Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 10:25:26 -0800 (PST)
From: Mark <rahvin747@yahoo.com>
Subject: Fire and Ice - chapter 5

Disclaimer : The X-men are property of Marvel and this is a work of
fiction.

*********************************************************************

Chapter 5

"Oh my god," she said. They both turned to see Rogue standing in the
doorway, her face as white as snow, and her cheeks red with anger. Tears
welled in her eyes.

Kevin's breath caught in his throat. The woman had barged in without
knocking so technically this wasn't his fault, but that would definitely
not dispel the situation.  Bobby had leaped off of him the instant he had
recognised Rogue's voice and he'd swung around to face her. Propped up on
his elbows in shock, Kevin looked at Bobby's face. He was breathing
heavily, and his face was panic-stricken - his eyes opened wide and
glistening with tears. His lips were trembling and he could see Bobby
trying to speak, but petrified to silence.

"Bobby?" Rogue said to break the murderous silence. "How could do deceive
me like this? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I ... I ...," was all Bobby seemed to manage. He swallowed hard.

"You used me," she almost screamed, and tears fell down her face. She was
devastated. Kevin had known about Rogue and Bobby from the beginning. Bobby
said he was ashamed that he's deceived her, but that it had been a
necessity to protect himself. It wasn't right, but it was
understandable. Now the whole situation had exploded, and a catastrophe was
brewing right in front of his eyes.

"Rogue, I'm..." Bobby started to stammer, but his voice broke and he
stopped speaking again. The situation had broken him, and Kevin could see
his mind working, looking for a plausible explanation, but Rogue was no
fool - walking in on this scene could only have one interpretation.

"You're what?" she said angrily and started walking towards him.

Kevin suddenly became wary. Rogue looked irrational, and Bobby seemed
defenceless in his current state. He stood up from the bed quickly and
walked towards Rogue, his arm stretched out in a soothing manner.

"Don't do anything stupid, Marie," Kevin said softly.

Rogue stopped mid-stride and suddenly looked at him. His breath caught
again, and his heart skipped a beat. Her gaze had been furious and vengeful
when she stared at Bobby, but on him she all but seemed to ignite. Her eyes
bled hatred for him, and he felt his own jaw drop in shock. Suddenly he
regretted speaking at all, and quickly berated himself for being such a
coward.

"You!" she screamed. "You've been nothing but trouble since you first
arrived here!  The Professor makes excuses for his precious little Level
five, but everything you touch you FUCK UP. If it isn't the weather, it's
the forest, it's my boyfriend, it's even the damn mansion. I'm SICK of you,
we all are! But now you've done something which will cost you more than you
bargained for!"

Each word she spoke stung like thousand blades in his heart. It wasn't an
indifferent student who was ranting towards him, it was a full X-man, a
friend. Even in this state, he could tell that her sentiments were true,
and not completely out of anger. He wanted to apologise, and be on his way
- just end it all.

"Rogue," Kevin said, trying to find the words to apologise - yet he
couldn't even imagine how to begin. How does one forgive such a colossal
travesty?

Marie walked towards him hastily, and he wasn't sure if she was going to
punch him, slap him, or kick him in the balls - but he was ready for all
three. She approached him, and he almost closed his eyes to shield his
vision from the imminent pain. Her hand touched his cheek, and he gasped
and screamed. He caught sight of her long black glove held in her other
gloved hand. Crying out, he fell to his knees. There was no pain, there was
only death. He could feel the life being drawn from him, could feel his
organs screeching in agony as she pulled the energy from them. He managed
to crane his neck upwards and what he saw made him want to weep. Her face
was ice, but he could see the corner of her mouth twitching with a
near-smile. Her revenge was sweet, and she let him know it.

"Deceiver," she said frostily, and his lungs choked at the repetition. "Die
for your crimes, Kevin. I want you to die!"

