UNCANNY X-MEN MINI: HOPE AND DESPAIR
BY: LoganAlpha30 -Characters Thoughts ""-Characters Words ( )-Art Instructions [ ]-Caption Boxes + +-Time, Place Boxes
+Downtown, San Francisco+ +11:45 P.M. +
(We open as we see a trio of limo's driving through the downtown area). (Then we see the skylight of the middle limo open and then we see someone stand up through the skylight and then another person does as well). (Then we move in closer and see that it's Sam and Tabitha). (Then we see Tabitha spread her arms wide with a big smile on her face and a glass of champagne in her hand as she yells), "I just got engaged!" (Then we see Sam smile and say as he tries to pull Tabitha back inside), "Come on Tab.sit back down before ya catch cold." "Ah Sam.," (Tabitha says with a slightly unhappy look on her face before she relents and sits back down with Sam). "Don't worry Tabitha.we'll tell everyone about our engagement, but we can do that later.right now I'd rather spend a little quiet time together with my fiancé," (Sam says with a smile before we see Tabitha smile and then we pull away slightly and we see them kiss and start to go further as the skylight then closes).
(Then we jump back to Warpath and Siryn as we see Siryn wearing Warpath's coat as she's sitting next to him and leaning up against his chest and has his arms around her as they're both smiling and looking a little sleepy). (Then we see Warpath say), "What did you say to your dad out in the hall, he looked kind of like Tabitha did when the power went out and Sam had to tell her that she couldn't use the blow-dryer to dry her hair." "Nothing much, I just informed him of a few truths about you and me," (Siryn says with a proud smile as Warpath looks down at her with a slightly confused look on his face before he then says), "A few truths.about us.you didn't tell him about what happened in the pool did you?" "I didn' have to.I left it up to his imagination.which apparently worked well enough," (Siryn says before she glances up at Warpath who smiles at her and then she winks at him that causes them both to laugh).
(Then we move up to the front limo as we first see a panel of two glasses of champagne clinking together after we see a panel of a cork being popped and then of someone pouring the champagne into the glasses). (Then we pull back to see Warren and Betsy smiling at each other and about ready to take a sip as Betsy says), "You should have told me that Sam was going to ask Tabitha to marry him, I could have helped." "I'm sure you could have my dear.but Sam wanted to keep it as quiet.as low key as he could.but all's well that ends well.or so they say," (Warren says with a smile before he winks at Betsy and then takes a sip of champagne). "I'm sure he did, well I must say that the two of you certainly pulled it off.stemming greatly from the fact that a certain peroxide blonde actually said yes," (Betsy says with a small sigh as she playfully glares over at Warren).
"What.you thought she was going to say no.," (Warren says as he's about to take a drink but then stops and smiles). "Not for a second.a little heads up would have been nice is all, but I can understand why you didn't.but if you know what's good for you it won't happen again.," Betsy says with at first a smile on her face before it gets serious and she leans forward a bit to make sure that Warren now completely understands what she's trying to tell him). "I can take a hint Betts.but now we have a wedding to plan.amongst other problems, with the top item being a trip overseas.and now at least the situation with Sam and Tabitha has gotten better," (Warren says with a big smile as he then moves from his seat over to sit next to Betsy as she leans back and frowns slightly).
"Maybe we should put off that overseas trip for a few days, I think that we could all use some time recoup.something that we seem to be doing a lot of lately," (Betsy says with sigh as she leans over and puts an arm around Warren's shoulders). "I guess I could look into it.I gave him not timetable as to when we would arrive, although we can't get out of going," (Warren says with a frown on his face before he takes another sip of champagne). "Should we bring all the others with us.or should we just take the normal team," (Betsy asks as she's taking another drink of champagne). "Depends on whether or not they're all still here when we go, I highly doubt that Sean will be around much longer and Forge will probably try and leave before he should, but I don't know if I can take a long plane trip with Shatterstar," (Warren says with at first a scowl on his face and then a big cheesy smile).
"He's not that bad.," (Betsy says with her eyebrows slightly raised and a frown as she turns her head and looks over at Warren). "Says you.he nearly kept me up all night with one rules of engagement lecture after another," (Warren says with a sigh as he shakes his head and then leans back against the seat while he loops an arm around Betsy's waist and then pulls her close). "Learn anything that could be of any use," (Betsy says with a half smile as she rests her chin on Warren's shoulder and we see them both lean in and then turn their heads a bit before they kiss). (Then we travel down their bodies as we see their embrace deepen, all that in a small series of panels, and then we finish with a panel of Betsy as she goes to set her glass of champagne down but she isn't paying attention to it so the glass just hits the seat and then falls over, spilling the champagne that was in it).
[Meanwhile]
[The night grows cold and dark as a lone solitary figure travels through the apple orchard]. [His life up to this point has been fraught with one dangerous encounter after another, and more loose ends still undone than he likes]. (We first see a panel of the full moon, then we pan down in a group of panels as we have overhead shots of a shadowy figure walking through the apple orchard). (Then we move in closer in two panels and we see that the figure is Banshee, wearing a coat and gloves, as he walks through the apple orchard in between the trees as we also see his breath as it's cold outside). What do I do now.Charles doesn't want anything to do with me and Theresa.isn't far behind, (We see Banshee think with a scowl on his face). (Then we see him look around the orchard with a somber look on his face before he then stares at the ground).
(Then we see him start walking again as he thinks as he walks to the dock), Maybe I should just go back to Ireland and stay out of everyone's lives.they'd probably be better off.. (Then we see him standing on the dock in the moonlight and he then coughs as someone says from off panel), "Personal reflections under the moonlight Sean.?" (Then he turns around and sees Forge almost right behind him, all bundled up in a coat and blanket). "Ye shouldn' be out here in your.condition," (Banshee says with a frown on his face as he puts his hands in his coat pockets). "You should know by now that I don't put to much stock in what the doctors say.call it being to stubborn.or possibly senile for my own good," (Forge says with a frown on his face before he breaks into an almost smile).
"You and me both, but no matter how you look at it it's not a good time t'be me, I've got to think of something to get me out of the proverbial doghouse," (Banshee says with a scowl on his face as he turns away from Forge before he picks up a small rock and then throws it out into the pond). "Well if ever figure a way out remember to let me know," (Forge says as he wheels his wheelchair forward so that he's side by side with Banshee). "Will do," (Banshee says with a slight nod of his head before he scratches his chin as we pull away in a series of panels).
[Inside]
(We see Rictor, Shatterstar, and Erica all sitting in the living room). (Shatterstar is polishing his swords while he's sitting in a chair and Rictor is sitting on one end of the couch and he's leaning forwards and flipping through channels with a frustrated look on his face with a baseball cap of backwards). (Erica meanwhile is sitting at the other end of the couch with her feet up, wearing jogging pants, big wooly socks, a sports bra as we see all the bandaged up cuts including the one on her side and then all of the bruises along with her wet hair that she's putting up in a ponytail). (Then we see Erica get angry as Rictor continues to idly change the channel before she says angrily), "Julio, leave it on one channel will ya." "If you think I'm bad you should be glad that 'Star doesn't have the remote, you can't get in a word edgewise with him," (Rictor says with a smile as he glances over at Shatterstar out of the corner of his eye).
"Fekt.," (Shatterstar mutters under his breath with an unimpressed and slightly annoyed look on his face as he continues to clean his swords, completely ignoring the looks that Rictor and Erica are giving him). "The strong silent type eh," (Erica says with a joking smile as she looks over at Shatterstar, who pretty much just ignores her). "Your side still hurt," (Rictor says as he leans back and then rests his arm up on the back of the couch). "Yeah.how'd ya guess," (Erica says as she smiles through the pain but is obviously very uncomfortable). "You just don't seem as.chipper as usual," (Rictor says with a frown on his face as he's looking over at Erica). "Sorry.but thanks for noticing," (Erica says as she painfully reaches over and squeezes Rictor's shoulder). "Anytime senorita.anytime," (Rictor says with a big smile on his face as he slowly begins to nod his head). "So what happened in Paris," (Erica asks with a serious look on her face as Rictor looks somber and Shatterstar barely glances up).
"Why do you want to know all of a sudden," (Rictor says with an uncomfortable look on his face as Shatterstar finally looks up and says), "Didn't you ask Theresa?" "Do you think that we'd be talking about it now if I had," (Erica says with a frown on her face as she gingerly crosses her arms). (Then we see Rictor and Shatterstar give each other a sarcastic look before Rictor turns back and says with a sigh and a shrug of his shoulder), "Long story short Terry's dad screwed up big time and trusted the wrong people.and nearly paid for it with his life." "That bad huh.," (Erica says with a somber look on her face as we see her hand her head a bit before she turns her head slightly to look at Rictor and Shatterstar). "Yeah.that bad," (Rictor says with a frown as he slowly nods his head). (Then we see someone say from off panel), "You three are up late.is there something that I should know about."
(Then we see Erica, Rictor, and Shatterstar-who tenses up and brandishes his swords- as they all jump a bit and turn to look at the doorway). (Then we see a panel of Warren and Betsy-who look like parents coming home after a night out and they left the kids with the babysitter-as they both have questioning looks on their faces, Warpath-who looks sleepy himself has his arm around Siryn and is supporting her as she's very sleepy-and then Sam and Tabitha-as they both look a little tipsy-all that in a full two page panel as Warren disapprovingly says), "Well?" (Then we go back and see Rictor sit up and say with a sheepish smirk on his face), "Us.no.we were just watching some television and I guess that we just lost track of time." (Then we see Erica shrug her shoulders and then say), "Yeah.lost track of time."
(Then we see Tabitha slip a bit and say as Sam has to hold her up), "Anything good on guys?" (Then we see Shatterstar grumble and say), "Good on.I must admit that there have been few -programs- that I would consider.good." "Always the same thing.," (Rictor says as he rolls his eyes and shakes his head). (Then we see Erica brighten up and say), I take it that you guys had fun?" "Oh shurrr.," (Tabitha says with a slur because she's drunk as then she and Sam laugh out loud before they start off down the hall). "I think I'm going to make sure that those two find the right room to crash in for the night," (Warren says with a sigh before he leans over and smiles as he then kisses Betsy and then turns on his heel and follows after Sam and Tabitha).
(Then we see Betsy watch Warren go before she turns back to the others before she sighs and says as she crosses her arms), "You three might have been able to pull the wool over Warren's eyes but you haven't mine." "What do you.," (Rictor says with a really confused and bewildered look on his face). (Then we go back to a panel of Betsy, Warpath, and Siryn as Warpath smirks and then says), "I'd love to stay and chat but Terry's tired and well.I am to.so.." (Then we see Betsy hang her head slightly and then shake it as she brings a hand up and starts to run her hand through her hair as she says), "Fine James, you don't have to ask for my permission to go to bed.I'm not your mother." "I know, but I just find it.I don't know.comforting," (Warpath says with a smile before he turns and begins to usher Siryn off to bed).
(Then we see Shatterstar get up and then walk off out of the living room with a frustrated look on his face). "Well isn't that just so heartwarming," (Erica says with a smile as she turns and then we see that she turned a little bit to quickly and she grabs her side and winces in pain). "You okay," (Betsy says with a concerned and worried look on her face as she takes a step forward in one panel as then in the next panel we see Rictor try to come to Erica's aid, but she painfully waves them both off and smiles as she then says, while she stands up), "Yeah.I'm okay, I just need to get some sleep."
(Then we see Erica start to walk away but then Rictor stands up and accompanies her, against her objections, out of the room as we see Betsy then standing in the middle of the room with a slightly overwhelmed look on her face as she then shakes her head in frustration). (Then we see Betsy sigh and sit down on the couch, cross her legs and then lean forward and put her elbow on her knee and support her chin in her upturned palm, and then pick up the remote control and begin to idly flip through the channels before we see someone say from off panel), "Where'd everybody go?" (Then we see a panel of Betsy sitting on the couch in the bottom of the panel as she turns her head and looks up as we see Warren standing there with a frown on his face and his hands are at his side).
"Oh.Warren, they all headed off to bed or whatever they do at this time of night.come here and sit down.and unwind," (Betsy says with at first a frown before she smiles and turns a bit as she pats the cushion beside her with her hand). (Then we see Warren smile and then walk around the coffee table and then sit down beside Betsy as he leans back, puts an arm on the back of the couch and puts his feet up as he says), "Well this was a day that I won't soon forget, from Erica almost dying in the danger room to Sam and Tabitha getting engaged." "I'm almost afraid to see this day end.if only because tomorrow could be worse," (Betsy says with a frown on her face as she leans into Warren). "But the same could be said about any day.and by now I've thought that I had gotten used to that aspect of our lives," (Warren says with a scowl on his face as he leans in closer to Betsy).
"But is that line of thinking wise, should we ever truly -get used to it- I for one hope that we never do," (Betsy says with a serious and somber look on her face as we see her physically look that she doesn't like the thought of getting used to all the horror that they've seen in their daily lives as X-men). "That's a battle that I think all of us that have ever fought the good fight have trouble with," (Warren says with a frown on his face as he slowly nods his head and pulls his arm down from the back of the couch and puts it around Betsy's shoulders). (Then we see Betsy nod in silent agreement). (Then we see a panel of Warren and Betsy as they're watching television, as Betsy continues to idly flip through the channels, as then Warren looks up in alarm and says), "Huh.what.wait.Betts go back.back up a channel.."
(Then we see Betsy turn and look over at Warren with a confused and alarmed look on her face as she says), "What.okay." (Then we see Betsy turn back to the television and then flip back a few channels). (Then we see a series of panels of back and forth between Warren and Betsy's ever increasing looks of concern and worry and the images on the television screen). (Then we see a foreign news reporter appear on the screen with a serious and somber look on his face as he says), "Breaking news.now coming to you live from a small group of islands in the Pacific Rim.where earlier today the people of this sleepy and peaceful islands were suddenly and violently rocked out of their sleep by massive explosions, terrible earthquakes, towering tidal waves, and destructive tornadoes.that struck the islands almost without warning.causing massive amounts of damage," - "reducing the once thriving cities that were located on the islands to rubble, and sending local residents and unlucky tourists running for their very lives."
(Throughout that speech of the news reporter we see first hazy images of the different effects of the natural disasters on the islands and then the cities as people go screaming and running in fear as there are large explosions as many buildings are blowing up and on fire). (Then we go back to Warren and Betsy as they both have shocked and horrified looks on their faces as Betsy then gasps and then says to Warren without taking her eyes off of the screen), "Warren.now I know that I'm not to good at guessing games, but right now I'm getting a bloody horrible feeling that not only were those disasters not even close to being natural but that ravaged group of islands is the location of that Pacific Rim business that you told me about earlier." "I wish I could say that you're way off Betts.but once again you've outdone yourself," (Warren starts to say with a fake surprised and excited look on his face before it changes to a serious one as he says), "But yes.it looks like tensions have escalated considerably."
"To the point that I don't believe that I should pack any of my nicer clothes.more like I should pack all the weapons I can get my hands on.so do we leave now.round up the troops.or should we wait," (Betsy says with a frown on her face as she then slowly shakes her head in dismay). (Then we see the television screen show images of the news reporter and a small picture of the events happening on the islands as then the news reporter says), "We will keep updating the situation as developments warrant." (Then we se the news program go to a commercial before we go back to Warren as he takes his arm from around Betsy's shoulders and then sits up and says with a scowl on his face), "This mission is going to take every ounce of our combined powers and skills."
"Much like our trip to Genosha did, but are you sure that Apocalypse or even one of his vile henchman are behind this," (Betsy says with a frown on her face as she then looks over at Warren as he then says), "We're saying vile now.that sounds like something that my father or mother would have said.but you're right.I have no idea if Apocalypse is in any way connected to this.but even if he isn't those people are in trouble and you said yourself that those disasters aren't really that.natural.for all of them to have happened so close together." "Agreed.but I think that we should wait until sometime tomorrow to even think about coming to anyone's defense," (Betsy says with a scowl on her face as she sighs and sets the remote control down on the coffee table).
"It'll probably take that long for Sam and Tabitha's hangovers to wear off anyway," (Warren says with at first a serious look on his face before he looks over at Betsy who gives him a sarcastic and slightly unimpressed look on her face before she then smirks which causes Warren to smile before they both laugh and hug slightly). "They did drink a little to much champagne didn't they.," (Betsy says with a smile as she stands up and then says as she starts to walk out of the room), "I'm going to take a shower and then go to bed." "Hey.wait for me," (Warren says with a smile as he shuts the television off and then quickly chases after Betsy as we see laughing coming from off panel). (Then we see panels of just the peaceful night sky and then of the sun coming up).
[Early Morning]
[This morning starts like many others.but it is readily apparent that it will end very differently]. [As the leaders of this clandestine and abstract band of mutants Warren Worthington III and Elizabeth Braddock are up before dawn, already setting up the coming mission, calculating the variables, and assessing the risks]. (We see a panel of Warren, wearing his battle suits pants and a white shirt, and Betsy, who's wearing pretty much the same thing as they're both in the team's control room and Betsy is studying a map that's being displayed on a computer screen that's on the wall while Warren is sitting in a chair, with his elbows on the console and then his hand is supporting his chin, he's searching through the official records and reports for the events of the night before).
(Then we see Betsy, with her arms crossed and a steaming cup of coffee in her hands, look back over her shoulder at Warren and say with a subdued look on her face), "The formation of these islands is odd to say that least.they look almost as if they aren't.I don't know.natural.like someone or something created and then placed them there." "My thoughts exactly Betts, that's just about the only reason that I even listened to the director of my company there when he called," (Warren says as he looks up from his seat and rubs his eyes with a tired and frustrated look on his face).
