New Blood III: Triumph of Darkness

New Blood
Chapter 16: Outrage and Anger

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Secret Hellfire Island Villa – Sub-levels

The pawns gathered in the sub-levels after hearing an urgent message from Lord Xavier. Jean, Rogue, Pietro, Bobby, Jubilee, Kitty, Piotr, Julian, Danielle, Remy, Emma, and Ororo all made their way down with high expectations. He said they made a breakthrough, something they had all been waiting for since they arrived. These past few days had been a blur. They all knew sooner or later they would get a break on Selene. Now they had it.

But when they arrived down in the sub-levels, they noticed an angry expression on everybody’s face. Scott, Warpath, Sam, Rahne, Logan, and Mystique all looked upset if not a little grim. They clearly saw something that was not pleasant, which was never a good sign when dealing with Selene. Xavier and Moria looked more serious than angry. Moria was still at the console while Xavier was pacing restlessly. Rahne was also somewhat silent as she sat next to Deadpool. And even he was quiet, something that was downright rare if not a little disturbing. But it did heighten everybody’s curiosity.

“What’s going on, Scott? What did you find out?” asked Jean, who sensed many of these angry feelings.

“You’ll see,” muttered Scott, “But I should warn you it isn’t going to be pleasant.”

Jean shifted at his warning. Scott was never one for exaggerations and she had every reason to believe him in this instance. She, like everybody else, was restless and ready to get some answers. But there was a distinctly ominous feel to this situation.

“Thank you all for coming so quickly,” said the Black King, “Please take a seat. You’ll be needing it.”

“Why? How bad is it?” asked Piotr.

“Are we already too late?” asked Jubilee, “Has Selene already won?”

“Slightly more complicated than that, Jubilee,” said Warpath, “But trust us when you say you’ll want to sit down for this.”

Everybody did as the Black King suggested. But they already didn’t have a good feeling about this. Xavier could sense it. This wasn’t going to be easy, but it had to be done. He turned towards Moria and nodded, letting her know it was time. He then took a deep breath and addressed his loyal pawns.

“As you’re all well aware, Moria and I have been coordinating with our dwindling resources to locate Selene and uncover what she’s up to. It hasn’t been easy. The destruction of Hellfire Manor and Selene’s betrayal has frozen much of our assets. We have limited access to our money, our manpower, and our communication networks. And what few agents I have left have revealed that with the exception of X-Industrial, many of our contacts are beginning to break away.”

“That much we’ve all assumed, Lord Xavier,” said Pietro, “But what does this have to do with Selene?”

Xavier turned towards Moria, who brought up a few screens on the terminal that showed a list of their locked assets. The list was pretty vast, but there was more to it than just its size.

“Like I said earlier, Pietro. It’s more complicated than we imagined,” said the Black King, “I long assumed that Selene would eventually move against me. I assumed her plan was to overtake my network and assert herself as the sole authority in the Inner Circle, thereby giving her complete control of all of the Hellfire Club’s resources.”

“And by default, the world,” added Bobby.

“Indeed,” said Xavier, “But it appears I was wrong in my assumption. Selene had no interest in taking over the Hellfire Club. She seems to have more ambitious plans.”

“How is that possible?” asked Rogue, “What’s more ambitious than taking control of the Hellfire Club?”

“And how do you we know this isn’t what she’s after?” added Piotr.

Moria stepped in to take this one.

“Because she hasn’t even tried,” she said as she brought up other screens, “She hasn’t made a single attempt to reassert control over the Hellfire Club’s resources. All she’s been doing is try to access some limited resources, namely manpower and transportation. She hasn’t even touched the money, the connections, or even controlling interests in a single company we own. She never even tried to set up shop in another branch of the Hellfire Club.”

It was a strange revelation, but the numbers didn’t lie. Moria brought up the logs to the network to prove it. It just left everybody even more confused than before.

“But this doesn’t make any sense,” said Kitty, “Why would she go to all this trouble to overthrow us and not reap the rewards?”

“That’s something we’re all still trying to ascertain, Kitty,” said Xavier, “But thankfully, we received an important clue from a very unlikely source.”

Xavier turned towards Moria again and nodded. This was where it got even more complicated. He watched as she accessed the secret network set up by Sinister with the password Rahne uncovered. He then brought up some disturbing images that made everybody’s stomach churn. They looked like schematics of bio tanks with babies inside. There were also genetic profiles on every one of them all neatly laid out in a way that they all would have expected from someone as meticulous as Sinister. But that wasn’t the most disturbing part.

“What the…” said Julian as he and the others looked at the screens.

“What you’re looking at are secret files compiled by Mr. Sinister in a secret network that was independent from the rest of the Hellfire Club’s computer resources until a few days ago. It documents a hidden agenda that Sinister has been working on for quite some time now. And I’m sorry to say it’s an agenda that has many of you caught up in it.”

“Always knew that creep was up to something,” said Kitty, “But what’s this got to do with Selene?”

Xavier turned towards Scott and the others who already knew the truth. This was going to be the hardest part to digest, but everybody needed to hear this.

“We weren’t exactly sure, but then about an hour ago a hidden file was mysteriously unlocked within the network. It appeared to be some sort of specifically encrypted code that would only be unlocked if the network detected a specific signal. Somehow a signal was sent out and the file that emerged was a short video clip. And without getting into too great a detail, I feel this is something you have to see for yourself. But again, I warn you what you’re about to see won’t be pleasant.”

“Don’t worry, Lord Xavier. We’re used to it by now,” said Julian.

“Bet he’ll feel differently after he sees this,” snickered Deadpool.

“Quiet, Wade!” growled Rahne, “Save your jokes for later or I’ll claw your vocal chords out!”

Deadpool innocently shrugged and fell silent as Moria accessed the file. It took a moment because the file was quite large, but once it loaded they were all greeted with the ominous sight of Mr. Sinister. He appeared to be in some sort of lab that wasn’t the one they knew back at X-Industrial. And behind him they saw some strange looking machines they had never seen him with before. They were never particularly fond of this man for his sinister nature, but if he was caught up with Selene then this situation was every bit as grave as the Black King implied. With that in mind they sat and listened as the video played.

“Greetings to whomever I may be addressing at the moment. If somehow you have been able to access this video then my greatest fears have been realized. Selene, the Black Queen, has betrayed me. As you watch this I am most likely dead or worse. This special network which I have gone to great lengths to keep secure and secret is specially linked to my vitals. If at any time they fail, this file will become active. And as such, this information will reveal to you that which you need to confront and hopefully defeat Selene. If that woman is willing to betray me then I am willing to do the same. So please listen as I reveal to you that which I have been working on all this time.”

He almost sounded sad, which nobody thought was possible with this man. But he did confirm one major suspicion.

“So Sinister was helping Selene? I knew it!” said Ororo definitively, “There’s no limit to how low he’ll sink!”

“You don’t know the half of it,” said Sam, “Keep watching. You’ll see.”

The pawns watched as the video screen was split briefly into an area where Sinister set up some charts and graphs. They all looked like genetic profiles and they were all related to them.

“For the past five years, Hank and I have been working on a way to synthesize a new species more advanced than any mutant or human. It was my hope that this new species will weed out the corrupt and the weak that have ravaged this world for too long. But to do so I required more than just the advanced technology granted to me by the Hellfire Club. I needed mutants of the right genetic potential. Because it is only through mutation and propagation that a new species can emerge and take over. Normally it takes thousands if not millions of years, but I found a way to speed it up. I took genetic samples from all the advanced mutants that joined the Inner Circle. And I used them as the base for my boldest experiment yet.”

That was the first major shock for the pawns. Sinister hadn’t just been doing experiments on the side. He was using their blood to carry it out behind their backs. It stirred the anger of all the pawns.

“That crazy psycho used OUR DNA for his experiments?!” exclaimed Kitty.

“He did more than that,” muttered Logan, “You’ll see.”

The others fell silent as they watched on. They noticed in the area next to Sinister a brief animation came up. It looked like it was depicting the combining or synthesis of two different DNA strands. As it played out Sinister explained it.

“Upon acquiring the necessary samples from Xavier’s pawns, I had Hank map and synthesize all of them. I then did tests to see which combinations of DNA would create the greatest potential. I made sure every combination had a part of the advanced strand I synthesized. Once I knew those combinations. I proceeded with the next step. I went about combining the DNA strands, but unfortunately the only way to produce viable material was to create living organisms that I could work with. That means I needed offspring. And that’s where the pawns once again contributed.”

Every one of the pawns shifted uncomfortably when Sinister said the word ‘offspring.’ They all knew what it implied, but not what it could lead to. That’s when they saw another graphic form on the video, which more or less confirmed what they feared.

“To create these offspring I combined the specific combinations of DNA I needed into unfertilized eggs I extracted from the female Hellfire pawns. I then used sperm from the men to fertilize them, but before the embryo started developing I replaced the DNA with my specific combinations. Then under the guise of more cosmetic surgery, I implanted them in the wombs of the women. From there I let them grow for about two months. Then when they came back in for a checkup, I removed the fetuses and placed them in bio tanks. I made sure the women had no idea they were pregnant.”

A heavy silence fell over the room. Every pawn in the room, especially the women, tensed with anger. Now they understood what Xavier and the others meant when they said they weren’t going to like this. They had all been suspicious of Sinister and nobody had any real affection for that man. But to learn that he took their DNA and used it to create children from it was beyond mortifying. It made them all feel almost as violated as they had after Selene had tortured them. This predicament was bad enough, but now it was on a whole new level.

“That…that son of a bitch!” exclaimed Rogue.

“He impregnated us?!” exclaimed Jean, “He used as surrogates without even telling us! All so he could do his fucking experiments?!”

“It was more than an experiment,” said Mystique, who was trying to calm Rogue down, “It was all part of his agenda. He was planning it before any of you even got here.”

“So that’s it? He just used us as tools for his sick agenda?!” exclaimed Kitty.

“As mortified as I am by such actions, I’m afraid it’s true,” said Xavier, “The data in his network confirms it. I’m sorry for all of you, but these are the lengths Sinister is willing to go to.”

