Outcasts and Invaders (4 of 4)

Blink cried out in agony as she felt the electricity course through her body. Colossus and Proudstar could only watch on in horror and equal pain. Their bodies were wedged between two large pieces of Plexiglas and the material was being pushed harder and harder into their bodies. Proudstar could feel ribs crack under the pressure and he didn't know how much longer he head. The same went for Piotr except he had been through his fair share of torture so he was probably dealing with it the best.

Alex was strapped into a large metal chair and a VR helmet was over his head. He was being forced to experience things that he should never have had to. He was witnessing his mother being raped by some unseen man over and over again. He saw Lorna falling to her death and him not being able to do a thing about it. The worst part of all was that he believed everything last thing he saw was really happening. The Exterminators had manipulated his mind to that great of a degree.

It was then that Bastion walked into the proverbial torture chamber with four Exterminators at his back. Looking back to a black man he said, "Stop this torture. I want to talk to them now. And make sure they're at least somewhat comfortable. I'll be back in 30 minutes to tell you where to deliver them. Get to work! All of you!"

Walking through the four Exterminators, Bastion made his way back to the main communications room. It was from there that he monitored the happenings of the world. And the happenings of the world were of great importance to him because it would let him know when it was the perfect time to make the right move. History was all about timing and Bastion had learned this lesson well. When he was the being known as Warlock, Psylocke had killed him. If it had been at any other time there would have been a thorough investigation into his death. He had died shortly after the time he was the Horsemen of Pestilence. After that the X-Men and to a greater extent the world no longer trusted him. They had lost faith in him, but he would restore that faith and destroy all mutants along the way.

His friends had ignored him. How could they do such a thing? Why would they not even care that he was gone? Psylocke had ruthlessly tried to slay him and nothing was done about it. No one even seemed to care. He could only wonder if they would even apologize if they knew he were alive now. No they wouldn't apologize! They were too stubborn for that! He would make them learn the error of their ways.

"The fools won't even know what hit them!" Bastion laughed maniacally.

Slowly the yellow orbs that had taken the shapes of Exodus, Sunfire, and Polaris descended to the ground. Lorna could only look on in horror as they did so. Whatever Kuragari was up to she knew that it couldn't be good. That much was obvious. Why had she let the man get to her? Maybe it was because what he was saying was true. None of that mattered now. All that mattered was getting out of these tentacles and tearing Kuragari a new hole.

Hardly an easy task considering these things are shutting off your powers. I could sure use a couple of good blasts from Alex right now.

Almost instantly the yellow silhouettes of the three Exiles took form and became flesh. This feat shocked Exodus, angered Shiro, and filled Lorna with a sense of dread. A wicked smile crossed across the Crimson Dawn warrior's face allowing all his viciously white teeth to shine in the sun. His objective had been achieved. Now before him stood three new servants ready to help him in his bid to form a new Crimson Dawn. Psylocke and her infernal X-Men had essentially destroyed the old one. Kuragari would make that witch pay for that, but first he needed to get a new kingdom to rule over.

Do you feel it Exiles? Do you feel the tremendous power? Rise my children! Take breath Outcast, Moonfrost, and Plastique! A new world awaits you and it is just ripe for conquering.

Outcast was the first to get up from his lying position. He looked very much like Exodus, but in his own way he was also different. Silver hair contrasted Bennet's black and instead of glowing red eyes there were blue. Both men carried a large sword despite Outcast's being much thinner and his being gold. Moonfrost was the next to take his first upright position. Lorna and Exodus were astounded at how similar the mutants looked. The only contrasting trait between the two of them was while Sunfire glowed a bright orange the other glowed a dazzling white. Plastique gave Lorna a look into her past. The creation of Kuragari wore the outfit she had gotten long ago from the Shi'ar, Eric the Red. Plastique smiled at the captive Lorna as she moved her hand through her short blue hair.

With these three at my side I will have the means to rebuild the Crimson Dawn. And I have all of you to thank for it. You gave me the necessary power. Without you none of this would even be possible. Now are you ready my children?

"Kindly explain what we are suppose to be ready for," Plastique said.

Inquisitive little children. I like that! You are meant to help me form a new Crimson Dawn dimension, but first we must gather the proper elements. You three are the first of those elements.

"Now what if we don't want to help you?" Moonfrost asked as he crossed his arms. The very ground beneath him was frozen solid. While Sunfire was made of hot plasma, Moonfrost was composed of liquid oxygen.

Gallows formed underneath Kuragari and a noose wrapped around his neck. At least that is how the Crimson Dawn warrior felt at that moment. The gall of these insolent beings! They were actually questioning him. Perhaps he had picked the wrong three mutants to be the creators of his heralds.

