Chapter 5

The snow was still piling up when Nate finally reached the log cabin. He’d been searching for it over an hour now, and had almost given up. He was only about six the last time he had been here, and barely remembered what it looked like. Now, as he pushed the heavy door open and peered inside, memories flooded back to him.

Nate could see a small boy running around the room, chasing a glowing orb that zoomed through the air. The orb suddenly stopped and glowed brighter, and before the boy could back away, a dart shot out and embedded itself in his arm. The boy cried out in pain and fear as a trickle of blood appeared on his arm. The orb began to glow again, but before it could fire, an older man leaped into the air and grabbed the orb, driving a key into its center. The orb dulled and fell to the floor.

The man took the little boy in his arms, shushing him as he plucked the dart out of the boy’s shoulder. The boy whimpered a bit, and the older man picked up the fallen orb. “Sorry, kid, but I warned you,” he said, looking down at the boy, who got quiet. “This isn’t a toy, but I guess you know that now, huh?” The boy slowly nodded and mumbled, “Sowee, Unca Awex.” Alex Summers smiled and took the boy’s hand. “Come on, kid, let’s get a band-aid for that cut.”

Nate shook his head and the memory faded away. He trudged into the cabin, slamming the door behind him. He dropped the duffle bag on the floor and threw himself on the couch. Nate watched the snow falling outside the window for a few moments before falling into a deep sleep.

Psylocke slowly opened her eyes, and her head immediately began to pound. She winced and slowly sat up, rubbing her forehead. “Betsy, are you okay?” “I’ll live, Jean,” she said with a sigh. “Where’s Nate?” Jean looked towards the other X-Men. “He’s gone. Logan and the others lost him in Snow Valley.” Psylocke cast a curious look at Jean. “And you haven’t been able to find his psi-signature?” “No,” Jean replied, “he’s masking it. Even Prof. Xavier’s had no luck with Cerebro. I’m really worried, Betsy.” “You should be, Jean,” she said, getting up. “Nate’s never attacked to kill before, at least not physically. Today, he was ruthless in the Danger Room, but despite what you all may think, he’s not out to hurt anyone. I think--I know--he’s scared.”

“That’s a funny way of putting it, Betsy,” Wolverine snarled, “because last I checked, the kid was more powerful then Xavier and Jean combined. Even if he wasn’t scared, he’s still a major threat until we bring him back.” “That’s just it, Logan,” Psylocke snapped, “we aren’t going to bring him back. It should be obvious that Nate’s not coming back anytime soon, and that he’s pulling his punches against us. That means he isn’t as dangerous as you’re making him out to be.” “Better to overestimate than to underestimate, no?” Gambit suggested.

“I’m forced to agree with Gambit,” Xavier said quietly, and the others turned to him. “If Nathan won’t come willingly, we must try to make him see that we are the only ones who can help him. I’ve already dispatched a few independent agents to seek him out. They are all under orders to reason with him first, and if he refuses their aid, to employ more...forcible methods.”

The big man trudged up the slope, kicking up snow as he went. “Almost there,” he muttered, running a hand through his thick, white hair. “Never thought the kid would come back here; he must be really desperate. But according to Xavier, he’ll do nearly anything these days.” He could just see the cabin in the distance. Dropping to one knee, the man pulled a com-unit from his belt. “Professor?” he asked. “This is Storm. Go ahead, Cable,” the unit squawked. “I’ve got the cabin in my sights,” he said, “and I’m ready to advance.” “Prof. Xavier warns you to use extreme caution, Nathan,” Storm said. “Remember that Nate’s powers more than triple your own.” “I’ll keep that in mind, Ororo,” Cable said, rising to his feet.

Inside the cabin, Nate was wakng from a peaceful sleep. He glanced out the window, glad to see the snow had stopped. The sun was shining brightly and the sky was clear. Good traveling weather, he thought. Nate quickly picked up his duffle bag and walked outside, closing the door firmly behind him. As soon as he was three feet away from the cabin, Nate’s head began to ache. He fell to his knees in the snow as Cable charged over the slope, gritting his teeth in pain all the while.

“Cable,” Nate screamed, “you know the effect our psionics have on each other! Get away from me!” “No can do, kid. I’m taking you back to the mansion.” Cable drew a bead on Nate’s head with a plasma rifle. “My name is Nate, and as you’re about to find out,” he gasped, “I’m not a ‘kid’ anymore. I am the X-Man!” Cable yelled in pain and dropped his weapon as Nate’s mental attack ripped through his mind. Nate crawled to his feet and began to walk away, but Cable shut out the pain and tackled him, sending them both rolling down the slope.

Is it me, or does this Grey guy love to fight? Now he’s taking on Cable, and they don’t come much tougher than that. If you ask me, all of those Summers/Grey kids have got iron running through their veins. It’ll be interesting to see who wins this one. No matter, she’s finally here, and if anyone can beat them both, it’s us.

Nate opened his eyes and groaned. He didn’t know what hurt worse, the ache in his head, or the pain that shot through his body when he tried to move. Slowly sitting up, he spots Cable lying a few feet away, unconscious. “Sorry old man,” he mutters, “but I can’t go back. Not yet.” Nate stands and recovers his duffle bag before running the rest of the way down the slope.

As he reaches the bottom, he sees a dark blue cloak disappear behind a pile of snow-covered rocks. Before he can go after the fleeing figure, Nate’s head begins to ache, and he hears a sickening crack as his leg snaps like a twig. Nate falls to his knees as the pain in his head grows stronger. He looks up just in time to see a dark figure standing over him. He hears another crack and realizes his arm has just been broken. He tries to crawl away, but a heavy boot is on his back, gradually crushing his rib cage. And then, as the pain finally overtakes him, Nate Grey makes a silent wish that it will all end soon.