What to do about Magik?

Author's note: The climax of the Strange Academy is upon us. And I see Emily has totally fallen to the dark side, fighting for… adults to not be adults? For instructors to not tell students what to do? Emily has become a completely annoying self obsessed magical Karen. The teen from hell I suppose. Wow, I do have to wonder about the subtext of the story as since when do children, yes children, know better then the adults on how to run a school? Sigh… then again we are becoming a society that blocks children from getting a tattoo, but will allow them to mutilate their genitalia. School's can't give students an aspirin, but it's somehow okay for puberty blockers? All because a child thinks something, sigh…

I'm rather a big fan that actions should have consequences, although I suspect Marvel will have Emily avoid hers. Plus I'm not really a fan of Clea (I did not buy any of the issues where she was Sorceress Supreme as the title was simply given to her, which I found annoying as you're supposed to compete for it). So, I suppose I wrote this chapter to vent a bit. This story takes place before the big climatic battle at the Strange Academy and after Illyana gave up ruling Limbo.

Oh, and I think Clea (Dr. Strange temporary replacement because we all know he's coming back) does not like Illyana for very female reasons (just look how Clea treated Illyana in the Midnight Suns limited series).

Part 78a: Showdown of a throwdown at Alice's

Mmmmm, say what you will about earth, they do have good food was his thought as he noshed upon breakfast. Where you ask? He was at Alice's in New York City, a nice food and tea establishment where he was currently enjoying brunch. And what a brunch it was, he was having…

Pumpkin Pancakes (Real pumpkin puree and a touch of nutmeg and cinnamon mixed with traditional buttermilk batter. Topped with eggs, bacon, And served with butter and real maple syrup).

Scones Benedict (Poached eggs over a ham and cheese scone, topped with rosemary hollandaise sauce and served with a side of potato-chicken hash).

A very very very big cup of coffee.

Three lovely cinnamon rolls.

And two more plain scones with clotted cream and blueberry preserves, plus an orange zest and cranberry scone.

Who is this you ask? Well somebody able to have a large breakfast and yet maintain his fitness. But his identity is shown as a plain scone, slathered with clotted cream and blueberry preserves, was just being raised to his mouth when an intruder burst into the establishment and proclaimed most loudly…

"Dormammu! I challenge you!"

The staff, and other customers, oddly made no notice of this outburst (he was under a partial concealment spell as sometimes you just want privacy). The Dormammu had an internal grumble at this interruption of his breakfast as he stated. "Cleo, my former loyal servant but now my least favorite niece. To what do I owe the pleasure?" As he took a large bite of his scone and chewed.

Cleo was firm in her resolve. "I've come to stop your nefarious plans!" As she made various mystical gestures, kind of like a martial arts practitioner warming up.

"Breakfast." Was Dormammu's reply as he took a loud slurp of coffee, he tended to prefer being called the Dreadful Dormammu but this was family after all and not a formal occasion.

"What?" Responded Clea, alert for some trick for was not Dormammu ever the crafty villain.

"Breakfast." Repeated Dormammu as he returned to his pancakes. "I'm having breakfast. As nefarious goes…" He gave a shrug. "Innocuous even for me. Why, I've even left a nice tip."

Clea was Clea in that subtle was not her forte. "I order you to leave or face me in combat!"

Another shrub from Dormammu. Mmmmm good pancakes. "No, I have a pass as it were."

Clea's eyes narrowed. "From whom and for what?"

A flicker of flame and smoke on the table he was sitting at, incidentally it was one of those big round tables that can seat six or so, and a parchment was opposite him. "Look for yourself niece."

Clea was annoyed that Dormammu was not using her title of Sorceress Supreme, but two could play that game. "I shall… uncle." As she entered Alice's, proceeded to his table and sat down. She picked up the document and began to read, but first a sniff of distaste. "It's sticky."

Dormammuhid a grin. "Apologies, I apparently spilled some maple syrup." Ah Cleo, always so straight laced.

