Sorry about the time in between updates but I've got good reasons.
Primarily school has started to pick up and stories are forced to take a back seat to school work.
Second would be that I am a HUGE Boston Red Sox fan. For anyone who doesn't know who they are they play baseball and normally always lose. But this year they're winning and my attention is riveted upon their games instead of my writing. So sue me.
Let me clear something up for everyone since there seemed to be confusion as to the identity of the Phantom.
The Phantom is Magneto. End of story. Sorry if you didn't like the choice but I have my reasons.
On a side note about that the other finalists for the Phantom were Toad and Mastermind.
Terminatrix T-X – Enjoy reading the book. Personally I found that I didn't really like it, but it's still a fun read.
Ev1ta – Creed help Remy? Maybe, only more chapters will tell. Erik having a happy ending? I'll look it to it. Also for use of the word W00T you get more candy.
mAd RoGuE – Caught you by surprise didn't I? Hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
Winter Fire – Thanks for the praise. Don't worry daily life at the Institute will always be included. I have way too much fun writing John, Bobby, and Kurt to leave it out.
Caliente – Remy just can't catch a break can he?
Roguehobbit – The name in the cartoon(s) that they use for Magneto is Magnus. However his name is Erik Magnus Lehnsherr, although in the comics they fiddle around with that but I stopped listening to what the comics say as they only screw things up.
Ishandahalf – Either I'm getting predictable or you're just able to figure me out. I assure you there will be Romyness. But I get another gold star! I'm just racking those up. And just so you know your frustrations are echoed by my beta, she absolutely loves Remy in this.
Crazed Maniac 02 – Enjoy the book. You don't have to keep asking for an e-mail update. I'll keep sending them for the rest of the fic.
Thanks go out to the lovely spiffythefaery for volunteering her time to read this and many other stories that tumble about in my warped mind.
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"Close your eyes, start a journey through a strange new world
Leave all thought of the world you knew before…
Only then can you truly belong to me."
-The Phantom
After dinner the members of the Xavier Institute had retired to the massive living room where they split into smaller groups, their minds focused on a myriad of subjects.
The younger mutants had planted themselves in front of the television set. Their eyes were glued upon the flickering box, their attention riveted on the adventures of the superhero of the moment. Jamie let out a squeal of pleasure as the program came on, intent upon enjoying his show.
The instructors had settled into the far corner of the room, content to watch the antics of their pupils. Professor Xavier sipped a glass of wine as his warm brown eyes roamed over his students, a smile graced his face. Standing beside Xavier, Logan looked on, his beady black eyes taking in everything, a frown pulling at his lips. He obviously wanted to put everyone to work.
Behind Xavier, Hank and Ororo were engaged in a riveting conversation about the application of Aristotelian ethics in the world today. Anyone else besides those two would find the topic extremely boring and not worth the time of day.
Raven leaned against the wall, a smile tugging at her lips. She had not been present for most of dinner, having turned up at the end. Whatever her reason for disappearing, she eventually showed up to watch over her wards with pride. For the moment her attention was on Jean, the young redhead talking animatedly with Kitty and Scott.
Jean's hand flew through the air to punctuate her point. The popular girl was discussing relationships and couples, that topic having dominated the conversation with Rogue and Remy's disappearance. Scott sat beside Jean, his goggled gaze intent upon her and her alone. He nodded in agreement with everything his girlfriend said, barely speaking aside from comments of assent.
Kitty sat across from Jean, actively involved in the conversation. The perky brunette was discussing how she and Lance had gotten together, after much pushing from their respective friends. Lance said nothing about the topic, content to let Kitty talk to her heart's desire. His arm was wrapped around her, pulling her closer to him. Kitty's lecture continued from her position resting against him.
Raven couldn't help but smirk at Kitty and Jean's discussion. Love seemed to have quite a powerful effect on these children. Once they had sipped from the nectar of love, they had to have more. It was a drug more addictive and more powerful than any that could be physically manufactured. Raven's thoughts wandered to another girl, who at this very moment might be getting her first taste of the powerful emotion. She shook her head slightly to clear her head; it wasn't her business what Rogue did.
Clearing her mind about thoughts of love, Raven turned her gaze to the one person that she loved: her son. Her eyes widened slightly as she looked around for Kurt. The boy was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Bobby or John for that matter. With everyone else in the room there was no telling just what those three could be up to. Frowning at this new development, Raven stalked out of the room in search of the wayward trio.
***
"So is everything clear?"
"Always."
"Excellent. Then let us commence with Operation Vanish," Kurt said with a slight snicker. Bobby and John echoed his sound. John rose his head to look at Bobby.
"After we move everything then can I burn it?"
"Depends," Bobby answered a mischievous glint in his eye. That was not the answer that John wanted. He frowned at the others, letting his displeasure shine through. Kurt reached forward and grabbed John's shoulder.
