Tradgedy's Touch
[Chapter 2]
Magda smiled at her husband as she entered his office. "I'm due in two months."
Eric looked up at his black haird wife and smiled. "You want to decide names?" He questioned, although it didn't sound much like a question.
Magda's beautiful smile widended slightly. "I would."
Eric moved away all the stuff he was working on and pulled a chair up next to him. Magda made her way over to it, her hand on her stomache.
Magda was a beautiful woman with striking blue eyes and black hair. Her skin was slightly tanned. Her stomache was well rounded from the twins inside her womb.
"Did you check their genders?" Erick questioned.
"I did. One's male and one's female." Magda replied. She then laughed sweetly. "It's quite ironic. Raven and I were both pregnant at the same time, with twins, one male and one female."
"Yes, it is ironic. Are the children healthy?" Eric questioned. " As healthy as to be expected. It's rare when both twins are completely healthy. There is usually some defect for at least one of them. Matthew's had the most trouble in this case. Adamma is very healthy though." She made a face of affection. "So strong and beautiful. Her hair's starting to grow." She laughed. "Matthew's born with fur and Adamma's just now getting her hair."
Eric chuckled. He didn't make any commments though. He was just watching his wife. He took her hand as she spoke.
"It's kind of funny too. Almost all of her hair is a dark auburn except right at the front. Her bangs are stark white! As white as your hair." She ruffled his hair. "Old man."
"I'll have you know that my hair's always been this white." Erick replied, shaking his head slightly to get the hair to go back into place.
"Of course it has." Magda replied teasingly.
Eric rolled his eyes. "I believe you were here on account to discuss the matter of names for our children."
"Stop! Now!" Magda said with a laugh. "I won't have 'the matter' of our kids discussed like business. They're not business. They're our lives, and I want to give them the best one I can." She smiled and rubbed her belly. "I can't wait to watch them grow up, how they'll develop. And we'll be there Erick, every step of the way. They're ours. They are a part of each of us. We'll be the ones to mold them, yet they won't be us, just parts." She looked down at her belly. "It's amazing." She looked up at her husband genuinly happy. "They should never be business.
Erick squeezed her hand. "I know Magda. I was just playing."
Magda smiled and squeezed his hand back. "I know, I just... all the work you do. Our children won't become a part of this will they?"
Erick put his other hand over the one of Magda's that he held. He looked down at it. "Everyone will become a part of it. I want our children to know how to defend themselves against those who would seek to destroy them." He looked back up at his wife. "And there will be many who shall seek to destroy them. They'll become mutants, Magda. And if they decide they want to be a part of it, I won't tell them they can't."
There was a long moment of silence while the two stared into each other's eyes. Finally Magda looked away. "You will not force it though, or press it?" She questioned quietly, knowing she would not be able to change her husband's mind.
Eric took her chin and moved it so she was looking at him. "I have not made you become a part of this. I explained how you could, if you wanted to, but when you refused, I allowed you that."
"Not without a large argument."
"I will not argue with our children."
Magda forced a smile. "Good. Now, the names?"
"Ahh yes, the names. Did you have anything in mind?"
Magda nodded. "I was thinking of Peter for the boy."
Eric cringed slightly. "Peter?"
"It means rock. You know, like solid." Magda explained.
"But Peter?" Erick questioned. He obviously didn't like the name.
Magda laughed. "Alright, no Peter?"
Erick shook his head. "No Peter."
Magda laughed. "That was my only idea really. I always thought the idea of my son being solid and strong in mind and body and meaning would be... nice."
Eric didn't say anything for a second. He didn't want to take that away from his wife, but the name was... "How about a variation?"
"Hmm... like what?" Magda asked.
"I don't know." Eric replied honestly, shrugging. "Let's figure out the name of the girl."
"I hadn't put as much thought into that..."
"Wanda."
"What?"
"Wanda. It's a beautiful name." Eric said. He smiled at her. "It was the first name to come to mind wen I first saw you. I think Magda fits you perfect though."
