AntimatterManticore: mwahahahaha! of course I had to leave it at a cliffhanger...it was just too tempting! If you read this chapter, you just may find out who that woman is...

DrunkonTang: Yes! I am evil! mwahahahaha!!! (I just love all these great reactions to cliffies!) Well, I couldn't have done the fighting without your help!

Jill: Thanks for reviewing! I updated sooner then I thought I would.

oneredneckgoddess: lol! I love doing cliffies!!! This has got to be one of my best, considering the great reactions I've been getting. Even my little brother's been pesting me to finish this chapter. Thanks so much for reveiwing! Reviews most certainly make my day!

"Nichole, wake up." Superman held the girl in his arms. All four heroes had rushed into the main control room when they had heard the beep, only to find Nichole sprawled lifelessly on the floor. "Please, wake up."

As if waking from a nightmare, Nichole bolted upright and jumped out of Superman's arms.

"Are you okay?"

Nichole gave them all a queer look. "Yes, I am fine." She responded in a monotone voice.

"What happened?"

"Flash called." Nichole said, as if in a daze. "He needs backup. I'm going." She headed for the door then tripped over her own feet.

Captain America, who was standing near the entrance, caught her just in time.

"Oh no, you're not!" Superman said from behind her as Captain America helped her regain her balance.

Ignoring Superman's command, Nichole stared the Captain straight in the eye. "Move. Now."

With a queer glance at Xavier, Captain America complied.

"Rogue, follow her."

Following the Professor's command, Rogue followed Nichole out of the room. Superman turned to do the same.

"Let her go."

"Let her go? But she's gonna get herself killed!" Superman protested.

"She'll be fine. She's no ordinary girl. You need to learn to trust her." Professor Xavier sighed wearily. "This is the only way."

Superman let out a soft sigh. "Okay, Professor. I just hope you're right."

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"Do you know how to fly this thing?" Nichole asked Rogue, looking over the X-men's spaceship.

"Yeah."

"Then come on. We've got no time to lose."

Nichole hopped into the ship. With a bit of hesitation, Rogue followed close behind.

"Wait a minute. Do you even know where this ship is?" Rogue asked before settling into the drivers' seat.

"There's no time to explain. I'll show you where to go."

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Rogue did as she was told. They soon found themselves sitting merely inches away from the Esothen's ship.

"You stay here. The others will be back out soon." Nichole prepared herself to go into the Esothen's ship.

"Oh, no you don't. Not without me." Rogue "parked" the ship and strapped on some equipment so she could breathe out in space. "Don't you want one a' these?" She asked her.

"I have no need for them." And with that she opened up the ship door and jumped out onto the other ship. Rogue promptly followed her.

They soon found themselves wandering the halls of the mysterious ship. "Do you even know where we're goin'?" Rogue asked.

"We need to find Flash." Nichole strode through the halls.

A rumbling noise echoed through the ship's halls. "What's that?"

Nichole grabbed her arm. "Quick. Hide!" They quickly pressed themselves up against the walls, hoping the shadows would be enough to keep them unnoticed.

They waited for what seemed like forever while a huge group of Esothen rushed past them. Finally, the stream of black ended. Nichole breathed a sigh of relief. "I think they're gone. Let's go."

"Wait!" Rogue held up her gloved hand to stop her. "There's one more comin' this way."

Sure enough, Rogue was right. There were two more trudging down the hall, much slower then the ones before them. They were carrying something.

Nichole gasped. "Flash!" She held up her hand to do something, then glared at her hand in anger. She looked over at Rogue. "Do something, quick!"

"Don't worry." Rogue whispered. "I'll get 'im." Rogue crept up from behind and slipped off her glove. One touch from her hand and both of them collapsed, dropping Flash and the ground. Rogue grasped her hand and cried out in pain as she fell to the floor.

Nichole rushed over. "Flash, Rogue, are you okay?" She shook Flash to wake him up. His eyes slowly opened and he became aware of his surroundings. "What are you doing here?" He sat up quickly, obviously unharmed.

"There's no time to explain. Help me wake up Rogue."

In no time, they had awoken Rogue. "Are you okay?" Flash asked.

"Yeah. The Esothen are very strong." Rogue stood up. "I'm a little dizzy but I can make it."

Nichole nodded then turned toward Flash. "Where's the room you found?"

Flash pointed to his right. "Uh, that way but I should warn you to be careful..."

Nichole hadn't heard the last part. She was already on her way to the room.

It wasn't very far. Nichole smiled for the first time since arriving. "Yes! This is it! Come on!" Nichole turned back and beckoned Flash and Rogue over. "This is it!" She repeated.

"Wait! Nicky, I've gotta warn you-"

Nichole's scream pierced the air. "Noooo!!" Flash rushed over to the edge of the pit in the room's doorway.

Rogue followed him. "What's in there?"

Flash stared down into the pit. He picked a piece of lint off of his suit and threw it down. Once near the pit's mouth, electric shoots of power shot out, disintegrating it.

"Oh no."

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"It's no use." Beast finally said. "I've tried all their communicators but all I'm getting is static. They've either broken their communicators or..."

The superheroes stood silently, each wondering the fate of their sabotage team. Reed Richards broke the silence.

"They're safe. They'll come back alright." He said confidently. "In the meantime I think we should try to contact the Watchtower. We need to update them and they might have some news."

