Fragments
Her wounds healed long ago, Selene still lingered in her secret retreat pondering the recent turn of events. She knew she was probably kicked out of the Inner Circle for her betrayal but that didn't bother her. It didn't matter that she was no longer the Black Queen. Meaningless titles didn't concern her. She had more than enough real power to deal with her former colleagues when they crossed paths.
Next time however she would be more prepared. It had been so long that anyone had truly challenged her she had never dreamed anyone could harm her. Especially Frost and her adopted brats. I've been careless, She frowned as she chastised herself. I've let myself get too complacent with my powers over the past few decades. I should be honing my skills. Increasing my power. The Dark One knows I'll need it if those fools succeed in releasing the Phoenix Force and bind it to someone.
I have to find the Destiny Stone. It may be the only thing that can counteract it if it happens. Yes, that's my next course of action. To search for it and to focus on my strength and powers so they'll be at their peak. Logically that's the only thing that should be on my mind.
But it wasn't.
I know he's dead and long gone…But I can't stop thinking about him. She moved to a small computer screen and brought up some files. "Avalanche…" She read the file. "It's a coincidence. It's got to be. Unless…"
Selene mused some more. "Reincarnation? It's possible. Wouldn't it be something after all these centuries? Could it be…if he is Dominicus…Would the Destiny Stone bind itself to him? He protected it once but because of me…" She frowned. "Is this some cosmic joke? A farce that I have play again? No…No this time the roles are reversed. I am the one with the power this time!"
She got up and looked at her favorite painting. It was the painting of a Greek soldier with long hair. A soldier that had a startling resemblance to Lance but older. "Dominicus…if it is you, I promise this time I won't lose you again."
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It seemed like a lifetime ago since Gloria Leech and her son Dorian had fled into the sanctuary of the Chicago Morlocks, affectionately named 'The Vault'. But strangely enough she seemed more at home here even thought she was the only human.
Not long after she and Dorian arrived she had taken in Dorian's little friend Artie. Soon there were other young children in the tunnels, all had escaped either abusive families, orphanages or simply on the run from the GRSO. She found herself becoming a second mother to them as well as a day care provider and teacher. She had even found a reasonable space for the children to play in and watched over them like a hawk.
"Good news," Postman walked in with a bag. "Eve and I were able to go topside today and got some books and toys from one of the Salvation Army bins."
"That's a relief," Gloria sighed as she dove in. "I swear those kids are going to tear each other apart over that Spongebob Squarepants doll."
"Well now I got him a little friend," Postman took out another. "His name's Patrick the Starfish. He was in one of those little machines with the claw that you use to drop and pick out. Eve used her electric powers creatively and got him."
"Isn't that dangerous?" Gloria said. "She could have been spotted."
"Not in this particular part of town," Postman said. "But rumors are even here the GRSO is starting to move in. It's like they won't rest until they got every single mutant in a cage or dead."
"It's getting worse isn't it?" Gloria asked.
"I'm afraid so," Postman grumbled. "Fortunately we're shielded in the Vault but lord knows how long that's gonna last."
"You never told me about the Vault and why we're shielded," Gloria asked.
"It used to be a military complex of sorts,"Solitaire walked in. "Actually it was a shelter for a terrorist group named Cobra."
"Cobra?" Gloria gasped.
"Yes that's why we have not only advanced circuitry but special materials in the metal and pipes that shields us from detection,"Solitaire explained. "Don't worry, Cobra believes this place blew up years ago and it's not on any map."
"But why are the GRSO after mutants?" Gloria asked.
"Who knows? To make weapons out of them or simply eliminate them,"Solitaire sighed. "They caught a newbie last night. It was on the news. Kid literally started to spark up in the middle of a mall when they were doing a sweep. Never had a chance."
"Talk about your bad timing," Postman groaned. "Rescue mission?"
"No, he's lost…"Solitaire told him.
Gloria had quickly learned that being 'lost' meant that a mutant was taken away to some unknown military facility, never to be heard from again. "God help him…" She breathed.
"God help us all," Postman agreed.
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"And that's all we know boss," The hit man with broad shoulders reported. "We're pretty sure GI Joe has Mystique." A meeting was taking place in a secluded cavern with strange colored tapestry.
