Hello all this is the final chapter of Will of The Goddess: Inception. I hope you enjoyed this story but this is the end. I want to thank everyone that reviewed and read. I also wanted to say thank you for your patience with this story. Till we meet again!

Disclaimers: I don't own them.

Chapter Five: Inception Realized

Charles Xavier sat on a bench in the waiting hall outside the X-Mansion's hospital rooms. The X-Men gathered around him waiting for him to begin his story. His blue eyes flowed over them catching each and everyone of their eyes. His friends, students, more importantly his family looked back at him expectancy in their eyes. Pride beamed in his heart at the growth of the once children now young adults. Logan shifted from foot to foot in irritation.

"Any day now, Xavier." Logan growled impatiently getting a heated look from Emma, but he could care less what she had to say about his attitude. She knew all along what Ororo had been trying to tell him for months. Xavier was alive!

"Calm down, ingrate." Erik picked at Logan, who growled back at him. "However, Charles . . . I am entitled to agree with Logan. We need the truth and by God we need it now."

"Yes, of course." Charles swallowed a lump in his throat. "Let me first began by saying that I apologize for not letting you know that I was alive. You must think me cruel for such an indiscretion. However . . . I have watched over you from afar." Charles sighed running a hand through his chestnut hair. "I have been fighting this fight since I was a very young man and I admit I was tired. It was not my intention . . . I only meant to stay away for a little while but . . ." He trailed off looking around at his family. "When I died . . . I was between realms. Telepaths, we call it the Astral Plane, a void, a place where disconnected minds harbor, where forgotten ideas are collected and stored away, or in my case live until a gateway opens". He licked his parched lips before continuing. "Only the most powerful Telepaths can survive on the Astral Plane without a physical body. During my aimless drift there, I discovered another powerful mind who had an evil plot to take over the world and shape it in his image. On the Astral Plane, time does not exist, or all time exist simultaneously. So I traveled the plane learning all I could about him, which led me to Ancient times. He was going to rise in our world once more and I had to warn you somehow but I . . .I couldn't. While I was a drift one day, I suddenly was enraptured by flames and placed in this body you see now. I certainly gave Moira quite a fright." He said with a chuckle. "This body is but a shell, a vessel, everything else is me."

"Yeah, you smell the same." Logan spoke up from where he was leaning against the wall."

"You sound the same." Kitty spoke up her eyes roaming over him. "And your eyes . . . I knew it was you when I looked at your eyes and heard you speak." Xavier smiled at her nodding in her direction she favored him with a full smile as well. "You must have been so frightened. Floating between worlds all alone." Wanda said from were she stood beside her father. Erik looked down at her turning his attention back to his oldest friend.

"I was but I don't think I was alone. I felt another presence guiding me. But yes, I was quite frightened. When I was brought back to the physical world I temporarily forgot everything that I'd stumbled across while on the Astral Plane."

"Well, how did you remember?" Peter asked completely enthralled with the story.

"That's the thing, Peter. It wasn't until I bumped minds with another telepath." Charles caught eyes with Emma, who smiled back. "I noticed that my powers were temporarily weakened after not having a body for so long. Emma helped me get them back to full strength, and that is when my time on the Astral Plane flooded back into my mind in chunks. Some things I can not yet remember but gradually it's all coming back to me. After remembering that horrible entity that stumbled upon, I asked Emma to come here to help prepare you, and I began hunting for the source of our pending destruction."

"En Sabah Nur . . ."

"How did you know Erik?"

"I got a visit from Mr. Sinister a few days ago."

"I've had Moira and the X-Force to track Mr. Sinister and his banned of Maurders down but so far we have come up empty handed."

"I was told that Forge has been missing for the past two weeks." Emma brows furrowed looking at Charles.

"Really? I didn't know. I have been following a lead for the pass three weeks but I nothing ever came of it. I'll use Cerebro to track him down."

"I've already tried. I keep getting blocked."

"I will try again, after I access the situation with Ororo and Marie."

"What is the X-Force? And who is Forge?" Kitty asked from where she sat at Xavier's feet.

"X-Force is a government funded off chute of the X-Men. Some of my first students are on that team and some of the students that once attended this school as well. X-Force based of operations is located in Ireland." Xavier looked over at Clarice. "Kurt has rejoined the X-Force."

"Really? I didn't know that." Clarice frowned from where she stood beside Logan remembering speaking with Pietro, she locked eyes with Warren, who was watching her. Blush rose to her face at the intensity of his eyes.

"Yes, but he's been on Sabbatical."

"Oh." Clarice smiled her attention snapping back to the Professor, "Cool. I need to go see him. Haven't visited him in a while."

"After things settle down, that would be a great idea."

"What lead were you tracking, Professor?" Warren asked his emerald eyes waiting for an answer.

"The location of Apocalypse Resurrection Chamber. We believe it to be at the base of an Ivory Pyramid." Erik, Wanda, Remy, and Logan frowned after receiving that bit of information. "What is it? You all seem to know what I'm talking about."

"Charles . . . I have seen this place you are talking about in my dreams."

"Oui, Remy has too."

"This is most strange. Have you two seen it as well?" Wanda and Logan nodded their heads completely puzzled. "Then the six of us including Ororo are all descendants of the first group of mutants to ever walk the earth."

"Marie . . . was having sum sort of attack and the Cher told me about a nightmare she had 'bout dis girl with powers similar to hers. I think the Cher is a descendant too." Bobby frowned at Remy rolling his eyes away from the charming Cajun. "Dat the woman that died in her vision or dream watevah the Cher said the woman looked like Stormy but the girl resurrected the dead woman or sumthin. I don't know, mon ami. She'll have to tell ya when she wakes up."

"This is all just too weird." Clarice's magenta brows knitted together trying to piece the strange occurrences together.

"I'd say." Kitty agreed shaking her head. Clarice and Kitty shared a look before they smiled at one another. Bobby was relieved that the tension between the girls had the potential to end.

"With all that you are telling me, and the fact that Ororo and Marie are being mentally attacked . . . is more than sufficient evidence that Apocalypse is involved. We need to find him and stop him before the world as we know comes to an end."

Apocalypse sat in his study, that was at the heart of the Ivory Pyramid, watching the footage of Oya attacking the X-Men on the monitors that Sinister's men installed on his desk. A pleased grin rested on his lips as he took in all of her glory. He chuckled when she sent a lightning bolt at the scarlet haired girl. He frowned taking in the red head's form once again. She looks very familiar to me . . . I wonder? He shrugged dismissing the nagging thought. He glowered at the possessive way Logan was holding his mate. His sighed leaning back in his chair. En Sabah's mind traveled to ancient times his thoughts and feelings dwelling on Oya. He knew the first moment he laid eyes on her, he wanted her for himself. He saw her for the first time at a meeting of the gods and goddess. It was at her first one since she received the mantle of an Elder goddess. That meeting was hosted by Xavion in the Realm of Inception, the realm between worlds, in his grandiose castle. A grin breeched his full lips at the memory.

En Sabah Nur sat at The Crescent Table with the rest of the Elder gods and goddess. His head leaned against the back of his chair bored out of his mind. Every quarter of the year all the gods and goddess returned to commune with one another and listen to the ever pompous Xavion or any other older god of the home realm, talk about treating the humans with care and love. {As an elder god and the first of my kind, why should I have to abide by these silly traditions. I take what I want and be done with it. If I can not take it right away then plot until it is mine.} En Sabah Nur thought as Xavion dragged onward about peace and respect among all living creatures. {I am the first human/god hybrid. I am the first mutant. Why should I care about what the humans think of my rule?} He rolled his eyes trying to keep down the bile rising in his chest.

My dear friend, just because you are the first of your kind does not give you the right to treat others cruelly. In fact, because you are the first a heavier burden is placed upon you to behave in gracious manner. Xavion spoke within En Sabah's mind getting a smile from him as he continued speaking with the rest of the assembly.

