AUTHOR'S NOTE : A few things maybe altered near the end depending on the response I get from my fans. If you like the story as is then I will continue on as I have planned. If not tell me what you think should be altered and I will take it into consideration. Thanks, Azure.
Fire Within
A large shadow pressed over the wall and burst into a running shape that leapt off the wall and landed on the ground in the fur of a huge cinnamon red puma. Golden eyes blazed against the night sky as they lifted their head and let out a cry. On the wall came a soft sound and the cat glanced to the left. A figure in flowing black lifted their head and gazed at the compound with dark crimson eyes, the color of good wine. Their face was white as the moon and startling in the beauty that lured you to stare into those eyes. Another sound and the cat looked right. A golden cobra coiled it's strong body and seemed to pull inward and then ripple out again. A woman with gold hair that shimmered green and eyes that were dark evergreen stared coldly at the compound.
"Where is Kei?" The man asked in a voice that sent shivers through the person listening.
The cat sniffed the air and nodded with their head to the compound. The woman who had been a snake gazed at the house, her eyes morphing to snake eyes. "Puma is right, Kei is near the third floor balcony."
"Come." Raven closed his eyes and broke into a shower of ravens. The flock of birds moved silently toward the house. Down below the cat chased after them and a large green-gold snake dropped off the wall and followed.
Inside the Xavier school for Gifted Youngsters both Wolverine and Aidan woke at the same moment for different reasons. He had heard the sounds of something very large near the house. She had felt a sting run through her body. Aidan hurried to the third floor balcony and opened the doors. Kei dropped silently into view and grinned at her. His brown skin was painted with stars as he nodded to the ground. She went to the railing and gazed down. A large red-gold cat gazed up followed by a huge cobra snake.
"Hello my love."
Aidan turned sharply and saw Raven step out of the flock of birds by the same name. His signature coat swirled like a cloak around him as he crouched on the table and looked at her with dark red eyes.
"You don't look happy to see me." Raven cocked his head to one side and looked at her slowly. "Someone else has kissed you recently."
Aidan narrowed her eyes. "Is that why you're here, to bother me with your jealousy?"
Raven met her eyes, "I would only be jealous if you cared for the boy. Which I know you don't."
"You don't know anything about me." Aidan shivered when he laughed and wanted to deny how she felt.
"I know more about you then that boy of yours." Raven grinned at her revealing twin blades of ivory. His head turned toward the school as he drew in a sharp breath. "Someone is coming."
Aidan hesitated as she turned and saw Logan rushing toward them. "Logan, don't!" She stepped in front of the man, not blinking at the sight of his claws. "These are people from my past."
He looked at her his eyes gliding to the man crouched on the table top. "Who is that?"
"Raven De Lioncourt." Raven whispered gently. "You must be...?"
"Never mind." Aidan snapped and half turned to face Raven. "Please just go."
"Shadow sent us here Aidan. He sent me here to do a job." Raven moved in a blur of darkness and stood directly behind her.
Aidan was dismayed when her body betrayed her and stepped back to touch him. His fingers brushed her skin ever so lightly, pale organ flames leapt up to meet him. His chest was solid like a rock and as a cool as moonlight. There was no searing heat or tingling warmth from him. Aidan looked at Logan and waved him back. The man glared at her.
"Logan, you said you didn't have a problem with me. Let me handle this and if things happen you can do whatever you like." Aidan nodded her head and he backed away.
Raven lowed his face to her neck and breathed along her skin. "I sense something in you lover."
Turning to him, she glared into those crimson-red eyes. "Raven I told you once that I would not be yours. I will tell you again. Do not think that I am here for anything but the mission. I am not yours."
He stepped back a moment. " Kei, if you would be so kind as to keep Cobra and Puma company?"
Kei glanced at her, Aidan nodded and he leapt over the balcony and landed with a gentle thud.
"Aidan," Raven clasped his hands behind his back. "I know you hate me, but I can't help that. Whatever Shadow has done to you, he has done it to me and the others as well."
Aidan shook her head he spoke. "Not so Raven. You have a memory that goes beyond the last three days. I don't. I can barely remember what my real name is. No, Shadow has done more to me then you. You were born the way you are now. I was not."
He looked at her, "I saw what he did Aidan. I know how you changed." His words were cold. "I also know what you do to those who love you. If anything, I am here to make sure that doesn't happen again."