"Of course they have Mystique you fool!" A tall red clad ninja snapped. Three other red ninjas were behind him. "Who else would interfere with us?"
"Quiet!" A tall figure clad in a strange black outfit with gray markings spoke. His face was covered in an eerie mask with bright green eyes and purple spiked hair out the back. "Be careful of who you are speaking to Red Ninja. Gelder here is one of the Prides' most trusted lieutenants."
"And you remember, Right Hand of the Pride that we ninja," The Red Ninja growled. "We only agreed to join your crusade against Kingpin if you help us with our revenge."
"And the Pride will keep it's end of the bargain," The Pride member growled. "It's simple really. All we have to do is grab Mystique and use her and her unborn child to lure Zartan out into the open."
"We could get her ourselves," Another Red Ninja spoke.
"That would break the pact," The first Red Ninja spoke.
"It's not like we haven't broken it before," The second Red Ninja spoke.
"Yes, but at too high a price," The First Red Ninja told him.
"And therefore you need the Pride to take care of it," The Pride leader chuckled and shook his head. "Really, your pathetic oaths and…"
Ring! Ring!
"What now?" The Pride Leader took out his cell phone. "Excuse me." He walked away. "This better be good. I'm in a meeting. What about her? She what? They what? How much did they see? WHAT? YOU IDIOTS! HOW COULD YOU LET THIS HAPPEN? I TOLD YOU YEARS AGO THAT WE SHOULD HAVE LEFT THEM ALL SOMEWHERE ELSE WITH A SITTER! DO NOT TELL ME TO CALM DOWN AFTER YOU MADE A MESS OF THIS!"
The Pride Leader growled. "Fine! You do that! I will be there by tomorrow and you'd have better have found them if you know what's good for you!" He shut off the phone.
"Trouble Boss?" Gelder asked.
"Some…Personal business has come up," The Pride Leader growled. "I need to return to LA immediately. Here," He took out some plans from a folder on a table. "Here's everything you need to know about the Pit and some suggestions for strategy. Gelder you're in charge of the operation until I get back." The Pride Leader left.
"Seems like something really big has gone down," Gelder spoke. He turned to the Red Ninjas. "Looks like you and I are working together."
"This is an outrage!" One Red Ninja shouted. "The Red Ninjas do not take orders from lackeys!"
"Then maybe the Pride don't think you're as important as you say you are," Gelder growled. "Don't worry, you'll get Mystique. Just leave it to me."
"Do not fail us," The Red Ninja growled as he and his companions disappeared into the shadows.
"Ninjas…Creep me out." Gelder grumbled as he left the room and soon found himself in his car. "Time to make a call."
Gelder then punched in a number on his cellphone. "Hello? It's me. I got some information here. Looks like something big has got the Pride shaking in their boots and they left me in charge of the operation to capture Mystique."
"Really?" The Kingpin grinned as he listened on the receiving end. "How unlike them. We must take advantage of this rare lapse in judgement. Now Gelder, tell me everything you know and what information on the Pit you have. If we're lucky we can get Mystique, the Pride and GI Joe in one fell swoop."
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"Yes, Jean this strain does show promise," Dr. Sterisin looked through the microscope. He was in his teaching lab with his star pupil. "You have good eyes."
"Thank you Doctor," Jean nodded. "Where did you get this particular mutated sample?"
"I have friends in high places," Dr. Sterisin told her. "They work on stem cell research mostly. I say Jean it's good of you to help me with my research."
"Well it's pretty understanding of you to incorporate your lab work with my classes," Jean said. "I'm learning so much."
"I just thought you would learn more coming to my lab twice a week and working with me than reading some boring textbooks three times a week in class," Dr. Sterisin told her. "And it's much more flexible considering your schedule. Jean is something wrong?"
Jean was rubbing her eyes. "I guess all the pressure is really getting to me," Jean confessed. "I mean working on my degree and my responsibilities with the X-Men are hard enough. But with all this hostility on campus…"
"They're still holding those awful demonstrations in the quad aren't they?" Dr. Sterisin sighed.
"That's the main reason why I decided to do this instead of coming to regular class," Jean admitted. "I'm just getting tired of people giving me dirty looks or trying to spit on me when I came to class. And it wasn't always the students."
