Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. I really don't know why I would be sitting here if I did.

Author's Note: Hey again! Well, thanks to Slickboy, Lace, Lexan and Wen for reviewing "Facing the Truth." Much appreciation to you guys. I really appreciated it. I think that last chapter was the most reviews I've gotten for this story. I'm really happy and thankful. You guys are the best! Well, as promised, this here is the next chapter to this story and let me tell you that it took a really long time to write. I kinda suffered from a writer's block and had to revisit my muse. I've been so busy lately and everything has been getting so dramatic lately, that I had to take a pause. But, I'm here now and I hope you guys really enjoy this chapter…don't forget to review. Always a stickler for that one. Well, review and ENJOY!

Slickboy444: I'm glad the last chapter had you on the edge of your seat. I have much in store for later chapters and I'm really happy you're getting into it. I wanna thank you for being a very loyal reviewer. I completely appreciate it and the time you take to read my stuff. I am truly grateful. As for Scott being dead… well, you'll just have to read on. The plot with this strange force is also going to unravel but more so in the next chapter. For now, I hope you read and enjoy this chapter and I also hope that it doesn't disappoint. Thanks again and enjoy!

Mark C: So, Scott's your favorite character, huh? That's great to hear, he's one of my favorites as well. I hate all the Scott bashing, I mean he does hold all the X-men together and he's a great team leader. Maybe you're right about Mr. Flemmings, and maybe not. As far as that goes, you'll just have to keep reading. Thank you for your continuing reviews and enjoy this chapter!

Olivia: Hi, and thanks for your review. It really means a lot to know people are out there and are reading my story. I'm glad you like it, and also hope you like this chapter!

Diaz F: Wow, so you think Mr. Flemmings should be burnt in hell… well, that's a very interesting thought actually. Hehe, well, I agree… It is also rare to see a human helping mutants and defending them. Some people could be so cruel sometimes and to find one who doesn't hate mutants, well, it's great. The plot will unfold more in the next chapter especially and I hope you stick around to see what happens… enjoy this chapter!

Sweet-destiny3: As always, you give me support and I appreciate it greatly. You are a tremendous person with tremendous talents with an imagination I don't think I'll ever have… hehe, thanks for hanging in there with me. Although, I have to say that now I'm catching up to you and you'll have to speed it up. I know, homework (holds hands up). But, really, thanks. Enjoy!

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Sacrifice

By: pinkchick

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Chapter 6

Almost as it happened she felt it run through her like a jolt. She closed her eyes to process what was going on as it went through her. Jean then opened her green eyes as it became clear. There was something wrong with Scott. She could feel it running through her entire body as she ran through the lower levels and reached the medical bay. She was taking full strides and when she finally reached the door, it was as if she was watching a scene from somewhere else and not her own eyes. She finally reached the medical bay and had to blink twice at what she saw. It looked like someone had just died by the look on everyone's face. Then, her gaze shifted to the lone figure on the bed.

Jean heard it as soon as she walked into the room. It was like something ripped through her and trying to hold. Jean, she heard Scott mutter weakly as he tightly grasped the link. Help me, please.

"Scott!!" Jean shouted and immediately made her way over to him. She looked around the room and noticed the machine was off. "Why are the machines off? Huh? Turn them back on, dammit!" Jean yelled across the room at Hank who just turned his head solemnly at her. She felt a warm hand touch her shoulders and she turned around to be met with the grave face of Logan. She searched his eyes and then looked down at Scott's body expecting to hear the sounds of the machine. Nothing. Why wasn't Hank doing anything? He was just standing there like a zombie. Why wasn't he listening to her, Scott would die if it wasn't turned on.

"I'm so sorry, Jeannie, but it's over," Logan stated solemnly. She turned to him, confusion written all over her face. "He's gone."

"Logan, what are you talking about?" Jean asked, still obviously perplexed. She pointed at Scott's body and hovered over him protectively. "I don't know what you're talking about, but he's obviously gonna die if you leave the machines turned off."