"Sorry you didn't answer our question in the allotted amount of time," Outcast smiled as he flew upward and slammed into Kuragari. Exodus and the others looked on in surprise and horror as Kuragari's own creation turned on him.

X-Ray vision was something that Havok wished he could have at the moment. He had been blindfolded along with his fellow teammates. They were being drug at the moment through what Alex figured was a long corridor since they had been blindfolded for what seemed over an hour. Though time tended to go by a lot slower when you were beaten and tortured. A minute extended to 30 minutes, and 30 minutes extended to a day.

"Mutants are just disgusting. I hope Bastion does these animals in," a voice said. From what Alex could remember the voice sounded like the Exterminator, Zeke.

"Easy now big boy. You might hurt yourself with those fantasies," a voice ,that Havok knew instinctively was Blink, said.

"No fantasy is involved in that statement freak! Only simple truth," Zeke replied.

"Sorry to tell ya, but Bastion ain't going to do shite to us," Proudstar laughed. Havok couldn't help, but to laugh. Everyone was taking their potshots at Zeke. He could just see the Exterminator blushing. If those cyborgs could even do that anymore.

Ultimately despite what his teammates claimed, Colossus knew they were all in trouble. He had been in tight spots before and he had been in dire situations plenty of times. So he knew to hold on to hope, but he also knew when it was time to accept facts. Unless Exodus got done with whatever he was doing fast no one was coming to rescue them. No one at all.

"Careful with them Zeke. They do after all have some explaining to do," a robotic voice said with an echo across the hallway. Havok knew that voice along with the rest of his teammates. It was the voice of the new Bastion. The new psycho who sought to destroy all of mutantkind.

"Keep us with you all you like Bastion. I'll fun have bashing you in with your own body parts," Blink spat.

"Absolutely not. We're going to have a nice little talk. I might even give you some tea," Bastion replied with a wicked laughter that sent a chill down Havok's back. Reminded him too much of McCoy.

"Sir, do you really want us to leave you alone with these...things?" Zeke asked pointing to the one he was holding as if it were a piece of garbage. After this Zeke would go and wash his hands four times before feeling clean again.

"Such a lack of faith. Zeke do you honestly think me incapable of handling these four puny mutants?" Bastion asked glaring down the Exterminator. Zeke shook his head ferociously. With a dismissing hand from Bastion he left with the other three Exterminators under his command.

"Now down to business shall we," Bastion smiled as he removed the blindfolds from each of the Exiles.

"Oh to hell with you!" Havok exclaimed as he tried to unleash his infamous cosmic blasts to no avail. He knew that Bastion had shut their powers off, but he could always hope.

"With any luck that's where you and your kind will end up."

Xanadu was a place that Kuragari was far away from at the moment and so was the Crimson Dawn. He was surrounded all around by hostiles. Even his own creations had turned him on ruthlessly. The Crimson Dawn warrior hadn't expected it, but he was trying to cope with it at the moment.

Amassing more and more anger as time went on, Outcast attacked his creator more and more viciously. He didn't know what it was that drove that anger, but frankly he didn't care. Fighting was something that Outcast was sure to continue enjoying. Unfortunately, Kuragari had to be his first victim.

Managing to handle the pain from Outcast's immense blows Kuragari pulled out his sword and stabbed the creature in the stomach. Outcast left out a cry and fell to the ground. Normally Outcast possessed high invulnerability that wouldn't let an ordinary sword stab him, but Kuragari's sword was of a mystic nature.

"Interesting conflict. I think I'll join in," Moonfrost laughed as he flew up into the air.

"Same here," Plastique agreed as she reached out and lifted herself into the air by holding on to the plastic in Kuragari's belt. The woman had control over all things plastic and even the elements that made up plastic.

"Can anyone else tell what just happened here?" Polaris asked sarcastically.

"An appropriate fate I suppose. Nothing that I didn't expect. This fool was too cocky for his own good. He assumed his creations would bow to his every command. Now he's paying for it."

"Blah blah blah! Shiro knows all! Bow to him," Lorna joked.

Looking upward Exodus could see that Kuragari was busy dodging the ice blasts of Moonfrost and Plastique, who has taken the warrior's belt and transformed it into a hard plastic sword. The dark warrior had a smile on his face that it seemed only Bennet had caught a glimpse of. What was Kuragari's secret? Why was he smiling?

"Evil things! You seek to destroy your creator! For this you must be punished!" Kuragari yelled as he unleashed a hundred tiny blasts of dark energy from his body. Moonfrost and Plastique were both struck head on with these blasts. Refusing to fall so easily Moonfrost shot off a white blast that froze half of Kuragari's face and his shoulder. Plastique propelled her sword into the back of the Crimson Dawn warrior.

Kuragari yelled out furiously over the injuries that had been inflicted upon him and then he disappeared in a blaze of black light. As he vanished so did the bonds that held Exodus and the others captive.

