CHAPTER 408 CAUGHTMy new bus driver buddy was nice enough to drive us all the way to the main headquarters. Telling
all the little secrets and gossip of the island, I was able to unveil a lot of it by mainly focusing it on the hot won, then he naturally opened up to
about what he hated. Evelyn had taught
how to be a spy a long ti ago, gathering information was always the most important part of going to any new place.
By the ti he dropped us off I knew that Magneto was well loved, but often seen as a fanatic. He held “church” every Sunday. Spouting off his version of the mutant gospel. My new best friend suspected he was writing a mutant bible and gauging how people reacted to what he said until he added it all to the Bible.
Magneto would also spend the hour long service talking about specific examples of mutants hurt by regular people and amazing things so of them could do. Magneto got really fiery about the mutants turned into goop to help a human get his dick back about a month ago. There was a funeral service conducted for those killed and their nas were added to the mural.
The mural was a massive monolith at the center of the city. Made out of a black steel, Magneto etched the nas of the mutants killed in the fight for independence. Which was just an excuse to put the na of every mutant that died at the center of town.
By the end of the drive I knew Magneto was not the kind of person I wanted to befriend. In so instances of the mutants, Magneto turned into the good guy. A far cry from that, he was too busy with his Holy War for mutantkind. I knew the man would kill
without a mont’s hesitation. One of the many reasons I was glad I now had a sword made from my soul instead of actual tal.
We got off the bus and Kyle told
where he lived. He had more interesting stories to tell and he would be happy to for so beers at a local bar. Excited to go to my future mutant establishnt I walked to the large buildings with the other Hellfire club mbers. Gravitating to Emma she gave
a nod as she got close.
“That was well done,” she said.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“How you got information from him. At first I thought you were an idiot but…” She left it open for interpretation. “You’re so full of surprises.”
“Oh ye of little faith,” I said. “Ever hear of a villain called the Riddler?” She shook her head. “He once said, “there are two rules to follow in life. One, never reveal everything you know.” She waited then opened her mouth, but got it before she said anything. Rolling her eyes she smiled at
as the wide doors opened.
The headquarters for the mutants was more like a massive palace. Large steps leading up to it, the two-story tall doors were big enough for anyone to walk through. Two guards stationed on the outside they had spears in hand and automatic rifles slung on their backs. Impressed by the show of strength we walked in to find more doors opening for us.
“I always hate coming here,” Obadiah rasped.
“Shut it,” Shaw said. “Magneto is a ruler of his own country for a reason.”
“Why are we coming here anyway?” I asked, loudly. Uncaring for how quiet the palace was. Shaw looked at
but sneered. He didn’t appreciate my antics, but I didn’t care. Fear leaking off of him I guessed he wasn’t the Shaw from the X-n reboot movies. In the movies Shaw had been the one that scared Magneto.
We ca out into a large throne room. A tall throne at the end of the great hall, Magneto sat atop it. Wearing his bright purple pimp suit he was easy to spot. At his right was a woman in red, and at his left was a boy in blue. The boy had gray hair slicked back, and the girl wore a scarlet red crown on her head.
Excited to maybe et the mysterious twins at last, I frowned as I noticed others in the room. One was sitting in a wheelchair, the other was wearing a red and black flannel shirt, the man next to him wore red sunglasses, and the last was a woman with red hair. I should have recognized them right away since I’d only seen them a few hours ago, but my brain blanked for a mont.
“Fucking Weston,” Wolverine growled.
“Hellooo,” I said with a wave to the X-n. My voice echoing in the large chamber, the Hellfire Club’s annoyance grew. Feeling about as awkward as one could in such a situation I put on my best smile as I thought how to salvage this a little. I didn’t think the X-n would catch
on my extracurricular activity. I guessed they were on the trail of Mr. Sinister as well.
The air beca thick with anticipation. Then a great booming laugh sounded from the throne. Magneto, ever the king, laughed low and loud. Thankfully it wasn’t at
though. His eyes were all for Shaw.
“Mr. Shaw, how good of you to finally visit my ho,” Magneto said. “And you brought so humans with you. How kind.” I was worried maybe they really did hunt humans for a mont, but Magneto continued. “To what am I due the honor of the presence of the Hellfire Club?”
“We had hoped to conduct this in a more private setting,” Shaw admitted, his eyes darting to the X-n at our side.
“I believe I would prefer this to be public,” Magneto said. “Besides, I believe both of your interests are linked.”
Shaw frowned, but ever the business man he raised his head and nodded. “We want the last known location on Mr. Sinister.” From the Haki of those already present, it wasn’t a surprise for anyone. I didn’t rember all that much about Mr. Sinister. He was always this pale guy that would show up now and then in the canon. Not too worried about him, I was just there for the quests.
“I understand,” Magneto said with a nod from high up on his throne. I tried to keep my annoyance from the guy held back. Mainly because if I could build an island and na myself king, I couldn’t say for sure I wouldn’t do the exact sa thing. “Mr. Sinister has long been hidden away from the world. Why he decides to make a move now, I do not know.” He sighed. His hands drumming on the arm of his throne as he thought.
