Chapter Three
“Watch out!” Kurt yelled as a spiked ball nearly missed him by inches. Kitty saw it in time to let the ball pass right through her. Rogue, Bobby and Sarabi dodged the ball easily. Sarabi blew a stray strand of hair out of her face. Rogue ran forward with Bobby. Sarabi smiled as Kurt disappeared and then reappeared a few paces ahead. He had a good control of his powers now, Sarabi thought, but the disappearing into the shadows thing was still something Kurt did without thinking. A minor thing really. Sarabi ran up the narrow path after the kids.When she reached the end the kids were standing there looking around.
“Well?” Sarabi asked. Kitty shrugged. The others were looking around. “Keep your eyes and ears open. Remember, this is a random program, I don’t even know what will happen next.” Sarabi looked around at the surrounding area. It was a pretty place, very calming, but that is exactly what the program wanted. It wanted to catch them off guard, and Sarabi knew better then to be caught off guard, even though she has been in other areas lately. Kitty seemed to know what Sarabi was thinking because she smiled at Sarabi.
“Missing someone?” she asked her. Sarabi gave Kitty a look.
“Not at all. Except for perhaps the workout in the Cage.” Sarabi said. Kurt laughed.
“Only for the fact you get to see his bare chest.” He said but before Sarabi could reply something slammed into Kurt knocking him a few feet down the hill.
“Kurt!” Rogue yelled after him. They all ran down the hill after Kurt and the thing that attacked him. When Kurt reached the bottom the thing sprang away and disappeared in the near-by bush.
“Are you okay man?” Bobby asked Kurt as he helped him up.
“Yeah, I think so.” Kurt replied looking in the direction the thing ran off to.
“I told you to pay attention.” Sarabi said.
“What was that?” Kitty asked. Sarabi shrugged.
“No clue.” Just then the bushes rustled. A tawny wolf walked out with a smile on its face. Everyone sighed as the wolf transformed into a young girl.
“You scared the bejeezus out of us!” Kurt said. The girl smiled.
“Sarabi, I need to see you immediately in my office.” Charles voice floated into Sarabi’s head. Sarabi sighed.
“End.” She said and the scenery around them disappeared. The kids moaned.
“What did you do that for?” Rogue asked.
“The Professor needs to see me ASAP.” Sarabi said with a look. “We will try this again later okay guys?” Sarabi asked as she walked toward the door of the Danger Room. The kids followed her mumbling Okay's. Sarabi smiled as they split up in the hallway. Sarabi took the short ride in the elevator to the main floor of the school.
She walked out and down the hall to Charles’ office. She opened the door and strode in. “You know, this better be important, for I was having fun.” Sarabi said with a smile then stopped. Charles was not smiling at all.
“We have a problem.” He said.
Sarabi sank into a nearby chair after Charles told her what was happening with the guys at the compound.
“Captured? Are you sure Charles?” Sarabi asked. Charles only nodded. “But the directions I gave were fool proof. If they followed it they would have gotten in and out just fine!”
“They were expected it would seem.” Charles said. Sarabi looked at him with wide disbelieving eyes.
“What?”
“The Canadian Government was expecting them. To be specific a Colonel William Stryker.” Sarabi’s eyes blazed. Charles watched as the green in her eyes spiked through the blue.
“Stryker. The bastard. How did he know?” Sarabi asked. Charles shook his head.
“I am not sure.” Sarabi sighed and rubbed her temples.
“That son of a bitch. How would he find out what’s going on?” Sarabi asked herself.
“They need you Sarabi.” Charles said. Sarabi’s eyes focused on Charles. She looked out the window and sighed Charles moved closer to Sarabi and placed a hand on her knee. Sarabi looked back at him.
“I know Charles, I know. I will take the Baby X” Sarabi said not to happy. Baby X was another jet that was smaller than the X Jet, and was officially known as the X Jet 2, but Baby X was another one of Sarabi’s pet names.
Sarabi sighed as she picked up a necklace out of her jewelry box. Sarabi looked at it. It was a small round medallion; there was an x in the middle that held four stones. But the stones were missing.
“The element medallion. Does this mean you are going after them?” Kitty had walked through Sarabi’s bedroom door and startled her.
“I have no choice Kitty, I am their only hope now.” Sarabi said with a sad smile. “Besides, they still have the stones, and I will need them eventually.”Kitty gave Sarabi a hug.
“You have nothing to worry about Sarabi, with the stones you are more powerful,and you should be able to whip them without no thought.” Kitty said with a lot of confidence.
“I know Kitty, I am glad you have confidence in me. Wish I could say the same about myself.” Sarabi said standing up and walking to the door.
“Sarabi Katalina Vosloo! You have the confidence to go back to the one place you swore you would never return to. So don’t tell me you don’t have confidence in yourself!” Kitty almost yelled after Sarabi. Sarabi stopped and turned to look at Kitty and smiled.
Logan opened his eyes. He remembered arriving at the compound and following Scott through the tunnel that Sarabi said would safely take them in and out.And then Ororo yelled something and then darkness. He went to move and found that he couldn’t. Logan looked around him; he was strapped to a table. His heart began beating wildly. He felt like he had been there before. He suddenly remembered a nightmare where he was strapped to a table, and men were around him, sticking him with needles and there was a lot of pain.
“Wolverine, so nice of you to come back to us.” A voice said. Logan turned and looked at a man in military clothes walking towards him with a smile. The man laughed. “Of coarse, I had almost forgotten. You don’t remember a thing.” Logan struggled on the table and the man laughed again. “Let me introduce myself. I am Colonel William Stryker the head of the Weapon X program.”
“Where are the others?” Logan growled. Stryker smiled.
“They are fine, look for yourself.” Stryker motioned around the room and Logan noticed his surrounding for the first time. All around the room he was in were strange cage like rooms built into the wall. Each one was different according to the powers of the mutant it held. He found Scott, without his visor, Jean with some sort of helmet on her head, Ororo in a complete plastic cage, Remy was in a normal cell with no bars, but he was bounded to a far wall completely unable to move, and Henry was in a cell with bars that must have been unbendable. There were others, he even saw Sabretooth and Toad. He looked back at Stryker.
