Chapter 9 The Auckland Sky-Tower, New Zealand...
"Jean, I want a bubble around everyone on the team," Scot shouted, referring to a telekinetic bubble to keep the team on the tower as the X-Men battled the mutant terrorists known as the Acolytes. "Storm, take out the Acolytes."
Jean worked seamlessly to surround her teammates with a telekinetic barrier while Storm began blowing the enemy off the side of the tower with gusts of wind. Harry helped by knocking a few opponents off the side as well.
"You killed my girlfriend you little cow," an armored mutant declared with a growl as he rushed at Storm after she had landed on the tower, tired from the fight. "She was the first real action I've gotten sine I became a bloody terrorist and you blew her off a roof."
"She is not the only one who is going over the edge, asshole," Harry assured as he dropped behind his newest lover facing the charging armored mutant.
Spider-Man lashed out with a kick to the side of the head which sent the armored mutant sailing over the edge of the tower and into open air.
"Thanks Harry," Storm whispered after she turned and wrapped her arms around the mage.
"It looks like we still have trouble inside," Harry pointed out as the sound of gunfire was heard from within the tower. "I had better go check it out."
The web slinger shot a web onto the ledge as he jumped over the side and swung through the window of the tower dining room below in time to see Wolverine charging a mutant wired up with explosives and a hand on a trigger. Wolverine neatly separated the terrorist's finger from the detonator while Harry extended a dampening field to make sure the bomb detonating circuitry couldn't fire. Wolverine finished off the terrorist and turned to see Spider-Man.
"That wasn't really a challenge," Harry pointed out. "You're telling me," Wolverine agreed. "But damn if those bullets don't hurt."
130
New York, Xavier's Institute...
Harry watched a small smile form on Jean's lips as he washed her breasts a little more than was necessary. Storm was likewise preoccupied with thoroughly washing Harry's bum.
"You should tune into the conversation between Peter and Logan. It's amusing," the somewhat voyeuristic redhead suggested.
"I want to listen too," Storm urged.
Harry connected with Storm's mind and let her listen in as well.
"I still can't believe those Acolyte clowns broke away from the Brotherhood because they thought Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch weren't hardcore enough for them anymore. That's like handing back your little Nazi party badge 'coz you reckon Hitler's going soft on the Gypsies," Wolverine suggested.
"Actually Quicksilver's cease fire has been very controversial and hard to swallow for his followers. Talking with the United Nations hasn't helped portray him in a good light to his people," Colossus pointed out. "I suspect we'll be running across more splinter groups in the future."
"Ah shit, I've still got bullets under my skin," Logan complained. "How the hell am I supposed to go out on a date with an ass that looks like the fucking Rockies?"
"It is good to be back, you know, Logan," the Russian declared. "Good to have you back, you big, ugly freak," Wolverine answered with a teasing smirk as he toweled off
and left the shower room.
"Those two should just get a room," Jean amusedly suggested to her shower companions. "Colossus is hot for Wolverine and as long as Wolverine has lived I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't played with other sabers before."
Storm snickered at the suggestion.
"Age doesn't necessarily mean one has gone bisexual my dear," Harry assured. "At least not in males," the wizard added after reviewing the fact that all three of his female lovers had gone bi after they had lived a few centuries.
"But it can be so much fun," Storm suggested while pinching Jean's ass playfully.
"Yeah Harry...don't you want to dominate Logan?" Jean teased her boyfriend with a playful smirk.
"Oh that would be so hot," Storm agreed.
"I'm afraid not, ladies. The only ass this prick likes is female derriere," the mage assured. "Now you have been very bad girls for suggesting I would like anything but women."
"Oooh...are you going to punish us now?" Jean questioned as she turned and faced the shower wall, bracing her hands against the nearby ledge that had been transfigured in place by her lover, and wiggling her rear
131
invitingly. "Yes," Harry agreed with a playful leer before delivering a smack to her exposed bum.
The two teen beauties enjoyed their punishment greatly. They determined they would have to provoke their boyfriend more often.
Harry was alerted to a disturbance in Manhattan which required his attention by Lily. The mage arrived above a busy city street to see an attractive teenage girl wearing a black belly shirt, purple pants, and a purple backpack disappear through the front of a city bus which had been about to hit her.
"Kathryn 'Kitty' Pryde is fourteen and appears to be a mutant with no control of her power to phase through solid matter," Lily informed her creator at the speed of thought. "The field which takes her out of phase also disrupts conventional electronics in a very explosive way."
"Grab my hand! I'm slipping through the floor again! I need something solid to hold onto for a second," Kitty screamed in terror as she started to sink through the floor of the bus.
"Get away from me, you freak!" One bus patron shouted.
As Kitty dropped out of the bus and began to fall through the asphalt Harry swooped down on a web line and grasped her hand, his body out of phase as well. Lily was able to determine the exact dimension Kitty was phasing into and had adjusted his own phasing powers to match.
"I've got you," Harry assured as he swung up to the roof of Kitty's apartment building where she lived with her mother.
"But how can you hold onto me?" Kitty asked, sensing her power was still active. "I am just full of surprises," Harry assured with a wink.
Kitty blushed as her favorite superhero winked at her. She could feel his solid muscle pressed against her as they touched down on the roof. Kitty didn't let go. Her power was still working.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Kitty said rapidly. "That is so terrifying!" "You never know when you will stop sinking," Harry surmised. "Yes," Kitty pointed out.
