Hi again. We have now entered the third chapter of the story. I know some of you are going to want my head for the ending last chapter. So here is this one as a peace offering.
Disclaimer: If and when I own it, you'll all know it. I promise. Thanks again EviltwinAlix for the idea donation.
Pietro looked at Dr. McCoy as if he had just grown a second head. "What!" He demanded. "I-must-still-be-drowzy. Could-you-say-that-again?"
"Your cells are unstable and they are beginning to appear to collapse." McCoy repeated grimly.
Wanda drew in a sharp gasp. The other Brotherhood Boys inhaled abruptly as well.
"What...what exactly does that mean?" Wanda asked, fearing the answer.
"In short, your brother's body is shutting down and , or at least beginning too."
At that moment, Xavier wheeled through the door followed by Ororo, Jean, and Rogue.
"What is it Hank?" Xavier asked, seeing the horrified expression of Wanda, Pietro, and the rest of the brotherhood.
"Come look at this." McCoy moved from the computer moniter.
Xavier wheeled over and paled instantly. "Is this what I think it is?"
"Yes. Its a biologic scan. What you are seeing is the cells in his body. What do you make of it, Charles?"
"Well, it appears...it would seem that...they are shutting down...and dying but...but...why?" Xavier turned to Quicksilver who looked positively shocked and paler than usual.
The others all took a look and agreed with the conclusion. Rogue studied the information with her bottom lip stuck out in concentration. She personally had no real medical experience but she had absorbed all of those present and others whose expertise might be useful.
Then one of her psyches revealed a tidbit of knowledge to her and she gasped in surprise and horror. She put her hand to her mouth and shook her head as if in disbelief.
"What is it Rogue?" Xavier asked urgently. He tried scanning her mind, as she seemed unable to speak but stopped the effort as she was always difficult to read.
"One of mah psyches...Ol' Bucket Head Ah'm pretty sure...he...he...knows whah (why) this is happenin'." She said softly.
"Do tell." Dr. McCoy urged her gently.
"He...da y'all remembeh that crazy machine Magneto put Scott an' his li'l brother through? An' Sabretooth an' Mystique too?" They nodded. "Well, first, he...he...put his son through it when he was just a kid. Onleh nahne. " Her voice was quiet, betraying fear and something that may have shame from Magneto's psyche. "He wanted his son's powehs ta be fully evolved when they came in...he didn' know it would...he never dreamed it could...if he'd have known it would..." She broke off shuddering as reality glared at her. Magneto's psyche was overloading her with emotion. She took a reluctant breath. "He never wanted it ta hurt ya, Pietro. He...did it fo' what he thought was ya own good." She said hoarsely. She shook her head, looked remorsefully at Pietro and fled the room.
"Oh dear." Ororo said softly as the door shut behind the distraught teen. "Poor girl. I'll go comfort her Charles."
"Yes, that would be a good idea Ororo. Maybe Magneto's psyche would have some more information." Charles Xavier bowed his head in thought as Storm gracefully exited. "Pietro, Wanda, Toad, Lance, Fred? Do any of you know how to reach Magneto?"
All five teens gave him a blank look accompanied by a mute head shake.
"Y' need Ol' Bucket Head?" A lazy Cajun drawl from the doorway slightly shocked the room's occupants. "Do b'lieve Remy'd be de homme y' need since he de one 'oo still has de contract t' Mags."
"Gambit?" All the brotherhood teens except Wanda scowled and glared. But then, Wanda hadn't had too many dealings with him so she just settled for looking mildly puzzled.
"Dats m' name, don' wear it out." He winked at Jean and Wanda. "Anyway, Remy was lookin' fo' de Got'ic fille." His gaze fell on Wanda. "Di'n' know dere were deux of dem here. Not dis une dough." He smiled appologetically.
"Oh...um...I don't live here. I'm with the brotherhood."
Remy gave her a calculating glance. "Oh, y' Ol' Mags' fille." He nodded in understanding, though she didn't really know what a fille was. "Wanda de Scarlet Witch. Right? Anyway, proffessor, de boss man be out in his big metal dome base. De phone number's listed under Eric Ceaser in de phone book. De address is 627 Silver Lane."
