The Black Lion - Mysteries and promises. (Patreon)

Harrison Evans, Sky over New York

To be honest, I had lost count of how many machines I had annihilated; even so, the sheer volume of these tin cans was simply unbelievable.

Tens of thousands easily, which immediately caught the Black Lion’s attention. After all, even if they were inferior to his own technology, these machines were far superior to the world average.

That led the Black Lion to suspect this was a secret project—though not for long.

“Hermione, how’s the scanning of these things going? Give me whatever you have,” Harrison ordered, finishing off what appeared to be the last group. The sky was clear now, although the bay and part of the city were still filled with them.

“They are obsolete technology by our standards, although their engineering is surprisingly simple, relatively speaking. It is evident they were designed for mass production. There are a couple of elements in their designs that could be useful to us. I am mapping the entire software architecture. The firewalls are formidable, but they do not pose a real problem. I will find who is responsible, Father,” said his A.I. with excitement in her mechanical voice, clearly pleased to be facing a true cybernetic challenge.

Harrison frowned. His drones had orders to retrieve as many units as possible. Not because Harry wanted the technology or the robots themselves, but because the last thing he needed was for the idiots in Washington to start experimenting with things they shouldn’t.

“Apparently, that was the last wave,” Magneto said as he floated toward Harrison, maintaining a respectful distance.

Harrison did the same, focusing all his attention on the old man. The Black Lion respected strength, and it was evident that Erik Lehnsherr, even at his advanced age, had plenty of it.Something Harrison could respect.

“You said you wanted to talk to me about something. Now you have my attention.”

The old man levitated closer, his face stern and clearly tired, but no less powerful.

“You are the most powerful mutant I have ever known. Telekinesis, elemental mastery, flight, and telepathy… have you ever reached your limit?” he asked curiously, his deep, polite voice echoing through the now calm sky while the distant sounds of patrols broke the silence.

Harrison nodded, accepting the words gracefully before answering.

“I haven’t. But I’ve been close. What is it you wanted to talk about? I need to handle damage control and make sure Miss Maximoff reaches her tutor safely,” Harrison said, staring directly at the master of magnetism.

Erik looked at him in silence for several moments before replying.

“You seem to know who I am—Charles’s work, without a doubt. Therefore, you know perfectly well my stance, my ideals, and my goals.”

At this point, Harrison interrupted.

“And your methods as well—each more immoral and cruel than the last,” said the Black Lion, causing the powerful man to frown.

“You’ve seen how they treat our people out there. You’ve seen the injustice, the misery, and the hatred,” Erik said, the passion for his cause evident in his voice.

“But I’ve also seen love. I’ve seen compassion. I’ve seen humans protect our brothers and sisters with their own lives. I won’t let you spit on their effort and sacrifice,” Harrison replied, flying closer to Magneto, the challenge in his voice unmistakable.

For an instant, Harrison saw fury and defiance in Erik’s gaze—only for it to vanish a moment later, replaced by cold, harsh logic.

“Even so, mutants are scattered. Many of them are defenseless against the hatred of the world. It is my desire to remedy that. We can help each other forge a future and free our brothers and sisters from a fate worse than death.”

Harrison hesitated. To be honest, part of him wanted to reject any relationship with the dangerous man outright. But there was something inside him—a small part—that told him he couldn’t ignore the suffering of others if he had the power to do something about it.

A consequence of his childhood, perhaps. But Harrison had the power and the means to help. He would not stand idly by.

“Your cause is noble, although your methods are questionable, to say the least. We can talk about your idea another time, perhaps when—”

However, Harrison’s words were interrupted when he felt a scream echo through the psionic channel he shared with all his lionesses—a female scream, filled with agony and desperate pleas for help.

Harrison froze for an instant before using his telepathy and navigating his mental fortress in search of the scream’s origin, finding it in his bond with Sai.

Overwhelming pain and despair flooded him, and Harrison saw through his lioness’s eyes: a massive man, his gaze crazed and completely insane, gripping Sai around the waist with both hands and exerting monstrous force—more than enough to split her in half. The only thing keeping her alive was the battle kimono Harry had given her.

And if he didn’t hurry, not even the kimono would be enough.

Harrison looked at Erik, who noticed the shift in Harrison’s posture and temperament and simply replied,

“We’ll talk another time. I’ll send Raven to your tower to arrange a meeting,” said the master of magnetism before rising into the clouds toward an unknown destination.

Harrison inhaled sharply and vanished, reappearing at Sai’s location.

Someone had dared to touch one of his women.

Blood would flow tonight.

Rogue, several minutes earlier, near Evans Tower – New York

“TAKE THIS, YOU SCRAP!” the southern mutant shouted as she delivered a powerful blow straight into the chest of the damned robot, sending it crashing to the ground, completely inert.

“Great job, team! You did phenomenal,” Scott said, clad in his new armor as he finished off the last robot in the area, prompting smug smiles from all the X-Men.

This had been their first official mission as a team, outfitted in the new suits Harry had provided—custom-designed with cutting-edge Evans technology to enhance their mutant abilities.

“Kitty is handling civilian evacuation to safe zones. We’ve had many injured, but the Gaia cameras prevented a lot of deaths today,” Scott said, just as two more robots were taken down by the Butterfly Maiden.

Rogue watched in awe. The woman moved with elegance; her mutation allowed her to channel a form of psionic energy through her body, moving like a predator and forming lethal blades and beautiful wings that made her look like a deadly dancer on the battlefield.

