Chapter 103: Shadows

Monday January 26th, 2022. Pacific Ocean off the Wakandan Coast.

Bronte spent the next two weeks leading up to the Mutant Summit recruiting. Following the sound of his beats. Following the tune of his own drum. Some were easy— just waiting on him back at The Abbey, others were a bit harder to reach.

Like hidden technological oasis in the middle of Africa, hard to reach.

But it worked. His team was formed…. And not as cohesive as he wished. But also not completely incompatible. He'd make it work. They'd make it work when they saw the island and all its people. When they knew the bulk of what they were up against. He hoped.

"We're late….. not even fashionably late. We're just…. Late— like embarrassingly." Bobby Drake, also known as Iceman, said aloud as they all watched the seas blow by.

"No big deal, right….? ERHM. This isn't any different from my normal life, actually. I should probably reevaluate some things after this." Spider-Man replied as he stretched. Completely unbothered by the rock of the Wakandan boat as they blew through waves and rising tides ahead.

"My bad. I needed to see my mom…. And my little brother. He's... he's a Mutant too. You know how it goes." Bronte replied. Only a half-truth. He tried not to focus on the other half steeped in uncomfortable memories tied to their destination. The full truth was, he was stalling. Stalling like hell.

"I assured you, StormWolf. As a Mutant, and secondary King of Wakanda, he is safe within our walls. But…. I'm sure he felt better seeing you again as many others did." Gentle said as he turned his head to look back at them from the helm of the boat being steered by Dora Milaje members.

"Yea…. I got some time to make up." Bronte mumbled more to himself than anyone else.

"You can play family man after we kill the bloodsuckers. Now give us the rundown before I go in this Summit and start freestyling." Blade yawned under the hot sun.

"Alright, listen up." Bronte turned his back to the growing sight of Krakoa in the distance to remain focused. "Like I've told y'all individually, this meeting is about two things. Trades and our Vampire problem. Our focus is the Vampire problem. You all…. Well, most of you have unique and important experiences with the Vampires that could help us get more Mutants into this fight. I brought you here because you legitimize what's already legitimate."

"Supporting evidence and real life accounts. How scholarly of you." Spider-Man threw him a thumbs up.

"Wait— why am I here?" Iceman questioned.

"You know the other Mutants. I need you to tell me who'd try some slick shit….. and just explain who other people are so I don't look crazy out there. You're also one of the few Mutants I'm cool with." Bronte explained.

"If you do another cold pun I'm going to request a trade." Iceman said dryly.

"For real?" Spider-Man questioned.

"No. I love cold puns….. and I missed you after you left the Institute." Iceman slapped Bronte's shoulder. "I am totally ready to play dashing and quirky tour guide."

"Solid." Bronte shook up with Iceman and they awaited their arrival to Krakoa. The Mutant Island.

It looked nothing like what he remembered. In his minds eye, Krakoa was a plot of dead land topped by withered trees and hollowed out bushes. Like a mass of dead, dried out life hanging on by a thread. The ocean spanning for miles in all directions only enhanced the aura of death and loneliness.

Krakoa had a bit of a makeover since then. Since it lost the primal Vampires feeding on its roots and ripping through its most fertile soil. The island was reborn in Bronte's flame. Like a Phoenix risen from weather-warlock born ash.

The mass of darkness had brightened, embracing the full spectrum of colors. Massive trees loomed as they pulled up to the docs. Mutants watched them in the distance.

"Fancy…." Blade commented as he stood up and hopped off the boat.

"It's like if the Noble Savage trope was an island…." Spider-Man said as he jumped off the boat and looked around the island entrance.

Brontë followed. Eyes moving everywhere his feet weren't. Hands shaking. Gums itching. Shadows shifting.

In the green canopy connecting and hiding the sun from them, glowing flowers bloomed like stars, casting pink, blue and green strands of light down to some of the softest grass he'd ever stepped on. Garden snakes of the strangest colors slithered.

The forest hummed. Metaphorically and literally. It was singing within the whispering winds and rushing waters— speaking.

"I'm not the only one hearing that, right?" Spider-Man questioned as they continued to walk deeper into the island.

"Only if I'm not the only one seeing this?" Everyone looked to Iceman as he pointed at the ground.

