Disclaimer: This sometimes gets old…but alas, I admit, I do own the X-men…or at least I used to!! Nah, just kidding…I don't. No, really I don't, I was only joking! (everyone watches as I'm taken away!) Reality Check: No, I unfortunately don't own the X-men, I am just a loyal fan!

Author's Note: Things are going to get sticky, so please bear with me. This story will have much more to it. School, unfortunately, is keeping me very busy, but I am trying the best I can to keep updating no matter what. I promise this story won't leave you without an ending! I have to tell ya that my sister actually thought the last chapter was freaky with Evan's eyes going to the back of his head and she refuses, no joke, to talk about my story at night! I thought that was pretty funny… but hey, I love mystery and that kind of freaky stuff. Well, enough of me, and on with the show!! Read, Review, and ENJOY!

Feedback: Of course, and you know it! I would love to hear about what you guys think about this, please don't read and not review… it ruins my day cause a long time ago, I used to do it and realized that it was very important, so now I review everything I read for the sake of the authors. I'm just a poor useless soul who feeds off of comments, so please, have some pity. By the way, no flames. Only constructive criticism… of course, you probably already knew that (hits herself on the forehead).

Slickboy444: Hey again, fellow forumer!! Glad ya liked the Scott/Jean moments, they are my fave couple. Glad you're also a Logan/Ororo shipper. Yeah, I tell ya that this story has a very mysterious side to it, or at least I hope it does! I appreciate your reviews and the comments on what you like in the story… also glad I have you drawn in!! Enjoy this chapter!!

Lil Jean: I know that Loro could never match up to Jott, but hey, they at least come in at second. Thanks for reading and reviewing, I appreciate it!

Wen: I know: Kitty and Kurt ruined a good moment, but ah well, there will probably be others….maybe!! Just joking! Thank you for taking the time to read this… glad you think it's interesting, it will get more so! Enjoy reading!

Sweet-destiny3: Thank you for pushing me to write. Hey, I'm against one of the best, y'know?! So glad that you like this story and I hope you're ready for all the surprises that are soon coming (I can see you now, running!) Thanks for holding in there, and appreciate your patience.

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Sacrifice

By: pinkchick

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Chapter 3

Quiet beeping could be heard throughout the pale white room. Weak breathing through an oxygen mask unnerved the occupants in the room. Dr. McCoy's white med lab coat swooshed back and forth as he made sure the patient was stabilized and his tests were being performed accurately. The machines were the only sounds that could be heard other than the common sigh from one of the occupants. Everyone there looked to the lone figure on the bed. Evan was laying there, perspiration running down his hot face. It was an unusual circumstance. Evan had collapsed in class and Professor Xavier had received the phone call soon after from Principal Kelly, who clearly was suspicious. The man really didn't like having mutants in his school, but he couldn't do anything about it. Afterwards, they immediately rushed Evan back home and to the med lab. Dr. McCoy, thankfully, had finally stabilized him.

"Whaddya think happened to him?" Logan gruffly asked from his seat next to Ororo, who wasn't even paying any attention to them and just staring at Evan, stroking his hand. Logan looked at her and then at Evan's unconscious form. If anyone asked his opinion, he would tell you that this had gone too far. They should've figured out what was happening as soon as he realized that the things that were going on had to do with the nightmares that Evan and Scott had seen. Logan was beginning to get worried and he wanted some answers before the nightmare caught one of the other students in it's hold.

"I'm not absolutely sure," Professor Xavier replied, his hands folded in front of him in his usual manner. He sighed. He also knew that this was getting out of hand, but he just didn't know what to do. He didn't want any more students getting hurt. "Mr. Genehova, Evan's science teacher, told me that Evan was fine one minute, and screaming the next. He informed me that he started shivering violently, he had trouble breathing and was trying to get something off of his body."

"You sure that's it?" Logan questioned, cracking his neck subconsciously.

"Yes, that is all the information that I gathered," Professor Xavier replied.

"There's something wrong going on here, I can feel it," Logan stated. He was about to say something else when Henry McCoy approached them with a concerned look on his face. Everyone straightened up and looked to him for answers on Evan's condition.

"The good news is that I've finally got him stable, but he still needs the oxygen mask," Hank explained. He sighed. "All I gathered from the tests was that he suffered a seizure and hyperventilation. His body temperature is abnormally high, but it's stable."

"Thank you, Hank," Professor Xavier said. Hank nodded and smiled a toothy grin as he checked over the machines attached to Evan. "I think we should all retire to our bedrooms. It's been a long day and we all should get some rest. We'll look for more answers tomorrow."

