Through Hellfire and Back

Disclaimer: X-men Evolution is the property of Marvel and Kids WB. Since there are no original characters in this story, by defaut all characters are the property of Marvel. Well, okay, I had to fake one name, but that's it.

Enjoy!

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Sometimes, there are those we can't fight.

For Kitty Pryde, the mutant code-named Shadowcat, valiant fighter among the diverse and seemingly unbeatable super-powered team known as the X-men, this was not a lesson her teachers prepared her for.

Together, with her fellow mutants, she had stood up against everything, fought against every foe, and for better or worse, with her friends at her side, had always come out strong. True, she hadn't won all her battles; neither she nor any of her teammates had been prepared for the cold hard defeat at the hands of Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch. However, that hadn't stopped them from trying, from putting their all into stopping her and the rest of the Brotherhood. The defeat had hurt, but did not break, the X-men. Xavier pushed them harder and they continued on. They kept training, kept going, and when they faced Wanda again, they had been strong enough to, although reluctantly, accept her as an ally, to do what it took to go up against the Master of magnetism, Magneto.

Together they had faced against impossible foes: first Magneto and his new and improved henchman,then the insane Trask as he unmasked himself and his greatest achievement, mutant kind's worst nightmare, the Sentinel. The battle was tough, and with the capture of several of her dearest friends, hope for a victory seemed low. When they returned , their mansion lay in rubble, and they discovered, much to their horror, that the trusted teacher Xavier had been switched with the mind twisting Mystique. Kitty never thought they'd recover.

Only, against all odds, they did. When Mystique gloated on,confident that not one of Xavier's students could ever match her, she had forgotten one very important detail: they were a group,a team. And, along with the Scarlet Witch, the Toad and Avalanche, all who were a little..... unimpressed that they had been neglected in her plans, they formed a set that outnumbered her by seventeen to one. Even Mystique couldn't match those odds. To her shock they pounced on her, and her broken and bruised bird form was forced to flee for the sky, for fear of further retribution.

It had been Scott who reminded them that he and the New Mutants had hidden themselves in Cerebro's room to keep safe, and Jean who then used the remaining device to hunt down Wolverine, Rogue and the others. At another one of Trask's hidden labs, deep within the hollows of New York City, they took the battle to their abductors, and together, with aide from the New Mutants and their lifelong rivals, the Brotherhood, they brought their friends back; along with, much to their surprise, the captive Charles Xavier. Trask had tried to attack with more of his Sentinels; to which Shadowcat had taken pride in walking right through them, short circuiting the robotics even as Avalanche brought another down to it's knees. Perhaps, had Trask been less feverish and more acutely aware of his opponents, he would have realize that not all powers delivered a direct physical punch, and that even his wondrous robotics had no defense from being frozen to the ground by Iceman, or sticking to Toad-generated slime.

They day was saved, the heroes returned to rebuild their home even as the Brotherhood returned to see what they had missed on T.V. A victory on all accounts, Kitty felt like walking on air. Nothing could stop them.

Kitty really, really, should have known better.

The X-men had busted the bad guys, but not the root of their problem: the fact that not everyone in the world was ready to welcome the presence of mutants in their home. Thanks to a wandering news camera the existence of mutants was now known widespread across the country. Feelings of hate and fear spread as quickly as wildfire in the form of age-old prejudice. It wasn't long until hate-mongering groups, such as the 'Friends of Humanity' sprouted up, convincing more and more people that mutants were a plague that was best washed away from the gene pool completely. If keeping secretes had been important before, they were paramount now. All it would take, many at the Xavier institute realized, would be one slip, one discovery, and all of Bayville could rain down on their heads. It had been sheer luck that no one recognized Kitty or any of the others from the broadcast; too shocked at the new information to carefully inspect the faces which were filmed before them.

Unfortunately, her Bayville friends weren't the only ones watching the news that day.

"How could you! How could you do this to her!" Carman Pryde's voice all but shook the mansion, each word filled with anger and rage beyond belief. It had been two hours since he arrived at the Xavier Institute, two and a half since he and his wife arrived in Bayville, and already they were waging war down Charles's Xavier's throat.

"I understand you're a bit upset over this Mr. Pryde, but I can assure you...."

"Assure me what?! That you've been placing my daughter in life or death combat scenarios all this time, but that you never had any intention of telling me, her *father*?! Assure me that even though her life has been twisted beyond belief, you still think you're helping her? Helping her do what?!"

Outside, Kitty could only stand in the hallway, listening to the parent-teacher conference in Xavier's office. Well, parent-teacher conflict was more like it; her father was on the warpath worse then he had ever been, and it was clear by his words that he wasn't about to back down, not an inch. They'd observed the whole battle as it appeared on cable television, her father and mother. They'd watched their little girl face off against an enormous man of steel, a robotic slayer and mercenary rejects, even as others beside her were captured or worse.

Both parents had agreed immediately: they hadn't liked what they saw.

