ViciousAssassin: Everyone seems to like this side of Mystique. Guess we made a good move with using her in this, this way. Slayer is like 26, so no, he's not a student.
Mark C: Glad you liked that Rogue talk. We tried to make it so it wasn't easy and yet tried to bring them closer together, not easy. Yep, I wanted someone else Emma could talk to and Betsy is a perfect choice. Yep Mystique will be back later on you can trust me on that.
Aaron: I loved that bridge thing you said it's so true. We like to make villains more then just two-dimensional characters and like to give them more substance. True, Betsy and Emma are a lot a like they come from similar yet different backgrounds.
TheUnknown325: Yeah, I did know that about Stan Lee lol, a lot of people do that. I mean look at Superman and all the characters with double L names. Well sequel later on but a spin off after but I won't say what to spoil a surprise later on.
KaliAnn: Yeah, we think it was a good move to bring in Mystique and try to heal the rift in that family and yeah there's a lot to overcome, but they got to start somewhere. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter.
KSimonT-X: Thanks, we enjoyed making those scenes with Mystique we really tried to get a lot of emotion out of that. We wanted to see if we could try to make Mystique start to change since everyone else in this fic is.
GothikStrawberry: Yeah she does have her reasons for working with Magneto but at least she's trying to patch things up with her kids. Yeah I thought I might make it really clear what the Brotherhood are doing. Glad you liked the rest of this too.
The Uncanny R-Man: Glad to make your day that's always good to hear. You'll see how she deals with Remy and Wanda dating her children later on. Oh don't worry August will be a major player in this final act and thanks for letting us use her.
Thanks to: X00001, Wen1, coldqueen, ZeroBen
Hellfire and BrimstoneCHAPTER 55: FAMILY ISSUES PART 3
Sage & Ororo
As the morning sun once again dawned upon the Xavier Institute, Ororo awoke to prepare breakfast with Vincent for the others. It was like any other morning to her with students coming and going as they pleased…But as she watched the familiar spectacle before her, one thing quickly caught her attention…Sage and Hank were not present.
At first she thought they were just late comers as was often the case with the both of them, given that they were used to staying up into the wee hours of the night working on this and that…But given that they had just gone out on a date, the circumstances were quite different. Having known Sage for a long time, she was happy to see that she had found someone that she really seemed to connect with on many levels…But now that they had made it official with this date, it definitely left many questions to be answered.
Their absence from breakfast was curious enough and she had also heard a few others gossiping about Hank and Sage while eating. Yet she knew this was merely speculation on their part, for they didn't know Sage like she did. And it was just one date…She wouldn't go too far with him on one date…Would she?
That question lingered in Ororo's head for a while since she knew Sage had a history of embracing the company of men before she joined SHIELD…Hell, they both did. But she wouldn't do that with Hank…At least, that's what she kept telling herself.
After cleaning up the dishes, which had now become much easier thanks to Vincent's speedy work, Ororo went looking for her friend, searching the upper dormitory levels. It was fairly quiet for the most part, but that was just because everybody was downstairs getting ready for the danger room. She knew Sage had to be up here and she knew she had to be awake by now. At first she checked her room where strangely, she found Sage there still in a robe her hair not combed and only now fixing her bed. That was odd since Sage never slept in she always woke up at a certain time and never slept in this long, she also saw Sage was limping a bit or at least walking a little funny.
"You just get up?" Ororo asked her old friend.
"Well sort of," she said a little coyly…In fact, she and Hank had slept in a little and when the morning came they wanted to use the morning to their advantage. She smiled at the memory of sleeping on his soft furred chest, with his strong chest underneath it, "But I had a really good nights sleep."
Ororo noticed the smiled on her face and she seemed to be a bit more happy too, more so then usual. "Then I take it your date with Hank went pretty well…" she said, finding it somewhat awkward thinking of what might had happened. She also noticed the door to the balcony was wide open maybe to air out the room.
"Oh it went more than well…" she said in a slightly dreamy like voice, "We had a wonderful time. It's had been so long since either of us went out. We ate at a great restaurant…Saw a great show together…"
Then, Sage's words quickly trailed off…But the smile on her face didn't wane in the slightest. Her face quickly flushed a little red on her pale cheeks as memories of her night with Hank and all the sensations that it brought came streaming back through her computerized mind. It truly had been one of the most magical nights of her life…For it seemed as though she hadn't been able to experience something like that for so long that it felt as though it was another lifetime. But everything had been real…The date, the connection, and of course…The sex.
