X-men: Bast Ch. 04

Legal issues: Kia Jaeger(codename Bast) is an original character and belongs to me. All other characters and core X-men concepts are copyright Marvel, Stan Lee, and other creators. I do not own any of them, nor do I profit from them in any way.

Author Note: This story is based upon the story and setup in the comics and takes place at no particular point in them, but is instead treated as it's own events separate from many of the large happenings in the comics. Also, I am not fully aware of every significant event that has happened in the X-men's long history, so the information presented in this story and the information in the comics may not always 100% add up. Some characters who might even be dead as of the current X-men issues may be alive in this story.

***

Chapter 4

Saturday morning was well underway by the time Kia woke, a bit later than usual. She showered and dressed in a soft pink tank-top and snug jeans. She went to the kitchen, expecting to have to make herself a late breakfast, but was pleased to find Storm finishing preparing a large stack of waffles topped with blueberry and strawberry toppings. Rogue and Logan sat at the table along with a hungry looking Professor.

"Good morning," Charles greeted her with a smile. "It seems we're the lazy group this morning. Thankfully, Ororo has offered to make us breakfast anyway."

"I didn't get to eat this morning," Storm smiled. "So I may as well eat with all of you."

"Morning," Kia smiled and sat down next to Rogue. "Is there enough for me?"

"There's plenty," Ororo answered. "This just means Logan will have to fill himself with three servings instead of four."

"Make me sound like a fuckin' pig , why don't ya?" Logan grumbled as he nosed through the paper.

"Where are the others?" Kia asked.

"I believe Scott talked most of the team into a session in the Danger Room," the Professor answered. "Bobby went to play some basketball or some such with some of the students. Kurt is studying."

"Hank is married to his lab for the morning," Ororo smirked.

"Damn other woman," Rogue grinned.

"Indeed," Ororo chuckled as she placed the waffles on the table. The group shoveled food onto their plates. Logan gave Storm a dirty look.

"No bacon?"

Ororo ignored him and handed the Professor the strawberry topping. Logan grunted and returned to reading his paper.

"So how did last night go?" Kia asked. "Any bruising on your feet?"

"Hank is a wonderful dancer, if that's what you're asking," Ororo smiled. "And we had a delightful time, thank you."

"I must say, I do approve of the way you two have grown together," Charles commented with a smile. "It seems somehow very right. You two fit well together."

"Thank you, Charles," Storm nodded. "I'm glad to hear that, actually. Hank and I took our relationship deeper last night and we are much closer. I think we will be together for some time."

Kia and Rogue exchanged matching glances. It was all Rogue could do to stifle her giggle, and Kia had to briefly hold her hand over her mouth to hide her wide grin. Both wanted to hear a much deeper account of Storm's news, but felt it wasn't wise to say anything in front of the Professor.

"Excellent," Charles nodded, seeming oblivious to what the two women had inferred. "I am happy for you. It does me good to see some of my students finding happiness with one another."

"We ain't really students any more," Rogue pointed out with a smirk.

"Once a student, always a student," Charles smiled lightly.

" 'Bout time Beast got a woman," Logan commented.

"Quit bein' an ol' sour-puss, Logan," Rogue replied.

" 'Old'?" Logan growled. He turned the page of his paper and glanced over it for several minutes. He looked up and scowled darkly. "Fuckin' hell."

"Logan, language, please," the Professor sighed. "What is it?"

"Anti-mutant bullshit," Logan spat. " Even worse, the scheduled kind. Turn the tube on 13."

Ororo grabbed the remote to the small flat-screen placed against the kitchen wall and turned it on channel 13.

A large crowd gathered in front of a large wooden stage in what looked to be a square in the city. The roads had been blocked off and barricaded to allow the gathering to take place. The crowd undulated, several hundred strong, murmuring and speaking softly as they sat and waited. A large wooden podium was set up at the front of the stage, and behind it were several banners and posters and other paraphernalia associated with the upcoming political race. 'Kevin Dodd' was boldly written in colorful patriotic shades across the various posters.

The politician standing behind the podium appeared to be in his early 50's, and his face was already creased and lined, aged prematurely by the looks of it. His mouth pulled downward in a bitter pinch, and his eyes squinted and shifted restlessly. His hair, rusty brown, was thinning and graying all over. He was at least forty pounds overweigh and his gut was ineffectively pulled in by a thick black belt, which served only to push it upward and make it all the more noticeable. He was dressed in an immaculate suit, which looked like it had been made without taking his gut into consideration during the fitting.

