[18] Emma Frost’s Kill Fire With Fire Plan Backfires

Chapter 18: Emma Frost's Kill Fire With Fire Plan Backfires

—

Emma Frost was a proud woman, yet she rarely let pride lead her to foolish decisions. So when she tipped off the Hand about Enrique Nova's location, it was a calculated move within her broader strategy for dealing with him. 

Emma was confident that Enrique, with his powers and abilities, wouldn't easily fall to the Hand's above-average humans, no matter how well-trained they were. It was rather likely that he'd win. Especially since they preferred traditional blades over modern weaponry, which she doubted could penetrate his durable costume.

She anticipated Enrique would fend off the ninjas, albeit with some difficulty. Following this, she expected him to make good on his promise to visit her, fulfilling his ominous vow to be her "nightmare." 

Funny, Emma scoffed in her head. After all, a man of his intelligence would surely deduce that the Hand's attack wasn't a mere coincidence, particularly on the day she had threatened him.

One would be curious why would Emma provoke him in this manner, knowing he might win? It wasn't purely spite, although a part of her did relish the thought of showing Enrique that she could be a formidable adversary. Her primary goal was to demonstrate that she was not to be underestimated and that seeking her help did not equate to having the upper hand.

Emma knew that dealing with the Hand was ultimately a matter of negotiation, whether through threats or bribes. She possessed the resources to handle either approach, leaving the choice up to them. However, she recognized a potential flaw in her plan: Enrique might arrive at the Massachusetts Academy in a rage, bypassing any chance of a civil conversation if any harm came to the three women living with him.

Yet, as a seasoned mind reader, Emma understood that significant gains often required taking substantial risks. She believed it was a risk worth taking, and she had a contingency plan in place just in case.

"Still curious why you've summoned me here, Emma," Charles Xavier remarked, seated across from her with a cup of tea in hand. "As far as I recall, we the X-Men and you aren't exactly on tea-drinking terms."

Emma Frost sipped her green tea, her eyes closed in a gesture of calm composure. She slowly opened them, placing her cup down with a smile that only deepened Charles' suspicion.

He was curious, was he? Emma was here to feed all his curiosity, just that he had to be a little patient. Their precious guest wasn't here yet, after all. 

He sat in his wheelchair, facing Emma, who had called the X-Men to her academy for an "emergency." Behind Charles stood Jean Grey, Scott Summers, Logan, and Ororo Munroe, all wearing expressions ranging from confusion to coldness. Their history with Emma was a rocky one, full of conflicts and only recently settling into a state of uneasy neutrality.

Charles continued, "Moreover, to request that a segment of the X-Men join you—I would have assumed this was a prank if the call hadn't come from you. Yet here we are, sitting for hours, and you've explained nothing."

Though he said that, he seemed to have listened to her request in any case. Because as Charles was speaking from his wheelchair, sitting opposite Emma, he wasn't alone. Jean Grey, Scott Summers, Logan, and Ororo Munroe were standing behind him.

They all wore confused, mostly cold expressions just like Charles. This situation wasn't anything they were expecting, as such was to be expected from their past relationship with Emma.

Emma clashed with the X-Men countless times in the past, but in recent years their relationship has been neutral; not friendly, but neutral.

Considering all that, it was natural for the X-Men to be confused when she called them for a so-called 'emergency'. The confusion only grew when they indeed came to her, courtesy to Charles wanting to hear the full story, and found Emma sitting across from them with a friendly smile on her face. She also refused to explain the main subject for quite some time now.

Emma was proud of this plan, to be honest, as this was pretty much the real-life representation of 'Kill Fire With Fire'—the saying. To use her old enemies to confront this new one; luckily the X-Men were people who would rather not kill too, exactly what was preferred by Emma this time as she wanted Enrique alive.

"Someone once advised me," Emma finally spoke, her eyes locking onto Charles, "to turn off my mind reading during conversations. They suggested that without it, I can't truly predict people's actions. I called you here to prove them wrong."