{What you speak is the truth, my friend. As always you are almost always right. My apologies.} Xavion and En Sabah locked eyes for a moment blue versus gray, before Xavion winked at him. En Sabah Nur raised the shield of his mind. {Perhaps I was thinking too loud.} He watched Xavion walk around the room lecturing to everyone. Xavion was in his mortal form standing 6'1, with sapphire blue eyes, tanned skin, with a bald head and a muscular build. En Sabah sighed tiredly rolling his eyes about the room. He noticed Phoenix, Xavion's older daughter, with her betrothed Cylon near the end of the Crescent Table. Cylon and Phoenix ruled over the tropics to the Southwest of Earth. He scuffed at how attentive the young Elder god was. His back was straight as a board and his red eyes were glued to his future father in law. {How pathetic?} En Sabah Nur thought rolling his eyes again.

"Xavion, the mortals are our subjects to protect and rule over. Are you suggesting that we allow them to do as they please? Even if that means that they will inevitable destroy themselves?" En Sabah smirked at the ever opinionated Roman God, Magnus, in total agreement with him, when his eyes fell on the young woman beside him. She had long platinum hair pulled into a high ponytail, gorgeous almond shaped sapphire blue eyes, and cinnamon colored skin. Her toned arm looped around the Roman god's as her other smaller hand interlaced with his larger one. They sat next to Phoenix and Cylon. The beautiful woman had a bored expression on her face as she looked out of the window. En Sabah Nur was immediately smitten by her his gray eyes locked on her.

"Magnus, I am not saying allow pure anarchy . . . I am simply saying that we must exercise patience with them. They are a fragile and young race and we must treat them as so." En Sabah Nur leaned over to his best and most trusted ally Azazel, who was using his long red tail to fondle the young beautiful goddess beside him.

"Who is she?"

"Humph?" Azazel asked his sharp teeth pulled into a grin, when En Sabah realized what he was doing.

"Have you no shame?"

"No. What do you want I'm a little busy?" En Sabah chuckled as he shook his head.

"Who is that goddess . . . beside Magnus?" Azazel turned his yellow eyes to where En Sabah directed his attention and snickered.

"Oh, I see. That is Oya, Xavion's youngest daughter. Xavion mated with a human in Africa about 15, 16 earth years ago. Gorgeous isn't she?"

"Quite."

"Magnus and she are quite the item. They're crazy about one another. Since she's acquired goddesship she's coming to Earth to be with him in Rome, the center of the world!" Azazel whispered to En Sabah with a snort on the end.

"Africa is the center of the world." he fussed back with gritted teeth. "It is the place where I was born and I will rule!" Azazel watched Oya.

"The things I would love to do to her or her sister, Phoenix." Azazel purred to himself increasing the friction of his tail against the goddess causing En Sabah to chuckle at him. A moan escaped the goddess's lips that Azazel was fondling. He turned to En Sabah Nur a smile on his face nodding in his friend's direction. Azazel was quite pleased with himself as another moan was quelled in her throat. En Sabah shook his head returning his gaze to Oya. He continued to stare at her profile when she suddenly looked at him. They locked eyes for what felt like hours but were mere seconds. She smiled at him before turning back to Magnus leaning on his shoulder. He kissed her hair smiling at her. Jealousy overtook him as he watched the affectionate display between the two lovers.

"I am going to make her mine."

"Really? Good luck with that. You would be going up against Magnus. One of the most powerful gods ever!"

"He might be one of them but I am the most powerful."

"I would pay good money to see that god fight."

Apocalypse was pulled from his memories by a knock on the door. He frowned glaring at the door.

"Enter." He called out to the individual on the other side. Mystique popped her head in her yellow eyes catching his gray ones. He smiled and motioned for her to come in fully.

"Lord Apocalypse, Mr. Sinister wanted me to inform you of our progress." Her voice was strong and melodic absent of fear. That notion amused Apocalypse as he gazed at her. I understand why my dear friend was so easily enamored by her. He thought as his eyes roamed over her stunning figure.

"So, have a seat and please continue." He said with a wave of his hand. She sauntered in taking a seat on a chair opposite him.

"Yes, my Lord." A sensual grin found her lips as they sat with locked eyes. He chuckled as he gestured with his hand. "Right, my report. We have brought back the remains of Amahl Farouk and the Nasty Boyz have brought back the two mutants that we, no you~"

"This is for all of us, my dear."

"Okay, we were searching for in Chicago, sir." He stirred sitting up in his seat.

"This is wonderful news. I love when a plan comes together. Do you not?"

"Yes sir. I certainly do."

"Have the other mutants I am looking for been located?"

"That's the issue. The leader of the Morlocks wants to speak with you first before she does anything."

"I knew she was a clever girl. Send her to me. No, send them both to me."

"Of course." She rose from her seat sashaying out of the room. Apocalypse chuckled.

A handsome Native American man standing 5'9, leaned his head against the bars of his iron cage, after waking up from hard nights work. His long black hair hung in a thick loose braid down his muscular back, he had a neatly trimmed goatee that encircled shapely lips, peanut butter colored skin, and hunter green eyes that took in the two women that shared his plight. Across from his cage were two women in separate cages, one paced back and forth while the other laid on her cot.

"Hey?" He called out to them. The one pacing immediately stopped watching him watch her. The device on her leg caught the low light of the jail cell. She was short in stature, with short brown hair resting beside her ears the front of it fell into her brown eyes, and she had sickly green colored skin. She was attractive aside from the strange colored skin that actually added to her allure. The other woman that laid in the cot sat up catching his attention. He noticed that she was badly burned. "My name is Forge. What are your names?" The pacing one took a deep breath.

"I'm Plague."

"Fair enough, and you are?" The woman in the cot got up walking to the bars glaring at him. He felt a sincere sadness for her. He could tell that she was once very beautiful.

"Callisto." He nodded at her a smile finding his face.

"What's going to happen to us?" Plague whined her face pressed against the bars. She looked much like a little girl to Forge as he smiled at her.

"I don't know?"

"How long have you been here?" Callisto asked her brown eyes washing over his form.

"I don't know?" he scuffed shaking his head bewildered. "Um. Maybe two weeks . . . maybe three. I've lost count." he said with a shrug of his shoulders. "But know this. We will get out of here. By now my team must know that I'm missing. They are going to come looking for me." They all brought their eyes around as the large metal door leading out of the containment room opened. Mystique sauntered in with Sabertooth behind her. Forge glared at his captors.

"How are we today Mr. Forge? Enjoying the accommodations of your choosing?" Forge said nothing just watching her toy with him. "Did you sleep well, love?" Mystique taunted him a sneer on her face as she did. "Did you miss me, lover?" Forge remained quiet. "It doesn't have to be this way, darling." Sabertooth laughed his blue eyes held humor but he stopped when he caught her yellow eyes glaring at him. He cleared his throat as he rubbed a large hand over his low cut dark brown hair. Then suddenly he frowned.

"You know you were being funny, Mystique." She said nothing just glaring at him. "Fine." He grumbled growling at Forge. "What are you looking at?"

"When I figure it out . . . I'll let you know." Forge said smoothly his hunter green eyes trained on him. Callisto snickered shaking her head.

"Which one did he want, Mystique?"

"He wanted Plague and Callisto." She said with a roll of her eyes. Plague gasped getting into the corner of the cell making herself as small as possible. Victor smiled a low growl rolled from his chest. He inhaled deeply his eyes rolling to the back of his head. Mystique pressed a button on her belt and the devices that were on all of their legs beeped and then Callisto and Plague's cell doors opened. Plague whimpered from her position in the cage.

"I love the smell of fear in the morning." Forge looked down at his device but his eyes were snatched by Plague's screams. He fought against the bars to help her but to no avail. He kept his hunter green eyes on Victor. Plague screamed out as Sabertooth entered her cell looming over her in a dominating fashion.

"That's right, scream for me."

