Child of Everlasting Twilight
The renewed version of the story. It is not a direct sequel to "Sleepwalker" but it takes place after that story. It also tell an adventure of Paragons, young mutant teams from New X-Men – Academy X era.
World: Marvel/X-Men
Time: After Reload
Characters: Paragons group
Chapter 1
On a warm summer night, under a starry sky, a middle-aged man with red hair and matching mustache slowly left an old city tavern named "Under the Ruins." The establishment, tucked away on a side street, had been drawing in loyal patrons for years with its faded wooden walls and the heavy, smoke-laden atmosphere. The air was thick with the scent of beer, old wood, and a faint trace of cigarette smoke that clung to the interior like an unwelcome guest. Ian, for that was the red-haired man's name, visited every Friday, seeking to unwind after the week's grind with a mug of cold, albeit mediocre, beer. Each visit was the same – the same faces, the same uninteresting conversations, and the same empty exchanges that barely held his attention. But that night was different. As Ian crossed the threshold of the tavern, the street before him seemed unusually quiet. The streetlight barely cut through the thickening fog, illuminating the narrow alley where the area's well-known prostitutes usually lingered. Their silhouettes, more ghostly than ever tonight, drifted along the sidewalks, casting bored glances his way. As he passed them, he suddenly felt a strong tug on his arm. Before he could react, a man dressed in black pulled him into a dark, damp alley. Ian's heart started to race. Confused and terrified, he tried to break free, but the assailant was far stronger. He shoved Ian against the cold, rough wall, bringing his face close to Ian's. Bloodshot eyes and disheveled, greasy hair made the stranger look like someone who hadn't slept in weeks.
"Ian… it's me. Will, do you remember me?" the man whispered in a hoarse voice, echoing memories long past.
Ian felt a cold sweat running down his back. He nodded, though fear clutched his throat. Seeing this, Will loosened his grip, stepping back slightly as he exhaled heavily, leaning against the wall. He looked utterly exhausted, and desperation flickered in his eyes.
"Have you lost your mind? Meeting me like this?" Ian struggled to keep calm, though his heart pounded in his chest. "You couldn't just call me? Meet at the pub?!"
"I couldn't… there's too much at stake! No one can know we've been in contact…" Will spoke quickly, as if every second was precious.
"What are you talking about?" Panic began to rise in Ian's voice.
"Your daughter. We need to bring her back to the country… it's the only place we can protect her…"
Ian froze. "Megan? In danger? But she's in the safest place on Earth right now!"
Will shook his head as if Ian was missing the point. "You don't understand… her mother is in grave danger…"
Ian felt the blood drain from his face. "Liz? What are you talking about?" His voice was barely a whisper, almost trembling.
Will was silent for a moment, then he looked Ian straight in the eyes, his voice lowering to a barely audible whisper. "I meant her real mother…"
The next day, across the ocean, Megan and her boyfriend Mark — young mutants from Xavier's Institute — decided to visit an amusement park. The park was buzzing with life. The air was filled with the sounds of cheerful, though slightly off-key, music, blending with the laughter of children and the hum of conversations. Carousels spun endlessly, and colorful lights twinkled, reflecting in puddles left behind by a recent rain. Despite the dampness, the sweet smell of cotton candy and popcorn was omnipresent, mingling with the fresh scent of recently mowed grass. Megan's wings, softly glimmering in the daylight, went unnoticed by the passersby. Among the crowd, numerous costumed entertainers amused the park's guests — clowns, fairies. To the unknowing eyes, Megan might as well have been another park employee, dressed as a butterfly or a mythical fairy. This illusion gave her a sense of anonymity, though she knew no one here cared about oddities. The couple stopped in front of one of the attractions — a giant slide shaped like a coiled serpent, its gaping mouth serving as the entrance. The colorful structure was a vibrant green, with yellow eyes that seemed to follow anyone brave enough to approach. Megan, feeling weary, sat down on a nearby bench, its wood somewhat decayed and the paint long since peeled.
"Would you like something to drink?" Mark asked, noticing her fatigue. At her nod, he smiled, assured her he'd be right back, and disappeared into the crowd. Left alone, Megan glanced around. The cacophony of sounds irritated her — the music, the laughter, the children's screams, and the clamor coming from various games and attractions. Despite this, she felt a wave of contentment. Spending the day with Mark was a welcome escape from the routine at the Institute, from the constant pressure and training. She was lost in thought when her attention was suddenly drawn to a clown in a polka-dotted suit who appeared beside her. With a wide, painted grin and a slightly manic look in his eyes, he thrust a pink balloon shaped like a cat's head into her hands. Startled, Megan gave him a reluctant smile, taking the balloon, though she would have preferred to be left alone. Nearby, a small stage had gathered a crowd. People were laughing as they threw pies at a plump woman in a frilly dress, perched on a tiny wooden stool. As she continued to look around, something caught her attention and unsettled her. A man in a trench coat stood by a nearby tree. He looked out of place in the vibrant setting. He kept glancing in her direction as if trying to assess the situation. A cold shiver ran down Megan's spine. Before she could dwell on it further, Mark returned, holding a can of cold soda. He handed it to Megan with a smile, unaware of her brief moment of unease and the shadow of concern that had crossed her mind.
"Mark… I have a strange feeling that man is following us," Megan whispered, her voice barely audible over the din of the amusement park. She discreetly nodded toward the stranger.
"I saw him when we entered the park, and again when we were on the roller coaster…" she added, her brow furrowed with concern.
