"Good game," said Scott as he sat down on a chair near the racquet ball court and took a huge sip of water.

"Ditto," said Rogue as she began to put her equipment away. "You up for another one tomarrow?"

"Sure," said Scott as he got up, putting his equipment away as well. "Oh, wait, no," began Scott upon remembering. "I can't. I have that concert tomorrow with Jean."

Rogue half-smile disappeared. "Oh yeah, that's right."

"Why don't you go top?" asked Scott as he was about to walk out of the room. "I mean, over half of the whole damn institute is going anyway? Why don't you?"

"Nah," said Rouge. "I'm not a big fan of Nural."

"Have you even heard them?" asked Scott. Rogue began to blush, and shook her head 'no'. Didn't think so. Well, tickets are only 10 bucks...just incase you changed your mind." Scott then waved to Rouge, then left the room. As he was walking through the hallway, Scott couldn't help but think how much better his life has gotten during these past few weeks....mostly because of Jean. Ever since Mystique dragged Scott out to Mexico and stealing his ruby-quartz glasses, Jean and him have become closer than ever...however, there not officially a couple yet.

"Yeah, Scotty," said a voice that broke Scott's concentration. He looked up to see that it was Peter. "Playin' another fine game of racquet ball?"

"More like losing another fine game of racquet ball." Both Peter and Scott laughed. "Hey, what about you? Are you going to the concert tomorrow, too?"

"Oh, yeah," began Peter s they continued walking back to the living room. "Kurt told me about it....um...what are they called...neutral, right?"

"Nural."

"Right, Nural. Yeah I'm going. Kurt still thinks he needs back-up for Amanda."

"Back up? Have you been watching all of their dates?"

"No, no all of them. Just like, two or three. But there are a few I was watching that he didn't know about." Scott gave him a sore look, then laughed. "What? I was bored!" Scott continued to laugh. They reached the main floor of the mansion and entered the living room, which is where Peter changed the subject. "So...what's going on between you and Jean?"

Scott mentally blushed. No one really asked him about it that much. Everyone just kinda...knew. Or had some weird blown-out-of-proportion thought, that might get a specific Ice-boy in trouble. "Well..." Scott started off...but the truth was he didn't know what to say. There just friends...maybe a little more...but not yet a couple...there in the process...

"Sticky!" yelled Logan as he walked over to the two boys. Scott let out a sigh in relief. Saved by the raved wolverine. Peter's attention turned straight to Logan.

"I'm sorry for whatever it is I did," began Peter immediately. "And whatever it was, I did not do it!"

"Funny," said Logan. "Come with me, the professor and Hank want to talk to you." Peter went with Logan to the professor's office thinking of what could have possibly happened. Did they find out about Peter's night life? That was the worst case scenario. But what was going to happen if that was it? Will he get probation? He heard that X-Men probation was the worst kind. Logan sniffed, and looked at Peter. "What are you so worried about?" he asked Peter. "I can smell the sweat on you." Peter didn't answer.

They both entered the professor's office, where Xavier was sitting behind his desk as usual, and Beast was standing right behind him. "Hello, Peter," said the Professor. Peter swallowed hard, and the professor laughed. "No need to be nervous, your not in trouble."

Peter let out a huge sigh. "Ok then. So, what's going on?"

"We have a gift for you," said Hank as he pulled out a box and handed it to Peter.

"A gift? For me?" he asked taking the box from Hank. He was about to open it...but he stopped himself. "But....why? It's not my birthday. ...is it? No it's not."

"Just open it, web-head," said Logan.

Peter opened the box. There was dark blue cloth inside. Peter took it out and unfolded it. It was a mask! Just like his red mask...only dark blue. He felt the eyes on the mask, identifying it as the same material as the original. "Whoa! This is sweet! For my uniform!" Peter quickly put it on to see if it fit, and it did. "Wow, it's more comfortable than the other one!"

"I'm glad you like it Peter. But do me a favor, don't wear it during practice. Only during...well...emergencies."

"Deal! Thank you, professor." Peter said as he shook his, and Hanks hand. "Thank you too Logan."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Logan replied.

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"Are you sure zhis looks good?" asked Kurt modeling his black and red 'MXPX' long-sleeve shirt and jeans.

"For God's sakes, Kurt, would you stop asking me that question?? You're going to a rock concert, damn it, not a embassy party." Peter said.

"I know...I've just never been to one before." he said looking at himself in the mirror.

"Yeah, me either." said Peter. "I've never heard of Nural either. Are they any good?"

"Oh, yeah!" insisted Kurt. "Scott and I used to listen to them all the time on our way to school. There awesome, for a local band, and the members are barley 20 years old."

"Hey, guys?" said a 12 year old voice from the doorway. It was Jamie, aka 'Multiple', who was wearing a...tuxedo? "Have you guys seen Kitty?"

