Ace sat in his cell, legs stretched out as he lounged around. His powers had been dampened by the collar around his neck, but his mind remained sharp, contemplating his predicament and the fate of Senator Kelly.
Suddenly, Ace heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He turned his head to see Lorna Dane, Magneto's daughter, walking towards his cell. A slight smile crossed Ace's lips as he recognized the young woman.
"Lorna," Ace greeted warmly, sitting up a bit straighter. "I didn't expect a visit from you."
Lorna returned the smile, her eyes shining with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Hello, Ace," she said, her voice soft yet steady. "I wanted to check on you, see how you were holding up."
Ace appreciated the gesture, knowing that Lorna's allegiance to her father complicated her feelings on the matter. "I'm doing as well as can be expected," he replied, "though I must admit, I'm eager to get out of this cell."
The two continued their conversation, Lorna expressing her admiration for Ace's heroic deeds while also acknowledging the difficult position he found himself in. Ace listened intently, offering words of reassurance and understanding, despite the uncertainty that loomed over them both.
As Ace and Lorna were talking, Ace seized the opportunity to make his plea. "Lorna, I need your help. Can you free me from this cell?" he asked, his voice tinged with urgency.
Lorna's expression shifted, a mixture of conflicting emotions playing across her features. She knew Ace was right - he needed to stop Magneto and prevent further destruction. But her loyalty to her father was deeply rooted, and she struggled with the decision before her.
"I want to help you, Ace," Lorna said, her brow furrowed. "But you don't understand what my father has been through, the injustices he's seen happen to mutants. His path may seem extreme, but he believes it's the only way to protect us."
Ace leaned forward, his eyes imploring. "Lorna, I know your father has suffered, but his actions will only bring more pain and suffering. There has to be another way - a path of justice and peace, not destruction."
Lorna's gaze wavered, her resolve wavering as Ace's words struck a chord within her. "I've seen the way mutants are treated, Ace. The discrimination, the fear... My father believes this is the only way to ensure our survival."
Ace listened intently as Lorna wrestled with the weight of her father's beliefs and the reality of the mutant experience. He could see the conflict raging within her, the desire to protect her own kind warring with the nagging doubts about Magneto's methods.
"Lorna," Ace said, his voice soft and earnest, "I know your father has suffered greatly, and his anger is understandable. But violence and oppression will only breed more of the same. There has to be another way – one that doesn't require us to abandon our principles or turn against our own."
Lorna's brow furrowed, her eyes downcast as she considered Ace's words. "I want to believe you, Ace," she admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "But my father's cause has consumed him. He's convinced that this is the only way to ensure our survival."
Ace reached out, his hand grasping the bars of his cell. "Then help me show him there's another path," he implored. "One where mutants and humans can coexist, where we don't have to fight to the bitter end. I know it won't be easy, but I have to try."
Lorna's gaze met Ace's, and for a moment, she was transfixed by the unwavering determination in his eyes. She could see the sincerity of his beliefs, the genuine desire to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict that had divided their world.
Ace could see the conflict raging within Lorna. She was torn between her loyalty to her father and the conviction in Ace's words. He knew he couldn't force her hand, couldn't pressure her into a decision she wasn't ready to make.
Lorna's gaze drifted away, her brow furrowed in deep thought. "I... I don't know what to do, Ace," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "My father's cause has consumed him, but I can't just turn my back on him. He's my family."
Ace nodded, understanding the weight of her dilemma. "I know, Lorna. I'm not asking you to betray him, but to help me show him another way. One where we don't have to fight to the bitter end."
Lorna met his gaze, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "I want to help, Ace, but I'm not sure I can. Not when it means going against my own father."
"Lorna," Ace said, his voice gentle, "I don't want to force you to choose. Forget what I said. I know this is a difficult decision, and I respect that you need to follow your own path."
Lorna's eyes widened slightly, surprised by Ace's understanding. She nodded, grateful that he wasn't pushing her further. "Thank you, Ace. I... I appreciate your perspective, but I need to figure this out on my own."
Ace watched as Lorna turned and walked away, her steps slow and deliberate. Her mind was still grappling with the weight of Ace's words, the challenge he had presented to her long-held beliefs. The conflict within her was palpable, her loyalties to her father warring with the desire to find a better path.
Ace knew he couldn't push her further. This was a decision Lorna had to make for herself, a journey she had to undertake. He could only hope that his perspective had planted a seed of doubt, a glimmer of an alternative that might take root and grow.
As Lorna disappeared from view, Ace sighed, leaning back against the cold, unyielding bars of his cell.
Ace tensed as he heard Wanda's voice, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the dimly lit cell. He turned to see the scarlet-clad woman approaching, her brow furrowed in a disapproving scowl.
"How sneaky of you to coax my sister," Wanda accused, her tone laced with suspicion.
Ace straightened, meeting Wanda's gaze with an unwavering expression. "I didn't coax or force Lorna to do anything," he insisted. "I was simply trying to appeal to her, to show her that there might be another way – one that doesn't require us to abandon our principles or turn against each other."
Wanda's eyes narrowed, her arms crossing defensively over her chest. "And what makes you think you have the right to interfere with our family's affairs?" she challenged. "Lorna is my sister, and she's loyal to our father's cause. You have no place in trying to sway her."
Ace held up his hands in a placating gesture. "I'm not trying to interfere," he explained. "I'm just trying to offer a different perspective, one that might help us all find a better path forward."
Ace studied Wanda's expression, searching for any hint of doubt or uncertainty. "Do you truly believe in the path Magneto has chosen?" he asked, his voice calm and measured.
Wanda paused, her brow furrowing as she considered the question. "Yes," she finally replied, her tone firm. "Magneto has done more for me and Pietro than anyone else. We owe him everything."
Ace detected a slight hesitation in Wanda's response, a momentary wavering that betrayed her conviction. "Are you sure about that?" he pressed gently. "Have you never questioned his methods, his willingness to resort to violence and extremism?"
Wanda's jaw tightened, her eyes narrowing. "Magneto saved us when no one else would," she insisted. "He gave us a purpose, a way to fight back against those who would oppress us. I won't turn my back on him, not after everything he's done."
Ace studied Wanda's face intently, searching for any sign of wavering in her unwavering loyalty to Magneto. "Are you willing to kill innocent people, just because your father says so?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of disbelief.
Wanda's expression faltered, her eyes widening slightly at the implication. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. Ace could see the conflict within her, the internal struggle between her devotion to Magneto and the realization that his methods might cross a line.
"Wanda," Ace said softly, "I know you feel you owe Magneto everything, but you don't need to degrade yourself or compromise your own values just to please him. You're a kind-hearted person, and I believe there's a better way for you to fight for your beliefs."
Wanda remained silent, her gaze dropping to the floor as Ace's words sank in. The tension in the air was palpable, the weight of her decision looming large over them both.
Wanda turned her back on Ace, her mind clearly made up. "We will deal with Kelly soon enough," she said, her tone firm and unyielding. Without another word, she strode away, her scarlet cape swishing behind her.
Ace watched her go, a faint glimmer of disappointment in his eyes. He had hoped to sway her, to open her eyes to the possibility of a different path, but her loyalty to Magneto remained unshaken. With a heavy sigh, Ace settled back against the bars of his cell, the weight of the situation bearing down on him.
***
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