Mark C: Yep, I totally agree with you on Kitty/Piotr. Glad you liked that mall scene I liked that part a lot myself, and yes Betsy and Warren now have a link. Marriage yes, but not in this fic.
Kaliann: Well, you got a lot of people in love facing the end of the world I'd say might as well enjoy the time you have, plus Jean/Scott have known each other for like forever and like I said, Vince is old fashioned and wants to be married before his kid is born. Haven't picked out anyone for X23.
IvyZoe: Well, Mystique won't get a love interests in this per say. I'll try and work in more of their family together. It's hard with so many characters you know?
Jenskott: Yeah, they are cute. I liked the mall scene too and you'll see more of Slayer in this. Yeah, you know from now on Bobby will knock first. Well Slickboy did that last scene, I'll put in more in the unedited version. There are still a good number of chapters left.
Coldqueen: There will be more Romy trust me, Glad you liked the new recruit moment.
The Uncanny R-Man: Yeah, I agree nothing wrong with petite and I guess Piotr is like Clark Kent both were raised the same. Oh trust, me with Sam that was an accident, not that Tabby minded. Don't worry, August will get her chance in the spotlight.
ViciousAssassin: The weddings will be in different fics all their own. Yeah, I think I know what you mean and I think Piotr isn't one to be like that kind of guy who certain looks don't mean much. Slayer will tell them what's bothering him in this chapter. Yeah, Bobby may never get that image out of his mind.
Sparky Genocide: Yep they got lucky alright. And true, I can see Scott being nervous when he asks but then what guy wouldn't?
Thanks to: X00001, Simba317, Wen1, Doza, GothikStrawberry, Silver Warrior
Hellfire and Brimstone
CHAPTER 69: COMING TO TERMS
-Hank and Sage–
Currently, both Hank and Sage were working on notes they had made from the book they had been studying. So far it was proving to be very taxing as they had to keep translating different sections. Many of it was either written in different languages or paragraphs that made no sense because it appeared to be coded.
It was as if the entire book was some kind of giant puzzle and all that they were doing was going through some kind of ancient locks sealing the information inside of its pages. Many of the pages had been translated and even though it was a great intellectual challenge, it was also frustrating.
Sage was making a few notes as she put the pencil down and then rubbed her wrist, for she had been writing so much it was starting to ache, "God I think that whoever wrote this thing was either some type of brilliant genius or a demented mad man."
Hank rubbed his tired eyes, "Yes my dear, I know what you mean. It's hard to imagine someone from so long ago being able to come up with all of these puzzles. It's as if the information is hidden just in case the book fell into the wrong hands."
Sage stretched herself out, "It also makes this a lot harder, unless there was a cipher of some type at one time for this thing."
Hank thought about that, "Yes, there might have been once, but if there had it's either lost to the ages or destroyed."
"Yes, that's a depressing thought. Too bad we can't ask Slayer about this but…Well…" She trailed off as the mysterious man had been pretty much avoided everyone of lately. No one knew why exactly this was, but then again they knew very little about him. He was a very isolated man, so they gave him his space. "Although I never expect Emma to go off like that. I've known her for over a year and she's never been so…Emotional like that. You think her hormones are starting to kick in?"
Hank thought about it, "Maybe…However, at the moment they are milder to what I read about. They seem to only affect her at times of stress. However, that is the least of her worries."
Sage nodded as she laid back into her chair, "That is an accurate assessment. It seems like things are just gearing up for something major doesn't it?" Hank nodded, he too felt like things were being set in motion, "By the way, how is the equipment that you ordered for the pregnancy coming along?"
"Oh a couple of weeks. We never thought we would have to deal with pregnancy or babies when this place started," Hank shrugged.
Sage rose an eyebrow, "Henry, you have a mansion full of either teenagers or young adults, most of whom are in sexually active relationships. Didn't someone here think it would happen sooner or later?"
"Uh…Well, not exactly. But now that you put it like that I guess we should have planned ahead as we seemed to have planned for most other occurrences."