His mind cried out at the foretelling come true, and he remembered how the
dream had ended. He could hear Bobby shouting something to Marie, but it
sounded like an echo through a long tunnel, and echo which was rapidly
fading. He could feel a pale shadow fall over his vision, and he knew that
death was close, yet her touch only strengthened, and he could feel her
nails digging into his skin, could feel the blood running down his
cheek. Death would deny him Bobby forever! The situation became too much
for him. A rage started to build in him, a white hot inferno which was
about to explode. He didn't deserve this! How dare she try and kill him for
falling for a gay guy? He pulled energy into himself, from where he
couldn't say, but he heard the walls frost over and the panels crack from
the thaw, and saw her frown. He gripped her hand, and she gasped at his
strength. Pulling her hand from his cheek, he flinched as her nails pulled
out of the flesh on his face. He wasn't finished - he was only
beginning. He was tired of being victimised for a gift he was born with,
victimised for actually using his gift to its full potential, and now
victimised for falling for a guy who openly wanted him. He'd taken it all
sitting down, and now someone had actually tried to kill him for it. He had
reached the end of the line. She tried to pull her arm back but he smiled
at her with the deepest malice, and her eyes widened. He started to pull
the energy out of her, started to play her own twisted game. She sank to
her knees crying, and pleading for mercy. Should he show her the mercy he
had received? If she'd had her way, he's be a corpse by now. He pulled and
pulled, and watched her mouth open and the scream fade to gasping. Her soft
white skin became parched and wrinkled, and her eyes became sunken. She was
an old woman, drained of any vitality she had once had. With one last weak
cry, she fell and he released her hand. She lay on the ground as still as
stone, her parched form breathing raggedly as she tried to sustain
herself. She would live. He turned to look at Bobby, and he saw sadness in
Bobby's eyes, and tears running down his cheeks. His heart sank, and all
the darkness in him left. He saw the slow track of moisture fall down
Bobby's cheeks, freeze on his skin and flake off. He wanted to hug him, to
tell him all would be well - but it would a lie both of them would see
through. He looked at Rogue, then at Bobby and he felt disgusted with
himself. He had to get away! He ran out the room, and heard Bobby shout his
name.

He ran to the mansion exit. He had to get out before someone else tried to
harm him.  Rogue was his friend, and he could only imagine what his enemies
would do once they discovered her ruined form. Most of them would probably
believe he'd initiated the whole conflict and delighting in hurting a young
girl. Anger streaked across his mind, but he bashed it down. Visions of
Bobby crossed his mind, and he erased them before they could have an effect
on him. He needed a clear mind, a logical mind to escape this hell on
earth. Running around the corner he was already panting at the pace he'd
set himself, when suddenly he was tackled with an enormous force. He flew
into the wall and grunted, before sliding down with the wind knocked out of
him. He stood up, and saw Wolverine in his vision. Only a moment had passed
and Wolverine had gripped his throat and picked him up, his feet dangling a
foot off the ground. He was straining for breath, and when he saw Wolverine
bring out his claws, he thought he'd finally encountered the end of his
life. Instead, Wolverine lashed forward with his claws and pinned Kevin's
hand to the wall. He screamed and screamed as the pain of the blades
stabbed through his hand burned like acid. Tears leaked from his eyes, but
he couldn't stop them - it was a pain he'd never felt before.

"I heard Rogue scream and I saw you running from your room. I'm going to go
there now, my friend and if she has been harmed, I'm going to use these
claws to cut off your head." His face was livid and Kevin could feel his
breath on his cheek, and sense the feral nature which surrounded him. The
claws retracted and Kevin screamed as the pain flashed for a second
time. In an instant Wolverine was gone, running towards Kevin's room. He
fell to his knees and clasped his hand, and tried to sooth the agony of the
three deep ridges in his hand. The gaping holes in his hand bled heavily,
and the blood ran on to the floor and down his arm. He had to get out, or
he wouldn't survive! Racing to the front door, he prayed that he was fast
enough to outrun the returning and wrathful Wolverine. He thought about
Bobby, and he groaned with sadness. He would see him soon. He would!

