Gifts and Curses
By Todd Fan
Disclaimer: "It's Halloween, everyone's entitled to one good scare"
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As the whole Illyana-Soulsword deal has always been a.. confusing matter, I have taken some comic stuff, and spun it a bit to fit the fic. And today marks 22 years of Todd Fan being part of the universe, hazah!
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Chapter 15 – Bad moon rising
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The weeks of October went by quickly, and soon, all too soon for Rahne, the next full moon night arrived, on Halloween night, of all nights. Rahne, afraid of what Hrimhari could do to her, had locked herself in her room, and called in her friends to 'keep an eye on her'.
"I'm telling you, Wolfie", said Roberto, much quieter now it was nighttime..and Dani had gone back on the road, "full moon on Halloween, it's one heck of a bad omen"
"I don't need ye tellin' me that", snapped Rahne as she stalked around the room in her transitional form, "I dunnae like Sam bein' out, either"
"He hasnae got a choice", said Ray, "he's got a late class. He'll be fine, he's invulnerable, remember?"
"While he's blastin'", growled Rahne.
"Oh give me a home, Where the asteroids roam, And the gleebs and the buzzy mugs play", sang Warlock, "Where gravity's low, And the water is…." (1)
"Warlock, you're giving me a headache", said Ray, rubbing his temples, "please, shut up"
"But I love this Earth holiday", said Warlock, "this is the one time of year I have been myself all day in public. People asked, 'Hey, what are you?', and I have replied 'I am an alien', and no government forces arrived to take me away! Oh what a joyous day this is!"
"Oh yeah, woopie do", said Tabby from where she sat at the window with a frown.
"I didnae keep you from a date, did I?", asked Rahne, looking at her, "you seem like ye want tae be elsewhere"
"Mmmm?", said Tabby, then shook her head, "no, Warlock's the one you're keeping from a date"
"Affirmative", said Warlock, "Today marks the first complete lunar cycle that myself and Doug have been in courtship"
"…Please, call it one month anniversary like everyone else!", said Ray miserably.
"Oh, don't be such a grump, Mr. Single", said Tabby, then grinned, "that reminds me, I know this chick who's perfect for you"
"No", said Ray, "not interested"
Tabby blinked.
"Okay, Ray, you're wasting your college days not having fun", she said, "you need one date, at least"
"No, I don't", said Ray, narrowing his eyes, "I don't want a date"
"You sure you're not gay?", asked Tabby, "'cause there's a guy in.."
Ray's eye glowed blue slightly.
"No, I'm not gay", he growled, "I don't need help finding a date"
"Uh huh, sure", said Tabby sarcastically.
"Look, I had a girlfriend", said Ray, "her name was Scaleface. I loved her, and now she's dead, she was ki..killed in the Morlock Massacre. I couldn't save her, and I have enough guilt issues without you poking fun at me too"
Lightning crackled between his hands before he took a breath, dissipating it.
"Just leave me alone, worry about your own dysfunctional relationships, you Switch Hitter"
With that, he opened the door and stormed out. Tabby watched him, before sighing.
"…People have really got to start telling me things before letting me speak"
"He didn't speak to any of us", said Roberto with a shrug, "you know how he is with pride"
"Yes, almost as bad as you", said Tabby pointedly.
"Shut up, Tabby", said Roberto.
"Will ye all just shut up?", growled Rahne, then sighed, "…I'm sorry. I've ruined all your nights keepin' ye here babysitting me"
"Don't be stupid, Rahne", said Tabby, "you need us to keep you from following the whole wolf instinct thing…even though I think we should go shoot Hrimhari with a few silver bullets for making you so paranoid"
"I still do not quite understand the 'Silver Bullet' thing", said Warlock blinking.
"It's just a thing, 'Lock", said Roberto, rolling his eyes.
Rahne sighed, looking out of the window at the full moon.
"I just want this whole night tae be over", she whispered.
Little did she know, it was only beginning.
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In the dark depths of Limbo, Illyana Rasbutin sat cross-legged, a pentagram of fire sat on the floor before her. She'd waited for seven years for this day. She knew the incantation she'd found in a book, hidden in Belasco's library, off by heart, and now she was going to put it to good use. As she chanted, the fire grew stronger. Unseen, a small group of demons, a huge purple one in front, watched with great interest.
