The Raven

Unexpected Accusations

Sam's p.o.v

Katerina's okay now, we've explained everything to her. The whole thing, how we suspect Raven has gone missing, everything. We're heading out to find Raven now, Charles found her somehow. I don't know what she'll think about Katerina and I. Scott found her cell and some big blue furry guy, I can't remember his name but it's on the tip of my tongue-H something I think? Anyway, furry blue guy managed to do some scientific thing and replayed the last phone call for us. Now I know why Raven left, I feel completely and utterly guilty for letting Katerina kiss me. I shouldn't have done it, I know.

"Hey, Sam, if you would mind coming back down to Earth then maybe you could teleport us all to Raven, you know, so she doesn't die before we get to her-which will probably take about six hours without you!" I blink dazedly at H-H- aaaah! It's Hank! That's right! Then I actually take in what he just said.

Without another thought, I grab on to his and Jean's hand(whose hands are attached to everyone else. In less than a second, the scene around us has changed to that I one rather much like a large metal hall. Crystal, Jean, Scott, Storm, Ororo's aunt, Charles, Hank, Merissa, Macy, Lucy, Rick, Darren, Angel, Magneto, Raven and...Raven? Are standing in the room with me.

"Raven! Come, quick, you have to come with us now-I'll explain everything later, just trust me! Come on!" I shout, expecting her to turn and in straight for us, but she doesn't move even an inch.

"How very touching, I notice you have taken on my true name as your own nickname, so Elizabeth, what shall it be: Friends or Family?" Raven-no, I'll call her Mystique- is bent down next to Raven.

"Elizabeth? What...Raven, look we'll talk later, now come with us please! These people are not your family! They are NOT your family, I-we..." But she cuts me off.

"Yes. Yes they are. Sam you haven't heard the whole truth, you never asked about my life before my adopted mother so I never said anything, but I knew I shouldn't have, I knew I should have told you- I'm sorry."

"Adopted? Raven, I don't know what they've said, but WE are you're family now, I am your family. Forever, you understand? These people only pretend to love you when they need you on their side, but I- Raven I love you!"

"Um... Hate to interupt, but could you please not use my name and instead use my daughter's real name-it's hard to concentrate when it feels like your talking to me." Mystique, who actually has a very motherly affectionate tone, speaks up.

"Elizabeth. That's my real name, I never told you before. I don't know why. Call me that." Rav-Elizabeth looks up time from underneath her eyelashes, sitting on a stool with her head down.

"Elizabeth? No. They're lying to you Raven!"

"No, no Sam you don't understand. I used to live here. I lived here since I was born, until one night I ran away and began to live with an adoption mother before fleeing with the birds. Raven's my mother, Sam. And-and..." She trails off, as if she doesn't want to come clean about the next part.

"And Magneto-he-he's my father Sam."

I feel light-headed, I swear I would have fainted by now if I was capable of such a thing. I press my back up against the wall and look down at the floor.

"Elizabeth, it's okay-just because they're your blood you don't have to stay, you can come back with us-your true family, please, we just want to keep you safe, trust me!" Ororo's aunt speaks in a clear, calm, gentle voice.

"No. She should stay right here, where she belongs. Where she has always belonged. Right by her father's side,"Magneto interrupted her.

The rest of the arguments went by in a swirl of shouts and it is only now, as I see Elizabeth backing out from the room, I return to my senses and straighten up. But before I have the chance to follow her, a cold clamp on my arm grabs hold if me and I feel myself reluctantly transporting everyone back to the school. She's gone. She's gone. And I'll never see her again. It's all my fault as well.