UNCANNY X-MEN MINI: NEW ARRIVAL FALLOUT WRITTEN BY LOGANALPHA30 []-CAPTION BOXES ()-ART INSTRUCTIONS ""-WORDS ++-TIME, PLACE, BOXES -THOUGHTS

+The Next Morning+ +Early Morning+



(Scene opens outside the mansion as we see the sun coming up and then we take a kind of flight as we fly through the front door, down the halls, down a flight of stairs, through a false wall, down a kind of round metal elevator, then through another set of doors, then a hallway and finally into a room with a red cross painted above it). (The rooms and hallways down here are made of mostly metal). (We enter the room and see first a few bio beds against one wall, against a second wall are the cabinets and shelves with medical equipment stacked onto them, against another wall is a separate stand alone bio bed that has a privacy screen around it). (The whole room is very high-tech, it looks kind of like the sick bay of a starship from Star Trek, with a bulky bio bed).



(The mansion is richly decorated with fine wood on the walls, expensive paintings on the walls, ferns and other plants around in the halls).(We see Erica lying in one of the beds under a sheet with one arm at her side, the other is lying across her stomach). (We see that she is bandaged up, but sleeping peacefully). [Over the course of her young life Erica Kalen has awoken many different times in new places, much of that time not knowing where she was or how she got there]



(In close ups on her face we see her wake up, sit up in bed with a hand to her temple and a slight grimace on her face as she says), "Ohh my head, wait, the club". (Then she looks around quickly and a little out of breath before she looks confused). "Where am I, what is this place", (Erica says trying to get the medi-clamp over her arm). "I think ye're supposed to leave that on," (We see somebody say from off panel). (We see Erica stop and look up and say), "huh".



"Warren told me to make sure ye kept that on until he and Elisabeth got back, and since I'm not the type to dally ye're keeping it on", (Siryn says as we see her wearing blue jeans, a light colored sweater, her hair is pulled back in a ponytail, a dark bruise on her chin, and she's carrying a tray that has a bowl of cereal on it, some toast and some milk in a glass). "And just why should I believe you," (Erica says with a questioning look on her face). "Oh I don't know, maybe because we saved yer life, and if we wished ye harm we would've done it already", (Siryn says as she sets the tray down).



"Right, yes well thanks for that, but you can see that I'm fine now, so you can tell, Warren and Elisabeth was it, that I'm all better now and I'd like to go home", (Erica says swinging her legs around so that they hang over the side of the bed).



"I'm not going to let you go until they say so, until then I think it'd be best if ye ate something, Warren and Elisabeth will be here, sometime", (Siryn says coming to stand near Erica). "Why should I, I'm not really very hungry", (Erica says almost pouting). "Because otherwise we'll have to eat it, and I've never been too fond of cereal," (Betsy says with a smile and Warren, white skinned and wings nowhere in sight is next to her, in one panel that is after one of Erica and Siryn turning to see who spoke). "I take it Theresa that Ms Kalen is feeling better," (Warren says taking out his cufflinks).



"It looks that way, but she doesn' seem to have any interest in eating, all she wants to do is go home", (Siryn says pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear as she leans up against the nearest bio bed). "That's right, I really should be going, I need to pick my son up", (Erica says getting out of the bio bed and removing the medi-clamp).



"Nice try, but while you were sleeping I had James run your name through our computer, and lo and behold you know what we found, not only do you not have a son, but you actually have no real family to speak of, so tell me another one," (Warren says rolling up his sleeves as Betsy takes a seat in a nearby chair and then leans back in the next panel).



"How dare you, you had no right to do that," (Erica says as we see her with fire in her yes and a halo of fire forming around her as Siryn jumps out of the way while she says), "Hey watch it." "You let me go right now or.or.", (Erica says in a series of panels before we see her halo of fire evaporate slowly before she looks like she's possessed, then in the last panel we see a pink butterfly on her forehead). (Then we switch to Betsy leaning back in her chair, arms crossed, a smirk on her face, and a pink butterfly on her forehead as she says), "Now calm down, that's a good girl, now you're going to sit down and talk to us like a civilized person, right".



"Right," (we see Erica says before she shakes her head and then puts a hand to her forehead). "Betts what did you", (Warren says with a slightly shocked and worried look on his face as he turns his head back and forth to look between Betsy and Erica). (With a hand on Warrens arm Betsy says calmly), "Don't worry, I didn't cause any permanent damage, I just calmed her down a bit, you may proceed with the interrogation of the prisoner now Warren". "She's not a prisoner Betts, if what Sam and Tabitha told me about the events at the club are true then she could be a great asset to us", (Warren says leaning up against a bio bed with his arms crossed and a serious scowl on his face).



"Warren, do ye normally talk about people like they're a business transaction", (Siryn says glancing at Warren with a frown on her face). "Sorry, I guess all those overtime hours at the office are starting to catch up with me, but back to the business at hand, Ms Kalen, what do you remember about the fight at the club", (Warren says with a hand on his chin and a close up of Warren's face as he's looking through his eyebrows is the next panel).



"Uhh, the fight at the club right, all I remember is being scared, then all I saw was a ball of fire in my head, then everything went black, next thing I know I'm sitting here getting Cocoa Puffs in a designer china bowl delivered to my by Irish Red here," (Erica says sitting with her arms and legs crossed and glancing ruefully at Siryn). "My name is Theresa, remember it", (Siryn says with an angry look on her face while glaring down at Erica, before in the next panel we see Warren put an arm out towards Siryn who takes a step towards Erica).



"Easy Theresa, now Erica.may I call you Erica", (Warren says still with his hand out as he looks at Siryn out of the corner of his eye). "Only if you all tell me who you are first, otherwise you're out of luck", (Erica says glaring right at Warren). (With a look back at Betsy, who we see in the immediate foreground as he has her back to us we see Warren and Betsy talking telepathically as first Warren thinks), So what do you think Betts, should I tell her everything or just lie?

(Then with a shrug of her shoulders and a sigh on her face Betsy thinks), I don't know, it might loosen up her tongue, but it's ultimately your call love, you're the leader of this menagerie that we like to call X-men. Thanks for the support honey (Warren thinks looking at Betsy with a smile on his face). (Next panel we see Betsy wink at Warren with a sly smile on her face as she thinks back), Anytime lover. "So what's it going to be", (Erica says with an impatient look on her face).



What the hell, (Warren thinks with a sigh before he says), "Okay we'll play it your way, but first I have to do this," (Warren says pushing a button on his watch and then we see him change to his blue skin and his wings are now visible as he unfurls them, much to Erica's shock because she yells), "What the", (as she almost falls out of her chair).



"What's the problem, didn' you see Warren speaking at the G8 summit a few months ago", (Siryn says with a slight smile). "Sorry, I think I washed my car that day, I must have missed it," (Erica says sitting back in her chair).



