Post by Illyana Rasputin Magik on Jul 17, 2013 5:58:16 GMT -5
Origin
Illyana Nikolievna Rasputin, the indomitable mutant known as Magik, is both a super-humanly powerful mutant with the mutant power of teleportation and an unbelievably powerful sorceress at the same time with a potential that has yet to be reached. In her short life she has seen and been through and experienced many things. From being kidnapped at a very young age by the evil Belasco to live in a "Hell" dimension named Limbo for 7 years and exploited for her gifts, corrupted and tainting her soul to become evil, to her death from the Legacy Virus and an eventual resurrection.
Bloodlines
IllyanaPrior to M-Day mutant births were a very common occurrence. In fact, there were so many that mutants were at one time nearly outnumbering that of base-line humans. So many were there, that some communities would consist entirely of mutants such as: the Morlocks or Mutant Town. To simply be a mutant didn't quite make you as different as it once would have. What made someone different, was the type of mutant that they were. Specifically, their power level that would show their potential or ability as a mutant. The Rasputin children, Mikhail, Piotr and Illyana, were all mutants. Each of them would have gifts that would/could affect many, even on global level. Their futures would see them all go very different ways; their genetics ensured whichever way they chose to go, H-U-G-E things could be expected. These three mutant siblings would be no exception. From Mikhail's ability to manipulate matter on the subatomic level and his dimensional teleporting powers to Illyana's immensely powerful magical might and teleporting powers and even Piotr, who seemingly appears much weaker in comparison, but is prophesied to be the sole individual responsible for the destruction of an entire planet, Breakworld, and all of its inhabitants. On the outward appearance it may seem that it must be purely coincidental that Illyana and her two older brothers, Mikhail Rasputin and Piotr Rasputin ( Colossus), would all have massively powerful mutant powers and all be born to one family. But, not all is as it seems. These three siblings were born to a family that had been manipulated to ensure these outcomes. A bloodline refined to create power. Not only just Illyana, Mikhail and Piotr would have these substantial gifts, but all children born within the Rasputin bloodline would. Each would have the same genetics, share the same bloodline and lineage, each with the possibility to wield powerful mutant gifts. This was not a coincidence at all. This is all due to the manipulation, on a grand scale, by one of the foremost masters in genetics by the name of Nathaniel Essex better known as Mr. Sinister.
Sinister Beginningfs
The Rasputin Family TreeMore than 100 years ago, the patriarch of the Rasputin bloodline, the legendary Grigory Rasputin, would be the first to meet Sinister. The two would make unlikely allies. After their encounter, the Rasputin family would never be the same. When Grigory was younger, around the time of the emergence of his own mutant powers, Sinister would give him an offer he couldnft refuse. Sinister or the "Pale Man" as Grigory referred to him as, would offer Grigory the chance to create a bloodline from his DNA that would lead a race of super humans. Grigory's importance to Sinister was quite simple. He was a mutant, and based on the time one of the few firsts. Not only was he a mutant, but a powerful one. Grigory was aware of his gifts or the "miraculous occurrences" that surrounded him. He enjoyed them and used them regularly. Though unrevealed, itfs assumed that Grigory may have had matter manipulating abilities. These powers seemed similar to that of his future descendant, Mikhail. Powerful or not, Sinister's offer appealed to him and he accepted promptly after. Sinister would go to work immediately.
He would seek out females similar to Grigory, mutants with special powers. Sinister would find around 15-20 women and impregnate them all by crossing their genes with that of Grigory's. Sinister would experiment on the unborn babies with many dying in the process. There was one woman though that was a prefect match for Grigory, a woman by the name of Elena. Once Sinister found that the two could produce the outcome that he wished for he would put introduce the two. Shortly after meeting, two would marry each other. Elena would be his soon-to-be wife and bearer of his future army of super powered children. This would collimate with Grigory taking part in a mystical ceremony, led by Sinister, transferring his essence into his pregnant wifefs womb. His last words were that he promised to return to the world when the world was ready for him. With Elena giving birth to her baby months later it would be the beginning of the powerful mutant bloodline that would lead to the eventual birth of one Illyana Nikolievna Rasputin the future mutant, teleporting Sorceress Supreme of Limbo, known as Magik.
Little Snowflake's Innocent Beginnings
MikhailNikolai Rasputin and Alexandra Rasputin had three children, two boys, named Mikhail and Piotr Rasputin and, their youngest, a girl named Illyana. Mikhail was already an adult when Illyana was born. He wanted more than a farmer's life and decided to become a cosmonaut working for the Russian government. As a result Illyana would never have the opportunity to meet her eldest brother and unfortunately never would as reports would come indicating that Mikhail had died while in duty. The reality was that his mutant powers manifested and the government decided to use him as a guinea pig. They wanted to see if they could find a way to harness his gift. Basically they were exploiting him, with no intention of releasing him. Illyana's family grieved but she was relatively unaffected partially due to her age and she really didn't know him. Beyond that she had a fairly normal early childhood. She had a close knit family, more love then she could ever know and a bond between her brother and her that death couldn't break, literally. The Rasputins would thrive and continue to live their lives as best they could. They managed to achieve a little normalcy in their lives right when another mutant would make their self known.
Professor X & the X-Men
Illyana's First Appearance Mikhail wouldn't be the only of his sibling to have mutant powers. Piotr would also have his powers emerge. Though he would attempt to keep his mutant gifts hidden, he would be forced to reveal them in a much unexpected way. Illyana was playing near nearby an unmanned tractor came barreling in her direction. No one was near or had the ability to help her, save Piotr. Piotr reacts instinctively, running to her aid and activating his mutant powers. In a bright flash of light his entire body turned into that of a silver, shinny, armored giant. Standing in the way of the tractor, it would hit him and go no further as it would be destroyed upon impact. Like a night in shinning armor he was able to save his "Little Snowflake," as he referred to her. Relieved that he was able to protect his sister, he never noticed that a visitor had arrived and watched the entire event happen. A man that would change not only Piotr's life, but that of his little sister, Illyana's as well. This man was Professor Charles Xavier and he had arrived wanting to speak with Piotr. He wanted to recruit him as one of his new X-Men. After much conversation Piotr would accept and begrudgingly leave his family to start a new one in the United States. While apart of the team he took the codename Colossus and became one of the vaunted X-Men. As a member of the X-Men he would save the world many times over. But for Piotr it was a rough transition. He missed his family. Very homesick he tended to say alone and draw. While on missions though he was all business hiding his feelings. Hiding them as he might, nothing could prepare him for the following events.
Abduction
PiotrThe X-Men would do battle with many a foe, but one of the most odd was the eccentric, murderous Arcade. An assassin for hire and creator of Murderworld he was one of the best at what he did, but would bite off too much when Doctor Doom was involved. Arcade became involved in dealings that went bad with Dr. Doom. As a result he was held captive with no means of freedom. An associate of Arcade's, Miss Locke, would devise a plan that would have the X-Men do all the hard work and free Arcade for her. Of course they would never do this willingly, she would have to force them somehow. Miss Locke decided that she would blackmail them by kidnapping numerous members of each of the X-Men's family, this would include Piotr's little sister Illyana, and force them to assist. And they did. The X-Men sent in two units, sending the larger of their forces in to get Arcade and the few remaining to free their captive loved ones. The X-Men would find themselves to be successful and would return home. Colossus though would make a decision that would change his little sister life permanently. He decided that Illyana should stay with them and not return to Russia. He felt that it would be safer for her as he and the X-Men could protect her better, so that another incident like
In Arcade's Clutchesher being abducted could never happen again. Professor X agreed with the decision. He even telepathically taught all of his X-Men how to speak the Russian language so that Illyana would feel more comfortable in her new environment. He, too, wanted to test Illyana to see if she had the mutant gene, like her brothers feeling that there was a strong chance that she would be one. A discussion would follow but it would be decided to not test her. Feeling that she had many more years before her potential mutant powers if any at all, would emerge being that she was only 6 years old.
Illyana's stay would be granted by a special student visa. She would attend tutored classes by Professor X while at the x-mansion. While there she brought a happiness to Colossus, one that he hadn't felt in a long time. Since he left his home, long ago. Illyana would get close to all the X-Men, but especially Kitty Pryde. Kitty would read her bedtime stories and interact with her a lot. This would be the start of a bond that would only grow over time. In fact, Illyana would be close to all the X-Men.
