Tenchi the New Mutant

by claudius

Sequel to "The Prince and the Sorceress." Tenchi Masaki visits the School for Gifted Youngsters, spending a week with its students, the New Mutants. However, considering the residents and a 'magnetic' Headmaster, it's not going to be a quiet week! Multi-p

5. Adventures in Murderworld

Tenchi the New Mutant

Chapter 5: Adventures in Murderworld

By claudius

     I don't own anything. Characters of 'Tenchi Muyo!' are owned by AIC (created by Masaki Kajishima and Yosuke Kuroda). Characters of 'New Mutants', 'X-Men', and 'Fantastic Four' owned by Marvel Comics. All canonical X-Men/New Mutants stories in this story were written by Chris Claremont, with artistry and advice from Frank Miller, Len Wein, Paul Smith, John Romita Jr., John Byrne, Dave Cockrum, Bob McLeod, Bill Sienkiewicz, Jackson Guise, Alan Davis, Art Adams, and Steve Leialoha. Magneto, Crystal, and the Fantastic Four were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Betsy/Psylocke was created by Alan Moore and Alan Davis. Luna by John Byrne. Captain America by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Sub-Mariner by Bill Everett.

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    I've come to the point of my story where it might be confusing for those unfamiliar of New Mutants lore (and my own) to understand the constant dual naming. Here is a list of the New Mutants with their code-names:

Dani Moonstar (Mirage)                       Amara Aquilla (Magma)

Sam Guthrie (Cannonball)                     Illyana Rasputin (Magik)

Xian/Shan Coy Manh (Karma) Doug Ramsey (Cypher)

Roberto DaCosta (Sunspot)                 Tenchi Masaki (Light-Ken)

Rahne Sinclair (Wolfsbane)                  

Also Betsy Braddock (Psylocke)

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    Tenchi finished his bowtie. Although he knew how to dress himself up, the suit was not his own. This was due to Tenchi's original non-expectation to wear anything formal during this visit. Dad's offer was a surprise. He had to borrow the blazer and pants from Roberto (Sam's was too large for him). The boy was obliged to accept this use of his clothes.

     His shirt finished, Tenchi donned on his blue blazer. The mirror's reflection showed him a handsome lad, but the boy didn't see that. He had little at the moment to enforce a positive vision, having wronged his friends Doug and Warlock based on reasons of selfishness. Those two had helped save his father's visit, an importance that now lost its respective reason. Did it really make that much a difference that his father shouldn't know about the New Mutants? Tenchi didn't think so anymore. After the show, he would him tell their secret, with Doug and Warlock at his side.

     The door knocked, and was reacted. Tenchi opened it up to see Doug. He too was dressed rather nicely. "You look marvelous!" was the latter's comment in some impersonated accent.

     "You look better," smiled Tenchi at his friend's good-natured remark. "I'm grateful that Roberto let me borrow one of his suits."

     "Well the guy has a heart…" Doug slowly complimented, than added, "Some of the time."    

     "Yeah," Tenchi nodded in that agreement.

     Walking into the hall brought Warlock into their midst. His/its achievement to appear convincingly human still gave astonishment…despite several uneven moments brought by the alien elongating his head.

     "Ready when you are, 'Locke?" Tenchi smiled.

     "AFFIRMATIVE- self- IS. Compliant- UNDERGOING- destination- IN- disguise- WELL- efficient- AT- present!" assured Warlock. "Query:- VARIETY- of- OTHER- choices?"

     In reaction, Warlock transformed his/its human likenesses. First it was Michael Jackson. Then it was Roberto. Then it was John Travolta. Things became more tongue-in-cheek with the incarnation of a vampire.

     "Frankly," Tenchi admitted with good conscious, "I think being Warlock is your best choice."

     Nevertheless, Warlock ignored that colorful choice and resumed to his/its original choice. It was a disguise very fitting of today: Pam. The joke was recognized by both his/its selffriends.

    "PAM- template- SUFFICIENT- for- NOW. Male- TEMPLATE- used- EXHAUSTIVELY- in- PREVIOUS- engagements."

    Tenchi saw both his friends in his view. "You guys don't know how much your decision means to me."

     "That's old news," Doug treated the subject with trivialness.

     Warlock agreed. "REPITITION- toward- SUBJECT- premeditates- REPITITION- of- PAST.- Conclusion: NO- repetition- IN- sight.- EMOTIONAL- matrix- RELATIVELY- unaffected."

     Doug then casually dug out from his pocket a pair of sunglasses. These spectacles looked rather detailed in content and style, unlike the cheap plastic that was commonplace. Arranging them to his grinning face showed their value to him. "Now, what's say we go down and wait for Betsy?"

     Tenchi knew how non-trivial that last sentence was. "So you really like Betsy?"

     Doug's face froze like a mask. His eyes were covered in shades, but that didn't stop the red pigments shaded upon his cheeks. "I don't know what you're talking about," he answered in words that didn't match any conviction. "Betsy and I are friends."

     Warlock gave his/its view. "Dougfriend-"

     At that the Techno-organism face bloomed and scattered as if something hurt him/it. With a sweat-drop, Tenchi knew who might be the cause.

     "Wanna go downstairs?" Doug advised shamelessly.

     Sighing, Tenchi was about to make the first steps when he paused. His face captured realization. "I just forgot something." The boy broke from his company, rushing back into the bedroom. He came back with the Tenchi-Ken.

     Doug took notice, "You're gonna take that with you?"

     "Well, I have to be prepared," responded Tenchi, tucking the sword hilt in the back of his belt.

     "So Dani talked to you?" Doug casually predicted through analysis.

     "Yes," Tenchi bore no denial. "She gave me a lecture about always being prepared."

     "She said the same to me," Doug responded. "Although we don't look for trouble, trouble looks for us," he repeated with a dash of mocking. "Dani's such a boy scout."

     "She just wants to make sure we're all right." defended Tenchi.

     "An' I suppose you have your uniform underneath your suit, eh?" accused Doug.

     Tenchi started to blush, his hand at his scalp, with the vocal accompaniment of a   "Well…"

     Doug smugly postured himself at the accuracy of his predictions. "Oh don't feel too bad," he assured. He then unfastened a button of his shirt, exposing his own guilt. "This is such a cool outfit. You could wear it in a blizzard and not get the sniffles."

     "I never got to notice," Tenchi related about his disuse of the uniform until now. He felt a little cramped with all these layers (especially the boots which were slender enough to be flatly hidden), but as a member he had to follow the rules.

     As the three slowly walked down the stairs, they heard some shouts from below. It was Roberto's voice. The lad broke out of the doors, stomping up the stairs into the gang's direction. "Out of my way!" he shouted with a face of red anger.

     Tenchi tried to thank Bobby for his suit, but the latter ignored it as he grimaced up the stairs.

     "What's the matter with him?" Tenchi questioned.

     "Don't know. Don't want to know. Don't want to ask him," was Doug's answer.

     Sam appeared at the bottom. Not getting any help from his friends on the stairs, Tenchi asked this friend in the hall.

     "Bobby's just heard 'bout Magneto being called t' the Hellfire Club." Sam noted.

     This time, Doug played scribe for Tenchi. "That's one of those evil organizations the X-Men fight," he explained. "We used to enroll in the school run by one of them." He then turned to Sam. "Did this talk head to our okaying Miss Frost?"

     Sam nodded. "He still thinks it wrong o' us t' enroll there, like we were maybe brainwashed. What he still don't realize is that we needed help that Magneto felt he couldn't give."

     Tenchi noted the vague mentioning of the words 'needed help' arrayed with the mention of that school. Once again, things were being referred to some moment, some incident that caused a dismaying memory to the New Mutants. Taking on his regular decision to not butt in on that business, Tenchi just asked why Roberto had such a problem with the Hellfire Club. Sam explained that it had a lot to do with the team's origins. When the Professor first got the New Mutants together, the Hellfire Club was interested in getting them too. When Roberto first got into the picture, the Club kidnapped them and killed his girlfriend Juliana.

     "T' Bobby, things like that aren't too easy t' forgive," spoke Sam. "Can't say ah blame him. An' t' make it worse, his own father has joined the Club. They haven't been close 'n a while since then."

     "And this Club still exists despite these crimes?" Tenchi asked with concern.

    "They have powerful friends in the country," sighed Doug. "The law can't touch 'em. The best we can do is watch ourselves and defeat 'em."

    "They're not all bad," Sam defended.

    With casual hearing, a voice from the upstairs ended the argument. "Here I am."

     Casual reaction caused all to look. They saw Betsy, and she stirred thoughts that were not casual, especially in Doug's point-of-view.

     The Betsy Braddock who walked down the steps was not the Betsy Braddock they normally saw. Not the well-to-do beauty dressed normally in sweaters or jackets. This Betsy Braddock wore a long gown. No cloth, save for a scarf, covered the shoulders and chest. Only a neck ribbon showed any fabric evidence in the space between her head and her cleavage (meaning the exposition of everything in this middle). Make-up added to the silken doll-like features of her face, which was ever more exposed by her hair, not combed on top, but flowing freely down to her shoulders.

     Tenchi blushed. Warlock was intrigued by the look. Doug took off his shades. It was his last act of free will. Hearing, freedom of mind, and ability to react were all sapped by the power of this gorgeous person descending like Princess Diana. Soon, his jaw would lose its strength, in a matter of time sinking down to a gape.

    Sam was also slightly addled by the lady's look, but memories of Lila broke free his concentration. Immune, he saw those in front look at Betsy like a bunch of admirers. He noticed how still they were. He walked up one step, which brought Tenchi and Warlock to his attention. Doug, however, was the real one under the spell.

     "Y' look fine, Betsy," Sam sincerely attached those favorable words. "Don't ya think so, Doug?"

     Doug remained silent. Warlock's human face broke apart with elongating telescopes over his/its friend's non-emotional state. Tenchi snapped his fingers at his friend's face. This, as well as Sam's constant repetition of the boy's name made an effect.

     "What? Huh?" Doug broke from his trance. This made some laughter.

     "Look'd as still as a statue," Sam joked. "As if Shan possessed ya."     

     "No I wasn't." Doug denied. This was counterattacked by a simultaneous choir made up by Betsy, Tenchi, and Sam, saying, "Yes, you were."

     "I am very flattered," Betsy heartily approved. This almost sent Doug into another trance, before Sam knocked his hand upon the boy's cranium.

     To add to the festivities, Magneto entered the room. He gave no cheerful or warm expression to the place, but at least his wish to know about their return carried some sincerity. He also informed them that Mr. Masaki had called, saying that because the show won't begin until eight, he wished to serve Tenchi, Betsy, Warlock, and Doug an early dinner at the Gallagher Restaurant in Manhattan.

===

     Sure enough, the limousine that Nobuyuki promised came along the road, arriving at six. The four walked out alone. Doug commented that Tenchi's dad had some big connections. The car's inside was plush with opposing seats at front and back. The windows were all one way- clear inside, a mirror in the outside. The chauffer acted especially chivalrous, helping 'Pam' and Betsy to their seats. Tenchi sat by 'Pam' in the back, while Doug and Betsy were seated in front. The car drove out of the road and into the highway.

     "We'll be in Manhattan within the hour," spoke the chauffer.

     Facing his friends due to the seats' arrangement, Doug jiggled his arms and hooted, showing his delight on how they had it made.

     "Selffriend's- IDIOM- uncertain," spoke 'Pam.' "RELATE- explanation- TO-statement:- HOW- is- IT- we- HAVE- it- MADE?"

