Disclaimer: I'm sure everyone knows I don't own this stuff.
Chapter 37-Open Season
"I want you to promise me, Mr. Stryker, that all you're planning on doing is going into that mansion and detaining the mutants for questioning. If one of those kids so much as gets a paper cut from you I'll shut your entire division down. We don't need the media crawling all over this if something goes wrong, you got me?" The President rubbed his forehead wearily as he awaited the answer on the other line.
"I promise, Mr. President, that we will be the sole of discretion in this matter," replied William Stryker brightly.
"Let's hope so. Alright then, I'm giving you and your men the green light."
"Thank-you, Mr. President. I promise you won't be disappointed." With that the line was cut off, leaving President McKenna to reluctantly place his end in its cradle. With a deep breath the President of the United States stood up and turned to look out his window. Even in the night sky he could sense a storm brewing.
Boarding House:
"I hope y' boys are packed!" called out Remy from the bottom of the stairs. "'Cause I have no pro'lem leavin' wit' out ya."
"Fuck off," muttered Lance as he made his way down the stairs. Right behind him was Tabitha. The blonde girl was now wearing some borrowed clothing from Wanda.
"What are y' doin' here?" asked Remy suspiciously.
"Didn't you hear what Rogue said earlier, Red-Eyes? The government is thinking of striking the X-Men—there's no way in hell I'm gonna die with a bunch of geeks. 'Sides, sooner or later someone's gonna realize I was the one who tried to blow up Amara today. I don't think the Professor is going to be welcoming me back with open arms anytime soon," replied Tabitha glibly.
"And we aren't gonna just leave her here for the authorities," added Wanda as she entered the living room with both Fred and Toad on her heels. "Kelly's gonna send people after us pretty damn quick here, we better get a move on if we wanna be gone by the time the cavalry arrives."
"Let's get a move on then," growled Sabertooth flinging the front door open.
"So, uh, where are we going?" questioned Pietro zipping into the room. "Somewhere warm I hope."
Sabertooth grunted. "One of the older hideouts Magneto had set up a few years ago. It'll be safe enough for now—at least until the boss is out and handing out orders again."
"It's not the sewers again, is it?" groaned Toad. "Man, I hated that place the last time I had to hole up there."
"Stop your cryin'—and let's go!"
The teens grumbled but filed out the front door for the last time. Lance, Tabitha, Fred and Toad piled into Lance's jeep, while Sabertooth, Remy, Wanda, and Pietro got into the SUV. Minutes later they were speeding down the highway leading out of Bayville for good.
Mansion:
Rogue collapsed onto her bed with in relief. Her body was exhausted from the lack of sleep she had gotten the night before and from the events of the day. Now she was in her pajamas and ready for bed. Tomorrow would be a long day—Principal Kelly had blamed the X-Men for destroying public school property, and was preparing for a protest rally outside the mansion first thing in the morning.
"This totally sucks," muttered Kitty as she entered the room.
"What does?" asked Rogue getting up to pull back her covers.
"Mr. Logan is sending everyone to bed early tonight—I don't see why we have to. It's not like we have school to worry about tomorrow," grumbled Kitty searching her dresser drawers for her pajamas.
Rogue sighed. "No, but if Kelly really does stage his rally tomorrow we're gonna hafta keep an eye ohn him. That, ahn there's still that Stryker guy ta worry 'bout. Ahn then there's Kurt. Ah for one don't mind goin' ta bed early tonight."
"I guess." Kitty made a face and disappeared into the bathroom. Rogue closed her eyes and took a deep breath to keep calm. Kitty was worried about Kurt—that was the only reason the petite brunette was being so surly. With a shake of her head Rogue crawled into her bed and pulled the covers around her up to her chin. She needed as much sleep as possible if she was going to fix things tomorrow.
Boston Church:
Jean crinkled her nose as she and Ororo stepped through the front doors of the church. Inside smelt of paint and cigarettes. Kurt had picked one heck of a hiding place.
"Sense him yet?" asked Ororo quietly. Jean opened her mind just a little and smirked in triumph. The red head pointed a single finger upwards.
"Kurt? Are you up there? It's me, Jean!" called out Jean cautiously. Her voice echoed in the rafters of the church.
"Go away!" shouted Kurt, his German accent thick with anger.
"Kurt, we've come to help you," said Ororo calmly.
"No one can help me now! I have committed a sin! God has tested my will and I failed!"