Abducted.......again
Illyana in the clutches of BelascoIllyana stayed with the X-Men all the time, save battles. This included when they were in need of a new temporary headquarters. Due to a recent battle it had sustained major damage and Xavier's Institute had been destroyed. The X-Men with no other choice would be forced to take up base elsewhere. This would find and inhabit an island that Magneto once used as a base. It was a strange alien city on an island in the Bermuda Triangle. Coming to this island would be the event that would lead to Illyana's destiny and future self.
Illyana was a child, only 7 years old, when the X-Men came to the island. Only on the island for a couple of days the X-Men had already settled themselves in. They were still very high stress though. Storm, the field leader, decided to release some stress she would have the X-Men participate in a training exercise, Illyana would play alone a short distance away as to not get hurt. At this same time, when no one was paying attention, the young Illyana began to walk away. As if she was guided, unable to control herself she would continue until she reached a temple. She continued to keep walking. All the while Kitty had noticed her missing and began to follow with the X-Men not too far behind. Illyana would reach her destination in the back of the dimly lit tunnel inside of the dilapidated temple. She stood in the middle of a circular shape with glowing yellow and white lights and disappeared. The X-Men would follow and also get teleported to another dimension, one of the many splintered realms of Hell. This one was called Limbo.
Limbo
LimboAs soon as Illyana arrived she was whisked away to the side of Belasco. He tempted her with many wonderful things including a glorious future. All the while the X-Men made their way to Limbo as well. Through a string of events they were informed, by a second set of X-Men, that they had to leave in order for their Illyana to survive. That the second set of X-Men, those stuck in Limbo, attempting to rescue their Illyana and were successful but but were, themselves, stuck in Limbo. Immediately after the X-Men were spirited away back to Earth and left Illyana to fend for herself. Meanwhile back with Illyana, Belasco had brought her to an alter and began a spell to withdraw the first of 5 pieces of Illyana's soul. Effectively taking the first piece of her soul it was transformed into a "Bloodstone" and he placed it into what he called the Beatrice Amulet. The Amulet once opened had a 5-pointed star with open holes. The first Bloodstone filled the spot of one of those points. Belasco's intentions for Illyana was to slow, through time, take all 5 portions of her soul and turning them into bloodstone to complete the Beatrice Medallion. He needed time to further corrupt her soul, all the while step by step consecrating her to evil and making her the instrument of Balesco's masters the Elder Gods. He would also use her to free him from Limbo and allow him to roam Earth once again, where he would take over and rule supreme. He would leave immediately after the Bloodstone was removed and allowed time to take place.
The New Mutant
While apart of the New Mutants, Illyana would finally allow herself to let her guard down....a little. In a short time she became a powerful and valued member of the team. Although they knew she was a mutant, she still guarded her magical side intensely. Due to the barriers she kept up she sometimes felt misunderstood and alone but the others truly cared for her. As a team, the New Mutants would go through more than their fair share of battles. Though they had many successes, they too had many great loses. First Professor X steps down and leaves the school in the hand of the villainous Magneto. Magik and the New Mutants were none too happy about this change. Amidst the ups and downs of life Illyana finally revealed her magical side to her teammates, receiving mixed reviews. Shortly after that they would suffer yet another lose, this time the death of teammate Douglas Ramsey ( Cypher).
As if that wasn't enough, the New Mutants all would then have their lives snuffed out by the Beyonder during the Secret Wars. He made it as if they never existed. The Beyonder was bent on the idea of humanity and the attempt to gain one. He would have a machine created that if working properly give one life or bring one back to life. Needing a guinea pig/s he would test it on the recently departed members of the New Mutants. Though they were alive again, the experiences of their deaths and resurrections were far too traumatic for them. They all were severely mentally affected by their experiences. Magik and the New Mutants were mere husks of their former selves and showed no human emotions. Once they return to the Institute, Magneto would decide to send his students to Emma Frost the White Queen of the Hellfire Club and leader of the Hellions. Emma was to use her vast telepathic powers to help repair the the already damaged psyche's of each of the New Mutants.
While under the care of Emma Frost, she had the New Mutants enroll at her school and recruited them into her team of Hellions. This was her true plan all along. To her surprise though once Magik and the New Mutants were healed they would leave immediately back to the Xavier Institute. Never any rest for the wary, the events that Magik goes through next would be the most life changing for her. They would also bring her time with the New Mutants to an end.
The Inferno
During a standard trip through Limbo, something went wrong and the New Mutants were stuck. Illyana's evil and demonic side started to take over her body. The demons there
wanted her to become the full lord of Limbo. When she tried to escape, the demon N'astirh used this as a way to open a huge teleportation disc between Earth and Limbo, which started an invasion of Earth by the demons of Limbo. Magik then managed to defeat the powerful demon S'ym . After the battle the New Mutants examined the remains of Magik's armor and found the seven-year old Illyana inside it. However she still possessed the bloodstone amulet. The 7 year old Illyana was then brought home and returned to Russia where she lived with her parents until they were murdered by the Russian government in order to make sure Illyana had her abilities to defeat a powerful psionic being, which posed a threat to Russia. After this, Illyana returned to the X-Mansion.
Death
However, shortly afterward, Illyana caught the Legacy Virus, a deadly and incurable disease that only effects mutants, she succumbed to the virus and died in the X-Mansion. She was buried at the Xavier Institute. Her spirit would later go on to visit Wolverine and her brother, Piotr.
House of M & the Quest for Magik
House of M During the House of M storyline,the Scarlet Witch re-imagined the world as we knew it and created it the way she wished. Illyana came back to life and joined many of the new X-Men as students at S.H.I.E.L.D. She was placed in the Hellions training squad and, during their last mission, was told to take a group of mutated humans somewhere safe. She teleported just as chaos took over, and the House of M cae to an end reverting back to the way it was before. In a world where Illyana was no longer alive, dead.No one remembers ever meeting Magik because none of them remember the House of M. Later, the evil Belasco came looking for Magik, as he sense her presence that left behind during the House of M, and used his powers to take most of the students at the school prisoner. He smelled Magik on them but none of them remembered meeting her. All clues began to point to Magik being alive.
A group of free students on the run in Limbo ran into a version of Illyana in her Darkchild self. She revealed that she was recreated by Belasco, but in body and mind only. Her soul resided in her Soulsword, and that had been lost. She sought to create a new soulsword, and five new bloodstones of power, from the pure soul of Pixie. The process was only partially successful, resulting in only one bloodstone being created. Pixie ended up with a tiny soul dagger. Illyana then taught Pixie a teleportation spell, which allowed the students a full confrontation with Belasco. In the ensuing fight, Pixie stabbed Belasco with the dagger, allowing Illyana to use the bloodstone's power to presumably destroy Belasco. With Balescofs defeat, she once again became queen of Limbo. Despite an emotional reunion with her brother, Piotr, she banished the X-Men from Limbo and sealed it off, not content to rest until she recovers her soul and becomes whole once again.
Divided We Stand
illyana wants her soul back, thinking back to the ones she once loved, like Kitty and Peter, she tries to reclaim her soul through these connections and teleports to the Xavier Institute only to find it destroyed and abandoned after the events of Messiah Complex. Angrily she decides that she will not get her soul back through love but through hate and suffering and she will target those who have wronged her and make them pay with their souls.
Infernus
Infernus is the Quest for Illyana to regain her soul and to later rejoin the X-Men. The story begins with Illyana in limbo searching for the Beatrice Amulet. Flustered that she can't find it, she sends hordes of Limbo Demons to search the earth and find it. Mean while, the X-Men are back in their danger room and Pixie goes crazy and stabs Nightcrawler. After she stabs him with her Souldagger, she pulls the weapon from his body cavity and out comes Illyana's Soul Sword with it. Kurt is unharmed by the Souldagger, and the Soulsword that his ex girlfriend Amanda Sefton [Another ruler of Limbo], locked inside of him for safe keeping. Instantly back in Limbo, Illyana feels her Soulsword emerge and teleports to the Danger Room to reclaim what is rightfully hers.
