I looked out the window of the classroom to see that it was raining heavily, and in the distance the sky was darkened with clouds. I let out a sigh as I leaned forward and rested my head on my crossed arms; it had been a long day, even longer than usual. I continued to watch the rain outside, my mind wandering off as thoughts of what I might do after school meandered through.
My name is Adam Luca, and I'm a nineteen year old attending a college in Seattle, for little over a year now. Taller than some, at six foot one, I was mulatto and not bad looking with unblemished skin and light hazel eyes. Long wavy locks of dark brown hair flowed down my neck, and fell past my ears when I didn't pull it back into an intricate ponytail of sorts.
I was wearing a pair of dark brown khaki's and sneakers that went well with my black and blue striped short sleeved t-shirt. Living in a world populated with Vampires that were becoming famous, and mutants that were feared wasn't always the easiest to live in. But it was the only world I had to live in. A world filled with secrets, of which I kept as well. I was a mutant and gay, although being gay wasn't a secret to those who knew me well.
The only world I could live in.
I didn't want to go home. Home was lonely for where I lived alone in an apartment. It wasn't a bad place, not even in a bad neighborhood at that. It was just… lonely. I had had a roommate until a few months ago, he'd moved out when he found out I was a mutant. Being a mutant, it was my only secret, as being gay wasn't a concern for me any longer. But today would be the last day that that was true.
I looked on at the rain falling down from the darkened sky, and that was when it happened. Slowly the water began to coalesce outside the windows, covering them entirely in water. How it was happening I didn't know, but when I blinked fervently I noticed that my teacher had been furiously shaking my arm to get me to wake up. "Huh, what – what was the question Professor Yorkshire?" I questioned as I looked up at him only to see that he was now staring at the window and then at me. The sound of crashing water was soon overshadowed by screams and shouts as Professor Yorkshire backed away from me in fear.
"Professor Yorkshire what's wrong?" I asked in fear as his irises grew smaller and smaller until they were almost completely unnoticeable. I looked around to see that the entire class was staring at me with fear in their eyes.
"Mu… MUTANT," One girl screeched as she jumped out of her seat. An instant later the entire class was in action, moving towards the door as fast as they could, while Professor Yorkshire stayed exactly where he stood with his back against the chalkboard.
"Professor Yorkshire, what are they talking about, I didn't… I don't think I did that?" I whispered as I stood up quickly, looking down at my hands in fear. I couldn't have done that, could I of? No it couldn't have been me. My power was all about seeing things and people in the future. How could I possibly be doing this?
"I don't know how you did it… because that's something I'm supposed to be able to do and I know I'm not. That's what I'm afraid of; somehow you're using a power!" Professor Yorkshire exclaimed as his eyes darted between the window and me. Slowly I raised my gaze from my hands and turned my head towards the window where the wall of water was still flowing, always moving. "I'm a mutant just like you, but I can't possibly be found out like this, you have to go now!"
It was a beautiful sight, one I never wanted to give up. Somehow I'd been given a gift, one that so many others feared. I had somehow developed a new power, from my college Professor shaking me…
"Adam, I suggest you run, run as fast and as far as you can. I've made a good life here where no one knows about me, and I don't intend to give it up. They'll be after you, and if they stay too long they'll grow suspicious of me too. I can't take that chance, now get out of here!"
His words would've hurt me, if I hadn't been so hurt by my own family many times before. So rather than shed a tear for what he said I quickly ran for the door, and through the empty hallway of my high school which had already been evacuated. In those precious few minutes that I had stayed in the building had brought the security to the front doors, something that had initially caught me off-guard. But rather than fall into their clutches, I made a beeline for the staircase that led up to the second floor. From there I could jump from one of the windows onto the neighboring pool room which had roof access as well.
I quickly scaled the stairs a moment before the security personnel burst through the doors, guns cocked and ready to go. How they had gotten to the school this fast was surprising, with them usually taking upwards of twenty minutes on normal crimes. Apparently though, being a mutant was a far worse crime than the media made it out to be.
I heard their voices in the distance as I rounded a corner, turning around in time to see them reaching the top of the staircase. Bullets sped past me, sending sparks flying as they pierced the walls around me. In a fit of terror I waved my arm out accidentally sending a wave of something out towards them flying. It gave off the same feeling as when I had been in Professor Yorkshire's classroom, but it wasn't water that was emanating from my hand, but a telekinetic wave that shattered the windows on its way by, causing water to pool in the hallway. I pushed my hand into my chest, holding it down with my other hand until I reached the window I was looking for, just barely hearing the shouts of security officers as they slipped on the puddles of water that remained.
Letting my hand go I pushed the window up, struggling to get it open to the point that I would be able to fit through it. I let out a small scream when I saw a gun point around the corner, and in the midst of fear I felt something strong within me that I hadn't felt in years. Something burned within me, and then suddenly it was burning outside of me. The window slammed up before a burst of psychic energy flowed out from my body and throughout the entire school.
I slowly fell to my knees feeling completely exhausted, something had just happened. Something I didn't fully understand. So when I pulled myself up on to my feet and walked down the hall I found myself gasping in shock. Ten security officers were unconscious in the hallway, and what made this even worse for me was that I knew that I had been the one to do it. But how could I have done this, I couldn't figure out what this had to do with water. If I had copied Professor Yorkshire's power, which was all about water, how could I have done this to them?
I slowly backed away in fear before turning around completely so that I could run down the hall and get out through the window. I took a deep breath and jumped from the short ledge, grabbing the edge of the building so that I could myself up. I ran to the doorway that led to the stairwell, only to stop when I caught a glimpse of the ground below. I covered my mouth in horror when I saw that the ten cops were not the only ones I had taken out with whatever it was I had done. Looking out into the distance I saw as well that the surroundings of the school were also not my only victims.
Whatever I had done, had taken out a large portion of the city! "Oh my… oh my god what have I done?" I screamed out in fear as I ran towards the door, tears now streaming down my cheeks. I had always considered mutants to be my heroes, and now I was a freak. But what I had just done… that was not a heroic thing I didn't know what I was going to do now! This wasn't what my power was, and I didn't like it one bit! Something was definitely wrong, and I had to get out of there as fast as possible.
I swung the door open and dashed down the stairs, almost tripping when I missed a stair on the way down. I could feel the tears burning against my cheeks as I thought about what I had just done to all of those poor helpless people. People who would probably grow to hate me, if they already didn't hate me for what I had just done to them, I knew that deep within my heart.
So I continued descending the stairs as fast as I could without killing myself, stopping when I reached the final door that led to freedom. It was open, not completely open, but enough to let me know that someone was out there. I slowly inched my way forward, before I placed my hand on the door.
I pushed it open, prepared to physically assault someone if they got in my way. But what I saw couldn't possibly have been real. A glittering aura of blue and white lights floated away from the doorway and into the sky. Magic or mutation, I couldn't possibly know which it was, but it had to be one of them. I didn't believe in magic, not personally, but if something as astounding as mutants could exist, why not magic?
Rather than wait for that question to be answered I made my way through the door way and down the grassy path until I reached the front entrance of the Physical Education building for my college. Already people were starting to come out of whatever daze I'd put them in, so I hadn't a moment to waste.
Reaching into my pocket I grabbed my car keys and ran as fast as I could through the crowd of grumbling people before someone could recognize me. Moments before I reached my car, screams of fear erupted from the crowd as they began to realize what had just happened to them. Their screams caused me to flinch as I reached the parking lot and began to scan for my silver Toyota.
"There he is, get him!" A woman from my class screamed causing me to snap my head around to see that the security officers were shambling out of the building faster than I had thought they would be able to. Quickly I jammed my key into the keyhole and turned it, opening the door the second it was unlocked. A bullet flew past where I had just been standing, causing me to duck as I tried to push my key into the ignition. All the while wondering how this could possibly be legal.
The sound of my car starting brought a flutter of joy to my whole being, only for it to be dashed when I saw a baton about to strike my driver side window. Quickly, shifting into drive, I pushed my foot on the accelerator and sped forward before jaggedly turning the wheel as I brought my head up so that I could see through the windshield. A bullet crashed through my rear windshield causing me to hyperventilate as I turned the car around and made my way towards the exit. This was definitely the worst day of my life, and for some reason I thought it was only going to get worse.
Pulling up to the front entrance of the school, I turned around for a brief moment to see glass squares scattered around the backseat of my car, while my front windshield looked like it was only moments away from becoming the same sight. I pulled off of the parking lot and sped around several cars, forcing them to swerve out of the way as I forced my car to go as fast as I could. Home was the only place I could go to now, but only for a precious few moments. No doubt they would be after me now that they knew what I was. I had to escape, I just had to!
"So this is Genosha." Emma Frost said dryly as she peered out of the oval window that her first class seat provided. After a thirteen hour flight, she was little more than restless to be out of this plane. Her legs crossed elegantly over one another, she tapped her fingers incessantly against her arm rest. Her platinum blonde hair danced around her face, shaping it beautifully before curling down around her shoulders. She hadn't had the time to straighten it this morning, not when Tessa had announced her flight had been upgraded at the last moment. Thankfully she'd had enough time to dress in a white pant suit with a blouse that had a plunging neckline. She never went anywhere without a distraction, and it wasn't always telepathy.
"Yes, isn't it lovely?" Tessa said as she leered out of her own window. She sat quaintly and directly across from Emma. Tessa was in stark contrast to the blonde blue eyed mutant, with hair black as midnight, and chocolate colored eyes. Her sense of attire was vastly different as well, going for black leather jackets and tank tops with low riding black pants. "I've heard that everything about Genosha is self-sufficient, from their pristine water sources to the delectable food."
