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Chapter 8
The Flames of Fury...Mars awakes Part 1
It has been a couple of days since the return from the Great Lakes. Amy has stayed by the General's side with only Luna and Artemis for company as he regains his strength from Rogue's drain and the long rest inside his tomb. It seems though from the moment she touched him to stop him from being foolish. The two had become friends, although at first Amy had to keep him from going berserk.
Out of curiosity, the others had asked why he was so fearful of Rogue and her abilities. Making sure, that he was resting before she told them, she smiled as he slept in peace. Looking to Jean, who he has found to be almost like a sister, she knew that Zoicite was safe.
Walking with the Professor, Amy began to explain, the Negaverse.
"Professor...what do you know about other dimensions?"
"What do I know?"
"Yes..."
"Not much...just that they exist and somewhere along the line a decision made in one can affect the others greatly."
"You are correct, when the Silver Millennium was destroyed; we were invaded by such a dimension because of Metallia."
"Metallia? Who was she?"
"It wasn't so much a she, but more of an aspect of Chaos. She was once someone that Chaos, much like our enemy now, whom Chaos had possessed. Having the power at her disposal, she had become in essence something akin to a god. She and Chaps had moved across dimensions, seeking an army to destroy what was the light of the Silver Millennium."
"She found one..."
"Yes...I don't remember quite what the Kingdom was called, but we called it the Negaverse. They had come from worlds similar to ours, but much...much darker. To entice, the ruler there a woman named Beryl...she showed her a picture of the Prince."
"She desired him..."
"Yes and when she came, she drew back from the light. She wanted him, but you see, he had already fallen in love, with our Princess Serenity."
"What has that got to do with his fear of Rogue?"
"When Beryl had invaded the Earth, she had at her command a legion of monsters. One thing they all had in common was the ability to suck the life energy out of all that they touch."
Charles listening to the young woman speak looks surprised as well as stunned. Rogue's power was a case of fear for the young man. Waiting as he digests this information, Amy is patient and when he turns to look again, she continues.
"You see the reason why they had that ability was that it took Metallia, despite Chaos powers a lot of energy to keep the portal open between their universe and ours. Hence, she needed help and well...you have seen the rest according to Luna and Artemis."
"The destruction of the Moon Kingdom..."
Amy nods her head in reply. "But what Chaos didn't expect was the power of the Silver Crystal. It was the antithesis of its own. The power of the Silver Crystal drew from the light and hope within us all as he drew upon the power of hatred and fear. The Queen that day saved us all. Even those of the Negaverse...do wish to know about her greatest warriors known as the Shadows?"
Charles looks at her and nods his head at her inquisitive gesture and she then continues telling him about Rita, Greg, Joe, and all the others that were once part of the Negaverse and who were healed by the power of light.
Elsewhere in the school...
Walking together down the hall, Luna and Artemis look at one another. They have sensed the twitching going on with some of the X-men and other mutants around them. Magneto especially considering his power is tied into the Earth itself. "Do you think the seal will break?" Luna asks slowly, a little concerned.
Artemis, looking thoughtful, unfortunately nods his head. "We had hoped the seal would remain until Serena has been revived, but something tells me it will not."
"Do you think we should tell them?"
"I don't know..." Artemis replied. He wraps his arms around the woman and holds her tight. "I know Eric already has a rough idea of what is to come according to what he told me. Galaxia had shown him images of Crystal Tokyo..."
"She did? She knows better than any of us that to mess with the future could provide dire consequences."
"I know Luna...but we can't ask her can we?" Sighing as the problems become tantamount and silently they look toward the sky and make a prayer to the woman whose spirit once resided on the moon.
"Queen Serenity...lend us your wisdom and your strength. Help us stop Chaos from destroying all they we have worked for..."
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Two days later...
Warren Worthington the 3rd, also known as the mutant Archangel approached the manor, with a videotape. As he entered the grounds of Xavier's School for the gifted, he was surprised as he saw a young woman, with short blue hair, escorting a young man, to which he can tell with just a look that she cares for very much.
Releasing his wings as if in relief from their confines, he stretches them out, for he knows, here he will not be ridiculed or laughed at. Approaching the couple, he smiles as he sends a greeting their way.
"Hello..."
"Greetings..." They reply and then they stare at his wings in awe. The pure soft whiteness gleaming against the colors surround him.
"My name is Warren and I believe the Professor is expecting me?"
The two look at one another, for the Professor had wished for them to see what was supposedly on the tape. Apparently something had come out of the water in what was left of Krakatoa and it glowed with flame. Before coming up with a rough idea of what it might be, the Professor wanted not only himself, but Magneto the two felines and them to view the tape.
