Age of Apocalypse: Redux

by Doosri Pistole

An AU to the Age of Apocalypse. Basically dealing with ScottJean and Remy. My first fanfic. Finished... I really should have posted it as finished a while back... :p Me bad.

9. Finale

Disclaimer: I don't own the X-men.

Feedback: Please, six_nites@hotmail.com

A/N: The last, sort of chapter. It's bloody long. took me a longtime to write out. Still, there's still the epilogue. What to do now. hmmm, maybe a sequel.. Anyway. Here's the latest installment. Hope you enjoy.

Finale
Images swirled around her mind. Most of them filled with Scott's death. Jean shuddered, as Logan impaled him. It was so real. she felt a warm hand grasp hers. She looked up and Cecilia was there.

"It's okay my dear, it's over." Her voice was soothing, and Jean felt her fears subside, until she saw Scott wasn't there. Her greatest fears materialized, and she got up with a start.
"Where is he? Where's Scott?" Cecilia was taken aback.
"In the de-tox tank, recovering from his ankle injury." Jean wasn't convinced though and walked into the de-tox room, only becoming calm when she saw Scott floating in the liquid. Cecilia led her back to a bed, muttering about Dark Beast. Jean could feel Scott's presence, and was comforted. Cecilia got up as a beeping noise came from the de-tox room, and after giving her a worried glance she went in. Jean lay on the bed fighting the images that threatened to consume her. She heard Scotts voice enquiring after her from the room, and felt warmth suffuse through her body. She smiled as he came out, his hair pressed to his forehead. He smiled back at her weakly and bent down and kissed her.
"Jean. I'm sorry I wasn't able to get there sooner; I wasn't able to stop them earlier. I was stupid, and my stupidity brought you pain."
Jean cut him off before he said anything more.
"Scott, you weren't stupid, you did all you could. So just shut up."
She silenced his protest by kissing him as thoroughly as he had ever been kissed.
Suddenly she went stiff. She wasn't sure but she had felt something. Scott looked at her questioningly. Then she felt it again, somebody calling her name, mentally. Someone was trying to reach her. Logan. it was Logan.

"They're here, Logan and a few others. They're here to rescue me." Jean had a note of relief in her voice. Scott frowned.
"Yes, the attack out front must be a distraction. Very simple and clever. I would have expected it, but it seems the externals lack the tactical ability I had." Scott smiled then, a smile that chilled Jean and Cecilia's bones. It was the most malevolent smile she had seen yet, one that made him seem every inch as dangerous as the stories made him out to be. He turned to Jean.

"Can you contact them? Be careful though; try not to broadcast your mental thoughts too loudly, as Exodus will hear them for sure. I'll contact him to distract him. Do it. now!"
Scott began frowning in concentration. Jean could hear him, she realized, and also realized that Exodus probably heard Logan. She quickly contacted him telepathically, telling him her location, and that there would be very few guards on the way. She also warned him not to contact her, as Exodus might hear. She cut the mental connection, and subsided on the bed.

Scott turned to her, his face worried.
"Are you all right?" Jean grimaced.
"I'm just really tired."
Scott exchanged a glance with Cecilia, and then picked her up.
"We'll put you in de-tox for a couple of minutes, that'll make the weariness go away." Jean nodded and Cecilia gave her a tranquilizer. Then Scott placed her in the tank.
"Scott. your feelings for her run deep don't they?"

Scott looked at the woman who had been his surrogate mother. He smiled then.

"You always knew what I felt, it's uncanny," he continued on a more serious note, "Jean is special, you know? Something that happens only once in your life. I just wish the circumstances were different."
Cecilia nodded gravely. Scott looked towards her then and she was surprised to see the pain on his face.
"He hurt her Cece, hurt her badly. I couldn't protect her from it. I also worry; will I see her again once battle begins? I'm confused, my heart is divided. I don't know if I should help her friends, or whether I should help my own. The Prelates are like family to me, and no matter what Sinister did, he was like a father to me. I wonder; can I fight them if it comes to it? I also wonder whether they will try and kill me. I am officially their enemy. Yet I can never hurt Jean. She's part of who I am, now. To fight against her friends would be to fight her. I could never do that. It's too much Cece, I'm. scared."
Scott hung his head then.
Cecilia watched the man she considered her eldest be torn apart, and she was unable to do anything to comfort him. Then the beeping came, and she rose and went to get Jean. She took the girl out of the tank, and toweled her slim body. Jean woke up and smiled at her.

"I feel a lot better now, thanks Cecilia."
Cecilia smiled back at her, and they walked back into the main room. Jean looked at Scott worriedly, as he sat with his head in his hands.
"Scott? What's wrong?"

He looked up at her, then groaned at the look on her face.
"It's nothing Jean."
Jean looked searchingly at him, and Cecilia glared at him.
"I'll give you five minutes alone, tell her your problems Scott, don't try and keep things hidden from her."
Cecilia left the room, leaving Scott staring angrily after her.

"Scott, what's wrong?" Jean came and sat in front of him.
"Jean. It's just that. I'm confused. I don't know what to do. I've always been in control of what happened around me. Now everything's changed, and I don't know what I should do. I love you, and I want to help you. My lot is pretty much cast with you X-men irrevocably, but I don't know if I can bring myself to hurt the Prelates. They were the closest thing I had to a family. I always looked out for them, and I don't think I could ever hurt them. It's all coming to a head soon. I'm also scared about what will happen after the battle. If the X-men lose, what'll happen will be pretty easy to guess. However if the X-men get you out, I'm gonna have to get out of there as well. I'm a traitor to the Tower, and so will be killed. I seriously doubt the X-men will accept me, and I'm not sure I'd want to be, I've always been told they were my enemies, though I'm not too sure now. The thing that scares me most Jean, is that I may never see you again."
Jean heard him out, then knelt in front of him. She cupped his face in her hands.
"Scott, I share your fears, every step of the way. Xavier told me before he died that you were an honorable man, and that you may join us one day. The X-men can go to hell if they don't accept you. I can't bear the thought of ever losing you either." Jean shuddered as she remembered what Dark Beast had made her see in her mind. "For now though, we've got to concentrate on getting out of here, alive. So get a hold of yourself Scott, I know you can do it."
Scott stared into her eyes, and then smiled slightly, and traced her jaw with a finger, stopping his finger at her lips, touching them softly and bringing the finger back to his own lips.
"Thanks Jean, I needed that."
At that point the door smashed open and the X-men ran in.
Jean and Scott sprang apart, getting ready for an attack. Jean relaxed as she saw it was her friends, but Scott remained tense; the X-men didn't look pleased to see him.

"You! Stand back Jean, we'll take care of him." Logan was pissed, and he had right to, Cyclops had cost him his left hand a few years ago, he had returned the favor by destroying the entire Infinite processing plant they had fought in. It had been while Xavier still lived.

Logan moved forward claws out, flanked by Betsy and Pietro, Kitty standing behind them. Scott lifted his hands, ready for anything.

"Stop, he's not our enemy. He's with us."
They looked at Jean in disbelief.
"Jeannie, are you feeling all right? He's the High Prelate!"
Jean walked around the X-men and stood between them and Scott.
"He's the one who saved me, getting me out of the containment units, and tried to help me escape. The Externals caught us though, but he escaped and saved me from Dark Beast. He's not our enemy."
The rescue team was looking at her in disbelief and shock. Except Betsy, she was looking at Scott.
"I don't believe this! Whatever mind-control device he has on you, I'll take care of it."
Logan launched himself at Scott, who sidestepped his attack. Logan slashed at air, trying to cut Scott, who was rapidly backtracking, trying to get away from the blades. He was loath to hit him back. Doing that would demolish any hope of understanding.
Suddenly Logan was in the air and thrown back, as though some large hand had picked him up and thrown him.
"Enough! I'm not under any mind control device. He's not our enemy."
The others still looked doubtful, except Betsy.
"I'll vouch for him as well," Betsy said slowly but firmly.
The X-men and Scott and Jean looked at her in surprise. Then Jean hurriedly took advantage of her declaration.
"Scott can help us. He knows the Tower, and he's agreed to help. He's not our enemy, trust me." Kitty and Pietro still looked warily at Scott, helping Logan up.
"Jeannie. you're sure?"

"Yes Logan, he's not our enemy."
Logan's eyes narrowed then, "Jeannie and Betsy both vouch for ya High Prelate. If ya can help us, ya're welcome to it. Be warned though, I got my eye on you. One wrong move and the only thing you'll be getting, bub, is a claw through the heart."

He turned and began walking out of the door.
"We havta get out of here now. Once safe, we contact Mags. He'll attempt to pull out, and we'll escape."
"You can't." Scott's statement was final.
"Whadda ya mean we can't?" Logan's eyes narrowed.
"The Tower is fitted with a magnetic force field. Once any metallic object is close enough, it is held fast. If you came in a ship that got closer than one hundred feet to the Tower, it's not going anywhere. We'll have to take out the force field."
The team looked at him in dismay.
"Who the hell thought up something like that?" Logan vented his frustration with the proponent of the force field by smashing his metal stub into the wall.
Scott colored slightly. "Actually I did."
The others looked at him. He shrugged.
"Where's the control room for it then?"

"It's on level 20, 18 levels up."

"Frikkin great."

