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At John’s house it was a rare night of actually being alone. With young James at the institute the prospect of a night alone with Sarael had enticed John to agree to allow Rachel to go to the club till 2am. He and Sarael had already opened a bottle of wine and had glasses poured enjoying the final hours of the year on their sofa. Time and age had not dulled any amount of passion that had originally sparked between them when they first met. Sarael was comfortably seated on John’s lap her lips locked on his. They’d been enjoying their evening for a while now, his usually well kept hair was now lose around his shoulders his once pressed button up had over half its button’s undone or broken off and wrinkled. John’s hands were working their way up the back of her shirt ready to just remove it completely when a knock came from the door. Sarael pulled back rubbing her lips together. “What was that?”, she asked in a whisper. John groaned sighing a little. “It was the door. Let’s ignore it and maybe they will go away.”, John replied tightening his grip to keep her close. Sarael smiled shaking her head as John started kissing up her neck. But the knock turned to a pounding. “I’m going to answer it. It sounds urgent.”, Sarael said pulling back and wiggling free from John’s arms to get off the couch. She grabbed her glass of wine and fixed her shirt, not bothering to try and smooth her messy hair as she headed to the door. John growled a little. “So much for no interruptions..”, he grumbled starting to try and fix his shirt.

Sarael pulled open the door and blinked in surprise as standing there still in his suit was Landon. She looked past him and could see the other kids, also in their party clothes climbing out of the van. “Landon?”, Sarael questioned. “I’m sorry to disturb you at such a late hour and on a holiday, Mrs. H. But is Mr. Howlett here? We need to speak to him, now.”, Landon explained. John heard Sarael say ‘Landon’ and sighed getting up.. He stepped out behind Sarael and looked to Landon. “What’s going on? Rachel isn’t here Landon. She should be at the club…which aren’t you supposed to be performing there? Is Rachel alright? Is Xavier alright?”, John questioned holding his shirt closed in the middle where Sarael had managed to break buttons off. “I know where Rachel is sir. Rachel and Xavier are fine. They are at the club with Bianca, Blaire, Hope, and Gabriel. But we need to talk to you now. It’s life or death level urgent. So can we come in or shall we discuss this on the porch?”, Landon asked holding up his tablet. John looked past Landon to see the other kids, all in their party clothes behind him. “Hi Uncle John.”, Rose greeted. John raised an eyebrow now a different kind of worried because why would all of the team leaders be at his doorstep still wearing their club clothes. Then beyond them in the bushed he spotted red fire. “Aurelia?”, he questioned.

Aurelia transformed and walked up to the porch. “It’s time we have a talk with the kids. You need to listen to them.”, Aurelia encouraged. Sarael stepped out of the door way. “Come in kids. It’s cold out there.”, Sarael said waving them into the house. “Thanks Mrs. H.”, Landon said walking inside followed by the others. Aurelia closed the door after being the last to walk inside. Sarael looked to Atif and Ashley who were holding each other their eyes bloodshot and their cheeks stained with tears. “Are you two alright? What’s happening?”, Sarael questioned. “So someone tell me what’s going on.”, John questioned folding his arms across his chest. Landon looked to Atif and Ashley who nodded turning away. “Simple sir we need answers to this.”, Landon said playing the video. Sarael nearly dropped her wine glass as she went to cover her mouth, turning her head away not wanting to see what happened. She’d known what had happened at the school that night but to see it and to be told about it were very different. John sighed looking over the faces of the children and then to Aurelia who nodded. Landon turned the video off. “So we know the FOH didn’t burn our school Pyro did. And where there’s a Pyro there are other Acolytes. Where were they? Because this video doesn’t tell us why my dad and Lily’s mom stopped talking. It doesn’t tell us what really happened to Logan. Because the FOH sure the hell didn’t hit him with a hex ball. Please sire. You are the person we were told to bring this to. That you’d be the one that would give us the truth and not worry about what Duncan would think. So please sir tell us.”, Landon requested.

“They split up.”, Sarael blurted out. The kids turned to look at her, they’d been uncertain if she’d been in on the secret like Azriel but that confirmed it she was. John sighed. “Scarlet Witch planned her attack well. She split her team up to hit everyone at the same time and used military troops provided by her then president sister. As you saw on the video Pyro and a large troop attacked the school. They took Sadria, Mia, Max, Mary, Meghan and Allison from the school. Dumb and Dumber, Adien and Blake, tried to get Kurt and Isis. Thankfully Kurt was able to get Isis out unharmed. They ended up in the old cold war era bunker under the school along with any of the children Duncan was able to save that night.”, John explained. “What about my mother? What about my step-father?”, Lily questioned. John sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Christian attacked Mikali and Annai taking them both prisoner.”, John explained before looking to Aurelia. “Pretender and a group of military guys came for Logan and I. Logan forced me to run while he held them off. I made it to the school and to the bunker, but Logan didn’t. Pretender took him.”, Aurelia said her voice shaking with renewed anger. Lily froze tears forming in her eyes. Cora Lee and Rose grabbed Lily as she looked like she was about to collapse. “So that’s why. That’s why you hate my mom and why you hate my siblings. Did I get a pass because I chose Demitri and to be an X-Men?”, Lily asked looking to Aurelia and John. John shook his head. “I’ve never hated you or your siblings for the actions of your mother. I admit I hate her for taking my little brother away from me. I hate Scarlet Witch more because she took his away forever. Any issues I have with your siblings are because of their own actions. I would never allow a grudge against a parent affect my view of their children.”, John said trying to assure Lily.

“Alright so reason you guys hate Kim explained. Doesn’t explain why my dad would. I know my history and I know there was no love loss between my dad and Logan. And yeah he’d be mad about Uncle Mikali but he’s Haven he can’t take a side like that. So tell me why my dad got involved in this.”, Landon demanded. Sarael sighed and looked at Landon. “Because Adien and Blake took Aislinn and despite knowing about it and knowing where Aislinn was Kim and Christian said nothing and did nothing.”, Sarael explained. Landon and Cora Lee looked at her both stunned at this news. “They took our mom?”, they said in unison. “Those fucking..I’ll rip them apart…”, Cora Lee said getting angry. “But why? Why would Wanda make that kind of move? It’s beyond stupid. The Haven is neutral you don’t declare war against the neutral house.”, Landon said shaking his head. “I mean my dad and Demitri alone are powerful enough to not be messed with. And Aunt Solangel…Christ you don’t mess with Aunt Solangel.”, Landon said shaking his head. He was a strategist and nothing about that move made any sense. “The Acolytes never knew and I don’t think even now know the extent of Solangel’s power. But as you said your dad and Demitri are powerful. Wanda wanted them on her side. Your dad told her no.”, John explained. “They took your mom as leverage, you’re right it was a bad plan. But they didn’t seem to realize you take someone people care about you don’t get their allegiance you get their ire.”, Aurelia stated.

“It was after they took Aislinn that your dad and the others at the Haven stepped in. He found the bunker and demanded to be part of whatever counter attack we were planning.”, Aurelia stated. “Scarlet Witch had split the hostages up into different prisons. At each location there was either collars, drugs or a force field that was designed to prevent mutant powers from being used. At the prisons the hostages, for the most part, were tortured for information. We ended up having people on the inside to help us gain the intell needed to take them down.”, John explained. Aurelia nodded. “The Delaney triplets had been called back to service. But, well when they saw what was happening they couldn’t be part of it. The oldest..Darren well he spoke out. Scarlet Witch beheaded him for treason. Azriel and Colby were mourning him when I came to them for help. To honor their brother and to save lives they agreed to help us. They gave us the layouts they told us who was being held where.”, Aurelia explained. Atif started to cry, covering his face. “Oh my god. Darren? Our Uncle? The man our little brother is named for? Oh god. How do I explain to Billy? How do I tell him that his dad killed mine? How do I tell him his mom beheaded my Uncle? That she was responsible for all these atrocities?”, Atif sobbed. Ashley hugged her brother tightly.

“Duncan planned a rescue mission. We split up into teams of three or four…for the most part.”, John explained. “The Hamilton sisters went after Christian to rescue Mikali and Max. The Kearney brothers went with Duncan and Azriel, who insisted on going, to save Meghan and Sadria from Pretender. Pretender never touched or drugged Sadria, just kept her in a room where her powers couldn’t be used outside of. So when it came time and she was set free…well Atif and Ashley you both helped your mom defeat Pretender. Azriel I believe described it as the most epic and terrifying thing he’d ever seen a pregnant woman do. But I guess a pissed off Scottish woman would be enough cause to jump out of the way without adding pregnancy hormones.”, John continued. “Demitri, Justin, and Scott took on Pyro to rescue Annai and Jean. Aurelia, Colby and I went to save James, Allison, Warren, and Mary. David refused to have any x-men go with him. He took just Solangel to take on Adien and Blake to get Aislinn back and on the way save Mia. Kurt played transport while Isis stayed with the remaining students and helped Kisa as injured hostages were brought home from being rescued.”, John continued sighing a little.

“Colby went into the prison to find the hostages. Leaving John and I on the roof to fight the soldiers. Having Bubbles at his full size helped a lot. Colby found Logan, who was weak from not having his healing and being poisoned by the adamantium and the torture Scarlet Witch put him through. Logan told Colby to save the others and chose to make his way to the roof to find John and I. Colby was able to find and rescue Warren who’s wings had been cut off, Allison and Mary who’d both been beaten and tortured. We’d taken out the generator that stopped the mutant powers. But it hadn’t been out long enough for Logan to fully recover. He found us on the roof fighting Scarlet Witch. Even in his weakened state he did everything he could to protect us. All around the prisons the Acolytes were losing. Scarlet Witch didn’t want to lose. She decided to change the outcome with her powers. John and I were knocked down when she started to form her hex ball. Despite barely being able to stand Logan put himself between her and us taking the hit.”, Aurelia said starting to tear as she relived the memory. John moved and put his arm around Aurelia’s shoulders knowing how much thinking back to that night hurt. “Solangel apparently heard Scarlet Witch’s little speech to her team saying she was going to change things. Solangel tried to counter it with her powers. James was hit by Scarlet Witch’s power in the chest and then as Solangel’s powers made it to where we were he was hit in the back. When the light faded James was gone and so was Scarlet Witch just very scared and confused FOH were around us.”, John explained. “Solangel saved our memories but she couldn’t save James.”, John said hanging his head.

Landon and the others all listened their eyes wide. Rose found herself starting to tear as the tale of Logan was told. “Where was I? I was two when this happened. If dad, Aunt Solangel and Uncle Demitri all went where was I?”, Landon questioned. “You were with me.”, Sarael explained. “Before they left your dad brought you to me with a notarized letter saying if anything happened to him you were to stay in my care.”, Sarael stated. “You probably don’t remember you were still so young. You screamed and cried trying to pull out of my arms when your dad walked away. I think part of you somehow knew he might not come back to you.”, Sarael said softly. Landon nodded. “Alright so Solangel saved your memories and from what we’ve gotten from Billy only Wanda remembers out of the acolytes. So we now know what happened and we can’t correct it all but we are going to fix the one big thing we can. Billy said he needed power right?”, Landon said looking to Atif. Atif nodded still sniffling. “Then we give him power. Solangel’s power helped put Logan there so we get her to help bring him back.”, Landon stated. John looked at them confused. “Wait what? Billy? Bring back James? What are you going on about?”, John questioned.

