Can Land Remember?
Beach, Krakoa, X–Men #12
The young mutant had walked out of The Barracks, Nomi and Pavel were both working on some metalwork, TJ had decided to go and play Tarzan in the jungle with Ove swimming around for a challenge, Azari and Kendall both going to Akademos to see if the two of them could connect and find some friends, which left her all alone right now so she had went to go and wander.
She had lost her match with Mother Righteous again, with that, the young girl lazed on the beach, watching everything that was before her as she started to hear a song, a beautiful song that had made her curious, she looked and saw that there were others that were starting to go into the water which had made Irene curious as she had went and looked around before seeing Ove on a stone.
He was singing, singing a beautiful song, seeing them starting to swim his way, Irene had rolled her eyes as Irene went and threw a pebble at him with a little super strength, just enough to go the distance as it had went and hit him, making him glare at her and made Irene smile at him before she saw that there was a disturbance, making her look as the others had started to talk about it.
“What the heck was–” “Shh!” Irene had went, putting a finger to his mouth as she had heard, “Krakoa has a twin!” “Apocalypse’s grandson went in with a few others!” they had said and hearing that, they had all started to mutter and get curious at it all before Irene had decided to go ahead and check any memories that she had about the island, remembering that guy from the new attachment and checked.
At most, it was a story about Arakko, the Island that fights like a man, it was interesting and they had a culture that was very war centric, it made Irene curious enough to think about making a trip before Ove had grabbed her by the collar of her uniform, “I said, ‘what the heck was that for’?!” he had demanded only to feel as his body started to freeze, making him shiver as he let go.
“I need to go and ask someone a question.” she had told him before getting into a meditation position and recalled the combo that she was taught, going into astral projection, she had started to search before finding the source of Krakoa, it was of a woman with pink hair, spines covering her body and something like horns on her brow, at least, the left side of her was, the right side looked like what she thought of Krakoa.
Irene had approached as cautious as possible, not knowing if what she was doing was wrong or dangerous as she had went and pressed her hand to the bark, trying to figure out what an Arakko was as she searched through but it was too much, the memories and consciousness were too much, “Who.” A voice that sound as if it was from out of nature itself said, “Who are you?”
Before Irene could answer, she could feel her body being pulled upwards, her mind going with it, “Do not attempt this again.” The voice said as she had started t wake up, finding herself in the air with Ove holding her, “Ove! What the–?” “Finally!” he said, making her look confused, “You were starting to look like a tree before I pulled you out.” he said, making Irene look at herself.
She looked like those Leshen from that game she wasn’t supposed to know about with the white hair warrior with yellow eyes, “Cool.” she said before attempting to store it, but it was too big for a blood slide, it needed a… a plot, one where it can grow as a garden, dealing with it, she gave Ove a smile, “I’m good now, you can drop me.” she said before he had went and did as much.
With that she had went and grew a pair of midnight black wings, having gotten them from a request she made of Grandfather, giving a good few flaps, “Thanks Ove!” she had said before going and planning on a new piece of art for the island, inspired, she barely noticed the island watching her movements as she had went and headed into The Sinister Space to complete the work.
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Sinister Space
Irene was in a passion as she had went and started to craft and build, using wood from some Black Tom and using Masque adding some excess protoplasm that she had produced to mold and craft, working and working at what she was making, “Irene?” a voice said, but Irene was too focused, not noticing when she saw TJ come in looking for her, “Irene, Ove told me you–” TJ started before she saw it.
It was of a woman, or at least half of one with a unique design, “Whose that?” TJ had asked, stepping forward to get a better look, “I haven’t seen her before,” she was philosophic in her stance, pondering on the immaterial, a scholar, “Is she on the island?” TJ asked, “Not done.” Irene had said, confusing her cousin, “What’s not done?” TJ asked, “I need to talk to the other half.” she said.
TJ was only more confused at that, “Irene, what’s going on?” she asked but Irene only just snapped out of her zone, “TJ? When’d you get here?” she had asked, making the other girl get worried, “Ove said you were turning into a tree and went here, so I wanted to be sure that you were okay.” she had said, “Are you okay?” TJ had asked of her, “Never better.” Irene said.
“It’s just that–” “I was just in the zone is all.” she told her, “Like I said, I need to empty and express it or else…” she had started, trying to think on the last time, “Let’s just say I start to look like Akira.” she had said, making TJ confused at that before Irene took a breath, “Anyways, I’ll have to wait for the rest of her to finish it.” she had told TJ before walking out and away from her untitled work.
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External Gate, Arak Maw, X of Swords: Creation #1
Irene had decided that she needed to figure out someway for her to try and meet the other half, the Arakko part, but she had to be careful, if Krakoa was the right brain of the original body, than that meant that the other half, Arakko was the left brain and she was pretty sure that the Left Brain was not as safe if she had tried that again, as Irene considered this, she started to plan.
