The X-Men: Darkness Surrounding - Part 5

Author:  AeLonwyne

Disclaimer:  Rogue and the X-Men are the property of Marvel

Hank returned to the capacious home of the X-Men, after spending the last two days trying to help one Dr. Paudro Von Menser. A fellow genetic scientist who had run across an unexpected variable in one of his experiments. The two had put their respective scientific craniums together but had not been able to get around this particularly frustrating variable, and had thusly decided to call it quits for the night.

Hank followed the winding driveway up near the mansion then took a right on to a narrower side road, that led through the trees to a large garage. He pulled into an empty space, then headed for the main building, turning off his image inducer as he went.

The first thing he noticed upon walking in through a side door, was the debris that littered the kitchen. “Oh my.” Henry muttered. He hurried through to the living room. “Hello?” He called. The living room was decidedly worse looking. Causing a twinge of panic in him.

Hank! We’re in the war room. Jean told him. The Beast bounded down a flight of stairs, while Jean apprised him of the current situation telepathicaly. The remaining X-Men were assemble around a large metal table, when Hank entered.

Wolverine was popping one of his claws in and out repeatedly. Bobby had one hand iced up and was holding it to his forehead. Shadowcat sat leaning deeply into her chair and looking very tired. Jean had an arm around Rogue who looked as though she were ready to lose control at any moment.

The two women were whispering about something Beast could not quite hear. Hank took an empty seat next to Colossus, “Any ideas as to our next approach?” He asked. “No, not yet. We were just getting ready to start when you arrived.” Piotr answered.

The Beast looked thoughtful. “Hmmm. Is there anything more? Something Jean might not have mentioned to me? Piotr, Jean what did you find on your mission?” “A dead end.” Jean replied. Looking rather flustered as she leaned back in her seat.

“Logan? What about you and Rogue? What did you turn up?” “More ‘n Jean an’ Petie did.” The other X-Men save Rogue turned towards Wolverine. Logan went over the conversation he and Rogue had overheard, at the abandoned warehouse.

“Intriguing. Well, Rogue what insight can you add? As you are the only known female child of Mystique." Rogue glanced over at Jean, who gave her an encouraging look. Sighing she told them about the dream, and the conversation she had had with Mystique.

“Myohmy this certainly is an interesting development. So Mystique is actually your biological mother, not just your adopted mother. Provocotive. She mentioned your father as well? Did she go into any more detail?” Rogue shook her head.

“Perhaps we should head back to the warehouse in Mississippi, and have a look around, not to mention rescue a couple of missing friends. I will take more time and see what other information I can discover on Feirdras and w…
“IT’S ALL MAH FAULT!” Rogue screamed suddenly and slammed her fist on the metal table, leaving a sizable dent on it’s surface.

“It’s mah fault they been captured. Mah fault those slimeballs even thaught o’ grabbin’ Kurt and ‘Roro. It’s…” “ROGUE!” Wolverine growled. “It aint your fault. You weren’t even alive when your ol’ man made that pact.”
Rogue blinked and slowly nodded her head. “Ah know.” She whispered. ”Ah’m not mahself. It’s almost as if someone else is in mah head telling me Ah’m to blame, and Ah cant ignore it half the time. Ah can’t keep mahself from feelin’ guilty.”

“But you are not to blame Rogue. How could you be?” Jean told her. “Storm and Nightcrawler are very capable of taking care of themselves.” “Just the same we will of course waste no time in coming to their aid.” Piotr added.

   * * *

“It is beyond time you reported to me Shreah.” “I humbly apologize my master. Master, I have secured the ‘bait’ as you commanded. Shall ve bring zem to you?” “No. However prepare your people you will soon be having unwanted company.” “Yes my master.” The image of Shreah Truenberg flicked out of existence.

Caderahn sat in silence. Years of waiting, of watching. His plan was finally coming into fruition. Eventually he rose and descended a long flight of stairs, eventually emerging into a spacious room, that looked and smelled like a cavern forgotten by time. In its center was a luminesent flame with alternated between blue and black. Suspended within the flames center, was and intricatly designed pendant made of an unknown alloy, and amythest.
The flame of Siltar. (Siltar being his home dimension.) The flames power would solidify his control over any strong willed soul who resisted his spells. For the pendant was rich with enchantments. Caderahn stared silently, and intently upon the pendant, confidant that the pendant, and his own power combined, would render Rogue unable to refuse him, and unwilling.

His heart fluttered in anticipation. “Steady.” He murmered to himself. “Soon she will be mine.”

   * * *

The pre-dawn hours were quiet, considering the tension among the X-Men members. Hank McCoy found himself wondering when the Professor, and the others would return from the Shi’ar throneworld. He doubted it would be
soon enough to help during this new crisis. The Beast’s huge, furry hands moved an obviously dwarfed mouse across it’s
pad, clicking link after link on various internet pages. Always coming up with the same thing. Nothing. He spent nearly to hours with his fruitless search, before finding the tiniest scrap of new information. “Hmmm. Supposedly lead by the daughter of Belasco. Mayhap there is a connection we have not explored enough.” Hank thought remembering Rogue’s dream. On this Beast moved the mouse, and with a couple of clicks, started a separate search on Belasco.

Another hour later, and Hank found that there had been no more sightings of Belasco since the incident in Natchez several months back. However the fact that there had been no sign of Belasco didn’t make Hank cross him off the list.

Thirty minutes later the X-Men met once again in the war room. “Once we arrive we will split into two teams. One if necessary will act as a diversion. Though both teams objective will be to rescue our friends with as little confrontation as possible, and with all due haste.” Hank told his fellow teammates.

“Logan, you will lead the main rescue party. Jean, you, and Katherine will accompany him. The rest of us will be on the diversion team.” “Hank. Ah wanna go with the others.” Rogue interupted. “No. I'm afraid that would play directly into their hand. After all it seems that it is you they wish to aquire. It would not be wise to..” “But…” “No buts about it Rogue the last thing we need it to rescue you as well.” Iceman interjected. Rogue looked around angry and flustered. “Fine!”

   * * *

“Yes my pet. You must be a part of the main rescue party. Make it easier on yourself. Come. Yes. Come my sweet one.” Caderahn waved his hands above his scrying pool, and muttered a few choice words, then smiled.