-An Original Story
We are now somewhere at Missouri, where it's a beautiful sunny day as we see a local auto shop being fairly busy as there are three workers working on two different cars
"Anyone got a bolt for the battery?!" One worker shouted as he needed a bolt before another worker came to give him the bolt.
"You doing ok Ella?" The worker said as he wanted to check up on another coworker
"Yeah Dave I'm fine!" A young petite woman of seventeen said as she sat back up from being under a car and back on her feet, revealing long dirty blonde hair which is tied into a French braid and is draped onto her left shoulder, and also very beautiful ocean blue eyes that had a hint of yellow and light skin that glowed under the sun, and wore a dirty black shirt and cargo shorts that stopped just above her knees and worn out brown work boots, she then looked at the clock. "Almost quitting time!" She shouted as she started to tidy up the shop
"Good… At least the car will be done by tomorrow." Dave chuckled as he, Ella and their other co-worker finished tidying up the shop.
"See you tomorrow!" He said as he and the other co-worker got into their own cars and left, Ella was about to leave before she felt her phone ring in her pocket, she pulled it out to see a text from Markus, whom they were friends for five years as they met each other online, not dating, but they formed a close relationship with each other
You doing good? Just got back from dirt bike racing with my sister. The text read, then before Ella got into her old but sturdy 1970's Chevy C-10 and drove away to her home, she replied with a text of her own: oh yeah, just got done working, I gotta drive and make dinner when I get home but I'll talk afterwards.
Thirty mins later…
Ella arrives at her house, parking her truck on the driveway as she made her way to the front door
"Dad, I'm home!" Ella said as she opened the door and took off her boots before coming inside the house and locking the door behind her
"El! How are you sis?" A young girl of fourteen said as she came up to Ella to hug her older sister
"I'm good Nic, I'm good just got out of work as you can see… I'll be back Dad, I'm just gonna take a shower!" Ella shouted as she started to get into the bathroom and started up the shower before going back to her phone and texted: I got home, just need to take a shower. She then got a reply almost immediately after hers: That's ok, I'll be here, just got done eating dinner and starting homework. Then she put her phone in her pocket
"Ella honey!" Ella's mother shouted
"Yeah mom?!" Ella shouted back as she couldn't hear her at first, as the room started to get foggy due to the hot water
"Your father and I are gonna pick up your older brother and sister ok?" Ella's mother said as she and her husband left to pick up their older children
"Ok Ma!" Ella shouted back as she heard the front door getting shut as she started to remove her shirt, revealing her sports bra underneath, but before she got ready for a shower, she thought she saw a dark reflection in the mirror and started to wipe away the fog from her mirror and it revealed a girl no more than sixteen wearing a tight black crop-top that exposed her midriff. Whilst the top stopped at the shoulder on one arm, her other was completely covered with harder armour that had spikes on, a small pair of black hot-pants with a large silver buckle on them and her boots stretched all the way up to her mid-thigh and a black, spiked head-dress.
"Hello sister." The girl said in a menacing voice as Ella gasped before the lights went out and were back on, with both Ella and the girl gone from the bathroom
Meanwhile at the Mansion…
Back with the X-Men, everyone is about to turn in for the night when Jean, in her light blue nightgown, noticed Markus, whom was sitting at the living room couch, was still staring at his phone, waiting for something
"Hey… You ok?" Jean asked, as she started walking towards her little brother
"Yeah I'm fine, just waiting for Ella." Markus replied
"Oh Ella? The one you met online a couple of years ago? How is she?" Jean asked, as she already knew of Markus's and Ella's friendship for years now
"Oh well she did text me that she was going home and taking a shower but I haven't heard from her." Markus said, hoping to interact with Ella more
"Well maybe she forgot and went to sleep?" Jean asked
"Yeah possibly, it's happened before… I'm just bummed cause she's the one person I REALLY look forward to talk to." Markus said, explaining why he texts Ella so much
"You like her don't you?" Jean asked, using her telepathy to discover that he has feelings for Ella, though they have never met face-to-face
"Read my mind huh?… *sigh* yeah… Yeah I do, she's amazing Jean, funny, smart, beautiful-" Markus said before he explained his feelings for someone he feels a connection to and yet has met
"Wait, how do you know she's beautiful?" Jean asked before Markus opened his phones camera roll and showed her a picture with Ella in a warm smile, and on the inside, it made Jean happy to see that Markus found a beautiful girl to fall for
"She really is beautiful, Markie… But why not give her a night? I'm sure she'll respond in the morning." Jean said as she supported Markus and gave him a warm hug before the both of them left to go to bed
Back with Ella, the next day…
Meanwhile, at an unknown location, Ella wakes up to a dark and empty room, still wearing her sports bra and cargo shorts but her hair is now no longer in a braid but fully down.