It was like some sort of sign…As if to tell her she had found the one…After all her strife and struggle, she had finally found the one. Last night had given her so much to remember and computerized brain or not…She was sure to remember it for a long time to come.
"Sage…" said Ororo, breaking her out of her daze, "You do realize that you didn't finish your sentence, you're blushing, and you're walking in a rather curious manner…"
Ororo knew the signs and she wasn't afraid to acknowledge them. And Sage knew her well enough to know that it was almost impossible to keep something like this from her. And since she probably wasn't going to stop pestering her about it, she might as well come clean.
"Well what can I say?" she said with a grin, she sat down on her beg as her legs still felt a little wobbly, "A night of wonderful, vigorous sex with a true beast of a man does wonders for my mood…"
"Yes! I knew it!" exclaimed Ororo, her eyes lighting up like the forth of July as she clamored around her friend for details but then she frowned, "But after only one date?"
Sage just shook her head in astonishment, finding it hard to believe as well. But she had no regrets about what she and Hank did and she'd do it again in a heartbeat if she had to. An idea for later to be explored although maybe after that throbbing no matter how pleasant had gone down.
"I know, Ro…It was a bit fast," she conceded, "But sometimes…After going so long without somebody…Anybody to be close to…I just don't want to waste any more time. I knew Hank and I had something…I knew it was right. I wanted him…He wanted me…That's all we needed. And it was wonderful…Truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life." It was true she had been alone for so long she nearly forgot what it was like being with someone. She also knew Hank could relate to that as well, maybe it was another thing they had in common and could relate too.
"Well I'm glad to hear that my friend," she said with a smile, "I know you missed the company of decent men…"
"Oh Hank is more than just decent…" said Sage, still slightly happier then normal and Ororo was close to thinking that she was glowing almost, "He's so caring and kind…So smart and witty…He's pretty much the only man I've ever met who I can really hold a great conversation with. We have so much in common…We appreciate the same things. And of course…That animal body of his does wonders in bed!"
"I…Can only imagine," said Ororo, laughing a bit at that last one.
"I'll bet you could!" said Sage, "You're dating a guy with animal qualities as well, aren't you?"
"Well, yes, but…We haven't gotten that far yet in our relationship," admitted Ororo, although deep down, she wanted to change that.
"Well let me tell you something, Ro…" said Sage, the smile on her face still hanging strong, "As scary as it may be leading up to it…Once you feel that strong, warm, passionate feeling consume you…It's the greatest thing in the world! Now I know you like to take certain things slow…But honestly Ro…Why waste time when you know it's right?"
Ororo thought about that for a moment. True, her relationship with Logan had grown quite serious since they started dating…But there were still so many things she wanted to sort out. Maybe it was because a part of her still saw Logan as her best friend or maybe it was because she was scared to take this next step…Given that it had been so long since her last intimate relationship and she wanted to really make this one special.
Then again…There was that part of her that truly yearned for Logan's touch. Years upon years of sex deprivation certainly hadn't gone unnoticed by her and it had taken a toll on her in many ways. So much of her just wanted to take him…To let their animalistic urges drive them into a world of passion. But she had forcibly restrained herself thus far…Letting each crisis that came work it's course and not pushing it.
But now that the turmoil had ended for the most part and young Laura was settling in, there was nothing standing in their way…There was nothing to keep them from doing what she knew they both wanted. It was just a matter of taking a chance and letting something that had already affected her so much evolve and blossom.
"Well…I'm really happy for you my friend," said Ororo, finally breaking herself out of her thoughts, "I'm glad that things between you and Hank are going so well."
"Thanks Ro…That means a lot to me," she said with a smile, "And I hope things between you and Logan stay strong too! Now if you'll excuse me…I'm in serious need of a shower."
And with that, Ororo watched as Sage walked to off to the bathroom humming part of the opera that she had seen with Hank last night. Ororo saw she was in her own little world of happiness and leaving her with plenty to think about. Things between her and Logan had been tumultuous at first with their innate stubbornness keeping them from admitting the truth about how they felt about one another…But now so much was different between them. And after making it through all the tribulations with the Hellfire Club, Deathstrike, and X23…It only helped make her surer that he was the one for her.
However, making the jump from one stage to another was no easy matter…Yet Sage and Hank had done it and they obviously made it work. But could she do the same with Logan…Could they really become lovers and develop a strong, intimate connection? Ororo Munroe wasn't sure…But she knew there was only one way to find out.
