Chapter 4
It was Friday, finally. Mary Ann's first week at Bayville was almost over. After Tuesday's incident with Mystique, the week was looking better. Now she was only one class period away from the weekend and finally getting her car back. Plus she got to spend the last period with Kurt.
Class had only started when Mary Ann had received a pass to Darkholme's office. She showed it to Kurt who told her not to go.
"I can't ignore it."
"Wait for me. I'll get out in a second."
"Ok." Mary Ann gathered her stuff and left. Kurt waited a few minutes before he asked to go to he bathroom. The teacher let him and he grabbed his books and ran out of the room. He took Mary Ann's hand and they slowly walked to Mystique's office.
"What do you think she wants?" Mary Ann asked.
"The same thing as last time. Hold on."
Kurt stopped outside a classroom and stuck his head inside. Logan sat at the teacher's desk. Kurt whispered to him and Logan joined them in the hallway.
"Whats up, Elf?"
"Mary Ann was called to Darkholme's office. I'm going to escort her down there and stay there until she comes out."
"I have a class," Logan dug around in his pocket and pulled out a communicator, "but don't hesitate to call. Ok?"
"Yeah," Kurt said as he looked at the communicator.
"Good luck."
Kurt nodded sharply and Logan went back into the classroom. Kurt and Mary Ann started back toward Darkholme's office.
No one was waiting in the chairs so Mary Ann left her backpack with Kurt and knocked on Darkholme's door.
"Come in!" she called.
Mary Ann looked back at Kurt. He didn't do anything but grip the communicator Logan had given him tighter. Mary Ann smiled at him and opened the door. Kurt felt his heart sink when she closed the door behind her. He stood up and began to pace.
"Hey Blue Boy. What are you doing here?"
Kurt looked up at the voice. Pietro, Lance, Todd and Fred were all standing in the doorway. Pietro didn't look too happy.
"I'm waiting on someone, Lance," Kurt replied through clenched teeth.
"If it's Mary Ann don't even bother."
"Why?"
"She's ours now."
Kurt growled but didn't do anything. He gripped the communicator harder and sat down. Lance, Pietro, Todd and Fred all walked passed him and went into Darkholme's office.
Kurt clenched his teeth harder and waited. That was all he could do now.
Mary Ann tried to stay as far away from Mystique as possible. She did notice, as Mystique worked on some paperwork, a small silver box on her desk. She just stood there, not knowing what to do.
She was pushed aside when the door opened behind her. She hid behind it as the Brotherhood walked in. Fred closed the door and they all stood in row. None of them had noticed Mary Ann.
"Well where is she?" Lance asked.
"Behind you," Mystique said without looking up.
They all turned and looked at her. Lance, Todd and Fred smiled and Pietro glared at her. She felt like an animal being cornered before being taken to the slaughterhouse. Mystique finally finished her work and stood up.
"Mary Ann, how nice of you to join us."
If it were possible, Mary Ann would have pushed herself harder into the corner.
"Please take a seat. We'd like to talk to you. All of us."
Mary Ann pushed her way between Pietro and Todd and sat down. She'd play their game, for now, as long as it got her out quicker. The four students turned again and lined up behind Mary Ann. Now she was stuck.
"I know out last meeting wasn't very pleasant. I'm sorry. I'd like to try again," Darkholme said.
"My answer still stands. I'm happy with the Professor and the X-Men."
"And Kurt," Lance said, chuckling.
"Leave him out of this."
Darkholme glared at Lance and he stopped laughing quickly.
"But I can offer you so much more. More power, more strength," Darkholme said turning back to Mary Ann.
"No."
"We have other means then."
It was then Mary Ann noticed the silver box sitting on Darkholme's desk. She didn't quite understand it but she was in trouble and she felt it. She started to look around for someway to escape but it was hopeless. Five to one odds were not good. She took a deep breath as Darkholme faded into Mystique.
"Boys, hold her."
Mary Ann started to panic when Todd came to stand beside her and push down into a chair. He held her shoulders while Lance tied her arms behind the chair. Then, as one, they all stepped back into a line.
Mary Ann started to struggle against the rope but it was no use. Mystique picked the silver box and put it directly in front of Mary Ann. A little window opened us and she closed her eyes expecting the worst. When nothing happened she slowly opened her eyes again. Mystique was smiling, evilly, at her.
"Welcome to the Brotherhood, Thunderbird," Mystique said, her voice dripping with anticipation. She flipped the switch on the back of the box.
