X-Men Termination: Part XXV
I wake up to the sounds of screaming. What now? I leave my room and a red demon tries to jump on me. I blast it and then head off to look for the others. Demons! Where the hell did demons come from? Ok, dumb question. I know where they came from, but what are they doing here? I'll worry about that later. I have to see if everyone is alright.
"Get off me you little bastards". That was Catherine.
I run in the direction of her voice, and a disembowelled demon flies through the doorway. Two more come running out of the room, and she slices them both to ribbons. Another demon soars out of Cameron's room, followed by Cameron. A demon leaps onto her back and she snaps its neck. We are fighting demons hand to hand.
"You ok, Cameron".
"I am fine".
"Where's Wade?"
"WOOHOO!"
Wade leaps out of his room with a machinegun in each hand. The demons follow him and he shoots them down. More demons come out of the other rooms and we fight them off. I fire energy blasts, Catherine cuts their heads off, Wade shoots them and Cameron snaps their necks. I haven't seen the others. Please, God, let them be alright.
"I CAST YOU OUT!" John Henry crashes through a wall, holding a demon by the throat. It tries to bite him, and he bashes its head in.
"Ok, so you're willing to kill a demon. That is good to know".
"They took Savannah".
"John, Sarah, and Derrick have also disappeared".
"I know where they are. They've been taken to the land of fire and brimstone".
"We must save them". John Henry looks like he is going to have a panic attack.
"We will save them, John Henry. I promise you. First, I need to get a few things".
"We have no time to lose. We must save them from the torments of hell".
"Will you calm down? If we go in there, guns blazing, we will lose. If we're going to save them, we need a few things. First, I need to go to New York and borrow a very important device. Then, I need to see a special man in New Orleans".
"Why is he so special?"
"He can stand up to the red man himself and survive the encounter". That bit of information seems to calm down John Henry. I have to hurry. God only knows what is happening to them in Mephisto's realm.
Well, I got what I had to get. Everyone seems ready. You ok in here, Doc? Of course I am, my friend. Just relax and allow me to control your body. If you say so, Doc. It's hard to believe that I am now sharing a body with Doctor Strange himself. I'm opening the portal to Mephisto's realm. Remain calm, my young friend, and we shall free your companions. Remember, you cannot defeat Mephisto in battle. You must outsmart him. I will Doc, I will.
Doctor Strange does exactly what he said he would; he opened a portal and we crossed into Mephisto's realm. God, it is so freaking hot in here. A pack of demons charge at us, and I say some magic words that I can't even pronounce to destroy them. Well, Doctor Strange said the magic words and used me as a conduit. Magic symbols float around me as demons are magically blasted in every direction. Am I floating? Levitating, my young friend. Doctor, please do not correct my interior monologue. My apologies please continue. This is going to be a long day.
A flock or swarm or whatever of flying demons swoops in to attack us. I (we?) say some magic words and they spontaneously combust in midair. I am starting to feel like a puppet here. Doc, do you think you could summon my board here? I'm sure that the form of the Silver Surfer should be more than enough to handle these losers. In Mephisto's realm, the Power Cosmic is not nearly as effective as the former Master of the Mystic Arts. If you say so, Doc, but I am really feeling useless here.
A giant demon charges at us with a sword. A few more magic words and it transforms into a box. I could have done that with a hex-bolt! My apologies, I will let you take the next one. Thanks Doc, it will make me feel a little less useless. Demon leapers surround us and the Doc summons a wall of fire to burn them all. I really need to learn magic. Two more giant demons come at us and I take them down with hex-bolts before the Doc lights them up with another spell.
"Where did you learn to do that?"
"Um, I didn't. Look, it's complicated. I'll explain everything after we take down the big guy".
"You mean that big guy?" Another giant demon. Where are these guys coming from?
"No, I mean the guy that is even taller than him. Excuse me. WINDS OF DESTINY CHANGE!"
I zap it with a hex-bolt and it transforms into a crate. Please, let me finish it off this time. He's all yours. Thank you, Doctor. A burst of laser vision turns the crate into kindling. Two more demon leapers jump off of a cliff and try to land on us, but I blast them both and Doctor Strange disintegrates them with another spell. When this is over, he has to teach me how to do that.
