AUTHOR'S NOTE: I wonder what voice you hear whenever you read these notes. But that's not why I'm here. I'm here because I've run into another problem. That's right, Hope Summers. Other than being a part of The Five, Hickman and friends haven't really done much with here and while DoX and related titles have been put on pause… I can only wait so long to interpret characters the right way. So, like Vulcan I'm going to put my spin on her. Last time I really paid attention to Hope was in AvX and I particularly remember the relationship she had with the Scarlet Witch in which (haha) they put aside their differences to disperse the Phoenix. I don't know if Hope's view of Wanda has changed since then, especially with Wanda being viewed as a "pretender" and public enemy of mutants now. (I wonder if good ole Magnus would let his kids come live with him because screw the whole not related thing.)
Anyway, this note is getting long. This chapter will be slightly unusual because I want a spiritual successor to "Kitty's Fairy Tales" or "Jubilee's Fairytale Theatre." So let me know of what you think of it.
"Now for something completely different!"
Night slowly crept in on Krakoa as the stars began to shine from between the trees. Many mutants decided to turn in that night save for Hope Summers and a few children.
Hope watched as the children had gathered around the campfire from afar, waiting for Exodus to join them. Exodus had somewhat become the resident storyteller in which he used the position to scare the children most of the time. His most popular stories, being about the Scarlet Witch.
Now everybody knows what Wanda had done to the mutants. Everybody knows those three words. Those words were only said in a hushed whisper or with a look of agony.
Because of Exodus' stories (which were in fact true, Hope had to give him that) everyone was filled with renewed hate for the Scarlet Witch. But they fail to acknowledge what she has done to redeem herself. If it had not been for Wanda, Hope could have been turned into the Dark Phoenix. Without Wanda, Hope wouldn't have been able to dispel the force from within her. Which is why Hope had a respect for Wanda.
Her mouth went dry whenever mutants of Krakoa would disrespect her. But Hope never said anything in the Witch's defence. It was true that Wanda had thrown a wrench into everything the mutants and X-Men have built in the past but… if Apocalypse can be forgiven, if Exodus himself- the very peddler of these stories can be forgiven… why can't she?
Hope softly shook her head to herself. It would seem that Exodus was later than usual tonight. Could have something to do with the Council (as he was a part of Winter), or maybe he simply lost track of time.
Maybe…
Maybe Hope should step in here. She wasn't exactly a storyteller, but how hard could it be? Being a part of The Five doesn't give her much to do in long stretches of time, so it couldn't hurt.
Hope heaved herself up from beneath a tree and sauntered over to the group of children by the campfire. With fire illuminating their young features, they regarded her with awe. As a member of The Five, she was practically holy and highly regarded. It took some getting used to but Hope ignored it.
"Hello." Hope greets warmly. She wanted the children to feel comfortable and treat her normally.
In reply, the children echoed their hellos.
"Alright then…" Hope dipped her head, "Well since Exodus is taking his time, why don't I tell you a story?"
The children exchange glances and murmur amongst one another.
Hope smiled and sat in the spot usually reserved for Exodus. "I'll take that as a yes." she said, clearing her throat. "Now then… where do we begin? Let's see-"
"There once was an old king who had two sons. One, the Heir whom he acknowledged as his son, and the other the Protege, whom he treated like one. The two sons clamored for their father's affection by trying to please him. But only the Protege was trained in the ways of peace, whilst the Heir slowly descended into madness as his magic power grew…"
One of the children interrupts Hope and raises their hand. "This story sounds fake." he says, voiced pitched high with youth.
"Well maybe it is, and I'm just making it up… or maybe I'm not." Hope winks at him and continues her story.
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The King consulted his royal vizier, a woman shrouded in a dark cloak save for a golden mask spattered with dried blood. He asked her what he should do with the Heir as he was slowly beginning to spin out of control.
"Put him away." The Vizier instructs. "The time will come when we will deal with him. For now, there are more pressing matters." She motioned toward the throne room entryway as the Protege came bursting into the doors. She faded from sight, not to be seen by any other than the King.
The King then puts his attention onto the Protege. He seems to have brought another person with him. "What is it my boy?" The King asked. "You seem troubled."
"The Duke of Magnus has attacked the outer borders of the city!" exclaimed the Protege as he knelt before his king. "He demands to know where his daughter Lorna has disappeared off to… he thinks we have taken her."
The King arched a brow. "Sounds like you know more to the story than you let on."
The Protege flinched. "Aye my king… his daughter fled with my brother."
"What?"
"They have fallen in love…" the Protege supplied in anguish. "I promised my brother I wouldn't disclose their secret, but this has gone on for too long!"
"And who have you brought before me?" the King asks, referring to the figure that has yet to kneel before him. The figure was dressed in garish scarlet garb with a hood that hid their features.
"This is the Duke's eldest daughter, sir. She wishes to help." The Protege replies.
The figure removes their hood to reveal the face of a young woman. "They call me the Witch sir, and… I no longer wish to serve under my father." The Witch then bows out of reverence. "If need be, I will fight against him and my brother."
She appeared sincere, and if the Protege believed in her, the King will as well.
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"So then what happened?" asked the same kid from earlier. Despite earlier doubts about the story, he and the others have become quite invested into it.
