With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

moralrelativity · Dec 2, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
of engagements rings

engaements -> engagement

Mr Zoat said:
He studies me for a few moments, then lowers his gun.

He -> She
his -> her

Cuchulin · Dec 2, 2022

Bud-E said:
No, she adopted Rouge she's Kurt's biological mother.

Exactly, Its pretty consistent across most adaptations that she was at least a parental figure to Rouge at some point.

Chojin Patriarch · Dec 2, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
Earth 534834

8th February 1992
12:21 GMT

"…not a matter of cold feet, oh seraphim of my heart. But there are practical arrangements to make of a type I'm not supposed to tell you about in advance."

"Ah know ah-." I hear her make a frustrated exhalation. "Did ah come on too strong for ya? Ah know ya'll said-."

Ah, we return to the world of X-Men '92, apparently only a few hours after the whole Genosha debacle wrapped up. And evidently he's taking the proposal very seriously. Looks like Rogue might be the first X-Man to get married, rather than Scott and Jean.

"Seven months' time is more sensible, but if you don't mind besotted-me-who-isn't-making-rational-decisions, I'm more than happy to acquiesce to your request."

"Since you ain't makin' rational decisions, vanishin' raight aftuh a conversation like that's not a real great way to start a new part of the relationship."

And using ten-dollar words isn't going to get you out of the doghouse, Lantern.

"Understood, won't happen again."

"Is it-?" … "Are you lookin' fer a ring?"

I mean, whatever ring he wants for an engagement ring, and the wedding ring later, will have to be tough enough to survive your day job. Maybe something in adamantium?

I look down at the rocky shore of Muir Island as I fly over it.

"Not right now."

Ah, Muir Island, home to so many X-Men side-plots, thanks to Moira Mactaggert's research lab.

"Ya'll don't have t' fight that Mandarin fellah again on mah behalf."

"No, but you know that if I don't he's going to turn up at the wedding, and that's just going to be a nuisance."

It's a superhero tradition, after all. Can't have a superhero wedding without at least one super-villain making an ill-advised attack on the gathered heroes.

"That's awful presumptuous of ya. Ah don't remember ya'll askin' me."

"Or maybe it's more convenient for us to make him come to us? Sort of a team exercise. And anyway, I need a pair of engagements rings and a pair of wedding rings. That's four rings out of a set of ten, so then there'd be five left over and I don't like it when the numbers don't fit."

And of course, you'll have to decide which rings to use. Something that complement's each partner's strengths? Or something to shore up a logical weakness? Rogue already has Impact for her forcefield...

"Ah do expect ya'll to ask me."

"And I'm going to make it as romantic as I can, and also a bit of a surprise, which is why I'm not talking about specifics and definitely not because I'm panicking about not having any real idea how to do it."

Yeah, given your lifestyles, it's gonna be hard to set up one of those crazy elaborate proposal stunts. Or you could go small and simple.

"Yeyah. Ya'll ain't the only feelin' nervous. Lahk I got a whole mess a' butterflies flying around mah insades."

"I get a tingle in my extremities. A bit like pins and needles, only not as painful, combined with a dreadful sense of apprehension that I'm going to somehow make a tremendous mess of things."

Given the track record of other empowered Pauls... It's a 50-50 chance of going swimmingly or horribly.

"Hn. I guess we don't neither of us know what we're doin'."

"I'd like to be able to consult with my parents, but…"

Little hard, what with them being in another dimension.

"Oh."

"Sorry, that was a bit… I'm sure they'd be happy for us, but it would be nice to be able to discuss it with people who'd been married for over thirty years."

Sadly, Professor Xavier would not be a good source for advice in this. The man has... troubles in his romantic life. Multiple relationships, all ending poorly. Not a good mentor there.

Maybe the Richardses?

"Ah think ya'll 're gonna do faih."

"And I think you will as well. Though I've got a very biased viewpoint." I see the Muir Island research institution up ahead, and fly towards it. "Okay, look, I need to do that thing I can't talk to you about…"

Hmm. It's unlikely to be something involving using metaknowledge to head off a potential crisis, like Proteus' breakout. While he probably might remember it from the comics, the cartoon's story played out differently.

"An' ah need t' get back on guard duty. See ya'll back at the Mansion. Don't keep me waiting, now."

"Indeed you will. I love you."

Aw, they're so sweet together.

I tap the ring to end my satellite connection, wrenching my thoughts back onto the job before I drop out of the air. Ah… Orange power rings are not love-friendly. I've been practicing, but… I might have to talk to Scott and Xavier about not getting paired with Anne-Marie on missions if I can't work out a way around it. A couple of other versions of me I met at Vanishing Point appeared to be managing, but from what they said it involved a level of spiritual development I… Just don't have.

