Dark Zodiac Saga Pt. 3: The Kin of a Prophet and the Web Weaver (3 of 3)
Brazil
Exodus swung his word right into Duke's sword causing sparks to fly. Duke dipped quickly taking Exodus's feet out from under him with a sweeping kick. As Bennet fell he launched his sword straight into Duke's shoulder pinning him to the ground. Exodus's former knight grimaced, but didn't yell out from the pain. Duke wasn't going to show weakness in front of Exodus. He refused to break down.
As Exodus rose from the ground he said, "Why are you after me Duke? And why now? I don't believe you attacked me at this specific time for on apparent reason."
"Well, you would be right Exodus. Always the inquisitive one. Just like in the old days. Remember the reason you formed the Exiles? You though they had forgot about you huh? Nothing is ever that simple Bennet," Duke said finally pulling Exodus's sword out of this shoulder. Realization dawned upon Exodus.
"The aliens? I have made contact with them since Apocalypse captured me. How?" Exodus asked as he helped Duke to his feet. Blood flowed down from his shoulder to his wrist.
"When Wolverine fought the being known as the Destroyer, the dark being destroyed a galaxy. This galaxy happened to be the home of the aliens that hired you for form an army for them. Their entire civilization was destroyed, but their minds united as one. They became like a 'super ghost' and their only goal was to destroy you. So they sought me out," Duke said his wound starting to heal.
"I'm sorry Francis. This burden you now bear is because of my actions and me. For that I am truly sorry."
"Do not blame yourself Exodus. I willing became the aliens' tool because they were going to give me the one thing I've sought out for a very long time my friend. They were going to give me the sweet embrace of death. And they'll still give me that embrace if I destroy you," Duke said as picked his sword and Exodus's sword into his hands.
"You don't want to do this Duke. Trust me. Once you destroy me the aliens' will continue to use you as a slave. They won't ever give you what you want. They are not to be trusted," Exodus, said trying his hardest to reason with his friend. Bennet was not going to watch as possibly the last remnant of his old life fell into ruin. He refused to fail Francis like he had failed Domino, Colossus, and Sunfire.
"You trusted them Exodus, but I guess that does say a lot now doesn't it? Before I kill you though I have one question that has been bugging me. Why did you give into Apocalypse?"
"Because I was weak! I fail for his lies and promises much like have fallen for the aliens' promises and lies. Look at me! Because this is exactly what you will become if you continue down the road you're headed. My mistakes will be your mistakes if you don't stop this right now and fight for what's right," Exodus implored of Duke as he neared ever closer with his two swords. The simple fact Francis hesitated was enough for Exodus. That meant at least some of what he was saying was getting through to Duke.
"That's where you are wrong! I'm nothing like you Exodus! I will never be like you! I can't and I won't be like! You're the scum under my boot! Do you know what it is like to spend countless years searching for a friend? To try and find someone who could give you some anchor into your past? To try with your very best to not fall into madness at times? No you wouldn't know because while I searched and suffered you were in your chamber sleeping and when you finally came out there was nothing left of my friend that I knew so long ago. Then all my suffering and searching at that point became pointless. Pointless! I hate you for that," Duke yelled madly charging at Exodus with his two sword swinging. As Francis lifted up his swords for the killing blow he was struck in the head with a large rusty metal pipe.
Exodus saw that the source of the pipe was Fontanelle who had arisen from her unconscious state. She was not a happy camper. Bennet could see this all over her face. Gloria arose from the ground slowly dusting herself off as she said, "Who the heck is that bozo? That young buck oughta watch out where he swings those pigstickers."
"He's a friend Gloria," Exodus replied weakly as he took the two swords away from Duke. Bennet was debating whether to take Duke back with him, but he would probably be too much of a liability. He wasn't going to put his students at risk.
"Some friends you got Exodus. I'd hate to see someone that finds you vile. We'd probably have another Onslaught on our hands. So what us getting Jesus Exner?" Fontanelle asked. She was eager to get a new student into the fold since all of the ones back at base thought she was the weird old lady.
"Find him Gloria while I tie Duke up. I don't want him causing anymore trouble," Exodus said. For now that's all he could do. He wanted to help Francis, but taking him back to base was too dangerous. So for now he would simply leave him disabled for a bit and leave him to contemplate his own path.
Exiles Base"So why does this Jesus kid get a room all to himself?" Legolas asked complaining.
"Because everyone else is roomed with someone Derrick and besides once we get another student they'll be together," Exodus explained.