After a careful examination while Dormammu finished off his pancakes, she threw down the parchment in annoyance, and incidentally got more maple syrup on it. "I find this unacceptable."

Dormammu was of course understanding as he issued a terse "Tough" and began consuming one of the cinnamon rolls, alternating with some sips of coffee (Columbian Guatemalan blend).

"I am the Sorceress Supreme, any such agreements should have gone through me."

Dormammu said nothing because silence is sometimes the best putdown. Which just left Clea rather fuming at the perceived slight. So, Dormammu decided to twist the knife a bit as he slowly pushed one of the cinnamon rolls in her direction. A roll that Cleo stared at for long seconds before giving in and taking a bite.

Mmmmmmm, so good! Not that she was going to admit it or thank him.

"So you're waiting for her?" Was Clea's statement as she ordered some coffee.

"Yes, I arrived early so I decided to indulge." Answered the Dreadful Dormammu as he started on the Scones Benedict. Ahh, the eggs were just right and the rosemary hollandaise sauce was a nice touch. He preferred a pork hash but the chicken hash was very good.

"You always indulge yourself." Countered Clea.

A most correct observation, and one that Dormammu answered with another shrug, and an internal chuckle. Why, perhaps this meeting would be more entertaining then first thought. He led off with a challenge.

"You have treated your cousin Doyl most dreadfully." Doyl was a son of Dormammu, likely one of many, but very powerful and a student of the Strange Academy.

A slightly confused and affronted tone from Clea. "I've had nothing to do with Doyl."

Dormammu nodded his head. "Exactly, he's your cousin, attending the school your dead husband founded. The boy deserves better from you. We can disagree about almost everything but family is supposed to come first." Ahh, now that was a fun, perhaps verbal fighting was just as enjoyable as a good body slame.

An icy reply from Clea. "I have nothing to do with my family. Any spawn of yours must be destined for evil"

"Doyl is a good kid." Countered Dormammu as he pointed his fork at Clea. "I blame his mother, how like a woman, get's what she wants and then it's by-by baby daddy; makes me feel like I'm in the NBA (Incidentally Dormammu is a big NBA fan). But as he is family, and that good kid thing, he deserves some of your time. By ignoring him you demonstrate the very behaviors you claim to oppose."

"I can't possibly imagine you being proud of a good kid." Sniffed Clea.

Dormammu went back to dinning upon his Scones Benedict. "I'm not. Kid is an idealist. Notions of good and evil and other such nonsense. Notions that you believe in, and your lack of interaction is quite noticed by the boy, and others. How you treat people in part shapes who they might become. I'm sure your disdain hurts the boy, and teaches him important lesions able the so called heroes."

Resulting in an irate Clea, to be corrected by Dormammu of all people was outrageous.

Part 78b: Catfight at Alice's

That's when the individual Dormammu was meeting arrived. As you can likely guess, it was Illyana Rasputin A.K.A. Magik. Dressed in that new golden version of her former black getup. She walked in the restaurant and paused momentary at seeing Cleo sitting at the table with Dormammu. Perhaps there was a whispered "ah crap" from her, perhaps not. Either way, she sauntered over to the table and sat down with a greeting.

"Dreadful Dormammu… Cleo..."

"Magik of the X-Men." Replied Dormammu. Now small talk was not something the Dreadful Dormammu normally engaged in but he did attempt it. "Anything interesting happening?"

A smile from Illyana. "I danced Michel Jackson's Thriller with the Brood, that was fun."

Illyana stood back up and ghostly Brood warriors faded in at her side as she, in the role of Michal Jackson, the one gloved of legend, began to do the thriller dance while lip syncing to the song that played out of nowhere (Author's note, yes this happened in the comics).