The pawns couldn’t stay seated any longer. Moria stopped the video so they could have a moment to digest this. Even in a place like the Hellfire Club, it wasn’t every day they found out they had become parents in some bizarre science experiment by a madman. Some of the women found themselves placing their hands over their wombs, knowing a child had been growing in there only to be taken away Sinister. It left them outraged and bitter in a way that was right up there with Selene’s cruelty.

“That’s it! I was willing to accept that nobody would come near Selene’s cruelty, but Sinister has just proven me wrong!” said Jubilee.

“So…we really were really pregnant without knowing it?” said Danielle, who still couldn’t wrap her head around this, “Did that mean that stomach bug that went around a while back was just a cover?!”

“It seems likely,” said Warpath with a grim tone, “It was how he covered his tracks.”

“Typical,” muttered Julian, “So if he used our DNA, that means we’re all technically parents?”

“There’s nothing technical about it, Julian,” said Scott, “He said he used all our DNA.”

“So then which kid belongs to who?!” exclaimed Pietro.

“Would you really want to know? It might not be with someone you like,” commented Remy.

“Shut up, Cajun!” said Pietro as he lunged towards the Cajun, forcing Ororo to step in and break them up.

“Easy, Pietro! Let’s not start another fight!” she said.

“That’s easy for you to say when he probably didn’t impregnate you and take the baby!” said Rogue.

This was starting to get out of hand. The pawns were outraged and rightly so, but they couldn’t afford to have this break out into a fight.

“All of you calm down!” ordered the Black King, “I know you’re all upset about this, but that’s no reason to start fighting one another! You’re all still Inner Circle! And you will act as such regardless of this revelation! Understand?”

Many of the pawns fell silent and held their heads low before their king. Xavier’s stern and authoritative poise made them all stop and take a deep breath. This was a lot to take in. They were all officially parents and didn’t even know about it. Even with their conditioning, it was a lot to take in and left them with many questions.

“But wouldn’t there have been some clue as to what was going on?” asked Emma, “Why couldn’t Sage hack it out or something?”

“That, Emma, is where Sinister had help,” said Moria, “I know ye all are really angry about this, but ye need to watch the rest of this. It’s important.”

Despite their distraught state of mind, the pawns managed to calm down and watch as Moria started the video again. Nobody liked looking at Sinister now after finding out what he did to them, but it was still not over. There were more secrets to be revealed.

“It was around this time that I began working closely with Selene, the Black Queen. She got wind of my secret operations and threatened to reveal them to Charles Xavier, who would have surely shut down my experiments. I could not have that so I made a deal with her. She agreed to use her magic to deceive the rest of the Inner Circle and provide me with additional resources. In return, she would keep her silence and I agreed to help her with her plans. She never told me the exact extent, but she said they involved overthrowing Charles Xavier. And I was completely in favor of it. But I was not so naïve to think that she would not betray me.”

To the side of Sinister’s image, a new animation came up. It was an image of one of the infants created using the DNA of the pawns. Many tensed upon seeing it, but continued to listen closely.

“As part of a failsafe, I had Hank create a special protocol using the DNA of the infants. In each child there is a small, but powerful bio-electric transmitter. It is implanted within the arm of each specimen. This transmitter sends out a powerful signal that can be picked up and traced to anywhere in the world. To access this signal, there is a program within this network. That program will allow a user to pinpoint the exact location of each infant to within a foot. And I’ve specially calibrated the signal to be capable of penetrating any shields, mystical or otherwise. And wherever the children are, Selene is most likely nearby. I know this because she had a strange interest in my work from the beginning. I suspect she might want to use the children for her own ends. And I refuse to let that happen!”

As much as everybody hated Sinister for what he did, there was a distinct sense of intent in his tone. It seemed as though he actually cared for these children as more than just specimens. That or he just didn’t want Selene living off the fruits of his labor. Whatever the reason, he just revealed a vital tool that they could use to find Selene.

“I’m not sure who is viewing this video right now. But I figure there is a strong possibility that Charles Xavier may be watching at some point. If that is the case I have but one request. Stop Selene! I know you and I have little fondness for one another. You and your pawns should know I still loathe you on the deepest of levels. But my hatred for Selene is much stronger just as I’m sure it is for you. I understand that my goal now is all but impossible with my death. But I have no desire to see Selene succeed in whatever she has planned.”

It was odd seeing that level of sincerity in this man. Even a man as sick as him hated Selene and everything she stood for. The pawns watched as his expression shifted once more. They could sense he knew that these may be his final words.

“I’ve been alive long enough to know that there are just some people in this world that are too dark to be contained. They can’t be reasoned with or dealt with. They will stop at nothing until they make the world around them every bit as dark as they are. For that reason, I ask to whoever is watching this to use this program to find the children and stop Selene. Use whatever means you must. Show no mercy to this woman. She deserves the worst of whatever punishment you give her. This is my final wish. I am confident you will do whatever is necessary. This is Nathanial Essex. Good luck. You’ll need it.”

That marked the end of the video. As soon as it was over the program he mentioned came up, providing a full map of the world and a tracer program that would point them in the direction they needed. It gave them all mixed feelings. They hated Sinister for using them like this and yet he was providing them the key information they needed in order to find Selene. And by fighting her, they were carrying out his final wishes. These were strange times and they just kept getting stranger.

“Damn, well shove a barrel of lard in my mouth and call me Oprah because this fucked up!” commented Deadpool.

“I never thought I’d ever say this, but that’s putting it lightly Deadpool,” said Ororo.

“So in essence we’re not just stopping Selene. We’re also trying to save those children Sinister created…our children,” said Jean.

“You are correct, Jean,” said the Black King, “And Sinister has provided us with the tools we need. It’s a good thing too because based on where the signal is coming from, we never would have found her otherwise.”

“Why is that? Where is that bitch located?” said Pietro.

Moria activated the program and ran the tracing mechanism she had already run earlier. It caused a series of red dots to appear in a concentrated area on the map. Then with a few additional commands, the map zoomed in on the area which seemed centered on a place around South America.

“According to Sinister’s program, Selene and the children are in Nova Roma.”

“Nova what?” said Julian, “Where the hell is that?”

“It’s nowhere you’ve heard of I assure ye,” said Moria, “Nova Roma is a secret hidden kingdom located deep within the Amazon that was founded by the last vestiges of the old Roman Empire. For nearly 2,000 years they’ve been living isolated, maintaining their old Roman traditions and rarely traveling to the outside world.”

“A secret kingdom run in the tradition of Ancient Rome?” said Bobby, “Somehow I’m not as surprised as I should be.”

“But why would Selene go there of all places?” asked Piotr.

“Because…she helped found it,” answered Xavier, “And for a time she ruled over the kingdom as a queen.”

That was a surprising yet disturbing thought. The idea of Selene ruling any kingdom, secret or otherwise, didn’t sit well. It also showed just how little they knew about this woman. Even as they worked under her as pawns all these years, they never dug too deeply into her past. Few wanted to know what made a woman such as her as cruel as she was.

“Well that explains why it would remain hidden,” said Sam, “But how do you know about it, Lord Xavier?”

Xavier sighed and took a deep breath. He had done a number of questionable things in his rise to power and there were few he thought twice about. But there was one that constantly stood out.

“Like I said, for a time she ruled over Nova Roma. But shortly after it’s founding her people rose up and kicked her out.”

“No surprise there,” said Mystique, “I’m surprised they didn’t kill her.”

“Believe me, they tried,” said Xavier, “And for nearly 2,000 years afterwards she was in exile. She always planned on using the Hellfire Club’s resources to regain her throne. But the old order didn’t let her. And as you all know, I allied myself with her in order to rise up to the rank of Black King. One of the ways I got Selene’s help was to assist her in regaining the throne of Nova Roma. It was I that provided her the resources she needed to overthrow the royal family and regain her status. It is one of the difficult deals I had to make in my ascension and one that I’m not proud of.”

There was a brief silence among the pawns. The idea of anybody helping Selene didn’t sit well, even if it was Lord Xavier. He showed as much remorse for helping her as Sinister did in his final message. It seemed to be the fate of all those who aided her.

“You did what you had to do, Charles,” said Emma.

“Perhaps, but it leaves us with quite a challenge,” said Xavier.

He then had Moria bring up a more detailed map of the kingdom. In every respect, it was not very accessible. And knowing Selene, she had any number of tricks to dissuade would be intruders. But they couldn’t afford to let that stop them at this point.

“As you can see, Nova Roma has stayed hidden for good reason. There are dense jungle, perilous rivers, and mountains guarding it. Selene has also employed an array of mystical shielding to keep anybody and everybody out. Even the local governments don’t dare go too close.”

“So we won’t be able to rely on their support,” said Scott, “But we should still be able to gain entry. According to one of our spy satellites the mystical shield has been fluctuating recently. It should be pretty easy for us to fly a jet in.”

“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” said Kitty.

“It may or it may not be, Kitty,” said Scott, “If the shield is fluctuating it could mean one of two things. Either Selene is too distracted to bother with the shields or she’s redirecting her energy into something much bigger.”

“And Ah don’t think we need to speculate on which one it is,” said Sam.

Nobody argued with that. They knew Selene well enough to understand that she never did anything without good reason. If the shield was faltering then that meant she was up to something. They could only contemplate what it may be.

“So then what do we do?” asked Piotr, “What’s the plan?”

Moria then turned off the console and rose up to join Xavier. She stood next to him as he addressed his pawns with the authority and confidence of a true Black King.

“Our plan is simple. I have already made a call to Forge in Paris. He managed to slip away to a secret bunker of ours after Selene took over. He is already gathering the necessary supplies for us and will fly here in a stealth jet that has been generously leant to us by Norman Osborn. Once he arrives we will all launch an assault on Nova Roma and Selene’s forces together. Whatever she is up to, we must stop her and make sure she faces Hellfire justice.”

“With all due respect sir, I think we know full well that Selene isn’t going to go down that easily,” said Julian, “I mean how are we going to stop an immortal woman who can wield the mystic powers of a god?”