Charles frowned, clearly puzzled. "I'm sorry, but who is this 'someone'—"

Before he could finish, the sky roared, and lightning cracked like a massive tree branch splitting apart.

"That someone is here," Emma said, her smile unwavering. "X-Men, can I rely on you to help me survive tonight?"

The sound of thunder was soon drowned out by a furious voice from outside.

****

Enrique Nova believed in the power of logical planning, making the right choice in every scenario. This mindset had propelled him to the heights of success in his past life, but with success came a certain pride. A pride that couldn't overlook Emma Frost's audacity in underestimating him, assuming she had everything under control.

'Foolish bitch,' he thought, knowing that societal norms in 2011 hadn't quite embraced gender equality, making it rarer for women to achieve the level of power and influence Emma had. In truth, it was natural; to be so great as to surpass anyone else in the same field was worthy to be proud of. Sadly, these women often believed they were untouchable, which was irritating from an outsider's perspective. Enrique had encountered such arrogance before, and Emma exuded that same vibe.

– Rumble!

The sky roared as Enrique halted his flight above the Massachusetts Academy, inhaling sharply before releasing a thunderous roar.

"Emma Frost!" his voice boomed, carrying across the grounds. "Show yourself before I burn this place to the ground!"

He crossed his arms, waiting patiently, ready to unleash lightning if Emma didn't appear. To his mild surprise, she teleported onto the grassy terrain below, accompanied by Azazel and a group of four individuals.

The X-Men.

Professor X, Wolverine, Phoenix, Cyclops, and Storm. Storm's eyes turned white as she raised her hands to the sky, swiftly dispersing the storm clouds Enrique had summoned.

"Super-Nova," Charles Xavier called out, his voice calm but firm. "I demand you leave this place immediately. If you have anything to discuss, return when you're not in your Beast Form."

Enrique's eyes widened briefly at the sight of the X-Men, having not expected Emma to enlist their help. But when he heard Charles say this to his face, he couldn't help a wide grin spread across his lips.

"I disrespectfully refuse," Enrique responded, his tone dripping with defiance. "Instead, I demand you leave unless you want your arms to end up as useless as your legs, you bald little fuck."

Enrique Nova was not one to back down when insulted and threatened. No matter who stood in his way, not even a so-called legend like Charles Xavier and his X-Men.

X-x-X

Under a large golden umbrella, with a table set between two stools, the Mother Goddess of Egypt, Sky Goddess Mut, sat gracefully, holding a small glass of white wine. 

This royal drink of ancient Egypt, back when Ogdoad was the most prosper, was Mut's favorite, but her mood remained somber despite the delicate sip. Her eyes were fixed on the grotesque figure across from her—a dark, blobby entity with elongated fingers and a hideous face.

"Why don't you show your real form while speaking to your grandmother?" Mut asked, her frown deepening as the creature chuckled.

"Great-great-great-grandmother," the creature corrected with a snort. "But sure, I suppose I owe you that respect as the pantheon's elder and former Mother Goddess."

Mut resisted the urge to grimace at the jab. It stung to be reminded that Isis, the Goddess of Afterlife, her great-granddaughter, was the current Mother Goddess. While Mut had been relegated to the status of an elder god in the pantheon. 

Still, she was a very important figure. Slowly, she watched as the 'Beast' transformed into a lean, well-built woman with dark skin, her chest barely covered. Her stunning features were marred by a serpentine glint in her eyes as she smiled back at Mut.

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"Now, if you would speak," said the Beast, the Snake Goddess Kebechet, child of Anubis. "I paused my session of consuming three children just for this seemingly pointless meeting, you know?"

"You ought to show more respect, you know?" Mut sighed, a small smile forming as she sipped her wine. "Who would believe that the same vile Beast could appear so beautiful? My mood has improved." It bothered her that her great-great-great-ghter couldn't freely reveal her appearance without getting into trouble.