"Hello?! Is anyone here?!" Ella said as she started to hyperventilate as she tried to get up from a chair but discovered that her hands were tied behind it and her ankles were also bound to the legs of the chair and saw ropes around her body, bounding and restricting her from movement.
"You BETTER let me go! I have friends that'll find you and-" Ella shouted as she started to thrash from her binds in anger but the lights went on and it revealed the girl who kidnapped her along with the location of where she is, an abandoned orphanage
"Remember this?… Sister?" The girl said in a threatening tone as she leaned on a huge and glowing sword that is propped onto the ground
"Wha?- Illyana? Is that you?" Ella tried to say before she stopped and took a moment to look at the girl and remembered her as Illyana Rasputin, her foster sister and they grew up together in the very orphanage they are in now.
"In the flesh… Traitor." Illyana said in a think Russian accent as she leaned back in her feet, leaving her huge sword behind as she started to walk towards her
"Traitor?! ILL, I NEVER-" Ella tried to say before she was cut off
"SHUT IT!… I won't hear your lies… This is what the truth is: I asked if you could keep a secret, you TOLD on me and I was taken away to be tortured and experimented on by Essex, when he found no more use for me, he dumped me into the streets, taken advantage of and being abused of the scum and villainy… Until I discovered Magic and I've used it to claim the power that I deserve and kill ANYONE that stood in my way, leaving me with only ONE thing left to do." Illyana said in a strict tone, silencing her sister, and continued to explain what happened to her the last time they were together and explained the path she took to receive her revenge.
"Wait… Essex? Magic? What HAPPENED to you ILL?! I know we've been through MANY things together but I NEVER told anyone about your gifts, THAT'S how much I loved you ILL." Ella first said as she was confused but she then stood her ground on how she kept Illyanas mutant powers a secret and that she loved her as a sister
"LIAR! I saw you going to the staff and later I was taken away by Essex's goons… I've waited a LONG time for this Ella. I can't say it was nice knowing you, but I'm sure your God is waiting for you on the other side, goodbye sister." Illyana shouted before she started to get closer and closer to Ella before using her mutant ability to create portals to reach out and retake her huge sword back to her before the portal closed, she then got ready for the killing blow before she heard vibrations coming from Ella's side
"HEY! Give it back!" Ella shouted and started to thrash again when Illyana swiped the phone from her pocket and saw that Markus was trying to call her
"Who's this?" Illyana said as she showed Ella that Markus was trying to call her and her face changed from anger to worry in seconds
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Ella said through her teeth in attempt to scare her off of finding out more but it failed as the call ended and Illyana went through the years of texts and discussions
"Ahhh, I see… He's your boyfriend." Illyana said with an evil smirk as she realizes that Ella is close to Markus
"No! We're just close." Ella shouted as she defended the fact that, though they have feelings for each other, they are only close friends
"Uh huh, sure… Well I've actually changed my mind, I won't kill you… Instead I think I'll just make you suffer like how I suffered… Call him here." Illyana said as she started to call Markus on Ella's phone
"No." Ella said sternly
"Do you want me to go there myself? Though it will spare you the agony and pain of watching the ones closest to you die, I STILL want to relish in your pain, NOW CALL HIM! And bring him here or I'll kill your pathetic family." Illyana threatened as she started to choke Ella and soon released her so she could call Markus as Illyana put the phone on speaker
"Hello?" Markus asked as he answered the call
"Hey Markie, how are you?" Ella answered as she was both happy and scared to talk to Markus
"I'm fine but what about you? I didn't hear from you last night." Markus replied
