Onset stepped forward gracefully into the center of the dimly lit chamber. The room smelt of strawberries and incense. She figured if she was going to keep around company she should at least make their noses comfortable. Exodus complained of the smell, but only to annoy her. That man was insistent on being a never-ending smart ass. It probably took away the sting of getting his ass kicked by her even though the combined Exiles and Tans nearly got the best of her. Them being so aggressive was a move Onset didn't see coming.
None of that mattered though. The end game was finally beginning. All that remained for her to do was to capture the Host of Power. She already had a sizeable group of powerful beings under her finger; Bloodscream, Magus, Exodus, Gaia, Sinister, Cortez, Slipstream, Trevor Chase, Judas Traveller, Mastermind, Astra, and Legion. They were hers to control and they were the rungs that would lead her to the ultimate godhood.
Looking up at the numerous prison bubbles surrounding her Onset smiled at the looks of dismay, confusion and concern on the faces of all those who she had taken hostage. Legion, Astra, and Mastermind still had no idea what was really going on. They were still disoriented from the Shi'ar resurrection spell. Seeing the negative emotion just flowing from their faces like a river made Onset want to laugh. That was the sadistic D'Ken in her.
"Why do you look so smug?" Gaia asked rudely. Onset only shrugged her shoulders and continued to pace around the chamber in circles. Her walk was extremely slow and her purple cloak billowed rapidly behind her as if guided by some unseen force. Gaia just wanted to get out of her bubble and beat the crap out of that woman. Of course last time she came close to tangoing with Onset her leader nearly died in the process.
Being in this situation with Exodus kinda gave her some relief though she hated to say it. After Onset had captured her she wasn't even sure if Exodus was still alive or not. Seeing him again at least gave her some that this woman wasn't totally unstoppable. From what du Paris had told her they had nearly got the best of Onset till she possessed Ever and used him to ambush the team. How dirty was that? Just cuz she was getting her behind handed to her she had to go and take over a fresh new body to fight with. How lame was that? Gaia knew that Ever must have been taking Exodus's capture pretty hard.
"We've got to go and take down Onset now! This woman is holding Exodus, Gaia, and a whole mess of other people. Yet, you want to sit here and wait. Am I getting this right?" Ever yelled slamming his yellow fist on the table. The shock of the fist reverberated through the table and shook Fontanelle's cup of coffee. A tiny bit of it spilled onto the table.
Gloria stared at the spilt coffee and looked up directly at Ever with crossed eyes. She rose up from her chair and grabbed her coffee cup by a few fingers. Then she fiercely flung it across the table hitting Ever square in the chest. The contents of the cup splashed all over Ever and the cup broke into three large pieces.
While Ever, Proteus, and Mutant Forger were still in shock over what had just occurred Fontanelle yelled infuriated, "What the hell do you want me to do Ever! HUH? What the hell do you want me to do, "What the hell do you want me to do Ever! HUH? What the hell do you want me to do? You want Onset's head? Fine I'll give you Onset's head!"
Slamming the door behind her as she walked out of the kitchen Fontanelle left behind an air of uncomfortable silence. Osman looked at the mess that was Ever at the moment and laughed. Then with a stern stare and a matching tone he told Ever exactly how he felt.
"You pushed her too hard and she finally pushed back Ever. I think she's about ready to have the same reaction with Onset though. Now that you've given her plenty of incentive."
The Morlock ignored Proteus's remarks and searched diligently for a napkin on the table. When he finally found one he wiped his face thoroughly. He knew he was going to have quite the smell on him. He could just hear Cory's pestering anytime now.
Fontanelle pushed open the room to her door with a quick thrust. She moved quickly across the cold floor and lay on her fluffy bed. The woman had a lot of stuff on her mind. She was going to soon have to lead a bunch of mutants into battle against a woman who thoroughly knocked the crap out of Exodus, arguably one of the most powerful mutants on the planet, kidnapped Sinister like it was nothing, and defeated the combined forces of the Exiles and the Tans. They were going to need something more if they were going to have a chance of defeating Exodus.
"You know we're ready don't you Gloria? The kids have been itching for battle," Plazm said walking quietly into Fontanelle's room. His voice was full of confidence and strength. He was different from the most of the other students because he was well advanced in years. He had once been a Hong Kong cop before the Tans screwed him over. That's why he didn't exactly like the idea of the Exiles joining forces with his former archrivals, but he dealt with it.
Sitting up in her bed Gloria rubbed her eyes and said in a hushed tone, "I know Plazm, but the last time I took the students into battle I failed them miserably. I'm not sure I can do it again. And what of Lifeguard? She's barely trained."
"Nothing could keep that girl from her brother. Trust me Gloria. They're ready and I'm ready," Plazm said closing the door to Fontanelle's room behind him.
Giving pep talks wasn't exactly her thing, but she knew that this was most definitely the time for one. Gloria was about to lead a bunch of inexperienced mutants into battle with a woman she wasn't even sure the Avengers could defeat. How were they supposed to survive this?
