At The Start: Part Four

Polaris gently landed the X-Men in front of the third skyscraper of the Four Towers. Susan and the rest of the Fantastic Four wee at the entrance. As the X-Men closed the gap between the two groups, Jubilee nudged M and said, "Surprised they haven't called up Bastion and his Nano-Guard."

"I don't' think things in Russia have gotten that bad," Shaman responded. "At least I sincerely hope not."

"What's happening n Russia?" Polaris asked, wondering what else could Greystone have possibly changed.

"There's a genetic war going on. Mutants and humans at each other's throats," Jubilee answered.

"It is a nasty affair and more than one of our enemies have involved themselves," M added.

That did it for Lorna. She had every intention of restoring her timeline. There was just too much chaos here to stand. And Greystone had hoped to achieve what? A better world? This was a travesty. Russia was cloaked in what every X-Man feared the most. A full-blown genetic war. Then there was Alex. What could have changed him so much?'

Iceman shushed the team as they came within listening distance of the Fantastic Four. Psi-Storm walked forward and shook Bobby's hand. "Welcome X-men. Please follow me and we'll get to work right away."

Lorna kept close to Shaman and asked, "Was I the only one who just felt a shiver?"

Shaman smiled. "Things between our two teams have not always been the most pleasant."

"I kinda got that, but sheesh! She acted like she was letting a group of circus animals into her home."

The two teams began to make their way up four flights of stairs while Iceman got Susan up to speed on Lorna's situation. Jubilee was at the back of her pack with Polaris and Shaman in front of her. She mumbled, "Guess we weren't good enough to ride the elevator."

"I could always fly us to the top," Lorna laughed.

"Your husband would go berserk," Shaman said.

Hearing that killed Lorna's humor. All it did was remind her of what she had to do. This timeline would have to be undone by her hands. The more she got to know these alternate X-Men, the harder it was going to be to do what she had to do.

Realizing what he had done, Shaman asked, "So your timeline's Havok is a good man?"

Lorna smiled at the thought of Alex and Shaman's attempt to make her comfortable. "He was one of the best. A bit temperamental, but he had a good heart."

'That's inconceivable to me. Yep, we definitely need to get you back to your time," Shaman replied.

"Won't that make us not exist though?" Jubilee asked. She liked this new Lorna a great deal because there was that down-to-earth quality their Lorna lacked. Theirs had adopted a "queen of the universe" attitude.

"No, we can still exist. Our world will simply branch off," Shaman answered. He had some knowledge of the schematics of time travel because Weapon X had delved into the field. They didn't get far before the X-Men had destroyed the operations.

"Well, that's a bit of a relief," Jubilee said. "Now maybe we can do what we need to do and get the hell out of this cramped place."

"Cramped? We're walking up four flights of stairs if you haven't noticed," Shaman said with a bit of disbelief.

"Hospitality can determine the size of a house and Susan's is making this place feel like a rat trap," Jubilee replied.

"Point taken."

Lorna laughed. "Sorry I'm forcing you all to go through this."

Shaman took Polaris' hand and squeezed it. "I would do anything for any version of Lorna Dane."

Something about that touch felt intimate and it made Lorna uncomfortable again. Knowing he only meant well, she said, "thanks. Whenever I get home I'll be sure to look up my timeline's version of you and see if he's half as nice.

Shaman grinned. "If he's possessed of any intelligence he'll recognize your radiant beauty."

Jubilee rolled her eyes and said, "I think Bobby is already fawning over the poor girl enough."

Clearing his throat, Shaman said, "My apologies."

"It's okay. I could think of worse things to do," Lorna replied. Being complimented was hardly an impeachable offense.

"Like being here for instance," Jubilee groaned.

Eventually, the X-Men and Fantastic Four reached the top of the stairs and were standing in the doorway of a gigantic conglomeration of machines meshed together to make a lab. It was the perfect homage to the late Reed Richards. As the unofficial tour guide, Susan said, "Welcome to Lab Zero."

