Ch.59 - Family Business
-March 21st, 1987. Golden Tree, Mount Fuji
"Oh my poor Grandbaby~!" Lady Gaea exclaimed exaggeratedly as she engulfed the socked Torunn into a hug. "Let Grandma see you."
"G-Grandma!?!" The Asgardian teen cried out in total confusion.
"Does this make her my niece?" Krakoa asked with a ponderous head tilt.
"You are technically older and younger than her so... maybe." Kai shrugged from the sideline, not helping the very lost Torunn.
"I'm glad Lady Gaea is happy. Torunn could use the time to find her roots as well." Meggan nodded with a pleased expression.
"Well, it was time for them to meet." Kai agreed as the Viking godling had made significant progress with her overall psychological health.
This meeting with Gaea was to start training her innate connection to the Earth, alongside her now expanded range of elemental abilities due to Thor bequeathing his powers and her bloodline. Her emotional state, which is intrinsically linked to those kinds of powers, had become stable enough to do so now.
"Didn't that boy tell you? Or did yours not know?" Gaea pouted playfully as she seemed to be enjoying this.
Most Earth Mother mythologies tended to depict said Mother Goddesses not having the best relationship with their children due to actions or circumstances. Usually, it would boil down to younger generations fearing or rising up against her 'righteously' and then taking over the planet after sealing, killing or even splitting the Earth Mother, and/or Sky Father as well, to become 'benevolent' rulers of humanity after the tyranny of the old gods.
Zeus was certainly happy with that kind of narrative at least.
As for Gaea's situation with the Asgardians... well it really depends on the reality.
For this one, it is mainly 616.
Odin felt... stirrings for a human Avatar of the Phoenix force, but she didn't reciprocate as she found him too violent and power hungry in general. The woman decided to change his focus, essentially mediating an agreement between Gaea and Odin so the God-King could have a powerful child which might be able to break the cycle of Ragnorök since he wouldn't be wholly of Asgard and half Elder God.
The AllFather then brought the child home to be raised mainly by his Queen at that point and everyone knows of Odin's track record as a father.
"I beseech thee, explain thyself!" Torunn exclaimed as she slipped into her 'Asgardian dialect'.
It's a defense mechanism which allows her to feel strong and confident due to association with her father through his speech patterns. She learnt them from Tony's videos and stories on the Avengers as a child and emulated it. The girl grew up around Americans, so it isn't her 'natural' way of speaking, but she slips into it when feeling embarrassed, scared, angry and so on.
During their physical training sessions, she tends to use it a lot, but in more vulnerable times like with her therapy, she reverts back into a more normal teenage girl.
"Fufu~ Your father is my son of course. Odin made a deal with me to help protect this world properly in exchange for me birthing him a son with much greater potential than if he had been born of two Asgardians." Gaea summarized matters, cupping her 'granddaughter's cheeks with a compassionate look in her eyes while doing so. "Potential he gifted you in a moment I hope does not come to pass here."
"I...I as well..." A look of sadness enveloped the teen before she took a deep breath. "Although, I am glad to find I can have some family."
Her coming to terms with the fact that this universe's Thor and Sif aren't her parents but still exist even if different was very difficult for her. Torunn is very much like her father, impulsive and headstrong, but she is also someone who cares a lot, thus not being able take the chance to be with those she lost has been a hard process.
"Don't worry my dear grandchild, we will be spending a good amount of time together and I would very much like to get to know you while we all train together. Meggan and Krakoa are wonderful children whom I hope you will get along with as well." Upon hearing her words, the two nature oriented 'teens' beamed happily while Gaea turned her attention to the last person present. "And Ororo, you have no need to prostrate yourself like this. You are my Avatar, not my slave."
That's right, Ororo Munroe had finally taken up the offer left behind to visit the Academy and possibly meet her goddess.
And as a result of being in her presence, the surprisingly devout beauty immediately prostrated herself in respect, sensing exactly who the vibrant goddess before her was.
"I am not worthy Great Mother!" The African beauty responded, causing Gaea to sigh and look towards the one closest to being her equal.
