Three
"I don't know who's crazier," Prizm looked at his fellow Marauders his pointed crystalline face drawn into an expression of wonder, "Sabertooth, Riptide, Malice or Sinister himself?"
The youth received a dark look from the assassin John Greycrow the Scalphunter, "Sinister and Malice. Sabertooth or Riptide would just kill you. The other two would let you suffer."
"Creed showed weakness fearing such a small woman." Arclight sniffed disdainfully flexing one of her large arms as a show of superiority, "She barely reaches his armpits, and I don't know how she lifted him; she's not that muscular."
"Strength isn't her power," Scrambler interjected-since the departure of Sinister and his right and left hands the Marauders had been embroiled in the discussion of their strengths and weaknesses; "She's an empath…but there's something else too…"
Greycrow sighed wishing that he had been brought in to help plan the attack instead of being used as a foot solider-but he owed Sinister too much not to come when the man called. Running a hand through his hair he looked at his fellow recruits with distaste, "That's because Malice doesn't have a body of her own."
"What?" the green haired Vertigo asked a sour expression on her face, "How's that possible?"
"Fucked if I know how she does it," Greycrow answered with a shrug, "This is the second body I've seen her in-the first was a chick called Lorna Dane…I don't know what happened to her. About a year ago I got a call from Sinister to pick up a comatose girl from a hospital in DC that he needed for 'research'. Malice has been using her body ever since."
This bit of information chilled the Marauders to the bone; hardened criminals all of them, they couldn't imagine what it would be like to be taken by force then worn as a cloak, controlled by another being. It seemed like a glimpse of living hell. "Tisk, tisk, John." Malice's voice chimed as she entered the room luxuriating in the fear that rolled off the others at her appearance, it felt like fine wine tasted-sharp and bitter; "Are you sharing all my secrets?"
Using her powers Malice forced Scalphunter to look into her unforgiving black eyes, she did so thoroughly enjoy putting on a good show. The assassin had made it that much easier for her now. Smiling evilly she took a step in her five inch stiletto boots-she never liked how short this host was-and she could feel the lust radiating from the men. Even though they feared her-they wanted her.
"Of course not Malice," the change in Scalphunter's posture was instant as Malice moved towards him twining her delicate hands into his dark hair-it wasn't fear but a wariness based on their prior dealings. The pleasure always came with the pain when dealing with Malice, "Just enough to scare them."
Twisting herself around Malice sat on Scalphunter's lap so that she could lock her empty black eyes on each of her team members relishing the increase in their anxiety, "Yes, all children need a bogey-man to keep them in line. I've brought you all the maps and schematics of the attack area. You have two days to learn them like the back of your hand. Each of you has been assigned a duty based on your skills. But let me make one thing very clear to each of you," a dark brow lifted as she smirked, "We will be the only ones to leave that sewer. If these 'Morlocks' survive Sinister will be very unhappy with you. That means I'll be unhappy. And when I'm unhappy I get creative…you don't want that."
Rising from her human seat Malice swept from the room riding the tide of fear behind her.
**************************
The expression of pure wonder on Illyana's face warmed Kitty to the bottom of her heart. The little girl was standing looking up at the handsome face of Warren Worthington the third with the adoration she normally reserved for her brother. They had stopped to visit while in the city shopping for Remy's upcoming twenty first birthday. That Cajun might have to find himself a new number one fan, Kitty tried to hide her smile; Illyana's crush was a source of mirth for Rogue and herself.
As Kitty, Rogue, Piotr and Kurt watched the little girl slowly reached out a hand and brushed the nearest of Warren's eight foot wings reverently, "They're so pretty…Kitty when I grow up can I have wings too?"
"But Yana," Kurt ported to the girl's side a hurt look on his face as he moved his tail to tickle her, "I thought you wanted a tail?"
For a second the child seemed torn between the possibilities; then a wide smile broke her face as she grabbed the blue boy's tail, "I'll have both! A tail and wings and they'll be purple!"
"And what will you do with your tail and wings?" Warren asked a smile playing around the corners of his lips.
