UNCANNY X-MEN MINI: THE AFTERMATH
BY LOGANALPHA30 WITH HELP FROM SHADOW8
[]-CAPTION BOXES
""-WORDS
()-ART INSTRUCTIONS
-THOUGHTS
++-TIME, PLACE BOXES
[2 Days Later....]
(Scene opens with Tabitha walking up the steps of a large church, in jeans and a sweater under a coat). (She enters the church as we see her in the far background and most of the panels are of the interior of the church, with people milling about). (We see her spot who she's looking for, then we turn to see who she's looking at, it's Sam, who's sitting hunched over in a pew). (Next we see Sam from the front as Tabitha puts her hand on Sam's shoulder and as she says,) "Hey Sam".
(We then see Tabitha sit down beside Sam.) "So how'd you find me,"(Sam says with a weak smile as he looks at Tabitha who's looking back at him.) "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but I've been following you all day," (Tabitha says with a small chuckle). "Ah know, you're about as sneaky as an elephant in ah china shop", (Sam says leaning back in the pew and putting his arm on the back of the pew). "Funny Sam real funny, but really what'cha doing here," (Tabitha says with a sarcastic smile on her face).
"I guess ah'm just tryin to sort things out, with everything that's been goin on lately, I'm just..", (Sam says looking around like he's looking for an answer that's written on the walls of the church).
"Yah, I've been trying to get all this to make sense ever since we got back from Scotland too, but I haven't really had to much luck yet," (Tabitha says looking up into the rafters). "Ah wonder if this is what it's gonna be like all the time, because I have a sinkin feeling that it's going to become a reoccurring chain of events with this team," (Sam says with a sarcastic smirk on his face).
"You and I both, but at least we'll have each other," (Tabitha says turning to Sam and smiling). "That we do," (Sam says smiling before pulling Tabitha close and kissing her on the top of her head). (We pull back to a man in a suit that's watching Sam and Tabitha from afar, and he's talking into a device that he's wearing on his left wrist).
"Targets acquired, do I engage", (the man says watching people walk around). (A voice comes out of the machine and says), "Negative, continue your observation, our plans for them aren't ready yet". "As you wish, my mistress," (the man says before we see his eyes glow a bright red).
[Back at the mansion..]
(Scene opens with Warren in the danger rooms control room at the control panel, and he's entering something into a nearby pop-up computer screen.) "Ready to begin Betts," (Warren says into a wireless headset, as we then go into the danger room as Betsy has her own wireless headset on as she says), "Okay Warren, start the program". "Will do, computer start program 86- Beta," (Warren says as we see the specs of the program on the computer screen, but the screen is slanted so we can't read the specs).
(We see the inside of a large warehouse materialize first then two large battle-bots materialize before Betsy says,) "Alright James, the object of this exercise is to defeat the two battle-bots that stand before you," (before she walks over to a sectioned off area against a wall). "Fair enough, let's go,"(Warpath says pounding his fist into his open palm before Betsy nods to Warren, who pushes a button and the battle-bots spring to life as they attack Warpath and he leaps into the fray).
(Telepathically we see Betsy and Warren talking as Warren says, as we see a little pink butterfly on his forehead), "So what do you think he'll do when he finds out about our little surprise", (to which Betsy replies with a sly smile), "I don't' know, but I'll be fun to see, we're still on for tonight right?"
"Wouldn't miss it" Warren telepathically says back with a smile). (We go back to Warpath fighting the battle-bots, they attack him but he dodges out of the way with a smile on his face as then he takes a big swing at one of the battle-bots, he hits it but gets a high voltage shock which blasts him back against the far wall, then we see Betsy snickering). "What the, I don't remember those droids having that ability,"(Warpath mutters as he's on his hands and knees as we see him with black marks on him and smoke rising off of him).
"Your strength is your greatest asset James, but it also your greatest weaknesses, you often rely on it to much," (Betsy says with her arms crossed and a smirk on her face). "So what am I supposed to do now," (Warpath says staggering to his feet). "Simple James, you're just going to have to find another way to defeat these drones", (Warren says holding down the intercom button). (With a sarcastic smirk on his face Warpath looks around, and notices a water pipe with a danger high pressure sign near it and a wheel to turn to open the valve).
(Then we see Warpath dodge a blow from one of the battle-bots by leaping towards the water outlet). (Then the battle-bots move towards Warpath, who throws a big pallet at them, causing them to activate their electric charge before he turns quickly, and spins the wheel before the water comes blasting out and hits the battle-bots and they get fried). (As he shuts the water off Warpath says), "There, what do you think about that, and I even used my brains instead of my muscles like you said," (he says with a smile).
"Yes you did James, but let's try that one again, Warren," (Betsy says looking up towards Warren). "I wish I could I truly do, but I have to take Terry to her first AA meeting tonight", (Warpath says smiling while mock saluting before he walks out of the danger room as the door opens and then closes behind him). "He still has much to learn, he still let's anger and ego, no matter that it's small, cloud his judgment, remind you of anybody,"(Betsy says with a smile as she takes a quick glance up at Warren, who does a light smirk before he says with a smile), "Very funny, I've come a long way since then, you should know that better than anybody, but I do agree with you James needs to learn some balance, that said we need to discuss what happened in Scotland", (to which Betsy frowns and nods her head.)
[Shortly, the apple orchard..]
(We see Siryn standing next to a tree, wearing a coat-jeans-hat-and gloves as she's holding the top parts of the coat together because she's obviously cold as we see her breath and the wind blowing her hair, she looks sad). (In a close up of her face, her chin is down and her eyes are closed as we see someone say), "I know it's not how you'd want to spend your spare time, but going tonight is a good thing". (We then see in a close up of her face Siryn half smile before opening her eyes and while staring off into space she says), "Aye know Jimmy, it's just that these meetins remind me of how bad me problem truly was". (Then we see Warpath standing just behind Siryn with a concerned look on his face, and Siryn is in front looking off into space).
"But Terry, you might not like hearing me say this but, I'm proud of you,"(Warpath says with a smile as Siryn turns towards him with a smile before saying), "Thanks for the pep talk boyo, now we'd better get going or I'll be late, and ye know how I hate t'be late." "Since when", (Warpath says with a straight face in one panel, in the next one we see Siryn looking at him with a slightly bewildered look on her face, then in the next panel we see Warpath with a big smile on his face).
"Oh boyo, what am I gonn' do with you", (Siryn says with a smile on her face as she pats Warpath on the shoulder before they head towards Warpaths jeep). (We see Warpath open Siryn's door for her before she gets in and he closes it, then he gets in as well and we see this and then them driving away in a group of panels that encompass one whole page).
+Downtown San Francisco+ +It's Late+
[While Warpath and Siryn head off to take care of a more serious matter, Cannonball and Meltdown look for more lighthearted pursuits] (We see Sam and Tabitha walking on the sidewalk, arm in arm with them smiling as they're walking by a group of clubs with people coming in and out of the entrances, with maybe Sam/Tab reacting to somebody that's puking in the street). "Come on Sam, let's just pick one and go have some fun, it's cold and boring out here," (Tabitha says with an impatient look on her face).
"Really, ah hadn't noticed," (Sam says with a grin before he picks a club and opens the door for Tabitha). (They enter a very colorful and active club as on one side we see booths to sit in, the middle area is the dance floor that's surrounded by cages that people are dancing in along with poles that people are dancing by, on the right is where the bar is).
(We see Sam stop quickly with big eyes as he looks shocked at what he's seeing as Tabitha reacts with a very excited look on her face as they take off their coats, as Tabitha says), "Ohh yah, now this is what I call fun", (as she pulls Sam with her as we see him half trying to stop Tabitha from dragging him onto the dance floor).
(They go a little ways before we see someone say from off panel); "Sam is that you, oh man, I never thought I'd see you here". (Scene changes to that of which we see Erica standing near them, she looks great, as she's smiling). "Er-uh-Erica, what are you," (Sam stutters out as he looks shocked and Tabitha looks questioningly at him). "It's called having fun Sam, you should try it sometime,"(Erica says smiling as we do a close up on her from her waist up, she's wearing a tight pair of blue jeans with a cut off midriff showing shirt, a gold chain type thing around her waist, a watch, some earrings, a few rings on her hands, and her hair is up and it's a little darker than usual as the clubs lights cast different colors onto her hair and through this whole scene).
"That's what I keep telling him, come on Sam let's dance", (Tabitha says with a jab of her elbow to Sam's ribs and smiling at Erica before pulling Sam with her). (We see a panel of Erica standing there like she's ready to say something and with a confused look on her face). (Then she shakes her head and walks off). "Was that really necessary, ah didn't even get to introduce you two," (Sam says as Tabitha stops pulling him). "We'll do it later, now come on let's have some fun," (Tabitha says starting to dance). [Meanwhile.] (We cut to outside of the club and we see the same guy that was following Sam/Tabitha earlier standing near the clubs door).
"They just entered my mistress, should I engage," (the man says into his wrist mounted communicator). "Not until I get there,"(Pestilence says appearing beside him with a horde of crimson dawn warriors). (We see the people on the street scream and run away in fear as the c.d. warrior's growl and jeer at the people, and cars crash into light poles and other cars).
"Now we will cleanse this area and pass judgment on the unworthy flatscans," (Pestilence says grinning as the man we saw before turns into Imol, who's also smiling.) "Shall I give the word my mistress"; (Imol says looking like he's chomping at the bit to attack). "It is," (Pestilence says retreating into the shadows). (Imol nods his head with a sinister smile on his face and motions to the c.d. warriors and says), "let the holy judgment by fire commence." (The Crimson Dawn warriors cheer sinisterly as they begin to move towards the club).
[Inside, oblivious to the actions outside.]
(Sam and Tabitha are now sitting at a table talking and they look like they're having a good time.) "Ah have to admit, I'm actually starting to have a good time," (Sam says leaning back in his chair and smiling as he glances around). "See I told you all you needed was a little of the San Francisco nightlife to loosen you up," (Tabitha says tossing a french fry at Sam with a huge grin on her face). (He just watches the fry hit him then he smiles before breaking into a laugh that Tabitha later joins in on). (From off panel we see someone say), "what's so funny." (Sam and Tabitha turn to see Erica standing there with a smile and holding a drink). "Oh, it's you", (Tabitha says as the smile disappears from her face as she pokes at the fries).
"Did I say something wrong,"(Erica says before in a large panel we see an entire long wall of the club explode inwards, as Sam, Tabitha, and Erica are thrown up against the nearest wall, and the other club goers also react in fear and get blown around). (Next we see Sam on his hands and knees, with blood running down the side of his head, but not very much blood, as he's trying to see through the smoke and fire as people stagger and stumble around).
(Through the smoke we see figures emerging and one at the front says), "Greetings humans, don't bother trying to rise, I guarantee your deaths will be as slow and painful as possible," (before emerging from the smoke and being shown to be Pestilence, with a grinning Imol by her side). "Oh great it's the crybaby and his mummy", (Tabitha says sneering at Imol after spitting some blood out of her mouth). "Who are these guys, what do they want with us", (Erica says before touching right above her eye, wincing in pain in panel and then in the next one she brings her hand down and it has a little blood on it).