Yeah, it takes quite a bit of levelling up to hit Enlightenment. Not to mention some rather trying circumstances, usually.

I land at the front doors of the Muir Island laboratory and press the buzzer. Scan shows only one person present, which is what I expected. It might take them-.

"Who is it?"

A quiet day, then. Presumably this is one of the remote labs, for dangerous testing.

"Orange Lantern. I'd like to speak with you face-to-face if that's at all possible, Doctor Adler."

"How did you get here?"

Heh. Kind of amusing that he has Mystique's girlfriend's last name. Wonder if there's any relation? Because, you know, he was a real person before Mystique, well...

"I flew myself here."

"Ah. I.. see." There's a klunk as the door is remotely unlocked. "Come in. I'll be down shortly."

"Thank you."

Yeah, when someone says they flew here, there's two real options. They cam in their own personal plane... Or they're superpowered.

I push the door open and stride inside. It's.. not really a reception. This isn't a customer-facing business, it's a laboratory for a mad scientist who very occasionally entertains guests. Largely funded by Mr. Worthington the Third, it's one of the few places where the x-gene is studied because… Between the Friends of Humanity on the one hand and mutant paramilitaries on the other, a remote Scottish island is just about the only place where it's safe to do things like this.

Guessing he did not get along with Doctor Mactaggert, given that his research focused on suppressing the gene.

A door in the corridor swings open, and an Einstein-lookalike walks out to greet me.

"Orange Lantern. We're not really open to the public here. What exactly do you want?"

Eh, he hasn't nearly got Einstein's charm.

"Your permission to marry your adopted daughter, Ms. Darkhölme-."

"I don't know who that is-."

Shall we count the ways of seeing through her disguise power?

"The real Doctor Adler died on Genosha, which I recently-."

The plasma bolt hits me in the forehead -ow- and I feel a sharp burning pain as it's only mostly absorbed by my environmental shield. Strengthen that.

Wasting no time with the usual super-villainous pleasantries, I see.

"Please don't-" She fires again, and this time I don't feel it. "-do that. It's irritating, and if it actually worked Anne-Marie would be quite upset." Forehead still hurts, so heal that.

He studies me for a few moments, then lowers his gun. "How did you find me?"

Really got to expect these things, Lantern, and keep your shields up...

I don't say anything, but let my glowing eyes speak for themselves.

"You want my permission to date Rogue?"

Bit late for that, Ray. No, this is far more serious.

"No, I want your permission to marry her. Naturally, I'll be hunting down Irene and Kurt for the full reunion, but -and forgive me if I'm being presumptuous here- it seemed to me that you occupied the paternal role in her life."

"Did she tell you to do this?"

...It's a wedding gift. Also, if anyone was wondering: Chris Claremont originally intended for Destiny and Mystique to be Kurt's biological parents. Sadly, the editors of the late 70's were a bit spooked by the idea of not just an outright lesbian relationship, but the implications involved in that parentage. What with Mystique's shapeshifting powers and all...

"No, but I warned her that I wasn't up to making sensible decisions this early in the relationship and that we should probably wait a few months. She wasn't keen, so here we are."

She stares at me, gradually shifting back to her default blue-woman-in-white-dress form. "Are you rich? Powerful?"

If he's not, then he's doing something wrong with his Ring. Though I suspect she's more concerned with his ability to help protect her. She's probably still thinking of Rogue as the fragile girl who she raised...

I shrug. "I'm rich enough that I don't ask how much things cost, and I'm powerful enough to keep up my end of a fight."

"Do you love her?"

Would he be doing this if he didn't?

"Yes."

"Does your shield work against her power?"

Don't worry, there's not going to be any trouble in the bedroom on that front.

"Yes, and I found a ring which lets her touch people, so she's not dependent on me."

She weighs that up for a moment.

Still, he is more or less a stranger, though I don't doubt she's been keeping an eye on the news for information about Rogue...

"Then you have my permission."

"Great, thank you!" I consider hugging her, but decide that would be pushing my luck. "I'll let you know when we've got a date. Um. And please don't get arrested or do anything particularly evil in the meantime, because I know that Anne-Marie still loves you and it would make her upset."

"Of course not."

...On the upside, Rogue is not likely to be motivated to follow that path any more. On the other hand, Doctor Adler is probably still going to be getting a visit from Cable sometime soon.

Hmm... If Lantern is going to be tracking down Destiny and Nightcrawler, it'll be interesting to see what butterflies that will introduce from their early appearances. And seeing what Destiny is like in the X-Men Animated/'92 universe, as information is sparse on that front. Guess we'll see tomorrow. It promises to be entertaining, at least.

"Ah think ya'll 're gonna do faih."
Is this 'Fair' or 'Fine'? Either way, something feels off, even with her accent.