"Okay guys. I know this seems rough. Especially with the absence of three people from our team, but we've got to press on. We're going to save them and we're going to beat Onset. You all just have to trust yourselves and me. We've taught you a great deal and just apply those skills. If you do I can promise not only survival, but also victory. Now everybody meet back here in 10 minutes. Proteus is going to teleport us right to where Exodus is," Fontanelle explained.
Everyone in the crowd dispersed and Dayne let out a great sigh. She was glad to have that speech out of the way. Though the toughest part was yet to come. They were going to have to fight Onset head on.
"Don't you think we should get the Tans in on this?" Ever asked coming up behind Fontanelle.
Gloria shook her head, "Nope. I already told them they're to come in as a second wave if we fail. I'll be keeping a mental link with them so they'll be able to tell. If we go down the least we can do is soften Onset up some."
Ever laughed, "That's a positive way of looking at it."
"Keeps me from being insane," Fontanelle replied returning the laugh.
"Laughing in the face of danger huh?" Proteus asked as he walked up the platform steps to where Fontanelle and Ever were.
"Look at it this way Osman. I either laugh or I cry," Ever smirked as he walked away from his two teammates. He was headed to where Vyper and Harmony were talking. Most likely about what was to come.
"They're coming Demon Made True. They're coming with all they've got. And if they only knew they were delivering The Host of Power right into my hands. This is all going too well."
"If you honestly think you're going to win that easily Onset you're more depraved than I thought," Exodus spat.
Onset simply turned away from du Paris and made her way out of the chamber where she was holding all who were so important to her plans. Her plans to dominate all that is. And her domination would be soon. For how could a few measly children and their teachers stop her? Her power and knowledge spanned greater than any of them knew. For within her were the might of Onslaught, the cruelty of D'Ken, and the cunning of Lilandra. None would stand in her way. Not now! Not ever!
Fontanelle gathered the troops. The time of reckoning had come. Different emotions, different expressions, and different opinions all were awash in this gathering. None of that mattered now. All that mattered was freeing their friends, enemies, and possibly people they didn't even know. Onset had to be stopped. If she weren't stopped now who would be able to stop her later?
"Everybody prepare yourselves. We're going into the heart of the beast! Do your magic Proteus," Fontanelle commanded while looking at Osman. He nodded his head and closed his eyes. Warping reality itself he found where Exodus was and by using his powers once more he transported all of the Exiles to this location. The final battle was about to be joined.
There was a loud crashing sound as all of the Exiles appeared in the center of a gigantic room. All above them were the people Onset had kidnapped. They were trapped in bubble prisons that came in a variety of colors. There was only command for Gloria to give at the sight before them, "Get them all down from there!"
"Not so fast!"
A gigantic blast whizzed through the air taking out Toxicwaste, Legolas, and Harmony. The three of them were hurt, but they were still conscious at least. Suddenly the prison bubbles all evaporated like gas and Onset's prisoners fell to the ground one by one. Fontanelle got the sinking feeling something bad was about to happen.
Before Gloria could see the fruits of this feeling she was struck behind the back of her head. The swift blow had come from Onset. Mutant Forger erected TK shields around the rest of his teammates to insure physical attacks wouldn't be so potent. Onset threw back her head in laughter at Mutant Forger's measly attempt for some kind of defense.
"Bring The Host of Power to me my children! Bring me Proteus!"
The eyes of all those Onset had captured began to glow a bright amber color and they sprung on the Exiles. Mutant Forger knocked back Gaia, Slipstream, and Fabian Cortez into a wall with a swift telekinetic blast. All three mutants had been knocked out cold.
"Bad bad Forger. No more tricks from you!" Legion said as he invaded the mind of the mutant with his powerful psi abilities. Mutant Forger yelled out in pain as he was pounded with a psychic force the equivalent of boulder falling on your head. The mutant from another dimension hit the floor with a thud and blood trickled out of his ears.
Exodus saw this entire exchange and stopped dead in his tracks. He was entirely motionless. His amber eyes flickered now from a bright red back to their amber color. Bennet's eyes changed colors back and forth was almost a minute before the red became the dominant color. Exodus was in control of himself and he would make Onset pay for trying to use him. Just like Apocalypse used him.
Surrounding himself with TK energy Exodus flew straight into Legion knocking the mutant into the center of Onset's chamber where there was a red star painted into the ground. Legion hit that star head on and yelled out in pain as a blue stream of light came from his chest. Realizing what he just had done Exodus flew in trying to take Legion's hand and pull him away from the light. He failed and only managed to become engulfed in the light as well.
Onset saw the light coming from where the red star had been and cried out, "NOOO! The Soul Unraveled wasn't supposed to open the gate just yet. The energies are being lost. This cannot be! All will be destroyed."
Fontanelle rubbed the back of her neck as she rose from the ground to see the battle taking place before her. Vyper was busying trying to fight off Bloodscream and Proteus had used his abilities to turn Magus into a puddle. Now though he was caught in battle with another reality warper, Trevor Chase. Plazm was doing the best he could against the illusions of Mastermind. She was about to go and help him when she punched in the kidney by the woman known as Astra.