Meggan, Krakoa and Torunn were more like daughters at this point, but Kaihito had always been someone she couldn't afford to underestimate. And after having formed a mutually beneficial agreement between each other, she can resoundingly say that it had been the right move to build up their relationship,
Being around young ones who saw her as family and treated her with respect and care alone almost made it worth it to the lonely Elder Goddess after being forgotten or pushed aside by her children/ descendants and even humanity. The fact that Kaihito was steadily cleansing world as his reach spread, removing the poisons in her waters, combating humanities gradual stripping of nature, making plans to fix the ozone and ice caps, all while feeding her great amounts of energy allowing her to make the entry of beings like demons much more difficult.
She would have been more than happy to show some other people not to mess with her or her currently favored race, but she couldn't afford to do something like anger a dozen Elder Gods and Hell Lords. So at the moment, she was basically betting on this 'Sage' to be a sort of 'Champion', at least until others mature enough to take on the role.
Her two little daughters, new granddaughter, niece, Avatar and the Phoenix certainly were going to be a powerful lineup on their own, especially with his support. Even as an Elder Goddess, she felt the beings which were part of him were incredibly dangerous to face as well, so she could hardly imagine what he would do for his students and close ones.
Hence why she was happy to see her new granddaughter be a part of his surroundings and her wanting her Avatar to join his side as well. The only reason the latter hadn't been 'volunteered' was simply because she had been happy with where she was until Kai brought temptation far too sweet for her to ignore.
In fact, she thought a 'royal union' would bring her many benefits with how much her Avatar cared for the world and Kai was less than enthused by it on most days, caring more for his close ones than anything and simply becoming stronger, while helping them grow as well, to protect them.
Everything he does mainly has the goal of improving himself or others to better protect his loved ones against the powers that be.
"Munroe-nee, Lady Gaea can be very nice if you just calm down and 'look' at her properly." Meggan advised with an airy smile, causing the older woman to hesitantly raise her head to find Gaea being in her 'motherly' persona.
As a goddess with many 'divinities', she has separate aspects with specific characteristics present in each at varying levels. Gaea usually appears here as a Mother Goddess or Protector/Nurturer.
"That's right! We're even going to have picnic to welcome you two too!" Krakoa innocently exclaimed as a basket for said picnic appeared in her hands to display.
Being the youngest present, even if she was the most aware, Krakoa tended to like being able to interact more personally with others instead of as 'land'. This was likely a result of her close bonds with Meghan and Gaea, but Kai had helped shaped her mind through their own connection so she wouldn't be a fool, instead she was just young and curious about experiencing the world in various ways.
And after hearing about picnics, she wanted to have one.
"That's right." Gaea confirmed while still holding Torunn. "A picnic beneath my tree is a perfect way for everyone to get to know one another without any sort of grandstanding."
Smiling at the scene of the usually calm and collected Storm almost jerkingly following along, Kai decided to take his leave and let the ladies enjoy their time.
"Where is Dad going?" Krakoa asked as she felt him go.
"I think he had a meeting with that young old lady." Meggan answered with a ponderous look.
She knew Kai had plenty of things to do, but if she recalled correctly then today was a sort of deadline.
"Oh! I just remembered that Emma-nee is going to be visiting today as well. Something about a celebration, so don't fill up too much before supper everyone." The elfin blonde added.
"Who is this Emma? I don't recall meeting her before." Ororo asked the younger girl.
She had been in Japan for a few days now, living as a personal guest to Kaihito in his family's Island home, meeting many of his own direct students and family, but she hadn't met any Emma.
"Emma-nee is the oldest under Kai-nii, but she's been away for a bit trying to deal with her family." Meggan carelessly answered as the group began setting up the picnic. "She's a telepath, like Jean-nee, also really likes looking good, making money and being in charge."
"Is something wrong with her family? Is Prince Kai not helping?" The older woman followed up with more interest.
"She would be mad if Nii-san tried to help with her removing them. It's really personal, but if she's back then that means it all worked out." The blonde fae informed the woman.
"Remove them from what?" Storm carefully asked.
"Life." Meggan answered with little care, causing the African goddess to freeze for a moment. "They had her committed, tried to have her older brother committed after killing the love of his life and also planing his death, and her older sister was planning to kill her younger one."
"Oh yeah... Dad called it a 'Hostile Takeover'." Krakoa spoke in remembrance of what she overheard.
