At dawn, the resistance made its way from the sewer tunnels back to the surface. There was still a distance to cover, with Dracula led the way with Ororo, who seemed distant to them all. Though Ororo had blanketed the area in thick storm clouds to protect Dracula from the sun, Hank had tied a strip of cloth around his eyes, shielding his eyes from the harsh light of day after years of life in darkness. Though Kat helped him find his way, his other senses more than made up for his lack of sight.
The once famous Ellis Island had now become the pinnacle of vampire culture where a vast palace had been erected to house the vampire demi-god and his "royal" bloodline. Dracula had already warned of the vast elite guard stationed on the island but Ororo had been expecting no less; the state's villainous population had notoriously been turned and in the final days of humanities struggle it had been these super-powered vampire soldiers who had tipped the scales against Earth's mightiest heroes.
As they walked the deserted streets, Rayne moved over toward Kat and smiled slightly in greeting.
"If this plan is a success, what are we gonna do about our other big problem?"
"Other big problem?" pressed Kat, confused.
"The nuclear strike."
Kat lowered her head, the colour draining from her face. "I dunno. We've severed our links from the core of the resistance. Even if we do succeed, the strike will still go ahead."
"Sounds like a crock of shit to me!" admitted Rayne.
Hank coughed to interrupt as he reached under one of his shoulders where a mass of fur sat. He withdrew his hand and presented a device, dwarfed in his huge palm.
"Perhaps this will aid you. If you can locate the frequency of the resistance you should be able to relay a short message."
Kat's eyes lightened as she took the transmitter from Hank, reaching up to kiss his cheek. "Henry McCoy you are a star!"
At the front of the group, Magnus approached Ororo with concern for his old friend. He touched her arm softly as she turned to look at him. Smiling weakly she could not hide the weariness in her eyes.
"You're starting to show your age." he said softly.
Ororo faced forward. "I've...got a lot on my mind."
Magnus nodded and slowed his pace allowing Ororo and Dracula to move on ahead. Dracula turned to look at his creation, sensing the disturbance in her dark soul. His dark eyes searched her face as she vacantly marched on before he moved beside
her to speak with her.
"I know you are keeping secrets from them." he said, his voice firm.
Ororo glanced over at him with an expression of unhappiness. "I have no choice."
"But why do you keep your secrets from me?"
"They are my secrets to keep."
She motioned to move away but found Dracula holding onto her; not violently, but tenderly.
"Do what you need to, but know that I - we - are all here for you."
Dracula then released her and moved clear away. His words had caught her off guard; years of torture at the hands of Mary Kelly had certainly opened his mind and as a result he was truly remorseful for the actions of his kind. If only he knew the truth, she thought to herself. Would he be so tender and warm toward her then? As the emotion in her thoughts betrayed her, a soft rain began to fall from the clouds over head. It was a cold and callous rain, its icy needles stinging her eyes as though torturing her for her sins.
She stopped dead and glanced up at the sky, cursing her existence and praying for release into the arms of her Bright Lady. Magnus came to her side then and took her hand in his. She turned her attention to him to find his face full of concern for her.
"You helped me, Ororo. I am here for you."
The day passed slowly, with very little to pass the time. They reached the edges of Manhattan, a city that had been ravaged by fire to a large degree and lay in charred ruins; some fires still smouldering amidst he ruins. Few bodies scattered the streets; most humans this close to the vampire capital having been turned and added to the ranks or captured for the blood banks.
Ororo cast her mind back to a time when she had been assigned to infiltrate the Chicago Blood Banks. It was a monstrous sight. Human men and women forced to breed merely for the production of children who would be sold into slavery in the royal courts. If humans were infertile or too old to reproduce then they were merely shipped out into the streets as easy prey for the hordes of vampires swarming the city streets.