     This brought out some chuckles from the group. Betsy wasn't listening. She couldn't feel anything from the driver. When they got into the car, she could sense her friends' excitement smother the detection on him. Now, on the road, she was certain that the driver lacked something that Doug, Tenchi, and Warlock had. A psychic glow that only telepaths can feel.

     Tenchi had his own concerns. He never knew about Roberto's family problems. Knowing him for his arrogance and his dumb jokes, Tenchi originally pictured the guy as being above things as serious as what he learned. On the other hand, losing one you loved and hating your own father were not things one would think lightly about.

     Had he been a telepath, he would have known that Doug shared the subject as well. He and Bobby never got on very well. If Bobby wasn't always giving him a nasty lip, Doug would be jiving the boy with dumb jokes. One of these gags had suddenly gained a grim prediction. When Magneto became Headmaster, Doug joked that joining the Hellfire Club would be the next step, saying that Roberto would have his chance to join his father. Doug found that Bobby didn't like that joke very much, almost strangling him as a result.

     Meanwhile, Betsy asked Tenchi if they could switch seats. Tenchi obliged, giving Betsy the benefit since she didn't want to worry her friends on what could be nothing. She veered next to 'Pam.' "Can you do a favor for me, Pam?" she whispered to an all too sensitive ear. "Can you check the lifeglow on our driver?"

     Now Warlock didn't want to break rules to change. Being very subtle, he/it blinked his/its eyes from what were normal optical pupils into nothing. "DETECTION- performed: NO- design- OF- proper- LIFEGLOW- emitted."

     A serious formation came to Betsy. She then noted psionic shielding around this car room. Something incredible was figuring into this carpool. Without summoning her butterfly effect, she gave her suspicions to both Doug and Tenchi. Both boys simply looked at the driver. Betsy buried her face with her hand; that was not the reaction she expected.

     All four looked at the doors. They were all locked. Definite clue.

     Doug cried to his friend, "'Locke, try to-"

     Light sparked from 'Pam' like a Christmas tree. Something had connected to the alien, shorting him/it out. This sensation broke Warlock's faithfulness to his/its disguise. His/its next shape was a spaghetti-like web. By then, Betsy was off her seat. She ordered everyone else via telepathy to do the same. Tenchi's hand went behind his back to grab his sword.

     Suddenly, visible vapor rushed through the air vents. The persons closest to these pores- Tenchi and Betsy- lost control of everything and dropped. Doug pulled himself all the way back to the corner, throwing a tissue onto his mouth. He looked at the outside, seeing all the surrounding cars. He threw his fists on the glass, hoping either to break it or get anyone's attention.

     "Won't work," said the voice of the chauffer. "You would need a bazooka to break through that sheet of glass."

     The car then swerved around, throwing its sole conscious passenger around the compartment, into the gas that eventually claimed him.

     The chauffer pressed a switch on console. A program in its mind sent a message. Plan to capture Mutants Cypher and Warlock instrumented with success. Accessories include Tenchi Masaki and Psylocke.

    A program was heard within its robot head: Success recorded. Go to rendezvous. Plan to apprehend Cannonball, Sunspot, and Magma instrumented independently.   

===

     Despite some of perspective of him, Roberto DaCosta was really a good kid. However, his acts of being kind were sometimes subverted by a nasty temper that could make him look hostile to some people. Luckily this temper was temporary, shorter if his anger was based on his own mistakes. In this case, his anger had peaked, and was starting to dwindle. This was because he knew he was in the wrong. He jumped the handle again, knowing full well what that promised. Persons with bad tempers should control themselves. Roberto knew that all too well, for he not only had a bad temper, but the super strength to hurt someone.

     This was the outcome of an argument about the Hellfire Club letter. Before leaving (or perhaps that was her excuse for evading the argument), Shan had revealed to Sam, Amara, and himself that Magneto got a letter of the Hellfire Club. She didn't know what it said, but it was enough for Roberto to doubt any good can come from it. That led to Sam saying that not all the Hellfire club members were bad. That resulted into Roberto accusing his friends of betraying him by joining the Massachusetts Academy.

     That was a remark Roberto regretted now. The incident about his friends' enrollment at the Massachusetts School was one of those arguments that no one with doubts and issues could win. He knew that the team needed help from the Beyonder incident. His unavailability in that bugged him the most. His friends fought a losing battle against that god and he was not with them. An irony, since his regard to the Beyonder was the most serious of all his teammates. The god brought his spirits to their worst level. He feared meeting him again, as any encounter with a god-like being like him would promise death.

     But he didn't face him. His friends did.

    And Roberto wasn't there. He never had to suffer with them. While they were sick and depressed, he went off traveling the world.

    And what emotions did he feel about that? It was complex. Was it guilt, for not dying with them? Relief for being spared what they suffered? It could be both.

    So, did he have any right to accuse Magneto, or his friends of betraying the school and joining their worst enemies? No.

    Roberto lay on the bed, turning on some music, hearing it with sad contemplation. The thought of watching some taped episodes of Magnum PI sounded good. That was interrupted by a knock at the door.

   "Go away!"

   The reply got no attention. The door opened with Sam coming in.

   "Can't you understand?" Roberto made somber looks.

   "No," spoke Sam in full lack of interest. "Got some news from Shan. Said somethin' 'bout her siblings bein' missin'."

  "What's wrong?" Roberto stood up in rebellion to his past argument and mood.

  "Ah'm not sure." Sam kept a straight face. "Maybe it's nothin', maybe it's somethin'. But d' ya wanna come wi' me an' 'Mara?"

   Seeing the tone on his friend's face, Roberto grabbed his uniform. "Just try and stop me!" 

===

    The weather, dark and moody, was about to rip forth its rain and thunder. It was a time to remain inside, but the rocketing Cannonball did not abide such advice, much as he wished to. However, Shan's message sounded grave. She said that she didn't want Magneto to know, so she only acted casual while he was still on the line. Her real message was about her siblings not coming home on time. She needed some of her friends' help. It was an honor he couldn't reject.

    With Cannonball were the team's remainders. Amara was in back. Roberto was in arms support. It was a strain for the guy to carry so much weight while in a rocketing position, but he held on. It was with good relief in Sam's view that Shan's apartments were not that far away.  They zoomed along the buildings of Salem Center, waiting for the next house to reveal their destination. It was revealed. The rocketeer landed upon the roof. His first step was to turn off his power. The next step was to let go of his friends. In succession, he leaned against a chimney, breathing hard from the long ride.

     "Are you all right, mes brave?" Roberto asked with concern.

    Sam's response was a thumb up.

    In Amara's possession was a backpack. It carried some clothes to cover up their more colorful paraphernalia. They placed their boots and gloves into the bag. It was not a moment too soon, for raindrops started to arrive. The bag restored to her, Amara was the one to open the roof door. Once his breath subsided, Sam followed her and Roberto down the steps. The place looked as plain and dirty as they remembered it. Why Shan wanted to live here, they had no idea.

   The trio reached the floor of Shan's apartment. Walking into the hall brought them to her door, with a note pinned on it.

   "Looks French," Roberto commented on the note's foreign handwriting. 

   "Know what it says?" asked Sam.

  "Dear Shan," Roberto translated the note, "Me and Nga went with Father Michael after school, signed Leong," He repeated the message with questioning.

   His friends shared the mystery. If Shan thought her brother and sister were missing, why didn't she get this note? Sam knocked on the door. Got no answer. He tried the doorknob. Locked.

    Amara's face was one of suspicion. "I see mischief." Sam and Roberto nodded in agreement.

    "Ah think we should call the Teach," Sam considered this move.

    "Why should we include him now?" doubted the Brazilian.

   "Because he knows that we came to help Shan. Now it looks like Shan's the one who's missin'," defended Sam.

    With a moan, Roberto spoke their next move. "We use the public phones."

    Going down the stairs, the trio indeed thought this the right move, except that the lobby phone was discovered to be out-of-order. From the look of the rain and sound of thunder, the presumption of some electrical problem was strongly considered. The next choice was the phone outside.

   The trio walked out into the pouring rain. Their outer clothes were getting drenched, but the safety of their thermal uniforms was a strong protection. Some of the lights of the building were flickering off. It was with luck that a phone booth was spotted. Unfortunately, this help also proved impotent in practice.

   "Strike two it looks like," joked Sam.

   Wiping his hair in the pouring rain, Roberto asked if there was another phone.

   "Yes there is," said a man in a jumpsuit. He had a cap on, covering his eyes. "There's a phone at that corner." He gave directions to a near outlet.

   The three mutants ran that way, giving their thanks in shouts. The man looked back for sure conviction of the kid's destination, than ran to his garbage truck. The storm was a good coincidence to explain the enforced power outage.

===

    Sam, Amara, and Roberto found that the corner was a dead end. Amara then tensed, feeling rumbling vibrations from her feet. Her excitement caused all to look at the opposing direction. There was a giant truck rushing at them.

    As a leader with knowledge, Cannonball knew what a garbage truck in this direction meant. A box from the top of the truck fell quickly on them, but Sam turned on his power with Amara and Roberto in his arms. He flew through the box, smelling some gas as he tore a hole through the falling piece, which slammed to the ground with Sflanng!

    That sound threw recognition into Sam's mind. He knew what 'Sflanng' meant. Up in the air, he still smelled the gas. Knowing what it was, he had to be rid of it before he and his friends became vulnerable again.

    "Magma, burn away this gas!"

     In his arms, the Nova Roman exploded into her fiery form. So close she was to her friends that their eyes avoided her presence. Fortunately, no burns were felt by either of them. The vapor wasn't so lucky.

    "Shouldn't we stop that swine?" Sunspot asked.

   "Have to wait, Sunspot," Cannonball disagreed. "Knowin' who that guy is, an' why Shan's not at home, it's high time we head to where ah think she might be." That was partly the leader's reason: The other was his problem of making a U- turn.

===

     Betsy awoke from her slumber. Seeing where she was, she got no alien thoughts. She looked to her left, gasping at the disembodied head of Doug Ramsey. That shock was momentary, as she realized her own beheaded position. Both their heads stuck out while their bodies were encased in these striped cylinders, adorned with ribbons.

    "Where the devil are we?" she screamed out loud. She attempted to throw her thoughts, only to sense nothing in her concentration.

    "It is simple, Miss Braddock," said an explicitly dressed oriental woman in the background. "You are in Murderworld."

    Betsy knew that name, with ill feeling. Murderworld was known as the world's first assassination amusement park. Belonging to the hitman Arcade, it specialized in killing people through elaborate and tacky means. Her brother Brian was one of those victims lucky enough to get away. "I demand that you let us out of here!" the neutralized telepath declared; it was apparent that would not happen.

    "You're howling at the moon," Illyana spoke from the other side. Betsy saw her also in the same fashion of imprisonment.

    "She is right," said the woman. "I'm afraid your release is out of the question." The oriental gestured with a cool grace. "You are sadly an accessory in my goal. I really have no plan for you, so I have to keep you manacled. I also have to keep your two friends in these positions, since their powers would promise escape."

    "Where's Tenchi and 'Pam'?" cried Betsy.

   "Look at the screens in front of you." Illyana shook her head.

   In the direction, there was revealed a large screen, embedded with several small screens. Despite her distance, Betsy could see images in each screen. Five of each had a New Mutant.

 ===   

     "Outta the frying pan and into the fire."