"So what exactly does this kid do? I hear he's another Storm," Gaia said propping her feet up on the round table. Exodus was giving the student's a briefing about their newest fellow mutant. Gaia had to sit through one of these for every single person in the room at the moment. She was the Exiles' sixth student, but the Neo, Barbican, killed all the first five. That scar still stayed with her till this day. It wasn't something she could forget. She saved Fontanelle and herself barely from the wrath of the Neo.
"In fact he's almost exactly like Storm except with more raw power at his fingertips. We have confirmed him as an Omega level mutant. The first one amongst our students after you Gaia. So consider yourself having competition," Exodus smiled.
"And we all know how Gaia takes competition. Look at her last encounter with Legolas," Vyper teased.
"Oh come on Cory! At least she doesn't get ticked over badly made pancakes," Megan exclaimed making Vyper's green scales turn a slightly darker shade.
Bennet smiled to himself at the progress his students were making. They were growing in their powers and their relationships with one another were beginning to solidify. They would be quite the powerful bunch given time. The only problem was Toxicwaste. He didn't seem to be connecting with anyone and his powers were growing to be unstable.
"I really don't have much else to talk about so you're all dismissed, except for you Alex. I would like to have a word with you."
Everyone eagerly jumped out from his or her seats while Alex remained behind. Exodus could tell by the expression on his face that he wasn't going to be happy with what he had to say, but someone had to say it. Or else Alex would hinder his program and he couldn't allow that.
Real Name: Jesus ExnerCode Name: Torrent
Abilities: Extensive control over the weather and the elements involved in it.
Age: 17
Ever rubbed his eyes as he finished the entry on Torrent. He was sleepy and he could have probably just fell asleep at the chair. The Morlock was still tired from his psionic workout, but he would get right back to it in the morning.
"You know Ever your commitment to training yourself has really inspired the students. And it has impressed me," Exodus said walking into the room. Ever smiled at Bennet. He considered Exodus almost like a father now and he looked up to him a great deal.
"Thanks Exodus. That means a lot coming from you. If only I could get through to Alex. He seems so distant."
"I finally got through to him. He's had a lot to bear on his shoulders. The child had a hurt in him that only a psionic meeting could heal in a quick amount of time."
Ever inquired, "What exactly did the kid have to deal with?"
"At first I thought it was his mutation, but the kid is strong. He's not even fazed by his mutation. He's adjusted to it better than most. Alex has a lot of hidden strength, but when those he loves are hurt he suffers greatly. All the anger built up within him was because of what happened to his sister. She was killed during a drive-by as was his mother. And Alex blamed himself because it was his rival gang that did the drive-by," Exodus explained.
"Two bullets ruined so many lives. How tragic indeed," Ever mumbled to himself.
"It was just one bullet my friend. His mother was pregnant with his sister," Exodus said as he walked out of the room.
Fontanelle inched slowly towards her bed feeling that something was present in the room. She searched through the darkness trying to find something that wasn't there and when her eyes befell her bed a little man about only 3 feet tall dressed like a wizard was there.
Fontanelle tried to let out a scream, but to no avail. Finally she managed to get out, "Who on Earth are you?"
The little wizard cloaked all in baby blue and with the long black hair and beard responded, "I'm your prophetic powers given form little lady. You can call me Tymer. Only you can see me so don't bother telling anybody."
"How did you happen?" Fontanelle asked confused and slightly scared at what her powers were capable of.
"No need for minor details. Lets just put it this way. Whenever you manage to alter the future through your prophecies I'll be here to let you know and oh I'll be popping up whenever you need me. Not necessarily when you want me, but when you need me," Tymer said tapping his brown staff on the ground three times for no apparent reason. Gloria found him to be a queer one.
And just like Tymer disappeared. Gloria didn't sleep the entire night. Thoughts of possible insanity, too much stress, and getting knocked on the head a little too hard flooded her mind the whole night.
HimalayasJudas Traveller walked against the howling cold wind. He could feel icicles beginning to form on his nose and the tips of his hair, but he wasn't going to back down. True power would soon be his once he found what he was looking for in these mountains.
"How sad? The Web Weaver seeks out power that is not his to have, but join me and I can promise you a great destiny old man."
"Who's there?" Judas Traveller called at the voice that seemed to come from every direction. Suddenly his body locked up and he found himself unable to move. Fear flooded his body as he hit the snow-packed ground.
"It is I traveler. I am Onset and soon you will be just another piece in my puzzle."
