"All Hell's Even" by M.K.Davis

started on 10-31-1999

Magik snuggled cozily in her bed. She had spent Halloween evening watching horror movies with the other New Mutants, until she just couldn't stand it anymore, and decided that the oblivion of sleep was better than the illusions of reality. The other Muties enjoyed Halloween immensely, and this annoyed her. She herself liked some aspects of it-- or at least, part of her did-- but the plastic and laytex images of fictional mosters and goblins held neither fear nor fascination for her. She had seen true demons, as closely as any human could be to them, and had endured trials and torments so horrifying that the concept of being pursued by vampires or ghouls was laughable.

Damn stupid holiday, she mused. We have scarier people-- and things-- living right here in the X-Mansion. Life has enough horror in it without fake blood and guts, anyway. Hell, childhood can be worse than all that crap. It was in my case. But I lived through it. I survived, and it's behind me now. I had to go through some serious crap to get here. Stuff that they'll never have to experience. I don't think I'll ever tell them everything I had to do...it's just too shocking-- they wouldn't understand. I've never even told Kitty, and she's my best friend. I surely can't tell them everything that happened to me...they'd look at me differently. It would change everything, I just know it. I can't lose this now...I've found a place among my own kind where I feel like I belong...sometimes.

No, I like where I am and what I'm doing, and if anyone tries to change that, they'll get a sword in their gut.

Her thoughts were soon more occupied by the comfort of her bed than the strength of her experience and power, and sleep overcame her.

When she awakened next, it seemed that the entire world must have been asleep, so quiet and still was the mansion. She glanced over at her clock-- it was only 10 pm. She listened again, but heard not even a peep. She was sure that the others were still watching the all night Halloween horror marathon, but there was no evidence that any living soul shared the building with her at the time. She looked out her window and saw only total darkness. The forecast had been for clear skies, but she could not see a single star. She could not detect yard lights, trick-or-treaters, or even the faint silhouette of trees.

The quiet darkness of her surroundings gave her an eerie thought, like perhaps while she slept, her room-- with her in it-- had been transported to a place of absolute nothingness.

Whatever, she thought as she rolled back over and pulled the covers up to her chilly head. Nothing at all means nothing at all bad, so back to sweet sleep I go...

"Illyana," called a male voice from the other side of her room.

"Yeah?" she responded without looking up.

"Arise, Illyana."

"Dammit guys, I'm trying to sleep, okay?"

"You will sleep later, Illyana. You must hearken to my warning. Dreadful times are coming."

"Dreadful times are coming for you if you don't get the hell out of my room. You shouldn't come in here without knocking anyway, jerk. Who is it, Sam or Bobby?"

"You do not recognize me, Illyana?"

She turned over to throw something, but stopped when she saw the face hanging in the darkness.

"Nightcrawler?"

"Yes."

"All the way from Scotland?"

"No..."

"Hey, is Kitty here?"

"Kitty is in Scotland."

"Oh. Well, look-- nice to see you and everything, but knock on the door next time. I'll see you in the morning, okay?"

Nightcrawler glumly stared at her as she rolled over. "Tonight your power will be beyond your control. You will encounter three places and times that will show you the problem you face, the solution to the problem, and what will happen if you should fail. You will also be spirited to behold your friend Rahne-- the Rahne of your past, the Rahne of your present, and the Rahne of your future. In her heart you will find what you need to know."

"Go Scrooge yourself," replied Magik, not willing to be the victim of anyone's pranks. "I told you, I'm sleepy, and I never liked Dickens anyway. Stephen King whips his butt."

"Look at me, Magik."

"Dammit, I'll put my sword through your blue belly if you don't SHUT UP and let me get some sleep!"

But when she did turn her eyes to him, she knew. She knew which Nightcrawler she was addressing.

The dead one.

A chill crept up her body as he continued to speak, and she felt the fearsome voice of reason telling her that he was speaking the truth.

"You are on a terrible path, Illyana. The same one Belasco led me down. At the end of that journey is a fate too grim for me to tell you of-- even if I were allowed."

She watched and listened, afraid to move. His face was cold and somber. His fur was a pale, dirty blue. His stature was distorted and emaciated.

"There is still time for you, however. You can avoid sharing my fate, but it will require a true change of heart in you. The evil you fight in yourself will not go away on its own. You must not only stop embracing it, you must willingly turn away from it. The day will come when you will be forced to make a critical decision. If your heart is not right, you will surely submit to the darker side of your soul."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"Nothing, yet. Your own power will take you when and where you must go. Thrice this night, you will be sorely tested. Be strong and you will gain nothing. Be weak, and you may gain the will to resist evil on your darkest day. Do not follow me, Illyana. You have been warned."

And with that, he faded away.

I should go downstairs and see if those jerks are up to something!

But she didn't leave her bed at all, and it took her over an hour to return to sleep.

She awoke at midnight to the sound of a mighty roar.
 

~to be continued~