Thanks for all the awesome reviews!

This storyline will be based off of one that was run in the EVO guild about six months ago, and was written by me. I have, however, made a few modifications to the storyline. And while I do not own X-Men, this entire storyline, including any original characters therein, are property of ME, MYSELF, AND I.

Chapter 5: Caged

Nightfall in Bayville...

For the most part, the town was quiet. Save for the nightclubs, the whole city of Bayville was asleep. Which was too bad, really. Hunting was more fun when your prey knew you were there. But, stealth did have its advantages.

"Rendez-vous point reached. Awaiting arrival of other units," growled a low voice into the small microphone attached to the headset worn by the voice's owner. The figure stuck to the shadows, the solid yellow of it's eyes the only proof that it was actually there. A dark spot in the sky came rocketing down to earth, but landed rather silently. Clinging to this new arrival's back was a female.

Both of them were clad in the same black stealth attire, and when the first figure emerged from the shadows, one could see that he as well was wearing a stealth suit. "Rendezvous complete. Proceeding to main objective," the first figure growled into his headset. The three advanced towards the run-down mansion that was home to the group known as the Brotherhood.

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The next day...

"Huh. That's odd. The Brotherhood gang isn't here today," Morgan remarked, glancing over to the empty lunch table where the Brotherhood was usually seated.

"Maybe zey finally got expelled," Kurt remarked, shrugging his shoulders and returning to his lunch.

"I dunno, Kurt. If they'd been expelled, the faculty would be partying. And besides, one of us would have heard about it. Something's up," Morgan said, taking a bite of his sandwich.

"I think zat you're reading too much into things," his friend replied, swallowing the rest of his own meal.

"Am I? I was right about Raze, wasn't I?"

"Zat was just coincidence."

"Well, we'll see, won't we?"

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Meanwhile...

Maxis's eyes shot wide open. He couldn't see very well at the moment, but the instinctual side of him knew at once that he was bound with something. He easily broke the shackles holding his arms together, and ran straight for whatever his instincts perceived as an exit. He let out a roar of pain as he was thrown back by a sudden jolt of electricity. He howled in rage, and ran once more towards freedom. Again, he was thrown back by a powerful shock.

"Don't bother. You'll only tire yourself out," said a female voice from somewhere in the room. He growled, but his rational mind finally surfaced from under his animal side. "Where am I?" he said through bared fangs.

"Somewhere safe, so long as you cooperate," the woman said, walking into view. She was wearing a white lab coat and her black hair was neatly tied up in a bun. She was very pretty, but at the moment, all Maxis saw was a fool with a death wish.

"Cooperate with what? Who are you?" he demanded, his rage building again.

"Such passion... I might have found that attractive had we met under different circumstances," she said, pacing around the cage that currently held Maxis.

"You haven't answered my questions," he growled.

"You'll find out your significance soon enough. Until then, you can rest," she said, locking eyes with him. Suddenly, Maxis felt his energy leave him. Sleep beckoned, and no matter how he fought, he could not resist it's pull. "As for my name... You may call me Ruby. I'll be seeing you shortly," she said. That was the last thing Maxis heard before slipping into a deep, dreamless slumber. He was out before he hit the ground.

Yes, I know this was a short chapter. But that's how it was meant to be. I'm trying to build atmosphere here.

And don't worry. The story that I mentioned in the previous chapters will still be continued, but like I said, it will be a long term thing, running in the background of whatever the current story is. I'll bring it to a close when I'm ready.

Keep reading and reviewing!

Until then,

Stay Snazzy!