Awakening
The higher regions of the Tower were thirty stories above the ground, the only living creatures were birds. Even they tended to stay away from the top. It had a touch of danger to it. Even to the birds, the Tower represented danger. Especially the top of the Tower. It was there where the danger seemed to be most pronounced. The sentiments of the denizens of the tower were not too different. The top few floors were where HE was, and HE was best left alone. At the top of the Tower though, today someone stirred.
Something had disturbed him. He was not sure what, but something had awakened him from his reverie. He shifted his weight about in the great chair. Something from far below him, he pinpointed. This disturbance was not normal. Well perhaps others would take care of it. He was tired, after a day of going over his possessions, conferring with his underlings, passing new laws. It was a tiring process. En Sabah Nur was not a man to tire easily. Then again he wasn't precisely a man. He was far, far beyond that. He was perhaps beyond even a mutant. No one could call him a mere mutant. His was the power that even mutants dreamed of. Survival of the fittest. That was what had gained him this position, for who else was the strongest but he. Certainly the last one to try and face him had been quickly subdued. Too quickly. Nur needed a challenge. This disturbance may well be one. He doubted it, but it would make a change from dallying with his 'Externals'. They were all fools. He knew of their desires, they were merely strong humans, mutants of a lower class then he. Yet they were dangerous fools. Their power was enough for them to take him if they banded together. He doubted that would happen, but he was not one to ignore a threat. He had a remedy for that threat ready. They lay in the chamber, ready for awakening. It took long, but it was an art. To mold them in his fashion was one of the greatest joys he could attain. It would be some time before they were ready. Well, he would wait until they were, then if necessary he would use them, but only if necessary.
Apocalypse rose from the chair. He strode across his darkened chamber, his body servants following him. He motioned to them and they stay put. He would summon them if necessary. He walked to the lift and pressed on the pad on the wall. The doors immediately opened and he walked into the lift. It had been a while since he had seen action, and a while since he had seen his Prelates in action. He wanted to see if they were good. He had only seen the High Prelate, once, and had heard enough about him to want to see him in action. If the High Prelate was truly as good as his spies told him, then he would have to devise some countermeasure in the event of him ever becoming a threat. The lift carried the Master of the Tower down.
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The X-men and Roulette stood in the containment area B3. The new that their teammate Betsy was in the hands of the High Prelate was bad. Now they would have to take a step ahead of what they had intended. They would have to infiltrate the Tower itself. Jean didn't think it would be easy at all. There were Prelates to consider there, and highly trained Uber-leutnants. As well as the High Prelate himself. The Externals could not be considered. They could not handle the Externals.
They began going upwards, heading for the higher levels. The elevator took them to the highest level it could go. Now they were truly in the tower. Kitty phased through a wall to search the surrounding. She appeared a minute later, calmly announcing that two guards were down. They walked down that corridor, slowly.
Suddenly an alarm began to sound. The sound of it chilled Jeans bones. An alarm that only meant that somehow, somebody had managed to raise an alarm. One of the earlier guards maybe. Jean didn't know, but it had happened. Now was not the time to stand.
"This way!" Logan ran towards the door up ahead. By this time Jean could hear the sound of booted feet hitting the ground. Guards. Easily dealt with. Jean turned and sent a shockwave through the wall towards the guards. She heard muffled noises of surprise and then shouts of pain. She ran through the door. The others had already run ahead, Logan staying back, to make sure she got through. He then closed the door and stuck his claws into the panel next to it. Jean ran with Logan towards the other door.
"We must get to the higher levels. The Prelates must be there. We will find Cyclops there."
Storm's calm logic served to ease the others near panic. This was not a time to panic. Jean felt the adrenaline pumping through her body. She looked at Remy, who was actually grinning.
"Dis is gettin' ta be more an' more interestin'."
Jean goggled at him, the man was calm and collected. He seemed to be enjoying their predicament. Then again, she should be used to it by now. Remy had always been a man to love risks. They ran down the corridor. The enemy slowly gaining.
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The alarm interrupted Scotts interrogation. He had not been making much headway, but he knew it would take a while. He looked up in anger, and a little anxiety. The alarm would go off for very few reasons. The most likely explanation he could formulate was that someone had broken in. But how? And who could have broken in? The answer followed the thought almost immediately. X-men. Or perhaps Roulette, coming for their comrade. Scott gritted his teeth in anger.
"Stay here. I shall have to deal with this matter."
Betsy smiled then, "My team has come for me. I knew they wouldn't leave me. However stupid this action may seem, they've come for me, and you're in trouble now."
Scott heard the mocking tone, but he ignored it. He didn't have time to indulge in punishing her for her remarks.
He pulled on his cape and strode out of the room. Almost as an afterthought he pressed a switch on the wall. Betsy suddenly found herself trapped in some sort of bubble of energy. She couldn't move beyond a foot in any direction. She glared at Scotts departing back.
Cyclops walked down the hall, taking long fast steps. He took out his communicator.
"Prelates, report."
Rumiks voice came out of the speaker.
"It appears there are intruders in sector 24. They have somehow made their way from the containment areas. They also appear to be heading for higher sectors. Your orders?"
Cyclops thought for a second, intruders managed to break in from the containment area. That meant they must have some access from there. He would need to get that seen to.
"Contact the others and tell them to meet in the sector 12. We'll take down these scum soon enough."
Cyclops turned off his communicator. He opened the lift doors and made his way down to level 12.
Rumik turned off the communicator and turned to Lumina who was busy putting on her armor. She had been taking a nap in the Prelate's common room, when the alarm had begun ringing. They quickly came out of the room and walked down the hallway. They entered a lift, and went down to level 12. They got off the lift and saw that Havok and Polaris were already there.
"Where's Quja?" Rumik asked.
"He should be getting here soon. He was with Cece in the medical room. He was to get his bandages taken off."
"Bastard X-men, coming here. This time we'll kill them though."
"Yes, what on earth were they thinking attacking the Tower?"
"Very likely they wanted revenge."
The doors to the room opened, and Cyclops walked in.
"Where's Quja?"
"Right here." Quja had returned from the infirmary.
"Good everyone's here. There are very few Uber-leutnants here. Most of our armies are busy elsewhere, and it would take a long time recalling them. We only have two units here."
Only two units, the Prelates looked at each other. That was bad, that meant only two Uber-leutnants and twenty mutant troops. Not enough to take down even ten X-men. The Prelates could though.
"We'll also get involved. They must have come here to rescue their comrade, Psylocke."
"Psylocke? Who's that?" That was from Polaris.
"She's part of Roulette. I didn't know we had captured Psylocke." Quja answered.
"She was captured while we dealt with the X-men. I had sent a garrison to fight against Roulette. She managed to kill Krola, using only her hands and feet. She's in my room, in a bubble. She won't be going anywhere."
Havok smiled then, "In your room? Why was she in your room, Scott? Oohh!"
Cyclops looked at Havok, then smiled suddenly, "She's not that bad looking at that."
Then his voice hardened.
"I was questioning her as per the Externals orders. I wasn't done yet when the alarm rang."
Quja voiced the question, "So Roulette is also here?"