As he ran down the final set of steps, he smiled with relief as he
approached the front doors. His destination was in sight, and there was no
sign of anyone. Suddenly he pulled up short, and stared with shock - he
hadn't seen Xavier standing in front of the doors. It took only a moment to
overcome his shock, and then his expression became stern.

"Let me pass," he said to Xavier gravely. "I want to leave this place."

The Professor stared at him a moment longer before replying. "Something is
amiss here, Kevin. Why did you attack Rogue?"

Kevin wanted to scream at the unjust accusation. "I was defending myself!
She attacked me when she saw me with Bobby."

The side door to the lobby exploded to shards and Wolverine ran through
followed by Storm and Kitty Pride. In an instant his powers were ready. He
thought he could destroy all four of them at the same time, but he wasn't
looking forward to the prospect. Strangely, none of them looked angry at
his transgressions, only concerned.  Still, he decided to make his guard as
heavy as possible, and he started to draw on his powers. None of them could
be trusted. If Rogue and Logan could harm them, then any of them
would. Even the Professor had deceptively tried to still his mind in the
past, and he was supposedly the best of them. He heard footsteps behind him
and turned to see Bobby leaping down the steps to try and join him. He
raised his hand quickly, and Bobby stopped and surveyed the dangerous scene
he'd unwittingly run into. He stood several steps higher than Kevin, but
concern was etched on his face, and he clearly wanted to join him and
reassure him.

"No one wants to hurt you, Kevin," Professor X said softly.

Kevin spun around to face them. Bobby he could trust, the others he could
not. Xavier had a knack for saying the wrong things at the wrong
time. "Hurt me? Hurt me! Look at what Logan did to my hand!" He held up his
hand and showed it to the Professor. It was covered in blood but the
three-claw sigil was unmistakable. Everyone in the room gasped, but
Wolverine frowned in confusion. "Don't deny it you bastard!" he shouted to
Wolverine.

"For the last time, Professor X. I am leaving this house. Now!"

"You aren't going anywhere, Kevin. You are a powerful mutant who is
emotionally fractured, and with powers you cannot control. It would be
irresponsible of me to let you loose on the population."

Kevin stared at the Professor. He had expected a more diplomatic answer, or
perhaps some more small talk. "I am leaving this house with Bobby! Try and
stop me and I'll destroy you all!" he said softly.

"I will not allow you to leave us in this ruined state, and certainly not
allow you to take one of our X-men with you. You'll have to destroy us if
you wish to pass."

"You think I won't? You think I'll hesitate?!" Kevin said dangerously.

"I think you know the difference between right and wrong, and that it would
be wrong to harm those who care about you. Now make the choice," he said
leadenly.

"Alright," he said softly. "There is a choice. And I've made it."

Immediately he lashed out with his devastating powers, and the lobby was
transformed into a hurricane. The wind roared with terrible ferocity as it
circled the room. Everyone was thrown off their feet - Kitty being blown
right out of the room through the side room, Wolverine clawing to the
ground and straining to maintain his footing, Storm flying into the air,
Xavier sliding along the ground. Paintings, vases, tapestries - all of them
were thrown up by the tempest, and still he strengthened it.  The wood
started splintering off the walls, and the floor shook as if a giant insect
was burrowing beneath it. He created a barrier around Bobby which shielded
him from the wind. Well it wasn't really a wind - more like an enormous
telekinetic storm. He saw Wolverine run towards him, and strangely his
claws were retracted. With a flick he seared half the man's skin off and
sent him flying through the air, and through the opposite wall. He started
to walk slowly towards the door, and tore the front door from its hinges
along with half the wall and watched the wood disintegrate into
nothing. He'd almost reached the front door, when he felt psychic energy
avalanche towards him in huge volumes. He was nearly knocked off his feet,
but managed to stumble out of the front door. Retreating down the steps, he
felt the attacks intensify.  He released the hurricane in the mansion,
because he couldn't defend himself and maintain the wind. He turned around
and saw the Professor walking towards him calmly, psychic energy pouring
out of him in a flood. He rebuffed each attack, but they grew stronger,
stronger. Xavier was incredibly strong, but he managed to hold his own. He
ran down the steps and fell, and rolled the rest of the way still defending
himself from the attacks wildly. Gasping he scrambled along the gravel
until he found his footing until he was running again, his jeans torn and
his knees cut. Hurry up Bobby...