Everyone is shocked to see Illyana again, as most believed her to be dead. Illyana demands her sword, promising that no one will be hurt if they just hand it over to her. The X-Men refuse and one by one are struck down by Illyana. First Rockslide, then Mercury, Followed by Beast. Then Pixie comes along and starts a fight against Illyana end lost, so the young woman takes her Soulsword back and she changes, becoming more human but still incomplete so she runs away to Limbo again only to find out that Witchfire, Belasco's daughter is there and wants her head!
The X-men go to Limbo after her and starts to fight a lot of demons but Pixie feels her soul and go to the castle, the mutants go after her only to be taking down by Witchfire that has Illyana in chains and starts to take another piece of Pixie's soul. Nightcrawler stabs Illyana with the Soul Dagger and pull out along with the Soulsword. He calls Pixie that she is the only one that can save them all. She frees Illyana and together they vanish Witchfire but she took along Illyana's and Pixie's soul, that make the young x-men fly away only to make the little snowflake take everybody back to the danger Room and there Illyana decides to stay with them.
Back to the New Mutants
After another brief disappearance, Illyana reappears at the X-Men's new San Francisco home, exhausted and injured. Disoriented and sounding more than a little insane than usual, she gets fellow New Mutants Cannonball, Sunspot and Magma to help her find Dani and Shan, who she says will die soon if aid doesn't come quickly. She goes with her old friends to Colorado, where Dani and Shan had gone earlier based on reports that a young mutant there might have been endangering the local populace. On the way there, she plays mind games with Amara, teasing her that she can cure Empath of the injury caused by Pixie's soul knife.
Once there, she splits up with Amara to track down a missing little girl, empathizing acutely with her as she was also kidnapped in her youth. Tracking her down to a certain home, Illyana and Amara think they've found Shan being held prisoner. But when they open the small cell, they instead find a grinning Legion waiting inside.
Conferring with Sam and Bobby, who had found Shan's body in another location, they find out that Shan is inside Legion's mind with a benign little girl personality, but are being chased by the more violent personalities in David Haller's mindscape. When Shan and the little girl are overwhelmed, the violent persona take over. One with superhuman strength punches Amara away, and another one uses an energy blast to down Illyana. The mutant sorceress quickly recovers, and tells Sam and Bobby to find Dani. As one of the beings who previously tried to "fix" David Haller's mind, Dani has become one of Legion's intended targets.
Meanwhile, Sam and Bobby find Dani imprisoned in a local jail, about to be attacked by Legion. Bobby knocks Legion away from Dani's cell before she can be harmed, but Sam leaves her inside, thinking that she will be safer. Sam realizes his mistake when Legion uses another of his powers to manipulate the earth in Dani's cell in a second attempt to kill her. That attempt is stopped when Magik and Magma arrive. Magma melts the earth golem Legion created, preventing Dani from being strangled. Furious at Sam, Dani punches him, then leaves to arm herself in order to be useful when they bring the fight back to the insane mutant.
Determined to put an end to the threat and save Shan, Illyana teleports to Shan's body at touches it, initiating a transfer of her mind into Legion's. Once there, Illyana shows that she means business by threatening harm if they didn't release Shan to her immediately. When she is accused of bluffing, Illyana manifests her soul sword and, ignoring Sam's plea not to harm any of Legion's personalities, proceeds to cleave and decapitate three of Legion's personas in short order. When a fourth persona attempts to stop Illyana an fails, the remaining personalities acquiesce and lead her to where they're holding Shan and the little girl prisoner. Illyana frees them both, and in the process also frees David Haller's base personality. Guided by David, Illyana discovers that the doll, named "Moira," is the basis for conscious control of Legion's body. Illyana takes the doll away from the remaining hostile personalities just in time to save Dani and the others.
Powers
Illyana has two very distinctive powers, one is her mutant power to generate spacial/temporal warps in the form of stepping discs, the other is her magic, learned while she was in Limbo. As more and more of her soul was removed, it was replaced and filled with Black Magic granting vast mystical abilities. The two powers will be described separately below.
Mutant Power
Illyana Rasputin has the mutant ability to create and control teleportation energies in the form of "stepping disc's". These yellow rings of glowing light, once created, provide the ability to teleport. Not only just herself but a group of individuals as well, to a multitude of different places including through both time and space. The only limitation to her teleportation power is that she must use Limbo as her stopping point prior to her final destination, where-ever that may be. Magik can also teleport herself or others into her domain, Limbo or "Hell" dimension or out of it. As Limbo is her domain, Illyana is able to mentally scan Limbo, while on Earth in order to locate whomever she wishes to teleport to Earth from it.
Magik has succeeded in teleporting herself and another person across a continent on one occasion, and across centuries in time on another. However, Magik has not yet mastered her teleportation ability. The greater the distance over which she teleports, the greater the possible margin of error in terms of her arriving at the point in time she desires. Hence, when she once teleported herself and a friend from New York to California, hoping to arrive within seconds of the time she left, Magik and her friend instead arrived one week later, having accidentally traveled into the future. Magik is continuously practicing the use of her teleportation power in order to master it. Although already quite adept in the use of the mutant powers she still has a lot to learn especially considering how new she is to them.
In terms of potential Illyana's is nearly limitless. She was once told by Dr. Strange that she had the potential for great feats of manipulating time on a very wide scale. Never one to accept the status quo, Illyana continuously and regularly practices the use of her mutant powers in order to master them and have them grow in strength.
Magical Power
As a result of the time Illyana was forced to spend in Limbo, she was permanently changed both physically and mentally. She would spend a total of 6 years in Limbo during which she would learn valuable skills and abilities taught to her by different teachers that would help her in becoming the future Sorceress Supreme & Ruler of Limbo, that she was destined to become.
...As a pupil of Ororo
During her first year in Limbo, Illyana was an apprentice to an alternate reality version of Storm. One who unfortunately was stuck in Limbo and lost the ability to control the weather instead becoming a powerful magician highly skilled in the use of white magic. So skilled was she, that she was nearly able to best Belasco in their very first battle faltering in the very end. During Illyana's time with the now elderly Ororo, she was taught in the uses and practices of white magic. Different from black magic, white magic usually helped rather then hurt when used. She was also taught about life, the creation of it and astral projection. It would be during the time that she would spend with the elderly Ororo that Illyana would learn, much later master, the ability to mystically heal herself. She would spend an entire year apprenticing under the tutelage of the elderly Ororo.
...As a pupil of Cat
Following Illyana's first year with Ororo, Illyana then was trained by Cat. Cat was an alternate reality version of Kitty Pryde. No longer fully human in appearance, due to an interaction with Belasco, she had been transformed into a cat-like hybrid making her more animal in nature. As a result of the magical transformation forced on Cat, she had a hate for magic and wanted Illyana to have nothing to do with it. Illyana would train with Cat for 2 years, during which she would be taught how to fight, specifically, unarmed-
combat and in the effective use of bladed weapons. Initially Cat taught Illyana how to use a dagger then moved on to that of swords. Illyana would become quite comfortable in the use of both weapons; comfortable and VERY effective. It was during her time with Cat that she was also taught valuable survival skills allowing her to thrive in the most unlikely places. Illyana would grow to become best friends with Cat and look at her like family, willing to do anything to protect her.
...As a pupil of Belasco
It would be during her time with Limbo's, then, ruler Belasco that Illyana would learn and be changed the most. It was Balesco's goal to transform all 5 parts of Illyana's soul in Bloodstones. This was for two very different reasons. Firstly, with the 5 Bloodstones, Belasco could complete the magical Beatrice Medallion thus allowing him the ability to traverse to and from Limbo. An ability he had lost when he was exiled to Limbo by his masters the Elder Gods, for failing them. As a result of her soul being removed, it would be filled completely with black magic and would permanently make her a tool of both his, Belasco, and that of his evil masters the Elder Gods. This would make her a being of pure evil and thus helping the Elder Gods take of the Earth dimension.
Belasco would be unsuccessful in his ploy to remove all 5 parts of Illyana's soul. In the 3 years that she would learn under his tutelage, he would only manage to take 3/5 of her soul. This would still permanently taint her soul and as a result give her a partial demonic soul instead. It would be during her time as a pupil of Balesco's that he would teach her the darkest of the dark arts and the blackest of black magic. While at his palace she, too, had full access to Balesco's library of books of magic, that he had collected through this long, unnatural life. Belasco taught the young Illyana everything he knew. As a result of this, Illyana could produce virtually any and all spells that Belasco could and would be able to manipulate the forces of magic for a variety of effects to include.
