Ch. 37 End Games

Those who dream by night, in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that all was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, and make it possible.

- T. E. Lawrence

The end of an era is closing in fast, whether it shall be the mutants or humans to face extinction.

In the mist above Earth's atmosphere a burning Phoenix flies in the darkness. Hell fire wings flap effortlessly and endlessly as it searches. Searching for the promised home and family that belong to her and her alone. They are her reason for being and she is determined to find them.

But where is that home? She is trying to remember, trying to bring fourth this hidden memory that has been denied to her. A flash of fire and water pass by. A flash of a white haired black woman standing along her side.

But these memories serve her no purpose now, unless…they are her family.

Could this be?

Returning to deep inside her mind an image freezes in place. A mansion, her home.

It has to be.

But where is it?

The memory continues on and then there's a sign.

Charles Xavier's School for gifted youngsters.

Westchester New York.

Then she remembers it in full. She knows where her home is. The mighty Phoenix flaps its wings harder and descends back into Earth's atmosphere.

Descending through grey clouds the Phoenix soars. Keeping a safe distance tailing this new bird fallows an exited and curious lemur.

Almost there…so close to a home and a family.

My home and family.

Thus the Phoenix arrives at her destination stops dead. The burning bird's fires start to swirl and then shrink as human form is taken again, releasing Chaos along with her.

They descend to the mansion grounds and Phoenix cloaked in a light covering of fire is motionless.

My home…

Destroyed…

Ruins…

How?

Why?

Phoenix walks through, scorched wood, ash covered stone, broken glass. This is no home. No family awaits. Continuing on with Chaos close at her side cackling to himself she comes across three grave stones. The first has stone head imbedded with the name Charles Xavier, the bald man whom she remembers in a past vision.

The next stone is smaller and has a circled X symbol with the name

Scott Summers. This name for what ever reason resonates something with in herself but no vision will come.

Moving on to the third stone she comes across the same symbol as before but this name she is familiar with. Jean Grey. This is her grave. Then this truly was her home and family, but there gone now. Broken memories.

Who am I?

What is my true reason for being?

The flames begin dancing on her body.

Then I will find my own purpose and purge this world of those who would stand in my way.

Human and mutant alike.

The world will tremble at my becoming.

The reign of the second Phoenix will soon begin.

Chaos stops his laughter and stares at her. To him her beauty is eternal. She is a beautiful creature.

She turns to him and speaks, "Your past has resulted in your present state. I can see through you and beyond and for reasons unknown I'm going to bring you back to yourself."

She gives a quick wave of her hand and Chaos falls to the ground peacefully. He is silent for a moment and then he starts to stir. She lifts him to his feat telekinetically and he is restored.

He stares at her in disbelief, "I'm, I'm whole."

She gives a half smile at him. "Your name, do you know it?"

A pause.

"Ja, Jason. I'm Jason. Thank you."

"Your gratitude is welcomed. Now tell me Jason, do you know who I am?"

Jason looks deep with in her eyes and looks into his own mind for an answer. He knows her name is Phoenix but that is not what she is asking of him.

"I'm sorry, I don't."

"Neither do I. Its not your fault so don't feel bad."

She looks back at the grave stones.

"Why did you take me," Jason asks.

"Because you requested me to."

"Yes but why?"

"Perhaps I was feeling alone, and companionship no matter the intelligence would be welcomed."

"Brother," Jason mumbles.

Phoenix tilts her head. "Yes, your brother Erik. The one I saw in your mind. He's your twin. Both of you share the same mutation and poor childhoods. Both of you belong."

"Belong?"

"You are of this world and I am not. But perhaps it dose not matter or perhaps it dose. Either way, I am ready to live and exist once more. Your welcomed to stay with me if you so choose."

"I will," he says without hesitation.

She is glad, for now she won't be alone in this world. At least not physically.

Hovering just above head the lemur watches the once flaming bird has turned into a new creature but one it remembers from the jungle. The humans that tried to kill it. Now it is weary for there are two.

It opens a link to its mind and calls out.

Do you mean me harm?

Phoenix turns in surprise to see the small lemur hovering low to her. She responds.

No.