"Plague, calm down. Everything will be fine." Callisto coached her from her own cell. She reached out a hand to Plague rubbing her side. Sabertooth grabbed the scared girl by her upper arm leading her from the cage. "See. Just do what they say Plague." Callisto walked out of her cell she stopped at Forge's cage. They locked eyes he nodded at her grabbing her smaller hand in his larger one. She smiled back before Sabertooth grabbed her arm and pulled her away. Mystique smiled at him sadly before turning to leave. Forge followed them as far as his cage would allow. He leaned his back against the bars sliding down resting on his knees. He took deep breaths to settle his nerves. Think Forge! Think! How do I get us out of this mess? He thought looking around the cell.

Goggled azure eyes focused straight ahead on his destination. The fast man was a blur as he zoomed past the idle landscape. The snow covered trees swayed and bent to the harsh winds of his creation. White flurries kicked up as he blazed through the wooded area, creating a path in the once unstirred snow. Underneath his booted feet, the powdered ice melted into watery puddles as his rapid pace caused hot kinetic friction. He was quickly approaching a frozen lake that would block his path, and without a moments hesitation he zoomed across the treacherous terrain. With the heat his movements were creating, the frozen lake began to crack. One large fissure quickly extended across breaking the ice. It led all the way to the shore. The lake began breaking apart causing the super fast man run over the chilled water beneath his feet. He paused as he made it across. Steamed rolled off of his booted feet and body as he took deep breaths. Puffs of chilled breath flowed from his opened mouth as he inhaled the cold air. He removed the goggles from his eyes taking a look around. He stood 6'1 with silver hair that rested at the base of his neck, he had tan skin, and slender athletic build. He wore a black, yellow, and electric blue wet suit, with an X across the chest, a skull cap, a utility belt, and snow boots. The wet suit clung to his well formed body keeping the heat from his kinetic energy insulated.

"Of all the churches in the world . . . you choose this one?" The speedy guy complained. He reached into his belt pulling out his G.P.S. "Almost there." he tucked the device away replacing his goggles over his eyes and sped forward plowing through the snow once more. He decreased his speed as a modest two-story building came into view. Smoke rose from the smoke stack, the blackness swirled into the atmosphere its destination was high into the sky. He stopped once again a few yards from the building.

"This must be the place." He walked slowly to the church unaware that he was being watched from the distance.

Apocalypse looked up from the screens at the knock on his door. He smiled as he sensed who was on the other side of the door.

"Come." The door swung open revealing Callisto, Plague, Sabertooth, and Mystique. Plague whimpered when Sabertooth gave her a small nudge into the room. They walked fully into the room standing before Apocalypse desk. "Callisto and Plague, how nice of you to join me. Please have a seat." He gestured to the empty chairs in front of them. "Raven, Victor, wait outside the door for a moment. I need to have a word with these two beautiful ladies." They did as instructed walking out of the room leaving Plague and Callisto alone with him. Apocalypse washed his eyes over the two young ladies. "Why do you hide?" he asked getting right to the point.

"Come again?"

"Why do you hide in the sewers of Chicago? You both have amazing gifts but they are wasted in a rat infested watery landfill."

"Look at us? How can we live amongst others? Humans would never accept us." Callisto defended them.

"What is wrong with the way you look? You are beautiful mutants in my opinion. Why do you need the humans approval?"

"They would hurt us." Plague whimpered her arms wrapped around herself tightly.

"You could destroy them?"

"But I-I-I don't want to hurt anybody. I just want to live in peace."

"Jessica, my sweet beautiful Jessica the humans would hurt you without hesitation. Would you not defend yourself?"

"How do you know my name?" He chuckled softly smiling at her.

"I have known you since before you were born. You as well Dania." Callisto gasped. "I knew your ancestors and they served me well. You never answered my question, Plague. Would you not defend yourself against the humans that would slaughter you and all of your kind?"

"My powers are too dangerous. I could kill everyone around me, even mutants. I'm . . . my powers . . . I'm just too dangerous. I don't want to hurt anybody."

"Plague, what if I told you I could help you control your powers?" Her brown eyes held hope when they met his gray ones. Apocalypse smiled at her. "And the other problem that you have never told anyone . . . I can fix that too."

"You . . . you can? How?"

"Who are you?" Callisto interrupted. "I have never felt a power like your's before. Only one person has ever come close . . . You're a class five mutant and . . . who the hell are you, amigo." Apocalypse chuckled rising from his seat coming around the desk leaning against it.

"I am En Sabah Nur . . . the first mutant to ever walk this world, I am from a realm of gods . . but that is not enough to situate your curiosity is it my dear Callisto? Allow me to show you who I am." He held out his hand for her. She looked at his hand glancing up at him. Taking a deep breath, Callisto took his hand and every event from his past up until now flashed before her eyes." She gasped taking deep breaths. She snatched her hand away from him staring at the ground. Her shoulders heaved up and down as she leaned on her knees to catch her breath.

"Dios Mio! Como . . . Como de . ." Apocalypse placed a hand on her shoulder. Callisto grabbed his hand with both of hers clinging to him. Plague looked from each of them trying to access what happened.

"I can make you beautiful again, Callisto." Tears streamed down her burned face. He placed his hand on her cheek and she leaned into his touch. "I can make you just as you were before Alcatraz Island . . . beautiful, and I can make you more powerful than you have ever been."

"What do I have to do?"

"All you have to do is join me . . ." He wiped her tears away. "and do whatever I ask you to do." Plague gasped looking from Apocalypse to Callisto. "It has to be of your free will? You must come willingly. What say you?" Without a moment's hesitation she nodded her head.

"Callisto what are you doing?"

"My dear Plague." He captured her hand in his own brushing his thumb across her soft pale green skin. She relaxed against his touch. "Are you not tired of being afraid?"

"Yes, I am."

"I can protect you. I can help you control your powers, and I will never hurt you. Do you not want me to be there for you?"

"Yes." Rivers trailed down her quivering face. He wiped her tears away and placed a kiss on her forehead and then placed one on Callisto's.

"Will you not join me? Will you not follow me? Will you not trust me?" He peered into her eyes a small smile on his large lips. "Follow me and every dream, every wish, every hope, you have ever thought of . . . you shall have. Come to me willingly." Callisto nodded her head placing a hand on Plague's forearm. "Just say yes. Give your will to me. What is your answer?"

"Yes, yes I will join you."

"Excellent. I will not disappoint you. Mystique, Sabertooth please come in here." The door opened and the two mutants walked back in waiting for his request. "Callisto, I need you to do something for me."

"Whatever you need." Mystique smirked glancing over at Sabertooth who grinned back.

"Wonderful, I need you to locate five mutants for me."

"Alright . . . I just need a map."

"Excellent."

Forge scratched his head trying to think of a way out of this terrible mess. He shifted uncomfortably on the floor when his foot went to sleep.

"Oh my dear Forge. You miss your new found friends already?" Sinister's condescending voice flowed throughout the hollow containment center. "Or do you miss her?" Forge was slightly startled by his sudden appearance in the room he did not hear him come inside after the others left. Forge rose to his feet glaring at Sinister, his red eyes smiled back at him. Sinister chuckled. "Are you ready to get back to work?"

"I'm not helping you guys build anything today."

"So, no then?"

"That's right no! Do it yourself!"

"But you have made such great strides on all of the machines." Forge shrugged his shoulder taking a seat on the cot welded against the wall. Sinister clicked his teeth. "Well I guess I will have to blow up the X-Force headquarters in Ireland."

"That line is getting old." Sinister chuckled walking over to him. He removed a gadget from his utility belt. He turned it on and a screen flowed from its position.

"Is it? You do not believe me do you. See, have a look." Sinister handed Forge the portable DVD player. "I guess I will have to blow up your team with the imaginary charges I had my Maurders set." Forge gasped as he witnessed Sabertooth and Gorgeous George setting the charges at the X-Force base in Ireland. "How unfortunate, when good people have to die." Sinister said with a shrug as he turned to leave.

"Wait!" Forge closed his eyes rolling them away. "What do you want me to construct now?" A smile breached Sinister's pale face as he turned around slowly to meet his hunter green eyes.