It's close to midnight

Something evil's lurking from the dark

Under the moonlight

You see a sight that almost stops your heart

You try to scream

But terror takes the sound before you make it

You start to freeze

As horror looks you right between the eyes

You're paralyzed

'Cause this is thriller, thriller night

And no-one's gonna save you

From the beast about to strike

You know it's thriller, thriller night

You're fighting for your life

Inside a killer, thriller, tonight, yeah

…

A few more twirls and she was done as the Brood faded away while Illyana sat back down. "Kitty and I used to sometimes sneak into the Danger room and do the thriller dance with hologram zombies from the video. Ahhh, good times."

Just silence from both Dormammu and Clea at what they had just seen. Clea was the first to respond after shaking the image from her mind.

"Sorceress Supreme." Corrected Clea with what just might have been a bit of a hiss.

Illyana shook her head. "Not anymore, I gave that up." Meaning that Illyana had been the Sorceress Supreme of Limbo.

"No, you are to refer to me as Sorceress Supreme." Clarified Clea.

Illyana was a master at playing dumb. "Why?"

"It's a sign of respect." Sniffed Clea.

"Okay… Sorceress Supreme'O" Was Illyana's slow reply, and it did not in any way sound respectful.

Which earned Illyana a glare from Clea, the kind of 'if looks could kill' kind of glare. "You should have consulted with me before giving free passage to Dormammu."

Illyana looked rather surprised at this statement. "Why?"

"I'm the Sorceress Supreme, I have responsibilities."

Illyana was dismissive in that she picked up a menu to scan while answering. "News to me, about the responsibilities that is. Let's see… you've ignored the school. You stranded me and my compatriots in a dimension when we were saving a student because of reasons that made no sense. And I have to point out that the delinquent runaway students were actually hiding in Strange's house. You know, the Sanctum Sanctorum of all places! Good job at keeping things safe Clea, I wonder if any of the students got eaten? And of course the remaining rogue students are hiding out in the Dark Dimension, which is your old stomping grounds." You could hear the air quotes when she said Dark Dimension. "With you doing nothing about it."

"I was busy, with WAND for one." Sniffed Clea.

WAND being the Wizardry Alchemy Necromancy Department of SHIELD. A group that had gone rogue, gee what a surprise. It's almost like every other year some SHIELD group, or SHIELD itself, turns villain.

Clea went back on the attack. "Like you care about the students."

A shrug from Illyana after she attracted a waitress and ordered the Smoked Salmon Benedict on scones, tea, and a blueberry muffin. "Hmm the "I really don't, apart from a few as I don't agree with this Woke method of teaching and allowing bad behavior from children. Heck, Doyl's one of my favorites, not that I let the kid know. This whole Emily thing has become a complete dumpster fire that should have been snipped in the bud with but a little discipline."

"I can just imagine how you'd fix it." Sneered Clea as she proceeded to describe a possible future (and perhaps it was a real multiverse alternate reality outcome that Clea was aware of).

START POSSIBLE FUTURE 1

Emily looked over the burning landscape that had once been the Strange Academy. All those who had opposed her were defeated! Some slain, others but wounded and in chains.

The tyranny of adult suppression of the desires of young teenagers was defeated! Yes, many had died, but that was the price that had to be paid because… of reasons! After all Emily knew better then adults! Knew better then everybody, just ask her!

Emily stood proud upon the ruins as her theme song played, it was Unstoppable by Sia.

…

I put my armor on, show you how strong I am

I put my armor on, I'll show you that I am

I'm unstoppable

I'm a Porsche with no brakes

I'm invincible

Yeah, I win every single game

I'm so powerful

I don't need batteries to play

I'm so confident

Yeah, I'm unstoppable today

…

For was she not Emily the brave!

Emily the Mighty!

Emily the Conqueror!

Emily the…

"Dead." Whispered Magik from behind into Emily's right ear as Illyana's soul sword burst through Emily's chest.

With a push Magik pushed Emily off of the sword to sprawl upon the ground looking up at Magik. Magik was in her Darkchilde form, horns, hooves, tail and other demon accoutrements. With a sneer Magik spat upon Emily while declaring.

