25.

The Present

Chapter Theme Song: Do You Really Want to Hurt Me - Culture Club

The visions and voices in her head were nothing new to her, but Nina wondered who was trying to speak to her, and what they meant. Was it a warning? They had only become clearer since she had fled the island.

No, not exactly.

Now, whoever it was, was answering right back.

She stopped walking, standing still and facing whoever or whatever it was, giving them her full attention for once. "Who are you?"

You know who I am.

"No, I don't."

Yes, you do. You know. And part of you always has known. You just don't want to believe it.

"No, you're right, I don't..." It was strange, like she was talking to herself.

The voice seemed to chuckle. That's because you are.

Back on Genosha, panic had settled amongst the X-Men as everyone regrouped. And X-Force, Wade was quick to differentiate.

"Nina's gone!"

"Yeah, we know!" said Wade.

"What?"

"She ran away!"

"Charles, can you find her?" asked Logan.

"She's – she's blocking me out?"

"She can do that?"

"Yes, though she never has before."

"Something must be really wrong, then."

Charles nodded. "Yes. And this time I sense only darkness. She's in danger. We all are."

How could she have never recognized the voice as her own?

The voice - her voice, her own voice - was clear now. And her own image had joined it, creating the full illusion.

The signature purple detailing was gone from her suit, leaving it all black, like a shadow. Even her hair, which had always been varying shades of fiery red, was black as well.

So this was the future - her future.

A deep sense of unsettlement descended upon her, much like discovering her own death in the dark future Nathan had prevented. One dark future to the next, it would seem. Perhaps that was to be her destiny.

"Yes, it is, exactly that: your destiny."

"Stop reading my mind."

Dark Nina smirked. "Our mind. Your thoughts are mine. Can't help it."

Nina gestured to her dark reflection. "So this is it then, my future."

"Oh don't sound so disappointed. I'm you, a better version of you, stronger. What you are becoming."

"And I have no choice?"

"You're already on the path that leads to this."

So it would seem.

"It's good that you left them," Dark Nina said, sensing when Nina's thoughts drifted back to her friends, who she was just now realizing she had so hastily abandoned. "Finally. They'll only hold you back. They don't understand you."

"Neither do I," she admitted.

Dark Nina's grin stretched further. "But you can change that."

"How?"

"Think of how lonely you are. They'll never understand, you can't make them. They can try, but will fail. But this will make that all go away. Accept the darkness and see what you become! All reality at your fingertips - the possibilities are endless! And all that fear you feel about not being in control - well let me tell you, you are in full control. It's all yours."

This version of her was strikingly confident, unlike she had ever known herself to be. Sure, she had gained confidence over the years at the mansion and with the X-Men, but not like this and certainly not to this extent.

"And not only are you in control of your power for once - finally - but also your future... You can make it what ever you want. You don't have to succumb to what it is now: tied down, married to that man you don't love, trapped in a life you are uncertain and afraid of."

"But I do love him in the future - apparently... Somehow..."

Dark Future Nina just shrugged, brushing this aside as though it were nothing.

"You fear what the future holds, but you do not need to fear it. They need to fear you-"

"I don't want them to fear me."

"They already do."

She sighed, the words like a painful stab, even though she already knew them to be true. Deep down, she had always known. "I know."

"They always have, and they always will. People fear what they don't understand. Some things are not meant to be understood."

"But-"

"But what? You already know this to be true, why deny it? There's no point. So stop denying, and start doing."

"Doing what?"

"What you were meant to do. You remember what the prophet said."

"I tried to forget it."

"That you would bring darkness and destruction - but what he didn't know was that it would be for you to forge your way forward."

So this was what had been calling out to her for so long.

"Yes. And, will you answer the call? "Dark Nina was now standing uncomfortably close. Nina wanted to back away, but was frozen to her spot. "What will you do - Nina Nova?"

Nina felt her lips quivering. "I don't want to be afraid anymore. I don't want to hold back who I am."

Her dark self smirked again, something shining within her eyes that Nina didn't recognize. "Good. You're the Night Witch - let's show them some magic."

"Hey..." Nathan turned to see Hank, in the doorway of the cabin where Nathan had sought some peace. "I'm sorry about Nina." Nathan just grunted in reply. "But, about that, sort of-" Hank held out his hand, which held a familiar-looking object.

Nathan's time-travel device.

"Probably not great timing, but I've managed to get it working - I think. It should be good for one charge. So choose wisely."

Nathan was suddenly on his feet grabbing the device out of the other man's hands. "I will." I know exactly where I'm going. "Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me."

Hank nodded, "You're welcome. Glad I could help. I hope it works and you can get back to your family."

Me too.

Hank left, leaving Nathan staring down at the small round device in his hand, that was fixed, that worked again, that held the power to take him home. All he had to do was turn it and press the top...

He caught himself and stopped, hand already reaching out to turn the top of the device.

What am I doing?

He stopped himself. He was leaving, thinking that everything would be fine again once he got home, everything would be right. He hoped so, but he didn't know so. In fact, he had no assurance of this at all.

Bold of him to assume he'd have a family and home to return to after all this.

He had just assumed he'd be going back to his life, his future as he knew it. But he wouldn't, he couldn't, not now - so much had changed, had been changed. Sure, it may be similar, but it wouldn't be exactly the same.

All thanks to him.

And what was he doing? He was running away from a mess he had helped to create. Leaving now would be taking the easy way out. But if he left, he had no idea of what he would find when he returned 'home'. Would it even still be home? The thought and question haunted him.

But he had no guarantee of that, absolutely no guarantee. He hadn't the faintest idea of what he would find upon returning home now that he had been here, or what he wouldn't find...

He couldn't leave now. He couldn't. He wanted to, but he wasn't finished here, not yet.

He slipped the device into his pocket. He had originally come here to save his wife and daughter, and that was exactly what he intended to do now.

His mission wasn't over yet.

The final battle is on the horizon! I really enjoyed writing this chapter :)

Thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed (enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it)! :)