Well, I'm happy to say, the last (discounting the epilogue) chapter of the second part of my take on AoA is here. To stay. Okay. This is it; all you fine fic readers out there (Esp. those who read this fic). A big thanks to everyone who reviewed this fic. Don't worry, there's still a whole installment left to go. Part three, which is bigger and badder than this one.

The final battle begins, with the X-men finally finding Destiny, as well as Remy and Nate's continuing escape from the clutches of Sinister and Candra.

*~*

Fear Shrouded in Darkness

Sinister and Candra stood in front of his laboratory. Sinister's face was brooding, yet from his stance and the simple tapping of his left index finger it would be apparent to any who knew him that he was angry. Extremely angry. He had not been this angry since finding out that Scott was a traitor. His eyes flashed and the remaining guards who were still alive flinched under his gaze. However Sinister wasn't a man to waste human life, especially when it could be used for productive purposes.

Candra however was not so reserved or as impassive as Sinister. Her eyes flashed her anger and she had already telekinetically hurled ten guards into the wall, where they still lay imbedded. Candra was another reason why the guards flinched. She was more than angry, she was livid. She walked up and down the room in a rage, gesticulating wildly with her arms.

".Useless, incompetent, inept, bungling, hopeless, clumsy, amateurish fools! You are worse than useless; you're pathetic, weak, dismal, sad, woefully miserable! I'll have each and everyone of you as guinea pigs for Dark Beast, and give him a free hand too! Oh!!! You slimy pitiful bastards! Sonofabitches, assholes, asswipes! Pieces of shit! Fils de Chienne! Kutte ke bache! Bhonstri ke! Bhen Chod! Chyort voz MI!" Candra continued to scream incomprehensible insults at the guards. Even Sinister seemed to come out of his reverie to stare at Candra. He was impressed. He didn't know Candra knew so many insults in different languages. Her face was flushed with anger. Candra stopped screaming to catch her breath. She began to mutter under her breath. Finally a guard rushed back to the outside.

"They've gone above this floor Master and Mistress."

He bowed low, almost low enough to be kissing the floor. Candra's ire abated slightly at that. However she was still angry enough to do grievous bodily harm to any one of the guards. Or to Sinister. Perhaps especially to Sinister.

"In all probability Apocalypse will find out about him. You do not have to be so staid Sinister, we both lose out!"

He turned to her, "You have merely lost a. shall we say playmate, Candra? I have lost perhaps the most intriguing subject I have ever experimented upon. He didn't even use one tenth of his power before. I wonder if he merely chose not to, or really had a block on it. He certainly chose an inopportune time to start."

"Oh shut up Sinister. He was different from the others. I don't know how so, but he was different."

Sinister turned away. Yes, he was different, but Candra still didn't know why. He would have thought that Externals were not prey to emotions, but it seemed Candra was. It seemed they all were. Candra more than simply wanted Lebeau, it was written on her face. Sammael didn't simply want to kill the renegade Externals because they were a threat, he hated them. Exodus didn't want to kill Rumik because she was a traitor or Emma because she was a rebel. He had considered both women his property and because they two had played an important in his being bested, his ego was hurt, and his pride had to be salvaged. Archanfel had hated Magneto, and it had gotten him killed. Even Holocaust would fall due to his emotional instability. The day he lost to anyone in a fight, was the day he would go insane. Even he himself wasn't infallible. He hated Apocalypse, no matter what motives he wanted to attach to his wanting to dethrone him, he was jealous of En Sabah Nur, because he commanded resources that Sinister would have, and had killed for. He also wanted to kill Cyclops because of his turning against him. Countless years of tutoring and grooming the boy to be his second in command had led to his becoming traitor. That had rankled his pride and he wanted to destroy anything that ever galled his pride.

"We should head for the containment cells, he would head there."

Sinister was surprised and felt a little irritated at being surprised. Candra was right for once, using simple logic and reasoning, or perhaps she knew the mutant better than she thought. Sinister nodded. Lebeau would definitely go there, and whatever Candra wanted he would kill Lebeau if necessary. Nate Grey was with him, that much he was sure of. He would get the boy back. While he had failsafes, just in case the boy ever escaped, he would prefer that the boy remained with him, so that he could make the ultimate killing machine.

x-------------- ------------x

Scott was moving faster than he would have thought himself possible. Jean had reappeared in his mind a while back, stronger than he would have expected. She had made him feel a little more secure, in knowing he had at least one ally out in the wilderness. Then the mercenary's helicopter had been attacked. Before he could do a thing, the battle was over, and only nine of the men had survived. Nine out of eighteen. While he knew better, he couldn't help but feel responsible for their deaths. He was their leader, and they had been his problem. He should have somehow coerced them into working with him. He had felt Jeans presence attempt to heal his mental agony. Her presence had been enough to buoy him. He had felt better, and had felt Jean's answering contentment. Then he had got panic from her, panic tinged with fear. She had been attacked, he was sure of that. He had heard sounds to inspire terror, earth shattering roars and screeches.

That's when he began running. To hell with Galaire and the mission. He would save Jean.

That's when he heard the sound of water behind him. He braced himself for an attack. What he didn't expect was Galaire coming up alongside him, riding a cushion of water and ice. He stared at her in bewilderment. Why had she not knocked him down?

"Someone is here. Someone you know. You wish to rescue whoever it is. I do not mind. You are after all in command," the last had to be said mockingly, however Galaire's face was impassive,

"However you must complete the mission. This friend could even be of help."

Suddenly a large bat like dinosaur swooped down, smashing into Galaire. Scott stood stunned as she was carted away by the foul creature. Scott quickly used his eye beam to blast the creature. He blasted off its head and part of its wings. Galaire fell to the ground, pulling up a cushion of water just before she fell.

"My thanks for the prompt save Cyclops." He nodded.

They continued moving.

Scott realized that Jean was moving into the forest ahead of the sulphur pits up ahead. He ran across with Galaire. She was stopping now. He slowed down. He wouldn't want her to attack him because she thought he was a dinosaur. He walked now, and Galaire slowed down with him, matching his speed. He was slightly confused. She was acting different from what he had expected. Perhaps she meant to use him in some other fashion, but he couldn't for the life of him figure out what. He suddenly felt a sense of peace pervade his soul. Beside him Galaire gasped. He looked at her, and she smiled at him, for once warmth reaching her eyes as well.

"It is a good feeling, isn't it High Prelate?"

Scott growled below his breath, but didn't remark. He didn't want to ruin this feeling. He kept on walking; heading on a tangent he was sure would lead him to Jean. Only a few more minutes.

x-------------------- --------x

Jean could feel Scott more clearly now. He was getting closer to them. However she tucked his presence to the side of her head. She needed to experience this place as fully as possible. There was a glow of peace surrounding everything, and Jean was certain it emanated from the temple. She thought wistfully that Ororo would have loved this place. Destiny had greeted them all cordially and had greeted Raven with a reserved hug. She had introduced the young boy beside her as her son Douglas, or Doug for short. The boy seemed simple, playing childishly with a butterfly, but utterly at peace. She had been surprised, to say the least, about finding the Juggernaut here. However Destiny had warned them that he was not an enemy and had come here to be at peace with the world. She had met others in Avalon as well. Apart from multiple other mutants there had been a young girl named Blink, who had taken to following Logan and Victor. Both tolerated her, at best. She had pinkish skin and two darker pink marks over her eyes, stretching downward from above her eyes to her cheeks. Her eyes were also milky white, without any retina or iris. However she could see just fine. She wore an oversized sweater and jeans. Jean had tried to talk to her, but she had shied away. Raven had explained to her that she had been one of the first mutants she had brought here.

Another mutant who had caught her eye had been the literal man of fire. Sunfire was the name he had given. It was an apt name. He was pure flame, tightly controlled so as not to burn everything around him. He could fly as well, being as light as fire. His face was covered by a white mask of some obviously fire resistant material. Two eye slits showed glowing eyes. He was cordial enough, but Jean sensed a troubled soul. Raven had said he was possibly the last survivor of Japan. A red circle was also emblazoned on the white mask, probably to signify Japan.