"Kitty...you sink fairly slowly. Gravity is a dimensionally phasing force but it is weaker in some dimensions than others. I think with time you will be able to phase into the dimension you are entering completely so that gravity will no longer affect you," Harry surmised.
Kitty Pryde was a very bright girl and at the top of her class in the physical sciences. "You are saying I will be able to fly?" Kitty asked in amazement.
"Maybe...more likely you will at least be able to float and control how quickly you want gravity to pull you down if you fall," Harry pointed out. "I think maybe we should go discuss this with your mother. I have
132
some friends I would like you to meet." "I would like that," Kitty agreed, feeling her ability shut down now that she was calmed down.
She still held onto Spider-Man's arm even after he had landed on the fire escape outside the window of her apartment, just in case.
"Welcome to my school, Mrs. Pryde," Charles Xavier greeted while standing next to Jean as the redhead's boyfriend appeared with Kitty and the new mutant's mother.
"I didn't feel a thing," Jane Pryde told Harry in regards to the transporter. "And thank you for having us, Professor Xavier."
Jane shook Xavier's hand before turning to her daughter with one raised eyebrow. Kitty took the cue and also greeted the bald telepath.
"Yes, you are a mutant," Charles confirmed. "But I suspected as much from Harry's information. He is usually right."
"Also don't worry about shielding your thoughts, Kitty," Jean said. "Complete filth is always the first thing that pops up in your mind when you even suspect your mind is being read. You are projecting rather strongly. I have theorized the filth is an automatic response so that a person will maybe frighten the telepath off. We have picked up on everything and anything."
Jean caught a carnal thought projected by her boyfriend and blushed.
"Never use absolutes, my love," Harry teased his blushing mate.
"Would you like Jean to give you a tour of the school, Kitty?" Xavier inquired.
"Will Harry come?" Kitty asked, still feeling giddy that she was on a first name basis with her hero.
Harry had quickly asked both Jane and Kitty to call him Harry.
"Yes, he will," Jean assured with a knowing grin that had the teen blushing.
"Your mother and I will be having a discussion in my office," Xavier announced.
"So how did you come to meet the Professor?" Kitty asked Jean.
"The Professor found me in a mental institution and taught me to get a grip of the hormones and extrasensory perception which put me there," Jean explained as the trio walked.
"And you have been in control ever since?" Kitty queried.
"It is a work in progress. My powers seem to be growing. It's much easier with Harry around," Jean assured with a grin as she squeezed her boyfriend's arm. "Just remember that at first none of us were in control of our powers."
133
"Do I get to learn to fly that?" Kitty asked while indicating the recently returned X-Jet.
"You will be taught to fly that, drive, and jet ski," Jean assured. "Storm and Scott just got back from an undercover operation where they posed as high school students to investigate the disappearance of a thirteen year old mutant in Pacific Heights."
"I take it your mission was a success, Peter?" Harry asked Colossus as the Russian came down the nearby staircase carrying an unconscious Wolverine who was healing from bullet wounds. "These two were helping the NYPD shut down a drug ring peddling a drug derived from some poor telepath's cranial fluid," the mage added for Kitty's benefit.
"It was indeed, my friend. Logan here should be fit in time for our danger room session," Peter assured. "What's the danger room?" Kitty questioned. "Do you know what the holo-deck is from Star Trek?" Harry asked. "Yes," Kitty confirmed.
"The danger room is like that but not quite as sophisticated," Harry explained.
"Cool," Kitty declared with a grin. "What is in there?" Kitty asked while pointing towards the door to Henry's lab.
"That is Beast's lab. He isn't very sociable since Bobby left among other things," Jean explained.
Bobby had made the mistake of going into detail about his fight with David Xavier to his parents and the Drakes had yanked Bobby out of the institute so fast his head spun. The Drakes were suing Xavier for a number of things including endangering their son. They were really playing up the emotional trauma aspect.
"Seeing private jets, sports cars, and designer costumes has me wondering who pays for all of this," Kitty said with a question in her tone.
"The Professor has been very coy about making sure the consortium of billionaires that sponsor the school remain anonymous," Jean replied.
Of course the two telepaths walking with Kitty knew the answer. They had been in Xavier's mind enough recently to know he was receiving funding from a group calling themselves the Hellfire Club.
"How about we go introduce you to Storm next," Harry suggested. "I would like that," Kitty agreed with a smile. "I like her. She is quite cute," Jean sent to her boyfriend. "Indeed," Harry agreed.
Kitty was also energetic. She and Storm hit it off pretty well. Soon it was time for Kitty and Jane to leave. Harry took the Prydes home the same way he had brought them to the mansion. Jean and Storm had made a date to go shopping with Kitty in the city after school the next day. Suddenly Jean collapsed. Harry caught her and held her.
134
"Jean...Jean, can you hear me?" Harry asked as she seemed to be having some type of seizure.
Harry felt Xavier's limited telekinesis altering Jean's brain chemistry to calm her down. The wizard pried open Jean's jaw with as much care as he could manage and stuck his hand halfway in her mouth to keep her from biting her tongue. The mage didn't even show his pain when Jean bit down on his flesh. Given her increased strength due to being his mate Jean's bite was quite strong but then again so was Harry. He began pumping a calming charm into her system but Jean seemed to be sluggish to respond. Soon enough though the sorcerer felt his girlfriend slip into a slumber instead of the vision like state he had been sensing moments before.
