Please enjoy
Chapter 17 of
A Simple Favor:
On May 11th, 2002 around 7:50 pm, Magneto, having dialed a number on his cell phone, waited for someone to pick up the call on their end.
"What do you want?" Toad said.
"In the future, perhaps a bit of decorum while answering the phone. At the moment, I'd like you to get my son," Magneto ordered.
"S-sorry, Magneto," Toad said flustered. "Pietro, you're dad's on the phone," he yelled out.
"Yes, Father," Pietro said, barely two seconds later.
"How's Wanda settling in?" he asked.
"Pretty good. She's really excited to start at Bayville High next week," he said.
"She enrolled herself?" he asked, confused.
"No, Xavier did," he answered.
'What on earth are you playing at, Charles?' he thought to himself as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Elaborate," he ordered.
"Xavier stopped by, Wanda was all happy to see her favorite tutor. He told her she's enrolled at Bayville starting on Monday and Xaiver said you should call him if you have any questions," Pietro explained.
"Any signs of her memories resurfacing?" he asked.
"No, none," he answered.
"Alright," he said as he drummed his finger against the arm of his chair.
It had been a rush job, but still Mastermind hadn't told him that her memories of Charles remained and it seemed his old friend had used that to his advantage. The question was to what aim?
"I'll check in more frequently over the next two weeks. Stay vigilant," he said as he heard a hmm of agreement from his son. He promptly hung up the phone afterward.
Well, this was a trap. How to proceed?
He was hesitant to call the institute at Charles' behest. For starters, he would need a different phone as Charles could cross reference his call with the ones he made under his given name. That wouldn't do.
Asking for a call, in it of itself, was a subtle play for an admission of guilt on his part. Familiarity with the situation was his enemy.
'Then again,' he thought as he felt a smirk form on his face. 'Perhaps, familiarity is the key,' he thought as he decided what to do.
On May 11th, 2002 around 8:00 pm, Rogue laid in bed, with Les Misérables in her hands as she tried to read. Not that that was happening. She let out an annoyed groan as she felt yet another attempt by someone to enter her mind.
'I've seriously had enough of this,' she thought as she slammed the book close.
She had tried to ignore it, but that hadn't worked. She had tried to call him out on it, but that hadn't worked either. He just kept trying, over and over and over and over again. It was-
'Ya know what, if he's gonna train, so am I,' she thought as she put the book on her nightstand. She sat up completely and moved into her meditation stance, her legs crossed underneath her, as she felt the maze eject the intruder from her mind. She placed her hands, palms up on top of her knees, and took a deep breath, clearing her mind. Her eyes shifted to look at the clock on her nightstand, it read 8:02 pm, as she readied herself for the next attempt.
It didn't take long. She felt a mind, pressed up against hers and this time, she pushed back, with all of her strength. She pushed and pushed and pushed and-
She let out a long groan as the intruder got past her and into the maze. She let out a sigh as she looked at the clock, 8:11 pm.
'I can do better,' she told herself as she prepared for the next attempt.
On May 11th, 2002 at 9:45 pm, Magneto flew just above the Institute, in his full uniform and helmet. He scanned the institute with his abilities and yes, he'd chosen the hour correctly as most of the students had turned in for the night. The fewer children there were to misconstrue his intentions the better. He supposed he'd only have the staff to contend with.
Charles, he found, was sitting in his study. He could go directly there. However, no, Wolverine was on the move from the kitchen. He swiftly moved to the front entrance and with a wave of his hand opened the doors for himself. He landed in the front lobby as Wolverine entered from the hallway, bearing his claws, posed for battle.
"Good evening, Wolverine. Would you be kind enough to tell Charles I'm here? He asked to speak with me," Magneto said as amicably as he could.
He was greeted by a low growl before the brute tilted his head slightly.
"Yeah," he said as he stood up straight. "You can talk to him in his office," he said begrudgingly as he retracted his claws. "Follow me. Wouldn't want you getting lost on the way, bub," he said.
"Perish the thought," Magneto replied smoothly before they both set forth toward Charles' office.