Both Kurt and Peter shook their head no, and Jamie went away. "What was up with that tuxedo?" Asked Peter.

"He's taking Kitty to the concert," replied Kurt.

Peter began laughing hysterically. When he was finally able to calm down, he said, "What? Are you serious?" Kurt nodded his head trying not to laugh, himself. "Why? Why isn't she going with Lance, or something?"

"Because most of the X-Men are going to be there."

"Good point," admitted Peter.

"Alright, let's get going," said Kurt as he and Peter headed out the door, and to the front door of the mansion. "Are you sure it was a good idea to ask Logan to take us?" asked Kurt a little nervous.

"No," replied Peter simply. "And from the looks of the other night, I don't think he likes the fact that Amanda knows about this place. But the professor said this will be good for Logan's "tolerance." It sucks how the professor chose us to be his test subjects."

Kurt stared at Peter for a second and said, "Thank's for making me feel better," sarcastically.

"Anytime," said Peter.

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The ride to the concert wasn't as bad as Peter and Kurt thought it was...except for going at the ungodly speed, but Kurt and Peter had gotten used to it...but Amanda hasn't. After Logan dropped them off, Amanda was the first to ask. "Does that guy just don't like me? Or is he crazy?"

"A little bit of both, I guess," replied Peter. "C'mon, let's go inside."

The venue was pretty crowded for a local band. The floor right near the stage and the balcony was completely packed with people. The first thing Kurt, Peter, and Amanda saw in the venue is the people moving and singing along with the band as the ended the song. In the distance, Peter recognized Jean and Scott on the floor pretty close to the stage, who was singing along with the band the final words of the song.

"Just walk away, see if he cares

It's such a sad story I know

Don't say I didn't tell you so...."

The music eventually stopped, but was followed by a huge cheer from the crowd. "Thank you," said the singer. "That song is called 'I told you so,' and it's on the CD you can purchase in the...back...somewhere."

"C'mon, let's get closer!" insisted Amanda.

Kurt feared that Amanda would say that. "Vhat? In zhere? With all zhose people?"

"C'mon, Kurt!" yelled Amanda over the voice of the singer, who was only talking. "Your wearing a long-sleeve shirt, no one will feel the fur!"

"Vell...yes...but..."

"C'mon!" Amanda practically yanked Kurt from the doorway. "You coming, Pete?" asked Amanda.

"Vhat!? He gets a choice?"

"Yeah, but I'll be there later," Peter insisted. Amanda nodded and dragged Kurt on the floor.

"Ok, guys," began the singer. "This next song is an oldie, so I want to see everyone of your singing along....and I want to see a mosh pit right there," he said pointing to a section of the floor.

The music started very subtle, and then switched to a slightly fast-paced song, and a mosh pit immediately formed in the spot the singer pointed to.

"I feel my hope is slowly dying

Don't turn around, cuz I might start crying

Every second of everyday you have no shame. No shame."

Peter made his way around the 'safe zone,' of the venue looking for anyone from the mansion he might recognize. After a few minutes of looking, he noticed five familiar faces in the way back of the pit floor. It was Bobby, Jubilee, Sam, Amara, and Ray. Peter went up to them and tapped Sam on the shoulder getting his attention. "Hey, Peter," yelled Sam, who is better known around the mansion as "Cannonball." "I didn't know you were gonna be here!"

"Are you crazy?" asked Peter. "I think everyone in the whole damn mansion is here!"

"Welcome to my world

Knowing that there's nothing I can do

I'm in over my head..."

"Yeah," agreed Sam. "I think even Jamie is gonna be here. He kept going on about some kinda 'date' with Kitty, or something. You know anything about that?"

"Not a thing," replied Peter. "Except I saw that he was wearing a tuxedo just before we left."

"No way!"

"Way."

"Damn, that's gonna be fun to watch."

"Yeah, I'm acutally looking for them right now," Peter said as he looked over Sam's shoulder, only to see Jubilee and Amara only. Ray and Bobby went missing. "Hey, where did brain-freeze, and electro go?"

"Um, probably in the most pit," replied Sam.

"The mosh pit!!??" asked Peter shocked. "Are they insane? What if one of them gets pissed off and decides to....you know..."

"Nah," said Sam. "Don't worry about that, there pretty cool with things like that."

"I witness everyday how ignorant some people can be

Have you no shame?

NO SHAME!!"

"Alright, I'm gonna go find Kitty. See ya later," said Peter was he walked off.

"Later," he heard Sam say during the sudden silence after the music stopped. Another roar from the crowd emerged as Peter once again tried to look for Kitty. Peter noticed that this band that Scott and Kurt like so much isn't that bad at all. Peter decided to just stick around and enjoy himself for a while as the band continued playing many more songs.