"But what can we do exactly.how much good.can we really do against the calamities that struck those islands," (We see Betsy say with a frustrated look on her face in at first a panel that shows her from about her stomach up with the one large screen directly behind her and then many smaller television screens in four horizontal rows that lead away from the large screen, and she ends her speech in a panel that shows from her feet up to just above her head and it goes far enough from side to side that we see a good number of smaller screens that show local and international newscasts). "I'm not exactly sure.but you know as well as I do that it never stopped us before.and this time won't be the exception to the rule," (Warren says as he leans back in his chair and puts his hands on the armrests).
"You and I both believe in that theory.but I don't know if the same can be said about the others," (Betsy says with a frown on her face as she walks towards Warren before she then leans over with her supporting herself by putting her hands on he console and by keeping her arms straight). "I wish I knew Betts.I wish I knew," (Warren says with a half smile as he looks up at Betsy before we see someone say from nearby and off panel), "Wish ye knew what?" (Then we see Betsy and Warren look up as we then see a panel of a very sleepy looking Siryn, wearing a white tank top and pajama bottoms with fluffy slippers and a bathrobe and messed up hair, standing in the control room's doorway). "Morning Theresa.sleep well," (Betsy says with a friendly smile as she puts a hand on Warren's shoulder). "Yeah.ye two stay up all night," (Siryn says with a slightly confused and concerned look on her face as she takes a step inside the room).
"Although it bloody well feels like we did we didn't stay up all night, Warren and I just decided to make it an early morning," (Betsy says with a yawn and a slightly unhappy look on her face). "A very early morning," (Warren says with a sigh as he hangs his head before wearily shaking it). "So what was so pressing that it caused you two to get up before dawn," (Siryn says with a very expectant look on her face before Warren then looks up and says), "If you'd been watching the news then you would have seen the destruction that hit a small group of islands that are in fact the location for our next mission." "Another mission already guys.I don't know if I can keep this pace up," (We see Warpath says as he walks into the room behind Siryn as he yawns).
"Afraid so James, but we won't be leaving to soon, we still have a few members of the team that are in no condition to go on any missions.no matter how pressing the situation.but we can't wait forever to act," (Betsy says with a frown on her face). "So when do we leave," (Warpath says with a sigh and a shrug of his shoulders as Siryn looks on with a concerned look on her face). "Tonight at the latest.or whenever Sam and Tabitha have sufficiently gotten over their hangovers," (Warren says with a pretend scowl on his face as he closes the folder in front of him). "What do you expect, they got engaged last night," (Warpath says with a sarcastic look on his face as he slowly takes a seat opposite Warren and shakes his head).
"That still doesn' exactly permit them to get drunk off their bloody rockers.," (Siryn says with a disapproving look on her face as she pats Warpath on the shoulder before taking a seat beside him and she then rubs the sleep out of her eyes). "No it doesn't.but we're not children anymore Theresa.we're all adults here.and I'm sure as hell not going to turn into a bloody hall monitor and check their rooms.," (Betsy says with an unhappy frown on her face as she sits down next to Warren and leans back in her seat with her arms crossed as Warren slowly nods his head with a serious look on his face).
"God forbid.," (Warren then says with a smile on his face as he cautiously looks over at Betsy, who gives him a dirty look before she then turns her head and then picks up the remote control and pushes a button on it as she points it at the big screen which brings up a topographical map of the islands with a lot of information on the screen as she then says with a sigh), "What you're looking at is the island chain Parlau Pau, now yesterday it was like your average tourist trap with overpriced hotel rooms, imitation seashell jewelry, other assorted knick-knacks and a small population that swells every summer when the hordes of immature and oversexed college students vacation there."
(Then we see a small panel of Betsy sitting with her elbows on the console and she's holding the remote control in her hands and then she continues with a frown on her face), "Well that all changed late last night when the islands got everything thrown at them, except for the proverbial kitchen sink." "Sounds bad.so what's our connection to it all, why are we watching all this reality television stuff," (Warpath says with a slightly concerned look on his face as he leans back in his chair as Siryn seems to agree with him as she first brushes some hair back off of her face and puts it behind her ear before she then clasps her hands in front of her on the console).
"Why don't you tell them," (Betsy says with a slight smirk at Warren who then sighs, rolls his eyes, and then clears his throat before he then says), "Our connection to this.other than the obvious one that we help those in need whether they be human or mutant.is that Parlau Pau is the location of one of my Pacific Rim businesses and recently I received a telephone call from the director there asking for all of the assistance that we could give him, that fact plus a sneaking suspicion that Betsy and I both share that the natural disasters weren't that.natural." "Ye mean that.but how could.is there anyone that could.that has that kind of power," (Siryn says with a worried and concerned look on her face). "We know of mutants that could cause one.maybe two of these disasters.but.," (Betsy says with a body language as if she was reciting a list from memory and with a serious look on her face).
(Then we see Warren says with a very stern and serious look on his face), "But definitely not any mutant that could cause off of those disasters by themselves.and in that short amount of time." "And we're supposed to do what exactly.batten down the hatches.help with the rescue efforts," (Warpath says with a slightly confused but confident look on his face). "Probably all of the above.and possibly more.I guess you could say that it all depends on if the disasters are truly over.or if this is only the beginning," (Warren says with a grim look on his face as he looks back and forth between Warpath and Siryn). "Did the director of your company there make it out okay," (Siryn says with a concerned and slightly worried look on her face).
"Don't know.all of the phone lines seem to be out.we may not know until we get there.in other words," (Betsy says with an uncomfortable scowl on her face as she slowly wrings her hands). "In other words we should all be ready for anything.we'll all need to be at our best and on our guard for this trip," (Warren says before he pushes away from the center and circular console and then stand up before he then starts to walk out of the room before he stops at the doorway as Siryn turns in her chair and says), "Where are ye going in such a hurry?" "I'm going to give an early morning wake-up call to Sam and Tabitha," (Warren says with a frown on his face before he exits the room).
[Shortly]
[After having spent much of the night before downing one bottle of champagne after another.]. [.in celebration of their engagement.]. [But as a result of all that partying they will wake up with doozy of a hangover]. [They would like to be able to sleep away the day.]. [.but no one gets everything they want]. (We see a panel of Sam and Tabitha both lying in her bed but Tabitha is lying on her stomach and her dress is thrown on the floor beside the bed as she's only in her underwear and Sam is lying on his back beside her in only his pants). (Then we move in and have a close up panel of each of their heads as Sam is snoring loudly with his mouth open and Tabitha is drooling on her pillow). (We also see several empty bottles of champagne and a couple of almost empty wine glasses on the nightstand by the bed and the room is a mess). (Then we see someone knock on the door and say), "Sam.Tabitha.you guys awake in there?"
(Then we see a panel of Warren standing out in the hallway with is hand on the door). (Then we see Siryn come walking down the hall, and she's putting her arms through her battle suits sleeve, as she says with a hopeful look on her face), "Any luck?" (Then we see Warren turn his head slightly and say with an unhappy frown on his face), "Not yet.I as just about to go in." "Maybe I should go in first.in case they're not decent," (Siryn says as she steps in between Warren and the door with he back to the door before than as she flashes Warren a smile she opens the door and slips inside as Warren says, a little taken aback), "Alright.if you think it's best." (Then we see Siryn enter the room and then sigh as she shuts the door and looks up). (Then we see her react with shock and then she blushes and stares away before she then inches closer to the bed before she then squats down and picks up a blanket that's on the floor and then puts it over Tabitha as she shakes her head).
(Then we see Siryn shake Tabitha lightly and say), "Tabitha.hey.wake up.." (Then we see Tabitha scrunch up her nose and squint her eyes and moan angrily a bit as she then mumbles), "Mm.not now.to early.more sleep." (Then we see Tabitha roll over and pull the blanket around her as she rolls onto Sam and then lays her head on his chest). (Then we see Siryn shake her head and roll her eyes before we see her think), I tried to play nice. (Then we see Siryn compose herself and then set her feet as she then takes a quick look back over her shoulder at the door). (Then we see her level a sonic scream at Sam and Tabitha). [Having already failed at the kinder, gentler approach Theresa Rourke-Cassidy decides that the use of a little more force is required to obtain her desired objective]. (We see Siryn's sonic scream hit Sam and Tabitha as it's as if a bomb hits her bed and they both are shot up into the air as they're both shocked awake before they're dropped rudely back to the floor).
(Then we go back outside the room and see Warren become startled at all of the commotion that's going on in Tabitha's room as he says), "What the hell?" (Then in the next panel we see Siryn, as we're facing her, as she has a happy smile on her face and her arms are crossed as in the background we see Warren come charging into the room with a confused and concerned look on his face as he says), "Theresa what.happened?" "Huh," (We see Siryn say as she turns around with a shocked and slightly embarrassed look on her face, as she's in the foreground, and in the background we see Tabitha with a completely shocked look on her face and she's using the blanket and a pillow to cover herself with and then we see Sam groggily sitting up on the floor on the other side of the bed).
(Then we see Sam say), "W.Warren.what's?" "Time to get up Sam.you to Tabitha.we have work to do," (Warren says with a serious look on his face before he shakes his head and then turns and walks out of the room as Siryn, Sam, and Tabitha look on with mostly confused and bewildered looks). (Then we see Tabitha look up and ask Siryn), "What's going on.Terry?" "Come on you two.Warren's already got another mission for us.a real doozy.ye're gonna have to get over your hangovers really quickly," (Siryn says with an unhappy scowl on her face before she shakes her head and she then starts to leave the room). (But we then see Tabitha shake her head with a confused look on her face before she says), "What hangover?" "This one," (Siryn says with a smile and a shrug of her shoulders before she turns and flips Tabitha's radio on).
(Then we see Sam and Tabitha react with pained looks on their faces as they put their hands over their ears as the pain becomes too much to bare). "Then we see Tabitha say), "Hey what're you doing.put it on low.low." "But Tabitha.it is on low," (Siryn says with a smile before she nods her head and then steps out of the room and shuts the door behind her).
[Later]
(We see Erica, who's looking better, Rictor, and Banshee sitting at the kitchen table). (We see Erica eating a bowl of cereal and reading the comics page while Rictor is drinking a power shake and reading the sports page and finally Banshee is drinking a cup of coffee and looking at the international news page). (Then we see Rictor wipe a shake mustache away and then turn to Erica and say), "Hey Erica, you see what happened to those islands out in the Pacific last night?" "What islands.sorry don't remember that," (Erica says as she shakes her head). "Parlau Pau," (Banshee says with a scowl on his face and without taking his eyes off of the paper as he then takes a sip of coffee). "Parlau.what," Erica says with a confused look on her face as she looks up from her bowl of cereal and over at Banshee, along with Rictor).
"The island chain of Parlau Pau.a small group of islands out in the Pacific Rim, last night all bloody hell broke loose there, and now it's the location of our next mission," (We see Betsy say as she enters the room and she's now fully clothed in her battle suit that isn't completely zipped up). "Another mission already.guess I'll have to wait to see that movie next weekend," (Erica says with a sigh as she turns her head and looks at Betsy). "Looks that way," (Betsy says with a slight nod of her head as she leans up against a nearby wall). "Need any help," (Rictor says as he looks up from the table with a supportive look on his face). "I'm not sure.but thank you for asking," (Betsy says with an appreciative smile on her face as she nods her head while we see Banshee take little notice of their conversation).
"So we all going this time, or am I going to get left behind again to guard the X-jet," (Erica says with a less than thrilled look on her face before she eats another spoonful of cereal). "We're all going this time, and you'll be needed to help with the rescue efforts right along with the rest of us.that is of course if the disasters were truly natural.if not then we'll need all the help that we can get to fight whomever is behind this," (Betsy says with a frown on her face as she shakes her head and then looks over at Banshee). "Ye sure everything's on the up and up, ye know that you can trust your contact there," (Banshee says with a serious look on his face as he idly scratches his cheek with one hand while flipping a page over with the other hand). (Then we see Betsy sigh and cross her arms and then say with a slightly annoyed look on her face), "Sean there's something that you should know, Warren trusts our contact there and that's good enough for me."
"Then I hope Warren is right, I truly do," (Banshee says with a sigh as he pushes his chair back, stands up, and then walks out of the kitchen and he's still holding his cup of coffee as Betsy, Erica, and Rictor all just watch him go). "Is it just me or is there something seriously wrong with that man," (Erica says with a shudder as she solemnly turns back to look at Rictor, who returns the look and slowly nods his head). "It's not just you Erica.I think he and Terry haven't exactly done as much bonding as he'd hoped.," (Betsy says with a sigh as she looks over at Rictor and Erica). "I guess it probably didn't help that Terry and Jimmy chose now to finally admit to each other and themselves what the rest of us already knew," (Rictor says with a frown on his face as he then leans back in his chair while he drains the rest of his power shake).
"It couldn't have helped much," (Betsy says as she slowly turns and then walks out of the room). (Then we see a couple of panels of Erica and Rictor as they're just sitting at the table contemplating the previous conversation before Erica eats another spoonful of her cereal). (Then we see an obviously tired and groggy Sam and Tabitha come staggering in before they both get a hot cup of coffee and plop down into chairs). "Rough night guys," (Rictor says with a smirk that he and Erica share). "Shut up Ric," (Tabitha says as she then takes a sip of coffee and then sets the cup down and holds her head in her hands with her elbows on the table). "Why.you guys don't like.loud noises," (Erica says at first with a serious look on her face before she finishes as she's yelling the last bit and we then see Sam and Tabitha cringe). "Something like that," (Sam says as he winces in pain and then takes a sip of coffee).
"Looks like you two celebrate a little too much last night," (Erica says with a happy smile on her face as she pats Sam on the back). "Yeah, but at least we had a good reason.right," (Sam says with a sleepy but happy look on his face as he looks over at Tabitha as she then smiles and nods her head before she drops her head to the table and moans in some pain). "Well don't mope around for to long.Warren and the ole stick in the mud already got us another mission," (Erica says with a smile as she stands up and takes her spoon and bowl over to the sink before she then turns around and leans up against the countertop and crosses her arms). (Then we see Rictor say softly as Erica is walking by him), "Ole stick in the mud.?" "Oh no.not another missions.where to this time.Timbuktu.," (Tabitha says as she picks her head up with a slightly somber look on her face as Sam looks over at her with a confused look on his face with his eyebrows slightly raised).
"No.this time you're in luck.you guys are in for some fun in the sun," (Rictor says with a smile as he stands up and then walks over and puts his glass in the sink and he then turns around). "Hawaii," (Tabitha says with a hopeful look on her face as she looks over at Erica and Rictor). "Unfortunately no.we're going to Parlau Pau.on a humanitarian mission of sorts.we're leaving this afternoon sometime," (Erica says with a smile on her face as she walks out of the room, but not before patting Sam on the head). "Where.," (Tabitha says with a confused look on her face as she looks back and forth between Sam and Rictor).
"I think it's somewhere over by Japan, but that's just a wild guess," (Rictor says with a sigh and a shrug of his shoulders before he follows Erica and walks out of the room as Sam and Tabitha just look at each other in a panel before they shake their heads with looks of dismay on their faces as the light shines in through the window).
[A short time later]
(We see Siryn and Warpath as they're loading supplies into the X-jet as we see Warpath enter the X-jet with a big box in his hands). (And we see Siryn looking at the checklist on a digital device). (Then we see Warpath come walking back out of the X-jet with a smile on his face as he says), "Hey Terry, we done yet?" "Nae.we still have all of those boxes over there," (Siryn says with a sigh as she nods her head towards a large group of boxes in a corner of the hanger bay). (Then we see Warpath roll his eyes and shake his head and say as he scratches the back of his neck and is walking towards Siryn), "Great.remind me again why I'm the one that's carrying all of these boxes and you're standing there like a schoolteacher."
"Because ye're the one that's been telling me how strong ye are.," (Siryn says with a smile as she looks up from the digital device as we now see that Warpath is standing beside her). "Fine, but next time I do it again, stop me.please," (Warpath says with a slightly embarrassed look on his face as he pulls Siryn close and he then picks her up). (Then we see Siryn smile and say), "Ye know we should keep working, Psylocke wants us done soon so that we can leave early if we have to." "I think we've got the time," (Warpath says with a smile on his face before we then see Siryn smile and then we see a panel of them kissing). (Then we pull back to a wider shot and they're still kissing before we then go to a shot of the hanger's doorway as someone is standing in the open doorway, but all that we can see of them is a black outline of their body and Siryn and Warpath are in the far background).
(Then we go back to a closer up panel of Warpath and Siryn kissing as we see someone say from off panel), "I thought Elizabeth bold you two to load the jet, not stand around kissing each other." (Then we see Warpath and Siryn break the kiss as Siryn frowns with an embarrassed look on her face as Warpath hands his head a bit and then sets her down before we see Siryn says with a sheepish look on her face), "Hi dad." "Hello Theresa.James, ye two getting ready for the mission," (Banshee says with a less than thrilled look on his face and his arms crossed). "Yeah uh.we were just taking a little break.and I guess we got a little.," (Warpath says with a nervously embarrassed look on his face as he then glances down at Siryn, who returns the look and then smiles and then says), "carried away."
(Then we see a panel or two of the three of them just nervously standing there and looking at each other). (Then we see Banshee say), "I can see that, but I didn' want to leave without saying goodbye." (Then we see Siryn with a surprised and slightly sad look on her face as she then says), ".goodbye.ye're not staying then?" (Then we see Banshee scowl and slowly shake his head as he says), "Sorry but I can't, ye don't need me here, I'm only going to get in your way." (Then we see Siryn in a close up on her face as we see her with a shocked and saddened look on her face as we see her bit her bottom lip to keep from crying). (Then we see Warpath turn his head first to look at Siryn and then to look at Banshee before he says with a slightly sad look on his face), "You're not getting in the way.you don't have to leave."