Pietro rolled his eyes at the pseudonym his father used and Gambit's lack of loyalty. "Don't-they-teach-you-anything-down-in-the-bayou? You-aren't-supposed-to-give-away-secret-information-to-the-enemy-Gambit."
"Technically dey ain't de enemy no mo' Quickie." Gambit frowned. "Dey Technically Remy's teammates. Ou at least dey will be when de stupid thin' gits solved." He peered intently at the Brotherhood. "What y' doin' here? Y' joinin' up wit' Xavier too?"
"No Mr. LeBeau, I'm afraid they aren't here for that. Quicksilver blacked out and just came back into consciousness a few moments ago. And he is in grave danger so we must get in touch with his father. Thank you for telling us the information." Xavier smiled. "Oh and if you really need to find Rogue, I am sure you will find her in the rec-room talking with Ororo."
"T'ank y' monsieur." He mock saluted and turned to leave.
"Traitor." Pietro hissed as the older mutant exited.
Gambit turned and his eyes flashed coolly. "Dat's rich fo' a lil daddy's boy slash lap dog like y'self." He left the room with a smirk in place.
"Lousy-no-good-rotten-turn-coat!" Pietro called after him, though it was a fruitless effort, as his opponent was out of the room fully. "I-can't-believe-him! He-just-betrayed-his-team! He-shamelessly-gave-information-that-was-top-secret!"
"You're one to talk." Lance muttered bitterly under his breath.
Pietro turned to Lance. "This-is-insane! You're-against-me-too? Are-you-still-sore-about-that-time? Gee-you-hold-a-grudge-for-way-too-long!" The boy sulked and frowned. "He-was-my-father-I-didn't-have-a-choice!"
"Um...yeah you did, yo." Toad pointed out with a frown. "Fine if you wanted to go work for the creep but you didn't have to betray your friends, sister, and the X-Men in the process."
Wanda gave him a slightly puzzled glance. "What are you talking about Toad? He didn't betray us."
Pietro smirked. "See? Wanda-even-agrees-with-me."
"That's just because your father wiped out her memories yo!" Toad said bitterly. "She doesn't remember any of it that-" He realized what he had just said and clamped a hand over his mouth in horror.
Wanda's ocean blue eyes flashed in a mixture of anger and confusion. "What did you say?" She demanded. Toad looked around terrified as if Magneto was going to come in and attack him at any moment. He rapidly shook his head.
"Nothing. Nothing. Nothing at all."
"Liar. Pietro. what did he mean?" Her voice was confused but barely conceiled the threatening tone she took.
Pietro sighed in exasparation. "Thanks-a-lot-Toad! Well uh...Wanda, you-know-how-I-told- you-Father-wasn't-the-guy-you-remember? Well-he-kinda-sorta-in-a-way-had-your-real- memories-played-with..." He looked down at his hands as guilt washed over him at the look on his twin's face.
"Why would he do that?" She asked in a hurt voice.
"You-wanted-him-dead." Pietro said flatly hoping she wouldn't question further.
"What? Why? I wouldn't ever...I can't think of any reason why he would think I..."
Pietro avoided her gaze. Frustrated she turned to Toad. "Why? Do you know? I mean you did mention it but...I am so confused."
Toad looked at her sympathetically. "Well...You really wanna hear the story, Babycakes?" She disregarded the pet name and nodded. "Ok...um first promise me you won't throw me throw any doors, windows, or walls when I tell you."
She nodded again and he took a deep breath. "When you were a kid, maybe nine or ten, I ain't positive, your Dad had you locked into a hospital thing because you got out of his control or something. He left you there and you stayed for about seven years. Mystique broke you out because you had such a strong lust for revenge against Magneto. To the point where you wanted him dead, yo." Toad paused at her horrified expression. "Um, should I continue, Sweetums? You look a little shook up."
She hesitated and nodded mutely.
He continued warily. "Anyway, Magneto didn't want to die...so he found a way to wipe your memories of why you wanted to assassinate him." Toad cringed, seeing a blow up in the future.
