The Lesser of two Evils by Pari
Author's Note: Special Dedication
Thank you, Layde, Panther, Creed, Ororo, who spend hours in chat with me researching and finding the perfect Goddess/Name for this fic, you guys are the best.
"Before man walked the Earth and before Time had any meaning, this realm was the playground of Gods, here was their arena to settle grudges, seek revenge and to conquer. It is here and in that time that the terror of Phoenix began.
She was not always known as the Phoenix and this is our saving grace. Long before she was taken and put into Greek mythology she belonged to the Egyptians and she was called Bennu. Bennu lived in the sanctuary of Heliopolis and was worshipped alongside Ra and Osiris. Every 500 years, the Bennu flew to the Sun Temple in and built a large funeral pyre of spices, where it rested, and allowed the sun's rays to consume it. From the ashes, a worm was born which grew into an adult Bennu by the end of the day. Much like the Greek mythological Phoenix, however, they do not tell the true tale, a tale of how she turned from such a beautiful majestic creature of life, rebirth to the instrument of death. How her love for a mere mortal nearly brought about the destruction of not only this planet, but the heavens itself.
And here my friend in lies the key, our weapon to defeating the Phoenix and her name is Ayaba Ni Kua, though most know her better as Oya, powerful Yoruba Goddess of the Winds of Change; the Primeval Mother of Chaos; Queen of the Nine. Lightning, fire, tornadoes, earthquakes and storms of all kinds are ruled by Oya. Yes doesn't she sound familiar?" Beast paused in his story as all eyes fell to the white haired Goddess sitting before them. "But let me finish my tale, so you can better understand."
"Long ago in Egypt there once lived a wise and great man, during the rule of King Zoser of the Third Dynasty, about 2980 B.C. That man, even to this day is deemed the father of medicine, and earned such a reputation as a healer that he was worshipped as a god not only in Egypt but also in Greece and Rome, for the next 3000 years, and later named by Christians as 'the Prince of Peace'. He was human though idolized as more, a mere mortal born to mere mortals and given the mortal name, Imhotep (em-moe-tep), yet as I said, he was worshipped by millions, which did not go unnoticed by the true deities. In particular, Bennu and Ayaba, and though their interest in him started out very differently, but ended with the same result, they both fell in love and they both wanted Imhotep for themselves.
Both Goddesses laid their claims and engaged in a mutual and friendly venture to woo Imhotep. It was not until he professed his love to one of them, that it turned bloody, and resulted in the banishment of Bennu by Ayaba, who was by far more power. Though Bennu left her lasting marks on Ayaba as well, by killing Imhotep thus ensuring that if she could not have him, neither would Ayaba."
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." The Professor interjected, pausing Beast and his story.
"No truer words have ever been spoken Professor, and it this case it seems the same is true even for Goddesses." Beast agreed. "So after, Ayaba defeated Bennu by locking her within the fiery walls of the Sun, she hid herself away in her despair over losing Imhotep, where she remained until she died."
"But she was a Goddess," Rogue, who had been totally engrossed in the story, spoke out. "Thought they were immortal."
"Yes, but only through faith and belief, without those to remember and worship them, even Gods in a sense die. If there is no one to remember you, does one exist?"
"This is very educational and all, but what does that have to do with now?" Scott asked what was on the minds of most in the conference room. "But how in the hell can a 'dead' God help us defeat Phoenix?"
"Because Scott, the essence of the Phoenix inhabits Jean's body, possesses it if you will. So, is it not logical to assume that the essence of Ayaba can be called forth to inhabit a body as well, especially if that body is almost the reincarnate of Ayaba, which I think we would all agree is Storm." Again all eyes fell to Ororo again, all except one set, which lingered and glared at Beast.
"So what yer saying is we use Ro's body?" Logan barked out. "Have her give her will over to some bitch of a Goddess, and hope when it's all over she just gives it back?"
"Of course we'd never do it if I didn't think it could be done in a safe manner, Logan. Ororo's safety would be priority." Beast defended somewhat angered at Logan's implication, since he adored Ororo and would never do anything to endanger her. "And as it stand I do not know if it can be done, we are just brainstorming here, but it is a possibility so I thought it should be put on the table."
"And if it's the only way to save Jean, I'm all for it." Scott commented. "And I'm surprised you're not on the boat here Logan. We all know how obsessed with Jean you were."
"Look you mother fucker…" Logan growled as he suddenly stood, and leaned over the table towards Scott.
"I would not do it," Ororo's voice spoke out stilling everyone as they looked at her stunned. "And I do not care if it is the only way, I would not allow my body to be used in such a manner, and never as a weapon to destroy Jean, and that is what this is about right? You sugarcoat it but we all have seen her, what she has become, how powerful she is, and we all know we cannot contain it, her, so we must find a way to destroy her. If need be I will help, but I will not be the tool to do it, I cannot." With this Ororo stood and walked from the room.