¡
-Mind Control (both humans and animals)
¡-Metamorphing (himself, others or objects. living or otherwise)
¡-Astral Projection
¡-Necromancy
¡-Generate and release concussive bolts of pure magic energy
¡-Creations of magical force fields
¡-Inter-dimensional travel
¡-Ability to generate and manipulate fire
¡-Mental Possession
¡-Dark force manipulation
¡-Creation of constructs purely of magical energies
As a result of Illyana's diverse training and multiple years learning while in Limbo, she gained a aptitude for a sorcery and control of magic that was unlike no other. She had created a unique blend of both white and black magic that she would wield. Additionally, due to her now partially demonic soul, Illyana had also naturally gained formidable psionic shielding granting her immunity to metal probing. This shielding was effective enough to hinder the vaunted telepathic abilities of both Professor X and Marvel Girl (Rachel Summers) arguably two of the most powerful mutant minds the world has seen.
After Illyana bested Belasco in battle, she chose to exile him from the Limbo, allowing him to live rather than kill him. As the winner, Illyana, was granted the title of Sorceress Supreme of Limbo. The full extents of her powers have not yet been fully defined. It have been stated that in Limbo, Illyana's power is unmatched and her word is law. With but a single thought she can completely alter the physical appearance of Limbo. As stated previously, she too, potentially, could cast all spells that Belasco could have. This especially since she has unlimited access to Balesco's sorceress knowledge. For this reason and more Illyana is most powerful during her time in Limbo. This is clearly a result of her should being connected to the dimension, allowing for the two being intertwined by the very essences that they are created from. On the flip side, while on the Earth dimension, cut off from Limbo, Illyana's magical prowess and abilities are dramatically reduced. Illyana has preformed a handful of magical skills on Earth but nothing comparable to that of what she can do in Limbo. While on Earth, Illyana has effectively preformed; Astral projection, an abilities to sense magical presences and the ability to magically scan her Limbo dimension, allowing her to track and/or see all that occurs in Limbo while she is away. Illyana's most notable power while on Earth though are largely limited to her magical weapon, of her own making, called the Soulsword.
The Soulsword
The SoulswordThe Soulsword is the ultimate embodiment of Illyana's magical strength. Forged during a time of great need and despair. Illyana was desperate to find a way to free herself of Belasco and find a way to leave Limbo. Attempting to use the white magics that her previous teacher, the elderly Ororo, taught her. She attempted to create with all her strength to create something that would help her free herself. Only to find that she would fail each time. Realizing that she could not properly produce the exact spells as the elderly Ororo, she found it was because they used magic with differing motives. Reconfiguring the spells, she would use a portion of her still intact pure soul combined with her motivation, that she found was revenge, a bright light grew directly in front of her. When she reached in she drew forth, what appeared to be a very simple looking silver sword. When she fully grasped it and pulled it from the light, light enveloped it completely and surge of energy consumed Illyana. While in Illyana's hands the Soulsword, as she named it, aided her in defeating Belasco, ruling Limbo, controlling her demons in Limbo while she was away and aided her in battle while she was on the Earth dimension. With each and every use of the blade, its strength grew and its abilities increase exponentially. Much later it was revealed that the sword was just the beginning of her magically strengths. Through time a suit of armor composed of the same magical properties as the sword would come to the holder of the blade. It was revealed by Dr. Doom that the Soulsword granted ruler ship of Limbo, and the armor was, by right, the protection given to the owner of the sword. The strengths and extents of Illyana's Soulsword were never fully revealed. Her Soulsword did though show a number of very specific magical attributes and abilities that included the follow:
¡Grants Ruler ship of Limbo: He who own/wields the Soulsword is granted ruler ship or dominion over Limbo, though the full power of the sword could only be accessed by Illyana.
¡Disruption of Magic & Breaking of Spells: This includes its very lethal nature to that of magical beings.
¡Soul Absorption: With the sword, the wielder is able to absorb souls of others either permanently or to simply store and transfer. If kept in the sword it would increase the swords strength.
¡Sword Summoning: Granting the owner of the sword to place and store it in absolute nothingness and allowing the own to retrieve from whence its place with ease.
¡Teleportation Disc's: As a result of the Soulsword being forge from as piece of Illyana's soul, it would wields the ability to create teleportation stepping discs. Thus allowing the current owner the same ability.
¡
Dimensional Manipulation: The ruler of Limbo can mentally manipulate the physical appearance of Limbo, allowing it to look/appear as they wish it to.
¡Augment Magical Powers: Whom ever holds or owns the sword is granted increased magical strength.
¡Spell casting: When holding the Soulsword, it grants the hold the ability to cast or produce magic, even if they do not have the ability to do so.
¡Summoning of Mystical Eldritch Armor: It was revealed by Dr. Doom that the mystical armor that manifests on the individual that wields the Soulsword is actually a magical armor provided to any who rule Limbo.
¡Super Strength: When wearing the mystical armor, Illyana displayed a increase in her own personal strength. Shown when she did battle with her, one time, servant S'ym. During the Inferno invasion the two did battle. Illyana would easily grab S'ym and throw him yards away from her with only one arm.
The Soulsword is unable to harm being of non-magical origin but for unknown reasons, the Soulsword can physically injure Kitty Pryde, alias Shadowcat, even when she is using her phasing power to become intangible. Pryde is also the only known person other than Magik who can wield the Soulsword effectively. When Pryde does so, Magik's armor begins to appear on Pryde's body. Moreover, when the Beyonder once freed Illyana from the influence of her Dark soul, Pryde gained the ability to produce and wield the Soulsword. Illyana later took the Dark soul influence back upon herself in order that she could again wield the Soulsword to save Pryde's life from a demon. The reason for the mystical connection between Illyana Rasputin and Kitty Pryde, each of whom is the other's best friend, is unknown.
More recently, Amanda Sefton placed a Soulsword, presumably Magik's, in Nightcrawler's care and keeping. Kurt has been able to wield this sword, pulling it out of his chest on occasions when confronted by supernatural threats.
Special Skills:
¡Illyana is bi-lingual. She is fluent in both Russia and English.
¡Illyana is highly skilled in the mystical arts and swordplay as well.
¡Also, Illyana stated that whatever Pixie's souldagger does, she can undo, so she could cure Empath's blindness.
Limitations:
¡Illyana's mutant teleporting abilities are potentially limitless with one exception. She MUST use Limbo as her segue point prior to reaching her final destination. Limbo must always be her mid point regardless.
¡Illyana's magic is nearly limitless only while in Limbo, while on the Earth dimension her magics are very limited. Allowing her predominantly the use of her SoulSword.
¡Illyana's SoulSword, powerful as it may be, is unable to harm anyone that is not magical making the sword only usable in very specific situations.
Characteristics:
Gender: Female
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 120 lbs. (55 Kg.)
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue
Unusual Features: When in Darkchylde persona, Illyana manifests horns, hooves and a tail. When in use of her SoulSword, an Eldritch armor covers portions, if not all, of her body.
Status:
Known Relatives: Grigory Efimovich Rasputin (great-grandfather, deceased), Elena Rasputin (great-grandmother, deceased), Ivan Rasputin (great-uncle, deceased), Grigory Rasputin (grandfather, deceased), Vladamir Rasputin (uncle, deceased), Nikolai Rasputin (father, deceased), Alexandra Rasputin (mother, deceased), Mikhail Nikolievitch Rasputin (brother), Piotr Nikolievitch Rasputin (Colossus, brother), Peter (nephew), Larisa Mishchenko (cousin, deceased), Konstantin (cousin, deceased), Klara (cousin, deceased), Dimitry (cousin, deceased)
Citizenship: Citizen of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic. Lived in U.S. with a student Visa. Minor with no criminal record.
Place of Birth: Ust-Ordynski Collective Farm in Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Sorceress Supreme & Ruler of Limbo, Adventurer, (Formerly: student.)