Jean sighed. "Everyone's worried about you, Kurt, even Rogue. She was ready to tear the mansion apart when she couldn't find you this morning. Logan's been keeping an eye on her in case she decides to sneak out and find you herself."
There was a bout of silence, and then Kurt spoke in a quieter voice. "There is nothing anyone can do for me now. Just leave me alone…but…could you tell Rogue I'm alright?"
Ororo and Jean exchanged glances. The white haired woman raised her eyebrows in question as Jean rolled her eyes. Ororo's eyes filmed over as a burst of wind swept into the church and up in to the rafters. Lightning flashed, hitting the beam that Kurt was sitting on. Together, Kurt and the beam fell through the air and straight towards the ground. Kurt's eyes were squeezed shut as when he felt his body stop short from hitting the cement floor. Opening one eye he saw that he was eye level with Jean who was smirking at him.
"Why don't you tell Rogue yourself, huh, Kurt? I don't want to be the one to explain why you aren't with us when we return," stated the red head in amusement.
"But I…I almost did a horrible thing today," murmured Kurt shamefully.
Ororo placed a gentle hand on Kurt's shoulder as Jean lowered him to the ground. "Kurt, you weren't in control. Someone else was controlling you—someone by the name of William Stryker. We know that you would never try to kill anyone."
"But what are we going to do now?" whispered Kurt wiping away tears from his eyes. "I don't think the President is ever going to look at mutants the same way again."
"We'll think of something," remarked Ororo softly. "We won't give up so easily. You should no that better than most."
"I know, but I can't help being scared. You don't understand what it was like. I could see the men I attacked; I could sense their fear, and their hatred. I looked into the eyes of the President and I wanted to tell him that I didn't want to hurt him, but no words would come out. All I could do was pray for God to help me—and that's when I was shot." Kurt rolled up the sleeve of his arm to show the wound he had received.
"How were you taken without anyone noticing?" questioned Jean.
Kurt shrugged. "I don't really remember. One minute I'm sitting by the pool and the next thing I know I'm in the White House. I don't remember what happened in between."
Ororo shook her head. "It doesn't make sense. How in the world was this Stryker able to control Kurt?"
"I don't know," murmured Jean, "but I'm really hoping the Professor will have some answers. If humans can learn to control mutants then we're in more danger than we originally thought. The Mutant Registration Act would be a welcome relief to mutants living in fear of losing total control of their minds."
"We better get back to the mansion then," agreed Ororo, "before something else happens."
Mansion:
Logan rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he walked down the hallway. He couldn't sleep—his mind kept returning to the nightmares of old. The ones of being tested on in a lab. It seemed that the name Stryker was more familiar than he had originally thought. With a grunt Logan made his way into the kitchen where Bobby was eating a pint of ice cream from the carton.
"I take it you can't sleep either?" asked the older mutant gruffly.
Bobby shrugged. "I don't think very many us can sleep tonight. We're too worried about what's gonna happen tomorrow."
"I wouldn't worry about Kelly if I was you. He ain't the real problem."
"That's what Rogue's been saying. She's really freaking out over this whole thing," said Bobby quietly.
"No one knows what Stryker wants with mutants—Rogue's just afraid of ending up being a lab rat. She has every right to fear that…she's too dangerous for humans to try and control her. And she knows it."
"I was talking about Kurt. She's worried about him. I think she's finally realizing that she has a little brother to try and take care of," replied Bobby. "I figure Rogue can do more than hold her own against the enemy. She's proven that to us a couple different times now."
"No shit." Logan lapsed into silence as he studied the teen in front of him. "What do you think you're parents are going to say when they find out about this?"
"They're gonna flip. I've been trying to find a way to tell them I'm a mutant. I was going to tell them during Christmas—but I chickened out. They have views on mutants…I'm afraid of how they'll react."
"Didn't they see Jamie when they picked you up last time?"
"They thought Jamie's folks had been one of those couples to have a bunch babies in vitro," muttered Bobby stabbing his spoon into his ice cream.
"Right. You'd think they'd have noticed by now that this isn't exactly a school," stated Logan. "We don't have any teachers here."
"I've played up the mansion as a prep school—my parents only know what I've been telling them for the past couple of years."
Logan shook his head and looked ready to speak again when his ears perked up. In the distance he could hear booted footsteps making their way through the foyer of the mansion. Bobby glanced up as well, but his attention was directed towards the kitchen windows. Outside he could hear helicopters headed towards the mansion.
