Controlled Chaos Forger of Worlds

Chapter 10

Harry spread his arms wide with his eyes closed as blue light shone from the ocean below. Slowly, New Haven began to rise from the water as it was teleported from one location to another.

As the glow faded, Harry flicked his fingers; the water rippled as he moved the totems he had created to encompass the three islands.

The fog thinned as it now covered more space and only reached a mile away from the landmasses, but it would do its job until he had more time to create more.

He watched as Jani and Gaia passed each other through the air.

"Are you ready to go?" Jani asked as she drew closer.

"Yeah, thanks for going with me. Do you want to get coffee on the way?"

Jani glanced away, "Sure."

Wrapping his arm around her waist, Harry relaxed as her scent drifted over him.

The air warped as the two disappeared, unaware of the Emerald eyes watching them.

–XX –

Harry moved down the sidewalk, coffee clutched in one hand.

"So, how are things at the schools going?"

"Well, over the last year, the 200 souls collected from the Black Estate have been brought back to life. Most of them have filled niches on the island. Others work at the plants we've created, and a few commute to other jobs off the island."

"Has the population of the island increased?"

"Slowly, we are mostly getting those who can't blend into normal society and none from the states."

"Not surprising since America has Charles Xavier and Magneto as their mutant advocates. We are unknown here," he gestured around, but hopefully, after today, that will change."

Together, they weaved through the crowd, and Jani noticed for the first time that everyone around them looked away, their eyes glazing over.

"Are you doing that?" She asked, nodding to the closest individual as they stepped onto the path to Central Park.

"Yeah, I can't exactly blend in anymore, so I'm having everyone ignore our uniqueness."

Leaves floated through the air as they walked down the curved paths of Central Park.

"It's so different here than back home. Back home, everyone takes the extras of a person as normal."

"Our founding members were aliens, mutants, and magic users; being an eccentric is almost a requirement to be part of the island."

Rounding a corner, they stopped and looked over a large circular area covered with manicured grass.

"Do you really think Xavier and Magneto will become part of our nation?"

Harry raised an eyebrow, "I think it's a little presumptuous to call us a nation. I mean, we're only three islands."

Jani shook her head, "Yes, but those islands have a lot of people."

Harry glanced up at the sky, "To answer your question, I think we have a pretty good chance of convincing Magneto."

"Did you really bring his daughter forward in time?"

"Yeah, I couldn't save her in the past, or it would've changed the timeline."

"Amelia will want to talk to you about returning her husband."

"I know, but his case is slightly different. I would have to take Amelia back into the past with me and have her collect his soul; we would then bring it forward through time and use Haven's technology to resurrect him."

"She would do that in a heartbeat."

"She would, but right now, we need to stabilize things before I take another trip through time."

Jani narrowed her eyes, "Why? It's time travel."

"Resurrecting her husband would distract her, and right now, we can't afford that."

Jani shook her head, "That's cold, and she will not allow you to postpone something like this."

"You're probably right, but we will discuss this later; they're here."

Jani turned, pushing away the discomfort in her heart as she eyed the two men approaching them.

One was 6 foot and bald. His blue eyes were locked on them. There were slight wrinkles at the corners of his eyes as he tried to probe their minds but failed.

As they approached, he folded his arms behind his back, pulling his green blazer open to reveal the black turtleneck beneath. According to mainstream media, this was Charles Xavier, the foremost human expert on mutant genetics.

The second man was 6'2" tall, wearing a skintight red suit that showed off his muscular frame. A Helmet sat atop his head, a few silver-colored hairs poking out from the opening that framed his face. His purple Cape fluttered behind him as blue-gray eyes stared coldly at them from a face lined by pain.

This man was Max Eisenhardt, also known as Eric Lancaster, better known as Magneto. He was a man whose life had been touched by war, a survivor of concentration camps, and a leader of the first mutant nation, Genosha.

A slight movement brought her out of her observations.

She turned, watching as another bench rose from the grass.

The two stopped before them, and the metal of the bench they were sitting on rose to wrap around them, only to be blocked by a pale blue barrier just off their skin.

Harry raised an eyebrow, "That's not very nice."

Charles leaned forward, wrinkles appearing on his four head as he frowned, "You've been probing me with telepathic messages for a week."

"If I would have come to your home and ask you to meet me, would either one of you have done so?"

Harry and Jani winced as they felt a powerful probe in their minds.

"I guess that answers that question."

"What are you? While I can't get into your minds, I can tell they're different from humans."

The earth beneath the bench they were sitting on broke free and lifted into the air.

As one, Harry and Jani stood up, floating in the air.

"I am a mutant who has evolved past mortal limits," Harry gestured to Jani, "she is a mutant alien from another multiverse."

"Enough of these games," Magneto rose into the air, electricity dancing over his body, "Tell us why we are here."

"I have worked with those genetically different from humans to create an island where we can live; I would like the people of Genosha to join us. If you agree, I will teleport Genosha to the others."

"So why do you need us?" Xavier asked from his spot on the ground.

"Because the two of you have the trust of the world's mutants."

"I suppose you are the ruler of this island?" Magneto challenged.

"Not even a little; I just like to create, thanks, a Council representing each faction that lives on the island decides the rules; I'm only there to keep infighting in check. As long as everything remains peaceful, I won't get involved."

Magneto looked at Charles.

The bald man placed two fingers on each temple, his eyes closed in concentration, "While I can't read their minds," he began slowly, "I can feel their intent…"

Harry leaned over to Jani, "His mind is more powerful than I thought if he can get that through our mental shields."

