My Uncanny XMen Mini's

by LoganAlpha30

Archangel, Psylocke, Warpath, Siryn, Cannonball, Meltdown, and Psyflare vs the evils of Apocalypse and the Crimson Dawn. All New 4 Horseman. Chapter 39 Now Up...

20. My 20th Mini

UNCANNY X-MEN MINI-TROUBLE IN PARADISE BY: LOGANALPHA30

" "-Words [ ]-Caption Boxes -Thoughts ( )-Art Instructions + +-Time, Place, Boxes



+Parlau Pau+ +High End Business District On The Outskirts Of Town+

(We see Warren and Betsy walking along the side of the road and it's raining and Warren is sheltering Betsy from the rain with his right wing). [While the other members of the team are diligently performing their assigned duties the two senior most members are taking the long way round to their chosen destination]. (Then we see Betsy turn to Warren and say with a slightly concerned look on her face), "Remind me again why I let you talk me into walking the whole way from the X-jet to your business here." "Because it's great exercise," (Warren says with a smile before he notices the unenthusiastic look on Betsy's face and he then says), "because you know as well as I do that couldn't just land the X-jet in their parking lot and stroll in there as X-men." "And you don't think that's what they'll think when we show up in our uniforms," (Betsy says as she then gives Warren a sarcastic look as she and Warren pass by a tree).



"Well yes, but before we left I remembered to pick up an image inducer or two, so now we'll be able to look the corporate part while still keeping the versatility that our uniforms afford us," (Warren says with a smile as he puts an image inducer on his wrist and then hands another one to Betsy, who does the same). "Do we know if the director of your business here is even still alive, because if he's not then that could bloody well cause problems," (Betsy says with a small sigh as she and Warren activate their image inducers and their images change so that the people will see them as being dressed in business attire). "Well that's what we're going to find out," (Warren says with a frown on his face before he then says), "How do I look," (as he turns to Betsy and smiles). "Like an angel," (Betsy says with a sarcastic snicker before she then laughs as Warren gives her a slightly hurt look back before she then says), "and me?"



(Then we see Warren smile, take Betsy's hands in his, kiss her, and then say with a happy but very serious look on his face), "Like the woman that I've been waiting for my entire life, the woman that has seen me at my best and my worst, the woman that I want to spend the rest of my life with, that's what you look like." (Then we see Betsy smile sheepishly before she then says), "You look great would have sufficed, but it's nice to know that you feel the same way about me that I do about you." (Then we see a panel or two of Warren and Betsy just staring at each other with big and loving smiles on their faces). "So what's the plan, go in there, meet the director and figure out what his little problem is before we tackle the real problem facing these islands.whatever it is," (Betsy says with an unhappy frown on her face as she brushes some water out of her hair).



"If we're lucky," (Warren says with an equally unhappy frown on his face as he puts his wing back overtop of Betsy). "When we get done I'll take James, Erica, and Tabitha with me and you can take Sam and Terry with you," (Betsy says with a thoughtful look on her face as she turns to look over at Warren). "Agreed, I have a bad feeling that there'll be plenty to do for both our teams," (Warren says with a scowl on his face as he and Betsy get to the gate that's in front of the building that houses Warren's company). "I believe you're right Warren," (Betsy says under her breath as we see a very nervous guard approach them and he motions for them to stop and stay where they are). "Stacy where you are," (The guard says very nervously but he's trying to sound tough and together). (Then we see Betsy put her hands up in an almost defensive manner as she smiles and then calmly says), "Easy, why don't you calm down, we're her because we were asked to come here."



"Yeah right, tell me another one," (the guard says with a mean and sarcastic smile on his face as we see that Betsy isn't happy at the guards words and Warren looks like he's about ready to rip the guards head off as he then says), "Now.," (before Betsy stops him by putting a hand on his arm as she says), "Easy Warren, let me handle this." (Then we see Betsy turn to the guard and then say with a calm look on her face as she holds up her other hand and we see her psychic butterfly appear as Warren cocks a confused eyebrow at her but stays silent), "Now here's how this is going to work, you're not only going to let us in but you're going to forget that we were ever here, and if I ever hear that you said anything to anyone about us then I'll hunt you down and make you wish that you'd never been born."



(Then we see the guard start to recite what Betsy said as Warren looks at her with a slightly confused look on his face as he's about to say something but Betsy looks at him out of the corner of her eye as she holds up one finger and then continues as she then turns back to the guard and says), "We're able to pass by you now, you don't need to see our identification, we can continue on our way." (Then we see the guard repeat that as he walks back and pushes the button that opens the gate before he says with a wave as Warren and Betsy walk through the now open gate), "Move along, and have a nice day."



(Then we see a panel of Warren and Betsy as they're walking up towards the main building and Warren is tightening his tie and looking back over his shoulder at the guard and then in the next panel we see him turn back to Betsy and say with a slightly uncertain look on his face), "What was that?" "Old Jedi mind trick, you know if you play your cards right tiger maybe I'll teach it to you someday," (We see Betsy says with a sexy smile as she runs the back of her hand on Warren's cheek). "Promise," (Warren says with a slightly cheesy smile on his face as he nods slightly to a business guy in a suit before he opens the door for Betsy who smiles and says as she walks past him), "Would I lie to you?" (Then we see panels of Warren and Betsy as they go through the different areas of the building as they're then just outside the director's office).



(Then we go inside the office as we see the director sitting in his chair and he's on the phone and he's turned away from the door, all that is in the immediate foreground and in the background we see the receptionist come in and say), "Sir, there's a Mr. Worthington and a Ms. Braddock here to see you, they said that you called and invited them." (Then we see the director say with an emotionless look on his face), "Thank you.you may show them in now." "Yes sir," (the receptionist says with a smile on her face as she nods her head and then walks out of the room). (Then we see a close up of the director in his chair as he closes his cell phone and is smiling sinisterly and his eyes are glowing red). (Then in the next panel we see him turn around and be all nice to Warren and Betsy as they enter the room).



[On The Other Side Of The Island]

(We see a group of panels that show the rescue workers sifting through the rubble as the sun is coming up). (Then we see a panel of Warpath and Siryn as they're sitting on some of the debris and they're resting and both are drinking steaming cups of coffee). (Then we see Siryn sigh as she then says), "Before we cam I wasn't sure that we should have come, but now.after being here and seeing all of the destruction.and death firsthand I.I.." "Don't know why you ever had second thoughts about coming here," (Warpath says with a somber frown on his face before we see someone yell from off panel), "Look out.the wires are snapping!" (Then we see both Warpath and Siryn look up with alarmed looks on their faces before they jump to their feet before Warpath tears off in a run and Siryn launches herself into the air).



(Then we see a panel of a large pile of debris that's being pulled up by a large crane and then the wires that are pulling it all up begin to snap and then the pile of debris starts to fall and we see a scared rescue worker or two under it). (Then we see the falling pile of debris start to get near the two people that are under it as we then cut to a panel of Siryn as she lets out a very powerful sonic scream). [Fearful of the two terrified rescue workers predicament Siryn unleashes a powerful sonic scream aimed directly into the heart of the falling debris]. (We then see Warpath grab the two rescue workers and quickly get them out of the way as he then says), "Everybody out of the pool."



(Then we see the pile of debris slam into the ground just as Warpath gets the rescue workers out of the way as then in the next panel we see Siryn land nearby and say with a concerned look on her face and a hand on one of the rescue worker's shoulder), "Are ye alright?" (Then we see one of the shaken rescue workers say with a smile), "Yes.thank you.both of you.," (as he shakes first Siryn's hand and then Warpath's). (Then we see the crane foreman come running up with an exasperated look on his face as he looks around at Warpath, Siryn, and the two rescue workers and says), "I don't know what happened, the wires just..."



(Then we see Warpath shake his head and then say), "It's fine, nobody got hurt.it was just a freak accident." "Yeah, let's get you guys out of here before.," (Siryn says with a serious look on her face before we see the walkie-talkie that is on the foreman's belt crackle into life as we see come from it), "Sir.we need help, we've got people pinned over here." (Then we see the foreman turn and take off, followed by a reluctant Warpath and Siryn).



[Meanwhile]

(We see Erica kneeling beside an old woman that has a blanket wrapped around her and Erica has a hand on the woman's shoulder and she's handing the woman a cup of coffee as she says), "Here ya go," (to which the old woman says with a thankful smile on her face), "Thank you." (Then we see Erica sit down beside the old woman and then say), "Are you warm enough, do you want me to get you another blanket?" "No honey, I'm a little cold but I'll be okay, don't worry about me," (The old woman says with a smile as she then pats Erica on the shoulder). "You're to late for that," (Erica says with a smile before we ten see the old woman shiver and pull the blanket tighter in around her).



