What to do about Magik?
Author's note: Ok, enough with being silly for now. Yea, as a guest noted, the prior chapter was not really in character for Illyana but... was fun to write. Hey, if Illyana had been in character then the body count would be massive and the next Avengers vs. X war would have begun.
Which being a war over asses has its own appeal but... I'll leave that story concept alone for now; but we all know that Emma or Psylocke would be the eventual winner (snicker). Although I suppose the Black Widow would make a good showing as well. Hmmm the She-Hulk also has potential if you're into big girls. But... no best to leave that story idea alone for now, but just imagine the comic covers.
This chapter assumes that Dani joins Illyana's team at the X-Base (as discussed in Chap 4). Again more of the missing eight months plot possibilities.
This chapter takes a stab at the end of Schism and just what is Emma up to?
As always reviews are greatly desired (and if you have any ideas drop me a line).
Part 7a: Fireside chat (part 1)
Illyana, Laura, and Dani were sitting around the evening camp fire. It was the third night of a three day camping and hunting expedition in the vicinity of the X-Base. It was rather odd in that the all the hunters were female as none of the guys were into hunting.
Dani summed up her thoughts about the other occupants of the X-Base as she drank a beer (she's into micro brews by the way). "Wussies, the lot of them".
"They dislike the act of taking life". Observed Laura. She was sticking with hot chocolate for now.
"But have no qualms about eating meat if another does the killing" Opined Illyana as she sipped her tea (black and strong).
Dana poked at the fire. A joint of venison was roasting over it; the rest of the buck was back in a freezer at the X-Base.
"Meat is meat. More ethical I say if you kill it yourself. At least Xi'an (Karma) is mostly ethically consistent in that she's mostly a vegetarian who likes fish and eggs. But young Bobby is so extra irritating. Actually moralizing about hunting while eating a cheeseburger and adding veal to the menu requests".
Laura mildly disagreed. "They are innocents, in many ways, of unpleasant facts of life. I find it rather... nice but naive. Best leave the killing to the killers".
Dani decided to change the topic and asked a question that had been bugging her. "Illyana, why the change in hair style? You're growing your bangs out and... I find that oddly... disturbing".
"Decided it was time for a change. Back when I was in the X-Brig I lost my bangs and rather hated it. But I recently got to thinking I'd try it again".
"Bit weird seeing you without bangs".
"A girl can have more then one hair style in her life".
Laura decided to try her own attempt at changing conversational topics. She asked a question of Illyana. "How is Miss Frost"?
Dani looked at Illyana with slight surprise while Illyana gave Laure a sideways glance. No need to ask why Laura thought that Illyana had contact with Emma. Apparently she had smelled Emma's scent on Illyana.
"Emma is... ok. She is pursuing her goals in her own way".
Dani inquired. "I didn't know that you had any contact with her. I thought nobody knew where she was".
"She contacts me from time to time and we arrange to meet. She is still my... therapist as it were".
Dani continued. "Odd. Never would have thought you and Emma as being overly friendly. So... what's Emma up to"?
Part 7b: Hellfire
The scene is an opulent sitting room. Emma is rather sprawled in a white leather chair while drinking a glass of red wine. She is wearing her usual white garb. Before her are some small projected holograms of others who Emma is speaking to. Emma also has on a single ear plug.
"I shall continue to cultivate her. She is a long term project at this point. Unlike more... idealistic persons she understands that omelets require the breaking of eggs. And she is oh so very good at breaking... things".
One of the figures apparently says something but only Emma can hear (that ear plug). She responds.
"No, the whole hell lord thing works to our advantage. She's used to the exercises of power and yet has no real interest in day to day ruling. Perfect candidate as some of us... are more into the hands on aspects of control".
Another figure rather animatedly waves its hands and arms about. Emma responds.
"Yes, she is very lethal and powerful. In fact most people have no idea of just what she can really do if sufficiently motivated. She is much more stable now but still... willful. I will reemphasize that if any of you try you're own recruitment attempts you will likely fail and create an enemy of her. She's... not somebody you want as an enemy. And I will be very very annoyed".
Emma responds to so some other unheard statement.
