X-Men Fan Fiction ❯ Witness ❯ Fathers and Daughters. ( Chapter 37 )

Authors Note/Disclaimer:

I do not own XMen Evolution, its characters, or the universe they live in. I intend no disrespect or copyright infringement. This is a work of adult fan fiction and is intended only for entertainment purposes. I make no money from this work.

Here we see how Wanda and Marissa’s plan plays out…And of course, being the Brotherhood, nothing ever goes as smoothly as they hope. Plot, character development, the answers to some of your questions…No sex.

There will be one more chapter and this story is done.

As always, constructive criticism is welcome.

Please see the first chapter for complete warnings for this piece.

Chapter Thirty Seven: Fathers and Daughters.

Todd knew something wasn’t quite right. Marissa was jittery and she wasn’t eating very well. Every time her cell phone rang she jumped as if something had bit her. After a couple of days of this he decided to confront her. He waited for Angie to leave on some sort of errand before locking the office door behind her.

“All right babe, what’s eating you?”

“What do you mean?” Marissa glanced over her shoulder at him as she sat in front of her computer.

“You’ve been jumpier than Pietro after a trip to Starbucks…Come on. You said no more secrets, yo.” She was silent for a long moment, continuing to stare at her computer screen before answering.

“I’m waiting for an important phone call. Rogue’s supposed to be leading a rescue for Peter’s little sister. Once she’s safe…Then it will be time to make a move.”

“Now? With you getting so close? Wouldn’t it be better to wait?”

“No. It wouldn’t. I’m only safe as long as I’m pregnant. I still don’t trust him not to snatch the babies.” Marissa turned her chair around to face him. “And…I won’t be able to stay pregnant much longer…I think I’m getting sick again.”

“What? Are you serious?” He took a good look at her…Yeah, her skin had begun to go grayish and while her belly was getting bigger, her cheekbones had begun to go all hollow. Shit. “I thought Wanda fixed that.”

“She pushed my mutation to its limit…And I guess I’ve reached it.” Marissa sighed. “I didn’t want to worry you since there’s not much to do for it. I’m doing everything the doctor said to do.”

“Shit…”

“Yeah.” Marissa pulled a quarter out of her pocket and began to fiddle with it. It flashed in the light. “There’s so many things that could go wrong…So many people who could get hurt.” She reached over to set the coin spinning on the desk.

“Maybe we should call Rogue and see what’s going on?”

“I don’t want anyone to think the Brotherhood’s involved in the rescue…That way if things go bad, Magneto doesn’t blame us for it.”

“Does Pietro know?”

“I told him things were about to heat up…But, I haven’t given him any details. The less he knows, the less his father can hold him responsible for.”

“Don’t think Magneto’s gonna see it that way.” Todd moved to stand beside her and run his fingers through her hair, silently noting the change in its texture. Yeah, she was getting sick again.

“It’s the best I can do…This is Wanda’s and my show…I want the rest of you involved as little as possible. That way if it all blows up in our face, you guys can say Wanda went nuts and dragged me with her.” She kept spinning the coin faster and faster.

“I don’t like this...”

Marissa started as her cell phone rang and the coin spun off the edge of the desk to roll across the floor.

“Hello?” She sat up straight in her chair, listening to a voice on the other end.

“You did? Is she all right?” Another pause as she met his eyes, her expression serious.

“Did you call Remy? No? I’ll call him then.” She hung up quickly.

“That Rogue?”

“Yeah. They got her…She’s fine. I’m gonna call Remy so he can deal with Peter.”

“Why didn’t she call?”

“They’re afraid Magneto might catch them…But, it’s no big thing for me to call and check in with him.”

“It’s not?” Todd wasn’t aware that she’d been calling him. Not sure he liked that. Though why the Cajun bothered him and Lance didn’t, he couldn’t quite put into words. Maybe it was because he knew Lance so well.

