Over the course of the next two months, I trained, crafted, and studied as if my life depended on it, because knowing how these sorts of things generally went, it likely did. I managed to increase my capability with Zeison-Sha techniques to match that of my Matukai Techniques, increase my capability with Amber and Totemic Magic, increase control over my Chi along with the depth of my Chi reserves, and even see moderate improvements in my Alakhestry, Amestrian Alchemy, Planetosi Alchemy, Crafting, and Protection, Feruchemy and Allomancy, my White Council Abilities of Alchemy, Ferromancy, Aeromancy, Hydromancy, and Enchanting, along with Dominarian Artifice. All my other skills received smaller, but still decent improvements.
It helped that the Archive seemed to have books and learning aids that would speed the process of training and that the Tower had a training hall that would even conjure ghostly opponents to face. Alchemical Fatigue Cures, Memory Enhancers, and Mana Rechargers also helped. Essentially, with all those training aids multiplying the effectiveness of my training, the first six weeks of training were effectively more like six months of training. Hyperbolic Time Chamber eat your heart out. Nor was training all I did, though it was a large portion of it.
I also spent time studying the various enchantments I'd so far found, especially the enchantment on the Orichalcum Gauntlet. It was extremely intricate work, much more so than I could reproduce as I currently was, but I learned a lot about enchanting, crafting, and thaumaturgy just from studying. Furthermore, the gauntlet was designed to empower the wearer even further than their current maximum level of magical and physical capability would normally take them. It had a number of standard maintenance enchantments as well for things like comfort, resizing, proof against rust or tarnish, and so on. Aside from that, I also took to crafting.
Between my powers of Amestrian Alchemy, Planetosi Alchemy and Crafting, White Council Thaumaturgy, Alchemy, and Enchantment, and the various reagents and minerals produced by my mine and greenhouse, I made a number of items. I pumped out potions to better facilitate my training, enhance my physical capabilities, heal light, moderate, and serious wounds, refill Depleted Mana and Chi reserves, grant resistances to varying types of energy, and even made several batches of oils and powders that could set a weapon aflame without harming the weapon, tarnish or rust metal on contact, or drug opponents into unconsciousness. Mind you, Alchemy was the quickest of my crafting abilities, as I could whip up a batch of potions every few hours with little trouble.
Not so with magic item crafting. First I needed to shape the materials into their proper shape. While this could be done with Amestrian Alchemy, I quickly learned that doing so would render the finished product somewhat less powerful than it would have otherwise been, thanks to the cross-contamination of magics involved. I was forced to turn to my crafting skills from Planetos and elsewhere. My Metalworking, Sewing, and Armortech skills got quite a lot of workout as I was forced to spend time crafting items by hand, but by the end of those six weeks, I had a reasonable blend of the various magic and technological armors and accessories I had picked up over the course of my claiming of the tower.
My armored robes became a blend of the Zeison-Sha Warrior Armor I had picked up off of the Twi'lek, the Veteran's Breastplate I had taken off of Alexios of New Argive, and some basic maintenance, durability, resizing, and comfort enchantments. The Armored Boots became a mix of the Lightning Greaves and Horned Helm of Alexios of New Argive, though I'd given up the Shroud Effect in exchange for adding the regenerative and stamina properties of the Zeison-Sha Gloves of the Twi'lek along with some basic maintenance, durability, resizing, and comfort enchantments. Finally, the headband was a mix of the properties of the Matukai Meditation Band and the Amber Amulet.
The largest crafting project I had was also the most complex, the project to enhance my Wan-Shen with the enchantment of Alexios of New Argive's Veteran's Sword along with the interesting properties of the Bronze Baselard I had taken off of Heinrich Ziegler. It took two whole weeks to figure it out and layer the enchantments when at most, any other single piece of my new equipment had taken a week and a half. I had finished it, however, and the whole ensemble plus the Orichalcum Gauntlet would likely see me through battles such as the ones I'd faced to reclaim the tower quite comfortably.
