Author's Notes: Windy, you like the unlikable. ;D Happy D, that makes things easier, having a name. Thanks. Glad you're enjoying. :) NameGuest, Jessica knows how to look for X-Gene carriers. The Spider-Man universe includes mutants because all of Marvel is connected. So, I took artistic freedom and deemed Sam an X-Gene carrier. Because it could happen. TheImmportalWeapon, he's my favorite too. Next to Peter. It's why he's picked on. LOL.
Disclaimer: Ultimate Spider-Man is not mine. Nor are any of its characters. That's Marvel's job. Any Original Characters and art you note, however, are all me. No. I'm not making money. Don't rub it in.

Chapter 24 - Void

Even before an ice skating competition, Zeelan's heart never raced so fast. It never crammed in her chest like a clogged artery. Or swelled as if it were water-logged with her heated blood. Then again, a second-rate trophy paled in comparison to some one's life.

Oh, don't worry, Z; you got this. Did she? All she wanted was to squash that new, optimistic voice within her mind like a swarm of SWDs on her crop of raspberries then burn it in the fire of reason.

She couldn't be sure she had this! How could she say that? How could she think it? How could she tell such to the very faces of Danny's friends, his family? Was she insane?

Probably; look at where she had stuck for almost three weeks. It was no wonder she hadn't cracked sooner…

"You are doubting yourself, Zeelan," Doctor Strange said, breaking through the mutant's thoughts.

Zeelan glanced towards the man standing across from her, on the other side of Danny's bed in the Medical Ward. "Uh…" She blinked slowly. Why were his yellow hands outstretched towards her?

"Doubt before a great feat is natural," the man added while retracting his hands. His pointed chin rose slightly. By now, Z knew that was a way of keeping a sigh at bay. "I asked that everyone vacate the room while we made initial contact with the Dark Realm because I know how hard this has been for you. However—"

"There's no room for doubt," Zeelan finished with a grim groan.

"Our confidence must be unshakable when we enter his mind."

"I know, Mister Strange."

"You were so assured mere moments ago. What changed?"

Zeelan's vision fell, and before she could help herself, her eyes landed on Danny's sweaty, contorted face.

"I see," Strange whispered through light breaths.

"It just hit me suddenly," countered Zeelan when her gaze returned to her mentor. "He's counting on us to—to live."

"And so we must try our hardest for him. Right?"

She longed for a sense of determination at those words. Except they only brought attention to how clammy her palms felt and how hard it was to breathe. She tried not to panic—she really did. But try as she may, the start of anxiety settled into her lungs, shortening her air.

"Zeelan, Daniel has no time left."

"I know." The whisper barely left her lips, and it froze her lungs completely.

Strange sighed. "It seems you will need it after all…"

Silent from fear, Z watched the man's hand disappear behind his back. From beneath his cloak—from a hook or pouch that Zeelan didn't even know was there—the man produced a gold belt. It was synched at the sides, indicating it fell into a graceful point at the front when someone wore it. She watched intently as he spread it between his hands like a giant necklace; but she couldn't understand how a belt related to the situation at all.

"This is the Tonatiuh Ichcati Belt," Strange started, didactic. Her blank look must have convinced him to continue without delay. "Its name consists of 'Ichacati', white, and 'Tonatiuh', sun. Hundreds of years ago, it was crafted by a Nahua Shaman. A mutant of great spiritual powers. He needed a means of containing and channeling his Chi, so he crafted this belt, enchanted its five opal stones with his gift."

Zeelan studied the stones during the man's pause. They glistened gently under the florescent lights, and something in Z told her they had once glowed bright with energy. The large one—no bigger than the width of a wrist—was surrounded by a semi-thick border of gold that encased its smooth edges in graceful vines. The other four—two spaced on reach side of the center one—were likewise designed.

"So this Nahua Shaman…had similar powers to me?" the mutant questioned, soft in her tremor.

Doctor Strange offered his pupil the belt. "Similar, yes. But he was far more powerful. Even after his death, the stones remained charged with his Chi. Through the years, many had attempted to wield its power. Until the energy was depleted completely, and it was cast aside."