"My fellow humans," he began, and paused to allow the crowd to fall silent. Storm and Charles exchanged a heavy look.

"I am here today," the politician continued, "To speak with you about our own vulnerability. This city...this state...and even worse, this country, are all in a terribly vulnerable state. For years we have been at risk of being overrun by the most dangerous and shady enemy the great country of the U.S.A has ever faced."

The man leaned forward, his face intense and tight. "I'm speaking of Mutants! And we must do away with them!"

The crowd gave a loud, enthusiastic roar of approval.

"This is not good," Charles murmured, shutting his eyes and rubbing at his brow.

"They are a threat to everything we hold dear," Kevin Dodd said, his tone slightly more restrained, but still pinched and impassioned. "Their children mingle with ours, spreading like a disease through our schools and establishments and putting the future generation ofhumans at risk with their powers and hideous deformities. They take our jobs, using their freakish abilities to do work faster than us and make us look incompetent.

"And they threaten our very lives!" he continued. "Mutant terrorists have made unlawful attacks with the express intention of harming human civilization and destroying our governments! I'm sure you all know of Magneto, one of their most prominent terrorists. He claims that their race is superior to ours, and will wipe us out!"

The crowd looked incensed, their faces screwing up into snarls and grimaces of anger. A sea of nodding heads greeted the man's words.

"Well, I sayour race is superior! I saytheirrace is adisease! And like all diseases, it must be stamped out before it brings about the death of thousands of innocents!"

Information flashed along the bottom of the screen depicting the live-broadcast, reporting on the rally of Senator hopeful Kevin Dodd and displaying various comments on his Anti-Mutant platform.

"Turn this shit off," Logan snarled, standing up sharply enough to send his chair skidding back across the room.

"No good will come of this," Storm said grimly.

"Indeed," Charles said, his voice barely more than a whisper as he stared at his hands folded in his lap. "He stirs them to riot...like a burning ember thrust into a pit of dry leaves. Their thoughts turn to supposed injustices and wrongs that they know have never been done, but pretend are true anyway."

He looked up at them, his eyes focusing once more. "The hour will not end without bloodshed, I fear."

"We're breakin' this up, huh?" Logan asked, his grim and agitated scowl suddenly shifting into a wild grin.

"Yes," Charles nodded. "Otherwise the damage and harm could be overwhelming. And they may begin to hunt for Mutants to vent upon."

"I'm goin'," Logan said, his eyes dancing strangely as he continued to grin.

"You will restrain yourself," Charles stated more than asked.

" 'Course," Logan nodded.

"Very good," Charles sighed. "I will be going as well."

" Is that really a great idea?" Rogue asked.

"I will be fine," Charles insisted. "You and Storm will accompany Logan and I. I am in good hands."

"Should we get the others?" Storm asked.

"No," Xavier replied. "We don't have the time, and a small group would work best."

"Scott ain't gonna like this," Rogue stated.

"We'll deal with that later," Charles shook his head. "We have to move, now." "Good, we don't need One-Eye anyway," Logan growled. "I'll go warm up the blackbird."

"We're going incognito," Xavier nodded as Logan left the room. "So no uniforms. We go as we are."

"Does he know that?" Ororo asked, nodding to the door Logan had used to leave the room.

Charles hesitated for a brief moment. "He does now."

"We ready to get on outta here?" Rogue asked.

"Indeed," the Professor replied. "Let us be on our way."

"Can I go?" Kia spoke up, causing her three friends to jump. She had fallen totally silent upon seeing the broadcast. Typically vocal, her silence had caused her to be almost totally forgotten.

"Are you sure you want to go, Kia? It will be dangerous."

"I know," Kia nodded. "I'll be okay, though. And I could help with the crowd."

Xavier hesitated for a moment, his eyes playing curiously over her. She appeared pale, more so than usual, and her mouth was set into a tight line. He'd never seen her like this. She was visibly shaken, but appeared somehow determined.

Finally, Charles nodded. "Very well. Stay out of sight and stick close to Logan and Rogue. Come, we must hurry."

Rogue grabbed her waffle from the table and distractedly munched it as they headed into the lower levels and the hanger where their aircraft, the Blackbird, awaited. Her calm, casual bearing was at odds with Kia's nerves. This would certainly be a challenge, though she felt eager to show she could be of use.