Landon looked back to John. “Billy Maxmioff. He’s Atif’s boyfriend and he’s helping us. He’s the one that was able to get to the limbo dimension that Wanda and Solangel’s combined powers created and put Logan into. So we plan to steal Wanda’s spell book and bring Logan back.”, Landon stated simply. John blinked in disbelief. “My brother is alive? He’s going to be brought back to us?”, John questioned hope in his voice. “Yes that’s the plan sir. We bring Rose’s dad back tonight.”, Landon said glancing to his watch. “Alright so here’s the plan. Atif you text Billy tell him we will meet wherever and we’ll be brining the power he asked for. Cora Lee and Rose go get Aunt Solangel. Then come find the rest of us.”, Landon said. Atif nodded grabbing his phone sending the text ‘We’re ready. Meet at our usually place. We’ll bring the power’. Cora lee nodded taking Rose’s arm. “But..”, Rose said wanting to go with Landon and the others. “Go with my sister. Between the two of you you’ll convince Aunt Solangel to help and you’ll be able to track us down to know where to find us.”, Landon encouraged. Rose nodded and headed out the door with Cora Lee making a b-line for the Haven to find Solangel. “So where are we going Atif?”, Landon asked. “The park. We have a spot we meet there.”, Atif said. “Alright let’s go then.”, Landon said heading for the door.

Aurelia moved to stand in the doorway. “You aren’t leaving without me. Scarlet Witch isn’t going to just sit by and do nothing while you steal her book and undo what she did to Logan. I can’t let you face her.”, Aurelia declared. Landon sighed and took a big risk and literally grabbed Aurelia lifting her up and setting her out of the way. “I’m sorry professor but you all gave up this fight fifteen years ago. It’s ours now.”, Landon said simply heading for the van. Lily, Atif and Ashley blinked waiting for Aurelia to chase after Landon and tear him apart but she seemed as shocked as they were. Lily rushed out after her cousin and Ashley and Atif started past Aurelia. Aurelia grabbed Atif’s shoulder. “You kids can’t fight Scarlet Witch and win…. I know you kids are strong and such but..”, Aurelia said. Atif sighed and placed his hand over Aurelia’s. “Professor fate is what it is. Trust me if I could change this I would. And no matter how much respect we have for you, we follow Landon.”, Atif said lifting her hand up and walking out with his twin and climbing into the van to drive to the park. As he sat down he thought about what he’d discussed with Billy about how Wanda saw Landon as a threat, as their generations Xavier. And as he thought about how despite how much respect he has for Aurelia when it came to listening to her or Landon without a second thought he followed Landon. He looked to the front seat and the serious look on Landon’s face and understood it. He’d follow Landon to the gates of hell and tonight that just might happen.

Back at the club as his phone buzzed Billy quickly pulled it from his pocket. “Alright Atif’s ready and apparently bringing the power I need. Tommy let’s put your gastro powers to the test.”, Billy said putting the phone away. Tommy nodded and let his body start to go limp, putting and arm around his twin’s neck and his cousin’s for ‘support’. Malcolm shook his head and sighed. “We all know this is basically suicide right?”, Malcolm asked. “We know. And so does Atif’s group.”, Billy said. “As long as we are all on the same page. Let’s go.”, Malcolm said as he and Billy carefully ‘helped’ Tommy inside. “Guys we need to go. Tommy is sick. You all stay and enjoy the party.”, Billy said as the other Academy kids looked at them. Josalyn and Emma both raised an eyebrow suspicious. “Really?”, Emma questioned folding her arms. “Rea…rea…rea..”, Tommy started before forcing himself to throw up at Emma’s feet. “Really.”, he finished. “Ewww…”, Emma shrieked stepping back. “Get him out of here.”, Emma said pointing to the door. “We’ll get him home and make sure he’s okay and if possible we’ll come back.”, Malcolm said heading for the door with Tommy and Billy. Merrick watched suspicious since this was happening after he found out two of the three were secretly dating x-men, x-men who happened to have rushed out of the club without warning. He wanted to know what was going on, but felt it probably in his and their best interest if he stayed put. Whatever was going on he knew something big was happening. The remaining institute kids seemed confused, but Rachel. Rachel didn’t look confused, now her expression showed worry and smell of fear flowed from her. So whatever was going down it wasn’t good, this much he was certain of.

Once they were far enough away from the club the cousins split up. “You know what to do right Malcolm?”, Billy asked. Malcolm nodded. “You or Tommy text me saying it’s go time. I fry the transformer which is two blocks over but will take out the power for the Academy as well as the whole neighborhood. That gives Tommy maybe five minutes to get in and out of the Academy with the book before the generator is turned on and Aunt Wanda realizes the book is gone and goes psycho and gets on the war path.”, Malcolm said going over the plan. “Exactly. Once Tommy has the book and Landon’s team brings the extra power I need I find and say the spell and hopefully get Logan free before mom finds us and kills us all.”, Billy said with a less than confident smile. “If you need me..I can come. I can help more than this. I’m not afraid to strike Aunt Wanda to protect one of you and I wouldn’t hesitate if it’s Cora Lee she’s going to harm.”, Malcolm offered. Billy shook his head. “You can’t help in person. I don’t want Aunt Lorna, Uncle Vin, Kevin or Larissa to be punished for this. And no matter how much you care about us or about Cora Lee you have to keep them safe. Tommy and I know that doing this we are picking the people we love over our mom. We know this might kill us or at the least we’ll never be allowed back. But if we succeed mom isn’t going to just let it go. We will need someone in the Academy walls to know what’s going on to be prepared for when she does decide to strike if she doesn’t end this tonight. So for our sakes, for Cora Lee’s stay out of it and be our eyes and ears on the inside.”, Billy said placing his hands on his cousin’s shoulders before hugging him. Malcolm nodded. “Alright. You’re the boss after all. Good luck guys.”, Malcolm said starting for his destination. “We are sure we want to do this?”, Tommy asked. Billy nodded. “Alright let’s go bro.”, Tommy said grabbing his twin and in a blur was gone heading for the park.

Over at the Haven Solangel was ready to enjoy some serious alone time with Jacob. She closed the door as Aislinn headed out with Morpheus to meet up with David to celebrate the new year and listen to the kids play. As she locked the door Solangel turned a smile on her lips as she saw Jacob standing at the bottom of the stairs shirtless and waiting. “So are we actually alone?”, Jacob questioned. Solangel bit at her bottom lip nodding as she closed the gap between them. She brought a hand around to the back of his neck, her fingers slipping into his dark black hair tugging ever so slightly. “Yes we are alone at last.”, she said pulling him into her kissing him. Jacob wrapped his arms around her and scooped her up off the ground to carry her upstairs to their room. Solangel giggled. “Now that’s one way to sweep a brownie off her feet.”, she whispered kissing at his ear as they headed for the bedroom. Jacob carefully opened the bedroom and laid Solangel down onto the bed starting to kiss along her neck. Solangel tightened her legs on him and flipped him over to his back bringing his arms up where unknown to him cuffs were waiting and clicked around his wrists. “Really?”, he questioned tugging to get his hands free. Solangel sat up on him grinning. “Yes really. You’re mine tonight.”, she grinned starting to pull off her shirt when the bedroom door opened.

“Oh Christ…”, Cora Lee said covering her eyes. Solangel let go of her shirt and turned to glare at the door. “Someone better be dying or else you going to be dying.”, Solangel said glaring. Jacob leaned to just look around Solangel and groan. “Seriously what happened to alone time?”, Jacob said frowning. “I’m super super sorry Aunt Solangel and Uncle Jacob. But Landon needs you, we all need you Aunt Solangel. We’ve unlocked the secret.”, Cora Lee said still keeping her eyes covered. Solangel’s eyes went wide. “Crap. Just hold..for mmm..one minute..”, Solangel said leaning down kissing Jacob’s shoulder before climbing off the bed and stepping into the hall closing the door, leaving Jacob still cuffed to the headboard. “So you know the truth what do you need me for? And this had really better be good. I had some major fun plans for tonight.”, Solangel asked looking from Cora Lee to Rose. “Logan is alive. Apparently your powers and Scarlet Bitch’s combined and put him in some limbo for the last fifteen years. We have a plan to save him but we need your powers to do it.”, Rose stated. “See this is really important. We could bring Logan back. Rose could have her dad.”, Cora Lee said putting on her best big eyes puppy look. Solangel looked from Cora Lee to Rose and sighed. “Alright fine. I’ve felt terrible for fifteen years that I might have had a hand in what happened to him and I could undo it. So I do this then my debt to the Howlett family is repaid. Maybe I can look Aurelia in the eyes again. But we make this quick because again I have plannnsss.”, Solangel said placing emphasis on the plans. Cora Lee and Rose shook their heads not wanting to think about it. “Yes yes. You aren’t the only one with plans getting interrupted. We were playing a gig. So we’ll get you back to Uncle Jacob as fast as we can.”, Cora Lee agreed. “Fine. Give me a minute.”, Solangel said slipping back into the bedroom and putting on her boots. “Where are you going?”, Jacob asked. Solangel sighed looking at him. She leaned over giving him a kiss and unlocking his hands. “We’ll play more later. Right now I’ve got SMB to handle. I promise full disclosure and full nudity if and when I get back.”, Solangel said with a wink. Jacob sat up and ran a hand through her blue hair and kissed her lips. “When. Never let me hear you say ‘if’, Angel.”, Jacob said. Solangel nodded. “Fine when I get back.”, Solangel said getting up and leaving Jacob alone in the bed.

Tommy and Billy arrived at the park first, give Tommy’s speed. “So this is where you meet up with Atif huh?”, Tommy asked casually. Billy sighed shaking his head. “Yes but we don’t really need to focus on that right now thank you.”, Billy countered. Tommy shrugged. “Alright just killing time till they get here and this party can really ‘fun’ begins.”, Tommy joked. Landon parked the van and followed Atif through the park to the spot. None of them realized that Aurelia had followed them and was sitting downwind from them in the bushes. Aurelia kept her eyes on Tommy and Billy still not certain how much she trusted the sons of Scarlet Witch. As they got closer to the clearing Atif spotted Billy and ran to him hugging him tightly. Billy grunted a little before wrapping his arms around Atif. “It’s alright. I’m here. It’s going to be alright.”, Billy said trying to assure Atif. Atif pulled back looking at him tears still in his eyes. “What’s wrong? What did you guys learn?”, Billy asked. Ashley walked into the clearing. “Oh just that your father kidnapped our mom while she was pregnant with us, then killed our dad. Oh and your mom beheaded our stepdad’s triplet Darren for not wanting to torture innocent mutants she had her acolytes take hostage and torture for information.”, Ashley said disdain in her tone though not directed at them because she knew it wasn’t really Tommy or Billy’s fault. Lily ran into the clearing and rushed to Tommy hugging him tightly. “We finally know why Demitri and David stopped talking to my mom. Adien and Blake kidnapped Aislinn as leverage against the Haven and my mom and Christian knew about it yet did nothing.”, Lily said. Tommy hugged her. “It’ll be alright. If your mom doesn’t remember it happened maybe with the truth out we can fix it.”, Tommy suggested comforting her. Aurelia relaxed a little watching the body language between the Maximoff boys and her two ‘pups’ she could tell that they really cared about them.