Emma had to smile at the young girl who had been her assistant for the past three years. She'd thought herself intelligent for making her way into the depths of the Hellfire Club as a spy for the ludicrous Xavier, but Emma was far more intelligent than that. Unfortunately Sebastian Shaw wasn't as intelligent, and had easily accepted the scantily clad girl with open arms. But when Emma had gotten through with her, and a few alternatives that she couldn't exactly refuse, she had willingly sacrificed her allegiance with Xavier and had since worked closely with Emma.
"Well that would be interesting to see. By the way Tessa, you seem easily excited, why don't you share your thoughts." Emma suggested as she tilted her head to the side and gave the girl a devilish grin. Emma already knew what it was, but that wouldn't stop Tessa from sharing it.
"I've always hated how we're treated by those... normal people." Tessa said as she bit her lower lip and cast her eyes to the ground. A trio of stewards made their way through the aisle, announcing that the plane would soon be landing and for everyone to please put on their seat belts. "But here in Genosha, there is no hatred, and there is no need to hide who we are."
"I see." Emma said as she glanced out the window once again, a large statue could be seen from even this altitude. Magneto wasn't one to scrimp, that was blatantly obvious even to an idiotic fool. But what caught her mental eye was the number of voices he could here. There were thousands of mutants down there, living their lives without fear, much like Tessa wished to live. Maybe this would be a good thing.
Her invitation to Genosha had been anything but voluntary, yet it was still ignorable. But something had convinced her to go, something she didn't fully understand. An epiphany perhaps or maybe a slip in her sanity had brought about the unusual decision. Whatever it had been, she was here now.
The last ten minutes of the flight went by in silence, as Tessa continued to think about Genosha and the wonders it would bring for her. But at the last moment, Emma picked up a new train of thought, one that was far stronger than any telepath had the right to be, over her at least. She used her own telepathy to search the mutant out. Moving from one location to the next, she soon found that the source of telepathic output wasn't from Genosha.
"It's not Xavier, so how could someone so powerful exist without having been found before now?" She asked herself quietly, whoever this mutant was, he or she was definitely one to look into. But that would have to be left for a much later time.
Emma grabbed her purse from the space beneath her chair after the plane had finally situated itself. "Come along Tessa, we have much to discuss, and very little leisure time."
The plane had been filled with mutants, and as Emma and Tessa made their way off of the plane, she saw that the staff was entirely formed of Genoshan citizens as well. "Self-sufficient indeed," Emma whispered as she and Tessa made their way through the terminal to luggage claim.
"Are you sure we won't have any free time?" Tessa asked as she looked around. Emma gave the building a cursory glance; it was like several other airports she had seen in her life. The airport was filled with bustling people, although only with those who seemed to be arriving. Plants decorated the building in various places to give it a more alluring tone than a barren airport that was rather more sober in appearance.
"I'm positive; I've already sensed our lovely tour guide." Emma said dryly as she and Tessa made their way through the excessive crowd of mutants. They were all trying to make their way to the appropriate locations, and in the process were getting in Emma's way, and on her nerves. "It would seem Magneto wishes us to feel ever more welcome than his usual refugees."
"Why do you say that, Emma?" Tessa inquired in a more businesslike manner. Whenever it was imminent that business was coming up, she always reverted back to her more sober persona as that of an appropriate assistant. Her skills were far more valuable to Emma than Sebastian would ever know, and she intended to keep those skills to herself, for the time being at least. Her mutant powers were exceptional, and from what she had seen, exceedingly rare. She was literally a living computer.
"It would appear that he sent his own daughter to greet us." Emma said as she glanced over towards Tessa and gave her a sly smile. Magneto was always so formal when it came to business, and if it didn't suit his needs, he became forceful, or so she had heard. Rumor mills weren't always to be trusted.
"Wanda Maximoff, a recognizable figure of Genosha, practically a princess. He really does want us to feel welcomed here." Tessa noted as she began analyzing the information she'd been provided. "With her powers of probability manipulation, she is quite fearsome when she has been met in battle."
"I see." Emma said as she cast her gaze forward to see the brunette hair woman garbed in a rather tight red skirt and a ruby red blouse that shone in the gratuitous amount of sunlight that the wide windows provided. She stood in the center of two other, larger men. The one to her left had his arms crossed over his chest, wearing a rather dull red shirt with orange stripes and tight red jeans. His hair was dirty blonde and was rather unkempt for Emma's initial liking, and his thoughts of boredom were enough to infuriate her, had she not composed herself immediately. But like every other man she met, his attention soon fell upon her rather sizable chest.
The one to the right though, grinned as he passed card after card between his hands. He wore a long black trench coat and a pair of green slacks that hugged his legs and front tightly He was slightly more interested in what was going on and the way his thoughts seemed to avoid her alluring beauty. That was interesting to Emma; most men were like his comrade, unable to avoid thinking of what they could do with or to her.
"Emma Frost, Tessa, it's a pleasure to meet you both here at Genosha." Wanda said once the two women were close enough to hear her. She was definitely an enchanting young woman on her own, but her voice was rather surly, compared to Emma's more British accent. And Emma was able to appreciate a fellow seductress as herself.
"I'd like for you to meet St. John Allendryce, or Pyro, a member of my father's personal warriors." Wanda said as she motioned towards the man on the left who had been more interested in her chest than his job. He was practically drooling now, and all she could do was smile politely and hold out her dainty hand for him to shake.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, John." Emma said with a warm, yet fake, smile. He was probably one of his mindless drones, and easily deflected if she needed to do so. John took her hand gently and shook it just as softly.
"Likewise," He said before ending the shake and pulling his hand back to his side. He seemed to have changed his line of thinking almost immediately then as his eyes narrowed. Emma glanced over her shoulder, but she couldn't see what had captured his attention and she didn't feel lie dredging through his mind for the answer.
"And this is Remy LeBeau, also known as Gambit. He's your new partner here at Genosha." Wanda said with a small yet appealing smile. That captured Emma's attention immediately, as she held her hand out towards Remy.
"Partner in what, exactly?" Emma asked as she simultaneously began scanning her mind, as well as Remy's. Magneto's invitation hadn't exactly specified the reason, all it had really said was he needed her for a mission. And in that invitation there had been no mention of a partner.
"Tout sera expliqué en temps voulu, jeune dame." Remy said with a rather devious smile as he shook her hand in a sterner manner. Exactly when those explanations would occur Emma couldn't tell, as none of the trio were immediately thinking it over. She would've pursued it had she not been so tired, but rather than waste energy recklessly she responded in kind.
"Eh bien, si nous allons faire cela, nous pourrions aussi bien l'obtenir fait maintenant," Emma said as she tightened her grip around his hand as well. Strength wasn't one of her higher attributes in her normal form, but if need be, she could always take on her organic diamond form.
"My, my I hadn't realized you both spoke French." Wanda said wryly as she placed her hand on John's shoulder. "John would you be a dear and gather Emma's belongings and take them to her apartment. I'm positive that both of you are absolutely tired out from your long flight."
"How kind of you," Emma said blithely at the thought of finally getting off of her feet. Her heels were definitely fashionable beyond a doubt, but they were beginning to irritate even her. "And where exactly is this apartment, Wanda?" Emma asked as the John begrudgingly made his way over towards the luggage track. Emma wasn't one to blend in unless necessary, and her all white luggage was obvious enough for even John to discern who it belonged to.
"It's located in the center of the island, next to my father's manor." Wanda explained as she led the way through the rest of the airport. She was assertive of her power and position, something else Emma could appreciate in a young and beautiful woman. "We want you to feel as comfortable as you can while you stay with us. My father does hope though that your stay is much longer than you're needed. We hope you'll make this your permanent home that is."
"Well we'll just have to see what it is he's offering." Emma said as she walked through the door that John soon held open for her and the others. A car stood there waiting for them, and once again John rushed ahead to open the door for them. She could sense the man's anger at being used for a simple doorman, and holding the entire set of luggage. But Emma pushed those thoughts aside and took a seat in the car. "And just what it is he wants me to do."
"I can't imagine it would be anything too trying, I'm certain you can handle whatever it is you can handle it swimmingly." Wanda said with another smile. Playing to Emma's ego wasn't one of the things that inspired her to action. Money, power, position those were the things she desired. Although it had yet to be determined just what Magneto wanted from her, and how much she should charge?
"I'll agree with you on that front." Emma said as she returned Wanda's smile. The girl was someone that Emma would love to have joined her in her own mission. But once again, that was a thought to be saved for a later time. Emma looked out of the window of the mustang that drove them through the streets of Genosha. They passed hundreds of people on the way through and buildings of various sizes, all of them seemingly made of metal.
It was an entire island that Magneto could control. Intelligent, Emma had to give him that. After a ten minute drive, the other cars on the streets immediately pull over when they saw the car. It was like any other mustang she'd seen in her life, but it had one slight difference that made it quite unique. A large "M" adorned the top of the car, signifying just who it was that was within the car. He definitely wasn't one to scrimp.
The car pulled into a long winding driveway that travelled up a tall mountain, where Magneto's mansion was no doubt. Soon enough, her theory was proven correct when a large sprawling mansion came into view; it was tinted red and grey with various "M's" all over the place. But that was all Emma was able to see of the mansion at that point, as once they reached a fork on the path, rather than take the right pathway, which led to the mansion, the driver turned left.
"So Remy, just what is it your capable of?" Emma asked as she turned her attention away from the passing sights. Information was an important weapon to Emma, and gathering as much of it as she could as fast as she could was a top priority in this strange new world.