As she strapped herself into a seat on the Blackbird, she stared into space, a heavy feeling in her gut. "That man," she whispered under her breath, but her companions were too busy with take-off preparations to hear her.

***

The crowd was out of control, rioting wildly already. The square the political rally had been held in was mostly empty now, with the mass of rioters moving down the street and causing damage as they went. A dozen police officers in riot gear were out trying to quell the riot, but the crowd of people lashed out violently at them. The rioters were clearly doing the intimidating and controlling here. The four X-men were standing on the roof of a small building near the crowd, crouched down and out of sight as they watched the chaotic scene unfold. Windows were being broken, things stolen. Innocent, confused people were beaten and mugged. A few cars had been turned over and set alight. The fire department couldn't get through the roiling, violent crowd enough to get the hoses to the flames.

Several chants of Anti-Mutant sentiments floated through the air, but it was mostly swallowed by the general roar and of the screaming crowd. While there was certainly still an unfriendliness toward Mutants here, it wasn't truly about that anymore. The rioters were more focused now on whatever acts of violence and looting they could accomplish. A good thing for Mutants, yes, but certainly a bad thing for everyone else.

"We gotta get them fires out," Rogue commented.

"Agreed," Charles nodded. "Storm, if you will?"

"Rain! Come forth to cool the flames of these peoples misguided hatred!" Ororo tilted her head back slightly and then held out her arms, palms facing upward. Her eyes went white. Storm's Mutant ability was that of mastery over the weather, controlling the elements to bring about rain, wind, fog, sunshine, or even snow and hail. Thick, black clouds formed with a suddenness that had often left meteorologists baffled. The dark clouds roiled and pulsed with their fullness.

The sky broke apart, letting out such a torrent of rain that it shrouded the streets in sheets of watery downfall. The freezing, fat drops splattered through the crowd, completely drenching everyone in moments. The fires hissed and sizzled weakly as they died out.

Much of the crowd began to run and disperse, their violent mentality apparently dropping off as the rain chilled and soaked them to the bone and the wind drove the downpour into their faces with stinging force. Even once the flames died and much of the rioting folk dispersed, over a hundred remained, gathering together and walking around the wide streets, overturning cars, stealing goods from shops, and beating the meager number of police with folded chairs and various blunt objects. Several good Samaritans tried to help the officers, only to be turned on by the violent crowd.

"Stubborn bastards," Logan commented.

"I do not think they will stop for anything I can do to them, Professor," Storm said after slowly lowering her hands. Her eyes returned to normal.

"Their anger is growing," Kia said softly, her senses extended over the crowd below. "It's turning into rage. These people want blood. Mutant blood. And that some of their fellow humans are trying to stop them is making them even angrier."

"The real die-hard hate mongers , eh?" Logan growled.

"Can ya use your power where we're standin'?" Rogue asked.

"No, I would have to be closer," Kia replied.

"Logan and Rogue, escort Kia into the crowd. She might be able to help the situation," Charles nodded.

"Ya got it, Chuck," Logan grinned.

"Keep an eye on us, y'all," Rogue said.

The three Mutants descended to ground level and after watching the violent crowd for a moment, walked out into the rain-slick streets. Their clothing was soaked and they were as cold and wet as the rioters were. Rogue and Logan flanked Kia as they approached.

Several of the rioters spotted the trio and started toward them, gripping whatever they had gotten their hands on as weapons. But after no more than a handful of steps, they halted, their weapons slipping from their hands. They glanced about, confusion and a hint of unease on their face.

"The hell is goin' on?" Logan asked Rogue quietly.

"Ya don't know?" Rogue. "Kia's empathic. She can use her empathy to connect with someone, and usin' that she'll drain feelin's. It don't work too well on folk who're strong willed, but these folk are simple 'nough. Ask her if ya really wanna know more about it. Now ain't 'xactly the best time, Sugah."

A steady trickle of wet, cold, and confused people were leaving the crowd, wanting nothing more than to go home and get warm and dry. More of the enraged group rushed them. Even as Kia strained to drain and nullify the intense emotions of the attackers, fists and weapons flew. Rogue ducked a man swinging a lead pipe at her head and gingerly booted him in the stomach. Even with her best efforts to be gentle, the man went flying a good three yards back and collided with a wall.

"Oops," Rogue muttered, only half meaning it.

