X-men Origins: Axion

Ch. 2

Summary: When a pair of mutants are captured and sent to Genosha, what will happen to their infant son? From being found by an assassin, to being raised by Mother Nature herself, watch this young man's rise to power.

Speaking: normal

Thoughts, flashbacks, com-link/mobile devices, and notes: italicized

Demons, monsters, etcetera: bold

Author speaking and spell casting: bold italicized

Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel or Capcom. That being said; please enjoy and don't forget to review.

Another year has passed in the X-Mansion and little Daemon has matured greatly for someone his age. Much to everyone's shock and awe, his mutant powers had been advancing at an exponential rate for someone of his age.

Doctor Strange watched in awe as his young student progressed through his lessons with ease. At the moment, he was currently speaking with Charles about the boy's progress…

"Professor Xavier, the rate at which Daemon has been learning is completely unheard of. Tell me, has he been attempting anything other than the spells I have approved of?"

Charles simply shook his head. "I highly doubt it, Steven. Daemon is a child who actually believes in following rules. I've only ever seen him stray from a rule if it was to help someone in need. To be honest, it's how he stays out of trouble with Ororo."

The sorcerer stopped to think over Charles's words. "If that's so, do you think you can explain it? I must admit to being quite curious about my student's learning capability."

Both men looked outside the office window to see Ororo and Daemon resting on a blanket. A closer look showed that Daemon was playing his flute. He then thought back to the day that Storm first purchased the instrument for her son.

Suddenly, his eyes widened in shock as he remembered that Daemon had only been three at the time when she acquired it. He turned to Steven and said, "I think I know what makes young Daemon so special. On the night of his parents' capture, his biological mother used her powers to enhance his mental capacity. Perhaps his own dormant mutation somehow latched onto that power and enhanced it to match his growing power levels once they became active."

Steven simply nodded and said, "It does seem reasonable when you put it that way, Charles. This turn of events actually plays out in my favor."

Charles perked an eyebrow as the sorcerer said, "With Daemon's potential growing at its current rate, I'll be able to move him forward to more advanced magic."

The professor nodded and looked out the window again. "That would be very beneficial to him, seeing as how he wants to be an X-Man. But for now, we should allow him to enjoy his freedom while he still has it."

Steven just shook his head as he walked to the door. He turned back for a final look out the window and said, "You are an intelligent man, but you are still blinded by Daemon's youth. His magic iswhat gives him his freedom, professor."

Charles smiled and said, "Perhaps you are right, Steven. However, the call of the hero can be a very dangerous one. If Daemon wishes to be a hero, he at least deserves a fighting chance."

Meanwhile…

Storm listened in wonder as her son played his flute. The music had a slow tempo, but the mood was peaceful and uplifting. Ororo stared at the clouds in bliss as Daemon's music slowly eased her worries. She almost drifted to sleep until she noticed that the music had stopped. The woman sat up to see her son petting a black cat that had yellow eyes.

Daemon looked the cat in the eyes and said, "I guess you like my music almost as much as my mom."

The cat just gave what sounded like an approving meow. Storm stared at the cat and said, "Young man, were you using your powers during that song?"

Daemon just shook his head. "If I had been using my magic, there'd be a lot more animals here than just this one cat."

Before Ororo could comment, her communicator sounded off. She let out a sigh and said, "I guess our day of peace and quiet has come to an end. I want you to go back to the house until I return."

Daemon just pouted as his mother flew off. He was brought from his musings when the cat rubbed against his leg. Looking down, he saw that the cat was trying to jump into his arms.

Daemon just picked up the dark-furred animal and said, "I bet you're hungry. Let's go find you something to eat."

The cat meowed in what sounded like an agreement. As soon as Daemon made it inside the mansion, he levitated himself off of the ground and hovered into the kitchen.

Once in the kitchen, he used his powers to open the fridge and get the milk. He then floated up to the cabinets and pulled down a small bowl. After pouring the milk into the saucer, he floated back into the living area and sat the bowl down next to the piano.

