CHAPTER 408 CAUGHT

CHAPTER 408 CAUGHT

My new bus driver buddy was nice enough to drive us all the way to the main headquarters. Telling me all the little secrets and gossip of the island, I was able to unveil a lot of it by mainly focusing it on the hot women, then he naturally opened up to me about what he hated. Evelyn had taught me how to be a spy a long time ago, gathering information was always the most important part of going to any new place.





By the time he dropped us off I knew that Magneto was well loved, but often seen as a fanatic. He held “church” every Sunday. Spouting off his version of the mutant gospel. My new best friend suspected he was writing a mutant bible and gauging how people reacted to what he said until he added it all to the Bible.



Magneto would also spend the hour long service talking about specific examples of mutants hurt by regular people and amazing things some of them could do. Magneto got really fiery about the mutants turned into goop to help a human get his dick back about a month ago. There was a funeral service conducted for those killed and their names were added to the mural.



The mural was a massive monolith at the center of the city. Made out of a black steel, Magneto etched the names of the mutants killed in the fight for independence. Which was just an excuse to put the name of every mutant that died at the center of town.



By the end of the drive I knew Magneto was not the kind of person I wanted to befriend. In some instances of the mutants, Magneto turned into the good guy. A far cry from that, he was too busy with his Holy War for mutantkind. I knew the man would kill me without a moment’s hesitation. One of the many reasons I was glad I now had a sword made from my soul instead of actual metal.



We got off the bus and Kyle told me where he lived. He had more interesting stories to tell and he would be happy to for some beers at a local bar. Excited to go to my future mutant establishment I walked to the large buildings with the other Hellfire club members. Gravitating to Emma she gave me a nod as she got close.



“That was well done,” she said.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“How you got information from him. At first I thought you were an idiot but...” She left it open for interpretation. “You’re so full of surprises.”

“Oh ye of little faith,” I said. “Ever hear of a villain called the Riddler?” She shook her head. “He once said, “there are two rules to follow in life. One, never reveal everything you know.” She waited then opened her mouth, but got it before she said anything. Rolling her eyes she smiled at me as the wide doors opened.



The headquarters for the mutants was more like a massive palace. Large steps leading up to it, the two-story tall doors were big enough for anyone to walk through. Two guards stationed on the outside they had spears in hand and automatic rifles slung on their backs. Impressed by the show of strength we walked in to find more doors opening for us.



“I always hate coming here,” Obadiah rasped.



“Shut it,” Shaw said. “Magneto is a ruler of his own country for a reason.”



“Why are we coming here anyway?” I asked, loudly. Uncaring for how quiet the palace was. Shaw looked at me but sneered. He didn’t appreciate my antics, but I didn’t care. Fear leaking off of him I guessed he wasn’t the Shaw from the X-Men reboot movies. In the movies Shaw had been the one that scared Magneto.



We came out into a large throne room. A tall throne at the end of the great hall, Magneto sat atop it. Wearing his bright purple pimp suit he was easy to spot. At his right was a woman in red, and at his left was a boy in blue. The boy had gray hair slicked back, and the girl wore a scarlet red crown on her head.



Excited to maybe meet the mysterious twins at last, I frowned as I noticed others in the room. One was sitting in a wheelchair, the other was wearing a red and black flannel shirt, the man next to him wore red sunglasses, and the last was a woman with red hair. I should have recognized them right away since I’d only seen them a few hours ago, but my brain blanked for a moment.

“Fucking Weston,” Wolverine growled.

“Hellooo,” I said with a wave to the X-Men. My voice echoing in the large chamber, the Hellfire Club’s annoyance grew. Feeling about as awkward as one could in such a situation I put on my best smile as I thought how to salvage this a little. I didn’t think the X-Men would catch me on my extracurricular activity. I guessed they were on the trail of Mr. Sinister as well.



The air became thick with anticipation. Then a great booming laugh sounded from the throne. Magneto, ever the king, laughed low and loud. Thankfully it wasn’t at me though. His eyes were all for Shaw.



“Mr. Shaw, how good of you to finally visit my home,” Magneto said. “And you brought some humans with you. How kind.” I was worried maybe they really did hunt humans for a moment, but Magneto continued. “To what am I due the honor of the presence of the Hellfire Club?”



“We had hoped to conduct this in a more private setting,” Shaw admitted, his eyes darting to the X-Men at our side.



“I believe I would prefer this to be public,” Magneto said. “Besides, I believe both of your interests are linked.”

Shaw frowned, but ever the business man he raised his head and nodded. “We want the last known location on Mr. Sinister.” From the Haki of those already present, it wasn’t a surprise for anyone. I didn’t remember all that much about Mr. Sinister. He was always this pale guy that would show up now and then in the canon. Not too worried about him, I was just there for the quests.



“I understand,” Magneto said with a nod from high up on his throne. I tried to keep my annoyance from the guy held back. Mainly because if I could build an island and name myself king, I couldn’t say for sure I wouldn’t do the exact same thing. “Mr. Sinister has long been hidden away from the world. Why he decides to make a move now, I do not know.” He sighed. His hands drumming on the arm of his throne as he thought.