"Oh well… after my shower I passed out." Ella said, she HATED to lie but after Illyana held her sword closely to her throat, she was forced to lie to Markus
"Ah I see, that happens." Markus said as Illyana whispered something into Ella's ear
"Oh hey, um, I was really hoping that maybe we could meet up?" Ella said as she repeated what Illyana wanted her to say
"Really? I mean that's cool I'd love to but are your old folks ok with it?" Markus asked as he was a bit surprised but happy at the same time that he was gonna see his best friend of four years
"Oh yeah, and they would like to meet you sometime too but wanna meet tomorrow?" Ella asked
"Sure, I'll just need to be at church early but yeah I'm up for it. Where and when?" Markus asked
"Um, I'll just text you. How's that? And since I'm about 15 hrs out I'll just start driving ok?" Ella said as she started to tear up, that she had to continue the lies or Illyana will kill her family
"Ok, just be careful alright? I gotta go but I can't wait!" Markus said as he sounded happy to meet her for the first time
"Yeah me too, see you later… You son of a gun! You made me lie to my best friend!" Ella said as Illyana hung up the phone and started to shout and thrash from her bonds once again as tears went down her cheeks
"Oh save your drama… Now if you're good till tomorrow, I'll somewhat reconsider NOT killing your family and just rough you up a bit. Now get through the portal." Illyana snapped as she created a portal to another abandoned warehouse in Bayville before pushing her through it and Illyana passing through before closing it
Earlier with Markus…
Since it was Saturday, most of the team is out of the Mansion, spending quality time as Jean, Markus and The Professor stayed behind to tidy up the Mansion as The Professor had to make some calls
"Anything from Ella yet?" Jean asked as she wanted to check up on her younger brother
"Nope nothing yet, she's probably tired, I wouldn't- Oh, one second… Hello?… I'm fine but what about you? I didn't hear from you last night… Ah I see, that happens… Really? I mean that's cool I'd love to but are your old folks ok with it?… Sure, I'll just need to be at church early but yeah I'm up for it. Where and when?… Ok, just be careful alright? I gotta go but I can't wait!" Markus tried to say before he answered Ella's phone call and hung up when he was done
"Who was that?" Jean asked
"It was Ella… She wants to meet me tomorrow!" Markus said in excitement as they both hugged each other
"That's awesome Markie! When tomorrow?" Jean asked as she was happy for her brother
"Right around after church." Markus said as they hugged one more time
The Next Morning…
We now pick up after a 9:15 service at Markus's church as Jean rolled in Scotts car to pick him up
"Thanks Jean." Markus said as he got into the car
"No problem kiddo… Has Ella spoken with you recently?" Jean asked
"Yeah, she says that she got there late last night and wanted to meet us near a…" Markus was about to say to her but hesitated
"What is it, Markus?… It's ok." Jean said
"An abandoned warehouse, Jean… I don't like this, I think she's been taken." Markus said as he explained his bad feeling about the text
"It's ok Markie, I'll call the Professor and-" Jean said as she tried to call the Professor but Markus stopped her from doing so
"No Jean, I don't think it's a good idea this time to involve the group. This is Ella we are talking about, you are the ONLY one I've told her about and… I've told her about us, mutants and everything." Markus said as he explained
"WHAT?! She knows of the existence of mutants and who we are? If the police get custody of her… Who TOLD you that you can share that information with her?!" Jean said frustratingly as if Ella fell into the hands of the law, then they would be discovered and taken
"Look, I wasn't THAT open with it and besides… This is someone I trust, and you KNOW I can't keep secrets like that, it's not right in my opinion." Markus said, explaining his motives
sighs* "I understand just PLEASE talk to the Professor or me about this and we can help Ella ourselves just try NOT to be too open next time." Jean said after she took a deep breath and started to speed up more to the abandoned warehouse address that Ella sent to Markus
A car drive later…
