...…..
Jean Grey
To say that Jean Grey is surprised by the revelation that soone with the sa face as hers was behind last night's attack would be the most obvious statent ever made. Her face doesn't hide her shock at seeing the woman after Eidolon materialized it for all to see. It is like looking at a mirror… more or less.
But even without Eidolon saying anything, everyone around would know that it is not really Jean. Despite their similarity, there are still so key differences that anyone who knows Jean would imdiately notice.
First, the other woman is older than Jean, at least in the sa age bracket as Ororo, probably older. Her face also shows a dark, smug smile that looks out of place on Jean's face to anyone who is used to her. And the clothes….
"Damn… Is it a villain thing to use provocative clothes like that??" Kitty says while shalessly ogling the Older Jean's body. "I an, you are absolutely rocking the Dark Lady aesthetic, girl, but if you go for it, try to wear sothing that covers at least 20% of your body."
"Do you think this Evil Jean uses her telekinesis to hold her breasts in place?" Jubilee asks seriously "Look at that amount of underboob… One step and they'll spill out."
"And she has a lot to spill…" Paige nods begrudgingly "You have a lot of potential, bitch, if you are going to grow like this."
"A milf." Kitty agrees.
Jean Grey tries to filter those comnts from her so-called friends. She understands that they are just making light of the situation to turn it unserious… This is a woman wearing Jean's face! Summoning demons and who knows what else, Jean is rightfully freaking out.
"Wha-What is she?" She asks Eidolon. He is the only one who can give her an answer.
"..." The hero gives her a side glance before dispersing the image he conjured. She is thankful for that, as it is very uncomfortable, especially given her attire. "I have so theories…" Eidolon starts
His pause almost made her shout at him to go on, but Jean saw him looking around, so she could assu that he was not being dramatic.
"At first, I thought that she was a clone made by Sinister." He says
"A clone?" Kitty parrots
"Sinister? The vampire-looking scientist, creepy guy?" Rogue rembers the na
Jean wishes they would not interrupt him, but she remains silent.
"Yeah, that one… he was always very invested in powerful tas, and Jean was one of his… favorite interests." Eidolon says the last words with disgust.
Jean and Scott exchanged a glance. The truth about their "relationship" was a hard pill to swallow… not that there is much of a relationship to talk about. It was more one-sided on Scott's part, and now they know it was because Jean resisted the external influence, thanks to certain factors.
It made them question even their friendship, but after a talk, they decided to just ignore that and continue as friends. Scott started therapy with both Harley and the Professor to deal with the artificial feeling implanted in his brain.
"She could have escaped after I dealt with Sinister… "Eidolon suggests "But this Evil Jean doesn't look like an inexperienced clone just out of a vault. So my guess is that she is an alternative evil version of Jean that ended up here." He says while staring at a certain point in the room
"Ended up here? But how?" Scott asks a pertinent question
"I guess it is my fault…" Eidolon says while staring at the sa point, caressing his jaw
"Your fault?" Jean asks with a frown. How is that possible? At this point, it is pretty inconceivable that Eidolon can make a mistake that would create this situation.
"Yeah… Rember our mission in the Limbo?" He asks the room, and the ones who went with him nod. "Rember the alternative versions of Ororo, Kitty, and Kurt?"
"Oh…" Jean rembers "Are they from the sa universe as this… ?"
"Now that you ntion it, the Other was also wearing skimpy clothes." Kitty comnts with a distant look "My boobs did not grow that much though…"
"I think the skimpy clothes were because that Belasco guy has bad taste…" Rogue points out "Rember that the other you was literally a furry cat girl?"
"Ah, yeah!" Kitty nods
"Well, my theory is that this Evil Jean ca from the sa universe as the other Kitty, Ororo and Kurt… She is also older, like them." Eidolon sighs, "She probably followed, or at least beca aware of the path back to this universe, because I traveled there."
"You reached this conclusion because of the demons that ca from the Limbo?" Illyana asks with a strange face "If she used the Limbo as a middle ground before coming here… the one at fault is ."
"No, it is not." Eidolon denies it imdiately and pats Illyana's head. "To find the native universe of them, I used a not-so-safe thod and was more worried about big things following than a single person."
"But why is she evil? It's not like our versions are evil." Kurt asks
"Is not an entirely parallel universe where our morals are switched." Eidolon explains, "Other circumstances must have made their Jean beco evil or…
"Or?"
"Or even this other Jean is an evil clone of their Jean that is a good person."
"That is too complicated…" Spyke scratches his hair
Eidolon chuckles "Multiverse shenanigans. What matters is not that she is evil, or even whether she is a Jean… What matters is that she doesn't seem to have good intentions."
"What was she doing down here anyway?" Spyke asks
"So sort of ritual using the destroyed demons as fuel to forge sothing. She had so help from soone from Limbo." Eidolon explains
"And what are you gonna do now?" Kitty asks, a little eager
"Nothing." Eidolon answers to the surprise of everyone
"Nothing?"
"There is a reason she is hiding. Whatever this Evil Jean is planning, she is not ready for it…" Eidolon speaks "Seeing that she ca here, it is safe to assu that she failed whatever plan she tried in her ho universe. She probably ca very confident, knowing that it seems we are behind in the tiline and should be weaker, unfortunately, to her…"
"...you exist here." Raven is the one who completes his words. Even without knowing the whole story and not being there to hear from Other Ororo's own mouth that "there's no Eidolon in my world", she can guess this much.