“You have both asked
the sa question. Due to our histories I would like to think on who I shall answer,” Magneto said. He stood up. “Until I have made my decision, please accept the hospitality of Genosha. Scarlet, Quick, please escort each group to a sitting room. The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver nodded. Both walking down the stairs, Scarlet moved toward the X-n and Quicksilver moved for the Hellfire Club.
Since I doubted both teams would go to the sa room, I discreetly scooted out from the side of the Hellfire Club and even more discreetly moved toward the X-n. Despite my efforts at stealth a lot of eyes were on
from both camps. I laughed awkwardly but made it to next to Wolverine.
“You’re in deep shit, kid,” the old man growled.
“I’m an impressionable youth. They seed like the cool older-”
“Shut it,” Wolverine said, gnawing on his cigar. He looked angry but he was actually fighting back laughter. Not so much because of my words but the situation. By the annoyed stares from Cyclops and Professor X, they didn’t want
there. Wolverine and Jean Grey were actually happy by the fact for so reason. Either way it was good to feel wanted.
Scarlet Witch escorted us down a long hallway. At the end was a large conference room. A mini-bar set up with refreshnts and finger food I walked over and began making myself so food.
“Jean, so good to see you again,” Scarlet Witch said. She wore a red pointy corset, a red skirt, red tights, thigh high red leather boots, and had a weird crown/headwrapping framing her face. I knew her from the comics, and to be honest they didn’t do her justice. All curves and red, it matched her hair perfectly.
“You too, Wanda. We miss you at the school,” Jean said.
I hadn’t thought of the famous twins going to the mutant school, but it made sense. Supposedly Magneto was in charge of adult mutants, Xavier was in charge of the youth mutants. I wondered if maybe there was a field trip to Genosha I was missing out on by skipping school.
“And who is this person you all seem so…fond of?” Wanda asked.
“This is the idiot, Weston,” Wolverine growled. He began munching on so cut up roast beef. “You were there at the whole mutant dissolving incident, right?”
“Ah, that Weston,” Scarlet Witch said. I smiled wide at her, walking up I extended my hand.
“Don’t trust everything you hear. I’m way dumber than they’re letting on,” I said. I figured humility was key for Xavier to not kick
out of the group. The old man had a placid face, but I could tell he was upset. “And you are?”
“Wanda Maximoff,” she said. “But my father prefers that we use our chosen nas. You can call
Scarlet Witch.”
“Ah, made up nas, right. You can call …Bastard then,” I said. I was regretting the na choice again. I kept going between that and Walker, and with this woman in front of , for so reason I didn’t want her calling
Bastard.
“Now I know who you are,” she said. Her red lipstick caked lips smiling wider to show her pearl white teeth. “The tahuman.”
“Boo yeah, I was right,” I mumbled. “ta? Maybe I should change my hero na to that.”
“Nope, after this stunt you’re sticking to Bastard,” Cyclops mumbled.
“Ha!” Wolverine said. “Scott told a joke. See, I knew it was right to let the kid in the group.” I blushed, it was a sad day when even the boy scout cursed . Here was hoping he didn’t find out the fantasies I had with his girlfriend.
“Well, it is good to et you,” Scarlet said. “Have fun with your…conversation. I will grab you when my father has decided.” She gave
a nod and walked out the door. The skirt tight on her rump I watched her go. When she was out the door I felt more than one set of psychic fingers move across my brain.
“So uh…think this is all free?” I asked, moving back to the bar. Wolverine was holding a scotch and moved the bottle out of my reach as I went for it. “You know uh, the Hellfire’s didn’t really-”
“Weston, what the hell are you doing?” Scott asked.
“Trying to-”
“Enough,” Xavier said. His voice low, but firm. He had a tired look on his face. “No more jokes. Why were you with the Hellfire Club?”
My plans to say I was out for a swim, or it was a coincidence, or I was in their trainee program were thrown out the window. Annoyed, I was at least smart enough to know that Xavier usually ant business.
“To be honest? A sob story,” I said with a sigh. “There I was, minding my own business when a woman dressed in white ca up to . She gave
this sad tale about her kid going to Calhoun. She and her friends had so questions. I couldn’t say no to that rack-I an the tears. She kidnapped , and we ended up at the Hellfire Club. Wolverine took
there. Rember?” He growled.
“Right uh, so yeah, I knew they were the elites. I wasn’t going to tell them anything. Then they brought this girl I went to school with. She started crying and shaking. Telling
this sob story about how she was scared to go back to school. I-I just couldn’t take it. I told them everything. Who we were protecting and who we fought against.”
All eyes moved to the professor. “That feels…mostly true.” His anger waning the others did as well.
I hid my sigh of relief. “Anyway, I was curious who sent those Marauder guys too. They said Mr. Sinister did it, asked if I wanted to co along.”
“Why would they ask you?” Scott asked.
“I fought the Marauders. They weren’t exactly sure what the Marauders capabilities were. Besides, we finished the mission. I was lonely and scared,” I said, trying to put on the facade of a scared kid that no one bought. “Peer pressure was involved too. They asked
if I wanted a cigarette but I said no, so they settled on taking
along. Which is probably less deadly, right?”
