Author's Note: I thought this story would be a one shot. But then some disparate ideas I have had pulled together for more material. So, on with the show:

Alysytraea wraps her shawl around herself against the biting cold as she stands in the fog-enshrouded cemetery on the grounds of Evelle's castle. She stands before the lone headstone, Princess Evelle's grave marker. Though the grave appears well tended, there is no sign that anyone has visited.

Even though it is years since the demon princess met her fate, Alystraea had hesitated to come and pay her respects. Even though they had been sometimes allies and sometimes rivals, Alystraea has to admit that fear has kept her away, fear of confronting the reality that Evelle is gone. And now that she stands in front of the grave, she does not know what to say.

Footsteps sound from the fog, off to her left. Alystraea turns and looks.

A figure begins to step out of the fog. Alystraea can not make it out, but it appears to be someone the size and shape of Evelle.

'Who is there?' Alystraea calls. 'Who…Evelle…no, it can't…'

'Horror story or children's book?' Emma Frost says from over Alystraea's shoulder. 'Either way, Rahne, I never knew you had such an active imagination.'

Alystraea turns to face the White Queen. 'What…who…Miss Frost? What's going on?'

'I'm sorry. I didn't want to intrude on your dream, but to be honest, I've always been a sword and sorcery fan myself. Anyway, it's time to wake up.'

…and Rahne woke up in the guest room at Utopia, Emma Frost sitting in a chair next to the bed.

Emma smiled gently. "I'm sorry, Rahne. I wanted to make sure Reverend Craig hadn't left any subconscious surprises—like orders to kill your old teammates on sight. And in my experience, the best time to check for that is when the subject is asleep. I didn't mean to intrude, but I got drawn in by that storyline that's been bopping around in your noggin. Alystraea and Evelle…you really should write books based on that."

Rahne sat up. "It's just something silly I came up with when I was younger. I don't think anyone would be interested. Especially from a mutant."

"Suit yourself."

"So…am I ok? Or did my father leave any traps behind in me head?"

"What? Oh! No, you're fine." Emma paused. "And Rahne, you really are too forgiving for your own good. He may have been the room when you were conceived, but in your shoes, I wouldn't really call him 'father.'"

"Maybe, but I'm not you, and he was what he was."

"Fair enough." Emma stood up. "Also, the cafeteria went offline just as everyone got up. Something we thought was fixed went kerblewie, so there's no hot food for anyone. If you want to eat before visiting…her, you'll have to wait."

"No, let's get this over with. I'll get dressed and be right with you."

8

8

Rahne stilled her nervousness as the elevator stopped and the doors opened. She and Emma walked to the lone cell at the end of the corridor, where Illyana Rasputin—or the…entity claiming to be Illyana Rasputin-sat cross-legged on her bunk, eyes closed, LED's on her high-tech bomb vest blinking.

Rahne and Emma stopped three feet short of the plexiglass cell door. Emma said, "Has Danger informed you of the cafeteria situation?"

"Yes," Illyana said, "although I don't mind. I think I may have gained some weight since I was imprisoned, and I want to maintain my figure."

"Well," Emma said, "Scott has us obeying the Geneva Convention, so you will be fed as soon as possible."

"As you will." Illyana opened her eyes. "And I was going to alert Danger to some mystical disturbances, but I guess we know what's causing that. There's no need to alert Kitty and Peter. This will be totally passive."

Illyana stared at Rahne, and Rahne felt a chill pass through her.

Illyana raised her eyes to Rahne and said, "Who did the work on you?"

"What?" Rahne said. "Oh. Elixr."

"He did a good job," Illyana said. "Transforming a human into a demigod isn't easy, but from a mystical perspective, he covered all his bases. Your chakras are firing on all cylinders." Illyana shifted to Emma. "You will want to send her to Doctor Strange and have him take a look at her. He's the sorcerer supreme and a medical doctor, so he can double check from all angles. But from where I sit, she looks ok." Illyana closed her eyes.

Rahne said, "That's it? That's all you have to say to me?"

Illyana opened her eyes. "Well, that is why you're here, isn't it?" Illyana asked matter-of-factly. "To have the resident witch check on your condition? Congratulations, by the way."

"Thanks," Rahne said, "but no, that's not it at all. I was here anyway, and I thought it would be a good time have a word with you. In private."

"About?"

"That's between us."

"Oh…of course." Illyana shifted her gaze to Emma.

"That's my cue," Emma said. "Danger will be monitoring; this will not be totally private. And yes, Rahne, I will get that contact information for you." Emma turned and left the cell block.

