An Ally's Messager (Xavier, Cain(Later on))

[crystal]

Apocalypse had asked Crystal personally to contact Xavier. The only thing he hadn't considered... Using land lines was a stupid idea. Cain would wire into the call with ease, seeing as he knew the location of both the school and the ruins. It'd left Crystal with only one choice, to personally go and deliver the messages to Professor Xavier. She didn't tell anyone though. The less people that knew she was on the move the better. Especially seeing as Cain knew of her existence. If he showed up at the Ruins looking for her, no one could tell him her location. Sure, it wasn't a full proof plan, but there was no such thing as one! Every plan had some loophole. You just had to know where to find it, and how to avoid it.

It was easy for a girl her age to hitchhike all the way to the school. She got people's sympathy. So, in only a matter of days she'd managed to go from Alaska, to the East coast of the United States. None of the students at the school stopped her, after all, who would suspect she was the messenger of Apocalypse? Only a few knew who she worked for. Hank McCoy, Ian Snyder, Logan, and Professor Xavier...

In the mansion, and at the Professor's office, she didn't knocked, just entered the empty room and took a seat in one of the comfy arm chairs. Xavier wasn't there yet, but when he felt her mind... He'd come. He wouldn't know her reason though, after all, every telepath knew to stay out of her head if they wanted to keep their sanity...

[xavier]

Xavier had felt Crystal's presence come and go from the mansion, but her arrival today was both unexpected and different. Thankfully she managed to enter and make it to his office before class let out. Once class did, he immediately headed to his office where he found Crystal sitting across from his desk.

"Well, this is a surprise. Glad you made it back Crystal."

He moved his wheelchair to the other side of the desk and propped his elbows on it, clasping his hands together as he did so. He knew that if he scanned her mind he would only get bits and peices, but what he could gather from her was that she was now a part of the brotherhood and was sent here on an important errand. He didn't want to go into details, wanting her to tell him herself.

"Well now, what do I owe the honor of this pleasant visit? Would you like anything? Something to drink?"

He never really could understand Crystal. She was like a living computer, full of information that made her both a gift and a dangerous mutant. To know what she knew, in the hands of the wrong people, would no doubt cause hell among both mutants and humans.

[crystal]

Crystal didn’t have to wait that long before Xavier arrived at his office. When he did arrive, she only gave a shadow of a smile, a forced formality, and obviously not one of true emotion. She rarely had true emotion after all. It wasn’t that she hated the man… But she didn’t exactly like him either. Her opinion on him was like her opinion on most people. Neutral. No reason to hate or like. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think it will be that pleasant of a visit. I’m here only to deliver a message. Though you probably already knew that…”

She knew Xavier would read at least a small amount of her thoughts, only what he could with out digging deep enough to be swamped by information. It shouldn’t surprise her that he’d known she was here for ‘business’, not to mention… She wouldn’t have much other reason to be at the school other then more snooping, and even then she didn’t have to be at the school to snoop.

“No, I’m fine. I don’t plan on being here that long.” She paused for only a moment, before sighing. Might as well just get straight to business and avoid the rest of the formalities. It wasn’t safe for her out and about after all.

“I know you’re moving the students. Where… Well, even I don’t know since you haven’t shared the information with anyone. I don’t want you to tell me either, as a precaution…” After all, what if she were captured by Cain? The less she ‘knew’ the better. “And you shouldn’t tell anyone where unless absolutely necessary. Apocalypse is following your example, and moving the Brotherhood as well. I can’t tell you where, as I requested he not tell me as well.” She paused for only a moment. “We need to set up a communication network that is untraceable, for both of your safeties from Cain… And each other.”

Crystal stopped there, if only to give him time to respond, before going on to the other points she needed to discuss with him.

[xavier]

"Yes, I had assumed you came to deliver a message of some sort."

He hadn't seen her in quite some time, so his only guess was that she had returned from where ever she came. When she mentioned apocalypse, he had concluded that she was now a member of the brotherhood. He looked over to a small counter that held a pot of hot tea and a cup. Using his powers, the pot began to pour itself into the cup, adding the right amount of sugar before the cup itself rose into the air came towards the desk. He didn't say much until the cup was in his hands and he managed to take a couple sips of it.

"Communications between the brotherhood and the X-men have been silent at best. Neither of us know what the other is doing. However if Apocalypse truly is moving his base to another point, then it is his decision."

Tension between the brotherhood and the X-mansion had been growing more and more strenuous, and the knowledge that their base of operations was moving somewhere meant that Cain had put it's leader on edge. He sat back in the chair, taking another drink before allowing her to go on.

