Bondage of Togetherness Chapter 2
He is a man of many types of emotions. One side of him is that of a true poet. He loves to look upon life and try to see the good in everything. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. He is an artist, but outside, others would call him monster. If only they knew, just how much those words made the real man of steel cry. Peter Rasputin, A.K.A. Colossus. But above that, he would like to call himself a family man. How he remembered the heart ache he had after the death of both his parents, and worse yet, little Illyana. He knew just by looking at one of the most coldest woman he has ever known, was feeling the same sense of dread when he had passed Mystique. No. She was not truly cold, was she? He knew better, she was just messed up from years of surviving. He decided to be the first one to make the move. He had seen her walk into the Kitchen and knew that she was still in there. He walked into the same room as her and made as if he was simply there to pour himself a bowl of cereal. Mystique was already at the table, already eating some cereal for herself. After he was done, he set the bowl on the same table as her and started to make like he was eating just as normal, only the occasional glances to her gave him away. Finally upset by the whole mess, Mystique slammed her palms onto the table as she got up, glaring at him. "WHAT"
Peter sighed. "Forgive me, I do not mean to be rude"
"Damned good job your doing of that anyways"
Peter blinked for a second or two, not sure as to how he should start, sensing, no, knowing that the tough-guy act was only a mask as to not to show her inner pain. Mystique had started to walk away and Peter knew he had to say something "Wait, do not leave. I am sorry for being rude" He started, setting his spoon on the table and getting up himself. "It's just...I do know how you must be feeling at this moment. You are torn up. I only want to tell you that I will do my best. I myself have lost my family in Russia, and I cannot in good conscious let someone else feel the pain that I have felt. I pledge to do everything I can"
Mystique walked up to him, regarding the large Russian for a moment. "You do"
"Da"
"Even if that means taking orders that you may not like"
"Da, You have my word"
"You had better you overgrown Tin Can, or I will toss you into the nearest recycling bin." She had said while poking Peter's chest before moving to storm off. She is stopped once again by Peter. She whirls around at him, giving him a glare. "WHAT NOW?" She bellows out. Peter for the most part, simply pointed at the two bowls.
"I believe that you had meant to finish that, and I do so hate to eat alone"
Mystique realized that she was indeed hungry. "Fine, but try not to anger me too much, or I promise I will use a can opener on you"
Peter holds his hands out in defeat, smiling. "Deal"
The rest of breakfast was filled with idle chatter. While Peter was more willing to talk about himself, he found it hard to get information of Mystique herself. He had not been around during the last time that Mystique was around the mansion, and had desperately wanted to talk to her, to ask her some questions. Those questions would most assuredly have to wait though until Mystique was more open, but what she did tell him was interesting. The little she had talked had still got Peter to the edge of his seat, which had always left him wanting more when she finally did stop talking. Mystic on the other hand had found Peter to be more then a simple farm-boy, as she had started to peg him. She had found some of his tales a bit interesting though, especially his bouts with Juggernaut. Although he would constantly slip in tales of when he was on the farm. She had found most of it boring, but a part of her, just a very small part inside, was actually thinking about what it would be like to live a life of peace like that, but she dismissed it easily enough. She did find also that Peter was easily thrilled by her stories, and had decided to play with him a bit by making him have to prod her on. Despite her unwillingness to do so, she had actually needed that. Somehow, she knew that Peter knew she needed this and was secretly grateful, although her pride would not allow her to admit it, so when she was done, she simply got up from her seat and placed the bowl in the sink saying, "Well, as much as I loved the time being wasted that I could have used to pry my teeth out, I believe that this friendly chatter needs to end now"
Peter knew better. "Da. I would like to get in some training in the Danger Room before we take off"
Mystique scoffed at him. "You do what you want. You had just better be there when needed" No threats this time.
