Split Up
Krakoa, X–Men #16
Irene was in her arena, glaring at her enemy who had a baseball bat, they had went and charged, hitting her, but Irene just grinned as she had felt the combo energy that was there, Sebastian Shaw/James Madrox was making stronger duplicates of herself, every hit just made more and more as they grew in power before the little mob started to beat on the person.
They had formed into a puddle made of mercury, the combination being an excellent one, “What are you doing?” Rogue asked Irene who looked up from the mini–dupes that were there fighting against each other, “Testing out new combos.” she said to her, showing the Shaw/Madrox combo, “It’s nice but I need to add some form of invulnerability in case the power is too much.” she said.
Rogue was about to say something when she saw a portrait of Remy, it was pure white of kinetic energy, his red and black eyes staring at them with a mischievous look, his staff like a magic wand flowing with energy and his cape like a wizards cloak as the work seemed to be filled with fireworks in the background, “That’s for Pere.” she had told her, “And one for TJ.” she had said.
It was TJ in an outfit like her father, looking like a little guardian angel as her top half was over a silhouette’s shoulders while her hands were filled brimstone energy, looking as beautiful as Kurt and probably her mother too as Rogue observed them both, “These are amazing.” she said before seeing that there was a pair of planets floating when she noticed that there seemed to be life there.
“Krakoa and Arakko.” Irene said as she had absorbed the dupes before the two of them had felt a rumbling, making them both look at each other before they saw Remy come out, “You gotta see this.” he had told them, making Irene a little excited at that as they both went to look out and see that there was something interesting, a new landmass was coming in, seeing that, she went out the window.
“Reenie–!” Remy shouted but Irene didn’t listen and got up, smiling as she saw the island Arakko appear when all of a sudden, some sort of comet grabbed her, “Irene!” Rogue shouted as she saw her get stolen, “Can’t believe I’m sayin’ this but tanks Sinister.” Remy said, activating the tracker that had been installed and saw that she was heading towards the Narthex.
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The Narthex, Krakoa
Irene was dropped on top of it and she looked around to see that Linea was there, “Linny!” Irene said with a smile as the young Arakki had smiled bag, taking back their body, “Reen!” Linea said, “Glad I finally found you!” she had told the other mutant, “I was curious of the Island after your Krakoans won and it is… it’s soft.” they had said, making Irene pout, “If that’s an insult–.” “NO!” Linea said.
“It It’s a nice soft.” They told her, making Irene smile at that as she heard whistling, “You hear that?” Irene asked before noticing bullets coming their way, reacting, Irene pulled up some metal skin, blocking them only to be stolen, “Reen!” Linea shouted just as they were hit with lighting, right before Ove flew in and tackled them, “Irene! You good?” Nomi asked.
“What the bloody hell are you guys doing?!” she asked as Linea who started to look like a Hulk which was making her quirk an eyebrow in interest as they had backhanded him away, “We saw you were abducted and–!” “I wasn’t abducted!” Irene said to her just as her cousin possessed her friend, “That’s not good.” Irene said as she saw that they were already chatting.
“Raagh!” One of the Linea said, “Get out Mind Thief!” They said and that was when TJ was flung out, “Dang it!” she hissed, backing away and getting back to the fight when Irene pulled out Banshee she got, “EVERYBODY CALM DOWN AND STOP!” she went, making them all pause and turn towards her, “This is Linea, we met in Arakko, they’re cool.” she told them all, at that they all glared, ready to start the fight again.
They were about to fight again when all of a sudden, there was a bolt of lightning that had hit Linea, making them scream in pain before they started to chuckle, making Irene turn to the Electrokinetic, “Azari!” she went, “It’s not me!” he had said, making them look around for Storm when they saw that Kendall had her hands extended and looked like she was tired, “Ha! A powerful one you are!” A Linea said.
They looked fine as their body repaired itself, “So we’re all friendly?” Pavel had asked of them as they had noticed that Rogue and Gambit were coming in hot, “False alarm! Just a friend!” Irene said, waving her arms to the pair as they had landed, “You good, Sugah?” Rogue asked, worried as she had checked her for any wounds, “I’m good, my friend Linea came to visit.” she said, introducing them to each other.
