Issue #1 – The Gathering
The wind blows quietly as the autumn-colored leaves drop from the trees. Trees cover a vast land like a forest. Right smack dab in the middle of this forest is an old, run-down cabin. To the natural eye that is all there is to see. If one were powerful in the arts of magic and had a supernatural eye, he would see a whole lot more. If one were Agatha Harkness, you would be the one responsible for making a beautiful and mystical mansion with many secrets inside, hidden behind magical barriers, look like an old, abandoned cabin in the middle of a forest.
Inside the mansion walks Agatha, otherwise known as Mistress X. She is walking off her month-long trance. A trance to rejuvenate her great powers after an intense time of witchcraft and spell-casting. She had it all now, thanks to a little help from Xavier and her magic. A beautiful headquarters, weaponry, transportation, and much more, all geared by magic. She thought of an old friend and thought, "What Tony is to machines I am to magic." She smiled. Now all she needed was a new look, and her team.
Yes, her team. She had 9 more to gather, plus Salem equals ten. Ten is the magic number. Oh, but first, she needed a costume. This would be easy. She picked up a mystical emblem she had created. It was a circle with an "X" running through an "S". She placed the emblem on her blouse and invoked her magic. Suddenly a mystical mist and glow surrounded her, and when it faded Mistress X was standing front and center. A black, long-sleeved, robe revealing her hands accompanied by crimson red boots. Covering her whole face except her eyes was a jet-black mask; a crimson-red hood and cape accented her costume. She looked stunning, and mysterious and hidden. Mistress X was ready. She had been planning this for months and all was in motion. It was now time. She stepped into her sanctuary and stood in front of nine mirrors. It was time to call and gather her team.
TALISMAN
Mike stared into the mirror. A lot had happened to him. Over a year ago he had left Alpha Flight. All he had wanted to do was spend time with his daughter and teach her what was left to learn so he could go into retirement. As old as he was and felt, that was not what he saw looking back at him. Instead of a worn-out, battle-scarred old body, he saw a man in his twenties. As young and strong as his new body was, you could see old, tired, grief-stricken eyes shine forth.
It had all happened so fast. He and his daughter, Elizabeth, had taken retreat to their old native land in Canada. The fresh clean air, the feeling of becoming one with nature; it was a perfect way to spend time with Elizabeth. After both of them had spent so much time with Alpha Flight and personal missions, they had lost personal time with each other. But that time together, then they had been on top of the world. But then "IT" came.
One moment laughing and meditating, the next gasping in fear as an ancient, evil Indian spirit overcame them, sending Shaman bleeding to the ground. It grasped his daughter Talisman in its power, crushing the life out of her. Shaman picked himself up and began to call forth his magic. The Spirit waved its free hand, sending a powerful force at Shaman, making him fly backwards. Mike, coughing up blood, could only watch as the Spirit squeezed the life out of his daughter. In that same instant, an old woman appeared and stood before the Evil Spirit.
She threw up her magic just as the Spirit called forth its magic. It seemed evenly matched as Shaman grasped for the last of his strength and magic and stepped between the two and let loose his magic. The energy and power collided and ignited, causing a mystic explosion. When the smoke and lights faded, all that was left on the charred battlefield was an old woman and a man, still bleeding but now in his twenties. The "evil" was gone, as well as his daughter. What a price to pay for a new body.
"You know, Mike, you can't mourn forever. Have you given thought to my offer?" Mistress Xasked as she stepped through the mirror that he was looking into, bringing him back to the present.
"She is not dead. I can feel it. I will not give up till I find her," Mike said.
"Even so, she would not want you to live your life this way. I feel partially to blame; it was my spell that caused the backlash, not only killing the evil spirit, but also taking your daughter and somehow rejuvenating you and changing your powers," Mistress X said as she pulled back her hood, her mask magically fading away.
"No, Agatha, don't blame yourself. If you hadn't come when you did, Elizabeth would be dead instead of missing; I would be dead also. Who knows what it would have done to my land and people? I owe you a debt. So, yes, I will take your offer. I will join your team in turn for being taught how to use my new powers and one day relearning my old magic powers, and your help in trying to find my daughter," Mike said. With that Mike gathered his things and took Agatha's hand and passed through the mirror.
Agatha smiled as Mike led the three children to their rooms. These children were special. Not only did they need her, she needed them. With the help of her magic and a suggestion from Xavier she found the right ones. This time she would not lose her children as she had in the past. She would keep careful eye on them. Even though they were part of the plan and team, it wouldn't be on an active basis. She would keep them protected here in the mansion until they were needed.
Mike opened a door to a wonderful playroom. Full of toys, books, CDs and movies. What more could they need? Who was he kidding? He knew they needed a family. After what they had lost he hoped they could fill that void. A few days ago Agatha had stumbled across these kids. She had told him that she had come across three children in need and to prepare their rooms while she went to get them.
Link
The pink-skinned one was Artie Maddocks. Agatha had told him that she had located two mutants in the sewer. They were being hunted by something, but before she had reached them there was an explosion. She had only come across Artie. The others were dead. Leech had been his best friend and his only family. Artie remembered Agatha from his other friend, Franklin Richards, so was willing to come live here.