     Danielle Moonstar's words could never be more correct. Here she was encountering a John Wayne look-alike in an empty ghost town. Sure enough, the mutant could find some implications in that. It looked like Arcade watched a lot of westerns. A lot of stereotype westerns. Why else would he put her, a Native American, in this place?

     Her opponent, dressed in hat, scarf, vest, and boots was as stereotyped a cowboy as she could imagine. With words like "This town's for the white man," and "Someone ought to blow y'r red skin off this town," Dani got the message. Her foreboding saved her from the first two shots from the cowboy. She had to run for it.

    Her heart excited, her fears erupting, and her desperate nature to escape Death strong, Dani made an astonishing feat to keep her thoughts together. She was able to make up some questions that didn't have anything to so with evading her murderer. These included the identity of Arcade's financial backer (the guy had to be paid to do this, right?), and who in the team were included in Murderworld (if both she and Rahne could be suckered, what about the others?).

    Unfortunately, any help from outside was rendered void. Dani still had the Mini-Cerebro on her wrist. It worked, but so far it picked up nobody. Nor could the pair of twin micro transcievers she had in her suede boots get any connection. Arcade probably wanted to give her the feeling of being useless. Guess what? It worked. If that cowboy was artificial, her powers were no match.

    A few more shots fired. The intensity broke the control over her powers. Dani could see bloody wounds oozing from her chest.     

===

    Waking up, in Shan's case, was abrupt. She coughed a little, gasping out remnants of some essence in her lungs. She's done this before. Thus, her environment was not important to her priorities right now. But it came steadily, after seeing the yellow rubber gloves that clothed her hands. Shan looked at her legs, only to see black leotard instead of her skirt. It was her school uniform, moaned the Vietnamese. Once again, she was dragged into another adventure.  

     Her surroundings were a forest. A tropical forest that was very familiar to her. It was as though she were back in her native Vietnam, in the past. This was her home. The calm atmosphere was a good memory to her, long ago when she was happy. The young woman darted along the trail to see a more intimate connection to this world.

     Then it happened. Parts of the forest exploded before her. The sudden touch of extreme hot warmth now raked her face. Sadly, this was part of her childhood as well.

     "What madness is this?" screamed Shan, a yell demanding what was now happening to her. Who was possibly throwing some cruel joke? This could not be the Danger Room; her friends couldn't be enslaving her to this reality?

     "Who are you?"

     The flames before her created black shadows. They were dark figures, holding long sticks. They broke out from the orange glows of destruction, apparently unharmed by it. Resembling soldiers, these were the next players to Shan's sad memories. The image was so striking, requiring her to speak a low "Sacre bleu!"

     Their memory was so apparent that it took little for Karma to react. Concentrating, she threw her mental energies into these enemies. She felt nothing. The soldiers kept moving with no halt. The rifles in their hands were raised at her target.

     Karma ran into the green vegetation before her. Green leaves broke and pulled in her frantic escape. Machine gun fire and explosions forced her pursuit. She did not want to die. Was this a coward's resolve? Karma found that her powers were useless, and she could not better her position by standing in front of their gunfire. However, she felt an almost psychological habit to do just this under noise and fire. This was also in her memories.

===

     Four horsemen charged the field, dressed in the hunting wear of the nobility, brandishing whips and rifles. There were more in this group, but in recent past those members now lay on the ground formerly trounced on. These corpses decorated that grassy knoll; their bodies ravaged with disembodied limbs, seeping out brown liquid from their metal-exposed wounds. This warning experience did not matter to this party. Soon, reinforcements would arrive, increasing their number to make this opposition a fair one to their target- the she wolf.      

===

     Light-Ken was always told by his grandfather to honor his legacy of history- from both worlds. This advice was a ridiculous one in light of today.

     He was situated in a field, between two armies. Both were dressed in the ancient costumes faithful to the feudal era in Japan.

     The boy wondered why he was here. He remembered the limousine with Doug, Warlock, and Betsy, then the gas that knocked them asleep. That was the first clue that someone was out to get him. The second was his new situation, where all his clothes had been stripped save for the costume. His gloves and boots now garbed his hands and feet.

     The two armies came together, charging with their swords, spears, cannons, and muskets. Tenchi hated seeing bloodshed. He moved from their eventual collision course. But then he saw the two armies lose their fast step. They just walked into each other, with nary a bump. A larger group was forming. They all looked at Tenchi. They started moving again- in his direction!

     The boy gritted his teeth in a face fault of shock. He was the collision course!

     It was fortunate that the Tenchi-Ken was found lying next to him. It was as good a defense as he could ever want in a situation like this- except for maybe the Light Hawk Wings.

===

     The mass of Techno-Organic structure slowly attempted a restoration. It was a hard attempt, brought on by the sudden loss of energy. In his/its relation to events, Warlock remembered in the mind files being bombarded by some device. It forced a system shutdown. A recouping could only follow at this point of time, where the Techno-organism found him/itself in this abode.

     A door slid open, revealing several figures with guns. These weapons were aimed toward him/itself. Warlock analyzed them, with a strain: They possessed a strong amount of lifeglow.

     These weapons fired. Thanks to their target's slowness, the energy blasts hit with good aim. Warlock shrieked in short-circuiting pain. The emissions of these weapons carried power to damage him/itself!

     A query was made on what tactic to exact on these guards. Emission of Transmode virus would promise neutralization of guards while meaning restoration of self-energies.

    "Don't Warlock!" cried an image resembling Danifriend.

    "You promised never to use that virus on anybody!" said another image, representing the form of Dougfriend.

     With a lessening degree of energy, Warlock attempted to relate what had just happened. These were not real beings known to him/it. They were artificial simulations. But their words carried a strong foundation. Guilt and remorse registered into the alien's emotional banks. Both selffriends would be very displeased if Self attempted virus emission on these lifeglowing opponents.

    The thought was cut short by another charge of energy. The alien screamed in an almost human sound. It was stuck in a corner.

     "Both- GUARDS- present- ABILITY- to- HARM- self." Warlock theorized in a frantic manner. "WEAK- self- IS- to- ARRANGE- defense. PROHIBITION- made- ON- emitting- TRANSMODE- virus.- QUERY:- what- SHALL- self- DO?"   

===

     Magneto wrote down his notes for next week's classes. A sense of enthusiasm was making its appearance known in the teacher. Despite some problems, improvements in scholastic and powers were optimistic. If only they could last, the teacher's pragmatism took hold.      

     The doorbell gonged in the room.

     Magneto responded, flying through the halls. His knowledge was that the front door was unlocked, which meant that the visitor knocking could not be a school inhabitant. A ken of wariness lifted into his thoughts.

     He landed into the hall, grasping the doorknob.

     It was a slow opening that quickened with what he saw.

     "You!"

     "Is that any way to treat your daughter-in-law?" the red-haired woman peered her eyes of suspicion. These eyes then peered upon the child in her arms. "Would you feel the same for your granddaughter?"

     Magneto's stern face melted at the sight of Luna. Many a time he had made a happy façade that looked artificial and therefore sadistic. This was not by his choice, as the years of his past left a near permanent dourness of his face. Looking at his granddaughter, whose pure and innocent face played a sad resemblance, brought more emotion to his face, making it fuller and convincing. It was a sad face, still, as much a due to the child's resemblance as it was to feelings of alienation.

      Magneto composed himself, restoring his stoic form despite the chaos of emotions now churning within him. "Come in, Crystal."

     Crystal entered, looking around the room with experience.

     "You have been here before?"

     "When I was with the Fantastic Four, I came here during one of our missions."* Crystal spoke coldly. It was not an expression that she naturally assumed. Magneto understood he played a part in that. "Wanda told me where you lived."

     "I've heard about Pietro," Magneto spoke an issue that made Crystal glare. "Wanda has told me."

     "It was bound to happen," Crystal shied away, covering her daughter from her grandparent. "We're finished as a couple."

     Magneto asked no more of that. He had learned that his estranged son's marriage had been shaky of late. Then it was over, though the information on that matter was unknown to him. Quicksilver was now insane and vengeful, a warning Wanda had given Magneto for the sake of the New Mutants, not his own. 

     "Magneto…" the Inhuman turned to him, full of apprehension but one of determination. "Know that I share no love to you. You've caused much grief to my friends and my family in Attilan."

     Magneto countered hard with the remembered knowledge, but no cringing or pathetic characteristic was seen on him.

     The next words revealed Crystal's intentions. "But you are Luna's grandfather. If you have indeed reformed, as you told us that night in Attilan when you revealed yourself,** then I might have you play a part in my daughter's life."

     Magneto remained stoic, despite this groundbreaking news. "This must be hard for you."

     Crystal did not give any contradiction. "Obviously! That's why I didn't call you earlier. I don't like you very much, and with my marriage to be divorced, I'd be happy never see you or your son ever again. But I know that family is family, and just as Lord Black Bolt has forgiven his brother Maximus many times, I will respect your ties to my daughter."

     Magneto felt temptation. From what he was now hearing, he felt very pressured to touch his granddaughter with the intimacy that only a parent shares. But he fell back.

     "Tonight, I'll test you," said Crystal. "I will allow you to watch over my daughter for the night."

     The plot shook Magneto, almost keeping him from speaking. Crystal's test was madness. His responsibilities with the New Mutants right now were so complicated. He had a great work ahead of him tonight, and tomorrow. He wouldn't…

     His eyes met Luna's.

     "I will. I promise no harm shall be brought to my granddaughter, as long as I live."

     Crystal flashed her eyes, looking at her daughter with a mixture of resolve and reluctance. "It'd better. As much as I want to believe my marriage to your son was a mistake, only my daughter proves me wrong in that. If Wanda can be civil with you, then I'll be too." 

===       

     He ran through the air of the soon to be storming weather. Its smooth, plumed mane gave a direct sense to his long face. Its teeth gritted, its eyes staring with the most coldest and vigilant of glares. If one had a fear of horses, then one look at Brightwind's expression would give evidence that such wariness was not ridiculous.

     The winged steed was in this mood from the beginning his mistress fell. The loyalty between horse and rider being without strain, Brightwind's sole priority was her rescue, and the vengeful repercussions to those who reproached her. Unfortunately, the ride of the Valkyrie's horse was halted by the unknown entry of a thick collar, connected firmly to the ground by a chain.

     Such manacles proved indefinite to the animal. A number of intense pulls followed. It remained firm, but the horse did not care; it was immortal, it had patience. After a long while, as the rains started to fall, the chain lost its strength against the relentless strain. It snapped. The steed roared with a triumphant shriek. No one could stop Death for long.

    The horse charged with the swiftness and strength that was his ability. No question was made on the trail. With his senses, Brightwind galloped to Danielle Moonstar's direction. 

===

    By now, Doug had also awakened. Seeing everything around him gave him a bemoaning wit. "Dammit!"

    "I see that you too have awakened," spoke Miss Locke. "Perhaps you should have remained unconscious."

    "With you as a host, I'd rather be a awake," Doug spoke quite casually. "So anything happen while I was asleep?"

    "Nothing much," spoke Illyana's profile, giving cold stares at Miss Locke. "Just that I was kidnapped at Bloomingdale's while you were taken by car, forced to see our friends undergo Murderworld."

    "I see," Doug spoke, given evidence from the screens.

   "I must admire your fashion sense, Miss Rasputin," spoke Miss Locke to the girl's question. "My employer has seen to keeping tabs on you. He has used much knowledge on the information he has gained, such as your habit of going to Bloomingdale's every week. Mr. Masaki's invitation is the latest information to be learned."