These two had little in the way of caring for the life of people like the Frosts they haven't met. Even less so when one remembers that one of their major influences was Gaea, a personification of nature which includes the millions or even billions of things which die every day as part of the cycle of life. The fae and living island may have a good deal of human sensibilities thanks to other influences, but they still had little in the way of compassion for heartless individuals, especially if they've harmed someone close to them like Emma was.
"But to just kill them..." Ororo tried to find the words for it, having been relatively influenced by Xavier during her time with the men and the students.
"I think the reason was because 'Americans can't jail rich people for shit because the other rich cunts wouldn't stand for their puppet state attacking them.' Emma-nee's rant, not mine." Meggan told her fellow element manipulator. "Plus, Kai-nii confirmed that in most realties like ours they don't stop trying to kill or manipulate Emma and her nice siblings, and Auntie Adler said it would be extremely unlikely in the future too."
"Other realities?! The future?!" The poor weather goddess exclaimed as her mind was officially blown.
"...oops?" Said mindblower unsurely tilted her head as she wondered if she said too much, but then shrugged thinking her older brother would take care of things if she did.
-Kai's office, Ōshima Academic Island
Pouring tea for my two guests, Cerebra calmly stepped back once done and put away her kit.
It's something she's been trying lately, tea ceremonies and brewing. A hobby Michiko-okaasan apparently introduced her to and that Cerebra found oddly interesting, but who was I to stop her?
Her tea certainly was quite tasty and improving quite fast as my cyber partner even went so far as to send Collectors to hunt down some very old pots which have been used for hundreds of years, stating that these had flavors imbued into them that newly manufactured ones couldn't match.
Turning my attention to my guests, one could find a significantly less confrontational Sharon Carter, looking a lot more professional and sharper as a whole after her three months on the Island.
She was currently wearing a pair of deceivingly efficient blue 'jeans' with a few knives in hidden and easily accessible slots, a pair of 'sneakers' as Shuri would call them, a stab and bullet proof leather jacket with a pair of handguns inside, and a black t-shirt with Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad on it.
The blonde has taken very well to our version of training as the Widows showed her the difference between high-class grunt training and real peak human training.
It did result in daily beatdowns and extreme amounts of fatigue as she tried to keep up with actual superhuman spies and assassins, but she was also shaping up at wondrous speeds thanks to the support equipment and much more efficient means available to train humans to 'Peak-Levels'.
And after a series of 'spars' between myself and her, she did start to respect me as something more than a 'pampered and suspicious prince'.
My second guest was the rejuvenated elegant beauty named Margaret Carter, now back in all her glory as she sat with poise and perfect manners in her white camisole paired with high-waist navy pants hugging her returned figure. Her silky brown hair was let loose above her shoulders in soft bouncing waves, smooth and healthy skin on display with light make up placing an emphasis on her eyes and lips.
The woman might not say it, but she had been more than pleased to have returned to her youthful and beautiful appearance. To the point that she spent a good deal of time since having retrained her body and regained her seductive yet efficient figure enjoying the youthful and professional fashions available to her.
Michiko-kaasan was quite happy to have a new shopping partner at least.
It was a phase which would pass once she got used to her new energy levels, mental activity rate and physical liberation, as well as for over the loss of her wrinkled self and gray hair, but at the moment the woman was almost beaming behind her carefully crafted mask of poise and discipline.
I think I've heard she even took Sharon out for a night of embarrassment as the British woman picked out new underwear and lingerie with her. What every niece wants to do with their newly youthful aunts and object of admiration, watch them parade around half naked.
"Well ladies, as we've agreed, your 'grace period' is coming to an end and I would like to hear your decision regarding joining up." I easily stated as I took a sip of Cerebra's subtle but tasteful tea.
Yet another improvement as she brought out the hints of raspberry very well.
Sharon had a somewhat conflicted expression.
Joining SHIELD and following in her aunt's footsteps had been her dream for years as she listened to her stories and looked through her photo albums. It was hard to accept that this dream was already polluted, facing the reality that her long held dream was not all it would crack up to be because of it.
Her time with the Widow corps on the other hand, now that had almost been a dream come true.
A group of unimaginably skilled, deadly and beautiful women capable of taking on anyone without having to deal with all the bullshit women usually have to deal with in usual intelligence or military organizations? It was great!