The Prelates all looked at Cyclops.
"I believe so. Reports indicate that Gambit is there, as is a man of fire. That would be Renegade. So at least two of Roulette are here. Of the X-men only Weapon X and Nightcrawler have been identified. As well as Storm, though I think she's with Roulette now."
Suddenly his communicator beeped.
He turned speaking into it. The Prelates just looked at each other.
"Ok, they're on level 10 now, heading upwards. Havok, Polaris you go from the east area, Quja and Lumina you go from the West. They'll be heading north so I'll intercept them there. Since they're looking for Psylocke, One of us should guard her. Rumik, that's your job. These people must have been sneaky to get into the tower. I don't want them freeing her. She is very dangerous. Don't underestimate these people. They're desperate in all probability, and hence even more dangerous. One unit is down. The other is chasing them along with guards, but guards aren't much use against them. All right. Let's move out."
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Kill or be killed, that was the game of the day, thought Gambit. *Ha! What a friggin perfect description*. They had been lucky. The Uber-leutnant had fallen easily, obviously a new trainee. His mutant unit had been easily dealt with after that, and they had found out where Psylocke was. In the bloody High Prelates quarters. Bloody perfect. If their job hadn't been hard enough before, it certainly wasn't getting any easier. There were still guards after them, easily dealt with but bothersome, slowing them down. It wouldn't be too long before they met another unit, or the Prelates. Then the shit would really hit the fan. Of them all, only Weapon X showed no signs of fatigue. All the rest were steadily slowing down, including him. In this shape they wouldn't last too long against more than one unit more. They had reached floor thirteen, and had six more floors to go before finding the High Prelates quarters.
They smashed through a blockade of guards, heading into another stairwell. Ah, level twelve. Only five more floors to go. Suddenly Phoenix stopped.
"I don't know for sure, but there seems to be a high concentration of mutants in there. I also feel as if someone else is near. I don't know who though."
"Hell, it's probably another unit. We'll rip through them in no time, darlin'."
Phoenix was troubled and it wasn't only the fact that there was another unit ahead. Someone was there. Someone she knew, and she was not sure who. Perhaps it was Psylocke. They walked into another hallway with doors along the sides. By the look of them, obviously living quarters.
They walked on down the hallway, cautiously. Weapon X's nostrils flared as they neared the end.
"I smell danger, Jeannie's right. There's probably a unit in there. Can we take em'?"
The teams condition had not gone unnoticed by Weapon X. They all drew themselves up.
"I'm t'inkin we can take one homme. More 'n dat, I dunno."
The rest of the team nodded assent. Phoenix telepathically opened the door.
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Cyclops felt it, they were coming. One unit was below him, with an Uber- leutnant. She was new, as had been the other, but would be one more strong hand against the rebel infiltrators. The rest of the Prelates were all standing in anticipation. Cyclops had no idea why, he was filled with the dread of knowing a tough battle would soon be fought. As soon as the battle started it would be gone, but at the time just before a fight, he was nervous. Every time. There was another with them, a presence he could feel.
"They're coming. Be ready."
The unit stood in battle formation, extending in a V shape outwards from the slightly raised level, where the Prelates and he himself stood. The Uber-leutnant stood in the middle of the V, the apex, waiting for the battle to begin. The Prelates grew ready, Lumina already taking on a slight glow.
The door opened.
The mutants attacked, heading for the X-men and Roulette. Gambit felled one with three cards to the chest. Another was dropped by Weapon Xs claws. Phoenix formed a telekinetic shield around herself and levitated into the air. This was followed by her allowing Storm to enter the shield. Storm disoriented the mutant troops, buffeting them with wind. Nightcrawler bamfed around his enemy, punching and kicking the mutant into submission.
Shadowcat leapt around her opponent, phasing through the attacks and hitting the mutant at every turn. Mystique was transforming into the fallen mutants, and then hoodwinking the others into following her into snares where Marrow waited to skewer them. Renegade was an inferno, setting two mutants on fire. Storm's powers were not as powerful as they would be outside. Quja leapt forward, his eyes on Phoenix. He was a telekinetic too, and wanted to test himself against her. He smashed her shield and followed up by creating a psi-sword, his specialty. Phoenix's eyes widened, and she quickly pulled up another shield, that the sword smashed against, dispelling the shield but sending Quja staggering back. The other Prelates were already in action, Lumina creating her energy barrier again. Cyclops hung back, watching. Havok smashed Mystique into a wall with an energy blast. Mystique slid down and onto her knees because of the strength of the blast. Polaris circled overhead, and then catching sight of Weapon X smiled. She had not missed the significance of his being here. She began to pluck at his adamantium laced skeleton in the most painful ways. Weapon X, busy slashing at a mutant, didn't notice until it was too late. He stumbled, and the mutant he had been attacking smiled in glee and smashed him across the face, but Polaris didn't let the neck twist, and Weapon X felt his jaw crack. The healing went into effect immediately.
"Someone, get that bitch!!"
Suddenly three cards hit Polaris. She yelped, and fell onto the ground. She struggled up, and Gambit was there.
"Dat not be such a nice t'ing you be doing to Remy's homme. Remy t'inks mebbe you should be taught a lesson."
He twirled his staff in his hand and then swung it at her. Polaris caught it with her powers inches before it took her across the head, and started pushing it back. Gambit looked at the staff, shrugged and left it. It glowed for two seconds before Polaris understood what was happening. The blast smashed her into a wall. She struggled to get up, Havok rushing to her side. The Prelate looked up in anger and sent a blast towards the two rebels. Gambit jumped one way and Weapon X the other.
"Damn."
Gambit evaded the blasts that kept coming his way, courtesy of the enraged Prelate.
Through it all Cyclops watched.
Lumina had nearly reached the ceiling with her energy sphere, the dome of pure energy that spread out in the room, making less and less space for the rebels to fight. Phoenix and Quja were facing each other, Quja with his psi- sword out, Phoenix getting ready a shield. Quja jumped forward, his sword slashing. Phoenix pulled out the shield, which dissipated, as did the psi- sword.
Yet Quja was already making another and slashing. Phoenix again created a shield, and again as Quja relentlessly created swords.
Storm had all the mutant troops left in a hold of wind and she smashed them into a wall. That left only the Uber-leutnant, and the Prelates.
Marrow and Nightcrawler were down, but Mystique was tending to them, leaving the others to handle the enemy. From the enemy's side, only Polaris was down. Phoenix faced off against Quja, Gambit dodging Havoks blasts and throwing cards at him. Shadowcat and Renegade were double teaming the Uber- leutnant, who was having a tough time handling the two. Weapon X was heading for Cyclops.
"It's time to finish this, bub."
Cyclops smiled, then Weapon X had only an instants warning, as he saw the visor rising, to jump out of the way of the optic blast. Then Cyclops was on him, punching and kicking. The feral blocked one punch, only to get a kick in the solar plexus. Weapon X snarled and slashed twice at Cyclops, who only managed to evade one. He stood up, three claw marks stretching across his chest. Weapon X leapt at him again.