Illyana unfolded her legs. "Well, Rahne, I'm sorry I can't offer you a chair."

"That's all right." Rahne sat on the floor.

Illyana slid to the floor and sat cross-legged on the other side of the door from Rahne. "Well, this is a surprise, Rahne. I don't remember you and Illyana Rasputin being very close, so I didn't think you would come to see me."

"So…you're not really the Illyana I knew?"

"Hmmm…have you spoken to Emma about this?"

"Yes, she said you're a copy?"

"Essentially."

"So what do I call you?"

"Illyana will be fine. I don't have any other name, not really."

"I'm still confused."

"I really can't add anything to what you've already been told, Rahne. You will just have to make up your own mind about what to do with that information. Whether you accept me or reject me is your choice, and whatever you chose is fine with me."

"It's just…I already lost Illyana…you…twice…and I don't know if I could bear to hear something had happened to you."

Illyana seemed a little flustered. "That's very sweet of you, Rahne, but I have been given to understand this is the safest place on Utopia. As long as I'm incarcerated, you can rest assured that in all probability, nothing will happen to me."

"Unless that's why you're here."

"I don't follow you."

"I think this setup—you wired to explode—is a recipe for suicide. And regardless of who or what you are, suicide is a mortal sin, and I cannot allow that."

"Well, Rahne, my soul is way past any strictures in your religion, and even then, I don't see how I can kill myself under Danger's constant watch."

"Don't you?"

"You've lost me."

"It's called Death by Cop," Rahne explained. "Some bloke decides he can't go on living, but he can't off himself. So does something to pick a fight with the cops—say going up on a roof and firing with a rifle—until the cops come and shoot him.

"I think you're looking at Death by Superhero Fight. Sooner or later there's bound to be another big attack, isn't there? You're hoping it's come down to you. Maybe you'll have to teleport a bomb away. Or maybe cast a spell or use your soulsword. But there'll be no time to get that bomb jacket off. BOOM! You're blown to bits. And everyone you will leave behind will be like, 'Oh, maybe Illyana wasn't so bad, look how she gave her life for us, oh boo-hoo-hoo.'"

Illyana just stared at Rahne. Finally, she said, "Wow, Rahne…huh. That's very interesting. I hadn't considered that." She paused, then: "That does have a logic to it. And I can see how someone might plan something like that. But that is not me."

"No?"

"No."

"Then what are you doing here?"

"My intention is to regain the trust of my friends, and I can only do it on their terms."

"Are you daft?" Rahne snapped. "Do you honestly think all can be forgiven after what you've done?"

"I admit, I don't expect it to be quick or easy," Illyana said, "but I did it before and I can do it again."

"What, when we were kids? No, that was a completely different situation. Back then we didn't know any better. We were scared because of what we knew from movies and from just having fought Selene-"

"Oh, that's right! I didn't think of that at the time."

"You mean the original Illyana didn't think of it at the time."

"As you will. Anyway…" Illyana prompted.

"Anyway," Rahne went on, "we were scared of Illyana but as she did right by us, we learned to trust her. But you, you took that history and took advantage of it. And in so doing threw what goodwill there was towards you under the bus. And don't get me started on lies. It just takes one lie, just one, to blow up any relationship, and you've lied a bunch. There's no coming back from that."

"How do you know so much about human behavior?"

"I had a crash course in counseling when I was an instructor at Xavier's school. Stop trying to change the subject."

"All right. What would you have me do?"

"Go back to limbo and stay there. I'm sure Scott can be persuaded to-"

"No." Illyana's tone left no room for argument. "That is not an option, Rahne."

"You're just as stubborn as the old Illyana was, I'll give you that."

"And your duplicity is disappointing. I thought you were here to make some kind of overture. Instead, you just want to make the 'spawn of Satan' you never liked go away."

"That's not it at all!"

Illyana closed her eyes. "I no longer wish to converse with-"

The floor shook with a muffled explosion. The lights went out. Then the emergency lights went on.

Rahne changed to half wolf as she and Illyana stood.

Illyana said, "Danger? What's happening?"

No answer.

Illyana opened her right hand. Then she shook herself and glared at Rahne. "Oh! I get it."

"What?" Rahne asked.

"I almost summoned the soulsword. I would have gone up like a Roman candle. Did you set this up?"

"What? Of course not! Why would you think that? The Illyana I knew wouldn't-"

Light filled the room, making both young women flinch. It faded and they found themselves facing five men: In the center of the group was a muscular, middle-aged man, bald with a gray fringe, a patch over one eye, and a bandolier with half a dozen daggers in it over a dark blue robe. He was flanked by four younger men who wore hooded cloaks with the subtle bulges of hidden weapons.

