Ah'm the only one that can save her?"
"Rogue, it's the right thing." Kurt indicated to the statue. "You know it is."
Shaking her head, Rogue backed away. "No! Ah won't do it!"
"If you don't help her, this will haunt you for the rest of your life," said Kurt softly. "Prove that you're not like her."
Rogue walked back to Mystique and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her face was angry. She yanked off the glove on her right hand and laid her hand on Mystique.
The woman's figure began to change from stone, becoming more fluid, the expression changing from fear to acceptance.
And then the statue opened her eyes.