There had been many other mutants, but these two had interested her the most.

Jean had also tried to explain to Destiny why she was here, but the woman had overridden her words, stating evenly that she knew why Jean was here, and that she would never leave. Jean remembered the conversation quite clearly.

^ "I know why you are here Jean Grey. You wish me to come with you, however I must warn that I will not do so. I have seen visions of Avalon burning ever since I saw that vision concerning a woman who would come with dire news. I choose not to go with you."

"But I'm not here to ask you to go anywhere. In fact I want you to stay here. Another is coming to ask you to leave. It is my intention to stop him or her. It is an External." At the name Destiny stiffened.

"Please leave me alone Jean Grey; I would also talk with Raven if you can please direct her to me."

^

Jean had met and sent over Raven. Raven had gone away with the alacrity of a woman going to meet a lover, and Jean suspected that her relationship with Destiny was not too far from that. That didn't explain Kurt though, and she really wanted to know what that was all about. However Kurt had once asked her, politely, to not ask him that, and Raven had coldly told her that it was none of her business.

Logan watched amusedly as Victor looked around his shoulder at the young girl following them. The girl had introduced herself as Blink upon meeting them, and since then had taking to following Victor around. She had also told them her real name, Clarice, but with bravado and guts for someone so small she had told them to call her Blink only. Logan didn't know why that was, but he didn't care either way. However he enjoyed Victor's discomfort.

It was a strange thing, but the two men got along like old friends. He knew they had once been so, but so many things had changed, and their friendship had turned to enmity, compounded by the years and the fact that they shared similar mutations which meant that in a fight there would never be a clear winner. For that the other would have to die. However since they had joined the same team, Logan had begun to see a more human side to the once bloodthirsty killer. He had shaved much of his hair, leaving a hairstyle much like Logan's, only blonde, and with a ponytail at the back. While their powers were much the same, they had very different bodies. Victor was a massive butch individual, with huge muscles, and tall. Logan was much shorter, coming up to Victor's chest, and with a slighter build, though his muscles were nearly as big as Victors. However Logan was slightly faster and had better fighting skills. However Victor's sheer brutality left them about equal in a fight.

Logan shook his head as he saw Victor mutter under his breath about teenage kids.

Blink followed behind, her eyes following Victor. Finally the big man tired of it and turned to her.

"Look kid, why're ya following me?"

She stood in front of him, then blushed. Logan found it very cute. He always held a soft spot for young girls.

"Can you train me to fight?"

Logan was slightly taken aback. This little girl wanted to be trained to fight?

"Uh, kid, you'd be better off asking Logan here for that. He's the trained samurai, ninja thing." Logan scowled at Victor. He didn't want to teach any little girl ninjutsu.

"No, I want you to teach me, I mean if you would?"

Victor looked taken aback. Logan grinned and patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry Blink. Creed here's the best at teaching people how to fight. He'll teach ya good how to fight. Hell he's the dirtiest fighter I ever knew."

Victor glared murderously at Logan. Once Logan would have taken that as a precursor before an attack, but now he just laughed and walked off leaving a very confused Victor with an eager Blink.

Behind him he heard Blink talk animatedly and Victor answering in monosyllables. He turned and saw Victor run towards the young girl. Suddenly she pivoted and grabbed his hand, jerking him past, using his momentum to trip him. Victor sprawled on the ground. Logan began to laugh, the kid was good, and it looked as though Victor was going to have his work cut out surviving the training.

x----------- ------------------x

Remy and Nate walked past the rows of containment cells, wary of being spotted. Even so both had enough power between them to knock back any guards. However Remy kept a close watch on the kid. He was an eager kid, ready to lash out with his powers, unfortunately he had almost little or no control over his powers, nearly killing both of them when a guard appeared, when he attempted to blast him with some weird energy projection sort of power. Remy assumed it was either energy projection, or it was telekinesis, the second theory backed up by Nate's eye glowing whenever he used the energy projection type of power, just like Jean's tattoo glowed. The resulting explosion had blasted the guards head off, as well as nearly killed Remy as well. Remy asked the kid to go easy, but like any kid, Nate had shrugged it off to excitement. Remy knew better. The kid wasn't in control of his powers to a big extent and would just as easily fry both their asses then killing a guard. Remy was very proud of his posterior and didn't want any harm coming to it; neither did he want to lose the kid after just saving him.

"Remy t'inks it be just beyond Nate. Get ready f'r a sprint."

Nate nodded and Remy tensed to move. He looked around the corner and found only one guard, with his back to them. A surge of his old reckless spirit hit him and he turned back to Nate.

"I'll make a distraction. You fly over and get the guard."

Nate nodded and began to rise. Flight was a power he seemed to have no problem with. Remy began making moaning noises. The guard stiffened and turned. From between the bars of a cell he could see the guard turn and come toward the sounds he made. Remy made louder and louder noises, gasping now, like someone masturbating. The mutant in the cell turned fearful eyes to him.

"What... what are you doing?" the mutant croaked in fear.

Remy didn't answer. The guard ran over to the side and found Remy standing there with a big grin on his face.

"What the- ! A mutant!"

"Up here too asswipe."

Remy winced; Nate had learnt that from him. He seemed not to understand it too well though; he said it in a completely wrong tone and manner.

Nate smashed into the guard, sending him flying into the wall to land unconscious.

The mutant in the cell began to back away. Remy considered for a moment to save them but then decided it would be useless. They would all be tagged; he didn't doubt that all of them had been to Dark Beast. He hated leaving them, but it would be an unnecessary complication.

"Nice work kid."

Nate whirled around eyes flashing angrily.

"My name's Nate, don't call me kid."

Remy held his palms up in supplication.

The kid had the decency to look a bit embarrassed, but then he turned and began walking to the storage room.

The door was blocked, no surprise there.

Remy began to charge it up, making small explosions. The other guards and whoever else was after them would know about them being here by now.

Nate helped out, lifting some blockages and hurling them to the side, except sometimes he threw large pieces easily, at other times he was unable to lift smaller ones. Remy ignored it, the kid could turn on him, he seemed to have a volatile temper. He wondered if he was related to Rogue, the white stripe still bothered him.

At last the battered door was freed, and Remy opened it. Behind the door was a mess. A large hole was in the ground, with masses of rubble in it. Remy hoped he could open it up. He began to charge it, using his hands. When it seemed charged enough he ran back, and grabbed Nate and hid behind large shattered remains of a container. The rubble exploded, and from the cells Remy heard noises. They didn't have much time.

He ran to inspect what had happened. The hole had only been slightly cleared. There was still enough wreckage to impede their going down. Remy heard the cool calculating voice of Sinister ordering guards and Candra's voice as well.

* Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit. *

Remy charged them up as much as he could; the sound of footsteps was
getting louder.

"Nate, throw something at them."

Nate hurled the container at them.

"Get back!" He ran forward and tried to grab Nate. Suddenly he was
himself grabbed and
Nate slammed a shield between them and the blast. When the smoke cleared
the rubble was gone, vaporized.

"Let's go."

They hurried down into the hole, with Sinister and Candra in hot pursuit.

x----------------
-------------x

Scott zipped up his pants. Taking a leak in the middle of the jungle with hazards abound wasn't the smartest thing to do, but when a guy had to go, a guy had to go.

At least, that's how it was to Scott. Galaire had viewed it as being inopportune and disgusting, yet somehow not surprising. Scott didn't exactly agree. It had been a shock to realize he needed to piss, and piss bloody quickly at that.

Which was why he now zipped up his pants, after taking a refreshing leak.

He now felt more energized and ready to pursue Jean.

He walked up to Galaire, who stood waiting in a small clearing in the jungle.

"Are you done with your little hiatus High Prelate?"

He ignored her goading and walked over in the direction he sensed Jean was.

"Shall we go, Galaire?"

It was one of the first times he had addressed her directly. She didn't like it; she must have been used to being addressed as superior, not as an equal. He smiled inwardly. It wouldn't be wise to show his humor against a potentially dangerous mutant.