"Wealth, power, sex, none of those really matter to her. It's not that she's above such things, it's that... her focus is elsewhere. We're talking about somebody who is not really mortal in many ways. Her teleportation abilities but scratch the surface of her potential. Potential that would allow us to rather definitively achieve our long term goals. That same potential turned against us is an extreme risk. Better to have her be a neutral party then to take sides against us".
Emma continued. "She is trying to do what is right... but her interpretation of what is right does not quite fit in with other's understanding of the word. She's... flexible on many ethical issues and tends to focus more on the end results then the means to achieve those result. This works to our advantage".
Emma pauses to hear some other statement. Then she gets a look of anger.
"If you were to try that you would not only die she would go on a rampage and slaughter... well everybody I guess. Don't ever contemplate that. If I even think you are going to try that I'll kill you myself to avoid the utter mess you'd create".
Another pause as she listens.
"Yes she knows what I'm up to. Hell, I told all of them when I left so it shouldn't be a big surprise".
A momentary pause.
"No you can't go kill her. I'm not even sure that's actually... possible. We're talking a hell lord here. I think she mostly plays pretend on that. Putting other's at ease. She knows and rather doesn't care so long as we leave her and her's alone. Don't... don't make her care, it won't end well".
Emma takes a sip of wine.
"No, I don't think you fooled her. Again I don't think she cares about that. One... influences her with truths not lies. I've always suspected that... that she can tell if you're lying. Remember how well she and Laura hit it off, quite the surprise to all I might add. No lies there, just truths. Plus she likes to throw fights. Don't pat yourself on the back too hard just because you outwit her or she seems unable to do defeat you. That's again part of her act".
"No I can't read her mind. How many times do I have to say it? Nobody can read her mind. That in part is what makes her so... difficult to assess. You never can tell if she believes what you're saying. And yet that same ability would make her a perfect inside agent".
"Yes she's a good poker player and don't ever get into a drinking game with her and yes she'd make a great queen".
"So we're agreed? Good".
Emma terminated the call. Somebody behind her refilled her glass. Somebody with male hands.
"Ahhh, thank you darling. Now where were we"?
Emma began to disrobe. "So where were we? So glad we finally overcame those little misunderstandings between us".
Part 7c: Fireside chat (part 2)
"Emma and I... have an understanding and I don't pry into her activities".
Laura decided to attempt a conversational tactical retreat. She had not thought anything of asking about Emma Frost but Illyana was giving off vibes that she really did not want to talk about Emma. Little body posture clues and scents that Laura could read (and Illyana knew that Laura could read) but Dani could not (at least not the scents). Onto another topic, one that was more... known to all.
"How did the meeting with Storm go"?
"It went well. There were... issues but I think we worked through them. Ororo's letting the initial decision sit for a few days to see how the others at the school react before making it official".
Part 7d: The end of Schism
"Do you really think this is wise Storm"? Bobby asked.
The two of them were sitting in Storm's office at the JGS (Jean Grey School). The meeting with Illyana had just ended and Illyana had ported away. Illyana had also arrived via her teleportation disks direct into Ororo's office for a private chat that had been prearranged (although likely the telepaths had known something was up. Always hard dealing with telepaths).
Bobby (Iceman) was slouched on a couch and Ororo (Storm) was sitting behind her desk leaning back and playing with a pen. Ororo responded.
"She... behaved herself on that little inter galactic trip that I was on, hell better then Henry did, and has not caused any trouble any of times she's visited here. Kitty trusts her again and that means a lot, and... continuing to be trusted by Kitty means a great deal to her".
The discussions between Illyana and Ororo had been cordial and somewhat quick. There had not actually been a lot to talk over or negotiate as both sides had quickly agreed to the other's terms.
Bobby reiterated the terms. "So she gets...". He paused and Ororo finished.
"The ability for her and her... companions to visit the school. And the end to us trying to send the younger version of yourself and his friends back to the past. Plus coordination between her and I on... issues that come to our attention; with her letting me take the lead".
"And we get..."
"An end to Schism. Her and her's will be... considered an... associated school as it were. She will not harbor active criminals. She will also not associate herself with Scott, wherever the blazes he's gone and hidden himself. Plus, we both agreed on a mutual defense pact as it were. An attack on one is an attack on both".
