Beginning of the End

[Magneto]

(Magneto silently stirs awake. He looks around, checking his current surroundings to realize he's back in the mansion. And that it's trashed. He nearly startles himself at the sight of the dead Theta, then focuses in to see Christina about to cure herself. His speaking startles her.)

Magneto: "Good thinking, my dear. You probably blame yourself for all of this, don't you. You think it's your fault that this home, this sanctuary is now in ruin. So you believe that curing yourself, to keep the bad men away is the right answer. I think you're right. After all, you were their main objective. So if you cure yourself, remove the precious and yet troublesome gift that you were given then you remove the danger of more men being sent here. At least until the cure wears off, as it did for me."

Magneto: "But that should buy you enough time to run away and hide far from this place so you can do no more harm here. Because once you're one of them you don't belong here anymore. And after all, haven't you caused enough damage here. So go on then, cure yourself, remove yourself from this place, and remove the threat of danger to those that live here. For as long as you exist, cured or not, you will be a threat to them. Because until they find a permanant cure, your gift of sight will return. And with it, the soldiers."

(Magneto hopes his words have made her disbelieve her own importance to the group enough to make her take the cure. Even though he knows it's not permanant, he knows it will give him enough time to save himself. Selfish to the end, Magneto plays at the girls emotions hoping she'll take the bait.)

[ECKS]

. . .

ECKS: "Don't... *cough* don't listen to him. *cough*

(ECKS slowly sits up, comepletely healed up, but still a little sore from the healing process and the non-stop fighting.)

ECKS: "And you, shut up or I'll cure you again myself. And this time you ain't gonna have time to get yer powers back. I'll finish the job right here."

(ECKS turns his attention to Christina. He's heard most of what Magneto had to say and tries to convince Christina not to do it.)

ECKS: "I know I can't stop you from doin' whatever you think is right. But... *cough* I promise you, there is a better way. Even though we may not know what it is yet... *cough* there is. And we'll find it. You came here to be helped, and I promise you I will do everythin' in my power to help you. But if you do that, there may be no turnin' back. What he ain't told you... *cough* is that some of the mutants still ain't got their powers back. Some may never get them back. The cure works different for every mutant."

ECKS: "Just remember, it's your choice, I can't tell you what to do, all I can do is give you options and let you choose what you want. And I'm tellin' you there is another option. But if you don't see another way out of this, I understand, and cured or not, you will always have a home here, Christina."

(Still wincing a little ECKS turns on the couch and puts he feet down on the floor. He knows Christina is old enough to make her own choice, and that this is her time to decide what she wants. A decision no one can make for her.)

[Oracle]

(Christina just stands there listening to the two contradicting voices. It's both frustrating and confusing. She was sure that she had made her choice, but now she was beginning to doubt it. When she arrived here at the mansion, she wanted to remove her powers. Now she was given the chance. But now, she had friends and a home as ECKS had said. That was the best thing Christina's had in a long time. Still, Magneto's words ring louder in her head. She did blame herself for not just what has happened here, but for everything her powers had caused. With her powers gone, she would be of no use to Smith and his plan would not be able to succeed. But what if it wasn't permanent and her powers did return again... what if her powers never came back... Christina doesn't want to think of it again. It's so confusing enough as it is. She feels tears form in her eyes, but holds them back. She quickly makes the first decision that comes to her mind. She tightens her grip on the cure weapon, shuts her eyes tighter, and without really thinking, pulls the trigger.)

(She drops the weapon and holds her arm as she feels the cure running through her veins. She feels the pain coursing throughout her body as the cure takes its effect causing her to drop to her knees. After a few seconds, the pain subsides and Christina opens her eyes. She removes the dart from her arm and stares at the point on her arm where the cure was injected. Christina could feel that there was something different inside. Her powers were gone. She should be happy, but she didn't experience the joy she had thought she would. She directs her attention to ECKS, but doesn't look at him. She could tell he was probably disappointed.)

Christina: I'm sorry, ECKS... but it is better this way. He's right. I've caused too much trouble as it. Thank you for help and hospitality. I truly appreciate it. *she turns her attention to Magneto* And don't think you think I did this because of you. But you did make your point. *she turns her attention back to ECKS* Without my powers, Smith's plan can't succeed. This should give you guys some time to find him and stop him so he can never carry out his plan. This was for the best and again... I'm sorry.

(Christina rises on her feet and runs out of the room. She goes to the staircase to reach to her room when she does something she hasn't done in a long time. Tears fall from her eyes as she walks in her room.)

[ECKS]

(ECKS head drops, realizing that the damage to the mansion was almost non-existant in comparison to the damage all this had done to the young girl that showed up at his door just months ago. For Christina, the cure may have been the answer, and ECKS understands that. But he wished her decision had been her own, with no outside influence. Especially from the likes of the man who came here practically begging for help. ECKS looks up and a single tear rolls down his face as he turns his attention to Magneto. He slowly stands and walks toward him. Staring him in the face, he extracts the claws in his right hand.)

[glow=red,2,300]SNIKT!![/glow]

(Still ailing from the tranq-dart Magneto is practically defenseless, his senses ruined by the drugs. He struggles to get away but ECKS is too fast, he slams his claws down toward Magneto. But rather than killing the man, ECKS merely slices the cure weapon into pieces.)

ECKS: "Consider this yer lucky day, bub. But if I were you, I'd be gone by the time I got back."

(After retracting his claws he turns his back on Magneto and heads up the stairs after Christina.)