Just before he left the clearing however he felt a premonition of disaster. Something bad was about to happen, and it wasn't just going to be for him. He knew that, somehow, something very bad was about to happen. He hesitated, long enough for Galaire to reach him. He then continued on, ignoring the warning his senses screamed at him for a brief second.

As he walked on, the feeling dissipated till a bare memory remained, and he couldn't even tell if it had been a real warning or some kind of trick of his imagination. Perhaps the savage land behind had made him too suspicious.

He stopped at the edge of a jungle, grabbing Galaire to stop her from going forward. His eyes narrowed as he took in the scene in front of him. A large figure sat on the ground talking to another by far smaller figure. The large figure wasn't wearing his armor, but Scott recognized him all the same. It was the Juggernaut, and the smaller individual must be Black Tom Cassidy.

"It's Cain Marko, the Juggernaut and Black Tom Cassidy, dangerous mutants, especially the larger Juggernaut."

Galaire looked condescendingly at him.

"I know this High Prelate; I have had dealings with him before. He is not welcome in my presence."

Before Scott could stop her she had broken free of his grip and walked out into the large clearing.

"You idiot!" He whispered fiercely, but she only continued onward.

Cain and Black Tom stood as soon as they saw her, both taking on menacing postures. They must have seen her before, Scott realized. Perhaps she knew of them. Black Tom whipped out his bo staff, twirling it in his hands, causing a tendril of energy to run across it. Scott began to stand as well, however Galaire stopped a few meters in front of them.

For a minute they stood watching. Neither man nor woman moved.

Scott was about to stand and come forward when Cain bunched his fists as though to run forward. Before Scott could react Galaire put her hand up and began to talk.

"You have caused my brethren and I to suffer much Cain Marko. You failed in a task set to you, one you promised us you'd fulfill. We imprisoned you to call you to order. You freed however yourself somehow, and shamed us, forcing us to.. I shall now inflict great and agonizing pain upon you for what you have made us suffer." Her voice was still the calm melody that Scott was used to; however there was also a thin edge to it.

She didn't even move, when suddenly a large pillar of water formed out of the air, hardening into ice.

"Our deal was to fight Sammael only; I and my team could not face Apocalypse as well."

She sniffed in contempt. Cain grunted angrily.

She stood poised to throw when Black Tom spoke.

"He dinnae free himself External. He had help. A man in black, called himself Halfbane." Cain looked angrily at Black Tom, but he only shrugged at his large companion.

Galaire stood stunned. Even Scott was surprised. Halfbane was their leader. Why had he helped Cain Marko break free?

"So that is why. he played us, that sonofabitch played us. and like the fools we were, we were played." Galaire's voice was low, but Scott heard her, and he was sure Cain Marko did as well. Suddenly Cain Marko ran forward. Even Black Tom looked surprised. Galaire snapped out of her reverie, too late to avoid the charge. She flew back, and crumpled against a tree. The force of that blow must have hurt even her slightly.

Scott jumped out of the bushes. Galaire was under his protection, whatever she might be, and he was certain these two could not mean anything good to Avalon.

"Hold Marko and Black Tom. She is under my protection."

He stood in front of her.

"Why, it's the High Prelate Marko me laddie."

"No more, Cassidy. No more. It's just Cyclops now."

Black Tom smiled.

Cain began to charge forward.

Scott held up a hand. He didn't want to fight, but these two had made backing away impossible for him.

He struck at Black Tom, knowing that Cain was near invincible.

Black Tom didn't expect that and fell back, clutching a burnt chest in agony.

Cain turned at his cries of pain. His heavy eyebrows joined together in anger. Scott tensed warily. He would be hard pressed to defeat a man of Cain's strength and ability, not to mention invulnerability.

Suddenly a massive jet of water becoming ice smashed into Cain from behind Scott. He flew back, slamming against a tree, knocking it down.

He yelled as he flew back.

Scott stood warily as Cain stood in a rage. Galaire was a foolish woman, and Cain could make short of both of them. It would take a lot to put him down, and it was usually the surroundings that he had deemed necessary if it ever came to him fighting Cain Marko. However Cain knew these better than him most likely, and there was nothing at hand that he could see.

"Fool man, you would dare to strike at Galaire!"

She streaked past him, riding a wave easily. Scott lifted his hands. Perhaps a full blast would slow the man enough for Galaire to take him down.

Suddenly a jet of pure flame rained down on Galaire. She quickly erected a wall of water to extinguish it and looked up to see a man made of fire floating there.

Scott looked at him in surprise. This mutant was one who he had never seen before. One that even the Tower did not have on their files. It was rare to find a mutant not on any file in the Tower.

"We shall see who has greater power woman. I am Sunfire, heed my name." The man's accent was Japanese, that would explain the red circle on his mask, but did nothing to explain his presence here.

The man began to fly around.

"Wait, we did not attack first. This was a mistake; we only came here to talk to Destiny. These two forced us to play our hand."

Scott suddenly realized that the man had stopped and was regarding Scott intently.

Suddenly Black Tom stood and yelled to Sunfire.

"He's the High Prelate, Shiro! Don't listen to him!"

Sunfire seemed to glow brighter for one second then his voice rang out, harsh and cold.

"High Prelate. You murdering scum. You killed my people!"

That was the second time in a day someone had called him murdering scum, and Scott decided he didn't like it.

"I'm no longer the High Prelate, I'm against the Tower, and I'm no more a murderer than is any one else on this Godforsaken world."

Sunfire stood above him, not listening to his words. That much was apparent to Scott. Scott raised his gauntlets and spread his hands in supplication. He wanted to avoid a fight at all costs.

"Take back your words murderer. I know them for lies."

He sent a shower of fire down on Scott. Scott rolled to avoid them all, but one smashed into his back, burning the armor and uniform. Scott rolled to put out any fire and faced the man of fire.

"I told you once to desist. You seem the type who'll need to be convinced. I only give one warning."

He let loose with his optic beams. He would blast the man to nothing.

The man veered away at the last minute and Scott watched in anger as he flew in weaving circle, shooting down at him. Scott began to run, bouncing off a tree, which was inflamed a second later. He let loose with his gauntlets, sweeping the air above. He heard a gasping cry, and smiled in triumph. However the blast had only struck him a glancing blow. Sunfire swooped down and Scott had to evade his swoop before the man burned him with a touch.

Scott swung his arms from behind, catching the man across the legs. Sunfire fell on the ground; however he seemed to suck in the fire surrounding him, so that only little tendrils of smoke could be seen on the ground. The simple yet caring action broke Scott from his rage, and he stared around him in sadness. This was a mutant haven, not a battleground. Beyond he could see Galaire and Cain wreaking havoc with their battle. Black Tom lay in the middle of the ground, unconscious from the pain of his wound. A wound Scott had delivered him.

"Look around you Sunfire. Is this what you want for Avalon? Destruction and devastation? I've come in peace, whatever you may want to believe, and I am no longer High Prelate, I made mistakes in the past, and I intend to atone for them as best I can. I am an enemy of the Tower, and I never supported what they did in South America, Japan and Southern Africa. I am no advocate of violence, I only did as I had been brought up to, obey the Externals and Apocalypse, and be the best general I could for them. Now you seek to protect your land, but you have inadvertently harmed it. You care for your new home, I can tell. So protect it from those it needs protection from."

Sunfire sat kneeling on the ground, looking up at Scott. Suddenly he took flight.

"I do not trust you High Prelate. However you are correct. I am sworn to protect my new home, and I would die for it. You have shown me the truth, so I will not kill you now. However, if you even think of harming this land, I will hunt you down and extinguish you." Sunfire flew off. Scott stood staring up at the spot where he had been then looked down.

Jean was getting closer, very quickly.

However he couldn't see Galaire or Cain anymore. Suddenly he spotted Cain frozen in a massive pillar of ice, half buried in the ground. Galaire had gone, where he did not know.

He ran to help Cain, blasting at the ice, till it became enough to free him. Cain broke free himself then, and grabbed Scott with a massive hand.

"Wait, I'm trying to help!"

Cain swung his hand around, possibly to squash him like a bug. He would succeed too. Scott powered up his gauntlets as much as he could and Cain let go off him with a yelp, however his other hand closed around him. This one was very cold. Numb Scott realized with a sinking heart. He would barely feel his hand being blown off if the chill was as Scott judged.

