A/N: You were all too kind about the last chapter. Thank you though. Anyway, this should kickstart the next act in the story. Enjoy!
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The ringing phone clamored loudly in the small apartment. The young woman in the apartment woke with a start and grumbled as she picked the phone up and put it to her face.
"Hello?" she said groggily.
"Hi Raven. I see you've gone back to working for old friends again."
Mystique snapped sat straight up in the bed, now wide-awake.
"Irene! How did you get this number?"
"Remember when he wrote down the number and gave it to you? I saw that. But that's not important. I know what he's planning and I have information I think both you and he will find helpful."
"Well then, what is it?"
"I'd rather tell you in person. You know, it's been too long since we last saw each other, Raven."
Mystique sighed.
"Fine. Where are you?"
"In the hotel across the street. I'm in room 413."
"When?"
"Tomorrow morning, say 9:00? See you then, Raven. And bring him with you."
"Fine. Goodbye Irene."
"Goodnight, Raven."
Mystique slammed the phone down. Irene was family, or at least as close as you could get to family, and it would be nice to see her again, but she hated being followed without knowing it. Plus, Irene had not sounded happy.
"Humph. Probably just mad that I'm working with Eric again," said Mystique as she picked the phone back up and dialed another number.
She waited until she heard a click followed by Eric's voice.
"Who is this?"
"Eric, It's me."
There was a short pause.
"Why are you calling me?"
"I've got some interesting news."
*****
Mystique and Magneto in normal civilian dress was a strange sight to behold, but they had to keep up appearances while they traveled to Irene's hotel room. When they arrived at the door, Mystique reached up to knock, but it opened before she had a chance.
"Hello Raven," said Irene with a nod.
She turned to face the other mutant.
"Eric."
Mystique and Magneto stepped into the apartment quickly and shut the door.
"Hi Irene," said Mystique. "What's going on here."
The blind woman sat down in a soft chair and motioned for the other two to have a seat as well.
"I'm just trying to be helpful."
"How can you help us?" asked Magneto with disgust in his voice.
"I know what you're planning," said Irene as she looked directly at the man.
Magneto impulsively looked away from her. It was a strange feeling for him to be stared down by a blind woman.
"As for how I can help, I have some advice for you. But first, I have a quick question. When are you going to go through with your plans?"
"In four months," replied Magneto.
"Hmm, interesting. I always wonder just how long it will be until my visions take place. Thank you. Now then, it just so happens I know what you will have to do in order to win the battle."
"We're listening," said Magneto.
"As I'm sure you've considered, the X-Men will show up to fight you that day. If you do what I tell you, you will win. If you don't do this, I promise you will lose the day."
"Well then tell me what it is!" shouted Magneto, who was growing angry and impatient. He didn't like people suggesting that he could lose to the X-men.
"The X-men's success that day rests on the shoulders of two people. You must keep them out of the fight at all costs."
"Irene, who are they?" asked Mystique as she saw Magneto's anger rising at the vague statements coming from the blind mutant.
"Cyclops and Wolverine. You must keep them out of the battle. If either one is allowed to fight, the X-men will leave victorious. Also, incapacitating one will not ensure victory. You must stop them both."
Magneto and Mystique sat back in their chairs and looked at each other. They were being asked to subdue the two leaders and best fighters of the X-men.
"Why should we trust you?" asked Magneto.
"Because I'm a friend of Raven's. She's like a sister to me and I will not allow anything bad to happen to her."
"And what about Rogue?" asked Magneto. "I believe she is like a daughter to you, is she not? Would you let something bad happen to her?"
Irene dropped her head with a sigh.
"Rogue is no longer the daughter I raised. She has changed. My loyalties lie with my sister."
There was a short pause as the three mutants sat in silence and simply looked at each other, except in the case of Irene of course.
"Thank you, Irene. We appreciate your help," said Mystique as she and Magneto stood to leave.
"You're welcome, Raven. And good luck to you and your friends."
Mystique walked to the door and opened it. Magneto followed her but turned around before walking through the doorway.
"How do you suggest we subdue the two X-men."
"The Cyclops and the Wolverine have one common weakness that will cause both to fall."
"What is it?"
"Jean Grey."