Batman promptly took over the computer and contacted the Watchtower. Superman was the one who answered.

"How are things going down there?"

"Not good." Batman responded. "Our cover's been blown. There are about a hundred good Esothen that may be heading back to their ship."

"Oh no! Nichole just headed out!"

"What do you mean, Nichole just headed out?!"

Superman moved back and let Professor Xavier talk. "She left for the Esothen's ship with Rogue."

"I don't understand. Why did you let her go?"

"She's the only one who can stop them. She asked me not to tell anyone this, but I see no harm in it now that's she's on her way."

"Tell us what?"

"When I went inside her mind, I saw it. It was black, like a shadow."

"What?" Batman stared at the screen in disbelief.

"Nichole has Esothen sleeping inside of her. It has now awakened. She is one of them."

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Nichole squeezed her eyes shut as pain coursed through her body. Where was she? How had she gotten here? The last thing she could remember was a woman; a woman with long, silky black hair. What was her name?

Zalika.

"Huh? Where is that voice coming from?"

My name is Zalika. I'm living inside of you. Please, don't be afraid.

"What are you doing there?"

I am a part of you and yet separate. I wish had time to explain and console you now, but that will be later. Now you must sleep.

"Why?"

There is much to be done; many things that you can not do on your own. Sleep now and you will awaken with the strength that I once knew.

Nichole slowly let her eyes droop. The pain was beginning to fade.

Yes, that's it, little one, sleep. Sleep and know that I am sorry. Things shouldn't have to be this way.

And with Zalika's soothing voice running through her thoughts, Nichole fell asleep.

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Flash and Rogue stared into the pit. "What should we do?"

"Ah don't think there's anything we can do." Rogue replied solemnly.

Then, suddenly, the streaks of electric power began to shoot out from the pit once more. Out from the pit emerged Nichole, the pit's power surrounding her.

Flash stared in awe. "I didn't know you could fly."

Nichole looked over at him and smirked. "I can't." With a nod towards Rogue, Nichole flew over to the other side of the pit.

"Come on, lover boy." Rogue picked Flash up and flew after Nichole.

The room looked almost like the halls they had just left, empty and yet full of shadows; except, in the middle of this room, stood an oval-shaped platform. Nichole wasted no time. She quickly entered the code to open it with a smile. "Ambrose, you've underestimated me again." She mumbled under her breath.

Inside the platform, was an orb. It glowed with a soft yellow. For a moment, she hesitated, staring at the glowing orb. But the moment soon passed. She took the orb from its place.

She turned to Flash and Rogue who had been standing behind her awkwardly. "Be prepared to run. This is ship is probably set to explode after the orb is used. The Esothen will be weak, so you may have enough time to find and rescue your friends."

Flash stepped closer. "Nichole, what are you doing?"

"Rogue, please." Nichole looked at her with pleading eyes. Using her superhuman strength, Rogue held him back.

Nichole took the orb and gently spread it out across her forehead. It almost looked like a sticky, glowy Play-Doh. She closed her eyes tight and quietly braced herself. "Stand back."

Power slowly emanated from her body, creating a shield around her. She screamed in pain and tried unsuccessfully to escape her power-made prison. Then, suddenly, all the power shot out into a bigger shield and quickly shot back into her body.

Rogue let go of Flash just in time so he could catch Nichole before she hit the floor. "Nicky, please. Say something." Flash cried out as he held her lifeless body.

Nichole turned her head and looked back at him, her red eyes nearly glazed over. "Could you do something for me, little one?"

"Anything." Flash replied, confused.

"Give Ambrose a message for me. Tell him...tell him....to drop dead." She breathed out the last words.

"No..." Flash held her close.

"We don't have time for this." Rogue yelled. "We've gotta get outta here!" Rogue grabbed Flash who was still holding Nichole and flew back over the pit.

"We've gotta find the others!" Rogue dropped Flash in front of the pit and flew off.

Flash stood there for a long moment, wondering what he should do. He couldn't leave Nichole here, even if she is... No! She's alive and he can't leave her.

"Give her to me." Flash looked up to J'onn gently shaking him. "It's okay."

With a bit of hesitation, Flash handed the girl over. "Where are the others?" He managed to ask.

"They're on their way. We must head back to the ships."

Rushing through the halls, the two of them made their way to the entrance of the ship. It was there that they met the others.

"Was Carmichael in there?" Flash yelled at Green Lantern.

"I didn't see anyone fitting his description; all I saw were Esothen." GL yelled back.

"I've gotta find him! He's gonna pay!" Flash started to go back into ship.

"No! He's not there. We'll find him later!" GL shot at Flash with his ring and Flash complied.

After each hero had gotten into either ship, they flew off just in time. They were far enough away to watch as the ship exploded in ball of fire.

"So, this is it?" Flash asked from the Javelin-7. He was sitting in the back of the ship with Nichole lying lifelessly in his arms. "Is this the end of this?"

Dr. Strange looked out at the explosion and sighed. "There are many questions left to be answered. The girl still holds many answers." Dr. Strange sighed and glanced curiously at Nichole. "No, it's not quite over yet."

Mwahahahahahahahaha!!! The question still remains....who is Ambrose? lol... I love this chapter... I've been waiting to write it ever since the beginning...

Next chapter! Learn more about Dr. Strange's past! Yay!

Review, please!