I hope you will enjoy this next chapter!

Mystique watched the evacuating people and the burning jungle with a cold, uncaring expression before she turned to Magneto and asked curiously "And what was the point of that? They got away…" She knew that Magneto's plans were often very complex; however she saw little point in letting their prize go so easily.

Eric chuckled and shook his head as he turned to her "My dear that was the point exactly. In the panic our target was separated from his people and the X-Men were kind enough to take him away for us. I'm afraid that will have a terrible impression on him. Taken away from his people by the people he was beginning to trust…yes this is exactly what I had in mind."

Mystique smirked in understanding and turned her attention to the burning Jungle "They'll be helpless without their Shaman…Perhaps I could play with them?" She asked as she took on Bellion's appearance.

Eric smiled in amusement but waved his hand "No my dear now is not the time. Let them wander on their own, we will be back to finish with them once we have or target." With that he motioned for the plane to take off and they left the burning jungle in their wake.

XXX

Scott and his team sat before the Professor, and while there was much to say there was only a strained silence in the room as the Professor looked over his assembled team. "Scott…I do not think that it is necessary for me to tell you how disappointed I am."

Scott couldn't hide the flinch from the Professors words; his only relief was that Logan had nothing to add to his current shame. He was proud that the entire team, Logan was counted by his stoic silence, had insisted Scott had been working under extreme circumstances and the language barrier had prevented any clear understanding. Of course, in the light of the new day those facts seemed to count for very little.

"You were only supposed to go there, discover the cause of the power spikes, talk to him if you could." Xavier shook his head as he looked down at his folded hands "It was not an action mission Scott… Now Bellion is taken away from the world he once, and I won't be surprised if he thinks he was taken by force."

Once again Scott wanted to hang his head at the Professors quiet lecture. He managed to keep his head up though. He was no longer a student being talked to about his test scores. He was a team leader and had to accept the consequences of the actions he took during that role. He nodded sharply "Bellion can understand us from what we've seen…When he wakes I will be sure to explain the situation to him and offer to take him back."

Professor Xavier's mouth settled into a rare line as he shook his head "I'm afraid that is no longer possible Scott. We might have disturbed their society beyond repair. Magneto now knows the location and has shown he is willing to use force. It is not safe for Bellion to return, his people will also be safer if he is not there to make them a target."

Scott tensed, he had not fully comprehended his actions before, and the realization weighed like a stone in his stomach. He had thought their relationship would be damaged beyond repair. Instead the trust they had earned was broken and Bellion could not go back to his home and people for an indefinite amount of time. The professor's words echoed in his mind and he wondered to himself 'What have I done?"

XXX

Bellion let out a small sound of discomfort as he woke and slowly opened his eyes. His mind was still settled in sleep and he thought his memories to be a dream or vision. However as he sat up and clearly looked at the room around him the stillness of his soul told him he was no longer home.

He climbed out of the giant pad he had been laid in and found the squareness of the room too disturbing to remain inside. His eyes widened as he wondered how he would get out and shivered at how unnatural the room was. Suddenly a voice came into his mind 'Try the door.' He looked towards a rectangle with a gold stone on it and a few tried later he opened it to find himself inside another rectangle. "Where am I?" he asked helplessly as he felt his heart begin to race in panic.

XXX

Scott knew from experience that the Professor was delving into someone's mind. His suspicions were confirmed when the Professor moved from behind the desk and said "Our guest is awake and I had not taken into account how disturbed he would be by his surroundings. I think it might be best if we sought him out."

They found Bellion wandering down the hallway; it was the first time Scott had ever seen such emotion on his face. Usually Bellion's expression showed inner peace, a gentle smile or simply a light in his eyes as he watched the world around him. Now his dark skin seemed paler than Scott was used to seeing and his lips were pressed together in fear as his dark eyes seemed to be searching for something.

Xavier saw his guest's distress and rolled forward, startling Bellion, but he quickly held up his hands to show he meant no harm. 'I didn't mean to frighten you…I merely wanted to offer making this as easy for you as possible."

Bellion took a step back, he wanted to calm his turmoil and open himself to answers that the Universe could give him. However in the current state he was in there was no way his inner mind was calm enough to allow him to become enlightened which only caused is unease to grow.

It was as he looked into the Professor's eyes that he felt a wash of knowledge come over him. He opened his mouth with hesitation, but fear propelled him forward "Where am I?" He asked.