Wanda was silent for a few seconds and then her eyebrows lowered dangerously and her eyes narrowed. "You're lying! Both of you! That never happened! It couldn't have! It's not evern possible! You're just being selfish jerks." Her clenched fists glowed blue as she trembled slightly with anger. Or maybe anguish because her eyes had filled with tears.
"But Angelface..." Toad stammered. "I could never lie to you..."
"I don't believe you." She hissed at him. "I have all my memories. My father was a good man and a better father. He would never do what you said he did."
"Wanda..." Xavier said soothingly. "As terrible as it is, it is the truth."
"What do you know? You're just lying! You're the leader of the X-Men! I can't trust you!"
"I can back up their story, Wanda, because I visited you several times in that hospital." Xavier said gently. "He used Mastermind, a powerful mind manipulater to erase your memories. The reason you don't think you are missing anything is that he also placed false memories in your head."
Wanda frowned and shook her head. "No! Its not true! I-I won't believe you!"
Xavier sighed and wheeled over to the computer. He typed for an endless moment until a file came up. "Wanda, I know you feel you have no reason to believe this but...I do unfourtunatly have proof. Even though I would love to be able to tell you that Eric was the loving decent father you remember, I cannot."
Wanda reluctantly looked over. She read the file while occasionally gasping in shock. It was a profile for her. There were various pictures of her at the hospital, all looking angry and enraged and frightened. She began to read the first few paragraphs aloud to hopefully disprove the proffessor, to find something faked.
"Wanda Maximoff, daughter of Eric Magnus Lenshurr, has resided at East Side Mental Institution and Hospital since her ninth birthday when her father abandoned her there as her powers had manifested early and proved unmanageable. Her only living relations are her Father and her twin brother Pietro Maximoff, who currently is residing with the Brotherhood Boys in Mystique's Boarding house.
I, Charles Xavier, have made numerous visits to help her control her temper and also to offer her a place on my team. She has a fierce temper that when coupled with her powers, chaos magic, being tied directly to her emotions, proves an almost unstoppable force. Though there are a few reservations, I find that Wanda will make a fine addition to the X-men."
Wanda looked up. Her eyes were full of malice and hatred. But tears were running down her face. "It...it just can't be true." She pleaded desperately. But as Xavier bowed his head, and did not jump out and say 'just kidding' or anything similar she bit her lip and stared at the floor.. "Excuse me please. I...I need a minute for this to sink in." She swallowed and turned out of the room. She walked as if trying to maintain a sense of dignity but her trembling shoulders gave away her emotional turmoil.
Xavier sighed. "Oh dear. I do suppose the poor girl didn't need that added onto her worry list now with all this about Pietro to keep her worried. Jean? If you would?" Jean nodded and started to follow the girl. But Pietro grabbed her by the arm.
"Um, I-don't-really-think-it-would-be-a-good-idea-to-go-after-her. She-wants-to-be-alone-and-I-don't-think-it-would-be-too-comforting-if-you-go, Grey." Jean gently removed her arm from Quicksilver's grasp.
"Well Pietro, I can't just let her be all alone. She's distraught right now. She needs somebody to comfort her."
"Yeah-but-not-you." Pietro pleaded with his eyes. "Trust-me-sending-somebody-from-Xavier's- team-isn't-too-smart-right-now. Unless-its-Rogue-or-somebody-like-that. She-needs-someone -who understands the situation. But-I-would-rather-one-of-our-team-cheer-her-up."
Jean sighed and forfeited the argument. Pietro grinned in thanks. "Okay-team. Who's-takin-operation-cheer-up-Wanda?"
"I'll go, yo." Toad vollunteered cheerfully.
"Toad, you-just-helped-throw-her-life-in-turmoil-she-might-kill-you." Pietro frowned. "And-its-not-like-we-would-miss-you-that-much-but-we-couldn't-afford-a-funeral. And-you're-too...close-to-the-situation." Pietro finished and Toad sighed.
"I guess you're right..." He said reluctantly. He had desperately wanted to be the hero for Wanda again. Maybe this time she would kiss him for him not because she thought he was a handsome ski instructer with a neat accent. But he understood why he wasn't on her happy list at the second.
"It-has-to-be-either-Lance-or-Blob." Pietro looked expectantly at the two of them.