“What do you want with us?” he asked. Stryker smiled and slowly walked around the table.
“To finish what we started 17 years ago.” Logan looked at him and growled.
Sarabi whistled as she flew at mock three heading towards the Canadian Rockies. She enjoyed flying jets, and it relaxed her. It also gave her time to think about what she was going to do. Sarabi smiled as she took the jet into a double barrel spin. When she pulled out of it she heard thumping coming from the back. Sarabi glanced at the door that led to the cargo compartment and smiled. She did another roll and then a nosedive. Suddenly Kitty came flying forward into the co-pilot’s seat. Sarabi straightened out the jet and put it on autopilot. Sarabi looked at Kitty who gave her a weak smile. Sarabi unstrapped her self and walked to the cargo compartment door and opened it. Kurt, Bobby, and Rogue fell out onto the floor at Sarabi’s feet.
“What are you guys doing here!?” Sarabi asked crossing her arms. Kurt got up and gave the same weak smile as Kitty did.
“We thought we could help.” Rogue said getting up and rubbing her arm. Sarabi sighed.
“You have no idea what you have done!” Sarabi said walking back to the pilot’s seat. “I can’t believe you guys would stow away like that!”
“We would have asked, but we figured you would say no.” Kurt said. Sarabi turned on him.
“You are damned right I would have said no.” Sarabi slid into the seat. “You don’t know how dangerous this mission is…did you miss what Charles told you earlier? Do I need to get a dictionary out and tell you the meaning of dangerous? Please tell me why you are here!”
“We wanted to help!” Kitty said sitting upright in the seat. Sarabi moaned.
“You are so not helping! Now I have to keep an eye on you guys! No.” Sarabi got back up and paced the jet. “No you guys are going to stay in the jet.” Sarabi held up her hand before the protests started. “You will stay in this jet and not leave it for absolutely no reason.” Sarabi’s tone was stern as she sat back down in the pilot seat.
“Yes Scott.” Kitty mumbled crossing her arms looking at Sarabi out of the corner of her eye. Sarabi sighed.
“I am sorry Kitty, but its true. This mission is way to dangerous, you don’t know these people like I do. The last thing I need is for you all to get captured. They have no hearts when it comes to people like us guys, please understand.” Sarabi looked at them and Kitty reached over and touched her arm.
“We know Sarabi, that’s why we wanted to come and help. We and especially I don’t want to loose you to these guys again. We are not little kids. We are X-Men, just like you, Scott, Ororo, Jean and even Logan. We are mutants with powers. We can help. You always said we were a team.” Sarabi looked at Kitty and smiled. Sarabi saw the same concern in Kurt, Rogue and Bobby’s faces as she looked at them. Sarabi took a deep breath.
“Okay, you are right. I will let you help me with this, but you must be careful. I may be the protector, but I don’t know what they have planned.”Sarabi stated and took the jet off of autopilot. “Oh, and do strap yourselves in, you all are in for one hell of a ride.”
“You have done all you can to me. What more do you want?” Logan growled straining against the bonds that held him to the table.
“Go ahead and keep struggling Wolverine, the metal bonds that hold you are Adamantium. Unbreakable.” Stryker smiled as he watched Logan struggle with the bonds. “And who said it was you we are after?” Stryker continued with an evil smile. Logan looked at him.
“What?” Stryker stopped at the side of the table and placed his hands on it and looked at Logan.
“She was very clever concealing who she really was. What she could do. No wonder she is a Marine, it takes a lot of strength not to use her powers against us, so many times that she could have, and she didn’t. Such power she has.” Stryker said watching Logan’s face. Logan looked at Stryker as he realized whom he was talking about.
“You leave her alone you bastards. Don’t you think you have done enough?” Logan was getting a little pissed right about now, and was wishing he could strangle this guy.
“No. There is so much we can do with her. Did you know she is the ultimate weapon? A weapon capable of destroying whole planets, can you imagine what we could do with a weapon like that?”
“I rather not.” Logan growled.
“You talk about Sarabi like she’s nothing more than a piece of equipment to you!” Jean yelled from her cage and Stryker looked at her with a smile. Stryker walked up to her and reached to touch Jean’s cheek, but Jean moved out of Stryker’s reach. Stryker just smiled wider.
“She will become everything we have ever wanted for Weapon X.” Stryker said putting an emphasis on the word weapon. Jean glared at him.
“Sarabi will kill you, you son of a bitch. She will not even have to think about it. She will wipe the floor with your blood.” Scott yelled from the next cell. Stryker’s eyebrow rose as he walked over to Scott.
“And what makes you say that?” Scott laughed.
“You don’t know Sarabi.” Scott said. Stryker laughed.
“I know her well enough to know she is on her way to save you.” Stryker said.
“You son of a bitch. You are using us as bait!” Logan yelled. Stryker turned and smiled.
“Please, Sarabi if you do another roll I am totally going to loose my lunch!”Bobby said with his eyes closed. Sarabi smiled.
“Sorry, Bobby. But don’t worry, that’s the last one.” Sarabi looked out the window to the mountain range they were approaching. “Welcome to the Canadian Rockies. Please put your seat back in its upright position, put your tray up and make sure your seat belts are securely fastened.” Sarabi expertly maneuvered the jet in for a landing.
“Look, there’s the X Jet.” Kitty said pointing to the black jet sitting on an outcrop of stone. Sarabi placed the little jet perfectly beside the big one.
“Thank you for flying Vosloo Airlines, hope you fly with us again real soon.”Sarabi said powering down the jet and getting out of her seat. Bobby looked at Sarabi and shook his head.
“I like you and all Sarabi, but never again I swear.” Sarabi laughed.
“Okay, enough playing. We are in serious territory now. So it’s time to act like X-Men.” Sarabi was saying and she had turned to look at them as she talked and misjudged the last step off the stairs from the jet and went flying forward and barely caught herself before she fell. Kitty smiled as the rest tried hard not to laugh out loud.
