Xavier Institute
Early Evening
Wolverine's fierce snarl echoed off the Danger Room walls, his claws slicing down his would-be assailant in seconds. It was the fifth run of this exercise and he was getting bored.
"Ok, Wolverine. How about we run that exercise again, but this time no claws."
Wolverine glanced up at the control turret, giving Cyclops a mock salute. It had been Scooter's idea to run a new stream of training programs for the fall semester.
After a few more rounds of "Wolverine kicks the Danger Room's Ass", Scott decided to call it a day. "That should be enough to get us started," he said. The lights flickered back on and he nodded down to Wolverine. "Thanks for the help."
"Uh, hey, Slim. Could I get a word." Wolverine asked, rubbing his hand along the back of his neck.
"Sure. Be right down." Cyclops snapped off the mic, jotting a few notes on his yellow pad before heading to the main floor of the training facility. When the doors hissed open he asked, "What can I do for you?"
"Ok, here's the thing." Wolverine began pacing, his stance slightly aggressive in his agitation. "I ain't never been one fer makin' friends. Fact is I don't like too many people."
"You don't say." Came Scott's dry reply.
Wolverine glowered at him. "Anyway," he enunciated. "I may not like you, but I respect you. What you do for the team. You're a stand up guy."
Cyclops looked flabbergasted. "What?"
"I ain't repeating that. Fact is I'll deny it if ya ever tell anyone I said it. The point I'm trying to get to here is that I'd like ya t' stand up with me tomorrow." There he'd said it.
Cyclops blinked behind his ruby visor. "You want me to be your best man?" He was incredulous.
Wolverine snarled a bit. "Yeah."
Scott looked like he didn't know what to say. Wolverine stopped pacing, giving the X-man a solid stare. "I didn't understand before," he said to Scott. "What it was like to love someone the way ya love Jeannie. But I get it now. And I'm…well, hell. I'm sorry fer any pain I caused ya."
"Stop. You're gonna make me cry." Scott muttered, but he smiled. "If you want me to be your best man, then you've got it." Cyclops was surprised when Wolverine actually looked relieved.
"Good. Now let's go get a beer."
The Greenhouse
Ororo placed the small African Violet bulb she had been holding into the shallow hole she had dug in the dark soil, patting it down, covering it up and giving it a brief sprinkle from the palm of her hand. She wiped the dirt from her hands on the faded yellow towel she carried in the back pocket of her faded jeans, rising to her feet. She'd been spending a lot of time in her greenhouse the past week or so, relaxing and unwinding. Being around her plants was always soothing. She craned her neck, loosening the crick that had formed there. Ororo needed this calming presence, she was a bundle of nervous energy, thinking of tomorrow evening's event. Oh, blessed Goddess, it was really happening!
Just thinking about it made her heart hammer in her chest. She wasn't nervous so much as anxious. They were meant to be, she knew. She'd loved Logan for so long she couldn't remember ever not loving him. He was raw and powerful and dark and dangerous and loving and generous and surprisingly tender. Unconsciously her hand crept to her heart, her thoughts turning to the previous night. They had made love down by the lake, on the very spot they has shared their first real kiss. A slow sensual smile lit her face. The things that man did to her…
"Stormy? You in dere?"
"On my way out, Gambit." Ororo snapped out of her daydream. She stepped through the plastic flap guarding the greenhouse. "Hello."
"Evn'in, padnat."
"Remy. What mischief are you up to this evening?"
"Was t'inkin' of takin' da Wolverine out fer a night on da town. Thought I'd check wit' you first." Gambit said, lighting the cigarette dangling from his lips.
Ororo thought for a moment. A night out would be good for Logan, as well as helping to rebuild the fragile friendship between him and Gambit. "I think that is a wonderful idea. You should see if Peter and Scott want to go."
Gambit grinned. "Already done, chere. Alex is meeting us at Harry's wit' Iceman. Nightcrawler and Beast should be arriving home any minute, called dem dis morning'."
"Charles?"