"There's only one way to find out," Mark replied, his eyes narrowing as he quickly assessed the situation. Taking her hand, Mark led Megan toward the tree where the man stood, his presence looming like a shadow in the otherwise lively park. They walked quickly, avoiding eye contact. As they passed the man, they could almost feel his gaze following them, cold and calculated. Once they had put a few meters between them and disappeared into the crowd, Mark glanced back over his shoulder. The man had finished his cigarette and was now following them, his movements deliberate and unwavering.
"You were right. He's definitely trailing us," Mark said, his voice tinged with urgency.
"Who could he be? What are we going to do?" Megan's voice quivered slightly as the reality of the situation sank in.
Mark's eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for a way out. His gaze landed on the observation tower, the tallest structure in the entire amusement park, its spire piercing the sky like a beacon.
"Come on," he urged, leading Megan through the park at a brisk pace. They crossed a wooden bridge that creaked under their hurried steps, then weaved through a crowded café garden, dodging tables and chairs as startled guests looked on. The tower loomed closer, its entrance within reach. As they neared the doorway, Mark accidentally bumped into a worker dressed as a giant egg, nearly toppling the poor soul. They didn't have time to apologize. The moment they reached the entrance to the tower, they squeezed into the elevator just as the doors began to close. Megan could feel her heart pounding in her chest, the confined space of the elevator adding to the growing sense of claustrophobia. The stranger rushed to the entrance of the building, but the attendant blocked his path, informing him that the maximum capacity had been reached. Frustration flashed across the man's face as the doors slid shut, separating him from his quarry.
Inside the elevator, Megan and Mark leaned against the walls, trying to catch their breath. The sudden stillness was disorienting, broken only by the sound of electronic music that started playing from hidden speakers. The lights dimmed, and the ceiling came alive with colorful patterns, simulating the wonders of interstellar travel.
"I think we lost him," Mark said, though his voice held a note of uncertainty.
"For now… But what does he want from us?" Megan replied, her mind racing with possibilities.
"Nothing good, I bet. We need to figure out how to get rid of him," Mark said, determination hardening his voice as the elevator continued its ascent, carrying them higher above the park and farther from the unknown threat below.
Jessica Vale sat on a bench in front of the Xavier Institute dormitories. She was dressed in black pants and a sleeveless black shirt, her pale skin standing out against the dark fabric. In her hands, she held a book with a cover depicting a green dragon. The warm rays of the sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled light on the ground, while the soft rustling of leaves and distant bird songs created a peaceful atmosphere. Suddenly, in the midst of this tranquility, she felt a strange tension. Her powers activated abruptly and violently — she had a vision.
She found herself in an amusement park, running through a maze of colorful pathways illuminated by flickering lights. She pushed through the crowd, which seemed to thicken with every step. Circus clowns appeared before her like phantoms, their grotesque smiles seeming to mock her. Panic welled up inside her as she realized she couldn't afford to slow down — something ominous loomed on the horizon. Suddenly, she was on a hill, overlooking the entire area. There, at the top, she saw her friends, Megan and Mark, standing opposite a pale woman with black hair. The woman looked like the embodiment of darkness, her presence instilling an unspeakable fear in Jessica. She tried to scream, to warn them, but her voice was caught in her throat as if something prevented her from making a sound. She watched in horror as the demonic figure pushed Megan and Mark into the abyss, and a terrifying pain ripped through her heart.
In an instant, everything vanished, and Jessica snapped out of her vision, screaming. The book fell from her hands, hitting the pavement, and Jessica was drenched in sweat, her breathing heavy and uneven.
A passing student noticed her distress and stopped, concerned.
"Megan... Megan and Mark... they're in danger... great danger," Jessica managed to say, her voice trembling with desperation and fear.
The young mutant couple found themselves on the observation deck, overlooking the sprawling amusement park below. The wind whipped around them, carrying the sweet scents of cotton candy and popcorn. The other visitors were engrossed in admiring the panoramic view, paying no attention to the mutants. Mark, standing by the railing, tried to shield Megan from the biting chill of the wind, which was growing stronger as dusk approached. On the horizon, the sky began to take on a deep crimson hue, as if set ablaze by the setting sun. The shadows of the tower and other tall structures in the park lengthened, casting ominous silhouettes on the ground. Megan, captivated by the beauty of the scene, momentarily forgot about the anxieties that had plagued her all day. She turned to Mark and gently touched his arm, seeking comfort.
"How much time do we have? How long can we stay here?" she asked, her voice soft, almost a whisper.
"Maybe 20 minutes, maybe less. I'm not sure. Megan, are you scared?" Mark asked, looking directly into her eyes.
"No... Well, yes, I'm scared of that man. But I was thinking more about how long we can stay here together," Megan replied, a note of melancholy in her voice.
The sun was now very low, casting long, dark shadows over the park, shadows that seemed to swallow everything in their path. Mark remained silent, deep in thought, which only heightened Megan's unease. She clutched his shirt more tightly, wanting to pull him close, as if seeking refuge in his arms. Mark, however, gently pushed her back, his expression serious.
"Listen, Megan. You're going to stay here. The attraction isn't closing yet, and you can go down with the next group of visitors. I'm going back now, and I'll try to find out what that man wants from us," he said, his tone firm.
"I'm not doing that! I'm going back with you. If something were to happen to you..." Megan protested, her voice shaking with emotion.
"Come on. You know that one ordinary man can't do anything to me..." Mark tried to reassure her, pulling her into a tight embrace.
