"Find the Ice Demon?"
Ororo Munroe looked at Charles in shock.
She knew Professor Xavier despised people like the Ice Demon.
Bullying the weak with strength.
Charles seemed to see through her thoughts, smiling gently. "Ororo, after death, I can see the truth of this world. I've seen the Ice Demon's true nature. He isn't truly evil. He committed the Vatican incident to gain influence for some purpose."
"No reason justifies his killing sprees."
Storm said coldly.
She knew Raven worked at Oscorp.
Raven was her idol once.
Storm truly hated Vincent because she believed he was holding Raven hostage.
Even though Raven had once opposed the X-Men, it was just a difference in ideals.
"The Vatican incident was suspicious. I believe Vincent was provoked. He retaliated."
Charles's voice was firm.
"Professor, that's just your opinion."
Storm had her own views.
"Sigh. The Ice Demon is the only one who can save mutants now. If he acts, he can realize our dream: mutants and humans coexisting peacefully."
Charles's eyes gleamed with wisdom, as if seeing the future. "He has the power, the vision, and the will to elevate all humanity into superhumans. Invincible on Earth, in the galaxy, capable of repelling any cosmic invasion. His gaze isn't limited to Earth or racial hatred. He looks to deep space, to humanity's future."
Storm was shocked by Charles's assessment.
"I see no merit in him. Oh wait—even in the Battle of New York, he only defended his own territory."
Storm's tone softened.
Charles noticed the subtle shift. He could sense her curiosity about the Ice Demon.
"That's a good start. Even if he's done a thousand evils, it doesn't erase the fact he saved Earth and humanity."
Charles had become a persuader.
They both realized they'd discussed Vincent too much.
"I understand, Professor. I'll find him and ask if we can cooperate against Apocalypse."
Storm said.
"Actually, I've always worried about you, Ororo. If the school can't continue, don't force it. The disaster caused by my death isn't your fault. The school shouldn't be your burden. I selfishly threw it on you."
Charles's voice was apologetic.
Storm wanted to ask more.
But she was back in her office.
Charles had vanished.
Like a dream. Vivid, yet unreal.
Looking at the familiar school, the playing children—even though many had been taken home for the Cure—Ororo still taught the remaining students to control their powers.
"Professor, this is my home now. How can I abandon it?"
Ororo's voice was sorrowful.
She wasn't sentimental by nature. But as headmistress, she understood the pressure Charles endured.
She couldn't slack off. To slack was to abandon the students' lives.
"Professor, I'll listen to you this once. But I disagree on one thing: the school will survive. I believe Xavier's will continue."
The military had reduced surveillance after obtaining the Cure and power-suppression tech.
But Ororo feared they'd eliminate mutants, then militarize mutant production.
That was the real horror. Children becoming killing machines. No future. No freedom. Only slaughter.
She sighed.
She thought of Jean.
Logan grieved Jean's death. He'd left for Canada, retired to the wilderness.
Should she tell Logan Jean was alive?
He'd return to New York, confront the Ice Demon for her location.
But Vincent's arrogance meant he'd tell Logan nothing.
Logan's temper would spark a clash. He'd die.
And Jean might not want to see him. Not out of resentment, but because she was at a critical stage. She'd severed her past.
Cyclops's death. Charles's death. Both were devastating to her.
"Raven should know more. Before meeting Vincent, I need to see her."
Storm stood. She looked at the full moon and smiled.
Riding the storm, she flew to Manhattan.
Oscorp Tower. Lights blazing.
Mystique was handling Tesla Energy affairs.
Since Vincent acquired the company, the executives had been purged.
Many embezzlers were sent to prison.
They thought they were untouchable. Raven showed them two choices: prison or hell.
Oscorp had that kind of power now.
Boom!
Thunder cracked. Lightning flashed, illuminating a figure outside the window.
Silver-haired Storm descended like a goddess.
Raven opened the window.
Storm walked in. Athletic figure, captivating curves.
Raven smirked inwardly. If this cold woman fell into the Boss's hands, she'd be kneaded like dough.
Storm's skin color wasn't an issue. The Boss didn't discriminate.
Domino was proof—spoiled rotten by him.
"Ororo, you shouldn't have come to Oscorp."
Raven shifted to her blue form, walking to her favorite couch—identical to Vincent's.
"Oscorp isn't a demon's lair. Why can't I come? Raven, don't you like your old friend?"
Storm sat across from her naturally.
"No, this is worse than hell. You know my boss's identity."
Raven poured tea for Storm without asking if she liked it.
Raven had developed a taste for Chinese tea.
"The Ice Demon? You know why I'm here?"
Ororo took a sip. Not bad.
