Cornered and Rushed
Bucky took a step back, “We don’t need to fight, kid.”
“Too cowardly to accept a challenge?” Illyana asked, dead serious.
“Let me change my response, you don’t want a fight with me,” Bucky rephrased what he had said originally.
Illyana’s grip on her sword tightened, “Oh, but I do,” She sprang forward towards him, her sword flying behind her before she reached him and raised it.
Illyana delivered an initial blow that Bucky managed to deflect with his arm. She was testing the waters, seeing what he could and couldn’t do.
This process continued, with each swing and strike of her sword growing more and more aggressive. She then decided to go for the legs with a low slash. Bucky managed to get back before any serious damage could be done.
Bucky didn’t want to fight this girl. So his tactic was to remain defensive as long as he could so he wouldn’t have to hurt her. Illyana, however, held no indication that she was going to hold back. She was clearly vengeful in her intent.
Finally, Illyana used her teleportation and disappeared. She reappeared behind him and raised the soulsword to strike his head from behind. Bucky caught wind of what she was doing and whipped around, stopping the blade with his metal hand.
“I’m unarmed!” He yelled, using his metal arm to push back the burning sword.
“That’s never stopped you before!” She shouted, applying more pressure in the hopes that he wouldn’t be able to hold back much longer.
Unfortunately for her, Bucky was using all of his strength to hold her back. They were locked in a battle between strength and magic. Illyana’s expression hardened and she strengthened her grip and increased her force. The magic of the sword somehow caused a burning sensation to jolt through his arm.
The burning became so painful that he yelled and brought forth his human hand to use his remaining strength to force her back, catching Illyana off guard and stunned.
A crucial misstep on Illyana’s part caused her to stumble back. Bucky took this opportune moment to burst forward and grab her wrists and force her backward into a wall, forcing her to hold the blade above her head.
“Who was it? Who did I kill to hurt you?” Bucky questioned.
Illyana clenched her jaw and spoke through her teeth, “It’s not who you killed. It’s who you hurt. And you know exactly who it is.”
She then yelled and tightened her grip on the hilt of the soulsword. The light of the sword intensified and forced Bucky to shut his eyes. Illyana raised her leg and kneed him in the stomach, pushing him backward and leaving him disoriented.
Illyana took a second to feel and check her wrists, bruises beginning to form. Bucky didn’t use this as a chance to attack, instead looking at his metal hand and seeing a burn where the tip of the blade had been.
Illyana regained control of her soulsword and then looked at him, “You did not see her the day she was brought to us. Small and afraid.”
Illyana removed the remaining SHIELD armor on her left arm. She then stuck out her arm, silver metal armor forming where the other armor had once been. A large metal pauldron adorning her left shoulder as a finishing touch.
“You did not see her tears!” She lunged forward and swiped the soulsword, Bucky got out of her way.
“You did not see her fall apart! The way the light left her eyes when she would hear, think, or talk about you!” Illyana used the blade to try and jab at his side.
With each hit that he deflected, Bucky felt the surge of guilt come forth. Kurt had said that Kitty didn’t hate him. But the way this Illyana fought so hard and felt so deeply about her, so much so to the point that she would seek out revenge in her place- maybe even at her request. It made him think that it was his fault all over again. He couldn’t get out of this no matter how hard he tried. He couldn’t change their view of him no matter what he did.
“You never even had the dignity to seek out her forgiveness,” Illyana snarled.
“I didn’t know she was alive!” Bucky finally responded, raising his voice, “HYDRA got rid of all of those files. I had no idea what happened to her after HYDRA collapsed.”
Illyana glared and tried to strike him again.
“You should not get the freedom to live like none of that ever happened- like you never caused her that pain,” Illyana continued, “You don’t deserve peace.”
Lockheed screeched above them, appearing in a purple flash. Illyana barely even glanced at it, her attacks only intensifying. Lockheed screeched again and then flew out of the alleyway. Bucky made the mistake of looking at Lockheed for a moment.
He was knocked to the ground. Restraints created from magic bloomed from the ground and wrapped around his fingers, hands, and legs. Illyana closed her fist and then silently approached him. She stood over him and raised her otherworldly sword over his chest, looking down at him like she had the intention to stab him in the heart.