"As I was saying, we here are mutants like yourself, as people blessed with the "X" gene, or cursed with it depending on your point of view, we have been born with amazing powers that we as X-men have decided to use for the betterment of humanity", (Warren says before he pulls up a chair and sits down before continuing), "As for me my name is Warren Worthington III codenamed Archangel, and as you can see from my wings that my power is flight, -Irish Red- as you so eloquently stated is actually Theresa Rourke Cassidy codenamed Siryn with the power to emit a sonic scream, one that allows her to fly amongst other things, the gorgeous woman that's staring at my but is my lady love Elisabeth Braddock codenamed Psylocke, she's a telepathic, telekinetic, precognitive ninja", (then in the next panel we see Betsy say with a smile on her face), "You wish flyboy".



"As for the rest of the team who aren't here we have James Proudstar who's using Proudstar as his codename until he finds another one, he has super- strength, speed, and durability and flight, then the other two you met at the club, Samuel Guthrie a.k.a. Cannonball with the ability to propel himself through the air like a rocket or missile, all the while being protected by a blast shield that completely envelopes him and anyone he's carrying during flight, but he doesn't have to be flying to use the blast shield, that's how he and Tabitha survived the incident at the club, and Sam can also blast people with that said rocket like power, which brings us to the last but certainly not least member of the team, Tabitha Smith a.k.a. Meltdown, who has the ability to turn light into explosive plasma, usually in the form of plasma bombs, and that brings us to you Erica," (Warren says with a smile).



"Fair enough, seeing as how you know about my past the only thing left to talk about is my mutant power, to tell you the truth I'm not completely sure exactly what my power is, except that I'm pretty sure it has something to do with fire, since...since well the last doctor I went to said so, and he gave me a prescription for pills that would suppress my mutant powers, but at times I almost feel like they're making me lose control of my powers," (Erica says after coughing.)



"Do you remember when your powers first manifested," (Warren says taking the glass of milk from the breakfast tray). "I.I don't really remember exactly, I think I blacked out because one minute I was at home and the next thing I knew I was in the hospital, with a grubby orderly getting a little to touchy feely if you catch my drift," (Erica says staring at her feet before biting her lip and looking away).



"I'm sorry that happened to you, unfortunately I've heard many such stories from young mutants over the years, to many for my taste, but enough about the past, I think for now we should let you get some sleep Erica, we'll talk more later," (Warren says with a smile before he drains the glass of milk and stands up).



[Meanwhile.]

(Scene switches to the upstairs living room as we see Sam lying on the couch, yawning as he absent mindedly changes the channels with the remote, he's wearing baggy sweatpants and an old looking t-shirt, all with his hair all messed up and he's a little scruffy). (In a chair nearby Warpath is intently reading the newspaper, wearing one of those white cotton tank-tops that men wear under dress shirts, and old well worn pair of blue jeans and his feet are bare, with a steaming cup of coffee on a coaster sitting on the table nearby). "Is there anything in there about our extracurricular activities yesterday," (Sam says as we see him glancing over at Warpath).



"Yesterday's events are mysteriously absent from today's paper, you'd think," (Warpath says with a concerned look on his face and a hand on his chin before he's interrupted by someone off panel that says), "You'd think that at least one of those big time photographers would've caught us saving the day."



(We then see Tabitha enter the room wearing light blue pajamas with big rabbit footy type slippers on as she carrying a can of pop with a straw in it and a big candy bar). "That's my girl, even in the middle of a firefight she's wondering if the photographers will get her good side", (Sam says with a big smile and a small chuckle as Tabitha plops down on the couch beside him and in a panel we see a close up of Sam and Tabitha from about their collarbones up of Tabitha giving Sam a -very funny farm boy- look, as Sam just smiles). "And who could forget the Tabitha Smith breakfast of champions, caffeine and chocolate", (Warpath says with a broad smile on his face).

"Of course, what better way to start the morning", (Tabitha says as she bites into the candy bar.). "I can think of a few, now you'll be wired all day, probably all night to," (we see Sam say changing the channel while keeping an eye on Tabitha). (Then we see Tabitha elbow Sam in the stomach while she's taking a sip from the can of pop). (Then we see Sam give Tabitha a jokingly dirty look before we next see Tabitha say with a smile on her face and looking at Sam out of the corner of her eye, with the straw still in her mouth, all this in a close up of her face), "I thought you like it when I was wired all night".



(We see Sam almost choke before he looks down at the floor and says while scratching his head and looking embarrassed), "Uh right, so anyway uh, heh, so James need any help with uh." "Why don't you just quit while you're behind Sam, besides Tabitha owes me, my Porno for Pyros cd was in my jeep, the one somebody blew up", (Warpath says lightly glaring at Tabitha). "I said I was sorry, how many times can I apologize for that, so I forgot that the gas was spilling out when I let loose, it could've happened to anyone", (Tabitha says taking another bite of the candy bar and chewing).



"But somehow it always seems tah happen to you Tab, wonder why that is", (Sam says with a smile while he puts his arms around Tabitha and rests his chin on her shoulder)."Just lucky I guess", (Tabitha says smiling with a hand resting on Sam's arm). "Do you two want to be alone", (Warpath says with the paper folded in one hand and a slight smirk on his face). "Sounds good to me, how about you Sam," (Tabitha says with a devilish look on her face). "I think that's my cue to leave," (Warpath says with an embarrassed look on his face as he put the paper down in one panel and in the next panel we see him heading out of the room by pushing open the swinging door that leads to the kitchen). "Hold up James, Warren wants you to show Erica around," (someone says from off panel). (Next we see in a wide panel Warpath on the left side and Sam and Tabitha on the couch as they look like two people that have been caught in the act). "Huh, why me", (Warpath says with one arm still holding the door open and hanging his head with a -why me- look on his face as we're looking at him head on and we're looking over his shoulder as we see Psylocke and Siryn are in the background).



(Sam and Tabitha are seen in the next panel lightly laughing). "Because ye're the only one she hasn' met yet boyo, have fun", (Siryn says in a close up of her from her elbows up as her arms are crossed and playful smile is on her face). "You owe me Terry," (Warpath says as he walks past Sam and Tabitha). "Now exactly how do I owe ye Jimmy", (Siryn says with a confused smile on her face). "I haven't figured that part out yet exactly, I just know that you do," (Warpath says as he walks past Betsy and Siryn by going in between them as we see them part to let him through.)



(As he passes we see him look back over his shoulder at Siryn, as he's walking away in one panel with a look that he's sad to leave, before in the next panel he shrugs his shoulders and continues walking away as he turns his head away with it hanging down and disappears around a corner.). (We shift back to Siryn who first frowns in a panel and then slightly turns and looks down the hall after Warpath with a longing look on her face).



(Then in the next panel she turns back around but catches Betsy looking at her with a look of concern on her face as she says), "Is everything okay Theresa?" "Of course why would ye think otherwise," (Siryn says in a panel while looking sadly at the ground before she smiles and walks out of the room). [Without asking Psylocke knows that Siryn is trying to hide her true feelings, trying to quell the rising feelings in the pit of her stomach that she has ignored for far to long, hiding the truth behind her bravado, the truth being the fact that for the first time in her life she knows that not only are the feelings equal on both sides, but she finds herself daring to begin to dream of a better tomorrow] [But as of yet the walls that she erected over the years around her heart had not given way, yet...]



