New Blood III: Triumph of Darkness

New Blood
Chapter 19: Dark Endgames

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Temple of Orcus – Outside

Selene’s minions had been defeated. Xavier and the Hellfire Pawns stood triumphant over them. But their victory was far from complete. It was obvious from the beginning that Selene’s minions never intended to stop them outright. They were just supposed to slow them down until Selene completed whatever she was doing. Now time was running out fast. Selene was on the verge of succeeding. But then Xavier and his pawns got a break and it looked like they were slowing Selene down for a change.

Warpath had just knocked out Monet. Now he along with Scott, Jean, Piotr, Rogue Pietro, Logan, Mystique, Bobby, Jubilee, Kitty, Sam, Julian, Rahne, Remy, Ororo, Deadpool, and Laura stood at the base of the Temple of Orcus with the ground shaking violently around them. They could see cracks and ruptures in the rock around them. The temple itself started to show signs of damage, a clear sign that Selene wasn’t behind this. This was Xavier’s doing. And it may be their ticket inside.

“It looks like Lord Xavier found that Amara girl,” said Sam.

“Wow, you have more than two brain cells to rub together,” commented Deadpool, “Thanks for stating the obvious? Now can you tell me the meaning of life?”

“Who cares? Will it be enough to stop Selene?” asked Mystique.

Jean, the only one among them who was mystically inclined, walked up to the glowing energy barrier that surrounded the temple and kept them out. She placed her hand over and through the rumbling she felt it flicker. It apparently wasn’t cast with earthquakes in mind.

“No, it won’t stop her,” said Jean, “But it will slow her down and give us a way in!”

“Does that mean you can break the barrier?” asked Scott.

“I think so,” said Jean, “But only briefly. I’ll have to fight my way inside and take down Wanda. She’s the one who cast this spell.”

“Wanda? How do you know?” demanded Pietro.

“It’s a magic thing. I don’t have time to explain it,” said Jean, keeping her hand on the barrier, “Everybody stand back! I’m going to see if I can use the Phoenix to force my way in!”

“Oh this is going to be hot,” grinned Deadpool.

“Shut up, Wade,” groaned Scott.

Everybody did as Jean requested and stood back. They watched as she powered up her Phoenix abilities, summoning the power that few mysticisms could hope to possess. She placed both hands on the barrier, her eyes glowing with a fiery intent as a glowing halo of fiery flames engulfed her body. The shaking around them continued to intensify. They weren’t sure if it was from Amara or if it was from Jean. But they could tell something was happening because the barrier continued to flicker.

“I…I’m almost there! I can push through! Just a little bit…”

Then in a bright burst of Phoenix flames, the whole dome disappeared for a brief moment. As soon as it did, Jean pushed through. When the others saw this they rushed the temple.

“Everybody, move in!” ordered Scott.

They all scrambled to the front gate of the temple. But before anyone could get through, the barrier went up again. Many of the pawns grunted in frustration. Warpath and Piotr angrily struck the barrier. Mystique was equally frustrated, knowing full well her son was probably on the other side.

“Damn it! Jean, could you open it again?” said Rogue.

But Jean was already rushing inside, flying on the heels of her Phoenix powers.

“There’s no time! I’ll knock the barrier out once I knock Wanda out! Just stay back and be ready! I’ll be okay!”

“Jean!” Scott called out.

But it was too late. Jean was already out of sight, plunging into the depths of the dark temple. It left the rest of the pawns frustrated and anxious. They wanted a shot at Selene too. But they were going to have to wait their turn. They could only hope that Jean’s Phoenix powers were enough to protect her. But that didn’t stop Scott, Rogue, or Logan from worrying about her.

“She’ll be okay,” said Rahne confidently, “Just hope she leaves some left for the rest of us.”

“I hope you’re right,” said Scott distantly.

It was sure to be an agonizing wait, especially as the storm clouds above continued to intensify. While the shaking mountain was sure to slow Selene down, it wasn’t going to stop her. They still had to confront her, but it looked as though they would have to wait a little longer.

As frustrating consumed many of the pawns, their spirits were momentarily lifted by the appearance of a familiar presence Moria and Emma.

“It appears ye did well taking care of Selene’s defenses,” said Moria as she approached the base of the temple.

“Mom! You’re back!” exclaimed Rahne, always relieved to see her mother.

“Of course, lass. Ye didn’t think we’d have any trouble now did ye?” grinned Moria.

The other pawns turned their attention to Moria and Emma. While they were glad to see them it quickly dawned on them that someone was missing.

“Lady MacTaggart,” said Piotr respectfully, “Where is Amara? And what about Lord Xavier and Danielle?”

Emma took this one, bearing the same confidence as Moria. Even though she was not viewed favorably by many, she did know a bit more about what was going on than the others at the moment. And she took some solace in that.

“Oh don’t worry about Amara. We found her and she’s doing her part,” said Emma.

“But what about Lord Xavier? Why isn’t he with you?” asked Julian.

”What makes you think that he isn’t?” said Moria with a mischievous grin.

The young Hellfire Pawns looked at Moria strangely. She and Emma had that look on her face that they all had whenever they knew something their enemies didn’t. And more often than not, it led to their enemies suffering at the hands of a crippling defeat. That seemed somewhat impossible when dealing with someone like Selene. But a few pawns did pick up on it and felt a renewed confidence.