"I'm gonna be an X-Woman silly."
This garnered some laughter; the look on Illyana's face was just too precious. Kurt recovered first, "Don't you mean X-Man Yana?"
"Nuhuh," she shook her dark head solemnly and looked at towards the X-Mansion's resident Goth, "Rogue says it's a chauvinistic name that assumes women can't be heroes like men. And that girls can do anything they want 'cause they're just as strong…or stronger like Rogue."
"Yana!"
"Rogue!"
The stricken look on the Goth's face made everyone chuckle-it was well known that to Illyana, Rogue's opinion was gospel. It took all of Kitty's will power to prevent the child from dressing all in black and applying dark make-up to be more like the older girl.
"Sounds like someone likes her Woman's Studies course," Warren smirked as Rogue tried to hide the blush that enveloped her cheeks, "And she's right too. Maybe you should ask the Professor to change the name to 'X-Persons'?"
The simultaneous beeping of all four X-Men's com links quashed the merriment and serious looks fell on their faces instantly. Rogue was fastest to respond, "Rogue here what's wrong?"
Static filled the room as the com crackled, "Rogue…it's Spyke…The sewers…Oh my god…they're killing everyone…help…"
"Evan!" Rogue's voice was hoarse with worry as the transmission ended, "EVAN!"
Kitty bit her lip in an attempt to keep her heart from jumping out of her throat; why would someone attack the Morlocks? Snapping into action she removed her own com link and moved to Warren's computer, "Call the Professor I'll try to get a lock on where the transmission came from."
The X-Men sprung into action-even though three years had passed Even Daniels was one of their own. Storm's own flesh and blood. If he needed help then they would provide it, they just hoped they could find him and the other Morlocks in time.
**************************
Bars of sunlight danced through the latticed man-hole cover bathing Evan Daniels in its warmth. Even through the thick covering of bone that shielded his body the young man could feel the invigorating touch of the sun-and it felt good. It was one of the things he missed most about lie on the surface with the flatscans; the sun on the back of his neck as he skated with his friends.
There had been times when he wished he could return to that carefree existence where the biggest of his worries were getting even with Pietro Maximoff and avoiding Wolverine's Danger Room sessions. Sure, as an X-Man he had risked life and limb for people who hadn't known or appreciated it but compared to life as a Morlock it was child's play. Here, because of his combat experience Callisto had made him a leader-the one to turn to if she was unavailable.
It was a heavier burden at times than Evan thought he could bear; lives counted on him, not just his own or a few select friends but the whole community. The Morlocks survived because they cared for each other-there was no desire to stand out, no need to impress. The utter communism of the situation made Evan wish his old Politics teacher could see it-the old man had never feared the 'Red Menace' as in his opinion Communism was bunk.
At the thought of his former life Evan felt in the pouch he always wore, it contained his few personal belongings and never left his side. They were his last link to the boy he had been-free of worry and responsibility. His last link to his blood family. The only proof that he had once been an X-Man. He didn't need to open it to know what it held-even in the pure darkness of the sewers he could rhyme off the contents by rote.
There was a picture of him with his parents and Aunt Ororo taken just the Christmas before his powers had gotten out of control. Another picture of him standing with the other X-Men in their every day clothes. It had been Jean's idea to take it-and he and Kurt had harassed Rogue for twenty minutes to get her to ascent to joining them. Pulling it out he gazed at the faces of his friends; they all looked so innocent-even the perpetually scowling Rogue.
Evan had looked in on them several times in the last three years; usually when they didn't know he was watching it was easier to stay apart then see their sympathy for his deformity. They had all changed so much; Scott and Jean had graduated and started college. Kurt was in his final year of high school, Kitty too would soon leave Bayville high but Evan wondered who the little girl Shadowcat was playing mother to was. Rogue had disappeared from the Mansion and returned with super strength and the ability to fly-Evan knew better than to ask where it had come from.
