Chapter Four: Rekindled
The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a golden hue over Singapore's skyline as Mark and Kitty strolled hand in hand through the sprawling Gardens by the Bay. The Supertrees towered above them, their massive trunks glowing with soft light as the evening approached. Kitty's eyes were wide with wonder as she took in the sights around her, her gaze lingering on the vibrant flowers and lush greenery that seemed to defy the very idea of a man-made attraction.
"This is incredible," she breathed, stopping in her tracks to take in the sheer beauty of the scene before her. "I've never seen anything like it."
Mark turned to look at her, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. His heart swelled with warmth at the sight of her awe-struck expression, and for a moment, he almost forgot about the turmoil that had been eating away at him since they arrived. Almost.
"Yeah," he said softly, taking a step closer to her. "But you're more beautiful."
Kitty blinked, momentarily stunned by the cheesiness of his comment, before her cheeks flushed a light pink. She gave him a playful swat on the arm, unable to hide the grin spreading across her face. "Mark, that was the most cliché line you've ever used," she laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Mark chuckled, shrugging his shoulders with a mock innocence. "Can't help it if it's true," he replied, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Kitty's blush deepened, and she quickly buried her face in his chest to hide her embarrassment. "You're impossible," she mumbled, though there was no mistaking the affection in her voice.
They continued their walk through the gardens, Kitty marveling at every new sight they encountered, while Mark found himself drawn to her more than anything else around them. Seeing her so happy, so full of life, was a balm to his wounded soul, even if only for a little while. But beneath his smiles and easy-going demeanor, there was a storm brewing, one that he couldn't ignore no matter how hard he tried.
Kitty could sense it too. She knew Mark was struggling, despite his attempts to hide it from her. The loss of his powers had shaken him to his core, leaving him feeling vulnerable and unsure of himself in a way that was entirely foreign to him. He was trying to put on a brave face for her sake, but she could see through it. And it worried her.
Later that evening, they found themselves at their hotel, the famous Marina Bay Sands. The rooftop infinity pool had been on Kitty's list of must-see attractions, and she had eagerly suggested they take a dip before calling it a night. Mark had agreed, but as she swam laps through the crystal-clear water, he couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy that had settled over him like a heavy cloak.
He had excused himself after a while, saying he needed to get something from the room, but the truth was, he just needed to be alone. Alone to try and make sense of the emptiness he felt without his powers, alone to try and will them back into existence. Because without them, who was he? Just another man. And that thought terrified him.
Kitty lingered in the pool for a bit longer, enjoying the view of the city below. But after a while, she found herself missing Mark's presence. She decided to head back to their room, eager to spend more time with him.
As she approached the door, she paused, hearing a muffled sound coming from inside. Quietly, she opened the door and peeked in, her heart sinking at the sight before her.
Mark was sitting on the edge of the bed, his hands outstretched in front of him, his brow furrowed in concentration. She knew that look. He was trying to use his powers again, trying to feel that familiar surge of energy that had always been a part of him. But nothing happened. His hands remained still, the air around him unchanged.
With a frustrated growl, Mark clenched his fists and slammed them down onto the bed, the force of the blow making the mattress tremble. He hung his head, his shoulders slumping in defeat as the weight of his failure bore down on him.
Kitty's heart broke for him. She wanted to rush in, to wrap her arms around him and tell him that it didn't matter, that she loved him no matter what. But she hesitated, her hand resting on the doorframe as she watched him, her own emotions swirling inside her.
Would she leave him if he never got his powers back? The thought had crossed his mind more than once since they arrived in Singapore, and the idea of it twisted his stomach into knots. Would he be forced to leave the X-Men, to walk away from the life he had built with her, with his friends? He didn't know how to answer those questions, and the uncertainty terrified him.
Kitty felt a pang of guilt as she realized the depth of his turmoil. She had been so focused on her own relief that he was alive, so wrapped up in her own fears, that she hadn't fully grasped the impact this was having on him. She was the cause of all this—her hand, manipulated by Mastermind, had struck him down, leading to the loss of his powers. And now, he was hurting because of her.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she stepped into the room, her voice soft and full of regret. "Mark…"
He looked up, startled by her presence, his eyes red-rimmed from the frustration and sorrow he had been holding back. "Kitty… I didn't hear you come in."
