Ch 16: Overflowing
In Africa, the powerful mutant Ororo, Aka Storm, who had gone back to her home country after her second home exploded and her second family disbanded, was using her powers to summon rain so her village could water and grow their crops for their annual harvest. However...in another part of the continent, an evil psychic being called the Shadow King was possessing multiple civilians while traveling to Storm's village, with evil intent and revenge on his insane mind.
Meanwhile back at the X-Mansion
As Logan and Blade were sleeping in separate rooms, Professor Xavier contacted both Blade and Logan in their dreams. "Logan. Blade." Causing the metal-boned mutant and vampire hybrid to wake up and quickly rush to Charles' bed chamber, with the door closing behind them as Emma tried to come in.
As Logan and Blade got close to Charles, they suddenly found themselves in some kind of white realm, surprising them before they saw Charles himself, who had a set of leg braces to stand up and walk without his wheelchair. "Don't be alarmed, my friends." Charles said as he held up one hand in an assuring gesture. "We're still at the Institute. This is what you might call a meeting of the minds in the astral plane. It is how I am able to communicate with the 2 of you from the future."
"It's really good to see you, Chuck." Logan said to his mentor.
"I share the feeling as well, my old friend. It's been years, but I've got to admit that I've missed everyone here." Blade said politely to the wise mutant, who reminded him so much of Van Helsing.
"And it is good to see that you have returned at last, my friend. I apologise for the events that drove you from here, we all were. And it is good that you have at last killed Deacon Frost and stopped his insane ambitions once and for all... and finally avenged everyone he has slaughtered, especially your parents and Makoto."
"Thank you, my friend. But I know you didn't call Logan and I here for socializing, did you?" Blade asked knowingly.
"Alas, you are right, Blade. I must show you both something." Charles said before showing the 2 leaders of the X-Men a vision of a destroyed Africa. "This is Africa in my time. 20 years ago, something terrible happened here."
"20 years? As in now?" Logan asked, thinking that Africa was in danger in the present time.
"It was a catastrophe so fierce that no one in the country survived." Xavier told them, informing his friends that no 1 in Africa survived the catastrophe.
"What could have done something like this?" Blade asked, wondering what catastrophe could be so powerful as to destroy an entire country.
"Not what, Blade. Who. It was Storm." Charles revealed, knowing his female mutant friend was the only one powerful enough to cause this much destruction.
Logan was dismayed and horrified at hearing this, as he knew how much Storm loved her home country and native people more than anything. "Storm? This doesn't make any sense at all. More than anything else in the world, she loves her country and her people just as she does any of us."
Both Blade and Charles agreed with Wolverine, as they knew that Storm would never destroy Africa, at least not of own free will. "I agree, Logan. I know her enough to know that she'd never willingly destroy her home country or her people. She'd sooner die before she let anything happen to Africa and its people. Something or someone must have made her do it."
"I know she would, Blade. But if you are right and something or someone made her do this, you must stop it before Storm destroys her home, its people... and herself in the process... because when this happened, Ororo could not live with what she had done and had killed herself." Charles said sadly, knowing that his friend, her country and her people were in danger unless the X-Men stopped whatever or whoever made her do it. The Professor then felt someone else was here. "I don't think we're alone, my friends." He said before bringing Logan and Blade back to the real world.
The Raccoon Daywalker and the mental boned mutant then looked at the door and saw that Emma had been eavesdropping on their conversation.
Logan was extremely pissed that Emma had used her powers to spy on them. "Why'd you just soy on us, Frost?!" He asked as he began walking up to the blonde female mutant threateningly.
"I was hoping that Charles had information on where Jean was or what became of her in the future, but I think that we're already going to bring another family member back to us... while saving her, her home country and her people in the process." Emma answered as she rolled her eyes at Logan.
But before Wolverine could tough Emma, Blade had instinctively rushed to the blonde female telepath's defense and stood in between her and Logan while brandishing his claws out while growling. "Back off, Logan!"
His mutant friend and co leader countered angrily. "She used her telepathy to read our minds and spy on us, Blade!"
The Raccoon Vampire Hunter countered back. "Maybe. But It doesn't mean it was intentional! Besides we need her."
Logan was about to counter. "The hell we..."
But his occasional friend and co-leader of the team snapped angrily as his vampire eyes glowed, showing he was being completely serious. "We're going to need Cerebro to find Storm...and only Emma can use the damn computer, you idiot! Do the math! Besides, the only reason you're pissed at Emma is because Jean dumped that bastard Cyclops, and in the process, you, for her... because unlike you or him, Emma earned Jean'saffection, and eventually, her heart and her love by showing her that she loved her for who she is and because she didn't see Jean as a piece of meat to screw around with like you...or as a thing to be owned by a possessive and obsessive fool like Cyclops. So here's my advice to you: GET THE HELL OVER IT AND MOVE ON!"
