Brotherhood Evolution: The Crimson Dawn, Part IV: A Crimson Colored Soul
Well this is the last part of the saga folks, the Crimson Dawn saga that is. Hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas behind this saga and the character of Mike Nagrite.
********************
Little Asia, Manhattan's lower east side.
"Um, Logan?" Mike asked. He was wearing a white karate Gi. His hair was pulled into a bushido bun on top of his head and his piercing's were removed.
"Yea kid." Logan said wearing a pair of umbrella pants and a black beader.
"I assume there is a reason we're dressed like this?" Mike asked as he looked at Gomurr.
"Yea kid. We're about to go on a mythical journey. Tradition dictates that we dress accordingly."
"Oh." Mike muttered. "I feel like an organ grinder's monkey." Mike muttered to himself.
"Maybe 'cause you look like one kid." Logan said with a smirk. "Gomurr, what's taking so long?"
"Much patience is required Logan-san." Gomurr said with an all to huge grin. "I'm having some work done." Gomurr said as he opened the door to a warehouse. The three of them walked inside.
"At first glance Gomurr…" Logan said as he popped the claws on his hand. "…I'd say your interior decorator called in sick.
"If this is someone's idea of a joke, then I am now thoroughly pissed off." Mike muttered. "The only reason I agreed to even come on this bloody mission was because the old man here convinced me that it was the only way to save Psylocke's life after the wounds she suffered from Sabertooth. But for some reason I seriously doubt that this can be accomplished by running around in a warehouse in little Asia, in the heart of New York City, in the middle of the night. For some strange reason that gives me some serious doubts about both of your sanities." Mike muttered as he walked behind the two. The warehouse was littered with ancient Japanese items, including a giant papier-mâché Dragon
"Sure, Nagrite, when you put it like that…" Gomurr said as he picked up a staff twice as big as him, with rings on the end. "But take it from me. Looks can be deceiving." Gomurr said as he trekked forward.
"Get to the point Gomurr." Logan said as he popped the other set of claws on his hand.
"The 'point' is beware. Nothing is as it seems." Gomurr said as a ninja made out of shadows rose up behind them and then disappeared. "Neither in the light, nor the shadows." Gomurr said as Dr. Strange's Asteral form appeared in front of them.
"Sound advice." Dr. Strange said as he landed.
"'bout time doc." Logan muttered. "For a minute there I thought you were going to leave us on our lonesome to find the Ebon Vein." Logan muttered.
"That would be ill advised." Strange said. "I was late because I was checking on Elisabeth Braddock's deteriorating condition in my Asteral form."
"Deteriorating..?" Mike muttered "Betsy! Strange, tell me…how is she?" Mike asked.
"I am sorry Omega, she is not long for this world." Strange said.
"Then lets stop running our mouths and start fighting already." Logan said as he slashed at the shadows behind Dr. Strange. He diced up a shadow ninja that had tried to attack the master of mystism.
"Thank you Logan." Strange muttered as they gathered around the fallen ninja.
"Don't mention it doc. Seriously." Logan muttered.
"Wha… What is that thing?" Mike asked as he knelt down nest to Gomurr. "It's like a living shadow."
"Undercloacks." Strange said as his hand began to glow with arcane energy.
"As in plural." Gomurr began, as he assumed a fighting stance. "Because they never travel alone."
"I don't get this." Mike said as the four warriors went back to back. "Why would someone want to stop us from helping Betsy?"
"It goes much deeper than that Omega." Strange said.
"These things don't give a rats tail for Bets." Logan said.
"All they care about is death. Ours to be precise." Gomurr finished as the shadows around them rose up into Ninja's.
"How many are there?" Mike asked as the Ninja's attacked them. HE unleashed his tendricals and began batting them away.
"As many as there need be, Omega. As many as there need be." Gomurr muttered.
"The elixir that is needed to save miss Braddock has traditionally been well guarded." Strange said as he unleashed arcane powers onto the Undercloacks. "It also appears that their strength lies in the shadow." Strange said as he watched Mike hurl one into the side of the warehouse with a sickening splat.
"Ya don't say." Logan muttered as he slashed through the shadow ninja's.
"Don't be rude, Logan-san." Gomurr said as he ran over to the papier-mâché dragon. "The master mage is not referring to earthly shadows. He is talking about the absence of life, the light of the world." Gomurr said as he made a few hand gestures. "Come sister earth, smile on your little Brother." Gomurr said as the Papier-mâché dragon opened its mouth, releasing a powerful blast of light that destroyed the Undercloacks.
