Mystique is Moving In
"Is this really necessary?" Mystique snapped. She was wearing an inhibitor collar as well as handcuffs, shackles on her legs and was being guarded by two SHEILD agents.
"Yes," Scott snapped. In the war room, Xavier and some of the X-Men were conferring with Nick Fury and General Hawk. The X-Men in attendance were Kurt, Scott, Jean, Logan and a very angry Rogue.
"They're not exactly comfortable in my condition you know?" Mystique sniffed.
"I'm not exactly comfortable being in the same room with you," Rogue snapped. "But if I gotta tolerate it, so do you!"
"Let's go over this again," Nick Fury sighed. "Mystique you claim that you're being hunted down by some ninjas wearing red?"
"It's not a claim, my life is in danger!" Mystique snapped. "I came here for sanctuary!"
"Talk about bad judgement," Rogue snorted. "What? Your husband bail on you before you bailed on him?"
"Pretty much," Mystique admitted.
"Wait, I may not know much about ninjas," Kurt held up his hand. "But I do know they don't usually use guns in broad daylight."
"They were somebody else I'd never seen before," Mystique said. "Probably hired by the Red Ninjas."
"And I got a good idea who after we talked with one of the suspects you X-Men caught. Have you ever heard of the Pride?" Nick Fury asked.
"I have," Hawk nodded. "They're some kind of criminal organization on the West Coast right?"
"From what we know the Pride controls nearly all the crime in not only LA but in the entire state of California," Nick Fury said. "They've also been rivals with the Kingpin for years but since they've stayed mostly in one state, the two powers pretty much have a truce. Until now."
"Why now?" Scott asked. "What's changed?"
"We don't know for sure but for some reason the Pride has been really aggressive with expanding their territory since the beginning of this year," Fury told them. "Especially since X23 cut Hydra to pieces and severely weakened it. A lot of their bases and operations are up for grabs."
"And both the Kingpin and the Pride want to do the grabbing," Logan pieced it together.
"It gets better," Fury handed them some pictures. "These were taken from a surveillance camera recently. It seems that Hydra has some kind of alliance with Cobra now."
"But Cobra has an alliance with Magneto," Mystique said. "Of course we all know that's not going to last!"
"What?" Rogue gasped. "You mean Bucket Head and Snake Face are working together? Why?"
"I don't really know, some kind of supply deal," Mystique skillfully lied. "In case you haven't noticed, Magneto and I aren't exactly close lately."
"I think I'm seeing how things are falling into place," Xavier folded his fingers. "Remember when you were questioning Douglas Ramsey about the Hellfire Club? Didn't he say that there was a rumor that the Kingpin was trying to get membership into that society?"
"Yeah," Fury said. "I see it. And the Hellfire Club and Magneto are at odds with each other. So on one side we have the Kingpin and the Hellfire Club…"
"The other has Cobra and Magneto…" Mystique thought aloud. "But with Cobra's secret alliance with Hydra that's a powder keg that could explode at any minute."
"Add in the Pride…" Hawk thought. "Who must have made an alliance with the Red Ninjas! And getting Zartan and Mystique must be the clincher for that deal!"
"Why? What do I have to do with all this?" Mystique snapped.
"The Red Ninjas are a splinter group of the Arashikage Clan," Hawk told her. "Long story short, they split up when your husband killed their clan leader and blamed it on Storm Shadow. When the truth was discovered they became even more fanatical. They believe that their honor cannot be fully restored until Zartan and all his male heirs are sacrificed."
"That kid you're carrying…" Logan looked at Mystique. "It's a boy ain't it?"
"Yes and it's also a mutant," Mystique sighed. "The Cobra doctors told me that on my last check up that it will probably be a shape shifter."
"I will have a brother…?" Kurt gasped.
"Not if the Red Ninjas and the Pride have their way," Fury said. "In other words Mystique you are smack dab in the middle of a gang war. Probably the biggest gang war in the history of gang wars. Unless you want to be a casualty I suggest you cooperate."
"Okay what do you want to know?" Mystique said quickly.