Even though he was angered at his on and off ally's choice of words...Logan had bowed his head in defeat, as he knew that the raccoon hybrid's logic was right: how the British blonde was the only telepath capable of operating Cerebro and their only hope of locating Storm before she destroyed Africa. And he could not sent that he was jealous of Emma, as she had been the one to win Jean's heart, her love and affection through showing her that the blonde mutant loved her for how she was and not seeing her as a piece of meat to screw like himself or as a thing that was to be owned like Cyclops. And he knew that Blade was right about him needing to get over it and move on, or he just may end up being just like Cyclops, which is something he didn't want to be. So, reluctantly, he calmed down and nodded before Blade retracted his claws into his knuckles.
"Go and tell the others so we can leave. I'll take Emma to Cerebro to find out which part of Africa Ororo is, so we can go." Blade told Logan, who nodded and went to gather the others.
As Blade walked with her, Emma smiled as she looked at her vampire hybrid friend. "Thank you, Blade."
"You're welcome, Emma. But know that I only defend you because it's what Jean would want and because of you helping her stop Cyclops from killing me. And besides that, I know that there is something that you want."
"All I want more than anything is to find Jean, my friend. I know that I've done bad things in the past, but Jean showed me the better part of myself and that I could love someone, which, in my mind, was her long before I even knew it. When you were here, Jean and I were secretly spending time together and when she asked me to go out with her, I accepted and during that first date, my feelings for her only grew, as did her feelings for me as we talked about so much. After the date was over, she took me back to my apartment in the city and it was when we got to my door and opened it that we shared our 1st kiss. It was so perfect that we could not help but want another kiss. So as we kissed more and more, I gently took her inside my apartment and after getting inside and locking the door, we couldn't help but give into our desire to do so much more. So Jean and I...we gave each other our bodies and...made...long and passionate love for the entire night." Emma revealed, remembering that great night that she and Jean had their 1st date, their 1st kiss and most importantly, their 1st time having wild passionate sex for the rest of the night until the morning sun showed itself. "You can't imagine the amazing pleasure and all the things we did to each other that night. It was the best night of both of our lives and after that, we began to secretly see each other more and more that Jean was going to break things off with Summers. And in the process, Logan, and make herself and I official and not just a secret affair. She was going to tell everyone eventually, but it was when Summers tried to kill you because he thought that you were nothing but a blood sucking parasite and because you would try to steal Jean from him, even though she was secretly already in love with me at the time, that was the final straw for her. So as you already know, before you left, Jean broke everything off with that bastard and began to officially be mine, and I hers and we told everyone the next day before you left. But we were all saddened by your departure for a few weeks before everything went back to normal, except for the fact that Jean and I were now officially a couple. And because of all that, Jean means more to me than anything in the entire world, as I do her. So, do not ever doubt that the only thing I want in exchange for using Cerebro is getting the woman who I love with all my heart back."
Blade didn't need to drink Emma's blood to know that everything she had said was the truth, for the serious tone of her voice and the determination in her eyes told him everything that he needed to hear. So, he raised his hand apologetically. "You speak the truth, Emma. Forgive me, my friend. I should have never doubted you or your love for Jean." He said before they entered the Cerebro chamber.
"Don't worry, Blade. I don't blame you for being suspicious of me, but, in the future, I hope that someday, you will be able to find someone to love, just as I love Jean and just as your vampire sisters love 1 another." Emma said with a forgiving smile.
"I doubt that I will ever find that, Emma. I've lost too many loved ones in my lifetime already, I don't need to lose any more." Blade said with doubt as Emma put on the helmet and quickly found the part of Africa that Ororo was in.
"I've found her, Blade." Emma said as she took the helmet off.
"Good. Let's go." Blade said before they left the chamber to prepare to leave.
Meanwhile
Kitty, who had been informed by Logan, went to Selene and Amelia's room and had knocked on their door. "Ms Selene. Ms Amelia, I gotta tell you guys something."
"Is anyone else with you, Kitty?" Selene asked from the other side of the door.
"No, it's just me." Kitty said with a raised eyebrow.
"Then come in and close the door behind you." Amelia said, making Kitty confused before she quickly opened the door, entered the room and closed the door behind her... before seeing Selene and Amelia on their bed, covering themselves before Kitty saw that her new friends' clothes were on the floor.