Mark leaned in to kiss her. Megan knew he was trying to calm her down and convince her to let him go through with his plan. Their lips met in a kiss, and Megan, losing control, spread her wings. Fortunately, the people around them were too absorbed in watching the sunset to notice anything.
Jessica sat on the bed in one of the small dorm rooms in the girls' dormitory. Beside her were two of her friends: Andrea, a blonde from Alpha Squadron, and Hope, who was nervously trying to call someone on her phone.
"Come on... pick up, Megan... Hurry..." Hope muttered to herself, repeatedly pressing the call button. Jessica was also tapping on her screen, trying to dial a number.
"Mark... this is really important," she whispered, her worry growing with each passing second. But no one answered.
"Damn it! Their phones are off... We can't reach them," the dark-haired girl exclaimed, frustration evident as she tossed her phone onto the bed.
"Are you sure about what you saw?" Andrea asked, her voice tinged with concern as she looked at Jessica.
"No. Since my transformation, my visions are rarely clear and straightforward. But this one... it was unmistakable. Pixie is in danger. Someone's after her. A woman," Jessica replied, standing up from the bed, her words gaining weight as she spoke.
"Why would someone want to hurt her?" Hope asked, her disbelief showing in her voice.
"She's a mutant. For some people, that's reason enough," Jessica sighed. "We need to tell the others. I'll go find Ben, you go to Nicholas, Hope."
The girls quickly dispersed, their footsteps echoing down the narrow hallway.
Mark kissed Megan goodbye and joined the group of people heading to the elevator. For a moment, the mutant hesitated, but then she quickly ran after him. To his horror, she was beside him in no time, and the elevator doors closed with a characteristic hiss.
"You're crazy! This wasn't the plan!" Mark shouted.
"I'm not leaving you! You knew that!" she replied with determination in her voice.
Mark, resigned, put on the headphones from his music player.
"Fine. Let it be that way," he said, noticing that a woman with glasses was staring at them. He leaned toward Megan and whispered, "As soon as we exit the tower, start running in the same direction as me. Don't look back."
The elevator doors opened with a soft click. People slowly stepped out, still mesmerized by the sight of the sun setting on the horizon. Dusk had settled, streetlights flickered on, and the shops and other attractions lit up with warm light. A clown with balloons strolled among the children, his costume buttons glowing red. Meanwhile, the mysterious man in the trench coat scanned the area, trying to spot the young mutants. He finally noticed that the pair had used the darkness and crowd to slip out of the building and were quickly moving away. Without hesitation, he pursued them.
"Mark… He's spotted us. Maybe we should confront him?" Megan asked, worried.
"No… I was thinking about it, but now that you're with me, I'm not taking any chances," Mark replied, looking her straight in the eyes.
The young mutants hurried down the stone steps toward a brightly lit carousel with white plastic horses. They slipped past it as kitschy music blared from the speakers, grating on the pink-haired mutant's ears. Mark smiled and stretched out his arms. He focused on the sounds around him, transforming them into a wave of energy that he sent toward the crowd and the man pursuing them. The attack caused dizziness and irritation among the people, who began pushing and shoving each other. Although the energy didn't reach the stranger, the resulting chaos slowed his pursuit. An angry, overweight man started cursing at the nearby circus clown. He struck him so hard that the clown toppled over, falling straight onto the man in the trench coat.
At the same time, in a café perched above the alley where the young mutants were, sat a woman with jet-black hair and a pale complexion, dressed in a white blazer. She watched the fleeing pair and the oddly behaving crowd below. Her eyes narrowed when she noticed the wings sprouting from Megan's back. A sinister smile curled on her lips as she stood up and swiftly exited the café.
"You didn't have to do that! You used your powers on people! We're not supposed to do that!" Megan's voice was edged with anxiety as she confronted Mark about what had happened moments earlier.
"They'll be fine. And our plan worked. He's not following us anymore." Mark replied, trying to reassure her.
Megan glanced over her shoulder. "You're right. We lost him."
Mark wrapped his arms around her, sensing it was time to leave the amusement park. A few minutes later, the young mutants found themselves on a dimly lit road flanked by tall trees. Suddenly, Megan felt weak and stopped to catch her breath. Concern etched across Mark's face.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know... I just don't feel well…"
"It's probably just nerves. The whole night's been ruined by that guy…"
"No, it's something else…" Megan looked deeply into Mark's eyes. "I feel something strange, like a cold creeping in… like something terrible is coming…"
Megan's premonition was about to come true. Under the glow of a streetlamp, a woman dressed in white with black hair appeared. Megan's heart pounded in her chest as she instinctively clung to Mark. The stranger said nothing, her icy gaze fixed on the mutants. Moments later, a clown handing out cat-shaped balloons approached the woman. He had only one balloon left, which he offered to her. She accepted it, only to destroy it right in front of him. Then, with a single touch, she caused the clown to collapse unconscious to the ground.
"Run!" Mark shouted, grabbing Megan's hand. She quickly regained her composure as they sprinted toward a bridge that led to a busier part of the park. The woman smiled coldly and extended her hand toward them. A wave of chilling energy surged forward, striking the fleeing pair. Megan felt it hit her like a physical blow. She leaned over the railing, vomiting violently. Mark placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Megan! Get it together! We have to get out of here!"
"It's her… just her presence is killing me," Pixie whispered, her voice trembling.