Kebechet smirked. "I'd be more respectful if you were still the Mother Goddess, grans. And thanks, but you know why I use that form."

"Ah-huh?"

"Maybe you should try reclaiming your position someday, overthrowing Granny Isis, and then perhaps I'll give you the respect you deserve."

"That is the plan," Mut said, setting her glass down. "Isis is too soft, too fearful, and too weak-minded for the pantheon's current state. The plan is to depose her and reclaim the throne."

"Oh?" Kebechet raised an eyebrow. "Is that why you called me here? To sway me to your side? Sorry, but you know I avoid the pantheon's politics—"

"I know, I know," Mut sighed. "Had I not known, I would have contacted you decades ago. What I called you here for today is something else entirely. I just mentioned my plan because I know you're not one to snitch, and besides, I am your favorite granny, aren't I?"

"Heh, of course. Who else has bailed me out of trouble so many times when I was younger? Without you, I'd be a statue by now," Kebechet shook her head. "What a foolish rule we're forced to follow, the very reason I act like a monster."

"I know, I know…" Mut sighed again, recalling the oppression they endured.

After a moment of contemplation, Mut got to the point. "It's precisely because of our situation that I reached out to this Enrique boy. He's part of my plan to liberate the pantheon. I'm sure you knew he was my Avatar, so it's frustrating that you sent your men after him. Why did you do that? When I discovered you were behind the Hand, I was quite angry."

Kebechet chuckled. "Perhaps I just wanted you to call me home? Maybe I missed my grandmother?"

"Not great-great-great-grandmother?"

"Oh, shut up, you ruined the mood," Kebechet chuckled again before returning to her seat.

"You shouldn't curse in front of your elders, girl."

"…Anyway, I just wanted to see your reaction, nothing more, that's why I went after the shiny boy. Though to be honest, it did stun me a little when I realized that this guy was your Avatar. I thought you'd never get one, to be honest."

"I wouldn't have, but the pantheon's current state… Even you must be aware of it, despite being in Japan." Mut sighed. "So, my point is, stop sending your people after my Avatar and his companions. I'll forgive you if you comply without further incidents."

Kebechet chuckled. "As if I had a choice? Even if I continue, who among my minions can defeat him? It's a waste of resources, so I would have stopped eventually, after bothering him for a few weeks. He killed many of my minions, after all. But since you asked nicely, I'll stop now."

"Thank you," Mut gave her a short smile. "Don't forget to vote for me as the next Queen, by the way, when such a voting session happens in the Pantheon in a few years. Alright?"

"Sure thing, old timer," Kebechet yawned, her mouth stretching wide.

****

After some casual conversation, catching up on each other's lives, Kebechet turned serious, sensing something off. "By the way, I sense a disturbance in your powers… Is your Avatar still fighting? And something else… What's happening?"

"Well…" Mut sighed. "Things are complicated. Enrique is indeed fighting, but one of his opponents is a child I once blessed."

With a snap of her fingers, a holographic screen appeared, showing a 3D view of Enrique battling the X-Men.

"I'm siding with Enrique, but…" Mut's gaze lingered on the screen, watching Enrique go hard against Storm. "I feel bad for her too."

"Whoo~ Brutal," Kebechet commented. "I like this guy. He didn't hesitate to act, even against someone you blessed. He's got guts. Unfortunately, he'll lose sooner or later."

"You think so?"

"Well… they have the Phoenix," Kebechet said, eyes on Jean Grey. "She's extremely powerful. If she perceives enough danger, she could tear him apart—unless his suit protects him—or at least injure him severely."

As the fight grew more intense and the scene bloodier, Mut's worry deepened. She could sense Jean holding back and feared the consequences if that changed. Mut bit her lip, anxiety etched on her face as Kebechet spoke.

"I think he messed up this time, grans."