“And after all of that, I should kill you,” Illyana concluded, holding the tip of her blade above his heart.
Bucky thought to himself. Really? This is how it would all end? He guessed it was just karma after everything he’d done. Maybe he deserved this. A gruesome death at the hands of someone he’d indirectly hurt. It wasn’t a maybe. He deserved this.
But Illyana didn’t plunge her sword into his chest. She didn’t make another move, hovering the blade above his heart. Finally, she raised the sword and instead of impaling him and ending his life, the sword faded from view and returned to nothingness. Her hands were now empty.
She replaced the sword with her foot to keep him down, “So I cannot begin to fathom why she would want to help you of all people.”
She looked down at him with bitterness mixing into her expression as well as a tinge of mercy now. Her voice was quieter, “I used to think it was your fault that she left. That she left our team. That she left me. But seeing the way that was so willing to help you and your friends has forced me to confront the fact that she’s not afraid anymore. That whatever is keeping her away wasn’t you.”
Bucky watched her, breathing hard. He didn’t make another move, knowing that if he chose to continue the fight, he’d be at a disadvantage.
Illyana continued, “I don’t like you. I don’t trust you,” She sighed, “But for some strange reason, Kitty does. So consider this a warning of what will happen if you break that trust,” She threatened and narrowed her eyes, applying a bit more pressure with her foot on his chest.
“Yana!” Kitty yelled, turning the corner while sprinting and led by Lockheed. Illyana looked up, lessening the pressure from her foot and allowing Bucky more room to breathe.
Kitty ran over to them and stopped to regain her breath. She raised her voice and questioned, “What are you doing?”
“You’re not with the team,” Illyana mentioned.
“No, I’m not with the team. Logan and I knew something was up and he let me come find you after you turned off your comm,” Kitty explained and then looked down at Bucky, her expression of concern growing more, “Yana, let him go.”
Illyana turned her gaze back to Bucky and then removed her foot before waving her hand, letting him free of the restraints. Bucky sat up and looked between them.
“Yana,” Kitty’s attention went back to the blond, “What were you going to do?”
“Nothing,” Illyana answered and then gave Bucky a look telling him to say nothing, “He followed me and I dealt with him.”
“I know when you’re lying,” Kitty crossed her arms and approached him, “Yana, I’ll ask again, what were you going to do?”
“I wasn’t going to kill him,” Illyana said, looking away from her.
Kitty watched her for a moment, inspecting her with concern, “Did Erik put you up to this?”
Illyana looked away from the ground like she had been caught, “How did you-”
“So it was,” Kitty realized and stepped towards her, “Did Erik ask you to kill him?” She paused, “Were you actually going to kill him?” Kitty pointed at Bucky.
Bucky kept his mouth shut, he knew he wouldn’t be of any help in this situation. He was too busy trying to recuperate from the beating he’d just endured. Though he had to admit this was interesting.
“I told you, I had no intention of killing him,” Illyana insisted. She advanced towards Kitty and held her hand, “I only ever meant to protect you.”
“I appreciate that and I appreciate your concern, but this isn’t the way of going about it,” Kitty began, “If you want to protect me, let me make my own decisions. Let me decide who I deem as a threat.”
Illyana looked at her with slight regret, “I.. understand. I’m sorry.”
Kitty held her hand and looked at her closely and gently, “You don’t need to be sorry. At least not to me.”
The two shared a sweet gaze for a few moments. It turned to something like longing.
Meanwhile, Bucky, after having thoroughly listened to their conversation, replayed the earlier part of the conversation in his head.
“Team?” Bucky asked aloud.
“What?” The two girls said in unison, breaking their stare and looking at him.
Bucky came back to reality and then stood up, “You came with a team?”
“We came to get Kurt,” Kitty explained.
“Do not tell him everything,” Illyana warned.
Kitty looked back at her, “Believe it or not, he wasn’t part of the reason that Kurt got hurt.”
Illyana raised a brow and looked back at him, not quite believing her, “Really?”
