Xavier Institute Danger Room, Saturday Mar. 9th 7:32 pm

Scott stared at his mentor. The older he got, the less they saw eye to eye but he had missed him in his absence. He tried to choose a non-accusatory tone.

"So, professor. Magneto..." Scott's face, and Xavier assumed, stare was hard. He chuckled in spite of himself.

"I knew you would say that, Scott." He looked at the mutant he thought of as his son. "How have you been?" Scott lowered his face, his smile more of a grimace.

"You know," He looked at him with a serious face. "How is everything here? Really? Rahne..." Both of them bowed their heads. Xavier didn't consider himself an empath but he could feel the sorrow and regret rolling off Scott like an incense. He never thought one of his kids might perish. If he did he never would've left, no matter how much he was suffering. He expected resentment, disappointment, anger. He didn't expect the mansion to be coming off of a mourning period.

The telepath poured two cups of black coffee and slid one to Scott. "After, well, Jean..." Scott coughed on his coffee a little bit but didn't say anything.
"Magnus went missing." Scott nodded.

"How did he end up here?" 'And how hasn't Rogue torn him limb from limb herself?' He remembered her once budding friendship with Wanda, the fellow goth. The girls were very similar, had similar interests and hobbies, and the same sense of humor. Why didn't their friendship work? Because Rogue could not reconcile with Magneto. She hated him. She loved everything about Wanda but she would not bow for the sake of Erik. Needless to say, nobody wanted to see that battle royale.

Xavier smiled but his eyes didn't. "Angel found him wandering the ruins of Genosha. He escaped from Sinister's lab and brought Erik with him. He," He looked at his pupil skeptically. "He goes by Joseph, now. Scott..." He cocked an eyebrow.

"Who, Angel?" Xavier cocked an eyebrow.

"No, Erik. Magneto. He is in fine health but an amnesiac." Scott's brow creased into a few lines. 'There it is,' Xavier thought. 'He doesn't buy it.' He hadn't expected him to. It was still a miracle that Rogue had come around, he knew better than for Scott to just accept this.

"Amnesia... Really? Have y-"

"Of course, Scott. I checked." He settled back in his seat, somewhat satisfied. He heaved a heavy sigh, an exercise he practiced in letting go.

"Okay. I guess I shouldn't just show back up complaining..." He knew the professor of all people understood how he felt. 'Who else loved Jean as much as I do...' He thought, thinking of her emerald eyes in his mind.

"Scott. You don't have to explain to anyone why you did what you did and you left." His voice was gentle and it was exactly what Scott needed to hear from someone, because he could think of some people who wouldn't say that. "Whether or not the students should've been notified in a better way aside, nobody can fault you. Everyone knew. Everyone understands." He cast his stare at the ground. He had missed Rogue, Kurt, and Kitty dearly but he was scared to see everyone else.

Especially with Rahne gone.

"Still..." He clutched a fist, his hands still covered in motorcycle gloves. "I'll never be able to make that up." Xavier sipped on his mug and thought about some of the things he would never forgive himself for. Jean's image floated to mind.

"There's something else I want to talk to you about, Scott. The team. Leadership..." Scott blinked blankly. At risk of sounding entitled he didn't expect to be challenged for leadership, even after his leaving.

"Yes." Was all he said, his jaw clenched. Ready for impact.

"Relax, Scott. Almost the whole of the institute still considers you the X-Men's leader." Scott exhaled a breath he didn't know he was holding. "But things have happened while you were gone." Xavier's stare hardened as he remembered the students calling out for Scott, asking when he would return. "Sacrifices were made. People acted as the leader of the X-Men. That matters." Scott nodded grimly.

"Of course it does, professor."

"I think you should talk with them. Your students. Your team. I think the most imperative thing," He looked at him. "Is that you listen, Scott. Listen to how your absence affected them. And everything will be fine." Scott nodded his head.

"I will. I want to hear what everyone has to say. I want to hear everything." Xavier smiled, once again hopeful for his school and the X-Men.

"We must avoid a schism on our team at all costs." Scott looked at his hands. 'Are they so angry they would defect from me?' He couldn't think of anyone splitting apart except maybe Joseph. He scoffed inwardly. He couldn't believe Magneto of all people stayed in the mansion. If anyone was going to give him a hard time it was him.