"So Hank theoretically, how would this work, how would we get Ororo's body ready for Ayaba?" Scott continued on, causing Logan to growl in a low rumble.
"In case ya missed the clue Scooter, Ro said she aint interested."
"I heard her, but she'll come around, this is about Jean and she and Jean are like sisters, she'll do it."
"Look, I want Jeanie back too man, but not like this not at the expense of Ro." Scott suspiciously narrowed his eyes at Logan.
"Don't tell me you've gotta a thing for Ororo now, what Jean's gone so you've moved on to the next best thing?"
"Fuck you." Logan replied as he pushed his seat back and stood and then stalked from the room, where the others remained to discuss this new revelation.
[break]
The rest of the week past quietly with Ororo avoiding Scott, Scott avoiding Logan and hounding Hank about his progress with his Ayaba theory, and Logan watching both Ororo and Scoot from a distance.
Down in MedLab:
Scott rushed in the doors as Hank looked down at his watch. "You are right on time Scott." He said as he turned to face the man standing before him with his hands deep in his pocket.
"You got anything new?" Scott asked not caring to make small talk. Hank's head bowed a bit as he let out a heavy sigh and nodded.
"Yes, but I am afraid it is not good. I have discovered my Ayaba theory will not be a possibility."
"Why the hell not, the other day you were so sure it would work and you have what you believe is the original incantation to perform the resurrection." Scott roared a bit louder than he had intended as he threw his hands in the air in frustration.
"I am afraid I misread an important step in the process, which theoretically would still work, but…"
"But what?" Scott said cutting him off as he leaned over his desk.
"But Logan was correct, I want to save Jean but not at the expense of Ororo, and if we were to use the resurrection of Ayaba to stop the Phoenix, it would mean the end of Ororo."
"Why?"
"It seems there came a new breed of worshippers of Ayaba, those who wrote this resurrection spell. They made offerings to Ayaba, blood sacrifices, it was believed the more gruesome the display, the more pleased Ayaba would be, and the incantation I have keeps with this tradition, in order for this resurrection to occur, Ororo would have to die in a very bloody manner to satisfy the spirit of Ayaba. This is the only way to ready Ororo's body for possession to make it clean in Ayaba's eyes. And that is a boundary I am not willing to cross, are you my friend?"
When the scent hit his nose it set him on alert, and this heightened once he realized the scent was somehow familiar. He sat the beer he had been enjoying down on the kitchen island, which he had been leaning against and then left out of the room on a hunt. He paused in the parlor lifting his head a bit and sniffing, the scent was there still but different yet familiar though he couldn't place it. He moved to the hidden elevator and headed to the lower part of the mansion, which housed the medlab, Cerebro, and the danger room as well as the hanger for the blackbird, and this was where his nose led him inside the hanger.
The hanger was dark but he could still make out the entire contents of the room and thus moved about without a problem. He moved around the Blackbird until he came upon the open hatch where the scents nearly overtook him and then recollection came. SNIKT! Cautiously he stepped up into the jet and scanned the inside from his spot before proceeding further inside.
"Ro?" He called out as he moved further inside and when his eyes fell to the form lying on the ground he became paralyzed. "Ro," He called out again but this time with a shaky voice, which he cleared and spoke again. "Storm," He wasn't sure why he kept calling to her, for he could see it was her she was looking right into his eyes, but it seemed it was all he could do. When her eyes, which were wide and filled with tears averted from his that set him on alarm and cause him to duck and turn just in time, just before an optic blast tore through him. His eyes fell on Scott whose hands were cover with blood. It was all sinking in for Logan but he didn't have time to think on it just yet, he had to take Scott down before he got a chance to get another shot off, and so he tackled him hard and instantly shot his claws through Scott's shoulders and then moved and pierced them through both his legs right above the knees. Scott howled out in agony, as he lied there unable to move. Logan stood and stared down at him in pain and disgust. "What have you done?" Logan asked the ridiculous question, ridiculous because the answer was so obvious; the blood everywhere told the tale. Coming back to his senses, Logan moved to where Ororo lay flat on her back with her head turned towards him. She lay in a bed of her own blood as it continued to gush from the gaping wound in her throat, and Logan instinctively gripped both his hands around it trying in what he knew to be useless attempt at stopping the bleeding. Ororo stared at him and opened her mouth to try to speak but only blood poured out. "Hush darlin don't talk, I'm gonna get you to the lab, it's just around the corner." He said but hadn't figured out how he would accomplish it, he didn't want to release her throat for fear she was on the verge of bleeding to death, but knew that what was happening anyway and that it was dire for her to get to the medlab. Logan thought it would be best to get Hank to come to them and so he moved one hand from Ororo's throat and reached for the controls of the Blackbird. He pressed the button to the com system though he didn't know who or where it linked to and didn't care as he began to speak. "Hank I hope you can hear me, I'm in the hanger, in the Blackbird there's been a bad accident, and I need you in here now and bring some medical supplies, hurry Hank, please hurry." He said the last part mournfully as he looked down into the ashen face of Ororo whose eyes were still locked onto him.