“No. Just hang tight…The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can all get on with our lives.” She rubbed her belly for a moment before dialing.

“Hey Remy…Can you talk?” She paused for a moment, waiting. Todd moved closer, trying not to look like he was eavesdropping. Since he was.

“Rogue just called….They got her. She’s fine.” Todd couldn’t quite hear his response.

“All right…We need to move soon. I…I’m getting sick again.” A longer pause this time.

“I’ll be all right…Just give me about a day to make sure everyone’s on the same page. Then tell him. That should bring him.” Another long pause.

“Good luck…Watch your back, Rem. We can’t pull this off without you.” Then she hung up.

“It’s on…And real soon. It’s time to talk to Pietro, now.”

After that, things happened really fast. Todd had trouble keeping up with all of it. Marissa and Wanda had a long talk with Pietro. Then she and Angie spent hours in their office burning disk after disk of data.

“What’s that for?”

“Back up…I’m not going to lose everything I’ve worked so hard for, Todd. Angie and Fred are going on a vacation.” The disks went into a briefcase along with a lap top. “If Magneto trashes the servers here, Angie will have everything she needs to get us back up and running at our remote site within 48 hours.”

“You never mentioned that before.” Todd was puzzled.

“It’s a secret…I didn’t even tell Angie until this morning. Remy’s the only other one who knows where it is.”

“Jesus…”

“This data is really sensitive…Hundreds of mutants and thousands of carriers and latents. Imagine what Magneto could do with that…I’ll bet he has.”

“Shit…Maybe we should just blow it up.” Todd didn’t like the idea of living with that in their basement.

“Only as a last resort…” Marissa popped another disk into the burner. “That’s some real expensive equipment. The remote site doesn’t have quite the same capacity. But, it will do short term. No matter what happens here, the Legacy will go on, with or without me.”

“Sometimes you scare me, Riss.”

“Sometimes I scare myself.” She stopped to shoot him a nervous smile. “I love you…”

“Love you, too.”

Then Angie and Fred were leaving with pockets full of cash and a briefcase full of disks, even though it was almost midnight.

“Remember, Angie. Pay cash for everything…And don’t use your names if you don’t have to.”

“Yeah…I gotcha boss.”

“Bye guys.”

“Bye.” Then there were hugs and tears before the couple climbed into their cab and drove away.

“Don’t you think Magneto will wonder where they went?” Todd wondered if he’d actually see the two of them again.

“Nobody ever pays much attention to Fred unless he’s actually in their face…Magneto included. And if things go bad…Angie’s toast, being a normal and all.”

“Yeah, guess you’re right…Can we go to bed now? It’s late.” Marissa looked dead on her feet. She was swaying back and forth with fatigue. She yawned and nodded, letting him lead her off to bed.

After she fell asleep he lay for a long time in the dark worrying. About Marissa and the babies. About Magneto. About Angie and Fred. Even about that damned Cajun…

Why he was sticking his neck out so far, Todd still didn’t understand. Unless…Maybe it was about Rogue. Strange thought. He’d always thought she was creepy. Then again people thought he was creepy. Go figure.

He didn’t sleep well…Touching Riss’ skin was like touching a hot stove and she kept tossing and turning. She mumbled in her sleep without quite waking up. He just sighed and rolled over, trying to go back to sleep. He wanted to be with her tonight…just in case things went really wrong tomorrow.

Morning came…Too bright and too early. Everyone was nervous and crabby as they made do with cold cereal and juice. Pietro just zipped in and out, not bothering to talk and Lance was barely awake. Without Fred, breakfast just wasn’t the same…

This time it wasn’t a phone call that made Marissa jump; it was a text message, short and to the point.

“Everyone coming at noon.”

“Shit…It’s on, now.” Marissa looked even paler than usual, passing the phone to Wanda.

“We’re ready.” Wanda scowled at the message. “He could have given us a little more detail, don’t you think?”