A few moments later, Magneto stood with Wolverine as he knocked on the sturdy wooden door leading to Charles' office.
"Yes, come in," Charles said as Wolverine opened the door. "Thank you, Logan," he said as Magneto walked past him and into the office.
"Need me to stick around, Chuck?" he asked as he saw Charles seated in front of the fireplace.
"I doubt that will be necessary," Charles said as he gestured towards the chair across from him. "But thank you," he said as Magneto took the seat offered to him.
"I won't be far," Wolverine said, glaring at him before he closed the door behind him.
"I assume you're here about Wanda and would like to know what my intentions are," he said.
Straight to the point, good.
"Yes," he said as he tracked Wolverine's movement with his senses. He was now back in the lobby and seemed to be staying there.
"I'll admit, at first, I was going to reverse Mastermind's work. Then, however, I was presented with a different point of view," he said as Magneto felt himself raise an eyebrow. "Yours," he finished with a smile.
"Excuse me?" Magneto asked.
"You have to understand, Magnus, I had considered my initial course of action a necessary service as Wanda's psychologist. Not a direct attack against you," he said while gesturing towards him. "I was corrected," he said.
"By whom?" he asked. Though perhaps he could guess.
"She's very tactful during arguments, isn't she? Have you noticed that, during your conversations with her?" he asked.
"Who's tactful?" he asked. He knew the answer of course, but he wasn't going to give Charles the satisfaction.
"You'll be pleased to hear she hasn't admitted to it either. Though that's part of the favor, isn't it?" he asked.
"Charles, what on earth are you talking about? What favor?" he asked, feigning confusion.
"Yes, well, speaking of favors," he said, dismissing his question. "I have a proposal for you regarding the brotherhood boys," he said.
"Go on," he said, willing to hear him out, and thankful for the change in subject.
"Enrolling Wanda into Bayville was, upon further consideration, simply the right thing to do. And perhaps an argument could be made that the Brotherhood's expulsion was manipulated by Principal Kelly. Given that, I could use my influence with the school board to secure their re-enrollment," he offered.
"And what would your generosity cost me?" he asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Oh, not much. Just your word that you'll refrain from entangling any of my students or staff in your future schemes, whatever those may be. That is to say, your people will not attack my people," he said.
He looked away from Charles as he considered this offer. The boys could benefit from an education, there was no denying that. Though Mystique had informed him they were not academically inclined. With the apparent exception of Pietro.
Was his son's education worth this stipulation?
"Were I to agree, the terms would only be valid until the last of the boys graduated from Bayville," he clarified.
"Yes, that seems fair," Charles said before he held out his hand. Magneto stood and took his old friend's hand, shaking to their agreement. "Well, now that that's settled, can I offer you a cup of tea? A game of chess, perhaps?" he asked as he sat back down across from him.
That sounded appealing. It had been quite a while since they'd played.
"We could talk about Rogue," Charles added.
Or not.
"And why would we talk about Mysitque's daughter?" he asked. "Is Rogue the one who convinced you- Is she the reason we're having this conversation?" he asked as he leaned forward.
"Yes," he answered after a brief hesitation.
"Huh," he huffed as he seat back. "What were you going on about before? Something about a favor?" he asked.
"Yes, well, I believe you owe Rogue one," Charles said.
"Quite right, Charles. Given what you've told me, I owe her two, in fact. One each for, convincing you to help further, Pietro's and Wanda's education," he said. "Will you pass along my gratitude?" he asked.
"Certainly," he said with a forced smile. "How uncharacteristically altruistic of you," he added before Magneto let out a long laugh in response. "I fail to see the humor, Magnus," he said.
"Charles, you misunderstand, this isn't charity. It's self-perversion," he said.
"How so?" he asked.
"Thankfully, you've seen sense, but I still have Mystique to contend with. And perhaps by paying her daughter a good turn, she'll be less inclined to weaponize mine," he explained. "Again," he added dryly.
He watched the expression on Charles' face drop.
"Yes, that all sounds perfectly plausible," he muttered, almost dejected.
"Charles?" he asked.
"Nothing, it's- It's nothing," he said.