He had to admit, it was an oversight on their part. He was also looking up information on pregnancies since this would be the first baby he would not only help into this world, but for the mansion too. Word was already getting around. Kitty was all excited about it although Hank had wondered what had gotten into her. All day she had seemed more cheerful then usual and even Piotr seemed to be smiling a bit more. He pushed one thought aside some questions were better left unanswered in his opinion.
Sage had been looking at her notes, "I still wish we knew exactly what we were supposed to be looking for."
On the table in front of them were many notes into several piles. Some were either works in progress, pages that were related to the Gate of Hell or anything similar, another pile was for possible references, another was for things that didn't seem to be part or it and the last was just uncertain.
She picked up one piece, "I wish they could just come out and say it, take this one for instance…."
"And she who has been chosen will fall to save her friends and thus from the ashes be reborn as the Phoenix. She will command great power and be tempted by darkness. The one will once more sacrifice herself to save the world or it will be dammed. There is also hope that the third edge will fall and love will save all."
"Now what is that supposed to mean?" Sage asked him trying to figure it out.
"I have no idea. I do know the legend of the Phoenix, but most of that I do not understand. It seems most of these only become clear unless you know in what context they will be with do they begin to make sense." He then picked up another sheet.
"And the dark man will rise from the Earth and seek the ones to create a perfect being. Death does not touch him, nor pain, nor hunger. He is eternal and his sinister ways know no boundary."
"I detest that word now," Hank said looking at that sheet.
"Which word?" His lover asked seeing his face darken.
"Sinister," he sighed and put away the paper, "It's just so unbelievable that a man dedicated to science would be so cruel…That he would do such perverse things with his knowledge. He could have been a brilliant man capable to doing so much good, but instead he uses his knowledge to further his experiments by any means necessary without regard to the morals of it all."
Sage could hear the anger in his voice and she had to admit she knew where he was coming from. She herself considered herself a woman of intellect and logic and the thought of what that man Sinister was like was just appalling. She walked over to him and sat next to him on the couch and wrapped an arm around him. He smiled at her a little just having her next to him helped him to calm down. In fact, he had never been happier then when they had met and had started their relationship. She was truly a pleasing to him.
"Don't worry about him anymore. He's buried under tones of earth it will take him decades if not centuries for him to get out of there."
Sage knew well enough a man like Sinister couldn't be killed so easily. Although, everyone knew that he was most likely still alive he would be harming no one in his prison under the earth.
"I am very thankful for that. Although the thought of him walking the Earth again at one point is a bit disheartening," he sighed as he leaned back, resting his head against the back of the couch. She stroked the side of his face seeing how tired he was truth was she was a bit too. They had been at it for a long time now and they still hadn't made much headway.
"I think we need a break from all of this. At this rate I may get a headache and trust me for me that is not very pleasant," she told him rubbing one of the sides of her temple. Having a computer like mind did help an awful lot but then again her headaches caused her brain to slowdown and she couldn't concentrate as but.
Hank took her other hand and kissed it, "How about I make us some tea and we go outside and enjoy the weather for a bit?"
She smiled as she stretched out, "That sounds divine at this point. And this isn't going anywhere anyways."
They rose up and he put a hand on the small of her back as they walked out of the room. They could only work so long and they both knew and they would be no good for anyone if they ran themselves into the ground. Plus, it would help to take their minds off things by having a nice moment together.
Roof – Jack
After the incident with Emma, Jack once again found himself sequestered in his own dark world of isolation. It was bad enough he had the memories of Layla tormenting him incessantly, but to know that he was now responsible for Emma's pregnancy just added further insult to injury. Now it felt as though he couldn't do anything right. Here he was, trying to live in a world where he didn't feel so alone, and yet again he was screwing it up.
He avoided everybody for the rest of the day. He didn't show up for the scheduled training with the regulars, he didn't eat lunch with Amara like he had so often done, and he didn't meet up with Laura for their usual training session. Everybody was starting to seriously worry about him. He could see it with his all seeing eye. The Professor was growing concerned, Scott and Jean were feeling anxious about what happened with them earlier, Amara and Laura were very worried for his well being, and even Mystique seemed troubled by his actions. But this only served to further worsen his guilt, for not only was he in a world of hurt, but it was hurting his friends as well.
