Grey Frost

Grey Frost
Chapter 18: Mind Wars

************************************************************************

Emma didn’t say a word after they sent their psychic message to the outside. She just lay down on her bed while Jean dried off with her cape. She should have been gathering her strength for whatever Hellfire had planned next. But after what she sensed while her mind was merged with Jean’s, she couldn’t stop dwelling on it.

Before all this had happened, she and Jean had a major fight over her closeness to Scott. It led to tense moments and enduring bitterness. For a while it looked as though they worked it out. Jean promised she wouldn’t go after Scott and Emma trusted her. But after sensing that bond she had with Scott she wasn’t so sure that was a promise she could keep.

Now was not the time to bring this issue up again. But if they did get out of this alive, they would have to have another serious talk about it. Looking over at Jean, Emma faked a reassuring look. Jean seemed to accept it, but her silence was starting to worry her.

“Emma, are you going to talk at all?” said Jean as she sat on her bed, the cape still draped over her naked body.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” she said flatly, “Just go with the plan. Get some rest, don’t let anybody know you broke the collar, and stall until the others arrive.”

“Then afterwards will you talk?”

Emma turned away, cursing Jean’s persistence. Even in with their current predicament, she showed concern. The drug was still in her system, but it wasn’t enough to erase that part of her. For Emma it was a good thing and a bad thing. Good because it showed Jean hadn’t given in. Bad because she was lucid enough to see through her emotional shell.

Jean was about to ask again when the door opened. Shaw and Selene stepped in, escorted by a dozen guards. They fought the urge to use their powers to fight their way through, but now was not the time for heroics. They had to play along or risk the full wrath of Hellfire.

“It’s time,” said Shaw, “Emma, come with me.”

With a bitter look, Emma got up and joined the man she most despised. She looked back at Jean and nodded, letting her know she would do her part as long as she did hers. Their fate was in the hands of the X-men now.

‘Hang in there, Jean. She’ll try to break you whatever way she can. Just buy as much time as possible.’

Jean nodded slightly to show she understood. Then she put her dazed expression for the Black Queen, who looked just as eager as Shaw as she approached.

“Your time has also come my little protégé,” grinned Selene, “Here, put this on.”

Selene tossed Jean a collection of clothes. It wasn’t much, consisting of a black thong, bustier, gloves, and stockings. It looked a lot like Selene’s Hellfire outfit, only this one was catered to Jean’s body. Inside she was sickened by the idea of dressing like this woman, but she couldn’t afford to blow her cover now. So she played the part of a drugged up sex nut.

Upon putting on her new outfit, Selene smiled in approval. She was the splitting image of a Black Queen in the making. The drug had flooded her mind and body with pleasure. She was in prime condition to be molded into a Hellfire princess. And with her power, there was no telling how high she could reach.

“A fitting look, if I do say so,” she said with a sadistic grin, “Follow me, your destiny with Hellfire awaits.”

************************************************************************

Across the street from the Hellfire mansion, Scott and Logan were scoping out the building. As it turned out, Deadpool’s information had been right. They didn’t have to travel far to get to this area. Following the images in his head, Scott instinctually knew this was the source of that call. And it seemed like a fitting location.

The mansion had a unique architecture compared to the other buildings. It looked somewhat older, bearing the striking details of Victorian era style. Emma did mention that Hellfire was very keen on tradition and this building was the only one within a sea of other buildings that fit the description.

“You sure this is the place?” asked Logan.

“See for yourself,” said Scott, handing him a pair of binoculars.

Logan took a look and saw what appeared to be some masked Hellfire guards near a window. They looked just like the guards they fought with the night they rescued Emma, which confirmed that this had to be the place.

“Those sons-of-bitches,” grunted Logan.

“I know. We better act fast,” said Scott, taking out his communicator, “Storm, do you read?”

In the skies above, the X-jet descended from a cloud bank and hovered over Scott and Logan’s coordinates. Flying the plane was Ororo and with her was the rest of the X-men, namely Kurt, Kitty, Rogue, and Evan.

“I read you, Cyclops. We’re zeroing in on your position. We also got word from the Professor that Colonel Fury is on his way. But he may be a while.”

“Figures,” muttered Logan, “Guess we’ll have to go in ourselves. Any word on Jean and Emma?”

“The Professor said he’s focusing in on that area as we speak, but so far hasn’t sensed anything.”

“Probably means they’re shielded tough,” said Scott, “No way of knowing what’s inside or even where to go.”

“Yeah, so how did Jeannie get the word out to you?” said Logan skeptically.

