Goodnight Irene

Krakoa

Irene has woken up with a start, “Goddammit!” she had snarled in anger, surprising her friends there before she had reacted, “Sorry guys,” she had told them, “I just got a new nightmare.” she had said, surprising them, “YOU. Had a nightmare?” Ove had asked, confused how someone like her could be scared of anything, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to find Malice before she kills herself.” she said before running.

______________________________________________________________________

The Kinney Residence, New Mutants #17

Irene had went and popped over to Gabby’s home, looking like  dichromatic Johnathan, “Prp?” she had asked as Gabby opened the door, “OhmygodIreneyoulooksoadorable!” Gabby said before grabbing and pulling her into a hug, “How’d you know it was me?” Irene had asked, curious, “You didn’t change your scent, and Johnathan’s The only Wolverine on Krakoa.”

Irene blew a raspberry, or tried to at least, before morphing into her human self, her body doing something funny, making herself appear like a crystalline bipedal insect before going her, wearing a black bodysuit with a red diamond, a mockery of The X–Men suit, he hair in a braid except for the white locks, “So, how’ve you been?” Irene had asked her friend, “How’ve I been? Where’ve you been?” Gabby asked.

“The rest of the labrats put me to sleep, thinking I was awake for too long just because I couldn’t remember the last time I fell asleep.” she had said, getting huffy, “That sounds like a problem.” Gabby said to her, “Please! That nightmare I had of all of the egos I absorbed wanting to take over my body is a problem!” she had told Gabby, “Wait, what?” Gabby had asked.

“That Symbiote, the Klyntar, it jostled my petri dishes opened, they slipped through the cracks and now they’re trying to take over like Carol Danvers did my mama!” Irene said, starting to get more and more upset at the idea, seeing this, Gabby had rubbed her back, “Irene, are you sure everything’s–?” “NO!” Irene had said, and like that her body started to crackle with green energy.

“Whoa!” Gabby said as she and Johnathan had backed away, “Whose power is that?” she had asked of her friend who looked down, “This is mine,” she said, panicking as her power started to get stronger, “I– I– I don’t know why this is happening! I don’t–!” she started to say when Gabby grabbed her cheeks, “Irene! Remember your collar! Shut it off!” She said, knowing that her friend needed to.

Hearing that, Irene had nodded before she had went and put it on full power, taking her powers completely off now and making her less explosive, huffing and sweating before she had smiled towards her friend when there was a knock, curious, she turned her powers on just enough for enhanced senses to see who it was, “Okay, be cool, this is not a big deal, just asking a friend for some–” the door then opened.

“–Help…” he had went, “Hey Anole!” Gabby said, approaching the mutant, “Jonathan, say hi to Anole!” she told her Wolverine, “Hullo, Anole!” Irene said as Johathan sniffed Anole’s boot, “Uh, hi, Jonathan.” he said to the animal, “Having a good day?” he had asked before looking to Irene, “Oh! Don’t mind me, I’m just here for some Gabby Positivity and friend snuggles.” she said, turning into a her Wolverine form again.

He was going to ask more when Gabby spoke up, “So, what’s up? I thought we weren’t meeting up ‘til later?” she had asked Anole, “Yeah, but I wanted to ask you something first.” he said, looking around the mess, “This place is… kind of a disaster?” he asked, “Is that your question?” Gabby asked, “Cause I’ll have you know Irene is responsible for the cracks.” she said, “Oh, uh, no.” he said.

“Sorry it’s just…” he went, making Irene circle Gabby, curious, “Laura’s been… gone, and I’ve been having trouble finding the will to clean.” she said, making Irene rub against her, “But I’m gonna!” She promised them three, “Anyway, what’s up?” she asked the pair, “I was wondering if you knew anything about the body farm?” He asked, making Iren curious, “We heard it was up and running at the Boneyard.” he said.

“Not that I don’t think it’s totally cool, but I think it’s off–limits. Why?” Gabby asked also cautious, looking to Irene who wrote a Road Runner sign, “Your secret’s safe with me.” It said as he spoke up, “TL;DR, we’ve been experimenting with trading consciousness some more.” he told them both, “We managed a flower, but it was kind of weak because they don’t move.” he said.

“But we think if we use a formerly mobile vessel, we’d be able to really control things!” he said, and neither one of them liked it as Gabby picked up Johnathan, “And you want to use other people’s bodies without asking them?” Gabby asked, “Why not just get a Husk?” she had asked him, “Husks are for resurrection… they wouldn’t let us have one.” he had told them.

