X-Men: Evolution
THE PRICE YOU PAY
a fanfic by JetNoir
CHAPTER FOUR
THE INSTITUTE
"That, Professor, is the right question."
The Professor paused a moment to consider what to do next. It was with no doubt that the voice in his mind was that of Apocalypse – indeed, with the powers he had stolen, or rather, copied, came the knowledge of the modern age. He was behind this. He had to be.
The Man continued:
"Professor Charles Francis Xavier. I have come to you of my own free will. I understand that you hesitate to believe me, but you must realise that one of your students, is in the gravest of danger. She has fallen from light, into a world of shadow, a world of pain. You must help her."
"What can we do?" asked the Professor, exhaustion lining his face, "How do we help her?"
"Elementals. Someone who controls the full power of natures fury."
"Storm? What does she have to do with this?"
"That, Professor, is the right question."
-
Meanwhile, in a corner of the Institute; Logan, Scott Summers and Kurt Wagner sat, discussing the horrendous situation.
"I don't know who this mystery man is, but I certainly don't trust him," growled Logan, frowning, "there is something very off here. And I don't mean that cheese we had for dinner."
"You mean besides the fact Kitty is missing?" snapped Kurt, "I mean, shouldn't she be our main priority. She could be dead for all we know! We should be out searching!"
"Calm down Kurt," Scott said, "I agree with you, but you're going to have to be calm. Panicking won't help."
"PANICKING?" Kurt exploded, "WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT PANICKING!"
Tensions were beginning to fray in the Institute.
KITTY
Alone.
Abandoned.
In Cerebro, Kitty Pryde winced every time the door thudded, as something of substantial weight flung itself at the heavy metal, and although the door seemed to be holding, Kitty could not be sure for how long.
What were these creatures? They looked like some sort of Demons – not out of Dostoevsky, but from some pulp horror novel, or even from a nightmare of Stephen King! This just wasn't funny. This just wasn't fair! Where was David Boreanaz when you needed him?
Alone.
Cold.
Attacked by flesh-eating Demons…okay, they might not be flesh-eating per se, but they sure didn't sound friendly.
So, so cold.
What could she do? Kitty still had her phasing ability, so her mutation had not been altered, but…where could she phase too? Outside were the Demon's – for that was what Kitty had mentally decided to call them that for now – but in here, there was nothing.
Waves of exhaustion washed over her, and as she was serenaded by the blazing drumbeats of Demon against door, Kitty Pryde fell to the floor, and into a fitful, nightmare-ridden sleep.
THE INSTITUTE
"Ororo Munroe has special gift," said The Man, sitting in a chair opposite The Professor, "sometimes referred too as the 'Goddess', and 'Windrider', she has the power to control the weather, the elemental force of nature itself. As such, she had tremendous power…more than you, or indeed she, can ever know. This power, if concentrated might be able to see through the veil and perhaps…find your friend." The Professor shook his head;
"Back up a minute. You keep referring to a 'shadow', and a 'veil'. What do you mean? Where is Kitty?"
"As you no doubt have guessed, The First One is behind this. When he absorbed your power and Jean's, he gained tremendous telepathic power. He has been able to subconsciously make Kitty's molecules phase apart to such a delicate point she has fallen out of the world, and into one of shadows…perhaps you might describe it as another realm or dimension. Somewhat similar to the place your Mr Wagner goes to when he teleports. I believe you already have had some problems with the shadow realm, or at least one of them."
"How do you know all this?"
"I told you…I used to work for The First. I have a tremendous knowledge of his plans. Kitty is in this place, and due to her being there, there is an imbalance in the balance of the worlds. If or indeed when Kitty is killed, the way between the dimensions will be ripped asunder. Already, her presence is such that a portal could open at any moment, although it would be a small one…which we must be thankful for. Admittedly, the life of your friend is not of the utmost importance to me, the portal is far more dangerous, but I know that you hold her higher, however, we must try and finish both of our goals."
"I understand," said The Professor.
"No…you don't. We have no time left. We need Ororo Munroe here now."
KITTY
Pain.
It flooded through her body, spearing every nerve ending, making her scream in agony. The monster's teeth ripped out of her leg, tearing
reality, misery, power, but it was not the end, never the end
so in a sick version of truth, the love that held death could smile and perhaps the future could shatter in which
a plain, where Kitty stood alone, rain streaming down her face.
Before her was a face. Shadowy. Immortal. Power oozed from it, exuding menace, and devastation. Kitty knew the face intimately, even though she had only seen it once.
It was Apocalypse.
The singular, cold word it uttered make Kitty shake with fear: "Surrender."
She woke up.
AFRICA
"I understand Charles. I will meet the Velocity over the Cape Verde Islands. I'll see you soon."
The message had been sent, and Ororo Munroe sighed as her all too brief vacation fell away from her. She worried about Kitty desperately, and Charles' telepathic conversation did nothing to allay her concerns.
Sighing again, she floated up to the heavens, on the wings of the wind and set off to her rendezvous with the future.
THE INSTITUTE
The Professor was deep in thought as his thoughts were shattered by a horrendously alarm trilling insistently.
ALERT, ALERT
The Professor looked up. It was the voice of Cerebro.
MASSIVE PSYCHOKINETIC RIFT DETECTED. WARNING.
REPEAT
ALERT, ALERT. MASSIVE PSYCHOKINETIC RIFT DETECTED.
The Man looked meaningfully at the Professor.
"You see…it has begun."
KUNLUN MOUNTAINS somewhere nr TIBET
Instantly, elsewhere, a mountain cave lit up with a light and power that could heat a thousand suns.
Yet in seconds it had disappeared.
All that remained in it's wake was a single snarling beast, that stood upright and tall. Its battered and scaly yellow skin shook as it roared.
It was not The First.
But it was a first.
EGYPT
En Sabur Nur sat in the darkness, a figure brimming with power and unspent energy. The servants continued to bustle around him, and fuss, creating irritation and exasperation.
Closing his eyes silently, he breathed deeply in, he linked his mind to Charles Xavier's. It responded, as he knew it would – for indeed it knew no other way.
I will be brief. You have lost Professor. Even now, my shadow-locked servants are working to escape their gaol. The way between worlds will open. My shadow warriors will fight.
You will die.
He blinked again, a gesture that took an eternity, yet only a moment had passed. Uttering aloud Apocalypse's gaze fixated on the wall opposite him.
"The power untapped in a human being is potentially infinite. Somehow…this one has more than infinity…and so she is a paradox, an enigma."
"It seems that for being the most powerful, Pryde, that this is the price you pay…"
Note: To be concluded! By the way howlerdrodenice idea about The Horseman…I wish I'd thought of that! This is slightly more supernatural, but it's certainly fun! Hope you enjoyed it, please review, and see you all next chapter…
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for the character of Kitty Pryde, or any of the X-Men (put that down to Stan 'The Man' Lee, and everyone who have been involved with the X-Men!). The TV series 'X-Men Evolution is copyright to Warner Brothers and the story to me. This story has been written on the understanding that you may read it and print it out; but you may not pass it off as your own, hire it out, or sell it for money. You also may not put it on your own or any other web page without my express written permission. Thankyou!
JetNoir