“Does it matter?” said Scott, “All I know is she’s in there and we’ve got to get her out.”

Logan still didn’t get it. The Professor was the most powerful telepath in the world. If he couldn’t sense anything, how could Summers? Even if the girls could get a message out, why was he the only one to pick it up? It didn’t make any sense, but as long as he got a chance to bust the heads of the assholes that did this he didn’t care.

“So what’s the plan?” said Storm through the radio.

“What do you think?” growled Logan, “We go in there and get Jean and Emma!”

“Not so fast, Logan,” said Scott, “Emma told me about these guys. They aren’t the kind of people you take head on. We need a plan.”

“Oh so now you’re thinking clearly?” said Logan snidely.

“You want to criticize? Or do you want the plan?”

Logan rolled his eyes. Despite the emotional roller coaster, he was still a good leader. As much as he wanted to tear into this Hellfire Club, they couldn’t risk putting Jean and Emma at risk.

“We’re all listening, Cyclops,” said Ororo over the radio.

“Good, then here’s what we’re going to do,” began Scott, “Logan and I are going in through the sewers and work our way in. Once we draw their attention, we’ll signal you guys to come in from the roof.”

“You mean you’re going in without any cover whatsoever?”

“They won’t expect it,” reasoned Scott, “We have to use what we know about Hellfire. They’re used to having the upper hand in everything. If we surprise them, we’ll take that away. Remember, we’re playing with Jean and Emma’s lives here. So we have to play it smart.”

In the X-jet, Scott’s plan was heard with great anxiety. They understood his stake in this fight. Jean and Emma were both close to him, but taking a risk like this was extreme even for him.

“Whoa, this whole thing really has gotten to him,” commented Evan.

“Like, no kidding,” said Kitty distantly, “But I can’t say I blame him. I want to save Jean and Emma too. Who knows what those monsters are doing to them!”

“Guess we’ll find out,” said Rogue, “Can’t say I’m lookin’ forward to it.”

“Me neither,” said Kurt, “But zhe sooner ve get zhem out of zhere zhe better.”

“And look at it this way…” added Evan, “They’ve got Scott’s girlfriend and his best friend. If he goes in he’ll bust them up more than we ever could. It might help in the short run.”

Evan wasn’t one for comfort, especially when their friends were suffering, but he had a point. Ruthless or not, they wouldn’t want to be associated with Hellfire in any way if Scott was coming in. He didn’t have Logan’s temper, but when someone messed with the people he cared about he wasn’t afraid to go all out.

In the cockpit, Ororo wasn’t too keen on the plan. Logan and Scott were strong, but she wasn’t sure if they could hold their own against these people. Xavier warned them of their treacherous ways and taking a risk like this could go wrong in so many ways. But in the end Scott’s plan won out.

“Very well, we’ll hover over and await the signal. Please be careful, you two.”

“Don’t worry about us. Worry about the poor bastards inside who are about to learn a thing or two about messing with my friends!” said Scott.

Eyeing the Hellfire Mansion with burning hatred, Scott turned off his communicator and parked his bike in an alley with Logan. Using his claws, Logan opened a nearby sewer duct. The putrid smell of New York City sewage inundated their senses, but even that wasn’t enough to stop them. It was now or never. The fight against the Hellfire Club was on. Jean and Emma’s lives were on the line.

“Let’s go,” said Scott.

“Right behind you, Cyke,” said Logan, “Let’s just get in there fast and start busting heads!”

************************************************************************

Dressed in her new Hellfire uniform, Jean followed Selene to a new area not far from her chamber. Surrounded by guards and the most sadistic woman she ever met, she couldn’t afford to blow her cover now. So far they hadn’t noticed that her collar was broken. Every fiber of her being wanted to crush this woman in a telekinetic vice, but she had to hold out until the others arrived.

Eventually, they arrived in a small but elaborate room. Like the chamber, it was riddled with Hellfire imagery. Half the room was shrouded by a cloak. There was clearly something on the other side, but that was a surprise. Selene had been eagerly awaiting this moment and nothing was going to spoil it for her.

“Leave us,” she told the guards.

They did as she asked making it so Jean was alone in the room with Selene. Jean cringed at the thought of being alone with this woman, but continued to play along.

“You are a remarkable woman, Jean Grey,” said Selene as she affectionately walked around her, “Look at you. You have all the makings of Hellfire glory. You’re beautiful, powerful, and cunning. I also sense a dark side to your being.”