"He usually has plans…"

"Maybe, but I'm just calling it as I see it." Kebechet shrugged. "Perhaps he does have a plan? We'll have to see."

As Jean Grey prepared to enter the fray, Mut desperately hoped Enrique had a plan—otherwise, all her efforts would be for naught.

X-x-X

"—Unless you want your arms to go useless like your legs."

All of the X-Men as expected were not a fan of what Super-Nova just said. Charles was a person who all of them deeply respected, regardless of the questionable things he had done throughout the past.

"The balls of this guy!" Scott "Cyclops" Summers reacted before anyone else, as he put a hand beside his visor. "Did your parents never teach you manners? Apologize!"

"What's up with that middle-schooler dialogue?" Enrique chuckled as he looked down at Cyclops with a tilt of his head. "I have a different suggestion. How about you shut the fuck up, bitch?" 

"This bastard!" Cyclops's jaws snapped harshly. "I'm not holding back this time!"

Scott had seen and heard enough of Enrique, in previous times he barely held himself back, but now it was starting to get too much. This guy needed to be taught a lesson!

The other X-Men didn't try to stop him this time, excluding Storm who hesitated for a bit—but before she could do anything, it was too late and Scott had made his move.

****

Moving his eyes from Emma Frost who was taking cover behind the X-Men while wearing a smirk, Enrique looked back at Cyclops who immediately fired a red beam of explosive, concussive force directly at him.

Enrique didn't look shocked, and he didn't try to dodge either—knowing he was invincible against that thing. Besides, that beam was too fast to dodge. Rogue had attacked him with the same power back when with Magneto, and Enrique was more than just fine even after facing it head-on.

So, he decided to do the same this time too, despite the Cyclops' bluff of 'not holding back'.

Enrique brought his arms forward, forming an 'X' in front of his chest, as the beam clashed with his forearms. The sharp black claws that were coming out of his wrists met the beam head-on, just as the beam was cut into a dozen parts that splattered by Enrique's side, leaving him very much untouched when the beam finally dissipated in thin air soon.

The X-Men took a battle stance, and Enrique unwrapped his arms that were emitting hot smoke, standing straight in the air with his jaws clenched. Two sharp tusks were coming out of the above row of his teeth, making him look like a terrifying beast, as he glared down at the group of racist superheroes.

"Remember," Enrique sounded gruff. "Your guy started it."

Then, like a bolt of thunder, Super-Nova launched downwards at Cyclops to tear him apart.

– Bzzt!

Jean Grey was about to use her telekinesis powers to stop Enrique, but Enrique was already expecting that—so he shot a bolt of lightning at Wolverine standing just beside her, shocking him greatly, thanks to his metal skeleton, as he stumbled on Jean's body that worked to make her lose concentration.

Cyclops, with his hand rising to touch his visor in high alert, was just an arm's reach from Enrique. At the speed Enrique was moving and perceiving this world at, he was sure to grab Cyclops by his face and slam him down on the ground before the latter managed to touch his visor to activate his power.

Intending to do just that, Enrique reached out to grab Cyclops' puny head! — Just as a thunderous beam of lightning slammed to his side, sending him flying off to crash on a tree nearby.

– Bam!

With a growl, Enrique fell to the ground as leaves scattered down from the tree. He stood back up and shrugged, tree leaves falling from his body, as he locked eyes with his attacker—Ororo "Storm" Munroe.

"…I don't wish to fight you," Storm replied softly, but her eyes were determined. "Please leave this place before you get hurt."

"And we were building such a sweet romantic story, too." Enrique started to float in the air again, his stoic expression unchanged. "Looks like it comes to an end today."

Without hesitation, Enrique rushed to Storm—who was but a side-grade version of himself—as she failed to react to his speed and got caught in his grip. Enrique grabbed her by the throat, flying forward before he slammed her against a tree—hearing a 'crack' sound come from where he was grabbing her by the neck.