“Selene may be immortal, Julian. But I assure you she’s no god,” said Xavier strongly, “You’re right about her power. So if we’re to confront her we must go in with an edge.”

“What kind of edge?” said Logan, “I’m guessin’ it’ll have to be something big to stick it to that woman.”

“We haven’t quite worked that out yet, Logan,” said the Black King, “But I have an idea. I’ll explain more when Forge arrives.”

“And when will that be?” asked Warpath.

“Based on what he told me, he should be here tomorrow morning.”

“Tomorrow morning?” groaned Kitty, “What do we do until then? Just sit here and wait?”

Xavier sighed and looked at his pawns empathically. He could sense how much they all wanted a shot at Selene. He couldn’t blame them after everything she did to them. But if they were to have any chance at beating her they had to be smart about it.

“No, you’re not just going to wait,” he told them, “Instead I want you all to rest up and gather your strength.”

“You want us all to just sleep after what we just learned?” scoffed Rogue.

“Yeah, why don’t we just hop into the other jet now and fly down to this Nova Roma place and kick her ass!” said Pietro intently.

“Because you know damn well that such an attack against Selene’s forces would be foolhardy at best,” said Xavier sternly, silencing the speedster, “I know that’s asking a lot given what you’ve just learned, but you all need to be in top form if you’re to stand a chance against this woman. I know her better than any of you. And trust me when I say you’ll need to be ready.”

It sounded daunting, trying to rest with the knowledge that Selene was out there carrying out whatever sick plans she had. Every moment they gave her a moment she went unpunished for her crimes and that was something that didn’t sit will with any of the pawns. But the look in Xavier’s eyes was serious. And they knew from experience that his methods were usually right in the long term.

“You all have your grudges. But remember, we are in this together,” Xavier went on, “I want to see her suffer as much as the rest of you. That’s why Moria and I are going to continue to develop a strategy.”

“At least let us help, sir,” said Scott strongly.

“Yeah, we should have some say in this too,” said Sam.

“I appreciate your intent, but I need you to rest as well.”

“But…” Scott began.

“This is not up for negotiation,” said Xavier strongly, “I need all of you in top form. Do what you have to do in order to get yourselves ready. That is an order from the Black King. And as my loyal pawns and acquaintances, I expect you all to follow them. The Hellfire Club may be in shambles now, but I assure you we will rebuild and prosper. And I want you all to be a part of that. But you must remember the traditions that have made us all so strong. So that when the time comes, you will all be ready to take your proper roles in the new order.”

It was a powerful message from a powerful man. Charles Xavier had done a lot for them. It was largely because of him that they had all become so strong. His organization and leadership led them all to become more than they ever could have become on their own. Over the years he rewarded their loyalty and dedication. Now more than ever he needed that from them. And for the sake of the organization they served and the hatred they all felt in their hearts for their enemies, they would not deviate from their duties.

“Now then, are there any more questions?” he asked.

Nobody said anything. They already knew everything they needed to know. All that was left now was to prepare.

“Good, then rest up my pawns,” said the Black King, “We have a big day tomorrow.”

“And you know what they say! The early bird catches the crazy psycho bitch in a G-string!” said Deadpool.

“Shut up, Deadpool!” said everybody almost simultaneously.

The merc with a mouth just shrugged and followed everybody out of the sub-levels. Many were still anxious. Those such as Pietro, Rogue, Mystique, Julian, and Scott had loved ones under Selene’s influence. Others such as Warpath, Logan, and Emma had a lot of pent up anger they wanted to take out on Selene as well. They were all anxious to get to Nova Roma and take this woman on, but if they were to stand a chance against her and ensure she got the full punishment she deserved they needed to be ready.

Moria and Xavier watched as Scott, Jean, Piotr, Rogue, Warpath, Pietro, Logan, Mystique, Bobby, Jubilee, Kitty, Sam, Julian, Rahne, Remy, Emma, Ororo, Deadpool, and Danielle left. While they didn’t show it, they too were anxious about facing the Black Queen. They had known her much longer than the others and understood what she was capable of. They always knew they were going to have to face her like this at some point, but not like this. It was already more trying than they ever could have imagined. But they had to make her pay. As leaders of the Hellfire Club, it was their sacred duty to make sure all traitors paid a high price for betrayal.

But before all the pawns were out of sight, Xavier had one last message.

“Jean…could you stay for a moment, please?” he called out.

Jean stopped just as she was about to walk out the doorway with Scott. She turned to him and gave him a reassuring look.

“I’ll catch up,” she told him.

“I understand,” he said as he gave her a kiss on the forehead.

Jean waited for the others to leave before approaching the Black King. She already had a pretty good idea of what this was about so there was no use avoiding it. She stood silently as Xavier walked up to her and placed both hands on her shoulders.

“How have you been holding up, my dear?” he asked her.

“Okay I guess,” said Jean distantly, “It’s been…surreal to say the least. Ever since I felt the power of the Phoenix back in Selene’s chamber, I’ve been trying to make sense of it.”

“So you haven’t been able to get a firm grasp on it?” surmised the Black King.

“I…I don’t know,” said Jean, trying not to sound weak before her king, “I’ve been training for this for years now. Enchantress taught me a lot about magic and wielding great power. But I’m not a goddess from Asgard and I’m not an immortal sorceress. I’m a mutant from New York. I’m not exactly groomed for this sort of power.”

Xavier placed both hands on her face as he looked her in the eye. Jean Grey was a very different woman compared to the shy teenager he brought in all those years ago. She had grown into the model of a Hellfire woman, powerful and beautiful. But even a Hellfire woman could not prepare themselves for challenges like this.

“I know you are concerned, Jean. And I’m sorry this burden must fall solely on your shoulders,” he told her, “But that great power you wielded may be the only power we have to match Selene. Even with all our resources and abilities, we will never succeed against her unless we have someone with us who can go head-to-head with her on a mystical level.”

“I understand that, sir. But this power is just so new to me. I don’t know if I’ll be able to fully grasp it in time. I don’t even know if it is enough to match her,” said Jean anxiously.

Xavier looked at her more sternly, maintaining a calm and assertive demeanor.

“Come now, Jean. I know I taught you better than that. I won’t claim to know what it’s like to wield the power of the Phoenix. But I seem to remember telling you long ago when you first joined that it wasn’t how much power you wielded that mattered. It’s how you use it. Only the weak lament about not having enough and you most certainly are not weak.”

Jean fell silent and bowed her head slightly in a sign of humility to her king. But Xavier wouldn’t let her humble herself at a time like this.

“I don’t just need you to be strong, Jean. I need you to be confident in the power you wield,” he said to her, “You must let go of all fear and uncertainty because Selene will not allow you any advantages. Don’t just try to take control of this power. Dominate it. That way when the time comes you won’t just be able to match Selene, you’ll be able to crush her. Understand?”

Jean’s expression hardened at Xavier’s strong words. She thought back to all the lessons she learned in the Inner Circle and with Enchantress. A lot was riding on her and she had no time to be weak or uncertain. Selene struck hard at her spirit, but she was determined not to let it falter. She owed as such to Charles Xavier and all her fellow pawns.

“I understand, sir.”

“Good,” he said with a warm smile, “Now go on and rest up. Do what you have to do to prepare. You’ll need your strength as well as the Phoenix for tomorrow.”

“I’ll be ready, Lord Xavier. I promise,” said Jean strongly.

The Black King looked her in the eye and saw no reason to doubt her. He smiled and let her go so she could run off with the others to rest and gather her strength. She smiled back, bowing respectfully in a reassuring gesture to assure her king that she was up to this. She still had a daunting challenge ahead of her. But she was clearly up to it.

As Xavier saw Jean off, Moria walked up next to him and affectionately slipped her arms around her lover’s waist in a calming gesture.

“Do you think she’ll really be able to match up against Selene? Is that Phoenix power she wields strong enough?” wondered Moria.

“I don’t know, but let’s hope so because we’ll need it,” said Xavier distantly, “Selene is going to challenge us all and every one of us must be up to it. We all must do our parts. The Inner Circle must work together for once to exert true power against a truly devious force. Selene, like all our enemies, must learn that even immortals are not immune from the wrath of the Hellfire Club.”

Upper Dormitories – Scott and Jean

Night fell over the secret Hellfire Villa and as instructed, most of the pawns had turned in for the night. Nobody was going to get much sleep with a final confrontation with Selene looming before them. Everybody had reason to be anxious. Some were pretty personal. Julian had Laura, Pietro had Lorna and Wanda, Rogue and Mystique had Kurt, and Scott had Alex. Others had just had pure anger and outrage to work off of, fueled by the bitterness left over from Selene’s torture. But for Jean Grey she had a different kind of challenge looming over her. She would be the pawn’s only chance at fighting Selene on a mystical level.

After her talk with Lord Xavier, she retreated to her room where she spent several hours meditating and practicing her spells. She could still feel the power of the Phoenix brewing inside her. But in order to tap it completely she needed to be focused, which wasn’t easy when the memories of Selene’s torture were still fresh in her mind. Every time she got too focused on a spell, she would have vivid flashbacks that threw her off. It was frustrating so she tried to calm herself down with a nice long bath. After she was done she was still tense, but she remembered Xavier’s words and didn’t allow herself to fall into uncertainty.

Now tired and dried off, Jean stood in front of her bathroom mirror looking at herself with a stern gaze. She was wearing only a pair of black panties and gripping the sides of the sink firmly as she tried to focus the power within.

“I can feel it. This power is mine. I WILL wield it! I must.”

Her eyes flashed in a fiery flame as the power flowed from within. But it was still hard to maintain. Her face contorted in discomfort as the fires faded and she let out a tired gasp while hunched over the sink.

“Ugh…why does this have to be so hard?” she told herself, “What do I have to do to get a hold of myself?”

As Jean caught her breath and continued looking at herself in the mirror, she heard a knock on her door. Feeling too frustrated to continue, she sighed and walked out of her bathroom to answer it. When she opened the door she saw Scott standing in front of her wearing only a pair of black boxers. It wasn’t his usual dress sense for this time of night, but it was hot and he looked just as restless as her.