There was no way that she could just go through there with no preparation, she needed a native, or at least a team, and as she had thought of that, Irene saw that Rockslide, Rachel Summers and Amara were approaching it, she just watched them on the top of the crystal she was sitting on when the gate had opened, letting out a monster from her wildest imagination being ridden by Summoner and Banshee.
“He’s dying.” was all that she could hear as they had went and left, carrying Banshee while she watched and it seemed that Summoner smiled for a moment, making her all the more curious as Irene had looked back, wondering what exactly it was that was going on on the other side and if it was so dangerous, Irene wished that she could just go and walk through, but she would wait, for now.
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Apparently it was big with what had happened, making Irene all the more curious as she saw that Lorna, Havok, Archangel, Beast, Siren and Rictor were all there to help Apocalypse and his grandson, making her curious now as Irene watched the group get ready to go in, as they were doing as much, Irene saw that Nomi was coming their way, “Nomi!” Irene shouted, waving to her friend and drawing some attention.
“Excuse me, but what are you two doing here?” Havok had asked, surprised that Irene was here and this strange girl, “I wanted to see the gate and can take care of myself.” Irene had told him, “And I wanted to… say hi.” Nomi told him before walking over to Lorna, “Hi, I’m Nomi Blume.” she said, offering her hand to Lorna who shook it, “Nice to meet you Nomi.” she went before feeling it.
They were of reverse polarities, just like her and her– “She’s an experiment like me and the other.” Irene explained, “Others?” Beast said, having heard that, “Yeah! All Seven of us.” Irene had told them, making them give a look, curious at that as Nomi had started to back away, “Well, don’t want to distract you!” she had told Loran before backing away, making Irene follow as they got ready to enter.
The two of them had walked away, both curious on what was going on right now as they had both went and watched as the group of them had went and followed Apocalypse into the gate, making both wonder, “You think–?” “Either that or Magneto and I don’t want a dad that old.” Nomi had said, making Irene cackle at her candor as she thought of something, “Hey, want to take a detour?” she asked.
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House of M, Krakoa
Irene and Nomi had both walked through the place, Nomi having opened the door for them as they had explored the area, neither one having ever been here before when they had both felt a presence, “Who are you?” Magneto had asked of the two of them, making both turn to see the Mutant Leader floating down, Irene feeling his curiosity and guarded feelings, “Hi!” Irene said, smiling at him.
“I’m–!” “Rogue and Gambit’s child, the one made by Sinister.” he had said, “Bingo!” She said before shoving Nomi forward, “And this is Nomi Blume! Another one from the project!” she ha said to him, making him turn and look at her which was when he had pinpointed the attraction that he was feeling, “Another child created by Sinister?” he had asked of them, making the two nod.
“Yes.” she said, a little nervous now at what was about to happen, “And you are here because you share–?” “Magnetokinesis.” Nomi had said, pulling out a ball bearing the size of a golf club before she had went and molded it into the image of a diamond and then into herself, “I don’t know if we’re related but maybe you can help me…?” she had asked of him as he took a step forward and looked her in the eyes.
He then put his hand to her and as he did, the attraction grew stronger, “Your polarity is like the relationship between by own and my daughter.” he had told her, “That is not common for people with our gift.” he had said to her, making Nomi get interested as and hopeful while Irene just smiled, glad that they had started to talk to each other as it were while she decided to go and check on the others there.
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Mystique’s Home, Krakoa
Irene was enjoying a tea with her grandmother, there was nothing much to do and her mother wanted to hang out with her so that meant time with Mystique, but that also meant that TJ would be coming so Irene had waited for her Cousin and was not disappointed when the blue skinned little girl had come in as well, “Hey Irene!” TJ said in the Red Guard, now GeNext as she called them, uniform.
“Talia,” Mystique had said, “Where’d you get that?” Mystique had asked of her, hearing that, she looked down at herself, “This? I got it from Irene, she had dozens of them!” TJ had said, making Irene get embarrassed as she had went and repealed her own, “I saw them on the telly in that universe, and I liked them…” she said, that had surprised them, “You remember that?” Rogue asked her.
“Yeah,” she had said, “I had a 3D map of that New York with working sentinels!” she had said to them, making the two of them look at her in surprise, “You made that?” Mystique had asked, “Yeah! She has tons of stuff like that in her workspace!” she told the two of them, making both curious, they are crazy! Like that cube of water!” she had said to them, “Actually it was clear reactive protoplasm.” Irene said.
“That’s impressive.” Rogue had said, “Can we see some of it?” Irene had asked of her, making Irene grin, “Sure! I actually have some portraits you might like!” she had said to the pair before opening her Sinister Space to go and get them, leaving the trio alone, the adults wondering where she had went before Irene had returned, “Got them!” she said before motioning for TJ to help.