"Ak-"

Enrique's palm came flying on her face, interrupting her moan of pain, and causing the back of her head to slam against the tree once again, her eyes going white. But the whiteness was not a sign of Storm activating her power but was rather a sign of unconsciousness.

"Fair warning, stay down even if you do wake up mid-battle," Enrique warned while looking at Storm whose bloody face fell right on the ground. "Because next time, I won't go so easy."

Hearing the sound of something charging up, Enrique reacted to his senses to jump upwards in the air, as immediately a red beam of concussive force passed through where he was standing a moment ago.

As the beam stopped, Enrique looked down on Cyclops from the air. As he stood in the air, his cape started to flutter in the air which was starting to get rough once again, now that no Storm was messing with it. Thunder clouds gathered up in the sky, ready to be used at any time with the help of Mut, as Enrique met eyes with the X-Men challengingly.

Professor X and Cyclops looked a bit nervous, while Wolverine looked pissed and Jean looked confused for whatever reason. Enrique slowly locked eyes with Emma Frost who was hiding behind them, and a smirk formed on his lips when he noticed her stunned expression.

Amongst them all, Logan growled in a voice that matched Enrique. "You shouldn't have hurt her, bub, not after she said she didn't wanna fight with ya."

Enrique turned to meet the metal beast's eye. "As I said, your guy started it—blame him if you want to."

Wolverine wasn't a guy of logic, so before Enrique could finish he had already taken out his claws and run forward—except Enrique was high in the air, where he couldn't jump up to, and he didn't have any intention to give up that advantage either.

Enrique pointed a finger at Logan, who instinctively took out his claws, but that was a mistake as Enrique channeled forward lightning of great voltage—that met with the metal claws of Logan and shocked him harshly.

"Hot-headed guy."

Enrique wasn't cheap on channeling more power since otherwise, Logan's healing factor would make him return to normal in no time. Unfortunately, he knew the others wouldn't keep still in their place while he did this, and that was true as Cyclops once again blasted his beam at Enrique—who had to stop shocking Wolverine, as he fell to his face, to cross his arms in front of his chest.

When the beam ended, Enrique growled at Cyclops—who shot another beam, but Enrique had expected its trajectory and used it to dodge the attack.

Enrique flew forward fast, and at the same time, he shot a beam at the handicapped, who was Professor X, forcing Jean to use her telekinesis to cover him up. But that left Cyclops alone, to try and get a lock on Enrique, just as Enrique reached him in time.

Enrique spun in the air, building velocity, as he slammed his feet on Cyclops' chest. He didn't use his arms because then there would have been a hole in Cyclops' chest, but the kick was more than enough as the fool was sent crashing back into the wall of Emma's school building.

Enrique left him to his own accord, knowing he would be unconscious after such a blow—given his normal physical build—and turned his head onto the remaining people.

"Let's see," Enrique looked at Charles, Jean, and Emma. "One is handicapped, both mentally and physically, so let's count him eliminated already. That only leaves the Phoenix between me and my punching bag. Jean, get out of here."

"…You don't seriously expect me to do that, after what you just did to my Scott?" Jean asked with a flabbergasted expression, making Enrique shrug his shoulders.

"Isn't that more of a reason to fuck off? Go check if your boyfriend got any more mental injuries or not. I don't know, personally I would say he is retarded enough already." Enrique told her off, which only made her frown deeply.

"Why are you even doing this? You get nothing from fighting u-"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Enrique was offended. "I am after Emma Frost, and given her history, you should expect she did something bad which is why I am after her. I don't fucking want to make an enemy out of the X-Men for no real reason, do I? I am not insane, what the fuck? Stop asking dumb questions and get out of here, Jean. This is between me and Emma only, don't tangle yourself into this—as we both know nothing well would come out if you and I fight."

"…."

"Phoenix, are you in there?" Enrique called the main player when Jean didn't find a reply. "Get your host out of here—and no, I am not threatening you, before your ego gets hurt."