She breaks into its fragile mind and reads its history.

Evolution leaps forward. What is your purpose?

The lemur's current responses were limited and this question it had no answer for.

When it didn't respond Phoenix felt a slight chill of anger and the lemur picked up on this, and hovered away slightly.

Phoenix now became angry. "I am the Phoenix. Before me you tremble and rightfully so. You are a mere insect, a mere afterthought of the birth of creation."

The lemur sensed increasing danger and before the Phoenix could attack it, it abruptly vanished into thin air.

Sewers

Fallowing the holo pod Roxie tailed it until finally they stooped at a round silver platform.

Roxie still holding Ty, stepped on and the platform and instantly activated and rose up. The ceiling parted ways in a smooth octagon formation and thus Roxie found herself in a stone walled room, leading down a narrow hallway, which at the end stood a rather fat looking guard.

"Well I'll be damned," said the guard. "It actually found one of you son's of bitches, well who knew."

Roxie held on tight to Ty. "I'm looking for Dr. Drollwrech," said Roxie in a stern voice.

"Then fallow me," said the guard and she did.

She fallowed him to a small silver door which he then opened and motioned her in. She did so, cautiously and once she entered there sat Dr. Drollwrech at a small silver table.

His eyes lit up upon seeing her, "Ah, it found one of you. Good, good. Please sit down," and he pushed the chair opposite from him out.

Roxie was still on edge, more so when the guard left and closed the door.

Could be a trap, she thought. Pulling the chair farther away from the table, Roxie instead place Ty, in it positioning him so he would stay up.

Drollwrech gave Ty, a quick glance before returning his gaze to Roxie.

"Well, my young mutant, you must be very curious to hear what I have to tell you, as I am very eager to here what you have to tell me."

His smile…it's evil.

Roxie stepped forward. "Your message said you have information on how to end this war, that's why I am here. But first, how do you know me and why were you looking for me?"

Drollwrech folded his hands and lessened his smile. "No doubt you're the team leader. Well my young mutant you might actually be pleased to here that I read about you in the news paper a few days ago."

In the paper? When could…Of course, the city, against Chaos, Sinister and Jadalien. Interesting.

"You saw a picture of us and what? Just decided you wanted to meet us?"

"No actually, I wanted to know who it was the four of you were fighting."

"What? Why?"

"Because your opponent would be a tremendous help to my research and I would very much like to meet who ever it was."

He's nuts.

"Who the hell are you anyway?"

Drollwrech's smile returned. "Well, I was a top scientist at ATC, I was on the brink of developing a technological break through when I was arrested and tried for the murder of my co-workers. I assure you I did not murder them, at least not directly. Anyway, I was convicted and sentenced to this prison for life. But I have information that is useful to you, if you will provide me with information on who that mutant was you were fighting."

What could he possibly have to offer? He's been in prison for the better part of his life and he's a murderer.

"You first then," she said.

"But if I tell you my information, what's to stop you from running off with out giving me what I need to know?"

"I don't have time for this bull."

"I do. I have oodles."

"Fine, the mutant we were fighting was called Chaos. He can create and manipulate electric fields. Now it's your turn."

Drollwrech thought about what she had shared with him. "Chaos…did he die?"

"No. Now tell me how to end this war."

"Very well. With the passing of our two Kings, I suspect the true puppeteer came out of the shadows, am I correct?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now he or she is the key in all this. With the world falling as it is this mutant will seek greater power for greater control. They will then use this control to stable the planet. Now what is your mutation?"

"I'm a telepath."

"Ah, and quite lucky to have such a gift. What's the extent of your power?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, how many minds can you manipulate at once."

So that's his solution!

"You mean your great solution is manipulating the world's minds permanently. To take away there free will."

"Is that so wrong? Look how far it's taken them. If you can acquire the power to do that then why would you dare waste it on anything else?"

Because it's wrong, and would defeat our struggle in this war. We want toleration, not domination."

"Domination is inevitable, my young mutant. Evolution favors you over us."

"This has been a waste of my time, Dr. Drollwrech and now I must be leaving."

"You wouldn't even consider what I said? Even if it meant saving countless lives?"