Scott smiled.
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Gambit moved through the hallways quickly. He didn't know the situation at the front, but he knew that he would have to hurry. His team had been chosen to find and take out the Towers defenses, which comprised some twenty turrets and one massive cannon on level 15. They had already dealt with 12 turrets, the rest were on higher floors. Most of the guards had been taken to the front, not a very smart tactical maneuver; he was surprised that the High Prelate hadn't thought of it. The few guards they met were easily overcome by the team. He frowned slightly. It would be just like Cyclops to lull them into a false sense of security, then spring a massive trap on them. He dodged a laser blast, and from behind him Rogue barreled in smashing the sentry of the elevator through the wall. Gambit smiled, she was cute when she was smashing up things. He shook his head, what was he thinking?

"Le's go mes amis, t'ings maybe gon' be hairy from now on."
"Hurry up Gambit. We're already in the lift."
Gambit got in quickly and pressed a button for level 15. They would now take down that one big cannon. Once done, it would be smooth sailing for the assault team. He got his cards out slightly.

"Be ready team, no tellin' what's waitin' in dere."
Juggernaut smashed down the wall on level 13. He got into the stairwell, his team behind him. Sabretooth was looking excited. Black Tom Cassidy wasn't sure, but he could have sworn that Sabretooth was expecting to find a friend. Mastermind looked bored, as usual. Toad bounced into the stairwell, and began bounding up. He had proven useful; jumping about the place, distracting any guards they met. That worried Black Tom. The Tower shouldn't be so sparsely protected, no matter if any assault was going on up front. Juggernaut was literally jumping up the stairs; they had reached the 14th level by the time he stopped jumping the second time. Level twelve had been a surprise, looking very much like a great battle had been fought there. Juggernaut again smashed through the wall, going for a stairwell again. Black Tom had given up on telling him that it was clearly marked where each stairwell was, he didn't have to break every wall down. Apart from the fact that it was pointless, it was also dangerous. Who knows how many guards would be alerted? Juggernauts high spirits had affected the other huge team member, Blob. Blob had been excellent as a shield. Even bullets weren't strong enough to penetrate his bulk. Laser blasts were a different matter, but Blob could move surprisingly fast for a man his size. Not fast enough to dodge a laser blast but quick enough to see a laser pointed at him and getting out of the way.
They were going up the other stairwell now, Juggernaut was raring for action, and he hadn't found any yet. He smashed another hole in the next wall and walked through.
Gambit hadn't thought anything much would surprise him, but to walk into a room facing guards who were crouched and ready was irritating. What was surprising was the fact that Juggernaut, Black Tom Cassidy, Sabretooth, the Blob, Toad and Mastermind walked out from a hole smashed into the wall on the far end of the cavernous one room level. The guards were apparently surprised too, some of them turned in shock at the sight of the other team. Juggernaut didn't really give them a chance to react, charging forward, with the strength and power of a hundred elephants, or a hundred tanks. They stood no chance; Juggernaut smashed them aside like they were flimsy wooden things. Gambit scowled, he might have preferred the guards, for Juggernaut was now looking at them like he would a tasty treat. He charged bellowing, Sabretooth, Blob and Toad running from behind. Gambit, Frost, Rogue, Nightcrawler and Mystique stood their ground. Nightcrawler was getting ready to bamf. Gambit held two hands behind him, fingers closing slowly in a signal for action.
'Wait, Marko laddie we gotta get going, we don'na have time to waste on these young 'uns."

Juggernaut's flight was checked, though regretfully on Juggernauts part. Blob and Toad stopped with him, but Sabretooth kept on walking forward with fiendish intent.

"Aw, leave him be laddie, we gotta get moving, strike while the iron is hot an' all that."

Gambit was surprised, Black Tom barely ever stopped Juggernaut from fighting, whatever they were doing here, it might bear investigation.
"What're ya'll doin' here?"
Gambit grimaced inside, though he didn't show any change of face outside. *Way ta go chere, dat's really de smart t'ing to do when de bigger team is considering not beating you're ass.* He suddenly saw Frost grin at him and he caught his thoughts in time. He had gotten too used to not having a telepath around. He wondered how many other random thoughts of his she had picked up.
"That's really our business don't-cha think lass?"
Rogue glared at him, her green eyes flashing fire.
"Well monami dat answers our only question. We be getting on our business now."
Gambit hoped that the other would leave their team alone, but seeing Black Tom looking at him suspiciously his hopes fluttered away.
"You better promise not to follow me Lebeau. Swear on it. Swear by your guild."
Gambit groaned.
"Come on Lebeau, swear!"

Gambit sighed and swore, "Fuck you monami."

Black Tom frowned.

"No tricks Lebeau, swear or we ain't gonna leave ye be."

Gambit grimaced again, plain for all to see this time.

"I, Remy Lebeau, Guildmaster, eldest son to patriarch of clan Lebeau, Jean- Luc Lebeau, do swear by all de power vested in me as Guildmaster, by life of the guild, and testament to the old kingdom, swear dat I shall not attempt to discern what you are up to."
Black Tom smiled. Gambit knew he couldn't follow him now, nor would he let anyone in his team follow him. His oath demanded it of him, and he always kept his promises once the oath was given. Only one had he ever broken, and Bella's grave was a poignant reminder of that. Black Tom led the others away from them, leaving the group facing down Sabretooth.

"As much as I'd like to play, I don't really have time. I'm gonna find the runt, he's here. You all smell like you had some contact with him. Is he in he building?"
"Who on earth are you talking about?" Frosts voice was like her name, cold.

"Logan, that runt. He's here, I can smell him. Where is he?"

"He be saving on the first level, saving a friend from Dark Beast." Gambit smiled, what a chase he was leading the feral on.
Sabretooth grinned, showing a mouth full of sharp teeth.
"You think I'm stupid you little punk. I know Logan ain't on the first floor, I smelled going up. Where is he?"
Gambit was surprised, Logan had gone down, he knew that, to Dark Beasts lair certainly they knew Jean had been sent there.
"Den Gambit cannot help you. Merci mon ami."

Sabretooth snarled.

"I'll find him myself then."
Before the group could do anything, he had ran off, sniffing surreptiously at the air.
"Dat is one crazy mutant. Let's go, we need to get the cannon out of commission."
The team looked at him.
"Aren't we going to follow him mein freund? He az much az admitted a desire to kill Weapon X."
Gambit looked at Nightcrawler, "I'm sorry monami, but I gave an oath. Besides Logan can take care of himself, and he'll also have de other team to back him up. I wouldn't be too worried. Too bad none of our communicators are working, except with de hovercraft. The hovercraft. dat's it! Send a message t' de hovercraft, tell dem to tell de other team dat Sabretooth is coming."

He turned his gaze to the cannon in front.

"Let's take it down."

They assaulted the cannon, Gambit with his cards, Rogue smashing it with her fists. They destroyed it in seconds.

"Now let's get the othah ones ya'll."

Gambit nearly laughed, that was Rogue, impatient as ever.
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Sinister smashed the control panel in front of him in anger. This was not going as planned. The rebel assault was not going well, for either side. They had sent a team inside, he was sure of that. Someone had destroyed all the cannons and turrets on the lower side of the Tower, and that was where the rebels now attacked. The only thing that he found comforting was that the rebels would not be going anywhere. As close as they had got to the Tower, their ship was now trapped. Even then, reinforcements would be awhile coming. The biggest problem was Magneto, with his magnetic powers he could make the cannons misfire, backfire. Apart from that the Inifnites were extremely susceptible to his magnetic powers. Still even then it was due to inside help that the cannons were being taken down. Polaris was countering everything Magneto did, but it wasn't easy, he was much more advanced than her in terms of skill.
Sinister rose from his chair.
"I want a unit to come with me."
The other Externals looked at him in surprise.

"Why? We need them in the battle."

It was Sammael who answered Candra's question.
"He is going after the infiltration team," he looked at Sinister questioningly, and receiving a brief nod continued, "I myself would have done so if none of you others had thought of it."

"There must be at least two teams. One that is destroying the cannons and one which is rescuing Phoenix. I shall deal with the one that is destroying first, we need the cannons."

Sinister walked out of the room, having summoned a unit to him.
"I too tire of sitting here. Magneto is out there. I will find him and face him. I have waited long for another chance to battle him." Archanfel stood up.

"Be cautious Archanfel, I have heard that his skill has grown."

Archanfel smiled.

"He bested me before, but this time I have a magnetic powered mutant myself. Polaris and I will take him down."

Sammael frowned.

"Do not tarry with him, once he is down, kill him quickly. Polaris is very useful on the battlefield, and we cannot afford to have her gone too long."

Archanfel scowled, "Do not worry yourself Sammael. I shall finish it quickly."

Archanfel stalked out of the room, his cape swirling behind him.
"Perhaps we are the only sane ones of the group."

Candra looked at Exodus smiling, yet her eyes held only cruelty.

"Perhaps, perhaps not, but I believe that Sinister has felt something, and I intend to find out exactly what he has found."

So saying even she stood and walked out of the room.
"Our numbers fall. In other circumstances that might not be all that undesirable, but at this stage it is a bit. unsettling."

Exodus looked over at his companion. "You believe that one or more shall die?"

Sammael looked at him.

"It would be foolish to presume that they will not. One if not two, shall most certainly die."

