Attention: Generation X and their villians, as well as any other mutant mentioned in this story, is property of Marvel Comics. The character Richard Cale is named after family relations. Any other reference to anything copywrighted is a chance happening.

Destiny

New Freedoms

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I. Quinn
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Quinn stood and watched as the Dark Beast continued the experiment. She was a bit worried. She had heard rumors about the Dark Beast. She wasn't surprised that he was working with Apocolypse. She knew he was evil, but the fact that he wanted Rich dead made her like him. This, however, bothered her. As she watched the experiment, she heard the Dark Beast say, "If you were wondering, the process is soon finished. The mind of Claudette's sister will soon be in the clone body."

Quinn watched and said, "I see. You know, I have heard things about you, and I've always wondered if they are true?" She didn't want to say what she had heard, mainly because she didn't want to anger him.

The Dark Beast continued the process, and said, "Well, if you have heard that I like to preform experiments on mutants, you are right. However, I'm sure your employer's sister will make for good testing material. Lord Apocolypse has asked for a special concoction, especially for one of our upcoming guests."

Quinn had a small shiver run up her spine at the last comment. She looked at him and said, "And who is to receive this fate, Rich?"

She was startled when Apocolypse's booming voice said, "No. Richard Cale will meet his end at my hand, and mine alone." She turned to face him as he said, "This formula that the doctor is making will make sure that if Cale survives, he won't have an heir." Before she could respond, he said to her, "Now, the Cale's are on their way, correct?"

She swallowed at the sudden change in topic and said, "Yes. I made sure Yvette couldn't recognize my voice. However, I didn't talk with her much, so if any of the others were there, they might recognize the voice."

She watched as he turned to face Soundwave. "You heard her. They should be on their way here. Go out there and find them. I want them alive, and be sure you don't let them know it's you. Understood."

Quinn looked at Soundwave as he nodded and said, "You got it. Rich will be here soon. I won't let them escape." She didn't like him. She was happy when he left the room, and saw Apocolypse had left as well. She shook her head. She could tell that Apocolypse was manipulating him. She'd do the same thing. Her thoughts were soon cut short as she heard a slight moaning coming from Claudette. She turned to see the Dark Beast just sitting still. Apparently, the procedure was done.

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II. Claudette
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Claudette slowly openned her eyes. The process was a drain to her system, but she was recouping nicely. She focused first on her mind. That was the test. After a moment, she found no trace of Monet at all. She smiled. At last, she had reached what she was aiming for. She would never be held back by her sister again. She started to laugh and shout, "Yes. I'm free."

Her joyous cheers were cut short when Quinn said, "Shouldn't you wait until you are out of that contraption until you cheer." She looked down at Quinn and remember that the device was on the wall. That was something she had forgotten, but it would be worth it. She tried to rip herself free, but she has held in place. Apparently, if it could hold her, it could hold Monet. That was a good thing. She looked to her left to see Monet held in the same way.

She turned back to Quinn and the Dark Beast. "Well, could I have some help here? I want to be in front of my sister when she comes to." It would be the ultimate blow. The ultimate sign that Monet had failed to keep her in check.

As Quinn helped to get her down, she heard her say, "So boss, this is why you got the clone from Black Tom. So you could be rid of your sister?"

Claudette nodded and then said, "That, and so much more. You see, for years, I was imprisoned in the mind of a joint body. Now, I have all the powers of the joint body, and I don't have to worry about Monet taking control. I'm free and clear. The only bad thing is that I lose my symbiosis ability, but it's a small price to pay."

When she was finally on the floor, Quinn said, "Soundwave just went to capture Rich and Yvette. I don't trust him. Something in him makes me worry."

Claudette looked at her, then and the Dark Beast, and then said psionically, "Be quiet. He may be the weakest of all of us. He grew up with Rich, but I think part of him still exists where he thinks Rich should live. That small part hasn't been manipulated by Apocolypse. Last thing we want to do is tip anyone off we know that."

She saw Quinn was about to protest as she said, "But boss, shouldn't Apocolypse be told."