"Yes." Eidolon nods without a hint of smugness or pride in his voice, just cold conjecture. "Her own failure added to an unknown elent like must have made her cautious. And from what I saw, she ca into contact with one of Belasco's people, so she must be aware of my strength."
Eidolon then gives a look at Jean, "And unless exceptional circumstances happen… even a fully realized Jean Grey can't defeat ."
"Oho~ Cold." Kitty chuckles
"What kind of exceptional circumstances?" Scott asks
"The multiverse is big; sowhere, every one of us must have gained a nigh-omnipotent power at so point." Eidolon talks like it's no big deal. "I only know that this Evil Jean here is not that strong; if not, she would not have made this flashy ritual just to risk herself being caught. She could have gone unnoticed, and now she has lost her great advantage."
"And you said that you will do nothing?" Illyana asks while pursing her lips. Discontent is evident in her face
"It is an Oga-Level Psych ta with magic, at least on the branches of demonology and portals… If she wants to hide, she will hide." Eidolon explains to her "Instead of wasting ti and effort passing a thin comb in the world - she could be hiding in a pocket dinsion or even in Hell by the way - the best we can do is prepare when she makes a move." He instructs Illyana like a teacher.
"..." The Russian girl doesn't sound happy, but she doesn't contest his words.
"Patience, Illyana. I understand that you are not a passive person, but we are on the defensive now. We got her identity and powers, so prepare for the eventual confrontation." Eidolon says to his apprentice "Despite saying 'nothing', I will increase the protection and vigilance on the Institute and even on the families of all of you. I will also go check so possible places of interest and even the Limbo… Rember: Always keep a cool head and do what you can. It is by overextending like that that you leave yourself open for the enemy to strike."
"Yes." She nods eventually
"Wait… our families??" Realization suddenly strikes Kitty, and consequently, the others.
Eidolon nods gravely. "She is another Jean, so she must know a lot about you all. If her life is a little similar at least."
"Isn't that… super bad??" Iceman asks, worried for his family.
Jean knows that Bob didn't win the lottery ticket, given how a family would react upon discovering that their son is a ta, but he is nice enough to care whether they would get hurt. Especially because of villains.
"Cool heads…" Eidolon reminds them. "No pun intended." He says with so mirth because he was speaking to Bob.
"..." The joke fell flat, though, and almost everyone is worried. With the exception of the ones without families.
Eidolon sighs "I know that is scary, but that is our life… If it makes you feel better, she could have shut down your brains from this distance, so maybe she doesn't have a vendetta against you all. Or has a bigger objective."
"I don't know if that makes feel better at all." Tabitha speaks
"Now that I think about it, an Evil Jean is scary." Jubilee laughs nervously
"..." What could Jean say? Even she has to admit that they are right to be worried.
As it is right now, she can already do horrible things; imagine an older, amoral version of herself.
"Now that I think about it, maybe it was another mistake to bring you all here." Eidolon touches his chin. "Not only are you all gonna be needlessly worried, but if this Evil Jean is the sneaky type, she could try to read the mories of so of you and discover that I already know about her, complicating my search." He sighs "That is why I prefer to work alone… but I guess the educational experience is more valuable than a little inconvenience to in the long run." He mutters more to himself, the last part.
"I am sorry, Eidolon, but I very much prefer to know that there is soone out there trying to fuck with us." Jubilee says
"Yeah, sorry for making things difficult for you, but at least we will not be tricked by this other Jean." Kitty declares
"The problem would exist whether we know or not… better knowing." Scott also says
"...heh, I also always prefer knowing." Eidolon says while looking at them carefully, "This is also a good wake-up call to you guys. You all should fortify your minds. Till now, you always had the telepaths on your team, so you forgot that they are very scary when enemies."
"..." Against that, they can't argue.
"It is possible to resist - or at least be aware - of having your mind being tampered with. It is not sothing that I can help much with when you don't have any psych power to at least be a starting point. It simply takes too long to train so resistance without this kind of power. I could suggest so ditation exercises and practice with Xavier and Jean… but it's up to you if you want to invest so much ti." The hero explains
Jean understands what he is talking about. The instructions he once gave her are all about her using her already existing telepathic powers to get control over her own mind, brain, and subsequently, power.
To anyone without this foundation… It will be like raising a castle with the wind.
"That said, at this point, you all should be aware that your lives are dangerous." Eidolon says with so sympathy "You have a target on your back just by existing, and even if you eventually abandon the Hero business. This Evil Jean is just one of the many threats out there. They will attack you, the Mansion, the kids… You all should be on guard at all tis from now on. Yes, it is bad, it will raise your anxiety levels, it will make you sleep badly, and your stomach will churn… but you will be alive. Don't expect one of you to die to take it seriously."
"..." Everyone shows heavy looks to Eidolon's reality check.
Till now, things worked well for them. It was not smooth sailing or anything of the kind, but no one was killed or even hurt permanently. They saw so horrible things, but that only made them think they were aware of the danger… There is no one more cautious around a dog than the person who has been bitten by one.
Certain things you need to experience to understand.
