X-men Supreme Volume 5: Dark Truths is off to a good start. I was pleasantly surprised with the generous feedback I received via email and as reviews on Fanfiction.net. It really is refreshing to see that there are people who are genuinely passionate about this fanfiction series, which has been going on for over five years now. It's especially satisfying because X-men Supreme is nearing a major milestone. This fanfiction series is only one issue away from its landmark 100th issue. In comics, issues like that are a big deal and usually marketed alongside a major event. With X-men Supreme, I intend to follow a similar path because the first major arc of X-men Supreme Volume 5: Dark Truths is set to begin.
My main goal with X-men Supreme Issue 98: Tech Spec Terror was to properly convey the new set of circumstances in which the X-men must operate. Their missions are now less about confronting the Brotherhood of Mutants and more about working with international authorities to maintain the fragile peace that has emerged in wake of Magneto's departure. I keep saying it's fragile because so much of it is based on a deal between two sides, President Robert Kelly and Wanda Maximoff, who have a lot of reasons not to trust each other. Right now, the foundation of this peace is built on economics, which is inherently chaotic. We've seen what kind of chaos this causes with the appearance of Agent Zero. His role has revealed that old enemies like Colonel Wraith and William Stryker are still plotting and they're just about ready to make their move.
But in addition to old threats, a new threat is set to emerge in this first arc of X-men Supreme Volume 5: Dark Truths. And it's a threat that actually will emerge from one the X-men have already confronted in the past. Back in X-men Supreme Volume 3: Ashes of Hope, the X-men confronted the Inner Circle during the Phoenix Saga. That battle ended with Sebastian Shaw becoming seriously wounded and much of the Inner Circle being decimated. However, they weren't quite decimated as much as the X-men thought. Now they're set to emerge again under the leadership of someone every bit as devious as Sebastian Shaw himself. And it will require help from an old friend who recently betrayed the X-men in order to stop him. I could say more, but I would rather let the extended preview I've posted below do the talking.
The two lovers met in another kiss. This time it was much more heated. Concerns about class, missions, and Logan melted away for a brief moment. It had been a while since they had an opportunity to share in some extensive stress relief. This was as good a time as any to catch up.
As Scott and Jean fervently kissed, they stumbled through the hall. Before they reached their bedroom door, Jean went after Scott’s pants and Scott pulled off her shirt. By the time they slipped into their room, Jean was naked from the waste up and Scott’s fly was undone. Jean telekinetically slammed the door and locked it for good measure, never once leaving the embrace of her lover. While she fumbled with his pants, the started making their way towards the bed. Their desire for each other was so strong they didn’t notice that someone was already sitting on the edge of their bed.
“Well isn’t this a treat? Dinner and a show,” said a wry voice, “Although I don’t remember seeing a NC-17 rating at the front door.”
Their passionate moment was abruptly shattered. Scott and Jean nearly went into combat mode when they broke away from one another to see a familiar figure staring at them with sultry grin.
“Emma?!” said a bewildered Scott Summers.
“What the hell are you doing here? More importantly, what the hell are you doing in our room?!” exclaimed a mortified Jean Grey, promptly covering her exposed upper body with her arms.
“Nice to see you too, darling,” said Emma Frost dryly, “It seems you’ve kept in good shape since I last saw you. But don’t you think modesty is a bit pointless with me? Neither of you has anything I haven’t seen before.”
Scott and Jean were now blushing profusely. They had not seen Emma Frost since the Phoenix affair. They knew she had dropped by a few times to talk with the Professor. But after her role with the Inner Circle and the betrayal that followed, it was still a bit awkward being in the same room with her.
Never-the-less, Emma Frost was a former X-man. She was even wearing the revealing halter top and tight fitting white pants that matched the style she wore when she was part of the team. She didn’t look threatening. She actually looked amused, if not excessively so. With plenty of suspicion and a touch of curiosity, Scott zipped up his pants and Jean telekinetically retrieved her shirt. If they weren’t going to be relieving any stress, they might as well get some answers.
“Touché, Emma,” said a bemused Jean Grey, “Do you have a reason for being here or did just come to sneak a peek at our private lives?”
“Oh come now, you know if I wanted that I could always replay the many cherished memories I have of sharing Scott’s bed,” she quipped.
“Cut the lurid comments, Emma. Explain yourself!” commanded Scott, making it clear she had yet to regain their trust.
The harsh words of her ex-lover tapered Emma Frost’s demeanor. Few men ever dared to talk to her like that. Scott Summers was one of the few who could both stand up to her and humble her to the point where she would swallow her bloated pride.
“Fine. I should have known it hasn’t been enough time for you to forgive me, especially after breaking your heart and your trust,” she said, getting up from the bed.
“Yeah…you should have,” said Jean bitterly.
“Don’t rub it in, Jean,” said Scott before turning back to his former lover, “Emma, you know I’m a very forgiving guy. I understand you don’t do the things you do without a reason. Granted, those reasons may not make sense, but they’re never outright cruel.”
“Oh Scott…even after we stopped sleeping together, you give my heart more credit than it deserves,” sighed Emma.
“I mean it,” said the X-leader with more a more serious disposition, “Talk to us, Emma. It’s been a while since that Inner Circle incident. You said you had reasons for doing what you did. If you came here to talk, Jean and I are willing to listen.”
“Speak for yourself,” muttered Jean.
Scott ignored his lover’s bitter words and so did Emma. She still found it hard to look at either of them, especially Jean. After what Charles told her about the Phoenix affair, she deserved all the resentment she got. Jean hadn’t forgotten their history as friends and Scott hadn’t forgotten their history as lovers. That was part of what made it so hard to finally work up the nerve to come here.
Emma Frost shoved her ego into the recesses of her mind, retrieved a small picture from her pocket, and placed it into Scott’s hand. On it, there was an image of three teenage girls that bore an uncanny resemblance to Emma. They all had vacant looks in their eyes and were wearing what appeared to be school uniforms. While Scott was taking in the picture, Jean came up to see for herself.
“What exactly are we looking at?” asked Jean.
“Emma, who are these girls?” asked Scott intently.
“Those girls…are the reason I was betrayed the X-men,” said Emma solemnly, “Their names are Mindee, Pheobe, and Celeste. Biologically speaking, they’re my clones. Technically speaking…they’re my daughters.”
This next issue will set the stage for X-men Supreme's 100th issue and the first major arc of X-men Supreme Volume 5: Dark Truths. It represents a major milestone for this fanfiction series. With this issue, X-men Supreme will match the length of other X-men comics like Ultimate X-men. That's a big deal, even for a fanfiction series. I hope this shows just how dedicated I am to making X-men Supreme as awesome as it can possibly be. I don't know how many more issues I'll write for it, but I will make sure that every issue I write is as awesome as possible. To do that, it's very important that I continue to get feedback and support for this fanfiction series. Either contact me directly, post it in the issues on this site, or post a review on Fanfiction.net. Any way is fine and I'll always do my best to respond. Until next time, take care and best wishes. Excelsior!
Jack
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