The answer came from Golden, as he entered and said through the psionic bond, "You want to make him mad. Claudette is right. We need to keep this quiet. Besides, I may be able to stop Soundwave, but how can we stop Apocolypse. Right now, we have to remain allies." That was one of the reasons she liked Golden. While he couldn't vocally communicate, he knew how to tell the truth.

She smiled and said, "Enough of this. Monet should be awaking soon. I want to be the first thing she sees." She then walked over to the form of Monet. She waited, thinking about that Monet was now a clone. She had all the same abilities. She would have loved to given Monet a disfigured form, but didn't. A perfect match would insure success, and she needed to be rid of Monet. Soon she saw the figure start to move. She just quietly said, "Welcome to your new nightmare, dear sister."

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III. Monet
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Monet had a spliting headache. She lost track of all the time she was stuck in that mental prison. Now she didn't even want to open her eyes. She figured Claudette wanted to taunt her again. Everytime, she hoped Generation X would capture Claudette and free her. She had heard Claudette say something, but she didn't want to give her the satisfaction of taunting her. Soon, she heard Claudette say, "Now, now, sis, it's time to open those eyes. I have a surprise for you."

Monet still wouldn't open her eyes. She kept them shut as she said, "I'm not falling for your tricks again, Claudette. I won't let you see the fear." She knew that's what Claudette wanted to see, and she didn't want to let her see it, even though she was full of fear.

Soon, Monet heard a new voice. "I don't think she can keep them closed for long, boss." It was Quinn. The girl her sister hired to help capture Rich. She could see what her sister had done, but she couldn't stop it. But how could the girl see her?

Now she wanted to open her eyes, but not to let Claudette see the fear, but to see what she could see. She slowly openned her eyes to see all of Claudette's gang in front of her. She also noticed she was in some contraption on the wall. It was then she realized she was in control of a body. She tried to move her arms, but couldn't. She was confused. She was free but trapped. She looked at Claudette and said, "What have you done?"

She heard her sister laugh as she said, "My, my, is that any way to thank you for the body. You should be more grateful, but I can't take all the credit. The process to seperate us was my associate's brain child."

She followed Claudette's jesture and saw a huge blue figure sitting at a console. Monet realized who it was. It was the Dark Beast. This did scare her. As she looked at the figure, he just said, "How are you doing, Monet?" She was aware that this version of Dr. McCoy was a twisted mad scientist. His experiments were downright insane, and sometimes deranged.

She then heard her sister say, "I think she's glad you helped her. So glad, that she'll help in your experiments. It's the least she could do to help." Right then, Monet realized what had happened. Claudette has given her to the Dark Beast, for any test he wanted to try on her.

She then heard Q.T., "Don't worry, Monet. You won't be alone for long. Soundwave is going to get the two guests of honor." Now Monet was truely scared. That meant Rich and Yvette would soon be trapped here. It was a nightmare, and Monet wished she could wake up out of it. She also wished she would be back with Generation X.

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IV. Apocolypse
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Apocolypse sat in his master chamber. He knew it was only a matter of time now. In a few hours, he'd have the pleasure of killing the last, and possibly only, threat the Cale family could ever have. He had fought them for centuries. He knew that it would only be a matter of time before a mutant would be born to the family. True, he had trouble dealing with the X-Men, but this was different. Richard Cale was a mutant who could use his powers. That was why he started looking for a way to stop Cale from ever becoming head of his family. Eventually, after all of Soundwave's failures, he decided that Rich would not be able to cope with his responsablity. He watched one of the screen, seeing his quarry now entering the range of camera he put all around his base area. As he watched, he said, "It won't be long now, Cale, until I have you in my trap. Do you even know what you are heading into?"

He was annoyed when he heard someone say, "If he does, then he doesn't know it is you." He turned to see Claudette had entered his inner sanctum. He glared at her and she only said, "I was just hoping to see the capture of Richard Cale. I would feel honored if I could see the glorious event."

He smiled at that. She knew her place. He looked at her and said, "I'll allow you to watch the capture, but the final battle will not be witnessed. I want Cale to feel like he's abandoned. Plus, he may think you are his sister. Seeing any member of Generation X may give him strength."