Flowers and bushes bloomed, forming a bordering walkway where they stepped. The trees above them reached with hands made of branch and vine.

"The flora here is ….. interesting." Gentle mumbled.

"Is interesting synonymous with terrifying in Wakanda?" Spider-Man questioned.

"Sometime—"

A Boar as large as a deer exploded from the treeline, running across their path squealing madly.

Brontë snarled and popped his claws.

"Easy, tiger." Iceman said from beside him, "I don't think it's a good idea to be this on edge right before networking."

Brontë opened his fists, "I'm good…. I'm good."

"You sure? You look like you just saw a ghost. Is boarphobia a thing?" Spider-Man itched his chin through his mask.

"Not a ghost…" Bronte looked at the prints in the grass where the boar stomped through and remembered when it was barren land marked by the feet of Vampires.

"Come on guys, this way." Iceman suddenly said from a hundred feet ahead of them before disappearing further down the path.

"How'd he get so far ahead so fast?" Gentle questioned.

"He didn't." Iceman answered beside Bronte, still. "That was Mystique. She's a Mutant often working with Magneto. She can camouflage quite well. Too well. I feel violated. Be careful around everyone from this point on."

"Let's go." Bronte forced himself onward.

The natural world around them continued to bloom and shift until they found themselves entering a clearing.

The bulk of it was working around a massive wooden ring that functioned as a table to hold many. Even from where he walked he could see name tags and chairs set up.

Behind the hollow round table, wooden building structures blended in with the encroaching forestry. Plums of smoke rose from chimneys smelling of grilled meats and vegetables so clear it made his mouth water. Even if he felt like throwing up.

Mutants conversed amongst eachother with drinks in hand and stiffness in spine. He could smell Ilyana, Storm, Wanda and Pietro easiest. They all turned once Bronte and his team stepped into the light.

Professor X rolled up to him smiling warmly. But an obvious sadness lingered around his old eyes. His selected team of X-Men resided beside him in their team uniforms.

Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Jean Grey and—

"Blue!" Bronte smiled and embraced Beast who was already coming up to shake his hand.

Perhaps all the discomfort exacerbated the happy reunification. He didn't care.

"I hear you go by StormWolf now. I like it." Beast said as they disconnected. Grey hairs sprouted around his snout and the hairs around where a beard wouldve been. But still, he was bigger. By at least five inches and forty pounds.

"Thanks." Bronte replied.

"You've grown." Cyclops commented, as he had aged equally. Perhaps by stress, grey hairs covered the sides of his high and tight haircut and a few streaks intermingled with the brown hair flowing atop his head.

"That's a compliment." Jean smiled as she explained her husbands stiff jargon, "He means, you look strong…. You've grown strong. We've heard things." Jean stood out from the others wearing a yellow facemask over her eyes that reminded him of the wings of a Phoenix.

"That we have. What a harsh five years you've endured, my son." Professor X commented. "Me and My X-Men have harmed you more than we've helped….. something I hate to admit but I must."

Brontë waved him off, "Don't sweat it. Me and mine handled our business the way we saw fit. And the issues my siblings have with some of you is for another day. They're not here. Bigger fish to fry and all that."

Nightcrawler made a weird coughing noise.

"I see a very near future where that won't ever have to happen again." Charles nearly mumbled.

"So, you've brought an…. Interesting team with you." Nightcrawler commented. He was sweating.

"Hi, Kurt!" Spider-Man waved.

Nightcrawler smiled weakly and avoided Bronte's eyes.

"Did you start to bully our teleporter after leaving the institute?" Iceman whispered to Bronte.

"God damn Catholics." Cyclops sighed, "Tell him. Now."

Nightcrawler was about to speak when Bronte's nose caught the scent.

"I suppose we should let you introduce yourself to the others… and reacquaint with family…." Professor X commented as Bronte made his way through the group with his nostrils flaring.

"Nice seeing you guys. Loving the hair, Cyke. I'm starting to see the Cable relation!" Spider-Man said as he followed Bronte and the others into the main floor of Krakoa's meeting ground.

Brontë didn't care for the Mutant eyes watching him. He didn't listen to Iceman as he tried to quickly point out and explain each person Bronte walked past in search of her.