Caerwen · Dec 2, 2022

Bud-E said:
No, she adopted Rouge she's Kurt's biological mother.

That is because shapeshifting lesbians were a bridge too far for the boss at Marvel. Mystique was intended to be Nightcrawlers father. With Destiny as his mom.

Mr Zoat · Dec 2, 2022

moralrelativity said:
engaements -> engagement

Thank you, corrected.

He -> She
his -> her

Don't start.

Cuchulin said:
Exactly, Its pretty consistent across most adaptations that she was at least a parental figure to Rouge at some point.

I can dig it.

Chojin Patriarch said:
"Ah think ya'll 're gonna do faih."
Is this 'Fair' or 'Fine'? Either way, something feels off, even with her accent.

Thank you, corrected.

Caerwen said:
That is because shapeshifting lesbians were a bridge to far for the boss at Marvel. Mystique was intended to be Nightcrawlers father. With Destiny as his mom.

too

Vaermina · Dec 2, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
I tap the ring to end my satellite connection, wrenching my thoughts back onto the job before I drop out of the air. Ah… Orange power rings are not love-friendly. I've been practicing, but… I might have to talk to Scott and Xavier about not getting paired with Anne-Marie on missions if I can't work out a way around it. A couple of other versions of me I met at Vanishing Point appeared to be managing, but from what they said it involved a level of spiritual development I… Just don't have.

And you should be happy about that given how bad those versions of you have gotten mentally.

BrotherofaStudio · Dec 2, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
"…not a matter of cold feet, oh seraphim of my heart.

Seraphim of my Heart? That's a new one. Speaking of Angels, did Angel Paul, the one that was a part of Suicide Squad, ever get involved in the events of the Justice League Dark movie? After all they share the same universe as I recall.

Mr Zoat said:
"Ya'll don't have t' fight that Mandarin fellah again on mah behalf."

"No, but you know that if I don't he's going to turn up at the wedding, and that's just going to be a nuisance."

Good point, villains make for very rude wedding crashers

Mr Zoat said:
I tap the ring to end my satellite connection, wrenching my thoughts back onto the job before I drop out of the air. Ah… Orange power rings are not love-friendly. I've been practicing, but… I might have to talk to Scott and Xavier about not getting paired with Anne-Marie on missions if I can't work out a way around it. A couple of other versions of me I met at Vanishing Point appeared to be managing, but from what they said it involved a level of spiritual development I… Just don't have.

Vanishing Point? Other Versions of Paul? Was this the event with Time Trapper and Krona or something else entirely?

Mr Zoat said:
"No, I want your permission to marry her. Naturally, I'll be hunting down Irene and Kurt for the full reunion, but -and forgive me if I'm being presumptuous here- it seemed to me that you occupied the paternal role in her life."

It would be quite the reunion. What do they think of him?

Mr Zoat said:
She stares at me, gradually shifting back to her default blue-woman-in-white-dress form. "Are you rich? Powerful?"

I shrug. "I'm rich enough that I don't ask how much things cost, and I'm powerful enough to keep up my end of a fight."

He has a lantern ring, one of the most powerful tools/weapons in fiction and can use it to harvest gold from asteroids in the belt of the Solar system. I'd say he qualifies for these two necessities.

Mr Zoat said:
"Do you love her?"

"Yes."

An absolute necessity in any good relationship

Mr Zoat said:
"Does your shield work against her power?"

"Yes, and I found a ring which lets her touch people, so she's not dependent on me."

Healthy and sensible thing to do. But when did that happen?

Mr Zoat said:
"Then you have my permission."

"Great, thank you!" I consider hugging her, but decide that would be pushing my luck. "I'll let you know when we've got a date. Um. And please don't get arrested or do anything particularly evil in the meantime, because I know that Anne-Marie still loves you and it would make her upset."

"Of course not."

A sensible request when you are getting married to the son, daughter or otherwise child of a villain. Let's hope she keeps to that promise.

Mr Zoat · Dec 2, 2022

BrotherofaStudio said:
That's a new one. Speaking of Angels, did Angel Paul, the one that was a part of Suicide Squad, ever get involved in the events of the Justice League Dark movie? After all they share the same universe as I recall.

They do, and it would make sense for John to contact him. But I can't give a firm answer without watching the film.

Vanishing Point? Other Versions of Paul? Was this the event with Time Trapper and Krona or something else entirely?

Yes.

It would be quite the reunion. What do they think of him?

Neither of them know him.

An absolute necessity in any good relationship

I'm not so sure, and Ms. Darkhölme certainly doesn't feel that way. There's a reason why she raised it third.

A sensible request when you are getting married to the son, daughter or otherwise child of a villain. Let's hope she keeps to that promise.

Did you not click on the link?

BrotherofaStudio · Dec 2, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
They do, and it would make sense for John to contact him. But I can't give a firm answer without watching the film.