(Then we see Erica frown with then a concerned look on her face before she thinks), She's putting on a brave face, but she needs to get warmed up. (Then we see Erica look around in a panel or two before she sighs as she thinks and smiles as she then takes the old woman's hand in hers), I think I'll try something that Psylocke's been pushing me to try during our psy- sessions. (Then we see Erica close her eyes and concentrate as we see a small orange aura appear around her hands and the old woman is looking away). [She clears her mind and concentrates on the job at hand, recalling the lessons that she has learned over many weeks of rigorous study and practice].



(We then see the orange aura slowly spread over the old woman's body as at first she doesn't realize what is going on but then she becomes slightly scared at what's going on). (Then we see the old woman gasp and say with a shocked look on her face), "What.what are you.?" (Then we see a panel of the old woman staring oddly at Erica). (Then we see the aura slowly subside as we then see a close up of Erica's face as she's sweating and breathing hard). (Then we see the old woman look at Erica with a concerned look on her face and then say), "What was that.I'm not cold anymore, what did you do?" (Then we see Erica look up at the old woman and say with a smile), "I used my powers to take what body heat you had left and amplified it to a better level."



(Then we see the old woman say with a slightly confused look on her face), "You're a.a.." "Mutant.that's what they tell me," (Erica says with a tired smile on her face before she straightens up and then shrugs her shoulders). "But I thought that mutants," (the old woman says with a surprised and confused look on her face). (Then we see Erica smirk and lean back and put her hands back behind her and then say), "That all us mutants are the horrible and terrifying boogeyman that all of those supposed -experts- tell everyone to be afraid of.sorry that's not who we are.well most of us anyway."



"So which are you," (the old woman says with a concerned and slightly worried look on her face). "I'm with the good guys, and just in case anyone's keeping score I'm one of the X-men." (Then we see the old woman's face brighten as she says), "The X-men, I've heard of them." "Only good things I hope," (Erica says with a tired look on her face as she sits up). "Mostly," (the old woman says with a smile as we then pull away as we see people walking around).



[Shortly Thereafter]

[After their meeting with the director Archangel and Psylocke decide to visit the location of one of the more hazardous and dangerous areas of the islands that felt the brunt of one of the worst disasters that struck the islands]. [Pala Pan]. [Named so for the local fire god]. [The locations of a massive lava flow]. [One that swallowed up entire towns and made refugees out of the islands inhabitants]. (We see first panels of a fly around view of a large volcano and then we go in closer and see rescue workers as they're at the edge of the lava flow and they're keeping people back and shooting water onto the first that were caused by the lava flow). (Then we see Warren, who's carrying Betsy, fly over the lava flow and land on a patch of rock as there are steam vents all around them). (Then we see Warren turn to Betsy and say), "Are you sure this is wise Betts?" "No, but unless you've got a better idea about how to determine if these disasters were natural or not it's the best we can do," (Betsy says with a sigh before she walks off towards a tunnel opening in the distance).



"I wish I did," (Warren says with a sigh as he looks around and then follows Betsy). (Then in the next panel we see silhouettes of Warren and Betsy at the mouth of a tunnel as Warren then hangs his head and shakes it in the next panel as he then says), "Great, more tunnels." (Then we see Betsy turn to him and then say with a concerned look on her face), "You feeling okay luv, if you want to stay out here." "I'll be fine, c'mon let's go.we might not have to long before another fissure opens up and any clue as to who or what caused these disasters will be lost forever and we'll be back to square one," (Warren says with an angry frown on his face as he sets his jaw and then pulls his wings in close as he steps into the tunnel and disappears into the darkness). (Then we see Betsy sigh angrily and take a quick look back at what's left of the town before she then follows Warren into the tunnel).



(Then we see panels of Warren and Betsy picking their way through the tunnels as then in the next panel we see them stop in a large cavern as then Warren unzips a pocket of his suit and takes out a digital device that looks like a suped up palm pilot that he then turns on and then hands it to Betsy). (Then we see Warren do it again but this time he takes out what looks slightly like night vision goggles as he then puts them on and he then turns to Betsy and says), "Okay.would you do the honors," (with a smile on his face and a wink). (Then we see Betsy nod her head and then take a combination earpiece with a communicator and eyepiece out of a pocket and then put it on before she then takes a few steps in front of Warren). (Then we see her bring a hand up to her temple and close her eyes). (Then we see her pink butterfly appear on her forehead and then we see a wide panel of Betsy standing just a few steps in front of Warren in the large cavern as we're a ways back and we see her butterfly as it flies away from her).



(Then in a series of panels we see the butterfly flying through different aspects of the cavern and all that intermittent with quick panels of Betsy's face as the effort is beginning to take a toll on her physically). (Then we see Betsy start to falter a bit as she's about to fall but Warren rushes to her side and catches her as he yells), "Betsy!" (Then we see a panel of a tired Betsy in Warren's arms as he says), "Are you alright," (to which she replies with a smile), "Right as rain.and I did the psy- sweep.we're the only ones here." (Then we see Warren help Betsy to a seat up against the wall as he's squatting down beside her with a hand on her shoulder). "Sit tight while I take a look around," (Warren says with a smile as he brushes some hair off of Betsy's face before he then stands up and then walks a short distance and then flips the goggles down and he then starts to look all around as he walks through the cavern).



(Then we see the view through the goggles in a series of panels, and we see that pretty much everything looks the same). (Then we see Betsy pull herself back to her feet and say as she looks towards Warren), "Find anything?" "Not yet.everything looks pretty natural down here, but I'll keep looking, if there's anything down here that shouldn't be her I'll find it, but.urrk.," (Warren starts to say with a smile before we then cut to a panel of Betsy as the last few words of what Warren says is seen). (Then we see a panel of Betsy with a worried and shocked look on her face as she says and takes a step forward), "Warren.where?" (Then we see come in from off panel as someone says that makes Betsy spin around), "He's right here mutant!" (Then we see Betsy look up and say with an alarmed look on her face), "Who.Warren!"



(We then see a big panel that shows Warren lying unconscious on the ground with some blood on his temple and lying beside him is the smashed goggles and standing over him is a big guy that's a cross between a rock monster and a fire monster as he looks like his exterior is hardened lava rock but his interior is still super hot lava). (Then we see the fire guy take a step forward and pick Warren up partially by his wing before he says with a sinister smile on his face), "Looks like lover boy fell down and went boom." (Then we see a panel of Betsy as she grits her teeth with an angry look on her face). (Then we see a panel of Betsy as she draws out one of her swords and then slashes it through the air as she then adds her power to the blade as she then says with an angry but worried look on her face), "Bad move.."



(Then we see the fire guy laugh a bit and then throw Warren up against the wall, hard, and then we see Warren slump to the ground and lie there face down). (Then we see Betsy growl angrily and then launch herself at the fire guy, ready to strike him with her sword). (Then we see Betsy land and slash at the fire guy but he then takes a step back and makes Betsy miss him as he then smiles and takes a swing at Betsy but she then dives out of the way and rolls a bit before in the next panel we see her look up at the fire guy as she lying on her left side and she's looking over her left shoulder with an angry look on her face). "Little lady with the pig sticker missed.that's truly pathetic, you know that you don't ya." (Then we see the rocky guy that fought Sam and Tabitha step up beside the fire guy and then say with a smile), "These two are even worse that the two I fought earlier, least those two put up a fight." (Then we see Betsy pull herself back to her feet and glare at the two creatures as she then takes a few steps towards Warren, all the while keeping a watchful eye on the fire guy and the rocky guy with her sword defensively out in front of her). (Then she gets to Warren just as he starts to wake up as he blinks and shakes his head a bit as he brings his hand up to his temple and scowls when he brings his hand away and then sees the blood). (Then we see Betsy kneel down beside Warren and put her free hand on his shoulder while keeping her sword in between them and the two creatures as she looks at Warren out of the corner of her eye and says with a concerned look on her face), "Warren.luv.are you.?"



(Then we see Warren, with Betsy's help; pull himself back to his feet). "How long was I out," (Warren says with a pained look on his face as he looks back and forth between Betsy and the two creatures before Betsy starts to say something but she's interrupted by the fire guy as he says), "Oh look.lover boy woke up." (Then we see the fire and rocky guy laugh heartily as they start to approach Warren and Betsy, who now are setting themselves up in a defensive manner).



[At that moment].

(We see Sam standing in a smashed and burned out church down ear the front of it). (We then see Sam notice a pen lying on the floor). (Then we see him pick up the pen and then use it to turn over some books, hymnals, and other things like that and he has a somber and dejected look on his face and he's squatting down). (Then we see him scowl as he notices a torn picture of a family). (Then we see him drop the pen and pick up the picture and then stand up). "Find something," (someone says from off panel that makes Sam turn around and say with a serious look on his face), "Nope.everything appears to be normal.well normal enough after what happened here."