"Hmp. Every one of them flash-fried." Mike muttered.
"For now." Dr. Strange said as floated next to them. "But we must proceed quickly if we intended to save your friend.
********************
Xavier's Institute for the Gifted Young
"Come on Betsy." Toad said as he sat next to her bed. "You just gotta hold on Bets. Mike's going ta save ya. I just know it. Just like he saved my Bacon when he first got here." Toad said smiling at the memory of Duncan and his goon's getting beaten by Mike. Lance walked in with Pietro, Fred, and Tabitha in tow.
"Is she any better?" Tabitha asked.
"No. She's worse yo." Toad said simply. "Sabertooth did a real number on her."
"I'm surprised Mike went off with Wolverine in his condition." Lance said as he leaned up against the wall. "Mike's healing factor isn't that powerful and if he keeps pushing himself to hard it won't be able to function properly. He'll just come apart at the seems." Lance said simply as he looked up at the ceiling.
"Don't talk that way yo!' Toad shouted. "Mike has never let us down, and he ain't going to let his girlfriend down."
"Man, I can't believe this is happening." Fred said as he munched on a candy bar. Boris sat on his massive shoulders.
"Those X-Geeks are to blame." Pietro said simply.
"This place is kinda nice though." Lance said as he looked around. "Hot food, clean showers, no putrid smells at night." Lance said as he looked around.
"I said I was sorry." Blob stated.
"What are you getting at Lance?' Pietro said as he eyed his 'leader' curiously.
"Nothing." Lance said, changing the subject.
"So what can we do yo?" Toad asked as he hopped up to the others.
"I don't know." Tabitha said blatantly. "Guess we should just wait to see what happens."
"Um, guy's something's happening to Betsy!" Blob stated as Betsy began to seizure from the worst of her wounds. "Avalanche and Pietro held her down while Toad slammed his finger on the intercom button.
"Yo Cueball! Betsy is going nuts down here!" Toad shouted over the intercom. Betsy stopped breathing and Lance began mouth to mouth as Xavier and Beast ran into the room.
********************
The Catacombs of the Earth
"You know, I really hate being the uneducated one here, but we just walked through the mouth of a papier-mâché dragon and now we're climbing up a staircase that seems to be going nowhere. And where the hell are we?" Mike asked.
"The netherscape." Dr. Strange said as he floated up the stairs. "A mystical reality hidden under the city."
"But if the Ebon Vein is in the heart of the city, then why are we going up?" Mike asked as he slumped against the wall.
"I agree with the kid, Gomurr." Logan said. "This is starting to make no sense." Logan muttered as he stopped.
"Think Logan-san. Like you used to when you were a samurai, way back when. Sometimes you have to go in in order to get out. Exit in order to enter. Go up in order to go down."
"Speaking… of going down…" Mike muttered as he slumped onto the ground. "I think my… own injuries from Sabertooth are starting… ta get the best of me…" Mike muttered as he held his side, blood beginning to seep from a previous wound that had not fully healed.
"Logan, surly you knew about this!" Dr. Strange said in shock as he flew over to the fallen Omega. "Are you insane, letting him go off into battle in his condition?!" Dr. Strange said as he cast a hex that stopped the bleeding. "This child needs to be in a hospital bed, not traipsing about the Netherscape!"
"Back off doc, the kid's in love and it's not my place to baby-sit Brotherhood kids." Logan said as he got into Strange's face.
"I was a doctor long before I became a sorcerer, Logan! I will not, can not, be a party to this young man's death!" Strange said, getting right into Logan's face.
"Then leave." Logan said as he popped his claws.
"If I do, then you can be certain I'll take him with me!" Strange spat. "Anything less on my part would be tantamount to murder!" Strange said as he walked over to Mike.
"No…Please…" Mike muttered as he got to his knees. "My life hasn't been worth much lately… with my father wanting me dead, the death of my mother and loss of my old girlfriend, Sara. Even when I joined The Brotherhood, I felt that something was missing in my life. That is until I met Betsy, then for the first time in a long time I've been happy. Doc, she's the only thing that makes my life worth a damn. I'm pretty sure…that… I love her. Please, doc. You have to help me help her." Mike said as he struggled to his feet.
