What to do about Magik?

Author's note: Finally we get some published Illyana action! Illyana guest stars in Secret Warriors issue 8 and I do mean stars (she will supposedly be there for issues 8-12). Rather nice as there has been a massive drought of Illyana storylines (I have read rumors that she is slotted for some New Mutants relaunch activity next year in conjunction with the movie but… just rumors at this point). So… Illyana in an Inhumans comic? That should be rather interesting as Illyana has been shown to a rather deep dislike and even hatred for Inhumans, ops I mean Genocidal RacistXenophobic Slave-Owners (grin) in both the comics and my fanfic writing.

Rather liked the comic, Magik was quite snarky.

Now Scott Summers died from exposure to the one of the two Terrigen clouds which Emma came up with a plot to destroy while projecting a simulated Scott (which convinced the Inhumans that Scott had destroyed their precious sacred cloud and Medusa directed Backbolt to kill Scott, which he did, or so they all thought). I believe that Illyana knows that Scott died before (if you read the comic her look of horror while the cloud is being destroyed shows that she now sees that Scott was already dead) at least that's my take).

Part A is meant to be current time, part B and C are in the past.

I figure part B takes place during the whole evil Captain America hail Hydra series of comics, and part C post Hydra. Part C just kind of came to me as I wrote this story so I included it in here, and I remembered a minor X-Men story detail that appears to have been forgotten by Marvel (it was written over thirty years ago).

I suspect that I'll be writing more about Illyana and the Inhumans as the Secret Warriors story develops. I hope Illyana continues to be snarky.

Part 25a Inhumans (or… Magik is such a bitch)

Several Inhumans, or Nuhumans depending on who you talked to, were sitting around a kitchen table kibitzing about what had just occurred. They were:

Quake, female, named Daisy Johnson, former shield agent, able to generate vibrations (i.e. earthquakes or such). She's quite the hard ass and rather nasty. Dislikes the X-Men.

Ms. Marvel, female teen, named Kaala Khan, shape shifting abilities. Nice girl. Bit of an X-Man fan girl as she's a fan of Wolverine.

Moon Girl, young black female by the name Lunella Lafayette, has a mental link with a red dinosaur (devil dinosaur), supposedly the smartest person in the world (which is questionable as she hangs out with Inhumans). Supposedly friends with the X-Man Forge, but oddly had no issues in aiding his kidnappers which likely put a damper on the friendship.

Inferno, male, named Dante Pertuz, fire generation and regeneration (somewhat a cheap rip-off of the Human Torch but lacks the ability fly). Hates the X-Men.

"Gads I hate the X-Men!" Opined Inferno like a broken record. He had a kitchen garbage can next to him while he expounded upon his dislike. The reason for the garbage can was about to be shown.

Kaala asked… "Are you still nauseous about…"

Inferno leaned sideways and puked yet again into the garbage can.

"Don't even mention it Kalla!" Corrected Quake in irritation. "Even mentioning Magik's teleportation ability causes him to…"

And he puked again, while Kaala shot Quake a sarcastic look.

"I can't believe this is coincidental." Stated Moon girl while making a face at Inferno. "I don't think Magik likes you."

Inferno wiped his mouth with a paper towel. "The feeling is mutual. So don't like the X-Men! She didn't even use our names or say us, just kept calling us Inhumans. All of them are just a bunch of…"

Moon Girl pointed out that… "She said my name."

Inferno was in a mood. "Well goodie for you."

Which just annoyed Moon Girl. "Teleportation disk" she said, causing Inferno to retch yet again.

Part 25b: Prelude to Inhumans (Location New Tian, mutant homeland created out of the west coast of America after Hydra takeover of America)

Illyana was engaged in one of her therapy sessions with Hank (Emma was busy running New Tian), the older Beast that is (the one with the blue fur). Hank had found that Illyana tended to be more expressive with him in dynamic rather then static sessions so they were engaged in ritualized combat as it were. Not with swords (that would have been to Illyana's advantage) nor hand to hand combat (advantage Hank and a bit two… well, rather hands on in copping a feel kind of way if you get my drift) nor chess (massive advantage to Hank). No, it was something hot, sweaty, and very physical (and no, not that you perv).