The bell signaling the end of school rang but no one in the office moved as a long arm protruded from the box. It headed straight for Mary Ann. As it grabbed the top her head she screamed. She fell silent when the needles pierced her scalp. The last thing she remembered was Mystique laughing before Mary Ann became numb.
Scott and Jean were getting into Scott's car as the ground started to rumble. They looked at one another then ran back to the school.
"I hope that's not who I think it is," Scott said.
"Hold on. I'm getting something," Jean answered as she stopped. She held her hands to her and heard Kurt call out to her.
Jean! Come quick! Mystique has done something to Mary Ann. I'll hold them as long as I can.
"It's Kurt. Mary An is in trouble."
Scott started running in the direction of the offices. They arrived and found Logan ready to cut opened the door.
"It's locked. I'm going in," Logan growled.
"Right. Let's do it."
Logan smiled and slashed the door apart and then all burst in. They found Kurt standing the large window. His face showed no emotion when he turned to face the other three X-Men.
"They're gone."
Logan walked over to the window and leaned out looking for Mystique.
"In a helicopter. I couldn't fight them. I could fight Mystique. I failed her."
Jean put a hand on Kurt's shoulder. He turned his disguise back on and looked away from the window.
"I'm gonna go look for her," Logan said, almost to himself.
"Not without me!" Kurt exclaimed turning back to face Logan.
"Go home, Elf. You need rest. I'll contact you…"
"No!" Kurt interrupted.
"I'm not letting you go. I'll contact you if I find anything." Logan passed back through the office and the shredded door.
"Come on. Let's go home and see what the Professor says. Then we'll take it from there," Scott said. Scott and Jean waited patiently until Kurt had left the office before following him.
Kurt sat in the back of Scott's car quietly all the way home. He didn't bother to see the Professor when they reached the mansion. He just went up to his room and stayed there the rest of the night.
Scott and Jean took turns waiting up in case Logan contacted them or came home. Kurt spent the might on the small balcony attached to his room. He sat in his desk chair, wrapped in his comforter, staring into the sky. There was no moon and Kurt was virtually invisible.
By seven the next morning, nothing was known. Logan hadn't returned, or contacted anyone. The Professor and Jean also couldn't get a hold on her.
Breakfast was a somber gathering. Kurt said in his normal seat quietly. He wore his pajamas and was without his holographic image inducer. He ate very little and went back to his room to wait after breakfast, alone.
Mary Ann awoke and remembered nothing. The only things that coursed through her head was the Brotherhood. She sat up and found herself in a new outfit. It was a black bodysuit with orange a yellow trims. The sleeves ended in a point between her middle and ring fingers.
Todd crouched in a far corner. He saw Mary Ann was awake and smiled. He stood up straight, slowly, as if he'd been there a long time.
"Come on. Mystique wants to see you," Toad said.
Mary Ann climbed out of bed and followed Toad through hallways until they reached two large wooden doors. He knocked and the doors slowly swung open. He hopped through them and Mary Ann followed.
Mystique sat across the large room behind a desk. She smiled as Mary Ann entered and beckoned her forward. Mary Ann sat down in front of Mystique and stared straight ahead.
"You did a good job, Mystique. She is completely under our control," a voice said. It was the same voice that came from the dark figure in Darkholme's office. Smooth and deep.
"I'm glad you think so. Shall I show you her assets?"
"Not yet. Not with any of your students. Set out a little bait and see who comes biting."
"Of course."
"I'll leave it up to you Mystique."
Mystique turned to look at Mary Ann. Mary Ann just stared ahead. Her face was unyielding to any emotion.
"So how do you like your new clothing?" Mystique asked.
Mary Ann didn't answer her. She just sat there. Mystique started to laugh.
"Take her back to her room, Toad. We'll have to find some way to lure the X-Men here."
Mary Ann stood up and followed Toad back to her room. Toad closed her door once she was in and left Mary Ann alone. She stood there for a while then walked over to a small, barred window. She looked outside, not registering anything.
Wolverine lowered the binoculars a little before raising then up again. Mary Ann turned and disappeared away and pulled out a cell phone. He dialed the Institute and waited for someone to pick up. Kitty's voice answered, somewhat slowly.
"Hello?"
"Half pint, is Charles around?"
"Mr. Logan?"
"Yeah. Listen I need to talk to Charles."
"Ok. Hold on."
The line went silent for a few moments before Professor Xavier picked up another line.
"Logan. I hope you have good news."
"I do. I found her."
"Good. Come on home. We'll regroup and head out later."
"She doesn't seem to be in danger. Ok. I'll be home as quick as I can. Wolverine out." Logan put the cell phone away and revved his motorcycle's engine and sped away.