True Lies
Chapter 38: Lost in Paradise
By: Michelle2
Note:
True Lies is the third part of my trilogy. Part 1: The Truth Hurts. Part 2: Sweet Little Lies.
As always: I don't own the characters or make money off my fanfics. I enjoy having fun.
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Lord Magnus' Palace
Talia woke up to a quiet room. Her mother was not there, but her brothers were sleeping on a lounge chair in the corner. No one could tell her what to do, or where to go, so she crawled out of bed and onto the floor.
Slowly, she inched her way to her brothers. They were not as fun when they were sleeping. She climbed on the lounge chair, but neither one of them moved. Her tail twitched mischievously behind her, and she yelled, "BOO!?
William jumped, and Thomas took off running. Talia laughed. 'I got you. I got you."
William placed his hand over his heart. His little sister did get him good. "You're so sneaky."
"You jumped. It was funny," Talia said. "Boo! And you jumped."
Thomas scooped her up in his arms. "I got you now."
Talia squealed as they tickled her.
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"Lord Magnus, I assure you I am working on the security for the celebration of Genosha's Independence," Agent Kurt Darkhölme explained as he walked alongside Lord Magnus in the garden. "I am just waiting to hear back from—"
"You worry too much," Lord Magnus replied. "This is supposed to be celebration. I don't want to have guests intimidated by Sentinels and dozens of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents."
"Lord Magnus."
"Kurt, I have known your mother and father since they helped me establish peace on the Island, and I knew you when you were just an awkward teenager applying to be a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent," Lord Magnus said. "And call me Magnus. As for the security, I know how to defend myself. Plus I could use the challenge."
"Lord…Magnus, there are going to be more humans at this party than we've had before," Kurt argued. "And from recent updates, three individuals have been apprehended in connection with the airport explosion earlier this week."
"Kurt, you are only telling me my agents know how to do their jobs," Lord Magnus paused. "I want security to be at a minimum. I want to feel like they aren't there."
Kurt nodded. "Yes, Sir. I will call Agent Howlett and inform him of your requests."
"Good, now…my grandchildren…"
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Back on the Genoshan S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier
Mystique examined her patched skin. The Regeneration Cradle's technology did wonders for injuries. Too bad it was something limited to particular individuals.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Hank took off his glasses and wiped off the smidges.
Logan smirked. "Maybe for you all."
Hank placed his glasses back on. Logan could tell the man was having trouble adjusting to waking up to a body that wasn't blue and furry. "Your ability to heal is impressive, but I can imagine it has its drawbacks."
"No kidding," Logan replied. "So how was it waking up?"
"Apparently I went to confront Director Forst about allowing you, or Agent Howlett as you go by here, that I did not give you clearance for missions," Hank explained. "My inquiry was met by a taser-effective, but not sure the best way to wake us all up from this nightmare scenario."
"Nightmare is certainly a good word for it."
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Lord Magnus' Palace
Laying beneath the covers, Pietro stared up at the ceiling. Beside him was his wife Crystal, her back to him. In the other room, his daughter took a nap. This was all worth it.
He traced his fingers down his wife's back. "Pietro," she whispered. "You know what that does to me."
"I do."
He pulled her to him. He enjoyed the way she felt. The scent of her hair. The way she gave into his desires. The way she called his name.
When their love making ended, she snuggled back into the covers, falling asleep beside him. If he had his way, he would never leave the bed.
Wanda had what she wanted, and so did he. Yes, this was worth it. Completely worth it.
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"I'm hungry," Talia said as she followed her brothers around the palace.
Their latest game involved sneaking out of the bedroom and exploring all the rooms in the palace. So far, they terrorized the servants by switching around the content of their carts.
Then, they were caught. They were eyed up from their hiding places, and their giggling got in the way.
"I'm hungry," Talia repeated.
"Alright, let's check out the kitchen," William replied.
In a flash, Thomas left and returned. "They are making cookies and cakes."
Talia's face beamed. "Vith chocolate and sprinkles?"
"And sugar roses!"
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Wanda stood in front of the bathroom mirror. She could hear her children's laughter echoing the palace. Such sweet sounds they made.