Education: Xavier Institute & Massachusetts Academy; high school level classes.
-Stalik-
Illyana Nikolievna Rasputin, the indomitable mutant known as Magik, is both a super-humanly powerful mutant with the mutant power of teleportation and an unbelievably powerful sorceress at the same time with a potential that has yet to be reached. In her short life she has seen and been through and experienced many things. From being kidnapped at a very young age by the evil Belasco to live in a "Hell" dimension named Limbo for 7 years and exploited for her gifts, corrupted and tainting her soul to become evil, to her death from the Legacy Virus and an eventual resurrection.
Bloodlines
IllyanaPrior to M-Day mutant births were a very common occurrence. In fact, there were so many that mutants were at one time nearly outnumbering that of base-line humans. So many were there, that some communities would consist entirely of mutants such as: the Morlocks or Mutant Town. To simply be a mutant didn't quite make you as different as it once would have. What made someone different, was the type of mutant that they were. Specifically, their power level that would show their potential or ability as a mutant. The Rasputin children, Mikhail, Piotr and Illyana, were all mutants. Each of them would have gifts that would/could affect many, even on global level. Their futures would see them all go very different ways; their genetics ensured whichever way they chose to go, H-U-G-E things could be expected. These three mutant siblings would be no exception. From Mikhail's ability to manipulate matter on the subatomic level and his dimensional teleporting powers to Illyana's immensely powerful magical might and teleporting powers and even Piotr, who seemingly appears much weaker in comparison, but is prophesied to be the sole individual responsible for the destruction of an entire planet, Breakworld, and all of its inhabitants. On the outward appearance it may seem that it must be purely coincidental that Illyana and her two older brothers, Mikhail Rasputin and Piotr Rasputin ( Colossus), would all have massively powerful mutant powers and all be born to one family. But, not all is as it seems. These three siblings were born to a family that had been manipulated to ensure these outcomes. A bloodline refined to create power. Not only just Illyana, Mikhail and Piotr would have these substantial gifts, but all children born within the Rasputin bloodline would. Each would have the same genetics, share the same bloodline and lineage, each with the possibility to wield powerful mutant gifts. This was not a coincidence at all. This is all due to the manipulation, on a grand scale, by one of the foremost masters in genetics by the name of Nathaniel Essex better known as Mr. Sinister.
Sinister Beginningfs
The Rasputin Family TreeMore than 100 years ago, the patriarch of the Rasputin bloodline, the legendary Grigory Rasputin, would be the first to meet Sinister. The two would make unlikely allies. After their encounter, the Rasputin family would never be the same. When Grigory was younger, around the time of the emergence of his own mutant powers, Sinister would give him an offer he couldnft refuse. Sinister or the "Pale Man" as Grigory referred to him as, would offer Grigory the chance to create a bloodline from his DNA that would lead a race of super humans. Grigory's importance to Sinister was quite simple. He was a mutant, and based on the time one of the few firsts. Not only was he a mutant, but a powerful one. Grigory was aware of his gifts or the "miraculous occurrences" that surrounded him. He enjoyed them and used them regularly. Though unrevealed, itfs assumed that Grigory may have had matter manipulating abilities. These powers seemed similar to that of his future descendant, Mikhail. Powerful or not, Sinister's offer appealed to him and he accepted promptly after. Sinister would go to work immediately.
He would seek out females similar to Grigory, mutants with special powers. Sinister would find around 15-20 women and impregnate them all by crossing their genes with that of Grigory's. Sinister would experiment on the unborn babies with many dying in the process. There was one woman though that was a prefect match for Grigory, a woman by the name of Elena. Once Sinister found that the two could produce the outcome that he wished for he would put introduce the two. Shortly after meeting, two would marry each other. Elena would be his soon-to-be wife and bearer of his future army of super powered children. This would collimate with Grigory taking part in a mystical ceremony, led by Sinister, transferring his essence into his pregnant wifefs womb. His last words were that he promised to return to the world when the world was ready for him. With Elena giving birth to her baby months later it would be the beginning of the powerful mutant bloodline that would lead to the eventual birth of one Illyana Nikolievna Rasputin the future mutant, teleporting Sorceress Supreme of Limbo, known as Magik.
Little Snowflake's Innocent Beginnings
MikhailNikolai Rasputin and Alexandra Rasputin had three children, two boys, named Mikhail and Piotr Rasputin and, their youngest, a girl named Illyana. Mikhail was already an adult when Illyana was born. He wanted more than a farmer's life and decided to become a cosmonaut working for the Russian government. As a result Illyana would never have the opportunity to meet her eldest brother and unfortunately never would as reports would come indicating that Mikhail had died while in duty. The reality was that his mutant powers manifested and the government decided to use him as a guinea pig. They wanted to see if they could find a way to harness his gift. Basically they were exploiting him, with no intention of releasing him. Illyana's family grieved but she was relatively unaffected partially due to her age and she really didn't know him. Beyond that she had a fairly normal early childhood. She had a close knit family, more love then she could ever know and a bond between her brother and her that death couldn't break, literally. The Rasputins would thrive and continue to live their lives as best they could. They managed to achieve a little normalcy in their lives right when another mutant would make their self known.
Professor X & the X-Men
Illyana's First Appearance Mikhail wouldn't be the only of his sibling to have mutant powers. Piotr would also have his powers emerge. Though he would attempt to keep his mutant gifts hidden, he would be forced to reveal them in a much unexpected way. Illyana was playing near nearby an unmanned tractor came barreling in her direction. No one was near or had the ability to help her, save Piotr. Piotr reacts instinctively, running to her aid and activating his mutant powers. In a bright flash of light his entire body turned into that of a silver, shinny, armored giant. Standing in the way of the tractor, it would hit him and go no further as it would be destroyed upon impact. Like a night in shinning armor he was able to save his "Little Snowflake," as he referred to her. Relieved that he was able to protect his sister, he never noticed that a visitor had arrived and watched the entire event happen. A man that would change not only Piotr's life, but that of his little sister, Illyana's as well. This man was Professor Charles Xavier and he had arrived wanting to speak with Piotr. He wanted to recruit him as one of his new X-Men. After much conversation Piotr would accept and begrudgingly leave his family to start a new one in the United States. While apart of the team he took the codename Colossus and became one of the vaunted X-Men. As a member of the X-Men he would save the world many times over. But for Piotr it was a rough transition. He missed his family. Very homesick he tended to say alone and draw. While on missions though he was all business hiding his feelings. Hiding them as he might, nothing could prepare him for the following events.
Abduction
PiotrThe X-Men would do battle with many a foe, but one of the most odd was the eccentric, murderous Arcade. An assassin for hire and creator of Murderworld he was one of the best at what he did, but would bite off too much when Doctor Doom was involved. Arcade became involved in dealings that went bad with Dr. Doom. As a result he was held captive with no means of freedom. An associate of Arcade's, Miss Locke, would devise a plan that would have the X-Men do all the hard work and free Arcade for her. Of course they would never do this willingly, she would have to force them somehow. Miss Locke decided that she would blackmail them by kidnapping numerous members of each of the X-Men's family, this would include Piotr's little sister Illyana, and force them to assist. And they did. The X-Men sent in two units, sending the larger of their forces in to get Arcade and the few remaining to free their captive loved ones. The X-Men would find themselves to be successful and would return home. Colossus though would make a decision that would change his little sister life permanently. He decided that Illyana should stay with them and not return to Russia. He felt that it would be safer for her as he and the X-Men could protect her better, so that another incident like
In Arcade's Clutchesher being abducted could never happen again. Professor X agreed with the decision. He even telepathically taught all of his X-Men how to speak the Russian language so that Illyana would feel more comfortable in her new environment. He, too, wanted to test Illyana to see if she had the mutant gene, like her brothers feeling that there was a strong chance that she would be one. A discussion would follow but it would be decided to not test her. Feeling that she had many more years before her potential mutant powers if any at all, would emerge being that she was only 6 years old.
Illyana's stay would be granted by a special student visa. She would attend tutored classes by Professor X while at the x-mansion. While there she brought a happiness to Colossus, one that he hadn't felt in a long time. Since he left his home, long ago. Illyana would get close to all the X-Men, but especially Kitty Pryde. Kitty would read her bedtime stories and interact with her a lot. This would be the start of a bond that would only grow over time. In fact, Illyana would be close to all the X-Men.