(Then we see Siryn solemnly nod her head as Banshee then says), "The fact that neither one of you has much to say tells me that I'm right to leave now." "But.but where will ye go," (Siryn says with a forced serious look on her face as she's trying to act like she doesn't care that much about whether Banshee stays or goes). "Back home to Cassidy Keep.what's left of it anyway," (Banshee says with an unsure and somewhat reluctant look on his face). "I'm sure that Warren would let ye stay here.or at least help ye find a place.," (Siryn says with a sad and serious look on her face as she walks over to Banshee and then puts a hand up on his shoulder). "I know Theresa, and I love you for trying, but it's time for me to go," (Banshee says with a smile before he pulls Siryn close and then hugs her and he then pulls away slightly and kisses her on the forehead).
(Then we see a panel of Banshee as he nods slightly before he turns and then walks away). (Then in the next panel we see a long horizontal panel of Banshee walking away on the right side of the panel and on the left side we see Siryn standing there almost dejectedly with Warpath right behind her). (Then we see a panel of Siryn as she turns around with a sad look on her face before Warpath, with a sad look on his face, takes a step up and then hugs her).
[Meanwhile, At A Local Church]
(We at first see a panel of the outside of a big church and some birds flying around). (then we move down and see people coming in and out of the church before we move inside and see people in the aisles and in the pews as well). (Then we move in closer and see Sam sitting in one of the pews). [While the others take up their time before the mission by preparing for the trip by loading supplies and checking their weapons two of the younger team members have chosen to seek both solace and guidance.]. (We then see that Sam is just sitting in the pew with his hands clasped together in front of him and a solemn look on his face).
(Then we see him think with a slightly confused look on his face), Ah always dreamed of this day, but ah didn't think that I'd be here all alone. (Then we see Sam get shocked out of almost his drunken stupor as we see someone say from off panel), "That's just it Sam, you're never all alone." (Then we see Sam turn his head and look up with a slightly confused but happy look on his face as he says), "Cable." (Then we see a panel of Cable, wearing jeans, a flannel shirt and a leather jacket, with a calm but happy look on his face as he's standing right beside the pew and looking down at Sam as he then sits down beside Sam). (Then we see Sam look over at Cable and say), "What are you doing here?"
"Well I heard it from a friend that you and Tabitha got engaged.that's something that.," (Cable says with a slight smile on his face as he seems to be fishing for what to say). "Something that you thought you'd never see," (Sam says with an almost joking smile as they have the appearance of two old friends talking). "Yeah that's about it, but while it was something that I thought I'd never see it was something that I always hoped would happen one day.and that I'd be here to see it," (Cable says with a frown and a small sigh as he leans back in the pew). "Yeah well you're a day late, I gave her the ring last night, right before we went to the opera," (Sam says with a slight rolling of his eyes and a small smile on his face as he sees the surprised look on Cable's face).
"You.and Tabitha.went to the opera.I knew I should have come back sooner," (Cable says with a cool smile as he shakes his head and pats Sam on the back as he then says), "Well then let me congratulate you on your engagement.by the way where is your future bride?" (We then see Sam shrug and say), "She's outside somewhere, said she didn't feel right coming in here yet." "I didn't see here when I came in," (Cable says with a frown on his face as he looks back over his shoulder at the back of the church). "Probably went shopping for something that she thought she needed," (Sam says with a small sigh as he shakes his head). "Maybe we should go and find her before she maxes out all of her credit cards," (Cable says with a joking smile as he and Sam stand up and then start walking back down the aisle towards the back of the church as Sam then says), "Besides, we have to get back in time to go on our next mission."
"Next mission," (Cable says with a slightly confused look on his face as he and Sam walk through the doors as Sam puts his coat back on). "We're going to some warm and tropical spot to rescue some people and find out if the disasters that caused all the damage were natural ones.or if someone or something did it on purpose," (Sam says with a frown on his face as he and Cable walk down the church's steps). "I'd love to come with you but I have business elsewhere that I must attend to," (Cable says with a frown on his face as he turns to Sam and puts his hands in his pockets).
"You're leaving.but you just got here.there's so much that we need to talk about," (Sam says with a heavy hearted look on his face as he then hangs his head). "I'm sorry about what happened to your family Sam, you shouldn't have had to go through that.no one should, I should have been there for you.hmpf.guess it was just another turning point in your life that I've missed," (Cable says with a somber look on his face as he puts a hand on Sam's shoulder and squeezes it as they then share a somber look before Cable pats Sam on the back as he says), "Come on, enough talk about all the many horrible events in our lives that we would give anything to change but can't, time to make sure that Tabitha still has more than a penny to her name."
[Later]
(We see the control room with all of the television screens on and showing all the different news agencies reporting their views on the events unfolding in Parlau Pau in their own words as one says), "These are tragic days for the residents here.," (and another says), "It's possible that hundreds.perhaps thousands could be dead," (and another), "horrible destruction here," (and another), "scientists are stumped as to the causes of all of the calamities that struck the islands," (and finally one of the religious channel reporters says), "May God have mercy on their souls." (We see through all of the Sam in full battle gear with one arms across his body and he's holding his elbow with that hand as his other hands is on his chin as he has a thinking deeply look on his face with Tabitha, who's also in full battle gear and wearing shades and also popping a big bubble of bubble gum, as Sam says), "This is all so.so.." "Unbelievable," (Betsy says with an unhappy sigh as she walks up next to Sam and Tabitha).
"You took the words right out of my mouth," (Sam says with a small smile as he slightly turns and looks over at Betsy). "She does that a lot," (Warren says with a playful smile on his face as he looks up from his seat and resists saying anything back to Betsy as she playfully glares back at him). "So how long we staying there.a day, a week," (Erica says with a questioning look on her face as she leans on the back of her chair and slightly winces in pain). "As long as it takes Erica, we don't do anything halfway," (Betsy says with a serious look on her face as she doesn't turn around to look at Erica). "So what are we waiting for, let's go already, I've already got my bags packed," (Tabitha says with a smile as she loops her arm with Sam and then she lays her head on his shoulder).
"I don't think you'll be getting to much free time there Tabitha, I've got a funny feeling that we'll do more fighting than partying," (Warpath says with an unhappy look on his face as he somberly looks over at Siryn). "Ye're probably right boyo, and I was really hoping to try and get the second tan that I've ever had in my life," (Siryn says with a frown on her face as she looks back and forth between Warpath and Warren). "We're waiting until we get all of the data in before we go charging in there, I don't want to repeat what happened in Siberia and Genosha, we barely survived those missions," (Warren says with a serious scowl on his face as he turns his head back to the computer screen in front of him). "Hey don't sweat it, we all came back, we're all still here," (Tabitha says with a meek smile on her face as she and Sam turn around to face Warren). "We were lucky both times, and I'd rather avoid any unwanted risks if at all possible," (Betsy says with an angry look on her face as she glares over at Tabitha, who looks a little hurt at being glared at). "Yes well enough chit-chat, we need to start talking about the mission at hand," (Warren says with a tired look on his face before he punches some buttons of the keyboard and then nods to Betsy for her to take over).
"Okay people here goes, surprisingly things have actually gotten worse in Parlau Pau, there have been numerous secondary explosions all across the islands causing seemingly even more damage than what started this whole bloody mess in the first place, and that's just the beginning of the almost continuous damage," (Betsy says as she cross her arms and leans up against the side of Warren's chair with an impatient frown on her face). "Kind of like getting infected with a virus that begins a process of continued cell degradation that ends in a place that we seriously do not want to go," (Warren says with an unhappy look on his face as he scratches his chin before he and Betsy share a look of cautious optimism).
"So in layman's terms we'd like be the antidote.right," (Erica says as she brushes a few stray strands of hair back off of her face). "Something like that, but it's not that simple, although I wish it were," (Betsy says with a sigh and a tired look on her face as she slowly slides down and sits down on the armrest of Warren's chair). "Now then when we get there I'll try and touch base with the director of my company there to see what's going on," (Warren says with a frown as he leans back in his chair and rubs his eyes). "But what can most of us do, or powers aren't exactly.," (Erica says with a confused look on her face as she looks over at Warren and Betsy). "Our powers are actually going to be well suited for the challenges ahead, from James' strength to Sam's invulnerability and Tabitha's explosive abilities," (Betsy says with a frown on her face as she looks at each of the people she named individually).
"Whether or not those were natural disasters," (Warren says with a scowl before he sits up and says), "James Theresa.is the X-jet fully loaded?" (Then we see Warpath and Siryn look at each other with uncomfortable looks on their faces before Siryn turns back to Warren and then says), "Yeah, it's all loaded." "Well then, twenty minutes and we're out of here, so tie up any loose ends you might have and then get to the hanger bay," (Warren says with a frown on his face as he wrings his hands as Betsy looks down and over at him with a slightly worried look on her face as we then see everyone get up and slowly file out of the room).
[Later Somewhere Over The Pacific]
(We see panels of the X-jet flying low over the water and throwing up a lot of water behind it). (Then we see panels of the X-jet flying into the setting sun and the sunlight is shining off of the X-jet). (Then we move inside and see Betsy piloting the plane, Warren is wearing a wireless headset as he's trying to contact someone, Sam and Tabitha are sitting in their chairs but they're holding hands on the console and both are watching news reports about what's happening in Parlau Pau, Warpath is seemingly getting loose, Siryn is trying to catch a little sleep and Erica is in her seat and flipping through a magazine with a bored look on her face). (Then we see Sam punch some buttons and he then starts going through the various tapes as if he were an editor).
(Then we see him look surprised and slightly shocked as he then sits upright in his chair and then rewinds the tape and slowly begins to go screen by screen and he squints as he's watching the tape very closely). (Then we see a group of panels that show several images of the events on the screen as we see that the tape is of many of the buildings getting destroyed and the wind blowing around and people running and screaming). (Then we see Tabitha turn her head and look at Sam with a slightly confused and concerned look on her face as she then says), "Sam, what is it, did you find something?" (Then we see Sam look over at Tabitha with his eyes and without moving his head and with a slightly concerned look on his face as he then says), "Ah think so, but ah'm not sure yet." (Then we see Tabitha turn her chair slightly and then lean over next to Sam as they both watch the screen intently).
(Then we see Tabitha scrunch up her nose a bit with a confused look on her face as she then says as she points to something on the screen), "Wait.what's that, go back." (Then we see Sam look at her with a confused look on his face as he says), "Go back.why?" "I thought I saw something," (Tabitha says with a frown as she looks back and forth between Sam and the screen before Sam then says), "Okay." (Then we see Sam turn a knob that rewinds the tape before he pushes the play and the slow-mo button as then we go to a group of panels of the same video we saw earlier). [As they go back and view the tape on its slowest speed they search for the difference, the anomaly, the thing that shouldn't be there]. [At first it isn't apparent, but slowly it begins to become visible]. (We then see a figure start to appear out of the wind and blowing dust, but the figure is still slightly blurry).
"Wait look, Sam there.in the center," (Tabitha says as she points to the figure that's emerging on the screen). "What is that," (Sam says as he starts replaying the footage frame by frame before Tabitha then says with a slightly confused look on her face), "It looks.almost human." "I think it is," (Sam says with a confused scowl on his face before he leans back in his chair and then turns to Warren and says), "Hey Warren I think we've got something here that you're going to want to see." (We then see Warren take off the headset and then shake his head as he turns around and says), "Yeah, what did you find?" (Then we see Tabitha turn to Warren and say with a thoughtful look on her face), "We've been going back through the news footage.trying to find anything out of the ordinary."
"So what'd you find," (Warren asks as he pushes himself up out of his chair and he then walks over to stand behind Sam and Tabitha before he then says), "Okay.I'm looking for what exactly?" "Okay, now watch the center of the screen, right there in the breeze through the dust," (Sam says with a sigh as he then rewinds the tape and then plays it again frame by frame). (Then when the figure becomes visible Sam stops the tape playback and then Tabitha points to the figure and then says), "See right there.you can barely see it." (We then see Warren lean in and squint his eyes with a slightly confused look on his face as he then says), "It's kind of blurry.can you clear it up any?"
"Ah'll try," (Sam says with a hopeful but cautious look on his face as he punches up some buttons as we see a small box appear on the screen and Sam then puts his hand on a rolling ball type of mouse and moves the small box overtop of the figure and he then selects the figure). (Then we see Sam type in a scale size as Tabitha then says), "Well here goes nothing." (Then we see panels of Warren, Sam, and Tabitha as they're watching the image of the figure begin to clear up and become less fuzzy). "Look familiar to you,' (Tabitha says with a perplexed look on her face as she looks back and up at Warren, who sighs and shakes his head as he then says), "Not at all." "Well the picture is still a little fuzzy, let's see what this does," (Sam says with an unimpressed look on his face as he then pushes some more buttons as the image is cleared up even more and we see the figure more clearly).
(We see that the figure starts to more and more resemble a human being that is angry and wearing native like clothing but the face is hidden in a thick dark cloud of dust). "Is that as good as it can get, it's still to hazy," (Warren says with an impatient scowl on his face as he scratches his chin and looks back and forth between Sam and the screen). "Sorry boss.that's the best that it's gonna get," (Sam says with a frustrated shrug of his shoulders as he then leans back in his chair and leans his elbow on the armrest of his chair and then uses that to support his head as he puts his chin in his upturned palm).
(Then we see Tabitha turn her head and look at Sam with a concerned and slightly unhappy look on her face as she lays her hand on top of his). "It's to bad that it's not going to get any clearer, but at least we have a better idea of what we're possibly dealing with.good job you two," (Warren says with an impatient and unhappy frown on his face as he pats Sam on the shoulder before he then returns to his seat beside Betsy as she turns her head slightly and eyes him with a questioning but concerned look on her face before she then says), "Everything okay back there?" "Yeah, Sam and Tabitha thought they caught one of the culprits on video," (Warren says with a sigh as he smiles and looks over at Betsy and puts the wireless headset back on). "So those disasters weren't natural," (Betsy says with a slightly serious look on her face).
"I'm not exactly sure, but it's certainly a possibility, I guess we won't find out if they're right until we get there and see for ourselves," (Warren says as he shrugs his shoulders and leans back in his chair). "So what else is new," (Betsy says with a sigh as she rolls her eyes and then turns her head back to look out the front window of the X-jet). (Then we go back outside the X-jet and see that the sun is now almost completely down as we then see someone say from inside the X-jet), "Are we there yet?"
[Parlau Pau]
(We see the X-jet flying up to a group of islands and it's nighttime as we only see the X-jet by the small lights that were placed on certain parts of the X-jet). (Then we see the X-jet fly in and land in a ruined farm field). (Then we see Betsy say as she shuts down the X-jets engines), "Okay we're here, everybody out." (Then we see Betsy turn around in her chair and look at Warren before she then says), "Okay Sam and Tabitha, you two take the downtown district, James you and Theresa take the business district while Warren and I make contact with the director of Warren's business here." (Then we see Erica angrily put her magazine down as she then says with a furious look on her face), "Hey what about me, you said that this time would be different, you said.."
"Calm down Erica, you've got something else to do, your missions is to slip in under the radar and see if you can pick up the word on the street so to speak, try and find out anything that could be useful to us," (Warren says with a stressed out look on his face as he puts a hand up as he's trying to calm Erica down). "Come on boyo, let's go before things get to hectic," (Siryn says with a smile as she and Warpath both stand up and then get to the door and then Warpath pushes the open button and leans in against the nearby wall as the door opens before he then says), "See ya later guys." (Then we see Warpath and Siryn leave the X-jet in the far right side of a panel and on the left side we see Sam and Tabitha stand up and then follow Warpath and Siryn out the door as Tabitha heads out first as she says with a big smile), "Who knows, maybe I can get some shopping in," (to which we then see Sam sigh, roll his eyes, and shake his head with a slightly embarrassed smile on his face as he says), "What can I say.ah love her," (then we see him leave the X-jet as then we see Warren and Betsy sigh and look at each other before we then see Erica stand up, walk back into the back room and then come back out a few seconds later as she's pulling on a long black trench coat as she then pulls her ponytail out from under the coats collar as she then says), "Have fun you two, don't get into to much trouble."
(Then we see Warren hang his head a bit before he shakes it and then we see Betsy put a hand on his back and then say with a slightly concerned look on her face), "It'll all work out Warren, we've got a good group, they'll do their jobs." (Then we see Warren look up and over at Betsy with a smile on his face as he then says as he and Betsy stand up and then walk towards the door), "I know, but there's just something about this entire mission that's been bothering me ever since we left San Francisco." "I have my doubts about this mission to, but I'm willing to see how it goes for a bit before I make up my mind," (Betsy says with a frown as we then see her and Warren walk down the ramp and off into the farm field as the ramp slowly shuts all on its own).
[Business District]
[This area only hours before had been teeming with locals and tourists, with most splitting their time between haggling over prices on various trinkets and soaking up as much fun in the sun as they could before returning to their mundane and often tedious lives]. [The place were so much commerce had taken place now more closely resembled a war zone, complete with the refugees struggling to keep sensitive secrets from becoming known to the general public at large, let alone a competitor]. (We start out with panels showing rescue workers, with big light stands behind them shining light in the darkness, as they're digging through the debris and pulling out the dead and placing them in body bags as grieving family members are kept back away from the debris and also survivors are being pulled out and put on stretchers before being rushed off to either a triage unit or a hospital).