If she was honest with herself, Rogue felt a little jealous. Her own movements were rough and powerful—she could knock down a fucking building—but she had the grace of a drunken lumberjack.

Moments later, the Butterfly landed beside the team with divine grace, allowing Rogue to observe her more closely.

Beautiful, with a slender yet strong figure, straight silky purple hair, wearing a kimono that seemed alive in some way and high boots that made her look even more impressive.

“That’s all of them. The skies are clearing—looks like the Black Lion did it again,” Scott said, watching as what had seemed like an endless horde of mutant-hunting killer robots was reduced to literal scrap.

Around them, Evans drones began collection operations, removing the massive bodies from the streets and bay. Still, due to the sheer volume, it was inevitable that some of the technology would fall into the wrong hands.

A problem for later, Rogue thought with a sigh, wishing she could return to the Mansion and resume movie night with Kitty and Scott.

Alas, fate had other plans.

Suddenly, a powerful rumble shook everyone as a building collapsed in on itself.

“NOOO!” Scott shouted in fury and horror when he realized the building was still inhabited. But that quickly became secondary when something enormous emerged from the dust cloud—a humanoid figure with obscene proportions.

Logan stared at the imposing figure, clearly recognizing him. His claws extended, and a feral expression took over his face.

“Marko,” he whispered, hatred and contempt heavy in his voice. Rogue didn’t know who the man was, but Wolverine’s tone made it clear this was not someone she wanted to meet.

Dressed in a convict’s uniform, blood smeared across his hands, the massive being stared at them with bloodlust and ripped a wrecked car from the street, hurling it toward them as if it were made of paper.

“WATCH OUT!” Scott shouted, stepping forward and focusing his optic beams on the object, managing to stop it with great difficulty.

Only to nearly be run over by the towering behemoth, who charged at full speed.

“SCOTT!” Rogue screamed, throwing herself toward her leader and pulling him out of the colossus’s path. The monster smashed straight through another fucking building without slowing, ignoring them entirely.

Straight toward Evans Tower.

“We have to stop that guy before he reaches the Tower! WITH ME—MY X-MEN!” Scott shouted, sprinting after the colossus, Logan and the rest of the team following.

The Butterfly Maiden activated her omni-tool and spoke rapidly.

“Jean, this is Sai. Hostile mutant heading toward Evans Tower. Activate all defense protocols. I’m moving to intercept—requesting reinforcements.”

Without wasting a second, the elegant mutant sprinted toward her destination.

However, as Rogue prepared to follow, a male voice stopped her.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, chérie.”

It was deep, young—perhaps only a few years older than Rogue—with a distinctly Southern accent and a hint of mystery that intrigued her.

Rogue spun around defensively, locating the voice atop one of the few remaining streetlamps.

A man stood there, dressed in a white robe with a hood concealing most of his face, revealing only glowing red eyes and agile hands playing with a deck of cards.

“What are you talking about? That bastard walked through a building full of people like it was nothing. He has to be stopped, or more lives will be lost,” Rogue snapped, glaring at the stranger with equal parts fury and fascination.

“He has a task to fulfill. My mistress’s orders were clear, after all. And I wouldn’t like to see you… hurt,” the stranger confessed, shuffling his cards while holding Rogue’s gaze, filling her with conflicting emotions against her will.

He didn’t answer further—only played with his cards again as a massive boom rocked the city, followed by an emerald glow that lit up the night. The impact knocked Rogue to the ground, completely disoriented.

When she looked up, the man in white was gone.

Another rumble, another flash—and Rogue saw that the shield Harrison Evans had placed around his tower was under attack. Judging by the cracks forming, it was losing.

“Damn it!” she spat, sprinting after her team, praying everyone was still alive.

As she approached, the sounds of battle filled her ears, and moments later, the massacre filled her vision.

Her teammates lay panting on the ground, badly injured. Scott tried to attack the massive creature, which held Logan captive in one hand and the Butterfly Lady in the other.

“YAAAAAAAAAG!” the despicable being roared, using Logan’s body to smash against the weakened shield.

Logan’s body was completely mangled—it was clear Wolverine would be out of commission for a while. The abomination tossed Rogue’s mentor aside without a second thought, then focused both hands on the delicate form of the Butterfly Lady, squeezing with perverse pleasure.

“LET HER GO, YOU BASTARD!” Rogue screamed, lunging at the monster—only to be kicked in the face and sent crashing to the ground, utterly disoriented.

The creature applied even more pressure to the woman’s body—until it finally broke.

“AHHHHHHHH!” she screamed, tears filling her eyes, her gaze wild as she opened and closed her mouth in agony, trying to shout a word that would change everything.

Rogue thought it would be a plea for mercy.

But what came out was a single word.

A name.

“HARRY!!”

Her cry echoed in pure agony and desperation.

And moments later, the Black Lion answered.

Harrison Evans appeared instantly, delivering a punch so powerful it shook the entire city. The blow forced the monster to release the warrior and sent it flying several meters back, stunned.

The Black Lion wore an imposing suit of armor as he gently held the unconscious woman, his movements filled with concern. Rogue couldn’t see his face—but his body language conveyed a single emotion.

Pure fury.

Moments later, a rectangular green portal opened, and Jean stepped through, wearing a beautiful evening dress and silver slippers.

“She’s stable. I’ll take her to the Rock. Take care of this imbecile—send the appropriate message to our enemies, my love,” the redhead said, watching as the abomination nearly recovered.

Harrison nodded once before launching himself at absurd speed toward the enemy, catching him off guard and hurling him into the sky, away from the city—following him to continue the fight.

It seemed the night was only just beginning.