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….
"No offense taken," he replied.
"Rogue," Jean moved on to the third guest. "Here, everything is quite standard and understandable, life force absorption upon contact. If the touch happens with a mutant, their gift is also taken. Although the effect is temporary."
"Can you cure it?" the girl asked.
"Rogue, your abilities are not a disease; they cannot be cured. But we will try to help you bring them under control."
"Loki…" now the turn reached me, "remains a completely incomprehensible and unknown factor. You didn't interfere with our equipment, did you?" Suspicious squint.
"Was that an option?" I feigned surprise. "But actually, no," I switched to a serious tone, seeing that the redhead telepath completely lacked a sense of humor. "I'm curious myself what you can find out about me with the current level of technology."
"And Magneto needed one of you three," the professor drummed his fingers thoughtfully on the armrest of his wheelchair. His gaze wandered over our figures until it stopped on Logan. "Experiments on mutants… that could have hooked Erik."
"Forgive me for interrupting your thoughts, Professor, but that is unlikely."
"Why?" Charles looked at me.
"Think they came for you?" Scott asked simultaneously.
"No, hardly. I could start a world war and arrange quite a few other interesting things, but two days ago I wasn't even on Earth. And with all due respect to your Magneto, he could hardly have learned about me in that time. Besides, if he knew about my capabilities, he definitely wouldn't have sent a feral thug to meet me."
"As for Logan… Sorry, pal, but for all your brutality, impressive hairy chest, and aura of rugged primal charisma… Magneto already had one like you, even broader in the shoulders. And the metal on your skeleton, while good, doesn't exactly scream 'decisive factor in provoking a war between humans and mutants.'"
"In the end, even if you burst into the White House and shred the president into ribbons, while unpleasant, it would be quite easily written off as a lone psychopath. And considering the complexity of the operation needed to coat your skeleton in adamantium, they'd look for anyone but simple street mutants. Therefore, by process of elimination, that leaves…" I turned to the teenage girl.
"Me? But what's so special about me?" Rogue was surprised.
"Well, given your interesting talent, I can immediately see a dozen ways to have some serious fun and make mischief!" I cheerfully assured the girl.
"Loki!" that was said in several very indignant voices.
"Hey, I meant world domination and all that stuff, not what you perverts thought!" not hiding my pleased smirk, I acted outraged. "And anyway, darling," I turned to Rogue, "sorry, but you're not my type!" And now a meaningful look at Storm. "I prefer blonde beauties with a chiseled figure and chocolate-tinted skin."
Ah, how she turned away and started pretending I didn't exist… Universe, I really hate you!
"So…" the teenage girl's frightened gaze darted across our faces, "I'm the target?"
"Most likely," I confirmed, regaining a serious demeanor. "Of course, this still needs verifying, but in any case, the attempted attack wasn't spontaneous. That means Erik Lehnsherr had time to study the victim and formulate a plan for her use. And here we come to the most delicate moment: they didn't try to recruit you nicely. And that can mean only one thing…" I fell silent, noting how the faces of the X-Men and Wolverine darkened. It had clearly dawned on all of them.
"What? What does it mean?" the girl swallowed.
"Will you say it, or should I?" I looked at the professor.
"I wouldn't want to worry you unnecessarily, Marie," having made a decision, the telepath looked directly at the girl, "however, I am forced to agree with Loki's analysis. Most likely, the business for which Magneto wanted to kidnap you does not imply your voluntary participation and…" he hesitated, literally for a split second, reluctant to voice the next words, but to the ear it was almost imperceptible, "could end in your death."
"So what do I do?" Rogue paled even more.
"Calm down," Charles smiled encouragingly. "Now that we know, with a high degree of probability, whom my old friend is hunting, we can direct all our forces to your protection. Don't wind yourself up in vain, even a mutant with Magneto's powers won't be able to reach you while you are in this school. Study calmly, meet the other students, settle in, and we will work on solving the problem in the meantime."
"Professor," Ororo drew attention to herself, "I think Rogue is hungry and could use some breakfast. Besides, classes will start soon."
"Yes, of course," Charles nodded. "Rogue," his blue eyes looked intently at the girl, and there was not even a hint of a threat in this gesture, "the best remedy for worry is to find something to do. Storm will take you upstairs now and help you figure everything out."
"I understand," the girl nodded.
Then, escorted by Xavier's fatherly smile, the schoolgirl was led out of the room, and the eyes of everyone remaining filled with concern again.
Well, okay, not everyone; I still felt fine and dandy.
I mean, I naturally understood that Storm had fled from me with the boss's full connivance, her entire facial expression and body language screamed it in plain text, but I had already accepted that things would be complicated here, and saw no point in stressing about it.
"What shall we do, Professor?" Scott was the first to ask.
"We need to understand why Magneto needs her," lowering his eyes to the floor, Xavier began to speak with concern.
"What can a mutant who copies powers do that a mutant possessing those powers cannot? If Erik wanted to use her combat potential, he would have acted differently, made her his supporter, convinced her of the righteousness of his ideas. But for some reason, he didn't do that. That means the goal isn't a combat action, but something else…"
"I think guessing is pointless. Better to just put her under surveillance," in confirmation of my words, I created an illusion of myself, which immediately headed for the exit.
"If your friend needs her so badly, he will try to kidnap her. And it's best if we offer him that opportunity ourselves, rather than letting things take their course."
"What?" Jean was astonished.
"You want to use her as bait?" Logan frowned.
….
Bonus Chapter on every 500 power stones;
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