By the time I was finished, however, my arsenal would allow me to boost my physical and mystical capabilities by one and a half times compared to previous capabilities. I would now be capable of hitting with thirty-seven tons of force, with a commensurate increase in speed and strength, and of casting spells that would have previously been out of my reach, such as using Hydromancy to cast ice spears at my opponent or shroud an area in steam, transcending the states of matter I was used to. It wouldn't be enough against some opponents, however. I could wind up facing off against something that could body people like Rogue or Jean Grey. I was a mutant, after all, and if I remembered correctly, the world would be trying to fuck over mutants very soon.
To that end, I set up a ritual, using my combination of Amber and Totemic Magic, along with my ability to craft rituals with White Council Thaumaturgy to begin a spirit quest, hoping to find a totem. Over the course of three days, I fasted and lit incense, purifying my body to enter the spirit realm, before finally letting go and taking the big step across the threshold. When I opened my eyes next, I found myself in a wide plain, shot through with mountains that towered over the landscape to the north and east. To the south, the plains stretched on and on, only broken up by the occasional forest of conifers or river.
As I walked, it was as if I was looking at some primeval stretch of land, as there were no signs of habitation by humans. The plains, though clearly fertile along the rivers, lay untitled, while the trees in the various forested patches lay un-felled. It was like going back in time to a period between the ice ages, though I knew that people had lived and even built civilizations in those periods, thanks to the Conan Comics being canon to the Mainstream Marvel Universe, it was like the inhabitants of whatever this place was had not yet migrated here. The land was still wild and untamed, as it should be for a spirit quest.
No, sooner had I thought about the ice ages, than I came upon a Mammoth, wounded too badly to save by normal means. I could see that it was in pain, asking for mercy, for help. As its spirit cried for help, a trio of Sabre-Toothed Cats appeared, stalking low through the underbrush. They would rip the Mammoth apart before I could even begin to fix it with Alakhestry. They called out to me, begging me to join them in the hunt, to kill and feast on a share of the spoils. Instead, I attacked the Sabre-Toothed Cats, hoping to chase them away with Pyromancy. The Cats proved unafraid of my flames, and a battle ensued.
It wasn't much of a battle, I was stronger and faster than all of the Cats put together, even without my mystical equipment. I was able to snap necks and crush skulls with a flurry of kicks and punches, but while I was doing that, the Mammoth slipped into unconsciousness. I tried healing it with Alakhestry once I'd finished with the Sabre-Toothed Cats, but it was too far gone. I only succeeded in letting the Mammoth die without pain. As if on cue, the ghostly forms of a Sabre-Toothed Cat and a Mammoth appeared before me, spirits regarding me with interest.
"You would not hunt with the Pride and fought against us for a chance to save the Mammoth with your magic, even though it was hopeless. I am a hunter, a being of offense, and a social being. I am not a defender of the weak, nor am I a being who would fight the Pride on my own. I cannot attach myself to a man who shows opposing qualities." Growled the Voice of the Sabre-Toothed Cat.
"I am a being of healing, of nurturing, though I am strong and stout, violence is not my first answer. You chose to defend me against attack before attempting to stabilize me, and while that is commendable, it is not the choice I would have made. I think perhaps a different Totem might serve you best. Climb the mountain that looks like a boar's tusk thrust up to the sky. You will come across a cave with the sounds of battle echoing within. You will find what you seek there." Trumpeted the Voice of the Mammoth.
With that, both spirits disappeared into the mists of time. I made my way east toward the mountain indicated. I wasn't certain for how long I walked, it could have been hours or days. Time was funny in the Spiritual Realms, after all. Eventually, however, I made it to the base of the Mountain and began climbing. Had I been unable to enhance my physical capabilities to the level I could with Chi and Magic, this climb would have been impossible without specialized equipment. Even then, it would have required multiple rest stops over the course of days. Fortunately, I was capable of enhancing my physical capabilities and soon found myself clambering onto a ledge above the treeline, where the mountain was coated in a white blanket of snow. A Crevasse led inside the mountain and I could hear the roars of battle from within.