Illyana said, "Silver Dagger! You're behind this?"

"Alas, no," the middle-aged man said, "it just seems to be busy here this morning. But I am pleased that my reputation has preceded me. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Magik."

"Likewise, I'm sure," Illyana said dryly.

"Sorry," Rahne said, "but you two know each other?"

Illyana said, "We've never met, but I have heard of him. Wolfsbane, meet Silver Dagger. Yes, that is his code name. Silver Dagger, Wolfsbane. He's a defrocked cardinal, Rahne, who studied grimoires in the Vatican's library and went a little cuckoo. So now he tries to use white magic to kill other sorcerers and werewolves."

"True werewolves," Silver Dagger corrected. "I wasn't sure until I'd seen you, but you, Wolfsbane, are not a true werewolf."

"Excuse me?" Rahne pointed at herself. "Body hair, pointy ears, fangs, super honker, seems werewolfy to me."

"He means that you weren't bitten by another werewolf," Illyana explained, "and change on the full Moon and eat human beings. Not that kind of werewolf."

"Oh. Thank you clearing that up." Rahne half turned to Silver Dagger than turned back towards Illyana. "So there are such werewolves?"

"Oh, yeah," Illyana said, "and silver does kill them. Hence Silver Dagger's silver daggers." She smiled. "Say that ten times fast."

"This isn't funny!" Rahne snapped. "This is exactly what I was talking about."

"Oh no, no, no. Completely different situation. Not what you were talking about at all."

"We've got a big fight going on, Illyana."

"I don't agree, Rahne. I think this could be one of those touch-and-go situations where you think someone is screwed but not really."

"Or it could be something you think is a nothing burger but has lasting implications, like when Storm lost her powers."

Silver Dagger cleared his throat.

Illyana and Rahne looked at him.

"As I was saying ladies," Silver Dagger said, "yes, we are here to kill the darkchild. You, Wolfsbane, are a different matter. While you are not a true hell-spawned werewolf-"

"Told you," Illyana said to Rahne.

"I know."

"As I was saying," Silver Dagger went on, "while you are not a true werewolf, the baby you are carrying is an abomination in the sight of the Lord. However, if you surrender to us and allow us to kill the demoness, we can remove it from you.

"And in case either or both of your ladies are considering resisting, let us review the situation: Your fellows are otherwise occupied and can not come to your rescue in time. Magik is wired to explode if she uses either her mutants powers or her sorcery, you are outnumbered more than 2-to-1, and our weapons are quite capable of killing both of you. Do make it easier on yourselves, and surrender, please."

Rahne turned to Illyana. "Well, at least he said 'please.'"

8

8

Rahne and Illyana slid shut the door to Illyana's cell, where Silver Dagger and his acolytes lay, beaten, bruised, a few cuts, their clothes torn, and bound by glowing chains Illyana had conjured.

Rahne returned to human form as Illyana said, "That will hold them until we contact Doctor Strange." She went to the corner and crouched over what was left of her bomb vest. "I just can't have nice things." Ilyana's jump suit was torn and so was Rahne's blouse. They had a few bruises but were ok otherwise.

Rahne said, "I'm sure they can make a much more stylish replacement. That one wasn't you." She turned to Silver Dagger. "If you want things to go easy on you, call off the attack."

"I have nothing to do with it," Silver Dagger said.

"A likely story."

"I have no reason to lie, Wolfsbane."

Rahne turned to Illyana. "You believe him?"

"There's still sorcery here," Illyana said. "If we've taken out him and his acolytes, and it's not your presence, then what is it?"

Rahne turned back to the cell. "You, Silver Dagger. Why did you attack today?"

Silver Dagger looked away.

Illyana said, "It would be in your best interest to answer her question. I'm not going to be locked up down here forever, and I don't take kindly to my friends being mistreated in *any* way."

"Since you asked so nicely," Silver Dagger said, "a familiar I trafficked with in the past volunteered that this would be an opportune time to deal with the darkchild as the X-Men would be too busy to guard her."

"Lucky you."

"Maybe not," Rahne said.

"What are you thinking?" Illyana asked.

"Reverend Craig had a sermon—don't roll your eyes, bear with me—he had a sermon on how the Devil used demons to influence people," Rahne said, "and I remember all the minor demons we used to run into. I'm wondering if someone could use creatures like that to put the word out…"

"'If you want something on Utopia,'" Illyana said, "'this would be a good time to attack because they'll have their hands full.' And the ones they can't contact directly they influence."