The fact that she improved at an insane rate compared to SHIELD's Academy and found herself liking quite a few of the girls there did help a lot too. She didn't have that many friends in SHIELD since a good deal thought she got in and her grades were some form of favoritism because her last name was Carter, or the guys just wanted into her pants for 'mutual stress relief'.
But here? They had toys she never heard of, tech that would make SHIELD piss its budget out the window to get, agents with loyalties so high Hydra could be jealous and the girls felt safe and valued.
Peggy on the other hand was resolute.
Unlike Sharon who had spent her time with the more militaristic aspects, Peggy opted to experience Ōshima as the Island it is.
From what I could gather while respecting her privacy, she was looking to see if there was any sort of indoctrination or any related activities involved in the education of young geniuses and powered beings.
Admittedly, there was no educational system in existence without any sort of bias, including the ones who implant a lack of bias because that is a bias towards non-bias, so there was leeway at least.
From observing the ludicrous level of personalized lessons, with each holding classes based around their talents and actually knowing how to navigate our current societies, to the more militaristic or physical ones which took medicinal and scientific understanding of the body to help athletes and soldiers/agents gain peak physical abilities based on their individual limits.
One of the greatest shocks to Peggy was the presence and existence of Isaiah Bradley: the Black Captain America, teaching at the school. The story behind him and how SHIELD had known about him and burnt him regardless was... guilt inducing for a woman who had been an important part of SHIELD at the time.
He, personally, didn't hold anyone beside the government accountable, but it still weighed on the rejuvenated woman's conscious, especially when she also remembered about the other Weapon Plus programs since it all really started from Project Rebirth creating Captain America.
Outside of the 'mundane' side of the Academy, she was introduced to what was unofficially called 'hero courses' for powered beings.
Of course that wasn't wholly accurate. Most mutants only had mutations with few uses, especially lower level physical mutants, but they did usually gain specific abilities which would help them in certain fields; like a child with special eyes holding a unique advantage in things like medicine or a girl with multiple mouths being capable of beautiful singing.
The real reason why it was nicknamed as it was simply had to do with those wanting to use their superhuman abilities to help others or work in something like law enforcement. For those individuals, they were placed in squad based training for combat, some for power use, tactics, law, human psychology, propaganda, image management and a plethora of other courses to ensure everyone involved would understand what they were getting into and could handle every situation which could come there way.
Young people were very idealistic, but they needed to know just how fickle the public was. How those in power could turn saints into demons with the flip of a switch. How governments would play on their fears and desires to gain control. The dangers involved in the work and how to mitigate it properly for themselves and those they care about.
That's why part of the training actually involved the creation of entirely fake identities for all participants, so they may serve as covers for their 'hero' personas. It even included perfect faces to put beneath any of their masks or to use as masks, as well as the proper psychological training to not form any sort of dissociative personality disorders.
I did not want these kids to jump into things half-assed and suffer through all the issues most heroes faced as a result of their activities.
Hence why I've also subtly passed the Superhuman Defense Act through the Diet and slowly throughout nearby nations already under my influence.
It served as a clear guideline for ability usage, protocols to handle burgeoning powers, protection from the powers that be along with extreme punishments for things 'projects' like Weapon Plus using unwilling test subjects, as well as new law, insurance and support systems in place to manage matters.
I had already set up country wide control pillars to help cut off any major power bursts from awakening, meaning large scale destruction would be avoid, with the distribution of modulator bracelets for individuals identified with an X-gene has begun already. These bracelets just serve to limit awakenings and help individuals manage their new powers while also contacting relevant authorities in regards to this development.
Basically, safety procedures to stop negative sentiment to build up because of accidents while not going over the top. No concentration camps, mass drafting into the military, or brainwashing/lobotomies needed.
All the kids needed was to understand the consequences of their actions, both positive and negative, the whys behind each and the reactions they are likely to gain, then be trained on how to handle it while knowing the reasonable limits and having a support system.
This mostly left those dedicated enough to go through it all, even if they weren't give the strongest powers. But as the Wolverine has shown, one doesn't need ultimate power to be useful.
And Peggy Carter had received a front row seat to how everything was being handled on this side of the globe.
