Oh man, the big 5-0. Can you believe it's been fifty chapters! I can't!
Thanks so much for coming on this long ride with me! This story is nowhere near done. Thank you so much for reading and I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am!
Please enjoy!
Chapter Fifty:
Magneto sat upon his throne in a grand hallway composed of slick blue iron. His wife, was by his side, as she ever was. Both of them were wearing their normal attire, his red and purple uniform, her green and white uniform that she had adopted since they had been declared the rulers of their new mutant nation. The only missing pieces from their normal attire were their gloves, his purple, and her green. His wife was basking in her newfound control of her abilities. And who was he to deny her the pleasure of holding his bare hand, now that she finally had the freedom to do so?
In front of them stood a few of their subjects; Charles Xavier, with some sort of metal braces around his legs- granting him the ability to walk. A woman, with short black hair and large red glasses, obscured her eyes from view. Between them stood a man whose name he could not recall nor felt he cared to. He had a long face, brown hair tied back in a ponytail, and a desperate nervous eagerness about him- as he held onto a folder with his grimy little hands. Something about the man invoked a strange mix of disgust and indifference.
He found his attention drawn to Charles.
"Magnus, we're discovered something rather alarming," he said, his tone guarded. His wife and he shared a quick glance before he turned back to Charles.
"Yes, go on," he said.
"Regarding the functional sentinel base in California," he continued. "We are still conducting a thorough investigation. However-"
"However," The woman interjected. "I insisted, this be brought to your attention immediately," she said, eyeing Charles. "The possibility alone was worth reporting."
"Possibly of what, Sage?" Rogue asked.
"You see, your majesty," she started to say as she gestured to the man to her right. He hesitantly stepped forward to present the folder.
"I still believe this report is premature," Charles interrupted, halting the man's approach. "We have not adequately confirmed this intelligence. It is merely a theory," he argued.
"I disagree," Sage said, as the man took another step forward. "I can't fathom another explanation for what the satellites have shown us," she said.
"Enough," he ordered, his voice booming through the hall. "We'll determine the validity of the report," he said- referring to himself and Rogue.
"Magnus, you have my sincerest apology if the information proves to be incorrect," he stalled.
"Your apology has been noted, Charles," Rogue said coldly. He felt his lips begin to form a smirk but quickly corrected his facial expression- as he watched the man take another step backward. Irritation crept up at the man's display and Charles's hesitation.
"Good god, man, give it here," Magneto ordered. The man rushed up to the throne.
"My lord," he said meekly as he bowed his head, as he held the folder out.
"Yes, thank you, Cortez," he said as he took the object and gestured for the man to step back. He swiftly did so- joining the other two before the throne. He began to open the folder in question-
"Magnus, please, before you look at the photos," Charles started to plead.
"Yes, Charles," he said- his eyes flashing to his old friend's.
"We believe Lorna's alive," Sage interjected. Instantly, he felt his eyes widen and his wife took his hand in support.
"At the sentinel base?" Rogue asked.
"Yes," she said with a seldom nod.
"Explain. Now," he ordered.
"We believe Lorna is the reason the base is still functional. They may be using her as some sort of battery," she reported.
"Good lord," Rogue muttered.
"This entire time? It's been years," he said enraged- as Rogue gripped his hand- giving him something to anchor onto- something to keep his anger in check.
"We believe so, Lord Magneto," Cortez. As his hand was occupied, Magneto utilized the paperclip that was attached to the folder to open it. He began reviewing the photos: they were satellite images from above- a field of sentinels, row upon of rows of the machines they had once been held captive by. "I thought you should have been informed sooner- but Professor Xavier insisted."
"I thought it was premature and I still do," Charles said.
"What's been done?" Rogue asked as he came to an image that made his blood boil. His hand slipped out from Rogue's and he felt his wife's eyes on him.
"As I said, we're still investigating," Charles answered.
"Not confirmed," he yelled, as he held up the picture. "My daughter is there, plain as day, strung up by those soulless machines."
"That is how it appears, but appearance can be deceiving," Charles rationalized as Magneto passed the image to his wife. Once she laid eyes on the photo her gaze narrowed. "This could be a trap set by Apocalypse to lure you-"
"How dare you keep this from him. That's his daughter," Rogue reprimanded.