"It depends on vhether or not ve get the ransom. Knowing Jean, she von't pay up at first. Then you can burn stuff," Kurt said with a grin. This was something that John wanted to hear. His frown vanished, immediately replaced with his normal lopsided grin.
"Then let us commence the operation," Bobby whispered. The other boys nodded in agreement and began to move towards their goal.
***
Jean and Kitty were still involved in their discussion about how they finally hooked up with their significant others when the missing trio finally came into the room.
Trying to look inconspicuous they trudged into the room and sat down on one of the empty couches littering the living room. Of course, since they were trying to look inconspicuous they were more noticeable than ever. Logan shot a nasty glance in their direction, letting them know that he knew that they had been up to something and he disapproved.
For their part, the boys attempted to ignore Logan's glance, pretending that they had been good in their time abroad. Shifting their attention onto the animated conversation between the two elder girls, they couldn't help but look on in some semblance of awe. Jean and Kitty were speaking so quickly, telling their stories so rapidly that their words were blending into each other. How they could speak so fast or understand what was being said was beyond them. Bobby leaned over and whispered to the boys sitting next to him.
"That's not natural."
Kurt nodded in agreement. "Ja. It's not possible."
"It makes a guy wonder," Bobby said, tapping his chin with his finger in thought.
"It does," John said before pausing in confusion. "What does?"
"What does what?"
"What makes a guy wonder?"
"Vonder about vhat?
"It."
"What's it?"
"It makes a guy wonder."
"Vonder vhat?" This line of discussion continued until John became thoroughly confused. Deciding that he spent enough time trying to figure out the cryptic meaning of Bobby's statement, the Australian gave his favorite comeback line.
"Fire!" he joyously declared, removing a small lighter from his pocket. Flicking it open, John produced a small flame that began to rapidly grow in size. However, John did not get a chance to bask in the warmth of the flame as the lighter was quickly confiscated from his grip.
"What did I say about lighters John?" Logan growled, clenching the offending object in his adamantium laced hand.
"My lighter!" John protested, reaching out for his precious item. Logan's hand flew backward, putting more distance between the pyromaniac and the lighter.
"What did I say?" Logan growled again, his voice lower and more dangerous than before.
"You don't say anything. Normally you just growl, kinda like Creed," Kurt threw in, amused at the unfolding scene. Everyone else paid close attention to the argument (since it involved John and a lighter), except for Jean and Kitty who prattled on. Logan was not amused by Kurt's joke and glared at the youth.
"Or you stare at us, hoping that making us look at that unprepossessing face of yours will make us behave, which is a pretty good threat," Bobby added while John attempted to wrestle the lighter from Logan.
Logan turned to leer at Bobby, his face purple with rage. Bobby snickered at Logan's look, something that was most unusual.
"Your face is the same color as Scott's hair," Bobby cracked. Kurt noticed the similarity as well and the two fell to the floor laughing. The comment was overheard by the rest of onlookers who immediately began laughing, recalling Scott's hair. Even Professor Xavier cracked a slight smile.
"Maybe you should dye your hair that color Logan. God knows you'd look better," John wheezed as he fell over laughing. This remark made everyone burst out with laughter, even Ororo, Hank, and the Professor joined in. Logan was not amused with the suggestion. Rage boiled on his features, his lip twisting in ire. His eyes focused on John, who had suggested the idea, and fury swept over the Canadian.
Logan's claws sprang from his fists, the sound of metal on metal tearing through the echoing laughter. The laughs were silenced immediately. John looked up at Logan in horror. One of his foot long steel claws had pierced through the lighter, the fluid dripping onto the carpet.
"No!" John cried out as Logan tossed the ruined lighter off of the metal appendage. John rushed over to the lighter and cradled it carefully against his body.
"You're a murderer!" John screamed at Logan as he rushed from the room. Silence filled the room as he left, everyone pondering what had just happened. Then, as if everyone had been collectively holding their breath, noise once again filled the room. Logan cast a derisive glance in Bobby and Kurt's direction before stalking out, obviously going to take his anger out on some poor Danger Room simulations.
Kitty and Jean resumed their conversation, Scott and Lance still remaining silent. Bobby and Kurt turned their attention back to the talking females, still entranced with the speed of the words.
"Kurt, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"I think so Bobby. But do they make tutus small enough for squirrels to wear even if they could be trained to perform ballet?"
Bobby blinked rapidly. "What?"
"Hm? Oh, nothing."
Bobby nodded slowly, pretending that he hadn't heard what his closest friend had just suggested. "As I was saying," he said while casting a curious glance at Kurt, who was twiddling his thumbs, "that there is no way that those two could speak so fast normally. That means they must have some artificial means of speaking so fast. You get my drift?"
