New X-Men: Elite – 7: The Calm Before
Clouds hung thick and grey over Salem Center. The wind and rain pounded against the windows of Xavier Institute for Higher Learning. The overcast day matched Kai-Alexander's mood. It had been a week and he still hadn't been able to translate the scanned pages of the manuscript from the old tome he and his new friends Angelina and Nigela had helped him find. Part of the reason Angelina had wanted to come to Xavier's was her boyfriend, Chance Montgomery a mutant whose talents may be able to help him. Discretion at the time had been his main concern the less people that knew the reasons for his research the better. Even the girls themselves didn't know the full story of the pendant. All the information at his disposal had reached a limit. He probably could have used more resources but he was trying to do this without raising too much attention within his family. Given more to his vices than his virtues Kai was not a patient young man. So he would give in he'd ask for help from Chance. According to Angelina, Chance's ability was similar to that other a former student at Xavier's Doug Ramsey. Chance's brain could instantly analyze any language within seconds of hearing it or seeing it. His abilities even extended to computers as well as nonverbal body and chemical communication of humans and animals. Apparently he could also disrupt communications by virtue of his psionic ability. Kai could careless about Chance's offensive abilities right now. He needed him to tell him accurately what the pendant around his neck said. As he sat there at the edge of his bed fiddling his the pendant around his neck deep in thought he felt suddenly warm hands encircling his bare chest.
"Did I wake you?" Kai whispered as he brought his hand down from him necklace to grasp his companion's. He was trying to not wake his still sleeping roommate Ashton.
"No, silly I just woke up." Jubilee said sotto voiced into his ear scooting up to lean her head against his shoulder. "I probably should go before Ashton wakes up it's not good for the students to see the faculty in their undies. Well, I guess unless you're Ms. Frost." Jubilee giggled at her joke releasing him to look for her top.
"Ash knows you slip in here after lights out to sleep her. He doesn't mind as long we aren't well you know." Kai returned a sly raise of his brows.
"Yes, he does mind if he's woken up too early. I tend to sleep until my alarm goes off. So shhhhhh!" Ashton groggily said putting his pillow over his head.
Jubilee stifled a giggle a leaned over to kiss her boyfriend. Kai walked her to the door. "I want to say I'm sorry again about not telling you about New York."
"You apologized last night after dinner. You did what you thought you needed to do. You were like breaking the law. So yeah telling me before might have been a bad idea 'cause I was going to want to come along, naturally. But next you go off and come back with two hot chicks I'm going to kick your ass." She looked briefly behind her at the empty hallway and kissed him again. There was a loud obvious clearing a throat behind them.
"Bye. J." Kai said finally watching his girl friend sneak off her quarters.
New York City…
He hated that clicking sound. The sound of stiletto heels clomping down the hallway towards the boardroom grated at his ears. As the door flew open in dramatic fashion, the woman clothed in what appeared to be a black latex dress entered the room. The neck like of the garb left little to the imagination.
"Morning, Selene."
"Daimon." She said looking over at her companion at the business table as she sat down.
"What is the reason for this little meeting?"
"Well as you know, since Sebastian has returned this position as Black King, he's been trying to court a new successor to the position vacated by Emma's sister as White Queen. As White King, I assumed you'd want to have you say as well in the choosing of your complement."
"You expect me to believe you wanted to meet me here for something you know I could care less about."
"Must everything be a battle with you Hellstrom?" Selene said with an affected annoyance and boredom.
"I'm here to make sure you and the depraved you're in league stay in check. Everything else you do witch is your affair." Pushing back from the table standing to leave.
"You're no fun, Daimon." Selene said with a smirk
"And you aren't a clever as you think." Daimon returned. "Be very careful, Selene. Don't cross me."
"Son of Satan, are you threatening me?"
"Don't call me that."
"Aw…daddy issues? No liking the darkness that pulls at your heart, Daimon?"
"Leave me alone, you old hag."
"What of your boy? What would you do if he embraced the powers you've chosen to eschew?" Selene queried with a wicked chuckle. Daimon spun around grabbing her by the throat, his eyes glowing with ethereal light as he pressed her to the wall. "Trust me, Selene. If you ever go after my boy I will a find a way to end your unnaturally long life or send you to a hell so deep and dark you'll wish I had." He released her and she rubbed her throat. She let out a hoarse laugh. "Not very angelic for a man who wishes to walk amongst the heavenly host. You are more like your father than you think. And so is your son. What scares you more that I will turn him or that I won't have to?" Daimon shuddered at that thought and stormed out. He had to keep his son away from Selene. He just hoped his would never uncover the nature of his parting gift all those years ago.