Ororo tried not to cry. Her heart went out to Jean. It really did. The girl loved Scott dearly and she was in denial over the truth. Ororo would try to help her get by it as soon as she got over the fact that her 'child' was gone. Ororo walked towards her and held her shoulders, attempting to look her dead in the eyes. "Jean, it's ok. We know how you feel. But, Scott is gone and there is nothing that you can do about it."

Jean narrowed her eyes and shrugged away from Ororo's warm grasp. What were these people crazy? How could they talk about Scott like that? She could still feel him clearly in her mind and he was ok. What was wrong with them? She looked down at Scott and realized she had to do something.

Professor Xavier felt for her, but there was something off. Jean looked at him with confusion lingering in her eyes. Professor Xavier suddenly caught a spark of Scott in Jean's mind. His eyes widened. Could it be? Xavier never understood the strong psychic bond that was shared between his two first students. Even being the strongest telepath in the world, he wasn't able to fathom it. All he knew was that it was beyond anything he had ever seen form between two people. It was something so beyond his intelligence that he had given up on attempting to understand the concept. He merely knew that it was there. Well, he didn't have time to question that, instead looked over to Jean and she nodded at him, clarifying his implication.

"Hank, turn on the machines?" Professor Xavier ordered him.

Hank turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow. "Professor, I'm sorry, but he's go--"

"Do what he says!" Logan practically shouted at him. He hadn't meant to be so harsh, but if what the professor was sending him true, then they still had a chance. Hank gaped at them, but with a clear shove in his mind at what Xavier had seen, he did as he was told. The results were amazing. All of a sudden the machines came to life and there was a resounding humming noise coming from them. The heart monitor was no longer flat lining, but instead was showing results of a miracle. Hank went over and stared at it in absolute shock. How could this be happening? Only a second ago, Scott was dying before his very eyes and now he was alive again. Hank looked at the machines again and realized that his fever was also starting to reduce. This was no short of a miracle.

Jean smiled when she heard the sounds of the heart monitor and sat next to Scott on the bed. She stroked his sweat matted hair and whispered a promise that she'd never leave his side anymore. Everyone just stared at them in shock. The situation was still not registering in their minds. Ororo opened her mouth but no words came. The questions would have to come later as they all turned their attention to the occupant of the bed that they thought they had lost forever. There was a soft moan and a deep intake of breath next to Jean as she kissed his feverish temple softly, reassuring him that she was there with him.

Scott moaned again and stirred as the darkness began to fade away from him and the heat stopped burning so strongly at his insides. It was merely lingering in the background, still unnerving him to no extent. There was a stark pain in his abdomen and chest that was eating away at his insides as he attempted to make it back into the conscious world. He heard soft voices whispering all around him and a bright light that was tugging at him to come back. Scott didn't need any evidence to know that it was Jean. The crazy laughter from far away was fading into the distance and all he could hear were soft voices and a beeping noise coming from somewhere that he couldn't distinguish. Another moan to clear up his hazy mind and his tired eyes were blinking back several times to get adjusted to the very bright light of the… infirmary?

Scott opened his eyes completely and let the light blind him. He looked around and he knew that everyone in the room had their attention turned to him. He couldn't seem to remember anything that had happened… only the nightmare. It was all that had plagued his mind. He could still see the blood, feel the fire, and hear that sinister laughter echoing throughout his mind like an attached presence that wouldn't leave him alone. He tried adjusting as everyone's gaze bore into him, burning a hole into him to see what was wrong. He could feel Jean's smooth hand hold his own clammy one and he felt safe. What he wanted to know though was, what was he doing in the infirmary?

"Jean?" he asked, his voice croaky and dry. He swallowed and it hurt his throat. He looked towards her and she looked somewhat blurry to his red vision. He blinked again and wondered if his fever was giving him a hallucination.

"Yeah, Scott," she stated, closing her eyes briefly and then opening them to see Scott, weakly squeezing her hand. "I'm here, you're ok."

Scott heard everyone give a relieved sigh when he spoke and that sent a shudder down his spine. Why were they all staring at him like he had just come back from the dead? He attempted to sit up, but it hurt too much to do it so he sat back down. He gave them a weak smile, but that just made him dizzy.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Scott," Hank finally said, finding his voice after all that had happened. "You've lost a lot of blood."

