Chapter 31

Bayville...

To be more precise a police jail cell which is where one finds the X-Men consisting of Scott, Kitty, Kurt, Bobby and Marie.

When the X-Men agreed to not only train the police but provide them with power inhibiting technology not for a second did they think that technology would end up being used on them but here there were, in jail cells, surrounded by the green glow of the power inhibition field.

Their powers are neutralised, useless and they're stuck.

Kitty glowers at the passing guard.

"Away from the bars...mutie," he tells her sternly.

"Last I checked that wasn't how we address prisoners no matter what they've done," a stern voice tells the man off. The voice belonging to Detective Sawyer. Accompanying her was the Professor and Jean.

The guard freezes as he sees the unhappy and unimpressed look he is getting.

"The point of being the ones who enforce the law is that we act better than the ones who break it. Wouldn't you agree?" Maggie asks the man.

"Y-yes Detective," he says.

"Good. Now take a coffee break. I have this," she strongly advises the man.

As he leaves Kitty blows out a raspberry at him.

"Katherine," the Professor tells her off for her childish behaviour.

"Well it's, like, totally unfair," Kitty says. "Plus you know even without our powers these cells can't hold us," she points out. They've been extensively trained in escapology because you just never know what situation you might face. They figured out how to escape like 5 minutes after they were put in here.

"Which is why you will stay put until I can straighten this out," Charles tells them. "When I said watch the Hellions this wasn't what I meant," he says sternly, telling them off essentially.

"It wasn't our fault," Marie speaks up. "It was Jen...Roulette. She was there, mucking up our powers."

"You're certain of that?" Maggie asks the French girl.

"I know her powers. I use to train with her. I recognise their use when I see them," Marie says confidently.

Charles ponders that. What it means.

"They set you up," Maggie voices it before the Professor comes to the same conclusion.

"Yeah we figured," Scott says sullenly. They had had time to work that out being locked up here.

"So ready to believe me now about Emma?" Jean asks her boyfriend, clearly unimpressed in him. She folds her arms across her chest in a stern manner.

"Not the time, Jean," Scott says.

Jean agrees but there will be a time later.

"Can you prove any of this?" Maggie asks.

"I don't know," Marie says honestly. "Need to see any video footage you have and see if you can spot the glow of Jen's powers or her herself."

"We'll see what we can do," Charles says. "But Emma has been making the most of this incident," he relays.

"What does that mean?" Bobby asks.

"She's been on tv milking it for every drop," Jean answers spitefully. "The whole sad, sob story. How we've let our jealousy get the better of us, how sad we are, how pitiful and sorry we should all feel for Emma and her team. Basically she's making us look like the bad guys."

"Vhat does zhat mean for us?" Kurt asks, meaning us as in them locked up.

"If there's footage of this Roulette's power usage you can get out scot-free and we'll go pursue her," Maggie tells them. "If not...depends if the zoo owners seek to press charges. In either case I suspect you'll be getting the repair bill."

"I'm going to see if the zoo owners will meet with me," Charles tells them. "You'll have to make a public apology so prepare yourselves."

"Even if we can prove Jen did it?" Marie questions that.

"Yes," Charles tells her. "You'll still say you're sorry all this damage was caused and show sympathy because in either scenario the standing of the school has been damaged today."

"We understand, Professor," Scott accepts.

"Good," Charles says. He turns in his chair and leaves his students for now. He already has his lawyers on the way over and hopefully they can sort out this mess. Still this is not going to be a day that shows his Institute at its glorious best. Could be a day that, in fact, leaves his school's reputation a little tarnished.

Elsewhere...

Amara is once again at Manuel's house, pacing about his lounge, her fingers curling and uncurling. She just can't believe what happened today. What her 'friends' did at the zoo. She means...what does she mean?

She knows not everyone at the mansion is to blame. Hell no. Amara would still consider many of them her friends...especially Tabby and Wanda...and Clark but the X-Men, the primary team, the ones who should be setting the example to a hostile public get themselves arrested over...what?

The fact the Hellions were opening a zoo?

How preposterous is that?

And what does she do now?

Express her unhappiness?

She did that few days ago and no-one listened. The Professor was the one who sent the X-Men to 'watch' the Hellions in the first place.

If only she was home where she's Princess. At least there she can't be ignored.

Manuel watches on, hiding his amusement. He's been pushing Amara's doubt in her friends all week and he can sense she is near breaking point. It won't take much more to make her snap and leave Xavier's and join him at the Academy.