I hope we'll see it at some point.

Mr Zoat said:
Yes.

Which one?

Mr Zoat said:
Neither of them know him.

I'm a bit surprised that Kurt doesn't know seeing as Nightcrawler is an X-Man.

Mr Zoat said:
I'm not so sure, and Ms. Darkhölme certainly doesn't feel that way. There's a reason why she raised it third.

Love not necessary for this sort of relationship? Are you serious? And what do you mean by Raised it third?

Mr Zoat said:
Did you not click on the link?

Actually I didn't.

Mr Zoat · Dec 2, 2022

BrotherofaStudio said:
Which one?

The Vanishing Point incident.

I'm a bit surprised that Kurt doesn't know seeing as Nightcrawler is an X-Man.

No, not in this universe.

Love not necessary for this sort of relationship? Are you serious? And what do you mean by Raised it third?

Raven brought up being capable of touch and having money before love. She didn't love Kurt's father, but would have been happy staying with him if Kurt had looked normal or if he hadn't freaked out.

BrotherofaStudio · Dec 2, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
The Vanishing Point incident.

I mean was it the Krona and Time Trapper or was something else entirely?

Mr Zoat said:
No, not in this universe.

Oh, Okay

Mr Zoat said:
Raven brought up being capable of touch and having money before love. She didn't love Kurt's father, but would have been happy staying with him if Kurt had looked normal or if he hadn't freaked out.

Okay, perhaps "some" relationships can work out as simply being amicable, but overall, in most cases I disagree and I would like to close the matter on that. That is a subject I don't want us to drag out like the Kuvira thing. But there is also The Raised it third, I still don't understand what you mean by that.

Coda · Dec 3, 2022

BrotherofaStudio said:
I mean was it the Krona and Time Trapper or was something else entirely?

It was that.

BrotherofaStudio · Dec 3, 2022

Coda said:
It was that.

Thank you

Doccer · Dec 3, 2022

Chojin Patriarch said:
Shall we count the ways of seeing through her disguise power?

Please do so. Other than her particularly large forms being surprisingly light, and I think Wolverine's tracking ability, I know of no others.
It's been a long time since I watched the show religiously.

Mr Zoat said:
I can dig it.

...that honestly makes sense to her character personality if Mystique actually raised her at some point...

Cuchulin · Dec 3, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
I can dig it.

LOL!! Spelling and grammar are clearly not my strong points.

Ganurath · Dec 3, 2022

BrotherofaStudio said:
But there is also The Raised it third, I still don't understand what you mean by that.

Mystique asked about Paul's fiscal wealth and personal power before asking about love between him and Rogue. Zoat is implying that that is indicative of her priorities, that she didn't ask about love prior to wealth or power.

I'm not going to touch Zoat's hot take about the necessity of love, tempting though that may be.

Mr Zoat · Dec 3, 2022

BrotherofaStudio said:
I mean was it the Krona and Time Trapper or was something else entirely?

Yes, it was them.

Okay, perhaps "some" relationships can work out as simply being amicable, but overall, in most cases I disagree and I would like to close the matter on that. That is a subject I don't want us to drag out like the Kuvira thing.

This isn't me saying that it isn't important. It's Raven believing that it isn't important.

But there is also The Raised it third, I still don't understand what you mean by that.

Mr Zoat said:
She stares at me, gradually shifting back to her default blue-woman-in-white-dress form. 1"Are you rich? 2Powerful?"

I shrug. "I'm rich enough that I don't ask how much things cost, and I'm powerful enough to keep up my end of a fight."

3"Do you love her?"

"Yes."

4"Does your shield work against her power?"

"Yes, and I found a ring which lets her touch people, so she's not dependent on me."

It was the third thing she asked when she was deciding whether she was alright with him marrying Anne-Marie.

Mr Zoat · Dec 3, 2022

Earth 534834

8th February 1992
13:47 GMT +1

"Good afternoon!"

I drop down onto the side of the field where the monks are preparing the ground for spring planting. I get a few shocked stares, but none of them flee in terror or anything. Flying superhumans aren't anything particularly new; the earliest flying superhuman fights in the historical record happened during World War Two and a couple were caught on camera film.

The monk closest to me looks around for a moment -diffusion of responsibility is a wonderful thing- before smiling awkwardly and coming a little closer.

"God be with you, stranger. I am Brother Johan. What brings you to our monastery?"

"I'm looking for a fellow-" Whom I don't look at, whose hood is currently covering his unusual features. "-called Kurt Wagner. I understand that he's a brother here? Ah, sorry if he.. took a new name when he took his vows, I don't.. really know how that works."

"And what do you want with Brother Kurt?"

"To invite him to my wedding. I'm getting married to his sister-"

I see the tip of his tail twitch under his habit, the tension in his frame and the slight gleam as his eyes fix on me.