"But the possibility of this Evil Jean reading your mind gives the opportunity of delivering a ssage to her." Eidolon brows furrow as his eyes sharpen before he speaks icily "I am warning you… Don't try anything. If you went around, you must think that you know what I am capable of… but you don't know anything yet. Don't be the one to discover it firsthand; they don't end well." He threatens a possible future Evil Jean
After looking at each of the X-n individually, Eidolon's eyes stop at Jean, and they have a quick telepathic conversation, just a promise to have a better and private conversation later.
The hero then nods and says with a more upbeat tone "I think we are done here… Who wants to visit Monster tropolis?"
........
Monster tropolis
Eidolon P.O.V.
Madelyne Pryor, huh? I draw on all my knowledge of that character from the back of my mind as I take the X-n on a tour above Monster tropolis, using a huge disc I created as a platform to carry everyone.
And I thought I was able to rip off that "storyline" from my universe by dealing with Sinister. But the Multiverse looks at my efforts and laughs.
I guess that is expected… An example of that happened during my ti in Miles' universe. I dealt with Green Goblin here, "off-screened" Cletus Kasady, and I am in constant alert to the appearance of Venom, just so that I don't need to deal with Carnage… and eventually Knull
But then I ended up having to fight an alternative version of the bastard.
Will this beco a trend? It was fine as long as it was only happening outside my universe, but if those bastards start coming here… Tsk.
I can't escape certain things, it seems… I will go back and work harder on the contingency plans I set aside.
Luckily, Madelyne Pryor is not impossible to deal with. Let's see… Oga-Level telepathy, possibly weaker than Jean because she is a clone; Demonic Magic; that whole Goblin Army thing…
Yeah… I can deal with it.
I also lied to the X-n (and subsequently to her, in case she read their minds). I will be working against her from the shadows, but I don't want to scare her that much.
The main reason is her connection with Mr. Sinister. The elusive edgy egomaniac is still out there… and who better to out him than his "daughter" of another universe?
Hehe~ If Madelyne knows about his hideouts and tries to retrieve anything from them or even use them in her plans, I will be able to deal another blow to Sinister.
In the anti, I will watch over the people she can have a vendetta against and prepare to fight her powerset.
Yep, I will protect even Scott. Despite not liking him that much, this Scott is not to bla if she wants to kill him. Even if she was abandoned while pregnant by another Scott and all that.
She is too old to try to take Jean's place, but I will not write that off as a possibility so soon. Rejuvenating herself is not that hard.
Exposing her to the X-n had so benefits; they will be on higher alert if anything weird happens around Jean.
"..." I give her a look, and she seems to feel it because she stops looking down on Monster tropolis, and her eyes et mine.
"..."
There is no conversation because, in her eyes, the question is not sothing I can answer, so I just shake my head imperceptibly and turn forward again.
That interaction was lost to everyone who is too enthralled admiring the strangeness of Monster tropolis… with the exception of one person.
Shego pinches my arm beneath my mantle, making look at her so that I could see her raised eyebrow.
I brought Shego this ti because last ti I comnted that Shiklah was a succubus, she said that she wants to see her with her own eyes.
She is strange… at the sa ti that she always makes her displeasure known, she never really contests when I really make a move on soone. It is rare but…. I don't know; there is no pattern either.
Maybe it's because Jean is a redhead, Shego is racist against gingers apparently. And anyone else who is not her.
At this point, I think it's just a hobby of hers to annoy for being, in her words, a fuckboy. I am not. Considering the amount of pussy I could get and the amount I really get, the percentage shows that I am a pretty chaste person. Check the pie chart, Shego.
I also brought Selene, and despite Shego teasing about my vampire subordinate, she now seems to have forgotten about her.
"So cool that there is a place like this in the world… it is like secret areas in a ga." Kitty says while looking "It makes things a little more fantastical!" Her voice is full of excitent, and she is using her smartphone to take pictures.
"I agree." I say "Here, Atlantis, a pocket dinsion with ancient Chinese dragons, a land still in the prehistoric era with dinosaurs, schools of sorcerers… It adds to the beauty of the world, all this diversity."
"Dragons and dinosaurs? Now I want to visit those places."
"For now, most of them are inaccessible, but in the near future." I promise her and to the world. "Obviously, areas like those must be protected and well-preserved… before they are opened to the rest of the population, respect and education must be taught, and initially the people allowed to visit must go through a rigorous-"
"You are babbling your plans." Shego interrupts with a chuckle, making stare at her. "What? If I don't stop you, you are gonna monologue for an hour."
"..." Fair enough. My mind is much quicker than reality, so it is natural for to think years ahead, and because it is equally realistic (pessimistic), I always think about the problems that will arise and the proper counterasures.
For example, if the Savage Lands were suddenly open to everyone, they would be destroyed in just a few years. Corporations exploring, disrespectful tourists, obnoxious people trying to move there and interfering with the culture and region, and possible diseases being carried in and out…
Those unique places on Earth should be protected from excessive external influence, because if they were not, they would eventually beco exactly like any other place on Earth. And then it would lose exactly what makes it special.
