Cat's Cradle (An Illyana's Passage Story)

Author. This chapter is for all of you readers who say (screw canon).

Part 26: Epilogue 4a Years later... The Ladies

The three ladies were sat around their kitchen table in the run down cottage. The remains of an orange cake with brandy glaze was present (just a few slices left) and a big pot of now drained tea.

Illyana had once again visited, like she was wont to do, even thought her remaining two questions had been answered many years ago. Illyana visited because she really did like the ladies, something the ladies had at first not believed.

Nobody liked the ladies. That was just how it was. You went to them, asked your questions, likely go screwed by your answers because you asked the wrong questions, and left.

Everybody but the daughter of no woman.

She had kept visiting and not asking her questions! Not asking when they expected!

One night they had finally had a screaming fight with Illyana about it. The irony of Fate screaming questions at Illyana was not lost on anybody.

"Why won't you ask the two questions daughter"! Screamed Urd.

"We tire of this game"! Screeched Skuld.

"Always we are ready, always you don't ask"! Complained Verdande.

"Why do you visit us if you will not ask your questions"! Demanded Urd.

"I like you" was Illyana's simple reply while taking a sip of tea.

"Nobody likes us"! All three ladies replied in unison.

"Well I do" was Illyana's mild retort.

"Why"? All three ladies again asked in unison and frustration.

"I know what it's like to be always rejected for being what you are. You've never made me feel unwelcome. I like you. I like it here. It's that simple".

"And the remaining questions"? They ladies asked in harmony.

"Will be asked when we reach the point I need to ask".

"Don't you want to know the location of the medallion"?

"No. I already know where it is".

"Don't you want to know the location of the lady Witchfire"?

"No. That will soon be sniffed out. And then snuffed out. Then I suspect it will almost be time".

"Time for what"? The ladies inquired again in harmony.

"Time for somebody's grand plan to be reveled. And then..." Illyana left her response hanging.

"And then"? Incarnations of Fate asked. Blind! They were always blind to the daughter of no woman's decisions!

"And then I will ask. And then I will have my vengeance by taking the plans of others and using them to both destroy that which I hate and recover that which I've lost".

The ladies had been impressed. The daughter of no woman played the long game.

But now... it was years later and Illyana's plans had long since destroyed the Elder gods and she had recovered her soul. Yet still she showed up. Yet still she brought gifts.

Urd mused "She still likes us. Nobody likes fate".

Verdande chimed in "She still wants to have tea and bring gifts. Since when has anybody done that? Even though we answered her questions long ago".

Skuld grumbled "She thanked us. Nobody ever thanks us. Mostly they curse us".

Urd commented again "She did not beg. They always beg when they see what their answers cause".

Verdande picked up a needle. "I tire of the rules. We like her. F the rules".

Part 26: Epilogue 4b We belong

Katherine was sitting outdoors in a small bistro cafe in the in the town of New Haven, where Yale University resides. She had been eating breakfast and the remains of a bagel with salmon was on her plate. She was still nibbling at it while drinking her coffee.

It was a fine spring day, bit chilly though, and Katherine was contemplating what to do with her life. Last month she had been awarded her third doctorate degree (Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and now Computer Engineering) and university life was turning both pale and dull.

It had been over six years since she has arrived on this world. Six years of pain, of triumph, of... recovery. Today was the day after her birthday and Katherine had hoped that yesterday might be the day... but no, it had not been the day. She was finally coming to grips that it would never be the day.

She liked the cafe, good food and in the evenings they sometimes had live music as well. Katherine was currently listening to a random song on her, well Illyana's, IPod. It was The Flame by Cheap Trick.

Another night slowly closes in

And I feel so lonely

Touching heat freezing on my skin

I pretend you still hold me

I'm going crazy, I'm losing sleep

I'm in too far, I'm in way too deep over you

I can't believe you're gone

You were the first, you'll be the last

...

...

The song bugged Katherine. In irritation she hit pause. No need for reminders at her loss.

Another song was gently playing on the cafe's sound system. It was Troy by Sinead O'Connor.

...

Tell me when did the light die

You will rise

You'll return

The phoenix from the flame

You will learn

You will rise

You'll return

Being what you are

There is no other Troy

For you to burn

And I never meant to hurt you

...

Katherine mumbled to herself "God, sometimes I just hate music".

She grabbed for her purse to go but bumped it and it fell of the table onto the floor. As Katherine reached to pick it up she jerked her hand back with an "Ouch".

Damn it. She'd pricked her finger on a needle that was laying on the ground. She stuck her finger in her mouth to clean off the blood.

Then somebody apparently changed the radio station and a different song took the place of Troy. We Belong by Pat Benatar began to play.

Many times I've tried to tell you

Many times I've cried alone

Always I'm surprised how well you

Cut my feelings to the bone

Don't wanna leave you really

I've invested too much time

To give you up that easy

To the doubts that complicate your mind

We belong to the light

We belong to the thunder

We belong to the sound of the words

We've both fallen under

...

...

Katherine listened and wiped away a sudden tear. Then... then she froze.

There was a soft hand on her right shoulder and she smelled a scent she had missed for so long. And... and felt the presence of one long missed and feared forever lost.

She slowly turned her head, it was, it had to be...

YES!

Katherine asked a question with her eyes and Illyana answered with a smile that reached her eyes. Katherine's Illyana looked out of those eyes.

Katherine couldn't help herself. She began to purr.

Author: Goodbye Cat. Live well. You deserved better then what Marvel gave you.