Suddenly Cain was hurled backward. Scott sensed her in his mind and instant before she came into view.

He looked up and felt himself become whole again, after too long.

Jean stood in the clearing, with Logan and Sean Cassidy behind her.

She stopped a few meters away, staring at him with an expression on his face that made Scott forget all his pains and aches. He stared back at her, at the beautiful red hair framing her face. The tattoo that glowed for a second before dying out and remaining as a mark on her face. Her lips slightly open, as though about to say something. Her eyes, big and round, and a beautiful green, even though he couldn't see that. Her toughness portrayed by her clothes, the blackish-blue and red that she wore, and the black leather that covered her arms. Her face glowed with the love he felt from the psychic link.

He stood quickly, ignoring the pain in his twisted ankle. He ran over to her and she met him halfway, crushing him to her. He closed his eyes and though he could not cry, felt like it at this moment. He took one clean breath of all that was Jean and then stepped back.

"Jean where's Destiny?"

Jean seemed confused then answered, "I don't know, she's usually at the village, but I'm not sure."

Logan spoke up from the side where he bent over Black Tom with Sean.

"She's up at the temple, said she felt something wrong, a premonition of disaster or somethin like that."

Scott stepped away from Jean, though still not enough away to relinquish the familiar warmth she exuded. He looked up at the top of the large hill. The temple. He knew that Galaire would be going there.

"I must stop her. Galaire is going after her."

Jean looked at him.

"Galaire? Only one? That's okay Scott, Kurt and Raven can handle her."

Scott shook his head, Raven and Kurt couldn't handle her. "No, they won't be prepared to fight her. She's much stronger than she seems. I'm going."

He strode off. Jean grabbed his arm before he took five steps.

"I'm coming with you. I'm not about to lose you to some External, not now that I've just got you back."

Scott grabbed her shoulders.

"No Jean, get Black Tom back to whatever village you have. You're the only one fast enough to, and get more help. We won't be able to take her alone, and the more people there are, the less chance she has of escaping. I'll try to hold her off as long as I can."

He turned and walked off.

Jean turned to the others.

"You heard him, let's go."

Logan scowled, he wasn't about to take orders from Scott. Sean beside him stiffened, but they both realized that Scott was right.

Cain was picked up by Jean and they carted them off to the village, hurrying so that they could get to the temple quickly enough.

x---------------- ----------x

Erik stood in front of the bank of monitors. He was tired, and for once he finally felt his age catching up to him. Too much stress. He didn't kid himself. He knew he wasn't young. He was in the peak of health, and felt more fit than he had in years. However he also knew that he wasn't getting any younger. He worried too much, and as a result his distinguished silver hair was more white than not now. The X-men had divided..

* What a fool you must think me Charles. I promised to take care of the
team in the event that you died before me. I promised to keep the team
whole and the dream alive. Only three weeks later your team is broken.
What a pathetic man I am. I am useless. Not only was I not able to beat
Apocalypse's men but I actually managed to finish off the X-men as well.
If you hadn't died. *

The sound of the door opening broke into his thoughts. He felt the presence of his wife and turned.

"Stop blamin yoahself Erik. Yoah didn't have a choice. Jean made it clear that she would go whether you agreed or not, an she was responsible for gettin ya angry. Don't beat yoahself up about it. That's what ah'm here foah."

Erik turned into her embrace. Holding her close and feeling the curves of the woman below him he felt aroused and content. He really truly loved her. More than anything else. He suddenly tried to imagine her sending him a message to warn him to get help. No matter what others thought he would have gone to her. He would have broken down the gates of hell to reach her. For her he would do anything. He suddenly understood Jean. She had felt especially betrayed by him; she knew his depth of feeling for Rogue. She was telepathic; she couldn't help but pick up feelings so strong.

He suddenly felt grief envelop him.

"I made a mistake Rogue. A big mistake. She loves the man. I would have done anything for you, and it's safe to assume she would do the same. Kitty probably felt the same, as did Ororo. and you?" He looked at her in surprise. Rogue had not said anything, but he knew, and her nod confirmed it.

"The only reason I didn't agree to go was b'cause awf Remy. Ah cayn't leave him with the Prelates. Ah also know that's the only reason Ororo didn' go with her."

He walked away from her, walking up to the monitors.

"They disappeared in the Antarctic. It's safe to assume they're in Avalon. However we can't follow them. We also have to rescue Remy. We cannot leave one of our own in the Tower's hands. Whatever happens, I hope they can handle it. We should make plans. We need to rescue Remy. hmm."

Rogue felt a sigh of relief leave her body as Erik began to seem his old self again. In the hours after Jean and the others left he had been in a foul mood, perhaps the foulest she had ever seen him, even more than at Wundagore mountains destruction. She had tried to broach the topic before, but he had snarled at her and she had left him, hurt by his anger. Wanda had advised her to stay away from him for a few hours. She had done just that, but upon seeing him go into the monitor room looking so dejected she had felt her heart contract and had gone in to comfort him. She had succeeded. He was back to being the old Erik. Magneto. the man who defeated Archanfel and Nemesis, killing the former and leaving the latter as pure energy after their battle. The leader of the X-men. Her love.

x------------------- -------------x

Remy walked along the tunnels, Nate walking by his side, a few feet to the left. The kid's sheer power had amazed Remy. He was probably stronger than Jean as a telekinetic and in terms of sheer energy he just felt at least as strong as Erik. At least.

Remy wasn't sure how he knew how strong he was, he just knew. His new found abilities seemed strange to him, yet familiar. These were the abilities he had been born with. He felt a little sick that it was because of Sinister that he finally had all this power at his fingertips. The man who had destroyed his life had also given him a chance to reforge it from the depths it had sunk into. For the first time in a long time he felt good about something.

However now was not the time for a soul searching within himself. He quickly looked back. No one was there yet, but the way was clear for any pursuers. He hoped they came in quickly. He didn't want them to get too close to Bella's grotto. There were a myriad number of paths, but only a few led to the Tower from others. The only open one he knew of came from Bella's grotto. Nate looked around himself with an almost childlike sense of wonder. He had seen none of the world. Remy felt suddenly protective. The kid wasn't that much younger than him, but he knew as little of the world as any ten year old kid, probably less. The kid still reminded him of someone, but he couldn't put his finger on who that could be.

A laser blast suddenly smashed into the ground behind him. He fell forward, trying to quickly scramble up before he was toast. Not to worry. Nate already had shield up, but it flickered and from Nate's face Remy could tell he was trying to hold it. He saw up the corridor. A couple of dozen Infinites, followed by some guards and surprisingly, Candra and Sinister.

Bad news. but for them. Remy began to charge all of the ground in front of them. However Sinister saw. Before Remy knew what was happening a dozen blasts of destructive energy was pouring out of Sinister's hands. Remy jumped out of the way, hands reaching for cards in the pocket of a duster that wasn't there. He halted mid-flight, courtesy of Candra and her telekinesis. Nate snarled beside him and hurled a bolt of nothing at her. She let Remy go and pulled up a telekinetic shield.

"The boy knows tricks." The comment was designed to embarrass Nate, and she succeeded masterfully. As Remy knew she would. Nate was a young kid, and Candra had lived for over a hundred years. Much over a hundred. Suddenly Nate was picked up and flung to the side of the corridor.

"Insignificant fool. I have perfected my art for over hundred of years. Do you think that you, a mere stripling can hope to face me?"

Remy grabbed a rock, holding it close to his body, charging it as best he could. He walked up to the army standing in front.

"Know what Candra; I love de way you talk tough."

Candra turned surprised eyes towards him; she seemed to take pleasure in his words strangely. Remy threw the rock against the wall quickly.

"De rules say, you play, you lose, especially when Gambit be de dealer."

The side wall caved in, effectively burying the guards, however the Infinites were stronger and dug their way out. Candra and Sinister emerged a second later, the former coming out in a telekinetic bubble, the latter bursting out.

"I have had enough of your games Lebeau!"

Sinister abruptly released hundred of energy bolts towards them. Three smashed into the kid, while Remy managed to evade them all.