"Did you guys... have sex last night?" Kitty asked with a blush as the sight of their clothes and the scent of sex in the room confirmed what she had asked her vampire friends.
"We did, Kitty. It's been a while since Amelia and I have had some fun. So we decided to make up for some... private fun time." Selene said with a grin before getting up with Amelia, revealing their naked bodies to the young mutant. "And there's no need to be so about seeing us naked."
"Yes. After all, Kitty, you have all the same things as we have. And only a few of our old friends have occasionally seen Selene and I completely naked, who were all other women by the way. But don't worry, we won't do this to you anymore, it was only a 1 time thing." Amelia said while they rubbed Kitty's hair gently, making her blush deepen.
"Oh...um…thanks for telling me, I guess." Kitty said with surprise before getting over it. "Anyway, I came to tell you guys that another X-Men, our friend Ororo. Aka Storm is in Africa and in great danger...from something evil... and herself, and so is her home country and her people. We gotta get there quickly if we wanna save her."
Selene and Amelia saw the seriousness in their friend's eyes and quickly nodded before getting dressed, with Kitty turning around and going out of the room with Selene and Amelia as soon as they were fully dressed and armed. "Kitty, please do us a big favor and don't tell anyone else about what just happened, will you?" The former elder asked while tapping Kitty's shoulder.
"Yes. We prefer to keep what happens between Amelia and I behind closed doors private." Selene added after her lover.
"You guys don't need to tell me twice. Just don't ever ask me to come into your room while you're both naked again, okay?" Kitty asked.
"Promise." The lovers said at the same time.
Once everyone, Bobby, Hank and everyone else were gathered and entered the hanger, they saw Forge, who had just finished putting the final touches to the newly rebuilt and fully repaired X-Jet.
Amelia stated while whistling at the sight. "Damn...nice jet."
Selene added while agreeing with her lover. "This plane actually belongs to you and your team Logan?"
Wolverine asked while chuckling, along with his fellow X-Men. "Like what you and Amelia see, Selene?"
Hank replied while going over the jet's functions. "It travels at Mach 2 speed, has a start of the art communications systems and cloaking function, which is perfect for stealth missions and quick escapes."
Forge asked his friends and teammates. "Where are you guys headed?"
Kitty would answer truthfully. "Africa. Storm's in trouble and we need to get there in a hurry."
After hearing that Storm was in danger, their resident mechanic stated. "Good luck. Bring Storm home safe."
Blade stated while placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "That's the plan Forge."
Before they departed the hangar, Forge would state. "Try to go easy on the throttle. I was able to fix it, but there's a small chance it'll die out at max speed."
Wolverine stated while nodding in understanding. "All right. Thanks for the heads up Forge. We'll be back in no time." Before mischievously scratching the jet with his claws. Once the team was on board, Blade and Wolverine had sat behind the controls in the cockpit and piloted the X-Jet straight for Africa.
Meanwhile at Storm's village
Storm's people were hosting a celebration while thanking their weather goddess for making their harvest possible with her powers. Sadly, however...the celebration was short-lived, as the Shadow King, who had used Ororo for his own personal gain in the past and still would have if Charles had not fought him off and, in the process, saved Ororo and destroyed the Shadow King's body, had possessed Storm once the host he was secretly possessing had shook her hand and immediately manipulated her into using her powers to destroy her village while her tribe's people ran in terror, as he'd planned to make Ororo suffer by making her destroy her country and eventually cause her to commit suicide out of guilt.
Fortunately however, that was when the X-Jet had just arrived...and both Blade and Logan, along with the rest of their team stared horrified as they witnessed Storm destroying her own village with her powers. After they had successfully landed the X-Jet while avoiding the thunderbolts/lightning strikes Storm had fired in their direction, Logan shouted out at his old friend. "Storm! Storm, you have to stop!"
But Storm only cried out in agony, as she didn't hear her old friend. "I need to put out these fires! I can't let the fires spread!"
Blade shouted as well. "Ororo! You need to listen to us! There is no fire! Someone is manipulating you into destroying your entire country!"
Sadly, their pleas had fallen on deaf ears as Storm continued to scream in agony while creating strong gusts of wind that knocked Bobby and Kitty off balance and falling onto the hard soil! Kitty would cry out to her friend. "Storm! Ororo, please! You need to stop!"
Bobby stated while using his powers to create a wall of ice to protect him and Kitty from another gust of wind. "I don't think Storm can even hear us!"
Selene called out as she knew that Iceman was right, especially as she noticed how black the pupils of Storm's eyes were. "I think you may be right, Bobby. Look at her eyes!"