Phoenix was getting tired fast, and Quja seemed to have unlimited reserves of energy. He kept on creating swords to slash at Phoenix's shields. Phoenix had an idea then, she quickly made a shield as powerful as she could, then as Quja hacked at it, she began to assault his mind telepathically. Qujas block wasn't strong enough to resist Phoenix's assault outright, but it was enough for him to create a small enough block himself, to counter her attack. Phoenix's plan worked. Quja had to use enough concentration for his sword to dissipate, and Phoenix halted her attack and enlarged the shield as quickly as she could. It smashed into Quja who was hurled back by the force. Phoenix sagged slightly, but she was triumphant. Or so she thought. Quja was already rising, stumbling slightly, but his psi-sword was already in his hands, and Phoenix didn't have enough energy to create another shield. All hope was not lost though. A blast of wind slammed into Quja, sending back into another wall, with enough force to break his bones. Strom landed next to Phoenix, and sank to her knees, the effort of creating such a strong blast getting to her. Quja didn't rise this time.
Renegade and Shadowcat were smashing the Uber-leutnant. Renegade was behind Shadowcat, repeatedly sending flare blasts at her. Shadowcat phased and the blast went through striking the Uber-leutnant. Then Shadowcat would punch or kick her, and then phase for the next blast. It was over in a few seconds. The Uber-leutnant went slack on the fifth punch to the jaw, and crumpled to the ground. Renegade and Shadowcat high fived.
There was still Havok though, and Gambit wasn't getting anywhere. Behind him was Lumina, and before him stood Havok, sending beam after beam at him. Gambit evaded as best he could, but was forced forward each time, as Lumina's dome expanded. His staff was gone, and he had no spares. His cards were running low, and he had no other projectiles. Things were looking bad for the Ragin' Cajun.
Weapon X was still attacking Cyclops, who was having a tougher and tougher time. He had only fought one feral before, who had been wilder in his attacks, but easier, as Cyclops could handle wild attacks, with pinpointed, strategic hits. This was like fighting a trained version of that. As Weapon X closed in for another attack, Cyclops parried, and saw his opening. He shot an optic blast at a fire extinguisher, behind Weapon X, and ducked. The extinguisher flew off the wall, rocketing towards Weapon X, striking him squarely in the back, and smashing him into Lumina's dome. This led to total chaos.
In retrospect it probably wasn't the best thing to shoot a volatile projectile into the charged dome. Cyclops watched as the extinguisher exploded, the air causing the molecules to shift and strike against each other, causing a chain reaction. Even Lumina wasn't safe from this.
The explosions destroyed the room, obliterating the floor and ceiling, and breaking the floor of the room below. Weapon X, Mystique, Marrow and Nightcrawler fell into the room two floors down. Gambit, Renegade and Shadowcat were smashed through the wall, into the next room, while Storm and Phoenix fell into the previous room they had come from. Storm slipped into a hole in the ground caused by a falling wall, but Phoenix remained on the same floor. A slightly recovered Polaris had elevated Havok from the explosion, though even they were hit by pieces of the room. Qujas section of the room was the only one that remained more or less intact, and Lumina landed there, half dead, armor gone, and only a small strip of clothing left, the rest of her naked body was tinged red, but not much harm had come to it. Cyclops too lay on his side, half buried beneath rubble. His armor saved him, otherwise he would have died. Somehow, no one was dead.
Scott stirred, his eyes opened, slowly, and he groaned. He looked around, everything was rubble. His eyes quickly scanned the ground. Kan was there, as was Sylvia, no mistaking her. No sign of Alex and Lorna, he tried to stand, but his legs were trapped beneath something. The only other person Scott could see was Phoenix. An X-man. As well as a telepath, the only other known apart from Xavier, who was dead. Alex and Lorna then came into his view, landing down, Polaris holding Havok by his armor. Alex walked over to Scott, this time he was supporting Lorna, who had burns on her face. Her armor was blackened.
"Scott, are you all right?" Alex asked worriedly.
"Ugh, I'm fine, just get me out of here."
Lorna used her powers to lift up all the metal burying Scott, and Alex blasted away all the rest. Scott scrambled out, and Lorna dropped the metal, sagging, so that Alex had to catch her from behind.
"Where did the rest of the X-men go?"
Alex answered, "I don't know, some fell when the floor caved in, and one was slammed back to where they came. One's over there though, the telepath."
Scott looked at Phoenix. She indeed lay there, but where were the others?
Suddenly he was aware of a presence approaching. He turned, as did Alex and Lorna, towards the door ahead. They opened, and a large man walked in, all in dark blue and light blue armor with red strips, a black and blue cape fluttering behind as he came forward. He wore red boots which had blue armor, but the most arresting thing was his face. Like Sinisters, this was not a normal color. It was pale blue in color, with deep sunken eyes, without any iris, all white. It was a big face, in an even bigger body.
"Sire!"
Scott, Alex and Lorna, immediately prostrated, after getting over the momentary shock. It was Apocalypse himself.
"What happened?"
The question was directed towards Scott.
"Sire the X-men somehow managed to make their way into the Tower, apparently to rescue their comrade. We ambushed them here, and fought them, until an accident caused Prelate Lumina's dome of energy to explode."
Apocalypse looked around again, his eyes finally resting on Phoenix.
"Keep her in the containment area. We may find use of her yet."
Apocalypse could feel the resonance here. Part of it was from Phoenix he was sure. He was also certain that he had felt the resonance when she entered the Tower. What was she resonating against? He would find out.
"Find the other rebels and destroy them. I am returning to my chambers."
Apocalypse turned and strode away, as he had entered.
As he left, the three rose.
"Holy Shit, the master himself. That I didn't expect."
Scott frowned slightly, but stopped, as he felt the same. Why did Apocalypse come here, he had to have started moving before the explosion ever happened. He had come mere minutes after it happened, and there was no way he could have done that. He turned to Alex.
"Call the guards from the containment area's. Ask them to get a dampener. We need to get this mutant into a containment unit quickly."
Alex turned and walked out of the room, to get the guards.
"Lorna, I hate to ask this of you, but we need to get the other X-men. Take Kan and Sylvia to the infirmary. I'll need you back. We have to find the rest of the X-men."
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Rumik walked up and into the room ahead. She opened the door, braced for any attack; the bubble was enough to hold the strongest mutants, but there was no harm in being cautious. She walked in, looking around. The bubble was there, but Polaris could not be seen. She felt anxiety rise in her; who could have escaped the bubble? Then she saw her, sitting in the chair. She relaxed slightly.
"So Roulette's your team huh?"
The woman's head turned and she stared at the Prelate.
"Who are you?"
Rumik smiled.
"I'm Prelate Helena Kahn, you can call me Rumik."
As she watched Psylockes colour went ashen. Psylocke jumped up and looked at the Prelate.
"Helena?"
The Prelate watched wearily.
"You call me Prelate Rumik, rebel."
"Helena. it's me Betsy. Elizabeth Braddock."
Rumiks went pale as she saw that it was her old friend, the same black hair, tinged purple, the same violet eyes, the same arched eyebrows.
"Betsy."