"Things are too dangerous for us to not be united, you're right." Scott stood suddenly and looked out of Xavier's window. "Is Logan stiil-"

"Yes." Xavier cut in. Absence from the mutant had made it easier for him to forgive him about Jean, especially as they both came to understand more about the Phoenix force and what it was. Scott, however, he did not expect as much.

"I see." Was all he said, watching the students outside.

"Go to them, Scott. They've grown a lot since you've last seen them." He looked back unsurely at Xavier. "They'll tell you what they want." He nodded, walking out of the room towards the Danger Room.

"Jubilee!" Rogue called, Joseph beside her. She had her hair in a long, straight high ponytail and and a blue and grey X-Jumpsuit. "Use your powers to mess with electricity, not just offensively." The young mutant nodded with a smile, running off back to the obstacle course. Flames shot out of the wall. Pyro yelled and tried to control them, almost right into Bobby.

He shot ice out and froze the flames, sliding around them. "Good, Bobby!" Rogue called, watching everyone. "Piotr, try to get through that part of the level a little faster." He nodded in determination. "Kitty, you should be disarming those soldiers faster! You've done this course before."

"Okay!" Kitty yelled, sweeping her leg underneath one of the simulated fighters. Rogue watched with her hands on her hips as Scott approached from behind.

"Can I join you?" His chestnut hair fell just in front of his glasses as he looked down at Rogue, a smile on his face. Her heart stuttered and unfortunately, it was all Joseph could notice.

"O-Of course..." Rogue stammered. She slapped Scott playfully. "Wha'dya mean, Scott? It's your session." He gave her a grateful look and turned towards the mutants.

"Hey team, could we bring it in? End session." The room halted, the obstacles disappearing into the walls. Everyone paused, eyeing Scott with wonder. He was really back.

"S-Scott?"

"What?"

"Wow!" They ran over with excitement if they hadn't already seen him. Bobby hung back after everyone. As far as he was concerned it was his fault Rahne was gone. He wasn't going to let Scott get away with that.

"Y-You're back!" Jaime exclaimed, popping out two clones in excitement. Scott placed a big hand on his head.

"Yeah, Jaime. Finally."

They murmured amongst themselves. "Where have you been?!" Amara exclaimed. He laughed.

"Around," He locked eyes with Laura and remembered when he attacked Logan and she tried to attack him. He could tell from her expression that she hadn't forgotten.

"For good this time?" Kurt urged, his tail swishing.

"Yeah, or next time I'm taking your job." Kitty butted in. Everyone erupted into laughter at the thought of Kitty leading the X-Men. Bobby frowned from behind them, watching Scott. 'Everyone just forgives him...' He thought bitterly. 'Does he even realize?'

"Maybe somebody already did." He cut in, the laughter ceasing. Everyone was quiet. Bobby had not been quiet about his qualms with Scott and desire for a leader who wouldn't leave them. Scott's face hardened beneath his visor, his old X-Suit on. He stepped forward despite Rogue's gloved hand on his arm.

"Okay, Bobby. Speak on it." He said next, his voice even. Bobby snorted.

"I mean, you just left this whole team with a note! Emma and Rogue stepped into your shoes when you left them!" He looked around. Rogue's stare was on the ground. To her disbelief, Joseph stepped forward. 'What is he-'

"I know that I have no memories apart from the few months I've been here..." He looked into Scott's eyes. "But I have seen Rogue do nothing but lead this school out of peril." A few kids nodded.

"Joseph," Rogue hissed but Scott held his hand up.

"No, let them finish." He hushed, a like a father hushing his daughter.

"When I was in Genosha," He stepped forward, addressing all the students now. "I met a mutant who saw the future." Students began to chatter amongst themselves. "Oracle, and she told me of a vision she had:

"She will appear. A Legacy. To mutant-kind. White is her shroud, pure is heart. She is no hero but she is the Mutant Messiah. She will be called Legacy!" He turned to Rogue, smiling. "You took down a sentinel, Anna." Scott's impassive face broke. 'He calls her Anna?' He thought in disbelief. 'Who does he think he-' "If you are Legacy then certainly you should be the leader of the X-Men?" All eyes turned to Rogue.

"Rogue," Scott urged, the ghost of a smile on his lips. Her cheeks burned red, hating the stares on her.

