HELLFIRE: The Beginning

Part One

by Penny Hopkins


Disclaimer: All character are the sole possession of Marvel Comics. Dante is my cteation and I am making absolutely no money whatsoever from this story. There are adult themes dealing with suicide, rape, blood and gore, so if these things offend you, please do not read

Summary: Jubilee must deal with demons from her past. Will her friends be able to stop her self destructive faze? Will she be able to tell them her motivations? The consequences of either action may destroy her and the world.


Jubilee slid down the banister, gum popping, and screamed for her friends to hurry up before they missed the previews. She stopped at the hall mirror and ran a slim hand through her now shoulder length hair. She almost felt naked without her yellow trench but lately she had been going without it. Maybe Monet's sense of style was finally rubbing off on her, she thought. She smoothed her simple white shirt down and made sure it was tucked into her black jeans. Quickly she made sure that her black suede boots were scuff free. As Everett and Angelo came down the stairs, Emma Frost entered the hallway.

"Well, Miss Lee, you seem to be very popular today. Here you go." The White Queen handed her a bundle of mail and a small package. "A secret admirer, perhaps?" Her perfectly shaped lips formed a smile at Everetts' scowl.

"Some how I seriously doubt it. Probably a gift from Wolvie." She quickly tore into the first letter. "Dear Jubes, Blah, blah, blah. . .trip to Himalayas, blah, blah, blah. . . bring back present. Blah, blah. . . Love the Wolvester. I guess this must be from him as well." She opened the box and gasped. Angelo looked over hr shoulder and whistled.

"Man, that's what I call a gift, chica." Inside lay a diamond necklace.

"I didn't know Logan had that kind of money?"

Jubilee wore a puzzled look. "He doesn't." Trepidation seeped through her limbs. Fear laced her soul and an involuntary shiver ran down her spine. She slowly opened the thick envelope making sure no one could look over her shoulder and pulled out the card inside.

Happy Seventeenth, Little One.
Soon we will meet again.
Enjoy your gift.
An old friend

Before anyone could read the card she slammed it shut. At their curious stares she replied that it was a gift from Logan, a family heirloom. At the curious look from Emma, she effortlessly gathered her mental blocks about her and waited. When nothing more was said she grabbed Everett and Angelo and ran out of the house. On the drive she tried to act happy and jubilant, but she could not keep her thoughts from the card.

They just barely made it in time. As they watched two aliens having very graphic sex in the overcrowded theater, her mind raced. Her birthday was next week. What should have been a joyous occasion was really one she would have rather have skipped. A part of her wondered if the others remembered. Probably not. Somehow by the grace of some God, every year since she had joined the famed X-men, her birthday went by unnoticed. She knew that some saw her as a brat, but in reality she was quite shy. Everyone had his or her secrets, even she. What others saw as her being immature, was really her attempt to hide a side of her no one needed to see. Now it seemed that her past had finally caught up with her. A small plan, sad though it was, formed in her head.

Two A.M.

The dark figure stole across the campus. Experienced hands quickly did away with locks and security codes. Stealthily, the door leading to the computer room slid open. Using newly acquired codes straight from the mind of the one and only White Queen, slim gloved fingers flew across the keyboard. Words and numbers flew across the screen and disappeared without a trace. Three minutes later the shadowy figure covered their tracks, erased any knowledge of their movement and returned to bed.

Day Two:

Her smile felt fake and unsure. She was silently upset and no one knew why. Everett and Paige had tried to bring her around but with little results. They had no way of knowing that she had spent the night staring at the glorious necklace and remembering who wore it last. She could remember that night so clearly. She had helped her mother place it around her neck for the big party. And then they had never come back. She knew the guys responsible but now it seemed there was a new twist to the story. She rubbed her arms as Goosebumps appeared on her skin. She read the words over and over until she knew them by memory. For the first time in over four years of sentinels, Magneto, an evil White Queen, and various other bad guys, Jubilee was truly terrified.

Emma, working on a new program to help her student's train, was looking through their files. Suddenly she stopped and stared. Something was definitely wrong. A frown marred hr perfect face. Sean Cassidy, suffering from a case of laryngitis, entered and asked with his eyes, the center of her troubles.

"Someone has been in the files, Sean. Only you and I have the codes for this system. Look, I know this is incorrect as well as this, and this, and this. I find it odd that only this file was touched."

Sean looked unbelievingly at her.

"What? Don't give me that look. I have a photographic mind and the last time I looked, which was just two weeks ago, this information was different." She absently bit her lower lip and sent silent call to Monet. 'Call Xaviers and have them fax over some information on all students here including yourself. Tell him were having some computer problems.