And if Emma was carrying on with her plan and it was on time then the next major 'accident' the Hellions would be saving the day with should be hitting the news very shortly.

He just needs to delay Amara's departure from his house awhile. "I'm not sure what I'm suppose to say. I don't wish to insult your friends," he says, being the considerate, understanding boyfriend. Sure he's actually not but it's fun playing a part.

Amara smiles at the courtesy. "You don't need to say anything," she assures him. "I'm just venting."

"Amara...look I love us being together but these last few days have helped settle one thing in my mind. I can't join the Xavier Institute. Now I'm not saying I'll join Emma's Academy...especially if it means going to Boston and being away from you," Manuel says, totally making it seem as if she is the centre of his world.

Amara slides down onto his lap and he wraps his arms around her waist. "Truth is Manuel I can't blame you," she forgives him for refusing to join her at the Institute. Truth is she doesn't know what to do. This has been coming on slowly for months. She just hasn't been entirely happy with things at the Institute and this last week is bringing it to a head.

This...can't go on.

Amara needs to make a choice. Perhaps even consider going home despite her parents desire for her to experience the world.

Just then on the tv, Manuel deliberately left on, is a breaking news story how the Hellions have managed to avert a catastrophe of two trains, one a fuel carrying one, colliding. By the Gods that could have killed hundreds Amara realises.

Of course what Amara doesn't know and Manuel does is that Emma set that up. Just another brilliant example of the Hellions heroics while the X-Men...well where were they? Oh that's right. In jail.

Amara watches on. That's...really brave and heroic there. It then suddenly occurs to her...like some veil being removed. There is a 3rd option to her choices. One that would allow her to remain with Manuel.

Course she has reservations and would need to clarify things...especially involving her grandmother but perhaps...just maybe...

Amara looks to Manuel. "Manuel...do you have a way to contact Emma Frost?"

"Yes. She left me her personal number. Why?" he asks, his tone as if he doesn't have a clue why she is asking him this.

"Well...I need to talk to her," Amara tells him.

Manuel has to work really hard not to show it but he knows what has just happened. He can't read her mind but he can sense her emotions and if his guess is right...oh he so needs to be getting a reward from Emma.

New York...

While Superman and Thor chat, Volcana and Spider-Man oversee the Wrecking Crew getting taken away by the police.

"So I have to ask what is going on with you guys lately?" Spider-Man asks Volcana. "Kitty's been awful obsessed with the Hellions," he mentions. "I'm worried," he confesses because it seems so unlike her. Oh sure mention shopping and Kitty's totally obsessed with shoes but a strong personal dislike of anyone isn't like her. Kitty's usually a wonderfully nice and optimistic person.

"You know I'm not entirely sure," Volcana admits. "I know the feeling you mean but being here...it's not the same."

"Well you did get to beat people up. That always makes you happy," Spider-Man quips.

Volcana tries to punch him but his damn spider-sense saves him. Though he does have a point. When in Bayville she has been so on edge about the Hellions but being here it's almost gone. Course she never trusts them, never will. She's been one and therefore knows how it works from the inside. Something is...rotten about what has been going on this last week.

Not just the fact they're setting these 'accidents' up but what are they trying to gain out of it?

They don't do selfless so there's a goal, something they are trying to achieve but Claire will be damned if she can figure it out. However, she just hasn't been able to do much about it, making her priority keeping an eye on her oddly behaving brother.

Back with Thor and Superman the Norse God had listened, quietly for the most part except where he needed something clarified, usually just a term Thor didn't understand the meaning of, modern mortals speak so strangely. He had listened intently as the young man told him of Krypton's end. Of its civil war that destroyed the planet. And how he had been saved by his parents as the last hope of a doomed world.

Thor sighs, greatly saddened by what he has heard. "Thou hast mine deepest condolences, lad," he says. "Tis a tragedy beyond measure."

Superman manages a sad smile. He doesn't like telling this story often and has told even fewer the whole story but in this case the chance to talk to someone who has met a real, living Kryptonian...and from his previous words one of the good ones is just too much of an opportunity to turn down. "Thank you," he says. "If I may ask...I've never had a chance to really meet or talk to one of my people. What was the one you met like?"

"Ah now that tis a story," Thor says, with a big smile, as he recalls something of great personal enjoyment. He then proceeds to tell it.

Bayville...

"Thank you for meeting me. I know you've had a busy day," Amara says 1st off to Emma Frost who now sat in Manuel's lounge across from the Nova Roman Princess.

"Think nothing of it," Emma waves it off, putting on an immaculate performance here.