The Professor was never changing as was Logan. He had seen a bit more sadness in his Aunt's eyes as she constantly monitored her beloved garden. The New Mutants were as mischievous as ever. It had shocked him to see that two of the Acolytes had joined forces with the X-Men; dating Kitty and Rogue. How that worked was another question Evan was unwilling to ask…but then Rogue was an attractive girl and well worth the creativity one would need to get closer to her.
The last object in the pouch was the com link his Aunt had given him when he left-his way of calling for them if he ever needed them. Evan was proud that he had not used it. The Morlocks looked after their own with as little interference as possible. Rising with a sigh Evan stretched, he had probably been away too long and someone would undoubtedly looking for him to ask some question or another.
Picking his way in the darkness by memory more than sight Evan started back towards the Cathedral where they all lived. As he walked a niggling fear nudged at the edge of his mind but he swept it away. Coming to the main junction that led home Evan scrunched up his face-he lad left two others on guard here before leaving…they shouldn't have left their posts. Craning his ears Evan caught the faint din of fighting ahead-masked by the roar of a subway train.
Then the smell hit him.
How he hadn't caught the warm hamburger-like smell of blood freshly spilled in large quantities Evan didn't know. Only one thing was clear-some one was slaughtering the Morlocks. Evan made his decision in less time than it took for him to fumble for his com link. He jammed the transmit button as hard as he could and waited. It seemed and eternity before Rogue's voice came over the line, "Rogue here what's wrong?"
Evan thanked God that someone had answered as he began to jog towards the sounds of battle, "Rogue…it's Spyke…The sewers…Oh my god…they're killing everyone…help…"
"EVAN!"
Throwing the com link away Evan concentrated and created a bone staff for himself before rushing forward to protect his home. Before hitting the swell of bodies his last thought was a prayer that the X-Men would come while there was still someone left to save.
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Muhahahaha. Yes, yet another update from me. I really do deserve an award for speediness…other than my Ishandahalf award for great evilness…that is.
I don't own the song 'Welcome to the Jungle' it's Guns and Roses'…how I miss the days of classic Axel…before he went all Michael Jackson with the plastic surgery. *sigh* Guess I'm just showing my age.
Guns and Roses – Welcome to the Jungle
Welcome to the jungle
We got fun 'n' games
We got everything you want
Honey we know the names
We are the people that can find
Whatever you may need
If you got the money honey
We got your disease
Chorus:
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your shun n,n,n,n,,n,n,,n,n,n,,n,n,,n
knees, knees
I wanna watch you bleed
Welcome to the jungle
We take it day by day
If you want it you're gonna bleed
But it's the price you pay
And you're a very sexy girl
That's very hard to please
You can taste the bright lights
But you won't get them for free
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Feel my, my, my serpentine
I, I wanna hear you scream
Welcome to the jungle
It gets worse here everyday
Ya learn ta live like an animal
In the jungle where we play
If you got a hunger for what you see
You'll take it eventually
You can have anything you want
But you better not take it from me
Chorus
And when you're high you never
Ever want to come down, so down, so down, so down YEAH!
You know where you are
You're in the jungle baby
You're gonna die
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your shu n,n,n,,n,n,,n,n,n,,n,n,,n,n,,n
knees, knees
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Feel my, my, my serpentine
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your shun n,n,n,n,,n,n,,n,n,,n,n,,n.n,
knees, knees
In the jungle
Welcome to the jungle
Watch it bring you to your
It's gonna bring you down!
Ha!
Ish - *lol* I'm glad you like this one too…but have I yet to write something you didn't like? Teehee…boozing Scott is fun…he's my angst puppet. And I figured you'd like the crush on Remy…it fit. I hope you're happy that I started to explain how Cypher ended up as Malice…and you do know the Illyana/Warren scene was just for you…I know how much you like her…even if my version isn't very canon.
Ravyn Nyte – Than I have failed as a writer…you guessed…*Sob* I haven't decided if I'll write the vignette of what actually happened in the Danger Room…but I might. I'm glad I was worth logging in for…I fixed it to allow anonymous reviews…darn it…I didn't even realize that it was set that way…Any review is a good review. Glad to know you're hooked.