Danger Room – Slayer
Later that day, sessions in the danger room were back in full swing with everybody now once again rested and recuperated. Many of the regulars along with the New Mutants were present, although some, like Tabitha, were unable to attend because of lingering injuries. Emma was also absent, still keeping to herself after the now infamous visit of her so called 'family.' But everybody knew she needed space now and that's what they were going to give her…However, that didn't make it any easier for Vincent, who was still deeply concerned about her.
Aside from those who weren't present, the Professor was hoping to have more danger room sessions with both teams, regulars and New Mutants alike. The last mission with Sinister proved just what an effective fighting force they were and with Selene and Shaw still out there, it seemed logical to get them working as a more cohesive unit for when the time came for them to face such daunting threats again.
However…Before the major exercises began, there was one other quick matter to attend to…One the Professor thought many would want to be present for.
"Okay Professor…" said Scott, standing near the entryway in full uniform with the rest of the regulars and a few of the New Mutants that included Bobby, Jubilee, Roberto, and Ray, "What are we going to try to tackle today?"
"Plenty Cyclops," said the Professor, "But before we begin with that…There's one quick matter I need to take care of."
"Yeah? And what's that?" asked Logan, who was standing beside Laura, who was now in a new uniform.
Then suddenly, before the Professor could answer, a new voice made itself heard from the shadows in the hall, completely startling many of those who weren't expecting it.
"That would be me…" said Slayer in his full samurai-like armor, causing many to gasp in shock at his sudden presence, although others like Vincent, the Professor, Amara, and Laura had grown used to such actions to some extent.
"Damn dude! Do you always have to do that?" exclaimed Bobby, "You're going to give one of us a heart attack if you keep that up!"
"Sorry…" he shrugged, "Old habits die hard I guess."
"Yes, well habits aside…" said the Professor, "I was hoping to gauge your skill level since you're new here. I know you're not used to working in a team, so I think it's best we get an idea of what you're capable of in order to best determine how to integrate you with the others."
"Whatever you say Professor…" said Slayer, not looking too nervous or enthusiastic about it, "Just tell me what you want me to do."
"Just wait here and get ready to enter the course when I give the signal," he told the mutant warrior simply, "We'll all be watching from the observation deck and in case something goes wrong, we'll be there to pull the plug…"
"Sounds good to me," he said, keeping a rather stoic tone as he prepared for yet another fight, which was not abnormal for him since he often found it was good to stay focused whenever it came to any type of battle, "Just let me know when you're ready…"
As Jack 'Slayer' Robinson prepared himself for the coming fight, Professor Xavier led everybody up to the observation deck. Everybody seemed eager to see just what this mysterious stranger that had helped them all so much in the fight against Sinister was capable of. He had already proven himself to be quite strong…Hell, he took down Selene and that was certainly no easy task. But there was still just so much mystery surrounding the mutant warrior and it would certainly be interesting for them to see just how he would fit into this new world at the institute.
"Okay Chuck…What do ya think we should throw at this guy?" asked Logan as he brought up at the controls.
"Well, he's already shown us that he is quite skilled, so naturally we should start with something more advanced," he said, bringing up the display screen, "Level eight of the Legends program should do the trick."
"Make it ten…" said Vincent, earning him a rather strange look from the others.
"Uh…Vince, we're just looking to gauge him," said Jean, "I think the top level of the Legends program is a bit excessive."
"Yeah, even we haven't been able to complete level ten yet," said Kitty in agreement.
"Hey…That doesn't mean he can't," said Vincent as he looked down at image of the mutant warrior preparing for the fight, performing a few ritual like mental exercises that he was somewhat familiar with given his past training with Mr. Kansuke, "Besides…He did take down Selene. Why not start him off with something more advanced?"
The Professor thought about that for a moment, but Logan seemed convinced enough since he was never one to want to go too easy on anybody when it came to training. And unlike the others, he hadn't seen this guy fight…And what better way to truly see his skill than to push them to the limits? At least…That was his logic.
"Eh…Good enough for me," said Logan with a wolfish grin, eager to see how long this newbie lasted, "And to make it a bit more interesting…I'm thinkin' maybe the Apocalypse course ought to be enough!"
"Ooh boy…Talk about breaking in the new guy," said Bobby to Jubilee under his breath, causing them both to giggle a bit.
While the Professor wanted to argue the point, the program was already running and there seemed to be no turning back now. So with an exasperated sigh, he took to the consoles and watched intently with the others as the scenario formed. Within a few seconds, a familiar sight to many appeared in the center of the danger room…That being the sight of a tall, Mesoamerican style pyramid with ominous, metallic structures all around it in a jungle-like setting. For those who had fought against Apocalypse, it brought back quite a few memories of that infamous fight since it had been one of their most intense up to that point. Now Jack would have to face the same rigors…But for some who knew him a bit better like Vincent and Amara, they were fairly confident that he would handle it well.