Yes ma'am.

"I think it would be a good idea to watch our students closely today, Sean."

He could only nod.

In the Medlab

At the moment of their discussion, a quiet figure stole into the medlab and headed straight for the locked up medicine cabinet. A trembling yellow glove reached up and punched in a series of numbers. The door slid open. Emma often suffered from insomnia and had a ready supply of prescription sleeping pills on hand. The small hands grabbed three bottles and walked steadily to the sink. The young woman opened the bottle caps and ran a huge glass of water. By the handfuls, pills were shoved into her mouth and followed by water. In less than five minutes the deed was done. Bottles lay empty as tears streamed down Jubilees' face. Quickly she chucked the bottles and wiped her tears away. Now was not the time to get weak. With an invisible cloud of death hanging over her, she turned and ran to class.

The first thing Everett noticed was that his best bud and girlfriend was in class. . . early! Next were the almost invisible streaks down her face. And third she was quiet. Just now, Paige had slipped into her southern accent and not a single crack from Jubilee. Maybe she's just tired. She looked it. Her head kept drooping. He hoped she didn't get grounded again. Emma, who was subbing for Sean, called on him to answer a math problem and when he finally looked back at her, she was almost asleep. Emma noticed her most worrisome student and asked her to step to the board and show how to solve the next problem. She noticed that Jubilee stood slowly, without a single grumble or complaint and walked to the blackboard. Instead of numbers, letters were written:

LET IT END PLEASE

"Miss Lee, if this is a . . ." Emma never finished the sentence as Jubilee collapsed. Everett and Jono grabbed her and raced to the Medlab.

Emma psychically called Sean and he met them at the door. Allowing Monet and Paige to remain , Emma ushered everyone else out. At first Everett refused but Jono convinced him that he was not doing Jubilee any good. Still the farthest he would go was right outside the door.

Emma and Monet frantically tried to figure out what was wrong. While Monet was doing a physical scan, Emma was scanning her mind.

"Miss Frost, There is an usually large a mount of a substance in her system."

"Oh my God! The child took my pills.'' She ran over to the cabinet and opened it. "Three bottles! Sean, she took three bottles of sleeping pills! There were over seventy pills in each bottle! That's two hundred and forty pills at the least. Paige, the stomach pump. Now! Monet, get the paddles in case her heart stops. I want her hooked up to everything we have! Now!! I will not lose another child!"

While the others ran to doing as she commanded, Emma Frost leaned down to Jubilee's ear, gently stroking her forehead and whispered. "Why? Why do you want to die?" As she stood straight she almost missed the single tear that fell from her eyes. Frustrated at the lack of speed from her students, she ran to do it herself.

Jubilee cursed silently as she felt them hook up the machines. Feebly she attempted to fight them as they forced the tubes down her throat. She wanted to explain why she had to die now. She wanted them to understand and let her go but she knew her plea would fall on the deaf ears of those who loved her. She felt her body becoming heavy as life rushed back into her weary limbs and she sighed. Too late, she thought. This was my last chance to save them all.

Later when she opened her eyes, the first thing she noticed was a tired Everett staring at her. Relieved to see her eyes opened, a tear fell down his cheek. Guilt pummeled her at his expression and the tears in his eyes. She had caused him pain. Even while she was trying to save them all, she had hurt him.

"I'm sorry." Her voice was scratchy from the tubes, but he heard her anyway.

"Why, love? Why suicide?" She did not know how to answer his question so she closed her eyes and slipped into a blessed sleep. She barely heard his next words. "It doesn't matter now. I have you back. We'll face whatever is wrong together or I'll join you in death." She cried out silently for the love she was afraid to rely on.

Everett sat with her for the rest of the day and most of the night. After seeing her fall in class, he hadn't wanted her to sleep but she seemed so tired. He was worried about the person who held his heart so tenderly. He knew what she had tried. Somehow he knew she would try again. Something was wrong. The Jubilee he knew and loved would never attempt suicide. She was a fighter and more trained than any of them. Half the time he thought her acting up was just that, an act. When he looked in her eyes there was a maturity that the rest of them lacked. Almost as if at her age she had seen everything the world had to offer and was simply amused. Sometimes when she got a far-off look she scared him because she looked so lonely. As if she was already dead and waiting for everyone else to figure it out. He shivered suddenly and grabbed her hand. He bowed his head and slept.