[Watching Siryn go Elisabeth Braddock can empathize with her troubles of the heart, over the years she herself had loved many times, her latest loves had been split between the high flying but troubled Archangel and a young and reckless Thunderbird, the former ending with hurt feelings on both sides and the latter ending with her death, the spot on her stomach where Vargas's blade had cut into her was still sore, despite the absence of any outward sign except for a small x-shaped scar that had seemingly appeared overnight, much to her chagrin]



[But ever since that day, when she had been freed from her imprisonment by her guardian angel, a new and different kind of love had welled up within her, whereas her last relationship had been based on the want for an uncomplicated love and lust, this new love with Warren was different than before, this time the love seemed to bubble up from her toes and pour out the top of her head, filling her with a newfound peace in her soul, something that she had been sorely missing for some time, and she knew that her love felt the same way, she didn't have to use her powers to be sure of it, she could see it reflected in his eyes, eyes that mirrored the feelings in his soul]



(We see a big two page panel of Betsy's face in the middle, on the left side in a purplish haze are pictures of her and Warren and on the right side are pictures of her and Neal). (Then in the next panel we see Betsy leaning back up against a nearby wall with a smile on her face as she's seemingly lost in thought). "Betts..uh Psylocke, are you okay," (we see said from off panel). (Then Betsy looks up and says), "huh what," (with a slightly confused look on her face). (We then see Tabitha with a slightly worried look on her face and the straw partially in her mouth and she's holding the can of pop in one hand as she says), "I said are you okay, you look a little spaced out".



(Then we see Tabitha give Betsy an odd look and take a sip from the can of pop). (First Betsy shakes her head and says), "Yes I'm fine, but shouldn't you two be in the danger room right now, isn't it time for your morning workouts?" "We see Tabitha cringe along with in the next panel Sam cringes as well). "Ah nuts, I was just about to curl up on the couch and rot my mind on cartoons all morning"; (Tabitha groans with a pouting look on her face).



(Betsy looks unimpressed as she says), "Right, and when you die on the next missions because you had a little to much junk food for breakfast don't blame me, you two, the danger room, now," (Betsy says pointing down the hall with a very angry look on her face with her gritting her teeth slightly and her jaw set, with fire in her eyes). "C-come on Sam, l-let's go, we're late," (Tabitha says with her shoulders slumped and a wounded dog look on her face as walks by Betsy and goes down the hall and Sam trudges behind her past Betsy in the next panel).

"I can already see that this is going to be one of those days, hopefully I won't kill anyone this time," (Betsy mutters before rolling her eyes and heading towards the kitchen).

[Shortly.]



(Scene opens with Warpath, who doesn't look very happy, leaning up against one of the columns that surround the mansions front door, with his arms crossed as Erica comes out the front door). "You're late," (Warpath says with an unimpressed look on his face as we see in a close up then one of Erica looking sad before she says), "I'm sorry." (Warpath just starts walking as he says), "Just don't be late again." (Then we see Erica hurry off after him). (Next we see them come to a stop near a plant that's sitting on top of a short white column that is one of the many that line the driveway).



"Okay here's the grand tour, now listen up because I'm only going to say this once, since I'll bet that Warren has already introduced us so that saves me the trouble, thankfully," (Warpath says scratching his chin). (We see Erica nod her head as the sun casts funny light that gets broken up by a nearby tree that is casting shadows on them). "Well then let's get started shall we. As you can see we have the driveway her below us, now over on your right is the apple orchard with the stables close by and the basketball, volleyball, and tennis court's beside them, then right in front of you of course is the mansion, behind that are the pools, the Olympic quality diving pool, the normal indoor pool, and then the outside one, along with some more of the apple orchard along with the lake and the boathouse."



"And on your left is of course the garage, the flower and normal garden, the fountain, and then the rest of the apple orchard. Inside the mansion you have all the usual rooms, but you get the extra rooms like the danger room where almost anything's possible, a state of the art and fully decked out global scan room where we're connected to special satellites that can read the date on a penny that somebody carelessly dropped on the side of the road, along with a global positioning protocol that makes G.P.S. look like child's play. As for the rest you've seen part of it while you were in the infirmary, but what you didn't see was the hanger bay with the supersonic X-jet that can double for a space shuttle if we need to, and then the other assorted vehicles in it," (Warpath says as we see him and Erica looking around before he finishes his speech while scratching the back of his head as we see them in a series of panels).



(With an amazed look on her face Erica says), "Whoa, uh not to be nosy or anything but who owns all of this?" (Without moving Warpath says), "Warren owns all this, for being so blue he has a lot of green". "Uh speaking of blue, was he always that way, I mean with the blue skin and all," (Erica says glancing at Warpath). "He's always had the wings, but the paint job he got courtesy of a deal that he made a long time ago with a devil named Apocalypse, a deal that he's regretted ever since," (Warpath says with a kind of sarcastic smirk on his face).



"So how'd you get sucked into all of this, if you don't mind me asking," (Erica says crossing her arms). "Apocalypse and his goons attacked a good friend of mine and almost killed me, so you could say that I have some unfinished business to attend to", (Warpath says with a grim look on his face). "Would that friend be a certain redheaded Irish spitfire that I met earlier would it, so are you two..," (Erica says looking up at Warpath with almost a leering look on her face).



"No, you ask too many questions, this tour is over, have a nice day", (Warpath says with a mock bow before he walks off with an angry look on his face). "Good," (Erica says with a sexy smile on her face as we then pull away from Erica and waft up through the trees and we stop on a corner window where we see Siryn looking out of it with a sad and concerned look on her face and her hand is on the window before we then do a close up on her face as she thinks), Be careful Jimmy, I don't trust her.



(From off panel we see someone say as we're looking at Siryn from behind and from across the room), "then why don't you go and talk to her, who knows you two might have a lot in common, like maybe our resident strongman." "Huh, Psylocke," (Siryn says as she half turns with a somber demeanor). (Then with a confused look on her face Siryn says), "how did you, did ye?" "I didn't invade your mind if that's what you're thinking Theresa, I didn't have to, your thoughts were crashing out of your head like the waves against the seashore, so what's the conundrum", (we see Psylocke say with her arms crossed as she's leaning against the doorway with a concerned look on her face).



"Nothin, I must be coming down with something," (Siryn says coughing with her hand in a fist at her mouth). "Nice try but I know that you're not sick, would I be right in assuming that James is the cause for your melancholy," (Betsy says entering the room with a hand on a nearby dresser). "Aye, guess I can' keep secrets from you," (Siryn says with her head down as she turns back to the window). "Well if you want to talk about it I've got some free time..," (Psylocke says with her arms crossed). "No, thanks anyway but aye think I'll handle this on me own if it's all the same to you ," (Siryn says with a slight smile as she walks past Psylocke and exits the room). "Put if off all you want Theresa, but one of these days you're going to have to stop running from your feelings, and what are you going to do then," (Psylocke says standing at the window and lifting the curtain and looking down as we then see a picture of Betsy looking out of the window from the outside). (Then with a close up on the window we see Betsy sigh before she turns away from the window).



[Watching Psylocke out of the corner of her eye, Erica ponders her next move] What the hell am I doing here, this whole set up is crazy, blue flying angels, an Asian telepath that talks like a Brit, what's wrong with this picture, but on the other hand this place does have it's advantages (Erica thinks at first with a puzzled look on her face and then with a sexy smile as she stands up after sitting on one of the columns that had a plant on top of it), "I wonder if that hot Indian guy is still around here somewhere," (Erica says with a big smile on her face as she then sets off towards the mansions front door).