"S'ym knows what Magik is doing", purred S'ym, the purple demon, "S'ym has watched her read the ancient books. Soon, she will become Darkchylde, and other throw Belasco"
The demon gave a low chuckle.
"And then S'ym will over throw the Darkchylde, and Limbo will belong to S'ym"
"Hold your tongue, you fool", hissed a smaller demon, "or your plans will be ruined"
"They will not", said S'ym assuredly, "she cannot hear us. S'ym made deal with one of the prisoners. When Darkchylde comes into power, prisoner will be freed, and will help S'ym take over Limbo"
Illyana, indeed, not hearing any of this conversation continued her spell.
"With the darkest part of my soul, on All-Hallows-Eve, the moon full in the sky, I create the weapon that will disrupt only magical beings", she said, her eyes glowing, a solid object forming in front of her as a dark shadow flutter out from her chest, "I create the weapon which guarantees the being that wields it complete power over limbo"
The object became solid in front of her, a long sword, on the tip of it's hilt sat a small skull. Illyana smirked at the object as she reached to it.
"I create the Soulsword"
There was a blinding light as her fingers made contact, sending out a ripple throughout the realm.. and further, much further…
In the Sefton home, Margali jumped up from where she had been reading a book, her eyes wide with fear. Her husband gave her a worried glance, to which she gave a silent reassuring smile, going back to her book, trying to hide the worried frown from her face.
In 177A Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village, a man known to most as Doctor Steven Strange, but known to a select few as Sorcerer Supreme, gave a shudder. His assistant, Wong looked over at him, as did his wife, Clea, it was clear from their faces…they felt it too. (2)
In the headquarters of the Canadian supergroup, Alpha Flight, from which Nightshift's Wild Child had left those years ago, one of their number looked up from where he'd been settling his teenaged daughter from her nightmares. Dr. Michael Twoyoungman frowned, now he knew the cause of Elizabeth's nightmares…this did not bode well. (3)
In the Lame Deer Cheyenne Reservation, the man known only as 'Naze' paused from where he was tending to the horse Danielle Moonstar had left in his care. He put a hand on Brightwind's neck, closing his eyes. He knew this would happen eventually, it had been looming like a dark cloud for many years. He just hoped everyone, particularly his grandson, were ready. (4)
The grandson in question, however he thought he'd purged his system of such things, also felt the mystical shock wave as it swept past. On one of the rare nights he actually got sleep, Forge was woken rather abruptly by it, making him sit up with a jolt. He winced, holding a hand to his head, passing a look at his wife, who was still sound asleep..typical. He frowned, lying back down again, closing his eyes, opting to ignore it all, as far as he was concerned, he washed his hands of the matter a long time ago, it was someone else's problem.
Elsewhere in Bayville, Wanda was also woken from her sound sleep. She blinked, a little dumbfounded by it all, after all, she was only partially trained in the mystical arts, but she had a feeling something was not right..not at all. It seemed Ebony felt the same the not-really-a-cat pacing across the windowsill, giving frustrated meows. Pyro gave a snort in his sleep next to her, causing Wanda to blink out of her revere. Suddenly, she really, really wished Agatha was still alive…her tutor would know what to do, where the Scarlet Witch did not.
The shock wave spread even further, reaching beyond Earth, into another realm, one at the centre of everything, the world known as Otherworld. The Guardian of the Omniverse, Roma paused from where she was pacing her halls of the city-sized Starlight Citadel. She quickly raced off down the long, flowing corridors, into a large room..and enormous room, a room bigger than thought could comprehend. Along the walls of this room were small orbs, each labeled with their own number. Roma did not look at any number, instinctively racing to one in particular. When she got there, Saturnyne, her highest-ranking multidimensional agent…and the closest thing she had as a friend, had got there before her. Saturnyne pointed wordlessly at one of the orbs, allowing Roma to lean in to look at it with a frown. It had begun. (5)
Far from earth, the shockwave acted like a beacon, shining it's presence to the furthest reaches of space. A being caught a glimpse of it ,looking at this previously ignored planet, and gave a chuckle. His search was over.
Back in Limbo, the demons cheered as Illyana held the Soulsword proudly. She grinned. Her time was at hand. Deep down in the prisons of Limbo, the inmates growled and snarled, soon, a transfer of power would occur…and possible freedom. Only one inmate sat in silence, his yellow eyes glowing in the darkness.
