They clutched their heads in pain, the sudden terrible pain in their heads, had knocked them all off their feet. Mara sought out Peter's eyes, he looked at her just as afraid as she felt. This couldn't be happening, The Professor, Storm, Logan, Jean, and Scott wouldn't let them die.
"Try using your powers, the metal might help." She cried out, Peter shifted trying to turn his skin to metal. He held it for a moment before dropping back to the ground, his expression apologetic.
"It will be alright, the professor will save us." Kitty's voice cut through the cries and whimpers of pain. Mara flinched at Kitty's accusing glare, Kitty's faith made her feel guilty. Just as suddenly as it had begun, it stopped. She helped the others off the ground, once they were settled comfortably on the couches in the living room, she walked back into the kitchen. She heard them speaking quietly among themselves, hoping that one of the teachers would come for them soon. Her eyes searching out Peter, she found him hunched over the countertop.
"They all want to have some dessert, you alright Peter?" She softly touched his arm, he looked at her sadly, shaking his head. He looked so much older than he was, she knew the last few days had aged them all in ways they never expected.
"What if they don't come back? What will we do then?" He seemed to feel guilty for even asking, she couldn't blame him, The Professor and the school had saved them both. She settled into the stool next to him quietly. He looked over at her, his confusion written clearly on his face.
"Exactly what we did before, move back to the mansion and continue the training and running the school. Moria will help us, she promised the Professor. Besides, they will come back. I know they will." He looked unconvinced and she hoped she was right. Closing her eyes she prayed that they would all make it home safely.
She felt something off as she followed Magento and Mystic through the tunnels, 'Scott!' quickly pushing the other two forward. She turned to face him, the love of her life, to stop him from hurting anyone else.
"Go! Find the Professor!" She saw them disappear around the corner and Scott appeared. His hands on his visor widening the size of his beam, she heard rather than saw Mystic pause. Magento's reply, swift and sharp, caught her ears.
"Come on my dear, this is one lover's quarrel we can't interfere with." They continued down the hall towards Cerebro. She hoped they would reach him in time,
"Scott, it's me Jean." She attempted to calm him without her powers, trying to hold off on invading his mind, afraid of what she might find there. Afraid she wouldn't be able to save him.
"Grrr." Was his only response suddenly he was firing at her, she blocked the beams quickly. Looking around and finding herself backed into a corner, she tried again.
"Scott, its me. I love you, please Scott!" He paused for a moment, she used the moment to get into his mind. It was as bad as she had expected, his mind once a beautiful and peaceful place was now thrown into chaos.
'Jean?' His mental self was confused,
'I'm here Scott, just relax.'
'I almost killed you.' He sounded so defeated, her heart clenched in her chest.
'Shhh...it's alright.'
'What is that?' He asked slowly,
'Stryker's mind control.'
"There all better now." She smiled satisfied and Scott hugged her tightly.
"They have the Professor. And Cerebro." The moment those words left her lips she felt the power. "Oh God! Scott!" The pain started in their heads, they dropped to the ground, the intense agony driving all other thoughts out of their minds. She felt her connection to the Professor waver and closed her eyes, willing herself to tighten the bond. She imagined herself tightening the bond, it glowed golden and was suddenly solid. She felt Magento enter the room and felt it as he changed the targets,
"Oh God No!" She let out a horrified scream and felt the tears well in her eyes. He was targeting the humans now, they wouldn't have any hope of surviving. Scott's steady arm on her shoulder, brought her back to the present.
"He's with Xavier, we have to hurry." She held onto his arm and was thankful for his silent support. His strength was amazing, she really did love this man.
She felt Jean's presence in her mind, just before she heard her voice.
'Ororo, do you have the children?'
'Yes, all accounted for. Except John left before we got here. Where are you?'
'Magento changed the targets, he's started the war on humanity.'
'Logan and I will be right there. Marie and Bobby have things under control.'
'No, we can handle it.'
'No arguments Jean, we'll be there.'
She turned around and nodded at Logan, they exchanged silent words and he followed her back outside. They walked into the empty compound and followed the trail left by Jean to the room. Scott and Jean waited outside the door for them,
"Let's open it up, I'll slice and you blast Cyke." Logan's command was met with no resistance,
"Storm, be ready to make it very cold, there is someone else in there with him. But I can't get a lock on who it is." Jean's nerves were obvious in her voice and the way she stood.
"I've got your back 'Ro." Logan's voice and his touch reassured her that he meant exactly what he said. She felt Scott's gaze on them and nodded.
"Hurry, something is coming." She felt the panic from earlier return, it settled in her stomach like rocks. Logan and Scott began their work on the door and soon it was gone. She closed her eyes and summoned the cold, feeling it respond to her commands. Logan growled and shifted behind her.
"I smell 'im." She opened her eyes and saw the mutant in front of them.
"Stryker's son." Jean said softly, she knew this boy, they both did. But he hadn't been in a wheelchair then, what had Stryker done to him?
"Jason." She started, hoping to reach him and convince him to stop.
"Ms. Monroe, what a pleasure." Jason's voice came from Xavier's mouth. The voice was cold and detached, the undercurrent was sinister and she could feel Logan tense behind her.
"Stop this, now! Release the Professor." She commanded, the wind picked up around her. "Don't make me hurt you Jason."
"You wouldn't dare, it's against everything you and that waste of a school stand for." Jason's cold and disgusted tone made Scott and Jean flinch.
"I will do whatever I must, no matter how difficult." She watched Jean slowly connect to Jason's mind, she felt the backlash as Jason and Jean battled mentally for the Professor. Jean's body suddenly glowed, encasing her in a circle of fire. Jason's mouth went slack and the Professor woke suddenly. Scott was at Xavier's side, watching in confusion as Jean continued to be surrounded by flames. A scream cut through the room and she watched horrified, Logan's arms holding her in place.
"NO!" The Professor's voice shattered the serene peace on Jean's face, a smirk formed on her lips as she locked eyes with The Professor's.
"Do not worry Charles, I only wished to aid the young Ms. Grey. I will take nothing in return this time. But she will have need of me one day, then I will need her help in return." With those haunting words, Jean collapsed to the ground. She felt for a pulse and sighed in relief, Jean was still alive.
"We need to leave, now." The words were followed by a loud crashing sound and the lights flickering. Scott picked up Jean and carried her out, the Professor followed them. Logan and her made up the rear, watching and listening for any further signs of trouble. They made it back out to the jet without further incident, and there was a sigh of collective relief that everyone was alright. She saw that Jean was settled on the medical table and the children secured. The Professor and Logan were in a deep conversation as she made her way to the pilot's chair. Scott sat in the back and held his place at Jean's side.
"We will have much to discuss, once we arrive back home." Xavier smiled knowingly at her as she settled into the chair. Logan strapped in next to her,
"I'll be your co pilot 'Ro." His voice was relieved, she smile softly.
"I think I might like that very much Logan." She fought back the terror she felt when Jean had been consumed by whatever otherworldly power had helped them. "First Things, First" she reminded herself, they needed to gather the children together, get their family back. With Logan at her side, she felt that this wouldn't be as hard this time around.
A/N Sorry, sorry, sorry that this chapter is so late. No internet at home, please let me know what you think. So I decided to let her live for now, I'll be doing some research on her and trying to find a version I actually like.