Tamazi: Well, it has been hinted at earlier in the story! You may have noticed this, you may not. I hope your mocks went well! They are really useful for the real thing!
Racetrack's Goil: Thank you! Madeline is indeed in trouble. Let's see what Logan is going to do about it!
Kimenomi: Well, the fast pace reflects the situation doesn't it really? Panic and uncertainty. Kudos to you for bringing those escapees back up! I haven't forgotten about them, and it'd be a good idea if nobody else did.. for we shall be meeting them again very soon.
Chapter 44The jet swooped down to land in the large space at the top of a multi-storey cark park. The sky above was a sparkling blue, only faint wisp of clouds spilling across the bright sheets. The steps were lowered down upon the dark tarmac and the group of X-Men quickly ran out, the metal X's of their belts glinting in the strong sunlight. Storm was in the lead; she walked across the hard flooring the car park roof, stopping as she reached the small wall at the end. She rose on leg upon it, bending to look down the steep side down into the road below. The others followed and lowered their heads earthwards.
Down in the large street below were hordes of people chanting and roaring as they navigated in groups. Cars were stopped, unable to drive any further as the crowd swamped close like some single monster. Anything that was in the path got covered, cars climbed over, a van overturned by the mob. The road ahead was that of a several-lane road, in fact, it was a large bridge, the kind that could lift for passing river traffic beneath. The road was currently down, and the riot had begun to walk across it.
A car screeched to a halt in the centre of the bridge as a small family got out and began to run from the riot. Suddenly, the car was lifted from the road by an invisible force and was ripped down the centre and slammed to either side of the bridge.
Siren narrowed her eyes gently as she watched the happenings; she turned to look to Scott, wondering what was going to happen next.
"Looks like Magneto could be here.." said Scott softly.
"Dat is bad news," sighed Gambit quietly as he looked down at the humans in the road below.
Logan shook his head gently, giving a growl, "You can say that again."
"Dat is bad news," Gambit obliged, giving a faint smirk to Logan.
"Shut the hell up, Cajun!" barked Logan instantly.
However, Aurora interrupted them, shaking her head slowly, "But.. I thought Magneto was dead.."
"That man knows how to pull surprises on everybody," muttered Scott quietly, folding his arms as he watched the road below solemnly.
Siren turned from the edge of the car park, walking to the small concrete block that held a narrow metal staircase down through the levels, "I say we check it out, just in case." The X-Men agreed silently and ran after her, all hurrying down the stairs, the echoing clangs fading the lower they went.
The road below was now deadly silent. The riot was now on the other side of the Chicago River. Ruined debris blew desolately across the road, cars left abandoned, and shops empty of people. Windows were smashed, glass scattered over the pavement. The X-Men walked carefully across the large empty road, feeling a sense of foreboding as a cool wind whistled around them, taking away the hot summer heat.
Logan stalked quietly ahead, glaring around the street. It was almost too quiet. But it didn't stay tranquil for long. Terrified screams and the screech of metal ruptured through the atmosphere as the X-Men spun round to see a coach on its side being hurtled towards them, the shriek of metal on the road. Scott readied his visor to blast it away, but he was abruptly stopped by Gambit who tugged his hand down, "It's got people in it, ami!"
The coach spiralled towards them as it dragged along the road by some invisible force, screams still emitting from inside as it grinded along the road surface. There was nothing else for it; the X-Men had to leap out of its path, tearing to either side of the road. The quickest cleared it easily, but Siren was only just snatched away by Gambit as the back end of the coach dangerously came close to her running legs. The coach screeched to a halt a few feet further down the road, still laying on its side in a defeated manner. Smashed glass and ripped metal lay in its wake.
Siren looked up slowly with a gasp, eyes watching the still coach with a frightened gaze. She looked round, noticing Gambit's hand was still tightly wrapped about her clothed wrist. He too looked scared, an alarmed expression on his face at how close it was when he pulled his sister out of the coach's path. He slowly released her, letting out a low breath as though he hadn't been able to breathe for the past minute.
Sounds drifted eerily from inside the coach, mixes of terrified sobbing and panicked cries as victims still lay inside the battered vehicle. Storm quickly rose to her feet after leaping desperately out of the way; she only managed a few steps before something black dashed through the air. Storm abruptly stopped, stance tense as she watched a figure land in the road, a few feet beside the ruined coach. Long swirling locks of a deep purple swarmed about her head as the landing figure glared up at the X-Men, bright eyes flashed dangerously at them. She was tightly clothed in a black and dark violet leather attire, similar to that of the X-Men's, only the leather had a slight shine and it bore a silver 'P' on the crafted belt. There was also more flesh on display that the X-Men's costumes dared to show.
"Who are you?" asked Storm quickly, eyes watching over the female.