"The stupidity of so called 'educated' people are truly astonishing sometimes," Dr. Sterisin growled. "We're not all fools here you know?"
"Yeah I really have to thank you Doctor," Jean said. "If it wasn't for you teaching me I don't know how I would have coped. Sometimes I felt like quitting."
"But instead you persevered and now you're actually ahead of your studies," Dr. Sterisin grinned.
"Again thanks to you," Jean said. "I mean half of this stuff I've mastered under your tutoring is so advanced. It's amazing."
"It's good to have an advisor in high places. You'll probably be able to get your doctorate in under two years instead of four or five," Dr. Sterisin grinned. "I mean as the new head of the Genetics department I've given you the credit for the work you've done here and at the Institute towards your degree. Which reminds me, I'm looking forward to formally meeting your friends."
"Yeah I know, I'm sorry to have to keep pushing it back," Jean sighed. "But with all the protestors and the media and everything…"
"It's all right Jean," Dr. Sterisin grinned. "I understand. When you're ready. I'll be there with bells on."
"Soon, I promise," Jean told him. "When things settle down a little more."
"Good," Dr. Sterisin agreed. "I'm looking forward to it."
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Lance and Kitty stood on the gazebo overlooking the ocean at the Institute. "Man I keep forgetting how nice it is here sometimes. When everybody's not fighting that is."
"Hmmm…" Kitty thought.
"What's wrong?" Lance asked.
"I was just thinking," Kitty sighed. "About us and how so many things have changed since we first met."
"Like what?" Lance asked.
"Oh how we all used to be enemies and stuff," Kitty waved. "Now we're all friends."
"Depends on who you're talking about," Lance snickered. "I don't think Summers and I will ever be friends."
"Well at least you guys aren't tearing apart buildings every time you see each other," Kitty said.
"I can't help it, the guy gets on my nerves!" Lance said. "He's way too uptight for my tastes."
"God Lance just let it go will you?" Kitty said. "Everyone else here has pretty much let go of the past. Why can't you?"
"What do you mean by 'everyone else'?" Lance asked. "I know you definitely don't mean Pietro or Wanda."
"I'm just saying it wouldn't hurt if you acted more mature sometimes like…Well just try to get along with my friends more," Kitty said.
"You're doing it again," Lance growled.
"Doing what?"
"Comparing me to him!" Lance snapped. "You know how I hate that!"
"I didn't say anything about Peter!" Kitty snapped.
"You didn't have to," Lance told her. "I could hear it in your voice."
"Okay maybe I was a little," Kitty admitted. "But that's no excuse for you to fall back into your old patterns."
"My old patterns?" Lance looked at her. "What are you my psychiatrist or something?"
"You have a lot of problems Lance and I'm trying to be supportive," Kitty told him. "You have to admit you are not the easiest person to get along with."
"Kitty you gotta admit at least I'm trying!" Lance shouted. "Sometimes I don't think you'll ever be happy with me!"
"How can you say that?" Kitty asked. "I love you!"
Lance stopped. "You do?"
"Well I wouldn't put up with everything if I didn't!" Kitty told him.
"Why?" Lance asked. "Why do you love me?"
"You want to know why?" Kitty asked.
"I know it's a dumb question," Lance ran his hand through his hair. "But Kitty you gotta understand where I'm coming from. I've been used and hurt too many times and…Well you can't blame me if I tend to get a little possessive. I don't get too many good things in my life. When I do find someone I care about, I don't want to lose them. It hurts too much for me to be alone. Especially now that I've found you and the Misfits and everything."
"Lance…" Kitty said as he took her in his arms.
"Kitty, just promise me that you'll be patient with me okay?" Lance asked. "I love you and I'd do anything for you. You know that right?"
"And I love you too Lance," Kitty held onto him.
I do love Lance…Kitty thought as she hugged him. So…I have to stop comparing him to Peter. It's the right thing to do.
Then why can't I stop thinking about Peter?
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In a secret meeting hall another group was plotting. In fact it was probably one of the most powerful groups on earth. The Jugglers.
"That concludes the budget," General Gold spoke to his fellow Jugglers. "Now we will continue with our discussion on how to handle the mutant question in this country."
"Never thought this would bite us in the butt like this," General White grumbled.
