Raven and Gifteds random 1x1s

[Raven]

"And now that you're not travelling together, what?" the agent asked.

[Gifted]

"What what? I can't control him. I'm going to do my own thing and hold to my own principles. Now I really ought to go because I don't particularly want to fight your backup." He turned to leave again.

[Raven]

"There isn't any yet," the agent said. "So, what, you're okay with him killing people so long as you aren't there?"

[Gifted]

"No, but what the hell am I supposed to do about it? I couldn't fight him even if I wanted too, I would lose. That's happened once because you people have made me paranoid as hell. I can't convince him, he's just as pissed off at me as I am at him. All I can do is help those I can, warn those I help not to be stupid enough to run afoul of him and hope they pass it on like that other guy didn't. Ben wants the same thing I do anyway, he just has a less morally sound way of going about things."

[Raven]

"Are you sure he wants the same thing?" the man asked.

[Gifted]

"He wants equality same as I do." Xander frowned. "That's why he's out here, he's the only other goddamn gifted other than me to realize what bullshit this cease-fire is." But Ben had never actually said outright that was what he was fighting for...

[Raven]

"Or he wants Gifteds on top." The agent shrugged and started to walk away. "Whatever, I need to get away from here before your friend comes back." He pulled out his phone to call the base about the other three agents.

[Gifted]

"And if that turns out to be true I'm sure I could find some help to deal with him... after I've gotten what I'm fighting for." He kind of felt bad using Bens existence as a weapon but it wasn't like Ben would care. "Try not to run afoul of the guy again." he turned and walked away.

[Raven]

"You have no idea how hard that is." The agent walked away, calling base on the phone. Shortly after that, the agents were all picked up.

[Gifted]

And Xander was back to being alone. Which, as already was established, was in no way good for his metal state.


"You think I ought to be willing to sacrifice all my moral principles just to not be followed by a couple extra agents? I mean, either way they'll get more, won't they?"

[Raven]

"You have to sacrifice some things or you're right about one thing, at least: you'll never get stronger. It's an exchange, and if you aren't willing to give something to get better, then you won't get better," Ben hissed.

[Gifted]

Those words pulled Xander up short. "I've been doing fine till now, haven't I?" he demanded.

[Raven]

"You're the one who said you haven't been getting better, and even if you've been getting along til now, isn't it obvious that you have to get better? Too much has happened recently, and if we fail, who else is going to take our place?" Ben asked. "Even if they don't know it, the people need us."

[Gifted]

The words t home. What if he was right? Xander had to get stronger... he wouldn't survive if he couldn't get stronger...
He clenched his fists and squeezed his eyes shut. "Oh, goddammit fine." He looked as though the words physically pained him. "Just... do it then."

[Raven]

Ben went around to all the unconscious agents and shocked them to death. "Let's go," he said when he finished with them. It was quick, and it wasn't obvious whether they were in pain or not.