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Taunting Repartee- Two, Book One

Chapter 28

Hammer To Fall:

Later that evening, after the sun had set, Rogue stood with every member of the household on the front lawn of the Xavier Institute, students and staff alike adorned in the X-Men jumpsuit. Lance looked comfortable, having worn the uniform before. Toad was jumping around, getting used to the material.

Rogue stood with Mystique, Logan and Kurt, who were sort of forming a circle around her. It felt a little suffocating, but at the same time she understood why the formation had been chosen. What was causing the knot in her stomach to tighten was just how many X-Men were going to stand between her and Magneto. A part of her, a large part, wished the Professor would just let her talk to him. How many people needed to tell him that it was inevitable?

Rogue shifted her gaze, reviewing the three squads as they formed. On her left, Mr. McCoy, Blob, Scott, Jean, Ororo and the Professor were standing. The Professor sat wordlessly, as he looked deep in thought. Jean and Scott looked like they were engaging in a telepathic conversation and Ororo was looking to the sky, keeping her eyes peeled. Only Mr. McCoy and Blob were openly speaking with one another.

"My sincerest apologies, Freddy," Mr. McCoy said as he helped Blob fasten a large belt, the X-Men X on the buckle, around his waist, as he was wearing his typical Brotherhood outfit. "That we didn't have a uniform in your size. We'll remedy the situation with the utmost haste," he promised.

"Is that why you're in your underwear 'cause they don't got enough clothes for us big guys?" Freddy asked and Rogue watched Mr. McCoy's deep blue face turn a unique shade of crimson.

"By next week, we'll both be properly attired," he amended.

"Ah, yeah, okay," Freddy said, scratching the back of his head. "Thanks, man," he added.

"You're quite welcome," he said before Rogue shifted her gaze, looking at the squad to her right. She saw that Kitty and Lance were given charge of the younger students, Evan, Bobby, Roberto, Amara, Jamie, Tabitha, Sam, and Ray.

"So, we're just supposed to stand here?" Tabitha asked, looking bored.

"Yeah, that's the plan," Kitty said, giving her a half smile.

"And keep each other safe," Lance said. "So, let's go over again," he said, taking charge. "If Magneto doesn't attack," he said.

"We do nothing," Bobby whined, sharing a glance with Tabitha who looked just as aggrieved.

"And if Magneto charges at us?" Lance asked.

"We stay behind you, so you can quake without worrying about us," Roberto said.

"And I'll duck down, so you guys can launch everything we've got at Magneto," Lance said before Evan primed his arms, pulling two bones protruding from his forearms; Ray, juiced up his hands, as they radiated with electricity; Amara, Roberto and Bobby activity their powers, assuming their mutated forms.

"And I get to use my slingshot!" Jamie called out enthusiastically as he held up his tiny weapon.

"Boom Boom, Cannonball, you're with Jamie. Keep him safe," Lance dictated, as Rogue saw Scott glance over at the group. Usually Scott would reiterate orders like these, but he seemed content to allow Lance to take the reins, he turned back to Jean.

"Heard you the first time, Lance," Tabitha said, waving her hand dismissively.

"And I'll stay up front with you, like, just in case. I can totally phase us," Kitty smiled as she brushed some hair behind her ear.

"Thanks for watching my back," Lance smiled.

"Are you ready?" Mystique asked as Rogue felt a hand on her shoulder,

"Ta talk ta Erik? Have been since last night," she commented.

"Hmm," her mother huffed, eying her. "No matter what happens, stay next to me," she ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," Rogue sighed.

"Both of you," she said, looking at her little brother.

"Ja, Father," Kurt said while saluting Mystique. With all the tension, the short laugh she shared with her little brother was a welcome stress release, which was quickly interrupted when Logan sniffed the air.

"Incoming people. He's here," Logan announced loudly and all eyes were on the sky, searching for the Master of Magnetism.

"It's only nine," Mr. McCoy commented.

"Yeah, he was early on Sunday too," Rogue commented as glanced around, her mother took a step closer to her, shielding her.

"Now, ya tell us," Logan grunted, as he drew out his claws, posing himself for battle.

Rogue held in a huff of annoyance. She'd been reprimanded both for relaying and withholding information. She really wished they'd make up their minds. The back and forth was starting to give her whiplash.