You need to stop this, Wanda.
"Silence."
You know this is not right.
"Leave," Wanda looked into the mirror. She was happy, wasn't she? She had everything she wanted, didn't she?'
Then why do you feel so guilty?
Wanda remained firm. The happy woman that reflected back at her melted into a woman worn down from her own deception. "Stop it."
They didn't reply.
"Stop it."
They were silent.
"Stop it!" Wanda slammed her fist into the mirror. The mirror cracked, distorting her image. "Stop it."
The blood rolled down her arm, and when she looked at her hand, she noticed the gash. Instantly, she turned on the water to wash her wound in the sink, but her black hands hid the gash. She couldn't see how deep the wound went, but her hand throbbed in pain.
The tears rolled down her cheeks in an uncontrollable wave. Why? Why was this happening to her?
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Remy stood in front of the mirror in the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier. He hardly recognized himself. He was never one to be clean-shaven or neatly groomed like Cyclops, but he looked like a pirate.
"Well, I no longa smell like a bar," Emil exclaimed in a S.H.I.E.L.D. uniform. "Check it out. Ima cop!"
Remy smirked. "Why didn't ya tell me I look like Jean-Luc?"
"It's more fun ta laugh at ya behind ya back," Emil replied. "Rogue said ya look like de guy off Princess Bride."
"Hand me de razor," Remy replied.
Emil sat down and logged onto his laptop. He wasn't letting it out of his sight.
As Remy shaved, he noticed the ring on his finger. He spent months trying to rid himself of that thing, but now it was back. Even Rogue's strange explanation of what was going on didn't help ease his confusion.
"Do I look better?" Remy asked.
Emil looked up from his laptop. "Ya still look like ya got ya ass kicked by ya girlfriend."
"Sorry 'bout de card, homme."
"It's all good," Emil smiled. "I hit ya in de head wit a bottle and tased BellaDonna."
"I wouldn't brag about de last part if ya wanna live," Remy replied. He fanned out his hand and concentrated on the ring.
Emil watched as Remy blew the ring off his finger. "Dat's awesome how ya do dat."
"I can do a lot more dan dat," Remy smirked. He didn't use his powers when he visited that Christmas. He and Rogue didn't do any demonstrations or talk about their mutant powers. It felt nice not to feel like a freak of nature or be called a mutie. "We betta git goin'."
Remy and Emil walked out of the locker room only to find BellaDonna pissed. Like them, she had changed into a S.H.I.E.L.D. uniform, and she didn't like it.
"I agreed ta hear what ya friends had ta say," BellaDonna griped. "I didn't agree ta wait all day."
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All he wanted to do was stay in bed all day, but there was something about being a twin that pulled him away from his life. Pietro sat up, sped his way around the room and emerged like he hadn't been enjoying a lazy afternoon with his wife. Instead, he was a prince of Genosha, and no one could touch him.
But Wanda…something was wrong with Wanda. What would have taking hours for anyone else took seconds for him to find her. She was hastily wrapping her hand up.
"What happened?" Pietro asked.
Her hands were covered with blood, but when he unwrapped her hand to take a closer look, she didn't have a wound.
"It was nothing I couldn't take care of myself," Wanda replied. "I just had a bad reaction. Forgot a quick healing spell could solve the issue."
She could do that, and so much more…but not everything was a quick little spell. "Why are your hands black?" he asked. That was something she couldn't fix.
Wanda sighed. She knew he wasn't going to let her get off that easily. "I'm just feeling a little drained, that's all." She smiled. "It's nothing."
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Talia licked the wrapper of her third cupcake and burped. "Cuse me."
William and Thomas only laughed. She enjoyed being with them. At her mutti's house, she got to play with the big kids, and they liked to play with her. Sure, Jubilee and Kitty could be fun, but they liked to talk about boys and play on their phones.
"What do you want to do next?" William asked.
Thomas shrugged. "We haven't bothered Aunt Lorna in a while."
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"Mystique was finishing up with Hank. Gambit and his 'crew' are cleaning up," Logan folded his arms as he met with Scott one-on-one. "I thought by now you would have woken more X-men up."