"Choice after choice Emily, and you just had to keep kept breaking bad."

Emily tried to speak but only managed to cough up blood. That's when Dessy, Emily's fellow student and loyal follower screamed and attacked Magik. Side note, Dessy is the female child of S'ym, a demon from Illyana's realm of Limbo; she supposedly had true vision and could see the truths people hide (she is currently involved in a lesbian relationship with a zombie student, sigh… yeah… lesbian zombie/demon couple).

Attacked with her full fury and power. Attacked, but… well… it did not go well.

She ended up dangling in the air as Illyana, with her left hand, held her by her throat. "Ahhh… little demon. Tell me... What do you see?"

A chocked out reply. "Death…"

A toothy smile from Illyana. "Just like your daddy."

"Whaaaa?"

"Oh, he's dead. Rebelled for the last time. Schools out I'm afraid and this is not something that detention can fix."

Crunching sounds as Illyana crushed the throat of Dessy, before Illyana hewed her down, than tossed what remained of the body away. She turned to consider the fallen Emily.

"Choices Emily. Such choices you make. Not all the instructors are… enamored with mollycoddling, or pretending to be outsmarted by children. This…" Illyana gestured at the surrounding burning ruins, the maimed, the dead. "Is not a passing grade."

A sigh from Illyana as she raised her sword. "Well… class is over I suppose. By the way that's my theme song."

The sword descending upon her was the last sight Emily ever saw.

END POSSIBLE FUTURE 1

"Wow." Was Illyana's reaction to Clea' story. "Sounds apocalyptically fun."

Earning her another glare from Clea. "Only you would think slaughtering students as fun."

A slight shake of Illyana's head. "Now that's the pan calling the kettle black."

"If it quacks like a duck." Pointed out Clea using one of Stephan Strange's saying that she never quite got.

"Then it must be foul…" Laughed Illyana, which is not the reaction Clea expected, who decided that a change of subject was due.

"Why did you give my uncle permission to visit this plain?"

"Some issues to discuss." Was Illyana answer. "Private issues."

Leaving a fuming Clea as she thought as to how to make Illyana answer. Dormammu meanwhile was deeply enjoying the verbal catfight, he was wondering if, as in so much Anima, physical fighting would be next and perhaps the tearing off of clothing to scandalously show various body parts (he is a lech after all)? Wisely he keep such thoughts to himself as he finished off his Scones Benedict. Illyana's Smoked Salmon Benedict arrived and Illyana took a bite.

"Mmmmm, now that's good." As she dug in. Then, as she ate, she described a very different future.

START POSSIBLE FUTURE 2

You hear a film announcer voice (you know the one that announces all the dystopia films): "In a school where instructors and administrators alike an infected with woke. Where students have free reign to attack instructors, and minors are free to run away from a boarding school without the parents even being informed."

Cut to the Headmasters office where an exasperated parent asks. "And you just let the leave?"

A sad shake of the head by the headmaster. "Of course, what else could we do?"

Complete look of exasperation from the parent. "Call me for one would be nice. Oh, perhaps alert the authorities about the runaways might be another. Oh wait, I know. Be the Fxxxing adult in the situation here! I am so going to sue your ass!"

Cut to Zelma Stanton, the Librarian, speaking to the staff: "We can't use violence against the students, even if they are attacking us. Disciple must be a choice by the student, not something enforced upon them. Otherwise we just perpetuate the violence inherent in the system. We have so much more to learn from them then they from us. Yes we could have stopped the children from leaving, but what rights to we have to do such?"

Cut to sarcastic Illyana. "The trust the parents put in us? I mean… you just let them walk out as if they are adults, which they are not. Could somebody pass me a dictionary, I want to look of what the world child means."

The Oxford Dictionary materialized in Illyana's hand. "Let's see… Child. A young human being below the age of puberty or below the legal age of majority. An immature or irresponsible person. A person who has little or no experience in a particular area."