"So"—slowly, Z accepted the belt—"why are you giving it to me then?"

"You have trouble focusing your Chi, Zeelan. This belt will give you something to focus on, something to use as a channel."

"How come you didn't give it to me sooner?" The words slipped so fast; Zeelan barely comprehended them. They sounded ungrateful, which made her cringe inwardly. The belt was probably his.

"I had hoped you wouldn't need it," Strange answered with an unnerving amount of diplomacy. "To someone like you, it is a crutch. I retrieved it yesterday in preparation. Your manner towards the others, however, convinced me you may not need it."

"And then they left…"

"You should place it on; we have little time."

A slight flapping danced through the thick air as Doctor Strange raised his hands over Danny dramatically. His sharp eyes landed on Zeelan like a poke from a cattle prod behind his rising, shaggy hair, and she quickly clasped the belt around her hips with shaky hands. Its notable weight fell awkwardly across the curves of her shirt since it had been designed with a man in mind. But that was a battle for another day. Right now she needed to focus on breathing. And, apparently, channeling her Chi.

…How did one do that, exactly?

"Imagine your Chi like water surging through the stones," Strange said as if reading her mind. He spoke no more than that—only chanted.

Water through stones? How did that make sense? It didn't, of course, but Zeelan didn't question the inaccuracy this time. After a deep inhale, she threw reason to the wind and did just that. She released her energy. All the fear, the anger, the sorrow, the confusion was bottled into the stones. She saw them as little pools in her mind, which she filled to the brim with every memory imaginable. A burning warmth surge through her bones as the last of her exhale parted her lips and when she blinked, she stood in a familiar void, side-by-side with Strange.

"Do you feel more assured?" the Sorcerer questioned without glancing at her.

Zeelan nodded, following his gaze around the black abyss. "It's sort of like a release." And it shot a dose of adrenaline through her veins, if she was to be honest.

"Good. Because now the fight begins."

"Wait; I—I don't sense Danny," Z grumbled while floating past Strange. "It feels…colder than usual."

"Because I did not head in first and find Swilla Iku." Strange marched forward on invisible ground and glanced both ways like he was crossing a busy street.

"We—well how do we find it then?" asked Zeelan. She caught up to him, but found matching his pace difficult.

"Where Danny will be, so will the poison."

"And how do we find Danny if he's now…blocked?"

"We must split up."

"Split?" The pure terror of her words halted the mutant. "I—is that really the best idea?"

"No," Strange answered frankly. He stopped as well and glanced over his shoulder at her. "It is, regrettably, our only choice. The Dark Realm is vast, infinite. To stay together would sacrifice more time."

"And what if I find the poison? I—I can't—"

The man turned as Z swallowed a hard lump in her throat. "If you find Swilla Iku, focus on calling me with your Chi. I will sense that and come to you."

"And you'll call me if you find him?"

"Yes. So you must be open. Understand?"

With a curt nod, Zeelan straightened herself. She watched, heavy-hearted, as Strange fell silent before he turned then walked towards parts unknown. Darkness shrouded his figure like a dense fog within several strides. And once the last glimpse of his red cloak succumbed to black, the mutant screamed silently into her jacket sleeve.

What was she doing? The void felt dangerous enough when Strange had the poison controlled. Now she was purposely finding it? Without the great Sorcerer Supreme? Silly title be damned; she sure as hell felt safer when he was around!

'Calm down, Z,' she told herself. 'Pour it all into the stones. You gotta save Danny. Gotta save Danny…'

Taking the first step was the hardest. The one that followed almost matched in intensity. But the two after that were easier until she strode through the void as if it were a park. Of course she still feared the realm. At least she could imagine storing all that fear in her belt though…

Huh. Who would've known a belt could be such a comfort? Wait. That was silly, wasn't it? Dammit.