As her hands balled into fists, hanging limply at her side, Kitty couldn't help but overhear the words between the walls. Her mother in a shock of tears, her father absolutely livid, while her mentors Xavier and Logan, bless them, were attempting to keep calm and rationalize their previous actions, to keep the elder Prydes under control. She wished them luck: two Prydes against the Wolverine and the world's leading telepath. The mutants were going to need all the help they could get.

"Just who do you think you are Xavier? I understood that your teaching methods would be a little unique, but *this*...... I should call social services right now and have your operation shut down myself!"

~Please, God, let it stop~

It didn't, as Kitty felt her father's voice raise to new heights. In all her years, she had never heard him so angry. Not when he fought with her mother during a near-divorce two years ago. Not when a corporate takeover threatened his bank, almost costing him his job and his father's lifelong business. Not when she had staggered home at three am from a close friend's party, absolutely drunk thanks to a dare and a total lack of chaperones, the smell of gin and vodka catching her father's nose instantly. The look on his face that night had scared her stiff, sobering her up in a second and convincing her to vow never again to touch the bottle until she was twenty five. Kitty didn't want to look at his face this time; she didn't need to. His voice conveyed a fury so deep she was positive his anger had reached it's peak. The thought scared her even more.

Kitty had always known her parents to be protective: her father keeping a well polished gun on display since his little kitten was old enough to date, while her mother tended to use a less direct approach- enrolling Kitty in activities which she felt more comfortable with and feeding Kitty constant insecurities and doubts about others. For the most part, she had accepted it, only on rare occasions showing any hint of a rebellious side, which pleased her parents immensely. As long as she was under their roof, she had abided by their approvals and consents- existence in it's normalcy back in Northbrooke.

Unfortunately, now it seemed those ideals were not limited to Illinois. Somewhere along the line her father felt the old rules should still apply, no matter where she went. Apparently, his say over what she did with her life was one of them.

"Worst of all, you actually allowed her to get close to _him_...."

Ouch. Somehow, that one little comment stung worse then a thousand remarks of defamation towards the school. She should have expected it; after all, it wasn't as if she had informed either of her parents regarding the romantic involvement which had bloomed since her coming to Bayville. Heck, when it came to her personal life, for months she hadn't even told her fellow X-men about her actually dating, period. What Kitty did in her spare time was treated in the same regard as her being an X-man: strictly on a need-to-know bases. All things considered, her mother, her father, her family hadn't needed to know. Now she berated herself on her own secrecy. If she hadn't kept so quiet, her parents would have heard the news from her lips, rather then seeing it right in front of their eyes. Perhaps then they wouldn't be acting so strongly.

It was only natural of course, that her parents, flying all the way over from Northbrooke to pick up and chew out their daughter personally would arrive at the Xavier institute at the same moment that Kitty would be returning from a date with fellow mutant and known local bad boy, Lance Alvers. Friendly Lance, who had graciously offered to take her out for the evening to get her mind off things, and take her to the drive-in movie for a change of pace. Sweet, wonderful Lance, who had greeted her with gusto, bowing down on one knee in mock chivalry as she exited the mansion, offering up a suspiciously familiar white lily.... the very same variety beloved by a neighbor down the street. Lance, silly, Lance, who then spent half the night offering another thousand apologies for Mystique and trying to win back her favor. It worked, damn him, as any remaining traces of anger she had held for the Brotherhood disappeared in a fit of giggles and some of his amusing (but occasionally risqué) anecdotes. At the end of the night, Kitty had never felt better. Despite the trauma and chaos that she.... no they had walked through for the last few weeks, it was wonderful to let her guard down, to be just like a regular high school kid. They'd had such fun, she told Lance with a sparkle of amusement in her eyes, so much that he deserved a reward. Then she had leaned forward, catching him graciously with a determined and passionate kiss to his lips..... unwittingly right as her parent's cab pulled up.

All hell broke loose after that.

Kitty phased out of the jeep, trying desperately to keep between her enraged father and her suddenly very anxious boyfriend. Not that Kitty blamed Lance for sweating a little harder at her father's outburst...... dealing with Mystique seemed easier in comparison. Fortunately for all involved, Logan had been at the front door, awaiting Kitty's arrival. Although it was a close call, adamantium bones and years of hardened training allowed him to grasp Mr. Pryde by the shoulders and keep him from doing any damage to Lance or himself. The Brotherhood rebel gave his goodbyes and floored the gas pedal, his speed rivaling that of his former teammate, Quicksilver. Her mother stepped out of the cab in absolute shock. Her father turned on her and Logan, absolutely livid. Even now, Kitty wondered, had that simply been fuel to feed the fire, or had she unwittingly lay down the straw to break the camel's back?

"Don't give me any excuses Xavier! You told me Kitty would be in responsible hands, and this is what I find?!"

More shouting, more anger, more hurt. For once Kitty was thankful she had not been born a telepath. Hearing those words was painful enough with her ears. What was it like, she wondered, hearing the battle in the mind? From the mind? Regardless, it was clear her father was still on a roll. Absently, Kitty wondered where her mother was. Both parents were in the room, but only one had been speaking with his voice. Perhaps, Kitty allowed herself to hold some hope, perhaps her mother was not as upset as her father was over the matter. She'd always been a bit more sympathetic, particularly when someone was getting a tongue-lashing. Perhaps in defense of Xavier she might....