"Okay Slayer…Are you ready?" said the Professor through the microphone, feeding into a speaker in the main chamber just outside the danger room.
"Bring it on…" answered the mutant warrior as he brought out the shining, magnificent sword that he always carried with him into battle.
"Very well then…Your task is to get through each and every obstacle to the center of the room. There…You will face a familiar foe of ours and you must take him down in the shortest amount of time that's possible."
"Sounds easy enough," said Slayer as he prepared to go into the maelstrom that was the danger room where the scenarios were fake, but the danger was real.
"Don't get cocky, bub…" quipped Logan over the intercom, "This is a high level program. You mess up…Ya end up in the infirmary. Now I know you're new here, but don't expect any special treatment."
"Don't worry…I can handle it," he assured them in a confident tone.
Logan couldn't help but laugh a bit at that, for he could tell that this guy had guts and a hell of a drive. But that alone wouldn't get him through this scenario. He was already clearly skilled…But it was only a matter of how much that skill could translate into results.
"In that case…Wait for the buzzer," replied Logan, "When it sounds…Do your thing."
Slayer fell silent as he took a battle stance and prepared to begin, using his all seeing eye to map out his strategy for this task as he always did in any battle. However, given that he often faced foes that rendered his all seeing eye unusable, he chose only to use it to some extent. Because he knew probably better than anybody there that in the field of battle there would always come times when the unexpected and unforeseen might pop up.
With that thought in mind, the buzzer sounded and the large steel doors opened, revealing the elaborate jungle terrain to the mutant warrior.
"Time for a little morning stroll…" he said to himself as he saw the pyramid in the distance and quickly began making his way towards it.
Up in the observation deck, everybody watched attentively as if it were a real life action movie. The Professor kept an eye on the time and his stats, but to everybody else, it was already shaping up to be a hell of a show.
"Here comes the first round…" said Scott, who knew this course fairly well.
Down in the scenario, a maze of hidden, underground laser turrets shot up out of the ground, all aimed directly at Slayer. However, before they could fire, the mutant warrior leaped into the air, using the cover of the trees to his advantage. Then, with the speed and agility of a warrior, he narrowly avoided each blast while methodically slashing through each deadly instrument one by one in a blinding flash of sword skill. He didn't destroy them all…But he destroyed more than enough to clear a path to the next major obstacle.
"Not bad…" said Wanda, looking just as impressed as the others.
"Nah, that was child's play!" said Bobby confidently, "Now it gets interesting…"
Next, Slayer faced a new round of defenses…Only these ones were bigger and deadlier than the laser turrets. Around the outer perimeter of the pyramid, a line of high powered gattling guns guarded the structure…Which also seemed to be glowing at the top, a feature that Slayer would use for near future reference.
Then, as he got in range, he watched the guns power up and spin at a blistering rate. But he was ready for this as well as he put his sword away and withdrew his two smaller katanas that he often used as a secondary weapon. He could see that the guns were about to fire, but that didn't seem to worry him in the slightest.
"Batter up…" he said as nearly a dozen high powered gattling guns opened up on him.
However, this time Slayer didn't need to dodge them. Instead, using his inhuman speed and sword skill, be began hitting away each and every bullet that got within a few inches of his body like a fan knocking away particles of dust. His swords moved so fast that they were but a mere blur to those that watched him…And as he hit bullet after bullet away from his body, some of them found their way back to the guns, causing them to short out and explode one by one until they were all scrap metal.
"Wow…" said Kitty, "Now THAT was pretty cool!"
Nobody argued that point as the scenario continued…This time with three fully armed sentinels. Knowing katanas wouldn't be much use here, Slayer brought his main sword back out while summoning the metaphysical energy in the space around him, causing the symbols atop his hands to glow.
"Time for a little firepower…" he said as the three imposing robot humanoids surrounded him and began firing their high tech weapons at the single target.
Immediately, Slayer used his agility to avoid each shot, moving in a blur of speed and grace that so closely reflected the warrior her was. Then, as he got the three sentinels to chase him, he used his magic to engulf his body in hail of blue fire…Focusing it in his eyes and hands and directing powerful bursts of flame at the three mechanical monstrosities.
While the sentinels had heavy alloy armor…The intensity of the blue flames burned hot enough to scorch and rupture key areas around the arm and neck, which left Slayer with the opportunity he needed to make his move as he used the blue flames around his body like thrust and flew into the air at high speeds, delivering a lethal blow to one of the sentinels, severing it's head, while nearly crippling another by slicing off it's arm like a hot knife through butter.