“So what’s the plan now?” asked Scott more seriously, “I take it Lord Xavier did a little improvising.”

“Charles never improvises,” smirked Moria, “He takes in a situation and finds a way to exploit it. All ye need to know is that Selene is in for a rude awakening. We just have to be ready when it all comes together.”

Temple of Orcus – Central Ritual Area

The tremors from the mountain were felt with much greater intensity inside the temple. Selene, who had already been thrown off after the arrival of Xavier’s pawns, was fuming as she was thrown off once more. She stumbled and nearly lost her grip on the blood stones. Twice she was cut off in mid chant, having to reorient the stones and wait for Wanda to reset the materials. The candles were falling to the floor, cracks were starting to show in the walls and floors, and even the gate itself was being affected by the tremors. But so long as it was up, the ritual was still on. It was just getting much more difficult.

“Errrrr! Damn you, Xavier!” grunted Selene as she held the main blood stone over the other pieces, “Wanda, keep those podiums stable!”

“I’m trying, Mistress!” said Wanda, using her hex powers to keep as many of the podiums holding the children as stable as possible, “What could be causing this? Is this part of the ritual?”

“Of course it isn’t!” exclaimed Selene, “Xavier’s trying to disrupt me! But if he thinks he a few tremors can stop me he’s sadly mistaken! Just keep everything stable for a little while longer! I’m almost done with the stones!”

“Yes, Mistress! But I may not be able to keep the barrier up at this rate!”

“Don’t let up, my pupil! I’m so close!” exclaimed the Black Queen.

Struggling to keep her balance, Selene gripped one of the podiums as she held the remaining blood stone over the other four pieces. They were all glowing brightly now, the energy from the ritual surging through them and filling the whole temple with a powerful aura of dark mystical energy. It was growing more intense by the second. The gateway continued to pulse, fueling the energy and keeping the ritual going despite the tremors. It was almost complete. Selene chanted one more phrase of spells, her every worth seething with determination. She had waited too long and come too far to be thwarted now.

“By the power of the Gate of Orcus I command thee in the name of darkness! Reunite the blood stones! Become whole again as thy once were in the fires of Hell!”

All five pieces of the blood stones erupted in a blinding burst of light. Then from the gate that was being kept open by Illyana, powerful column of fire shot out and consumed each stone, focusing mostly on the one Selene was holding. As soon as she felt the surge of dark energy, she let go of the stone she was holding and stepped back. Upon doing so, the main stone hovered in mid air just over the other stones. Selene watched eagerly as more fires consumed them. Soon the other four stones were levitated as well, rising up and swirling around the main stone. In order for this ritual to be complete, the blood stones had to be reunited again. Once complete it was only a matter of making the necessary sacrifice.

The tremors intensified, but Selene kept her balance as she watched the stones. After about fifteen seconds of burning fires and blinding mystical light, the five stones came together in a brilliant display of hellish power. Then with a strange hissing sound, the five ancient stones fused together to complete a perfect, red ruby stone that was spherical in shape with sharp points protruding around it, making it look like a tiny red star of burning light. It had an ominously hellish aura. Selene could tell jut by looking at it that this stone had come from the very fires of Hell. It was beautiful. And now it was hers.

“Yes…at last!” she proclaimed as she clutched the hovering relic, “The blood stones are whole again!”

As soon as she held the stone in her hand, she felt the powers of Hell surge through her. It was invigorating, intoxicating, and intense in every way. It was just a taste of the god-like powers she was soon to wield. The Gate of Orcus burned brighter, flashing with a new intensity as if to build up the power for the grand finale of the ritual. There remained only one final step.

“Wanda…” she said, turning towards her anxious pupil, “It’s time. Make the sacrifice and the ritual will be complete.”

“Yes Mistress,” said Wanda.

With the ceremonial dagger in her hand, Wanda walked up to one of the podiums where one of the twelve mutant infants were silently sleeping. The first one she came to was a girl with blue skin and dark hair. Looking at it, she knew who it belonged to. She cold see it in the face of the child. Sinister used her and Kurt to create this infant. And in all likelihood, she carried this child briefly in her womb. Now she was about to sacrifice it.

Holding the dagger over the child’s body, Wanda Maximoff took a deep breath and prepared to comply with her mistress’s orders. Deep down she knew what she was doing, but there was little hesitation or disgust. She had fallen too far into the darkness to think twice now. If sacrificing her child was what her Mistress decreed. Then so be it.

“May the first blood sacrifice be received into the hands of the dark lord himself!” proclaimed Wanda, “I do this in the name of my Mistress!”

Gripping the dagger intently, she held it over the baby’s chest. And with a sharp grunt prepared to stab it’s heart. But before the blade could reach her child, a puff of smoke appeared beside her and the child was abruptly pulled away by the familiar arms of Kurt Wagner. The dagger hit nothing and before Wanda could respond, Kurt teleported away from the stage and protectively clutched the child.

“NO!” yelled Selene in a rage as she saw this.

“Kurt?! What are you doing?!” exclaimed Wanda in a rage.

The baby started crying and Kurt protectively cradled her in his arms, his stoic gaze finally waning and turning to one of dread and sorrow.

“Forgive me, my love. But I vill not stand by vhy you sacrifice our child,” he said.