"I like hearing your plans, Eidolon." Kitty cos to my defense
"Thank you." I nod and turn to Shego. 'See? Soone appreciates ' and she rolls her eyes with a smile
"Ungrateful bitch, I just saved her from a whole ass lecture." She whispers with mirth, only for to listen
Finally, the platform stops at the front of the Palace.
"Can't we just skip directly to et the woman?" Shego asks
"I am a polite gentleman." I say while stepping off the platform, the others follow . It is fun to play the Batman sotis and appear from a dark corner, but overall, I like it when people know that I am coming… wait, that sounded weird.
It is like that ti Fury was spying on Harley, I went through all the walls rudely. He knew that I was moving toward him, and he couldn't do anything but just wait for .
It is a different type of power play when compared to simply appearing where people think they are safe.
I lead the X-n and my people to the gate of this dieval-style palace, but it is being guarded by an interesting monster.
"Look, Cyclops, it is a cyclops!" Kitty jokes to Scott.
Yeah, in front of us is the one-eyed mythological monster, but wearing sowhat modern clothes… I an, relatively to what is expected from a monster of ancient Greece. He is wearing dieval-style armor with so more modernized elents, like boots.
"Aren't you gonna say hi to your relative?" Spyke also teases the team's leader.
"Shut up."
"You should have chosen a better moniker, from a less ugly monster." Paige points out
"Don't be racist, Paige." Jubilee says half-jokingly
"What? I am not saying that he is evil just because of his race, but by our standards, this one is ugly as fuck… maybe there is a handso cyclops out there."
"I don't think there is even a book about it… so no." Kitty suddenly says like a specialist.
"Our cyclops is pretty handso." Bob chis in, maybe in a flirting way…
I ignore the talk and step forward.
"Who goes there?" The Cyclops asks; he is at least 3 ters tall, with blue skin filled with pores, and with a barrel-like torso, holding a club in his right hand.
"I want to talk with Shiklah." I declare, not rudely, nor haughtily, just stating a fact.
If he lets us in, I will have the opportunity to take the X-n on a tour of an evil castle.
"The queen doesn't receive the riff-raff."
"..." I sigh internally while Shego laughs lightly. I am trying to be nice, I am hero. "Just tell her that I am here and she will let us in."
"Why should I do that?" The cyclops says with a rumbling voice "Fuck off!"
"..."
Now Shego is laughing loudly; she loves this because it is by acting like this that people give a reason to act violently… and she likes seeing violent.
I sigh and look at the X-n and Raven. "It is in their culture to respect strength, so…"
"Hey! Are you listening to ?? Do you want to-" He reaches with his big and aty hand to grab my head.
Boom
But he never touches . A use of my Conqueror's Haki, combined with an increase in gravity, makes the cyclops collapse onto all fours into a small crater, his limbs sinking into the ground while his skin is pushed down, stretching as if he is lting.
With a lot of effort, he looks at , and his single big eye trembles with fear at my visage, his whole body sweating bullets.
I look down on him, almost feeling pity… but a ssage has to be delivered.
BOOM
A TK blast sends him flying through the gate like a cannonball, blasting it open imdiately, and he continues flying inside till he hits several walls.
Despite the sudden violent attack, I remain unmoved, only my mantle being moved by the gust of wind.
"And he could have avoided that if he had so manners… See, Illyana? Always be polite." I turn to teach her so manners
"h, if you had hit him from the beginning, things would be simpler." She scoffs with a smile. Like Shego, she also enjoys displays of violence. I hope this doesn't develop into sothing bad down the line.
"Let's go, they will co after I knocked." I say and start walking inside the palace
"He calls that knocking?" Jubilee whispers to soone beside .
The interior of Shiklah's palace is very opulent and glamorous, making anyone forget that we are deep underground. Purple and gold are the main colors, of course, with the black and grey of stone.
The ceiling is high, and the walls are covered with paintings of luxury; the ground is covered with a purple carpet, and this main hall is flanked by high arch exits to other parts of the palace.
At the end, there are two curving stairways to the upper floors and a big statue of a woman being embraced by a muscular man in the middle. And a hole from where the cyclops went flying, just a little above the statue.
"Erm… it is beautiful, but…" Jubilee starts nervously
"It looks like a rich people's orgy house." Rogue completes with a judgntal tone.
"It is art, Rogue." Kitty defends the place, even taking so pictures
"Yes and no. It is really a pervert's den." I explain "I would not touch that…" I say to Paige that she was about to caress a very life-like statue
"Why? Is it a person? Like a dusa made it stone?" She asks
"Hmm… now that you said that." I check the statues. "No, they are statues… But this is the palace of a succubus; I would not touch anything without gloves. Heck, I am not even stepping on the ground…" I point down "I am literally floating so milliters in the air."
"...." They all look at with varying expressions, but disgust prevails on their face as realization hits them.
"And you're bringing to this nasty place?" Shego turns with a frown
"Is the ground sticky?" Illyana asks seriously, raising her feet one at a ti to check.
"..." Raven and Jean start floating a little too.
Even Robert froze the ground around his feet.
"You are the one who wanted to co." I point to Shego "And I am exaggerating as a joke, guys… relax." I said before going back to walk "But I would not shine a UV light anywhere… For your ntal health."
"..."
It seems our pause, caused by my little joke, gave ti for the soldiers of this place to appear. They ca from all entrances, surrounding us and blocking our path to the stairs.