"They're lackeys of ah monster called Apocalypse, they want tah start ah kind of holy war, kinda like what that Darwin guy though up y'know, survival of the fittest, but with them being the judge, jury, and executioner all rolled inta one", (Sam says helping Tabitha and Erica to their feet). "Our glorious master's vision is pure and righteous, those that he has judged unfit are not worthy of life," (Pestilence says with a sneer on her lips before then saying), "Imol, these beings have been judged unfit, pass judgment on them, with extreme prejudice". (Imol smiles sinisterly before charging towards the nearest group of humans, with the crimson dawn warriors following his lead).
"Ah won't let you kill again", (Sam yells as he rockets off to stop Imol as Erica reacts with shock and says), "a mutant, but." (Tabitha springs into action by firing plasma bombs into the nearest group of crimson dawn fighters). (We see Sam plow into Imol and the two of them crashing through things and other c.d. warriors).
(Tabitha, while blasting the c.d. warriors around her with red hot plasma bombs, tells the people around her), "Okay listen up, everybody on your feet, you'd all better vacate the premises, and quickly". "This is all too much, everything's happening so fast", (Erica says looking around with a scared look on her face.) (Next we see Imol and Sam fighting hand to hand, they both get a shot or two in before Imol gets a good shot or two in with a pipe that he cannibalized from the blown out water pipes).
(We see in the background the crimson dawn warriors chasing people around, killing a few of them, before Sam becomes incensed and just charges at Imol, who let's Sam go right through him before hitting Sam in the chin, first with the pipe and then with his fist). (Sam staggers back before tripping and falling backwards over a fallen chair).
"Sam", (Tabitha yells, with a very worried look on her face, as she's helping someone to their feet). "And now you pitiful little worm, I'm going to crush you beneath my heel", (Imol says angrily with blood running from his nose and mouth). "Over my dead body," (Tabitha yells as we see in a full body panel she blasts her powers out away from her as if she were casting a spell). [Her plasma bombs detonate with deadly accuracy.] (Imol growls in pain and reels from the attack). (Tabitha then runs over to Sam as a crimson dawn warrior turns to glare at Erica with a sinister look on its face, as we do a close up on its face).
"Uh oh, d-don't come any closer," (Erica says as the c.d. warrior starts to walk towards her). (We see a panel of Tabitha kneeling by Sam with a very worried look on her face, as he's shaking the cobwebs out of his head, as she says with one hand on his shoulder and the other holding his left hand), "Sam, say something, c'mon you gotta get up, I can't fight them all alone".
"On that mutant we agree completely", (Imol says as Tabitha starts to turn, but she's not fast enough as Imol knocks her out cold by hitting her with the pipe in the back of her head, as she slumps onto Sam.) (We shift back to Erica as the warrior tries to grab her but fails as Erica dodges out of the way before she grits her teeth and envelopes the warrior in a cloud of red hot fire). (Then the c.d. warrior howls in pain in a panel as Erica turns away). "A mutant, there's only supposed to be two of them here," (Imol says looking surprised). "Eliminate her," (Pestilence says angrily pointing at Erica, as then the c.d. warriors start to advance towards her).
"This is not good, definitely not good," (Erica says with a slightly scared look on her face). "It is unknown how you were unaccounted for, but not matter you could not possibly expect to stop us", (Pestilence says with a haughty stance and expression on her face). "Get the hell away from me," (Erica screams as the c.d. warriors attack her and knock her to the floor).
[Without knowing how or why the fear that has held her mutant power is check for years simply melts away and the consequences for those who wish her harm is both immediate and brutal][It starts slow, a flicker inside her brain, a match is struck, and all hell breaks loose] (We see in a panel Erica's fists slowly close before she starts to shake as first her head is bowed and then she quickly lifts it up with her eyes on fire).
(The crimson dawn warriors are seen ready to strike her but then we see almost a mini nuclear level explosion of fire take place and a wall of white hot fire spread in a circle outward from Erica). (We switch to Sam as he's coming to; he starts to look around before with a close up on his shocked face he sees the wall of fire coming towards them). [With not a second to spare, Cannonball activates his force shield, praying a silent prayer that it will be able to withstand the raw force exuded by this oncoming threat].
(We see Sam's shield activate, as then we see the c.d. warriors get incinerated like Linda Hamilton was in Terminator 2, their skin and all that type stuff is blown off them to reveal bone which in the next panel or two explodes into a shower of dust). (Imol phases as the fire envelops him as we see in one panel). (Pestilence however gets hit full force and is sent flying back out of the club and into the street).
Uhh, where'd all this fire come from, gotta hope mah shield holds, or else Tabitha and ah'll be two crispy critters, (Sam thinks covering Tabitha's body with his body and gritting his teeth and squeezing his eyes tightly shut as we see the blast impact and go by the force shield). [When the blast subsides the survivors pick themselves up and try their best to pick up the pieces]. (We see people staggering around, pushing themselves out from under the broken shards of the bar).
(Then we see Sam sitting up and cradling Tabitha in his arms, with his free hand brushing the hair off of her face as we see it in panels as we pan around him).
"Come on girl, open those pretty blue eyes of yours for me, please", (we see Sam say first in a panel of what he sees as he's looking down at Tabitha and then we see a close up on his face as he's very concerned and scared, looking almost ready to cry). (Then we do a wide shot of him looking up, as if he's looking for help).
(Next panel we see Tabitha cough, and then a panel of Sam looking down with a very relieved look on his face, then of her face in a close up as she smiles and peers out as she's just starting to open her eyes and she says,) "can I have some candy momee, I've been good", (before her, in a close up on her face, eyes blink and then open wide as she says before embracing Sam), "huh, Sam what are you, what's going on". (Next panel Sam they kiss before Sam helps her to her feet and they look around before Tabitha says with a confused look on her face), "what happened here, we didn't do this, did we, because Warren would freak out if he had to pay for this".
"Ah know we didn't cause this, ah was barely able to get the shield up in time", (Sam says as he gazes comes to rest on Erica, whom we see in a panel is lying on the ground in a dusty and dirty heap, and the area around her is very black and scorched).
"Oh no, Erica," (Sam says before he and Tabitha are seen in panels, running towards Erica). "Is she," (Tabitha says looking nervously at Sam, who's kneeling down beside Erica and has a hand on her shoulder). "Ah think she'll be okay, ah can hear her breathing", (Sam says with a smile of relief on his face). "Did you know that she was a mutant," (Tabitha says looking around).
"No, but from the looks of this place, even she might not have known, either way we have to get her out of here", (Sam says shaking his head). (We see Tabitha touch the back of her head winces and says), "Hey where'd the gruesome twosome slither off to, or did we get lucky for once." "We can only hope, but for now we have tah get Erica back to the mansion, ah'll fly her there, you get the car and try to find Jimmy and Terry," (Sam says picking Erica up and looking at Tabitha).
"Why me, they could be anywhere", (Tabitha says as they walk to the clubs entrance, or what's left of it). "Because I can fly, and if we were attacked then doesn't it stand to reason that Jimmy and Terry could be next", (Sam says as they exit the club). (Next panel we see a pile of rubble in the foreground and in the background Sam and Tabitha coming out of the club). (Next panel is of Sam and Tabitha in a side view as we see words coming from off panel and behind them), "My mistress." (Sam and Tabitha spin around and we see in a panel Imol staggering out of the club). "Wouldn't you know it, the rats are always the last to leave", (Tabitha says with an angry and unhappy look on her face as she wrinkles her nose). "Y-You will pay for your insolence mutant", (Imol says struggling to stay standing as he staggers past Sam and Tabitha with a very angry look on his face).
(Then we see a hand first emerge from the pile of rubble, and then in a big panel we see Pestilence pull herself out of the pile, she's pretty battered and bloody). "Looking good babe, you should be on the cover of Cosmo or Vogue with look", (Tabitha says with a mocking smile on her face in one panel and in the next one we see Sam smiling as well). "Your pitiful attempts at humor notwithstanding you will pay for this," (Pestilence says before she stands next to Imol and then they both teleport away).
"You will pay for this, sheesh, can't any of these villainy type people ever come up with anything new", (Tabitha says laughing). "We don't' have time for this, just go and look for Terry and Jimmy alright, who's to know who'll be after them, ah just hope it isn't Plague, after what she did to Jimmy we have tah be wary of her, and Tabitha," (Sam says as Tabitha starts to walk towards the parking lot before she stops and turns around with a questioning look on her face).
"Be careful, I love you", (Sam says blasting off and kicking up dust in one panel and in the next one we do a close up on Tabitha's from about her chest up as she's looking up towards Sam and shielding her eyes she says,) "ditto". (Then next panel is of her in the foreground in the bottom of the picture as we're looking up as we see Sam flying off with Erica in his arms).
[Across town and completely unaware of what has just transpired]
(We see Warpath and Siryn walking out of a building in the background and in the foreground on a sign we see the letters AA Meeting-Tonight 8 P.M.-In those removable letters). (We go in closer to the two of them as Siryn says buttoning up her coat), "I don' know what's worse, that speaker of this weather". "I thought you didn't mind the cold, thought you said the cold made you realize you were alive", (Warpath says as they cross the parking lot and then in the next panel they're standing by Warpath's jeep).
"Aye did, but I'll say this Jimmy, it was those days at Camp Verde that did me in," (Siryn says with an unhappy look on her face.) "Come on Terry, you're just upset about tonight, you'll feel better in the morning trust me,"(Warpath says opening his door as we see this in a wide panel, we're looking at the jeep head on with Warpath on the right and Siryn on the left before in the next panel we are looking at Siryn across the hood of the jeep as she's now leaning on the hood looking concerned as she says,) "I hope so, on second thought I think I'm gon' take a walk or something, I'll meet you back at the mansion."
"You sure Terry," (Warpath says with a hand on his chin). "Aye, I need some time to think, to clear me head," (Siryn says starting to walk away before she stops, turns around and with a smile says), "and don' worry about me Jimmy, I'll be there before ye know it". [As Siryn ventures into the night sky she is to far away to hear Warpaths heartfelt response, one that exactly mirrors her own thoughts on the subject].
(We see Warpath gazing up into the sky with a somber look on his face as the breeze blows his hair around as he says); "You'd better because I'd hate to live in this world without you". (Then we do a full page panel of Siryn looking like she's flying right towards us and out of the panel and in the background we see Warpath's jeep driving away).
[Sometime later]
(Next scene switches to one of Sam sitting on top of a tall building, he's sitting on the edge looking around with a bored look on his face). Ah thought I would've found something by now, after I took Erica back to the mansion I thought I could, (Sam thinks before in a panel in which we're looking up at Sam, the lights from the city are casting a glow on Sam, we see him spot something).
"What the," (Sam says standing up). [Samuel Guthrie has seen creatures like those that are currently patrolling the skies below him before, not to long ago he and the other members of the renegade team X-force had thwarted a similar attack by cuckoo, and he was not about to let there be a similar occurrence] . "What in God's name are," (Sam says in a panel that we see him from mid-stomach up with a very shocked look on his face).
[With luck he might be able to get the drop on the creatures, but before he can act his luck runs out] If ah can just hit'em (Sam thinks with a pondering look on his face in one panel and in the next panel one of the creatures turns its head and after we see that it sees Sam, then in a series of panels we see it alert the others, then they all turn to attack Sam). "Okay new plan, how about Death From Above," (Sam says with a confident smile with his mouth slightly open). (We see a big panel of Sam blasting down into the group of winged Crimson Dawn warriors).