Even though Emma was against asking the X-men for anything, when it came to the welfare of her students she would make any exception. Still, the call to Xavier was the hardest thing for her to do. For Jubilee's sake she made him promise not to tell the others. The next day she made the announcement that Professor Xavier had issued an invitation for them all to come and visit and use the danger room in preparation for her new program which would be ready for use after they returned. Everyone knew the real reason for the impromptu visit: Jubilee needed help. Everyone was a little jealous of her involvement with the X-Men and the fact that they would literally drop everything for her without a second thought. They were jealous and very envious of the loyalty they gave her.

Everyone was excited with the visit . . . everyone except Jubilee. She merely wished they would all leave her alone. Somehow everyone had made an excuse so that she was never alone anymore. If it wasn't Paige coming in with soup, or Franklin and Artie with coloring books, it was Emma with sad eyes and Monet. Everett tried to never leave her sight since she woke up but he had to go and pack. Finally she was alone, packing both physically and mentally, for the trip. Suddenly her phone rang. She answered just as Paige slipped in silently to offer her help.

"Taking a little vacation?"

"Leave me alone."

"Is that anyway to speak to an old friend?"

"You're no friend of mine."

"Be that as it is, you were very naughty yesterday. Now what would the world be like without you?"

"Leave me the fuck alone."

"Such words from a child. You will have to be taught to respect your betters. Did the X-Men not teach you any manners?"

"What do you want?" Paige noticed her death grip on the phone.

"Don't get ahead of yourself. How'd you like my present?"

"Bastard! I know it was hers. Did you take it from her while she lived or did you act like a coward and steal it from her cold dead body?"

"If you must know, after she died, but I can assure you that her body wasn't cold. A little stiff and ungiving but the old girl gave eventually."

"You disgusting perverted sick demented bastard!"

"Watch your mouth girl. I do believe you have been around that animal to long."

"Logan is not an animal!" Paige was shocked when she suddenly slammed the phone down and it exploded. She silently left the room. Jubilee quickly stuffed the rest of her clothes in the bag and turned to leave.

What was left of the phone began to ring. Shaking, she picked up the burnt receiver and shuddered at the two words that were spoken before it died: Remember me.

The ride to the mansion was subdued. In a motherly fashion, Emma asked Jubilee, Everett and Penance to ride with her. The others rode with Sean in the van she rented. She attempted to draw Jubilee out of the shell she had encased herself in. The girl only answered when asked a direct question until she caught Penance staring at her. She realized they wouldn't leave her alone until they were sure she was all right. Her young mind conceived that she would give them what they wanted. Positive that Emma was monitoring her she sent forth images of peace and happiness. Smiling at Penance, she spoke her first real sentence.

"I can't wait to see everybody. Do ya think they missed me?" She smiled and tried to keep it from breaking her face. With a giggle she pulled an apple from her bag and handed it to the red skinned girl. "Here Penny. I know you don't like long trips. But don't worry, I'll take care of you." Penny accepted the apple happily and sliced a piece off and handed it to Jubilee.

"Thank you." They munched on as Jubilee went into her, 'When I was with the X-men' mode. Everett and Emma laughed and for the moment the tension was broken.

Penance feared for her friend. She could see the aura of darkness around her. No one knew why she was so close to Jubilee except the two of them. They had no idea that she and Jubilee could speak to each other mentally. They had no idea themselves until one night Jubilee was awoken by a nightmare that wasn't hers. She had known where Penny was and had come to her. Regardless of her razor sharp skin, Jubilee had held her until the morning sun had risen. At first it had been quiet, but then Penny's thoughts had entered her mind. It had taken her only a moment to realize what language and speak back. Penny had been amazed she had known Yugoslavian. She explained that her parents traveled a lot and she had learned many languages besides her own. They had decided to keep they secret. Penny wasn't ready for the questions they would ask, and Jubilee wasn't ready to share their special friendship.

She was afraid to speak to Jubilee now for fear Emma would notice. She simply looked at Jubilee and nodded. They would talk later. If Jubilee would tell anyone what was wrong she would tell her.

As they pulled up the house, they were met by a rainbow assortment of people. Jubilee jumped out of the limo and ran to her old friends. First Jean wrapped her in her arms, followed by Scott, Hank, Bishop, the Professor, and finally Wolverine. He held her the longest and the hardest. Instinctively, he smelled the fear but said nothing. He would get her to confide in him and then he would go after who ever had scared his precious Jubilee.

Later that night, Jubilee slid out from under Everett's arm and pulled a pair of jeans on. She smiled at a memory from that afternoon. When Jean and Scott were showing the others their rooms, Everett had refused to take the room assigned to him. Scott had almost swallowed his tongue when he had informed them that he would be staying in Jubilee's room with her and no amount of arguing was going to change his mind. Quickly synching to his powers, his eyes had glowed red as he prepared to do battle with the X-man. Jubilee had stepped in and told Cyclops to mind his own business and pulled Everett into her old room.