They frowned pensively. Exodus's thoughts on what Scott had tried to do. Why had he contacted him? Exodus spoke then, "Another thing that worried me is that there had been no indication that Apocalypse knows his Tower is even under attack."

"Yes, that is true. he should have summoned us at the least. It is unlike him to remain so ignorant, or uncaring."

"Hmm, perhaps he will contact us soon. Till then we bide our time."
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Jean hurried along with the rest of the group, knowing that every minute counted. If what Scott said was true then the assault team was in grave danger. She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and noticed Logan glancing at her every few seconds. When he saw that she noticed he seemed to frown, then beckoned for her to fall back a bit. Jean bit her lip, she was fairly certain what he would ask, and she had no real answer to give.
"What gives Jeannie? Why do you trust this guy so much?"
Jean considered his words, she knew that he must be suspicious of the way Jean defended him. He may even suspect, one never knew with Logan, his enhanced senses gave him the uncanny ability to suspect others feelings. She didn't want to tell him right out though, she was afraid to. "I just trust him Logan; he's not a bad person. He even saved me from Dark Beast at the cost of his own life and position. He was even attempting to help me escape, when The Externals caught us."
Logan looked taken aback, then suddenly he frowned even more, then grabbed Jean and sniffed at her. It was now Jean's turn to be surprised; she had no idea what he was doing. Logan let go of her as suddenly as he had grabbed her, and there was a hard light in his eyes.
"You smell of him. I can smell him on you. Why Jean? How could you do this?"

Jean stared at him in pain. He knew, he had found out. Jean didn't want to lose his friendship, yet it looked as if she was going to lose him forever. She decided finally to hell with it, she would tell him the truth.

"I. love him Logan."

His eyes widened, and Jean could read the disbelief and hurt in his eyes.

"I still have feelings for you as well Logan, and I will always be eternally grateful to you for the help you gave me, but. you remember my telling you about the boy I had met once, who I had loved? Scotts that boy Logan, and I love him. It was fast, and it was like lightning, quick hard and fast, but irrevocable. Please forgive me for doing this to you Logan. I would still value your friendship."

Logan walked alongside her as usual, but his head was downcast.

"Damn you Jean."

He walked on ahead, leaving Jean staring after him, tears swimming in her eyes. Suddenly Scott was beside her.

"Why are you crying? Did he do something to you?"

Jean shook her head.

"No Scott. It's something I did, to him."
"He knows about you and me? You told him?"
Jean looked up at him, but his eyes were hidden, and she couldn't read his expression.
"I had to Scott, he would have had to know. He suspected it anyway."
Scott nodded.
"I know, I just wished you could have waited, if he's in what kind of mood I would suspect he's in, it might be a problem."

Jean shook her head, "No Scott, he won't be a problem, that's not Logans way."

"If you say so Jean."
They walked on, and Jean could feel the hurt in Logan as they walked. Her heart ached for what she had had to do, but it was better to get it over with now, then letting it wait. A clean cut, that's what she wanted. It still didn't have to hurt so damn much.

Suddenly Jean sensed something, a tightening of Logan's muscles.

"What is it?"

He turned his nostrils flaring, eyes narrowed in anger.

"He's here, I can smell the bastard."

"Who's here?"

"Sab-! "

Suddenly a large shape jumped out of practically nowhere, barreling into Logan. It was a massive man, a feral mutant by his looks. Sabretooth. All the group members knew who he was. The X-men because of Weapon X and Scott because he had fought him before.
"Come on runt! Let's see what you got!"

Logan got up, unsheathing his claws. Sabretooth snarled, and the two men engaged in a stare down.

"The rest of you get moving to the force field control room, I'll handle Creed."

Jean hesitated, as the others began moving.

"We don't have time for this Logan." So saying she smashed Sabretooth with a telekinetic bolt, hurling him through a wall.
"We might need your help later, so come on. Fight Creed another day."

"That won't keep him down for long. He'll dig his way out in a few minutes." Logan stared at the rubble, already beginning to move.
"Still, we'll deal with him when that point comes. He's no match for all of us."

Logan shrugged. They continued on.
Sabretooth smashed out of the rubble, his face and left hand bleeding, but it was already healing. His head reeled from the shock of the attack, but he could handle it. His coat was nearly shredded completely.

"Where'd ya go runt! I'm not done with ya yet!"
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The Prelates were standing above the actual battle itself. Havok smashed the enemy with energy beams, while Polaris tried to undo everything Magneto did. Rumik was making the ground below tilt and shake. This didn't help either side, but since the rebels were far less in number, it was more beneficial to the Tower's side. Quja stood helplessly; he wasn't of much use except to direct the men and mutants below. Even so his frustration was as nothing compared to Lumina's. Newly returned to the battlefield, she was eager to use her powers, but in her present situation, even the weakest mutant could defeat her. They weren't the only ones to feel the loss of Cyclops's presence on the battlefield. It was only because of his protective measures the Tower had not already fallen. The other Prelates couldn't match him in tactical ability. The Externals would need to come up with a plan soon or risk nearly losing the Tower. Even with their superior forces it would be a close thing. The rebel mutants were powerful and well trained. The mutant units the Tower possessed were not as powerful. They weren't as desperate either. The Infinites weren't strong enough to fight so many trained fighters. Apart from that there weren't enough, most of their Inifinite's armies were scattered over Apocalypse's empire. Below the scene was one of chaos. The X-men had got company along, around 20 mutants and a few thousand soldiers, from the Human High Council presumably, the lack of Sentinels didn't bother her, they wouldn't have gotten past the Sea Wall, the soldiers here were likely those in Apocalypse's area's. The Tower had only 40 mutants and two thousand guards, apart from its sentries and a few hundred Inifinites. What most irritated Rumik was that none of the Externals had appeared: their powers would have been of near immeasurable help. Suddenly as though they had read her mind one of them appeared. Archanfel, Polaris's 'father'.
"Polaris, we need to fight Magneto. He is using our own cannons against us. Come."

Rumik knew that he was only making an excuse of the cannons. All the Prelates knew of his hatred for Magneto. It was a near palpable thing. He levitated himself, floating across the short distance to the side of the Tower. Polaris flew up after him.
All of a sudden a unit disengaged itself from the battlefield and began making its way back into the Tower. The remaining four Prelates watched in surprise. They couldn't afford to lose a whole unit!
Then Sinisters voice came into their receivers.

"Do not be alarmed young Prelates; I have need of them inside, as there is an infiltration." That was all he said. The others looked at each other. An infiltration. things looked bad.

"I might as well go down. I'm no use up here."

Before the other three could say anything, Quja ran to the edge. He stood there a second and then jumped off, his psi-sword in hand, He smashed onto the back of a mutant, his sword sinking in, and the mutant collapsed, dead. The sword would make no noise, not even a hum in the air. Quja felled another mutant, and then another, getting ever closer to his target, the X- men themselves.
Havok smashed another mutant; they had had sense enough to concentrate on mutants. It would shift the odds in their favor if there were no mutants left to deal with. Suddenly Rumik felt it, the mental summons. Exodus was calling.
---------------------- ------------------
Sinister led the unit through the hallways. They would use the Externals special elevator to get ahead of the rebels. He smiled, he could feel it again, the mutant signature that he had felt only twice before. Once twelve years ago, on the roof of the then Assassins guild Tower. The second time had been only a few days ago, when the rebels had attempted to rescue Psylocke. This time, he vowed it, the mutant was his.
Candra followed from behind. She still didn't know what was bugging Sinister, but she could feel something, something familiar. It was a mutant's signature, one she had felt before. She couldn't remember where though. Perhaps that was what had excited Sinister so. She smiled, she would follow him, and find out what Sinister was doing.
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Gambit was getting bored, destroying cannon after cannon, without any resistance. Where were the guards? He had not expected the Tower to be so badly guarded, especially after their earlier break in. The High Prelate must be slipping. Mystique and Nightcrawler walked in the shadows, to warn of any surprise attack, or to ambush unwary guards. There were more shadows in the upper levels, which made it perfect for that sort of stealth. Emma and Rogue walked alongside him. He was alert. They faced not one but two enemies now. Juggernauts team and the Tower forces. Gambit wondered what Juggernaut was doing here. They were on the 19th floor now, systematically destroying each and every cannon they found. There weren't too many left. The battle outside was raging, Gambit could see that through the windows that were on the walls at intervals. He couldn't contact the ship anymore, their communications equipment had been damaged once they went above the 18th floor. He knew Weapon X had found Jean, but that's all. He shook his head for the fifth time in two minutes. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them. He saw Emma watch him with some concern. He smiled at her to show he was okay. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Rogue deliberately ignoring him. His smile widened, that was a sure sign she was getting irritated, and jealous.
Suddenly Mystique materialized out of the shadows ahead.
"Somebody is following us."
Gambits eyes widened, his feeling had been correct.
"I couldn't make out exactly what, but it was a team of some sort. The monitor is just up ahead."

"No need for that my dear, I am right here."

Sinister walked out of the shadows behind them.

"An unfortunate oversight of mine, forgetting about the monitors."

"Mon dieu! You!"

"Ah, I see you remember me, Mr. Lebeau. It has been a long time."
Emma, Rogue and Mystique didn't look away from the external, but he could tell they were curious.

"What do you wan' from me?"