“Hey love, am I interrupting something?” said Scott, smiling at her half naked form.

“Of course not,” Jean smiled, “Just too distracted to put anything else on.”

“You too, huh? I take it you can’t sleep either.”

“How can anybody at a time like this?” she groaned, “I don’t even bother. I’ve just been doing a little extra training with my magic. As you can probably tell it’s slow going.”

She had a tired and distraught look in her eyes. Scott was tired too, but he still cast her a reassuring smile.

“Mind if I come in? Some company might help,” he said to her, “And I’m not doing too well on my own.”

“Sure,” said Jean, smiling back, “I think we could both use it.”

Jean led him inside, closing the door behind her. She promptly felt his powerful arms slip around her as he pulled her into warm embrace. It was nice and comforting, as it so often was with Scott. She let out a soft moan of contentment as some of the tension from earlier melted away. She also sensed Scott ease up a little. He was pretty anxious as well. She assumed part of it had to do with Alex, but there was so much going on it was hard to tell.

Smiling at the warm feeling, Scott and Jean made their way over towards the bed. It only seemed logical since they were too tense and restless to just stand around like this. They sat down near the edge with Scott’s arms still secure around her waist while Jean affectionately leaned into his warm, resting her head on his shoulder. For a moment they just sat in silence, enjoying the loving warmth between them. There was so much on their minds, but just being close to one another helped.

“So are we going to talk about it?” said Scott, finally breaking the silence.

“About what?” she said incredulously, “There’s a lot to talk about at a time like this.”

“You know what I mean,” he said, “I’m referring to what Xavier pulled you aside to discuss.”

“My Phoenix powers,” said Jean distantly.

“Yeah…those,” he said, turning towards her so he could look her in the eye, “Are we going to talk about it? Because I know this has been causing you a lot of stress.”

Scott was one of the few people Jean could never seem to deceive. He wasn’t even psychic, but he could read her like one. It showed how well they knew each other. And in some ways he was also tied to this power she now wielded. They couldn’t ignore it forever.

“I know you’ve been worried. Everybody’s been looking at me a little strangely since it happened, even Emma,” said Jean, “But I’ll tell you the same thing I told Lord Xavier. I’m connected to this power now. All that stress Selene put on my mind and spirit finally allowed me to reach out and grasp it. I just…haven’t gotten to the point where I can wield it fully.”

“And your worried that if you can’t you won’t be able to face Selene,” Scott surmised.

Jean sighed looked away briefly. But she still managed a slight smile.

“You know me well, Scott. I’ve always sort of burdened myself with this. I’m the only other one besides Wanda and Selene who has learned to wield magic on some level. And now I’m the only one who can stand against them. They both wield power on a level I could never hope to match on my own. But with the Phoenix I know I have a chance. I just need to grasp it.”

“So what’s holding you back?” asked Scott, “You’ve always been so strong and determined when it comes to magic. I know because I’ve seen it first hand. Why should this be any different?”

“The power of the Phoenix isn’t like wielding normal magic,” said Jean, “It’s a power beyond anything I’ve ever felt before. It’s a force that’s practically divine and I’m trying to grasp it with my mortal limitations. And without the aptitude of advanced mystics, it’s difficult to say the least.”

Scott sensed a touch of frustration in her tone. He heard this many times before when she was still struggling with her abilities. So he hugged her closer and gently caressed her face.

“But still, it chose you,” he told her, “You said it yourself. This thing has been linked to you for a long time. That says a lot. It means it sensed something in you it didn’t sense in anyone else. Even when there were plenty of more powerful mystics out there, it still chose you. That’s a powerful sign.”

“Yeah…I guess so,” said Jean with a half-smile, “But what does it mean?”

“I wish I knew,” he told her, “But I’m sure you’ll figure it out. You’ve never let this sort of thing stand in your way before. I know this is different, but I’m confident you’ll pull through again.”

“I hope so. A lot is riding on me right now. If I can’t stand against Selene then we have no chance against her,” she said distantly.

“I couldn’t think of a better woman to bear those responsibilities.”

That brought another smile to Jean’s face. Scott always knew what to say to lift her spirits. He reinforced his point by giving him a deep kiss. It was a comforting feeling and one they both sorely needed.

“Thanks Scott,” she said warmly, “I don’t think I ever could have come this far without your support.”

“Anytime, my love,” he said softly.

“But what about you?” she inquired, “I notice you’ve been worried as well. Is it about Alex?”

Now it was Scott’s turn to sigh and turn away. Just as well as he knew her, Jean knew him every bit as deeply. And with her telepathy she could pick up on things he was never able to articulate. For issues as sensitive as Alex, that was especially important.

“Yeah, I guess that’s still bothering me,” he muttered, “I still can’t get over how he just turned on me like that. After everything I did to try and help him, he up and joins Selene. I just can’t help thinking that I failed him.”

“You didn’t fail him, Scott,” she said with a comforting gesture, “Selene corrupted Alex just as she corrupts everybody she touches.”

“I know, but still…I feel as though I could have done something more. I know we never got along, but I really did hope that we could come together again.”

Jean was silent for a moment as she leaned in closer to her lover. She tried not to get too caught up in the family affairs with others, but this one was something she couldn’t avoid. There was a cold hard truth to matters such as these and Scott needed to hear it.

“Scott, I don’t mean to belittle your brother and the relationship you have with him, but sometimes you just have to accept that some people are set in their ways. No amount of family or brotherly mentoring can stop that.”

“What are you saying? That Alex was destined to join Selene?” said Scott bitterly.

“No, of course not,” she said quickly, “I’m just saying that he just had those traits that made him prone to her influence. He was aggressive, ambitious, and unbalanced. He didn’t stand a chance against Selene.”

It was a bitter pill to swallow, but on some levels Scott knew she was right. He never liked to believe that his brother was as dark as the rest of Selene’s minions, but he couldn’t deny that he was prone to her influence. He just couldn’t get around his irrational anger about not being everything he wanted to be. He wasn’t willing to work his way up. It was difficult for him as a brother, but it was too late now.

“I’m going to have to face him,” said Scott distantly.

“I know you will,” she said with another reassuring gesture, “And just like me, you’ll do what you have to do. He’s still your brother.”

“I know. I just wish it didn’t have to come to this.”

“Believe me, Scott, none of us does,” said Jean in a deep tone, “But we’re still part of the Inner Circle. We have to do whatever is necessary to end this.”

“And what if the only necessary thing to do is kill my own brother?”

“Try not to think about that just like I’m trying not to think about not being able to grasp my Phoenix powers,” said Jean, “If there’s one thing we’ve learned together it’s that we can’t let bitterness and anger stand in our way. We have to be willing to go beyond our limits to do whatever needs to be done. No matter how difficult it is, we need to stand strong…not just on our own, but together as well.”

Scott remembered vividly that same lesson he and Jean learned as well. It was one of the hardest lesson any Hellfire pawn had to learn, doing whatever was necessary to get the job done. He didn’t like the idea of having to oppose his own brother like this. But if it was the only way to stop him and Selene, he had to be ready to do what was necessary. And Jean was still there to support him just as he was there to support her.

“Yes…together,” said Scott.

With that sense of dedication to one another and their duties, Scott and Jean came together in another kiss. This time it was more passionate, fueled by the loving strength they so often gave one another. Their lips wrestled with greater fervor and their hands began roaming around their half-naked bodies. Scott’s hands found their way to her breasts while Jean hungrily traced her fingers down the sinewy curves of his manly upper body. Even with the memory of Selene’s torture still fresh in their memories, they couldn’t help but get aroused by the feeling. Their bodies began instinctively grinding together, building up a burning heat between them. But they did not continue as they normally would. Just as the feeling was getting intense, they abruptly parted.

“Jean…” said Scott breathlessly, “Do you want to continue? Is it too soon?”

Jean thought about it for a moment. But she didn’t have to think long.

“Scott, no amount of torture could ever stop me from wanting to make love to you. To hell with the scars that Selene left. Let’s do this,” she said intently, “Besides, we haven’t had our special night yet this week, have we?”

“Now there’s the Jean Grey I fell in love with!”

Scott couldn’t help but smile at her powerful words. She wasn’t the kind of person who would let someone like Selene taint the things she loved most. She was stronger than that. They both were. They hadn’t made love since this whole mess began. Now seemed like the most fitting of times to recapture this feeling.

They resumed their passionate kissing, throwing their arms around each other in a fervent embrace. Hands roamed more openly now as they touched and caressed each others’ flesh, moaning contently as the warmth coursed through them. Scott traced down her womanly curves and grabbed a firm hold of her butt while she hooked her legs around his waist and pulled him down onto the bed so he was on top of her. From there he tenderly kissed down her neck and tracing his lips down her womanly body. He evoked deep gasps from her as he lovingly caressed her breasts, kissing over her nipples and kneading the fleshy orbs in his hands. He then kissed down further, highlighting every inch of her tender skin until he reached her naval. Once there she lifted her hips, allowing him remove her thong. Now fully naked before him, he carefully parted her thighs and trailed his lips over her moistening vaginal region.

“Ohhhhhhh Scott…” she gasped softly.

He loved hearing her sweet moans again. They were a far cry from the pain and agony they suffered in Selene’s torture chambers. Letting all the memories of tender lovemaking come back to him, Scott tenderly licked around her wet folds. He trailed over her swollen clit, thoroughly teasing it in the way he knew she loved. This evoked deeper moans from her. Then with his fingers he gently spread her folds and plunged his tongue inside her womanly depths. Jean’s whole body tensed at the feeling and she grasped both her breasts as feelings of bliss followed.