Then, as the blue fires died down, he manifested another spell…This one more powerful then the last. With a few mystic chants, Slayer's body was engulfed in a purplish electric haze that was thick with magic and concentrated it through his hand to take down the sentinel with only one arm. While this did destroy it, there was still one more left to handle and it wasn't about to stand by and suffer the same fate.
Using it's large cannon array built right into it's chest, the final sentinel attempted to annihilate Slayer in one blast. However, the mutant warrior's spell was still going strong and the strange, exotic energy that surrounded him formed a shield that protected him from the blast. Then, using the open chest cannon to his advantage, Slayer let out a powerful grunt as he directed the rest of the energy into one concentrated burst, hitting the robot humanoid directly in the chest and causing it to explode.
"Mein Gott…Three sentinels in two minutes," said Kurt, "That's gotta to be a record."
"Hey, it ain't over yet, elf," said Logan, watching as the next big obstacle came manifested.
The next big challenge for the mutant warrior to face was none other than the master of magnetism himself…Magneto. Only this time, he looked as he did during his control under Apocalypse. But that only made him deadlier as he began using scraps of the sentinels as deadly projectiles. And having drained himself from both spells, Slayer knew it probably wasn't wise to use magic with this one.
Magneto wasted no time in using every scrap of surrounding metal to start what could only be described as a metal tornado. Slayer kept his sword at the ready, knocking away projectile after projectile as he used his agility to easily avoid each piece. But as fast as he was, Magneto had sheer volume on his side and with so much to work with, Slayer struggled to get in close.
However, as he saw some of the projectiles he was throwing at him…An idea quickly came to mind and he didn't hesitate to implement it.
"Come on bucket head! Is that the best you can do?" he taunted as he knocked away several very sharp metal spear-like projectiles that were now trying to follow him.
Then, using his agility to inch his way closer and closer, Slayer found himself only a mere few feet from the master of magnetism. But the closer he got, the more furiously he tried to defend his ground. Unfortunately, that would prove to be his undoing as the five metallic spears that he had batted away came streaming back towards him at high speeds.
"That's it…Right on the money," he said as he used his all seeing eye to calculate this in just the way he wanted.
With only a millisecond window, Slayer saw his opportunity and as soon as the five metallic spears were inches away…He performed a swift, smooth back flip into the air, dodging the spears and letting them impale Magneto like a pin cushion.
"Wow…Skill AND style," said Wanda with a grin, who had enjoyed seeing that a bit more than she was willing to let on.
This left only one more obstacle…Apocalypse. The glowing at the top of the pyramid had been steadily intensifying and as soon as Magneto was taken down, the top part of the structure opened, revealing the ancient mutant himself, standing over what appeared to be a glowing crystal that was engulfing him in a halo of intense energy.
"What is it with evil demonic psychos and bright lights?" wondered Slayer as he readied his sword again for the final attack, "I swear, they must be half blind or something…"
Then, from the glowing energy of the crystal, Apocalypse began directing blast after blast towards the mutant warrior. However, as with each burst before it, Slayer's speed and agility helped him avoid each and every shot that came his way. And as with Magneto, he slowly began to inch his way closer and closer. However, Apocalypse kept turning up the intensity, causing his advance to gradually slow until eventually he came to a grinding halt.
Everybody on the observation deck watched anxiously as Slayer's progress finally seemed to stop…But little did they know, this was exactly what he wanted them to see. Now that he was stationary, Apocalypse began focusing the energy he was using completely on him, growing all too focused in the process. And it was that focus that would be his downfall…For every mystic and magician knew that the basic rule of any trick was to get the audience to see what only what they wanted to see.
Suddenly, as the intensity of the blasts became almost too bright for anybody to see…Slayer made his move and disappeared into a thin purple mist. This halted Apocalypse's onslaught…But it also greatly concerned the others.
"Hey! Where in the bloody hell did he go?" said Betsy watching anxiously with everybody at the elaborate area below.
"I wish I knew…" said Logan, who was trying to bring up any image he could, "I'm not gettin' a reading here!"
"You don't think he…" began Warren, but he was quickly cut off.
"Wait! Look!" exclaimed Remy as something appeared right behind Apocalypse.
Then, before anybody could react, Slayer appeared right behind the ancient mutant and plunged his magic sword directly into his chest…Causing sparks to fly and the light of the crystal to flicker.
"The darker they are the smarter they ain't…" said Slayer as he performed one last fluid motion, severing Apocalypse's head and returning his blade to it's case…Effectively ending the scenario.