Selene was fuming. Of all the times for one of her minions to have a change of heart, why did it have to be now? Wanda was supposed to have an iron grip on Kurt with the love spell she put on him. And here he was defying her like this. It threatened the whole ritual. Time was running out and a blood sacrifice had to be made.

“Wanda! Get that damn child back right now!” commanded Selene, “I don’t care what you have to do that man of yours, just get it back! The ritual cannot be completed without the sacrifice!”

“I will, Mistress. Don’t worry,” she said strongly as she stormed over to the corner.

Then while Kurt was protectively clutching the baby, Wanda surrounded him in a shroud of hex bolts. She then shocked him with a painful surge, causing him to let out a groan of agony. Burning with anger and intent, she levitated her lover into the air. His grip on the baby was strong, but he was only delaying the inevitable.

“Kurt, I’m only going to ask you once! Give me the child!” she demanded.

“I vill not,” said Kurt defiantly.

“You dare defy your love?! You WILL listen to me, Kurt! Or mark my word I won’t hesitate to end you!”

“If zhat is vhat you desire mien love, so be it,” said Kurt, “But I vill not stand by and vatch you sacrifice zhe fruit of our love.”

“That child is NOT the fruit of our love! Were no not listening?! Sinister created it like all the others! They are meant for one purpose and one purpose alone! And that is to be scarified in the name of our Mistress!”

“Be zhat as it may, I cannot allow you do zhis,” said Kurt, “Zhis child is ours. I cannot allow her to suffer such a fate. Please, my love…do not do zhis.”

Wanda’s expression tensed with more anger. Her lover was being very difficult and she could have easily ended him with one well placed hex bolt. But a part of her hesitated. As much as she despised Kurt’s defiance, a part of her did truly have feelings for this man. They were present even before Selene came to her. And they could not be tossed aside so easily.

But with the rumbling growing stronger and time running out for the ritual, Selene would not have it. She needed that child and she was going to get it one way or another.

“Damn it, Wanda! Kill him already and take the child!” ordered Selene, “The ritual must be complete. And if you won’t do it than I will!”

Selene gripped the completed blood stone and pointed it at Kurt. Wanda was still hesitating, not willing to go through with her orders completely. But Selene had no such qualms. If she had to sacrifice her apprentice and her love then so be it. She wasn’t going to be denied.

But just as she was about to strike Kurt dead, an ominous tone interrupted her.

“Oh no you don’t!” said the determined voice of Jean Grey.

Then before Selene could unleash the power of the blood stone, a powerful burst of Phoenix energy shot out and hit her right in the hand. The Black Queen let out a pained gasp as she clutched her hand and dropped the glowing blood stone. Then with seething anger she turned around only to see Jean Grey flying towards her, consumed in Phoenix fire, at high speeds. And before she could react, she was struck and sent flying across the temple right into a wall.

“Mistress!” exclaimed Wanda, diverting her attention from Kurt and rushing towards her mentor.

But just as Jean was rising up from Selene’s stunned form, she turned towards Wanda with her eyes glowing brightly with Phoenix fire. She then used her telekinesis with a touch of extra Phoenix magic to hit her with an enormous wave of force that sent her flying back as if she had been hit by a freight train. The first thing she hit was a chandelier that was hanging from the ceiling. It struck her right on the head and knocked her out almost instantly. Her unconscious body then tumbled the hard ground, striking the far side of the wall and coming to rest in a corner. It effectively took out Selene’s apprentice, leaving only her to face the wrath of the Phoenix.

But Phoenix or not, Selene was livid. First her ritual was interrupted by the arrival of Xavier’s pawns. Then the tremors started. Then one of her minions turned on her. And now someone had the audacity to strike her like this. It infuriated her on every possible level. She had worked so hard for this over so many centuries. She had been so close to grasping ultimate power. She wasn’t about to let it slip through her fingers.

“Errrrrrrrrrrahhhhhhhhhh!” she roared in a rage.

Rising up from her position, she summoned all her mystical prowess and hit Jean with a punishing mystic blast. And even in her Phoenix form, it struck her hard and she was forced off the Black Queen. But it only left her stunned, not deterred.

“Augh! Is that the best you can do?”

Selene clenched her fists, her eyes burning brightly with the intensity of pure darkness. The ritual left her feeling very empowered. Not even the Phoenix could deter her. She watched with anger and annoyance as Jean quickly rose up, the fiery aura of the Phoenix flames still surrounding her body.

“You foolish bitch!” taunted Selene, “The Phoenix again?! Of all the pathetic, worthless, insolent mortals to grasp such power…”

“Insult me all you want, Selene. I’m in control of this power now. I’m not some armature you can just brush off. I can now tap the very fires of creation! And with these fires you shall BURN!”

“Ha! Even with the Phoenix you’re still just a mortal parading around with powers you don’t understand!” scoffed the Black Queen, “Let me show you how a real immortal wields power!”

Tapping into the dark energy from the Gate of Orcus, Selene formed a powerful aura of purplish energy around her body and formed a massive burst that she directed right at Jean. Using the Phoenix, she created a powerful mystical barrier. Any other mystic would have had the flesh torn off their bones, but the fiery flames created a strong enough barrier to deflect it. Gritting her teeth in determination, Jean responded from her blow with a burst of her own. She tapped into the primal forces of the Phoenix and unleashed columns of golden flares that arced over her shield and struck Selene. But the Black Queen was able to deflect them, but not with the same ease as she expected. Immortal or not, the power of the Phoenix was great and she could not just destroy her as she could so many other mystics.