Sure there was the Widows and Nightwatch that she was introduced to her by Bucky, as well as having met the girls, but this dissection of what entailed being a 'hero' certainly did make her think the most.
Obviously, I wasn't sugarcoating things.
If someone wanted to use their powers to help others as heroes and guardians, they would receive the best to be best. But is that wasn't what you wanted, alternatives in search-and-rescue, disaster response, police and military were options as well. One didn't need to be a 'hero' to help others, just the desire to do it and the right training.
And that was the important part.
I didn't want kids to jump in with delusions of grandeur and end up slowly ground down until they broke from the burden of being 'heroes', because I hated that title. Because a 'hero' holds far too many expectations and is held under far too many weights to ever be happy while they shed blood and break bones, usually losing far too much for completely ungrateful hypocrites who would turn on their 'heroes' at a moment's notice, almost hoping to see them fail, but then beg them for help when they finally realize that their lives are actually in danger and the 'can't happen to me mindset' is broken.
That was unacceptable for my students. My charges. The people who believe in me and what I taught them.
They deserved better than humanity and that's why I would make a better humanity for them to protect through various means.
At least in this area of the globe.
China would take some time to handle due to the Fu Manchu, the Hand and Hydra being very much ingrained there, but there was time.
Peggy didn't know about that last bits as my 'propaganda' through culture wasn't something any kind of individual geared towards intelligence gathering would even realize. Manga, anime, comic books, novels, movies, tv shows, they were all fair game, and while I handle matters in the East, Emma was to handle the West. But she still found what was being done to be incredible.
It made SHIELD, or any government run agency or program she'd heard about, seem like a bunch a reckless and heartless monsters in comparison. A fully built system to actually take care of people born different instead of constantly trying to weaponize and control them. Turning them into 'citizens' willing to listen to laws because they were reasonable and protected them just as much as others. Having access to an entire new infrastructure to help them instead of waiting for bad things to happen and causing everything to spiral downwards into an inevitable conflict.
That was what she understood from observing this approach she would have automatically dreamed impossible simply because politicians and voters would never approve of it. They would quibble about the issue while doing nothing, while on the other hand stoke hatred to rally voters to their side in order to gain more power until things had to become violent and they could be seen 'taking actions'.
And SHIELD would have either stood by and watched to take advantage of it or made matters worst because they would simply see any powered being not under their purview as threats. It was what they did, what Nick Fury did.
"As you are no doubt aware, I have spent much of my time here observing the Island itself." Peggy slowly started with. "And I must say that I simply cannot fathom how you have achieved so much at such a young age.
Decades.
That's how long myself and others have tried to achieve even a fraction of what you have in terms of technology, education, intelligence gathering, and even your military strength. But here you are, able to do it all under the nose of the world and I can only think of one question before I give you my answer.
How?"
I knew exactly what she meant and I decided to humor her.
"I am a Sage." I simply answered with a knowing and teasing smile.
"What do you mean by that?" The woman questioned with narrowed eyes, not liking being played with here.
"Simply put, I am a conduit for one of the fundamental forces of reality, specifically the one named the Sage Force. It is everything related to the concept of 'Thought'. And since I was a newborn, it has been nourishing my mind and body, gifting me an enhanced intellect I have carefully honed and developed alongside psionic abilities." I explained with hands raised in 'surrender'. "Through these abilities, I grew more and more capable, gathering people who could aid me, creating allies like Cerebra, and finding the secrets hidden on this world to help me grow faster and faster, all to reach where we are now."
"Your use of the word 'creating' was very specific... would an explanation be too much to ask?" Peggy requested as she digested the revealed information.
It was a lot to take in, but she had experienced a lot in life, especially in the last few months, so she was prepared to let the explanation of 'Force of reality made me smart' go for now.
"Cerebra, if you please." I responded towards the her humanoid platform.
"Of course master." She bowed as she turned to the Carter duo with glowing blue eyes. "I am the Digital Lifeform known as Cerebra, a pleasure to officially meet you."
"A what?" The dumbfounded Sharon couldn't help but asking.
"A Digital Lifeform." Cerebra repeated without care. "I was 'born' as an Artificial Intelligence, but with master's help and constant advancements, I became too advanced and complex for such a designation, thus I was deemed to be true life, if only a digital one, as my 'soul' in found within my hardware."