This only caused him to hate himself even more and eventually, he ended up spending the majority of the day and into the evening on the roof of the institute, where at least it was quiet. He didn't eat, he didn't sleep, and he didn't even so much as move from his troubled state as he just looked out over the lake, staring off into space without really focusing on anything. He managed to meditate for a good long while, which did help to a great extent…But still, he had never faced a problem like this before. He had never had any real friends since…Well, that he didn't want to think about any more. Because the more he thought about it, the more pain it caused him.
"God damn it…" he cursed aloud, simply saying what he thought, unable to hold it in, "Why now of all times? Why does this have to happen when there's so much at stake? And it's not just me this time…Now I'm actually hurting more than just myself…I'm hurting my friends."
As much as the mutant warrior had come to treasure his time at the institute, it really was beginning to take a toll on him. It seemed as though anybody he got closed to ended up getting hurt. His line of work just brought forth so many dangers…So many complications…And time and time again, he just kept fucking it up. It was part of why he was such a loner. The only solstice he ever found was in liquor and legions upon legions of hookers. But stuff like that was only temporary. Nothing could ever separate him from his gift and his curse.
"Maybe I'm just not meant to have friends…" he said with a solemn sigh, "Maybe I'd be doing everybody a favor if I went back to the shadows where I belong. It sure would save them a world of heart ache."
It was a harsh dilemma…Stay and hurt his friends, or leave and be all alone again. He didn't want either, but as always, he was forced to bear the burden. It was only a matter of bearing the burden he could manage.
However, just as Jack was contemplating his decision a familiar voice filled the air as a new presence joined him in his once secluded area.
"Jack…hey Jack!" said Vincent as he hovered over the roof with Emma securely in his arms.
Slayer, having seen them coming, didn't bother looking back to face them. He pretty much remained in the same state he had been in all day, just staring out into space with a look of unspeakable torment dominating his face.
Both Vincent and Emma knew that look all too well. Like Scott and Jean before them, they could tell that something was seriously eating him up inside. And as they both approached the troubled young man who had given them so much, they remained cautions…For Jack may have been a mystery, but they knew him well enough to understand that he could be fragile at times.
"So this is where you've been hiding out all day…" said Vincent as he looked out over the lake where he seemed to be staring, "We were beginning to worry that you may have left. Everybody's been getting really worried about you."
He still didn't get a response, which only served to show just how difficult this was going to be. They may have been introverts as well to some extent, but Jack took it to a whole other level. He truly was his own little world…Cut off from so many outside forces that it was as if he was just boxing himself in. But after having talked to Scott about this for a good long while, Vincent was determined to do something about this. Jack was suffering…No doubt about it. And as his friends, it was up to them to help him.
"Jack…Come on, don't shut us out," said Emma, feeling a slight sting at his silence, for it only reminded her of how she hurt him even more with her earlier actions, "Please…Talk to us."
With a slight sigh, the mutant warrior finally turned to face the young couple he had left such a huge impact on. Not only had he saved Emma's life, but he was also responsible for them being able to have kids now. That much wasn't lost on him as he finally rose from his seated state, knowing that silence would only hurt them more…And that's the last thing he wanted to do at this point.
"Look…If you're here to strangle me again, go right ahead," he said in a morose tone, "It's not like I can feel any worse at this point."
"Believe me Jack…That's the last thing I want to do at this point," said Emma as she approached him, getting a better view as to just how distraught this man truly was, "And…I just…Jack, I can't tell you how sorry I am for what I did, but…"
"Yeah, I know…Hormones," he said, once again diverting his gaze.
"Well…Yeah, that much I can't deny," said Emma, feeling a little sheepish, "But aside from that, I just…I was still in shock. I mean…I remember how I felt the moment that doctor handed me a print out of the test results that confirmed my infertility. It was like…Like being stabbed right in the heart because I was doomed not to pass on a piece of myself to the next generation. And to have this happen all of the sudden…To learn that the damage I once thought would curse me forever was completely gone…It just…It was a lot to take in."
"I understand…" said Jack with a nod.
"Then…Will you at least believe me when I say that I'm sorry? I never wanted to hurt you…Never. I've hurt enough people in my life as it is and I don't need to hurt the man who brought me back from the brink and gave me back something that I thought was lost forever. So please, Jack…Please forgive me."