Peter simply nodded, heading off to the Danger Room, knowing full well that saying anything else to Mystique was not needed. His first stop had to be his room. He opened the door and walked to his closet, and taking out his black suit. He slips into it and looks himself over in the mirror. He had never been a vain person, but he always believed that it was good to keep a well kept and professional appearance no matter what one may do for a living. Happy with what he saw, he walked out of his room and closed the door. While walking through the metal hallways of the Sub-basement, he noticed that the door to Cerebro was open. He decided to take a peak, not one to take the off chance that it was someone who did not belong there. Although as he walked closer, his fears was put to rest as Professor Charles Xavier himself turned his wheelchair around, heading out of the room. Noticing Peter walk closer to him, Xavier gave a smile to the kindest soul he has ever known.
"Hello there Peter. Heading to the Danger Room for some practice"
The Russian knew that he had not read his thoughts. "Da. I wish to keep myself sharp for this mission"
"I see. Tell me, what is your take on this"
"Hard to say Professor. From what I have gathered, this will not be an easy entrance mission. Toad and Beast will have to be amazing when we finally do enter"
Xavier shook his head. "No, I mean on Mystique. I was monitoring her while she was talking to you, but did not go far enough as to invade her privacy"
Peter nodded his head in understanding. "She is much more a mother then she would like to admit I believe"
"Indeed she is. Perhaps one day, she will be able to live happily in the lives of Kurt and Rogue"
"Da. Tis a shame that they be off on a mission. They've a more right to be on this mission then I"
Xavier smiled. "My friend, I could not agree more about it being a shame for the two to not be here, but you and Beast are. We must make do with what we have"
Peter realized that The Professor was right, as he always was. "Da, Thank you for your time Professor, as always, it is an honor talking with you"
Xavier nodded happily "As it is talking with you" He said before making his exit.
Peter was once again on his way to the Danger Room, which wouldn't have been a very far trip, had it not been for a sudden sound that came from the War Room. He slowly made his way into the room, looking around. Nothing. He decided to walk inside of it. Nothing. Just incase though, his body transformed into Organic Metal, body growing in mass, going from Peter to Colossus. He searched every hiding spot he could find. Still nothing. He was about to give up. Suddenly, he felt two feet, one on each shoulder. Looking up, he noticed Toad. "Ello there Guv. What ya doen"
Colossus frowned. "I am doing what I need to do Comrade. May I inquiry onto why you are here in the War Room"
Toad Leapt off of Colossus, standing in front of him, holding a black box. "Beast wanted this here piece to the Radar System we are putten in. Sorry for the scare mate"
Colossus only shrugged. "Just making sure. You go get back with Beast then"
Toad nodded, understanding. "Sure thing Guv. Say, have you seen Mystique around"
"I believe she is in the room we have given her as to prepare"
"Ah, thanks then. Yer a swell bloke you are"
Colossus smiled at that. When Toad was gone, he decided to finally get to the Danger Room.
Pyro. Avalanche. Blob. These were three of the very first on some of the finest members ever to grace The Brotherhood of Mutants, one time known to the world as the federal agents Freedom Force. Although currently, they are merely test subjects to be used periodically. Each one was kept in a special cell that neutralizes there powers. For Avalanche, he was kept in a special cell made completely of metal. Not only that, devices from the outside of his cell let out waves to interfere with Avalanches. Blob, for all of his strength, was the easiest to contain do to his powers. His cell uses special vacuums from many places that would suck parts of Blob's body stretched to a limit that he could not move. Pyro was somewhat another matter. Even the tiniest of electrical sparks could be used to his advantage from anywhere in the compound, so special precaution had to be made to everything around his. Since his abilities let him control fire, and not create it, the limitation kept him as weak as a human, so his cell itself was far less advanced then the others. Although currently, Pyro, real name St. John Allerdyce, was the next inline for testing against the new machines powers. So far, not any of the Mutants that have been brought in has yet to beat out the rays from the M Jammer. Well, not since Lola had been placed in the chair so that she may Enhance its power to an even better level of performance. Pyro was shoved into the large room. He knew what was going down. It had not been the first time that this has happened. As always, the large door would open, revealing the blue skinned girl that would be forced to power the device. A man carrying a flamethrower walked into the room and pointed it at Pyro. He pulled the trigger, letting out a large stream of flame. He could tell that the machine was not activated yet. An idea suddenly popped into his head. If he could quickly kill the girl, then, and only then, would they all have a chance to survive. He knew alone, he could handle everyone with just the smallest of fires. The flames suddenly expanded into a great ball, killing the poor man with the flamethrower instantly. Pyro launched it at Lola, sorry that it had to be done, but knowing that this is what it would take to survive. Just before it reached the girl though, the flames suddenly evaporated.