(We see a big battle rage as each side exchanges blows, Sam sending some warriors falling out of the sky, some get blasted into buildings, Sam gets slashed a few times before it looks like Sam has the advantage against the warriors). (With a smirk on his face Sam says), "Hey that wasn't so bad..", (before his face with a smirk on it quickly turns to one that he's suddenly aware that he's in way over his head as we see a lot more c.d. warriors teleport in).
[It begins anew..] (The battle starts again but this time Sam's in trouble from the start, the c.d. warriors get a lot of shots in as then one rams Sam through a glass window and into many desks). (Then we see Sam blast the flying c.d. warrior back out of the building before we see him appear at the broken windows edge, he's leaning on the vertical part of the window sill, and he's exhausted because we see in a close up he's breathing hard and he's sweating heavily).
"Now you will die mutant", (one of the warriors growls at Sam). "This oughtah be fun," (Sam says swallowing hard in one panel and in the next big panel we see Sam prepared to fight). [The silence of the battlefield is broken..] (We see in a large two page panel an aerial shot of the c.d. warriors flying around and in between the buildings and see Sam as being kind of a small figure as all the glass windows in the picture suddenly shatter loudly).
(Then in the next panel we see Sam fall to the floor and cover his head as the warriors react in the next panel by grabbing their heads and howling in pain as the glass showers down on them and Sam, who's yelling loudly, the glass kills some of the c.d. warriors).
(The whole battle is taking place very high up, near the tops of the skyscrapers). (Then we do a close up as Sam cautiously looks up and then around, as do the crimson dawn warriors in the next panel). (Then we switch to a panel of Siryn hovering in the air with a mad expression on her face, her hair is in a ponytail but her bangs are flying around). "Hang on boyo, help's at hand," (Siryn says while we go to a pair of close ups, first one with just a mad face then the next one she's screaming). [With deafening Siryn's sonic scream liquefies the airborne warrior's internal organs]
(We see panels of the c.d. warrior's faces contorting in pain and anger as they hunch over, clutching their stomachs.) "Now Sam," (Siryn says with a hasty look at Sam, who's risen to his knees and is staring in disbelief). (We see a panel of Sam standing up and using the side of the window to help him). (Then we see Sam grimace before he blasts off towards the group of crimson dawn warriors.) [Like a volcano Cannonball erupts into their midst.] (We see a panel of Sam blasting into the crimson dawn warriors; he's cracking heads and blasting some of the c.d. warriors into surrounding buildings.)
(Then we see a panel of us looking at Siryn who's hovering in mid air facing us, completely caught up in Sam's fight with the c.d. warriors, and behind her we see a couple of flying warriors come up behind her, and they're out for blood). (We switch to a panel of Sam with one hand on one of the c.d. warriors neck and the other hand is holding the claws of that same warriors hand at bay). (Then while that same c.d. warrior has one hand on Sam's neck Sam turns his head to look at Siryn, and we see that he has at first a grimace on his face but then it's one of alarm in the next panel as he yells), "Terry look out."
(Next panel is of Siryn looking confused but then the next panel is a close up on her face as we see her realize why Sam yelled at her). (Next panel Siryn dodges out of the way, barely missing being skewered by the flying c.d. warriors claws as she says), "Whoah". (Then Siryn turns and blasts the two c.d. warriors into the nearest building, right through the wall). [And as quickly as it began it ends]
(Then in a short set of panels we see Sam and Siryn finish the fight and then land on the top of the building). "So what was all that about", (Siryn says looking over at Sam as she lands). "I don't know, ah was just looking around to try and find some of the guys that attacked Tabitha and I earlier, but those weren't the guys,"(Sam says catching his breath and sitting on a nearby ledge). "Ye were attacked tonight, are ye alright", (Siryn says with a shocked and worried look on her face).
"Nothin that a little of my momma's home cooking won't,"(Sam starts to say with a smile before in a series of panels we see him realize what he's saying, get really sad, shrug his shoulders and bow his head before nervously running a hand through his hair).
"I'm sorry Sam, I didn' mean to remind you about yer family", (Siryn says with a pained look on her face). "It's okay, but how did you find me, ah thought you had an important meeting tonight", (Sam says scratching the hack of his head). "Aye, I did, but it got over early and I told Jimmy to go back to the mansion so that I could get some air, and then I just kind of ran into you and your friends", (Siryn says with a slight smirk). "Yah, ah just hope that no-one on the ground below got hurt", (Sam says looking over the edge of the building).
"Me to, but I think any of them that fell will probably end up on an examination table in a laboratory somewhere", (Siryn says also looking over the edge of the building). "C'mon, we'd better get back to the mansion, Tabitha will think something's happened", (Sam says with a sly smile). "Yah, I told Jimmy that I wouldn' be to long", (Siryn says nodding her head). (We see Siryn and Cannonball fly away as we see them in the background and the top of the building in the foreground).
[A short time later]
(We see a wide shot of a street, it's of gas station with people walking in and out, and then a car drives away). (Then we see someone pushing a jeep into the gas station, then in the next panel we see that it's Warpath, who looks a little tired before he says,) "You'd think with super-strength pushing a jeep would be easy", (Warpath says with a sarcastic look on his face). (Then we see him push the jeep up to the pump, then starting to fill the tank before we see him sigh before walking into the gas station to pay for the gas after he puts the cap back on his gas tank).
(Next we see Warpath sifting through the shelves and opening the glass door to get a bottle of water). (Then in a series of panels that start with a shot of the door, then with a woman's hand on it, then the door opens and we get a mid level shot as the woman walks in). (Then we pan up from behind the woman to see that she's blonde and she's wearing shades). (She puts here shades up and asks the clerk), "Hey mister, you see any outer dimensional villainously types slumming around here," (the woman says before she leans over and rests her elbows on the counter while smirking). (We turn around to see that it's Tabitha). (Warpath meanwhile is squatting down looking for something, but when he hears Tabitha he looks up with a), "huh", (as he has a bag of chips in his mouth).
(The clerk is just and old man who replies with no expression showing on his face), "Nope none of them, just yer run of the mill bad apples like those fellers outside." (We see a wide panel of Tabitha on the left as she's turned and looking outside with a very shocked look on her face as Warpath stands up, still holding the bag of chips in his mouth as Tabitha says), "What fellers, oh s...". (Before she can finish her sentence we see her grab the clerk and pull him with her as they dive to the floor as a blast of energy comes blowing in through the glass doors, shattering them, and then hits the counter and explodes, showering the insides with debris, and Warpath dives to the side as well).
[And for the second time in one day Tabitha Smith finds herself the target of malice] (We then see a rather large rack of items being flung up in the air by a large arm). (Then we see Warpath on his hands and knees looking mad, then he goes over to Tabitha and says), "Hey Tabitha you okay". "Jimmy, what are you, uhh, just get this stuff off of me", (Tabitha says as we see her trying to push a large piece of debris off of herself). "Alright hold your horses,"(Warpath says pulling the piece off of her as we then see from off panel someone say), "Eliminate them."
(As we see on one side of a panel c.d. warriors beginning to enter the building and on the left side we see Warpath glaring towards the warriors while saying), "get out of here Tabitha, and take him with you", (to which Tabitha says), "but what are you going to do," (with a hand on Warpaths arm). (In a close up of Warpath's face he says with a glint of excitement in his eye), "I'm going to give our guests a proper welcome".
(Next panel we see Warpath lunging at the oncoming c.d. warriors, then in the next panel he slams into them, and then we do an outside shot of first the c.d.warriors running towards the entrance, the next panel is of the C.D. warriors being force-ably as Warpath had just bull-rushed them to get them out of gas station.) , and we see the astonishment of the warriors at what's happening).
(We cut back to inside as Tabitha helps the man up and to a back door and then the guy stumbles out that door as we spread out and see Tabitha saying,) "Okay, come on man we gotta get you out of here before those uglies out there can get their claws on you, now get going". (Next panel we see Tabitha then turn back towards where Warpath went out before she breaks into a run while saying), "Hold on Jimmy, I'm comin." (We cut back outside as Warpath is looking ready to fight before some warriors rush him, then he punches a few of them out of the way and then he punches a few of them out of the way and then he throws some of them over himself and into the walls of the gas station.)
(We move over to a horseman's feet, then we go up and spin around to see that it's War as he says), "You ignorant fools, our high lord does not tolerate failure, but if you fail me our high-lord will not need to deal with you,"(with a growl and an angry sneer on his face with his fists clenched).
"Well he's about to get used to it", (Tabitha says with a jazzed up smile on her face as she's leaping over a small pile of rubble with one hand on the rubble and the other is outstretched towards the crimson dawn warriors and we see the plasma shooting from her finger tips and it's ramming into the warriors.) "Pompous witch, I will take great pleasure in ramming those words down your throat," (War growls before he lunges at her and takes a swing at her).
"My, you're one big turkey aren't you, methinks maybe you're compensating for something,"(Tabitha says with a mocking smile on her face as she deftly dodges out of the way of War's punches). "Wretched swine,"(War growls as Tabitha continues to dodge his punches, laughing all the way, as we see Warpath fighting in the background). (Then in the next series of panels we see Tabitha first dodge a punch, then uses his arm to vault herself up to near War's face before she lets loose with her plasma bombs, causing War to howl in pain before grabbing his face and staggering backwards).
[With newfound skill and confidence Meltdown presses the attack] (In wide shots we see Warpath really taking it to the c.d. warriors as we see War stumble back and knock over one of the gas pumps, causing gas to spray up out of the ground). (Then Tabitha turns and says while crouching), "Hey big fella, hold on I'm coming", (as she then stands up and breaks into a run). "That's okay Tabitha, I'm doin just fine", (Warpath yells as he throws one of the c.d. warriors into a car as we see Tabitha stop running so fast).
"But what am I supposed to do,"(Tabitha says looking unsure of what exactly to do). "Keep War busy until I'm done with the others", (Warpath yells as a bunch of c.d.warriors pile on top of him). (Then we see Tabitha turn around and race back towards War, who's now finally clearing his head). (Then we see him stand fully upright with a glare on his face and he's preparing to lunge at Tabitha before he says), "Now you die mutant." (We see Warpath throw all the c.d. warriors off of him and say), "Tabitha look out," (before he launches himself at her, and in a panel we see Tabitha start to turn before we see War launch himself at her in a panel that we view him flying through the air towards Tabitha).
(We see a close up of Tabitha's face as she realizes that War is coming towards her and she can't get out of the way in time, her eyes get big and all the color drains from her face, before in the nest big panel we see Warpath grab Tabitha and dive out of the way). (War crashes into the c.d. warriors and with a growl gets up, throwing the warriors off of him in disgust as he growls), "You will die for this."
(We switch to a shot of Warpath and Siryn who are resting with their backs up against an overturned car as Tabitha says with a straight face), "You first", (as she then sends a volley of plasma blasts towards War, who at first doesn't seem to mind it, until we see him notice that he's standing very near to the ever growing pool of spilled gasoline, as Tabitha looks on with a smile but Warpath looks like he's just figured out what will happen and with an arm reaching out towards Tabitha to stop her says), "No Tabitha, the gasoline it'll". [Despite his best efforts Warpath is unable to stop her from launching her plasma bombs]
(With a very scared face in a series of panels we see Tabitha realize what she's done as she stammers out), "Uh oh". [With the worst luck possible War and his minions realize their predicament). (We see the plasma bombs hit the spilling gas and they cause explosion, then we see Warpath jump on top of Tabitha as debris starts to rain down on them). (After the smoke clears we see Warpath and Tabitha sitting side by side with relieved looks on their faces as Tabitha says with a whipped dog look on her face,) "Oops".