After the car drive to the warehouse, the brother and sister duo then got out of Scott's car and checked the outside of it before facing the front door
"I'm betting she'll be in here." Markus said before his hand was grabbed by Jean
"Wait… Don't you feel it?" Jean said as she felt something out of place only a Psionic like her and Markus could pick up on
"Yeah… The cold… Ella! Are you here?… Ella! El, you ok?!" Markus said before he opened the front door and at first saw nothing as he and Jean tried to search for the girl before seeing her tied to a chair and saw some cuts and bruises on her face
"Markus, it's a trap." Ella said and before Markus knew it, Illyana appeared behind him using her mutant ability to teleport, locked him in a headlock and used her sword to threaten him into submission before Jean started to attack her with her telekinesis
"Stop right there! Or I'll gut him." Illyana said in a threatening tone as she threatened to gut Markus open, which made Jean stop
"Illyana! Please stop this! It's not Markie or her you want, it's me… Just take me and go, just leave him alone!" Ella shouted, bursting into tears that her foster sister turned out to be a monster and pleaded to her to leave Markus alone and take her and her alone
"NO! I've told you ""sister"" that I WANT you to suffer! To make you feel the pain of being abandoned and left for- Ah!" Illyana shouted in anger as her headlock squeezed Markus's neck even more, making him almost pass out if it weren't for Jean who used her telekinesis to lift a barrel and hit hard on the back of Illyanas head, knocking her unconscious.
"Markie, you ok?" Jean asked as Markus got on his knees while coughing violently
"Yeah I'm fine… Ella, you ok?" Markus said as he got back up and started to untie Ella from the chair she was bound to
"Oh Markus… I'm so happy to actually see you, after all this time." Ella said as she was freed and almost immediately went to hug her best friend of four years and whispered into his ear
"Same here El, same here… So what are we gonna do now? We can't let you talk to the cops because they would know of our existence and we can't let Illyana find you again." Markus said as they broke the hug and noticed there's lot of work to do in the aftermath of Ella's abduction
"I'm sure the Professor can work something out, come on." Jean said as she led Ella and Markus back to Scott's car and left for the Mansion.
A week later…
It is now a week since the abduction, Ella has been enrolled into Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters for protection and moved there despite not being a mutant, Illyana was dropped off at a juvenile hall but escaped days later, now we we see her and Markus walking outside together
"So how are you El?" Markus asked
"In what way?" Ella asked
"Oh you know, your new roommates, new home and you got to meet me?" Markus said
"Oh, oh yes I LOVE it here, and yes, I'm so amazed and blessed I've finally got to meet you Markie." Ella said as she expressed happiness that she finally got to meet her best friend
"Oh same here El, same here… I just can't wait for us to hang out, date and-" Markus tried to say as he too was happy that Ella was here before she cut him off by standing in front of him
"Date?… Heh, Markus, don't you think you're getting a little far?" Ella said as she tried to be positive but to help Markus understand
"Too far for what? I just REALLY would like to cause I LIKE you, like you El. Don't tell me you don't feel the same do ya?" Markus said as he did express his feelings for Ella
"Markie, listen… I know you like me and I like you too, but right now, time is the only thing holding me back and I'd rather focus on the now than tomorrow and I just wanna know more of yourself too, just let God take care of tomorrow ok?… Hey, it doesn't mean that I don't love you, I just wanna take it a day at a time." Ella explained as she just want to know Markus more before she makes the decision and give God the control of tomorrow, but as Markus nods in sadness but in understanding, she cupped her hand on one of his cheeks and gave him a small and innocent kiss on his cheek, which made Markus's heart race and his feeling for her explode mentally, before they continued on with their walk