X-Men: Black
Fire
By Paradox
BOOK
I
Two
The darkness surrounded them, covering them like a cold blanket of misery.
In the center of the blackness, was a small fire, barely staying alive with
the three sticks that fed its flames. Right next to the fire, a wooden plank
lay upon the ground, the skull of a horned animal upon it. A bloody, inverted
five-pointed star anointed its forehead. At the base of the skull, a golden
pendant with the head of an Egyptian pharaoh lay in a pool of soft light.
The five huddled shapes all hummed softly, keeping in tune with each other.
One stood and extended his arms out, inviting the others to stand as well.
They did so, never ceasing the hum. Slowly, they began to sway to the beat
of an unheard drummer. The one that had initially stood drew a wicked looking
knife from within his robes of black, raising it high over the skull.
I call upon the powers of Lilith, Goddess of Darkness and Evil, give
us your strength so that we might do your will.
He plunged the blade into the skull between the horns, splitting the bone
in half. As though on cue, a bolt of lightning flashed in the sky, accompanied
by the crack of thunder. The robed figure looked up at the skylight.
He almost fainted with shock and fear when he saw the image of a beautiful
woman clothed in silks and scales floated down into the room. The rest of
the group watched in rapt attention as she lit upon the floor, her bare feet
hardly touching the concrete. Looking around, her glowing green eyes focused
on each person as they removed the hoods from their robes. A smile crossed
her face.
The group of five was a motley crew of kids in their late teens. One boy
had short brown hair that was chopped up like he had tried to style it with
a chain saw. Another boy had bright blond hair and glasses that seemed to
indicate he was the brains of the group. A strawberry blond girl sat next
to him, her face ravaged by disease and bad luck in birth. It was apparent
that something had gone awry in her DNA for both her eyes seemed to droop
of their own accord. Another girl with red hair sat next to her, her green
eyes sparkling with delight. She was definitely prettier than the blond,
and she had an eagerness that pleased the woman.
The young man standing up was apparently the leader. He held himself straight
and had a certain aura around him that she was certain would affect others,
should he issue commands to them. His brown hair was pulled back into a small
ponytail that was probably supposed to be fashionable, but only made him
look desperate in that department.
You have called me, the woman said in an echoing, phantom-like
voice, What is it you wish of me?
The leader spoke first. Great Lilith, we ask you to grant us power
beyond the human mind, so we might turn this world into a shrine to
you.
Lilith, Goddess of evil, smiled and scratched her chin with a purple fingernail.
An interesting proposition. I would agree to this under one
condition.
The young man, as well as the rest of the group, bowed deeply. You
have only to name it, my Goddess.
You must do a favor for me before you begin conquest of this
planet.
What is this favor, Goddess?
Lilith opened her hand and green mist formed a kind of portal that flared
with light. When the light subsided, a picture of a young man remained. I
want you to kill this boy first. I will give you the means to find him and
destroy him.
As you wish. they all said in unison.
Lilith smiled and snapped her fingers. Instantly, the five began to writhe
and cry out in pain. The brunette boys skin quivered and shook as brown
hair began to grow from the exposed flesh. His muscles expanded and grew,
tearing the clothing from his body until he stood seven feet tall and his
clothing was nothing more than shreds of fabric. He looked down at himself
to see his whole body was covered with brown fur and a tail had sprouted
from his rear.
The blond boy grabbed his head, as though trying to keep his brain from exploding
out his skull. His head expanded out, pushing his skin to the limits of its
elasticity. then, his head shrunk back down to its normal size, leaving him
shaken, but okay.
The strawberry blond girls face contorted not with pain, but with a
rippling of skin. Slowly, her
flesh began to reform, changing her from ugly to gorgeous. She looked
down at her hands to see they had been changed into claws.
The redheads body did not alter, but multicolored flames engulfed her,
seeping into her pores. She screamed and the flames shot from her eyes, ears,
nose, and mouth.
