Disclaimer: I don't own anything about this story except its plot. The characters clearly belong to Stan Lee so please don't sue me!
A/N: Hey everyone, I just wanted to say that I'll try my best to update as soon as possible, but sometimes I run out of ideas or don't have time to update so I apologize if some of my work comes way too late. Requests and ideas are always welcome. Also, there are a few things that I would like to explain at the end of this chapter. By the way, this chapter takes place a couple of seconds after the end of the last chapter. Enjoy!
Irene sat there for several moments, waiting to hear the soft lull of her niece's gentle breathing. A tender gale glided across the room from the open bedroom door, sliding radiant, white tresses onto little Ange's peaceful features. Gently, Irene grazed her hand over the wintry colored locks, moving away the natural curls from the child's face.
Irene had grown accustomed to her inability to see over the years, with the help of her dearest friends, of course. At times, even those who had known the benevolent sorceress all of their lives seem to forget the absence of light behind the seer's blinded eyes.
The price was well worth this thought Irene as she reminisced about that fateful day her eyesight was stolen from her.
Flashback
That day was filled with so much bloodshed and tears. The great loss of that day could have sustained many generations of bloodthirsty savages. The Blood Moon, as the very few survivors dubbed it, was the most miserable event that had ever taken place during the Battle of the Kingdoms.
His royal highness, Nathaniel Essex, the most sinister man she or any of the other kingdoms had ever seen, had finally exceeded his limits.
Many thought that Essex used to be a common man with common interests. No one ever heard much from him or actually knew much about him during his early years. He kept to himself and usually remained behind castle walls. Little did they know…that all changed the moment he heard about the M'krann Crystal.
This crystal intrigued Essex to no end. He had first discovered the precious ruby stone while on one of his evening walks. Other royalty from neighboring kingdoms, such as Eric Lensherr, Charles Xavier, and Charles's brother-in-law D'ken, opted to join Nathaniel just this once. While discussing future matters of alliances, betrothals for their heirs, and other things concerning one's nation, the topic of power came into the conversation.
Issues had been called to each king's attention, such as what if one kingdom became too great, or what if the towns' people began a revolution; though the latter was less likely than the former. Each King treated their subjects well. For example: Charles welcomed all people into his kingdom with open arms. He believed in treating all creatures equally, thus creating the first nation where both sorcerer and common folk could live in peace and harmony. D'ken and his sister, Charles's wife Lilandra, merged their kingdom with that of Charles, making their nation among the largest of all the world's crown heads' kingdoms.
Eric's nation was comprised of mostly magick folk who shared his point of view. He thought them to be more superior than regular townsmen, but still respected the regular citizens and their hard labor. As long as regular people refrained from giving his citizen's a hard time he could tolerate them.
Nathaniel's views were a little different than Eric's. He believed magickers to be the most superior beings on earth. He always dreamed of the most powerful sorcerer to have been borne form his nation…or better yet, for the most powerful sorcerer to be himself. Nathaniel always secretly longed for power. Little did he know, D'ken felt the same.
D'ken always disapproved of his parents' choice of marrying his little sister to the "peacemaker". He despised Charles and disliked the serenity of his nation. The only reason he allowed the marriage to go on was because of power. Xavier had always been the most favored royal in all the land. In order for D'ken to actually rise to power, he had to be on the side of power. Once alongside Charles, he could make alliances and win people's trust to his side. After that was completed, he could use his steady ties to defeat all nations and bringing them all into under one ruler.
Royals' greed for power was one of the most well-known elements in all of history. Dynasties could crumble and people would be sacrificed…..all for power. Only one thing needed to happen…one thing and all could be lost…and that one thing was a dream.
Nathaniel and D'ken had this dream; a dream of death and destruction to win the prize of leadership. D'ken was so irrevocably caught up with this dream that he neglected to look at the consequences. If he would be caught, he would be killed. If he did not succeed he would be severely punished, but he still wanted to try.
The only thing that could make such a dream possible was the M'krann Crystal. This fine ruby that was shaped by dragons, formed by their hearts and cooled by their breath. The stone had been said to reside within the deepest place within the planet. Others have told that it was waiting at the highest mountain or floating somewhere within the great oceans. Where ever the stone maybe, all accounts had one thing in common: the stone possessed the ultimate power to grant the most impossible desires to its master: a sorcerer of great power. However, this crystal had been said to be a myth. No one believed that such a thing existed, and even if it did…how could one distinguish it from an imposter, since no accounts have ever recorded the color of the precious stone?
