Author's Note: Here's part two of the chapter 'Ecounters of Truth' Enjoy!
MelissaRM- The updates here! You don't have to die now, lol.
Fox Adler- Yes she is, lol. You'll have to wait and see!
ban- Thanks! You'll have to wait to see what happens to Rouge.
sailormoon846212- Yes they found Isabella, you'll have to wait and see about Remy and Rogue, as well as Rouge, Thanks for the review!
kii- Thanks for the review!
Chapter 14- Encounter's of Truth (Part 2)
Mystique hissed in annoyance and dove off towards the left, avoiding one of the crushing blows of Arclight. She couldn't seem to get a hit on the foul tempered woman anywhere and it was making her own temper boil. They had only been fighting Sinister's lackeys for the time of maybe a quarter hour, and she could already feel her strength waning. From her position on the ground Mystique glanced over towards the others fighting, and felt her heart sink. They couldn't win.
Arching her back she threw herself up and twisted herself into a standing position, before crouching down, hands at the ready for the oncoming assault. Arclight grinned sadistically and began walking circles around the shape shifter. With each step she moved in closer towards her, her tongue clicking in displeasure. In a moment of pure chance Arclight shot forward and caught Mystique's jaw in one of her bone crushing punches sending the shifter backwards and knocking her to her knees. Holding her jaw in her hand Mystique watched in anxious annoyance as the woman closed the distance between them.
"I thought you would have put up more of a fight, shifter." Arclight taunted, her short dark hair bobbing with her swift and cat like movements. In a flurry the woman shot forward and attempted to land a kick in Mystique's face, but failed brutally when the shape shifter caught hold of her ankle and slung her backwards causing her to go flying through the air. Arclight hit the tree with a resonating crash and slumped towards the ground, obviously unconscious.
One down, Mystique thought glumly as she pulled herself up from her kneeling position. In a swift motion her body fell upon itself twisting and morphing to resemble a hawk, and with a piercing cry she shot off towards her failing son as he fought off the overpowering Omega Red.
Within moments she was hovering above the battle, and soon after shifted allowing gravity to pull her body downwards towards the earth. Landing softly, she watched Kurt be thrown back and collapse on the ground, Omega Red lingering over him a sadistic gleam in his dark eyes. With a quick motion Omega Red* had Kurt pulled up by his throat, cutting off the elf's air supply. Taking that opportunity Mystique raced forward and threw herself into the air, her foot colliding with the big brutes head.
Immediately he dropped the elf and staggered backwards. In an instant Kurt had disappeared, nowhere in sight. Recovering from his staggering for a moment, the tall Russian began scanning around him looking for the perpetrator. A hard kick was landed on the base of his neck in that instant, sending him spiraling forward and meeting the ground with a solid thwacking noise. He turned to take in the sight of the blue elf he had almost killed mere minutes ago. Cursing in Russian he stood to his full height, the tentacles from his wrist lashing out back and forth.
Standing next to her son, Mystique ventured a glance at him, over the years he had grown considerable and seemed more than capable of handling his own now. His eyes glanced over towards her own and he allowed for a frown to venture on his lips, accusation growing in his yellow eyes. In the time after Apocalypse Mystique had kept in mild contact with her son, building a bond she would have never thought possible, but after the incident with the girls she had cut all ties hoping to hide them long enough for them to grow and prepare for the attack of Sinister. Obviously she had failed miserably and now had her own son back to hating her, what a life she led.
"Mutter*, you go left I go right?" Mystique nodded her head at her sons tactics, and shot off towards her position, hoping that after everything had settled maybe they'd let her live, and if she was fortunate could rebuild a bond with both her son and daughter.
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Wolverine's claws extended and slashed through the dark mass that was surrounding him. It fell, shredded, and began to whither before shooting off towards its master. Wolverine couldn't help but growl as the dark mass of a new mutant he had never seen before. She was a woman*, no older than twenty four, her purple hair flowed around her, and her orange eyes seemed to glow with a light all of their own. Stepping forward, she flicked her wrist up and out towards Wolverine, a mass of black material racing towards him.