Though she was in terrible shape, Megan's survival instincts, coupled with Mark's support, allowed her to push through the pain and continue running. The two mutants raced toward the park's exit, but it felt like an eternity. They kept colliding with people and amusement park workers dressed in bizarre, colorful costumes. For what seemed like endless minutes, they wandered the park's winding paths, unable to find the way out. Their thoughts became scattered, as though something was tampering with their minds. Their vision blurred, the bright lights of the attractions blinding them, and the music, now a chaotic cacophony, grated on their ears. Megan stumbled into a giant plastic clown head and screamed in terror as it let out a mechanical laugh. Mark pulled her away, only to bump into a plump woman who grinned at him maliciously. The world around them began to warp; the music grew faster, louder, and more disorienting. Finally, they stumbled upon an abandoned, under-renovation Haunted House. Exhausted, they leaned against its cold walls. For a brief moment, the noises and colors vanished, and their minds cleared, allowing them to think straight once more.
"What was that?" Megan asked, her voice trembling with tension.
"I don't know... but it was terrible," Mark replied, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"She'll be here soon... What do we do?"
"I'll try calling." He pulled out his phone, but it turned out to be broken. "Damn... Megan, check yours!"
"Same... it's not working."
Mark frowned, looking at his girlfriend. "It must be that woman's doing." His gaze fell on the giant ghost painted above the entrance to the 'House of Horrors'. "Let's go inside. We'll hide and figure out what to do next."
He grabbed Megan's hand and pulled her into the abandoned building. As soon as they entered, they were enveloped by thick darkness. The air was heavy, smelling of old wood and stale dust that had settled in thick layers on the floor, their every step sending small clouds of it into the air. On the walls and ceiling hung decaying figures of horror icons: vampires, werewolves, mummies, and Frankenstein's monsters. In the dim light, their crumbling, motionless shapes seemed to be watching the intruders. Lit only by occasional flickers of red, blinking light, they gave the impression that they might come to life at any moment.
"I don't like it here, Mark... Let's get out, please," Megan clung tightly to his arm, as if his presence was her only protection against the looming evil.
"Come on, it's just old mannequins," Mark tried to sound calm, though he too felt growing unease. Megan nervously scanned the room, trying to see something Mark hadn't noticed yet. "It's not the figures... I feel that chill again. She's here, Mark! That woman!"
Just then, a pale figure emerged from the shadows. Her white silhouette stood out starkly in the darkness, and the red neon light, seeping through a hole in the wall, cast a ghostly glow on her face. She looked like a specter pulled straight from a nightmare. She smiled coldly, her gaze fixed on Mark.
"Boy, I suggest you run while you still can. This has nothing to do with you, only with your lovely companion."
Mark stepped in front of Megan, shielding her with his body. He put on his headphones and turned up the music, drawing power from the rhythm.
"To get to her, you'll have to go through me first!" His hands sparked with energy. He shot a wave of energy at the woman. She gracefully dodged to the side, and the blast from DJ shattered an old mechanical bat hanging on the wall.
"I warned you to run," she said coldly. "Now you'll pay."
In an instant, she was upon Mark, hitting him with immense force. He was sent flying, landing in a dark corner of the room. Megan, trembling with fear, picked up a piece of steel pipe lying on the floor.
"Stay back! Don't come near me!" she cried desperately, though knowing she stood no chance in a fight.
The woman moved forward slowly, like a predator stalking its prey. With ease, she snatched the pipe from Megan's hand and threw it across the room. Grabbing Megan by the throat, her grip was icy cold, piercing to the bone.
"You must die," the pale woman hissed. "It has been decided."
Suddenly, gunshots rang out. The woman froze, surprised. Her face twisted in shock as she saw three bloody wounds forming in her body. She collapsed to the floor, releasing Megan, who gasped for air, barely standing. As the pale woman fell, she knocked over a cardboard coffin, smashing the fake mummy inside to pieces.
At the far end of the room stood a scruffy man in a trench coat, holding a smoking pistol. Mark rushed to Megan and hugged her tightly. Both of them, shaken, looked at the man who had just saved them, then at the motionless figure lying on the ground.
"Did you... kill her?" Mark asked, his voice shaky.
"No... They can't be killed by conventional means. But cold metal in the body will give her the pain she deserves," the mysterious man said, still holding his weapon ready.
"Who are you?" Megan whispered, her voice barely audible.
"That doesn't matter. Get out of here... quickly! There's a back exit to the park at the end of this building. It's locked, but that won't stop you... Now go!" he ordered, glancing toward the exit.
"Let's do what he says..." Mark whispered, grabbing Megan's hand, and together they disappeared into the darkness of the abandoned 'House of Horrors'. Their footsteps faded away in the dusty, shadowy corridors.
The man in the trench coat crouched beside the pale woman, who still lay on the floor amidst the debris of the fake mummy. The dim glow of the dying neon light cast flickering shadows on his face as he stared at her, studying every feature as if committing it to memory. A slow, mocking smile crept across his lips.
"We're going to play for a little longer..." he whispered, his voice low, almost a murmur, leaning closer. His words sounded like a promise of something dark, something unimaginable. Despite her wounds, the pale woman's eyes opened, staring back at him with cold, unyielding determination.
Megan and Mark ran, barely catching their breath. The air inside the 'House of Horrors' was thick, and the shadows on the walls seemed to move, tracking their every step. The creaking of old wood and the faint rustle of trampled cobwebs made their hearts race faster. The corridors were narrow, filled with strange, eerie figures — decaying mannequins that, from a distance, looked like real ghouls. The red glow of neon lights flickered through broken windows, casting an almost hellish atmosphere over the room. Finally, they found an exit. They burst out of the "House of Horrors," gasping for breath, the cool night air a welcome relief from the suffocating atmosphere inside. The moonlight illuminated their path as they ran through the amusement park, until they finally reached the exit. Outside the park, the street was deserted, dark, and quiet. They paused to catch their breath, but before they could relax, bright headlights suddenly lit up the road. Mark instinctively pulled Megan closer, shielding her from the approaching vehicle. The car screeched to a halt just inches away. The car doors swung open, and Hope jumped out, followed closely by Jessica and Ben, the leader of the Paragons. Hope ran straight to Megan, her face full of concern.