A month later, Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters...
"Did the CAT-scan detect any unusual brain activity," Jean asked Xavier as she sat in his office after a month without seizure or any indication of what had caused her fit a month previous.
Harry had been so caring and worried about Jean for the past month and it had warmed her heart. Storm had proposed that even if Jean had suffered any neurological trauma that might explain what had caused the seizure then one dose of Harry's personal potion would fix her right up. Since Jean got at least one dose of her man per day she tended to agree with the weather witch.
"The tests have revealed nothing except that you're in excellent health," Xavier suggested. "I don't think you should worry too much about this. I just think your body is a bit stressed as your mental powers expand with maturity."
"The sight of the Phoenix brought everything back Professor; the hospital smell, the sound of everyone talking at once, being unable to tell the future from the past. It would be just my luck to go completely insane now that I've found the love of my life," Jean declared morosely.
"You are going to be fine, Jean. If you have anything to worry about think about poor Henry McCoy. You know how he felt about Storm. Her attentions towards Harry combined with Bobby's lawsuit have really pushed Henry into a depression. Perhaps you could include him more in activities like you have with Kitty recently. Perhaps you could even include Wolverine," Xavier suggested.
"Like hell," Jean instantly rebutted. "Jean my dear, Wolverine has taken an interest in you and has taken your relationship with Harry hard. He's
the most dangerous mutant in the world, Jean. It is unwise to play with Wolverine," Xavier pointed out.
Jean actually snorted at her former mentor's words and replied, "Wolverine doesn't hold a candle to my Harry in the danger department, Professor. Everybody thinks Wolverine is so tough because of his healing factor and that supposedly unbreakable Adamantium lining his skeleton but how do you think he'd fare if Harry teleported him into orbit and let him fall back to Earth? Do you think he would survive reentry? Or maybe Harry could teleport Wolverine all the way into the sun," the redhead mused before she stood and left the pensieve Xavier questioning just how powerful Spider-Man really was.
"How did it go with the professor?" Harry asked as Jean walked back into the room she shared with him and
135
Storm. The weather witch was out having some fun with Kitty at that moment.
"He didn't know anything," Jean replied as she dropped into the love seat in one corner of the large room and snuggled into her boyfriend's arms. "He tried to suggest that I have been leading Wolverine on and toying with his emotions. As if that animal is even worth such efforts," the redhead added with a snort of derision.
"I bet you didn't take that suggestion well," Harry amusedly replied.
"Well he also suggested Wolverine was the most powerful mutant in the world. I disabused him of that notion and listed a few ways you could deal with Wolverine, like by teleporting him into the sun," Jean suggested.
"I could simply send him into a black hole or use this nifty disintegrating trick I invented a few years back," Harry suggested.
Jean turned her head enough to stare at Harry's features with surprise for a moment before taking on a feral grin. Just then both telepaths looked off to the side and seemed to peer through the wall.
"Not again," Jean moaned. "Those two just need to get a room and bugger each other," the redhead suggested as she sensed Logan and Scott going at it again but this time with a physical brawl.
Logan and Scott had ostensibly been fighting over Jean for some time and thought the winner might even challenge Harry for her affections. Jean was secretly of the opinion that Wolverine wanted to dominate Scott and turn Cyclops into a sissy. Harry shuddered at this suggestion every time Jean brought it up. Storm certainly got a laugh out of the notion.
"Perhaps I should go knock some sense into them," Harry mused.
"Don't you dare," Jean objected. "I want to see who makes whom their bitch," she added before groaning as she sensed interference.
"It looks like Charles wants to make them his bitch," Harry replied with a smirk as they sensed Xavier putting the pair in psychic detention for the rest of the evening.
"Harry," Jean cried out with a strangled moan.
Harry's mind immediately intertwined with Jean's consciousness as he sensed the visions hitting her once more. He held her tightly as visions of tiny ethereal creatures that resembled gremlins from the movie Gremlins danced around her. The sorcerer willed his calm to settle over Jean's mind and she sighed with relief. He started tracing the source of the visions but it proved elusive. Unlike Xavier, Harry wasn't prepared to give up just because technology didn't reveal the source of the visions. Lily was even at a loss on how to explain what was afflicting Jean. Harry could tell this much...whatever it was the source of the visions was ancient and powerful. The ancient wizard's instincts told him that much. The visions dissipated.
"You are alright, love," Harry whispered soothingly while stroking Jean's back and pulling her against him.
"Make love to me, Harry," Jean pleaded, needing to feel human contact and especially the contact of the man she loved.
136
"Gladly," Harry agreed before kissing her.
"Good morning, beautiful," Harry greeted Jean as she opened her eyes.
Jean gave a tired smile to her boyfriend as she sat up and found a tray full of delicious breakfast foods on her lap; the tray having appeared from seemingly thin air.
"Better...it really pays to have an amazingly powerful boyfriend who can bend reality to his will sometimes," Jean announced as she tucked in.
"Only sometimes," Harry teased as he sat down next to the redhead and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Maybe all the time," Jean consented after chewing and swallowing a bite of melon. Jean leaned her head up and kissed her boyfriend for a moment before returning to her food. "Three attacks in twelve hours can get a girl down. They also really take a lot out of me despite your assistance," the redhead said suggestively.
Jean took a drink of her coffee and was filled full of a rush of energy and pleasure. She moaned in climax and all of her tiredness fled.