“Yeah, he.. Stopped me from killing someone,” Kitty admitted.
Illyana looked slightly shocked, “You? Killing?” She then pointed at Bucky, “And you? Not killing?”
“Definitely shocking, anyways, how many people are on your team?” Bucky tried to move the conversation along.
“Five,” Kitty answered.
“Kitty,” Illyana said warningly.
“And you know about the agents that are all over that hospital then?” Bucky went on.
Kitty looked at Illyana for a response. She sighed, “I passed many guards, but I didn’t count.”
“That’s what you sent in the watch,” Kitty pointed out, “But you didn’t say-”
“Is Gambit in the building?” Illyana asked.
“I don’t know, I muted comms when I got here,” Kitty scrambled to turn on her watch. The sounds of Gambit and Logan yelling blasted over comms.
“We gotta go,” Kitty announced and started walking out.
“Agreed,” Illyana followed after her.
“Hold on, you’re just going to charge in there?” Bucky spoke to stop them.
“Not the dumbest thing we’ve ever done,” Illyana shrugged.
“Chances are that Logan and Gambit have already done so,” Kitty stated, “Just stay out of the way and you won’t get hurt.”
Kitty and Illyana walked towards the edge of the alleyway again.
Bucky once again tried to stop them, “Torres and I want to help you get Kurt out of there. They have mutation dampening collars. If you want to get him out of there, you need our help.”
“We don’t,” Illyana denied.
“He has a point, Yana,” Kitty brought up, “We don’t know the makeup of the collars. Trying to remove it ourselves could potentially hurt Kurt.”
Illyana sighed, obviously annoyed with this predicament, “Fine, he can come. But one wrong move and I’m throwing him into Limbo.”
Kitty gave her a small smile of satisfaction and then gestured for Bucky to follow. Bucky looked between the two girls again, gathering Illyana’s reluctance and Kitty’s uncertainty.
They exited the alleyway and then looked at the hospital. Illyana cracked her wrists, “I can teleport us in.”
“Are you sure that’s safe?” Kitty questioned, looking at her with concern.
“I’m inclined to agree with her,” Bucky concurred, now standing by Kitty.
Illyana looked at them judgmentally, “I don’t like that you’re agreeing with each other,” She then raised her hand to create a portal. She looked through the portal and heard gunfire causing her to shut the portal, “On second thought.”
Kitty gave another satisfied smirk and Illyna rolled her eyes and shoved her before asking Bucky, “Any chance you can get us in there without getting us killed?”
“I could phase us-” Kitty began.
“No,” Illyana shook her head, “He hasn’t trained with you. He’d suffocate just like Captain America.”
Kitty looked down. Bucky realized she was right but he could see the guilt radiating off of her, “I might be able to get you guys inside. Just follow my lead. And you,” He pointed at Illyana, “Put your helmet on.”
Illyana walked away and then picked up the helmet she had thrown off before the fight. She grimaced at the smell and then put it back on. Bucky hoped that the other agents would be so preoccupied with dealing with Logan and this Gambit guy that they wouldn’t notice Illyana’s lack of armor in certain areas.
Once Illyana returned, Bucky reluctantly pulled out a pair of handcuffs and walked over to Kitty.
“What are you doing?” Illyana was quick to ask.
“I’m going to make it look like I’m bringing her in so we don’t raise suspicions,” Bucky explained, knowing full well that Illyana was scowling at him.
“You’re aware that these won’t work right?” Kitty asked, finding the metal handcuffs almost amusing.
“Fully aware,” Bucky replied, “Once we get to Kurt, you can phase out of them and then escape with Kurt. Good enough for you?”
“I put them on,” Illyana ordered and then swiped them from Bucky. He raised his hands in surrender.
Kitty held out her wrists and then watched as Illyana secured the handcuffs.
“I don’t think I’m ever going to understand why you trust him,” Illyana whispered as the cuffs clacked into place.
“Look, I don’t know why either, but it’s better we trust him than do nothing,” Kitty responded quietly, “Kurt’s still trapped there and he’s giving us an opening to save him.”
