Disclaimer: Alas, they unfortunately don't belong to me. They belong to someone else, and I'd be pretty rich that I'd buy fiction! Hehe, just joking!

Author's Note: Hey all again!! I'm back again! I'm so happy that this story is progressing and so excited that the big scene of the plot will soon come into place. I want to thank all those who reviewed… they mean so much and I'm really glad that you all like my story. Well, that's all I really have to say for now. By the way, as I said earlier: go read "Timeless" by Sweet-destiny3 for all you Jott romantic fans out there and also if you want that and suspense, go check out "Sinister Secrets" by Slickboy444. They are both such awesome stories that you can't miss out on! Enough babbling and I'll let you get on with the story. You guys know the drill: Read, Review, and ENJOY!!

Slickboy444: Hello, my friend! I'm glad that you reviewed once again… always good to know that you still like this story or I wouldn't know what I'd do. There's definitely more to come soon, but for know, the yarn is unraveling quicker. Yes, last chapter's last scene was a kind of cliff hanger and I'm glad I'm leaving you at the edge of your seat, because it's not over yet. Yes, the cycle is complete, but not quite. I promise you'll find out what he did to Mr. Flemmings soon. Yeah, and your character Slayer would definitely be a big help… hehe! All will be revealed soon, so I hope you enjoy this chapter and I also can't wait to read the next chapter to your story. You can't keep me waiting long either. Enjoy and thanks for your always wonderful comments!

Wen: I'm glad you decide to catch up on the story. As always, thanks for the comments and I also know how you feel about Flemmings. I feel that way too, hehe! I'm glad you like Jean finally being in the mix of things… hope you enjoy this chapter!

Mark C: Yeah, you bet that Xavier has a lot of explaining to do about what's been going on lately. You'll definitely find out what's going on in this chapter, but not what's going to happen. That'll just ruin the entire thing! As far as Flemmings being alive and how he might play out, you'll just have to read on to find out, and you'll see soon enough, my friend. Yeah, this chapter does shed some light and I hope you like. Thanks as always and enjoy!

Sweet-destiny3: Hey gal! I appreciate your 'long' review. It was great and made me happy that you like this story as much as you say! I know you hate that 'word' that you mentioned before, I do to. But, hey what am I supposed to do about it. I hope you really like where I'll end up taking this story because I have it all planned out… so, you'll see. I'm glad you liked me intertwining the fact that Mr. Flemmings had just come out of the principal's office to his disappearance. Wow, and you think that my character is memorable, I'm truly flattered. I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. It will further shed some light. Oh, and keep up the great work on "Timeless". Thanks again and enjoy!

Diaz F: Yes, that was definitely a cliff hanger! I love doing that, it always keeps people on edge, but it's frustrating, I know. Thanks for sparing me so I could finish this story… hehe! I'm saved! I'm glad you like this story. And, you'll find out soon enough about what's going to happen… and I know this chapter will definitely shed some light, although not completely. I hope you like. Thanks for the review and enjoy this chapter!

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Sacrifice

By: pinkchick

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Chapter 8

Everything was clouding around her vision. Smoke filled the air and all she could see when she closed her eyes was the colors of the blazing fire that were encircling around her. Everything was dark, everything. The light from the fire was burning hot, but that didn't mean that she could see anything. Eerily, something bit and pinched at her skin. She wanted to scream, to cry out, but she knew that it was too late. No one would hear her, no one would care. Especially not the person who was surrounding her with all this false hope. His laughter drilled into her brain and she couldn't make it go away at all. Nothing seemed to be working: not her mind, not her body, not even her powers. Her soul couldn't stand it anymore. A voice cried out to her and she struggled so hard to break free but it was completely useless. Her head slumped forward in defeat as the fire burned at her skin and tore through her dirty clothes. Her other half cried out again in agony and she screamed too. She couldn't help it, all this pain was ripping through like a white hot poker and she could feel on her skin too. Nothing nor no one was spared. Not with this evil man.

She felt the pinching and the poking at her skin once more and looked down to see the creatures on her bare arms and legs. She yanked at her foot to helplessly try to pry them off, but they wouldn't leave. She could hear the man snicker at her useless attempts. What had she and everyone else ever done to deserve all of what was happening to them? She didn't even know the answer to that question. Right now, all she could feel was the pain and the darkness fighting over to shroud her mind and send her reeling back into the land of unconsciousness. She wouldn't let it though. She couldn't. It was so tempting though. The fire raged ever stronger as it made its way towards her. She heard screaming and yells all around her. It was encompassing her in its torment. The creatures continued their raid up her body and she also let out another terrified scream. Struggling against what was holding her back, once more, she realized she could move…but, it was already too late. She opened her eyes only to be eluded once more by the ever growing fir, darkness, and the hideous tormenting laughter that would never cease.

