Warning: Long Chapters
It was quite at the Brother Hood house when Kitty arrived. Most of them had left their house because of boredom. Since they were expelled from school they have not had much to do during the day.
Kitty walked up the porch steps and knocked on the door. She was nervous about being here. Sure the X-Men were beginning to except the fact that she liked Lance, but still she was nervous that she might run into some other Brother Hood goon who was still not very fond of her.
Her hand reached towards the door. Before she even had time to knock the knob turned and the door swung open.
Kitty gasped, but her surprise disappeared as she saw it was only Lance.
Lance smiled at her as he asked, "what took you so long?"
Kitty entered the house saying, "school of course. I swear it gets longer every day."
They made their way into the house. Lance was the only one there, which he felt just fine with. He grabbed hold of Kitty and they shared a long passionate kiss, something neither of them have been able to do for a while. Being on different teams made it difficult for them to make time to see each other. They wanted to cherish this moment together.
Kitty slowly and gently pushed Lance away and said, "I thought you asked me over here to show me something."
"That was only one reason to get you here," he said. "I just wanted to see you."
"Well, I'm here," she said with a smile.
Lance took her hand and pulled her into the living room with him.
"I might as well show it to you now," he said before stopping her right outside the door. "But before I do promise me you won't tell anybody what I showed you. Todd and Fred would kill me if they found out I brought you over to see this."
Kitty laughed at first and then saw the seriousness in the boy's eyes. "Alright Lance I won't tell any one."
Lance gave a satisfied nod before leading Kitty to what they had found earlier. He stopped and pointed to the statue that still stood with its amazing detail. As strange as it seemed the statue was even more life like than it was when it was dug up.
Kitty's eyes turned wide with amazement. She looked at the stone figure as it surveyed all that stood before it.
"Oh my God," she said with astonishment in her voice and face, "where did you find this thing."
Lance gave a smirk and said, "right outside, in our front yard."
"No way," was the only thing that came out of Kitty's mouth as she moved closer to the sculpture.
Her pupils focused on the snake figure carved in the middle of the stone. It appeared to be stare right back at her.
"I thought you'd be impressed," Lance stated behind her.
Kitty did not turn away from the eyes of the skull-faced snake. "How long do you think its been buried out there."
"That I can't say," Lance answered. "But I do know one thing. New or old this thing is definitely worth something."
Kitty still watched the eyes. The life in them was so real.
Lance looked at Kitty as she stared. He expected her to ask a lot more questions then she had already. Kitty was not the type who kept quiet for this long. But he figured it was only because she was soaking in the remarkable detail in the statue.
Kitty remained focused on the eyes of the snake. It was as if she was hypnotized by them.
The eyes of the skull face began to glow, and Kitty did not seem alarmed. Still she stared.
A whispering noise was then heard in her ear. "So close to life again, but still so far. Give me just a little blood, bring me closer to freedom."
Kitty paused and then slowly reached out to touch the statue. Her finger pressed against the skull face of the snake. Then as if a blade had slide across her finger a cut was formed. The blood slowly began to be absorbed into the stone. Lance did not notice it.
The whisper continued in Kitty's ear. "What is this," it said. "What presence is this that I sense in your blood. One I have not felt in centuries."
Kitty remained in her trans. "I don't know," she said.
An eyebrow raised on Lance's face. Now he began to feel worry.
"Who are you talking to Kitty," he asked the brown haired prep.
Kitty did not seem to hear him.
The whisper continued. "I know this thing that I sense. You have been in contact with a member of the cursed bloodline."
"Kitty you're scaring the hell out of me," Lance yelled trying to get the girls attention, but he could not get through.
Kitty still listened to the voice. "She has taken from you. I can see this. Are you the only on who she has been in contact with?"
"No," Kitty said in a very smooth and emotionless voice.
Lance remained standing away. He wanted to go over and shake some sense into his girlfriend, but he did not know if that was a good idea.