She had met a little girl in the Banks; fourteen years old and already suitable for bearing children - awaiting fertility trails - in the eyes of the vampires. She had watched over that little girl, who was so innocent that she couldn't quite comprehend the nature of how her world had been turned upside down. Despite her best efforts, she had been unable to save the little girl once she had left and some weeks later she returned to Chicago only to stumble across a pile of bodies left over from a mass feeding frenzy in which she found her pale little body, covered in puncture wounds.
That morning she hunted down the pack that were responsible and burnt them to cinders. That was why they had to pay - that and so much more.
Looking out across Manhattan Bay, Ororo let a chill wind caress her face as the others positioned themselves either side of her. Ahead of them lay the eerily quiet Ellis Island and beyond, the spectre of Liberty Island; defaced and disgraced by the vampire menace.
The sun had dropped behind the burnt out buildings of Manhattan, casting long shadows across the world as Ororo turned back to her comrades in preparation for the coming battle.
"This is it," her tone was grim. "From here on out, we're on borrowed time. If we are to fall this day then let us go down fighting!"
"Damn £@(!ing right!" cheered Rayne, checking her wrist blades.
With the diminishing light Hank removed the cloth shielding his eyes as he cracked his knuckles. Kat nodded solemnly and checked her remaining stock of shurikens and tested the acid-edge of her tanto blades. Magnus and Dracula both stood confident as Ororo's ears suddenly pricked up. Her signal to the others came too late as several vampires leapt from the concealment of the dusk shadows, seizing hold of each one of her companions in quick movements leaving her standing defensively, fearing to act for the safety of her friends.
And then her blood ran cold as a sinisterly familiar scent came to her. Staring out at the shadows, a looming figure marched out with all the egotistical confidence he had when he was human. As the fading light of the dusk glimpsed across his face,
Victor Creed grinned from ear to ear as a low predatory growl rumbled at the back of his throat. Ororo felt physically sick, the age-old deed of her rape at his hands still raw to her - her mind still finding it incalculable that a man could do that whilst still, technically, human.
"Hey there Stormy," he said with an evil glint in his eye, flicking his tongue back and forth over his monstrous canine teeth. "Long time no see."
Kat spat at Creed with fury raging within her as a vampire secured an adamantium collar around her neck. Creed waltzed over to her and stroked her cheek, raking a claw down her skin.
"You'll get yers, Kitty-Kat. But don't go thinking about phasing none; that adamantium collar will make you feel mighty sick and while you're spinning I'll gut ya just so and eat yer entrails as yer friends watch!"
"You bastard Creed!" Ororo growled.
He turned back to her and stalked over, towering over her as he pushed himself into her, sniffing her hair. She forced herself to remain still as Dracula struggled against the two vampires that clasped his wrists. Creed positioned himself behind her and ran his hand up her inner thigh as he licked the side of her face.
"Face it girly, you've missed the taste of ol' daddy Creed!"
Just then, both Ororo and Creed caught another familiar scent; one that filled them with mixed feelings. For Creed they were feelings of hatred, revulsion and revenge whereas for Ororo the feeling evoked by the familiar scent - apart from outright
surprise - were salvation, relief and gratitude.
It was then that the first vamp fell - a sudden swift movement caught it through the neck as it fell to the ground; it's head rolling off as it burst into a cloud of ash. With Magnus free he energised his fists and targeted a magnetic pulse at the vampire restraining Kat. The vampire hovered into the air as Magnus' eyes flared and the iron in its blood began the burn and stretch. The creature bellowed in agony as with a roar of anger Magnus pulled apart his hands, magnetically tearing the vampire asunder.
The rebellion was soon joined by the others as BloodRayne high-kicked the vampire behind her, cracking his nose. Hank grabbed both his burly restrainers, one in each hand and slammed them together, crushing their skulls and flinging their limp bodies into the water. Dracula transformed into a huge man-wolf and tore the throats out of the remaining vampires as Ororo leapt over Creed's head, kicking back into his face before landing amidst her friends and standing off against him. But creed's attention was on other things as he sniffed the air.
"Come on out, runt," he spoke to no one in particular and yet he knew exactly who he was speaking to. "I know yer here!"