(Then we see a panel of Tabitha walking through the ruined church towards Sam and she's staring at her surroundings as she says), "Man would you look at this place.I bet it was a dump even before the disasters." "Tabitha," (Sam says with a scolding look on his face as Tabitha comes up beside him and then says with a frown), "Hey come on Sam, I was kidding." (Then we see Tabitha frown sadly and hug Sam from behind as she then slides around to the side and under Sam's arm and then eyes the picture that Sam is holding and scrunches up her nose as she then looks back and forth between the picture and Sam's face as she then says), "Who's that?" "Don't know, ah just found it on the floor before you came in," (Sam says with a sigh as he then squeezes Tabitha).



"So.you think all this might have been done by that guy that we smoked earlier," (Tabitha says with a wondering look on her face as she takes the picture from Sam and then sadly tosses it to the ground). "I think we should go find Warren and Psylocke, we haven't found anything that would explain about what happened here yet, and that boulder head we fought earlier could have just been a local thug or a scavenger come to pick up the choice pieces," (Sam says with a frown as he shakes his head and he and Tabitha then turn around and then they start to walk back towards the back of the church and Sam has his arm around Tabitha). "Quite the thug," (Tabitha says with a smile as they get to the back of the church as we then see Sam notice something shiny out of the corner of his eye that makes him stop and then say), "Hey, what's that?"



(Then we see Sam squat down and brush some broken and burned chunks of wood away before he then picks up a small shiny plastic object). "What's that, it looks like a cd, but it's all warped," (Tabitha says with a frown on her face as Sam turns the plastic object over a couple of times). "I'm not sure, I'll show it to Forge when we get back," (Sam says with a sigh as he stuffs the plastic disc into one of the pockets of his suit before they exit the church just as a fierce wind kicks up). [Hurricane force winds blast through the main thoroughfares and alleyways]. (Then we see Sam and Tabitha cover up as the wind is really kicking up a lot of dust and dirt as Tabitha then squints her eyes and yells), "Sam.what's happening?" "Ah.ah don't know.," (Sam says as he grits his teeth as he tries to keep the dirt and sand out of his eyes).



(Then in the next panel we see the wind pick Sam and Tabitha up and then hurl them back through the doors of the church). (Then in the next panel we see Sam and Tabitha come violently crashing down into the pews and pile of rubble as they both yell out in both pain and surprise). (Then we see other people and a few cars that go crashing through the walls of the church and that all then comes crashing down on Sam and Tabitha). (But we then see Sam look up and be shocked and slightly scared before he puts a hand up and blasts one of the cars away from himself and then Tabitha). (Then we see the wind subside and then Tabitha turns over gingerly and we then see her come face to face with a dead and bloody person that's lying on their back with their mouth and eyes open).



(Then we see Tabitha get all upset and her eyes grow wide and her mouth drops open with a silent scream). (Then we see her painfully scramble back away from the body with a horrified look on her face as we then see Sam strain and finally manage to pull himself from the rubble that was on top of him). (Then we see Sam flip over onto his stomach and then start to get up but he hears a whimper from Tabitha as he turns his head and then says), "Tabitha.where.." (Then we see a panel of Tabitha as she's backed up against a wrecked car as she's trying to get away from the dead body). (Then we see a panel of Sam as he notices the dead body before he jumps up and runs to Tabitha's side and then grabs her arms and he shakes her a bit as he then says), "Hey Tab.Tabitha.c'mon!" (Then we see Tabitha shake her head as she then looks over at Sam and says with a scared and sad look on her face), "Sam he.he.I just." (Then we see Sam hug her tightly and says with an angry but sad look on his face), "I know it's bad.shh.don't look." (Then we see them pull apart a bit before Sam brushes some hair off of her face and then a tear before they then share a quick kiss before they then stand up and we see that Sam has an arm around Tabitha's waist).



(Then we see Sam look down somberly and then shake his head before he then leads Tabitha out of the church as then when they get out of the church the street is in shambles like as if a tornado hit). (Then we see Sam and Tabitha start to walk through the streets as people start to come back out and marvel at what just occurred). [It is a scene of utter desolation, houses blown apart, cars smashed like tin cans, and the city's unfortunate inhabitants that were thrown around like twigs]. (Then we see Sam and Tabitha start to help people up). [And then it begins again]. (We then see the wind pick up again as people start to dive for cover and at one end of the street we see a cloud of dust and dirt that begins to then come rapidly towards them). (Then we see Tabitha see the oncoming and she then turns to Sam and yells), "Sam look!"



(Then we see Sam whirl around and then look in the direction that Tabitha is pointing and he then says with a slightly annoyed and unhappy look on his face), "Huh.not again!" (Then we see Sam run over and grab Tabitha with one arm and pick up a little kid with the other as he then has them all dive into a doorway and he puts himself on top of Tabitha and then kid). (Then we see a panel of the cloud and then of a figure that starts to appear in the middle of the cloud and he's just calmly walking with an amused smirk on his face). (Then we see a panel of Sam as he dares to lift his head and take a look with anything and everything flying around as he has to squint to see and he's looking at the now emerging figure with a confused and concerned look on his face).



(Then we see Sam think with a grimace on his face), Wait.it's the guy from the tape. (Then we see Sam start to get up but Tabitha turns her head and grabs his arm and then yells), "Sam no.stay here!" "I can't.it's the guy.from the tape," (Sam yells loudly over the wind as he struggles to his feet). (Then we see Sam raise his shield and then stagger out into the street and then towards the figure that's calmly walking through the streets, directing the wind). (Then we see the figure smile and shake his head as he then says), "What's the matter little boy, it to breezy for you?" (Then we see Sam fighting the wind and struggling to not get blown away as he's gritting his teeth and he then says), "Stop this.people are dying!"

(Then we see the figure shrug his shoulders and say as if he couldn't care less), "If you want to make an omelet then you're going to have to break a few eggs." (Then we see Sam get angry and then get close enough to the figure that he reaches out and grabs the guy by the throat and then the wind subsides as the guy gets annoyed and grabs Sam's wrist with one hand and then with the other one he reaches in and punches Sam in the stomach). (Then we see Sam take a few steps back as the wind guy then kicks him in the head and then we see a panel of Sam kneeling and wiping some blood away from his mouth with the back of his hand).



"All right ah've had just about enough of you," (Sam says with a very fed up look on his face as he stands up and then catches the wind guy off guard and blasts him with a blast from one hand that blows the wind guy back through a cracked wall). (Then we cut back to Tabitha as the little kid is crying and Tabitha is trying to comfort her as Tabitha then says), "Sam.you okay.who was that?" "Ah don't know, but he'll think twice before he.," (Sam says before he gets knocked off of his feet and driven into the side of a bus so that the side of the bus is all smashed in, all this by a gust propelled chunk of concrete, and all that as Tabitha then yells angrily), "Sam!"



(Then we see Tabitha set the kid down and then take a step towards Sam before she then turns her head away from Sam and looks as we then see the wind guy standing in front of the wall that he was just driven through with a smile on his face as he then says), "Ooh.now what do we have here, the little boy's got himself a girlfriend.how cute, maybe I should take a picture to remember this moment.." "Hardy har har ya big blowhard, you're going to get a shot of super heat plasma straight up your.," (Tabitha says with a very angry look on her face before we then see Sam say from behind her), "Hold your horses Tab.ah'm fine," (as then in a panel we see Sam as he's pulling himself out of the side of the bus as we see that his suit is all ripped up and he's got some cuts and bruises and he's bloodied up a bit).



(Then we see Tabitha turn and help Sam to take a few steps with a frightened look on her face as she then says), "Sam.." (Then we see Sam turn his head and glare at the wind guy as he then says), "You got two things wrong, one she's my fiancé n' two you're going to need a picture all right, a picture of your face so that after we break every bon in it the doctors can put it back together." (Then we see the wind guy with an unimpressed look on his face as he then says as he crosses his arms), "Strong words from such a little boy, tell me.did you come up with that all by yourself?" (Then we se a panel of Sam and Tabitha as at first they're angry then they smile and even laugh a bit).



(In the next panel we see the wind guy get a confused look on his face before he then growls with a very annoyed look on his face), "Eh.what is this then, did I knock something loose in those pretty little heads of yours or are you X-men truly as stupid as I've been told.looks like I got the dumb and dumber of the group." "Must be your lucky day," (We see come in from off panel and also coming from behind the wind guy that makes him look up and then turn around with an angrily confused look on his face). (Then we see a panel of Warpath and Siryn standing beside each other with smiles on their faces and then we cut to a quick panel of the wind guy as he has a very surprised and confused look on his face). (Then we see Warpath rear back and then land a punch on the wind guy's chest that sends him flying towards Sam and Tabitha).



