Chapter 7

Kurt woke up on Monday and prepared for school just like any other day. He knew there was nothing he could do right now. Better to see if Mary Ann was back at school.

When he entered the kitchen the conversations all stopped. His friends all turned to watch hi. He gathered his breakfast and sat down at the table. He looked around the table. Worried looks were all he saw.

"What?" he asked.

The table immediately went back into action. Kurt nodded to himself and started to eat his breakfast.

After third period, Kurt knew Mary Ann wasn't coming back to school. He started to worry and voiced his concerns at lunch.

"What if Mystique is holding her captive?" he said around a mouthful of food.

"Well that wouldn't be strange. You saw her at the club. She's a danger to everyone until she can control her power," Rouge answered.

"Plus she seemed fragile. Mentally. Like she was fighting the brainwashing," Kitty added.

"I know. By now Mystique has for sure drugged her again."

Kurt stood up and put his hand on the table. "I'm going to talk to her."

"Who?" Jean asked.

"Mystique."

"You can't!" Kitty exclaimed.

"She's my mother and I need to talk to her. I'm going."

Kurt left the table, his lunch virtually untouched. He walked back into the school and headed straight for Darkholme's office. He knew the secretaries would be gone to lunch so he turned off his holo disguise before marching into Darkholme's office unannounced.

Mystique was sitting behind her desk in true form eating her lunch. Someone was sitting in a chair in front of her, listening to her talk.

Mystique looked up when Kurt entered. She looked surprised but tried to hide it.

"Well, well, well. Mary Ann look whose here. Kurt Wagner."

The person in the chair turned around but wasn't really looking. It was Mary Ann. Her face was blank and her eyes were clouded over. Her hair was pulled tightly back except for her long bangs, now died hot pink, which hung beside her face. She wore her new uniform Mystique had given her.

"What have you done to her?" Kurt asked He stepped forward and stood beside Mary Ann, who'd turned around again.

"Drugged her. Made her my doll. What else?"

"You monster."

"I'm not the only monster in this room. Son."

Kurt winced at Mystique's words. He looked down at Mary Ann to see is she had any reaction. She just sat there staring straight ahead.

"I'm glad you're here Kurt. I wanted you to see this," Mystique said. She opened one of her desk drawers and pulled out a syringe. She walked around her desk and grabbed Mary Ann's right arm.

"No!"

Kurt started to lunge at Mystique. She held the syringe his way and he stopped quickly.

"This is the last dose my little Thunderbird needs. Then she's mine permanently."

Kurt could only watch as Mystique stuck Mary Ann's pale underarm. He fought back tears as he saw the bruises and cuts that dotted her skin. Mary Ann didn't move at all after the chemicals were injected.

"Why?" Kurt asked as he knelt beside Mary Ann's chair. He took her hand and felt a small shock.

He looked back up at Mystique while she changed back into Raven Darkholme. She just looked at Mary Ann and Kurt harshly.

"Don't come back," she said.

The bell ran and Kurt heard the office's waiting room fill with voice.

"Get to class, Mr. Wagner."

Kurt stood up and left the office.

Darkholme leaned back against her desk. As much as she hated to admit it, Kurt's hatred of her, hurt. She turned to Mary Ann.

"Go home. I'll meet you there later. Take Lance and Pietro to. Hell, take the whole damned Brotherhood out. I don't care," Darkholme told Mary Ann.

Mary Ann nodded sharply. She stood up and started for the door.

"Wait."

Mary Ann stopped and turned back around.

"Do you love Kurt?"

"Kill the X-Men," Mary Ann replied.

Darkholme nodded slowly. "Of course."