Selene stepped up her assault, using her magic to help her take to the air and launch a barrage of more mystic bursts. These were less concentrated, unleashing a torrent of bursts that forced Jean to expand her barrier. With her eyes still glowing brightly, she pushed herself further and took to the air as well. Now she and Selene were hovering twenty feet off the temple floor, each with powerful barriers protecting them from each others’ mystical blasts. Selene’s angry grunts intensified as she remained on the offensive, relentlessly pouring more and more energy into her attacks and forcing Jean to stay on the defensive. She was only able to counter with a small window of time, but made sure each fiery blast hit hard and kept Selene at bay.

“You’re going to have to do better than that!” taunted Selene.

“So are you.”

Now it was Jean’s turn to go on the offensive. She flew up higher and concentrated harder. A brief burst of flames caused a fiery bird shape to engulf her. Selene tried to hit her with another burst, but this time she didn’t just deflect the blast. She absorbed it, amplified it with the flames of the Phoenix, and redirected it back at the Black Queen. When it struck her, it knocked her back against a nearby pillar. But she was only stunned, not defeated. She quickly tried to launch another attack, but Jean didn’t let her. She went all out, unleashing upon her the wrath of the Phoenix.

Keeping Selene pinned near the pillar, Jean fired burst after burst of Phoenix flares. Some got through her barrier and struck Selene, but it only stunned her. She kept her defenses up, taking each blow as Jean drew closer and the flames consumed her even more. Selene was working off pure rage now. She was doing much better than anyone had done against her in a long time. Jean worked off the focus and passion she had worked so hard on with Scott, Enchantress, and everyone else she ever practice magic with. She inched her way closer and closer to the Black Queen, the memories of what she did to her driving her harder.

Eventually, Jean was hovering mere inches from Selene. Her energy field and her Phoenix flames were now burning together, fighting one another for supremacy. Through this power she reached out and tried to clutch Selene by the throat. But Selene didn’t let her. She grabbed her hands and began forcing her back. Still hovering over the stage, it wasn’t lost on Selene that the ritual was still going on. The final sacrifice still had to be made. But she couldn’t make it as long as she had the Phoenix in her way. With that in mind she stepped up her power, driving her back as her energy burned brighter to match the Phoenix. Soon she had the upper hand again.

“Ungh! You…will…suffer…for your…crimes!”

“My only crime is not killing you and Xavier’s cretins sooner!” exclaimed Selene, “If you think you’re power can change your fate! Think again!”

Selene’s eyes then flashed brighter and as she and Jean remained locked in a bitter grasp, she unleashed another mystic bolt. This time it came from her eyes and it hit Jean right in the face, causing her to fall back briefly. And that was all the time Selene needed to make her move. She delivered a punishing right cross, knocking Jean back even further. Then with both fists clenched she formed a glowing all of energy. Then she delivered a punishing downward blow that Jean was unable to resist with her barriers. She was sent tumbling back to the ground.

When she impacted she was momentarily dazed, but the fires of the Phoenix still burned brightly around her. She quickly tried to pick herself up, but Selene didn’t give her a chance. She flew down towards her at high speeds, pinning her down with her foot right on her neck with her overpowering energy pressing down against her. Jean grunted and gasps as she tried to push the Black Queen off of her, but it was no use. She was too strong and her energy was too intense.

Still seething with rage, Selene stood atop the Phoenix in a dominating gesture. She was proving even to a primal mystical force that she was stronger. And she was going to be triumphant. Nothing was going to stop her.

“You and your kind have delayed my ascension for the last time!” proclaimed the Black Queen, “Don’t you see? You’re already too late! Soon I’ll sacrifice the children and ultimate power will be mine! Do you hear me?! I will wield the power of a true god! All shall bow down before me! Nothing can stop it! It is my destiny! It is my fate!”

She put more pressure on Jean, seething with anger as she prepared to strike her again. Then to her shock her expression changed. Now she was smiling ominously. Something big was about to change.

“Your fate…has already been sealed.”

Before Selene could make sense of her words, a new voice entered the fight. And it was the last voice Selene wanted to hear.

“It’s over, Selene,” said Charles Xavier, “As the Black King of the Hellfire Club, your rank is hereby revoked.”

Then Selene turned around and she saw him. Charles Xavier was standing near the center of the stage between the podiums and the Gate of Orcus. And in his hand was the completed blood stone. Behind him was Danielle Moonstar, who couldn’t stop smiling as she casually leaned against a pillar. What he did next filled Selene with dread and horror the likes of which she had never felt in her immortal life.

“THE STONE! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

“Oh yes,” grinned Xavier.

Gripping the stone firmly, Xavier threw the glowing relic down onto the rocky ground as hard as he could. Selene tried to fly over and save it, but before she could Jean hit her with a paralyzing Phoenix blast. This time she didn’t deflect it. When it hit her, she fell to the floor where she could only watch as the stones impacted and shattered into countless pieces. And when she saw those stones shattered, the Black Queen saw her dreams of ultimate power shatter with her.

With the blood stone destroyed, a massive burst of light erupted from the ruins and consumed the stage. Xavier promptly ran off, meeting up with Jean and Danielle near Selene’s downed form. Now the building was shaking even more severely, only this time it wasn’t coming from Amara. It was coming from something much more powerful.