Landon was the last to walk into the clearing he looked to Billy hugging Atif and then to Tommy hugging Lily and took a deep breath. He would deal with those situations after this was done. “Why’s Tommy here?”, Landon asked. “I’m helping. Unless you know someone who’s faster than me and knows the layout of the academy like the back of his hand.”, Tommy explained. Landon nodded. “Alright. So you have a plan for getting the book then?”, Landon asked. Billy kept one arm around Atif moving to face Landon. “Yes. There is going to be a black out in our neighborhood. Tommy will have five minutes to get in and out before the generation kicks on and mom notices her book her book is gone.”, Billy explained. “So where’s this power you said you were bringing?’, Billy asked. “Right here.”, Rose said walking into the clearing with Cora Lee and Solangel right behind her. Billy raised an eyebrow looking at Solangel. “Her? I don’t even know what her powers are. No one does..”, Billy said confused. Solangel grinned. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be. Hi I’m Solangel the overall secret weapon.”, Solangel greeted. “Surprise…Solangel is well to put it simply a reality warper supreme.”, Cora Lee said grinning. “Um alright.”, Billy said still uncertain. “Solangel is the person who countered your mom’s power fifteen years ago. It was the collision of their powers that created the limbo Logan got put into.”, Landon explained. Billy nodded. “Alright. So let’s start this then…”, Billy said. “Are you all prepared for what’s going to happen when our mom realizes that book is gone?”, Tommy asked. Landon nodded. “We know what’s coming. And we will fight her off while Billy does what he needs to. Are you two prepared for what’s going to happen?”, Landon countered. Tommy and Billy looked to each other before nodding. “Yes. What our mom did isn’t forgivable and if we can repent for her actions and even a little for what our dad did then we are in. Even if it means we’ll be out of the Academy.”, Billy stated.

Atif pulled away from Billy and grabbed Landon’s arm moving him away from the others to the bushes. He didn’t realize it was the same bushes Aurelia was behind. “Are you sure we should be doing this? I know saving Logan is important. But this could be the night my vision come true. Shouldn’t we tell the others? I mean this might be the last chance you have to say goodbye.”, Atif questioned concerned. Landon sighed placing his hands on Atif’s shoulders. “We are doing this. There is no going back. We bring Logan back tonight before this year is over. I realize this might be the night of the vision and I’m okay with that. I don’t see a point in telling the others. If it happens it happens.”, Landon said. “How can you be so calm? My vision shows me Wanda killing you. We are about to draw her wrath where she will come to kill. And you are calm?”, Atif questioned. Aurelia felt her heart stop for half a beat. That’s what they meant when they said they wished fate could be different. Atif saw Landon die at Wanda’s hands. Aurelia made up her mind he was going to die on her watch. Scarlet Witch wasn’t going to hurt any of the kids on her watch. “I’m clam because I’ve been preparing for this since you told me. I’m ready for this. I have faith in myself and all of you that we will win.”, Landon stated. “Now come on and lets’ doing something stupid.”, Landon said with a grin walking back to the others. “Alright let’s start this. Black out time.”, Landon said looking to Billy and Tommy. Tommy pulled out his cell phone tilting it just enough so Cora Lee could see the name ‘Malcolm’ on the contact list before sending the test ‘Black Out’. Cora Lee smiled a little glad that Malcolm was helping them, she just wondered how far he’d be going with helping, would he show up for the pending fight against his aunt.

Across town Malcolm had been waiting by the transformer, thankfully most people were out for the night so there wasn’t anyone to look at him weirdly as he stood there in the cold in dress clothes. He phone started to buzz and you quickly checked it. He put the phone away turning and placing his hands on the outside of the transformer and let the lightening form at his fingertips frying the transformer. He turned watching all the lights on the street and surrounding streets go out. He quickly texted back ‘Now’. Tommy’s phone buzzed and he nodded. “Time to run.”, he said giving Lily a quick kiss and in a flash he was out of sight. Tommy raced from the park making record time as he rushed into the Academy avoiding people the best he could in the darkness. “What’s going on?”, Wanda demanded. Kim looked out the window. “Apparently its’ a black out the whole neighborhood is dark.”, Kim yelled. “Someone go turn the generator on then!”, Wanda demanded. “I’ve got it.”, Christian called heading for the shed that held the generator. Tommy was counting the seconds in his head knowing his time was limited. He managed to avoid his mom as he rushed into her office skidding to a stop and grabbing her spell book off its stand. “Ahem..”, a familiar voice couched. Tommy froze and looked a small flame appeared and behind the flame was his father’s face. “Dad…”, Tommy said his heart felt like it was going to burst. “What ya doing?”, John asked. “Umm borrowing the book for Billy…”, Tommy admitted. John nodded. “Then you better move..”, John commented. Tommy blinked looking at his dad confused why he was getting off the hook. “Just tell your brother to stop borrowing my motorcycle.”, John commented. Tommy nodded and in a flash was gone and out of the house. John didn’t stop his son because for years now he’d had a feeling Wanda had been hiding something from him. It didn’t change how he felt about her, no he still loved the crazy bitch. It was her crazy bitchy ways that attracted him to her in the first place.

Landon was looking at his watch counting down waiting. “Five minutes are nearly up…”, Landon said as suddenly what felt like a gust of window rushed past him and went head first into the bushes. Tommy pulled himself out of the bushes spitting out twigs. “Sorry never ram that fast before…stopping was an issue.”, Tommy said out of breath holding up the book. Billy and Lily ran over. Billy taking the book and starting to flip through the pages trying to find the right spell. Lily hugged Tommy tightly. “Were you seen?”, Landon questioned. Tommy nodded. Landon’s eyes went wide and he started to shake his head. “It was just my dad though. He didn’t even care. He let me take the book and just asked I tell Billy to stop borrowing his motorcycle. It was weird. It was like he knew something was going down. He’s not going to tell her.”, Tommy assured. Billy found the spell. “Alright. Solangel and Rose I need you both.”, Billy said moving to a far spot where the trees could offer them some cover. Solangel and Rose followed Rose a little confused. Billy set the book down onto the snow and knelt reaching up grabbing Solangel’s hand with his left and Rose’s with his right pulling them both down to kneel with him. “I get why you need Solangel, you have to tap into her power. But why do you need me? I’d be better served helping the others fend off your mom when she gets here.”, Rose questioned. “I need a Howlett. You’re his daughter and thus that makes you his anchor. I can’t do the spell without you.”, Billy stated. Rose frowned. “But..what if I’m..what if I’m not his daughter…?”, she asked whispering. Billy looked at her confused. “First time I saw your dad he was watching you play outside at Hudson’s castle. I saw him tonight at the club where you were playing with your band. I don’t care what doubts you have about lineage. I just know he wouldn’t follow you if you weren’t his anchor.”, Billy stated before looking back to the book.

“Alright guys let’s get ready for this. We know she’s going to come so let’s be prepared. Atif I want you to put a shield up over them. No matter what Wanda doesn’t get to them.”, Landon said. “Tommy, Lily, Cora Lee, Ashley you are with me on defense. Get your game faces on because this isn’t a simulation.”, Landon instructed. Atif nodded and moved to stand closer to Billy, Solangel and Rose extending his right hand and putting up his shield to protect them. In the back of his mind he wished he could form two shields and protect Landon. But he couldn’t and no matter how much Landon meant to him as a friend he knew he had to protect the others first. Ashley nodded and kicked off her heels and extended her arms out drawing all the water from the snow that covered the ground they stood in, the water wrapping around her arms like tentacles ready for battle. She wished they had taken the time to grab their x-men uniforms before doing this, but she knew you didn’t always get a chance to change clothes before battle. Lily followed Ashley’s lead, fighting in heels was not going to work for her. She kicked off her shoes and stood ready to fight, a smile on her face as she looked to her right and knew that this time Tommy would be fighting on her side rather than against her. Cora Lee looked to her brother with a nod taking her heels off too and held out her hands her all her jewelry melted and formed into small balls that hovered in circles over her hands. She was ready to fight. Tommy took off his tie and tossed his jacket to the side, he didn’t want to fight his mom. But if she was going to try and hurt Billy or Lily he’d do it. Landon took a deep breath and removed his jacket hanging it from a branch on a tree. He kept reminding himself he was ready for this, he’d been training hard to face whatever was behind that purple light. He wished he’d known it was Wanda because he’d have upped his training intensity even further. He rolled up his sleeves and moved to a defensive stance and waited for the inevitable. He wasn’t going to go down without a fight and without taking her down with him, if he could help it.

At the Academy the generator was on and the lights were back. No one suspected that something was off, till Wanda went up to her office and started to scream causing the whole of Bayville to shake with her anger as her power flowed off her in shockwaves. John, Kim, and Lorna all rand down the hall. “What’s wrong?”, John asked casually. “My spell book. It’s missing…this black out was planned…”, Wanda said her face hardening with anger. “Who would want to steal your spell book?”, Kim asked. John shrugged, a movement Wanda noticed. She turned and looked sternly at her long standing boyfriend, even after all the years she never agreed to wed him. “What do you know John?!”, Wanda demanded. “I don’t know shit. I get the feeling, which maybe I’m wrong on this but the rest of us original Acolytes get. That you treat us like mushrooms. Keep us in the dark and feed us shit.”, John replied absent-mindedly playing with his lighter. “Will you stop that…”, Wanda demanded reaching for the lighter. John pulled the lighter back the flames forming around his fist. “You get to take a lot from my luv but don’t touch my lighter…”, John warned. “Who took my book John?”, Wanda repeated. “Why don’t you figure it out. You’re a smart sheila.”, John said closing the lighter and tucking it into his pocket walking out of the room. Wanda shook with anger and pulled at her long brown hair. Lorna sighed and gave her sister a side hug. “Calm down Wanda. John has egged you on since the day you met. It’s his obnoxious character that you love. But he’s right, you can figure it out.”, Loran said trying to be the good big sister. Wanda took a few deep breaths and nodded. “Don’t you have like a tracking spell or gps type deal on that book?”, Kim questioned not realizing that by suggesting this she was going to send Wanda off to fight her eldest child.

Wanda nodded. “You’re right Kim. I can track it. And when I find out who dared to take my book, I’ll kill them.”, Wanda said storming out of the room and rushed down the stairs grabbing her jacket. She paused and looked back up the stairs to Lorna and Kim who’d followed behind her. “You all stay here. If this was just the first strike against us I need you all here ready to take on whoever is stupid enough to attack the Academy.”, Wanda instructed slipping her jacket on. She held out her hand and softly spoke, “Orbis terrarium, mihi librum. Inimicum meum mihi. ( Map of the world, show me my book. Show me my enemy.)” As soon as the spell was spoken a map formed on her hand showing a pulsing dot in the park which then faded to show the group of kids including her own sons. Wanda clenched her hand the image disappearing before Lorna or Kim could see. “Treason….”, she growled as she raced out the door leaving Lorna and Kim and all the other Acolytes wondering what was happening. Kim starting to think about what John had said about Wanda treating them like mushrooms, keeping them in the dark and feeding them shit.

Back at the park Billy was focused on only the book, his hands gripping Solangel and Rose’s. “Ostende mihi januam. Aperi velamen. Afferte eum. (Show me the door. Open the veil. Bring him forth)”, Billy started chanting. He almost lost his focus as the ground began to shake. Tommy glanced to his brother. “Was that you bro?”, Tommy asked. Billy shook his head no as he continued to chant. “Well shit that means it was mom.”, Tommy said with a sigh. Aurelia also felt the ground shake and she quickly moved wanting to cut Wanda off before she could reach the children. Landon looked to the others who were all looking to him. “We got this guys. We’ve been training our whole lives, we can do this we just gotta work together.”, Landon encouraged. Cora Lee nodded. “Alright, if you think we can do this…then we got this.”, Cora Lee said trying to force confidence. Ashley and Lily each took a deep breath getting themselves ready for what was to come. If Landon believed they could do this than that’s what mattered. There was a good reason that they defaulted to have him be their leader. He was always so confident and it was contagious. He believed in them and thus they believed in themselves.