"I also feel I should apologise for the behaviour of my...friends this last week," Amara says with a slight strain in her voice at saying the word 'friends'. "I don't know what has gotten into them."

"You have nothing to apologise for Ms Aquilla," Emma assures her. "Their actions aren't yours nor would I allow them in anyway to taint my opinion of you."

"Thank you," Amara says. Manuel, sitting next to her, squeezes her hand reassuringly.

Emma hides her smile at the gesture. "So what is it you wished to see me about?" she asks.

"Manuel said you offered him a place at your Academy."

"That is so," Emma confirms the fable.

"W-would..." Amara takes a moment and starts again. "Would it be possible for myself to join him?"

Emma schools her features to a suitably surprised looking. "I do have the spare capacity, yes," she says in reply. "But I have to ask why?"

"Because I can't stay at the Institute while they're behaving as they have been. I tried to warn them but no-one seemed to want to listen."

"Dreadful," Emma remarks. "I did expect better of Charles."

"Me too," Amara finds herself agreeing with the blond telepath. "I have a couple of questions 1st," she says.

"Please," Emma says for Amara to ask them.

"I would rather not stay in Bayville and have to face my friends day in, day out so could I go to the Academy in Boston...at least to start with," Amara wants. Yeah, it may seem cowardly on the surface but Amara just doesn't feel like arguing endlessly with them while they try and dissuade her. She'll meet them again but only when she's ready to do so. That's what she wants.

"Certainly. I see no problem with that," Emma says, being very accommodating. It's worth being so for the simple act of getting Magma to join her side. "And the 2nd thing?"

"My grandmother," Amara says in grim tones.

"Ah," Emma remarks lightly. "Selene."

"Yes."

Emma looks to Manuel with a questioning expression as if to say 'You sure you want to discuss this in front of him?'

"I keep nothing from Manuel," Amara explains. Well ok that's not completely true. There is one thing. The truth about Clark but that's totally different. That is in the area of the divine and that is a personal matter solely between her and her Gods.

"That's true," Manuel says. "I know about the Hellfire Club so speak freely," he permits Emma...for the show of being the great boyfriend.

Emma smiles lightly and answers Amara's query. "Truth be told I haven't see Selene since the...incident last year where Superman defeated her. As far as I know no-one has seen her in the flesh since then. She seems to be off licking her wounds."

"I will not, ever, join her or serve her or anything like that so if you can't promise that then our conversation ends here," Amara warns Emma.

"Selene was never my ally. She was Sebastian's. Personally I hated how so many would just seem to cowardly cater to her whims. If I had my way she would be kicked out. This is the truth," Emma promises...and for once it is. Emma despises the woman. "I can't promise to do that...to have her dismissed from the club...at least not in the short term. I alone don't have the authority but things change. They have changed. I hope my and my students actions this last week is proof to you, at least, that we are seeking a new path forward. Yes we may stumble a little but the Hellfire Club is not evil, Amara. Yes, it does manipulate things behind the scenes but that's not always a bad thing. It's difficult for mutants to do such things in the open when there is so much hostility to our kind. Behind the scenes we can make sure no anti-mutant laws are passed. We are protecting our species. Now Charles may not agree with how we do it and Magneto seeks nothing but to make himself King of his own little mutant kingdom. The world is not black and white as they tend to see it. It is very much shades of grey."

"I understand better than you may think," Amara says.

"Do you?"

"I am a Princess. I have seen my parents play politics for as long as I can remember. I know how it works," Amara tells Emma...and therefore that is one reason she's not as hostile to the Hellfire Club as others. She's seen politics close up and understands that what the Hellfire Club does is fairly typical.

"Of course. Forgive me if I offended you in anyway," Emma feels is a courtesy to say.

"You didn't," Amara replies, though her tone her slipped into aloof and regal. "Just to make it crystal clear you would stand against my grandmother?" she wants to know for definite.

"Ever since that incident I referred to before the New York Branch has been scattered to the winds so to speak. Sebastian is busy dealing with SHIELD attacks on our interests...which I suspect you are aware of."

Amara nods to confirm this.

Emma continues. "I've barely seen the others. The facts are that my alliance with Sebastian is over. I realised after everything that transpired that I needed to take a different approach to choosing my allies and conducting my business within the club. If Selene got her way she would twist it into something abhorrent so short answer to your query is yes, I stand against Selene. Question is are you prepared to stand against her?" she turns the question back on Amara.