"You just scared the shit out o' all of us, do ya know that?" Logan asked him rhetorically. Scott gave him a confused look but Logan just smirked. "Don't ever do that again, Cyke. Don't ever do that again."

"Yes, you did give us quite a fright, Scott," Ororo said warmly, a small smile gracing her lips. "We are glad that you are back."

Now Scott was completely confused. Why were they welcoming him back? He was never gone, was he? He looked at Jean and she just gave him a smile along with a look that said that she didn't know what they were really talking about either. He didn't really care, he just wanted to get out of the infirmary. It wasn't the fondest place in the world and the IV that he was attached to wasn't exactly a sight for sore eyes. All he wanted to do was get a good night's sleep without anything, especially the nightmares, interrupting him. He felt Jean's hair on his arm and he felt the tiredness seep through him even more at her gentle touch. Was she always this soft? Scott felt the soft touch through their mental link also and was sent reassurance and love through it. He sent her back the same thing, but she could also feel his weariness. She just continued to run her fingers across his arm, slowly lulling him to sleep. Just when his eyes were half way closed, he felt a warm hand on his other arm.

Professor Xavier wheeled himself up to his surrogate son and gave his arm a squeeze. Whatever had just happened was over and it was reassuring to know that Scott was alright. How the ordeal had happened, he didn't know. Nor did he know how Jean could have still felt him when he couldn't even sense his mind anymore. The link never ceased to amaze him at all. Professor gave them both a smile. "Scott?" Xavier asked, knowing how tired Scott was, but needing him to answer the question he was about to ask. "Do you remember anything about what happened before you came to the infirmary or during your stay?"

Scott turned to him slowly, seeing pure concern in his mentor and surrogate father's eyes. Why was everyone so worried anyways? His eyes wandered over to Evan's bedside where he was still lying, but stirring. Ororo was taking her place next to him and there were very strange red marks all over his body. Scott then turned back to the question at hand. He wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. "No, professor. I… don't." Professor Xavier just nodded and patted his hand. Scott gave him a half smile and turned his head back to the regular position and closed his eyes. Finally, some sleep. Professor Xavier opened his mouth again, but noticed that he wasn't going to get his question answered, for Scott was already sound asleep. Jean curled her head and snuggled up next to his arm and closed her eyes also.

"Jean… ?" he asked, his voice dripping with concern.

"I'm staying here professor," Jean stated firmly. "I'll be fine. If he's ok, I'll be fine now."

"I'm sure you will be," Xavier replied and looked on as Jean closed her eyes. For a moment he just watched the two and couldn't help but muster up a smile, even in a situation such as this one. He finally turned to Logan and the gruff man knew that he wanted to have a talk. Hank was standing there adjusting the machines sneaking a glance at the now alive Scott every now and then to make sure that nothing went wrong. He tried to hide his growing weariness, but it didn't take long for the professor to sense it.

"Hank, you should rest, my friend," Professor Xavier suggested making it sound more desperate. "It's been a long day."

"No, professor, I can't," Hank replied.

"That wasn't a suggestion, Hank," Logan answered. "It was an order."

Hank sighed and knew that they were both right. It hadn't been just a long day, but a long couple of days. He couldn't remember the last time he had slept. He looked over at his two patients and assured himself that they were both stable and Evan was even waking up. A small nap wouldn't do him any harm. Hank slumped his shoulders and gave in to his tiredness. As the professor and Logan made their way out of the infirmary, they spared to take one last concerned glance at the occupants of the room. Hank retreated to his office to take a rest and there seemed to be a revered silence. The professor and Logan hoped it would last that way until they could get everything figured out. Or so they hoped.

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It crawled and slowly made it's way around the upper part of her body. Rogue felt like she was choking. This thing wouldn't leave her and let her be. It was getting harder and harder to breathe. Why couldn't she see anything? It was so dark. Suddenly, there was a small ounce of light and Rogue opened her eyes to be met with dark evil red ones. She let out a scream, but no one seemed to hear her. It was escaping her mouth, but the sound didn't bounce anywhere. The mysterious thing was choking her now, wrapping itself around her neck and squeezing. She could hear its sinister sounds as it tightly strangled her. The bottom of it whipped past her bare stomach and every inch of her skin which wasn't covered. Along with it, she felt the fire burn her skin as she attempted to let out another scream but no one would hear her. It came out muffled instead as her throat tightened and blocked out all the oxygen she needed.