She wanted to hit him, to punch him, anything to make him stop. But she stood there and simply closed her eyes. For once the walls couldn't keep the words out, the visions. They clamored in her head and sent her to her knees. Her body grew too warm and fire erupted along her body as her hair changed color and her skeleton began to reshape.
Screaming was all she could as her powers broke loose and her body mutated to fit them. Her body snapped, popped and healed as her bones and skin changed. Her eyes were squeezed shut but she could still see what was happening to her. She saw it because Raven saw it and she knew that Aidan Quest was being replaced and it was not by choice.
Raven crouched down next to her head as she pulled in ragged breaths and tried not to cry too much. " I am sorry my love. But I have my orders."
Aidan, who was not herself, looked at him with eyes that were not her own. Raven touched her hair and sighed heavily. For a moment he truly did look pained, he truly did appear to care. The moment vanished as he withdrew his hand and became a flock of raven birds. Aidan closed her eyes against the truth and lay there, wishing what could never be.
**
Try as he might Xavier couldn't reach her mind. It was as if a great fortress had been constructed around her thoughts, each panel stronger and thicker then the last. Charles sat back in his chair and sighed, rubbing his eyes for a moment.
If only Jean were here. He thought sadly and lifted his head. She was in a way, he knew she was still alive. But she was not here, not standing next to him as she had always done.
"Hey," Logan strolled into the room, he stopped in his tracks at the sight of Aidan lying on the bed. "What happened?"
"I have no idea." Xavier gazed down at the girl. "Some time during the night she just....changed."
Logan gazed at her. Aidan had once had red-gold hair and now it was brown. Her skin had once been fair and it was now a light brown color, like Storm. Even her bone structure had altered. Her features didn't look like Aidan Quest had looked.
"Do we know what caused it?" Logan asked looking up at Xavier.
"I have been trying to find that out, but there is a wall around her mind. I can't get through it."
Logan raised an eye brow, "Must be some wall."
Xavier glanced at the Wolverine and then away. He would not let the man see his pain. Logan left the room and it was only Xavier and Aidan.
(Must be hard not knowing reality from illusion.)
He glanced around quickly, (Who are you?)
(It's me Professor, it's Jean.)
Xavier pulled in a breath, (How do I know it's really you?)
There was a gentle laugh (You know me Professor)
(When are you coming back to us Jean? The others need you here) Xavier wanted so much to see her face, to see her smile.
(I am not ready to come back yet. But soon, I promise)
Xavier felt Jean's presence leave the room and tears filled his eyes. He hung his head as they fell down his cheeks and stained the silk waistcoat.
"Professor?"
He was startled to see John standing in the doorway. "Come in John."
Cautiously the boy approached, his gaze riveted to the form of his girlfriend, hand half reaching toward her. "What happened to her?"
"I don't know John, I wish I did." Xavier touched the boy's hand and gazed at the skin. "How are you feeling today?"
"Broken." John pulled away and shook his head. "She is everything to me."
Xavier sighed, "John I can't explain this but I will find answers."
John fixed dark eyes on him, tears gleaming on their surface as he made himself not cry. "I don't believe that. If you really cared as much as you claim to then you would have stopped Magneto, you would have stopped him for good."
"John, it's not that simple." Xavier stopped as he felt something brush his mind. Like a dark shadow it swelled up and broke through his mind. Silent and cool like a breath of wind, it filled every corner. Charles Xavier was pushed to the back of his own mind as something else looked through his eyes.
John backed away as he saw the change come over the Professor.
"Don't run boy, I am just visiting for now." The voice slithered from Xavier's lips, it curled through the air like a tangible thing. "Thanks to Aidan I have access to everyone here."
"Who are you?" John glanced around trying to see if anyone would come to help.
"I am Shadow, surely she has mentioned me." The voice laughed softly. "I guess not."
"What do you want?" John was backing away, not for the door but for the Emergency Alarm.
"I want what everyone wants. I want world peace, an end to this war that seems to be raging." Shadow's voice carried a sorrow that nearly made John cry.
"You sure ain't on the right side then." John reached the panel.
"Neither are you." Shadow turned his head and reached a hand for Aidan. "This is something Aidan never understood. No matter how many times I showed her the truth, she never understood."
John paused in pressing the alarm. "What did you want her to understand?"
"There is no fairness, there is no right or wrong in this world. The world is what we make it. I plan to make it in a such a way as there will need to be war again."
"How do you plan on doing that?"
Shadow turned his head. "By making everyone just the way they should be."
"What?" John's hand neared the button.