"Die you old hag!" Astra screamed as she punched Fontanelle in the stomach. Gloria wheezed and kicked out Astra's feet from under her. The woman hit the ground hard and you could hear something crack.
Dayne bent over to deliver a punch to Astra, but time seemed to slow down all around her. When Fontanelle looked around everything had stopped moving. She could see Sinister choking the life out of Lifeguard and she saw Legolas up and on his feet again. She could see the spit coming from Proteus's gritted teeth as he struggled against Trevor Chase.
"Stop looking around Fontanelle and listen! This is Tymer. You have to end all this. The fate of the world depends upon you!"
"And how the hell am I supposed to save the world!" Fontanelle muttered grimly. The situation looked hopeless. How could she ever defeat Onset?
"You can't defeat Onset! That's not how you save the world though. See Astra on the floor there? Just as the Soul Unraveled can open the gate only the Torn Queen can close the gate. You and her must go into the light and close that gate."
"And what about Onset? Do we just let her walk away?" Fontanelle asked her voice beginning to pick up in tone.
"Yes. We have no choice. Do as I say and end this!"
Time began to speed up around Fontanelle and she knew what she had. Gloria reached down and wrapped both of her heads tightly around Astra's hair. She began to drag the woman across the stony gray floor. Astra's skin began to burn from the friction and became raw. She clawed at Fontanelle's hands but to no avail. Fontanelle laughed weakly at Astra's attempts to escape her and looking back the blue light Exodus and Legion were trapped in was in clear sight.
"This ends now!" Fontanelle yelled as she threw herself into the blue light and Astra with her. There was a loud explosion that knocked everyone to the ground and the room was filled with smoke. Onset was the only left standing.
"All my beautiful plans gone to ruin! All gone now, but alas I will rebuild. Ta ta for now little mutants!"
With that Onset left with a flash of brilliant red light. Slowly all the smoke in the room began to dissipate and everyone saw the effects of what had just happened.
Mastermind, Legion, and Fontanelle were gone. On the floor Astra was wearing the all white uniform of Fontanelle. Exodus was now wearing, probably to the dismay of many, the armor he wore when he was the Horsemen of War. In his right hand was the red sword that had struck down many. His maroon colored cape covered his body that was laying face first on the floor.
Trevor Chase, or what looked to be Trevor, was on the floor next to an unconscious Proteus. The only difference was this Trevor looked to be 18 years old.
Exodus was the first to rise from the ground and looking around he said, "What a bitter victory! For I feel we have barely won at all."
Epilogue
Exodus walked forward and stood looking out into the desert night. Bennet felt different now. Nothing could be the same anymore. Things were different now. Things could never be the same. Onset had failed, but she was far from defeated.
Legolas walked up behind Exodus cautiously and was about to tap him on the shoulder when his leader said, "No need for that Legolas. I know you are there. Does Trevor like his new accommodations?"
Walking up next to Exodus the mutant student replied, "Yeah he's liking it so far. What about Fontanelle? How's she coping?"
"Another subject for another time. You're not quite ready to handle that revelation yet, but there is a different revelation I think you're ready to hear about. Are you ready?" Exodus asked looking right into the eyes of the young man. His red eyes tore through Legolas like a bullet through paper.
"Yes I'm ready Exodus. Tell me," Legolas replied.
"The Child of Onslaught is coming and Ever was right to tell you that you will play a great part in defeating it. I'm going to make you official leader of all the students. You will command them. They will follow your leadership when it comes time to fight the Child of Onslaught," Exodus explained.
With a sigh Legolas kicked at the sand, "I don't think I'm…"
"You're more than ready. I know all about your alcoholism Derrick. True it's an obstacle, but I wouldn't have chosen you in the first place if I didn't think you could overcome it. I know you can and you will," Exodus said sternly. Those glaring eyes made Legolas want to crumble away and melt. Exodus was the only one who could ever make him feel like that.
"Isn't the Child of Onslaught, Onset?" Legolas asked confusion suddenly entering his mind. The wind blew by and caused the two men's hair to wave in the air slightly.
Exodus laughed gently as if he had been told a joke that in truth really wasn't all that funny. Du Paris stared off into the stars and said, "It's out there Legolas. It's out there. The Child of Onslaught isn't Onset. It's something else and it's coming with an army. I know this because I've seen it. When I was trapped in that energy with Legion I saw it. And it's coming with all great speed."
Legolas began to stare up at the stars with Exodus feeling an overwhelming and incredible sense of dread filling him totally.
Author's Notes
I'm finally done with this Dark Zodiac Saga. It's taken me for so long, but it was a joy to do. I've enjoyed working with all the characters in the story and boy it's been a ride. Working on this story was a total labor of love and to think it was all born from watching the movie "Thirteen Ghosts". Who would have thought? The tiniest of inspirations can lead to the biggest of stories.