"Please follow us Warren...my name is Amy"
"And I am Zoicite..."
"Zoicite? That is an unusual name..."
Saying nothing, the General simply smiles, much to Warren's confusion. As he and the young women move and direct him towards the location of the professor, he begins to sense something strange. Shaking it off as if it was nothing, he follows them into the main viewing area where he gets a shock.
"MAGNETO!"
"Archangel...it is nice to see you again."
About ready to jump the older man, he finds a soft hand placed at his shoulders. Turning around he sees a woman with black hair and blue eyes. She wears a dress of gold and has a crescent moon in the middle of her forehead. Simply she raises her hand and as the moon glows, she does what others have seen once before.
"Stay and Listen..."
Feeling his body be overcome with numbness, Warren just watches as the tape is taken and given to the young woman with blue hair.
"If you will allow me Professor...?"
"Go ahead and set it up." Turning to Warren, he continues to speak. "Warren, I will explain later, but trust me Eric is on our side this time."
Looking at the older man still doubtful, the Professor senses he will not attack. "Luna he will not do anything...you can release him..."
Silently, the mood glow fades and the woman removes that solitary touch to his forehead. Having hundreds of questions that he wishes answered and as the video comes on, and they observe the rising of what seems to be a strange palace of flaming red crystal.
"Amy...?" The professor and the others question, momentarily she ignores them as her and Zoicite seem to confer.
"It's Mars...the Senshi of fire." She replies with the hint of a smile. "Once we get her, you better be prepared here."
"With what?"
"Smoke detectors and maybe a small room with a fireplace...Raye...that is Mars is a Shinto Priestess. She will wish to commune with the fire that is sacred to her often."
"It shall be done...and anything else?"
"Should we warn him Luna?" Amy replies as Zoicite looks baffled. Turning to gaze at lady of ice, he wonders what else this girl could do.
"We had better." The black haired woman had replied. The hint of laughter in her eyes as she takes care of it. "Warn any of your male students, Professor, to not approach Raye directly..."
"Why is that?"
"Let's just say before they slept, Raye was over at her temple with her grandfather and another young man named Chad, who was training underneath him. Every time we would visit, we would find Raye chasing after him with a broom or some other kind of weapon. She doesn't like men very much..." Artemis laughs as the Professor chuckles.
Somehow Zoicite smiles as a memory of a young woman in a red gown, is threatening a young man dressed like him.
"Jadeite..."
At the sound of the name from Zoicite's lips, Amy turns and smiles at him. "Did you remember...?"
"Yes...and you were right in warning them. At least once we find Jadeite I think everyone else will be all right. If I remember...weren't they each other's favorite persons to annoy?"
Giggling, at the comment, the Professor and Magneto stare at the two and smile. Earlier, Xavier had told his long time friend about the problems, which some of the Senshi might have with the generals, and the older man had agreed to help should they or any of the others need someone to talk to.
Earlier having heard of the fact that their benefactor had joined with the X-men, the rest of the Brotherhood had approached the manor, with some minor altercations. Having decided that Xavier's punishments of training with Wolverine having seen the mutant conduct them was more than enough for the younger ones.
The two teams of youths have often found themselves tired and not able to do much, even his own son Pietro also known as Quicksilver was exhausted after a strenuous session with the mutant trainer. So an uneasy truce of sorts has formed...none of the kids wished to be put under Wolverine's teachings any longer than necessary.
Still he remembers though on the session this morning, that the young woman who called herself Mercury went on along with the blonde haired man Zoicite. That was an experience they and the others were more than likely never to forget.
Flashback...
"All right kids...time to work."
Hearing a chorus of groans, the two new ones to the session, look at those next to them for an explanation.
"Logan is harsh...he will work us to we drop and he calls that's a warm up!" Kitty exclaims as she doesn't look forward to another session with her least favorite thing...pain.
Lance and the others from the Brotherhood debate about disappearing, for the sounds from the X-Men tell them that this isn't going to be pretty. Starting to back away of they can, they are halted as the glare from Magneto off in the distance, tells them they are staying.
"Aaaaawww I knew that coming here wasn't a good idea." Toad replied as he leaped into line and begins doing what he can of the mutant's warm up exercises, the others following suit. Soon though all eyes stop for as they are already starting to drop, both Mercury and Zoicite have kept going and are keeping up with Wolverine with ease.
Watching this and having never truly seen them in action, Logan pauses. "How well can you fight..."