"That was the goal," Scott replied. "But it hasn't been that simple. It's like we're scattered. I don't even know where Alex is. Bishop looked up a few names we recognize, but everyone we wake up is lost. Their last memories are of the red light, and then they cannot tell us what they've been doing here."
"That doesn't make sense," Logan replied.
Scott shook his head. "You should have heard Hank's explanation when we woke him up."
"I can only imagine," Logan replied. "He doesn't believe in the tasing method, and he has a point. What does Emma think about it?"
"She's just as confused as I am, and without the Professor…"
"We'll find him."
"I hope you are right, Logan."
"Speaking of Emma, where is she?" Logan asked.
"Apparently, she's Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. in Genosha. We make a little progress, and she is interrupted about security and party guests," Scott explained. "A few of the names, I recognize. They are Avengers. Apparently, 'Lord Magnus' is having a party."
Logan grunted. "Lord Magnus. Someone thinks he's high and mighty."
"He always did," Scott replied. "You figured out what Gambit, his ex, and cousin are doing here."
"Mystique and I have a theory."
"You think they are going to cooperate?" Scott asked.
"We know Gambit will. Lapin has so far, but we're not sure about BellaDonna," Logan replied. "Putting thieves and assassins together is like trying mix oil and vinegar."
"Emma secured the room Rogue asked for; she should be there now. It's got the tech Emil Lapin would need to hopefully shed some light on what they were doing with a drone and taking images of 'Lord Magnus' Palace. Augustus is supposed to help the extraction team bring in some of the contents from the suite for Gambit to analyze. We'll talk about the weapons you and Mystique found; I want to see these things for myself."
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Talia, William, and Thomas hid in the closet, while Lorna frantically searched for her cell phone.
"Whoever took my phone is dead meat," Lorna fussed.
As amusing it was to watch her panic, the metal objects shaking throughout the room signaled time to give up the game.
The closet doors flung open, and William and Thomas hid in the clothes leaving a seemingly innocent Talia to greet their aunt. "Hi Aunt Lorna!"
"Hi T.J.," Lorna replied. Her tone was softer, but she wasn't amused. "My phone."
Talia handed her the cell phone. "William did it."
"William did what?"
The boys snuck deeper into the closet.
"Thomas too!"
"Did what?" Lorna scrolled frantically through her phone. "Who did you all send these pictures to?"
"Your boyfriend." Talia smiled. "William and Thomas sent pictures and emojis with hearts and kisses."
"Out! Out! Out!" Lorna hollered.
Talia ran out the closet followed by Willima and Thomas. They giggled as they exited the room, leaving an embarrassed Lorna staring at a cell phone.
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Wanda flexed out her hand. It didn't hurt anymore. Perhaps, she just had a momentary lapse.
"You sure you are alright?" Pietro asked.
"I'm fine," Wanda replied. She stared at the broken mirror and then looked down at her hands. A red glow illuminated them, and she concentrated on the broken shards.
Pietro watched as one-by-one the mirror shards lined in place. At first, their distorted images reflected back at them. Then, slowly the cracks fused, leaving a picture perfect image of them.
"Wanda."
"Yes." She stared at the mirror, but never smiled.
"Are you happy?"
"Yes, I have all I ever need," she said. She turned to him. Her eyes seemed empty and dark. "And you? Are you happy?"
Pietro thought about his day. He spent the morning playing games with this daughter, and he spent the afternoon making love to his wife. "I am."
Wanda smiled. All this was possible because of her.
"But what about them?"
"What about them?"
"Their happiness?"
Wanda smiled. "Our happiness is all that matters."
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"Is that box full of notebooks?" Rogue asked as a semi-familiar blonde haired man walked in the room. She felt powerful, demanding and directing everyone and everything into the right place.
"Um, let me see," the man replied. He balanced the box in his arm and peeked under the flap. "Yeah, there's a few notebooks in here."
"Great," Rogue took the box from him, placing it on a table.
"I'm Augustus by the way," he smiled and stepped towards her. "It's nice to officially meet you, Rogue."
