Salem-X

Issue #50 – Winter's Flame - Part One

Salem School of Witchcraft

Hex-Room

"Thanks for coming, everyone," Shaman said as he looked around the room.

Mike Twoyoungmen was feeling a little better and eased, especially after the recent event of Wanda and the other vanishing and then the battle with Chad and the Spellbinders. They had managed to calm down the Spellbinders and convince all of them to remain at the school. After the death of one of their own, Paul the Charmer and the defeat of Chad the Thief, it was clear how important it was to keep them all there and to train them in their gifts and how to use them for good. Dr. Strange was furious that he had been duped but agreed it was better to keep them there and they had all agreed that Klara would devote all her time in teaching and watching over the Spellbinders. Since Bryce was immune to magic, he would assist her in their training as well as with the other students.

With Klara stepping into this single and important roll, Bryce spread thin between the two groups of students and with Cloak and the others missing that left Mermana as the only other staff member present and with the depleted ranks of Salem-X that left it more difficult for the core members to help handle both the school and any evil threats out there. Mike knew that until Wanda and the others returned she would expect him to do what ever was necessary to keep booth the school and Salem-X functioning. So he had made some hard decisions and ones that had to me made whether the others agreed with him or not. The first was Klara and the Spellbinders and the rest was why everyone was assembled before him now.

"I still don't know why he is here," Jason Strongbow mumbled as his wife, Tyllas kicked him under the table.

Mike glanced at Jason and his wife and then glanced at who he was referring to, Max Dillon the villain once known as Electro and former member of Daman Harkness' group as Dark Bolt and currently father of former Salem-X member and Wanda's son, Wade Harkus. He then glanced at the others sitting around the table; Laura Dean - Portal, Sam Le – Salem, Ling Kong – Time Witch, Lucy France – Python, Sorana Zafar – Elementa, Erik Williams – Reaper, Folma – Mermana, Clara Holdsworth – Natura, Analee Bergwood – Shifter and Jillian Woods – Shadowoman. It was an odd group, friends old and new but he had a plan and they had all agreed to trust him and follow his leadership.

"Now, you know Klara has taken on the new role as only working with the Spellbinders. Her only wish is to train and watch over that group of students so she has chosen and I agree that she will have no connection with Salem-X or the running of the school. That is why she is not here with us, but she is aware of all that is transpiring," Mike said as he began the meeting.

"What about finding my son and the others," Max interrupted.

"Now, as I've said, there is nothing we can do at this point. And on authority from Madam Webb, she said that we are to do nothing and when the time is right, Wanda will return to us," Mike said as he knew in his soul that Cassandra's premonition was true and that they would return to them.

Mike was glad to hear these words from Cassandra when he had called her. Mike was in need of some recruits and despite the wishes to try and keep the Coven and Salem-X separate he had decided to see if he could call on any of them to help till Wanda and the others returned. Amanda Szardos was currently unavailable due to something going on with X-Calibur as was Cassandra who said that she had other things she had to deal with at this time. Both Victoria Hastings and Latoya Worrik were too busy in their personal lives to help. The only one willing was Analee Bergwood who decided she wasn't ready to deal with her son and had reached out to him at a chance to make up for all the bad she had done. With a hint from Cassandra, he had agreed to give her a shot.

He was disappointed that she was the only one from the Coven willing to help. He had even begged his daughter. Elizabeth to come help and she had said no. Like fellow Coven member, Topaz, his daughter was also a Mystic Avatar for Dr. Strange and they were too busy for them to assist him. He had begged her to do it as a favor to her father but she said no, which even if she wanted to, Dr. Strange at this time would not allow it. But she had made a compromise and offered another to help in her place. That was Jillian Woods, the woman known as Shadowoman who was a past member and now current member of a group known as the Secret Defenders.

Elizabeth had told Mike that Dr. Strange had assigned each of his Mystic Avatars with a special group to look after. She had been given the Secret Defenders. Unfortunately she had a round of bad luck with her newly appointed group. Her team leader, Cadaver had finally been granted his wish to finally cross over and had. Vengeance had finally been separated from his Ghost Rider bond and was now back to being ordinary cop Mike Badilino. Then Beta Ray Bill had been called away to attend to something going on with Thor and Asgard and was on temporary leave as was Amanda Szardos. This only left her with two team members, Nocturne – Angela Cairn and Jillian Woods. She wasn't sure about Angela but his daughter had grown close to and had become good friends with Jillian and trusted her greatly and suggested that until she figured out what to do and reform her Secret Defenders team that Shadowoman was all his if he wanted her and because it was his daughter, he agreed to Shadowoman in her place.

