The End of One Thing & the Continuation of Another

"Looks like we're not in Kansas. Well now who's this?"

A beautiful redskined woman with white hair, revealing suit, cape and face mask surrounded by glowing orbs started walking through one arch and appeared in another. "Greetings," she said. "You may call me Mother Righteous."

Walt snorted. "Yeah. No offense but I'm not calling you "Mommy", Lady. I also find the claim of "Righteous" a bit dubious, if I'm being honest with you."

"None taken," she said in her British accent. "I suppose Righteous is a matter of perspective, indeed. Surely you think of yourself as Righteous in your own pursuits,do you not?"

Walt shook his head. "Not at all. Infact I find I generally distrust those who claim "Righteousness" as much or more than others. Who or what are you really?" He looked around. "Judging by the architecture I'd guess a magic user. Pocket dimensional construct based of the astral?"

She smiled and nodded. "Impressive for a man of "science". Quite. In another place and time I was called Rebecca and lived with my husband Nathaniel in England."

Walt sighed. "As in Essex? Great more Essex clones. And this time his dead wife. Let me guess. You are marked with a suit behind that face mask? A heart, I'd wager. And I'm willing to bet you were created to seek Dominion too though through magic and sorcery."

That surprised her and she blinked then frowned. "How did you know that?" Her tone was quieter but less pleasant and playful than before.

Walt shrugged. "I was warned there was a magic type among the enemy and it's just the kind of bad taste I'd expect from Nathaniel Essex and his creations. Poor Rebecca. Even she wasn't spared his twisted craft. What are you doing with Orchis? Isn't your purpose to prevent the Machine Dominion that he feared? You are aware that was the not-so-secret future ambition this bunch were shooting for long-term?"

She waved a dismissive hand. "Yes. How better to interfere when the time came than by being inside the plot. Besides that's just one of our purposes. Mister Sinister, Dr. Stasis and Orbis Stellaris, "cĺones" of Nathaniel, and myself-"

"Clones isn't quite the word I'd use, Homunculus," Walt said shaking his head.

She looked at him as if irritated that she'd been interrupted before the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. "Not bad. High marks. Yes, perhaps homunculi is the more appropriate term. I'm somewhat impressed Mister... Stark? But not Tony."

Walt mimed tipping a hat and lifted the faceplate on the helmet. "Well done. Will you show me your face as well?"

She sighed and reached up removing her mask. "I suppose so." Indead she had white markings on her red skin culminating in a heart-shaped mark on her forehead. "Unlike the others I realized the true nature of my existence and the false memories of Nathaniel Essex early on. Oh... I believe your people just captured Stasis. A moment." She waved her hand in a series of arcane motions and a vision appeared. They watched as Tsuyu, Mystique and "Walt" bound Dr. Stasis. "Clever ducks. Well done."

Walt shrugged, it was a bit odd watching Loki as himself but she was doing a good job of it, and crossed his arms. "I see. So he's one as well..." he looked at her. "And the mutants have Mister Sinister and here's you. Do you want him back?"

She waved her hand dismissing the vision. "We were simply using one another. If he's caught and this plan of theirs no longer advances my agenda then he's meaningless."

"Ah," Walt said. "Now I see. This is where you want to offer me a deal?"

She smiled. "Wonderful! You do catch on quick. Quite so! Tell me what you desire and I'll make it so. All I'll want in exchange is your gratitude-"

"Hard pass," Walt quickly said. "That's your real "power" isn't it? Oh you have some mystic prowess and all that but your real power is getting people indebted to you. You're a "deal that's too good to be true". A man made demon. Sorry lady. I don't make "deals" like that. Period."

She frowned at that. "Is that so? Are you certain that's your final word on the matter?"

Walt shook his head. "Nope. Got a counter proposal. You come along quiet like and I'll go easy on you. I don't like getting rough with pretty ladies, if I don't have to."

"How droll," she said sarcastically. "I don't think so. You're in my power here and I can handle you myself!" She quickly gathered power and unleashed a massive blast of energy at him. "There that should... what?"

Walt stood there holding the sword from over his shoulder drawn over his shoulder. "Sorry, was that supposed to do something?"

She attempted again this time summoning lightning and then fire then glowing bands of force. All streaked directly towards him only to wink out of existence as he strolled closer. "Impossible! How can this be? You're no mage! There's nothing magical about you!"