“I doubt it…He’s probably got Magneto breathing down his neck.” Then Marissa grimaced. “Oh Jeez, kids…give me a break…” And she was up and dashing for the bathroom.

“Can’t you do anything for her?” Todd looked at Wanda. If she fixed her once, maybe she could do it again.

“I wouldn’t try it…” Wanda bit her lip anxiously. “I’m sorry. It’s just not safe...”

“All right.” Todd sighed and dug into his cereal.

Then Marissa was back, looking greenish. She made a face and poured herself another bowl.

“Gotta eat, kiddies…Please let this stay down…” She mumbled under her breath. Then she looked across the table at Wanda. “Wanda…How much time do you think we need?”

“Thirty minutes…Maybe an hour.” Wanda tapped her spoon against her bowl thoughtfully. “Don’t want the cavalry showing up too early…”

“Gotcha on that…” Marissa forced down another couple of spoonfuls while Todd puzzled over their cryptic conversation. He really hated when they did that. “I’ll call Rogue as soon as I’m done.”

The rest of the day was full of nervous anticipation and last minute preparations. Marissa spent half the morning in her office, doing what, he had no idea. Then they were all hanging out in the living room trying to watch TV. But really, they were waiting.

Then it was time and they heard the crunch of gravel outside. They were here.

Pietro jumped up and opened the door before they reached it. It was like watching the past repeat itself and Todd’s stomach twisted into knots. Marissa was sitting between himself and Wanda on the couch and her hand was gripping his knee almost painfully tight. Lance was sitting on Wanda’s far side, his arm reaching around Wanda to rest on Marissa’s shoulder.

Sabertooth entered first, circling around the room to stand next to the couch. The smile he gave them was much too toothy for comfort. Next came the big Russian, who gave Marissa a curious look before he took up a position near the kitchen. They John came in, moving to lean against the staircase railing. The fact that they were all dressed in street clothing didn’t really reassure him.

Finally, Magneto entered with a nod to his son, with the Cajun close behind him. Pietro closed the door silently. Magneto gave them each a long look before walking across the room to stand in front of Marissa, his lips pressed together in an expression of disapproval as he took in the scene.

“I understand you are not feeling well.”

“Yeah…I’ve been sick.” He could feel Marissa’s fingers twitching a little. “You were right about…the toxin.”

Magneto reached for Marissa’s chin, taking it in his hand and tilting it up, studying her face.

“Hmmm…I see. I think it would be best for you and the twins if you were to return with me.”

“You’re not taking her away again.” Wanda’s hand held Marissa’s tightly.

“I only want what is best for your little friend here, my dear.” He smiled at Wanda absently as he stroked Marissa’s cheek with his thumb. “I will feel better knowing that she has the best possible care.”

“Like you did when you put me in that asylum, Daddy?” Wanda’s voice dripped with saccharine sweetness. Suddenly Wanda had all of the man’s attention. Todd started as he felt a clawed hand on his shoulder, its pressure a warning.

“Asylum?”

“The one Mastermind tried to make me forget…” Wanda’s smile was icy and her eyes glittered dangerously. “Daddy.” Magneto’s eyes narrowed, he began to withdraw his hand from Marissa’s chin, but she let go of Todd’s knee to grab his wrist.

“We’ve been wanting to talk to you Eric. About the future.” Todd was proud that her voice sounded confident even though he was sure she was scared to death. “Yours and ours.”

Magneto pulled away from her with a scowl and stepped back. Wanda rose from the couch, helping Marissa to do the same with a hand beneath her elbow.

“You, Marissa…will be returning with us. And this time, Todd will be joining us, as well.” Magneto continued to back away slowly towards the Cajun. Peter had circled around to stand behind his other shoulder. “And as for your Legacy…You will give me the security codes now. Gambit will be handling those duties until you are well enough to return to work.”