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"His name is Abaddon," Professor Xavier explained setting down a book on the table for Hank, Logan, and Ororo to see. They didn't understand at first as they looked at the book, trying to make sense of any or all of this. The man in the picture was hideous looking. Not only by way of looks, but also by the way he was looking. He looked as though he yearned for something that he couldn't get and his eyes gleamed of nothing but pure evil and hatred. Ororo shuddered as she looked up from the book and back at the professor. She and Logan had been wondering what had been going on for days, and now when she was finally about to hear the truth, she didn't really think that she could handle it. The thing that really bugged her was that if the professor knew about this the entire time, why hadn't he bothered to tell them? Ororo shivered again and suddenly felt strong arms wrap around her, keeping her warm for the moment. She looked up and saw Logan. She smiled up at him and felt content, if only for a moment.

Logan held on more tightly to Ororo. He knew what she was feeling right now. They all cared for those kids, and they had promised that they would make sure that nothing ever happened to them. Apparently, right now, that wasn't the case. Everything seemed to be going wrong. Logan heaved a sigh and he felt Ororo tense in his arms. He knew what she was thinking. That man in, no creature, in the picture had scared them all. He looked like he was made of pure evil, but unfortunately, they didn't know anything else about it except for what he looked like. That was the part that made Logan very angry. They knew nothing about this man and the professor was just now trying to fill them in on it. It enraged him to no end. He had just been sitting back and letting all these bad things happen to the kids he was supposed to care about. What was he thinking? He couldn't even believe that he was here instead of out somewhere trying to find this man who had caused so much chaos in the past few days. Logan closed his eyes and then opened them. That man, whatever or whoever he is, would get what's coming to him. Even if it was the last thing he did.

Hank sat in the comfortable chair in front of Xavier's desk. He started remembering all the events that had led them all to their current situations. It was strange how one day could be completely normal and then get ransacked all in one day. He stared down at the picture in the book again and shuddered. The man looked to be hiding behind a very large cape with strange looking eyes gleaming up at him. He couldn't believe that this creature has been the cause of everything that had been going on around here. It was odd to think about, seeming as this creature or man, probably had some hidden intentions. Hank didn't really want to hear what the professor had to say because he wanted to pretend none of this was happening. He couldn't comprehend any of it really. This was beyond anything that he had heard about or studied. As a doctor, he should've known. He let out a sigh of aggravation. Whoever this man was, he surely knew what he was doing and Hank wasn't liking it one bit.

"So is this the guy you think is causing all of this?" Logan asked, looking up at Professor Xavier and searching his eyes.

"I do not believe, Logan," Professor Xavier replied. "I know this for a fact."

"How?" Logan asked curiously.

"This man is truly based on pure myth, but I know he exists. He is the only one capable of doing all that has been happening," Xavier stated.

"So what's the story?" Hank asked, shuddering again at the picture and then turning his complete attention towards the professor. What he had to say surely had to be of interest. Especially if the professor thought that the X-men couldn't handle it this time around. Hank looked at the picture again. Maybe, he was right.

"He is Hell, and that is only what he brings," Xavier started explaining.

"So, what are you saying? Is this guy like the devil reincarnated or somethin'?" Logan inquisitively asked. He knew he had to be cleaning his ears in order to hear properly. They've fought things that were worse off, what could possibly be any different about this guy?

"Yes, you could say that," Professor Xavier answered. "You see, this man feeds off of the energy of the underworld and that is what has been keeping him alive for centuries."

"Professor, I don't understand," Ororo said. "If this man has been around for centuries, as you say; then, why weren't you able to pick up his signature before?" Everyone else nodded their heads in agreement. Professor Xavier was the most powerful telepath in the world, he could've picked up his signature right away and they could've done something about it sooner. Why now?

"No, unfortunately, I couldn't have, Ororo," Xavier explained. "You see, this man is not a mutant. He is something much beyond that. He is evil. And his only purpose is to raise the fire of the underworld and bring Hell on Earth. After that, he will no longer be just a man, but a man with the greatest power. Nothing will destroy him afterwards."

Hank was now confused. He was pondering what Professor Xavier had just said and it he was in a completely dazed state. Nothing was clear. He lifted his forefinger to his lips and asked, "If this man is what you say he is, why now? After all this time, why now?"