A chill ran up Jean’s spine as Selene traced her gloved fingers up her thighs and butt, slithering her grasp up her body until she grasped her face.

“My little wonder drug brought out more than I expected. You obviously enjoy sex. You clearly have an appetite for pleasure. Yet you hold back. What you’ve experienced so far is nothing to what you could have if you join us. Give me the chance and I’ll show you a world unlike anything you’ve ever dreamed. Just imagine it. Money, power, and pleasure of the greatest magnitude can be yours. All you have to do is trust me.”

It was a tempting offer. Had she not known this woman more, she might have given it some thought. But in the end it was still wrong. The drug hadn’t changed that. But she had to do all she could to make Selene think otherwise.

“What are you asking of me?” said Jean in a flat tone.

Selene smiled and walked over to the wall and pushed a button. The curtains covering the other side of the room parted, revealing a sight Jean had to work hard to keep herself from gagging.

Chained to the floor was a gagged woman about her age. She was dressed in the usual attire of a Hellfire stripper, including leather stockings, a matching corset, and a thong. She looked scared, if not horrified. There were clear signs of tear stains along the side of her face. And judging from her disheveled state, she had been punished.

While Jean stared nervously at the girl, Selene walked over to a table and pulled out a fancy velvet case. She then opened it to reveal an elaborately crafted dagger with a gold handle and a serpent shaped head. Jean didn’t like where this was going. And knowing Selene there was definitely more to it.

“This girl tried to steal from Hellfire. I caught her red handed trying to make off with a bag of money from one of our gentlemen’s club. I’ve already given her a little punishment, but I want you to finish the job.”

Selene then presented the dagger to Jean. At first she didn’t take it, putting on a confused look. She tried to make it seem as though the drug was still affecting her, but there was only so far she could take it. She knew what Selene wanted her to do and there was no way she could go through with it.

“You…you want me to kill her?” said Jean.

“Not quite,” grinned Selene, “With this magic dagger you’ll not only kill her, you’ll drain her life force. Her pain becomes your pleasure. It’s similar to how my powers work, only on a smaller scale. And trust me, once you get a taste of it there’s no going back.”

Jean looked at the dagger. It was even more sadistic than she expected. Not only did she want her to kill someone. She also wanted her to take pleasure from it. And with the pleasure she felt under the influence of her drug still fresh in her mind, the temptation was strong.

“Do this as an act of loyalty to Hellfire and you will have proven yourself. Not only will you be one of us, you’ll be at my side. The world could be yours. All you have to do is let go and relish the pleasure. I know you want it. So go ahead. Do it!”

Gripping the dagger Jean wrestled between her conscious and her lust. In her hand she held the key to more pleasure. Even though she beat the drug twice, she couldn’t help but entertain thoughts of how it would feel. Selene was right about her having an appetite for pleasure. But it was still wrong.

Looking at the girl she knew she couldn’t do it. But if she didn’t her cover would be blown. Time was running out. Selene would win if she did this. If she didn’t kill this girl she’d just find another way. The others had better show up soon.

************************************************************************

The sewer was dingy, smelly, and dark as Logan and Scott made their way towards the Hellfire Mansion. They waded through garbage and sewage to reach a small maintenance door. It was locked with a chain and heavily reinforced door.

“You know I’m gonna make you pay for making me smell all this shit,” grumbled Logan.

“Yell at me later,” said Scott, “Until then take your frustration out on Hellfire.”

Adjusting his visor, Scott blew off the chains with a single well-aimed shot. The door was still locked, but that was nothing a touch of adamantium couldn’t fix.

“Allow me,” said Logan, eager to get out of the sewer.

He drew his claws and shredded the hinges of the door. It fell to the ground with a thud, revealing a darkened basement which was cluttered with junk. It was most likely a storage room and for all intents and purposes was a ways away from where they were keeping Jean and Emma.

The two X-men checked for security. If they had tripped anything by now, they would have known it.

“Looks like we’re clear,” said Scott, “Now we look for Jean and Emma.”

“They’ll be on the lower levels,” said Logan.

“How do you figure?”

“Trust me, kid. I know how people like this operate.”

Scott didn’t argue with Logan’s instincts. He had been doing stuff like this a lot longer than him so he followed his lead. They opened the door leading out. It revealed a narrow staircase leading up to what they assumed was the lowermost level. If Jean and Emma were around here, they were probably well-guarded so they stayed alert.

Logan sniffed the air as they walked up. He picked up the trail of many guards. This place was well-staffed and none of them smelled friendly. When the reached the hall they quickly noticed a change in ambience. They had gone from a sewer to a place even fancier than the institute. The carpet was plush, the walls were adorned with art, and the path was lit with crystal chandeliers. And this was just the basement.

