A beam of light shines out from Hope's hands, while Solitaire concentrates on the heat that the force field is giving out, directing it back at it. Beads of perspiration begin to form on the foreheads of both Hope and Solitaire, as they concentrate on focusing their powers.
Finally, when it seemed that the force field was going to be the victor, it wavers.. there is small explosion, sending Hope and Solitaire back a few feet. They are stunned for a moment from the backlash, but the force field is down. Anon is unharmed and the candles are blown out, but only for a moment... then they relight by themselves.
Cara and Leilee run over to check on them.
"Hope, Solitaire, are you all right?"
Hope and Solitaire sit up after a moment, then look at each other and smile.
"Well, the force field is down," Says Hope. "But I'm afraid that things are not over yet. Amanda just informed us of a plan."
Hope and Solitaire get up, dusting themselves off, then move close to Cara and Leilee so no one else can listen in.
Hope says quietly, "Amanda wants Leilee and her to run defense, and let Anon come after them. Then Cara and Jamar strike as one to take Anon out. It's a good plan... Solitaire and I are going to have our hands full ourselves, I think we are going to have some company soon."
Solitaire moves to where she and Hope had came in, and looks out into the hallway. Quickly she moves back to the others and nods.
"Let's get going before it gets crowded in here," says Solitaire.
Hope nods and heads out, with Solitaire calling back to Cara and Leilee, "Good luck.. we're all going to need it."
And they exit the chamber, leaving Cara and Leilee in the chamber with Anon and the stone statue of Arac.
Dreamweaver
Cara could feel that Anon was weak and still wheeling from Amanda's attack. Now was the time to strike. Leilee went towards Anon, preparing to charge her. Anon merely used her powers to freeze her in her place. Leilee began to taunt Anon, screaming at her that she was pathetic and couldn't fight on her best day.
On the psychic plane, Amanda was baiting Anon's astral image, teasing her that she was nothing but a wanna-be. Her protectors added to the fuel by stating how she was the most useless human that they had ever meet. This led to Amanda being hit by intense psychic energy, but she refused to fall down.
She continued to get up, forcing Anon to use more energy. When all of Anon's energy and attention was focused on Amanda and Leilee, Jamar and Cara heard her voice telling them to strike.
A.C.
Just as Hope and Solitaire get to the hallway, Hope hears a voice in her mind that she's only heard in her latest dreams.
~Hope, you and Solitaire need to get back to Cara and Leilee. You are needed there more. Go quickly!~
Hope looks over at Solitaire.
"We need to go back to Echoes and Bliss, now!" she says, turning back around running very fast.
Solitaire heads back with her. They get back to Anon's chamber just as everything breaks loose!
Dreamweaver
**NOW!** orders Amanda.
/Mind to Mind/ Heart to Heart/
Cara and Jamar link mind, body, and soul as a solar flare of psionic and empathic energies connect with Anon on two fronts. The first wave hitting her mind and the other piercing her heart.
Anon screams from the intensity of the attack, shunting her mind back into her body where she collapses, spent of energy.
Chaos
~ANON'S SANCTUARY~
Anon's eyes fall on the statue of Arac before rolling back into her head. KABOOOOOOOM!!! A very large explosion comes from the side of the room. There are bits of rock everywhere, and in the middle a man kneels, surrounded by smoke and dust particles. His head raises, allowing his glowing crimson eyes to pierce the veil of dirt and soot.
"HEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRREEEEE'S JOHNNY!" He says, as he begins tossing kinetically charged rocks at the group of mutants.
Solitaire absorbs the heat from the explosions and sends a long blast of searing energy back at Arac. While this is going on, Hope forms a shield to redirect some of the flaming rocks as Echoes splits into three. They all begin slinging rocks at the ceiling above Arac. The ceiling drops several large stones onto Arac, who quickly sidesteps them.
"How much longer do you think we can keep this up?" Solitaire asks.
"I'm not sure. Maybe we should..." Cara notices that the entire ceiling is beginning to turn pink as Arac runs off down a side tunnel.
"Run for it!!!" She yells, grabbing the others and heading after Arac.