"Of course it does, Magnus." Eric laughed. "Alright, Wanda."
Eric kissed her hand. "Wanda Lenshur. Sounds good to me."
Magda smiled then looked around. "Looks like you have a lot to do."
"I do." Eric confirmed.
"I'll let you work then." Magda said, getting up. She bent down and kissed her husband before leaving his offic. Eric just watched her go. No, she wasn't a mutant and no, she didn't help him with his plans, but she loved him, and he loved her. She had begged him not to do what he did, but she hadn't left him. Now she was to bear their children.
Maybe I should give this up, for her. She deserves a family. That's selfish though. He sighed. He wasn't doing this only for himself. There were mutants, more and more of them as time progressed, and he had to make a world safe for them. His old friend, Charles Xavier, didn't know what he was doing. He thought that such safety could be achieved through peace, but that wasn't so. That was impossible. Someone had to prepare mutants for the battle. It was years away he was sure, but that was still too close.
"I know, I know. That's what I called you here for."
"I won't start working!"
"I said I know, Mystique." Eric replied irritated.
Raven put a hand on her hip and shfited into the white-garbed, blue self. It was clearly business and she felt more comfortable talking business in this form. "What is it then?"
"The boy, Matthew, he'll never be able to go to a normal school you know." Eric pointed out.
"I'm well aware of that. I don't plan on sending him to a regular school."
"But you do plan on sending Adamma?"
"I haven't decided yet." Mystique replied irritatedly.
"The boy will still have to go to public places. He will need to defend himself."
"I'll teach him. His mutation should help with that too. I'm sure his appearance isn't the only part of his mutation."
Magneto nodded slowly.
"Why?"
"I wanted to help him." Magneto replied.
Mystique's eyes narrowed slightly. "How so?"
"It's mutant testing really. I don't like the sound of it, for it's not testing. It's more like improving." Magneto replied.
Mystique drew back surprised. "I don't like the sound of that either. What do you mean? Like, sergical changes in my son? No!" Mystique shouted, thrusting her hand off to the side to emphasize her point.
"It will only be for the best. It will improve him. He could become an ultimate mutant." Magneto replied, bringing a hand up and balling it into a fist. "He could be a worrior that wins us this battle."
"Not Matthew! I won't have you messing with him!" Mystique growled, taking a defensive stance.
Magneto's expression became cold and he floated toward her. Mystique didn't step back. "You are my spy Mystique. That's basically all you do; get me information. That's your only use! That and taking charge now and then, but you contribute mainly by your ability to become anyone. If you could do more, if you could be some superior mutant who could rescue all the rest, would you want it?" He demanded.
Mystique was quiet then, looking downard thoughtfully. "I believe I can give that to him." Magneto said softer.
"Why not Pietro, or Wanda? Why not Adamma?" Mystique asked.
"Pietro and Wanda do not have mutant parents. They have one mutant parent. Your children have both. Kurt's mutation has shown at birth! That is incredibly young, and although he has not yet received his full mutation, it must mean that it will be powerful. It is my theory that the younger the mutation is, the stronger it is, for it has more time to evolve. I received mine at a young age."
Mystique was silent for a long moment. She let out a long sigh. "Could it hurt him?"
"I shall take all the precautions needed for complete safety." Magento replied, landing on the ground.
Mystique nodded slowly. "Alright." She sighed. "Tommorow I will bring him-"
"To the laboratory. I have it set up." Mystique was surprised with this and it somehow made her fearful. She knew then that he'd have done it with or without her consent.
Mystique nodded again. "I'll take him there, tomorrow." Mystique said, her head looking at the floor. She shifted to her more human looking form. She turned to the door.
"Make sure you do that Raven. It's for his own good."
"Of course sir." She replied before walking out.
.
Later that night a sudden loud knock on the door jolted Magda from her sleep. She sat up and looked at the other side of her bed. She sighed. Must still be working. He's obsessed! Magda thought to herself when she found it empty.