(We switch back inside in the den as we see Warren at his desk, papers strewn about the top of the desk, he has the phone pinched in between his shoulder and his head while he has a pen in one hand, as he's looking through a folder, and with the hand that has the pen in it he's holding a page from the folder up as he's holding it up to look at the page underneath.)



"No, the figures don't add up, schedule a meeting of the board of directors for Monday, I'm going to get to the bottom of this, somebody's skimming money off the top, and I'm not the type of person that let's things like that slide, get it done," (Warren says with an angry look on his face before he hangs the phone up and puts the folder down).



"A few more days like this and," (Warren says rubbing his eyes as we see him from the doorway then a close up of him at his desk as from off panel we see someone say), "And what, you'll sell the whole company and become a street peddler, somehow I' don't think that'll ever happen, all you rich types love your money to much." "Money isn't everything, I've had to learn that the hard way, love pain and death are the only constants in this life," (Warren says leaning back in his chair and scratching his chin).



"This isn't going to turn into a lecture about living each day to the fullest because you never know when it'll be your last is it, because I've already heard it, you don't have the market cornered on pain and misery bub," (Erica says leaning on the desk with her hands holding her up and her arms are straight, and with an angry look on her face).



"Unless you've died and then been brought back you don't really have much room to talk, so back off," (we see someone say from off panel as Warren and Erica are glaring at each other in one panel and then they both turn towards the door as they're looking right out at us, then in the next panel we see Betsy standing in the doorway with an angry look on her face as she's now wearing blue jeans, a jean long sleeved shirt, leather boots, and a blue shirt underneath the long sleeved shirt).



"Oh right, and I'm supposed to believe that you've died and come back from the dead, tell me another one," (Erica says plopping into one of the nearby chairs and crossing her arms and legs with a haughty smirk on her face). "Actually Erica, both Elisabeth and I have died, in every sense of the word, and yet here we are, so you tell us," (Warren says leaning back in his chair as his coat is put over the back of the chair and his sleeves are still rolled up and his tie is a little loose).



"Okay, say I believe you, where do we go from here, this some kind of recruitment spiel," (Erica says lightly glaring at Warren). "As yet I haven't decided, but for the mean time I think you should take a turn in the danger room for good measure," (Warren says with his elbows resting on the desk and his hands clasped in front of him). "If playing some video games in the danger room is what it takes for me to go home then just show me the way," (Erica says standing up).



(Looking a little surprised Betsy says while pointing down the hall), "Go down the hall, take a right at the 't' and then straight on till you get there, it's the room with the big metal panel near the door, the one with the big push button computer screen in it, that's the danger room". "Thanks, see ya later birdman," (Erica says with a weak wave before she exits the room with Warren and Betsy looking after her). [As Erica leaves Psylocke voices her concerns] "Do you think that was wise, I seriously doubt that she's ready for a training session, do you," (Bets says turning to Warren with her arms crossed and a hand on her chin).



"Probably not, but Sam and Tabitha are in there now, they'll go easy on her, besides I think she could be a real asset for us, because if what she did at that club is even the slightest hint of what her powers can do then we'd do well to have her on our side, don't you think Betts," (Warren says with a slight smile as he's looking up at Betsy). "I agree, but should we be bringing her into our little war, she's to new, to green to be fighting Apocalypse with us, she...," (Betsy says sitting on the edge of the desk as she crosses her legs and is leaning toward Warren wit one hand on her hip and the other is supporting her).



"Stop, now I know what you're thinking and the answer is no, I'm not that stupid, I'm not about to send her out into the field until she's prepared for what she'll face out there," (Warren says laying a hand on top of the one that Betsy has on the desk and smiling up at her). "When were any of us truly prepared for the dangers that we faced, simulations can't teach her everything, she's going to need a tutor, wonder who you're gonna get for that," (Betsy says with a hand on Warrens jaw as she's smiling). "Funny you should ask," (Warren says with a smile before in the next panel we see Betsy with a confused look on her face before Warren stands up and kisses Betsy).



(As Warren pulls away Betsy says while lifting a finger as in a -wait a minute- gesture), "Stop right there, what makes you think that I'd even consider helping Erica with her powers." (With a smile Warren says), "Because her power is psy-based like yours, think of it as a chance to teach the next generation of mutants." "Nice thought, but I'm no teacher Warren, I might have been at one time but not anymore, and don't forget this isn't a school," (Betsy says poking Warren in the shoulder).



"I know, do it for me then, as a personal favor," (Warren says smiling). (With a begrudging look on her face Betsy says), "I know I'm going to regret this, okay I'll do it, but you owe me, for starters I think tonight Mr. Worthington you can crash on the couch," (as she ends the speech by turning and walking out of the room). "Lazy boy, thy name is love," (Warren says crossing his arms on top of the desk and dropping his head onto them).



[The danger room.]



(We see Sam smashing a robot with his fists that are glowing with his power in one panel as he says), "You know Tabitha, I think we're both supposed tah be training here." (We then swing around and see Tabitha sitting with her legs crossed, her elbow is on her top knee as her chin is resting in her upturned palm, she's blowing a big bubble with a less than impressed look on her face, as she's sitting on top of a pile of smashed up robots that are still sparking as she says), "Hey I'm training, but I'd much rather watch you crackin some heads Sammy," (before we see a robot rise up behind Tabitha and prepare to hit her).



"Tabitha watch out," (Sam yells with a very shocked look on his face as he's half turned and looking at Tabitha). "What.whoa nelly," (Tabitha says jumping out of the way and saying), "ow..ow..ow.ow", (as she tumbles down the pile of robots as the robot that was going to hit her swings and barely misses her but smashes downward into the pile of robots, sending metal shards flying everywhere as we see Sam raise his arms to defend himself).



[The sudden spray of razor sharp metal catches Cannonball off-guard, as he is unable to bring his force field up in time to fully protect himself] (Sam gets knocked off balance and falls forward and tumbles down next to Tabitha, who is on her hands and knees and trying to shake the cob webs out until Sam bumps into her). "Hey Sam, watch it will ya," (Tabitha says sitting down and rubbing her head as Sam looks up at her, as he's lying on his back, with a puzzled expression on his face as he mumbles), "huh." [As they struggle to regain their senses Cannonball and Meltdown fail to fully comprehend the danger that they now find themselves in]



(We see Sam shake his head while squinting his eyes in a close up before he opens them wide and opens his mouth wide as he lunges to his feet yelling), "Tab look out." (We see a wide shot of a group of three large attack robots converge on Sam and Tabitha who we see as small figures staring upward in shock and horror). "Uh Sam, is this part of the program, cause I don't," (Tabitha says with a scared look on her face as we see Sam beside her looking determined to fight to the end as he says with gritted teeth), "Ah don't know, but ah don't like it, watch out."