"I can't believe you talked us into sending her hear! My poor baby, look what have you've done to her!"

~Like, thanks Mom~ Kitty winced. It kept getting better and better. A slight tear welded up in her right eye unchecked. Four of the most important people in her life all in one room, and not a kind word passing between them. She loved her parents, but she loved Xavier and Logan as well. To hear them fight so violently......... it was like her parent's spats all over again. Two opposing poles, neither side giving an inch, with poor Kitty stuck in the middle, wishing she could desperately fix the weakening bridge that held them. It hurt, hurt more then any damage Magneto or Mystique could ever inflict upon her. Hurt more then Mesmero's mind control, or Sabertooth's toughest blow. Worse, judging by the sounds which echoed through the walls, the hurt wasn't going to stop. Another tear.... Kitty's eyes fell at her feat. What was she suppose to do?

Beside her in the hallway, her elder teammate Jean put a comforting arm around her right shoulder, her hand letting off a slight reassuring squeeze. On her left she felt the comforting pat of Rogue's outstretched gloved hand. Neither spoke a word, but simply stood by her side, green and gray eyes darting between herself and the office door. Kitty gazed at both, attempting a slight smile in appreciation. While most residences of the institute had been there when the Pryde's entered, they quickly dispersed at the sounds of frustration and fuming which were soon moved into a more private setting. Ororo and Hank kept them out of the way, through training for some and homework reminders to others. Jean and Rogue were exempt; each meeting the approval of their guardians to play the part of sisters and friends, giving Kitty moral support when she needed it the most. It helped, a little, Kitty admitted. ~We're like family. We'll always be there for each other.~

Or, so had she hoped.

Xavier continued his attempts at calming Kitty's parents with words. There was temptation, Kitty imagined, to use his telepathic gifts to cool them down mentally. However, Charles Xavier prided himself on his integrity; he wouldn't loose it now. That, and Kitty would never have forgiven him if he used his powers on her parents, no matter how upset they might have been. "Mr. Pryde I'm terribly sorry but....."

Carmen Pryde cut him off like a knife. "No I'm sorry! I'm sorry I ever listened to you, sorry I ever let you take Katherine here! Well you can forget about her position here Xavier, because I'm taking her out of this.... this madness before it's too late!"

Kitty's blue eyes widened in shock as she heard her father's words. No, he couldn't..... they couldn't possibly be planning to..... could they? It was true that they were upset with Xavier and the institute, but were they so upset that they would be prepared too........ The knots in her stomach tighten as the sounds confirmed what her heart suspected since her parents walked in.

"We're sending her to a different school." Mrs. Madelyn Pryde spoke with a clear voice of calm authority. Outside, Kitty stiffened like a board as she heard the words roll off her mother's tongue. "She's our daughter, and my husband and I both feel that this is no longer the best environment for her well-being."

Jean gasped. Rogue stared at the closed door with alarmed eyes. Kitty remained as she was, stone cold like a set statue, wishing desperately that should could phase through the door and argue against them. But she'd heard the words as they were spoken: set with absolute determination and a resolute decision. Her parents had made up their minds: no pleas would stop that; not now, not here. She had trained for a year with her powers, only to find them, all her work as an X-men, absolutely useless. She could do nothing.

There was a slight pause on Professor Xavier's part. Finally, softly, he spoke. "I.... see. Well, you are her parents and I.... understand your reasons."

"Where do you plan on sending the kid?" Logan's voice was gruff, and to the point as it always tended to be. Evidently, he hadn't liked what he heard either. "Back to her old school?" There was a touch more malice in these words. Logan didn't want his half-pint to be forced to leave.

There was a hint of pride in Kitty's mother's voice as she responded. "Actually, we're sending her upstate, to Massachusetts."

Xavier sounded slightly surprised. "The Academy? I've heard it to be quite a prestigious place."

"It is." Carmen Pryde supplied, his anger switching to a much more civil tone. "We were considering sending her there when Kitty was offered a scholarship shortly before her... unique abilities made themselves known. Since then we hadn't considered it because we assumed she was better off _here_." The spite was clear in Carman Pryde's words. "However, after getting a better glimpse at your illustrious institute, I called and inquired if an opening was still available."

Kitty's mother stepped in once more, her voice much more pleasant and relaxing. "We believe Kitty will fit in much better there. It's got a very good reputation as an excellent learning environment. As you've already acknowledged yourself, the Academy has one of the highest academic ratings in the country."

Her father's cold voice finished it. "We want her there. Now."

The rest of the words blurred from her ears, her mind barely able to register the continuing gasps that came from Rogue and Jean. Her legs became weak, and she nearly faltered. Baby blue eyes filled with cool drops water which slid down her cheek, the tears unable to stop.

She was only fifteen, and already Kitty Pryde's world was falling apart.