"Who else was there," the voice demanded.
"X-Men," was all Kitty said.
The voice still remained calm as it whispered, but there was still a bit of determination in it when it spoke.
"Her name. I must know her name. The renowned blood flows in her veins. Give me the name of the one who carries on the cursed bloodline."
Lance could not wait anymore. He ran over to Kitty and grabbed hold of her.
Before he did however one word passed by her lips before ending contact with the statue.
"Rogue."
Lance shook the girl as he yelled, "Kitty snap out of it!"
Kitty then turned to him in shock as if she just saw him in the room. She stumbled a little and Lance helped her keep her balance.
"Whoa," she said. "What happened?"
"You spaced out and began talking to yourself," Lance said in concern. "What was wrong with you?"
Kitty shook her head. "Sorry Lance," she said, "I just didn't get much sleep last night. A lot of weird stuff has been going on."
Her thoughts lingered to what Evan had told her the night before and the encounter with the strange mutants two nights ago.
Lance's face turned to sympathy. "Do you want to talk about it," he asked her, knowing that she would.
Kitty only nodded. She left the room with Lance unaware of the cut on her finger. Her blood dripped onto the floor as she moved.
When they were gone the statue stood alone. The silence now in the room made it seem like nothing had happened. A breeze blew by the window giving the tattered curtains sudden life, but other than that there was no movement.
Then Kitty's blood on the floor began to move. It pulled together into a little puddle of red on the floor and then seemed to slither it's way to the statue. In no time the rock figure absorbed every drop.
A satisfied sigh was heard, but one that could not be heard in the material plane. The whispering voice came again.
"Rogue," it said, "the final ancestor of the one who began the crusade against me is within this town."
It paused for a second. The snake figure on the statue began to glow the bright color that Lance and Todd had seen once before. It only lasted for a while and then vanished as smoothly as it came.
The voice spoke again. "My power is returning, but I still can not show form."
It paused. "X-Men more mutant blood awaiting to be taken. I need more. If I can contact my followers then I will be closer to freedom, with spilt mutant blood."
Three dark figures sat within the woods as the sun began to set. All waiting patiently for the time to hunt, fresh mutant fluids. Time was growing short, The Night of Blood was near, and they still needed only a little more of the red liquid. But they had to wait for the cover of dark.
They waited patiently for the return of their leader, their black cloaks waiting nearby to be draped over them.
The first sat against a tree, he was known as Slime-eel, an odd name of course, but still feared by many of the ancient times. His body was sleek and thin, almost snake like. His arms and legs were almost like that of a man, except for the clawed fingers and toes. His head was like an eel's, but his mouth had more of a point to it. A horn stuck out the back of his head with a flap that began at the tip of the horn and connected at the base of his neck.
Not far from him sat Rhombie. His body was like that of a scaly and skinny man. He had two extra fore arms that forked from his elbow. His face was both human and reptile like with a mouth full of fangs below his black eyes.
And finally there was Flamoid. His features could not really be seen. He wore a strange red suit and black gloves. Over his face he wore a strange mask that had no facial features what so ever.
They sat in the woods anticipating the arrival of the one the great Tiro left in charge during his absence.
Rhombie watched his knee as a spider began to crawl its way up it. He snatched it quickly and in an instant he ate it.
His voice grumbled as he said, "I cannot take eating food of his kind. Insects, spiders, roots, it is hardly suitable."
"I agree," said Slime-eel. "It's been long since we've had meat Fresh, bloody, and raw."
"Then you will enjoy this," a voice said from the woods.
They turned their heads and saw Reptilian enter the clearing. His white and razor sharp teeth glistening red with blood as he dragged the carcass of a deer behind him.
Slime-eel stood and faced the temporary leader chosen by Tiro.
"It's about time you've shown up my brother," he said. "The night draws near."
"I know," Reptilian confirmed. "The hunt will begin soon, but first you must eat."