   "Talk about Big Brother watching us!" Doug answered in surprise and shock to the range Arcade could learn their secrets. Strains of Rockwell's Somebody's Watching Me danced through his mind. "So where is laughing boy?"

    "He's not here," Illyana explained, "this is Miss Locke's show."

    Miss Locke took notice to Illyana's staring. Their eyes locked together. "You have grown well, Miss Rasputin." Miss Locke shared with glares.

    "What can I say?" Illyana smugly replied. "Maybe you should try my style."

    Miss Locke stood out of her seat. She walked closer. "You have no idea how much I hate you!"

    "Now that's an original line!" Doug sarcastically ad-libbed.

    "The feelings mutual," Illyana blurted out to Miss Locke's question. Her eyes gave rivalry to her captor's glare. Illyana's hatred for Miss Locke was equal in the reverse position. It was this woman who masterminded her kidnapping from Russia, sending her to America and destiny. If Belasco lit the fire that destroyed her soul, then this oriental bitch made the matches.  

    "What's the matter?" Illyana sassily quipped. "Did Arcade give you something besides the usual strychnine?"

    Miss Locke remained cool. That is, her expression remained cool. Her slapping Illyana's face was a different matter altogether.

     Blood protruding from her lip, Illyana just smiled. "Looks like I hit a nerve!"

     Miss Locke's face kept its mask. "You and your group of brats have already hit enough nerves within me!" She pulled out her gun, gently coursing it upon the girl's forehead. Both Doug and Betsy thought that this was it; the villainess had reached the point of anger to do anything.

     In a forced change of moods, Miss Locke slowly, but unsteadily, reversed her arm. She bit her lip, unsatisfied with this decision. "Think this as temporary," She arrogantly addressed. "Once your friends have all died, my ammunition will be soon found in your brains."

===

     Let one temporarily move the attention from this situation and move to another world, another realm, another time. Limbo could pretty much cover all those distinctions. Its place did not follow the regular rules of Earth. Its atmosphere was of the unusual and the unconventional reality. Its inhabitants, grotesque and monstrous, lived under different codes than humanity does. Demons accepted these ideals without any doubt. People thought certain actions as unholy and evil, as accorded to their laws. Those with a demonic nature, however, perceived those inhuman acts as holy and good in their law. So warped in their beliefs were they that only a few had a real clue to the nature of its ruling Magus, Illyana Nikolovna Rasputin. To the multitude's mindset, she was as evil, as cruel, and as virtuous in their ideals as their earlier master Belasco. Her constant leaves of absences were excused as conquering other dimensions. The spreading of her rule and her holy word, which was the word and law to them.

     It was a different reality, one where many incarnations of one person could co-exist. Its variety made dimensional jumps possible. The Darkchylde was dependent on this rule. She could not teleport accurately to a position (if not in the correct time) without passing through this nexus of dimensions.

    This unpredictability was its nature, like a Wonderland where the only principle is that there were no principles.

    That unorthodox rule made it possible, this very moment, for a new reality to occur. For the demons nearby its happening, they saw a new world break into their realm. This world seemed similar to theirs, but it was different.

    A new usurper had come to Limbo. A rule that would forbid sharing it with its previous ruler; an invasion that would forbid the Darkchylde's entry.     

===

     The parting was hard for Luna. The child clung to her mother's shirt, an action that Crystal emotionally struggled to separate herself from. This strengthened her warning to Magneto that he be good on his promise. With a physical apprehension, Crystal left a small vial to be administered to the child in the next thirteen hours. It was an anti-pollutant created by Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four, prescribed for any Inhuman to survive the Earth's atmosphere for 24 hours.

     Separated, the child cried, her hands stuck out for mother, crying 'Maaaamammama!"

     Crystal closed the door behind her.

     Alone, Magneto held her granddaughter with a devotion that no one who had known him presently would expect without great confusion. They had known Magneto the menace, Magneto the redeemer, Magneto the teacher, Magneto the patriot. They had never known Magneto the parent. It was a role that the Headmaster had not performed for decades.

      Such ill-preparation made the first ten minutes a problem for the new babysitter. He had forgotten much of his non-powered abilities. It was a long time since he was a father. It did not help that the girl did not share his devotion; she cried for her mother. It was certainly a strain for both people. Magneto felt resentful at his grandchild's fear of him. Her resemblance especially twisted his heart. It was as if she hated him. 

     However, he pushed on, finding ways to please the child. By concentration, ferrous objects started swirling around Luna, easing her tears into excitement and laughter. Magneto found this focus surprising. It was as if his paternal nature had lied dormant for ages, only to be released at this moment. The girl quieted down and fell asleep, showing a contented beauty that Magneto knew from long ago. It was heartbreaking.

      "You are beautiful," Magneto spoke with pain at this babe in his arms, patting her red hair. "Like your aunt Anya…"

     Magneto closed his eyes, his face attempting a continuation of stoicism. It was a quiet moment, only sounded by the deep and vibrant beatings of his heart. He was proud at his achievement, but he still he felt bothered. His treatment to Luna was in a level that the Headmaster had found impossible to reach in his relationship with his students. It only showed how much he needed to learn as a teacher and protector. The degree before him looked steep.

      As concentrated as his efforts were, he was not insensitive to something around him. "Show yourself!" he spoke silently but strongly, not wishing to awake his child.

    Oh, did I interrupt this moment? A voice telepathically buzzed into Magneto's mind. It was a bored voice.

      Magneto gazed to the source. To his annoyance, he recognized a ghost-like blond woman sitting before him. Her hair was exquisitely combed down to perfection. Her wardrobe was exquisite: a long fur cloak came from her shoulders, but pulled all the way backwards, the better to present her white brassiere and leather white boots.

     "Miss Frost," Magneto calmly greeted. "I wish you had informed me of this arrival. Is the phone too much of a triviality?"

      Too boring, Miss Frost minded a cool expression. Her teeth clung a long cigarette holder, supported by two squeezed fingers. The woman was high-class, giving her some reason to act with self-superiority. Meeting you in my astral form is more preferable to a person of my power.

      Magneto kept his defense. His mental abilities were at their utmost effect. His granddaughter's protection was his priority.

     "State me your reasons for coming here." Magneto ruthlessly demanded.

     This animosity was not lost to the visitor. You don't trust me, do you?

     "I lack the reason to," Magneto woodenly explained as he placed his granddaughter on the sofa.

     Frost's eyebrow lengthened, with little else to demand any reproached feeling. Considering all that I have done for your students?

     "I admit your influence in their recovery," spoke Magneto. "But not all. And much of your aid was not for the better."

     Yes, I have taken the responsibility for what has happened to Mr. Corsi and Miss Friedlander. Empath has been naughty.

     "But hardly punished."

     I've left that to my Hellions. Unlike your students, they are responsible.

     "Is that the reason for your visit?" Magneto coolly avoided that remark.

     No, and it also cannot be found in that letter you received today. The White Queen smile grew wicked. But it does include your students, and Empath.

     Magneto's brow lowered. "What harm has your delinquent done now?"

     A matter that was first instigated by your students. A week ago, they kidnapped Empath and had there way with him. Almost a deserving punishment for the insolent pulp, but he never saw it that way. Your students barely gave him enough discipline. I'm afraid such failure has come to haunt them. You see, my student wished to avenge himself on the New Mutants. However, my Hellions had attempted to keep him under their control. They were quite successful, except for one incident I just now found out.

     Magneto had doubts about that. "Now, you say?"

     Emma Frost rose in her ghost-like form. The cape, layered on the chair flowed down with striking effect. Magneto, I wish to imply that I keep tabs on all my students- former or present. Your students are still very much a part of me. I dare say they respect me more than they'll ever respect you.

     "Make your point, Miss Frost!"

     Their well being, therefore, matters much to me, especially if one of my own takes grievance on them.

     "What has Empath done to my students!" Magneto sounded silently.

     Done is exactly the word. That same week ago, Empath visited the Hellfire Club. He was under strict guard not to unleash any punishments on the New Mutants by himself. But he had other ways. Luck gave him that chance with that visit. We had an associate, one Miss Locke...

===

     Like a Buddhist, Miss Locke saw different perspectives. These were not from her own ability however, but in the electronic screens that filled the wall before her. Each screen projected a different place, a different world of illusions and artificial simulators. The screen's featured Karma, Mirage, Wolfsbane, Warlock and their friend Tenchi Masaki. There was also an image for the upcoming Cannonball, Magma, and Sunspot. Mr. Chambers' failure to capture those students put a chink in the armor. She wanted to start Murderworld with all of them on schedule. She was forced to make do with what she had, and what she will later have.

     It was not usually her case to play with Arcade's toys (though her simulations avoided her employer's childish taste). Just as ridiculous was the fact that this game was made for entirely personal feelings. It was rude to kill without getting paid for it.

     And yet in this situation, feeling ruled. Miss Locke hated the New Mutants. The faces of members like Cypher, Magik, Karma, Wolfsbane, Magma, and Cannonball (and those with them) were all it took to make her feel self-loathing. It was hatred as intense as it was meaningless. No past experience was made by this group to give such deadly justification. It was the X-Men who were the enemy, not their pupils. In fact, such resentment had not seethed until last week.

     Miss Locke also knew that attention should be made to the ramifications of getting Magneto into the battle. Could Murderworld survive such a conflict? Nor could the Headmaster be easily apprehended the same way as his students. She also wondered what Arcade would do to her (though it might be rather exciting). None of this made sense, and Miss Locke should've known this. However, she didn't much care. Magneto did not matter; killing these brats did. Her hatred went beyond all common sense.  

===

     I now see what Empath might have done, realized the icy tones that vibrated from the White Queen's telepathic message. When I was informed of his activities, I searched his mind. I discovered in his possession a class photo of my Hellions, made during your students' time under my guardianship. Most of the figures were marked off into indecipherability, except for those who were once New Mutants: Cannonball, Karma, Magik, Magma, Cypher, and Wolfsbane.

     With an intelligence that was almost precognitive, Magneto could predict what had to follow. Somehow, that brat must have managed to get Miss Locke to see that photo. Perhaps while Arcade was establishing negotiations at the Hellfire Club. If she saw that photo, it would be child's play for Empath's powers to control her feelings to his liking.

     There was not a moment to lose. Who knows what could be happening tonight? Dani and Rahne were probably in danger. The same can be said about Doug, Warlock, Betsy, and Tenchi. Illyana too. The list of absences threw weights of apprehension upon the Headmaster. So many were now out of his reach, out of his protection.

     Now, you understand? The White Queen's success was full of arrogance.

     "I wonder if your reasons really match with what you wish to portray." Magneto kept his vigil. "For all I know, you could have masterminded this whole madness on your own, then inform me to better your image to my students. The good Miss Frost, coming to the rescue. Is that it?"

     Frost just teethed her cigarette holder. If that is what you wish to believe, Magneto, then believe it if you must. I, however, wish to protect those who were once my charges. Out of their…respect for you, I have informed you of the grim possibilities. 

     The image vanished, stylishly after the visitor blew a puff of smoke from her cigarette.

     A second's passing saw light explode on the Headmaster's clothing, taken on a different style from the business clothes he had been previously wearing. A shiny purple fabric was now on him- a long M cresting the front of his suit, added with long gloves and a long cape.

     He went to his office. His answering machine lit with a message. A tap activated it. 

    "Hello, Professor Xavier? This is Nobuyuki Masaki. Has my son already left? I'm calling because he hasn't arrived yet, and the show's about to begin."

     Magneto grimaced. The spider had caught its flies.