That same question had been on Ororo's troubled mind. This man, as the professor had said it, had been around for centuries before. Why would he want to stir up trouble now? What did he want all the power for when he already had some of it? All these answers to these questions she had to know. Ororo looked to Professor Xavier as he placed his hands together in front of him as he always did. She knew that he was contemplating how to answer the question… there was probably nothing more difficult than what he was about to say. The three of them held their breaths and waited for the silent Professor Xavier to speak.

There was nothing more treacherous than what he was about to inform all of them. After all, the main point of the school was to teach the mutants; but more importantly, to keep them safe. Professor Xavier rubbed his temples and really wished that he had never come across anything of this caliber. It was too much for him to take and he knew that his students were at risk. They didn't deserve any of it. They all thought they were safe, but the truth was that they weren't. Right now, that was the last thing that they were. He looked up at the ceiling and prayed that at that exact moment, they were. He sighed and then looked back at the very intent faces of his colleagues and friends. How in the world was he going to tell them what he knew? It would only bring more fear, paranoia, and anxiety towards the situation. He didn't want everyone to be on edge, but with this type of situation, he had no choice but to tell what he knew. It was only for the best.

"He has tried in the past to claim what he assumes is rightfully his, but there is more to it than that," Professor Xavier explained. "You see, in order for all this to happen, a ceremony needs to take place."

"What kind of ceremony are we talking about exactly?" Hank asked. This was getting more interesting by the second. As a teacher at the institute, he cared deeply about the students and about their well being. But, as a doctor and scientist, he couldn't help but be intrigued with this story. He leaned forward and listened intently to what the professor had to say next.

"A ceremony of… sacrifice," Professor Xavier sadly stated.

"What?!" Logan raged. He couldn't believe it. Although the professor wasn't specifying anything else, he knew deep down where he was getting at and he didn't think he could handle anymore. He looked over at Ororo and she remained quiet. Her eyes seemed so far away. It looked like she was trying to hold something back and Logan didn't want to be there when she unleashed whatever it was she was holding back. Ororo may have seemed calm, but Logan knew that she was not a force to be reckoned with when someone had her angry. He decided not to say anything but wanted to continue questioning the professor. "You still haven't answered the question, Chuck. Why now?"

"Because he needs five sacrifices. All of them pure," Xavier continued. He knew what a shock this was to all of them, but right now, they all had to get past that. For, after he was finished explaining, they were all going to see what had to be done to try and stop it from happening. The chances were slim, but they've had the odds stacked against them before, this shouldn't be any different. Deep down, he hoped that he was right. "And he only had to wait this long because these six individuals each need to possess a special kind of significance to the ceremony. Unfortunately, I think we all know who he's targeted."

"Oh, shit," Logan muttered and walked towards the window. This was definitely not good. "So, this explains the nightmares."

"I'm afraid so," Professor Xavier answered.

There was a revered silence that washed over the entire room as the darkness of the night wrapped around the still sky. There were absolutely no sounds. Nothing. Everything seemed to be standing still. Even the animals that peaked out and into the night were silent. The trees didn't sway and the wind didn't howl as it usually did. Logan was about to do something he never usually did in the mansion, and that was unsheathing his claws. But, before he could ever finish what he was intending on doing he heard Ororo get up from her seat and pace around the room, her fists clenched. Logan creased his eyebrows and just watched as she moved around the deathly silent room. He knew she was more than angry now. He looked out at the window as the rolling dark clouds and heard the thunder roar as it broke the silence.

Ororo turned her head around towards the professor, eyes completely white. "Why did you not tell us before?" she practically bellowed.

"I didn't see the need to frighten everyone over something I wasn't sure about," Professor Xavier explained.

"But you were correct and now the children are in danger because of you," Ororo accused. The thunder continued to crackle outside. Logan walked up to Ororo and rested a rough, yet gentle hand on her shoulder. She turned around to look at him.

"Calm down, 'Ro," Logan said slowly. "I'm sure the prof had his own reasons." Ororo searched his eyes and then looked over at Xavier, who was staring out the window in silence. Ororo closed her eyes and wished she had never said what she just did. She felt a pang of guilt creep into her and she opened her eyes again to reveal the normal blue that they were. Logan gave a relieved sigh. Ororo just wanted to crawl away, but she stood her ground and instead sank into Logan's shoulders. Logan just held her there as another silence filled the room. The thunder clouds rolled away and all everyone heard was Ororo's soft sobs.