As Wanda drew closer to park she decided to make sure she was prepared. She stopped outside the boundaries of the park and closed her eyes holding out her hands. It was a good thing she remembered some spells from her book. “Effingo. (Duplicate)”, she said firmly as four copies split out two at each side of her. Wanda knew her copies weren’t going to be able to fight anyone, they were essential holograms. But she would help her search he park and if necessary be a distraction while she went for her book. She still couldn’t believe her own sons had taken her book and were helping the X-Men brats. Which made her wonder what exactly where they doing? What spell was Billy casting? Why would they be helping their enemy? It didn’t make any sense. She’d been training them for years to fight the exact kids they were helping. It hurt her the most that Billy was part of this. He was her protégé, she had been grooming him to take over the leadership of the Acolytes. Yet here he was helping the people she was grooming him to take on? If she wasn’t so angry she’d be heartbroken that her sons would betray her like this. She looked to her copies and nodded as the five of them split up heading into the park to find the book and the children.

As they started to draw closer one of her copies realized she was being watched. Aurelia pounced from behind some pushes tackling what she thought was Wanda to the ground. But as the copy hit the ground it disappeared. Aurelia growled, her claws digging into the ground. ‘She copied herself..They aren’t solid but they sure smell like her…’ Aurelia thought angrily to herself. She sniffed the air catching the scent again and raced off hoping this time it was the real Wanda and not another copy. The real Wanda was close in on the book and her children, her mind racing trying to think about how she wanted to approach this. Maybe should could get her sons back on her side and have them turn against Landon and his group. She hadn’t planned on taking Landon down this early, but best to nip the issue in the butt now rather than later when he’d gained enough followers. So as she started to close in she made up her mind that tonight she would rid herself of Landon and strike a blow to the X-Men. Wanda and her three remaining copies decided to try and play a mind game with the kids and begin to cackle loudly, and since it was coming from four directions it seemed to surround them.

Billy tried to tune out his mother’s laughter and just continued to chant the spell. A deep purple aura starting to pulse around him and a blue started to form around Solangel as he tapped into her strength. The sky above them seemed to start to rumble the light from Billy and Solangel shooting up creating a blue/purple cloud over their heads. Tommy looked back to his brother quickly put otherwise his eyes kept darting around them trying to figure out where his mother was. Landon looked up at the cloud storming above them and just really hoped that it was a sign the spell was nearly done. Having Logan to fight alongside them would make him feel a hell of a lot better about this scenario. Sure he had faith in himself and his friends but this was Wanda they were going up against. He just had to keep believing that their combined strength was enough to take her on and at the least hold her off till the spell was complete. He just hoped that he lived long enough to see this to the end. To see Logan return and to complete his ‘mission’.

Aurelia continued trying to track down the right Wanda and getting frustrated when it was just a copy that disappeared laughing at her under her claws. She’d waited fifteen years to sink her claws into Wanda and she would not be denied tonight. Not when she was so close to getting Logan back. No she wouldn’t let Wanda ruin this. She knew eventually she’d get to the real Wanda, she just hoped it was before Wanda got to the kids. Little did Aurelia know she was already too late. The real Wanda had found the kids and stepped into the clearing. “Thomas Pietro Maximoff! William Erik Maximoff! What do you think you are doing?”, Wanda demanded. Billy squeezed his eyes closed tightly, his hands gripping Solangel and Rose not wanting to lose his focus as he continued the chant. Wanda looked to Billy listening to the chant. “Who are you trying to bring forth?”, she demanded. “We won’t let you stop this mom. We have to right what you did.”, Thomas said moving to stand between his own mother and the others. Everyone eyes were focused on Wanda but Billy who refused to look at her. Rose was shaking with anger a growl permeating from her knowing she couldn’t just leap out at attack her for what she had done.

“What are you talking about?”, Wanda demanded reaching to grab Tommy’s arm. Tommy moved back fast enough that she almost stumbled not being able to grasp him. “We know what you did. We know everything you did mom. Everything you had our dad do. Everything you had the other Acolytes do. We know you attacked the Institute. And we know that Wolverine isn’t dead. And we will bring him back to this dimension.”, Tommy said never stopping as he moved in circles around his mom keeping out of her reach. “YOU’RE DOING WHAT!?”, Wanda yelled raising a hand and firing a hex ball through them at Billy. It however didn’t get through the shield Atif taking a deep breath clenching his fist to maintain the shield after it took the hit. “You heard Tommy. We are going to set Logan free. We are going to right some wrongs.”, Landon said stepping forward. Wanda spun to look at Landon hate in her eyes. “I will not let that happen.”, Wanda warned and she moved to attack Landon. “NOO..”, Ashley yelled raising her arms and the water rushed forward hitting Wanda with as much force as Ashley could muster slamming Wanda away from Landon and into the bushes. “Thanks for the save…”, Landon said moving away from the bushes but keeping his eyes forward waiting for her to jump out and attack.

And it was a good thing he kept his eyes on Wanda. Wanda gathered herself and carefully reached for the knife in her boot, but remembered Crow’s daughter was out there and she was a metal manipulator. “Hoc ferro ab oculis abscondere (Hide this blade from prying eyes)”, she whispered running her hand along the knife. She smiled trusting in her spell to hide the metal of the blade from Crow’s daughter at least long enough for her to eliminate Landon. Gripping the handle with her right hand she leapt from the bushes, grabbing Landon with her left and slamming him into a tree. “You’ll die before I allow Wolverine to walk this earth.”, Wanda declared the knife inches from Landon’s throat. “LANDON!!!!”, Cora Lee yelled. Cora Lee trying to figure out how a knife of all things got past her, kicking herself for now sensing it and now it was pointed at her brother’s throat. Landon smiled bringing his hands up to block her, grabbing the blade his both hands, forcing his elbow into her face. “Good luck with that. I don’t die easy..”, Landon grunted wincing a little as the Wanda twisted the blade against his palms. He could feel blood pooling and see it starting to run down his arm. Landon closed his eyes having to put all his focus into what he was about to do. “D…D..Daylilies…”, Landon said. To his and Wanda’s surprise the knife turned into a half dozen bouquet of yellow daylilies stained with blood. Wanda dropped the flowers stepping back in surprise. “You…you shouldn’t…you can’t do something like that..”, Wanda stammered caught off guard. Landon slid down the tree breathing heavy and raised his head to look at Wanda the same smug grin most attributed to his father on his lips. “I’m…full….of…surprises bitch..”, Landon managed to say.

Everyone was stunned seeing the knife become daylilies. Landon had never been able to take something completely inorganic and change it into something else. As Wanda moved to attack him again figuring he was weakened now Cora Lee held out her hands focusing on every bit of metal on Wanda and even the natural metals in her blood to hold her back. “Leave my brother ALONE!”, Cora Lee yelled. Lily held out her arms focusing to use her telekinesis to hold Wanda back. “We won’t let you hurt him.”, Lily stated. Ashley rushed over and went to help Landon up while Cora Lee and Lily held Wanda back. “Shit Landon. You’re bleeding..”, Ashley said frowning. “I know. The tie. Just use my tie..”, Landon said. Ashley nodded removing his tie and tearing it in half. She wrapped each half around his hands to try and stop the bleeding. Aurelia had heard the yells and started racing back to the kids but stopped, staying back as she saw it seemed like they had it under control. Ashley helped Landon up to his feet. “How did you?”, Ashley asked looking to the blood stained daylilies. “Lots and lots of training.”, Landon said leaning against the tree trying to regain his strength. “I will not lose to a bunch of children!”, Wanda yelled. As she filled with rage her power started to bubble over. A purple light started to form before shooting out.

Without thinking Landon grabbed Ashley and pinned her to the tree so he was between her and the blast. Lucky for all of them it wasn’t actually a hex blast. Instead it just sent everyone falling back. Cora Lee and Lily lost their holds on her when they fell back. Tommy was blasted into the bushes. Atif knelt on the ground but kept his focus on the shield so neither Billy, Solangel and Rose were impacted. Landon took the full force slamming against Ashley before falling to the ground. Ashley was the only one left standing. Wanda looked around her brow furrowed as she saw the shield was still up. Her eyes moved to Atif realizing he was the source. She started to form a hex ball staring Atif down. Atif couldn’t move or the shield would fall. “You…I remove you then I can end this foolishness and get my book back.”, Wanda said starting to take aim. “NOOOO!!!”, Ashley yelled holding her arms out and blasting her with water again. She didn’t have as much to put into as before so Wanda only skidded rather than being sent flying. The hex ball was released and missed Atif by a matter of inches. “I won’t miss again..” Wanda declared forming another hex ball. Tommy managed to get to his feet and rush to be in between Wanda and Atif. “NO Mother!”, Tommy declared. Wanda sneered. “You would protect him? A X-men?”, Wanda said angrily. “Yes. I will protect him with my life if necessary. I won’t let you hurt the boy my brother loves.”, Tommy said remaining firm. “LOVE!?”, Wanda yelled glaring past Tommy to Atif. She raised the hex ball ready to fire. “You’d really do it? You’d go through your own son? Well fine if that’s how you want to be.”, Tommy said lunging at his mother forcing her to the ground. The Hex ball shot off into the woods, just missing Aurelia. “TOMMY!”, Lily yelled moving to get to her feet.

Tommy was busy grappling with his own mother. “FINISH THE SPELL BILLY!!!”, Tommy pleaded as he tried to keep his mother down. Wanda managed to pin Tommy down and was about to actually strike her own son when the large red wolf leapt from the bushes and grabbed Wanda by the jacket pulling her off Tommy and starting to drag her to the forest. Aurelia had to keep telling herself not to kill her. Not to kill Wanda in front of the kids, not to kill her in front of Tommy or Billy. Tommy scrambled to his feet moving back sure his Mother wouldn’t be out done by a wolf. Rose could feel a pain in her hands as she watched unable to do anything to help her friends and now she couldn’t even do anything as her mom pulled Wanda away. Billy tried to tune everything out continuing to chant. The swirling cloud above started to rumble with thunder and streaks of lightening started to come down. Wanda knew the spell was almost complete, she had to stop it. “Back off wolf. We had this dance once before and it didn’t go well for you then and won’t now.”, Wanda said rolling and kicking as well as punching at Aurelia. Aurelia wasn’t’ able to maintain her grip as Wanda slipped out of her jacket and got up rushing back to where the kids were. She started to gather another hex ball ready to take out Atif and remove that shield.

Everyone was getting themselves up, their party clothes not only dirty but torn in places. “Do you think Aurelia will be able to hold her off long enough?”, Ashley asked looking to Cora Lee and Lily. Both girls shrugged uncertain. Landon was the only one who saw Wanda across the clearing. He saw that she was looking at Atif. Landon used the tree to pull himself up and with every ounce of strength he had left and moved to stand in front of Atif his arms stretched out, the pure white tie stained with red from his hands. “You’ll have to go through me.”, Landon stated. Wanda laughed stepping out. “Happily. You can a young martyr…”, Wanda said drawing back her hex ball. In the same moment Billy’s grip on Solangel and Rose released as he fell back blacking out from using so much power. He wasn’t alone in collapsing Solangel did as well. Rose wanted to move to stop Landon from getting killed, but her strength wasn’t there after being part of the spell she just didn’t have it in her. As Wanda was about to release her hex ball the kids all froze looking past her. A almost long forgotten snikt came from behind Wanda and she felt six points on her back being pressed against by something sharp.