"She may be biologically speaking my grandmother but she is the antithesis of all I stand for and believe," Amara speaks the absolute truth. "If it's possible I'll see the end of her immortal existence within my lifetime," she swears...and Amara also swears if necessary she'll be the one to end her grandmother once and for all. To finish what her hero of a grandfather and Clark's father started.

Emma chooses not to comment but simply move on. "So any other questions you two have for me?" she asks...of either of them...for appearances sake.

Manuel and Amara share a look, missing Emma's soft gleam in her eyes at the sight...because she can sense Empath manipulating the girl's emotions round to the desired way.

Amara wasn't lying. She does understand politics. The Professor's goals are noble. She's not disputing that but she hasn't felt like the place has been a good fit in months. Ever since she roughly first met Manuel actually. Emma...may not be perfect nor are the Hellions nor the Hellfire Club but is the Professor condemning the whole thing because of his previous experience with Shaw?

That's occurred to Amara and it has also occurred to her that that was a long time ago and things may indeed not be the same. That things have changed, just like Emma was saying.

This last week...she can't explain what is going on with her friends' attitude but today's actions are the final straw for her. At worst...if this doesn't work out, she can still go home...no matter that it would hurt greatly to leave Manuel but it is always an option.

If Emma is genuine that things are changing Amara feels she can give this a shot...ok, part of it is so she can stay with Manuel but that's perfectly fine. It was fine for Tarot when she joined the X-Men for basically the same reason in relation to Claire. Maybe they all need to stop being so hung up on these factions. They are all mutants after all. Ok so Amara will never buy into Magneto's crap but even he is still a fellow mutant.

Ok, ok she's delaying. Just take the leap.

"No. No, there are no more questions. If you will accept us then Manuel and I will join your Academy," Amara tells Emma.

Emma smiles warmly with a little hint of triumphalism underneath. "Then welcome aboard," she greets them. Boy she can't wait to see Charles' face when she tells him about this.

New York...

"No!" Superman laughs in disbelief. "I can't believe that happened!" he declares at Thor's story of him and the Kryptonian he met a millennium ago.

"The Son of Odin dost not speak falsehoods," Thor insists.

"But it's impossible. We can't get intoxicated," Superman argues, since the story involves that Kryptonian getting drunk and believe him Clark tried when he was doped up on red kryptonite to get drunk and he could never manage even a slight buzz from alcohol.

"Perhaps not by the weak beverages of Midgard but 'tis was Asgardian mead," Thor relays as if this explains everything.

Clark is still having a hard time believing this story...mostly out of the fact, probably, his only experiences of his people are his overbearing, arrogant prick of a father and 2 war criminals.

"Twas good times," Thor says, sounding nostalgic. They were good times. They were the times of Thor in his relative youth. He loved Midgard back then. The peoples of Scandinavia especially were after his own heart. And he grew a respect for the Kryptonian people too.

Not at first mind you. At first the one he met came off as arrogant and slightly condescending but once Thor got a few mugs of mead into him he soon loosened up as did his tongue as he spoke of his people and Thor found he would have probably liked them too. They had had an adventure or two together before the Kryptonian left Midgard for his home and Thor found that the man was noble, selfless and brave.

Thor probably appreciates it more now than he did then. He too was arrogant in his youth. So much so he was not even deemed Worthy to wield Mjolnir. He grew past that.

It saddens Thor greatly to learn of the passing of the Kryptonian race...and by their own hands. If this Zod was still around Thor would make the cur pay.

"Superman!" Volcana calls out. "Time we got going!" she kicks him in the pants to get a move on. The police had taken away the Wrecking Crew by now and they probably should get home.

"Superman?" Thor queries at the name, his blue eyes locked on the young man with an intense inquiring gaze.

Superman grimaces. "The media's doing. They saw this," he taps on his chest, on the family crest, "thought it looked like the letter S and came up with a suiting name."

Thor nods in understanding. He's been here on Midgard long enough to become familiar with its news reporting media. Frankly he thinks less than charitably about them. The one good thing about Asgard is that they don't have any such things like it.

Superman shrugs. "It's fine. They can call me what they want. I only do this so I can help people."

Thor smiles and pats the boy on the shoulder. "Noble indeed," he comments, pleased by such a remark from someone so young.

"May I ask a favour?"

Thor gestures for him to elaborate.

"I'm not ashamed of what I am and I have friends who I trust to know but I have no wish to reveal what I am or where I come from to the world at large before I'm ready to so if it's possible..."

"Your origins shall not be spoken by mine lips," Thor promises.

"Thank you."

Volcana whistles loudly. "Today!" she screeches at him.