Eventually he came to a stop at a group of younger Mutants.

The New Mutants.

Still led by Cannonball. He turned around and smiled after seeing Bronte.

"Fancy get-up, man! I almost didn't recognize ya. It's great to see you."

He didn't even notice Ilyana who looked ready to speak. Ready to explain.

"Are you out of your mind?" Bronte asked through curled lips and bared fangs.

"What?" Cannonball questioned. His eyebrows raised up behind his dirty blonde bangs.

"Bro!" Gabbie crashed into him, now half a foot taller and wearing a uniform eerily similar to Wolverine. Laura and Logan. His heart could've shattered.

"What are you doing here?!" Bronte's pulse was ready to rise up out of him in an explosion of blood and nerves.

He didn't know anyone here. This was where Raze died. Vampires…. Sabretooth…. Vam—

"Gabbie…."

"It's Honeybadger, bouncy ball." Gabbie looked back at Cannonball.

"You said Bron— StormWolf, was ok with you coming….. That was a lie wasn't it?" Cannonballs southern accent thickened with the rise of anger in betrayal.

Brontë looked down at Gabbie.

"You never visit me..." Her comedic demeanor faded. She looked so much older. So much like Laura…..

"Unc…. this half developed human is familiar and cute. How are we supposed to stay mad at this?" Mend questioned.

"…. We aren't." Bronte placed his hand on her head, "My bad. That one's on me."

He looked up at Cannonball and they both gave eachother an understanding nod.

"I sense drama…. I hope it's more entertaining than all these crusty old men cosplaying as bureaucrats." A woman's voice as smooth as silk said from behind Bronte.

He turned around with the rest of his team and The New Mutants to find a woman leading her own team standing before them.

"Spider-Man…. Ew." She said as she looked him up and down. Her British accent was about twelve times thicker than her very nearly see through silk white dress.

"StormWolf, meet the White Queen, Emma Frost." Iceman said.

"Hello, handsome…" She looked him up and down just as she did for Spider-Man, completely uncaring of the blatant physical objectification. Her hair looked like strands of pale gold bent in curving waves that ended around he cleavage.

She reached out to shake his hand. Her nails were dipped in a crystal polish that reflected the glowing flowers around them.

"What's good." Bronte shook her hand.

"He's spoken for, lady." Gabbie growled and marched over to Magik, grabbing her hand in support. "This blonde is hotter!"

Magik's pale cheeks lit up like fireworks.

Emma held Bronte's hand a while longer and smiled, "That's cute….. I don't mind sharing if you don't, fangs."

"Yea…. You gotta be bad news. With all due respect." Bronte added as a cat-person standing behind her growled silently.

"The worst." Emma winked.

"Alright, leave the young man. He'll be getting plenty attention in due time." Magneto flew down from seemingly out of nowhere.

Emma let go of Bronte's hand and walked away with her team. Blonde triplets that moved in perfect unison and as said before…. A WereCat.

Bronte's discomfort grew as Magneto stepped to him. He wore pure white, all the way down to the boots. And it was all covered in a cloak. Brontë could smell the metal fragments in it. He could probably manipulate and weaponized everything on him.

"The sum of two great warriors…. And even better people. Apologies in advance, but I have high hopes for you, StormWolf. My daughter speaks well on your behalf."

Silence spread.

The others spread out.

"This…. ERHM… this is Magneto." Iceman whispered.

Magneto's eyes rested on the blonde mutant from the shadows of his anti-telepathic white helm.

"I was five when you first attacked New York. Our neighborhood cat died."

Magneto didn't slip or hesitate as he replied, "When I was five, my neighbors were slaughtered by Nazi's."

"Ah…." Iceman itched the back of his head awkwardly.

"I don't say that to attempt to one up you in some oppression Olympics. I say it to say, there is a story…. Context, to everything. It may be worth nothing, but I apologize. It is here that I wish for my actions to speak louder than my words….. on this very Island. This island that seems to grow in your presence." Magneto referred to all of Krakoa and the table behind him.

Brontë stayed silent for a moment before replying, "Alright. Where's our seats?" The mission— Daken, spurred him onward.

A few minutes later and every team leader was seated at the table with their chosen teammates standing behind them.