It had only been seconds before Logan could hear footsteps running down the corridor and more than one set, it seems he had linked throughout the house, but Hank's was the first head to pop into the Blackbird. Logan instantly stopped him. "Send them away," Logan commanded just as Hank saw Scott's state. He nodded his understanding realizing this wasn't a scene the children should see, and so he stepped from the Blackbird and Logan could hear him dismiss the nosy students who had also heard Logan's plea for help. Once they had left the hanger Hank had made his way back into the Blackbird.
"Logan what have you done?" Hank quickly yelled as he moved to where Scott lay helpless and moaning in pain.
"NO! Leave him, help her." Logan cried out and Hank turned to him and for the first time saw Ororo.
"Dear God," He gasped out, as he stood stunned for a moment.
"Hank man keep it together, Ro needs ya." Logan pleaded and Hank took a deep breath and then went into Physician mode as he moved to where Logan was crouched over Ororo.
"Ok remove your hand a moment Logan, let me see." Hank said and Logan did as he instructed, and the sight nearly made Hank choke and he clamped his eyes shut and began to breathe deeply. Logan placed his hands back, too afraid to allow any more blood to get out. "We have to get her to the medlab." Hank spoke as he rummaged through his medical bag and pulled out gauze and cloth bandages. "But first we need to try to tie this wound up, stop most of the bleeding. At least the main artery wasn't hit."
"Ya sure about that, there's a lot of blood here." Logan asked as he removed his hand once again to allow Hank to work.
"Quite sure, for if it had been she would already be dead." Hank stated as he finished tying the bandage thickly and tightly around Ororo's neck. "Now you carry her and I shall grab Scott."
"Let him bleed," Logan growled as he stared in anger to where Scott still lay. "He did this to her." The words shocked Hank and for a glimpse of a second he wouldn't believe it but the scene made it obvious that Logan's words were true, and for a moment Hank considered leaving Scott there to bleed, but after a moment's pause he moved to Scott and roughly lifted him up and over his shoulder. Logan gently lifted Ororo who was now gray in color and cold and stiff. If it hadn't been for his acute hearing which allowed him to focus on her heartbeat he would have thought her dead. "Hold on Darlin, please just hold on, yer gonna be ok…" As swiftly and painlessly as he could Logan raced to the lab.
It was as if he had lost his hearing and for the first time felt intoxicated. Hank seemed to be walking in slow motion, with the room spinning about him, and when Hank spoke, his lips moved but no sound seemed to be coming out not that any words were necessary. Hank's body language, his teary eyes, his bowed head, and the reactions of everyone else in the room spoke volumes. Suddenly it seemed as if everything had happened so fast, as reality came crashing in on them.
They struggled to pull him off and he mercilessly turned on them like some wild animal, throwing them off, slashing at them with his anger evident in his eyes and the snarls he threw their way. He was angrier than he ever had been, even more than he was when Jean had died. It was only the powerful mind of the Professor that finally tamed the feral Logan, and saved Scott's life, and in the end spared them from having to attend two funerals.
"We can't keep him like that forever those restraints will not hold him long, Professor." Hank spoke as they stood outside the room that housed the restrained Logan, who they had strapped to the bed.
"Yes I know, but what other solution is there. We cannot let him loose to finish what he had started."
"And why not." Hank said bitterly causing the Professor to sigh heavily. "After what Scott did to Ororo, I cannot say that Logan's idea isn't the best recourse."
"I too am shocked, devastated, and very saddened by Scott's action, and not to excuse them but man can act out of the ordinary when in grief."
"That wasn't grief Professor, that was butchery and betrayal, what Scott did was evil. You didn't see her…all the blood." Hank croaked out as he stared down at his hands, remembering them covered in blood.
He awoke in pain a burning pain that seemed to start on the inside and work its way out. It only took a split second for him to realize he was tied down, and he instantly began to struggle, until he easily snapped the ties. Hopping from the bed he moved to the door only to find it locked.
"Open this fucking door Hank!" He roared and within seconds Hank appeared on the other side of the door.