“Are you sure you are part of the X-Men team?” Kurt asked stopping beside Sarabi who just smiled.
“And I was the graceful one.” She said smiling.
“That’s just a tad scary.” Bobby said. Sarabi looked at her little team.
“Ready for hell?” Sarabi whispered. They nodded. “Remember the plan?” Again she got four nods. “Can I go home now?” They all looked at her. Kitty smiled and shook her head no. Sarabi smiled. “It was worth a try at least.” Sarabi walked into the dark tunnel and her night vision kicked in. “Follow close and keep you ears open.” They walked through the tunnel in ankle deep water with Sarabi leading the way slowly. She was listening to anything that didn’t fit tote surroundings. There was no smells that didn’t belong. And it was a typical tunnel. Water, running water sounds, rats.
“Sarabi.” Bobby said.
“Yes.”
“Are those rats I hear.”
“Yes.”
“Just checking.” Sarabi almost asked Bobby why it was important when she stopped suddenly and felt Kitty bump into her.
“Sarabi what’s wrong?” Kitty whispered. Sarabi held out her hand and slowly walked forward to look around the corner. There wasn’t any one there so she motioned for the others.
“Nothing is wrong Kitty, just being cautious.” Sarabi whispered. They continued down the tunnel and got half way down it when Sarabi stopped again.
“Sarabi?” Kurt asked.
“I smell something.” Sarabi said and then smiled. “Logan.”
“What?” Rogue said.
“I smell Logan. He’s been here. In fact they all have be—“ Sarabi stopped and looked down. Her foot had hit something. She bent down and picked up the object.
“Scott’s visor.” Bobby said looking at Sarabi. Sarabi put the visor in her pocket and walked on.
“She’s a lot stronger now then she was back then.” Logan said as Stryker paced back and forth.
“How would you know? You don’t even remember her or anything else from back then.” Stryker stated. Logan smiled.
“I have seen her back. She still bears the scars you left on her, and I know that she won’t let you touch her again.” Logan said calmly. Stryker stopped and smiled.
“We aren’t going to ask her permission.” Stryker said with a bemused expression.
“You don’t need to ask her, she still won’t let you touch her.” Logan stated. Stryker sighed with a smile.
“Have you noticed how beautiful she is?” Stryker asked. “How her skin is soft,how full her lips are?” Stryker said leaning against the table looking away from Logan. “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed her Wolverine, you sure noticed her before.” Logan looked at Stryker and could feel his temper again rising.
“What do you mean?” Logan asked with a strained voice. Stryker laughed.
“Its to bad you don’t remember Wolverine, being with her isn’t something I would want to forget.”
“And whose fault is that Stryker?” Stryker looked up at the voice that came from the doorway. Sarabi strode into the room and took notice of everything.
“Sarabi.” Stryker started to move away from the table when Sarabi smiled.
“Yes Stryker, I still have the same name. And Wolverine is right. You will never touch me again.” Sarabi stopped and stood looking at Stryker. One of Stryker’s men was quietly sneaking up on Sarabi from behind to her left and when he got close enough, Sarabi quickly reached out and grabbed him by the neck and then broke it. Stryker looked at Sarabi and stopped walking toward her.
“As you can see Stryker. I don’t care about most human life. Especially when that life is on your side. Did you forget that I have heightened senses? What happened Stryker, use your own mind altering machine on yourself?” Logan looked at Sarabi. She wasn’t wearing one of Scott’s uniforms; in fact she was wearing black leather pants and a matching shirt with a black leather trench coat. The coat wasn’t opened all the way and it was like she was hiding something.
“Its nice to see you again.” Stryker said. “We were just talking about you.”Sarabi smiled.
“Yes I heard. My skin, my lips. All things you will never have the pleasure of touching.”
“Really. You seem so sure.” Stryker started to slowly walk towards Sarabi.
“I am. How much do you really know about the Fifth Element?”
“I know enough Sarabi.” Sarabi smiled.
“Then you know I can do this right?” Sarabi raised her right arm and made a motion towards Stryker and he went flying back past Logan on the table. Stryker landed hard on the floor. “Oh wait. I forgot. That’s not part of being the Fifth Element.” Sarabi smiled. Stryker stood and looked at Sarabi and glared.
“I know you won’t come willingly, and you know I am not afraid of using force.”
“I know. I don’t care either.” Sarabi looked at Stryker almost smiling. Stryker didn’t look to amused.
“What can you do without your stones?” Stryker asked. Sarabi almost laughed.
“Stryker, I never really knew you were stupid, but you just totally confirmed my suspicions. I don’t need my stones to use my elemental powers.”
“You are lying.” Stryker said.
“Try me.” Sarabi challenged and Stryker smiled.
“Thought you’d never ask.” Stryker motioned to some of the guys behind Sarabi. Sarabi glanced over her shoulder and smiled.
“The offer was for you Stryker. Not your military guys here. What’s wrong? Don’t have the balls to fight me yourself?” Stryker smiled.
“I have seen you fight Sarabi.”
“You have seen me fight for myself. You have never seen me fight to protect.”
“I guess I am about to aren’t I?”
“Well Wolverine, what do you think about that? You have more balls then Stryker.” Logan chuckled.
“I already figured that.” He said looking at Sarabi. Sarabi looked at him and again felt something take a hold of her heart. They put him back on the table. Sarabi closed her eyes so she wouldn’t be consumed by memories.
“Let’s play shall we?” Sarabi said opening her eyes. Stryker’s men advanced on Sarabi and she smiled.
The one to her left was the closest to her, so she quickly did a roundhouse right into his chest making him stagger back. The others were getting closer and Sarabi didn’t want to fight in a crowd. “I hope you all like flying.” She said then threw them back away from her with her mind. The men flew in every direction and Sarabi advanced on Logan. Stryker had disappeared somewhere. But Sarabi wanted to get Logan off that table. When Sarabi got close to the table one of Stryker’s men ran at her. She grabbed him easily by the front of his shirt and threw him back in the direction he came from. She reached the table with no other distractions. She looked over Logan from head to toe, and allowed a smile as she looked at his bare chest. Sarabi grabbed one of the bonds and yanked. Nothing happened. Sarabi looked at Logan and he sighed.