Lilith smiled as her disciples recovered themselves and regarded her with
awe. I have given you powers to adequately complete your task.
she said, pointing at each one. You, pointing to the brown haired
boy, Have been given the gift of the werewolf, with all of the powers
and none of the weaknesses. So be your name from now on. She turned
to the blond boy. You I have gifted with the knowledge of science,
so you may use your talents to corrupt not only the physical world, but the
electronic as well. Spread my will through what you call the Internet and
create a new realm for me. Your title shall be Quantum. The boy bowed
as she turned to the strawberry blond. You have been given beauty,
along with the powers of the vampire to use as weapons when you lure in your
victims with your beauty. You shall be known as Vampress Her attention
shifted to the redhead. I have given you control over the flames of
hellfire. she said simply, You will be called Flame.
She turned to the leader. To you I will bestow the power of the demon
within you. Use its magick well, and pay me my tribute. She snapped
her fingers and instantly the boy was wrapped in swirling mists. His screams
caused his companions to cringe in fear. When the mist cleared, a demon of
green skin with wings stood in his place. After a moment, the demon shrunk
from its ten foot stature to that of the boy. You will be called
Styr.
She stepped back and reviewed her group of worshipers. Now go, my children,
and do my bidding.
Charles Xavier looked up from the book in front of him to see Cyclops walk
into the room. Yes Scott, what can I do for you?
Professor, we have had a problem outside the mansion.
Charles cocked an eyebrow. What kind of problem Scott?
Cyclops walked over to the desk Charles sat at and leaned against it.
Apparently, Hank, Logan , Ororo, Kitty, and Jean came across a young
man who was somehow able to sneak passed the security systems of the
grounds.
Really? I though Kitty had just upgraded them.
Scott couldnt suppress a smile. She did, and that fact really
got her steamed. Shes been trying to get him to tell her just how he
did it for the passed twenty minutes. Hes been able to stave off her
charms for now, but he keeps insisting on seeing you.
Charles nodded. Of course, send him in.
Cyclops nodded and walked out of the room. A few moments later, Charles heard
two voices trail down the hall into his study.
Come on, cant you at least give me a clue as to how you were
able to bypass my security systems?
Sorry, Kitty, but if I did that, Id have to kill you, and I really
dont want to do that.
You know Im going to get it out of you one way or
another.
Charles could almost picture a smile on the strangers face. Well,
it sure will be fun proving you wrong.
At that point, Kitty walked in with a young man in his late teens in a black
leather coat. He was fixing the black braid that dropped down passed his
shoulders as he spoke to her. When he set his eyes on Charles, he dropped
his hands to his sides and bowed his head slightly. Mr. Xavier, I am
Cole Raven. I have been trying to find you for some time.
Why is that?
Cole paused for a moment and looked at Kitty pointedly. She stared back at
him for a moment, defiant, and then sighed and left the room, leaving the
door open. Kitty, close the door please. Charles said.
Unnecessary sir. Cole flicked his hand and Charles felt a slight
breeze of air as the door softly clicked closed.
For a moment, the two looked at each other silently. Just what is it
I can do for you young man? he asked quietly.
I have come to you seeking aid.
How so?
Cole sighed and leaned up against the brick fireplace. Charles noted that
the flames seemed to shift so they would be around his form and touch him.
He reached into his coat and looked at Charles. Do you mind if I
smoke? Charles nodded and Cole took a cigarette from his coat. He made
a small gesture with his hand and the flames from the fireplace rose up to
form a sort of tentacle that hovered just before Coles face, touching
the tip of the cigarette. Cole took a drag from the cigarette and nodded
at the flame. Thank you. The tentacle seemed to bow and them
retreated to reform with the rest of itself.
Charles shook his head, almost in disbelief. Remarkable. What are the
extent of your mutant abilities?
Im not a mutant.
Charles wrinkled his brow in confusion. Then how is you are able to
do that?
Cole sighed and took another drag from the cigarette, blowing smoke rings.