"T-that's just- Even Howard couldn't..." Peggy tried to formulate her thoughts as she understood the implications of such a being during an era which was rapidly digitalizing everything and using computers to improve upon everything else.
"Howard was a man grasping at straws, limited by the knowledge of his era. Plus his mindset would have never allowed him to succeed. His successes with his Arc Reactor were already so far beyond him that it was almost laughable." I dismissively cut her off.
"The Arc Reactor? Wasn't that a failure?" She blinked in surprise at the mention of such a thing.
"No. If he understood the universe better and how much humanity is missing from delving solely in 'science', then he would have known just how monumental his work could have truly been beyond 'clean and renewable' energy." I once again answered with knowledge she just wouldn't have access to. "But returning to our original topic.
I have answered you questions, now you answer mine Dr. Margaret Carter and Miss Sharon Carter."
"Honestly?" The younger of the two began. "I'd join just because you're one of the only people who seems to actually have been able to do anything to stop the Cold War."
Well, it seems the Widows did like her to reveal that little tidbit. Turns out their suggestion to recruit the blonde wasn't a joke and she really does have great enough potential.
"*Sigh* I have had many regrets in my life, with more having been born after what you revealed to us.
But...
If you're words hold true and you truly do plan on helping others as you are now, I will aid you." Peggy Carter finally said with a determined nod.
"I look forward to working with you." I smiled happily. "And there's a lot to get you up to speed with."
-Caesar's Palace,Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Here in the penthouse suit, a livid Winston Frost was tied with his hands behind and ankles taped together while standing on a chair at gun point.
His usually immaculate white suit a mess alongside his short greying blonde hair from having been suddenly ken prisoner... by his own daughter's men no less, forcing him to turn his frigid, emotionless gaze to her in fury at this perceived insult and outrage.
Said daughter, the only one he didn't throw away... yet, was standing there watching with an amusing gaze while looking on, wearing a low-cut white gown which split between her sizable cleavage all the way to her belly button and toned stomach, hugging her curves and showing off her leg at the split.
Adrienne Frost, the only Frost sibling with their mother's brown hair as well as the one most broken by Winston in the way he desired. A perfect doll for him to display in public as well as a completely ruthless businesswoman.
The only issue is, that Winston is a complete failure in understanding the real results of his acts towards his children as he encouraged attacks against direct family members, stunted them all emotionally, and tried to make them molded copies of himself. As a result, he got exactly what he wished for: An amoral sociopath who cares only for power and wealth.
And like every man who has gotten exactly what he wished for discovers, Winston was about to feel the price for it was much greater than he could afford.
"Now don't look at me like that Father. I'm just doing as you taught me." Adrienne smiled devilishly as her men tied the noose around the man's neck. "After all, your delaying of Frost International's upgrade into these new markets, trying to compete with Stark instead, has been stopping serious growths in our profits and as a company.
The fact that many of your hand picked Higher ups are embezzling company funds with your permission simply aggravated matters. So you need to be let go."
Unfortunately for Winston, his tie had been made into a makeshift gag to stop any of his possible vitriol from coming out.
Not that any of his threats would work very well.
Adrienne had been thorough in her preparations, having placed her supporters in key positions to take over from her father swiftly and efficiently.
"But don't you worry, I will bring the family name to heights you likely only ever dreamed off." She then signaled, with one of the men kicking the chair away, beginning the 'suicide' of Winston Frost due to a series of stories capable of ruining his life he learnt were going to be released and not being able to stop them.
A flimsy reasoning for some more interested in matters, but a soon to be forgotten one with how hated the man was as a person.
"Only mostly true." A crisp and amused voice surprised the gloating Frost, causing her to turn around and stare in shock towards her little sister being escorted by their older brother.
Emma was in a surprising black gown and wearing a mourning veil, looking bewitching as her beauty and body eclipsed Adrienne's completely while not having to resort to the high level of exposure the elder sister employed.
Christian looked remarkably sharp and stern in his own black suit, gazing harshly at their father being hung to death. His handsome face set in stone unblinking.
"Except you won't be accomplishing anything Adrienne, we will." Emma continued as she didn't even spare a look at her sister's hired muscle, mentally commanding them with ease to seize her.
