048. Welcome

She stuck to his side like she was glued there, never more than a step away as he guided her through the complex labyrinth of hallways. He hadn't yet told her where they were, or what they were doing here. She felt Jason tagging along behind them, an ever-present shadow since she'd been on the road to recovery. When she'd asked when she could go back to school, and the Brotherhood house, Jason had been the one to shake his head sadly. For once in her life, she didn't know what lay ahead of her, where her path might take her from here. All she had was Victor's hand to cling to, and the hope that he would keep his word, that he would keep her safe.

Finally, Victor drew to a stop outside a set of large doors, like everything else in this place, they seemed to be made of foot-thick metal. He could smell the fear and uncertainty from her, and for a moment, he allowed himself to want to soothe her. Funny the things she would fear: the uncertainty of what lay in a closed room, the shiver of a curtain in a breeze, and yet, she had never once expressed fear of him. Victor didn't need to glance back at Jason to know he was being watched like a hawk. She was drug free, supposedly, but in the week that she had been recovering, not a single aspect of her powers had reared up.

Jason assured her again with a nod, his eyes flicking to the door's handle in encouragement. Victor took a more direct approach. He turned her to face him, doing his best to be gentle with her. The absolute trust in her gaze tightened his gut into knots, and he found himself smoothing back her curls with the back of his knuckles.

"You got this, frail." He told her quietly. "It's just the boss... Mags... you'll like him."

She bit her lower lip, and nodded. "You promised," she reminded him softly. "I want a tour..."

A slow grin spread over Victor's face, showing just for a moment, the tips of canines just a tad too long for his mouth. "You got it." He reached out and gave the door a push, twisting the handle in one smooth motion. "Go on. I'll be right here."

Kylie paused to wave at Jason before she ducked under Victor's outstretched arm, and into the unknown...


"Oh... Oh my..." Kylie couldn't believe her eyes. The room that she entered was open to the sky, towering trees draped with mosses and lichens blocking much of the view of the surroundings. Scattered around the room were large plates of metal, most of them taller and broader than she was, giving the room the feeling of an unfinished project. The temperature wasn't unpleasant, even if it was a little on the humid side, but the air was just filled with scents of flowers and trees.

At the far end of the room was a long metal desk, cluttered with the shape of something. As Kylie drew closer to see what that something was, she realized it was a relief-map of an island, done down to the finest detail. As she bend over to look at one city, the tiny buildings etched out in exacting design, the whole table seemed to shimmer, the contents upon the top of it, shifting and moving like some living thing. Kylie fell back with a yelp, even as she realized that she was watching millions of tiny metal filings shift into a new relief, a zoomed in view of that same city she had lent down to see.

A soft chuckle from the other side of the desk brought her attention back up. It took her a moment to recognize him. His hair had grown longer, brushing his forehead in a pair of curls that almost gave him a boyish air, and instead of the armor she'd met him first in, he wore a simple dark suit over a white shirt.

"I told you I'd be seeing you again, Kylie."

His voice sparked the memory, and she quickly remembered her manners. "Mister Lensherr, I... I should thank you. You made me go back, and you sent Victor after me and..."

He held up his hand, and she obediently fell silent. "Don't fret over such matters, Kylie. I didn't bring you here expecting any thanks, or servitude from you. I brought you here to offer you a choice. This island you see before you, lies some two hundred miles from where you stand now. It is called Genosha. I want to build a sanctuary upon it, a place where mutants can live without fear of prejudice or ignorance. Your choice, dear child, is whether or not you wish to be a part of forging a new future for our kind..."

She smiled, and for a moment, Magneto could see just how beautiful this timid creature could be. A hidden strength grew inside her, a strange sort of resolve that manifested and odd ways. This was the girl that had charmed his Brotherhood, and tamed his feral beast. This was the girl who had the secrets of an idyllic future housed in her head. Magneto steepled his fingers together, leaning forward onto his desk, letting the metal shavings settle into little mounds, and shuffle once more until the entire island of Genosha was laid out between them once more.

She was studying the map, her hands resting upon the edge of the desk closest to her. "Futures like the one you dream of... of peace, and tranquility, are all too often steeped in blood and violence. I'll... I'll help you with your island... your dream.. but –" she held up one finger to forestall his agreement. "I don't want to be drawn into any conflict. I've had my fill of that."

Magneto appeared to ponder for a few moments, even though his mind had already been decided. He had no intention of putting her out on the front lines of his personal war. Her power was too rare, far to valuable, for him to risk in such a petty way. He broke into a broad smile as he rose from his chair, reaching over the ridge of mountains that snaked down the center of his island. She met him halfway, clasping his hand with hers, and giving it a good, solid shake.

"I will do my best, Kylie, to keep you from the conflicts that will no doubt ensue. Welcome, then, my dear, to the Acolytes. Welcome... to the future!"