-------------------------------------------------
~TUNNEL#1~
"YOU'RE COMING WITH US, MIND WITCH!!!" One guard yells at Amanda, his gun coming to bare on her head.
"That's no way to talk to a lady." Jedi says as a flaming scythe swings up, taking the mans arm off at the elbow. "I guess you won't be playing the piano for a while." He says as he steps toward Amanda. Amanda's eyes shift as she jumps up, producing a psi-bow and launching an arrow at Jedi's chest. It passes right through him and into the two guards behind him.
Amanda grins, "Sucker."
"I can't believe they fell for that." Their laughter is cut short as twenty more guards pour into the tunnel and begin firing.
"What the hell? Does Sinney have factories pumping these guys out, or what?"
"Uh...What? Let's get outta here!" Jamar tries to teleport but can't. They both set out running down a side tunnel. Amanda begins scanning for the others while plasma bursts erupt around them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~TUNNEL#2~
Jonas roars. The more soldiers he destroys, the more there are to take their place. Ryan reverts back into her natural form and rolls out of the way as a wall explodes from a grenade.
Coming out of the roll, Creed grabs her arm and begins running down a series of tunnels, coming into a central courtyard.
Chaos
~COURTYARD~
"We've gotta go back and help them." She says, looking Sabretooth in the eyes. The smile across his face doesn't seem right, more toothy like a cat who's swallowed a canary.
"Are you okay?"
"You oughta be worryin’ bout yerself, frail." He growls as he slashes Ryan from shoulder to stomach. She holds onto Sabretooth as her body slowly slumps to the ground. Sabretooth turns at a noise as he notices a crazy crimson eyed man running out of one of the tunnels. He becomes hysterical when he sees Creed.
"JEEZE!!! HOW MANY OF YOU DO I HAVE TO KILL TODAY?" Ripping a pipe from the wall he charges it, throwing the spear as Creed pounces, but too late. The spear connects, going through his body and exploding... ripping him apart and atomizing him until there is nothing but a smoking husk.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" Ryan screams before unconsciousness overtakes her. Arac looks around as members of Vision X exit the tunnel, followed by several squads of Sinister's goons.
Chaos
Jonas was the first through the doorway, and saw what the guy with the red eyes did to Sabertooth. Sammi came up behind him and saw Ryan lying on the ground, then she saw Arac.
"Dragon, you, Sonique and Teb check on Ryan. I got him." Sammi said as she took a step towards Arac.
Jonas grabbed her arm, and telepathically asked, /Are you sure?/
/Yes. I have a few things to TALK to him about. I'll be fine./ Sammi said as she smiled at him.
Joans and the others tended to Ryan, and Sammi advanced on Arac.
"Long time." She said as she got in a defensive stance.
"You missed me, sweety?" Arac said as he did the same.
"Oh, just about as much as a toothache." She shot back as they started to circle each other. She knew she only had to hurt him enough to be able to heal him. If she hurt him too much, she would end up hurting Cara.
"I don't feel like dancing, Let's fight!" Arch said as he launched himself at her. Sammi side stepped and he hit the wall and fell. She quickly jumped on his back and had him pinned. She opened her mind and entered his.
~In Arac's mind~
Sammi's astral form floated through his and Cara's memories. When she grabbed onto his, she started to chant.
"Hate and anger leave,
Let only love and heart succeed."When she noticed the memories of Anger and hate start to fade she exited his mind. She found herself still on his back but he was passed out.
"I hope you were right about this as well, Harmony." She said to herself as she got up and went over to the others.
"She's bleeding so much. How are we going to stop it?" Maria asked as Teb and Jonas were applying pressure.
"The healing factors in the vaccine should start taking affect now." Sammi said as she came up behind them. "See?" She pointed at the wound on her throat. It was healing as they spoke.
Jonas turned his head to her and looked over at Arac. "Is he out?"
"For a little bit, but now we have to deal with the goons that are coming from behind us." She sniffed the air and said, "There are ten, and Arac is waking up. You guys stall them and I'll get Arac to help." She went back to Arac and kneeled down and said,"You have only two choices, and that is to help us or you are going to die with us. Which do you choose?"
jubilee_79
~X-MANSION~
Xavier and the various X-men had finished cleaning the mess that Sabertooth had left. He had learned quickly where to place the bombs to avoid injury, but caused a great deal of damage.