Looking back into her sad eyes, Jack could see tears forming. She was dealing with a lot of guilt…Forcing her to lean on Vincent for support. It was a look Jack could definitely identify with…Being so consumed with guilt that it was hard to even stand up straight. It was hard to watch, but with the sincerity in her words so clear…He did manage to take some comfort in the fact that he could set this little matter aside.
"Come on Emma, you know I forgive you," he said, managing to lift his tone somewhat, "I know you didn't mean anything by it and honestly, I don't blame you."
"So then why do you keep punishing yourself like this?" said Vincent, wrapping his arm around Emma's waist to support her.
"Believe me, Vincent…If it was only my carelessness that was bothering me, I would be like this. No…Believe it or not, it's a lot more complicated than that…More so than you can possibly imagine."
"What do you mean?" asked Emma, unable to even contemplate just what it was that was causing this man so much pain.
Jack once again fell silent, unable to even tell the slightest details about it. It was just so painful. For so many years he had tried to hold it in, letting if fester and sting in ways that just tore at his soul. Even to his friends, he couldn't do this…He couldn't bear to say it. But for Vincent and Emma, they were not about to give up on him just yet.
"Come on Jack…Don't do this to yourself," urged Vincent, "We're your friends. Everybody here at the institute…They worry about you…We worry about you. You were there for us when we needed it, so why don't you let us return the favor?"
"No…" he said sternly, "Not with this. I…"
"Jack! Please…Let us help you," said Emma, her voice beginning to crack under the strain, "You may be in a world of hurt, but like it or not, you have friends that care about you! You have people around you that worry! And yet when they try to help you…Hell, even when they try to THANK you…You push them away."
Slayer felt another twinge of guilt from that, for it was yet another reminder of the harsh dilemma he faced…Either face his past or hurt his friends. He couldn't even begin to contemplate which one was worse.
"Look…" said Vincent, taking over so as to give Emma a moment to collect herself, "Jack, you've done a lot for us, that much we can agree on. But regardless of what it is that's bothering you, you keep thinking that you're the only one here at the institute with problems. You've got an eye that can see everything…So you know what I'm talking about."
Jack hung his head a little low upon hearing that, but Vincent was far from finished.
"I know how hard it is…To have a past that you'd give anything to forget," said Vincent, willing to revisit some old wounds of his if it would help mend those of his friend, "And I know how hard it is to have it all still so clearly in your mind that it feels as though it just happened. So take it from me…Holding it in doesn't work. It just causes more and more pain…And the more you try to suppress it, the worse it'll get."
The mutant warrior wouldn't have argued that for a second. But it had been so long since he had opened up to anybody that he honestly didn't know where to begin. Despite all his power…All his skill…He still couldn't do something as simple as talk to his friends.
"I know…" he finally conceded, "Years of living with so many burdens on my own with nobody to talk to is evidence enough of that."
"But you're not alone anymore, Jack," said Emma, who managed to get her voice back again and sound like the strong woman that so many others knew her as, "You have people who are willing to listen to you…People who are willing to be there for you…And people willing to share your burden."
"Nobody should ever have to share a burden like mine…" he said in a low tone.
"Bullshit!" she said in response, "You saved my life…You gave me back the ability to have children. And if the price for that was to simply be there for you and share whatever pain it is that you've endured…Then rest assured, I'd pay it gladly."
"And so would I…" said Vincent in an equally strong tone.
Their words shocked the young warrior. Never before had he been in a position like this. In all the years since he picked up his sword, he never had people like this willing to go to such lengths for him. He was just so used to it being the other way around that he was unsure of how to handle it. Demons and entities he could handle…But problems like this…They were just too great on his fragile psyche.
But fragile or not, he had people that wanted to help him. Whether he liked it or not, they weren't going to give up on him. They were willing to bear any horror…Share any pain…Endure any sacrifice they had to make for the sake of helping him through this. He could see it with his eye so clearly…Their dedication to helping him through this. It affected him in more ways than he could have imagined. And maybe…Just maybe…The hard shell he had been hiding within for so long was finally beginning to crack.