With that said, Professor Xavier wheeled out of the infirmary quietly with only Logan and Ororo watching his retreating figure as he disappeared into the dark metal hallway. Logan let out a long sigh as the silence filled the room once again. He got up and paced around the room before he resorted to his place behind Ororo. He began unconsciously massaging her tense shoulders. She relaxed under his touch and closed her eyes. Ororo had been so worried when they brought in Evan in his crumpled form. He was shivering, but sweat dripped from every part of his body. Ororo had stayed with him ever since. That's the way she still sat, stroking his hand, his face, making sure she was the first person he saw when he opened his eyes.

In a way, it was sad to see him like this in this state. Evan was always so healthy. Ororo sighed. All the students had been badgering her all day to come down and see Evan, but Logan and the professor had told them that they would be able to see him tomorrow. The main team were the ones who had pleaded the most with them. They wanted to make sure that their friend and fellow teammate was ok. They were all probably long asleep by now. It was past midnight. Another day of school would come tomorrow. Logan abruptly stopped massaging her shoulders and Ororo looked up at him. He sat down next to her and rubbed his hands over his face in frustration.

"Logan? Are you alright?" Ororo asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine, 'Ro," Logan responded. He got up again. "You heard the prof. We all need a good night's sleep. That especially means you, 'Ro."

"Logan, you know I can't just leave Evan. He needs me here with him," Ororo stated.

"That's why Hank is here to check up on him. You can come back in the morning," Logan pressed.

"I'll be fine, Logan," Ororo assured him. "You head on up."

"You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Yeah, 'k. But, I gotta make my rounds first," Logan said. "'Night, 'Ro."

"Sleep well, Logan," Ororo replied. She kissed him softly on the lips as he left the infirmary quietly. As she watched him leave, she looked back at Evan one last time before she laid her head down next to Evan's arm and closed her eyes and let sleep take over her body. Everything would be fine in the morning, she reassured herself. Or, at least, she hoped.

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Everything was dark. Blackness engulfed everything in her line of vision. Then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, she saw it. Orange and yellow flames lit up everything in its path. Something was wrapping itself around her neck and the rest of her body, practically choking her. She was beginning to lose oxygen, but it wouldn't come off. Something wasn't letting her get loose. It was tying her down. She couldn't breathe. Fire scorched at her body, licking at her, the flames brushing past everything near her. It was burning, the temperature rising, the heat too immense to ignore. An irritating and hideous laughter came from somewhere near and she continued struggling to get free. She tried harder, but to no avail. The fire engulfed her and she began strangling. All she could hear in the end was the maniacal laughter and feel the fire as she woke up screaming from the horrible nightmare.

"Please... don't let him come. He's coming. Make it stop. Don't let him get me, please," Rogue muttered.

Rogue sat up in her bed clutching her sides. Sweat drizzled down her pale face as her eyes adjusted to the darkness around her. The nightmare had been horrible. She closed her eyes and ran her hands up and down her untouchable arms. Rogue moved her two white strips of hair from her face and reached with her hand towards her neck. She breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that nothing was there. Her skin shivered as she shook her head to relieve herself of the horrid images clouding her mind's eye. Rogue's head snapped towards her doorway when she heard a distinct 'snikt' sound coming form outside. Her bedroom door burst open a few seconds later to welcome Wolverine who immediately began scanning the room and then, making sure that there was nothing there, walking over to Rogue's bed.

"What the hell happened?" Logan asked, a hint of worry and concern coming out in his voice. Logan watched Rogue reach over to her nightstand and put on her gloves. He sniffed the air to double check once again. There was nothing. Rogue pushed her hair behind her ears and looked up at him, trying to hide her fear from showing on her features. She rubbed at her arms again and Logan noticed this movement. He moved in to see what was wrong with her skin and when he was about an inch near it, he backed his hand away quickly. Rogue turned her face away from him. Logan knew that she hated her power. Not being able to touch was tough on anyone, especially Rogue. Hurting those close to her with just one touch wasn't on her fun list. Rogue knew that the professor called everyone's powers a gift, but to her they were a curse. Rogue figured she would have to live with it, she was getting used to wearing her gloves anyhow.

"Nothin', Logan," Rogue answered, her southern accent dripping more excessively as another shiver ran down her spine. "It was nothin'."

"Y'know somethin'?" Logan asked, drawing her attention as he scowled, a slow smirk spreading across his face. "Yer all bad liars!" Rogue managed a small smile. "You wanna know a secret -- Evan said that he was fine this mornin' and look at where the porcupine is now."