"Do your duty, Darkchylde", he purred, "for it is I, the trickster of tricksters, who will prevail over you all"
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Oscrop, New York. The rival company to the enormous Stark Enterprises, and home to some of the greatest technological and chemical wonders that could be found….well, if you didn't count Stark's place, that was. Norman Osborn narrowed his eyes at the thought from where he sat at his desk, looking out at the full moon in the sky. (6)
He has all the best minds for himself
Norman closed his eyes, there was that voice again, maybe if he ignored it..it would go away.
Stark took Connors from you, didn't he? And Banner. He stole your workforce. You should gain revenge.. finish him.
"I should finish him", murmured Norman, before blinking up as an alarm went off, "what the.."
He stood up, striding out of his office and over to the security room.
"What is going on?", he snarled, making one of his security guards jump and whimper.
"Sir, we've had a break in, a professional job", he said, "but we're dealing with it right now, they won't get away"
"They'd better not", said Norman, "what have they taken?"
"The cube, sir..the cube"
In one of Oscorps' extensive labs, a group of security officers, decked out in the finest robotic armoury chased after their quarry.
"We've cornered off this entire section", said one, "there's no way he's getting out of here"
"Not alive, by any rate", smirked the other officer, then looked as something fluttered over their way in the air, landing on the ground.
They both blinked, looking at the object at their feet. It was a playing card….and it was glowing.
"FALL BACK!", shouted the first officer, but the cry came too late, with a solid bang, the card exploded, throwing both men against the wall.
Red irises glowed in the darkness off the lab.
"Too bad boys", chuckled Remy, top marks for tryin', t'ough"
After the whole Morlock Massacre incident, Remy had got the distinct feeling he was no longer welcome in Bayville, so he'd gone back to New Orleans, and to the life he knew better than any, that of a thief. He poked the unconscious guards with his bo staff and shook his head.
"All dis trouble for a little cube, de money better be worth it", he muttered, before diving behind a set of tables as more officers started in his direction, "maybe Gambit should ask for a pay rise"
He charged up the table, sliding it across to the blocked doorway. He closed his eyes and waited…
BOOM
…That ought to do it. He flipped himself over the debris with practised ease, and stepped over the guards left in a heap by the now open doorway.
"Au reviour, mes amis", he smirked, "it's been a pleasure stealin' from you today"
With a chuckle, Remy LeBeau made his escape, his precious cargo stowed safely away in his ever-present trench coat.
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Sam Guthrie sighed as he pulled his coat closer around him against the chilly October wind. That would be the last time he'd willingly go to a late class, next time, he was going to play hookey. He frowned, glancing up at the full moon, he knew Rahne had locked herself in her dorm room, untrusting of the wolf within her. Sam couldn't help feeling a little bit jealous, Hrimhari, after all, was one of her own.. almost. Of course, he never thought for a second that anything would actually come from it, Rahne was a loyal soul, and he loved her for it, he knew she wouldn't leave him, it was her way. He paused, hearing a twig crack and decided to quicken his pace. Rahne had made him promise to get back as son as he could, terrified something would happen to him. He'd told her not to be so panicky….but now he had the feeling he was being followed. No, not followed.. stalked.
"A'h know you're there, Hrimhari", he said, pausing, "so why don't you do us both a favour and come out of hiding. You might frighten Rahne, but you don't scare me a bit"
There was a low, steady growl as the huge grey wolf padded out from behind a set of trees, standing in front of Sam. Sam arched a brow, he was bigger than Rahne in her wolf form, much bigger. But still, he didn't falter.
"So, a'h take it you've come to warn me away form Rahne, huh?", asked Sam, "tell me you want her for yourself?"
The wolf shifted shape, taking it's transitional form.
"You're surprisingly observant, for a farm boy", growled Hrimhari, "you and I both know that it is foolish for you to stay with her. She needs one of her own, one that understands her completely, do you not agree?"
Sam narrowed his eyes.
"She does need someone who understands her completely", he said, "but that person isn't you. You understand he wolf wide, sure, but nothing else. You don't know her favorite colour is blue, or that she secretly has a bag of beef jerky hidden in her pillowcase for when she gets the midnight munchies. An' above everythin', you don't love her. You want her, but you don't love her"
He crossed his arms.
