Nothing Like More Plots Spinning To Make You Scream

"Well this has been a fun night," Pietro grumbled as the Misfits returned to their house. "Fought a bunch of werewolves in Bayville. Xi got high on cookies. Met a powerful cosmic alien, got him drunk and trashed the base, then Selene shows up, steals the cosmic powers and trashes the base, then once the alien gets his powers back he takes off leaving us with the clean up!"

"Yeah and now that those pills have worn off, General Hawk is really tearing into Shipwreck," Fred nodded. "Does he really have the authority to shove a rocket up his…?"

"I'm going to bed," Lance waved his hand. "We could all use some rest." He trudged up the stairs to his room and was prepared to have a long hard sleep. What he wasn't prepared for was there was already someone in his room waiting for him.

"You!" Lance was startled when he saw who was in his room. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm not here to fight," Selene held up her hands. "I just wanted to talk. I think I should explain why I did what I did."

"Uh, You're an evil sorceress?" Lance guessed. "Ultimate power? Just taking a random guess here."

"It's not that simple," Selene told him. "If it was just about power would I have saved your life?"

"Why did you save me anyway?" Lance asked.

"Is it that hard for you to believe that I would save anyone?" Selene asked.

"Well, from what I've heard, yeah…" Lance admitted.

"I thought you of all people would understand not to judge a person's actions so quickly," Selene chided. "You know of the Hellfire Clubs' plans to harness the Phoenix Force?"

"Yeah," Lance folded his arms. "So? I'm waiting. Why did you do it?"

"I only did it so I would have enough power to combat this terrible force," Selene said. "I admit I have done some…rather unscrupulous things in my past but compared to what the Hellfire Club is planning…"

"Is that why you kidnapped Amara?" Lance folded his arms.

"I was trying to prevent the Hellfire Club from obtaining the M'Krann crystal," Selene told him. "Now I admit I have a bit of a grudge against the girl for what her family did to me. But in this case I was acting for the good of the planet."

"Is it really that powerful?" Lance asked.

"You have no idea," Selene sighed. "This force is dangerous and that's me talking. Believe me, I am not taking this lightly. Now I have to find another way to boost my power if the terrible prophecy comes to pass."

"Prophecy?" Lance raised an eyebrow.

"Speak to your friend Destiny," Selene said. "She knows what I mean."

There was a noise outside the hallway, indicating the other Misfits were rushing to the door. "I'd go if I were you," Lance looked at her.

"I understand," Selene nodded. "We will meet again Avalanche." She then disappeared.

Just as she left the door burst open. "I thought I heard something," Xi explained.

"You did," Lance told them. "Selene was just in here."

"What the hell did she want?" Althea asked.

"She was giving me some story why she was trying to steal the Silver Surfer's power," Lance sat down on his bed.

"You? Why you?" Todd asked.

"I dunno," Lance shrugged. "She just wanted to talk I guess. She did save my life."

"From an accident she caused," Althea pointed out.

"She seems very interested in you," Xi remarked.

"Yeah I noticed that too," Todd said. "What she wants you to be her boyfriend or somethin'?"

"Yeah right," Lance snorted. "She was going on about how she needed some ultimate power to fight this other ultimate power."

"The Phoenix Force?" Roadblock asked.

"Got it," Lance nodded. "Apparently this Phoenix Force is freaking her out."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Todd asked.

"Bad thing," Althea's eyes narrowed. "Definitely a bad thing."

"Yeah anything that makes an evil witch like that worry is definitely something to be concerned about," Angelica agreed.

"Maybe…Maybe she's not as evil as we think she is," Lance thought aloud.

"I doubt it," Wanda snorted.

"She said something about a prophecy," Lance told them. "That Destiny knew something about it. And she also knows about the Phoenix Force."

"She's probably lying through her teeth," Todd said.

"Maybe not," Spirit stroked his chin. "She could be telling a half truth and that could be even more dangerous."

"I'm not stupid," Lance said. "I know we can't trust her. But for some reason she didn't want to hurt us. She could have blasted us easily when she had that cosmic power but she held back. I'm just saying…You gave the Brotherhood the benefit of the doubt. Maybe…Maybe there's more to her than we know?"

"True. We must keep an open mind. Just be careful Lance," Spirit told him. "Selene is centuries old and very dangerous. Who knows what her true purpose is…and what is her real agenda."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Meanwhile in New York…

"I told my secretary not to admit anyone," A silver haired distinguished man in a blue business suit said. He was staring out the window of his massive office.

"Well Uncle Burt as you can see I'm not just anyone," Warren said. He was with Xavier wearing a brown business suit of his own. The startling thing about it was that there were two holes in the back so his massive wings were in plain sight.

"I can see plenty," Burt Worthington glared at Warren. "What the hell are you thinking showing those…things in public? Can't you hide them?"

