Chap 1
Professor Charles Xavier sat in his office looking out the window and thinking about what had happened over the past few days. It had been two days since the brotherhood members had first come to the mansion.
The X-men had yet to be informed that they were there along with both Pyro and Gambit who were staying. They were feeling a little lost not sure what to do with their lives now that they didn't want to work for Magneto any more.
Pyro was seriously considering heading back to Australia and Gambit really had no idea. Mystique had left, but had promised her return in the near future and none of the five doubted it.
During those two days a few things had been discovered about the brotherhood members; Lance was fine around people his own age, but the minute an adult or an authority figure got near or annoyed he immediately reverted to the submissive personality he had become for Magneto.
The Professor sighed rubbing his eyes tiredly, the last few nights he had been getting flashes, memories, or nightmares from the various brotherhood members, they shields were incredible but they were under considerable stress. It wasn't enough for him to piece together the whole story but it was enough for him to see that there was a lot of work to be done.
Logan had purposely avoided the boy because he seemed to evoke such a strong negative reaction; Logan had a suspicion as to why but he was reluctant to explore it and most likely affirm his belief. Lance essentially refused to look any of the adults in the eye unless they told him to and was loath to offer an opinion or idea
He had also refused to let them remove the collar around his neck; the metal comfortably tight around his neck. The recent injuries were starting to heal, the scars couldn't be healed and his entire body was covered in them. Not to mention the dark green tattoo covering his hip. He refused to wear anything less then full coverage.
Apparently Lance had developed some new "gifts" but the professor had not pushed to see them yet because the teen was still wary of disobeying a standing order left by Magneto.
He sighed, it was obvious that the teen had a long way to go, in addition to that they had to worry about him running back to Magneto, to get rid of his idea that they would use him like that, and to prepare in case Magneto came to the institute.
Each of the three brotherhood members seemed to have something that distracted them from the hell that was there life sometimes. Lance read, or played guitar, Todd painted or drew, and Pietro studied and wrote.
The professor shook his head as he thought about the oldest teen, he had never been a child and was obviously the most stable thing both Pietro and Todd had to hold on to as they had their own troubles to work through.
Todd had apparently relapsed and for the first time they were seeing the real Todd, very shy and either clutching at Lance or Pietro for support. When he spoke he spoke softly ducking his head without all the street slang terms that he seemed to use most of the time. If you didn't know better you could see a much younger child standing there.
He was either drawing or painting most of the time and the strong emotions in the pictures where enough to show someone with many things in their life.
His wounds were also starting to heal, the abrasions on his wrists and ankles piecing themselves back together, and the bruises slowly fading. No one was entirely sure what effects the experiments Magneto had played would have upon his body yet, they refused to say what had already started to manifest; still not wanting to give up an advantage.
He had started to have nightmares a lot and often they would find either Pietro, Lance, or both curled up with him in the morning. The two weren't happy about it but they were resigned, apparently it had happened before and he would come back it was just a slow process. You just had to be sure to make no sudden movements around the boy.
Pietro was another case; Lance and Todd still forced him to eat because if they didn't he would easily bypass the meals and find something else to do. Also, he was so used to blocking his emotions that any display of them made him recoil and pull control stuffing the feelings down into a small corner. The Professor was afraid that if this continued he would implode and it would not be pretty.
He had shown himself to be very educated; he read and remembered things at the same speed at which he did everything else and because of this he was very knowledgeable at languages and the things that he was interested in. Other times you could see him writing in a small book that was nearly falling apart at the edges.
The Professor was drawn out of his thoughts by a knock at the door, Lance poked his head in, "You wanted to see me Sir?"
"Yes, Lance please come in and take a seat." He watched as the boy entered wearing a pair of black slacks with a chocolate long-sleeve turtleneck sweater and black leather gloves. Lance quickly seated himself his eyes immediately dropping to the floor.
The dark bruise on his face still resembled a handprint, but it was fading, and everything else was covered underneath the layer of clothing.
"Lance, look at me." Professor Xavier said in a stern voice, when Lance looked up he could see the hesitation in his eyes, he smiled as he met the teen's eyes. "Much better."
"Now on to business, I believe it is time that we inform the other students that you three are staying, don't you?"
"Whatever you think Sir."
A well used sigh came from the other side of the desk as the Professor massaged the bridge of his nose, "Yes, well it is time to inform the other X-men of your arrival and the fact that you will staying here until you choose to leave."
Xavier saw moment of shock on the other's face, there was a lot of deprogramming that still needed to be done on the child; on all three of the children. Sometimes he just seemed to forget they were only teenagers.
"When would you like to do it Sir?" The Professor was sadly pleased that Lance had actually voiced a question, "Tonight after dinner, when everyone is here will be the best time I think, that way Storm, Gambit, Pyro, Wolverine, & I will all be there in case anything happens."
