The Uncanny X-Men

Chapter 1: The Search for Banshee- Part 1

By

The Uncanny R-Man

Disclaimer- All familiar characters belong to Marvel.

Xavier's-

Bobby and Lorna were hanging out in the hedge maze. Ever since Lorna had kissed Bobby at Christmas, they had been nigh inseparable.

Bobby smiled at the green-haired woman sitting beside him and gently held her hand in his.

'Y'know Lorna, the time we've had together has been great.' Bobby said. 'It's nice to have somebody just to hang out with, no strings attached.'

'Just nice?' Lorna asked, a cheeky smile spreading on her face. 'Am I crappy company or something?'

'You know what I mean.' Bobby replied. 'I wanna ask you something serious for a moment…'

'Who are you?' Lorna asked as she narrowed her eyes in suspicion. 'What have you done with the real Bobby Drake?'

'Do you mind?' Bobby replied. 'I'm trying to have a moment here.'

'Sorry, go ahead.' Lorna nodded.

Bobby took a deep breath and decided to go straight for it.

'Are you hanging out with me just to make Alex jealous?'

Lorna's shoulders slumped, with Bobby it was always about Alex. Even though she was dating Bobby before Alex, she ended up with the younger Summers brother. Then there was Annie the school nurse, Bobby had a major-league crush on her but Alex stole her away form him.

Lorna took Bobby's hand in his and looked him straight in the eyes.

'Bobby, Alex and I are through. As much as I hate to admit it, he's with Annie now. Didn't that kiss at Christmas show you how I felt?'

'I thought it was just a sympathy kiss.' Bobby replied.

'Perhaps I'd better kiss you again, to make sure you get my point.' Lorna said as she leant in closer.

Bobby leant in closer to meet Lorna's lips with his. It wasn't to last however…

'Bobby, Lorna, in the War Room, now!'

'Goddammit Alex!' Lorna hissed. 'Can't you see we're having a private moment here?'

'Yes, very nice.' Alex replied, not even caring that his ex was kissing Bobby. 'We've got a situation…'

'Well it was good while it lasted.' Bobby sighed.

The war room-

Bobby and Lorna were gathered in the War Room while Alex briefed them on their mission. They were also joined by Remy, Rogue, Logan, Cain, Jean-Paul and Moira.

'Moira tried to get in contact with Sean Cassidy earlier today to let him know that she's alive.' Alex explained. 'Unfortunately, there wasn't any reply.'

'I thought Irish walked out on the X-Men.' Cain said. 'Perhaps he's just ignorin' the calls.'

'Cassidy wouldn't ever do that.' Logan replied. 'If I know him as well as I think I do, he'd never refuse a phone call from the woman he loves.'

'So what's de what, Boss Man?' Remy asked. 'You t'ink ol' Banshee's in deep doo-doo?'

'Unfortunately, yes.' Alex replied. 'So that's why we're going to fly over to Cassidy Keep, we're going to find out why Sean isn't answering these calls and try to find out what kind of trouble he's in, if any.'

With that, the assembled X-Men got ready to suit up for their latest mission.

The skies above Cassidy Keep, several hours later-

The X-Jet zipped across the skies above the Cassidy family castle. When it came to a friend in trouble, there was now time for messing around. Especially when this friend was of such importance as Sean Cassidy. Apart form being Moira MacTaggart's fiancé, he used to be the co-headmaster of Generation-X and a charter member of the second generation of the X-Men.

'I don't suppose anybody's told Theresa about this mission.' Bobby said. 'She is Sean's daughter, you'd think she'd want in on this.'

'There's no need tah worry the girl.' Rogue replied. 'We'll be able tah handle this mission well enough on our own.'

'Dat's de way to t'ink, cherie.' Remy grinned as he placed his arm around Rogue's shoulder. 'Let's put a positive spin on dis.'

'Oh God, look at that mess down below.' Lorna said as she peered out of the window.

The other X-Men followed her lead and peered out of the window at the scene of destruction down below them. Cassidy Keep was in ruins.

'Geez, the last time something like this happened, Black Tom was responsible.' Cain said. 'You don't think it's him again, do ya?'

'You're his former running-partner, Cain.' Jean-Paul replied. 'You tell us.'

'We ain't getting any life-signs form the instruments.' Logan said form the pilot's seat. 'Either Cassidy's gone or he's dead.'

Lorna let out a hiss of pain as she put her hand to her head.

'Lorna, what's up?' Bobby asked concernedly.

'There's a magnetic disturbance somewhere in the mainland.' Lorna replied. 'Somebody's wrecking the Stark Enterprises Electromagnetic Research Station.'

'What makes you say dat, cherie?' Remy asked.

'That's the only way the magnetic fields could be thrown out of wack like this.' Lorna replied.

Logan turned on the X-Jet's communication equipment. He tried to find out who was attacking the research station but all that he could get was static.

'Communication's out.' Logan said. 'The magnetic field's screwin' it up. Looks like we're goin' in blind.'

The X-Jet headed towards the mainland and the sight that greeted them was a shocking one. The research station seemed to be under attack by some sort of plant creature.

'Anybody getting a weird case of deja vu?' Bobby asked. 'Cuz I am.'

'I told ya Tom wouldn't stay dead that last time.' Cain said. 'I betcha any money that he's got Banshee too.'

'Keep it down back there.' Alex barked. 'We're gonna have to sneak in.'

As if in reply, something hit the X-Jet, jolting it about.

'You had ter open yer mouth, Summers.' Logan muttered. 'Black Tom knows we're here!'

The X-Jet was knocked about once more as Black Tom swatted at it with a colossal wooden limb. Unfortunately, it tore off one of the X-Jet's wings.

'Hold on everybody!' Logan yelled. 'We're goin' down!'

TBC…

Next: The Search for Banshee- Part 2

The X-Men Vs Black Tom, 'nuff said.