"Safari?" Kurt asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yep."
"Kitty or Jean?"
"Well, considering what has already happened to Jean I would say Kitty."
"But Kitty's with Rogue."
"Indeed. We must be extra careful then."
"Ve must. John?"
"Destruction?"
"Oh yes," they answered together.
"Tomorrow night?"
"Sunday."
"Alright then. I'll get the supplies."
"Excellent." The two ended their conversation at this point, lapsing into boredom at listening to Kitty and Jean comparing their relationships. Sighing deeply, Bobby and Kurt sank down into their seats while looking at everything else going on in the room. Kurt noticed that something was wrong.
"Vhere is Rogue?" he asked, his voice attracting the attention of everyone else in the room. Kitty turned her attention to the blue boy, a smile gracing her thin lips.
"She's with Remy, remember? That special thing he set up for tonight."
"Oh yeah," Kurt replied, turning his attention towards the television where some cartoon hero was pounding the villain, thoughts of Rogue forgotten. Moments later Remy rushed into the room, out of breath, his red eyes wide with fear. His entrance brought all conversations to a halt. Something was wrong.
"Has anyone seen Rogue?" Remy managed to spit out between gasping for breaths. Professor Xavier wheeled himself forward, towards the panting Remy.
"What's wrong?" Xavier asked, concern sweeping over his features.
"Rogue's gone."
The statement shot through the room, stealing everyone's breaths with it.
"Gone? What happened?"
"Remy gave Rogue her dress, just like Remy was supposed to. Then Remy went to check on the food and give Rogue time to change. When Remy come back Rogue was gone."
"Gone? You've looked for her?"
He nodded. "Yes. Remy searched through the whole mansion and Rogue isn't anywhere." Xavier nodded, steepling his hands in thought.
"I see. Are you sure that you searched the entire mansion?"
"Everywhere but de bedrooms."
"Perhaps she is moving about the mansion. Let me see if I can find her." Xavier placed his hands on his forehead and began a mental search for Rogue. His mind scoured the mansion to no avail. He could find no trace of his pupil. Frowning at his development he turned to face Ororo.
"Take the students and look for Rogue. I can't sense her…" Xavier trailed off. Ororo nodded in understanding. If Xavier couldn't find her with a mental scan then she was either undetectable or unconscious, perhaps worse.
"I will continue to search for her in Cerebro. Perhaps she has left the mansion." With that having been said, Xavier wheeled himself towards the massive machine. Ororo turned around and ordered the students to look for the lost girl. Everybody bolted from the room, concerned about the fate of their friend.
No amount of searching would prove to be useful however. No matter how hard and long the students looked, no matter where they went in the vast mansion; they would be unable to find Rogue. For, unbeknownst to them, she was with the Phantom, beyond the reach of any in the mansion.
***
Ever since being pulled into the mirror, darkness had surrounded Rogue. A darkness so impenetrable, she couldn't see anything in front of her. The lack of light had no effect upon her companion, however. The Phantom strode through the darkness, his hand gently holding onto Rogue's. Without the constant contact she would be lost in the underground labyrinth forever.
Rogue didn't know how long she had been walking in the darkness, she had no idea how long it had been since plunging through the mirror and into this new world.
He had said nothing to her since she had grasped his hand, his attention on the task of getting through the underground maze and to their destination, wherever that was.
Rogue's feet were aching from the long trek. The shoes she was wearing were not conducive to walking and were beginning to rub painfully against her heel. Wincing at the pain shooting through her feet, she tried to slow down. The Phantom noticed the decrease of speed and brought his steps to halt. Turning his head to face Rogue, his glowing eyes stood out in the darkness.
"Where are we going?" Rogue asked. The Phantom remained silent, his eyes still burning through the dark. She frowned at his silence, a frown which was no doubt lost in the darkness. Turning her head around Rogue looked down the path that they had ventured down, her thoughts switching to Remy for a brief moment. The Phantom noticed her movement and spoke, his voice rumbling through the small corridor.
"Why do you look behind?" Rogue turned to face the Phantom again.
"Because of what is back there."
"What is back there Rogue? What have they done for you to want to stay there?" the Phantom asked, his voice echoing the doubts that Rogue had been having for the past day. She gave no answer.
"Although you turn from me and glance behind, you know that they have nothing to offer you. But I can offer you everything you've dreamed of." Rogue felt the Phantom tug gently at her hand.
"We are almost there. Just a little bit further," the Phantom said, his words worming into Rogue's ear, her legs beginning to move in accordance to the mysterious man's words. Her mind however fought against the almost hypnotic control of his words, attempting to work things out.
"Where are we going?"
"Where you will no longer be shunned. Where you will be accepted. Where you belong. With me," the Phantom replied, his eyes locking with Rogue's. Her resolve fled as she gazed into the Phantom's glowing eyes. Her will gone, she did exactly as the Phantom asked, following him further into darkness.