Description
At John’s house it was a rare night of actually being alone. With young James at the institute the prospect of a night alone with Sarael had enticed John to agree to allow Rachel to go to the club till 2am. He and Sarael had already opened a bottle of wine and had glasses poured enjoying the final hours of the year on their sofa. Time and age had not dulled any amount of passion that had originally sparked between them when they first met. Sarael was comfortably seated on John’s lap her lips locked on his. They’d been enjoying their evening for a while now, his usually well kept hair was now lose around his shoulders his once pressed button up had over half its button’s undone or broken off and wrinkled. John’s hands were working their way up the back of her shirt ready to just remove it completely when a knock came from the door. Sarael pulled back rubbing her lips together. “What was that?”, she asked in a whisper. John groaned sighing a little. “It was the door. Let’s ignore it and maybe they will go away.”, John replied tightening his grip to keep her close. Sarael smiled shaking her head as John started kissing up her neck. But the knock turned to a pounding. “I’m going to answer it. It sounds urgent.”, Sarael said pulling back and wiggling free from John’s arms to get off the couch. She grabbed her glass of wine and fixed her shirt, not bothering to try and smooth her messy hair as she headed to the door. John growled a little. “So much for no interruptions..”, he grumbled starting to try and fix his shirt.

Sarael pulled open the door and blinked in surprise as standing there still in his suit was Landon. She looked past him and could see the other kids, also in their party clothes climbing out of the van. “Landon?”, Sarael questioned. “I’m sorry to disturb you at such a late hour and on a holiday, Mrs. H. But is Mr. Howlett here? We need to speak to him, now.”, Landon explained. John heard Sarael say ‘Landon’ and sighed getting up.. He stepped out behind Sarael and looked to Landon. “What’s going on? Rachel isn’t here Landon. She should be at the club…which aren’t you supposed to be performing there? Is Rachel alright? Is Xavier alright?”, John questioned holding his shirt closed in the middle where Sarael had managed to break buttons off. “I know where Rachel is sir. Rachel and Xavier are fine. They are at the club with Bianca, Blaire, Hope, and Gabriel. But we need to talk to you now. It’s life or death level urgent. So can we come in or shall we discuss this on the porch?”, Landon asked holding up his tablet. John looked past Landon to see the other kids, all in their party clothes behind him. “Hi Uncle John.”, Rose greeted. John raised an eyebrow now a different kind of worried because why would all of the team leaders be at his doorstep still wearing their club clothes. Then beyond them in the bushed he spotted red fire. “Aurelia?”, he questioned.

Aurelia transformed and walked up to the porch. “It’s time we have a talk with the kids. You need to listen to them.”, Aurelia encouraged. Sarael stepped out of the door way. “Come in kids. It’s cold out there.”, Sarael said waving them into the house. “Thanks Mrs. H.”, Landon said walking inside followed by the others. Aurelia closed the door after being the last to walk inside. Sarael looked to Atif and Ashley who were holding each other their eyes bloodshot and their cheeks stained with tears. “Are you two alright? What’s happening?”, Sarael questioned. “So someone tell me what’s going on.”, John questioned folding his arms across his chest. Landon looked to Atif and Ashley who nodded turning away. “Simple sir we need answers to this.”, Landon said playing the video. Sarael nearly dropped her wine glass as she went to cover her mouth, turning her head away not wanting to see what happened. She’d known what had happened at the school that night but to see it and to be told about it were very different. John sighed looking over the faces of the children and then to Aurelia who nodded. Landon turned the video off. “So we know the FOH didn’t burn our school Pyro did. And where there’s a Pyro there are other Acolytes. Where were they? Because this video doesn’t tell us why my dad and Lily’s mom stopped talking. It doesn’t tell us what really happened to Logan. Because the FOH sure the hell didn’t hit him with a hex ball. Please sire. You are the person we were told to bring this to. That you’d be the one that would give us the truth and not worry about what Duncan would think. So please sir tell us.”, Landon requested.

“They split up.”, Sarael blurted out. The kids turned to look at her, they’d been uncertain if she’d been in on the secret like Azriel but that confirmed it she was. John sighed. “Scarlet Witch planned her attack well. She split her team up to hit everyone at the same time and used military troops provided by her then president sister. As you saw on the video Pyro and a large troop attacked the school. They took Sadria, Mia, Max, Mary, Meghan and Allison from the school. Dumb and Dumber, Adien and Blake, tried to get Kurt and Isis. Thankfully Kurt was able to get Isis out unharmed. They ended up in the old cold war era bunker under the school along with any of the children Duncan was able to save that night.”, John explained. “What about my mother? What about my step-father?”, Lily questioned. John sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Christian attacked Mikali and Annai taking them both prisoner.”, John explained before looking to Aurelia. “Pretender and a group of military guys came for Logan and I. Logan forced me to run while he held them off. I made it to the school and to the bunker, but Logan didn’t. Pretender took him.”, Aurelia said her voice shaking with renewed anger. Lily froze tears forming in her eyes. Cora Lee and Rose grabbed Lily as she looked like she was about to collapse. “So that’s why. That’s why you hate my mom and why you hate my siblings. Did I get a pass because I chose Demitri and to be an X-Men?”, Lily asked looking to Aurelia and John. John shook his head. “I’ve never hated you or your siblings for the actions of your mother. I admit I hate her for taking my little brother away from me. I hate Scarlet Witch more because she took his away forever. Any issues I have with your siblings are because of their own actions. I would never allow a grudge against a parent affect my view of their children.”, John said trying to assure Lily.

“Alright so reason you guys hate Kim explained. Doesn’t explain why my dad would. I know my history and I know there was no love loss between my dad and Logan. And yeah he’d be mad about Uncle Mikali but he’s Haven he can’t take a side like that. So tell me why my dad got involved in this.”, Landon demanded. Sarael sighed and looked at Landon. “Because Adien and Blake took Aislinn and despite knowing about it and knowing where Aislinn was Kim and Christian said nothing and did nothing.”, Sarael explained. Landon and Cora Lee looked at her both stunned at this news. “They took our mom?”, they said in unison. “Those fucking..I’ll rip them apart…”, Cora Lee said getting angry. “But why? Why would Wanda make that kind of move? It’s beyond stupid. The Haven is neutral you don’t declare war against the neutral house.”, Landon said shaking his head. “I mean my dad and Demitri alone are powerful enough to not be messed with. And Aunt Solangel…Christ you don’t mess with Aunt Solangel.”, Landon said shaking his head. He was a strategist and nothing about that move made any sense. “The Acolytes never knew and I don’t think even now know the extent of Solangel’s power. But as you said your dad and Demitri are powerful. Wanda wanted them on her side. Your dad told her no.”, John explained. “They took your mom as leverage, you’re right it was a bad plan. But they didn’t seem to realize you take someone people care about you don’t get their allegiance you get their ire.”, Aurelia stated.

“It was after they took Aislinn that your dad and the others at the Haven stepped in. He found the bunker and demanded to be part of whatever counter attack we were planning.”, Aurelia stated. “Scarlet Witch had split the hostages up into different prisons. At each location there was either collars, drugs or a force field that was designed to prevent mutant powers from being used. At the prisons the hostages, for the most part, were tortured for information. We ended up having people on the inside to help us gain the intell needed to take them down.”, John explained. Aurelia nodded. “The Delaney triplets had been called back to service. But, well when they saw what was happening they couldn’t be part of it. The oldest..Darren well he spoke out. Scarlet Witch beheaded him for treason. Azriel and Colby were mourning him when I came to them for help. To honor their brother and to save lives they agreed to help us. They gave us the layouts they told us who was being held where.”, Aurelia explained. Atif started to cry, covering his face. “Oh my god. Darren? Our Uncle? The man our little brother is named for? Oh god. How do I explain to Billy? How do I tell him that his dad killed mine? How do I tell him his mom beheaded my Uncle? That she was responsible for all these atrocities?”, Atif sobbed. Ashley hugged her brother tightly.

“Duncan planned a rescue mission. We split up into teams of three or four…for the most part.”, John explained. “The Hamilton sisters went after Christian to rescue Mikali and Max. The Kearney brothers went with Duncan and Azriel, who insisted on going, to save Meghan and Sadria from Pretender. Pretender never touched or drugged Sadria, just kept her in a room where her powers couldn’t be used outside of. So when it came time and she was set free…well Atif and Ashley you both helped your mom defeat Pretender. Azriel I believe described it as the most epic and terrifying thing he’d ever seen a pregnant woman do. But I guess a pissed off Scottish woman would be enough cause to jump out of the way without adding pregnancy hormones.”, John continued. “Demitri, Justin, and Scott took on Pyro to rescue Annai and Jean. Aurelia, Colby and I went to save James, Allison, Warren, and Mary. David refused to have any x-men go with him. He took just Solangel to take on Adien and Blake to get Aislinn back and on the way save Mia. Kurt played transport while Isis stayed with the remaining students and helped Kisa as injured hostages were brought home from being rescued.”, John continued sighing a little.

“Colby went into the prison to find the hostages. Leaving John and I on the roof to fight the soldiers. Having Bubbles at his full size helped a lot. Colby found Logan, who was weak from not having his healing and being poisoned by the adamantium and the torture Scarlet Witch put him through. Logan told Colby to save the others and chose to make his way to the roof to find John and I. Colby was able to find and rescue Warren who’s wings had been cut off, Allison and Mary who’d both been beaten and tortured. We’d taken out the generator that stopped the mutant powers. But it hadn’t been out long enough for Logan to fully recover. He found us on the roof fighting Scarlet Witch. Even in his weakened state he did everything he could to protect us. All around the prisons the Acolytes were losing. Scarlet Witch didn’t want to lose. She decided to change the outcome with her powers. John and I were knocked down when she started to form her hex ball. Despite barely being able to stand Logan put himself between her and us taking the hit.”, Aurelia said starting to tear as she relived the memory. John moved and put his arm around Aurelia’s shoulders knowing how much thinking back to that night hurt. “Solangel apparently heard Scarlet Witch’s little speech to her team saying she was going to change things. Solangel tried to counter it with her powers. James was hit by Scarlet Witch’s power in the chest and then as Solangel’s powers made it to where we were he was hit in the back. When the light faded James was gone and so was Scarlet Witch just very scared and confused FOH were around us.”, John explained. “Solangel saved our memories but she couldn’t save James.”, John said hanging his head.

Landon and the others all listened their eyes wide. Rose found herself starting to tear as the tale of Logan was told. “Where was I? I was two when this happened. If dad, Aunt Solangel and Uncle Demitri all went where was I?”, Landon questioned. “You were with me.”, Sarael explained. “Before they left your dad brought you to me with a notarized letter saying if anything happened to him you were to stay in my care.”, Sarael stated. “You probably don’t remember you were still so young. You screamed and cried trying to pull out of my arms when your dad walked away. I think part of you somehow knew he might not come back to you.”, Sarael said softly. Landon nodded. “Alright so Solangel saved your memories and from what we’ve gotten from Billy only Wanda remembers out of the acolytes. So we now know what happened and we can’t correct it all but we are going to fix the one big thing we can. Billy said he needed power right?”, Landon said looking to Atif. Atif nodded still sniffling. “Then we give him power. Solangel’s power helped put Logan there so we get her to help bring him back.”, Landon stated. John looked at them confused. “Wait what? Billy? Bring back James? What are you going on about?”, John questioned.