     A reflexive magnetic pulse turned on Cerebro. Coordinates were made to all the recognizable mental auras. The map apparatus beeped only three recognizable signs: Sam, Roberto, and Amara. They were in the Manhattan area, far from Shan's home. Magneto was displeased by their discretion.

     These were all that Cerebro provided. A foreboding of what that could mean didn't touch him. Miss Locke is using some stealth technology, the Headmaster considered. He also knew the location. With the X-Men still in the Morlock tunnels, Magneto himself would have to be the sole participant in their rescue.

     Magneto opened the windows, exposing rain from outside. But as he moved out, a remembrance interrupted him. No one was here to look after Luna.

===

    It was another fight. The horsemen flashed their sabers and their guns, but the agile gestalt of man and animal tore new casualties in this group. It was a full fury of emancipation to the beast. All the anger submerged from the past exploded upon the attackers. These hunters shouldn't even bother. Any contact lost them their mechanical limbs, or their false period of life.

    Then, just as swift as her attack, Wolfsbane retreated. There were only two hunters left. They would wait for reinforcements. That was the stall the wolf-girl craved in her retreat. She had to replenish her strength. 

    The place she fought and scampered in looked real. It was probably real, a distinction Wolfsbane could not decide on. The scents were rich and abundant. The grounds around her were of fields that resembled Muir Isle.

    Running on all fours, the wolf found more resemblance with the pursuit. It gave some creepy reminiscence of the night her powers manifested. The ramifications drove her guardian Reverend Craig to send the townspeople into a mob fury. The wolf-girl was frightened then, depending on her 'mother' Moira to rescue her.   

     But things had changed. No one could help her this time. It was a fanatical belief that she had to look to herself to survive this. The lord helps those who help themselves.

    Helping herself meant not acting like a wee child anymore. All the pain of surrender the past had shown would not fester her to cry like a pathetic babe right now. All weakening emotion had to be put in back. All aggressive strength had to be put in front. To her surprise, she liked unleashing this aggression.

    With rapture, she waited to attack again.   

===

    An abrupt explosion threw Karma to the ground. It gave her time to collect her thoughts. Her actions were ridiculous. She had allowed the darkness of her childhood to temporarily swallow her current self. The girl of tragedy grew up to become at one time the New Mutants' leader. This young woman also broke free of the scum Farouk, borne the existence of a gross behemoth, and survived the ravages of a desert. She also came to terms with her own death. Would this person run away from gunfire and bombs? The decisions of Karma's mind resounded with rejection.

     On the other hand, her powers seemed useless. She was stuck in some remote jungle. That also could not be forgotten.   

     She couldn't count on aid either. The New Mutants may be her greatest friends, but their timing as rescuers was not their strong point. Past experiences had taught her that. She had to solve her own problems by herself.

    Still, it wouldn't hurt to be surprised by an unscheduled rescue for once!

===

     His energy blade went forward and backward, side and side, blocking blow and throwing blows. He was not invulnerable to this assault. One or another time, he was slightly nicked by an unseen hit. The small holes and rips from his clothing showed that. This forced Light-Ken to change into his Juraian uniform, complete with war paint. It was a good thing that the trigger- ring always appeared on his finger in moments like this. Now, if only he could summon the Light Hawk Wings, he'd be out of here.

     Unfortunately, his skill did not seem to be making any tide turn. The charging hordes were still numberless, almost as if they would never exhaust its resources in manpower. It started to look as if his fighting wasn't solving anything. After what felt like an hour's fight, Light-Ken realized that he was fighting foes both real and unreal. It was hard to tell which was which unless his blade made an impact.

    "I'm waiting, Light Hawk Wings!" whined the swordsman.

     Suddenly, a hole broke from the grass. Tentacles hooked the surface, pulling out what was underneath.

     "Warlock!" Light-Ken cried. He then went back to his work, taking out the closest of his opponents, than rushing to his friend's side.

     Warlock pulled him/itself from the whole, looking shaky and glowing with a flickering light. In Light-Ken's view, the alien appeared to be falling apart, his/its solid form melting to the floor. "SELF- registers- HAPPINESS- joy- AT- meeting- TENCHIFRIEND," his words shaky and dripping. 

     "What's wrong?" The Juraian quickly asked, knowing that soon his opponents would swamp both of them.

     "Self- ENERGIES- depleted." The alien sadly bubbled a face from its flat form. It sank, than bubbled again. He/It couldn't protect him/itself from those aggressive beings, so he/it took the cowardly way out- a habit that was integral to him/it. One last ounce of energy created a path to another room.

     At first Tenchi didn't know how to improve this situation. Then he remembered what Doug once said about recharging Warlock. Unfortunately, he had no time to transfer the gems. His sword's energy would have to suffice.

     He stabbed the blade near Warlock. His opponents were a few feet away. With the blade as leverage, Tenchi jumped and kicked several away. "Hurry up and recharge on this!"

     Black blobs of techno-organic matter stuck onto the glowing sword. The circuitry imbedded upon Warlock started to regain its glow, flashing brightly as once before. The recharge was so instant, that the flat platform that was Warlock jumped and surrounded the boy, protecting him from the attacks from outside.

     Under safety for the moment, Tenchi spoke to Warlock on what happened. "AREA- scanned- IN- presenting- ARTIFICIAL- environments. ALL- obvious- FORCES- lack- LIFEGLOWS,- presenting- HOLLOW- resemblances- TO- actual- SENTIENT- beings.

     "In other words, this place isn't real." Tenchi theorized this in passing. He then thought that maybe Doug and Betsy were in the same situation. In a shocked realization, their situations must be even worse. "Can you get us to our friends?"

    "ABLE- now- SELF- is. SENSE- other- LIFEGLOWS."

===      

     Dani ran across the wide alleyways of the ghost town. At least Arcade had decided not to throw the whole population on her, the girl minded while she grunted in escape. However, she had no real defense against the robot. If dropping a chandelier, flipping a table on him, or setting him on fire, couldn't stop him, what would.

    She ran to a fence in the alley, jumping over it. Dropping to the floor, Dani examined her leg, scratched with a little blood. Dani leaned in the fence with a moment's peace. The gunshots that nicked her leg as she turned the corner showed that she was in a safe direction. The cowboy was still behind her. It was only a matter of time before he would come with his scarred body, bearing the results of its past trials.

    However, Dani knew that she was doomed in this position. Arcade was probably watching all of this, giving him access to direct the robot's positions and the location of the victim. This accelerated the girl's excitement and danger. Her mind threw her powers out of control, as she could see blood coming from her body. Her fear of dying, she supposed.

   As she noticed before, Mirage couldn't find help. The Mini-Cerebro wasn't picking up any signs. Her rapport with Rahne was interrupted. The transcievers didn't help either. She was on her own. Drat!

    Dani saw the shadow rise from the fence shade. The cowboy was looking at her, his gun hidden in the fence.

    "Howdy!"

===

    In the control room, tension was increasing to an invisible solid- one that can be felt, not seen. The three captives saw the screens presenting their friends' situations. They were glad to see Tenchi and Warlock join forces.

     Miss Locke wasn't too pleased at this. Using brainwashed soldiers, holograms, and voice adaptors kept Warlock in a corner to die. That plan worked. However, it worked too well; she didn't realize the creature's cunning to escape from the room altogether. Oh well. Things were developing nicely with the other mutants. Karma and Mirage faced artillery their mental powers had no defense against, while Wolfsbane would reach a point of fatigue. Adding to the fun was the gathering of new guests, though Mr. Chambers botch-up was not to her liking. Mirage's horse had also arrived; that plastic collar (used to avoid Magneto's attention) had proven useless

     "It appears that your friends have arrived," she casually spoke with bitterness and disappointment. "Though they're arrival is not what I had in mind, they shall be given a warm welcome."

     "Them's the breaks gorgeous," Doug feigned compassion. He saw Miss Locke eye him with a cool and disengaging look, but it didn't stop him from feeling any restraint. Sure, he felt fear, but no restraint was made in keeping his mouth shut. He knew that Warlock and the team would break him, Betsy, and Illyana out. After all, Miss Locke wasn't the Beyonder. He wasn't fighting some omnipotent god here, a relieving idea. Still, Doug felt worthless in doing nothing but play the damsel in distress (and he wasn't even a girl!). What made things even more frustrating is that he and Kitty had made a program to use on Murderworld. If he were included in the games, he would implement it. Instead, he was stuck in some really gay-looking cone, forced to watch his friends risk life and limb.

     At least he shared being useless with Illyana and Betsy. Both looked okay. Pissed, but okay. It was different for the rest of the team (or maybe not, seeing how trigger happy Miss Locke was getting). However, this whole place resembled nothing more than a high danger level Danger Room session. The team would survive.

     Then he saw Miss Locke turn around again, giving a smile that made her look all the sexier. "My first victim has been claimed!"

     To those facing her, that line sounded with impotency. A second later, its strength was no longer non-existent. Doug, Betsy, and Illyana made serious faults on their faces at what might be true. To Doug's first thought, was Warlock the chosen? To Illyana, was it Tenchi?

     Miss Locke grinned happily, seeing how nervous it made her captives. "I will be merciful to your expectations." She pressed a button behind her. The large screen exposed a dead, bullet-riddled Mirage.

     To the captives, their mistake did not cushion them for the answer.   

===

     Sam thought about the situation. Chances were that since he, Roberto, and Amara were a target for Arcade, that meant the rest of the New Mutants were in trouble. It was already realized with grim acceptance that Dani and Rahne were already prisoners with Shan (if her voice can be rigged, so can Dani's). No time could be made to head for New York City and check if Doug and the rest were all right. If they were captured, they would have to end up in Murderworld.

     With the help of a telephone book, the trio had found the abandoned Amusement Park that stood as the best clue for that trickster's whereabouts (according to mentions from Kitty). The rain started to fall, but Cannonball ignored it, carrying both Roberto and Amara in his arms. It was a strenuous trip, the young man thinking that he might run out of power and kill them all. But he found the Park. It was closed, probably enforced as a private property. Bobby shrugged that gate open.

     The three ran across the rain. They found cover under one of the game stages. They were wet in hair (Amara's curly locks looked like shaggy weeds), but not in body- the thermal insulation of their uniforms promised that.

     "So, do we have any clue on where they are?" asked Roberto.

     "Can't say from here." Sam made his theory. "Arcade's place could be a thousand miles away or probably beneath us." He looked at Amara. "D'ya think ya c'n use y'r power t' maybe locate it?"

     "I will surely try," Amara walked to real ground. The connection made, she burst into her enflamed Magma form. Her body blurred with brightness and heat, enough to make one's eyes water up. Magma concentrated for a link of vibrations within the earth. She felt nothing in her quest. She increased her power, causing the mud around her to transform into cracked dust packs. It made her friends look away in blinding wariness.

     "I've found it!" Magma's pupiless eyes widened with victory, the red veins bubbling and swirling upon her face. "There is an anomaly."

     "Where?" Sam wished confidently.

     Magma removed her godly form, becoming Amara once more. "It's away from the park."

     With that answer, the threesome got off their positions and ran to the spot, their boots splashing into the mud. The storm clouds thundered, bugging the troupe a little. There could be no further wish from their minds to be away from this harsh weather.

     They passed the giant roller coaster, ran under the Ferris wheel. Sam stopped at notice. "D' ya hear that?"

     Roberto and Amara listened closely. A shriek was made in the direction before them.

     "Sounds like a horse," Roberto made his answer, making a realization his friends also shared. They charged further to the source. Passing the clutter of rides and tents opened their eyes to the huge landfill before them. A frenzied Brightwind was making his intense dance.