Nate slammed into the ground, his chest smoking. He made a gasping sound.

"Shit."

Remy stared at him in anger then turned his burning gaze over to Sinister and Candra. Candra nearly flinched under his baleful glare.

"Dat mon ami, you should never have done."

He lunged forward, avoiding the Infinites laser shots, dodging Sinister's energy projection. Candra hit out at him with Telekinetic blasts. He evaded all, snagging two Infinites and charging them. He flipped away from them, and they exploded taking out another two with them. Sinister yelled in anger and ran forward to face him. Remy flipped over his lariat, kicking him in the back. Sinister stumbled forward. Remy quickly grabbed a rock and threw it at Candra. She flinched expecting it to explode, but it only slammed into her side, hard. She gasped and rubbed her ribs where the stone hit.

Remy leaped towards Candra and swept her legs out from under her. She screamed as she fell. He grabbed her cloak and ripped it off, using it as a weapon, tying it around Candra's legs. She screamed something in another language as she struggled to get up, finally telekinetically ripping it apart.

Remy sprang forward again, using all his tricks to fight another master martial artist. Candra met him punch for punch, kick for kick, parry for parry. If it wasn't such a deadly battle, he could easily compare it to their lovemaking, graceful yet wild, poetic yet bestial. Remy suddenly received an opening as Candra stumbled. He rushed forward but then massive arms encircled his torso. The Infinites had recovered faster than he would have expected.

He charged the one behind him and pushed himself off. The thing exploded behind him, its body parts raining down in a shower of metal. As well as a long spinal rod. Remy smiled. He picked it up and twirled it in his hands. Good balance, and okay length. Not too bad. He swung it an arc in front of him, ending with it behind him.

"Now chere, le's you an me dance."

Candra glared at him.

x-------------------- ---------------x

Scott ran to the top of the hill as fast he could. He had to get to the temple and prevent Galaire from taking Destiny. He had to stop her, to stop a man perhaps as bad as Apocalypse from taking over. He was going up the slope, taking leaps and bounds. He hoped jean could find someone fast enough. He could sense her over to his left, perhaps at the village. She would get help and come to the temple.

He heard a rush of water on the top and he doubled his speed. Galaire was already there.

"You will not get further External!" That must be Mystique, he had heard her before. The sound was followed by coolly mocking laughter and another rush of water. A strange bamf noise was heard.

Suddenly the laughter changed to anger. Scott ran harder, putting all his energy into it. He knew it was foolish, but he needed to get there in time. He blocked away the pain his ankle sent to his brain.

"Come on." He had to get there in time.

He heard a yell of triumph, in a foreign tongue, perhaps German. Suddenly the yell turned into a cry of pain. He heard a dull thud. Then another rush of water and the scream of a large animal, perhaps a tiger. Finally a cry of pain from a woman and Galaire's mocking laughter. The two X-men would be no match for Galaire, not the least because she was much more powerful, but because she was also a crafty fighter.

As Scott reached the top, no other sounds were heard. He saw two bodies lying in front of the large temple. One was of Nightcrawler, half frozen into the ground. The other was of Mystique, lying in front of the temple doors, which were half open. * Damn.*

He ran up to Nightcrawler and bent to him. He charged his gloves when he heard a familiar sound behind him. He felt the heat a second before and rolled to the side evasively. Sunfire stood there looking down at him in anger.

"You dare violate this temple? For this you will die High Prelate." The words were said in a cool tone of voice, but with anger on the edges.

"Look Sunfire. I came here to stop the External from getting Destiny. I have just reached here myself. I had no part in beating down these two. The External means to use Destiny and then kill her. The External who leads them means to place himself in place of Apocalypse."

"That is a good thing. Anyone would be better than that butcher."

Scott snarled in rage and frustration.

"Look Sunfire. The External is probably just as bad as Apocalypse. He already uses his fellow Externals and would be a cruel and harsh taskmaster once he succeeds Apocalypse. At least with Apocalypse we know who our enemies are. With Halfbane we would not."

Scott took a deep breath. Perhaps appealing to the mans honor would work. All Japanese were supposed to be obsessed with honor.

"Look. You don't believe me, fine. Kill me if you will, I will not fight you. However once you do, go inside and stop Galaire. She would take Destiny if you do not."

He held his arms aside in supplication. Sunfire floated above him, then finally nodded.

"I will trust you on this. We will go inside. However once done, I will kill you. Therefore be forewarned."

Scott gestured to Nightcrawler.

"At least free him from the ice, if left too long he could lose the usage of his legs."

Sunfire nodded and melted the ice quickly.

Scott turned and walked up to the temple doors. Sunfire followed him. The two men stood there side by side and then walked in.

"I do not like this place. It had always seemed a sanctuary, but recently. it has been desecrated. Something has tarnished it, something unspeakably. evil... wrong."

Scott nodded. He couldn't feel anything, but the place didn't seem to give off the aura of peace Avalon did. Strange since it was apparently the heart of Avalon.

"Destiny would be in the prayer room. She always felt at peace there."

Scott followed as Sunfire led the way. Up ahead he saw Galaire enter a room.

"We must stop her, hurry."

Sunfire flew straight to the room. Scott hurried behind him.

They entered almost together, Sunfire a few seconds before him.

Destiny knelt in the centre of the room, in front of a large circle of silver. A large emblem was etched into it. A V shaped oval-ish shape. Two horns jutted out from wither side, curving till the points were perpendicular to the start. A third horn rose from the top. A mark of a demon or a dragon. Strangely the mark looked superimposed on another emblem. Galaire stood behind Destiny, her hands on her hips.

"So precog, you still believe in gods as being your benefactors?"

Destiny remained kneeling. Galaire raised her hands. Suddenly Destiny bowed her head lower and her hands unfolded.

"You would do well to temper your tone in this sanctuary External."

Somehow it didn't seem surprising that Destiny knew what Galaire was.

"So precog, you think this is a sanctuary. Even to me this place feels dead. It is full of decay. Whatever peace once resided here is gone. You will come with me. The one who sent me is a fool to think I would bring him back. With what you tell me I can rule the world all alone. Why should I stand with others?"

"You have craved power too long, Meghann. It shall lead to your doom. This I know."

With the last words she turned to Galaire, standing in one fluid movement.

Galaire looked taken aback, then she sneered.

"You know much precog, including things I myself barely remember. However you won't live long to enjoy it. I will make your death painless if you tell me what I wish to know." Sunfire began moving then.

"No External, she will not go with you. The only one to die here will be you."

Galaire turned smoothly. As Sunfire flew toward her, she raised her hand and sent a large stream of water towards him. He couldn't avoid it and smashed into a wall, screaming in agony as the flames on his body were fizzled.

Scott ran forward and punched Galaire with his gauntlets fully charged. The force of the blow sent Galaire staggering back. She countered by sending a large jet of water at him. Scott rolled to the side. The water struck the large emblem. It wobbled a bit.

Scott darted to the side as he avoided another jet of water. He tackled Galaire who in the same movement dug her heel into his stomach and used his momentum to flip him back, straightening her leg. He landed heavily on his back. Galaire stood and brushed her hands.

"Well played High Prelate, but now you die. A pity, you would have been an excellent one to have by my side, serving me as I rule."

She raised her hands. Scott knew he would be too slow to evade the next fatal blow.

Suddenly a man smashed through the door. His clothes were tattered and he was dripping blood all over. A gun was raised in his hand and it was pointed at Galaire. A black eye patch covered one eye. Vazhin, still alive. His arrival provided enough distraction for Scott to roll aside.

"Never External, you shall never rule."

Sunfire, fully recharged smashed into her, his burning body managing to hurt Galaire. She yelped in pain and struck him away. Sunfire sent a deadly swarm of fire bolts at her. She raised a shield of water to counter them and hurled a bolt of ice at him. Sunfire evaded them.

However Scott was on his feet now and raised his gauntlets.

"It's over Galaire."

He shot at her, but only one shot hit her, the other smashing into the silver emblem. Galaire stumbled backwards, the blow not strong enough to do her any real damage.