"A nice try, indeed you have balls enough to fry someone you were sent here to get, but I cannot let you take the life of my Step-Daughter until her life is no more needed"
Pyro turned around to where the voice had come from. He already knew who it belonged to and what he looked like, but this...Human, was someone that demanded attention, even if he himself did not. The man was aged, probably in his fifties. Although he himself was not Military, he still had the build like a soldier as well as the posture of a man in power such as a general. He stood about 6'1 and weighed accordingly. So far, Pyro has only figured out that his last name is Diggers. An appropriate name, considering what he did for a living. Behind him on the other hand was a man who looked to be in his late twenties, possibly early thirties. He was Military. And judging by his bars, was a damned good one. His hair was brown, his eyes dark shade of green. He stood over Diggers by four full inches. Daniel Athens was his name. "Well boys, if it isn't two of the three stooges. Tell me, what funny antics can you two idiots do today?" He said in his Australian accent. He was rewarded with a right hook and a quick jab to the gut by Athens, that causes him to fall to his knees, gasping for breath.
"Do try to show us some more respect son. The boy here has been feeling mighty edgy as of late, and I am sure he would love to take it out on one of you Mutants" Said Diggers. Athens quickly dragged Pyro back to his feet before slamming him into a regular chair.
"Mystique. We want her and we believe that you may know where she would go." Athens said. Pyro glared at him.
"And what make you think I would tell ya"
"Because, we will make you talk, one way or the other"
Pyro spat on Athens. "Do your worst you pile of Dingo turd." He was rewarded with yet another punch to his face.
"Listen. John is it? Trust me. Protecting Mystique is not worth the pain if you do not cooperate. How about we cut ourselves a deal here? You bring us your boss, and we will let you and your friends go" Diggers was saying.
"Oh Yay, now you goons wanna lie to us" He flinched, well expecting another hit to come. It never came. He said one more thing. "Sides. If'n I told ya, the guys would kill me they would. He looked up at Athens, who was not paying attention. He was looking at the girl. He didn't miss the flash of emotion in his eyes before he payed his attention back on Pyro. Seeing that Pyro was watching him, he suddenly let out a backhand that sent him off of his chair. He coughed for a bit, spitting out blood before he was picked back up and placed into the chair roughly again. "Gee gollies mister" Pyro said in a mock child voice. "Thanks for the candy. How about I pay you back in return eh?" Athens was about to administer another beating when he was forcefully stopped by Diggers.
"Enough. This is getting us nowhere." Athens reluctantly calmed down. He turned to Pyro and gave a glare at him. He glanced over at Lola one more time before exiting himself. Pyro once again noticed the softness in his eyes before the Military man walked out of the room. Diggers had not missed the look neither and had looked stressed when Athens had left. After a long moment of silence, he looked back at Pyro and smiled. "My Step-Daughter and him were very close. This is hard for him, but he is a soldier first who makes no excuses and is willing to give everything to his country." He said.
"Heh. Patriot or insanity, sometimes there are no difference between the two"
"True. But if they both get you to a good cause, then it is worth it. You and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants believe that to, don't you"
"Who cares what I believe in mate, what do you want, and I ain't plannen on turning in Mystique"
"Oh you don't worry about that boy. You see, I know for a fact that Mystique will be coming here for another rescue mission. Its only her and Toad. Who else are they going to go for. Sabertooth? Magneto? The Government? No. She has no more friends. She will come by herself and Toad I believe." Diggers looked over to his step Daughter. "Beautiful, isn't she? Believe it or not, it really was harder to do this to her then you think it was. After all, I have raised her for a very very long time." He had turned his back to Pyro. Before he could even have a chance to react, Diggers suddenly spun around. Pyro saw nothing. Only blackness.