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Lebeau Residence, Krakoa
The kids were all at the table as Linea had looked at them all, Nomi keeping her eyes on the Arakkii while the others were listening to the stories of The Linea, all the while Remy was cooking for the kids, “So what do you do?” Nomi had asked Linea, making the Linea attempt to take over for a moment when the current Linea had taken over, “I’m Linea, every Linea.” they had told her.
“And that means…?” Rogue had asked them, “I have something your humans call… ancestral memory? I have every Linea inside of me, every ability, every story, every emotion, they all live through me.” Linea had told them, feeling one of The Linea take over, “Weapon Thieves!” Linea The Noble had said to them, creating a silver energy around themselves before aiming at the two.
Nomi had wrapped a piece of metal around their throat, choking them out as the silver energy had dispersed and The current Linea had returned, “Sorry, Linea The Noble does not prefer Weapon Thieves.” They had said to the assembled group as Remy came with food, “What's that?” Linea asked, making Irene smile, “Is that Gumbo?” she had asked, already taking her bowl and eating it.
That made the others curious and start to eat it, Nomi was cautious with it and Ove took a deep gulp of the food, the others interested and loving it as there was a smile from Remy at the sight, Linea looking to the others, “What is this?” They had asked, “That,” Remy said, “Is my Tante Mattie’s Gumbo recipe.” he had told them as The Arakkii had taken a bit and liking it.
“This is heaven sent.” Linea had said to them, making Irene grin, “Good,” she had said, “Maybe I can bring some over to your home?” Irene had said to them, making Linea lose their smile, “I have no home,” They had told them, “I was born in that prison after my mother was captured by Tarn.” They said, making the adults look worried as TJ smiled, “Why don’t you live with us?!” she asked, confusing them.
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The Barracks Cove, Krakoa
Linea had looked around the barracks, liking the appearance of the facility as Irene had went and showed them to one of the open rooms, “This place is–” Linea started before seeing that there was a sculpture in the middle, “What is that?” Linea had asked, curious at the flowers that seemed to be singing, “A bit of Artificial Botany, wanted to make living art.” she had told them.
Linea looked at that, “What’s art?” They had asked, making Irene look at her in shock as Pavel and Nomi went to work on a sculpture that they had been working on, “It’s expression.” she had told the Arakkii, “It’s letting people see who you are and letting them love and fear it.” she had said, growing crystals over her skin to become a series of stories like tattoos over herself.
Linea had touched one and felt as it had covered their skin now, “It can be painting, sculptures, song and even dance.” she had said to Linea before blowing out smoke to create constructs of colorful smoke that danced, “It seems… pointless.” They said, making Irene laugh, “Maybe.” she had said, “But it also shows the world you’re not someone they should mess with.” Irene said.
That was when she showed a new smoke form of Irene devouring the smoke of others like a glutton and becoming more powerful as she did so, “So like a flag telling people your territory and that you should be feared?” Linea had said, “Kind of.” Irene admitted, remembering that fortress that Nomi made, “Or like how Ove makes a beautiful song that lures people to their doom.” she said to them.
Linea had nodded, understanding, Art was another part of battle, as they had went and got Linea situated, Irene had gotten a call from aunt Claudine, “Hi auntie–!” “Next time you plan to use me as an excuse, warn me.” Claudine said, “Sorry,” she said, “But if it makes you feel any better, I got grounded by Mama and Pere.” she had said, “No, because that was on your bucket list.” She said to her.
Irene clicked her tongue at that, “So what can I do to make it right?” she had asked of her, and already regretted it, “I need you to get me a cocktail.” She had said to her honorary niece.” Okie doke, what are you thinking? Something strong? Maybe a little more on the fast side…” “I’m thinking of something clean energy.” She said, making Irene nod, “Got it, a mix of Sunspot and Chamber.” she said.
Irene already started to glow from the cocktail she was making, her chest feeling like it was ready to break open as she quickly got sample to be perm on the cocktail before finding a petri dish, she went and put the sample in there, “Okay, the usual delivery method?” she had asked of Claudine, “Yes please,” She went before adding something, “I’m glad you’re okay.” She had said to Irene, making her smile.
Irene had went and added it to the delivery method that was there before she had turned back to the others, “Okay! Let’s get you a proper tour of Krakoa!” she had said to Linea, grabbing their arm with a look that made both Nomi and Ove follow her as well as the four of them had headed away to go and show them everything that they would need to know if they were going to live here.
