Chapter 9

The X-Men exited the Blackbird slowly. Ororo and Professor Xavier joined them in the hanger for a debriefing on what had happened. Kitty's nose has stopped bleeding but she was still a mess.

After the meeting Kurt went back to his room alone. He returned to his deck and watched the full moon. Clouds rolled by and bats flitted about but he didn't notice.

When a small motorcycle pulled into the driveway and up to the house he did take notice. The rider turned the engine off and disembarked. They removed their helmet and placed it on the seat. Kurt immediately recognized her.

It was Mary Ann.

Mary Ann looked up at the large house and smiled. They wouldn't know what his them.

She walked right through the door and stood in the large entry hall. It was deserted but she heard a TV off to her right. She heard laughter form the same direction and decided everyone must by sitting in the living room. She was about to move that direction when she heard footsteps on the stairs in front of her. It was Kurt.

"So you came back?" Kurt asked as he descended the steps.

"Only to destroy you," she replied.

"Good luck."

"I don't need luck."

Kurt joined her on the floor. "You will. You're on our turf now. Alone."

"I don't need the Brotherhood. They're all incompetent slobs."

"Glad you feel that way. To bad you're not coming back to the X-Men."

"Soon there will be no X-Men to return to."

"Yeah right.

At that moment Kitty appeared at the top of the stairs. She dropped her book when she saw Mary Ann.

"I see your nose has healed."

Kitty didn't say anything. She just stood there and stared.

"Come on, Mary ann. Why are you here?" Kurt asked. He was trying to draw Mary Ann's attention away from Kitty.

"To rid the world of puny mutants so the strong will conquer."

"In English please."

"To kill the X-Men."

Mary Ann's right hand balled into a fist and started to spark. Kurt dropped his holo image them stood to face Mary Ann.

"Not while I'm here," Kurt said grinning.

Kitty quickly picked up her book and started back the way she had come. Mary Ann let her go. She'd deal with her later. Best to get the biggest obstacle out of the way first.

Kitty screeched to a halt and started pounding on Logan's door. A bedraggled form slowly turned the doorknob from inside and pulled the door open.

"What do you want, Half-Pint?" he asked, gruffly.

"Mary Ann's downstairs with Kurt. She says she's going to kill us."

"Shit. Go wake up the Professor. I'll go handle this."

Logan left his room without a second thought. He went downstairs the back way hoping to sneak up on Mary Ann from behind.

When he reached the first level he slowly walked toward the entrance hall. He could hear Mary Ann and Kurt talking. Mary Ann's hand sizzling and popping with energy.

"I've had enough of this!" Mary Ann yelled.

Logan knew if he was going to do something, he'd better do it now. He crept forward slowly until he was standing behind Mary Ann. He hoped he hadn't caught Kurt's eye. Logan gritted his teeth and charged toward Mary Ann as she raised her right hand in the air. She had no time to turn around before Logan grabbed her around her waist and drug her to the ground. All the energy dissipated from her hand as she struggled against Logan. He pinned her hands down and waited for the Professor to show.

Professor Xavier, Kitty and Ororo quickly joined them. The noise had woken everyone up and they now stood at the top of the stairs. Logan drug Mary Ann to her feet. She fought him all the way. Jean came down the staircase ans joined the Professor.

"What are we gonna do with her?" Kitty asked.

Jean put a hand on the Professor's shoulder and closed her eyes.

"Bring her closer, Logan."

Mary Ann stumbled forward and fell to her knees. The Professor put his hand on her forehead and closed his eyes as well. The hall fell silent and was only broke with Mary Ann's scream.

"You're hurting her!" Kurt yelled.

Mary Ann fell silent and the Professor let go of her. Both he and Jean look worn. Scott came down the stairs and stood next to Jean. Mary Ann slumped to the floor and, against his best judgement, Kurt rushed to her side.

"What did you do to her?" he asked, quietly, not taking his eyes off her.

"Purged her mind of the drugs. It had to be done. When she wakes up she should be as good as new."

Kurt looked at Mary Ann's sleeping form. "Really?"

"Yes. She will have no recollection of the Brotherhood."

Kurt smiled and picked Mary Ann up. "I'll take her to her room." Without saying anything more he teleported up to the Mary Ann's room. He used his tail to open her door and walked in slowly. He set Mary Ann down on her bed and covered her up. He kissed her forehead and left her alone.

"She what?"

Toad cringed as Mystique roared at him.

"She left. Said she was going to finish her job."

"Damn it! Why did you let her go?!"

"I sure wasn't gonna stop her!"

Mystique turned away and fell silent.

"She's gone. I'm sure by now Xavier has got rid of everything in her mind. Damn it! She was everything to us!"

"Maybe someone new will come along."

Mystique spun around and grinned at Toad. "Yes. Of course." Her grin quickly faded and Toad started to back away.

"I'll just leave now," he said slowly.

Mystique picked a statue up off her desk and threw it at Toad as he left quickly.

The nest morning Kurt was at Mary Ann's bed when she awoke. He smiled at her and she smiled back.

"What happened?"

"I'll tell you later. It's a long story."

"All I remember is getting a pass to go see the Principle. After that it's all a blur."

Kurt kissed Mary Ann's cheek. "Don't' worry. I'll fill you in soon enough. Are you hungry?"

"A little bit."

"Hold on."

Kurt went over to the door, popped his head outside and spoke to someone. When he was done he returned to his chair.

"Kitty will bring us some breakfast."

"Oh. Ok."

"So how do you feel?"

"Tiered. You can start telling me what happened."

"I could, couldn't I?"

"Yes. It would be nice."

"How about after breakfast."

As if on cue, Kitty opened the door and walked in with a tray of food. She sat it down on a table and left silently. Kurt helped Mary Ann to a chair and started to tell her about the past few weeks.

THE END