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Chapter 11

Spirits of the dead...Jadeite awakes!

As they prepare for the trip to California, the small gang watch as Luna approaches all of them. The crescent moon glowing upon her forehead, Luna reaches up and seemingly out of mid air pulls out what appears to be several wristwatches...or to the X-men what seem to be wristwatches.

Reaching once again she pulls out three of specific colors, she hands the red one to Raye, as she hands the two that are blue to Zoicite and Amy. The two young women are happy to have their stuff back as Zoicite along with the others looks confused.

"What are these...?"

"They are wrist communicators. It should enable you to contact those of us here back at the mansion, no matter where you are. That way we can help if need be. Zoicite, since you are going to act as a reassuring face for Jadeite, you still might have trouble finding him in the desert. Through yours you should be able to connect to Amy and her computer to help you locate him..."

"Thanks Luna..." The young man replies and the feline woman nods her head in pleasure. "Often have I wondered why I had two of those... Now I know."

"You have had two?" The two Senshi who have been wakened look at her curiously.

The human/cat nods her head and simply shrugs. "I could never remember why."

Turning around as she hears others calling for her with questions about the communicators, the ones who have become more active. Luna goes to explain it to them as the others, who go after Jadeite put them on as they get a brief explanation on how they work from the two young women.

After about fifteen minutes, and a small test run, Raye, Zoicite, Logan, Artemis, Kurt, and Eric, walk into the jet. Being as it was easier, for him and not for his dear friend, Eric will be doing most of the supervising on field missions from now on. As each Senshi and General awakes, he has helped them to remember and also to understand the situation that the Earth now faces. Also through his many connections, he is helping them to adjust to life again, from their slumber. Especially the Generals...it seems they will need his connections more.

What happened apparently was that it had been way to long since Zoicite had walked the Earth. There was much the young man didn't know about today's society, so in his spare time along with Jean, they have been tutoring the general in modern day things. It helped them both, though that this particular general was quick on the learning, and soon, he had understood, they things that they were showing him.

Watching as he converses with Amy who stands outside the door, the two smile and hug one another. They can all tell her nervousness, because they have heard what happened the last time that the generals were apart from the Senshi via Luna and Artemis. It had resulted in the destruction of several worlds. Still Raye as Mars, was coming along with the same thoughts that run through Amy's mind. To watch and hopefully protect the true generals from suffering the same fate as they had before.

As they lift off, Zoicite turns to wave goodbye...he smiles as Amy whispers something that even though he knows he can't hear what she said the look in her eyes says it all.

"I love you..."

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Several hours later, plus a couple of whacks...

Death Valley National Park, California...

Having arrived at their destination, the small group of mutants, generals and Senshi look around. Having left Kurt, who was unconscious again due to driving Mars up the wall as well as Artemis to act as an escape route on the plane, Magneto then looked to Zoicite who was talking with Amy and the Professor, via the communicator.

"Have you narrowed it down Amy?"

"Not yet, the Professor is currently working on it. But we have centered it to an area about a mile away from your current location. It seems there is a high influx of energy there and it is growing.

"Really?"

"Yes...I think it is probably Jadeite gathering energy, but he may not be realizing he is doing it."

"So we may have to fight him..." Raye whispered softly. Zoicite hearing her words looks to Wolverine who lays a hand on the young woman's shoulders.

"No...it isn't him..." The mutant growls as his claws go out. His senses going wild he takes point as the others remain alert. As they continue to walk, they still continue to be wary as they can almost see the hair literally on edge as they gaze at the older mutant.

Still their alertness has paid off, for about hundred yards in front of them lies a tomb that glows with a power. As they approach Wolverine is knocked from behind, as what seems to be a lion, stalks his prey...

"It can't be!" Mars screams. Already she begins to form her fire arrow, but she is stopped as Zoicite manifests his ice sword.

"Don't...I can help Wolverine...go after Jadeite..."

"But I can't leave you guys..."

Zoicite chuckles as he sees the need to move and get Jadeite be combined with her worry for the mutant who has become her friend as well as someone she could up to in so many ways. "Do not worry...with the others here we can stall Leo the lion here long enough for you to get Jadeite."