     Now, there was no way Sam, Amara, or Roberto could think this appearance was just coincidence. It furthered their urgency to help their friends. They surrounded the animal, which refused to be tamed or calmed.

     "'Mara!" shouted Sam. "Y' know what t' do!"

     Once more, Magma took her form. She threw her hands to the garbage-piled ground, creating a plasma link. The mud burbled and burned, spreading a hole underneath.

     As pleased as a leader could be, Sam felt disappointed. Ever since the Beyonder encounter, most of the team's abilities in controlling their powers since they first came to the school had been dramatically weakened. They were back to the beginning. However, like the last time, Amara had proven a quick learner in how to use her powers efficiently. It differed with the pace of his own education.

     This impotence only decreased with his successive move. "Both o' ya, get on me." Roberto and Amara embraced their friend at both sides, Sam reinforcing the support with his own arms. He fell into the hole, igniting himself into a rocket-like aura. This trio flew down the hole like a bullet in a funnel. This 'bullet' scrapped through the dirt and ground structure surrounding them with destructive ease. Such a quick and forceful drilling would have caused major damage to Amara and Roberto's bodies if they were not protected by Cannonball's invulnerable aura.

     In quick order, they slammed into the end of the tunnel. The solid wall cracked and broke the more they rammed through. In a few minutes, before doubt could be founded on the possible meaning of this drilling, a free space was made. The Mutant trio tore through into a room. Sunspot raised his legs for a landing, stopping the drilling from continuing, giving Sam the moment to turn off his powers. The three mutants were looking down at the floor. They looked up and saw the X-Men.

     "Our surprise's been shot," Sam lamented.

===

     Illyana kept her emotions in a tight control. The pressure was yielding after the news she learned. She dared not to feel that pain about Dani. She must not feel vengeful for the first New Mutant who accepted her.

    But she wanted to kill Miss Locke. She wanted to destroy that woman. The bitch had caused too much damage to survive. Illyana wanted more than anything at this moment to give that punishment.

    Her inmates felt somewhat differently. Betsy kept a stiff resolve over the tragedy. Her life had toughened her to do this. She was more worried about Illyana and Doug. It was a concern that made her neutralized abilities the more resentful. She felt sealed up like a bottle.

    "Betsy," Doug whispered, "Tell Illyana not to worry."

    Betsy was surprised at her friend's words, though she understood his exception of herself. Doug was probably the only person in the school who saw beyond the telepath's doll face and the tiger within. Rather, she was troubled by the boy's casual behavior. Dani was dead.

     "I doubt Dani's dead," Doug whispered. "I've seen too much bogus deaths to prove that. Dani's made it, and so will we."

===

     The body of Dani Moonstar lay for a few minutes. As intact and whole the body was in the robot's eye, the body was still registered as dead. The cowboy robot dragged the person to a secret passage. Dani was dropped into the chute below it. Hidden from all view, the body threw out its hips and arms with great reflex, pushing with enforced strength. This slowed and stopped her descent, through great pain.

     Tears leaked from the eyes of the resurrected. The extreme pressure of possible failure was too strong for any stoic reinforcement. She was so close to dying. The gunman was coming closer. The shots it fired might have hit their mark. The watcher might not have been watching at that moment. The longer the convincing, the more eventual she would be dead. All these possibilities would have destroyed her smokescreen.

    Her legs spread against the chute gave time for her hands to comfort her face. She was so scared of dying that her powers made it real. This was her weapon. Knowing full well that Arcade could be watching her, Dani found the perfect moment to hide under her self- illusion. If Arcade were watching, he would be convinced of her death (he'd have to be watching through a television, which was probably fuzzy enough to mask the artificial look given to her own illusion).

    Dani rubbed her nose. With a deep breath that firmed her resolve, she turned on her Mini-Cerebro. As was hoped, several mutant detections were made. Arcade had now played his tricks. Time to turn the tables.

   Unfortunately, her gumption was not in synch with her practicality. There were no openings in the chute beneath her, nothing to imply any passage. This lack gave the chief only one conclusion.

   Unhooking her body, Mirage dived straight down.      

===

     At first glance, they were the X-Men. Shadowcat, Storm, Colossus, Rogue, Cyclops, and Nightcrawler were there. Even Wolverine was present.

    As second thought beckoned, it was in the trio's security that these were not the X-Men. It was known that Arcade holds robot duplicates of the senior team. It was this info that Cannonball gave to his friends. The leader also pondered on why their presence was detected, until he remembered that this whole place might be full of alarms. Sam kept a strong interior while his inner self took a pounding on his error, something Dani would have definitely avoided.

   "They're just robots," trivialized Roberto.

    However, a stray lightning bolt that just missed him, and a scarlet beam of energy that blasted the floor gave the team the knowledge that these robots were nothing to sneeze at.

    Sunspot, bursting with particle energy, threw his fists on the ground to vibrate an advantage. Unfortunately, the robot Colossus made the same attack, counteracting the quake. It was also apparent that these robots thought like the X-Men as well.

    "Take out the strongest!" Cannonball screamed. He let out in a jump that propelled his body into a rocket-igniting speed. He grabbed the claw-unsheathed Wolverine robot, than let go in quick speed. The vulnerable drop broke the robot. The rocketeer received only a few cosmetic claw marks.

   Rogue socked Sunspot back with a punch. Rolling himself to cut down the pain, Sunspot grew with anger. With a quick foot, he kicked through the mechanism's stomach, shutting it off. The Mutant noted how this intense display of his power solved the problem. He could destroy a real person very easily. The Brazilian liked the feeling. That was bad in his opinion.

   Meanwhile, 'Nightcrawler' teleported over Magma. She was concentrating the full heat of her energies to protect herself. The moment of touch shriveled and melted the robot to a combination of limbs and fused remains. This Mutant also noted how this intense display of her power solved the problem. She could destroy a real person very easily. The Nova Roman liked it. That was bad- but not in her opinion.

    The shock of what he had done (or rather what he could have done to a real person) left Sunspot open to a bear-hug by the Colossus robot. The embrace grew closer, making the Brazilian wince and grit his teeth in crushing agony. But he would not break. With no limbs to react, the boy knocked his head to the robot's. The shared impact showed only one withdrawal. The head of 'Colossus' went flying off. The pressure stopped, the arms let go of a head-dizzy Sunspot. He then saw Magma get shocked to the ground by a lightning-wielding Storm robot. 

     Breaking free of his embracing opponent, the sun-tempered Brazilian threw this armored behemoth's husk into the flying robot. 'Storm' threw her lightning at this, but it did not save her from an impact. The two exploded.

    Sunspot ran to his friend. "Are you okay, 'Mara!"

    Amara breathed. "Yes, the insulation of my clothes protected me."

   Cannonball looked at this with some regret. He once had a crush on Amara, but she always had eyes on his best friend. However, the regret was old and impotent. Sam had his own girl now.

   He saw 'Cyclops' and 'Shadowcat' heading toward them. He rocketed once again. The Cyclops robot noticed him and fired a concussive blast of energy. Cannonball stopped and crashed. His invulnerability protected him from both these hits, but with it gone now, how was he going to defend himself against the robot before him?  

   Suddenly, a drill tore from the sidewall. Its pointy cone stopped its rotation, opening up to reveal Light-Ken. Seeing the wreckage, and the opponent above Sam, the boy javelined his sword at the robot, short-circuiting it.

    "Light-Ken, Warlock!" screamed Cannonball.

    "Did we arrive in time, Sa…Cannonball?" Tenchi corrected that mistake.

    "We could have handled it without you," Sunspot gleefully spoke, leaving Magma to fry 'Shadowcat.' This finish allowed her to join the others.

    "Nice costume," Amara commented at Tenchi's clothes. "Juraian?"

   Tenchi nodded. "Can you tell us where we are?"

   "Murderworld," Sam answered.

   "That figures," Tenchi sighed. He was then informed that this place was run by some guy named Arcade, who made it especially to assassinate people through weird ends.     

   "Looks like you were captured as well," Roberto commented.

   "Yes," answered Tenchi. "Warlock and I are trying to find Doug-"

   "Cypher," corrected Roberto with a straight face.

   Tenchi nodded to his mistake. "Cypher and Betsy-"

   "Psylocke," added Roberto.

   "Okay, you-know-who!" Tenchi freaked at the constant corrections. "All I'm asking is can you help us?"

   "Later," said Sam from what he saw in the background. A large army of robots charged out, dressed up like the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and others.    

    Magma flashed on with a wicked smile. "I can easily solve our problem by rendering this place a volcano." The thought heated her body spiritually.

    "No way!" Sam jumped with great authority at his teammate. "Ya might end up killing our friends."   

      Magma stared at her leader, eyes angry but understanding. It made Cannonball a little taken back at how real her intentions were. Breathing with his own contentment as leader, he remained erect. "As long as you're a member 'n this group, ya have t' follow the rules." 

     Light-Ken saw the invasion as a sign for more fighting. "Need help?" he said while unsheathing his sword again.

     "Y' bet!" rocketed Cannonball in the air. "We've got more 'n a handful."

     Light-Ken jumped in front of their side, ready to assist. "Well, if you guys can beat Kagato without my help, then this will be easy."

===

    In a sky trail already treaded on by the horse Brightwind, Magneto traveled by way of the Magnetic waves. The air was cold, the weather pouring with rain that thundered wildly. It was not the perfect place for a child.

     There had to be precautions. Beside him, safe from the weather, floated Luna. She lay completely at bliss in the energy field created by her grandfather. In her position, isolated from the booming sounds and dangerous cold rain, she was content. Magneto would sometimes look back at the child, so innocent and unaware of the dangers he protected her from. There was a bittersweet irony to this method, a realization he felt sensitive to. The powers that protected Luna did nothing for Anya.

     The sentiment was sorely pressed by Magneto's resolve. This had to be the most absurd rescue mission he had ever instigated. Why was he bringing Luna with him?  Crystal would make good in her word if she knew his recklessness. This wasn't normal. 

     The Headmaster swiftly removed this awkward nature. He wasn't a normal person. That pertained that he wasn't a normal grandfather either.

===

     Having no alternative, Dani decided to see what awaited her from below the chute. It seemed like the best idea at the time. It now looked as if no good idea existed. The mutant saw herself shoved through the tunnel by great winds blasted from thin visors along it. The strength of these gusts gave the traveler no choice in her trip. She flew down, she flew up, and she flew side ways. It felt like a roller coaster, but even in the chaos of her mind, Dani found reasons to think the contrary. First, roller coasters were supposed to be fun. This was not fun.

   Second, roller coasters do not end in the ocean, which this passenger realized was the case. Flying toward a wall at the tunnel, Dani saw it flap open. She then rammed straight into the waters before her!

   The terrific impact of her body hitting the ocean showed that it was meant for a dead body. Too bad, Dani's body wasn't dead. At any case, it soon would be. The sudden change in her environment was too much for any coping. Dani did not take a deep breath. Despite this situation, the mutant desperately tried to find the direction to the surface. The frantic thrusting of her arms and legs with exhaustive might was only a little sign of success in her mind. She was going to die soon. She saw an Indian warrior. As breath grew less from this lack of air, acceptance seemed the only real choice she could make. Still, kind of a drag…

   And it felt like a drag. In her last states of possible consciousness, Dani felt a tug of some sort. A rapport of identity revealed her the supporter: Brightwind.

