Legend: Thoughts = <>

Stray thoughts = ()

Flashback **

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Ok, guys, all the disclaimers apply, that means all thanks goes to Marvel

For the X-Men, I'm just making the story. And I do read all the other

Stories and they're great, keep up the good work. They inspire me!

"It's important," I said, "That you know I'll enjoy every bit of this ass-kicking I'm about to give you."

"Bring on the Pane." Raiden smirked.

We ran at each other, ready to go into combat!

24 hours earlier...

I stood in the shower, sobbing to myself. How could things have gotten this far? How was this what had become of us. We moved into the city with the intention of helping people and we had lost that. How can all this be happening? As I stood in the shower, Connor sat at the desk, playing with a pen. Katia's mind was still on Dillion as she filed documents. I stood in the shower, sobbing like a little girl! I brought my hand up and blew the tiles off the shower wall!

There was a knock, "Pane, you okay?" Connor's voice asked. Katia was with him, I could feel her mind.

"I'm good." I sniffled under the hot water, "I'm alright."

Hollow: But you're not.

"I have to be." I said.

Hollow: You are going to kill your friend, in the name of good. You're the good guy, you bring the Pane.

"There's irony for you." I said, "What if I can't kill her?"

Hollow: Then you better hope she feels the same.

I turned off the shower and threw on jeans and a t-shirt and walked into the office, where Katia and Connor now stood with Richard.

They went silent.

"What?" I asked, "Do you see penis?" I asked looking down.

"No." Katia giggled.

"I got a location." Richard said, showing me a picture of a pretty nice suite at a local hotel, "Whoever's putting her up has style."

I didn't chuckle. It was grim for her. I knew where she was now and she wasn't getting away this time.

"So, we need to..." Connor started.

"We?" I asked, "You can't be there."

"Why?" Connor asked.

"I can't let you see me like that." I frowned, "This is going to be a low point."

"So, you're really going to do this?" Connor asked, "I thought..."

"You thought I was going to come up with some miraculous way to save her, well, short of altering her mind I..." I stopped.

They looked at me with realization.

"...I'm not wiping her mind." I said.

"But didn't you do that before? I mean, with a whole group of people?" Katia asked.

I frowned, "That was different." I said angrily, "Besides, that was for me..."

Connor grabbed my arm, "You can do it, do it please. Let her forget all those things and bring her back!" he pleaded.

"I don't have the power." I said.

"But you can do stuff to people's minds, you went into her mind." Connor said.

"Yeah, and that was like a thinking man's Hell." I said quickly, "Think about what you're asking! To strip her of memories that are hers! At the mansion..."

"Don't you fucking get it, we're not at the damned Mansion!" Connor said angrily, "If you were going to pick a time to come down off your pedestal, now would be the perfect time!"

"Hey, back off." Richard said, standing in front of me, he turned, "You okay?"

"I just can't." I said.

Connor nodded, "So, you want to kill her instead? Nice logic." He said, walking out.

"Pane..." Katia started.

"It's not that easy." I spat, "I don't have the power, my morals, and...I don't know what to do." I said, "To do what you guys are thinking, I'd have to be close enough for her to stab me."

"We'll protect you." Katia said.

"I won't let anything happen to you." Richard said. I could tell he felt something, deeper than even he knew. He was struggling with something.

"What about magic?" Katia suggested.

I looked at her and nodded, "Right, why didn't I think of it before?! I...but there's...If I can't do this, I have to kill her." I said.

They both nodded in agreement.

-           

"Hey, Kat." I said quickly.

"Oh hey." Katia said, looking up from the files.

"I need you to make me a promise." I said, "With Mega out there and...I need you to promise to take this sonuva bitch down if I can't."

"But I...I'm not..."

"I read your file, Kate." I confessed, "You're a pretty powerful mutant. Elemental."

"But I..."

"And I saved you for a reason." I said.

"And that would be?" Katia asked.

I looked up at her before opening the door, "It's what's right." I said, leaving.

"Holy Guacamole." Katia sighed.

-           

"He'll come for you." Mega said, walking through Raiden's plush apartment, "And when he does..."

"I'll kill him." Raiden said.

"Do you think you can? Many have tried." Mega said.

"Many didn't have an adamantium knife." Raiden said, giving it a swirl, "What about you?"

"I will not be thwarted. I am the light in an otherwise dark place." Mega said, "Millions of aching hearts and tears and for what? My ultimate plan will eliminate all the evil from this world. I am doing what Pane cannot do, the extermination of everything that isn't good."

"Right, so how do I know you're not going to kill me afterward?" Raiden asked.

"You don't." Mega said, "I will be in touch."

-           

"Oh, come on, you knew it would come to this." A dark version of me said, sitting on my bed, "You've been jonesing for a real challenge. You like your new powers."

"I do." I said, "How do I get Connor to see what I'm doing."

"He can't. He never will because he will never have to."

