Friendship

For as far back as magical history has been recorded, the local mystic inhabitants of Canada were isolationist. You would not find magical communities, shopping districts, or magical workshops in this ice forest nation. Instead, what you may stumble upon was a family somewhere and nowhere studying a single branch of magic, in some cases even a single spell.

The few books recovered from Canada always sold for millions. Less for the topic but because of their impact in other fields.

The problem, as far as the magical community of Canada could see, is outsiders. If your great-great-grandmother was not friends with mine, you are an outsider. Outsiders mean stress, and you were asked pleasantly and not so beguiled to leave.

When the Magical Congress of the United States of America claimed the Canadian territory, the old families didn't even blink. When they tried to build a ministry, the building was burned to the ground. When MACUSA claimed they were in rebellion, the families answered them with silence. When MACUSA sent in Aururs to restore the peace, what followed was a slaughter.

The border was blanketed in the corpses of American magi.

Three years later and the Americans signed into effect a new law. The magical wildlife territory act was a bill that made Canada a protected magical national zone dedicated to preserving rare magic animals and plants.

The old families have not given a public opinion.

That is why as the Americans put up the anti-apparition ward, I was surprised. It had to be the Americans. If I were facing the old families, I would already be dead.

However, as I threw another log on the fire to fight back the raging snowstorm, I could not understand why the Americans wanted this frosted forest.

How silly of me.

Over the last month, I had forgotten I was a wanted criminal. A look at Charles had me lower my mental defenses to have my question answered with a mental brush of 50 people.

I answered Ms. Stroms' question as I took the few steps back to my seat.

"Evolution is not random, Ms. Strom; in fact, the fundamental determinant in evolving is the environment."

After years of teaching, my voice carried filling the cabin. Sitting down, I took a stone knife into my hand and looked at my newest student, "The first creatures to walk on land did not do so randomly."

With a thought, the stone knife became metal.

" They did so to escape the predator-infested waters."

Tapping the table three times, the food disappeared to the cry of the child in the room.

"Not all change is good, mind you, but the limiting factors are always the systems in place."

I tap my finger on the blade, and a drop of blood falls, hitting the table. After years I understood Max, and the feeling of his power raising around him confirmed he understood my unspoken warning. The blade in my hand warped, and slowly, a metallic snake homage to my old house took its place.

" Food, mates, competition, resources, space, temperature, altitude, and even sunlight create these systems."

The snake slid from my fingers, then off the table before disappearing between the old floorboards.

"However,"

As I lean back in my chair, seeking Charles, my eyes flick to the child, then back at him as he nods softly that he would take the child in. A look at Max ends my simple request. Charlies must have done something because their eyes lock. Max removes his helmet as a conversation beginning in muteness.

With faith that my friends can reach an agreement quickly, I continue my lecture to our unseen guest, hoping to buy my elven friends more time to escape the combat zone.

"From time to time a creature is born, that is a true anomaly, often there death is assured, but humankind is the best example of an anomaly with an active ability."

Taking a deep-frozen breath, I prepared my defenses.

My time being limited, I use my blood to write out Mannaz, the rune of self in the center of the table, followed by, Othila (Separation), Uruz (Power), Algiz (Protection), and Eihwaz (Defense) in the four cardinal directions.

The symbols for Itztli and Hephaestus above and below Mannaz (self), and two rings, one separating the Gods and me from my wish, the second enclosed the array. The runes glowed with soft gray light, and from the center, the stone splits. The stone table evolves into iron with a wave that continues to the floor, walls, and roof. Max smiled and placed his headgear on as he and Charles must have finished negotiations.

" Put simply; active abilities are capabilities that become a system limits to the environment."

My preparations concluded, I active my mage sight.

"For example, a mutant that can both create and destroy light or water or astronomical objects has become the new limit of an active system."

As I spoke, my eyes dulled.

Victor was dead. In truth, I had forgotten the barbarian was even here. We had never gotten along, but the lingering curse was clear to see.

"Ms. Storm, if you were standing on the surface of the moon with all the time you needed, could you make it rain on the other side?"

I watched the five magical beings making their way in the snow as more surrounding the front of the house; others were still flying patterns in the air.

" I am not sure, but I don't think so."

I send my magic down deep into the earth as I ask, " Why not?"

Her face was thoughtful as she answered," The effort would be... too taxing."

I can feel Max's power helping me collect metals underground. As I was preparing my defense, I helped my student," Your abilities have systems in place to support it, the ozone layer, moisture, and static electricity, for example."

Using the metal snake as a focus, I began to transfigure the metal and stone into beasts of war.

"Now answer me, this young lady, if all of humankind was standing on the surface of the moon with all the time it needed, could they make it rain on the other side?"

To Ms. Storms' credit, I could see the light of understanding in her eyes.

"That doesn't make any sense; there is no food, air, or water humans would all die?"

This is why I only took outstanding students.

"Your brain is pudding, Ms. Rogue."

Waving her hand at Max and me, she yelled at Charlie's, "Ok, bald man, these two are crazy! How about you."

As she tapped her head, " Because I am not going anywhere wit..."

With the sharp sound of metal hitting metal Logan slammed the folder on the table.

"What the hell is this?"

One of the hardest lessons to learn is space and time. If someone needs space, respect those requests, and if they need time, give it.

So as the paperwork Mr. Fury was so kind to give me spilled out over the table. I didn't hold Charlies' troubled appearance against him, nor did I judge Maxs fearful one against him.

They would ask in their own time, I am sure.

Ms. Rogue summed up the situation graciously, "Is that fuc**ng Captain America?"

Time was up as I could not feel my humble servants anymore.

"This is your past."

Standing and facing my most experienced confidant, I move the last of my beasts under the cabin.

"I need your help, J.. Logan.'

Max's power eternally a repugnant violet deliberately spread around the new metal cabin.

"Because a long time ago, Jimmy and I murdered something that decided to come back to life, and I need your help to put it down again."

Then the world exploded into violence.