"Kevin, help me!" he heard, and horror coursed along his veins. He turned
around and saw Bobby sinking into the ground. Kevin didn't know what to do
except watch in shock. At waist level Bobby stopped sinking, and Kitty rose
up behind him, with a determined look across her face.

Kevin hesitated. He didn't think he could rescue Bobby without getting
caught, but his heart cried out at the thought of leaving him there
defenceless. "Bobby... do something," he shouted, but he knew how foolish
the words were when they left his mouth. What did he expect Bobby to do?
Bobby suddenly slumped forward and lost consciousness. Xavier had put him
to sleep.

"No!" he screamed and ran towards them in a rage. He stuck out his hands a
hundred bolts of lightning raced towards Xavier. He would kill this man and
free the man he loved. He was being irrational but he didn't care. Moments
before the first bolt struck Xavier, Storm jumped in front of him and fed
the lightning into her hands. The look on her face was terrible, and her
white eyes were haunting. He looked towards Bobby and whimpered. He wanted
to get close but he couldn't. While he was submerged in his thoughts, the
world went white and roared and he woke up with a ragged breath on his
back. He looked up and saw smoke rising twenty feet from where he had been
standing. Storm had used his own malice against him. He could see the
clouds above him swirling, could see the air crackling and she prepared to
finish him off. He stood up and spared one last glance towards Bobby who
appeared to still be sleeping, and fused with the stone floor.

"I will come back for you, Bobby," he said softly, and he could feel the
oath inscribed on his soul it was so deep. Nothing would stop him from
returning to claim his lover.

He felt the air solidify and he started running as fast as his feet could
take him. The lightning followed him with a tremendous noise, some of the
bolts as close as twenty feet away from him. He tried to deflect them
somehow but he didn't know where they were coming from. They just appeared
out of nowhere at an instant's notice. Storm thought that he had tried to
kill Xavier, and now she would do her best to kill him. A lightning bolt
struck a few feet away from him and went flying through the air and landed
with a grunt on the grass a few feet away. He was far away from the
mansion, but the woman persisted. He had really pissed her off. He needed
to get up, he needed to run. He could feel the hair on his arms rise, and
he knew that the final bolt was coming to finish him off. He couldn't even
think about using his powers. He was exhausted. The lightning arced from
the sky with a terrible fury and struck short and was deflected by an
invisible barrier. He stared. Not his work. He looked around wildly and saw
an older man standing behind him with a casual smile on his face.

"Lightning obeys the laws of magnetism too, Kevin," he said. "Or should I
say Kronos."

"Magneto," Kevin said simply.

"Indeed," the man replied. "We are here to help you."

"I don't need your help," Kevin said aggressively and thought that it must
look ridiculous for anyone covered in dirt and blood to claim that.

"Very well, I'll leave you to fight Storm."

Kevin looked around and saw the next bolt readying its self. He sensed
Magneto's shield weakening. Who was he kidding? "Wait," he said. "Take me
with you. Please"

Magneto smiled. "Pyro, help him."

Kevin frowned and a young guy appeared from behind Magneto in the distance.
Kevin's mouth dropped. He was very handsome, and tall with fiery hair and a
dangerous glint in his eyes. The guy walked up to him silently and picked
him up and put his arm around his shoulder and started helping him walk. He
became aware of all his injuries. All his small abrasions, and bruises and
strained bones started to cry in agony as he moved, but he managed to
stifle his groans. In the distance he saw a helicopter, and he knew that
salvation lay within the next hundred feet. Storm's bolts followed them
with a rabid fury, but they struck harmlessly high above them.  Magneto and
Pyro didn't react. Pyro. This was the guy who John had mentioned - the guy
who was rotten inside. He became wary but at the same time he was confused
that such a bad guy would help him in a time of need. He staggered towards
the helicopter and with each step he felt weaker, and felt Pyro carry more
of his weight.  He half-collapsed into the helicopter and managed to
struggle into one of the seats. He saw a mysterious blue woman flying the
chopper, and Magneto sitting passively next to her staring out at the
mansion as they rose higher into the air and flew away. Pyro sat opposite
to him looking at him. He avoided his gaze.