“Fucking hell,” Wolverine grumbled.
“Well you can wait here while we deal with this,” Scott said.
“What?!” I asked. “But-but I’m here.”
“Which is not where Mr. Sinister is,” Scott said. “We only ca here because Magneto has had dealings with him in the past.” He frowned at , disappointnt clear in his face. “Weston, the Hellfire Club has people killed. We don’t do that. We expect to make Mr. Sinister answer for his cris at the school.”
“Or are you the military lapdogs?” I shot back, throwing away the scared kid persona. “General Ross was on the tail of him, right? Are you going after him on orders from Fury?” From their Haki I could tell I was right. “What, beat him up and hand him over to the feds? Why don’t you ask Fury if he wants
along to help?”
Fury and Colson hadn’t ntioned the Avenger initiative once. But from Ross’ request to have a real human watch his granddaughter, I could tell I was on the short list for the team. I was on a quest and I would be damned if I wasn’t going to finish it.
“Co on, Scott. You said I was part of the team. So what if I ca along without being asked. And rode in the car with the cool kids,” I added. “I’m here. Let
help. Besides, you know I’m right. I’ve fought these guys before. Would it be so bad to let
see this through to the end?”
I could tell from the others, even X, they were convinced. I knew Scott didn’t like , but even his attitude waned with the request. He eyed the professor who nodded. “Fine, but you are on a short leash, Weston.”
“Wolverine is the animal, why doesn’t he have a leash?” I asked.
“Oh, I got a leash,” Wolverine said. “I was held back from throttling you as soon as you walked in.”
“Kinky,” I said with a smile. Looking from him to the others I felt that they would feel better if they saw
get my ass kicked. “I’m not sure how long this will take. How about a spar?”
“Now that…is not a bad idea,” Wolverine said. He chugged the rest of his scotch. “I’ve been here a few tis. I think I know just the place.” The others ignored us as they began to converse about sothing else. Wolverine walked out the door we ca in and I followed.
“You’re in deep shit, you know,” Wolverine mumbled out the side of his mouth.
“I assud, about what?” I asked. “Hellfire or…my last fight with X?”
“Eh, we moved on from that,” Wolverine said. “X surprisingly didn’t wipe too many mories.”
“Oh yeah?” I asked, wondering if the girls would actually rember what we went through.
“Yeah, just so key monts like Illyana using her power, and Grey,” Wolverine said. He turned us down a side hall.
“Good,” I said, feeling a little better. I had to call Morgan to cancel our date, I hoped she at least rembered that. I was happy at least they would rember so of our adventure together.
“You did good, kid,” Wolverine said. “Despite the tight asses comnts. It was discussed about bringing you along.”
“Oh yeah?” I asked. “Why’d I lose the vote?”
“Just bad timing,” Wolverine said. “X felt like you had a lot going on.”
“Yeah, well shit has been boring for a while. I’d rather stay busy. Besides, I’ve been aning to co here for a while,” I admitted.
“Don’t trust everything you see here,” Wolverine whispered. I locked eyes with him and nodded. I didn’t think I needed to be told that. I knew that nothing was ever perfect.
The shorter man pushed in a door and a training facility was revealed. A wide open space available, there were mats set out on the floor, weight equipnt, and a few people actually sparring. One was a huge fat guy, and the other was a shorter toad looking man. Wolverine ignored them though, moving to a mat near the door.
“Let’s see that fancy new sword of yours,” Wolverine said. “I’m curious what you know about them.”
“Oh right, I get to actually face your claws now,” I said excitedly as Nen poured out of my chest and pooled in my hand. The Soulsword materialized and I felt it harden a little more from my nen. Every use of the blade would make it stronger. I needed to make sure I didn’t go a day without using it.
I put two hands on it, and raised the blade toward Wolverine. “Good stance,” he said with a nod. I wondered if this version of the man spent ti in Japan as well. “Footwork is on par.” He nodded in appreciation. With a shink his claws shot out of his knuckles. “Let’s see how good.” He ran at
and our blades t.
tal grinding on tal, no sparks flew as the weapons t. Wolverine matched my strength but I tried to push him. “Don’t use all your strength to start. A sword battle is about endurance,” he said. With another shink the blades on his left hand retracted. Wolverine turned and punched
in the face as I lost my footing.
Seeing stars, I cursed but rolled to push myself up. My blade held up, Wolverine was already on
as he slashed his claws downward. My sword eting them I covered my body in Nen as I started to use my real strength.
“Better,” Wolverine said with a smile as I pushed him back and myself up. “What about this?” He asked and released his claws again only to bring them back out. Dodging my blade he held one of the claws at my throat. “Never put too much forward. Always be ready to retreat and move backwards.”
I eyed the claw, actually sweating. The old man was taking
seriously. Showing
that I really hadn’t learned a whole lot in all of these years. Despite Haki, I would have been dead from the move.
“Yes, sensei,” I hissed and he smiled. We stepped back and our blades were out again. Ready to draw so blood.
Reviews
All reviews (0)