Flipping up he managed to avoid the onslaught of the black material and landed his claws extended. She snarled in annoyance before crouching down into a low stance and began hissing words. Suddenly the world around Wolverine became pitch black, dark tentacles ripping at his uniform. He yelled in defiance and attempted to slice them, but to no avail. They merely replaced themselves and became stronger and stiffer each time he cut them.
He felt his body being pulled underneath the black mass, nowhere to move or go. Suddenly his head was enveloped chocking off his oxygen supplies. He fought against the blackness but it wouldn't budge, suddenly his mind began to become fuzzy and his body felt distant, he was suffocating. In a final attempt at escape he allowed for his claws to sheath themselves, letting his body go limp, making the appearance of losing consciousness or dying.
In lithe moments the blackness dissipated and he felt himself fall and hit the group, she had bought it. Rolling over onto his side, Wolverine peered through the hood of his uniform and watched as the black material made another lash out towards him, its hostess hissing angry words of disbelief. Jumping up onto his feet he rolled off towards the side, playing the game of cat and mouse with the darkness. He proceeded to jump and avoid the mass, trying to find a way towards the woman controlling it. An idea hit him though as he looked up above him, the trees dancing in the wind.
Shooting off in the opposite direction of the woman he extended his claws and dug them into the bark of a tree, and began his rapid ascent towards the top. Once he felt he was high enough to avoid the woman's powers he shot off through the trees, blending in like the perfect shadow.
The woman watched the trees with bright eyes, shadows dancing around her feet, the man was there somewhere. She heard a loud thunk behind her and whipped around shooting out her dark tentacles of power. She stopped though when she realized no one was there.
"Looking for me darlin?" She gasp in surprise when she felt the heavy sting of metal pass through her abdomen. Coughing she fell forward onto the ground, the black evaporating, releasing Jamie as well as Storm and Beast from their prisons. Turning Wolverine took in the sight of the others fighting, debating which way to head first.
Mystique and Kurt were battling back to back, trying to fend off Omega Red and Sunfire . Kitty was phasing as Riptide slung shuirekens out towards her, on her face plastered a look of pure annoyance and irritation. Jamie had tackles a stalking Ruckus, and the two were battling it out fist to fist. Beast had his hands full as he fought off both harpoon and prism, whilst Storm was sending thunder bolts towards an oncoming Vertigo. Remy and Rogue though had it the worst, both were being slung back as they head first into Sinister's trap, a grinning Polaris and Blockbuster standing in their path.
Knowing his destination he rushed forwards towards the two southerners, getting to Sinister was the key point after all.
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Gambit cursed in irritation as he withdrew another handful of cards and sent them flying outwards towards the big oaf known as BlockBurst. The man simply stood there and allowed for the cards to smash into him, barely leaving a mark on his skin. He was getting nowhere with this, turning Remy saw Rogue dive towards the side avoiding another sonic burst from the body of Polaris (currently occupied by Malice*.) and hissing curse words all the while.
"Looks like the little man doesn't want to play." BlockBuster called from across the field, but Remy took little to no notice of it sparking anger in the large man's being, no one ignored him.
A loud pounding noise came from behind Gambit, and by mere inches managed he to jump out of the way as Blockbusters fist collided with the ground making the earth quake. Turning on his heal Gambit began making a swift retreat backwards trying to buy himself sometime while he scrambled for a strategy.
The large man smiled evilly before chasing after the much smaller Cajun. Merde, Gambit thought in annoyance as he shot across the swamp, this brute doesn't seem to have a stopping point he thought numbly. Sprinting farther out ahead, Remy cut off towards the side and behind several sets of trees, knowing the brute would chase after him and run into the trees hopefully knocking himself out.