"Wait, what? No," She huffed. "I'm sorry, Joseph. But I'm not Legacy." She faced the students, her eyes pleading. "And I'm not the X-Men's leader." She looked to Scott. "Not if I can help it. If Ah know one thing, it's that Scott left because he had to. Trust him. Allow him to come back and do what he's meant to do," She turned to him but his eyes were dropped in embarrassment from her words. She looked at Bobby. "Lead the X-Men. Rahne is gone, don't punish him. She wouldn't want that."

A few sniffles were heard. Joseph huffed. Scott walked over to Bobby who avoided his stare. He placed his hand on the shoulder of the mutant he looked at like a little brother. "I'm sorry I had to leave, Bobby." Seven words. That's all it took for Bobby to burst into tears. About Jean. About Rahne. About Scott. About Logan. About everything. He collapsed into the older man's arms with a cry.

"I missed you, Scott." He nodded, tears forming in his own eyes. 'I'm sorry...'

Joseph watched, his face even . He had appeared and won them all over. 'Just like he said they would...' He remembered, thinking of Bobby's own words. 'She's the Messiah. Why does she play second fiddle to a beta mutant?' He eyed Scott wearily.

Scott patted Bobby on the back and stood, facing the class. "Alright." He said with a serious face. "Let's get started."

Rogue waited around the corner of the Danger Room after the session ended. She was looking for a certain blond haired, ice mutant. He yelped when he almost ran into her, certain after dragging his feet he would be alone. She had her long, auburn hair down and tucked behind one ear. She had on a plain, baggy white t-shirt tucked into jeans. So simple. So perfect. He loved her. He loved her.

The mere sight of her after the Danger Room took his breath away. He couldn't believe it. He remembered the day Scott and Logan left all those months ago. After riding with Logan she returned to the rec room and sat beside him in silence. Wordlessly, she leaned her head on his shoulder and left it there for most of the night. He never forgot it. The smell of cinnamon and magnolias...

"Hey," She smiled at him as he stumbled around the corner. He rubbed the back of his neck in discomfort.

"Oh, hey..." No Scott. No Joseph. Bobby felt like the luckiest guy in the world.

"Saw you an' Scott make up." Her tone was playful but she was smiling. He smirked.

"I just thought he'd be so stubborn he wouldn't acknowledge it." Rogue nodded. She loved Scott, but he could be about as stubborn as Bobby could be rash.

"Nah, even Scott knows when." Rogue commented, thinking about her old classmate. They'd both outgrown school now. Bobby looked into her stormy eyes.

"C'mon," He breathed. "Come with me." She cocked an eyebrow as he made an ice trail. Despite protests from Emma and Ororo they slid through the whole mansion, all the way to the hangar.

Rogue looked around in confusion. "Here?" Bobby nodded, his hands trembling as he dragged her by the wrist.

"Y-Yeah... Close your eyes!" He ordered excitedly. Rogue laughed and shut them to appease the younger boy. There was never a dull moment with Bobby, at least she could say that. She felt him lead her into the Blackbird after he put in his credentials. He placed her and zipped around the jet, fumbling for something.

"What the hell are you doing, Robert Drake!" Rogue cried, stomping her foot. He laughed. He slowly, delicately placed something around her neck. Rogue frowned, her eyes shut. "Bobby-"

"Don't." He breathed, pressing a button that beeped. Before she could speak Bobby mashed his lips to hers in a hungry, feverish, and desperate kiss. She squealed in protest but he kept kissing, his eyes squeezed shut. She shoved the boy with ease, the back of her arm on swollen lips.

"BOBBY," He descended upon her again, a defiant look in her eyes.

"This is all I wanted to do for a year and a half." He admitted breathlessly when they broke apart, kissing again. Rogue let go. She kissed the teenager back, gloved hands roving his hair. It felt... Good. Nice. But is this how she imagined it? Bobby snatching her in the X-Jet like Remy, all because Scott returned? No, not like this. She broke the kiss and pushed him off of her, her hands keeping them separated. He frowned at her. "Rogue-"

"No, I'm sorry..." She shook her head. "I..."

"What?" He asked, trying to understand how it went from so good to bad.

"Bobby, look. I love you-" He smiled.

"I love you, too. Ever since you rode in on Logan's bike..." He gushed, a bit embarrassed. She smiled at him, laughing at how, as usual, his mouth got him into trouble.