"I can manipulate molecular energy; make it explosive, you see." Remy explained as he flipped one of the cards from his deck in between his fingers causing it to low bright orange before returning to normal. His accent was heavy, and Emma could sense that he didn't exactly need it. "But I'm also an expert thief, how about you, girlie, what can you do?"
"I'm a telepath, as you already know." Emma said as she interlaced her fingers. Tessa and Wanda had engaged in conversation with John and were completely distracted from the two others. "But I can also turn my body into an organic yet flexible diamond form. Unfortunately while I'm in that state I'm cut off from my more potent telepathy."
"Well isn't that interesting." Remy said as his lips curved into a sly smile. He was an interesting young man, rather handsome with his dark red hair that was pulled back into a loose ponytail. Well-muscled, with bulging arms and thighs, and from the look of his pants, another bulging extremity was easily noticeable. "It'll be fun working with you, no?"
"I bet it will." Emma chuckled as she glanced out the window to see that they had arrived at their destination. The metallic building towered high above Emma's line of sight, and its location seemed to be over a cliff that led down into an alcove with a beach.
Emma pushed the car door open and climbed out with Tessa hot on her heels. Rather than wait on John to grab all of the suitcases Emma decided to take the initiative. She felt her body cool down radically as her diamond form began to cover every inch of her pale ivory skin. She swiftly grabbed her three suitcases and followed Wanda into the building.
A large staircase led up to the double glass entrance and as they reached it, Emma could see through the door. It was a wide open room with metal pillars holding up the floor above. Plants had been placed around the room to give it more a feeling of life, but Emma could see through it. Once they reached the elevator though, Emma saw that the upper floors were covered in carpeting and wood panels. So the living areas were considerably more homey than the lobby, something Emma could appreciate even her tired state. One thing she knew she couldn't handle at this point was sleeping on a metal bed.
A thought from her companion brought a question to Emma's mind. So she simply asked, "Wanda dear, when will we be meeting with your lovely father?" The young woman was leading them down the spacious hallway which soon led into a circular room with a glass dome with metal lining the glass and through it, forming an intricately spider-web design. Eight hallways led away from the circular room, including the one they had travelled through to get here.
But the one directly opposite of them was what held the most interesting sight of all, a wide spiral staircase made of metal that swooped upwards towards a room with two people inside of it. Magneto and his youngest daughter, Lorna were the only people in the room, although two women stood outside of it. So if she were going to be made to wait, she might as well get some more information out of the situation.
"Sebastian is just dying to know why I was summoned here, as am I in fact." Tessa slinked back behind Emma at the mention of Sebastian, her movement catching the attention of Remy and John in the process.
"Momentarily Emma, my father is talking to my younger sister Lorna." Wanda said with an over the shoulder glance, which sent her brown locks to cascade down her back. "He's taken your acceptance to travel here very seriously, and intends on making your stay as pleasurable as possible."
"I'm sure he does, and I must say this palace is quite hospitable," Emma said with a small grin as she ran her hands through her hair, rustling her platinum locks a bit before she shook her head fervently effectively giving her hair more volume. "A man capable of caring for his children, yet also able to take care of this wonderful community, he is definitely one to be met with respect."
"I appreciate your patience, Emma," Wanda said with a smile. "My father isn't usually busy with much else, other than running Genosha. But with recent occurrences, he's taken a larger amount of caution than usual."
"Bolivar Trask and his ridiculous notion with the Mutant and Superhuman Registration Act," Emma said with a pointed nod as she moved her hands down to her hips. "I saw it on the news a few days ago that he would be meeting with the senators to discuss it, and that a certain Luthor family member is supporting it."
Wanda parted her lips to respond, only to have to hold her tongue when a blur of silver and blue dashed passed them. It was only barely visible for a moment, but that moment was long enough to cause the young woman to fume with rage. And that rage became more apparent when a voice was attached to the blur.
"Who's the hottie with a body?" A sleek yet masculine voice called out as a streak of silver and blue sped around them before speeding in between the group, rustling Emma's hair even more than she had done on her own.
"Pietro, watch your tongue!" Wanda scolded as she spun around on her heels, a stern expression covering her face. Emma couldn't help but chuckle at the exchange between them, having already determined the young man to be the final progeny of Magneto, his only son Pietro. "Emma, Tessa, this is my older brother Pietro, also known as Quicksilver."
Pietro slowed to a stop so that he could get a better look at Emma, which caused her smile to grow as she looked him over. Tall and well-built with a narrow waist that led to a desirable chest covered in a blue and white spandex suit, the white portion being a lightning bolt that ran across his chest and crotch, which was outlined to perfection. He had a head of silver colored hair, obviously natural as his eyebrows were the exact same shade of silver. The hair only served to accentuate his attractiveness, giving an adorable piece to his rather rugged good looks.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Emma said with a sensual smile as she extended her hand out towards the young man who eagerly accepted the gesture with his own hand. She could sense the desire within him, but it was nowhere near as potent as the fire mutant Pyro who stood behind her. Perhaps bisexual even, but that wasn't a bother to Emma. She always found bisexual men to be quite the companions.
"But father, I want to be able to help you, like Pietro and Wanda!" A soft delicate voice exclaimed in duress. Emma only had to wait a few moments before the owner of the serene voice stepped into view, descending the spiral staircase not far through one of the passageways of the dome room. Soon, long locks of green hair that curled down her back and rested on her shoulders, held back only by an ornate green metallic tiara graced the eyes of everyone in the room. The girl had pale skin, visible underneath the light green summer dress that the girl wore which flared out around her and was tied by a dark green band around the waist. Her feet were covered by flat soled black shoes which laced up her calves, in between the lace was a sheer fabric that
"And when you're older and have better control of your powers you shall be allowed to join them. But until such a time has come you shall remain within the castles' walls." Magneto said sternly, but lovingly as he rested his hand on Lorna's shoulders which let his cape drape behind the girl. He wore his traditional metallic helmet, which effectively kept her powers at bay from even attempting to read his thoughts. But underneath her wore a diplomatically black and white Armani suit with a pair of black shiny leather dress shoes that echoed loudly against the cool metallic floor.
Standing behind him was his faithful second in command, Mystique, clad in… well nothing. Blue skin that had scales in varying places effectively blocking sensual areas from free viewing, although Emma suspected the scales were purely for aesthetic purposes.
The other woman stood hunched over and proud, a pair of sunglasses covering her eyes with a cane in between her frail, bony hands. She was much older than the other two, appearing to be in her seventies at the least, but Emma could sense a strong source of power from within the woman. A source of power that had only grown with age and one that allowed her a unique sight that her own eyes could not bring her. Destiny was her name, and her ability to see into the future was a desirable tool.
"Now then Lorna, why don't you go out to the gardens and tend to your flowers, we've business to discuss and I'd rather you not hear the details." Magneto said with a final pat on the back which he swiftly followed with a gentle kiss on the top of her head. Lorna smiled fondly up at her father before obediently strolling away.
Emma could tell that Lorna wasn't satisfied with having lost the argument, but was content with her part in life. For the moment at least, Emma could already see that the young girl had dreams that she would want to grab a hold of and never let go. She could only wonder if Magneto would ever let his daughter out of his sight long enough for her to accomplish them.
"Emma Frost, I must say I had begun to wonder if you would be accepting the invitation to join me here on Genosha." Magneto said after he turned away from Lorna's retreating back, a sly smile taking hold of his expression making him look more domineering than fatherly. "I'm glad to see that you have though. What Destiny has foretold involves you more than anyone else, aside from Remy LeBeau behind you."
"And just what has she seen if you don't mind sharing?" Emma inquired with an inquisitive smile as she cocked her hip to the side and slid her hand down her waist. "Secrets do not make good allies, Magneto. And since I'm unable to read your thoughts, or clearly read your two companions, I'm afraid you'll have to give me something. If you intend for me to stay here, that is."
"At least she's honest when she says she's having difficulty reading our minds." Destiny said as she shifted her cane from both hands to only be in her right. The woman was peculiar, to say the least. Even if she couldn't read her mind clearly, she could still sense some sort of intense emotional ties between the two women.
"Yes, Emma Frost has a pension for being honest when she actually wants something." Magneto murmured as he motioned for Emma to come and follow him. "If you and your companion would follow me, then to my office I'll explain to you, and Remy what must be done. As for you Wanda, I'm sending you to Seattle immediately. Destiny has sensed an extreme psionic force there, the force we've been waiting for."
"Jean Grey?" Pyro questioned in a derisive tone as he took a defensive step forward, the image of flames appearing in his eyes. Emma Frost had heard of Jean Grey, in fact she and the Hellfire Club had even attempted to draft her into their ranks, when the Phoenix Force had taken her as its host. But she'd refused, and rather than force the matter they had moved on to something a little more rewarding.
"No, Jean is of no concern to us, at least not now." Destiny murmured as she turned away from Mystique to look directly at the young mutant. "She's off somewhere attempting to control the force that has bonded with her, lest it take full control of her instead. She'll only be instrumental in our plans later.
"And Wanda, remember, you aren't to actually apprehend him just yet, we need to coax him to our side. This is one time where force is detrimental to our cause." Magneto pointed out, causing Emma to gasp in shock. None of Magneto's endeavors had ever fully involved tact. He was more of the terrorist than most of his lackluster followers knew. But Emma knew, and from what she had heard and read about Magneto, this was not what he was like.
"I understand father," Wanda said before she spun around and stalked out of the room, snapping at Pietro and Pyro to follow behind her as she left them. The woman had a fair share of dominance within herself, just like her father. Emma quickly recomposed herself as she and the very silent Tessa, and the smirking Remy, followed the trio towards the swooping staircase that they had just come from.