With thorough care and fervor Scott teased her womanly depths, hitting all the sensitive areas he knew by heart and building her arousal. It felt like it had been forever since he tasted her like this. She was still every bit as sweet to him. Once he had her nice and moist, Jean beckoned him for more and pulled him back on top of her. He followed without hesitation, quickly capturing her lips again in a deep kiss. Now fully aroused herself, it was his turn for tender teasing. So with a little help from her telekinesis, she rolled Scott over so that now he was on his back and she was the one on top. From there she mimicked his motions from earlier, trailing her lips down his upper body with thorough yet tender fervor. When she got to his boxers she already felt a bulging erection yearning to be free. She swiftly removed them, allowing his member to stand free. Then with headed passion she caressed and stroked his hardened length.

“Mmm…Jean,” said Scott softly as he felt her gestures.

“Yes, my love. I still remember what you like,” grinned Jean seductively.

With a firm hand on the base of his shaft, Jean tenderly licked the tip of his penis. Scott moaned in contentment at the sensations that followed. She then parted her hair behind her ear and hungrily enveloped his length, sucking and slurping up and down his shaft in a slow blissful motion that made Scott moan deeper. She looked up and watched as he closed his eyes and lay back while gently grasping her head. She held onto his shaft with one hand while gently fingering herself with the other as her head bobbed up and down his member. She slid her tongue up and around the tip and underside, going through all the motions she knew he loved. She could sense his arousal growing by the second and continued to suck him off long and hard, building up the feeling.

Finally, they could take it no more. Jean gave his member one last hard lick and then crawled back on top of him, capturing his lips in another heated kiss. They had been deprived for too long. Scott and Jean needed to make love. They needed to share this feeling again. It wasn’t a matter of just wanting or desiring it. They genuinely needed it to hold onto the strength they needed during this difficult times.

“Jean…I have to feel you again,” said Scott in a deep tone.

“Me too, my love. I want this so bad,” she gasped desperately, “Please…let’s make love.”

In a heated passion they rolled around on the bed, following their desires to that which they craved most. Jean stayed on top, rising up slightly and straddling her lover’s pelvis. Scott remained on his back, maintaining a firm grip on her hips as he positioned herself over his ridged member. Then as she clung to his shoulders, he slowly guided her down onto his erect length. They savored the moment, moaning blissfully as Scott’s penis slowly entered Jean’s vagina. It was every bit as sweet as they remembered. Selene could corrupt many things, but she couldn’t corrupt this feeling.

Now driven solely by passion, Scott and Jean began moving their bodies in a sexual rhythm. Jean thoroughly worked her hips, working them up and down is hardened length. As she did this, Scott supplemented her motions with hard upward thrusts. His dick slithered in and out of her wet pussy, filling them with blissful sensations each and every time. They moaned and panted to this feeling, building it up until they were at that nice steady pace they were so fond of whenever they made love. It wasn’t like the vigorous, lust-filled moments they shared with other lovers. This was special and it felt as such with every mind-numbing sensation.

“Uh-uh-oh-oh-oh Scott-uh-ohhhhhhh Scott-ah-ah-my love!” cried Jean.

“Uh-uh-Jean-uh-oh-oh Jean-oh-oh you’re so beautiful!” gasped Scott in between motions.

As was their custom, they tenderly drew out the feeling for as long as they could. As their hips grinded to the blissful rhythm, Jean leaned over and captured her lover’s hips in a passionate kiss. Their tongues and lips wrestled in a loving heat as they caressed one another with their gestures. Hands roamed all over their sweaty skin as their bodies meshed in a heat of love, passion, and ecstasy. At times they slowed the rhythm so they could really put some extra feeling into it. But the point as always was to draw it out and enjoy this feeling.

They worked their naked bodies in a sexual fervor until they could no longer hold back their respective orgasms. Jean’s grip on her lover tightened as she worked her inner folds up and down her lover’s length with greater fervor. The feeling was building up inside her. As it neared she arched her back, closed her eyes, and cried out in a daze of passion as she fervently slammed her hips down against his pelvis. Scott matched her intensity with harder upwards thrusts of his own. He was mesmerized by her bouncing breasts and reached up to caress them as they were both sent over the edge into a world of euphoria. But they ended up getting more than just pleasure.

“Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh Jean!”

“Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Scott!”

Jean’s inner muscles throbbed around her lover’s cock, releasing waves of sensations through her body. Scott’s climax soon followed, his member exploding in a burst of fluids hat lined her womanly depths.

But just as Jean’s peak hit, her body was inundated with a soft aura of golden yellow flames. And when her eyes shot open, it revealed they were glowing in the same mystical hue as they had when her Phoenix powers first manifested. The moan she let out wasn’t just of raw ecstasy, it was laced with the great power that she was forever linked to. When it washed over her it was truly a feeling like no other. And Scott felt it too, the aura of the energy feeding into his own world of bliss. It was lovemaking at its greatest fervor and it was made all the more special with a little magic.

For what seemed like forever they just bathed in this feeling, taking it in with all the euphoria. It was an unexpected, but welcome feeling. And when they breathlessly came to, Jean let her body fall back on top of her lovers where she pulled him into another embrace. The golden aura of the Phoenix never left her.

“Wow…” said Scott in a daze, “Jean, is this what I think it is?”

“I’m not sure, but don’t be so shocked my love. It was you who first roused my potential. It’s only natural that you rouse this new power inside me.”

“I see,” he said with a loving gesture, “Is ‘rousing’ this power always this amazing?”

“I’m not sure. I’m still working on this power. But I wouldn’t mind finding out.”

With her eyes still glowing and a loving grin still dominating her beautiful face, Jean captured Scott’s lips again in a daze of passion. The power soon flowed through both of them, filling them with more burning desire and powerful feelings. They had indulged in magic fueled lovemaking many times before, but this felt even more special. And on a night like this before going up against Selene, it was only proper that they experience this feeling to its fullest.

The power of the Jean’s magic kept them aroused and ready for more lovemaking. They continued rolling around on the bed, kissing and caressing each other’s naked flesh. Then they resumed their passionate dance, going at it in multiple positions and reaching multiple orgasms together. Jean rolled on her side so she was facing away while Scott was behind, holding her right leg up as he thrust into her womanly depths. From there he rose up, keeping her leg hitched over his shoulder and thrusting into her while she was on her side until they shared another blissful peak together. Then Jean got on her hands and knees and Scott got behind her, grabbing hold of her hips and guiding his dick back into her pussy from behind. From there their bodies rocked back and forth in a blissful heat. Then as they climaxed again, Jean rose up so she was upright and Scott reached around and grasped her breasts as they let out another moan of euphoria. Without missing a beat, Jean turned around and literally jumped her lover, forcing him to catch her by the hips in mid air. Then while holding onto his neck and kissing him passionately, she lowered down onto his erect member and bounced her body up and down his until they shared another blissful orgasm together.

They kept going at it in more positions, rolling around under the bed and moving their bodies to the same blissful fervor. They maintained the same passionate pace, focusing not just on enjoying the pleasure but sharing in the passion and love that so defined them. Every orgasm brought with it another burst of glowing flames from Jean’s Phoenix powers. They made every sensation more intense and intimate, as if their very spirits were as intertwined as their bodies. It made this experience truly special. They never wanted it to end.

Time passed by in a blur. They weren’t sure how long they made love, but it was definitely hours. It went on into the night, their naked bodies moving and grinding together in a passionate heat. But even with magic and the power of the Phoenix guiding them, they reached their limits. But for the final peak together they wanted it to be truly special.

They were both on the brink. Scott was on top of Jean, her legs hooked securely around his waist while he firmly grasped her hips. His feet dug into the bed as he bucked his hips and thrust his body forward, working his erect penis in and out of her wet vagina. With every thrust, Jean tightened the firm hold she had on his neck and lifted her hips slightly each time. They desperately clung to each other, embracing and kissing fervently as they pushed for that final round of ecstasy together.

“UH-UH-UH-I’M CUMMING JEAN-UH-UH-I-I’M CUMMING-UH-UH-OH JEAN!”

“YES-YES-OHHH YES MY LOVE-UH-UH-OH I FEEL IT-AH-I FEEL IT-AH-OHHHHHHHHHH SCOTT!”

Then in one last burst of passion, Scott and Jean let out a moan of ecstasy as more golden flames from the Phoenix consumed them. Their cries echoed through the room as Scott thrust his member as deep into his lover’s depths as it would go, filling her insides with his warm cum. Jean’s eyes flashed a fiery red as the feeling washed over her as well, her inner muscles tensing and throbbing around his member and releasing waves of blissful ecstasy through her body. The glowing mystical aura kept surging through them, making every blissful moment more intense and memorable. Through this whole feeling Scott and Jean clung to one another, gazing lovingly into each others’ eyes and embracing this moment in all its splendor.

When the feeling subsided and the fiery aura ceased, Scott and Jean remained lost in each other’s gaze. Then through the passion they met in one last kiss to cap it all off. It was an amazing experience, as much as they had come to expect from their lovemaking. But this was even more special. The power of the Phoenix and the gravity of this moment all came together in a truly memorable feeling.

Now tired and spent, Scott rolled off of Jean and lay down beside her. They remained in a warm embrace, smiling and breathing deeply as they sank into this new feeling of strength and security. They each had so many uncertainties going into the battle ahead of them. But in a moment like this, such uncertainties were all but meaningless.

“I love you, Jean,” said Scott softly.

“I love you too, Scott,” said Jean, “Thank you for being my strength.”

“Thank you for being mine,” he said with a warm smile, “We’ll get through this. And we’ll all be stronger when it’s over.”

“I know we will,” said Jean strongly, “Sometimes we just have to remind each other of it.”

“Well this time, I don’t think I’ll ever forget.”

With newfound confidence, Scott and Jean met in one final kiss. Then with a content sigh, they slipped into a deep sleep. But before Jean fell asleep she held out her hand briefly and formed a small fiery image of the Phoenix and smiled. Years ago it was Scott that first made her realize her mystical potential. It was only fitting he would help realize her potential with the Phoenix as well. With this in mind she joined in him a peaceful sleep, confident that tomorrow she would have all the power and strength she would ever need to defeat the Black Queen.