Sabertooth was now holding both of Todd’s shoulders, claws digging into his flesh warningly. Todd gulped as he realized he’d just become a hostage…Shit. Lance had risen from the couch and was looking back and forth between Todd and Marissa trying to decide if he should act.

“You’re not taking my people anywhere!” Pietro moved to stand between Marissa and his father.

“Don’t defy me, boy! I have tolerated more than enough from you.” Magneto brushed him aside and reached for Marissa’s arm, pulling her forward. Wanda followed, her fingers intertwined with Marissa’s. “You are in no position to argue.”

His eyes were locked on Todd who was being jerked upright by Sabertooth. The larger mutant held Todd pinned against his chest with one clawed hand around his neck.

“It’s O.K. Pietro.” Wanda placed a hand on Pietro’s shoulder and nudged him away. Her other hand still clung tightly to Marissa.

“Give me the codes now, and we will leave.” Magneto glared down at Marissa.

“I can’t do that. It was never part of the deal.” Marissa’s voice was quiet.

“You will.” Then he raised one hand in a gesture toward the kitchen.

Nothing happened and he seemed puzzled. He gestured again, and again nothing happened.

“What is this? What have you done?” He dropped Marissa’s arm as if it burned him and backed away. Todd flinched when Sabertooth’s grip on him tightened and the man growled in his ear.

Marissa followed Magneto as he backed towards Peter and Remy.

“It’s time to choose…Who are you? Magneto or Eric?” Marissa’s voice carried across the room.

“Yes Daddy…It’s time to choose.” Wanda smiled coldly as they advanced on him.

“Choose? You are making a grave mistake. Restore my powers or my Acolytes will destroy you!” He gestured again, and again nothing happened.

“Are you sure about that?” Wanda’s voice was mocking. “Are you sure they’re your Acolytes?”

Then he was struggling in Peter’s grasp, the taller Russian catching him in a wrestling hold that forced his head forward painfully. Magneto was enraged.

“How dare you? Release me or your sister’s life is forfeit!”

“Perhaps it is your life that is forfeit. My sister is safe in the hands of your enemies.” The Russian tightened his grip and Magneto grunted in pain. Everyone stared as Magneto struggled.

“Piotr! Enough!” Remy clapped the larger man on the shoulder. “Dis not de plan!”

“Peter!” Marissa stepped forward. “Stop!”

“He is a monster! You heard what he said.” Peter’s cheeks were flushed with anger.

“He is our father.” Wanda stepped forward. “And we will give him one final chance to make things right.” Her eyes seemed to sparkle and the Russian’s grip loosened a little.

“Victor…” Magneto gasped. “The boy…Kill him.”

All eyes turned to Sabertooth who held Todd in his grip. Sabertooth narrowed his eyes and surveyed the room. John was advancing slowly, a ball of flame in his hand.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, mate.”

He growled and his fingers tensed, digging his sharp claws a little further into the flesh of Todd’s neck.

“You don’t want to do this, yo.” Todd squeezed out, his heart pounding in his chest. Sabertooth snarled.

“Shaddup and let me think, Toad-boy.”

“No. I don’t think you want to do that, do you Victor?” Wanda fixed him with a glare. Small objects began to fly around the room and the floor seemed to ripple beneath their feet.

“Sounds like a family matter ta me.”

“Victor!” Magneto shouted. “You will do as I say!”

“Ya don’ pay me enough fer this. That kid o’ yers holds a grudge like no other.” Victor pulled Todd over the back of the sofa and retreated until his back was pressed against the wall. “Me and Toad-boy here are just gonna wait it out.”

“Wanda!” Marissa spoke sharply as some of small objects began to move at cross purposes to the rest. These were made of metal.

“Naughty, naughty.” Wanda waved a finger as she drew Marissa back to her father. Marissa reached to touch his face. “We can’t have that now, can we?”

As Marissa’s fingers touched his face, the objects ceased their independent motion.

“Please Eric, we don’t want to fight with you.” Marissa’s tone was soothing.