Illyana sighed, “If anything goes wrong-”
“Don’t say that,” Kitty interrupted and shook her head.
Illyana held her hand and then continued, “If anything goes wrong, I just want you to know that you.. I’ll do whatever you need me to do to help you. You keep me tethered to this world.”
Kitty smiled again. But this smile was soft, loving. She felt her heart melt in her chest, “Illyana,” Kitty looked for the right words to respond, “I’ll be with you no matter what. Doesn’t matter if we’re standing next to each other or worlds apart. I’m always going to stand by your side and support you. It doesn't matter how many fights we get in, I’m always going to be on your side.”
Bucky stood off to the side. He didn’t mean to listen in- he felt like he was violating their privacy or something along the lines of that. But he had to wonder if these two realized how smitten they were with each other.
He began to wonder if he could have had this if it weren’t for HYDRA. If he’d somehow survived and gotten past the war, could he have gotten the chance to fall in love? Did he still have a chance now? He pushed aside the thought. It was stupid to believe that.
Kitty and Illyana gazed at each other for a few moments longer before Bucky cleared his throat. Both girls were briefly startled and then they backed away from each other.
“Lead the way,” Kitty said quietly. Lockheed turned into a purple dragon design adorning her combat suit.
Bucky nodded and then stepped in front of them and then made his way down the sidewalk. Illyana got into character and held onto Kitty’s shoulder like she was actually keeping her from acting out. Kitty played the part of the miserable criminal and looked at the ground with a frown.
They made the walk to the hospital with Bucky in the lead. When they got to the entrance, they were stopped by two SHIELD agents at the front.
“There’s currently an armed conflict in this building. We advise you to stay out,” The first agent spoke.
“What’s your business here, Sergeant Barnes?” The second agent asked.
“We apprehended one member of the break-in team,” Bucky explained, “We need to take her inside to attach restraints and prevent another threat.”
The two agents exchanged a look before the first one started speaking, “The other prisoner and the extra restraints were just moved.”
“To where?” Bucky questioned.
“Uncertain, sir,” The second and first agents responded together.
Bucky sighed, “We’ll find them ourselves.”
“We would advise against that, sir,” The first agent stated.
Bucky gave the two agents a look that said to step to the side. The agents stepped away and left the door for them to go inside. Illyana had to admit that that was slightly funny, as did Kitty. She had to elbow Kitty in the side to keep her from cracking.
The group of three went inside. They decided against going to the floor that Kurt’s room was on since it was reportedly where the fighting had been. They also decided to go up the stairs instead of the elevator. Once they were alone in the stairwell, Bucky took out his phone and called Torres, assuming that he was still with Kurt.
There were a few seconds before Torres answered, “DUDE! Where did you go?”
Bucky looked at Illyana and Kitty next to him, “Long story. Where were you moved to?”
“Eighth floor, I think,” Torres responded, “What do you mean by long story?”
Bucky sighed and pinched his nose, mouthing the eighth floor to Illyana and Kitty before thinking up an explanation for Torres, “You know the fighting going on downstairs?”
“Yep, that was crazy. There was this guy with black and red eyes that told me that Sam needed to talk to me. He got me to leave, but at one point he pulled out a playing card and it turned pink and I said hell no to that and went back to Kurt,” Torres told his part of the story.
“I found Kitty and another member of their team. We’re coming up to launch a rescue,” Bucky kept it short.
“That’s great!” Torres expressed and then his tone changed to be more urgent, “Hurry up though, Sam went to get a helicopter to move Kurt.”
“Will do,” Bucky finished the call and shoved his phone back in his pocket.He looked back at Illyana and Kitty, “Eighth floor. Go as fast as you can.”
“We’re running out of time, aren’t we?” Kitty asked with growing concern.
“No talking, more running,” Illyana instructed.
The three practically sprinted up the stairs and then had to collect themselves once they got to the eighth floor. They walked in, concealing their pants for air and urgency with cool and collected demeanors.
Kitty was the one who spotted Torres sticking his head out of one of the rooms. She elbowed Illyana who mumbled to Bucky who led the way to the room. They made their way over to the room, with Bucky entering first and Kitty and Illyana behind him.