(And into this we see Warpath and Siryn come walking in with sad and very concerned looks on their faces as we then see Siryn say as a tear slides down her cheek), "I didn' want to believe the pictures, but this is horrible." "I only hope we can find someone that's still alive," (Warpath says with a somber look on his face as he looks around and puts a hand on Siryn's shoulder). (Then we see a wall that is still standing suddenly shake and then collapse as the rescue workers and others go running for cover, but some people don't make it out in time and get trapped under the debris as a big cloud of dust and dirt goes pouring out into the street and then hitting Warpath and Siryn as they turn away and cover up). (Then we see the cloud of dust and dirt as it begins to dissipate and we then see Warpath and Siryn coughing a lot as they try to clear the air before we then see rescue people go rushing by them and they shout out orders as they do so). (Then we see Siryn cough and say as she looks up at Warpath with a slightly scared look on her face), "Ye okay?"
(Then we see Warpath nod his head and then look down at Siryn with a worried look on his face as he then says), "Yeah.you?" "I'm fine, now come on we've got to help," (Siryn says with a smile before her expressions turns serious and she then races over to the new pile of debris that the rescue workers are now digging through with Warpath close behind her). (Then we see a group of rescue workers who are trying to lift a very big and obviously heavy metal beam but they can't so Warpath steps up and says as he leans down and grips the bar), "Don't worry guys." (Then we see Warpath grunt and strain and he strains a bit before he starts to pick up the beam as the workers look happy and grateful as one of them smiles and says), "Thanks!"
(Then we see the rescue workers run in and frantically begin to dig through the debris as they pull a guy out and put a neck collar on him before putting him on a backboard and taking the man to a waiting and running ambulance that takes off soon after). (Then we see someone point upward towards the rooftops as that person yells), "Oh no.look!" (Then we see everyone turn in alarm and confusion as we then see two small children huddled up against their older sister as all three of them are cornered by a fire and the smoke is making them cough and all three are crying). (Then we see Siryn look up and react with shock as she says), "Oh no."
(Then we see one of the rescue workers turn to another one and he then says), "Stop what you're doing and get.." (Then we see Siryn step in and interrupt them as she says with a slightly flustered look on her face), "There's no time, the fire's almost overwhelmed them." (Then we see the lower ranked rescue worker say as if he's out of breath), "We can't just leave them there, they'll die." "I don' intend to, just be ready," (Siryn says with a serious frown on her face before she turns away from the two rescue workers and then takes off and flies up into the sky towards where the three children are as the rescue workers stare up at her in confusion as one says), "Ready.for what?" (Then we see Warpath step up beside them and he then says with a smile), "When she gets back with the children."
(Then we see both of the rescue workers look back at him with confused looks on their faces before the three of them turn and look up after Siryn). (Then we go up to panels of the children being scared by the fire as we see the fire reflected in their eyes as they're all coughing and crying). (Then in the next panel it's as if we're sitting in the fire looking out at the three kids as Siryn flies up behind them). (Then we see her fly over and land on the roof behind the kids as they then turn around and yell as they're scared of her at first, but then she says), "No.it's okay.don't be scared.I'm not going to hurt you.I'm here to save you.you have to trust me, please."
(Then we see the two smaller children quiver in fear and hug their older sister even more tightly as we then see that Siryn is kneeling in front of them with a very anxious look on her face as we then see some of the roof collapse as that really scares the kids as they look back and forth between Siryn and the fire before they lunge at Siryn and cling to her tightly as Siryn hugs them and then says), "I'll be okay, just hold on tight.not that tight," (as we see one of the kids latch on a little to tightly and Siryn coughs a bit). (Then we see Siryn lift off of the roof with the three kids now really tightly as she then flies down and then slowly lands amidst some of the debris as then the kids look happier). [Then it happens, suddenly, violently, and without warning.].
(First we see rescue workers start to rush towards the children and Siryn with blankets in their hands as we then see a brick fall and it barely misses Siryn and the children that makes Siryn and the rescue workers look up as we see the building as it's starting to collapse as we see Siryn almost instinctively pus the children down and she puts her own body in between the children and the falling building). (Then we see Warpath yell as he comes rushing in and throws himself on top of Siryn and the kids), "Terry look out!" [The bricks and mortar descend mercilessly on them, and completely engulf them]. (Then we see the building completely come down and most of it falls right on top of Warpath and it kicks up a lot of dust and dirt in a big cloud that billows outward).
(Then we see a large crowd of people and rescue workers yell for help and in alarm as they all rush in as they then frantically begin to dig through the rubble). [Suddenly.]. (We then see the mound of mortar and bricks start to shake and rumble before we then see Warpath erupt out of the mound as Siryn and the children are cowering beneath him). (Then we see all of the rescue workers react with some amount of fear but mostly shock as they stare in amazement before Warpath drops to his knees with an uncomfortable look on his face). (Then we see the head rescue worker order the other rescue workers in as they come in and wrap the three children up in blankets and rush them off to waiting doctors as the last rescue worker helps Siryn to her feet).
(Then we see Siryn turn shakily back to Warpath and she then says with a worried look on her face as she then takes one of his big hands in one of hers as she puts her other hand on his shoulder), "Jimmy.are ye.?" (Then we see Warpath slump his shoulders and then he turns his head to look at Siryn with a somber look on his face), "Yeah Terry.I'm fine." "Ye sure," (Siryn says with a concerned look on her face as she's now standing directly in front of him as she moves the hand that was on his shoulder to his cheek). "Okay.it hurt.," (Warpath says with a shrug of his shoulders and a slightly embarrassed look on his face before he then straightens up and then says), ".but only a little."
"Ah.ye big baby, come on we still have a lot to do," (Siryn says with a smile as she softly pats him on the cheek before we see him stand up and shake off some more dust and debris as a small group of rescue workers approach them and two of them are first aid workers that try to help Warpath as one of them says), "Are you hurt, sit down and let us.." (Then we see Siryn wave them off with a smile on her face as she also lightly elbows Warpath in the side and says), "Don't bother with him.." (Then we see a panel of the three rescue workers as they stare at Warpath and Siryn with confused and unsure looks on their faces before Siryn then says as she motions to them not to worry), ".his head's as hard as a rock.it'll take a lot more than a bloody building collapsing on top of him to take Jimmy here out."
(Then we see Warpath blush slightly and smile as he shakes his head before he says as he starts to walk away), "Come on Terry." (Then we see Siryn shake the dust out of her hair and brush some off of her shoulder as she mutters as she follows Warpath), "Yeah.all in a days work."
[Meanwhile.In The Downtown District]
[The islands seat of power]. [The place where all of the important decisions are proposed, debated, retooled, and then finally passed into law]. [Where ordinary citizens come to rally support for various causes and to air their grievances]. [And into this setting strolls two of probably the most unlikely people that anyone would ever expect to see on the streets of downtown Parlau Pau]. (We see that like the business district this district is in shambles as well). (Then we see Sam and Tabitha walk in amongst the smashed cars and buildings that have all of their windows blown out and there are some statues that have been blown over). (Then we see Sam and Tabitha begin to help people up and also get them to waiting paramedics and ambulances). (Then we see Sam walk over to a big pile of rubble before he motions for the rescue workers to stand back and he then sets his feet and begins to blast through the rubble as he shoots his powers out of his hands).
(Then we see Sam blasting even more of the debris as then some of the rescue workers get the people out as Sam helps to uncover them). (Then we see Sam squat down and then help to pull someone from the rubble and then carry that person to a waiting ambulance as we then see Tabitha helping an injured old woman to a triage tent). (Then we see Sam approach Tabitha and say), "There's so much to do here.." (Then we see Tabitha sigh and turn to look up at Sam with a somber look on her face as she then says), "Yeah, I only wish that we could have gotten here sooner." "We can't change the past, all we can do now is deal with it and try to make the future better," (Sam says with a grim look on his face as he looks around and watches all of the various rescue workers, remaining tourists, and some of the locals as they mill around).
(Then we see someone shout from somewhere off panel that makes Sam and Tabitha turn and look off panel with alarmed looks on their faces), "Hey.we need help over here." (Then we see a panel of a group of armed guards and soldiers have their guns pointed at someone). (Then in the next panel we see a large man that looks as if he's made entirely of rock and he's angry and there are some unconscious and wounded soldiers and guards at his feet). (Then we see the rock guy charging the nearest group of soldiers as the main soldier yells), "Fire!" (Then we see the rock guy shrug off the bullets with a hearty laugh and tear into the guards as people run in fear). (Then we see a frightened Tabitha turn to Sam and yell), "Sam.look!" "Ah see him.let's go," (Sam says with a grim look on his face before he then takes off in a run towards the rock guy as both Sam and Tabitha have to push people out of the way that are slowing them down).
(Then we cut back to the rock guy as he lifts one of the soldiers into the air and is about to smash him into the ground before we then see red hot plasma come into the panel and strike the rock guy in the chest, causing him to growl in anger as he takes a step or two backwards as some of the bystanders yell), "Oh no.," (and we see Tabitha say from off panel), "Hold your horses rocky!" (Then we see a panel in which we're facing Sam and Tabitha as we see Tabitha, with her hands outstretched and an angry look on her face as she is shooting red hot plasma out of her hands, as she's saying), "Huh, ya like that ugly.then here's some more," (and Sam, who's blasting towards us in the air with a gritted teeth, as he says), "Keep him off balance Tabitha, don't let him get set before ah hit." "Will do Sammy," (Tabitha says with a smile on her face as she pushes her powers harder and the rock guy now is reeling backwards a good distance).
[The being is sent reeling from the force of her attack]. (Then we see the rock guy begin to fight off Tabitha's attacks as he then smiles greedily at Tabitha as he says), "I've had just about enough of you.witch!" (Then we see Sam say angrily as he plows full force into the rock guy), "That's my fiancé ye're insulting." (Then we see a huge explosion as Sam and the rock guy go flying back through buildings and rupture a gas line and we then see Tabitha as she yells), "Sam", (and Tabitha and everyone else dives out of the way to avoid the explosion). (Then in the next panel we see an aerial shot of the downtown district as the smoke comes from the explosion rises into the air along with the explosion). [The explosion erupts out of the ruined buildings with such force that the shockwave is felt for miles around].
(We then see a group of panels that surround the panel of the explosion that shows in one panel Erica getting knocked off of her feet and then in another one we see Siryn get knocked out of the air and into Warpath's arms after he stumbles and sits down hard and then Warren grabs Betsy and then launches himself into the air as then in the remaining panels we see some rescue workers and people in buildings get knocked off of their feet). (Then in the next panel we go back to Tabitha as she jerks herself back up to her feet as she then staggers forward towards where the explosion was as she has to squint to try and see through the smoke as he also tries to dispel the cloud of smoke as she waves her hand through the air as she then yells with a pained and very worried look on her face), "Sam, where are you?" (Then we see her almost ready to cry as she climbs over part of a downed wall and then slides down into the crater).
(Then we see Tabitha slowly and cautiously begin to search through the rubble with fires still burning around her as she then nervously says), "Sam.say something.please." (Then we see the ground around Tabitha erupt upward and outward with such force that she is thrown up into the air and lands a good distance away and she yells in surprise as she the goes down hard). [The ground explodes from under her feet, sending her up into the air]. (Then we see a panel of Tabitha as she's trying to pick herself up off of the ground with a cut that's bleeding on her temple, and all of that in the immediate foreground and in the background we see the rock guy stand up through the smoke and glare menacingly down at Tabitha).
(Then we see the rock guy take a step forward and is about to stomp on Tabitha as she rolls over and looks up with shocked and horrified look on her face as she looks about ready to scream before we see a blast hit the rock guy in the back that makes him stumble forward awkwardly and very angrily and all the while barely missing Tabitha as she quickly rolls out of the way). (Then in the next panel we see a confused but hopeful look on Tabitha's face as she looks up and back into the crater). (Then we see a panel of the crater as we see Sam stagger out through the smoke and flames and we see that he's a little roughed up as then we see Tabitha yell with a very happy and grateful look on her face), "Sam!"
(Then we see the rock guy turn around and growl angrily before he starts to charge Sam but then we cut to Tabitha as she quickly looks back and forth between the rock guy and Sam, who's climbing up out of the crater and isn't really watching the rock guy, before she sits up and then she angrily yells as she blasts the rock guy with everything she has), "Stay away from him!" (We then see the rock guy take a step back as behind him we see people running in fear and ever some cowering). (Then we see the rock guy be able to brush off Tabitha's attack and the start to charge her before we see Sam step up beside Tabitha and then they both begin to blast the rock guy all the while Sam is helping Tabitha back to her feet).
(Then we see a wide group of horizontal panels of the rock guy on the left side of the panels as he takes steps forward towards Sam and Tabitha as he's shrugging off the attacks as on the right side of the panels we see Sam and Tabitha as they're standing side by side and trying to blast the rock guy away). (Then we see the rock guy getting close to Sam and Tabitha before they yell angrily and blast him with everything that they have and then we see the rock guy go flying backwards through the air and he goes flying off into the distance).
[Meanwhile]
(We see Erica as she's leaning up against the wall in the doorway of a burnt out shop as she's eating an apple as a light rain begins to fall). (Then we see her frown, put her hand up and brush a stray strand of hair off of her face before she leans her head down and looks at her locket that she takes out from under her shirt and opens). (Then we see a small panel of the locket being opened and we see that there are two pictures, in the left picture we see a picture of a family of a dad, a mom, three sons and three daughters, and then in the right picture we see a small baby boy). (Then we do a big panel of Erica's face as she has a very sad look on her face as a tear slides down her cheek as she then sniffles before we see her think), Mom.Dad.Jalen.I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.I never meant for it to happen.I just wish that you could forgive me.but you can't, because you're all dead.and it's all my fault..
(Then we see a panel of Erica as she turns her head back out towards the street and wipes away a tear as she sniffles before she then turns her head back and looks back down at the locket and the picture on the right side and the picture of the baby as she then kisses her hand and then transfers that kiss to the babies picture as she then says), "I'm so sorry baby.I'm so sorry.momma's so sorry." (Then we see her close the locket, kiss it, and she then says a silent prayer with her eyes closed before she then puts the locket back into its place, close to her heart, and opens her eyes, wipes away a tear and then steps out onto the sidewalk before she's shocked by someone that says from off panel), "Hey, what do you think you're doing over there, it's not safe." (Then we see Erica look over and see a panel of a fire fighter standing on the sidewalk and he's holding an axe). "What.oh uh sorry," (Erica says with a slightly embarrassed and cheesy grin before she makes her way into the street and then looks around before she then sees a triage unit with people coming and going around it).
"Good a place as any I guess, just hope I can find some useful tidbit of information that Warren can use.just never thought that this type of stuff was what the X-men did," (Erica say with a frown on her face before she shrugs her shoulders and then heads for the triage tent). (Then in the next panel we see Erica enter the triage tent before she then says), "Oh, sorry," (after she bumps into a nurse as she's hurrying from bed to bed with a tray of medical supplies). (Then we see a panel of the inside of the triage tent as doctors and nurses are working hard and going from bed to bed, checking on each of the patients, with Erica standing in the center of the tent with a tentative look on her face).
(Then we see Erica try and get one of the nurse's attention but she can't so she walks over and sits down next to one of the patients, a little boy that has half his right leg and there are a lot of bandages on the rest of him, and he's frowning sadly and just staring off into space). (Then we see Erica smile warmly as she puts her hand overtop of his as she then says), "Hello.my name's Erica, what's yours?" (Then we see the kid look at her with a scared look on his face before she then says), "No.don't be scared, I'm not going to hurt you." (Then we see the kid look at her for a second or two before he then looks up at her and says), "You're pretty.are you an angel?"
(We then see Erica blush slightly and smile as she then says), "Me.an angel.no I'm not an angel, I'm just someone that's her to help.can I talk to you for a bit?" (Then we see the kid nod his head slightly and mumble), "Billy." (Then we see Erica say with a slightly confused look on her face as she says), "What?" "Billy, my name's Billy," (the kid says with a smile before Erica then smiles and says), "Well then nice to meet you Billy, are you here alone or.?" "I was here.on a vacation, with my mom and dad.and then.I don't know where they are," (the kid says with an ever increasingly somber look on his face before Erica then says with a somber look on her face), "I'm sure that your parents are fine.they're probably looking for you right now, in fact I bet you'll see them again before you know it."
"Really," (the kid says with a hopeful smile on his face before we see Erica say with a smile on her face), "Really." (Then we see one of the nurses come over and put her hand on Erica's shoulder and then say), "May I talk to you.outside?" (Then we see Erica turn her head and look up first in a panel and then in the next one we see her look back and forth between the nurse and the kid as she then says), "Sure.I'll be right back Billy, okay?" "Okay," (Billy says with a smile as Erica then stands up as she then follows the nurse to just outside of the tent before the nurse turns back to her and then says with an angry look on her face), "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"What do you mean.," (Erica says with a confused look on her face as she brushes back the sides of her coat and puts her hands on her hips). "You shouldn't be giving him false hope, that's the last thing he needs right now," (the nurse says as she glares over at Erica, who now is glaring back). "False hope.what do you mean," (Erica says with a determined look on her face as she then crosses her arms). "Billy's parents aren't looking for him.they're dead, we had to amputate Billy's leg just to save him, he was lucky enough that he lived through the car crash and we found him in time, unfortunately his parents weren't so lucky," (the nurse says with a sad and overworked look on her face and body language).