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Gambit was moving fast, Shadowcat and Renegade right next to him. As far as they could tell nobody was after them, but they couldn't be sure. They ran as fast as they could, hurrying to reach Cyclops's room. They didn't know what had become of the other's but all they could do was hope they were alive. Up ahead was the High Prelate's room. It had been disconcerting to say the least when Apocalypse had appeared, they had luckily been hidden. When he went into the devastated room, they had run for the elevator, going in quickly. Now they were on the seventh floor.
Gambit tried to open the door but failed. Shadowcat then motioned him aside and walked in, opening the door from inside.
Only for them to meet a Prelate, Rumik. A Prelate, not tired in the least, and they were already half-dead, from pain and exhaustion.
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It had been a shock finding out your old friend was in the enemy camp for both women. Then Helena had disabled the bubble and hurled her arms around Betsy, hugging her. She had taken a step back then, and cupped her face tenderly.
"I can't believe it's you. Oh Betsy it's been such a long time."
Betsy put her arms around Helena's waist.
"Yes, Helena it's been a while."
Helena then kissed Betsy's cheeks, Betsy doing the same, in their greeting when they were young.
Then Helena stepped back and frowned.
"This is a predicament. You're my oldest friend, but you're also my enemy."
Betsy's eyes narrowed.
"I don't want to fight you Helena."
"Helena laughed then, "That's a good one Betsy. In your present condition, you'd be no match for me."
Then she sobered up. She looked at Betsy consideringly.
Betsy watched nervously, though she wouldn't let the nervousness show. She could guess at the inner battle Helena faced, would she keep her old friend here and remain loyal to her masters, or would she be loyal to the love she had for her friend, and let Betsy escape.
Looking at Helena's eyes, so familiar and yet so changed, Betsy knew the choice could go either way.
Then the ground shook, and the explosion occurred, and they were both knocked to their feet. Betsy took her chance, not waiting for Helena to come to a decision, and leapt behind her Helena, racing for the door.
She wasn't quick enough. Helena grabbed her foot, and she fell. Helena quickly encased her in the bubble.
"Helena, don't do this. We were friends, you know this is wrong. Leave the oppressors Helena, join us."
Helena looked at Betsy.
"Helena, do you know what Apocalypse and the Externals have done to the world? It's a ruin Helena, a ruin, because of your masters."
"Why do you call them that? Only Apocalypse is the master. He is the ruler of this planet. He rules all earth. I don't know why you rebels don't accept it."
Betsy tried again.
"No one asked for him to be the ruler. Now he oppresses humanity."
Helena cut her off, "Why didn't you tell me you were a mutant?"
Betsy looked surprised.
"My mutation manifested the year after yours did."
Helena looked at her again, curiosity and something else burning in her eyes.
"Why weren't you brought here to train?"
Betsy again answered truthfully.
"I was supposed to be. My family resisted. They were killed. It was only because of Remy's help that I managed to make it out of there, safe. He had followed them and helped me escape. He took me to a man named Xavier. He helped me control my powers,"
Helena quirked an eyebrow.
"So you're an X-man."
"No I'm not. I am a member of Roulette, Remy's squad. They're here to get me aren't they? Let me go Helena. For old friends sake if nothing else."
Betsy made the entreaty again, knowing it might make no difference.
Helena looked at her, for a little while. Then Shadowcat suddenly phased through the door. She opened the door, and Helena turned and found herself facing three rebels.
Gambit was the first to react, throwing one of his last six cards at Helena. She jumped up and the card hit Psylockes bubble, which exploded, setting Psylocke free.
Gambit was readying another card, and Renegade was preparing to throw a flare, when Psylocke shouted.
"STOP!"
Gambit looked at her in surprise, but complied, as did Renegade.
"Helena, your powers won't be of use here. You can't fight four of us and win. I don't want to fight you. Join us Helena, you know I'm right."
Helena looked at her friend. She had been shocked to realize that Betsy's family was dead. At that point something inside her had snapped, and she had felt a great warmth flood through her. It must have been part of Dark Beasts conditioning. She also felt her mental block disappear. She could erect one nearly as strong, but it would take her strength.
She was surprised to hear the words coming out of her mouth as much as the others were. "I know a way down onto the lowest floor that's quicker, we can take the Prelates lift."
Betsy smiled then, and Helena grinned back.
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Helena took them down to the containment area B4. There Gambit relayed to the rest of the team to meet him there. Phoenix wasn't answering.
"I have to go now."
Betsy turned.
"Helena, don't go. Come with us, you know the truth now, Dark Beasts influence has gone. Why?"
Helena smiled then, a bitter smile.
"I can't go with you Betsy. I'm in love with one of the enemies. One of your enemies. I can't come with you."
Betsy looked at Helena. In love? With an enemy? Only Gambit showed a sort of understanding.
"Remy knows what she means, Bets. She won' come."
Betsy looked at Helena again, and her lip quivered.
Then she was hugging her. They were both crying now, and didn't care if the world saw it all.
"I'll miss you Helena. After all this time, we gotta be apart again."
"I can't come Betsy. I'm sorry, I can't leave him. Maybe once you defeat Apocalypse, then we'll have time together. Now hurry and go. The Prelates are coming. Until then, goodbye."
Helena ran off. Betsy broke down completely then and Kitty hugged her.
The others arrived a while later. Nightcrawler was in bad shape, as was Marrow. Weapon X was fine, as was Storm. Mystique was hobbling, being supported by Storm, and Weapon X supported both Nightcrawler and Marrow.
"Where's Jeannie?"
"I don' know homme. She not be answering her comlink."
Logan growled, but then the storage room doors opened and the Prelates Cyclops and Polaris were there, along with Rumik, and a nearly a hundred guards, and behind them, floating on a hover-board in the air was Archanfel.
The onslaught forced the X-men and Roulette down into the catacombs.
"Can't let dem in here mes amis. Cover your ears."
Then before any guard could enter, Gambit blew up the area of the catacombs, via a switch. The explosion sent guards flying, and the Prelates stumbling back. Cyclops kicked the ground in anger, and Archanfel looked down at the destroyed shaft and tunnels in rage.
There was no way they could follow them now.
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They were back at the garden where Belladonna's grave lay.
"Remy is sorry chere. We gonna go back soon, an' get Jean."
Logan growled in understanding, but he wasn't too happy about it.
Psylocke put a comforting hand on her old mentors forearm.
"Logan, it's all my fault. If you hadn't had to come and rescue me, Jean would still be here."
Logan looked at her.
"Of course not Betsy. Jeannie and I knew the score. We couldn't have let you remain in their hands. I understand that we gotta go back and get recuperated, but I don't have to like it. Jean's special to me Betsy. I gotta get her back."
Storm bent down beside him.
"She is special to us all Logan. We will get her back, and you know Roulette will help you as well."
Logan grunted again. Then they all turned and followed Remy out of the grove.
"How're we gonna get back into the Tower, next time?"
Remy looked at Kitty.
"We find another way Kitty-cat. Don' worry. Remy got contacts in the Tower. A few guards, and Bets has even more. She'll help won't she?"
Betsy looked at him.
"Yes, very likely she will. But we'll get in, with or without her help. We have to, to save Jean."