"What about you," the eel like mutant asked.
"Oh I have had my fill," he said as he pointed to the huge bite mark in the deer's stomach.
Slime-eel nodded as he and Rhombie began to tare at the flesh of the dead animal. The bloody meat felt good in their mouths as they devoured it.
Flamoid stood away from the meal. He no longer had any need for food. It was a burden he was willing to live with along with many others.
Reptilian licked the access blood off his teeth and savored it before it dribbled down his throat. His joy vanished as he heard a whispering noise in his ear.
"Loyal followers," it said.
Reptilian raised his head to the sound. The ripping of flesh that went on behind him made it difficult for him to hear.
"Silence," he demanded in one hard word. The two mutants stopped shredding the deer and listened.
"Loyal followers," the voice came again. "Can you hear me?"
All four of the mutants stood strait and quickly bowed before the voice.
Reptilian said with his head still bowed, "Lord Tiro! How did you manage to contact us?"
"I have managed to receive an adequate amount of blood," the voice said. "My abilities are growing, but are still no where near their true strength You may rise my followers."
All the mutants stood. Not knowing where the voice was coming from, they just stared strait ahead.
Reptilian listened as the voice breathed around him. It must have taken all of Tiro's strength to contact them, and he knew that his reason for doing so was important.
"What are your orders, my lord," he asked with the utmost respect.
"I need to know the progress of the hunt," Tiro's voice asked still breathing heavily.
Slime-eel was the one to answer the question. "It goes well. We have almost enough blood, but we cannot locate anymore mutants."
"How much more blood do you need," the voice asked.
"Enough to fill three men," he said.
The voice remained silent. "I know of at least one mutant. She goes by the name of Kitty."
"Why waist time looking for her," asked Rhombie. "Why not simply take the lives of humans or animals? It would be much quicker."
The voice of Tiro roared when he answered. "HUMAN AND ANIMAL BLOOD WILL NOT SUFFICE! ONLY A FEW PINTS WILL WORK, AND I HAVE ALREADY ABSORBED THAT! IT MUST BE MUTANT BLOOD ONLY NOW!"
None of the mutants even flinched from the sudden raise in the voice.
Rhombie just nodded and said, "forgive me master."
Tiro calmed himself before speaking again. "However, this girl will not be enough. The blood must be clean and fresh from the body. Knowing our killing methods she will not have much blood when you are done with her. But I have learned of more like her."
The four mutants waited for whom their master spoke of.
"They call themselves the X-men," he said. "I sensed that they were mutants as well, when the girl came in contact with me."
"And how do we locate them," Reptilian asked.
"Simple," said Tiro's voice. "This girl has been in contact with the last of the cursed bloodline."
The four mutants stood in shock. The members of the bloodline have not been seen or sensed for hundreds of years. It was assumed they were all dead.
"Are you sure," asked Reptilian.
"Quite," said the voice. "Find the one that carries the bloodline, and you will find the girl. Kidnap her, and use her as bait for these X-Men. But leave the one who carries the renowned blood alive. I wish to deal with her myself when I am freed."
"And how do you expect us to find her," Reptilian asked, with no lack of respect.
"I can sense her, and you can to," the voice said. "I will give you her sent, then it should be simple to locate her."
The four mutants paused. Suddenly a strange sent filled the air in front of their noses. It lingered on. The sent of the cursed bloodline.
"Now," said the voice of Tiro, "get going. Ethenarol grows near."
All the mutants nodded before the voice disappeared, but the sent still remained. It lingered in the air and pointed them in a certain direction. In no time they would find the one who carried the renowned blood.
Rogue walked through the park as the night air brushed against her. The street lights managed to eliminate the darkness around her with out any challenge.
It was a peaceful night, unlike the passed two days. She just needed to get away from it all for a while and just be left alone with her thoughts.
