The Tangled Webs We Weave

by Allegra Selene

Sequel to Maybe There Is Hope After All. Two years on, the daughter of William Stryker is growing up and adjusting to her new life. However, forces are at work to halt this happiness. Can Sienna and all the people she cares for survive?

10. Battle Inevitable

Chapter 10:

The married bliss of Sienna and Kurt's lives ended abruptly after three weeks. Human fanatics had struck again, setting off a car bomb in a crowded mutant area and killing hundreds of innocent mutants. Pictures were broadcast directly to the X-Men and Sienna crowded around their television with Nightcrawler and the other Faculty as they watched the news feed. The picture of children killed in the blast sent tears rolling down the cheeks of most of those watching and made the others grit their teeth in anger. Xavier was highly worried as he watched the feed in his own private office. Sighing, he looked out the window towards the east and sent a mental prayer up in his mind.

:::Please, don't let Eric retaliate:::

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Magneto sat hunched in his bedroom chair watching the news broadcast the horrific bomb blast at the mutant community. Under his calm visage, his rage was bubbling faster and harder as his eyes took in the devastation, the carnage of the blast and the heart-rending reality that these people were dead. As his eyes scanned the faces of the dead, his gaze settled on a small child's face marred by scorch marks and blood. She had been a visitor to Mystique's mansion many times, Emily her name was. She had been Mystique's ward of sorts and Magneto groaned as he closed his eyes to block the sight of poor Emily's body. Raven must be heartbroken right now, he spoke in his mind as his eyes opened and he switched off the television. Going to his closet, he took out his robe and smoothed the front of the outfit. Laying it gently and reverently on his bed, he drew out the infamous helmet and touched it carefully as he smoothed his hand over the exterior. Placing it on his head and closing his eyes, he felt the power rise in his worn body and slowly his eyes opened to reveal blue-grey orbs filled with anger. Marching off after changing into the robes, Magneto assembled his team in a small common room. Looking around, he stared at Wanda, Pietro, Mystique, Sabretooth and Toad and spoke slowly.

"The time for action has come..."

The team sent out yells of approval as they rallied behind him and took off in their aircraft. Looking down at the base, Magneto sighed and then focused on the inevitable battle ahead...