====================================================
The higher regions of the Tower were thirty stories above the ground, the only living creatures were birds. Even they tended to stay away from the top. It had a touch of danger to it. Even to the birds, the Tower represented danger. Especially the top of the Tower. It was there where the danger seemed to be most pronounced. The sentiments of the denizens of the tower were not too different. The top few floors were where HE was, and HE was best left alone. At the top of the Tower though, today someone stirred.
Something had disturbed him. He was not sure what, but something had awakened him from his reverie. He shifted his weight about in the great chair. Something from far below him, he pinpointed. This disturbance was not normal. Well perhaps others would take care of it. He was tired, after a day of going over his possessions, conferring with his underlings, passing new laws. It was a tiring process. En Sabah Nur was not a man to tire easily. Then again he wasn't precisely a man. He was far, far beyond that. He was perhaps beyond even a mutant. No one could call him a mere mutant. His was the power that even mutants dreamed of. Survival of the fittest. That was what had gained him this position, for who else was the strongest but he. Certainly the last one to try and face him had been quickly subdued. Too quickly. Nur needed a challenge. This disturbance may well be one. He doubted it, but it would make a change from dallying with his 'Externals'. They were all fools. He knew of their desires, they were merely strong humans, mutants of a lower class then he. Yet they were dangerous fools. Their power was enough for them to take him if they banded together. He doubted that would happen, but he was not one to ignore a threat. He had a remedy for that threat ready. They lay in the chamber, ready for awakening. It took long, but it was an art. To mold them in his fashion was one of the greatest joys he could attain. It would be some time before they were ready. Well, he would wait until they were, then if necessary he would use them, but only if necessary.
Apocalypse rose from the chair. He strode across his darkened chamber, his body servants following him. He motioned to them and they stay put. He would summon them if necessary. He walked to the lift and pressed on the pad on the wall. The doors immediately opened and he walked into the lift. It had been a while since he had seen action, and a while since he had seen his Prelates in action. He wanted to see if they were good. He had only seen the High Prelate, once, and had heard enough about him to want to see him in action. If the High Prelate was truly as good as his spies told him, then he would have to devise some countermeasure in the event of him ever becoming a threat. The lift carried the Master of the Tower down.
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The X-men and Roulette stood in the containment area B3. The new that their teammate Betsy was in the hands of the High Prelate was bad. Now they would have to take a step ahead of what they had intended. They would have to infiltrate the Tower itself. Jean didn't think it would be easy at all. There were Prelates to consider there, and highly trained Uber-leutnants. As well as the High Prelate himself. The Externals could not be considered. They could not handle the Externals.
They began going upwards, heading for the higher levels. The elevator took them to the highest level it could go. Now they were truly in the tower. Kitty phased through a wall to search the surrounding. She appeared a minute later, calmly announcing that two guards were down. They walked down that corridor, slowly.
Suddenly an alarm began to sound. The sound of it chilled Jeans bones. An alarm that only meant that somehow, somebody had managed to raise an alarm. One of the earlier guards maybe. Jean didn't know, but it had happened. Now was not the time to stand.
"This way!" Logan ran towards the door up ahead. By this time Jean could hear the sound of booted feet hitting the ground. Guards. Easily dealt with. Jean turned and sent a shockwave through the wall towards the guards. She heard muffled noises of surprise and then shouts of pain. She ran through the door. The others had already run ahead, Logan staying back, to make sure she got through. He then closed the door and stuck his claws into the panel next to it. Jean ran with Logan towards the other door.
"We must get to the higher levels. The Prelates must be there. We will find Cyclops there."
Storm's calm logic served to ease the others near panic. This was not a time to panic. Jean felt the adrenaline pumping through her body. She looked at Remy, who was actually grinning.
"Dis is gettin' ta be more an' more interestin'."
Jean goggled at him, the man was calm and collected. He seemed to be enjoying their predicament. Then again, she should be used to it by now. Remy had always been a man to love risks. They ran down the corridor. The enemy slowly gaining.
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The alarm interrupted Scotts interrogation. He had not been making much headway, but he knew it would take a while. He looked up in anger, and a little anxiety. The alarm would go off for very few reasons. The most likely explanation he could formulate was that someone had broken in. But how? And who could have broken in? The answer followed the thought almost immediately. X-men. Or perhaps Roulette, coming for their comrade. Scott gritted his teeth in anger.
"Stay here. I shall have to deal with this matter."
Betsy smiled then, "My team has come for me. I knew they wouldn't leave me. However stupid this action may seem, they've come for me, and you're in trouble now."
Scott heard the mocking tone, but he ignored it. He didn't have time to indulge in punishing her for her remarks.
He pulled on his cape and strode out of the room. Almost as an afterthought he pressed a switch on the wall. Betsy suddenly found herself trapped in some sort of bubble of energy. She couldn't move beyond a foot in any direction. She glared at Scotts departing back.
Cyclops walked down the hall, taking long fast steps. He took out his communicator.
"Prelates, report."
Rumiks voice came out of the speaker.
"It appears there are intruders in sector 24. They have somehow made their way from the containment areas. They also appear to be heading for higher sectors. Your orders?"
Cyclops thought for a second, intruders managed to break in from the containment area. That meant they must have some access from there. He would need to get that seen to.
"Contact the others and tell them to meet in the sector 12. We'll take down these scum soon enough."
Cyclops turned off his communicator. He opened the lift doors and made his way down to level 12.
Rumik turned off the communicator and turned to Lumina who was busy putting on her armor. She had been taking a nap in the Prelate's common room, when the alarm had begun ringing. They quickly came out of the room and walked down the hallway. They entered a lift, and went down to level 12. They got off the lift and saw that Havok and Polaris were already there.
"Where's Quja?" Rumik asked.
"He should be getting here soon. He was with Cece in the medical room. He was to get his bandages taken off."
"Bastard X-men, coming here. This time we'll kill them though."
"Yes, what on earth were they thinking attacking the Tower?"
"Very likely they wanted revenge."
The doors to the room opened, and Cyclops walked in.
"Where's Quja?"
"Right here." Quja had returned from the infirmary.
"Good everyone's here. There are very few Uber-leutnants here. Most of our armies are busy elsewhere, and it would take a long time recalling them. We only have two units here."
Only two units, the Prelates looked at each other. That was bad, that meant only two Uber-leutnants and twenty mutant troops. Not enough to take down even ten X-men. The Prelates could though.
"We'll also get involved. They must have come here to rescue their comrade, Psylocke."
"Psylocke? Who's that?" That was from Polaris.
"She's part of Roulette. I didn't know we had captured Psylocke." Quja answered.
"She was captured while we dealt with the X-men. I had sent a garrison to fight against Roulette. She managed to kill Krola, using only her hands and feet. She's in my room, in a bubble. She won't be going anywhere."
Havok smiled then, "In your room? Why was she in your room, Scott? Oohh!"
Cyclops looked at Havok, then smiled suddenly, "She's not that bad looking at that."
Then his voice hardened.
"I was questioning her as per the Externals orders. I wasn't done yet when the alarm rang."
Quja voiced the question, "So Roulette is also here?"