Xavier's…
Ian Sorenson ran up to meet the rest of his squad before the giant metallic doors of the Danger Room. This was the second of the field day competitions. The Elite had just gone up again the Corsairs. One of the Stepford Cuckoos waved at him. It was hard to tell them apart. It seems like the other two were arguing with the one that had waved at him now. Then they started to giggle. Weird. The doors opened up and their instructors stepped inside they had been watching the simulation from above them in the observation bay. Cyclops looked stern and official as usual. Monet St. Croix for her part maintained her usual haughty disposition sweeping an errant strand of hair from her face. "The objective was to make it to the finish line of the course with all of the your squad. The team with the best time will be declared the winner. "But before we announced the winner I'd like to say." Cyclops began. There was audible groan from both sets of students.
"God, this man just loves to hear himself speak." Angelina snarked.
"We got this, man. We got them out gunned in terms of powers." Tim said boastfully as he assessed the competition.
"That might be but we shouldn't underestimate them. Those freaky Cuckoos are one there squad." Nigela chimed in warily.
Cyclops cleared his throat to gain their attention. "I'd like to say I'm proud of both teams. You've shone increased teamwork and creative use of you individual skills."
"The MVPs for both squad were, Max Jordan, Quill and Nigela Sidhu, Spirit." Monet chimed in handing each named student a certificate.
"Now, what you've all been waiting oh so patiently to hear the winners are…the Corsairs!" Cyclops broke his grim look for a moment to beam proudly at his squad.
"What!" Kai exclaimed in disbelief.
"The Corsairs crossed the finish thirty seconds before the Elite. Better luck time, squad." Monet said consolingly. " The simulations were adaptive to each teams mutant abilities in order balance the playing field. You're strategy relied to heavily on brute strength to eliminate targets in your path instead of more stealth. You'll learn with time to balance aspects of stratagem." Monet left her squad alone to meet with Scott.
"Well, I guess we should congratulate the victors." Kai said with resignation.
"Good work, Corsairs."
"Thanks." The porcupine-like mutant said smiling nervously. Max didn't like Kai-Alexander and his team. To him they stuck-up jerks just like Julian and his crew. It was bad enough he had to put up with Cuckoos on his squad. But at least they weren't as snobby as they used to be before they were on the same squad with him. He never existed in their eyes before then. Angelina went over to Chance and gave him a hug. She was glad the competition was over and they weren't competing with each other anymore.
"You'll get us next time, babe." Chance said as slipped his arm around her waist. She leaned her head on his shoulder in enjoying the closeness for a moment.
"Hey, remember when I asked if you could help Kai out with something?"
"Sure."
"Well, can you meet us in the library in about thirty minutes?"
"Um, yeah. What's all this about anyway? What does he need me for?"
"We'll explain later. I have to get out of this icky uniform." Angelina said giving him a peck on the check.
The library…later:
Kai sat at the oak table with Angelina Devlin waiting for Angelina's boyfriend to arrive. He was excited that finally he was going to get some answers but apprehensive that they'd raise more question. Not one to betray his private emotions to others. He decided to engage in chitchat with Angelina who was eyeing him curiously.
"You know Jubilee thinks I should cut my hair? She says the curly hair ponytail thing reminds her too much of Mr. Le Beau."
"Really? I think it's your bad boy wannabe image that reminds of her of Mr. Le Beau. I don't know. I kinda like the long hair thing on you." Angelina joked.
"I'm most certainly not a wannabe, doll. I'm the genuine article." He winked for good measure causing Angelina to laugh. While most of the girls at Institute found Kai attractive, and he was physically, she was not in the least interested in the boy other than friendship. He's playboy image reminded her too much of her brother Seraph. Where ever he was. Just then she noticed her Chance coming through the door. Chance Montgomery was more her style, self-assured without conceit, loyal and kind. Although he had the frame of a jock from his years of playing football since he was in the peewee leagues he possessed a mind of a scholar under his athletic appearance. She loved how in the right light his chestnut eyes had flicks of gold and smooth warm brown of his complexion took on a glow.
"Sorry, I'm late. Mr. Summers wanted to go over the footage from our danger room session. Reminds of being back home on the football squad. Even if you win, the coach wants more."
"Well, I guess you're wondering why Angelina asked you here?" Kai said cutting to the chase not wanting to be reminded of his loss today.
"Yeah, what's with all the secrecy?"
