Of Mind and Magic
Chapter 15
When the world stopped spinning, Harry stood in a white room.
A large bed sat in the center of the room, his mother lay on it. Her feet were perched in iron stirrups. Sweat poured down her brow, sticking her dark hair to her face. A pant was cut off as a contraction hit, her muscles tensed, her stomach glowed a translucent blue.
A healer in white robes crouched at the end of the bed, golden crossed wands over his breast pocket signifying him as a Mediwizard, his baldhead gleamed in the bright lights floating above him.
He peeked out from under Lily's hospital gown pushing his dark rimmed glasses up on his nose, "You're doing great Mrs. Grey one more push and you can welcome your baby boy into the world."
Lily's face scrunched up, a scream ripping from her throat. Bright light filled the room as a baby's cries mingled with his mother's.
The doctor pushed back on his stool, the wheels gliding across the tile floor with these. He stared down at the baby made of light blue energy, tendrils of blue energy wafting off the child to drift over his shoulders, "Incredible," he breathed.
The memory froze.
"This was the happiest moment of my life," John grey said, reminding Harry that he was there. He moved beside his son, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his trench-coat, his emerald eyes locked on the image before him.
Harry's gaze flicked between the energy baby, and his own flesh and blood hands, "What happened to me?"
A touch of sadness filled John's eyes, "Your mother was the most powerful magic user in her world," he glanced at Jean, "that's right sis, I wasn't the only one to travel from another universe. The Grey bloodline produces and has produced psychics powerful enough to contain the Phoenix force, the universal force of creation."
"It is my theory, that the combination of these two bloodlines produced a child whose potential is virtually limitless."
Harry swallowed thickly, "If I was an energy baby, how did I end up like this?" He gestured to his body.
John stared into his sons eyes, "Are you sure you want to know? This next part isn't pretty."
Harry's gaze flicked from the scene of his birth, to his father, "I'm sure."
The memory resumed.
Lily stretched forth her hands, a tired smile on her face, "Let me hold my baby."
Of course, the Mediwizard rose to his feet, his knees popping. He took a step around the bed. On his second step, the baby began to scream its voice distorting into soundwaves that cracked the floor and rattled the room, sending shards of masonry raining down from the ceiling.
The Mediwizard staggered almost falling to his knees, the child in his arms glowing like a miniature sun.
"What's happening?" Lily exclaimed forced to raise an arm to shield her eyes.
The Mediwizard's legs finally gave way and he fell to his knees, "I have no idea."
John Grey stepped forward, his emerald eyes shining, "His body is losing its form outside your womb. He is a baby made up of pure Psionic and magical energy, without your body's energy to sustain him, he's losing form. If we don't do something soon, at best he will be trapped in the astral plane, at worst he will disperse into the ether, either way he will be out of our reach."
Lily looked at her husband, her light blue eyes filled with terror and pleading, "What do we do?"
"We have to teach him how to create a body; he needs a vessel at least until he has a strong enough sense of self to sustain his form."
The fear and pleading on Lilly's face disappeared, replaced with hard eyes full of determination. "Let's do this." Both parents froze, their eyes shining with an inner light.
The glow around the baby began to dim. However, as it did, the Mediwizard began to scream.
As the light dimmed, pieces of the doctor's body were pulled into the child, first forming a skeleton, then organs, then nerves, followed by muscle then a layer of fatty tissue and finally skin the doctor stop screaming after the skin appeared, almost his entire body pulled into the energy.
Red hair sprouted from the child's head as it drifted to the padded stool the Mediwizard had sat on, his first cry with corporeal lungs ringing through the room.
John Grey unfroze. Approaching his child, he gently scooped him up in his arms, bouncing him until he quieted down.
The scene froze again.
"We didn't know that by teaching you to constitute your own body we would be inadvertently killing the doctor," he shook his head, "I can't say that that would've changed our decision, but we would've probably taken other precautions."
"What was his name?" Harry asked, his mind reeling from what he learned. He was an energy baby, who killed a man so he could live.
"His name was Michael Hammond."
"What about his family."