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Krakoa
The little tour group was walking through everything there was here, Nomi having the uniform made of metal strips ready while Ove was twirling a Nanominium trident that they had made since he was durable enough for the normal crap but Magic was a different story, “Where do you fight?” Linea asked, “The Quarry.” All three of them had said to them, reacting, the Arakkii grew curious.
“May we fight there?” Linea had asked, both Ove and Nomi had wanted to, the idea of fighting them sounded fun but Irene had different ideas as three of her popped up now, each grabbing their arms with a smile, the three of them looking at her confused and then having thoughts that made Irene smile wider before the fourth walked away, “Sorry guys, a little birdy told me something!” she said.
“We decided to spar with the three of you,” The one on Ove said, “While Me Prime will go and get the hot gossip on him.” the one on Nomi said, “So let’s go and enjoy ourselves!” the one on Linea said as they had brought the trio away while she started to get ready to see what it was that her grandfather was scheming right about now with the others that were going to fall for it.
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Quiet Council Chamber, The Grove
Irene was using her usual gossip mode as she had watched him plead his case to the Quiet council, “My Hellions are dead!” he had told them, “And you dare tell me resurrections are halted because of a vile superstition?!” he had demanded of them, “Do not forget how my noble children fell.” he said as Irene held in her giggles at that, “Grasping after the swords of Arakko.” he said, knowing it was the lie.
“Fighting to end Saturnyne’s bloodbath before it began.” he had said while Onkel Kurt like Miss Munroe didn’t look like they believed it, “Did they succeed? No. Not even close.” Nathaniel Essex said to them, “We were ambushed by the evil mutants of Arakko, who’d been alerted to our presence.” he had said, making Irene roll her eyes at that knowing he was the reason.
“Who betrayed us?” Sinister had asked, “Don’t want to point fingers, but Apocalypse did just buy a house there.” He had told them, “No? I’m the only one who finds it weird?” he had asked while not a single one had trusted him, “Make your point, clown–tongue.” Exodus had said to him, Irene filing that away for grandfather and others that had acted like him.
“Oh, I was going to HONOR the names of my murdered teammates, BUT I can hurry it up if that’s too silly for you, Bennet.” he said, making Irene cover her mouth from giggling out loud as he got angry, “Grrr… continue.” Exodus said, “Checkmate.” her grandmother said and she had to muzzle herself from cackling out loud right about now as Grandfather continued.
“Empath, Greycrow, Havok and Psylocke made it to Krakoa before succumbing to their wounds.” he said, but Irene didn’t believe it one bit, “But sweet Nanny, Orphan–Maker and Wild Child fell in Arakko.” He had said, she remembered that, it was not pretty, “Only through their loving sacrifice did I make it home myself.”he told them and Irene had to web herself to keep quiet.
“But they died in Arakko, not Otherworld!” He had told the council members, “There’s no proof they’ll come back scrambled! Please!” he had said to them and it was getting harder to hide in her stealth mode, “Wasn’t this settled?” Kate Pryde whispered to Emma Frost, “I thought Professor X is resurrecting them right now.” she had asked as Emma Frost had smiled at his display.
“Let him go a bit longer. I wanna see if this crocodile will give us some tears.” She had said to her, “GYAAAAHHH! ‘Sob’ MY BABIES!!! BRING THEM BACK TO ME!” he had cried like a war widow, “A truly breathtaking lack of shame.” Emma had said to Kate and Irene laughed out loud now, already teleporting away when she had received a text telling her to go to Bar Sinister.
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Bar Sinister, Krakoa
Irene was sitting by the entrapped DNA that her father had corrected as Psylocke and Sinister had spoken up, “She certainly has her mothers genes, doesn’t she?” he had asked no one, “Yep, you’d almost think she was a clone.” Irene had told them, but Kwannon was focused on HER, “That’s… her?” She had asked of Sinister, “Oh, yes.” He told the woman that was looking at it.
“Like all those who used Overclock, her mind was downloaded by Apoth.” he had said, making Irene pout that she missed out on something like that, “And thanks to you, Apoth is mine.” he had said, “It took me a while to dig through the code, but I found her.” Irene had said to “You mean that WE found.” Irene had said, “You had me combing that for so long I had to go in shifts with myself.” Irene said.
Sinister had ignored her and instead he had went and focused upon Psylocke, “That’s your daughter.” he had told Kwannon, “As much as I am me and your are you.” he had said to her, “Thinking and being in a sea of ones and zeros.” he had said to Kwannon, “And she’s safe, as long as I remain in power.” he said, making Irene frown at the statement, “And reasonably happy. Would you like to hear her talk?” he asked.