"Storm helped me spike the coffee," Harry explained.
"I can only guess what with," Jean replied deadpan while glancing at her boyfriend's package meaningfully.
"Right in one," Harry confirmed.
Jean greedily savored the brew and felt much better after having emptied the mug and polished off her breakfast.
Jean climbed out of bed and headed towards the bathroom Harry had built in their room. She left the door open as she slipped into the shower to wash off the remnants of her lovemaking the night before.
"How long have I overslept?" Jean queried.
"Only a couple of hours," Harry assured.
"What have I missed?" The redhead questioned.
"Scott and Logan will reach the Savage Land in another twenty minutes. The Professor thought it would be a good idea to send them together," Harry amusedly explained.
"That dumbass," Jean muttered loud enough for her perceptive boyfriend to hear.
"Beast is still moping in his room since the Hellfire Club's representative stopped by to inquire how much money the Professor wants to deal with the lawsuit the Drakes are leveling at the school," Harry added.
"You would think Henry wanted to mount Bobby with how much moping he has been doing," Jean mused. "Although Storm's radiance ever since you started giving her your special treatment can't be easy for him to stomach."
137
Harry chose not to comment on Storm's new bubbly demeanor since she had become his girlfriend.
"That douche-bag Senator Turk has convinced the Drakes to up the suit to $100 million. He is really working the media," Harry continued to update his lover as she walked out of the bathroom drying off with a towel.
"He is really pushing it. Pursuing $100 million on minor injuries and emotional trauma," Jean pointed out.
As she spoke the redhead wrapped the towel around her hair and bent over to look in one of the bottom drawers of her dresser. She smiled to herself when she heard a growl behind her.
"Minx...you know you are asking for it if you tease me like that," Harry warned.
Jean wiggled her bare hips and displayed everything to the love of her life.
"Promises, promises," Jean answered.
Harry was on her in an instant, moving faster than her eyes could follow. Jean squealed in delight as she was picked up and tossed on the bed.
"Yes, most definitely benefits," Jean reiterated her earlier point before her moans and gasps filled the room.
Harry and Jean entered the mansion's living room to hear the professor conversing with Kitty on the phone.
"No, Kitty. Absolutely nothing you can say will change my mind about wanting your bags packed the moment you arrive back at the school. Your mother made it quite clear she didn't want you taking any part in any X-Men missions. You disobeyed her wishes at the first opportunity. We are waiting for Bobby Drake's formal declaration on national TV right now concerning his suit against the school. I don't want to be sitting here in six months listening to the same speech from you and your mother," Xavier declared.
Harry tuned his greater-than-human senses onto the phone and telepathically fed the conversation to Jean.
"Oh, come on, Professor. I'm not going to sue you. Besides, a hundred million dollars isn't even lunch money to those super-rich Hellfire Club guys you recently told us were funding the institute," Kitty argued.
Jean and Harry both winced at that logic from the newest student at the institute. "Kitty...your signal is breaking up and my telepathy doesn't reach the southern hemisphere. Just tell me
quickly," the bald mutant emphasized quickly. "Do you want Harry to teleport down there and retrieve you?" "Professor, I can turn intangible at the drop of a hat and am sitting on a billion dollar war plane. I'm fine,"
Kitty assured. "Teenagers," Xavier growled in disgust as the connection was lost. "Are you feeling better today, Jean?"
Jean raised a flattened hand and rocked it back and forth in a so-so gesture. Jean wasn't about to tell Xavier that it was only Harry's intervention that kept her sane. She didn't think the Professor would approve of Harry's methods but she most certainly did.
"Thanks for the coffee earlier, Storm," Jean said to her friend as the weather witch joined the redhead on
138
Harry's lap in front of the TV. "No problem," Storm replied with a knowing smile.
"Why don't you ever bring me coffee Storm?" Peter asked with a mock pout from where he sat next to Xavier on the couch.
"I don't think you would like the special blend I make with Harry's help. Then again," Storm trailed off in amusement as she recalled the Russian's sexual preference.
Harry groaned and buried his face against Jean's neck as she snickered at the mental image Storm had just put into their boyfriend's head.
"You are going to get punished for that later, Storm. You have been a very bad girl," Jean whispered into Storm's ear, causing the ebony beauty to shiver in anticipation at the thought.
The banter ceased as the news switched to a live feed in front of the main trial court in New York. Bobby Drake stood next to Senator Turk.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the press, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for coming here today," Turk began. "As you know, I've taken a special interest in the lawsuit my young friend here is filing against the X-Men and we'd like to use this platform to confirm a few details which up until now have merely been rumors. Although the majority of the visible injuries young Bobby here received during his time spent with the X-Men have healed the physical and mental scars may never fade. Bobby, perhaps you'd like to say a few words. Any chance you might enlighten us about what went on behind the walls of that secret school they have running upstate?"
Turk prompted Bobby to read his prepared statement while placing the paper in Bobby's hand. Bobby's nervousness and reluctance would only make the case against the school all the more damning. The media would chalk Bobby's manner up to the demeanor of an abused and traumatized child. Never mind the fact that Bobby would be reluctant to throw his friends under the bus.