"Look Jack…We'll never try to force you to talk about something your not ready to talk about," said Vincent, placing a hand on his friend's weary shoulder, "But as long as your in pain…We're still going to try and help you in whatever way we can. Whether it's me, Emma, Scott, Jean, Laura, Amara…Anybody…We'll be there. And if you don't believe us, just look through that eye of yours and you'll se the truth. It's like you told me once before…It's simply a matter of choice…And just how willing you are to make them."
"This is up to you, Jack…Let us help you, or shut us out," added Emma, "We're not going to force you to do either right here and now…But at least take some time to think about it. You know we'll be here."
Having said their peace, Vincent and Emma knew that it would be all up to Jack now. He was still silent, remaining very much conflicted by his current state. Nevertheless, it was clear that their words had done something. They didn't need an all seeing eye to be sure of that. And knowing he needed time to contemplate this, they prepared to make their leave…Hoping that this enigmatic young man who had helped them so much would eventually open up to them.
"We'll leave you for now, Jack," said Vincent as he and Emma turned back towards the ledge where they had landed in preparation for their departure, "But at least promise us you'll think about it."
"Don't worry, I will…You have my word," said Slayer.
"Good enough for me," said Vincent, managing a slight smile.
They were now ready to leave…But before they could do that, there was one last little matter for them to take care of before they left him to his decision.
"Oh, and Jack…" said Emma, stopping in mid stride as she was following Vincent.
"Yes?" he asked, once again diverting his attention towards his friends.
Then, before he could even see anything coming, Emma threw her arms around him and pulled him into a firm embrace…Letting out gentle sobs onto his shoulder as she offered him a token of her gratitude for something she knew she would never be able to repay him for.
"Thank you…" she said with tears in her eyes and a hard lump in her throat, "Thank you so much…For saving my life…And giving me and Vincent this baby. Thank you…"
It was definitely a step up from her trying to strangle him to death and for a moment, he simply stood flabbergasted by what was happening. But eventually he returned her embrace, feeling the happiness and joy that radiated so strongly from her being. She and Vincent were going to have a family…After years of being alone…They were finally going to have a family. And it was thanks all to this man.
"Uh…You're quite welcome, Emma," he finally managed to say.
And for the first time in what felt like forever…Jack Robinson smiled. This woman was eternally indebted to him and the joy she now felt for what he had given her finally helped to ease his troubled mind. It may not have done much for his burden…But it sure was a nice change. And with a life wrought with so much darkness…The mutant warrior finally found a reason to smile for once…A feeling that spoke volumes to both him and the young couple that owed him so much.
-Selene-
Selene was in front of the sealed door that blocked the chamber with the Gate inside of it. She had already taken several of the layers of the seals off, but it took time she had to be careful and slowly strip it one away at a time. If she didn't then she would get zap by the seal and if she wasn't immortal, she knew it would have killed her. She had already gotten hit twice and she didn't want to get hit a third time.
The floor under her was a glyph in blood since blood magic was very powerful given it used life itself as a power source. The only reason that more magic users didn't use blood magic more often was because either they were squeamish about blood or the 'ethical' methods of getting the blood. Selene didn't have a problem with either.
Her hands were outstretched and making the needed signs with them as she chanted. She pushed back the smell of rotting flesh from the left over bodies that had been killed in the attack of the temple. Although she didn't mind since she had smelled the rotting corpses of the battlefield or when she once burned a village to the ground with all the survivors locked up in a temple as it burned. But she didn't look back into those pleasant memories she focused on the matter at hand.
Her hands took on a blood red glow as sweat was starting to fall from her forehead, but she kept it up. Then on the great seal certain parts of it started to glow as well as the chanting picked up the glow started to intensify until certain parts of the seal vanished. With another layer of protection gone, she fell to her knees momentarily tried.
She sighed as she slowly got to her feet. She would have to rest up and try to get the final ones later. She walked through the stone corridors her high heeled knee high leather boots echoed off the floor. The place was as quiet as a tomb. That thought gave her a smirk as that what the temple had become. Much of the lights had gone out, but in the shadows she could sense her demon minions some of them sleeping while others simply waiting. She heard a few snacking on the remains of the bodies.