The Prelates all looked at Cyclops.
"I believe so. Reports indicate that Gambit is there, as is a man of fire. That would be Renegade. So at least two of Roulette are here. Of the X-men only Weapon X and Nightcrawler have been identified. As well as Storm, though I think she's with Roulette now."
Suddenly his communicator beeped.
He turned speaking into it. The Prelates just looked at each other.
"Ok, they're on level 10 now, heading upwards. Havok, Polaris you go from the east area, Quja and Lumina you go from the West. They'll be heading north so I'll intercept them there. Since they're looking for Psylocke, One of us should guard her. Rumik, that's your job. These people must have been sneaky to get into the tower. I don't want them freeing her. She is very dangerous. Don't underestimate these people. They're desperate in all probability, and hence even more dangerous. One unit is down. The other is chasing them along with guards, but guards aren't much use against them. All right. Let's move out."
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Kill or be killed, that was the game of the day, thought Gambit. *Ha! What a friggin perfect description*. They had been lucky. The Uber-leutnant had fallen easily, obviously a new trainee. His mutant unit had been easily dealt with after that, and they had found out where Psylocke was. In the bloody High Prelates quarters. Bloody perfect. If their job hadn't been hard enough before, it certainly wasn't getting any easier. There were still guards after them, easily dealt with but bothersome, slowing them down. It wouldn't be too long before they met another unit, or the Prelates. Then the shit would really hit the fan. Of them all, only Weapon X showed no signs of fatigue. All the rest were steadily slowing down, including him. In this shape they wouldn't last too long against more than one unit more. They had reached floor thirteen, and had six more floors to go before finding the High Prelates quarters.
They smashed through a blockade of guards, heading into another stairwell. Ah, level twelve. Only five more floors to go. Suddenly Phoenix stopped.
"I don't know for sure, but there seems to be a high concentration of mutants in there. I also feel as if someone else is near. I don't know who though."
"Hell, it's probably another unit. We'll rip through them in no time, darlin'."
Phoenix was troubled and it wasn't only the fact that there was another unit ahead. Someone was there. Someone she knew, and she was not sure who. Perhaps it was Psylocke. They walked into another hallway with doors along the sides. By the look of them, obviously living quarters.
They walked on down the hallway, cautiously. Weapon X's nostrils flared as they neared the end.
"I smell danger, Jeannie's right. There's probably a unit in there. Can we take em'?"
The teams condition had not gone unnoticed by Weapon X. They all drew themselves up.
"I'm t'inkin we can take one homme. More 'n dat, I dunno."
The rest of the team nodded assent. Phoenix telepathically opened the door.
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Cyclops felt it, they were coming. One unit was below him, with an Uber- leutnant. She was new, as had been the other, but would be one more strong hand against the rebel infiltrators. The rest of the Prelates were all standing in anticipation. Cyclops had no idea why, he was filled with the dread of knowing a tough battle would soon be fought. As soon as the battle started it would be gone, but at the time just before a fight, he was nervous. Every time. There was another with them, a presence he could feel.
"They're coming. Be ready."
The unit stood in battle formation, extending in a V shape outwards from the slightly raised level, where the Prelates and he himself stood. The Uber-leutnant stood in the middle of the V, the apex, waiting for the battle to begin. The Prelates grew ready, Lumina already taking on a slight glow.
The door opened.
The mutants attacked, heading for the X-men and Roulette. Gambit felled one with three cards to the chest. Another was dropped by Weapon Xs claws. Phoenix formed a telekinetic shield around herself and levitated into the air. This was followed by her allowing Storm to enter the shield. Storm disoriented the mutant troops, buffeting them with wind. Nightcrawler bamfed around his enemy, punching and kicking the mutant into submission.
Shadowcat leapt around her opponent, phasing through the attacks and hitting the mutant at every turn. Mystique was transforming into the fallen mutants, and then hoodwinking the others into following her into snares where Marrow waited to skewer them. Renegade was an inferno, setting two mutants on fire. Storm's powers were not as powerful as they would be outside. Quja leapt forward, his eyes on Phoenix. He was a telekinetic too, and wanted to test himself against her. He smashed her shield and followed up by creating a psi-sword, his specialty. Phoenix's eyes widened, and she quickly pulled up another shield, that the sword smashed against, dispelling the shield but sending Quja staggering back. The other Prelates were already in action, Lumina creating her energy barrier again. Cyclops hung back, watching. Havok smashed Mystique into a wall with an energy blast. Mystique slid down and onto her knees because of the strength of the blast. Polaris circled overhead, and then catching sight of Weapon X smiled. She had not missed the significance of his being here. She began to pluck at his adamantium laced skeleton in the most painful ways. Weapon X, busy slashing at a mutant, didn't notice until it was too late. He stumbled, and the mutant he had been attacking smiled in glee and smashed him across the face, but Polaris didn't let the neck twist, and Weapon X felt his jaw crack. The healing went into effect immediately.
"Someone, get that bitch!!"
Suddenly three cards hit Polaris. She yelped, and fell onto the ground. She struggled up, and Gambit was there.
"Dat not be such a nice t'ing you be doing to Remy's homme. Remy t'inks mebbe you should be taught a lesson."
He twirled his staff in his hand and then swung it at her. Polaris caught it with her powers inches before it took her across the head, and started pushing it back. Gambit looked at the staff, shrugged and left it. It glowed for two seconds before Polaris understood what was happening. The blast smashed her into a wall. She struggled to get up, Havok rushing to her side. The Prelate looked up in anger and sent a blast towards the two rebels. Gambit jumped one way and Weapon X the other.
"Damn."
Gambit evaded the blasts that kept coming his way, courtesy of the enraged Prelate.
Through it all Cyclops watched.
Lumina had nearly reached the ceiling with her energy sphere, the dome of pure energy that spread out in the room, making less and less space for the rebels to fight. Phoenix and Quja were facing each other, Quja with his psi- sword out, Phoenix getting ready a shield. Quja jumped forward, his sword slashing. Phoenix pulled out the shield, which dissipated, as did the psi- sword.
Yet Quja was already making another and slashing. Phoenix again created a shield, and again as Quja relentlessly created swords.
Storm had all the mutant troops left in a hold of wind and she smashed them into a wall. That left only the Uber-leutnant, and the Prelates.
Marrow and Nightcrawler were down, but Mystique was tending to them, leaving the others to handle the enemy. From the enemy's side, only Polaris was down. Phoenix faced off against Quja, Gambit dodging Havoks blasts and throwing cards at him. Shadowcat and Renegade were double teaming the Uber- leutnant, who was having a tough time handling the two. Weapon X was heading for Cyclops.
"It's time to finish this, bub."
Cyclops smiled, then Weapon X had only an instants warning, as he saw the visor rising, to jump out of the way of the optic blast. Then Cyclops was on him, punching and kicking. The feral blocked one punch, only to get a kick in the solar plexus. Weapon X snarled and slashed twice at Cyclops, who only managed to evade one. He stood up, three claw marks stretching across his chest. Weapon X leapt at him again.