"I have informed the Professor of your awakening Logan, he is on his way down now, and I am to wait for him." Hank spoke calmly.
"I aint yer prisoner and I aint the Professor's prisoner either…so open the Gotdamn door!"
"Logan, I understand your anger, believe m…"
"I don't want a sermon Hank, I just want to get out of here and gut that sick fucker in the other room." Logan stated his shoulders rising and falling in a steady manner as his breaths came in pants.
"Well I can assure you that kind of talk will not get you out, at least not as far as the Professor is concerned." Hank said and Logan calmed a bit at the words and the implication that Hank wanted Scott just as dead as he did.
"Well the Professor aint gotta know, let me out and I'll take out the trash on my way outta town, you'll never hear from either of us again." Logan said and Hank took a step closer to the door despite himself.
~That's not a solution Logan.~ The Professor spoke telepathically and he glided down the corridor, stopping just before Hank and the locked door.
"Yeah, and what's you're solution, patting him on the back or smacking his hand maybe. He murdered Ororo, he mutilated her."
"Out of grief over Jean..." The Professor began to defend but Logan cut him off and Hank suddenly turned and left, not caring to hear any defending of Scott.
"That shit won't fly. I loved Jeanie too I grieve her every day, but I'd never do what he did."
"So you wouldn't kill if you thought it would bring Jean back?" The Professor posed to Logan, not believing his proclamation.
"Not Ororo!" Logan yelled point blank, his steely eyes glaring at the Professor for even suggesting he would.
"Logan, believe me when I say to you that 'I' understand your anger and your need to avenge Ororo. She, Jean, and Scott were the first, my first students and I think of them as my very own children. I had such high expectations for them all, and now it seems I have lost them all."
"You do know yer wasting you're breath doncha Chuck? He's gonna die, I'm gonna kill him."
"That will not solve the problem Logan it will not bring Ororo back to us." The Professor said through a heavy sigh.
"No, but it will make me feel better, an 'eye for an eye'. I don't understand why yer defending him. He butchered her, you weren't there, you didn't see her lying there, bleeding, gasping for air, terrified. He was supposed to be her friend, from the way I heard it they were like brother and sister, yet he did that ta her." Logan said the red rims of his eyes glistening with unshed tears. Xavier simply bowed his head, he himself not sure how to respond or to react. "You can't keep me in here forever and eventually I'll get through these walls, you know I will and I'll get to him."
"I don't think that will be possible Logan." Hank said as he reappeared beside the professor.
"We'll see." Logan said as he folded his arms across his chest.
"No, I mean it won't be possible because Scott's gone and so is Ororo's body."
Elsewhere:
"Whoa man I don't know about this, this seems wrong man, I mean really wrong. I'm getting a bad vibe." The nervous little man with the obvious hump on his back said as he back up a bit from the table he stood before.
"I was told you could perform this ritual, and I'm willing to pay anything."
"Man what yer asking for I can do sure, but...she's dead man. That's just too creepy even by my standards. How could you just grab up some dead woman."
"Look just do it." The man resting most of his weight on a crutch said as he tossed an envelope full of money onto the table, which the small man eagerly grabbed up and started counting.
"Sure whatever you say man, I just don't see the point in raising some ancient Goddess."
Back at the Mansion:
"You put a security lock on me but not on that fucker." Logan stated as he shot daggers at the head of the table where the Professor sat.
"After what you did to him Logan I was sure he wouldn't be getting up and walking about so soon. I was wrong." Logan only grunted in reply.
"So what now, do we have to worry about two hell bitches running around? I mean we can't even stop Phoenix, and Hank says this Ayaba is a hundred times more powerful, so what are we gonna do?" Rogue spoke out in a worried voice. And the room fell in silence for no one had the answer to that question.
"Well, Scott may not be able to perform the ritual for raising Ayaba. I know he can't read the incantation, and I doubt he can find all the ingredients needed." Hank said.
"He murdered one of his closest friends, if he's got the balls to do that he planning to go all the way with this, he may not be able to do it himself, but I'd bet my life he's found someone who can."
"And that's where we shall start. We need to locate anyone that could to the spell. Ill go to Cerebro and seek out any mutants with such knowledge and abilities. Hank You search the internet. And Logan…" The Professor turned to where Logan had been sitting and noticed him heading out the door.
"I'm gonna go huntin…" Logan said before he took a deep breath and then stalked from the room.
"Rogue go with him, for I fear what Logan will do if he find Scott first." The Professor said.
"And what makes you think I won't let him, help him even."
"Because I trust you will do what is right Marie." The professor said using her real name. Rogue gave a heavy sigh as she pushed herself from the table and headed out after Logan.
This story is archived at The RoLo Realm