Wolverine was not happy. "When I find that scum bag, I'm gonna..."
"That's enough, Logan. We all know whose plan Sabertooth was following." Replied Cyclops as he turn towards his mentor.
Xavier was gazing out the window, searching on the astral plane for any sign of Vision X. He knew that Amanda had purposely made it so that the X-men couldn't find them. Xavier was worried for all them. He was afraid that some of them would not survive this battle. He knew his X-men were concerned. Like him, a lot of them had formed special connections with the team.
"Cyclops, prepare the Blackbird III. We're going to go help them whether they like it or not. We'll use the tracking devises to find the base." ordered Xavier as he headed towards the plane.
Most of the X-men were glad for this decision, a few were surprised he gave it. It didn't matter. Their friends were in trouble, and they were finally going to do something about it. Xavier just prayed that he hadn't made the decision too late.
A.C.
As the X-men rode towards their friends, Remy pulled a sheet of looseleaf out of his pocket. The hastily scribbled note brought a smile to his face.
//Remy,
I'm sorry I couldn't tell you this to your face, but I knew that if I did, you wouldn't let me go, and I'd probably let you make me stay. God, now I know how all those warriors who left their loves behind felt. This is the hardest thing I've ever had to write. I guess I really want to tell you that I love you, and I'm so glad I met you. You have made me a better person. I can't remember the last time I've felt this loved.
I'm off to go fight Sinister now, and I know I may not come back. But I can honestly say that if I don't, this time with you has made my life worth it all. I'll always remember you, and I want you to remember me as well. That's why I want you to keep my ring. You know, the turquoise one that I always wear on my first finger. I saw you eyeing it, and I want you to keep it to remember me by. Hopefully you have as many good memories as I do of my time here. Amanda's calling, so I have to go, but I just wanted to tell you that, well, I love you.
Leilee//
~In Anon's cave~
Leilee struggled and finally broke the hold Anon had on her. She started to run across the floor to the exit, but before she could reach it, the cave ceiling collapsed on her.
Leilee
~SINISTER’S ISLAND, COURTYARD~
"You have only two choices, and that is to help us or you are going to die with us. Which do you choose?"
"Hmmm!? Let me think...I think...I think we should all die together like one big happy family."
Arac smiles a cruel smile, as he place both hands palms down upon the concrete floor...a pink glow spreads outwards, enveloping ground and wall, until all is covered in an eerie light. The glow spreads out beyond the boundaries of the maze and base, until it envelops the entire island. Cara bursts into the room, and knows what Arac is up to.
/This is not good. Cara, is there anyway for you to stop this wakko?/
Cara doesn't say anything as she concentrates on taking the energy into herself and interrupting it's flow.
"I think we need to find Gateway. He's gotta be here somewhere."
"I'll Hold him, while you guys locate Gateway...just hurry, okay?" Cara says, as she concentrates everything she has into keeping the explosive energy at bay.
Amanda begins to issue orders. **Alright tp's link up. Jedi, scan tunnel#1. Dragon...Fire Fox, you guys scan tunnel#2. And I'll take door number 3.**
As Maria and Teb started running for one of the tunnels, Cara was hit by a wave of desperate emotions. They were coming in the direction of the tunnel that she had just left.
"Sammi!" cried Cara, "It's Leilee...she's trapped in the tunnel...Over there!"
Cara didn't have to say anything more...Sammi took off running for the tunnel. She got there just as Hope and Solitaire were coming out of it. "You two, you're with me...hurry!" she shouted to them.
Without a word, Hope and Solitaire ran after Sammi, through the wreckage of the tunnel. Cara was left face to face with her alternate self...who was grinning evilly from ear to ear.
"You don't really think that you can win, do you?" he said.
"All I need is to slow you down."
/You guys better hurry up!/
Chaos and Rainfall
Sammi, Hope and Solitaire made their way down the hall.
"In here!" Sammi yelled as she caught Leilee's scent. They all quickly began moving the debris away. Sammi grabbed a huge piece of the ceiling and started to lift it.
"Guys, over here!" She yelled.