"You should ask Dorian about what I mean, John. Aidan was key to helping me with this. But sadly I could not let her keep her memories. She was becoming too troublesome. But ask Dorian, he will tell you."
John watched as Shadow pulled out and Xavier dragged in a breath. He looked up at John with slightly confused eyes. John let his hand drop and ran from the room. His feet ran until he came to his room, just then Bobby opened the door and stopped.
"John what is wrong?"
John gazed at him, let himself take a moment to think. "We need to find Dorian."
"Why?" Bobby reached for his friend. "What is going on?"
"Never mind, come on." John went down the hall and turned, three doors down was Dorian. He stood talking with Kitty and he was telling a very animated story.
"John, why are we doing this?" Bobby asked as he quickly followed his friend toward the blonde boy.
"Aidan needs help, he's going to help her." John whispered.
Dorian turned just as John swung and connected with his nose. Dorian staggered back against the wall as Kitty dropped through the floor with a yell. He lifted one golden hand to his bloody nose, his pale blue eyes swirled to black pools.
"Alright creep, what the hell are you doing here and how is Aidan involved?" John held a flaming hand up to him. "Don't even think about getting a blonde moment."
Dorian laughed then, his golden beach boy exterior shimmered and he reappeared as a thin angular boy with pure black skin. "Dream on lover boy. I am not telling you anything."
John narrowed his eyes, the flames reached for Dorian like slow hungry fingers of fire. The boy stared for a moment before snorting and crossing his thin arms.
"Who is this Shadow?"
Dorian rolled his eyes, "Honestly you kids live at school and you have no clue. Did you ever see the movie The Shadow with Alec Baldwin?"
Bobby nodded. "Yeah he see into the hearts of men and stuff. Why?"
"Well the guy I work for is the original Shadow. He is the one who inspired the character."
"Yeah right," John moved the fire a little closer.
Dorian arched a brow, "Haven't you ever wanted to inspire characters in comic books? You know read about yourself and watch as you battle super-villeins?"
"Not really." Bobby glanced at John. "Why so upset John?"
"Something happened to Aidan last night, according to Logan some vampire type guy came here and did something to her." John glared at Dorian, " Shadow says Dorian here knows all about it."
"If you must call me something call me Carbon. Dorian was such a flake."
"What do you know about what happened?"
Carbon heaved a sigh, "About ten years ago Shadow found a mutant who was able to alter DNA in other mutants and regular people. He recruited them to work a project called Eden. When one of the subjects displayed powers that couldn't be controlled they started thinking that maybe they could take powers as well as give them. A group of scientists got together and found the mutant gene. They developed a technology that allowed them to scan the gene and find out what powers would be granted because of the gene."
"They can predict mutant powers?" Bobby asked. His voice dark with skepticism.
"Yes."
"What does this have to do with Aidan?" John growled.
"Aidan was the mutant Shadow recruited, she was the one who opened the door to this kind if technology and work. Thanks to her the government is now able to track people down, who have the gene, give them a shot in the arm and stop them from being a mutant." Carbon watched the young men and smiled. "Now you understand why we can't let her know this stuff. She wouldn't take the news very well."
"Why is she suddenly not the same person?"
Carbon rolled his eyes, "One of Aidan's powers is to take the DNA of other mutants into her body and assimilate their powers and characteristics. Thus becoming that mutant."
Bobby frowned, "Like Mystique?"
"No. Not at all. Mystique simply takes the appearance and voice of the person. Aidan literally becomes the person."
"You said that was one of her powers, what are the rest?" John asked harshly.
"Her original powers allowed her to alter body chemistry. Raise the core temperature in a person, mess around with their hormones." Carbon eyed John before nodding to his hands. "How do you think you can suddenly create the fire you command?" Carbon paused as John blinked and looked at hands. "Aidan screwed around with your genes."
Bobby stepped in front of John. "So you work for the same guy?"
"I work for Raven who works for Shadow who works for someone else. Aidan works for Shadow alone. She is sort of his private mutant if you like."
"Where do we find this Raven character?" Bobby asked coldly.
Carbon glanced out the window. "He won't be above ground until after dark."
"There you are." Scott came up behind Bobby and John, "Something is happening, we need to talk.
"Let me guess." Carbon interjected. "Storm has found a virus in your system?"
Scott eyed him. "How'd you know?"
"Because that was Aidan's job. Infect your system so that your defenses would drop and our Strike Team could come at you." Carbon pushed away from the wall as a stun gun materialized in his hands. "She was always good at infecting systems."