Zeelan facepalmed. Nevertheless, her steps never ceased, and all thoughts of ludicrously were soon replaced with unbridled focus. The warmth in her bones increased during the search through blackness. It seemed the louder she cried for Danny within her mind, the hotter she grew. In that heat, she gingerly touched a smooth stone on her belt with a subconscious finger. And it burned.

"The Reaper's hell?" she yelped while shaking her tender hand. Her eyes narrowed at the stones, which glowed brightly in the dark like small stars. She got the distinct feeling they were…excited. But, again, that was silly. "What's going on?"

The lights increased. Together, their purple-white energies blended until they shot through the Dark Realm like a never-ending beacon. The void attempted to eat the light with its black fog. But the light remained steadfast, flaring stronger, and a glimpse of a familiar, small sun beyond it lured Zeelan into a run.

She paid no mind to what lay on the sidelines or what she left behind. She didn't even pay the prickling sensation against her skin any acknowledgment. Her mind remained pinpointed on Danny's Chi, unwilling to break her hold on it in fear it would be lost forever.

As its signature grew closer, hotter, the scene warped around Z. First came the biting chill; then came the scent of fresh air. In mere moments, her lithe legs dashed down a majestic hall in what could only be K'un-Lun. The rich, red carpet quickly lead into a high-rise, round chamber, where Danny sat on a golden throne of engraved gold and silk.

He glanced away from his talk with a monk at the raised throne's foot and focused on her. Though it wasn't right. Not an ounce of recognition lit his green eyes like it had when the two last met. They didn't look resentful either, like when Zeelan first made contact with him. They were simply…lifeless.

"Danny," she breathed softly.

He didn't so much as blink. "What are you doing in my sacred home?" he questioned in a dull yet authoritive voice.

"Oh, do I really have to answer that again?" Z started, taking a step forward. "I've told you before; I'm here to save you."

"The king does not need saving—much less from one of such a corrupt culture," the monk said with a low hiss. He rose from his kneeling position to glare at the mutant with beady eyes. Zeelan could barely meet them without her breath ceasing.

"Who are you?" she questioned. The answer was quite clear, though.

"Jing," Danny addressed, "how did this woman elude the posted guards?"

"I cannot say, my king," Jing answered. Except his gaze read otherwise.

"Danny." Desperation crept into Z's words as she faced the blonde. "Y—you don't remember me at all? H—how? We've talked before, and every time I return…you at least recognized me on some level."

"Why would my great king recognize an outside cancer?"

Eyes narrowed, Zeelan scoffed at Jing's sunken, ugly face. "You're the cancer!"

"Am I?" he countered, smooth. The longer they stared, the larger Jing's irises spread. Yet when he faced Danny again, the blonde didn't seem to acknowledge the unnatural blackening of his sclera or the small strands of black that curved upwards from beneath his long robes like gripping fingers. "My king," he said, "the penalty for trespassing…is death."

Zeelan shook her head in fury and marched forward to grab hold of Jing. She had every intent of pushing him away from the throne, but Danny words stopped her before her fingers could touch the fabric of his clothes.

"Yes, it is, Jing. She must be executed. Immediately."

Only two strong grips around Z's biceps convinced her that the order was meant to be played through. Her mouth hung gaped and for a moment her mind reeled. Nevertheless, the stones absorbed her shock and she forced away the guards beside her with a strong push from a force-field.

"What are you doing, Danny?" she cried while sprinting across the ornate rug. Her boots skidded to a halt when Jing blocked the blonde, but she kept her eyes on her friend. "This isn't you, Danny. Even if you were a real king, you wouldn't order something as dire as death. That's not you!"

"And how would you know me so well?"

"Because we're friends." The last word was nothing more than a croak. And in pure frustration, Z didn't fight the new guards that pinned her arms tightly behind her back. "Danny, look—I don't know you as well as your family does. But I know you well enough to know you value life—not matter whose. It can be a civilian, a comrade, a villain, or…a lost refugee. You care."

Still, Danny's dead expression remained. "What I care for is the safety of my kingdom."

"If you want K'un-Lun's real safety then you're going to have to wake up!"