"He didn't have one, we suspected your birth may be unique, with both your mother and I coming from different universes," he shook his head, "we never thought it would end up the way it did, but we still chose to use a doctor who specialized in keeping his mouth shut."
"You wouldn't know it by this memory, but you were actually born in an underground chamber built into the sewers beneath Saint Mungo's. Michael had it constructed so he could do his business, and get free supplies from the hospital above. That place was so heavily warded your mother couldn't find it, granted she was in labor at the time she was trying."
"How can you be okay with this?" Harry asked a note of irritation in his voice, "I killed a man so I could live and it doesn't bother you at all."
John drifted over towards his son, Harry jumped slightly as he placed a hand on his shoulder, marveling at how real it felt.
"It used to bother me, but I would rather have you here than face a world without you. Your mother felt the same," he glanced at the memory, "and it's not like we didn't learn from the experience, this is the exact reason I place the block on your abilities, so you wouldn't unintentionally disassemble someone."
A far-off look drifted across his face, "Granted I always thought I was going to be there to help you in your control of your abilities."
"What happened to you, in why don't you know if my full abilities will be enough?"
"Because orange Hulk and the woman in leather aren't the only people Doctor Strange Fate has recruited and augmented from other worlds, the man who killed me was an agent of Strange Fate."
Harry's hands curled into fists, his light blue eyes beginning to glow, "Who?"
"His name is Mount Joy. He had the ability to absorb other mutants to take on their abilities. He could also go inside their bodies and ride them like puppets, giving small subliminal messages that influence their actions. That was until Strange Fate got a hold of him, now he's a lot more dangerous."
Jean moved beside her nephew, "How do you know this?"
"Because, this part of me is still connected to the original John Grey or whatever is left of him inside of Mount Joy."
The memory around them began to fade.
–XX –
Harry stood in a warehouse. Steel beams crisscrossing overhead, boxing in the cone-shaped lights dangling from the ceiling creating shafts of circular light on the concrete floor. A metal door at the far end of the room burst open, bringing with it a splash of water from the rain outside.
Thunder rattled the room, highlighting John Gray's silhouette as he moved into the room, the shimmering barrier of Emerald energy dancing across his skin like armor.
His glowing green eyes took in the room, but it was too large to see everything. In a building the size of a football field, there were innumerable places to hide, especially when someone had power.
"I know you're here," John called.
Suddenly, a shaft of light shining from one of the cone-shaped lamps overhead bent into a 5'8" humanoid form. Within minutes, a man stood before him, his glowing red eyes a light with amusement and the thrill of the hunt.
Long caramel colored hair cascaded down broad shoulders.
The man moved forward, dipping his sharp chin down words, his hands resting casually in the pockets of his black blazer jacket. The one button at the waste was fastened, creating a V that revealed the blood colored shirt beneath.
"I have to say, he began," his words punctuated by perfect white teeth, "this little game of ours has been fun," he raised a hand to rub at the light beard covering his chin, "It's almost a shame to see it end."
John shifted, a translucent green dagger coalescing in his hand, "Why do this, why kill those mutants your own people?"
"I would've thought that would've been obvious, Mr. Grey."
John stiffened.
His opponent began to circle him, "That's right I know who you are. Oh but how rude of me, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Mount Joy, because each person I kill brings me a mountain of joy."
John's emerald gaze moved in time with Mount Joy's movements, tracking him, waiting for a time to strike, "You still haven't answered my question."
Mount Joy stopped in front of him leaning in close, "Like I said before I thought that would've been obvious, I kill those mutants for power," he almost hissed the last word.
John nodded. He was expecting the answer to be something like that
Joy shook his head, "It used to be so tedious, I would actually have to pull them inside me, the living minds struggling for dominance inside my own, but not anymore, my new benefactor has changed my power. Now I can take their abilities and skills, leaving all the pesky unwanted bits behind."
"New benefactor?"
"Nothing you need to worry about Mr. Grey, after all you'll know everything soon enough, what's left of you will become a part of me."
John took a step back, putting some distance between him and Joy in preparation for the fight.