Bobby looked at the paper in his hands for a moment and glanced up at his parents who were nodding minutely in encouragement. He had been getting a lot of pressure to go through with the lawsuit both from Turk and his parents. Bobby's father had been the first to get laid off after it became common knowledge that Bobby was a mutant. Any former friends Bobby's mother possessed went out of their way to avoid her. Bobby's parents laid the blame on Bobby and had told him they would be out on their asses pretty soon without the lawsuit money. But Ice-Man just couldn't do it. The Professor might be an ass but Bobby knew full well what he was getting himself into when he agreed to go out on missions or at least he had some idea. Bobby could have walked away at any time.
His mind made up, Bobby's features took on a look of resolve while he tore up the paper he held and said, "I didn't write this speech I'm tearing up and pretty much none of it is the truth. It twisted the truth to make the X-Men and Professor Xavier appear in the worst possible light. Yes Xavier sent us on missions but it was to help ordinary people like you. There were times where my teammates and I almost died but we're fighting some seriously evil threats. I could just as easily die in the streets here at home from the bigotry I know exists. It was a bigoted human during our world tour which threw a Molotov cocktail at the X-Men with the intention of burning us to death. That was most definitely not a mission."
The crowd shifted uneasily at the reminder of Spider-Man's response to that attempted murder. The powerful superhero had done so much good for the world that his not exactly legal response was overlooked plus law
139
enforcement officials were not stupid enough to challenge him without military support and the military had a hands off policy regarding one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s greatest allies.
"I know my parents could really use that money right now because my dad's bigoted former employers laid him off when they found out I was a mutant. They blame me but I am not going to take it anymore. I shouldn't be responsible for the bigotry of others. I refuse to stand up here and lie to help Senator Burk here tear down a school whose teachings he fears," Bobby said while gesturing with a thumb towards the purpling politician beside him, intentionally misstating Turk's last name as an insult which garnered chuckles out of the live audience.
"Good for you, Bobby Drake," Storm declared as the speech ended. "You had something to do with that didn't you," Jean sent to Harry, looping Storm into the conversation.
"Bobby was already planning on doing what he just did but I helped him refine his phrasing as he spoke,"
Harry answered. Aloud the mage stood and announced, "I think that's my cue to appear in New York. Bobby Drake might just need Spider-Man's assistance at this point."
Xavier nodded gratefully as Jean and Storm stood as well and volunteered to accompany their boyfriend.
"You little runt," Turk shouted as he rushed towards Bobby who had joined his parents at the end of the press conference. "Do you realize the golden opportunity you've thrown away for your parents? That money for medical bills and the money we gave you to keep your parents afloat is completely refundable. You'll be out on your ass within a week lying in a gutter with all the other people who have tried to screw Andrew Border Turk!" The senator proclaimed.
As he pulled a jacket on, Bobby asked, "Do you hear that crackling sound? The sound which seems like ice cubes melting in fizzy soda? That's whatever is in your pants hitting minus twenty, cowboy."
As he and his family walked away Bobby heard a familiar laugh and found himself engulfed in a hug by an attractive older girl.
"We've missed you, Bobby," Jean said as she drew back.
"Jean, Storm, Harry," Bobby greeted in surprise as the redhead drew back and surprisingly the weather witch added her own hug. "Sorry about the lawsuit," Ice-Man added sheepishly.
"Don't worry about it, Bobby. We know how much pressure you were under," Harry assured while eyeing Ice-Man's nervous looking parents. "Desperate people will do desperate things."
Turning to Bobby's parents, Storm said, "I hope you don't blame Bobby for what he just did on stage."
"No, we don't. His words were inspired and he made us realize how unfairly we have been treating him. We just weren't used to being treated the way we have been getting treated ever since it became common knowledge that our son is a mutant," Amanda Drake answered.
Jean snorted and pointed out, "Try actually being a mutant."
"You are right of course," Doug Drake agreed rubbing the back of his neck in a sheepish gesture similar to the way his son had a few moments earlier when making an apology. "I guess even our son can teach us parents a thing or two. How did you get so wise Bobby?"
140
"Hang around him for a few months and it rubs off on you," Bobby declared with a grin while gesturing towards Harry.
Matching grins were shared by all present at Bobby's comment.
"Listen, I only make this offer because you seem to have realized the error of your ways, you seem to be good people despite the bad times that have hit you, and because Bobby is a friend," Harry began while drawing out a business card from seemingly thin air but which the Drakes assumed came from the teleporter system Bobby had told his parents Spider-Man possessed. Passing the card to Doug Drake, Harry continued, "I own many companies as I have diversified my portfolio. And among them I'm sure we can find positions that are good fits for you Mr. and Mrs. Drake. You will find that I am a fair employer who doesn't tolerate bigotry. If people want to be bigots then that is their prerogative. They had better not let their hatred spur them to physical violence or I could become upset." The two elder Drakes winced at the subtle reminder of what their son's friend was capable of. "Stop by the address on that card in the next couple of days and we will see where you fit."
"Thank you, Spider-Man," Amanda said.
"Harry, please," the sorcerer replied to which he received requests from Amanda and Doug to use their given names.
"Do you think the Professor would let me return to the institute? I've missed you guys too. It was never you that I was angry at. I was pissed at the Professor mostly and was afraid to face some of the dangers we've faced out there again," Bobby explained unsurely.
"I think he'd be happy to have you back and the rest of us might be too, even if you can be a little perv sometimes," Storm teased Bobby in reference to the incident with the cameras and a hole in her wall.
"You can't blame Bobby for being a hormonal teenager, love," Harry suggested.
"Yes, I'm realizing all men are the same," Storm declared with a roll of her eyes.
"I second that," Jean put forth.