Upper Dormitories – Mystique

Despite Xavier’s orders, Mystique continued to linger throughout the Villa while the others did their best to rest up. She spent most of her time with Rogue, passing the hours by talking about simpler times and trying not to dwell on their current situation. But no matter what they talked about the looming prospect of tomorrow was never far from their minds. They knew they were going to have to face Selene, but that wasn’t what worried them. It was Kurt that concerned them so, especially Mystique.

Even though she had never been able to give him a normal life, Mystique always vowed that she would do what she thought was best for her son. After she lost the baby she bore with Sabretooth, she was determined not to make the same mistake. It didn’t necessarily work out as well with Kurt’s father or Baron Wagner, but she was still able to have him and love him like a mother should. And she thought she could protect him from Selene’s influence. But she was wrong.

But she still clung to the hope that her son was still in that veil of darkness Selene had cast over him. She refused to believe that he had completely given in. She felt it when he was distant during Selene’s torture of her and the pawns. And if she could just get through to him, perhaps there would be hope. Rogue didn’t seem as confident, but she still trusted her and that’s what mattered with Mystique. She hadn’t failed completely with her family and she vowed to make this right.

Eventually, Rogue got tired of talking and started yawning.

“Well Mama, Ah think Ah’m gonna turn in,” she said, stretching her limbs, “Ah suggest you do the same. We’ll need our strength for tomorrow.”

“I don’t know if I can,” sighed the shape shifter as she sat back on her bed, “I’ve never been much for sleep, let alone sleep while my son is out there under that woman’s influence.”

“At least try,” urged Rogue, “Ah know you’re worried about Kurt. Ah am too. But we’ll take care of it tomorrow. And if we’re gonna help him we gotta be at full strength.”

Mystique grumbled in frustration. Even after all these years and extensive conditioning by the Hellfire Club, she still couldn’t resist that Rogue gave her. It was annoying, but at least it showed she could still be a mother to her kids when she had to be.

“Fine,” she said, “I’ll try.”

Rogue smiled and gave her mother a warm hug before making her leave. Mystique managed to smile back, which helped both of them feel a bit more at ease even in this dire situation. But there was still hope. They never denied that. It was just going to be a challenge holding onto it.

But even after Rogue left, Mystique found herself pacing restlessly. She wanted to get some rest, but so much was going through her mind. Every conversation she ever had with Kurt since they joined the Hellfire Club played over in her mind. Every subtle hint and clue as to how deep he had fallen in with Selene or how much he had been able to resist was scrutinized. And yet she was still unsure. Was her son really beyond saving? How far was she really willing to go? And if he couldn’t be saved, what then? It was too much to contemplate. She found herself slamming her fist against the wall in frustration, wishing this wasn’t so hard.

‘Damn you, Selene. Damn you for corrupting my son.’

She was ready to give up on sleep. Perhaps a walk on the beach outside would do her good. But just as she was about to head out, she heard a knock on her door.

“Who the hell could that be?” she groaned, in no real mood to talk.

She went to open the door, half expecting it to be Rogue again. But then she saw that it was Logan and her mood immediately shifted.

“Logan? What are you doing still up?” she asked, hiding the surprise in her tone.

“I could ask you the same,” he said, “But I heard you pacing. And I figure since Rogue turned in you could still use some company.”

“Really? Why couldn’t you just assume I wanted to be left alone?” she said bitterly.

“Because I know you, Raven. And I know what you’re going through.”

The shape shifter was about to scoff at the notion, but then she remembered how Selene also had Laura under her control. And while she wasn’t technically his child (at least she didn’t think so), she was as close to family as one could get. She could also see the same frustrated look in his eyes. So with that in mind she let him in.

“Fine, come in,” she told him, “But don’t expect me to be able to cheer you up like I usually do.”

“I ain’t here to be cheered up,” said Logan in his gruff tone, “I just wanted to talk to you.”

“What’s there to talk about? Haven’t we covered everything since we got here?”

“No…not everything,” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Mystique tensed under his touch. She knew what he was talking about. That first night they arrived they had a powerful moment together. She revealed to him her past with Sabretooth and they fell asleep in each others’ arms. A lot had come out during that night, but not everything. There were still some things left unsaid, but they got so caught up in helping Xavier find Selene it sort of fell to the wayside.

“Oh…that,” she said distantly, “Look Logan, I’m worried about my son. I just spent the last hour with Rogue talking about him. Every moment he spends under Selene’s control is like a dagger in my heart. So I may not be able to address this matter at the moment.”

“I don’t blame you,” said Logan, not taking his hand off her shoulder, “Like I said, I know how you feel. That crazy bitch took Laura from me. She had the gall to not just torture her in front of my eyes, but drag her off and do some crazy magic to turn her into her little pet!”

There was a mix of anger and pain in his tone. It prompted Mystique to turn around and look her friend and lover in the eye. And for the first time all night she set aside her bitterness and took on a look of understanding.

“I didn’t just fail her. I broke a promise I made to her,” Logan went on, “I swore to her the day I brought her in that she would never be turned into a living weapon again. And now she ain’t just a mindless drone, she’s Selene’s mindless drone. Not only that, she has Sabretooth on her side! And you know full well what he’ll do to her since he knows what it’ll do to me!”

He was getting pretty worked up. He sounded as though he was on the verge of going on a berserker rage. Now it was Raven’s turn to comfort him. She placed her hand on his, which was still on her shoulder. Then she leaned in closer to him and without really thinking about it, pulled him into an embrace. This helped calm him down. It helped calm her down too. It gave them something to cling to in this dark hour.

“I can’t lose her,” he growled, “I can’t let Selene win like this. I’m gonna make that bitch pay!”

“She will,” said Mystique, “I’m sure of it.”

“But even if I do tear her limb from limb and send her to Hell to suffer forever, will that undo what she did to Laura?” he wondered, “Will she still be a mindless drone doomed to live out the purpose the bastards who created her intended?”

Mystique parted from him slightly and placed both hands on his shoulders. This was something she had been dealing with as well for much longer. But if she sensed even the slightest bit of defiance in Kurt, there was no reason Laura couldn’t have it as well.

“I’ve been wondering that myself ever since I got here,” she said, “You know as well as I do that once Selene sinks her claws into someone, it changes them. And it’s never clear whether it can be undone.”

“But it’s still possible, ain’t it?” said Logan, sounding almost desperate in his words.

“I don’t know,” admitted the shape shifter, “But there’s still reason to believe. I saw something in Kurt’s eyes when he was carrying out Selene’s orders. Nobody else saw it, not even Rogue. But I knew as a mother it was there.”

“What was it?” asked Logan intently.

“It was…uncertainty,” she said, struggling to find the right words, “I can’t put my finger on it, but I just saw something in him that made me believe that he hadn’t completely given into Selene’s wishes. He may still have the strength in him to defy her. I don’t know if it’s enough, but I know it’s there.”

“You think Laura could have it too?”

“Laura’s not my child. She’s yours,” said Mystique strongly, “You would probably know better than anybody. But if she’s anything like you, I know she’s fighting it. You just have to find a way to reach her, just like I have to find a way to reach my son.”

It wasn’t the most hopeful message in the world. But Mystique was never one for sugarcoating the truth. But it gave Logan something. If Kurt was fighting then so was Laura. He could be sure of that. Whether or not it was enough was uncertain. It still sickened him the kind of things Selene and Sabretooth may be doing with her. But if there was any chance that he could get her back, he had to hold onto it.

A silence fell over them and they awkwardly parted from their embrace. But they still stayed close. They needed to be near each other. It was still a difficult, if not impossible situation. But at least they had each other to lean on. It hadn’t been lost on them what nearly happened between them earlier. And since tomorrow they were going into battle, this may be their last chance to complete it.

“Thanks, Raven. I hope you’re right,” said Logan.

“Me too,” said Mystique, “Guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

“Guess so,” he muttered.

There was another brief silence between them. There was clearly still more they wanted to say, but they didn’t know where to begin.

“So…” said Raven, breaking the silence.

“So what?” said Logan, maintaining his gruff tone.

“Are we going to talk about the other issue at hand?” she said, “The one I’m sure you thought about before you came here?”

“I don’t know. Shouldn’t we get some hard liquor first?”

“I think it’s better if we stayed sober,” she said, moving in closer to him.

Logan maintained his gruff demeanor, but when Mystique reached up and caressed his burly face he felt a powerful warmth. It was not something he was used to feeling, even when he was with Jean. It was just like their first night here, only this time their intent was different.

“A lot has happened between us since you arrived,” the shape shifter began, “We didn’t become the best of friends right off the bad. I had issues with my kids and you were caught up with Jean Grey. And neither really turned out all that well for us.”

“That’s bein’ pretty damn nice about it,” muttered Logan.

“Even so, we still came together. Even if it started with strip clubs and liquor, we still came together. You were the first real friend I had that I felt I could relate to in a long time.”

“Same here, darlin’. But we both know it didn’t stop there,” he said, slipping his arms around her waist, “I know it was hard to tell because I couldn’t get over Jean.”

“But you’re over her now, right?”

“I don’t think you can ever get over something like that,” Logan conceded, “But let’s just say I’ve moved on. And you helped me. But somewhere along the way that friendly help turned into something. It turned into something neither of us suspected. I got feelings for you now, Misty. And I know you have feelings for me. We just haven’t been able to get it out because we’re both too damn bitter and stubborn.”

Mystique couldn’t help but laugh a little at his assessment. As crass as it was, he was right in many ways. They didn’t expect to become friends, let alone anything more. But there was just something that drew them together. They just weren’t embracing it. And with everything that had been going on lately, now seemed as good a time as any.

“So what are we going to do?” asked Mystique, “Are we just going to come clean now or draw this out even longer?”

“See, there in lies the problem,” sighed Logan, “The mistake I made with Jean is I kept trying to push it. Later on she told me sometimes its best if you just let it happen.”

“Really? And how do we do that?” said the shape shifter with a half grin.

Logan gave her that wolfish grin that was so distinctive. He had that look in his eye that was so dirty yet affectionate in his own unique. She knew what that look usually implied and it didn’t take much to figure out what he had in mind.