"But that's not fair, I mean he's just a little kid that's scared out of his wits and wants his mom and dad, what the hell am I.are you supposed to tell him, he's going to ask where they are.hell he already has, you can only lie to him for so long," (Erica says with an angry and confrontational look on her face as she glares back at the nurse). "Who ever said that life was fair, it sucks that his parents were killed and that we had to cut off his leg, but he's alive, we did the best we could.look I'm sorry but I've got work to do, excuse me," (the nurse says with a sigh before she walks back into the tent). (Then in the next panel we see Erica just staring off into the night sky as the tears slide down her cheeks).-END
BY: LoganAlpha30 -Characters Thoughts ""-Characters Words ( )-Art Instructions [ ]-Caption Boxes + +-Time, Place Boxes
+Downtown, San Francisco+ +11:45 P.M. +
(We open as we see a trio of limo's driving through the downtown area). (Then we see the skylight of the middle limo open and then we see someone stand up through the skylight and then another person does as well). (Then we move in closer and see that it's Sam and Tabitha). (Then we see Tabitha spread her arms wide with a big smile on her face and a glass of champagne in her hand as she yells), "I just got engaged!" (Then we see Sam smile and say as he tries to pull Tabitha back inside), "Come on Tab.sit back down before ya catch cold." "Ah Sam.," (Tabitha says with a slightly unhappy look on her face before she relents and sits back down with Sam). "Don't worry Tabitha.we'll tell everyone about our engagement, but we can do that later.right now I'd rather spend a little quiet time together with my fiancé," (Sam says with a smile before we see Tabitha smile and then we pull away slightly and we see them kiss and start to go further as the skylight then closes).
(Then we jump back to Warpath and Siryn as we see Siryn wearing Warpath's coat as she's sitting next to him and leaning up against his chest and has his arms around her as they're both smiling and looking a little sleepy). (Then we see Warpath say), "What did you say to your dad out in the hall, he looked kind of like Tabitha did when the power went out and Sam had to tell her that she couldn't use the blow-dryer to dry her hair." "Nothing much, I just informed him of a few truths about you and me," (Siryn says with a proud smile as Warpath looks down at her with a slightly confused look on his face before he then says), "A few truths.about us.you didn't tell him about what happened in the pool did you?" "I didn' have to.I left it up to his imagination.which apparently worked well enough," (Siryn says before she glances up at Warpath who smiles at her and then she winks at him that causes them both to laugh).
(Then we move up to the front limo as we first see a panel of two glasses of champagne clinking together after we see a panel of a cork being popped and then of someone pouring the champagne into the glasses). (Then we pull back to see Warren and Betsy smiling at each other and about ready to take a sip as Betsy says), "You should have told me that Sam was going to ask Tabitha to marry him, I could have helped." "I'm sure you could have my dear.but Sam wanted to keep it as quiet.as low key as he could.but all's well that ends well.or so they say," (Warren says with a smile before he winks at Betsy and then takes a sip of champagne). "I'm sure he did, well I must say that the two of you certainly pulled it off.stemming greatly from the fact that a certain peroxide blonde actually said yes," (Betsy says with a small sigh as she playfully glares over at Warren).
"What.you thought she was going to say no.," (Warren says as he's about to take a drink but then stops and smiles). "Not for a second.a little heads up would have been nice is all, but I can understand why you didn't.but if you know what's good for you it won't happen again.," Betsy says with at first a smile on her face before it gets serious and she leans forward a bit to make sure that Warren now completely understands what she's trying to tell him). "I can take a hint Betts.but now we have a wedding to plan.amongst other problems, with the top item being a trip overseas.and now at least the situation with Sam and Tabitha has gotten better," (Warren says with a big smile as he then moves from his seat over to sit next to Betsy as she leans back and frowns slightly).
"Maybe we should put off that overseas trip for a few days, I think that we could all use some time recoup.something that we seem to be doing a lot of lately," (Betsy says with sigh as she leans over and puts an arm around Warren's shoulders). "I guess I could look into it.I gave him not timetable as to when we would arrive, although we can't get out of going," (Warren says with a frown on his face before he takes another sip of champagne). "Should we bring all the others with us.or should we just take the normal team," (Betsy asks as she's taking another drink of champagne). "Depends on whether or not they're all still here when we go, I highly doubt that Sean will be around much longer and Forge will probably try and leave before he should, but I don't know if I can take a long plane trip with Shatterstar," (Warren says with at first a scowl on his face and then a big cheesy smile).
"He's not that bad.," (Betsy says with her eyebrows slightly raised and a frown as she turns her head and looks over at Warren). "Says you.he nearly kept me up all night with one rules of engagement lecture after another," (Warren says with a sigh as he shakes his head and then leans back against the seat while he loops an arm around Betsy's waist and then pulls her close). "Learn anything that could be of any use," (Betsy says with a half smile as she rests her chin on Warren's shoulder and we see them both lean in and then turn their heads a bit before they kiss). (Then we travel down their bodies as we see their embrace deepen, all that in a small series of panels, and then we finish with a panel of Betsy as she goes to set her glass of champagne down but she isn't paying attention to it so the glass just hits the seat and then falls over, spilling the champagne that was in it).
[Meanwhile]
[The night grows cold and dark as a lone solitary figure travels through the apple orchard]. [His life up to this point has been fraught with one dangerous encounter after another, and more loose ends still undone than he likes]. (We first see a panel of the full moon, then we pan down in a group of panels as we have overhead shots of a shadowy figure walking through the apple orchard). (Then we move in closer in two panels and we see that the figure is Banshee, wearing a coat and gloves, as he walks through the apple orchard in between the trees as we also see his breath as it's cold outside). What do I do now.Charles doesn't want anything to do with me and Theresa.isn't far behind, (We see Banshee think with a scowl on his face). (Then we see him look around the orchard with a somber look on his face before he then stares at the ground).
(Then we see him start walking again as he thinks as he walks to the dock), Maybe I should just go back to Ireland and stay out of everyone's lives.they'd probably be better off.. (Then we see him standing on the dock in the moonlight and he then coughs as someone says from off panel), "Personal reflections under the moonlight Sean.?" (Then he turns around and sees Forge almost right behind him, all bundled up in a coat and blanket). "Ye shouldn' be out here in your.condition," (Banshee says with a frown on his face as he puts his hands in his coat pockets). "You should know by now that I don't put to much stock in what the doctors say.call it being to stubborn.or possibly senile for my own good," (Forge says with a frown on his face before he breaks into an almost smile).
"You and me both, but no matter how you look at it it's not a good time t'be me, I've got to think of something to get me out of the proverbial doghouse," (Banshee says with a scowl on his face as he turns away from Forge before he picks up a small rock and then throws it out into the pond). "Well if ever figure a way out remember to let me know," (Forge says as he wheels his wheelchair forward so that he's side by side with Banshee). "Will do," (Banshee says with a slight nod of his head before he scratches his chin as we pull away in a series of panels).
[Inside]
(We see Rictor, Shatterstar, and Erica all sitting in the living room). (Shatterstar is polishing his swords while he's sitting in a chair and Rictor is sitting on one end of the couch and he's leaning forwards and flipping through channels with a frustrated look on his face with a baseball cap of backwards). (Erica meanwhile is sitting at the other end of the couch with her feet up, wearing jogging pants, big wooly socks, a sports bra as we see all the bandaged up cuts including the one on her side and then all of the bruises along with her wet hair that she's putting up in a ponytail). (Then we see Erica get angry as Rictor continues to idly change the channel before she says angrily), "Julio, leave it on one channel will ya." "If you think I'm bad you should be glad that 'Star doesn't have the remote, you can't get in a word edgewise with him," (Rictor says with a smile as he glances over at Shatterstar out of the corner of his eye).
"Fekt.," (Shatterstar mutters under his breath with an unimpressed and slightly annoyed look on his face as he continues to clean his swords, completely ignoring the looks that Rictor and Erica are giving him). "The strong silent type eh," (Erica says with a joking smile as she looks over at Shatterstar, who pretty much just ignores her). "Your side still hurt," (Rictor says as he leans back and then rests his arm up on the back of the couch). "Yeah.how'd ya guess," (Erica says as she smiles through the pain but is obviously very uncomfortable). "You just don't seem as.chipper as usual," (Rictor says with a frown on his face as he's looking over at Erica). "Sorry.but thanks for noticing," (Erica says as she painfully reaches over and squeezes Rictor's shoulder). "Anytime senorita.anytime," (Rictor says with a big smile on his face as he slowly begins to nod his head). "So what happened in Paris," (Erica asks with a serious look on her face as Rictor looks somber and Shatterstar barely glances up).
"Why do you want to know all of a sudden," (Rictor says with an uncomfortable look on his face as Shatterstar finally looks up and says), "Didn't you ask Theresa?" "Do you think that we'd be talking about it now if I had," (Erica says with a frown on her face as she gingerly crosses her arms). (Then we see Rictor and Shatterstar give each other a sarcastic look before Rictor turns back and says with a sigh and a shrug of his shoulder), "Long story short Terry's dad screwed up big time and trusted the wrong people.and nearly paid for it with his life." "That bad huh.," (Erica says with a somber look on her face as we see her hand her head a bit before she turns her head slightly to look at Rictor and Shatterstar). "Yeah.that bad," (Rictor says with a frown as he slowly nods his head). (Then we see someone say from off panel), "You three are up late.is there something that I should know about."
(Then we see Erica, Rictor, and Shatterstar-who tenses up and brandishes his swords- as they all jump a bit and turn to look at the doorway). (Then we see a panel of Warren and Betsy-who look like parents coming home after a night out and they left the kids with the babysitter-as they both have questioning looks on their faces, Warpath-who looks sleepy himself has his arm around Siryn and is supporting her as she's very sleepy-and then Sam and Tabitha-as they both look a little tipsy-all that in a full two page panel as Warren disapprovingly says), "Well?" (Then we go back and see Rictor sit up and say with a sheepish smirk on his face), "Us.no.we were just watching some television and I guess that we just lost track of time." (Then we see Erica shrug her shoulders and then say), "Yeah.lost track of time."
(Then we see Tabitha slip a bit and say as Sam has to hold her up), "Anything good on guys?" (Then we see Shatterstar grumble and say), "Good on.I must admit that there have been few -programs- that I would consider.good." "Always the same thing.," (Rictor says as he rolls his eyes and shakes his head). (Then we see Erica brighten up and say), I take it that you guys had fun?" "Oh shurrr.," (Tabitha says with a slur because she's drunk as then she and Sam laugh out loud before they start off down the hall). "I think I'm going to make sure that those two find the right room to crash in for the night," (Warren says with a sigh before he leans over and smiles as he then kisses Betsy and then turns on his heel and follows after Sam and Tabitha).
(Then we see Betsy watch Warren go before she turns back to the others before she sighs and says as she crosses her arms), "You three might have been able to pull the wool over Warren's eyes but you haven't mine." "What do you.," (Rictor says with a really confused and bewildered look on his face). (Then we go back to a panel of Betsy, Warpath, and Siryn as Warpath smirks and then says), "I'd love to stay and chat but Terry's tired and well.I am to.so.." (Then we see Betsy hang her head slightly and then shake it as she brings a hand up and starts to run her hand through her hair as she says), "Fine James, you don't have to ask for my permission to go to bed.I'm not your mother." "I know, but I just find it.I don't know.comforting," (Warpath says with a smile before he turns and begins to usher Siryn off to bed).
(Then we see Shatterstar get up and then walk off out of the living room with a frustrated look on his face). "Well isn't that just so heartwarming," (Erica says with a smile as she turns and then we see that she turned a little bit to quickly and she grabs her side and winces in pain). "You okay," (Betsy says with a concerned and worried look on her face as she takes a step forward in one panel as then in the next panel we see Rictor try to come to Erica's aid, but she painfully waves them both off and smiles as she then says, while she stands up), "Yeah.I'm okay, I just need to get some sleep."
(Then we see Erica start to walk away but then Rictor stands up and accompanies her, against her objections, out of the room as we see Betsy then standing in the middle of the room with a slightly overwhelmed look on her face as she then shakes her head in frustration). (Then we see Betsy sigh and sit down on the couch, cross her legs and then lean forward and put her elbow on her knee and support her chin in her upturned palm, and then pick up the remote control and begin to idly flip through the channels before we see someone say from off panel), "Where'd everybody go?" (Then we see a panel of Betsy sitting on the couch in the bottom of the panel as she turns her head and looks up as we see Warren standing there with a frown on his face and his hands are at his side).
"Oh.Warren, they all headed off to bed or whatever they do at this time of night.come here and sit down.and unwind," (Betsy says with at first a frown before she smiles and turns a bit as she pats the cushion beside her with her hand). (Then we see Warren smile and then walk around the coffee table and then sit down beside Betsy as he leans back, puts an arm on the back of the couch and puts his feet up as he says), "Well this was a day that I won't soon forget, from Erica almost dying in the danger room to Sam and Tabitha getting engaged." "I'm almost afraid to see this day end.if only because tomorrow could be worse," (Betsy says with a frown on her face as she leans into Warren). "But the same could be said about any day.and by now I've thought that I had gotten used to that aspect of our lives," (Warren says with a scowl on his face as he leans in closer to Betsy).
"But is that line of thinking wise, should we ever truly -get used to it- I for one hope that we never do," (Betsy says with a serious and somber look on her face as we see her physically look that she doesn't like the thought of getting used to all the horror that they've seen in their daily lives as X-men). "That's a battle that I think all of us that have ever fought the good fight have trouble with," (Warren says with a frown on his face as he slowly nods his head and pulls his arm down from the back of the couch and puts it around Betsy's shoulders). (Then we see Betsy nod in silent agreement). (Then we see a panel of Warren and Betsy as they're watching television, as Betsy continues to idly flip through the channels, as then Warren looks up in alarm and says), "Huh.what.wait.Betts go back.back up a channel.."
(Then we see Betsy turn and look over at Warren with a confused and alarmed look on her face as she says), "What.okay." (Then we see Betsy turn back to the television and then flip back a few channels). (Then we see a series of panels of back and forth between Warren and Betsy's ever increasing looks of concern and worry and the images on the television screen). (Then we see a foreign news reporter appear on the screen with a serious and somber look on his face as he says), "Breaking news.now coming to you live from a small group of islands in the Pacific Rim.where earlier today the people of this sleepy and peaceful islands were suddenly and violently rocked out of their sleep by massive explosions, terrible earthquakes, towering tidal waves, and destructive tornadoes.that struck the islands almost without warning.causing massive amounts of damage," - "reducing the once thriving cities that were located on the islands to rubble, and sending local residents and unlucky tourists running for their very lives."
(Throughout that speech of the news reporter we see first hazy images of the different effects of the natural disasters on the islands and then the cities as people go screaming and running in fear as there are large explosions as many buildings are blowing up and on fire). (Then we go back to Warren and Betsy as they both have shocked and horrified looks on their faces as Betsy then gasps and then says to Warren without taking her eyes off of the screen), "Warren.now I know that I'm not to good at guessing games, but right now I'm getting a bloody horrible feeling that not only were those disasters not even close to being natural but that ravaged group of islands is the location of that Pacific Rim business that you told me about earlier." "I wish I could say that you're way off Betts.but once again you've outdone yourself," (Warren starts to say with a fake surprised and excited look on his face before it changes to a serious one as he says), "But yes.it looks like tensions have escalated considerably."
"To the point that I don't believe that I should pack any of my nicer clothes.more like I should pack all the weapons I can get my hands on.so do we leave now.round up the troops.or should we wait," (Betsy says with a frown on her face as she then slowly shakes her head in dismay). (Then we see the television screen show images of the news reporter and a small picture of the events happening on the islands as then the news reporter says), "We will keep updating the situation as developments warrant." (Then we se the news program go to a commercial before we go back to Warren as he takes his arm from around Betsy's shoulders and then sits up and says with a scowl on his face), "This mission is going to take every ounce of our combined powers and skills."
"Much like our trip to Genosha did, but are you sure that Apocalypse or even one of his vile henchman are behind this," (Betsy says with a frown on her face as she then looks over at Warren as he then says), "We're saying vile now.that sounds like something that my father or mother would have said.but you're right.I have no idea if Apocalypse is in any way connected to this.but even if he isn't those people are in trouble and you said yourself that those disasters aren't really that.natural.for all of them to have happened so close together." "Agreed.but I think that we should wait until sometime tomorrow to even think about coming to anyone's defense," (Betsy says with a scowl on her face as she sighs and sets the remote control down on the coffee table).
"It'll probably take that long for Sam and Tabitha's hangovers to wear off anyway," (Warren says with at first a serious look on his face before he looks over at Betsy who gives him a sarcastic and slightly unimpressed look on her face before she then smirks which causes Warren to smile before they both laugh and hug slightly). "They did drink a little to much champagne didn't they.," (Betsy says with a smile as she stands up and then says as she starts to walk out of the room), "I'm going to take a shower and then go to bed." "Hey.wait for me," (Warren says with a smile as he shuts the television off and then quickly chases after Betsy as we see laughing coming from off panel). (Then we see panels of just the peaceful night sky and then of the sun coming up).
[Early Morning]
[This morning starts like many others.but it is readily apparent that it will end very differently]. [As the leaders of this clandestine and abstract band of mutants Warren Worthington III and Elizabeth Braddock are up before dawn, already setting up the coming mission, calculating the variables, and assessing the risks]. (We see a panel of Warren, wearing his battle suits pants and a white shirt, and Betsy, who's wearing pretty much the same thing as they're both in the team's control room and Betsy is studying a map that's being displayed on a computer screen that's on the wall while Warren is sitting in a chair, with his elbows on the console and then his hand is supporting his chin, he's searching through the official records and reports for the events of the night before).
(Then we see Betsy, with her arms crossed and a steaming cup of coffee in her hands, look back over her shoulder at Warren and say with a subdued look on her face), "The formation of these islands is odd to say that least.they look almost as if they aren't.I don't know.natural.like someone or something created and then placed them there." "My thoughts exactly Betts, that's just about the only reason that I even listened to the director of my company there when he called," (Warren says as he looks up from his seat and rubs his eyes with a tired and frustrated look on his face).