Roxie picked up Ty, and turned to the door. His last words caused in her a slight hesitation.

"Good by Dr. Drollwrech."

"Ta, ta my young mutant."

The guard opened the door and Roxie left, traveling back out through the tunnel and on to Haven.

Burt entered after Roxie, holding a pair of electro cuffs. "Ok, Doc, I gave you what you wanted; now it's your turn. What was project X?"

Drollwrech stood up and placed his hands out stretched together, "Very well Burt, it's time I confess…" He walked over and just before Burt hooked on the cuffs, Drollwrech withdrew a makeshift knife which he then thrust into Burt's gut and just before he fell, Drollwrech caught him. "How much I really did hate your guts."

The guard passed away and Drollwrech strolled out of the interrogation room, whistling a slight tune to himself."

New York

Jadalien moves with a predators swiftness. His white screaming eyes never let his enemies out of sight. The metal mutant comes at him again with his organic spears while the fire manipulator shells out her multiple fire bombs while the living plant releases poison spurs.

Jadalien jumps into the air and lands on a moving sky car which he carelessly tosses out its driver to certain death.

Then turning the skyward vehicle around he speeds to the three mutants opposing him. His attack is fast, unexpected and merciless.

Watching the speeding Jadlien and the stolen vehicle racing down upon them Luke uses his magnetic influence to divert the vehicles path into a fire storm which Di Volo has created. Realizing his mistake to late, Jadalien flies head on into the flames and suffers at the explosion of the car.

Howling in pain his burning body drops to the ground. His anger deepens when liquid metal begins to wrap around his body.

"Ahh!! Away from me mutant," and Luke further liquefies his body around the creature and constricts.

"Di Volo now!!!"

The dragoness mutant aims her burning flames at the metal bonded creature and unleashes. Jadalien is struck with her full burning intensity and he begins to wither away.

The Sinister face cries out, "Do something you fool!"

But try as he might Jadalien is power less…against Luke, but not the dragon.

Forming a psychic attack he launches it at his attacker…she falls and struggles to free his grip. Controlling her body, Jadalien pits her against Orchid.

Pleased with his assault Jadalien drops his caring for the metal mutant even as he starts to movie his liquefied body to Jadaliens mouth and enters. Luke begins filling himself inside, forcing the creature to swallow him entirely. Jadalien starts gagging and then his body begins to expand. The mental hold on DI Volo is released as he can no longer concentrate. His body starts to split and tear. His regeneration is failing him fast. Jadalien it would appear is coming to an end…but then just before his would be demise, his remaining body changes in hue.

To silver.

Now pulling himself together he is absorbing Luke entirely. A furry of metal takes place, with some sputtering out and more being taken in. Orchid and D stand by idle know at a loss for what to do.

And all the while war is carrying out all around them.

Mutants have resurfaced in the wake of the sentinels' demise and hating humans are fighting back. The dark sky is filed with laser fire, sky cars with passengers shooting at each other, EMP's going off, and the collapse of various sky scrapers.

A final piece of metal escapes Jadalien and lands near Orchid and D and from it Luke is reformed.

"What just happened?" says Orchid tensing up.

"He some how was able to convert his form to my own."

Jadalien was still struggling to compose his new liquid metal body and he was getting close. From his goop came two make shift arms, a silent screaming head and then crooked legs.

"Listen," says Luke, "We can't stop him. As soon as he is finished with his new body he will be to strong for us all. We need to retreat."

Orchid however was fixed in her place. "We can't leave, if we do this will go on and on."

"I agree with Luke," said D, "That creature is invincible to us now."

Jadalien finished his transformation into the new metallic form with the face of Sinister still positioned across his chest.

"Ha, ha, ha. Fools, you're all going to die." Three metal bumps from across his right arm and travel to his fingers creating three fat stubs. "I'm going to acquire each of you completely into my being." He aims a finger at Di Volo and shoots of the first metallic ball. It's small at first and then it grows and upon impact begins wrapping itself around Di Volo's body pulling at her skin and brining her to her knees. "We'll be one big happy family."

The second ball was aimed at Orchid.