"Um...I'm neutral." Blob put his hands in the air. "I don't want her mad at me. And I am staying out of this one."
Lance raised his hand. "Fine, I'll go. I can kind of relate to the whole lousy parent thing anyway." He started to head for the exit and then turned sheepishly to the others in the room. "Anybody know where she went exactly?"
Jean smiled. "The gazebo up on the hill. What is it with Goths going there to cry?" She asked partially to herself.
Lance rolled his eyes and headed out.
Jean excused herself to go rejoin the danger room excercize she had been about to do.
Xavier sighed and studied the results relating to Pietro's condition on the monitor. "I will go get in contact with Eric. Hopefully something can be done about this before it is too late."
Pietro shrugged in his normal carefree way. He saw himself as pretty much invincable and he wasn't too worried.
Meanwhile, Rogue was headed up to her gazebo. Granted, it wasn't really her gazebo. But she liked to consider it her spot to think in. She had talked with Ororo for a few minutes and felt better but she did want to be alone. What she didn't expect was to find Wanda curled up on a bench clutching her knees to her chin and staring out onto the water.
"Yah okay?" Rogue asked gently. "Everythin' alright Wanda?"
Wanda looked up and hurriedly wiped her tears away. "Yeah. I'm...terrible." Wanda sighed. "No, nothings alright. Its all wrong." She said quietly.
Rogue took a seat near her and patted her back gently. "What's wrong?"
"Its a long story." Wanda sighed again. "And I don't want to bother you with it. Its my problem."
Rogue smiled. "Well, I doubt you could upset me anymore than I already am so shoot. Lets hear it. What's bothering you?"
"Its my father. He..." Wanda looked at Rogue she had no clue about the situation. "What do you know about Magneto?"
Rogue sighed. "More than probably anyone else here except for the professor. I've absorbed him. I have his memories and power in my head."
Wanda sniffled. "Is he really as bad as everyone is telling me?"
Rogue looked distant. "Well, he isn't mah idea of person of the year. An' he is the enemy so Ah should say he's the root of all evil or somethin' but that man has a twisted history. He ain' exactly a nice guy but he is fighting for what he believes is right." Rogue knew almost precognitively what the next question would be.
"Yeah, but did he really...ditch me in a hospital when I was nine?"
Rogue winced as she had guessed right. "Wanda, Ah ain' gonna lie. He did. It was the next day that he put yah brother through the power inhancer. And that's why Pietro's lyin' in the med lab weakening by the minute."
"Wow. I feel so...silly. I just threw a tantrum in there because I wanted to believe they are lying to me..." Wanda sighed. "Hey Rogue, when you take peoples memories, does it remove them from the person?" She asked half out of joking and half out of hope and curiousity.
Rogue chuckled bitterly. "Nope. Sorry can' help ya there."
Wanda frowned. "The more I hear, the more I remember and wow..."
Rogue looked out onto the horizen. "What are you doing with the brotherhood anyway? You seem different. Like you don't fit there. You're too nice and you actually have emotion."
Wanda looked at her as if Rogue had just sprouted fangs and a tail. "Mystique got me out. I guess I owe her one. And Pietro's my brother. He's family..."
"Mystique's my...my mother." Rogue said softly. 'An' Ah sure as heck ain' plyin' the family loyalty game. But then, mah brother is here...Nightcrawler ya know." She said quickly at the confused look on Wanda's face.
"Wow, so you can't play with loyalty to family." Wanda smiled gently, impressed. "Or else you would be torn between both sides."
"Can Ah ask ya somethin'?" Rogue looked at her fellow Goth unsure. "It may be a li'l personal..."
"Go ahead." Wanda shrugged.
"Do yah...do yah really believe that normal humans, non mutants Ah mean, are evil?"
Wanda sighed and looked into the horizen as Rogue had done earlier. "I am not really sure what I believe, Rogue."
Hi again that was chapter three. What do ya think? Reviewing pays the review monkeys so they appreciate it. In the next chapter worlds will shake even more than if Lance was causing it. Thats all I can say for now. Au revoir! see ya next time.
chapter 3 completed August 15,2004