Outcasts and Invaders (1 of 4)

The woods had a low laying mist covering the area as Exodus walked through it. Only coming up to about his knees the mist was not at all noticeable unless one looked down and realized just how thick this mist was. It was like the mist they used in the haunted houses to scare little children. Exodus felt no fear as he walked through these dark woods though. The only thing the leader of the Exiles felt was apprehension. Something was waiting for him in these woods. He couldn't be sure what, but he knew something was waiting. And whatever it was it made Bennet's stomach knot up.

"This does not feel right," the former Horsemen of War murmured to himself, but nonetheless he continued to make his way through the woods towards some destination that was only known to his subconscious mind. Owls had hooted and crickets called out to the trees when Du Paris first entered these woods, but now none of nature's sounds made their way to Exodus's ears. This made him weary of continuing; yet it was as if a force had taken hold of his legs and made him walk.

Come to me Exodus. Show me what lies within you. Show me what you hide behind that mask.

"Who are you? What do you want with me?" Exodus asked as he stopped walking and looked around him. It wasn't until that point when Bennet realized just how dark this forest truly was. He could barely pick out the trees and then suddenly a powerful gust of wind seemed to rattle the entire forest.

I'm darkness and you are my prey!

Black tentacles rose up from the ground and wrapped themselves around Exodus's body. He struggled against the tentacles, but it was all in vain. He couldn't break free and when he tried to unleash his telekinesis he found himself unable to. Slowly the tentacles made their way up Exodus's chest and neared ever closer to his nose.

"Stop this! Stop it now!" Exodus yelled as he leaped out of his bed sweating profusely. Bennet pulled back the covers that were over his naked body. Rising up out of the bed he reached down and put on a pair of pajama pants Blink and Polaris had bought him while on one of their shopping binges. Slowly he glided along the floor to the bathroom that was connected to his own.

Using his telekinesis he felt out the light switch and flicked it on. As Exodus walked into the bathroom, he stared into the mirror and saw a face that was dripping with sweat. Taking one hand he wiped his face and would have looked a bit drier if not for the fact his hair was wet as well.

The same dream had been plaguing Exodus for a week now. Every night it was the same thing. That black forest, and those dark tentacles tortured him every time he slept. The former knight didn't know what to make of these awful dreams and he had no idea how to make them stop. If Star Prophet was still around he would have had her examine his dreams, but unfortunately she left after the immense battle against the forces of Ramses Xavier.

Besides for Star Prophet, Bennet wasn't sure who else could help him. The X-Men were not fond of the Exiles and Moonstar of Force Works couldn't be of much help. Her powers dealt with an entirely different realm. If Xavier was still around Exodus could have turned to him and he knew he would have been welcomed with open arms. Unfortunately, the X-Men aren't quite as friendly anymore.

"You hear that?" Polaris asked as she unwrapped herself from her bed's covers. Next to her was the man she could never really be sure about nowadays, Alex Summers.

"Hear what?" Havok asked groggily arising from the bed. His head felt like someone had come along and smacked him a few times with a bag of bricks.

"Bennet is having another dream," Polaris said as she walked out on the bed and put on a purple robe. Walking across the floor felt like going across a frozen pond. Lorna knew she should have bought herself some slippers the last time she went shopping.

Havok turned over in his bed and stuck his head under a pillow and with a muffled tone said, "Go look then."

"Stop getting an attitude," Polaris remarked as she tied up her robe.

"It's 3 in the fucking morning. You'd think I'd be peachy?"

"You were plenty peachy a couple of hours ago."

"I can't stand when you do that!" Havok exclaimed. One moment he felt like he was ready to try and start over again and then she goes and throws the fact they had sex in his face. Like he should feel like he did something wrong. She was just as much involved as he was.

"Do what?" Polaris asked as if she had no clue what Havok was talking about. Dane did it simply to annoy him. That probably wasn't the best thing to do for a relationship that was trying to get re-ignited, but she was pissed with Havok's lack of sensitivity. He didn't have to become an asshole like his brother.

"Forget it."

"Fine. Works for me," Polaris grumbled as she walked out of the room.