    The environment changed. What was once no air reversed its rules to show an abundance of the life-breathing substance. The taps of the rain splattered to give a better awareness. Dani was tired, but she quickly recovered to alertness. She turned her head upward. Ignoring the raindrops on her face, Mirage was able to see Brightwind looking down at her with teeth on her collar. She felt his contentment. With help, she got back on the saddle, feeling complete gratitude for him that rescued her.

     However, Dani realized that other people mattered. She looked down in the blurring rains, only registering the Amusement Park with hard recognition.

     Then she saw Magneto.

===

     Anyone reserved playing the safe spectator would find this battle between the New Mutants and much of the superhuman beings of Earth a spectacle of epic entertainment.

     But Light-Ken, Cannonball, Magma, Sunspot, and Warlock were not watching this battle. They were experiencing it with danger, action, and survival. The odds of the latter desire seemed scanty at first, due to the extreme numbers and the advantage of stamina the robot duplicates had.

     Nevertheless, it was a credit to say that the team was capable of holding their own; the New Mutants put their hearts into the battle. Sunspot his strength, Magma her molten powers, Warlock his/its shape-shifting, Light-Ken his sword and skills, they pressed their values greatly to the battle, under orders from the speed of Cannonball. He called for tactics they learned in the Danger Room. Warlock formed into a giant plow shovel that scooped and blocked the full assault, releasing a few to be taken down by his/its teammates.

    Yet it was not as easy as it sounded. Light-Ken was most astounded at the large number of costumed heroes they were fighting. He had no real history of practically all these people. The acrobat dressed like a devil, a wall-crawler dressed in webs, etc. There were several, though, he knew in history books, like Captain America and the Sub-Mariner.

    His friends were fighting their own as well, some working together to take down foes. Despite the fact that his powers might be greater then any of them, Light-Ken was touched and moved at their capabilities. He had known about this long before, which reinforced his hope. With their spirits, there was the assurance of victory.

    Not that there were no mistakes. Seeing Sunspot about to face being attacked, Light-Ken jumped and took care of the green giant robot with purple pants. He expected some gratitude.

    "What in Madonna are you doing, Light-Ken!" Sunspot's shouted. Although his face was dark blank, the white glow of his eyes and mouth showed sufficient anger. "I could have handled that robot by myself!"

    Light-Ken had little time to complain. He was quick to duck from a behind shield-swipe from 'Captain America.' This opening gave Sunspot time to lunge his fist over Light-Ken's back and smash the 'Captain's' head.

    Light-Ken arose. "Is this the way?"

    "That's better," Sunspot gave a positive remark.

    Cannonball, meanwhile, did not share either of his friends' optimism. Success or failure was in the eye of the beholder. He was able to zoom straight and wreck several guys. Think he just wrecked the 'Thing' somewhere. The speed he pulled made it unsure, and it was so difficult to turn. At any rate, he knew well that fatigue was not far off. As well as his friends fought, they couldn't do it forever. The number had to be halved.

   As soon as he could reach him/it, Cannonball cried to Warlock. "Start pullin' that transmode virus around!"

    "Remembers- SELF- well,- SAMFRIEND!" Warlock called out while breaking some robots. "TRANSMISSION- of- VIRUS- forbidden!"

   "But these are not humans, mes brave-" ducked Sunspot.

   In a confrontation with the 'Human Torch,' Magma added her words. "I see no problem in sacrificing these enemies." This word stood so resolute that it made Sunspot shudder; would she share the same views if these were just mind-controlled humans?

    Seeing the logic about these non-lifeglow beings. Warlock complied. He/it lashed out viruses on all in the surrounding, being discretionary in not infecting any real beings.

    Light-Ken witnessed such a scene. The person before him froze in an effigy that evolved into a series of circuitry. These circuitry webs glowed with energy, but it was definite. The light shuddered and blacked-out like Warlock almost did. The boy's eyes squinted, his mouth frowned at the sight. The robot's non-life did not give much consolation in what was rather unnerving.

    Warlock's attack was widespread, but not complete. The result was a manipulation on the techno-organism's structure. "FREEZE- up- SELF- feels! MAGNETIC- disruption!"

    "So shall you fall by the Master of Magnetism!" roared a red-and-purple guy garbed with a helmet. Save for Tenchi, the team recognized this person, unsure if it was a robot or the real thing.

    Sunspot didn't care. "Light-Ken, want a boost!"

    Taking the word and its meaning, Light-Ken jumped upon his sun-tempered teammate. With muscle-enhanced tone, Sunspot grabbed the feet of his Juraian teammate and threw him quickly enough. Light-Ken lunged ready to throw a sword at this unknown assailant. He was pushed back by unseen force. It was here that Light-Ken recognized who his foe was.

    Then the lights turned off.

===

     Her view screens had shown that most of the mutants had reunited. Miss Locke didn't like that, but perhaps killing them all in one stroke sounded more natural.

     Her attention went to vibrations of sounds and quaking. Looking to her surroundings, it was revealed that the room was rattling. Sparks exploded from the consoles. The view screens turned to static and flipped off. The control room's disruption would shut off Murderworld. Miss Locke knew the cause of this damage. Rather an ingenious way in that, but there was no time for respecting the enemy. Escape was the most desirable option, but the anger and hatred paralyzed her from that choice. She had to make due for her satisfaction.

      The captives also felt the change, right down to their manacled positions. They knew what was happening. Each electronic signal shut off representing how close their emancipation would mean.

   On the other hand, Miss Locke standing before them with a pistol definitely did not promise anything.

    "I'll take care of you!" she screamed. All three captives knew she wasn't lying. They also understood that she was probably so trained that she could blow all their heads off before rescue came.

     The lights went off. A minute passed by. Nothing happened.

     "O-kay," Doug spoke casually, a contradiction to his present emotion (as in scared). "Anyone else see anything weird with this?"

     Then a voice danced in their minds.

     Meanwhile, the wall in their left twisted and turned like a whirlpool. The limit to strain tore it open. In exposure was their levitating Headmaster.

     Magneto quickly entered the dark room, the floodlights above blinking open by his whim. The captives saw someone behind him. A child? 

     The Headmaster looked at the safety of his students. With a gesture, the three cylinders broke open. Feeling some psychic residue, he saw an all-too familiar astral image.

     You're late, mindspoke Emma.

===

    The blackout did nothing for Magma's brightness. Her body shone to give understanding to the area. It was a grim sight, as a battlefield usually was. All the remaining robots lay at the mutants' feet. Shadows highlighted the way some of their artificial faces looked blank-eyed. They looked like corpses. The red-and-purple robot was also fallen. Tenchi got closer to it. With a dreading face, he spoke, "Is this…"

    "Not him, ah hope," Sam finished that question "Not anymore." Taking command, he looked to what was the cause. The robots had all malfunctioned with the blackout. "Warlock?"

    "Self- NOTES- area- DEPLETION- of- ENERGY. Conclusion- OF- a- WIDE- power- SHORTAGE- likely."

     A butterfly mask then conjured up. Magneto is here, said Psylocke's voice within their minds. I'll pinpoint to you the area where Rahne and Shan are.

     "Magneto is the cause of this?" Tenchi realized with surprise.       

     "Guess so," Sam rubbed his head.

     "He had to steal our thunder," Roberto remarked with a frown.

     Tenchi just somberly transformed his costume back to his school uniform. His thoughts about Magneto had gotten so confusing. Guess he should end that problem.

     At any rate, Warlock assisted in finding the other two mutants. The two that were located had contrasting opinions. Shan was found, sooted and bearing a rifle, showing the gravity of her situation. "As usual, M'sieu, your timing is predictable." Rahne did not share this somberness. It was the time of her life, she said.

   Warlock then searched for the brainwashed goons sent for him/it. After that, the alien took his/its cargo to the control room, now uprooted to the surface. The rain was still in strong existence, but a Magnetic field protected all from its dew. Psylocke, Doug, and Illyana were glad to see Dani survive. Their leader had little to be proud about it.

    For those who were not locked up, the surprise existed on the fact that Arcade was not the major planner in all this. Miss Locke lay on the ground. In precaution, Magneto had added some metal manacles on her.

     Tenchi didn't care less who was responsible. He was more astounded at who was among the captives. He saw Illyana, dressed in her uniform. The realization of her situation riled him. He expressed this by shouting her name.

     Anxiously, Illyana met him. Seeing his distress (which bugged her), the girl tried to quiet this down. "I'm alright, Tenchi."

     Tenchi only got tenser. "I didn't know that you were a prisoner!" he shouted strongly. "Geez, what if you had gotten hurt?"

     "I can take care of myself!" Illyana responded in an equally strong tone. She was equally worried about his safety. She felt pleased at his survival, and the evidence of his concern. Should she take a chance with this?

    To Tenchi, the ramifications of this adventure had really upset him. Illyana might've been killed, and he could do nothing to save her. With an emotional relief, such a thing did not happen. Salvation had come from Magneto, thought Tenchi in thankfulness. Forget the number of times Magneto seemed evil to him. This was enough to banish them all. He was grateful for his rescue.

===   

     Tenchi's gratitude was hardly shaken when he learned that the entire rescue wasn't completely Magneto's. He met the astral image of Miss Frost. Her clothing was such that it gave Tenchi a nosebleed. Frost smiled at this (Illyana wasn't too happy about that). Tenchi learned that this lady was the Headmaster of the Massachusetts Academy, where the New Mutants once enrolled in. It was she who warned Magneto about their plight. She also came in to rescue Illyana, Doug, and Betsy from getting shot by Miss Locke.

     "In that case," Tenchi bowed his head, "I thank you for your kindness."

    Most of the mutants agreed. Not everyone, though. Roberto, Dani, and Illyana shared some misgivings, their minds sketching some questions. How did Miss Frost find out about their problem in the first place? Also, if she informed Magneto of their problem, why didn't she stop Miss Locke earlier? Of course, they kept these things secret…unless Frost tried to convince them to re-enroll to her school again.

     But no persuasion was made. Instead, she and Magneto made an agreement on what to do with the unconscious Miss Locke.  

     "You're letting her go?" shouted Tenchi for an answer.

     "I am afraid so." Amara explained. "It is a rule of the group."

     Illyana made a slow groan. She realized that killing Miss Locke would make her no better than she. That was something of a joke, considering her soul was probably worse then the bitch. At least no one was killed, with the survival of Dani and Tenchi a good bargain. "The least we could do is send her to the authorities."

     "And say what?" Dani stood her ground, feeling the pinch of unfairness as well. "Oh Hi! We're a couple of Mutants who were captured by this assassin! We had to break into private property with the help of our Headmaster, who you might know is Magneto?"    

    "We have to protect our identities," said Doug. Roberto found that part hard to swallow. Was it not yesterday when this team was willing to let their secrets be revealed? What in Madonna's name happened?

     Tenchi bore this without good. Taking out this woman would mean the compromising of their identities. He wasn't for harming this woman, but making sure she doesn't pay for her crimes was not an alternative. From the looks of it, some of the gang shared the same respect.

     Have no fear, Mr. Masaki, said Miss Frost in his head. I'll make sure she no longer bears any ill will to any of you ever again.

     Magneto heard this as well. He concentrated his mental powers to rapport. I hope you are civil in that regard. The force was so exact that Miss Frost could not ignore it.

     Do not worry, Magneto, the White Queen spoke in discreet immunity from Psylocke's own probing. I am merely undoing my pupil's damage on Miss Locke, erasing her memories concerning it. Her punishment will surely be Arcade's. This erasure has also been done to the goons she brainwashed and her accomplice Chambers. His capture was what took me so long to reach here.