Walt shrugged. "Not at the moment. Normally I actually do alright in that department but right now I have less magic then a common rock."

She eyed the black sword in his hand warily. "Is that the... no, it isn't. It's not magical either!"

Walt lifted the sword looking at the crude simple blade and nodded. "Yep. It ain't the one you were thinking of. Just a dull blade." He lunged forward but rather than hit her with the sword he punched her in the stomach. "Sorry about getting rough but I warned you to come quietly without making a fuss." The astral magical plane construct shattered and they were back in the regular plane in the Orchis Forge. He pulled out a collar and placed it around her neck as she lay there gasping. "There we go. Friday?"

(("Collar detected. Power suppression to maximum. Acquisition of Mother Righteous and registration successful. Congratulations, Boss."))

Walt rolled his eyes. "I doubt I'm keeping her, Fri."

(("Shall I transfer her registration to 3S then?"))

Walt sighed and shook his head. "No... Mark her like we did Tivan."

(("Understood. She's your property but not one of "the family". Sir... may I ask why? She's physically attractive is she not?"))

Walt shrugged and nodded. "Yep... but I find her personality repulsive. She's not just a user of people and a manipulator. She pretends to care about others but it's all for her. Suit of hearts on a heartless woman. Bad taste." He sighed. "We'll deal with the Nathaniel Essex problem another time. Let's wrap this up and get it done."

(("Understood, Boss. Finishing up with heroics."))

Walt nodded. "Yup. Time for some villainy."

Walt passed through the gate after the battered Nimrod and Moira-X carrying the unconscious Mother Righteous in a characterball. "Was that everything, Friday?" He asked on the otherside of the gate and on Krakoa again.

(("Yes. All clear and awaiting your order."))

"Do it," he said simply watching in his HUD the realtime feed. The massive Orchis Forge was an amagalmation of Stark and Richards Sol's Hammer plans built around and incorporating the Sentinel Mother Mold... but not for long. The singularity bomb detonated and he watched as quantum forces tore the monstrosity, and the monsters inside it, apart as 3S warships further bombarded it from a distance. The order had been given for complete annihilation. No mercy. Total eradication. A brutal but fitting end for those who'd pursued that agenda for themselves with such malice.

He sighed stepping out of the armor. "Return to the car and resume stand-by," he ordered and watched it go entering into stealth mode again.

He felt a hand on his arm and turned to see Mystique. She gave him a funny look and he noted she had her Friday glasses on. She was watching too. "It's over?"

He nodded but then shook his head and shrugged. "Orchis is over. One less threat to mutant and man kind but are things ever really over? There are always other threats." He waved his fingers sending other things to her display. 3S infiltrating the Friends and Church of Humanity among other hate groups. "This battle is over but the war doesn't end here. Maybe someday but not today."

She surprised him as she actually smiled. "Thank you," she said.

Walt smiled too. He understood. His smile wasn't exactly a happy one either. Mixed emotions. "You're welcome. Mystique... I meant what I said. I will support and defend mutants... and you." He took her hand.

She nodded and squeezed his hand and felt him squeeze hers back as they watched the fall of would be oppressors and the destruction of genocidal maniacs... together. "You never told me you were a mutant."

Walt shrugged. "I won't lie to you. Not ever. I'm not though I maybe a mutate. Anyway that stuff doesn't matter to me. It's the person themself that is important." He looked at her. "Special. Unique. Beautiful."

"Even with flaws?" She asked. She felt his hand grip hers tighter.

"There are no real flaws. Perfection is an illusion we strive for." He looked into her eyes. "But true beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You are beautiful Raven Darkhölme... or Mystique. Inside and out. A rose by any other name would smell just as sweetly. I only want you to be happy. With your life and most importantly with yourself."

She smiled at him and even blushed a little. The words were sweet but meaningless... the sentiment meant everything and she could tell it was genuine. He believed in her and wanted better for her. It had been a longtime since anyone felt that way about her... for her. She leaned against him companionably and found it... comfortable. Very comfortable.

Neo and Elyia/Lady Loki smiled watching them as their bond grew... and their so did their story.

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Rachel "Raven" Roth Manami "La Brava" Aiba Tsuyu "Froppy" Asui Haruhime Sanjouno Anastasia "The Baroness" Cisarovna/DeCobray Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida Gwen "Gwenom" Stacy Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee and Jennifer "She-Hulk" Walters

Will Return In

The Gala & Other Things Continue

Coming Soon]