"So let me get this straight," Scott grunted. "In order to save your skin and your kid's you're willing to sell out your husband, Cobra and Magneto?"
"You got it," Mystique said.
"Why am I not surprised?" Logan grunted. "So why don't you just question her at SHEILD headquarters and get her out of here?"
"Oh we'll talk, but not at headquarters," Fury grunted. "We're still undergoing renovations from our last encounter with you guys! Besides we've had a few security breaches lately and I don't need another one. Which reminds me Logan, Omega Red is one of them."
"That nutcase from Hydra?" Logan asked. "He's free?"
"Along with a half dozen other super criminals," Fury sighed. "We think either the Kingpin or some other crime leader organized a jailbreak. To say we haven't had a good month at SHEILD is an understatement."
"Didn't he want to kill you?" Scott asked Logan.
"Yeah and I have no clue why," Logan grumbled.
"Actually…I do," Fury fidgeted. "Apparently in the early 80's you were part of some kind of undercover mission in the Soviet Union. They were experimenting with their own super soldier program. According to our sources you, Sabertooth and two other mutants took him down and got him imprisoned in ice for a couple decades. He's a bit miffed about that."
"Wait, Sabertooth?" Logan growled. "Are you seriously telling me I actually worked with that scumbag? Why the hell didn't ever you tell me this?"
"Give me a break! I only found out myself two days ago!" Fury shot back. "And it turns out one of your other partners from back then helped in the breakout!"
"What partner? Who?" Logan was in shock.
"He goes by the name of Maverick," Fury took out a picture and showed him.
"What do you know about this guy?" Logan asked.
"I was hoping you'd tell me!" Fury said.
"To be honest Fury I wouldn't know him from Adam, much less…" Logan began.
"Excuse me," Mystique fidgeted. "As fascinating as all this has been taking a trip down memory lane, what's going to happen to me and my child?"
"Uh, you're going to jail, duh!" Rogue snapped.
"Not if Fury wants information on Magneto," Mystique hissed. "And you know your telepaths can't take it from my mind."
"Why am I not surprised?" Hawk folded his arms. "You tried to assassinate a United States Senator, attempted to overthrow the United States Government and were in league with some of the biggest terrorists on the planet. Not to mention a few other dozen offenses including theft, destruction of property, child abuse and attempted murder! You seriously think you're going to just walk?"
"No, but I'm sure we can work out a deal," Mystique told him smugly. "I've got information on both Cobra and Magneto that your intelligence officers would kill for. Including how far Magneto is on the Bio Pulse and what his plans are for it."
"She's got a point," Hawk admitted.
"We can't put her in a normal prison," Fury growled. "Even a military prison wouldn't be secure enough for a witch like her. Too many people would want to break her out! And since SHIELD has too many security problems at the moment…Damnit! Xavier I'm gonna have to ask you a favor."
"Don't say it…" Rogue said. "Please don't let it be what I think it is!"
"I kind of need you to look after Mystique for a while," Fury sighed.
"Oh god…" Rogue moaned. "No…"
"I'm afraid it's out of the question," Xavier said.
"YES!" Rogue shouted raising a fist in the air. "Thank you Professor!"
"WHAT?" Kurt yelled. "Why?"
"You have a few hours?" Rogue shouted. "There is no way on earth I am going to stay under the same roof with that conniving witch!"
"Well that's a nice thing to call your pregnant mother," Mystique grumbled.
"Believe me, I could call you a lot worse," Rogue growled at her.
"It's not just your feelings I'm taking into consideration Rogue," Xavier said. "I will not place my students in any danger if I can help it. From what I have heard about these Red Ninjas and their affiliates, it would be unwise to put the Institute in the line of fire."
"Yeah we already got the FOH, Cobra, Magneto and Purity with a vendetta against us," Logan said. "And let's not forget the Hellfire Club."
"So what's one more?" Kurt asked.
"Two more," Jean pointed out. "The Kingpin and the Pride."
"And I'll bet Omega Red would love to even the score with me," Logan grunted.
"Don't forget Hydra," Rogue said. "I'm sure they'd do anything to get X back!"