Charles couldn't bear to listen to Ororo's crying and turned his head away from everyone in the room. He felt so shameful for even letting this situation spread as far as it had. Everything seemed to be collapsing around him and there was nothing he could do about it except sit and wait for the outcome. It's not what he should be doing, but he had no choice. The stakes were high and the students he cared about were all at risk. Before he could think his next thought, he felt someone bend down in front of him. He looked towards the person and immediately came face to face with the blue eyes of the white haired goddess.

"I am so sorry, Charles," Ororo apologized. "I didn't mean to say that. It's just that this situation is so much to take in. I am sorry."

"No, Ororo," Professor Xavier took her hand and looked into her eyes. "I am the one that should be sorry. I'd known about the situation, but I failed to tell you. I feared that you would not take it well and I didn't want to worry you. I hope you can understand that and forgive me. I do care about that students, and you know I would never intentionally put them at risk."

"We know that, Chuck," Logan nodded. "But, we're all in this together. We care about the kids just as much as you do."

"That's right," Hank stated, standing up. "We're in this thing together."

"Thank you, my friends," Xavier smiled. "That means a lot to me."

They all gave him a smile. There was silence again and then it was broken when Logan punched a fist into his hand. There was no time to waste, they had to get down to business and fast. "So, what's our plan of action?"

"Logan, it's not that simple," Xavier explained. "This creature is not like any other person you have fought."

"So we'll think of a new strategy," Logan shot back. "We just have to make sure that the kids are safe."

"If only it were that easy, my friend." Professor Xavier shook his head.

"What exactly do you mean by that, Professor?" Hank asked, pealing off his glasses and wiping them. This was certainly unlike anything he had heard before, but unfortunate that it involved people he loved and cared about. To him, the Xavier school meant so much. The students here didn't care about what he looked like. To them, Hank was another normal teacher, but with bigger hands. He enjoyed it, but now, there was a situation that he hoped wouldn't end the peace that there had been around Bayville. Unfortunately, with the news they had all just heard, everything was going to spin upside down. Judging by what the professor explained, things weren't looking too good for them.

"Can you not find him with Cerebro?" Ororo asked him, biting her lower lip, anticipating the response. She had calmed down and she now sat in one of the chairs awaiting anything and everything the professor had to say. She truly did fear the worst but she also knew that she had to have faith in everything no matter how bad. Maybe, with a plan, they would be able to come out on top like they had so many times.

"I'm afraid I cannot," Professor Xavier pressed. "He is not a mutant. He isn't even a human. I am not sure what he is, but you may be sure that he isn't of this world. You cannot find him, he finds you."

"That don't mean that we can't attack," Logan advised.

"This man, whatever he truly is, comes and goes as he pleases," Professor Xavier continued. "You cannot win against him. All we can truly do now is to sit, wait, and make sure that our security defenses are up. Also, we need to keep a keen eye on all of the students that have been affected."

"Alright, professor," Hank complied. Ororo also nodded. She didn't necessarily like it, but it was what they had to do. The professor knew what he was talking about and she would trust him, like she had so many times in the past. They both looked to Logan who now took to pacing the room. Ororo knew that he would take it the hardest. He loved the fight, and sitting by and not taking any action wasn't exactly his style. There was silence as they continued to look at him. He stopped pacing and looked at the occupants of the room. He let out a deep growl and huffed his anger out through his mouth.

"Fine," Logan growled. "But, this don't mean that I like this plan one bit. You do know that, right Chuck?"

"Of course I do, my friend," Professor Xavier replied. "This isn't easy on any of us. But we must do it, for the students' sakes."

Ororo and Hank got up out of their chairs and nodded towards the professor before they started to head out. Logan looked back ever so briefly, sighed, and then decided to follow suit. Professor Xavier watched them as he looked down at his lap and folded his hands in front of him. He closed his eyes briefly and hoped that he was making the right decision. After all, it did affect the students and even the adults of the house. He wondered if he was truly doing the right thing in waiting for the creature to strike instead of going after it themselves. Then again, if they did decide to go after it, they would have no way of knowing where to start. This creature was more than just evil, it was mysterious. What it wanted, it would get, no matter what the consequences. Unfortunately, that is what Xavier feared the most.

Ororo and Logan closed the door behind them and to Xavier's surprise, Hank stayed behind. Professor Xavier looked up at him and Hank turned to the professor in question. "Do you need anything Hank?" Xavier asked.

"I've calculated what you have said and it all makes sense," Hank stated. "Except for one thing."