Sinister walked forward, and a whole mutant unit emerged from behind as well. Gambit was glad Nightcrawler had not made himself known. They would need every advantage they could get.

"Want Mr. Lebeau? I want you, your DNA that is. Even for a mutant your powers are very strange, and complex. I can pick out your signature from a million others. It is very unique. Apart from you, I also wished to stop whoever was destroying our cannons. Unit 63, kill all of them except the Cajun."

The command came so abruptly that they were scarcely prepared. The unit blazed into action, the Uber-leutnant leaping into the air along with two other mutants, the rest fanning out. Gambit and his team went on the defensive immediately, Emma standing in place attacking with mental probes, while Rogue took to the air to face off against the three above. Gambit had his staff and cards out, charging the cards and throwing. Mystique leapt for one mutant, hands outstretched. The mutant cringed back expecting a projectile attack. Instead Mystique delivered a flying kick to his neck, instantly crushing his jugular.

Sinister himself took a few steps back, surveying the fracas with a cool serenity.

Mystique morphed into the mutant she had killed, leaping for another, morphing in mid air into a wolf. The mutant, taken off guard, fell prey to the wolf's claws, which whipped across his face. He fell clutching his eyes, screaming. Mystique again transformed and took to the sky as a falcon, to join Rogue against the Uber-leutnant and the two other mutants.

Gambits cards smashed into a mutant, exploding, and causing her to smash into a wall with a sickening crunch. Gambit winced involuntarily, but he couldn't waste time, spinning his staff to catch another mutant behind the legs. As he straightened though, a blast of fire caught him from behind, sending him flying. Emma was warding off two mutants who were leaping about her, one of them with abilities much like a cat, who was practically meowing in anger. Emma didn't have too much training in fighting hand to hand, and found herself on the ground trying to desperately keep the mutants off. Rogue smashed into the Uber-leutnant, but another sent her flying with a fist.
Mystique morphed again into Weapon X, unsheathing the claws and slashing at mutant as she fell, taking the mutant down with her. At that point Nightcrawler burst into action, bamfing out of the shadows and landing on the Uber-leutnant, sword in hand. The Uber-leutnant fell, and Nightcrawler impaled one of his wings into the ground. The mutant unit leader screamed in pain. Nightcrawler was already bamfing away, to help out Emma. Rogue turned on the mutant that had hit her and smiled. Suddenly Rogue was on her, gloves literally off, and grabbed her. The mutant clawed at her hand, screaming as Rogue sucked the life out of her.

"Why darlin', you have maghty interesting powahs."

She fell on the ground unconscious, and Rogue turned to survey the rest of the battlefield.

Nightcrawler had managed to subdue one of the mutants who had attacked Emma, and Emma was standing over the other, face serene, as the mutant gripped her head in pain, writhing on the ground. Mystique had her mutant beneath her; the mutants face a broken thing. Mystique changed back to her to true form and walked to the others. Rogue landed and looked around.

"Where's Remy?"

Sinister hauled Gambit behind him, heading for the elevator. He had him finally, after all these long years. Even twelve years ago, Sinister had sensed that Gambit was a very unusual mutant. Now he had him, and could finally study him. He smiled, everything was going to order. Well almost everything. Scotts turning was the only sore point in the past weeks events. Even that had had a good effect in ridding him of Dark Beast. Now the only man who could have ascertained what he had done to Scott was gone.
"Well, well, what's this? My Nathaniel, you have been keeping secrets from us. You've found the empath."
Sinister turned to find Candra standing inside the doorway, eyebrows lifted a fraction.

"Candra, why am I not surprised to find you here?"

Candra laughed softly and walked to him.

"Allow me to accompany you, White King."

Sinisters eyes widened, he did not know that Candra had been aware of his past affiliation, as far as she knew he was only part of the hellfire Club, not in the Inner Circle. He had also been surprised to find Emma Frost; it was an unpleasant surprise finding his royal counterpart alive, much less in the Tower.
He didn't let his face register the surprise too much.

"Of course, my dear. Please, come this way."

He would see how Candra fared once in his domain. If he would need to get rid of her, so be it.
------------------ ---------------------
Magneto concentrated his energies on the cannon trying to blast him out of the air. He twisted the metals inside, so that it backfired. He could hear the sounds of pain that came from the control chamber behind the cannon. There were still too many for him to handle alone. He was getting worried, there had been no report from either infiltration team, and they couldn't raise them. He hoped that they hadn't had any great trouble. Rogue was in there as well.
"Greetings, Magnus."
He whirled around to be confronted by Archanfel and the Prelate Polaris.
"You!" Magneto snarled. Archanfel smiled back at him thinly.
Magneto's mind was working feverishly. Polaris was the Prelate who had magnetic powers. She was nearly as skilled as he was, and as far as he could tell had at least the same amount of power. Archanfel could create vortexes and miniature star like novas out of mid-air. His power was rare. Magneto knew he could not take them both on.

"Come Magnus, it is time to die."
Polaris appeared to shimmer, then a wave of power struck him. Magneto flew back, feverishly working to reverse the flows. He nearly succeeded when a blast of energy hit him. He cancelled Polaris's flow and saw that Archanfel had transformed his gauntlet into a barrel, and was creating a vortex. Magneto knew that once the vortex was complete he would not be able to stop the nova. He quickly sent a flux of negative energy into the centre causing Archanfel to grimace as it dissipated. Before he could shift his attention Polaris had sent another magnetic blast towards him. Magneto fell back, holding his shoulder where Polaris had hit him. Polaris hit him again, this time with a different charge. Magneto yelled, and was again hit by Archanfel's gun blast. He smashed against the wall of the Tower. He landed on a platform with a thud. He groaned and stood.
"Ha! Not so strong now are we Magnus?"
Archanfel walked towards him, Polaris following from behind. Archanfel made another gesture and Polaris hit him again, again with opposite charges. Archanfel walked forward, a smile making his cruel face look even crueler. Magneto got into a kneeling position.
"Yes Magnus, that's right. You are finally where you belong, kneeling to me."
Magneto looked up at Archanfel with baleful eyes.
"I shall never kneel to you, Archanfel."
With those words Magneto quickly created a shield and expanded with a speed that surprised even him. The magnetic force field smashed into Archanfel and Polaris, forcing them back. Magneto dissipated the shield and hit both with a massive blast of energy. Snarling, Magneto quickly changed the charge. *So the whelp thinks she can outdo me in matters of magnetism?* He again blasted both. This time Archanfel was knocked off the platform. Polaris turned and tried to grab him using her powers, but Archanfel had already hit the ground.
She turned in rage and smashed Magneto into a door. Magneto tried to move, but he was imbedded too deeply in the metal. Polaris quickly wove the metal around him, till it held him securely in place.
"Do you truly believe this will hold me child?"
Polaris glared at him and hit him with magnetic blasts, over and over again. Magneto finally managed to cancel the flow by the fourth blast. He ripped the metal floor out and flung it and Polaris away. Then he released himself, only to find Polaris coming back with a flying kick. He stumbled back, and barely managed to counter her next attack.
Magneto was engaged in battling Polaris, so he didn't hear the Archanfel come from behind him. He suddenly felt the pull of the vortex swirling into a star, and hurling Polaris away again turned. Too late. The miniature vortex hit him point blank. Then all Magneto saw was blackness.
------------------ ------------
Logan sniffed the air surreptiously.
"What's the matter?" Scott inquired.
Logan looked his way with an unreadable look.

"Its gumbo, he's been here. I can smell him. but only he was here."
Scott frowned.
"He shouldn't have been able to get here. This is the most secure area of the Tower. It's the Externals private area, and it would take something just short of a megaton ray to break the walls. Even my optic beams would take at least a few minutes at full power to do the job."
Kitty smiled a little, "Gambit can make any inorganic substance explode."
Scott frowned again. A dangerous power. no wonder the Externals had been so worried about the team Roulette. Which meant that the Externals knew of Gambits powers... including Sinister. Sinister. Jean looked up at him startled at his line of thought.

"You don't think.?"
"Sinister took him," Scott finished grimly.
Logan looked at him and Jean sharply.
"What do you mean 'Sinister took him'?"
"It means that one of the Externals, and I'm betting its Sinister, somehow captured Gambit. It's the only explanation I can think of."

Logan sniffed again.

"There was a woman here too, and a clinical sort of odor."

Scott grimaced.
"Sinister it is. A woman's scent?"

Logan scowled.

"Yeah, all lilacs and subtle perfume, which I really hope is a woman, else- wise we're in deeper shit than I thought."

Scott nearly blanched. Candra. it must be Candra. Images floated through his head of him and Candra, and he shook his head. Jean looked at him sharply.

"Candra, huh?"
Scott winced at her frosty tone. He really would have to get used to this mind link thing.

