An X-men Evolution Christmas Carol

By HazelEyes 401

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Disclaimer: I don't own X-men Evolution this show belongs to Marvel. I don't own the story A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

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Chapter 5: The Ghost of Christmas Present


Logan turned over in his bed trying to get back to sleep and trying to forget about the Ghost of Christmas Past and the awful memories he was forced to live through. Logan tossed over again, readjusting the covers over his shoulder trying to find that one comfortable spot to get back to sleep.

The grandfather clock struck the two o'clock hour with two resounding bell tones.

Dong. . . Dong.

The light on Logan's bedside table suddenly turned on. Logan moved over to turn it off and then remembered it had one of those clapper functions so he clapped his hands twice to turn the light off.

Clap, Clap. Lights on.

Clap, Clap. Lights off.

Clap, Clap. Lights on.

Clap, Clap. Lights off.

"Stupid clapper system, whose bright idea was it to put one in each room?" Logan grumbled as he settled on his back in the dark once again.

Clap, Clap. Lights on.

A pair of hands phase through the wall above Logan's head as the ghost laughs after turning the lights on for the third time. Logan looked up and shouted in alarm as he saw Kathryn Pryde phase through the wall above his head and float over to the floor beside his bed. He noticed she was wearing a flowing shimmering green robe with white fur lining the edges and a dark red sash tied around her waist. He also noted her headpiece was four candles in a green wreath centered on her forehead.

"Kitty, what are you doing here? And why are you wearing that getup?" Logan asked as he looked over at the "Kitty" look alike.

"Oh, silly I'm not Kitty. I am the Ghost of Christmas Present." The ghost giggled again as she couldn't contain her joy.

"Oh no, not another one," Logan grumbled as he tried to lie down on the bed.

"Are you like still trying to go to sleep? Get out of bed, James we have so much to do and see." Christmas Present spoke to Logan as she walked over to the grumpy mutant.

"What are you supposed to do?" Logan asked as he sat up in bed, finally giving up on sleep for the time being.

"I am like going to show you the joy of Christmas. Maybe some of that joy can rub off on you. So let's go."

"No not again!" Logan yelled as he was lifted up and through the ceiling of the mansion as he was carried up into the sky looking down on Bayville. As they continued to climb higher Christmas Present suddenly let go of his arm so Logan was resigned to cling to her robe as they floated over Bayville.

"Good, now don't let go we have a lot to see." Christmas Present started to fly with her back facing Logan as he clung to her robe.

Christmas Present then turned over so she was flying reclined on her back and staring at Logan so they could talk.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!" Logan screeched to the ghost as he saw a plane heading straight for them. Logan squeezed his eyes shut waiting for the collision but feeling nothing but air he opened his eyes and saw the pair pass right through the plane.

"You are acting like you're in some kind of danger, James." Christmas Present laughed again at Logan's look of pure rage and annoyance.

"Kitty, I mean it quit fooling around and keep your eyes ahead of you." Christmas Present looked bored as she sighed toward him ignoring the buildings they passed (and passed through) in the wee hours of the morning.

"For the second time, my name is the Ghost of Christmas Present." The ghost replied as Logan looked shocked and then enraged.

"THAT'S IT, PUT ME DOWN RIGHT NOW!!!" Logan demanded of the ghost as she stopped flying and sat Indian style as they floated in the air. Christmas Present started grinning as she hovered in the altitudes above the city of Bayville.

"Do you really want to get down?" Christmas Present playfully asked Logan who growled his response.

"YES!!" Christmas Present then took a hold of her robe as she shrugged her shoulders and ripped the fabric out of Logan's hands as he started screaming as gravity took over.

"Alright, you wanted down." Christmas Present watched him fall and heard his screams as she turned into a streak of green that flew past Logan to form again just below him.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Ugh-" Logan suddenly stopped as Christmas Present grabbed him around the waist as she gently floated him down the remaining ten feet to the ground. Logan was panting hard with his eyes bulging out of his head in panic from the sudden free fall.

"Well, you were the one who wanted to get down." Christmas Present set Logan on the ground as he wobbled out of her arms.

"Not that way." Logan ground his teeth together in frustration and anger. He looked over preparing to yell when the sunrise stopped all speech that would have come from him.

"Is it sunrise already?" Logan asked as he saw the sun rise higher in the morning sky.

"No, it is just Christmas Day! It is my favorite day in all the year!!" Christmas Present jumped, hovering above the ground before landing, constantly smiling and giggling. Without realizing it, Logan started smiling and chuckling watching the antics of this very hyper and Kitty-like spirit.

"Where are we?" Logan looked around and saw a two story house that Logan recognized.