"Humph . . . I knew you would see it my way." Sinister pressed a button on his belt and the door to Forge's cell flung open. The Cheyenne walked out of the cell with a somber expression on his handsome face. "Do not look so aggrieved, Forge." Sinister began throwing an arm around the smaller man's shoulders. "Look at the silver lining. With your powers, you will create and build systems, machines, devices that some people never could have dreamed of, and it will happen all because you cared about others." Forge scuffed as he was led out of the cells and down a brightly lit hallway. The Cheyenne had to shield his eyes from the harsh light after being held in a dimly lit room for the past few hours. He noticed about five copies of Multiple Man. Two of the copies were walking towards he and Sinister, two more copies were guarding the door that he and the doctor were walking towards, and the last copy followed behind them. All of them carried machine guns ready for actions. Sinister punched in the code and the door made a mechanical hiss as it slowly swung open. Forge made a point to remember the code for future reference. They entered a large and spacious laboratory that was neatly organized. Forge was led to the project that he had been working on since his arrival.

"So if I complete this machine will you let me go?"

"Finish it first then we will discuss matters."

"I need an answer now."

"Okay if you finish the machine then your little friends will live. Will that suffice?" Forge glared at Sinister who seemed unfazed by his threat. "Any more questions or concerns before you get started?" The Cheyenne remained quiet. "I thought not. Here you are and I will be over here if you need me." Sinister said handing him a tool as he walked away. Forge followed him with his eyes before he began working on the machine.

An evil laugh mocked the young adult that huddled against the large iron bird's cage. Marie sniffled trying to make sense of why this was happening to her.

"What do you want? Why are you doing this to me?" The voice merely laughed again mocking her further.

Are you going to cry again? Weakling!

"Ah'm not weak!" tears stained her soft voice as she screeched out her angry response. "You SOB let me outta this dang cage!"

So the twerp does have backbone? Alas, you will be trapped here for all eternity! I will never let you leave. The sound of an eagles's shriek pierced the darkness that surrounded Marie. Marie stood up looking for the animal that silenced the evil voice. She sniffled.

What are you doing, here? No! Get away from there! The bird shrieked again filling the abyss once more with a trumpeted sound. Dried tears clung to her cheeks as her brown eyes tried to make out an approaching ball of flames. Marie balled up in the corner of her cage as the fire neared her position. The flames stopped in front of the cage in the form of a large bird. Marie dared to look at the entity. The bird watched her with quiet intensity. Marie stood and walked over to the creature. She reached out a hand and touched the flaming bird stroking it slowly. She was amazed that her hand did not burn.

You can not have her! She is mine. Begone! The bird squawked at the voice never leaving Marie, it spread its flaming wings screeching loudly into the darkness. Marie covered her ears. It flapped its wings engulfing the cage with flames until suddenly the cage disappeared. Marie began to free fall into the black abyss below her panicked screams slicing the emptiness. The flaming bird caught her on its back carrying her away from her prison.

Come back! You can not have her! His evil pleas trailed behind her and the flaming bird as they flew away. They approached a door with light piercing around the edges. The bird screeched again and the door opened. Marie frowned as the bird picked up speed and then stopped without warning throwing Marie from its back. Marie screamed as she flailed wildly through the air tumbling through the opened door.

Apocalypse led Callisto, Plague, Sabertooth, and Mystique down a long bright hallway. They approached an elevator to take them to the base of the Ivory Pyramid. The metal doors slid open revealing an empty elevator car. His large form stepped inside followed by the others.

"Mystique?"

"Yes, Apocalypse?"

"I need you, Sabertooth, Ruckus, Vertigo, and Riptide for my ambuscade. You already know what I need you to do, and please be as efficient as you have been thus far. This mission is very important."

"Yes, sir."

"Got it." Sabertooth said with a smile on his face. He extended his claws jovially.

"Oh, and do not forget to have an extraction team sent to the monastery? Who you send I will allow your discretion."

"Alright, my Lord."

"I know that this mutant holds a special place in your heart but . . ."

"I'm a Professional, Apocalypse. I can handle this."

"Yeah, our girl here is as tough as they come."

"That is what I like to hear. Do inform them that this mutant may prove quite elusive."

"I know, sir." A pensive expression on her features. Apocalypse nodded in her direction. The elevator opened and they walked out. Apocalypse grabbed Mystique's arm gently leading her away from the group. The others watched with interest as he whispered to her. She nodded before walking over to Sabertooth.

"Let's go." She walked onward with a frowning Victor following after her.

The speedy man entered the church and was met with warmth. The room was large but intimate with rows of church pews lined in two arcs on either side of the isle. Stained glass windows lined the room with depictions of biblical stories in each one. Hanging above the alter was a cross displaying a suffering Jesus on it. Beside the alter on the left, was an organ with massive pipes running up the walls, and to the right of the alter was door leading to the back of the church. On the alter, were lit candles on either side of the podium. A feeling of respect and regard swept over him as he took in the sights around him. His azure eyes landed on a lone hooded figure sitting on one of the church pews, he approached the figure hesitantly. The fast man stopped in his tracks when the hooded figure disrupted the silence of the room.

"When someone takes a sabbatical, my dear Pietro, that usually means that the person does not want to be bothered." The figure spoke his German accent heavy on the words. He removed his hood revealing tattooed blue skin, pointy ears, yellow eyes, and curly bluish-black hair. Nightcrawler smiled at the younger man his sharp teeth visible, causing Pietro to smile back.

"I'm sorry Kurt, I didn't want to disturb you but we need you. A lot has happened since you've been away." Kurt slid over so that Pietro could sit down beside him.

"Tell me . . . what has happened?"

"Well Xavier still hunting down that lead he said he had,"

"He's was searching that out before I left. So he's gone now. Has he found anything?"

"Don't know. We haven't heard from him in the last few days."

"Oh."

"Yeah. What else? Oh, right!" He said with fake enthusiasm. "The most important thing, Forge has been missing for about two weeks now." Kurt gasped. "Banshee and Havok told me not to worry about it. They said that Forge does this a lot. You know he goes on one of spiritual retreats in the woods or on the reservation and don't tell anyone."

"Well, he does but he always tells at least one person before he disappears. Something isn't right." Pietro shrugged his shoulder before he continued.

"That's what I thought! I wasn't buying the whole let him be with nature. He does the disappearing act to get in touch with his spiritual animal or whatever." Kurt snickered. "You need to tell me something, so I contacted the X-Men. Emma has agreed to use Cerebro to help us find him but we haven't heard anything else about it. Moira has used her old contacts in the CIA to help locate him but we've come up with nothing. So now I'm way past worried and I came here looking for you." Pietro said looking away. He slumped against the pew in a dejected manner. "I asked Blink where you might be and she told me here." Kurt sighed. "Don't be mad at her. She didn't want to tell me but the team needs you, X-Force needs you."

"I'm not angry with her or you."

"Good, because Kurt something's not right I can feel it."

"I agree with you my friend." The younger man looked at his mentor with a smile on his face. Kurt frowned. "Pietro, I have been having very strange dreams lately about a devil trying to enter our world, and the only way it can get here is through me."

"Strange. I've been having weird dreams too but about ancient times. About this beautiful goddess with Black hair with a white stripe going down the center. This other god was in it that looked like my father and this other god was huge with gray eyes and skin." Kurt looked at Pietro with wide eyes.

"I also have dreamed about this god with gray skin and eyes."

"In my dream that dude is really bad news." A dark deep chuckle filled the room grabbing the attention of the X-Force members. Their eyes landed on a tall muscular man in bronze armor. On his right side stood St. John Allerdyce, and to the left side stood an attractive woman with mahogany colored skin, light brown eyes and braided black hair smiling at Pietro, who gasped in unbelief that she was there.

"Joanna?" she simply smiled back. The armored man continued chuckling his eyes shifting from Pietro to Kurt.

"You have know idea, mate. Just how bad he can be."