(Then we see Tabitha try to pull Sam out of the way but Sam stands firm with an almost amused look on his face as Tabitha says), "Sam.come on, he's coming this way!" (Then we see Sam say with a calm look on his face), "Ah know," (before he then brings up his shield and then enlarges it upward and outward). (Then we see Tabitha cringe before the wing guy slams into the blast shield and then crumbles to the ground as Sam then lowers the shield). (Then we see Warpath and Siryn come up to the wind guy and stare down at him as then Sam steps up with Tabitha beside him as Sam then says), "Shouldn't you two be busy elsewhere?" "Ye know ye could be happy to see us," (Siryn says with a small sigh as she crosses her arms and then looks up at Warpath, who has his hands on his hips).



"Oh we are, you've saved us the trouble of explaining to Warren about how this jerk is all that we have to show for a full nights work," (Sam says with an unhappy frown on his face as he shakes his head as Tabitha yawns sleepily before she then gets mad and kicks the wind guy a couple of times and she then squats down and starts to slap the groggy wind guy around a bit before Warpath looks down with a sarcastic look on his face and says), "Tabitha, would you please stop antagonizing the insane super villainy type guy, we've still got some more hero-villain classic comic book style interaction left to do, and we'll need him to be conscious for that."



(Then we see Tabitha look up and then say with a slightly hurt look on her face), "Hmpf.you're no fun," (as she then stands back up and looks to Sam for support). (Then we see Sam shrug his shoulders and then frown as he then says with a reassuring hand on Tabitha's shoulder), "It's okay Tab, just don't get to carried away." (Then in a short series of panels we pull away as we then see Warpath pick the wind guy up and throw him over his shoulders as the quartet then walks off with Warpath carrying the wind guy).



[Elsewhere, in the slums].

(We see Erica walking through the bad and rundown part of town as she passes dirty and cluttered alleys). (We see her then put her head down and look sad as she then rams her hands into her pockets). (We also see other people milling about but no rescue workers as they haven't gotten to this part of Parlau Pau yet, so the people here are suffering visibly). (We see her continue to walk through the slums as rundown and collapsed buildings are all around her). [The rundown section of Parlau Pau, where poverty, disease, and crime run rampant]. (We then see Erica look up with a very sad look on her face as we then see a small tear slide down her cheek).



(Then we see a small shabbily dressed and dirty little girl come running up to her and begin to beg for food and money as the little girl says with her best puppy dog eyes look), "Please mam, I haven't eaten in." (Then we see Erica crouch down and smile as she then reaches into one of the pockets of her coat and brings out a candy bar). (Then we see Erica smile and hand the candy bar to the little girl as the little girl's eyes grow wide and she smiles as Erica then says), "Here ya go." (Then we see the little girl smile and say), "Thank you," (before she then giggles a bit and then turns and skips away as then we see Erica laugh slightly and shake her head as she stands up and then continues to walk down the street). (Then we see her walking through the streets as in the alleys and abandoned buildings we see shadows running around and ducking around).



(Then we see a loud sound from one of the alley's make Erica stop walking and then look down the nearest alleys with a concerned and also confused look on her face). (Then we see her shake her head again and then start to take a step before she then spins on her heel as a knife goes spinning by her, and it catches her on the shoulder and she then crouches down and grabs the shoulder in pain). (Then we see her look around quickly as she's trying to see where the knife came from before she then stumbles backwards through an old door and crashes into some old furniture as she then falls to the ground and another knife goes flying over her head after one hits the wall as she's going into the building).



(Then we see Erica push herself back up against a wall near the door and she's says as she looks outside and takes her hand away from her shoulder and there's some blood), "Ow.what the hell is going on here?" (Then we see her look down and a little ways away and we see a small pool of blood). (Then we see someone start shooting energy blasts and bullets at Erica as she scrambles away from the door as it's riddled with bullets and blown apart). (Then we see a panel of Erica lying on the floor with broken pieces of furniture and plaster and the like flying all around and lying on top of her as we see her then pull a wireless headset out of a pocket and then put it on before she then yells out with a scared and slightly angry look on her face), "Hey.anybody.come on guys.help me!" (Then we see Erica pick her head up and try to crawl back towards the door, but then we see three grenades come bouncing in as she then looks down at them with wide eyes and a gasp).



(Then we see her jump to her feet and then run towards one of the windows as she then yells), "Oh sh.," (as she then jumps through the window as then the grenades go off). (Then we see Erica come crashing down into a big pile of trash bags and cardboard boxes). (Then we see Erica roll over onto her back and then sit up with her hair a mess and a cut on her forehead that's bleeding). (We then see her say with a pained look on her face), "This is most definitely not what I signed up for.not at all." (Then we see her put a hand up to her cut and grimace before we then see a bullet go flying by her and then strike the wall that makes her yell out in surprise and then jump to her feet and take off, stumbling and staggering through the back alleys).



[Back in the caves].

[The battle was short and violent.]. [.and although they fought hard they never stood a ghost of a chance]. (We then see a panel of Warren and Betsy as they're lying up against one of the walls of the caves as Betsy is curled up on one of Warren's wings with her head lying on his chest). (Then we see the rocky guy come walking over to them and he then looks down at them with an arrogant smirk on his face as he then says), "Archangel and Psylocke.hmpf.I expected better." (Then we see the fire guy say, as he's standing a ways away and leaning up against the wall and is looking off down one of the tunnels), "You believed in the hype that everyone heaped onto these.X-men.they're not so special."



"The way the boss said it these two were supposed to be the leaders, they seem more like rookies," (the rocky guy says with an unimpressed look on his face as he then squats down and shakes his head at Warren and Betsy). "Boys, what am I going to do with you," (We see someone say from somewhere off panel that makes both the rocky guy and the fire guy turn and look down one of the tunnels, and neither one looks too happy to see the speaker). (Then we turn a bit and see a panel of a woman that is walking towards us with a smile on her face, she's wearing a sea blue body suit as her hair is also blue, and she has blue eyes and blue lipstick). (Then we see the woman walk up to the fire guy and then look up at him with an unenthusiastic look on her face and she doesn't seem to like being next to the fire guy).



"Just like you to show up after the works done, coward," (the fire guy says with a slightly angry look on his face before he then glares at both the rocky guy and the water woman as he then storms off down one of the tunnels). (Then we see the rocky guy and the water woman watch the fire guy go away before in the next panel the water woman walks over to the rocky guy and then says, with a smile and a bored look on her face), "He gets more annoying every day, tell me we don't have to put up with him much longer.please Marc." (Then we see the rocky guy stand up and then smile at the water woman before he then pulls her close and then says with a smile), "Don't sorry Sarah, now that we have these two the boss will come and we'll be able to leave that jerk far behind."



(Then we see Sarah smile and say), "Promise," (to which Marc smiles and then says), "Promise." (Then we see them kiss in a quick panel as we then move down in a small panel and see Betsy's hand move a bit). (Then in the next panel we see the kissing couple leave and then we go back to Warren and Betsy as we see Betsy start to come to and she then lifts her head up off of Warren's chest and then begins to look around with a slightly confused and concerned look on her face). (Then we see Betsy realize what is going on as she has a shocked look on her face as she then sits up and then reaches for her sword and isn't to pleased that her sword isn't there). (Then we see her pull herself up to her hands and knees and then sit back so that her knees are bent under her as she's almost sitting on her feet).



(Then we see her first shake her head to try and clear it before she then leans over and puts one hand on Warren's chest over his heart and she puts the other hand over Warren's face with the bottom of her palm is lined up with the bottom of Warren's nose). (Then we see Betsy close her eyes and concentrate as we then see her pink butterfly briefly show up on her forehead as then we move down to her hands and see a bright pink aura form around them). (Then we see a close up of Warren's head and upper body as the pink aura gets bigger before then in the next panel we see a close up of Warren's face as he squints and grimaces with his eyes closed and then we see a panel of his face as his eyes snap open and he opens his mouth and takes in a deep breath).



(Then we see Betsy sigh with relief and smile after she opens her eyes and then helps a groggy Warren sit up). "We still in the land of the living," (Warren says with a pained grimace on his face as he puts a hand on the back of his head). "Unfortunately I believe that we're still very much alive, but definitely more than a little worse for wear," (Betsy says as she and Warren help each other to stand up and they then lean up against the wall). (Then we see Warren lean over a bit and put his hands on his knees as he then says), "Alright then first things first, we need to find our way out of here and then contact the others." "I think it's safe to say that whether those two had anything to do with the disasters that rocked these islands there is definitely something going on here," (Betsy says with a frown on her face as she and Warren then creep over and look down the tunnel that the three element people walked down). (Then we see them start to pick their way slowly down the tunnel and then after a bit they get to a part of the tunnel in which they then see some daylight).