"Amazing job Beast. The X-Jet has never been this powerful before. How did you do it?" Colossus cried out, amazed by just how agile the controls has been. They had already plotted there strategy and was ready to put it into action. They were headed into the Belly of the Monster Toad had said, not wanting to use the word Beast.
"Believe it or not, it was not me who has done all of these amazing things to the X-Jet. You can relay your compliments to Toad. He was the one who made suggestions. Good ones I might add"
"He has his uses at times" Mystique said, leaning back into the chair, arms crosses. Toad began to laugh, but careful to keep watch as he Piloted the X-Jet.
"That much comen from Mystique is a good thin' fellows" He chuckled out. Mystique simply snorted
"Mystique, are you sure that you are well enough to go on with this mission? It has only been a few days since you woke up from your poison induced coma." Beast asked Mystique, obviously worried about what type of condition she has been in. Toad knew what was coming well before Mystique started.
"Listen Blue. Either you leave me alone, or I will shove you into the nastiest kitty litter you have ever seen. I am very fine, so stop asking me"
"Oh dear. I did not mine to make you upset. I will ask no more"
"Good" Mystique looked as if she had just won the W.W.E. Championship. Truthfully though, she was happy that the X-Men meant business. She hoped that only the four of them though could right the wrongs she has done as of late. She desperately hoped. She must have been distracted, because she hardly noticed when they had touched down away from the base. It was time to put all of there plans into action.
Mystique, Toad, and Beast were agile and proficient enough to avoid wiretraps, holes, and many surveillance camera's. Colossus on the other hand was not as experienced in that field, and so had to be helped by the others. They finally managed to get within eyeshot of the compound. Mystique and Toad were the first to make the move. Toad uses his special Toxins that allowed for him to control minds while Mystique on the other hand used her abilities to take to form of one of the knocked out, higher ranking Soldiers. She sent some of the men who were keeping watch at one of the doors and sent them patrolling an area with a made up story. Beast for the most part was taking care of the cameras with a computer he had brought with him. It put different cameras in a loop, but only lasted for a minute before returning to normal. It wasn't hard to get inside really. It was looking around the compound and not being spotted. That was wear Colossus came in. Whenever they came up against someone, Colossus would quickly knock them out, although sometimes Toad helped. Finally, they reached the Main Computer Room. Speed was needed, so Toad and Beast leapt up to the air, attached themselves to the ceiling, Toad with his ability to crawl on surfaces while Beast used the pipes. Before the guards could tell what was going on, Beast and Toad had grabbed there heads and slammed them together. Mystique quickly rushed in before there bodies hit the floor and quickly opened the door the best she could with two guns in her hand. Three soldiers whirled around only to find themselves shot in the heads with her amazing accuracy.
"Good Lord. Did you have to kill these poor men"
Mystique whirled around to look at Colossus. "They started the war. I intend to give them one. You should know better then anyone that government types only know death." She felt a ping of regret though when she saw Colossus sad expression. She sighed. "Fine. I wont kill unless I absolutely have to" Before Colossus could say anything, she grabbed some headsets and shoved them to the three before setting one on her head. "Ok. Now that we pretty much have access to everything including cameras, I want Beast and Toad to stay here to hack into the rest of the systems. Get control of all locking mechanisms. Colossus and I will do the footwork. But first, I want you Toad to find our friends"
Told noticed that she didn't say anything about Lola, but figured that it would be best not to say anything about it. He pushed one of the dead men out of the way, he started checking all cameras before getting a full readout on their location. "Ok there, Most of them are on the east wing of the building. Pyro and Lola on the other hand are closer to the South"
Mystique nodded. "Fine. Good work. While you are hacking, keep an eye on those cameras and contact us when someone is coming close to our position. We tried using muscle tactics last time and it almost got everyone killed. Wont make that mistake again. Let move Trash Can." She and Colossus made there way out of the Room, leaving Beast and Toad to their devices.
Authors Note: Think I will stop it here for now. Sorry if my chapters are too short, but I have a lot of projects going on at the moment. One other thing. Yes, I know that pyro was killed by the Legacy Virus, but damnit, he was an integral part of both Freedom Force and The Brotherhood.