“Besides, you saw what happened with Cosmar at the party. What we need sn’t a priority to THEM.” he had told Gabby, making her and Johnathan snarl, “Okay, this is a really bad idea.” Gabby said, speaking their thought, “FIRST, it feels weird to take someone’s body without them knowing, and, ALSO, it could go wrong…” she had started to list off towards him.

“Oh, so it’s fine for X–Factor to toss the bodies around and watch them rot but not okay for us to include them in trying to be better?” Anole had asked of them but Irene didn’t like it, “You don’t get what it’s like! Having your body make people recoil when they see you or look at you with pity, even here!” Anole had shouted, making Irene growl, “Yeah, but–” “No. No ‘but’, not when you can pass for a human girl.”

This was really getting Irene angry now as he continued, “Not that we WANT to be human, but maybe we want to be beautiful. And that isn’t immoral.” he said, turning to storm off, “Just because I can hide my claws doesn’t mean I don’t know what it feels like to have my body be out of control.” Gabby said, making Irene feel a trickle of regret from Anole, “I– It’s not the same, Gabby.” he told her.

“Also, uh, the people who made you think that you aren’t beautiful are idiots.” she said as Johnathan went to lick her cheek, “I love the way you look, all of you.” she had told Anole, “I know it isn’t comforting right now, but that’s what we’re here for. To be ourselves, to not have to care what they think.” Gabby told him, “…yeah, okay.” he told her as the mutant walked away.

Meanwhile Irene had went and hugged her friend, surprising Gabby at the sudden action, “NEVER change, Gabby, kindness like yours is too precious to lose.” she had told her friend who hugged her back, happy that Irene was there as well before she pulled away, “Welp! I better go find Mally, if you need anything, just use The Reenie signal.” she said making Gabby glad to have her.

______________________________________________________________________

Braddock Lighthouse, EXcalibur #20

“Hullo!” Irene said, popping into Betsy’s bedroom, “Reenie! What–?” “My snitch told me you guys have Alice.” she had told them with a smile, surprising the others, “I didn’t.” Jubilee said, “Kurt?” Rogue asked, Irene shook her head, “Grandfather and I love to tea and gossip.” she had told them, making the grown women groan, “Really wish you’d stop calling him that.” Rogue muttered.

Irene shrugged at that, “So, are y’all talking about Gala dresses and Alice?” she had asked of the three, “I already have something picked!” she said, remembering it from a dream and morphing into it thanks to her protoplasm, “Reenie–!” Rogue started, worried what she’d wear before seeing it covered in stone colored veins, appearing like a Gargoyle with a large single eye and owl beak.

She had started to move on all fours, “That’s… unique.” Jubilee said, “This is just a cocoon.” she had told them, sounding unisex and monstrous, “I’m saving the real dress for the gala.” she had told them, “This is just to freak people out.” she said with a smile towards them, “So can I be there when you talk to Alice?” she had asked of them, making the grown women look.

“Irene…” “I’m not allowed?” she had asked pouting, “It could get messy, and you shouldn’t see that.” Elizabeth said, making Irene about to say that she had seen worse than that when realizing, that they wanted her to not be traumatized, thinking on that, Irene nodded, “I’ll be at the Hatchery then.” she said, waving goodbye to them as she had waited for Malice in whatever form she’ll come in.

______________________________________________________________________

The Hatchery, Krakoa

Irene was sitting there, lollygagging as it were as Irene had watched Charles Xavier give Mlice her mind back, “Her mind is a tempest, Betsy.” Charles said, unaware that Irene could hear, “I see nothing that implies she is cured of any affliction… merely her anger, which has threatened Krakoa itself.” he had said as Alice crawled out, “This must be left to my judgment.” he told them.

“And I am not convinced.” he said as Alice spoke, “…Where am I?” she asked, “You’re on Krakoa, and you have been resurrected from death.” Betsy sai, shooing an excited Irene who barely listened, “Whatever you remember of our disagreement… I consider it settled if you can.” Betsy told her, “I didn’t want you to wake alone.” she had told the bodysnatching brit.

“It’s nice that we could settle that personal issue right before you let him send me into exile.” Alice said, “If I haven’t made it clear. I wanted to die.” she said, shocking Irene, “You did die, Malice. And you have been reborn.” Xavier told her, “And you lashed out against the very nation of Krakoa.” he had told her, “You must reckon with what you’ve done, even if you were in pain.” he told her.

“Pardon us.” a voice said, “There are others in play here.” Emma Frost said, approaching with a blanket, “Kwannon is aware of the situation and feels a similar sense of mercy.” Emma said to them, “And if the words of a councilmember are required… I am nothing if not sympathetic to those who had it hard when they were young.” Emma told them, “Stop!” Alice said, but Emma didn’t.