(Then a panel of silence then Warpath turns to look at Tabitha and says with a straight face), "oops, is that all you got to say for yourself, you know I should make you walk back home for this, but if I do Sam would bite my head off". "Thank God for that", (Tabitha says with a weak laugh). (Then we see Warpath look at Tabitha with a look on his face that says something like, for the love of). "C'mon let's go", (Warpath says dragging Tabitha with him.)
[Sometime later and seemingly a word away]
(Scene opens as we flyover the city and come to a stop on a tall skyscraper that's standing apart from the others, as on the top of it we see a type of mini botanical center encased in glass, with a small gurgling brook that flows from a waterfall and flows all throughout the area). (Near a small bridge that goes over the brook there's a highly done up table and the area is lit up by candles and moonlight, a bottle of wine is chilling beside the table, and we see Warren standing nearby wearing a tuxedo with his hands in his pockets and he's staring up at the full moon with a wistful look on his face).
[Aromatic candles, newly blossoming flowers, the moonlight filtering through the foliage casts a disco ball type affect on the area, casting pale prisms of light onto the marble floor, Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata wafting through the imported palm trees and ferns, the finest china money can buy, a blue silk tablecloth, the champagne chilled, Warren Worthington has planned this night down to the last detail, hoping to make it as close to being a perfect night as he can]
[Lately, due to his hectic work schedule as one of the leading business men in the world and his bizarre schedule wrought from leading this splinter group of X-men, what little free time that is available to him he has used to catch up on lost sleep, but tonight his is more than willing to make and exception]. "Well well Mr. Worthington, if I didn't know better I'd think you were trying to impress me," (a voice from off panel says). (With a shot from behind him we see the moonlight and candles casting flickering shadows on Warren as he first lowers his head and then he turns around with a laughing smile on his face before he looks squarely at Psylocke and we see him gasp in a close up of his head). (Then we see a full page panel of Psylocke standing on the bridge).
(She's wearing a tight black pull up dress that is cut very low in the back that is sparkling in the moonlight, she also is wearing high heels, a diamond choker on her neck with her hair pulled up in a bun, diamond earrings, gold and diamond bracelets, a diamond ring on her right hand, and a black shawl wrapped around her).
(We see Betsy get a slightly concerned look on her face as with a slight smile that we see in a close up on her lips then one of her from the waist up she says), "Warren, is everything alright". [His breath escapes him as he catches sight on her, for a good portion of his life he has gone by the codename of Angel, but tonight he feels that he has found a more worthy person to bear that moniker]
"Of course, everything's just fine, it's just that you are so..wow", (Warren says before chuckling nervously). "Yes sir, you're a regular Shakespeare alright, and here I was thinking Xavier's was a school, apparently I must have been mistaken", (Betsy says snickering). "Very funny, but I must say that you look great", (Warren says smiling before Betsy says), "So do you", (to which while smiling Warren sheepishly replies), "I try". "So what now", (Betsy says walking over to Warren). "After what happened in Scotland we need to talk, I need to know exactly what you were doing with Storm and the others, because I have a suspicion that," (Warren says looking at Betsy with a grim look on his face).
"I'm sorry Warren, but you know I can't tell you about what Ororo and the others are doing, or their reasons for leaving, or mine", (Betsy says in a close up on her face as she's frowning). "But I need to know if they're connected somehow, ridding this world of Apocalypse once and for all is my responsibility , it's my fault that he's still around causing trouble, I don't know if I could live with myself if my failure to stop him when I had the chance results in the deaths or people that I care about..", (Warren says hanging his head with a very dour look on his face as he slumps his shoulders and jams his hands back into his pockets.)
(We see Betsy, while looking down at the ground, say), "Warren you can't blame yourself for what Apocalypse does, he's now the world's responsibility, you can't try and take him on all by yourself, not when there are people that love and care about you willing to fight by your side". "I know and I'm thankful for that support, but at times I just find myself feeling like Captain Ahab , leading you all to your deaths", (Warren says looking back at Betsy over his shoulder).
"But that's what we're here for Warren, to keep you from ending up like he did, and you aren't the only one that feels responsible for things you've done in your past, all of us have events in our past that we feel responsible for", (Betsy says laying her right hand on Warrens right shoulder as she comes to be almost hugging him with one arm.) "I know, I'm just trying to get everything to work out in my head, because right now I'm missing a lot of the pieces to the puzzle and that's what scares me", (Warren says grinding his teeth lightly).
"But in our line of work we rarely get the whole puzzle," (Betsy says squeezing Warrens shoulder). "I know, but enough of that, this is supposed to be a romantic evening, and I think it's about time that it started looking like one", (Warren says smiling and straightening up). "What do you mean", (Betsy says laying her shawl down on the back of a nearby chair).
"Well I think that we should start off tonight off with a toast", (Warren says walking over to the chilled champagne). (Then we see Betsy give a weak smile before in a close up on her eyes we see them showing concern, then she puts a hand to her now, and then is shocked to see blood on her hand). "So what should we toast to.Betsy?", (Warren says picking up the champagne, then with a concerned look on his face he half turns before Betsy says), "Warren", (before we see her get a little weak in the knees before Warren turns around and says), "Betsy", (as he drops the bottle of champagne and we see it shatter on the floor as he catches Betsy as she starts to fall with a hand on her temple and her eyes are emanating a pink glow).
"Nggh, it's happening again, it must be.ngghh.another vision, but it's not as bad as before", (Betsy says as she's now on her hands and knees with Warren holding her up). "What is it, what do you see," (Warren says holding her right hand in his left one).
"I'm not sure, it's all so fuzzy, but someone, someone is coming", (Betsy says gritting her teeth as blood starts to come harder out of her nose). [Were he not completely absorbed in tending to his soul-mate Warren Worthington would have noticed the teleportation portal forming just behind him] (We see a blue portal opening behind Warren). "Who's coming Betts, who", (Warren says with a very worried look on his face). (From behind them we see someone say), "That would be me."
(In a close up we see Warren turn his head with a), "huh". (We see a huge blue hand backhand Warren who then goes flying into the trees with a loud), "Aargh", (as Betsy slumps to the floor with a weak), "Warren". (Then we see Warren push himself up from the ground in one panel, in the next panel he turns his head to see who hit him, then with a very angry look on his face he yells), "You."
(Then we do a full page panel as we see Warren on his hands and knees in the foreground and bottom of the picture and squatting down with a very pleased look on his face is Apocalypse, who's saying), "Hello boy, daddy's home".
"Exalted one, what should I do with this one," (Death says grinning wickedly at Betsy, who's struggling to stand). "Ahh Ms. Braddock, so nice of you to be here, it stops me from having to hunt you down, kill her," (Apocalypse says coolly, to which Death snickers). "Nooo," (Warren yells as he leaps to save Betsy with his wings spreading out as he jumps). "Not so fast," (Apocalypse says as he pounds Warren into the ground with a fist before he says), "I'm not through talking to you yet", (before grabbing Warren by the throat and dragging him up to his knees).
"Damn you," (Warren says through gritted and bloody teeth, as he tries to make Apocalypse loosen his grip). "You disappoint me, you were my bird of prey, my Angel of Death, now look at you, wallowing in self pity and my feet while your mate quivers in fear before my horseman", (Apocalypse says looking very disappointed). "Quivering, hardly", (Betsy says jump kicking Death in the face as Death is knocked off his feet).
"Insolent woman," (Apocalypse says tossing Warren up against a tree as if he were a toy). (We see a panel of Betsy and Apocalypse opposing each other, she's in a ninja stance and he is just standing there with his arms crossed). (Then with a loud cry Betsy leaps at Apocalypse who puts out a hand to stop her, but she somersaults over it and cracks Apocalypse on the chin with her foot). "You will pay dearly for that," (Apocalypse says as he and Betsy fight hand to hand, with Betsy getting in some good blows before Death comes up behind her and knocks her to the ground by hitting her in the back of the head).
(Next panel we see Betsy trying to rise, with a hand gingerly on the back of her head). "Now you see that's better, I cam here to relay a personal message, tell Xavier that I will show him the futility of his pathetic dream and grind it into the evolutionary mire from whence it came, and you can tell that weather witch of yours to keep on believing in her foolish quest to control the future, I am the future, and there's nothing any of you can ever do to change that, Death kill her", (Apocalypse says looking pretty proud of himself).
"Yes master," (Death says as he turns to Betsy to finish her off). (Warren yells), "Nooo," (as he starts to get up). (As Death's hand is reaching down to towards Betsy we see in the next panel her face in a close up, it's one of shock and fear). "Over my dead body," (Sam yells as he suddenly appears and blasts through Death and carries him as they crash into the waterfall). "Who dares," (Apocalypse starts to say as he turns before he gets blasted off balance by a barrage of plasma bombs and a sonic scream).
"That would be us, because when you mess with one of us you mess with all of us", (Warpath says before he lays into Apocalypse, then with a huge punch Warpath says), "hear that, it's the sound of me breaking your glass jaw." (We se Apocalypse stagger back before we see Death come flying back into the picture, after we see Sam first punch him in the stomach and then smash his face in with a punch, as he lands next to Apocalypse who's furious as he yells), "You will die for this trespass." "Ohh we're like really scared, why don't you go crawl back into the sewer you cam out of," (Tabitha says with a mean look on her face).
"Are you going to stop me all by yourself child, don't make me laugh", (Apocalypse says with a hearty laugh as we see Death start to open a portal behind him). "Who said anything about laughing, father", (Warren says as the whole team almost completely surrounds Apocalypse, who's body language shows that he's not so confident anymore). "You're move bid daddy", (Tabitha chirps in). "A bold move, but it will prove utterly futile, you cannot kill one who is forever, I am a god", (Apocalypse says roaring his head back in laughter).
"Wrong bug, there's only one God, and you ain't him", (Sam says as he blasts Apocalypse with everything he's got as does Tabitha and Siryn). "Ha ha, that tickles.what..no..not yet", (Apocalypse says as he starts to enter the portal, then tries to stop himself).
"Goodbye, father", (Warren says as he and Betsy, with angry grimaces on their faces, punch him in the face as with a yell of anger Apocalypse and Death disappear into the portal before it closes). [Once again a stillness falls over the team] (We see the team relax with obvious relief on their faces and in their body language as Warren and Betsy first hug then kiss as with a hand on her chin Warren says), "You okay," (to which Betsy nods and says), "you", (we see Warren nod and then they hug and then Warren says), "I'm glad you guys showed up when you did, but not to sound unappreciative but you guys look like hell, what happened".
"Trust me, it's a long story," (Warpath starts to say before Tabitha chimes in with), "one that you two probably don't have time for". "It's alright Tabitha, we've got plenty of time," (Betsy says smiling as she and Warren sit down together on a small wooden bench that is set against the edge of the path). "Well then it all started," (Tabitha starts to say as we pull away while seeing the team get closer together to listen to Tabitha). [The storytelling lasts long into the night, but in light of recent events the story's become a welcome change of pace]-END
[2 Days Later....]