“Darlin’, you know damn well I’m not very good with words. So instead of tryin’ to work that shit out, why don’t we just try and play it by ear?”

“Hmm…sounds simple enough,” said Mystique as she pressed her body up against his, “I think I can manage that.”

Without another word, Logan and Raven followed the advice of Jean Grey and just let whatever was bound to happen come forth. And what happened was the two of them came together in a deep, passionate kiss. Mystique slipped her arms around his neck and Logan hungrily snaked them around her waist, drawing her deep into his burly warmth as they savored the gesture in the rough yet affectionate manner that so defined them.

It was every bit as powerful as the moment they had on their first night at the villa. But on that night nobody was in the mood to get too intimate after Selene’s torture. This night was different. This time their kissing and touching quickly became more heated. Soft grunts of desire escaped as their lips wrestled passionately and they started backing towards the bed. But as often happened with them, they were so fervent they ended up missing it and Mystique soon found herself pinned up against the wall with her legs hooked around his waist. As their bodies grinded together, the burning desire inside them intensified. But before they got too lost in it they parted briefly and stared at each other in a daze.

“This work for you, darlin’?” said Logan in a husky tone, “You get what this is?”

“Trust me, Logan…I get it,” grinned Mystique seductively, “Now shut up and kiss me!”

Grinning with intent, Logan crashed his lips against hers again. No more words were needed. Neither one of them was good with words. They let their actions say what they couldn’t say. And their desires did the rest.

With Mystique pinned against the wall, they started shedding their clothes. Mystique grabbed Logan’s shirt and pulled it off over his head. He then grabbed her short black crop top and literally ripped it off, allowing her voluptuous breasts to come tumbling out. Logan then hungrily grasped them kissed along her cleavage in the way he knew she loved. She let out a deep moan, her body contorting as the desire built up within her. She could feel his erection bulging out from his pants and she longed to feel him. She never wanted someone so much before in her life and he wanted her too.

They continued to follow their desires. After Logan hungrily teased her breasts, she briefly pushed him away and released the hold she had on him with her legs. Then with her lips hungrily trailing down his burly expression, she fell to her knees where she promptly undid his torn up jeans. Then with a rough tug, she pulled them down to his ankles. His penis was already semi-hard. But just as she was about to devour it, Logan pulled her up abruptly and laid her down on the bed. It caught her a bit off guard, but she too lost in the feeling to care.

Once in bed Logan attacked her with his lips again, evoking more soft gasps. Then he quickly made his way down to pants, undoing them swiftly and pulling them off along with her underwear. Now that she was completely naked Logan literally pounced on top of her and took her in his embrace, savoring the sweet feel of her exotic blue skin against his. He immediately position himself to enter her like he normally did. This had a very different feel to it. It was all about embracing one another and letting their actions say more than they could put into words.

“Oh Logan…so strong,” gasped Mystique short of breath.

“You okay, darling?” said Logan, still soaking up her warm body, “This going to fast or something?”

“Hell no,” she said with a grin, “It’s just…different. But in a good way.”

Logan grinned back. She was right. This did feel different. And they continued to explore it, seeking more than the usual sexual romp. They wildly rolled around on the bed, kissing and hungrily groping each other’s naked bodies. Mystique wildly ran her hands over his burly muscles while Logan roughly traced up her thighs and hips, savoring the unique touch of her blue skin. They were both very aroused. Logan could smell it emanating between her legs and she could feel his member pushing against her thigh. In his dazed state, Logan yearned to taste her. Sensing this, Mystique happily obliged but not without giving herself a chance to return the favor.

Shifting their bodies, Mystique got on top and adjusted herself so that her pussy was right his face and his ridged member stood erect before her. Once in position, Logan hungrily plunged his tongue into the depths of her moist folds and Mystique devoured his dick in one fluid motion. Deep grunts and blissful moans soon followed. Logan gripped her inner thighs and spread the folds of her pussy nice and wide so he could thoroughly lick all the way up her slit and give her swollen a clit a nice tease at the end. Mystique gasped sharply as he did this and stepped up her oral teasing as well, firmly gripping the base of his cock and hungrily licking and sucking up and down his shaft with the kind of fervor she knew he loved.

They had done this before, but they were much more thorough this time around. It felt more meaningful, not just some lust-filled daze. It stirred not only desire, but a level of passion neither one of them had felt in a long time. It was passion they had been brewing between them, but it was only now that they were finally letting it out.

“Ohhhhhhhh Logan!” moaned Mystique as she halted her oral teasing, “Please…I want you so bad!”

Upon hearing her desperate cries, Logan let out a lustful growl and shifted their bodies again. Soon Mystique was on her back again, her legs hitched up over Logan’s shoulder while he loomed over her with his imposing form. She clung to the bed sheets, gazing up at him with a dazed yet affectionate look. It was a look few other than her kids had ever seen and Logan returned it, gazing at her in a way he never even gazed at Jean before. Even though he wanted to make love to her so badly at that moment, they remained fixated on each other for a moment. They just relished the feeling, taking it all in. Then their bodies took over.

With a deep grunt, Logan thrust his hardened cock into Mystique’s pussy. When she felt him enter her body tensed and she let out a cry of delight. Instinctively, Logan began fervently moving his hips, working his member in and out of her tight folds. As he did this, the shape shifter’s naked body bounced and jerked to the rhythm. She gasped with each movement, holding on while he built up a rhythm. Once they reached that vigorous yet passionate balance, she reached up and caressed his face as she moaned blissfully.

“Uh-uh-uh-Logan-uh-oh fuck-uh-uh-oh it’s so good-uh-it’s amazing-uh-ohhhhh Logan!” she cried out.

“Uh-ungh-uh-darlin’-uh-ahhhhhh fuck-ah-ah-damn you’re good!” grunted Logan.

Their naked bodies moved together in a blissful rhythm. It wasn’t as fast or rough as they were used to, but this was different. This was more intense than anything they ever experienced with someone before. It wasn’t just about getting a sexual release. All the emotions and feelings all came pouring out through this basic, primal act. It said more than they ever could have put into words.

Fueled by these feelings, Logan and Mystique dragged this feeling out. They worked it long and hard, savoring every sweet motion. At one point Mystique shifted her legs so that they were no longer resting on Logan’s shoulders and spread them so they were in wide V-shape. This allowed Logan to really get in deeper with his thrust while letting his burly body press down against hers. As they kept with the pace they shared fervent gestures and passionate kisses. They had already worked up quite a sweat and continued pushing themselves to new heights, drawing out this experience for as long as they could.

A powerful climax built up between them. Soon they were no longer able to hold it back. Mystique could feel her insides ready to erupt and Logan found himself thrusting harder and faster, pushing ever closer to his peak. Moans and grunts intensified as they held onto each other more fervently. As it drew near they shifted their bodies once more. Mystique wrapped her legs around Logan’s back and clung to his neck while he grabbed her by the rump and lifted her up so he was supporting her entire weight. Then while propped on his knees, he vigorously bounced her up and down his length, his ridged member plunging in and out of her tight folds. They worked it harder and faster until they were finally sent over the edge.

“Uh-uh-uh-I’m cumming Logan-uh-I’m cumming-ah-ah-ohhhhhhhhhhhhh yes!” cried the shape shifter.

“Uh-ungh-ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” growled Logan.

Through their moans the ecstasy consumed them. Mystique got hers first. Her inner muscles tightened and throbbed around Logan’s ridged member. As he felt this his thrusting slowed. Then when he felt his, he thrust his member up nice and deep just as he released a load of his cum inside her. It brought them to a different kind of sexual high, one that wasn’t just lust or affection. As they panted breathlessly and took in the feeling, their eyes remained locked in a distant daze. And as the feeling flowed through them they shared a deep kiss.

When it was over Logan fell back on the bed with Mystique still clinging to him. He was on his side now, but she was still kissing him passionately. Even though the climax had passed, the passion continued. This feeling that was still so new to them had taken hold and one thing was for sure. They liked it.

“Damn Misty…you’re so beautiful,” he said in a daze.

“And you’re a hell of a man,” she said with an affectionate smile, “Sorry we couldn’t get around to this earlier.”

“Don’t be sorry, darlin’,” he said with a feral grin, “Just means we’ll have to make up for it. And what better time than now?”

Mystique couldn’t help but smile at his words. They were dirty yet sincere, two contrasting features that so perfectly reflected this man and what she loved about him.

“Well we do have healing factors,” she said with an equally suggestive grin, “But that’s still a lot to make up for.”

“I’m game if you are.”

“Shut up and kiss me again.”

Logan happily obliged her, capturing her lips again and resuming the passion. The feeling was still going strong and with their healing factors to guide them, they could continue to embrace it into the night.

They kept with the balanced rhythm they established earlier, being affectionate with a touch of feral vigor. It showed in the way they kissed and touched. And they let it guide them to more rounds of lovemaking. Staying on his side, Logan kept a firm grip on Raven’s butt as he guided his dick back into her pussy. She hitched a leg up around his and with him, jerked her hips back and forth along with his to drive his length into her depths. They did this for a short while until they sought a new position. Looking for something more feral, they rose up again and Mystique found herself pinned against the wall again just above the bed. Only this time she was facing away with Logan behind her, gripping her butt and positioning himself at her entrance. Then while firmly grasping her hips he rhythmically pounced into her tight cunt. Soon they were rocking the bed with their feral rhythm. Raven bucked her hips each time he thrust into her, loving the sound of his pelvis smacking against her butt. It got so heated they rose up into a standing position on the bed. Logan hammered into her while reaching forth to grasp her dangling breasts, pushing her to another blissful orgasm that he soon shared in.

With their healing factor to guide them they kept with the pace, stopping only to share some passionate kissing. They started going at it in a range of other positions. Logan bent Raven over the edge of the bed and drove down into her with her legs hitched up against his shoulders. After they enjoyed that for a while he laid her down on her side and thrust into her from an angle while hovering over her. From here he fell to her side and started thrusting behind her, reaching around and fondling her clit until she had another orgasm. Mystique also took charge for a while. Pulling him up and straddling him so they were both in a sitting position in the center of the bed. From there she arched her legs arched over his waist and while holding onto his shoulders, rocked her hips back and forth grinding her pelvis against his so his dick slid in and out of her pussy. Grunting and growled mixed with the wet motions of their naked skin rubbing together every step of the way, occasionally overshadowed when they let out a sharp moan of pleasure when they had another orgasm.