I entered to find a Cave Bear placing itself between a slavering Perhistoric Hell Boar and two cubs. Both the Cave Bear and the Hell Boar were of the same size, and while I got the impression that the Cave Bear just wanted to do right by the cubs to defend them against predation, the Hell Boar was actively seeking to eat the smaller, toddler-sized, animals. The Cave Bear looked over at me, giving me a silent plea for aid, while the Hell Boar just chuffed out of its snout as if it found the whole situation amusing. I got the sense that the Hell Boar might let me have one of the cubs for myself if I could just help it get rid of the mother. I didn't need to think twice before making my decision.
With a shout, I charged for the Hell Boar, tossing off a burst of Pyromantic Flame that singed its bristly hide before slamming into its side with a shoulder check. I felt something give way, even after the Hell Boar let out an unearthly squeal and swiped at me with its steel-hard hooves, smashing into me and knocking me backward. I landed hard against the cave floor, causing cracks to spiderweb around a me-shaped indent, even as I picked myself up and took another stance. The Hell Boar charged at me, attempting to gore me with its tusks and fangs. I took the hit, turning with it as its tusks dug a shallow, bloody, groove into my side. In response, I smashed my fists into its head, hitting it with three successive hammer fist strikes before the skull gave way.
The Hell Boar stumbled to the side, clearly disoriented by its cracked skull, but it wasn't down yet, kicking out wildly with its hind legs and clipping me in the shoulder with a grazing blow. This didn't do much to me besides knock me back, however, and I soon found myself charging back in to finish the fight. With a shout, I leaped on top of the Hell Boar, grabbed it by the tusks, and wrenched hard to the side. The Hell Boar's vertebrae snapped with a loud popping sound and it flopped to the cave floor, shaking once before going still.
I'd killed it, and all I'd taken was a minor cut to my side that wouldn't even slow me down, even if I decided not to heal it. I turned and found the Cave Bear glancing between me and the Hell Boar. It nodded once at me before growling out in a guttural voice that I could understand in this place of spirits.
"I am known as the Den Guardian, Spirit of the Great Cave Bear. My children do not roam the mortal world as they once did, however, you have shown your willingness to defend the Den. I saw your interaction with Mother Mammoth and the Pridemaster earlier. You defend those who can cannot defend themselves, a laudable goal. I shall grant you my blessing and lend you what power remains to me in these days as I sense we are of like spirit. Use it wisely." Intoned the Den Guardian.
One, gigantic, fuzzy, paw was placed on my chest and the Den Guardian glowed with spiritual power. I felt a searing heat melt into my chest and cried out suddenly before I was jolted back. I fell to the cave floor, eyes closing at the impact, and when I opened them, I was back in my tower. I stood up and realized that I was absolutely soaking with sweat, resolving myself to take a shower. When I arrived in my bathroom and began to strip, however, I noticed something new. A glowing Bear Paw mark sat on my chest, directly over my heart where the Den Guardian had placed his paw. I also had a faded scar where the Hell Boar had cut me shallowly, they were the only marks on my body, as my mystical healing powers had ensured no other wound had left a scar.
"I guess that means it worked." I shrugged before getting in the shower.
I soaked in the shower for about an hour or so, washing the grime off of me, before getting out, toweling off, and getting dressed. Once I was finally dressed, I nodded at myself in the mirror. For a moment, all there was in my mind was the question of what to focus on next. That was dispelled when Bartholomew came walking into my personal quarters. He paused briefly at the door to knock three times in rapid succession, as he was wont to do, before speaking up.
"Sir, a pair of interlopers have landed some form of Jet Aircraft on the Island. Shall I activate the active defenses to push them into the sea?" Questioned Bartholomew.
"Depends, what do they look like?" I queried.
"One is perhaps three years younger than yourself, a Chinese Girl of around nineteen or so. Wearing a bright yellow trenchcoat and boots over a metallic red bodysuit." Answered Bartholomew.