Phoenix was getting tired fast, and Quja seemed to have unlimited reserves of energy. He kept on creating swords to slash at Phoenix's shields. Phoenix had an idea then, she quickly made a shield as powerful as she could, then as Quja hacked at it, she began to assault his mind telepathically. Qujas block wasn't strong enough to resist Phoenix's assault outright, but it was enough for him to create a small enough block himself, to counter her attack. Phoenix's plan worked. Quja had to use enough concentration for his sword to dissipate, and Phoenix halted her attack and enlarged the shield as quickly as she could. It smashed into Quja who was hurled back by the force. Phoenix sagged slightly, but she was triumphant. Or so she thought. Quja was already rising, stumbling slightly, but his psi-sword was already in his hands, and Phoenix didn't have enough energy to create another shield. All hope was not lost though. A blast of wind slammed into Quja, sending back into another wall, with enough force to break his bones. Strom landed next to Phoenix, and sank to her knees, the effort of creating such a strong blast getting to her. Quja didn't rise this time.
Renegade and Shadowcat were smashing the Uber-leutnant. Renegade was behind Shadowcat, repeatedly sending flare blasts at her. Shadowcat phased and the blast went through striking the Uber-leutnant. Then Shadowcat would punch or kick her, and then phase for the next blast. It was over in a few seconds. The Uber-leutnant went slack on the fifth punch to the jaw, and crumpled to the ground. Renegade and Shadowcat high fived.
There was still Havok though, and Gambit wasn't getting anywhere. Behind him was Lumina, and before him stood Havok, sending beam after beam at him. Gambit evaded as best he could, but was forced forward each time, as Lumina's dome expanded. His staff was gone, and he had no spares. His cards were running low, and he had no other projectiles. Things were looking bad for the Ragin' Cajun.
Weapon X was still attacking Cyclops, who was having a tougher and tougher time. He had only fought one feral before, who had been wilder in his attacks, but easier, as Cyclops could handle wild attacks, with pinpointed, strategic hits. This was like fighting a trained version of that. As Weapon X closed in for another attack, Cyclops parried, and saw his opening. He shot an optic blast at a fire extinguisher, behind Weapon X, and ducked. The extinguisher flew off the wall, rocketing towards Weapon X, striking him squarely in the back, and smashing him into Lumina's dome. This led to total chaos.
In retrospect it probably wasn't the best thing to shoot a volatile projectile into the charged dome. Cyclops watched as the extinguisher exploded, the air causing the molecules to shift and strike against each other, causing a chain reaction. Even Lumina wasn't safe from this.
The explosions destroyed the room, obliterating the floor and ceiling, and breaking the floor of the room below. Weapon X, Mystique, Marrow and Nightcrawler fell into the room two floors down. Gambit, Renegade and Shadowcat were smashed through the wall, into the next room, while Storm and Phoenix fell into the previous room they had come from. Storm slipped into a hole in the ground caused by a falling wall, but Phoenix remained on the same floor. A slightly recovered Polaris had elevated Havok from the explosion, though even they were hit by pieces of the room. Qujas section of the room was the only one that remained more or less intact, and Lumina landed there, half dead, armor gone, and only a small strip of clothing left, the rest of her naked body was tinged red, but not much harm had come to it. Cyclops too lay on his side, half buried beneath rubble. His armor saved him, otherwise he would have died. Somehow, no one was dead.
Scott stirred, his eyes opened, slowly, and he groaned. He looked around, everything was rubble. His eyes quickly scanned the ground. Kan was there, as was Sylvia, no mistaking her. No sign of Alex and Lorna, he tried to stand, but his legs were trapped beneath something. The only other person Scott could see was Phoenix. An X-man. As well as a telepath, the only other known apart from Xavier, who was dead. Alex and Lorna then came into his view, landing down, Polaris holding Havok by his armor. Alex walked over to Scott, this time he was supporting Lorna, who had burns on her face. Her armor was blackened.
"Scott, are you all right?" Alex asked worriedly.
"Ugh, I'm fine, just get me out of here."
Lorna used her powers to lift up all the metal burying Scott, and Alex blasted away all the rest. Scott scrambled out, and Lorna dropped the metal, sagging, so that Alex had to catch her from behind.
"Where did the rest of the X-men go?"
Alex answered, "I don't know, some fell when the floor caved in, and one was slammed back to where they came. One's over there though, the telepath."
Scott looked at Phoenix. She indeed lay there, but where were the others?
Suddenly he was aware of a presence approaching. He turned, as did Alex and Lorna, towards the door ahead. They opened, and a large man walked in, all in dark blue and light blue armor with red strips, a black and blue cape fluttering behind as he came forward. He wore red boots which had blue armor, but the most arresting thing was his face. Like Sinisters, this was not a normal color. It was pale blue in color, with deep sunken eyes, without any iris, all white. It was a big face, in an even bigger body.
"Sire!"
Scott, Alex and Lorna, immediately prostrated, after getting over the momentary shock. It was Apocalypse himself.
"What happened?"
The question was directed towards Scott.
"Sire the X-men somehow managed to make their way into the Tower, apparently to rescue their comrade. We ambushed them here, and fought them, until an accident caused Prelate Lumina's dome of energy to explode."
Apocalypse looked around again, his eyes finally resting on Phoenix.
"Keep her in the containment area. We may find use of her yet."
Apocalypse could feel the resonance here. Part of it was from Phoenix he was sure. He was also certain that he had felt the resonance when she entered the Tower. What was she resonating against? He would find out.
"Find the other rebels and destroy them. I am returning to my chambers."
Apocalypse turned and strode away, as he had entered.
As he left, the three rose.
"Holy Shit, the master himself. That I didn't expect."
Scott frowned slightly, but stopped, as he felt the same. Why did Apocalypse come here, he had to have started moving before the explosion ever happened. He had come mere minutes after it happened, and there was no way he could have done that. He turned to Alex.
"Call the guards from the containment area's. Ask them to get a dampener. We need to get this mutant into a containment unit quickly."
Alex turned and walked out of the room, to get the guards.
"Lorna, I hate to ask this of you, but we need to get the other X-men. Take Kan and Sylvia to the infirmary. I'll need you back. We have to find the rest of the X-men."
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Rumik walked up and into the room ahead. She opened the door, braced for any attack; the bubble was enough to hold the strongest mutants, but there was no harm in being cautious. She walked in, looking around. The bubble was there, but Polaris could not be seen. She felt anxiety rise in her; who could have escaped the bubble? Then she saw her, sitting in the chair. She relaxed slightly.
"So Roulette's your team huh?"
The woman's head turned and she stared at the Prelate.
"Who are you?"
Rumik smiled.
"I'm Prelate Helena Kahn, you can call me Rumik."
As she watched Psylockes colour went ashen. Psylocke jumped up and looked at the Prelate.
"Helena?"
The Prelate watched wearily.
"You call me Prelate Rumik, rebel."
"Helena. it's me Betsy. Elizabeth Braddock."
Rumiks went pale as she saw that it was her old friend, the same black hair, tinged purple, the same violet eyes, the same arched eyebrows.
"Betsy."