Jean, who was wearing a hesitant expression, flinched sharply as her eyes went fiery red, and the end of her hair caught on fire. The storm that was brewing in the sky suddenly got harsher, and sparks of fire started to dance along with the thunderclouds. The wind grew stronger, and the tree leaves cried aloud as the wind slapped them, some even catching on fire.

Professor X's expression went severely pale while the White Queen looked shocked and confused, as she entered her diamond form. To her credit, she did have the decency to grab Charles' chair and pull him back from 'Jean'.

On Jean's bubbly lips, a soft but mischievous smirk formed.

"Directly addressing me, heh? Who gave you the permission, Child of Demiurge?" the Phoenix Force asked, as a fire caught onto the thunderclouds in the air, painting the sky red. "Just because I said I like you doesn't mean we are close friends, are we?"

"…Oh, no, certainly not." Enrique Nova didn't look nervous; he just wore a smirk of his own. "Though I was hoping we could be friends, you know? Such was why I suggested your host Jean Grey and I don't fight, as that'd cause unnecessary beef between us. I didn't mean any offense."

The Phoenix Force, descent onto Jean, tilted her head to the side and stared at Enrique. A moment later, it laughed softly.

"Haah… A part of me just wants to tear apart your mind to see how much of your word is true, but a greater part of me says maybe I should be kind for once in a while and let you slip this time." The Phoenix kept staring at Enrique, and before long she sighed. "Be proud then, Child of Demiurge, for you are to survive even after seeing me in person."

By the term 'Child of Demiurge', Enrique supposed she was talking about how his void– [Blank] –power came from Demiurge. That connection was surely the only reason the Phoenix was letting him off.

'…Not that I didn't have a backup plan.' Enrique noted mentally, knowing that Rogue should be hiding somewhere around here by now, as ordered. 'If a fight did break out, sure it might not be the Phoenix who would have suffered a loss—but I certainly wouldn't have died here.'

Anna "Rogue" Marie wasn't someone who could absorb the entirety of the Phoenix in one go, but even so—she was stronger than him against opponents like this bird.

"Say, you owe me one, and I will take these distractions to their home." The Phoenix suddenly said, as the X-Men, unconscious and conscious alike, all moved towards her via her telekinesis. "Goodbye, darkness, may our next meeting be less fiery."

Enrique gave her a nod as, in a swift motion, the Phoenix-possessed Jean Grey flew off with the other X-Men, including Charles.

Now, on the battlefield, only Emma Frost and Enrique were left, and the latter didn't look so good.

"…Azazel," she called softly. "Anytime now… Aza-"

"You are looking for this guy?" Suddenly, from beside Emma, a feminine voice called, and she jumped on high alert to look at the person who had just spoken. "Oh my, you are easy to scare."

Emma Frost took a step back as she looked at a teenage girl with red skin, sharp ears, and a pointy tail swinging behind her. On her grip, was an unconscious man—her servant, Azazel.

"There is nowhere to run, Emma," Enrique said as he flew to her, landing beside the red-skinned girl and putting an arm around her waist. "No point in trying to ruin her mind, either, I have it pre-defended, thanks to my dear Goddess. Though I doubt you can use your mind powers in that diamond form."

Emma was stuck. He was right, she couldn't use her mind powers in her diamond form. That was one of her main weaknesses. So, she could either turn her diamond form off—therefore making her vulnerable to any of Enrique's attacks—with just the hope of cracking this red-skinned girl's mind, or just surrender for once. Swallowing her pride, in exchange for her life.

"…We can talk this through, Mr. Nova." Emma sighed at last, stopping her legs from backing off any longer, and rather just raised her arms in surrender. "I… It's my defeat, and I apologize for ruining your night. Please look over this and allow me a chance to propose another, better deal for you."

Enrique looked at her with a gaze of contemplation, as he tried to decide what exactly to do with this scheming, arrogant woman.

**

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