"As for the game, another time, perhaps?" he asked as he stood.
"Yes, probably for the best," he said as he placed his hand on his temple. He soon felt Wolverine on the move again, hurrying along until he was standing just outside the office's door.
"Have a good evening, Charles," he said, walking across the room as Wolverine opened the door.
"You as well," Charles said.
On May 11th, 2002 around 10:00 pm, Rogue was drenched in sweat and smiling from ear to ear. It had taken several attempts but she had managed to push the intruder out.
Only to immediately feel another attempt.
It was strange, after so many, she could actually tell which direction the intruder was astral projecting from. He seemed to favor the back of her head like he was trying to sneak up on her.
She considered pushing him out again- but felt a bit too tired for that. It wasn't a big deal. The maze could handle this one. She let out a long yawn as she stood up. She really needed a shower. She walked over to her wardrobe as she glanced out her window. A caped figure caused her to do a double take.
Wait, was that? Why was Magneto flying away from the mansion?
'Weird,' she thought as she pulled out a fresh pair of pajamas. 'Maybe he was talking to Prof?' she asked herself. She shrugged as she let out another yawn.
If it was important, she'd hear about it eventually. For now, she needed to get ready for bed and get some sleep.
She'd earned it.
On May 17th, 2002, Magneto waited for someone to pick up the phone.
"Brotherhood manor, Toad speaking. How may I direct your call?" he asked in an overly-chipper voice, bordering on sarcasm. Still, it was an improvement.
"Better. Now, get my son," Magneto ordered.
"Pietro, it's your dad," Toad yelled.
"Yes, Father," he answered a moment later.
"Do you boys have everything you need for Monday?" he asked.
"Yeah, we're good, thanks," he said.
"And you understand, you're to leave the X-Men alone? Not start any trouble of any kind. In and out of the school?" he asked.
"What happened to taking the X-Men down?" he asked.
"A shift of properties," he answered. "A temporary one until you have your diplomas," he added.
"Just seems like a waste of time," he commented.
"Education is never a waste," he corrected.
"If you say so," he said.
"I do," he said firmly. "Play nice and don't get expelled," he said warningly. "I put you in charge of the Brotherhood, Quicksilver, I expect you to keep them in line," he said.
"Yes, sir," he said.
"Good," he said.
On May 18th, 2002, around 6:20 pm, Rogue sat with her teammates in the Professor's office. She was seated on the couch with Kitty and Kurt. While Scott and Jean took the recliners.
"Thank you all for gathering before dinner. This will be a quick meeting. More of an announcement, really, so none of you are caught off-guard tomorrow," the Professor said.
"What's happening tomorrow, Professor?" Jean asked.
"The Brotherhood boys have been readmitted to Bayville High School," he informed them.
"After the stunt, they pulled," Scott exclaimed.
"Yeah, like, how?" Kitty asked as the other groaned in dismay. Rogue, however, looked at the Professor as a smile formed on her lips.
"So, what ja get?" Rogue asked the Professor.
The Professor looked at her with curiosity as Scott asked, "What?"
"I'm asking Prof, what he got from Magneto in exchange for getting the Brotherhood boys back into Bayville," she clarified.
"Rogue, there's like, no way, the Professor would ever-" Kitty said as Rogue rolled her eyes. She shifted her gaze back to the Professor's.
"So, what ja get?" she asked again.
"A ceasefire," the Professor answered.
"How diplomatic of you," she smirked before the Professor let out a laugh in response.
"It was, in fact," he said as his laughter died down.
"That's two years minimum," she said.
"I know," he said with a smile.
"Professor?" Scott asked confused. "It's Magneto. You really expect him or the brotherhood to stop messing with us?" he asked.
"I do," he said.
"But how can we trust them?" Jean asked.
"I trust that Magneto values his children's education,"
"But you, like, already got them enrolled," Kitty said.
"Yeah, you can't undo that," Kurt added.
Rogue knew exactly how he could undo it. Wait, how did they think he managed this? By asking nicely? He'd used his powers, definitely. Wait, did anyone besides her know that? No, no she didn't so. Then again, she doubted Jean and Kitty knew he had read their minds without permission.