One particularly unlucky rioter took a swing at Logan's head with his bare hand. Logan stood motionless and the man's hand cracked sharply against Wolverine's Adamantium skull. Logan shoved him roughly, and the man was so distracted by the pain in his hand he tripped and toppled to the ground. A second man rushed Wolverine and swung a blunt club. Wolverine stepped quickly in, past the range of the club. He caught the man's arm, then snapped a head butt out, knocking the attacker out and causing him to crumple to the ground, his nose broken.

Kia continued to siphon off the anger of the crowd, sweat washing off her body by the rain overhead. It was difficult, the flow of violent and ugly emotions these people exuded. She had to open herself fully to that hatred in order to drain it away, and it almost made her sick to feel the heat of it beating against her. It took some time, but it was relatively effective, and the crowd steadily dwindled. About every fifteen or thirty seconds, another rioter or two left.

Wolverine carefully watched two thugs with knives eyeing his two female companions, ready to spring on them if he needed to. Rogue was pretending to 'struggle' as she wrestled a folding chair away from a man almost three times her body weight.

Logan heard a scuffle at his feet and looked down to see the man who's hand he'd broken with his skull reaching for the discarded club with his good hand.

Logan laughed softly. "Ya don't give up, do ya? An' here I was gonna leave ya with a hand to work with. Ah well, yer problem now." Logan smashed his heel into the man's outstretched hand, cracking bones and popping joints. The man screamed and rolled away, shakily climbing to his feet. He stumbled and weaved away from the scene of the riot.

Logan's head spun quickly at the cry behind him. Kia was crumbling to the ground a few feet away. A tall man stood over her and her temple was red from where he had struck her. He had one hand tangled in her thick brunet hair, and the other reached for the wallet in her back pocket.

Before Logan could explode into furious motion, the man froze, his body going still. Logan glanced around to see the rest of the crowd similarly motionless, standing stiff and still and gazing out into space.

Is she okay? Xavier spoke into his mind.

Rogue walked over to Kia and examined her, looking over the large welt forming on the side of her face. "Ah think so, she's just kinda bruised. Pro'lly got hit from behind."

"Ya ain't gotta say it out loud, ya know," Logan pointed out as he walked closer.

"Now ain't exactly the time, Sugah," Rogue repeated her earlier words.

I will take care of the rest of the crowd, Xavier told them.I did not want to have to mind-sweep them, but it seems we have no choice. I cannot hold them more than a few more moments, and the police will not arrive in great enough numbers to restrain them until after they have already hurt more people. Too much has been done already. Return to the Blackbird.

Rogue grabbed Kia's wallet out of the would-be thief's hand and pushed it back into Kia's pocket. Logan grabbed a handful of the motionless man's hair and used it to toss him roughly to the ground. He reached down and hoisted Kia from the floor and onto his shoulder.

As Logan and Rogue returned to the aircraft, Charles finished memory wiping the crowd, erasing only the very surface of their memories, enough to make them forget why they were angry in the first place. The Professor let out a deep sigh as he wheeled his chair back to where the Blackbird rested, cloaked and unseen on the spacious and empty roof.

He hated using his powers, hisgift, for such purposes. There were much temptations behind having such a powerful mind, and the less he tempted fate by using them in such manners, the less chance he would ever give in to a more powerful and dangerous temptation.

But then, was it any wiser for him to use Kia's power in such a way? Was not using her Empathic powers to neutralize someone's negative emotions just as risky as using his telepathy to neutralize their negative thoughts? Charles pondered that heavily on the flight home.

***

Kia regained consciousness shortly before the Blackbird returned to the Mansion. Despite repeatedly insisting she was fine, Charles firmly insisted she go see Hank or Jean to be sure she didn't have a concussion. Kia hastily chose to have Hank examine her. Ororo offered to accompany her to the med-lab to keep her company.

As soon as the Blackbird was safely nestled in the Hanger in the sub-levels of the Mansion, Charles hurried to the War-Room to begin researching this Anti-Mutant politician. He was gravely worried; if the man could stir up such a violent riot from a simple speech, what would he be capable of if he became Senator(govenor?)? Kia, Storm, Rogue, and Logan all stayed behind to finish shutting the Blackbird down and getting their aircraft fully ready for its next launch. Kia helped Rogue tidy the interior and exterior while Storm shut the systems down and Logan refueled the plane.