The others were looking back and forth from the two.
"Wait a minute. hold on just one second. For this entire mission, ever since we found you two, you've been finishing each others sentences, and guessing what the other is thinking out of thin air. What gives?"
Scott and Jean looked at Pietro. The rest of the team was watching them as well, awaiting the answer. Scott could see Logan looking intently at Jean, who was watching him with pain. She was going to hurt him again and the knowledge was hard for her to bear. Scott put a hand around her reassuringly, but she shrugged it off.
"Scott and I. we have a link so to speak, a telepathic rapport, which can never be broken. I don't know how I did it, but it happened. I can sense his thoughts and can probably pinpoint his position from anywhere in the world. Its how I managed to finish his sentences, and he mine." If anything Logan looked angrier than before.
"The fact that everyone seems to be missing is that at least two of the Externals has Gambit. If what he did to me is anything to go by is any clue, than Gambit faces a torture that you could not even imagine."
Logan looked at him again, as if in barely checked fury. Scott met his gaze impassively.
"First let's find out where the rest of the team is."
Scott nodded, then led the way again, heading for a door and opening it after entering a code. It opened and Scott stepped out. Suddenly he came flying back out, and Rogue came barreling in.

"Where is he, you butchah!"

Scott rose to his feet with a pulse beating in his jaw. Suddenly Jean knew what he intended.

"Scott, no, she's with us."

His visor closed again, but Jean could still see the pulse beating in his jaw.

"Jean, what?"

The rest of Gambit's team came in, and were filled in on the team's position.
"We gotta save gumbo, but we also need to destroy the force field generator. So we'll split up. Pietro, Kitty, Rogue, Jean and me will go get Gambit. Scott you go with Emma, Kurt, Raven and Betsy. Destroy the force field and then contact us, either via Emma, or Scott and Jeans . link."

Scott turned angrily on him.

"Are you insane? You can't just go into Sinisters lab. He'll-"
Logan silenced Scott with, "I'm the field leader Scooter, and you're going to lead them to the generator, under Emma's command."

Scott scowled at the name.

"I am not under your command Weapon X. I shall bloody well do as I please. Don't presume that because I helped you out, I'm one of your team. I'm acting as a free agent. and the name is Scott, or Cyclops."

Logan grinned then, wolfishly, "Whatever you say Cyke. "

Scott bristled but remained silent.

Do as he says Scott.

Scott sighed. Things were much simpler when he didn't have to obey a woman.

Fine Jean, I'll do what he says. for now.
------------------ ------------
Scott was getting angrier by the minute. After coolly telling him to lead the way, Emma and the other three had pretty much ignored him. The generator was only two floors up, but the silence was getting on his nerves. He was also fairly certain Emma was communicating telepathically with the others. He would need to be on his guard, he didn't trust any of them an inch more than they trusted him. Even Betsy's support might have been given for some sort of vengeance, or in order to use him. Scott's mouth thinned involuntarily. If that was the case, he would have a small surprise waiting when, and if, they tried to assault him.
Scott entered the code needed to open the final door. He was glad that they had not changed the codes, yet conversely he was getting irritated by the inefficiency of the Tower's leadership. If he were in their place, he would have changed the codes first thing. He walked down the hallway, the others following him in. A low hum could be heard from up ahead.
"This is it."
Emma smiled frostily at him, living up to her name.
"Thank you, Cyclops. There will most likely be guards here. I suggest we fan out."
Scott walked in disregarding her orders to fan out. That was useless; he knew the positioning any guards would have. They would expect any intruder to fan out, and would be placed to handle that. Scott broke into a run, and fired an optic blast at a point near the ceiling. A cry of pain sounded, and a body fell to the ground, front smoking. Immediately the area came alive, with blaster bolts raining down on the X-men.
Mystique darted forward in the shape of a mouse, zigzagging her way to the fallen guard's gun. Nightcrawler bamfed onto a guard on an overhead catwalk, and used his sword to put the guard down. Mystique had the gun now, and quickly shot down three guards before diving away from the counter- fire of a dozen guards. Which left the guards open for the others. Cyclops knocked two down with his gauntlets energy beams, and Nightcrawler bamfed quickly onto one then another in rapid succession, slicing their guns apart on the first bamfs and cutting off their trousers on the second two. Then he bamfed behind them and kicked them down, off the catwalks. Emma quickly sent mental blasts into the minds of two of them, and commanded a third to shoot down another.
One by one the guards fell to the mutants. Finally only two commanders were left, one with a Vulcan cannon in hand. The mutants dived away from the incoming fire.
"Damn, they have helmets which disallow me from accessing their minds. Nightcrawler, however quickly bamfed behind the commander without the cannon, and swiping his gun, shot the cannon and bamfed away.
The cannon blew apart, and the commanders flew back, the cannon wielders face severely burnt. It was done.
"Cyclops, disarm the generator."

He walked forward and blew apart the cable powering the generator. The hum died slowly.
"Mystique would know better than I how to do anything further."
He began walking down the hallway, back to where they came from.
Mystique walked up to the generator, and opening a control panel, she smashed the gun into it, wrecking it.
"It's done. Nobody's gonna be using that for a few days now."

Emma smiled then.
"Good, then it's done, let's get back to the others. where's Cyclops?"
They turned to find the ex-High Prelate, but they could only hear his footsteps, walking down the hallways. Scott walked towards the door, a feeling of impending danger upon him. He extended his hand to open the door, but before he could do that it smashed open, and Scott went flying back.
And through the dust walked in Rumik and Exodus.
Rumik extended her hands again, and this time the others fell, except Nightcrawler who bamfed away. Emma stood and put her hands on her head. Before she could do anything though, a massively powerful psychic blast hit her.
She also recognized the blast; it was one she had been hit by before.
"No! Bennet."
Psylocke rose as well. "Helena, don't do this."
Exodus looked sharply at Rumik, but then he looked back at the X-men and Cyclops.
"For your continued betrayal your fate is clear, you will die. As for you intruders. you too will die. Except you Emma, it's been so long. We have to catch up on many things."
Emma glared at him, "You and I have nothing to talk about, you murderer, nothing except how I will punish you."
Suddenly she yelped again as Exodus hit her with another psychic blast.
"Ah I have missed your delightful tongue Emma, in more ways than one. You always did scream loudly in bed."
Rumik glanced at him, suspiciously.
Nightcrawler bamfed on top of him, but before he could do anything, a piece of the floor slammed into him.
"Leave them Exodus. Your fight is with me." Cyclops rose to his feet, his visor rising.
"You? Pathetic fool, I have come for her."
Exodus pointed at Emma.
Emma rose to her feet.
"You won't have me." Saying so she hit Exodus with a psychic blast. He winced, but then returned her blast tenfold.
"It seems Xavier taught you a bit. Not enough though."

Another blast and Emma convulsed.
Suddenly a crimson beam smashed into Exodus's back.
He fell onto his knees, then slowly rose.
"Rumik, kill him."
Rumik ran forward, the ground rearing up in front of her to ward off any optic blasts Cyclops may send her way. Cyclops jumped over the wave, but got punched by Rumik into the wall, which suddenly molded itself around him.
"You've grown weaker Scott, that move would never have caught you before."
Cyclops smiled then, a smile as cruel as any he had given to her in their training session, just before he turned the odds in his favor.
His fists glowed red, then the wall exploded around him, and he leapt forward, kicking her in the stomach and then swinging his leg around and hitting her in her ribs.
She fell on the ground.
"I don't want to fight you Helena, don't make me."
Rumik frowned, "Too late for that Scott, you chose your side."
Suddenly Psylocke was between them.
"Helena, you chose sides as well."
Rumik seemed to hesitate, then, "You're mistaken." With that she leapt at Psylocke, sending both into the walls, which gripped Psylocke.
As Cyclops ran forward to help, he suddenly received an image of Jean in immense pain. That thought froze him, and he stared at the battle taking place before him. *Damn.*
"The others need our help, handle these guys as best you can."
Saying thus Cyclops ran out of the room. Emma heard the mental cry for help just as she heard the ex-High Prelates words.

Suddenly another psychic blast hit her, and she felt her consciousness fading.
------------------ ------------
Jean was feeling tired, small wonder considering what all she had been through, but it was dangerous to feel tired, especially before confronting a dangerous enemy. Logan had pretty much ignored her since her last conversation with him. It pained her, especially because Logan had always been there for her, helping her through her darkest moments. It had been she who had taken the first step in their relationship, making him realize that she was not someone he could treat like a little sister; the way he treated all the other females in the X-men, but as a woman. She had seduced him, and been surprised when Logan's resistance had crumbled so easily. Again it seemed she had taken the first step in moving their relationship further, this time to its end. Jean knew that to stay with Logan would be a mistake, for herself and Logan, not to mention Scott. However much she worried about Logan, the fear that nearly swept aside everything was what she knew of Scott. He had almost nothing to go on for. He lived for her, she knew that now, knew with a certainty because of their link. He had forsaken everything else in his life for her, and would continue to. It was dangerous, for if ever anything happened to her, Scott would not be able to live. She would need to fix that somehow.
"We're here."