Gambit laughed "Non, de Professor not be back 'til morning, chere."
"Hmm. Looks like you have everything all planned. You were going to go with or without my permission," she teased.
Gambit winked. "Have no fear. I know who gonna wear da pants in yer relationship, padnat."
"Go on." Storm shooed him away, swatting him with her rolled up towel. "Try and behave."
"I make no promises," he called over his shoulder as he sprinted quick as a cat towards the mansion, Ororo's warm laughter following him.
Two Hours Later
"Are ya sure, darlin'?" Logan asked, shrugging on his well worn leather jacket, breathing deeply, catching Ororo's left over scent from their early morning motorcycle ride. "I don't have ta go out. I'd be just fine staying here with you."
"No, go." Ororo encouraged. "This is your last night as a free man, Logan. You should enjoy it." Her smile was teasing and loving at the same time. Logan couldn't get over how lucky he was. She was his. Only his. And tomorrow the whole world would know it. He grinned at that.
"Stay out of trouble." Jean warned, coming down the stairs with Scott, their arms linked. They were trailed by Rogue and Kitty.
Apparently Ororo and Logan's upcoming nuptials had rekindled whatever flame had waned in Jean and Scott's marriage, as Scott and Jean seemed inseparable, and far more affectionate than they had been in recent months.
"As I said t' Stormy. We'll try, but no promises." Gambit gave Ororo a wink, and she rolled her eyes at his repeated use of that horrid nickname.
"What are you girls gonna do?" Logan asked as they walked to the driveway.
One corner of Ororo's mouth turned up. "Oh, we shall think of something."
"Should I be worried?" Logan grumbled teasingly.
"Absolutely." Ororo returned mock serious.
"Witch." Logan kissed her tenderly, running his thumb across her chin.
"You boys have fun!" Jean called.
Logan was sliding into the driver's seat of one of the black Hummers when he heard Ororo softly say, "I love you." He turned to respond but she was not there, in fact the girls were all heading back into the mansion, Jean waving. Huh.
Harry's
"I'd like to make a toast." Bobby said, voice slightly slurred from the previous five drinks he'd had. "To Storm! Marrying Wolverine and proving she is the bravest woman in the world!"
"Hear-Hear." Followed by a round of raucous laughter. They'd been at Harry's for a little over two hours, drinking and talking, overall having a good time, Wolverine thought a little surprised by that fact.
"Are you nervous, mein freund?" Kurt Wagner asked, talking a sip of his water, an avid non-drinker. He had once told them: friends don't let friends 'bamf' drunk.
"Nah. What's 'e got ta be nervous about, henh? He's only marrying one of de most powerful, beautiful and intelligent mutants on da planet, who, if 'e ever fucks up, will no doubt char 'im to a blackened crisp. No worries, eh?"
"Thanks, Gumbo." Wolverine growled, but there was a hint of humor in it.
Gambit shrugged, taking a drink of his beer. He grimaced. "Bobby, can ya do something about dis piss warm brew?" He held the bottle out to the younger man.
"Sure." Bobby grabbed a hold, turning the entire bottle into a chunk of ice. "Oops."
"Okay, somebody cut him off." Scott said, laughing.
"Nonono. I'm fine." Bobby said, tilting a little towards Alex. "Hey, how's Lorna?" This earned him a poke in the forehead from Alex Summers, Scott's younger brother, sending Bobby tilting in the other direction.
"Rookie." Wolverine said, slamming back another shot. How many was that? He'd lost count, not that it mattered, his healing factor kept him from feeling the effects of too much alcohol.
"I wonder what our superlative women are up to?" Beast said, pouring warm cheddar on to his nachos.
"They're probably watching some sappy, romantic, chick flick." Said Scott.
Xavier institute
"Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!" The girls chanted as Ororo downed the bottle of champagne. She laughed, sending bubbles up her nose.
"Whoo!" They cheered as she thumped the bottle onto the table, wiping her hand across the back of her mouth.
