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Tradition
Deadly Alliance
Angelo sat at the security console for part of the evening. He had been assigned to watch out for any signs of anyone arriving. He didn't want to believe it was going to be this bad, but with what they heard on the news, it was. An FBI agent in town was found dead, an apparent self-inflicted shot to her head. It was near a local music store, which was enough for everyone to realize it was Soundwave's work. As he watched the monitors, he heard someone come in. He turned to find himself facing Rainmaker. He though she was a knockout, but he also knew she prefered women. As she sat down at the console, she said, "It might turn next. Do you think you could tell me who to look out for?"
Angelo just said, "Look for any lunatic wearing a stereo store. That's Soundwave." It was the truth, and the best way to describe what to look for.
Rainmaker just said to him, "Skin, from what everyone said, he sounds dangerous, but can he make someone commit suicide?"
Angelo didn't know how exactly to put it. He thought back on it and said, "Soundwave can do anything. He made Jubilee think she was being attacked by everyone who would like to see her dead, and she felt every blow, and everything that she thought they were doing to her. If Synch hadn't found her, she would have had experence alot worse and might have died. When he finally found Skitz and Penance, they were running through the locker rooms, through the showers and almost to the pool. He made the curtains constrict around them. If it werent for Banshee and Chamber, they would have been dead."
He heard Rainmaker ask the question he had been wondering. "Do you think this will effect the school in the news?"
He had been wondering about that and then said, "No, I think many people thing he's just passing through. No one knows about Rich's testimony in that case. Signal the alarm if you seen him, it might be enough to stun him for abit." Before she could even ask, he said, "He hates noise. It nullifies his abilities." He watched as she nodded and he left the room. This was going to be a very rough day until this was handled.
Elane was not thrilled by what she heard on the radio she kept. All of Emplate's plans were about to come tumbling down if they didn't act quick. She headed off to Emplate's room, where he was discussing the plans for the battle. Although she had missed the evening news on the radio, she caught the early morning news. She entered Emplate's room and bluntly said, "We have a problem."
She saw the way he looked at her when she said that and could tell he wasn't thrilled. "What sort of problem?"
She sat down and said, "Soundwave is in town. I heard that Soundwave was a mutant that Rich testified against a few years back. He swore vengence, along the lines of killing Rich. No doubt he plans to attack the school and be waiting for Rich's return."
She watched as Emplate stood up. "This complicates things more so than they are. Richard and Yvette are useless to me if they are dead."
She heard Trance say, "Couldn't we ask for his help? He might have some tricks we can use to our benifit."
She shook her head. "No, he's hellbent on killing Rich. A bit unstable, too. He says he does it for his employer, Big Blue."
She saw Emplate stop for a moment and then said, "I know of no such being named Big Blue, but I think that could be used to describe someone." Elane wondered if Big Blue did exist, and if so, who was it?
She walked over to Emplate and whispered in his ear very softly, "Is that important to know who it is, or is it important to capture and ruin Rich's life?" She saw him look at her with that look that told her how much he loved the evil in her.
"You're right Elane. If we are to capture Rich and Yvette, we have to act quickly. Trance, get your followers together, and I shall get mine ready." She watched as Trance left and then Emplate said to her, "Although I would like to know who wants to see Rich dead. If I could persuade them to let me capture and control Rich, maybe we might have a more powerful ally, or control this 'Big Blue'."
Elane took Emplate's hand and said, "I just love when you come up with something really devilish. If all goes well, we might be able to celebrate."
When she placed Emplate's hands on her, she saw the look in his eyes, and was delighted to here, "We might just celebrate even if we don't succeed." She was going to look forward to that.
Everett walked into the war room, and like himself, it was obvious that nobody got a decent nights sleep. They didn't know when the attack would start, but they all knew it would start. He walked over to Jubilee and asked, "Nothing yet?"
She looked at him and he could tell she was worried about him. "Nope, hopefully there will be nothing, but that's wishful thinking."
Everett understood her feelings, especially when he saw her after what Soundwave did to her. It had scared him to see her in that state. He took her hand and said, "Jubes, I won't let that happen to you again." He could tell that it made he feel abit better.
Everett head someone enter the room. He knew who it was when Banshee said, "Anything?"
Darrett, who had been in charge of the computer, said, "Nothing, but that doesn't mean they aren't out there." That was when it happened. The main door came crashing down. Darrett just looked at it and said, "Banshee, I think they knocked too hard on the door." Everett could tell what he meant. Both Emplate's and Trance's strong men stood at the door. Soon the two groups were heading in.
He heard Mr. Lynch say, "How did they get by the cameras."
Paige looked at the screen and said, "Aura. She must have cloaked them all. I owe her for the first time she attacked." He could understand that to a degree. Aura had severly beaten up Paige on the first encounter.
Emma just said, "Alright, let try and end this one quick. No doubt that Soundwave is on his way."
Before everyone could get out of the room, Darrett said, "Too late. He followed Emplate in. I think we might have a big problem." He saw it right on the screen. Emplate and Soundwave were going to be going at each others throats.