"-in a little while, and I wanted to.. check that he could come. I mean, if his vows include staying on-site we can visit later, but it would be nice to have him there. Obviously, I'll cover the costs of travel-."

"Ah-h…" The monk… No computerised records, yes, so I can't just get his name. He actually looks around at Mr. Wagner, who walks off in the direction of the monastery barn. "I… I will need to speak to Brother Kurt to see if he can be disturbed. Many Brothers like to spend time away from the world in prayer and contemplation."

I smile and make a small wave with my right hand.

"I quite understand. If he's occupied, I'll just leave contact details and he can.. write a letter to me or something."

"Or his sister?"

"I'm trying to set it up as a surprise for her? I sort of… I'm pretty sure that I'm going to bungle the proposal, so the pleasant surprise is going to have to come from somewhere else, so I thought that I'd track down the whole family and invite them along." I shrug, then we just look at each other for a moment. "So..?"

He blinks, then nods.

"Oh, yes, of course. Please, come this way, and I will see if he can speak with you."

I follow him as he leads the way over the rough ground towards the monastery building. This place is… Well, it's not that remote, not as the crow flies, but with mountains all around I don't imagine that it's high on the priority list for electricity or plumbing.

So this monk clearly knows who Mr. Wagner is, but I don't know for certain that the rest do. An isolated monastery offering refuge to an abandoned child with an unsightly 'deformity' isn't exactly a new story, and… I remember in The Elenium, where after dealing with corruption in the church hierarchy for most of the story, they encounter a priest in an isolated village who is completely devout and only wants to help the main characters and his parishioners. One of them commented wryly that while he was the sort of person who was suppose to be drawn to the priesthood, he'd probably die if he got put into an actual leadership position that took him away from his flock.

"I don't believe that you told me your name."

"Ah. No, I…"

"I know. Costumed fighters do not use their names." He smiles at me. "When I was a boy, I had a Captain America poster on my bedroom wall."

"I go by Orange Lantern, but my actual name… I sort of freeze up when I try and say it." But fortunately Mr. LeBeau made me a name badge. I take it out of subspace and hold it up. "You seem like the trustworthy sort."

"Thank you." He smiles and then opens the side door to the… Main hall. "If you would like to wait here…"

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary."

I scan for Mr. Wagner's location and transition there. He's hanging upside down from one of the barn loft's roofing beams, staring at the main doors as he chants prayers and fingers his rosary. I invert myself and stand on the beam next to him.

"Bit of-" His head jerks around, and his cowl slips off his head. "-a shock."

He regards me for a moment. "But you are not shocked. You knew what I look like."

"I've seen a lot of strange things. You're not even top ten. No offence intended."

"And… My sister. I have a sister."

"Your natural mother adopted her, yes."

"You know who my mother is?"

"Yes. And I've already invited her."

"And she..? She is like me?"

"No, she has red hair."

He blinks, slowly. "No, I mean, she is… She looks…"

"She has blue skin. No fur though. And she can change her appearance at will." Huh. "So I suppose she might have fur and just never show it."

"This is… A lot… To take in."

"Okay, well, I can leave you here to think about it if you like. But if you've got any questions, now seems like a good time to ask them."

"Do you know my father as well?"

"Um, no. Sorry. He and your mother had separated before she.. adopted Anne-Marie."

"But you know who he is."

"Baron Christian Wagner. German. I.. think he's still alive." I shrug. I don't remember any version of X-Men I watched mentioning his name, because it didn't really matter. 'Sired a child on Mystique, reacted badly to him being a mutant' is his role and that doesn't require him to have a name. But in a real living world there are all sorts of records of things like that.

"Why was I abandoned? Is it because… I am.. like this?"

"Basically, yes. Your mother obviously wouldn't have a problem with it, but she's… She… Honestly, I don't know exactly why, but she's a member of a mutant paramilitary organisation and it's hard to bring up a young child in that sort of situation. Ah. Don't know about your father. If you want me to… Sound him out about talking to you, I can go and do that?"

"A… A paramilitary?"

"Yes, she's a founding member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Um, though the name is really for the intimidation factor rather than any real commitment to evil as an ideal. That's how she met my girlfriend; Anne-Marie got thrown out of the family home once her abilities manifested."

"She is… A criminal."

"She's not… Much worse than people like the Friends of Humanity. And it wasn't that long ago that the American government was sending out giant robots to abduct and imprison people with the X-gene without trial in a clear violation of the American constitution. It's.. not exactly paranoia when a lot of people actually are out to get you."

"Perhaps… Perhaps it would be best if you told me most about my sister. Or do I have any other brothers or sisters?"

…

"None who I'm going to be inviting."