"Okay, your turn Jean. Truth or dare." Kitty said, holding a deck of cards from her board game of the same name. She took a drink of her daiquiri, waiting for Jean to reply.
"Uh, truth."
"Coward." Ororo smiled at her best friend, her maid of honor.
"Ok. Here's a good one. If you were not married to Scott, who would you want sleep with?"
Jean froze. She stared at Kitty for a moment, before clearing her throat. "I, uh, would only ever want to be with Scott." She said lamely.
"Liar." Betsy said, sipping her margarita. She and Warren had returned with Hank and Kurt for tomorrow's ceremony.
Jean glanced at Storm, who had one eyebrow raised, her lips quirked in a knowing smile. "Oh, all right. Wolverine. Happy now?"
Instead of being upset Ororo laughed. "I can not fault your choice," she said teasingly. "He is extraordinarily good in bed."
This got some attention. "Do tell," Rogue said, leaning forward. She was always curious about the physical side of relationships.
"Yes, spill." Said Betsy over the rim of her glass.
"Ewww." Kitty poked out her tongue. Then she remembered seeing Logan meditating in the woods once, naked and relaxed. Blushing she said, "Well, maybe just a little information."
Ororo groaned, laughing at their eager expressions. "No, I do not think so."
"Aww, come on. This is need tah know information."
Ororo shook her head, still laughing.
"Well, if the thunderstorms and hail and snow and flash floods are any indication…" Jean trailed off, grinning mischievously.
"You are terrible." Ororo tossed an ice cube at her friend. "I do not see you volunteering any information on Scott's bedroom performance."
"No one asked me to."
"Ok. How's Scott in the sack?" Kitty asked.
Jean looked at her. "How's Peter?"
Kitty blushed. "We haven't gotten there yet. He gets all worked up and then clang!" She made an expressive gesture with her hands. "He's all silver and steel."
Ororo blinked, then laughed so hard she got a cramp in her side.
"Hey, that's not funny!" Kitty giggled swatting her in the arm.
"Ok, now spill," Betsy said again when the giggles had subsided.
Harry's
"Yeah, spill it man." Alex said, handing their waitress his empty bottle, grabbing a fresh one from her tray. "How'd you propose? Was it all romantic with candles, or was it spur of the moment?"
Wolverine shook his head. "I just asked her. She said yes."
"Why do I think there's more to it than that?"
"You should see the ring." Scott added.
"Nice?"
"Nice. Just be hopeful Lorna never sees it. Thankfully I had bought Jean's years ago, so no worries about trying to compete with that rock."
"Aww, is Wolverine a romantic?" Bobby teased pinching Logan's cheek.
SNIKT- Under the table Logan pressed the tips of his claws into the other man's soft stomach. "Your point?"
"N-no point." Bobby slid closer to Scott.
"I t'ink da Wolverine be a little sensitive when it come to Stormy, non?" Gambit swirled his beer in the bottle.
Wolverine grunted, but said nothing. Suddenly he raised his head as a group of men sauntered in through the door. They were all fairly large, burly and looking for a fight. He could smell it oozing off of them. He grinned.
"Uh-oh. Wolverine's smiling." Beast said, knowing that smile was a clear indicator of trouble to follow.
No sooner has the words left his mouth than a large shadow fell over the table.
"Hey, pretty boy, wanna dance." The comment was directed at Gambit.
"Sorry, homme, your not Gambit's type." Remy replied, lazily swirling his beer again.
"You don't remember me, do you?" The large man asked angrily.
"Should I?"
"We played poker last week." The man grumbled. His three friends nodded behind him, their faces all sporting beefy scowls.
"Should know not t' play wit' yer betters," Gambit said idly.
"Why you dirty-- You cost me three thousand dollars!" One large fist slammed into the center of the table, the large man leaning over grabbing Gambit's shirt.
"Now it's a party," Wolverine said with a satisfied snarl, rising to his feet.