The three of them lifted the debris and moved it over to the side. Sammi grabbed Leilee and they all ran back to where they came from.
When they got there, they saw Arac and Cara. Arac was taunting her as she tried to take the energy into herself.
jubilee_79
One the plane, Logan was looking out the window nervously. /Hold on, darlin'. I'm coming./He thought.
As he thought about Sammi, he remembered the envelope that he found in his room just before they were leaving. He quickly grabbed it and stuffed it in his pocket. He slowly took it out now.
Logan looked at it like it was going to bite him. He ran his thumb over the writing on the front, all it said was; DAD. But to him, that one short word meant a lot. He slowly opened it and took out the paper that was inside. As he opened the paper, a small object fell out and into his lap. He decided to read the letter first.
// Dear Dad,
You can't imagine what it feels like to be able to write that. I love it. Anyway, I'm writing you this because I know you don't do goodbyes, and neither do I. So I'm writing this so, I don't have to say it out loud, 'cause you know then it isn't true. I know that’s a bit delusional, but It gets me by.
I don't know if I’ll be back, even if we do defeat Sinister. But I wanted you to know that I'm glad I found my father, and I'm really glad it’s you. I know all about you, and I know that even though you hide it, you have a really big heart. I'm glad that you let me see a little of it before we left.
Do me a favor? Don't hide it, too much. One thing that my life has taught me is that every moment is precious, and it shouldn’t be wasted. I know you live for the moment, but don't forget the ones around you. I just hope that I made you proud of me. Like Father, Like Daughter. I don't know if you noticed but I'm a lot like you. Mostly in the temper, but in other ways, too.
I have to stop writing now, or I'm going to cry, again. Believe me... ever since I landed here, I've cried more than in my life.
Let's see, there were some things I wanted to tell you. Watch out for Jubilee, she's like us. Tough as nails on the outside, but on the inside, she's very scared and one too many can break her. Let her know where she stands. 'Cause even though she won't admit it, she feels threatened by Kitty.
Oh, yeah, I've been meaning to yell at you for this. HOW THE HELL COULD YOU MARRY VIPER??!!??
Well, I have to go. Tell Jubilee, that no matter what I'll always be her big sister and that I love her. I love you, too.
Also, a really good prank to get back at Bobby is to first saran wrap his toilet seat. Then while he's sleeping, first dip one hand in warm water and put toothpaste in the other. When he wakes up, that's when the fun begins. And trust me, NO ONE will ever think it was you.
Love Always, Your Daughter,
SamanthaP.S. Don't hurt Ice Pop, too bad, when you see your jeep, I helped him.
Oh, one more thing, I left my necklace for you. The pendant is the Celtic symbol for Eternal Life. I hope you will wear it always, and remember me.//
Wolverine read the letter over again and turned and looked at Bobby. Bobby was looking out the window. Wolverine grinned wickedly and place the necklace around his neck. He touched the pendant and thought, /I could never forget you, daughter./
jubilee_79
~X-MANSION~
Jamie Madrox, otherwise known as Multiple Man, walked silently back to his room. Professor Xavier had asked him to remain at the mansion while the others attempted a rescue party. He solemnly opened the door of his room, walked over to his bed and sat down.
Something bounced off of his pillow, and rolled across the bed into his leg. He reached for the object without looking at it. It was round and hard, and had some paper wrapped around it. Jamie looked at it then, as he picked up the object. It was a softball, wrapped up in a note.
Jamie unwrapped the note and read it...the simple sentence brought a smile to his face. It read...
//I call dibs on the "Me's", You have to be the "You's", Big Brother...//
/Kid's got spunk...have to give her that. Cara, you better make it out of there.../ Jamie thought.
He covered his eyes with one hand, as the ball slowly dropped out of his other hand, and rolled under the bed.
*****
Beast paced in the medlab...walking back and forth between tables, beds and counters. He couldn't focus on any task, and he just wished that the Professor had allowed him to go with the others. Beast sighed, then walked over and sat down at his desk. He noticed that one of his books of poetry was lying off to the side.
