Disclaimer: Don't own.
Warnings: Cussing. I cuss. Too bad, so sad.
Sorry about the delay. I got distracted with the end of Avatar and its epicness of win.
I love all you guys who reviewed, even if it's just to say I like your story. Reviews make me happy, and of course, excited to write more! Also, thanks to anyone who is just reading too. Hope you're enjoying it.
As always, reviews are greatly appreciated. Any comments or suggestions on improvement are welcomed too.
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Retrieval of Self: Chapter 2
Evan was sitting in one of the X-jet's chairs, his hand still clutching onto the small spike he had formed earlier. Evan knew he wasn't patient, but this type of waiting was the worst. There was a tension in the air from the knowledge that a group of armed men were just outside, and the only thing protecting them from the men was a door, thick and solid though it may be. There was also fear and guilt hanging like a heavy cloud, fear for the others and where they might be now and fear that they might be captured too, and guilt for having gotten away, leaving the others behind for the men to capture.
Evan threw the spike up in the air and watched it arc before catching it in his other hand. He especially felt responsible for Kurt and Logan's capture. If he hadn't been trying to show off and frighten the hunters, if he had only just followed Logan's order to run, then maybe Kurt wouldn't have pushed him to save him, then maybe Logan wouldn't have had to carry Kurt and become an easy target. Evan resisted the urge to throw the spike into the wall in frustration, and instead threw the spike up again and swiftly caught it in his hand, clenching it tightly to release some of his pent up anger.
"Damn it!"
Kitty glanced back at Evan, but didn't reply. They were all feeling the same.
Rogue, sitting near Evan, legs and arms crossed, one foot kicking in impatience, also remained silent. She was staring hard at the cockpit, hoping that if she stared hard enough the Professor would answer faster.
Rogue wouldn't consider herself an optimist, but she couldn't help but feel that the Professor could fix almost any wrong. He had that aura to him of being wise and a mentor that she could rely on, even if it did take her awhile to see it. He'd be able to get them out of this mess, find the others, and have everyone back at the Mansion in time for cocoa. Logan would grumble about drinking the sweet drink, but would still have a small smile on his face after he washed it down. Kurt would be sure that everyone had two large marshmallows in their hot beverage, after all he always said, "drinking hot chocolate vithout marshmallows is like showering vith no soap – pointless!" or something in a similar weird vein. Scott, of course, would try to look on as if he was too old to partake in adding the fluffy treats to his drink, but would always accept the marshmallows, and then would not so secretly steal glances at Jean as she swallowed down the sweet concoction with a look of deep satisfaction. Jean had an affinity for chocolate, and had a secret stash of chocolate hidden in her room that she once shared with Rogue. Rogue could tell, though, that cocoa time was Jean's favorite way to enjoy chocolate, with others. Rogue felt a small smile creep onto her face as she thought about the missing others, but was startled out of her thoughts from a crackling on the X-jet's radio.
"Logan? Scott? Are you there?"
Kitty, sitting in the co-pilot's seat, practically jumped out of her chair at the sound of the Professor's voice. "Professor? Professor we're here and these men are outside and they have guns and they've chased us and -"
"Kitty," Professor Xavier interrupted, "first, calm down. I have already sent Storm out ahead, and Hank and I are in the X-van on our way to your location. Now then, tell me what is happening."
Kitty felt a bit relieved now that help was on its way, and took a deep breath before replying, "Okay, I'm calm now." The others had rushed up to the cockpit as soon as they heard the Professor, and Evan now rested his hand on Kitty's shoulder, lending Kitty support. Kitty sent a grateful look towards him before continuing.
"There are men after us in the forest where we were training. They had tranquilizer guns and have already captured Logan, Kurt, Scott, and Jean." Kitty's voice trembled a bit as she named her friends. "Me, Rogue, and Evan are in the X-jet, but none of us can fly! The men are all outside but we've closed the door so they can't get in. What should we do Professor!" Kitty sped up at the end, her panic at their situation taking control again. She could hear a clamoring outside again, and she hoped that the men were just growing restless from waiting them out.