[crystal]

"The communications is my idea. Not Apocalypse's."

Crystal was blunt about it. Of course Apocalypse hadn't asked her to mention this, but she knew it would be a good thing for them, and something they would desperately want at one point. After all, they were allies for the time being. You had to be able to contact your allies in times of need. "It'd be stupid to cut yourselves off from each other, especially when you expect to be on the same side in this war. It's like commanding an army but never telling them what to do. Chaos would destroy you before you made any progress. The communication needs to be there so there can be some.... coordination between the two groups."

Crystal curled in the chair, getting comfortable, which could only mean she had more to talk about. "The next thing.... Cain has a child." She didn't even hesitate to tell him. It was best to get it all said and done as quickly as possible. "With Sky Nightshade. I don't know why he wanted me to tell you this, but it must be useful in someway for you to know. He basically has the full support of the Nightshades now, because of the child. Since the baby is both Milena and Nightshade, they will do anything in their power to defend their offspring."

Crystal paused yet again, shifting a little, and fiddling with her hair, braiding it as she finally continued. "Last, you need to send someone to France, to the Exile's Castle. Preferable someone with a medical background. Freya Elensar was almost killed, a few days ago, when Cain destroyed Paris. If I guess correctly, she's going to need the medical care, seeing as the only care she really got was patchwork, at best, just well enough to keep her alive for a time. She was impaled after all, so I can imagine the quick fix isn't going to last that much longer."

[xavier]

"I see. Do you have any ways in which we can do this?"

He understood her logic on connections and means to keep in contact. He needed to keep in touch with as many allies as he could, even if it meant keeping in touch with Apocalypse. Though he was sure Apocalypse would feel the same way, but Crystal would most likely find a way to reason with him. He sighed with worry when she mentioned Cain and Sky having a child.

"Then it's become more complicated, especially for our friend Ian. Both Cain and Sky wish him , so no doubt they would try to get their child involved as well. With the nightshades backing him, Cain surely will have a full army at his disposal."

He thought about what could be done, feeling more worried for Ian then the rest. Ian had become Cain and Sky's focal point, both wanting him for separate reasons. When Crystal began to talk about Freya being attacked and brought close to , it was as if the worry had caused him to age slightly.

"I had feared this. I felt something strange happening, but I wasn't sure what. I will have Hank fly there right away."

[crystal]

Crystal just shrugged where she sat when he asked how it might be done. There were several ways…. “An easy solution could be Telepaths, but with Sky on Cain’s side… It wouldn’t be hard for her to slip in on anything of that nature. You could hope to go ‘old school’ and use communication methods from past wars… I suggest just letting the scientists come up with something that could work.”

There would always be a risk of Cain and his allies somehow finding out about this communication, and trying to sabotage it. “I’m sorry, I’m not much help. There are several ways to make a connection. I can only suggest finding the most suitable for both groups before either move.” Once the groups moved, it would be damn near impossible to locate them. The communication had to be set up before hand.

“As for Ian… It will be some time before the child can be involved in any way. I doubt he’ll risk aging the child with any form of technology, and even if he did, I know for a fact the Nightshades would never let that happen. For now, the only problem for Ian is Cain. Sky will be too busy to cause any sort of trouble for some time.”

Finally the last point was being discussed. When they finished, Crystal could go back to Apocalypse, and hopefully get this uneasy feeling out of the pit of her stomach. “I’m unsure of the outcome, if Cain was injured at all, but I think if Freya can recover, if he ever come face to face with her the outcome will be different.” Crystal paused, almost as if hesitating. “I must… also ask you a favor, before I leave. You know that everything you say verbally or write…. Or anything like that…. I can know? I’m sorry, but I must ask that you be very careful with what you release from now on.” Another short pause. “Cain knows about my existence, and if I guess correctly, he’ll be coming for me sometime in the near future. I don’t want him using my power against you or Apocalypse…” Her gaze lowered a little.

It was a little hard to ask Professor Xavier the favor, but it was something that needed to be done. For once… The less she knew, the better everyone was. She didn’t want to hurt Apocalypse… Especially against her own will. “If I’m caught, I want the only information I have to be completely useless to him. Please… Warn your X-men and students as well… The less I know the better.”

[xavier]

Xavier thought over what she was saying for the moment, wondering what kind of method could be used without causing Cain or Sky to catch on to what he was doing. He then smiled at an idea, knowing it was so simple that neither Cain or Sky would think that he would be able to consider this technique a way to keep in touch.

He nodded his head when she said that both the child and Sky would be out of the picture. Ian's only problem would be Cain, but if Cain were to get defeated, no doubt Sky would do everything in her power to get revenge for her fallen love.