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Gambit was moving fast, Shadowcat and Renegade right next to him. As far as they could tell nobody was after them, but they couldn't be sure. They ran as fast as they could, hurrying to reach Cyclops's room. They didn't know what had become of the other's but all they could do was hope they were alive. Up ahead was the High Prelate's room. It had been disconcerting to say the least when Apocalypse had appeared, they had luckily been hidden. When he went into the devastated room, they had run for the elevator, going in quickly. Now they were on the seventh floor.
Gambit tried to open the door but failed. Shadowcat then motioned him aside and walked in, opening the door from inside.
Only for them to meet a Prelate, Rumik. A Prelate, not tired in the least, and they were already half-dead, from pain and exhaustion.
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It had been a shock finding out your old friend was in the enemy camp for both women. Then Helena had disabled the bubble and hurled her arms around Betsy, hugging her. She had taken a step back then, and cupped her face tenderly.
"I can't believe it's you. Oh Betsy it's been such a long time."
Betsy put her arms around Helena's waist.
"Yes, Helena it's been a while."
Helena then kissed Betsy's cheeks, Betsy doing the same, in their greeting when they were young.
Then Helena stepped back and frowned.
"This is a predicament. You're my oldest friend, but you're also my enemy."
Betsy's eyes narrowed.
"I don't want to fight you Helena."
"Helena laughed then, "That's a good one Betsy. In your present condition, you'd be no match for me."
Then she sobered up. She looked at Betsy consideringly.
Betsy watched nervously, though she wouldn't let the nervousness show. She could guess at the inner battle Helena faced, would she keep her old friend here and remain loyal to her masters, or would she be loyal to the love she had for her friend, and let Betsy escape.
Looking at Helena's eyes, so familiar and yet so changed, Betsy knew the choice could go either way.
Then the ground shook, and the explosion occurred, and they were both knocked to their feet. Betsy took her chance, not waiting for Helena to come to a decision, and leapt behind her Helena, racing for the door.
She wasn't quick enough. Helena grabbed her foot, and she fell. Helena quickly encased her in the bubble.
"Helena, don't do this. We were friends, you know this is wrong. Leave the oppressors Helena, join us."
Helena looked at Betsy.
"Helena, do you know what Apocalypse and the Externals have done to the world? It's a ruin Helena, a ruin, because of your masters."
"Why do you call them that? Only Apocalypse is the master. He is the ruler of this planet. He rules all earth. I don't know why you rebels don't accept it."
Betsy tried again.
"No one asked for him to be the ruler. Now he oppresses humanity."
Helena cut her off, "Why didn't you tell me you were a mutant?"
Betsy looked surprised.
"My mutation manifested the year after yours did."
Helena looked at her again, curiosity and something else burning in her eyes.
"Why weren't you brought here to train?"
Betsy again answered truthfully.
"I was supposed to be. My family resisted. They were killed. It was only because of Remy's help that I managed to make it out of there, safe. He had followed them and helped me escape. He took me to a man named Xavier. He helped me control my powers,"
Helena quirked an eyebrow.
"So you're an X-man."
"No I'm not. I am a member of Roulette, Remy's squad. They're here to get me aren't they? Let me go Helena. For old friends sake if nothing else."
Betsy made the entreaty again, knowing it might make no difference.
Helena looked at her, for a little while. Then Shadowcat suddenly phased through the door. She opened the door, and Helena turned and found herself facing three rebels.
Gambit was the first to react, throwing one of his last six cards at Helena. She jumped up and the card hit Psylockes bubble, which exploded, setting Psylocke free.
Gambit was readying another card, and Renegade was preparing to throw a flare, when Psylocke shouted.
"STOP!"
Gambit looked at her in surprise, but complied, as did Renegade.
"Helena, your powers won't be of use here. You can't fight four of us and win. I don't want to fight you. Join us Helena, you know I'm right."
Helena looked at her friend. She had been shocked to realize that Betsy's family was dead. At that point something inside her had snapped, and she had felt a great warmth flood through her. It must have been part of Dark Beasts conditioning. She also felt her mental block disappear. She could erect one nearly as strong, but it would take her strength.
She was surprised to hear the words coming out of her mouth as much as the others were. "I know a way down onto the lowest floor that's quicker, we can take the Prelates lift."
Betsy smiled then, and Helena grinned back.
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Helena took them down to the containment area B4. There Gambit relayed to the rest of the team to meet him there. Phoenix wasn't answering.
"I have to go now."
Betsy turned.
"Helena, don't go. Come with us, you know the truth now, Dark Beasts influence has gone. Why?"
Helena smiled then, a bitter smile.
"I can't go with you Betsy. I'm in love with one of the enemies. One of your enemies. I can't come with you."
Betsy looked at Helena. In love? With an enemy? Only Gambit showed a sort of understanding.
"Remy knows what she means, Bets. She won' come."
Betsy looked at Helena again, and her lip quivered.
Then she was hugging her. They were both crying now, and didn't care if the world saw it all.
"I'll miss you Helena. After all this time, we gotta be apart again."
"I can't come Betsy. I'm sorry, I can't leave him. Maybe once you defeat Apocalypse, then we'll have time together. Now hurry and go. The Prelates are coming. Until then, goodbye."
Helena ran off. Betsy broke down completely then and Kitty hugged her.
The others arrived a while later. Nightcrawler was in bad shape, as was Marrow. Weapon X was fine, as was Storm. Mystique was hobbling, being supported by Storm, and Weapon X supported both Nightcrawler and Marrow.
"Where's Jeannie?"
"I don' know homme. She not be answering her comlink."
Logan growled, but then the storage room doors opened and the Prelates Cyclops and Polaris were there, along with Rumik, and a nearly a hundred guards, and behind them, floating on a hover-board in the air was Archanfel.
The onslaught forced the X-men and Roulette down into the catacombs.
"Can't let dem in here mes amis. Cover your ears."
Then before any guard could enter, Gambit blew up the area of the catacombs, via a switch. The explosion sent guards flying, and the Prelates stumbling back. Cyclops kicked the ground in anger, and Archanfel looked down at the destroyed shaft and tunnels in rage.
There was no way they could follow them now.
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They were back at the garden where Belladonna's grave lay.
"Remy is sorry chere. We gonna go back soon, an' get Jean."
Logan growled in understanding, but he wasn't too happy about it.
Psylocke put a comforting hand on her old mentors forearm.
"Logan, it's all my fault. If you hadn't had to come and rescue me, Jean would still be here."
Logan looked at her.
"Of course not Betsy. Jeannie and I knew the score. We couldn't have let you remain in their hands. I understand that we gotta go back and get recuperated, but I don't have to like it. Jean's special to me Betsy. I gotta get her back."
Storm bent down beside him.
"She is special to us all Logan. We will get her back, and you know Roulette will help you as well."
Logan grunted again. Then they all turned and followed Remy out of the grove.
"How're we gonna get back into the Tower, next time?"
Remy looked at Kitty.
"We find another way Kitty-cat. Don' worry. Remy got contacts in the Tower. A few guards, and Bets has even more. She'll help won't she?"
Betsy looked at him.
"Yes, very likely she will. But we'll get in, with or without her help. We have to, to save Jean."
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