They were playing racquetball.

Which you'd think was advantage to Hank. I mean… four hundred plus pounds of muscle, lightning fast reflexes, and incredible dexterity, but Illyana not only played a combative version (rather ouchie as the ball bounces were sometimes were aimed right at you) and she was wickedly good as well. So Hank was finding it quite the challenge to put a positive spin on the game. Speaking of spin, Illyana could put a spin on a ball that was appalling at times, and made for very complex shots. So to be more truthful, Hank was losing.

"So…" Grunted Hank, who was drenched in sweat by this time and you can just imagine what a blue haired beast smelled like (wet dog comes to mind), as he returned a serve. "You appeared less then thrilled with the Inhumans who ventured into New Tian."

Illyana did a two handed return that bounced all over creation, due to the extreme ball spin, that somehow Hank managed to hit. She replied with more then a little force.

"Hank, they violated the borders, refused to listen to direction, then they shot down a Blackbird, with us in it I might add as I am currently unable to teleport, all because we refused to help. Only by shear luck were fatalities or injuries avoided by those on the Blackbird. Just another example of typical Inhuman disregard for others and general assholeness as well."

Hank somehow managed to return the ball, but that did result in him having to leap against a wall while using his left foot (holding the paddle) to hit the ball. "We did refuse to assist them in their quest."

A return that apparently just set him up as Illyana did another power return of daunting ricocheting complexity that actually left Hank cross-eyed and swiping at empty air with his paddle. "Hydra was right behind them, it was a treaty violation, and a bunch of Inhumans I don't like anyhow. Point for me!"

Hank got ready for Illyana's next serve."They did say they were sorry about that."

Illyana served and… it was soft ball instead of a power strike, the ball, just barely bounced off the wall and had Hank scrambling. "Sorry is just a word Hank. Did they pay for the jet? That would be a no. Deeds speak louder then words, and their deeds are always missing if it costs them something. Sorry comes with a price, or it's just lip flapping."

Hank returned the serve (he had to dive for it), but barely, Illyana wound up and… POW! A return that hit the ball, which bounced off the wall and then off of Hank's back as well (ouch!).

Hank got warily to his feet, just in case there was another incoming ball, then backed up in preparation for her next serve. "I'm rather surprised you still go to therapy."

Illyana got ready to serve."Been crazy Hank. Don't want to go that route again. Need to stay between the lines as it were and therapy is a good way to get external input as to my actions and behaviors."

She served and another frantic round of volleys commenced, but this time Hank won and it was now his turn to serve. Hank decided to call for a five minute timeout, both to hydrate and to catch his breath. He sat down and braced his back against one wall as he stated. "How on earth are you so good at this game? You play like Scott used to play, all angles and…" He stopped speaking in slight embarrassment. One it was about Scott, and two, Illyana tended to get rather angry when the topic of Scott came up.

Illyana replied while retrieving the ball, and yea, she was drenched in sweat as well but as most ladies will point out, men sweat, ladies perspire. And unlike Hank, she did not smell like a wet armpit combined with shaggy dog. Now she might not have smelled like lilacs, but even Hank was socially smart enough to refrain from pointing that out.

"Phoenix leftover I think. When we, Emma, Scott, Peter, Namor, and I were Phoenix, there was a great deal of swapped thoughts. I guess racquetball stuck for some reason. Just racquetball as I still get my ass handed to me at pool, and I'm no any more skilled at tennis then I used to be."

Illyana then likewise sat down against the opposite wall.

Hank liked the casual statement about tennis. The 'I' statement and no reference to 'her' as Illyana had been want to do some time ago. No distinction as to her memories. He held out his right hand as he asked a question. "I can understand disliking some Inhumans, but you appear to dislike all Inhumans Illyana. That sounds rather racist."