Raising an eyebrow as he had mentioned the creature's name, he shakes his head. "Another time perhaps...Amy and I will explain how I remember most everything now. But please go and get friend and comrade..."'

Nodding her head, the young woman launches one fire arrow that hits the lion square in the side, and immediately turns and runs towards the tomb. Reading the inscription for which she understands, somehow, she backs up as it begins to rise. As the doors open, she runs in and as an afterthought, she manifests an ofuda. With a simple chant, she places it on the entryway and as she turns back inside a barrier of fire appears where it stood...

Seeing how she has made a barrier of fire, to slow down the beast should they lose to this great lion, which has come from the stars. Zoicite turns and manifests his ice sword and leaps into the battle. The cat seeing the general heading towards him leaps away, and hisses as the young man offers a hand to the older mutant, who takes it although begrudgingly.

"It's name is Leo..."

"As in the stars right..."

"Yes...but it is of the stars."

Magneto looks at him strangely as if he struggles to remember something. All of a sudden a flash of a young woman looks at him... "Father..." Shaking his head, he turns away, for the young woman was different, from his daughter Wanda. She had hair near identical to his son Peitro's. It was long and a beautiful silvery white...

Still paying attention to what is at hand; he creates a force field around himself as the lion leaps...

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Inside the Sealing tomb of Spirits...

Mars looks around as she enters what appears to be a grand hall. Giving a little snort of derision, she mutters... "It figures...he always was one for grand shows of power..."

Walking through, she observes something odd. The hall splits two ways. One is like the hall grand and gaudy, and yet the other is not. It is simple and plain in appearance. But it is an elegant kind of plain... Confused as to which way to go, the fire Senshi, closes her eyes, and begins to try and sense the way she should go.

Twenty minutes have passed and she opens her eyes in frustration. "DAMMIT! Where is he..."

Looking each way, she is prepared to take the ridiculous path, yet she is hesitant. Somehow, without even realizing what she has done, she finds herself traveling down the simple and not so elaborate path. As she continues walking, she mutters a small curse, as she trips over something. Having landed on her knees, she looks behind her to find a small stone, and as she picks it up it seems to flare with life.

Taking it for good luck, the young fiery woman continues walking and eventually reaches her destination. A simple stone tomb rests within. Upon it's seal, a story is spoken. As she reads over it...it is their story...

Loved by she who is of fire

He is of Spirit

Known for his temper

He is calmed by the Prince

Tricked and betrayed into destroying both

Here lies General of Spirit...Jadeite...

May the one who loves him...

Set him Free...

"It's you Jadeite..." She whispers softly. Looking for someway to push it open, she uses all her strength to push and yet the top doesn't budge. Looking in frustration, she is startled as she detects the presence of someone watching her. Whirling, she is about to place an ofuda in the direction that it is coming from, when she hears it speak...

"Don't..." Replies the voice of a woman, and it is one that sounds familiar. "Don't my Senshi..."

"Queen Serenity?"

"Yes my Priestess of Fire...it is I. Here because of Jadeite I have some ability to communicate with you all. And needless to say I am proud of all of you girls and my daughter."

"Thank you..." The young woman cries as she bows her head in respect to the once live Queen.

"Mars there is no need to do that...to wake him up; you simply must find the key..."

"The key...?"

"Yes...there is a stone, one of a particular power that is directly related to Jadeite. Find it and place it where it belongs..." The once great woman replies softly as she begins to disappear.

"QUEEN SERENITY!"

"There is only so much power Jadeite can give me child. Do not worry there will come a time soon when all of you will need my help once again. And please be careful Mars...should he get to her or Prince Endymion..."

"Who..."

"Chaos..." Is the Queen's last words as she fades away... Working faster now as she tries to find this stone key around the seal, she hears the faint rumblings of a roar. It sounds like an animal that is in rage.

"Great...this is all I need."

Looking around frustrated, as she stares at the tomb she spies a key in the shape of something that she had tripped over earlier. Muttering something about throttling him when he wakes up, she searches her pockets and finds the stone that glows brightly. Placing it in the matching key hole...she watches as a series of chain reactions starts...