“No.” she said, upset, “We have a mission.” she said before walking away, “That you do! Such a responsible mother. Always putting your daughter first.” he had said and that was making Irene angry, “Please take care of my ship. Ta–ta now. Be good!” He had said, “Take your own advice, Grandfather.” Irene had said to him before walking away and getting a plan in mind.
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Lebeau Residence, Krakoa
Her parents were laughing at the performance that her grandfather was giving to the Quiet Council, “That Crocodile sure knows how to cry!” Remy said as Irene had grinned to them, “So does this–” “Mean you’re still grounded? Yes.” Rogue had said as she had bowed her head, “I understand, I won’t–” she had started before there was a noise, making them all look.
That was when they saw that three more Irene’s had appeared and the trio had went and looked in surprise like the adults at that, “How many of you are out there right now?” Remy had asked, a little curious as Irene had went and pulled out her tracker, “I currently have a total of four other me’s running around, including the three here.” she said as they had rejoined, “Then where’s the fourth?” Rogue asked.
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Sinister Lab, Alaska
Irene was smiling and sitting on the desk with interest as Claudine had started to work on the lates of her experiments, her face looking like Apocalypse with red lines instead with her eyes the same as before, her hair like quills with her skin being as tough as most metals, wearing a straightjacket as an outfit, “So Aunt Claudine, what’re we doing today?” she had asked of her.
“I’m thinking…Sakaar DNA?” she had asked, getting some shadowkin samples that would hopefully allow them access to The Old Power, “Roger roger!” she had said, going and touching the sample in question, making her feel it as her ears had started to extend and her size grew, preferring to keep the changes for fun as they had seen it, “Alright, try connecting to it.” Claudine had said.
Irene had attempted to do as much, but as she had attempted to do as much, all Irene could do was boost her natural abilities as well as messing with her skin, making it tougher and tougher before she had started to feel like a statue, feeling that, she had went and disengaged it, “It’s okay, but there’s not enough of a connection, my Penance Skin is better than that.” she told Claudine.
Miss Sinister had sighed at that but nodded as she had went and knocked it off of the list of DNA to test, as they had done as much, Irene had gotten a phone call, making her curious, “Hey Irene!” Irene had said, “What’s–?” “Irene Lebeau!” Her mother had said, making her tense, “Am I grounded?” She asked, excited at the idea, “We already grounded you! How long have you been there?” Rogue asked.
“Oh… a bit after you guys had caught me.” she had said before looking towards the aunt who raised an eyebrow to her, “DO I have to go back now?” she asked, “YES!” Rogue had said, this had made her flinch, “Okay, I’ll be there in a minute.” she said before hanging up, “You better face the music.” Claudine had said as the young girl had went and walked over to her secret way in.
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Lebeau Residence, Krakoa
Irene had waved at her other self who had walked in, “Hey me!” She had shouted, “Hey me too!” The heavily altered dupe of Irene had said, “What the–?” Remy said, worried that she was experimented on, “Oh, this is how I get some of my best DNA!” she had said to her father, “I act as a guinea pig for their experiments and they give me some extra powers to work with!” Irene said.
Rogue and Remy had looked to each other at that, “That’s not healthy, Reenie.” Remy told the two, “It’s okay! It’s not like it hurts!” Irene had said to the pair of them, merging with her Dupe before she saw the Shadowkin DNA, liking that, Irene had brought it out, “Nice! I look like a Dark Elf!” Irene said, looking at her reflection, “Something tells me you have an attention issue?” Rogue had asked her.
“Yep!” Irene said, “Grandfather had me tested for it!” she had told them, “Then We have the perfect punishment for you.” Rogue said, making Irene look towards Nomi, Ove and Linea in fear, “Why don’t we get you a 20,000 piece puzzle to build?” Rogue said, “Without your powers.” she had said to her, making the kids and Remy all gasp towards the punishment, “Too cruel!” Remy and Irene shouted.
“You only have to do it an hour a day.” Rogue relented, Irene had nodded at that before she had went and gotten some mitts and a ball, “Now then, anyone up for baseball?” Rogue asked, making the kids look at each other before they had decided that they might as well go and see how to play the game with the other three kids pushing and shoving to follow.