“Damn, Emma was right about these guys being rich,” commented Scott.

“They still smell rotten,” grunted Logan, “Come on!”

So far they hadn’t tripped anything. They started making their way to the end of the hall, following Logan’s nose to Jean and Emma. Chances were they were in an area with lots of guards so the more trials Logan picked up, the more sure he was they were going the right direction.

They walked quietly until they reached their first corner. Upon peering around they saw security cameras. If they went any further, their cover would be blown. In addition, two masked guards were heading their way.

“We’ve got company,” said Scott.

“Good, now we can ask directions.”

The two guards obliviously passed the hall, leaving plenty of room for Scott and Logan to sneak up on them. They were both heavily muscles and at least six inches taller. But that wasn’t enough.

“Augh! What the…”

In a swiftly coordinated attack, Logan and Scott grabbed the two guards from behind and hit them over the head. The hapless guards struggled at first, but didn’t stand a chance against the angry figures.

“Where are they?!” yelled Scott, holding one of the guards by the neck.

“Where’s who? It’s a big mansion, pal!” grunted the guard.

“You know who I’m talking about! The girls you kidnapped! Jean and Emma!”

“Oh you must mean the blonde and the redhead,” he grinned, “Sorry, I just work here. I don’t know.”

“Me neither,” said the other guard, “So do yourself a favor. Get out while you still can. Hellfire doesn’t take kindly to third rate intruders.”

“I’ll show you third rate!” growled Logan.

He drew his claws and held them to the guard’s neck. But even the rage of the Wolverine didn’t make them flinch.

“Nice trick, but nothing you do will make me betray Hellfire. Kill me for all I care because they do way worse than you ever will.”

Scott and Logan exchanged grunts of frustration. These guys may have been pawns, but they were still loyal. Either that or they knew full well what would happen to them and that was motivation enough.

“Then I guess you two are worthless,” growled Logan.

He and Scott then slammed their heads against the wall, effectively knocking them out cold. They didn’t have time to hide the bodies. They had to move fast.

“Guess we’ll have to figure this out the hard way,” grunted Logan.

“I’m game,” said Scott, adjusting his visor to attack mode, “Sure you can sniff them out?”

“Just try and keep up, bub,” quipped Logan, “And watch my back while you’re at it.”

Placing his trust in Logan’s tracking capabilities they made their way down the elaborate halls of the Hellfire Mansion. With Jean and Emma’s scent permanently engrained in Logan’s memory, he followed trace scents down the opulent halls. Scott shot the cameras to buy them some time. With those guards out it wouldn’t be long before they had company.

Soon, Logan began picking up trace scents. Jean and Emma had definitely been down here. He also picked up other unmistakable smells. They were thick with sex, mostly from Jean. It made his blood boil.

“Emma and Jeannie were here,” growled Logan.

“How close are they?” asked Scott intently.

“I don’t know. But I smell something else.”

“What is it?”

“Sex…and a lot of it,” said Logan angrily, “Mostly from Jeannie.”

A cold feeling came over Scott. His level head went out the window the second he imagined these sick bastards touching Jean. It was official. The Hellfire Club was finished. Every one of them was going to pay.

Logan was equally furious. For every guard that laid a finger on his Jeannie, he was going to rip them to shreds. And as luck would have it, they wouldn’t have to look far to vent their anger. After passing a few corners, they reached the first line of guards.

“Intruders!” one of them yelled, “Hit the alarm.”

“Finally,” growled Logan, “You up for a little action, Cyke?”

“These bastards took advantage of my best friend,” he said, his tone wrought with anger, “At least we don’t have to chase them to make them pay!”

Without mercy, Scott and Logan charged the oncoming guards. Scott unleashed a powerful optic blast of lethal proportions, knocking back the first wave as if they were rag dolls. Normally he didn’t risk making blasts that strong. But after what they did to Jean, they deserved every bruise he could dish out.

More armed guards arrived as reinforcement, but they were quickly met with a berserker raged Logan. With his claws, he swiftly disarmed them and started beating every one of them senselessly. Even those who hit back didn’t slow him down. They were only met with more fury, ending up wounded and unconscious in a heap of bodies.

They tried to box them in. But the narrow halls worked to Scott and Logan’s advantage. Logan could leap around the walls and attack close while Scott’s optic blasts were made all the more devastating because there was no place to take cover. Soon the whole hall was scared from the fight, but the onslaught of guards didn’t let up. And as much as they wanted to make them pay, they had to get Jean and Emma out of this place.