"Well, because this is a delicate matter. You recall I met your girlfriend because I was looking for someone knowledgeable in magic. Despite our best efforts we haven't been able to crack what we've found. I have a scan of a page from an old tome that might be of help. It appears to be written in the same language as the markings on my pendant." Chance nodded as he listened. One issue of contention between him and Angelina was her interest in magic. Chance never really believed in until he'd seen for himself the things she could do, levitation, tracing spells, illusions and other things. He was uneasy about. Looking at Kai and Angelina he could sense the mystical in their eyes. The unnatural. Part of him wanted nothing to do with this. The priest at his church had warned the young about being entranced by the occult. But he has a curious mind and he knew once he looked at the page his powers would kick in and there would be no turning back. He took the PDA from Kai and looked at the strange marking that made up the body of the text. His eyes flashed and his brain began translating the runes.
"Son of Darkness shall have an heir. Within him lies the power for great good or evil. Born of power in his own right, the heir with age will be granted a taste of his potential, visions, the working of the left hand, his skin will bare the mark, his body will be unlike that of mortal men, strengthened for the coming battle. The choice will be made, whether it shall be father or son who shall fall." Chance spoke almost as if in a trance. He shook his head and rubbed his eyes.
"Whoa. What was that about? Is it you? Is it about your kid?
"I don't have any children. I take precautions."
"Um…eww." Angelina muttered.
"Oh come off it, it's not like you and Chance here are angels. Despite his alter boy leanings."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Chance said feeling his face flush. Kai simply smiled knowingly tapping his temple.
"Look. Why don't we just get off this topic? Chance translate Kai's pendant." Angelina interjected not wanting to discuss her private life in the middle of school library. It already seemed like everyone there was watching them.
"Yeah, the sooner we're done with this mess the better I'll feel." Chance agreed
"If you two haven't forgotten, this is my life we're talking about. I'm the one who's mixed up in some dark prophecy."
"Yeah, bro. Sucks to be you." Chance offered with a chuckle. Kai for his part just grimaced unhooking the pendant and placing it in Chance's hands. The dark crystal felt heavier that in should in the younger boy's hands. His eyes flicked from Kai to the crystal in back, he focused on the etchings indeed it was the same language.
"It's a warding spell, at least partially. Warding spells are protection, right Angie?"
"Yeah." The girl spoke softly taking in all that was happening. She was minor adept in magic but she could feel it, the air tingled around them with the arcane.
" You said partially? What does in say in entirety?
"Blessed be the barer of the stone, forged in the arts of dark and light, safe from the wiles of those which lurk in the shadows of night. Lock within the secret power until the appointed hour, keep it hidden from those who seek his soul to sour."
"Sounds like it's also a binding spell." Angelina said rubbing her chin.
"A binding spell? Kai's already pretty power from what I've from the chatter around here. Are you saying he could be more powerful?"
"Um…still sitting right here, mate. And if this pendant is a binding spell, it explains why it flashed when I first put it on. I've had better control of my powers ever since my mother gave it too me. I don't feel limited though. Maybe the warding and binding wasn't for me. My mother has worn all these years."
"Maybe, the spell protected you from her?" Angelina offered.
"I don't know…it's all too much to take. I've got to go." Kai said pushing up from the table. Replacing the pendant around his neck and heading out the door.
"Angie, let this be the last thing you do regarding this. Whatever this guy is mixed up in it's dangerous." Chance said once he was sure Kai was gone.
"Chance, Kai's a good guy underneath it all. I want to help him. He helped me get in here so we could be together, didn't he?" She replied taking his hands in hers.
"I guess, but just promise me that if any really weird stuff goes down you'll stir clear of it." Chance said, his eyes almost pleading.
"Oh, all right! Seriously Chance, I thought I left my father back in the city." Angelina huffed playfully slapping his arm. Chance for his part feigned injury before pulling her into a hug. He started to say how much he was worried she'd get into trouble. But he knew better, the more Angelina was told not to do something, the more she was prone to do it.
The garage:
Kai sighed as he paced back and forth in front of his car. There was one person that could answer all his questions. Daimon Hellstrom. But that meant going to the one place he swore he never wanted anything to do with after they tried to kidnap his friend, Ashton. The Hellfire Club. That poor girl Mina Seung had never been found and the X-Men's contacts within the Club denied the cabal's involvement, despite Selene being behind the attacks. Kai stopped pacing and pressed the button on his key ring to unlock the doors on his Vantage. Selene and the Inner Circle be damned it was time he visited daddy.