"Why can't they see that she's lost, possibly forever?" I asked.

"You don't believe that."

"It's the only thing I do believe right now." I said.

"After all you've gone through, the fights you've had with going dark...you don't believe that."

"No, I don't." I said, "Every bit of me is screaming save her, but I just don't care anymore."

"Makes sense, cause the opposite of love is indifference."

I frowned, "I need a vacation." I said.

"You need to go home."

"Same thing." I said, "With you, who needs a therapist?"

"You talking to yourself?" Richard asked, standing at the door.

I turned to him, trying not to see the dark version of myself sitting on the side, "A little. I guess I'm trying to find guidance." I said quickly.

"I can't really help in that area." He said moving closer, "This is your friend, so it's okay for you to..."

"Emote? No thanks." I said, "I can't."

"What, are you made of stone? Of course you can." Richard said, "If only there was some way we could take her...without killing her."

"There's that mutant jail, but we'd have to catch her and even then...she's a danger." I said, "A real danger."

"But she's your friend."

"She was." I said too quickly.

"So she's not now?"

"No." I said quickly, "I don't know who she is anymore."

"Maybe she needs you to find her." Richard said, "I'm not good with the touchy feely, but I think she can be saved."

I was silent.

"And I think you're the only one that can save her." Richard sighed.

"Is this the point in the talk where things get sexy?" I asked.

Richard chuckled, "I knew you wanted me." He smirked.

I chuckled, "As if." I smiled walking to the door.

As I passed, Richard hit me on the ass, "Let's get to work." He said quickly.

I walked out to see Katia and Connor look up at me, "New plan." I said quickly.

-           

Mega: Unlike us, he's a hero. He stands for something. He fights for love and honor and valor. He will come for you...

As I walked into the nice apartment, I looked around, noticing the pretty mural of Raiden and the ultra modern furniture that filled the whole apartment. I could hear the loud music in the background. It was rap, Lil Wayne, if I wasn't mistaken. Raiden stepped into view.

"Hey, look, I was wondering when you'd stop by for a visit." Raiden smiled.

I just stared.

"None of that biting wit?" Raiden asked, "Too bad, I've fallen for your one-liners."

"You've got one thing right, you fell." I said.

"It was easy, too."

"I bet." I said, "Nice digs."

Raiden looked around, "Not too shabby, is it? Certainly not the office, but if I trash it up..."

"You being here is trash enough." I said quickly.

"Too bad you're fighting a losing war." Raiden said, "I can't be saved."

"That's what I've been saying this whole time." I nodded, "And I was wrong."

"Oh really? Do tell." Raiden said.

"See, I figured that I would need to kill you, but I don't." I said, "I'm just going to have to beat the good back into you."

Raiden chuckled.

"It's important," I said, "That you know I'll enjoy every bit of this ass-kicking I'm about to give you."

"Bring on the Pane." Raiden smirked.

Raiden turned invisible just as I raised my hand and blew her backwards! I saw the invisible miss crash into a vase and the sound of footsteps coming towards me. Something hit my face and knocked me back!

Raiden: Kick!

I grabbed the air and caught the foot, backhanding the bitch to the ground! She became visible again and grabbed my leg with hers and twisted them to the ground. She rolled over on top of me and I rocked upward, causing her to roll over my head and I was on top.

"Who knew you were a top." Raiden smirked.

"I'm not." I said, gaining a punch from Raiden!

I stood and walked back to face her. I grabbed her and we stumbled sideways into her glass coffee table! I got up to see Raiden standing too. I rushed her, driving her to the ground! I rolled over and onto my feet, but Raiden punched me and caused me to fly backwards against the wall! I smashed into the wall and kneeled to the floor. I was about to walk forward when I saw the knife fly through the air and stick into my chest!

Mega: ...And he will win, but you will have one thing he will not...

I grabbed at my chest, hoping the wound heal, but it didn't. I gasped for air, trying to regain any composure I had, but I couldn't. I was losing consciousness. I tried to pull at the knife, but it hurt so much more than it had before.

Mega: ...An indestructible weapon.

"Adamantium." Raiden said, "Too bad."

"Raiden...I...I..."

"What? Curse me? Hope I die?" Raiden smiled.

"...forgive you." I gasped, slumping to the floor.

Raiden looked down at Pane with guilt. Her first sign of any guilt.

"Raiden..." Connor said, "What are you doing?" he said, walking in with Richard and Katia.

Richard ran over to Pane, rolling him over and ripping the knife out of Pane's chest, "Pane! Pane, wake up!"

"What did you do?" Katia asked timidly.

"He came here, attacked me..." Raiden trailed, "I..."

Connor looked from Pane's lifeless body to Raiden, "He's going to heal. He's gotta heal." He said.

"I'm sorry." Raiden said.

Katia walked over and slapped Raiden, "What the Hell!" she said, tears coming from his eyes.