"Us?"
Nodding his head, he pauses and unleashes his claws. Looking at one another, Zoicite pushes Amy to the side gently. "Allow me...?"
Shaking her head and nodding, Zoicite manifests his ice sword, and circles Logan with coolness and precision. As Amy sits down the first round of fighting begins, and as the two evade and strike at one another with ease. The others look to her curiously as she watches them.
"Amy you're not going to do anything?"
"Logan will pulverize him..."
Smiling at the others, she simply replies. "I wouldn't say that."
The others turn in time to see Zoicite using Logan as a springboard leap over, and twist at the same time. His ice sword in hand, he stops as it comes to point directly against Logan's back.
"Do you yield?"
Smiling as he turns, Logan nods his head. "Care to make it a two out of three?"
The two bonding over battle, the session was pretty much halted as the rest of the students watch as Logan has finally met his match.
Flashback ends...
Some of the moves that they had seen the young man pull off that day were incredible. His power to manipulate things around him, and forming varieties of weapons out of mid air, was never the less incredible. And if Amy was to be believed, that was just the tip of the iceberg...
Looking towards them now, he notices how the two are still conversing with hints of laughter and gentleness towards one another upon their faces.
"So Charles, who shall go and who shall stay?"
Debating, Amy and Zoicite look at one another and speak up. "I think it has to be someone whose powers are close to Mars."
"What do you mean?" Eric asks as he looks at the young woman in question.
"To be honest Eric, I don't know." Zoicite replies. "It's just that the fates have an ironic sense of humor and something tells me. That is what you will need.
Looking at his old friend, Xavier sends a clear message to John Alleroyce a.k.a Pyro. The young man reluctant to come at the summons does so as it is reinforced again and harder. Now with a headache he enters the office about twenty minutes later, with a rebellious look to his features.
"Amy, Zoicite...meet John...also known as Pyro."
Studying him, John feels almost like a fly on the wall, and yet it doesn't seem to bother him as it would normally. These two seem to almost have an air of comfort and wisdom about them...much like Eric and the Professor. Still not even wanting to be back here again, he looks up and with an attitude...
"So why am I here?"
"We have a mission for you. Amy here will be going with you as will Scott and Eric. Kurt will come along as well as backup..."
"Backup for what?"
"For just in case ..."
John ponders this slightly. Still wary of the whole idea, he asks one simple question. "What is this mission?"
Explaining it to the pyrokinetic, they watch as his eyes light up, at the explanation of the palace floating upon flames.
"So are you interested?"
John nods his head and after planning on how to approach the palace of fire. They move to implement the action. In the meantime Artemis approaches with an idea. "Scott..."
"Yes?"
"I will come to..."
"Why..."
"I want you to teach me how to fly..."
Raising an eyebrow, he nods his head. Other than himself, Logan, and Jean are the only other ones who know how to fly. "We can do it on the way there..."
"My thoughts exactly..."
Conversing with one another the two head towards the plane as Scott begins his explanation of the preparations for take off.
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Elsewhere...
Apocalypse frowns once more as he looks at those surrounding him. Muttering about things he is surprised as Chaos sends for a mutant whom he has possessed and who struggles to break free.
:Send her along with one of the others:
:may I ask why: Apocalypse replies. He would hate to loose this red headed woman with whom her destructive power is great.
:Because the creature can keep them busy while she due to her abilities can enter the palace.:
:Why do we not send one of the others to destroy...:
:Because more than likely they will be with her...Phobos and Diemos...the twin guardians of Mars. They enhance Mars natural spiritual abilities to incredible heights by their mere presence. They will awaken at the sense of something more like we would normally do..."
:I see...and the way she is fighting against my control:
:Will make them try to battle her, but not kill her...:
Chuckling he nods and with a burst of flame, the young woman stands there. Her eyes are as red as her hair and her body is encased in a orange and red suit almost like that of the fires for which she is named.
"Go Firestar and take your pet Elohim with you..."
Nodding her head, her body lifts up as the flame of her mutant abilities pushes her into the air. The one known as Elohim follows her with a great flapping of it wings.
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The next day...
Dressed as they are, they approach the palace of flames within the confines of the jet. Nodding his head to Artemis and Scott who had come to pilot the jet, they both stay where they are. For as he and the others collect around one another, Magneto hears a thought from Artemis. "I will be able to hear you should you ened help. Kurt I will send to teleport you out..."
"Thank you"
Forming a shield of magnetic energy around the small group. They begin to lift and as they do so Mercury looks over at the palace and a smile appears as it welcomes her and the others with open arms.