Logan's terse statement caused fear to rise anew in her; they faced two Externals now, Candra and Sinister. God alone knew what would happen now.
"Be ready people, we don't know what's awaiting us behind these doors. Gumbo's there, I can smell him, as are Candra and Sinister. For all we know that Cyclops could have set us up for a trap."
Jean frowned at Logan, "I told you before Logan you can trust him with your life."
Logan smiled thinly, "Chuck told me once that Exodus was a very powerful telepath, a psychic vampire, who once nearly overcame him. If he was strong enough to nearly defeat Xavier, then he can make us believe that Cyclops is helping us."
Jean glared but didn't say anything more. She would be quiet, for now.
Weapon X slashed through the door, and the X-men quickly fanned out into the room. It was a large room, nearly as big as Dark Beasts laboratory had been. There were many tables and computers nearby, but no one was in the room. Ahead was another door, which Weapon X strode towards unhesitant. Weapon X gestured to Shadowcat, who walked forward and tried to phase through the door. As soon as she tried though, a spark seemed to emit from the walls, and she flew back crying out in pain. Weapon X cursed, and the rest of the tem got in battle position. The door opened and out strode Sinister, followed by Candra.
"Ah, a task force to rescue your companion. Interesting, made up of Miss Grey as well. I am pleased to see you survived your handling by Dark Beast. I trust my son dealt with him?"
Weapon X snarled, "Your son?"
Sinister smiled condescendingly, "Why, Scott, of course, the ex-High Prelate."
All of the X-men apart from Jean were shocked.
"Yes, he defeated Dark Beast, and saved my sanity and life. He is not your son anymore than I am your daughter. You adopted him to achieve your own ends, I am certain. You don't strike me as a man who would do something like that out of the goodness of his heart." Sinister inclined his head respectfully towards Jean, "Very perceptive my dear. I made a mistake all those years ago, you are and were worthy of Scott, I wonder how you managed to hide your mutation from me."
Then Candra spoke, "It is irrelevant Nathaniel. These 'X-men' have dared to invade our home, and for that we must destroy them. Lebeau is a fine specimen of a man, and once you are done with him, I would have him."
Rogues eyes flashed with anger and with a cry she launched herself at Candra.
Candra ducked Rogues blow effortlessly it seemed, and with the same grace with which she moved and spoke otherwise. As rogue went past her, Candra kicked her in the back, sending Rogue smashing into the wall, where she was electrocuted badly.
"Computer, eliminate the intruders."
Sinisters voice rang out, and the walls seemed to come alive. The tables and equipment folded into the walls and floor, and in place of them defensive mechanisms came out.
The X-men darted forward, Quicksilver punching Sinister before the others could even take a step. Sinisters face seemed to flow with the punch, remolding itself into his features before

Quicksilver could follow up. Sinister pointed at Quicksilver and a beam of energy struck him in the chest. Quicksilver seemed to fold to the ground right there. Weapon X snarled in anger and leapt at him. Before he could get within two feet of him though, a clawed arm burst out of the wall and tried to impale him. Weapon X's reflexes took over and he sliced through the claw, and went on. Again spikes leapt out of the walls, but Weapon X batted them away, determinedly pressing on. Suddenly, a roar was heard, and a massive figure of brown and gold smashed into Weapon X.
"You're mine runt!"
Sinister watched with some surprise as Sabretooth appeared seemingly out of nowhere and hurled Weapon X into the wall. The impact caused sparks to rain out of the wall, and left the imprint of a body. Phoenix didn't stand idle though, and sent a telekinetic wave smashing into Sinister. He stumbled and then jumped into the air. He sent energy rays towards Phoenix, who hastily constructed Telekinetic shields before any ray hit her.
Weapon X rose from the ground.
"Why the hell don't you just give up 'buddy'." Weapon X jumped up and kicked Sabretooth across the face. Sabretooth's head whipped around and specks of blood sprayed on the ground. Sabretooth grinned and leapt at Weapon X his claws reaching for Weapon X's neck. Weapon X backpedaled, and slashed upwards with his own claws. Sabretooth fell back, but not before he had slashed the front of Weapon Xs chest. Weapon X lunged forward and dug his claws into Sabretooths belly. Sabretooth yelped in pain, but he wasn't done yet. Sabretooth impaled his claws in the back of Weapon Xs thighs. Weapon X cried out in pain, and his legs buckled. Sinister watched the grim and bloody battle with clinical interest. Suddenly Phoenix was in front of him.

"Eat this Sinister."
A massive telekinetic blast followed by a proportionate psychic blast followed. Sinister reeled backward.
"Impressive, very much so, I applaud your efforts. However I faced far stronger blasts than these when fighting Xavier."
Suddenly he spread his hands wide, and massive rays of energy hit Phoenix. She flew back, and hit the wall. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Candra walking towards the flailing Rogue, and saw Shadowcat lying comatose a few steps beyond. She attempted to send a cry for help to Emma, but before she could another blast of energy struck her and she screamed with the pain of it. She gasped and sent the message, erecting a shield that was blasted apart by Sinisters energy blast. She felt Scott's anxiety and felt his rage growing. He was coming, everything would be okay. Then she heard Emma's reply.
We can't Jean; we're already fighting an External and a Prelate here.
Jeans hope faded.
------------------ ------------
"A pity, I had hoped for more sport."
Archanfel stood over Magneto's prone body. Polaris stood next to him.
"You may leave Polaris, I am sure there is need of your assistance on the battlefield."
Polaris turned and left.
"Ah Magnus, I told you once that our battle was not over. Now it is."
Archanfel turned and began walking away.
"Hold External. You've not faced me yet."
Archanfel turned and suddenly flew backwards as a highly intense sound wave smashed into him.
"Me name is Sean Cassidy, but ye c'n call me Banshee."
Polaris saw her adoptive father in danger and hurried back. A massive magnetic blast hit Banshee, who flew back and slammed into the wall. Before he could recover, another blast of energy hit him. Archanfel reloaded his gun and strode angrily towards Banshee.
"This is the last mistake you shall ever make worm."
He pointed his gun at Banshee's head.
"No!"
Another magnetic blast came and slammed into Archanfel, knocking him back.
"You're wrong Archanfel, our battle is not ended."
Polaris powered up another blast, but Magneto cancelled it out with one of his own, oppositely charged.
Banshee's sonic scream knocked Archanfel back again. Archanfel stumbled forward relentlessly, powering up another vortex, and shooting to keep Magneto from canceling it. Polaris used their distraction and hit Banshee with a powerful blast. Banshee smashed into the wall again and lay still.
Magneto looked at Polaris in surprise.
"I can feel your magnetic pulses child. and if I can feel them I can use them."
Suddenly Polaris felt magnetic energy leave her body, siphoning off into Magneto's.
She gasped, but couldn't stop the flow. Magneto powered up a massive blast and shot it towards Archanfel and his vortex.