Peter spotted Jean and Scott once again enjoying the concert from the floor. Peter also tried spotting Kurt and Amanda, but they didn't seem to be in sight. Maybe the people one the floor where just blocking Peter's view...or maybe...there not even on the floor. Maybe there not even in the room. Maybe there all alone...it's possible. Not very likely...but possible.

"Wow, thank you," said the singer. "I liked that. That was awesome. OK ladies...and ladies...this will be our last song." There was a short pause in the band's activity. "Are you ready?" the singer asked the rest of the band members. "This is the song that you might've heard us play on "Eye in New York," in NBC. Here it goes." The singer began the song

"Can you feel the tension in the air?

Assuring you once again I'm there

You break my trust, you break my heart

I'll break your fall....your fall..."

Peter was very attracted to this song, even though it began seconds ago. Peter then realized that the show is almost over, and should probably look for Kitty. Peter went upstairs into the balcony, maybe she and Jamie went there. Peter laughed at the thought that Kitty actually agreed to go with Jamie on a date. Maybe it was just to make him feel better.

"Which brings me to my next thought

Walk these roads, as crooked as they be

So I lied....So we lied...."

Peter kept looking on the balcony, but soon realized that they were nowhere to be found. This was too good to miss, Peter thought. Where could they be? Peter went the stairs back to the floor when the sudden thought of maybe they were the ones who snuck out of the room and....no, no, never. Kitty wouldn't that. The thought made Peter laugh.

Spider-sense.

What? No! Not now! What could be happening? Something going on in the mosh pit? No...no..the signal was stronger than for it to be just a punch to the face or something. Besides the signal came from behind him...from the equipment room. Peter decided to check it out...it could be something electrical, and it could get innocent people hurt. Peter snuck over to the door on the other side of the room, and went inside, hearing the last words from the singer.

"So I lied? This time I'll face the sky without a smile without a trace

And I don't just see blue I choose to

With still no sign of you."

The room hallway was white, unlike the other room.

Spider-sense.

Peter turned around and noticed a man was flying right towards him...but it was a security guard. Peter caught him then laid him down on the ground. He was unconscious. Peter then looked to wear the body came from, only to see a huge and hairy beast-like man....with fangs! He was breathing very deeply, and appeared to have claws. "Wait a minute," said Peter. "I know you!" Huge beast-man let out a roar, and charged at Peter. Peter easily dodged it, and said. "Your that cat-guy, Sabertooth, aren't you? Sabertooth charged at Peter again, but this time Peter wasn't fast enough to dodge a swipe in the shoulder thanks to long sharp claws. Peter fell down and grabbed his shoulder in pain, as he watched Sabertooth escape. He had to get up. He had to tell the rest of the X-Men...

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"What!? Sabertooth!?" Scott's voice echoed throughout the hallway.

"Where?" Asked Jean.

"Over there," said Peter pointing to the still unconscious security guard. "Right where the cop his."

Jean noticed blood on Peter's hand and shoulder. "Oh, no. You're hurt!"

"Don't worry about me," insisted Peter. "Get the rest of the X-Men, I'll meet up with you guys later.

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That was a under a half hour ago. All of the X-Men that were at the concert re-grouped at the mansion as fast as they could to go after Sabertooth. Peter was told to stay behind because of his injury, but as soon as the X-Men left, he got on his dark blue uniform. He was about to go out the window when he remembered something...his new mask. Peter opened the drawer where his blue mask was...along with his other Spider-Man costume. Peter quickly put on the mask, and jumped out his window, spinning a web on to a near by tree.

The venue wasn't too far from the mansion, so it was a fairly short to the Daily Bugle building. He landed on the roof of the venue and looked around. He noticed the bassist and one of the two guitar players stuck around and were hanging out with there friends...but no Sabertooth or X-Men were in sight.

Spider-sense.

Peter followed his spider-sense which led him to a building on looking most of the X-Men, new recruits, Cyclops blasting Sabertooth through a warehouse wall. Spider-Man smiled to himself and jumped off the building landing right next to Wolverine in his usual all-fours-squat, the one that makes him look like a dog, just in time to hear Wolverine say, "That wasn't Sabertooth. It was Rogue."

"What!?" asked Spider-Man, as well as many other of his teammates.

"Rogue? But how?" asked Cyclops dumbfounded.

"I don't know," Wolverine half yelled. "But it's her. I can smell it."

"We have to go in after her!" Jean stated the obvious.

"Yeah," agreed Wolverine. "Red eye, you come with me. The rest of you stay here!"

Cyclops and Wolverine entered the warehouse as the rest of the X-Men waited outside. No one talked, they just watched the warehouse waiting for something to happen, until Wolfsbane broke the silence. "Are you ok, Jean?" she asked in her thick Scottish accent. "Your sweating a lot!"

"I just wish I new what was happening in there," Jean replied.