Cutting his women off before they could get started, Harry interjected, "Just give me a call when you want to come back, Bobby. I'll pop over and pick you up."
"Thanks Harry," Bobby answered.
With that the trio disappeared back to the mansion. As Jean and Storm took turns filling in the others on the portions of the conversation between themselves and the Drakes that they deemed it safe to share with the others Harry was focusing on the readings Lily was relaying to him from the orbital sensor network. Part of that network was focused on the happenings in the Savage Land. Apparently Wolverine and Cyclops had located the cause of the disappearance of the teams of humans clearing out the tech. The limited artificial intelligence Magneto had created to run the place had survived and evolved. It had killed the teams of humans and reanimated their corpses into controllable zombies to do its bidding. This intelligence had then boasted of its plans for world domination to Cyclops and Wolverine before Kitty had accidentally destroyed it or at least severely crippled it. She had phased through the components housing the majority of its program in a giant robotic body and her phase-field had shorted out the powered electronics explosively. Harry would have Lily remotely deal with the remainder of the weakened AI's program before it could reconstitute itself.
141
"Well what do you think?" Xavier asked as he, Jean, Storm, Peter, and Harry got out of the limos they had arrived in to see the quite large structure before them.
The New York headquarters of the Hellfire Club sat on a modern base with a top that appeared to have several influences in its design including the US capitol building and medieval gothic architecture. The structure was shaped vaguely like a castle.
"I feel like Prom Night Barbie," Storm replied. "Did we really need to get all dressed up like this just to visit these guys, Professor?"
"Our secret benefactors are the richest men and women in the world, Storm. They probably insist on black tie dress at breakfast," Xavier answered.
Harry had witnessed far more impressive sights but let Jean and Storm have their moment of awe before nudging them forward with his hands in the small of their backs. Men bearing staffs with fires burning at the tip lined the walkway as spotlights played about from the upper floor windows.
"I must say I'm disappointed that there are no reporters here, Professor. I spent a great deal of time getting my hair like this," Peter announced.
"I am sure there will be reporters inside, Peter," Charles assured. "The biggest names in business revealing themselves as the secret bankrollers of the X-Men will be big news."
One of the attendants approached Xavier at the door and offered, "If you will allow me to escort you to our wheelchair ramp around the corner, Professor."
"I have waited far too long for this to let my injuries stop me from using your grand entranceway young man. I may not be on Marvel Girl's scale but my telekinesis can propel this contraption," Xavier answered as his wheelchair floated up into the building.
Applause broke out among the richly dressed attendees as Xavier followed by the X-Men entered the building. A red carpet sat at the entrance in front of a bubbling fountain. Red curtains hung upon the windows. The floor was a shining tile. Storm grabbed Jean's arm and began to talk to the redhead while Harry stayed still for a moment. As soon as they had entered the building the sorcerer felt magic foreign to him begin to work. An enchantment fell upon Jean. It was nothing harmful at the moment and Harry was sure he could snap it easily but he decided to play along to see what the Hellfire Club was up to.
"The cameras are not recording," Lily informed her creator. "I'm also sensing a high active x-gene density among the party's guests."
"Interesting," was the ancient mage's reply. He rejoined his girlfriends just as Jean said, "Besides, what is the worst that could happen?" "Jean, don't jinx us," Harry gently rebuked. "You can just unjinx us, love," Jean suggested before sticking out her tongue playfully then smiling.
142
The trio mingled with the Club's guests. Quite memorable was when Storm met Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"Arnold, you have no idea how much of a thrill this is for me! I've loved your movies since I was, like four years old, man – even the lousy ones you have done lately," Storm gushed.
"She didn't just...," Jean sent to Harry before breaking off in a mental snicker. "Peter's meeting with the Russian President," Harry pointed out. "He'll be so happy," Jean mused.
"Ladies and gentlemen," a strong voice rang out from near the Professor. "If I could have your attention for a moment," Sebastian Shaw, the CEO of Shaw Industries, said. "As you know, the Hellfire Club is a great many things: a gentlemen's retreat, a place where business might be conducted, and a home to the finest parties known to civilized man. But it also boasts a proud background of charitable donations and unflinching support to some of the most influential figures in world history. We came here tonight to honor the work being done by Professor Charles Xavier in that quaint, little Westchester school we donated to him just a couple of years ago. We also came here to tell the world's media how we've financed Xavier's work in every detail from schoolbooks to jump-jets. But we have another reason for calling this meeting which even Charles doesn't know. It's a little surprise I arranged for him myself in fact. Is everything ok in the back boys?"
"Perfect sir," one of the stewards answered.
"You have me intrigued, Sebastian. What have you got up that generous sleeve of yours this time?" Xavier asked.
As he lit his cigar Shaw answered, "Just a little fun and games we've been rehearsing every Thursday for the past six months, Professor Xavier."
"Storm, play along," the sorcerer mentally urged his mate. "Take it away, boys," Shaw commanded.
Gun toting and mask wearing goons stepped out of a side hallway and fired their energy weapons at Peter and Storm. Harry was next hit with the beam and he pretended to be slightly resistant, his face constricted in a mask of agony. The second thug turned a second beam weapon on Spider-Man and the wall crawler finally collapsed seemingly unconscious.
"Shaw what in god's name are you doing?" Xavier demanded as the cigar smoking billionaire leant over the bald telepath.