Bobby barely noticed Logan slip out of the kitchen. Instead the blonde teen made his way over to the windows and peered out into the black night. The choppers were getting closer. A sudden sound made Bobby turn around in fear. There, standing in the doorway, was a man dressed all black fatigues pointing a gun at him.
Before the man could shoot however, Logan reappeared shooting both sets of claws into the man's back and out through his chest. Bobby ducked to the ground as the man screamed in pain and pulled the trigger on his weapon. Glass shattered into a million pieces as Bobby tried to drown out the sound of the bullets pounding through the kitchen walls. Then, all was quiet. Bobby peeked his head over the counter and breathed in relief as the man fell to the ground in a dead heap.
"You okay?" demanded Logan.
"Yeah," murmured Bobby in shock.
"We gotta get the others out of here." With those words Logan strode out of the kitchen with Bobby hot on his heels.
Upstairs Rogue sat straight up in bed at the sound of a gun being fired continuously. Her heart was beating rapidly as she threw off the covers. Glancing over at the bed she could see that Kitty was already missing. Rogue pulled open her bedroom door to see the rest of the kids in the mansion spilling out of their bedrooms in fear.
Dr. McCoy appeared with Warren by his side. "We have to get out of here!" said the doctor trying to remain calm. "We are under attack—but we must get downstairs to the secret tunnels!"
The kids didn't need to be told twice. They began to run down the hallway and towards the stairway. Rogue stood her ground shaking her head in fear. She couldn't believe it was happening.
"We gotta go, Shelia!" called out St. John pushing her forward down the hall. This snapped Rogue out of her reverie and the two teens ran to catch up with the rest of the housemates. As St. John and Rogue reached the stairway they caught sight of Kitty struggling to pick up an unconscious Jamie from the ground. Warren was right beside her.
"Get him to safety and I'll try and divert the men who shot at him," ordered Warren.
"What happened?" demanded Rogue rushing to Kitty's side.
Kitty was in tears. "I don't know. We were running and the next thing I know he was on the ground! They're shooting darts at us!"
"Get out of here!" Warren's words were shouted loudly as he extended his wings. With a giant leap over the banister he was flying down to the bottom floor. Gunshots rang out, causing Rogue, St. John, and Kitty to crouch low to the ground.
"We'll have to go down the backstairs," said St. John. Kitty nodded and scooped Jamie into her arms. Rogue got to her feet as well and the group jogged further down the hallway. Halfway down it they met up with Bobby who skidded to a halt.
"Thank-god I found you guys—it's a madhouse down below. Jubilee and Sam have been shot—and I think they got Rahne too. Piotr is walking around in his metal form—the darts and bullets are bouncing right off him. We have to get to the tunnels now! The Morlocks are in there with Evan—they're offering us refuge in the sewers!" gasped Bobby breathlessly.
"Then we better get down there before they leave us," agreed Rogue. Just as the teens were about to start running again two men burst through the window at the end of the hall. Kitty screamed and fell to the ground as a dart hit her in the neck.
"Kitty!" shrieked Rogue, her eyes widening. She reached down towards Kitty and Jamie, but Bobby tackled her to the ground as more darts flew through the air.
"There's nothing we can do—we have to get outta here!" he yelled at her. Rogue felt the familiar tug of her powers as Bobby grabbed her bare arm and pulled her to her feet while St. John flipped open his lighter and sent a ball of fire towards the armed men.
"We cahn't just leave 'em here!" protested Rogue as Bobby pushed her in the opposite direction of Kitty and Jamie.
"Shelia, there's no way we'll get outta here if we try ta carry them!" argued St. John angrily. "We aren't any help ta them if we're captured too!"
"He's right!" growled Logan appearing out of nowhere. "They ain't killin' the kids—so we need ta get outta here while we can and save the others later."
Rogue nodded dumbly and turned to run down the steps behind Logan, Bobby, and St. John. The three made it to the bottom and headed towards the front door, but were blinded by a bright light the moment it was flung open. The front yard was crawling with military men.
"We'll have to use the tunnels too," stated Bobby. The blonde teen quickly led the way down the hall and towards an empty wall panel. Logan hesitated as darts flew past them.
"You kids go ahead. I'll give you a head start!" Logan turned on his heel and began to make his way down the hall with his claws out and moving.
Bobby pushed Rogue into the secret tunnel and followed with St. John directly behind him. The three teens made their way through the cold tunnel when Rogue stopped short.