(Then we see a panel of Marc, Sarah, and the fire guy all standing near the entrance of another tunnel). (Then we see that the fire guy and Marc are yelling at each other as the fire guy then yells angrily), "Where the hell is that blowhard, he's late.we were all supposed to meet back here." "Hey.calm down Phil, Sean will be here, just give him a little more time," (Marc says with a tired and very annoyed look on his face as behind him Sarah just rolls her eyes and then shakes her head as she then crosses her arms). "Would you two cut it out, the boss told us to assemble here after we encountered this select group of X-men, led by the two mutants that we have back in the caves," (Sarah says with a scowl on her face as she then walks up to the Phil and glares up at him as she then starts to point a finger at him in his chest but we then see her start to weaken before she then pulls her finger away and then goes to Marc for comfort).



(Then we see Phil look at them with contempt and anger as he then says), "You two sure that you should be doing that.out here, what if Sean sees you.what are you going to tell him.you are planning to tell him right?" "Of course we will.," (Sarah says with a pouting look on her face before she then frowns and turns back to Marc and then lays her head on his chest as Phil turns away with a sarcastic sigh as he then takes a few steps away from them). (Then we see Warren and Betsy hide at the entrance to the tunnel as Betsy turns to Warren and then says), "It's like a bloody soap opera out there, maybe we should use this to our advantage."



"Agreed, but the question is how, we still don't know who.or what we're dealing with here, these people are obviously extremely powerful and apparently possess the ability to control three of the four basic elements," (Warren says with an impatient scowl on his face as he looks over at Betsy and puts a hand on her shoulder). "Then we just have to figure out what all of this means, we need to find out the identity of this boss that they keep talking about, then we'll probably get a better idea of their objectives in all of this," (Betsy says with a small sigh as she first looks out at Marc and the other two and then back down the tunnel that they just came down). (Then we see Warren say as he keeps watch on Marc and the others with a slightly worried look on his face), "Do you still have your com-link?"



(Then we see Betsy check a few of her pockets before she then says with a less than enthusiastic frown on her face), "Sorry, it must have gotten lost in the fight." (Then we see Warren look through his own pockets and he then shakes his head in dismay and then says), "Mine to.wonderful." (Then we see Betsy frown and then put a hand on Warren's back before she then says with a slightly worried look on her face), "I'm going to try and contact the others telepathically, see if they've found anything.and if all else fails I could try and read those three's minds.maybe even knock them out.."



"Only as a last resort Betts, you're our only telepath.and the most important person to me so I'm not about to risk you.unless the situation is at a critical level, and even then.," (Warren says with a very concerned and slightly scared look on his face as he also squeezes Betsy's shoulder). (Then we see Betsy look over at Warren with an equally concerned look on her face as she then says along with a quick kiss and a smile), "You'd forever hate yourself for doing it I know, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to reach Sam.or at least Erica, but knowing my bloody luck the only one that I'll be able to get will be Tabitha." (Then we see them smile at each other before Betsy then crawls behind Warren and then she sits down and pulls her knees up close to her chest).



(Then we see her close her eyes and bring her hands up to her temples and she then concentrates as we then see her pink butterfly appear on her forehead, all this as Warren keeps watch). (Then we see Betsy start to telepathically reach out for a panel or two before we then see Betsy's pink butterfly as it seems to start to short circuit as the occurrence also seems to be physically hurting Betsy as she then winces and grimaces in pain). (Then we see Warren look back at Betsy with a concerned look on his face as he then says), "Betts.what.what's going on, what's wrong?" (Then we see Betsy grimace and then say with a pained look on her face), "Nnh.I'm not sure.something's interfering.stopping me from being able to push my reach off of this island."



(Then we see Warren completely turn around and then put a hand on Betsy's knee as he then says with a slightly shocked look on his face), "No more.stop pushing your powers.we'll find another way to contact the rest of the team." (Then we see Betsy almost reluctantly shut her powers off and then sigh as she turns to Warren and then says with a tired and weary look on his face), "Okay, you win..but we have to get out of here, are you well enough to fly us out of here?" "I think so, but I highly doubt that our friends out there are just going to let us just simply fly out of here, that one with the lava interior will probably try and roast me like a fried chicken," (Warren says with a thoughtful scowl on his face as he then looks back out of the tunnel as we then see the trio outside arguing again).

"You're already tasty enough for me," (Betsy says with a smile and a small snicker as Warren just rolls his eyes and sighs as he then shakes his head). (Then we see Warren and Betsy stand up and then edge closer to the mouth of the tunnel as then Phil notices them and angrily yells), "Stop right there!" (Then we see Marc and Sarah turn around angrily and Sarah shoots a blast of water right towards Warren that hits him in the chest and blasts him back into the nearest rock wall). (Then we see Betsy look back and yell with a very worried look on her face), "Warren!" (Then we see Marc rear back and then punch the ground that causes a quake that makes the ground rip open in a fault line that both rush towards Betsy).



(Then we see Sarah start running towards Betsy and she's firing off jets of water as she goes). (Then we see Betsy jump up and forwards as she then rushes towards Sarah). (Then we see a few panels of Betsy and Sarah as they're running towards each other as then Betsy yells), "You've got a lot of nerve.." (Then as they get near each other we see Sarah throw a punch that Betsy blocks and has an angry look on her face). (Then we see Betsy get distracted by Marc as he takes a swing at her and Betsy blocks it but then Sarah gets in a lucky kick on Betsy's stomach that makes Betsy stagger backwards a few steps). (Then we see Betsy look up angrily and say with a determined look on her face), "Bitch!" (Then we see Betsy straighten up and then knock Sarah off of her feet by a strong kick to the head). (Then we see Marc get angry and lunge for Betsy).



[Springing back to his feet he rejoins the fray]. (We then see Warren come flying out of the cave and he then lands an uppercut that almost knocks Marc off of his feet). (Then we see Phil come rushing in and try to hit Warren with geyser's of hot lava that shoot out of the ground, looking kind of like Old Faithful, and Warren is able to deftly avoid them in a small series of panels as then Warren circles around and then comes flying back towards Phil with an angry look on his face as he then yells), "Try and cook me will ya." (Then we see Warren land and then he and Phil begin to fight as then we see Betsy fighting Marc and Sarah in the background). (Then we see Sarah say with an angry look on her face as she spits out some blood), "You fight well X-witch, but even you can't last to long against the likes of us."



(Then we see Betsy laugh and smirk as she then says), "The likes of you.tell me did they teach that to you in villain school or did you.." (Then we see Marc, Sarah, and Phil push Warren and Betsy back towards each other). (Then we see that Warren and Betsy are both starting to tire as then Phil says with an arrogant smile on his face), "What's wrong lover boy, tired?" "Yeah.a little," (Warren says with an unhappy look on his face before we then see Marc smile and then say); "We can help you with that." "I'm sure you can," (Betsy starts to say with an unimpressed scowl on her face as then Marc takes a step towards them). (Then we see Warren say with a serious look on his face as he steps over next to Betsy and then loops an arm around her waist), "But we're not going to stay long enough to find out," (as he then pulls Betsy close and then lifts off). "No.stop.," (Marc yells angrily as he, Sarah, and Phil rush towards Warren and Betsy). (As we pull away we see Warren, with Betsy, flying up towards us and then away as Sarah shoots blasts of water after them, Phil shoots up geysers of lava, and Marc is hurling big rocks at them). (Then we go back down to the trio and see Phil curse and Sarah then say as she then shakes her head sadly), "The boss is not going to like this.."



[Back at the X-jet].

(We see Sean tied up and he's unconscious as he's in one of the chairs). (Then we see Sam sitting beside him with a bored look on his face as he's leaning back in his chair). (Beside him we wee Tabitha and she's checking news updates on a popup display). (Then we see Siryn fretting about a tear in her suit while Warpath is standing at the doorway looking out with a concerned look on his face). (Then we see him turn back and say), "Something's gone wrong, Erica should have been back by now, try her com- link again." "Would ye calm down Jimmy, she can take care of herself, she's one of us don' forget," (Siryn says with a small sigh as she then shakes her head before Sam then looks up and says with a serious look on his face), "We're not of us perfect Terry, even X-men can get in over their heads from time to time."



(Then we see Tabitha snort with a smile on her face as she then turns her head slightly and then says), "Hmpf.she probably got lost." "Ah just hope they didn't find her," (Sam says with a worried look on his face as he then points to the popup screen as Siryn then says as she stands up), "Punch that up on the front monitor Tabitha." "Fine," (Tabitha then says with an impatient and unhappy frown on her face as she then turns back around and then punches a few buttons and the images then transfer from the small popup screen to the main front viewer that's much larger).