That was Jubilee's Generation X Costume up until nineteen-ninety-nine or so. I was guessing that the jet was the Generation X Blackbird that the X-Men had loaned them. That meant that the other person was likely a teacher at the Massachusetts Academy, either Sean Cassidy or Emma Frost. I wasn't sure why they were here, though. If it was to recruit me, I was a few years too old for High School, though the Massachusetts Academy didn't strictly speaking end at senior year. With mutants things like that tended to be a bit fuzzy, especially given how the various schools tended to also serve as bases for their superteams.
"And the other one? Is it a Red-Haired Irishman in yellow and blue? Or maybe a wealthy blonde in white?" I asked.
"The Former, I take it you know these two, Sir?" Questioned Bartholomew.
"Know of them is more like it. Go ahead and let them in. I'll meet with them in the Archive." I nodded.
"Of course, Sir. As you say." Agreed Bartholomew, before vanishing.
I made my way down to the Grand Archive shortly after he vanished, helped along by the Labyrinthine nature of the tower allowing me to go from starting point to destination in no time thanks to spatial warping magics. I sat down in one of the leather armchairs scattered about with a grimoire that contained instructions for a ritual to heat a forge to temperatures necessary to work with certain materials, such as Adamantine, and waited for my guests. As I did so, a tea trolley pushed by one of the various domestic spirits that Bartholomew was in charge of appeared and waited for them as well.
Jubilee and Banshee arrived shortly after I'd gotten part of the way through the ritual instructions. Jubilee looked amazed at all the magic on display, while Banshee had his face carefully schooled in a neutral mask. He probably learned to do that in Interpol back when he worked for that particular organization. Much to my amusement, Jubilee spoke up first.
"Wow, so you're like a Wizard or something? Like Doctor Strange?" She asked.
"Jubilee!" Chided Banshee.
"It's all right, I don't mind the questions, but I'm pretty sure the Sorcerer Supreme would be pretty insulted to be compared to my small-time operation." I chuckled.
"Looks pretty big time to me." Muttered Jubilee.
"This is nothing. I'm given to understand that the Sorcerer Supreme's Sanctum is bigger." I demurred.
"Well, it's not about the size so much as the motion of the ocean." Grinned Jubilee.
"Jubilee! I'm warning ye, lass!" Intoned Banshee.
"Sure, but I know it takes a long time to get to England in a rowboat." I smirked.
Jubilee broke down into giggles for a bit at my wordplay before turning to Banshee and saying, "I like him. Can we keep him?"
Banshee just sighed, but I offered the two seats and a cup of tea anyway. Jubilee seemed fun to be around, and the fact that she was cute didn't hurt either. I could do with a bit of company that wasn't Bartholomew anyway. It turned out, Banshee took his Irish Breakfast Tea with honey and sugar while Jubilee tried a cup of the Oolong that I was drinking. She made a face at the tea as she sipped it.
"Something the matter?" I questioned.
"Nothing, just. . .it tastes like something my folks would drink is all." Groused Jubilee.
"I see. Well, I can have the staff get you some lemonade. I'm afraid we've run out of soda and need a trip to the mainland for more." I sighed.
"That'd be great thanks!" Chirped Jubilee.
"I take it th' ghosts are th' staff o' this place?" Queried Banshee.
"Despite appearances, they aren't ghosts as none of them were ever living people. It's best to think of them as Spirits associated with the tower rather than ghosts." I answered.
"Let's try t'get back on track, aye? I'm Sean Cassidy an' this lass is Jubilation Lee. We're here 'cause we picked ye up on th' scanners as a Mutant and happen t'be runnin' a school for mutants." Tried Banshee once Jubilee had gotten her lemonade.
"I know who you are and all about the Massachusetts Academy. I'm afraid you're barking up the wrong tree, though. My mutation isn't going to be of any use to you." I remarked, holding up a hand to forestall Banshee from talking.
"How do you know about us?" Asked Jubilee.