"Freedom!" Sunfire exclaimed as he stared down at his now mobile hands.

"And boy has it never smelt so sweet," Polaris said taking a good whiff of air.

"What of them?" Exodus asked as he looked over at the three beings Kuragari had created.

"Do you really want my opinion?" Sunfire asked as he crossed his arms. Thinking on Exodus could pretty much guess what Shiro wanted to do. Probably incinerate them into a crisp. Even for all the honor traditions that had been embedded in his mind Shiro was still a man that would often resort to violence. Especially ever since he had been delivered from the hands of Sinister along with Colossus.

"I say we take them back to base with us," Polaris suggested.

Suddenly the one called Outcast began to stir and he spoke, though weakly, "We will handle our own affairs. Do not think us bond to you!"

"We never said we did, but we only want to help," Exodus replied.

"Then leave us alone!" Plastique said as she arose from the ground.

"How dare-"

"Easy there buddy. Mess with the lady and put on an ice show for you," Moonfrost said as he rose into the air his white began glistening brightly against the backdrop of the beaming sun that was coming through the forest.

"We'll leave you be. As long as you do the same for us," Exodus offered.

Moonfrost shrugged, "Sure. At least for now."

"So be it. Come Exiles," Exodus said as he teleported himself and the others away.

"I thought we were goners there for a sec," Plastique sighed after Exodus had left.

"They don't know we want to kill them so they had no reason to kill us. Simple as that," Outcast said coldly.

"Nothing is ever that simple man. Nothing," Moonfrost growled as he lashed out with his powers and froze about an acre of forest in a minute.

"Your liquid oxygen ain't nothing to fool with," Plastique laughed as she looked at the scenery around her.

"Stunts like that are exactly what we don't need. We need to train and learn to work as a team. Then one day we'll be able to finish off Exodus, Polaris, and Sunfire," Outcast commanded.

"Fine whatever you say boss."

"Sounds cool to me. When do we get started?" Plastique asked with a smile.

"Are we just going to stay tied up in these chairs all day or are you going to say something?" Havok asked staring at the blank expression that was wrapped on Bastion's face.

"Of course. I just wanted to take a good look upon the people I once called friends," Bastion said with a scowl.

"Friends? What the hell are you talking about?" Proudstar asked angered and confused. What could Bastion possibly be talking about. Friends usually didn't try to kill one another though in the world he had become wrapped in since the Hellions he could never be quite so sure. Many of his former teammates turned against him. James was pretty sure that if he encountered Empath today that he wouldn't be received with a warm welcome.

"I'm talking about how I was abandoned! I'm talking about how I was left behind! The X-Men were suppose to have cared about, but Moira didn't even seem to give a damn about me dying!" Bastion yelled.

"No it can't be..." Blink trailed off.

"Oh indeed it is Clarice. The man see before you was once Warlock until I was struck down so cruelly by someone who was suppose to have believed in and fought for the same dream I once did! That day I learned just how cruel the X-Men could be!" Bastion yelled.

The revelation had to sit into the minds of the Exiles. This being full of such hate and evil was once someone they could call a fellow X-Man. Colossus had been very good friends with Warlock from their days on Excalibur together. Blink and Havok had fought to free Warlock of Apocalypse's control during the Apocalypse. Proudstar didn't know much of Warlock, but he knew that he fought the good fight. What had perverted him so?

"Psylocke wasn't in control of herself when she killed you? We didn't even find out about your death for weeks afterward! If I would have known that Psylocke was possessed back then I would never have let her kill you. You gotta believe me on that," Blink pleaded.

"Lies! The X-Men forgot about me! My death meant nothing to them. I wasn't a mutant and so me being gone didn't matter. Well, I'll make you all regret ever using me for your stupid dream," Bastion spat.

"Revenge will bring you nothing Warlock! Are these Exterminators a means to achieve your ends? Why do you manipulate them?" Colossus asked.

"The Exterminators came to me willingly. Each of them has lost someone dear to them because of mutantkind. Zeke's best friend had been the bodyguard that Sabertooth killed when Deus released him from prison. Many of them lost family from the attack on Seattle and many more during the Apocalypse. They feel the need for revenge just as I do," Bastion proclaimed loudly.

"Did you tell them you were one of the Horsemen during the Apocalypse or did you conveniently leave that out of your mission statement?"

"They love me Alex. I would have had their servitude even if I had told them. There was no point in it," Bastion replied.

"Sounds more like you were afraid they wouldn't do your dirty work if you told," Proudstar laughed.

"Silence!" Bastion bellowed as electricity shot out of the palm of his hand and hit James dead in the chest.

"So the truth hurts Warlock! You use these men and women to fight your vendetta. You played on their grief and made them into your fun-sized little warriors. What have you become Warlock?" Blink asked with a disgusted tone.