"This is the Brotherhood's house." Logan stated to the spirit.

"Yep, they may be bad boys but they know how to celebrate Christmas. Come on let's see what they're doing." Christmas Present took Logan's hand and they walked through the walls into the home of the Brotherhood.

Fred was humming "Deck the Halls" as he was adding decorations to a scraggly Christmas tree. Toad was hopping on the walls to string garlands and to add mistletoe above the foot of the stairs. Toad paused here and stared at the staircase as a silly grin floated on his face as he pictured finding Wanda under the mistletoe.

"Heads up," Quiksilver zoomed into the room as he threw Christmas wreaths up on the center of every wall, pausing only to gaze at his image in the hall mirror with a dazzling smile before he zoomed up the stairs. The pair watches Wanda in the kitchen stirring something on the stove wearing a Christmas apron over her red outfit. She brings the spoon to her nose as she smells the dish and smiles to know it is finally ready.

"Is the sauce ready for the Turkey?" Fred walked into the kitchen staring at the pot on the stove wishing he could fill his empty belly.

"Not yet, Fred, besides we have to wait for Magneto. You know he's bringing the food and some surprises." Wanda explained to the hungry teenager as he frowned, she just turned her back on him and continued with the sauce on the stove.

"Yo, why did Magneto bring the food this year, again?" Toad hopped into the kitchen and turned to watch Pietro zip in and fill the tree with Christmas gifts in the living room.

"Because last year, Fred ate all of the food before the party started." Wanda explained as she focused on the pot.

"Yeah it was a good thing dad brought that extra feast in his metal flier." Pietro zipped to Toad's side making him jump in surprise onto Fred's shoulder.

"That's right and this year Magneto said he's getting Pyro to cook the food. He's probably a better cook than I am anyway." Wanda remarked.

"That's not true, sweetums. You cook the best meals, yo." Toad hopped off Fred's shoulder to stand beside Wanda as she continued to ignore his stares.

"Thanks Toad. Now go make sure everything's ready for the party. They'll be here soon." Wanda instructed the froggy mutant as he hopped through the house checking all of the details.

"Magneto spends Christmas with the Brotherhood group?" Logan couldn't believe his eyes and ears.

"That's right, even your old enemy has a spot of Christmas cheer. Maybe you should take notes on how to be a good sport at Christmastime." Christmas Present laughed at Logan's growl. They both turned their heads as the doorbell rang signaling someone was here.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS, MATES!" Pyro burst into the room after Pietro opened the door followed by Magneto and Colossus who carried a large box. Magneto floated silver platters into the big house followed by a large metal table.

"I remembered to bring an extra table this year. There should be plenty of food for everyone. I have also brought Christmas gifts." Magneto cheerfully spoke as he stepped further into the house directing all of the objects into their respectful places in the kitchen and Colossus set down the big box in the living room while Toad helped him set all of the gifts around the tree. Magneto took off his brown hat after he placed his brown winter coat on the coat rack near the door (for once he wasn't wearing his uniform).

"I never knew Magneto cared." Logan exclaimed as he watched the small group gather as they sorted out the food, plates and gifts.

"Yea, he always sets aside Christmas Day to be with his family. This is the only day he will not fight. Maybe you could do the same?" Christmas Present became a little rigid as Logan quirked his eyebrow at her.

"You remember when you said Christmas is just another day, well it is a special day to these people and you should use them as an example." Christmas Present chided him on his disregard for this special day as he rolled his eyes.

"I don't see Avalanche, where did he go to?" Logan looked around just noticing the earth shaker wasn't anywhere near.

"Oh, he's coming. He just had to pick someone up to join the party." No sooner had Christmas Present said so, they watched Lance and a depressed Kitty walk into the warm house.

"Merry Christmas you two, I'm so glad you were able to join us Kathryn. Is something the matter?" Magneto saw Kitty's sad face and he grew concerned. Logan stared as well because he didn't know Kitty could be anything but the bubble of joy that she was at the mansion.

"Go ahead and tell them, Kitty." Lance encouraged his girlfriend as he took her winter coat and placed it on the coat rack. Kitty walked over to the couch and sat heavily down still looking down and not in the mood for the festive activities.

"It's Rogue." Logan perked his ears up as he walked over to stand by Kitty.

"What happened to Rogue?" Logan asked Kitty but she didn't respond.

"James, they can't hear or see you we are only ghosts to these people. So just like watch and listen to what your friend has to say." Christmas Present instructed Logan as he stayed quiet intent on listening to Kitty's every word.

"What's wrong with Rogue?" Magneto calmly asked the young girl as he sat beside her on the couch.

