Suddenly emma was called by someone,
Edward relaxed, sat on sofa and thinking about probelm he had now.
He needed his secret weapon now.
Edward closed his eyes for just a moment. Like diving into deep water, his consciousness sank inward. The noise of the funeral reception faded away.
Suddenly he was standing in a vast digital space. Blue light grids stretched in all directions like something from a computer movie. Floating screens showed data streams and video files.
This was his mind palace. His private space where Queen Medusa lived.
"Queen Medusa," Edward said aloud in the digital realm. "I need full defensive protocols. They're all here."
A translucent figure materialized in front of him. Queen Medusa appeared as a tall woman made of flowing data streams. Her face was calm and analytical.
"Understood, Edward," she said in a synthesized voice. "Initiating memory chaos protocol. Loading decoy experiences from Earth-1 archives."
Screens lit up around them showing videos from his previous life as Harvey. Movies he'd watched. Anime he'd enjoyed. Random internet videos. Normal teenage experiences.
"These memories will serve as cover," Queen Medusa explained. "Any telepath probing your mind will see only ordinary teenage experiences. Childhood trauma from family gatherings. Awkward social moments. And yes... typical adolescent curiosity about adult content."
Edward felt his face heat up even in the digital space. "That's embarrassing but necessary."
"Correct. Telepaths expect to find such memories in young human males. It provides perfect camouflage for our true secrets."
Edward opened his eyes back in the real world. The entire mental conversation had taken only seconds.
His mental panel flickered to life as a familiar figure approached.
Queen Medusa AI (mental panel text):
"Scanning individual approaching. Cross-referencing Marvel Comics database..."
Target: Christian Frost
Age: Mid-20s
Powers: Energy projection, psychic constructs based on personal fears
Classification: Below-average mutant capabilities
Sexual orientation: Homosexual
Relationship: Childhood playmate, cousin
Threat level: Low to moderate
Psychological profile: Insecure about family status, seeks validation
Christian Frost walked over with confident strides. Tall, fit build, light brown hair, blue eyes. He wore a casual but expensive black shirt and dark jeans. His smile seemed genuine enough.
"Edward!" Christian said warmly. "Look who finally showed up. Nice car choice, by the way. That BMW suits you."
Edward activated his memory defenses. In his mind, videos of awkward high school moments began playing on loop. Getting nervous around girls. Failing a math test. Normal embarrassing stuff.
"Thanks," Edward replied smoothly. "Dad insisted on taking the good car today."
Christian chuckled. "Of course he did. The Boston family never does anything halfway."
Queen Medusa AI (mental panel update):
"Christian's mutant energy signature detected. Abilities currently suppressed due to emotional instability. Fear-based constructs linked to childhood trauma regarding family acceptance. Proceed with standard social protocols."
Edward nodded, staying relaxed. "How are you holding up? I know this can't be easy."
Christian's expression darkened slightly. "Winston was... complicated. We all dealt with him differently."
"I remember," Edward said quietly. "You always hated the family meetings."
"Still do." Christian glanced around the room. "But some things never change. Speaking of which, Emma's been asking about you."
Edward's pulse quickened. Emma Frost. Omega-level telepath. Dangerous in every possible way.
Queen Medusa AI (mental panel alert):
"Warning: Emma Frost classified as Omega-level telepath. Maintain mental defenses at maximum. Do not engage in prolonged contact. Activating additional memory camouflage."
New video streams activated in Edward's mind. Memories of playing video games. Watching action movies. Getting caught looking at magazines by his parents. All perfectly normal teenage boy experiences.
"Emma's here?" Edward asked, keeping his voice neutral.
Christian raised an eyebrow. "Of course she's here. It's Winston's funeral. The whole family's gathering." He leaned closer. "She's been asking about you a lot lately. More than usual."
"That's... interesting," Edward managed.
"Interesting is one word for it." Christian's grin turned mischievous. "I think our ice queen has developed a warm spot for her childhood friend."
Before Edward could respond, a new voice cut through the air.