"Normally I would, but today I thought it would suit my purpose better if I let people see them," Warren said.

"Please tell me you didn't just fly up here in broad daylight," Burt groaned.

"No, we went through the lobby," Warren said. "It was full of people who had no idea who I was. Imagine that."

"If I may," Xavier coughed.

"Oh this is Professor Charles Xavier of the Xavier Institute," Warren introduced him. "This is my Uncle Burt and Vice President of Worthington Industries."

"I know who he is," Burt glared at Xavier. "He runs that insane asylum you've joined up with. I don't know why after all this time you've decided to show up here and frankly I don't care. You can…"

Just then an older, silver haired gentleman with a mustache walked into the room. He was in a blue suit and leaning on a gold cane. "Warren…"

"Hello Father," Warren said stiffly. "I came home for a visit."

"I can see that," Warren Worthington the Second glared at his son. "And so has everyone in the building. You do know I have a camera trained in the lobby as well as half the building?"

"I'm aware of that," Warren said. "We need to talk about this company and your association with Lobo Technologies."

"Oh so the prodigal son finally shows up and wants to give us advice on how to run our company!" Burt said sarcastically.

"It's my father's company," Warren glared at him.

"And that's why I have had to take steps to insure it's survival," Mr. Worthington said as he sat down.

"By merging with Lobo Tech?" Warren asked. "Do you have any idea who these people are?"

"They certainly know who you are," Burt glared. "And what you've done to us."

"I have done nothing but give one hundred percent to this business!" Warren snapped.

"Really?" Burt asked. "Do you know how much our stock dropped the day after you 'came out'? Do you?"

"I know it was a significant dip," Warren said.

"Dip! Our stock plummeted nearly fifty percent!" Burt shouted. "And's it still has barely recovered!"

"We had to lay people off Warren," Mr. Worthington sighed. "People lost their jobs because of you."

"With all due respect Mr. Worthington I think you're being too hard on Warren," Xavier said.

"And with all due respect Mr. Xavier you know nothing about my family," Mr. Worthington's features were grim. "Our family has always been a beacon of integrity and support for the community. Even during the Depression my Grandfather made sacrifices so that he wouldn't have to lay people off. There was a time when the Worthington name could be counted on. Now…"

"Now we're practically the lepers of the business world," Burt sneered. "Do you have any idea how much this has hurt your family?"

"I never intended…" Warren began.

"No you didn't," Mr. Worthington sighed. "You just leapt into this without thinking and that's what shocks me the most. I always thought I could count on you."

"But you can count on me," Warren said. "That's why I'm here."

"Well you're too late," Burt sneered. "Fortunately I've come up with a way to save the company from your mutation. And that's to cut you off!"

"What?" Warren asked.

"Burt please," Mr. Worthington held up his hand. "Warren, we're not cutting you out of the family. You will get a weekly stipend as a shareholder. And you will get a significant inheritance when I pass on."

"But I'm not going to get Worthington Industries?" Warren was shocked.

"Warren I have tried to overlook your…Abilities," Mr. Worthington said. "I know your mutation isn't your fault. That's like blaming a person who has cancer or AIDS. But quite frankly your reputation and the people you hang around with are damaging this company. I had to take steps to insure its survival."

"I hate to burst your bubble," Warren told him. "But your friends from Lobo Tech aren't exactly normal either. They're werewolves."

"What?" Burt looked at him. "I knew you'd be desperate but I had no idea…"

"It's true Mr. Worthington," Xavier looked at Burt. "I'm afraid your company is in bed with mutants. Maximus Lobo and his followers are really a clan of…individuals who are able to change their shape."

"Even if this nonsense is true, which I doubt it is," Burt glared at Warren. "It still doesn't change the fact that you're running around in spandex for the whole world to see. At least Lobo keeps his private life private, which is more than what I can say for you!"

"Burt…" Mr. Worthington looked pale. "Please…"

"Are you all right Mr. Worthington?" Xavier asked.

"Quite frankly, no…" Mr. Worthington sighed as he got up. "Burt could you call for Dr. Lambert? I need to lie down. I'm sorry Warren but…I had to do what was best for the company. Even if it meant replacing you and joining with Maximus Lobo." He stiffly walked back into the other room.

"Well I hope you're happy," Burt dialed on his cell phone and made a text message. "You've gone and upset him!"

"Me?" Warren glared. "Wait he's been sick?"

"For quite a while now," Burt glared. "And so have I! Sick at the way you just fly around without any regard for the family!"

"Uncle Burt…" Warren began.

"Well we're not going to be dragged down by you any more," Burt continued. "I want you to leave and never come back. Your office will be cleared out and your things will be shipped to you. I'll have Sally do it. She's trustworthy."

"Cleared out?" Warren was shocked.