"And when they show up and see other people attacking," Rahne said, "they think the tip or the 'idea' was good. What do you think?"

Illyana extended her hands. An upside-down pentagram of fire appeared in the air in front of her. She said, "Now that I can do an active scan…if I isolate every source that I know of…there's something up top, but that's flickering…and a steadier source down here. Looks like it's in Danger's control room."

"Why would someone magical want something in Danger's room?"

The pentagram vanished. "Only one way to find out."

They crept down the service corridor to the door to Danger's control room. They could hear muffled voices and noises on the other side. Illyana held back with her soulsword as Rahne, in half-wolf form, worked her fingers into the door's seam and tried to push the two halves apart. It didn't budge.

The sword floated in place when Illyana let go of it, and she crept to one half of the door while Rahne positioned herself on the other side. The air rippled as Illyana transformed into an armored demon. They put their fingers in the central seam. Illyana mouthed, 'One…two…three!' They pulled on the door and it slid open.

Danger was face down and inert on the floor, surrounded by two-foot-tall bearded men trying to pry her apart with various tools.

Rahne recognized the leprechauns from years before and her eyes found their leader. "Sean!?" she yelped.

Sean turned away from Danger and gawked at the two young women. "Oh, bloody hell! Not you two again!?"

8

8

Cyclops, Emma, Wolverine, and Jubliee practically leapt out of the elevator when the door opened and ran down the cell block. They got to the door to the control room and gawked.

Danger was face down on a work table, the leprechauns surrounding her with the little men working on her with buffing tools.

"Ooooh…" The android moaned, "a little to the left. The other left-" She noticed the dumb-struck mutants. "I'll be a few minutes. Then we have to contact Doctor Strange."

"Yeah," Scott managed, "uh…Jubilee will be waiting outside."

8

8

"Stop it!" Rahne said. She was sitting next to Illyana on top of one of Utopia's towers. Illyana had her head between her knees as she laughed.

Illyana looked up at Rahne. "How old was Elixir at the time? Shouldn't you be in jail?"

"Oh, God. Why can't the sentinels attack when you need them?"

"And then you went to Hrimhari! Do you realize how old he was? Young in Asgardian terms, but…"

"Everyone I've talked to says you're such a sour puss! No one will believe I've actually talked to you."

"Oh, Rahne, Rahne, Rahne! Where did I go wrong? I just wanted you to loosen up, but not like that!"

"I thought you said you weren't the Illyana I grew up with."

Illyana held her smile. "You're right. I'm not. But I keep forgetting. So technically, yes, you and I didn't meet before today. But I look at you and think of all the times we've had over the years." Illyana's smile widened. "The time at the slumber party when Sam didn't recognize you?"

"Oh, God…" Both women laughed. "Poor Sam," Rahne finished.

"I know," Illyana said. "But my point is, if I forget sometimes, I can't blame anyone else for getting confused, now, can I?"

"Thanks for making me not feel stupid."

"You're not stupid, Rahne. In some ways you're very wise." She thought for a moment. "You know, Dough and Warlock are also 'back.' I'm sure under the circumstances, Dani could see her way to putting the past behind you and letting you back on the team."

A pained look crossed Rahne's face. "I can't. I already talked to Scott about it. He offered me a place here on something other than Wloverine's black ops team. I already said 'no.'"

"Because of your baby?" Illyana paused. "Or…me?"

"Partly, but not in the way you're thinking. Maybe my beliefs seem silly to you, but my faith in the Lord has always sustained me. And yet from the moment my powers fist manifested, I seemed to be living the exact opposite form what I had been taught to believe. But I thought I had made my peace with it. No matter what I did or who I was with, it was part of God's plan for me. But look at me. I killed my father. I'm carrying the baby of a dead minor heathen god. And I'm pouring out my troubles to a hell spawn who may or may not be one of my oldest friends back from the dead depending on who I ask and how bad a headache it gives me. And did I mention Hrimhari and I weren't married? I'm more uncertain than ever. I have to sort this out. I have to get right with God, or see what I'm missing. I won't be able to give anyone my best until I do, and Scott needs people at their best. So I'm going back to Britain. I already have a call into X-Factor. We'll see. I know it must make me a terrible coward, but until I work this out, I have to be somewhere else."