Rogue was caught off guard. She didn't remember introducing herself to him, but then again, she remembered meeting him earlier when they found Emil. He was the "amateur" Emil tied up. "Oh, hi. Sorry, I've been distracted. I remember seeing you, but you're right. We haven't officially met. How'd you know my name?"
"Your mom," Augustus replied. "She…It's finally nice to actually meet you."
Rogue sighed. Yes, of course this had her mother written all over it.
"So I see you have finally met," Mystique's voice made Rogue uncomfortable. Why did her mother have to be there now?
"Yeah, we met," Augustus replied, but he didn't seem as amused. "I should go. That Emma Frost woman wants us to meet a few doors down. She's not someone I want to piss off."
Rogue wanted to beg him to stay, but that would be what her mother wanted. "Hello Mystique."
"You don't have any kind words for your mother," Mystique said.
Rogue wasn't sure what to say. She didn't speak to her after Remy woke up or when they traveled back to the Helicarrier. If anything, Rogue did her best to avoid her. Yet now, trapped in her presence, she had to say something. "How's your wound?"
Mystique traced her abdomen where BellaDonna's bullet hit her. "Good as new. S.H.I.E.L.D. seems to have the latest state of the art healing technology."
"I'm sure Logan wouldn't agree," Rogue replied.
"No, I'm sure he'd have something to grump about."
Rogue wanted to smile at that comment.
"You know," Mystique said walking forward. "Augustus is single."
Rogue rolled her eyes. "Really Mother!"
"Come now, Rogue," Mystique said. Didn't she pick up on the clues that she crossed a line? Apparently not. "Where do you think your little relationship with Remy is going?"
"That's none of your business."
"Rogue."
"You're unbelievable. You know that." Rogue steamed. "We're trapped in what could be considered hell and you have an agenda."
Mystique was calm in her response. "I only want what is best for you, Rogue."
"Then let me live my own life," Rogue replied.
She stormed off to the meeting with the others. Why did her mother have to be so damn difficult to deal with?
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Talia, William, and Thomas ran down the hallways of the palace until they snuck into another room. They peeked out the door, wondering if anyone was following them.
"I see the three of you are causing a bit of mischief."
The three turned around, seeing Magneto sitting in a chair in front of the chess board. He was alone in his study with no one to challenge him.
"Hi Grandfather," William said.
"We were just coming here to see you," Thomas added.
"Your mother and uncle were teenagers once," Magneto said. "There is something about the way they spoke innocently that suggested otherwise."
William smiled. "How would you know?"
Magneto didn't flinch, but then again, he didn't remember like he was supposed to. "You boys ever play chess."
Thomas studied the pristine board. "I don't know how to play."
"Neither do I."
"I do!" Talia beamed.
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Wolverine leaned against the wall. Half the team had arrived in the room. Cyclops and the White Queen stood up front, while Bishop, Iceman, and Northstar stayed at the computers, yet turned to face the leaders. Augustus, who mentioned calling himself Pulse to protect his thieving identity entered the room, but awkwardly sat alone as the oddball in the group.
"Bishop, you have the monitors ready for briefing?" Cyclops asked.
"I got them ready," Bishop grumbled.
The room was tense, but then again, why shouldn't it be?
Rogue's abrupt entrance followed by Mystique didn't help matters. Rogue sat down, and Mystique joined his side.
"She's impossible," Mystique said.
"Told you not to push," Wolverine reminded her. It didn't matter what he said. She was too damn stubborn to listen.
When Hank entered the room, Belladonna and Emil Lapin followed him. But it was Gambit who made the entrance.
"Everyone can relax," Gambit said as the caboose. "Gambit has returned."
" Can the ego, Cajun."
Rogue smiled briefly as her lover joined her side.
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Wanda ran her fingers through her hair as Pietro followed her out the bathroom and into her bedroom.
"Are you sure you are alright, Wanda?"
"Pietro, you worry too much."
"You are my little sister."
"By two minutes."
Wanda paused, looking around the empty room. She was sure they were here sleeping soundly. Yet, Talia wasn't in the bed, and the boys weren't in the lounge. She didn't hear them laughing. It was way too quiet.