She didn't care if she was missing a danger room session tonight, she needed to relax. Of course Logan would give her a lecture and make her go through a tough lesson, but she could live with that.
She would not be the only one to get a lecture. Kitty was still out with Lance somewhere.
She closed her eyes and allowed the cool wind to run through her hair. Little did she know she was being watched.
In the shadows stood two of the figures she had met two nights ago. They stood watching her as she walked through the night.
The first was the one that had grabbed her and the second was one of the ones that was still unknown to her.
The second figure tapped the first. "Pincher, why the hell are we watching this girl? You know we got more important things to do."
The one called Pincher looked at the second, "I don't know Dromined (Drom-in-ed)," he said, "I just got a strange feeling about her."
They continued to spy on the pale girl.
Rogue suddenly stood still and allowed the silence of the night to overcome her. It was perfect, no noise except the breeze around her. It was extremely pleasant.
The silence was soon interrupted by a very familiar voice. "Good evening, Chere."
Rogue whipped around to a near by park bench. And sitting upon the bench was the well-known Cajon.
It had been quite a while since she had last seen the mutant known as Gambit. Other than the ordeal with Apocalypse the last time she saw him was back in Louisiana during Martygraw. She did not want to admit it, but she was happy to see him.
"Well, are you gonna say something or, just stand there," Gambit asked the stunned Goth.
Rogue shook her head and said, "sorry I'm just What are you doing here?"
"Do I need a reason," the Cajon asked as he gave his usual smirk.
"Well," she said, but could not think of anything to say.
Gambit stood and said, "I'm just here to see you."
"Why," she asked.
"Enough with the questions," he said, "just sit down."
Rogue hesitated and then said, "alright, but you damn well better keep your hands on your side of the bench, or Ah'll tare them off."
Gambit could not help, but laugh. Rogue waited a few more seconds and then sat down.
Meanwhile the two figures still watched them.
Dromined leaned closer to Pincher and said, "looks like someone's gonna get some action tonight."
Pincher held his hand up as if he were gonna slap him and said, "hey, watch it."
They both gave a quick snicker and continued to look on.
Rogue sat and looked up at the sky.
"What a beautiful night," she said, just trying to take her mind off of current events.
"I think my view's better," she heard the Cajon say in a rather sly voice.
Rogue looked at him and saw him gazing at her breasts.
"Hey eyes, up her jackass," she said rather harshly.
Gambit's eyes snapped up instantly. "Sorry, Remy just can't resist."
Rogue stood up and began to talk very angrily, "look swamp rat, if the only reason you came here is to try and get some with me, well you know that ain't gonna happen! One because, Ah can't touch and two"
Her words were soon interrupted by a sudden image in her mind. She grabbed her head in pain as she saw a strange lizard like figure in her head.
Back in the shadows the same image flashed in Pincher's mind.
His head snapped up as he said panicked, "Reptilian!"
Dromined covered his mouth, afraid the two mutants would hear him. After a few seconds he let go.
Pincher began to breathe in gasps as he said, "I knew it I knew it They've been here all along. Searching. For us and for Tiro."
"What do you mean," his companion asked.
"Dromined," he said, "I'm afraid Tiro's followers already know we hid him here. I was right, they are gonna try and release him."
It did not take them long to have fear soon run through every vein in their bodies.
Back at the bench Gambit tried to calm Rogue. It took some time for the pain in her head and the image to go away.
She took a few deep breaths and stood up.
"What was with that," Gambit asked helping the now weary Rogue keep her balance.
"Ah Ah don't really know," she said still breathing heavily. That was the second time something was seen in her mind that she could not explain.
Gambit took hold of Rogue's shoulders and very gently led her back to the bench.
"You want to talk about it," he asked as they sat back down.
Rogue remained quiet.
She took a minute or two to collect her thoughts again before saying, "I don't think you'd understand."
Gambit grabbed her chin with a gloved hand and made her face him.
"Sure I'll understand," he said. "I've come close to understanding you haven't I."