"We're launching a recuse- today," Magneto ordered.
"Yes, my lord," Cortez said his head bowed and Emma gave a swift nod.
"Magnus, this is unwise. You are understandably emotional," he said.
"How long exactly have you been sitting on this, Charles?" Rogue asked- interrupting him.
"A few weeks," he answered.
"Weeks," she repeated, infuriated.
"I found out about it this morning during my review of the servers," Sage said.
"Thank you, Sage. It's good that someone in our intelligence office has the dignity to keep us well informed," Rogue said.
"Indeed," he agreed, fixing Charles with narrowed eyes. "Assemble The Red Guard," he commanded.
"Yes, my lord," Cortez bowed before he scurried from the room.
"We leave-"
"You can't go," his old friend interjected yet again.
"You presume to give your King orders?" Rogue asked, disgust in her voice. Charles' eyes widened, as Rogue, for the countless time since they had taken the throne had to put Charles in his place. The effort was exhausting and the lesson was never learned.
"No, that's," Charles retracted immediately, his eyes darting between his and Rogue's. "What I meant is- This is why I refrained," he said, his eyes now solely locked to him. "I knew you would wish to act before I could gather all the necessary facts. But you're too important-"
"I'm not some hapless figurehead, Charles," he said- his voice raised. "I can hold my own in a fight, as well you know-" he said.
"Yes, which is why your presence is so vital. If there was an attack- you would be instrumental in our defense. I would argue the very reason for our survival," he said.
"Then I'll go," Rogue said strongly. He turned to look at his wife- her bare hand finding his again. "In your place, with your powers," she said as she squeezed his hand. He nodded and soon felt his powers flowing out of him and into her.
"To weaken Magneto, even in the slightest, would be ill-advised," Charles countered.
"I am not weakened," Magneto said.
"And it's already done," Rogue finished as they stood. "We leave immediately," she ordered.
After the throne room had been cleared out, the red guard following Rogue's orders for the rescue mission, Magneto had gestured to Charles, his gaze cold, telling his old friend to remain in the room with him. Magneto sat for a brief moment- considering how he wanted to approach the conversation, his fingers tapping against the arm of his throne.
"Do you know what Rogue first said to me when I put you forward as our head of intelligence?" he asked, as Charles' mouth opened slightly to answer his question- but thought better of it- promptly closing it again as he waited to him to continue speaking."You can't put Charles in a position to filter information to the throne. He will abuse this power as his moral compass dictates. Because after all this time, regardless of the circumstances we have all lived through, he still believes he knows better than you," he said before he stood up. "I argued with my wife on your behalf," he said, his tone cross as he stepped down. "Spy work is in your forte, I said. Charles wouldn't possibly disrespect the responsibility we've entrusted to him," he said as he marched up to him. "And then you do this," he yelled, staring at the other man with narrowed eyes. "Give me one reason to allow you to keep this position? Give me one possible explanation I can offer my queen to defend you once again," he ordered.
"Perhaps we should wait for the outcome of this mission before you rush to action," he suggested. Magneto turned from his friend, pinching the bridge of his nose as he fought to keep himself calm.
"Sage takes command. Effective immediately. You report to her," he ordered.
"Magnus," he protested.
"Or you can resume the role of Professor in our Education Department and report directly to Rogue on a daily basis," he offered as he walked towards the window. He glanced up to see several metal spears soaring through the air- his wife embarking on the mission that should be his. "Which will it be?" he asked for formality's sake.
Silence persisted behind him.
"Very well. You can begin regaining our trust by informing Sage of the change in command without royal decree. You're dismissed," he said.
Magneto paced up and down the infirmary's hallway. The long corridor of metal which usually soothed him offered no solace today, as telepath after telepath paraded in and out of his daughter's room. His son stood in the hallway with him. His wife was with Lorna, supervising the attempts to heal her fractured mind.
At long last, the door opened to reveal his wife, Charles, and a teenager with short red hair who looked very similar to Jean Grey.
"Well?" he asked, immediately looking to his wife. One glance told him the answer.
"Uncle Max, I'm so sorry," the teenage girl said.
"We tired, Magnus," Charles said.