Jubilee whistled. "Sounds expensive."

"It is," Susan replied as she stepped into the laboratory. "Be sure not to touch anything."

"Or take anything," Namor added.

"I hope you're not trying to imply something," Iceman said.

"The head of The Thieves' Guild was a member of your group of vagabonds. I hardly think I'm out of line," Namor replied. He never looked more royal.

Gomi laughed. "Children, children. Put away the claws. We're here to help Polaris. I suggest we get to work."

Shaman glared at Cyber. "Agreed. We need to put whatever past issues we have aside. Our friend is in need."

"At least someone has sense," Psi-Storm smiled. "Lets get started."

Lorna followed Susan to a metal examination table, where she was instructed to lay flat on her back. Susan laid her hands across Lorna's temples and closed her eyes. She remained that way for about a minute and looked worriedly at the nerdy Gomi. He pushed up his large circular glasses and asked, "What seems to be the problem?"

"I can't read her mind," Susan replied to the utter shock of everyone in the room. She was arguably the world's most powerful telepath. There was no way Lorna should have been able to resist her.

Psi-Storm shrugged. Her mind is completely immune to telepathy. I couldn't even begin to guess why."

"It may be Sinister," Iceman said, catching the attention of all the Fantastic Four. All the members of that team had encountered Sinister at various points and hated him as much as the X-Men.

"What does he have to do with any of this?" Namor asked harshly. At one point, he had been seduced by Mystique and she allowed herself to be impregnated, simply to provide her master with his genetic material. The thought of it still sickened him.

"A while back my wife was attached to a symbiotic life form by Sinister. We thought it had gone into submission, but-

"There's nothing in me!" Lorna exclaimed, jumping up from the table. "I'm not this timeline's Lorna."

Gomi's interest piqued. "You didn't make any mention of time travel Susan."

Susan looked back to Iceman. "I wasn't made aware time travel was even a factor in this."

Bobby gently tapped the side of his head and gave Susan all the hint she needed. Reaching into his thoughts, she saw just how much Robert was beginning to doubt his wife's sanity and his reasons for it. Sighing heavily, she said, "I see. Lorna, would you agree to a test to validate your story?"

Polaris folded her arms across her chest. "You guys are unbelievable! Hell no! I'm not doing any tests."

Before Gomi could give a proper scientific explanation, a series of wailing alarms sounded off and a glowing red energy field instantly covered every window. Susan's entire posture changed. "That's the intruder warning. Seems we have some unwanted guests."

Cyber finally spoke. "Shaman and me should check it out first. We have the experience in ambushes."

Shaman nodded because he knew that even though they didn't get along, as former Weapon X agents they made a deadly team. Dr. Cornelius' numerous drills had made sure his little mutant warriors would be the best and most efficient killers possible.

"You two go, but don't play hero. Soon as you find anything you contact us," Susan ordered as she tried to scan the tower with her telepathy.

Cyber's adamantium fingernails extended and he smiled. "Hunting time."

Belladonna looked to her four younger brothers. Lucius, the white-haired. Henri with his temper of fire. The twins, Daniel and Damien, with their burning green eyes. Today the Boudreaux clan would claim victory over the Fantastic Four by slaying Susan Richards. She smiled at all of them and said, "You know what your objective is."

Lucius smiled. "Kill Psi-Storm."

Henri nodded. "Capture her children."

"And destroy anyone who stands in our way," the twins finished.

Belladonna nodded. "Good. Let's take these mercenaries and get to work."

Author's Notes

I hope that everyone is enjoying my short lil chapters that take us through this strange and new alternate reality that Jubilee has found herself in. If you like longer chapters after the posting of the 12th one I will take a bit more time to do a big Special of sorts. So if you're hating how these smaller chapters leave you hanging rest assured that in time you will get a bigger hunk of story. But please keep reading and giving comments however small. Believe me they are greatly appreciated.

-Brent