Cut back to Zelma shouting "Ageism! They are just as capable of making decisions as you or I?"

Illyana now has an expression that implies that why yes, perhaps the children and Zelma are equally equipped to make decisions. But this does not reflect well upon Zelma.

Announcer's voice: "Where the realities of life are replaced by pouting and whining."

Cut to Emily whining at the top of her voice:"It's not fair!"

Cut to Emily attacking instructors at the Sanctum Sanctorum :"We will do what we want!"

Cut to Emily attacking her fellow students at their hideout in the Dark Dimension :"If you're not with us, your against us!"

Cut to Emily plotting with her remaining followers: "We need to destroy the school to make our point!"

Announcer's voice: "What? Really? That's the big story? A whiny snotty spoiled brat is the big bad? Just how bad is this school? Man… I'm so not sending my kid there, Hogwarts all the way baby."

Cut to Emily blowing up everything and the instructors, some of whom are the most powerful magic users on the planet, just standing around doing nothing to stop Emily and her minions.

Announcer's voice: "So, who does America turn to after creating a dumpster fire of a mess? The same people they always turn to when garbage needs taking out. Better call a… Mexican."

Scene cut to where to a man wearing a mask is shown, he is…. Medicao Mistico, the enigmatic magical protector of Mexico, his true identity behind the wrestler style mask is completely unknown (although he has been known from time to time to step into the ring). He is looking over the burning ruins of the Strange Academy as he declares:

"Gringos estupidos." (Stupid Gringos.)

"¿En serio, el villano es una adolescente blanca obsesionada consigo misma?"(Really, the villain is a self obsessed white teenage girl.)?

"Es bueno que mi amigo Stephen haya pasado y no está aquí para verlo." (It is good thing my friend Stephen has passed and is not here to see such.)

The great Medicao Mistico confronts the child Emily. "Eres un niño muy maleducado y estúpido. Ahora te detendrás." (You are a very rude and stupid child. You will now stop.)

And of course Emily just has to scream, while throwing magic about. "You can't make me!"

The great Medicao Mistico takes off his belt. "Probemos esa afirmación. tu eres el niño y yo soy la disciplina." (Let us test that statement. You are the child and I am discipline.)

And Emily, as well as the other troublemakers, learnt that discipline is different in Mexico as swat after swat reddens Emily's rump. "No toleramos eso en México!" (We do not tolerate such in Mexico!)

And thus the school was saved!

END POSSIBLE FUTURE 2

Eye rolls from Clea at this possible outcome as she ate more of her cinnamon roll, and a change of subject as she asked Illyana. "How did you learn of this place?"

"Stephen took me once." Replied Illyana. She was going to follow up that she had had her, now slain, apprentice Sapna with her and Dr. Strange thought it would be a treat for Sapna; which it had been.

"I Knew IT!" Suddenly raged Clea. "You were having an affair with Stephen!"

Causing Illyana to give a long sigh.

"Clea, I told you. Stephen and I did not have an affair. Not in this dimension, not with some other dimension's Dr. Strange. There was no friends with benefit deal going on. I have not had sex with Stephen, this includes all the various sexual activity one can engage in while not calling it actual sex. I have kissed him on the cheek a few times, that is it."

And Clea, being a rational female, of course accepted this answer. Not that she had any insecurities that Illyana might, just might, be a younger and sexier model.

"Bitch! I know you're lying." Which was a falsehood as nobody knows when Illyana lies.

At least she didn't throw what was left of the cinnamon roll at Illyana.

Illyana replied after adding cream to her tea. "He's not my type Clea. And in so many ways, he's not yours as well."

"What? We're married!"

Illyana gave her tea a brief stir. "And how long do you guys stay together? And how many girlfriends as Stephen had while being married to you?"

Clea took a savage bite of her roll. "We were separated. It's complicated."