"What's wrong?" Pietro asked, joining her side.
"My children," Wanda said, her voice shaking. "Where are my children?"
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Talia sat down across from Magneto. "I can play!" She looked at the board. It was just like the one they had at the mansion.
"Do you know how?" Magneto challenged.
William and Thomas looked at each other and then at Talia. Her five-year-old confidence dominated the room.
"Ja," Talia replied. "The pawns go first. The Bishop goes diagonal. The Rook goes up or down or left or right. The Knight makes an L. The King moves one square. The Queen goes wherever she wants."
"Very good," Magneto replied. "You are very smart. Your mother taught you how to play?"
"Nein." Talia replied. She moved her first pawn forward two spaces. "Professor Xavier."
Magneto paled. William and Thomas watched as panic washed over him. "Xavier."
"Ja," Talia said. She waited for his move but didn't understand why he didn't. "He taught me how. We play games, and we talk in our heads."
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Cyclops scanned the room. His X-men lineup was promising, but the confusion in their eyes was overwhelming. Even the outsiders demanded answers to questions they all asked.
How did they get here?
How would they get out?
Where was Professor Xavier?
He decided to start at the beginning before they all found themselves here.
"In early December, Director Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. informed the X-men that the U.N. was planning to apprehend the Scarlet Witch sometime around the New Year. Based on knowledge from Mystique," Cyclops glanced in her direction. "Nick Fury believed Genosha was danger from a Sentinel attack."
"What's a Sentinel?" Emil whispered to his cousin.
"Giant robot," Gambit replied.
"Oh."
"With the registration acts, Magento rebuilding Genosha, and the Avengers' deaths, we all agreed the U.N.'s interference could result in dire consequences, essentially starting a new world war," Cyclops said. "When Magneto came to the mansion, Professor Xavier left to help him with the Scarlet Witch's deteriorating state. By Christmas, the X-men received an emergency call to assist in the Scarlet Witch's hopeful surrender."
"Why weren't we called?" Rogue asked.
"You and Gambit were busy," Wolverine chimed in. Gambit squeezed Rogue's hand and smiled briefly to indicate his thanks in keeping his intentions private. "Plus Mags had specific orders."
Cyclops nodded and added. "Magneto agreed to allow a handful of representatives from the X-men and Avengers to Genosha. White Queen, Beast, Wolverine, and I were called to represent the X-men. We rendezvoused with Captain America, Black Widow, and Agent Sharon Carter. We were informed that Dr. Strange had met with Professor Xavier and Magneto."
"Professor Xavier was guiding us to his location," the White Queen added. "Then I lost him. That's when we all saw the red light and it consumed us. It consumed all of us, leaving us in an alternate state separate from the reality we all know. We've awakened at different times completely unaware of how we got here and what we are doing."
"How long you do think we've been here?" Bishop asked.
"Hard to say," Beast replied. He didn't look like the hairy blue furball they all knew. "When hit with an electric shock—unethical though effective none-the-less—we instantly pick up where our memories left off right before the red light."
"We suspect a couple of days," Emma Frost said. "Our research the last few hours indicates Wolverine and Emil Lapin were the first two to 'wake' up. Emil Lapin was picked up by a Sentinel, while Wolverine was hit by an electrified arrow."
"Fury was also hit by the arrow," Cyclops added. "And I suspect he remembers too. He is on route because Emil Lapin was apprehended."
"How long until his arrival?" Logan asked.
"Three hours…"
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"Wanda, there are innocent mutants on this island." Magneto reasoned.
"You think I'm broken and need to be fixed." Wanda looked down at her hands. Glowing red with black fingertips, she grazed her hands over her face, altering her appearance. No longer did she look worn down and beaten. She was a witch. A Scarlet Witch.
She resembled his daughter again. Her curls were slightly tamed by a horned headband. She wore a red halter with a high neckline, long red skirt, red gloves, and boots.
"Is this better?" she asked.
"Do something, Charles."
"I can't."
"I just want my children."
Magento felt her presence surround him. He couldn't move. He couldn't hear Charles in his head. He couldn't open his mouth to speak.