As the three mutants went down, Carbon pressed two fingers to his ring. "Stage Alpha complete, moving onto Beta."
Fire Within
A large shadow pressed over the wall and burst into a running shape that leapt off the wall and landed on the ground in the fur of a huge cinnamon red puma. Golden eyes blazed against the night sky as they lifted their head and let out a cry. On the wall came a soft sound and the cat glanced to the left. A figure in flowing black lifted their head and gazed at the compound with dark crimson eyes, the color of good wine. Their face was white as the moon and startling in the beauty that lured you to stare into those eyes. Another sound and the cat looked right. A golden cobra coiled it's strong body and seemed to pull inward and then ripple out again. A woman with gold hair that shimmered green and eyes that were dark evergreen stared coldly at the compound.
"Where is Kei?" The man asked in a voice that sent shivers through the person listening.
The cat sniffed the air and nodded with their head to the compound. The woman who had been a snake gazed at the house, her eyes morphing to snake eyes. "Puma is right, Kei is near the third floor balcony."
"Come." Raven closed his eyes and broke into a shower of ravens. The flock of birds moved silently toward the house. Down below the cat chased after them and a large green-gold snake dropped off the wall and followed.
Inside the Xavier school for Gifted Youngsters both Wolverine and Aidan woke at the same moment for different reasons. He had heard the sounds of something very large near the house. She had felt a sting run through her body. Aidan hurried to the third floor balcony and opened the doors. Kei dropped silently into view and grinned at her. His brown skin was painted with stars as he nodded to the ground. She went to the railing and gazed down. A large red-gold cat gazed up followed by a huge cobra snake.
"Hello my love."
Aidan turned sharply and saw Raven step out of the flock of birds by the same name. His signature coat swirled like a cloak around him as he crouched on the table and looked at her with dark red eyes.
"You don't look happy to see me." Raven cocked his head to one side and looked at her slowly. "Someone else has kissed you recently."
Aidan narrowed her eyes. "Is that why you're here, to bother me with your jealousy?"
Raven met her eyes, "I would only be jealous if you cared for the boy. Which I know you don't."
"You don't know anything about me." Aidan shivered when he laughed and wanted to deny how she felt.
"I know more about you then that boy of yours." Raven grinned at her revealing twin blades of ivory. His head turned toward the school as he drew in a sharp breath. "Someone is coming."
Aidan hesitated as she turned and saw Logan rushing toward them. "Logan, don't!" She stepped in front of the man, not blinking at the sight of his claws. "These are people from my past."
He looked at her his eyes gliding to the man crouched on the table top. "Who is that?"
"Raven De Lioncourt." Raven whispered gently. "You must be...?"
"Never mind." Aidan snapped and half turned to face Raven. "Please just go."
"Shadow sent us here Aidan. He sent me here to do a job." Raven moved in a blur of darkness and stood directly behind her.
Aidan was dismayed when her body betrayed her and stepped back to touch him. His fingers brushed her skin ever so lightly, pale organ flames leapt up to meet him. His chest was solid like a rock and as a cool as moonlight. There was no searing heat or tingling warmth from him. Aidan looked at Logan and waved him back. The man glared at her.
"Logan, you said you didn't have a problem with me. Let me handle this and if things happen you can do whatever you like." Aidan nodded her head and he backed away.
Raven lowed his face to her neck and breathed along her skin. "I sense something in you lover."
Turning to him, she glared into those crimson-red eyes. "Raven I told you once that I would not be yours. I will tell you again. Do not think that I am here for anything but the mission. I am not yours."
He stepped back a moment. " Kei, if you would be so kind as to keep Cobra and Puma company?"
Kei glanced at her, Aidan nodded and he leapt over the balcony and landed with a gentle thud.
"Aidan," Raven clasped his hands behind his back. "I know you hate me, but I can't help that. Whatever Shadow has done to you, he has done it to me and the others as well."
Aidan shook her head he spoke. "Not so Raven. You have a memory that goes beyond the last three days. I don't. I can barely remember what my real name is. No, Shadow has done more to me then you. You were born the way you are now. I was not."
He looked at her, "I saw what he did Aidan. I know how you changed." His words were cold. "I also know what you do to those who love you. If anything, I am here to make sure that doesn't happen again."
She wanted to hit him, to punch him, anything to make him stop. But she stood there and simply closed her eyes. For once the walls couldn't keep the words out, the visions. They clamored in her head and sent her to her knees. Her body grew too warm and fire erupted along her body as her hair changed color and her skeleton began to reshape.