[With an uncanny speed, born from years of practice, Cannonball activates his last line of defense] (We see Sam standing up and protecting Tabitha who's on her knees beside him Sam activates his shield as the robots begin to attack). (We do a close up of Tabitha clinging to Sam's leg and squeezing her eyes shut) (Then we see that the robots attacks are inches away from the shield). [With the attack imminent, they prepare for what could be the end] (We do a close up of Sam from his waist up as he's squeezing his eyes shut and gritting his teeth as well). (Then we see the blasts hit the shield and dissipate into tiny spheres before disappearing completely).

(We do a close up on first Sam and then Tabitha's faces as Sam meekly opens one eye and says), "huh". (Then we see laughing that's coming from off panel somewhere). (Tabitha untenses her face and says), "Uhh Sam, are dead yet?" "You can't be serious," (we see Erica say with a smile and her arms crossed as she's leaning up against the side of the danger rooms doorway).



"Hey what happened, where'd the robots go," (Tabitha says opening her eyes and looking around). "Erica, what are you," (Sam says as he lowers his arms and looks questioningly at Erica). "Oh it's you, what are you doing here," (Tabitha says with a very unamused look on her face as Sam let's the force field drop). "Let me guess, Warren thought you could use a little time in her right", (Sam says looking down at Tabitha as she's looking up at him). "You know, I think you're smarter than you look," (Erica says walking over to Sam and patting him on the shoulder as Sam doesn't look to happy).



"Hey back off lady, and what happened to the simulation," (Tabitha says standing up and glaring at Erica). "I don't know, I just pressed some buttons and the door opened, why, do you want me to restart the program, because it looked to me like you two were about to buy the farm," (Erica says while shrugging her shoulders and sighing). "Nah we had everything under control, right Sam," (Tabitha says locking arms with Sam and laying her head on his shoulder).



(We see Sam look over and down at Tabitha in one panel and then in the next Sam looks back at Erica, who we see from behind now as just the back of her head, as he says while scratching the back of his head while also having a sheepish look on his face), "Uh sure, Tabitha n' I had everything well in hand, yes suree."



"Whatever, so tell me which one of you is going to show me how to work this bad boy," (Erica says as we're looking at her head on as she's crossing her arms and with a sly smirk on her face). (Tabitha unlocks her arm from Sam's and says with a wink and a smile as she lightly punches Sam in the shoulder), "Sam will," (before she nods her head to Erica and then she walks out the door, which acts like a Star Trek door and it closes behind her).



"Well then, shouldn't we get started," (Erica says in a panel after one of her with her head turned as she's watching Tabitha leave and then turns her head to look back at Sam who's smiling meekly while he rubs the shoulder that Tabitha punched as he says), "Oh man, this just isn't mah day". "No I guess not, now come on hayseed, I ain't got all day," (Erica says dragging a reluctant Sam back outside of the danger room).



[A world away...]



(We open with a foggy mountain range that takes up either one whole page or two pages). [Once upon a time this place used to be a thriving center of commerce, with bustling communities full of smiling and happy children, with loving parents that wished only for the best for their children and themselves] [Once this place was thought to be an utopia for its inhabitants, a new Eden for its people, one that had previously been the stage for one battle of ascension after another, with corrupt administrations coming and going like leaves caught in the autumn breeze]



[But lately this island had finally become peaceful, for the most part, until its latest war; one that hand ended only after the vaunted X-men had intervened and almost perished in the process] [Now it resembles only a hell on Earth] (We pan down through the fog and come onto a scene of utter chaos and destruction, as we see a large city in ruins, and it's still smoldering, and many large mounds that from afar look like mounds of salt, but as we zoom in we see that they're actually mounds of bones and bodies, horribly disfigured and burnt.)



(Then we pan over and see a nearby harbor filled with shattered ships, a couple still floating but badly damaged and large pieces of debris are littered throughout the harbor). [This place has lost its people, mutants who had come here for the promise of hope, freedom, and peace] [This place used to be called...Genosha] [Where once a civilization had thrived, only the scavengers and the meek are left]



(We see panels of vultures tearing into the pile of bodies and rats and other small creatures running about as we follow one rat on its journey through the rubble before it stops near the foot of a badly broken statue where only the calves and feet of the statue remain, and on the name plate we see the letters-To our leader, Mag). (The rest has been broken off).

[This place has lately been called hell, so there is no resistance or fanfare when a new devil of sorts sets up shop] (We see a close up of a human skull in one panel and then it's crushed by a booted foot, then we pane upwards to see that the boot belongs to Apocalypse, who's surrounded by his horseman and a great many crimson dawn warriors). [A new devil named Apocalypse] (We see Apocalypse kneel down, pick up a skull and then stand back up with the skull in his palm as he looks it straight in the eyes). "Where is your utopia now, your dream of a mutant run paradise," (Apocalypse says with a haughty smirk).



"Some mutant paradise, the fools," (Imol says kicking a skull into one of the piles of bones). "Patience Imol, the humans will be brought to kneel before me soon enough, let them concern themselves with their petty affairs, we need not aide them in their folly just yet, they assure their own demise as we speak," (Apocalypse says glaring at Imol, who cowers like a whipped dog). "But what of the X-men my lord, when they catch wind of your righteous plan they will no doubt attempt to stop us," (Pestilence says retreating into the folds of her robe).



"You needn't worry about the X-men my dear horseman, for right now they have split themselves far apart, they've thrown their proverbial sticks to the wind in their vain efforts to salvage a peace between themselves and the pathetic humans, and of course we mustn't forget about the lovely Storm and her foolish efforts to save her friends from a darker tomorrow, does she not realize I wonder, that the results of the acts that she and those that have rallied to her side have committed might directly cause the catastrophes that they are striving so valiantly to prevent, hmm what then I wonder," (Apocalypse says arching an eyebrow and pursing his lips).



"And what of Archangel and his flock", (War growls fiercely as he glares at Imol). "My prodigal son and his flock will grovel before me one day, but right now we have more pressing engagements to attend to," (Apocalypse says with a sneer as he crushes the skull with his hand before he turns it over and lets what's left of the skull fall to the ground as he then strides off towards a hill that's in the background as the horseman and the crimson dawn warriors follow him in a large group of panels).







[A short time later.]

(We see the group arrive at what looks like a graveyard, a ring of torches has bee set up and it looks like several graves have been dug up and an altar has been placed at one end of the circle). (While glaring at the nearest c.d. warrior Apocalypse says), "Is it ready?" "Of course my lord, we await your command," (Death says bowing in front of Apocalypse, who doesn't look too amused). "Then do it you fool," (Apocalypse says glaring at Death). "Of course master," (Death says bowing his head before he takes his place at the head of the altar before he says), "bring them to me."



(Several robed crimson dawn warriors nod their heads before they walk off). "This had better work, because failure is not acceptable," (Apocalypse says coming to stand beside Death, with his arms crossed and an expectant look on his face). (We see Death look away from Apocalypse with a serious but slightly nervous look on his face). (Then we see the robed warriors return with two large stretcher type of carriers with bodies under sheets on them).



"Set them down and stand by until I tell you differently, understood," (Death says while glaring at the c.d. warriors who lay the stretchers down and stand at attention near them). (We see Death raise his arms in first a panel of just him, and then he raises his arms and starts to weave them around in an odd fashion and mouthing the words to a spell). [He mouths the words to a spell known to only a select few, for the words to this spell pertain to a magic off horrifying power and reach]. [The druids of old that scripted the spell did so in secret for fear of retribution from the more close minded and meek among them and from reprisals from non druids].