"Do you want me to check it out?" asked Spider-Man who was also very anxious to find out what was happening.

"No," replied Jean. "Wolverine told us to stay out here, and that's what we're-" Jean was interrupted by a sudden tremor under her feet. The rest of the X-Men felt it as well.

"What was that?" asked Shadowcat.

"I hope it wasn't was a thought it was..." said Jean softly.

Spider-sense.

"EVERYBODY DOWN!!" yelled Spider-Man upon realizing what his Spider-sense was telling him, but it was to late. Right after he spoke, the roof of the warehouse exploded with a bolt of lightning from the sky. Then, a figure was floating above the roof. The figure had very noticeable glowing white eyes. It couldn't have been Storm...but then the face became clear to everyone. It was rogue. All of a sudden, Rouge started firing red force beams from her eyes at everyone.

Most of the X-Men tried using their powers one way or another to stop Rogue, but nothing seems to be working. "It's no use!" Kurt yelled to Spider-Man and Shadowcat. "Nothin is vorking on her!"

"Yeah," agreed Kitty. "She touched almost everyone in the mansion! She has everyone's number!"

"You might be right," said Spider-Man. "But there's one person here who she never touched."

"Who?" asked Nightcrawler.

"Me," said Spider-Man was he spun a web onto a nearby building and sprung himself upward. He heard Nightcrawler and Shadowcat's voice trying to stop him, but he couldn't just sit by and do nothing. With help from his spider-sense, he could be able to dodge Rogue's attacks, and possibly help her. Spider-Man landed on a roof right next to Rouge, who was still floating in the air. "Rogue!" he yelled trying to get her attention. It worked. She looked his way.

"What the hell is that web-head doing?" could be heard from Wolverine, but Spider-Man dismissed it.

"Stop this!" he yelled again. Rogue obviously didn't obey and shot a Berzerker thunderbolt at him, but he successfully dodged it. "Rogue! Look at me!" Spider-Man tried again, this time, he took his mask off revealing his face to his confused friend. "It's me, Rogue! Peter! I'm your friend! We are you friends! You don't want to hurt anyone!" Rogue once again didn't listen and shot a thunderbolt, this time from the clouds, at Spider-Man. There was nowhere to run, this time, so Peter was forced to jump off a building and spun a web onto another building.

Spider-sense.

This time Peter couldn't dodge hit. A huge red force beam from Rogue's eyes hit him in his back forcing him to let go of his web Time seemed to slow down from Peter. He watched the distance from himself to the ground shrink by the long seconds. He felt the pain in his back from the force beams, but was once again unable to do anything about it. Suddenly, a song appeared into Peter's head out of nowhere. A song that he learned not an hour ago.

Can you feel the tension in the air?

Assuring you once again I'm there

You break my trust, your break my heart

I break your fall...

Peter didn't know at the time why he thought of the song, or how it fit the situation. All he knew was that there was almost no distance between him and the ground now. Pain overwhelmed his body as he heard his clothing rip and his body grind on the concrete. His head also bounced off the street, but strangely, he didn't feel any pain on his head.

You break my trust...

"Damn it!" yelled Wolverine. "Half-pint! Elf! Red! Go check on the Spider! I'll take care of Rogue. Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, and Jean all sprinted to Peter's motionless body. As soon as they got their, the three noticed that his eyes were closed. Jean put her hand on Peter's partially bare chest, despite the blood. He was still breathing. Jean, and the other two let out a sigh of relief upon learning.

You break my heart...

"Peter!" Shadowcat yelled to the boy who wasn't even 5 feet away from her. Her voice kind of startled Peter. He found it very difficult to open his eyes, and when he did, all he could see were shadows. "Peter!" she yelled again. "Are you okay?" Peter didn't respond, he just let out a moan in agony. He put his hand on his chest were Jean's hand was, and felt blood. He quickly took his hand away after feeling the pain. "Are you hurt?" Shadowcat tried one more time.

I'll break your fall...

"Kitty," said Peter, putting hope into the three teenagers. He smiled a little bit trying to talk again, but the words couldn't find their way out of his mouth. "Your...you're a smart girl Kitty," Peter said strangely. "Does it look like I'm hurt?" Peter passed out.


It's an awareness that becomes obscured as I keep regular contact with her. That being, the reason why the girl with the black gloves is called Rogue. The reason why she continually insists on pushing others away form her when all they want to do is be her friend. Recently she has begun to let people become close to her, however the fact still remains that she is unable to make physical contact with anyone. But I still can't get it out of my mind. Why is it that so much trouble follows this girl?

(Disclaimer: Yes, Nural is a real band. The name, "Nural," as well as the lyrics to the songs "I Told You So," "No Shame," and "Tension" are all copyrighted to their band. You wanna hear them? Their website is on my profile..I think if you hear the song you'll understand the chapter a little better.)