"Megan! Are you okay? Are you hurt?" she asked urgently, gripping her friend's shoulders as if to reassure herself that Megan was really there.
"I'm fine," Megan replied, though her voice still trembled with fear.
"But... how did you know something happened to us? Why did you come looking for us?"
"Jessie had a vision of the future," Hope explained. "She saw a woman with a white face attacking you. The vision was so intense... we had to come and make sure you were safe."
Jessica stepped out of the car, her expression serious. "Mark, you mentioned something happened? Did my vision come true?"
"Yes," Mark nodded, still catching his breath. "Some woman with pale skin attacked us in the park. She tried to kill us — or rather, she only wanted to kill Megan. We don't know who she was."
"Did you escape from her?!" Ben asked, his voice tense.
"No, someone helped us," Megan answered. "A man appeared just as she was about to kill me... he shot her."
"Did you talk to him?" Ben continued, frowning.
"No... he told us to run. We were too scared and confused to ask who he was or why he helped us," she admitted, shaking her head.
"Maybe it's best if you listen to him and get back to the school as quickly as possible," Jessica suggested. "We don't know if more people are after Pixie. My visions are blurry... I can't summon anything useful right now."
Mark and Megan exchanged worried glances before climbing into the car. Hope and Jessica shared a brief, silent look as they got in after them.
"We need to return to the Academy and report this to Emma Frost immediately," Ben said, starting the engine. "The X-Men should investigate that amusement park. Maybe they'll find something that can help us figure out who that woman was... and who your mysterious protector is."
"It'll be too late..." Jessica murmured under her breath, her eyes widening in silent dread.
"What do you mean?" Mark asked, catching her gaze in the rearview mirror.
Jessica slowly turned her eyes toward Megan. "Where did you last see them?"
"In the old, abandoned House of Horrors, near the fence," Megan replied. "There's a hole in the wall that leads outside. That's how we escaped."
Jessica seemed lost in thought for a moment. She come closer to Match, her expression set with determination.
"Head back to school with the others. Report everything to Frost. Hope and I will try to return to the park and find that man."
"You can't! It's too dangerous! Besides, I should be the one going — I'm the leader of this team."
"You've got a body that glows in the dark and a flame for hair! Not exactly low profile!" she shot back, her tone sharp but teasing.
"Fine, Jessie... but just promise me you won't get yourself into any trouble, alright?"
"Yeah, yeah…" she waved off his concern, her mind already elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Megan was trembling, both from the cold and from the lingering terror of the attack. She hugged herself tightly, wrapping her wings around her body for warmth and comfort.
"Let's get out of here. I... I can't stay in this place any longer," she murmured, her voice barely audible.
The car rumbled to life, and soon they were on their way, leaving the two young mutants behind on the quiet, dimly lit street.
"Jessie, are you sure this was a good idea?" Hope asked, doubt clouding her voice.
"A terrible idea," Jessica replied with a grin, not slowing her pace. "But you don't want to live forever, do you? Come on!" She clapped her friend on the shoulder, and the two girls made their way back toward the rear entrance of the amusement park. Carefully, they slipped through the hole in the wall, stepping into the decrepit remains of what had once been the park's most popular attraction. Jessica took the lead, her movements cautious as she scouted each room before allowing Hope to follow. The musty air was thick with the scent of decay, and every step they took kicked up a fine layer of dust that clung to their clothes. They finally entered the main chamber, where the remnants of a long-forgotten horror show lay scattered around them. Broken mannequins, once terrifying zombies and monsters, now lay in disrepair, their plastic faces twisted in grotesque but pathetic expressions. A thick layer of grime coated the forgotten figures, and in the flickering neon light, it felt as though the room was watching them.
"This place is seriously creepy," Hope muttered, her voice low as she glanced around.
"More like tacky," Jessica scoffed, her eyes catching the wreckage left behind from the earlier confrontation. Destroyed figures littered the floor, some with pieces blown apart. She slowly approached a few drops of an eerie blue liquid pooled on the ground. Crouching, she studied it closely, her brow furrowing in thought.
"No sign of the man or the woman's body. How could he have moved her so quickly?" Jessica wondered aloud, her curiosity piqued. "Megan said she was shot, right? Could this be her blood?"
"Jessica! Don't touch that stuff!" Hope warned, her voice rising with concern.
"Relax, I'm not touching the liquid itself," Jessica reassured her, lowering her hand to rest on the floor just beside the drops. "I just want to see if I can pick up anything from this place... maybe get a vision of where they went."
As soon as her fingers brushed the cold, dusty ground, a torrent of images flooded her mind. In rapid succession, she saw a man in a trench coat torturing the pale woman, a relentless snowstorm battering a mountain pass, a shadowy room filled with dark figures emanating an unnatural cold. She saw a garden at twilight, filled with strange, glowing plants, and an elegant man playing the piano in a dimly lit room. Then came the image of a young father cradling the soul of his child, followed by sweeping, windswept moors where an old woman lit a candle in the window of a weather-beaten cottage. She saw a small, wooden boat cutting across endless ocean waters, and finally, a colossal gate swinging open, spilling forth a blinding, radiant light. The visions stopped as abruptly as they began, leaving Jessica breathless and reeling. Her mind raced, trying to piece together the cryptic images, but each one seemed more puzzling than the last.