Rogue sighed. She knew Logan was right. The nightmare that she had had wasn't just a typical nightmare. It was like she was actually living it. It felt so real, as though she was really there. "Logan, please, it was just a naghtmare, ok. No big deal."

"First, Scott, then Evan, and now you, Stripes," Logan explained. "I think it is a big deal." Rogue's eyes grew wider when he said that last statement. So apparently, she wasn't the only one.

Rogue was about to say something when another scream could be heard echoing throughout the entire mansion. It came from the boy's hall. Logan immediately sprang up from the bed, but stopped to look back at Rogue. "I promise we will get to the bottom of this, kid. Don't you worry your striped head about it, alright."

Rogue nodded at him. She watched him leave her room as she hugged her knees tightly to her chest. She wanted to believe Logan's words. After all, she knew he'd do everything in his power to protect all of them. But, in this case, she believed this situation was out of anyone's hands. Even for the X-men. Rogue put her head back down on her pillow and tried to go back to sleep. She knew, deep down, that something was coming. Rogue didn't know how she knew, but she just did. Rogue knew that something was coming. He was coming, and there's nothing anyone could do about it. Rogue went to sleep with the thought of the nightmare on her mind.

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Logan ran through the mansion until he reached the boy's hallway. Another scream, meaning another one of the students had that nightmare. This was getting out of their league. If they didn't figure out what was going on now, it might be too late. The longer they waited the more of the students it would consume. He just hoped the remaining students who had seen the nightmare wouldn't collapse like Evan had. Logan was getting too worried and stressed. He wanted answers now. Why was the professor taking his time about this? He shouldn't even be that calm after what happened. Logan finally arrived at an already open door and walked in to see Professor Xavier next to Kurt's bed. Kurt sat up straighter when he saw Logan enter his room. He hugged his knees tighter. Logan couldn't stand it anymore. He shouldn't have to see any of his students like this. He thought that he had gotten over that when Scott and Jean stopped having their nightmares from when they were younger.

"He's coming, Professor," Kurt muttered as sweat stained his blue fur. "I know he is. Don't let him come for me, please, ja?" Kurt begged, his fear creeping into every word that he spoke.

"I won't, Kurt," Professor Xavier replied sadly. He looked upon Kurt with sadness in his eyes. His students were being tormented and he couldn't do anything about it. Professor Xavier looked to Logan and nodded his head in answer to what he was about to ask. Yes, Logan. Unfortunately, it was another nightmare, he sent him telepathically.

Logan nodded and sighed. Logan got closer to Kurt's bed and patted him on the shoulder. Kurt immediately jumped as if someone had caught him, then he looked up to see Logan staring at him, a grim expression on his face. Kurt's shoulders relaxed and he slumped forward, still hugging his knees. "It's gonna be alright, kid," was all Logan could offer. Kurt just nodded, a terrified expression still gracing his face.

Professor Xavier and Logan quietly walked to the door. "Sleep well, Kurt," Professor Xavier said. With that, he and Logan closed the door behind them. Logan's anger towards the situation burst out as soon as he heard the click of the door.

"Professor, you've gotta do somethin' about this!" Logan raged.

"There's nothing I can do, Logan," Professor Xavier replied sadly.

"It's not a coincidence that these nightmares have happened to four of yer students. It's not a coincidence that they all had the same symptoms when they woke up," Logan continued. "And it's probably no surprise that Jean and Kitty are next. Yer the greatest telepath there is and you can't do anything about it?!" All Logan's pent up anger burst right then and there. He was tired of waiting. He was a man of action and he couldn't just sit around and do nothing.

"Logan, I know this situation is not at all in good intentions, to say the least," Professor Xavier told him. "But, I'm afraid there's nothing we can do about it just yet. There is no information that I can work with."

"You can read their minds, Chuck," Logan suggested, losing his patience.

"I've already read Evan's. There's nothing I can gather from their nightmares. I'm sorry, Logan, but I'm sure we can gather more information tomorrow," Professor Xavier stated. He desperately wished that he could tell them what he feared he knew. Unfortunately, he couldn't for many reasons. The main one being that they couldn't handle it just yet. He also didn't want things to get out of hand which he knew that eventually they would. That's what he feared. He feared, most of all, about what would happen to his students -- his children. For now, he would wait a little longer. "Patience, my friend. Have patience. Good night."

"Yeah, good night," Logan called after him. "Patience? Right," Logan muttered under his breath. With a sigh, he returned to patrolling the rest of the mansion.