(Scene opens with Tabitha walking up the steps of a large church, in jeans and a sweater under a coat). (She enters the church as we see her in the far background and most of the panels are of the interior of the church, with people milling about). (We see her spot who she's looking for, then we turn to see who she's looking at, it's Sam, who's sitting hunched over in a pew). (Next we see Sam from the front as Tabitha puts her hand on Sam's shoulder and as she says,) "Hey Sam".
(We then see Tabitha sit down beside Sam.) "So how'd you find me,"(Sam says with a weak smile as he looks at Tabitha who's looking back at him.) "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but I've been following you all day," (Tabitha says with a small chuckle). "Ah know, you're about as sneaky as an elephant in ah china shop", (Sam says leaning back in the pew and putting his arm on the back of the pew). "Funny Sam real funny, but really what'cha doing here," (Tabitha says with a sarcastic smile on her face).
"I guess ah'm just tryin to sort things out, with everything that's been goin on lately, I'm just..", (Sam says looking around like he's looking for an answer that's written on the walls of the church).
"Yah, I've been trying to get all this to make sense ever since we got back from Scotland too, but I haven't really had to much luck yet," (Tabitha says looking up into the rafters). "Ah wonder if this is what it's gonna be like all the time, because I have a sinkin feeling that it's going to become a reoccurring chain of events with this team," (Sam says with a sarcastic smirk on his face).
"You and I both, but at least we'll have each other," (Tabitha says turning to Sam and smiling). "That we do," (Sam says smiling before pulling Tabitha close and kissing her on the top of her head). (We pull back to a man in a suit that's watching Sam and Tabitha from afar, and he's talking into a device that he's wearing on his left wrist).
"Targets acquired, do I engage", (the man says watching people walk around). (A voice comes out of the machine and says), "Negative, continue your observation, our plans for them aren't ready yet". "As you wish, my mistress," (the man says before we see his eyes glow a bright red).
[Back at the mansion..]
(Scene opens with Warren in the danger rooms control room at the control panel, and he's entering something into a nearby pop-up computer screen.) "Ready to begin Betts," (Warren says into a wireless headset, as we then go into the danger room as Betsy has her own wireless headset on as she says), "Okay Warren, start the program". "Will do, computer start program 86- Beta," (Warren says as we see the specs of the program on the computer screen, but the screen is slanted so we can't read the specs).
(We see the inside of a large warehouse materialize first then two large battle-bots materialize before Betsy says,) "Alright James, the object of this exercise is to defeat the two battle-bots that stand before you," (before she walks over to a sectioned off area against a wall). "Fair enough, let's go,"(Warpath says pounding his fist into his open palm before Betsy nods to Warren, who pushes a button and the battle-bots spring to life as they attack Warpath and he leaps into the fray).
(Telepathically we see Betsy and Warren talking as Warren says, as we see a little pink butterfly on his forehead), "So what do you think he'll do when he finds out about our little surprise", (to which Betsy replies with a sly smile), "I don't' know, but I'll be fun to see, we're still on for tonight right?"
"Wouldn't miss it" Warren telepathically says back with a smile). (We go back to Warpath fighting the battle-bots, they attack him but he dodges out of the way with a smile on his face as then he takes a big swing at one of the battle-bots, he hits it but gets a high voltage shock which blasts him back against the far wall, then we see Betsy snickering). "What the, I don't remember those droids having that ability,"(Warpath mutters as he's on his hands and knees as we see him with black marks on him and smoke rising off of him).
"Your strength is your greatest asset James, but it also your greatest weaknesses, you often rely on it to much," (Betsy says with her arms crossed and a smirk on her face). "So what am I supposed to do now," (Warpath says staggering to his feet). "Simple James, you're just going to have to find another way to defeat these drones", (Warren says holding down the intercom button). (With a sarcastic smirk on his face Warpath looks around, and notices a water pipe with a danger high pressure sign near it and a wheel to turn to open the valve).
(Then we see Warpath dodge a blow from one of the battle-bots by leaping towards the water outlet). (Then the battle-bots move towards Warpath, who throws a big pallet at them, causing them to activate their electric charge before he turns quickly, and spins the wheel before the water comes blasting out and hits the battle-bots and they get fried). (As he shuts the water off Warpath says), "There, what do you think about that, and I even used my brains instead of my muscles like you said," (he says with a smile).
"Yes you did James, but let's try that one again, Warren," (Betsy says looking up towards Warren). "I wish I could I truly do, but I have to take Terry to her first AA meeting tonight", (Warpath says smiling while mock saluting before he walks out of the danger room as the door opens and then closes behind him). "He still has much to learn, he still let's anger and ego, no matter that it's small, cloud his judgment, remind you of anybody,"(Betsy says with a smile as she takes a quick glance up at Warren, who does a light smirk before he says with a smile), "Very funny, I've come a long way since then, you should know that better than anybody, but I do agree with you James needs to learn some balance, that said we need to discuss what happened in Scotland", (to which Betsy frowns and nods her head.)
[Shortly, the apple orchard..]
(We see Siryn standing next to a tree, wearing a coat-jeans-hat-and gloves as she's holding the top parts of the coat together because she's obviously cold as we see her breath and the wind blowing her hair, she looks sad). (In a close up of her face, her chin is down and her eyes are closed as we see someone say), "I know it's not how you'd want to spend your spare time, but going tonight is a good thing". (We then see in a close up of her face Siryn half smile before opening her eyes and while staring off into space she says), "Aye know Jimmy, it's just that these meetins remind me of how bad me problem truly was". (Then we see Warpath standing just behind Siryn with a concerned look on his face, and Siryn is in front looking off into space).
"But Terry, you might not like hearing me say this but, I'm proud of you,"(Warpath says with a smile as Siryn turns towards him with a smile before saying), "Thanks for the pep talk boyo, now we'd better get going or I'll be late, and ye know how I hate t'be late." "Since when", (Warpath says with a straight face in one panel, in the next one we see Siryn looking at him with a slightly bewildered look on her face, then in the next panel we see Warpath with a big smile on his face).
"Oh boyo, what am I gonn' do with you", (Siryn says with a smile on her face as she pats Warpath on the shoulder before they head towards Warpaths jeep). (We see Warpath open Siryn's door for her before she gets in and he closes it, then he gets in as well and we see this and then them driving away in a group of panels that encompass one whole page).
+Downtown San Francisco+ +It's Late+
[While Warpath and Siryn head off to take care of a more serious matter, Cannonball and Meltdown look for more lighthearted pursuits] (We see Sam and Tabitha walking on the sidewalk, arm in arm with them smiling as they're walking by a group of clubs with people coming in and out of the entrances, with maybe Sam/Tab reacting to somebody that's puking in the street). "Come on Sam, let's just pick one and go have some fun, it's cold and boring out here," (Tabitha says with an impatient look on her face).
"Really, ah hadn't noticed," (Sam says with a grin before he picks a club and opens the door for Tabitha). (They enter a very colorful and active club as on one side we see booths to sit in, the middle area is the dance floor that's surrounded by cages that people are dancing in along with poles that people are dancing by, on the right is where the bar is).
(We see Sam stop quickly with big eyes as he looks shocked at what he's seeing as Tabitha reacts with a very excited look on her face as they take off their coats, as Tabitha says), "Ohh yah, now this is what I call fun", (as she pulls Sam with her as we see him half trying to stop Tabitha from dragging him onto the dance floor).
(They go a little ways before we see someone say from off panel); "Sam is that you, oh man, I never thought I'd see you here". (Scene changes to that of which we see Erica standing near them, she looks great, as she's smiling). "Er-uh-Erica, what are you," (Sam stutters out as he looks shocked and Tabitha looks questioningly at him). "It's called having fun Sam, you should try it sometime,"(Erica says smiling as we do a close up on her from her waist up, she's wearing a tight pair of blue jeans with a cut off midriff showing shirt, a gold chain type thing around her waist, a watch, some earrings, a few rings on her hands, and her hair is up and it's a little darker than usual as the clubs lights cast different colors onto her hair and through this whole scene).
"That's what I keep telling him, come on Sam let's dance", (Tabitha says with a jab of her elbow to Sam's ribs and smiling at Erica before pulling Sam with her). (We see a panel of Erica standing there like she's ready to say something and with a confused look on her face). (Then she shakes her head and walks off). "Was that really necessary, ah didn't even get to introduce you two," (Sam says as Tabitha stops pulling him). "We'll do it later, now come on let's have some fun," (Tabitha says starting to dance). [Meanwhile.] (We cut to outside of the club and we see the same guy that was following Sam/Tabitha earlier standing near the clubs door).
"They just entered my mistress, should I engage," (the man says into his wrist mounted communicator). "Not until I get there,"(Pestilence says appearing beside him with a horde of crimson dawn warriors). (We see the people on the street scream and run away in fear as the c.d. warrior's growl and jeer at the people, and cars crash into light poles and other cars).
"Now we will cleanse this area and pass judgment on the unworthy flatscans," (Pestilence says grinning as the man we saw before turns into Imol, who's also smiling.) "Shall I give the word my mistress"; (Imol says looking like he's chomping at the bit to attack). "It is," (Pestilence says retreating into the shadows). (Imol nods his head with a sinister smile on his face and motions to the c.d. warriors and says), "let the holy judgment by fire commence." (The Crimson Dawn warriors cheer sinisterly as they begin to move towards the club).
[Inside, oblivious to the actions outside.]
(Sam and Tabitha are now sitting at a table talking and they look like they're having a good time.) "Ah have to admit, I'm actually starting to have a good time," (Sam says leaning back in his chair and smiling as he glances around). "See I told you all you needed was a little of the San Francisco nightlife to loosen you up," (Tabitha says tossing a french fry at Sam with a huge grin on her face). (He just watches the fry hit him then he smiles before breaking into a laugh that Tabitha later joins in on). (From off panel we see someone say), "what's so funny." (Sam and Tabitha turn to see Erica standing there with a smile and holding a drink). "Oh, it's you", (Tabitha says as the smile disappears from her face as she pokes at the fries).
"Did I say something wrong,"(Erica says before in a large panel we see an entire long wall of the club explode inwards, as Sam, Tabitha, and Erica are thrown up against the nearest wall, and the other club goers also react in fear and get blown around). (Next we see Sam on his hands and knees, with blood running down the side of his head, but not very much blood, as he's trying to see through the smoke and fire as people stagger and stumble around).
(Through the smoke we see figures emerging and one at the front says), "Greetings humans, don't bother trying to rise, I guarantee your deaths will be as slow and painful as possible," (before emerging from the smoke and being shown to be Pestilence, with a grinning Imol by her side). "Oh great it's the crybaby and his mummy", (Tabitha says sneering at Imol after spitting some blood out of her mouth). "Who are these guys, what do they want with us", (Erica says before touching right above her eye, wincing in pain in panel and then in the next one she brings her hand down and it has a little blood on it).