"I want my children."
Magneto looked around the room. Twin boys and a little girl were before him. "What do you want?"
"Grandfather," William reached out.
Magneto stood abruptly knocking the chess board to the floor. He watched as the pieces fell. One of the marble kings broke upon impact.
"You broked it," Talia said. She picked up two pieces of a marble king. "The king's dead."
"Checkmate," Magento whispered. He backed away from them.
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"So what was I supposedly stealing?" Gambit asked. "What could be so important?"
"Cajun, you and that damn ego," Wolverine chuckled. "We don't think you were stealing anything. Or at least, not necessarily. This is all on her."
BellaDonna lifted her head to meet Wolverine's gaze when he motioned to her. Everyone in the room had their eyes on her. Even Gambit wasn't sure how to respond.
"Our theory is that she is here to assassinate Magneto, or Lord Magnus as he likes to be called," Mystique explained. "She needed a mutant to enter Genosha. Gambit is her husband. And the paperwork from our last meeting with Fury indicated that she and Emil Lapin stole two bracelets to gain access."
"Dat's a very interestin' t'eory, Chère," BellaDonna replied. "Considerin' how Emil and I de only humans in de room. Who's ta say ya'll ain't tried ta set us up. Who's ta say my no good husband ain't set me up."
"Dat ain't funny, Bel," Gambit stood up and stared her down. "And who's ta say it ain't de opposite."
Wolverine got between them, and slowly Gambit backed down, but he did not sit. "It don't matter why you were here or how shitty the marriage was. It does matter what you know now."
"We found at least a dozen guns in the suite. Not a single one was made of metal," Mystique added. "You even shot us with one."
Bishop displayed several images of the guns the extraction team had. Gambit sat down finally.
"I ain't never owned guns like dat," BellaDonna admitted. "Don't know why dey be in my possession. Like y'all, de red light interrupted my Christmas."
"They came from somewhere," Cyclops said. "Wolverine. Mystique. Is that all you found in the room?"
"Found a bunch of notebooks with the Cajun's handwriting. Couldn't tell you what they mean."
"I unloaded the notebooks in the other war room," Rogue said.
Gambit ran his hands through his hair. Traitor. That was how he felt. He wondered how Rogue viewed him. "I'll translate dem, so we figure out what goin' on."
"Found a bible verse too," Wolverine added.
Gambit and BellaDonna exchanged a look.
"Emil and I found one too," Rogue said. She pulled out the card and handed it to Gambit.
Gambit turned it over in his hand. Exodus 32: 17-20. BellaDonna took the card from him. He couldn't look at her. How the hell did she get him mixed up in this?
"Dis ain't just a guild hit," BellaDonna said. "Dis be bigger dan dat."
"How so?" the White Queen asked. She felt their concerns and fears, even from the minds she couldn't read.
"Ya say dis Magneto have a party," BellaDonna glanced around the room. "Do de math? Why I need a dozen guns ta kill one man?"
"You don't…"
"En who's ta say I de only assassin here."
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Talia looked up at Magneto. He didn't seem like the nice grandfather who wanted to play chess. He seemed confused, like he lost his mind. Her Uncle Wolvie got like that sometimes…
"Grandfather," Thomas said. He placed a hand on Magneto's shoulder, but he flinched.
"We are not going to hurt you," William said.
Magneto stepped back and shook his head. "You are not supposed to be here."
"Grandfather don't be silly," Thomas replied.
"You're not supposed to wake up," William added. Mom. Mom.
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Cyclops took in all they discussed. There would be an assassination attempt on Magneto or someone, maybe several people—several mutants. "Bishop, who are we expecting for this party?"
"Lord Magnus, or Magneto, is having friends and leaders from around the world gather to celebrate Genosha's Independence," Bishop said, pulling up various monitors. "Iceman and Northstar have been logging information since we woke up."
"Who's in attendance?" Mystique asked.
"King T'Challa and Princess Shuri of Wakanda, King Namor, Warren Worthington III and Betsy Braddock," Iceman said, "Just to name a few."
"World leaders." Cyclops recognized several more names Iceman read out. "And celebrities."