"But Bobby, you're my best friend. I have all sorts of complicated emotions about you." She looked around them. "This, in here. With this on..." She turned the suppression collar off and removed it. "It's not necessary. Especially if it's because you feel like you're going to lose me..." Rogue had been taking on more of a leadership roll and she'd had less time to pal around with him. "Scott coming back to lead means I can go back to being a teammate." She elbowed him jokingly. "We can sit around and do nothin' sometimes." He smiled at that.

"I'm sorry. I let my boy brain lead..." Rogue rolled her eyes and threw her arm around him.

"You always do that." She quipped, shaking her head with a laugh. "I care about you, Bobby Drake." His stare became more serious. They both knew why it was important to say these things while someone could hear them. He sighed, feeling completely comfortable and not even embarrassed.

"I care about you too, Rogue."

She had lime green hair. Naturally. A bit of a punk kid, she was originally from the midwest until she accidentally killed a bully. Vertigo could induce feelings of dizziness and nausea upon others. She didn't really think it was her fault that someone fell off a building, but her hometown in Ohio did. She was a mutant mercenary who was making in a killing in her relocation to New York.

Then there was the Native American mutant. He was olive skinned and looked about Logan's age with long, pitch black hair. Remy found it kind of funny. He thought indians were spiritual. About nature. This fellow who went by Scalphunter was a Native American technomorpher. He could change and manipulate any and all technology, giving him an endless arsenal of weapons. He was lethal.

Then there was his loyal child sidekick, the inuit Harpoon. He was but a child, orphaned at a young age. Scalphunter scooped him up and taught him the art of killing. He was very similar to Remy, charging his fishing spears with energy for various consequences. He was a package deal with Scalphunter.

Riptide could whip his body around at inhumane speeds, and throw projectile blades and shurikens. His body secretes a potent resin that makes his weapons poisonous. He looked a lot older than he was and like he was apart of Magneto and Pietro's genetic gene pool. His hair grew in white and was very long. He dressed in all white as well, looking very odd amongst everyone else.

Prism had a crystal form that absorbed all energy attacks. He was quite susceptible to physical attacks but the Marauders never let real harm come to him.

Arclight was like Lance wrapped up in a pretty, lean female body. She had short, dark hair and a face that you knew sinned a lot. She could clap her hands and create tremors all over the area. She created sounds so loud they caused instant incapacitation.

But who could forget Creed. Victor Creed. Logan's arch nemesis. Sabretooth. Who better than to lead the lethal, vicious, motley crew. He looked at them, a sadistic grin on his face.

"Sinister requests ya wipe out d'Morlocks." Creed snickered loudly.

"You chase me down to help assemble the best of the best," He snarled, looking at his colleagues. "To pick a fight wit' cripples? C'mon, LeBeau. Thought you had a brain." Remy laughed, flicking a lighter.

"Don' question de doctor's motives, mon ami." He frowned at the cajun, annoyed by him already. "Tear 'dem up, den. Make a scene. A spectacle if you will. Tear dem apart. Leave one alive to go tell de X-Men. Ya job will be done." Creed licked his lips.

"Is Logan back yet?" Remy shrugged.

"I dunno. But I bet he come running wit his tail between his legs when he smells ya aroun' here." A grin spread over the animalistic mutant's face.

"Perfect. We'll do it. Just that."

Genosha Ruins, Saturday Mar. 9th 9:53 pm

Mr. Sinister circled around Remy menacingly as he stood before him. "Gambit," He began. "The Marauders." He folded his arms. "They're perfect. Equal parts vicious and tactical genius." He rubbed his hands together in glee. "They will string the Morlocks up like paper dolls. And the X-Men, they will fall for the bait. Like always." He clapped stark, white hands together.

"Marian." Sinister snapped. Remy watched as the clone of Rogue appeared. Her hair was curled like a grecian goddess and plaited down the side. She was wearing a long, grey gown that left Remy speechless.

"I..." He breathed.

"Good work receives a good reward..." He motioned and she approached Remy with big, doe-like, brown eyes. He stared. "She has her looks, but none of the powers." Remy turned to him, wondering what he was supposed to do with something like this. "She's yours Remy. You own her. Have fun." He whipped his cape around himself and exited. "You go to war, soon." He disappeared down a corridor.