"She's leaving the institute." Kitty burst into tears as Logan's look of shock indicated he had no idea.

"Where did she go?" Logan demanded walking up to Kitty and walking through the couch.

"They can't hear you. So pipe down and they'll tell you." Christmas Present took his shoulder and walked them back to the front of the living room near the tree as they watched the crowd gather at the couch.

"Where did she go?" Pietro repeated Logan's question as he looked worried.

"Well, she's like not gone yet but she might as well be. It all started yesterday at breakfast. Rogue and Mr. Logan got into this big fight and she stormed off to her room and started packing her things." Kitty wiped her eyes as her tears stopped flowing.

"Where did she go? Maybe we can go talk to her." Wanda offered her help surprising Logan. He didn't realize how many people cared about Rogue besides him.

"Right now she's spending Christmas . . .." Christmas Present hit Logan on the head so he did not hear what Kitty explained.

"She said that if she and Mr. Logan got into another fight then she was going to leave the institute for good!" Kitty cried again at the thought of her friend/roommate/teammate leaving for good.

"Where would she go, if she did leave?" Pietro asked Kitty since he couldn't believe Rogue would really leave.

"Well she said she would stay in New York but if Mr. Logan like tried to bring her back to the Institute then she would leave the state and go live in Mississippi. She said that she'd consider moving in with her brother if she and Logan got into one more fight." Kitty finished her tale as the room grew quiet around her.

"Kathryne whatever you do you must make sure Rogue does not go to her brother. It would be disastrous." Magneto implored the girl as her tear filled eyes looked up into his old ones.

"Why is that father?" Pietro asked for the group.

"No one knows that Thomas is her brother and so they don't know that he's a mutant. If anyone found out then his political career would be over and he would not be able to block the mutant laws that have tried to go through. That's only the good news if they find out. I don't want to think about what else might happen if anyone found out what he really was." Magneto set a grim mood at this news as everyone's Christmas mood dimmed.

"Well there's no use in fretting about it today now is there, mates?" Pyro walked into the living room completely unperturbed by the bad news that Kitty brought.

"John, you must be more respectful. This is serious." Colossus' deep voice responded to his teammate.

"Well, we all know the Sheila will have a good Christmas today, right? We can worry about all that other stuff tomorrow. All we have to do is keep the Wolverine in a good mood, right?" Pyro's cheery mood began spreading to the group.

"That's right! Thanks Pyro." Kitty bounded off the couch phasing through her audience and giving Pyro a big hug. The room erupted in laughter at the reactions from Blob and Toad as she phased through them. All bad news was behind them as they started celebrating Christmas once again.

Logan watched the little group as he was amazed that they could overcome so many obstacles to turn this ordinary day into a day for celebration.

"Is this the Christmas joy that you were talking about, Spirit?" Logan asked the spirit standing next to him as she was smiling and swaying to the very off-key singing of Lance as he led the singing of Christmas Carols.

"Spirit?"

"What? Oh, James, why yes this is the Christmas joy that I wanted you to see. Now that's enough from this little group. It's time to show you another group. Come on, let's go." Christmas Present took hold of his arm as they flew up into the noon day sky of Christmas day as they continued over New York.

Logan looked down at the many frosted houses and imagined the other families celebrating Christmas similar to the Brotherhood and Acolytes. He continued looking down as they flew over snow covered highways and fields continuing into another city. Christmas Present finally stopped to land at a set of apartment complexes near a lake and park. She let him stand in the parking lot as she looked up to the apartments. Logan looked around and saw a snowmobile that looked like one in the shed at the mansion. He looked at the snowmobile several times and convinced himself that it didn't belong to the institute.

'What would a snowmobile from the institute be doing way out here anyway?' Logan thought to himself as Christmas Present located the apartment she was searching for. She grabbed Logan and flew him up to the second floor and through the closed apartment door. Logan looked around the apartment and saw it was pretty nice and big with three or four rooms spread out toward the back, a kitchen to the left with a dining room table set for two with a Christmas dinner set out and cooling on the counter. Logan looked across from the dining table to the couch and his jaw hit the floor. There on the couch was Rogue and Gambit. She was lying beside Gambit as they were talking and enjoying each others company.

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" Logan stormed up to the pair on the couch as they didn't hear or see him.

"How many times must I like tell you? They can't see you or hear you." Christmas Present cheerfully reminded him.

"Aren't they just the cutest couple, Gambit always knew how to treat Rogue right." Christmas Present sighed as they observed the pair on the couch.