Haven

Having come away with nothing from the odd doctor Roxie returned with the still unconscious Ty to Haven. Taking him directly to Ava's clinic he was treated immediately.

"He has two cracked ribs and a bad gash on his left side but he'll be fine," assured Ava.

"Thank you very much," said Roxie, glad to know he would be ok.

"Also, having looked at his back I think he should be started on an antibiotic. Those wounds aren't healing well and I don't want them becoming infected."

"Sure," said Roxie grimacing slightly when Ava had to roll him on the table.

It was this cruelty, his mangled flesh that made Roxie start considering the Doctor's proposal.

But even if I wanted to, there's no way I can generate that much power. Even if I lost control.

"Thank you Ava, I appreciate what you're doing, but if you will excuse me I have a fight which I need to be getting back to."

"Of course Roxie," and Ava focused her attention back on Ty.

Coming out of the clinic Roxie was stopped by Marrow. "And what fight is that Pheolvrom leader?"

Roxie didn't have time for a confrontation. "Your two teams are dead," she said bluntly. "A creature created by Sinister that calls itself Jadalien murdered them and now I'm off to prevent the same fate from befalling my team."

"I thought I said no missions with out first having discussed them with me."

"I don't have time for this Marrow," and Roxie went to walk past her when Marrow stepped over and blocked her.

"Oh, I beg to differ," said Marrow coldly.

Roxie went to pass again and Marrow struck her across the head with a boned fist.

"I won't tell you again, Pheolvrom leader. Nothing is getting past me with out my approval."

Anger flashed in Roxie's eyes.

Very well then you crazy bitch!

"Approve this," and Roxie slammed Marrow with a full unrestrained telekinetic blast sending her flying into a small hut.

Roxie didn't waste time in confirming the Morlock's condition and instead departed back into the tunnels to help her teammates.

New York

Jadlien had both Orchid and Di Volo confined to the street in an inescapable metal trap. Luke was currently resisting the same fate but Jadalien was using his own magnetic powers to bend his will and after a long struggle Luke was taken down in the same trap.

"Awe look at this," said Jadalien menacingly. "The Pheolvrom team brought down to there knees and soon to be killed."

"Yes," agreed the Sinister face, "Soon they will be no more but we shall wait."

"Wait for what," asked Orchid still struggling to regain control.

"For your precious leader," said the heads in unison. "We very much want her to see the destruction of her father's entire legacy."

And no sooner had those words been spoken when Roxie burst of from the sewers below.

She looked in horror at her fallen teammates and then at the new and improved Jadalien.

"What have you done," asked a power rising Roxie.

"What have we done," corrected Jadalien and Sinister, "and what we have done is cause your teammates to fall and await their deaths. But we wanted you to witness it."

And as if walls were suddenly closing in around her Roxie was starting to feel helpless. The metal incasing her friends was to much for her alone to remove, Jadalien who had now absorbed Luke's abilities would be completely resistant to mind attacks, and any possible physical damage and atop of all that he had her own powers with in himself.

There has to be a way, come on think.

"On second thought," said Sinister, "You might as well go ahead and kill her now. She already knows there's nothing she can do to stop us and we have no need to absorb her."

"I agree," said Jadalien and he stepped forward. "Time to die."

It will be a cold day in hell before I go down with out a fight.

Roxie began gathering her power, brining it to a maximum in her current state.

"I will not submit." And as her body began to glow Roxie unlashed a telekinetic wave which she drove directly at Jadalien.

In response, the beast did the same in unleashing his own energy attack and with in seconds the two oncoming attacks met sending a horizontal shock wave out which brought down three sky scrapers.

Jadalien was converting his energy into a red heat. Super charging the atoms around himself and sending them at his opponent.

Roxie was struggling with her own attack in keeping it against the monster but she suddenly realized that her attack was sending his back.

Yes! I'm doing it!

And the three were locked in a final confrontation, winner take all.

Haven

Haven is exactly what its name means, sanctuary. Sanctuary from the fighting world above. A city of possible hope. Hope that may one day bring a peace in this ever conflicted world.

But darkness is approaching, one that wishes to crush out this lone candle forever.

Ava, had finished her work on Ty and Brought back to consciousness.