/That's odd,/ he thought to himself, /I'm sure I lent that to Cara...she must have brought it back before she left with the others./
Hank picked up the book, and a note fell out of it. He picked it up and read,
//Hey, Hank...I'm sorry that we didn't get a chance to talk... I wanted to tell you that Hope really likes you. I think you two make a cute couple. I hope things work out for the better. Also, I wanted to tell you thank you. I marked a poem in your book, which tells how I feel. Please read it.
Your loving "Niece",
Cara//Hank opened the book to the marked passage, and began to read.
"Accept My Full Heart's Thanks--by Ella Wheeler Wilcox."
"Your words came just when needed. Like a breeze, Blowing and bringing from the wide salt sea Some cooling spray, to meadow scorched with heat And choked with dust and clouds of sifted sand That hateful whirlwinds, envious of its bloom, Had tossed upon it. But the cool sea breeze Came laden with the odors of the sea And damp with spray, that laid the dust and sand And brought new life and strength to blade and bloom So words of thine came over miles to me, Fresh from the mighty sea, a true friend's heart, And brought me hope and strength, and swept away The dusty webs that human spiders spun Across my path. Friend--and the word means so much-- So few there are who reach like thee, a hand Up over all the barking curs of spite And give the clasp, when most its need is felt, Friend, newly found, accept my full heart's thanks."
Beast smiled as he finished reading the passage, and he settled back in his chair. He picked up the silk scarf that he had received from Hope in their dream, and fingered the delicate initials that were set in one corner. He gently folded the scarf, and placed it in the pocket of his lab coat. He too hoped that things would work out for the better.
*****
Storm rode silently in the Blackbird III, she only hoped that they would reach their destination in time. She looked quizzically once more at the object she held in her hands... a small, delicate golden rose pendant on a fine gold chain. In one of the delicate petals, was a single, crystal teardrop. It was the necklace belonging to the girl known as Cara.
/Why on earth would the child leave the necklace with me? We never really had a chance to speak with each other, and I know how much this meant to her... she never took it off... so why would she leave it with me?/ Storm wondered to herself.
Storm once more read the note that she had found with the necklace.
//Storm, I know that you are probably wondering why I left this with you, since we never really spoke with each other. I will do my best to explain... but I only have a few brief moments.
I have always had a great respect for you, and for your gift. Please, do not ever see it as anything else but a gift. I know there people and events in your past that would have you believing otherwise, but they are wrong. You are in tune with the earth, sky, and all creation within, on a level which most people cannot begin to comprehend. It is truly a marvelous gift.
You have a genuine love and respect for nature...and it shows in the work you do in your garden. I've seen you as you work, and it brings back such wonderful memories of my mother. She also has a garden...more than twenty rosebushes and countless other flowers decorate our yard back home. While I was here, I became homesick, but I felt closer to home when I was out in your garden.
I have always had a great respect for storms... for their nourishment, replenishment, and renewing of the earth, and all creation that it holds. I know there are those who see rain as something sorrowful, as if the sky were crying. But I see the rain in a different light. Rain isn't sorrowful for me... for me, it has always meant healing and nourishment, a new beginning.
I don't have time to go into detail of why I feel this way...Amanda is calling me. But, this necklace was a reminder to me, of the healing powers of rain... I guess I hoped that it would do the same for you. Just please remember what a gift you have... and the happiness you and your gift bring to others. You are truly a remarkable person... and I will always think of you as my sister.
Cara//
Storm put the note down, and silently unhooked the chain. She brought it around her neck and re-clasped it, then stared silently at the rose as it rested in the palm of her hand. She watched as the single crystal teardrop glittered in the last rays of the setting sun.
Rainfall
~SINISTER’S ISLAND, COURTYARD~
“NOOO!” Ryan screamed as her body regained consciousness.
She gasped for air and let the spasms in her body subside. When Ryan turned her head, she saw it. The charred remains of the man she once loved. The remains of the man who tried to kill her. She pushed herself to her feet and surveyed the room. She saw various members of her team fighting Sinister’s goons. She also saw Arac and Cara fighting.
“Well the little protégé has finally returned.”
Ryan turned around and saw Mystique behind her. “You are one of the most annoying women I have ever met.” Ryan said as she thought of what to morph into.
“And you’re a whiner, so let’s get on with it.” Mystique morphed herself in to a replica of Sabretooth. “How about it frail, you wanna play?”