The gathered group in the hallway looked at Bellion with startled surprise. During their stay he had learned a few words, mainly greetings, in their language. However this jump in understanding could only be attributed to his powers.

XXX

Bellion felt much calmer after Ororo has been kind enough to take him for a walk around the school grounds. Bellion stood and watched as the sun set, marveling at being able to see so much sky and then had headed in to have the long awaited conversation with the X-Men.

They all sat down at a table, Ororo had wanted to prepare food for them but Professor Xavier had insisted they should eat in peace first and then have the talk. After the plates were cleared away Xavier folded his hands thoughtfully as he looked at Bellion.

He took a breath and began to explain in the only way he knew how…At the beginning "In every organism on Earth there exists a mutating gene - the X-factor, as it has come to be known. It is the basic building block of evolution the reason we have evolved from homo habilus..."

XXX

Bellion had taken the time during the Professors talk to regain his inner calm. Now the only sign of his distress was the fact his lips were still pressed into a line, though not as harshly as before. "So you say…My gifts are not because I am a Shaman but because of a…birth condition?" He shook his head "I cannot believe this, my tribe has been led by Shaman's since the beginning of creation, I cannot believe it is merely a… coincidence."

He stood from the table and turned to Scott with a bow of his head "I understand that you meant me no harm when you took me. You thought I had consented and given the situation wanted to give me aide." He paused and then continued "However I cannot stay…I must return to my people immediately."

Bellion looked calmly out at the group, ready to begin the discussion on how soon he could return. He became uneasy once again when the silence continued to stretch out.

Logan rolled his eyes and it was only because of the Professor's beliefs on indoor smoking that he was able to resist lighting a cigar. It seemed that once again he would have to be the bad guy on the team and said bluntly "You can't go back…not now and probably not ever now that Magneto is after ya."

Bellion blinked at Logan for a moment "I understand the danger this Magneto poses, however that does not change the fact that my people need me. I must return."

Logan growled, though he was quietly impressed that such a calm guy was not easily intimidated. "Look…it's you he'll be after, he'll kill everyone in the village to get to you. I doubt they'd thank you for comin' back then."

Xavier realized that this line of conversation wouldn't benefit anyone. "Bellion" He said gently to gain the Shaman's attention. "While Logan said it rather harshly" He gave a look to Logan at this "I must insist that this is the safest place for you right now. Perhaps if we can find out more about your abilities we would be better able to find the reason why Magneto is after you."

Bellion was quiet for a moment and carefully looked at each member of the team and then straightened. "Thank you for your advice and kindness Professor. However, as I said before, I refuse to believe that a vital tradition of my people is nothing more than a …genetic condition. My abilities are nothing more than being open to the Universe and receiving the wisdom that is granted. I am able to speak for every member of my tribe when I say that we would rather face a battle together, than survive apart." There was a stubborn tilt to his chin as he said "We can discuss this further tomorrow if you like Professor, but I will continue to insist on being returned.

The X Men decided that Bellion was right in calling it a night. As Logan had already demonstrated for them it was too late for logical discussion to take place. A few words were exchanged quietly between members. Soon the room was empty as everyone returned to their rooms to rest.

XXX

Bellion waited until he could feel the stillness of the giant home before opening his window and using a nearby tree to escape his uncomfortable confines. He closed his eyes and took a cleansing breath before looking up at the bright full moon. He felt a wave of peace come over him and knew now would be a good time to meditate. It was true he preferred water, but he could feel the hum of energy coursing through the tree, and by connection him. He leaned back into the tree and felt his mind open as he became one with the Universe.

Sadly this time the Universe had no enchanting stories to share with him or answers to the mysteries of life. Instead he was filled with images of burning forest and the screams and cries of fear that came from his people as they tried to run. He saw the Chief looking with grim sorrow over their burnt home as he shook his head and motioned for the tribe to gather around him.

The elders had large tracks of tears pouring down their faces and children clutched at their mothers as the Chief said they had no choice but to move from their ancient home and find a new place to stay. If Bellion had been there he would have divined which direction they should head. Instead the tribe was left to wander the dense and dangerous jungle blindly. They only had a vain hope they would find somewhere safe to live.

When Bellion came out of his meditation just as the dawn was breaking he was not surprised to find tears in his eyes.

Thank you! More to come!