There was a loud explosion as the unit holding a shadowy figure burst apart, spilling green liquid and pieces of glass onto the floor. A bulky figure stepped out of the ruins, his metal boots grinding glass into a fine powder as he made his way across the room. Strapping on medieval-like armour, the Horsemen War sheathed two shining swords behind his back before picking up a massive mace. Gripping its handle tightly, he swung it once in the air, testing its feel. Satisfied, he was about to step out of the room when he was stopped by the presence of Mr. Sinister.
"Ah, excellent, you are finally awake." The other mutant just stared at him with dark eyes. "While we wait for your comrades to do the same, perhaps I can put you to some use." With that, both of them vanished in the darkness.
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"Scott, I have a bad feeling about this," Jubilee whispered to her leader.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. Everyone, stay alert," Cyclops ordered, in leader mode. He was leading the rest of the X-Factor through the wrecked remains of Essex's laboratory, in hopes of discovering some clues that may lead to the whereabouts of Warren. Seeing that the X-men could use a break, the Professor decided to send Scott and his team in instead. They've been searching for almost an hour now, and everything seems far too quiet. Despite the fact that they would be able to cover more ground if the team split up, Cyclops had been adamant that everyone stuck together, for the risk of another ambush by the Nasty Boys, or worse.
The whole compound was pitch black. Jubes was the only reason they were able to see at all, lighting their way with her powers. As an added precaution, they had Psylocke continually probing the area telepathically to alert them of a possible ambush. Scott and Alex took point, being the heavy-hitters of the team. Suddenly, a soft noise somewhere behind them alerted Cyclops to the presence of danger. He stopped dead in his tracks, but the noise was gone. Everyone else froze as well.
//What is it?\\ Betsy asked him telepathically.
//We aren't alone - someone's following us. Quick, scan the area\\ Psylocke's hands flew to her temples and her eyes clenched shut. She searched the area for any type of mental reading, but nothing turned up....wait! There - it was faint, but very close. Something seems to be suppressing it....
//Scott, you're right. I picked up something, but its unlike anything I felt before. Jubes, shut the lights, and on my mark, shoot behind us\\ the Asian broadcasted. The rest of the team remained calm; Scott had trained them for this. X-Factor was ready for any contingency.
However, their stalker had picked up on their mental dialogue, and began to silently move towards its prey. Sensing this, Betsy frantically telepathed Jubilee. //Now!\\
Instantly, the whole hallway lit up as a beam of white light streaked through the air. Everyone turned around, and if they still couldn't see their enemy, they definitely heard him. War's footsteps sounded like thunder as it shattered the silence of the dark corridors. Blink ported Psylocke and Alex away in a disk of gold energy just before a huge mace lodged itself on the ground where they were standing moments before. As he tried to retrieve his weapon, an optic blast ripped through the air and shredded the spiked metal ball from its chain. "Who are you?"
"Apocalypse, the Dread Lord, has ordered the destruction of the X-men, and I fully intend to carry out his wishes!" Throwing away the smoking handle, a pair of massive hands found their way his back and drew out two shining swords. Jumping at his enemies, the Horsemen landed right in between Cyclops and Jubilee as both leapt away in opposite directions. However, they were stopped when they ran into the walls of the narrow hallway, and found themselves still within sword's reach of their opponent.
Taking aim, Scott blasted an adamentium blade out of War's hands, but because of his lack of peripheral vision due to his visor, he didn't see the second blade until it was too late. As it cut through the air towards his head, his reflexes kicked in, and he threw his head backwards to get out of the way. The blade missed him, but cut his combat visor cleanly in half. As ruby-quartz fell to the floor, a huge river of crimson energy was discharged from his eyes, blowing a huge, expanding hole into the ceiling before Scott clenched them shut. Hearing the sword slice through the air again, the blind mutant tried his best to roll away, but felt the metal dig deep into his shoulder. Crying out in pain, he opened one eye and blasted his assailant into the opposite wall before a larger beam of orange speared the Horsemen and sent him straight down the corridor and into the darkness, where he mysteriously disappeared.
