Chapter 18: The Diary
Picketers and other anti-mutant bigots pitched their tents outside the office building and parking structure--had to go around back. Luckily, the on-call chauffeur was intelligent and managed to avoid being seen. Already the news stations buzzed with sound bites of Isa Hayes’ interview and wild speculation about Emma’s business practices. Some wanted the company seized, others wanted a public genetic test to verify her “mutantness.” Messages piled into her voicemail, all concerned clients or investors looking to retract their dollars to avoid a loss.
Whole situation was her worst fucking nightmare come true. Ever since her days in the Hellfire Club, Emma entertained the idea of her being exposed as a mutant. She assumed her power, connections, and riches would dig her out of any mess, but the way things looked, the public wouldn’t be so easily put down. Fucking media sensationalism. Fucking mutant hysteria.
Relapsing into a criminal mastermind never sounded so good.
At least she got away from the mansion. Seemed like a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders, like an oppressiveness chased away. Now that she examined the feeling, she was quite certain her disposition, though currently unpretty, was much more volatile back in Westchester.
But those thoughts were for another time.
Sheila, manila folder in hand, greeted her outside her office. “Ma’am, I have my research here.”
“Go call board meeting. I want everyone here by 9 AM, no excuses.”
“Yes ma’am.”
She scurried back to her office across the way and closed the door. One look up and down the hall told Emma no one else was here. What a dedicated girl. Guess who was getting a fat Christmas bonus this year?
Emma shrugged off her mink coat and entered her immaculate sanctum. The very first detail was the room’s sheer size. Big enough to be a loft, her office laid claim to one of the most spectacular skyline views of Manhattan due to the wall-length window behind her desk. Everything was big from the big executive desk to the big window to the big bookshelf to the big couch to the full-sized (though cleverly hidden behind a panel) bar. To the side, an aquarium contained legions of white fish.
All tastefully done. All received Emma’s approval.
She threw her coat on the couch and opened the envelop. Strange, all the pages were blank. Emma turned around in time to see an armed Sheila fire a dart into her.
*BETSY!*
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My darling Raven,
You’ve been good and followed my last wishes to the letter. Well, my love, this diary is ending, and I’m afraid I must truly leave you soon. There are no more destinies, no more futures I can clearly see. This is my magnum opus, one which ties together the most important aspects of our beings and, hopefully, will allow them to flourish.
This last diary is for love and family.
You know the reason behind our conflict with the X-Men, why I told you to work with the Beast’s sinister double, why I went through the trouble of these deceptive missives: Rogue. She may not be ours in body, but her heart and soul are another matter. When we took her in, we made a commitment to each other to give her the best, whatever the cost to ourselves--it’s what good parents do. I knew you would be a great mother. I knew you would sacrifice everything for her.
I know you love her. I know the pain you’ve gone through to push her away so she could learn to control her powers, something we couldn’t have taught her. I know about your sleepless nights, the times when you paced around our room playing over the hateful words she said to you after another of your less-than-friendly encounters. I know you ache to hug her again, to exchange something else besides spiteful words and lies.
Darling, you’ve done well despite the struggles and Rogue is a finally grown woman. It’s time for her to fly, to let her go from our grasp and be free.
Unfortunately, others conspire against her happiness, and our bird needs you, Raven. Everything we’ve worked for since she came into our lives has steered her to this point: in love, in control of her powers, in command of her life, surrounded by loyal friends, and filled with awesome experiences. Today, the X-Men, the caretakers of our Rogue, are besieged by enemies they can’t see, and if things continue uninterrupted, I’m afraid our daughter will not live. Your actions since my death have staved off this assault till now, till Rogue can survive the challenges ahead, till she can do us proud.
After you send Emma Frost’s unconscious self to Henry McCoy’s darker twin, go to the X-Men’s mansion as soon as possible. Don’t worry--young love will see Emma through. The man Rogue is involved with, Gambit, is away in New Orleans, and it is vital he returns to the mansion--one of my obsessive readers is out for his blood, and I’m sure you know which one. Use whatever means necessary but stay in New York. Help Rogue with her battles and lend your talents to the X-Men. Tell her the reasons for our actions, however ludicrous they may sound to her. You’ll be surprised how much she still loves her mama. Have four things in mind.
Laughter chases away the anger.
Stay far away from Psylocke’s room.
Keep them all stable, away from the poles, away from the daughter.
When you are in a checkmate, have the black queen remove her own knight.
I am sorry. The visions become no clearer even in my old age. The future once again grows dim from my sight, but today, I give you a chance to reclaim our daughter’s love. Her well-being has sustained you after my death, and I hope her happiness will light your heart in days to come.
Be free from me, Raven. Know we will always love each other, but like Rogue, you must love me enough to let me go. My destiny will not change, but you, your destiny twists and turns. You have to continue your long life, if not for me, then for our daughter. Live. Love. Laugh. All again. This is my end but your beginning.
Fly, Raven. Heal your wings and fly.
Forever yours,
Irene.
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- To be continued...
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