Hearing a steady knock at his door Exodus turned his attention away from the mirror and walked over to the silver door handle. Turning it and opening up the door Bennet was greeted with the concerned face of Lorna.

"Are you okay Bennet? I heard a yell come from your room…"

"I'm fine Lorna. Thank you for your concern though."

Polaris cocked an eye at Exodus, "Look don't be afraid to come to somebody if these dreams are bugging you that bad."

"I am okay Lorna. Trust me. Don't stay up all night worrying about me."

"I won't, but I will be keeping an eye on you. Good night Bennet," Polaris said as she began to walk back down to her room. She could just imagine the earful she was going to hear from Alex.

"Good night," Exodus replied as he closed the door.

The Next Morning

"Never figured you to be much of a cook Lorna," Blink said as she sat at the kitchen table with her fellow Exiles. To pass the time till Polaris was done cooking she was playing catch with one of her pink darts.

"Trust me. She isn't," Havok leaned over and whispered to Clarice.

"Its gotta be better than that shit Shiro made for dinner last night," Proudstar said as he made a motion of sticking a finger down his throat.

"Probably what gave Exodus nightmares," Havok laughed.

"Forgive me for not realizing some of us are devoid of taste."

"And I think we've all just witnessed a Japanese diss," Blink said as she stuck out her hand to get a high five from Shiro. He was less than compliant.

"I'm not passing out a single pancake until you boys settle down," Polaris said with a mocking motherly tone.

"Then by all means keep fighting," Havok exclaimed. A glaring stare came from the eyes of Lorna. Alex's cheery expression immediately dissolved. He didn't feel like having any knives flung at him.

"I never remember you trying your hand at the kitchen," Colossus said from behind his sketchbook. It was the first time he had spoken all morning.

"Summers don't cook."

"Nope. Yall just make babies," Blink snickered.

"And we're damn good at it!"

"At least one is anyway," Polaris remarked as flipped a couple of the pancakes onto a plate. Never once did she stop to look at Havok.

"I smell Cruise/Kidman tension here."

"Sometimes it is better to remain silent Clarice," Colossus advised as he continued to draw his scene of a Brazilian forest.

"I agree. Wholeheartedly," Polaris said coldly as she poured some blueberry syrup on a stack of four pancakes.

"Sheesh! Just let me get my pancakes and I'll go!"

"There's no need for you to leave," Colossus said not having wanted to cause tension.

"Naw Pete. I know when I'm not wanted."

"Too bad others can't get the same hint," Sunfire growled.

Proudstar leaped up out of his chair, "Screw you Shiro! I can't help you make everything you cook extra crispy. You bought fried that Son of Set!"

"I'm tempted to cook you," Sunfire said as his body flared up.

"Stop arguing! All of you! We have business to discuss. To my office. Now," Exodus commanded as he stood in the doorway of the kitchen.

"And just when I thought the day was going to get exciting."

"Only you would find enjoyment in a fight, Havok," Colossus said with a slightly disgusted tone.

"Don't think I didn't catch you watching WWF a couple of nights ago," Alex teased. Peter looked back, shook his head, and walked away.

Everyone stood behind Exodus as he pulled up a message on the large screen that was connected to his computer. The message looked to be like a simple e-mail.

"This message was intended for you Havok. It comes from M.U.S.E. Supposedly they have a mission they want us to tackle," Exodus explained.

"So you just go and read my mail now?"

"It was necessary Havok."

"Care to explain the mission like sometime today," Blink, said chewing on a wad of bubble gum.

"There is a new Bastion on the loose. He's just in the process of building up his forces now, but he can and will grow stronger."

"Then let's whup his ass and get it over with," Proudstar said as he cracked his knuckles.

"Glad to see you're eager James. You along with Blink, Havok, and Colossus will infiltrate Bastion's base. Find out what you can and report back here," Exodus ordered.

"And what about us?" Polaris asked pointing to Sunfire and herself.

"You're coming with me to Canada. We have more important matters to handle," Exodus said.

"Guess that means suit up," Blink said as she spat in the trashcan.

"You betta believe it!" Havok exclaimed.