[As Death casts the spell not a sound escapes his withered lips, but the spell is cast nonetheless, for necromancers need not always speak audibly to get their desired effect] (We see a black and blue lightning and mist emanating from his hands and enveloping the crimson dawn warriors and the two bodies under the sheets). [In the blink of an eye, before they can raise a finger in their defense their lives are extinguished so that others may live].



(Death finishes the spell with a giant shout and a final large blast of lightning and mist as the whole spell is shown mostly it's affects on the warriors and the two bodies that are underneath the sheets as the C.D. warriors convulse violently before collapsing to the ground and the bodies under the sheets start to move). [As if foreshadowing events yet to be ominous clouds begin to gather, and a brutal wind drives the rain as it drenches the cadre of souls that dare to stand against it]. (We see Apocalypse look down at Death in one panel and then we see Death turn to face us as he grits his teeth and yells), "Arise, and heed the call of your master, Apocalypse."



[With a shudder the golems lurch to life, horrifying patchwork creatures that should never have seen the light of day, but for the mutant known as Apocalypse what he wants is all that matters]. (We see the two creatures rear up and growl loudly, they look like a cross between Frankenstein's monster and something built in a bio-lab, we see flashes of them as the lightning flashes, they're very large and obviously very strong as we then see Death smile gleefully as he turns to Apocalypse and says), "Are you pleased master?" (Without blinking Apocalypse says), "We shall see," (before he turns and walks into the darkness).



[Meanwhile back at the mansion]



(Scene opens with shots of Sam and Erica in the danger room as Sam is saying to Erica who is sitting beside him on a split rail fence as the danger room is showing something similar to being back at the Guthrie farm in Kentucky), "So what do you think?" "Not bad, you actually lived like this, how'd you ever make it this far hayseed," (Erica says looking around with a bored look on her face). "Lots of luck and some good friends," (Sam says with a smile). "I thought you were supposed to be putting Erica through her paces, not prattling on like a twit," (someone says from off panel as we Sam and Erica turn to see who it is).



(We see Betsy standing just a few feet behind them and she's now wearing her training gear, similar to what Sam is wearing as Erica is shocked to see Betsy as she says), "how'd you do that, I didn't even hear you until you spoke." "It was easy, I'm a ninja along with being a mutant remember, no hmm, well you do now," (Betsy says leaning on the rail that Sam and Erica are sitting on). "Cool, you mean like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan," (Erica says turning to Betsy).



"Something like that, now are you two going to start training or am I going to have to take over this training session," (Betsy says and she's not amused). "I'd love to but uh, ah think I hear Tabitha calling for me," (Sam says acting like he hears someone calling out to him). "I don't hear anything," (Erica says looking around with a confused look on her face). "You can go Samuel," (Betsy says hanging her head and slightly shaking it as Sam smiles and then hops off the fence and races out of the danger room as Erica watches him go before Betsy stands back up and says), "So grasshopper, are you ready to begin your training," (as Betsy looks at Erica with a serious look on her face).



"I guess, so what do we do first," (Erica says sliding off the fence). "Well first we have to set the stage, computer open file DOJO 1, beginner level," (Betsy says as we see the farm dissolve and reform into a Japanese dojo). "Whoa cool digs, so what..hey what's," (Erica says as she fumbles and drops the kendo stick that we see Betsy throw at her while she's holding one for herself).



"Pick it up, you're going to have to learn to defend yourself, even if it kills you," (Betsy says not looking amused as Erica squats down to pick up the kendo stick and as she does she says), "Aren't we supposed to start off with meditating about flowers or something?" "Yes well, call me an action junkie, now defend yourself," (Betsy says raising her kendo stick). (We see Erica raise her kendo stick with an unsure look on her face). (Next few scenes are of Betsy attacking Erica, who does her best to defend herself).



"Hey.ow...Hey ease up will ya," (Erica says as she slows down a bit and Betsy hits her a couple of times). "In a fight you ease up and you're dead, remember that," (Betsy says as she crouches down and jabs Erica in the stomach). "Hey that hurt," (Erica says angrily with fire literally in her eyes). "Well I see that I've finally elicited a response, now the question is what are you going to do about it, well," (Betsy says with an arched eyebrow and a sly smile on her face). "I'll show you," (Erica says angrily as she leaps at Betsy and wildly attacks her). (We see Betsy easily deflect each attack with an almost amused look on her face). [With ease Psylocke deflects each attack, but she refrains from any sort of retaliatory strikes until she feels that her opponent is weakening].



(We see Erica swing the kendo stick in an upward and wild strike). [Seeing an opening Psylocke acts]. (Psylocke dodges by ducking low, then striking Erica's wrists, and then spinning around on one foot she knocks Erica off her feet by knocking her legs out from under her as Eric lands very hard and then rolls over onto her stomach). (With a slight smirk Betsy stands up in one panel and in the next one we do a shot looking up at an angle at Betsy who's standing over Erica, as in the foreground we see Erica's face in a grimace of pain and anger and Betsy in the background with her kendo stick in one hand and with her other hand she's rubbing her thumb on a small bruise on her cheek). (Then in a close up on her head and shoulders Betsy says), "You made an unwise move and you paid for it, best not to let it happen again, now come on we're not done yet." (Then with a concerned look on her face Betsy walks over and leans down and puts a hand on Erica's shoulder as she says), "I didn't hit you that hard." [While most of the session had been benign what followed was anything but] (We see Erica grit her teeth in a close up as we see her hands close and ball up into fists).



(Then in a full page panel Erica turns towards Betsy and we see Betsy get blasted with a quick burst of heat and a little bit of flame that sends her flying through one of the dojo's thin paper doors and landing hard as Erica yells), "Get away from me."



[Elsewhere.]

(We switch to Warren walking through the halls and he's looking through a book as he turns the pages slowly, seemingly lost in thought). [As if on cue.] (We see Warren suddenly stop in his tracks and looks up). (Then we see his face in a close up in which in the bottom of the panel we see the top of the book, Warren says), "Betsy," (with a very scared and shocked look on his face with wide eyes and his mouth open in almost a gasp). (The next panel we see him in a wider shot as he drops the book, then turns and runs down the hall as we see him running first directly towards us and then away from us as he's racing through the halls).



(Then we see Warren running past a doorway and then Sam steps out into the hallway and Tabitha looks around the doorway with questioning looks on their faces and Sam is holding a glass of milk). (Then they look at each other before Sam sets his glass down on a nearby table before they run after Warren).

[Back in the danger room.]



(We see Erica standing with a hand on her head as she doesn't look to good). (She staggers over to the door that Betsy flew through and steps through the hole in the wall and kneels beside Betsy who is trying to rise to her hands and knees). "Uh Psylocke, look I'm sorry it's just that," (Erica says starting to stand up). (We see Betsy's face in a close up as she grits her teeth and with an angry look on her face as she spins around and kicks Erica in the stomach).