As Creed turned around a small, stout figure rose to meet him and as he looked down he met a pair of familiar eyes as feral as his own.
"Y'know yer freakin' trouble Creed?" Logan drew in close. "I never could kill ya."
SNIKT!
"Until now."
Creed's eyes widen in awe as he feverishly glances down at the adamantium claws puncturing his heart. Normally he'd survive and as a vampire he should have no problem what so ever but as he looks back up at Logan, his skin begins to blacken and his eyes fade as flecks of burning ash trail from his mouth.
"Son of a bit-!"
Logan drew his claws back swiftly, the motion causing Creed's body to implode in on itself with glowing embers and ash trailing skyward. As the flaming cinders settled, Logan stepped forward toward the others who stood in astonishment at the apparition before them. Kat rushes forward in surprise as Ororo's face flood with joy.
"Logan! You're alive!" Kat rushes forward and hugs him.
"Yeh, kid. I'm alive."
Ororo stepped forward, kicking through the pile of ash that was once Victor Creed. "How did you-?"
"Kill 'im? Simple." Wolverine brandished his claws. "Had 'em rebonded with silver."
Logan gave a satisfied smile as Ororo patted him heartily on the back. He glanced around at the others with a look of surprise in his eye.
"Hank? You ol' dog!"
"Good to see you too, old friend."
Logan's eyes shifted to view both Dracula and Magnus but he knew that even the oldest of vendettas between them had long since dissolved in light of the present situation. Turning to Rayne he looked her up and down and nodded in a approval before turning back to Ororo.
"Not a bad mix, darlin'. Ya gotta plan to go with the people?"
Ororo nodded and took time to fill her old friend in on everything that had transpired in the last few days. He listened intently, analysing the structure of the plan in his own way, looking for errors and ways it could be improved and where he could, he offered his experience.
"All we've got to worry about now is the nukes." piped up Rayne.
Logan looked at Kat. "Nukes?"
"Yeh," she pulled out the transmitter. "Hank gave me this but I've not been able to raise the resistance leaders."
Logan whistled sharply as several figures emerged from the shadows. They all wore black body suits and advanced military equipment and were armed with stakes, knives, swords and machine guns. They formed a semi-circle around Logan and the others and he smiled confidently at the evident surprise.
"Meet SHIELD's finest."
Kat turned to him. "SHIELD?!"
"Yep, I've been working with them for years now. I'm still the best at what I do, which still isn't very nice - but it's mighty satisfying. We've been tracking you for the last day or so after we lost contact with a mole we had in your base. When we found the place torched we knew something big was up."
"So what now?" asked Ororo.
"I radio in and get the big kahuna to put a hold on that strike while we go and kick some vampire ass!"
Everyone nodded in satisfaction as Rayne stepped over, looking down on Logan with a glint of lust in her eye.
"Now you sound like my kinda guy, little man!"
"Easy darlin'," Logan took out a half-smoked cigar. "If we get outta this alive, I'll show you just how 'little' I am."
Rayne bent over and stroked his cheek. "Is that a promise?"
Half an hour later, everyone was set to go. The SHIELD agents handed out some weapons to Kat as Magnus warped the adamantium collar around her neck, allowing her to phase freely once more. Ororo stood watching them all as they prepared for what may be their last hours alive. Kat, Rayne, Dracula, Hank, Magnus, Logan and herself...the irony wasn't lost on her. They were the penultimate "Magnificent Seven".
Swathed in a bubble of magnetic energy, they crossed over to Ellis Island ready to stare death in the face. Curiously enough - though not entirely expected - not a soul was present in the vast, torch lit courtyard as they touched down. There was an
stillness to the air that sent shivers down even Logan's hardened spine as Rayne, Dracula, Logan and Ororo were on full alert - each and everyone of their senses working over time. But it was all in vain as a huge portcullis to the north drew up as
dozens of vampires teemed out to stand sentry at the gate. Yet only a single one advanced toward them; slowly and confidently as he made himself known - his black leather trench coat flapping in the wind. He was instantly recognisable. Strangely enough one of the few heroes turned merely for the advantage of his mutant power. The fact that he was a one man army.