Rogue was lying down on the couch inside Gambit's arms with her back to his chest as he held her close with his chin resting on top of her head. The two were talking in quiet tones as Logan started yelling and threatening Rogue with a sound grounding and danger room sessions, enough danger room sessions to exhaust Laura.

"I can't believe she came all the way here on a snowmobile. HOW DID SHE GET OUT WITHOUT ME FINDING OUT?" Logan stormed as Christmas Present looked up at the ceiling with an impish grin which caught Logan's eye.

"Wait a minute when you me in the head back at the Brotherhood house. You did that so I wouldn't hear how Kitty helped Rogue escape!"

"Well, it looks like you caught me. But like why do they bother you so much? She is happy with him, why can't you see how happy they make each other." Christmas Present asked Logan as he growled and stomped over to the couch. As he neared the couch he was able to hear their conversation more clearly.

"Thanks Remy for letting me stay the night." Rogue thanked her boyfriend as Logan started twitching. He had no idea that she spent the night last night.

"Dat's no problem, Cherie. Ya know I'm always here when ya need me." Gambit replied as he stroked the back of her bare hand with his gloved one.

"Yeah, Ah know. Why does he have ta be so difficult?" Rouge started to complain.

"Who is dat, Cherie?" Gambit asked her as his hand became intertwined with hers.

"Do Ah have ta say it?"

"Yes, 'cause I can' read yer mind." Gambit playfully responded as she smiled a sad smile.

"It's Logan. We couldn't even get through one meal. Why is he makin' this so hard?"

"He's just watchin' out for ya, Cherie. I can' really blame him. He cares for ya, just like I do." Gambit's response surprised both Rogue and Logan.

"He agrees with how I treat him?" Logan asked the spirit who indicated for him to continue listening.

"How can ya agree with him?" Rogue asked as she turned around in his arms to face him.

"Well, he wants what's best for ya. He just don't know dat I am what's best for ya." Gambit cheekily responded.

"Swamp Rat, you and that ego of yours. Ah thought ya threw that out the window when we started datin'." Rogue laughed in his arms as he smiled enjoying her good mood.

"Cherie, you can' throw an ego out the window since it don' fly." Rogue laughed loud and hard at his joke.

"Besides, I would probably do de same t'ings he's doin' t' protect ya." Gambit admitted to the love in his arms and the pair of invisible onlookers.

"Well, I guess he isn't so bad. WHAT IN BLAZES IS THAT??" Logan's sudden outburst brought Christmas Present back into the present as she looked to where his finger pointed to Rogue's hand.

"That's an interesting phrase for you, James. Let's see what has got you so worked up? I only see a ring on her left hand . . . it is small . . . with diamonds and an emerald!" Christmas Present squealed loud and high as she realized what the object is.

"It's an engagement ring! They are going to get married!" Christmas Present jumped up and down in sheer joy and hearing wedding bells play in her head so she didn't notice Logan stomping up to the couch.

"YOU ARE NOT MARRYING HER!!!!!" Logan screamed at Gambit who still held Rogue in his arms.

"Remy, Ah do love ya but Ah know what Logan would say." Rogue began as her mood suddenly went down and Logan stood at the foot of the couch grumbling.

"He would say:"

"You two will get married over my cold dead body.(!)" Logan blinked a couple times as he and Rogue said the same sentence at the same time.

"And ya know that's not likely ta happen in our lifetime." Rogue sadly stated as she hugged him around the neck making sure her bare hands didn't touch his skin.

"Well, she really does know me." Logan mumbled as he watched Rogue continue into her bad mood.

"Cherie, I'm sure he will accept it in time."

"No, Swamp Rat, he won't. Ah know him too well. The minute he hears the news we are gonna get into another big fight and Ah don't know if Ah can take anymore." Rogue buried her head into Gambit's chest.

"Ah can't take the constant arguing anymore, Remy. Ah can't. Ah hate what he's doing ta me: Logan's forcing me ta chose between you and him. And it's not fair." Rogue sobbed into his chest.

"Dere, dere Cherie, it'll be alright, you'll see. Ya know yer more dan welcome t' come stay wit' me and I'll gladly take ya ta school and back." Gambit's generous offer caused Logan's face to turn many shades of red as his rage started to grow.

"It won't matter, Remy. Don't ya see he'll come ta get me and drag me back ta the mansion. Ah won't have a choice but ta stay at the institute if Ah plan on staying in the state." Rogue's words caused both men to pause.

"What are ya saying, Cherie? Would ya leave the state?" Gambit asked as he turned her chin up so he could look her in the eyes.

"Yea, Ah would leave. Ah can go live with Thomas, he won't turn me away and he won't force me ta chose between two people that Ah love." Rogue finished as Logan's anger deflated and he stepped back as he realized he could really lose her.