A node from Illyana. "Yep, that I can understand. Stephen is Stephen and you are you. If Stephen came back from the dead the two of you would have a wild and dramatic time, full of ups and downs, and then you'd be separated again within three months is my prediction."

Clea stood up in outrage. "I don't need to stay here and be insulted." And stormed off.

Part 78c: The Truth of the Strange Academy

Leaving Illyana to eat her breakfast in silence as Dormammu sipped his coffee and watched her. As she got close to being done he picked up a cinnamon roll and slowly ripped off a piece while commenting. "I finally figured it out."

No answer from Illyana, or any sign that he has said anything of note. Not a tell, to use poker speak, at all in her behaviors as he continued.

"Clea was the final piece. She did not know as she arrived after Strange died and I assume your… cabal found her too unstable to bring into the fold."

Dormammu ate the piece of roll he had ripped off, and then ripped off a second piece. "I assume the good Dr. Strange was the leader, it was his school after all. And he did select all the students, one of which is my son."

Illyana just used some scone to wipe up the remains of the tasty sauce.

"So… strange that my son was selected. And yet, very in character of Strange. To assemble a lot of magical kidlets, why… what would not go wrong. And that was the point."

Dormammu pointed the second piece of roll at Illyana. "It would go wrong so how to make sure that the children thought that they operated under free will, after all, their vision showed no controls while… out of their view, somebody or somebodys arranged things."

Perhaps there was the faintest of smiles on the lips of Illyana, perhaps not.

"But who? Stephen of course, but he managed to die, and yet the plot continued."

Finally a word from Illyana? "Plot?"

"Plot." Dormammu was most firm as he consumed the second piece of roll. "Really, the kids broke into the Sanctum Sanctorum without Clea noticing? Baaa, that was why I thought she had to be part of the cabal but now… Somebody arranged that. Just like somebody arrange that I not kill or enslave these interlopers in my domain. Likely arranged a great many things."

Just a look from Illyana that stated she had the right to remain silent.

A grin from Dormammu. "Ahh, but just… who? Stephen is obvious, but one only has to look at the instructional staff and their actions. Why… a hell lord on staff, that's you by the way, then there is Hellstrom, and how can we forget the Scarlet Witch? Why… those three, with Stephen, might just be able to set up things for the little darlings to make their choices while existing in the situations you've setup. Their controlled as it were, like six year olds who run away and camp in the backyard. A situation to let their characters blossom or fall. All while having an unseen safety net. And likely leaving the rest of the staff in the dark so everybody is honest in their actions and reactions. So… little did the three of you do when what you are means you should have, could have, intervened. Magical drug dealer dealing to your students? The Magik I know would have eviscerated him. And the Magik I know is not so kind to kids on that mutant inland of yours if they step out of line. No, tis be the most elaborate of setups and I congratulate the shapers of it."

"Now that's a good story." Replied Illyana, then she cut her blueberry scone in half and pushed one half towards Dormammu. "Here's the prize."

A growl of irritation from Dormammu. "Be that way, but know that I know. And I shall continue to play my part in this… arrangement. But the scales are now balanced. I owe you nothing."

Perhaps Dormammu was referring to the time he had tried to slay Magik in Limbo. Perhaps not and this was a reference to some other deal, only the two knew.

"Agreed." Replied Illyana.

"And…" A savage grin from Dormammu. "When I finally rule this realm, I shall dine here again, with you present."

Present. Such a word. One can be a guest, staff, slave, or but a dead body. But you'd still be present.

Was his words true? Was so much of what the students encountered but a controlled setup? Such are the mysteries of magic.

Either way, perhaps now you know the rest of the story.

Part 78d: Some more Johns Dies At The End scribbles that I wrote

"So… not a taco grande then." Mused John as he opened the pizza box, extra large by the way.

"No." Was Magic's reply as she got two slices of double pepperoni and sausage.

"Tostados?" Asked Amy as she got a slice.

"Nope." Was Illyana's muffled reply as cheese dripped off her chin.