I have powers, and I was indeed born into them, but they are not something
derived from any X factor in my genes. He paused and looked directly
at Charles. Professor Xavier, do you believe in the
supernatural?
Xavier cocked his head to the side, considering the question. Well,
I have been exposed to many different things that would lead me to believe
in the supernatural, per say.
Cole shook his head. Im not talking about things like aliens
and other mutants with weird powers. Im talking about the stuff of
legends and myths.
Charles shrugged. Well, who is to say that the stuff of myths and legends
are not related to mutants?
Cole growled softly and crushed his cigarette in his hand before hurling
it into the fire. Look, please don't start getting philosophical on
me; do you believe in magick?
That was a question that Charles had not expected. The theory of magick was
almost up with the theory of genetic mutation. There had only been one case
in which Charles had heard of magick, and that was with Dr. Strange, the
sorcerer. Even so, he had not met the man or been given proof to the fact
that magick did indeed exist. Well, I am not certain as to whether
I believe in it or not. I suppose the question is do you?
Cole gave him a lopsided grin. Why don't you ask your
students?
What do you mean by that?
Cole shrugged and headed for the door to the study. Just ask them about
the little altercation we had outside. If then you are willing to accept
me into your school, please let me know. He drew out a business card
from his coat and tossed it into the air. A gust of wind caught the card
and swept it over to Charles, where it dropped lightly into his lap. He looked
up at Cole, who gave him a two-fingered salute and left the office. Charles
looked at the card for a moment and then dropped it onto the desk. He pushed
a button that activated the intercom.
X-Men, please meet me in the conference room.
Whats this about Chuck?
Charles looked over at Wolverine, who had changed into jeans and a flannel
and had his cowboy boots propped up on the table. It is about the young
man that came to see us today.
Kitty leaned forward anxiously. Did he tell you how he got passed our
security?
Charles shook his head. Not directly, but he did ask me something that
may have been a form of an answer.
What was that Charles? Beast asked.
He asked whether or not I believed in magick.
For several moments, the room was quiet. Then, Gambit spoke up. De
only magick dat Remy believes in is de kind dat you make wit your sweetheart
on a warm summer night.
Beast chuckled. Well, although I dont exactly share Mr.
Lebeaus opinion, I have always been fascinated by the theory of magical
workings and if they might be possible.
Garbage, magick is fairy tale stuff. Wolverine grumbled.
Could it not be argued that mutants are the same Logan? Jean
asked. I personally dont know for sure whether I believe in it
or not, but it would be interesting to explore the option.
Kitty shook her head and leaned back in her chair. Are you saying this
guy claimed to use magick to get
passed my security?
Charles nodded. I think that is exactly what he was saying. Although
I do not know whether to believe him, I do know that he does possess mutant-like
abilities.
I think he does have magick.
The comment drew surprised looks from everyone. They all looked over at Storm
as though she had just said something completely and utterly insane, which
was not far from the truth. What do you mean Ororo? Charles
asked.
Storm straightened in her chair and looked over everyone before speaking.
When we fought this afternoon, somehow, he was able to take control
of the winds that I had been using. No matter what I did, I could not regain
command of them. After that, the ground seemed to shake at his whim, as though
it were an extension of his emotions.
Charles nodded. Yes, he also seemed to be able to control the fire
in my fireplace to the extent of making solid forms from the flames, not
unlike our enemy Pyro.
Storm nodded. That , and he also said something to me just after I
had engulfed him in a tornado that had absolutely no effect on him.
That made Charles raise his eyebrows in surprise. He said not to screw
with his element.
Cyclops nodded and looked over at Charles. I have read somewhere that
some forms of magick are based upon the four elements of the world: Earth,
Air, Fire, and Water. Maybe he actually has magically control over these
elements.
Xavier held up a hand when he saw the rest of the group was about to speak.
In any case, the question I pose to you all is do you wish for him
to join the school?
The X-Men looked around at each other for several minutes, each trying to
weigh their own opinion, as well as everyone elses.
The end result was a unanimous decision.