And now, for something completely different, perspective-wise. (gets slapped for mutilating Monty Python quotes) Owww. Yes, it only took me eight chapters, but we now have Magneto! Luhma Klein Asakura, this chapter's for you! (Yes, I'm using Sir McKellen as my inspiration. How can I not?)

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Yes, standard disclaimers still apply. No, I'm still broke.

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Whatever you might say about the Japanese, they are creative, Eric Lehnsherr, known throughout the mutant world as Magneto, mused as he stood on the balcony of his rented room, staring out over the city. Who else would not only profit from the concept of a love hotel on a nationwide scale, but custom tailor said hotels' rooms to suit any fetish or preference? And where else in the world would he find an all metal room for such a reasonable weekly rate? He smirked, wondering how many mutants roamed the island beneath his feet. Would they embrace their heritage and turn into samurai with the proper leader? Or would they choose the path of pacifism, a pathetic ideal forced upon them by frightened Western men unable to appreciate their world view? He was curious to see how Raitei would respond. All of the whispered stories spoke of a strong man, one who meted swift justice to any daring to harm those under his protection. A fine ruler that only needed a guiding hand. He, Magneto, would provide that hand and direction. The door swung open.

"Ah, my dear Mystique. Report," Magneto said without turning.

"You should train your subordinates more thoroughly in local customs and politics before sending them out, Magneto," A harsh voice responded. Eric swung around, his eyes narrowing in both anger and reaction to the darker room.

"Felis," He hissed, seeing the were-cat bringing her foot back from kicking the door closed. Mystique, in her true form, was cradled snugly in the enemy's arms.

"What did you do?" He asked, charging the six metal balls swinging back and forth on the desk by themselves. Felis put Mystique gently on the large bed, the only surface covered with furs. Once she moved back, the balls turned into daggers and flew across the room, catching Felis in the shoulders, wrists and ankles and pinning her to the wall. Eric walked over and checked Mystique's vitals, ignoring the hisses from the enraged shapeshifter.

"I saved her life, Eric! I found her in the middle of a yakuza territorial dispute, shouting things completely inappropriate to the situation. I took a blade cut for her." Eric's head snapped up at this declaration. With a finger twitch, two lamps came on and floated over to Felis, bathing her in cold white light. A red gash was still visible in her side, just above her waist. He met her proud gaze, ignoring the fresh blood staining the wall of his room.

"I invoked powerful names to get us out, Eric," Felis said softly, leaning forward as best she could. "Her life is mine now. You want her back, you must pay."

"I suppose you want an exchange. Raitei's life for hers," Eric sneered. Felis laughed.

"Raitei? Don't be stupid, Eric. I have no claim over him."

"You're not taking her back to Charles!" Eric snapped, digging the metal deeper into her flesh. She laughed again. Closing her eyes, she wrenched her arms free of the daggers, blood pouring from her wrists. Gasping, she braced her hands against the wall and pushed herself free, roaring with the pain and exertion. Eric watched dispassionately as she bled, turning his lovely floor into a pond of dark red. She knelt before him, shaking with suppressed laughter. After a few minutes, she stood.

"I never said Charles would get her. She is MINE. Mine to do with as I please unless you pay her blood-price. I've always wondered how a doppleganger would taste."

"You wouldn't."

"I do not take orders from you."

"But you take them from Charles. What enchantment has he over you? What control? You are Bast personified upon this world! What does he give you? A home? Fresh meat? All the while denying you your true nature. You are fettered, my dear Katarina. Bound by a man who does not deserve you. I would give you the world as your hunting ground. You could feed as you wished, wherever you desired. Run the savannah, stalk in bamboo forests, play in the snowy Rocky Mountains. All of that could be yours."

"Oh, my dear, sweet, furious Eric," Felis said, wiping her eyes and smiling fondly. Eric stood his ground, eyeing her warily. This sense of humor was not usual for the were-cat. What had happened to her?

"You were born five centuries too late. You should be in a mighty stone tower, dispensing justice with a wave of your hand, ruling entire countries with an iron fist in a chainmail glove. If I could, I would give you that. Poland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, all of eastern Europe should belong to you to rule as you see fit. You would be king."

"Would such generosity extend to Charles?" Eric asked sarcastically.

"Of course. I would give him America. As it was, uncut, untamed, with the native peoples. He would unite them, don't you think? Repel the white man and keep that glorious continent unspoiled."

"He would be declared a god, a title he is not worthy of," Eric sneered.

"And you are?"

"We both are, Katarina. You demand a blood price for Mystique, I will pay it. I give you me, my dreams and goals. You are worthy of standing by my side," Eric said softly, holding out his hand. Felis laughed again and sauntered over, ignoring his hand in favor of getting very close.

"Foolish magnet. Who else but I can knit bones with a hug, soothe fevers with a caress and heal a heart with a kiss?" She brushed her lips against his jaw and started circling him. Eric remained impassive.

"The question should not be am I worthy of you. What you should be asking is, are you or Charles worthy of me?"

"I can say with all certainty Charles is not. I know you, Katarina. I know the animal's heart that beats in your breast. Your true nature is stifled by Charles' rules of behavior. You are a natural born killer and healer, a goddess of justice and balance."

"You toss the word 'goddess' around too easily, Eric." Felis stopped circling to stand in front of him. "I am not a lost and disillusioned soul looking for the light. Your pretty words have no power over me and neither does Charles' good intentions." She reached into her pants pocket and withdrew a large, flat disc. Holding it between two fingers, she held it up. Eric, feeling the metal inside, took control as she released it and called the object to his hand. It was Charles' mark, the red and black X, obviously torn from one of his infernal suits. He looked back at Felis and saw her toss a red envelope into the air. It also had metal in it, so he called it to his free hand.

"Consolation money, a Japanese tradition to express sympathy to those who have lost a loved one," She said, hair twitching. "No matter what happens tonight, if Raitei agrees or you're burnt to ash, make sure those get to Charles. Do that, and Mystique's life is yours once again."

"You plan on dying tonight?" Eric asked. She smirked.

"Haven't you heard? I'm already dead." Felis backed up several steps. "Sholem, adye, Eric. Gay ga zinta hate." Eric sucked in a hard breath, stunned that his enemy would use his native tongue to say goodbye. Her tone held a faint note of mocking, but her expression was final. He finally smirked.

"Sayonara, Katarina." She sketched a slight bow and left the room. As the door shut, Mystique sat up.

"I can't believe you let her talk to you like that. You deserve her respect, Magneto," The doppleganger fumed, glaring at the door. Eric waved his hand, calling a chair over so he could sit comfortably.

"It matters not, my dear Raven. We will not have to worry about her after tonight."