“They are made out of Adamantium.” He told her. Sarabi moaned.
“What? Do they have this stuff lying around or something?” Sarabi asked and before Logan could answer her another one of Stryker’s men advanced on Sarabi from the other side of the table. Sarabi punched him right in the nose and he stumbled away. Sarabi looked around and smiled. The men were recovering from their flight. Sarabi climbed up on the table and stood with her feet on either side of Logan’s stomach. He looked up at her and Sarabi smiled. Some of the men had stopped and looked at Sarabi uncertainly. Sarabi leaned forward and placed her hands on either side of Logan’s head.
“I’ll be right back.” She said and then flipped off the table and landed on her feet.
“Take your time. I am not going any where.” Logan said with a smile. Sarabi faced another of Stryker’s men and raised her fists to her chest. The man did the same. He threw a couple of punches that Sarabi dodged, and Sarabi threw one punch that connected to the guy’s jaw. He didn’t go down and they had company. Sarabi dropped to the floor and kicked out her right leg making everyone near enough to her to fall to the ground. Sarabi stood and took on the first guy who stood. With only a few punches, Sarabi had managed to shove his nose back into his head, killing him instantly. Sarabi turned to another and just grabbed his head and twisted breaking his neck. After a few more kills, Sarabi noticed that her canine teeth had came out. Ever since her ron da vu with a group of vampires, she had canine teeth like theirs. Although, unlike them, she didn’t crave blood, and she could go out in the sun. But they were strong, and could rip through just about everything, and she wasn’t afraid to use them. She bit a couple of guys who freaked out and went screaming from the room.
“That wasn’t the plan. But it works.” She said to her self. Sarabi had been watching the two run away and had failed to notice a very large, very strong man come up beside her. Before it registered in her mind, the man had taken a hold of her jacket at the shoulder, picked her up, and threw her towards Logan. She hit the side of the table and fell off. Sarabi got up and rubbed her side. She looked at Logan’s right hand and noticed that the forefinger blade was sticking out. He had a band wrapped around his right hand that made the blade unable to retract.
"That would explain why it hurt so much.” Sarabi said and grabbed the nearest guy and throwing him towards the one who threw her. The big guy just smacked the littler one away like he was a fly. Sarabi sighed and knew this was going to be tough. But that’s how she liked her fights. Sarabi stood her ground as the big guy made his way towards her.
“What are they doing here?” Logan asked making Sarabi look away from her attacker to where Logan was looking. He saw Kitty, Bobby, Kurt and Rogue trying to open the cells on the other side of the room.
“That is the plan. I distract the bad guys, they set the good guys free.” Sarabi explained still watching the four.
“Did you forget how dangerous it is here?” Logan asked looking at Sarabi. Sarabi dropped her guard and looked at him.
“Really Logan? You know the thought had crossed my mind, but I dismissed it. Unfortunately, seeing you there strapped to the same table I found you on 17 years ago, in almost the same condition, makes me realize just how dangerous it is. And having a really big, really strong guy coming at me, makes me realize it even more.” Sarabi suddenly remember the big guy as she said the last line and turned her attention back to him. A little to late though. He hit her like a freight train, sending her across the room and into a cell door. The wind was temporarily knocked out of her and she had enough time to see him coming at her again. This time she was ready and sent him flying with a wave of her hand. He sailed across to the other side of the room and hit the wall so hard it cracked and he was knocked unconscious. Sarabi walked back to Logan took one look at him just before another guy grabbed her from behind.
“They stowed away in Baby X. What was I suppose to do? Leave them there to be found? Or make sure they were safe? Will you get your damn hands off me!” Sarabi threw her head back and the man let her go. She turned and kicked him across the face and then again in the middle. She looked at him for only a moment then knocked him out with another kick to the face. She saw Stryker again walking back into the room with more of his men, and someone else she hadn’t seen in quite awhile. Sarabi stared as she watched Dr. Cornelius follow Stryker into the room.
“Sarabi!” Logan’s voice made her look at him and she felt two sets of arms grab her. Sarabi struggled and felt her jacket slip off her right shoulder and then she felt the prick of a needle. Sarabi broke free from one of the guys and smacked the one with the needle, breaking the needle into her shoulder.
“Sarabi. Fighting is useless.” Stryker said and she glared at him.
“I am surprised you are still here Cornelius. I would have thought you would have left this filth a long time ago.” Sarabi said rubbing the spot where the needle punctured her skin. Stryker laughed and glanced over his shoulder at Cornelius.
“Like he has much choice in the matter.” Stryker said. Sarabi took a few steps closer to Logan and leaned against the table and looked at Stryker.
“You know Stryker, I don’t know why you are sacrificing your men. You are fighting a loosing battle.” Sarabi said crossing her arms.
“I may loose the battle, but at least I know I will win the war.” Stryker stated and Sarabi looked at him and smiled.
“What makes you so damn sure?” Sarabi asked. Stryker walked over to where Sarabi was and reached for the bond that held Logan’s right arm down to the table. He released Logan’s arm and swiftly grabbed Sarabi and plunged the forefinger blade deep into her chest piercing her heart. Sarabi gasped at the sudden pain, Logan tried to yank his arm out of Stryker’s grasp, but Stryker was holding on tight. Sarabi smiled as Stryker began to slowly turn Logan’s arm. Logan growled and in order to stop Stryker from turning his arm any more he released the other two blades into Sarabi’s chest. Sarabi rolled her eyes and looked at Logan. Stryker laughed. Sarabi looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t know why you are laughing, as soon as I remove these blades I will regenerate.” Sarabi said looking down at the blood gushing out of her chest. Stryker smiled even wider.
“That’s where you would be wrong.” Stryker waited for Sarabi’s reaction. Sarabi just looked at him and then laughed.
“What have you been smoking?” she asked. Stryker leaned closer to Sarabi and touched her cheek.