"Get it away! Please! Help me -- GET IT AWAY!!" She screamed, but Rogue felt like she was imagining it in her mind. No one seemed to respond and the pain was burning through her stomach. She could barely heave up her chest to help her lungs gain some air.

"PLEASE! Help me get it off! GET IT OFF OF ME!!" Rogue's screaming seemed to get louder and more persistent.

"HELLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPP MEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!" Rogue screamed at the top of her lungs, but still no one answered. It was getting hotter and hotter as the fire glared at her through orange and yellow flames.

Rogue felt her skin start to itch and she wanted this thing to get off of her, but it was useless. From far away, someone was laughing at her and it was starting to become numb to her. The fire licked at her, as though it was wanting more. Rogue still struggled as the breath was sucked from her. The laughter increased and Rogue suddenly realized that she couldn't move any part of her body. She was somehow chained up and couldn't get free of the hold. Rogue could feel her skin contract and bubble under her. It was burning her and she felt the urge to scratch and just try and get rid of it all over. All she tried to do was in vain as everything that was going on closed in on her. She no longer felt the air rushing in to meet her lungs. All she could feel was the burning of the fire and the sting of the swells that were now covering every inch of her body. Rogue let out a piercing scream before the burning, stinging, and laughter became one around her and everything closed in. The last thing she could remember was something licking at her skin and the burning sensation all over her body. That was when she took her final intake of breath… but the burning and the laughter never ceased.

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Something was clawing at him. It was making his entire body shiver at the contact. It was biting at his fur and at his blue skin. Kurt bit his lip to hold back the incessant pain that was now stabbing and biting at his skin. Kurt closed his golden eyes and tried to keep calm. The biting and the clawing continued to go up his skin. In fact, it was all over the place and Kurt tried to pry it off, but it did no good. The more he tried, the faster they came. There was more than one and Kurt could feel a big one make its way up his abdomen. Kurt finally made it face to face with his pursuer. Kurt had to widen his eyes. The thing was hideous: it had sharp teeth and something long behind it stinging at his skin. Its claws were long and they were scratching his neck to the point where Kurt had to scream. He could almost feel the blood trickle down his neck.

Kurt tried once again to move, but something was stopping him from doing so. He tried again and again only to be met with the same disappointment. He couldn't get free. Something had him bound and it wasn't about to let him go that easily. Dark, amused laughter made its way into his mind and ears and Kurt seemed to struggle harder against his restraints. The clawing continued and Kurt winced. A sharp claw sank deep within his skin and teeth snapped against him. Kurt flinched and screamed again in pain. Why wouldn't it stop? What had he ever done to deserve such pain? Those questions couldn't be answered as the fire wrapped around him, choking him to no end. Kurt coughed and had to endure the pain as another round of clawing made its way into his skin. But, he didn't seem to feel it anymore. It was a strange numb feeling that came over him. The blazes seemed to only get higher and hungrier.

Kurt choked on the smoke as it filled up his lungs. He wanted to yell for someone, but he couldn't seem to find his voice. Kurt felt his blood trickle down his neck and he had to close his eyes again. He opened them again to be met with the very evil eyes of the clawing creature. The incessant laughter made its way into his ears again and Kurt clenched his jaw. "Demons will suffer," he heard the laughing voice say in his mind. Kurt flinched at the word 'demon'. He had always been called that based on the way he looked. Kurt fought harder and harder against his restraints, but they only seemed to get tighter around him. The long thin whip of the creature on his chest was snapping it back and forth, hitting his skin and fur as if it were in rhythm.

"NOOOO!!!!!" Kurt yelled out, lashing away at the creature only to have the rest of its friends continue clawing and crawling their way upwards. "Stay avay. Somebody please make zem stay avay!!" The screams only seemed to echo around him. Kurt struggled even harder.

"STOP EET!!" Kurt shouted at them. The evil laughter continued, echoing around him louder this time as the flames lashed out against him.