(Erica hunches over, as then Betsy on the way up, uses her knee in an upward strike that sends Erica sprawling backwards). (Then we see Betsy stand up as Erica stops staggering backwards as she then puts a hand to her mouth and finds that it's bleeding). "You bitch," (Erica growls as she charges Betsy, who dodges the attack easily and then hits Erica in the face not with her fist but with the flat palm of her hand that makes Erica bend over while clutching her nose). (Then Betsy drops Erica with a downward jab of her elbow to a spot right below Erica's neck).



(Then Betsy kneels down beside Erica and with one hand she grabs the back of Eric's head by the hair and pulls her head back). (We see that blood is trickling from Erica's nose and mouth as she's gritting her teeth and glaring at Betsy out of the corner of her eyes) "That was a pretty good shot, but a little piece of advice, don't start something that you can't finish," (Betsy says with a mean grimace on her face as she activates her psyknife and holds its end just mere millimeters off of Erica's temple as we see the sound of the danger rooms door opening).



(We then see Betsy pull her arm back and start to move her arm as she starts to drive her psyknife at Erica's temple). "Whoa Betsy stop," (Warren says as first we see a blue hand reach out and grab her arm, then in the next panel we see that it's Warren that grabbed her arm).



"Let go of me Warren, now," (Psylocke says with a grimace and an angry look on her face as she tries to wrench her arm free). "Betts no, this has gone to far already, let her go," (Warren says firmly as he squeezes Betsy's arm). (Betsy looks back and forth between Warren and Erica before she spins around to hit Warren with her hand that was holding Erica by the hair). "Whoa," (Warren says, while still holding Betsy's arm, dodges her other arm and then wraps his arms around her in a bear hug as she squirms to get free as Warren starts to back out of the danger room as we see Sam and Tabitha enter the room with unsure looks on their faces).



(As Warren passes between them and exits the danger room he says), "I'll take care of Elisabeth, you two get Erica down to the infirmary and get her checked out." "Right, come on Tabitha," (Sam says kneeling beside Erica). "Nnh, I don't need any -nnh- help," (Erica says trying to rise to her feet). "Yah right, and I'm Britney Spears," (Tabitha says with a sarcastic smile on her face). "Well now that I think about it you do kind of look like her, except she's a little bit more-well endowed-than you are, if you catch my drift", (Erica says casting Tabitha a mocking glance while Sam, with a serious look on his face, helps Erica to her feet).

"Funny, at least mine are real," (Tabitha says with an angry and hurt look on her face as she scrunches her nose up at Erica). "Yah whatever, I've heard that one before, you expect me to believe that," (Erica says as they walk through the door and Erica puts a hand up to her nose and is pinching it to try and stop the bleeding). They are trust me, now let's get you tah the infirmary", (Sam says with a serious look on his face as Erica casts him a questioning glance and Tabitha looks at him with a smirk on her face).



[Meanwhile.]



(Scene shifts to Warren pulling Betsy into a side room as she's growling), "let go of me." "Not until you calm down and tell me what the hell is going on," (Warren says pushing the door shut by backing into it). "Nothing, everything was going just splendidly until that bloody git decided to change the rules," (Betsy says as Warren lets her go and she turns to face him with an angry look on her face). "Fine, then when Erica gets out of the infirmary you can.," (Warren says as he puts a hand on Betsy's shoulder). "Don't you dare tell me to apologize Warren, I can't just turn my emotions, my drives, off and on like a bloody light switch," (Betsy says storming around angrily before she grabs Warren by his collar and the front of his shirt as she sticks her face close to his and then says), "so what do you expect me to do about it, huh?"

(We see Warrens face from the front and a forty five degree angle as first his face is one of slight shock then to a sly smile before he plants a big kiss on Betsy who we see wasn't expecting it).



[Nearby.]



(We see Tabitha walking down the hall towards the room that Betsy and Warren are in). (We see her stop at the door and she seems to hear something coming from in the room as she says), "Uhh Warren, Betsy, uhh." (We switch back inside the room as Warren breaks off the kiss and looks Betsy in the eyes and says), "Well." (Then with a smile Betsy says), "I hate it when you do that, it makes me feel like agreeing to anything", (as the weight of her body pushes Warren back into the door). (We go back outside the room and see Tabitha reach for the doorknob before there's a loud sound that makes Tabitha rear back with a -whoa- reaction as she says), "Whoa, okay I'll come back later.," (before she sighs and walks off down the hallway). (Back inside the room we see Warren and Betsy still kissing before they separate and Betsy says), "Did you hear something?" (Then we see Betsy with one arm draped around Warrens neck and with her other hand she's pulling on Warren's tie as he then says), "Nope".



(Then we see Betsy smile big and say), "good," (while still holding on to his tie she pulls on it and brings Warren closer as they then do a really big kiss that we then see them drop out of the picture).



[Hours and many miles later.]



(Scene opens with a shot of people coming in and out of a large building that says -Parts 'R' Us- on the front). (We see a large group of people exit in a group carrying shopping bags that are overflowing with computer parts and keyboards and the like). (Amongst them we see a figure slowly coming through the crowd). (We see that it's of a Native American man wearing silver sunglasses, the lenses are silver as well). [The blur subsides and finally the man known to many as The Maker can relax]



[Before his mutant power to scan anything mechanical and to be able to intuitively understand everything about the object from what it is to how everything went together, from the smallest computer chip to the entire working machine and it's function, he could go almost anywhere without any trouble] [But since then a simple trip to the hardware store or computer parts store like this one could, if he wasn't careful, result in him getting a migraine headache, or worse]. [Just another day in the life of the man known as Forge]



(Forge walks over to a silver blue s.u.v. and opens the back hatch after he presses on a button of a small device that he took out of his pocket). (Then he puts the bags in the back and then he shuts the hatch). (He then starts to head towards the driver's door before he stops with a confused look on his face). (We do a close up on his face as he lets the sunglasses slip down a little bit onto his nose as he's looking over top of them with an uncertain look on his face as we then see a shot of someone rounding a corner near him in a full sprint and then is followed by several dark blurs). "Hmm," (Forge says as he looks around before he also goes around the nearby corner). (He then sees a group of crimson dawn warriors and they are trying to push a scared woman into a waiting van as she cries out), "No, help me please." "Let her go," (Forge yells as he leaps to attack the crimson dawn warriors). (Forge punches the nearest warrior and then drives his elbow into the next ones stomach before spinning around and sending the next warrior spinning with a kick to the face).



"Go on, get out of here," (Forge yells as he punches the nearest of the warriors that is holding the woman and then backhanding the other one as the woman breaks free and starts to run away). (But we see her get caught by a c.d. warrior and she screams for help). (Gritting his teeth Forge charges and spears the c.d. warrior that is holding the woman). "Come on let's go, just stay behind me," (Forge says standing up and pushing the woman behind him).



"T-Thank you," (the woman says cowering behind Forge who says), "Don't thank me yet miss, we're not out of this yet," (Forge says as he puts a hand forward to try and keep the c.d. warriors away as they're now circling towards him like vultures). "Give us the girl and I'll consider letting you go," (War says stepping around from behind the van). "Who.what are you," (Forge says with a confused and unsure look on his face). "Who I am doesn't matter right now, but this charade has grown tiresome, end it," (War growls while looking very unimpressed as he's standing in amongst the crimson dawn warriors).