“What’s happening now, Lord Xavier?” asked Danielle anxiously.

“I’m not sure, but I believe Selene’s little ritual has officially failed.”

The light from the stones rose up and all the dark energy that Selene had summoned from the gate collected into a bright ball of energy. It kept rising until it passed through the ceiling and up into the clouds above. There it exploded in a brilliant flash, taking with it all the dark clouds and storminess that had been brewing. It also took with it the darkness that had filled Selene’s minions, causing them all to tense and groan in pain. In the process, the barrier Wanda cast earlier was shattered and the rest of Xavier’s pawns were allowed to enter.

They all rushed in to meet up with their mentor, who was still standing over Selene just outside the stage. Scott, Piotr, Rogue, Warpath, Pietro, Logan, Mystique, Bobby, Jubilee, Kitty, Sam, Julian, Rahne, Remy, Ororo, Deadpool, Danielle, Emma, Laura, and Moria all breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Selene down and defeated. The darkness that had filled this whole kingdom seemed lifted. Yet the Gate of Orcus was still open.

“Never thought I’d ever see Selene look this pathetic,” commented Emma.

“I know, which makes it all the more satisfying,” said Mystique with a grin.

“So…is it over, Lord Xavier?” asked Jubilee.

Xavier looked down at Selene and then over at the glowing Gate of Orcus. Even though the ritual had failed, there were still some loose ends that had to be resolved.

“Not quite,” said Xavier ominously.

Everybody turned their attention to the glowing gate. There they all saw an ominous figure taking shape from within the fiery glow. It was a figure that looked every bit as hellish and macabre as one would expect an ally of Selene to be. Only this was no ally. When it emerged it revealed an imposing figure with a sinister red complexion and eyes as evil as anything they had ever seen. Even for the Hellfire Club, it was a figure worthy of myth. But anybody who studied the world of darkness knew this figure. He was a hell lord of unparalleled power. He was the Hell Lord, Mephisto.

“Is…is that who I think it is?” asked Ororo.

“Yes, my dear,” said Xavier in a calm tone, “But do not worry. He is not here to cause us any trouble. Isn’t that right, Mephisto?”

The dark Hell Lord grinned with a look worthy of the greatest evil.

“You’re a smart one, Xavier. I had a feeling our paths would cross sooner or later.”

“I’m sure you did,” said the Black King as he stepped forth to approach the dark figure, “I take it you’re here for Selene?”

“You could say that. But it’s quite a bit more complicated than you think.”

Mephiso then held his hand out. As he did, Selene’s near unconscious body levitated and was guided over towards the dark lord. Xavier stepped out of the way, allowing Mephisto to confront the woman who worked so hard to gain powers like his.

“Tsk tsk, Selene. I had such high hopes for you. For a while I really believed you would succeed in filling this world of darkness. It sure would have made my job a lot easier of tormenting souls. But you just couldn’t pull it off, could you? You failed me. And you know the price of failure.”

Selene, now weakened and distraught, cringed under the gaze of the Hell Lord. Never before had she been consumed with such fear and anxiety. For all her power and immortality, she was still not a god or a lord. In the grasp of Mephisto, she was as weak as any other.

“Mephiso…please,” Selene begged, “I…I can still succeed!”

“Ha! You of all people should know, Selene, that I don’t give second chances. We made a deal and you failed your end. As such I hereby strip you of all your powers and abilities. I also strip you of your will and higher functions. You will henceforth be as weak and impotent as an insect.”

“No…NO! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

An ominous aura consumed Selene and a strange mist shot out from her mouth and eyes. She could feel the power and strength she so coveted leaving her. She could also feel her mind slipping away. Her will, desire, and capacity to think was removed painfully in an imposing show of raw hellish force. The dark lord savored her screams of agony. Xavier and his pawns savored them as well, for they were long overdue. When it was over, Mephisto casually let her body fall limply to the floor. And like a weak little animal, she curled up into a fetal position and whimpered.

“Ah how the mighty fall hard. I take it you all enjoyed that.”

None of the pawns said anything, not willing to risk saying something wrong to a real hell lord, but they didn’t hide the smug satisfaction they got watching Selene get stripped of her powers. Only Xavier came forward to speak.

“So what are you going to do with her?” asked Xavier, “Take her and her minions to your realm and torture them for all eternity?”

“I could. But honestly, where’s the fun in that? They’re all still so young and Selene’s inflicted so much punishment that amount of the usual torment in the bits of Hell will deliver the appropriate measures. I have all eternity to do that to her, but she and her minions still have plenty of life left to live in this world. So I’ll have to come up with another way to torment them.”

Xavier grinned at his words and stepped closer, not showing any fear or anxiety for being so close to the Hell Lord. Even though this beings power far exceeded his, he was not afraid to confront him.

“Then might I make a suggestion?” he said in a reasonable tone, “Leave Selene and her minions with us. Keep them alive, but take away their powers and their free will. Make them every bit as weak and impotent as Selene.”

“And why would I want to do that?”

“Because as long as they live, my pawns and I will be able to punish them on our own for as long as they live. Taking their souls now would only grant them death’s mercy and neither of us wants to see that. Let them live and I’ll see to it that they all pay for their crimes appropriately, including Selene.”

“Ha! And how would I know that a mortal such as you will be able to punish them appropriately?”