However the emblem glowed as the blast hit it. It emitted a keening noise that rose to a wail which echoed all around the temple. Scott put his hands to his ears to ward off the sound. It was horrifying, it was savage.

The mark on the emblem then drew all the energy into it, shattering the rest of the emblem until only the mark remained.

The mark began to change, becoming the shape of a man. A man in a red cloak, with the hood up. However his eyes beneath the cloak glowed with reddish energy.

He threw back his hood to reveal the face of a man, roughly in his middle ages, with two scars running crisscross over his left eye. His jaw was square and wide. He had graying hair on his head, tied in a top knot, the rest of which was bald. His nose looked as though it had been broken before. Galaire gasped as she saw him.

"Gideon!"

The man turned to her. Scott goggled at him. The Gideon he had seen had green hair, but had looked much like him. But Gideon was dead for over a decade now.

Even Destiny and Sunfire recognized him.

"Benedict what are you doing here? How did you do that?"

Destiny's tone was one of surprise.

Gideon/Benedict smiled.

"I am not Benedict, that was a name I took for my tenure here. Gideon was a name I was once known as. However that is all in the past of another mutant. I am now beyond what I was then. I am now the fourth horseman of Apocalypse, I am the Beast!"

Scott stared at him. Apocalypse had had horsemen before, when he had destroyed the Hellfire Club and begun taking over the world. However those horsemen had been Death, Pestilence, Abyss, Famine and later Sarek. Who was this horseman?

"Whatever you are, I don't think you're out to do us any good. Not if you think you're a horseman." Vazhin put clips into his assault rifles, and opened fire on the Beast.

The Beast smiled, and Vazhin emptied his entire clip into him before anything happened. The Beast put a hand to his side and pulled it up. No blood. His cloak was completely tattered, showing a strongly built body beneath.

"You are useless against me human." The Beast was contemptuous. He raised a hand and a spiral of fire erupted from it, striking Vazhin in the chest, burning through his flak jacket. Vazhin screamed in pain and fell to the ground.

Scott yelled in anger and lurched forward, his visor already down, blasting at the Beast.

The Beast ducked the blast and opened a fist at Scott. A blast of fire hit Scott in the chest sending him flying back. He lay on the ground, stunned, his chest armor absorbing most of the damage.

However too many more of these he could not take.

Sunfire dived at him.

"Shoot your fire horseman, I will not feel it."

However beast waited for him to reach him and then grabbed him and flung him toward the doors of the room.

Sunfire smashed through and out of the doors and lay on the ground outside.

Destiny backed away and stood by Galaire.

Galaire finally snapped out of her astonishment and looked at Gideon.

"Gideon, you are changed, but you are still the same one I loved. My feelings didn't die after you died, they only remained inside. You're back, and I know you loved me. Forget Apocalypse, we can take him together and rule in his stead. You were always the best of the Externals. You still are. Take my hand."

Galaire stood in front of the Beast. She opened her arms in supplication, palms open and outward. The Beast looked at her. Scott held his breath. Fool woman, her insane plea might soothe the horseman.

However the Beast took her hand and began to laugh.

"Fool woman. Do you think anything of the External I was once still remains. I said that was another man, and he grieved for your pain, even as he died. I am however someone else completely. Apocalypse used Gideon's body to create me, using the most powerful of his celestial technology, the likes of which his servants, such as Sinister would give up their souls, whatever is left of them,, multiple times to gain. There are only three others like me. We all serve our Liege Lord Apocalypse. Nothing else."

The Beast raised a hand and a glow suffused it. Galaire barely had time to scream before the hand came down. It hit Galaire hard, smashing into the ground with enough force to flatten a man. Even Galaire was hurt, Scott heard her bone crack. Galaire screamed in pain. Scott doubted she had ever been this hurt.

The Beast then hit her with a blast of energy, sending her body slamming into the far wall with enough force to crack it. Galaire lay there like a broken doll.

Scott growled in anger and ran forward. He punched the Beast in the gut with glowing gauntlets, prompting a grunt. The Beast then blocked Scotts other punch with amazing speed and smashed him back with a backhand. Scott felt his armor crush his ribs and he grunted in pain.

Destiny suddenly leapt forward and kicked the Beast in the head. The Beast barely noticed and slammed her back.

"Make peace with yourself you bastard, you will die again!"

Galaire had somehow supported herself against a stand and was swirling her hands in front of her. A massive whirlpool of water formed in front of her. Its edges became ice and she hurled it at the Beast, pouring out the water. The massive whirlpool engulfed the Beast and Scott could hear its screams from inside. A massive jagged piece of ice grew in the centre, smashing into the ceiling, breaking through. The edges of the icy whirlpool coalesced into another ice piece of ice and another whirlpool grew outside it. Scott stared at Galaire as she seemed to drain of her very life-force, pushing it all apparently into the maelstrom of water and ice. Water and ice from outside smashed into the growing thing inside. Finally she held it, looking like a giant crystal with raging torrents outside and pillars of ice adjoining it outside. Even the ground Scott stood on was icy and slick. Suddenly the temple shook as though a force was trying to break it down. The icy crystal burst outward and the raging pieces whipping outside swooped around in a circle before smashing back into the small body inside. The Beast screamed as the shards smashed through its body, finally the pillars of ice slamming into it. At the end of it the last few pieces looped around and smashed into him for a final time. The body crumpled to the ground and was still, its cloak completely gone leaving a naked body.

Scott gaped as Galaire sagged.

"My final gift High Prelate. I rid the world of one of its terrors. Promise me you will destroy Halfbane and my erstwhile colleagues. Promise me."

Scott nodded and she smiled, for once her eyes warming. Then she fell to the ground, dead. Scott sat beside Vazhin, who stirred.

"Couldn't make it. not a murderer High Prelate. Cyclops I mean. the woman turned out okay. keep her promise. kill that bastard. as well as Apocalypse. Dos. ve. danya." Vazhin died too. Scott closed his eyes. Two people torn apart by their misery and hatred, finally turned good. Only to die. What a waste.

He stood.

"Destiny you're free to go. My job is done. Avalon is safe."

"I think not."

Scott turned in surprise. The Beast stirred and then the figure stood up as though wrenched, arms spread to the side. Fire burst through the ceiling, walls and floor to consume it. The fire swirled around it and then the body changed. Hair grew all over it, and two wings burst out of its back. Its arms elongated and thickened, with massive claws coming out of its hands. Its feet bent and twisted, larger and with large claws as well. Two horns burst out of the side of its head, curving, with a third rising out of the top. Large fangs jutted out of its mouth.

The Beast roared its fury to the sky as the ceiling tumbled down on it. It flapped its wings, the motion making crackling sounds as the fire that still came of its body flickered. The demonic horseman looked at the others before it. Then it roared again.

Scott backed away involuntarily. This was bad.

x---------------- -----------x

Remy stood as though a statue, Candra stood calmly in front. This was the battle they had been destined to fight, all those years ago on the rooftop. Candra wouldn't be taken by surprise now, she was ready for any attack. However Remy was still not out of danger. The Infinites were only mildly halted. They would dig their way out of the rubble soon enough. Nate was down and Sinister had disappeared somewhere too.

Remy lunged for Candra, moving first. First advantage to Candra. perhaps. Candra barely moved until the last second, dropping back and kicking outward, left leg arched upward, right leg bent in a classic flying kick. Remy brushed it aside with his staff and swung it like a mace. No time for fancy maneuvers. The staff struck Candra hard and she winced and dropped to her knees. Suddenly Remy felt himself being yanked backwards by an invisible hand. He smashed against the wall, all of his breath forced out of him. He sank to the ground, trying to catch his breath. He had to get up quickly otherwise Candra would make short work of him. Not to mention Sinister wherever the hell he had disappeared to. Remy quickly charged up the ground in front of Candra. She quickly ducked behind a telekinetic shield. Remy got up and twirled his staff in his hands. With a flourish he pointed it at Candra. She flinched and then Remy jumped forward and swept her legs out from beneath her. Before she could do anything more he had pinned her with the staff.

"You lose Candra."

She smiled and then he was on the ground next to her. She stared into his eyes inches away from hers.