The blast smashed through the vortex and hit Archanfel straight on his chest. He fell back under the assault. Magneto again used Polaris's magnetic power to feed his own blasts and strike at Archanfel.
"Ha, you attempted to use your Prelate's powers against me. I however can use her much more efficiently. It is time to die Archanfel. Perhaps you were right, it is ended."
"Never!"
Archanfel leapt through the air hurling his gun before him, which exploded as it was hit be the magnetic blast. Archanfel landed on Magneto and punched him. Magneto smashed into the wall because of the force of it.
"You. will. never. win!" Archanfel hit Magneto repeatedly about the face, punctuating every word with a punch. Magneto frantically erected a Magnetic shield to force the enraged External off him. The shield forced him back, but Archanfel wasn't deterred. He raised his hands and began making a vortex, pumping more and more energy into it. The vortex grew, until it was nearly as big as Archanfel. In turn Archanfel seemed to diminish.
"Fool mutant what are you doing?"
Magneto tried to shatter the vortex, but the magnetic energy he hit it with seemed to have no effect.
"If I'm going down, I'm going to take you with me."
Magneto's eyes widened and he gathered as much power into himself in a final desparate move to stop the insane External from completing his plan.
The side of the Tower exploded, the shudders knocking every one of their feet. Havok stumbled and fell, his eyes swung to the platform below him which had disappeared in a blinding explosion. Archanfel and Polaris were there. Havok cried out in anger.
The mutants and X-men fighting on the ground outside felt the shockwaves course through the ground, and saw the explosion tear a massive hole in the side of the Tower.
The X-men fighting Exodus felt it, the reverberations knocking them to the ground, the explosion even breaking apart the floor they were on sending Exodus falling to the floor below, along with Emma and Nightcrawler. The X- men fighting Sinister and Candra felt it, as the entire laboratory shook with the after effects. Cyclops on the lift to the bottom floor felt it. Sammael sitting in the control room felt the reverberations.
Even Apocalypse in his chambers felt the force of the explosion. He walked over to his 'projects' to make sure they were intact. It was irritating, these explosions. There had been far too many of them this past week. His Externals should have been able to handle it. He would have to get in the middle of the battle himself. Apocalypse walked over to the door and opened it. He took one last glance back at the four chambers. Then he keyed in the floor of the control room. HE would teach the rebels who was the master of the Tower.
------------------ ------------
Cyclops stumbled to his feet. The explosion had caught the lift going down, and it was stuck on a floor. Cyclops opened the door using his optic blasts and walked out. The floor was dark, and there was only a flickering light up ahead to provide illumination. Cyclops walked forward warily. Something was down here. He looked up in surprise as he thought he saw a shadow move across the ceiling. He shook his head. It couldn't have been a shadow. Suddenly something struck him from behind and he stumbled forward. He turned only to find nothing there. He walked forward to where the light was, keeping his guard up. The number 5 was written on the walls. So this was floor 5. Good, that meant that he only had to go down a few more floors. As soon as he dealt with the hidden menace.
Cyclops moved forward, and this time he was sure. He could hear something moving behind him. He tensed for the blow. As soon as he heard the rush of air he swirled around, his gauntlets glowing red. The blast caught Dark Beast flush on the chest. He flew back through the air landing in a heap on the ground.
"You!?!?! I thought I had finished you off in the lab!"
Dark Beast rose slowly, the sound of his breathing harsh.
"I am not that easy to take down, High Prelate," the Beast of the Dark Tower wheezed through teeth, "and for what you have done to me I shall make you suffer for all of your remaining life. I shall make you plead for the release of death, but I shall not grant it to you. I shall hurt you through which you cherish most. Mark me High Prelate."
Cyclops brows lowered and he pointed his gauntlets at Dark Beast.
"I'm done with you Dark Beast."
The beam of red arced out of his gauntlet but Dark Beast was gone.
"Where are you?"
Cyclops looked around to no avail. Dark Beast was gone.
He hurried onwards. There was no time to waste. Dark Beast meant to harm Jean, of that he was sure.
------------------ ------------
Exodus got up from the ground, shaking off the dust and rubble on him. He was not badly hurt by the fall, though he looked around to see what had become of the others. The explosion had not hurt him, but it had sapped his energy. He needed to refresh himself by feeding on the life force of the others. Rumik jumped down, with Psylocke coming from behind. Emma lifted herself off the ground a few feet behind Exodus. Nightcrawler bamfed out of thin air, a few feet ahead of Rumik and Psylocke. Exodus readied himself for any attack. He only needed one of them to get close enough to sap that one of his or her life energy. Psylocke and Rumik were battling it out on the ground ahead of him. Rumik was no match for Psylocke in hand to hand combat, that was for sure. Exodus strode forward. He would use Psylocke. Suddenly Nightcrawler was in front of him. A rotten stench hit him just as Nightcrawler lashed out at him with his sword. Exodus gritted his teeth against the pain as the blade slashed through his armor and pierced his left bicep. He knocked the elf-like mutant back with a telekinetic blast. Then he walked on, less confidently.
"No! Betsy watch out, means to drain you."
Exodus saw Psylocke turn to look at him in shock.
Psylocke saw the advancing Exodus. What did Emma mean drain her? She created a psi-blade and held it in front of her, crouching, keeping an eye on Rumik as well.
Suddenly she felt it; Exodus was draining her of her energy. Her eyes opened wide.
"No!" Emma was there suddenly, smashing into the External. She hit him with a rapid succession of psychic blasts. Emma was not about to let this monster get his hands on any of her friends.
Exodus grabbed Emma in his hands. "Fine then, you shall do as well as her."
Emma shuddered in his grasp, and then began to go limp, as Exodus seemed to grow bigger.
"Helena, help me! Can't you see he's evil? I know there's good in your heart. Help me save my friend."
Rumik looked hesitant. Psylocke knew she wasn't going to get across to her friend in time to save Emma.
"Leave her alone!"
Psylocke jumped on the large mutants back and plunged her psi-dagger into his back.
Exodus reared back in pain, and reached behind and grabbed Psylocke.
"Pitiful little mutant!"
He crushed her to him and began to feed off her energy.
"Mein Gott! Stay away from her External! Prelate you must help her."
Rumik saw Nightcrawler run towards Exodus only to be knocked away. She saw her friend screaming in Exodus's hands. Something inside her snapped and she spread her arms wide.
"NO!"
Exodus was flung into the air, and slammed into the wall. Exodus rose to his feet.
"Helena! What are you doing?"
"Coming to my senses vampire."
Rumik knocked him down again. The others rose as well, Emma hitting him with her psychic blasts, Psylocke and Nightcrawler slashing at him with their swords, while Rumik hurled rubble at him.
Exodus backed away from the attack, knowing he was outmatched and that he had not enough energy to fight all of them.
He slammed all of them back with an energy blast, which gave him a moment of respite. He used it to jump onto rocks and haul himself onto the top floor.
"We shall continue this fight later rebels."
Saying so he disappeared.
Psylocke fell to her knees on the ground, feeling extremely weak.
"Oh God, Betsy, I'm sorry I took so long to come to my senses. I have given him my mind so freely for so long, that it was difficult in reclaiming it."
Emma touched her gently on the shoulder.
"It's okay. I know how difficult it is to love an enemy."
Emma glanced bitterly at where Exodus had disappeared. Rumik looked up at Emma in surprise.

"Fro now though, I think we should get out of here. No telling what else may happen. In any case, the other team sent a distress call, that's where Cyclops went."
Rumik frowned.
"The High Prelate... Scott is with you now?"
Psylocke and Emma answered at the same time:
"Yes."
"Not really."
They frowned at each other, then Emma continued.
"No, he isn't, not really. We don't trust him really, except for Betsy and Jean, that's Jean Grey, Phoenix."
Rumik frowned further.
"He's smart, tactically brilliant, but he's also honest and not a fool. He wouldn't have risked the Tower on a plan that makes him pretend to be a reb- an X-man. I think he's telling the truth, he's with you."
She grimaced then, "I don't know if he'll trust me either. He'll probably think I'm a sort of last ditch plan."
Psylocke smiled, "Don't worry Helena, I'll take care of that."
------------------ ------------
Sammael stood by the control panel watching what was going on below him. The destruction had caught him unawares. It had confused the Tower forces, so that what should have been a clear victory was turning into a defeat. He would have to go out there himself soon. Where was Apocalypse? That was another thing he wondered. He should have come down by now. He heard the sound of booted feet behind the door. He turned half in surprise; Apocalypse had a private lift down to the room itself. Suddenly the wall smashed inwards and a hulking red figure stood there.
"What the hell? The Juggernaut? What the hell are you doing here?"
The massive man didn't answer instead he roared and began charging him. Sammael did what any sane would have done in his position; he stepped neatly to the side. The massive mutant slammed into the wall with the force of a hundred eighteen wheel trucks, going through as if it were nothing but flimsy tissue paper. The Juggernaut stopped his charge a few meters down the hall on the other side of the wall.
"No offense intended Mr. Sammael, but we getting paid to take you and your brethren out. Sorry laddie but that's the way it is."
Sammael looked at the smaller man in the black trench coat.
"And you are?"
"Me name's Tom Cassidy, "Black' Tom Cassidy."
"Ah." With that Sammael blasted him into another man behind him, also in a trench coat. The others with him began to spread out, Toad jumping to one side, Blob moving to the other. Sammael leapt into the air to avoid Juggernaut, who barreled into Blob, who fell back onto the ground. Sammael sent a massive beam of energy into Juggernauts back, sending the massive man sprawling onto Blob.
"It is unfortunate for you that I am in the mood to destroy something. You will do nicely."
Before Sammael could do anything, Toad whipped his tongue out and around his hand.
"Eh?"
Toad sucked it back, and Sammael found himself being pulled into Toad, who let go of him and kicked him with his powerful legs. Sammael stumbled back a few steps.
"Die you impudent little mutant."
A blade came out of the front of Sammaels gauntlets.
"This is adamantium, the hardest metal known to the world." He slashed at toad, cutting the front of his armor as if it were paper. He swung again, but Toad had jumped back, and stood a few meters down the room, clutching his bleeding chest.
Sammael had not paid enough attention and saw Juggernaut an instant before he smashed into him, sending Sammael flying into the wall, where he became imbedded. The behemoth mutant ran forward and punched him three times, before Sammael could recover. Sammael slashed at Juggernaut, who fell back bellowing in rage, clutching a bleeding shoulder. Sammael pulled himself out of the wall. He levitated in the air.
"Enough."
Energy crackled in his hands for an instant before it struck all of Juggernaut team. All of them fell except Juggernaut who got up moving steadily towards Sammael. Suddenly Sammael saw Juggernaut run towards him. He jumped in the air, only to find another Juggernaut waiting when he landed on the other side of the room. Before he had time to comprehend what happened he was flying through the air courtesy of a punch from Juggernaut. Juggernaut smashed him again, and then Blob was flying through the air, landing on Sammael with enough power to knock all the breath out of him. Before Sammael could regain control of his reeling mind Juggernaut had hit him again. The entire team grouped around Sammael hurling attacks at him, Mastermind confusing Sammael so that he never knew where an attack came from.
In all the commotion no one heard the arrival of a lift, or the opening of a secret door in the wall. Apocalypse strode out.
"Ah, I see the attack has pressed into the control room even. The Externals are truly a uselessly incompetent lot."
He spread his hands sending all the mutants attacking Sammael flying.