While the cat was sating its hunger, Daemon sat down at the piano and began playing 'Fur Elise'. As he came to the closing bar, the sound of light clapping roused him from his concentration.

Daemon turned around to see the professor and Jean walking up to him. Jean ruffled his hair and said, "I thought you only played the flute."

Daemon just gave a cheesy grin. "Mom thought it would be a good idea to take up more than one instrument. She feels it will make me a better-rounded musician."

Charles smiled and asked, "What else can you play, Daemon?"

The young Munroe thought about the question for a few moments. "I can play the flute and piccolo, the saxophone, the piano, the harp, the violin, and the guitar. I'm also learning how to play the drums."

While Charles knew that his mutation was granting him an advanced knowledge, he never would've guessed that Ororo had him pick up on so many instruments at such a young age. "Daemon, why exactly did Ororo choose to have you learn so many instruments?"

This question had the child puzzled. "What do you mean, professor? Mom only got me lessons on the flute and the piano. Doctor Strange had me learn the harp and the violin."

Jean quickly asked, "What about the other instruments?"

Daemon picked up his flute before saying, "I heard you talking to the professor about how much you like hearing saxophone music, and Elektra says that the drums teach you about rhythm."

Charles nodded and asked, "What about the guitar?"

Daemon let out a chuckle. "I just really like guitar music."

He then looked down and saw that the cat had finished its milk. Picking it up, he turned to Jean and asked, "Can you tell me if this is a male or a female?"

Jean used a small portion of her psychic energy before saying, "It's a girl, Daemon. Why did you want to know?"

Daemon shrugged as he sat the cat on the piano. "I probably won't be able to keep her, but I at least want to give her a name and a collar. That way, I'll know it's her if we ever meet again."

He then looked the cat in the eye and said, "Now, what should I name you? Your black fur is so sleek and your yellow eyes burn with such a mysterious quality."

Charles smiled at the boy's vocabulary. It seemed that magic and music weren't the only things that Daemon was learning.

Finally, after a good minute of thinking, Daemon proudly said, "I've got the perfect name for you. From now on, your name is Mystique."

Jean's eyes widened in shock as Daemon named the cat. She couldn't believe that he named a random cat after the woman who worked with Magneto. The thought of it was just…hilarious.

Jean had to excuse herself before she could start laughing. Charles however perked an eyebrow and said, "That's a very interesting name for a cat."

Daemon just shrugged and said, "I think it fits her just fine. She looks like a Mystique to me."

The professor just nodded and made to retreat to his office. "Make sure your little friend doesn't get into any trouble."

As soon as Charles rounded the corner, Daemon petted the cat and said, "Wait right here for a moment. I'll be right back."

Once the child was out of sight, the cat jumped down from the piano and transformed into a blue-skinned woman with red hair, yellow eyes, and a white dress. She pulled out a cell phone and dialed in a number.

After three rings, a smooth and deep male voice said, "What have you learned about the boy, Mystique?"

The woman sat down before saying, "From what I've gathered Magneto, the boy has a learning capacity that's completely unheard of in a five year old child. It seems that he also seems to love nature and music."

Magneto calmly asked, "Would you care to elaborate on that? I find myself curious as to exactly how much of a learning capacity this one child could be wielding."

Mystique brushed a hair out her face. "I heard him tell the professor that he is learning eight different instruments and has already become proficient in at least half of them. From what I've seen up close, he has already mastered playing the flute and the piano. He has even learned how to incorporate his musical skills into his magic. According to his mother, he has learned to summon animals with his flute. I must confess to being impressed with his abilities."

Magneto simply chuckled. "Keep an eye on him for a little longer before reporting back to me. Also, see if you can gauge his musical skills in any other instruments."

Mystique quickly ended the phone call and resumed her disguise as a cat. Almost a moment later, Daemon jumped over the railing of the stairs and floated down to the piano. The only thing different about him was that he was carrying a large black case and a black strip of leather.