Xavier Institute
Something had awakened her. Ororo turned, looking with bleary eyes at the clock on her nightstand: 1:30 am. She smiled. It was her wedding day! She and the others had turned in only about a half an hour ago, all still giggling helplessly, but deciding to rest before the big day. She could still see there shocked faces as she described some of the things Logan had done to her. She blushed profusely, wondering what had made her share such intimate details. She laughed softly into her pillow.
A movement caught the corner of her eye. She turned, saying softly, "Logan? Is that you?"
A dark shape moved forward and Logan's fierce profile came into view, illuminated by the soft illumination provided from moonbeams filtering in from the sky light.
"Hello there." Ororo smiled warmly. "I thought you were going to sleep in your room tonight." Logan had suggested it, surprising her with the tradition of not seeing the bride before the ceremony.
He said nothing, stalking towards her slowly. A sensation of fear ran through her body. There was something amiss, she thought, her head fuzzy from too much wine, she was never afraid of Logan, not even hen he was full on Wolverine. She levered herself up on her arms, suddenly very conscious of her nudity as the dark gaze flicked over her.
"Wolverine?" she repeated.
Still no response, but she sensed a growing tension in the air.
She sat up, rubbing her hand over her eyes, trying desperately to clear her head. "Answer me, Wolverine." she demanded.
"Sat-ne a'nekh." Came his hissed reply.
Ororo bolted from the bed, scrambling for her robe. All along the walls the shadows moved, hissing. From one of the other bedrooms a terrible scream rent the night air.
Storm tried to focus, her head reeling from the amount of alcohol she had consumed. Stupid, stupid, stupid, she told herself. She wrapped her robe around her body, knotting the belt while keeping an eye on the Wolverine figure moving towards her. She flung her bedside lamp at his head, wincing as it struck, breaking but not deterring him from coming towards her. She knew without doubt that this thing was not Logan. Whatever it was simply looked like him.
Another scream tore through the night, and the shadows on the wall hissed with pleasure. Goddess! They had infested the mansion!
Storm lunged for the door but was struck from behind, hands wrapping around her waist, driving her to the floor. She grunted with the solid impact against the floorboards. She tasted blood and knew her mouth was split open, but she also knew she had no time to dwell on such a superficial injury. She tried to roll away, but the mock-Wolverine held her down, one of its severely cold hands sliding under her robe, along her thigh causing her to cry out in rage and fear.
"Sat-ne a'nekh." It repeated, its tainted breath making her gag. She managed to roll so that she was now facing the creature, her knee raising, driving into where there should have been tender organs, only to hit nothing so vital.
There was the sound of bones crunching and Ororo watched in morbid fascination as the shadowed figure bulged and cracked, its features shifting into those of a reptilian humanoid, its forked tongue flicking out of its fanged mouth. "You will not be the end of usss, mortal witch. We will use you to bring usss our triumph!" Inky black tentacles exploded from its chest.
Harry's
The group of male X-men were standing outside the bar, winding down from their brief skirmish with the four burly men that thought to teach Gambit a lesson when Logan's head shot up. He sniffed the air, but caught nothing unusual.
"What is it?" Gambit asked catching the movement.
"Don't know. Something just don't feel right."
"Paranoid much?" Bobby laughed drunkenly.
Before Wolverine could respond Scott dropped to his knees, hands on his head screaming, "Jean!" He grabbed Wolverine's arm, panting, "They're at the mansion."
Logan didn't need to ask what Scott meant, he knew. "What the fuck are we waiting for!" He demanded racing for their Hummer.
Xavier Institute
The tentacles were squeezing her, one slithering its way around her neck. The disjointed figure straddling her was smiling, its movement jolty, the flesh of its face peeled back, revealing long fangs, dripping saliva. Or at least she hoped it was saliva.
Ororo tried to summon wind from the open windows to blow the creature off of her. Nothing happened.
"Foolish, witch, do you not remember how easy it is for me to block your pathetic mutant powers. I am Adramalech, an ancient! One of the Ageless! You can not fight me!"