"But what can we do exactly.how much good.can we really do against the calamities that struck those islands," (We see Betsy say with a frustrated look on her face in at first a panel that shows her from about her stomach up with the one large screen directly behind her and then many smaller television screens in four horizontal rows that lead away from the large screen, and she ends her speech in a panel that shows from her feet up to just above her head and it goes far enough from side to side that we see a good number of smaller screens that show local and international newscasts). "I'm not exactly sure.but you know as well as I do that it never stopped us before.and this time won't be the exception to the rule," (Warren says as he leans back in his chair and puts his hands on the armrests).
"You and I both believe in that theory.but I don't know if the same can be said about the others," (Betsy says with a frown on her face as she walks towards Warren before she then leans over with her supporting herself by putting her hands on he console and by keeping her arms straight). "I wish I knew Betts.I wish I knew," (Warren says with a half smile as he looks up at Betsy before we see someone say from nearby and off panel), "Wish ye knew what?" (Then we see Betsy and Warren look up as we then see a panel of a very sleepy looking Siryn, wearing a white tank top and pajama bottoms with fluffy slippers and a bathrobe and messed up hair, standing in the control room's doorway). "Morning Theresa.sleep well," (Betsy says with a friendly smile as she puts a hand on Warren's shoulder). "Yeah.ye two stay up all night," (Siryn says with a slightly confused and concerned look on her face as she takes a step inside the room).
"Although it bloody well feels like we did we didn't stay up all night, Warren and I just decided to make it an early morning," (Betsy says with a yawn and a slightly unhappy look on her face). "A very early morning," (Warren says with a sigh as he hangs his head before wearily shaking it). "So what was so pressing that it caused you two to get up before dawn," (Siryn says with a very expectant look on her face before Warren then looks up and says), "If you'd been watching the news then you would have seen the destruction that hit a small group of islands that are in fact the location for our next mission." "Another mission already guys.I don't know if I can keep this pace up," (We see Warpath says as he walks into the room behind Siryn as he yawns).
"Afraid so James, but we won't be leaving to soon, we still have a few members of the team that are in no condition to go on any missions.no matter how pressing the situation.but we can't wait forever to act," (Betsy says with a frown on her face). "So when do we leave," (Warpath says with a sigh and a shrug of his shoulders as Siryn looks on with a concerned look on her face). "Tonight at the latest.or whenever Sam and Tabitha have sufficiently gotten over their hangovers," (Warren says with a pretend scowl on his face as he closes the folder in front of him). "What do you expect, they got engaged last night," (Warpath says with a sarcastic look on his face as he slowly takes a seat opposite Warren and shakes his head).
"That still doesn' exactly permit them to get drunk off their bloody rockers.," (Siryn says with a disapproving look on her face as she pats Warpath on the shoulder before taking a seat beside him and she then rubs the sleep out of her eyes). "No it doesn't.but we're not children anymore Theresa.we're all adults here.and I'm sure as hell not going to turn into a bloody hall monitor and check their rooms.," (Betsy says with an unhappy frown on her face as she sits down next to Warren and leans back in her seat with her arms crossed as Warren slowly nods his head with a serious look on his face).
"God forbid.," (Warren then says with a smile on his face as he cautiously looks over at Betsy, who gives him a dirty look before she then turns her head and then picks up the remote control and pushes a button on it as she points it at the big screen which brings up a topographical map of the islands with a lot of information on the screen as she then says with a sigh), "What you're looking at is the island chain Parlau Pau, now yesterday it was like your average tourist trap with overpriced hotel rooms, imitation seashell jewelry, other assorted knick-knacks and a small population that swells every summer when the hordes of immature and oversexed college students vacation there."
(Then we see a small panel of Betsy sitting with her elbows on the console and she's holding the remote control in her hands and then she continues with a frown on her face), "Well that all changed late last night when the islands got everything thrown at them, except for the proverbial kitchen sink." "Sounds bad.so what's our connection to it all, why are we watching all this reality television stuff," (Warpath says with a slightly concerned look on his face as he leans back in his chair as Siryn seems to agree with him as she first brushes some hair back off of her face and puts it behind her ear before she then clasps her hands in front of her on the console).
"Why don't you tell them," (Betsy says with a slight smirk at Warren who then sighs, rolls his eyes, and then clears his throat before he then says), "Our connection to this.other than the obvious one that we help those in need whether they be human or mutant.is that Parlau Pau is the location of one of my Pacific Rim businesses and recently I received a telephone call from the director there asking for all of the assistance that we could give him, that fact plus a sneaking suspicion that Betsy and I both share that the natural disasters weren't that.natural." "Ye mean that.but how could.is there anyone that could.that has that kind of power," (Siryn says with a worried and concerned look on her face). "We know of mutants that could cause one.maybe two of these disasters.but.," (Betsy says with a body language as if she was reciting a list from memory and with a serious look on her face).
(Then we see Warren says with a very stern and serious look on his face), "But definitely not any mutant that could cause off of those disasters by themselves.and in that short amount of time." "And we're supposed to do what exactly.batten down the hatches.help with the rescue efforts," (Warpath says with a slightly confused but confident look on his face). "Probably all of the above.and possibly more.I guess you could say that it all depends on if the disasters are truly over.or if this is only the beginning," (Warren says with a grim look on his face as he looks back and forth between Warpath and Siryn). "Did the director of your company there make it out okay," (Siryn says with a concerned and slightly worried look on her face).
"Don't know.all of the phone lines seem to be out.we may not know until we get there.in other words," (Betsy says with an uncomfortable scowl on her face as she slowly wrings her hands). "In other words we should all be ready for anything.we'll all need to be at our best and on our guard for this trip," (Warren says before he pushes away from the center and circular console and then stand up before he then starts to walk out of the room before he stops at the doorway as Siryn turns in her chair and says), "Where are ye going in such a hurry?" "I'm going to give an early morning wake-up call to Sam and Tabitha," (Warren says with a frown on his face before he exits the room).
[Shortly]
[After having spent much of the night before downing one bottle of champagne after another.]. [.in celebration of their engagement.]. [But as a result of all that partying they will wake up with doozy of a hangover]. [They would like to be able to sleep away the day.]. [.but no one gets everything they want]. (We see a panel of Sam and Tabitha both lying in her bed but Tabitha is lying on her stomach and her dress is thrown on the floor beside the bed as she's only in her underwear and Sam is lying on his back beside her in only his pants). (Then we move in and have a close up panel of each of their heads as Sam is snoring loudly with his mouth open and Tabitha is drooling on her pillow). (We also see several empty bottles of champagne and a couple of almost empty wine glasses on the nightstand by the bed and the room is a mess). (Then we see someone knock on the door and say), "Sam.Tabitha.you guys awake in there?"
(Then we see a panel of Warren standing out in the hallway with is hand on the door). (Then we see Siryn come walking down the hall, and she's putting her arms through her battle suits sleeve, as she says with a hopeful look on her face), "Any luck?" (Then we see Warren turn his head slightly and say with an unhappy frown on his face), "Not yet.I as just about to go in." "Maybe I should go in first.in case they're not decent," (Siryn says as she steps in between Warren and the door with he back to the door before than as she flashes Warren a smile she opens the door and slips inside as Warren says, a little taken aback), "Alright.if you think it's best." (Then we see Siryn enter the room and then sigh as she shuts the door and looks up). (Then we see her react with shock and then she blushes and stares away before she then inches closer to the bed before she then squats down and picks up a blanket that's on the floor and then puts it over Tabitha as she shakes her head).
(Then we see Siryn shake Tabitha lightly and say), "Tabitha.hey.wake up.." (Then we see Tabitha scrunch up her nose and squint her eyes and moan angrily a bit as she then mumbles), "Mm.not now.to early.more sleep." (Then we see Tabitha roll over and pull the blanket around her as she rolls onto Sam and then lays her head on his chest). (Then we see Siryn shake her head and roll her eyes before we see her think), I tried to play nice. (Then we see Siryn compose herself and then set her feet as she then takes a quick look back over her shoulder at the door). (Then we see her level a sonic scream at Sam and Tabitha). [Having already failed at the kinder, gentler approach Theresa Rourke-Cassidy decides that the use of a little more force is required to obtain her desired objective]. (We see Siryn's sonic scream hit Sam and Tabitha as it's as if a bomb hits her bed and they both are shot up into the air as they're both shocked awake before they're dropped rudely back to the floor).
(Then we go back outside the room and see Warren become startled at all of the commotion that's going on in Tabitha's room as he says), "What the hell?" (Then in the next panel we see Siryn, as we're facing her, as she has a happy smile on her face and her arms are crossed as in the background we see Warren come charging into the room with a confused and concerned look on his face as he says), "Theresa what.happened?" "Huh," (We see Siryn say as she turns around with a shocked and slightly embarrassed look on her face, as she's in the foreground, and in the background we see Tabitha with a completely shocked look on her face and she's using the blanket and a pillow to cover herself with and then we see Sam groggily sitting up on the floor on the other side of the bed).
(Then we see Sam say), "W.Warren.what's?" "Time to get up Sam.you to Tabitha.we have work to do," (Warren says with a serious look on his face before he shakes his head and then turns and walks out of the room as Siryn, Sam, and Tabitha look on with mostly confused and bewildered looks). (Then we see Tabitha look up and ask Siryn), "What's going on.Terry?" "Come on you two.Warren's already got another mission for us.a real doozy.ye're gonna have to get over your hangovers really quickly," (Siryn says with an unhappy scowl on her face before she shakes her head and she then starts to leave the room). (But we then see Tabitha shake her head with a confused look on her face before she says), "What hangover?" "This one," (Siryn says with a smile and a shrug of her shoulders before she turns and flips Tabitha's radio on).
(Then we see Sam and Tabitha react with pained looks on their faces as they put their hands over their ears as the pain becomes too much to bare). "Then we see Tabitha say), "Hey what're you doing.put it on low.low." "But Tabitha.it is on low," (Siryn says with a smile before she nods her head and then steps out of the room and shuts the door behind her).
[Later]
(We see Erica, who's looking better, Rictor, and Banshee sitting at the kitchen table). (We see Erica eating a bowl of cereal and reading the comics page while Rictor is drinking a power shake and reading the sports page and finally Banshee is drinking a cup of coffee and looking at the international news page). (Then we see Rictor wipe a shake mustache away and then turn to Erica and say), "Hey Erica, you see what happened to those islands out in the Pacific last night?" "What islands.sorry don't remember that," (Erica says as she shakes her head). "Parlau Pau," (Banshee says with a scowl on his face and without taking his eyes off of the paper as he then takes a sip of coffee). "Parlau.what," Erica says with a confused look on her face as she looks up from her bowl of cereal and over at Banshee, along with Rictor).
"The island chain of Parlau Pau.a small group of islands out in the Pacific Rim, last night all bloody hell broke loose there, and now it's the location of our next mission," (We see Betsy say as she enters the room and she's now fully clothed in her battle suit that isn't completely zipped up). "Another mission already.guess I'll have to wait to see that movie next weekend," (Erica says with a sigh as she turns her head and looks at Betsy). "Looks that way," (Betsy says with a slight nod of her head as she leans up against a nearby wall). "Need any help," (Rictor says as he looks up from the table with a supportive look on his face). "I'm not sure.but thank you for asking," (Betsy says with an appreciative smile on her face as she nods her head while we see Banshee take little notice of their conversation).
"So we all going this time, or am I going to get left behind again to guard the X-jet," (Erica says with a less than thrilled look on her face before she eats another spoonful of cereal). "We're all going this time, and you'll be needed to help with the rescue efforts right along with the rest of us.that is of course if the disasters were truly natural.if not then we'll need all the help that we can get to fight whomever is behind this," (Betsy says with a frown on her face as she shakes her head and then looks over at Banshee). "Ye sure everything's on the up and up, ye know that you can trust your contact there," (Banshee says with a serious look on his face as he idly scratches his cheek with one hand while flipping a page over with the other hand). (Then we see Betsy sigh and cross her arms and then say with a slightly annoyed look on her face), "Sean there's something that you should know, Warren trusts our contact there and that's good enough for me."
"Then I hope Warren is right, I truly do," (Banshee says with a sigh as he pushes his chair back, stands up, and then walks out of the kitchen and he's still holding his cup of coffee as Betsy, Erica, and Rictor all just watch him go). "Is it just me or is there something seriously wrong with that man," (Erica says with a shudder as she solemnly turns back to look at Rictor, who returns the look and slowly nods his head). "It's not just you Erica.I think he and Terry haven't exactly done as much bonding as he'd hoped.," (Betsy says with a sigh as she looks over at Rictor and Erica). "I guess it probably didn't help that Terry and Jimmy chose now to finally admit to each other and themselves what the rest of us already knew," (Rictor says with a frown on his face as he then leans back in his chair while he drains the rest of his power shake).
"It couldn't have helped much," (Betsy says as she slowly turns and then walks out of the room). (Then we see a couple of panels of Erica and Rictor as they're just sitting at the table contemplating the previous conversation before Erica eats another spoonful of her cereal). (Then we see an obviously tired and groggy Sam and Tabitha come staggering in before they both get a hot cup of coffee and plop down into chairs). "Rough night guys," (Rictor says with a smirk that he and Erica share). "Shut up Ric," (Tabitha says as she then takes a sip of coffee and then sets the cup down and holds her head in her hands with her elbows on the table). "Why.you guys don't like.loud noises," (Erica says at first with a serious look on her face before she finishes as she's yelling the last bit and we then see Sam and Tabitha cringe). "Something like that," (Sam says as he winces in pain and then takes a sip of coffee).
"Looks like you two celebrate a little too much last night," (Erica says with a happy smile on her face as she pats Sam on the back). "Yeah, but at least we had a good reason.right," (Sam says with a sleepy but happy look on his face as he looks over at Tabitha as she then smiles and nods her head before she drops her head to the table and moans in some pain). "Well don't mope around for to long.Warren and the ole stick in the mud already got us another mission," (Erica says with a smile as she stands up and takes her spoon and bowl over to the sink before she then turns around and leans up against the countertop and crosses her arms). (Then we see Rictor say softly as Erica is walking by him), "Ole stick in the mud.?" "Oh no.not another missions.where to this time.Timbuktu.," (Tabitha says as she picks her head up with a slightly somber look on her face as Sam looks over at her with a confused look on his face with his eyebrows slightly raised).
"No.this time you're in luck.you guys are in for some fun in the sun," (Rictor says with a smile as he stands up and then walks over and puts his glass in the sink and he then turns around). "Hawaii," (Tabitha says with a hopeful look on her face as she looks over at Erica and Rictor). "Unfortunately no.we're going to Parlau Pau.on a humanitarian mission of sorts.we're leaving this afternoon sometime," (Erica says with a smile on her face as she walks out of the room, but not before patting Sam on the head). "Where.," (Tabitha says with a confused look on her face as she looks back and forth between Sam and Rictor).
"I think it's somewhere over by Japan, but that's just a wild guess," (Rictor says with a sigh and a shrug of his shoulders before he follows Erica and walks out of the room as Sam and Tabitha just look at each other in a panel before they shake their heads with looks of dismay on their faces as the light shines in through the window).
[A short time later]
(We see Siryn and Warpath as they're loading supplies into the X-jet as we see Warpath enter the X-jet with a big box in his hands). (And we see Siryn looking at the checklist on a digital device). (Then we see Warpath come walking back out of the X-jet with a smile on his face as he says), "Hey Terry, we done yet?" "Nae.we still have all of those boxes over there," (Siryn says with a sigh as she nods her head towards a large group of boxes in a corner of the hanger bay). (Then we see Warpath roll his eyes and shake his head and say as he scratches the back of his neck and is walking towards Siryn), "Great.remind me again why I'm the one that's carrying all of these boxes and you're standing there like a schoolteacher."
"Because ye're the one that's been telling me how strong ye are.," (Siryn says with a smile as she looks up from the digital device as we now see that Warpath is standing beside her). "Fine, but next time I do it again, stop me.please," (Warpath says with a slightly embarrassed look on his face as he pulls Siryn close and he then picks her up). (Then we see Siryn smile and say), "Ye know we should keep working, Psylocke wants us done soon so that we can leave early if we have to." "I think we've got the time," (Warpath says with a smile on his face before we then see Siryn smile and then we see a panel of them kissing). (Then we pull back to a wider shot and they're still kissing before we then go to a shot of the hanger's doorway as someone is standing in the open doorway, but all that we can see of them is a black outline of their body and Siryn and Warpath are in the far background).
(Then we go back to a closer up panel of Warpath and Siryn kissing as we see someone say from off panel), "I thought Elizabeth bold you two to load the jet, not stand around kissing each other." (Then we see Warpath and Siryn break the kiss as Siryn frowns with an embarrassed look on her face as Warpath hands his head a bit and then sets her down before we see Siryn says with a sheepish look on her face), "Hi dad." "Hello Theresa.James, ye two getting ready for the mission," (Banshee says with a less than thrilled look on his face and his arms crossed). "Yeah uh.we were just taking a little break.and I guess we got a little.," (Warpath says with a nervously embarrassed look on his face as he then glances down at Siryn, who returns the look and then smiles and then says), "carried away."
(Then we see a panel or two of the three of them just nervously standing there and looking at each other). (Then we see Banshee say), "I can see that, but I didn' want to leave without saying goodbye." (Then we see Siryn with a surprised and slightly sad look on her face as she then says), ".goodbye.ye're not staying then?" (Then we see Banshee scowl and slowly shake his head as he says), "Sorry but I can't, ye don't need me here, I'm only going to get in your way." (Then we see Siryn in a close up on her face as we see her with a shocked and saddened look on her face as we see her bit her bottom lip to keep from crying). (Then we see Warpath turn his head first to look at Siryn and then to look at Banshee before he says with a slightly sad look on his face), "You're not getting in the way.you don't have to leave."