"She knows we are coming..."
Magneto smiles as the front doors seem to open and they enter. Dispersing the field, they look around and digest in awe, the beauty of the flaming crystals that hold the essence of fire itself.
Pyro, somehow feels at home as he touches the walls, he feels a warm tingling sensation within his bones. As if being called he continues towards the west hall. As the others explore, Magneto whirls around and pushes Mercury out of the way as a blast of fire emits from something in the shadows.
"What?"
They watch as a young woman steps forward, her eyes are dull as if they are devoid of anything resembling a soul. They watch as she begins to shape in her hands a fireball that she thrusts towards them only to be blocked by Mercury as she stands up.
"Mercury Ice Bubbles BLAST!"
A mist surrounds them, and dampens the enhancing effects of the palace. Unaware that Magneto has been separated from her, she calls out. "Magneto be careful. Her powers are enhanced by the presence of the Flame Palace."
"He can not hear you..." The young woman voices softly. "Elohim has already begun to hunt."
"Who is...Elohim...?"
"He is my pet...a present from Apocalypse."
Ready to ask, she dodges as another fireball finds its way towards her. Whirling around, she sees a form in the mist. Although hazy it is large and with a pair of wings. "He can't be..."
"A dragon...yes...it seems there was one left and he took a shine to me. He is only a baby though...but still packs quite a punch as your friend will fill shortly find out."
As she dodges another fireball, she whirls and dives into the mist to help out her new found friend.
Currently looking around the misty room, Magneto, hears the footsteps of something large heading toward him. Manipulating the field around his body, he lifts up into the air to avoid a fireball heading towards him. As he moves up and out of the way, he sees the flapping wings and sheer power of the creature that comes up after him.
Dodging it again, he is stunned as a series of water rings surround and hold it in place. Mercury is leaping toward him as another fireball from elsewhere instantly evaporates, the rings around it.
"Move!" She says pushing him out of the way. The two continue to dodge as the young woman and a dragon that all thought was just a legend continues to attack.
Elsewhere...
Pyro continues down the hall when he hears the firsts sounds of battle. Moving a little quicker this time, he is stunned as what appear to be two crows that come flying from a room. Shifting into smaller forms as they approach him, he notices that except for the outfits the two are virtually identical.
"Sister is he one of them?"
"No...I do not believe so. Who are you?" The twin in the light suit asks.
"They call me Pyro..."
"I see I do sense the fire within you. You are much like our Mistress."
Nodding his head, the two continue to sense the evil inside their palace home and yet they sense a familiar presence. "You have brought the Maiden of Ice with you, Mercury. If she is here with you than we know you can be trusted. Go Lady Mars is up ahead. We go now to help her and your friends." The dark robed one states.
Watching as they shift forms again and return to their crow states, they fly off towards the battle. Moving along, for he respects the older man that is Magneto, he continues towards a room that as he approaches, the door bursts into flames.
Some how knowing what t do, he holds out his own hands and with the fire emitted from within his own body, he creates a wall that separate the flames so that he walk in. As he does so and releases it, the door once again resumes its flaming exterior and he looks around the room. What he sees though enthralls him. Resting with a floating pillar of red flaming light, he sees a young woman with jet black hair, wearing a red dress that is the color of fire. The tiny straps of rubies, that are attached to the cloth slide across her shoulders several times, as it dips and hugs her waist.
Within her hands, as the Professor had described to him according to Bobby is a heart shaped crystal. Looking around for the star formation, he becomes fascinated by her sheer beauty. Reaching out to touch the barrier, he yelps in pain as it reflect back a burning hot pain...
Screaming and cursing up a storm, he is shocked as he spies the star shaped cluster beneath her feet in the barrier.
"Great...how am I supposed to do this...?"
Thinking as fast as he can as the sounds of the battle drift ever closer to his position, he decides a small fireball, although a tiny one should knock it out of her hands.
Positioning himself he begins to shape and as he enhances the heat, to withstand the barrier, he lets it go...
Moments later a bright red flash of light envelops the room...as it dissipates, the girl stands before him. She wears a different outfit now. Identical to the one known as Mercury except in shades of red and purple...he is in awe as he can feel the fire almost living with her body...
She turns her eyes upon him, and he sees the wisdom and knowledge in their violet depths. "Come...they need out help..."
"Who are you?" He whispers, because although eh knows, to see her standing there has left him at a loss for words.
"I am the Eternal Senshi of Fire...I am Sailor Mars..."