"For many days and nights the King's army fought against the Duke of Magnus and his forces." Hope replied as she leaned forward to catch their attention. "Each side was growing tired but neither would back down. Horrified by the bloody battle, the Duke's daughter Lorna returned and cried out against her father. She even brought the Protege's brother, the Knight named Somers whom she fell in love with. She pleaded with the Duke that to bring peace, allow her to marry Somers in wedlock. That way, the two sides would be joined. Somers may not be royalty, but his brother the Protege was revered as one. But the Duke of Magnus refused."
As Hope spoke, the light illuminating from the fire licked at her face and she lowered her tone for more dramatic effect. It seemed to work because the children were at the edge of their seats.
"The Duke of Magnus wanted to keep fighting, furious that Lady Lorna would fall for the enemy. She was cast aside, thrown under her brother's care and worried for her sister's safety, the Witch went to confront him."
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The battle waged all around them as the Witch went with the company of Somers to track down the Son of Magnus and Lady Lorna.
The two were at the top of a hill, overseeing the battle below as Lady Lorna watched in tears. Despite her cries to persuade her brother to free her, the Son of Magnus refused. He stayed vigilant just as his father commanded.
As they drew close, Somers instructed the Witch to get behind him. He held his sword the Havoc in a defensive position while confronting the Son of Magnus. "Release her Son of Magnus, or you shall have Havoc take your soul." Somers declares.
"We shall see about that Somers." The Son of Magnus drew Quicksilver a long and thin blade opposed to the generic build of Havoc. The two men engage in a swordfight, too busy to pay attention as the Witch goes to free Lady Lorna.
The loyal Knight Somers held well against the Son of Magnus, but the Son was too fast for him. The Son of Magnus didn't leave time for Somers to think of his next attack while already preparing his next move. Quicksilver licked at Somers' flesh while the Son of Magnus barely had any wounds.
Whilst this was happening, the Witch levitated Lady Lorna's binds away and Lorna leaped into action. As the Son of Magnus had Somers on the ground, ready to deal the final blow, Lady Lorna screeched for him to stop.
Lady Lorna held out her hands and Quicksilver flew into the air away from its master.
"What kinds of sorcery…" the Son of Magnus turned toward his younger sister in both awe and anger. "Lorna, you-"
But it was too late, the Son of Magnus never got to finish his sentence as Somers plunged Havoc into his back.
His sisters screamed at Somers, seeing their brother fall dead to the ground.
"I-i'm sorry…" Somers stutters, letting Havoc fall out of his hands.
"No!" the Witch shouts, "No more! No more fighting!"
And like that, a powerful surge of magic expelled out of the Witch, permeating across the kingdom. The spell had caused many to suddenly drop dead like flies, the first of which being the Protege as he gave a battle report to the King in the castle.
The Protege sunk to his knees as his heart stopped, prompting for the King to get up and rush over to his side. That day, the King wept tears for his "son" as the Heir watched from the shadows.
The last one to die would be the Knight Somers as he stumbled into the arms of Lady Lorna. Lorna sobbed as the Witch looked numbly at what she had done. She felt empty and mortified, unsure of what to do. She didn't even know how she was able to cast such a spell.
After a while Lorna's tears came to an unnatural stop as the atmosphere began to slow. The Witch cautiously turns to look behind her where she sees the King's vizier accompanied by the Heir and a glowing stranger. She didn't hear them come walking up, so they must've used magic to teleport in.
The Witch threw a cautious glance at her sister.
Lady Lorna was frozen in time, caught in an expression of pure anguish.
"You can fix this." The Vizier offers, "Or you can allow me to fix this."
The Witch's voice cracked with apprehension. "I… I… I don't know how."
The Vizier dipped her shrouded head. "Very well then." She turns toward the Heir and the glowing stranger. "Legion. Proteus. Undo this conundrum and I shall see that you get what you wish."
The Heir, now going by a new name, exchanged a glance with the stranger presumably named Proteus. Together they hold out their hands and cast a reverse spell that not only brings all back to the realm of the living, but brings peace across the land.
The next morning, the people of the land wake up in their comfortable beds wondering what happened to the war. One moment they were fighting, and the next they were all in their homes. By the order of the King's enforcers they all gather in the square to hear the good word.
With the Duke of Magnus at his side, the King declares, "The world changed while you were all asleep." as the royal vizier looked on from her hidden place.
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"No one has seen or heard from the Witch again, but legend has it, that she roams the hills in constant mourning of her sin. Banished from the Kingdom forever. Her brother, no longer referring to himself as the Son of Magnus had chosen to stay with her. As for the Heir and Proteus they were revered as heroes and were celebrated for their efforts. Somers and the Protege were united once more in time for Somers' wedding with Lady Lorna. The people of the kingdom were happy, unaware of the looking presence from behind the King's throne."
Hope concludes her story, suddenly aware of Exodus' eyes boring into her back. Nevertheless, she smiled and bid the children goodnight despite their "aws" of disapproval. "C'mon guys." Hope said as she stood up. "I can see how tired you are. Doesn't seem like there's going to be time for a story from Exodus."
She turns toward the man and gives him a faux frown. "Sorry…"
"Can you tell us stories from now on?" pipes up one of the children.
"Hm, we'll see about that. Isn't that right Exodus?"
Exodus forced a smile out of himself, "Why of course Hope Summers, I would hate to disappoint the children."
A/N: Wow, an author's note at the end of the chapter? That's mad! Anywho, I know this veered away from the Summers family, but I hope that the fact that Hope (hehe) was telling the story would forgive that. I know that she doesn't live in the Summer Home, but she's still part of the family. I hope you guys liked this chapter because it's the 20th one and I really wanted it to be a banger. Anyways, peace out and always remember… Cyclops was right.