Rogue gazed into his demon eyes. She became trapped in them instantly.
Her mind said, 'just look away. You don't want to start something with him. You can't." But she did not obey.
The two figures hidden out of view looked at the two mutants starring at each other.
"What the fuck are you doing," Pincher asked them even though he knew they couldn't hear him. "Get out of here."
Dromined tried to calm his friend. "Look Pincher, maybe Reptilian won't do anything to these two. He might just be passing by."
"What if he's not," Pincher asked his comrade. "If something goes down here tonight they are going to get caught in the action. And that's a good chance that at least one of them is gonna die."
"We have to stay hidden," Dromined reminded him. "To much suspicion has been aroused already."
As they discussed the situation the two continued to gaze at each other. Rogue's mind continued to tell her to look away, but she still could not.
Gambit leaned his face forward. It moved closer and closer to Rogue's face. Closer to her lips.
It took the Goth a minute to finally realize what was going on. She raised her hand up and covered the Cajun's mouth, pushing him away in the process.
"No," she said. "Ah can't do this. You know that."
Gambit slid her hand off his face. His smirk deepened and his eyes narrowed giving him that usual sly look. "There's no harm in trying. One quick peck won't hurt."
"Please don't do this," Rogue asked. She wanted to leave, but something made her stay.
"Come on you know you want it," Gambit said with his demon eyes still transfixed on her.
Rogue was become very uncomfortable, but her longing to be touched made her stay with him.
"Ah can't," she said again.
Gambit leaned closer again.
"One quick peck," he said. "One second, that's all I want."
Rogue watched as he moved his lips closer to hers. She wanted to push him away, but she couldn't. She longed for the touch of another person's lips for a long time, and she was going to get it even if she didn't want it. But a small part of her did want it.
She closed her eyes and awaited what was to come.
Sadly it was interrupted.
A sudden voice from behind said, "what a touching moment."
Gambit paused and Rogue opened her eyes.
"It makes me sick," the voice said. And in a flash Gambit was risen up into the air.
Rogue's face turned afraid as she saw the Cajun being flung around in the air by strange tentacles.
"Oh what joy I would have in ripping you to shreds," a similar voice to the first said. "But that will come later."
The tentacles released the mutant and he fell to the ground. Rogue turned from the fallen Cajun to the back of the bench.
There standing behind her stood four mutants. One of them she knew instantly. The one she saw in her head and the one Evan had told the X-Men about. Reptilian.
Slime-eel stood next to him. The tentacles that had attacked Gambit had come from this mutant's mouth. They slid back in as an evil smile formed on his face.
All four of them stood. Their cloaks were not worn, they found no need for them here.
Rogue jumped off the bench and stood in her fighting stance. She took her gloves off and prepared to attack the first of these things that came near her.
Reptilian leapt over the bench and landed directly in front of Rogue.
The pale girl took action immediately, clamping her ungloved hands on the creature's face, ready to feel his life force leaving his body and entering hers. But in this instant her face filled with shock.
Nothing was happening. Her powers were not working on this thing that stood before her.
Reptilian sneered and grabbed hold of Rogue's arms and held her in the air. She tried to struggle with the lizard, but he seemed very strong.
Reptilian grew tired of her squirming and said; "stop wriggling about or I'll tare you in half."
Rogue stopped moving and looked at the thing in absolute horror. Never in her life had she seen something like this before, there was no way this creature was a normal mutant.
"What do you want with me," she asked.
Reptilian did not speak. He put his nose closer to the frightened girl and began to sniff her. The familiar sent filled his nostrils. There was no question about it, this was the girl they were looking for.
"You must know," he said, "it is an honor to meet one of such a well known origin."
The look on the girl's face changed from fear to confusion.
"What are you talking about," she asked in a timid voice, which was unusual for her to use.
A smile formed on the strange mutant's face.