"Ian's life is still in danger. If Cain were to be defeated, no doubt Sky would do what she could for revenge. She already blames the boy for Rose's ...as I'm sure a part of him does as well."

He sighed, knowing that Ian didn't want to be caught in the middle of all that was going on, but unfortunately he landed there himself. He looked to Crystal and nodded when she explained about Cain coming for her and not letting her know what was going on. There was a silence between them before his eyes widened and he looked out the window.

"Oh no." he turned his attention back to Crystal, "You must get out of here. Find Logan and have him take you from here. I feel Cain is in New York now."

[crystal]

“Yes. His life is still in danger…” Crystal’s pause only came when he mentioned Rose’s death. There was something off about the girl’s death. Her dying… And another miraculously returning to life only a small time after? Pitsha being in the area… Pitsha approaching Ian saying that Rose might not be dead…. “I’m not to sure about that. Things are fitting about her death.” If she’d known that Ian had been warned not to tell anyone by Jane in another dimension… Alas, Crystal’s knowledge didn’t include other dimensions. “Someone was there that night… Someone who can moves weakened souls from body to body. I think they might have interfered.”

When Professor Xavier’s gaze turned towards the window, eyes wide, announcing that Cain was nearby… Crystal froze. Perhaps… It was just a coincidence? It had to be! Her own gaze moved to the window, her mind stretching out to capture the scene like she did most. “I don’t think he’s after me… I doubt he knows I’m here. He’s only causing chaos…” She paused for a moment. “But leaving would be a good idea.” She hopped off the chair, nodding slightly. “Thank you for your time…” She turned, leaving the room and beginning her search of the school for Logan…

[cain]

"Well, well, well. What's the hurry, ?"

As she turned the corner, a hand grabbed her arm. The hand was a more pale then the last time it was seen, as was the grinning face that looked down at Crystal. Cain had once again infiltrated the mansion, though how he got in was a mystery, especially with the X-Men supposedly were somewhere in the mansion.

"Come on , we need to ask Xavier for you to leave so quickly."

Cain pulled Crystal back into Xavier's office, who was sitting in his chair looking at him in total shock. Xavier tried to invade Cain's mind, but Cain only smiled and laughed at him.

"Honestly, Charles, did you really think that living with the Nightshades I wouldn't have worked on my barriers?"

Cain's body turned into the material of the floor. He smirked as a hand rose up from the floor, closing it and then rising to completely cover the door. The three of them were now trapped in Xavier's office. Another hand came up near Xavier and hit him hard in the side of the head, causing him and his chair to topple to the floor.

"Oh dear, here I am about to destroy you and I haven't even thanked you for returning Crystal to me."

He chuckled, walking up to charles and placing a hand on his desk. Cain's body changed once more, only this time to the material of the desk. He raised the desk up, looking unfeeling into the eyes of Charles. A cold smile grew, and he preceded to slam the desk onto Xavier a few times before leaving it on top of him. He then laughed again, his body changing back to his normal form.

"Thank you."

[crystal]

Crystal actually squeeked when those pale fingers closed around her arm, yanking her to a halt. Her own skin paled, knowing instantly who it was, and for the first time ever… fear crossed her face. Cain knew about her emotions being dulled, so for any emotion, especially this one, to show was an actually first! If that didn’t say how much she feared the man. “How…?” She’d just seen him in New York! Only a mutant with super speed or teleportation could have made the journey that quickly! So how had he?!

She didn’t make any other sounds, her eyes closed as he roughly forced her back into Xavier’s office, blocking the door so no one could escape. He just might think she was trying to stop her fear from growing, that’s what a ‘normal’ kid her age would do. No…. Crystal was devising a plan. Figuring out just how she was going to get out of this, or how to make herself less useful to Cain. She knew the one thing. The reason he had to come ‘back’ for her. The device Apocalypse had made. If it was destroyed….

Crystal was ripped from her plans when she heard the sound of flesh meeting stone, her eyes opening wide in a flash. “Don’t hurt him!” She started to yank violently against his hand wrapped around her arm, trying to break free. “Please, don’t hurt him!” She’d never displayed this much emotion in such a short time. First fear, now concern, the emotions were completely overpowering her, something that had never happened before.

She closed her eyes tight when he started his next onslaught on the Professor. Her free arm though… Reached up to yanked that strange device off of the back of her ear. Cain was busy after all, he probably didn’t even remember she was there for the moment. She dropped the small piece of tech to the floor right when the desk was slammed on top of Charles Xavier’s body, to cover the sound. Then, with out any hesitation… She brought her foot down on the device. Shattering it. Like she’d told Xavier, the less information she knew, the better. And breaking the thing that had stopped her overloads… Well, the less information she’d be able to tell them.