"HOLD! I smell Sarah. Follow me".
I follow the scent, just as I did the last time she was kidnapped. After disintegrating small hoards of demons, I find the others. They are all chained to rocks, forming a semi-circle around Mephisto. I see that Balckheart isn't here. They must have had another one of their "son tries to kill father" things. Take five, Doctor. I've got this one.
"You look different, Doctor. A lot shorter than I remember. Are you afraid to face me yourself?"
"Give me my companions and I won't crush you".
"I was not talking to you, little man".
"Well, I was talking to you, delusional evil man".
"YOU? Ha! You are not worthy of speaking with Mephisto".
"Why are you referring to yourself in the third person? Are you a queen?"
"Mind your mouth, mutant".
"I seem to remember Jean Grey kicking your big red ass during the Doctor Doom fiasco".
"You are not Jean Grey". He has a point. Jean Grey's one of the most powerful mutants to ever walk the Earth. However, Jean Grey didn't have Reed Richard's in her corner.
"Do you carry such a big sword because you have such a small...."
"HOW DARE YOU!"
That is one seriously pissed off devil. As he runs towards me, sword drawn, I reach behind me and pull out Reed's Ultimate Nullifier. Just wait until he is closer and.....ZAP! I got him. Bye-Bye Mephisto. The devil himself falls before me and collapses on the ground
"No! NO! RAAAA!"
"YES! The bigger they are the more stupid they look when I beat them". John Henry is staring at me. He looks like he is in shock. "You alright?"
"You felled the devil".
"Yes, I did. Come on, let's get everyone". I run over to the stones and cut their chains with Adamantium claws. "How you feeling, Sarah?"
"Let's just say that flannel pyjamas are too hot for hell. By any chance, did you bring some socks?"
"Sorry. Have you taken any fire-walking classes? Seriously, the ground is a lot cooler than you'd think. Just don't wander off the path or you'll melt".
"Stay on the path or I melt, got it".
"Boxers, Derrick? Really?"
"I didn't plan on being chained to a rock for everyone to see".
"I'm sure you didn't. John, do you always wear jeans to bed?"
"You never know when we will be attacked".
"True. The boy goes to bed dressed for battle and the robot walks around in her underwear. Just something to think about. Savannah, honey are you ok?"
"I'm scared".
"Don't be. We're going to take you home. Doctor Strange? Exit, please". Strange's astral form exits my body and creates a portal. "Oh, I'll need another one to get to New York. I have to return the Ultimate Nullifier".
"Um, Joshua?"
"Magic is the one thing that I can't imitate. So, I went to New Orleans and asked for a little help from the Sorcerer Supreme".
"Former Sorcerer Supreme".
"Doctor, you will always be THE sorcerer in my book. Thank you for everything".
"Strange. You and I will have words later". Mephisto knows how to ruin a moment.
"Shut up". I blast him again with the Ultimate Nullifier.
"RAAAA!"
"Finish him" demands John Henry. I turn to the Doctor, and he shakes his head.
"Sorry, John Henry. If Doctor Strange says no, then it's no".
"What does the great Doctor Strange have to say about your headquarters, mutant?" What is he talking about? I should zap that annoying devil again. Strange phases through the portal and then returns.
"I am afraid he is right. Your headquarters has been destroyed".
"What? How? By who?"
"Isn't it obvious, you foolish mutant. SkyNet asked for my help in luring you away from your headquarters. Retaliation for destroying its facilities".
"Why would you want to help SkyNet?"
"Have we met, I am Mephisto! SkyNet wishes to destroy your world. Of course I would help". That's it. I zap him one last time. "RAAAA!"
"Shut up! Ok. Everyone through the New York portal. We'll figure out what to do later. Mephisto, you stay down or so help me, I will kill you. Let's go. Strange, thanks again".
"You are quite welcome, my friend".
A lookie loo. It was a lookie loo and we fell for it. SkyNet will pay for this. No one makes me look like a fool and gets away with it.