Chapter 4

When Nate awoke, he could see David and Sabre a few feet away. Rising to his feet, he glanced around the room. Psylocke was gone for the moment. A hard right to Nate’s jaw indicated David was still as swift as ever. At this point, Nate’s eyes clouded over and glowed red. Ducking low, he whipped David’s leg out from under him with a wide sweep. David hit the floor headfirst, and there was a loud snap as his neck bent at an odd angle. Ignoring the fact he had killed him, Nate rammed into Sabre’s chest, smiling as he heard the first few ribs crack.

“He...he....he killed him!!!” “I...can see...that, Jubes,” Blink said, watching on in disbelief. “He does realize this is a simulation...doesn’t he?” Psylocke and Jean remained silent. “Ms. Braddock? He does know that...doesn’t he?” Blink asked again. Psylocke sadly shook her head as Jean covered her face and cried.

His blood was already spilling onto the floor as Nate lifted him into the air and slammed Sabre’s back across his knee. A loud crack echoed through the room, and Sabre slumped to the ground in a heap. Satisfied, Nate glanced back at David, who hadn’t moved. Two arms circled his neck and Nate’s eyes grew narrow as he prepared to attack Psylocke. Before he had the chance, he felt her soft lips against his cheek.

Arching an eyebrow, he turned to face Psylocke. “Very impressive, Nate. Maybe next time you’ll let me kill one. But let’s focus on the here and now,” she said, stepping closer to him. Nate warily took a step back. “What’s the matter, Nate? Don’t you trust me anymore?” She slipped her arms around his neck again, pulling his face closer to her own. “I know how you really feel about me, Nate. Just do what comes naturally to you.”

Nate saw no reason to fight it. Leaning closer, his lips were only inches away from Psylocke’s when he unleashed a ruthless attack within her mind. The effect was virtually like a bomb going off in her head. She gasped and fell to her knees, staring blankly up at him. Blood begin to leak out of her ears, and she fell face-first to the ground.

Everyone in the Control Room sat in silence. “Computer...end program,” Psylocke said slowly, staring at the scene in the Danger Room. Jean was still crying when Prof. Xavier placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. As the Danger Room faded back to its neutral settings, the red glow drained from Nate’s eyes. The memory of what he had just done was fresh in his mind, and Nate still couldn’t believe it himself. Guilt washed over him, overcoming his very being, and then the tears started to fall.

“He realizes what he’s done...and he can’t accept it,” Prof. Xavier said quietly. “Will he be okay?” Jubilee asked. Before he could answer her, Paige gasped. “He’s gone!” All eyes looked to the now empty Danger Room. “Charles, should I...?” Ms. Frost hesitated, awaiting his reply. “No, Emma, I believe Psylocke would be the best choice for this.” He turned away and sighed. “For what, Professor?” Jubilee asked at last. Xavier couldn’t find the words as Psylocke faded into the shadows.

Grey’s really gone off the deep end now. No telling what he’ll do. Much as I hate to say it, I might have to help the X-Men and Generation X bring him down...for good. Backup won’t be much use to me now. I’m on my own for now...at least, until she gets here. Shouldn’t be much longer now. Not much longer at all.

“Stay away!” Nate soared down the hall, trying to escape her, though he knew it was pretty much hopeless. Psylocke threw herself onto his back and brought her psychic knife up to his throat. “Nate, please, stop it!” she said, tightening her grip on his neck. Finally, he froze in mid-air, and slowly landed. “Now come back to the Danger Room with me,” she said, looking into his eyes. Nate quickly turned away. “I can’t do that, Betsy.” “I wasn’t giving you a choice, Nathan.” “So how do you expect to stop me?” he replied. “By using your psychic knife?” “I had hoped it wouldn’t come to that.” “That’s too bad, Betsy, because it has,” he said, taking her hands in his own. Psylocke suddenly realized that he had temporarily frozen her in place. Tears came to her eyes as he lifted her hands. “Nate, please...don’t do this...please.” “I’m truly sorry, Betsy. Maybe one day you can forgive me...”

He found Psylocke ten minutes later, unconcious at the front door of the mansion. Wolverine gently lifted her in his arms. He stopped suddenly and sniffed her hands. “Charlie, we got big trouble here.” “What is it, Logan? Is Nathan all right?” Wolverine growled and continued the telepathic conversation. “Worse than that. He took out Psylocke with her own knives and made a run for it. He could be halfway to Canada by now.”

Actually, Nate had only teleported back to Massachusetts to grab a few things. He appeared in his room, taking a seat on the bed. With the power of my mind, he loaded everything he needed into an oversized duffle bag. Slinging it over his shoulder, Nate teleported downstairs to the infirmary. Banshee almost jumped out of his skin. “Saints preserve us!” he yelled as Nate walked past him. “Lad, what are ye doing back here already?” “I came to say goodbye, Mr. Cassidy. To you, Synch, and Penance.” “What? Where are ye going, lad?” “I don’t know, sir, but I have to go.” Nate held him in place with a tk bubble and whispered, “Please don’t try to stop me.”

“Nate...why are you going?” Synch asked quietly. Nate walked over to his friend and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ve made some mistakes, Ev. I’ve decided I won’t make them anymore. It’s time I cleared some things up, like finding someone I lost a long time ago. Maybe I’ll be back one day...” “Good luck, man,” Synch said, smiling up at me. “Thanks, Ev,” he replied, turning to Penance’s bed.

Nate sat on the edge of it and, forming a thin tk sheild, gently touched her face. Instantly, she opened her eyes and looked up at him. “Hey, little sister. I’ve come to say goodbye.” She threw her arms around him and I hugged him tightly. Nate began wondering how he could ever leave her. This time, he didn’t need his powers to read her thoughts. “I’ll miss you, too. Don’t worry, I’ll come back to visit, I promise.” But Penance only stared at him, silently trying to convince him to stay. “I’m sorry, sis, but there’s nothing you could do to convince me to stay.”

“Then how ‘bout givin’ us a shot at it, kid? We can be very convincing.” Nate turned to face the assembled might of the X-Men and Generation X. “Don’t move a muscle, kid,” Wolverine went on, “cause we got strict orders from Chuck to bring you in any way we can.” “Fine,” Nate replied, “I won’t move.” Seconds later, both teams fell to the floor; the victims of his widespread mind blast. He only needed another second to teleport himself out of the mansion.

Grey’s one tough guy to track down, especially when he teleports like that. Not sure where he’s going, but I’ve been able to follow him so far. She should be here soon, then it will be a lot easier to track him. Until then, I’m going to try and keep up with him. He still doesn’t know I’m following, or he’s real good at hiding it.