"Now, we need to not only keep the school running and tend over the other students, but we have to keep going as Salem-X. Now, I've officially taken over Wanda's place as Headmaster of the school and leader of Salem-X. Thanks to my powers and the power of our Hex-Tech I will make sure all know Mistress X is still present and accounted for," Mike said as in a swirl of magic he was now wearing the white hood and robe of Mistress X.

"With his transfiguring powers to give off certain curves you wouldn't know it wasn't Wanda under that robe," Tyllas whispered to her husband.

"I agree, we can't let anyone, especially our enemies know that powerful Mistress X is not around to protect this place," Elementa added.

"I know things have been blurred in the past but for my ruse to work and to keep things running smooth we will need to keep Salem-X and School Staff completely separated. For that to work we need staff to help Bryce, who will already be run thin devoting most of his time to Klara, teach and watch over the rest of the students as well keeping Salem-X a mystical ten members strong.

"Joining Mermana will be Lucy moving from Salem-X to running the school and the students full time. Tyllas, who doesn't really want to go into the field, has agreed to stay on as staff to help Lucy. I have also asked Analee here to come to the school to help Lucy as well," Mike said as he got many disturbing looks and murmurs from a few in the group but they all knew that if Wanda had trusted her into the Coven they owed her the chance to prove herself to them as well.

"What about us?" Portal asked as she motioned to her and her group of friends.

"I was about to get to that, Laura. You, Sam, Ling and Erik will be promoted, or graduated if you will from students to Student Teachers. You will be part of the Salem-X and be pulled when needed but will student assist as Lucy needs. You all have proven yourself more than once in battle, but you all still have much to learn. Clara here will also move from the student roster and join you as a Student Teacher as well as a part of Salem-X," Mike said as they glanced to Klara's granddaughter who was wearing her same outfit but was now the crimson and red colors of Salem-X.

"Welcome to the team," Sam said with a smile as Laura glared at him briefly.

"Thanks," Clara said with the tone that this should be no surprise to anyone.

"Now, of course the core team of Salem-X will be Elementa with Scarlet Eagle rejoining the team. Also we welcome new comers Jillian Woods codenamed Shadowoman and Max Dillon taking the codename Crimson Bolt," Mike said as they all looked at the two new comers who wore costumes designed just like their original costumes but were now the standard colors of Salem-X.

"Wait, with us I only count nine, thought there was supposed to be ten?" Laura asked as she glanced around the table.

"Who's going to be field leader if you are taking on the role of Mistress X?" Scarlet Eagle asked as the same time.

"Now everyone, I was just getting to that. I would like you all to meet your field leader and the tenth and final member to the core group of Salem-X," Mike said with a big smile as they all turned to a figure walking through the door.

"Illyana!" Tyllas, Jason and the rest of the original Salem-X members all screamed at the same time as a woman with short blond spiky hair, crimson red Salem-X outfit that left her legs, arms, face and parts of her upper body bare while wearing boots, a glove on her right hand and a band on her left arm where her hand had once been that matched her body suit.

"SilverFlame is back," Illyana said with a smile.

Epilogue

"Are you ssssure thissss isss a good idea?" Spideress asked in a soft hiss as she looked at the building across the field known as the Salem School of Witchcraft.

"Smells wrong," Sharptooth growled as he sniffed the air and looked at the half woman half spider.

"We should go," Skull the flaming skeleton said as the Draconian named Draco grunted in agreement.

"Now, now, since when have we all gone so soft?" Lord Sirus asked as he landed behind them all.

"Sssirusss," Spideress began to say to the man with long wavy hair and a set of sharp fangs that glistened against his pale skin.

"That's Lord Sirus to you and we will storm in there and get my mother back. Something has happened to her and I can feel it," Lord Sirus said out load as he kept to himself that he had also felt something change within him as well and he not only had to get his mother but he had to get answers.

"Cold," Draco grunted as a strange wind began to blow.

"Ssskull, whatsss wrong with you?" Spideress suddenly asked as they all turned to look at the skeleton whose natural burning flames had begun to go out.

"Greetings, hope I'm not intruding," an icy voice said.