Screaming was all she could as her powers broke loose and her body mutated to fit them. Her body snapped, popped and healed as her bones and skin changed. Her eyes were squeezed shut but she could still see what was happening to her. She saw it because Raven saw it and she knew that Aidan Quest was being replaced and it was not by choice.
Raven crouched down next to her head as she pulled in ragged breaths and tried not to cry too much. " I am sorry my love. But I have my orders."
Aidan, who was not herself, looked at him with eyes that were not her own. Raven touched her hair and sighed heavily. For a moment he truly did look pained, he truly did appear to care. The moment vanished as he withdrew his hand and became a flock of raven birds. Aidan closed her eyes against the truth and lay there, wishing what could never be.
**
Try as he might Xavier couldn't reach her mind. It was as if a great fortress had been constructed around her thoughts, each panel stronger and thicker then the last. Charles sat back in his chair and sighed, rubbing his eyes for a moment.
If only Jean were here. He thought sadly and lifted his head. She was in a way, he knew she was still alive. But she was not here, not standing next to him as she had always done.
"Hey," Logan strolled into the room, he stopped in his tracks at the sight of Aidan lying on the bed. "What happened?"
"I have no idea." Xavier gazed down at the girl. "Some time during the night she just....changed."
Logan gazed at her. Aidan had once had red-gold hair and now it was brown. Her skin had once been fair and it was now a light brown color, like Storm. Even her bone structure had altered. Her features didn't look like Aidan Quest had looked.
"Do we know what caused it?" Logan asked looking up at Xavier.
"I have been trying to find that out, but there is a wall around her mind. I can't get through it."
Logan raised an eye brow, "Must be some wall."
Xavier glanced at the Wolverine and then away. He would not let the man see his pain. Logan left the room and it was only Xavier and Aidan.
(Must be hard not knowing reality from illusion.)
He glanced around quickly, (Who are you?)
(It's me Professor, it's Jean.)
Xavier pulled in a breath, (How do I know it's really you?)
There was a gentle laugh (You know me Professor)
(When are you coming back to us Jean? The others need you here) Xavier wanted so much to see her face, to see her smile.
(I am not ready to come back yet. But soon, I promise)
Xavier felt Jean's presence leave the room and tears filled his eyes. He hung his head as they fell down his cheeks and stained the silk waistcoat.
"Professor?"
He was startled to see John standing in the doorway. "Come in John."
Cautiously the boy approached, his gaze riveted to the form of his girlfriend, hand half reaching toward her. "What happened to her?"
"I don't know John, I wish I did." Xavier touched the boy's hand and gazed at the skin. "How are you feeling today?"
"Broken." John pulled away and shook his head. "She is everything to me."
Xavier sighed, "John I can't explain this but I will find answers."
John fixed dark eyes on him, tears gleaming on their surface as he made himself not cry. "I don't believe that. If you really cared as much as you claim to then you would have stopped Magneto, you would have stopped him for good."
"John, it's not that simple." Xavier stopped as he felt something brush his mind. Like a dark shadow it swelled up and broke through his mind. Silent and cool like a breath of wind, it filled every corner. Charles Xavier was pushed to the back of his own mind as something else looked through his eyes.
John backed away as he saw the change come over the Professor.
"Don't run boy, I am just visiting for now." The voice slithered from Xavier's lips, it curled through the air like a tangible thing. "Thanks to Aidan I have access to everyone here."
"Who are you?" John glanced around trying to see if anyone would come to help.
"I am Shadow, surely she has mentioned me." The voice laughed softly. "I guess not."
"What do you want?" John was backing away, not for the door but for the Emergency Alarm.
"I want what everyone wants. I want world peace, an end to this war that seems to be raging." Shadow's voice carried a sorrow that nearly made John cry.
"You sure ain't on the right side then." John reached the panel.
"Neither are you." Shadow turned his head and reached a hand for Aidan. "This is something Aidan never understood. No matter how many times I showed her the truth, she never understood."
John paused in pressing the alarm. "What did you want her to understand?"
"There is no fairness, there is no right or wrong in this world. The world is what we make it. I plan to make it in a such a way as there will need to be war again."
"How do you plan on doing that?"
Shadow turned his head. "By making everyone just the way they should be."
"What?" John's hand neared the button.
"You should ask Dorian about what I mean, John. Aidan was key to helping me with this. But sadly I could not let her keep her memories. She was becoming too troublesome. But ask Dorian, he will tell you."
