Stalemate

Several hours later the X-Men gathered together at the edge of North Street. They were dirty and exhausted but they were unharmed. "All right report," Logan said gruffly.

"Well the fire's out. With Storm, Wavedancer and Avalanche focusing on the fire it didn't last very long," Scott reported. "No civilians were killed but the entire street is destroyed."

"Three soldiers are dead," Amara reported. "And a lot of people are hurt. What a mess." She looked at the damage.

"We're lucky it isn't worse," Logan grunted. "Where are the Misfits?"

"On the next street helping to evacuate the public in case another gas line explodes while they're fixing it," Jean told him.

"Well I guess our work's done," Logan sighed.

"I wonder how the Morlocks are," Thornn said absently.

"We're fine," Callisto appeared from the shadows. "Despite what the topsiders threw at us we gave them better. At least for now they'll think twice before chasing us underground again."

"Where is Evan?" Ororo shouted, grabbing Callisto's collar.

"I don't know," Callisto glared at her back. "But I'd love to find him after the stunt he pulled. If I'd have know that his plan was to kill Spears I would have stopped it!"

"His plan?" Jean asked.

"He told us that he had a foolproof plan to take care of Spears and Power 8," Callisto pulled away from Ororo. "He didn't tell us anything else but to attack the plant and keep you busy at exactly eight o'clock. He said the less we knew the better things were! Yeah right! That nephew of yours screwed us all by offing Spears!"

"Spears was poisoned, not stabbed," Ororo told her.

"Really?" She raised an eyebrow. "Well whatever his bright idea was it backfired! Ironically now we have to leave the Alley and the tunnels under Bayville! For now anyway."

"Where will you go?" Rogue asked.

"As if I'd tell you!" Callisto snarled. "Don't worry, there are plenty of underground shelters for our people. We'll survive. No thanks to any of you! Especially Spyke! He's ruined us all! If I'd have known how much trouble he was I'd have never allowed him to stay with us."

"You're the one who took him away from us in the first place!" Ororo shouted.

"Please!" Callisto snarled. "After the first Power 8 incident he practically begged to stay with us! Unlike some people Morlocks don't need to kidnap or make deals with people in order to get new members. Or have their relatives pressure them into joining…"

"Why you…!" Ororo's eyes flashed.

"Storm no!" Scott ordered. He looked at Callisto. "You sure Evan isn't with you?"

"After today Spyke is no longer one of us," Callisto told him. "And the same goes for that lunatic sister of yours Thornn."

"Feral is with him?" Thornn gasped.

"In every sense of the word," Callisto growled. "That's another thing I've overlooked in the past. I'm just sorry he was the reason you left us Thornn."

Thornn ignored the puzzled looks of the other X-Men. "How's Tommy handling it?" She asked, referring to Evan's last girlfriend.

"Not well considering…" She stopped. "I've already said too much. If you do see that double crossing little rat tell him if he even thinks about coming back it will be the last thing he ever does!" She turned to go.

Storm made a move to restrain her, Logan held her back. "Let her go Storm."

"You're not just going to let her leave are you?" Ororo asked angrily.

"What will you do Windrider?" Callisto asked over her shoulder. "Cage me for your nephew's sins?" Ororo stayed silent. "Didn't think so. Nice to see that you haven't completely sold out to the humans."

"I never want to see you again," Ororo glared at her.

"The feeling is mutual," Callisto said as she disappeared into the night.

"Something tells me though we are going to run into her again," Logan grunted. "And it's not going to be pretty. Was she lying about Spyke Red?"

Jean folded her arms. "She was telling the truth. She didn't know anything."

"I think she knew a lot more than she let on," Scott looked at Thornn. "Do you mind telling me what that was all about?"

"It's personal Cyke," Logan spoke before Thornn did. "Leave it alone."

Hank decided to change the subject. "Well at least we know where Evan isn't."

"And we know who he's with," Thornn growled. "So much for sibling loyalty."

"Come on," Scott gave in for now. "Let's go home."

The next day most of the mutants slept in late. Xavier had suspended classes for the day in order to allow the students time to rest and recover. Later that afternoon Abrams returned to the mansion but met with only Xavier, Logan and Hank. "So what did the mayor say to weasel out of the disaster he made?" Logan asked.

"What do you think? Blamed it on the mutants," Abrams said. "But he did keep saying how grateful he was for your assistance. That's got to be worth something."

"But not grateful enough to not have a mutant curfew?" Hank asked.

"Well officially there is no mutant curfew," Abrams told them.

"But unofficially?" Hank picked up the subtle message.

"My men have orders to arrest any mutant that they don't know walking the streets," Abrams said. "Especially after dark. And if they see one of your kids to follow them."

"Wonderful," Logan grunted.

"I suppose you also know that we're keeping an eye on your mansion in case Daniels comes back?" Abrams raised an eyebrow.

"Well that Dan's Diaper truck is a bit conspicuous you have to admit," Hank made a wry grin.

"Look for what it's worth I'm starting to think the kid was framed," Abrams said. "But I gotta bring him in anyway. I'm sorry."

"We know Detective," Xavier said. "We appreciate your candor."

"And I appreciate what you've done," He told them. "Even if it doesn't seem like it."