Yin: Okay, here it is folks! The sequel to Salem Bayville! The Second Edition, of course. I hope you enjoy!


A huge bonfire lit the center of the settlement. There were adults and children gathered, all eyes and ears trained on one person.
Raven Darkholme had long been the leader of this group, and thus she was entitled to tell the story. But this was not her tale, no it began many years ago with her son and a woman. It was a story of love, passion, anger, hatred, and betrayal. It was not something to be taken lightly, as it cost lives of people.
This account would teach the younglings about
Raising her hands high, Raven began. "A long time ago, before many of you were born, the people outside the walls were angry. They were foolish, and superstitious, believing that the gifts that God had granted some were evil. They would take these innocent people, and torture them, calling them demons and witches."
A little girl raised her hand. "What does a witch look like?"
Raven laughed. "Witches look like anybody else, but they go against the teachings of God and practice sorcery."
"Oh, okay."
Raven continued. "One day, my son Kurt decided that he would leave the safe place of our sanctuary. He wanted to live on the thrill of the chase. And he was chased, many times. But, by providence, he met a human girl. At first she was surprised by the way he looked. She had heard that there was a demon around, but did not truly believe it."
A hand flew up.
"Yes Lucas?" Raven smiled at her ten year old grandson.
"Dad isn't a demon," He corrected.
"You're right," She grinned. "He's an elf."
Lucas nodded, happy that that was taken care of.
"But as young Amanda grew to knew Kurt, she herself realized he was not the monster many claimed him to be. He was a sweet and gentle soul, although mischievous at times. And as time wore on, they fell in love."
"And they got married!" A small voice was heard. Kitrina was beaming.
"Yes, they got married. It wasn't long before Amanda knew she was with child," Raven glanced at Lucas, who grinned. "But something horrible happened."
The entire camp's mood turned sullen. The joyful attitude that had been there just seconds ago was gone.
"Kurt was captured," Raven's voice grew morose. "He was sentenced to die by burning," No other words were truly needed to send shudders down everyone's spines. "He was at the stake, the flames at his feet, the fire in his fur. But, by the grace of God, he teleported away."
There was a sigh of relief through the assembly. Although they had heard this story many times before, they were always grateful to know that Kurt was safe.
"Kurt was safe away from the clutches of the evil. Through the months he healed, but he was away from those who loved him. Spirit, body, mind, soul, he wasn't there. The smoke had done something to his mind, it changed him. But his love for Amanda broke through that, and he returned to us."
Some of the younger kids pretended to gag.
"He'd hardly been with us any time at all when the people returned. They fought us, and we fought back. For a little bit we won, but then they overwhelmed us. Our trusted friend Professor Charles Xavier stepped up to the plate, wiping all their memory of us."
Several people bowed their heads.
"He passed on to the next life after finishing his mission," Raven finished.
Lucas noted that she looked at his father awkwardly. He did not know why she did that, or what it meant.
"This is what the humans think of us. Many fear us, and that is why we live here. To keep the peace."
The people clapped, except young Lucas. His mind was turning in wonder. He felt that something was missing from the story, something that they would never tell them.
He was determined to find out what.


Lucas ducked under the window, listening in on to the conversation held by the adults. It had been five years since he first started figuring things out, and he hadn't learned to much more.
His keen ears listening in, Lucas slowed his breathing and began to eavesdrop.
"Wade said that Sinister is building his forces," Lucas recognized his father's voice.
"That's not good," Raven said.
"He doesn't think it's against us though. It's someone else."
"That's still not good. What if he's carrying out...Onslaught's plan?"
Silence filled the room. Lucas had no clue who Onslaught was, but he now he wanted to find out.
The conversation changed to boring matters, but Lucas could feel the tension. Just the names Onslaught and Sinister had changed the mood. Maybe they were a link to his father's secret past.


Yin: Okay, so everyone is keeping secrets from the kids. Not a good idea when you have a snoop like Lucas :P And in case you guys were wondering, Yang is writing her own stories on Thor Fanfiction. Look for "King of Asgard" (A Loki/Yang fic) and "Children of the Gods" (A Marvel Norse Mythology version of Percy Jackson). She wants to start on a story on the Avatar: the Last Airbender fanfiction website as well. It would be Zutara.
Hope to hear from all you soon!