Emp
Not much is known about the green lizard-like boy name Emmit France. From what Agatha says is that she found him right before a mob of people would have stoned him to death. I guess they don't like mutants. Just like his parents too, otherwise they wouldn't have abandoned him in a warehouse. Whether he chooses not to talk about them or he can't, his parents' identities are unknown.
Portal
The biggest pain came from the girl. Mike knew Laura Dean. She and her sister Goblyn had been members of Department H, alongside Alpha Flight. Agatha said that two mutants were on the run and she had to go, so she left him with the two children. Just after getting Artie and Emmit introduced a distress call came in on the HexAlert. Mike left the two kids to play and set the mansion's security and took off. By the time Mike got there, dead bodies of Department H soldiers were laying everywhere. Agatha was trying to console the little girl. Her sister Goblyn was also among the bodies. Since Laura knew Mike, she jumped into his arms and came back with them. All Laura would say was that they were trying to escape and that now her sister was dead.
As Mike shut the door on the three kids, he hoped that their losses would bring them together and help them heal.
Agatha was pleased. Things were coming together. The children were coping and getting along well. All three were safe with Salem sitting watching over them, being her eyes. Mike, not only quickly mastered his new transfiguring powers, but had mastered the HexSystem, which was the mansions magically powered computer-like system. It was linked to everything: defenses, communicators, transportation devices. Agatha knew Mike needed something to take his mind of his daughter. His energy would focus into mastering all her team's equipment.
As she stepped into her sanctuary, she glanced at her 5 remaining mirrors. The first mirror she skipped. That one would be dealt with in due time. The second didn't need her attention right now. The third was almost ready. The last two she didn't understand. They were both linked somehow, but they were both not telling her anything. The fourth mirror showed a baby, and the fifth was fuzzy and linked to the fourth. Tired of the games, she cut loose a spell upon the mirrors. In a flash of light, the mirrors become one and a picture came forth. She saw two figures. The girl she didn't know but the boy, could it be?
Magnus & SilverFlame
Cars honked at the two figures standing in the middle of road.
"Illyana, dear. Where the hell are we?"
"I don't know, Magnus. I opened a teleportation portal so we could escape the demon hordes. As we passed through, I was blinded by a light, and here we are," Illyana said.
Magnus looked around. What were these metal monsters and strange buildings everywhere? He knew he wasn't in his world. In his world there was nothing but demons and destruction. Here, there was beauty and a strange sense of connection. Magnus jerked back to reality as Illyana grabbed his arm and pulled him into an alley. They both stared in shock at their surroundings.
"Magnus, we need to find a way back home. Without us, who will fight against the demon overlords?"
"Don't panic, my love. Even though this is a strange land, I feel at home and at peace here somehow. Maybe we are meant to make this our new home? Maybe the Gods have sent us here for a reason?"
"Stop such talk, Magnus. Our place is at home. I would try and teleport, but I do not know this world well enough to jump blind," Illyana said and then jumped as two figures approached them.
"Don't move, you two. Give us all your money and you won't get hurt," the two strangers said as they both raised guns at Illyana and Magnus.
Illyana invoked her powers turning her skin from flesh to steel. "Freaks!" the men yelled firing their guns. The men turned to run after they saw their bullets bounce off of the steel woman. They didn't get too far though. Illyana stepped aside as Magnus invoked his powers. Electricity crackled all around him and he directed his hands towards them as he invoked a spell, "Tuo Dloc!" Electricity shot from his hands and engulfed the two men. Both fell flat to the ground, out cold.
"Not bad," a voice came from behind them. Illyana and Magnus whirled around and saw a mysterious woman. Illyana advanced towards the lady as the woman removed her hood and mask. Magnus grabbed Illyana's arm and stopped her.
"Illyana, no! Mother Harkus, is that you?" Magnus asked.
"Do I know you?" Agatha asked, not sure what to say.
It took about 30 minutes forMagnus to explain that they had appeared here somehow. That they were from a world where demons ruled and they were part of team of defenders. His name was Wade Harkus. He was found as a baby by a woman named Mother Harkus. She named him Wade, gave him her last name, and adopted him. When he got older, Mother Harkus trained him in his powers. After Mother Harkus was slain by a demon, he donned the name Magnus (the only legible word on a bracelet that was around his wrist when he wasfound) and joined the demon fighting forces. Illyana was his girlfriend whom he had met while fighting demons. Illyana said she wanted to find a way home so she could find the demon that killed/merged her two brothers Peter and Jamie into her in retaliation for Jamie stealing a demon artifact when they were younger. The merge is what allows her to shift to steel form and a demon form.
Agatha was amazed. She told them of her team and their mission and invited them to join and she would teach them of this world and would try and help them find a way home someday. Due to her resemblance to his adoptive mother, and his eagerness to defend and experience a whole New World, Magnus agreed to join. Illyana only agreed because she didn't want to lose Wade and she wanted to find a way home.
