X-Men: Fate

Rider Of The Storm

Emma walked into the Headmaster's office to meet with Ororo. She opened the doors, closed them behind her and locked them. She stood in front of Xavier's desk across from Ororo.

"I knew it would not take long for you to learn the truth," Ororo said.

"I want to keep it from the others if possible," Emma said. "Logan and Remy would not react well to this news."

"It concerns Anna," Ororo said.

"Yes and Jean as well," Emma said. Kurt and Kitty teleported into the room. "I summoned them on my way here. We'll need them if we want to handle this quickly and quietly."

"We would've preferred some kind of information before we were summoned," Kurt joked, speaking with a heavy German accent.

["We will discuss Jean at a later time,"] Ororo told Emma with her thoughts.

["Agreed,"] Emma said.

"Good to see you again Ororo," Kitty said. She went and gave her a hug. Kurt gave her a slight wave. "Emma." Emma nodded in return. "Is everything okay?"

"Anna is leading the new Brotherhood team," Emma said. "When I used Cerebra, I was able to tap into her mind before something both blocked me from reading her thoughts and finding her location."

"Is another mutant controlling her?" Kurt asked, concern in his voice.

"No," Emma said. "She is doing this of her own free will. I summoned you two here because I thought you might be able to look into the situation. As far as I know, she is working with Azazel, Havok and Quicksilver. Because their locations are being blocked as well, I believe this connects them."

"What would you have us do?" Kitty asked.

"Meet with Caliban and see if he might be able to track one of these four down," Emma said. "If that doesn't work, I thought if possible, Kurt might be able to sense Azazel and find him or them that way."

"Your primary objective is to reach Anna," Ororo said. "Talk to her. Find out what led her down this path."

"I can't sense Azazel, so we'll have to find Caliban," Kurt said. "Is he still with the Morlocks?"

"Yes," Ororo told him.

"If I had to guess, their base of operations is somewhere in Chicago," Emma said. "After you meet with Caliban, speak with me Kurt. I'll help you teleport there. I believe if Caliban is in close proximity he'll be able to locate them, and the two of you can proceed with your mission."

"If Megan were still with us, crossing the country would be no problem," Kurt said. A brief silence passed between the four of them.

"I was hoping to see Danielle next time I came to the mansion, but I guess that will have to wait," Kitty said. "We'll report back as soon as we can."

"All aboard that's going ashore," Kurt said. Kitty shook her head with a smile. The two teleported from the room.

"Jean does not have much time left," Ororo said.

"No, she doesn't," Emma said. "She's spent a fair amount of time trying to traverse the mental labyrinth in which the Phoenix left her. That labyrinth is falling apart, so is Jean. Her mental walls have kept me from being able to assist her. I'm afraid there is nothing we can do for her. Soon, she'll die."

"Jean's life, Anna's Brotherhood, something or someone blocking your abilities," Ororo said. "So much is behind us. Now, so much is before us. I brought us through the aftermath of one storm, and once again, we are headed into another. We are the X-Men. We were brought down once, but do not think I will allow us to be brought down again."

"You have the solution?" Emma inquired. She saw the look on Ororo's face. She unlocked and opened the doors to the office. "Let me know when you need my assistance."

"You will be the first to know," Ororo said, meeting Emma's gaze and watching her close the doors.