The coffin like seal begins to glow with an immense light that is warm and soothing to the fire Senshi. All around she begins to see shapes of those who have gone and those who are yet to come. As they seemingly work together, the stone tomb begins to open.

Hearing a murmur of something akin to a tired yawn, she watches as a definite hand appears from within and then another as it seems to aid, those moving the top. Backing away, a little bit out of fear, she watches as short blonde hair along with handsome features seem to shoot up from the coffin. Whirling to look at her, bluish grey eyes, and that teasing smile stare at her with recognition...

"My firebrand..."

"Jadeite, how many times do I have to tell you...DON'T CALL ME THAT! I AM NOT YOUR FIREBRAND!"

He smiles in laughter as he nimbly hops out. Unaware though of his long slumber, he almost collapses due to his body's lack of use. Rushing towards him, her hands throw an arm over her shoulder and she struggles to get him moving.

"You missed me..."

"No...I didn't..."

"Liar..." He replies in that same husky tone that she remembers. Not able to resist a shiver of pleasure, he squeezes her shoulder tightly and somehow he manages to place a soft kiss upon her cheek that causes her heart to pound furiously.

"I have missed you my firebrand..."

"I know..." She whispers. "But right now; we have to get you out of here and save the others. Somehow Leo is after us..."

"Leo the Lion?"

"Yes..."

"Allow me..."

Closing his eyes, the general of the spirits summoned those who have gone before. His body glowing with an aura of immense spiritual power, as Raye holds on to him. The souls of the dead rise up and search for the one who threatens the life of their master.

They search and find the lion trying to penetrate the barrier. Mentally gathering as one, the barrier breaks and drops into non-existence. Those who are above watch as the once fierce lion shrinks back in fear. As the souls of the damned surround it, Magneto sets up a soundproof magnetic shield. He doesn't understand why, but he does so around not only himself but a tired and bruised Zoicite and a hurt Wolverine.

Within it safe confines, they watch as the souls howl and a portal of swirling energy opens. As the lion fights its captors, it knows that its end is near as they seem to herd it towards the gate.

Watching from within, the others observe as Mars and the young man arrive, tiredly from the stairs. Letting him go for put a moment, they watch as the beast is sent with a single arrow of fire into the portal. Roaring, in agony as with the first inch in, dozens of hands seem to grasp onto it. Leo the lion is pulled in...never to be seen again...

Releasing the shield, the other two plus Mars and Jadeite look at him with confusion.

"How did you know that their sounds will drive a man mad...?" Jadeite asks tiredly.

"I honestly do not know..."

Leaving the confusion for the older man, to ponder, the others hang back as a greeting from a very old and dear friend approaches the General.

"How are you Ghost..."

"Only one guy has ever called me Ghost and despite being Mr. Know it all...he should know better..." Jadeite retorts with the hint of a smile. Pulling the tired and immensely delighted Zoicite in for a hug, the two share a pat on the back that relishes of old friends and dear comrades.

Letting go of him as Zoicite supports, she is about to go and check on Logan when she feels a pat on her bottom, that makes her freeze. Zoicite knowing, that his friend is about to get burned, walks away as fast as he can as the powerful general is about to get a taste of his own medicine from a Senshi of pure fire.

"YOU!" Mars starts shooting flame arrows at Jadeite and the general begins running. Both despite beliefs, have what appears to be smiles on their eyes, as when he stops he catches the fiery young woman in his embrace and proceeds to kiss her with fervor. Watching as one he thinks of as his little sister struggles, Logan resists the urge to beat the crap out of the general, but the soft sound of contentment as she surrenders, makes him smile.

"Things will be interesting indeed my friend..." Eric comments as he watches the general's hands wander a little lower and as a result gets whacked upside the head, by the young woman.

"PERVERT!"

Smiling with a gentle and serious look, he pulls the young woman, back to his side and the others here him softly...

"Only for you my firebrand...only for you..."

At a loss for the words, the young woman watches as the general turns and walks towards the jet, that is now within distance. The others following as Zoicite pulls along a flustered Mars.

"Glad he's back?"

"Very..."