"Me, a'h do love her", he said simply, "more than anything else in the world. A'h would fight to ma'h last breath to keep her safe and happy"
Hrimhari narrowed his eyes, bearing his teeth.
"So be it"
Before Sam had chance to react, Hrimhari snarled, diving at his with a swipe of a clawed hand, throwing Sam against the wall of a building. Sam winced, winded as he struggled to his feet, the were wolf making another charge. Sam quickly blasted into the air to get out of the way, his flight zigzagged thanks to his injuries, but at least he was up..and invulnerable. Hrimhari growled, leaping up as he flew past, landing on his back, throwing the mutant off course, causing Sam to plough into the ground. He groaned, sitting up and rubbing his head, though didn't get the chance to move any further as the huge werewolf pinned him down with a snarl.
Ray, meanwhile, had walked out of the dorm house in a foul mood, trying to calm himself down. He knew he shouldn't have snapped at Tabby…he didn't want to snap at her... not her. But she'd inadvertently dredged up a memory he'd have much rather remained buried. He was pulled out of his revere by the sounds of an animal snarling and growling. He narrowed his eyes, heading towards the sound, carefully, as not to be disturbed. He turned the corner to find a huge grey werewolf who could only be Hrimhari standing over a very bloodied...and very still Sam.
"Hey, get the hell off him!", snapped Ray, sending out an electrical charge at the werewolf.
Hrimhari howled in pain and surprise, backing away slightly, snarling at Ray, his singed hackles rising.
"You want more?", asked Ray, his eyes glowing, "I got plenty. We can see who drops first"
Hrimhari narrowed his eyes, before transforming into his wolfen form, racing away. Ray narrowed his eyes, letting him go, rushing to his team-mates side. He winced, Sam didn't look in good shape, his blonde hair stained an almost pink from all the blood, which covered most of his face and torso. Blood seeped from a huge hole in his chest, as his head hung limply on one side. Ray swore under his breath, using one hand to try and stop the blood flow from his chest, the other pulling his communicator form his pocket, switching it on.
"You guys better get here now", he snapped, flicking the button that would send out a tracking signal to his teammates, "it's Sam, Hrimhari attacked him"
There was an anguished howl form the other side as Roberto replied.
"We'll be there yesterday, Ray, hang tight"
Ray put the communicator down, putting his free hand on Sam's throat, checking for a pulse.
"Come on, Sam", he muttered under his breath, "pull yourself together"
He glanced up as a whooshing sound came from overhead, a yellow-and-black winged…blob landing nearby. It opened up and Rahne, Tabby and Roberto rushed out, the blob forming itself back into Warlock.
"SAM!", cried Rahne rushing over, looking at him panicked, "och..what did he do to ye"
She gave a quiet sob, brushing a hand through his blood soaked hair.
"Where's Hrimhari?", asked Tabby, looking around.
"He bolted", said Ray, jutting a thumb, "headed off in that direction"
"Warlock, you and the others get him back tae the mansion tae be looked at", said Rahne, narrowing her eyes, as she stood, "I'll deal with Hrimhari"
"Affirmative", said Warlock, then glanced at Sam, frowning, "…but I….I can sense no lifeglow in him, Rahne"
Rahne blinked.
"What?"
Tabby frowned, biting her lip, looking up at Rahne.
"I think he means the Institute won't be able to do anything, Rahne", she whispered, fighting back tears, "…Sam's dead"
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(1) – From the hilarious movie 'Spaced Invaders'.
(2) – Yes, this is the home of Dr. Strange, honest. Would I lie to you?
(3) – Michael and Elizabeth Twoyoungman (AKA Shaman and Talisman) were Sarcee Native Americans in Alpha Flight.
(4) – This is a nod to the comics, where Danielle had a Pegasus-horse named Brightwind from Asgard. This Brightwind is an average white horse.
(5) – Roma and the Otherworld are another part of Marvel mythology which are highly confusing. So, like with Magik, I have taken what I do know from the comics, and twisted it a bit to fit the Chronicle universe.
(6) – Norman Osborn and Oscorp are of course, from Spider-Man.
Dum dum duuuum! See, I told you the story would be kicked into high gear, did I not? Do review. Until next time…