"We cahn't just leave him!" she exclaimed. "Where are we gonna go? Everyone else is already gone! Where are we gonna go?"
St. John groaned. "Man, Shelia, ya picked a helluva time ta grow a conscious."
"What do you want us to do, Rogue? We're in way over are heads," remarked Bobby running a hand through his hair.
"We cahn't get outta here alive without Logan. Ah won't leave him here ta die!"
"The man can't die, Shelia! He's a lethal weapon! Bobby, make her see that we gotta get our asses outta here now or else we're all gonna die!" said St. John.
Bobby glanced between Rogue and St. John and sighed. "She's right, there's no way we'll get off the grounds without Logan. It'll take just a minute to get him."
"Thank-you," murmured Rogue. St. John stifled a moan but turned to follow his two friends back down the tunnel and towards the secret entrance. Bobby slid the panel open and placed a single hand against the side of the wall. Rogue watched with held breath as ice began to form between Logan and a heavy-set man. They seemed to be discussing something almost civilly, but once the block of ice separated them Logan seemed to shake himself back to the present.
"Logan, we gotta get outta here!" hissed Rogue. "We need your help. We cahn't do this alone."
Logan nodded his head sharply and set off down the hall towards the secret panel. Seconds later a charge went off, destroying the block of ice, but the mutants were gone.
Bobby led the way as the small group ran down the dank tunnel. He stopped short at a small ladder and made his way up the rungs, flinging the trap door open. The group made their way up the ladder and into the garage. Bobby made his way over to the first car in the row of vehicles. It was the car that Scott was to be given for graduation.
Rogue pulled open the passenger side door and got in as Bobby opened the back door. They could see Logan pushing St. John towards the backseat before the older mutant slid into the driver's seat.
"It's a good thing Scott doesn't know he has a new car or he'd be pissed we're takin' it for a test drive," chuckled Logan sticking a single claw into the ignition. Rogue shook her head in amusement and buckled up as the car shot out of the garage and sped down the gravel of the driveway. A few stray bullets hit the car, but Logan simply pressed harder on the gas until they were out on the road and leaving town.
"What do we do now?" asked Rogue nervously. She kept glancing in the side mirror to be sure they weren't being followed.
"We find the Professor or Ororo," answered Logan gruffly.
"We don't even know where they are," pointed out St. John.
Bobby spoke up nervously. "Ororo and Jean should be in Boston."
"Then that's where we'll go," stated Logan.
"But where are they in Boston?" demanded Rogue. "The Professor was the only one who knew where Kurt had decided ta hole up."
In reply Logan pressed a button on the car stereo and out popped a COM-link. "We'll get in touch with them eventually."
St. John snorted. "That's all fine and dandy, mate, but what the hell do we do in the meantime?"
"My family is in Boston," stated Bobby.
"Sounds like family reunion to me," said Logan shifting gears.
Meanwhile:
William Stryker studied the hallway suspiciously. He had been so close—he had found the mutant weapon that he had created so long ago…and now it was gone along with more than half the children in the house. Only five had been captured, and that was more than enough for Stryker to test his experiment on.
Stryker watched appreciatively as his men began to tear apart the room known as Cerebro. This was what he really wanted. This was the answer to all of humanity's prayers.
A soldier approached Stryker, saluting sharply. "Sir, we found some secret tunnel that weren't in the blue prints we were given. There's no sign of any more mutants in the mansion. Four of them just escaped in a car from the garage. We weren't able to stop them."
"No matter, Sergeant, they'll get their dues later. You're sure no one is left in the mansion, then?" questioned Stryker curiously.
"Positive, sir."
"Good. Blow the place up as soon as we have what we need. Let the ones who escaped know we mean business."
"Yes—yes, sir." The Sergeant saluted and watched anxiously as Stryker walked away. With a deep breath the Sergeant began issuing orders to set bombs in four areas of the house and then to wait his command.
New York City High Security Prison:
Eric looked up briefly as the security entered his cell bearing a tray of food. A small smile graced the mutant's lips as he stood up.
"Mr. Laurio, I see you've brought me a surprise today," murmured Eric, his mood lightening.
"Just the usual meatloaf surprise, Lensherr," grumbled Laurio patiently.
"Aw, but the meal was not what I was referring to. There's something else that you've brought me today."