"Thank you Ava," said Ty in a strained voice.

His ribs were aching.

"You're quite welcome," she said tenderly placing a hand on his shoulders. And then she met his gaze. "But you are in no condition to fight, so until you are fully healed you can't go out on theses missions."

Ty didn't argue. He knew that in his current state he would only hold the team back and would be of no use. He hoped that they were faring well against that creature.

"I understand Ava, and thanks again." Walking out of the clinic, Ty kept his breathing shallow to avoid too much discomfort. Upon coming out though he was surprised to see Marrow gathering her Morlock troops.

Wonder what she's up to.

The truth was that Marrow had finally gone over the edge. Having convinced her followers that the Pheolvrom team was a threat that needed to be dealt with.

Ty paid little attention as he headed off to his room when a slight wind made the air turn cold.

At Haven's city center two figures arrived. One was a previous resident of Haven.

The other was about to become its greatest threat.

Apocalypse and Billi stood side by side. He wore a big smile across his face while she held her head low.

One of Marrow's soldiers noticed the two and pointed them out to her.

She turned and instantly from the various reports she knew and her burning blood frosted over.

Apocalypse…

His glowing buffed body Apocalypse strolled forward observing the city with slight amusement.

"Gee, pretty shity. I guess if you spend your money unwisely over a multitude of years you wind up in a place like this."

One of Marrows soldiers somersaulted across Haven and punched Apocalypse square in the face. The giant gave an amused laugh and then blasted the morlock out existence.

This caught Ty's attention and that of everyone else in Haven.

Apocalypse continued his stroll, Billi didn't move.

"Who's in charge hear?" asked the giant.

Marrow was speechless for a moment and said nothing. Then in a weak, almost terrified voice she said, "I…I am."

Apocalypse was delighted.

"You know your little Pheolvrom team has caused me a significant amount of trouble in the past few days. And because you and all of you," he waved, "support them it's time to pay the piper."

He made a whistling noise and then raising his mega ton arms he attacked with out warning sending hundreds of black electric volts at Marrow who paralyzed by fear didn't move.

Haven's leader was killed instantly.

"Oh, the things that I have missed," continued Apocalypse as he now attacked the entire city and its citizens with more dark bolts. "The black plague," and he laid waste to hundreds of screaming mutants and humans sparring none. "The Spanish inquisition," and his bolts started exploding all structures of every type. Water pipes burst, fires tore loose and more died. "The Brady Bunch reunion," and cackling to himself Apocalypse continued his assault across Haven.

The black bolts seamed to have minds of there own. They lashed out, and sought there victims and with out warning lached on and drained them of all life, leaving behind withered corpses. The bolts then surged into electrical ports and generators from all over Haven exploded killing thousands more and the assault continued.

Billi wiped away tears of shame from her eyes.

Screams came from all through out the city and were then suddenly silenced. Apocalypse turned around and then spotted Ty.

"You," pointed the dark mutant, "Your dead." And firing his destructive dark bolts Ty was about to perish when leaping in mid air Ava jumped in front of Ty and took Apocalypse's blast full on. Her body crumpled to the ground and then with out hesitation Apocalypse attacked Ty with the same furious assault. Ty drooped to the ground besides Ava, falling into blackness.

The last sound he heard was the horrific laughter of Apocalypse along with more silenced screams.

New York

Back in the war torn city above Roxie was in the struggle of her life. Jadalien's attack was pushing hers away, her power was weakling.

He's to strong…But I must stop him!

It was a battle of telekinetic energies, and atomic fusion which currently was taking the advantage.

She looked over to her no longer struggling teammates.

No…I'm slipping.

The silver Jadalien was closing in. "NO CHANCE!! YOU HAVE NO CHANCE!!!"

Her arms are starting to weaken. The heat is falling upon her skin.

Jadalien spreads his hands and thunder claps, Roxie is blown onto her back. The Monster readies his final attack, her final fate.

The red blast comes flying at her. There is no escape. And as if time suddenly slows she hears her own rapid breathing. Her heart beat thunders in her ears and she looks upon her fallen friends.

I'm sorry. I've failed you all.