The teen nodded relieved that Gambit and Pyro were going to be there, Wolverine still was not thrilled they were there so any added support was welcome. Sabertooth and Magneto's words about the older X-men where still going through his head.
Also they were the only two of the older people he would still act like Lance around. Granted, a much harder and older version, but with an actual personality.
Again shifting his eyes away from the Professors he spoke, "Was that all Sir?"
The Professor nodded, "Yes Lance, please inform the other two, would you?"
Lance nodded as he slipped back outside the doors and walked away from the office. Starting to head back downstairs he instead turned and wandered towards a different end of the mansion. All of the X-gee...X-men were gone at the moment so he could wander.
Coming to a glass door he was shocked to see a greenhouse full of flowers and plants of all kinds. A real, small smile slipped onto his face as he quietly opened the door and entered the airy chamber.
He pulled off his gloves as he walked to one end of the room; gently he touched the flowers feeling the soft petals and the essential life that seemed to flow from them, they seemed happy. His gloves had a dual purpose, not only did they hide the scars, they protected him so he wouldn't have to continuously block his mind against the world around him.
This was his new power, the ability to communicate with the earth around him, a true earth elemental. Touching the soft ground in an empty bed telling the plants below to grow.
Storm stood at the other end of the greenhouse in awe as she watched plants suddenly spring from the ground and wrap themselves around Lance. She watched stunned as he gestured and the ground formed into small mud figures, moving and racing around the plants; it was the first time she had ever seen the teen look at ease in the mansion.
She had slipped in quietly when she saw him standing inside with a true smile on his face for the first time, at first she was going to talk to him until she saw him pull off his gloves. He never removed them, so instead she relegated herself to a quiet corner of the room and watched.
Shaking herself she took a step forward, and spoke softly, "So, is this your new power Lance?"
Lance spun around quickly the small figures falling to dirt, he looked at the elegant lady in front of him and started to hyperventilate. He had told, he had betrayed his master, he was going to be punished, bad Rocky, bad Rocky, bad Rocky.........
The voice, which sounded suspiciously like his Lord spun around in his head as he sank to the floor wrapping his arms around his legs and burying his face in his arms and soft words began to spill from his mouth quickly, "Sorry, sorry, sorry, not be bad, not be bad, not tell, mustn't tell, must be good, must please master, bad, bad, please no, please no........"
Storm backed away, immediately calling out in her mind, PROFESSOR! LOGAN! PLEASE COME TO THE GREENHOUSE! I NEED YOU
Professor Charles Xavier sat in his office looking out the window and thinking about what had happened over the past few days. It had been two days since the brotherhood members had first come to the mansion.
The X-men had yet to be informed that they were there along with both Pyro and Gambit who were staying. They were feeling a little lost not sure what to do with their lives now that they didn't want to work for Magneto any more.
Pyro was seriously considering heading back to Australia and Gambit really had no idea. Mystique had left, but had promised her return in the near future and none of the five doubted it.
During those two days a few things had been discovered about the brotherhood members; Lance was fine around people his own age, but the minute an adult or an authority figure got near or annoyed he immediately reverted to the submissive personality he had become for Magneto.
The Professor sighed rubbing his eyes tiredly, the last few nights he had been getting flashes, memories, or nightmares from the various brotherhood members, they shields were incredible but they were under considerable stress. It wasn't enough for him to piece together the whole story but it was enough for him to see that there was a lot of work to be done.
Logan had purposely avoided the boy because he seemed to evoke such a strong negative reaction; Logan had a suspicion as to why but he was reluctant to explore it and most likely affirm his belief. Lance essentially refused to look any of the adults in the eye unless they told him to and was loath to offer an opinion or idea
He had also refused to let them remove the collar around his neck; the metal comfortably tight around his neck. The recent injuries were starting to heal, the scars couldn't be healed and his entire body was covered in them. Not to mention the dark green tattoo covering his hip. He refused to wear anything less then full coverage.
Apparently Lance had developed some new "gifts" but the professor had not pushed to see them yet because the teen was still wary of disobeying a standing order left by Magneto.
He sighed, it was obvious that the teen had a long way to go, in addition to that they had to worry about him running back to Magneto, to get rid of his idea that they would use him like that, and to prepare in case Magneto came to the institute.
Each of the three brotherhood members seemed to have something that distracted them from the hell that was there life sometimes. Lance read, or played guitar, Todd painted or drew, and Pietro studied and wrote.
The professor shook his head as he thought about the oldest teen, he had never been a child and was obviously the most stable thing both Pietro and Todd had to hold on to as they had their own troubles to work through.
Todd had apparently relapsed and for the first time they were seeing the real Todd, very shy and either clutching at Lance or Pietro for support. When he spoke he spoke softly ducking his head without all the street slang terms that he seemed to use most of the time. If you didn't know better you could see a much younger child standing there.
He was either drawing or painting most of the time and the strong emotions in the pictures where enough to show someone with many things in their life.