"I agree with the soul infant." Came a voice like gravel from behind the warriors. "What a gargantuan waste of time. To have come this far into the heart of the city, for less than naught." They all turned and faced a being dressed in red robes, sitting on a throne of skulls. He had gray skin and glowing green eyes. He was also easily twelve feet tall and well built.
"Hmp. Gomurr, friends of your?" Logan asked the small Monk as the four warriors mystically appeared in a hidden chamber. Inside was a glowing orb of liquid that floated in the air. It was deep crimson color and was in constant motion.
"Hardly. Gentlemen meet Tar, Protector of the Crimson Dawn. Tar, I'd like to introduce you to…" Gomurr said as he was interrupted by Tar.
"Don't be cute Gomurr." Tar said as the giant got up and faced them. "I didn't find it attractive when you were Gomurr, the Impetuous. And now I find it even more annoying. I know why they are here. I've known since before you stepped foot beneath the city." Tar said as he walked over and stood in front of Omega. "Your friend is dying. She needs to sip the Crimson Dawn. And that means you need me."
"Sorta." Logan muttered as he popped his claws. "Another way ta look at it, Bub, is that we need you OUT of the way!" Logan shouted.
"Please, Logan-san." Gomurr interrupted. "There is a proper etiquette to all of this." Gomurr said as he knelt in front of Tar. "Ahem… Oh might Tar…We worthless creatures of mud and bone… Petition your ancient generosity for a boon. A single cup of the life essence which flows through mother earth." Gomurr recited. Tar looked up and rubbed his chin.
"Hmp." Tar said as he pondered the situation. "How positively sincere." Tar said out loud. "What to do…what to do?" Tar muttered to himself. "I guess I could help…" Tar began before he got an evil glint in his eyes. "…But why bother." Tar said as he shot a green blast of energy at Gomurr, causing the little monk to disappear."
"You killed him?!" Mike shouted as he got to his feet and unleashed his tendricals.
"I found it tiresome over the years…people only coming when they want something." Tar said as he floated in front of the three remaining warriors. "I have feeling's too you know." Tar said as shadow ninja's gathered around him.
"Your way to touchy for this gig, Bub." Logan said as he attacked the Undercloacks.
********************
Back at the Mansion
"CLEAR!" Beast shouted as he used a deliberator to try and resuscitate Psylocke.
"It ain't working, yo!" Toad shouted as Betsy's ital sign's stayed flatline.
"There's really nothing more I can do!" Beast shouted as he grabbed a syringe and jammed it into Betsy. "But that doesn't mean I'm not going to try my gosh darnedest." Beast said as he injected Psylocke with adrenaline.
"Come on Mike." Toad thought. "Betsy needs that miracle."
********************
The Netherscape
"RAAAGGHHHGGG!!!" Wolverine shouted as he tore the Undercloacks apart.
"Hmp. And you think I'm unstable." Tar muttered as he watched Logan.
"Doc, shouldn't we be helping the X-Geek?" Mike asked as he and Dr. Strange stood in front of the Ebon Vein, holding of the Crimson Dawn.
"Logan is doing what he must, Michael, distracting Tar long enough so we may get this close to the Vein." Dr. Strange said simply. "Gaze into the "real" world…" Strange said as the Ebon Vein showed Beast pulling a sheet over Psylocke's face. "Even as we speak, Elisabeth Braddock's soul seeks to slip away from it's mortal vessel!' Strange shouted.
"NO!" Mike shouted as he watched in horror. "What do we do?" Mike asked as he faced the master of mystical arts.
"Among other things, we pray…" Strange said as his hand entered Mike's chest. "…That there is as much love and hope in your heart for the woman as you claim!" Strange said as he pulled out a small golden statue of Psylocke in her battle uniform from his chest.
"…Is that…" Mike asked as he stared at it.
"Her soul, Michael. Her entire life Betsy has been held down and back. You were the first person to ever reach out and love her." Strange said as he eyed Omega, who was entranced by the statue. "As such she has trusted you with her most precious part." Strange said as he held it high in the air.
"It's beautiful." Mike muttered as the statue began to glow.
"It always is." Strange said as Tar caught sight of them.
"You have won nothing Strange!" Tar shouted. "Without her here to sip the Crimson Dawn the mystic life's blood of the earth is useless to her!" Tar shouted.
"So be it. Where magic fails…" Strange said as he pushed the golden statue into the Ebon Vein that held the Crimson Dawn. "…let love prevail." Strange said as the statue glowed brighter.
