"Lutz," Hela snapped me out of my contemplative mood, "the maid has delivered a letter.
"From whom?" I looked at the woman who had approached us.
"No name. But the energy signature has a demonic aura," my wife said meaningfully. Gods, I can't call her that. I can't even call my angels that.
"How interesting," I said, opening the envelope and taking out a piece of parchment paper with just a few words written on it.
"Congratulations on your wedding."
Hmm, judging by the magical trace, it's Mephisto, which means that this man holds a grudge against me, otherwise he would have forgotten about my existence. Maybe I should pay him a courtesy visit? Although no, I have a much more interesting idea.
"Hela, are you busy?" I ask, burning the envelope with the paper.
"Yes," the goddess nods sadly, "my father has decided that since I've 'thawed out,'" a poisonous note slips into her voice, "I can attend the next war council. How annoying.
"Never mind," I pull the necromancer by the hand and sit her on my lap. "Soon, very soon, you will take the helm. He will hand over the sceptre (symbol of power) to your lovely hands himself. I whisper in her ear, covering us with a barrier from prying eyes and ears. "Just be patient, stay in character as the good girl, but don't overdo it. You'll get what you deserve." I gently bite her earlobe, causing her to moan sweetly.
"Yes," Hela says as she exhales, "I'll do as you say. By the way, why did you ask about my business?
"I need to go to Midgard to talk to an entity who decided to play with mortals." There was plenty of irony in my voice.
"I wish I could accompany you," the goddess said, rising from my lap. "The council is in ten minutes, and I have to be there, just like my insufferable brother."
"Heh, Thor is a peculiar fellow," I chuckled at her remark. "But he would walk through fire for his own. And if that's the case, try to get along with Sif. If you become friends and she follows you, you'll get the thunderer as a bonus."
"He didn't seem like that to me. — Hela dismissed him dismissively. — Stupid idealist.
"We can play on that, the main thing is to set everything up properly. He won't go against his father's will... And if Odin himself appoints you as ruler, then..." A meaningful raise of the eyebrows made the brunette snort with laughter.
"I understand," she nodded, "I'll try to play my part as required.
"Wonderful," I clapped my hands on the armrests and stood up. "Then I'm off to Earth, good luck." I kissed her on the forehead, spread my wings, and flew off to Heimdal.
"What a man..." Hela whispered as soon as I flew far enough away, thinking I couldn't hear her, but magical bugs are our everything. Yeah, paranoia is blooming and smelling sweet. "He's mine and only mine.
"That's all I needed, obsession," I muttered to myself, hearing the tone of her voice.
"Is that so bad? You're my first love, after all..." I waved my paw in the air. "But at least her loyalty is unquestionable."
"That's true, but where there's obsession, there's mania. And from there, it's a short step to madness. After all, she was locked up in Helheim for God knows how many thousands of years. That doesn't exactly make her seem very sane. No, red, if she starts driving you crazy, you know what I'll do. After all, it's not my world."
"Yeah, yeah," the suitcase waved him off. "You, when (or if) you're going to finish her off, do it right before we leave. Okay?"
"Or there'll be an accident..." Several ideas crossed my mind.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha," the lizard laughed. "Isn't that a bit too fantastical?"
"We're in a comic book world," I pointed out, "so we have to follow comic book logic. And comic book logic really breaks the laws of cause and effect."
"You're crazy," the dragon grunted and curled up into a ball, covering its snout with its wing. "Wake me when something interesting happens."
***
After talking to Heimdall, while waiting for the rainbow bridge to be prepared, I learned that because of my otherworldly origins, he couldn't see me, as his power only extended to this multiverse. This suited me fine; I didn't want to find out later that some "big-eyed" voyeur had learned of my plans.
My arrival on Earth was normal; I didn't lose any limbs on the way, so everything was fine. Looking around, I found myself standing in the suburbs of Washington. The "bulbous-eyed" guy had transported me here, I don't know how, and I don't want to know.
Spreading my wings, I stretched and soared into the sky, heading towards New York, in the suburbs of which there is a school for gifted children. A phoenix and a devil were waiting for me there. Although, to be honest, Kurt wasn't particularly interesting, just an unknown experimental animal.
The flight was short, as speed allowed. I landed at the gates of the institution, deciding to enter as a white man, ringing the intercom.
"Yes, who is it?" replied a clear, cheerful voice.
"This is Lyuts, the professor knows me. We agreed to meet," I replied, looking at the camera.
"One moment, please." And then silence. Well, let's wait.
