Chapter 20

Estelle POV

One month of peace, collecting mutants from earth and watching the world scramble. I welcomed each one, sharing a smile and hope. Even holding a festival to welcome and celebrate the first month of peace. Longer than most have had involving a floating rock in space.

Even the new council members that have been elected are being announced and celebrated. Those to oversee, agriculture, immigration, economy and law. Our system in place is beginning to run smoothly. And of course, as requested by Emma and Destiny, I shall be the face of it all.

Eating alone in the grand dinning room, I hear the festivities outside. As much as I want to join them I must prepare for the intruders.

A vision from Destiny, and leaked intel from Emma.

Cutting the steak I eat it quietly, scooping up the mash potatoes and broccoli before taking it down. After a few sips of wine, I smile, enjoying the small moment of peace. Far from the haunting waiting for me tonight.

The clock strikes noon, standing, I leave the food unintended before walking to the throne room. It goes unused, having no desire to be above the other members of the council. But it truly is the perfect place for a fight.

The door opens and one by one six soldiers aim there guns at me.

Guns designed to tamper with my abilities, though it wont do much with my armor ready to reverse or fade the blasts.

"DON'T MOVE! PUT YOUR HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM."

My armor covers my face, not allowing them to see my features. Turning around, they take the safety off there guns.

"Do you have families?"

They don't answer.

I hold out my hand, and they start blasting, but not a single ray hits me. They simply vanish from thin air.

"I asked you a question."

Glaring at them, there guns fall apart before the material rust and dies. Unarmed they stand scared and confused, I step closer. 

The woman pulls out a knife, running towards me I smack her wrist. Causing the knife to fall and rust while her armor ages. Grabbing her throat, I squeeze, slowly sucking the life from her. 

Her skin wrinkles slowly, "Now, do you have a family? Answer honestly now, you don't have much time."

Her eyes water as she speaks, panicking, "Yes! YES!"

I let her go, allowing my powers to shift, restoring what would have been lost.

I turn my head to the others, "And the rest of you?"

One by one they answer, some even showing me pictures of their kids in fear.

Snapping my fingers the door opens, "I assume your ship is near. Most likely in the hangar where I asked it to be left. You will have a chance to see your family."

I look at one, "And start one."

"Tell you're leaders, this is strike one. I let you go because I don't desire bloodshed and war. I desire peace. And like you who have families, so do my people. Now go."

They run off, following the path I've laid out for them. Watching the ship fly off Emma enters the room.

"And have the bombs been moved?"

She nods walking to my side, "Yes, and if they've learned, they won't die."

Watching them fade off in the distance, I chuckle.

The bombs were placed underneath their ship, and since they didn't detonate them, they'll be able to get home safely. I smile, "Good. One more message I'll have to send."

I smile at Emma brightly, "Would you like to join me for lunch?"

Emma nods, "Sounds nice."

~

Two weeks pass. 

In the middle of a council meeting, I glance at the clock occasionally. Papers are spread out as we discuss laws to add and dismiss, buildings to construct, and ways of transportation to improve. Looking through the preparations alarms blare.

INTRUDER ALERT! INTRUDER ALERT!

Holographic screens appear, showing the famous Captain America. I sigh, standing, "No need to worry, direct him to properly."

Destiny nods, before typing away on the computer. 

I smile, "Thank you."

Walking away, I step into the throne room, seeing him adorning the American colors. 

Face covered, I tilt my head a bit., "I was wondering how long it would take them to send you."

He frowns, "On behalf of the leaders of Earth, I order you to land Genosha, and pay for your crimes."

I hum softly, "What crimes? I haven't killed anyone, I haven't threatened anyone lately. All I've done is protect people who you deem unworthy."

He barks back, "You being here, every mutant being here is a treat to humanity!"

I sigh, "If you want this country down, then you have to go through me."

He doesn't hesitate. Throwing his shield at me I move out of the way, watching as it hits the wall. 

Stuck in the wall he runs at me, "Not so fast."

I direct my abilities, closing in on his lungs he stumbles and falls. Gasping for breath I walk over to him, "It took a lot of practice to get this far. To sense every breath and movement of the human body."

He reaches out for me, but I don't stop, giving him moments of relief long enough to keep him conscious.

"I can see why you think we're dangerous, but you're just as bad. Man-made. That's the only difference. But you chose the path of good, just like the X-Men. And even more of you have chosen the path of evil, like so many villains you've faced before."

Stepping on him, my heel crushes his hand, "There is no need to hate us. No need to fear. So, you won't mind being like us, being Mutant."

My powers expand, altering his DNA, and activating the mutant gene that would take generations to awaken. Slowly his suit breaks as sharp scales mold from his skin. He cries out in pain and panic as a red tail grows from his lower back, releasing his lungs he takes in the air around him.

"This is strike two, one more threat to our lives, and I will retaliate. Only I. Go before the rest of the air runs out. You have 60 seconds."

Panic fills his eyes as he grabs his shield, before rushing to his ship and flying back to earth.

This is their final warning.

I keep a close eye on the news down on Earth, protests have begun. Some want to leave us be and others want to shoot us down from the sky. 

You'd think they'd learn.

The last time they shot down something from space they barely made it out alive. Logan and the others aren't here to save them to sacrifice themselves for the greater good.

Looking out the window, weeks after the occurrence of Captain America, I wait. Destiny told me that fate would be in my favor. I chuckled when she said that.

If fate were in my favor, Logan would be here. 

Sparks emerge from the Earth below, missiles, far more than before.

"You never learn do you..."

Closing my eyes, I place my hand on the glass, "Now it's time to show you, how willing I am to protect my people."

Feeling the weapons grow closer and closer, hundreds aim for New Genosha. All stop, as they fall apart, growing weaker, and rusting into nothing but shattered anger. Opening my eyes I see my work, watching as their quickened plan turned into failure.

Leaving, Emma is waiting for me outside, "Please, ready the machine."

She nods before walking away. Stepping into the council room they look at me. Staring into my cold gaze, they watch my movements as Destiny starts the camera. 

Covering my features, my voice is soft, "I asked for peace. Your leaders didn't listen, now you all must face the truth. The future you can't hide from."

The camera turns off, I hear Emma's voice speak up, "It's ready."

Walking across the room, my shoulders are heavy, heart light. The metal machine is so similar to the one I was once strapped to. Nude, afraid, sad, only to be here, hands bound in the metal machine. Emma and Destiny activate it. Pushing every ounce of my power it gets admitted across the globe.

I whisper, "No matter what."

NO POV

Every human begins to change and transform. As the mutant gene spreads and awakens within every one of them. Some with features mimicking animals and beasts, others abilities of creation and destruction. All within different levels, different scales of potential.

Focusing her mind, she tries to stabilize some, but not all could be tamed. When every human is turned, she opens her eyes, gasping for breath. Falling forward, Emma quickly catches her, Destiny walks over with a smile, "It's done. No more humans, only Mutants remain."

Blacking out, the medical team rushes in, carrying her off.