(Then we see images of a news report that tells of a highly armed gang that is terrorizing the islands as the reporter then says), "Scattered reports are coming in about a band of mean that have been said to be terrorizing the populace and rescue workers alike with automatic weapons fire and what can only be described as energy bombs, the death toll from these attacks currently stands at fifteen and shows no signs of slowing down." (Then we see images of death and destruction as we then see several bodies riddled with bullets and then some with horrible burns on their bodies and even some that are blown apart).

(Then we see a panel of the very shocked and horrified looks on Sam, Tabitha, Siryn, and Warpath's faces as then Tabitha sheds a tear, Warpath just scowls angrily, Sam shakes his head in disbelief, and Siryn looks very sad and then gasps with a hand to her mouth), "Saints be merciful," (and we then see Warpath take a step and then put a hand on her shoulder that she's happy to have there). "Ah'm going," (Sam says with a determined and slightly scared look on his face as he then stands up and starts to make his way to the door). (Then we see Warpath scowl and then say), "Me to." (Then we see Sam shake his head and then look up and say), "Sorry Jimmy, you need to stay here in case our.friend over there wakes up and then tries something."



"You shouldn't go out alone, I'll just," (Tabitha says with a worried look on her face as she then grabs her coat and then stands up before we see Sam say as he stops and then turns around and puts a hand up to stop Tabitha), "Sorry Tab, you should stay here." (Then we see Tabitha get upset and then pout a bit as she impatiently says with then a hand on Sam's chest), "But." "Don' worry Tabitha, I'll make sure that nothing happens to him," (Siryn says with a very reassuring look on her face as she then pats Tabitha on the back and then heads towards the door). (Then we see Siryn get to the door and then she and Warpath step outside as we then go back to Sam and Tabitha as she looks a little hurt as she then crosses her arms and says), "Don't you dare die on me Samuel Zebulon Guthrie.ya hear.I forbid you to.."



(Then we see Sam smirk and shake his head as he then wraps his arms around her and then pulls her close in a big hug as he then says with her head on his chest), "Don't worry Tabitha, if The Gladiator couldn't kill me as the leader of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard then the local yahoos out here don't stand a chance." (Then we pull away and jump out of the X-jet to Warpath and Siryn as Siryn is tying her boots and Warpath is keeping watch). (Then we see Siryn look up and smile as she then says), "Ye can stop standing guard Jimmy, no one's going to attack us here." "You can never be to careful Terry, this is a very dangerous place and we're missing something," (Warpath says with an impatient scowl on his face as he then glances down at Siryn, who smiles up at him).



"Well ye know I have a funny feeling that ye're going to find out what ye think is missing," (Siryn says with a frown as she then stands up and turns and looks over at the door of the X-jet as Sam walks out as he's pulling his gloves on). (Then we see Sam say with a frown on his face), "C'mon Terry let's get this over with, Warren and Elizabeth won't be too happy.." "If they come back and Erica's not here," (Siryn says with an impatient frown on her face before she kisses Warpath on the cheek and then flies off after Sam as then Warpath and Tabitha look on).



[Shortly]

[They skim over the city, keeping their eyes peeled for any sign of their missing teammate]. (We see Sam and Siryn flying over the city and looking for any signs). (Then we see Siryn pass over a burnt out building as Sam is trying the com-link). (Then we see Siryn and Sam go down to investigate). "Would ye look at this place, someone sure did a number on this place," (Siryn says with a slightly surprised look on her face as she and Sam then walk into the ruins of the building after they push on the door and it crumbles). "Ah know but ah have a good feeling about this dump.she was here I know it," (Sam says with a scowl on his face as he then brushes the dirt off of his gloves). (Then we see Sam and Siryn as they begin to search through the rubble).



(Then we see Siryn uncover a small trashed metal object that is partially melted that peaks her interest as she then squats down and brushes some more burnt pieces of wood out of the way). (Then we see her pick the small metal item up and eye it with a confused look on her face as she then says), "Hey Sam, what do ye think this is?" "Ah don't know.it kinda looks like Erica's com-link, but it's all busted up," (Sam says with an unhappy scowl on his face as we then see close ups of the object in Sam's hands as he turns it over and over). (Then we see Siryn step up beside him and then say with a worried look on her face), "Do ye think.?"



(Then we see Sam frown and shake his head and then say as he unzips a pocket and then puts the com-link into it before zipping it back up), "No.she got out before this happened, but ah think it's safe to say that wherever she is she's in trouble.and unable to call for help." (Then we see Siryn sigh and shake her head before she says with her hands on her hips), "Then we'd better find her before she needs it." (Then we see Sam and Siryn walk out of the building and take a look around outside as Siryn looks in the street and Sam goes out back and starts sifting through the alleys behind the building). (Then we see Siryn squat down and pull out a small set of tweezers out of a pocket and she then uses them to pick up a spent shell casing and then eye it closely with a frown on her face). (Then we see her stand up and then look around before she turns her head and yells), "I've found some shell casings, what do ye want me to do with them.Sam?"



(Then we see Siryn look over with a confused look on her face before she gets a slightly angry look on her face). (Then we see her walk over to the alley as then we see a panel of her as she's rounding the corner and holding the spent shell casing up for Sam to see with a smile on her face as she then says), "Hey Sam.c'mon what could be so.oh my!" (And that last little bit we see her say in a close up of her face as she has a sickened and shocked look on her face). (Then we see a panel of Sam, who's squatting down near a small slick of blood as Siryn is standing just behind him and she's also looking down at the blood with a somber look on her face). "It's worse than ah thought," (We see Sam say with a scowl on his face as he has one hand on his chin and the other is on the ground near the slick of blood). "Is it.Erica's," (Siryn says with a worried look on her face as she first looks down at the blood and then back out into the street).



"Ah'll know here in a second, that is if Forge's new handy dandy blood analyzer works like it's supposed to," (Sam says with a frown on his face as he drops to one knee and then unzips a pocket and then reaches in and takes out a device that looks like a calculator with a pen like device attached to it by a thin cable). (Then we see Siryn walk over and squat down next to Sam and then give the device in Sam's hands a questioning look as she then says), "Ye know how to work that thing, I mean Forge barely had time to get it done before his run in with Apocalypse." "He didn't have time to test it but Forge gave me an overview of how it works," (Sam says with a shrug of his shoulders).



(Then Sam looks over at Siryn and lifts the pen part and says), "Forge downloaded all the details about our different blood types into this thing, but it does have its limitations.it can only identify those people whose blood it has on file." "So what if the blood's not hers," (Siryn says with a frown as she sighs and then looks around). (Then we see Sam smirk and then turn his head up and take a quick look skyward). (Then we see Sam turn the device on and then put the tester into the slick of blood). (Then we see Sam and Siryn look closely at the digital display, as we then see close ups of the digital read out). (Then we see the read out that says that there's a match and it then reads -Erica Kalen-).



(Then we see Siryn turn to Sam and then say with a sad look on her face), "Okay so it's hers.now is that a good thing.or a horrible thing?" "Ah'll tell ya one we find her," (Sam says with a grim look on his face before he then puts the blood testing device back in his pocket and then walks out of the alley and blasts back up into the air). (Then we see Siryn shake her head as she then stands up and follows after Sam as she flies up into the air). [They leave the scene of their disheartening discovery in search of the missing teammate and friend]. [But as they soar up into the clear blue sky and begin to pass over the downtown district they fail to see what it is they're looking for].



(We then go down in a series of panels that we then see someone open a window that's in an alley and then the person dumps a bucket of dirty water out of the window before the person then closes the window). (Then we see the water fall down into the alley and hit a very dirty person). (Then we see the person, who's lying amongst the debris with trash all around them, then grunt and roll over). (Then we see that it's Erica and she's looking pretty tired and beat up as she then is lying on her face and then pushes herself up a bit and looks up with a confused and slightly angry look on her face as she's pushed up on her forearms). (Then we see her shake her head and then struggle to pull herself up to her feet before she starts to stagger out into the street as people avoid her).



(Then we see Erica lean up against the building with a hand to her temple and a sick look on her face). (Then we see the sound of a door slam and a sire come from off panel that makes Erica almost jump out of her skin and press herself fearfully up against the building as she screams slightly). (Then we see her start to calm down and she then reaches into one of her pockets and pulls out a small bottle of pills as we then see that her hands are shaking). (Then we see her think with a worried and frustrated look on her face), Can't lose my concentration. (Then we see her struggle to get the bottle open as we then see her look as if she has a really bad headache with her teeth gritted).