"So, where is he?" Lance asked.

"He can render himself invisible," the Professor called out loudly. "Wolverine, try to hone in on his location. Everyone else, stay vigilant, but do not attack," he ordered.

"Keep to the formations," Scott yelled out, supporting the Professor with word and deed.

Rogue's mind briefly recalled the last time she'd seen Magneto use this ability, in their bedroom, while she was desperately trying to get Jean out of the room. Upon a second viewing, absent of the fear she felt for her telepathic teammate that day, a shimmer caught her attention. It wasn't exactly light, more like a-

Rogue blinked as she opened her eyes and glanced up and around.

'Yeah, he's definitely invisible,' she thought before her eye caught sight of a refraction of light, about a hundred feet high and fifty feet away from her. She focused her attention on the refraction of light, tilted her head from one side to the other as she tried to discern if her eyes were playing tricks on her.

"What are you looking at?" Kurt asked, as she noted the refraction wasn't moving, She took in the size of it and-

'Is that his belt?' she asked herself.

"Rogue?" her mother asked, her tone more forceful, as Rogue scanned her eye's a little higher.

"I think it's Magneto," Rogue commented. "If I'm right, his eyes would be 'about… there," she said as she kept her gaze fixed on her chosen location. Her effort to locate him was rewarded with a hearty laugh emanating from above them all.

"That ain't good," Logan grunted, as everyone looked up at the source of the sound. Her mother switched sides, pulling herself between Rogue and the amused voice overhead.

"Actually, it's a first," Magneto chuckled as he appeared, fully visible to all. "Good evening, Anna-Marie," he said, pleasantly.

"Hi, Erik," Rogue said, peeking her head out from past her mother, and she gave him a slight wave.

"Remind me, at some point, to ask you how you did that," Magneto said, and even from that distance she could see a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Ah-huh," Rogue huffed, placing her hand on her hip. 'Don't. Hurt. Anyone,' she thought strongly in her mind, as she stared up, her eyes narrowing seriously at him. Even with his helmet on and his telepathy inaccessible, the flare in his eyes told her the message was received, her demeanor enough to supply him with her train of thought.

"Magnus," the Professor called out. And though Magneto turned his gaze away from her, he made a simple placating gesture with his hand, in her direction. And Rogue felt a sigh of relief escape her. She didn't care that it was non-verbal promise, she was holding him to that.

"Charles," Magneto said dryly. "This is an excessive show of force," he said as he crossed his arms over his chest, "considering my only objective is to keep an appointment with my student," he said.

"Your student?" Mystique asked incredulously.

"I believe Charles' and Rogue's roles have been reversed as of late. It's thanks to her, he's gained vital intel regarding us both," he said and Rogue felt her mother tense up in front of her. "I've been more of a Professor to her, than Charles ever was during her tenure at the Institute," he said mockingly. "All of Anna-Marie's growth, her progress; every breakthrough can be credited to me," he said to Mystique, before looking back at the Professor. "And why is that, Charles?" he asked, cocking his head. "I thought Rogue was here to learn. To obtain control over her abilities. If not that, then what motivated you to recruit the daughter of your enemies?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.

'What's he trying ta-?' Rogue asked herself.

"Magneto, you are not welcome here," the Professor said sternly, completely ignoring the line of questioning, as he interrupted Rogue's train of thought. "Please. Leave."

"Very well. I'm quite certain, Anna-Marie would have no qualms if I conducted my lesson elsewhere," he said before he shifted himself in the sky, changing the angle and despite her mother standing in front of her, Rogue no longer had to duck around her to see Magneto fully.

Erik was right, if no one would be hurt, she didn't really care. It wasn't like he wanted to kidnap her. He'd bring her back the moment she asked him too. And she was rather curious what lesson he was referring to. She hadn't needed his help with the Fragments in a week. She didn't feel tired, she wasn't hearing voices or having nightmares. Which had to mean he had another avenue he wanted to explore, the next step in her training.