"You're hurt," he said, and Kevin was forced to look at him.

"I'm okay," he lied. His hand was in agony and he felt as if he'd been
attacked by a gang with chains.

"No you're not," he said forcefully. His eyes were angry, but there was
something feral and alluring about them. "Give me your hand," he said, and
it wasn't a request.

Kevin stretched his hand out, which had luckily stopped bleeding but was a
bloody mess. Pyro took it softly in his hand and examined it. He shook his
head sadly and opened a box lying next to him, and took out bandages and
gauze. He started to dress Kevin's hand, and he had a look of precision and
care on his face. His hands were strong and very warm, hot even. Kevin
managed to smile weakly, though Pyro wouldn't have noticed it. He wasn't
attracted to the guy, but it was nice to feel cared for after nearly being
killed by a whole school of mutants. He leaned his head back against the
soft head rest and sighed with relief. Finally he was in safe hands. A
minute or two later he felt hands on his knees and he opened his eyes and
saw Pyro looking at him seriously.

"There," Pyro said. "Your hand will heal with time."

"Thanks man," Kevin said softly and he examined the expertly tied bandage
around his hand. It still hurt, but he thought it pained a little less
after it had received some care.

"Now," Pyro said. "Are you okay, Kevin?" His eyes bored into Kevin's, and
they were magnetic. He couldn't break the gaze, but finally forced himself
to.

"I'm fine," he said.

"You're not," Pyro replied immediately.

"I'm fine!" he shouted, and Magneto half turned in his seat before turning
back to admire the view.

"You're not! Tell me Kevin!" Pyro shouted back, and Kevin felt shock at the
guy's persistence.

"I ..." he began, but he cracked under the pressure. He started to weep and
he could feel the tears leaking down his eyes. He had been through so
much. He was trying to save a sinking boat with a teaspoon. He felt
ashamed, and no matter how quickly he vaporised the tears falling down his
cheeks, they were replaced in an instant. He leaned forward, and felt a
deep humiliation. He felt Pyro's hand on the back of his head and suddenly
his face was next to his, his rough cheek rubbing warmly against Kevin's.

"It going to be okay," Pyro whispered, and his voice soothed Kevin and made
him feel as if there was hope. He had missed being embraced and
supported. He had missed feeling wanted and cared for. This guy seemed to
care, to merely want to be a good friend... to care. He loved Bobby, but
this guy was a decent friend who was looking out for him. They sat in that
position for a long time, Pyro's hand strongly bound to Kevin's head,
embracing them tightly cheek to cheek. He didn't know where they were
going, and he didn't care. These people cared for him, and Pyro especially
was someone who loved him like a brother. He'd left that jealous and cursed
school, but he promised himself... promised!! ... that he would return and
rescue Bobby from their conniving claws. He planned to spend the rest of
his life with Bobby, to kiss and have his way with him until he couldn't
take it anymore. Only the X-men stood in his way, but these guys would help
him master his powers so that he could finally destroy them, and save his
boyfriend.

*********************************************************************

Bobby struggled in his chair, and growled as he tried to free himself, but
Wolverine had tied the knots proficiently and he was going nowhere. His
hands were bound too and he couldn't use his powers on the ropes.

"Let me loose!" he screamed at the people in Xavier's office.

"Are you kidding?" Wolverine said. "You acting like a crazy animal,
Iceman. You're going to cause trouble."

"That's right," he shouted. "I'm going to make this place a nuclear winter
for what you did to Kevin."

"We did nothing to him," Storm said.

"Oh no?" Bobby said. "First Marie nearly kills him with her powers, then
Wolverine spikes him to the wall like a deer, then you try to burn him to
death with lightning!  The whole time he was acting in self-defence! What
exactly would you categorize as doing something to him then, Storm?"