Now, she silently crept barefoot downstairs and out the back door. As she walked she looked for her friend. Her wait was short. As the leaves overhead rustled, Jubilee called out.

"Penny, I know it's you. Come down."

Hello Jubilee.

She dropped down in front of her. Her skin was as soft as it could be and Jubilee reached out and hugged her.

What is wrong my friend? I have noticed the sadness in you. Why are you sad?

The world is wrong. I'm afraid. Soon, something bad will come and I don't know how to stop him.

We have faced other enemy's and won. Emplate was defeated. Magneto was converted. Even the dreaded White Queen has changed sides.

Penny, this thing is way worse than the others put together. Imagine what Emplate put you through and put that with a worldwide scale. If he comes, this world will be Hell.

But how can you know this?

There are things about myself that you don't know. No one does. Because of what I am, I know. And it is my responsibility to stop him.

What are you talking about? Jubilee, you are not making sense.

Penny, open your mind to me and I will show you. Someone has to know and I won't hurt so bad if someone knows why I do what I have to.

At Penance's disquieted look, Jubilee prepared to show her everything.

As her mind opened up, Penny stiffened at the images that filled her mind. Places and people sped through her thoughts like a movie on permanent fast forward. Her very soul was chilled and her skin became diamond hard. The only words her mind could form were bloody hell. She could feel her friend's sadness and now understood why the others could not see her as she could. With that knowledge came a fear for her friend. She knew what she would try and the reason behind her actions. But the selfish part of her that loved could not allow her to sacrifice her life.

While Penance contemplated what to do, Jubilee quietly stood, tears streaming down her face, and went inside. Penny watched her walk into the house. She waited five minutes and went in search of the X-men known as Wolverine.

Jubilee went straight to the control room for the Danger Room. She remembered her training sessions with Bishop and Wolverine as she turned the dials to Maximum and disabled the safety measures. Slowly she walked into the room and spoke.

"Computer, begin program Gamma 65, level 105." She had a moment to breathe before the scene turned into a muggy jungle. Animal sounds suddenly stopped as a Sentinel came from over the treetops and began firing at her. No longer afraid of hurting anyone, she unleashed her full powers. Machine parts rained down on her. One down, countless to go. This program was for the more advanced members of the team and never at this level. So far only Wolverine and Bishop had gotten as far as level 90. Jubilee blew her way past their records and released her anger on the unfeeling creations.

She cursed them for her miserable life and the fates that would let her fall in love again and throw the biggest bastard at her that the could. She railed against a God she wanted to turn from but could not, and finally she cursed the devil himself for creating a creature so vile and evil, that he was even afraid of him. Suddenly she let go of the anger and the pain and stood as lasers were shot into her body. As the creatures blasted her bruised body and knocked her to the ground, she felt herself dying and knew it was a false feeling. Only the part of her that stilled cared about the world that had abandoned her was dying. With a heart felt fear, she scream with all her anger, fear, love and hate. At the climax of her wail, the room exploded.

Throughout the mansion, lights and alarms were coming on. Everyone, thinking they were being attacked immediately went to battle mode. Professor Xavier quickly used Celebro to discover the nature of the attack. His face paled as he realized the Danger Room was blown up. Everyone rushed to the room. After the doors were pried open Scott and Wolverine went in first. Instantly, Logan smelt Jubilee and his heart thundered as he looked for her. They found her in the farthest corner, rocking and holing her legs. Logan reached out to her but she cowered away from him. As the others filed in and assessed the damage, Everett ran over to her. He was mildly shocked when she pulled away from him. Penny ran to her fallen friend. The others were amazed when she forced her skin to soften and gently pulled Jubilee into her arms. She went without a fight and lay there rocking.

"It would seem that the computer was set on the highest level possible and all safety measures turned off. Emma, I think it's time we told the others." Xavier looked at the Blond woman and was slightly shocked to see tears in her eyes. Quickly she turned her head and nodded.

"In the morning. I think everyone needs to rest." She walked over to Jubilee and Penance, smoothed her hand over Jubilee's damp hair, and whispered to her. Slowly she stood and helped Jubilee to stand. Without a word she left with her two students and took them to her room. As she helped Jubilee into bed and told Penance to lie with her, she pulled up a chair and sat down.

"No one will hurt you as long as I live. Not even yourself." Her soft words spoken, she settled down for the rest of the night.