"Shall we?" Magneto asked, staring down at her, as he extended his hand out in her direction. Rogue moved without consciously willing it, taking a step forward, the warmth in his expression beckoning her. She felt drawn to him, like how a magnet summoned hematite. It felt natur-

"Yeah, that ain't happening, Bub," Logan growled, as his hand gripped Rogue's shoulder. Before she could take a second step, he pulled her back between him and Mystique. Mystique positioned herself partially in front of her daughter while he removed his hand and reposed himself for battle. Rogue could bet the entire mansion his claws were ready to spring from their casing, and drive futility towards Magneto.

"You're not taking Rogue," Mystique spat as Magneto summarily ignored her. He looked past her mother and made eye contact directly with her. Rogue shrugged at him with a half smile. This wasn't a secret anymore. Her mother and uncle had said no, what was she supposed to do?

"Then it falls back to you, Charles," Magneto said, his gaze shifting. "I have a lesson to impart and I will not leave until I have," he stated.

"While I'm certain Rogue is grateful for your offer of assistance. I'm afraid now is not the time. We have no desire to attack you, old friend. So, I'll ask again, please, leave peacefully."

"This is your last chance, Charles," Magneto warned, his eyes narrowing. "Get out of my way."

"No," he said succinctly.

Rogue's breath caught in her throat for a series of rapid heartbeats. Every muscle was tense, ready to react.

"Then, I'm afraid, Charles, this evening you'll finally learn why I call myself," he said, his eyes glowing blue as he lifted his hands up, "the Master of Magnetism," he said as Rogue sought his eyes, wanting to remind him of his promise.

"Prepare to countera-," Scott called out before he went mute.

Rogue blinked and she glanced around frantically. There was no movement of any kind. Everyone looked completely frozen in place. Their eyes were moving about in their skulls, looking this way and that. A few people made vocalizations, but they died down quickly as they worked to master their fears.

A few were able to make eye contact with anyone else aside from Rogue, and they all showed their fright as clear as day. As Rogue staggered backward, she felt a sickening sense of responsibility clamp down on her; cold and clammy. How much danger were they in? Was he close to anger? Could she get him off guard?

But what about telepathy? Why hadn't anyone contacted her inside of her mind? Knowing the answer, she sucked in a breath as she turned to see a floating pool of red metallic energy radiated in blossoming waves behind the Professor and Jean, rendering them unable to utilize their skills.

As the metal fully enclosed around them, their faces were semi-obscured. The energy-lattice sparked to life around the metal, which was in the shape of something similar to the design of Cerebro helmets over both of their heads. These devices acted in reverse, cutting off access to their telepathic broadcasting and projecting abilities.

A desperate murmur drew her attention to her mother, whose eyes were widened with fear, her limbs frozen, completely unable to move and speak. Her uncle was growling, the sound rolling from him in bestial waves of anger.

"Erik," Rogue said, nervously, as she felt her body shaking with fear. Not for her. Still, he wouldn't hurt her. But he'd hurt every single one of them here if he could get away with it and obtain his desires.

"Anna-Marie," he replied in a low, pleasant, hungry voice. She knew he was closer now, possibly on the ground.

'He wants me ta look at him,' she thought, which was difficult to do, with all those who stood frozen between the two of them. Yes, she wanted to talk to him and, yes, despite the X-Men's protests she wanted his help, but not like this. Not in these conditions.

How did she get him to leave? Offer to go with him? Her mother wouldn't appreciate that. She could hear him out, whatever this lesson was, try to learn it as quickly as possible, so he'd go.

She took a breath as she met his gaze, giving him her sole attention. His eyes, in turn, flared; he looked pleased as he took a few steps toward her, walking past some of those he held captive, as his helmet floated off of his head, having no need for it.

"When you absorbed my mind into yours, all those months ago, neither of us truly knew how a single action would compromise us both, did we, my dear?" he asked.

"No," she answered, shaking her head sadly.

"And despite how easily I could dispose of a walking liability, such as yourself," he said, as Rogue listened to her mother and uncle groan in protest, "and despite how easily you could divulge my secrets to Charles, S.H.I.E.L.D, or whoever else could benefit from my downfall. Neither of us chose those courses of action."

"No," he said, shaking his head. "Instead, friendship was offered and promises were made," he said. "For my part, patience and restraint. And for yours, discretion," he said as he got closer, walking past Logan, Mystique and Kurt, until he was only a few feet away from her. "However, both of us have failed, somewhat, in our endeavors to the other, have we not?" he asked.