Part of being a therapist was to challenge the recipient, and Illyana tended to be a good patient in that she expected such questions as to her behavior. Illyana replied as she tossed him the ball. "I don't hate or dislike all Inhumans, just the ones that deserve it."

Hank caught and tossed back the ball."And who deserves it? How do you… decide?"

Illyana likewise caught and tossed back the ball. They both continued to do this with each question and answer from each other.

"A few simple rules Hank. Who ordered Blackbolt to kill Scott? Blackbolt for…"the slightest of hesitations,"killing Scott. Those who attacked us while we destroyed the first cloud. Those who defended that remaining cloud of mutant killing Inhuman gas. Those who prevented the X-Men from destroying the remaining cloud when Forge came up with the machine that collected the Terrigen gas and turned it back into a solid.And of course the one who shot down the Blackbird with me in it just because she was huffy. Our people were dieing Hank, and the Inhumans simply didn't give a shit."

Hank summed it up."So… Medusa, Blackbolt, all the Inhuman Royals, and any Inhuman that sided with them on defending the cloud or in preventing the X-Men from destroying the cloud. That's… pretty much all the Inhumans."

"That was their choice Hank. The only reason that second cloud was not dealt with was the Inhuman threat to kill anybody who interfered. There is no moral defense for their argument that they were defending their way of life. We were defending our right to live. That the Inhumans could not, or would not, understand earns my dislike and disdain."

"I worked with them Illyana, they helped many a mutant."

"While blocking the solution to what was harming those very mutants. They also continually fed you Intel about how any attempt to harm the cloud would be met with overwhelming force, from that giant spaceship they guarded the cloud with, and Blackbolt himself. How we didn't stand a chance against them."

Hank grumbled at bit about that. "I disagreed with going to war, but… some of my understanding was incomplete. I did not understand that Blackbolt could be taken down so easily, nor that you would be able to neutralize so many of the Inhuman heavy hitters so quickly."

"Art of war Hank. Appears weak where you are strong, appear strong were you a weak. Medusa frankly was and is a poor planner. Everything was based upon Blackbolt and of course Ulysses' ability to make future predictions. So… deal with the two and Medusa's plans crumble. And their lack of any understanding about magic caused issues as well. And Medusa being such a good diplomat meant there was nobody to help Inhumans when we attacked."

Left unsaid was the death of Sapna. How Illyana had had to kill her apprentice to save all the X-Men and the mutants in Limbo. How if the Terrigen clouds had been destroyed then Illyana would not have had to kill Sapna. And of course, some of the rage at what Illyana had been forced to do was spilled over to the Inhumans.

Hank pointed out that…"Rather noticed that no magical person came to their aid, I suppose that was your doing. They did escape from your prison in Limbo… or did they?"

A comment that prompted a slight malicious grin from Illyana. "They thought so… and just in time for the big battle, that Emma screwed up because she was drunk. Oh well, Hank, the Inhumans are pure hypocrites, simple as that. That's why I don't like them."

"That's… very judgmental of you Illyana. Especially considering some of your past deeds."

"Yep…"Illyana caught the ball but did not throw it back."Deeds that I have striven to try to make amends for, not just saying sorry. Tell me Hank, let's suppose the shoe was on the other foot. Now the clouds of Terrigen mutant killing gas provided Inhumans with the option of undergoing Teregenisis, i.e. activating Inhuman genes and gaining powers. A purely voluntary act as many Inhumans avoided contact with the gas due to fears as to what it would do to them. Contact that was not avoidable for most humans on the planet as they were involuntarily exposed therefore increasing the number of Inhumans, an obvious ploy of Blackbolt's. Contact that killed many humans. Contact that was not avoidable by most mutants as well. Lack of optional Teregenisis just leaves unexposed Inhumans alive and unpowered. The loss of the clouds does not destroy them. The presence of the clouds was destroying us."

Illyana continued."Now let's imagine there was some mutant cloud that helped mutants, but was not essential for mutants, and it was killing those with the Inhuman genes. Do you suppose the Inhumans would have been ok with that? Or would they have destroyed the cloud, and any one who defended the cloud? Not to mention any who created the damned cloud in the first place."