"That shot that you were given,” Stryker said touching her shoulder. “It stops your regeneration ability.” Sarabi looked at him and then to Cornelius.
“Cornelius?” Sarabi asked him with her eyes. Cornelius looked at her with a sad expression.
“I am so sorry Sarabi.” Was all he said. Sarabi looked back at Stryker who smiled and he yanked Logan’s blades out of her chest. Sure enough, the wounds didn’t heal. Sarabi leaned against the table. Stryker smiled and flipped a switch that released Logan completely. Logan immediately jumped off the table and grabbed Sarabi as she began to slide down to the floor.
“Sarabi?” A soft voice asked. Sarabi looked to the voice that said her name. It was Kitty. The four of them were still there, and they were just a few paces away. Sarabi could feel her strength leaving her and she grabbed at Logan, who pulled her close to him. Logan looked at Stryker.
“You son of a bitch. She’ll die if she doesn’t regenerate. What good is she to you then?” Logan asked. Sarabi didn’t hear Stryker’s reply as she closed her eyes. She opened them and saw Ororo pointing to something on the floor. Sarabi slowly moved her eyes to where Ororo was pointing. There was a pool of water that Sarabi hadn’t noticed before. Sarabi slowly began looking around the room. She could hear Logan and Stryker talking to each other, but she didn’t catch what they were saying. The room was circular and all of Stryker’s men were standing around him. Sarabi looked back at the water, and her eyes turned green. The water began to quietly run out of the little pool and it went to Ororo’s cell and then broke off into two little streams and both of them ran along the bottom of the cells. Sarabi again closed her eyes so she could concentrate easier. The two streams met on the other side of the room and then the single stream started to run towards Sarabi. But instead of going all the way to her,it began to pool around Stryker and his men’s feet. No one noticed but Ororo and the kids. When Sarabi was sure that every single man had water at his feet, Sarabi opened her eyes again and looked at Ororo’s cell. Sarabi softly smiled. The bottom of her cell was plain dirt. Sarabi’s hair turned brown and a small trench appeared under the door of Ororo’s cell. Sarabi then let some water fill the trench. Ororo’s eyes began to turn white as she created a small storm inside her cell. Stryker glanced over to Ororo and issued a short laugh.
“Go ahead and create all the storm you want. It can’t hurt us out here.” Stryker said and Sarabi turned slowly around and smiled at him.
“Don’t count on that.” Sarabi said with a low growl in her throat. Right then Ororo let a small lightning bolt hit the trench of water, and before anyone knew what was happening it traveled through the water quickly exploding the doors off the cells and finally hitting the pool of water at Stryker and his men’s feet. The air was filled with the screams as the electricity ran through their bodies. Sarabi looked at Stryker and stepped away from Logan to face him.“I should have done this a long time ago.” She told him and then collapsed. The screams died out as the men died from electrocution.
“Logan some help here!” Remy yelled from the wall. Logan quickly ran over to him and cut the bonds that held him with his claws. Then he cut Jean’s and removed the helmet. He ran back to Sarabi, who was still lying on the floor barely awake.
“Sarabi, stay with me sweetheart.” Logan said. Sarabi opened her eyes and attempted a smile.
“Don’t call me sweetheart.” She whispered and Logan smiled. Jean, leading Scott, Ororo, Remy and Henry came over to Sarabi. Sarabi looked at Scott,smiled and reached into her pocket. She pulled out Scott’s visor and handed it to Jean, who placed it on Scott.
“Sarabi. What can we do?” Jean whispered. Sarabi shook her head and then smiled.
“Stones.” Sarabi whispered. They all looked at each other.
“We don’t understand Sarabi. What do you mean stones?” Logan asked looking at her.
“Kitty.” Sarabi looked for her.
“I am right here Sarabi.” Kitty said taking Sarabi’s hand. Sarabi looked at Kitty.
“Stones. Element.” Kitty’s eyes widened as she realized what it was Sarabi was talking about.
“The stones. She’s asking for the stones.” Kitty said excitedly. “If anything can save her, the stones can.”
“Where are they?” Henry asked. There was silence.
“I know where they are. I can show you, but you will have to bring her.” A voice behind them said. It was Dr. Cornelius. Kitty looked at him and then to Logan.
“We have no other choice. Besides, Sarabi always said he was one of the good guys.” Logan nodded and picked Sarabi up.
“Lead the way.” He told Cornelius and he nodded and started to lead the way.
They quickly went through a series of lighted tunnels with twists and turns.
“Aren’t you afraid of others?” Scott asked.
“There are no others. Sarabi has killed them all.” Cornelius said taking another turn. “Here, right through this door. The government has set them up as legend states they should be. I just hope the legends are right.” Cornelius unlocked the door and opened it. The room they entered was dark, and smelled heavily of earth. Cornelius lit a torch and before he could go around the room to light the others, they lit themselves.
“Place her there.” Cornelius said pointing to a stone slab in the middle of the room that was surrounded by four short pillars. Logan carefully laid Sarabi down onto the slab. Kitty looked around at the four pillars. She touched the one closest to her.
“The stones.” She whispered.
“So what now?” Remy asked looking at Cornelius.
“They need to be opened.” Kitty said.
“How?” Logan asked and Kitty looked to Cornelius who shrugged.
“Shit.” Logan said under his breath.
“That was never mentioned in the legends.” Cornelius stated looking at Sarabi.“Only she knows.” Logan looked at Sarabi who looked like she was sleeping. He looked at all the blood that covered her.
“Sarabi. We need you to wake up.” Logan said softly touching her shoulder. Sarabi opened her eyes and looked at Logan. “How do you open the stones?” Sarabi took a deep breath.
“Wind blows. Fire burns.” Sarabi whispered cringing with pain.
“That’s nice Sarabi, how do you open the stones.” Logan said. Sarabi shook her head and looked at him.
“Wind blows. Fire burns. Water’s wet. Earth moves.” Sarabi whispered pausing between each. Logan began to shake his head. “Wind blows. Fire burns. Water’s wet. Earth moves.” Sarabi said it a little louder and with more emphasis.