"Jamie?" Kat was astonished. "Jamie Madrox!?"
"The one and only!" he laughed at his own comment as a second Jamie stepped out from him. "Better make that the one and two only."
But in an instant his features changed as his face turned feral and in the blink of an eye he made dozens of copies of himself all slavering and growling as their eyes shone like burning coals and their teeth glinted in the silver glow of the waxing moon overhead.
"Now would be a good time to think of a strategy!" growled Rayne as she readied to fight.
"Allow me." said Magnus with a level tone.
As the first wave of Madrox duplicates lunged to attack, Magnus rose high above them producing a magnetic pulse which seized all the duplicates in its snare as his bodied convulsed with pure raw energy. The vampiric Madrox's roared in fury and
growing pain as they feel their limbs pulling against themselves and their blood surging through their veins at an erratic rate as the iron is super-heated with magnetic energy. The others watch in amazement as Magnus pulls the duplicates around
the central figure of the original Madrox. Slowly but surely a perfect sphere is created of seething limbs and agonising cries as Magnus continues to pump his energy into it. Skin, bone and blood merge on a molecular level as magnetic energy surges and swirls until finally Magnus launches the Madrox sphere skyward until it vanishes into darkness.
The exertion too much, Magnus flutters from the air where Ororo steadies him. The sound of solitary applause is heard then as all eyes turn to the parting wave of vampires as a solitary figure draped in a lush cloak steps out into the night. None but
Ororo and Dracula knew his true identity as he revealed himself but no one spoke as they drew tightly together, ready for anything.
"Welcome," came his thick, accented voice. "To your final resting place!"
"Hold your tongue, Gorran!" snarled Dracula in defiance.
"Ah yes, our little lord. I hope you'll forgive me if I do not make your death quick?"
Ororo felt her anger rising as her muscles pumped with adrenaline. Her eyes gazed across all the vampires before her. Some where just faces, but most she knew and recognised. They had been turned merely because their malice and intent served a
greater purpose to them as vampires. Kingpin, Avalanche, Pyro, Mr Sinister, Lex Luthor, Poison Ivy, Arcade, Emma Frost and Victor von Doom - among many others - all teased their fangs with their tongues as unblinking eyes bore down on her.
None of them mattered as her eyes fell back to Gorran, the man - if that's what you could call him - who needed to die. But her strategy was shot to pieces as Dracula launched through air, seizing Gorran by the throat and lifting him clean off the
ground. His eyes blazed with rage as he threw Gorran through the air where he landed in a heap at the bottom of the palace steps. Dracula leapt down, slamming his foot into Gorran's chest as Ororo's body suddenly tensed with unease.
"Dracula, no!"
Lying on the floor, Gorran began laughing which enraged Dracula. However in a split instant, the nature of his laugh changed until it was not his laughter at all. Suddenly before their eyes the form of Gorran morphed revealing the vampiric form of Mystique squirming under Dracula's foot. Before another action could be taken, Dracula gripped his chest in agony as his veins boiled to the surface, cracking his skin as his blood ignited. Ororo tried to rush forward but Logan held her firmly back as Dracula was engulfed in a ball of flame and his cinder-like remains floated off on the breeze.
As Mystique got to her feet as took her place amongst her brethren the real Gorran descended upon them a large, leather-bound tome hanging from his waist. None but Ororo knew what it truly was...none but she knew what it truly meant...none but she
could do what needed to be done. Gorran's eyes fell instantly on her as he strode confidently toward her.
"Ah Ororo - my reason for living!"
She gritted her teeth. "Don't."
"I see," Gorran glanced at her companions with a cunning smile. "They don't know, do they?"
Silence washed over Ororo.
"Can it suckhead!" growled Logan.
"Ororo?" Kat's voice was pleading.
Gorran leant toward Ororo. "Will you tell them, or shall I?"