"W-what!?! What are you doing you imbeciles?!! Take your hands off me and kill her!!!" She immediately shouted while struggling in vain.
She might have psychometric abilities and an immunity to Emma's telepathy, but that didn't mean she was strong or those around her could.
"Anything to say brother?" Emma asked the currently unblinking young man as he burnt the image of their father's death into his eyes as vengeance for his lost love.
They had planned meticulously to take advantage of Adrienne's maneuvering and preparations to takeover the company, with everyone she thought on her side actually being on theirs, Winston's shares of the company having long since been changed to pass down to himself in his will after a 'private reconciliation', Adrienne's whole network and assets already being compromised, and Emma being ready to completely engulf Frost International.
All they were waiting on was Adrienne acting.
And now that she had, it was time for her own 'suicide' due to finding her 'beloved father and role model having taken his own life'.
Straight out the window.
"Gentlemen, if you please." Emma ordered regally as two broke the window and another duo dragged her sister over as she screamed and fought desperately.
Having long anticipated matters, Emma was already controlling the minds of all those present to hear and see only what she desired, while interesting little programme she ordered from Cerebra were controlling all security cameras as well.
"No! NO! I WILL NOT DIE TO YOU!! I WILL NOT-" Unfortunately her rant was cut short from being pushed out the broken window, only allowing for a rapidly fading scream of terror, rage and unwillingness.
Followed by a...
Crunch Splat*
And a series of panicked screams from below.
"Hopefully, you can experience a true family in your next life Adrienne." Emma sighed as she ordered the men to clean up evidence and set up the scene properly while she and Christian vanished without a trace.
They had only come to bear witness to the results of their actions and gain closure from the end of their tormentors, as well as freedom in a sense.
Both had been unwilling to just sit back and wait for confirmation in regards to something as personal as this.
But now it was done and both Frost siblings wanted to return to their new homes.
Emma wished to be with her all-but-blood sisters and the object of her passion, as well as her mother figures, while Christian wanted to go and drink with a fun guy he had met during his time abroad who had really helped him recover a lot from the passing of his prior lover, now fearing losing any new relationship a lot less after confirming his father's passing.
And when Frosts wanted something, they usually got it.
Author Notes:
Torunn and Ororo meet Gaea, getting ready for some real understanding of at least some of their abilities.
I thought picnics would be a good way to have them bond nicely, plus Torunn could use having a 'real family member' with her after losing all of hers and not being that close with everyone just yet.
Ororo on the other hand, well she hasn't experienced all that much of Marvel craziness yet, so she is still a devout follower of Gaea and it would take her a bit to get used to that. She has not reached her own divinity or journeyed to connect to her yet, hence why the reverence.
Obviously we have Sharon and Peggy joining up.
Taking the opportunity to address some ideas in regards to stopping the sometimes rather 'explosive' power reveals mutants undergo which builds up a lot of the hate others can have for them at the same time.
I also thought taking advantage of the fact that Sharon would have essentially grown up during the Cold War exclusively would be a good way to sway her to Kai's side as he is literally dismantling the possibility of nuclear war between the US and USSR while everyone just tries to not get blown up.
As for Peggy, convincing through moral high ground after using the 'Would Steve agree with this?' Card was the perfect way to swipe her.
And I wanted to show that Kai's academy isn't just a copy of Xavier's School. He doesn't want people to join his future teams like most of that school seemed to want to be an X-Man, leading to a fucking school having its own cemetery and a monthly death toll. Kai wants his students to have good lives where they can feel special, and actually help others if they want, without having to unnecessarily risking their lives to do it.
Sure, if you have the will to make it through the training and courses Kai will do his best to not only push your abilities to their best but also beyond that through equipment and upgrades, but that doesn't mean he wants kids to desire to fight.
He has a warrior's mentality of protecting them because they are the future, even if the future will also need warriors. He just doesn't want them to naively believe fighting is a glorious thing to aspire to after his past life, hence why he uses soldiers he upgrades, individuals who've already been put through the system and he took in, and readies himself to do it if needed.
As for the last bit, well Adrienne is a sociopathic bitch and Winston's a cunt, so they both got the endings they deserved: pathetic ones they would hate.
Hope you enjoyed.
Gonna try to move forward so we can reach comic book stuff or at least origin stories soon.