As she draped the cloth on her shoulders, her brunette hair turned Raven Black, “Just sentence me, dammit! Stop with the speeches and just take me away to rot already!” Alice had demanded, “Captain Britain. Psylocke. Has she harmed you in any way unpaid?” Emma asked, “No.” Betsy said, “I choose mercy.” Kwannon had sai, “I myself wish her opportunity rather than punishment, Charles?”

Irene watched as he had made the best decision he had, “…It would seem I am overruled.” he told them, “Welcome to Krakoa, Malice.” he said, making Irene want to squee in excitement, “Almost everything is plentiful, and the gates take us to anywhere in the world, or off of it, in seconds.” Emme told her as Betsy escorted Alice out, “You have been forgiven. Enjoy.” were her last words to the Mutant.

“Don’t blow it, love.” Betsy warned, “Is this a joke?” Alice asked, “Absolutely not.” she said as Alice was brought outside into the sunrise, “It’s a fresh start. No one can promise it won’t hurt like hell… but I’ve certainly had enough of my own.” she had told Alice, “This one is yours.” she said, a final adieu as Irene had went and leapt to go and hug the teen, “What the hell–?!” she went before seeing who it was.

“Irene?” she had asked, not really recognizing the girl but knowing the smirk, “Yep! It’s great to see you again, Alice!” she had said, Happiness. Relief. “Maybe she can help me figure this place out?” “I’d love to!” she said, making Alice glare, “Oh, was that a mind and not a mutter?” she had asked of her favorite babysitter, but then again, Bling was getting pretty high up there.

“So can you?” she had asked, making Irene grin in joy, “Yep!” she had said, transferring some speedster into Alice, “Keep up!” she had shouted and hearing that, Alice had glared before she had went and ran after her, smiling as she remembered how much of a terror this little Moppet was as they had went and ran out, wondering what kind of chaos they were all planning.

______________________________________________________________________

The Lighthouse, England

Rogue and Gambit were looking around for their daughter when there was a sound of laughter, making them turn to see Irene falling out of a gate, giggling, “Reenie! Where’ve you been?” Rogue had asked as Gambit had helped her up and smelled smoke as well as alcohol and marijuana, “Reenie–!” “We destroyed a Pot farm!” She said, giggling from the inhalations.

“Who’s we?” Rogue had asked, “Me! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand… Alice!” she had said, giggling, “Allice Alice Bo–Balice! Banana fana Fo–Falice! Me–Mi–Mo–Malice! Aaalice!” she had went, giggling at the song, “Wait, Malice?” Remy asked, “Yeah! I gave her a tour! And then we wandered New York! And then we got nabbed by some jerks–!” “What?!” the couple, Jubilee, Rictor and Betsy had asked in shock.

“Yeah! They said they wanted to make something called… MGH?” she asked, making them get angry at that, “Did they…?” “They tried, but then it went boom.” Irene had told them, grinning as she had went and made a mimicry of it, smiling as she did before when Irene noticed they were looking at her funny, “What?” she had asked in confusion at their expressions.

“Am I in trouble?” she asked them, a little unsure as her liver started to mutate to get the alcohol out of her, “What do you think?” Remy asked, “No…?” she had asked, “Try yes,” Rogue had told her, “Ah swear, you’re not going anywhere near The Gala.” Rogue said, shocking Irene, “No!” Irene went, “I had the best outfit ever made! Please don’t forbid me!” she had pleaded.

The two of them had glared, “Please please please!” she had said to them, “I took so long preparing it! I promise that I won’t even go into the Gala! I’ll stay outside by the gates!” she said to them, hearing that, they looked to each other before nodding, “Alright, you only go in there when we’re with you, understood?” Remy had told her, making Irene nod her head towards the couple.

Irene had went to go and hug the two of them, glad to be allowed to do as much as she had went and gotten excited at the thought, hopping around in excitement before she had started hopping, “I got to go and practice my Gargoyle posture!” she said in excitement, confusing the adults that were there before she had went and ran, happy to be there when it happened.

______________________________________________________________________

Mykines Island, Marauders #21

Technically, Irene wasn’t supposed to be there, but it was too good of an opportunity to pass up as Irene crouched on an artificial bust, watching the gate, Irene, dear…” Emma said, knowing who she was and what was going on, “I’ll behave.” She told the three Hellfire Trading members as the first guests came out, “Hello, X–Men.” Captain America said alongside She–Hulk, Thor, Blade Ghost Rider and–

“Ugh.” She thought, “Technically we’re not all X–Men and–’ “Welcome Avengers!” Emma said, droning out Shaw, “We are so glad to see so many of Krakoa’s friends.” she had told them, “We know even our closest allies have questioned exactly who your mutant friends have become.” she said as Irene had continued scanning them, “We hope tonight strengthens any frayed bonds.” she had told them.