Bowing her head, Ororo closed her head. Kat moved forward and placed a hand on her shoulder but found her action shrugged off as Ororo whispered.
"It's all my fault."
To Be Continued...
The once famous Ellis Island had now become the pinnacle of vampire culture where a vast palace had been erected to house the vampire demi-god and his "royal" bloodline. Dracula had already warned of the vast elite guard stationed on the island but Ororo had been expecting no less; the state's villainous population had notoriously been turned and in the final days of humanities struggle it had been these super-powered vampire soldiers who had tipped the scales against Earth's mightiest heroes.
As they walked the deserted streets, Rayne moved over toward Kat and smiled slightly in greeting.
"If this plan is a success, what are we gonna do about our other big problem?"
"Other big problem?" pressed Kat, confused.
"The nuclear strike."
Kat lowered her head, the colour draining from her face. "I dunno. We've severed our links from the core of the resistance. Even if we do succeed, the strike will still go ahead."
"Sounds like a crock of shit to me!" admitted Rayne.
Hank coughed to interrupt as he reached under one of his shoulders where a mass of fur sat. He withdrew his hand and presented a device, dwarfed in his huge palm.
"Perhaps this will aid you. If you can locate the frequency of the resistance you should be able to relay a short message."
Kat's eyes lightened as she took the transmitter from Hank, reaching up to kiss his cheek. "Henry McCoy you are a star!"
At the front of the group, Magnus approached Ororo with concern for his old friend. He touched her arm softly as she turned to look at him. Smiling weakly she could not hide the weariness in her eyes.
"You're starting to show your age." he said softly.
Ororo faced forward. "I've...got a lot on my mind."
Magnus nodded and slowed his pace allowing Ororo and Dracula to move on ahead. Dracula turned to look at his creation, sensing the disturbance in her dark soul. His dark eyes searched her face as she vacantly marched on before he moved beside
her to speak with her.
"I know you are keeping secrets from them." he said, his voice firm.
Ororo glanced over at him with an expression of unhappiness. "I have no choice."
"But why do you keep your secrets from me?"
"They are my secrets to keep."
She motioned to move away but found Dracula holding onto her; not violently, but tenderly.
"Do what you need to, but know that I - we - are all here for you."
Dracula then released her and moved clear away. His words had caught her off guard; years of torture at the hands of Mary Kelly had certainly opened his mind and as a result he was truly remorseful for the actions of his kind. If only he knew the truth, she thought to herself. Would he be so tender and warm toward her then? As the emotion in her thoughts betrayed her, a soft rain began to fall from the clouds over head. It was a cold and callous rain, its icy needles stinging her eyes as though torturing her for her sins.
She stopped dead and glanced up at the sky, cursing her existence and praying for release into the arms of her Bright Lady. Magnus came to her side then and took her hand in his. She turned her attention to him to find his face full of concern for her.
"You helped me, Ororo. I am here for you."
The day passed slowly, with very little to pass the time. They reached the edges of Manhattan, a city that had been ravaged by fire to a large degree and lay in charred ruins; some fires still smouldering amidst he ruins. Few bodies scattered the streets; most humans this close to the vampire capital having been turned and added to the ranks or captured for the blood banks.
Ororo cast her mind back to a time when she had been assigned to infiltrate the Chicago Blood Banks. It was a monstrous sight. Human men and women forced to breed merely for the production of children who would be sold into slavery in the royal courts. If humans were infertile or too old to reproduce then they were merely shipped out into the streets as easy prey for the hordes of vampires swarming the city streets.
She had met a little girl in the Banks; fourteen years old and already suitable for bearing children - awaiting fertility trails - in the eyes of the vampires. She had watched over that little girl, who was so innocent that she couldn't quite comprehend the nature of how her world had been turned upside down. Despite her best efforts, she had been unable to save the little girl once she had left and some weeks later she returned to Chicago only to stumble across a pile of bodies left over from a mass feeding frenzy in which she found her pale little body, covered in puncture wounds.