Abducted.......again
Illyana in the clutches of BelascoIllyana stayed with the X-Men all the time, save battles. This included when they were in need of a new temporary headquarters. Due to a recent battle it had sustained major damage and Xavier's Institute had been destroyed. The X-Men with no other choice would be forced to take up base elsewhere. This would find and inhabit an island that Magneto once used as a base. It was a strange alien city on an island in the Bermuda Triangle. Coming to this island would be the event that would lead to Illyana's destiny and future self.
Illyana was a child, only 7 years old, when the X-Men came to the island. Only on the island for a couple of days the X-Men had already settled themselves in. They were still very high stress though. Storm, the field leader, decided to release some stress she would have the X-Men participate in a training exercise, Illyana would play alone a short distance away as to not get hurt. At this same time, when no one was paying attention, the young Illyana began to walk away. As if she was guided, unable to control herself she would continue until she reached a temple. She continued to keep walking. All the while Kitty had noticed her missing and began to follow with the X-Men not too far behind. Illyana would reach her destination in the back of the dimly lit tunnel inside of the dilapidated temple. She stood in the middle of a circular shape with glowing yellow and white lights and disappeared. The X-Men would follow and also get teleported to another dimension, one of the many splintered realms of Hell. This one was called Limbo.
Limbo
LimboAs soon as Illyana arrived she was whisked away to the side of Belasco. He tempted her with many wonderful things including a glorious future. All the while the X-Men made their way to Limbo as well. Through a string of events they were informed, by a second set of X-Men, that they had to leave in order for their Illyana to survive. That the second set of X-Men, those stuck in Limbo, attempting to rescue their Illyana and were successful but but were, themselves, stuck in Limbo. Immediately after the X-Men were spirited away back to Earth and left Illyana to fend for herself. Meanwhile back with Illyana, Belasco had brought her to an alter and began a spell to withdraw the first of 5 pieces of Illyana's soul. Effectively taking the first piece of her soul it was transformed into a "Bloodstone" and he placed it into what he called the Beatrice Amulet. The Amulet once opened had a 5-pointed star with open holes. The first Bloodstone filled the spot of one of those points. Belasco's intentions for Illyana was to slow, through time, take all 5 portions of her soul and turning them into bloodstone to complete the Beatrice Medallion. He needed time to further corrupt her soul, all the while step by step consecrating her to evil and making her the instrument of Balesco's masters the Elder Gods. He would also use her to free him from Limbo and allow him to roam Earth once again, where he would take over and rule supreme. He would leave immediately after the Bloodstone was removed and allowed time to take place.
The New Mutant
While apart of the New Mutants, Illyana would finally allow herself to let her guard down....a little. In a short time she became a powerful and valued member of the team. Although they knew she was a mutant, she still guarded her magical side intensely. Due to the barriers she kept up she sometimes felt misunderstood and alone but the others truly cared for her. As a team, the New Mutants would go through more than their fair share of battles. Though they had many successes, they too had many great loses. First Professor X steps down and leaves the school in the hand of the villainous Magneto. Magik and the New Mutants were none too happy about this change. Amidst the ups and downs of life Illyana finally revealed her magical side to her teammates, receiving mixed reviews. Shortly after that they would suffer yet another lose, this time the death of teammate Douglas Ramsey ( Cypher).
As if that wasn't enough, the New Mutants all would then have their lives snuffed out by the Beyonder during the Secret Wars. He made it as if they never existed. The Beyonder was bent on the idea of humanity and the attempt to gain one. He would have a machine created that if working properly give one life or bring one back to life. Needing a guinea pig/s he would test it on the recently departed members of the New Mutants. Though they were alive again, the experiences of their deaths and resurrections were far too traumatic for them. They all were severely mentally affected by their experiences. Magik and the New Mutants were mere husks of their former selves and showed no human emotions. Once they return to the Institute, Magneto would decide to send his students to Emma Frost the White Queen of the Hellfire Club and leader of the Hellions. Emma was to use her vast telepathic powers to help repair the the already damaged psyche's of each of the New Mutants.
While under the care of Emma Frost, she had the New Mutants enroll at her school and recruited them into her team of Hellions. This was her true plan all along. To her surprise though once Magik and the New Mutants were healed they would leave immediately back to the Xavier Institute. Never any rest for the wary, the events that Magik goes through next would be the most life changing for her. They would also bring her time with the New Mutants to an end.
The Inferno
During a standard trip through Limbo, something went wrong and the New Mutants were stuck. Illyana's evil and demonic side started to take over her body. The demons there
wanted her to become the full lord of Limbo. When she tried to escape, the demon N'astirh used this as a way to open a huge teleportation disc between Earth and Limbo, which started an invasion of Earth by the demons of Limbo. Magik then managed to defeat the powerful demon S'ym . After the battle the New Mutants examined the remains of Magik's armor and found the seven-year old Illyana inside it. However she still possessed the bloodstone amulet. The 7 year old Illyana was then brought home and returned to Russia where she lived with her parents until they were murdered by the Russian government in order to make sure Illyana had her abilities to defeat a powerful psionic being, which posed a threat to Russia. After this, Illyana returned to the X-Mansion.
Death
However, shortly afterward, Illyana caught the Legacy Virus, a deadly and incurable disease that only effects mutants, she succumbed to the virus and died in the X-Mansion. She was buried at the Xavier Institute. Her spirit would later go on to visit Wolverine and her brother, Piotr.
House of M & the Quest for Magik
House of M During the House of M storyline,the Scarlet Witch re-imagined the world as we knew it and created it the way she wished. Illyana came back to life and joined many of the new X-Men as students at S.H.I.E.L.D. She was placed in the Hellions training squad and, during their last mission, was told to take a group of mutated humans somewhere safe. She teleported just as chaos took over, and the House of M cae to an end reverting back to the way it was before. In a world where Illyana was no longer alive, dead.No one remembers ever meeting Magik because none of them remember the House of M. Later, the evil Belasco came looking for Magik, as he sense her presence that left behind during the House of M, and used his powers to take most of the students at the school prisoner. He smelled Magik on them but none of them remembered meeting her. All clues began to point to Magik being alive.
A group of free students on the run in Limbo ran into a version of Illyana in her Darkchild self. She revealed that she was recreated by Belasco, but in body and mind only. Her soul resided in her Soulsword, and that had been lost. She sought to create a new soulsword, and five new bloodstones of power, from the pure soul of Pixie. The process was only partially successful, resulting in only one bloodstone being created. Pixie ended up with a tiny soul dagger. Illyana then taught Pixie a teleportation spell, which allowed the students a full confrontation with Belasco. In the ensuing fight, Pixie stabbed Belasco with the dagger, allowing Illyana to use the bloodstone's power to presumably destroy Belasco. With Balescofs defeat, she once again became queen of Limbo. Despite an emotional reunion with her brother, Piotr, she banished the X-Men from Limbo and sealed it off, not content to rest until she recovers her soul and becomes whole once again.
Divided We Stand
illyana wants her soul back, thinking back to the ones she once loved, like Kitty and Peter, she tries to reclaim her soul through these connections and teleports to the Xavier Institute only to find it destroyed and abandoned after the events of Messiah Complex. Angrily she decides that she will not get her soul back through love but through hate and suffering and she will target those who have wronged her and make them pay with their souls.
Infernus
Infernus is the Quest for Illyana to regain her soul and to later rejoin the X-Men. The story begins with Illyana in limbo searching for the Beatrice Amulet. Flustered that she can't find it, she sends hordes of Limbo Demons to search the earth and find it. Mean while, the X-Men are back in their danger room and Pixie goes crazy and stabs Nightcrawler. After she stabs him with her Souldagger, she pulls the weapon from his body cavity and out comes Illyana's Soul Sword with it. Kurt is unharmed by the Souldagger, and the Soulsword that his ex girlfriend Amanda Sefton [Another ruler of Limbo], locked inside of him for safe keeping. Instantly back in Limbo, Illyana feels her Soulsword emerge and teleports to the Danger Room to reclaim what is rightfully hers.