Hank admitted that…"Likely war would have resulted."

"Would it? Would mutants…would the X-Men be defending something that was killing off the Inhumans?"

Hank had a thoughtful look."I'd like to think no. I'm sure some would have argued in its favor."

"Would you Hank?"

"No."

"Did any Inhumans argue against it?"

"At the very end some did."

"Only at the end Hank. And were they the Royals?"

"No."

"Okay Hank, now lets say that the cloud of Inhuman killing gas was a cure for the Legacy virus, you know… the virus that was killing off mutants a few years back. Now would you defend the cloud?"

A sigh of regret from Hank. "No… actual ethics dictate the same outcome regardless of which side a person is on. That's how morals work. I must admit that there was and is an ethical… deficiency in most Inhuman reasoning. Would you have defended the cloud Illyana?"

"No Hank. And that is why I don't like Inhumans. Situational ethics sums them up very well. Some… just some… of the Inhumans didn't think things through. But most did. Most didn't care. And the Royals really didn't care."

"So you'd never work with Inhumans?"

"Didn't say that, but…"

"But?"

"I don't think I'd ask nicely for help, or be nice about working with them. I forbore killing all of them before, next time I suspect I'll let them know that I can. Fear works as doing the right thing does not appear to be a general Inhuman behavior."

And a private thought by Illyana. (And no way would I let on as to my true abilities, likely just let them think I'm a bruiser or something. Hmmm, likely need to make some kind of dramatic entrance as well, and… why not just keep calling them Inhumans instead of names… let them know what it's like. Ohhh, if I have to teleport them around I'll have at least one of them get car sick… If that happens then I hope it's that Inhuman called Inferno, what an asshole… giggle… damn it, I hate it when I giggle.)

Hank so did not like the sound of the giggle that escaped Illyana.

Illyana stood back up."Times up."

Hank groaned, but stood up as well. The game resumed and Hank continued to lose.

Next time I'm going to pick basketball, was his internal thought.

Part 25c: Differing definitions about fun (after Hydra, Illyana can teleport again)

"This is NOT fun!"Proclaimed Hank loudly from the top of a tree. A Hank that was now only wearing a torn pair of shorts.

A flicker of light and Illyana was floating in the air next to him. "Don't be a baby Hank. You said you wanted to go hunting with us." Us being Illyana, Laura, and Dani (see the story Tag I'm It for details).

"To observe! Mostly to observe!"

"Looks like you have a good view from where you're at so what's the problem?"

"Getting chased up a tree by a pack of Velociraptors! And why the hell is there always something that destroys clothing? Every time I come to the Savage Land… Poof off goes most of the clothing! Like it's some kind of rule! Go to the Savage Land, get naked as something always destroys your cloths!"

"Pfffffff."Relied Illyana with less then a sympathetic tone.

"How do you even know the Fall People!?" Hank began to throw pinecones at the three Velociraptors that were trying to climb the tree. One when right down the throat of a Velociraptor, causing it to choke as the spines of the cone got it wedged.

Illyana looked troubled for a second, then replied with a casual air. "I… met the Fall People a while ago when… um… long story..."

"And how the hell do you still have your clothing?! Everybody else is in rags! And why does that kid keep calling you Auntie?!"

Illyana did not answer about the clothing. "Kids come up with all kinds of nicknames… opps, looks like they've cornered the main pack. Gotta go!"

Illyana teleported away, apparently rejoining the hunt with the Laura, Dani, and the Fall People's hunting party who were dealing with a band of Velociraptors that had been menacing the village.

Hank broke off a branch and used it to poke at the two remaining velociraptors, the third had fallen and was choking to death. He grumbled to himself at the unfairness of it all, how, to his knowledge, Illyana had never even been to the Savage Land. Why, supposedly her brother had been here years before with the X-Men and…

and…

And how the kid kind of had Peter's face.

Crap… No wonder he calls her Auntie thought Hank, and… he decided that that was a sleeping dog left best undisturbed for now.