"They're lackeys of ah monster called Apocalypse, they want tah start ah kind of holy war, kinda like what that Darwin guy though up y'know, survival of the fittest, but with them being the judge, jury, and executioner all rolled inta one", (Sam says helping Tabitha and Erica to their feet). "Our glorious master's vision is pure and righteous, those that he has judged unfit are not worthy of life," (Pestilence says with a sneer on her lips before then saying), "Imol, these beings have been judged unfit, pass judgment on them, with extreme prejudice". (Imol smiles sinisterly before charging towards the nearest group of humans, with the crimson dawn warriors following his lead).
"Ah won't let you kill again", (Sam yells as he rockets off to stop Imol as Erica reacts with shock and says), "a mutant, but." (Tabitha springs into action by firing plasma bombs into the nearest group of crimson dawn fighters). (We see Sam plow into Imol and the two of them crashing through things and other c.d. warriors).
(Tabitha, while blasting the c.d. warriors around her with red hot plasma bombs, tells the people around her), "Okay listen up, everybody on your feet, you'd all better vacate the premises, and quickly". "This is all too much, everything's happening so fast", (Erica says looking around with a scared look on her face.) (Next we see Imol and Sam fighting hand to hand, they both get a shot or two in before Imol gets a good shot or two in with a pipe that he cannibalized from the blown out water pipes).
(We see in the background the crimson dawn warriors chasing people around, killing a few of them, before Sam becomes incensed and just charges at Imol, who let's Sam go right through him before hitting Sam in the chin, first with the pipe and then with his fist). (Sam staggers back before tripping and falling backwards over a fallen chair).
"Sam", (Tabitha yells, with a very worried look on her face, as she's helping someone to their feet). "And now you pitiful little worm, I'm going to crush you beneath my heel", (Imol says angrily with blood running from his nose and mouth). "Over my dead body," (Tabitha yells as we see in a full body panel she blasts her powers out away from her as if she were casting a spell). [Her plasma bombs detonate with deadly accuracy.] (Imol growls in pain and reels from the attack). (Tabitha then runs over to Sam as a crimson dawn warrior turns to glare at Erica with a sinister look on its face, as we do a close up on its face).
"Uh oh, d-don't come any closer," (Erica says as the c.d. warrior starts to walk towards her). (We see a panel of Tabitha kneeling by Sam with a very worried look on her face, as he's shaking the cobwebs out of his head, as she says with one hand on his shoulder and the other holding his left hand), "Sam, say something, c'mon you gotta get up, I can't fight them all alone".
"On that mutant we agree completely", (Imol says as Tabitha starts to turn, but she's not fast enough as Imol knocks her out cold by hitting her with the pipe in the back of her head, as she slumps onto Sam.) (We shift back to Erica as the warrior tries to grab her but fails as Erica dodges out of the way before she grits her teeth and envelopes the warrior in a cloud of red hot fire). (Then the c.d. warrior howls in pain in a panel as Erica turns away). "A mutant, there's only supposed to be two of them here," (Imol says looking surprised). "Eliminate her," (Pestilence says angrily pointing at Erica, as then the c.d. warriors start to advance towards her).
"This is not good, definitely not good," (Erica says with a slightly scared look on her face). "It is unknown how you were unaccounted for, but not matter you could not possibly expect to stop us", (Pestilence says with a haughty stance and expression on her face). "Get the hell away from me," (Erica screams as the c.d. warriors attack her and knock her to the floor).
[Without knowing how or why the fear that has held her mutant power is check for years simply melts away and the consequences for those who wish her harm is both immediate and brutal][It starts slow, a flicker inside her brain, a match is struck, and all hell breaks loose] (We see in a panel Erica's fists slowly close before she starts to shake as first her head is bowed and then she quickly lifts it up with her eyes on fire).
(The crimson dawn warriors are seen ready to strike her but then we see almost a mini nuclear level explosion of fire take place and a wall of white hot fire spread in a circle outward from Erica). (We switch to Sam as he's coming to; he starts to look around before with a close up on his shocked face he sees the wall of fire coming towards them). [With not a second to spare, Cannonball activates his force shield, praying a silent prayer that it will be able to withstand the raw force exuded by this oncoming threat].
(We see Sam's shield activate, as then we see the c.d. warriors get incinerated like Linda Hamilton was in Terminator 2, their skin and all that type stuff is blown off them to reveal bone which in the next panel or two explodes into a shower of dust). (Imol phases as the fire envelops him as we see in one panel). (Pestilence however gets hit full force and is sent flying back out of the club and into the street).
Uhh, where'd all this fire come from, gotta hope mah shield holds, or else Tabitha and ah'll be two crispy critters, (Sam thinks covering Tabitha's body with his body and gritting his teeth and squeezing his eyes tightly shut as we see the blast impact and go by the force shield). [When the blast subsides the survivors pick themselves up and try their best to pick up the pieces]. (We see people staggering around, pushing themselves out from under the broken shards of the bar).
(Then we see Sam sitting up and cradling Tabitha in his arms, with his free hand brushing the hair off of her face as we see it in panels as we pan around him).
"Come on girl, open those pretty blue eyes of yours for me, please", (we see Sam say first in a panel of what he sees as he's looking down at Tabitha and then we see a close up on his face as he's very concerned and scared, looking almost ready to cry). (Then we do a wide shot of him looking up, as if he's looking for help).
(Next panel we see Tabitha cough, and then a panel of Sam looking down with a very relieved look on his face, then of her face in a close up as she smiles and peers out as she's just starting to open her eyes and she says,) "can I have some candy momee, I've been good", (before her, in a close up on her face, eyes blink and then open wide as she says before embracing Sam), "huh, Sam what are you, what's going on". (Next panel Sam they kiss before Sam helps her to her feet and they look around before Tabitha says with a confused look on her face), "what happened here, we didn't do this, did we, because Warren would freak out if he had to pay for this".
"Ah know we didn't cause this, ah was barely able to get the shield up in time", (Sam says as he gazes comes to rest on Erica, whom we see in a panel is lying on the ground in a dusty and dirty heap, and the area around her is very black and scorched).
"Oh no, Erica," (Sam says before he and Tabitha are seen in panels, running towards Erica). "Is she," (Tabitha says looking nervously at Sam, who's kneeling down beside Erica and has a hand on her shoulder). "Ah think she'll be okay, ah can hear her breathing", (Sam says with a smile of relief on his face). "Did you know that she was a mutant," (Tabitha says looking around).
"No, but from the looks of this place, even she might not have known, either way we have to get her out of here", (Sam says shaking his head). (We see Tabitha touch the back of her head winces and says), "Hey where'd the gruesome twosome slither off to, or did we get lucky for once." "We can only hope, but for now we have tah get Erica back to the mansion, ah'll fly her there, you get the car and try to find Jimmy and Terry," (Sam says picking Erica up and looking at Tabitha).
"Why me, they could be anywhere", (Tabitha says as they walk to the clubs entrance, or what's left of it). "Because I can fly, and if we were attacked then doesn't it stand to reason that Jimmy and Terry could be next", (Sam says as they exit the club). (Next panel we see a pile of rubble in the foreground and in the background Sam and Tabitha coming out of the club). (Next panel is of Sam and Tabitha in a side view as we see words coming from off panel and behind them), "My mistress." (Sam and Tabitha spin around and we see in a panel Imol staggering out of the club). "Wouldn't you know it, the rats are always the last to leave", (Tabitha says with an angry and unhappy look on her face as she wrinkles her nose). "Y-You will pay for your insolence mutant", (Imol says struggling to stay standing as he staggers past Sam and Tabitha with a very angry look on his face).
(Then we see a hand first emerge from the pile of rubble, and then in a big panel we see Pestilence pull herself out of the pile, she's pretty battered and bloody). "Looking good babe, you should be on the cover of Cosmo or Vogue with look", (Tabitha says with a mocking smile on her face in one panel and in the next one we see Sam smiling as well). "Your pitiful attempts at humor notwithstanding you will pay for this," (Pestilence says before she stands next to Imol and then they both teleport away).
"You will pay for this, sheesh, can't any of these villainy type people ever come up with anything new", (Tabitha says laughing). "We don't' have time for this, just go and look for Terry and Jimmy alright, who's to know who'll be after them, ah just hope it isn't Plague, after what she did to Jimmy we have tah be wary of her, and Tabitha," (Sam says as Tabitha starts to walk towards the parking lot before she stops and turns around with a questioning look on her face).
"Be careful, I love you", (Sam says blasting off and kicking up dust in one panel and in the next one we do a close up on Tabitha's from about her chest up as she's looking up towards Sam and shielding her eyes she says,) "ditto". (Then next panel is of her in the foreground in the bottom of the picture as we're looking up as we see Sam flying off with Erica in his arms).
[Across town and completely unaware of what has just transpired]
(We see Warpath and Siryn walking out of a building in the background and in the foreground on a sign we see the letters AA Meeting-Tonight 8 P.M.-In those removable letters). (We go in closer to the two of them as Siryn says buttoning up her coat), "I don' know what's worse, that speaker of this weather". "I thought you didn't mind the cold, thought you said the cold made you realize you were alive", (Warpath says as they cross the parking lot and then in the next panel they're standing by Warpath's jeep).
"Aye did, but I'll say this Jimmy, it was those days at Camp Verde that did me in," (Siryn says with an unhappy look on her face.) "Come on Terry, you're just upset about tonight, you'll feel better in the morning trust me,"(Warpath says opening his door as we see this in a wide panel, we're looking at the jeep head on with Warpath on the right and Siryn on the left before in the next panel we are looking at Siryn across the hood of the jeep as she's now leaning on the hood looking concerned as she says,) "I hope so, on second thought I think I'm gon' take a walk or something, I'll meet you back at the mansion."
"You sure Terry," (Warpath says with a hand on his chin). "Aye, I need some time to think, to clear me head," (Siryn says starting to walk away before she stops, turns around and with a smile says), "and don' worry about me Jimmy, I'll be there before ye know it". [As Siryn ventures into the night sky she is to far away to hear Warpaths heartfelt response, one that exactly mirrors her own thoughts on the subject].
(We see Warpath gazing up into the sky with a somber look on his face as the breeze blows his hair around as he says); "You'd better because I'd hate to live in this world without you". (Then we do a full page panel of Siryn looking like she's flying right towards us and out of the panel and in the background we see Warpath's jeep driving away).
[Sometime later]
(Next scene switches to one of Sam sitting on top of a tall building, he's sitting on the edge looking around with a bored look on his face). Ah thought I would've found something by now, after I took Erica back to the mansion I thought I could, (Sam thinks before in a panel in which we're looking up at Sam, the lights from the city are casting a glow on Sam, we see him spot something).
"What the," (Sam says standing up). [Samuel Guthrie has seen creatures like those that are currently patrolling the skies below him before, not to long ago he and the other members of the renegade team X-force had thwarted a similar attack by cuckoo, and he was not about to let there be a similar occurrence] . "What in God's name are," (Sam says in a panel that we see him from mid-stomach up with a very shocked look on his face).
[With luck he might be able to get the drop on the creatures, but before he can act his luck runs out] If ah can just hit'em (Sam thinks with a pondering look on his face in one panel and in the next panel one of the creatures turns its head and after we see that it sees Sam, then in a series of panels we see it alert the others, then they all turn to attack Sam). "Okay new plan, how about Death From Above," (Sam says with a confident smile with his mouth slightly open). (We see a big panel of Sam blasting down into the group of winged Crimson Dawn warriors).