Ryan just smiled and morphed herself into a replica of that Vampire Demon from the movie “Dracula”. She opened her mouth as flames came out and shot towards Mystique. “Let’s go,” she said.
Le Fae
Athena was aware of a terrible burning sensation near her left temple. She could not force her eyes open, she couldn't move. She could only lie there with her own thoughts, her own guilt. She had failed her friends. She couldn't leave it at that. She felt her heart start to quicken and her body start to grow warm. There had to be something she could do.
She realized she was absorbing heat through the floor of the cave. An idea formed in her head. She knew that her friends had private battles to wage against personal enemies. She didn't want to stand in the way of that. However, she knew that Sinister's hired henchmen were slowing things, providing distraction. She guessed that was what Sinister wanted. She thought she might still be able to help with that.
Focusing all of her mind, she continued to absorb heat. What she couldn't see was that the cave and tunnels around her were slowly starting to freeze. She could feel the energy surge throughout her body. She had never felt the rush of so much power before. Just when she thought she could absorb no more, she concentrated one last time.
A ball of fire erupted, flooding through the tunnels. It pummeled everything in its wake, leaving only charred caverns and ash. Athena sighed and allowed consciousness to slip away from her, knowing that her friends would now be free to concentrate on the more important part of their mission.
She was confident that they could handle Sinister, Anon, Arac and Mystique without the distraction of incidental henchmen. She knew she had finally done something important. Maybe she had finally earned her place on the team.
flame
Mystique growled, lunging at Mirage. Slashing at the Vampire Demon with everything she has, avoiding the flames shooting from the creature’s mouth.
"I wonder if ya really learned anything, frail. It's gonna be real fun to gut ya and see what yer insides look like."
Mirage sneers as her mouth elongates more, producing several hundred rows of retractable teeth. Her size had also now doubled as her talons clawed down Mystique's back.
"AAAAAIIIIIIIEEEEEEEE!!!!"
"What's wrong Mistake, are you spineless? I wonder how much of your body you can morph and heal at a time, hmmm?" With that Mirage strikes, just as Mystique's claws dig into her right thigh. Mirage stumbles back and smiles with a mouth of one hundred dagger-like teeth.
"What are you smiling at, frail?"
"I just realized..." Ryan opens her hand as she morphs back into a diamond hard version of her true form. "...you have no heart for this fight."
Ryan opens her hand to reveal Mystique's still beating heart. Mystique screams and Ryan shoves it back down her throat.
"STOP being a baby, yer a shape shifter... it'll grow back." She laughs as Mystique drops to the ground from shock.
Chaos and Le Fae
Hope stares in horror as she sees Solitaire fall to the ground, hit by one of the shots from one of Sinister's minions.
"Solitaire!!! No!!!!"She screams as she kneels down by Solitaire's side.
She pulls Solitaire close to her, crying as Solitaire unleashes her attack taking out Sinister's henchmen, a shield enveloping Hope and Solitaire as the attack takes place. Hope watches, feeling helpless as Solitaire slips into unconsciousness, giving of her all to help her teammates.
Hope remembers the kindness that Solitaire and Bobby had given to her when she briefly woke up for a short moment to help give her team mates some hope. And her blacking out after her effort.
"Oh Athena.. I wish I had the chance to get to know you better...oh please don't leave.... but I don't know if you want to stay... you probably don't."
Hope looks over at the rest of the team then a glowing light surrounds her and Solitaire. Hope and Solitaire fades from view, leaving the rest of Vision X to finish the show-down.
"Take advantage of Solitaire's gift to you." Hope says as they disappear.
Dreamweaver
Jamar senses what's happening to the others and winces.
"I don't think we're gonna make it outta here. If we are, it's gonna have to be soon."
"Come now, Mr. Alexander. You don't think I'd squander all of these resources toying with you and your friends if I thought you couldn't handle yourselves."
Jamar turns to view Sinister. "You bastard. This is just one big game to you, isn't it!?"
"It's hardly a game. I intend to push you all to your limits. I hate to quote an old friend, but for this to work, the fittest must survive."