Less than a minute later, the gate opened, letting my humble self in. The courtyard in front of the estate was... I think the term "freaking huge" would be appropriate. The professor himself rolled me out to the meeting, accompanied by Gene, Scott (you can choose where to put the emphasis), the pretty mulatto Ororo, Hank McCoy, and Wolverine. Everyone was tense, but they didn't show any open aggression, and even their emotions were surprisingly calm... well, relatively speaking. Only Howlett's instincts kicked in, and he lashed out with suspicion.
"What a large delegation for just me. I'm flattered," I smiled sweetly. "You must be Hank?" I looked at the blue-haired beast. "I've heard a lot about you and your work." I held out my hand to shake the surprised mutant, who hesitated but finally responded, "There aren't many geniuses like you around. I'm impressed, to say the least."
"Ahem. Mr. Lightbringer..." the telepath cleared his throat.
"Just Lyuts." I correct him, interrupting the bald man.
"Um... Lutz... let's go inside, there's no need to stand outside. I think we have a long conversation ahead of us, don't you?" Charles asks with a complex mix of emotions.
"Yes and no. The complexity of our communication depends entirely on you. I prefer simplicity. There's no need to complicate things. — I replied, looking around the interior.
Not bad, cosy, beautiful, tasteful.
"So," I was seated in a comfortable leather armchair. Everyone sat down in a semicircle in front of me. "What have you decided?" I asked Xavier.
"I have no right to tell my clients who to talk to or when," Charles shook his head. "All decisions are made by them."
"We spoke with the Professor," Grey took up the conversation, "and we agree to talk. May I ask a question?"
"Yes. But first," I approach the disabled man. "It's time for treatment. Don't be afraid, it won't hurt." All the superheroes, who had tensed up at first, relaxed a little, but remained alert.
I used the Grail to heal all his old injuries and strengthen his body. I didn't rejuvenate him.
"Stand up and walk!" I say, striking a dramatic pose, barely holding back my laughter. And he walks! Unsteadily at first, but I've repaired his atrophied muscles, so the bald man can run right away.
"How pleasant..." whispered the professor, doing a few exercises. "Ha-ha-ha-ha!" Everyone hugged him, congratulating him.
I returned to my chair. The fun was over, and the noisy crowd was frankly annoying me with their noise.
"Thank you," said Charles, finally remembering me. "I don't know how to repay you."
"You've already repaid me," I replied, looking at my nails. "Because of you, they're..." I pointed to the redhead, meaning Kurt. "They're willing to talk. So you don't have to thank me so much."
"Still..."
"Forget it," I wave him off. "It wasn't hard for me, Charles." I look him in the eyes. "You've been given a second chance, don't screw it up." I grin crookedly when he nods. "All right. Let's talk, shall we?" I clap my hands, looking at Jean. "Hmm, how about a café?"
"What? What café, aren't you going to talk here?" Scott-with-the-very-telling-name Summers pipes up.
"Are you going to tell him or should I?" I ask the phoenix, rubbing my nose. Just what I needed, a jealous guy.
"Scott, what kind of questions are those? We're just going to talk, are you jealous? Of him?" — Now I didn't understand the dismissive tone. I raised an eyebrow, looking at the redhead, who shrugged slightly, sensing my gaze. "Lutz wants to know about my powers."
"And yet..." I continued uncertainly, but inside I was seething with jealousy, but I was stopped by the professor, who put his hand on my shoulder.
"Relax, Scott. It's just a conversation. But why leave? We could talk outside or in one of the classrooms," he said to me.
"You can't have a long, thoughtful conversation on an empty stomach. Besides," I made the most mischievous expression I could, "I can't not treat such a beautiful and 'proud' — I emphasised the word — girl.
Wow, that's jealousy, even the professor, who was gushing with satisfaction, noticed it, not to mention Gina, who was looking askance at the cyclops. It seems he got her jealous. It's not easy for a telepath to love someone who isn't a telepath, you always know what your other half is thinking. It's convenient, of course, but only if the love is very strong.
"Lady?" I offer my arm to the girl, wanting to annoy Summers even more. Ha, someone decided to play along?
"Let's go, your highness." With the grace of a high society lady, I don't know where she learned that, Grey took my arm and followed me to the exit. We could hear quiet gnashing of teeth behind us.
"What knowledge of etiquette," I remarked, transporting us to New York. "Even addressing me by my title, as if I were a prince."
"I once got a little carried away with the religious culture of that world," the girl replied, continuing to walk arm in arm with me down the street. "Do you still want to know the answer to your question?"