Removing her covers she made her way to the door to reveal Mystique. She was wearing a robe with the hood currently down. She was checking down the hall as if to make sure no one was there. "Magda! Good. Is he in there?" Mystique said urgently.
"No. Why?" Magda questioned confused. Mystique hurried into the room. She was holding both of her children. "And shhh, Pietro and Wanda are sleeping."
Mystique nodded. She sounded slightly out of breath. "Can you take care of Adamma for me?" Mystique questioned, handing the little girl over. She began to cry.
"What? Why?" Magda asked, taking the little girl. She immediately put her over her shoulder and patted her back to get her to quiett.
"I have to get Matthew out of here. I'm just going to take him someplace safe. I'll come back for Adamma."
"You're leaving?!" Magda asked surprised.
"I have to, for Matthew's sake." Mystique replied. She leaned over and kissed her daughter's head. "Now, I have to go. Please, don't mention this to Erick. Just put her in Wanda's crib, she likes her. She'll be quiet."
Magda nodded slightly dumbly.
Mystique turned to leave.
"Raven?"
Mystique turned to look at Magda. "Yeah?"
"I will see you again won't I?"
Mystique smiled. "Of course. I have to come back for Adamma."
"And after that?"
Mystique sighed. "I don't know."
"Raven, what happened?" Magda questioned softly.
"I don't have time to explain Magda, I'm sorry." Mystique replied. She then turned and left. She hurried quickly down the dark halls of the castle. She gripped her child closely to her chest as she moved sleathily. She made sure to put her hood up as she continued on.
It took her a while to get out of the castle for the sake of avoiding the cameras. She knew where they all were so she had had to take a route around them.
Once she was out though she moved at a fast walk away. She knew where she wanted to go, but she had to hurry, she had to get Matthew out of there. She just couldn't let this be done to him! It couldn't be all that glorious if Magneto was going to force it... could it?
Mystique shook her head. It had been a trap basically. Weather she would have agreed to it or not he still would have done it. That made her furious. How could he treat her like this after all she'd done for him?!
She suddenly heard the sound of howling. It was an animal howl. Mystique froze and turned. "Wolves." Her eyes went wide. Magneto had trained wolves... He knew what she was doing!
Mystique turned back around and took off at a full run. She couldn't let them get to her! She had to save Matthew! Magneto would take him from her, he'd take him from her and change him!
Glancing behind her she could see the wolves coming toward her. Those things were fast and it wouldn't be long before they caught up to her. After that, she didn't know what she was going to do.
Mystique sighed in relief as she saw the bridge up ahead. If she could get across it before the wolves got to her she could cut it and they wouldn't be able to follow her. Only thing was, could she make it before the wolves got there?
She was on the bridge now! Her pace quickened slightly as her adrenalin pumped. The wolves were still gaining on her. Of course they were.
The mother gasped as one jumped at her. She dodged to the side of the bridge but it rocked. She hit the rope railings and Matthew was suddenly jarred from her arms.
"NO!" She screamed as she reached out for the infant, but it was too late, he was hurteling over the edge and into the rushing waters below. "Matthew!" She watched him in disbelief until the waters consumed him. She dropped onto the bridge and just kind of laid there, tears pressing at her eyes. She couldn't believe it!
Magneto appeared then. He was hovering slightly over the ground. She looked at him. "How could you?!" She demanded quietly.
Silence was her reply. Slowly, he lifted up into the air. Mystique watched, almost fightened, as he left. The wolves were leaving now too, leaving her alone. She didn't want to be alone, not now.
The tears came then. She looked over the bridge at the water. It had stolen her son... He was dead. She had a chance to make him powerful and instead she had killed him. She'd taken away a great opportunity for her son and killed him!
Mystique forced herself to her feet. At least she could find his body; at least she could try to do that. So she followed the river. It would have taken the little body with it, so she had to scan the banks. She did this, in tears.
Long into the dark morning Mystique had given up hope in finding her child's body but was still following the stream like a zombie.
How could, how could he do that?! He's got children, he knows what it's like to love them... does he have no compassion? Mystique laughed. "Of course he doesn't."