"Wizard, remember?" I grinned.
"Killer." Smirked Jubilee.
"Be that as it may, how d'ye know ye won't be o' any use?" Questioned Banshee.
"I said my mutation wouldn't be of any use, not that I wouldn't be of any use. Those are two different statements, though both mean the same thing for me attending any school. My mutation only works for me. It's a complete and total mental and emotional shield. Charles Xavier himself could try getting into my head and he wouldn't be able to. It doesn't have any utility for anyone else, though, and can't really be trained past its current level. Total protection can't really get any better from what it is already, after all. Why do you think I turned to magic to help give me different things I can do?" I retorted.
"Aye? That explains why we had t'use th' Genetic Scanners instead o' th' Psionic Ones." Muttered Banshee.
"Sucks we had to come all the way out here for nothing, though." Grumbled Jubilee.
"That said, I'm not opposed to working with you all. After all, you do good work." I offered.
"Sweet! Hey, I know! You wouldn't mind a few days to take a tour of the Academy, right? You could meet Ms Frost and the others and hammer out some kind of agreement or something. I mean, if we're gonna be working together and all?" Hedged Jubilee.
"Just give me a moment to pack a few things, but I can be away from my tower for a bit. I have no current projects going that would need close scrutiny. That wouldn't have been the case a few days ago, or even a week ago, so it's lucky you arrived when you did. Just wait right here and I'll be back in a flash." I agreed.
As I stood up and headed back to my personal quarters, I caught Jubilee making a joke about the Luck of the Irish that Banshee clearly didn't appreciate, but was soon whisked away via Spatial Warping Magic back to my quarters. I packed my entire arsenal, all of my stockpile of potions, several changes of clothes, several hundred thousand dollars in cash, and enough ingots of Allomantic Metals to last me a long time, along with various packets of high-calorie snacks like trail mix and beef jerky and bottles of water, just in case we wound up in the Canadian Wilderness or something. I packed it all into my Bag of Holding and readied myself for whatever might come. When dealing with the X-Teams, it was best to be paranoid, after all. I wouldn't find out how right I was until a few hours after we had already touched back down at the Massachusetts Academy.
When I did, I would be glad that my Paranoia had won out in the end. . .
XXXX
AN: OK, so we've gotten the brief timeskip that has been constantly requested and Jan also has met his first Mutant Allies in this chapter. Naturally, being associated with an X-Team inevitably gets you drawn into their BS, but this was primarily a setup chapter for the next major arc. Jubilee is going to feature in a lot of the parts of this fic that take place in the Marvel Universe, though it won't always be the case that she's present for adventures. Right now, that also means that Jan gets to deal with Generation X, Emma Frost, and the Frost Family Drama that inevitably sucked the Massachusetts Academy into it, though that won't happen for two more years.
As to the Cave Bear, Cave Bears come up a lot in the Conan Comics as a major hazard of the Hyborian Age. However, in the modern age, there are very few still living Cave Bears, as even the ones in the Savage Land have been hunted to the brink of extinction by the various Neanderthals and Barbarian Tribes that live in the Savage Land. Accordingly, the Den Guardian is the most ancient aspect of the Bear Totem and has a predilection for choosing totemic avatars who prefer to defend those who can't defend themselves. Someone like Jan would be perfect for the Den Guardian's totemic avatar.
Right now, with all of his enhancements and equipment, Jan is capable of hitting with around fifty-six tons of force, with commensurate increases in speed and durability, and can cast spells within his known specialties that would be outside the bounds of his normal capabilities. I brought up the turning water to ice or steam thing before, but that also means being able to do things like use Telekinesis on a fine scale. For example, using telekinesis to create a physical short within an electronic device by clipping a wire without altering the rest of the device. This will be more or less where he needs to be to survive for the next few arcs.
At any rate, the next chapter will be a short meet and greet with Generation X before the Massachusetts Academy gets invaded by Prime Sentinels as part of Operation: Zero Tolerance.
Stay tuned. . .