He watched Claudette nodded. He was glad she knew her place. Of course, when Richard Cale died, he'd have to off the rest of the Cale family. True, most of who were left couldn't have children, but they were still there. He was distracted from this thought when Claudette said, "Look like the show has begun. It won't be long now."

Apocolypse nodded and said, "Yes. The clock is soon up for Richard Cale, and his family." He started to laugh as he saw Soundwave fly into view on the cameras. Soon, his time would begin.

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V. Paige
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Paige listened to the comm unit with Daria as they heard Yvette go, "There it is. It does look hidious." She and Daria had taken over for Everett and Darrett. Now, they heard the Rich and Yvette had found the creature that they went after.

She then heard Rich say, "It won't last long. We'll stop it."

As they listened, Daria said, "I hope this fight doesn't last long." Deep down, Paige was hoping that it wouldn't last long. The less time it took, the sooner the two got back.

Paige turned to Daria and said, "Ah agree. At least it's not a trap." She was hoping it wasn't a trap. That was the biggest worry they all had about this. That this was a trap designed by someone to capture the two. It could have been anyone. Over the time since Rich helped Yvette become the woman she is today, they had earned new enemies, and even some old ones.

She watched as Daria nodded and said, "True. If this was a trap, how would we find them. We still haven't found the girls that Emplate kidnapped a while back. It's like they disappeaered off the face of the Earth. If Emplate was out there, we might never see them again."

Paige couldn't argue that logic. She listened to the comm line again, and heard Yvette say, "That thing just won't get close. We might have to pull a combo attack to get it down." It was then Paige heard a faint sound in the background.

She reached down and turned up the volume. She then heard a song in the background. She listened for a second and then said, "Daria, do yah hear that. It sounds like some music is playing."

She heard Daria say, "I know. I can't believe they left their radio on. Most be some weird station. That sounds like New Kids." When Paige heard that, she slowly realized what was happening out there. The was no creature, and it was keeping it's distance because it was staying out of Rich's power range. Daria had hit the same conclusion as she said, "Oh no. It's Soundwave."

Paige quickly hit the microphone button and said, "Rich, Yvette. Get out of there. It's Soundwave. It's a trap." She heard a gasp on the other end, and hoped she had done the right thing, especially after she shut off the microphone. Now, only time would tell.

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VI. Davis
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Soundwave watched as it looked like Rich and Yvette were about to launch a flying attack at him. He had kept out of reach, especially since he didn't want Rich figuring out who it was. However, he watched as a look of fear crossed Rich's face. He listened as he heard Rich shout, "We need to fall back."

It looked like the cat was out of the bag. Soundwave saw them start to head towards the car they had arrived in. He looked at the car and sent a sonic wave down at the engine. Before the two could even reach the car, the whole front was flattened. The two almost froze. They had found out who it was attacking them and he dropped the disguise. He looked at them and just said, "Long time, no see." He let an evil grin cross his face.

He watched as Yvette tensed up. She just said, "We won't go down without a fight, Soundwave." He watched as she then got close to Rich. He had a feeling she would do that, and that was exactly what he wanted.

He just smiled, and focused on the air around the two of them. He started to make the air solid. He then said, "I don't think you'll put up much fight right now." He watched as both of their movements slowed down. They were trying to fight their way out of danger they were in.

Eventually, he heard Rich say, "Davis, you won't get away with this." Before Rich could say anymore, Soundwave watched Rich and Yvette both collapse. He returned the air to normal. His boss didn't want them dead.

Soundwave lowered himself to the ground and looked at the two unconscious forms. He wondered how they figured it out. Then he started to wonder why now, the boss want Cale alive. Before, 'Big Blue' wanted Rich dead. In exchange, Soundwave would have gotten untold power. Now 'Big Blue' wanted him alive. He started to wonder more about when he first met 'Big Blue'. He started to wonder why he hated Rich. They had been friends in school. He shook his head and finally said, "I don't know why the boss changed his mind, but he wants you alive. As for your girl, he has a home picked out for her."

He then picked the two of them up and flew off to the hide out.

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VII. Daria
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Daria was scared as she heard the voice of Soundwave come over the comm unit. She heard him say, "To be honest, Rich, I didn't think we'd be getting the help we got, but it worked out for the best. Now 'Big Blue' will get to see you."