Ororo stiffened. She knew that voice, it was the dark figure that had lead her and Gambit into the ambush set up by Sabertooth and Mystique. On a subconscious level she knew that this was the demon responsible for everything, and was probably the most powerful Daemonite sorcerer she would face.
"I have learned a trick or two," Ororo grunted, she focused on an image in her mind then shouted, "Khet!" Fire! Instantly flames shot up over the monster holding her down, he fell away screeching. Just as she thought, they could block her mutant powers, but not her sorceress ones.
Rising Ororo said, "My pathetic powers just turned your face into charcoal."
"Bitch." Once again Adramalech stood, tentacles flying from his fingertips.Storm struggled against the unyielding force of the dark feelers wrapping around her. Their oily scales cold and clammy around her throat, smaller feelers branching off imbedding in her skin, liquefying and spreading throughout her bloodstream. Her mouth opened in a silent scream of agony, the feeling of these things writhing under her skin was excruciating. With sudden terrifying realization Ororo knew that the X-men had been right and wrong all a the same time.
The Daemonites wanted her to open the portal, yes, but they didn't want her to do it on her own, they wanted to posses her. They wanted to control her. She fell to her knees, struggling against the feeling that her body was being eating alive from the inside out. Dimly she was aware of her bedroom door bursting open and Betsy Braddock leaping forward, driving her psi-blade into Ororo's skull.
The Daemonite recoiled, pulling his feelers from Ororo's body. "Sorry about that, Storm," Betsy said pulling her to her feet.
"Not a problem." Storm responded. She glared across the room, eyes glowing white. Betsy's blade effectively severed any control the Daemonite had over her powers. "I suggest you back up," she said to Betsy. The air crackled with electricity.
"They're everywhere!" Kitty was screaming, phasing through the floor. Betsy grabbed her hand saying, "Take us out!" Giving Storm the opening she needed as they disappeared again.
The Daemonite looked taken aback, but before she could strike he shrank away from her, absorbed by the shadows.
"Oh my stars and garters!" Beast exclaimed as the Institute came into view. The men all rushed from the vehicle, Wolverine leading the way.
It was a scene straight out of an H.P. Lovecraft story. Winged reptilian creatures were swooping overhead, living shadows crawling along the ground, making their way up the sides of the mansion, several students were racing around frantically and several others were lying, unmoving on the ground. Overhead dark clouds swirled, and thunder growled like a living entity.
From the dark caldron overhead a bolt of lightening flashed, slamming into the Institute through Storm's loft. Heavy rain fell.
"Scott!" Jean screamed, racing from the front doors and throwing herself into his arms. "We have to get the students to the Danger Room!"
"Why the Danger Room?"
"Storm thinks that would be the safest place. It's run by a generator, so all the lights can be kept on. No shadows. And the doors can be sealed."
"Where is she Jeannie?" Wolverine demanded, claws extended.
Jean pointed to the flaming top of the Institute. From the hole punched in her room Ororo had flown up into the sky, deciding to bring the battle outdoors, leading the Daemonites away from the children.
"You want me," she had taunted. "Come and get me."
Wolverine looked up, spotting her instantly, her white hair flying around her head. He heard her over the roar of the wind, calling forth the elements that were hers alone to control, her voice pure and true. He ran towards the mansion at preternatural speed, teeth bared, slicing through anything that stepped in his path.
Wolverine looked up, his senses on full alert, as a winged creature plunged from the sky plowing into him, driving him to the ground. Large talons sinking into his ribcage.
"We meet again."
Wolverine was on his feet in half a second, growling low and deep.
"The name's Kerrok, if you don't remember."
Wolverine wasted no time on words, instead lunging, crouching low, swinging up and slicing Kerrok open from stem to stern. The monstrous creature opened its mouth disbelieving, releasing a stream of black liquid from its scaly lips. Wolverine growled, "Yer in my way," kicking the Daemon soldier aside. Nothing was going to keep him from 'Ro.
As if sensing his presence Ororo looked down at him from her position in the air. "No!" she ordered, lowering herself to stand in front of him, every inch the commanding Storm. "Help Jean and Cyclops get the children to safety!"