That morning she hunted down the pack that were responsible and burnt them to cinders. That was why they had to pay - that and so much more.
Looking out across Manhattan Bay, Ororo let a chill wind caress her face as the others positioned themselves either side of her. Ahead of them lay the eerily quiet Ellis Island and beyond, the spectre of Liberty Island; defaced and disgraced by the vampire menace.
The sun had dropped behind the burnt out buildings of Manhattan, casting long shadows across the world as Ororo turned back to her comrades in preparation for the coming battle.
"This is it," her tone was grim. "From here on out, we're on borrowed time. If we are to fall this day then let us go down fighting!"
"Damn £@(!ing right!" cheered Rayne, checking her wrist blades.
With the diminishing light Hank removed the cloth shielding his eyes as he cracked his knuckles. Kat nodded solemnly and checked her remaining stock of shurikens and tested the acid-edge of her tanto blades. Magnus and Dracula both stood confident as Ororo's ears suddenly pricked up. Her signal to the others came too late as several vampires leapt from the concealment of the dusk shadows, seizing hold of each one of her companions in quick movements leaving her standing defensively, fearing to act for the safety of her friends.
And then her blood ran cold as a sinisterly familiar scent came to her. Staring out at the shadows, a looming figure marched out with all the egotistical confidence he had when he was human. As the fading light of the dusk glimpsed across his face,
Victor Creed grinned from ear to ear as a low predatory growl rumbled at the back of his throat. Ororo felt physically sick, the age-old deed of her rape at his hands still raw to her - her mind still finding it incalculable that a man could do that whilst still, technically, human.
"Hey there Stormy," he said with an evil glint in his eye, flicking his tongue back and forth over his monstrous canine teeth. "Long time no see."
Kat spat at Creed with fury raging within her as a vampire secured an adamantium collar around her neck. Creed waltzed over to her and stroked her cheek, raking a claw down her skin.
"You'll get yers, Kitty-Kat. But don't go thinking about phasing none; that adamantium collar will make you feel mighty sick and while you're spinning I'll gut ya just so and eat yer entrails as yer friends watch!"
"You bastard Creed!" Ororo growled.
He turned back to her and stalked over, towering over her as he pushed himself into her, sniffing her hair. She forced herself to remain still as Dracula struggled against the two vampires that clasped his wrists. Creed positioned himself behind her and ran his hand up her inner thigh as he licked the side of her face.
"Face it girly, you've missed the taste of ol' daddy Creed!"
Just then, both Ororo and Creed caught another familiar scent; one that filled them with mixed feelings. For Creed they were feelings of hatred, revulsion and revenge whereas for Ororo the feeling evoked by the familiar scent - apart from outright
surprise - were salvation, relief and gratitude.
It was then that the first vamp fell - a sudden swift movement caught it through the neck as it fell to the ground; it's head rolling off as it burst into a cloud of ash. With Magnus free he energised his fists and targeted a magnetic pulse at the vampire restraining Kat. The vampire hovered into the air as Magnus' eyes flared and the iron in its blood began the burn and stretch. The creature bellowed in agony as with a roar of anger Magnus pulled apart his hands, magnetically tearing the vampire asunder.
The rebellion was soon joined by the others as BloodRayne high-kicked the vampire behind her, cracking his nose. Hank grabbed both his burly restrainers, one in each hand and slammed them together, crushing their skulls and flinging their limp bodies into the water. Dracula transformed into a huge man-wolf and tore the throats out of the remaining vampires as Ororo leapt over Creed's head, kicking back into his face before landing amidst her friends and standing off against him. But creed's attention was on other things as he sniffed the air.
"Come on out, runt," he spoke to no one in particular and yet he knew exactly who he was speaking to. "I know yer here!"
As Creed turned around a small, stout figure rose to meet him and as he looked down he met a pair of familiar eyes as feral as his own.
"Y'know yer freakin' trouble Creed?" Logan drew in close. "I never could kill ya."