"They all did," Rogue reaffirmed. "Her mind- the sentinels had her hooked up to their machines for so long- she's too far gone," she said sadly as Magneto felt his narrow gaze towards Charles. "A few weeks, even a few months wouldn't have made a difference," Rogue added and he saw Charles let out a visible sigh in relief. "There's nothing left to restore," she said.
"So, that's it? We're giving up?" Pietro asked, annoyed.
"No one said that," Rogue countered. "Rachel came up with an idea. Though it's a bit unorthodox."
"Yes?" he asked- clinging to a last string of hope- knowing his wife wouldn't dangle it before him unless she thought there was a chance for success.
"Well," the red-headed girl said, "I remembered that story you told me about being turned into a baby," Rachel said.
"Yes, by Alpha," he recalled.
"And I thought, maybe if we reverted her body back to infancy- her mind might revert as well. She would have to grow up all over again- but it would give her a chance," Rachel finished.
"Alpha's powers were ever-evolving and he left Earth long ago. I know of no other mutant who shares that ability," Magneto said.
"No, but the mystic arts might be able to produce the same effect Alpha did," Rogue said. "I already called Doctor Strange to consult on the issue. He'll be here-" she started to say as an orange circle of static energy opened at the end of the hall.
"Post haste, evidently," he said, finishing his wife's thought as a man wearing a long red cloak, with black hair and trimmed bread emerged from the portal.
"Your majesties," he said respectfully, addressing them first.
"Stephen, thank you for coming so quickly," Rogue said as she walked up to him. She greeted him by kissing him on both cheeks.
"It's not every day one receives a royal summons," he said. "It's about every third," he said dryly.
"Namor's still keeping you busy, I see," Rogue asked a slight smile in her voice.
"The oceans need saving," he said- his tone had a mockery to it- like repeating a mantra he didn't quite agree with. "I'm doing what good I can," the doctor sighed.
"Of course, you are," Charles said as he stepped forward. "Stephen," he said with a smile as he held out his hand.
"Good to see you, Charles," Stephen said as they shook hands. "So, how can I help?" he asked.
Magneto stood in his daughter's room within the castle's infirmary. The small room could only hold so many. Charles had been dismissed and Rachel had been asked to return to her cousins in the nursery.
He stared down at his daughter- so many tubes and wires were hooked up to her fragile body which laid motionless on the bed.
'I should have been looking for her. Assuming she was dead was foolish and irresponsible. How many times have I failed my daughter- all of my children? ' he asked himself, looking towards his son. He knew the answer was far too many to count.
'I couldn't save Wanda or Anya- but I will save Lorna,' he thought determined. "And you're certain this will work?" Magneto found himself asking. He needed to be certain- no room for mistakes- not with his daughter's life on the line.
"Yes, the Time Gem can do what you've asked of me. But she will have no memories of her life and no possibility to restore them. Are you certain that's what you want?" Dr. Strange asked.
"Jacob-Owen's still young. We'll raise them together," Rogue answered, as she held a small green blanket in her arms. "If that's what you want," she added, turning towards her husband.
"I could restore her to a different age," the doctor offered.
"I wish that were an option," he said sadly. "The point of this is to ensure Lorna gets a fresh start absent of all past trauma. How would we explain the world with the state it's in now? Why her mother, her friends, that boyfriend of hers- all no longer with us. I see little point in erasing one trauma only to immediately replace it with new wounds. No, if we're to do this then I want her to have a fresh start. A real chance for happiness," he said.
"I understand," Dr. Strange nodded towards the couple before he turned towards the bed. "I'll need to unhook her," he explained.
"Do what you must," he ordered. The doctor gave him another stern nod before he set himself to the task.
Within a few minutes, after the presence of bright flashing green light- it was done- on the bed laid her daughter- now restored to the tender age of one. Rogue walked up to the bed, blanket in hand, wrapped her and gently picked up the baby.
"We have success," Doctor Strange declared as Rogue brought the baby to him. He glanced down at the baby: her bright green eyes and hair. "Now, if you'll excuse me. Namor has been-" he said.
"Of course," Magneto said. "You have my thanks. Should you ever need anything," he offered.
"All you have to do is ask," his wife finished. Dr. Strange gave them a quick nod before a portal opened behind him.
"The pleasure was mine," he said warmly before he departed. He turned back to his wife and took his daughter into his arms: carefully cradling her head.
He felt his core shaken as he realized it was the first time he had seen her while she was this young.