Laurio's eyes narrowed as he pulled out his clear nightstick. "Sit your ass down, Mutie; I don't have time to play games today."
"And neither do I. You see, Mr. Laurio, I am late for my re-entrance into society." Eric raised a single hand into the air just as Laurio advanced towards him. The security guard was speechless as he felt his body lifted into the air. His chest seemed to constrict painfully as Laurio struggled to breathe.
"What…are you…doing?" hissed the heavy-set man fearfully.
"Relieving you of all that extra iron in your blood," replied Eric glibly. Laurio's eyes widened even further as small beads of iron shot out of his chest. The security guard fell to the ground in a bloody heap, his eyes staring blankly out the side of the prison.
Eric chuckled. "Mr. Laurio, you should be ashamed of yourself. A beautiful woman is always a dangerous thing. Especially when she is interested in someone like you. Simpleton."
The master of metal chuckled and stepped over the dead body, sending balls of iron shooting out of his prison, completely destroying the plastic bars that had held him in. He took one of the balls and flattened it out into a disk for him to use to float from his prison to the outer control room. He smirked in triumph as the iron balls tore through the chests of both officers in the room. The glass windows of the room shattered in time for Eric to step through.
He glanced up briefly as the door swung open. Standing there stood Mystique in her naturally blue form and white dress. "Stryker has already attacked the X-Men. A few were capture, the rest escaped. Half of them are in the sewers, a small group headed towards Boston," she started quietly. "It seems the mansion is now a pile of rubble."
"Then we don't have time to lose, my dear. The war has started without us."
Bobby Drake's House
Boston, Massachusetts:
Bobby pushed the door open and led the tired group inside his home. It was empty, but he wasn't surprised. It was a Monday afternoon; his family wouldn't be home for another twenty minutes or so. Monday's were family days. His mom used to pick Bobby and his brother up after school, and then together they would pick up their dad from work.
"I'll look around for some clothes," said Bobby glancing back at Rogue. The southern girl smiled appreciatively as she wrapped her bare arms around her body. She was growing anxious to be clothed again and not so open to draining her friends. Bobby nodded and snuck a glance at St. John who was playing with his lighter again. "Would it kill you not to burn anything for a while? My mom would flip out if there was a fire in here."
"Yeah, yeah," grumbled St. John as he slipped into the living room. Bobby shook his head and led Rogue upstairs. He opened the door to his room and ushered her inside before leaving to find her some clothing.
Rogue ran a hand through her hair wearily as she studied Bobby's room. She smiled at the photos on his bedside table. They were mostly of him and his younger brother. Rogue's shoulders slumped as she thought about Kurt. She vowed to make it up to him after Stryker had been taken care of. Spotting a rubber band on Bobby's dresser Rogue grabbed it and quickly pulled her hair up into a pony-tail. She had just tucked the white strands behind her ears when Bobby reentered the room with a pair of jeans, white shirt with blue trimming, and a pair of tennis shoes.
"These are my mom's, but I'm sure she won't mind you borrowing them. I don't think she's warn them since before I was born," said Bobby handing Rogue the clothes.
"Thanks," replied Rogue with a smile. Bobby nodded and stepped out of the room to let her change. Rogue quickly tossed her pajamas onto Bobby's bed and changed into her new clothes. Minutes later she pulled the bedroom door open and saw Bobby standing there in jeans and a blue pullover sweater. Without speaking Bobby handed Rogue a pair of white elbow length gloves. She smiled appreciatively as she pulled them on.
At the same moment the two teens heard a small shriek of surprise from downstairs. Bobby was the first one down with Rogue right behind him. Mr. and Mrs. Drake, and Bobby's younger brother, were crowded near the front door staring in surprise at Logan and St. John.
"Mom, Dad, I can explain," started Bobby stepping into the living.
"What are you doing home from school?" asked Mrs. Drake in a hushed voice.
"Well…you see…there's something I need to tell you," finished Bobby lamely.
Elsewhere in Boston:
Ororo blew out a frustrated breath of air. "I don't understand it. Why would the President of the United States give Stryker the go ahead to attack the mansion?"
Kurt cleared his throat from his seat behind Jean's. The blue mutant shrunk in his seat as the two women glanced his way. "Sorry," he murmured again.
"It's not your fault," said Jean. "I just hope everyone got out of the mansion alright. I can't believe they blew it up. It's almost as though Stryker doesn't think we'll be going back again."
