X-Men: Fate

Shadowcat's Cradle

"Rogue has Siphon," Wanda said to Tess. "She'll gain Gravedigger soon enough."

"I'm," Tess began. "You remember, I'm not here for the Brotherhood. I'm here for them: Renegade and Obsidian."

"There's no need to worry," Wanda said. "We're not with the Brotherhood. We're here to ensure we don't leave fate to chance." She turned around and walked away.

Tess waited a moment before she followed after her.

Kitty came onto the scene. Fate to chance. She didn't want to leave the trio on their own, but it sounded as though Wanda had more information on the Rogue situation than the X-Men did.

Her hope was that Remy would catch up with the trio sooner than later, but she wasn't worried about them. Those three were pretty capable. They reminded her of her old team: Herself, along with Scott, Jean, Kurt, and Evan. They reminded her of when she and the others became X-Men.

"Once we meet with Avalanche," Wanda said, as they walked, "you'll be free to engage them again."

"I understand my role in this," Tess said. "I'm apprehensive. What if this is a mistake? Aren't you concerned?"

"I'm more concerned about the consequences if we do nothing," Wanda said. "Stardust, do you believe anything we might do would or could lead to a worse outcome?"

Tess said nothing.

So, Kitty decided to stay with Wanda, and she guessed her new protege, especially with the chance of running into Lance. It'd been a while since she'd last seen him .

"Have you seen the kids?" Kitty had asked him.

"Yeah," Lance had said. "I saw them before I came to see you."

It had been an accident but a happy one: Dominic 'Nic' Alvers-Pryde and Charlotte 'Charlie' Alvers-Pryde. They had twins. Nic had the ability to control and manipulate glass while Charlie had the ability to control and manipulate paper. They wielded their abilities with such artistry. Sometimes, she wondered how they would fare if they decided to become X-Men.

"Are you ready to come home yet?" Kitty had asked.

"Are you going to ask me that every time we meet?" Lance had asked, then he smiled.

Kitty hadn't seen him smile since the day before the Dark Phoenix burned over 35 percent of his body.

"You know it," Kitty had said in reply.

"I love you," Lance had said. "Always have. Always will. There never has been and never will be anyone other than you. I'm not the settling down type though. And I wanted to kill Jean. Still do. I know how much she means to you, but if I ever get the chance I know me. This is best. We agreed."

"What if I'm tired Lance," Kitty said. "What if I want to move on from you?"

"I'd say you've always been a smart woman," Lance said. "That might be the smart move."

But he had kissed her. And she had let him. They had sex. Laid in bed together afterward. Until the morning light came through her window.

"When you don't want me darkening your door any longer," Lance said, "say the word. I want you to be happy, but I can't stay."

Kitty had nodded as he got up to leave.

"We were so close," Kitty had said, stopping Lance at her doorway. "You were…there."

"I'm sorry," Lance had said before he left.

Kitty had received a text from Peter: Good morning beautiful. If he has left, I can be there for you. I am here for you.

There was a story here with Scarlet Witch and Stardust, possibly about the X-Men and the Brotherhood, that these two knew, and to protect the people she care about Kitty planned to find it out.