There. A flinch. Finally.

"Wake up from what?" Danny asked tentatively.

"She is a witch, my king," Jing interjected with a snarl in Zeelan's direction. He stepped closer, though it looked more like he was floating on the thin tentacles. "She plans to corrupt our beautiful land."

Zeelan pulled herself forward a step with the heavy weight of guards at her back. "The only one doing any corrupting here is you. Danny, I'm not the one you need to be rid of. It's this guy right here." She directed her head at Jing's smug smirk. That didn't matter to the so-called king.

"Monk Jing has been a faithful follower of the throne for so long as I can remember. You dare impugn his honor?"

"Yes, I dare it!" Z countered so loudly the words echoed off the high walls. Her boots stomped like hammers against the solid ground and she struggled for her arms so strongly that she was lifted into the air at times.

"She is a threat, my king. For your safety the guards should leave."

"No!" the mutant yelled over Jing's even voice. "We came here for Danny. And we won't fail."

"We?"

Good. It hadn't sensed Strange yet. Zeelan grinned a little at Jing's mild shock, and all amount of hatred she harbored for his influence was pooled into her belt. The stones glowed bright with intense heat as a deep breath willed Z to send a message with her Chi. Her exhale released the energy all around—from inside out, it spread like a shockwave of white and purple through the throne room. The grip on her arms immediately loosened and as the black in Jing's eyes bled onto his tan skin, she steadied herself.

"What right do you have to be here?" Jing questioned without restraint.

His voice, no longer cool, adopted overlapping features. It was high-pitched, yet guttural. Feminine, yet masculine. Like a chorus of angry couples that had been swallowed by the poison. The tentacles beneath his robe thickened then wrapped like vines around his human body. They crept slowly until the body resembled a black mummy with thin, glowing yellow eyes. So, this must be its true form.

"You are invasive," it said near amusement, "and thus must perish…like the others."

"Danny, do you see this?" Z asked her friend. But the blonde's blank stare ahead in his seat showed he didn't see anything.

"He's mine," Swilla Iku chimed with a chortle. "And since you want to be with him so badly…so you will be!"

The poison disappeared from sight and reappeared in a millisecond at Zeelan's side. It smiled to reveal a row of old, yellow teeth then swiped an lanky arm through the air. The mutant hardly had time to raise her hands up in defense before a sudden, stinging force met her ribs. Breathless, she rolled across hard floor, and cried when her back harshly met a wall.

"This has been the most challenging mind I've ever had to entice," Swilla Iku said over Z's low coughs. "It's easily the strongest I've come in contact with and…the power feels magnificent."

A gooey grip wrapped tight around Zeelan, lifting her high from the group. The poison grinned at her like a sadist from below then tossed her across the room towards a row of windows.

"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for someone to release me," Swilla Iku added while half the mutant's body snapped around an open window. Her jaw hit the window jamb with the intensity of a cracking whip and blood filled her mouth before she hit the ground. "It's been too long between fools. This time…I won't be locked away."

She could sense it—the rising of the poison's fist over her back. The mutant's mind was too foggy for focus on a counterattack, however. So time slowed as the blow descended, and she squinted, preparing for the pain.

"Swilla Iku, you are not welcome in this mind," a new voice rung out.

Doctor Strange. In relief, Zeelan raised her head from the floor. It was painful. Blood dripped from her mouth from a deep, long gash inside it. But she smiled through that all. The sorcerer's cloak waved with prickling energy behind him and he incanted a spell that shot Swilla Iku across the room like a rag doll. Its body pooled into black mush at the impact, except it quickly reformed, snarling with its ugly teeth.

"I had hoped you would hold your ground better," Strange noted.

Zeelan's rose to her shaky feet. "Yeah, well…"

"No matter. I will fight the poison now. You recollect Danny's consciousness."

Should she tell him how lost Danny had become? Maybe not. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't. The poison and sorcerer collided with a force that shook the room and she bit her lip, glancing at Danny on the throne. His vacant gaze was nauseating, painful. The mutant collected herself with a formal nod, though, and in seconds she mounted the steps of his throne until she stood before him.