“Impossible! You cannot do this to me!” Magneto struggled again in the Russian’s grip. “How are you doing this?”

“Well, I could never do it alone…” Wanda raised Marissa’s hand to her lips and kissed their intertwined fingers. “Must have driven you crazy, trying to figure out Marissa’s gifts. Or even if she had one.” Wanda chuckled.

“Let’s just get this over with Wanda…” Marissa frowned.

“I want to enjoy this, Riss.” Wanda moved closer, wrapping both hands around Marissa’s. Magneto struggled to pull away from Marissa’s touch. “You see…Marissa adapts…To her environment, and especially to the people within it. For me, that means she has become a channel for my powers…”

“A channel…” Magneto stopped struggling as he listened to her words.

“But, better than that is her other gift. At least to I think so...” Wanda’s smile was broad and she pulled Marissa’s hand up to her heart in enthusiasm.

“Wanda…” Marissa tugged at her hand impatiently. “Please.”

“What gift is that?” Magneto grated out, his face scowling.

“Whatever your deepest want or need is…She knows it. It seems such a small thing, but see what you can do when you grant a few wishes?” Wanda gestured expansively to include all the Acolytes.

“Wanda…That’s not a power, it’s just logic. And you sound like some comic-book villain, over-explaining everything.” Marissa was getting impatient.

Wanda giggled.

“That is nonsense. You need help Wanda. Release me and I will help you…” Magneto’s voice changed with this new tactic, becoming soothing.

“You don’t believe me? Then tell him Marissa…”

“Wanda…” Marissa began, but Wanda silenced her with a slow kiss. When she pulled away, Marissa blinked slowly. Her pupils had grown large and dark, almost blotting out the golden rings. Todd’s felt queasy at her strangely vacant expression.

“Tell him…”

She pointed at Remy.

“Freedom.”

Wanda pointed at Peter.

“For his sister to be safe.”

Now she pointed at John.

“To know and accept himself without fear.”

Then it was Lance.

“To be needed.”

“Pietro.”

“To escape his father’s shadow and be his own man.”

“Todd.”

“To love and be loved.”

“Sabertooth.”

“For people to see the man behind the animal.”

“And my father?”

“He is more complicated...The part of him that is Magneto wants power and revenge…But, the part that is Eric Lenssher wants…needs…redemption.”

“She lies...She is feeding your delusions Wanda…”

“What is my hearts desire?” Wanda stroked Marissa’s cheek.

“To have a father that truly loves you.”

“And what’s yours?”

“Mine?” Wanda nodded encouragingly. “To know my family is safe. All of my family.”

“Who is it that threatens your family, keeps my father from loving me, and prevents my father from seeking redemption?”

“Magneto.”

“This is madness! She has infected you all! Release me!” Magneto began to struggle again. The Russian smiled grimly as his hold tightened.

“It’s time, Remy.” Wanda pulled Marissa to one side, to allow the man access to Magneto. “The XMen will be here shortly to discuss a…peaceful…resolution.”

“Traitors! How dare you!” Magneto struggled again as Remy stepped forward to grip his face with both hands.

“Look at me.” Remy’s voice was low and commanding and the older man tried to turn his face away. There was tension in the air as a battle of wills began. “Look at me.”

Magneto began to thrash and struggle, trying to escape. Below their feet, a rug writhed and moved to wrap around the man’s legs, creeping upwards to bind him tightly.

“Wanda! What are you doing to him?” Pietro hovered nearby, uncertain.

“We’re going to help him…” Wanda shot a dark glance at her brother.

“You gon’ listen to Remy…” Remy’s voice was getting harsher and louder. “Look at me!”

“Wanda!” Pietro protested, but he didn’t interfere.

“We’re going to help him…You’ll see.” Wanda returned her attention to her father, who was now caught in the Cajun’s red-hued gaze.