Emplate looked at the figure now floating before him. He had music playing from the device he wore, and Emplate figured out who this mutant was. "Soundwave, I presume." He saw all his Hellions preping for a fight, but he was more concerned on the attack by Gen X. He figured they would come running soon, but maybe Gen X would keep Soundwave preoccupied.
He watched as Soundwave looked at him. Their was look of hatred in his eyes as he said, "You must be Emplate. You must be nuts if you think I'll let my quarry live."
Trance just softly said, "I might be able to subdue him." Emplate thought about that, but he'd rather not subdue this individual right now.
Emplate looked up at Soundwave and said, "Listen, I have you outnumbered, but if we work together, we might be able to defeat Gen X and their friends." He looked over to the one door and saw all of Gen X, as well as Gen 13, entering the room.
He heard Banshee say, "I do nae think we will have that chance, Emplate." Emplate noticed that Soundwave looked in fear and Banshee, and realized that to Soundwave, Banshee was the most threatening.
Emplate looked at Trance and said, "Care to do your thing, Trance?" He watched as Trance looked in Banshee's direction and the head of Gen X started to strike at Gen X. "As you can see, Soundwave, right now, we would be better off as allies. Fight me, and Banshee yells."
He saw Soundwave smile and say, "Fine. But let me thank your friend for his troubles. Judging by the other group, I think they know him, and he fancys one of them." Emplate watched as Soundwave caused the girl know as Caitlin to rise up. He actually brought her over to him.
Emplate watched as Trance said, "He does have good taste. However, I don't think you can improve on her perfection."
Emplate watched as Monet started to fly at him. Almost instantainously, Elane held up her hand, pushing Monet back to the wall. "Don't try it Monet. I'm not letting you stop this. I might go as far as squashing you to death." Emplate gave her a stern look. While he wouldn't mind seeing Monet dead, Claudette had to live.
The rest of his Hellions, as well as Trance's followers were fighting the rest of two groups. Emplate turned back to Soundwave and said, "As you can see, we work together, we will succeed." He then noticed that Caitlin's outfit was glowing.
Soundwave said, "I'll agree to a truce for now, but once we have Rich, I want him dead. If you kill him and give me the corpse, I'll leave you be. Double cross me, and you'll be sorry. Also, if your friend their keeps the loudmouth shut, I'll let him have this beauty like this." He watched as Caitlin's outfit changed to that of a harim girl from the days of old.
He saw the look that Trance gave Caitlin. "That is a good incentive."
Emplate then saw something in Soundwave. He looked at the mutant and said, "I take it you fancy my sister." He didn't believe that Soundwave liked her, but the mutant had been incarcerated.
Soundwave smiled and said, "In a way. Let's just say that she needs to be knocked off her high and mighty pedastal." Emplate could agree with that. In fact, he'd like to see Monet humiliated.
He watched as the Gen 13 member codenamed Burnout flew toward Soundwave. In an instant, a high powered stream of foam shout from Soundwave's had, taking out a wall. It was pushing Burnout away from the school. Emplate just said, "Keep that up, and when we win, Monet will be yours." He laughed as he saw the fright on Monet's face. He was going to enjoy this victory.
As Rich pulled his car up to the entry of the school, he didn't like what he saw. The door was wrecked to the main hall. He put his hand on his wife's hand and said, "It looks like Emplate stormed the place."
He could tell how scared she was when she said, "Do you think he's still here?"
He didn't know how to answer, until he saw a figure flying out propelled by a stream of foam. "He is," was all he said. He jumped out of the car and ran to the figure. He didn't recognize who it was, but something told him it was one of the good guys. When he reached the figure, he said, "Are you alright?"
The guy stood up and said, "Yea." When the man looked at him and Yvette, he just said, "Let me guess, your Richard Cale, and that is Yvette. You're timing couldn't be worse."
Rich didn't want to worry about introductions at that point. He didn't like the sound of what the guy said. "What do you mean by that?" He knew Emplate was there, but what could be worse.
The guy just said, "Some dude named Soundave." Rich felt his blood run cold. He didn't need that right now.
Yvette just said, "Oh no. Rich, he'll try and kill you." He knew what she was afraid of. Then he had an idea.
He turned back to boy and said, "Get back in there, and tell no one that we are here. If this works, we might win this one." He saw the boy nod and ran back to the building.
Yvette came up to his side and said, "What do you have planned?"
He looked at her and smiled. "We use the vents, and get the drop on everyone." She smiled. He could tell she liked that idea.
Rich was surprise when Grimore spoke. "A small suggestion. You may want to take the sword. It might be enough to scare Marius away." He knew who Grimore meant by Marius, but didn't comprehend the meaning of the sword. But he wasn't going to question it. They needed to help their teammates.