"Whatever his reasoning is I would feel better if we could get a hold of the Professor. I don't know why he isn't answering," agreed Ororo playing with the controls of the jet.
"Maybe we should check and see if any other COM-Links are up and running. We have to be able to get a hold of someone," stated Jean. Ororo nodded as she played with their scanner. Time was beginning to run short.
Back at Bobby's House:
"Bobby, are you sure that you're a mutant?" asked Mrs. Drake softly. For an answer Bobby reached out towards the cup of tea in his mother's hand and froze it with the tips of his fingers. Mrs. Drake gasped in surprise and quickly set the frozen cup on the coffee table.
"Son, we still love you, but these are difficult times," said Mr. Drake almost nervously. "Can't you pretend you're…not a mutant?"
"Sounds easy enough ta me, mate," agreed St. John flipping the lid of his Zippo open and shut again. Bobby shot the red headed Aussie a glare.
"Bobby cahn't just stop bein' a mutant," started Rogue, "that's not how it works."
Mrs. Drake sighed. "We understand that, but with the mutant problem—"
"You think there's a problem?" interrupted Logan roughly.
"A mutant tried to kill the President," replied Mr. Drake calmly, "I'd say there's a pretty big problem going on right now. And who exactly did you say you were again?"
"Bobby's art teacher."
"Uh-huh."
Rogue shook her head. "Bobby's workin' for the good guys. He's learned a lot from Professor Xavier. Why cahn't y'all understand that your son is gifted? You should be proud of him."
"If word gets out that you're a mutant, Bobby, think of what the neighbors will do to us," pleaded Mrs. Drake turning to look her oldest son in the eyes. "We're your family. Family should come first."
Bobby hung his head in disbelief that his own mother was asking him to choose between them and the X-Men. Beside him he could feel Rogue stiffening in a mixture of surprise and anger. He looked up in time to see his brother Ronny disappearing up the stairs. The brief silence was interrupted by Logan's COM-link going off. The older mutant excused himself and went out into the backyard, leaving the three mutants alone with Bobby's parents.
St. John snorted. "This is why I don't talk to my folks. They expect too much outta ya."
"Speak for yourself," muttered Rogue darkly.
Mr. Drake ignored Rogue and St. John to address his son. "You need to do what's right, Bobby. Stay here with us—don't use your…powers. Be normal."
"We gotta go," announced Logan reentering the living room.
"What? Didja find someone?" asked Rogue getting up out of her seat. St. John and Bobby jumped to their feet as well.
"We've got company. I think we wore out our welcome," replied Logan shooting Bobby's parents a dark glare.
Bobby groaned. "Ronny."
"You either come or stay, Drake, it's your choice. But the rest of us are hittin' the road." Logan pulled open the front door and stepped outside only to be greeted by a cavalry of police pointing their guns at him. Rogue, St. John, and Bobby stepped outside as well, gulping at the scene. The house was surrounded. Behind them glass shattered as more officers broke into the house, sending Bobby's parents into a panic up the stairs.
Logan's claws shot out as a deep growl reverberated in his throat. "This oughtta be fun," he mumbled under his breath.
An officer off to the side of the porch called out "Put down your weapons!"
"I can't," returned Logan sharply.
"Put 'em down!"
"I can't!" Logan raised his hands slightly, and a shot rang out. Logan fell to the ground with a bullet in the middle of his forehead. Rogue jumped in surprise and stared in horror at Logan lying on the ground.
"Oh no, oh no. This cahn't be happenin'," she murmured to herself, tears forming in her eyes.
The officer continued shouting out orders. "Everyone get down on the ground now!"
Bobby and Rogue glanced at each other and slowly lowered their bodies to the ground. Bobby took a deep breath as he eyed Logan carefully. There was no way Logan could be taken down by a bullet. Rogue's eyes never left Logan's as fear settled in the pit of her stomach. She could sense the voices in her head stirring again; they were just as scared as she was.
St. John stared down at Logan with his mouth hanging open. The Aussie clamped it shut and snuck alternating glances between the two officers on either side of the porch with their weapons locked on him.
The woman officer spoke up next. "Get down, kid. We don't want to hurt you."
"Do you know all the mutants they talk about on the telly? The ones they tell you that you should be afraid of? I'm one of those mutants. I don't show mercy." St. John flipped his Zippo open, exposing the small flame. His hand extended over the flame, manipulating it into the air and at the male officer—throwing the man up and over the bushes. Then St. John moved the flame to the other side of the porch at the female officer, sending her down to the ground unconscious.