Once all was said and down with, the holograms powered down and the mutant warrior turned his attention back up to the observation deck…Where he was somewhat amused to see a truly flabbergasted team of mutants.
"Is that it, Professor?" he asked, looking as though he was ready to take on another course right then and there.
Looking down at the stats from the readout, which the Professor couldn't help but be amazed at, he felt as though he got the message. And apparently…They would have to think of new ways to effectively gauge his skill.
For the others, they simply stood in shock at what they had just seen. They knew Slayer was tough from the fight against Sinister…But they had no idea he was this tough. Having faced darkness far stronger than anything they had ever encountered, he had plenty of experience on them…But they had no idea he was capable of skill like this. And even to those who knew him a bit better…Only one word could describe what they had just witnessed.
"Wow…"
"Uh…Yes, Jack," answered the Professor, wondering where they went from here, "That will be all for now…"
-Scott-
It had been a long day and Scott had been truly dreading this moment. He was in his room looking at the cell phone in his hand. He had been putting this off all day. He went to the Danger Room to get his mind away from this moment and after that spent and hour just wondering what to say. How was he going to break this kind of news to your own brother?
He had to do it…He knew he had to. He was sitting on his bed that he shared with Jean. She had offered to be here for him, but he needed to do this alone. Taking a deep breath, he dialed in Alex's number and immediately he heard the ringing, part of him hoping that he wasn't in.
In Hawaii Alex was in his room as his phone rang. He was in his computer chair sending e-mails to a buddy. He sent it off and picked up the phone next to his computer, "Hey, Masters residence. Talk to me."
"Hey bro it's me."
"Scott! Hey man what's up?" Alex said to his brother running a hand through his blond hair.
"Well you first," Scott told him, he wanted to know how his brother was doing given things.
Alex smiled, "Dude, I'm glad you called! Guess what? I met a girl."
Scott couldn't help, but smile at those words, for he was glad his brother was finally getting lucky in that regard, "This like that other girl you told me about?"
"Oh no way man! Lorna is like a whole other league. Get this, she's got green hair and she's a mutant too!"
"Really?" said Scott, surprised because he hadn't known there were other mutants in his area.
"Oh yeah, she and her mom just moved and god she's a total babe!" he said as he leaned back in his chair remembering meeting her. She had been in a pair of sexy cut-off jean shorts and a green bikini top moving stuff in and he felt like his heart had stopped when he saw her. She was so beautiful…Long legs and long green hair that matched her eyes. He had gone over to welcome her to the neighbourhood and offered to help out.
At first he didn't know she was a mutant and she said she had dyed her hair that color, but later on as they started to date, he told her he was a mutant. She had been surprised, but had just smiled at him and showed him her own powers. Some type of magnetic thing.
"Well I'm glad. Maybe on my next visit, I can meet her," Scott told him.
"Cool! So how are things with you? I mean with Jean and the others?" he asked his big brother. When they others had been taken and Scott was recovering, he had been in so much hurt that Scott had called him. They had talked for over two hours and Alex had been worried sick. He didn't know Rogue that well, but he knew how much Jean meant to Scott. Alex could still remember just how devastated his brother had been and he was overjoyed that they got them back.
But also, Scott had told him how a few of them had suffered. He didn't go into too great detail, but he got enough to know how bad it had gotten. He never thought things like that would happen to people he knew and cared about.
"Well Jean's doing better, as are everyone else…Considering…"
Alex didn't like how his brother just let that hand, "Scott what is it?"
Scott sighed. He told him about their second kidnapping…This time with him being taken as well. Alex was concerned and asked him if he was okay. Scott assured him that he was and that it hadn't been as bad as last time for them. He went on to tell him about Sinister and his plan to create a new mutant army of 'perfect' mutants through selective breeding and experimentation.
Alex felt sick to his stomach that someone would try and do that with people and the knowledge that this nut job wanted to use his own brother in some type of sick breeding program sent a chill down his spin. "Good god…What happened to him?"
"Well thanks to Sage, they found us and sent in a rescue mission to get us. There was a major fight and were eventually freed. And in the end the place was destroyed in an explosion and he was buried under it all."
"At least he's dead."
Scott was silent a moment, "I don't think so Alex…From what we know he's basically immortal. He doesn't need to eat, sleep, or even breathe. And he can heal better then Logan. He's most likely still alive buried under all that stuff."
Alex couldn't even imagine what that could be like…To be in total darkness not being able to move or anything it was like being in your own personal hell. However, that wasn't the big shocker Scott had in store for his little brother
"But that's not all Alex," his brother told him, hearing a strain on his big brother's voice. "He knew about us…About our family…He…He's been watching our family since our grandfather."