SotF · Dec 3, 2022

I'm kind of surprised that he didn't end up detecting some of what Baron Wagner really is...Azazel is not that subtle with things there

Stsword · Dec 3, 2022

SotF said:
I'm kind of surprised that he didn't end up detecting some of what Baron Wagner really is...Azazel is not that subtle with things there

Baron Wagner and Azazel are two different individuals.

Mystique also murdered the Baron because he suspected her (correctly) of carrying someone else's child.

So whether Mystique didn't do that here in universe 92131 or if he's just fuzzy on the details remain to be seen.

SotF · Dec 3, 2022

Stsword said:
Baron Wagner and Azazel are two different individuals.

Mystique also murdered the Baron because he suspected her (correctly) of carrying someone else's child.

So whether Mystique didn't do that here in universe 92131 or if he's just fuzzy on the details remain to be seen.

I remember for a while that Baron Wagner was Azazel in disguise, and that had been the suggestion for a while, and a good chunk of the ensuing mess was Kurt's appearance and him trying to shift blame for the "demon baby" thing

Chojin Patriarch · Dec 3, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
Earth 534834

8th February 1992
13:47 GMT +1

"Good afternoon!"

I drop down onto the side of the field where the monks are preparing the ground for spring planting. I get a few shocked stares, but none of them flee in terror or anything. Flying superhumans aren't anything particularly new; the earliest flying superhuman fights in the historical record happened during World War Two and a couple were caught on camera film.

Indeed. Though I don't think the Invaders existed as a formal thing, Namor and Captain America were running around. Heck, Logan even met Cap back in the war, long before he became Wolverine. Got to love the subtle historical connections present even in the animated shows.

The monk closest to me look around for a moment -diffusion of responsibility is a wonderful thing- before smiling awkwardly and coming a little closer.

"God be with you, stranger. I am Brother Johan. What brings you to our monastery?"

'Diffusion of Responsibility', as in 'Is someone else going to handle this? No? Welp, I'm it...' It's an actual observed behaviour in emergencies, after all. Though this is thankfully not so dangerous.

"I'm looking for a fellow-" Whom I don't look at, whose hood is currently covering his unusual features. "-called Kurt Wagner. I understand that he's a brother here? Ah, sorry if he.. took a new name when he took his vows, I don't.. really know how that works."

"And what do you want with Brother Kurt?"

Always wondered why they didn't go with the 'gypsy circus' origin for animated Nightcrawler. Then again, that would have dragged in plot things like Amanda Sefton and her sorceress mother. And the '92 series really didn't like magic.

"To invite him to my wedding. I'm getting married to his sister-"

I see the tip of his tail twitch under his habit, the tension in his frame and the slight gleam as his eyes fix on me.

Yes, I can see that being quite the shock to him. Given he has no idea of his origins here...

"-in a little while, and I wanted to.. check that he could come. I mean, if his vows include staying on-site we can visit later, but it would be nice to have him there. Obviously, I'll cover the costs of travel-."

"Ah-h…" The monk… No computerised records, yes, so I can't just get his name. He actually looks around at Mr. Wagner, who walks off in the direction of the monastery barn. "I… I will need to speak to Brother Kurt to see if he can be disturbed. Many Brothers like to spend time away from the world in prayer and contemplation."

He's dealing surprisingly well with this bizarre superhuman dropping out of the sky like this and dropping expository bombs like it's nothing.

I smile and make a small wave with my right hand.

"I quite understand. If he's occupied, I'll just leave contact details and he can.. write a letter to me or something."

Since they presumably have some contact with the outside world. Sadly, like so many small communities in Marvel, they're exceptionally superstitious... Seriously, Comics Kurt nearly got burnt at the stake by fearful townsfolk for being a 'demon'. In the Seventies!

"Or his sister?"

"I'm trying to set it up as a surprise for her? I sort of… I'm pretty sure that I'm going to bungle the proposal, so the pleasant surprise is going to have to come from somewhere else, so I thought that I'd track down the whole family and invite them along." I shrug, then we just look at each other for a moment. "So..?"

Well, at least his expectations of his chances are suitably realistic. I mean, I doubt she'll say 'No.' (if she did, I'd be looking for mind control!) but she is a romantic underneath it all, so a nice, fancy proposal...

He blinks, then nods.

"Oh, yes, of course. Please, come this way, and I will see if he can speak with you."

I follow his as he leads the way over the rough ground towards the monastery building. This place is… Well, it's not that remote, not as the crow flies, but with mountains all around I don't imagine that it's high on the priority list for electricity or plumbing.

I doubt they're entirely self-sufficient. There's always bound to be something they can't make themselves. Though a trip to the nearest town might be a trek...