"Cherie, if ya leave New York den Ah plan on following you. Ah won't go anywhere wit'out you." His loving statement brought new tears to Rogue's eyes.

"Thanks, Swamp Rat. But it won't change anything. As long as Ah love ya then Logan won't stop until he hunts you down and gets rid of ya." Rogue's tears started to spill from her eyes at how torn she was over this situation. Logan started to feel like a heel and a horrible person at what he was doing to Rogue.

"Cherie, let's not talk 'bout dat anymore. Its Christmas, today is a day t' celebrate. Let's save de fights for tomorrow." Gambit suggested as Rogue smiled and her tears dried up as she hugged him and he welcomed her in his embrace.

"Oh, that is like so sweet." Christmas Present walked up to the couch as she stared down at the pair, then glancing over to Logan she was shocked to see he was angrier than ever.

"This is all that Cajun's fault! If it wasn't for him, then Rogue wouldn't be thinking of leaving." Logan looked over to Christmas Present and paused in the middle of his ranting.

"Spirit, does Rogue really leave?" Logan sadly asked the Spirit as she closed her eyes and put her hand to her head in concentration.

"The future is not my domain but I will try . . . . I see an empty chair at the mansion with an empty pair of gloves with no owner." Christmas Present looked down as she turned her back to Logan facing the door. Logan looked at her back as he started to see her fade.

"My time is done on this day. . . James Howlett, Logan the Wolverine. You have one more spirit that awaits you. He is the most fearsome of us all. Listen to him and heed his words. If these shadows in the present do not change then your future will be bleak." Christmas Present warned Logan one more time as her green cloak flew up and covering him as he was transported back to his bed. Logan fell out of his bed engulfed by his covers as he landed back inside the mansion. He looked up and saw no sign of the Ghost of Christmas Present in his dark room.

"Well, I should just face the facts. I am trapped in some twisted version of A Christmas Carol. I might as well stay up since there is one more ghost." Logan untangled himself from the covers as he stood and stretched his arms and legs.

"I'm glad there's only one more spirit left. If all the stories are true, then this one is going to be silent, thankfully. All I have to do is get through this night and I can wake up and drag Rogue back here from Gumbo's apartment now that I finally know where it is." Logan walked over to the door as he headed to the kitchen with a twisted grin on his face.

………………………

The Ghost of Christmas Present joined her companions as they looked through the Christmas wreath as Logan walks into the kitchen to get something cold to drink.

"He didn't listen to me. He is impossible!" Christmas Present cried out in frustration.

"Calm down, Christmas Present, all is not lost he still has one more visitor this night." Christmas Past and Christmas Present looked over to the final ghost as the black cloak stared at the wreath and switching back to the view of Gambit and Rogue in the apartment.

"Have you chosen your form?" Christmas Past asked the cloak as it seemed to consider the forms it could take.

"It must be a form that he fears." The black cloak spoke in a ghostly voice.

"Well, good luck finding someone who fits that description. He's not afraid of anything. He has got to be the worst person we have ever tried to change!" Christmas Present stomped in a circle as her energy was transferred from joy to frustration.

"Easy, Christmas Present. I'm sure YTC can reach him, he's never failed before. And we won't fail now." Christmas Past encouraged Christmas Present as she started to calm down.

"But, that's just it. We've never had someone like this before, it seems hopeless." Christmas Present leaned on Christmas Past as they both looked at the black cloak.

"All is not lost. I have found a form that he fears more than any other. He will listen and he will change." A dark cloud started snaking around the black cloak as the spirit morphed. When the dark cloud lifted, the two spirits could see the cloak had taken on the form of Remy LeBleu. The spirit stood in a long black hooded cloak that he lifted from his head so the two spirits could see the face and distinct red on black eyes of Gambit looking back.

"Dis is gonna be interestin'." The spirit looked at the Christmas wreath as the time neared his appearance.

"Well, you know YTC. You look really good in that form. Do you think that maybe you could stay this way for a little bit?" Christmas Present asked as she walked over to him and looking up to him as he stood taller than the real Gambit.

"Dese forms are only temporary, petit. Ya know dat." All three spirits then turned to look at the wreath and the lone mutant who waited in the kitchen as he drank a root beer all alone at 2:55 in the morning of Christmas Eve.

A/N: Well, what do you think? I am really enjoying writing this story and I was happy I could write one happy chapter before it gets dark again. The last Ghost has always been the darkest. But if anyone wants to know why I chose these forms for the three ghosts then all of that is explained in the next chapter. Please review.