"Ah, of course. Introductions," came the woman's voice, a clear crisp British accent, "Customary to share names before battle I suppose." She raised her fists before extending them by her sides, a crimson glow started from them, "Psylocke."
Storm glanced slowly to Scott beside her before back to the woman.
"And I already know all about you, X-Men," she finished with a toying smirk on her lips.
"Look, we need to get those people out of the coach," said Scott seriously, watching the woman carefully through his visor, "People are injured, they might di – "
"Go and get them out then," said Psylocke simply. It certainly didn't seem that easy, especially not with the derisive expression gracing her features.
As Scott stepped forward towards the coach, Psylocke slammed her fist forward instantly. A sudden flash of red light shot forth from her clenched hands, zapping forward towards Scott who was still quite a distance away from her. Scott immediately rolled backwards to avoid it, rising up on his feet unruffled, but looking angry.
"Logan," Scott muttered, "You have to tear the coach apart and get them out. We'll take care of her."
"You're going to take care of me? How nice of you." said Psylocke with a sly smile.
Logan glanced slowly to Scott before he nodded slowly, bursting into a run. Psylocke span to throw another blast towards Logan, but Scott got there first, erupting a streak of red laser, which knocked her backwards with a defiant cry. The other X-Men turned upon her. Winds gathered and flashes of exploding objects began.
Psylocke make an angry cry as she was kicked across the face. Glow from fists developed into sharp points like knives. The X-Men closed in and raised hands to try and subdue her forceful retaliations. The X-Men didn't want to severely hurt her. She had not yet posed a big threat against them. They were not to kill her.
But Logan concentrated on reaching the coach. Ignoring animalistic snarling from behind him, he stared at the roof of the coach, which was facing him since it was on its side. Still he could hear crying from within. He banged on the roof, alerting them, "Move back from this roof! Can you hear me? Move back! Is anyone trapped in front of me?" he banged again so they knew where he was.
"It's clear," came a frightened voice from within. Logan ejected his claws with a sleek hiss. He raised one hand towards the top of the coach and side down vertically to the gritty floor. The metal sliced easily. Insides he heard surprised sounds. With a grunt, Logan drove his hands on each ripped end, now prising a large gap in-between with a low growl of effort.
"There are ambulances on their way," said Logan, hearing the distant siren wails, "Go and get yourself around the corner. It's dangerous here now." Terrified faces peered out at him before they quickly ran out, extending in a long queue behind the coach and away from the noisy battle with Psylocke. During the evacuation, a sudden body leap from the air and Logan snapped his head up to see, with sickening shock, Serpentine land on the top of the battered coach, clawed feet walking slowly along the glass of what was the side of the coach.
"You.." he snarled lowly, defensively trying to make himself block the exiting passengers. He grabbed onto one of the over-turned wheels, sharply and quickly hurtling himself up to twist his body to gracefully land on the shattered glass side of the coach, him and Serpentine now only a few feet from each other. He narrowed his eyes at her, "I'm gonna kill you for taking Madeline."
Serpentine gave a nasty little smirk, tossing her head gently as she straightened with her hands on her hips, "That would be foolish," she said with a shake of her head, grown locks of dark green billowing about her head at the wind. Vicious black eyes narrowed as she continued to smirk, "I am the only person who knows where your daughter is. Killing me would mean you would never seen her again."
Logan stared at her, looking absolutely furious. Charles could not pinpoint Madeline via Cerebro. There was no other way.. Slowly, he frowned as relaxed his knuckles, claws drawing upon into his body, "I see.."
Serpentine tilted her head, watching him carefully, "If you want to see Madeline again.. alive.. you must come alone." She slowly spread a dark smile, "It's a matter of leverage."
The frown on Logan's face deepened as he closed his eyes with a sigh. It took only a moment of deliberation before he opened his eyes slowly and looked up at her grudgingly, "Alright.." he said. The desperation flowing through his words.
"Go and tell the X-Men that they are not to follow you. You must come back to the bridge alone or mark my words. You will never see her again."
Logan turned slowly, watching with trembling fists as he saw Storm be thrown back by a stab of the glowing knives of Psylocke's. Desperate to get revenge for Madeline being taken, revenge for Serpentine and her past activities. But he knew what he had to do. He walked forward slowly, jumping down off the coach.
"Psylocke!" called Serpentine, beckoning her over.
Psylocke snapped her head to Serpentine, seeing Logan walk over. Immediately she rolled backwards out of attack range easily and began sprinting towards Serpentine. Within the next few seconds, they had disappeared down the streets.
Scott span around with a gasp for breath, blood trickling down the corner of his head, "Logan, what's happening?"
Logan licked his lips slowly, lowering his head, "I need to talk to you."
Leverage? What could the Brotherhood want with Logan? Find out next!
Psylocke profile now on website!
www(dot)freewebs(dot)com/thell