"Jessie! Jessie! Wake up, Jessica!" Hope shook her friend, trying to snap her out of it. The dark-haired mutant was in a trance, staring blankly ahead, her lips moving silently. Only after Hope's touch did she come to her senses. The first thing she saw were large, concerned brown eyes gazing at her.
"Hope... what I saw... it was unbelievable. Images, without any rhyme or reason. I don't know if they were glimpses of what's to come or things that have already happened... Damn... what a trip," Jessica muttered, still trying to gather her thoughts.
Hope helped her to her feet, and Jessica brushed the dust and dirt from her pants before looking seriously at her friend.
"Hope, you have to search the entire amusement park. Look for anyone even remotely suspicious. I have a feeling something huge is happening here, and it's tied to Megan. We need to figure this out."
"Alright... I'll give it a try," Hope replied, closing her eyes. Her body went still, and moments later, her astral projection left her physical form, rising towards the ceiling and then swiftly ascending above the old building's roof. She hovered over the abandoned amusement park, surveying it from above. With lightning speed, she checked every corner of the park – each attraction, shop, café, even the restrooms. But it was all in vain. The mysterious man, the one who was supposed to be hiding or carrying the assassin's body, had vanished without a trace. No clues, no signs. Hope returned to her body, her frustration evident. "Jessie, I'm sorry... there's nothing. I searched everywhere."
"In that case, let's hurry. It's late, and the last bus to Salem Center is about to leave."
The two mutants decided to head back to school. After they stepped outside, the pentagram symbol on the wall began to glow with a white light. Suddenly, a man in a trench coat appeared next to it, holding the unconscious, pale woman. He glanced toward the exit, as if his thoughts were still with Jessica and Hope.
"I don't want them getting involved in this danger..." he whispered to himself, before disappearing into the shadows of the night
Megan and the other members of the Paragons returned to Xavier's Institute, still shaken by what had transpired at the amusement park. They hurried into the school, heading straight for Shan's office, but were intercepted by Emma Frost in the hallway.
"Miss Frost! At the amusement park, Megan..." Ben began, but Emma cut him off.
"She was attacked by a mysterious pale woman," Frost finished for him. "But everything ended well, thanks to a mysterious stranger," she added calmly.
Mark folded his arms, feeling uneasy. "Did you... did you read our minds?" he asked, clearly agitated.
"I didn't have to. Your emotions are so intense right now that your thoughts practically forced themselves into my mind. It's like standing next to a radio blasting at full volume," Frost explained. "Now, let's move this to my office."
Emma walked up to Megan and gently placed her hand on her back. "Megan, let me help calm you down telepathically," she offered.
Mark, still wary, shot Emma a distrustful look, but Megan nodded. "Please, do it," she said quietly.
Emma focused on Megan's turbulent emotions, gently soothing them until the young mutant felt a wave of calm wash over her. Mark visibly relaxed as well, reassured that Frost wasn't going to invade Megan's privacy any further.
Soon, they were all seated in Emma's office. She sat behind her desk, her hands folded in front of her. "I've picked up some images from your memories, but I want to hear it from you in your own words," she said.
"I'll tell you. I don't want Megan to have to relive it again," Mark offered.
Emma nodded. "Of course."
"This afternoon, we went to the amusement park. Everything was fine, until this strange pale woman appeared. She started chasing us — well, really, she was after Pixie. I don't know why. But it was like she was... messing with our minds. Megan felt horrible for a moment, like..." Mark hesitated, searching for the right words.
"Like her very presence was killing me," Megan finished quietly, her body trembling slightly at the memory. "Her gaze filled me with such disgust... I don't even want to think about it."
"She beat us. I thought I wouldn't be able to save Megan. But then, this man appeared. He shot the pale woman and told us to run," Mark added.
Emma nodded in approval. "You did well to listen to him. And you? How did you know to go to the amusement park?" she asked, turning to Ben.
"Jessica had a vision. She saw that something was threatening Megan," Ben replied.
"And where is Jessica now?" Emma asked sharply, her tone suddenly more severe.
"Uh... she went to the amusement park with Hope," Ben admitted, somewhat hesitantly.
Emma stood up abruptly, her eyes blazing with anger. "What?! As soon as they return, I want them in my office immediately! I won't tolerate such recklessness! They know they're in danger!" she snapped.
Mark pulled out his phone, quickly reading a message. "It's from Jessica. They're on their way back to school. They didn't find anything..."
Emma sighed, her frustration momentarily giving way to relief. "Thank goodness! But they're not getting off the hook so easily. Jessica needs to understand she's not ready to play X-Men just yet."
Composing herself, Emma moved away from the desk and glanced at the group. "You can return to your rooms. I'll find Wolverine and send him to the amusement park to investigate."
As she reached the door, she turned back to Megan. "Megan, I know you feel better now, but you need to go to the infirmary immediately. Have Dr. McCoy examine you."
"Alright," Pixie replied quietly.
DJ placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, guiding her toward the medical wing as the rest of the group dispersed to their rooms.