He tilted his head towards Slime-eel and said, "this girl does not seem to know about her past."
"We should take that as an advantage," Slime-eel said rather pleased with the fact.
The four mutants looked at her. Rogue looked from one to the other. Her heart pounded in her chest. She now tried to hold back her fear, not wanting them to think she was a coward.
Reptilian put his mouth right up to Rogue's face.
"Now," he said, "tell me the location of the girl known as Kitty."
"Fuck you Reptilian," Rogue said, "I won't tell you."
The lizard figure gave her a look of bewilderment still with narrowed eyes.
A curious smile formed on his face before asking, "why did you call me Reptilian?"
Rogue closed her mouth.
"Did some one tell you about me," Reptilian pondered to her.
Rogue still said nothing.
Reptilian put his face even closer. Rogue could feel his hot breath on her face.
She was now able to see the full size of Reptilian's mouth. It looked like it could easily bite her in half with on powerful chomp.
Reptilian gave a grinning sneer showing her his razor sharp teeth.
"Who," he asked calmly.
Rogue remained silent.
Reptilian's face turned to angry. He began to squeeze Rogue's arms.
Rogue began to cry out in pain. The feeling hurt her so much. If Reptilian put any more pressure into the squeeze her arms would surly break.
"WHO TOLD YOU ABOUT ME," Reptilian asked even louder.
Rogue tried to keep her mouth closed.
Reptilian opened his mouth wide and put it over Rogue's head. It was merely meant to frighten her into answering his question.
However it was no answered.
In a flash the lizard mutant was tackled from behind. He lost his grip on Rogue and the Goth fell to the ground.
She looked up and saw Reptilian fall flat one the ground with Gambit on his back.
The red eyed Cajun took his bo-staff out of his trench coat and swung it around the lizard's neck. Reptilian gasp for air as the staff cut off his oxygen.
The three other mutants watched the battle, looking as if they already knew how it would end.
Rogue stood up and began to run to Gambit's aid. Before she would move five steps two of Slime-eels tentacles came out of his mouth and wrapped around her, lifting her in the air as well so she could not escape.
Reptilian fought against the demon-eyed mutant. He grabbed hold of the boy and flipped him off his back.
Gambit landed on the ground loosing his bo-staff in the process. The wind was knocked out of him.
Reptilian stood to his feet kicking the bo-staff aside. He moved towards Gambit as the Cajun stood.
When Gambit turned around he was greeted by the lizard's hand. It grabbed hold of his chest and threw him ten feet into the air.
Rogue watched as the Cajun landed a few yards away.
Reptilian didn't even give the boy time to breathe. He jumped into the air and landed on Gambit with perfect accuracy, pinning his arms to the ground with his clawed feet. He grabbed hold of the boy's neck.
Gambit coughed and gasped. He slowly reached his hand out and placed it flat on the ground.
Reptilian watched as the Cajun's powers surged into a small circle around the two of them.
Gambit smiled and said, "let me go gasp or I'll blow up the ground we are standing on."
The strange mutant looked at the boy very displeased with his actions. He slowly took his clawed hand off of the dark eyed mutant's neck.
"Now if you would be so kind as to move your body," he said again.
Reptilian gave a growl of fury. Gambit gave him his cocky and sly grin.
This seemed to enrage the strange mutant even further. He clamped his hand on Gambit's face.
Rogue could hear the Cajun groan in agony as pressure was exerted on his features.
The energy that surged around the two disappeared as soon as Gambit felt the crushing force.
Reptilian stepped of the young man and lifted him off the ground, with one hand, by his face.
Gambit's painful moans were muffled by the powerful gripping hand. He was completely off the ground.
Reptilian gave a twisted smile.
"I knew you were bluffing," he said. "You don't seem like the kind of person who would kill himself. I can tell by your eyes."
"Get your God damn hand off of my face," Gambit said from behind the claw.
Reptilian added more pressure to his squeeze.