“Sarabi that doesn’t help.” Logan began but Kitty placed a hand on his arm.
“Wait. Listen to her. She’s naming the elements.” Kitty said and Sarabi smiled. Kitty went to the nearest stone and looked at it. Kurt walked up to her.
“Can you tell them apart?” Kurt asked and Kitty nodded.
“Sarabi showed me along time ago. The mark on her left wrist bears the all the marks that are found on the stones. She told me which one was which. This is air.” Kitty said looking at the stone.
"So what does she mean ‘Wind blows’?” Kurt asked. Kitty smiled and leaned forward towards the stone took a deep breath and blew across the top of the stone. The stone’s smooth surface moved and it opened and a soft blue light came out of the top. Kurt’s eyes were wide and he looked at Kitty.
“Fire burns, grab a torch and let the fire touch the stone. Water’s wet, pour some water on the stone, and earth moves, grab a handful of dirt and put it on the stone.” Kitty yelled for all to hear.
“Which one is which?” Ororo asked. Kitty looked to the stone to her left.
“If this is air, then that one is earth.” Kitty turned and pointed to the one opposite of the air stone. “That is water and that,” Kitty pointed to the last stone. “Would be fire.” The room bustled into activity. In moments all the stones were open and glowing different colors. Kitty walked back up to Logan and Sarabi. “Its up to Sarabi now. She’s got to make them work.” Logan looked up at Kitty.
“She’s lost so much blood.” Jean said approaching them. Kitty looked at Sarabi and saw the blood dripping off the slab.
“Sarabi. The stones are open. Kitty said you have to make them work. Wake up Sarabi, don’t you dare die on us now.” Logan grabbed Sarabi by her chin and shook her a little. Sarabi’s eyes slowly opened. She blinked a couple of times and then slowly sat up. Logan grabbed her arm.
“Coat off.” Sarabi whispered and leaned against Logan.
“Sarabi stay awake.” Logan said quickly removing her trench and tossing it aside. Sarabi looked at Logan, smiled and laid back down. “Sarabi?” Logan’s voice was strained. Sarabi placed a hand on Logan’s chest and pushed him away, but Logan wasn’t going to move.
“Get out of the square.” Sarabi whispered. Logan shook his head.
“No.” he said. Kitty took a hold of Logan’s arm and tried to pull him away from Sarabi. “No Kitty, I am not leaving her here.” Kitty shook her head.
“You aren’t leaving her Logan, you just need to get out of the square.” Kitty explained. Logan looked at Kitty then back at Sarabi. Sarabi looked at him and smiled.
“The sooner you leave, the sooner I will be alright.” Sarabi said. Logan stood and walked out of the square with Kitty. Sarabi laid there not moving. Sarabi’s lips began to move and in the silence of the room everyone could hear what she was saying. Kitty stole a look around and saw that the room was packed with every mutant from the other room.
“Earth to Air, Air to Water, Water to Fire, Fire to Earth.” As Sarabi said this beams of light went from one stone to the other, all soon connecting to each other creating a barrier. “Earth, Air, Water, Fire, Earth, Air, Water, Fire.” As Sarabi chanted the beams got brighter and a small hum could soon be heard. It got louder and soon nothing but the hum could be heard. The beams got brighter,but not so bright that Sarabi couldn’t be seen. The beams seemed to spark and jump around Sarabi.
“She will be alright won’t she?” Logan asked Kitty and Kitty looked at him and smiled.
“They wouldn’t make her into something that would kill her.” Kitty said and Logan looked at her.
“They?” he asked and Kitty shrugged.
Suddenly all four stones shot beams into Sarabi. Her back arched and a single wide beam came out of her chest and up into the ceiling. She blew a hole into it and pieces went everywhere. Cornelius chuckled a bit.
“They forgot about that didn’t they?” He asked to no one in particular. Sarabi’s back was highly arched and her mouth opened, but no sound came out. It lasted for only a few minutes and then the beam slammed back into Sarabi’s chest and went back into the stones. One by one the stones disconnected and closed. No one moved for a few moments, and then Logan quickly walked up to Sarabi. He looked at her and she wasn’t bleeding and there were no wounds.
“Sarabi?” Logan whispered leaning close to her. Sarabi opened her eyes and smiled. “How are you feeling?” Logan asked.
“Fantastic.” Sarabi said softly. “I rather have had both sets of your claws through my chest then do that again anytime soon.” Logan chuckled.
“You just had one set.” He whispered. Sarabi slowly sat up and placed a hand on her chest and rubbed it a bit.
“Yes, and it was less painful than what I just did.” Sarabi said as she swung her feet over the side of the slab.
“It hurts?” Kitty asked walking up to Sarabi and Logan. Sarabi smiled and raised an eyebrow.
“I just had concentrated energy run through my body and blown out of my chest,did you think it would tickle?”
“You never said what happened when you used the stones.” Kitty said smiling.“But I suppose if the energy were to hit you just right, it would tickle a bit.” Sarabi looked at Kitty and shook her head. She slowly tried to stand,Logan took her by the arm and when Sarabi got to her feet, she promptly lost her balance. Logan caught her so she wouldn’t fall.
“Thanks.” Sarabi said gaining her balance. Sarabi looked at the group of mutants standing in the room.
“Scott, take everyone to the X Jet and get them out of here. I will follow you shortly in Baby X.” Sarabi said walking to the nearest stone—Earth. Logan followed her.
“What are you planning?” he asked as she removed the stone from the pillar. Sarabi looked at him and smiled.
“Well first off, you should really put a shirt on. And I plan to bury this place once and for all.” Sarabi went to the next stone and took it off its pillar.
“Bury this place?” Logan was following Sarabi around the slab and then to a small stone bench that had a chest sitting on it. Sarabi opened it and there were four deep impressions inside. One for each of the four stones. Sarabi started to place the stones in the chest.
