Something's Wrong (open)

[Rose North]

The demonic figure of Rose stood in front of the shimmering void like wall she had covering the entrance, red eyes staring as if they could see through it's impassible depths. Finally the wall dropped out of existence and to say the Nightmares on the other side were surprised was an understatement. Much of the group had gathered at the entrance, and when Rose spotted them, the monster she'd become, charged forward, throwing out it's arms in a sweeping motion. Blades of Dark Matter cut down every single Nightmare in her path. All they could do was retreat and hope she didn't give chase.

"I'll clear the way to Ian and Crystal. You guys carry them out. This body isn't meant to touch flesh and not harm it." The demonic figure still had Rose's voice, but it was twisted and tortured just like the horns on it's head. If it hadn't been known before, it was now. Being in this form wasn't just energy draining for Rose. The pain was completely blinding, but that was to be expected. The only purpose of this form was to stop everything in her path, to literally become a monster, and the humanity inside her was being eaten alive by it.

The gas had had enough time by now to get into the vents and fill the entire Nightmares base, rendering just about every mutant inside powerless. Shadow in particular had kept to her chambers when she felt her powers fade. Whoever was in their base meant business, and Shadow was useless in a physical fight.

Rose stalked down into the base killing or seriously injuring any Nightmares that go in her way. When she'd told them that the body she wore now wasn't meant to touch flesh and not injury it, she meant it. Her demonic form couldn't touch a person and not want to kill them. She'd have to rely on Bobby and Apocalypse to carry the two hostages out.

She picked up her speed, almost in a dead run as she got deeper and deeper into the base, until finally... She was in the dungeon. Seeing the two figures in the cells almost made Rose's heart sink, but her demonic form didn't waver. Reached out, demon Rose ripped the cell doors clean off, before stepping away to let the two men grab the hostages. She knew if either saw her... They would think she'd come to kill them. But she couldn't afford to drop it now. When she dropped the form she wouldn't be able to move, let alone escape from here. Now Bobby would understand why she wanted to make Ian forget her. She didn't want him to remember this moment.

[ian]

Cain cried out in pain as his own punishment to others was dealt to him. Bobby and Apocalypse took Rose's cue and followed after her. Ian was down in the dungeons when it was all happening, huddled in the corner of his cell and covering his ears. Apocalypse didn't waist any time getting Crystal, kneeling down and picking her up. As soon as she saw him, felt that he was real, she immediately clung to him and hid her face in his shoulder. Apocalypse fought back the urge to bring the island down as he heard her soft voice repeating "You came...you came...". Ian, however, was another story. Bobby was torn apart as he ran to him, kneeling down next to his friend.

"Ian...buddy what did they do to you?" He whispered, causing Ian to look up at him.

"You...you're here? You're not an illusion are you?" Ian saw Bobby shake his head, placing a hand on his withered shoulder, and for the first time in over a month, Ian cried, clinging to Bobby as he did, "Bobby! It was horrible, they...they did things to us. Terrible things...I want to go home, man...I want to go home."

"Shhh it's ok buddy, we're going home. We're leaving right now."

The two boys followed Apocalypse out of the island, Ian with his head down, Bobby looking to Rose with a torn look on his face. He'd seen bad things in his life, but this had hurt him as much if not more then it did Rose. It was steady on the way out, but then something happened. Ian saw Cain pinned to the ground and immediately went mad.

"Why's he there, why didn't you kill him?"

"He's not worth it pal, he's beaten." Bobby tried to comfort him, but the maddened look Ian gave him made him lose his grip on his friend.

"No! He can't be beaten! He needs to die!!!"

"Ian! No!"

Bobby tried to stop him, but the maddened adrenaline coursing through him gave him inhuman strength. He had Cain's sword in his hand, raising it high to slice off the mutants head. Bobby rushed to grab his arms, doing his best to wrestle the sword away, constantly telling him to drop the sword, but Ian had lost all sense of sanity at that moment.

"Somebody help!" Bobby finally yelled out, "I can't fight him off for long! He's gone mad!"

[Rose North]

Rose had tried to keep out of sight as much as she could when Apocalypse and Bobby helped the two out of their cells. Ian's reaction made her heart stop for a moment though. She'd known he'd be tortured, but seeing him.... It was obviously that he'd been completely broken by it all. She let them leave first, following close behind to make sure none of the Nightmares in hiding tried to sneak up from behind.

On the surface, Merfonde had sat down right by where Cain was, keeping an eye on him while quickly bandaging her fresh wound as if it were nothing. The commotion was just watched with a blank stare. She didn't bother getting up to help just yet. If Ian got the sword free, she just might get up to stop him. Until then, she'd just watch.