The blast is closing in. She now ponders upon the future, a future she will not live to see. A world where the evil of men will consume the planet.

Here it comes. My last good bye.

A flash of light.

For a moment she is blind.

Am I dead?

Then as if waking from a long dream she sees him. Right there in front of her eyes.

Can it be?

He is fighting the beast with his own immense power…he's keeping the monsters attack at bay for the moment.

"Erik?"

He looks over his shoulder. "I knew you would make it. Just like your going to now." His voice, though soft carries over the crackling sounds of lightning and plasma. His voice is soft, but comforting.

She looks up at him, searching for help. "Erik…I can't do it. He's to strong."

"Yes you can. What do you think he would say right now if he was watching you?"

"Who?"

"Logan."

He's right.

"Roxie, you have the power with in yourself, all you need to do is release it. Don't fear it, but embrace it."

"You, don't understand Erik. Every time I give in to it, I risk loosing myself, what if it happens and I don't emerge out of it this time."

"Then consider the possibility if you don't. I can only hold him for so much longer; with out Jason I'm only half of what I was. I believe in you."

And then she felt the strength pouring into her arms again. She picked her self up and stood next to him.

"I'm ready."

And she looked with in herself and there it was, the power, all the power she would ever need.

She raised her hands and joined in, fighting alongside him. Just like old times. Before he left. Left her.

And as they combined their efforts she spoke to him in mixed tones, before she was lost.

"Stay with me?"

His head lowered.

"I can't."

Her power falters.

"Why?"

Jadalien pushes his assault.

"Because…I am no good. Love you I will always but I can not commit myself to a cause which my very soul is fighting against. My mind is darker then you might think. I won't risk hurting you or them. I can't"

Her power weakens.

"Erik…"

"Roxie you're slipping. Fight!"

The power is coming over her, its angry. It feels betrayed.

Then leave us! Cries the power.

Roxie's eyes change, fire and ash. Her power jumps and then she let's loose upon Jadalien. She can do it now, she has the power.

Erik steps into the shadows.

Roxie is winning; her power is closing in on that beast…That monster.

Jadalien sees it, his end is coming. But alas he has a final bout of his own.

"Pheolvrom leader!! Do you think you've won?" He laughs maniacally. "I share the same power as you do. I can reach into that well just as you can."

And the beast dose. Jadalien powers his attack and now he and Roxie are equal.

The roads begin to crack under the pressure of the two titans. A hurricane wind emerges from the center of the assault, sending all loose objects through the air.

Roxie diverts a portion of her power to her allies and there metal casing is up lifted and obliterated.

They quickly join in at her side and assist. Luke is using a magnetic force to falter Jadalien's position. Di Volo joins in her fire blast. Orchid releases her own solar harvested energy and the team is acting as one.

But even with all there combined efforts. The beast still holds, there so close…but he's regaining his power and pushing forward.

No.

Then from her side again a voice speaks. "Release it Rox, release everything. Remember the people' they've hurt the pain they've caused. Now make that your power!"

Erik? She looks over and just for a moment she swears she saw a glimpse of adimantium claws, but perhaps it's nothing more then a passing memory.

Ok dad.

"Say good bye!" screams Jadalien from across the battle field.

Then an arcing electric ball descends from the sky and hits the monster in the back. Jadalien turns to see this new attacker and up in the sky, "Immortal!"

With Jadalien's attention divided in that split second, Roxie let loose it all. Her entire body became a beacon of light and she walked forward to the monster, one hand raised.

Realizing their mistake and looking now upon their own deaths, Jadalien and Sinister stare wide eyed and in horror.

The girl is coming for them. It is now that there life flashes before there eyes and it is one that will fade away in time uncared.

Their body starts to break apart as Roxie's increased power dissolves them and then Jadalien's body bends sickly. The metal body expands and then starts to implode…Legs dissolve…arms become faded stumps and then the body is gone. Erased from existence for ever.

Roxie strained with excess power collapses. The team surrounds her tend to her immediately while the city has ceased in there fight to watch what has unfolded before there eyes.

And just before she slips to unconsciousness a voice echos in her mind.

"I will be with you…always."

Erik? And then she fades.