(Then we see Siryn solemnly nod her head as Banshee then says), "The fact that neither one of you has much to say tells me that I'm right to leave now." "But.but where will ye go," (Siryn says with a forced serious look on her face as she's trying to act like she doesn't care that much about whether Banshee stays or goes). "Back home to Cassidy Keep.what's left of it anyway," (Banshee says with an unsure and somewhat reluctant look on his face). "I'm sure that Warren would let ye stay here.or at least help ye find a place.," (Siryn says with a sad and serious look on her face as she walks over to Banshee and then puts a hand up on his shoulder). "I know Theresa, and I love you for trying, but it's time for me to go," (Banshee says with a smile before he pulls Siryn close and then hugs her and he then pulls away slightly and kisses her on the forehead).
(Then we see a panel of Banshee as he nods slightly before he turns and then walks away). (Then in the next panel we see a long horizontal panel of Banshee walking away on the right side of the panel and on the left side we see Siryn standing there almost dejectedly with Warpath right behind her). (Then we see a panel of Siryn as she turns around with a sad look on her face before Warpath, with a sad look on his face, takes a step up and then hugs her).
[Meanwhile, At A Local Church]
(We at first see a panel of the outside of a big church and some birds flying around). (then we move down and see people coming in and out of the church before we move inside and see people in the aisles and in the pews as well). (Then we move in closer and see Sam sitting in one of the pews). [While the others take up their time before the mission by preparing for the trip by loading supplies and checking their weapons two of the younger team members have chosen to seek both solace and guidance.]. (We then see that Sam is just sitting in the pew with his hands clasped together in front of him and a solemn look on his face).
(Then we see him think with a slightly confused look on his face), Ah always dreamed of this day, but ah didn't think that I'd be here all alone. (Then we see Sam get shocked out of almost his drunken stupor as we see someone say from off panel), "That's just it Sam, you're never all alone." (Then we see Sam turn his head and look up with a slightly confused but happy look on his face as he says), "Cable." (Then we see a panel of Cable, wearing jeans, a flannel shirt and a leather jacket, with a calm but happy look on his face as he's standing right beside the pew and looking down at Sam as he then sits down beside Sam). (Then we see Sam look over at Cable and say), "What are you doing here?"
"Well I heard it from a friend that you and Tabitha got engaged.that's something that.," (Cable says with a slight smile on his face as he seems to be fishing for what to say). "Something that you thought you'd never see," (Sam says with an almost joking smile as they have the appearance of two old friends talking). "Yeah that's about it, but while it was something that I thought I'd never see it was something that I always hoped would happen one day.and that I'd be here to see it," (Cable says with a frown and a small sigh as he leans back in the pew). "Yeah well you're a day late, I gave her the ring last night, right before we went to the opera," (Sam says with a slight rolling of his eyes and a small smile on his face as he sees the surprised look on Cable's face).
"You.and Tabitha.went to the opera.I knew I should have come back sooner," (Cable says with a cool smile as he shakes his head and pats Sam on the back as he then says), "Well then let me congratulate you on your engagement.by the way where is your future bride?" (We then see Sam shrug and say), "She's outside somewhere, said she didn't feel right coming in here yet." "I didn't see here when I came in," (Cable says with a frown on his face as he looks back over his shoulder at the back of the church). "Probably went shopping for something that she thought she needed," (Sam says with a small sigh as he shakes his head). "Maybe we should go and find her before she maxes out all of her credit cards," (Cable says with a joking smile as he and Sam stand up and then start walking back down the aisle towards the back of the church as Sam then says), "Besides, we have to get back in time to go on our next mission."
"Next mission," (Cable says with a slightly confused look on his face as he and Sam walk through the doors as Sam puts his coat back on). "We're going to some warm and tropical spot to rescue some people and find out if the disasters that caused all the damage were natural ones.or if someone or something did it on purpose," (Sam says with a frown on his face as he and Cable walk down the church's steps). "I'd love to come with you but I have business elsewhere that I must attend to," (Cable says with a frown on his face as he turns to Sam and puts his hands in his pockets).
"You're leaving.but you just got here.there's so much that we need to talk about," (Sam says with a heavy hearted look on his face as he then hangs his head). "I'm sorry about what happened to your family Sam, you shouldn't have had to go through that.no one should, I should have been there for you.hmpf.guess it was just another turning point in your life that I've missed," (Cable says with a somber look on his face as he puts a hand on Sam's shoulder and squeezes it as they then share a somber look before Cable pats Sam on the back as he says), "Come on, enough talk about all the many horrible events in our lives that we would give anything to change but can't, time to make sure that Tabitha still has more than a penny to her name."
[Later]
(We see the control room with all of the television screens on and showing all the different news agencies reporting their views on the events unfolding in Parlau Pau in their own words as one says), "These are tragic days for the residents here.," (and another says), "It's possible that hundreds.perhaps thousands could be dead," (and another), "horrible destruction here," (and another), "scientists are stumped as to the causes of all of the calamities that struck the islands," (and finally one of the religious channel reporters says), "May God have mercy on their souls." (We see through all of the Sam in full battle gear with one arms across his body and he's holding his elbow with that hand as his other hands is on his chin as he has a thinking deeply look on his face with Tabitha, who's also in full battle gear and wearing shades and also popping a big bubble of bubble gum, as Sam says), "This is all so.so.." "Unbelievable," (Betsy says with an unhappy sigh as she walks up next to Sam and Tabitha).
"You took the words right out of my mouth," (Sam says with a small smile as he slightly turns and looks over at Betsy). "She does that a lot," (Warren says with a playful smile on his face as he looks up from his seat and resists saying anything back to Betsy as she playfully glares back at him). "So how long we staying there.a day, a week," (Erica says with a questioning look on her face as she leans on the back of her chair and slightly winces in pain). "As long as it takes Erica, we don't do anything halfway," (Betsy says with a serious look on her face as she doesn't turn around to look at Erica). "So what are we waiting for, let's go already, I've already got my bags packed," (Tabitha says with a smile as she loops her arm with Sam and then she lays her head on his shoulder).
"I don't think you'll be getting to much free time there Tabitha, I've got a funny feeling that we'll do more fighting than partying," (Warpath says with an unhappy look on his face as he somberly looks over at Siryn). "Ye're probably right boyo, and I was really hoping to try and get the second tan that I've ever had in my life," (Siryn says with a frown on her face as she looks back and forth between Warpath and Warren). "We're waiting until we get all of the data in before we go charging in there, I don't want to repeat what happened in Siberia and Genosha, we barely survived those missions," (Warren says with a serious scowl on his face as he turns his head back to the computer screen in front of him). "Hey don't sweat it, we all came back, we're all still here," (Tabitha says with a meek smile on her face as she and Sam turn around to face Warren). "We were lucky both times, and I'd rather avoid any unwanted risks if at all possible," (Betsy says with an angry look on her face as she glares over at Tabitha, who looks a little hurt at being glared at). "Yes well enough chit-chat, we need to start talking about the mission at hand," (Warren says with a tired look on his face before he punches some buttons of the keyboard and then nods to Betsy for her to take over).
"Okay people here goes, surprisingly things have actually gotten worse in Parlau Pau, there have been numerous secondary explosions all across the islands causing seemingly even more damage than what started this whole bloody mess in the first place, and that's just the beginning of the almost continuous damage," (Betsy says as she cross her arms and leans up against the side of Warren's chair with an impatient frown on her face). "Kind of like getting infected with a virus that begins a process of continued cell degradation that ends in a place that we seriously do not want to go," (Warren says with an unhappy look on his face as he scratches his chin before he and Betsy share a look of cautious optimism).
"So in layman's terms we'd like be the antidote.right," (Erica says as she brushes a few stray strands of hair back off of her face). "Something like that, but it's not that simple, although I wish it were," (Betsy says with a sigh and a tired look on her face as she slowly slides down and sits down on the armrest of Warren's chair). "Now then when we get there I'll try and touch base with the director of my company there to see what's going on," (Warren says with a frown as he leans back in his chair and rubs his eyes). "But what can most of us do, or powers aren't exactly.," (Erica says with a confused look on her face as she looks over at Warren and Betsy). "Our powers are actually going to be well suited for the challenges ahead, from James' strength to Sam's invulnerability and Tabitha's explosive abilities," (Betsy says with a frown on her face as she looks at each of the people she named individually).
"Whether or not those were natural disasters," (Warren says with a scowl before he sits up and says), "James Theresa.is the X-jet fully loaded?" (Then we see Warpath and Siryn look at each other with uncomfortable looks on their faces before Siryn turns back to Warren and then says), "Yeah, it's all loaded." "Well then, twenty minutes and we're out of here, so tie up any loose ends you might have and then get to the hanger bay," (Warren says with a frown on his face as he wrings his hands as Betsy looks down and over at him with a slightly worried look on her face as we then see everyone get up and slowly file out of the room).
[Later Somewhere Over The Pacific]
(We see panels of the X-jet flying low over the water and throwing up a lot of water behind it). (Then we see panels of the X-jet flying into the setting sun and the sunlight is shining off of the X-jet). (Then we move inside and see Betsy piloting the plane, Warren is wearing a wireless headset as he's trying to contact someone, Sam and Tabitha are sitting in their chairs but they're holding hands on the console and both are watching news reports about what's happening in Parlau Pau, Warpath is seemingly getting loose, Siryn is trying to catch a little sleep and Erica is in her seat and flipping through a magazine with a bored look on her face). (Then we see Sam punch some buttons and he then starts going through the various tapes as if he were an editor).
(Then we see him look surprised and slightly shocked as he then sits upright in his chair and then rewinds the tape and slowly begins to go screen by screen and he squints as he's watching the tape very closely). (Then we see a group of panels that show several images of the events on the screen as we see that the tape is of many of the buildings getting destroyed and the wind blowing around and people running and screaming). (Then we see Tabitha turn her head and look at Sam with a slightly confused and concerned look on her face as she then says), "Sam, what is it, did you find something?" (Then we see Sam look over at Tabitha with his eyes and without moving his head and with a slightly concerned look on his face as he then says), "Ah think so, but ah'm not sure yet." (Then we see Tabitha turn her chair slightly and then lean over next to Sam as they both watch the screen intently).
(Then we see Tabitha scrunch up her nose a bit with a confused look on her face as she then says as she points to something on the screen), "Wait.what's that, go back." (Then we see Sam look at her with a confused look on his face as he says), "Go back.why?" "I thought I saw something," (Tabitha says with a frown as she looks back and forth between Sam and the screen before Sam then says), "Okay." (Then we see Sam turn a knob that rewinds the tape before he pushes the play and the slow-mo button as then we go to a group of panels of the same video we saw earlier). [As they go back and view the tape on its slowest speed they search for the difference, the anomaly, the thing that shouldn't be there]. [At first it isn't apparent, but slowly it begins to become visible]. (We then see a figure start to appear out of the wind and blowing dust, but the figure is still slightly blurry).
"Wait look, Sam there.in the center," (Tabitha says as she points to the figure that's emerging on the screen). "What is that," (Sam says as he starts replaying the footage frame by frame before Tabitha then says with a slightly confused look on her face), "It looks.almost human." "I think it is," (Sam says with a confused scowl on his face before he leans back in his chair and then turns to Warren and says), "Hey Warren I think we've got something here that you're going to want to see." (We then see Warren take off the headset and then shake his head as he turns around and says), "Yeah, what did you find?" (Then we see Tabitha turn to Warren and say with a thoughtful look on her face), "We've been going back through the news footage.trying to find anything out of the ordinary."
"So what'd you find," (Warren asks as he pushes himself up out of his chair and he then walks over to stand behind Sam and Tabitha before he then says), "Okay.I'm looking for what exactly?" "Okay, now watch the center of the screen, right there in the breeze through the dust," (Sam says with a sigh as he then rewinds the tape and then plays it again frame by frame). (Then when the figure becomes visible Sam stops the tape playback and then Tabitha points to the figure and then says), "See right there.you can barely see it." (We then see Warren lean in and squint his eyes with a slightly confused look on his face as he then says), "It's kind of blurry.can you clear it up any?"
"Ah'll try," (Sam says with a hopeful but cautious look on his face as he punches up some buttons as we see a small box appear on the screen and Sam then puts his hand on a rolling ball type of mouse and moves the small box overtop of the figure and he then selects the figure). (Then we see Sam type in a scale size as Tabitha then says), "Well here goes nothing." (Then we see panels of Warren, Sam, and Tabitha as they're watching the image of the figure begin to clear up and become less fuzzy). "Look familiar to you,' (Tabitha says with a perplexed look on her face as she looks back and up at Warren, who sighs and shakes his head as he then says), "Not at all." "Well the picture is still a little fuzzy, let's see what this does," (Sam says with an unimpressed look on his face as he then pushes some more buttons as the image is cleared up even more and we see the figure more clearly).
(We see that the figure starts to more and more resemble a human being that is angry and wearing native like clothing but the face is hidden in a thick dark cloud of dust). "Is that as good as it can get, it's still to hazy," (Warren says with an impatient scowl on his face as he scratches his chin and looks back and forth between Sam and the screen). "Sorry boss.that's the best that it's gonna get," (Sam says with a frustrated shrug of his shoulders as he then leans back in his chair and leans his elbow on the armrest of his chair and then uses that to support his head as he puts his chin in his upturned palm).
(Then we see Tabitha turn her head and look at Sam with a concerned and slightly unhappy look on her face as she lays her hand on top of his). "It's to bad that it's not going to get any clearer, but at least we have a better idea of what we're possibly dealing with.good job you two," (Warren says with an impatient and unhappy frown on his face as he pats Sam on the shoulder before he then returns to his seat beside Betsy as she turns her head slightly and eyes him with a questioning but concerned look on her face before she then says), "Everything okay back there?" "Yeah, Sam and Tabitha thought they caught one of the culprits on video," (Warren says with a sigh as he smiles and looks over at Betsy and puts the wireless headset back on). "So those disasters weren't natural," (Betsy says with a slightly serious look on her face).
"I'm not exactly sure, but it's certainly a possibility, I guess we won't find out if they're right until we get there and see for ourselves," (Warren says as he shrugs his shoulders and leans back in his chair). "So what else is new," (Betsy says with a sigh as she rolls her eyes and then turns her head back to look out the front window of the X-jet). (Then we go back outside the X-jet and see that the sun is now almost completely down as we then see someone say from inside the X-jet), "Are we there yet?"
[Parlau Pau]
(We see the X-jet flying up to a group of islands and it's nighttime as we only see the X-jet by the small lights that were placed on certain parts of the X-jet). (Then we see the X-jet fly in and land in a ruined farm field). (Then we see Betsy say as she shuts down the X-jets engines), "Okay we're here, everybody out." (Then we see Betsy turn around in her chair and look at Warren before she then says), "Okay Sam and Tabitha, you two take the downtown district, James you and Theresa take the business district while Warren and I make contact with the director of Warren's business here." (Then we see Erica angrily put her magazine down as she then says with a furious look on her face), "Hey what about me, you said that this time would be different, you said.."
"Calm down Erica, you've got something else to do, your missions is to slip in under the radar and see if you can pick up the word on the street so to speak, try and find out anything that could be useful to us," (Warren says with a stressed out look on his face as he puts a hand up as he's trying to calm Erica down). "Come on boyo, let's go before things get to hectic," (Siryn says with a smile as she and Warpath both stand up and then get to the door and then Warpath pushes the open button and leans in against the nearby wall as the door opens before he then says), "See ya later guys." (Then we see Warpath and Siryn leave the X-jet in the far right side of a panel and on the left side we see Sam and Tabitha stand up and then follow Warpath and Siryn out the door as Tabitha heads out first as she says with a big smile), "Who knows, maybe I can get some shopping in," (to which we then see Sam sigh, roll his eyes, and shake his head with a slightly embarrassed smile on his face as he says), "What can I say.ah love her," (then we see him leave the X-jet as then we see Warren and Betsy sigh and look at each other before we then see Erica stand up, walk back into the back room and then come back out a few seconds later as she's pulling on a long black trench coat as she then pulls her ponytail out from under the coats collar as she then says), "Have fun you two, don't get into to much trouble."
(Then we see Warren hang his head a bit before he shakes it and then we see Betsy put a hand on his back and then say with a slightly concerned look on her face), "It'll all work out Warren, we've got a good group, they'll do their jobs." (Then we see Warren look up and over at Betsy with a smile on his face as he then says as he and Betsy stand up and then walk towards the door), "I know, but there's just something about this entire mission that's been bothering me ever since we left San Francisco." "I have my doubts about this mission to, but I'm willing to see how it goes for a bit before I make up my mind," (Betsy says with a frown as we then see her and Warren walk down the ramp and off into the farm field as the ramp slowly shuts all on its own).
[Business District]
[This area only hours before had been teeming with locals and tourists, with most splitting their time between haggling over prices on various trinkets and soaking up as much fun in the sun as they could before returning to their mundane and often tedious lives]. [The place were so much commerce had taken place now more closely resembled a war zone, complete with the refugees struggling to keep sensitive secrets from becoming known to the general public at large, let alone a competitor]. (We start out with panels showing rescue workers, with big light stands behind them shining light in the darkness, as they're digging through the debris and pulling out the dead and placing them in body bags as grieving family members are kept back away from the debris and also survivors are being pulled out and put on stretchers before being rushed off to either a triage unit or a hospital).