The three kings discussed the crystal, three because this was the very first time that Nathaniel had ever heard of such a power. Charles and Eric spoke of using the crystal for the good of the country and all of its people, if such a thing existed, but when this topic appeared, D'ken was instantly muted. He had never planned on ever using such a power for such worthless issues if ever he possessed such a power within his future. He remained silent, pondering if such a thing could ever have been created, while Nathaniel began to possess a bright gleam in his eye.
Since that day, Nathaniel had spent countless years trying to find the crystal. Soon his efforts were doubled after D'ken joined his search team. Together they destroyed cities and villages, searched both high and low, but to no avail.
Irene's village of long ago was attacked by soldiers who were ordered to destroy all that lay in their path, and with these brutal searches came the destruction of all she had ever held dear…even her eyesight. They burned houses with people locked within them, beat all who had no information to offer, and disabled many magickers of no help like herself. Irene had lost everything. While kneeling beside her dying mother, her current Master, an Elvin who had taught her the Arts of Magick, asked her a question that would forever change her life.
"Irene, do you want the power to prevent this from happening? Do you want to "see" again?" asked her master. Just as Irene turned a blind eye towards the sound of her master's voice she was quieted by another comment.
"If you choose yes then know that you may never have a normal life again. There is no going back. These new abilities come with great responsibility as well as sadness. Now that I have informed you of the risks I shall ask you again. Is this what you want?" her mentor quietly said.
"Yes Master. I know that I may have the toughest of lives ever made after you give me this…but…if I am able to spare others from this grief…then please, give me the strength and guidance I need to proceed with my duty," answered a quivering Irene.
"Very well my dear. From this point on, you shall have the ability to really "see". You are now a seer, one who has the ability to see the future and posses the power of visions," stated her master as she slid a glowing hand over Irene's eyes.
After that event, the Crown Heads gathered together to stop the reign of terror Nathaniel and D'ken had caused. While trying to capture the two fugitives, D'ken was thought to have died resisting arrest while Nathaniel was missing in action.
For many years after this news Irene and her master trained. Irene learned to adjust to her handicap, as well as handle, decipher, and remember all of her newly acquired visions. Once her master knew that Irene was ready to live on her own they shared their last conversation as teacher and apprentice.
"Irene, sweetheart, you are like my very own daughter. You mean very much to me but I must leave you now. You no longer need me, but when you do, take this pendent in your hands and think of me. I shall appear to you for guidance and strength. I wish that I was able to stay with you, but my time on this plane of existence is at an end. Goodbye my dear. Make me proud."
End Flashback
A lone tear slipped out from behind Irene's closed eyelids. Her trembling hand reached for the necklace with a pendent the shape of a leaf. Ever since her teacher had given this token to her, she had never taken it off.
She would forever fight against dark odds such as Nathaniel and D'ken, not just for her teacher but for her family as well.
With this last thought, Irene quietly slipped out of Ange's Bedroom and out into the night.
A/N: So how did everyone like this chapter? Please review about my progress…sorry that this chapter is late. Anyways, I have a few things I would like to clear up.
M'krann Crystal: This was an item used in the comic books and in the 90's television series of X-men. From what I have gathered, it is a highly destructive crystal that D'ken had tried to destroy the universe with.
D'ken: D'ken is also taken from the comic books and is Lilandra's older brother.
Lilandra: Lilandra is the ruler of an extraterrestrial semi-humanoid race somewhere within the galaxy. She is also from the comics and the 90's series. She and Xavier were involved with each other and, in the comics, were married for quite some time.
Nathaniel Essex: Mr. Sinister
Eric Lensherr: Magneto
Leaf Pendant: Picture the pendant that the hobits have on their capes in Lord of the Rings.
I apologize that most of my plot so far involves characters from the comic books or the 90's series, but I will try to add in a bit of the evolution gang soon! And now off to my lovely reviewers.
EreshkigalGirl: Thank you for informing me about my use of the word warlock. I appreciate it. Sorry if I offended anyone.
Enchantedlight: I was kind of thinking making the dead ex being Sabertooth since some people think that Sabertooth was Kurt's biological father, though there has been no proof of that yet, and the fact that Mystique and Sabertooth did have a child together: Greydon Creed, the leader of the Friends of Humanity. I might make a prequel to this story about Pre-Raven; Mystique's life before and during the his betrayal. What do you think?
Black Wolf: You read my mind! I'm still not sure on how I'm going to make the Ange-Rogue transformation, so requests are welcome! As for Remy…you'll find out soon. =P
Ishandahalf: I shall try to update as soon as possible. I'm glad that you liked it to far.
EthansKittyGirl: Hey Harm! Thanks for reading my story, even though your not into it. I appreciate it so much! So glad you liked it! Yours always, Fred.