Alex sat up straighter in his chair, "You sure? I mean…Why?"
"Because something in our family genetics had something he wanted…Because something about my powers actually harmed him and might even kill him…So…So he…"
"Scott what is it?" said Alex was starting to get worried, for Scott wasn't one for showing emotion like this unless it was major. Suddenly he got a chill over him…Something inside him told him that this was important to not only Scott…But him too.
"He killed them Alex…He killed mom and dad…"
Alex was just too stunned to speak, "Wha…what? But they…They died in the crash…"
Scott lowered his head and shut his eyes, "He cause it Alex…He told me himself. He made sure that it would crash. You're too young to remember, but I remember dad looking for the parachutes and only finding two…And…I think he took those two knowing what our parents would have done. He's also the reason that we were split up…He made sure of it…"
Scott felt the anger in his heart at that thought. His family had been destroyed and he was cursed with an uncontrollable ability to use his powers. He was blind to the world except only when constantly wearing these cumbersome things that only showed red. Hell, there were times he wasn't sure what real colors looked like anymore.
Alex didn't know what to think. All this life he had thought it was an accident…That it had just been a very horrible incident, nothing special just…Something bad that had happened and no one could have done a thing about it. Now to learn that it had been planned that someone had done this to them…He wanted to scream, yell, and just cry all at once. Yes, the Masters were great parents and he had been luckier then Scott, but he still missed his real parents. All the years that he and Scott had been apart had been because of just one man…All those nights when he was a child crying himself to sleep…It was all because of that man.
After a long silence he finally spoke, "You should have killed him…"
"I wanted to…Believe me Alex…I wanted to…"
After a moment Alex was able to speak again. He held his head up with his hand propped on his desk. "Scott…You didn't have to tell me this, but you did…Why?"
"I…I just guess you deserved to know…"
"Thanks bro…I know this isn't easy, and yeah this hurts like hell…But thanks for telling me this. I'm glad that you were honest with me. It couldn't have been easy for you to just pick up the phone and tell me this."
Scott shook his head, "No it wasn't…You going to be okay?"
Alex gave a short laugh, "Are you?"
"Point taken."
"Thanks Scott…I…I think I just need time to digest this," he told his big brother. Scott had told him that if he ever wanted to talk, he was there for him. Alex thanked him and he would, but not now. After they said their goodbyes, he just sat there at his desk, not moving a muscle. He didn't know for how long he had been in that state. He just kept replaying that awful day over and over in his mind and the loneliness of waking up in that hospital all alone in the world.
He had cried out for his mother, father, and big brother, but they never came. He felt the tears fall from his eyes at that moment in his life. After who knows how much time had passed, he reached out to his phone. He was going to call Lorna…For he didn't want to be alone.
Scott hung up his phone and sighed sitting there on his bed. He hated himself at this moment, for he knew that Alex deserved to know, but still…He hated the pain that would give him. He was so lost that he didn't notice someone was in the room until she sat down next to him. He looked to his right and wasn't surprised to see Jean.
"How did it go?" she asked him with concern.
Scott sighed and looked down at the floor, "About as good as these things can go."
Jean knew what he meant. She remembered how telling her own family what happened had gone. She gave them a call now and then so they wouldn't worry about her and because she wanted to hear their voices now and then. Although she hadn't mentioned Sinister, given what had happened with the Hellfire Club, she didn't want to put her parents through anymore. And thankfully it wasn't as bad. It wasn't like she wanted to be, but there were things that she had never told them about her life that she felt they didn't need to know or couldn't handle.
But even though it hadn't been as bad as last time, she still felt so vulnerable in that cell and all the things that had happened to her last time kept coming back to her. And if Scott hadn't been there she might have lost it or had gone close to it. She reached over and hugged him close to her.
Scott accepted her embrace taking refuge in her warm embrace. It was times like this that he was really glad to have her in his life and how he could just find a moment of peace with her. He just rested his head on her shoulder, smelling her long silky hair feeling her delicate hand stroking his head. And thanks to this beautiful woman he loved so much, he felt more at peace like this then anywhere else in life.
-Emma-
Emma was in her room in a slim white nightgown brushing her long hair in her mirror. She was still upset with her family. She never wanted another thing to do with them. They had thrown her away and only looked for her to protect themselves. She was sure that her father even paid off people that she was never even listed in that Asylum or that she was missing. Hell, they only found her through that little company she was building up.