It was silent for a while as Magneto shuffled through papers and engaged in other arbitrary tasks. Others began to whisper amongst themselves, eyeing Bronte's side of the table.

It didn't take long for the floor to be stolen.

"Why are they here?" A man in his mid thirties with hair pulled back by raised goggles pointed.

"Me?" Spider-Man pointed at himself.

"Yea you, webface. This island is for Mutants. Don't you all ruin enough for u—" Before he could finish speaking, Magneto raised a finger and the man's goggles flew off his head and tied around his throat.

"We do not say slurs on this Island. We are X-Kind. Not what fearful humans decided to call us. Apologies everyone. Pyro can be a bit fiery in nature more often than not. He's still learning our new way of life."

"As you are it seems, old friend." Professor X replied as Pyro's face went red with the lack of oxygen. "I'd advise not killing your own, Erik."

"Pyro's like a bug though…." Emma mumbled from across the table.

Magneto released his grip, "Talk a walk, young man."

Pyro grimaced and walked off into the forest, screaming fire into the sky.

"Shall we?"

Everyone nodded.

Magneto cleared his throat and placed his hands on the table, "Firstly, I'd like to thank you all for coming. Cannonball and your New Mutants, The White Queen and your Hellions, Professor X and your X-Men, Our very own Wakandan Royalty in the Queen and Secondary King... and of course, StormWolf….. I don't believe I recognize your allyship with these young men. But I thank you all for coming."

Everyone nodded along.

"There's much to discuss in the name of trades, but I believe the more pressing matter of the two resides in our recent Vampirism issue. I think you all have stake in this battle from the shadows." Magneto went on.

"One of my models is in the hospital gnawing at her restraints as we speak." Emma said.

"Archangel killed a child." Cyclops said with his visored eyes to the floor.

"It was on my land that this wave of Vampirism found its newest leader." Storm added.

Bronte's stomach turned.

"And still, few of us know who's behind these attacks….. the power they wield is immense. To casually stage a nationwide attack for little more than agitation and intimidation speaks of abundance and strength beyond each individual team here." Magneto said.

"It also speaks of desperation. Something more dangerous than any power and influence." Professor X added.

"Our greatest weapon here is our intelligence, and I think there are few here able to give us that." Magneto and the others looked to Bronte.

"Well….. I know I need help. To put it simply, the Vampires are manned and powered by Daken. He was my brother. All of us were hunted by Romulus…. who was the first of the Feral Mutants. After I— Daken, killed him, he assumed his role. The Vampires thought Romulus was their messiah— Varkis, but now they're sure it's Daken." Bronte explained.

"Messiah for what exactly?" Cyclops asked.

"Stepping into the light." Bronte replied. "Daken— as Varkis, is making the Vampires stronger and will eventually make them daywalkers. Then the goal is to take over. Everything."

One of Emma's Hellions raised their hand.

Magneto looked to her.

"According to the X-Men's memories, Daken is barely an Alpha level Mutant. While you were an Omega Level Mutant by age sixteen. Why do you need our help? Why didn't you kill him before it got to this point?"

"Daken is cunning. The last time I saw him, I lost my arm…. My brother … and my mind. Then this island intervened. I need your help because we're not just fighting Daken. We're fighting underworld organizations across dimensions. That's why I brought these guys with me. Spider-Man is like Pyro said. He's on the human side of the world. Daken put a dent in that. Iceman and Magik have skin in the game. Blade's been in this since before all of us. I'm tied to magic. He's there too."

"Didn't you recently gain the means to dispel all Vampires? Something called a Montesi Formula?…. According to Magik." She asked.

"Stop invading the minds of your own." Magneto interrupted. But the damage was already done. In theory.

"We do have the formula to rid the world of Vampires. But it takes time to safely decode. And will most likely require the blood of a strong Vampire. One of the strongest." Magik added.

There was silence.

"You ask a great deal of us." Magneto said.

"I think it's expected of us. Not everyone here plays superhero but we all got people to protect."

"Be that as it may, something must be given in exchange."

Bronte tried to hide his nerves as he thought to himself, "Give what? I have nothing! Everyone here is already rich….. nobodies getting any Vibranium. What—"

"Allow me to do so on your behalf." Magneto suddenly said.