Gambit now let out a scream of pain.
"It is foolish to get in our way," said Reptilian. "For your meddling I should crush your head until your brains come oozing out of your ears But I won't do that."
"So you'll let him go," Rogue asked.
"No," said Reptilian. "I want his death to last much, much longer."
With those words he threw Gambit up in the air.
As he fell back down to the ground Reptilian gave him one swing off his mighty claws.
The Cajun landed on the ground with five long cuts in his side, but he was still alive.
Reptilian put his foot on the young man's back and pinned him to the ground once again.
He leaned his face closer as he said, "if you save your strength you may be able to make it to the nearest hospital. And if you don't, well then of course you will die; only slowly."
Reptilian paused for a few seconds. He then held his hand out to Rhombie.
The four-armed mutant seemed to know what his commander wanted instantly. He walked over to him and handed him the strange sliver cone that they used after they killed the Morlocks.
Reptilian took it and pointed the opening at Gambit.
He said, "on second thought, I don't want to take the chance of you fixing those wounds."
He pushed the green button on the side. The blood began to leave Gambit's body from the wound and enter into the device.
Rogue watch both astounded and afraid. Gambit was being drained of his valuable blood.
Gambit felt weaker and weaker.
When Reptilian was satisfied he stopped the device. He had only taken half of Gambit's blood. He wanted the boy to die a very slow death. This way he would get his wish. With only half the amount of the necessary blood he would not have the strength to stand.
Reptilian smiled in satisfaction and kicked Gambit right into the gut as he lied on the ground.
Slime-eel smiled with his tentacles still holding Rogue. When he spoke it was as if nothing was sticking out of his mouth.
"Now what do we do about this little lark," he said shacking Rogue.
Reptilian stepped over to the girl. He watched as the girl tried to make her face seem like it was not afraid.
"Calm yourself girl," he said. "If you cooperate with us then this will be over soon."
Rogue only looked the strange mutant dead in the eyes and said demandingly, "stitch that guy's wound." She of course meant Gambit.
Reptilian swung his hand across her face. The hit was hard and painful. Rogue gasped as her face swung to the side.
A large red mark formed on her cheek as she turned her head back.
The creature before her said angered, "listen child, you are in no condition to order us to do anything. Now tell us the location of the girl called Kitty."
Rogue struggled with her restraints and gave a stern, "NO!"
Reptilian glared at the pale girl as she struggled with her restraints.
Rogue closed her eyes preparing herself for another hit. She waited for the upcoming pain to serge through her face, but instead Reptilian did something that caused her discomfort to grow even more.
He began to laugh. It was not a huge explosion of mirth, but a calm and amused laugh. Something that none of Rogue's enemies really did.
Reptilian took a small breath and turned his head to the mutant that Rogue figured was Rhombie.
"It seems, the lark has spirit," he said. "Much like those that came before her."
He then turned to the mutant that held Rogue.
"Slime-eel."
He did not have to say anymore. Rogue began to feel the tentacles around her tighten. Her air supply was cut off and her blood flow as well. She was being constricted by the appendages that held her.
"Talk," Reptilian said calmly.
When Rogue still didn't speak he was angered once again.
"TALK," he yelled, "COME ON LARK! SING!"
Rogue gasped and wheezed, as the tentacles became even tighter. She barely managed to push her next words out of her mouth.
"Ah'lltell youanything."
Reptilian waited, he was sure that the girl would speak before she died. He was positive, but so far his conclusions had failed.
Rogue could feel pressure filling within her head. Everything was turning red around her. She could feel herself fading and knew she would soon blackout, possibly to never wake up again.
Reptilian could sense her end was coming near. The girl's eyes were beginning to turn red from the blood vessels that began to burst within them. In not time she would be dead.
"Enough, release her," the mutant commanded Slime-eel.
The tentacles unraveled around Rogue.