Irene had went and revealed Grandmothers first, it was a beautiful woman leaving sheddings of multiple people, men, women, young old, there was only one thing that was identical, a heart shaped hole where for Mystique, it was a blue heart with two names on it, “Anna Marie and Irene.” It had said and that had made Mystique smile at that, Irene gave a toothy grin at that before TJ revealed her mothers.
She was floating in a swirl of colors, or at least it was supposed to be, her signature hair was like a comet tail while her body was black except for pure emerald eyes, the colors all started to come into her body, revealing from the black silhouette the woman within, revealing herself in her bomber jacket look with a smile that looked free as the moving portrait had went and reset like Mystique’s.
“You can have them if you want.” Irene had said, making the two of them look towards her, liking what she had seen as they had both picked up their respective portraits, as they looked at them, there was a commotion, making them all look up, “We better go check that.” Rogue said as TJ touched her cousin's shoulder, “Hey, can you make one of me?” she asked, making her nod as they went to see what it was.
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Bar Sinister, Krakoa, X–Factor #4
The two of them had heard what had happened and suffice it to say, neither one of them had any way to respond to the fact that Arakko was waging war and that they now had to find a bunch of swords they needed to find to be a part of the tournament, but right now, Irene was more curious on the Arakkii people, they had tried to kill Apocalypse and now they wanted to kill them.
Irene had tried to look through the memories of Krakoa that she had gotten and tried to find a map of Arakko but there was plenty that she couldn’t figure, time being the biggest factor but at least she had the size of the other landmass as Irene started to create a outline and some landmarks that didn’t seem likely to change, good, it made her smile as she had went and realized something.
This was a treasure trove of mutations that her Grandfather would want to take advantage of as soon as possible, which meant that she needed to finish it with some excuses, Irene had started to multi–task as she had sent messages to her parents, The GeNext group, and of course Grandfather that she was going to hang out with Aunt Claudine in her lab no one knew where, even Grandfather.
With that done with, Irene had went and gotten a bag prepared, Hildegard giving them a look before proceeding to lick herself again, “Have fun!” she told the cat before she had went and readied herself to go and follow the Hellions into whatever insanity that they were going into, as she had walked over, ForgetMeNot and the chameleon engaged, she wondered what she was going to see there.
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Avalon Gate, Krakoa, Hellions #5
Irene watched The Hellions as they had all waited before the gateway with Grandfather, a clone of Grandfather anyways if she was reading through his genetics correctly as they had gotten geared up and ready to scout Arakko, “I’m back, Piggies!” Empath had shouted as he entered, none of them looking pleased by it, “Fine, #@$% you too.” he said
Irene just watched them, “Someone wanna tell me which one of you clowns got me killed last time? I can’t remember.” Empath had said and that was when Kwannon had spoken up, “Remember Greycrow’s warning not to use your powers to manipulate the team.” she had warned to him, “That’s the important thing to remember.” she said as Wild Child laugh, “Hee Hee.” The Feral went.
That was when it had clicked, “Did you– Did you SHOOT ME IN THE HEAD?!” Empath had demanded to Greycrow, “I did. Do it again and I’ll cut you in half.” he had warned as the clone spoke, “PLACES! Places, everyone!” The Sinister Clone went as he drew the attention to himself, “I don’t have to tell you all about the journey of a million steps.” he told them, irritated, “And the miles it involves.” he continued.
“And the importance of the first mile of steps. Or something.” Sinister–C had told them, “The speech is out of the way. Everyone up to speed? Let’s get moving.” Sinister–C had told them as he stepped up to the gate, “You’re coming with us?” Kwannon had asked, “‘Coming with you.’ Cute way to put it.” Sinister–C had told them, annoyed at his predicament as it were.
“No, I’ll be leading you into enemy territory.” he said, surprising Irene as she had went and got close to the gate, ready to go, “As your general, jockeying for my affection is encouraged.” he said, making Irene curious and loving the idea, “Favoritism will be rampant and arbitrary.” he said as the clone walked through, “Chop–Chop! Adventure awaits!” he said and Irene was happy to follow.
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Dryador Gate, Arrako, Hellions #6
The group had finally walked through, Irene still invisible as she had went and followed them, all of them bandaged up and wounded, Irene having grown a carapace and making her look bigger and more like a Beetle–Like Ben Grimm as Sinister–C had marched through with a spear in hand, “Breathe it in! Arakko!” The Clone had told them, proud that they had all survived coming here.