It didn't matter, for she could always get fresh bodies from the villagers captured from the small village out there in a large storage room. Of course it was a pain, sometimes they would put up a fight when a friend, loved one, or family member was taken either for food or for Selene's purposes. She took the adults to replenish her life force and she used the children for the blood magic. The fact they were innocent souls made their blood even more potent for the spells.
At the moment she was going to the main library her minions had collected a few of the artefacts needed for the ceremony to open the Gate when the time came. Walking into the large room filled with old books and scrolls it was one of the only rooms that didn't smell of the carnage that had happened. The air had this stale odour to it and on a long and very old wooden table stood a few objects one of the was the sphere taken from the museum in New York.
She smirked as she took to more artefacts. One had been in South America the other in India, but both had been parts of the sphere before it had been taken apart and scattered across the Earth. She turned parts of the sphere around like a puzzle box and lined up the correct patterns. She picked up a small circular metallic object that fit into the side.
Selene turned it and the top of the sphere slowly opened up. She then took a crystal surrounded by gold. She placed it in the center of the sphere and it slipped in perfectly. "Well this is turning out just nicely."
Things were working perfectly although from what she heard, August had met up with the X-Men. She wasn't sure if that was either a problem or if maybe it was perfect to kill two birds with one stone. Both the X-Men and August in one place would be just so perfect at least she wouldn't need to hunter her down anymore in time she would come to her anyway.
Next was a large container. She opened it up and poured the contents into the sphere. The liquid was the remains of Shaw's heart with certain other ingredients as well that were needed. Now she would see if Shaw's heart would be what was needed for the ritual. If it wasn't, she would have to clean this thing out and try again and she wasn't looking forward to that.
She sat down in a chair when it was all in and waiting. She wasn't sure how long to wait for it, but after a few minutes the symbols started to glow black, the top sealed up and it moved around locking into place. Selene smiled as she felt the power coming out of it. It was nearly completed now and soon she Key for the Gate would be completed.
She sat back and felt a bit happy that things were going her way. Shaw was dealt with, and all those other fools in the Hellfire Club across the world were too busy dealing with all the North American members either dead, missing or imprisoned. She had had it with this world anyway, all this time she tried to gain the power needed to reshape the world into her vision for it and now she finally had it. No more slowly working either behind the scenes or trying to build empires and armies to take over the world. That was slow and painstaking. Plus she always had to deal with other armies, countries as well as traitors within.
It would be so good to have an army loyal to her that couldn't be beaten with nearly unlimited forces. She knew that the person that opened the Gate would have them owe her big time. She knew she had a deal that she had one of the lesser minions go back and offer to the ones in charge on the other side. She would let them out and pretty much run amok on the world as long as she got to rule it. They had agreed since she knew they would agree to anything at the chance at Earth.
Apparently, her reputation had attained quite a status down there, not that she wasn't surprised and she had a blood pact with them to ensure it. Even Demons of hell had rules they followed, so now she just had to break that damn seal over the door and wait for the final pieces and when the time was right start the ritual that will make everything she wanted come true.
She stretched out and stood up from her chair, "I think I'll see if there are any humans that I can 'snack' on to help recharge my powers. Plus, maybe I can have some fun with a few of them as well."
She let out a dark laugh as she walked to where the humans were kept. She might as well have some fun while she worked. Selene walked off to the makeshift prison thinking of all the things she could do to pass the time.
Roof – Slayer
After Vincent and Emma's departure, Slayer remained on the roof for another couple of hours…Only this time, his mind wasn't being racked with incessant memories of pain. No…This time, he was simply contemplating…Simply thinking. Vince and Emma's words had a strong impact on him, that much he couldn't deny. And now, it was only a matter of putting them into action instead of merely pondering them incessantly.
The question was simple…Should he come clean? Should he open up? Did he not owe it to his friends to let them know who he was? Yet the fact remained, it was still very painful for him. He couldn't even think the name Layla without feeling so much hurt down to the depths of his very soul. There was so much he had been holding in all these years…So much that had been tormenting him every waking moment for years and years. But now he had a chance to let it out for once…For there were finally people willing to be there for him.