Suddenly though the sound of wood snapping caught Remy's attention, as trees began to fall around him. He looked up into the psychotic eyes of BlockBuster and swore. Damn that man had a thicker skull than he had thought.
"You've got a thick skull dere you know?" The man yelled in irritation at the insult and swung his fist down towards Gambit's body, okay so maybe taunting the four hundred pound giant was not a good plan.
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Rogue jumped backwards, avoiding another swipe from Polaris. This woman was infuriating her, and the sight of Sinister holding Isabella only an arms length away was breaking portions of anger that Rogue didn't even know she possessed. Skidding forward on the wet leaves she counterbalanced her weight causing her body to twist around landing a kick in the green haired woman's face, knocking her back flat. A sonic wave escaped from her, causing Rogue's hands to shoot up over her ears and a painful cry to escape her lips.
Falling to her knees, she heard the sarcastic laugh of Polaris, every nerve insides Rogue's body where sudden set on fire as she kicked out and knocked the approaching woman over. Flipping up into an upright position Rogue glared down at the woman before removing the glove from her left hand and touching the woman's face. Her eyes suddenly widened and the breath became caught in her throat before her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she fell backwards.
Every thought and emotion raced through out Rogue mind in colorful streams of life and memories, some more frightening than others. Kneeling Rogue sifted through the memories, nothing of any use coming up. The sight of their base was unknown to even the servants, only Sinister knew it. Growling in irritation Rogue pulled the leather glove back on before stepping over the woman, her mind set on one target. Grabbing a hold of a low lying branch she swung herself up into the tree, and began stalking her way towards the pale man.
As she stood above him she took off both of her gloves and stuffed them in her back pocket. Leaning forward she adjusted her weight so that only her bare skin touched Sinister and not Isabella. Confirming that the position she was in was the best she swung down from the branches, ready to take on the geneticist head on.
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Remy rolled around another tree, as BlockBuster destroyed the one he had been standing behind mere moments ago. He watched as the splintered wood scattered across the ground and shuddered only imagining what it would be like if that was what collided with his body. Jumping up he gripped one of the branches and swung himself behind the giant, attempting to land a kick under his feet. Though much to Gambits unfortunate surprise he felt a shattering pain travel up his ankle as his foot collided with the ankle. He seethed through his teeth refusing to cry out as he jumped up and ran back towards the covering of the trees.
With each step he took it felt like a thousand tiny needle points were being shoved into his bones, it was painful enough to make him limp, which was rare. Jumping of his good foot he tucked his body in and rolled down the hillside, skidding as the land leveled out. Suddenly though there was a big hole, obviously dug by hunters trying to trap big game, in the ground and Remy felt himself fall in partially. Gripping the muddy ground with all of his might he willed himself to pull up cursing the life of every hunter he'd ever met. After a few fear drenched moments he pulled himself free a new battle plan brewing.
Randomly though a blur of black and orange shot past Gambit's eyes making him do a double take, what in high heaven..? That's when Remy saw the pissed look on Logan's face as he pushed himself up from the ground, his mouth filled with mud. Spitting it out, he growled menacingly before taking off in the same direction he had come from. Understanding began to wash over the Cajun and he quickly followed the footsteps of Wolverine, hoping that he could keep his cool long enough to listen to reason.
Remy snorted in spite of himself who was he kidding? Wolverine listening to reason? That would be the day that pigs flied. Favoring his right foot slightly Gambit rushed across the landscape towards the sound of crunching wood and sharp metal. As he neared the duo he pulled out three of his final four cards and charged them sending them at a pile of twigs behind the giant. They burst into flames at instant contact. Seeing the fire Wolverine kept pushing Blockbuster back towards the flames.
The giant laughed as he threw a bone crushing punch at the X-man but yelped in pain when it collided with the adamantium claws of Logan, ripping his hand wide open. Staggering back slightly, he felt a searing pain travel up his backside. Looking down BlockBuster caught sight of the fire and immediately fell backwards rolling trying to extinguish the flames.