They went at it for hours, drawing it out much longer than they did with their usual romps. They savored every blissful feeling together. It felt so much more meaningful than just normal sex. They had heard from others like Scott and Jean or Kitty and Piotr that there was a difference between having sex and making love. But they never truly understood it until just now. Even for them, two people who had a past of violence, hardship, and bitterness, they could still appreciate this feeling.

But even with a healing factor, Logan and Mystique could not go at it forever. They had their limits. But they pushed one another for one final climax together. Mystique was back on stop, straddling Logan’s waist with her knees at both sides while she vigorously bounced her hips up and down his length, slamming her pelvis down onto his. Logan was on his back, leaning up slightly so he could firmly grip her hips and supplement her movements with upward thrusts of his own. Her throbbing pussy tensed each time his cock plunged inside her. Their bodies were dripping in sweat as they clung to each other, locked in their affectionate daze as they felt one last wave of ecstasy consume them.

“UH-UH-UH-I’M CUMMING AGAIN, LOGAN-UH-OH ONE MORE-UH-ONE MORE-UH-I WANT TO DO IT TOGETHER!”

“UH-AUGH-UNGH-UH-DARLIN’-UH-I’M ALMOST THERE-UNGH-I’M ALMOST-AUGH-UH-UH-RAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

“OHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

Their orgasms hit in nearly perfect unison. Mystique’s vaginal walls clamped down on Logan’s member just as she got her release. And as the waves of bliss coursed through her system, Logan released his load inside her. His fluid lined her womanly depths as they shared in howls of euphoria, sharing in the feral yet passionate spirit of the moment.

Even after the sensations passed and their bodies gave out, they remained locked in their gaze. Since the beginning, it was a gaze that said everything they struggled to get out. IT said more than words ever could. Then through this passionate state of mind they pulled each other into one last embrace and shared a deep kiss. Logan and Mystique had never had much luck with love in the past. Too often it led to heartbreak. But something about this felt right. These feelings were real and they weren’t going to hide them anymore.

With a tired sigh, Mystique let her body collapse against his. Logan’s burly arms remained securely around her body. Still panting breathlessly, they lay on top of the ruffled sheets in contentment. They had said and expressed everything they wanted to say to each other with this. There was only one thing left now.

“I love you, Logan,” said Raven.

“I love you too, darlin’,” said Logan.

“So where do we go from here?” she pondered in a tired tone.

“With something like this, I have no idea. But for now I’m content to keep at…eh what the hell.”

It sounded simple yet appropriate. It was just what one would expect from Logan. Mystique smiled and gave him one last kiss as a ways to show her agreement. Logan smiled back and held her closely as they finally drifted off into a light sleep.

It had been a strange journey for Logan and Mystique. They started off as drinking buddies, venting with each other on the complications of their lives. Mystique had issues with her son while Logan had issues with Jean. They were probably the last pair anybody thought would fall in love. And yet somehow they found their way towards one another. Many challenges lay ahead for the two lovers. But the former loners now had a new strength to guide them. And they would need that strength for the battle that lay before them.

Nova Roma – Imperial Palace

The time had come for Selene and her minions. They had before them all the pieces needed to put the Black Queen’s plan into motion. Mr. Sinister had unwittingly provided exactly what Selene needed. And now he was nothing more than a lifeless, soulless statue in her throne room. He was a fool to trust Selene and he thought he could get the better of her. But the Black Queen knew better. She didn’t give him the chance and now all that was left was to carry out the final phase.

In the back of the palace she gathered her minions and a series of carts and transports. There along with the help of her elite guard she had them load all the materials they would need. This included various mystical artifacts, most notably the blood stones, and the various necessities required for any major ritual. The most important part, however, was the care of the twelve infants Sinister created. They were kept in incubators and rolled into the transports under heavy guard. The minions provided close supervision, making sure everything went smoothly for this final step.

“Careful with the powers, Roberto! You don’t want to break those incubators!” said Monet as she saw the young Brazilian using his sun powers to push the infants along.

“Relax, I know what I’m doing,” he said, rolling his eyes, “I know it’s a lot to ask for an uptight bitch like you, but please ease up a bit! We all can’t be perfectionists!”

“For something Mistress Selene deems this important, you damn well better try,” scorned Monet, “You know what she’ll do to you if you screw up and I’m sure you don’t want that!”

Roberto didn’t argue that. He knew Mistress Selene was watching closely and he wasn’t about to risk her wrath. While he didn’t show it to Monet, he did ease up a little just to be sure.

While Roberto was moving the children along, Kurt watched closely with Warren and Betsy following him. They were carrying some other assorted materials and so was Kurt. But he was barely paying attention, his mind to fixated on the infants.

“Vhat do you think vill happen to zhem?” he wondered aloud.

“I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter,” said Warren, “Whatever Mistress Selene wills we will follow. You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”

“Of course not, I’m just curious zhat’s all,” said Kurt distantly.

“Don’t get too curious,” warned Betsy, “That’s the first step towards hesitating. And take it from someone whose made that mistake before, don’t hesitate. It’ll only lead to failure and hardships.”

“I’ll…keep zhat in mind,” said Kurt.

Her advice rang true, but not in the way Betsy probably intended. Kurt had been dwelling on this matter ever since they left New York. He couldn’t escape his uncertainties about what was going to happen these children, most notably the one belonging to him and Wanda. He wasn’t sure what to do if Mistress Selene’s plans involved harming them. But whatever may happen, he would make sure he followed Betsy’s advice and not hesitate when the time came.

“Mind moving a little faster, Kurt? We’re all trying to get a move on here!” said Tabitha who was being slowed up behind him.

“Yeah, you know how Mistress Selene has little patience!” reminded Alex, “She wants these transports loaded in the next hour and we cannot disappoint her!”

“Yes…of course,” said Kurt as he refocused his attention on his current task.

Kurt followed Alex, Tabitha, Warren, Betsy, Monet, and Roberto’s lead. He fell silent and kept loading the transports with supplies, not even making eye contact with anybody. Laura followed his lead, still mindlessly under Selene’s control. Sabretooth kept a close eye on her, ordering her around to help with the lifting and sometimes taunting her. At times he noticed her hesitating a bit before obeying commands, but he continued to remind her who was in charge. When she was struggling to escort the bound Illyana into a transport, he was especially harsh.

“Hey!” he said as he hit her across the back of the head, “Move faster you brainless bitch! I want to get this over with so we can get back to our fun!”

“Will you cut that out you oversized brute?!” demanded Illyana, who continued to struggle with her restraints, “I’ve seen better manners from drunks!”

“Ah shut up, you little brat!” scowled Sabretooth, “Where did your gag go anyways?”

Sabretooth then turned towards Laura and hit her again.

“You must have taken it out you dumb kid! Shoulda known you’d inherit some of Logan’s stupidity! Just for that we’re gonna have a little ‘sit-down’ when we finish these up. And you better bring a mini-skirt because I ain’t gonna let you off the hook easily!”

Laura’s expression tensed briefly, but she continued her duties and helped shove Illyana into a transport. While she was too dazed to notice, Illyana cast her a look of sympathy. But her capacity for emotion was still locked away. She was still a prisoner that had to obey the requests of any authority figure. And that included Sabretooth, regardless of how much it sickened her.

Once one of the transports was loaded, Magneto and Lorna obediently sealed them up with metal locks so they would be secure. Selene stood from afar guiding them with her whim. Her spell on them was still holding strong and they were proving every bit as useful as she hoped. As she watched her minions work she grinned with a sense of satisfaction and anticipation. Since she was Black Queen she refused to do any heavy lifting. That was for her minions and her slaves. But she wasn’t doing it out of pure authority. She needed to retain her strength. For even her, an immortal woman, was going to need it if she was to carry out what she was about to do. Wanda, who was standing next to her, was also saving her strength for the part she would soon play.

“We’re almost ready, Wanda. Soon we’ll be ready to move out and the ritual can begin!” proclaimed the Black Queen.

“Where exactly are we going, my Mistress?” she asked, “Is it far?”

“Oh we’re not going far, my dear. In fact, you can see our destination from here.”

Selene then directed her young apprentice’s attention up toward the highest mountain that overlooked Nova Roma. From here it seemed imposing, casting a shadow on much of the palace. But up near the top, which was shrouded by haze, she could see the faint outline of a large structure. It was a temple, bearing elaborate Greco-Roman architecture. Only this one was a temple with a very different purpose.

“I’ve been planning this ritual for many years. Shortly after I regained control of Nova Roma, I ordered the construction of a temple near the top of the mountain. It was just completed a year ago and I made sure nobody would know the path to it by killing all those who worked on it. I cannot afford any chances with that houses something so vital.”

“Why? What does it house?” asked Wanda.

Selene’s gaze narrowed as she grew fixated on the distant structure.

“That I cannot tell you, my student. You are still too young and naïve to understand. Just know that the Temple of Orcus was build on the fiery foundations of a dormant volcano for a reason. It requires a fiery foundation so that there may be a source of fire to fuel the darkness that it shall unleash. That fire on its own will only do so much. But with this ritual, the fires of darkness shall become the fires of Hell! And by my whim this world shall burn!”

It was an ominous message from an immortal woman who had long championed the ways of darkness. She spent countless years pining for something like this, the chance to expand her domain over more than just a kingdom or a secret society. Now all her waiting was about to pay off with the ultimate reward. She had lived long enough to see civilizations and societies rise and fall in an endless cycle of madness. But soon that cycle would end. Everything would end. And all that would remain would be darkness.

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Up next: The countdown begins as Selene draws ever closer to fulfilling her plan and Xavier and his pawns are the only ones standing in her way.