    I doubt it, Magneto thought back. Once again I see you are playing up to a positive image for my students.

    The White Queen ignored that note. Her response continued about the main subject. In payment, Magneto, I ask you be discreet to your students about the real perpetrator.

    Unless Empath repeats his revenge…Magneto gave his warning.

    The White Queen just puffed on her cigarette holder, instilling her arrogance and ignorance upon her fellow teacher.

    At any rate, those without psychic abilities performed their voices instead of their heads. "Thanks a lot, Miss Frost," Sam spoke his gratitude, causing winces to some of his friends (Dani and Roberto came to mind).

     Within this room, a company of 13 physical figures stood, with the addition of a horse and a ghost. They conversed upon their recent survival from this danger. Magneto decided to look over Sam's lack of communication, seeing how difficult that might have been.

     Feelings toward others had changed, while thoughts once made closed were opened. There was some disappointment. There were some reinforced decisions of one's importance (or lack there of), and justification to continue with their decisions. Most attention, however, was directed at the bundle of joy Magneto had brought with him.

     "Who's this?" said Sam.

     "My granddaughter Luna."

     "What?" asked Roberto.

     "Oh come on," Dani shied from such lack of knowledge. "I knew about it."

     "Come to think of it," added Illyana to the teacher. "Don't you have other grandchildren?"

     "I didn't mean it like that," corrected Roberto. "I meant how did this happen?"

     "Her mother left the child in my care for tonight," answered Magneto, among some amazed faces. A shushing noise quieted the questions. The child in his arms was in slumber, attracting all to huddle before her tiny body. There were some cooing, sighs, and swoons. Roberto gave his judgment to the teacher. "She looks just like you. Poor kid."

     Rahne refrained from asking to hold the child. She couldn't allow emotion in her life. Still, she felt disappointed when Shan took that role.

     Tenchi was touched at the way Magneto looked at his grandchild. The contented smile was real. Guess the guy was just like his Grandfather. He was now convinced of his goodness.

    However, a different thing broke his thought. "What time is it?"

    Warlock formed a clock. "TIME- sphere- ARRANGED- in- DIGITS:- eight- THREE-five."

    Tenchi moaned with a lifted face. "We're late! The show's already begun!"

    Betsy and Doug didn't think share the disappointment. "After this," a tired Doug mused, "I want to go home. I also have a paper to do."

    "Ya' could'a done it earlier," complained Sam. "Like me."

   "Nerd," Doug slurred.

    "Still, it's a bummer," Illyana spoke with sympathy.

    Tenchi saw defeat. "Guess I'll wait for him at the hotel."

    A crash of thunder came. "You're not going in this weather?" asked Dani.

    "Don't worry gang!" Illyana made a hand-clapping demonstration. "Y'all can rely on the Magik express to get us back home in a second! Literally!"

     Silence was the response.

     "C'mon, guys!" Illyana attempted some encouragement. "It's not like I'm taking us to the other side of the world. We're not even going cross-country. I've mapped our locations. Done them all before. What's the problem?"

    Magneto decided to speak for the team. "I see no harm in this. Besides, I have not been to your dimension before, although if only for a second. I'd like to see if its notoriety is deserved."

    "It is," Roberto breathed hard.

    Dani surrendered to the logic of her magical friend. "What the heck! I don't want to fly out in this rain anyway." She looked to her animal friend. "Brightwind, you go fly home."

     The horse roared in an unhappy sound. Its wings spread out. Its legs moved. This made the party move a few steps back.

     "Even he shares reservations about going out there!" noted Amara.

    Surrendering with a mother's love, Dani embraced her nervous creature, calming his shakiness.

    Shan and Tenchi, however, made some demands. They both were set on the transportation, but it was wished that the final journey be blocked by some brief stops in Salem Center.

    "I have to get to my family," Shan explained.

    Tenchi shared a mutual cause. "I've got to see my father."

    "Done and done," Illyana confirmed the reports, making a final plea to Magneto. "Teach, I'm teleporting us to the roofs of Shan's apartment and the Morgan Hotel."

    The Headmaster promised protection from the weather.

===    

     There was an interruption when Sam (who warned them not to leave him behind) had to reclaim the bag of clothing he left in the stage nearby. The clothing and possession that Tenchi, Doug, and Shan had worn was also returned. By then, the group huddled closely, showing an assembly line of the same uniform (although the female New Mutants had black collars and yellow shoulders, with the males in reverse). It gave Tenchi a better esteem in being more affiliated with the team.

     As the group got closer, some connection was made. Rahne hovered near Shan; she would protect the babe from any demon who would prey on her. Dani held strong to the leash of her horse. Doug touched Besty's hand. She responded by clenching his hand.

    Some goodbyes were said to Miss Frost, who waved with a respectful reflex and a mental Ta-Ta!

   "Okay Scotty," joked Doug, "Beam us aboard!"

   "Aye, Captain!" Magik spoke in her best Scottish accent. As she raised her hands, a giant stepping disc conjured upon the company's feet. The group of 14 all vanished within it. The light that flashed signaled out the travel. With eagerness, the Sorceress made ready to conjure a cloth-changing spell on Shan and Tenchi.

   All reality warped sight as well as gravity. The gang lost their footing, falling against each other. "Alarm-ALARM!" screamed Warlock. In reflex, the techno-organic creature threw out arms to grab his/its selffriends. Dani and Brightwind were first. Sam and Amara were next.

   The force tossed Shan, upsetting her hold. Having a bad thought about this, Rahne flinched into lupine form and grabbed the child. Warlock grabbed them all.

   "Blessed Madonna!" Roberto cried with the unpredictable experience, a long tentacle grabbing him.

   "What's happening?!" screamed Tenchi, also grabbed by Warlock.

   "Dunno…I've lost control!" screamed Illyana.           

   Magneto attempted a barrier to protect all. However, the concern for Luna, and the unstable shaking shoved Betsy into him. The warm bond she shared with Doug snapped, her new bond with Magneto broke his concentration. A Techno-Organic arm grabbed Doug. None fell on Magneto and Betsy as another shake occurred. Both fell away.

    "Betsy!" Doug screamed in rebellion to this decision. He cried for Warlock to let him go.

    "Danger-DANGER!" Warlock responded to such a mood. By now, he/it had successfully joined everyone save those that have been divided. Despite the frantic instinct, Warlock hoped that Dougfriend would forgive him/it.

    "Keep together!" screamed Sam, his arm locked by Amara. Such commands were the best he and Dani could do in this sudden moment out of any control.

     Another flash of light came. All were no longer to be seen.

TO BE CONTINUED

(Scroll to the end of this story for details of the future)

*Crystal went with the Fantastic Four to the School in X-MEN: THE HIDDEN YEARS# 8.

**Magneto's trip to Attilan was in THE VISION AND THE SCARLET WITCH LIMITED SERIES (VOL.1)#4.

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TIMELINE:

NM= NEW MUTANTS

UXM= UNCANNY X-MEN

FF= FANFICTION

Week before

   UXM 206 - X-Men (except for absent Logan/Wolverine) leave San Francisco.

   FF (Chapter 1): X-Men go to Anchorage, find an empty Summers residence. Rachel persuades team to leave her behind to search for Cyclops/Scott Summers (she fails in locating him).

   NM ANNUAL 2 – Mojo kidnaps Betsy Braddock/Psylocke and the New Mutants. Betsy joins the School. Rahne/Wolfsbane (after a hiatus in Scotland) returns to the New Mutants.

   UXM ANNUAL 10 - Longshot joins the School. Mojo captures X-Men (except for absent Rachel). The New Mutants rescue them.

Saturday

   FF (Chapter 1):  Ororo/Storm and Kurt/Nightcrawler fly Longshot to Muir Island and Betsy to Great Britain.

   NM 45 - Spring Mixer that night. New Mutants and Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat meet Larry Bodine. Larry commits suicide later in the evening. Karma/Shan is with her family.

   FF (Chapter 1): Tenchi and Nobuyuki on plane to America.

    X-FACTOR ANNUAL 1 - The X-Factor team are in Russia.

Sunday  

   NM 45 - That morning, New Mutants learn about Larry's death.

   FF (Chapter 1): That afternoon, Tenchi and Nobuyuki land in New York. Arrive at Morgan Hotel in Salem Center. Tenchi takes the bus to the School.

   NM 45 - Kitty, Sam/Cannonball, Dani/Mirage, and Illyana/Magik stop Rahne's revenge on pranksters.

    FF (Chapter 1): Tenchi reaches the school that night, reuniting with the New Mutants. Illyana teleports Kitty, Sam, Dani, and Rahne to school. With permission from Magneto, Tenchi stays at the School. Meanwhile, Peter/Colossus and Rogue pick up Rachel at the airport.

Monday

     FF (Chapter 2): Magneto meets Doug/Cypher and Warlock that morning. Tenchi has breakfast, and gets formally initiated into the group, given the name "Light-Ken." Cleans dishes with Doug and Warlock. Tenchi meets Shan/Karma at her apartment.

     NM 45- Kitty Pryde presents her memorial speech for Larry Bodine to the students of Salem Center High School, as Magneto, Sam, and Dani look on.

     FF (Chapter 2): Tenchi, the New Mutants and the X-Men are also present in the audience. The New Mutants go to Harry's Hideout, than walk and race back to the School. Kurt, Ororo, and Betsy return.

     FF (Chapter 3): Doug greets Betsy. Tenchi visits Peter and goes to bed. Rachel and Magneto try to locate Scott Summers via Cerebro (fails). Logan/Wolverine gets seriously injured (predicted by Dani). Rachel attempts to heal Logan, only to injure herself. Illyana teleports the X-Men (Ororo, Peter, Kitty, Kurt, and Rogue) and their injured comrades to the Morlock tunnels. Healer saves Wolverine and Rachel, but both have to remain underground. Tenchi serves a Japanese dinner to the Mutants. The X-Factor returns to America.

Tuesday

     FF (Chapter 4): Dani puts Tenchi into a morning exercise. Illyana teleports to the Morlock Tunnels, then goes to Bloomingdale. Roberto, Amara, Betsy, and Warlock pull a joke on Tenchi. Nobuyuki Masaki visits the School and gives Tenchi four tickets for an evening show. Magneto receives an invitation from the Hellfire Club. Shan, Illyana, Rahne, and Dani are kidnapped.

     FF (Chapter 5): On their way to an evening show, Tenchi, Doug, Warlock, and Betsy are kidnapped. With exception to Betsy, Illyana, and Doug, the rest of the captives are forced to participate in dangerous games controlled by Miss Locke. Sam, Roberto, and Amara avoid a trap of their own and head for Murderworld. Magneto is visited by his daughter-in-law Crystal, who leaves her daughter Luna under his care. After being informed by the White Queen about Miss Locke's plans, Magneto goes to their rescue with his granddaughter in tow. The New Mutants regroup and escape thanks to their Headmaster's help. Illyana offers to teleport them all (including Betsy, Brightwind, and Luna), but something goes seriously wrong on route…  

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    Dear readers, I am afraid to announce the discontinuation of TENCHI THE NEW MUTANT for the near future. I'm very sorry.

   The sad reason is…I'm continuing this adventure in a new fanfiction x-over called MUTANTS IN GUNSMOKE. It is a story of love, shared identities, outlaws, and danger…in the TRIGUN Universe.

    Look for it in the TRIGUN fic category in fanfiction.net. Hope you enjoy it.