Raiden grabbed her cheek, "I didn't...I didn't know he'd die." She frowned.

Connor looked at her, appalled, "Raid...you killed him." He frowned.

"I didn't..."

"Kill `em dead." Pane's voice said causing everyone to turn and look at him for the first time, "You almost had him."

"Uh Oh." Connor said walking over to him, but as Connor threw his fist forward, the Hollow grabbed his fist in his palm and squeezed, causing Connor to groan. The Hollow picked him up and threw him over the counter, taking a microwave and toaster with him.

The sound of gunshots went through the air and landed in the Hollow, but he shook it off. His black eyes narrowed on Richard. He raised his hand and blasted Richard backwards into the glass aquarium! He then walked towards Raiden, but stopped when the wind picked up. He turned to see Katia standing a few feet away, her hands in the air! Katia moved her hand in a circle above her head and through over her shoulders, causing the Hollow to fly off his feet and stick to the wall. Katia used the wind to keep him there.

Stop.

Katia suddenly stopped, but raised her hand again and the water from the faucet shot up and sprayed everywhere! The water stopped in the air just before it hit the Hollow. He walked through it and stood in front of a spent Katia, who was now kneeling.

"I...I tried." Katia said.

The Hollow walked past her to Raiden, who stood, watching the scene.

"Go ahead, kill me. I deserve it." Raiden said, "What are you waiting for you, you're the great and powerful Hollow, finish me!"

The Hollow leaned in as Raiden closed her eyes, "Who said I'm the Hollow?" he said, causing her eyes to flash open as he grabbed her by the neck of her shirt and threw her through the wall, causing her to bounce off her bed. Pane walked over and picked up the bloody knife, heading to the bed room. A woozy Raiden stood as Pane slid the knife into her stomach, "They're wrong about me." He said, pushing her to the floor.

"Raid!" Connor said, pushing his way to her.

Katia and Richard stood in the doorway, watching in horror as Pane walked away from the scene.

-           

Mega: My plan worked just like I said it would, their faith has been shaken. Their true core, each other, is ruptured. The man I stationed in the alley worked out just as I hoped he would. It was I who pumped him full of psychedelic drugs, he wouldn't have attacked her and we would never have gotten this far...

Connor sat beside Raiden's bed, waiting for her to regain consciousness. He had gone through all the steps in his head, he was waiting to see which step had led to this. The Hollow had not been unleashed, his friend had almost killed his best friend, and all of it happened in front of his face. He couldn't feel anything other than contempt, for Pane, for the trouble that Pane brought to his life. It had gone too far, they had Raiden where they wanted her and she was back, the old Raid was back...but it hadn't mattered.

"Hey." Raiden's weak voice came from nowhere, "You're here?"

"Where else would I be?" Connor said excited and tired at the same time, "Don't exert yourself."

"I think I'm pushing it by being alive." Raiden said, giving a weak smile, "Oh God, Connor, I'm so sorry!"

"I know. I know you are." Connor frowned, "Everything is going to be alright."

"No, it's not." Raiden said, "It's all different now..."

"Things have changed, yeah, but things can get back to the way..." Connor said.

"No, they can't." Raiden said, tears in her eyes, "Nothing's going to be the same. We have to stop Mega. He's going to unload a lot of bad and soon."

"We will." Connor said, putting his hand on hers.

-           

Mega: It is now that I enact the next step of my plan. First was to separate them, next is to take them out, one by one. If only I could know what they are going to do next...

"I just don't think this life's for me." Katia said, "I mean...I..."

"Don't like to see me killing people?" I asked quietly, "It's not the life I envisioned either."

"You were friends."

"I think about it...were we ever friends? I mean, weren't we friends? The answer is yeah. But everything changes." I said, "Things aren't so clear, I guess they probably never were, but even more now."

"Is that the reason you have your suitcase?" Katia asked, "You're going back to the Mansion with me and Bobby?"

I put the suitcase on the bed, "I'm going home." I said quickly, "My real home. Semester's over and it's time for me to go home."

Katia hugged me, "Thanks for everything." She said.

"Anytime." I said, watching her leave. I turned to the window and walked over to stare out it. I heard footsteps and smiled, "You forget..." I turned to see Richard.

"So, lemme get this straight, you have this power to not die and that knife could have killed you?" Richard asked, "Then you tried to kill your best friend?"

"Tried?" I asked.

"She's awake." Richard said.

I stared, not really knowing if it was a good thing or not, "Oh." I said.

"You leaving? The city too much for you?" Richard smiled.

"It is." I said, "What will you do without me?"

"You're coming back, right?" Richard asked.

"Careful, someone might say you're attached to me." I smirked.

Richard took my face in his hand and brought my lips up to meet his lips, "I am." He said.

I smiled.

Mega: The time fast approaches.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Well, if you liked it please tell me so I can start work on the next one. I really need feedback, especially if you like it. If you don't, I need advice and suggestions, please.