MAB86 - And the action continues, and you'll get to see a bit more of both Rose and Logan's new abilities, though of course that raises more questions ;) . Hope you enjoy both her power mode and the resolution :)

(In one place, partly because of the T rating, but also because it amused me and it follows the long-standing practice in the comics (so it fits) I've rendered a swear word using other characters, couldn't us the 'at' sign, but otherwise I've used the same as the comics use when censoring certain swear words. You can probably guess it by context ;) . Anyway, on with the story)

Chapter 8

For a moment Logan could only stare in astonishment at the glowing angelic warrior figure of Rose floating beside him, then took a look back down at his own glowing claws and thought blankly what the &#!$* and felt Rose's voice reprovingly saying in his head language James, now focus, questions later, at which his eyebrow shot up.

A renewed roar of rage tore across the clearing, the monster, black blood running like rivets from it's mouth and foot, stumbling a little now, charged towards them, and Rose said cried mentally, I'll strike from above, you from beneath and she shot up towards and over the monster, as it reared up on it's hind legs trying to bit her, but she flipped around, her golden glowing wings facing the monster, the wings flapped pushing back against the fanged maw with a flash of golden energy as the creature shrieked, as the energy burned it. With a howl Logan charged and leapt from aware of Rose flipping back around over the monsters back, her glowing blades out just before he hit the creature's exposed chest, his own now glowing claws burying deep with a satisfying wet thud. Once more the impact flashed and the creature howled again, as Logan dropped tearing a burning path down it's massive body, drawing parallel lines of glow fire, aware of a similar flash coming from the creature's back, and then. hitting the ground, he ducked and leapt at the last moment just missing the two massive taloned paws flying towards him as the creature howling in enraged agony beginning to swing wildly at all around him, before stumbling to the ground with a bestial cry as it tried to bare down on him.

Rose came alongside him once more, shining, her energy blades crackling, as the clouds grew dark once again, and Ororo, looking more that little pissed off, flew back into view over them, her eyes crackling white lightning as the familiar *bamf* and sulphurous smell announced Kurt's return, with Kitty in tow, looking a little pale but otherwise standing.

'You alright, kid,' Logan asked.

Kitty rolled her eyes with brief annoyance at the kid remark, 'still a little sick, not going to make the mistake of trying to phase right through whatever that thing is is again,' she replied as she picked up her swords again.

The monstrosity growled at them, rising back to it's feet, black blood steaming from it's smoking wounds and dripping from it's damaged mouth and from paws, now even more broken and twisted as it glared at them as it seemed to collect itself. Letting forth another roar, it began to charge again, it's strength seemingly recovered a little, though clearly hurting, when a powerful wind hit it, blowing back against it, forming into mini tornado attempting to push the creature back, as the creature punched it's massive paws into the ground, holding itself against the tempest.

'Whatever you are, you might be able to deflect lightning,' Ororo cried, 'but lets see what you can do with what my winds can cast at you,' and the tornado picked up the loose debris lying around the clearing and channelled it to strike the creature with the full power of nature's fury. It growled in fury as rocks, branches and small uprooted trees crashed against it, hunkering down and straining as it began to pull itself against the titanic force of the wind against it, it's hide though decayed and matted seemed to protect it from the worst of the bludgeoning damage.

As the sounds of the local tornado directed at the creature roared through the clearing, Logan attempted to telepathically communicate back to Rose, Rose can you hear me?

Yes James, Rose replied.

Does your understanding of those guns your got under your hood, include knowin' how to form a psi-link?

Logan could feel her thinking for a moment and then mentally nodding to him.

Okay, Logan replied, can you form a link between the five of us, to communicate quickly over this wind?

She nodded, and so a brief expression of confusion pass over his friends eyes as they felt the touch of Rose's mind, but quickly passed as they accepted the invitation into the psi-link she formed.

Okay everyone, Logan said to them all, I've got a plan to finish that thing. Rose an' me seem to be able to do the most damage to this thing. The power Rose has now, her energy blades, and whatever is makin' my claws glow, seems to hurt and burn it. So 'Ro, you lower the intensity of your tornado around the creature, Kurt will port me rapidly around the creature, while Rose keeps us linked to co-ordinate his 'ports while I keep slicin' and dicing. While it's distract an' hurtin' from that attack, Kitty you phase through and hamstring it, and then 'Ro you can lift it and smash it against the cliff. An' if it's still strugglin' after that Rose an' I will finished if off.

Everyone mentally nodded to the plan, Kurt jumping to him as Rose brought him into synch with both Logan's senses and her own mind, and Ororo began to lower the tornado's intensity around the creature. Ready elf, it's gonna be a bumpy ride, Logan said.

That would be my line, Kurt smiled, and then with a bamf to them into the heart of the tempest, right at the flank of the creature as Logan slashed his claws slicing sideways deep through the creature flesh, accompanied by the now familiar flashing and crackling as they struck home, leaving burning marks. It howled in pain and attempted to strike them but they already vanished to flash of sulphur, in a dizzying teleport dance of flashing strikes, slashing, cutting and hacking all around the creature, on it's sides, back, legs, stomach. It bellowed forth furious and agonising roars as it tried to strike it's lethal and evasive attackers, but constrained by the winds and the rapid and co-ordinated split-second teleports and blinding strikes it hit nothing but smoke. As it began to grow weaker, it's strikes getting more sluggish, they heard Ororo through the psi-link call, now Kitty!