Rose was at the surface then, stopping only to use her power over the Dark Matter to destroy it, trapping those inside. The sound of the cave in drowned out Bobby's yells for help, but when Rose spotted the commotion she froze in her demon form. "Ian, STOP!" Dark Matter wrapped around the sword, forcing it out of his grasp. Her demon form started to waver, Rose dropped to her knees as the Dark Matter around her fading from existence. They'd finally see the toll it took on Rose to use the form. From head to toe she was covered in blood.

[ian]

Ian didn't move even as the entrance to the cave was taken down. It was hard for Bobby to control him, but was thankful that Rose finally stepped in. When Ian saw the dark matter, he yelled in fear and stumbled back. He had seen it before, but as torn as his mind was the only thing he saw was himself being crushed again.

He backed away, seeing the dark demon form waver and then change into Rose. Everything seemed to crumble around Ian, not really understanding all that had happened. He finally crumbled to the ground, bringing his knees up to him and wrapping his arms around his legs. After that he didn't move at all, even as Bobby looked to Apocalypse and nodded.

Apocalypse was watching everything, Crystal still shivering in his arms. He then turned and faced the ocean, and everybody on the island began to rise, everybody but Cain who was still pinned into the ground. They continued to move over the ocean, Apocalypse keeping a steady pace towards the mansion. He made sure to have Merfonde farthest from him, just in case the affects of the pills began to wear off while they were over the atlantic. Bobby stayed by Ian's side, kneeling down next to his friend who was now shaking like a twelve year old boy who had been through the worst horror film ever and had relived it in a nightmare for over a month. Scars and wounds of all shapes and sizes decorated his frail body, his clothes caked with blood and torn to the point of being strips.

[Rose North]

Rose knelt there, trying to regain her strength from using her power so much. Using that form after only just awakening from months as someone else.... Well she was a little out of practice. It was a good thing that Apocalypse took the moments after Ian's collapsing to get them off the island. Knowing how mentally unstable he was at the moment, there was no telling how long he would stay like that. He could just snap again and go after Cain once more. But Rose didn't want Ian involved with Cain's death. The only one that would end Cain would be her and her alone.

The closer to the school they got, the more relaxed Rose seemed to be. Merfonde on the other hand seemed more then ready to get moving again. She might have been injured, but Merfonde didn't stay in one place for long, and if she had no need to be somewhere, she wouldn't stay there. She didn't ask to be let down though, since her bag and rifle were still on the helicopter and she wasn't about to just leave them.

Even though she was relaxed, Rose was starting to worry. The sooner she could have a telepath look at Ian, the better. She could have them suppress his traumatic experience so he wouldn't be completely broken. But in a sense... He did need to learn that he couldn't go messing with things far over his head.

[bobby]

It wasn't until they got to the courtyard of the school did Apocalypse set them down finally. He looked to them, knowing that there wasn't much to say, but in his eyes they could see that he was thankful, even though he didn't say it. He looked at Crystal again before lifting into the air and going back to the base. Bobby walked up to Merfonde, seeing the gash in her side which was bleeding pretty bad.

"Here, it's not much but..." he pointed a finger towards her wound, and a small amount of frost covered it, "It will at least keep it from bleeding."

He smiled at her, not really saying much since he knew that there wasn't much to be said. He then turned and looked to Rose, giving her a comforting smile. It wasn't until he gave her a small nod before moving to Ian. He knelt down, trying help Ian up, but the boy's form was completely locked in place, his eyes completely distant.

"Ian, we're home. Let's get you inside. Ian?" he tried to tug on Ian to get him to stand up, then looked at the others with a look of worry and slight fear, "He's not moving."

[Rose North]

"Force him up." Rose didn't want to sound cold and heartless, but she couldn't be lighthearted in this sort of situation. She had to treat Ian just like any other person in his situation. When someone was deteriorating at this rate, you didn't let them wallow in self pity. When they did that they never recovered. They just sunk deeper and deeper into themselves. "Make him move. If you have to drag him, do it. But don't let him pity himself. And if he still won't come to his senses..." She paused, staring down at the ground. "Do whatever is necessary to make him have a reaction. Even if it means making him remember his imprisonment."

She gazed down at him for a few moments, the look in her eyes hard to read, whether it was pity, or fear, or... maybe just lack of a reaction, it was impossible to tell. "I'll find someone that can fix this whole mess... Just get him to the infirmary." Bobby would know what she meant. She'd find a telepath, to ease his pain... And make him forget Rose.

Rose left the group, heading into the school and to the boy's dormitory. She knocked on a certain door, the door to the room that housed her former cousin, the brother of Shadow. Parker Nightshade.