Emma stood in the center of Remy and Tessa, as they ascended the metallic staircase in silence. Only a fool would press for answers that would soon be freely given, and Emma was many a thing, but a fool was not one of those things. Magneto flicked his hand out, causing the metal wall to form an archway that opened up into an entirely metal room with a large metallic desk sitting in front of a larger archway that opened up to an expansive balcony with comfortable seating that was not metallic. The seating arrangements in the office though had padding on them which simply gave Emma the impression that he was at least attempting to show a small amount of hospitality.
"If you would all please sit. Mystique, please make sure no one is attempting to listen in on us." Magneto said with a dismissive hand wave, the woman simply nodded curtly and made her way towards the archway and stepped through it only moments before it closed. Emma took him up on his offer and sat down on the chair that was on the far right and swiftly crossed her legs. Tessa made her way to the chair next to her while Remy simply leaned against his chair, playing with his deck of cards all the while smiling.
"Now then, not too long ago, three years ago to be precise, Destiny had a vision of a mutant that would bring together the entire race of mutants so that they might rise up against humans and finally surpass them as we are rightfully meant to do." Magneto said as he sat down on the throne-like chair that sat behind his desk, while Destiny stood beside him. "This mutant is unique in the sense that he is more than just a mutant."
"Like your daughter with her magical powers, perhaps?" Emma opined as she leaned forward so she could rest her elbows on the desk and make herself more comfortable. "Magic and mutation is a rare combination. Just what is it that makes him more unique than your lovely daughter?"
"His magical power allows him to duplicate any and all powers used on him. Without the need to draw energy from that mutant, like our dear friend Rogue," Magnet responded as he leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs in a more masculine manner. He began wrapping his fingers against the armrest and smiled across his desk at Emma. "He can absorb the powers of any being, whether they are magical, mutant, or superhuman. But through this power he can remake the world, like Scarlet can. But without the flaws that come with it. He is truly the answer to our prayers."
"A mutant who can remake the world, and how exactly do you expect it to happen without flaws. If he absorbed Wanda's powers the same strings would be attached." Emma pointed out as she interlaced her fingers, glancing at Tessa out of the corner of her eyes to make sure the young woman was taking notes. She was which allowed Emma to focus her full attention on Magneto.
"Not if he absorbed the powers of a particular group of magical beings." Magneto said with a wide grin. "Then those flaws would no longer apply, you see we've come across a group of witches who have a collective power stronger than most magical beings we've ever seen. There magic on top of Wanda's would be able to stabilize the remaking of this world. The Charmed Ones, powerful witches said to be the strongest of them all."
"Magic unlike the magic we know. I've heard whispers of it, but it's been hidden from the people at large from almost the dawn of time." Tessa gasped as her eyes grew wide. "I didn't believe it to be true; I simply shuffled it off to them being mutants. But witches; now that's something I could look forward to working with."
"How did you come to find that they truly existed in our world of mutant might?" Remy inquired as he took interest in the conversation for the first time since they had met. The young man sat down in the chair and leaned in close, his ears actually perked. Emma found herself mentally chuckling at this, but she too wanted to know how he had come across such precious information.
"You see, witches are not the only force of magic out there. Just like there are many times of mutants, there are many types of magic users. There are demonic forces wishing to find favor in a world where they are not persecuted or forced to live in a true hell of sorts." Magneto explained as he waved his hand out in an arc, causing the three of them to turn around in time to see a wall of flame erupt from the ground, until a group of six stood before them. Five men and a single woman had just sprung from flames with blacked eyes. This should be interesting. "This is Nomed, and his followers. The demons who have sought refuge here on Genosha, refuge that I have granted them for their participation in the coming battle. For you see, within the coming months, this mutant will grow in power, until certain powers activate a force within him. A force that needs to be cultivated by love and friendship, but not the friendship that can be provided by the X-Men, you see. You may have noticed Remy's less than interest in you my dear Emma."
"Yes, I did notice that," Emma murmured as she looked over at the ruggedly handsome young man. "The mutant-witch you're seeking is of the homosexual persuasion I presume. And that is why you require his presence."
"You're correct, and Remy, if you agree to join us, you'll have a place at our hopeful saviors' side. As his lover, and eternal friend,"
"So what you're saying is I have to literally seduce another man to the dark side. I wonder if ya'll are overestimating my abilities as a… charmer." Remy said with a sly smile as he stood up and placed his hands on his strong muscular hips. "But no one has ever been able to resist my… attraits. But I will say this, if I do get him to fall for me, I'll only go through with it if I know in my heart that it's true."
"This human need for love is astounding," The woman said as she stepped forward and slammed her fists on the desk. "Love betrays all; I can tell you that from personal experience. But if this is the best plan that can be conjured in hopes of gaining this young man's chest, I suppose I'll have to let it slide… this time."
"Demetre, not everyone's relations crash and burn like yours, the young man who had an air of Adonis said with a sly yet attractive smile. "But if you'd like I can use my cupid abilities to force someone to love you."
"Amrak that's enough," The man in the center said with a note of finality that caused the other two to slink back and stand behind the young looking man. "I'm Nomed, and these are my companions, Demetre and Amrak, an evil witch and an ex-cupid."
The woman Demetre was a vision of beauty with flawless porcelain like skin and long wavy brown hair that flowed down her back. Ornate jewels were in various places of her body, diamond hoops, a large emerald necklace that covered her neck, and bracelets galore. She wore a dark black dress with sleeves slit up the sides to her elbows, and her feet seemed to be bare, with toe rings on every other toe. Amrak, who did have the soft features and hard muscles of an Adonis of legend, had short blonde hair that waved off in every direction, blue eyes that looked as if they had caused numerous hearts to melt into puddles. His chest was bare, wearing only a pair of tight pants that left very little to the imagination, now that his eyes were on Emma at least.
"Must you two always fight over this ridiculous subject every time it's brought up?" The man standing one to the left of the center asked with a look of exasperation. The man, no demon had a large forehead with dark brown hair that jutted up from his hair, styled with gel it appeared. Large bushy eyebrows that lay above chocolate eyes that had an intense stare when he looked from one to the other of the other two. A big nose and equally big ears rounded out his face, with a pair of luscious divine lips surrounded by stubble that covered his strong cheeks. His good looks were definitively more rugged than the boyish good looks of his companion. Looks that actually caused Emma to heat up with a passion she hadn't felt from a man in a long time, without having to use her powers of course. "Every single time someone brings up this concept of love you just have to fight. Maybe if you two focused more on the aspect of lust, you'd both simply fuck and get it over with."
"Really Azareth, you know them all too well to know that that would never happen." The man who stood directly on the right side of the center man said with a sly smile. A man who seemed to be between the rugged good looks of Azareth and boyish looks of Amrak, and somehow he was gorgeous in his own right. With more flat cheekbones, and eyes as blue as the night sky, the man had a hair full of styled light brown spikes. He wore a simple blue dress shirt and black dress pants in which his hands had been shoved into the pockets. His entire demeanor was that of one who was used to commanding others, and yet he seemed to be taking orders from the man in the middle, the man Emma had already determined to be Nomed.
Nomed was the demonic leader of the faction, his thoughts alone gave that as fact. With medium waves of black hair that was allowed to flow freely around his head, them and wore a tightly fitting black shirt that was tucked into a pair of black denim jeans that hugged his legs nicely until they ended before a pair of large black boots.
"Regna," Nomed said as he stepped forward, motioning for Demetre and Amrak to step aside, an action which they hastily took. "We've joined Magneto and his mutant legion so that we might have a place in this world, as Demetre has already seen the exposure of magic as a near certainty in the near future. So we've aligned ourselves with a strong leader, and a powerful one at that and we do not come empty handed… From what Demetre has told me of your future leaders' tastes, we have provided a witch of incredible beauty for you to utilize in any way he sees fit…" His words trailed off as he motioned towards the youngest looking member of their team.
"His name is Lucian and he has pledged his loyalty to the cause, a powerful witch, one whose powers might of service to you in the near future. Lucian, if you would show them your power," Nomed said with a casual glance back towards the young man with flaming red hair and light violet eyes that were surrounded by a hairless soft face. The man was of average height and build, but his beauty was in his eyes, and when he turned away from them, Emma lamented not taking them in more. But when he thrust his hand outward and a stream of fire emanated from the palm of his hand Emma grinned. A witch with power over fire, and much more power than Pyro in that he seemed to be able to create it at will, unlike the young mutant.
"So you're Demetre has foreseen the combination of Wiccan Elements it would seem." Magneto said with a curt nod as he waved his hand and summoned six more chairs before he opened the archway and allowed Mystique back inside. The woman scowled as she stalked past the group of demons and witches as they sat down and were drawn towards Magneto through his power.
"Since you already seem to know this part of it, then this will be your task." Magneto said as he stood up from his chair and allowed Mystique to sit on the armrest. "Find three other witches, each with a power to control an element like your gift here. And at all costs, keep your actions low so that these… Charmed Ones do not take notice. Dead witches are not something I feel like dealing with at this point of our plan."
"Demon hunters like the Winchester brothers would be your primary concern," Mystique murmured as she leaned against the back of the chair. "My contacts in San Francisco have sited them there recently, and I hear they're quite lethal to your kind."
"Lethal only to a certain breed of demons and witches. We're of another kin completely. But if you're so worried about them, why don't you eliminate them for us." Azareth said as he crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. "They've killed a plethora of demons in their short years of life, demons that may not be of my ilk, but that I did know. I've heard rumors of them moving in on the Vampires in the South."