Rogue's eyes cast downward for a moment. Her instants were screaming at her to agree with him, with whatever he said, for the sake of those he had at his mercy.

'Patience and restraint,' she repeated in her mind, as she looked up at him. 'Wasn't just this morning. You were in my head last night too. I just didn't know it,' she thought before he answered her thoughts with a slight nod.

She looked away from him, at the others. No one was hurt. Distressed, uncomfortable and afraid, yes. But none of them had the ability to mount a futile attack against Magneto. He had stripped their ability to pose a threat, which meant they could be ignored. And he wasn't pressing her for an immediate answer.

This was him having patience. This was him showing restraint.

She took a breath before she glanced back up at him.

"Yes," she agreed earnestly. "And I am sorry," she added before needing to take another breath to prepare herself for what she needed to say next, knowing it didn't fall neatly under discretion as he would've hoped.

"As am I," he said, pleased, taking another step, closing the distance between them. As she expected, he thought she was merely apologizing for this action that led to this day.

Given his captives, a part of her told her to not argue with him- but-

She took a breath and hardened her resolve for what she needed to say next.

"Magneto, look, I know you've been nothing but nice ta me, when ya didn't need ta be," she said, hoping she sounded a little grateful. "But," she added strongly, cocking her head as his eyes lit up with interest. "You have threatened everyone here before and ya can't expect me ta do nothing, while you treat every mutant in Bayville like a chess piece waiting ta be moved when you need 'em ta be," she argued as he sucked in a breath. "And while we're talking about that," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "Couldja at least admit ya set all this up, like some elaborate game," she said, she started off meaning it like a question, it ended up coming out as a statement instead.

"Yes," he answered, regardless, his eyebrow raised.

"Then promises aside," she said. "Are ya seriously gonna throw a fucking tantrum everytime I win a round?" she asked him. Someone, somewhere behind her, made a gasp that sounded like a sheet tearing.

"Anna-Marie," he chidded, though there was a smirk on his lips and a satisfied glint in his eyes.

"Did I tell Prof more than I should've? Yeah, I'll admit that," she said, unfolding her arms. "But you," she said, poking his chest with her pointer finger, "have been playing this same game of chess for over twenty years, messing with the people I call family. And as much as you'd like to separate the promises we've made ta each other with my position as an X-Men. As long as you keep pulling stunts like this, Magneto, you're making that damn-near impossible," she exclaimed, as she watched his eyes dart back and forth. 'He's thinking,' she thought, feeling a pang of relief that she stamped out swiftly.

"I see," he said as he considered her words. His tone was worryingly neutral.

"Look," she said before sighing, "the only thing I was after was gettin Kurt some answers."

"I'm aware," he said.

"But you're," she said, poking his chest again, "the one who prevented that happening last time. So yeah, 'course I used our understanding ta ensure ya couldn't do that again. And can ya honestly look me in the eye and tell me you'd still have any respect for me, if I didn't use advantages at my disposal?" she finished. "Honestly," she asked, her voice going up an octave.

A word hadn't left Magneto's lips in response, but the fire in his eyes told her he agreed with her. The fire, the hunger, the approval. Oh god…she wanted that, didn't she?

'Later.' she told herself firmly and willed her knees strength. "I get what you were trying ta do here today, the showy power-play you were tryin' ta put on," she said, a slight note of mockery to her tone. Only slight, because she knew she couldn't and didn't want to push him too far, too fast.

"And while I know that's worked for you in the past, if ya were expectin' me ta fall inta a heaping, helpless, hysterical mess, then prepare ta be disappointed," she declared, folding her arms over her chest again. "'Cause that's all this is ta ya, a show," she said. "And if ya want me to abide by the promises we've made, then I'll tellin' ya set the stage somewhere else," she finished.

"You're negotiating with me now?" he asked incredulously, a chuckle on his lips.

"No, I'm telling ya what I want," she said as he raised an eyebrow. "I know what I've cost ya. But it wasn't entirely intentional. I just-"

"Wanted a relationship with your mother. A perfectly reasonable request," he agreed.

"I didn't realize Prof was gonna use what I'd done to recruit the Brotherhood," she said before her gaze left his. "I should've-" she said, disappointed in herself for not considering all options, for not anticipating unexpected consequences.