"All the more reason she can't go!" Kurt pleaded.
"Have you forgotten that she blew up the mansion once and nearly killed half the students inside?" Scott said. "She's too dangerous! We can't risk holding her here. Besides she should be locked up!"
"But my brother shouldn't be!" Kurt shouted.
"He won't! Like I said we'll yank him out as soon as he's born!" Rogue snapped.
"That's cruel! She's his mother!" Kurt defended. "You can't just take him away from Mystique! It wouldn't be good for the baby!"
"Why not? It worked out for you!" Rogue shot back. "Hell, I wish I had your deal sometimes!"
"I accidentally dropped your brother from a cliff!" Mystique snapped. "You really think that's better than the home I gave you?"
"Like I said…Still better than being lied to all my life…" Rogue told her.
"I gotta agree with Rogue on this one Kurt," Scott said. "We're not exactly talking Mother of the Year here. The Mother from Hell maybe but…"
"I get the message!" Mystique shouted. "Look I know I made some mistakes with the two of you…"
"Some mistakes?" Jean's jaw dropped.
"Don't forget Graydon!" Rogue added. "We all know how great he turned out!"
"And he was with her the longest," Scott added. "Think of how much damage she'll do with this kid if she's left alone with him! Even Shipwreck's a better parent than her and you know that's saying something!"
"Why can't you give me a chance?" Mystique snapped.
"Uh maybe because you're a backstabbing whore who'd sacrifice your kids for your own selfish needs?" Rogue shouted.
"Don't you dare call me a whore!" Mystique shouted.
"That's right Rogue," Jean said. "It would be insulting to all the other whores out there."
"Talk about the pot calling the kettle black you red headed…" Mystique struggled to hit her, only to be held back by the guards.
"ALL RIGHT KNOCK IT OFF!" Fury shouted. "Come on Xavier you gotta help me here!"
"I'm willing to take in the baby but I'm afraid Mystique is on her own," Xavier said. "Like I said it's too dangerous to have her here."
"But we have to protect her!" Kurt said. "I know she's done horrible things, but she's still a mutant in need! And what about the baby? You can't tell me you want any baby born in a jail cell! It isn't right!"
"Kurt have you seen all the cameramen and protesters outside our gates?" Scott shouted. "They're already in a feeding frenzy because of Kitty and her family! What? You wanna take a chance that they'd find out that we were housing one of the world's most wanted mutant terrorists as well?"
"We're just lucky Mystique didn't change shape until we got her inside and away from the cameras!" Logan agreed. "The media thinks that we've just given shelter to some woman who may or may not be a mutant from some deranged gang members who tried to rob her. By the way, thanks for the cover story Hawk."
"No problem," Hawk waved. "But I don't know how long that will hold water if she stays here."
"There are people who would use that information to try and close the Institute down," Xavier told him. "Taking Mystique in would only confirm their suspicions about us."
"He's right," Fury sighed. "I didn't think about that. She can't stay here. We're just going to have to stash her somewhere else."
"Good! How about Alcatraz?" Rogue snapped. "I hear it's lovely this time of year. Cut down the tourists and she'd have the whole place to herself."
"I was thinking more along the lines of Camp Cupcake," Mystique said. "Considering my condition."
"You are no Martha Stewart!" Scott snapped. "You're really milking this aren't you?"
"See Kurt, our brother isn't even born yet and she's already using him!" Rogue shouted. "What more proof do you need?"
"Well I have to put her somewhere!" Fury was getting frustrated.
"Actually I have an idea…" Hawk grinned.
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"It's official…" Mystique grumbled as she slumped in her seat. "I'm in Hell."
"No you're just with the Misfits," Shipwreck sneered. "A lot of people make that mistake!" Shipwreck, Low Light and Cover Girl had placed Mystique in a spare room at the Misfit Manor downstairs near the medical facility. Even though she was no longer in shackles, she still was forced to wear the inhibitor collar.
"Lucky for you years ago Stormshadow made some kind of truce with the Red Ninjas," Low Light folded his arms. "As long as you're on this base they won't touch you."
