The Party Trap
I arrived at the gates of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.
I figured I'd pretend to be a mutant; joining the X-Men was easier than having the Brotherhood chasing me.
As I pushed open the gate, I heard distant music and followed it to the mansion. It was enormous—just like in the movies—with a line of teenagers waiting to get in.
Damn it… should I really go in? If things go wrong, Zeus could find me.
But he'll find me eventually anyway. I'm not going to live like a rat forever.
"Hey, over here!" a voice called. I turned and saw a stunning blonde in a short dress waving at me.
"Hey, gorgeous…" I walked toward her casually. "I was going to ask what a beauty like you is doing here, but we both know there's a party. So… care to join me?"
I offered my hand like a gentleman, and she laughed.
"Nice try… but that line over there is way too long," she said playfully. "You're Elias, the new student, right?"
"Oh, I'm that famous already?" Weird. Better stay alert. "Funny, I don't remember seeing anyone as lovely as you around here."
"I didn't let you pass," the blonde teased with a wicked smile. "But you were with that weird girl—Anne."
Excuse me? Don't talk about my gothic goddess like that.
"She's not weird," I frowned. "She just has… a complex style."
"I'm Amelia Jones," she said, wrapping her arms around my neck. "You know, I've been into you since the day you arrived."
Lady, that's… bold. Not that I mind.
"Ehh… miss, did you drink?" I asked innocently.
"Maybe…" she purred, resting her head on my neck.
Crap. Red flag. Drunk women are off-limits.
I gently pulled her arms off me—and that's when it hit me.
(Hostile intent detected.)
The voice echoed in my mind as the woman drew a knife and slashed at me.
Damn it, Zeus found me! Using my weakness against me… I'm too young to die!
Everything slowed down. The knife approached my neck like in slow motion.
Was I already being tortured? Damn you, Zeus!
But when the blade finally reached me, a cracking sound echoed.
The knife… shattered.
She stared at me in shock, fear in her eyes. Then she kicked at my head—also in slow motion.
This time, my instincts as a former boxer kicked in. I dodged, realizing the world was actually moving slower around me.
(The knife was destroyed. You're still a god, even if fallen. Only divine weapons or powers can harm you.)
Right. I'm a god. That explains the slow motion.
I braced myself, raised my guard, and waited.
She charged at me, and I countered with a jab and a hook—but she moved faster than expected and kicked me straight in the face.
Why wasn't she in slow motion anymore?!
She unleashed a flurry of attacks—upper strikes I blocked, but her low kicks wrecked me.
I really should've learned Muay Thai… or kickboxing.
Tired of defense, I landed a jab and a straight punch. She spun, grabbed my arm, and threw me to the ground.
"Lady, you can't hurt me!" I shouted, getting up with a grin. "And I can't hit you… how about we take this somewhere else? Like a motel?"
That earned me a disgusted glare. She lunged again. I dodged and smacked her cheek lightly—sending her rolling away.
Then she turned blue. And somehow even hotter.
Wait… Mystique?!
"Sorry, ma'am! Didn't mean to hit your face!" I said quickly, winking. "I only do that in bed—if you're into that."
"Shut up, pervert!" she yelled, kicking my shin and wincing in pain.
"You dare hide such true beauty behind a basic blonde façade?" I teased. She threw me again and locked my arm.
"Not fair," I groaned. "If I hadn't hit you, I'd never have seen your true form… and fallen in love."
"Shut up!" she shouted, trying to finish the arm lock—but couldn't. She rolled away, growling, "Tell Azazel to stay away from my kids!"
Azazel? Who the hell has a name like that?
"Who?" I asked. "Lady, I have no idea who you're talking about!"
"Liar!" she screamed. "No normal mutant is that strong!"
"If you think I'm strong now, you should see me in bed," I winked.
She glared and disappeared. "This isn't over!"
Great. I'm a magnet for crazy women. And there's still a party to go to.