"I ain't leavin' ya, 'Ro!" He hollered back.
She stepped towards him, opening her mouth to say something else when a black tentacle snapped out of the shadows, pulling Wolverine away from her, choking him.
"Wolverine!" her eyes flashed. She needn't have worried. He sliced through the thin strip around his neck before his name was completely out of her mouth.
He smirked. "Worried?"
"No." she lied. He reached her side, pulling her against him, kissing her. She kissed him back. They stood that way for a long minute, chaos and destruction all around them, but they were together and that was all that mattered.
"Love ya," he said.
"I love you," she whispered.
"Storm, Warren is down!" Came Psylock's cry, breaking them apart.
"I can't find Peter!" She heard Kitty scream.
Jean! Storm mentally called, trying to focus despite the screaming.
Here.
How are you fairing?
Not good, Storm. There are so many of them!
The children?
Sealing the doors now!
Storm took a look around, heart heavy. The entire mansion was crawling with living shadows, every member of the X-men engaged in battle with warriors and sorcerers from hell, fighting hard, but they were losing. Storm wanted to scream in frustration. She should have seen this coming, should have been more prepared. But for some reason it never occurred to her that the Daemonites would strike here, at their home. After all, they had tried to lure her away from it more than once. Her oversight was costing people their lives and I tore at her heart.
"Not your fault, darlin'." Logan said, reading her like a book.
"Oh, but it isss her fault." A familiar, icy voice said. Adramalech's dark form appeared from the shadows on the ground, directly underneath Wolverine, his scaly hands capturing Wolverine around the throat.
"Let him go!" She demanded. Images from her Phoenix dream flashed through her mind. No! Oh, please, no!
"I don't think so, sa-ne a'nekh. How much does he mean to you?" Long fingers stretched, digging into flesh, crimson streaks sliding down Wolverine's skin. Wolverine convulsed, his mouth opened as he roared. Storm saw small leach like organisms crawling over and under his skin.
"Let. Him. Go." She stepped forward, the Daemonite's grip tightened. His other clawed hand made it's way to the opening of Wolverine's shirt, directly over his heart. Storm tensed.
"It beats so strong, sssooo steady. For you."
Storm screamed as the tips of the demon's fingers sunk into Wolverine's chest "Kitty!" Her voice echoed.
"On it!" Kitty appeared from behind the demon, hands closing on Wolverine's arm, phasing him out of the demon's grasp, down through the ground.
Once Logan was safely away Storm smiled. Actually smiled at Adramalech, her eyes glowing white in the dark. "Make peace with your Gods, little man!" Ororo's voice was like living thunder, lightening discharging from her hands, striking the Daemonite directly in the chest, sending him soaring through the air. Before the creature had even hit the ground Ororo's eyes flashed, then swirled, their milky whites swirling in her rage.
"Yesss," Adramalech hissed. "Feel your hate, feel your rage…become like usss."
Storm drew back. "No! I am nothing like you, worm!" She called forth subzero winds, sending them howling around Adramalech. "I am an X-Man!"
Andamalech wailed in the cold. Storm was relentless.
Jean!
Yes, Storm?
Logan?
Wounded, but fighting. We're behind the mansion now. Surrounded.
Take care of him, Jean.
Storm breathed a deep sigh of relief that Wolverine was alive, she had been uncertain as to what those leaches could do. Her relief was short lived as Andamalech let loose a string of chanted words that propelled her forward until she was in his grasp, his black eyes glaring down at her. "Feeeeeel." He pressed the palm of his ice covered hand to her forehead. "Sssseeeee."
Storm fell to the ground on all fours with a hoarse cry. The screams and cries of her fellow X-Men echoing all around her as the seemingly endless swarm of shadow demons attacked. They were losing, she knew. The X-Men were going to fall. In that moment as Andamalech held her she had seen and felt everything the Daemonites had done and were going to do. Everything. And she knew…she knew how it all would end. "Forgive me," she whispered, eyes filling black.