She crossed the room in a few quick steps, sitting down beside him on the bed and taking his hands in hers. "You don't have to go through this alone," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. Powers or no powers, I love you."
Mark's gaze softened, and he pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her hair as he held her close. "I'm scared, Kitty," he admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't know who I am without my powers. I feel… lost."
Kitty held him tighter, her own tears falling freely now. "We'll figure it out together," she promised, her voice fierce with determination. "You're not alone, Mark. You're never alone."
They sat there for a long time, wrapped in each other's arms as the city buzzed with life outside their window. Kitty knew they had a long road ahead of them, but as long as they faced it together, she believed they could get through it.
But being part of the X-Men meant that they couldn't escape the past, even on the other side of the world. As they ventured out into the city the next day, exploring more of Singapore's wonders, they found themselves recognized by members of the local Mutant Underground. Word of their presence spread quickly, and though it was meant to be a vacation, they couldn't completely escape the responsibilities that came with being who they were.
The vacation had been a welcome reprieve for Mark and Kitty, a chance to escape the weight of their fears and uncertainties. They had spent days exploring Singapore's vibrant streets, basking in the warmth of each other's company, their bond strengthening with every shared experience. For a brief moment, it seemed as though they had left their troubles behind, that perhaps, even without his powers, Mark could still find peace.
But their world, as it often did, came crashing down.
The streets of Chinatown bustled with activity as the evening markets came alive, the air filled with the scents of sizzling food and the chatter of tourists and locals alike. Mark and Kitty walked side by side, their fingers intertwined, enjoying the simple pleasure of being together. The vibrant energy of the city seemed to match the lightness they had rediscovered in their hearts.
But as they turned a corner into a narrow alleyway, that lightness was snuffed out in an instant. The alley grew unnervingly quiet, and Mark's instincts flared with a warning. He slowed his pace, his grip on Kitty's hand tightening as his eyes scanned the shadows that suddenly seemed to loom closer.
Kitty felt it too, the shift in the atmosphere that signaled something was terribly wrong. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words died on her lips as several figures stepped out from the shadows, blocking their path. The figures were familiar—members of the Mutant Underground. Mark's stomach dropped.
At the center of the group stood Celine Ong, her dark eyes burning with a mix of rage and jealousy. Mark's heart sank as he recognized his cousin, the girl who had once idolized him, now twisted by bitterness and obsession.
"Celine," Mark said, his voice low and wary. "What are you doing?"
Celine's lips curled into a cruel smile. "I could ask you the same thing, cousin. Bringing her here, to my city? How arrogant of you."
Kitty tensed beside him, recognizing the malice in Celine's tone. "We're not here to cause trouble," she said carefully, trying to deescalate the situation. "We're just visiting."
But Celine wasn't interested in their reasons. Her eyes flicked to Mark, and her expression darkened. "You were always the golden boy, Mark. The one everyone looked up to, the one who could do no wrong. But now… you're just a man. A powerless man."
The other members of the Underground sniggered at this, their eyes gleaming with malice. Mark knew they were waiting for Celine's command, ready to pounce at her signal.
"Celine, let us go," Mark said, trying to keep his voice calm. "This doesn't have to go any further."
But Celine shook her head, her smile widening as she took a step closer. "Oh, but it does, Mark. You see, I've waited a long time for this. I've waited to show you that I'm not just the little girl who used to follow you around. I'm powerful too. And now, without your powers, you're nothing compared to me."
In a swift movement, Celine signaled to her comrades, who closed in around them. Mark's heart raced as he realized they were cornered, with no way out.
"Don't make this harder than it needs to be," Celine hissed. "If you care about her at all, you'll tell her to stop phasing and let us take you both. Don't worry—I promise I won't hurt you. As for her…" She trailed off, her smile turning sinister. "Well, that depends on how cooperative she is."
Kitty's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing. She could phase through the walls, escape with Mark if she could get them out of this trap. But she knew it wasn't that simple. The numbers were against them, and if she phased, they might hurt Mark.
"I'll go with you," Kitty said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. "Just don't hurt him."
Celine's eyes glinted with triumph. "Good girl," she purred. "Now, come along."