“Because Mephisto, you know full well what I’m capable of. And you know I’ve conditioned my pawns to be every bit as capable. It’s just a matter of what you feel is best.”

The dark lord grinned sadistically at the Black King. For a mortal, this man was really something. He wasn’t as dark or devious as Selene, but he had a grand capacity for torment and suffering. That in many ways was even more devious than people like Selene. And as a Hell Lord, he had every right to dictate the fates.

“Are you trying to propose a deal?”

“Of course not. I know how deals with you always end up,” said Xavier, “This is just a suggestion. Do what you will. But understand that my pawns and I are not prone to your cunning. We will do whatever we must to continue and we do not need your help. We only need your decision.”

Mephisto let out a dark laugh. Then to the surprise of many, he looked at Xavier with a hint of admiration.

“You’re a wise man, Charles Xavier. I know you’re too smart to fall for my tricks. And neither are your pawns. I can tell you’ve trained them to be smarter than that. That’s why I’m going do as you suggest. I’m going to strip all of Selene’s minions of their spirit and free will as well and entrust their suffering to you.”


Xavier grinned ominously. Hell Lords may be known for their devious and dark nature, but they were still easy to reason with.

“Thank you. I assure you they’re in capable hands,” said the Black King.

“Oh I’m sure they are. And I’m sure they’ll be in for quite a treat. Them and the rest of this world! I may not be able to tap into it as I would if Selene had succeeded. But I can always get a keen sense of satisfaction watching you succeed?”

“What do you mean?” asked Xavier curiously.

Mephiso grinned with his hellish leer as he looked at Xavier and back at his pawns. Unlike them, he was an immortal hell lord that had a keen understanding of not just how this reality works, but how it could have worked. He could see the paths they took in life and how they got where they were now. He could also see the other paths they could have taken. And seeing how they ended up he couldn’t help but be satisfied.

“Let’s just say I’ve seen all the paths you and your pawns have taken. And I know what you could have become. You could have done so much good in this world, using your powers for more noble purposes. But you didn’t. Instead you used them to gain power, wealth, and personal pleasure. And now that Selene is out of your way you’ll just get more powerful and more determined. This entire world will live under your thumb, not knowing that they are being controlled and dictated by a hidden force. Every human being will think they’re free, yet they’ll all have with them that little fear in the back of their minds that you instill that reminds them who is in charge. Such power doesn’t make you a god or king of any sort. It just makes you a tyrant. And that’s all you’ll ever be.”

Xavier was silent for a moment and so were the others. His expression didn’t change. If anything, it hardened. Then the Black King gave the dark lord an answer that was sure to satisfy him even more.

“I’m okay with that,” he said.

Mephisto just grinned. This world was in for a long, arduous reign. But it couldn’t be in more capable hands. And it was sure to keep his realm filled with the souls of the corrupt and dark for many years to come.

“You never cease to deliver, Charles. I’ll be keeping a close eye on you. And your little club.”


“I’m sure you will,” said Xavier, “And don’t expect me or any of my allies to walk Selene’s path again.”

“Of course. I would expect nothing less.”

The Black King and his pawns watched as Mephisto returned to the Gate of Orcus. He had done what he had to do and since Xavier wasn’t going to make a deal or anything, he had no reason to stay. He had his place in his realm and Xavier had his. And he was content to leave it that way.

“Enjoy your new toys. And for the rest of you young pawns, take a bit of advice from a true Hell Lord. Being good is so overrated. Never be afraid to embrace a little darkness!”

“We never are,” said the Black King, “Within reason of course.”

Mephisto laughed once more. His trips to the mortal realm were always eventful. But this was by far the most interesting. Charles Xavier and his Hellfire Club were no ordinary mortals. They were something so much more, far from heroes or villains. They were a different breed and one that would ensure him plenty to look forward to.

“Ha! Oh this world is in for such a ride! Goodbye, Charles! Goodbye, Hellfire Club! Keep making your dark allies proud!”

The laughing continued even as Mephiso disappeared into the Gate of Orcus. As soon as he did, the fiery light that made up the gate waned and eventually faded. As soon as it did, Illyana Rasputin reappeared. Having acted as the unwitting medium during the whole ritual she was weakened and utterly exhausted. But she was still alive. And when Piotr saw her his eyes widened with shock and worry.

“Illyana?!” he exclaimed.

“Hnn…Piotr,” she said weakly.

Piotr ran up to her and swiftly broke her restraints. Kitty and Jean followed close behind, standing by him as he cradled his younger sister in his powerful arms. He had no idea she had been caught up in this. He immediately worried if Selene had done something to her. Jean was already in the process of checking, but Piotr remained focused on her.

“Illyana, what happened?” he asked her intently.

“I…I’m not sure,” said the young Russian girl, “That woman, Selene, kidnapped me. She…she said she was going to use me in some ritual.”

“Well don’t worry, Illyana. We stopped it,” assured Kitty, “Selene won’t be using you or anybody any longer.”

Illyana let out a sigh of relief upon hearing that. But she was still dizzy and disoriented. Her body and mind had been pushed in ways it had never been pushed before. She was so close to giving out completely. But she held on long enough for her brother and his fellow pawns to save her. He made good on the promise he made time and again to be there for her when she needed him.

“Is she going to be okay, Jean?” asked Piotr.

Jean tapped her Phoenix powers to scan Illyana’s mind and spirit.