[As the pain then becomes too much to bear.]. (We then see a wider panel as a small tree nearby goes up in flames as Erica then drops the small bottle to the ground as she drops to her knees and screams out in pain). (Then we see Erica desperately try to find the bottle of pills as we then see blood start to trickle out of her nose). (Then we see Erica find the pill bottle and finally get the cap off as she then gets a pill out and puts it in her mouth as she then has to take some effort to swallow the pill). (Then we see her sweating heavily as she sits down and then tries to calm herself down some more). (Then we see her regain her composure and then stand back up as she breathes deeply and then looks around). (Then we see her say with a tired look on her face), "I can't take much more of this."



"Then you shouldn't have come here young lady," (We see someone say from off panel that makes Erica turn around and then we see a wizened old man standing nearby with a cane, colored glasses, and he doesn't look to happy). "And you are.who exactly.old man time," (Erica says with a less than impressed look on her face as she then crosses her arms). "You would be wise to leave this island before something bad happens to you," (The old man says with a sinister smile on his face as he then cackles a bit). "Creepy old man," (Erica says with a creepy look on her face as she then lifts her hands up and takes a couple of steps back away from the old man).



"You're a very arrogant little bitch you know that.you should have left when you had the chance.so now you're going to pay for your insolence," (The old man says through a very sinister smile at first and then a full of himself smile as he then straightens up and then throws the cane and glasses away as then we see that his eyes are now glowing red). "What the hell are you," (Erica says with a look of impending doom on her face). (Then we see the old man bend over a bit before he starts to laugh very hysterically as his skin begins to stretch and then crack as he begins to grow). [In her shock and amazement she fails to notice the all too familiar form that is shaping up right in front of her]. (Then we see a close up of Erica's eyes as first they look confused, then shocked, and then of complete fury as she then yells), "You.you bastard!"



(Then we see a big panel in which we're positioned behind Erica as she physically looks shocked and angry in the foreground and in the background and completely towering over her and menacingly glaring down at her is a very strong and powerful looking War). "Nice to know that you haven't forgotten about me," (War says with an arrogant look on his face). "How could I forget, back on Genosha you used me like a yo-yo, for your own sick amusement," (Erica yells back angrily at War as she's glaring a hole through him with fire in her eyes). "That was so much fun," (War says with an excited sparkle in his eyes before he then takes a swing at Erica but she falls back and almost falls down but then catches herself and stays upright).



(Then we see a short fight take place between War and Erica as he tries to both punch and blast her but she dodges out of the way and barely avoids the attacks). (Then w wee War get a shot in and Erica gets knocked through a window). (Then we see a panel of Erica as she starts to gingerly pick herself up as she gets to her hands and knees as War gets to just outside of the window as he then pulls his fist back and powers it up as he then prepares to blast Erica at point blank range). (Then we see War say with a big smile on his face), "Here is where you die.filth!" (Then we see Erica scowl angrily and grit her teeth as she then says), "Ya know I'm getting sick and tired of your holier than thou attitude."



(Then we see her stand up and turn around as she then cocks an eyebrow and smirks that makes War angry and he then says with a confused look on his face), "What.that blast knock something loose?" (Then we see Erica laugh and then say with a look on her face as if she knows something that he doesn't), "On the contrary pal, I believe this is what you'd call me getting my revenge on you, ya see how much ya wanna bet that your powers are heat based and whether you know it or not so are mine." (Then we see her cross her arms and then say), "And because of that I can manipulate the amount of heat that you're giving off.and push it up so high that it goes from a safe level.to an inferno!"



(At the end of her speech she yells it out as her eyes are slowly being engulfed in flames and a small amount of blood begins to come out of her nose). "What.what are you.," (War growls angrily as his powers begin to flare up almost uncontrollably and it starts to burn him as he then goes up in flames and he's howling in pain and anger). (Then we see Erica start to take a few steps towards War as she now has her hands, both in fists, at her side and she then yells), "Burn!" (Then we see War drop to a knee as he's gritting his teeth in pains as then Erica laughs and puts her head back as then we see a panel in which we see War struggle to lift a hand up and he then laughs a bit through the fire).



(Then we see Erica stop laughing suddenly and then lower her head with a confused look on her face as she then says), "Huh?" (Then we see War laugh loudly as he blasts Erica away and Erica goes flying back into a large cupboard and smashes into it as we then see that the contents of that cupboard are clay jars and pots as they then come crashing down on top of her and around her). (Then we see the flames die down and then a very angry War stagger back to his feet and then try to shake off the after effects of the fire).



(Then we see War then start to walk towards Erica as he grimaces in both pain and anger and then says), "Mutant bitch.you will pay for your transgression with your life!" (Then we see War rear back and then power up and prepare to blast Erica again). (Then we see War start to bring his fist forward but then he's struck from behind by the hook part of a pulley that's attached to a black cable). (Then we see War growl angrily and yell as he turns around and then is interrupted), "Who dares.!" "Peek-a-boo.," (We see someone say from off panel as a booted foot then connects with War's jaw).



(Then we see a few panels of someone doing a back flip and then landing as they're still facing War as he then says), "So the failure and his whore have finally show up." (Then we see a big panel of an angry Betsy crouching down like a ninja with one foot off to the side and one hand on the ground and she says as she's in the foreground of the panel), "You really know how to hurt a girl.," (as she's obviously being sarcastic and behind and almost directly above her is Warren with his wings all the way outstretched and he's still holding the other end of the cable that was attached to the pulley that stopped War from blasting Erica as Warren then says with a very determined look on his face), "Step away from her horseman and live, stay where you are and perish at our hands."



"Were I capable of such things I would probably know fear at this moment, but with the situation as it is now I feel nothing.but hate, hate for you and this bitch that you two feel the inkling to protect," (War says with an almost haughty smirk on his face as he pounds his fists together and then we see that they're both crackling with his power). "We feel more than an inkling monster, for it is our heartfelt wish and desire to see that Erica stays in the land of the living until it is her appointed time.and not a single second before," (Betsy says with a very determined look on her face as she then stands up and Warren lands behind her).



(Then we see War smile and then laugh in a very mocking manger as he then says), "You see that is what is wrong with your kind," (as we see Warren say almost under his breath with a slightly confused look on his face), "Your kind.," (as then War continues on his rant, and he's now a little angry), "You hold fast and steady to the foolish thought.the notion.that each and every life in this pitiful world is fighting for.worth dying for.," (then Betsy breaks in with a very angry look on her face as she then says as she assumes a very aggressive stance), "Bloody right you are there."



"Fools.you are all fools.like lambs to the slaughter.only the strong, the worthy have the right to live on and survive, only their lives are worth fighting for, the rest are to be culled like shafts of wheat in front of the thresher," (War says with a very determined but annoyed look on his face as he then takes a step or two in Warren and Betsy's direction as from behind him we then see Erica mumble), "Nnh.." "Then we are at an impasse, one that I feel further words will do little to clear up," (Betsy says with a ready for battle look on her face as Warren then steps up beside her and then flutters his wings a bit). "It would be my pleasure to be the one that snuffs out the failure," (War says with a smile on his face as he then changes towards Warren and Betsy and blasts at them as he goes).



(Then we see Warren and Betsy dive out of the way as Betsy rolls away and Warren uses his wings to get out of the way). (Then we see Warren grab a trash can and then hurl it at War, who easily just knocks it out of the way). (Then we see War turn to Betsy and then reach out and blast at her but Betsy jumps up and uses his arm as a springboard as she then kicks War in the nose). (Then we see War recover pretty quickly and then turn and backhand Betsy up against a wall). (Then we see Warren jump on War and get him in a headlock from behind as we then see War start to stumble all around and crash into walls and racks of clay jars and pots that are drying, as he tries to get Warren off, before they then go crashing into a large group of racks of drying pots and jars and are soon lost in all the dust and falling jars and pots).



(Then we see Betsy pick herself up and we see that her left shoulder is really bothering her). (Then we see Betsy pick her way through the rubble as Warren and War are fighting as Warren is trying to keep War down). (Then we see War yell angrily at Warren as he kicks him off and up into the air), "Get off me you fool!" (Then we see Warren fall back down and then crash through a table as he grunts in pain). (Then we see Betsy try to move her left arm but then stop and grimace in pain and grit her teeth as she almost drops to a knee as War gets to his feet and then laughs at her).



(Then we see War power up and prepare to blast at Betsy but behind him we see a weakened, bloodied, and disoriented Erica lift a hand up and we then see an orange aura form around her hand and then we see War blast full force at Betsy but she drops out of the way and the blast then goes out through the shattered window and then hits a broken down gas truck and it all explodes in a big fireball that causes a nearby building to collapse).