"The fact is gentlemen," General Silver spoke. "The Jugglers are probably more responsible than anyone for the expanding mutant population."
"You mean the former Jugglers," General Brown interrupted him. "I know my predecessor certainly caused enough damage! I can't believe that one of us was linked to Canada's Weapon X program!"
"Wouldn't surprise me if there are still others out there with ties to Weapon X or other super soldier programs," General Blue remarked. "Do you remember the Black Womb fiasco before we came to power?"
"Vividly," General Gold grumbled. "And out of all those children we only know the whereabouts of only five of them! And one of those five is a Misfit!"
"How much does he remember?" General Green asked.
"Nothing that could link the Jugglers to it if you are asking," General Gold said. "Ironically he did come up with some proof that the project was infiltrated by Magneto and Mystique."
"No wonder mutants are showing up all over the place now," General Blue grumbled.
"Whether we want to admit it or not," General Silver spoke. "We all know that mutants at the very least came from humans. Therefore handling the mutant question is our responsibility. And I do not want one of the solutions to be genocide, is that clear?"
"General Silver, the Jugglers may be a lot of things but one thing we are most of all are realists," General Green spoke. "Like it or not mutants are pretty much here to stay."
"And they are much too valuable to destroy," General Blue agreed.
"Hell the way things are going in twenty or so years they'll represent a major voting block," General Brown said. "We've already had to rely on 'em a few times to save the planet. Do you really think it's in our best interests to try and wipe 'em out?"
"That leads me to the Neverland Project that General Gold is responsible for…" General Silver spoke.
"I made it perfectly clear that the Neverland Project was not to be a concentration camp," General Gold told him. "There's no point in killing weaker mutants that are not a threat to us and the stronger mutants will only increase our military might."
"But will your subordinates listen to you?" General Blue asked. "Some generals have a habit of ignoring orders and going ahead with their own agenda."
"Like General Hawk?" General Green asked.
"At least when he does it, it's in the best interests of the country," General Blue grunted. "He's got initiative that one. He thought of reforming troubled mutants long before we did."
"Look I ordered the GRSO's activities to be limited in New York," General Gold said. "Too close to the X-Men and Hawk's attention for comfort. And I've gotten some good progress for Project Wideawake."
"I don't like it at all," General Silver said. "Machines are even less predicable than mutants. At least with mutants there's a chance to reason with them."
"I agree with Silver," General Blue said. "If Sentinels fall into the wrong hands it would mean the end of all of us! Not just mutants! Imagine what would happen if Cobra or any other organization got a hold of 'em?"
"Or worse, Magneto," General White said. "He could reprogram them to hunt normal humans instead."
"General Gold knows what he is doing," General Green. "Remember we all have our alliances. You cannot interfere with the GRSO Silver, just as we cannot interfere with your GI Joes and Misfits. Remember?"
"Wideawake is only a last resort," General Gold told him. "It will not be launched on a whim. Only when there is no other solution and the mutant population becomes out of control."
"They're already out of control!" General Green grumbled. "Like what happened a few days ago in Bayville?"
"To be fair, it was Hydra that caused most of the damage," General White told him. "That cover story we made up about Hydra wanting to destroy the town as an act of terrorism should keep the press at bay."
"Yes and now we have an actual Norse God running around to deal with," General Brown groaned. "As if mutants didn't give us enough headaches!"
"Don't worry, SHEILD is under my jurisdiction," General Black spoke. "Leave that to me."
"I'm still not sure about this," General Silver spoke. "I only hope Gold that your plan doesn't backfire on us all if it ever comes to pass."
"I hope it never comes to pass period," General Blue grumbled. "Because if it does…It could be the end of the world as we know it."
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"Why do I have to be the one to get the kids their sodas?" Cover Girl grumbled as she put the last set of cans into the jeep. She was at a convenience store at a town near the Pit. "Everyone else is chickening out and…"
"Don't move," A voice said behind her. Cover Girl felt a gun poke her in the back. "Just do what I say and nobody will get hurt."
"Well that's an original line," Cover Girl quipped. "Who are you and what exactly do you want?"
"I'm the brother of the girl you kidnapped into your little super soldier program," The man growled. "I'm going to break her out and you're going to help me."
Things are getting good aren't they? Wait and see what happens next!