With a triumphant smirk on his face St. John sent a large ball of fire flying into the street, causing a police car to explode up into the air. Officers ran to avoid the falling debris as the mutant began to throw more fire balls at the rest of the squad cars.
"What are you doing?" hissed Bobby as St. John shot a flame at the officers trying to sneak up on him from inside the house.
"Showin' 'em who's theboss, mate," stated St. John good naturedly. The Aussie grinned brightly as he made the fire in the front yard rise high into the sky.
Rogue gritted her teeth. They didn't have time for this. St. John was screwing around making matters worse for mutants everywhere. Without a second thought she tugged a glove off one of her hands and pulled up the leg of St. John's pants to expose his bare skin. She wrapped her hand around his leg and extended her other hand towards the front yard.
The familiar tug of powers kicked in almost immediately. St. John wheezed in pain as he felt the flame in his hand practically sucked out of him. On the ground Rogue bit her lip as she put out the flames in the yard and struggled to keep St. John's personality from taking control. She couldn't afford to lose control here--not now.
Just as the last flame was put out a rush of air sent dirt and smoke flying as the large Blackbird appeared in the sky. The police all dropped to the ground as the three teens struggled to their feet. Bobby breathed in relief as Logan's eyes popped open and he groggily sat up. Logan surveyed the scene and shot St. John a look, which the Aussie returned with a shrug. Then St. John turned to look at Rogue suspiciously. He kept his mouth shut as he followed her and Logan down the porch steps and towards the jet.
Bobby made his way across the front yard, but paused momentarily to glance back at his home. In the upstairs window he glimpsed his family staring back at him. With a shake of his head Bobby continued towards the jet, and boarded it without looking back. This was his family from now on.
Rogue squeezed Bobby's shoulder tightly as he boarded the jet and the walkway closed up. "You made a big decision today," she murmured softly. "Ah'm sorry it turned out this way."
"I'm not. I would never have been able to live with myself if I had stayed behind. Sometimes you have to make your own family," replied Bobby with a small family. "You should do the same thing."
"Ah'll think about it." Rogue gave the blonde teen a small smile as they made their way towards the front of the jet. Rogue stopped when she felt St. John tug at her shirt. She turned to face him with a dark look. "What?"
"What the hell were ya doin' back there, Shelia? I thought you did this kind of stuff for a livin'," snarled the Aussie softly.
"Sugah, ya have no idea what ya almost did back there. Ya only gave the news somethin' else ta show ohn T.V.; ya gave the world another reason ta fear mutants."
"I didn't think you believed in peace."
"Ah don't…Ah just don't think killin' innocent people is the answer either. It's complicated this time 'round. Every move we make will make the President think twice 'bout the Mutant Registration Act. Is that what ya want?" asked Rogue.
"Do you always wanna be hidin' behind the X-Men—workin' for somethin' ya don't believe in, Shelia? 'Cause that ain't the Rogue I know. The Rogue I know does whatever the hell she wants. She doesn't play nice."
Rogue made a face. "This time it's different."
"Is it? Or are you just tellin' yourself that so you won't feel so guilty when Magneto finds out you're thinkin' of jumpin' ship? Slick told me all about your line of work, Shelia. I know what you've been up to—and workin' with the X-Men isn't part of it." St. John shook his head and turned to go up front. Rogue took a deep breath before following.
Everything had seemed to change overnight. It was open season on mutants now. Bayville knew that she was a mutant—as well as the rest of the X-Men and the Brotherhood. There was a dangerous human who could control mutants and was out to destroy them as well. The world wasn't black and white anymore. Rogue had found the hues of grey she had so desperately wanted to avoid. Now she would have to choose sides…she couldn't sit on the sidelines and watch anymore. She couldn't keep up her vendetta against Mystique. The time for personal revenge was over. It was time to get serious and make a place for her self in the world.
It was time for Rogue to discover who she really was.
A/N—Okay, I'm not sure this came out very well. I had a hard time conveying this chapter into words—simply because I'm sure everyone has seen the second movie, and I really didn't feel like being repetitious. Well that, and I wanted to bring a little more insight on some of the other characters as well as Rogue…but I'm not sure that's what I did. In my defense I've caught the flu, so I feel like crap and the medicine is affecting me more than I thought it would. I'm already working on the next chapter, but I don't know when it'll be done. Midterms are around the corner.