He felt so conflicted. He was staring the reason he was even with Sinister in the face. Did he take the easy way out or did he fight to protect the real Rogue

He turned to the clone and walked towards the bed. "Down." He spat and to his surprise she obeyed. The real Rogue, no matter how smitten, would've never listened. She would've knocked him on his ass for the disrespect. He was starting to realize that maybe, that was all of the fun. He fell upon her, devouring porcelain skin in the mouth of a wolf.

Xavier Institute, Saturday Mar. 9th 9:21 pm

Scott and Rogue sat in the kitchen opposite each other. It used to be their post racket ball tradition. Scott would always get the classic, rocky road ice cream and Rogue got the cinnabon ice cream. They sat in contented silence, laying into the half pints of ice cream together. Neither of them realized how much they'd missed that, specifically.

Without a word they traded spoons in unison, chuckling as they tried to feed each other the different flavors. It was a rare snapshot of peace for the institute with Scott back. Piotr and Kitty were sketching together in the library. Amanda and Kurt were in the movie room watching movies. Bobby was out back "helping" Amara with an art project. Tabitha and Jubilee were forcing Ray, Roberto, and Hank to play rock band with them. They were all starting to feel like kids again.

Rogue studied Scott's face when he looked into his ice cream, still in her X-Suit. She thought about him and the things she didn't know. The younger kids, even Kurt and Kitty, had been badgering about where he'd been and what he'd done. She wasn't interested in that. He didn't want to talk about it, she could tell.

"Favorite pure grunge band?" She asked after a long moment. She was cheating, she had him in her head and he was as helpful as always. He chuckled. He took another bite of ice cream.

"Alice In Chains." He answered confidently. Rogue looked at him in surprise.

"What? Really?" He laughed at her shock.

"You're not the only person who can sing Plush in the shower." He sent her a devious look that revealed he had heard her, somehow, on occasion. The color drained out of her face. She grabbed her spoon and began loudly singing.

"And I feel, and I feel when the dogs begin to smell her!" Scott laughed loudly, from his belly.

"Will she smell alone!?" He joined in, mimicking a guitar. They laughed for a long moment. Rogue looked into Scott's eyes and imagined the blue, and she knew she could stare at them forever. And she might've tried. And he would've let her. If Ororo didn't scream. She let out a bloodcurdling yell that made the whole institute jump.

It tugged at Rogue's heartstrings. It reached out to the Logan in her and her claws shot out. Scott tore from his seat and was barreling towards the front of the institute instantly.

"ORORO," Scott screamed, Rogue hovering behind him.

'Storm, do you copy? We are coming!' They arrived to find Ororo passed out in Hank's arms at the front door. The doctor was looking around helplessly as Evan lay, gored on their doorstep.

"A-Auntie O..." He groaned, dragging himself through the doorway. Rogue's stomach dropped through the floor.

"E-Evan?" She breathed.

"Rogue, get the professor." Scott stuttered. She nodded dumbly and focused on Kurt.

"Ve're siblings, remember? Brother and sister!"

She teleported, surprising Scott and disappeared for a few moments. He crashed to Evan's side, trying his best to cover his bleeding chest wound. He was absolutely massacred. "E-Evan... Hang on, okay?" He smiled up at his former leader.

"Scott... Whoa dude..." He murmured dopily. Hank sat up.

"Come be with Ororo," He instructed, replacing Scott's place. 'The boy is dying...' Hank thought bitterly. His lips were turning white, he was losing all his blood. 'I'm almost inclined to think someone dropped him off. No way he made it here himself like this.' He thought, covering his wounds with trembling hands. "Evan, what happened?" Evan winced.

Rogue appeared suddenly with the professor. "Evan, I'm here!" He exclaimed, preparing to aid in any way he could. As he saw his former student he realized there was nothing he could do.

'Do you want me to tell Ororo anything, Evan...'

'I love her. I'm sorry.'

"Who diid this? Evan..." Rogue begged, tears streaming down her face.

"The Morlocks," He coughed out. "Please, save them." Scott looked up, his face falling. He grabbed on to Hank desperately.

"Someone's attacking all the Morlocks?! Most of them just have visual mutations, damn it!" He screamed.

"You have to... Help them." He grabbed at Rogue's white scarf with his blood-stained hand. It twirled to the ground and fell over him. "Traitor. Protect... Rogue. R-" He spasmed and went still suddenly.

"From what?" Scott, screamed, shaking him. "EVAN, Do-" Hank pushed him back. Xavier dropped his hand from his head.