[cain]

"Did you really think I could be foolish enough to attack a city without a plan? New York was just a distraction. The only reason Xavier felt me there is because I'm linked to the forms I could create."

He laughed as she begged him to leave Charles alone. Why she felt sympathy for this mutant was beyond him, but the fear and worry he displayed on her made his assault all the more enjoyable. He laughed as his normal form took place, but a brow was raised when he heard a small crunch behind him. Turning, he saw the small pieces of metal that use to be the device Apocalypse had manufactured for her.

"Now why did you have to go and do that?"

His voice had a mocked tone of concerned about it and he even mimicked a sad face. But that face soon turned into laughter as the sound of footsteps came running down the hall. They would have company soon, but he looked towards the door and smiled.

"Fools. The X-men are no doubt on their way to New York to face my double, and as for the device," he looked back to her, "I can recreate what was made. After all, I do have the technology."

[crystal]

New York was just a distraction… But how could he control an elemental double all the way in New York when he had been here?! She’d never heard of such a thing! That machine…. Had made Cain an Omega..!

His reaction wasn’t exactly what she’d… expected. Crap, she’d forgotten he’d stolen some of Apocalypse’s technology! Still… He had the tech… But did he know how to use it? Was he capabe of making another? She didn’t know… Well it wouldn’t matter that much if he had her… He could force her to answer… to tell him how. She’d be digging her own grave in a sense. “…..” She kept her terrified gaze away from Cain’s. She didn’t want to see his dead eyes…. “Just because you have the technology… Doesn’t mean you know how to use it…” She paused, taking a deep breath, as if to lift her own confidence. Her gaze finally lifted to meet his, a determined look in her eyes. “Let me show you.”

Her eyes narrowed just a touch before suddenly… Cain would feel information flooding into his mind like waves, flooding it. None of the information was useful to Cain, mostly just information about himself, or useless junk, but there was a lot of it. Now he would understand just what an overload felt like. And with any luck, he’d let go of her, giving he the chance to escape. Sure, if she got to far away he’d be freed, but otherwise he wouldn’t even be able to process his own thoughts with all the knowledge drowning him..

[cain]

"Why would I need to know how to use it, when I have you to tell me everything."

He laughed again as she turned her eyes to him. He knew fear when he saw it, having spread enough of it through the world. He looked at her as her eyes met his, his own smile fading then. What was she going to show her? He didn't know it, but she was showing him already. He could feel the information flooding into him.

"What...what are you doing?"

His mind was being overwhelmed with information that seemed to be coming from nowhere. He gritted his teeth and dropped to his knees, feeling like he was going to faint. He growled as his body began to change to that of the floor once more. He had to hold on as more and more information came.

"Stop it...STOP!"

He concentrated hard as his arm began to grow longer, changing into what looked like a paddle of some kind. He gritted his teeth harder, his vision being blurred by the overload he was beginning to feel. He looked to Crystal, knowing somehow she was doing this to him. Bringing the "paddle" back, he swung at her.

[crystal]

To be honest… She was a little proud of herself that she was doing this to him, to finally make him know exactly what an information overload felt like. Sadly, his might have been a little worse seeing as he’d never experienced one before now. What made it all worse… He knew she was the cause.

“You seriously thought that I couldn’t make other people know the things I know?” Her eyes narrowed even more, forcing more information his way. “It’s called an Overload. You remember those, right?” Her expression was blank again, seeing as she was sorting through all the information he was experiencing. She was a dangerous mutant after all… And no one had ever guessed she might be able to force information into other people’s heads.

As he dropped to the floor, Crystal was finally able to break free, stumbling away from him from the sudden release. The more information she pushed into his head, the worse he got, hopefully, if she could force enough to make him pass out… She’d be able to escape with out him giving chase. Sadly, that idea was thrown right out the window when he swung his transformed arm at her.

It caught her off guard, and sent her slamming into the wall, the connection between them severing instantly. Crystal blacked out for only a moment as she slid down the wall, her head feeling like it was going to split in two. Cain hadn’t held back at all when he’d hit her, so hard even an adult would have blacked out. Imagine that sort of impact when you were only a kid… She was daze, horribly dazed, unable to even tell the difference between up and down!

There was one thing she had to do though… Reaching out once more, she latched onto Xavier’s mind, pushing information into his mind. The information about the Ellwoods, and what Apocalypse was doing… Only so that he could find Apocalypse…

Tell him I’m sorry… For what’s going to happen now…