“I have complete control over the earth element now, and I plan to create an earthquake to end all earthquakes.” Sarabi shut the chest and locked it. Then she took the medallion out of her pocket and placed it in a circle that was cut into the top of the chest. The chest glowed for a moment, then disappeared. Sarabi picked the medallion up and looked at it. There now were four stones of different colors where there was once none. Blue, brown, red and green. Sarabi slipped it over her head and turned to find Logan looking at her.
”If you create an earthquake, won’t the surrounding area be affected as well?”Scott asked. Sarabi, still looking at Logan, shook her head
“I can generalize it for just this area. The surrounding area won’t even know what happened.” Sarabi said looking at Scott. “I will give you time to get in the air, just have Jean let me know when you are safe.” Scott nodded to Sarabi and followed the others out the door. Logan, however, stood his ground still looking at Sarabi. “You better go with the others Logan.” Logan shook his head.
“You are going to have a mountain coming down on you and you want me to leave?”he said. Sarabi smiled as she started for the door.
“I will be fine Logan, I can control the earth and get myself out just fine. I don’t however want to have to worry about getting you out as well, so please go.” Sarabi walked back into the big round room and Logan was still following her.
“When was the last time you did something this big?” he asked. Sarabi stopped and turned to look at him.
“Logan, trust me, I will be fine. Nothing will happen to me. Stop worrying.” Sarabi’s words didn’t seem to relax Logan at all. Sarabi sighed and pulled the medallion off and grabbed Logan’s hand.
“Here,” She said placing it in his palm and closing his hand. “Keep this with you. I have to find you to get it back, and trust me, I will want it back.” Logan looked at the medallion and then back to Sarabi. They stood there looking at each other for a few moments then Logan stepped closer to Sarabi.
“Please go Logan. With Scott. I don’t need any more stow aways.” Sarabi said looking away from him. Logan smiled and slipped the medallion around his neck and started to head for the X Jet. “And Logan, do put a shirt on.” Sarabi called after him. Logan glanced back at Sarabi and smiled. Sarabi looked at him for a moment till he was out of sight
Sarabi sighed as she looked around a room that had file cabinets lining the walls. There was also a computer sitting just inside the door. Sarabi smiled as she grabbed a chair and rolled her self over to the computer. Sarabi moved the mouse and the screen saver disappeared leaving the desktop. Sarabi raised an eyebrow at the DNA strand that served as wallpaper. She double clicked on one of the icons and it opened, she looked around and then found a file named ‘Weapon X Program’ Sarabi smiled and double clicked. A password screen popped up and Sarabi made a face.
“What kind of password would they use for this?” Sarabi whispered to her self. She typed in top secret and another screen popped up telling her that was the incorrect password. Sarabi typed Wolverine and again the incorrect password screen popped up. Sarabi sighed and leaned back thinking. She leaned forward and typed Sarabi and again she got the pop up. Sarabi stared at the screen tapping her fingers on the desk, and then she smiled. Sarabi typed in two words; Fifth Element, and the file opened. Sarabi shook her head. “If I didn’t know you better Cornelius, I would think you would have wanted me in here.” Sarabi looked around the file. She found diagrams, and DNA results. Then she saw a file that caught her eye. It was about their memory-changing machine, how it was built, how it worked. Sarabi smiled and looked around the desk for a blank disk. While she was looking she accidentally clicked on another file. Sarabi glanced at what was opened and resumed her search. But something in the file made her stop and look at it again. Sarabi started to read the file, and her eyes widened. The truth about Logan’s past was sitting right in front of her. Sarabi bit her bottom lip and continued to look around for a disk. She found a couple of them in a lower drawer. She removed the file of Logan’s past from the main file and began to copy the main file. She stared at the closed file and looked at the other disk in her hand. Sarabi sighed as she popped in the second disk and copied Logan’s past. She looked at the second disk and slid it in her pocket with the first one. Sarabi started to look around more at the files in the computer.
“Sarabi we’re clear. Do you want us to stay close?” Jean’s voice floated through Sarabi’s mind.
“No. Get away from the mountains. I don’t want the chance of any rocks hitting the X Jet.” Sarabi said in her mind to Jean. There was a pause before she heard anything.
“Logan doesn’t want to go to far.” Jean’s voice said with a hint of laughter. Sarabi rolled her eyes.
“I don’t care where you go, just get away from the mountain.” Sarabi growled. Jean’s laughter floated through her mind and Sarabi closed her mental door blocking Jean out.
“Take her to a higher altitude.” Jean told Scott with a smile. Scott looked at Jean and pulled the jet up. Logan shifted in his seat and Jean glanced back at him. “Don’t worry Logan, we are only getting far enough away from the mountain so not to get hit by any falling rocks.” Logan didn’t say anything and instead looked out the window.
Sarabi watched her hand heal for the second time. Sarabi had ripped open the casing to the computer so she could get at the hard drive. Sarabi wasn’t going to look for the proper tools for the job, so she relied on her strength. After she had yanked out the hard drive and slipped it in another pocket did she turn and look at the file cabinets. Her hair turned red and the nearest cabinet burst into flames. Then one after another the cabinets burst into flames. With the room blazing Sarabi walked out of it and walked down the hall. Every room she passed suddenly burst into flames, and Sarabi smiled. Sarabi grabbed her trench and took a look around the room that was designed like the temple where the stones use to reside. She felt the hard drive in her pocket and knew the answer to her question could be found somewhere on it. She got back into the round room and sat down on the table Logan was strapped to. Her hair turned from red to brown and she could feel the earth beneath her begin to shake. The shaking got bigger and harder, soon large rocks were falling from the ceiling, and off the walls. Sarabi jumped off the table and started to head for the tunnel when she heard a growl. Sarabi stopped and listened. She turned and ran across the room and down another tunnel, the growl turned into a roar and Sarabi stopped in front of an earthen cage that held two very large tigers. Both tigers looked at Sarabi and she opened the earth beside the bars allowing the tigers to escape.