"ARRRRRAAAAAAAUGH!" Jedi's eyes flare as he sends his flaming scythe spinning through Sinister’s side, only to have him heal back up.
"That was pointless. You should be better than this, young Jedi. To me, you are merely a lost and misguided child."
"What have you done with Gateway?"
This only elicits a cocky smirk from Sinister.
/Wait a minute... if Sinister walked up to me I would have sensed him. So he must have ported in./ His thoughts are interrupted by a blast of energy that burns away the side of Jamar's uniform, wounding him.
**Sammi!?**
/What is it Jamar?/
**I've found Sinney.**
/Where?/ A portal opens and Sammi rushes through, rolling to the side as a blast of energy erupts from Sinister's hand. Surveying the area she sees Jamar crouching to the side of the tunnel, holding his ribs.
/Are you okay?/
**I will be, once my ribs heal. Right now I need to find Gateway. Amanda...Jonas...Sammi, I need your help.**
"Mind-to-Mind." Jamar says through gritted teeth as he uses everyone’s telepathic skill to scan the entire building. /The whole compound has psi dampeners on the outside, but the only place he could keep Gateway is a place that negates his abilities./ As his search continues, he comes across a dead zone in the southwestern corner of the island.
"Gotcha! See ya, Sinny!" Jedi says as he ports away. Sinister begins to move toward the point where he ported in, when he receives a gut full of adamantium for his troubles.
"I know you can regenerate, but let's see how fast you can. RAAAAAAAHHGGGRRRRRRA!" She screams as the animal takes over, and she begins to flay Sinister alive.
-------------------------------------------------
~SOUTHWESTERN CORNER~
A portal opens and Jedi falls through to the floor exhausted. He lays there for several minutes.
**Jamar!...Jamar, GET UP!/ Amanda sends to him, urging him forward.
/Aye Aye, Captain./ He replies back with a strained smile.
Scrambling off of the floor, he walks over to the shielded room he'd sensed, and proceeds to rip the door from it's hinges. But he only succeeds in weakening it just enough for him to telepathically call Gateway.
In a flash they are both in the central courtyard, as are Sammi and Sinny. It seems all she did was slow him down, because he had healed the wounds from which he'd sustained earlier.
"Thank you, Samantha. It was a learning experience. I myself didn't realize how fast I could regenerate until put to the test. I must regrettably decline the offer of you to rearrange my vital organs. This little episode is at an end.”
Amanda uses her telepathic powers to be heard above the din of battle.
"SINISTER! IT APPEARS WE HAVE A STALEMATE."
The two leaders of the opposing forces surveyed the area around them. Craters potmarked the walls which were still glowing an eerie pink, soldiers trained their weapons on vis-x members, vis-x members had some soldier's bleeding and held by the throat. Another voice interrupts them all as they turn to regard it.
"YOU PEOPLE HAVE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING. YOU ARE IN NO POSITION TO NEGOTIATE ANYTHING! AS WE SPEAK, THE WHOLE ISLAND HAS BEEN COVERED! NO ONE IS GOING ANYWHERE!" Arac shouted.
Cara looks into the eyes of Amanda and Jamar as Sinny steps over to Gateway. Cara closes her eyes as the light from the island burns with bright, hot pink light. There are a series of flashes.
-------------------------------------------------
~BLACKBIRD III~
"My stars and garters!"
"What the hell is it?" Some of the X-men reply with awe as the pink light blinds them and there is a flash... then NOTHING. No island... just a boiling and smoking hole in the sea.
Chaos
~Xavier’s Study~
Xavier looked at the ocean and felt a great wave of silence descend over the blackbird III. They had arrived to late to save them. They were gone. Various X-men were suffering through the shock. Xavier could only reach into his pocket to read the note she had left him.
Dear Charles,
You will probably look at this letter when you realize that we are gone. I don't know if what ever you saw actual destroyed us, or if it just sent us home. Either way, we will never see each other again.
Or will we? Some believe that life is nothing but a journey. That we all go through stages like a butterfly. That the end of one life is the beginning of another. I don't know. I do know that great friendship doesn't go away. I have a feeling we will meet again, someday. Continue fighting for your dream and never give up. There are those out there who believe in you all.
Love,
AmandaA.C.