VivaMuerte
Agatha walked down a street thinking about the other day. She had found two more. Wade made an interesting addition. She would have to be careful with that one, especially when mirror number one came to the team. She wasn't worried. Everything was going well and she was in complete power and control. Agatha turned the corner as she found her target. Due to the arrival of Wade and Illyana, she had left mirror three neglected and she hoped she wasn't too late.
Inside an abandoned house a very lost soul slumped on a bed. Drunk, high, and without a decent meal in days, it was no wonder she could barely stand. She had finally hit rock bottom. She used to be on top of the world. She had been a part of a great team. She had had everything to live for. Now, it was different. She was alone. Her friends were gone. Her best friend in the whole world hadtold her to get lost and that he never wanted to see her again. Alone, sad, and nowhere to go she took to the streets. As time went by she went from hero to drug-powered loser. She no longer had anything to live for. That is why now, in her state of mind and being, she was opening her window and getting ready to step off this 6th floor bedroom floor and into the pavement below.
"Tandy Brown, or should I say Dagger? Do you really want to do this?" the voice said as Tandy looked over her shoulder at an old woman in a black robe and crimson cape.
"Stand back or I'll jump," a drunken Tandy belted.
"Oh, Tandy, dear. You don't want to do that," Agatha said calming her.
"Yes, I do. I have nothing to live for. I am alone. Nobody wants me," Tandy slurred as tears poured down her face and she stepped up to the open window.
"Esolc!" Agatha commanded and the window blew shut. Agatha walked toward the frightened girl.
"Oh, honey. That is where you are wrong. You have me. I need you. There is a whole new family that needs you and you will have to live for," Agatha comforted as she walked closer to the girl.
Tandy panicked in fear and in tears. A dozen psionic daggers flew at Agatha as Tandy drunkenly leaped out the window.
"Leper!" Agatha commanded as the darts went wild missing their mark. Agatha ran to the window and looked out. "Etativel y Emoc Kcab Ot Em!" Agatha screamed as she thrusted out her hands towards the falling Tandy.
Tandy stopped 3 inches from the ground. She then began to float upwards with the same momentum she had going down. She came up, through the window and into Agatha's arms.
"Don't worry dear. You have a new family now. We will give you a new look and a new attitude. It is time for you to start over. You have a new family now," Agatha chanted as she held and rocked the crying Tandy in her arms all night long.
Scarlet Eagle
Time was flying right by for Agatha. Her role as Mistress X was coming along. She needed two more. She walked to the last two mirrors standing. She was growing inpatient with mirror one. This one was resisting. It didn't matter, though. Agatha had a feeling she would be done with mirror one soon. Agatha smiled as she walked to the second mirror. She waved her hand and whispered a few words of enchantment. The mirror began to swirl.
Jason Strongbow kneeled on the bank of the river. Things were finally back to normal. Not long ago a creature had invaded his people's land. The creature was strong, but thanks to a masked lady in crimson they were able to survive. The monster that had attacked his tribe's land had been defeated. The damage to the land was now healing, as were his people. Now he was enjoying the peace along the river. He looked at his reflection. It was time to retire his identity as American Eagle and prepare to take over as leader of his people.
He blinked his eyes. His reflection in the water was changing. Mistress X 's reflection was now looking back at him and then soon she rose up and out of the water and stood next to him. Not a drop of water was on her body.
"You are an amazing one, witch," Jason said standing up facing her and then bowing slightly. "I owe you my life."
"Yes, Jason. I helped you defeat that monster and you pledged a life debt to me. I am here now to call upon that debt. It is time for you to set down your tribal headdress and put on your warrior's headdress and join me. The time is nearing and I need you," Mistress X said.
Jason didn't say a word. He had pledged his life to her and now he would go. He said his good byes to his people and his family. He clasped his brother's arm and then they hugged. He had to give up his role as leader to his brother to accept his role as warrior and defender in honor of his life debt to Agatha Harkness. He was now losing and giving up everything. He never showed it though, for he was a proud man and a man of his word. American Eagle grabbed his bow and took Agatha's hand as he walked with her into the river's reflections.
Crimson Witch
Agatha stood in the entryway parlor as the front door blew open. Normally she would treat this as a threat but she had been expecting her. Her mirrors were now all gone. Agatha smiled as she looked at the figure in the doorway.
"Let me make this clear to you, Agatha. You have been like a mother to me, that much I will give to you. I left the Avengers. Not because of you but because once again Ultron and his forces came at us and it cost us dearly. Vision was destroyed, and due to the damages caused the government has disbanded the Avengers for now. I disown my father, and my brother has his family. I now have no one. I have decided to come and help lead your team. Also, I know you and this place holds the key to a secret. For a long time I have been feeling a great loss from within myself and my memories feel clogged. I think you are connected to it somehow. I will find the answers and I will be watching you. Don't cross me, cause I have had a bad week and I need a nap." Wanda Maximoff spoke angrily and then went off to find her room.
Agatha turned and looked within her mansion. It was done. Everything was in place. She had her mansion, her gadgets, her magic, and her 10 mystical warriors. There was no stopping her now. The "great evil" wouldn't even stand a chance. She walked deep into her mansion. It was time to make her warriors a team. A team to be reckoned with. It was time for them to become ... SALEM-X.
Next: Issue #2 – The New Team