"Churros?" Was my contribution as I likewise got some pizza.

"Pfff, those guys are like grunts." Was the negatory reply from her. "I am not a grunt."

"Could it be, the burrito grande herself?" Verbally pounced John as he retrieved three slices.

"In your dreams." Was her rebuttal as she hurriedly took a sip of her coke can, held by her tail I'll point out, as the pizza was quite hot. "Do I look like a big burrito… wait a second… did you just call me fat?"

John deadpanned. "Well, thickie thighs, you said it not me."

Resulting in an enraged demon. "You leave me no choice, death is the only option."

Um… shouldn't there be an exclamation mark if she was enraged as her tone was at most mildly annoyed.

John got up and ambled into his kitchen, we were eating at his place as he had the big screen TVs. "Got it, I recommend Seppuku, gives the papers something to write about."

He returned with a two foot Ginsu carving knife, incidentally John owns a complete set of the Ginsu knives, let's just say John watches lots of late night TV while… lets call it in a suggestible state. Call now! Operators are standing by! "Closest thing I have, please conduct your ritual death outside as the maid will get all pissy if she has to deal with even more blood."

She grabbed the knife and dramatically waved it over her head. "It is you who shall die foul creature."

John looked confused. "Since when am I a duck?"

"Duck?"

"You called me fowl."

"Oh, foul as in filthy, not fowl as in birdie you fowl creature." Was her reply.

A bow from John. "My mistake, I shall forthwith slay myself."

Magik put the knife down on the coffee table by the pizza. "Naaa, the mood's ruined."

So we all got back to watching the super bowl pre-game show, not that Amy and I had stopped watching. This whole call her fat so somebody had to die routine they had going was getting old.

Incidentally, John has this theory that Mexican food items describe the hierarchy of hell, partially because it sounds like code, partially because it's funny, and partially because Unknown was home to one of the oddest Mexican fast food locality in existence. Went by the name The Missing Chihuahua, the mascot was some odd Chihuahua / Panda bear hybrid mix wearing a sombrero as well as a Mao Zedong tee-shirt while waving a little red book about. It was run by some Chinese folks and served the oddest stuff, sometimes really good, like the Peking duck tacos, other times you'd swear the meat was from the missing Chihuahua stuffed with spoiled Kimchi. The group consensus was that they were Chinese spies keeping an eye on Undisclosed, and a secondary assignment as a ground station for the Chinese space program (two for the price of one meal deal every time the Chinese had a space launch). And likely served as a punishment assignment as well because Undisclosed is just that kind of place.

Why spies? Well, the large number of antennas on the building for one, then there was the huge attached warehouse behind the store with three additional really big satellite dishes. Not to mention that they always wore CCP badges.

Was Magik a demon? Yeah, the dainty horns on her head and the cute tail was one of the indications. Was she a girl? Yep, her chest being another indication. But oddly she lacked some of the girly traits like:

1) She wasn't always taking a selfie. Here's a quick survey, think of all the girls you know, now imagine something major happening, do they take a photo of the event or do they take a selfie of the event?

2) The mood of impending doom that she has. Imagine yourself as a big bad, perhaps sitting in a subway seat all proud of yourself, and then a bigger bad shows up and wants your seat. That's kind of her in that usually nothing really bad happens while she's here. It's like the regularly schedule apocalypse has been preempted and reality is just waiting to see what might happen. Kind of like how a rabbit freezes when it thinks a predator is watching, and yes she really does have that predator vibe.

3) Was not obsessed with talking about herself. Completely mum actually about any personal details.

4) Molly was not a fan. Molly being our dog. Really did not like Magik in that bark and then run away and hide when Magic does not disintegrate due to Molly's doggie distain. Not that Molly's not willing to take food from her, but she wolves it down with the doggie expression that means she has her eye on you.

Magik put her second slide on a paper plate and put it on the floor for Molly, who first gave it a long suspicious sniff before chowing it down in three seconds like dogs do.