Daria realized what that meant. She turned to Paige and said, "This was a trap by Apocolypse. But who's helping him, and can we do anything right now?" She hated to think they were helpless, because they weren't there.

Daria hear Paige say, "Let's keep listening, but I'll call Emma and Sean." She watched as Paige ran over to the intercom and said, "Sean, Emma, you better get down here. Things just went wrong in a big way."

She then heard Emma's voice say, "Well be right down. Just keep listening, and try to find out where they are."

Daria heard it and kept the comm line on. She listend as Soundwave was saying, "You know, Rich, I don't understand what is going on. First he wants me to kill you, then not. It doesn't make sense."

Daria looked at Paige and said, "What is he saying?" It puzzled her. Everytime Soundwave attacked, he was trying to kill Rich, and now, it sounded different.

She watched as Paige walked over and listened as Soundwave said, "I know you can't hear me, but lately, I don't know what to think. I don't understand 'Big Blue', but I don't know if he's right or wrong now. I'm starting to think that ever since I met him, something has been wrong. I just hope I get a sign that tells me I'm making a mistake. You were one of the best friends I had."

Paige looked at her and said, "I don't know, but that sounds like Soundwave might switch sides. We better get a fix on where he is." Daria nodded and started to work on getting co-ordinates for the location.

Just as she was about to get the co-ordinates, static hit her ears and she lost the signal. Daria turned off the unit and said, "I think we lost them. Maybe where Soundwave took them had some sort of jamming signal. We should have tried earlier."

Daria saw Paige was about to say something when she heard Emma say in there minds, "We need everyone down in the war room. There is no time to lose."

When the summons ended, Paige just said, "We better get down there. I don't think this will be a big problem, but we better be ready just in case." Daria nodded and they both got up and headed down to the war room.

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VIII. Jono
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Jono watched as everyone entered the war room. He had been spending time in there, trying to figure out what to do in case this happened. Jono had figured it would be something he'd have to take part in when he and Paige joined the X-Men. The only problem was that Generation X never had to deal with someone like Apocolypse. They had handled Soundwave, but now they knew who was behind Soundwave. He was deep in this thought when he noticed the look on Paige's face. He started to worry more that he already was worrying. He looked at her and said, "What happened?"

He had a feeling what the answer would be, but it was Sean who answered the question. "It looks like Soundwave got Skitz and Penance. Unfortunately, we all know what this most likely means." Jono watched as everyone nodded.

He heard Jubilee say, "Apocalypse. Banshee, do you think we are ready for this?" It was the most important question that he had heard all day. Where they ready?

He then heard Emma say, "Ever since Skitz first mentioned this, we've been trying to be ready for this. I don't think Skitz can take this on himself, which is why it may be happening this way."

He then heard Clarice say, "I should have gone. If I had been able to go, I could have gotten them out of there."

Jono looked at her and said, "Blink, have you ever heard of Soundwave in your timeline? Even Mancer didn't know much about the Soundwave in his timeline." He had a feeling why Darrett picked that name, but wasn't totally sure.

He saw Darrett nod and say, "I was lucky. I didn't have to deal with him. However, he was very sadistic."

He then heard Everett say, "What was he like in your timeline, Blink?"

He watched as Clarice lowered her head and said, "He was dead. When Apocolypse attacked Rich's home town, Soundwave said that he had fled to England. Soundwave was loyal to his friends back then." That was almost unbelievable. Even from their brief encounters with Soundwave, he couldn't believe that Soundwave was loyal to Rich.

He then heard Paige say, "That make sense with what Daria and I heard. As he was taking Skitz and Penance back to the lair, he was talking like he would help Skitz."

He then heard Daria say, "But he said he needs a sign. Sounds like he's expecting divine intervention."

Jono then said, "Unfortunately, I don't think we can wait that long. We need to find out where they went, and who else is involved. Let's face facts. If Soundwave had called, they wouldn't have bolted out of here. It might have been a genuine call. Skin, Blink, Jubilee, and Mondo, head down to Skitz and Penance's apartment. The rest of you, get ready. We will have to leave right away after we find out who's helping Soundwave." He watched as the nodded and headed off.