"He's..."

Rogue stumbled back. "N-No... He..."

"Rogue, go sound the alarm and get the team. We need Amara and Ray too." He looked at her, tears streaming past his visor. "And Joseph." Rogue nodded and flew off, hoping the wind would wipe her tears. 'Who would do this? The Morlocks never hurt anybody. Why...' She flew to the Danger Room control station and hit the alarm.

"I'll brief everyone and stay with Ororo." Xavier offered, looking at the weather mutant still passed out from grief. 'Oh my poor, sweet Ororo... However can I tell you this?' The rage flared in the telepath's chest like bile. Why, no matter what he did, did he fail those that depended on him? Evan lay dead on the doorstep on the institute.

Rogue heard Kitty scream upstairs and the thundering of feet above her. She appeared, puffy eyed and red nosed. Her hand was locked in Piotr's, both of them shaking. Laura looked as blank and calculating as always but it was clear her mind was working. Kurt looked shocked, like he was still dissociating from the news. Bobby's eyes were shut, he dare not open them. Joseph filed into the room and stood silently beside Rogue, who couldn't stop her tears.

Scott appeared moments later, his face red and splotchy. Emma was behind him. "Okay, we're going to aid the Morlocks." She informed tensely. "We're expecting casualties." She let the statement hang in the air. "So, I'm coming." Only sniffles responded. "Keep your heads up. They need us." Rogue bowed her head, both Kurt and Kitty leaning their heads on her.

Even after they lost Rahne they didn't have to rush right into to battle. The institute was shocked and most of the X-Kids were traumatized. They lined up the X-jet in general silence. They were not excited for what they were about to find. Slain comrades. Innocents. Brothers. They didn't realize they were about to go into the fight of their lives.

Morlock Sewers, Saturday Mar. 9th 8:37 pm

"Callisto!" The young Morlock screeched at her leader as the 'Marauders' trickled in. She stood up fearlessly for her leader who always stuck up for them. "No!" She jumped in front of the one eyed mutant despite her protests.

"Cybelle, NO," She screamed. Harpoon pierced her with his spear, radiating with energy. She was left a mere sizzling shell seconds later. "CYBELLE-" Scalphunter guffawed, like that Morlock's sudden death was the funniest thing he'd ever seen. She grabbed a spear with a roar. "YOU'LL PAY!" Fred, formerly known as Blob, ushered her back. Feeling like he'd never belonged amongst the Brotherhood he'd retreated to the sewers and was instantly accepted.

"Callisto, no!" He begged, pushing her towards the entrance. "You have to go. They're strong." He faced them with a determined face. "I'll hold them-"

"You'll die!" She snapped angrily, tears in her eyes. 'Like Cybelle...'

"You're the Morlocks' leader! If you survive..." He smiled at her. "The Morlocks can survive. Grow new, again. I've never had a purpose before. Let me have one." Callisto frowned as the crew advanced on them. "Go!" She turned and ran, tears streaming down her face. 'Fred-' "GO!" He shouted. She ducked in a crack in the tunnels and escaped to a hidden pathway.

Kitty phased everyone into the sewers right into a bloodbath. They had been expecting as much. The Morlocks were not the most capable gathering of mutants. Attacking them was just a sign of cruelty. Everyone stared at the floor of the sewer were covered in dead, mutant bodies. Kitty wretched, Piotr shrinking himself as low as he could to her side. Kurt threw his hands to his head in defeat and resignation, backing away as he shook.

Scott's breath hitched in his throat as he strained through shades of red. Death. Decay. Nothing. Since he came back. Old mutants. Children. The disabled. Slaughtered. Left in a mass of viscera. Snuffed. Rogue stumbled backwards and into his arms, a moan rattling out of her throat. "No," she breathed. "No..." He held her arms though his hands shook.

Bobby turned Amara's head away and Ray shook his head, crackling with electricity. Laura just stared. It was what she was so used to. The scent of death.

Even chilly Emma had to steady her breathing. She started to walk forward and just gave up when she realized how impossible it would be to walk without stepping on the dead and dying. A tear slipped past her eye to her dismay. Nobody had said anything. No plan. No briefing. Nothing. Just stunned silence and whimpers. She had nothing to add, her ability to talk stripped for the time being.