"I already know the answer, or rather, I can guess the reasons. But it would be much more interesting to hear them from you." I watch an ambulance drive by, not forgetting to cast a spell of distraction on us.
"Once, I found this girl," she pointed to the body that looked like Grey, "by pure chance. The girl asked for help, and I responded. But she was too badly injured, and my power consumed her body. So I had to create a new one for her, copying her consciousness and abilities into it.
"But something went wrong, as always.
"Yes," she nodded. "Part of her memory transfers to me, and I begin to think of myself as Jean Grey. But soon, my true self returns. Charles thought that Phoenix was trying to take over 'me' and tried to separate our 'minds', but it only created a split personality that was only recently resolved." She shrugged, looking emotionlessly at the people passing by. "I regained my thoughts and mind, finally separating my memories from hers. But I continued to live among people.
"Do you feel the same way as the original Gina?" I asked, probably the most important question, opening the door to the first café we came across for the girl.
"Yes and no," she replied, twirling her hand uncertainly as she looked at the menu. "I understand that these feelings aren't mine, but I don't want to leave such interesting people, even though I know they won't live long and their deaths will affect me.
"You're not considering immortality?" I try the coffee the waitress brought.
"They wouldn't want it," the girl shook her head, taking a piece of pie. "It's something out of the ordinary for them. And short-lived beings can't think like us. Their minds wouldn't last a thousand years before falling into madness.
"So what have you decided?" I light a cigarette and lean back, watching the redhead.
"I don't know," she mirrored my actions, without a cigarette. "Any suggestions?"
"Advice," I correct her, flicking the ash away. "Cut off the ends as soon as possible. Before it starts to hurt. You may not think like a human being... not completely, but part of that Grey is still in you. Bring her back, create a body for her, give her some of your memories, and no one will notice the change. For you, it will be no more difficult than flying to the other side of the galaxy.
In the silence that reigned between us, only the clatter of the visitors' cutlery and the murmur of their conversations could be heard. Not wanting to interfere with the thought process, I looked out the window and watched the people rushing by. I was very curious to know what she would decide, what our conversation would lead to. It's such an exciting feeling when the future of the universe depends on your words and actions. When one "accidentally" dropped word can rewrite history, send it down a completely different path, and confuse the fabric of history by weaving threads of chaos into it. An incredible feeling.
Gina thought for a long time, during which I managed to devour two whole chocolate cakes and drink two and a half litres of coffee. But finally, she slumped back and looked into my eyes.
"You're right. This can't go on for long, they might realise that I'm not her, if only because time has no effect on me. Ha, it's complicated.
"If you don't want to, don't do it, no one's forcing you." I raised an eyebrow, looking at the girl's face.
"That's the thing, I don't know what I want. All my desires came from Grey. Before the merger, I lived without a purpose, I didn't care about anything around me." Her face contorted into an incomprehensible grimace. "Being human is incredibly difficult, there are too many emotions, goals, desires. Too many 'too many's'. It's burdensome."
"Then do what you have to do. Don't look back, just do it. Then you won't regret it." I shrugged, exhaling another stream of cigarette smoke.
"Ha-ha-ha," she laughed. "The simplest solution is the best? Isn't that what they say?"
"Yes." I nod.
"I like that," the girl smiles, tucking into another tasty treat. "By the way, when are you going to have a chat with Kurt?
"Not interested," I shake my head, "I already scanned him while you were distracted by your hugs with the professor. There's nothing interesting about him.
"I see." Grey continues eating her sweets.
"Jean..." I address her after ten minutes.
"Hm?" The redhead replied indistinctly, chewing cake and lifting her face.
"How do you feel about Mephisto?" I decided to get straight to the point. Frankly, so to speak.
"Well," the fiery bird frowned, "once he tried to capture me and use my power to strengthen himself. To make me his toy, like Zarathos.
"That's bad," I smile at her answer. "I have a proposal."
"Hands and hearts?" she smiled slyly.
"If you want," I repeat her smile.
"I'm listening.
"There's a way to... hmm, get him. Interested?
"Are you going to tell me what you've got in mind?" The bird starts to get angry, like a cat that's been denied a treat.
"I will, but you keep your mouth shut. — A nod. — All right. Since you (with my help) have decided to leave the Sonderkommando of the Heh people, you can help me get rid of the evil demon.
"How do you plan to do that? He's incredibly strong.