He took the leather and loosely tied it around Mystique's neck. With a quick incantation, the leather strip transformed into a perfectly fitting collar complete with a golden pendent. "I won't be keeping you, but maybe we'll see each other again."

He then pointed his hands at the drum set that was sitting across from the piano. Almost instantly, a translucent Daemon appeared holding a pair of drum sticks.

The real Daemon rubbed Mystique's head. "I've almost finished on that spell. I just need to learn how to make my clones more solid."

He then opened the black case to reveal a shiny blue electric guitar. After stopping to admire his instrument, Daemon adjusted the strings and plugged the guitar into an amp. He turned the volume up to four and started strumming out slow notes to make sure that the strings were properly set.

Once he was satisfied with the calibrations, he turned to his clone and said, "Let's do a little work on 'Treasure' by Flyleaf."

The clone nodded and pulled out a book of sheet music. "If Elektra was here, she could play second guitar."

With no warning, a female voice asked, "Are you talking about me again?"

Daemon turned around to see his god mother standing by an open window. "I wanted to see how you were doing and decided to drop in. it looks like I popped in just in time."

Before Daemon could say anything, Elektra picked up a red guitar from a stand and tuned her strings. "What are we playing?"

The young Munroe shook the cobwebs from his head. "We're practicing on 'Treasure' by Flyleaf. It's the first song I learned how to play."

Elektra nodded and said, "I think I can still play that one pretty well."

As the trio began to play, Mystique carefully observed Daemon's abilities. It seemed that his skills weren't just a boast. While nowhere near being a professional in either the guitar or drums, he played as well as anyone taking intermediate lessons.

Before long, Jean came from her room and asked, "Is that a Flyleaf song?"

Daemon's nod made her ask, do you mind if I try something?"

Jean quickly surveyed the room before finding a cordless microphone. It didn't take a rocket scientist to tell that she was intending to sing.

That night I felt like I had become something treasured…different.

Can I tell you a story as we dance while the sun starts to bleed?

Song of Songs, love is calling, daughter wake up from your sleep.

Refined I'll become the most dazzling precious treasure

I'll be treasured over all the earth

Bearing the gift of a new heart

Patience ablaze I'm slowly burning

Refined I'll become the most dazzling precious treasure

I'll be treasured over all the earth (2x)

I am in awe and in shock

I'm in love and given away

I'm reserved with these words:

Can I tell you a story as we dance while the sun starts to bleed?

Trees rejoice with the wind here

Hallelujah, Yes Shua!

Tonight I've become the most dazzling precious treasure

I am treasured over all the earth

Just look at what he's done

How he's laying down his life

Take this life

Oh most dazzling precious treasure

Tonight I've become the most dazzling precious treasure

I am treasured over all the earth.

When the song was over, Daemon smiled and said, "That was great. I haven't been able to do that in forever."

He then looked at the clock and said, "I'm gonna go set the cat free. I'll be right back."

With that being said, he picked up Mystique and walked out into the garden. After setting her outside of the gates, he smiled and said, "Thanks for keeping me company today, Mystique. And don't worry about me telling anyone about your little secret. I just hope you try to visit more often."

After getting over her shock, Mystique changed into her human form. "How could you have possibly known what I was?"

Daemon just chuckled. "You can change your look, but your aura is something that can't be hidden from me."

The woman just looked at him and said, "You are a strange child, Daemon Munroe."

She then changed into a hawk and flew off. Elektra quickly found him and said, "Are you alright? You look like you just lost a friend."

Daemon smiled as he wiped a tear from his cheek. "I didn't lose a friend. I just made a new one."

Meanwhile…

Mystique looked in a full-body mirror before gasping. The collar that she had been wearing had transformed into a golden necklace with ten small heart-shaped diamonds resting against her collarbone.

At first, she made to remove the necklace from her person. However, just as she reached for the clasp, she gently ran a hand over the necklace and smiled. "I guess I can keep this for now."

She then looked out her window and thought, "Somehow, I have the feeling that we will meet again, Daemon."