"Storm will be there soon as will Hank and I. Just be sure to -"
"Oh my god.," Rogue had a look of dawning horror on her face, her hands raised to her mouth and her eyes wide.
"What? What is it?" Evan questioned, his own fear mounting as he felt Rogue's rise and as he heard the hunters' voices grow louder outside.
"The key! I don't have the key and you didn't either Kitty, and Logan sure wouldn't give Evan the key."
"Hey!" Evan protested.
"That's why they're all excited outside! They got the key from the others!" Kitty exclaimed, looking from Evan to Rogue to see if they had any bright ideas on what to do.
"Children! Calm down, please," the Professor's voice once again interrupted them, trying to settle down the X-teens' nerves so they could deal with the situation reasonably and not act in any rash and unplanned manner. "Kitty, I want you to keep your hand on the lever controlling the door. Make sure that whenever you see the door move even an inch, to flick that lever to make the door close again."
Kitty nodded, realized the Professor couldn't see her, and then responded determinedly, "right."
"Evan, Rogue," Professor X continued on in advising his students, "stand guard at the door and don't let anyone through. Engage them in close combat to prevent them from using their guns."
"Professor, can't you just use your mind to stop these men?" Evan asked, uncertainty wavering in his voice.
"Unfortunately, Evan, even I don't have the power to reach that far without the aid of Cerebro. Storm will be there soon and soon after so will we," the Professor reassured. "I know you can work together and protect each other. I'll be there soon." The radio crackled to silence.
Evan, bolstered by the Professor's encouragement, walked over to the door, forming another spike to have handy to use.
Kitty stood ready in the cockpit, her hand hovering over the lever, waiting for the men to use the key any second. Rogue took off one of her gloves and waived her bare hand in front of Kitty, silently asking for permission. Kitty nodded and with a small touch from finger to finger, Kitty received a small shock as Rogue absorbed some of her powers. Kitty turned back to watching the door, already shaking off the touch.
Rogue, approached Evan and repeated the same process with him. Being armed with both of their powers, even if only for the short time it lasted, would provide her with an extra advantage. Unfortunately, the downside to taking Evan and Kitty's powers was that now she also had Kitty's worry and nervousness and Evan's determination and guilt combining with her already shot nerves. Feeling like a walking time bomb, Rogue did the best she could to suppress the emotions and waiting on the opposite side of the jet's entrance as Evan, prepared to stop anyone from coming in.
She didn't have to wait long as she heard a sudden utter silence outside and then the quiet swish of the door beginning to open. Kitty, alert and watchful, immediately switched the lever, the door closing in on the man before he even got a glimpse of the inside of the jet.
It was a straining pressure to wait, and Kitty's hand trembled over the button, watching the door for the next attempt. The door once again began to open and she wasted no time in moving the lever. Swish. The door closed again.
Kitty had no idea how long she could keep this up, but she felt she'd explode from the nerve wracking wait for the door to open again.
Swish. Kitty flicked the lever again, but this time the door didn't close all the way.
"Kitty, push the lever!" Rogue screamed at her as Evan pulled back a spike covered fist and punched the man in the doorway in the face.
"I did!" Kitty yelled back. "It should've closed!" Kitty didn't know whether to touch the lever again or not. If she moved it and the door had really gotten the signal to close, then her flicking the lever again would just resignal the door to open. She didn't know what to do and her hand hovered hesitatingly over the switch, eyes glued to the guarded door that still hadn't closed.
"His gun is blocking the doorway!" Evan was hitting the man with all he could, spikes formed on his fists like brass knuckles, but the hunter was tenacious and well trained, and despite bleeding from numerous wounds, he still wouldn't let go of the gun he had lodged in the doorway. The other men were now trying to grasp the sides of the door, trying pry it open.