(We see a big battle rage as each side exchanges blows, Sam sending some warriors falling out of the sky, some get blasted into buildings, Sam gets slashed a few times before it looks like Sam has the advantage against the warriors). (With a smirk on his face Sam says), "Hey that wasn't so bad..", (before his face with a smirk on it quickly turns to one that he's suddenly aware that he's in way over his head as we see a lot more c.d. warriors teleport in).
[It begins anew..] (The battle starts again but this time Sam's in trouble from the start, the c.d. warriors get a lot of shots in as then one rams Sam through a glass window and into many desks). (Then we see Sam blast the flying c.d. warrior back out of the building before we see him appear at the broken windows edge, he's leaning on the vertical part of the window sill, and he's exhausted because we see in a close up he's breathing hard and he's sweating heavily).
"Now you will die mutant", (one of the warriors growls at Sam). "This oughtah be fun," (Sam says swallowing hard in one panel and in the next big panel we see Sam prepared to fight). [The silence of the battlefield is broken..] (We see in a large two page panel an aerial shot of the c.d. warriors flying around and in between the buildings and see Sam as being kind of a small figure as all the glass windows in the picture suddenly shatter loudly).
(Then in the next panel we see Sam fall to the floor and cover his head as the warriors react in the next panel by grabbing their heads and howling in pain as the glass showers down on them and Sam, who's yelling loudly, the glass kills some of the c.d. warriors).
(The whole battle is taking place very high up, near the tops of the skyscrapers). (Then we do a close up as Sam cautiously looks up and then around, as do the crimson dawn warriors in the next panel). (Then we switch to a panel of Siryn hovering in the air with a mad expression on her face, her hair is in a ponytail but her bangs are flying around). "Hang on boyo, help's at hand," (Siryn says while we go to a pair of close ups, first one with just a mad face then the next one she's screaming). [With deafening Siryn's sonic scream liquefies the airborne warrior's internal organs]
(We see panels of the c.d. warrior's faces contorting in pain and anger as they hunch over, clutching their stomachs.) "Now Sam," (Siryn says with a hasty look at Sam, who's risen to his knees and is staring in disbelief). (We see a panel of Sam standing up and using the side of the window to help him). (Then we see Sam grimace before he blasts off towards the group of crimson dawn warriors.) [Like a volcano Cannonball erupts into their midst.] (We see a panel of Sam blasting into the crimson dawn warriors; he's cracking heads and blasting some of the c.d. warriors into surrounding buildings.)
(Then we see a panel of us looking at Siryn who's hovering in mid air facing us, completely caught up in Sam's fight with the c.d. warriors, and behind her we see a couple of flying warriors come up behind her, and they're out for blood). (We switch to a panel of Sam with one hand on one of the c.d. warriors neck and the other hand is holding the claws of that same warriors hand at bay). (Then while that same c.d. warrior has one hand on Sam's neck Sam turns his head to look at Siryn, and we see that he has at first a grimace on his face but then it's one of alarm in the next panel as he yells), "Terry look out."
(Next panel is of Siryn looking confused but then the next panel is a close up on her face as we see her realize why Sam yelled at her). (Next panel Siryn dodges out of the way, barely missing being skewered by the flying c.d. warriors claws as she says), "Whoah". (Then Siryn turns and blasts the two c.d. warriors into the nearest building, right through the wall). [And as quickly as it began it ends]
(Then in a short set of panels we see Sam and Siryn finish the fight and then land on the top of the building). "So what was all that about", (Siryn says looking over at Sam as she lands). "I don't know, ah was just looking around to try and find some of the guys that attacked Tabitha and I earlier, but those weren't the guys,"(Sam says catching his breath and sitting on a nearby ledge). "Ye were attacked tonight, are ye alright", (Siryn says with a shocked and worried look on her face).
"Nothin that a little of my momma's home cooking won't,"(Sam starts to say with a smile before in a series of panels we see him realize what he's saying, get really sad, shrug his shoulders and bow his head before nervously running a hand through his hair).
"I'm sorry Sam, I didn' mean to remind you about yer family", (Siryn says with a pained look on her face). "It's okay, but how did you find me, ah thought you had an important meeting tonight", (Sam says scratching the hack of his head). "Aye, I did, but it got over early and I told Jimmy to go back to the mansion so that I could get some air, and then I just kind of ran into you and your friends", (Siryn says with a slight smirk). "Yah, ah just hope that no-one on the ground below got hurt", (Sam says looking over the edge of the building).
"Me to, but I think any of them that fell will probably end up on an examination table in a laboratory somewhere", (Siryn says also looking over the edge of the building). "C'mon, we'd better get back to the mansion, Tabitha will think something's happened", (Sam says with a sly smile). "Yah, I told Jimmy that I wouldn' be to long", (Siryn says nodding her head). (We see Siryn and Cannonball fly away as we see them in the background and the top of the building in the foreground).
[A short time later]
(We see a wide shot of a street, it's of gas station with people walking in and out, and then a car drives away). (Then we see someone pushing a jeep into the gas station, then in the next panel we see that it's Warpath, who looks a little tired before he says,) "You'd think with super-strength pushing a jeep would be easy", (Warpath says with a sarcastic look on his face). (Then we see him push the jeep up to the pump, then starting to fill the tank before we see him sigh before walking into the gas station to pay for the gas after he puts the cap back on his gas tank).
(Next we see Warpath sifting through the shelves and opening the glass door to get a bottle of water). (Then in a series of panels that start with a shot of the door, then with a woman's hand on it, then the door opens and we get a mid level shot as the woman walks in). (Then we pan up from behind the woman to see that she's blonde and she's wearing shades). (She puts here shades up and asks the clerk), "Hey mister, you see any outer dimensional villainously types slumming around here," (the woman says before she leans over and rests her elbows on the counter while smirking). (We turn around to see that it's Tabitha). (Warpath meanwhile is squatting down looking for something, but when he hears Tabitha he looks up with a), "huh", (as he has a bag of chips in his mouth).
(The clerk is just and old man who replies with no expression showing on his face), "Nope none of them, just yer run of the mill bad apples like those fellers outside." (We see a wide panel of Tabitha on the left as she's turned and looking outside with a very shocked look on her face as Warpath stands up, still holding the bag of chips in his mouth as Tabitha says), "What fellers, oh s...". (Before she can finish her sentence we see her grab the clerk and pull him with her as they dive to the floor as a blast of energy comes blowing in through the glass doors, shattering them, and then hits the counter and explodes, showering the insides with debris, and Warpath dives to the side as well).
[And for the second time in one day Tabitha Smith finds herself the target of malice] (We then see a rather large rack of items being flung up in the air by a large arm). (Then we see Warpath on his hands and knees looking mad, then he goes over to Tabitha and says), "Hey Tabitha you okay". "Jimmy, what are you, uhh, just get this stuff off of me", (Tabitha says as we see her trying to push a large piece of debris off of herself). "Alright hold your horses,"(Warpath says pulling the piece off of her as we then see from off panel someone say), "Eliminate them."
(As we see on one side of a panel c.d. warriors beginning to enter the building and on the left side we see Warpath glaring towards the warriors while saying), "get out of here Tabitha, and take him with you", (to which Tabitha says), "but what are you going to do," (with a hand on Warpaths arm). (In a close up of Warpath's face he says with a glint of excitement in his eye), "I'm going to give our guests a proper welcome".
(Next panel we see Warpath lunging at the oncoming c.d. warriors, then in the next panel he slams into them, and then we do an outside shot of first the c.d.warriors running towards the entrance, the next panel is of the C.D. warriors being force-ably as Warpath had just bull-rushed them to get them out of gas station.) , and we see the astonishment of the warriors at what's happening).
(We cut back to inside as Tabitha helps the man up and to a back door and then the guy stumbles out that door as we spread out and see Tabitha saying,) "Okay, come on man we gotta get you out of here before those uglies out there can get their claws on you, now get going". (Next panel we see Tabitha then turn back towards where Warpath went out before she breaks into a run while saying), "Hold on Jimmy, I'm comin." (We cut back outside as Warpath is looking ready to fight before some warriors rush him, then he punches a few of them out of the way and then he punches a few of them out of the way and then he throws some of them over himself and into the walls of the gas station.)
(We move over to a horseman's feet, then we go up and spin around to see that it's War as he says), "You ignorant fools, our high lord does not tolerate failure, but if you fail me our high-lord will not need to deal with you,"(with a growl and an angry sneer on his face with his fists clenched).
"Well he's about to get used to it", (Tabitha says with a jazzed up smile on her face as she's leaping over a small pile of rubble with one hand on the rubble and the other is outstretched towards the crimson dawn warriors and we see the plasma shooting from her finger tips and it's ramming into the warriors.) "Pompous witch, I will take great pleasure in ramming those words down your throat," (War growls before he lunges at her and takes a swing at her).
"My, you're one big turkey aren't you, methinks maybe you're compensating for something,"(Tabitha says with a mocking smile on her face as she deftly dodges out of the way of War's punches). "Wretched swine,"(War growls as Tabitha continues to dodge his punches, laughing all the way, as we see Warpath fighting in the background). (Then in the next series of panels we see Tabitha first dodge a punch, then uses his arm to vault herself up to near War's face before she lets loose with her plasma bombs, causing War to howl in pain before grabbing his face and staggering backwards).
[With newfound skill and confidence Meltdown presses the attack] (In wide shots we see Warpath really taking it to the c.d. warriors as we see War stumble back and knock over one of the gas pumps, causing gas to spray up out of the ground). (Then Tabitha turns and says while crouching), "Hey big fella, hold on I'm coming", (as she then stands up and breaks into a run). "That's okay Tabitha, I'm doin just fine", (Warpath yells as he throws one of the c.d. warriors into a car as we see Tabitha stop running so fast).
"But what am I supposed to do,"(Tabitha says looking unsure of what exactly to do). "Keep War busy until I'm done with the others", (Warpath yells as a bunch of c.d.warriors pile on top of him). (Then we see Tabitha turn around and race back towards War, who's now finally clearing his head). (Then we see him stand fully upright with a glare on his face and he's preparing to lunge at Tabitha before he says), "Now you die mutant." (We see Warpath throw all the c.d. warriors off of him and say), "Tabitha look out," (before he launches himself at her, and in a panel we see Tabitha start to turn before we see War launch himself at her in a panel that we view him flying through the air towards Tabitha).
(We see a close up of Tabitha's face as she realizes that War is coming towards her and she can't get out of the way in time, her eyes get big and all the color drains from her face, before in the nest big panel we see Warpath grab Tabitha and dive out of the way). (War crashes into the c.d. warriors and with a growl gets up, throwing the warriors off of him in disgust as he growls), "You will die for this."
(We switch to a shot of Warpath and Siryn who are resting with their backs up against an overturned car as Tabitha says with a straight face), "You first", (as she then sends a volley of plasma blasts towards War, who at first doesn't seem to mind it, until we see him notice that he's standing very near to the ever growing pool of spilled gasoline, as Tabitha looks on with a smile but Warpath looks like he's just figured out what will happen and with an arm reaching out towards Tabitha to stop her says), "No Tabitha, the gasoline it'll". [Despite his best efforts Warpath is unable to stop her from launching her plasma bombs]
(With a very scared face in a series of panels we see Tabitha realize what she's done as she stammers out), "Uh oh". [With the worst luck possible War and his minions realize their predicament). (We see the plasma bombs hit the spilling gas and they cause explosion, then we see Warpath jump on top of Tabitha as debris starts to rain down on them). (After the smoke clears we see Warpath and Tabitha sitting side by side with relieved looks on their faces as Tabitha says with a whipped dog look on her face,) "Oops".