"Wolverine, drive him farther back towards de hillside, I have an idea." The older man looked at the Cajun with slightly raised eyebrows but complied none the less as he ran up towards the giant and laid a sharp kick into his side making him roll the final distance towards the hillside. In sudden motion the big man hollered in disbelief as he went tumbling down. Following close behind the big man, both Wolverine and Gambit watched as his body jolted over rocks before suddenly falling into the dug out trench. A hard rumble shook the earth, then stilled, well BlockBuster was out for the count.
"Nice work Gumbo," Wolverine commented as he watched the mud seep deeper into the hole, "but we've got to get to Sinister pronto." Remy nodded his head, ignoring the pain in his ankle, that could wait until he finished ripping Sinister to shreds.
Taking the lead Logan shot up the hillside, Gambit trailing less than two feet behind, silently thanking whatever hunter had dug such a ridiculous sized hole.
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Rogue felt her feet collided with Sinister's body knocking him off towards the side and sending Elle rolling in the opposite direction. Reaching down with her bare hands she gripped Sinister's face and allowed for every horrible memory and thought to enter her body. Though what shocked her was when the thoughts of completely different person entered her mind. Jumping back in shock she watched as Sinister morphed into the form of a young girl* her pink and blonde hair startling in the sun.
She heard an evil laugh come from behind her and gasp when she watched Isabella's body melt away revealing the same blue and blacked headed boy from earlier laying in her place.
"A bit shockin idin't love, bet yer wern't suspectin a shifter were ya?" Rogue felt her heart sink as she watched the boy rise into a standing position, his black eyeliner making his blue eyes seem to dance. He stood around five ten at the most and was was thin but lean, though from the Gothic clothes he wore you wouldn't have been able to tell.
"Sorray, but see ole boss man had to get that girl back ta the lab before you had a chance ta get your hands on her you know?" The boys thick British accent was light as he spoke. Turing on the spot he grinned stupidly as he watched over Rogue's shoulder.
"Looks like ye almost killed my sister love," The boys voice lowered as he watched his the girl behind Rogue gasp for breath in her unconscious state, "Pity it is, seein as we haven't a choice whether we work for ole Sinister or not, well best ta go out with a bang you know?" Rogue felt her heart clench, those kids were slaves.
"What's your name?" Rogue asked suddenly, the boy stopped watching his sister before turning his attention back towards the woman before him. "If ya tell me that Ah'll help your sister."
"How does that concern you?" He asked, his accent getting thicker as worry became evident in his voice. Rogue only stood there and eyed the boy. She watched as he scrambled for a solution. "I'm Forrest, my sister's Serene, we're twins."
Nodding her head Rogue knelt down next to the girl and rested a palm on her forehead, she could feel the heat even through out her thick gloves. With ease Rogue rolled the girl over onto her side and slapped her hard square in the back causing the horrid gasping to suddenly stop and her breathing return to normal.
"Nothin more than hyperventilating." Rogue murmured remembering the first time Elle had had one of those fits and the panic that raced through her system, thank god Hank had been there or Rogue might have lost her mind.
Being lost in the memory Rogue took little notice as the boy knelt down next to his sister and gently gripped her hand, relief and worry both prominent on his face.
"Thank you, but why'd you help me, her, err us?" The boy asked nervously, Rogue only shook her head, her heart was already broken enough and to see another child be broken or killed wasn't something she was up for.
"Your not the bad guy, your a slave to that old creten." Rogue mumbled as she stood, tears streaming openly down her face. Looking at the boy she motioned for him to take his sister and leave. feeling her emotions beginning to overcome her, she didn't want to harm the boy. Taking the girl in his arms he nodded his head in thanks before racing off towards his team mates. Rogue felt her knees collapse beneath her, her mind a complete jumble of emotions all her own.