It wasn't much like Stark Enterprises or Microsoft or anything else like that. It wasn't even close to Donald Trump, but she had enough investments in several companies and even gained a few patient rights thanks to the Hellfire Club that she stole from them. She made enough to live it up for her entire life if she was careful with it, but then again she was the one that had the best business sense.
It was also for that reason her father had come to see her. He wanted to take her back and use her to help him get out of the little financial trouble they were in. Such actions shouldn't have surprised her since her father had never once showed her any kind of affection or love. He pushed her brother to suicide and when she was 'hearing voices' he threw her away.
So to hell with him…The rest of her family weren't any better lately. She couldn't believe how much worse her sisters had gotten in time and her mother was no help as usual. She was glad that she had found Betsy and had managed to blow some of her anger off with her. They also got to talking since Betsy was the only person here that she could talk to about her life and who could relate to it.
She had grown up with the same type of high class lifestyle and knew the kinds of people that were in those circles. And, of course, they both had to learn proper way to talk, walk, and eat…How to make small talk, to smile, and all that other shit as well. Both women had agreed that it was a major pain in the ass to learn, especially when as children when all they wanted to do was play.
Emma finished with her hair and put the brush down and sighed. She never had a normal childhood and she envied Betsy's life since her family was much closer and cared for one another. She had been so alone for so long. And after everything that had happened, she didn't want to be alone tonight. She put on a robe and walked out into the hall. Along the way she saw Kitty and Piotr saying goodnight to each other. Those two seemed to be a bit closer lately and it gave her a small smile, for they just seemed to be really good for each other.
She passed by the doors until she came to his. She opened the door, knowing he was in there. She felt him in her head through their link and she knew that he also felt her by the door as well. She found him in his bed already pulling the covers to giver her room. She smiled at that and closed the door and dropped her robe, slipping in right next to him and cuddled up against his loving warmth.
They didn't need to say anything, for they both knew each other so well as it was. By sharing each other's deepest darkest secrets and pain and adding in their mental bond, they got to know one another in a truly deep and profound level. Vince could see and even slightly feel her need to be held and he would have done it anyway. He hated seeing her like this…Even through the mask she wore, he could see her pain through it. He held her against him, her face buried in his chest and his hand stroking her lovely hair.
She wrapped and arm around him and he just listened to her breathe. He wouldn't ask what was wrong since he had a pretty good idea of what it was anyway. If she wanted to tell him he would let her, but he never tried to push someone to do something they weren't ready for, so he let things go at it their own pace.
She just let him hold her in his powerful arms, for she just wanted to feel loved and she only really felt that in his arms. This young man that she had fallen in love with gave her miserable life comfort, joy, and happiness that she had never known before. She had been with many men, not including those that had just taken her body for pleasure against her wishes, but the others. None of them had given her what she needed…And that was love.
"Vincent…Tell me you'll never leave me…Tell me you'll always be there…Tell me you love me," she whispered out to him.
"I will never leave you Emma and you know I'll always be there and trust me…I love you more then anything," he told her as he kissed her head and she sighed.
There was a time when she felt men like him didn't exist anymore other then in those stories she read as a girl with fantasiful things like some knight in shinning armor coming to save the princess and they live happily ever after. She knew that the real world didn't operate like that at an early age but here she was. She had found her knight and she loved him so much. She wasn't sure if their life would end in happily ever after but she was beginning to wonder about that.
"Vincent…Do you think that we'll still be like this years down the road?"
"Yes…Yes I do," he told her honestly, "I can't picture my life without you. I want us to spend the rest of our lives together…Is that…Strange?"
She gave a small smile and shook her head. "No I don't…It's just that…After Sinister I got to thinking…I'll never have your children. We'll never have a true family and I know that what you always wanted…To be part of a real family. I may not want kids now, but then again…I don't have the option…"
He gently stroked her cheek hearing the pain in her words, "Emma, like I said before, I don't care about that. Sure I would one day love to start a family with you when we're ready, but even if you can't bare children…That doesn't matter to me. We can always take a child or two in and give them the family they've always wanted. I love you no matter what…You give me the strength and love that I need to go on living."
She never heard a man talk like that before…Maybe because she had gone looking in all the wrong places, but she was glad to have found him. She just rested her head on his chest letting his hand stroking her hair and hearing his heart beat soothing her and calming her.
I love you she sent to him with their link as her mind started to fog up and she felt herself getting sleepy.
I know he sent back and she smiled a little as she fell asleep in the arms of the love of her life…Feeling safe, warm, and above all…Loved.
NEXT UP CHAPTER 56 STORM CLOUDS GATHERING