The moment everyone saw what the former Death Dealer was talking about, Emma stated as she realized what was wrong. "Of course! Storm must be being controlled by someone or something with a powerful psychic hold over her!"
Amelia asked while she and Selene shattered the shards of ice and hail that Storm unleashed down upon them and their friends. "Well, how do we get through to her?"
Emma replied. "Selene, can you and Amelia keep me, Blade and Logan covered? I need to get in close so I can free Storm from whatever or whoever is controlling her!"
Selene answered with her lover nodding in agreement. "We'll keep you covered Emma. Just make it fast though. Amelia and I are almost out of ammo!"
As the two vampiress lovers continued to provide cover fire for their friends/temporary teammates, Emma had used her powers to coat her body in her diamond firm while Blade and Logan slashed away at the shards of ice and hail.
Once they were close enough, the two on and off again allies had used their combined strength to toss Emma right towards Storm, who tackled her to the ground and used her psychic powers to enter her mind...only to be kicked out by Shadow King!
"Frost, what's happening to her?" Logan asked.
Emma then answered. "It's the Shadow King! He's come back to make Ororo suffer by manipulating her to destroy all of Africa!"
Once she told Logan that it was Shadow King who was controlling Storm, they began working together to help Ororo break free from the now demonic entity's hold over her...by convincing Ororo that it was the Shadow King that was making her destroy her village. It seemed to work but she needed a final push. "Ororo, my old friend, fight him! He's making you see what he wants you to see, and he's making you see nothing but a lie!"
That was the final push Storm needed as her eyes turned back to normal and she saw what was really happening.
Shortly after Ororo had fainted from using her powers to put out the fires she had created, Logan caught her in his arms. "It's over, Shadow King! You've used her up. Her strength is gone!"
"Then it will be you who will be the 1 who finishes her!" Shadow King declared before he attempted to possess Logan…only for Emma to tackle him out and duel him in their spiritual forms.
Emma started out losing the fight, due to Shadow King being stronger than her...but he was becoming weaker by the second as he needed a host's body to survive, which Storm had warned them about when she regained consciousness. The cowardly demon then attempted to possess Blade, as he felt something very powerful inside of the Raccoon Daywalker...only to cry out in pain, as the Daywalker's katana had harmed his ghostly form much to his great surprise, as he had used his Phantom Moon technique on him!
After Emma had recovered and caught her second wind, she had defeated Shadow King by cleaving him in half with a spiritual axe she had magically summoned. Once Shadow King was defeated, Emma had gotten back to her body, which Logan and Blade had been protecting. After that, Logan then had given Emma an approving smile and nod: his way of telling the blonde she had done alright and she returned the smile in return.
Later on, back at the X-Mansion
Ororo had decided to return once she'd been told that Charles had been found and was resting at the Mansion. Her people had understood her decision and would begin to rebuild the village like they had done before in the past, as everything they needed was in the jungle.
She was even more surprised about seeing that Blade had at last returned and he'd introduced his old friend to Selene and Amelia and had told the female mutant about them, especially that they were vampires and how he had considered them family despite being what they were. After being informed of everything that had happened on the flight back, Ororo had changed into her american clothing and headed to see Charles with Blade and Wolverine.
"It is difficult seeing him like this." Ororo said sadly while looking at Charles' comatose body.
"Yeah. But it helps knowing that he will wake up one day." Logan said, wanting to comfort his saddened friend.
"Then we must ensure that when he does, it is a future worth living in." Storm told her metal boned friend, wanting to ensure that the future was worth living in for her teacher/Mentor and savior.
"So... you're staying?" Blade asked.
"My place is here, with my family." Ororo told her hybrid friend, knowing that her place was at the Mansion with the X-Men. "And what about you, Blade? What will you do now?"
"I'm not leaving, Ororo. I know that I've sworn to kill every vampire who feeds on the innocent, but Charles said that where I'm most needed now is here, along with Selene and Amelia. So, until that horrible future is prevented and Jean has been brought back to her home... and Emma, everyone here will have to get used to having 3 vampires around this place." Blade assured his old friend, making her smile as she hugged him.
"That's good, Blade. Everyone has long since missed you when you departed years ago and we were all hoping that you would 1 day return. And as for Selene and Amelia, we'll make absolutely sure that they and you feel like you finally have a home here. I promise, my old friend." Ororo vowed, glad that her old friend had chosen to stay and that she and the others would do their absolute best to make the 3 vampires feel at home in the X-Mansion.
There you go, my dear friends, the Overflow chapter is complete. Next will be the Thieves Gambit episode, with Blade and Wolverine fighting to get something important back from a certain Mutant/Thief. Rate and review. See you next time, my dear friends.