Rogue hesitated, her hand paused in the middle of reaching out to touch the hunters at the door. She was scared that if she touched anyone else, she would be overwhelmed by all the vying emotions in her head. She wouldn't be much use, passed out on the floor from emotional overload, but if the men were able to enter the jet, then it wouldn't really matter. With a determined grimace, she began to reach out to touch the men, when suddenly a huge whirlwind blasted the men away from the door, throwing them several feet away. The door, now released, came to a close in front of her and Evan's face.
"What happened?" Kitty asked in a bemused tone.
Evan turned quickly to Kitty, a fire in his eyes. "Hurry and open the door! Auntie O is out there now and we gotta help!"
First surprise washed over Kitty's face, but then relief and resolve quickly followed, and she flicked the lever before rushing out after Rogue and Evan. Outside was chaos. The night sky was completely overcast now, not a star could be seen behind the dark clouds, and lightning lit the area in bright flashes. Kitty could see Storm, eyes aglow, guiding some of the lightning to hit men square in the chest, knocking them far out of her range of sight. The men were forming groups, trying to pose a bigger threat, but every volley of tranquilizer darts they fired was met with a huge gust of wind that sent the darts uselessly scattering.
Standing near her, a few men were gathered, congregating and shooting glances at Storm who was busy attacking others. Kitty figured they must've been trying to come up with an ambush, but not with her there. Their guns looked high-tech, and with a quick grin, she phased herself and ran towards them with a loud battle cry. Startled, the men looked up and cried out as they saw a ghost like form running towards them. It took them a second to realize it was one of the mutants they were after, but it was a second too late. Kitty had barreled right through the men and through the guns they were holding. Some of the men immediately let go of their sparking guns, while others aimed at her and fired, only to get a small puff of smoke in their faces. Kitty turned around and gave her best smile before running off to find more guns to short out.
Evan was dealing out his own damage, throwing spikes this way and that, causing the men to scatter and jump haphazardly to avoid his deadly missiles. Evan had never felt so serious when fighting before, knowing that these men had captured his friends. He was going to make sure the hunters, this time around, felt like scared prey. Spotting his aunt out of the corner of his eye, Evan was momentarily stunned at the huge whirlwind Storm had conjured up, currently sending it towards a group of men running away like the dogs of hell were after them. Preoccupied with her small tornado, Storm wasn't aware of the other troops who had lined her up in their sights, but Evan was. With a snarled expression so fierce it could cause Logan a run for his money, Evan carefully took aim and quickly threw spike after spike with such precision, each gun was neatly impaled before going on the fritz.
Storm felt a surge of pride well up in her as she saw Evan's display of fierceness on her behalf. She gave a small nod in his direction before flying low over the ground to where Rogue had just dispatched one of the few men left with a spike thrown to the left then to the right to cut off his path, and then a phased swipe through his gun. All the other men had by now fled or were unconscious from Storm's lightning strikes.
"It seems our work here is done," Storm pleased at their battle, gestured for Rogue to follow her as she went to gather Evan and Kitty. "Now all we must do is wait for the Professor to arrive."
"Not quite yet, Storm," Rogue had her eyes on one of the men who was running not towards the woods, but towards the X-jet, the key brandished in his hand. "Seems as if this guy got an eye for stealing what's ours." Without a second to lose, both set off at a run towards him, but were quickly halted when they saw the trooper, not a few feet from the door, suddenly freeze and then collapse to the ground.
"Seems as if the Professor has arrived." Storm walked over to where the man had fallen and plucked the key that was still loosely grasped in his hand. Evan and Kitty had by now joined Rogue and Storm, relief flowing through them now that Storm, Hank, and the Professor were there. Surely the Professor could quickly scan for Logan and the others, they'd show the men what they're truly made of, and then they could all go home.
Kitty could imagine Logan grumbling over having to be rescued but he would then smile and offer side hugs, though of course he wouldn't call them hugs – probably something manly like reassurance holds. He might even let them off of Danger Room runs for a bit. Ha, yeah right. Scott would look chagrined at not being able to help, and he'd train relentlessly for the next few weeks to make sure he wouldn't be let himself or the others be captured again. Jean would probably be grateful and look graceful too, like she had just gone for a stroll around the block instead of being a prisoner. Jean always looked beautiful, and she'd probably flash a smile and reassure everyone that their captivity was just like a day at the spa. Kurt would crack some joke to lighten the mood, and he'd have some of the hunters with him as buddies – he could win you over like that somehow, quite a charmer. Kitty blushed a little at that last thought and smiled at her daydream.