"This is how I like you Cajun, on my level."

Suddenly he was slammed into the ceiling with numbing force.

He fell and only just managed to absorb the brunt of the fall on his hands and feet. He looked up and was knocked back as a telekinetic blast struck him.

"No Cajun, I win, you lose."

She walked forward. Remy could have ended it by blowing her up right then, but he couldn't. He couldn't bring himself to kill her. Instead he charged up her boot.

"Watch ya boots Candra."

He flipped back and saw Candra's eyes widen as she looked down at her glowing boot.

Remy turned towards Nate, but he was gone. He raced towards the only direction the others could have gone. Behind him he heard Candra scream in impotent fury. He smiled.

Ahead he could see flashes of light from around the corner. The Infinites and Candra would be just behind him. He had only a few seconds to deal with Sinister. He rounded the corner and came face to face with Nate. Sinister was nowhere.

"Hey kid, where's dat bastard Sinister?"

He looked around but saw nothing. Then a small piece of cloth caught his eye.

"Hey kid, what dat piece of cloth doing here? Hey kid?" His eyes widened as he realized what was happening and he quickly turned and leapt to the side, just in time to avoid an energy blast from Sinister.

"Damn you, le diable Blanc."

Remy began to charge him. Sinister's eyes widened and he sent masses of blasts towards him. Remy had to stop charging and duck to the side. It was always difficult charging organic things. The piece of cloth materialized into Nate. Sinister must have been shielding Remy's mind from his presence through the use of telepathy. Not too strong if Remy could even detect a glimpse of Nate.

The kid was hurting, though not too badly. He revived him quickly.

"Hey kid, get up."

Nate's eyes opened and he snarled, "I'm not a kid."

Remy smiled, still keeping an eye on Sinister who was watching them intently.

"Dat's de way kid."

Sinister now seemed to grow extremely angry. Remy looked behind him. A dead end, blocked by rubble, done by his own hand. Bella's grave was only a few meters away. Sinister smiled. It would take too long for Remy to charge enough of the rubble to get to Bella's grotto.

"What do we do now?" The kid sounded calm. Remy was anything but. A plan struck him as he saw Candra and the Infinites come around the corridor.

"End of the road Lebeau. For you and the young man, Nate Grey."

Remy scowled at him.

"Not by a long shot Sinister. Not by a long shot."

He focused on the Infinites. He would use them.

"Kid when I give de word fly straight up."

Nate looked at him in surprise. At least a few meters of rock and concrete lay between them and the surface. Remy cleared his mind of everything and focused on the flow. The flow of the Infinites. To charge an army of Infinites.

Candra and Sinister walked forward, then stopped letting the Infinites grab them. Remy smiled, a rakish grin; his trademark.

"When ya play wit de Ragin Cajun, ya gotta be prepared to lose, no matter what de odds." Candra and Sinister frowned at him. Before they could do anything the Infinites began glowing. Sinister's eyes widened and Candra gasped.

To go with the flow, a massive flow, the hardest thing he had ever done.

"Now kid!"

Remy pointed just above the Infinites. The kid stared at him for a second and then gasped as he understood.

"What're ya waiting for, de Fuckin' bus? Get movin' kid!'

Nate didn't need to be told twice. He rose in the air and Remy stopped charging them.

"Boom chere."

He rubbed his fingers together and suddenly all the Infinites began to explode.

All twenty remaining Infinites exploded, in a riot of sparks and fire. The middle of the battleground was transformed into an inferno, all the metal parts melting under the intense heat discharge. The head of one came rolling and slapped gently against the rubble.

Nate took the chance and headed straight up, the telekinetic shield activating almost automatically and the damage caused by the explosion was enough for him to break through to the surface, right next to Bella's grotto.

Remy was knocked by the explosion, too much for even him to protect himself from. He smashed against the rubble, his spine nearly cracking under the pressure. The last thing he heard before darkness claimed him was Candra's cry of rage and Sinister's scream of pain. He smiled.

x---------------- -------------x

Jean hurried to the village. She was carrying Juggernaut telekinetically, and Sean had Black Tom with him. Logan ran beside them. At the village they were met by Shiro.

"What happened? Where's the High Prelate."

Logan answered before Jean could.

"He's gone to the temple. Destiny's in danger from the External Galaire; stop her."

Before Logan could add 'to help Scott', Shiro's face had darkened and he shot off, a trail of fire behind him. Victor and Blink came running up.

"What happened? Where's the fire man going?"

Jean looked at Victor carefully.

"He's gone to rescue Destiny. Galaire is attempting to use her powers for herself. Cyclops is already there to stop her and Shiro's going after them."

Victor nodded, but before he could even open his mouth to ask a question Blink had spoken up.

"Destiny's in danger? Oh no! What's gonna happen to us then?"

Victor looked at her.

"Don't worry kid, we'll stop that External."

Blink's eyes brightened.

"We gotta hurry then," before Victor could open his mouth to tell her she wasn't going to go, she overrode his protest, "and none of you can stop me. This my land, and I'm sworn to it."

Suddenly they all heard a gasp from behind.

It was Douglas, Destiny's adopted son.

Jean read his intentions a split second too late as he bounded off, before she could immobilize him. Cain woke at this point.

"What happened? The High Prelate.? Tom!"

He looked up to see his friend in mortal danger.

"No, Tom!"

Jean put a pacifying hand on his shoulder.

"He'll be fine. Right now we have to stop Galaire from getting Destiny! Scott is already there, we have to help him."

Cain looked at her quizzically.

"Scott? You mean. the High Prelate?"

Jean shook her head.

"He isn't High Prelate anymore; he's on our side. sort of. He didn't mean to hurt Black Tom, but he wasn't sure what you were doing either, not till I explained to him. He only wants to protect Destiny. Trust me, we have to help him."

Cain stared at her for a long minute, then he nodded.

"After that though, he's mine."

Jean looked at him straight in the eye.

"To get to him, you'll have to go through me."

Cain stared back then shook his head, "If that's the way it's gotta be."

Logan shook his head wryly.

"Let's stop wastin' time then. We gotta hurry, or the shit will really hit the fan."

Jean stared at Sean; he wasn't one to usually use comments like that. Then she nodded. She noticed she was suddenly the leader of the band. She grimaced as she turned and began walking towards the temple with her party. She didn't really like being in command.

They had been heading towards the temple for only five minutes when suddenly massive rods of ice materialized out of the air and slammed into the windows. Jean stared aghast at the temple; the outside was now encased in ice.

"It's Galaire, she's doin' somthin. We gotta hurry Jeannie."

Jean nodded, and they picked up the pace, Cain smashing aside any tree's that came in the way. He still didn't wear his helmet, since it was with Halfbane. He had explained how he got here on the way. Victor was now carrying the elflike Blink in his arms as they increased speed. Sean was most ahead, flying above them, yet still staying with the party, attempting to find Douglas and stop him from going in alone. They were nearly all the way up the slope, when the top of the temple smashed apart in flame.

Jean stared in horror. Was that Sunfire's work? It didn't seem likely, but what else could it be. Suddenly she heard a terrifying roar emanate from the temple. The sound froze Jean where she stood for a second. Apparently Sunfire wasn't responsible.

They reached the top and found Kurt holding Mystique in his arms. He looked in bad shape, his legs spread below him unnaturally.

"Kurt, what's going on?"

He looked up.

"I don't know, zis woman showed up and defeated ze both of us, zen went in. Ze next thing I know I'm hearing an explosion and seeing Raven lying here like zis."

"Something else is goin on fuzzy elf. It's not only Galaire who's up there."

"Also, zis young boy, Douglas I think; I only got a glimpse, ran past as I woke."

Jean shook his head at them.

"It's alright Kurt; we'll take care of it. Get Mystique to the village, we'll go inside."

He nodded and bamfed away.

Jean took a deep breath and they headed into the temple.

Suddenly Scott came smashing through the wall and landed crumpled at her feet.

"Scott!" She knelt beside him. He was unconscious and bleeding badly.

"No. who did this."

She cradled his head in her hands. He wasn't dead, but he was hurt badly. She growled low in her throat.

