Somewhere deep in the Brotherhood's waterfall fortress...
Magneto narrowed his eyes. "Cthulhu Loki? What business could that trickster possibly have with me?"
Mystique crossed her arms. "He says your goals align—and that he wants a word."
"Fine," Magneto said coldly. "Send him in."
Moments later, Loki entered with his usual fox-like grin. He stopped a few meters away, chin lifted in mock politeness.
"The last time I visited Earth," Loki said smoothly, "I had hoped to meet you—but you know how it is when one's calendar is filled with… world domination."
"Skip the theatrics," Magneto snapped. "Say what you came to say."
Loki's grin widened. "Straight to business, then. I know your dream, Erik Lensherr—to cast down the humans and make Mutants the rightful rulers of this planet. But the Avengers and the X-Men keep getting in your way. What if I told you I could change that?" He leaned in, voice honeyed and dangerous. "Of course, I don't work for free. When we succeed, I'll want my share of this world."
Magneto raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly do you have to offer?"
"Illusions," Loki said lightly—and in an instant, six identical copies of himself shimmered into existence around the room. "My power may look like mere parlor tricks… until you realize how easily perception controls reality."
"Your illusions are impressive, but hardly practical," Magneto said flatly.
"Is that so?" Loki smirked—and his form rippled until Magneto himself stood across the room.
For a second, Magneto felt an odd chill. He flicked a hand, sending a tiny shard of metal whizzing toward Loki's face. It froze mid-air just before his eyes. Loki's disguise dropped, and he laughed. "No need for hostility, old man."
"Leave," Magneto said, voice like steel. "I'm not interested in your games."
Loki's smile sharpened. "Oh, I think you will be—once you see this."
He approached, hand sliding beneath his cloak. In one motion, his illusion behind Magneto vanished—and the real Loki appeared before him, pressing a glowing scepter against Magneto's chest.
A spark of blue flared in Magneto's eyes.
"For those who lack imagination," Loki murmured, "illusions may seem useless. But for someone clever like me? They're the perfect weapon." His tone dropped to a purr. "Your mastery of magnetism is exquisite, Erik. That's why I came. You'll serve me now, won't you?"
Magneto, his mind shackled by the scepter's power, spoke in a hollow voice. "What do you wish me to do?"
Loki's smile turned feral. "Burn the Mutant School to the ground. Drown it in blood. And bring me Ryuuto's head."
"Ryuuto's strength is not to be underestimated," Magneto warned, monotone. "A reckless attack may fail."
"I don't care how—it just needs to happen," Loki said, tapping Magneto's helmet with the scepter. "Crush them. Start with Storm and Cyclops; the rest will crumble."
After a moment's silence, Magneto nodded. "As you command."
Outside the doorway, Wanda Maximoff had been listening. Her heart pounded. When she accidentally brushed the doorframe, it creaked.
"Who's there!?" Loki barked.
Wanda gasped and bolted. Loki chased, but by the time he reached the hall, she was gone. She sprinted through the dark corridors, panic clawing at her chest. She had to find her brother—Pietro…! If anyone could protect her, it was him.
Tears blurred her vision. The rocks ahead were slick, and her foot slipped. Wanda screamed as she tumbled from the cliffside—then vanished into the sea below.
Three days later… Axville Mutant School.
Ryuuto was dead asleep when a hard knock jarred him awake. He groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Who the hell is knocking this early?"
"It's me," came a calm female voice.
"Oh—Storm-san? Door's unlocked, come in."
The door opened, and Ororo Monroe stepped inside, hands on her hips. "You sleep like a rock, you know that? I've been knocking for ages."
Ryuuto yawned. "Blame Rogue. She wouldn't stop bugging me for stories about the Avengers last night. I talked till two a.m." He stretched lazily. "So, what's up? You here to drag me to class?"
"You're past classes, graduate boy," Ororo said with a smile. "But the professor asked me to find you. We've got a problem."
"Figures. What kind?"
"Charles sensed a new Mutant on campus—but can't locate them. Their speed is unreal. Even with Cerebro, the signal vanishes the second he locks on. Since your own movement ability's comparable, we figured you might spot them."
Ryuuto's eyes lit up. "So it's a speedster, huh? The Flash? Quicksilver?"
"No idea. But we need you to check."
"Finally, something fun!" Ryuuto grinned, tossing aside his blanket. "A game of super-powered hide-and-seek!"
Ororo blushed and spun around. "Put on some clothes first, Ryuuto."
"Eh? Oh—right, right," he said, smirking.
Moments later, he stepped outside, cracking his knuckles. "Alright, mystery sprinter. If you can dodge Professor X's mind, let's see if you can dodge me."
His body flickered—and vanished.
Meanwhile, inside Cerebro's chamber…
Charles Xavier removed his helmet, frowning. "Still no trace of Scott. His mind feels… sealed away."
Jean Grey looked uneasy. "You think he's—?"
"Gone? Possibly." Charles's tone was heavy. "He left to meet a phasing Mutant yesterday. Since then, nothing. I've searched every mental frequency I can."
Jean's eyes darkened. "Then who's behind it?"
"Magneto, most likely. And the intruder on campus is probably Quicksilver." Charles sighed. "If I'm right, an attack's coming. Warn everyone: until further notice, no one leaves school grounds."
Jean nodded grimly. "And Ryuuto?"
Charles hesitated. "Tell him to look for that missing Mutant—but don't mention Magneto. If Magneto's truly after him, the less he knows, the safer the others will be."
Jean frowned. "You're keeping him in the dark?"
"For now," Charles said quietly. "Ryuuto's power is evolving—too unpredictable. Magneto will strike at him first… and I intend to make sure he's not here when it happens."