"What are you talking ab." (Forge says with a slightly worried and unaware look on his face as we see the woman behind him's eyes glow red as she says), "As you command," (before she jabs something into Forge's back as we see her do it in a shot that shows from Forge's shoulders down as the woman jabs a glowing metal sphere into Forges back). (We see Forge yell in pain like he's been hit by lightning and he looks like it to in a full page panel of him looking like he actually got stuck with a cattle prod in the middle of the back as we see the lightning bolts flying everywhere).



(Then Forge collapses to the ground and is babbling incoherently as we see the crimson dawn warrior's crowd around him and snicker and laugh and jeer at him). "Bring him, our work here is done, and this places reeks of unworthy filth," (War says as he turns and walks away with a fed up look on his face). (Then we see the woman morph back into a c.d. warrior and then grumble with the rest of the warriors as they drag Forge back towards the van). "Open the portal, my time is being wasted here," (War yells at the nearest crimson dawn warrior, who cowers as we see War leering over him). [Upon command the warrior of the crimson dawn opens the portal] (We see the c.d. warrior open the portal and start to enter it before War grabs him and throws him into the buildings wall before War yells), "Impudent dog, how dare you enter the portal before me, War the masters favorite horseman, you will face the wrath of our lord for this," (before he enters the portal as then we see the other c.d. warriors look at each other and then at the warrior that War threw before they break into laughter and then they also enter the portal and drag Forge with them).



(Then we see the warrior that War threw look afraid and yell), "No, wait for me," (as he runs towards the portal, but it closes before he can get there, which results in him becoming visibly angry). [They are gone in the blink of an eye and all that's left are scorch marks and one lone warrior who is now truly.alone].



[Later that night.]



(Scene opens in the mansions living room, it's late, and Warren is contorted uncomfortably in one of the two large recliners near the couch). [Usually Warren Worthington sleeps in the softest beds, the ones with the silk sheets and the fluffiest of pillows]. [But during his days as an X-man soft beds and silk sheets haven't always been the norm or even available, and as such he's spent a night or two by crashing on the one of the couches or in one of the many recliners back at Xavier's].



[And if tonight is any indication, then he's going to probably get very comfortable with this one as well]. (Then we do a shot of Warren lying in the chair in the darkened room and in the doorway we see a backlit Psylocke standing there and wearing a silk slip that ends at her knees and her robe as she has her arms crossed and a smile on her face). "Well at least I know that you listen," (Betsy says walking over and kissing Warren on the forehead before she walks out of the room and heads off down the hall. [The trip back to the bedroom gives Psylocke the chance to think.until.].



(We see Betsy walking down the hallway in a series of panels as she looks like she's thinking something through and is in deep thought about it). (Then in the next panel we see from behind Betsy as she rounds a corner).

(We then see a panel of Betsy and Tabitha bumping into each other, as Tabitha's hands are full with items from the kitchen and between them is a closed door). "Hey, watch it you almost made me drop something," (Tabitha says as she readjusts what she has in her hands with a slightly angry look on her face). "Tabitha, what the hell are you doing up at this hour, and what are you doing with all that," (Betsy says with a very expecting look on her face).



"Uh nothing," (Tabitha says with a weak smile on her face). "Nothing huh, funny but I don't see peaches, whip cream, cherries, grapes, and cottage cheese as nothing," (Betsy says with a skeptical look on her face). "Uh late night snack," (Tabitha says with a worried smile on her face).



"Right, and I'm supposed to believe that," (Betsy says before we see Tabitha with an impatient look on her face as she looks around nervously before the door opens and Sam is then standing in the doorway as he says), "good you're back, what took you so..hey uh Psylocke, uh how ya doin," (Sam says blushing as he looks first at Tabitha then jumps slightly when he sees Psylocke).



(We see Betsy look back and forth between Tabitha and Sam before she throws her hands up and then rolls her eyes as she says with a small smile on her face), "Whatever, just go". (Before Tabitha nervously sidesteps Psylocke and walks behind Sam into his room as he says to Psylocke), "Goodnight," (before he shuts the door). "Goodnight...kids," (Betsy says shaking her head with a smile on her face before she continues on down the hall).



[Meanwhile, out in the garden]

(We see Warpath sitting, near a light, on one of the benches in the garden). (He's staring up at the stars as we see first in one panel and then one of us facing him as we see Erica walking towards him from behind). (Without turning his head Warpath says), "What do you want Erica?" "Nothing, just thought you might want some company," (Erica says sitting down beside him with a smirk on her face). "So how's the nose, I heard about.," (Warpath says kicking a rock with his foot).



"Oh, you heard about that huh, it's okay now just bruised, although it hurt like hell, but Sam gave me something for the pain," (Erica says gingerly touching her nose). "Have you and Psylocke uh," (Warpath says looking over at her). (Erica shakes her head and says), "Nope, but I'm not holding my breath either, that session just got out of hand that's all." "So what are you doing out here, waiting for that "friend" of yours," (Erica says with a slight smirk as she lightly elbows Warpath, who doesn't look to happy about it).



"No, and we're just friends, and Terry is not someone that you force something like that onto, and after what happened to her father now is definitely not the time to try and start anything with her," (Warpath says looking sadly away at first and then back at Erica). (We then cut to Siryn jogging up towards the mansion and coming to a sharp halt as she hears someone talking).



(Then she peeks around the corner and strains to hear as it's starting to rain as Erica says), "Well then, she won't mind if I do this," (as Warpath has a confused look on his face before Erica plants a big kiss on him). (We see Siryn with a very shocked and hurt look on her face in a close up as she ducks back around the hedge ad has her eyes closed and her head down as we see a tear slide down her cheek). [Over the years Theresa Rourke-Cassidy has overheard many conversations and borne witness too many events that upon later reflection she wishes she hadn't, and today holds one of those events].



(Then she looks up as she says through her tears), "No, this isn' what's supposed tah happen, he's supposed to be with me." (We cut back to Warpath and Erica as he pushes her away and says), "What was that for," (with an angry look on his face). "Nothing, but since you're free as I am then I just thought," (Erica says with a confused look on her face).



"I love Terry, and I'm not about to jeopardize my chances with her by having a fling with you, goodnight", (Warpath says standing up and heading off towards the mansion as Erica then stands up and walks after him as she says), "but what if she doesn't love you, what then." (We see Warpath stop, look back slightly and say), "I'm willing to take that chance," (before he walks inside with Erica close behind). (We cut back to Siryn who is now crying heavily as she walks around the hedge and then walks over and sits down on the bench that Warpath and Erica were sitting on just moments before).

[Brokenhearted she slumps down onto the cold stone bench as the pounding rain soaks her to the bone]. [But had she been closer, heard his words, her situation might be completely different than it currently is, and that is of pure.] [.hopelessness, loneliness, and sadness.] (We see her bury her face in her hands before she curls up on the bench and cries herself to sleep as we pull away into a wide shot of the sky above the mansion, in which we see at the bottom of the picture as just the tops of the mansion and the nearby trees). [Now the question for them all has become.what comes next]-END