********************
Back at the Mansion
"I'm sorry Psylocke." Beast said solemnly as he put the sheet over her face. "I did everything I could." Beast said as a bright beam of Crimson shot from the sky and onto Betsy Braddock. "Oh my stars and gutters." Beast muttered as Betsy's vital sighs stabilized and her eyes opened up. Crimson energy surrounded her and then created a mark on her. It was like a crimson slash through her left eye, like a slash with two more through it just above her eyebrow.
"She's alive." Lance stated in shock as the energy disappeared.
"What's that mark on her eye?" Blob asked as for the first time in his life, he dropped his food.
"It is just a guess on my part, Frederick, but what I think it means is that Wolverine and Omega have accomplished what they set out to do!' Xavier stated.
"Told you." Toad quipped.
********************
Little Asia, lower east Manhattan
"And stay out!' Tar shouted as Omega, Dr. Strange, and Wolverine went flying through a portal.
"Sore loser." Mike muttered as he got up and rubbed his neck. "So tell me Strange, is Betsy alright?"
"She lives, yes." Strange said as he smiled at the young mutant.
"Great. To bad Gomurr didn't make it back." Logan muttered as he dusted himself off. "I may not have seen much 'o him over the years, but I'll miss the li'l…" Logan said before he was interrupted by Gomurr, falling out of the sky.
"AHHHHH!!!" Gomurr shouted as he crashed into Wolverine, knocking them both down.
"The again…" Wolverine muttered as he shoved the small Monk off of him.
"Say what you will about Tar." Gomurr said as he sat on the ground. "He's rude, he's brash, and he's insensitive to other's needs. But at least he doesn't hold a grudge." Gomurr said as Mike and Wolverine walked away.
"I suppose I should be happy." Strange thought as he floated away. "But I cannot shake the feeling that despite our apparent victory, this war between light and darkness, the battle for the very soul of the Brotherhood member known as Psylocke has only just begun." Strange thought as he floated away. "Then again I could just be really, really paranoid."
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Next Time on Brotherhood Evolution: Adrift. What was the Brotherhood doing while Scott and Alex were fighting for their lives? Causing trouble at Bayville High of course.
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There you go. The ending of the Crimson Dawn series. I hope you enjoyed it.
Later,
Descendent
Well this is the last part of the saga folks, the Crimson Dawn saga that is. Hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas behind this saga and the character of Mike Nagrite.
********************
Little Asia, Manhattan's lower east side.
"Um, Logan?" Mike asked. He was wearing a white karate Gi. His hair was pulled into a bushido bun on top of his head and his piercing's were removed.
"Yea kid." Logan said wearing a pair of umbrella pants and a black beader.
"I assume there is a reason we're dressed like this?" Mike asked as he looked at Gomurr.
"Yea kid. We're about to go on a mythical journey. Tradition dictates that we dress accordingly."
"Oh." Mike muttered. "I feel like an organ grinder's monkey." Mike muttered to himself.
"Maybe 'cause you look like one kid." Logan said with a smirk. "Gomurr, what's taking so long?"
"Much patience is required Logan-san." Gomurr said with an all to huge grin. "I'm having some work done." Gomurr said as he opened the door to a warehouse. The three of them walked inside.
"At first glance Gomurr…" Logan said as he popped the claws on his hand. "…I'd say your interior decorator called in sick.
"If this is someone's idea of a joke, then I am now thoroughly pissed off." Mike muttered. "The only reason I agreed to even come on this bloody mission was because the old man here convinced me that it was the only way to save Psylocke's life after the wounds she suffered from Sabertooth. But for some reason I seriously doubt that this can be accomplished by running around in a warehouse in little Asia, in the heart of New York City, in the middle of the night. For some strange reason that gives me some serious doubts about both of your sanities." Mike muttered as he walked behind the two. The warehouse was littered with ancient Japanese items, including a giant papier-mâché Dragon
"Sure, Nagrite, when you put it like that…" Gomurr said as he picked up a staff twice as big as him, with rings on the end. "But take it from me. Looks can be deceiving." Gomurr said as he trekked forward.
"Get to the point Gomurr." Logan said as he popped the other set of claws on his hand.
"The 'point' is beware. Nothing is as it seems." Gomurr said as a ninja made out of shadows rose up behind them and then disappeared. "Neither in the light, nor the shadows." Gomurr said as Dr. Strange's Asteral form appeared in front of them.