“You have both asked me the same question. Due to our histories I would like to think on who I shall answer,” Magneto said. He stood up. “Until I have made my decision, please accept the hospitality of Genosha. Scarlet, Quick, please escort each group to a sitting room. The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver nodded. Both walking down the stairs, Scarlet moved toward the X-Men and Quicksilver moved for the Hellfire Club.



Since I doubted both teams would go to the same room, I discreetly scooted out from the side of the Hellfire Club and even more discreetly moved toward the X-Men. Despite my efforts at stealth a lot of eyes were on me from both camps. I laughed awkwardly but made it to next to Wolverine.

“Or are you the military lapdogs?” I shot back, throwing away the scared kid persona. “General Ross was on the tail of him, right? Are you going after him on orders from Fury?” From their Haki I could tell I was right. “What, beat him up and hand him over to the feds? Why don’t you ask Fury if he wants me along to help?”



Fury and Colson hadn’t mentioned the Avenger initiative once. But from Ross’ request to have a real human watch his granddaughter, I could tell I was on the short list for the team. I was on a quest and I would be damned if I wasn’t going to finish it.



“Come on, Scott. You said I was part of the team. So what if I came along without being asked. And rode in the car with the cool kids,” I added. “I’m here. Let me help. Besides, you know I’m right. I’ve fought these guys before. Would it be so bad to let me see this through to the end?”



I could tell from the others, even X, they were convinced. I knew Scott didn’t like me, but even his attitude waned with the request. He eyed the professor who nodded. “Fine, but you are on a short leash, Weston.”

“Wolverine is the animal, why doesn’t he have a leash?” I asked.



“Oh, I got a leash,” Wolverine said. “I was held back from throttling you as soon as you walked in.”

“Kinky,” I said with a smile. Looking from him to the others I felt that they would feel better if they saw me get my ass kicked. “I’m not sure how long this will take. How about a spar?”



“Now that...is not a bad idea,” Wolverine said. He chugged the rest of his scotch. “I’ve been here a few times. I think I know just the place.” The others ignored us as they began to converse about something else. Wolverine walked out the door we came in and I followed.



“You’re in deep shit, you know,” Wolverine mumbled out the side of his mouth.



“I assumed, about what?” I asked. “Hellfire or...my last fight with X?”

“Eh, we moved on from that,” Wolverine said. “X surprisingly didn’t wipe too many memories.”



“Oh yeah?” I asked, wondering if the girls would actually remember what we went through.



“Yeah, just some key moments like Illyana using her power, and Grey,” Wolverine said. He turned us down a side hall.



“Good,” I said, feeling a little better. I had to call Morgan to cancel our date, I hoped she at least remembered that. I was happy at least they would remember some of our adventure together.



“You did good, kid,” Wolverine said. “Despite the tight asses comments. It was discussed about bringing you along.”

“Oh yeah?” I asked. “Why’d I lose the vote?”

“Just bad timing,” Wolverine said. “X felt like you had a lot going on.”

“Yeah, well shit has been boring for a while. I’d rather stay busy. Besides, I’ve been meaning to come here for a while,” I admitted.



“Don’t trust everything you see here,” Wolverine whispered. I locked eyes with him and nodded. I didn’t think I needed to be told that. I knew that nothing was ever perfect.



The shorter man pushed in a door and a training facility was revealed. A wide open space available, there were mats set out on the floor, weight equipment, and a few people actually sparring. One was a huge fat guy, and the other was a shorter toad looking man. Wolverine ignored them though, moving to a mat near the door.



“Let’s see that fancy new sword of yours,” Wolverine said. “I’m curious what you know about them.”

“Oh right, I get to actually face your claws now,” I said excitedly as Nen poured out of my chest and pooled in my hand. The Soulsword materialized and I felt it harden a little more from my nen. Every use of the blade would make it stronger. I needed to make sure I didn’t go a day without using it.



I put two hands on it, and raised the blade toward Wolverine. “Good stance,” he said with a nod. I wondered if this version of the man spent time in Japan as well. “Footwork is on par.” He nodded in appreciation. With a shink his claws shot out of his knuckles. “Let’s see how good.” He ran at me and our blades met.



Metal grinding on metal, no sparks flew as the weapons met. Wolverine matched my strength but I tried to push him. “Don’t use all your strength to start. A sword battle is about endurance,” he said. With another shink the blades on his left hand retracted. Wolverine turned and punched me in the face as I lost my footing.

Seeing stars, I cursed but rolled to push myself up. My blade held up, Wolverine was already on me as he slashed his claws downward. My sword meeting them I covered my body in Nen as I started to use my real strength.

“Better,” Wolverine said with a smile as I pushed him back and myself up. “What about this?” He asked and released his claws again only to bring them back out. Dodging my blade he held one of the claws at my throat. “Never put too much forward. Always be ready to retreat and move backwards.”

I eyed the claw, actually sweating. The old man was taking me seriously. Showing me that I really hadn’t learned a whole lot in all of these years. Despite Haki, I would have been dead from the move.



“Yes, sensei,” I hissed and he smiled. We stepped back and our blades were out again. Ready to draw some blood.