These thoughts continued into the afternoon. That's when she saw them. People. They were by the bank and... "Matthew!" She whispered.
As the people looked up to look around Mystique hid behind a rock. She watched as they lifted the corpse. No wait! He was crying!
Mystique was about to go receive her child when she stopped. If Magneto knew he was alive then he'd come for him; he'd finish what he had planned to start. If she didn't come back he'd know something was up. Adamma was still there. Adamma, he wouldn't test on her would he?! No, no he wouldn't. Mystique assured herself.
She watched as the two Germans took her boy into their house. Mystique sighed. "Goodbye, Matthew."
.
"Eric how could you?!"
"It was supposed to help him Magda!"
"He'd have been fine! Now he's dead!" Magda yelled.
"Did you ever look at the boy?!"
"Yes! I saw him, I saw the abnormalty. I'm not blind Eric! When Raven made it clear she didn't want it done you shouldn't have pursued it! What if that had been our son?!"
"It wasn't!"
"But what if it had!"
Eric was by now looking very upset. He turned to the wall and punched it. He then sighed and turned around. In a couple of strides he had covered the space between himself and his wife. "I'd never do that to Pietro... Wanda either."
"Good! But how could you do that to anyone? It wasn't for the good of him Eric Magnus, I know!" Magda replied, moving her hand away. "You just wanted a super warrior to do your dirty work in the future. You're working with humans Eric! It doesn't work that way!"
"It's worked so far!"
"And everyone you've come across you've hurt! If you meant to or not!"
Eric was taken a back. His wife looked furious, but that wasn't it. "I've hurt you then...?"
Magda let out a small growl of frustration. "Raven's my friend! You basically just got her son killed! I'm not suppose to be hurt?!"
Eric ran a hand through his hair. "This whole thing is very serious Magda. The child had potential, I had to make sure he reached it."
"And will he? Will he Eric? He's dead!"
"I know! That wasn't suppose to happen!" Pietro began to cry and Eric let out an exhausted sigh. He headed toward the boy.
"Stop. Just go, I'll take care of him." Magda said walking past him and picking the child up.
Eric just stood there for a second before turning and walking out of the room. Once out he leaned against the door. Magda wasn't supposed to know about that. But Mystique had to blabble didn't she?
Pushing away from the door Magneto headed down the hall. When he finally came to Mystique's he pounded on the door. Mystique opened it, Adamma in her arms. Magneto didn't take any notice and a long metal lamp shot at her and knocked her away. Adamma fell from her arms and started crying but Magneto merely stepped past her.
Mystique by now was pinned against the wall, the twisted lamp holding her against it.
"Was there a point in complaining to Magda?!" Magneto demanded while tighting the bonds.
Mystique gasped slightly. "I... didn't... complain!" Raven replied with difficulty. Part of the lamp was twisted around her neck and breathing was difficult.
"Then what did you do! Walk up merrily saying that her husband killed your child?!" Magneto demanded, the metal tightening even more. Mystique gasped again. She wanted to shift, but wasn't completely sure if that'd be safe.
"I had asked her to take care of Adamma. She... had known something was... wrong. When I returned," She gasped again. "depressed, she got it out of me. Now let me down!" Mystique growled angrily. Adamma was still on the floor crying. Mystique wasn't even sure if she was alright now after the fall.
"She's not to know of the things I do Raven! She made that very clear early on!" Eric growled. "And I don't think you're in any position to make demands."
"Argh! Let me go you-"
The metal loosened and Mystique dropped to the ground. She immediately put her hands to her throat.
"Don't let it happen again!" Magneto growled before turning to leave. He stopped as he came to Adamma who stopped crying as she looked up at him with large jade green eyes. He snarled before then walking past her and out of the room. The door closed behind him.
Mystique made her way quickly over to her daughter. She picked her up and cradelded her against her chest. "It's alright my sweet Adamma, mommie's here. Mommie's here. She's not going to leave you... never."
.
Thanx to all who r&red
[To be continued]