SNIKT!
"Until now."
Creed's eyes widen in awe as he feverishly glances down at the adamantium claws puncturing his heart. Normally he'd survive and as a vampire he should have no problem what so ever but as he looks back up at Logan, his skin begins to blacken and his eyes fade as flecks of burning ash trail from his mouth.
"Son of a bit-!"
Logan drew his claws back swiftly, the motion causing Creed's body to implode in on itself with glowing embers and ash trailing skyward. As the flaming cinders settled, Logan stepped forward toward the others who stood in astonishment at the apparition before them. Kat rushes forward in surprise as Ororo's face flood with joy.
"Logan! You're alive!" Kat rushes forward and hugs him.
"Yeh, kid. I'm alive."
Ororo stepped forward, kicking through the pile of ash that was once Victor Creed. "How did you-?"
"Kill 'im? Simple." Wolverine brandished his claws. "Had 'em rebonded with silver."
Logan gave a satisfied smile as Ororo patted him heartily on the back. He glanced around at the others with a look of surprise in his eye.
"Hank? You ol' dog!"
"Good to see you too, old friend."
Logan's eyes shifted to view both Dracula and Magnus but he knew that even the oldest of vendettas between them had long since dissolved in light of the present situation. Turning to Rayne he looked her up and down and nodded in a approval before turning back to Ororo.
"Not a bad mix, darlin'. Ya gotta plan to go with the people?"
Ororo nodded and took time to fill her old friend in on everything that had transpired in the last few days. He listened intently, analysing the structure of the plan in his own way, looking for errors and ways it could be improved and where he could, he offered his experience.
"All we've got to worry about now is the nukes." piped up Rayne.
Logan looked at Kat. "Nukes?"
"Yeh," she pulled out the transmitter. "Hank gave me this but I've not been able to raise the resistance leaders."
Logan whistled sharply as several figures emerged from the shadows. They all wore black body suits and advanced military equipment and were armed with stakes, knives, swords and machine guns. They formed a semi-circle around Logan and the others and he smiled confidently at the evident surprise.
"Meet SHIELD's finest."
Kat turned to him. "SHIELD?!"
"Yep, I've been working with them for years now. I'm still the best at what I do, which still isn't very nice - but it's mighty satisfying. We've been tracking you for the last day or so after we lost contact with a mole we had in your base. When we found the place torched we knew something big was up."
"So what now?" asked Ororo.
"I radio in and get the big kahuna to put a hold on that strike while we go and kick some vampire ass!"
Everyone nodded in satisfaction as Rayne stepped over, looking down on Logan with a glint of lust in her eye.
"Now you sound like my kinda guy, little man!"
"Easy darlin'," Logan took out a half-smoked cigar. "If we get outta this alive, I'll show you just how 'little' I am."
Rayne bent over and stroked his cheek. "Is that a promise?"
Half an hour later, everyone was set to go. The SHIELD agents handed out some weapons to Kat as Magnus warped the adamantium collar around her neck, allowing her to phase freely once more. Ororo stood watching them all as they prepared for what may be their last hours alive. Kat, Rayne, Dracula, Hank, Magnus, Logan and herself...the irony wasn't lost on her. They were the penultimate "Magnificent Seven".
Swathed in a bubble of magnetic energy, they crossed over to Ellis Island ready to stare death in the face. Curiously enough - though not entirely expected - not a soul was present in the vast, torch lit courtyard as they touched down. There was an
stillness to the air that sent shivers down even Logan's hardened spine as Rayne, Dracula, Logan and Ororo were on full alert - each and everyone of their senses working over time. But it was all in vain as a huge portcullis to the north drew up as
dozens of vampires teemed out to stand sentry at the gate. Yet only a single one advanced toward them; slowly and confidently as he made himself known - his black leather trench coat flapping in the wind. He was instantly recognisable. Strangely enough one of the few heroes turned merely for the advantage of his mutant power. The fact that he was a one man army.
