Author's Chapter Notes:
We start getting to the meat of our tale (like yay) and it is hopefully angst with a side of fluff without being stupidly sappy.
Pulling into the drive of Howlett House was a punch in the gut for Xavier and his people. Every elegance was a tug on an already hard knot. They were gaping wide eyed at the front door when Wolfman ambled out, muttering about wolf and door jokes. He came forward with bold strides, nearly unrecognizable in his combat boots, fatigue pants, muscle shirt and crew cut, to bark

“Oi, the tribunal’s convening in the courtyard around back!” He stalked away, all impossible liquid grace, not caring if they followed him. Kitty darted behind him, not speaking, throwing a caustic glare at the others to get them moving.

Shaken out of their stupor by sweet, innocent Kitty glaring at them, the X-ers came to the courtyard not far behind the unlikely pair, but far enough they didn’t hear Kitty whimper when she saw Colossus, didn’t hear her whisper in Russian.

However, when Logan heard it, he glanced at Colossus, who was kneeling alongside Mystique, and distinctly heard the young Russian murmur with some distress

“Lyubimaya…”

Pyro was looking sullen, until Jubilee rounded the corner, causing him to sigh and mutter

“Jubilation, no…”

But it was time. Wolfman, a folder tucked under his arm, herded the witnesses into place, elbowing the reporters who wouldn’t shut up. He returned to the spot where Logan stood in the knot of other Ferals, awaiting the command to begin. Logan nodded to Rogue, who stepped away with the other Ferals to leave the three Primes standing in front of the accused, then he turned and nodded to Jackson, who stood near his father, but not near enough to be confused as anything but a lackey.

Pulling out the folder, Jackson cleared his throat and began

“This day, May first of the year 1999, the one hundred and forty fourth year of Prime Howletts’ reign, we, the Tribunal of Ferals, stand witness the trials of

Sabertooth, Mystique, Colossus and Pyro. As it stands, both Sabertooth and Mystique are Ferals, respectively tiger and chameleon, who have claimed Colossus and Pyro as their offspring, and so have pleaded that their young be spared. The charges stand thus:

Sabertooth is charged with murder, attempted murder and abduction of a minor.

Mystique is charged with murder, attempted murder, abandonment and abduction of a minor.

Colossus is charged with illegal immigration, and vandalism.

Pyro is charged with truancy and vandalism.”
Jackson paused, watching excitedly when his father began to speak, his accent strong and his words measured pitilessly.

“By Feral Law, as Sabertooth and Mystique are undoubtedly aware, the only thing we value as much or more than our mates are our children. The sentence, as yet, for each of you, is death.”

Jack paused, hearing gasps and other reactions, before continuing slowly

“That said, from what I hear, you may have what it takes to circumvent that sentence, though it goes without saying that another, unjust violation would end in certain death.”

Kurt spoke next, his accent just as alluring when he said

“As the Primes of different territories, my and Russof’s role is to hold Prime Howlett to making and executing the right decision once the entirety of each case is heard. Each of us has either a mate or a Second who in turn holds us to our oaths.”

It began for true, then.

Every detail was examined, questions asked pitilessly, Victoria taking ruthless notes for the Alexandria Archive, while Rogue soaked in the information spilling forth.

At first, Sabertooth spoke of murder, and then, as he got to the missions the others had been involved in, they explained the parts they played. Hearing these things were greatly distressing for a number of people, including Charles.

Rogue, however, knew all of this already. Knew a tribunal would only ever be conducted if the majority of the facts were had before it began. So while she didn’t know the fate awaiting her mother, she knew more thought had gone into it than a simple meeting. What interested her was the way Jubilee was squirming, and Kitty looked drained. Like the life had been sucked out of her.

Had she ever looked like that, Rogue wondered. Looked so sad and unhappy your heart broke looking at her? The idea alone was painful, just looking at Kitty. ‘Thank Lord my mate wasn’t so stubborn.’ She thought fondly, bristling when she realized that, as Logan’s mate, she had to announce her mothers’ fate.

And then, the time comes. Rogue has been dreading this, but if the talks she’s had with Piotr and John are anything to go by, this part will be already, but after that, well.

“If,” Logan’s voice is loaded with meaning, and though it isn’t a boom, it is still a deep timber. “You were called to a Challenge, who would stand with you, Pyro?”
John falters, before receiving an encouraging nod from Rogue. He clears his throat and declares waveringly
“My name is St. John Allerdyce. Were I mated-” Jubilee throws a sparkler at him and snarls

“If you hadn’t left, would we have been mated by now?” Logan tilts his head in John’s direction, eyes laughing as the young male gaped at the girl from where he knelt. Wordlessly, he nodded, and receiving one from Jubilee, spoke with more vigour

“My mate would stand with me, and I would protect her before all others.” Were she a feminist, Jubilee reflects, she would protest. But Rogue had explained the importance of tradition when dealing with the Ferals, especially the old world ones.

Kitty, however, takes a different approach, she stalks up to Colossus before Logan can ask, walking around him to place her hands on his shoulders and declares firmly

“Colossus, also known as Piotr Nikolaivich Rasputin, is my mate, and chose me when we were children.” Piotr stiffens, easing only when Logan nodded and Jack said easily

“So mote it be.” The other Ferals, including Mystique and Sabertooth, intone in chorus a moment behind him. Kitty clenches a hand in Piotr’s hair, walking away when Rogue motions her over.

Logan turns to Mystique, and asks the same question. She sits straight, and says evenly

“I freely chose-”
Graydon chooses that moment to break ranks with the other Ferals and snarls

“She was manipulated by Magneto, her eldest son will stand with her and so would her mate, if only he knew!” Kurt frowns, Jack glances at his son and Logan asks
Graydon

“Will you also stand with your father?” Feeling his dumbstruck parents gazes, Graydon threw back his shoulders and said firmly

“I am Graydon Creed, son of Mystique and Sabertooth, I will stand with my parents regardless the time or the fight.”

Logan tilts his head, considering. He turns to Xavier and asks in all seriousness

“Xavier, didn’t Mystique once have another name?” The old man starts, nodding, and Logan returns his focus to Mystique, and asks her

“Only your mate knows it now, Mystique. Or will you deny your daughter her father?”

Rogue sighs and orders impatiently

“Tell him, Mother.”

Charles beats her to it, wide eyed and trembling, he
asks

“Raven? Rogue is-”
Raven looks down, gathering her strength, and looks up to say defiantly

“Our lives were entwined from the start. But we’ve always disagreed how to meet our goals, Charles. I don’t regret one of my children, but I couldn’t be who you wanted me to be.”

Rogue rose, about to remand session for deliberations, when all hell broke lose.
Chapter End Notes:
I'd apologize for the cliffhanger, but I have to make dinner.

Lyubimaya: Russian for beloved (Google)
You must login (register) to review.