"Max," his wife said, her hand on his arm. "You'll do it right this time. You'll be there for her every step of the way, for every important moment in her life. You won't miss a thing," she said, reading his concerns like a book.
"We'll do it right," he countered. "She's as much your daughter now as she is mine," he said.
"And I'll gladly raise her, sugar," she said before she leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Ya know," she started to say- as he noted a playful glint in her eyes.
"Yes, dear?" he asked as Lorna grabbed onto one of Rogue's fingers. He smiled down at his daughter as she giggled in his arms.
"There's still time to ask for another favor if you wanna?" she asked- straight-faced. "I could call Stephen back and we could do the same to Pietro," she said.
"Hmm, hello, I'm standing right here," his son announced from the other side of the room.
"Do you think anyone would notice?" he asked, a smirk on his face.
"Seriously?" Pietro asked.
"I really don't think so," she answered.
"No one's turning me into a baby," his son objected.
"We'd just need ta make an extra crib," she added.
"That's five minutes," he said dismissively.
"I know, barely an inconvenience," she agreed.
"Yeah, okay, very funny you two," Pietro said unamused. "You can stop now," he said deadpanned.
He shared an amused glance with his wife before they both started to laugh.
"You two are the worst sometimes," he said before he rushed towards the exit.
"See ya dinner, son. Would you like mashed carrots or peas?" Rogue called out. Pietro turned back just long enough to give Rogue the finger before running out of the room.
They continued to laugh for another moment as Rogue gestured to him. He gladly handed their daughter back to Rogue who took the little girl in her arms.
"So, should we go introduce Lorna to her brother and cousins?" his wife asked.
"Yes, yes, I think we shall," he said before they exited the room, his arm around his wife's shoulders as they both could barely take their eyes off the newest addition to their family.
Magneto watched as his young daughter sat in front of the floating fountain. Her braided pigtails swayed with the pulses of magnetic energy which surrounded her.
"Daddy, am I doing this right?" Lorna asked
Her posture was perfect, he noticed, sitting crossed-legged, as she levitated the fountain with her abilities- pride filled him.
"I could not have maneuvered the machinery better myself," he said, placing his hand on her shoulder.
"Yes," she exclaimed, her concentration waning before the fountain abruptly dropped out of the air. He swiftly seized control of it, before it could collide with the ground. "Oops," she said sadly, her shoulders sinking down with shame. "Sorry," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Precision takes time. With more practice, minor distractions won't affect you as they do now," he said kindly. Lorna flew up and threw her arms around his neck.
"Thanks, daddy," she said as she hugged him tightly. He felt content as he embraced his daughter, grateful to have been given a second chance to get it right.
Magneto sat up from the bed with a start, drenched in sweat.
'Good heaven, how many years have I left her alone this time?" he asked as he sat up. 'I know she's in California with the Danes,' he thought as he raked a hand through his hair- thankful his headache has subsided. 'It was only supposed to be a year, not four,' he lamented as he threw the covers off of himself. 'I need to find my daughter, today,' he thought determined as he stood and rushed out of the room.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Please let me know your thoughts. Speaking of which!
TFranco9: THANK YOU! Yeah- Charles really does like his army full of children, doesn't he? lol. I like calling him out on it! I'm glad you enjoyed Kitty's point of view. It's great having another character to have Brotherhood moments with since her emotional intelligence is so high and she sees everything. I'm looking forward to writing more chapters with her POV! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
AbraxasDane: THANK YOU! Thanks for pointing out the misspelling- given the context that is a very inappropriate word to misspell and I could see it being extremely distracting. It's fixed now! THANK YOU! This is why you might have noticed chapter 49 was reposted. I love X-men evolution Kitty Pride. It was also my first intro to her character too! Glad you enjoyed it and hope you liked this chapter too!
Kirogue: THANK YOU! I hope you enjoyed this chapter too! You're spot on with Rogue's relationships with Rachel and T.J. She pretty much raised them both! And I agree, now that it's out in the open (With enough people at least) Rogue can start dropping the mask and start being herself without holding back. The funny thing is,- she's been her grownup self in front of Charles since Magneto came to the institute- but because he doesn't know he just sees teenage stubbornness- where she's trying to convey logic and reason. There's a reason she's not telling Charles. More to come!