"Several are X-men, or former X-men, and Avengers," Beast replied. "An assassination of one or more could lead to-."
"War," Wolverine grumbled. "It would lead to war."
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Talia looked up to Magneto. She had only met her grandfather a couple of weeks ago, but she liked him. However, now he was acting funny.
Magento backed up, looking around at his surroundings. He seemed afraid of them—William and Thomas. Yet, she didn't understand why. Then she saw a red light around his head. His eyes got wide, and he seemed to relax. Her Uncle Pietro held him up before he fell back.
"Father, you had one of those dizzy spells again," Pietro said.
Talia turned to see her mother with her hand lowering. She knew her mutti had special powers like her vati, but she rarely saw her use them.
"Is he alright?" Wanda said, walking towards them.
"I'm fine," Magneto said to all of them. "I was just trying to teach my grandchildren how to play chess."
Wanda smiled. "Father, you are supposed to take it easy. Let Pietro and I handle everything."
"I always have time for my grandchildren," Magneto assured her. "I'll always make time for them."
"They shouldn't be bothering you though," Wanda replied. "Or the rest of the palace. Apparently, my boys have been terrorizing the staff and their aunt and dragging their sister along for the ride."
"We were just trying to have some fun," William replied.
"We didn't cause too much trouble," Thomas added.
Wanda wasn't amused, but she didn't scold. "Next time, tell me where you are going first."
"Yes, Mutter." They replied in unison, like a bunch of robots. Talia thought they sounded funny.
"I need to check on Crystal and Luna," Pietro said. "Perhaps, we should all have dinner together tonight."
"Yes, that would be good," Wanda turned to Magneto who was setting back up the marble chess board. Pietro sped off the moment she spoke. "Father, we will all have dinner tonight. I am going to take the children, so you can have some time alone in your study.
Magneto didn't say a word and continued to arrange the pieces on the chess board.
'William, Thomas, off you go," she said, and they walked toward the door. Talia stood back, holding the broken king. "Talia, come now."
"The king broked," Talia said holding out the king to her mother. "He fell and broked."
Wanda stooped down. "Mutti can fix anything," she said, taking the marble king. She worked her magic and the red lights danced around the king until it was together again. "The king is all better now."
Talia smiled, taking the king.
"Go give the king back to your grandfather now," Wanda said and stood up.
Talia walked over to Magneto and handed him the king. "He's all better now. You all better now."
"Yes, all better now. The king must be protected. He is the most important one. " Magneto said. He set the piece on the board and watched as his daughter and grandchildren left the room. "But it is the queen who is the dangerous one."
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"What are your orders, Cyke?"
Cyclops glanced around the room. Some were ready, others were hesitant. However, they all wanted to go home. They had to trust one another.
"Lapin," Cyclops turned to Emil first. "You think you can analyze the information that is on this drone."
Emil turned the drone in his hand. "Oui, I seen worse."
"Good. Rogue, you are charge of Gambit, Lapin, and BellaDonna," Cyclops ordered. "I want to know what is on that drone, what they were doing here, and the possible targets."
Rogue took a deep breath. "Yes, sir."
"Bishop, I want you, Iceman, Northstar, and Pulse to continue working on this party list," Cyclops added. "That may our ticket into getting closer to Magento and waking up others. Hank, you think you can work on a device that wakes up others besides an electric shock."
"I can work on something," Hank replied.
"And what about me?" Mystique asked.
The White Queen couldn't get a good read on her. "We want to know more about the diaries and what you saw."
Mystique smirked. "So you are finally going to trust me?"
"Don't make us regret it, Darlin."
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Dr. Strange looked up in their prison. The damage was extensive to Genosha, but not as much was what Wanda was capable of. "We are running out of time. These realities…they can only take so much."
"I know," Charles Xavier said. They were trapped and powerless in their state. "But she is weakening. She is breaking."
"The power she is manipulating could be the end of us," Dr. Strange argued. "You don't know the magnitude of what she can do."
"But I know what my X-men are capable of."
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Another chapter complete!
I had fun writing the Talia scenes! She has such a fun point of view.