Logan growled looking at the Professor his arms falling from across his chest. He took a deep breath to calm himself before he asked.

"Charles, what was Oya talking about earlier?" Xavier looked at Logan, who was fuming. The Professor sighed wearily. "You did the same thing you did to Jean to Ororo, didn't ya."

"Yes. I did. Logan, Ororo could barely control the powers she had when she arrived here at the institute."

"He's right, Logan. When Ororo arrived here her powers were always teetering on the edge of control."

"Why didn't you teach her to control her powers? Isn't this what this place is for," Logan gestured with his hands at the building. "to help people learn how to control her powers?"

"Logan it is but I did what I thought was best."

"You did what was best for you."

"Logan, you must understand, Ororo is very much capable of destroying the entire Earth if she concentrated hard enough. She is a level five mutant easily. Her psyche and the earth's meteorological biosphere are one. The two merged when she exhibited her powers for the first time. Then add to that already dangerous development, she's telepathic. In fact, she has the potential to be one of the most powerful telepaths on earth, and with Oya fighting Ororo for dominance on a constant basis would have been too much for her. So yes, I locked Ororo's telepathic abilities away to keep her safe from Oya. Yes I did. You can blame me all you want for locking Oya away and keeping her caged. She nearly thrashed us in that room and she was nowhere near full strength."

"Not even a quarter." Emma added her pale eyes downcast.

"After witnessing what the Phoenix was capable of . . . Charles I don't blame you. Sinister told me that Oya is just as powerful as the Phoenix, might even be stronger." Erik glanced at Logan. "But that still does not give you the right to do that to her without her permission. I know your intentions were good old friend."

"But the road to hell is paved wit good intentions." Logan growled looking away from Charles, who sighed wearily for the third time in this setting.

"Damn, Cher. I knew Stormy was powerful but dis here is crazy." Everyone looked around as the door to Ororo's room slid back revealing Hank.

"She's been restrained but the sedatives are starting to wear off. You may have a few more minutes."

"Thank you Henry." Hank nodded before disappearing back into the room.

"Professor . . . what's wrong with Marie?"

"I'm not sure Bobby, but I do promise you that I will do whatever is necessary to help her." Suddenly Wanda's cell phone blared grabbing everyone's attention.

"Excuse me." Wanda walked off from the group to answer her phone, "Hello? Pietro?" She paused in step looking over her shoulder. Erik and she locked eyes as she continued talking. "You're in trouble? What do you mean . . . what kind of trouble? You need my help?" Erik walked over to her as Wanda ran back to the group. "Hello? Pietro I can't hear you? You're where, at a church? Who has you? Pietro . . . Pietro! Damn! The call dropped. Pietro, he's in danger I can feel it." Erik pulled her to him and she clung to him. Tears shimmered around her eyes but she would not let them fall. "I'm fine, father. He's at some Church I think he said its in . . . upstate New York. He called it ,The Yearling."

"Charles?"

"Of course Erik, anything you need." He turned to the X-Men. "Who will go with them for back up?" Charles asked his eyes scanning over the small group. He and Logan made eye contact and the Professor mouthed a sorry. Logan grinned giving him a nod.

"Well, I'll take you there, so you can count me in." Clarice said walking over to the pair.

"I'm going if you're going." Warren said smiling spreading his wings as walked over Clarice and the others. She smiled up at him.

"Count me in too." Peter said walking over to them as well. He winked at Wanda, who mouthed a thank you.

"And I will guide you from Cerebro." Emma rose from the bench walking away from the group disappearing around the corner. Logan sighed shoving off the wall.

"I got your back, Magneto."

"No, Logan I need you here to look after Ororo." Logan nodded in understanding crossing his arms against his chest.

"Well suit up and be careful, my X-Men." Charles held pride in his team as he watched them.

"Let's rock and roll!" Blink exclaimed grabbing Warren's shoulder. They disappeared from the room to prepare for battle as the others walked to the elevator. Charles and those who were left went into the hospital room.

Forge looked up from the machine he was working on when Apocalypse, Callisto, and Plague walked into the huge laboratory. Apocalypse smiled walking over to the Cheyenne. Forge mentally growled as he continued assembling the apparatus.

"Forge, you did excellent work on my suit, and on the Horsemen Chamber. I have yet to find someone to reconfigure that chamber as quickly as you did. You have such brilliant powers." Forge scuffed rolling his eyes. Apocalypse chuckled at his attitude. "Sinister tells me you refuse to join us. Why?"

"This world is for everyone . . . not just mutants. Just because we have gifts doesn't mean we can treat those who don't as second class citizens."

"Yet, this is the way that they treat you."

"Not all of them."

"Humans hate and fear mutants. Why would you defend them?" Callisto asked truly puzzled. Apocalypse narrowed his eyes as he waited for the response. Forge looked from the god to Callisto.

"Because I would want some one to defend me and my kind." He looked her over. "I see that you have chosen a side. How unfortunate for you." She scuffed glaring at him.

"Yet you are the one that has to remain locked in a cage."

"To do the right thing . . . I would chose that cage every time."

"But the humans do evil things to us. How could protecting them be the right thing?" Plague asked pleading with him.

"I can protect them all because of those who don't." He gave her a small smile continuing on with his work. Apocalypse placed a large hand on the smaller man's shoulder.

"Why do you fight against me? I am the savior for all mutants." Forge relaxed against his hand but then shook the fog from his mind.

"You are a tyrant. I have seen to many to not know one when I see one." Forge gave his hand a pat pulling away from him. Apocalypse looked at him wide eyed then chuckled.

"You are quite peculiar, Mr. Forge."

"I get that a lot." Forge shuffled around the workstation looking for a tool. Apocalypse felt anger rising in his chest but pushed down the useless emotions for now.

"When will this be ready?" Forge stopped what he was doing wiping his brow with his sleeve.

"Tonight."

"Excellent. Good work, Mr. Forge. You are helping a worthy cause."

"I doubted but okay."

"You are helping all~"

"No disrespect, you seem like a nice enough guy once I got to know you. But you kidnaped me from my home, have me locked in a cage, using a community shower, the food you feed my is crap, and you're threatening my team for my services. Sell that ocean to another drowning man." Forge rolled his eyes continuing on his project.

Blink, Magneto, Scarlet Witch, Colossus, and Angel arrived outside the Yearling church. The church was large and dilapidated. Snow covered the room and the smoke stack was crushed with a few puffs of smoke streaming upwards. The door hung off of its hinge and the stained glass windows were shattered. They scanned over the outside of the building finding it abandoned.

"This is the right place, isn't it?" Blink asked her green eyes roaming over the empty building. Wanda grimaced worry etched in her delicate features. Magneto snorted touching the device on his ear.

"Emma? Do you sense anyone?"

"There are five life signs inside."

"Alright people let's move. My son's inside let us get him out in one piece." Magneto used his powers of magnetism to take to the air. A magnetic hum followed him as he entered the unhinged door. Angel took to the air his large wings beating against the sky. Colossus transformed into his metal body stepping forward with his shoulders squared. Scarlet Witch and Blink followed behind him. The building seemed empty over turned pews were strewn over the church. Scarlet Witch screamed out when she fell through the floor. Blink grabbed her teleporting back to stable ground.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it." Blink pulled a metal pike from the quiver on her back. The glowed magenta with her powers. A growl erupted from the shadows of the room. Sabertooth launched himself from the rafters landing both feet into Colossus chest. The metal man was knocked to his knees but was right back up swinging on the feral man. Sabertooth dodged his swing slashing his metal skin with his razor sharp claws. Colossus kneed him in stomach punched him in the chin where he skidded across the floor. Sabertooth looked up a smile on his face as his wounds healed before the metal man's eyes.

"This might take awhile." Angel swooped into help Colossus when his equilibrium was knocked off, by Vertigo's powers. Angel and Blink fell to their knees from the disorienting onslaught. Blink tried to throw a pike at her but Vertigo increased her powers on them.