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Inside his room, Kurt still sat awake. Sleep wouldn't come and all he could see were the horrid images from his nightmare. He shuddered as the word demon passed through his mind. It was awkward, he was sometimes thought of as a demon because of the way he looked. But, inside, that's not who he was. One image stayed in his mind. It was of fire and he could hear laughter. That laughter made him cringe. It was hideous. Like a beast's. Kurt wondered what was going to happen. He knew that something was coming. Something made of pure evil and hatred, and it was coming to Bayville. Kurt didn't want to think about what was going to happen. He just wanted some sleep so he could go to school tomorrow and then come home and see Evan, if they would let him, that is. He wondered what was wrong with his friend. One moment he was fine and the next he was in the infirmary. Kurt prayed that he was ok.

Another image passed through his mind and Kurt shuddered again. What Kurt had seen was horrible. It terrified him. Something was on his body, going through his fur and prickling at his skin. It had been awful. Nothing like he had ever felt before. He didn't want to think about it. Fire was all he could feel and something tightening around his wrists and legs. He couldn't get loose. Kurt struggled and struggled but he couldn't get free. A cold breeze blew through his window just then. Kurt immediately grabbed his blankets and buried his face into his pillow. He closed his eyes and found himself finally able to go to sleep. He hoped though that the nightmare would cease and his mind would be able to sleep in peace.

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The lights in the kitchen turned off as Scott made his way towards the main hall and the stairs. He was woken up by the first scream that had sounded that night and since he couldn't go back to sleep anyhow, he decided to go down to the kitchen and grab a midnight snack. The mansion was quiet. Ororo was probably still in the med lab with Evan. It was a shock to all of them about what had happened. Nobody saw it coming. There had been nothing wrong with Evan, but Scott knew there was more than they were telling any of them. Scott suddenly felt a searing pain in his head, but he ignored it and kept walking out to the hallway.

Scott kept thinking about it as he was heading back to his room when all he could see in his mind were the images that had haunted him ever since he had had that dream. At least everyone was sleeping soundly. Scott looked at the grandfather clock in the hallway and made a face. If Logan caught him outside of his room at this hour without an excuse he would kill him for sure. Scott finally reached the staircase and as soon as he ascended the first step he started to get lightheaded. He just shook his head and put his foot on the next step and then the next. Everything around him started becoming blurry to his eyes. He immediately shut his eyes and then reopened them to see the same blur of images in front of him. Scott kept climbing until he reached the last two steps of the large grand staircase. His hand on the railing tightened and his knuckles turned white at the pressure.

Everything in front of him started spinning and he felt a blaze of fire on his skin. He clenched his jaw as he felt it burning at his body. A pain unlike no other shot through his head, abdomen, and chest. Scott held onto the railing tighter and grabbed onto it with his other hand also. The smoke he could feel was choking him and he couldn't breathe any longer. Scott started taking deeper, heavier breaths. The pain was agonizing and Scott grabbed his throat with one hand and the other, the side of his head. He started to cough and breathing became harder and harder to do. He saw the images of his nightmare flash in front of him. Everything in front of him kept spinning and became more of a blur to the point where he couldn't see anything at all. Scott lifted his foot to take the final step when he lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs one by one. Scott cried out, but nothing could be heard because his throat was clogged with nothing but an invisible smoke. It seemed to Scott like he tumbled down the stairs in slow motion, hitting each step with a loud thump. He finally reached the last step, hitting his head on the side edge of it with the rest of his body toppled to the side.

Logan was finally finished patrolling the mansion when he heard a strange noise. He moved to the foyer, sniffing along the way. He reached the top of the staircase and looked down to see Scott's slumped body at the bottom. Logan widened his eyes but didn't have the time to think before he rushed down the stairs in a hurried pace. Logan finally reached the bottom and looked at Scott. He gently cradled his head in his hands and shook him slowly.

"Cyke, you ok, kid?" Logan asked frantically. "Come on kiddo, answer me." In response to Logan, Scott's body started convulsing in his arms. Scott tried without success to open his eyes and Logan's voice sounded so far away. He started coughing involuntarily as he practically suffocated. A faint, annoying laugh came from somewhere he couldn't distinguish and Scott couldn't take the pain anymore. Everything in front of him became a big swirl until it all went black.

Logan felt Scott go limp in his arms. He yelled for the professor telepathically to meet him in the infirmary in a hurry. This was getting to be too much. "C'mon, Scooter, wake up. What happened to ya?" No answer. Logan lifted Scott's head only to be met with a cut from behind and blood. Logan immediately lifted Scott into his arms and began to run down to the infirmary like a maniac. Everything around Logan seemed to be going in slow motion; he wished he could make it downstairs faster. Scott's body was beginning to heat up and Logan could see Scott's sweat drizzle down his face as Logan began to run faster. He finally reached the infirmary to be met with Hank at the front entrance.