The Goth fell to the ground. She landed on her hands and began to take quick breaths, trying to get as much oxygen back to her brain as possible. She was sure that she would have died.
The air felt sweet in her mouth, she never thought she would be so happy to breathe.
Unfortunately Reptilian did not give her time to recover from her tango with death. He grabbed her by the hair and lifted her off the ground so they were at eye level with each other.
He looked into the girl's eyes, which now had a blood red color covering most of the white.
"Where is that goddamn Kitty," he asked her.
Rogue remained silent.
Reptilian took this as a time to use their last resort. He looked to Rhombie.
"Make her tell us what we wish to know," he said.
Rhombie stepped forward without saying a word.
Rogue tried to free herself once again, but it did not work. In no time he had out his crystal on the end of his chain.
He began to swing it in front of Rogue's face.
Like Caliban, Rogue could not look away. She wanted to, she even tried to, but she could not look away.
"Look at my crystal," Rhombie said, "watch my crystal."
Rogue watched as the swinging stone went side to side. Her urge to look away vanished and her mind began to turn blank.
"You hear only me," he said. "Nothing else exists now except my voice. You are growing to me. You are connected to my words. Your mind belongs to me. Your mind belongs to me."
Gambit watched and listened from where he lied. He wanted to speak up, but he didn't for some reason.
"Mah mind belongs to you," Rogue said.
Rhombie lowered the crystal with an evil grin on his face.
"Now," he said, "where is the girl called Kitty?"
Rogue's face was blank.
"She's with Lance," was all she said.
"Lance," asked Rhombie. "Who is this Lance."
"Her boyfriend," Rogue said.
"What are you doing Rogue," Gambit finally spoke. "Don't tell them anything."
Flamiod was the one to kick him in the gut this time.
"Do you know where this Lance lives," Rhombie asked.
Rogue nodded and said, "yes."
"Good," said Rhombie. "You will now take us to her."
Rogue nodded and said, "Ah will do this."
Reptilian released his grip on her.
The girl began to walk in a certain direction. The four strange mutants followed close behind, leaving Gambit to bleed.
He watched Rogue and the four mutants walk out of sight.
Then with much difficulty he tried to crawl. He began to speak in weak and desperate words.
"I gotta find somebody," he said. "I gotta find somebody. Somebody. Can't die. Can't let Rogue die. Can't let them kill her."
It was no use though. He fell on the ground to weak to go on.
Not too far away from him the too figures ran out of the shadows and over to him.
The one called Pincher said angrily, "why did you hold me back Dromined? "
"Because there were four of them," his comrade answered. "You know we don't stand a chance when they out number us. Just imagine if all of them were here."
Pincher stopped and kneeled over Gambit.
The Cajun looked up at them. They were still wearing their hooded capes, he could not make them out.
"Calm down boy," said Pincher, "you're gonna be fine."
He held out his hand to Dromined who quickly gave him a lighter.
Despite Gambit's weakness he still managed to jump when he felt the hot flame being rubbed against his wounds.
"What are you doing," he screamed out as he pushed the stranger away.
"Preventing you from bleeding to death," he said as he pointed to the Cajun's now held wound.
The stranger helped him to his feet and supported him. The young man was lucky he wasn't dead.
"Who are you," Gambit asked trying not to sound too weak.
The second cloaked figure turned to him and said, "who are we? We'll get to that later."
"Right now we need you to tell us where those mutants are taking that girl," the other asked.
"Mutants," Gambit asked very shocked. "How can those things be mutants?"
"Shut up," said Pincher rather insulted, "they're like us. Even if they are an abomination on this Earth. Now tell us where they're taking your friend!"
Gambit coughed a little before answering.
"They're taking her to the Brother Hood house."
"Can you lead us there," Dromined asked desperately.
"I'll tell you what," said Gambit, "you keep me propped up and help me walk, then Remy will be able to lead you there."
The two strangers agreed to the terms. They both took one of Remy's arms before setting out to find the girl.