"Jamie?" Kat was astonished. "Jamie Madrox!?"
"The one and only!" he laughed at his own comment as a second Jamie stepped out from him. "Better make that the one and two only."
But in an instant his features changed as his face turned feral and in the blink of an eye he made dozens of copies of himself all slavering and growling as their eyes shone like burning coals and their teeth glinted in the silver glow of the waxing moon overhead.
"Now would be a good time to think of a strategy!" growled Rayne as she readied to fight.
"Allow me." said Magnus with a level tone.
As the first wave of Madrox duplicates lunged to attack, Magnus rose high above them producing a magnetic pulse which seized all the duplicates in its snare as his bodied convulsed with pure raw energy. The vampiric Madrox's roared in fury and
growing pain as they feel their limbs pulling against themselves and their blood surging through their veins at an erratic rate as the iron is super-heated with magnetic energy. The others watch in amazement as Magnus pulls the duplicates around
the central figure of the original Madrox. Slowly but surely a perfect sphere is created of seething limbs and agonising cries as Magnus continues to pump his energy into it. Skin, bone and blood merge on a molecular level as magnetic energy surges and swirls until finally Magnus launches the Madrox sphere skyward until it vanishes into darkness.
The exertion too much, Magnus flutters from the air where Ororo steadies him. The sound of solitary applause is heard then as all eyes turn to the parting wave of vampires as a solitary figure draped in a lush cloak steps out into the night. None but
Ororo and Dracula knew his true identity as he revealed himself but no one spoke as they drew tightly together, ready for anything.
"Welcome," came his thick, accented voice. "To your final resting place!"
"Hold your tongue, Gorran!" snarled Dracula in defiance.
"Ah yes, our little lord. I hope you'll forgive me if I do not make your death quick?"
Ororo felt her anger rising as her muscles pumped with adrenaline. Her eyes gazed across all the vampires before her. Some where just faces, but most she knew and recognised. They had been turned merely because their malice and intent served a
greater purpose to them as vampires. Kingpin, Avalanche, Pyro, Mr Sinister, Lex Luthor, Poison Ivy, Arcade, Emma Frost and Victor von Doom - among many others - all teased their fangs with their tongues as unblinking eyes bore down on her.
None of them mattered as her eyes fell back to Gorran, the man - if that's what you could call him - who needed to die. But her strategy was shot to pieces as Dracula launched through air, seizing Gorran by the throat and lifting him clean off the
ground. His eyes blazed with rage as he threw Gorran through the air where he landed in a heap at the bottom of the palace steps. Dracula leapt down, slamming his foot into Gorran's chest as Ororo's body suddenly tensed with unease.
"Dracula, no!"
Lying on the floor, Gorran began laughing which enraged Dracula. However in a split instant, the nature of his laugh changed until it was not his laughter at all. Suddenly before their eyes the form of Gorran morphed revealing the vampiric form of Mystique squirming under Dracula's foot. Before another action could be taken, Dracula gripped his chest in agony as his veins boiled to the surface, cracking his skin as his blood ignited. Ororo tried to rush forward but Logan held her firmly back as Dracula was engulfed in a ball of flame and his cinder-like remains floated off on the breeze.
As Mystique got to her feet as took her place amongst her brethren the real Gorran descended upon them a large, leather-bound tome hanging from his waist. None but Ororo knew what it truly was...none but she knew what it truly meant...none but she
could do what needed to be done. Gorran's eyes fell instantly on her as he strode confidently toward her.
"Ah Ororo - my reason for living!"
She gritted her teeth. "Don't."
"I see," Gorran glanced at her companions with a cunning smile. "They don't know, do they?"
Silence washed over Ororo.
"Can it suckhead!" growled Logan.
"Ororo?" Kat's voice was pleading.
Gorran leant toward Ororo. "Will you tell them, or shall I?"
Bowing her head, Ororo closed her head. Kat moved forward and placed a hand on her shoulder but found her action shrugged off as Ororo whispered.
"It's all my fault."
To Be Continued...