John watched as Shadow pulled out and Xavier dragged in a breath. He looked up at John with slightly confused eyes. John let his hand drop and ran from the room. His feet ran until he came to his room, just then Bobby opened the door and stopped.
"John what is wrong?"
John gazed at him, let himself take a moment to think. "We need to find Dorian."
"Why?" Bobby reached for his friend. "What is going on?"
"Never mind, come on." John went down the hall and turned, three doors down was Dorian. He stood talking with Kitty and he was telling a very animated story.
"John, why are we doing this?" Bobby asked as he quickly followed his friend toward the blonde boy.
"Aidan needs help, he's going to help her." John whispered.
Dorian turned just as John swung and connected with his nose. Dorian staggered back against the wall as Kitty dropped through the floor with a yell. He lifted one golden hand to his bloody nose, his pale blue eyes swirled to black pools.
"Alright creep, what the hell are you doing here and how is Aidan involved?" John held a flaming hand up to him. "Don't even think about getting a blonde moment."
Dorian laughed then, his golden beach boy exterior shimmered and he reappeared as a thin angular boy with pure black skin. "Dream on lover boy. I am not telling you anything."
John narrowed his eyes, the flames reached for Dorian like slow hungry fingers of fire. The boy stared for a moment before snorting and crossing his thin arms.
"Who is this Shadow?"
Dorian rolled his eyes, "Honestly you kids live at school and you have no clue. Did you ever see the movie The Shadow with Alec Baldwin?"
Bobby nodded. "Yeah he see into the hearts of men and stuff. Why?"
"Well the guy I work for is the original Shadow. He is the one who inspired the character."
"Yeah right," John moved the fire a little closer.
Dorian arched a brow, "Haven't you ever wanted to inspire characters in comic books? You know read about yourself and watch as you battle super-villeins?"
"Not really." Bobby glanced at John. "Why so upset John?"
"Something happened to Aidan last night, according to Logan some vampire type guy came here and did something to her." John glared at Dorian, " Shadow says Dorian here knows all about it."
"If you must call me something call me Carbon. Dorian was such a flake."
"What do you know about what happened?"
Carbon heaved a sigh, "About ten years ago Shadow found a mutant who was able to alter DNA in other mutants and regular people. He recruited them to work a project called Eden. When one of the subjects displayed powers that couldn't be controlled they started thinking that maybe they could take powers as well as give them. A group of scientists got together and found the mutant gene. They developed a technology that allowed them to scan the gene and find out what powers would be granted because of the gene."
"They can predict mutant powers?" Bobby asked. His voice dark with skepticism.
"Yes."
"What does this have to do with Aidan?" John growled.
"Aidan was the mutant Shadow recruited, she was the one who opened the door to this kind if technology and work. Thanks to her the government is now able to track people down, who have the gene, give them a shot in the arm and stop them from being a mutant." Carbon watched the young men and smiled. "Now you understand why we can't let her know this stuff. She wouldn't take the news very well."
"Why is she suddenly not the same person?"
Carbon rolled his eyes, "One of Aidan's powers is to take the DNA of other mutants into her body and assimilate their powers and characteristics. Thus becoming that mutant."
Bobby frowned, "Like Mystique?"
"No. Not at all. Mystique simply takes the appearance and voice of the person. Aidan literally becomes the person."
"You said that was one of her powers, what are the rest?" John asked harshly.
"Her original powers allowed her to alter body chemistry. Raise the core temperature in a person, mess around with their hormones." Carbon eyed John before nodding to his hands. "How do you think you can suddenly create the fire you command?" Carbon paused as John blinked and looked at hands. "Aidan screwed around with your genes."
Bobby stepped in front of John. "So you work for the same guy?"
"I work for Raven who works for Shadow who works for someone else. Aidan works for Shadow alone. She is sort of his private mutant if you like."
"Where do we find this Raven character?" Bobby asked coldly.
Carbon glanced out the window. "He won't be above ground until after dark."
"There you are." Scott came up behind Bobby and John, "Something is happening, we need to talk.
"Let me guess." Carbon interjected. "Storm has found a virus in your system?"
Scott eyed him. "How'd you know?"
"Because that was Aidan's job. Infect your system so that your defenses would drop and our Strike Team could come at you." Carbon pushed away from the wall as a stun gun materialized in his hands. "She was always good at infecting systems."
As the three mutants went down, Carbon pressed two fingers to his ring. "Stage Alpha complete, moving onto Beta."