Irene had felt the carapace start to bristle as she took a breath, “I told you we’d make it.” he had told the whole group, “I’m sure the naysayers would like a chance to apologize, but NO!” Sinister–C had told them all which had made Irene silently cackle, “I can, and will, punish you later.” Sinister–C had told them and she was excited to see the new landmass before her.
“For now, our bounty awaits!” he said which was when Havok spoke up, “Y–You did it, Sinister. I can’t believe it.” Alex had told him, “You know who I wish was here to see this?” Havok had asked and she was curious who, “MY EYE, you piece of #@$%!” Havok had told him, furious, “Yes, those Hippogriffs took their bridge toll seriously, didn’t they?” SC had told them, “I’ll get the next one. Promise.” he lied.
“I pray you know where we’re going, Sinister.” Kwannon said as she had fed Gibney, “The Feculent Unwed escaped with our supplies. This is the last of our food.” she had warned while Irene decided to absorb some solar energy, keeping herself full, Irene had ignored Greycrow complimenting Empath which was when she had focused on SC instead, her carapace tingling.
“Let’s go ahead and fire up our inside voices, team.” The Clone had said to them, “We’ll need steal to claim our prize.” he said which was when someone spoke, “Ah, a prize…” a man said, making them turn to see a person that was interesting, like Van Gogh cutting off his ear, “What ‘prize’ brought this soft mutant stock for me to mangle?” he had asked as Irene stepped over, curious.
Kwannon though just readied her blade, “We’re discovered.” She said, ready to fight, but he didn’t seem to care, “The Ten Swords of Arakko. Where are they gathered? We need them before the great contest begins. For this reason I will ask only once.” she had threatened which made him look confused, “The Ten Swords of Arakko?” he had said to them, “Children, they are in Otherworld.” he started.
The way he said children got Irene worried, “Through the gate you just came from. Where they are wielded by their champions in a contest that is well underway.” He had said to them, which was when he made a smile that was like Grandfather, “Poor fools, who sent you on this dullard’s errand?” he asked which made all eyes on Grandfather–C now, “Sinister, you mother–!” Havok started, grabbing him.
“YOU SAID YOU KNEW WHERE YOU WERE GOING!” Havok shouted, as SC started to make his excuse, she had walked over to him, making Irene curious as she examined the man that had stopped them, Irene had no idea what he was or if he was too dangerous to absorb, she wanted to take a sip but something told her that it would be more dangerous than staying hidden.
“You said we HAD to cross that bridge. ‘No price was too high to pay’.” Havok started, drawing her attention back to the mutant, “What the hell were you thinking?!” he had demanded of SC, “Yesss… what were you thinking? Hnnnnnn…” he said as his power started, she assumed, his eyes glowing purple as SC started to get a headache, “Ah, ah, OW… Get out of my mind!” SC demanded, making her curious.
That was when he had finally gotten up, “Ah, Minster Sinister came all this way to collect the TRUE treasure of Arakko. The genes of its mutants.” he said which was when Irene groaned, really wishing that she could have just had a holiday here, “This is about your stupid collection?!” Havok demanded, grabbing her grandfather by the collar and raising a fist to him, “You played us… the Council, Everyone?!” he demanded.
Irene was used to this, but still, before she could think any further on it, The Arakkii took his hood off “So bizarre.” he had said to her Grandfather, “You allow your children to look you in the eye?” he asked, making them all look towards him while she had known what her Grandfather was going to say right about now in excitement while she had gotten ready for either fight or flight.
“GET OFF ME!” he said, shrugging off Havok, “Someone actually said something interesting.” he said while Irene had used both some Sunspot and Random to start building herself into a cannon, aiming it towards the The Arakkii man that was looking at him in boredom, “You have mutants? Where are they? Can I see?” he had asked of him as excited as her when she was creating.
“I suppose. If you promise not to touch.” he had said and that was when Irene knew that this was not going to get pretty so she went and started to mutate and increase the power with the solar energy, “Hamannas Ecleptum!” he said, making her all the more worried, which was when individuals that looked like they were from a Lovecraftian short story had appeared surrounded by flying darts or something.
“To me, my Locus Vile.” he had said to them, “We should go.” Havok said, “now.” Kwannon said, but SC’s eyes had hearts now, “They’re beautiful.” he simply said as Irene got ready to give covering fire, “Yes, beautiful and mine.” He told him, “Their mutations exalted than defiled by me, the Great Genomic Mage. Tarn The Uncaring.” he had declared to them, good, now she had a name.
“I’ve seen the desire of your heart, Pale one.” Tarn told SC, “I know it well. I also came to Arakko to plunder while Genesis feuds.” he said, sounding like her Grandfather, “But rid yourself of the notion you will pluck the Vile for your garden.” Tarn had told him, “This is MY work. I have signed their souls.” he had said but as Irene looked, she knew that things were going to go South as he pulled out his drones.