"In the words of the Donald, You're Fired!" Burt snapped.

"You can't fire me!" Warren gasped.

"I can, I will and I just did," Burt got in his face. "I've been just made a partner and when your father…If something happens to your father the company will be mine. So if I were you I wouldn't count on too many checks from Worthington Industries."

"You're running the company?" Warren asked. "I suppose your son Buster is going to take my job?"

"As a matter of fact he is," Burt said to him.

"Buster? Buster?" Warren yelled. "Oh there's a smart choice. The man who barely passed 18th Century Agrarian Business which is the only business class he took in his eight years of college is going to run the company?"

"A lot of people spend a lot of time going to school," Burt defended.

"Yeah but usually it doesn't take them three years to pass their freshman year," Warren said. "And even after all that time you literally had to buy them a new gym and a parking lot so he could get a diploma!"

"Well at least he's not a freak!" Burt shouted. "Okay maybe he's a little freakish but he's a human freak and not a mutant freak and that's what the board of directors want! So are you going to leave or do I have to call security?"

"We'll leave…" Warren glared at him as they left the room. "That went well…"

"Is it always like that with them?" Xavier asked.

"Actually this was a rather quiet visit," Warren sighed.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Meanwhile at the Massachusetts Academy…

"I can't believe this!" Tarot snarled as she snuck into Frost's office. "How could Evan dump me for that little…that little…"

"I believe the words you are searching for are backstabbing slut," Monet told her.

"Exactly," Tarot agreed. "Thanks for helping me break into Ms. Frost's files. I just hope we don't get caught."

"Don't worry. Ms. Frost is away on business for the night. Besides even if we do get caught it'll be worth it to take those two down a peg or two," Monet told her.

"I know you still haven't forgiven Evan for taking over the leadership of the Hellions," Tarot said as they searched. "But what have you got against Celandine?"

"I used to be Ms. Frost's right hand telepath," Monet explained. "But ever since Yvonne showed up…"

"I get the picture," Tarot hacked into the computer. "I'm in. Now all I have to do is find the right file. Aha!"

"You found it already?" Monet was impressed.

"Piece of cake. I did get straight A's in Computer Hacking class you know? Let's see what little Miss Perfect is hiding," Tarot hissed as she scanned the file. "Holy…"

"Well…" Monet gulped. "I knew we'd find something on her…I just had no idea it would be this."

"No wonder Ms. Frost didn't say anything about her past," Tarot whispered. "I mean this is…"

"I know, it's a shock even to me," Monet agreed. "But are you still planning on going through with it?"

"Hell yes," Tarot told her. "Those two are going to crash and burn. They'll pay for what they've done to us. No one discards a Hellion and gets away with it. Nobody!"

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

St. Mary's hospital on the outskirts of New York City…

"And this is our coma ward," A nurse led two doctors in lab coats into the room. "This woman has been in a coma for seven years. She was a college student who just passed out for no reason." On the bed was a young black woman with long curly hair.

"Alcohol?" The Female doctor asked. "Drugs?"

"None, not even an aspirin," The nurse shook her head and handed her the chart. "Her system was clean. There was no sign of a tumor or an aneurysm. We've run every test imaginable on her at least three times and nothing. It's a complete mystery what happened to her and why she is this way."

"Well that's why we're here," The male 'doctor' grinned. It was Lucas. "Could you give us some privacy please?"

"Yes doctor, I'll be down the hall if you need me," The nurse left the room.

The female doctor switched her form to her usual self. "Think you can do it?" Mystique asked.

"Of course I can," Lucas sniffed. "My powers are just as great as…"

"It's not the strength of your powers that worries me," Mystique interrupted. "It's your control I have concerns about. I don't want Cyndi to pop up and burn the place down with us in it."

"Let's just say we've all reached a truce…for now," Lucas grumbled. "Now keep a lookout. I need to concentrate. These mental blocks are very strong. I must admit it's impressive work. I thought my old man was good."

The woman began to stir. In a few minutes she opened her eyes. "What?" She said groggily.

"Hello Miss Bloom," Lucas grinned. "It's time to wake up. Or should I call you Astrid?"

"Where am I?" She looked around.

"In St. Mary's hospital," Mystique told her. "Where you've been in a coma for the past seven years."

"Seven…?" Astrid blinked. Her face contorted into a look of fury. "THAT BITCH!"

"How would you like revenge on the woman who did this to you?" Lucas purred.

"What do you think?" Astrid told her.

"I think first we'd better get you out of here," Mystique said. "Then we're going to catch up on what's been going on. The world has changed a lot in seven years. Mutants have been outed. It's not safe for our kind."

"Especially for Emma Frost," Astrid growled. "She'll pay for what she's done to me!"

"That's what we're counting on," Mystique grinned.