Bobby sighed. "I don't have to tell you that almost everybody here is scared of her. Her former students speak highly of her but even they tended to be... apprehensive around her".
"Even you"?
"Yea... Remember she figured out how to set ice on fire. Ice is not know for its flammability. So not fun, left me with a nasty little burn and it hurt. Rather apprehensive as to why she figured out how to do that".
"In that she knows how to hurt you"?
"Yea. Bet she has some anti weather magic in her back pocket; not that her costume has pockets".
"Possible. Contingency planning I suspect. We were not...".
"Not what".
"We locked her up. It was the right thing to do. She acquiesced, accepted her punishment, but... I've been reading her file, the formally blocked parts, Henry gave me the password. Henry was against how she was locked up. Felt... that we were missing a treatment opportunity. That we blew it. I find it interesting how... quiet she mostly was during the trial of Henry. In many way Henry is guilty of the same behaviors as her but she was the one we locked up".
"Frankly Ororo she's scarier, and I think more dangerous. You were on that Extinction team with her. Any meaningful interactions"?
"No. She was again quiet... well mostly quiet. Not beaten down but trying to not make waves. She did what was asked of her. And to my shame I did not make any real attempts to involve myself with her".
"We already got people complaining every time she shows up. This is going to make it worse".
"I suppose it will. I guess we need to call a student assembly, after having an all hands faculty meeting, to discuss this and handle the complaints".
"I recommend it be a no outsiders meeting, meaning it's just us. Magik stays away, otherwise some folks with issues may not speak up. Hell they may not speak up even then".
"Because they're scared of her? Because they hate her"?
"Nailed it in one".
"Agree. No outsiders".
"Ya know Ororo, you're still likely going to lose some folks over this. She really did harm people who have not forgotten or forgiven".
"Yes I fear that is a probable outcome. But... She's reaching out. Trying. She was... rational and focused on that extended intergalactic trip I took. Kitty spoke with me afterwards and told me that we needed... to try harder. Make us Illyana's first choice rather then providing an opening for Scott or...".
Bobby finished. "Magneto or... others. Yea I get it. She's powerful and... well she's gathering up outcasts. Others will be interested in that cluster of powers. Hmm, how she spoke was rather odd. She wants what once was. Odd way of putting it".
"Best to have them on our side if not fully on our team".
"Gunna be fun seeing Monet and Rachel interact with her. I should sell tickets and popcorn. Just who can be the snarkiest? My moneys on Monet".
"Bobby, play nice now".
"Naa, no fun in that. You know Shield and the Avengers are so not going to like this".
Ororo stood up and started to walk to the office's door "Frankly Bobby, I don't really care".
Bobby stood as well and started to walk with Ororo "Understood. On another topic, any more info on this supposed mutant disease"?
"No. It appears to be rather random. Nobody has any details yet as to the cause or any cure. It supposedly only affects mutants and... the effects vary. I'm actually hoping that some of Illyana's folks will be able to help us do more investigations".
Part 7e: Fireside chat (part 3)
Illyana finished. "We'll see how it works out. Rather tired of being persona non grata".
Dana summed up her concerns. "You know we may lose some folks over this. There are reasons folks are here and or left the Jean Grey School".
"Yea... but we'll work it out".
Onto another topic. Dani decided to talk about the Fab Five (or the original X-Men). The Fab Five was how young Bobby was currently describing them. She made a statement with a smirk. "Angel of the time displaced X-Men appears to be the most happy. Laura, are you and he still playing naughty cat and birdie or have you moved onto some other kind of role playing"?
Laura slightly blushed. Damn, she so regretted that little game (well not really, but getting caught she regretted). She had a rather lame retort. "That is private. I shall not answer".
"Yea, kind of guessed that. You go girl! Anyway, Bobby appears rather happy. Scott is moody and withdrawn, gee what a surprise. Jean is trying to make a go with Henry but that's... having issues, again no real surprise. And Henry gets moody because Jean is moody".
Illyana put in her two cents. "Scott and Jean have both applied to collages. Different collages. I think it is likely best for both of them to be apart if that is the path they choose".
Dana raised a question that had been on her mind. "Why is Jean so moody at you all of a sudden"?
Illyana responded after a moment. "She got some answers to some private questions and... didn't like what she learned. Can't say I blame her".