Slowly, Scott got up to his feet. His shoulder felt warm despite the sting; touching it, he felt blood. Deciding that now was a good time to get out, the five mutants disappeared in a flash of light. The walls briefly lit up, before returning to darkness, leaving the halls devoid of life once again.
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Slipping on her fuzzy robe and bunny slippers, Jean Grey left her room in the very early hours of the morning after spending much of the night tossing and turning. She found herself thinking about Scott, and wondered why she didn't see him yesterday. Lately, he was all Jean could think about, ever since their first 'date' two days ago. It was so magical, and the kiss was so perfect. There was really no other way to describe it. When she woke up, he was gone. Ororo said that he had taken a team out on a mission to find Warren, but that didn't stop Jean from having her doubts.
At once, she sensed the telepathic presence of the X-Factor as Blink teleported them into the mansion. Sensing their emotions, she began to get worried. //Betsy, what happened? Did you guys find Warren?\\
//No. We were jumped by this guy and he got Scott before we drove him off. We're heading to the infirmary now\\
Instantly, her stomach dropped thirty stories as she made her way to the infirmary as fast as she could. She got there just in time to see Havoc and Jubilee carrying Cyclops under the arms and slowly walking him through the doors.
"Oh Scott, are you alright?" she asked as she telekinetically lifted him and set down on the hospital bed. "Yeah, I'm fine, just a little scratch," he responded, giving her a small smile. Jean started rummaging through the medical supplies. "Where's your visor?" At her question, Blink teleported away.
"Destroyed," Alex showed her the pieces of the broken headpiece. "Hold still," Jean commanded as she started cleaning the gash. Blink reappeared just as she started bandaging the wound, placing a pair of ruby-quartz sunglasses on the bridge of his nose.
"Thanks, Clarice. Hey guys, do me a favour and brief the Prof on what happened?" Nodding, the others turned and left, leaving Scott and Jean alone.
"That's a nasty cut you've got there, Slim. Could've been a lot worse though," Jean commented as she finished wrapping up his arms.
"Yeah, I know. Thanks for the help." Getting up, Scott grabbed her hand and pulled her to him, covering her lips with his. //I'm sorry I couldn't see you yesterday, but at least now you know where I was. You didn't miss me, did you?\\ he sent her, unwilling to break the kiss. He guided her back a step so that they were leaning against the counter, his body pressed gently onto hers.
//Maybe a little\\ Draping her arms around his neck, she kissed him back amorously, doubts and worries gone. She moaned as he tenderly slid his tongue into her mouth. //Okay, maybe a lot\\ They maintained the embrace for a long time before Scott pulled back. Their foreheads were still touching, much like it was after their first kiss. "Can I call you mine, or do I have to earn that privilege?"
"Only if you'll be mine," she breathed, her perfect lips grazing against his teasingly. "Always, Red." He chased her as she pulled away.
Scott stared after Jean as she walked out of the room. "Careful Cyke, or you might lose your uptight, stiff, demanding, anal retentive reputation that you worked so hard to perfect for years. People might start to think that you actually know how to relax and enjoy yourself," she laughed. In a flash of red hair she was gone, leaving Scott alone in the infirmary, grinning to himself.
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"My Dread Lord, the first of your Horsemen have been completed as you commanded." Beside him, the War stepped out of the shadows, clad fully in combat gear. "His name is Abraham Kieros, a veteran of the Vietnam war. As such, I found it appropriate to outfit him as the Horsemen War. Along with his ability to generate concussive blasts and explosions, his physical traits such as speed and strength have been enhanced in accordance to your wishes," he continued.
Apocalypse studied his first foot soldier keenly. True to his word, Essex had delivered a worthy servant to his cause. "He already has made an appearance to those who have delayed the project, and, needless to say, created a worthy impression on your enemies." With that, a sword was presented, its metal tip dripping with Scott Summers' blood.