"Danny," she said sternly. He didn't blink or glance up, so her voice rose. "Danny. Listen. We need you to come back. This is your last chance. Please!" But he didn't move.

'What do I do?' she thought with a hitching breath. Behind her, there was a collision that she didn't dare face yet. 'I have to get him to remember. He needs…memories. That's right. Memories are his trigger. But how can I…?'

The belt. Zeelan glanced at it.

'I—I poured everything into this. I wonder…'

Hell. It was worth a shot, right? Pushing aside a shake of idiocy, Zeelan kneeled at Danny's feet and took hold of his hands. They felt cold, rough, like one who was already dead. No matter. Her eyes slid shut as she reached inside, to the memories engraved in the stones. A select few were plucked out. These she imagined playing through Danny's mind.

"You must remember, Danny," she whispered brokenly. He didn't react when the memory of their first talk played. At Nova's snide, remarks, though, he gasped slightly. "You do have a family. Maybe you feel so for the real monks in K'un-Lun, but that's not who I mean. These"—she recalled the civilian forms of the team and the miserable looks on their faces from the past week—"These are your family. Your brothers, your sister. "

"M—my family is—"

"No. Peter, Ava, Luke, S—Sam. They're your family now. And they need you to come back to them. Okay?"

Either determination or desperation or perhaps the belt itself pushed other memories into the mix. Every talk the duo ever had invaded Zeelan's mind like a flood. It hurt. It wouldn't stop, though. She attempted to reign in the memories, force them back into the stones before they grew too strong. By that time, Danny's hand shook in her clammy grasp, and when her eyes shot open, he already stared at her with a wide gaze.

"Zeelan?" His voice sounded hoarse and his gaze, sleepy. It was easily one of the most beautiful sights Z had ever seen.

"Yes," she said breathily. "It's me. You remember?"

"Wh—where am I?" he questioned while glancing around.

Zeelan's small smile died. She too glanced around. K'un-Lun no longer surrounded them. They floated in pure dark, with Swilla Iku and Doctor Strange nowhere in sight.

"We're in a void," she answered. "Strange has been calling it a Dark Realm, a place where a poison called Swilla Iku has been keeping your mind captive."

"Swilla Iku?" The name sounded familiar on Danny's tongue.

"Yes. And right now we've got to—"

"Impossible!" Swilla Iku's disembodied voice roared. If there were ground, it would have rumbled. Still, the ghosty sensation forced Zeelan to her feet.

"Great work," Strange added from behind Z and Danny. The duo met him with questioning stares. "How do you feel, Daniel?"

"Weak," the blonde answered while finding a place beside the sorcerer.

"That is unfortunate."

"Don't fret, Master; we have Zeelan here. It does take a push of heat for a flower to blossom."

Zeelan blinked at him. "This isn't heat; this is a fire!"

Yet he smiled without looking at her. "We are all forged by flames."

"Yeah, you're back to normal…"

"Zeelan"—Strange spoke stern with his focus set firm on a pair of yellow eyes that grew larger in the void—"Danny is weak. To defeat this monster, we need your help. Otherwise, none of us will return home."

Right. No pressure. Zeelan clenched her damp fists, watching with baited breath as Danny summoned a single Iron Fist. Beside them, Strange surrounded himself with a spell of red lights and chains. What could she do to prepare? What difference could she even make?

A tug came from her belt, like the calling of a distant voice. For a second, she thought of ignoring it. But it called louder. Begrudgingly, her eyes left the poison's void and settled on the stones that pulsed with purple against gold. The heat in her bones flared when the pulsing sped up. She had never experience such burning and screamed as the heat slowly spread from her bones, to her tissue, to her skin.

"Zeelan!" Danny's call was muffled. She couldn't see anything, save a bright flash of light.

Author's Notes: Next, "Morning", Danny awakes and the journey to track Jessica begins! Four or more reviews, please. :)