[bobby]

"Don't worry, I'll think of something."

What Rose said was pretty harsh, but after all she's been through he could understand why. He did a little coaxing with Ian, then finally was able to force him to stand up, though Ian was silent the whole way. They got a few looks from some of the students, some covering their mouths in shock at the sight of Ian. Whey they got to the infirmary, he helped Ian lay down onto the bed, then turned and headed towards a nearby chair and just sat there.

He stared at his friend, hoping that who ever Rose was going to get would be able to get would do the work. He looked over at the other bed, where the professor still slept, silently wishing that Xavier would get up and help Ian out of the mental pit he had found himself in. He also hoped that Crystal would be the same as well. He didn't know why, but Apocalypse seemed more angry when he found out Crystal was taken and d. He was sure that Apocalypse would sink the island completely, but instead got them away safely. He also hoped that Merfonde would be alright, and he couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever see her again.

[parker]

Parker lounged in his bed, earphones lodged in his ears and blasting music to block out the minds of the other students. He was finally becoming himself again, going back into hermit mode. He hardly socialized with the other students, unless it was tutoring. But Parker was content in his solitude as he worked on his Calculus homework.

A knock on his door interrupted his current problem on the homework and looked up in surprise. Hardly anyone would visit Parker, since a lot of the students were skittish and intimidated by him. A slightly familiar presence stood outside his door...and it sent his heart racing. It couldn't be...if it was her, it had to be a ghost and he didn't believe in ghosts. So...therefore...he must be hallucinating. Parker was terrified, but he had to know who knocked at his door.

Parker slowly opened his door, drinking in this girl that was in front of him. It was Rose...but it wasn't. Confusion racked his brain. "Ok, tell me why you are Rose...when she died right in front of me." His eyes searched for anything familiar in this girl's face, but he couldn't. Only her mind was only slightly familiar.

[Rose North]

Of course Parker would be confused. He'd witnessed her 'death'. He'd be crazy to not be confused. But right now wasn't time to explain anything. Ian was deteriorating faster then she wanted, and the Professor wasn't awake to help. Parker was the only other powerful telepath at the school. Sky would have been an option... If Rose hadn't just almost killed Cain. When Cain told Sky what had happened, Rose had no idea what would happen. She hadn't known her sister that well in years, so her reaction would be a mystery.

Rose just folded her arms across her chest, glaring at him with her unfamiliar face, but familiar expressions. "Parker..." She almost seemed to twitch. If it were possible you probably would have seen a vein stick out in her forehead, just like in the animation shows people watched. For some reason she was irritated with him. "If I didn't need your help I would hit you right here and now. I'd explain if I could, but right now I don't have the time. I have a favor, a big one. Down in the Infirmary, Ian was just brought in. He's hurt. Bad. Both physically and mentally. He was on the Island. Shadow and Cain were torturing him." She didn't go into detail of the torture, she didn't need to. Parker knew the methods of the family, they not only broke you physically but mentally.

"I need you to ease the trauma. He's on the edge of insanity... If you do this, I'll tell you everything. I'll also have to impose on you again. When Ian is calmed down. Make him forget me, and just me. In all his memories of me alone, erase them. In memories with others, just make me invisible, so he never knew I was there. Make him believe he came to the school on his own for power help." It was a mighty order, one that even Parker would have difficulty with. Any telepath would have a hard time completely erasing someone from another person's memories. "I don't want him to even know my name when you are done."

[parker]

Parker was taken back a little bit when this girl ranted. It was weird to see his best friend in a completely different body. And he would be amused at her anger before, but now it was just...kinda scary. But he recovered himself when she requested that he help Ian. He knew what she wanted from him before she asked. And in a way...this request and how she asked reminded him of his sister. And that scared the hell out of him.

"All right. It'll take me a while to do. But you better ask yourself if you're doing this for him...or for you." Parker stared at her with cold eyes. No. This girl wasn't his Rose. His Rose would never become obsessed with revenge. He saw memories...and saw that monster she became to destroy the island. No...Rose didn't come back at all. Without looking at her, Parker strode past her towards the infirmary where he felt Ian's mind. He would judge for himself whether erasing Ian's memories of Rose would help him or not.

Parker didn't even bother to check whether or not this girl was following him. She was too much like Shadow...and he already was disgusted with her. She may have some of Rose's memories, but to him, this girl wasn't his Rose. Parker soon arrived at the infirmary, seeing Bobby sitting in a chair next to Ian's bed.