Bronte looked over to him as he dug into his pocket and pulled out a handful of glowing seeds.

"Join StormWolf in taking down Daken and his horde and you have this land to call home whenever and from wherever. Along with our resources and assistance. Fight as one. Not as The X-Men, Hellions, New Mutants and so forth. Fight as a united front. Fight as X-Kind and pledge your allegiance to the idea of a sovereign nation for our own. Fight for a land reborn in magic— in our own strife and perseverance. Fight to hope for a better future. I can't die in a world no different from the one I was born in. It would be a travesty for the same to happen to you all."

Everyone was silent in thought.

"What are they? I'm not into gardening, personally." Emma said.

"They're Gateway Flowers. You plant one of these in two places and a portal is born. Instant and effortless travel. Better yet, only X-Kind can use it. And of those, the Island has to approve of. The very biological structuring of this island is related to us and prefers us. This island speaks. It speaks of hope….. growth. There's something here for us. There's more I wish to share with you but only after. Only if you all stand beside me."

"Isn't this man a super-villain?" Mend questioned.

The many groups of heroes and others were deep in discussion. Bronte turned to his team.

"This is too perfect." Spider-Man said.

"He's offering you technology that could change the way the word works. All of you. Resources and the assisting power of two Omega Level Mutants. Himself and his Daughter." Gentle said.

"I mean…. I was told Magneto changed in his old age. He's like ninety now…. He's desperate. I'm not saying believe that his intentions are all good. But believe that they will benefit you…. The guys on his last leg." Iceman said.

"Yea In exchange for permanent citizenship on this island." Spider-Man added.

Bronte stopped listening as Cypher began speaking to Magik, Honeybadger and the New Mutants.

"Guys….. people hate us out there. I have to decrypt and decode endless swathes of bigoted rage just walking down the street. I can't use social media anymore. It's in the subtext of even the smallest things. It's exhausting. But here… the island loves us. I can speak with it. Magik…. If your boyfriend stays here, this place will have more than just portal flowers. I mean…. Look at his side of the forest. It's literally growing as we speak. It's evolving. Watch this." Cypher reached out towards the center of the hollow table.

Vines burst from the ground and braided themselves together. Twisting and widening at the base until a podium stood. From Bronte's side he could see the front. A language he didn't yet understand written in glowing flower buds bloomed.

Magneto looked to Cypher. "What is this?"

"It's…. The speakers stand. I asked and the island listened. It has a language…."

Everyone's partial amazement waned as movement occurred. Even in the spite of the small scale, yet profound action.

Emma stood up, "Unless I can extend my negotiation period until a time when this…. Quote unquote oasis is something more modernized, I think I'll stick to the city. A couple harsh words won't frizz my hair and I'd rather not be bordered by angry fish people and Wakandans. Come on, ladies."

"Ms Frost, wait!" Nightcrawler called after her.

"Save it, demon-boy." Emma waved him off.

Nightcrawler teleported after her from his seat in a burst of dark dust.

…..

…..

…..

He never reappeared.

Emma turned around following the silence.

A breeze came, pushing her hair in Bronte's direction. Pushing the falling purple dust in his direction at the same time.

"Well, where'd he g—"

The moment a single speck of dust touched his skin, a portal to the brimstone dimension exploded in purple flames and plumes of dark smoke.

At the same time, a thread of webbing yanked Bronte out of the way— as if Spider-Man could see the future a massive clawed hand just barely missed Bronte's face.

He hit the ground just in time to catch Nightcrawler as he was thrown out. Bleeding and bruised all over.

"StormWolf it's them!" Magik yelled from the other side of the portal as dark humanoid creatures stepped out onto Krakoa.

They looked like demons. Some had massive raven wings. Others were brutish ogres with sabered fangs and fiery breath, one thing they had in common were the same blood-red eyes.

"What the hell are they?" Emma asked.

"Neyaphem. Vampiric Neyaphem."

From within the entry horde of Mutant Vampire-Demons, a more humanoid figure stood. Smiling as his red steaming skin graced the sun.

Professor X gasped.

"Azazel!"

"Feels good to be back…"

And then….. All hell broke loose.

No pun intended.