"Magneto . . . a little help here!" She whined trying to shake the fog from her eyes. Angel tried to stand but fell back to his knee. "Hey! That's cheating." Vertigo chuckled increasing her powers once more. Metal pipes from the wall wrapped around her. She fell to the ground peering up at Magneto angrily.

"That's quite enough of that my dear." Magneto attempted to fly away when he was caught in a twister, that developed out of thin air, tossing him around with in the funnel. He was thrown through a church pew. Magneto pulled more metal pipes in the walls tying it around the irritating Riptide. Ruckus took a deep breath before letting out a trumpeting blast knocking Magneto from the air. He prepared to release another violent blast, when Scarlet Witch brought her finger to her lips.

"Shhh!" Ruckus was engulfed with red and began to choke. Every attempt to use his powers ended with him coughing. She locked eyes with her father pointing to a door. He nodded flying towards it as she ran to it. Magneto and Scarlet Witch tore through the lower levels of the church finding the rooms empty. A voice called out from a behind a bookshelf. Scarlet Witch held out her hand closing her eyes. "Open." The bookshelf glowed red before sliding back revealing a staircase.

"Can anyone hear me? Help!"

"That's Pietro!"

"Wait, Wanda!" But she was already entering the opening. She hopped down the stairs coming upon a metal door. Erik landed beside her and outstretched his hand. "Wait! This all a little too easy."

"Father! Pietro is inside!" He sighed and used his powers to open the door. She and Magneto found her twin brother tied to a chair that had toppled over. She ran to him removing the restraints.

"Wanda! Father!" Erik frowned stepping away from him.

"Get away from him, Wanda!" Erik reached out for her but Pietro grabbed her to him.

"What are you doing!" She screamed fighting against him. Pietro's form shifted into the blue form of Mystique.

"Hello, Erik."

"Raven. Let her go, she has nothing to do with what happened between us."

"Don't be so simple, Erik. This isn't about you abandoning me when I was given the cure. No, this . . ." She said looking at Wanda. "Is just business." Her yellow eyes turned to Magneto's.

"What do you mean?"

"Your dream . . . about Mutants ruling the world is all about to come true. You should join us. You could live like a king and you children could be royalty too."

"You've lost your mind . . . who are you working for?"

"Father?"

"Silence! The adults are talking."

"Who are you working for?" Magneto glared at her. Mystique smiled her yellow eyes flashing.

"The first mutant to ever walk the earth."

"En Sabah Nur."

"You've met?"

"Not exactly. I know that he's not who he says he is. He's a tyrant, Raven. What are you doing?"

"Securing my spot. It's been fun catching up but we have to dash." Wanda looked wide eyed at her father.

"Raven don't!" Mystique and Wanda disappeared from the room. He let out an angry roar as burst through ceiling finding that the others were still fighting. His azure eyes flowed over the combat. He found that Riptide and Vertigo freed themselves from the metal pipes. Riptide was battling with the ever elusive Blink who teleported all around him beating him to a pulp. Angel flew over Vertigo dodging her dizzying powers. Colossus was flung against a wall by Sabertooth. Magneto trapped Sabertooth within a magnetic force field dragging the feral man to him. Erik's face was devoid of all emotion as he looked a Sabertooth fight against the bubble. The feral man growled at him threatening his life.

"Where did she take my daughter?" Victor laughed shaking his head at him.

"Uh-oh, I think Dad's mad."

"Where did she take my daughter?"

"I'm not tell you nothing!"

"Do you know what a brain aneurism feels like?' Magneto asked his eyes watching him carefully. "I hear that it's quite painful. You have healing powers don't you?" Victor's face fell. "I wonder how many aneurism I could give you before you are completely brain dead?"

"Look, I'm telling you anything so you can threaten me all you like. Ahh ohhh Ahhhh!" Magneto's head tilted as he watch Victor's eyes roll to the back of his skull and blood flowed freely from his nose.

"Did you know that men contain a lot more iron than women do."

"Magneto! What are you doing!" Colossus called out to him.

"Making him tell me where they have taken my daughter." he said as if he were talking about the weather. "Where have you taken my child?" A wild twister came at Magneto but Angel flew in and threw him out of the way at the last possible second.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes get him!" The X-men charged at Sabertooth, who was being pulled into Vertigo's arms as the other huddled around her. They disappeared from the room leaving only the X-men. "NO! NO!"

"John?" Kurt asked looking at the young man. John snickered his expression cold.

"I go by Pyro these days."

"What are you doing? What happened to you?"

"I got smarter. We . . . mutants are the future! Humans are nothing."

"Tell 'em Pyro." The attractive female said her light brown eyes on Pietro. "Good to see you Quicksilver. Did you miss me?"

"Sure. When your girlfriend disappears in the middle of the night from your bed. Right before Interpol burst in hauls you away. You tend to get a little worried."

"Aww. You look fine to me, sexy."

"Looking good yourself, beautiful." Pietro turned to the massive man in armor. "That's a really dorky looking helmet you have there." Joanna and John snickered shaking their heads.

"It's to keep me face pretty." The massive man replied back.

"Oh. That's what it's for . . . just who the hell are you?" He turned to Kurt. "No disrespect." He turned back to the massive man, who held an evil glint in his eye and a savage smile on his face.

"Who am I? Did you hear this bloke? What the bloody hell?" John and Joanna smiled between them. Pietro really stepped in it this time. Joanna thought with a shake of her head. "I'm the Juggernaut, Bitch!" He stomped his foot and the room shook. Tremors flowed through the monastery knocking Kurt and Pietro from their feet. Frenzy used the opportunity to her advantage. She sped pass the falling Quicksilver grabbing Nightcrawler by his throat holding him in the air. Kurt gasped and thrashed wildly in the air holding tightly to her arm. She threw him into the chest of Pietro when she noticed him speeding towards her. The two X-Force members landed on the ground in a tangle of legs and arms. Pyro shot a trail of flames at them circling it around Pietro and Kurt. Nightcrawler teleported from the circle of flames, while Quicksilver rapidly ran around in the circle until he created a whirlwind flying over the flames. The fire began to spread over the church latching on the pews and walls. Pietro watched the escalating fire with fear growing in his heart, he looked just in time to see Frenzy speeding towards him. They exchanged blows at a speed that was almost unseen by the naked eye. She blocked and parried his attacks before allowing him to punch her face.

"Ouch!" he groaned shaking his hand. He looked at her smiling at him. "Still hard headed I see."

"Grow-up Pietro." She said as she slapped him across the room. He skidded to a stop in a corner of the church in a daze. The flames now reached the roof engulfing the entire monastery. She looked over her shoulder at her team-mates. Pyro had flame balls spinning around him as he shot them at the ever elusive Nightcrawler. She found Juggernaut dealing with Nightcrawler, who was teleporting around his head. The roof began caving in and she found Pietro speeding toward Nightcrawler. He kicked Juggernaut in the back sending him hurling into a row of pews.

"Kurt . . . get the monks out of here. I'll keep them busy."

"Right!" Kurt disappeared in a puff of smoke. Pietro glared at Pyro and sped right towards him. Pyro sent a wave of flames at Quicksilver, who easily dodged the attack. He speed around Pyro until a whirlwind formed around the Pyromaniac. John was thrown through the doors of the monastery into the powdered snow out doors his screams echo through the cold morning. Just as Pietro was about to set his sights on Frenzy, Juggernaut punched him in the back. Pietro slammed against the distant wall in a disoriented heap. He tried to stand but fell back to his knees. The roof was caving in and a wayward beam fell from the ceiling heading straight for the bewildered Pietro. He looked up at the last moment and gasped. He closed his eyes to brace for the pain he was sure to come. His eyes snapped open at a loud grunt coming from in front of him. His azure eyes snapped open to find Joanna holding the burning beam. He smiled up at her and she winked back tossing the beam aside.

"You love me." Pietro said a grin hanging on his face. She rolled her eyes trying to hide the smile from her lips. "Come on, admit it, you love me."

"We're in a burning building, Pietro." He continued prodding his snow colored eye brow raised at her.

