Chapter 21
As Baron Battle walked half-exhausted into Magneto's Lair, he had the distinct feeling he was walking to his execution chamber.
A thick metal door barred the entrance. Battle was about to attempt to melt it when suddenly it slid open silently.
Even before the sliding doorway was completely open, Battle realized this was the perfect battle ground for Magneto. Dangerous looking stalactites covered the ceiling. Every wall of the room was filled with metallic patterns made of individual pieces of metal. It was like a jigsaw made of only gray metal.
"Admiring my artwork old friend?" Magneto's voice cut into his mind, his voice filling the room, just as Baron Battle was entering the main hall.
Baron Battle snarled at the sound Magneto's voice.
Magneto just laughed as he rose from a silver throne at the opposite end of the room. He flicked his hand.
Boom click.
The entrance and only exit thundered closed behind Baron Battle.
Then Baron saw him. His own son – the first time in more than ten years – in the glass-like chamber that held him captive. And as they locked eyes, Warren's eyes widened.
Battle wished he could run over and hug his son. But Magneto had already flew over to stand in front of the chamber to guard it.
Battle finally broke the connection with Warren and turned to look at Magneto. His anger flared inside.
"Battle," Magneto said slowly with eyes never leaving his opponent. "A pleasure to finally see you again."
Baron did not answer but simply raised his right palm. A flickering flame then burst to life on top of it – as though silently enticing Magneto to a duel.
Magneto smiled ominously. With a flick of his hand, the battle begun.
All silence fell to shreds as the lair erupted with sounds of a duel. Magneto against Battle.
Voom! A piece of metal emerged from the wall and flew straight for Battle while Battle release a giant fire ball which flattened into a fireshield to block the metal's path.
An explosion of heat and flame shook the room as metal and fire met. The fire-metal amalgam glowed in the middle of the chamber separating Battle and Magneto on opposite sides.
Baron could hardly breathe in his exertion. His body and mind was straining to maintain the large fireshield…
Inch by inch, the jagged piece of metal moved towards Battle.
Magneto's chuckle echoed around the chamber. "And this is just the beginning."
Magneto flicked his hand. And a showering of metal began as stalactites dislodged from the ceiling, aimed at Battle down below.
Whiz! A metal sang in the air inches from Battle's ear. Then another landed close to his calf.
Battle was busy dodging all the pieces of metal Magneto was hurling at him it became impossible to maintain his concentration on the controlling his flames…
The fire-metal jerked forward, more quickly now.
"I am just starting to toy with you now," said Magneto.
Battle ducked as a piece of metal whizzed past his head… he wouldn't be able to stop it from trying to kill him for much longer.
Bang! As though it broke invisible chains, the fire-metal sailed straight for Battle.
Battle barely leapt out of the way as it arched across the lair.
Bam! The entire room shook and more stalactites fell as it smashed onto a wall.
Battle was panting from his close call. But Magneto was calm.
"For your betrayal," Magneto declared. "You will suffer..." Magneto said smoothly then gave a sinister laugh. "by seeing him suffer."
Magneto didn't wait for answer but simply flicked his hand.
Battle froze as Warren body's suddenly crumpled to the floor of the glass chamber as it arched and spasmed.
There was a scream. His own scream of Warren's name mingled with Warren's cries of pain. Warren flung himself against the walls like a desperate animal trying to escape.
The only reply was Magneto's laughter and another scream of pain as he realised a piece of metal tore flesh from his arm.
Battle was surprised to hear his own voice yelling – and begging – for Magneto to stop. Yet Magneto just chuckled.
There would be no mercy from him.
--
Warren was sent to the ground writhing in agony as bolts of electricity floated through his glass prison. The searing heat penetrated painfully under his skin threatening to melt his insides. His body and tissues were burning up. His lungs were struggling for air. His world was getting darker – fast.
Dimly, he realized he didn't even have the energy to scream anymore… even though little involuntary gasps of pain continued to escape from his mouth. Darkness opened up beneath him and he gladly plunged into it.
--
Pyro guts turned inside him.
Warren was dying in front of his eyes.
Beside Warren's torture chamber, Warren's father and Magneto were still two moving blurs fiercely engaged in battle. Chunks of metal smashed into the walls as the predator pursued the prey. Battle could not help his son as he struggled to hold his own against his deranged but incredibly powerful opponent.
Warren was still in the chamber below him, clearly still struggling in agony. He winced.
He could hear Warren gasping. A bolt of pain ran through him. He hated that he couldn't cover his eyes even if he could avert his eyes.
A scream.
Blood bloomed on Battle's arm.
"Stop!" yelled Battle.
Kara stood on the sidelines being a passive observant of the battle. Electrix stood beside her – a look of glee on his face. Mystique stood gracefully on the far side of the room with a sardonic sneer as she watched. Baron was fighting hard, but unable to stop the predators from closing in.
Do something! An inner voice was urging him.
As the stalactites continued to fall, Pyro saw one sailing for Battle behind his back…
"Watch out!" he screamed. Then Battle dodged.
Magneto scream, "Pyro!" Glaring at Pyro, Magneto flicked his hand.
"Pyro!" Kara's voice.
A piece of metal was flying straight for Pyro's heart…
Pyro's mouth was moving. But Kara could not hear him – just the sound of her own heart pounding and her own scream inside her head.