So this monk clearly knows who Mr. Wagner is, but I don't know for certain that the rest do. An isolated monastery offering refuge to a abandoned child with an unsightly 'deformity' isn't exactly a new story, and… I remember in The Elenium, where after dealing with corruption in the church hierarchy for most of the story, they encounter a priest in an isolated village who is completely devout and only wants to help the main characters and his parishioners. One of them commented wryly that while he was the sort of person who was suppose to be drawn to the priesthood, he'd probably die if he got put into an actual leadership position that took him away from his flock.

Yes, the Eddings' works are kind of boiler-plate. But they knew tropes weren't bad, and they were able to play with them. The snappy dialogue is also a bonus.

"I don't believe that you told me your name."

"Ah. No, I…"

Oh, yes. I expect the Professor helped him work out a suitable alias, given the usual issues empowered Pauls suffer from with their names.

"I know. Costumed fighters do not use their names." He smiles at me. "When I was a boy, I had a Captain America poster on my bedroom wall."

"I go by Orange Lantern, but my actual name… I sort of freeze up when I try and say it." But fortunately Mr. LeBeau made me a name badge. I take it out of subspace and hold it up. "You seem like the trustworthy sort."

It helps when your family isn't likely to exist in its real-world form here. I assume it's the same story as Earth-16 and so many others.

"Thank you." He smiles and then opens the side door to the… Main hall. "If you would like to wait here…"

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary."

Well, that's confident.

I scan for Mr. Wagner's location and transition there. He's hanging upside down from one of the barn loft's roofing beams, staring at the main doors as he chants prays and fingers his rosary. I invert myself and stand on the beam next to him.

"Bit of-" His head jerks around, and his cowl slips off his head. "-a shock."

...Amazed it wasn't already hanging off. His clothing is affected by gravity when he's climbing, after all. Though I doubt he's wearing his iconic costume, like they put him in during his in-show appearances. Which was odd. Presumably so kids would recognise him in toy form.

He regards me for a moment. "But you are not shocked. You knew what I look like."

"I've seen a lot of strange things. You're not even top ten. No offence intended."

That's true. Some mutants not only get hit with the ugly stick, they hit every branch falling out of the tree. And it's nearly always ones with a minor super-power, if any. Apparently the high-grade powers include a comeliness bonus.

"And… My sister. I have a sister."

"Your natural mother adopted her, yes."

Better have a net ready, Lantern. With all these surprises, he might end up letting go.

"You know who my mother is?"

"Yes. And I've already invited her."

...Assuming she survives her upcoming encounter with Cable. But then, she does have henchmen to come help her...

"And she..? She is like me?"

"No, she has red hair."

Mutant genetics is weird sometimes. Some things breed true, others, not so much.

He blinks, slowly. "No, I mean, she is… She looks…"

"She has blue skin. No fur though. And she can change her appearance at will." Huh. "So I suppose she might have fur and just never show it."

Eh, fur is a pain to take care of. But not entirely useless. Especially in certain situations. (Sadly, I couldn't find the page where she talks about 'muscles under fur' with her friends...)

"This is… A lot… To take in."

"Okay, well, I can leave you here to think about it if you like. But if you've got any questions, now seems like a good time to ask them."

After all, it's not like they have a telephone... Especially in the days before cheap cell-phones and near-universal coverage.

"Do you know my father as well?"

"Um, no. Sorry. He and your mother had separated before she.. adopted Anne-Marie."

...Being chased off a waterfall is certainly a pretty definite 'separation'...

"But you know who he is."

"Baron Christian Wagner. German. I.. think he's still alive." I shrug. I don't remember any version of X-Men I watched mentioned his name, because it didn't really matter. 'Sired a child on Mystique, reacted badly to him being a mutant' is his role and that doesn't require him to have a name. But in a real living world there are all sorts of records of things like that.

And no, this is long before Azazel was a thing. So this is the actual Baron Christian Wagner. (Fricking Chuck Austen...)

"Why was I abandoned? Is it because… I am.. like this?"

"Basically, yes. Your mother obviously wouldn't have a problem with it, but she's… She… Honestly, I don't know exactly why, but she's a member of a mutant paramilitary organisation and it's hard to bring up a young child in that sort of situation. Ah. Don't know about your father. If you want me to… Sound him out about talking to you, I can go and do that?"

Probably best not to. He'd likely be hostile, and has probably moved on by now.

"A… A paramilitary?"

"Yes, she's a founding member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Um, though the name is really for the intimidation factor rather than any real commitment to evil as an ideal. That's how she met my girlfriend; Anne-Marie got thrown out of the family home once her abilities manifested."

Honestly, the 'Evil Mutants' thing was always a stupid thing, borne of the era's Comics Code. Later incarnations did often drop the 'Evil'... When they were fighting for mutant rights, not simply criminals or led by madmen.

"She is… A criminal."