As they all left the room, he heard Sean say, "Ye are doing well, Chamber. I'm sure you'll make a good X-Man."

Jono would have sighed, but he said, "I'm glad Paige and I made the cut, but leaving here in a month is short notice. When will we tell the others?" He didn't want to leave the friends he made here at the school, but he knew it was inevitahle. Every knew about the letter from England Rich and Yvette got. It looked like even those two would be leaving.

He heard Emma say, "We'll tell them after this mission. I have a feeling everyone will be here at that point." He didn't understand what Emma said, but maybe it had to do with a strange feeling he had. It felt like something happened on a psi-level, but he couldn't place it. He put it out of his mind for now. They had an attack to plan.

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IX. Angelo
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Angelo tried to stay calm about the whole situation, but he found it difficult to do so. He had a feeling that everything would be alright, but the feeling of dread still remained. The fact that one of the most dangerous mutants to ever exist was linked to this caused a fear to rise in all of them. This thought was almost in front of his mind as he heard Jubilee say, "We're at the apartment. I hope they left the door unlocked."

Angelo watched as Jubilee tired to open the door, only to fail. "Looks like they remembered to lock the door. Maybe Skitz doesn't want us to change our grades." He heard a slight chuckle from Jubilee, but that was it. The whole situation wasn't that funny.

He then heard Mondo say, "So how are we to get in. I can slide under ther door, and unlock it from the inside. Or..." Angelo looked to where Mondo was looking to see no one there. He had a feeling what happened.

His feeling was confirmed when the door openned and Clarice said, "We don't have time to waste trying to get in. We have to find out where they are." They all went in, and Angelo looked around. He didn't come down here that often, in fact, most of the Gen-X'er's didn't come down here that often. This was Skitz and Penance's home. Where they would go to be alone.

Angelo looked around, mainly looking for one thing. It was then he saw it. Grimore, Rich's cat, was resting right near the phone. The only odd thing was that the cat was looking at him. As Angelo looked at the cat, he could swear he saw someone thinking. He then noticed it. It wasn't the cat, but a blinking light on the machine by the phone. He just said, "I think we have a lead. There is a message on the phone." He walked over to it, just as everyone else did.

He heard Jubilee say, "This might be a clue. We might be able to find out where they went." He had to agree on that. He watched as Jubilee pushed the play button and heard the whole thing.

"Hello."

"Are you the wife of the Paladin?"

"This is she."

"There is a monster in our town. It's destroying everything our town holds dear. We need help, immediately."

"Where are you located, ma'am?"

"I don't know if you'll know our town name. We are about 50 miles north of Snow Valley, Massachucetts. I hope that is a help."

Angelo listend carefully. Both voices had sounded familiar. The second voice was the one who called, and it was a woman. As he thought about it, he heard Mondo say, "That could have been Soundwave disguising his voice."

It was a good thought, until Jubilee said, "No music. Soundwave needs music to do that. Besides, she had to somehow get the number here."

He thought about that for a moment, and said, "Not really. I mean, maybe that phone number is passed around in certain circles. But that voice is familiar."

Angelo heard Clarice say, "Was it Aura?" It was a good question, but not logical. Emplate wanted Rich alive, so he wouldn't help Soundwave and Apocalypse.

He then thought about all the enemies they encounterd, and remembered one person. Her voice had lulled him in, and then she got him. He realized who was helping Apocalypse and Soundwave. He looked at everyone and said, "It was Quinn. She's helping Apocalypse."

He then heard Mondo say, "If it is her, then Claudette is there, but why?"

It was a good question, and he heard Jubilee answer, "Oh no. Back when she helped Black Tom, we found out Tom had clones. Clones of him; clones of you, Mondo. What if he had a clone of Claudette there?"

Angelo realized what Jubilee might be getting at. "Claudette is trying to seperate herself from Monet. She might have gone to Apocolypse to get the mind seperation done. We better tell the others that we might be rescuing three people today." He watched as they all nodded and ran out of the room. Before he left he looked at Grimore and said, "Don't worry. We'll get your owners back." He was surprised when the cat nodded and then jumped to the floor. Angelo then ran out the door and closed it.