***
When Rogue finally came to her senses, she was no longer walking. She was sitting on the floor of a wooden boat, gliding across a vast underground lake. Behind her the Phantom steered the boat along, dipping a lengthy pole into the shimmering lake.
Looking around Rogue couldn't see were they had left from, the darkness behind preventing her from seeing the point where they had gotten on to the boat. In front of her, Rogue could see a beacon of light, splitting the darkness and sparkling off the diamond surface of the water. The light revealed a small island in the middle of the lake, the water slapping against the shore. The Phantom guided the boat towards the small isle.
The boat ran up on the land, scraping against the sandy surface. Once the boat dragged to a halt, Rogue stood up, looking at where they were going. There was no furnishing on the island, only a large light to guide the Phantom through the darkness.
The Phantom hovered out of the boat, his feet never touching the floor. Hanging a few inches above the ground, he extended his hand to Rogue. She grasped it and let him pull her up. The distance between the boat's floor and the ground was further than she had anticipated and she lost her balance, stumbling into the Phantom's waiting arms.
Rogue rested against the Phantom, feeling his arms wrap around her. Despite a small voice nagging at her for allowing this to happen, Rogue felt comfortable in the mysterious man's embrace. Unconsciously she sank into the Phantom's strong arms, letting the warmth of his body envelop her.
There was a deep rumbling sensation coming from the island beneath her feet. At first the unexpected noise had caused Rogue to jump and bury herself into the Phantom's embrace. He said nothing, his eyes on the ground. The center of the small patch of land was lifting from the surface. Rising from the ground was a large metal tube, reminiscent of an elevator. Waiting until the tube had completely risen, the Phantom strode forward, still holding onto Rogue.
Once Rogue and the Phantom had stepped into the tube, it shot downward and Rogue's stomach threatened to leap into her throat. She squeezed the Phantom as they fell. He said nothing, simply turning his helmeted head towards Rogue, his eyes still burning. Rogue saw nothing but lights shooting past as they descended further into the bowels of the Earth.
Suddenly the fall came to a stop. No longer did the narrow shaft of the makeshift elevator surround Rogue. Instead she was in a large, spacious room, larger than anything the mansion had to offer. The furnishings were comfortable, but by no means signs of wealth. The Phantom released her from his grasp as she wandered about the room.
The room was sparsely decorated, only a few paltry items residing in the massive underground chamber. Primarily a large indigo curtain hung from the ceiling blocking off part of the room from view. Rogue paused, wondering just what could lie behind the drape. She could see many things that resembled a bed, a kitchen, and a desk. Curiosity getting the best of her she moved towards the deep indigo drape, her hand stretched out.
"No." The word halted Rogue's forward movement as she turned to look back at the Phantom. He stepped off of the elevator but came no closer to Rogue.
"You are not yet ready to see what lies behind there," the Phantom said, his deep voice rumbling through the chamber.
"Why have you brought me here?" Rogue asked her mysterious instructor. The Phantom took a few more steps towards her, drastically decreasing the distance between the two. His cape rustled about his ankles as he moved.
"Since the moment I saw you I realized that you were special. That you were like me."
"Like you?"
"Yes. We share many similarities. Both of us have been rejected by the world around us, both shunned for what we are. When I realized that you were like me, I knew that I had to make myself known to you. I had to give you what you always wanted so that, in return, you might give me what I always desired," the Phantom replied, a solemn tone to his voice.
"What do you want?" The Phantom stepped closer to Rogue, his eyes burning amidst the darkness. He bent over slightly, his head near Rogues.
"I thought you would have figured it out by now. I want, I need, you." Rogue gave no reply, merely turning her head away. She felt the Phantom's fingers press against her chin. Rogue involuntarily shuddered at his cold touch, his skin was like ice.
Stepping backwards with shock Rogue looked at the Phantom's hand which had just been touching her bare skin. He had removed his glove.
He had touched her bare skin.
Rogue looked at her tutor and mouthed a simple question, "How?"
"Just know that I can touch you. And you can touch me," the Phantom replied. Rogue nodded and removed the lengthy gloves she was wearing. Hesitantly she reached forward, towards his face. Deciding to go ahead with it, she lunged forward. However her bare hands smacked into the black plate fastened to the inside of his helmet, preventing anyone from seeing his face. The Phantom responded by reaching out with his bare hand.
"Imagine what we could do Rogue. Imagine what we could achieve. Together. Stay with me, be mine and I promise you, everything you want you will have." Rogue paused for a moment, contemplating the offer before her. Deciding to accept the mysterious Phantom's offer, Rogue reached forward, grasping his bare hand with hers. With his other hand the Phantom whirled his violet cape around Rogue and all she saw was darkness.
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