“She’s tired, but she’ll be fine,” said Jean, “Selene must have been using her powers to keep the Gate of Orcus opened. It didn’t leave any lasting effects, but I do sense she is linked to mystical forces. I think this just revealed.”

“Mystical forces, you say?” said Piotr as he looked down at his sister’s prone form with a slight smile, “Well then, I suppose that means she’s more powerful than we thought.”

“Looks like you may have competition, Jean,” commented Kitty.

Jean smiled at Kitty and then down at Illyana.

“I don’t mind. We’re going to need more mystical experts now that Selene has been stripped of her rank. And if she’s anything like her brother, she’ll have a bright future in the Hellfire Club.”

Piotr couldn’t help but smile with pride. It was somewhat daunting to think of Illyana as working her way into the Hellfire Club. But after having faced Selene head on there was no use denying it. His sister was every bit as tough as he was even in his metal form. Sighing in relief, he let Illyana fall asleep in his arms. He then turned towards Kitty, who cast him a warm smile. It was a fitting way to end such a difficult fight. But this wasn’t the end. It was only the beginning.

But Piotr wasn’t the only one to go after family. As soon as Mephisto left, Mystique and Rogue ran over to Kurt, who was still in the corner clutching the infant girl that Wanda tried to sacrifice. He stayed silent and docile, even after the darkness was expunged by Selene’s defeat. But unlike the others, he didn’t lose his free will completely. He seemed very much aware of what was going on.

“Kurt?” said Rogue, “What the hell did you do?”

Kurt looked up at his sister and mother, who he willingly tortured so callously, with a weak and vulnerable gaze.

“I…I couldn’t let her do it,” he said softly, “She vas going to sacrifice my child. I couldn’t let it happen.”

“So you stopped it,” said Mystique, still looking at her son with great scorn, “You couldn’t have done this sooner?”

“No…I couldn’t,” he said, “But I knew zhe both of you vould keep your promise. I knew you vould stop me and vhat I have become before it vas too late.”

Mystique and Rogue exchanged glances. As disappointed as they were in Kurt, they did remember his fateful words to them. He trusted them to stop him before he went too far. And they did. Now he was weak and docile, yet in his eyes he was still Kurt. That was something to take solace in. But they had a long way to go and he knew it.

“You do know your deeds cannot go unpunished, son,” said Mystique sternly.

“I know,” he said softly, “I vill accept vhatever consequences I deserve. I owe as such for you keeping your promise.”

Mystique and Rogue knelt down to the broken young man, watching as he cradled the infant mutant child. He looked so distant and lost, yet he seemed content in some ways. It was as if he was glad things ended like this. They hadn’t gone as far as Selene wanted. A different fate awaited him and his child. And despite all the pain and suffering they had endured, both Mystique and Rogue placed their hands on Kurt’s weary shoulders. He was no longer a slave to darkness. But he was a slave to his own fate now and they would see to it that he never walked that path again.

Not far from Kurt, Pietro approached the barely conscious Wanda with Rahne by his side. Throughout this fight he had lost a father and nearly lost his half-sister. But despite all the bitterness that lingered with his family, he still managed to adhere to his father’s final wish. He helped stop Wanda. And now here she was, alive and well, but weak and distant. Rahne helped raise her until she was in a sitting position. Her eyes were barely open, but the hatred and darkness that had dominated for so long was now gone.

“Wanda? Can you hear me?” he told her.

She weakly turned towards him and gave him a look of despair.

“Pietro…I’m sorry,” she said in a weak tone.

Then in an unexpected show of weakness and submission, she started crying. Pietro wasn’t sure how to react at first, but he ended up pulling her into an embrace where she started crying into his shoulder. His expression remained the same. Wanda had done a lot to push herself away from him over the years. After Selene got to her she became a different person. Now that person was dead and all that was left was a shell of the sister he once knew. But for all the pain and hardship she caused him, he was content with just having her back in a way he could embrace.

“You’re not going to just accept her apology like that, are ye?” said Rahne.

“Of course not,” replied Pietro, “She’s going to answer to her crimes like all the others. But I’m still her brother. It’s only proper that I take care of her in the appropriate manner.”

It wasn’t the kindest show of sibling affection. But to Rahne it seemed fitting enough. Pietro had been on the brunt end of Wanda’s many wraths. Now he was the one in charge. It was poetic justice in many ways. And knowing Pietro, she was certain he would keep a firm hold on her to keep her from drifting away again. Only this time, she would listen to him and follow his whim. Like all the others, she had no choice.

As Pietro and Rahne helped Wanda up and guide her back to the group, Mystique and Rogue did the same with Kurt. When they rejoined they saw many of the pawns looking over the mutant infants Selene planned to heartlessly sacrifice. These infants, as innocent and unassuming as they seemed, had been the key to their success. Without them, they never would have found Selene. And ironically enough, they had Sinister to thank for that. Many were in a state of shock as they looked at the sleeping infants. These were children they weren’t even aware they had.

Looking over the sleeping children were Sam, Bobby, Jubilee, and Moria. It was still very surreal for them, finding out they had fostered children without even knowing it. They couldn’t undo what Sinister did and even though he and Selene were defeated, their fate was unknown.

“Wow…so these are our kids,” said Sam as he looked over one of the infants with blonde hair that he assumed was his.

