What to do about Magik?

Author's note: Wow, fifty chapters. Who'd have thunk it. I'm increasingly convinced this is a resurrected Illyana, with all kinds of story ramifications, most of which I approve of as reducing Illyana in power yields many more viable plot lines; and the explanation as to her now not so impenetrable mind shields. Not to mention her sudden inability to teleport galactic distances and a distinct lack of a physical Darkchilde aspect showing up to date.

Keep in mind that Illyana's appearances in the current New Mutant comic have been mostly comedic to date. Yet… that underlying lethality that I oh so love is very present. Not to mention the nervous vibe that almost everybody has around her. So, baring any published details by Marvel, this is my take.

Part50a: Something wicked this way comes

Location: The No-Space that that Moira Mac Taggert resided in, deep under the island of Krakoa; a place that Krakoa was unable to sense or even detect, nor could anybody else. She had two visitors, the only two that knew of the location and of her actual existence as everybody else thought her long dead. This was before the unveiling of Krakoa by Xavier.

Erik was sprawled, half naked on a couch, rather covered in ointment and bandages, whereas Charles, wearing his X-Helmet, was likewise sprawled upon another couch. Charles was uninjured, at least physically. Both had untouched full wine glasses next to them.

Erik gave a bit of a groan. "One supposes that it could have gone worse."

Charles gave a half hearted agreement, his voice sounding both exhausted and in pain. "The former demon has psychological demons, who would have guessed."

Moira was the third one present, unlike the two she was sitting at a table with an open bottle of red wine and a half full glass, but she was the only one drinking (at present). "It certainly confirms the theories you had Charles as to what happened to her the last time somebody brought her back. Erik, you need to get with Elixir for some healing.)

Just what has happened you ask?

BEGIN RECOLLECTION PART1

A cave beneath a giant tree, dark, woody with lots of dirt. The smell of rich earth and moss with moisture occasionally dripping from the ceiling. In the center was a golden egg lying on a bed of moss. Charles and Erik, two of three present, having dismissed the sacred five Tempus (Eva Bell), Proteus (Kevin MacTaggert), Hope Summers, Elixir (Joshua Foley) and Egg (Fabio Medina formally known as golden balls) as the sacred five were done with their part of the resurrection; and both Charles and Erik had… concerns over the next stage. Hence the egg had been moved to a location far away from the usual resurrection location.

What is mutant resurrection you ask? It starts with Egg. Egg produces a number of nonviable biological "eggs," equal to the number of mutants The Five needs to resurrect. The eggs are then injected with mutant DNA from Mister Sinister's genetic catalog, and then made viable thanks to Proteus' reality-altering powers, transforming the unviable eggs into viable ones. Elixir biologically gives the eggs life starting a new cellular replication process and husk growth, and then Eva Bell uses her time manipulation powers to maturate the husks to the age the mutants were when they died. Hope Summers uses her mimic powers to empower everyone else's abilities in the process. Hope's powers allowed The Five to operate at both their peak and in unison. With this process, The Five were effectively able to make new clones of deceased mutants, restoring their bodies, their powers, and their physical minds as they were at the time of their deaths. But no memories. That was why Xavier was here, to pass on the spark of life as it were.

But there had been a third present. One by the name Mr. Sinister who held a wine bottle in his left right hand and a half filled wine glass in his left as her proposed a toast. "Nature vs. Nurture. Let the great experiment commence once more."

A sip, a sigh of contentment as the two irritate others endured Mr. Sinister's propensity to grandstand.

"Much of the mutant genome is so… drab. Dull. Drudgery. Yes there are the shining stars. Summers, Grey, so few true superstars. For every gene that entices, there are just so many that yield… wings, beaks, the odd tentacle or two… good for nothing but contempt, or one supposed a staring role in some fetish Japanese animi."

Then a look of bemused distain as he continued after another sip. "I still don't get the whole tentacle fetish they have; but I digress. True genetic jewels are so rare, and this… doubly so. The Rasputin genetic line is so… intriguing. Mind you, not her brother, he's just your basic black bread with a bit of tasty cabbage. No…his sister… now that is a most fascinating puzzle."

A toast of a sip in the direction of the golden elongated egg. "So many gene stories are… predictably mundane. But a good mystery is always a pleasure. Quantum observations are so… enigmatic. Watch an electron and all we see is a particle going about its' existence. Cease to observe and wave equations suddenly describe its behavior. And such are the genetics in play here. So… obvious in the lab. Predictable. Measureable. Yet when I glance away, suddenly I observe the byproducts of odd reactions. Why… where did this protein come from? DNA is all about the creation of RNA and then proteins and this oddity is not possible as there is no DNA template; yet when I watch… nothing. With her we see Quantum genetics… so deliciously strange. Not only is God playing dice, he appears to be cheating as well. Almost as if… part of her… makeup is invisible? Can genes be invisible? Balderdash I say! Balderdash! Unless… well… it does make you wonder about a certain code name and how her particular… nature might genetically manifest as so much was done to her that does not answer to science."

Another sip as Erik dry comments. "Are you done monologing yet?"

A condescending sneer from Mr. Sinister. "Which is why so many find you dull Erik. One must revel in the moment. Why… if I had a mustache I'd be twirling it in villainous anticipation…" Then a look of contemplation. "Hmm… perhaps it is time to indulge in some facial hair. After all, roguish ruffians should look the part and I do believe facial hair is making a comeback. Why… I think I'd look stunning with a goatee."

Charles was done with indulging Essex. "We have things to do Nathaniel, are you staying or going?"