He was pretty much arguing with himself at this point, not knowing what he should do or how he should go about it. As with so many other times in the past, he was once again stuck between decisions. He could either choose to go the route he had always gone, protecting his friends from his morbid past…Or he could finally open up and expose to these people that matter so much to him the sad story that was his life.
He knew that just holding it in wasn't going to do any good…That much he could be certain of. But at the same time, he just didn't know how he was going to talk about all these things that had caused him so much pain. And if the others heard about it, would they think any less of him? He just had so many regrets about his life that he wasn't sure if it was possible for him to go through with it. He may have been the most powerful warrior to walk the face of the Earth…But he was still very human and the one thing he could never fight, no matter how great his power, was his own past.
'Ugh…How do I get myself into these messes?' he thought to himself as he looked up at the stars which were now becoming visible in the dwindling twilight, 'Oh yeah…I forgot…It's because put myself in them. God, when is it going to stop? Why can't I stop running?'
He remained divided on his decision…Not knowing which route to go. It was hard because there was no right or wrong way in a sense…One was just a lot harder than the other. And he honestly didn't know if he had the strength for either. So if he couldn't rely on that or his all seeing eye, then what decision was right for him? What decision would work out for the best? Was there any way to really know?
Looking up at the stars, his mind began to wander. He was growing increasingly tired of arguing with himself, but at this rate there didn't seem to be any end in sight. So for a moment, he just stopped trying…Focusing on something simpler instead…Something like the stars. They had long provided him comfort and solstice in his darkest hours and he always took comfort in the fact that no matter how much he suffered or how many mistakes he made…The stars would always keep shining, always looking down on him during times of uncertainty.
It was while he was looking up at the stars that an old memory soon came to mind…But not just any memory…A good memory. It was one of the few he had in his painful life, but it was a memory he treasured deeply. And as he saw the first few bright stars appear in the sky, he actually smiled at feeling it brought him.
Images of him and a familiar figure simply lying on a rooftop watching the stars danced across his mind. He could still clearly hear the laughing and smiling, something that he had so seldom ever experienced. It gave him a warm feeling when oftentimes the same memory would cause him incessant pain. But this time it was different…This time it had a different meaning…One that he never would have imagined before. Yet he couldn't deny it's power or presence…He couldn't ignore the impact it was having on him. And through this, he found himself uttering a single word…One that seemed addressed to the heavens, from worldly to the divine.
"Layla…"
Then suddenly…The mutant warrior finally came to a decision. Looking up at the stars, he finally felt as though he knew the choice he had to make. He wasn't sure if it was the right one, but at this point he was beyond caring. And as he had in previous instances…He found himself going back to the same reason that had led him to this point so many times before.
"Oh…What the hell…I owe it to you baby…Wherever you are."
Feeling confident in his choice, he only hoped that he was ready for this. And in the spirit of the spontaneity of his decision, he didn't waste any time in taking action.
'Professor Xavier?' he sent, hoping he wasn't too busy.
'Jack?' he got in response, sounding very surprised to hear his voice, 'Where are you? Are you okay?'
'I'm fine, Professor…' he assured him, 'But…Do you think you could gather everybody in the living room?'
'The living room? Why? Is something wrong?' asked the Professor, wondering if this had to do with the darkness.
'No…Nothing's wrong. It's just…There's something I need to tell everybody…Something I need to get off my chest. And I want you all to be present…"
Living Room – Slayer
After gathering everybody in the living room via a few quick telepathic messages…The Professor, the regulars, his fellow teachers, a few of the New Mutants, namely Bobby, Jubilee, and Amara, and even Mystique and August all stood ready to see what this was all about. While the Professor had explicitly told them that it had nothing to do with Selene or the lingering darkness, that still didn't stop many from worrying. All they knew is that Jack requested their presence…Which in some ways was equally shocking, given how he had been acting lately. And for this and plenty of other reasons, rumors swirled about.
"So what do y'all think dis is about?" asked Remy casually as he and Rogue sat close together on the couch next to Kurt and Wanda.
"Beats me, but knowing Jack…It's gotta be something," said Wanda.