"I've become what the X-men allowed me to become? Do you have any idea what I went through as I struggled to hold onto life? The pain was immense, but I dealt with it at first cuz I was sure my so called friends would come to save me. As time passed on I slowly realized that they weren't coming. That was the most painful thing. And I can promise you Clarice that each and every mutant on this planet will feel that pain before I'm done," Bastion smiled as he held Blink's chin in his hand.

Suddenly a pink portal opened up behind Bastion. All eyes turned to Blink and she sheepishly said, "It wasn't me."

Hundreds of glowing yellow knives came flying out of the portal hitting windows, control panels, and most importantly of all Bastion. Each of the knives that even came close to an Exile simply dissipated in the air. Since all the panels were effectively fried the shackles that were holding the Exiles captive were open.

"Bout time," Havok laughed as he broke free of his restraints.

"I'll get James," Colossus said as hefted the young Apache on his shoulders.

"So sad. I'm having to save you all," Babylon said as he stepped through the pink portal followed by one of the Marauders newest members, Glance.

"What the hell?" Blink asked angered at the sight of Glance.

"Ahh yes this is Glance. He's a proud member of the Marauders. Sinister created him from your DNA my dear. Essentially he's you, but male," Babylon explained.

"And I'm lot tougher," Glance winked.

"I oughta rip your fuckin head off!" Blink exclaimed as she was having to be restrained by Havok. She didn't like being manipulated and most of all not in the way that Sinister manipulated people. Clarice had seen plenty of Sinister's and Dark Beast's works on the world In-Betweener had allowed her to experience. A world where Apocalypse ruled over all and humans along with mutants were simply petri dishes to some.

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to stay here for much longer and I'm pretty sure Bastion there will get his act together soon. My light knives can only do so much damage."

"Fine Babylon. I don't trust you, but we don't have much else of a choice," Havok said as he had to practically drag Blink through the portal with. Colossus, carrying Proudstar, followed behind him.

Looking back, Babylon shook his head at Bastion, "Such a waste. The master will deal with you soon enough."

"But not today. Let's go," Glance yelled as he was halfway into the portal. Babylon nodded in agreement and entered through the portal.

BLINK!

A portal formed and out of it poured four mutants who had only moments ago been very close to probably being killed or put through some more excruciating torture. Now they were in front of the place they had taken to calling home. They had been rescued by their archfoe's little henchmen. Havok couldn't think of anything more sickening or humiliating.

"Now remember who saved you little Exiles. Remember well," Babylon said as Glance formed another portal.

"Bye sis," Glance said as he blew a kiss at Blink and entered through the portal.

Then with another blink the two Marauders were gone leaving the Exiles to contemplate what had just happened to him. And they now had to decide how to handle someone that they had once called friend.

Tibet

"Are you sure this is the right course of action?" Gaunt asked as he overlooked the ritual Onset was performing.

"I'm sure Onset knows good and well what she's doing," Yurike chided.

"Ramses was powerful enough on his own. If we're going to bring him back to life why do we need to give him more power?" Mikhail asked agreeing with Gaunt.

I need a consort Mikhail. Ramses is the perfect candidate, but he needs to be upgraded so to speak. I don't want him falling so easily the next time around.

"Of course master, but is the power of a Son of Set really needed?" Mikhail asked again this time his voice coated with worry.

"She simply couldn't just let Talyn die Mikhail. You know how much of a humanitarian our master is," Longshot smiled from a far off corner as he carelessly flipped daggers up into the air.

Hush all of you! The ritual is about to begin.

Blue flames surrounded the body of Onset and she went flying into the air. The ancient building that housed the newly formed forces of Onset shook violently. A silhouette of a naked Ramses formed only a few feet under Onset.

Gods of old hear me! Give me Ramses and make him mine. Fill him with the power of those that I have chosen!

A ghostly snake of great length formed in the building and it gave many of Onset's servants reason to gasp. It didn't even make the immortal, Ozymandias, flinch. He had seen many amazing feats while in the servitude of the now dead Apocalypse. This was no different except this time his servitude with Onset would actually benefit him.

The snake suddenly went flying into the silhouette of Ramses and disappeared. Then a hundred ghostly looking soldiers formed throughout the building. These ghosts represented Ramses's fallen army and just as the snake had been sucked into the body of Ramses so were these ghosts.

The silhouette of Ramses quickly took flesh and blood form. Skintight black material formed over the body of the interdimensional conquer. Then spikes began to protrude from the shoulders, knees, and elbows of Ramses. A black cape erupted from the shoulders of Ramses and flowed down to his ankles. Next a large black diamond formed in the center of Ramses's chest.

"Ramses is reborn!" the warlord cried out as he took his first breath in what had felt like centuries.