She couldn't help but scoff. The Professor's eyes darted to hers, as she watched him lift his hand up, gesturing, asking her not to speak. She tilted her head slightly, rolling her eyes before a thought occurred to her.
"Magneto was here last Sunday, right? What time was that?" she asked.
"About ten, I believe," the Professor answered, seemingly confused by the change in subject.
"Huh," she huffed.
Wait, how could the Professor try to enter her mind and talk to Max at the same time? Could he multitask like that? Spilt his attention to two separate tasks? She didn't know. It wasn't something he had ever- No, not that she knew of. And not that Magneto knew of either. Then how? Okay, it wasn't the Professor then who was trying to get into her head-
She felt her full attention drawn to the back of her head, as she felt yet another attempt. She tilted her head slightly as she pressed her will against the invader and expelled them from her mind with ease.
She quickly turned her head to look behind her and out the window, beyond the outer wall of the Institute. Her eyes widened as she saw a black car speeding off in a hurry.
"Rogue, are you alright?" the Professor asked.
'What if he's been telling the truth? What if,' she thought alarmed as she turned back to make eye contact with the Professor. "Can I ask you a favor?" she asked.
"Yes, of course," he said.
"Could you- could you try to astral project into my mind?" she asked.
"Now?" he asked, surprised.
She needed to know if it was him or not. Maybe it would feel different than all of the other attempts? She wouldn't know unless she had him try so-
"Ah- huh," she confirmed as she sat up straight and prepared herself.
"Will you all please excuse us for a moment?" he asked. She took a breath as her eyes darted up towards the clock hanging on the left-hand wall: it read 6:34 pm.
"Okay, I'm ready," she said as she looked at him again. He gave her a nod before he closed his eyes. She closed her own as she waited and-
She felt him, against the center of her forehead. He wasn't pushing his will against hers- No, it was gentler than that. Almost as if he had his fingers on her forehead and was only probing lightly against the edge of her mind.
'No,' she thought firmly and pushed him out. He didn't fight her and promptly she felt his presence leave. She opened her eyes and saw he was doing the same.
Okay, that was definitely different but she didn't know why. Was he taking a different approach so she wouldn't recognize it as him? That hadn't told her anything. If anything that only reaffirmed that it was Prof who was-
"That was rather impressive, Rogue," he said warmly.
"Please don't patronize me, Prof," she said as she rolled her eyes. "You barely tried," she said. His eyes lit up with interest.
"And what gave you that impression?" he asked curiously. She lifted her right hand up and pressed her index and pointer figure against the center of her forehead, the same way she had sensed him attempting to enter her mind.
"That ain't trying," she said. "You were practically asking for my permission," she said.
"Yes, well, I'd rather not hurt you and I stand by my assessment. Your level of mental awareness is quite rare," he said.
"It's just a skill," she said with a shrug. "I bet anyone can learn it with enough practice and I've had a lot of that this month," she said before his eyes widened in realization.
"You're comparing them," he said, astonished. "And mine was," he said as he looked away from her, his eyes shifting as he thought. "Forgive me, Rogue," he said, looking at her again. "I didn't understand the point of this exercise. May I?" he asked.
"You ain't gonna hold back this time?" she asked.
"I apologize for any discomfort you may feel as a result, but, yes. I intend to exert the full force of my abilities," he promised.
"Okay," she said before she took another breath. Her eyes darted up to the clock: 6:39 pm. "I'm ready," she said, looking at him again. He gave her another nod before closing his eyes.
She gasped loudly as she felt his mind launch head-first against hers. She gripped the couch cushion as she steeled herself against him, asserting her will against his own. This was- okay, it was different. Very different. Much more than she felt from the intruder only minutes before.
She took deep breaths as she fought against him. She could do this, or at least keep him out as long as- No, she could do this. Her will needed to be iron-clad. No doubt, no hesitation. She was not letting him in.
'No,' she thought firmly over and over and over again. She didn't know how many times but it was working. He was there, but not getting past her. Even as she felt sweat dripping down the sides of her face and her spine.