"Sound advice." Dr. Strange said as he landed.
"'bout time doc." Logan muttered. "For a minute there I thought you were going to leave us on our lonesome to find the Ebon Vein." Logan muttered.
"That would be ill advised." Strange said. "I was late because I was checking on Elisabeth Braddock's deteriorating condition in my Asteral form."
"Deteriorating..?" Mike muttered "Betsy! Strange, tell me…how is she?" Mike asked.
"I am sorry Omega, she is not long for this world." Strange said.
"Then lets stop running our mouths and start fighting already." Logan said as he slashed at the shadows behind Dr. Strange. He diced up a shadow ninja that had tried to attack the master of mystism.
"Thank you Logan." Strange muttered as they gathered around the fallen ninja.
"Don't mention it doc. Seriously." Logan muttered.
"Wha… What is that thing?" Mike asked as he knelt down nest to Gomurr. "It's like a living shadow."
"Undercloacks." Strange said as his hand began to glow with arcane energy.
"As in plural." Gomurr began, as he assumed a fighting stance. "Because they never travel alone."
"I don't get this." Mike said as the four warriors went back to back. "Why would someone want to stop us from helping Betsy?"
"It goes much deeper than that Omega." Strange said.
"These things don't give a rats tail for Bets." Logan said.
"All they care about is death. Ours to be precise." Gomurr finished as the shadows around them rose up into Ninja's.
"How many are there?" Mike asked as the Ninja's attacked them. HE unleashed his tendricals and began batting them away.
"As many as there need be, Omega. As many as there need be." Gomurr muttered.
"The elixir that is needed to save miss Braddock has traditionally been well guarded." Strange said as he unleashed arcane powers onto the Undercloacks. "It also appears that their strength lies in the shadow." Strange said as he watched Mike hurl one into the side of the warehouse with a sickening splat.
"Ya don't say." Logan muttered as he slashed through the shadow ninja's.
"Don't be rude, Logan-san." Gomurr said as he ran over to the papier-mâché dragon. "The master mage is not referring to earthly shadows. He is talking about the absence of life, the light of the world." Gomurr said as he made a few hand gestures. "Come sister earth, smile on your little Brother." Gomurr said as the Papier-mâché dragon opened its mouth, releasing a powerful blast of light that destroyed the Undercloacks.
"Hmp. Every one of them flash-fried." Mike muttered.
"For now." Dr. Strange said as floated next to them. "But we must proceed quickly if we intended to save your friend.
********************
Xavier's Institute for the Gifted Young
"Come on Betsy." Toad said as he sat next to her bed. "You just gotta hold on Bets. Mike's going ta save ya. I just know it. Just like he saved my Bacon when he first got here." Toad said smiling at the memory of Duncan and his goon's getting beaten by Mike. Lance walked in with Pietro, Fred, and Tabitha in tow.
"Is she any better?" Tabitha asked.
"No. She's worse yo." Toad said simply. "Sabertooth did a real number on her."
"I'm surprised Mike went off with Wolverine in his condition." Lance said as he leaned up against the wall. "Mike's healing factor isn't that powerful and if he keeps pushing himself to hard it won't be able to function properly. He'll just come apart at the seems." Lance said simply as he looked up at the ceiling.
"Don't talk that way yo!' Toad shouted. "Mike has never let us down, and he ain't going to let his girlfriend down."
"Man, I can't believe this is happening." Fred said as he munched on a candy bar. Boris sat on his massive shoulders.
"Those X-Geeks are to blame." Pietro said simply.
"This place is kinda nice though." Lance said as he looked around. "Hot food, clean showers, no putrid smells at night." Lance said as he looked around.
"I said I was sorry." Blob stated.
"What are you getting at Lance?' Pietro said as he eyed his 'leader' curiously.
"Nothing." Lance said, changing the subject.
"So what can we do yo?" Toad asked as he hopped up to the others.
"I don't know." Tabitha said blatantly. "Guess we should just wait to see what happens."
"Um, guy's something's happening to Betsy!" Blob stated as Betsy began to seizure from the worst of her wounds. "Avalanche and Pietro held her down while Toad slammed his finger on the intercom button.
"Yo Cueball! Betsy is going nuts down here!" Toad shouted over the intercom. Betsy stopped breathing and Lance began mouth to mouth as Xavier and Beast ran into the room.