Everyone is shocked to see Illyana again, as most believed her to be dead. Illyana demands her sword, promising that no one will be hurt if they just hand it over to her. The X-Men refuse and one by one are struck down by Illyana. First Rockslide, then Mercury, Followed by Beast. Then Pixie comes along and starts a fight against Illyana end lost, so the young woman takes her Soulsword back and she changes, becoming more human but still incomplete so she runs away to Limbo again only to find out that Witchfire, Belasco's daughter is there and wants her head!
The X-men go to Limbo after her and starts to fight a lot of demons but Pixie feels her soul and go to the castle, the mutants go after her only to be taking down by Witchfire that has Illyana in chains and starts to take another piece of Pixie's soul. Nightcrawler stabs Illyana with the Soul Dagger and pull out along with the Soulsword. He calls Pixie that she is the only one that can save them all. She frees Illyana and together they vanish Witchfire but she took along Illyana's and Pixie's soul, that make the young x-men fly away only to make the little snowflake take everybody back to the danger Room and there Illyana decides to stay with them.
Back to the New Mutants
After another brief disappearance, Illyana reappears at the X-Men's new San Francisco home, exhausted and injured. Disoriented and sounding more than a little insane than usual, she gets fellow New Mutants Cannonball, Sunspot and Magma to help her find Dani and Shan, who she says will die soon if aid doesn't come quickly. She goes with her old friends to Colorado, where Dani and Shan had gone earlier based on reports that a young mutant there might have been endangering the local populace. On the way there, she plays mind games with Amara, teasing her that she can cure Empath of the injury caused by Pixie's soul knife.
Once there, she splits up with Amara to track down a missing little girl, empathizing acutely with her as she was also kidnapped in her youth. Tracking her down to a certain home, Illyana and Amara think they've found Shan being held prisoner. But when they open the small cell, they instead find a grinning Legion waiting inside.
Conferring with Sam and Bobby, who had found Shan's body in another location, they find out that Shan is inside Legion's mind with a benign little girl personality, but are being chased by the more violent personalities in David Haller's mindscape. When Shan and the little girl are overwhelmed, the violent persona take over. One with superhuman strength punches Amara away, and another one uses an energy blast to down Illyana. The mutant sorceress quickly recovers, and tells Sam and Bobby to find Dani. As one of the beings who previously tried to "fix" David Haller's mind, Dani has become one of Legion's intended targets.
Meanwhile, Sam and Bobby find Dani imprisoned in a local jail, about to be attacked by Legion. Bobby knocks Legion away from Dani's cell before she can be harmed, but Sam leaves her inside, thinking that she will be safer. Sam realizes his mistake when Legion uses another of his powers to manipulate the earth in Dani's cell in a second attempt to kill her. That attempt is stopped when Magik and Magma arrive. Magma melts the earth golem Legion created, preventing Dani from being strangled. Furious at Sam, Dani punches him, then leaves to arm herself in order to be useful when they bring the fight back to the insane mutant.
Determined to put an end to the threat and save Shan, Illyana teleports to Shan's body at touches it, initiating a transfer of her mind into Legion's. Once there, Illyana shows that she means business by threatening harm if they didn't release Shan to her immediately. When she is accused of bluffing, Illyana manifests her soul sword and, ignoring Sam's plea not to harm any of Legion's personalities, proceeds to cleave and decapitate three of Legion's personas in short order. When a fourth persona attempts to stop Illyana an fails, the remaining personalities acquiesce and lead her to where they're holding Shan and the little girl prisoner. Illyana frees them both, and in the process also frees David Haller's base personality. Guided by David, Illyana discovers that the doll, named "Moira," is the basis for conscious control of Legion's body. Illyana takes the doll away from the remaining hostile personalities just in time to save Dani and the others.
Powers
Illyana has two very distinctive powers, one is her mutant power to generate spacial/temporal warps in the form of stepping discs, the other is her magic, learned while she was in Limbo. As more and more of her soul was removed, it was replaced and filled with Black Magic granting vast mystical abilities. The two powers will be described separately below.
Mutant Power
Illyana Rasputin has the mutant ability to create and control teleportation energies in the form of "stepping disc's". These yellow rings of glowing light, once created, provide the ability to teleport. Not only just herself but a group of individuals as well, to a multitude of different places including through both time and space. The only limitation to her teleportation power is that she must use Limbo as her stopping point prior to her final destination, where-ever that may be. Magik can also teleport herself or others into her domain, Limbo or "Hell" dimension or out of it. As Limbo is her domain, Illyana is able to mentally scan Limbo, while on Earth in order to locate whomever she wishes to teleport to Earth from it.
Magik has succeeded in teleporting herself and another person across a continent on one occasion, and across centuries in time on another. However, Magik has not yet mastered her teleportation ability. The greater the distance over which she teleports, the greater the possible margin of error in terms of her arriving at the point in time she desires. Hence, when she once teleported herself and a friend from New York to California, hoping to arrive within seconds of the time she left, Magik and her friend instead arrived one week later, having accidentally traveled into the future. Magik is continuously practicing the use of her teleportation power in order to master it. Although already quite adept in the use of the mutant powers she still has a lot to learn especially considering how new she is to them.
In terms of potential Illyana's is nearly limitless. She was once told by Dr. Strange that she had the potential for great feats of manipulating time on a very wide scale. Never one to accept the status quo, Illyana continuously and regularly practices the use of her mutant powers in order to master them and have them grow in strength.
Magical Power
As a result of the time Illyana was forced to spend in Limbo, she was permanently changed both physically and mentally. She would spend a total of 6 years in Limbo during which she would learn valuable skills and abilities taught to her by different teachers that would help her in becoming the future Sorceress Supreme & Ruler of Limbo, that she was destined to become.
...As a pupil of Ororo
During her first year in Limbo, Illyana was an apprentice to an alternate reality version of Storm. One who unfortunately was stuck in Limbo and lost the ability to control the weather instead becoming a powerful magician highly skilled in the use of white magic. So skilled was she, that she was nearly able to best Belasco in their very first battle faltering in the very end. During Illyana's time with the now elderly Ororo, she was taught in the uses and practices of white magic. Different from black magic, white magic usually helped rather then hurt when used. She was also taught about life, the creation of it and astral projection. It would be during the time that she would spend with the elderly Ororo that Illyana would learn, much later master, the ability to mystically heal herself. She would spend an entire year apprenticing under the tutelage of the elderly Ororo.
...As a pupil of Cat
Following Illyana's first year with Ororo, Illyana then was trained by Cat. Cat was an alternate reality version of Kitty Pryde. No longer fully human in appearance, due to an interaction with Belasco, she had been transformed into a cat-like hybrid making her more animal in nature. As a result of the magical transformation forced on Cat, she had a hate for magic and wanted Illyana to have nothing to do with it. Illyana would train with Cat for 2 years, during which she would be taught how to fight, specifically, unarmed-
combat and in the effective use of bladed weapons. Initially Cat taught Illyana how to use a dagger then moved on to that of swords. Illyana would become quite comfortable in the use of both weapons; comfortable and VERY effective. It was during her time with Cat that she was also taught valuable survival skills allowing her to thrive in the most unlikely places. Illyana would grow to become best friends with Cat and look at her like family, willing to do anything to protect her.
...As a pupil of Belasco
It would be during her time with Limbo's, then, ruler Belasco that Illyana would learn and be changed the most. It was Balesco's goal to transform all 5 parts of Illyana's soul in Bloodstones. This was for two very different reasons. Firstly, with the 5 Bloodstones, Belasco could complete the magical Beatrice Medallion thus allowing him the ability to traverse to and from Limbo. An ability he had lost when he was exiled to Limbo by his masters the Elder Gods, for failing them. As a result of her soul being removed, it would be filled completely with black magic and would permanently make her a tool of both his, Belasco, and that of his evil masters the Elder Gods. This would make her a being of pure evil and thus helping the Elder Gods take of the Earth dimension.
Belasco would be unsuccessful in his ploy to remove all 5 parts of Illyana's soul. In the 3 years that she would learn under his tutelage, he would only manage to take 3/5 of her soul. This would still permanently taint her soul and as a result give her a partial demonic soul instead. It would be during her time as a pupil of Balesco's that he would teach her the darkest of the dark arts and the blackest of black magic. While at his palace she, too, had full access to Balesco's library of books of magic, that he had collected through this long, unnatural life. Belasco taught the young Illyana everything he knew. As a result of this, Illyana could produce virtually any and all spells that Belasco could and would be able to manipulate the forces of magic for a variety of effects to include.