His wounds were also starting to heal, the abrasions on his wrists and ankles piecing themselves back together, and the bruises slowly fading. No one was entirely sure what effects the experiments Magneto had played would have upon his body yet, they refused to say what had already started to manifest; still not wanting to give up an advantage.
He had started to have nightmares a lot and often they would find either Pietro, Lance, or both curled up with him in the morning. The two weren't happy about it but they were resigned, apparently it had happened before and he would come back it was just a slow process. You just had to be sure to make no sudden movements around the boy.
Pietro was another case; Lance and Todd still forced him to eat because if they didn't he would easily bypass the meals and find something else to do. Also, he was so used to blocking his emotions that any display of them made him recoil and pull control stuffing the feelings down into a small corner. The Professor was afraid that if this continued he would implode and it would not be pretty.
He had shown himself to be very educated; he read and remembered things at the same speed at which he did everything else and because of this he was very knowledgeable at languages and the things that he was interested in. Other times you could see him writing in a small book that was nearly falling apart at the edges.
The Professor was drawn out of his thoughts by a knock at the door, Lance poked his head in, "You wanted to see me Sir?"
"Yes, Lance please come in and take a seat." He watched as the boy entered wearing a pair of black slacks with a chocolate long-sleeve turtleneck sweater and black leather gloves. Lance quickly seated himself his eyes immediately dropping to the floor.
The dark bruise on his face still resembled a handprint, but it was fading, and everything else was covered underneath the layer of clothing.
"Lance, look at me." Professor Xavier said in a stern voice, when Lance looked up he could see the hesitation in his eyes, he smiled as he met the teen's eyes. "Much better."
"Now on to business, I believe it is time that we inform the other students that you three are staying, don't you?"
"Whatever you think Sir."
A well used sigh came from the other side of the desk as the Professor massaged the bridge of his nose, "Yes, well it is time to inform the other X-men of your arrival and the fact that you will staying here until you choose to leave."
Xavier saw moment of shock on the other's face, there was a lot of deprogramming that still needed to be done on the child; on all three of the children. Sometimes he just seemed to forget they were only teenagers.
"When would you like to do it Sir?" The Professor was sadly pleased that Lance had actually voiced a question, "Tonight after dinner, when everyone is here will be the best time I think, that way Storm, Gambit, Pyro, Wolverine, & I will all be there in case anything happens."
The teen nodded relieved that Gambit and Pyro were going to be there, Wolverine still was not thrilled they were there so any added support was welcome. Sabertooth and Magneto's words about the older X-men where still going through his head.
Also they were the only two of the older people he would still act like Lance around. Granted, a much harder and older version, but with an actual personality.
Again shifting his eyes away from the Professors he spoke, "Was that all Sir?"
The Professor nodded, "Yes Lance, please inform the other two, would you?"
Lance nodded as he slipped back outside the doors and walked away from the office. Starting to head back downstairs he instead turned and wandered towards a different end of the mansion. All of the X-gee...X-men were gone at the moment so he could wander.
Coming to a glass door he was shocked to see a greenhouse full of flowers and plants of all kinds. A real, small smile slipped onto his face as he quietly opened the door and entered the airy chamber.
He pulled off his gloves as he walked to one end of the room; gently he touched the flowers feeling the soft petals and the essential life that seemed to flow from them, they seemed happy. His gloves had a dual purpose, not only did they hide the scars, they protected him so he wouldn't have to continuously block his mind against the world around him.
This was his new power, the ability to communicate with the earth around him, a true earth elemental. Touching the soft ground in an empty bed telling the plants below to grow.
Storm stood at the other end of the greenhouse in awe as she watched plants suddenly spring from the ground and wrap themselves around Lance. She watched stunned as he gestured and the ground formed into small mud figures, moving and racing around the plants; it was the first time she had ever seen the teen look at ease in the mansion.
She had slipped in quietly when she saw him standing inside with a true smile on his face for the first time, at first she was going to talk to him until she saw him pull off his gloves. He never removed them, so instead she relegated herself to a quiet corner of the room and watched.
Shaking herself she took a step forward, and spoke softly, "So, is this your new power Lance?"
Lance spun around quickly the small figures falling to dirt, he looked at the elegant lady in front of him and started to hyperventilate. He had told, he had betrayed his master, he was going to be punished, bad Rocky, bad Rocky, bad Rocky.........
The voice, which sounded suspiciously like his Lord spun around in his head as he sank to the floor wrapping his arms around his legs and burying his face in his arms and soft words began to spill from his mouth quickly, "Sorry, sorry, sorry, not be bad, not be bad, not tell, mustn't tell, must be good, must please master, bad, bad, please no, please no........"
Storm backed away, immediately calling out in her mind, PROFESSOR! LOGAN! PLEASE COME TO THE GREENHOUSE! I NEED YOU