CHARACTER SWAP

((Board Timeline: Pre 'Jean Grey For Sale'; Post 'Visiting the Night Clubs'))

Sitting on the patios of one of the fancier diners in New York, even as she sipped her hot chocolate her thoughts were far from Earth. It was something that Edwin Goldman said during their last encounter that had her thoughts more or less occupied. The Shi'ar. While she did know of them, her memories and knowledge on the subject seemed sparse. Whether that was a result of being locked away Jean's mind for as long as she was, or an intentional mental block created- it was unclear.

Il n'y a qu'un bonheur dans la vie, c'est d'aimer et d'être aimé.

'There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.' That's highly debatable. The couple beside her were apparently practicing their French much to her dismay. Apart from interrupting her thoughts, it also caused memories of Jean's dreams of visiting Paris with Scott one day to surface. At this point Mephisto's plan to offer the heroes Jean Grey's soul as long as the price was right couldn't be any more appealing.

And speaking of her Devil, while she hadn't seen him since their European getaway, she did know that he was busy with another project of his. It's why Dark Phoenix still had her questions about the Shi'ar and this 'Gladiator' person as well. It was time to get some answers. Disappearing from her spot at the table, she soon reappeared closest to where she was sensing him in his realm. To say that it didn't look like the Hell she'd become familiar with was an understatement. Rather than attempt to find him and risk interrupting his work however, Dark Phoenix remained where she was. He no doubt knew of her decision to visit the second it was made; perhaps even before.

Mephisto wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. The trees were thick enough away for them to not be seen by the mortals a short distance away, as they disappeared, coming out into a Hell more attuned with what Phoenix knew. They were sitting in his large throne, and forming a half-circle in front of him where what looked to be four large orbs. Through each one could be seen a group of people in one dark environment or the other. Despite the darkness, each person could be seen quite easily, some of them probably even looked familiar to the Phoenix Force.

The Devil shifted slightly, making it so she could sit more comfortably. His white eyes glanced at her, before returning to the floating orbs. He raised his fingers, and one of the orbs came forward. A little manipulation and it could be seen that the wind picked up, and clothes fell into the group. A pair of pants even struck the orange mineral one in the face. The orb moved back into place, as another one took its place. In this one a series of voices were heard, and dead bodies started shifting. This orb also fell back into place. Things were progressing nicely.

"What's on your mind my pet?" He asked her, fingertips stroking her body, "Or, more specifically, where do you want me to start?"

Feeling his arms Dark Phoenix turned to greet him, only to see them suddenly in a more familiar area and that they were now seated on his throne. What was it she was sensing before they disappeared? Humans? Each of the orbs before them seemed to answer that question. Observing each one, the Phoenix Force was able to see a few familiar faces; with Amelia's presence causing her to raise a brow.

Unconsciously leaning into his touch as he manipulated the events occurring in each of the orbs, her eyes remained on the Angel she'd met earlier. It really shouldn't have surprised her that Mephisto would have crossed paths with her by now as well. Shifting her eyes to his when he spoke, her fingers went to his cheek gently before a light kiss was placed on his lips. "I'll let you pick. And since I see that you're also working, only give me the important parts." Her glowing eyes wandered from his briefly to the orbs again, but were on his whites before long.

"It'll be easier if I just let you remember for yourself," The Devil commented, "Let's start with the M'Kraan. Seems as easy a place as any."

The scenarios set up for the humans, mutants, and whatever else did not need Mephisto's constant attention. They were programmed already, and he only made small tweaks as the humans inside of them moved on. So, ignoring them for the moment, he made contact with Phoenix's mind. Having standing permission, this was as difficult a task for him as tieing shoes was to most adults. Then he began rooting around.

Memories, memories, memories. Much like himself, the Phoenix had memories dating back millenia and even eons ago. Many of her's where actually a great deal older, just that she was not always a Phoenix back then. Chuckling softly, he found her memories concerning the Shi'ar and the M'Kraan. These he pulled to the front of her mind, allowing her access. Of course, in doing so, Mephisto realized how much older she was than him.

"Cradle robber," He told her playfully, sticking out his extra long, and forked tongue.

There she went again completely bypassing the easiest method when it came to getting the answers to the multiple questions she had. Although it wasn't as though he needed permission to enter her mind with the telepathic link she'd established, she still nodded to his words before allowing her eyes to close.