Landon looked back to John. “Billy Maxmioff. He’s Atif’s boyfriend and he’s helping us. He’s the one that was able to get to the limbo dimension that Wanda and Solangel’s combined powers created and put Logan into. So we plan to steal Wanda’s spell book and bring Logan back.”, Landon stated simply. John blinked in disbelief. “My brother is alive? He’s going to be brought back to us?”, John questioned hope in his voice. “Yes that’s the plan sir. We bring Rose’s dad back tonight.”, Landon said glancing to his watch. “Alright so here’s the plan. Atif you text Billy tell him we will meet wherever and we’ll be brining the power he asked for. Cora Lee and Rose go get Aunt Solangel. Then come find the rest of us.”, Landon said. Atif nodded grabbing his phone sending the text ‘We’re ready. Meet at our usually place. We’ll bring the power’. Cora lee nodded taking Rose’s arm. “But..”, Rose said wanting to go with Landon and the others. “Go with my sister. Between the two of you you’ll convince Aunt Solangel to help and you’ll be able to track us down to know where to find us.”, Landon encouraged. Rose nodded and headed out the door with Cora Lee making a b-line for the Haven to find Solangel. “So where are we going Atif?”, Landon asked. “The park. We have a spot we meet there.”, Atif said. “Alright let’s go then.”, Landon said heading for the door.

Aurelia moved to stand in the doorway. “You aren’t leaving without me. Scarlet Witch isn’t going to just sit by and do nothing while you steal her book and undo what she did to Logan. I can’t let you face her.”, Aurelia declared. Landon sighed and took a big risk and literally grabbed Aurelia lifting her up and setting her out of the way. “I’m sorry professor but you all gave up this fight fifteen years ago. It’s ours now.”, Landon said simply heading for the van. Lily, Atif and Ashley blinked waiting for Aurelia to chase after Landon and tear him apart but she seemed as shocked as they were. Lily rushed out after her cousin and Ashley and Atif started past Aurelia. Aurelia grabbed Atif’s shoulder. “You kids can’t fight Scarlet Witch and win…. I know you kids are strong and such but..”, Aurelia said. Atif sighed and placed his hand over Aurelia’s. “Professor fate is what it is. Trust me if I could change this I would. And no matter how much respect we have for you, we follow Landon.”, Atif said lifting her hand up and walking out with his twin and climbing into the van to drive to the park. As he sat down he thought about what he’d discussed with Billy about how Wanda saw Landon as a threat, as their generations Xavier. And as he thought about how despite how much respect he has for Aurelia when it came to listening to her or Landon without a second thought he followed Landon. He looked to the front seat and the serious look on Landon’s face and understood it. He’d follow Landon to the gates of hell and tonight that just might happen.

Back at the club as his phone buzzed Billy quickly pulled it from his pocket. “Alright Atif’s ready and apparently bringing the power I need. Tommy let’s put your gastro powers to the test.”, Billy said putting the phone away. Tommy nodded and let his body start to go limp, putting and arm around his twin’s neck and his cousin’s for ‘support’. Malcolm shook his head and sighed. “We all know this is basically suicide right?”, Malcolm asked. “We know. And so does Atif’s group.”, Billy said. “As long as we are all on the same page. Let’s go.”, Malcolm said as he and Billy carefully ‘helped’ Tommy inside. “Guys we need to go. Tommy is sick. You all stay and enjoy the party.”, Billy said as the other Academy kids looked at them. Josalyn and Emma both raised an eyebrow suspicious. “Really?”, Emma questioned folding her arms. “Rea…rea…rea..”, Tommy started before forcing himself to throw up at Emma’s feet. “Really.”, he finished. “Ewww…”, Emma shrieked stepping back. “Get him out of here.”, Emma said pointing to the door. “We’ll get him home and make sure he’s okay and if possible we’ll come back.”, Malcolm said heading for the door with Tommy and Billy. Merrick watched suspicious since this was happening after he found out two of the three were secretly dating x-men, x-men who happened to have rushed out of the club without warning. He wanted to know what was going on, but felt it probably in his and their best interest if he stayed put. Whatever was going on he knew something big was happening. The remaining institute kids seemed confused, but Rachel. Rachel didn’t look confused, now her expression showed worry and smell of fear flowed from her. So whatever was going down it wasn’t good, this much he was certain of.

Once they were far enough away from the club the cousins split up. “You know what to do right Malcolm?”, Billy asked. Malcolm nodded. “You or Tommy text me saying it’s go time. I fry the transformer which is two blocks over but will take out the power for the Academy as well as the whole neighborhood. That gives Tommy maybe five minutes to get in and out of the Academy with the book before the generator is turned on and Aunt Wanda realizes the book is gone and goes psycho and gets on the war path.”, Malcolm said going over the plan. “Exactly. Once Tommy has the book and Landon’s team brings the extra power I need I find and say the spell and hopefully get Logan free before mom finds us and kills us all.”, Billy said with a less than confident smile. “If you need me..I can come. I can help more than this. I’m not afraid to strike Aunt Wanda to protect one of you and I wouldn’t hesitate if it’s Cora Lee she’s going to harm.”, Malcolm offered. Billy shook his head. “You can’t help in person. I don’t want Aunt Lorna, Uncle Vin, Kevin or Larissa to be punished for this. And no matter how much you care about us or about Cora Lee you have to keep them safe. Tommy and I know that doing this we are picking the people we love over our mom. We know this might kill us or at the least we’ll never be allowed back. But if we succeed mom isn’t going to just let it go. We will need someone in the Academy walls to know what’s going on to be prepared for when she does decide to strike if she doesn’t end this tonight. So for our sakes, for Cora Lee’s stay out of it and be our eyes and ears on the inside.”, Billy said placing his hands on his cousin’s shoulders before hugging him. Malcolm nodded. “Alright. You’re the boss after all. Good luck guys.”, Malcolm said starting for his destination. “We are sure we want to do this?”, Tommy asked. Billy nodded. “Alright let’s go bro.”, Tommy said grabbing his twin and in a blur was gone heading for the park.

Over at the Haven Solangel was ready to enjoy some serious alone time with Jacob. She closed the door as Aislinn headed out with Morpheus to meet up with David to celebrate the new year and listen to the kids play. As she locked the door Solangel turned a smile on her lips as she saw Jacob standing at the bottom of the stairs shirtless and waiting. “So are we actually alone?”, Jacob questioned. Solangel bit at her bottom lip nodding as she closed the gap between them. She brought a hand around to the back of his neck, her fingers slipping into his dark black hair tugging ever so slightly. “Yes we are alone at last.”, she said pulling him into her kissing him. Jacob wrapped his arms around her and scooped her up off the ground to carry her upstairs to their room. Solangel giggled. “Now that’s one way to sweep a brownie off her feet.”, she whispered kissing at his ear as they headed for the bedroom. Jacob carefully opened the bedroom and laid Solangel down onto the bed starting to kiss along her neck. Solangel tightened her legs on him and flipped him over to his back bringing his arms up where unknown to him cuffs were waiting and clicked around his wrists. “Really?”, he questioned tugging to get his hands free. Solangel sat up on him grinning. “Yes really. You’re mine tonight.”, she grinned starting to pull off her shirt when the bedroom door opened.

“Oh Christ…”, Cora Lee said covering her eyes. Solangel let go of her shirt and turned to glare at the door. “Someone better be dying or else you going to be dying.”, Solangel said glaring. Jacob leaned to just look around Solangel and groan. “Seriously what happened to alone time?”, Jacob said frowning. “I’m super super sorry Aunt Solangel and Uncle Jacob. But Landon needs you, we all need you Aunt Solangel. We’ve unlocked the secret.”, Cora Lee said still keeping her eyes covered. Solangel’s eyes went wide. “Crap. Just hold..for mmm..one minute..”, Solangel said leaning down kissing Jacob’s shoulder before climbing off the bed and stepping into the hall closing the door, leaving Jacob still cuffed to the headboard. “So you know the truth what do you need me for? And this had really better be good. I had some major fun plans for tonight.”, Solangel asked looking from Cora Lee to Rose. “Logan is alive. Apparently your powers and Scarlet Bitch’s combined and put him in some limbo for the last fifteen years. We have a plan to save him but we need your powers to do it.”, Rose stated. “See this is really important. We could bring Logan back. Rose could have her dad.”, Cora Lee said putting on her best big eyes puppy look. Solangel looked from Cora Lee to Rose and sighed. “Alright fine. I’ve felt terrible for fifteen years that I might have had a hand in what happened to him and I could undo it. So I do this then my debt to the Howlett family is repaid. Maybe I can look Aurelia in the eyes again. But we make this quick because again I have plannnsss.”, Solangel said placing emphasis on the plans. Cora Lee and Rose shook their heads not wanting to think about it. “Yes yes. You aren’t the only one with plans getting interrupted. We were playing a gig. So we’ll get you back to Uncle Jacob as fast as we can.”, Cora Lee agreed. “Fine. Give me a minute.”, Solangel said slipping back into the bedroom and putting on her boots. “Where are you going?”, Jacob asked. Solangel sighed looking at him. She leaned over giving him a kiss and unlocking his hands. “We’ll play more later. Right now I’ve got SMB to handle. I promise full disclosure and full nudity if and when I get back.”, Solangel said with a wink. Jacob sat up and ran a hand through her blue hair and kissed her lips. “When. Never let me hear you say ‘if’, Angel.”, Jacob said. Solangel nodded. “Fine when I get back.”, Solangel said getting up and leaving Jacob alone in the bed.

Tommy and Billy arrived at the park first, give Tommy’s speed. “So this is where you meet up with Atif huh?”, Tommy asked casually. Billy sighed shaking his head. “Yes but we don’t really need to focus on that right now thank you.”, Billy countered. Tommy shrugged. “Alright just killing time till they get here and this party can really ‘fun’ begins.”, Tommy joked. Landon parked the van and followed Atif through the park to the spot. None of them realized that Aurelia had followed them and was sitting downwind from them in the bushes. Aurelia kept her eyes on Tommy and Billy still not certain how much she trusted the sons of Scarlet Witch. As they got closer to the clearing Atif spotted Billy and ran to him hugging him tightly. Billy grunted a little before wrapping his arms around Atif. “It’s alright. I’m here. It’s going to be alright.”, Billy said trying to assure Atif. Atif pulled back looking at him tears still in his eyes. “What’s wrong? What did you guys learn?”, Billy asked. Ashley walked into the clearing. “Oh just that your father kidnapped our mom while she was pregnant with us, then killed our dad. Oh and your mom beheaded our stepdad’s triplet Darren for not wanting to torture innocent mutants she had her acolytes take hostage and torture for information.”, Ashley said disdain in her tone though not directed at them because she knew it wasn’t really Tommy or Billy’s fault. Lily ran into the clearing and rushed to Tommy hugging him tightly. “We finally know why Demitri and David stopped talking to my mom. Adien and Blake kidnapped Aislinn as leverage against the Haven and my mom and Christian knew about it yet did nothing.”, Lily said. Tommy hugged her. “It’ll be alright. If your mom doesn’t remember it happened maybe with the truth out we can fix it.”, Tommy suggested comforting her. Aurelia relaxed a little watching the body language between the Maximoff boys and her two ‘pups’ she could tell that they really cared about them.