She heard the shouts and orders as Sinister's servants began their retreat, her mind not being able to comprehend the fact that the battle was over. She heard the rushing of feet against the ground as the X-men rushed over towards her. They all abruptly stopped at the sight of the missing Sinister and Isabella, and the limp Rogue on her knees. She felt the gentle hand of Kitty grip her shoulder, trying to give some type of impossible comfort. The wet splotches appearing on her shoulder proved that point farther as Kitty silently wept.
"We'll find her Rogue, I promise. We'll get the help of Scott, Jean, the Professor..." Kitty's voice faded though as she watched Rogue's body shudder beneath her hand. Truth was Kitty had been infuriated at the fact that Rogue hadn't told anyone, but as she watched her she understood why, if she hurt herself it was one thing but hurting a handful of others was unbearable. Dropping to her knees Kitty ignored the tight pull in her hip where Riptide had managed to hit her, and wrapped her arms around Rogue, much the same way she had done the day of the twins poised deaths. They sat there for a moment before the sound of the remaining X-men's foot steps were heard.
Breaking through the trees Gambit stopped suddenly a look of horror plastered on his features. In a swift motion his body fell back against the nearest tree as he slid downwards towards the earth he couldn't help but want to cry like a child. Though in all of his resistance he managed to force the tears back, but not the emotions that were coursing through his system. He couldn't help but send accusing gazes towards Rogue.
Shooting towards his feet he strode over towards the group and stopped just before Rogue. In a swift motion, induced by rash emotions and unlogical thinking, he tugged his wedding ring off of his finger before tossing it towards the crying woman.
"It's over Rogue." With that he turned not caring about the wound he had just tore in the weeping woman, and began making him way towards the X-jet, the others only watching his retreating form with sad eyes, not wanted to tear a larger hole in the situation by interfering. Wolverine appeared from the trees a scowl deeper than any they'd ever seen on his face. Leaning against the tree he watched as the Cajun made his way past him, and in that second could have swore he saw tears on the thief's face.
"Looks like we lost, Stripes." Logan stated calmly, his arms crossed over his chest, unsure of how to approach the fragile situation, but knowing full well that once they returned to the mansion he would have some business to attend to with a certain Cajun. Letting his eyes glance over the many faces in the group he could see the dissapointment and sorrow written on their features.
Standing abruptly Rogue pushed Kitty off of her and rolled up the arm of her sleeves before grabbing Remy's wedding band and shooting off towards the woods where the Cajun had disappeared. Wolverine raised an eyebrow before coughing non chalantly in his hand.
"I'm going to go referee." Turning he sauntered through the woods, giving Rogue a good chance at landing a few good hits before he had to pull her off of Gambit. Their relationship had been tension filled for over a decade and Wolverine thought it was about time they settled it.
Sulfur filled the air as Kurt apeared next to Wolverine, his eyes glazed over in anger, as his tail swished rapidly behind him.
"Mystique fled after the battle." He stated, hiding his roaring emotions well. Logan only grunted in reply as the two slowing made their way through the swampland. "Logan, ve can't give up hope, yet there seems to be none that ve can hold onto."
"Elf, let's just get these two under control first, then worry about that second." Kurt nodded his head before grabbing Wolverines arm, both deciding that it was time to pull the two garanteed fighting southerns apart. The duo certain that it was going to be more than just a yelling spree between the Southern Belle and Raging Cajun.
Author's Note: Okay so the things with *'s next them are things I need to explain.
Omega Red- I added him cause it is a key in the plot further on.
The girl- She's one of my OC's for this story, her mutant name is Turn-Table.
The twins- Both also a set of my OC's, key members further on in the story.
Malice- In the comic books Malice had control over Polaris's body for a time so I'm going with that.
Mutter- German for 'Mother'
Please R&R! Also please let me know if you want me to go ahead on jump onto the next part of the story without the fight between Rogue and Remy or with it! Thanks!