"I already talked with the gatekeeper." I say to all of them, so of my people snickering behind .
They are not dumb. I can see those monstrous guards looking at each other, unsure of what to do.
It is okay… From here I can see that Shiklah had just sat her ass on her throne to wait for , so at any ti…
"Allow them to pass." A purple magic circle appears, then turns into the mark of purple lipstick in the air, and after flying and slapping the statue of a woman, Shiklah's voice cos from it.
That happened very fast, a normal human would not have seen the magic happening, and it would only appear that she could speak through her statues.
It is an interesting magic… Can she see through it, too? Maybe even all those paintings around us… I can't say that I am surprised; she is a succubus after all.
I am adding "voyeur" to her list of fetishes.
After just a second of hesitation, the monsters open a path to us and I lead my group to the stairs.
"Hiii~" Kitty waves at them as we pass
"See? They can be reasoned with." I speak while we walk up the stairs
"After you absolutely destroy that cyclops." Illyana adds
"They are simply more connected with the 'law of the jungle'. They respect strength, and strength shall be used to bring them to the talking table." I say
"Wouldn't that go against the principle of peaceful coexistence?" Raven challenges with an emotionless voice
"Peaceful coexistence… that is much later. First, we need to understand them, and they need to understand us. That ans playing by their rules. Power and violence can be used to keep them in line till they understand our point of view. Then they will stop seeing us as prey." I explain
"Will it work?" She asks
"Most monsters were once humans, so it will be easier than you think." I nod "We just need to first knock them down from their high chairs. We, people with power, should be the equalizing asure to protect the average human that is much weaker than the average monster." I say to all of them, "In the beginning, it will be a little forced, but I believe it will start running smoothly after they are reminded of their humanity."
"You are very optimistic." Raven notes
"To draft every plan, you should start optimistically, and then you let the pessimist side think the rest."
"..."
I turn to Illyana. "Lesson ti… Why am I so willing to coexist with Monsters but not with Demons?" I say with my torso turned backward as I walk up the stairs
"Eh? All of a sudden like that?" She pauses in surprise "Erm… Demons are all evil, and… monsters are not?"
"That is too simplistic to get a passing grade." I deadpan
"Ah c'mon!" She complains
"I explained it already to you, but with other words…" I say
"..." I can almost see the hamsters in the wheels of her brain running at full speed to power her mind.
The truth is, Illyana is not a very… how can I say this? She is not dumb, but she is not studious. She is more of a street-smart person, learning by doing instead of reading or listening. That is why I reinforce her education with tests, examples, and visual learning.
"Another tip… Rember when I talked about the difference between demonic beings and demons?" I finally say, while she is frowning hard, "It is when I was explaining your latent demonic power."
"Ah! That thing about demons from Hell not being really 'biological beings', right? They are made of… of… miasma, sin, energy of Hell, or whatever. So they are irreconcilable with flesh and blood creatures." Illyana speaks quickly after rembering it
"...good enough." I nod. "Demons from hell are born differently. Their way of life, how they see the world, us… Everything about them does not conform to our way of life. They can imitate us for convenience, but don't be tricked. They don't feel like us, and they don't plan to live like us…" Then I rember soone "With the exception of so half-demon that can escape those shackles of creation."
Not only Illyana, everyone is paying attention, but my eyes travel through their faces before settling on Raven, who is staring at .
It is not only about you, girl. But yes, you and Satana kind of prove my point. And Kurt, too.
The people here know only of Kurt's lineage, so they all turn to him.
"So is Kurt's father a bad guy?" Kitty asks
"I would say yes…" I can admit my tone is not very convincing "But Kurt's father is a ta-turned-demon, so maybe he can be redeed… I would be careful with him, though. Very old and used to being the bad guy." I answer truthfully. I rember my talk with the Ancient One about it. A very convoluted story with many missing details.
My theory is that Azazel and his Neyaphem group started more or less reasonably but were eventually corrupted.
"Wait, so you know Kurt's father?" Robert asks
"Not personally, but I know his history. When Kurt wants to know, I can tell him." I offer again. Kurt, in the apst, refused to know
"...I will think about it." The blue half-demon says slowly. He already has a lot of drama from his adoptive family; it is his right not to add any more to his plate.
"The offer will be open forever. Take your ti." I say kindly
To change the subject, I continue the explanation. "That is why I call demons from Limbo (Otherplace, not the Limbo that is the First Circle), Demonic Beings. They are not born spontaneously by the Dinsion. They are closer to us than demons from Hell… more like monsters, or aliens."
"Ah, that is why limbo looked more like another planet than Hell." Kitty suddenly says
"Right? The city and how they just go with their lives… Magical Aliens instead of Sci-Fi aliens." I nod at her observation. "Being born naturally, not needing to eat anyone's soul to live or grow strong, being able to really relate with other species… That is what makes coexistence possible. Obviously, there are many things where we are different, and it will be hard, but different from Demons from Hell… it is possible."
"Now I see the light." Jubilee comnts with a pensive expression
"Being honest, the demons in Limbo don't look that bad." Kitty rembers our trip there, "Made lose my fear of demons and Hell."
"That is Hellish Dinsion, not Hell." I point out
"It is true that Varnae sent you to Hell, Eidolon?" Angel asks with interest. A little ironic, by the way… Do you want to beco a fallen?