"Just admit it . . . hey! Watch out!" Pietro lounged at her as the entire ceiling fell down on them. He took the brunt of the burning weight. Frenzy looked around her light brown eyes dancing around. Through the dim light, she found Pietro laying on top of her and burning wood on top of him. Shit!

"Quicksilver!" She heard Nightcrawler calling out to him. She heard Juggernaut's heavy steps clumping towards them.

"Frenzy! Can you hear me, love?" Juggernaut called out to her and she tried to scream out but the smoke took her breath. She began a fit of coughs as she took in too much smoke into her lungs. "Pyro can you pull those flames away?"

"Yeah. Is she under there? Hang on, Frenzy!"

Hang on baby. I'm going to get us out of this. Joanna thought looking at Pietro's unconscious form. His head rested in the crook of her neck were his warm breath tickled her skin. She cradled his head with one hand and used the other to lift some of the debris off of them.

"We're here!" She shouted out that turned into a fit of coughs. Suddenly Nightcrawler teleported right on top of them the only barrier was the wood. He looked down at them, mere seconds felt like hours. Sadness hung in his eyes as he spoke.

"I'll be back for you, okay." She nodded her head pushing Pietro forward so that Kurt could touch him. "I promise." The weight of the wood Pietro was holding back fell on to her. Joanna punched forward her fist caught a flame but her harden skin did not feel the effects.

"She's right there. Get her out!"

"I got ya, love!" Juggernaut caught her smaller hand in his own yanking her through the debris. She coughed and wheezed trying to catch her breath as she dangled in the air. John scooped her up in his arms running with her outside to get her some fresh air. He sat down in the snow with her in his lap.

"We failed Pyro!" She said a fit of coughs followed. Pyro patted her back to help her breathe she leaned against his shoulder.

"Don't worry about that! You just breathe, Frenzy."

"But we didn't accomplish our mission."

"Not necessarily, flower." Joanna turned to find an unconscious Kurt in Juggernaut's arms. She felt conflicted. How can I feel happy about his capture when the only reason we caught him was because he came back to save me? Snap out of this girl! It was you or him and you won. The mission is complete. Pull yourself together. Her thoughts carried on in a conflicted manner until John helped her to her feet. They locked eyes. He gave her a knowing look and she smiled back at him.

"Let's go." They gathered around John as he touched a button on his belt and they disappeared from view.

Xavier opened his eyes to mounds of sand in the background of two large statues on either side of a golden bricked road. Sweat trickled down his bald head pooling around his neck. He wiped his brow watching the barebacked men worked diligently on the construction of the two edifices. He watched as the men were whipped across the back with a bull whip. He cringed at the yelps that the men made. Charles turned to the other direction finding a capacious Ivory Pyramid looming in the distance.

"My guess would be to head in that direction." Xavier closed his eyes envisioning a flying canoe, and when he opened them there it was waiting for him. He settled into his available transportation paddling through the air. The small canoe flowed along the golden road. He floated through the city walls, taking notice all the people going about their daily lives. They wore ancient attire, with sandals or barefoot. He noticed a group of dirt covered children running to catch up with him as he passed them. Charles smiled at them as he waved. He paused after hearing a child crying echo in his mind. He got out of his canoe scanning the people for the source of this pain. Charles saw a little girl, about seven or eight with hair white as snow, and eyes the brightest sapphire blue he had ever seen. The beautiful child wore tattered clothes with no shoes.

"Ororo?" She gasped running into an alley. Charles chased after her small form. "Ororo, wait!" he called out to her but she continued running. She quickly ascended a ladder made from rope and bamboo canes. He grabbed her ankle but she wriggled out his hand picking up the pace disappearing over the edge. Xavier climbed up the ladder behind her crossing the edge. He found her looking over the other side to the next building. "Ororo, don't do that." She turned from him leaping from the building to the next but was a little short. She dangled over the ledge of the roof. Her screams hung in the air as she kicked to get over the side but was not tall or strong enough. "Ororo!" Charles exclaimed out his heart leaping into his throat. He got a running start and leaped to the next building. He ran over to the ledge grabbing the girl by her wrist pulling her into his arms. He held the weeping child against his chest as he shooed her. Ororo clung to him, her arms wrapped around his neck tightly. Charles took a seat with her on the roof rubbing her back as she continued to cry to her calm down. She pulled away to look into his eyes and the sad eyes that looked at him stole his heart yet again. Those were same eyes that stole his heart in Africa when he caught her stealing his wallet. The reason he risked his life her in the first place. "Please, don't ever do that again. You scared the devil out of me. Are you hurt?" She shook her head no. He checked her small body anyway for damage and found a couple of scrapes and fresh forming bruises. He sighed bringing her small forehead to his lips kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck again leaning on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Charles." He smiled at her.

"So you know who I am?" She nodded her head. "Why did you run away?"

"Because I just realized who you were. I thought you were going to hurt me." He stood up placing her on the ground. He leaned forward on his knees.

"You know that I would never intentionally hurt you right?" She nodded her head at him. "Good, why were you crying?"

"Because the bad lady wants to lock me away."

"She does?" She nodded her head again. "Well we're going to stop her alright. Where is this bad lady?" Ororo pointed to the Ivory Pyramid behind him. "Of course she's there, where else would she be." Charles rubbed his bald head.

"I know a secret way into the palace."

"You do?" She nodded her head again. "Let's stop this bad lady from hurting you."

"Come on! It's this way." She grabbed his hand leading him down a ladder from the building.

Marie's brown eyes snapped opened to bright lights. She groaned quickly shut her eyes shielding them with her hand. She rolled to her side finding Ororo in the room next to her's with a group of the X-men around her. She saw Bobby talking with Logan, who was standing beside Ororo's bed, Kitty was biting her nails and then they both left the room. She saw Remy against the wall his arms across his chest fear hanging on his features, and Henry shuffled around the room checking out different instruments, and a man with chestnut hair laid unconscious on a bed beside her holding Ororo's hand. Ororo floated above her bed and Marie took in the sound of thunder outside. She sat up in her bed as she removed the tubes and wires from her body. Ororo screamed and a gust of a wind blew the three men away leaving only her and the chestnut hair man beside her in the neighboring bed.

"What in the blaming hell is going on around here?"

Xavier followed Ororo into a tunnel underneath the city. The smell of this place made Charles's eyes water from the stench. He covered his nose and followed the child. Ororo looked over her shoulder at him and laughed.

"You'll get use to the smell." They took a left turn heading towards a dead end. Charles frowned watching Ororo push in a brick in the wall and door slid back. She smiled at him leading him into the torch lit tunnel. The smell lingered no more and Charles was grateful. "The door leading into the throne room is just up ahead." Charles and Ororo climbed the stairs the reaching the top Ororo tilted a torch to the side and the wall eased back allowing a stream of muffled red light to shine through. Ororo slipped through the crevice holding a ruby banner back for him to come through more easily. Charles gasped taking in the enormous and nicely adorned room. They were in the corner of the Throne Room. His eyes took in all of the ancient Egyptian art hanging on the walls. Windows were cut into the stones of the wall, banners hung from the ceiling, the roof held a skylight allowing sunlight to pour into the room, a gold carpet ran the length of the room from the doors to the stairs of the throne, and flashing lights flowed the circumference of the room as an electric hum met his ears. He found Oya sitting on her throne her head resting in hand. He walked and stood right in front of her at the base of the stairs. He frowned when the powerful mutant ignored them altogether.

"Oya! You will be put to rest this day!"

"It's getting dangerous in here, no?" Remy asked Logan, who glared at him over his shoulder and sighed tiredly. Logan looked at Bobby beside him.

"Bobby would you go check outside to see how much damage Ro's causing?"

"Yeah, I'm on it."

"Take the half pint with you." Kitty glared at Logan then followed behind Bobby.

"Thanks, Cajun." Remy nodded his head walking over to the bed. Ororo grimaced as fresh blood seeped through her bandages and gown. "Xavier, I sure hope you know what you're doing in there."