“Follow me.” Sarabi told the tigers and then took off on a dead run back the way she came. The tigers easily kept up with her and they dodged falling rocks and opening crevices. They made it out the tunnel to the Baby X as the tunnel behind them collapsed. The earth around them was shaking hard and Sarabi had trouble getting to the ramp of the jet. Sarabi fell to the ground and a couple of big wet noses were nudging her to get up. Sarabi stood and ran up the ramp with the tigers close behind her. As soon as they were all safely in Baby X, Sarabi hit the button that closed the ramp and secured the jet for flight. Sarabi slid into the pilot’s seat and began to power the jet up.
“Come on baby, come on.” Sarabi coaxed the jet as rocks fell around her. A huge boulder landed right in front of the nose of the jet. Sarabi sat there staring at it.
“Holy sh—“ Sarabi strapped her self in and mentally told the cats to hold on and pray they haven’t used all of their nine lives. Sarabi flipped a few switches and grabbed the stick and the jet rose off the outcrop of rock that seconds later disappeared into the darkness below. Sarabi whistled as she turned the jet and headed for the clear blue sky. She didn’t get far when a huge explosion threw rocks everywhere around her and shook the sky.
“Oh my God.” Ororo said seeing the explosion from a safe distance. Kitty held her breath as she watched rocks and other debris fly threw the air.
“Jean, can you contact Sarabi?” Scott asked as he caught his breath. Jean closed her eyes and after a moment opened them again.
“No, I can’t contact her.” Jean said in almost a whisper. Logan looked at her.
“That doesn’t mean to much does it? She can close you and Charles out of her mind. Is there a way you can tell if she is doing that?” Logan asked watching the mountain crumble into itself. Jean looked at Logan and shook her head.
“It doesn’t mean anything.” She said and looked back to the mountain. Moments passed as they all watched the mountain disappear under a large cloud of dust.
“Well she did it.” Remy whispered placing a hand on the window. No one said anything, they just watched for any signs of Sarabi. Suddenly a large black shape zoomed right in front of the nose of the X Jet making it shake violently and Scott grab the stick to try to keep it straight.
“What the hell?” Scott said steadying the jet and looking around. There was no sign of what rocked the jet. Then slowly the black shape came back into view from above them. It was nose to nose with the X Jet and stopped when both jets were level with each other. Jean laughed as Sarabi waved to them from the Baby X. Sarabi tapped her ear signaling to Scott to switch on the communicator.
“So, how did you guys like the fireworks?” Sarabi asked with a smile. Jean laughed and looked at Scott who was smiling. “I picked up a few interesting souvenirs.” Sarabi continued waving the hard drive in front of her.
“What’s that?” Remy asked swallowing.
“A hard drive with some very interesting stuff on it.” Sarabi answered. Remy shook his head.
“Not that, that.” Remy pointed towards Sarabi.
“What are you talking about Remy?” Sarabi asked.
“What is that behind you?” Sarabi turned and smiled.
“Just a cat.” Sarabi said looking at Scott. One of the tigers roared and Sarabi smiled. “One that rejects being referred to as an ordinary cat.” Sarabi reached back and petted one of the tigers.
“Sarabi. What kind of cat is it?” Scott asked leaning back in his seat.
“They’re only tigers.” Sarabi answered as if it was an everyday thing and no big deal.
“They?” Henry asked and Sarabi cringed. Scott began to laugh to himself softly.
“Logan, you still have my medallion?” Sarabi asked. Logan smiled.
“Yes I do. And Sarabi?” Logan said.
“What?”
“I even put on a shirt.” Sarabi laughed.
“What a shame. Hey Scott!”
“What?” Scott still had a smile on his face.
“Beat you home!” Sarabi said and took Baby X in a small dive to the left.
“Like hell you will.” Scott said following Sarabi. Jean smiled and flipped a switch that turned on the PA system.
“Buckle up back there. Scott and Sarabi are going to race home. Trust me, its going to get bumpy.” Scott stole a look at Jean and smiled.
Sarabi smiled as the X Jet’s wing came back into view. She sped up and passed the X Jet.
“Smaller is faster Scott.” Sarabi said and she heard Scott laugh. Sarabi slowed a little and dipped down under the X Jet. She flew underneath it for a couple of minutes and then speed up again to pass below the jet. She pulled the Baby X up right in front of the X Jet and punched it even more. Sarabi smiled to herself as she wished there were rear view mirrors on jets. Sarabi laughed as the X Jet came out of nowhere and easily passed her.
“You were saying something about smaller is faster?” Scott’s voice came through her ear piece.
“I am impressed Scott. What have you been doing to the X Jet?” Sarabi asked making Baby X quickly catch up with the other jet.
“Just a few adjustments.” Scott told her. Sarabi laughed.
“I guess.” Sarabi said bringing Baby X along side of the X Jet. “What else can she do?” Sarabi asked and rolled to the left again.
“Anything Baby X can.” Scott said rolling the X Jet after Baby X. Sarabi smiled and saw a large lake and headed right for it. Sarabi dipped Baby X down so the water of the lake sprayed everywhere and watched with amusement as Scott mirrored her actions. Soon the Canadian Rockies disappeared from view and the ocean could soon be seen. Sarabi looked over at Scott and smiled.
“Anything?” Sarabi asked and Scott looked at her. Sarabi lowered Baby X to the surface of the ocean’s water and seconds later plunged her into the water. Sarabi watched as fish darted out of the way and the sky came back into view.
“Okay not everything.” Scott admitted. “At least not yet.” Sarabi laughed. Something beeped on one of the control panels in Baby X. Sarabi looked at it and smiled. “What was that beep Sarabi?” Scott asked.
“Nothing to worry about Scott. Trust me. I will be right back.” Sarabi answered and dipped under the X Jet.
“Sarabi?” Scott’s voice sounded worried as the panel beeped again.
“There’s nothing wrong with Baby X. Its just something I have been looking for is all.” Sarabi answered Scott as she slowed Baby X watching the X Jet quickly pull away.
“What have you been looking for?” Scott asked. Sarabi smiled to her self.
“Answers.” Was all Sarabi said for a few moments. “I will see you at home.”
“Sarabi where are you going? Sarabi?” Sarabi didn’t answer Scott; instead she turned off her headset and made a soft roll to her right.
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