"Ja, it vas surprising enough to know zhat he called zhis whole zhing to begin vith. He has been a lot more reclusive lately ever since zhat whole exorcism deal vith Jean," said Kurt.
"Yeah, but Ah guess it is kind of a relief…Ah mean, Ah was seriously startin' to worry about that guy," said Rogue, the memory of the bit with Emma still fresh in her mind.
"Well keep in mind, this is Jack we're talking about here," reminded Wanda, "The guy's a total mystery no matter how you put it."
"No kiddin'," said Remy in full agreement, "Hell, he could probably give ol' Wolverine a run for his money."
With chatter continuing to swirl about, Jack Robinson waiting in the wings…Mentally preparing himself for what he was about to do. He had gone up against forces all but incomprehensible to mortal minds and fought Selene twice…But nothing he ever faced could ever hold a candle to this. He was about to do something he hoped he'd never have to do…He was about to revisit his past. But with the words of Vincent, Emma, Scott, and Jean still hanging so strongly in his mind…He knew he had to do this. If for anything…Just to get this off his chest. Whether or not it would make things worse was still unclear, but he had made his choice and he was going to see it through.
Finally, with one final deep breath, Jack Robinson entered the living room where everybody was waiting. He knew it was going to take every ounce of physical and mental focus to go through with this…But he was determined to do this…For Layla was counting on him.
"Jack!" said Laura, excited by the sight of her friend, whom she had spent the better part of the day worrying about.
"Hey guys…Thanks for coming," said Jack in an anxious tone as the room quickly fell silent.
"Sure thing, bub…Now do ya mind telling us what the hell is going on here?" grunted Logan, never knowing what to expect from this guy.
"Of course, and believe me, I'll get right to that…But first, I think I owe you all an apology," said Slayer, wanting to start this off slow.
"An apology? For what?" asked Amara, who had also been one of the many deeply concerned for Jack after hearing about his sudden shift in behavior.
"For being so out of it lately…" he answered, choosing his words carefully, "I know I've been worrying you all ever since the mission…And I truly am sorry for that. I guess…I'm just no used to having other people give a damn about me. But aside from what I did…I think you all deserve to know the reason as to why I did it. I know that I haven't exactly been all too forthcoming with you guys since I arrived here…"
"Yeah, there's an understatement if I ever heard one…" muttered Bobby, earning him an elbow to the gut from August.
"Very true Bobby…" said Slayer, not arguing his comment even if it was just a remark, "But like I've said before, this is all very new to me. I've never been a part of something like this before. And honestly, I'm still adjusting. After living in the shadows for so long with nobody to ever confide in, I just…Don't know how to handle it. And because of that, I have done you all a great dishonor. I pushed you all aside and rejected any help, even from those who tried to be there for me."
Both Scott and Jean knew what he was referring to when he said that, which only further served to heighten their curiosity. Having been in the same boat as Vincent and Emma, they had been trying to help Jack since the whole exorcism deal, but had been unsuccessful for the most part. But now it seemed as though that Jack was finally having a change of heart. And knowing him, there was no telling where this would lead.
"You are all my friends…And like it or not, I have a responsibility to respect that. And because I did not hold up my end of the deal, it is my duty as a warrior to make amends…And I feel that the best way to do that would be through honesty. I think I've kept my secrets from the world long enough…And it's high time I bear soul to those who do me the honor."
Everybody was mystified by his words, which wasn't unusual for anybody who knew Jack in the slightest…But what made this time different was that he was no longer simply talking from within the shell he had so ardently concealed himself in ever since his arrival. This time he was coming clean…He only hoped that they were ready for what they were about to see.
"Bear your soul?" said Sage, not knowing where this was going, "What do you mean?"
"Just look into my all seeing eye, X-men…" he said as the mark over his eye began to glow brightly, "Look into the eye that sees no lies and let it's power take you with me as I go unveil to you my greatest weakness as a man and a warrior. It is the one thing I hate more about myself than anything…The one thing that I've never been able to escape. And regardless of all the complications, loss, and pain, I intend to tell you the truth. This is my curse…This is my sorrow…This is my story."
NEXT UP CHAPTER 70: SLAYER'S STORY