Landon was the last to walk into the clearing he looked to Billy hugging Atif and then to Tommy hugging Lily and took a deep breath. He would deal with those situations after this was done. “Why’s Tommy here?”, Landon asked. “I’m helping. Unless you know someone who’s faster than me and knows the layout of the academy like the back of his hand.”, Tommy explained. Landon nodded. “Alright. So you have a plan for getting the book then?”, Landon asked. Billy kept one arm around Atif moving to face Landon. “Yes. There is going to be a black out in our neighborhood. Tommy will have five minutes to get in and out before the generation kicks on and mom notices her book her book is gone.”, Billy explained. “So where’s this power you said you were bringing?’, Billy asked. “Right here.”, Rose said walking into the clearing with Cora Lee and Solangel right behind her. Billy raised an eyebrow looking at Solangel. “Her? I don’t even know what her powers are. No one does..”, Billy said confused. Solangel grinned. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be. Hi I’m Solangel the overall secret weapon.”, Solangel greeted. “Surprise…Solangel is well to put it simply a reality warper supreme.”, Cora Lee said grinning. “Um alright.”, Billy said still uncertain. “Solangel is the person who countered your mom’s power fifteen years ago. It was the collision of their powers that created the limbo Logan got put into.”, Landon explained. Billy nodded. “Alright. So let’s start this then…”, Billy said. “Are you all prepared for what’s going to happen when our mom realizes that book is gone?”, Tommy asked. Landon nodded. “We know what’s coming. And we will fight her off while Billy does what he needs to. Are you two prepared for what’s going to happen?”, Landon countered. Tommy and Billy looked to each other before nodding. “Yes. What our mom did isn’t forgivable and if we can repent for her actions and even a little for what our dad did then we are in. Even if it means we’ll be out of the Academy.”, Billy stated.

Atif pulled away from Billy and grabbed Landon’s arm moving him away from the others to the bushes. He didn’t realize it was the same bushes Aurelia was behind. “Are you sure we should be doing this? I know saving Logan is important. But this could be the night my vision come true. Shouldn’t we tell the others? I mean this might be the last chance you have to say goodbye.”, Atif questioned concerned. Landon sighed placing his hands on Atif’s shoulders. “We are doing this. There is no going back. We bring Logan back tonight before this year is over. I realize this might be the night of the vision and I’m okay with that. I don’t see a point in telling the others. If it happens it happens.”, Landon said. “How can you be so calm? My vision shows me Wanda killing you. We are about to draw her wrath where she will come to kill. And you are calm?”, Atif questioned. Aurelia felt her heart stop for half a beat. That’s what they meant when they said they wished fate could be different. Atif saw Landon die at Wanda’s hands. Aurelia made up her mind he was going to die on her watch. Scarlet Witch wasn’t going to hurt any of the kids on her watch. “I’m clam because I’ve been preparing for this since you told me. I’m ready for this. I have faith in myself and all of you that we will win.”, Landon stated. “Now come on and lets’ doing something stupid.”, Landon said with a grin walking back to the others. “Alright let’s start this. Black out time.”, Landon said looking to Billy and Tommy. Tommy pulled out his cell phone tilting it just enough so Cora Lee could see the name ‘Malcolm’ on the contact list before sending the test ‘Black Out’. Cora Lee smiled a little glad that Malcolm was helping them, she just wondered how far he’d be going with helping, would he show up for the pending fight against his aunt.

Across town Malcolm had been waiting by the transformer, thankfully most people were out for the night so there wasn’t anyone to look at him weirdly as he stood there in the cold in dress clothes. He phone started to buzz and you quickly checked it. He put the phone away turning and placing his hands on the outside of the transformer and let the lightening form at his fingertips frying the transformer. He turned watching all the lights on the street and surrounding streets go out. He quickly texted back ‘Now’. Tommy’s phone buzzed and he nodded. “Time to run.”, he said giving Lily a quick kiss and in a flash he was out of sight. Tommy raced from the park making record time as he rushed into the Academy avoiding people the best he could in the darkness. “What’s going on?”, Wanda demanded. Kim looked out the window. “Apparently its’ a black out the whole neighborhood is dark.”, Kim yelled. “Someone go turn the generator on then!”, Wanda demanded. “I’ve got it.”, Christian called heading for the shed that held the generator. Tommy was counting the seconds in his head knowing his time was limited. He managed to avoid his mom as he rushed into her office skidding to a stop and grabbing her spell book off its stand. “Ahem..”, a familiar voice couched. Tommy froze and looked a small flame appeared and behind the flame was his father’s face. “Dad…”, Tommy said his heart felt like it was going to burst. “What ya doing?”, John asked. “Umm borrowing the book for Billy…”, Tommy admitted. John nodded. “Then you better move..”, John commented. Tommy blinked looking at his dad confused why he was getting off the hook. “Just tell your brother to stop borrowing my motorcycle.”, John commented. Tommy nodded and in a flash was gone and out of the house. John didn’t stop his son because for years now he’d had a feeling Wanda had been hiding something from him. It didn’t change how he felt about her, no he still loved the crazy bitch. It was her crazy bitchy ways that attracted him to her in the first place.

Landon was looking at his watch counting down waiting. “Five minutes are nearly up…”, Landon said as suddenly what felt like a gust of window rushed past him and went head first into the bushes. Tommy pulled himself out of the bushes spitting out twigs. “Sorry never ram that fast before…stopping was an issue.”, Tommy said out of breath holding up the book. Billy and Lily ran over. Billy taking the book and starting to flip through the pages trying to find the right spell. Lily hugged Tommy tightly. “Were you seen?”, Landon questioned. Tommy nodded. Landon’s eyes went wide and he started to shake his head. “It was just my dad though. He didn’t even care. He let me take the book and just asked I tell Billy to stop borrowing his motorcycle. It was weird. It was like he knew something was going down. He’s not going to tell her.”, Tommy assured. Billy found the spell. “Alright. Solangel and Rose I need you both.”, Billy said moving to a far spot where the trees could offer them some cover. Solangel and Rose followed Rose a little confused. Billy set the book down onto the snow and knelt reaching up grabbing Solangel’s hand with his left and Rose’s with his right pulling them both down to kneel with him. “I get why you need Solangel, you have to tap into her power. But why do you need me? I’d be better served helping the others fend off your mom when she gets here.”, Rose questioned. “I need a Howlett. You’re his daughter and thus that makes you his anchor. I can’t do the spell without you.”, Billy stated. Rose frowned. “But..what if I’m..what if I’m not his daughter…?”, she asked whispering. Billy looked at her confused. “First time I saw your dad he was watching you play outside at Hudson’s castle. I saw him tonight at the club where you were playing with your band. I don’t care what doubts you have about lineage. I just know he wouldn’t follow you if you weren’t his anchor.”, Billy stated before looking back to the book.

“Alright guys let’s get ready for this. We know she’s going to come so let’s be prepared. Atif I want you to put a shield up over them. No matter what Wanda doesn’t get to them.”, Landon said. “Tommy, Lily, Cora Lee, Ashley you are with me on defense. Get your game faces on because this isn’t a simulation.”, Landon instructed. Atif nodded and moved to stand closer to Billy, Solangel and Rose extending his right hand and putting up his shield to protect them. In the back of his mind he wished he could form two shields and protect Landon. But he couldn’t and no matter how much Landon meant to him as a friend he knew he had to protect the others first. Ashley nodded and kicked off her heels and extended her arms out drawing all the water from the snow that covered the ground they stood in, the water wrapping around her arms like tentacles ready for battle. She wished they had taken the time to grab their x-men uniforms before doing this, but she knew you didn’t always get a chance to change clothes before battle. Lily followed Ashley’s lead, fighting in heels was not going to work for her. She kicked off her shoes and stood ready to fight, a smile on her face as she looked to her right and knew that this time Tommy would be fighting on her side rather than against her. Cora Lee looked to her brother with a nod taking her heels off too and held out her hands her all her jewelry melted and formed into small balls that hovered in circles over her hands. She was ready to fight. Tommy took off his tie and tossed his jacket to the side, he didn’t want to fight his mom. But if she was going to try and hurt Billy or Lily he’d do it. Landon took a deep breath and removed his jacket hanging it from a branch on a tree. He kept reminding himself he was ready for this, he’d been training hard to face whatever was behind that purple light. He wished he’d known it was Wanda because he’d have upped his training intensity even further. He rolled up his sleeves and moved to a defensive stance and waited for the inevitable. He wasn’t going to go down without a fight and without taking her down with him, if he could help it.

At the Academy the generator was on and the lights were back. No one suspected that something was off, till Wanda went up to her office and started to scream causing the whole of Bayville to shake with her anger as her power flowed off her in shockwaves. John, Kim, and Lorna all rand down the hall. “What’s wrong?”, John asked casually. “My spell book. It’s missing…this black out was planned…”, Wanda said her face hardening with anger. “Who would want to steal your spell book?”, Kim asked. John shrugged, a movement Wanda noticed. She turned and looked sternly at her long standing boyfriend, even after all the years she never agreed to wed him. “What do you know John?!”, Wanda demanded. “I don’t know shit. I get the feeling, which maybe I’m wrong on this but the rest of us original Acolytes get. That you treat us like mushrooms. Keep us in the dark and feed us shit.”, John replied absent-mindedly playing with his lighter. “Will you stop that…”, Wanda demanded reaching for the lighter. John pulled the lighter back the flames forming around his fist. “You get to take a lot from my luv but don’t touch my lighter…”, John warned. “Who took my book John?”, Wanda repeated. “Why don’t you figure it out. You’re a smart sheila.”, John said closing the lighter and tucking it into his pocket walking out of the room. Wanda shook with anger and pulled at her long brown hair. Lorna sighed and gave her sister a side hug. “Calm down Wanda. John has egged you on since the day you met. It’s his obnoxious character that you love. But he’s right, you can figure it out.”, Loran said trying to be the good big sister. Wanda took a few deep breaths and nodded. “Don’t you have like a tracking spell or gps type deal on that book?”, Kim questioned not realizing that by suggesting this she was going to send Wanda off to fight her eldest child.

Wanda nodded. “You’re right Kim. I can track it. And when I find out who dared to take my book, I’ll kill them.”, Wanda said storming out of the room and rushed down the stairs grabbing her jacket. She paused and looked back up the stairs to Lorna and Kim who’d followed behind her. “You all stay here. If this was just the first strike against us I need you all here ready to take on whoever is stupid enough to attack the Academy.”, Wanda instructed slipping her jacket on. She held out her hand and softly spoke, “Orbis terrarium, mihi librum. Inimicum meum mihi. ( Map of the world, show me my book. Show me my enemy.)” As soon as the spell was spoken a map formed on her hand showing a pulsing dot in the park which then faded to show the group of kids including her own sons. Wanda clenched her hand the image disappearing before Lorna or Kim could see. “Treason….”, she growled as she raced out the door leaving Lorna and Kim and all the other Acolytes wondering what was happening. Kim starting to think about what John had said about Wanda treating them like mushrooms, keeping them in the dark and feeding them shit.

Back at the park Billy was focused on only the book, his hands gripping Solangel and Rose’s. “Ostende mihi januam. Aperi velamen. Afferte eum. (Show me the door. Open the veil. Bring him forth)”, Billy started chanting. He almost lost his focus as the ground began to shake. Tommy glanced to his brother. “Was that you bro?”, Tommy asked. Billy shook his head no as he continued to chant. “Well shit that means it was mom.”, Tommy said with a sigh. Aurelia also felt the ground shake and she quickly moved wanting to cut Wanda off before she could reach the children. Landon looked to the others who were all looking to him. “We got this guys. We’ve been training our whole lives, we can do this we just gotta work together.”, Landon encouraged. Cora Lee nodded. “Alright, if you think we can do this…then we got this.”, Cora Lee said trying to force confidence. Ashley and Lily each took a deep breath getting themselves ready for what was to come. If Landon believed they could do this than that’s what mattered. There was a good reason that they defaulted to have him be their leader. He was always so confident and it was contagious. He believed in them and thus they believed in themselves.