It seems as if I cannot traverse the terrain, so I will not be joining you by your side, the Professor's voice rang in their heads. However, I advise you all to enter the jet just in case these men return with back up.
With a nod, Storm led the group into the jet and quickly closed the door behind them. "Can you tell where the others are being held, Charles?"
Unfortunately, no. They either must be too far away or blocked from my mind. Ororo could tell the Professor was truly upset despite the calm façade he was putting in his voice due to the small, frustrated sigh he let escape his mind into theirs. I shall try to find them with Cerebro when we get back to the mansion, but for now I will see what I can garner from one of the men's mind.
Ororo tried to remain composed at that statement, and luckily no one was looking at her face to see the brief flicker of astonishment and worry cross it. The Professor always held that he never went into someone else's mind unless it was a dire emergency, and for him to do that now, he must think his telepathy was being blocked. What type of people could capture Logan and the other children, and were able to block Charles Xavier, the strongest telepath in the world?
Charles took a deep breath before relaying his finds. He knew he was on edge now and full of worry, but he didn't want to transmit those thoughts to the children. They needed him to be strong right now. It seems all information except for the details on your mutant powers were kept from these men. They are playing this very safe.
"So, we can't find them then, Professor?" Kitty's voice shook with anxiety as her hands twisted the pulls on her pullover.
"Goddamnit!" Evan cursed before throwing a vicious kick at the seat in front of him.
"Evan!" Ororo reprimanded, but her heart truly wasn't in it. They were all frustrated. Evan gave her a sheepish look before looking down, drilling a hole in the floor with his stare.
Not right now, but we will Kitty. I promise you all, we shall rescue them. For now, we shall head back to the mansion. Be safe and take care.
Ororo could feel the air thick around her, full of heavy thoughts. They needed to keep their spirits up if they were going to rescue their team members. With an encouraging look towards Evan and Rogue and a strong hand on Kitty's shoulder, Ororo reiterated what the Professor said. "We will find them. Tomorrow, we'll come back here and search – "
"- let's go out and search now, then." Rogue crossed her arms and glared outside, as if her gaze could pierce through the dark night and forest to where the others were being held. The others chimed in with resounding agreement.
"Yeah, we're wasting time going back to the mansion when they can't have been taken far!" Evan began running back to the door, ready to start his hunt.
"No, come back here Evan," Ororo ordered firmly. After Evan had rejoined their group, Ororo continued. "Now listen, we can't start searching for them now. Those men are still out there, and they know the terrain and we don't. It's dark and we could easily be split up and captured along with the others." With a look at each teen, Ororo made sure they understood her before continuing on. "At the mansion the Professor can use Cerebro to help guide us in our search. We can also prepare tonight and we'll be able to use our time efficiently and affectively tomorrow."
"Alright, Auntie-O," Evan was the first to capitulate, but his unhappiness at their situation showed when he walked heavily over to a seat and plotz into it.
Rogue silently nodded before making her way to the seat next to Evan. Leaning one elbow on the armrest and resting her chin in her hand, she looked as if she didn't care one way or another, but her twitching foot kicking the air and her fingers drumming against the other armrest gave away her true feelings.
"We'll come back as early as we can, right? As soon as the sun is up?" Kitty asked, one of the pulls of her pullover now unraveling due to her nervous ministrations.
"Yes, we'll come back as early as possible tomorrow," Ororo assured. When Kitty and her were both settled in the cockpit of the X-jet, Ororo prepared to fly back to the mansion, hoping that the Professor was almost back and ready to start searching with Cerebro.
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Notes: I'm not sure how you conjugate words like plotz when it's a borrowed word integrated into English but not so integrated it is English. Any ideas on this? Does this even make sense? Do you guys even know the word plotz?