Kitty rushed forward, swords out, still looking a little worse for wear, but her face determined as she phased through the maelstrom and flew beneath the creature, her swords flashing in precise twin strikes, it's black blood arcing as she severed it's hamstrings, phasing straight into the rock behind it. With a confused cry the monster collapsed, loosing it's grip on the ground, and Kurt teleported himself and Logan clear. The electricity crackled intensely around Ororo eyes as the focused tornado picked up speed, it's furious winds whipping around the creature as began lift into the air as Ororo raised her hands.

As Kitty phased back out of the cliff-face further away from the focused storm, Ororo drew the monster further up into the tempest, and them with powerful cry, threw out her hands, pushing down, the titanic winds thrust downwards with incredible power, and flung the monstrosity straight into cliff-face with an almighty explosive impact of shattering stone as the massive beast crashed into the cliff, and crumpled to the ground. The sound of the impact echoed across the island, startling it's inhabitants, already looking at the stormy weather with confusion and apprehension.

There was a moment of silence, the winds dying down and the air thick with the dust of the impact, when some of the fallen rocks stirred, and with a low growl the creature started to attempt to stand up. It was body was shattered and broken, ripped , twisted and exposed in many places, broken bones sticking out in different places, looking as though only it's will and whatever unearthly power animated it was holding it together. It's snarling maw rose at it's dark eyes glared at them.

Rose take me up now, Logan called, as though they had done this before, she swept down, and as she touched him, the glow encompassed him as though he became linked to her. Rose effortlessly lifted them into the air with a thrust of her wings, and she rushed towards the creature and with a beat of her wings flung Logan towards it as she shot into the sky. With a roar Logan flew towards the creature, his claws glowing with furious energy, as he slammed home just under it's jaw, a burning flash of energy as the claws sunk deep, and monster threw it's head back trying the fling Logan off, it's steaming black blood gushing over him. It tried to strike him but collapsed on it's shattered legs, as Logan ripped a hand free and knifed furiously, deeper into the wound, smelling the burning flesh as the claws dug deeper, and fire burst from the creatures mouth. At that moment Rose, who'd flown high, arced gracefully down, and dived towards the creature, her crackling energy blades pointed before her, her glowing wings tight around her, slamming the energy blades home with a thunderous flash of energy deep into the monster's brain, as Logan, his legs wrapped around it's neck, pulled his claws back and thrust them home deep into the deep burning wound he'd open, it's fire not harming him for some reason, and his claws meet Rose's blades.

An almighty crack of energy resounded from the connection, and flash of energy exploded through the beast's eyes and mouth, the already broken snout blasting apart, the head flaming, the creature toppled forward, Rose pulling free with a powerful flap of her wings and Logan leapt back, as Rose dipped to catch him, her blades fading for a moment again, only slightly holding him as the glow surrounded him and flew him back towards the others. On the ground he looked back to what remained of the creature slump to the ground, it's shattered and broken body failing apart, it's black pouring across the ground as a rotten, putrid and burning stench filled the air.

Breathing heavily, they held their hands to their noses, and after a moment of silence Kurt remarked, 'well, I think it's dead.' everyone looked at him for a moment, then laughed tiredly.

'Why can't we just have a normal day with friends that doesn't get interrupted by sentinels, super-powered mutants, all-powerful alien entities, hidden murderous societies, cyborgs or killer monsters,' Kitty complained.

'Ah, were would be the fun in that,' Logan joked.

'I'd still like to give it a shot,' Kitty quipped, winking at him.

As they took stock, Rose settled on the ground, the glowing wings, armour and blades faded back into her, leaving her once more the in her black and golden-yellow dress, as Logan looked at his glowing claws thinking how the hell do I make this vanish?

'I think you just will it to, James,' Rose replied, smiling at him.

Frowning, Logan started at them, willing it back, and the burning glow to his claws lessened and faded back to clear adamantium claws as he felt the burning he'd felt earlier retreat back into arms and body, followed by the claws themselves as he retracted them.

Turning first to Kitty, Logan said, 'you okay, looked like that thing managed to knock the wind out of your sails for a while.'

'Yeah, I'm okay' Kitty replied, looking into concerned faces of her friends. 'But when I phased through the body of that thing, it was like something cold and dark was trying to reach into me, take hold of me, and destroy me. I could feel it's hatred and rage, like it was trying to inflect me, when I came out I felt sick and weak, but I don't think I was in there long enough for it to do any damage to me. Just a little tired but I should be fine with a little rest,' she finished with a smile, as everyone looked relieved.

Logan turned to Rose and said, 'well, looks like we know what other kinda powers your packin' darlin', though it raises new questions, not least why it seems to effect me as well, or why we both seem familiar with them.'

'I know James, though I think I some ideas… ' Rose began, when they Jean cry out to them telepathically is everyone alright?! and everyone looked up to see Jean arriving with Scott, Hank, Domino, Rachel, Cable and Black Tom in their wake.

'What the hell is that,' Rachel asked with disgust, pointing towards the shattered and foul smelling remains, leaking black blood.

'Good question,' Logan asked, frowning.