In the underground Danger Room of the Xavier Institute, the air was thick with concentration. The faint sounds of footsteps and fabric rustling echoed softly in the dimly lit space. Logan, known to most as Wolverine, was leading a training session. His only student that day was Laura Kinney, a dark-haired girl created from his very own genetic code. She wasn't just a clone, but also a student he was determined to teach not just the art of combat, but the discipline that came with it. Both were dressed in white kimonos, a stark contrast against the cold steel surroundings. The light from overhead lamps cast sharp shadows on the mats beneath their feet. Laura stood poised before Logan, her sharp green eyes locked onto him with unwavering focus.
"Remember, Laura," Logan's voice, gruff and deep, filled the room. "Today, no claws. You need to learn how to disarm your enemies without killing them, without relying on your weapons, even if they're part of you."
Laura gave a slight nod, her face expressionless, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of internal struggle. For her, combat was instinctual — brutal and unforgiving. Her claws were as much a part of her as her hands, and now she was being asked to fight without them.
"I understand."
Logan watched her closely for a moment, then nodded again.
"Good. No more talk. Attack me. And remember, no claws!"
Laura shifted into a ready stance, her body taut and prepared to spring. She slid her foot silently across the mat, each movement calculated and deliberate. Her gaze hardened, the predator within her awakening as she prepared to strike. The silence in the training room was palpable, broken only by the sound of their steady breathing. When Laura finally lunged at Logan, her speed was breathtaking — quick, precise, and fierce. But Logan, with his years of experience, was ready. He blocked her strikes effortlessly, catching her wrists, anticipating every move. Though she was relentless, each of her attacks met with a swift counter from her mentor. Their fight was like a dance — fluid movements, clashes of bodies, powerful blocks, and throws that transitioned seamlessly into the next sequence of attacks. Each step revealed not just their skill, but a deeper connection. Suddenly, in the midst of their intense exchange, a pale, ethereal light filled the room. Emma Frost's astral projection appeared, hovering between the two combatants like a ghost.
"Logan, we need your help," her voice was cool, commanding. Despite being a projection, her presence demanded attention. "I'll telepathically share what's happened and the location you need to go to."
Laura, still catching her breath from the sparring, watched as Logan stood silently, his face stern as he connected telepathically with Frost. When the mental exchange ended, Logan gave a curt nod. The astral image of Emma vanished, leaving the two once again in the quiet training room. Logan walked to the door, pushing it open, but before stepping out, he turned back to Laura with a half-smile that carried both a challenge and approval.
"What are you waiting for? Get dressed! It's time for some real field training!"
Laura wiped the sweat from her brow, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. She knew whatever awaited them out there would push her beyond anything she'd learned on the training mats.
Megan sat on the bed in the infirmary, buttoning up her shirt. Dr. McCoy had just finished examining her, confirming that she was healthy and that the mysterious woman hadn't physically harmed her — or at least not in any way detectable by conventional methods. The door to the infirmary swung open, and Wolverine entered, followed closely by X-23.
"Logan? How can I help you?" Hank asked, stepping away from the microscope he'd been working at.
"Megan still here?" Logan's voice was gruff, direct.
"Yes, she's right over here." Henry moved toward the white privacy screen separating the beds from the rest of the room and pulled it aside. There stood Pixie, silent and somewhat detached, her eyes scanning the faces of the people now gathered around her. She didn't speak but looked a little unsettled by the attention. Logan stepped closer to her, his nostrils flaring slightly as he leaned in and sniffed the air around her. Megan flinched but didn't move away.
"There's a trace of that woman on you… very faint, but distinct. I've never smelled anything like it before." Logan's brow furrowed, his instincts on high alert. "Whoever she was, she's not one of the usual enemies we've dealt with."
He turned to Laura, who was standing nearby, silent but watchful. She knew what he was asking without him needing to speak. Laura moved forward, her gaze sharp and focused. She, too, leaned in and inhaled deeply, her keen senses honing in on the faint scent that lingered on Megan. The mutant girl's confusion deepened, and she took a small step back, bewildered by their animalistic behavior.
"We're going hunting, Laura," Logan said as he turned toward the door, his tone carrying the weight of something inevitable.
"Understood," Laura replied, her voice calm, already in sync with his intentions.
Without another word, the two headed out, leaving Megan standing there, still processing the strange encounter. Dr. McCoy watched them go, his face creased with concern. "Stay here and rest, Megan. We'll figure out what's going on," he said gently, but Megan's thoughts were already spinning elsewhere.
A few minutes later, Logan and Laura were driving toward the amusement park in the man's jeep. Logan wore jeans and a brown leather jacket, while Laura, dressed in black pants, a T-shirt, and combat boots, looked ready for action. It was already dark outside, the streets were deserted, and a light, chilly rain had begun to fall, quickly intensifying into a cold, unpleasant downpour. Laura spotted two figures walking along the sidewalk, illuminated by a streetlamp.
"They're there... Jessica and Hope," she said, pointing at the girls.
"They didn't catch the bus," Logan muttered as he pulled the jeep over to the curb. He got out and called to the mutants, who seemed relieved to see him. The rain had grown heavier, and the night had turned even colder.
"Get in. You've gotten yourselves into some trouble with this stunt," Logan remarked. "Jessica, you're driving. Head straight back to the Institute."
"That was the plan," Jessica replied, brushing her wet hair aside.
Once the girls were in the jeep, Laura moved to step out onto the street, ready for action. But Logan stopped her with a firm gesture.
"Plans have changed. You're going back to the School with them."
"But we were supposed to hunt..." Laura protested.
"You need to make sure they get back safely. That's your job now, and it's more important than mine."