"Professor X got it mon ami. Don't worry. Ro's in good hands." Logan nodded his head turning back Ororo and the Professor. Hank entered the room from the lab and gasped.

"Oh, dear." Hank jogged from the room get fresh bandages. Remy scratched his head.

"I trust the Professor. He care about Stormy as if that was his daughter. She in good hands."

"Who are ya tryin to convince me or you, Cajun?" Suddenly Ororo rose into the air hanging a few feet in the air. Logan glared at Remy, who threw his hands up.

"I don't know, I'm not in there, mon ami." She released a scream and a powerful blast of a wind blew Logan and Remy against the wall and Hank back into the Lab. The wind died as quickly as it appeared returning the room to normal. Ororo drifted back down to the bed her hand never leaving Xavier's.

"Mon ami, Remy has to love Stormy to be thrown around like this all day." Logan chuckled pulling himself to his feet offering a hand to the Cajun. They looked when Blink, Magneto, Angel, and Colossus appeared in the room. Logan frowned looking for Wanda.

"Where is . . .?"

"They took her!" Erik bellowed leaving the room angrily. Logan followed him out into the hall. He stood still in the hallway while everything that was metal floated around him. When Logan was lifted from his feet.

"Magneto?" Erik looked over his shoulder taking in the floating Logan.

"Sorry." He pulled his powers back into himself gently lowering everything in its place. "How could I be so stupid?" He said taking a seat on the bench. Logan sighed taking a seat beside him. They sat beside each other in silence. Suddenly Logan groaned grabbing his head. "Logan? What's the matter?"

"Jean . . .?"

Oya continued leaning against her hand. She raised her head her eyes rolling around in her head. She focused her sights and the landed on the child.

"You?" The goddess rose to her feet, "What have you done?" she growled glaring at the little girl. "Get away from her, Charles!" Ororo shot hail at the goddess but Oya placed a vortex of wind around her body shielding her from harm. Ororo prepared a large attack when the child was enrapture by flames and contained inside. She screamed banging against her confines.

"No please let me go! No sister! Set me free!"

"Oya stop this!" Xavier yelled visualizing a waterfall, water rushed into the room dousing the flames immediately. He ran to Ororo side helping her to her feet.

"Leave this place, Xavier! You do not understand!"

"No, Oya! It is time for you to go back to the cage." He extended his hand and the skunk haired woman was slung into the throne. Oya managed to hurl wind at the Professor throwing him across the room. He landed in a crumpled heap. Charles tried to shake the cobwebs from his mind but he snapped at attention when he heard Ororo scream. He saw that the goddess had Ororo swirling around in a funnel of her creation. Xavier visualized a bow and arrow and it appeared in his hand. He shot the arrow at Oya it landed in her right shoulder she cried out falling to her knees. Ororo was flung from the funnel. She tumbled through the air as Xavier caught her with his mind placing her on the ground. He turned his eyes to dark haired beauty. The goddess sat on her knees applying pressure to the wound on her shoulder. Thunder clapped across the room and the sky outside.

"This ends here!" Ororo screamed out a terrible rumble rolled from her small chest. A colossal lightning bolt shot from her hands aiming straight for the crumpled Oya. Flames flowed through the stone in the form of a bird. Xavier's eyes bucked as the flaming entity took on the brunt of the blast and both were flung from the throne. Oya landed on the ground in the corner of room, but the flaming bird disappeared entirely. "Now, Xavier! Do it now!" Charles began forming mental brick walls around Oya's form. Her eyes snapped open and immediately tried to stop him but it was too late.

"No! Please, Charles! Professor!" her screams were muffled until it disappeared altogether in the concrete room around her. Xavier frowned sadly looking at the prison.

"It had to be done, Xavier."

"You're right." He smiled down at the eight year old. "Let us go home."

Lightning struck dangerously around the grounds of the X-Mansion. Rain and hail poured merciless from the skies beating down the earth. The animals on the grounds took cover in this unusual weather. Trees leaned dangerously threatening to snap and break apart. Water from the pool overflowed and was swept away by the gusty winds. A enormous lightning bolt stuck the ground in front of Jean Grey's headstone. The force of the bolt cracked through concrete slab decorated with sweet words from loved ones. Fire burned around the unstirred earth spreading the length of the grave. A bouquet of flowers that were long since left burned quickly leaving only ashes.

Below the surface emerald eyes snapped opened after being struck by lightning. Her mouth was wide in an 'O' as breath filled her decaying lungs for the first time in two years. Flames spread throughout the casket reanimating her body. Flesh reappeared, her senses were awakened, she could her heart beating as new blood flowed through her coagulated filled veins. Her surprised eyes dashed around trying to make out where she was. Her eyes roamed over her body taking in the beautiful gown she was wearing.

"Where?" her voice came out dry and hoarsed she coughed. In dreadful fear, her powers reached out for Scott but his mind was nowhere to be found. She reached out to Logan. Logan? Help? She asked as she passed out.

Ororo and Xavier opened their eyes to the hospital wing in the X-Mansion. Ororo looked at Xavier and smiled. Remy looked at her strangely and she laughed. Clarice smiled throwing her arms around Ororo's neck.

"I missed you."

"I missed you too sweetheart."

"Let me tell Erik and Logan that you're awake."

"Alright." She watched as the girl disappeared from the room. Ororo's sapphire eyes scanned over the room looking at her friends and family that stared back. Remy watched her with unsure eyes. She giggled at him.

"It's me Remy."

"Cher!" Remy threw his arms around her holding her tightly kissing her cheek. "Remy knew it was you." Xavier laughed a true laugh still holding her hand. The others took their turns hugging her. Hank entered the room and a huge smile peeled his lips. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead.

"You gave us a scare."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare anyone." She smiled and laughed a hardy laugh. "I feel . . . different." She looked around when Erik and Logan appeared in the room. Logan walked right up to her and pulled her into his arms.

"Don't ever do that to me again." She ran her fingers through his hair smiling broadly. He finally released her allowing Erik to greet her.

"Hello beautiful." He smiled down at her. "I missed you." He kissed her forehead running his fingers through her snow white hair. She returned the gesture when he leaned down to her. She closed her eyes wrapping her arms around his neck hiding in the crook of it. She opened them and they landed on Marie standind in the door frame between the lab and the rooms. "Marie?" Everyone turned around their eyes landing on the skunk haired girl.

"Hey yall" The all burst into laughter as she made her way to Ororo. "I love you, Ro!" The girl ran into Ororo's arms. They embraced one another refusing to let go.

"I love you too."

Emma was coming out of Cerebro holding the bridge of her nose. How could I not see what was happening. How was I blocked? She shuffled forward heading back to the hospital wing, when she felt an intense psychic presences. She followed the aura and it led her to the treacherous outside. She noticed Bobby and Kitty who were already outside walking towards her.

"Hey, Ms. Frost. It's pretty rough out here isn't?"

"Come with me." She said grabbing Kitty by her arm.

"What's going on?" Bobby asked running to catch up.

"I'll . . . explain?" She paused smoke filling her nostrils.

"What's on fire?" Bobby asked running around them to put the fire out. He paused as Emma and Kitty caught up to him. The aura and fire led her to the grave of Jean Grey. Bobby extended his hand putting the fire out with his ice powers. The flames died away receding into the ground. Emma gasped at the psychic strength rising out of the grave, her mouth hung open.

"I don't think she's dead."

"What?" Kitty asked looking at her dumbly. "What are you talking about Jean's dead."

"Everyone said that about Charles too. Kitty just check for me."

"Ms. Frost."

"Please." She groaned walking over to the grave. Kitty phased through and her eye bucked as she came eye to eye with Jean. She quickly grabbed her and yanked her through the ground. Jean coughed and wheezed hacking up dirt. They all looked amongst themselves.

TO BE CONTINUED

That concludes Will of The Goddess: Inception be looking out for the next installment real soon. Don't forget to review! Till next time

gracefulraven,

out!