"Christian, stop teasing our guest."
Edward turned to see Adrienne Frost approaching. She moved like a predator stalking prey. Platinum blonde hair fell in perfect waves past her shoulders. Sharp blue eyes that missed nothing. Her elegant black dress was expensive but somehow made her look dangerous.
Queen Medusa AI (mental panel update):
"New target: Adrienne Frost"
"Powers: Psychometry - reads object histories and emotional imprints through physical contact"
"Classification: Highly manipulative personality with sadistic tendencies"
"Status: Deceased in most comic continuities (apparently alive in current timeline)"
"Threat level: HIGH - avoid physical contact at all costs"
"Warning: Known for psychological manipulation and boundary violations with younger family members"
"Adrienne," Edward said with a polite nod. He made sure to keep his hands at his sides.
"Edward." She studied him with calculating eyes like a scientist examining an interesting specimen. "You've grown up quite nicely. Still the same shy little boy who used to hide behind Emma during our childhood games?"
Heat crept up Edward's neck. He activated more embarrassing teenage memories. Getting pantsed in gym class. His voice cracking during a school presentation.
"I grew out of hiding," Edward said carefully.
Christian snorted. "Give him a break, Adrienne. Not everyone enjoyed your... creative interpretation of hide and seek."
Adrienne's smile turned sharp as a blade. "I was simply ahead of my time. Teaching valuable lessons about trust and boundaries. About what happens when little boys wander where they shouldn't."
Edward's mental defenses kicked into higher gear. More video streams activated. Memories of getting in trouble for looking up things online. His parents having "the talk" with him. All the awkward growing up moments that would embarrass any teenager.
"Those were certainly... educational experiences," Edward replied diplomatically.
Adrienne laughed. The sound was like breaking glass. "Oh good. You do remember our special lessons. I was hoping you hadn't forgotten our private time together."
"Adrienne, you're being creepy again," a new voice interrupted.
Edward looked up to see Emma Frost approaching their small group. His breath caught in his throat.
Queen Medusa AI (mental panel alert):
"PRIORITY TARGET DETECTED: Emma Frost"
"Classification: Omega-level telepath, secondary mutation diamond form"
"Powers: Telepathic mind reading, telepathic projection, psychic attacks, total diamond body conversion, telepathic immunity in diamond form"
"Affiliations: Hellfire Club White Queen, X-Men (timeline dependent)"
"Threat level: EXTREME - maintain maximum mental defenses"
"Additional warning: Subject displays romantic/sexual interest in host"
"Initiating full spectrum memory camouflage protocols"
Emma was exactly as beautiful as he remembered from childhood, but now she carried herself with absolute authority. Ice-blue eyes that seemed to see straight through people. Platinum blonde hair styled to perfection. Her simple black funeral dress somehow looked incredibly expensive.
But it was her presence that dominated the space around her. She radiated power like heat from a fire.
"Emma," Edward said. His voice came out slightly hoarse.
"Hello, Edward." Her smile was warm but predatory at the same time. "It's been far too long since we've had a proper conversation."
Edward felt something brush against the edges of his consciousness. Light as a feather, but unmistakably present. A telepathic probe testing his mental defenses.
His memory camouflage activated at full power. Videos of teenage awkwardness flooded his surface thoughts. Embarrassing moments with girls. Getting caught with inappropriate websites. Normal growing up stuff that would make any teenager want to hide.
Emma's perfect eyebrows rose slightly. Her smile became more intrigued.
"How fascinating," she murmured. "Your mind is quite... active tonight, Edward."
"What's fascinating?" Christian asked.
"Edward's thoughts," Emma said, never taking her eyes off him. "So many layers. So much... energy."
Adrienne leaned closer to Edward. Close enough that he could smell her expensive perfume. "Are you feeling alright, cousin? You seem nervous."
"I'm fine," Edward said quickly. "Just tired from the drive."
"Of course you are." Adrienne's voice dripped with fake sympathy. "Perhaps you need somewhere quiet to rest? I could show you to one of the private rooms upstairs."