"Yes. And before anyone asks, it is much worse than the Limbo, even if so areas imitate civilization. There are Demonic Beings of adjacent dinsions, too, which makes the place a little more civilized. But True Demons from there can mingle, but they never really assimilate, just waiting for an opportunity to acquire so advantage, without caring if it causes pain to others."
"I am starting to see the picture, even without ever going there."
"Eidolon is good at explaining things."
I chuckle "That is good… I just need to make the rest of humanity understand the difference between monsters and the irreconcilable demons without making them lose their wariness of the evil creatures." Very hard to do, by the way. It is a thin line to walk on.
"Good luck." They say with so pity that everyone can imagine how hard it will be to explain to the idiots the differences between demonic beings and demons. And even worse will be those who don't want to listen.
"Well… not long ago, we were lumped together with demons." I laugh
"That is also true." Kitty nods with so respect
"Look how far we've co."
"That is why you are my GOAT."
The stairs are long, and we walk on a leisured pace as I talk about so of my experiences with monsters and demons, but the end has to co at so point. The end of the stairs opens to an area with multiple paths, but the obvious choice is the one ahead with huge double purple doors, packed with drawings that the kids should not look at too closely.
The double doors groan as I use my telekinesis to open them, revealing the palace's throne room. As I saw, Shiklah is waiting for us, sitting leisurely on her throne, a small smile plastered on her purple lips.
"So this is the bitch." I hear Shego muttering beside .
We walk forward, and so monsters are around the room, eyes following us. The vast majority of them are succubi and incubi, with a werewolf, a minotaur, and a Frankenstein monster here and there.
Is "Frankenstein" the right term for those monsters? I will ponder it later. Not even "Frankenstein Monsters" should be right, after all, only the original can carry that na.
Those stitched zombies should be called another thing. Reanimated corpses, maybe? Artificial humans?
"Hm, Eidolon~" Shiklah talks first, tasting my na on her lips "What pleasure it is to see you again." She continues provocatively
"I assu that you already heard the news." I say
"Of course! Since our last eting, I made sure that my human informants would keep updated with everything you do…" She says with a sigh, and then stands up, walking to us with a sway of her hips, every step down the stairs of her throne making her breasts bounce. "Now imagine my surprise when I heard you stord into Dracula's palace…"
"Things developed a little too quickly…" I shrug
"Oh, but I like when things develop quickly~" She is already onto , hugging my side while whispering in my ear "You have no idea how wet I got watching your fight." Her tone is sultry, with a light moan at the end.
My reaction is to stare at her coldly; my body is so unmoved that only my pupils move to look sideways and down at her. "What did I say about touching like this?"
Her face fell imdiately, going from seductive to scared. I tap her stomach lightly, but still make her groan and expertly send her sliding so feet away from while remaining standing.
I am not being an… In truth, I am saving her.
Fwoosh
Shego's claw-like hand, coated by green fire, passes just an inch from , on Shiklah's previous position.
After missing, Shego doesn't waste ti going for a follow-up.
But I grab her hand to stop her, the corrosive green fire doing nothing to .
"Relax… She is a succubus. It is what they do. Would you get angry at a dog slling you?" I say
"She is still a sentient being!" Shego huffs but calls down, her fire dying out "Doesn't she have self-control? Then, like a rabid dog, you should put her down."
"She has… if not, she would have grabbed my crotch or done sothing worse." I say calmly "She would be dead though."
"..."
The mont is tense, but my calm and casual tone keeps things grounded.
"You are so cold…" Shiklah pouts while rubbing her stomach, where I hit her.
"I admire your shalessness, but let's keep things professional." I say in a no-nonsense tone "Like I was speaking, things are developing faster than predicted-"
"Why did you go for Dracula so soon then?" She interrupts . A little rude, but I can imagine this is a source of worry for her, because what made go for Dracula could make go for her next.
"His people try to kill mine." I gesture to Selene, who is silently on the sidelines.
"..." Shiklah gives the Death Dealer a look, understanding the veiled threat before nodding.
"By the way, those are my people and the X-n." I introduce the group. "In the future, if you see them sowhere, I will be grateful if you help, and if you attack them, I will kill you."
"Geez… What do you take for? A monster??" She jokes with her hands on her hips "And why would I want to attack all those fine specins?" She brings a finger to her chin and bites her lip. "All those nice n and won… Hmm~ Why don't you all stay the night? My subordinates are very good-" She was walking to Colossus, making the big guy flustered, when I stopped her.
"Do you want to remove your libido?" I sigh tiredly. Satana was not like this… It was because she was a Soul Succubus or whatever?
"Eidolon, don't save !!" Spyke shouts in outrage, making most of the boys laugh, and the won facepalm.
"..."
"And then you ask yourself why Eidolon is popular, and you are not…" Paige comnts ruthlessly
"Let's keep things appropriate to kids." Piotr says with a heavy russian accent, pulling Illayna to him, and even covering her ears
"I saw worse." She removes her brother's hands from her
"I am just taking them around to… expand their horizons." I explain "Later I would like them to do so sightseeing in the city, warn your people not to touch them."
