Chapter 32

Sabretooth was still waiting behind the truck, poised and alert for the girl exiting. But out of the door way came Mystique's transformed figure, walking with a slight limp and spitting blood from their mouth. The closer she came, she changed back into her usual blue skinned form, joining him round the back of the lorry, she sighed quietly, leaning against the vehicle as she wiped blood from her lips.

A questioning grunt came from Sabretooth as he canted his head at her. She slowly looked up at him, breathing heavily, "Got caught up in a fight with some mutant.. cage fighter." She shook her head, looking most displeased at her injuries, and more specifically at who caused them. "The kid is still in there. Just sit it out, alright?"

"And what if she doesn't leave alone?"

"Then we'll just have to intervene won't we?" She straightened as she finished her sentence, for the doors of the bar had just opened. She crept quietly to the back of the lorry, peering out at the doorway. Wolverine had just exited the bar, looking angered as he held his fists. He made his way towards where a battered camper van was parked, and proceeded to get inside it. Mystique narrowed her eyes, stepping forth to run at him, but Sabretooth grabbed her firmly by the upper arm.

"No," he growled quietly, "We need to get the girl – "

"Hold on.." Mystique quickly looked round as the door banged again, and she saw the girl running quickly across the snow and towards the camper van. Both Mystique and Sabretooth headed forth from round the back of the lorry, but the girl had jumped into a trailer at the back of the camper van and promptly hidden under a large covering. Only just, for the van was pulling away as she scrambled in. "Come on!" The pair sprinted forth, running ahead as the camper van as exited the car park. It turned onto the snowy roads, speeding up and quickly leaving the two mutants behind. "Damnit.." she cursed as she slowed her run, breathing heavily.

"I'll stop it," growled Sabretooth quietly, "You wait here."

And before Mystique could stop him, Sabretooth had burst into a speedy run, diving into the undergrowth at the side of the road and was gone in seconds.

The clunking of heavy footsteps echoed through the dark cavern as Sabretooth stalked across the metal flooring towards Magneto's quarters. To one side of the cavern was Toad, with protective goggles over his eyes. He was sat spraying silver paint onto a large ornamental looking object. Sabretooth regarded it curiously as he walked passed. Clearly more had happened whilst he and Mystique were away. As he passed, Toad paused the spraying, "Weren't you supposed to bring someone back with you?"

Sabretooth growled sharply as he stalked passed, otherwise ignoring Toad, who smirked at the response before turning back to his work.

As Sabretooth entered the tunnel, he saw Mystique stood leaning against the wall, he merely glanced at her as he passed, she looked inquisitive, but he headed into Magneto's office without a word.

Magneto was stood at his desk, watching as the mutant arrived. He spoke sharply, "What happened?"

"They knew," growled Sabretooth shortly.

Magneto inclined his head ever so slightly in understanding. He extended his hand, and his metal chair pulled out. He slowly sat down, a bitter look on his face, "Charles.." His eyes slowly raised back to Sabretooth's face, then frowning as a noticed a new addition to his attire – a chain around his neck. He lifted his palm, and the metal chain snapped from Sabretooth's neck and flew into his palm, which closed around it. He turned his hand towards his face, studying the dog tag that lay in his open palm, "Hmm.." He slowly looked up from the dog tags, "Where is the mutant now?"

"With them."

Magneto nodded slowly, "I have made the first move, that is all they know," he swept to his feet as he dropped the tag and chain onto his desk besides his helmet. "Come, the UN summit is approaching. Time for our little test." He passed by Sabretooth, exiting through the tunnel. Sabretooth turned to follow, then as an afterthought, turned and grabbed the dog tags off the desk. He stalked out, reaching the doorway where Mystique was stood, watching him.

"He didn't seem all that bothered," she commented as she walked alongside him through the tunnel, "I'd thought he'd be annoyed."

"The X-Men have the girl," said Sabretooth quietly.

Mystique raised an eyebrow slowly, "Really? I bet they guessed we wanted her. How did they get her?"

"They came when I was about to grab her."

Mystique stopped and turned to him, just behind her, Toad continued to work. "Where was Wolverine?"

Sabretooth smiled slowly, "Unconscious." He extended a large clawed hand, the dog tag chain dangling from it. Mystique's eyes quickly settled upon it and she gave a soft gasp of recognition, snatching it from his grip. She had the tag close to her face, reading the name. Sabretooth frowned at this, "You know him?"

"Yeah.." answered Mystique quietly, glancing up at Sabretooth. She said no more, quickly giving the tags back to him as she angrily shook her head, "Has he gone with the X-Men too?"

"Yes."

"Then it looks like I'll be meeting him again very soon," muttered Mystique quietly, clenching her fists.

Sabretooth slowly looked away from her, watching Toad continue to spray the large object, "What is he doing?"

Mystique slowly look round, a slight scowl still on her face, "It's a case for the machine, for the Liberty Island statue. We need the height."

"The machine has been started?"

A slight nod came from Mystique, "When I got back, he was halfway through.. he wants to test it.. I'm not sure how yet.."

A echoing of footsteps sounded, and Magneto returned into view, he looked at the three, "Toad, Mystique, come with me." The pair made their way towards him; Sabretooth looked confused and took a few steps forward. "No," Magneto said sharply, "We've already had one failure today." Sabretooth growled quietly, turning and stalking across the bridge and to the sleeping chambers. Magneto watched him leave with a displeased frown. "Senator Kelly will be arriving from Washington D.C in New York Harbour at approximately three o'clock. He will have a helicopter ready." He nodded at Mystique, "We need the pilot and Kelly's assistant, Henry Guyrich out of way.. and you will bring the Senator on the helicopter to me. Go now."

"Alrighty," drawled Toad idly as he made his way across the bridge with a light hop.

"Remember," said Magneto slowly, as he watched the mutants pass him, "No one must know. Do all you have to do to restrain him.. but I want him alive."

Mystique smirked slowly as she slipped gently by him, uttering a soft murmur of assurance, "No problem, Erik."

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