Reluctantly, Kitty allowed herself to be captured, and as the inhibitors snapped around her neck, suppressing her powers, she felt a wave of dread wash over her. They were taken to a hidden hideout, a dilapidated warehouse on the outskirts of the city, far from the prying eyes of the public. Inside, the air was thick with tension, the dim light casting long shadows on the grimy walls.
Celine led them into the center of the room, where Mark and Kitty were shoved to their knees, surrounded by the sneering members of the Underground. Mark's heart pounded in his chest as he looked around, searching for a way out, a way to protect Kitty. But without his powers, he felt helpless, trapped.
Celine circled them like a predator, her eyes gleaming with a twisted satisfaction. "You see, Mark, this is where you belong. With me. I always admired you, you know. But then you had to go and fall in love with her." She spat the word like it was a curse, glaring at Kitty with pure hatred.
"You don't know what you're doing, Celine," Mark said, trying to keep his voice calm, though his insides churned with fear. "This isn't you."
Celine ignored him, her attention focused entirely on Mark as she slowly reached out and ran her fingers down his chest. Mark stiffened, his skin crawling at the unwanted touch, but he was powerless to stop her. Kitty's eyes widened with horror as she watched, her heart hammering in her chest.
"Stop it," Kitty demanded, her voice trembling with anger and fear. "Leave him alone!"
Celine's hand paused, her eyes snapping to Kitty's with a flash of irritation. "You're in no position to make demands, Kitty," she sneered. "You see, I've waited long enough for this. And now, I'm going to take what should have always been mine."
She turned to the other members of the Underground, a cold smile playing on her lips. "Do what you want with her," she said casually, as if discussing the weather. "Just don't kill her. I want her to suffer."
The men in the room exchanged dark, knowing looks, their smirks widening as they advanced toward Kitty. Mark's blood ran cold as he realized what was about to happen. He struggled against his captors, desperation and fury boiling over as he fought to break free.
"No!" Mark shouted, his voice raw with panic. "Get away from her!"
But Celine was quicker, using her powers to drive a nail deep into Mark's shoulder, pinning him to the ground. He gritted his teeth against the pain, tears stinging his eyes as he watched the men close in on Kitty.
Kitty backed away, trembling, her eyes wide with terror as she tried to summon the strength to fight back. But the inhibitor collar around her neck sapped her energy, leaving her defenseless.
One of the men reached out, grabbing her arm, and she recoiled, a strangled cry escaping her lips. "Don't touch me!" she screamed, her voice cracking with fear.
But the men only laughed, their leering faces twisted with cruel delight as they prepared to do the unthinkable.
In that moment, something inside Mark snapped. The fear, the helplessness, the rage—all of it exploded into a blinding fury that consumed him entirely. His vision blurred, and he felt something deep within him awaken, something primal and powerful.
With a roar of pure anger, Mark's eyes flashed with a brilliant golden hue, and a shockwave of energy burst forth from his body, sending everyone in the room flying back against the walls. The force of the blast shook the very foundation of the building, rattling the windows and sending debris crashing to the floor.
Celine was thrown to the ground, her eyes wide with shock as she looked up at Mark, who stood at the center of the room, his body radiating with a newfound power. The nails that had pierced his flesh were expelled with a violent force, clattering to the ground as his wounds began to heal almost instantly.
The other members of the Underground lay scattered around the room, groaning in pain as they struggled to regain their bearings. Kitty, freed from her captors, scrambled to her feet, her heart racing as she stared at Mark, awe and relief flooding her senses.
Mark's chest heaved with heavy breaths, his mind reeling from the surge of power that coursed through him. He looked down at his hands, still glowing faintly with the remnants of the energy that had erupted from within him.
Celine pushed herself up, her expression a mix of fear and disbelief. "Impossible…" she whispered, her voice trembling. "You shouldn't have your powers… How…?"
But Mark wasn't interested in answering her questions. He stepped forward, his gaze cold and unyielding as he loomed over her.
"Stay away from us," he said, his voice low and deadly.
Celine's resolve crumbled under the weight of his words, and she scrambled back, fear overtaking her earlier arrogance.
Kitty buried her face in his chest, her body shaking with the aftershock of what had just, and nearly happened.