"She's not… Much worse than people like the Friends of Humanity. And it wasn't that long ago that the American government was sending out giant robots to abduct and imprison people with the x gene without trial in a clear violation of the American constitution. It's.. not exactly paranoia when a lot of people actually are out to get you."

Humans are surprisingly stupid when it comes to Mutants. Most of the shit they get up to to control, suppress or destroy them is flat-out illegal. Especially when government-backed.

"Perhaps… Perhaps it would be best if you told me most about my sister. Or do I have any other brothers or sisters?"

…

"None who I'm going to be inviting."

Yeah, he's an asshole.

Fuck him and the horse he rode in on. Getting killed and possibly eaten by his Daddy is getting off light for some of the shit he pulled.

So, two family members contacted. I expect tracking down the third will be a bit more challenging. Still, if Lantern wants to do something nice for his lady, then no force on Earth is going to stop him, is it? I still expect Graydon Jr to turn up at the wedding with some of his Friends in tow, just because. But I'm sure we'll get to see him get his comeuppance later...

SotF said:
I remember for a while that Baron Wagner was Azazel in disguise, and that had been the suggestion for a while, and a good chunk of the ensuing mess was Kurt's appearance and him trying to shift blame for the "demon baby" thing

The Animated canon came about long before Azazel was a thing. Fortunately.

B.B. Rain · Dec 3, 2022

SotF said:
I'm kind of surprised that he didn't end up detecting some of what Baron Wagner really is...Azazel is not that subtle with things there

I mean...since this seems to be '90's Cartoon Timeline', maybe Azazel isn't a thing?

Pretty sure he was an early 2000s invention.

EDIT: Ninja'd.

BrotherofaStudio · Dec 3, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
Yes, it was them.

Thank you

Mr Zoat said:
This isn't me saying that it isn't important. It's Raven believing that it isn't important.

Oh, sorry about that.

Mr Zoat said:
It was the third thing she asked when she was deciding whether she was alright with him marrying Anne-Marie.

Thank you, it's just the way you said it didn't make sense to me.

Mr Zoat · Dec 3, 2022

Chojin Patriarch said:
Indeed. Though I don't think the Invaders existed as a formal thing, Namor and Captain America were running around. Heck, Logan even met Cap back in the war, long before he became Wolverine. Got to love the subtle historical connections present even in the animated shows.

They had the next best thing.

Yes, the Eddings' works are kind of boiler-plate. But they knew tropes weren't bad, and they were able to play with them. The snappy dialogue is also a bonus.

That's why I like The Redemption of Althalus. It tells David Eddings' one story in a single book rather than three, meaning you don't need to read the other four times he wrote it.

And no, this is long before Azazel was a thing. So this is the actual Baron Christian Wagner. (Fricking Chuck Austen...)

Frick him right in the face.

Darko · Dec 3, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
The monk closest to me look around for a moment

"looks"

Mr Zoat said:
I follow his as he

"follow him"

Darko · Dec 3, 2022

Chojin Patriarch said:
Since they presumably have some contact with the outside world. Sadly, like so many small communities in Marvel, they're exceptionally superstitious... Seriously, Comics Kurt nearly got burnt at the stake by fearful townsfolk for being a 'demon'. In the Seventies

Well if it was the Azazel version then they'd be somewhere right.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Honestly, the 'Evil Mutants' thing was always a stupid thing, borne of the era's Comics Code. Later incarnations did often drop the 'Evil'... When they were fighting for mutant rights, not simply criminals or led by madmen.

I once read that the name was used because Magneto thought human values were corrupt, so anything they consider evil would be good and hw chose to call his group that to spite humanity.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Humans are surprisingly stupid when it comes to Mutants

Marvel humanity are basically the Daniel Day Lewis of the Darwin Award when it comes to a lot of things.

Chojin Patriarch said:
I still expect Graydon Jr to turn up at the wedding with some of his Friends in tow, just because. But I'm sure we'll get to see him get his comeuppance later...

There's nothing quite as romantic as getting married over the beaten and broken body of a racist.

Mr Zoat · Dec 3, 2022

Darko said:
"looks"
"follow him"

Thank you, corrected.

Darko said:
Well if it was the Azazel version then they'd be somewhere right.

There's nothing quite as romantic as getting married over the beaten and broken body of a racist.

Other than, maybe, helping him come to terms with his loneliness and insecurity so he can become a better man?

Darko · Dec 3, 2022

Mr Zoat said:
Other than, maybe, helping him come to terms with his loneliness and insecurity so he can become a better man?

Well it would get rid of the necessity to clean the wedding dress of the blood.

Silverias · Dec 3, 2022

There IS that weird virus explanation for mutant hatred.

Most of humanity is infected with a sapient virus, but mutants are immune and this leads to the virus exerting negative feelings towards mutants!

With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Recovering pendant.

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