Jani nodded slowly; her eyes locked on the two men.

"They mean neither the mutants; we represent any harm as long as we don't attack or endanger their home and the people there."

Magneto turned back to the two floating before him, "Fine, show us this home of yours."

Harry turned to Jani, "His helmet may make his thoughts fuzzy, but by his tone of voice, I can tell he thinks Genosha is better than New Haven."

Jani snorted, and Harry turned back to the two men, his Emerald eyes glowing with blue-white power, "Be warned, despite your influence on the mutants of the world, if you endanger the people living in New Haven, you will not leave their alive."

Magneto nodded, approval crossing his face, "Good, at least I know you will defend your people."

Charles stepped forward, "I give you my word: as long as we're not attacked, I will harm no one."

"Agreed," Magneto said with a sharp nod.

The quartet vanished in a blue flash.

–XX –

Three hours later, Harry and Jani led Charles Xavier and Magneto to the science Citadel.

"Your island is very impressive," Charles Xavier was saying before being cut off by Eisenhardt.

"But what I don't understand is if you control most of Europe's power, why not use that to make them obey you?"

Harry waved his hand, "I care nothing for world domination besides those businesses offering jobs to mutants, magical or other undesirable superhumans."

"All we want," Jani continued, "is for mutants to have a place where they can live a normal life away from persecution."

Magneto snorted, "Humanity will never accept this. They would either use us or despise us for what we are."

"You are right. There will always be those in humanity who push the seeds of hate. We have resurrection protocols for the dead and a dedicated defense force to defend the island. Unfortunately, we need more superhumans for other pseudo-government positions. Hopefully, that problem will be solved in the next few days."

Xavier shook his head, "Even if our people did want to move to one of your islands, it would take more than a few days to get everything ready."

Stopping before the door to Andromeda's lab, Harry knocked before turning to Xavier.

"That is not what I mean; new forces have entered the universe, changing Earth forever. In the next few days, at least one parent of a mutant will awaken their latent X gene."

"How do you know this?" Xavier asked as the door to Andromeda's lab hissed open, and they stepped inside.

"Once you reach a high enough state of being, you can sense the world around you."

Andromeda snorted.

"You said something about a resurrection protocol," Magneto began, his blue-gray eyes scanning the room.

"I did."

"How does that work?"

"Through magic and science, our Valkyrie team will collect the souls of dead or dying superhumans, and then they place them in containment until their bodies can be restored."

"Only Mutants?" Magneto asked.

"Typically, yes, but under the right circumstances, we can bring back others," Harry turned to Andromeda, "How is she?"

"Anya Eisenhardt is a perfectly healthy little girl."

Magneto's head snapped up as Andromeda pressed a button on the wall, and a tank rose from the floor. Inside the tank floated Anya Eisenhardt.

"Anya," Magneto breathed, stepping closer to the tank, "How is this possible?"

"Someone went back in time and rescued your daughter that night just as fire exploded out the window. To preserve the timeline, they left a decoy of her body."

Magneto spun, his Cape slapping against the tank, "Is this some ploy to get me to work with you?"

Harry shook his head, "No, this is to show you what can be accomplished when those with abilities work together," he turned to Andromeda, "Can you remove her from the tank, please."

Tapping a few buttons on a nearby keyboard, water began to drain from the tank, and compressed air shot out from around the glass as it slid into a recess at the bottom.

Despite himself, Max Eisenhardt moved forward to catch his daughter as the electrodes and breathing mask came free; he turned to Charles, "Do what you can. See if this is really my daughter."

Charles stepped forward and placed a hand on her head. After a moment, he opened his eyes, "From a memory standpoint, this is your daughter, but I would have to have her checked over by someone to see if there are any suspicious genetic markers."

Harry flicked his hand, and a pale blue oval-shaped portal opened beside the two men.

"You are free to go; I have given you my pitch and will await your response."

Andromeda stepped forward with a bag in her hands, "Here are the clothes she was wearing when she was brought in; I hope this helps confirm her identity."

Cradling his daughter in his arms, Max Eisenhardt stepped toward the portal. Just before he went inside, he turned to Harry, "If this is some kind of trick, I will reduce this island to ash."

"It's not," Harry's eyes began to glow, "and you won't."

"You have given us a lot to think about," Xavier said before he followed Magneto, "we will be in touch."

As the portal closed, Jani turned to Harry, "Why didn't you tell them you were the one that rescued Magneto's daughter?"

"They know I am powerful, but not to what extent I want to keep it that way. Besides," Harry turned to leave, "this island is more than just me."

Andromeda watched him go before shaking her head, "Despite my suspicions, he really didn't change that much in the year he was gone."

Jani bit her lip as the door hissed closed, conflict shining in her eyes.

Suddenly, an alarm began blaring throughout the room, and the walls were painted red by a flashing light.

Harry came rushing back into the room, one hand clamped to his head, "Widespread mutations are happening everywhere, but they're mostly isolated in America."

Holographic screens blinked to life around the room, showing people collapsed in the street, black veins pressing against their skin as their bodies changed.

"I would need to get a sample," Andromeda began typing fast on her keyboard, "but it appears to be some kind of contagion."

The light cut off, and Harry turned to Jani, "Call the Council; we need to do something about this."

"Why?"

"Because regardless of who did this, we're going to get blamed for it."

"No one even knows we exist."

"I think what he means," Andromeda cut in, "is mutants, magic users, or other undesirable superhumans."

Harry's head snapped around, "Someone is trying to enter the protective mist around the island."

In a blue flash, he was gone.