"I can't guarantee that nothing will happen, but I can at least send so of my people to watch from the shadows and stop anything." Shiklah nods
"Thank you."
"Anything for you, my dear." She blows a kiss.
"..." I almost dodged it because purple lips really flew off her mouth and popped in my mask. It was a harmless, just so light show.
Shego is glaring, though.
"Continuing… Now that I am probably famous in the 'Monster Circle', I want you to use it to call for a eting."
"A eting?" She asks, a little confused
"Yeah, a eting with every influential monster that you know around the globe. The leaders, the strong, small groups, big groups, loners, allies, and enemies… Call everyone. We will start selling the Coexistence Deal now."
"Ooh~ I see, I see…" She realizes "I have contacts and even good relationships with a lot of them, but I doubt even half will show up."
"They will… use my na. After Dracula's defeat, they will, at least, try to read the winds of change that are happening. Trying to get a asure of personally." I say confidently
"I still can't see everyone coming." She shrugs
"That will be their problem. Try to make most of them co. Even sell as a boogeyman if you need."
"Oh, really? Haha! That can change things." She laughs before adding "But on the other hand, so will make things difficult if they know that I am working together with a human."
"Good, I want them to co forward now before they're too afraid of exposing themselves."
"...you are devious." She smirks after a mont "And what are you gonna do after gathering all those people?"
"First, we need to unify the monsters. You and Dracula's na should be enough."
"Did you really convince Dracula?" She asks, surprised "That fella is super prideful."
"He is coming around…" I say vaguely
The truth is… it does not matter.
I really believe that Dracula can be redeed; I was not lying at that ti.
But I can lie now… if Dracula is not cooperative till I need him. Well, I just need his identity.
I already made a show of recruiting him; no one will find it strange if he reappears at my side… Even if it is not really him.
"I like this city, Shiklah." Ti to get her on my side now
"Oh?" She is suddenly surprised by the complint… a little wary even.
"This city is almost what I envision for the future… almost." I open my arms. "And seeing that you are the closest to my goal, I decided to support you in leading the monsters. Well, the idea is a council of all the races… But you and Dracula are to be the obviously de facto leaders."
"...you are saying…" She treads carefully
"Yes, I will support you in becoming the Queen of Monsters… as long as you support my idea of coexistence."
"..."
"Oh, so this is politics…" I hear Kitty whispering to soone behind .
"Shush." It was Rogue.
Shiklah stares at before asking "Do you plan to marry Dracula and ?"
"That is unnecessary and even a little detrintal to my plans…" I answer with a shake of my head "The idea is that you and Dracula can be the two sides of the new system. Dracula will obviously be the headstrong elitist, filled with pride for being a monster, and that will try to keep things as they are, the more they can… He will obviously amass the vampires to his side. And you will be the moderate and progressist that will cater to the more diverse crowds of peaceful and weaker monsters, the ones that want things to change."
"Wait a minute… isn't this like the Right and Left in human politics?" Kitty suddenly asks, and I point at her
"Finally got it, huh? It is important that the two sides feel represented… It will protect your culture while assimilating with humans." I nod while sparing the people behind a look "And like with us, it's all the sa thing if you dig deeper."
It is not bad to have a Left and Right politically. The problem is when the two sides beco extremist. Or when the two are basically the sa.
"But in the end, you will be behind everything." Shiklah smirks accusingly
"I don't plan to intervene with your way of life. I only want peaceful coexistence. I just believe that monsters should rule monsters even when they re-enter Humanity as a whole." I explain
"You know that so unhappy with this will join under Dracula's banner and create trouble…" She starts to warn
"Even better." But I interrupt, my eyes cold.
"..." By the way she is looking at , I can't tell if she is scared or aroused. "You are the devil…" She giggles "And if I refuse to be part of this? Or if I betray you."
"Then I will seek Dracula's daughter to take your place… Lilith is more reasonable than her father, but I don't want the two sides to be led by vampires." I say, not hiding the fact that she is replaceable. It does not even need to be Lilith; I can summon subordinates. Heck, if Selene wanted…
"Oh~ You are breaking my heart…" She pouts sadly "I thought I was special." She whines
"Stop playing, are you in or not? But let warn you beforehand… I am being very upfront about my intentions, and there is no big play or manipulation, so if you betray later…"
"Geez, calm down… Don't stare at like that, I will cum." She rubs her thighs together
"..." I just stare at her silently. The truth is that she is not nearly as dumb as she tries to make herself out to be. The bimbo act is just to make people underestimate her.
"Okay, okay… I will stop." She must have noticed my lack of amusent because she stops and raises her hands "I have a counteroffer…" She shows her index finger
"...say it."
"Marry ."
"No."
My instant refusal is what saved her from a green fireball.
"Damn, I was never so unsuccessful in getting a man…" She mutters surprised "But that only makes more interested~" She looks up and down, eyes gaining a predatory glint, and even licking her lips
"..."
"Can I tell the others that I am your booty call then?" She suddenly asks innocently
"Only if you never take another lover… I know that you want to use my na as protection and maybe even show off as the one who is controlling to those who don't know better. I do not mind that part, but I don't want the cuck reputation." I answer calmly, even while feeling so anger coming from behind .
"Eh?! No lovers??" She gasps
"That is the price." I shrug with one shoulder
"What if I hide well?"