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-Mind Control (both humans and animals)
¡-Metamorphing (himself, others or objects. living or otherwise)
¡-Astral Projection
¡-Necromancy
¡-Generate and release concussive bolts of pure magic energy
¡-Creations of magical force fields
¡-Inter-dimensional travel
¡-Ability to generate and manipulate fire
¡-Mental Possession
¡-Dark force manipulation
¡-Creation of constructs purely of magical energies
As a result of Illyana's diverse training and multiple years learning while in Limbo, she gained a aptitude for a sorcery and control of magic that was unlike no other. She had created a unique blend of both white and black magic that she would wield. Additionally, due to her now partially demonic soul, Illyana had also naturally gained formidable psionic shielding granting her immunity to metal probing. This shielding was effective enough to hinder the vaunted telepathic abilities of both Professor X and Marvel Girl (Rachel Summers) arguably two of the most powerful mutant minds the world has seen.
After Illyana bested Belasco in battle, she chose to exile him from the Limbo, allowing him to live rather than kill him. As the winner, Illyana, was granted the title of Sorceress Supreme of Limbo. The full extents of her powers have not yet been fully defined. It have been stated that in Limbo, Illyana's power is unmatched and her word is law. With but a single thought she can completely alter the physical appearance of Limbo. As stated previously, she too, potentially, could cast all spells that Belasco could have. This especially since she has unlimited access to Balesco's sorceress knowledge. For this reason and more Illyana is most powerful during her time in Limbo. This is clearly a result of her should being connected to the dimension, allowing for the two being intertwined by the very essences that they are created from. On the flip side, while on the Earth dimension, cut off from Limbo, Illyana's magical prowess and abilities are dramatically reduced. Illyana has preformed a handful of magical skills on Earth but nothing comparable to that of what she can do in Limbo. While on Earth, Illyana has effectively preformed; Astral projection, an abilities to sense magical presences and the ability to magically scan her Limbo dimension, allowing her to track and/or see all that occurs in Limbo while she is away. Illyana's most notable power while on Earth though are largely limited to her magical weapon, of her own making, called the Soulsword.
The Soulsword
The SoulswordThe Soulsword is the ultimate embodiment of Illyana's magical strength. Forged during a time of great need and despair. Illyana was desperate to find a way to free herself of Belasco and find a way to leave Limbo. Attempting to use the white magics that her previous teacher, the elderly Ororo, taught her. She attempted to create with all her strength to create something that would help her free herself. Only to find that she would fail each time. Realizing that she could not properly produce the exact spells as the elderly Ororo, she found it was because they used magic with differing motives. Reconfiguring the spells, she would use a portion of her still intact pure soul combined with her motivation, that she found was revenge, a bright light grew directly in front of her. When she reached in she drew forth, what appeared to be a very simple looking silver sword. When she fully grasped it and pulled it from the light, light enveloped it completely and surge of energy consumed Illyana. While in Illyana's hands the Soulsword, as she named it, aided her in defeating Belasco, ruling Limbo, controlling her demons in Limbo while she was away and aided her in battle while she was on the Earth dimension. With each and every use of the blade, its strength grew and its abilities increase exponentially. Much later it was revealed that the sword was just the beginning of her magically strengths. Through time a suit of armor composed of the same magical properties as the sword would come to the holder of the blade. It was revealed by Dr. Doom that the Soulsword granted ruler ship of Limbo, and the armor was, by right, the protection given to the owner of the sword. The strengths and extents of Illyana's Soulsword were never fully revealed. Her Soulsword did though show a number of very specific magical attributes and abilities that included the follow:
¡Grants Ruler ship of Limbo: He who own/wields the Soulsword is granted ruler ship or dominion over Limbo, though the full power of the sword could only be accessed by Illyana.
¡Disruption of Magic & Breaking of Spells: This includes its very lethal nature to that of magical beings.
¡Soul Absorption: With the sword, the wielder is able to absorb souls of others either permanently or to simply store and transfer. If kept in the sword it would increase the swords strength.
¡Sword Summoning: Granting the owner of the sword to place and store it in absolute nothingness and allowing the own to retrieve from whence its place with ease.
¡Teleportation Disc's: As a result of the Soulsword being forge from as piece of Illyana's soul, it would wields the ability to create teleportation stepping discs. Thus allowing the current owner the same ability.
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Dimensional Manipulation: The ruler of Limbo can mentally manipulate the physical appearance of Limbo, allowing it to look/appear as they wish it to.
¡Augment Magical Powers: Whom ever holds or owns the sword is granted increased magical strength.
¡Spell casting: When holding the Soulsword, it grants the hold the ability to cast or produce magic, even if they do not have the ability to do so.
¡Summoning of Mystical Eldritch Armor: It was revealed by Dr. Doom that the mystical armor that manifests on the individual that wields the Soulsword is actually a magical armor provided to any who rule Limbo.
¡Super Strength: When wearing the mystical armor, Illyana displayed a increase in her own personal strength. Shown when she did battle with her, one time, servant S'ym. During the Inferno invasion the two did battle. Illyana would easily grab S'ym and throw him yards away from her with only one arm.
The Soulsword is unable to harm being of non-magical origin but for unknown reasons, the Soulsword can physically injure Kitty Pryde, alias Shadowcat, even when she is using her phasing power to become intangible. Pryde is also the only known person other than Magik who can wield the Soulsword effectively. When Pryde does so, Magik's armor begins to appear on Pryde's body. Moreover, when the Beyonder once freed Illyana from the influence of her Dark soul, Pryde gained the ability to produce and wield the Soulsword. Illyana later took the Dark soul influence back upon herself in order that she could again wield the Soulsword to save Pryde's life from a demon. The reason for the mystical connection between Illyana Rasputin and Kitty Pryde, each of whom is the other's best friend, is unknown.
More recently, Amanda Sefton placed a Soulsword, presumably Magik's, in Nightcrawler's care and keeping. Kurt has been able to wield this sword, pulling it out of his chest on occasions when confronted by supernatural threats.
Special Skills:
¡Illyana is bi-lingual. She is fluent in both Russia and English.
¡Illyana is highly skilled in the mystical arts and swordplay as well.
¡Also, Illyana stated that whatever Pixie's souldagger does, she can undo, so she could cure Empath's blindness.
Limitations:
¡Illyana's mutant teleporting abilities are potentially limitless with one exception. She MUST use Limbo as her segue point prior to reaching her final destination. Limbo must always be her mid point regardless.
¡Illyana's magic is nearly limitless only while in Limbo, while on the Earth dimension her magics are very limited. Allowing her predominantly the use of her SoulSword.
¡Illyana's SoulSword, powerful as it may be, is unable to harm anyone that is not magical making the sword only usable in very specific situations.
Characteristics:
Gender: Female
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 120 lbs. (55 Kg.)
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue
Unusual Features: When in Darkchylde persona, Illyana manifests horns, hooves and a tail. When in use of her SoulSword, an Eldritch armor covers portions, if not all, of her body.
Status:
Known Relatives: Grigory Efimovich Rasputin (great-grandfather, deceased), Elena Rasputin (great-grandmother, deceased), Ivan Rasputin (great-uncle, deceased), Grigory Rasputin (grandfather, deceased), Vladamir Rasputin (uncle, deceased), Nikolai Rasputin (father, deceased), Alexandra Rasputin (mother, deceased), Mikhail Nikolievitch Rasputin (brother), Piotr Nikolievitch Rasputin (Colossus, brother), Peter (nephew), Larisa Mishchenko (cousin, deceased), Konstantin (cousin, deceased), Klara (cousin, deceased), Dimitry (cousin, deceased)
Citizenship: Citizen of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic. Lived in U.S. with a student Visa. Minor with no criminal record.
Place of Birth: Ust-Ordynski Collective Farm in Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Sorceress Supreme & Ruler of Limbo, Adventurer, (Formerly: student.)
Education: Xavier Institute & Massachusetts Academy; high school level classes.
-Stalik-