"Put him on the bed, Logan," Hank instructed him. Logan did as he was told. He laid Scott down onto one of the beds gently and reluctantly moved back and let Hank do his work. Hank immediately attached an oxygen mask over Scott's face and different wires for machines to his body.

Ororo was sleeping next to Evan's bed when she heard frantic voices coming from near her. She woke up startled at first, but then she adjusted. Ororo looked around and saw Hank working on Scott who was laying motionless on the bed. Ororo immediately widened her eyes and sat up. Logan was pacing next to the entrance and Ororo hurriedly got up and walked over to him. "What happened, Logan?"

"I don't know, 'Ro," Logan admitted. "I was finished making my rounds when I heard something coming from the foyer and I go there to find that Cyke had somehow fallen down the stairs. He collapsed, just like Evan had."

"Oh, Goddess." Ororo covered her mouth. "This is not good, Logan."

"I know," Logan answered. He looked over at Evans' bed and heard his weakened breathing. He sighed. "How's the porcupine doin'?"

"He hasn't been getting any better, I'm afraid." Ororo looked over at Evan also. "His body temperature, Hank says, is still unstable."

Logan sighed again. "Yeah, not good at all."

"I know it is not good," Professor Xavier replied from behind them. Logan and Ororo both turned to look at him, also surprised to see that Jean was with him. They all figured that she had felt something that had made her come down. She didn't have time to talk, she immediately walked over to Scott's bed where Hank was finishing up. She sat next to him and stroked his sweat streaked hair. Hank looked at the two and heaved an excruciatingly long sigh. He shook his head slowly and turned to the adults in the room.

"What's the damage, Hank?" Logan asked. They all huddled around Scott's bed as they listened to what the good doctor had to say.

Hank scratched his blue fur and contemplated how to tell them everything. "Well, I'm going to have to do some more tests, but he suffered a slight concussion, loss of oxygen from smoke inhilation."

Every single one of them looked at Hank in confusion. "Smoke inhalation?" Logan asked. "There wasn't any smoke to inhale, Hank. I was there."

"I know, and it sounds crazy but that's what it is. I think that's what Evan suffered from, too," Hank explained. "I don't know what else to tell you. He lost quite a lot of blood and his body temperature is rising and that's not a good thing. I can't get it to lower or to stabilize. I don't know any other way to help, I'm afraid."

"Thank you, Hank," Professor Xavier. "Please finish running the rest of the tests."

"Of course, Professor." Hank curtly nodded, gave Scott and Evan concerned looks and went back to finishing his work. It was definitely going to be a long night.

Professor Xavier looked grave. He clasped both his hands together and looked at Scott. The oxygen mask covered most of his face, helping him to breathe easier. Professor Xavier took his limp hand and breathed a long sigh. "I will find some answers, I promise you, I will." Professor Xavier let go of his hand, gently placing it back on the bed and wheeled himself out of the room. Logan stepped up to Scott, but looked at Jean.

"C'mon, Red. It's time for you to head upstairs now," Logan ordered.

"No, Logan, I'm not leaving him," Jean answered back, returning her gaze back to Scott. Logan watched her brush his sweat matted hair off of his face. Logan sighed. Everyone knew that when Jean made up her mind, there was no changing it. But, this time, he had to try.

"Jeannie, look. You've got school tomorrow and we really don't need to worry about you either. Go to bed," Logan pressed, making a voice they knew not to argue with. "I'll stay with him, I promise."

Jean pondered the thought for awhile, then got out of her chair and kissed Scott's pale forehead. She whispered something to him and Logan tried not to hear. Jean walked past him, giving him a weak smile and headed upstairs. Logan sat down and took the seat where Jean had been only moments ago. Ororo took her seat next to Evan. They were facing each other now. Silence once again except for the beeping of the machines next to each patient. Logan shuddered. He hated places like the infirmary. It made him think of things, bad things happening to people he cared about. Like now. Because of his advanced healing power, he had never really been in the infirmary for anything dangerous, it was always someone else.

"What do you think we should do?" Ororo asked him, breaking the silence around them.

"Worry," Logan said. "Worry and wait, 'Ro. That's all we can do, for now."

Ororo nodded her head and returned to watching Evan and glancing at Scott from where she was sitting. She and Logan only hoped that they didn't have to wait and worry for long.

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