'Just breathe girl,' she told herself as she followed her own instructions. She wasn't giving him an inch. Not one.
She continued to take long deep breaths as she held him off. The more she breathed the easier holding her line became. She felt, not overwhelmed, but rather comfortable.
'Okay, time to go on the offensive, girl,' she told herself as she pressed her will against his. She leaned forward as she pushed against him. 'Stay out,' she screamed.
She felt the briefest recession of his attempt as he backed away. She knew she hadn't forced him out, merely he had adhered to her suggestion. Maybe, he was-
She felt her breath nearly choke in her throat as his mind was upon hers again. He wasn't- it wasn't from the front. No, he had- it was like his hands were on top of her head, circling, applying pressure against her skull, as his face descended from above. Her entire skull felt surrounded and- god it was suffocating. She had to remind herself to breathe as she held out against him.
Her breaths were coming fast as she- it was so much. He was- okay, there was no way, no possible way that the intruder was the Professor. It couldn't be-
She was slipping- her breaths were out of control. Was she? Yeah, she might be hyperventilating. She wasn't sure and she couldn't spare the metal focus to check. It was taking everything she had to hold him off, to keep him out. She-
"Chuck, what are you doing to her?" Logan yelled. The release of tension was immediate and welcomed, the Professor's hands loosened before he receded completely.
"Precisely what she requested, Logan," he answered as she slouched against the back of the couch. She worked on getting her breath back under control. "She's holding up remarkably well. I've met telepaths with less resilience," he said, a hint of pride in his tone.
"Kid, you alright?" Logan asked.
"Yup," she managed to reply breathlessly.
"You missed dinner," he said dryly.
She blinked a couple of times and forced herself to glance up at the clock. It read: 7:52 pm. How? There was no way that had been an hour, right?
"Yes, I'm aware. We'll eat when we're done. Unless," he said looking at her. "Rogue, would you like to stop here?" he asked her.
She had held out against one of, if not, the most powerful telepath on the planet for over an hour. Yeah, yeah, okay, that felt pretty good.
She felt a smile come to her face as she sat up fully. She reached down, uniting the laces on her boots. She kicked them off as she reached at the hem of her sheer shirt and pulled it over her head. She was left in her tank top as she dropped the sweat-drenched shirt to the floor. She pulled her legs up and crossed them underneath her. She glanced back up at the clock as she took another breath: 7:55 pm.
"Okay, I'm ready," she said determinedly. A pleased expression crossed the Professor's face before he glanced up at Logan.
"Please don't interfere again. I was almost through," he said.
"You wish," she grinned confidently as she placed her hands, palm up on the tops of her knees.
"Just go easy on her, alright?" Logan asked.
"That would render the exercise pointless, Logan. So, no, I'm afraid, I can't do that," he said. "Shall we?" he asked, looking at her.
"Yup," she smiled before she closed her eyes and waited for impact.
His hands descended upon her skull, but she was ready for it this time and breathed into the pressure as she felt his face make contact with her skull, attempting to break through.
She wasn't giving him an inch. It was her mind and no one was getting in without her consent. She could do this. She would do this.
She breathed and breathed and-
She was comfortable? Yes, actually. The pressure was there, but manageable. She leaned forward again, intending to push him out of her mind, to move the line, to-
She let out a painful yelp as she felt intense dizziness. She pulled back immediately and the pain subsided.
'Just breathe,' she told herself again. And again she took some time to regain her composure.
That hadn't happened earlier. Why did it happen this time? Maybe she was getting tired? Or was he doing something? Either way, what was she supposed to do now?
She had her line and he wasn't crossing it, but neither could she.
'So, what? I gotta wait for him to give up?'
How long was that going to take? What time was it now?
She opened her eyes and glanced at the clock: 8:27 pm. She was surprised to see Mr. McCoy and Logan sitting in the recliners by the fireplace. Logan was reading a newspaper and Mr. McCoy a novel. She wanted to tilt her head to see the name of the book but felt the dizziness again upon trying.
She pulled against it, trying to move her head but felt his fingers grip even tighter against her skull and forced her head back to its position. Oh, oh, he was using his telepathy and telekinesis.