He and Yvette ran to the entrance, and to the nearest vent. As they quietly made their way through the vents, they heard the battle. Soon enough they were over the battle, and it was apparent that Emplate and Soundwave have teamed up and were winning. Rich didn't recognize the third figure, but he could tell the langly man had some sort of power. He motioned for Yvette to pass him. He then said in their mind link, {When I give the signal, cut the vent and it should knock out Aura.}
He heard Yvette respond {Understood. You know, this is not what I figured my first day as a wife would be like.}
He smiled and said, {I figured the same thing.} She laughed in their mind link and then he said, {Ok, here we go.} He quietly openned the vent and saw his target below him. Hovering below his current location was Soundwave, who was about to have a very rude wake up.
Emma didn't like how the battle was going. In fact, she was dead scared that they were going to lose. When Burnout came back, she felt like he had gotten a second wind, but he didn't last too long. Emma was about to tell them all to retreat when she saw it. The vent over Soundwave had openned up. She couldn't figure out why, and then it hit her. Rich and Yvette were back, and must have suspected to attack was going on. Soon, she saw a figure drop from the vent, and grab on to Soundwave. The added weight caused him to loose his concentration, and Caitlin fell to the ground. She heard Soundwave shouting, "Whoever you are, you're dead."
Then the music stopped, and Soundwave hit the floor unconscious. She saw Skitz standing there with claws out. He had Yvette's ability. She heard Aura say, "This is the end for you cous.." She then saw where Yvette was hiding, as the bottom of the vent came crashing down into Aura, knocking her unconscious. That meant too many left to fight.
She shouted out, "Watch out. We're outnumbered." She didn't want to make them give up, but she wanted them to run.
She heard Emplate say, "Yes Skitz, and you too, Penance. It's all over. Hand yourselves over, and you friends are spared." She knew that they might just do that, forfeit their safety for their teammates.
That was when Emma saw one of the most unbelievable sights. She watched as Rich pulled out a sword. She didn't know where he got it, but it burst into flames as he heald it, and she saw genuine fear in Emplate's eyes. She heard Rich say, "I have a better idea, take all your cronies and leave." She saw that the two's eyes had locked, and eventually, one appeared to step back.
She saw Emplate gather all his minions and said, "You've won this round. I don't know how you found that, but you won't last long. You can't have that item with you all the time." She realized that Emplate feared that sword. As his entourage disappeared, all that remainded was Soundwave, and everyone else.
Sean just shook his head and said, "What happened?" Emma knew Sean had been out of it, but this probably would have blown his mind.
Emma just said, "Rich and Yvette are back, and scared Emplate off." She noticed that Sean saw the glowing sword. The fire had almost died down.
As they all walked over to Rich, he just said, "Sean, Yvette and I need to talk to you and Emma." She could tell that their was a dead seriousness in his voice, something she didn't hear often in Rich's voice. Then she noticed something. She didn't know what to say, but maybe what she saw had to do with what the two wanted to talk about.
Emma just said, "Alright, Mr. Lynch, could you make sure Soundwave makes it to protective custody." When she turned to looked of Soundwave, she saw him disappear. She saw the walkman on him, and knew that he had planned for such an occurance. "Never mind." At that, she and Sean headed to her office with Rich and Yvette.
Sean sat back in his chair, almost flabbergaster. "Rich, ye mean to tell me that...." He still couldn't believe it. When Rich and Yvette told him, he thought they were joking, but the rings told him they were serious.
Rich just sat on the couch with Yvette and said, "Yes, apparently it's been a tradition, but never came up much. I didn't expect this so soon either. We both figured on a few years of being engaged."
He heard Emma say, "I take it we'll have to accomedate this." When Rich nodded, she said, "And this library, how we accomodate that."
Yvette said to them, "Rich has been thinking about that, but he also said that if the need arises, the school could relocate to his family castle." That was something good to hear. He was still mixed emotions on the matter.
He could tell that Rich noticed that when he said, "Sean, I know this is upsetting to you, but I had no idea about this." Sean could tell that Rich was telling the truth about that. Besides, it wasn't Rich's nature to decieve them.
Sean sighed and said, "I know. I was kind of hoping to see a wedding, but it would be just for show now, wouldn't it." Rich nodded and Sean continued, "So we now have to accomodate you two together. Maybe one of the attics can be remodeled, but how will this affect the rest of the team."
Yvette just said, "Maybe they will handle it better. They probably figured we'd get married someday." He had to agree with that.
Now came the next issue, "I take it yur cat will be staying." When Rich nodded, he could tell that there was no arguement to be started. He said, "Well, maybe it might be a good thing. You know Rich, Yvette, I didn't know how much this would affect the team, but I don't think I could have expected this."
Rich smiled and said, "Well, at least I'm not stuck to one ability." Sean nodded in agreement. Rich was right, since his ability can pick a second ability. He then heard Rich say, "So who are the others, and what are we going to tell everyone."
Sean walked over to the two of them and said, "We'll introduce ye, and we will tell them the truth. Rich, I know ye will take care of her." As they stood up, he could tell that fate hand played them the right hand after all, even though it started out with the death of Rich's parents.
Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end......