"You know there was a time I had some of the most powerful mutants under my command," Joy rose into the air electricity wreathing his arms, "but since coming to this world I had to start my collection a new."
John rose into the air, his emerald green armor expanding into a sphere, "You are from another world?"
"Yes, Strange Fate does love to collect us from the most interesting and exotic places."
Joy exhaled, "Well enough about my current employer. It's time for the final round of our game."
Joy's eyes flashed, John zipped to the side as a wave of crimson energy shot from the red orbs. In a green blur, he circled around Joy stabbing his dagger forward, only for the spectral blade to be met with a wall of air.
Joy spun.
Releasing the blade, John concentrated, a pair of translucent emerald green angel wings grew from his back. With a single flap, he was pulled backwards, spectral feathers flying forward.
Again most of the feathers hit a wall of compressed air, but one made it through, nicking Joy's cheek.
Joy cried out, another wave of crimson energy blasting from his eyes like an ocean wave.
John flapped his wings circling around the wave then launched himself forward, a javelin of emerald energy coalescing around his right arm. Shadows stretched forth from the darkest corners of the warehouse, launching tentacles of darkness towards him.
John twisted and turned, gracefully slipping in between each tentacle. When he was less than a foot away from Joy, he launched his right arm forward, the tip of his javelin poised to Pierce Joy's heart.
A wave of crimson energy washed over John, freezing him in place. He fell to the floor like a statue, the snapping of his legs echoing throughout the warehouse, a muffled scream fought and failed to be pushed out of his frozen lips.
Mount Joy landed a few feet away, his gaze sweeping over John's mangled legs, taking in the piece of white bone poking out of the flesh.
"Ooh that looks painful," he strode forward, "don't worry you won't feel it much longer," he reached forward. "I have to say your skills with your abilities are impressive, they will make acquiring my other abilities much easier."
John stared at the approaching fingers, he knew what was about to happen. Mount Joy was about to take his powers and knowledge as his own. The horrors he would do with his abilities made him shudder.
An image of his wife and son flashed through his mind, what would Mount Joy do once he got those memories? Determination filled him he would not allow this monster to go after his family. He may not be able to move but he still had options.
Turning his powers inward, he carved out the part of his mind related to his powers and family, sending it through the connection he had with the block he had placed on his son.
The process was more painful than when he broke his legs, beads of sweat drenched his face when he was done. His thoughts felt sluggish, but a tired smile stretched across his face, one corner of his mouth drooped but he didn't care.
Mount Joy may get his powers, but he would not get his skill, he had sent them to someone, shredding the memories of the person in the process, he didn't remember why there was so important, but as long as they were safe, that was all that mattered.
Mount Joy grasped his head, emerald green light exploded from his eyes and mouth flowing into Mount Joy. Joy's eyes widened, shining with power as the energy flowed into him a wide smile stretching across his face only to fall into a frown a second later.
He let go of John's head, staring at the empty husk of a man, he slowly shook his head. "Clever, clever, creature, but you've only delayed the inevitable."
The memory froze, John Grey materialized beside Harry, his hands back in his trench-coat pockets. He slowly shook his head, "if I wouldn't have been so cocky, I could've maybe one that battle," he looked at Harry, "maybe I could've been there to help your mother with Shuma-Gorath," he stared into Harry's eyes, "for my absence in your life, I apologize."
"Your service as an officer of the law showed me what it meant to be a hero. It showed me what it meant to be part of something bigger. Don't ever apologize for that."
They stood there in silence for a moment. Then Harry couldn't take it anymore. He looked away from the frozen scene, "So what happens now?"
"I pass on my knowledge to you, unlock your full abilities, and go on to what comes next," a gentle smile spread across his face and a distant look came into his eyes, "Hopefully I'll see your mother again."
Harry opened his mouth. He wanted to tell his father he needed him, that he couldn't go, not after he had just gotten him back, but he closed it. Did he really want his father trapped here in his mind? No, his father had been through enough. It was time for him to find peace.
John nodded slowly, "I'll miss you too my son, but remember you're not alone, you have your aunt Jean, the X-Men, the Kinney's, and so many more people you made a connection with throughout your life."