Lord Sirus and his Demon Squad turned to see a woman with snow white skin and long blue hair and eyebrows that looked like they were burning fire but the color of and made of ice. Her finger nails and lips were a frosty blue and her eyes were a strange grey-blue color with flaming snowflakes for pupils. She wore a blue long sleeve top and matching pant with white boots and white long cape with a flaming icicle pattern all over the back of it. As she took in air and exhaled, they all could see her frosty breath escape.

"Who are you?" Lord Sirus demanded when a strong cold wind began to stir all around them.

"You bitter cold end," the woman said as waved her hands and brought forth the full force of the North Wind.


Young Avengers

New Recruits – Part One

High School – New Mexico

"How's Susan doing?" Elijah Bradley asked as he stopped at the entrance of the local High School.

"Better, for all things considering for a person who found out not only is she adopted but her real father is dead and used to be the Avenger known as the Swordsman," Kate Bishop said as she adjusted her fashionable civilian outfit.

"Sounds like someone else I know and she turned out great," Elijah smirked and gave Kate a quick kiss on the cheek. "So does she still want to play dress up like her little sister?"

"She insists and I'm not sure how I feel about it but I don't know if I can deny her either," Kate said knowing how she had become the hero she was today.

"I heard A.J. was going to give Susan her father's sword," Elijah commented as they opened the front doors of the school, went through the metal detectors that were not advanced enough to pick up on their cloaked tech.

"Yes and she had already started practicing with it. She was already a natural in her fencing class so she needs to learn all its tricks. A.J. has even created a costume for her. Looks just like the original Swordsman's costume except it's a bit shinier and armored looking than cloth. She's even decided to call herself Lady Sword," Kate said as they entered the gym were the wrestling tournament was being held.

"Interesting, I assumed she'd call herself Swordswoman or something like that. There's our guy," Elijah said suddenly as they saw a very muscular guy about six feet tall, very tanned skin with brown hair covered by a brown bandanna.

"All right dude, let's get our wrestle on," Argo said as he eyed the kid in front of him.

"Doesn't sound all that heroic but he does have a god-like look to him," Kate blushed a little.

"Whatever, let's," Elijah began to say when the ceiling suddenly exploded and a huge chunk down upon the two wrestlers causing the whole gym to scream in horror when it crushed them.

"Don't anyone move. If you let me get what I came for then we'll let you all live," a voiced boomed as a young man wearing a green tight shirt with brown hair dropped from the ceiling and suddenly started to hover in mid air as his body from the waist down became a twirling cyclone made of sand.

"Why don't you surrender and you won't get hurt," Patriot said as he and Archtress steppe dup with weapons ready after their costumes had quickly formed on their body.

"Oh, I was hoping I wasn't too early to get a chance to take you guys on. This will be fun," the villain made of sand said as his hands turned into large sand mallets and hit the ceiling and causing more debris to fall but as it passed near him, broke down, transformed and suddenly took the shape of a dozen warriors made of sand upon the ground in front of the Young Avengers.

Maria Stark Academy

"I thought only those worthy could hold the mighty hammer of Thor?" Teddy Altman asked as he shifted the backpack on his back that held the enchanted mace called Thunderstrike.

"That's Thor's hammer. Thunderstrike can be picked up by anyone but only the one worthy can actually tap into and use its powers," Cassie Lang said as she began to grow nervous.

She and Kevin Masterson had grown up friends since their parents had been heroes and Avengers. She had even had a crush on him but had never had a chance to tell him how she felt. Soon after Kevin's dad sacrificed himself to save the world, his mom and step dad had taken him away. They had written letters for awhile but had slowly drifted apart as the years passed. She had even thought of or spoke with Kevin until after her dad had died and she had received a sympathy card from him. She tore it up without reading it because she thought if he wasn't going to show up at the funeral at least he could have called or written a letter, not a generic sympathy card.

"Are you okay?" Teddy asked as Cassie seemed to be staring off into space.

"Sorry, just thinking. I haven't seen Kevin since we were little kids," Cassie said as she stared at the doors that led into the school.

"And you have a thing for him," Teddy sang with a smile.

"Do not," Cassie said as she took a swing and missed. "Hurry up so we can get this over with."

"Hey Kevie, you think your too good to talk to us?" A boy's voice taunted from around the corner.

