Second X
Chapter 13: Choosing Sides
In the aftermath of M-Day, many have taken drastic steps to ensure humanity's survival. Mutants across the globe are being hunted. Anti-mutant groups have banded together, determined to exterminate those mutants who still possess their powers. Tension between humans and mutants is greater than ever. Clarity, a mutant with the gift of foresight, has recently had a vision predicting the deaths of the X-Men and a war between the species. Now, she gathers other displaced mutants in the hopes of preventing her vision from being fulfilled.
Disclaimer: The X-men characters either mentioned or appearing in this story are owned and copyrighted by Marvel Comics. All characters of Second X are of my creation. Please contact before using these characters.
Chapter 13: Choosing sides
January 17, 4:35 pm
Hellfire Club, New York
"I'm what!" Emma Frost stood, furious by what she was being told.
Jubilee had seen Emma angry before. Most of the time, she had been the cause of that anger. Now, although the situation was serious, she couldn't help but to be amused that it was she who held the responsibility of keeping Emma calm. "After M-Day, things at the Hellfire Club fell apart," she began to explain. "Sunspot was supposed to be the Lord Imperial, but he went missing. No one knows where he is or even if he's still alive. Sage was last seen in England and has cut all ties with Hellfire. Nearly all the "royalty" of Hellfire were among those de-powered. A lot of those that did remain powered either went missing as well or were assassinated by the Friends of Humanity during the chaos. The rest killed each other trying to grab the throne." Jubilee took a deep breath before finishing. "Sorry to say this, Emma. I know you have bad memories of this place. But of everyone left in this place, you rank the highest. By blood, powers and experience."
Emma, still angered by what she was hearing, positioned herself by the window overlooking the city. "I don't care," she said. "I cut my ties with Hellfire long ago. This has nothing to do with us."
"Yes, it does," Clarice stated. She had been standing by Emma's bed, listening while Jubilee tried to explain the situation. "You've been asleep for a while, so you don't know what's been happening since the attack on Xavier's." She walked toward the television on the wall and turned it on. Images of riots and Sentinels filled the screen as she flipped through the channels. "Its chaos out there. Every mutant able to get out of the country is heading to Genosha for Magneto's protection. He's erected a force field around the island to keep the Sentinels out. He's also threatening all out war if the United Nations doesn't do something about the Sentinels. Meanwhile, the mutants that aren't able to make it to Genosha are being hunted here. Battles are breaking out in the streets between mutants and Sentinels. A lot of people are getting killed in the crossfire. The President has declared martial law. All mutants are to be taken into custody for their own protection. They're being put into concentration camps. Xavier's was the only safe haven they had. Since it fell, they've been coming here. Most of these kids haven't seen this kind of violence before. I have. I know that without someone strong to lead them, they will fall victim to Harvest's hordes. You are in a position to lead them. You're the only one with the experience who can. No one else knows what Hellfire can do except for you."
Emma looked out the window at the city beneath her. She could see smoke from fires all across the city. She knew each fire meant more people were dying. She closed her eyes and said a prayer before turning to her companions. "Jubilee," she said. "Outside our doors, there will be two guards. Tell them to bring me the legal representative for the Hellfire Club. I also want a full inventory of what resources we have left. As of right now, I am taking the mantle of Queen Imperial!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 17, 8:47 pm
New York
"Watch out!" Clarity yelled as she pushed Jinx out of the way of a Sentinel's foot. She looked up from the ground at the giant towering above her. Its eyes glowed as it scanned her.
"Target re-aquired. Terminate," it stated. As it raised it's hands to fire at the two mutants, an explosion felled it from behind.
Jinx managed to use his powers to create a gravity bubble around Clarity and himself; preventing them from being crushed.
Explode rushed to the side of the robot. "Sorry about that," she said. "I meant to incinerate the thing, not crush you with it."
"I could use a little help here," Jinx said.
"Ask and you shall recieve," Fracture said telepathically. He wrapped his telekinetic powers around the Sentinel and tossed it aside.
Jinx and Clarity stood up and dusted themselves off.
"Fracture, are we even close to where we need to be?" Jinx asked.
Fracture shook his head. "She's somewhere across town. She has to be somewhere shielded. I still can't get a decent lock on her."
"Well, we better find her soon! I don't know how many more of these Sentinels I can fight!" Explode exclaimed impatiently. They had been searching for Emma and Scott for hours. In that time, they had encountered nearly two dozen Sentinel patrols.
"We're all exhausted," Jinx said. "But we need to find her and Cyclops. Clarity, anything on the precog side?"
Clarity looked at her teammate. "You know it doesn't work that way. But I'm sure we'll find them. Just be glad that my abilities are passive in nature. Since its the only thing keeping us from getting ambushed by Sentinels, we're lucky my visions don't tire me out."
Fracture sat down on the curb. "You're powers don't tire you, but fighting the Sentinels does. The rest of us have powers we can use agressively. You actually fight when you can. The only thing keeping you alive is that sword you had Forge make for you. Your body can't keep this pace up. We need to either find her soon or hole up somewhere."
Clarity was just about to sit down next to Fracture when she drew her sword again. "Heads up guys!" she yelled. "There's a portal opening up here!"
The team took battle stances, ready to fight. A pool of energy appeared before them. From it stepped a young woman with purple skin. "I'm Clarice," she stated. "Emma sent me to get you. She contacted Cable, who told us you went looking to her and Cyclops. If I were you, I wouldn't wait too long to follow me through." She gestured behind the group as she stepped back into the portal.
The four mutants looked behind them to see several packs of Hunter Sentinels charging toward them. None of them hesitated as they vanished through the pool of energy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
January 19, 3:27 pm
Genosha
The shield surrounding the island opened to greet another ship filled with mutant refugees. In the short time, since Xavier's fell, Genosha had received thousands. Most were de-powered mutants who fled the Sentinel Cullings ravaging North America, Europe and Asia. Only several hundred remained powered. The most powerful were escorted directly to Magneto's capital building to be drafted into his super-powered army. This time was no different in regards to procedure. The guards scanned the refugees and found only one powered. They escorted him to the capital building to register. Only this time, Magneto himself was there to greet him. Alongside him, was the X-Man, Rogue.
"Is this any way to treat someone asking for asylum?" the man said. His voice thundered loudly. It was a voice that would bring the gods themselves to attention.
Magneto glared at the man. "In your case, I am deciding whether or not to execute you on the spot."
Rogue spoke next. Her eyes filled with as much hatred as Magneto's as she spoke. "You represent a great risk if we take you in here. Give us one reason why we should let you live," she demanded.
The man curled his lips. He was amused that they showed no fear in his presence. "The mutant race is on the brink of extinction and humanity has declared war on the species. Who else would know how to avert an apocalypse, than Apocalypse himself!"
Magneto and Rogue glanced at each other and nodded in approval. "You will be allowed to seek asylum on Genosha," Magneto said. "But be warned, you will be kept under close guard at all times. And we will not hesitate to throw you to the wolves if you so much as think a traitorous thought."
Apocalypse smiled as he signed his name into the registry. "I do not wish to rule a planet of ash and dust. For now at least, the services of Apocalypse are yours to command."
End Chapter 13