Laura hesitated for a moment, visibly displeased at being sidelined by Logan. Her instincts urged her to act, but she decided to follow his orders. The jeep with the girls disappeared around the corner, swallowed by the darkness and the rain, leaving Wolverine alone on the empty street. Standing in the pouring rain, which had turned into a relentless downpour, Logan slowly made his way toward the amusement park, ready to face whatever awaited him there.
The three girls were slowly approaching the school. Hope was recounting the incident in the park and their failure to locate the mysterious attacker and the man who had helped Megan.
"Logan will find them if they're anywhere nearby. If not, he'll catch their trail and follow it straight to wherever they're hiding," X-23 replied.
"I know, Laura… He's the best at what he does. But still, it would be better if someone went with him. We don't know who those people were or who else might be involved," Hope said, frowning slightly. There was a brief silence. Jessica, focused on the road, didn't join the conversation, though she listened in.
"Hey… how will Logan even know what he's looking for?" Hope asked, breaking the quiet.
"The scent… the woman and the guy's scents were still on Pixie," Laura replied matter-of-factly.
"And do you know who they might be? Any memories... you were...?" Hope started tentatively, but seeing the shift in Laura's expression, quickly stopped herself. Laura's face hardened, her jaw tightening. Hope realized she had touched on a sensitive subject.
"I know exactly what I was made for. And because of that, I'm sure of one thing. That woman's scent... it's the scent of death."
Silence fell again. Trance turned her head to look out the window, watching the rain-soaked streets as a lingering worry for Megan gnawed at her. Laura glanced at Preview, wanting to say something, but hesitated. After a moment, she finally spoke.
"Jessica…"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"Thanks? For what?" Jessica's eyebrows lifted in surprise.
"For the CDs you lent me on Monday."
"Oh, that?!" Jessica grinned widely. "Pretty cool, right?"
"Yes, especially that symphonic metal… I have never heard anything like that before," Laura admitted. Jessica glanced at her through the rearview mirror, noticing the way Laura's expression softened for a moment.
"I knew you'd like it. There's something epic about symphonic metal, isn't there? The way it blends heavy riffs with orchestral elements… it's like a soundtrack to some life-or-death battle," Jessica said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Laura nodded, considering her words.
"Exactly… In some tracks, you can even hear classical music influences. That is what I like about it," she added, allowing a faint smile to cross her face.
Hope, overhearing the conversation, couldn't resist chiming in.
"They use classical music in classic rock and metal too. You know 'Metal Heart' by Accept? It's got Beethoven's 'Für Elise' in it!" she exclaimed with enthusiasm.
Jessica nodded, grinning broadly.
"Yeah, I love those little touches! On one hand, you get the raw energy of metal, and on the other, there's something more refined, something with depth and history."
Laura nodded again, her gaze still fixed on the passing scenery. "It's the best combination, really — power and finesse in the same song. Maybe that's why it resonates with me so much…"
Another moment of quiet passed, broken only by the steady hum of the engine and the rhythmic patter of rain against the car's roof.
"We should totally listen to some music together back at school, huh?" Jessica broke the silence again, a smile on her face. "There's always something new to discover."
"Sounds good," Laura agreed, the corner of her mouth lifting ever so slightly, revealing a hint of satisfaction.
Logan crossed the gates of the abandoned amusement park, the heavy rain falling in unrelenting sheets. It was late, and the downpour had driven most people away, leaving the park eerily quiet. The mutant moved swiftly through the deserted grounds, the fading scents of the mysterious woman and his students still lingering in the air despite the rain's efforts to wash them away. Passing through a tree-lined path, his sharp eyes caught a flash of red light reflecting off the soaked pavement. He turned his head and saw a crowd gathered near an ambulance, its siren lights casting flickering shadows across the wet ground. Curious, Logan stepped closer, scanning the scene. A group of paramedics was frantically working to resuscitate a clown sprawled out in the middle of the path, his painted face smeared and lifeless in the downpour. A balloon shaped like a cat's head hung limp, tangled in the branches of a nearby tree, gently swaying in the wind. Logan gave the scene little more than a glance before continuing. His focus was elsewhere. He could still catch faint traces of the woman's scent, barely discernible now, as he made his way toward the haunted house where Megan and Mark's ordeal had unfolded. He entered the decaying attraction, his footsteps muffled by the thick layer of dust on the wooden floor. Inside, the air was heavy with the stench of rot and mildew, and the sound of rain pounding against the building's exterior echoed through the dark corridors. His keen senses cut through the oppressive atmosphere as he moved deeper into the house. Then, suddenly, a familiar scent hit him — the same one he had smelled on Pixie earlier. Logan froze, every instinct sharpened. He spun around, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto a pale pentagram glowing faintly on the wall. It was crudely drawn, almost as if it had been etched in haste. He stepped closer, examining it. Just as he was about to reach out, he heard the soft shuffle of footsteps behind him.
A gruff voice broke the silence. "You lot sure know how to find trouble."
Logan turned sharply, claws unsheathing with a metallic snikt, ready to strike. Standing before him was an unshaven man in a long trench coat, his eyes dark and unreadable. In a flash, the man's hand darted forward, pressing his fingers against Logan's forehead before the mutant could react. Instantly, Logan's world exploded into chaos. His senses, honed and deadly, were overwhelmed by an onslaught of sensations — meaningless images, distorted sounds, strange scents, and bitter tastes, all crashing into him like a relentless wave. His mind reeled, unable to process the flood of information, and within moments, his body succumbed to the overload. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor, unconscious. The stranger stood over him for a moment, his expression blank, as if considering something. Then, without another word, he turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Logan lying motionless in the dark, rain still drumming on the roof above.