'Why would he?' she asked as her eyes scanned over the Professor's body and how it was slumped over in his chair. Defenseless. If she had telepathy, his telepathy, she would probably be able to win. Not that she intended to use her powers on him, but was that what he was trying to prevent?
She cast her eyes downward to look at her fingers as she tried to lift her hand up. No sooner had she lifted it, before she felt his pointer finger move flick downwards and her hand was pressed back against the top of her knee.
'Okay, moving, not an option. Got it,' she thought as she looked back over at the novel Mr. McCoy was holding. On the spine of the book, that wasn't covered by his hand, she saw the letters S and H.
"Is that Shakespeare?" she asked. Both men looked up at her in surprise.
"I'm rereading Macbeth," he answered.
"So, you two done?" Logan asked as he turned the page of his newspaper.
"No, he's still trying," she answered.
"And you're alright?" Mr. McCoy asked.
"I'm holding him off," she said.
She watched them share a glance before she felt the pressure around her skull intensify. She was forced to close her eyes as she took another deep breath.
Okay, she needed to focus for a while.
After what felt like only moments to her, she reopened her eyes, once again comfortable with the level of pressure he was using against her. The clock read: 8:46 pm.
"Why Macbeth?" she asked.
"It's my favorite," Mr. McCoy answered, looking over at her. "Have you read it," he asked.
"Ah-huh," she replied as she felt the tension let up again. She looked over at the Professor as he opened his eyes. "You giving up?" she asked.
"As I'm certain you've perceived, there's little point in continuing. It's a stalemate," the Professor declared.
"In what way?" Mr. McCoy asked as she slowly started to turn her head from side to side.
"I cannot enter Rogue's mind," he said as she tried to move her legs next. They were pretty stiff but she managed to get them out from underneath her. "There is a distinct line that she will not allow me to cross," he said as she heard herself let out a soft groan, a wave of dizziness hitting her.
'Okay, time to lay down,' she thought as she fell back against the couch.
"However, by that same virtue, she could not fully expel me. Both of us were holding the line, neither of us gaining or losing any ground," he explained, a soft sigh of relief leaving her as her head hit the soft cushion. "It's quite impressive," he finished.
"Kid," Logan said, concerned.
"I'm okay, just tired," she said as she closed her eyes.
"She's most likely a little dehydrated," the Professor said.
"Think I'm gonna sleep," she said.
"Not yet, I'm afraid," the Professor said. "Hank, could you please retrieve a few bottles of water and the ibuprofen?" he asked.
"Of course, Charles," he said. Rogue heard him standing.
"You should eat something before bed," he told her.
"Do I have ta move?" she asked.
"I see no reason for that," the Professor said. "Logan, could I trouble you?" he asked.
"Yeah, alright," he grunted.
A few moments later Rogue heard the door closing behind them both.
"I really am impressed," he said, knowing that they were alone. "Even Magneto couldn't manage that. It's why he started wearing that helmet," he said.
"Ah-huh," she hummed exhausted.
"Oh, speaking of Magneto, I was asked to pass along his graduate," he said.
"Huh, for what-" she asked before it dawned on her. "Oh my god, you two talked about me?" she asked.
"We did," he said.
"What did he say?" she asked.
"That he owes you two favors," he informed her.
Maybe it was because she was so tired, but she immediately broke out into laughter.
"Honestly, at this point, Rogue, either I'm right. Or you're just too smart for your own good," he said. Her laughter died down as she turned her head towards him and opened her eyes.
"Does it matter?" she asked.
"Perhaps, not," he said before he let out a sigh. "By the way, how was the comparison?" he asked.
"Yeah, so, I almost wanna say thank you for only doing that when I was unconscious," she said.
"It was different, I take it?" he asked amused.
"Night and day, Prof. Whoever they are, they ain't as strong as you. I can push them out," she said.
"Well, perhaps, you and I can finally work together to figure out who they are," he offered.
"Yup. But like tomorrow, right?" she asked.
"Yes," he laughed. "Tomorrow," he said.