Queen Medusa AI (mental panel warning):
"Adrienne attempting to isolate subject for potential psychometric reading through extended contact. Recommend staying in public areas. Do not go anywhere alone with any family member."
"I'm okay here," Edward said firmly.
"How disappointing," Adrienne said with a cold laugh. "I was hoping you'd stayed the same eager little student from our childhood lessons. So curious about everything. So... willing to learn."
The way she said it made Edward's skin crawl. More embarrassing memories activated in his mind as camouflage.
"I think we should let Edward settle in," a fourth voice said.
Edward turned with relief to see Cordelia Frost approaching. The youngest sibling looked to be in her early twenties. Same platinum blonde hair as her sisters, but her eyes were green instead of blue. She seemed less predatory than the others.
Queen Medusa AI (mental panel update):
"Target: Cordelia Frost"
"Powers: Unknown/Variable across comic continuities"
"Classification: Limited data available in database"
"Threat level: Uncertain - proceed with caution"
"Note: Often portrayed as most psychologically stable family member"
"Cordelia," Edward said with genuine relief.
"Hello, Edward." Her smile seemed more genuine than her siblings'. "I apologize for the family circus. They never could leave well enough alone."
"We're simply catching up with our dear cousin," Emma said smoothly. Her telepathic probe pressed harder against his defenses.
Edward's memory streams intensified. Videos of normal teenage experiences played louder in his mind. Getting grounded for bad grades. Awkward conversations with his parents about growing up. All perfectly ordinary and embarrassing.
"Right," Cordelia said dryly. "Catching up. Is that what we're calling psychological warfare now?"
Emma's probe suddenly hit something unexpected in Edward's memories. A video of him getting caught looking at inappropriate content online by his mother. The embarrassment was so genuine and mortifying that it created a perfect wall of teenage shame.
Emma blinked in surprise. "Oh my. How... perfectly normal."
"What's normal?" Christian asked.
"Nothing important," Emma said quickly. But she looked slightly disappointed. Like she'd been expecting to find something more interesting.
Edward mentally celebrated. The camouflage was working. To Emma, he just looked like a normal teenage boy with normal embarrassing memories.
"Well," Adrienne said, studying Edward with renewed interest. "Perhaps our little cousin isn't as mysterious as I thought. Just another teenage boy with typical... interests."
"Most teenage boys are quite predictable," Cordelia said pointedly.
Emma's telepathic pressure eased slightly. "Indeed. Though some have more... complex inner lives than others."
Queen Medusa AI (mental panel status):
"Telepathic probe intensity decreasing. Memory camouflage successful. Subject appears to have passed initial screening. Maintain current defensive protocols."
Edward checked his watch, looking for an excuse to escape. "I should probably find my parents. They'll be wondering where I am."
"Of course," Christian said. "But don't disappear completely. We barely got started catching up."
"I'll see you all later," Edward promised, already backing away.
As he started to walk away, Adrienne's voice followed him with a predatory purr.
"Run along, little cousin. But remember—family always finds its way back together."
Edward's skin crawled at the promise in her tone. He could feel all four of his cousins watching him as he made his escape.
In his mind palace, Queen Medusa appeared on his mental screens.
"Assessment complete," she reported. "Initial telepathic contact survived. Memory camouflage protocols successful."
Queen Medusa AI (mental panel final assessment):
"Threat analysis complete:"
"Christian Frost: Low-moderate threat, emotionally unstable, powers suppressed"
"Adrienne Frost: High threat, predatory behavior confirmed, seeking physical contact for psychometric reading"
"Emma Frost: EXTREME threat, Omega-level telepath, probing detected but deflected by memory camouflage"
"Cordelia Frost: Unknown threat level, appears sympathetic but could be deception"
"Recommendation: Maintain distance from all subjects. Continue memory camouflage at maximum level. Avoid isolated contact."
Edward took a deep breath and prepared for the rest of what was sure to be a very long evening.