“This way!” yelled Logan, “We have to keep moving!”

“Right behind you, Logan!” said Scott, blasting away another guard, “We better hurry! I got a bad feeling Jean and Emma are running out of time!”

************************************************************************

While the fight was unfolding, Shaw led Emma into a small room not far from Selene’s chamber. It was small, windowless, and not nearly as fancy as the rest of the rooms. The only defining feature was a large, metal chair with restraints and chains in the center. There was no telling what horrors this little contraption could inflict and Emma was in no hurry to find out.

The door slammed shut, leaving just her and Shaw. She cringed under his gaze. He still bore that possessive leer, beckoning her to be his queen. Every part of her wanted to beat him to a pulp. But against a man like Shaw, that was a tantamount to suicide.

“The time has come, my dear,” he whispered into her ear, “One way or another you are going to join us.”

“Is this your idea of another romantic date in a pathetic effort to woo me?” said Emma snidely.

“Hardly,” scoffed Shaw, “You’ve made it clear that you will not cooperate. Thus, we will have to use more direct measures. And rest assured, there is no resisting our means. You will be my queen whether you like it or not.”

Emma eyed the chair, clenching her fists as she wrestled with the idea of attacking Shaw with her powers and fighting her way out. If she could at least get one good hit off and make a break for it. She knew what Shaw meant by direct measures. There was no way in hell she was going to face it.

“Now get in the chair,” he ordered her, “You can either cooperate and forego further difficulties or keep up your futile resistance.”

It was the end of the line for her. Once she sat down in that chair, Shaw would win. There was no doubt in her mind. He was up to something. And if she was going to go down she was going to do it fighting.

“Some choice,” she muttered.

To Shaw’s astonishment, Emma activated her diamond form and slugged him across the face with a hard punch. He absorbed the energy, but it caught him off guard enough to lose his balance. And before he could regain it, she kicked him square in the groin.

“Augh! You little bitch!” he yelled.

“I told you once and I’ll tell you again! I’ll never be your queen!” yelled Emma as she lunged for the door.

“That’s what you think,” grunted Shaw, “Mastermind!”

Emma was about to touch the door when suddenly the handle turned into a live cobra.

“Ahh!” she yelled, “What the hell?!”

Soon more snakes emerged. They came from nowhere, slithering through the door, roof, and ceiling. They were all looking at her, hissing and slithering towards her. The room itself began to feel strange. Soon, Emma was disoriented and dazed. She looked down at her hands, seeing nothing but a wavy blur. Reverting back to her non-diamond form, she quickly learned that there was another psychic in the room. And he was powerful.

“I don’t know how you broke the collar, my dear,” said Shaw, having recovered from her blow, “But now you’ve gone and made me mad!”

While Emma was struggling to get a grip on reality, Shaw used the energy he absorbed from her blows and shoved her into the chair. Upon landing with a thud, he activated the automated restraining system. Several metal straps shot out from the floor and bound her to the chair by her arms, lets, and torso.

Once fully restrained, the illusion faded and Emma saw a cloaked figure she hadn’t noticed before. He must have been hiding behind Shaw as an illusion so he could catch her unprepared. His face was disfigured and his eyes were glaring with the penetrating look of a powerful psychic. Everything about him disturbed her and the closer he got the more she struggled.

“Allow me to introduce our newest recruit, Mastermind,” said Shaw, “He has a talent for deception as you just found out. But in addition, he has the ability to warp and reshape minds. And when he’s done with you, I will have my White Queen now and forever.”

“Go to Hell!” spat Emma, “I swear to God I’ll…”

“Mastermind, will you begin already? That pesky personality of hers is beginning to annoy me.”

“As you wish, Black King,” said Mastermind.

Emma closed her eyes and put up every psychic shield she could muster. But Mastermind sensed this and sent a powerful probe into her mind. She let out an anguished grunt. Mastermind played rough, so it caused her great pain. He already had a foothold in her mind with the illusions he cast earlier. It was only a matter of going further and wiping out all that was Emma Frost.

She resisted Shaw and the Hellfire Club before, but not this time. She couldn’t escape or run. Shaw had her right where he wanted her and soon he would have her exactly as she was meant to be as a ruthless, soulless queen to rule by his side. And with Mastermind’s mind altering powers, she would finally be his.

“No…NOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

************************************************************************

Up next: It’s a race against time to rescue Jean and Emma from Hellfire’s clutches.