"I-" Someone tried but a disorienting sound rang out in the cramped subway. Everyone was dropped to their knees instantly besides Piotr. 'My skin!' He thought quickly. 'I am immune!' Focusing, he stood in front of everyone. "Get behind me, let my body shield the sound waves!" He ordered. Hearing him, Rogue focused on his memories. She thought of him sketching Kitty, and slowly, her skin changed to iron.

She rose and stood over everyone else, stopping the assault from hitting them. When everyone could breathe and talk again they spoke.

"Good thinking." Emma praised, looking around anxiously. 'Who the hell is here?'

"Great job," Scott panted with his hand on his visor. Kitty placed a hand on his back as she watched him and Kitty deflect the sound waves. Right when Scott peeked around kunai began to shoot at them, rocketing at a high rate from a tornado. 'Is that Pietro?' Scott thought. No, it was someone else. They ducked behind Rogue and Piotr.

"Now what," He grunted with a frown. Laura bent over and smelled a discarded blade.

"Don't touch these!" She barked suspiciously. "They smell poisonous." Kitty and Kurt looked at Piotr and Rogue.

"B-But... They're slamming right into you!?" He warned anxiously. Piotr smiled, trying to hide the pain he was in.

"No worries... Our skin protects us." He assured. 'For now...' When Rogue squinted into the distance she could see the bodies of two mutants in the sewers. 'That's where we need to get...' She thought. Kurt's tail flicked mischievously.

"I see them!" He growled, disappearing in a puff of smoke.

"KURT," Rogue screamed, turning to look for him. Both Kitty and Scott pushed her back into her previous position.

"Don't move!" Kitty screamed. 'Damn it,' Rogue thought, her eyes prying for Kurt.

He appeared behind the girl with green hair. "You!" He exclaimed, grabbing her.

"Kurt!" Scott screamed from behind Piotr and Rogue. "Kurt, be careful, damn it!"

Kurt grabbed the strange mutant tightly. "You're very good at dishing out misery, fraulein." She began screaming.

"W-What?!"

"Let's see how you take it" He ported them somewhere. The seeming shock of it all rendered her unconscious when they landed on the ground. Kurt wiped his forehead with the back of his arm. "There!" He didn't see Riptide approaching him from the shadows as he stood over Vertigo.

"KURT!" Bobby screamed.

"You've forgotten me." Riptide snarled, launching his cyclone at Kurt. Kurt started to port but he was hit with Riptide's power at the same moment. He expended the energy he would've teleporting but he was right there. The power generated by Riptide's body launched him into concrete wall with a sickening smack.

"No... Kurt!" Scott screamed.

"NO," Rogue yelled, her iron skin disappearing. "KURT!" She flew to his side, almost nailing Riptide but he made certain to zip away. She picked up Kurt's broken body, her hands shaking. "Kurt? Kurt? Say something." He was out. Bad. She opened one of his eyes frantically but it wasn't dilating. "Scott! Emma!" She screamed, both mutants rushing over.

Piotr stuttered to one knee, groaning. "P-Piotr!? Are you okay?" Kitty cried, kneeling at his side with Amara. He tried to smile.

"Yes, Katya," She frowned at him, fighting tears. 'Liar,' She thought angrily. 'Taking all that energy, like hell.'

Emma hoisted Kurt over her shoulder. "I'm taking him to the jet while we still can." Rogue moved to go with her but she shook her head. "Stay." She was right. There was no telling what else they would encounter in the sewers. The girl Kurt had knocked out disappeared in the fray.

Scott scrubbed a hand over his face. "Alright guys, chin up. There could be more Morlocks who need our help." He tried to keep his voice from breaking. Rogue stood on unsteady feet, numb. Kitty floated to her side and gave her a reassuring squeeze on the arm. Piotr hurried his stride to walk beside her, anxious and worried.

"Nothing but bodies..." She mumbled, her lip trembling. 'Poor Kurt.' "Isn't anyone alive down here?!" She cried out in frustration. Piotr sighed.

"Let us hope so, Katya. Let us hope so..." Everyone jumped when they heard terrified shrieking and then a shot. Everyone's heart dropped to the floor.

"Rogue," Scott began after swallowing. "You got control over all your powers?" Rogue cracked her neck.

"Got a few tricks up mah sleeve." He nodded, turning the power to max on his visor.

"Okay. Get ready to use 'em."

A/N: fraulein: Casual term for unmarried German woman