"But even then I wouldn't hold my breath," Shipwreck said. "These Red Ninjas have been known to break a pact when it suits them."
"Well that certainly makes me feel safe," Mystique grumbled.
"If it wasn't for that kid inside you I'd lock you up in the deepest darkest hole imaginable," Low Light hissed. "But no baby deserves to be born in a prison so you're going to stay here under house arrest. That collar you've got on also has a tracking device. If you so much as glance over fifteen feet outside of this house we'll know about it. So don't get any cute ideas of escaping."
"I couldn't even if I tried!" Mystique hissed. "Even without this charming necklace my shapeshifiting powers are extremely limited due to my condition. And even if I did manage to escape without my powers there's nowhere for me to go without getting blown up to kingdom come!"
"Normally that would suit us fine, but for now you're our houseguest," Cover Girl told her. "So watch it!" The three of them left the room. Cover Girl made a point of locking the door behind her. "Like I'd let that witch out without an escort."
"This isn't going to be easy…" Shipwreck sighed as they went into the living room where the Misfits and the other adults were gathered. Many of them had signs of pure rage on their faces.
"Is this the part where you tell us we have to be nice to the Blue Bitch of the West?" Lance snarled. His arms were shaking with rage.
"Look I know how you kids feel," Roadblock sighed. "But at this point you have to deal…"
"Deal?" Lance exploded with rage. "You don't know how much I'm holding back right now! You weren't whipped like an animal and beaten several times!"
"She's not getting near the babies if I can help it," Althea snarled. "If she even looks at them cross-eyed…"
"Look how she treats her own kids," Pietro snapped. "Then again compared to Magneto…"
"Well if there's ever an argument for birth control it's sitting downstairs!" Althea snarled.
"Take it easy, Al," Todd told her.
"Take it easy?" Althea shouted. "You of all people shouldn't be saying that! Why are you so calm about this? She nearly killed you and left you for dead and now you're stuck in the same house with her!"
"No, she's stuck here with me," A very evil smile crossed his face. "And accidents do happen."
"Ohhhh," Fred grinned. "Now I get it!"
"Oh yeah," Lance thought. "Maybe this won't be so bad after all?"
"Maybe Mystique was safer with the Red Ninjas?" Low Light groaned.
"Okay kids," Cover Girl said. "You can't hit her or do anything that might endanger the baby's health like poison her or anything like that."
"Other than that…" Roadblock grinned. "Use your imagination."
"So because she's pregnant we can't kill her?" Xi asked.
"Yes Xi," Roadblock sighed. "That is the idea for this little chat here."
"Once the kid's out we can hit her right?" Todd raised his hand.
"Yeah I guess that's fair," Roadblock said. "You can kick her derriere!"
"In that case when's she due?" Lance grinned.
"The doc's say three weeks," Shipwreck said. "But judging by her stomach I'd say any time now."
"How about a caesarian?" Pietro called out. "Get it out right now?"
"No," Shipwreck grinned. "We're going to let her have natural childbirth…But for some reason the painkillers will mysteriously…disappear."
"You gotta be…" Althea's jaw dropped. Then she grinned. "Oh man that is evil!"
"Normally I wouldn't wish that on any woman but this is an extreme exception," Cover Girl grinned. "And that's just the beginning if I know you kids."
"Is she really that horrible?" Lina asked.
"Trust us Lina," Lance told her. "You don't know this witch like we do. She'd cut off your wings and gouge your eyes out if it suits her."
"You're all going to drive her insane aren't you?" Lina sighed, resigning herself to it.
"Pretty much yeah," Todd told her. "Like it's a bad thing."
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"Hey! Let me out!" Mystique pounded on the door. "Let me out! I need to use the bathroom here!"
"There's a bedpan nearby, use that."
"The hell I will! You…" Mystique then realized she wasn't alone in the room. She turned around and saw a ninja clad in white holding a very sharp sword at her throat. "How did you…? Who…?"
"Hello Mystique," Storm Shadow hissed. "They call me Storm Shadow. Let's have a chat now shall we?"