Sammael arose from the ground.
"Master, you have arrived in time, I was being overwhelmed, somehow they have managed to confuse me as to where the next attack is coming from."
Apocalypse smiled at the other mutants.
"Ah, Mastermind, that would be your doing. You are a truly accomplished team if you managed to take down Sammael. No matter now though, you all shall die."
His eyes flashed and suddenly Mastermind fell, gripping his head and screaming.
"Sammael you should know this by now, always take down the mutants with mental abilities first." The next to fall was 'Black' Tom Cassidy. Then Toad went flying, followed by Blob.
"Now for you, Cain Marko. You have damaged my control room quite a bit. Tell the other Externals not to try this again, it is most annoying. If they wish to defeat my Externals, they should come to fight themselves."
Juggernaut was not the brightest mutant, but he wasn't completely stupid either. He saw that there was no way he would be winning this battle. He ran to 'Black' Tom Cassidy's body and slinging it over his shoulder rammed through the wall and jumped down the side of the Tower.
Sammael moved to the hole in the wall, but the Juggernaut had disappeared in the dense fighting below.
"Forget him for now; it is time to take control of this situation again."
Apocalypse pressed a button and a ramp extended out of the wall. Apocalypse walked out onto the ramp.
"His voice amplified and he spoke.
"Foolish rebels. You should never have attempted this attack, now you leave me no choice but to see you destroyed."
The battle slowed down as all the mutants looked up towards Apocalypse.
"For attacking this Tower you have sealed your doom. Kill-droids finish them."
Suddenly the top most walls of the Tower seemed to come alive, as the Kill- droids, super-charged Infinites, came alive.
A hundred of them rained down on the battlefield, weapons drawn and firing. The tide had turned; the X-men could not win against these killer creations, not in the weary state they were in. Apocalypse began to laugh.
------------------ ------------
Cyclops blasted the door open with his optic beams. Chaos faced him. Weapon X and Sabretooth were engaged in a brutal battle in the corner of the room, both bleeding profusely, neither giving up the fight. Candra was beating up Rogue in a room ahead, where in the background Gambit hung from the wall, shackled to it by strips of metal. Quicksilver lay near the door of the other room, near him was Shadowcat. Sinister and Phoenix were fighting in the centre of the room, Sinister standing tall over Phoenix, preparing a final energy blast.
"NO!"
Three beams of energy came from Cyclops, one from his visor, two from the gauntlets. All three struck Sinister in the chest, who went flying back into the room where Gambit was. Sinister fell to the ground and lay still, his chest burned badly and his flesh was burning.
Cyclops bent and cradled Phoenix in his arms.
"Jean, are you all right?"
She smiled weakly at him.
He heard laughter from behind and turned only to find feet smashing into his face.
"We meet again High Prelate."
Cyclops rolled back, and got up into a fighting position.
Dark Beast smiled and bent down and grabbed Phoenix.
"Ah such a beautiful woman she is. I highly applaud your choice High Prelate. A true pity I must destroy her."
Cyclops began to power up.
"Ah, ah, ah, High Prelate. You try to blast me and I kill her on the spot."
Cyclops lowered his visor and he put his fists down, but he kept himself ready for any opening.
"My master has arrived and the rebel forces are being defeated. Soon there will be no more rebels. I shall now destroy Miss Grey's soul High Prelate, to make you suffer for ever."
Cyclops clenched his teeth. Phoenix had begun to tremble in Dark Beasts grasp. She had suffered too much because of him. His mind ran through as many possibilities as it could, any chance that he could stop Dark Beast from killing or doing worse to Phoenix.

"Jeannie!"
Weapon X suddenly darted into the scene, his claws out, running for Dark Beast, Sabretooth lying in a bloody heap behind him. The mad mutant turned to face the new threat and Cyclops saw his chance. He narrowly opened his visor and shot an intense, thin beam at Dark Beast. The Beast leaped as though stung and Cyclops sent Phoenix the message. Keep him in the air Jean. Phoenix nodded and held him in the air using her Telekinesis. Dark Beast struggled, but to no avail.

Phoenix was pissed, and she took out her rage on him.

Dark Beast slammed into the ceiling, then came whizzing down to the floor, slamming into the floor and then heading back for the ceiling. Phoenix smashed him up and down ten times, before finally dropping him. Dark Beast fell on the ground and lay still.
Phoenix then dropped to the floor, unconscious, due to pain and weariness. Cyclops and Weapon X both bent next to her body.
Cyclops looked up at him, "Thank you Weapon X. I am in your debt."

Weapon X gazed at him for a few moments, then nodded, "No debt Cyclops, take it as payment of my debt to you, for trying to save Jean earlier." He got up and walked towards Sabretooths body, then hesitated. He turned his head and looked directly at Cyclops, "Take care of her Cyke; she's a very special person."
Cyclops nodded at the mutant, then turned back to Phoenix.
Candra stepped over Rogues body and walked up to Gambits body strapped to the wall. She reached up and stroked his cheek.
"You are a very interesting mutant. I don't know what Sinister wants with you, but you could ally yourself with me. I would give you many things; teach you much about war and pleasure. I am drawn to you, Cajun, and I am curious as to why you have this effect on me. Even twelve years ago, or was it thirteen? I cannot remember the date exactly but I can remember the events as though it were yesterday. A young mutant who took down a Prelate, and even somehow persuaded me to let him go. I would know what makes you tick Gambit."
Gambit looked up at her then, "Who is Gambit to say no to a lady, eh chere?"
Candra stepped back startled, she had not thought he would be awake. She was drawn by his eyes, as she had been years ago. Her face drew closer to his and her breathing became harsher. Her lips met his softly. Suddenly something struck Candra across her head, and all she saw was blackness.
"My t'anks Kitty-cat." Gambit smiled; his empathy still worked on Candra.
Shadowcat smiled at him as she unstrapped him from the wall, "My pleasure Cajun, wouldn't want anyone to be kissed by scum like her."
Gambit bent down next to Rogue and picked her up gently.
'Gumbo, hurry up! We gotta get goin'. Apocalypse's come to this battle, and the others aren't going to hold out much longer against his killer robots. Moira just messaged me. The other team is on its way, we better get out of here too."
"Gambit is comin' mon ami." Shadowcat and Quicksilver took Rogue from him and carried her out. Gambit went and retrieved his duster and his staff, as well as his pack of cards. The other filed out of the room. Gambit was surprised to see Cyclops carrying Phoenix, helped by Weapon X.
Gambit scratched his head in puzzlement. *Gambit, either Sinister made you crazier than you thought, or everyone else is.* He began walking towards the door.
"You're not going anywhere Mr. Lebeau."
Sinister was up, and coming forward.
"Sinister. all dose years ago, you made a very bad mistake. You started a game wit' th' lit'le Gambler, and everybody in de area knew dat Remy Lebeau always has a better hand, no matter how the cards are dealt. Dat was your first mistake; your second was killing Belladonna Boudreaux. Dat mon ami, you should not have done."
Sinister smiled, then extended his hands. Gambit wasn't idle though; he jumped over Sinister and threw three cards towards him. Sinister ducked and they went over his head.
"You missed Lebeau, and now you're mine."
Gambit smiled, "Who says Gambit missed?"
The wall behind Sinister exploded, and Sinister fell to the ground. Behind Gambit appeared Shadowcat and Weapon X.

"You've been outplayed Sinister. I dealt de cards this round, and de dealer wins."
Sinister smiled then, "Not quite outplayed Lebeau, I still have a 'card' up my 'sleeve'." He took out a small device and pressed a button. Suddenly he was surrounded by an aura, and disappeared with a flash of light.
"What de hell jus' happened?"
Shadowcat moved forward and examined the device.
"It's a miniature transporter. He must have preset the co-ordinates of where he wanted to go, and gone there. We can't use it now. He's escaped."
They turned to where Candra's body had been but she was gone as well.

"They've both escaped."
The three X-men walked out.
------------------ ------------
Magneto got up from the ground. He had used the last of his strength to erect a shield before the nova killed him, Banshee and Polaris. They had been thrown far, and the shield had dissolved in mid air. He looked around. Polaris was gone; however she had not taken him anywhere. He looked around slowly, and saw Banshee struggling to his feet a bit ahead. He smiled slightly. Archanfel was dead, that was at least a plus point. He rose and began walking towards the gargantuan hover craft up ahead. Banshee was coming towards him, and a bit behind him came Moira with some people. Why were they shouting? Magneto stumbled forward, then fell to the ground. Why was he so weak? *I am Magneto, nothing can stop me, nothing must stop me.* Magneto slipped away into unconsciousness.
The others raced down the hallways. They needed to get out of here. Cyclops ran ahead, carving a way out for them. Suddenly the door in front exploded. They shied back from the explosion.

Out of the dust leapt four robots with four hands each. Every hand was holding a blaster.
"No! Kill-droids! Duck!" Cyclops shouted and then fell to the floor. The others did the same, falling to the ground, just as the droids opened fire. Suddenly a great wind rose and all of them were swept forward, two of them electrocuted by lightning.
"Begone, foul machine."
Storm strode forward.
"I see you have managed to capture the High Prelate. I shall bind him."
"No. He's with us Storm."
Storm looked at Weapon X in surprise.
"We already have a Prelate on our side, now him too?"
Weapon X's eyes narrowed, "What Prelate?"
"Rumik. Betsy even vouched for her; apparently they're old friends. She helped them take down Exodus."
"Where did the killer robots come from?" Shadowcat queried.
"Apocalypse sent them. Now hurry up and come, we can't wait any longer."
The team moved as one across the battlefield, in a massive retreat before Apocalypse's forces. The kill-droids followed, but they were too late. Weapon X jumped aboard as the last X-man on the hovercraft, and the hovercraft changed shape. The sides opened up and wings extended outwards. The entire craft became a massive jet, and Moira at the controls set the course for Muir Isle. The jet hovered for a second, and then went straight up as the downward pointed rockets ignited. The rockets turned till they were horizontal and the jet streaked away into the air, going into stealth mode a few miles ahead. The X-men had escaped.
========================================

Authors note: Agghh, took me a long time to write this chapter. Nice and long. Oh yeah, and What Magneto says about feeling Polaris power. hehehe blatantly taken from a comic, One of the Apocalypse the twelve ones. Anyway. Only the Epilogue left. Will update soon.