Reaching forth a hand John placed it on his son's forehead, and green light flooded every corner of Harry's mind, slowly, it began to fade, "Always remember my son how much your mother and I love you."
–XX –
Ororo, Logan, and Beast stared at the frozen duo, pink and pale blue energy mingling together around them.
"What do we do?" Ororo asked her pale blue eyes full of concern as she gazed upon her friend.
Beast cautiously moved forward, his body arched as he walked on his toes with a cats grace. He stretched forth the blue fur covered hand only for the aura around the two to flare and gently push him backwards.
He locked a yellow eye on Logan and Ororo, "Well that settles that. If we try to force our way in, the combined energy will throw us out. All we can do is wait on whatever's happening to finish."
Logan grunted while picking at his teeth with one of the three foot long claws protruding from his knuckles, "And how long do you think that will…"
He was cut off as a green glow coalesced around Harry's head. It slowly spread through his body, lighting up every vein and nerve.
Beast cocked his head to the side, "Interesting, that's not Hadrian's or Jean's power. Another, perhaps," he tapped his furred chin in thought.
With a small implosion of power that washed away from the two Greys in a white wave, Hadrian and Jean unfroze both swaying slightly on their feet.
"Jean," Ororo said closing the distance between them, "Are you alright?"
Jean looked at her with watery eyes, "I'm fine. I've just learned some unpleasant things about my brother's fate."
Harry straightened up, the aura radiating off his body making the hairs on those around him stand on end, "If you don't mind and Jean, I'm going to go for a bit of a walk." Without waiting for an answer, Harry turned and strode in a random direction his mind swimming with what he had just learned.
–XX –
Harry stood before a small pond behind the Xavier state staring at the shimmering water in the midday sun. The scent of roses, lilacs, and daffodils wafted through the air from the garden at his back, but he didn't notice the beauty around him.
According to the ancient one someone had been weakening the walls of reality, which caused Shuma-Gorath to break through and ultimately led to his mother's death.
Doctor Strange Fate has been pulling people from alternate worlds, inadvertently allowing his parents to meet by weakening the barriers in reality and allowing them to fall through the cracks.
How long had he been doing this, how many more people did he have working for him. His hand curled into a fist, the sky darkened around him and thunder rolled, a flash of lightning turned the water of the pond a luminescent blue.
He didn't know the answer to these questions, but he would find out. He was going to find Mount Joy, and make him pay for killing his father.
A silhouette of Mount Joy rose out of the center of the pond hardening into an ice statue. With a boom of thunder lightning jutted down from the sky, blowing it into pieces. The pieces froze in midair, each outlined by light blue energy.
"You've got nice control for someone who just got there full powers unlocked."
"Hello Mr. Howlett, or do you prefer Logan."
"Logan or Wolverine is fine."
The stocky Canadian stopped beside him, shoving a cigar in the corner of his mouth, "Your Aunt Jean told us what happened to your father. I take it by your little display here. You're planning to go for revenge."
"Not just revenge answers, this Doctor Strange Fate has caused a lot of damage, I want to know why."
"Fair enough, but before you go off and potentially get yourself killed, let the X-Men show you a thing or two."
"I've been trained before."
"Monks and magic won't be enough."
Harry stood there, images of all the times he had been knocked unconscious during his battles with the facility and afterwards flooding to the forefront of his mind. He glanced at the spiky haired Canadian, "Why are you doing this?"
Logan pinched the cigar between two fingers, letting it dangle near his leg he turned to face Harry, staring him right in the eye, and in that moment the nearly one foot in height difference didn't matter. This man had a presence about him that demanded attention and respect.
"I owe you one for bringing Laura here safe, but besides that your Jean's family," he shook his head, "no matter how weird your origins may be. Your aunt doesn't have much family left, I would hate to see her lose more, so what do you say," he stretched forth his hand, "you interested."
Harry stood there. He had seen what his father was capable of when using his powers and Mount Joy still defeated him. With the way he had struggled in his past battles he needed an edge, maybe these people could help him.
He grasped Logan's hand shaking it in a firm grip, "Alright Wolverine let's do this."