Cassie and Teddy rounded the corner to see five boys following and harassing another student. As they got closer they saw it was a skinny boy of about seventeen with short blond hair. It had been many years since she had seen him but with one look upon the blond boy's face she knew immediately it was Kevin. It took everything in here to not run up and grab him and hug him or deck him. She always considered herself a strong person but why did this boy have an effect on her like this. Before she could dwell any further on the situation, Kevin's voice brought her back to reality.

"Just leave me alone!" Kevin shouted as he turned and took a swing at the lead bully.

"Oh, tough guy?" The boy teased as he easily dodged the blow and then slammed Kevin up against the lockers.

"Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" Cassie asked causing all the boys to turn and look towards her and Teddy.

"Cassie?" Kevin asked surprised.

"What, your girlfriend has to fight your battles?" The boy teased as they all turned to face Cassie and Teddy.

"You all better run if you know what's best for you," Teddy said trying to control his change to Hulkling.

"They won't be going anywhere," a voice giggled as all the bullies, including the one holding Kevin were suddenly slammed against the lockers and stuck there by some strange goop unable to break free.

"Who?" Cassie asked as they turned around to see a kid about their age with spiky blond hair wearing red goggles and a gold suit with black gloves, boots and chest piece.

"None of your concern, I'm here for the Masterson boy," the kid said as suddenly a strange liquid shot out of his chest piece and flew right at the Young Avengers.

JB Comics – Lincoln, Nebraska

"What happened here?" Tamia Taylor asked as she stared in shock at the sight in front of her.

"Looks like an explosion went off," Jonas Shade responded as he stared at the mess that was suppose to be the comic shop Sebastian Druid worked.

"You think?" Tamia said rolling her eyes and started to move closer to the building.

"You suppose Sebastian was in there?" Jonas asked as he tried to scan the rubble.

"No, he's not in there anymore," a woman's voice came from behind them.

Both Young Avengers turned to see a girl in her late teens wearing a purple face mask, outfit, gloves and boots that covered her whole body except for her legs from the top of her knees to her hips, her mouth area and her mid drift. She had glowing green eyes and long red hair that went down to the middle of her back. Jonas shut off his image inducer while Tamia called on her costume and instantly became Kid Vis and Talon.

"How do you know that?" Talon asked already knowing the answer.

"Because I did that before taking him down. I almost left when I saw you two and something told me you were members of the Young Avengers and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take you down," the girl said with a smile.

"Well, your no match for us, who ever you are," Talon said as she flew at the girl.

"You think? Trust me, you are no match for Miss Medusa," the girl said as suddenly her hair began to grow.

Before Talon could switch direction, half of Miss Medusa's hair caught her, and then slammed her into the ground. Then, just as quickly, picked her up and tossed her into the air while the other half of her hair lashed out with great force hitting Talon and sending her flying through the air. Kid Vis could have sworn that he saw energy crackling throughout the lady's hair every time it hit or touched something. He didn't have time to contemplate it as Miss Medusa turned and faced him. The instant that their eyes made contact, Miss Medusa's hair whipped back like a violent wind had hit her from the front as a huge blast of energy shot from her face causing Kid Vis and the spot he was standing on to explode violently upon contact.

Bishop Manor – Head Quarters of the Young Avengers

"I still don't see why I can't go with you," Susan said not used to being told no.

"Because, you haven't been fully trained," A.J. said as he was checking the computer monitor.

"You're just going to a high school to talk to a potential recruit. How hard can that be?" Susan pouted.

"Hey, I, wait a minute," A.J. suddenly said as he pulled up a scene.

"Oh my," Susan said as she saw a high school turned battle scene.

Lying on the ground was a girl and she looked unconscious. Hovering above her was a teenaged boy wearing a full armored body suit that was dark blue with white boots, gloves and eye piece. There was a glowing white pattern all over the blue part of his armor that seemed to electrically shift from computer grid lines to magic symbols and back. The blue armored villain paused and then seemed to look right at the monitor A.J. and Susan were looking at.

"I know you are watching Iron-Lad. You thought that Kid Wizard wasn't good enough for your Young Avengers, well I will show you when me and the rest of my Frightful Four kill every last one of your recruits, starting with her," Kid Wizard said as he turned on the girl and began to hit her with blasts of electricity from his gloves.

"A.J.," Susan began to panic when she realized Iron-Lad was already gone and flying at great speed and she hoped he made it in time.

Next: Issue #51 – Winter's Flame - Part Two & Young Avengers: New Recruits – Part Two