"No."
"Only females?"
"No."
"Give a good dicking periodically then…"
"No."
"You are not making it easy, dude! I say booty call! Not that we are in a relationship." She groans "You know that people will start talking anyway, right? You are kinda favoring too much." She cocks her hips
"True, but it will not last long when they see our relationship from close." I cross my arms, literally showing in my body language that there is a barrier between us.
"..." She clicks her tongue
"Don't worry, I am gonna let you use a subordinate of mine to show my support for you. He is pretty strong and a monster." And pretty disgusting. That recently summoned fella will be a good attack dog… or attack insect. "Two, in fact. Enough to make you the undisputed leader."
"Oh, I like this."
"But let warn you… Use them only to put dissidents in place and not for personal reasons like finally killing so monster you don't like." I say seriously, eyes sharp.
"..." She looks away for a second.
She was absolutely gonna provoke soone into making a move against her and use my subordinates to settle her grudges. I am gonna instruct them how to act. "Death Dealer here will be watching you, too." I point at Selene.
"..." Shiklah doesn't seem to like it, but what can she do? Say no. Would she do that, though? I am already being nice for being honest.
"So…" I nudge
"..." She sighs "Okay, I am gonna gather who I can… It can take so ti, I can also start selling the idea to so already."
"Do that, take as many as you can on your side… Dracula's side will be strong. And as much as I can always keep everyone in line, my physical interference should be minimal." I nod "Ah, also found the most awful monster that will obviously be against the plan and invite him."
"..." She looks at "You are really nasty."
"An example needs to be made." I say without sha "With humans, I could give the first impression as a good guy that can be ruthless if the situation needed… But the opposite should be done with the monsters. I will first be ruthless enough to scare them and eventually win them over with kindness."
"Well, unfortunately, it is the language we understand the best." She needs to admit, shrugging slightly.
I nod again "That is it. I will be back later, and Death Dealer will be in the city if you need to talk with ." I turn around
"Are you sure that you don't want to stay the night?" She tries again, acting coy.
"No."
"Can I say yes?" Spyke comnts as I return to the group
"No." I answer imdiately, the girls following .
"Seriously, Eidolon… are you gay by any chance?" Spyke asks "No judgnt here." He jokes
"I am gonna tell your aunt that you want to lay with a succubus." I give him a deadpan stare, watching his smirk drop. The others laughed. "But seriously, I know that you are joking, but be wary of honey traps."
"I am a teenager."
"You are surrounded by beautiful girls; you shouldn't be that impressionable." I say, at the sa ti, complinting the girls and making them smile and blush.
"...you are too smooth." Spyke narrows his eyes at . "I know that you are a playboy, I just can't prove it."
"..."
We go back the way we ca from while we laugh slightly.
"Do you understand what I am doing?" I ask Illyana as we go down the stairs, but I am really addressing the whole group. The reason I brought Illyana here is that down the line, I plan to have her take the place as Ruler of Limbo.
I am not gonna force her(I will always have the option of using a summoned subordinate), but I am already training her for it.
"You are… creating a system for them that can be compatible with us." She says with a little hesitation.
"Yes." I nod proudly "I wish my job as a hero would be just saving the people in front of and then going ho. But I… we should think forward by a lot. Many ask why I don't do more to make the world a better place… but I am. They are just not seeing it."
"Aren't you just controlling everything from the shadows?" Raven accuses , making everyone look at her
I am not offended. "I am just the glue that will make them stick together with the plan till they see for themselves that it is the best way. The main thing is that they eventually don't need … exactly what I want for humans too."
"What if they don't like your way?" Raven asks
"Then I failed, and we are really incompatible…" I answer calmly, but my voice gains a dangerous edge. "They will officially beco our enemies, and I will not allow monsters beneath us killing humans when they want."
"..."
"Dark." Bob says somberly
"This is fucking complicated." Rogue huffs eventually
"Right?" I laugh "Wait for your debut as a hero." I tease
They groan playfully.
"You really put a lot of thought into this, right Eidolon?" Kitty suddenly asked a little more seriously
"Yes, if not, I will never retire." I joke slightly
"Do you want to stop being a hero?" She is surprised for so reason
"Of course, one day Eidolon will hang the mantle eventually. No more double lives to , you, or other heroes. You will even know my real na."
"Now this I want to see." She laughs "What I like about this is that I really feel that you are moving forward, get it?"
"I understand… Only fighting doesn't change anything; the status quo remains like a Saturday cartoon." I sigh
"Yeah, I also want to do more…" Kitty looks down.
"Just enjoy your high school life, after that you can decide if you are gonna step into this path." I warn "You are already seeing that it is more complicated than you thought. You are gonna have more responsibilities than defeating bad guys."
"High school, huh?" She ponders "How old are you, Eidolon?"
I was about to say "Yes." But Raven beat to it.
"More than 10 billion years." She replies with a dry voice
"....." Everyone looks at her and then at , waiting for to deny it.
I just laugh at their faces. "Hahaha! That is what a certain spell tells if you use it in … it is just that there are so space-ti shenanigans. Don't mind, Raven." I explain with a chuckle.
"What kind of life have you lived till now?" Jean asks while staring deeply at .
"I am only getting started."
......…..
A.N.: Hello There
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