Mr. Sinister drained his glass before answering. "Going. All has been observed most carefully, and nothing unwarranted here. I'll leave the midwifery to the two of you. But be prepared Charles is my motto and before you make a boorish comment, twas I that gifted the Scouts with that most famous of sayings. And I think I shall be prepared elsewhere. Discretion is the better part of valor, he who fights and runs away lives to fight another day, and other such trite nonsense."

Mr. Sinister raised the bottle. "Here, I shall gift you with what remains of this Chateau Margaux 1787, if you survive the experience. Such a fine vintage, and so few left; but worthy deeds should be appropriately celebrated. But… I shall give you the bottle afterwards. Be a shame if it accidently got knocked over due to some… trifle accident."

END RECOLLECTION PART1

Part50b: Recollections of events

Moira took another sip of her wine. "Good lord this is good… so what did Sinister say afterwards?"

Erik was the one who answered. "He said 'No great surprise. Did I not say this one has… daddy issues.'"

"Sarcastic and yet observant." Replied Moira. "But… we need one such as her as she posses what we lack."

"Yes…" Mumbled Erik. "She brings magic and other things that of use and need."

"Other things?" Inquired Moira.

A lazy wave from Erik. "Charles knows… It is useful to have a Babayka, a boogeyman, although Baba Yaga might be more contextually correct, at least in her gender. The nature of youth is to rebel and disciple is always problematic when dealing with powers."

Charles adds. "In addition she brings…concern to friend and foe. Few have that affect. She does."

START RECOLLECTION PART2

The sacred five looked upon the distant hill where Erik and Xavier were holed up with the egg containing the shell of her. The moon was just rising over the hill.

Eva pointed out something that has been nagging at her. "Doing this at night feels like a bad idea."

"Yeah…" Echoed Fabio. "Remember that annoying game she liked to play when she was training us."

Eva gave a little shiver. "Yeah… hated it."

"Game?" Asked Elixir.

Fabio and Eva both answered. "Scare the Ninja. She loved to sneak up on people and startle them."

Hope gave her opinion. "That sounds really stupid and dangerous. What if she did that to a real Ninja?"

"She thought that was extra fun..." Answered Fabio with a tone of voice that said he'd seen it, and regretted it.

"She… that kind of sounds… " Kevin did not finish his statement as the hilltop erupted in fire.

Yeah… doing this at night was a bad idea. Everybody who's ever seen a horror film would understand that. But… in the films, don't they always raise the monster at night?

"And shit…" was a statement made by all five.

Moments before…

In the chamber the egg has hatched and an adult naked blonde female covered in golden liquid had spilled forth, Xavier reached forward and touched the empty mind of the clone and the breath of live blew forth into her mind. Where before was a blank slate, now a mind resided.

At first a confused mind.

I…

I… am?

I… am.

Am…

Am…

Her.

Her? I am…

Illyana?

Yes…

Her.

Illyana.

What…

What happened…?

Was…

Was I…

Dead?

Dead?

That means… I've…This is…

Father?

FATHER!

NO!

NOT THAT!

NEVER THAT AGAIN!

NEVER NEVER THAT AGAIN!

NEVER THAT!

NEVER!

END RECOLLECTION PART2

Part50c: Recollections of events

Erik took a sip of his wine (Moira had brought him the glass). "A most impressive fight or flight response. Reminded me again Charles why you did not suppress it."

Charles grimaced. "I did, or I attempted to. There was an unforeseen feedback loop that incapacitated me for a few moments a I was focused more on the dealing with what is normally death trauma on the recovered even if they don't have any memories of their death, not… older trauma dealing with prior… resurrections. And now I have a devil of a headache. Thankfully your abilities shielded us from the conflagration until such a time she came to her senses."

"Was she… adjusted like the others." Asked Moira.

"Yes." Was Charles's answer. In truth… he as not quite sure.

START RECOLLECTION PART3

Fire everywhere. A wordless shriek combined with screaming thoughts.

KILL THE FATHER!

KILL HIM BEFORE HE DOES THAT!

KILL!

KILL!

KILL!

KILL BOTH OF THEM!

BOTH…

THEM…?

THEY…

They…

Don't look like…

Him…

The Father…

Belasco.

Um…

A thought.

A recollection that Xavier gives all who return.

A recollection finally comprehended.

The fire fades, so showing a now dark clad blonde. Dressed in tight black leathers wielding her soul sword.

She says one word to the two, shielded, more or less, by Erik. "Apologies."

And vanishes in a light disk.

END RECOLLECTION PART3

Part50c: The game starts anew…

Erik grumbled. "I'm still not quire sure why one who can traverse time does not fall under your no precognitive rule Moira."

Moira answered. "Travel is a path, not all paths. A precognitive senses so much more."

Erik switched topics. "Speaking of sense, you can still read her mind Charles?"

"Yes… her mental shields, while strong, are not what they once were. Her now departed demonic component was apparently integral to her formally impregnable shields. She on the beach waiting."

"For what?" Asked Moira.

"Dawn." Was Charles's answer.

Later…

Standing upon the white sand beach, her feet in the water, Illyana faced the rising sun. Illuminated by the light.

A thought. (I am not what I once was. Something is… missing.)

A smile as she reaches a conclusion. (And I'm okay with that).

Part50d: Epilogue

Mr. Sinister was listing to music as he contemplated what the future might be. Currently it was Hotel California by the Eagles. This time he was partaking of some brandy.

There she stood in the doorway;

I heard the mission bell

And I was thinking to myself

'This could be heaven or this could be Hell'

Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way

From his grin you could infer that he felt interesting time awaited. Ah… sometimes the song just so got it right.

And she said, 'we are all just prisoners here, of our own device'

And in the master's chambers,

They gathered for the feast

They stab it with their steely knives,

But they just can't kill the beast