As Wanda drew closer to park she decided to make sure she was prepared. She stopped outside the boundaries of the park and closed her eyes holding out her hands. It was a good thing she remembered some spells from her book. “Effingo. (Duplicate)”, she said firmly as four copies split out two at each side of her. Wanda knew her copies weren’t going to be able to fight anyone, they were essential holograms. But she would help her search he park and if necessary be a distraction while she went for her book. She still couldn’t believe her own sons had taken her book and were helping the X-Men brats. Which made her wonder what exactly where they doing? What spell was Billy casting? Why would they be helping their enemy? It didn’t make any sense. She’d been training them for years to fight the exact kids they were helping. It hurt her the most that Billy was part of this. He was her protégé, she had been grooming him to take over the leadership of the Acolytes. Yet here he was helping the people she was grooming him to take on? If she wasn’t so angry she’d be heartbroken that her sons would betray her like this. She looked to her copies and nodded as the five of them split up heading into the park to find the book and the children.

As they started to draw closer one of her copies realized she was being watched. Aurelia pounced from behind some pushes tackling what she thought was Wanda to the ground. But as the copy hit the ground it disappeared. Aurelia growled, her claws digging into the ground. ‘She copied herself..They aren’t solid but they sure smell like her…’ Aurelia thought angrily to herself. She sniffed the air catching the scent again and raced off hoping this time it was the real Wanda and not another copy. The real Wanda was close in on the book and her children, her mind racing trying to think about how she wanted to approach this. Maybe should could get her sons back on her side and have them turn against Landon and his group. She hadn’t planned on taking Landon down this early, but best to nip the issue in the butt now rather than later when he’d gained enough followers. So as she started to close in she made up her mind that tonight she would rid herself of Landon and strike a blow to the X-Men. Wanda and her three remaining copies decided to try and play a mind game with the kids and begin to cackle loudly, and since it was coming from four directions it seemed to surround them.

Billy tried to tune out his mother’s laughter and just continued to chant the spell. A deep purple aura starting to pulse around him and a blue started to form around Solangel as he tapped into her strength. The sky above them seemed to start to rumble the light from Billy and Solangel shooting up creating a blue/purple cloud over their heads. Tommy looked back to his brother quickly put otherwise his eyes kept darting around them trying to figure out where his mother was. Landon looked up at the cloud storming above them and just really hoped that it was a sign the spell was nearly done. Having Logan to fight alongside them would make him feel a hell of a lot better about this scenario. Sure he had faith in himself and his friends but this was Wanda they were going up against. He just had to keep believing that their combined strength was enough to take her on and at the least hold her off till the spell was complete. He just hoped that he lived long enough to see this to the end. To see Logan return and to complete his ‘mission’.

Aurelia continued trying to track down the right Wanda and getting frustrated when it was just a copy that disappeared laughing at her under her claws. She’d waited fifteen years to sink her claws into Wanda and she would not be denied tonight. Not when she was so close to getting Logan back. No she wouldn’t let Wanda ruin this. She knew eventually she’d get to the real Wanda, she just hoped it was before Wanda got to the kids. Little did Aurelia know she was already too late. The real Wanda had found the kids and stepped into the clearing. “Thomas Pietro Maximoff! William Erik Maximoff! What do you think you are doing?”, Wanda demanded. Billy squeezed his eyes closed tightly, his hands gripping Solangel and Rose not wanting to lose his focus as he continued the chant. Wanda looked to Billy listening to the chant. “Who are you trying to bring forth?”, she demanded. “We won’t let you stop this mom. We have to right what you did.”, Thomas said moving to stand between his own mother and the others. Everyone eyes were focused on Wanda but Billy who refused to look at her. Rose was shaking with anger a growl permeating from her knowing she couldn’t just leap out at attack her for what she had done.

“What are you talking about?”, Wanda demanded reaching to grab Tommy’s arm. Tommy moved back fast enough that she almost stumbled not being able to grasp him. “We know what you did. We know everything you did mom. Everything you had our dad do. Everything you had the other Acolytes do. We know you attacked the Institute. And we know that Wolverine isn’t dead. And we will bring him back to this dimension.”, Tommy said never stopping as he moved in circles around his mom keeping out of her reach. “YOU’RE DOING WHAT!?”, Wanda yelled raising a hand and firing a hex ball through them at Billy. It however didn’t get through the shield Atif taking a deep breath clenching his fist to maintain the shield after it took the hit. “You heard Tommy. We are going to set Logan free. We are going to right some wrongs.”, Landon said stepping forward. Wanda spun to look at Landon hate in her eyes. “I will not let that happen.”, Wanda warned and she moved to attack Landon. “NOO..”, Ashley yelled raising her arms and the water rushed forward hitting Wanda with as much force as Ashley could muster slamming Wanda away from Landon and into the bushes. “Thanks for the save…”, Landon said moving away from the bushes but keeping his eyes forward waiting for her to jump out and attack.

And it was a good thing he kept his eyes on Wanda. Wanda gathered herself and carefully reached for the knife in her boot, but remembered Crow’s daughter was out there and she was a metal manipulator. “Hoc ferro ab oculis abscondere (Hide this blade from prying eyes)”, she whispered running her hand along the knife. She smiled trusting in her spell to hide the metal of the blade from Crow’s daughter at least long enough for her to eliminate Landon. Gripping the handle with her right hand she leapt from the bushes, grabbing Landon with her left and slamming him into a tree. “You’ll die before I allow Wolverine to walk this earth.”, Wanda declared the knife inches from Landon’s throat. “LANDON!!!!”, Cora Lee yelled. Cora Lee trying to figure out how a knife of all things got past her, kicking herself for now sensing it and now it was pointed at her brother’s throat. Landon smiled bringing his hands up to block her, grabbing the blade his both hands, forcing his elbow into her face. “Good luck with that. I don’t die easy..”, Landon grunted wincing a little as the Wanda twisted the blade against his palms. He could feel blood pooling and see it starting to run down his arm. Landon closed his eyes having to put all his focus into what he was about to do. “D…D..Daylilies…”, Landon said. To his and Wanda’s surprise the knife turned into a half dozen bouquet of yellow daylilies stained with blood. Wanda dropped the flowers stepping back in surprise. “You…you shouldn’t…you can’t do something like that..”, Wanda stammered caught off guard. Landon slid down the tree breathing heavy and raised his head to look at Wanda the same smug grin most attributed to his father on his lips. “I’m…full….of…surprises bitch..”, Landon managed to say.

Everyone was stunned seeing the knife become daylilies. Landon had never been able to take something completely inorganic and change it into something else. As Wanda moved to attack him again figuring he was weakened now Cora Lee held out her hands focusing on every bit of metal on Wanda and even the natural metals in her blood to hold her back. “Leave my brother ALONE!”, Cora Lee yelled. Lily held out her arms focusing to use her telekinesis to hold Wanda back. “We won’t let you hurt him.”, Lily stated. Ashley rushed over and went to help Landon up while Cora Lee and Lily held Wanda back. “Shit Landon. You’re bleeding..”, Ashley said frowning. “I know. The tie. Just use my tie..”, Landon said. Ashley nodded removing his tie and tearing it in half. She wrapped each half around his hands to try and stop the bleeding. Aurelia had heard the yells and started racing back to the kids but stopped, staying back as she saw it seemed like they had it under control. Ashley helped Landon up to his feet. “How did you?”, Ashley asked looking to the blood stained daylilies. “Lots and lots of training.”, Landon said leaning against the tree trying to regain his strength. “I will not lose to a bunch of children!”, Wanda yelled. As she filled with rage her power started to bubble over. A purple light started to form before shooting out.

Without thinking Landon grabbed Ashley and pinned her to the tree so he was between her and the blast. Lucky for all of them it wasn’t actually a hex blast. Instead it just sent everyone falling back. Cora Lee and Lily lost their holds on her when they fell back. Tommy was blasted into the bushes. Atif knelt on the ground but kept his focus on the shield so neither Billy, Solangel and Rose were impacted. Landon took the full force slamming against Ashley before falling to the ground. Ashley was the only one left standing. Wanda looked around her brow furrowed as she saw the shield was still up. Her eyes moved to Atif realizing he was the source. She started to form a hex ball staring Atif down. Atif couldn’t move or the shield would fall. “You…I remove you then I can end this foolishness and get my book back.”, Wanda said starting to take aim. “NOOOO!!!”, Ashley yelled holding her arms out and blasting her with water again. She didn’t have as much to put into as before so Wanda only skidded rather than being sent flying. The hex ball was released and missed Atif by a matter of inches. “I won’t miss again..” Wanda declared forming another hex ball. Tommy managed to get to his feet and rush to be in between Wanda and Atif. “NO Mother!”, Tommy declared. Wanda sneered. “You would protect him? A X-men?”, Wanda said angrily. “Yes. I will protect him with my life if necessary. I won’t let you hurt the boy my brother loves.”, Tommy said remaining firm. “LOVE!?”, Wanda yelled glaring past Tommy to Atif. She raised the hex ball ready to fire. “You’d really do it? You’d go through your own son? Well fine if that’s how you want to be.”, Tommy said lunging at his mother forcing her to the ground. The Hex ball shot off into the woods, just missing Aurelia. “TOMMY!”, Lily yelled moving to get to her feet.

Tommy was busy grappling with his own mother. “FINISH THE SPELL BILLY!!!”, Tommy pleaded as he tried to keep his mother down. Wanda managed to pin Tommy down and was about to actually strike her own son when the large red wolf leapt from the bushes and grabbed Wanda by the jacket pulling her off Tommy and starting to drag her to the forest. Aurelia had to keep telling herself not to kill her. Not to kill Wanda in front of the kids, not to kill her in front of Tommy or Billy. Tommy scrambled to his feet moving back sure his Mother wouldn’t be out done by a wolf. Rose could feel a pain in her hands as she watched unable to do anything to help her friends and now she couldn’t even do anything as her mom pulled Wanda away. Billy tried to tune everything out continuing to chant. The swirling cloud above started to rumble with thunder and streaks of lightening started to come down. Wanda knew the spell was almost complete, she had to stop it. “Back off wolf. We had this dance once before and it didn’t go well for you then and won’t now.”, Wanda said rolling and kicking as well as punching at Aurelia. Aurelia wasn’t’ able to maintain her grip as Wanda slipped out of her jacket and got up rushing back to where the kids were. She started to gather another hex ball ready to take out Atif and remove that shield.

Everyone was getting themselves up, their party clothes not only dirty but torn in places. “Do you think Aurelia will be able to hold her off long enough?”, Ashley asked looking to Cora Lee and Lily. Both girls shrugged uncertain. Landon was the only one who saw Wanda across the clearing. He saw that she was looking at Atif. Landon used the tree to pull himself up and with every ounce of strength he had left and moved to stand in front of Atif his arms stretched out, the pure white tie stained with red from his hands. “You’ll have to go through me.”, Landon stated. Wanda laughed stepping out. “Happily. You can a young martyr…”, Wanda said drawing back her hex ball. In the same moment Billy’s grip on Solangel and Rose released as he fell back blacking out from using so much power. He wasn’t alone in collapsing Solangel did as well. Rose wanted to move to stop Landon from getting killed, but her strength wasn’t there after being part of the spell she just didn’t have it in her. As Wanda was about to release her hex ball the kids all froze looking past her. A almost long forgotten snikt came from behind Wanda and she felt six points on her back being pressed against by something sharp.