“You gon’ listen now. You don’ fight no more.”

“No…Release me…”

“You don’ fight…You listen…Be still!” Then everything was still for a moment. Magneto stopped struggling and hung passively in the Russian’s grip.

“You gon’ listen now.” Magneto nodded slowly.

“You don’ fight.” Another nod.

“He yours now, witch.” Remy’s tone was disgusted and he moved aside, rubbing his temples with his fingers.

“Wanda…” Pietro’s eyes were wide and his face was pale as he watched. “You can’t…”

“I can, and I will. This is for all of us.” Then Wanda whispered in Marissa’s ear and the girl reached for Magneto’s face. Wanda stood behind her, hands on Marissa’s shoulders.

“You are Eric Lenssher. You are a father and a teacher...Our father…We love you and you love us…” Wanda began. Wisps of purple energy began to swirl around her hands and flow into Marissa’s body.

“Magneto was a terrible mistake…He was born out of fear and pain and guilt…” The energy began to spill out of Marissa’s fingers, wrapping around Magneto’s face.

“We need our father…We need you…” Wanda’s voice droned on.

“You need this Eric…You need us…The only thing keeping you from moving on is Magneto…” Marissa’s voice wove in and out of Wanda’s.

The almost hypnotic chant continued for several minutes. Todd was startled as Sabertooth shoved him forward hard enough to make him fall to his knees. By the time he recovered, the other mutant had vanished. Lance was at his side immediately.

“You O.K., man?” He whispered.

“Yeah…” Todd looked again at the girls and Magneto. The Russian dude almost looked scared. Remy stood nearby, still rubbing his temples, his expression pained. John was peering into the kitchen, a ball of flame in his hand. That must be where Sabertooth went.

Pietro was standing near the front door, looking as if he wanted to run, his horrified eyes fixed on Wanda’s face. Another glance toward Wanda and Marissa…Marissa was swaying slowly and her voice was beginning to falter.

“Marissa…” Todd nudged Lance and moved closer. “Wanda…Stop…Look at Riss.” As he got closer, he could see all the color had drained out of Marissa’s face. Wanda didn’t seem to hear him.

“Dat enough.” Remy saw it too. He was closer and he reached for the girls, pulling them apart.

“No!” Wanda protested and grabbed for Marissa who began to crumple to the floor. Remy grabbed for her too.

Then something happened…There was a flash of purple and the entire room rippled sickeningly. Remy recoiled, clutching at his head and Wanda retreated, leaving Marissa in a heap. Magneto slid noiselessly to the floor as the Russian let him go, stepping backwards warily.

Todd and Lance rushed to Marissa’s side and Pietro reached for his sister.

“Wanda…Get it under control!” Pietro shook her hard enough to make her teeth chatter.

“Oh God! Pietro!” Wanda’s voice was frightened as she struggled for control. The room continued to ripple and objects around them writhed as if alive.

“He’s lost control…Oh God! He’ll kill us all…” Marissa wasn’t unconscious as Todd thought, she was clutching at her head, her eyes squeezed tight. “It hurts…Oh God! It hurts!”

“What hurts?” Todd pulled her into his lap. “Marissa…”

“Oh shit!” Lance looked up. Remy was standing in the center of the room, eyes shut tight, his palms pressed against his temples. Around his feet the floor had begun to glow red, the energy creeping slowly from the spot under his feet.

Lance moved quickly, stepping into the growing circle of red. The older man was oblivious to his presence, locked in his own fight for control. A quick punch to the man’s jaw sent him crashing to the floor.

“Damn that felt good.” The red glow faded as Lance rubbed his fist, a small smile on his lips.

“Marissa!” Marissa went limp in Todd’s arms. “Shit…Come on, babe…You’re gonna be O.K. You gotta be.”

“Lance! Help me out here!” Pietro called for Lance as he continued to try to calm Wanda down. “Come on Wanda…It’s over….It’s done.”