Inside, it was laid out just like Kurt’s other room. Kurt was pacing around near the window, the nerves clearly getting to him. Torres quietly welcomed them in.
Kitty didn’t need time to think before she phased her hands through the handcuffs and let them drop to the floor. They hit the shiny blue floors with a clang, forcing Kurt out of his thoughts and to look at them.
Kitty and Kurt locked eyes at the same time, Kitty phasing through Bucky to get to Kurt while he sprang forward. The two engulfed each other in a tight hug.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry I didn’t come sooner,” Kitty apologized, barely holding herself together as she held onto him tighter.
“It’s okay. I’m okay,” Kurt said, a smile crossing his face, “Kätzchen, if you hug me any tighter, I zink I might deflate.”
“Just.. give me another minute,” Kitty said, finally smiling now that they were back together. Kurt happily relented.
Illyana stood by the door with her arms crossed. She gave them a few more moments before she spoke, “We have to go before we gather suspicion.”
“Who are you?” Torres had just noticed Illyana and pointed at her.
“You don’t need to know,” Illyana replied, narrowing her eyes.
Torres leaned over to Bucky and whispered, “She’s freaky.”
“You and Bobby said the same thing,” Bucky mumbled, earning a chuckle from Torres.
“So she’s also a mutant?” He continued to ask. Bucky nodded.
Kitty knelt down and then looked at the restraint of Kurt’s ankle. She inspected it for a few seconds before simply phasing her hand through it. The restraint crackled and buzzed before it turned off. From there, she gave Kurt the chance to rip it off himself.
Illyana went over to Kitty and Kurt as they separated, “I’ll teleport you and Kurt to the jet and then I’ll get Logan and Gambit.”
Kitty and Kurt exchanged a glance before they both nodded. Illyana went to open a portal. Suddenly, Sam’s voice came from down the hall. Torres, without a second thought, went forward and stopped Sam before he could come inside.
Illyana essentially pushed Kurt and Kitty through the portal. She was about to go in before she looked back at Bucky.
“Go with them,” Bucky instructed her, quietly, “We’ll find our own way.”
Illyana nodded and then clenched her jaw, looking at the ground with conflict before she walked over to him, “Kitty is staying behind to help your and your friends. Find her and ensure she is safe and that she doesn’t do anything stupid.”
Bucky took her instruction and nodded, responding, “I will.”
Illyana made sure that he was telling the truth before she went back to the portal, stepped inside, and shut it.
Bucky watched her leave and then reached into his pocket, feeling the drive Bobby had given him. He had another chance. Bucky took a breath before he walked outside into the hall where Torres was holding up Sam, “They’re gone.”
“You let them escape?” Sam asked, looking furious.
“We were tricked and overpowered,” Bucky lied.
Sam still held that unfamiliar look in his eye- the look that he now recognized as Frost having control. It wasn’t his mind at all. Bucky felt a muted hatred for this woman form in his chest. He’d already had people in his head before. He would have never wished that on anyone else- especially not Sam.
Sam let out an annoyed sigh and turned around, “Let’s deal with the criminals downstairs then.”
An agent ran up to him with their shoulder plate scratched and their helmet partially burnt, “They’re gone, Captain.”
^^^
Everyone was back on the jet. Gambit was nursing a black eye while Logan was taking a second to let his healing factor do its work.
Kitty sat across from Kurt, debating how she was going to drop the news that she wouldn’t be going with.
“Zomezing on your mind?” Kurt asked, dragging her away from her thoughts.
Kitty took a deep breath, “I’m not coming to Genosha with you.”
Kurt sat up, “Vhat? Vhy not?”
“Someone has to stop Frost,” Kitty said, “You and Logan have already been through too much so it falls on me.”
“Are you sure zat is what you vant to do?” Kurt asked. He wasn’t going to fight her over it. He knew that once her mind was made up, it was a permanent decision.
“I think so,” Kitty nodded.
“You should not do it if you are not certain, you need to be sure,” Kurt went on.
“I’m.. I’m sure,” Kitty gave him a reassuring smile.