"I'm neutralizing your little friends of course you imbecile," Shaw answered. "Don't worry about any of this being caught on camera because they're turned off. Nobody even knows you're here. Isn't that right, Jean?"
"Jean?!" Charles demanded in surprise before a beam lanced out and rendered him unconscious, hurling him out of his chair.
The enchantment Jean was under had her placidly watching all of this occur. "Okay, I want the four of them restrained and relocated to the temple. Don't put them in the pentagram
143
because that is only for the inner circle," Shaw instructed. "Sir, how are we supposed to move Rasputin in his armored form?" One of the stewards asked.
"Get a fork lift or hire a tow truck," Shaw suggested. "Figure it out," the billionaire directed while leading Jean out of the room.
Several minutes later saw Harry, Storm, Xavier, and Peter seemingly secured to a diamond shaped statue. Peter was hanging upside down above Harry who stood upright. Storm and Xavier were on the other corners parallel to the ground. In front of the X-Men blazed two circles of fire. Within the inside of the diameter of the outer circle and outside the diameter of the inner circle stood the inner-circle-members of the Hellfire Club. A large rune was carved into the floor next to each mutant inner circle member. Inside the smaller ring of fire was carved the image of a phoenix. A pentagram was carved in the dead center where Shaw stood. Jean stood on a compass carving with depictions of the four elements carved at each point at the top of the phoenix carving. She was dressed in a green cloak.
"Ah, the Kraken wakes. I thought you were never going to join us, Charles," Shaw declared when Charles woke. "As Colossus, Storm, and Spider-Man have already discovered, our darling little Jean isn't herself at this moment and won't let you interfere with her destiny.
"And what destiny would that be, Shaw?" Xavier queried.
"The time has come for the phoenix god to rise again after twenty billion years in his many-angled prison," Shaw proclaimed. "He will rise again and usher in a darkness stretching to eternity."
Xavier laughed for a moment before declaring, "I can't believe you actually fell for Jean's delusions. She's an eighteen year old telepath trying to deal with her growing gifts you idiot."
"Believe what you will, Professor. I am happy to follow thousands of generations of prophecies from the worshippers of the Phoenix Force who have drawn their power from it. Our faith reaches through time beyond the founding fathers and revolutionary France to Ancient Egypt. Our principles are the principles this country was built upon. Our sacred geometry and architecture is at the heart of this great nation. What you pay homage to when you address a president is a fine, full-feathered phoenix," Shaw declared.
"Rubbish," Xavier proclaimed.
"It doesn't matter what you believe. Your usefulness is over. We only funded you so that you would help Jean Grey expand her mind so that she wouldn't become a useless gibbering wreck like so many before her. As you can see her motor functions are already being guided by the other side. Your only use now is a gift for a being with an appetite for worlds. Oh...what do we have here? An emergency distress call on your little X-Men transmitter," the billionaire mused as he drew the device from his inner jacket pocket. "Perhaps it's Wolverine, Cyclops, and Miss Pryde having bitten off more than they can chew in the Savage Land. Oh...how unsurprising...it's from that idiot Beast and he says he is in a great deal of trouble at the moment. "He isn't the only one. It's show time." Shaw began to chant, "By the fire within my heart I call you forth, O sacred flame. Within, without, you both are one, from first creation's light you came." As Shaw spoke Harry sensed a buildup of immense energy both in the atmosphere above the building he was in and from within Jean herself. It was a pure and primal energy greater than anything the ancient warrior had encountered. "Ancient sisters of the stars, daughter of the moon and sun, come forth in mystic golden light. I greet the south whence you come."
A beam of that incredible energy lanced down and into Jean. Flame danced around the redhead but did not
144
burn her. She arched her back and stared up into the beam.
"From the core of Earth's bright center, through the cosmos's vast expanses, I call ye forth, O cleansing fire, I call ye forth to lift and raise us," Shaw continued. "Arise bright fire into the world! Arise bright fire into the night! Arise bright fire by spirit's hand! Arise bright fire of the phoenix light!" Shaw shouted before falling silent.
Harry felt the energy coalesce and condense into Jean. He looked up and peered through the ceiling and saw as a giant flaming phoenix made of living fire more brilliant than any demon conjured in Fiendyfire opening its beak towards the Hellfire Club.
"My god," Peter whispered as he continued to stare at the tableau playing out before him.
"You just might be right my friend," Harry whispered, wondering if perhaps his girlfriend was playing host to a god, or a being near powerful enough to be one.
"Oh, great and powerful phoenix! May I serve you with distinction with suitable respect as befits The One," Shaw groveled. "Oh, perfect majesty, beautific vision of essential union, might I call upon you now to open your eyes and gaze upon those who have both summoned and worshipped you. Oh, perfect majesty?" Shaw trailed off as Jean opened her eyes which were completely filled with a dark brilliant red color.
"How dare you?! How dare you command a god!" Jean's voice had a dual quality to it and her words caused a shiver to run down every mortal's spine that stood within the two circles.
"Y-you misunderstand O great one. This wasn't a binding spell. We lowly thirteen didn't summon you here to do our bidding," Shaw tried. "You are an ancient and terrible force, my lord, neither moral nor otherwise. The greatest power in the universe need not answer to this humble human flesh. We brought you here to do as you would, and perhaps, for our loyalty, let us serve you for eternity."
Shaw was many things but humble was most definitely not one of them.