As he rooted through her memories, some of them seeming completely foreign to her, the hand that had been on his cheek earlier fell to his chest. In her mind there seemed to be so many more doors than she remembered from the last time she was here. Then again perhaps she hadn't been paying attention. When the door that housed the memories that would give her the answers she sought opened, suddenly it was like she was a silent observer to the events that happened in the past. The formation of the M'Kraan crystal and what it represented was suddenly right there before her. The end of all that is. And apparently she'd served as its guardian once before against...The Shi'Ar... Her fiery eyes opened slowly as he left her mind and sure enough she realized the same thing he did.

At his reaction however, she playfully bit down on his tongue knowing he'd be able to handle it. "Haven't you heard of respecting your seniors, Love?" Still, with these new memories it was hard to be playful for long. Dark Phoenix released his tongue as her thoughts went to the recent encounter with Edwin, whom she realized was in one of the orbs as well, and then to the talk with Storm. "Xavier's with the Shi'Ar right now. And Edwin mentioned this 'Gladiator' character." Why did the latter seem so familiar?

Mephisto wiggled his tongue free of Phoenix's teeth, chuckling softly, though immediately shook his head. He began pulling up more memories; their ties to the M'Kraan. The Shi'Ar, Gladiator, their regular cat and mouse game... Mephisto pulled it all out, and left her to sort through it herself. There was a lot there, sure, but she already had all her answers. Mephisto just let her understand that, as he checked on the people in his toy models.

As the memories surfaced this time, Dark Phoenix stood from his throne to allow him to focus on his project. Her visit wasn't supposed to interfere with that and as she was learning right now, she was the one with all of the answers. He was the guiding hand in showing her just where exactly to look. A mentor of sorts, among other things.

Realizing just who Gladiator was as well as his involvement with the Shi'Ar, there was a sudden calm that overcame her. While they were no doubt stronger than a mere mutant and most on Earth, she still couldn't believe that she was feeling 'uneasy' about any of this; then again she also didn't remember the details she did now. Sure it was uncertain whether they would attempt to claim the Phoenix Force during Mephisto's plan to trade Jean's soul, but there was a part of her that hoped they did.

Following her Hell Lord's attention to his project, she noticed the group with the only X-Man present. Coincidentally, they also seemed like the only ones with some sort of a plan. "I'd say have fun, but something tells me you already are." With those words, a telepathic "Thank you." also followed before turning to face him.

Mephisto smirked softly, "Haven't even gotten started, and it's already proving to be vastly entertaining. You're more than welcome to sit and watch with me."

'Welcome' was a relative term with the Devil. When she thanked him, his hand lashed out. It closed around the front of her costume, and he yanked her into his lap. His demonic lips pressed against her's, a wanting, lust filled kiss ensueing. This was his form of acknowledgement. He acquired things, words having little meaning unless they served his purpose. His kiss was simply her confirmation that he'd be collecting later. He licked her lips as he let her lips go.

"So now that you have your answers, what are you going to do my sweet?" He stroked his fingers over her body.

Even now he managed to catch her off guard, but that hardly meant she was unprepared. Her own lust was evident as she matched his passionate kiss and with the heat radiating from her body she was also somewhat aggressive. When he let her go, a soft playful growl erupted from her throat before a final kiss, this one more chaste as hard as that was to manage, was pressed against those same lips. Tease.

"Hm, as wonderful as your invitation sounds love, I'll leave you to your games. This time. As for me, I'm sure I'll think of something. Maybe even pay a visit to some old friends?" By the term 'old friends' he'd know that she was referring to the Shi'Ar and while it wasn't a serious plan at the moment, it was still there.

Mephisto's white eyes stared at her momentarily. It'd been awhile since they'd split their goals, and honestly, the Devil was slightly amused by the concept of her going and being evil on her own. He'd normally been evil on his own, so that was nothing new. He was curious about what she planned on doing, and when. Still, should she get into too much trouble, he'd know.

"Have fun my dear," He told her with a knowing grin, "I'm sure you'll find someway to cause havoc. You seem to be especially good at that."

Dark Phoenix rolled her eyes as hard as that was to see with both being orbs of fire at the moment. He was one to talk about causing havoc. "When I spend so much time with the Devil, something's gotta rub off." That was a truth he couldn't deny.

Smirking as her nails were dragged down his chest, she finally stood from her extremely comfortable position on his lap. "I'm not sure how long these games of yours will last, but you know how to contact me if I'm needed." Walking away the force was projected, engulfing her mortal form as, "And especially when I'm wanted," sounded in his mind. When the flames extinguished she was gone.

[Exit Dark Phoenix]