(Then a panel of silence then Warpath turns to look at Tabitha and says with a straight face), "oops, is that all you got to say for yourself, you know I should make you walk back home for this, but if I do Sam would bite my head off". "Thank God for that", (Tabitha says with a weak laugh). (Then we see Warpath look at Tabitha with a look on his face that says something like, for the love of). "C'mon let's go", (Warpath says dragging Tabitha with him.)
[Sometime later and seemingly a word away]
(Scene opens as we flyover the city and come to a stop on a tall skyscraper that's standing apart from the others, as on the top of it we see a type of mini botanical center encased in glass, with a small gurgling brook that flows from a waterfall and flows all throughout the area). (Near a small bridge that goes over the brook there's a highly done up table and the area is lit up by candles and moonlight, a bottle of wine is chilling beside the table, and we see Warren standing nearby wearing a tuxedo with his hands in his pockets and he's staring up at the full moon with a wistful look on his face).
[Aromatic candles, newly blossoming flowers, the moonlight filtering through the foliage casts a disco ball type affect on the area, casting pale prisms of light onto the marble floor, Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata wafting through the imported palm trees and ferns, the finest china money can buy, a blue silk tablecloth, the champagne chilled, Warren Worthington has planned this night down to the last detail, hoping to make it as close to being a perfect night as he can]
[Lately, due to his hectic work schedule as one of the leading business men in the world and his bizarre schedule wrought from leading this splinter group of X-men, what little free time that is available to him he has used to catch up on lost sleep, but tonight his is more than willing to make and exception]. "Well well Mr. Worthington, if I didn't know better I'd think you were trying to impress me," (a voice from off panel says). (With a shot from behind him we see the moonlight and candles casting flickering shadows on Warren as he first lowers his head and then he turns around with a laughing smile on his face before he looks squarely at Psylocke and we see him gasp in a close up of his head). (Then we see a full page panel of Psylocke standing on the bridge).
(She's wearing a tight black pull up dress that is cut very low in the back that is sparkling in the moonlight, she also is wearing high heels, a diamond choker on her neck with her hair pulled up in a bun, diamond earrings, gold and diamond bracelets, a diamond ring on her right hand, and a black shawl wrapped around her).
(We see Betsy get a slightly concerned look on her face as with a slight smile that we see in a close up on her lips then one of her from the waist up she says), "Warren, is everything alright". [His breath escapes him as he catches sight on her, for a good portion of his life he has gone by the codename of Angel, but tonight he feels that he has found a more worthy person to bear that moniker]
"Of course, everything's just fine, it's just that you are so..wow", (Warren says before chuckling nervously). "Yes sir, you're a regular Shakespeare alright, and here I was thinking Xavier's was a school, apparently I must have been mistaken", (Betsy says snickering). "Very funny, but I must say that you look great", (Warren says smiling before Betsy says), "So do you", (to which while smiling Warren sheepishly replies), "I try". "So what now", (Betsy says walking over to Warren). "After what happened in Scotland we need to talk, I need to know exactly what you were doing with Storm and the others, because I have a suspicion that," (Warren says looking at Betsy with a grim look on his face).
"I'm sorry Warren, but you know I can't tell you about what Ororo and the others are doing, or their reasons for leaving, or mine", (Betsy says in a close up on her face as she's frowning). "But I need to know if they're connected somehow, ridding this world of Apocalypse once and for all is my responsibility , it's my fault that he's still around causing trouble, I don't know if I could live with myself if my failure to stop him when I had the chance results in the deaths or people that I care about..", (Warren says hanging his head with a very dour look on his face as he slumps his shoulders and jams his hands back into his pockets.)
(We see Betsy, while looking down at the ground, say), "Warren you can't blame yourself for what Apocalypse does, he's now the world's responsibility, you can't try and take him on all by yourself, not when there are people that love and care about you willing to fight by your side". "I know and I'm thankful for that support, but at times I just find myself feeling like Captain Ahab , leading you all to your deaths", (Warren says looking back at Betsy over his shoulder).
"But that's what we're here for Warren, to keep you from ending up like he did, and you aren't the only one that feels responsible for things you've done in your past, all of us have events in our past that we feel responsible for", (Betsy says laying her right hand on Warrens right shoulder as she comes to be almost hugging him with one arm.) "I know, I'm just trying to get everything to work out in my head, because right now I'm missing a lot of the pieces to the puzzle and that's what scares me", (Warren says grinding his teeth lightly).
"But in our line of work we rarely get the whole puzzle," (Betsy says squeezing Warrens shoulder). "I know, but enough of that, this is supposed to be a romantic evening, and I think it's about time that it started looking like one", (Warren says smiling and straightening up). "What do you mean", (Betsy says laying her shawl down on the back of a nearby chair).
"Well I think that we should start off tonight off with a toast", (Warren says walking over to the chilled champagne). (Then we see Betsy give a weak smile before in a close up on her eyes we see them showing concern, then she puts a hand to her now, and then is shocked to see blood on her hand). "So what should we toast to.Betsy?", (Warren says picking up the champagne, then with a concerned look on his face he half turns before Betsy says), "Warren", (before we see her get a little weak in the knees before Warren turns around and says), "Betsy", (as he drops the bottle of champagne and we see it shatter on the floor as he catches Betsy as she starts to fall with a hand on her temple and her eyes are emanating a pink glow).
"Nggh, it's happening again, it must be.ngghh.another vision, but it's not as bad as before", (Betsy says as she's now on her hands and knees with Warren holding her up). "What is it, what do you see," (Warren says holding her right hand in his left one).
"I'm not sure, it's all so fuzzy, but someone, someone is coming", (Betsy says gritting her teeth as blood starts to come harder out of her nose). [Were he not completely absorbed in tending to his soul-mate Warren Worthington would have noticed the teleportation portal forming just behind him] (We see a blue portal opening behind Warren). "Who's coming Betts, who", (Warren says with a very worried look on his face). (From behind them we see someone say), "That would be me."
(In a close up we see Warren turn his head with a), "huh". (We see a huge blue hand backhand Warren who then goes flying into the trees with a loud), "Aargh", (as Betsy slumps to the floor with a weak), "Warren". (Then we see Warren push himself up from the ground in one panel, in the next panel he turns his head to see who hit him, then with a very angry look on his face he yells), "You."
(Then we do a full page panel as we see Warren on his hands and knees in the foreground and bottom of the picture and squatting down with a very pleased look on his face is Apocalypse, who's saying), "Hello boy, daddy's home".
"Exalted one, what should I do with this one," (Death says grinning wickedly at Betsy, who's struggling to stand). "Ahh Ms. Braddock, so nice of you to be here, it stops me from having to hunt you down, kill her," (Apocalypse says coolly, to which Death snickers). "Nooo," (Warren yells as he leaps to save Betsy with his wings spreading out as he jumps). "Not so fast," (Apocalypse says as he pounds Warren into the ground with a fist before he says), "I'm not through talking to you yet", (before grabbing Warren by the throat and dragging him up to his knees).
"Damn you," (Warren says through gritted and bloody teeth, as he tries to make Apocalypse loosen his grip). "You disappoint me, you were my bird of prey, my Angel of Death, now look at you, wallowing in self pity and my feet while your mate quivers in fear before my horseman", (Apocalypse says looking very disappointed). "Quivering, hardly", (Betsy says jump kicking Death in the face as Death is knocked off his feet).
"Insolent woman," (Apocalypse says tossing Warren up against a tree as if he were a toy). (We see a panel of Betsy and Apocalypse opposing each other, she's in a ninja stance and he is just standing there with his arms crossed). (Then with a loud cry Betsy leaps at Apocalypse who puts out a hand to stop her, but she somersaults over it and cracks Apocalypse on the chin with her foot). "You will pay dearly for that," (Apocalypse says as he and Betsy fight hand to hand, with Betsy getting in some good blows before Death comes up behind her and knocks her to the ground by hitting her in the back of the head).
(Next panel we see Betsy trying to rise, with a hand gingerly on the back of her head). "Now you see that's better, I cam here to relay a personal message, tell Xavier that I will show him the futility of his pathetic dream and grind it into the evolutionary mire from whence it came, and you can tell that weather witch of yours to keep on believing in her foolish quest to control the future, I am the future, and there's nothing any of you can ever do to change that, Death kill her", (Apocalypse says looking pretty proud of himself).
"Yes master," (Death says as he turns to Betsy to finish her off). (Warren yells), "Nooo," (as he starts to get up). (As Death's hand is reaching down to towards Betsy we see in the next panel her face in a close up, it's one of shock and fear). "Over my dead body," (Sam yells as he suddenly appears and blasts through Death and carries him as they crash into the waterfall). "Who dares," (Apocalypse starts to say as he turns before he gets blasted off balance by a barrage of plasma bombs and a sonic scream).
"That would be us, because when you mess with one of us you mess with all of us", (Warpath says before he lays into Apocalypse, then with a huge punch Warpath says), "hear that, it's the sound of me breaking your glass jaw." (We se Apocalypse stagger back before we see Death come flying back into the picture, after we see Sam first punch him in the stomach and then smash his face in with a punch, as he lands next to Apocalypse who's furious as he yells), "You will die for this trespass." "Ohh we're like really scared, why don't you go crawl back into the sewer you cam out of," (Tabitha says with a mean look on her face).
"Are you going to stop me all by yourself child, don't make me laugh", (Apocalypse says with a hearty laugh as we see Death start to open a portal behind him). "Who said anything about laughing, father", (Warren says as the whole team almost completely surrounds Apocalypse, who's body language shows that he's not so confident anymore). "You're move bid daddy", (Tabitha chirps in). "A bold move, but it will prove utterly futile, you cannot kill one who is forever, I am a god", (Apocalypse says roaring his head back in laughter).
"Wrong bug, there's only one God, and you ain't him", (Sam says as he blasts Apocalypse with everything he's got as does Tabitha and Siryn). "Ha ha, that tickles.what..no..not yet", (Apocalypse says as he starts to enter the portal, then tries to stop himself).
"Goodbye, father", (Warren says as he and Betsy, with angry grimaces on their faces, punch him in the face as with a yell of anger Apocalypse and Death disappear into the portal before it closes). [Once again a stillness falls over the team] (We see the team relax with obvious relief on their faces and in their body language as Warren and Betsy first hug then kiss as with a hand on her chin Warren says), "You okay," (to which Betsy nods and says), "you", (we see Warren nod and then they hug and then Warren says), "I'm glad you guys showed up when you did, but not to sound unappreciative but you guys look like hell, what happened".
"Trust me, it's a long story," (Warpath starts to say before Tabitha chimes in with), "one that you two probably don't have time for". "It's alright Tabitha, we've got plenty of time," (Betsy says smiling as she and Warren sit down together on a small wooden bench that is set against the edge of the path). "Well then it all started," (Tabitha starts to say as we pull away while seeing the team get closer together to listen to Tabitha). [The storytelling lasts long into the night, but in light of recent events the story's become a welcome change of pace]-END