Redemption

Chapter Twenty-seven

Tears came to my eyes, "I trusted you Daken," I said. "I actually thought you were my friend. But you're a psychopath."

"I thought we could be friends too, Rogue," said Daken. "But you're holding up the inevitable."

Daken raised the Muramasa blade and swung it. My scream caught in my throat as Gabby collapsed, her fate matching Laura's. Daken turned to me.

"Run, Rogue," he said. "Run to Logan. Tell him we're coming for him."

I turned and ran.

The tip of Rogue's hair whipped around the corner. I sighed and followed her out, not bothering to clean up my mess. I walked out of Charles' school and pressed the earpiece Osborn had given me into my ear. There was a beep and Osborn's voice came into my ear.

"Are you ready, Daken?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said. "But hurry it up, there's been a schedule change."

"We're coming," said Osborn and another beep echoed in my ear. I took the earpiece out and crushed it, dropping the remains onto the grass.

Rogue ran into the cafeteria and over to the X-men.

"It's Daken," she said. "Come, quick, he's here."

Professor X wheeled away from the table, "Three enemies are heading toward the island." He looked back at the X-men. "I'll get the students ready for a fight, you find Daken."

"What am I going to do?" Rogue asked.

"Help me with your peers,"

The X-men ran off, looking into classrooms. Kurt was the one who found Gabby's corpse.

"Keep it moving," said Nightcrawler. "Daken's not with the body."

"Let's check outside," said Jean, pushing Logan away from the room.

We were getting closer to the island. I could see the school.

"Remember," I said. "Cyclops is mine. You have your selective mutants. Cyclops is no one else's but mine."

"We know, Bullseye," said Osborn. 

 I could see a speck. It was growing closer and closer. Soon, I could make out three people inside it. Bullseye, Osborn, and Ares were on their way. Everything was going according to plan. But then again, Wolverine always seemed to destroy my plans.

Logan was the first one outside. The others crowded behind him. Daken's back was turned to them, he was looking out over the ocean, a look of satisfaction on his face.

"Daken," said Wolverine. "It's over. You're caught and alone."

"You found my gift," said Daken. It was more of a statement than a question. "Did you like it?"

"What do I have to like about the death of my daughter?" Logan demanded.

Something was coming, the X-men could just barely see it. Daken turned around. The wind picked up, blowing Daken's mow-hawk west.

"I tried to be like you, dad," said Daken. "I tried to be good, but I'm tired of trying. I'm tired of trying to be like you and trying not to be like you at the same time. We're always fighting. Let's end this. Hear and now."

Charles Xavier rolled out of his school.

Two people jumped out of the helicopter and landed on each of Daken's sides. Bullseye on his left and Ares on his right. Norman Osborn slipped out of the helicopter, Iron Man suit from his reign in Dark Avengers shimmering in the light. The helicopter — Osborn probably put it on autopilot — lowered to the ground.

"Let this be war," Daken spat.

Logan spat back, "You're on."

So this is war. I think it's safe to say I'm terrified. The rest of the students and I were watching through windows on the third floor of the school. I watched Daken, unable to take my eyes off him. He was laughing at something someone had said. It made me remember when we were on the same side. Then Laura's head was staring back at me, blood dripping into the water.

I blinked. Wolverine had made the first move. His claws were already out and he was swinging at Daken, who dodged, claws nowhere to be seen. But I saw the glint of the Muramasa blade as Daken raised it and I remembered he still had it. Daken's swing missed Logan's hand by inches. It had started. The war.

I rose into the air with Storm beside me. I sent my magic at Daken, lifting him into the air.

"No!" Wolverine yelled. "He's mine Jean!"

"Sorry," I said, releasing Daken.

I looked over at Storm. Her eyes had gone white. She was ready.

I raised my bow, an arrow already in, and fired it. Cyclops noticed it at the last second and dodged. He turned on me and sent a red beam. I leaned to the side and fired another arrow. The beam missed my chest by a few centimeters. I could feel it's heat. The arrow hit Cyclops in the shoulder.

"Scott!" someone yelled from up above.

I looked up to see Jean Grey and Storm.

"Ares!" I yelled. "What are you waiting for, get them!"

A jet of red light hit me in the chest, sending me flying backward.

"No!" I heard Daken yell.