"Get whoever did this to him. I'm coming for his ass."

The others ran ahead and Jean stroked his head one last time before running inside.

As she ran in the first thing that struck her was the massive creature/demon in the centre of the room.

"What the hell is that?" The others were also standing in place staring up at the massive creature.

"More insignificant fools? You are X-men. good. Master Apocalypse will be pleased when I report having killed you. Hear my name and tremble mutants. I am the fourth horseman of Apocalypse, I am the destroyer of hope, I am the Beast."

The others all stared at the Beast.

Victor snarled as he heard the words Apocalypse.

"Look at me Beast! I'm Sabretooth and I'm gonna enjoy makin' ya my next meal!"

He snarled, showing his fangs. He ran towards him and jumped on his arm and slashed at it. Beside Jean Logan also unsheathed his claw and ran ahead.

The Beast slammed Victor aside and grabbed Logan before he could do anything to it. It threw Logan against the wall which he hit with a crunching thud. Sunfire tried to hit it with flames, but they only seemed to add to its strength and didn't seem to do any harm to it. It hit Sunfire with its tail and sent the Japanese mutant spinning away. It turned to Destiny.

"It would be better for my master if I killed you now." It raised a hand to smash it down on Destiny. All of a sudden Cain was there, pummeling the Beast. Beast roared in anger as it was knocked back by the Juggernaut.

"Worthless flatscan. You'll pay for that." It counter hit Cain, sending him smashing into and through a wall.

Blink ran up to it and leapt in a flying kick. She hit the Beast on its hand and it turned surprised.

"Another one?" It furled and unfurled his wings, smashing her with them, sending her flying back into a wall, where she lay dazed. Jean tried to hit it with telepathic blasts but it seemed to be too strongly shielded for her to break through. Instead it turned her attack on her sending her to the ground clutching her head.

"Never liked Telepaths. They always think they're like gods, trying to mess with minds."

Its voice was pure flame and crackling sulphur.

Jean heard Victor roar in anger as he saw Blink. He raced forward and he and Sean attacked the Beast in a dual pronged attack.

Victor slashed at him and Sean emitted sonic screams. The Beast recoiled under the attack, then suddenly spread its wings and took flight. Fire leapt from its hands and struck the flying Sean. Sean was sent backwards, smashing against the ground. Jean struggled to her feet.

From the corner of her eye she saw Logan getting up rubbing his head.

Cain charged in and smashed into the Beast, who was back on the ground. The Beast smashed into a wall. Cain charged it again but it used Cain's momentum and sent him through the wall, flinging him down the mountain. Jean goggled. Their strongest ally was already beaten. This Beast couldn't be so strong.

She grabbed it telekinetically and held it. Victor and Logan took the chance and began pummeling it. However that did nothing to stop it from using its flame attacks. It opened its mouth and spewed out flames. Victor and Logan backed away from the intense heat. Suddenly The Beast broke free of its telekinetic bond and turned its attention back to Destiny. It was getting desperate, Jean could tell without reading him.

Before it could do anything Douglas was there, leaping to push Destiny out of the way. He stood in front of the Beast as Destiny lay sprawled on the side.

Before Douglas could do anything else The Beast sent him flying back with a massive blow that hit with a resounding crack.

Jean watched in horror as Douglas's small body smashed into the wall, splitting his head open and killing him instantly. Jean saw Destiny scream in fury and anguish.

"Douglas!" Suddenly Logan and Victor were on the Beast, attacking him unmercifully. Sean and Sunfire appeared as well, smashing the Beast with sonic screams and dive bombs. The Beast fell back under the massive assault.

"It's past time to finish this horseman."

Jean walked forward her voice as cold as ice.

"It's over you bastard."

Logan slashed at the Beasts stomach, drawing a bellow of pain from the behemoth.

Suddenly the Beast sent out a ball of fire, expanding out from its body.

Logan and Victor fell back, and even Jean staggered back. Sunfire dove through, but Sean fell back grabbing his hand which was burning.

The horseman seemed invincible.

Destiny cradled her son's body to her.

Next to her body lay Galaire's body and beyond Jean could see a man's body. Three people dead, killed by the Beast. She stood up and unleashed a telekinetic and telepathic attack simultaneously. To deal with one it left itself open to the other. The Beast fell back, hurt by the telekinetic assault. Jean hurled a shield to push it backwards. Suddenly it broke through her shield.

Jean had only time to gasp at the impossible feat, before The Beast barreled into her. She smashed into the wall and cried out in pain as her skull hit the wall with numbing force.

x----------------- ------------x

Scott stood up, gingerly holding his side. He felt like one big bruise, every part of him ached. Suddenly he heard Jean's cry of pain, followed by a mental equivalent. He ran in fear and anger into the prayer room. The Beast stood in the middle of the room, fending off attacks by Sabretooth and Logan. Sunfire flew above it, dive bombing after a few seconds. Destiny lay clutching the body of a young boy. A girl staggered to her feet next to him. Jean lay slumped against the wall. He took one look at Jean. She was alright, but hurting. bad.

He let loose as he never had before, opening up full blast with both gauntlets and visor.

The Beast was hit with concussive force, enough to take apart a mountain. It screamed in agony and fell against the wall. Logan and Sabretooth- working together?- looked at him, then continued the attack. He raced up to them and began pounding on the Beast as well. Sunfire smashed down on it, and Cain barreled through the door as well. The Beast fell against the wall and roared at them all. It began to release another sphere of fire, but Sunfire stood in front and absorbed the fire into himself before it could reach the others. Sunfire then fell to the ground, barely able to control so much fire.

Scott blasted the Beast again and it whipped around, counterattacking with a tail whip that knocked them all to the ground, including Cain. Then the Beast leaped up and out of the temple.

"Hold him Jean." Scott had sensed her awakening through the bond. He received an affirmative just before the Beast stumbled outside, and then hung in the air, immobile. The Beast thrashed about, roaring. Scott could see Jean was sagging with the effort. It was too much.

"Hurry!" He leapt out the window and landed on the ground in a heap. Logan and Sabretooth bounded down next to him, Sabretooth holding the girl. Logan helped him up.

"Thanks.' He shrugged and they turned their attention to the Beast.

Jean finally let it go, unable to hold it longer.

"Let's finish this."

Scott fired with all three again, and Logan and Sabretooth assaulted it with claws. The girl began to concentrate and then suddenly a large part of the wall it had taken out appeared above it. It landed on the Beast which stumbled to the ground under the weight. Banshee appeared over head, one arm hanging limp. He sent a sonic beam at the Beast, a massive one that sent it staggering back and onto its knees.

The y kept on punishing it, sending blows and blasts at it. Finally the Beast roared and flew straight up.

"Shoot it down!" Scott yelled and blasted it again, full force. He saw Banshee's sonic scream, another massive one head towards the Beast as well, and Jean sent a telekinetic blast its way. The three blasts struck it simultaneously and it roared one last time, then hung still in the air for a moment. Then flame burst out of its very pores it seemed, immolating the huge horseman. It began to roar as it was consumed by its own flames, spasming in the air.

Scott watched with Logan and Sabretooth who held onto the young girl. From above Jean watched as well. Sunfire raised his head weakly and looked at the spectacular end of the Beast. Banshee came to the ground and watched it die as well. Destiny with Cain looked up at the death of the Beast.

In the village, Kurt and Black Tom watched the massive creature get destroyed, watching the end of the fourth horseman of Apocalypse.

That which would burn the cities to ashes, burnt itself, till only a massive ball of flame could be seen. It exploded over Avalon and flames rained down on Avalon.

Destiny watched as her vision came to life. Avalon burned, as flaming rain fell from the sky. She hugged Douglas's body to her and hung her head. For her there was nothing left.

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Well, like, don't like? Review anyway. Six_nites@hotmail.com. Thanks.

Well, that was the final chapter of this part of the fic. The Epilogue is next. It may be a while though, since I'll be busy the next few days. If I get some time, I'll update this one. Anyway, the third part is almost done, with only two chapters left to go. Then A Lid can Beta them, and I'll begin posting it. Don't expect it for a few weeks though.

Thanks.