“The children of our people should not bear the cost of old grudges and miscommunications. It’s for them we asked you to attend.” she continued to the Avengers, “Because whether you are human, mutant or something else unique, we are all of this one world.” Emma said as Robbie Reyes had approached The crouching Irene with Carol Danvers, “Freaky statue.” he said looking into her eye.

“Who made this?” Carol had asked, looking to Emma, “That’s– No!” Emma said, making Carol turn to see a long slimy tongue wagging in front of her as Irene gave a raspberry before giggling and leaping away, “What was that?” Steve Roger asked, “That would be Irene, a mutant created by Sinister.” Emma said to them as Irene had started to prowl the area on all fours before seeing a new victim.

Iron Man had landed so she had did a little modding to appear like a Iron Woman with her bulbous red eye becoming a Iron Man style Face Screen, “Get a good look, Nosy.” Tony Stark said to Quentin Quire, “It’s the outside of this beautiful head that you’ll be staring at tonight.” he had told him while Irene started to make her shell look more feminine as they continued to talk.

“I know what you’re thinking: ‘Where’d Iron Man get those pai–dampeners?’” he had mocked, “No, I’m thinking, ‘Where’s your Krakoan flower, you boring old @%#$?’” he had as as they walked, “And you should have used the gateway, This island is a fragile ecosystem.” Quenin went, “Believe it or not, I don’t actually throw myself into every new unproven portal technology for FUN.” he said.

“Awww, but that’s just boring.” she said,making the two turn and see her, “Conduit, and can I just say, your armor is a work of art, even if it’s flawed.” she said, making him quirk an eyebrow bemused, “Really? And how do you–?” he started before her shell created a hologram projector to reveal the schematics that she saw, “Honestly, I would LOVE to dig in and make my own instead of a knock off like this.” she told him.

“Well for a knock off, it’s well built.” he went as Quentin recognized who she was, “What do you say I treat us to some Shirley Temples and we can talk about it more?” Tony asked as Quentin spoke up, “Irene, looks like Rogue’s calling for you.” he said, pointing to the superheroine, “Oh! Sorry then, talk to you later!” she said, sauntering off to talk to her while Quentin sighed.

“And that was because…?” “Irene’s Ten years old and I’m pretty sure her mother put her on a tight leash for tonight.” he said, making Tony more curious as he saw the two meet up, “Hey there! What’s–?” “Reenie, Steve, Steve, Reenie.” she said, directing her attention to Steve Rogers, making Irene change her shell to a knights armor, “Captain America!” she went, excited at the meeting.

“Hi there, Irene.” he had said towards her, offering his hand to her, Irene was excited and about to do so before another idea came to mind and she looked to her mother, “‘Should I take off my shell?” she had asked of her, “What do you think?” Rogue had asked her daughter, making Irene smile as it had started to decompose and rot away before The real Irene was there.

She was wearing a Emerald bodysuit with moving black vine design over her that looked like a forest swaying in the wind with the colors changing to Magenta in different angles, wearing a coat similar to her Pere’s with a platinum choker around her throat that had a Diamond Shaped Ruby, “Wow–” “I know!” Irene said, “It’s so good to wear my own skin in public.” she had told him.

That surprised him, “Sinister, long story.” Rogue had said while Irene had winked towards the other hers there, “Reenie!” Remy said to the second one still in the shell, “Don’ want you gettin’ into trouble, now do we?” he said with a mirthful smirk, “Oh come on Pere!” she said, the shell disintegrating like flower petals to show an identical Irene pouting, playing with her braid as she said it.

“Wait, so you’re–?” “Irene Lebeau, a pleasure to meet you.” she said with a bow, seeing it was Robbie Reyes and  Carol Danvers, “You were that statue?” Robbie asked, “Yep! I’m a mischievous Moppet!” she told them, “Okay, but how–?” “Sinister.” Remy said towards them, “Me and a few others.” Irene had told him as she had felt her third self getting ready for some fun.

Irene was smart, letting her other two selves get taken in and be obvious to the others in that work of art while she came in different, Raven Black Hair, Crimson Eyes, in her twenties with a strapless black gown, the coat she wore over her shoulders having tails reaching her thighs almost like multiple tails as her marble gray skin was accentuated by the colors.

Irene had walked through, putting in some telepathy to make them barely remember what she looked like when Irene saw Tony Stark with Quire and that made her smile as she had walked over before deciding on something else, She was at a party, Irene was going to have fun and enjoy it as Irene went to go and get something interesting to eat here in The Hellfire Gala.