(And into this we see Warpath and Siryn come walking in with sad and very concerned looks on their faces as we then see Siryn say as a tear slides down her cheek), "I didn' want to believe the pictures, but this is horrible." "I only hope we can find someone that's still alive," (Warpath says with a somber look on his face as he looks around and puts a hand on Siryn's shoulder). (Then we see a wall that is still standing suddenly shake and then collapse as the rescue workers and others go running for cover, but some people don't make it out in time and get trapped under the debris as a big cloud of dust and dirt goes pouring out into the street and then hitting Warpath and Siryn as they turn away and cover up). (Then we see the cloud of dust and dirt as it begins to dissipate and we then see Warpath and Siryn coughing a lot as they try to clear the air before we then see rescue people go rushing by them and they shout out orders as they do so). (Then we see Siryn cough and say as she looks up at Warpath with a slightly scared look on her face), "Ye okay?"
(Then we see Warpath nod his head and then look down at Siryn with a worried look on his face as he then says), "Yeah.you?" "I'm fine, now come on we've got to help," (Siryn says with a smile before her expressions turns serious and she then races over to the new pile of debris that the rescue workers are now digging through with Warpath close behind her). (Then we see a group of rescue workers who are trying to lift a very big and obviously heavy metal beam but they can't so Warpath steps up and says as he leans down and grips the bar), "Don't worry guys." (Then we see Warpath grunt and strain and he strains a bit before he starts to pick up the beam as the workers look happy and grateful as one of them smiles and says), "Thanks!"
(Then we see the rescue workers run in and frantically begin to dig through the debris as they pull a guy out and put a neck collar on him before putting him on a backboard and taking the man to a waiting and running ambulance that takes off soon after). (Then we see someone point upward towards the rooftops as that person yells), "Oh no.look!" (Then we see everyone turn in alarm and confusion as we then see two small children huddled up against their older sister as all three of them are cornered by a fire and the smoke is making them cough and all three are crying). (Then we see Siryn look up and react with shock as she says), "Oh no."
(Then we see one of the rescue workers turn to another one and he then says), "Stop what you're doing and get.." (Then we see Siryn step in and interrupt them as she says with a slightly flustered look on her face), "There's no time, the fire's almost overwhelmed them." (Then we see the lower ranked rescue worker say as if he's out of breath), "We can't just leave them there, they'll die." "I don' intend to, just be ready," (Siryn says with a serious frown on her face before she turns away from the two rescue workers and then takes off and flies up into the sky towards where the three children are as the rescue workers stare up at her in confusion as one says), "Ready.for what?" (Then we see Warpath step up beside them and he then says with a smile), "When she gets back with the children."
(Then we see both of the rescue workers look back at him with confused looks on their faces before the three of them turn and look up after Siryn). (Then we go up to panels of the children being scared by the fire as we see the fire reflected in their eyes as they're all coughing and crying). (Then in the next panel it's as if we're sitting in the fire looking out at the three kids as Siryn flies up behind them). (Then we see her fly over and land on the roof behind the kids as they then turn around and yell as they're scared of her at first, but then she says), "No.it's okay.don't be scared.I'm not going to hurt you.I'm here to save you.you have to trust me, please."
(Then we see the two smaller children quiver in fear and hug their older sister even more tightly as we then see that Siryn is kneeling in front of them with a very anxious look on her face as we then see some of the roof collapse as that really scares the kids as they look back and forth between Siryn and the fire before they lunge at Siryn and cling to her tightly as Siryn hugs them and then says), "I'll be okay, just hold on tight.not that tight," (as we see one of the kids latch on a little to tightly and Siryn coughs a bit). (Then we see Siryn lift off of the roof with the three kids now really tightly as she then flies down and then slowly lands amidst some of the debris as then the kids look happier). [Then it happens, suddenly, violently, and without warning.].
(First we see rescue workers start to rush towards the children and Siryn with blankets in their hands as we then see a brick fall and it barely misses Siryn and the children that makes Siryn and the rescue workers look up as we see the building as it's starting to collapse as we see Siryn almost instinctively pus the children down and she puts her own body in between the children and the falling building). (Then we see Warpath yell as he comes rushing in and throws himself on top of Siryn and the kids), "Terry look out!" [The bricks and mortar descend mercilessly on them, and completely engulf them]. (Then we see the building completely come down and most of it falls right on top of Warpath and it kicks up a lot of dust and dirt in a big cloud that billows outward).
(Then we see a large crowd of people and rescue workers yell for help and in alarm as they all rush in as they then frantically begin to dig through the rubble). [Suddenly.]. (We then see the mound of mortar and bricks start to shake and rumble before we then see Warpath erupt out of the mound as Siryn and the children are cowering beneath him). (Then we see all of the rescue workers react with some amount of fear but mostly shock as they stare in amazement before Warpath drops to his knees with an uncomfortable look on his face). (Then we see the head rescue worker order the other rescue workers in as they come in and wrap the three children up in blankets and rush them off to waiting doctors as the last rescue worker helps Siryn to her feet).
(Then we see Siryn turn shakily back to Warpath and she then says with a worried look on her face as she then takes one of his big hands in one of hers as she puts her other hand on his shoulder), "Jimmy.are ye.?" (Then we see Warpath slump his shoulders and then he turns his head to look at Siryn with a somber look on his face), "Yeah Terry.I'm fine." "Ye sure," (Siryn says with a concerned look on her face as she's now standing directly in front of him as she moves the hand that was on his shoulder to his cheek). "Okay.it hurt.," (Warpath says with a shrug of his shoulders and a slightly embarrassed look on his face before he then straightens up and then says), ".but only a little."
"Ah.ye big baby, come on we still have a lot to do," (Siryn says with a smile as she softly pats him on the cheek before we see him stand up and shake off some more dust and debris as a small group of rescue workers approach them and two of them are first aid workers that try to help Warpath as one of them says), "Are you hurt, sit down and let us.." (Then we see Siryn wave them off with a smile on her face as she also lightly elbows Warpath in the side and says), "Don't bother with him.." (Then we see a panel of the three rescue workers as they stare at Warpath and Siryn with confused and unsure looks on their faces before Siryn then says as she motions to them not to worry), ".his head's as hard as a rock.it'll take a lot more than a bloody building collapsing on top of him to take Jimmy here out."
(Then we see Warpath blush slightly and smile as he shakes his head before he says as he starts to walk away), "Come on Terry." (Then we see Siryn shake the dust out of her hair and brush some off of her shoulder as she mutters as she follows Warpath), "Yeah.all in a days work."
[Meanwhile.In The Downtown District]
[The islands seat of power]. [The place where all of the important decisions are proposed, debated, retooled, and then finally passed into law]. [Where ordinary citizens come to rally support for various causes and to air their grievances]. [And into this setting strolls two of probably the most unlikely people that anyone would ever expect to see on the streets of downtown Parlau Pau]. (We see that like the business district this district is in shambles as well). (Then we see Sam and Tabitha walk in amongst the smashed cars and buildings that have all of their windows blown out and there are some statues that have been blown over). (Then we see Sam and Tabitha begin to help people up and also get them to waiting paramedics and ambulances). (Then we see Sam walk over to a big pile of rubble before he motions for the rescue workers to stand back and he then sets his feet and begins to blast through the rubble as he shoots his powers out of his hands).
(Then we see Sam blasting even more of the debris as then some of the rescue workers get the people out as Sam helps to uncover them). (Then we see Sam squat down and then help to pull someone from the rubble and then carry that person to a waiting ambulance as we then see Tabitha helping an injured old woman to a triage tent). (Then we see Sam approach Tabitha and say), "There's so much to do here.." (Then we see Tabitha sigh and turn to look up at Sam with a somber look on her face as she then says), "Yeah, I only wish that we could have gotten here sooner." "We can't change the past, all we can do now is deal with it and try to make the future better," (Sam says with a grim look on his face as he looks around and watches all of the various rescue workers, remaining tourists, and some of the locals as they mill around).
(Then we see someone shout from somewhere off panel that makes Sam and Tabitha turn and look off panel with alarmed looks on their faces), "Hey.we need help over here." (Then we see a panel of a group of armed guards and soldiers have their guns pointed at someone). (Then in the next panel we see a large man that looks as if he's made entirely of rock and he's angry and there are some unconscious and wounded soldiers and guards at his feet). (Then we see the rock guy charging the nearest group of soldiers as the main soldier yells), "Fire!" (Then we see the rock guy shrug off the bullets with a hearty laugh and tear into the guards as people run in fear). (Then we see a frightened Tabitha turn to Sam and yell), "Sam.look!" "Ah see him.let's go," (Sam says with a grim look on his face before he then takes off in a run towards the rock guy as both Sam and Tabitha have to push people out of the way that are slowing them down).
(Then we cut back to the rock guy as he lifts one of the soldiers into the air and is about to smash him into the ground before we then see red hot plasma come into the panel and strike the rock guy in the chest, causing him to growl in anger as he takes a step or two backwards as some of the bystanders yell), "Oh no.," (and we see Tabitha say from off panel), "Hold your horses rocky!" (Then we see a panel in which we're facing Sam and Tabitha as we see Tabitha, with her hands outstretched and an angry look on her face as she is shooting red hot plasma out of her hands, as she's saying), "Huh, ya like that ugly.then here's some more," (and Sam, who's blasting towards us in the air with a gritted teeth, as he says), "Keep him off balance Tabitha, don't let him get set before ah hit." "Will do Sammy," (Tabitha says with a smile on her face as she pushes her powers harder and the rock guy now is reeling backwards a good distance).
[The being is sent reeling from the force of her attack]. (Then we see the rock guy begin to fight off Tabitha's attacks as he then smiles greedily at Tabitha as he says), "I've had just about enough of you.witch!" (Then we see Sam say angrily as he plows full force into the rock guy), "That's my fiancé ye're insulting." (Then we see a huge explosion as Sam and the rock guy go flying back through buildings and rupture a gas line and we then see Tabitha as she yells), "Sam", (and Tabitha and everyone else dives out of the way to avoid the explosion). (Then in the next panel we see an aerial shot of the downtown district as the smoke comes from the explosion rises into the air along with the explosion). [The explosion erupts out of the ruined buildings with such force that the shockwave is felt for miles around].
(We then see a group of panels that surround the panel of the explosion that shows in one panel Erica getting knocked off of her feet and then in another one we see Siryn get knocked out of the air and into Warpath's arms after he stumbles and sits down hard and then Warren grabs Betsy and then launches himself into the air as then in the remaining panels we see some rescue workers and people in buildings get knocked off of their feet). (Then in the next panel we go back to Tabitha as she jerks herself back up to her feet as she then staggers forward towards where the explosion was as she has to squint to try and see through the smoke as he also tries to dispel the cloud of smoke as she waves her hand through the air as she then yells with a pained and very worried look on her face), "Sam, where are you?" (Then we see her almost ready to cry as she climbs over part of a downed wall and then slides down into the crater).
(Then we see Tabitha slowly and cautiously begin to search through the rubble with fires still burning around her as she then nervously says), "Sam.say something.please." (Then we see the ground around Tabitha erupt upward and outward with such force that she is thrown up into the air and lands a good distance away and she yells in surprise as she the goes down hard). [The ground explodes from under her feet, sending her up into the air]. (Then we see a panel of Tabitha as she's trying to pick herself up off of the ground with a cut that's bleeding on her temple, and all of that in the immediate foreground and in the background we see the rock guy stand up through the smoke and glare menacingly down at Tabitha).
(Then we see the rock guy take a step forward and is about to stomp on Tabitha as she rolls over and looks up with shocked and horrified look on her face as she looks about ready to scream before we see a blast hit the rock guy in the back that makes him stumble forward awkwardly and very angrily and all the while barely missing Tabitha as she quickly rolls out of the way). (Then in the next panel we see a confused but hopeful look on Tabitha's face as she looks up and back into the crater). (Then we see a panel of the crater as we see Sam stagger out through the smoke and flames and we see that he's a little roughed up as then we see Tabitha yell with a very happy and grateful look on her face), "Sam!"
(Then we see the rock guy turn around and growl angrily before he starts to charge Sam but then we cut to Tabitha as she quickly looks back and forth between the rock guy and Sam, who's climbing up out of the crater and isn't really watching the rock guy, before she sits up and then she angrily yells as she blasts the rock guy with everything she has), "Stay away from him!" (We then see the rock guy take a step back as behind him we see people running in fear and ever some cowering). (Then we see the rock guy be able to brush off Tabitha's attack and the start to charge her before we see Sam step up beside Tabitha and then they both begin to blast the rock guy all the while Sam is helping Tabitha back to her feet).
(Then we see a wide group of horizontal panels of the rock guy on the left side of the panels as he takes steps forward towards Sam and Tabitha as he's shrugging off the attacks as on the right side of the panels we see Sam and Tabitha as they're standing side by side and trying to blast the rock guy away). (Then we see the rock guy getting close to Sam and Tabitha before they yell angrily and blast him with everything that they have and then we see the rock guy go flying backwards through the air and he goes flying off into the distance).
[Meanwhile]
(We see Erica as she's leaning up against the wall in the doorway of a burnt out shop as she's eating an apple as a light rain begins to fall). (Then we see her frown, put her hand up and brush a stray strand of hair off of her face before she leans her head down and looks at her locket that she takes out from under her shirt and opens). (Then we see a small panel of the locket being opened and we see that there are two pictures, in the left picture we see a picture of a family of a dad, a mom, three sons and three daughters, and then in the right picture we see a small baby boy). (Then we do a big panel of Erica's face as she has a very sad look on her face as a tear slides down her cheek as she then sniffles before we see her think), Mom.Dad.Jalen.I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.I never meant for it to happen.I just wish that you could forgive me.but you can't, because you're all dead.and it's all my fault..
(Then we see a panel of Erica as she turns her head back out towards the street and wipes away a tear as she sniffles before she then turns her head back and looks back down at the locket and the picture on the right side and the picture of the baby as she then kisses her hand and then transfers that kiss to the babies picture as she then says), "I'm so sorry baby.I'm so sorry.momma's so sorry." (Then we see her close the locket, kiss it, and she then says a silent prayer with her eyes closed before she then puts the locket back into its place, close to her heart, and opens her eyes, wipes away a tear and then steps out onto the sidewalk before she's shocked by someone that says from off panel), "Hey, what do you think you're doing over there, it's not safe." (Then we see Erica look over and see a panel of a fire fighter standing on the sidewalk and he's holding an axe). "What.oh uh sorry," (Erica says with a slightly embarrassed and cheesy grin before she makes her way into the street and then looks around before she then sees a triage unit with people coming and going around it).
"Good a place as any I guess, just hope I can find some useful tidbit of information that Warren can use.just never thought that this type of stuff was what the X-men did," (Erica say with a frown on her face before she shrugs her shoulders and then heads for the triage tent). (Then in the next panel we see Erica enter the triage tent before she then says), "Oh, sorry," (after she bumps into a nurse as she's hurrying from bed to bed with a tray of medical supplies). (Then we see a panel of the inside of the triage tent as doctors and nurses are working hard and going from bed to bed, checking on each of the patients, with Erica standing in the center of the tent with a tentative look on her face).
(Then we see Erica try and get one of the nurse's attention but she can't so she walks over and sits down next to one of the patients, a little boy that has half his right leg and there are a lot of bandages on the rest of him, and he's frowning sadly and just staring off into space). (Then we see Erica smile warmly as she puts her hand overtop of his as she then says), "Hello.my name's Erica, what's yours?" (Then we see the kid look at her with a scared look on his face before she then says), "No.don't be scared, I'm not going to hurt you." (Then we see the kid look at her for a second or two before he then looks up at her and says), "You're pretty.are you an angel?"
(We then see Erica blush slightly and smile as she then says), "Me.an angel.no I'm not an angel, I'm just someone that's her to help.can I talk to you for a bit?" (Then we see the kid nod his head slightly and mumble), "Billy." (Then we see Erica say with a slightly confused look on her face as she says), "What?" "Billy, my name's Billy," (the kid says with a smile before Erica then smiles and says), "Well then nice to meet you Billy, are you here alone or.?" "I was here.on a vacation, with my mom and dad.and then.I don't know where they are," (the kid says with an ever increasingly somber look on his face before Erica then says with a somber look on her face), "I'm sure that your parents are fine.they're probably looking for you right now, in fact I bet you'll see them again before you know it."
"Really," (the kid says with a hopeful smile on his face before we see Erica say with a smile on her face), "Really." (Then we see one of the nurses come over and put her hand on Erica's shoulder and then say), "May I talk to you.outside?" (Then we see Erica turn her head and look up first in a panel and then in the next one we see her look back and forth between the nurse and the kid as she then says), "Sure.I'll be right back Billy, okay?" "Okay," (Billy says with a smile as Erica then stands up as she then follows the nurse to just outside of the tent before the nurse turns back to her and then says with an angry look on her face), "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"What do you mean.," (Erica says with a confused look on her face as she brushes back the sides of her coat and puts her hands on her hips). "You shouldn't be giving him false hope, that's the last thing he needs right now," (the nurse says as she glares over at Erica, who now is glaring back). "False hope.what do you mean," (Erica says with a determined look on her face as she then crosses her arms). "Billy's parents aren't looking for him.they're dead, we had to amputate Billy's leg just to save him, he was lucky enough that he lived through the car crash and we found him in time, unfortunately his parents weren't so lucky," (the nurse says with a sad and overworked look on her face and body language).
"But that's not fair, I mean he's just a little kid that's scared out of his wits and wants his mom and dad, what the hell am I.are you supposed to tell him, he's going to ask where they are.hell he already has, you can only lie to him for so long," (Erica says with an angry and confrontational look on her face as she glares back at the nurse). "Who ever said that life was fair, it sucks that his parents were killed and that we had to cut off his leg, but he's alive, we did the best we could.look I'm sorry but I've got work to do, excuse me," (the nurse says with a sigh before she walks back into the tent). (Then in the next panel we see Erica just staring off into the night sky as the tears slide down her cheeks).-END