"Please, DON'T DO ZIS!!!"

"I shall," a voice through the laughter replied.

"Vhy?" Kurt asked, surprised that someone was answering him. "Vhy are you doing zis?"

"Power," was his only reply as the voice faded away. Kurt suddenly felt himself being picked up and held over something. The fire around him burned stronger as he felt himself being engulfed with the fiery flames. The fire seemed to come from every angle around him. The creatures seemed to disappear but the laughter became even louder. Something levitated him upwards and flung him into the air.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" Kurt screamed as the flames became a loud stir of noises flicking at him in response. "PLEASE DON'T DO ZIS!!!!! PLEASE!!! NOOOOO!!!"

The flames of red, orange, and yellow sprung up around him as Kurt's screams became only an echo in the background. Kurt's body started to protest against what was happening, but there was no stopping it whatsoever. Kurt felt the blood from the bites of the creatures etching their way down and staining his blue fur. Kurt opened his mouth for a final scream of help, but it never came.

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"Principal Kelly," Mr. Flemmings greeted a little too happily. "Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, sir."

"Yes, well, Mr. Flemmings," Principal Kelly started, eyeing him slowly from behind his glasses. Principal Kelly didn't seem too pleased. He hated when people interrupted him with some stupid business of theirs. Especially a teacher's business. He was too busy trying to get mutants kicked out to have anything to do with anyone else. Principal Kelly gestured for Mr. Flemmings to take a seat. "You said this was urgent over the phone. So," he lowered his voice, "it better be good."

"Oh, believe me, sir." Mr. Flemmings smiled sinisterly. "It definitely is. In fact," Mr. Flemmings looked out the window. "I think you'll be more than happy to help me out with this little venture of mine."

Principal Kelly raised his eyebrows in curiosity. He leaned forward and looked Mr. Flemmings dead in the eye. "What exactly do you mean by that, Mr. Flemmings?"

"You know about the mutant problem, don't you?" Mr. Flemmings asked, his eyes fixated on Principal Kelly while he brought up his envelope.

"Of course I know about it," Principal Kelly answered, somewhat annoyed with this man. "What's your point?"

"What if I told you that I have a way of getting what we both want," Mr. Flemmings replied. His mouth quirked into a smile at the look on Principal Kelly's expression.

"What exactly are you getting at? You have a plan?" Principal Kelly asked, suddenly getting interested in what Mr. Flemmings had to say.

"Maybe I do," Mr. Flemmings cocked his head sideways. "You interested?"

"Maybe I am…" Principal Kelly smirked in approval and the two men got down to business.

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"Good," the figure said, a hint of approval in his voice. "Everything is going according to plan."

The dark man gave a half smile and looked around at his surroundings. It was a dark place. The man finished securing the final lock and moved towards the middle of the room. He looked down and then turned his eyes upwards. His smile grew even wider as his black gloved hands came into contact with each other. He rubbed them together and the sound filled the room. The darkness outside came about as the sun went down and brought with it the night's bed, shrouded with the blanket of darkness. Soon, everything would come together in what he knew would be of great benefit to him. If it had been up to him, this would have happened long ago, but unfortunately, the entire thing depended on six young individuals.

They each possessed something of great importance to him in order for his plan to take place. He looked at his clock and smiled ruefully. And, if he was correct, they were all getting ready for a very uneventful night. He knew this was only the beginning. The essence of the plan would take place soon enough and everything he had waited for would be done. Finally, after all of his years waiting, he would receive what he's wanted, waited and yearned for for so long. Yes, indeed, the day would come soon, and all would be his. He moved towards his chamber and smiled down scornfully towards the six pictures of youths in front of him. In the pictures, Scott, Jean, Rogue, Kurt, Kitty, and Evan looked back at him. He traced his black gloved hand around the pictures and narrowed his eyes.

"Yes, my little ones. You wait and see," the man spoke in a lowered voice. "You will soon realize what power really means and I will be the one to show it to you! For I am the great one and I will come for you when the time is here! Just - you - wait!" He let out a wave of sinister laughter and it echoed throughout the entire chamber. Then, as easily as he had come, he walked back into the shadows from which he lurked.

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