“Ugh, don’t say that. I’m too young to start thinking of myself as a mother,” said Jubilee.

“Well technically, we didn’t have these kids. Sinister grew them,” said Bobby as he looked over each child.

“So what’s going to happen to them?” she asked.

“Well we ain’t gonna sacrifice them like Selene wanted to, that’s for sure,” said Sam, “We’ll find some way to fit them into our world. Right Lady MacTaggart?”

Moria smiled as she found herself picking up one of the children. Having suffered through the pain of a miscarriage and the triumph of raising a successful foster daughter in Rahne, she had a strong appreciation for being a parent. And this was just another unexpected occurrence that they could turn into an opportunity.

“Oh I’m sure we can be finding something for these little bundles. They are after all in the Hellfire bloodline now. That just means we have a new generation to build off of. And every strong organization needs a solid foundation for the future.”

It sounded promising, despite the lingering bewilderment they felt for being young parents. But Moria was right. Now that Selene and her minions were defeated, the Hellfire Club had to rebuild. Having these young infants here at the very beginning, they had something they could nurture into the future. And it was a future sure to be dominated by the Hellfire Club.

Not far from the children, Xavier stood over the weak and unmoving body of Selene. Next to him were Scott, Warpath, Logan, Julian, Laura, Remy, Ororo, Danielle, Deadpool, and Emma. They too were fixated on the surreal sight of their former Black Queen lying defeated on the floor, looking so weak and frail. For so long they knew her only as the unstoppable, devious woman who was capable of inflicting so much suffering. But that woman was defeated and the price she paid for her defeat was great.

“Damn, she almost looks cute all curled up and weak like that. You almost want to pet her like a dog! But then I’d be demeaning dogs,” said Deadpool.

“I never thought I’d say this to a comment from you, Deadpool, but that’s an understatement,” said Ororo, “Is she truly without free will and desire, Charles? Is there any trace of the monster within her left?”

Xavier did a brief scan of her mind. Usually, her shields were all but unbreakable. But there were no such defenses for her anymore. Mephisto robbed her of everything that made her so powerful.

“The monster is officially dead,” affirmed Xavier, “Her mind is as weak and vulnerable as a sick dog.”

“Does that mean we can train her like a dog?” grinned Logan.

“Even dogs have some capacity to reason. She does not,” said the Black King, “The only thing Mephisto left her is the ability to feel sorrow, pain, and humiliation.”

“Well she’ll be getting plenty of that with us,” said Warpath, “But is she still immortal?”

“It would appear so, but that’s just Mephisto’s way of making her more enjoyable to us as we begin to punish her,” said Xavier as he knelt down and gripped Selene’s tired face, “And she’ll need to be immortal if she’s to live long enough to answer for her crimes. She’s going to have to endure a lot of punishment and pain in accordance to Hellfire bylaws. Her minions will be part of it. But she’ll always get the worst.”

“Fine by me,” shrugged Julian callously, “Nobody could be more deserving.”

“Indeed,” agreed Ororo.

The young Hellfire Pawns watched as Xavier firmly clutched the face of the defeated woman. It was so satisfying to see such a defeated look on her face. They all looked forward to punishing this woman in their own way. She had caused so much pain and suffering, not just to her victims but to all of them. Even as an immortal sorceress with so much power at her disposal, she could not escape the justice of the Hellfire Club.

The only one with reservations was Emma Frost, who had unknowingly helped this woman commit her crimes. She knew she was not going to escape punishment herself. She had done much to try and make up for it, but that didn’t change the fact that she committed a crime against the Hellfire Club and she was going to have to pay for it. But the Hellfire Club itself was in a precarious state. She, like all the others, understood that Selene did a lot of damage to their organization. Rebuilding it was going to be a challenge, but with her out of the way the possibilities were endless.

“So what’s going to happen now, Lord Xavier?” asked Emma, “With Selene defeated, what’s next for the Hellfire Club?”

Xavier smiled and rose up, the poise and determination of the Black King more apparent than ever. Many years ago he entered the Hellfire Club with aspirations of using its power to create a new order. And in many ways he had, but that order could only go so far with the old traditions of the Hellfire Club holding him back. He worked long and hard to rid himself of the previous Inner Circle and now that Selene was defeated the last barrier that was holding him back was gone. Now the Hellfire Club had a blank slate and as the Black King he had every intention of taking their rule to the next level.

“For many years now I’ve spent too much time merely protecting my power from the likes of Selene and the Hand,” said Xavier, “But now that she and her minions are defeated, there is nothing to stand in my way. At long last, we can expand the Hellfire Club to new horizons. I can fulfill my dream of creating a new and powerful order that will defeat chaos and reign supreme over this bloody and barbaric world.”

He then turned to his pawns and smiled with pride. Xavier may be a man who valued power, but he was also a man who valued his allies as well. And whatever order may come from this, his loyal pawns were going to be a part of it.

“And you, my faithful pawns, shall be a part of this new order. You have all given yourselves completely to this glorious organization. Now you will get your ultimate reward. Together we will forge a new Inner Circle, one that will overcome the limitations of the previous order and wield power the likes of which few have ever wielded before. We have everything we need now. The rule of ignorance and chaos has officially come to an end. From this day forward, Hellfire shall reign eternally!”

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Up next: The aftermath of Selene’s betrayal ensues and the Hellfire Club begins to rebuild.