"The greatest power in the universe? Neither moral nor otherwise? And you give it to the friend of those four souls you just betrayed and the lover of one of those four?" Jean's dual voice asked; the voice of the phoenix.
"What?" Shaw asked, unable to say anything else as a wave of power flowed out of Jean and burnt his comrades to ash.
"Oh, God. Please. Don't do this to me," Shaw begged as his bowels loosened.
"What do you mean? Show you mercy like you planned to show the allies of Jean Grey? Mercy like you would have shown the world you planned on sacrificing in your pathetic, shallow bid for immortality?" Phoenix demanded. "I will show you no such thing, little wretch. Nor shall I slay you now, because first, I want to plunder all that you have amassed in my name..." Phoenix trailed off while she glided behind an immobile Shaw and placed her hands on his head. "Every home...every artifact, every business interest, every dollar and cent...I want to plunder everything that makes you what you are and reassign them to this girl and her mate you intended such harm tonight. Everything you own is now theirs Sebastian Shaw, Everything! Now there is no more use for you." Phoenix burnt Shaw to ash at that moment.
"Jean," Xavier screamed with reproach.
145
Before Jean could respond Xavier and Colossus were out. Harry, the stronger telepath, had slipped past the juvenile Xavier's defenses with ease. Charles Xavier simply could not hope to rival Harry Potter in skill and experience. Storm's bonds vanished as well while her boyfriend caught her.
"What are you?" Harry asked with curiosity as he set Storm down.
Phoenix turned as her host's mate helped the weather witch to stand without falling. Both were staring at her in curiosity. There was no fear. She could sense the love these two projected for her host. This man who was the mate of her host intrigued Phoenix greatly. Through Jean Phoenix had experienced human pleasure in incredible proportions. Over the eons of being trapped in her prison Phoenix had possessed mortals for a short time and had experienced pleasures of the flesh but nothing like what this man was capable of generating in a human female. All previous hosts had burnt up because of Phoenix's power. Phoenix extended her thoughts towards the glowing link her host and this Harry shared and felt impenetrable walls go up in his mind.
"You are old," Phoenix observed before extending her senses and probing towards her host's mate. Phoenix staggered as she came up against a massive amount of power whipping off the man's aura. He was powerful. In all her time trapped in this solar system Phoenix had never felt a mortal with this much power. "And powerful," the redhead with supernaturally solid red eyes added. "How do you not burn up from so much power? You are old but still only a child compared to me. No...not a child I suppose," Phoenix mused as she eyed the superhero's gorgeous form and felt the hormones in her host body burn with desire.
Harry's mind raced. This entity he felt in Jean was unimaginably powerful. He wasn't sure if he could take it in a fight and doing so might destroy Jean.
"I'm not from this universe," Harry admitted, hoping honesty might get this creature to reveal more of its motives.
This surprised Phoenix and the expression on her features betrayed this surprise. "Intriguing," Phoenix mused. "Now why aren't you burning up with so much power in a flesh and blood
form?"
"I've never really thought about it," Harry answered with a shrug. "I take it that has been a problem for you in the past?"
Phoenix sensed Harry and Storm's worry at the possibility her host would burn up.
"Yes. Jean has survived the longest but I can feel the stress on this body...yet something combats the stresses of my presence," Phoenix confirmed.
"Stress...as in damage?" Storm probed. Both Harry and Phoenix turned to the weather witch before Phoenix nodded. "Harry's seed...Jean has been getting multiple doses of it daily," Storm pointed out. "If it can revive the dead then perhaps it can also heal the damage caused by her being your host."
"Fascinating...I've never encountered this phenomenon before. Occasionally a host has had a healing ability but even that wasn't enough," Phoenix explained. "I wish to explore this development further."
It was vexing for Phoenix. She could create planets and entire species with some effort but no amount of her willpower could seem to keep her hosts from deteriorating.
"First tell me what you intend for Jean and just what you are," Harry replied. "Shaw thought you were a god but people will worship anything that can bend reality sufficiently to amaze them."
"Too true," Phoenix agreed with a smirk. "I have existed since the formation of this universe. I do not
146
intend to harm Jean Grey. She and I are...merging for lack of a better term. We affect each other. Nothing will be lost in the merger."
Harry's eyes never left Phoenix's aura as she spoke. Her aura suggested she wasn't lying but Harry would still be suspicious for now.
"Where is Jean's mind right now?" Storm asked. "Suppressed," Phoenix answered. "Until we fully merge only one can speak at a time."
"Will you return control to Jean for now? I will attempt to commune with you later. I believe between the two of us we can communicate now," Harry suggested.
"Yes, I will do so," Phoenix agreed. "You fascinate me Harry. I sense great power in you. Even when Xavier thought there was nothing wrong with my host you thought otherwise. She loves you fiercely and I am not unaffected by her desires."
Before she vanished Phoenix stepped up to Harry and caught his mouth in a kiss of pure passion and desire. A visible aura of what appeared to be fire blazed around Jean but did not harm Harry. His own aura which crackled with what Storm thought might have been lightning but wasn't sure flared around Harry and mingled with Jean's. Storm stepped back and watched as the kiss ended and Jean's eyes returned to their normal green.
A red and orange tattoo of a phoenix mixed with a golden tinge appeared between Jean's breasts. "Harry," Jean said hesitantly as if waking from a deep sleep. "What's going on?"
"It's a long story, love. But I think in the long run you are going to be ok," Harry assured as he pulled his girlfriend into a hug.