********************
The Catacombs of the Earth
"You know, I really hate being the uneducated one here, but we just walked through the mouth of a papier-mâché dragon and now we're climbing up a staircase that seems to be going nowhere. And where the hell are we?" Mike asked.
"The netherscape." Dr. Strange said as he floated up the stairs. "A mystical reality hidden under the city."
"But if the Ebon Vein is in the heart of the city, then why are we going up?" Mike asked as he slumped against the wall.
"I agree with the kid, Gomurr." Logan said. "This is starting to make no sense." Logan muttered as he stopped.
"Think Logan-san. Like you used to when you were a samurai, way back when. Sometimes you have to go in in order to get out. Exit in order to enter. Go up in order to go down."
"Speaking… of going down…" Mike muttered as he slumped onto the ground. "I think my… own injuries from Sabertooth are starting… ta get the best of me…" Mike muttered as he held his side, blood beginning to seep from a previous wound that had not fully healed.
"Logan, surly you knew about this!" Dr. Strange said in shock as he flew over to the fallen Omega. "Are you insane, letting him go off into battle in his condition?!" Dr. Strange said as he cast a hex that stopped the bleeding. "This child needs to be in a hospital bed, not traipsing about the Netherscape!"
"Back off doc, the kid's in love and it's not my place to baby-sit Brotherhood kids." Logan said as he got into Strange's face.
"I was a doctor long before I became a sorcerer, Logan! I will not, can not, be a party to this young man's death!" Strange said, getting right into Logan's face.
"Then leave." Logan said as he popped his claws.
"If I do, then you can be certain I'll take him with me!" Strange spat. "Anything less on my part would be tantamount to murder!" Strange said as he walked over to Mike.
"No…Please…" Mike muttered as he got to his knees. "My life hasn't been worth much lately… with my father wanting me dead, the death of my mother and loss of my old girlfriend, Sara. Even when I joined The Brotherhood, I felt that something was missing in my life. That is until I met Betsy, then for the first time in a long time I've been happy. Doc, she's the only thing that makes my life worth a damn. I'm pretty sure…that… I love her. Please, doc. You have to help me help her." Mike said as he struggled to his feet.
"I agree with the soul infant." Came a voice like gravel from behind the warriors. "What a gargantuan waste of time. To have come this far into the heart of the city, for less than naught." They all turned and faced a being dressed in red robes, sitting on a throne of skulls. He had gray skin and glowing green eyes. He was also easily twelve feet tall and well built.
"Hmp. Gomurr, friends of your?" Logan asked the small Monk as the four warriors mystically appeared in a hidden chamber. Inside was a glowing orb of liquid that floated in the air. It was deep crimson color and was in constant motion.
"Hardly. Gentlemen meet Tar, Protector of the Crimson Dawn. Tar, I'd like to introduce you to…" Gomurr said as he was interrupted by Tar.
"Don't be cute Gomurr." Tar said as the giant got up and faced them. "I didn't find it attractive when you were Gomurr, the Impetuous. And now I find it even more annoying. I know why they are here. I've known since before you stepped foot beneath the city." Tar said as he walked over and stood in front of Omega. "Your friend is dying. She needs to sip the Crimson Dawn. And that means you need me."
"Sorta." Logan muttered as he popped his claws. "Another way ta look at it, Bub, is that we need you OUT of the way!" Logan shouted.
"Please, Logan-san." Gomurr interrupted. "There is a proper etiquette to all of this." Gomurr said as he knelt in front of Tar. "Ahem… Oh might Tar…We worthless creatures of mud and bone… Petition your ancient generosity for a boon. A single cup of the life essence which flows through mother earth." Gomurr recited. Tar looked up and rubbed his chin.
"Hmp." Tar said as he pondered the situation. "How positively sincere." Tar said out loud. "What to do…what to do?" Tar muttered to himself. "I guess I could help…" Tar began before he got an evil glint in his eyes. "…But why bother." Tar said as he shot a green blast of energy at Gomurr, causing the little monk to disappear."
"You killed him?!" Mike shouted as he got to his feet and unleashed his tendricals.
"I found it tiresome over the years…people only coming when they want something." Tar said as he floated in front of the three remaining warriors. "I have feeling's too you know." Tar said as shadow ninja's gathered around him.
"Your way to touchy for this gig, Bub." Logan said as he attacked the Undercloacks.
********************
Back at the Mansion
"CLEAR!" Beast shouted as he used a deliberator to try and resuscitate Psylocke.