"You mean the Vampire Authority, hah like that'll happen." Demetre laughed off, causing Emma to take note of this. Vampires as a whole she had known about for years, namely because of Selene and her connections to them, what with her being a… type of vampire. But through her she had made connections to some of them, powerful Vampires of their world. They themselves were fighting for equal rights, and that was laughable. Mutants had been trying the same thing for decades longer than the Vampires, and they had both existed for a long time side by side. Although a media sensation had been started by them, pushing many of them into stardom, do to some slayer or whatever. "Besides they have to deal with that blonde bitch, Muffy or whatever her name is."
"If these demon hunters are as powerful as you say, then I say we use a little more persuasion against them." Emma announced after thinking it over for a few moments. "Keeping them close to this young mutant as he stays at the X-mansion would be better than anything else. I can lure them to New York and use my powers against them, give them any orders you'd like them to have. In a world of Vampires, Witches, Mutants, and Super-humans so many things could go wrong, and Xavier cannot protect him every single second of every single day."
"Yes, having someone constantly keeping an eye on him from a distance, shielded from Xavier." Magneto said with a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "My dear Emma, I must say you're quite the planner."
"Yes and if you don't mind I do have a plan, one that will expand on yours." Emma said as she stood up and ran her hands down her blouse to remove the wrinkles. Magneto nodded at her which Emma took as permission to give her plan. "It is a world inhabited by demons, witches, super-humans, vampires, and most pressingly mutants. So why not take advantage of this structure that has so willingly laid itself before us. Factions exist between them all, even among people of our own kind. It's time we gathered a force stronger than all of us individually, an alliance with the Vampire Authority will be the second step, now that we've allied ourselves with a group of demons. From what I've heard of them, their drive for Vampire-Human equality is important to them, and as the government has proved in the past it isn't likely to happen. I suggest we start building a kingdom that is simply greater than just mutants, with this young mutant as the pillar of hope that can hold the whole plan together. It's time we stopped fearing humans, they are no match for us other than the sheer number of them, but with forces other than mutants behind us…"
"Sheer genius," Magneto gasped as he covered his mouth in thought. Mystique quickly pulled herself off of the armrest and moved closer to Magneto so she could whisper something in his ear which caused the man to nod his head. "Mystique has made a great point though, there is no guarantee that the Vampires will be as willing to work with us as our demonic friends are."
"They will be if we can eliminate their primary threat. What's a vampire to fear when there's no vampire slayer to keep them up at night." Emma said with a callous smile as she thought of the possibilities that awaited them if they were to succeed.
"What she says is quite verily possible." Destiny gasped out as she took a step back in shock and threw her head back her hand releasing her cane. The cane fell to the ground, the sound of it crashing echoing throughout the entire metallic room. "I See… I see this as a viable option to our original plans Magneto. A source of hope behind those that are persecuted by humans, whether or not he is or isn't a witch, a vampire, or a super-human. His mere presence as a pillar for them to pin their hopes and dreams of living in a world without fear will push them to our side. But I fear that an equal force will attempt to douse out the light that he will represent, Witches, and Vampires that live in peace with their lives. Just as there are different species of mutant so too are there different species of them all, and sides will be chosen."
"Those who truly wish to seek peace and equality, Vampires of the Pacific Northwest, Witches working with the Slayer, and the Charmed Ones themselves, a league of Justice, and those associated with it. I see them all aligning themselves behind our pillar as a source of equality, and not of superiority." Destiny went on as a bright light emanated from her eyes, sending her sunglasses crashing to the ground. So she truly was seeing a possible future, Emma noted as she watched the scene unfold before her. "Certain occurrences must present themselves for our determined future to come to be. The death of the original gifted power to the pillar, the combination of the elements into one body, the united power of Four rather than Three, the return of the Dark One, so many different requirements have presented themselves to me, too many for me to determine them all."
Destiny raised her hand to her forehead as she fell to her knees, exhausted from the vision she had just had. Mystique quickly made her way over to the older woman and made sure that she was alright. It looked as if the future they wished to happen was possible, and there would be very little that Emma would let stand in the way of them now. If her job was to be the friend of who would soon be known as the pillar of superiority, than she would do so. A glance at Remy showed that he too would take his position as the lover of this man seriously, something Emma appreciated. And as Emma cast her gaze on the others in the room, all of them had a look of determination in their eyes.
All of them would be willing to risk any and everything to make sure that what they desired would come to fruition. And Emma meant to do her part as perfectly as she possibly could. "I think we've discussed all we can for now, why don't we meet again once your team has returned, I'll make some calls in the meantime that I think will really help."
Professor Xavier wheeled himself down the main hallway of the mansion he had called home for a number of years. Greeting various students of his pleasantly as they ran down the halls hoping to get to lunch before everyone else did. His school for Gifted Youngsters had done a number of justices for these young mutants. Giving them a place to live, where they didn't have to fear who or what they were because of the prejudices of others. And at his age, seeing them all happy always brought a smile to his aged and wrinkled face.
"Hey Professor," Kitty said as she and Piotr walked down the long hallway, a noticeable distance apart from one another. His warm and welcoming smile brought the duo to a halt in the middle of the hall, forcing other students to walk around them in the process.
"How are you doing today?" He inquired as he rested his elbows on the armrests of his wheelchair so that he could interlace his fingers in front of his chest. He always enjoyed speaking with his students, especially those that opted to join the X-men program as Kitty and Colossus had done just a few months ago.
Even with their addition, on top of Rogue and Iceman, as well as Nightcrawler, the void left by Jean Grey only three years ago was still empty for some. Even if his prodigy couldn't be replaced he had been working towards gathering new members for his team. That was why he had contacted Kurt Wagner, Warren Worthington III, Elizabeth Braddock, and Carol Danvers to join him later in the day. They were four new members not only to the team, but also to the staff at his school, which his institute desperately needed at this time.
Professor Xavier looked up to see that Kitty was now staring at him with an expectant expression, causing him to snap out of his thoughts. "I'm sorry Kitty; my mind seemed to have wandered away before you had started speaking. Could you please say that again?"
"Sure Professor, I was just saying how- Professor are you alright?" Kitty suddenly asked when the Professor doubled over in pain as a wave of psionic energy washed through his mind causing him to unleash a ferocious howl of pain. Xavier pressed his hands to his head only to feel to coolness of the carpeted floor when he connected with it now writhing in pain as he tried to isolate the psionic energy that was now washing over his entire mind.
"Professor what's wrong?" Kitty called out as she fell to her knees beside him and tried to steady the older man. He could hear her words, but even though he wanted to respond, something wouldn't allow him. No someone wouldn't allow him, although not intentionally it seemed.
Definitely not intentionally, the psionic attack was halfhearted at best and only seemed to be a surface probe. It was the strength behind it that had caught him off-guard. So Xavier unleashed his own telepathic prowess upon the psionic energy within him and captured it just as quickly. Someone had just discovered an extraordinary ability, and from what he felt were too afraid of it to control it properly. Someone that was now crying out for help, and someone that was too far away for him to help right now.
'X-men, come to my office immediately!' Xavier sent out telepathically, only targeting the members of the team he had started so many years ago. A mutant out there needed their help, and it was something he had promised to always provide. Piotr knelt down beside Xavier and hoisted him up so that he could then help the older man into his wheelchair. "Thank you Piotr."
"No problem Prof," Piotr said with a one handed salute before stepping aside so that Xavier could lead the way to his office. He only hoped that his team could make it out there in time. Something about that cry for help seemed urgent but at the same time it seemed to not be urgent. Perplexed, Xavier nodded at Logan, Ororo and Scott when he, Piotr and Kitty entered the office. Rogue and Bobby only a few feet behind them at this point.
"What's going on X?" Logan asked bluntly while Xavier wheeled himself around his large desk that stood in the center of his office. "You normally don't send out a telepathic order unless something has seriously gone to hell. So spill,"
"As always Logan, straight to the point, and this time I must agree with you." Xavier acknowledged as he placed his hands on his solid oak desk. "Moments ago I collapsed do to an extreme psionic force which I'm sure a multitude of other psychic mutants have felt as well."
"What do you mean an 'extreme psionic force'?" Ororo asked as she stepped forward, uncrossing her arms as she did. Her long white hair had begun to curl at the ends since she'd let it grow out over the years, now framing her face perfectly. "Is someone attempting to invade your mind?"
"No it doesn't appear to be an invasive assault, but merely a cry for help. Help that we're about to answer. The energy was strong enough and the connection long enough that I've been able to locate the mutant in the Seattle area. I'll use Cerebro to narrow down the location, but I'd like you all to prepare to go. Something tells me another mutant has already detected his presence and will be going after him."
"Magneto," Scott murmured under his breath, his ruby quartz visors casting the sun off of them didn't allow his eyes to show much emotion, but Xavier could sense his distress even without such a nominal tells. The man was plagued with nightmares of Jean's departure, and that was only to be expected.
"I'm afraid so, Scott." Xavier lamented as he bowed his head forward and shook it solemnly. "I know we've had our differences in the past, but I cannot imagine what Magneto would do if he were to actually succeed in taking hold of this mutant. Holed up in Genosha with his most faithful followers, and his family… it's frightening to imagine what he would do if such a mutant joined his ranks."
"We'll do everything we can to protect him, Professor." Ororo said as she captured the gaze of Scott from across the room. "If it was a cry for help, even psionically, then something horrible must be happening to this mutant. We have to do everything we can to help him guys, now suit up."
"Well put Ororo." Scott congratulated as he walked past her, patting her shoulder in a praising manner before continuing on through the doorway. Xavier smiled up at his former students. They may be the final line of defense capable of handling Magneto in the future.