"You're still learning," Magneto said before her eyes on him again. "And considering I'm the one who taught you strategy, it's understandable that my point of view is what you're most comfortable with," he said. "The more you engage in strategic planning, the easier it'll be for you to see all the moves, not just mine," he said. "Though for clarity's sake, there is a recent memory," he said, presenting her with his left hand, palm up and with a wave the purple glove he wore de-materized, leaving his skin bare, "I'd like you to witness first-hand," he said.

She sucked in a breath as she considered what absorbing him again would mean. She'd have access to his powers, would that mean she'd have to fight him? Would the others expect her too? As an X-Men? Debating him was one thing, if she could convince him she was right, he might do what she wanted but to fight him?

"Go on," he ordered. "No one is going anywhere until you do," he said. She blinked and nodded her head. No, now that she knew what he wanted, she could give it to him and then get him to leave.

She took a deep breath as she lifted her right hand up and using her left, she stripped the glove off of it before hesitantly placing the tips of her ring, index and pointer fingers within his hand. She thought he'd only allow her contact for a moment, enough to update the Fragment, but his fingers curved over hers, keeping contact.

Her eyes flashed up to his, as his thumb rubbed over her knuckles, his powers flowing consistency into her as she felt her face flushing. It was so much, she could feel metal everywhere, him, his uniform, the various security implements on the grounds, the mansion and the sizable structure of the lower levels. It was too much. How did he keep all this straight? How did he have so much incoming stimulation and not succumb to the sheer amount of information at his disposal?

"Take a breath and focus on me," he instructed and she instantly followed his command, her eyes opening and locking with his.

Most people, even other mutants, were knocked out instantly. As the seconds ticked by, Rogue could feel her heart beating wildly in her chest and he didn't even seem phased. The smile he gave her was disarming. The rest of the world seemed to slip away from her notice as she saw only him.

"What means is used to achieve improvement in a given skill?" he asked. She couldn't help it, when a soft laugh let her.

"Practice," she smiled. A groan from behind her caused her to blink, as she suddenly remembered where they were and that he was holding the others captive. How was he even doing that-

'I've taken control of each Mutant's Electrochemical Signals, rendering them unable to move or speak,' his voice supplied, projecting directly into her mind. She wasn't sure if it was the contact physical connection or if she was using his limited telepathy to read his thoughts, the way he read hers. But once he supplied the information, she scanned over each mutant and felt Magneto's control over them.

Should she try to free them?

'I wouldn't advise fighting me on the matter,' he advised before she tried to pull her hand back, needing to end this and get him to leave. 'I've had decades to cultivate these abilities. You mere moments,' he cautioned as he tightened his grip, pulling her closer still, any fleeting distance between them completely removed. 'You won't win,' he informed as she cracked her neck up to look at him- her breaths erratic. "While you've made strides in controlling the mental aspects of your abilities, Anna-Maire. The physical cannot be left neglected," he said aloud, offering her an explanation as to why he wasn't letting her go. "What does this feel like?" he asked her curiously.

"I haven't given it much thought," she admitted breathlessly.

"I'd imagine you've never maintained contact long enough to warrant the exercise," he said. "Do so now," he ordered.

"But-" she protested, giving a second thought to asking to speak with him alone, anything to get him to release the others.

"Now, Anna-Marie," he repeated, his tone gravelly, and the look in his eye telling her he wouldn't ask a third time.

Reluctantly, she closed her eyes. Maybe if she could ignore the rest, she could focus on where their hands were connected. She took a breath as she centered her attention on the pull of her powers, as she siphoned his seemingly limitless energy into her. The pull felt-

"It," she stumbled as she tilted her head slightly. "It kinda feels similar ta-"

"Similar to what?" he asked encouragingly.

"Ta how my mind tries to pull me inta memories," she realized aloud.

"Really?" he asked, intrigued. "And how do you prevent your mind from hauling you haphazardly from one memory to another?" he asked.

"I just haveta pull back and-" she said as she applied the same technique to her skin and-

She gasped as the flow ceased.

"Oh my god," she said while her breathing was still erratic and it wasn't helped by the somewhat bewildering laughter that escaped her. "Oh my god," she laughed before she pulled her free hand to her mouth, needing to quiet herself. She must sound like a maniac, glancing down at their hands, freely touching his skin without injury or incident, laughing as she was. She still didn't know how Magneto touched her in the past, but this. This was all her.

