Chapter Text
Prologue
The Shadow stood on a precipice overlooking the battle below. His dark, ethereal body undulated in the darkening twilight of a fading day. He watched as the X-Men fought a battle he orchestrated to draw them out. His minions attempted to infiltrate a nuclear testing facility. No X-Man could ignore that. Ingenious if he did say so himself. He really didn’t expect his followers to succeed, just to lure the X-Men into battle. His own master, whom he awaited, wanted to observe them in action.
They fought well. They worked as a team, dividing the work amongst them. Where one left off, another took over. Where one was weak, another was strong. The Shadow wondered if they would fare as well separated and alone.
“Do you see the two on the left?” The Master was here. His voice was deep and gravelly, causing The Shadow to tremble. The Master pointed towards a man and a woman. The man was lithesome and agile, moving his body like water through a canyon, periodically throwing charged objects at his henchman. The woman, with her long curly locks of auburn and white, flew through the air like she owned it, stopping to pick up random minions.
“Yes, Master,” the Shadow answered, his own demonic voice careful to show his master the proper respect. He knew many of his master's slaves had come to very unfortunate ends for lesser offenses than disrespect.
“I want them for my own. Their pasts are such that they could be very easily manipulated into my army. The Enemy seeks them for His own, but they are too powerful in their own rights to ignore. Imagine if they sided with the Enemy.”
The Shadow contemplated his Master's words, watching the two mutants whom the Master desired. “I’d rather not imagine that, my master,” he murmured uneasily.
“Get them both for me,” he demanded. “The male is racked with unresolved guilt for his past. Use it against him. Remind him of those seasons in his life when he was no better than a murderous thief. Show him the Enemy could never use him,” the Master instructed.
“ How will I do that since I can’t do anything but sense what they are thinking about and perform some simple magic tricks?” the Shadow asked.
“That is why you need the female. She has the ability to absorb the lifeforce from anyone she touches skin-to-skin. Along with the lifeforce, she absorbs their psyche, mutant abilities, and memories. The longer she retains contact, the more she absorbs, even to the point of death. You may then read any thoughts she has, whether hers or her victims'.”
“Fascinating, Master!!” The Shadow was going to enjoy this.
“Anything you discover from her, use against her as well. Wear them down. Torment them. The more you remind them of their past, the more their future will be mine.”
“Capturing them will be difficult. My minions can’t overpower them. They will barely escape.”
“Then do it yourself,” the Master spat. “You are intelligent enough. Or am I wrong, and I need to knock you down to your minions' level? I’m sure I have another subject who would love to take your place by my side.”
“No, my master. I will do as you bid me,” the Shadow trembled.
“Be creative. Have fun with it, if you will,” the Master concluded and left the Shadow to his plans.
The Shadow watched his minions being rounded up and taken to the authorities, while he started making his plans.
“ I will have to think of something perfect for these two. They will not be easily persuaded.” The female was strong and easily picked up two of his minions at once and flew them to the authorities. She could not be overcome by strength. The male's explosive power was threatening, and he appeared hyperaware of everything, so it would be difficult to sneak up on him. This would take some planning.
The Shadow left the precipice, leaving his minions to their fate. He had a job to do.