"Wait..." Wolverine said. "I never hurt him. I wouldn't ever hurt a
student. You know that Bobby. Why the hell do I have to spend my days
trying to convince everyone of this?"

"Don't play your fucking games with me, Wolverine. Do you think Kevin
conveniently spiked his own hand like that? What did he do... run into a
garden fork while trying to escape being killed?"

"Enough," Xavier said. "We never tried to hurt Kevin until he tried to hurt
us, and even then I only tried to put him to sleep. Storm
acted... precipitously, and I've already discussed her error with her."

"Her error!" Bobby said, scandalized. "How would her apology have looked if
Kevin had been a charred corpse at this moment? She's the same as
Marie. You're all the same as Marie! I hope she dies!"

"I said enough! She just might!" Xavier shouted, and he looked angry for
the first time Bobby could remember, but it washed right over him.

"I don't take orders from you anymore. I can see exactly why Jean Grey
killed you, Charles Xavier!" Bobby ranted.

"You're out of line, kid," Wolverine said gravely, and stepped forward.

"Fuck off," he said, and kept his eyes on Xavier. "You tried to control him
just like you tried to control her. For your own personal ambition and gain
- because you are afraid of him. You've finally found another mutant who
exceeds your godly powers and you can't take it. Just like Marie couldn't
take it that I love him, you can't bear his strength. It comes down to
jealousy. You all disgust me."

"Are you finished?" Xavier said.

"I haven't even begun yet. You heard him. He's coming back for
me. Soon. And when he does, all hell is going to break loose and we'll
finally be together. And the rest of you..." Bobby started to laugh. He
laughed so much tears started streaking from his eyes. He knew it was
true. Their fear of Kronos was palpable, and they knew he would come
back. He knew Kevin would come for him. He couldn't wait to seize him and
kiss him again, to feel his breath and his warmth, to lie against his built
chest.  Sleep came again, but he laughed and laughed until the darkness
won.

*********************************************************************

Magneto approached Pyro, who was sitting alone on his bed in his
chambers. The operation had been a stunning success. Charles was even
better at his job of driving mutants away than he could possibly have
imagined. He'd half killed the boy, and driven him to madness by separating
him from his lover. Magneto had to smile to himself, because the situation
was too perfect for words. Kevin was busy sleeping, just like he had done
for the previous fourteen hours. So exhausted for one so young, and
strong. He would need that strength though, and he would direct it to his
own purposes. It would require tact and intelligence, and that was why he
was in Pyro's room.

"Good job," he said to Pyro, who continued playing with the cards on his
bed and didn't look up.

"You're a sick fuck," Pyro said. "But don't worry, I'll still go along with
it."

Magneto's eyes flashed, but he let the insult pass. "You're right you will,
my boy.  He's totally smitten with you."

"It isn't right," Pyro said. "And from me, that means it's really fucked
up."

"Still, we go ahead," Magneto said. Mystique appeared behind him. She was
as stealthy as ever.

"I like your methods," Magneto said, and he gave her a kiss on the cheek.

She smiled widely. "It was just his hand. I could have cut it off, but I
figured you wanted a complete hero, not a tormented disabled one."

Magneto laughed. "Indeed. Our hero he is. He's an untamed lion - but we
merely need to point him in the direction of the sheep, and not much
else. I am the driving force, and Pyro here is the rudder. This ship will
eventually sail."

Pyro stared at them flatly as they left the room. Magneto needed to flog
the ambition out of Pyro before he ruined everything for the hundredth
time. He would have to watch him. There was something else in his eyes, but
he couldn't say exactly what it was. It didn't matter. He had Kronos, and
now the world would pay for crossing Magneto.

End of Chapter 5

Thanks for all the comments guys. I get some really inspiring feedback
after some chapters, and it's great to read. I usually release the next
chapter every Sunday/Monday - except for this week when I was a little
busy. Any comments to rahvin747@yahoo.com