"Rogue, look at me," Magneto commanded and her eyes snapped up to his; where she saw utter satisfaction in his gaze as he stared down at her. "Who helped you discover the nuances of your mental abilities?" he asked.

"You did," she answered.

"And what did I say on the matter?" he asked.

"That by gaining control over the little aspects of my powers then over time it would help me figure out how to get control over the bigger stuff," she quoted.

"Such as?" he asked, and this time he couldn't keep the triumphant smirk off of his face or out of his voice. She couldn't help but laugh in response, her face beaming as happy tears ran down her face. "Rogue, am I your enemy?" he asked.

"I don't want ya to be," she admitted. "But ya keep scaring the people I care about," she said, almost desperately, her tone the clear indication of her desperation. She needed him to stop, she was begging him to stop with her eyes. They stinging became too much and she squeezed her eyes shut, just a moment to-

Rogue felt his thumb on her face, wiping at her cheek, brushing her tears away. She opened her eyes again as he fully cupped her cheek with his now bare right hand.

"Charles can have Bayville. He can have Mystique, for as long as that lasts," he said, his head titling, indicating he didn't think their alliance would be indefinite. "He can even have the Brotherhood boys," he relented. "It's fine. I have more recruits," he said, this time to himself, like he was trying to convince himself that it wasn't a great loss. "What he cannot have," he said with his hand tightening on her cheek and his eyes locking with her's, "is you," he said strongly. "Charles had his chance to earn your loyalty and he squandered it," he said and Rogue looked up at him with confusion. "Did you choose to join the Brotherhood?" he asked.

"No, Mystique tricked me inta thinking that the X-Men were mutant hunters. I moved inta the manner outta fear, not loyalty," she answered.

"Did you choose to join the X-Men?" he asked next.

"No, my mental powers were outta control. I just wanted to get away from Mystique, couldn't think straight enough to consider any other option besides the one Prof and Logan gave me," she said.

"Although you had many," he finished.

"Ah-huh," she muttered breathlessly.

"Have you willingly earnestly pledged your alliance to any mutant faction?" he asked.

"Not yet," she answered and that brought a pleased expression to his face.

"I hope you enjoy the rest of your high school career, with the new found freedom that tangible control over your abilities will allow. I hope you flourish with confidence that is yours to wield, Anna-Marie. And once you're ready," he continued, his voice low, "for the borders of your perceptions and your world to grow. You will realize that what you care about extends beyond Bayville, and I will be there, as I eagerly look forward to that conversation." he said, caressing her cheek, his gaze lingered over her lips and they both understood how he'd cast their farewell if they're wasn't a captive audience to bare witness. "Until then, my dear," he added before he released her face.

He took a step back and away from her as her hand fell out of his before he lifted himself up high into the sky. His helm lifted with him and returned to his head as those which trapped Jean and the Professor were liquidated and taken with the Master of Magnetism.

She held his gaze until, with a wave of his hand, gasps of relief, of surprise and groans of anguish filled the field as he finally fully released all of his captives.

Rogue let herself collapse to the ground, her breathing still erratic. She kept her gaze on the grass in front of her, unable to bring herself to look anyone in the eye as she heard Scott letting loose an optic blast in Magneto's direction. A few others followed suit with projectile powers, but each had the same result. She didn't have to look up to feel that Magneto had generated a shield to prevent harm, before he finally left, flying away.

The next sensation she felt was a hand on her shoulder and she glanced up to see her mother. The blue woman's face was painted in concern as she knelt down beside Rogue before she pulled her into a hug. Rogue eagerly wrapped her arms around her mother's back and tried to keep her composure, as guilt ate at her with vicious, hungry teeth. Her mother held her tight, which was good. She was trembling, shaking like a leaf.

This was- honestly, it might be the best day of her life. She had control of her powers- but what did the others had to endure for her to obtain it? They all must be so furious with her.

Mystique wasn't psychic, but she knew what to say. "Breathe, baby. Just breathe. I'm here. I'm here. We're here."

So, Rogue obeyed. She kept her eyes closed and curled up against her mother's chest. She just had to breathe. Just breathe.