'Or maybe not,' Xavier thought as he remembered the strange readings Cerebro had been getting from Kansas over the last two decades. Readings that weren't mutant, but also weren't human. Something had been brewing down there for a while, and from what he could tell telepathically, it was about to explode. Whether that was a good thing, or not remained to be seen.
"Professor, are you sure I'm ready. I mean after our last mission…" Rogue's words trailed off as she looked Xavier in the eyes, and he could sense her pain. Their last mission had not been a major success, instead a major failure. But she had tried her best, and that was what counted, and with no loss of life it had made up for it. The mission hadn't been of any true importance, which was why he had started them on it rather than a dire mission.
Professor Xavier consoled his former student as he led her down the hall to the elevators that descended to the subbasement levels of the mansion. And when she better mentally, he sent her on her way to get ready for the mission. They needed to get to Seattle as fast as possible, who knew what was going on there for this mutant. They were going to have to put everything they had into protecting him if Magneto truly was after him.
I slowly opened my eyes, finding myself leaning against a support beam of the Space Needle, with no idea of how I got there. My head was clanging and my vision was blurry, which only added to my confusion. The last thing I could remember was running into my apartment. And now I was here.
Slowly I looked up into the sky, only to see a head of white hair and a gorgeous black woman descending upon me. Something in me told me she was safe and that I could trust her, but then I thought of how my own thoughts had been betraying me lately and closed my eyes. Feigning unconsciousness wasn't the easiest thing for me, but I had no intention of having to fight off a woman who could fly. At least not today, so I lay there, pretending to sleep and when her soothing voice washed over me, I wondered if I should've ignored this idea in the first place.
The X-Jet landed silently on top of the rooftop of the Pacific Science Center. Cyclops immediately lowered the ramp before turning around in his seat so he could look at each and every member of the team. This would be Shadowcat's and Colossus's first actual team mission, and he could sense the excitement in the air.
"Alright team," Cyclops called out, capturing their attention with the power of his voice alone. As a co-leader of the X-men, along with Storm, he held the highest authority on the team under the Professor himself. His eyes were covered by a black visor, with a red glass, helping to contain his mutant power, allowing him to see the world in a shade of red. "We don't have much time, so Colossus, take Shadowcat down Broad Street. Rogue you and Iceman go down John Street towards Fifth Avenue. And Storm, you watch from the skies. And Wolverine, you… find something to take care of." Cyclops ordered, the team nodded in response to their tasks. This mission was like most other missions find and protect the mutant, but this mission would not be like that for long. "Remember, if you find the mutant, release a power of some sort into the sky as a beacon."
"Yeah, I'll do that, bub." Wolverine grumbled as he followed the rest of the team out of the jet. The four young adults ran off in opposite directions in the teams they had been assigned while Storm took to the skies, her hair flitting about in the wind as she did. "Just remember, I'm just as ready to kick your ass as I always am."
"Yeah, I'll remember that," Cyclops said dryly as he raised his hand to his visor and adjusted the settings until he had it where he wanted it. Cyclops hopped down from the ramp, allowing it to close behind him a moment after he had departed. Looking around, for a city that lived for the night, Seattle was pretty barren at the moment. With no one on the streets they would hopefully go unnoticed, but with the luck of the X-men someone would see them.
The possibility of someone seeing them brought up old memories that Cyclops would rather lay to rest. They were memories of Jean Grey, the love of his life, his other half, and a member that would never stand beside them again, those had been her words. But somehow they had pulled through, and moved onwards with their lives. But not one of them ever forgot her.
As the group split up, Cyclops slowly made his way down Broad Street towards the Space Needle, keeping a sharp eye out for anything suspicious. He only hoped the new recruits didn't do anything too rash, he couldn't bear to lose another team mate, or a friend. Jean Grey, had been the love of his life, and a major member of the X-men was dearly missed. Most especially by him, they had had something special, and it was something he didn't think he could ever find again. At least he didn't think he would in this life time. Three years had passed since Jean had left them. Where she had gone to, no one knew. What she was doing, no one knew. And why she had left them, no one knew.
So after that failed mission, Professor Xavier had extended the team from Cyclops, himself, Wolverine, and Storm to include Rogue and Iceman and most recently Colossus and Shadowcat. They'd done admirably in their Danger Room sessions, but this was out in the field and the danger was a lot more unpredictable. Keeping them in teams of two would hopefully lower the risk of them being hurt. But out in the field, anything could happen. But for now, he had to let those thoughts go so that he might actually pay attention to the mission at hand.
So instead he began thinking of the team's new uniforms were rather remarkable, made for any temperature change, helpful when you had Storm to contend with. They were made of black leather, with X's on the shoulders, torso, and gloves. Storms' own costume feature an addition of a cape, which flowed behind her when she flew. Thinking of Storm brought his gaze up towards the sky where he caught a glimpse of the woman flying through the skies searching as fast as she could.
The mutant that they were looking for, psionic or not, was somewhere around here, lost and confused to the point that the Professor had had trouble tracking his thought patterns. Thankfully Cerebro searched through a lot more than just thought patterns, and was able to seek out the mutant signature based on power usage throughout the day. But that could only get them so far. Searching for him street by street might be their only option, and he only hoped it didn't take long. He already felt as if he was being watched by someone else.
So when a bolt of lightning fired off from Storm, Cyclops couldn't help but grin. "Ask and you shall receive." Cyclops said to himself before taking off as fast as he could down the empty streets of Seattle. Storm had found the young man they were looking for. So when another stray bolt of lightning arced out, Cyclops's smile died down. Someone else was here, which meant Magneto had known about this particular mutant, and had every intention of getting him to join the Brotherhood of Mutants. Something Cyclops had no intention of letting happen.
Cyclops rounded the corner of an alleyway and dashed down it, looking out for someone who might be watching from the shadows. He was getting closer to the Space Needle witch every foot he ran. Then as he reached the end of the alley he sped across Fifth Avenue, actually having to dodge traffic this time when a series of cars sped down the street. Cyclops aimed his optic blast towards the ground, propelling him upwards and sending him far enough that he reached the field of grass that separated him from the Space Needle and Storm.
And Storm wasn't alone; a tall exotic woman stood in front of her a short distance away gloating. Then she sped forward, and all Cyclops could do was act.
Scarlet Witch walked down the dimly lit street, her whole body drenched through and through from the unrepentant rain. Seattle was not her favorite city to be in, if only because of the constant rain. Why she was on the forefront of this mission, the Scarlet Witch didn't know, but she'd been chosen by her father along with her older brother Pietro, Quicksilver, to come here and locate a particularly powerful mutant. But only to locate him, that was all she and her team had been tasked with doing. She understood the importance of this mutant towards mutants everywhere, as did Pietro and Pyro. Avalanche might even have some glimmers of detail on the importance of the mutant to them. But any actual true concrete facts had not been presented to him as yet. Only the inner court of Genosha truly knew what was going on.
Wearing a maroon leather trench coat that covered her corseted top and stocking clad legs, the only sound she could hear aside from the rain was the click-clacking of her stiletto boots against the asphalt. She'd traded in her cape for the coat for this particular mission, having figured it would be raining anyways. But when she'd gone to put it on just before she stepped out of the jet, she realized that there hadn't been a hood on the coat, in her eyes rendering the jacket completely useless for this outing. But at least when she looked up she could catch glimpses of the Space Needle only a block or so away from her.
"Quicksilver, do you copy?" Scarlet hissed into the communication ear piece, looking around with more than her eyes. She was downtown, not too far from the Space Needle, and every once in a while a crackle of thunder hissed in the background before a bolt of lightning struck in the foreground.
"Yeah Scar, I copy." Quicksilver announced after only a moments' hesitation. She'd been assigned Pyro, Avalanche, Callisto, and Quicksilver for this lovely mission. Callisto was a new recruit to their ranks, along with her companions Quill and Arclight.
"A joyous team indeed," Scarlet whispered dryly as she stopped walking to look around once again, "Avalanche, Callisto, what are your locations?" Scarlet inquired as she casually turned around. She felt as if she were being watched, and when she felt something it usually meant that there was someone to feel. "Pyro, is that you?" She whispered as she leaned forward and peered into the darkness.
"Copy," Callisto said with a thick Hispanic accent. She was a Hispanic beauty in her own right, with an Omega symbol tattooed on the right side of her face. Long dark hair that she generally had pulled into a tight ponytail adorned the top of her head. She was a nuisance at times, with her ability to sense the strength of mutants, and move at a blinding speed much like her brother could. "I'm at the base of the Space Needle, I'm at the base of the Space Needle and I have yet to find the target."
"I read you," Avalanche called out over the communicator. A tall well-muscled man with light brown eyes and dark brown hair, Avalanche was a gorgeous man in Scarlet's eyes. As well as the eyes of many other women who had taken up residence in Genosha, something that caused her to chuckle faintly. "I can also feel the feet of about four other people, and since this area is mostly evacuated that means we've got company."
"Copy that, Pyro where are you." Scarlet called out over her communicator, several moments passed by and nothing but radio silence met the young woman. "Pyro, where the hell did you go, answer me this instant!"
"I'm sorry honey, but Pyro's down for the count." An annoying voice said through the communicator, catching the entire Brotherhood off-guard for an instant. "He fell backwards and knocked his pretty little self out when we surrounded him and cut off the source of his power." A bolt of lightning crashed around the sky, illuminating the darkened street for an instant. But that instant was all Scarlet needed to determine that three X-Men members were now standing before her.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the X-Men," Scarlet taunted as she placed her hands on her hips. Her hands slowly encapsulated themselves in a pink aura, allowing her to attack them whenever she felt like it. "What brings you here to Seattle? Shopping perhaps?"