"You're the X-Men's leader now. The headmistress. Who commands you?"
Raven sipped elegantly.
Her gaze roamed Ororo's body absently.
A bad habit. Vincent's rubbing off on me.
Even though she was a woman. Theoretically, Mystique could become a man.
But she didn't like that. And the Boss didn't like men competing for women.
"Charles!"
Storm set down her cup.
Looking at Raven seriously.
"Charles?!"
Raven knew Charles was dead.
Her feelings were complicated. They'd grown up together. He'd always treated her like a sister.
When she heard he died, Raven grieved.
Their best era was over.
Erik was dead too.
Of the original trio, only she remained.
But Raven knew she was lucky. She'd found her best home.
Erik died with regrets. Charles left suddenly.
"Yes. Charles contacted me today. You know, even dead, his psychic power lets his soul linger. I just don't know where he is."
Storm tried to awaken Raven's deepest emotions.
"Charles is dead. If he was alive, like you said—spirit immortal—he could find me."
Raven quickly regained composure.
She crossed her legs, eyeing Ororo. The Boss wants to taste dark chocolate, but it won't be easy.
With that thought, Raven had patience for Storm.
"I'm not here to help you find Charles. You know his temperament. Even if he knew how to resurrect, he wouldn't use that method. Mind transfer happened to him once. Apocalypse left him trauma, but also a stronger resolve."
Storm mentioned Apocalypse.
Raven's expression grew serious.
"So you've heard too."
Raven set down her cup.
"Let me guess. The one who could kill Apocalypse is dead. Jean isn't with the X-Men. You have no one to fight him. Oh, and Erik was killed by Apocalypse too. You should know—you were his Horseman once. Apocalypse hand-picked you."
Storm looked angry. "You think that's glorious?! I nearly killed everyone on Earth! I handed the Professor to him! If he stood before me now, I'd let him taste storm and thunder again!"
"But you can't kill him. So you found me. No—if Charles found you, he told you he once invaded my mind and was expelled by my boss, Vincent Hall. That was the last time I saw him. So if he knows Jean died, he'd tell you to find the Ice Demon. To have him deal with Apocalypse."
Raven said calmly.
Storm replied, "Jean isn't dead. The Ice Demon dug her up and revived her. I don't know how, but Charles said Vincent activated the Phoenix Force's life aspect. She was reborn, severed her past, and started anew."
Raven froze.
Then smiled knowingly.
"Why am I not surprised?!"
That damned collection hobby. Boss, you resurrect the dead to satisfy your special tastes?
"Alright, Ororo. You want me to convince my boss to join forces with you against Apocalypse?"
Raven asked directly.
"Yes. I can use the X-Men's resources to find Apocalypse. But you know, many have left. Fighting him now would be suicide."
Storm said honestly.
"My boss is very interested in Apocalypse. But he won't help you. If he hears you're targeting Apocalypse, he'll watch from the sidelines. He won't act unless Apocalypse pisses him off."
Raven smirked.
"Name your price!!!"
Storm's eyes flashed with lightning. She was losing patience.
"From what I know, the only way to make my boss act is to earn his promise. Within his capability, he generally won't refuse and will fulfill it perfectly."
Raven was like a cunning fox, luring Storm into a trap.
This manipulation was simple for her.
Storm's combat power was off the charts, but she was no match in mind games.
"A promise? A demon's promise requires caution."
Storm sneered.
"Understand this: you pay a small price for a wish. Is that fair? If not, don't agree. No one's forcing you."
Raven smiled brighter.
"So you became his lapdog after dealing with the demon?"
"Lapdog? Haha. I follow him not for a deal, but because he gave me true belonging. I no longer wander homeless."
Raven's gaze was firm.
"How can you speak of something so shameful with such grandeur?!!!"
Storm stood.
"Because this is the gospel the Lord bestows upon you!!!"
Raven stood, firing back.
"Not everyone can get a promise. You have to be worth it. My boss isn't ordinary. He crooks a finger, and the world's most beautiful women line up at his door—without paying anything."
Her contemptuous laugh made lightning crackle around Storm.
But the next second, she calmed.
Behind her appeared a woman with a killer figure and stunning looks.
Holding a purple psychic blade at her throat.
"Psylocke. Has even proud you fallen to become the demon's disciple?"
Storm said coldly.
"We once submitted to Apocalypse's power, confused by his words. But now I'm clear-headed. The Boss gives me protection and absolute security. If I can be a queen, why submit to anyone's power again?"
Psylocke said indifferently.
Storm didn't respond.
Fear of the Ice Demon crept into her heart.
Psylocke and Raven—top agents, powerful mutants—had been seduced by him!!!
If she met the Ice Demon, could she resist his temptation?
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