[A short distance away]

(We do a wide aerial shot of the downtown district as then we see the explosion and the building fall and then the resulting smoke plume rise up that makes Sam and Siryn, who both are hovering in the air and looking the opposite way, turn around with shocked and confused looks on their faces). "What the," (Sam says as he then shares an odd look with Siryn as then he and Siryn both then fly off and head towards the site of the explosion). (Then we see Sam and Siryn come over and land just as Warren then gets thrown back out of the broken window and he then lands up against a fire hydrant).



(Then we see Siryn yell), "Warren," (as we then see Sam and Siryn run up to Warren as then we see War walk out of the store and he's holding Betsy by her injured shoulder as Betsy is gritting her teeth in pain and trying to break War's grip). (Then we see War laugh and then say with an arrogant smile on his face), "Ah good I'm glad you're here.it saves me the trouble of tracking you down before I kill you." "Like to see ya try," (Sam says with a very determined look on his face as he clenches his fists and then powers up). (Then we see Siryn look around and say), "I think he's already done pretty well for himself."



(Then we see Sam blast from his hands towards War, who tries to then put Betsy in the path of Sam's attack but she then growls angrily and kicks War hard in the crotch that makes him drop her, unfortunately he drops her on her injured shoulder and she yells in pain as Sam's blast hits War directly in the chest and it sends him flying back into the building through the shattered window and then there's a big crash). (Then we see Sam help Warren up slowly and Siryn goes to Betsy and then kneels down beside her).



(Then we see someone say from off panel that makes Warren turn around), "Hey.lover boy," (before we then see a big rocky fist come in and then punch Warren in the chest as we see sound of bones breaking as Warren then drops to his knees and coughs out some blood as he then puts a hand out to support himself). (Then we see a panel of Siryn as she looks up angrily and then a panel of Phil, Sarah, and Marc standing side by side with Sarah in the middle as Phil says), "Miss us?" (Then we see Marc say with a sinister smile on his face), "You left before we could be properly introduced.and I hat it when that happens."



(Then we see Siryn scowl and then turn to help Betsy up but Betsy angrily waves her off and then says as she grits her teeth and then stands up), "I can do it on my own, you take care of yourself!" (Then we see the ground begin to shake and then the team falls down and they get bounced around as then Phil steps up and catches Sam off guard as a fire geyser then erupts right under him and knocks him violently up into the air as Sam just barely gets his blast shield up in time). [The ground erupts underneath him and red hot lava slams into him just as he brings up his blast shield to protect himself]. (Then we see Siryn launch herself into the air and then hit Marc full force with a powerful sonic scream that buckles the ground underneath him that makes him drop to a knee).



(Then we see Siryn get blasted out of the sky by a jet of water that slams her into a nearby wall). (Then we see Sarah start to slowly walk towards the wall as she keeps her water jets pinning Siryn, who's struggling to breathe, to the wall as she then says), "What's wrong red.cat got your tongue," (with a smile on her face). (Then we see Sarah laugh sinisterly and then push the water blasts harder and then in the next panel we see Sarah smile before off to the side and a bit behind her we see Warren grit his teeth as he's obviously in a lot of pain, and he looks towards Siryn with a very concerned and worried look on his face, as he then lurches back to his feet and then staggers forward and swings a wing out that catches Sarah by surprise, even though Marc yells for her to watch out, as he hits her in the side just below her arm that sends her flying into a big pile of trash cans as she yells out in both pain and shock).



(Then we see Siryn drop to the ground and then choke and cough as she's short of breath as she then tries to stagger up to her feet). (Then we see Betsy look down and then notice Siryn's com-link lying on the ground nearby as she then stumbles over and then picks it up and then slumps down behind a big piece of debris). (Then we see her put the com-link on and then say with a pained look on her face), "James.Tabitha.come in." (We then cut to a few panels of the inside of the X-jet as Sean is still out cold and Warpath is sitting beside him and watching him like a hawk with his arms crossed and Tabitha is sitting in one of the front chairs and she's spinning around slowly).

(Then we see her say with a bored look on her face), "This is so boring, what's taking them so long.and while they're out there having fun we're stuck here with sleeping beauty." (Then we see Warpath roll his eyes, sigh, and then shake his head as he starts to then say), "Tabitha.wait, what's that?" (Then we see Tabitha, as she has her back to the front console, frown as we then see words coming out of the front console), "James.Tabitha.come in.do you hear me?"



(Then we see Tabitha's eyes grow wide as she then gasps and spins quickly around in her chair and then presses a couple of buttons as we also see Warpath leaning on the back of Tabitha's chair as Warpath then says), "Psylocke.come in.we hear you.we hear you.repeat your last transmission.please.what's going on?" (Then we see a panel of Warpath and Tabitha as they sit, wait, and hope that Betsy contacts them again). (Then we do a quick panel as Warpath and Tabitha start to get a response before we cut back to the location of the fight as we see Marc standing overtop of Warren as he has a foot on Warren's back and he's pushing him down as we then see Siryn and Sarah fighting hand to hand and calling each other all kinds of names as then we see Sam flying around as Phil is shooting up geysers of red hot lava at him).



(Then we see a panel of the inside of the store as Erica is picking herself up off of the floor and when she then gets back to her feet she gets visibly queasy and she then almost passes out). (Then we see her bend over a bit and lean heavily up against a nearby wall). (Then we see Erica compose herself and stagger back to the shattered window before we then see a loud sound coming from behind her as she then gasps and drops to the ground just as one of War's blasts his the wall just where she was standing and just above her and then explodes into a shower of dust and rock that flies everywhere). (Then we see a very angry War come charging up towards Erica as he prepares to jump onto her and crush her).



(But then as he gets near we see Betsy spin around from around the corner and then activate her psysword and then angrily spear War through the chest with it). (Then we see a big panel of Betsy and War as War rears back in pain and shock as the effects of Betsy's psysword are being fully realized). (Then we see War take a few staggered steps back before he then drops to his knees and then falls flat on his face and he's out cold). (Then we see Erica sit up and then turn to Betsy with a relieved look on her face and then say), "Hey.thanks Psylocke." (Then we see Betsy, as she dissolves her psysword, turn to Erica with an angry look on her face as she then slumps her shoulders a bit and then says), "Save it for someone who gives a bloody.." (Then we see Erica get angry and then say), "Hey!"

(Then we see a tired and injured Betsy stand up and then turn around with a very worried look on her face as she then says), "Never mind.Warren!" (And then in between Betsy's words we see a growl of pain come from off panel). (Then we see Betsy stagger outside as then we see Warren go flying by Betsy and slam into the wall). (Then we see March charging towards Warren, who's struggling to stand up, as he's coming with the intent on using his shoulder to drive Warren through the wall). (Then we see Betsy turn towards Warren and grit her teeth in pain as she pulls Warren out of the way as they go down in a heap with him falling on top of her as Marc can't stop in time so he goes through the wall as Erica then jumps out of the way).



(Then we move to Siryn and Sarah as Siryn has a bruise on her cheek and Sarah has a black eye and split lip). (Then we see Sarah say with a sinister sneer on her face), "Why don't you X-men just give up.you can't win." "Says the woman with a face that looks like the bum of a forty year old overweight truck driver," (Siryn says with a mocking smile and a laugh as then Sarah gets mad and then lunges at Siryn and tries to wrap her hands around Siryn's throat and Siryn grabs Sarah's wrists and they then struggle).



(Then we see a lava geyser erupt near them that knocks them both off of their feet as then Sarah rolls over and then yells angrily with a furious look on her face), "You.you idiot.what the hell do you think you're doing.you almost hit me!" (Then we see Phil get angry and then start to say something but get blasted in the face by Sam that makes him stagger back a few steps). (Then we see Marc recover from going through the wall and he then sees Siryn as she staggering to her feet). (Then we see him smirk sinisterly and then rear back and prepare to punch the ground and open up a fissure).



(But then we see someone say from above and off panel), "On no you don't!" (Then we see Marc stop and then look up a bit with a slightly confused look on his face as then we see a panel of Warpath as he then come flying down and hits Marc and then the two of them go flying through many building walls as Warpath is driving them through). (Then we see everyone look up and then we see an upward looking panel of the X-jet, with the door open, hovering in the air with someone kneeling in the doorway). (Then we see both Sarah and Phil look up and then start to access their powers but then we see Siryn scowl and then land a punch on Sarah's stomach and then one that hits her in the jaw and sends her staggering into an alley and both Sam and Tabitha yell in unison as they blast Phil off of his feet and crashing into a building), "No!"



(Then we see War start to come around and he sees that he's alone and he then says), "You win this round failure.savor it.for it will be your last," (as he then teleports away that makes Betsy angrily say), "Bloody hell," (as she and Warren stand up before she then painfully leans into him with her head on his chest, and Warren has a pained look on his own face). (Then we see the X-jet come down and then land in the street as Tabitha then says with a scowl), "Everybody okay?"-END