"I'm sorry about her," Superman apologises. "Sisters. What can you do?" he snorts with a resigned shrug of his shoulders.

"Sister?" Thor inquires with a puzzled look. She was not Kryptonian like the lad. Thor could easily see that.

"Not by blood. She's human...well she's a mutant. It's a long story but yeah she is my sister."

"I understand. I too doth hast a sibling not by blood who can be...troublesome," Thor rumbles. "Thou should go if thou must...but we must meet again. I am sure thou hast many a fine story to tell."

"Not much of a storyteller," Superman says modestly, "but sure, next time we meet," he promises vaguely. Only seems fair he supposes.

"Thou art all fine young warriors," Thor addresses the 3 teenagers. "I shalt look forward to whence next we meet."

"Verily!" Spider-Man proclaims with a goofy thumbs-up.

Volcana clocks him across the back of his head. "Idiot," she snorts with a shake of her head.

"Girl of Fire. Man of Spiders," Thor gives them a respectful nod.

"Um, that's Spider-Man," he feels the need to correct.

If Thor hears him he shows no sign as he spins his hammer faster and faster above his head before launching it and himself along with it into the air and away.

"You know you never actually asked him if he is really Thor," Spider-Man points out, slightly critical.

"Well assuming he's not crazy he did just tell me a story from a thousand years ago," Superman makes the point back.

"So he's an immortal crazy person," Volcana jokes with a smirk.

Superman shakes his head. "I'll check later. There's actually some stuff labelled Asgard up in the Fortress database. I just haven't got around to reading it yet."

"Yeah, when do I get an invite round to your place?" Spider-Man wonders because some super-advanced alien icy castle at the pole is like a nerd's wet-dream...not that he has ever had any such dream. Nope. No siree. Only Kitty gets to be the subject of dreams of that nature. Scout's honour.

Superman snorts. "Like I'd ever let you near it. You'd break it," he says in jest.

"Definitely," Volcana says in agreement...though whether she's just joining in on the joke or being serious is hard to tell.

Spider-Man places the back of his hand to his forehead. "Oh woe is me. Mine friends doth mock my spirit and spear thy heart with their words of dark tidings."

Volcana rolls her eyes. He is insane. There is no other explanation. Her fire flares up and she takes to the air.

"I don't even get a goodbye," Spider-Man laments.

"She didn't fry you. That's practically a declaration of love," Superman says back, the spark of humour clear in his eyes. He gives Peter a small salute. "We should be going. Don't be a stranger."

Spider-Man returns the salute. "Will do. Don't fly too high big blue."

"I'll try," Superman says as he floats up before zipping off after his sister's flame trail.

It's not too long before the siblings are back flying over Bayville when Clark suddenly comes to a stop and hovers.

Volcana stops too. "What?"

"Someone shouting for me," he reports.

"Where?" Volcana asks.

"Actually I think this is just for me," Superman tells her as his supervision focusses in on the source. "You go on home."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Go," he insists. "You need rest and food more than I do...and you should see Mr McCoy about those bruises I know you must have."

Claire had been hiding it but yeah she was a little banged up. "Alright. If you're sure," she says, giving him one last chance to stop her.

Clark gives her a wink and zips off too fast for her to possibly follow.

"Fucking show off," she mutters at him.

It only takes Clark moments to reach a remote corner of a park and the person calling him...and she has company. He lands softly behind the girl in the veil and robes and the one with red-skin. "Hello Sooraya. You called?"

Dust spins round in surprise. "Y-yes," she stutters.

Clark takes her in...and Penance sitting next to her. "What's the matter?" he asks, his voice soft and conveying his willingness to listen to whatever troubles her.

What's the matter? Where does she start? Sooraya takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry but I just cannot continue this lie any longer."

"Lie?" Superman queries with a puzzled expression.

Sooraya knows what she has to do. What her faith demands her to do. She can't continue with Ms Frost's deception any longer. After what transpired today she had finally reached the end and she had to tell someone. In essence she needed to confess her sins. Clark had once told her that Superman would come if you called him and she believed he was a good person who could help her so she called and he came. With the strength of her faith behind her and hopefully Allah too Sooraya tells her story...she tells the truth...the whole truth, or as much as she knows of it, to Superman.

Author's Note: I just realised I could have Clark and Thor totally bond over their troublesome adopted siblings. Oh well another day. Oh Amara...shakes head sadly...how you've been deceived but I had planned to do this for awhile but with Dust about to confess to Superman Emma may not be getting the victory she thinks. Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews. Next up; No Good Deed part 6 as many truths are revealed.