"You know why we're here, but a better question is why you're here!" The youngest member, Katherine "Kitty" "Shadowcat" Pryde shouted. Scarlet Witch had only met the X-men once before, on a mission to rescue Toad and Sabertooth from a maximum security prison. They'd known she would be infiltrating the premises and had tried to thwart her, but luck had been on her side on that day. Shadowcat stood before Scarlet Witch on the right hand side, her wavy brown hair pinned back at her temples to allow her ears to be seen. She was wearing a skin tight black leather suit with a multitude of "X's" and a pair of flat soled boots.
The other two were Rogue, with her skunk striped red hair, and soft round face, the only part of skin showing as every inch of her was lethal over large amounts of time. Her hair though, was pulled back into a ponytail, with only her stripes hanging low, although in the rain they were little more than stringy nuisances. She was wearing an outfit that was an exact replica of Shadowcat's, on her gloves though, was a long zipper that allowed for easy removal or so it seemed.
Robert "Bobby" "Iceman" Drake rounded out the trio, with his short styled blonde hair and his soul piecing ice blue eyes. Wearing the more masculine version of the same outfit, his muscles were accentuated to the point that Scarlet barely recognized the young man from the last time they had met in battle.
"Only three, Avalanche led me to believe that there were four of you." Scarlet said as she spread her legs to hold her ground better and through her arms out sending her hex bolts towards the three young mutants. They were all in their early twenties, only barely younger than her; it was a shame that they would have to be taken down so she could continue on to find the particular mutant they were here for. At least she didn't have to kill them.
"Guys hold on!" Shadowcat announced as she rushed to the center of the group and placed her hands on them. Scarlet laughed as she watched her power hurl through them, causing pink arcs of lightning to course around them.
"My power can affect you on any plane, and now Shadowcat, you're power is just about useless." Scarlet laughed as she released another series of hex bolts. It was her most basic ability that of affecting luck one way or another, but her powers ran much deeper than that she knew. It
"Yeah, well mine isn't!" Iceman exclaimed as he thrust his arms forward and released a stream of ice towards her. Scarlet watched on as their powers collided, a sly smirk appeared on her face only to disappear when his power overtook hers and continued heading towards her.
Rather than take the ability head on, Scarlet dropped to her knees and allowed the beam to fly overtop her, before rolling out of the way. As she did that she threw her hand out, releasing another hex bolt, only to meet a wall of ice.
"Any day now guys," Scarlet hissed into her communicator as she rolled out of the way of another beam of ice. Scarlet quickly fired off another bolt, this time directly at the ice beam, which sent her magical energy coursing through the beam towards the creator.
Only for Iceman to halt his power mere seconds before her attack could reach him! "Dammit!" She exclaimed as she ran for cover around the corner of a building. She needed help now; otherwise she wouldn't make it through this battle.
Then the Earth began to rumble beneath their feet as Avalanche announced his presence. And just as quickly as he had announced himself did the ground collapse beneath the feet of the X-Men. Scarlet laughed as she watched two of the three of them go down and stay down, the only one left being Rogue.
Scarlet dashed towards the red haired skunk striped mutant in black leather and jabbed her fist into the woman's gut forcing the girl to double over in pain. "You should've gone down with your friends honey; it would've been a lot easier on you." Scarlet whispered into Rogue's ear. Rogue slowly began to reach for her glove, but Scarlet was prepared for that. Placing her hand against Rogue's temple, Scarlet whispered a few words that sent the girl crumpling to the ground unconscious.
Avalanche stepped out from where he had been hiding, keeping watch on the situation after he had arrived. A tall strongly built man with dark brown hair and gray eyes, Avalanche was a sight to be had for many women and in his all black spandex outfit that accentuated his gracious gifts, Scarlet could eagerly see why.
"I think Quicksilver has found the mutant, Scarlet." Avalanche said as he strolled over towards her with a smug smile on his face. "Now that we've dealt with these guys, maybe we should catch up to them."
"Well then, why don't we bring them as a little… present to the X-Men?" Scarlet opined as she turned towards the unconscious young adults that they had easily dispatched. "I'm sure they must be missing them gravely"
Avalanche laughed heartily at that before quickly grabbing two of them while Scarlet grabbed the third before she took off to the sky, leading the way towards the Space Needle. Quicksilver had said something about it while she'd been fighting the X-Men, which probably meant he was there as well.
Storm flew down to the base of the Space Needle where the young man lay in the pouring rain. "Oh my, you poor dear," she whispered as she pulled the young man into her arms her cape swooping around him, with the intention of warming him up.
With that in mind, Storm flung her hand up towards the sky as her eyes began to glow a bright white light with small lightning bolts emanating from them. Slowly but surely the rain dissipated until the surrounding area of the Space Needle was rain free. She'd already released a lightning bolt beacon so that the others would know she had found the boy, but that had been at least five minutes ago. "Where are they?" Storm whispered under her breath as she looked down at the young man who had fallen unconscious a few minute prior to her arrival.
Storm flinched at the sound of footsteps against the asphalt, and as she craned her neck so that she might see who was there, she knew a flinch would not cover it. "Who are you," Storm hissed as her gaze fell squarely on a Hispanic woman in tight black leather pants with a fishnet top, a dark leather sports bra the only thing covering her breast.
"My name is Callisto, and I'm here to collect that mutant at your feet." Callisto said as she took a fighter's stance bobbing and weaving to and fro all the while taunting Storm to come at her. "I hope you're prepared to defend him with all you've got."
"I won't let you near him!" Storm exclaimed as she took her free hand and flung it out towards the woman, a bolt of lightning arcing from the palm of her hand. Storm aimed the bolt at Callisto but before the bolt got anywhere near the wretch, she'd sped off. "Where did you go coward?" Storm demanded as she furiously looked around, trying to find Callisto.
"Oh don't worry, I'm not a coward." Callisto said from behind Storm. Storm swiftly turned around to attack, only to be punched in the face by the woman. Storm let out a scream as she was knocked back, away from the young man she had just found. "But that doesn't matter much. Now, when I'm through with you, we'll see who the coward is!"
Callisto sped towards a dazed Storm, still reeling from the punch to the face. Storm looked up in time to see Callisto's leg heading for her head. Storm raised her arms swiftly, taking the brunt of the damage in the process. "Nice job there, blocking my kick, now take this on for size!" Callisto shouted as she spun around only to kick Storm in the gut, sending the white haired goddess back a few feet. "You're not too tough; Magneto led me to believe you guys were a lot stronger."
"We are!" Storm heard Cyclops announce mere seconds before a flash of red crashed into Callisto's back, sending the woman flying forward into the glass doors of the space needle. "You just caught us on a bad day." Cyclops said as he stepped out of the shadows allowing Storm to fully see the man in his tight leather uniform.
"Storm, didn't you signal us that you'd found him." Colossus asked as he came running up out of the darkness from the other direction, his body covered in metal. "The lightning bolt was the signal, yes?"
"What do you mean, he's right…" Storm's words trailed off as she looked over at where she had held the young mutant, only to stare on in shock. "He was right there! Guys we have to find him before those Brotherhood goons do!"
"Storm calm down, he couldn't have gotten too far from here, if it was him who did the leaving." Colossus said as he held his hand out towards her. Storm looked up at him for a moment as she took in what he had said. It was true, someone who had just woken up from being unconscious wasn't always together enough to move long distances. And with the rain having returned, it wasn't likely he could see well anyways.
Storm dusted her pants off and parted her lips to say something when the sound of laughter rang out all around them over the rain. "You guys sure do need to learn to keep your eyes on people when you're supposedly trying to help them."
"Quicksilver, what have you done!" Cyclops demanded after the three of them recognized the voice of the one laughing. "Show yourself Quicksilver!"
"I haven't done anything I just watched him get up and run off on his own." Quicksilver said nonchalantly as he stepped out from behind one of the metal structures that held up the space needle and crossed his arms over his chest. "Maybe one of you did something to him. For once I have to say it's a possibility."
"I did nothing of the sort," Storm said as she took a step towards the man, causing him to speed towards her and stroke her chin condescendingly.
"Are you sure, he didn't seem all too happy when he took off down that-a way." Quicksilver said as he took his other hand and pointed down the street. "I'd go after him, before Scarlet finds him; she probably won't be as nice as I was."
Storm looked over at Cyclops and Colossus, almost expecting them to say that they wouldn't be doing that. So when Cyclops nodded, Storm felt her entire body relax. The mutant teen was all alone, scared and lost. They had to find him now.
"Take this!" Storm heard from high above them. The X-men darted their eyes upwards in time to see Scarlet Witch fling Rogue down towards them, unconscious. "She should really learn to keep her hands to herself, but I will say this. We've seen all we need to, Brotherhood retreat!" Storm turned around to see a tall handsome young man strolling down the street, Shadowcat and Iceman in his hands being dragged by their collars.
What the hell was going on, the Brotherhood had effortlessly defeated three of their teammates… and they were retreating. That didn't sound anything like them, but there they went, walking or flying away from them, leaving Iceman and Shadowcat next to them on their way out.
"Colossus you stay with them, Storm let's go! We have to find the target!" Cyclops announced as he took off down the street. Colossus sprinted towards their three unconscious teammates, allowing Storm a single glance back to see that Quicksilver had sped off and collected Callisto already. Storm shook her head in confusion before taking off into the air so she could follow Cyclops at a faster pace. Something weird was going on, and she didn't know if it was a good thing, or a bad thing.