“And you’re ready to face him on your own?” Kurt laid out another question.
Kitty gathered her courage and responded, “I’m ready, Kurt.”
He went forward and hugged her again, “Zen I cannot stop you.”
“Thank you, fuzzy elf,” Kitty thanked him with a grateful smile.
“Natürlich, Kätzchen,” Kurt smiled back at her. A part of him was sad they would be parting ways so soon, but he knew this was something she needed to do, “But, you must come back once it is all over.”
“Natürlich,” Kitty tried the German and both exploded into laughter at Kitty’s pronunciation.
“Good to see you two are back to normal,” Logan walked over and plopped down in the seat next to Kurt.
They both composed themselves and Kitty shot Kurt a look that told him she hadn’t told Logan about her venture.
“Ich glaube, Kitty has zomezing to say to you,” Kurt started.
“And what’s that, Cat?” Logan asked, leaning back in his seat.
Kitty shot a glare at Kurt before taking a deep breath, “I’m staying back.”
“Yer what?” Logan’s head shot up.
“I’m staying here. In Madripoor,” Kitty replied quickly, hoping Logan wouldn’t react too strongly.
Logan stayed quiet, watching her for a few moments before sighing, “I was beginning to think this day’d never come.”
Kitty looked at him, slightly shocked, “Wait. You.. want me to leave?”
“Yer stayin’ back to stop Frost, right?” Logan began.
“Yes, that is correct,” Kitty nodded.
“Do me a favor and kick her ass, Cat,” Logan requested and sat up.
Kitty chuckled, “That’s the plan,” She then paused, “Why aren’t you mad?”
“Kid, it’s yer decision what you do. Not mine,” Logan explained, “Yer leaving to help people by stopping a bad guy. That’s a hell of a lot better than most of my reasons for leaving the X-men in the past.”
Kitty went over and hugged Logan, catching him off guard. He adjusted and then lightly hugged her back, patting her on the back before she let go and looked at them from the aisle.
“Don’t do anything I would do,” Logan warned, making sure to make eye contact with her.
Kitty smiled at him and then looked at Kurt. She embraced Kurt again before saying her goodbyes, grabbing a bag that she’d hurriedly put together before Logan and Gambit came back.
Rogue was helping tend to Gambit’s black eye at the exit of the jet.
“Heard your leavin,’” Gambit said as Rogue dropped an ice pack on his face.
“Yeah, I’ll see you guys around,” Kitty responded.
“Stay out of danger, sugah,” Rogue gave her a charming smile and then whispered, “Illyana’s outside. She’s seein’ you off.”
Kitty smiled at Rogue and then stopped outside, spotting Illyana standing by the edge of the roof and looking out at the hospital.
“Seeing me off then?” Kitty asked as she approached her.
Illyana snapped out of her thoughts, “Yes, I, uh, wanted to make sure you had everything you needed before you left.”
Kitty held up the bag, “I’m good to go.”
“That’s good, yes,” Illyana nodded, running out of words, “And Lockheed too?”
Kitty pointed to the purple dragon design on her combat suit.
After searching for something to say for what seemed like forever, Illyana gave up and went to hug her. Kitty let her.
“I thought you said you weren’t a hugger,” Kitty joked.
“You’re the exception,” Illyana mumbled as she held onto her, “But don’t tell anyone.”
“My lips are sealed,” Kitty vowed.
Illyana held onto her a bit longer, whispering, “Please stay safe.”
“I will,” She said. Illyana released her and took a few steps back.
“See you when you're done,” Illyana said.
This time, Kitty went forward and hugged her. Illyana silently thanked the universe.
Kitty let her go and smiled, “Thank you for being here.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” Illyana responded, eyes lingering on her for a moment longer.
“Let’s go, Blondie!” Rogue shouted from the jet.
Illyana gave Kitty one last smile before she ran to the jet and got on board. The doors shut and the jet prepared for takeoff. Kitty waved at Kurt and Logan from the windows. The jet cloaked itself again and then took off, blending into the clouds.
Kitty sighed and watched them leave. It took a moment before it sunk in that she was alone again. But she had a job to do.