"In his dimension, but that's his weakness. If you kill him in his own home, he'll die forever, with no chance of resurrection.
"Can you find a way to kill him?" — What's with the sceptical look on your face? That's hurtful, actually.
"The plan is simple. We spread the word throughout the universe that he has captured you, Phoenix, the Jean Grey of Earth. But he couldn't subdue you, only weaken you. So if someone defeats the red-skinned one, they can claim you as a trophy. The powerful of this world will decide to visit Mephisto, perhaps forming an alliance to take your power for themselves now that you've been weakened. They'll attack him in a group to defeat him. And they'll attack in a group because they'll decide that victory will be easier that way. Is that clear?
"I think so," the redhead nodded thoughtfully.
"In short, it will be a great battle. The heroes and villains will weaken the demon in his own home, preventing him from escaping, for there is nowhere to run. That's when I show up and kill him. And everyone is happy, evil is defeated, good triumphs. And I take his soul for a snack and to strengthen myself, because the artefacts of this world do not work in other universes. Absorbing a soul will strengthen me in any case. And since he is a demon, no one will interfere with me, they will only thank me. I won't be rude, I'll just take him.
"What a stupid plan..." the dragon muttered importantly. The main point is well argued. There's no arguing with that statement.
"Thanks, you're my voice of reason," I roll my eyes mentally at his reply.
"You're counting on the strongest Earthlings to join the battle," the bird understood the essence of my plan.
"Exactly," I nodded. "You're important to them, or rather, not you, but Grey. And SHIELD won't ignore the strengthening of cosmic evil that could turn its attention to Earth... again. So they'll gather everyone they can for an attack and your rescue. After all, Fury thinks that you control the power of the Phoenix, not the other way around. For him, losing someone like you would be critical and would weaken the defences of this lump of dirt floating in space.
"What if they die?" Jean narrowed her eyes.
"I'll resurrect them," I shrugged. "Their task is to weaken Mephisto, losses are inevitable... but after the battle, I can think about resurrecting the fallen. And you are a manifestation of all life in the universe, bringing them back for you is easier than breathing.
"I just wanted to know what would happen to them. I... agree to your plan. Are you sure the demon won't be able to talk his way out of it?
"Wonderful. — I smile broadly. — While everything is happening, you will live with me in Asgard, we will change your appearance, and everything will be just fine. As for lying... "I'll spread another rumour that Mephisto is a notorious liar, and it will be crystal clear that all his words and confirmations of your absence are fiction and a diversion. That means we have to beat him quickly, before he finds a way to get your power.
"I'm even curious how this plan will work out," the redhead exhaled. "It sounds good when you hear it, but when you think about it... well, you know."
"Considering that we're in a comic book, it'll work anyway," I whispered to myself. "Don't clutter your head with unnecessary thoughts," I said aloud.
"Then I'll go back, they're probably waiting for me," she said, looking at her watch, which showed that it was three in the morning. Ha, but the café is open 24 hours.
"Okay," I say, standing up and offering her my hand. "I'll contact you when everything is ready and pick you up." We walk out together and I teleport us to the entrance of Xavier's school.
"By the way, what were you saying about the world of comics?" The redhead smiled sweetly.
"What?" — "imbecile mode ON."
***
Tsk, that little shit wouldn't leave me alone until she found out everything she wanted to know, and I didn't really try to fight her off. Ha! But I'll never forget the look on her face when she found out that her world was described in comics, and in a lot of comics with different plot twists. She even asked me about the film...
But she didn't like the mention of her death and some of the character traits of her comic book version. Merging with a human brought her both pros and cons. Fortunately, she thinks logically like Phoenix, not like red-haired Grey. Otherwise, it would be impossible to persuade her to go on adventures.
"Thank you, local Almighty, that this version of the firebird is intelligent and quick-witted," I say to the night sky, not wanting to hear an answer. "That was a rhetorical statement! No need to answer! Damn, I hope he doesn't turn his attention here.
I start turning around, as if that would help catch the Almighty peeking, but I see no one. And praise be to my Father.
"Time to head back to Asgard." I activate the artefact that will take me to where Heimdall is waiting, and disappear in a rainbow flash.
"How was your walk?" asks the "bulbous-eyed one."
"Wonderful," I smile kindly, not wanting to stir up his paranoia any more than necessary. "I met some new people. They were surprisingly kind. I even helped a disabled person."
"I see the day wasn't wasted," the guard nods. "I'm glad for you."
"It wasn't wasted," I nod in response, walking towards the palace. At least I have time to think.
***
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