I had no idea why they were fighting over me, but as I found myself slipping away from their sight in the middle of their fight, I was wondering why I was running. It didn't seem like either side had wanted to hurt me, and with the hurling of lightning bolts and the swift speed of the other it was clear that they were mutants. So why had I run?
It was a question I couldn't answer at the moment, but it was one I figured I had to answer sooner or later. Who was I running from, and why was I running from them in the first place. I felt my mind beat itself up over and over again as I tried to understand just what was going on all around me. I had woken up this morning completely normal, aside from the blatantly obvious, and now I was running from two or more mutants fighting over me. Where had I gone wrong?
The sudden shadow of claws against a brick wall in the now brightly lit street brought me to a complete stop as I looked around in fear for what was out there. "Wait kid, I'm not here to hurt you!" A gruff man called out as he stepped out of the shadows, wearing an entirely black leather ensemble that did nothing to hide the wolf like hair style he had, or the long and sharp metal claws in between his fingers. Not here to hurt me my ass.
"No get away from me! Someone, anyone please help me!" I called out as loud as I could. Actually making the man to stop in his effort to approach me, whatever was keeping him at bay for the moment I had every intention of taking advantage of it. I felt myself walking backwards even though I had no idea how I was moving in this situation. Something was allowing me to move, something I had no control over. "Please I'll give you anything you want, just please don't hurt me."
"I swear I'm not here to hurt you, just to help you." The man persisted as he held his hands up, palms out in an attempt to diffuse the situation. "I'm just gonna put these bad boys away, and then I can help you." The man said as he locked his gaze with mine. He was a dangerously handsome man, with the aforementioned wolf-like hair, standing tall at well past six feet. Stubble covered his jaw and neck, at least of what I could see, and the sudden thought of wanting to see more of it crept into my thoughts.
Slowly, just as he promised, the claws vanished into his hands, causing him to flinch slightly as they did. But he never once took a step towards me. He simply stood there with his hands out. "Wolverine," a woman called out, the same woman who had held me while I pretended to be unconscious. "Wolverine thank god, the Brotherhood… the Brotherhood took out Rogue, Shadowcat, and Iceman!" She cried as she flew towards him, having not spotted me yet.
"Storm, calm down and stand still," The man, Wolverine said as he continued to hold my eyes alone. Something in his eyes told a story with more detail than words alone had ever done for me. I could see loneliness, pain of loss, pain of gain, but most importantly I could see hope in his eyes. Hope for something he might not even see, but hope prevailed above the sadness and pain of everything else that may have afflicted him in his life. I felt my knees give way, and then my hands against the cool cement of the sidewalk, until finally I felt my eyelids close from being too heavy.
"Do you think he'll be okay?" Rogue asked as she rubbed her head. She hadn't expected Scarlet Witch to have actually come in melee range of her, at least since the woman knew what Rogue's power was. But the speed with which Scarlet Witch punched her, Rogue hadn't stood a chance. That meant that a trip to the danger room would be inevitable at this point, for all of them, and that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
But as she cast her gaze upon the young man that they had just rescued, she couldn't help but think of what lay in store for them now. He looked so peaceful, laying there in a slumber, a slumber caused by exhaustion. With varying wires attached to him monitoring his vitals, everything looked alright, but that didn't let them know anything really.
"We can only hope," Storm murmured as she glanced at Rogue out of the corner of her eyes from where she sat with Scott at the helm, piloting the X-jet. "He's been through a lot, and there isn't much we can do for him while he's unconscious. But thankfully Logan could calm him down."
She'd said the last of her words with a long look over at Wolverine, who sat beside the young man, holding the guys' hand firmly in his own larger hand. Whatever had happened out there had done something to soften the man a bit. But Rogue couldn't think of anything that could have happened. Wolverine still looked like the big brute he touted himself as, but something had changed.
Rogue chuckled as she watched Colossus cringe at Storm's words. It was interesting, she'd only ever seen Wolverine act this way around herself, Kitty, and Jubilee. What made this young man so similar to them that he would act as if he… cared about him? Rogue glanced over at Iceman where he sat playing thumb war with Shadowcat. A pang of jealousy flitted through her, but she simply set it aside. She and Bobby hadn't been a couple in a long time, so if he did want to date Kitty then she had nothing to say about it. Even if she desperately wanted to, she knew it wasn't right to meddle in other people's affairs. Changes were all around them, some of them good, like saving this young mutant whom they hadn't even gotten a name from. Some changes weren't as good, like the reactive group of the Brotherhood. But if they could handle the revelation of Vampires, then she knew they could handle the Brotherhood.
Now it was time to see what changes would come for them in the future.
"I don't understand why we didn't grab him when we had the chance." Callisto exclaimed as she threw herself onto one of the more comfortable seats that their jet held. Pyro had managed to crawl his way back here some time ago, having bitten the bullet and gone down first so as not to blow what little cover they had.
He really was a powerful mutant, and having him on their side might have been what would've allowed them to take down the entire X-men team. But that wouldn't have convinced the young mutant to join them. No, her father was right, they needed to use more finesse than Magneto was used to using. And so Wanda would do just that.
"Don't worry Callisto, it'll all make sense soon enough." Wanda said with a knowing smile she shared only with Pietro and John. Whether or not Callisto was with them long enough to reap the rewards of her father's plan would be determined sooner, rather than later. But for now the woman would be allowed to voice her opinions.
Wanda crossed her legs elegantly as she made herself more comfortable while Dominik took control of the jet and piloted them off towards Genosha. It was a shorter flight with their jet versus the planes that flew in regularly. That had been the only reason they had made it here in time to do something about the mutant and making their mark in the situation. The X-men would be on the watch for the Brotherhood. But they would not be on the watch for Emma Frost, and Remy LeBeau. Wanda's smile turned into a smirk as she went over the next phase of her job. Soon they would be on top, and no one would be able to stop them.
"Super humans, vampires, and mutants, all cut from the same cloth no matter how you look at it!" Bolivar Trask pronounced loudly punctuated by his fist slamming down on the podium that stood at the lowest level of the amphitheater that the Senate was housed in. "This is what our world has to contend with now a day, and I must say it is far from a pretty idyllic picture as we had once thought it to be. We need to stand tall, strong, and fast so that we can deal with this infestation of our planet. They are not human, and they must be dealt with accordingly. And from what I've been informed about most recently, that we have Witches to contend with and other supernatural creatures. It is time that we stand strong as the superior race once again. These abominations must be dealt with accordingly. With that horrid display of the vampire Russell Edgington, even if he is deceased, or so the Vampire community says, it's become quite clear that there is no other option than to reinstate the Sentinel Program, something Lex Luthor has already agreed to fund.
"Yes it would seem that there are people, no beings out there that seem to think themselves above the law because they have what they claim to be 'special gifts.'" Lex announced as he stepped out from the shadow of Bolivar Trask. A large black man with an imposing face scarred from a mutant attack was the perfect puppet to get this passed into law. "Not only must we push the Sentinel Program online, but we must require these people to register themselves so that we can know exactly what we are dealing with. Otherwise their insubordination will be met with dire consequences."
"How can you of all people say such a thing when your life has been constantly, and consistently I might add, saved by super humans?" Senator Martha Kent called out from where she stood before her seat in the senate. "To relegate them to something less than human when they've proven themselves to be as human if not more so as some other people I personally know."
"That my dear is the reason for this program to be reinstated." Trask said when Lex simply smiled devilishly, he knew that Martha was speaking out in super-humans specifically, if only because of her son Clark Kent. He might not be able to prove that Clark was super-human but his suspicions were enough that he had pushed this forward himself. "They are more than human and those cannot be considered our equals. The vampires themselves speak of equality with Humans, but they have yet to abolish their Kings and Queens of states. How can they cry for equality when they have their own governmental system?"
The senators began to murmur amongst themselves at that revelation, a piece of information Lex had picked up himself some time ago. He made it his business to know as much information as he could and because of that he had a lot more knowledge than he had gifted to Bolivar Trask. It was information that gave him leverage over several people, human and nonhuman beings such as the Vampire Authority's ways. It was this information that had allowed him to keep his life, because if anything were to happen to him, information on all of them would be unleashed upon the world, and then this sentinel program would be the least of their worries.
"Groups like the X-men, the Avengers, this so-called Justice League, the Fantastic Four and the Brotherhood of Mutants need to answer for the damages they have caused during their "saving" of lives!" Bolivar demanded as he slammed his fist down on the podium once again. "It is high time that they are held accountable for what they have done. And I promise you this; the Sentinels will be there to discourage them. Territories like Genosha and Latveria will no longer be tolerated. And terrorists, mutant or otherwise, will be treated as such. It is the don of a new age, my friends. I do hope you find yourselves on the right side."
"Now, now Senators, I know you have a lot to discuss, so why don't we reconvene in a weeks' time?" Lex suggested as he stepped forward, now standing slightly in front of Trask. "There are many things I have to take care of back at Metropolis, but I can be reached by my cell. Those of you, who desperately need to reach me, call Mercy Graves and not me."
Lex strutted up the pathway that led to the wide double doors that left the senate house behind, Mercy herself appearing behind him when he passed through them. "You're ten's been moved to three and your six has been moved to Monday, sir." Mercy said as she read off her cell what his schedule was for the day, walking briskly beside him.
"Good," Lex murmured as he strode down the hallway with a devilish grin. Whether or not the Senate actually agreed to the Sentinel program or not, they would be built. With 'kryptonite' power cells, effectively neutralizing Superman and the threat he posed. Then he would confirm his suspicions that his former friend, Clark Kent, was indeed Superman himself!