"What's that, Hank?" Professor Xavier asked, wondering what the young doctor was getting at.

"You mentioned that there were five sacrifices," Hank explained. "But, six of the students were affected. I don't understand. Wouldn't that mean that there would be six sacrifices?" That question had been bugging Hank ever since the professor had mentioned that there were five sacrifices for this ceremony the creature was planning. Why would it affect six students when he needed only five? It bothered him to no end when he didn't have all the answers. The situation was unnerving as it was and he didn't want to not know why something was. Hank thought about what would happen if the creature did get a hold of the students. He thought of the worst case scenarios and he didn't know if he was projecting because he could've sworn he saw the professor wince.

"Technically, yes, Hank," Professor Xavier answered. "But, the last sacrifice plays the most important part."

"What would that be?" Hank questioned.

"I'm afraid that's something I don't know, Hank," Xavier replied. "I really don't know." Hank just nodded and exited the room as silence once again hung over. This time though, the professor was alone. He didn't know what was to come. He didn't even know if they were prepared, but they would do whatever they could to try and stop it. Whatever it was. Professor Xavier sighed deeply and turned his wheelchair to face the large window behind his desk. He looked out at the ever growing darkness and placed his mouth against the top of his hands. This had never happened before. Before, Xavier always knew the enemy and that's the first thing he knew Logan taught the students in Danger Room sessions. Unfortunately, this time, they knew nothing about the enemy or his plot against them. All Xavier truly knew as he continued staring out at the now dark grounds of the mansion was that only time would tell.

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Unbeknownst to Xavier, someone outside the mansion was watching. The dark cloud covering the moon hid his shadow well. He smirked as he saw the professor turn away from his window. This was good. It was good to know that he was truly a force to be reckoned with. After all, he was almighty. Or so he would be… soon. The moon came out from its hiding place and cast a light down towards the shadowed figure hunched behind a bush. He turned his face away as soon as the moon's light found its way to him. He turned around completely, his cape flailing in the soft breeze. His plan was in action… all he had to do was wait. With that the shadowed man walked back into the shadows and disappeared without a trace.

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Logan stalked around the mansion grounds as angry as he could be. Ororo had tried to calm him down before, but as much as he loved her, he was already far out of reach. His anger was too hard to boil down now and he had to let out. If he had showed that anger to the professor it would have gotten him nowhere. Wait, he said. Sure, they could wait, but it wasn't going to do any of them any good. Much less, the students. How could the professor not even have a plan? It enraged Logan. The fight was the most important part to him. That, and keeping all the students safe. He didn't remember much about his past, and the X-men was all he really knew as family.

Logan finally made his way around to the front entrance, still lost in thought. Project Weapon X had made his life a living hell, and the school was the only thing that had gotten him back into place. He knew that he was sometimes harsh on the kids and too strict with safety, but it was only to keep them safe. He didn't want anybody to get hurt because of him, especially now that he gotten quite a bit attached to all of them. Emotions was not his side of the road, but if he had to fight to show he cared, he would do it. And the professor wasn't even letting him sheathe his claws. There had to be a way. He there had to be. This creature couldn't just do whatever he wanted and get away with it. Logan thought back to the picture he had seen and actually shuddered. Well, maybe he could. But, that didn't mean that he was just going to let that happen.

Logan suddenly stopped when he reached the front door of the mansion when he thought he heard a noise coming from behind him. Logan immediately sheathed his claws and turned around. There was nothing there. Just the trees swaying from side to side. Logan lifted his nose and started sniffing the air. His eyes searched everywhere, but there was nothing. He turned back to the door slowly and opened it, checking the security system first before heading inside and locking the doors behind him. His claws sank back into the skin between his knuckles and looked out the windows of the doors before heading down to the Danger Room to burn away some of his anger.

The lower levels were startlingly quiet, but for this time of night, it wasn't unusual. Everyone was probably asleep anyways. It was for the better. He didn't want anyone being down here while he was going at it at full level. He heard his boots clink as he kept on walking to what seemed like the endless corridors of the lower levels until he reached his destination. Finally he reached the big, heavy metal doors that opened up to reveal the large Danger Room. The doors opened and just when he walked in and was about to go up to the control room, there was something that caught his attention immediately. His sniffing and hearing senses alerted him that was someone there. There were mixed senses and Logan realized that he didn't know who it was. He sheathed his claws and turned around to be met face to face with something that he never expected. His eyes widened and before he could say anything, the Danger Room doors closed up behind him.

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