[Rose North]

If Rose knew that Parker was comparing her to Shadow she would have been furious. She wouldn't have hurt him, but she would have made it known that she was angry. She didn't want to be compared to that woman who she used to call family. The Nightshades were only family through memory now, not by body. That was the only way she could bring herself to do what she'd have to do. Stopping Cain, the man who loved Sky, and maybe even stopping Sky if she became unruly. If she'd known she really was starting to turn into Shadow...

"...!" Rose's expression went from annoyed to complete shock. "I don't want him to forget me! It's the only choice I have though! He'll get himself killed otherwise!" How could Parker even consider that?! How could accuse her of only wanting him to forget for herself, as if she were sick of him! It almost made her furious, but not enough to rebel quite yet. She watched as he brushed past her, heading down to the Infirmary to go through with her requests.

Parker had been the first to notice the changes in Rose. That her obsession with getting revenge was forcing her down an unknown path, one that if she didn't turn away from would lead to her own destruction. Perhaps not physical, but it'd kill the 'human' inside of her, destroy her last shreds of morals. If she didn't turn from this path soon, she'd end up exactly like Shadow. After all, Shadow hadn't always been 'evil'. She'd once fought for what she believed was right, she destroyed what she thought was evil. In the end though, she grew tired, sick and tired of trying to tell the difference, and turned to total chaos. She couldn't live in a peaceful world, so she caused her own troubles. She made her own enemies if only to keep herself occupied.

... And Rose had already slipped down that same path of insanity.

She didn't follow for a few moments, letting Parker get ahead before finally turning and heading down to the Infirmary. Inside, she just leaned against the far wall, watching the boys with that same blank expression.

[ian]

Ian continued to lay motionless even as Parker and Rose entered the room again. Bobby stood up as they entered, looking directly at Parker. He knew Parker and Ian had grown to be best friends, so more then likely he would want to be alone when he did whatever he was going to do. Bobby left the room, but stopped and placed a hand on Parker's shoulder, giving him a hopeful look and a small smile. Bobby gently patted his shoulder before leaving the room entirely. He knew what Rose wanted to do, but that didn't mean he liked it. Rose had definitely changed, and Bobby didn't like what the change was doing to her.

Parker a familiar voice spoke inside the students mind, do what you feel is right

When the voice spoke, the monitor focusing on Xavier's mind acted up slightly, but it soon returned to normal. Ian continued to stare at the ceiling, his hands gripping the bed tightly as he did. His body was tensed to the point of almost being immovable. Inside his mind, he was reliving every moment of that terrible time on the island, from the moment the began, to when he finally collapsed on the way to the mansion. It was like a tape played on repeat, going back to the beginning and playing on through.

[parker]

Parker nodded at Bobby with his usual aloofness towards other students, but he knew he was a good guy. He then turned his attention to Ian and watched the memories play through...and he was appalled. Ian had suffered through a lot. Parker wasn't surprised at seeing his sister Shadow torturing this guy, along with Cain and Crimson. Much of what he went through in training was similar to this.

"Hey, man. Rosalie here was wondering if we should erase some of your memories. And I can do that, but it's all up to you." Parker then sat down and looked up at Rosalie with an icy look. "Sorry, it's not up to you if we should erase his memories or not."

Parker continued to look through Ian's memories, deciding whether to advocate for Ian and not erase his memories or to side with this girl who was no longer Rose. Yes, she did rescue Ian, but he didn't feel like she did it for him. More like to get back at Cain for not having Ian. Well, whatever it was, it would have to be Ian's decision. Parker then hunched forward in his chair, putting his arms on his knees and watching Ian carefully.

[Rose North]

Hearing Parker speak to Ian she started to glare. Why was he asking the mentally unstable Ian?! "Parker, I don't think that's a good idea! He's not even in his right mind at the moment!" Not to mention she'd already decided it would happen, whether Parker would do it or not. If he didn't, she'd just find a telepath who would. And if she got desperate enough, she might even go to Sky... If they were on good terms at the time.

"This isn't a group decision! I only asked for the memories of me to be gone! It shouldn't be up to anyone else when it's only things that concern me." She was giving him the same icy glare he was glare he had her fixed with. Right now she was not in the mood for these games. She didn't have time for them.

"Parker, do you have any idea how much trouble he's gotten in already just because he knows my name?! Do you really think a pacifist like him is going to survive in a world that wants to kill him only for the information he knows?!" She shrugged away from the wall, her arms still folded. "I never wanted to bring him into this! I never wanted him getting tortured or hunted because he wants to be by my side! If he forgets about me he'll never think of setting foot on the battle field again. I never want to see him on the battle field again!" Rose looked thoroughly pissed off. Why was Parker being difficult?! She didn't wait for a response, turning sharply and leaving the infirmary, only to rest against the wall outside, out of sight to fume.