The anti Mephisto team for lack of better designations studied the forensic data in the fed command center as the firefighting and other forensic efforts continued. There was still less known than more. And even what was evident wasn't totally reliable. This wasn't a typical plot where actors were rational or motives made any sense. It was just chaos generation for its own sake. And Peter endlessly putting out the devil's brushfires. That's why Peter's mind, a logical one, struggled with trying to deal with a being like Mephisto.

And I bet the evil bastard is enjoying it too.

It was good having Nakia along too. The Wakandans had access to tech way beyond anything the west had. That was just fact. It was possible they would come up with something the west hadn't even seen coming.

Nakia indeed came through and in ways Peter had hoped. "I've just spoken with my people. They report that the mutant blob is in the area and may know where magneto is."

Tasha "good lead. Blob has always been a low level enforcer of magneto's. This should lead us to him rather easily."

Xxx

Fred dukes, aka blob, served as a bouncer at a mutant dive in m town. Thus getting to him shouldn't be too hard. The team left the church bomb site and went to the dive. The city obviously remained on edge after everything that had happened. This worked in the team's favor. They would be able to get around the streets with little trouble.

They reached it. A bouncer was outside but it definitely wasn't blob. Blob would be easy to id to put it mildly. "Who are you guys?" The bouncer demanded. Peter "we're shield agents." Tasha showed id. "Do you have a warrant?" "No. We need to find blob. Is he here?" "Sorry. But unless you have official business here I can't let you in."

Peter looked at Tasha. Sandman and Nakia were behind them. Tasha "the church attacks are linked to this." The mutant bouncer laughed. "Good. Racist bastards got that they deserved."

Sandman "I can handle this..." Peter "no. Let's do this right." "Right kid. That means warrant or no deal."

Tasha walked up to him. "Don't call him kid." "Or what red; you gonna scream?"

Tasha shot him with a stun disk. "Tasha!" The bouncer shook from the hit then crumpled to the ground. She looked at Peter. "No one calls you kid but me." She went in without further delay.

No point in waiting now. They followed after her although Peter still sensed he was in charge. The mutant patrons inside regarded the team with suspicion as they entered.

The bartender sensed something was wrong. "Who the hell are you people? How did you get in here?" Peter enabled his armor. "I'm Spider-Man and these are my teammates. Where's blob?" That had everyone quiet.

Peter "look, we don't want trouble. We just want blob to ask him some questions."

"I'm him." A quick glance confirmed that; unless it was mystique or a Mephisto demon in disguise this claim was likely a good bet.

The massive figure pushed through the mutants and towards the team. Sandman moved up but Peter held up a hand. Blob scoffed. "You think I'm scared of any of you?" Peter "fighting's not why we're here blob." "What do you want then web head? Make it snappy."

"We need to find magneto."

Most self aware mutants knew who magneto was. He was a hero to many. The X-men ironically not so much. Magneto was a folk hero in that sense of it; a cultural hero. Peter got it. If he were a mutant too he might see it the same way.

"He blew up that church." "Good" said a few customers. "This will only came back on you you know that right?" Said Tasha to help out. This started soft words being exchanged between them all. Peter could see this going different ways.

Sandman "I don't like this Parker." Peter "we need to avoid violence if we can. It won't do us any good here." Marko didn't like that but went with it.

Blob folded his arms across his mountainous chest in defiance. "I don't know where he is; and I wouldn't tell you if I did." Nakia "he knows Parker."

Peter exhaled. He kept his suit powered up. "We need to know blob. This will help save lives." "Human lives. You don't give a damn about us muties... now get out." "Get out! Get out!" The mutants chanted with increasing volume.

Tasha leaned in close "we can make a scene if you want." Peter knew fighting wasn't the answer. "Let's leave." They did.

"What now?" Said sandman; disappointed. They lost their lead again. We need a mind reader Pete thought. Violence in there will only give Mephisto what he wants. I won't do that. That wouldn't always be avoidable Peter knew but for now it seemed the right move.

"You're looking for my lover; why?" They spun to see a random woman with her back up against an alley building wall; a leg bent back with booted foot resting against it as well. She wore a wide brimmed hat that obscured her features in the darkness.

"Mystique?" She laughed a little. "Good guess Spidey." She looked up but kept her fake appearance. Tasha "you gotta lot of nerve coming here alone." "Not really." "How's that?" "Because I've placed five bombs throughout the city in preparation for what needs to happen." Peter "and what's that?" "What do you think Spidey?" Mystique's tone revealed her anger now. "Mutant liberation from human tyranny. Once and for all."

"Mystique, this isn't what you think." "Really? How so?" "A demon lord is behind this. He's turning us against each other." She shrugged. "So. We needed this war for too long. And too often we let things drop. No more of Xavier's circular unity bullshit. It ends tonight with Homo sapiens superior being dominant." Nakia "Wakanda will never bow to you or any other aggressor." "All will bow to the brotherhood..."

Peter played his last card. "Hank misses you..." that caught her by surprise. "What?" "He told me that you were lovely and that he misses you." She paused at that. Peter took a few steps forward and offered a hand. He then powered down the armor. Tasha "Peter!"

Mystique looked at his offered hand. "Come home mystique; to the people that truly love you for who you are."

After a moment she then smiled slowly. "Nice try Spidey. I see why you're popular with the kiddos. Again nice try." She then changed into a bird and flew off into the night.

The bombs, if real, hadn't been detonated yet. No specific demands made. Peter took mystique's appearance as a message just now. Part of me reached her. I could feel it... that still told him volumes.