Illyana smiled and put an arm around Rahne's shoulders. "Oh, Rahne. You're not a coward. And nothing about you has ever been silly to me. Do what you must do to renew yourself. You'll be all the stronger for it. Besides, you just said you think I could be your old friend. That's better than 'definitely not' and means the others can't be a lost cause."

"I suppose. But if something happens…"

"You will be blameless. And I'll make sure word gets to you about the responsible parties. Having a pissed off Scottish Werewolf come after them should give them pause."

"I'm your insurance policy? You must be hard up. Sounds more like Wolverine's thing."

"You're cuter."

"Thanks…I think."

The two women looked out over San Francisco bay. Rahne chuckled. "Funny," she said.

"What?" Illyana asked.

"I keep thinking I never got to ask Reverend Craig if he ever got back to Brighton. We used to go every summer. It was a long trip by coach and by train, but I loved it. I always hoped he'd keep going, but I keep thinking I should taken the opportunity to ask. Really silly, especially considering-"

They heard Dani's voice over their shoulders: "Are we interrupting something? Hmmm…Shan? What do you think?"

"Could be smoky," Shan said, "but it could also just be smog."

"Hmmmm. Still, when two people go out of their way to act like they don't like each other, you have to wonder what's really going on."

Illyana and Rahne stood and turned to see Dani coming across the roof with Sam, 'Berto, Shan, Amara, Doug, and Warlock. All but Warlock were dressed in street clothes.

Rahne didn't hide her nervousness. "Hi, Dani. Been a while."

Dani looked at Rahne sternly. Then a smiled cracked. "I can't stay mad at you." She hugged Rahne. "Good to see you again, Carrot Top."

They disengaged. Rahne said, "So, um…" she trailed off.

"I can't forgive you, not yet," Dani said, "but I can move past it and give you another chance. Especially under the current circumstances. I don't have the luxury of holding a grudge. What I'm trying to say, Rahne, is there's a place for you on my team if you want it."

Rahne thought of repeating what she told Illyana, but seeing Dani again made her take a different tack. She smiled. "You know how it is, Dani, there's always one member of the band who can't be bothered with a reunion."

Roberto grinned. "Not to mention there's also one in jail."

Warlock puzzled, "Query: Band?"

Doug opened his mouth and a high-pitched squeak came out.

Warlock brightened literally and figuratively. "Colloquial reference understood! Thank you, selfsoulfriend Doug."

Rahne's eyes shifted to Illyana.

"Yeah," Illyana said, "Doug had an upgrade on the 'way back.' He can speak binary, it seems."

Doug smiled. "Like I always said, Rahne—there are ten types of people in the world…"

"'…those who speak binary and those who don't,' I remember." She let herself smile and hugged Doug. "It's good to see you both again." She released Doug and hugged Warlock. When she released him, she turned to Dani. "Seriously, I can't give you—or anyone here—my best right now, so I have to leave. Sorry."

"It's ok," Dani said. "I understand. We'll just have to struggle along with rent-a-nose." She smiled and lowered her voice: "Don't ever tell Wolverine I called him that. And you've got a baby to think of. But you need help, you call, all right?"

"All right."

She turned to Illyana. "Now about you. Not only has Danger not finished putting the cell block back together, but the cafeteria was up and running for all of five minutes before it was trashed again. You've behaved yourself well enough that Scott is letting us take you to breakfast. And since we caught you, Rahne, you get to come with us."

Illyana smiled and looked at Rahne.

"Not a word," Rahne said.

"I wasn't going to say anything," Illyana said.

"You were thinking it."

Dani's eyes shifted between the demon sorceress and the werewolf. "Hmm. Anyway, 'Yana, as soon as you can change into some street clothes…"

Silver fire flashed around Illyana and her coveralls were replaced by normal street clothes.

"…we'll be—oh-kaaay, I guess we're ready to go," Dani finished. "So the question is now, where do we eat?" She pulled a printout out of her jacket pocket. "I have list of restaurants in San Francisco that aren't too hostile to us."

Illyana said, "Actually, I was wondering if we could go eat in Brighton?"

"Now!?" Rahne yelped. "They're 8 hours ahead of us. It's dinner time there."

"So?" Illyana said. "Who says we can't start the day with dinner?"

"It's been years since I've been there—I have no idea where to eat."

"I'm sure we'll find someplace."

Warlock stepped back. "Self will not partake. Self will continue harvesting lifeglow from local coral."

Rahne smile. "Don't worry, Warlock. We'll catch after we got back from trashing the south coast."

Dani said, "Whenever you're ready, 'Yana."

Light flashed under the mutants and Warlock was left standing on the roof.