"It ain't working, yo!" Toad shouted as Betsy's ital sign's stayed flatline.
"There's really nothing more I can do!" Beast shouted as he grabbed a syringe and jammed it into Betsy. "But that doesn't mean I'm not going to try my gosh darnedest." Beast said as he injected Psylocke with adrenaline.
"Come on Mike." Toad thought. "Betsy needs that miracle."
********************
The Netherscape
"RAAAGGHHHGGG!!!" Wolverine shouted as he tore the Undercloacks apart.
"Hmp. And you think I'm unstable." Tar muttered as he watched Logan.
"Doc, shouldn't we be helping the X-Geek?" Mike asked as he and Dr. Strange stood in front of the Ebon Vein, holding of the Crimson Dawn.
"Logan is doing what he must, Michael, distracting Tar long enough so we may get this close to the Vein." Dr. Strange said simply. "Gaze into the "real" world…" Strange said as the Ebon Vein showed Beast pulling a sheet over Psylocke's face. "Even as we speak, Elisabeth Braddock's soul seeks to slip away from it's mortal vessel!' Strange shouted.
"NO!" Mike shouted as he watched in horror. "What do we do?" Mike asked as he faced the master of mystical arts.
"Among other things, we pray…" Strange said as his hand entered Mike's chest. "…That there is as much love and hope in your heart for the woman as you claim!" Strange said as he pulled out a small golden statue of Psylocke in her battle uniform from his chest.
"…Is that…" Mike asked as he stared at it.
"Her soul, Michael. Her entire life Betsy has been held down and back. You were the first person to ever reach out and love her." Strange said as he eyed Omega, who was entranced by the statue. "As such she has trusted you with her most precious part." Strange said as he held it high in the air.
"It's beautiful." Mike muttered as the statue began to glow.
"It always is." Strange said as Tar caught sight of them.
"You have won nothing Strange!" Tar shouted. "Without her here to sip the Crimson Dawn the mystic life's blood of the earth is useless to her!" Tar shouted.
"So be it. Where magic fails…" Strange said as he pushed the golden statue into the Ebon Vein that held the Crimson Dawn. "…let love prevail." Strange said as the statue glowed brighter.
********************
Back at the Mansion
"I'm sorry Psylocke." Beast said solemnly as he put the sheet over her face. "I did everything I could." Beast said as a bright beam of Crimson shot from the sky and onto Betsy Braddock. "Oh my stars and gutters." Beast muttered as Betsy's vital sighs stabilized and her eyes opened up. Crimson energy surrounded her and then created a mark on her. It was like a crimson slash through her left eye, like a slash with two more through it just above her eyebrow.
"She's alive." Lance stated in shock as the energy disappeared.
"What's that mark on her eye?" Blob asked as for the first time in his life, he dropped his food.
"It is just a guess on my part, Frederick, but what I think it means is that Wolverine and Omega have accomplished what they set out to do!' Xavier stated.
"Told you." Toad quipped.
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Little Asia, lower east Manhattan
"And stay out!' Tar shouted as Omega, Dr. Strange, and Wolverine went flying through a portal.
"Sore loser." Mike muttered as he got up and rubbed his neck. "So tell me Strange, is Betsy alright?"
"She lives, yes." Strange said as he smiled at the young mutant.
"Great. To bad Gomurr didn't make it back." Logan muttered as he dusted himself off. "I may not have seen much 'o him over the years, but I'll miss the li'l…" Logan said before he was interrupted by Gomurr, falling out of the sky.
"AHHHHH!!!" Gomurr shouted as he crashed into Wolverine, knocking them both down.
"The again…" Wolverine muttered as he shoved the small Monk off of him.
"Say what you will about Tar." Gomurr said as he sat on the ground. "He's rude, he's brash, and he's insensitive to other's needs. But at least he doesn't hold a grudge." Gomurr said as Mike and Wolverine walked away.
"I suppose I should be happy." Strange thought as he floated away. "But I cannot shake the feeling that despite our apparent victory, this war between light and darkness, the battle for the very soul of the Brotherhood member known as Psylocke has only just begun." Strange thought as he floated away. "Then again I could just be really, really paranoid."
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Next Time on Brotherhood Evolution: Adrift. What was the Brotherhood doing while Scott and Alex were fighting for their lives? Causing trouble at Bayville High of course.
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There you go. The ending of the Crimson Dawn series. I hope you enjoyed it.
Later,
Descendent