UNCANNY X-MEN MINI-DOING TIME. BY: LoganAlpha30

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

+ The Next Morning + + 8:30 A. M. +

[Parlau Pau Maximum Security Prison]. [Special Underground Containment Facility]. [The permanent home of the lucky few prisoners that possess the X-gene making them mutants]. [Forcing their jailers to separate them from the general population, mostly for their own protection]. (We open with panels of Warren and Betsy, both wearing professional business suits and both have nice hair as Betsy has her hair up in a bun with dark blue sticks through the bun holding it in and she and Warren are also wearing glasses). (Then we see that Warren and Betsy have visitor badges clipped onto their suits and Warren is looking around nervously as they're led through many sets of security doors).



(Then we see them walk by some cells with prisoners in them and they start yelling catcalls at Betsy and some even lean down to leer at her legs, as her skirt only goes down to just above her knees, and one makes kissy faces). (Then we see that in a close up panel before we then see Warren angrily stomp his foot that makes the prisoner jerk back quickly and glare up at Warren). (Then we see Betsy reach over and grab Warren's arm and then pull him away). (Then we see Warren and Betsy get led to a door with a sign on it that states that the mutant prisoners are all downstairs). (Then we see the guard that's escorting them get a call on his walkie talkie as he turns to Warren and says with a fake smile), "Sorry about this, but there's some trouble in another cell block.just wait here.this shouldn't take to long."



(Then we see the guard leave and Warren and Betsy watch him go as Warren then says with a calm look on his face as behind him we see Betsy turn back to the door and she's using Warren as a shield), "You ready?" (Then we see Betsy nod her head and smile a bit and say as she reaches into an interior pocket of her coat and pulls out what looks like a soft glass case), "I'm always ready dear, you should know that by now." (Then we see Warren sigh and roll his eyes as he then says), "I do Betts, but what we're doing is slightly illegal, and I'm not in the mood to book a stay here." (Then we see Betsy pull a few metal instruments out of the case and she then sets about picking the lock as she says), "Don't worry so much Warren, I'm a pro at this." (Then we see Betsy succeed and the door unlocks and she pulls it open with a smile on her face as she then puts the lock picking instruments back into their case and then back into its pocket in her coat).



(Then we see Warren and Betsy slip through the open door and shut it behind them). (Then we see Warren and Betsy slowly walk through a darkened hallway and down the stairs before they then get to a desk with a clipboard on it and a few filing cabinets beside it). (Then we see Betsy look over at Warren and sigh as she says), "Love the décor." (Then we see Warren turn back to her and says with a frown on his face), "Next time we're here you can spruce up the place all you want, but we have a job to do, we have to find the wind elemental." (Then we see Warren walk over and open one of the filing cabinets and begin to look through the files as Betsy starts to go through the desk before she then gets to the clipboard and then we see her run her finger down the list). (Then we see a close up of the list as we see Betsy's finger going down the list of names and their prison cell numbers as amongst the names would be different real people's names as we see Betsy say from off panel), "I found it.he's in cell A2."



(Then we see a panel of Betsy looking back at Warren with her finger still on the list, and she's looking over her shoulder, and Warren is also looking back over his shoulder and he has a file halfway out of the drawer). "Good.let's go," (Warren says with a slightly worried look on his face as he drops the file back into the drawer as Betsy then turns and starts off towards the cell block). (Then we see Betsy get to a door that has an electronic lock on it and she frowns). (Then we see Warren walk up to Betsy's side and he then looks at the lock with a thoughtful look on his face). (Then we see Warren look at Betsy and then pull a small calculator like device out of the breast pocket of his coat). (Then we see him place the device on an open part of the doors electronic lock and he then punches up a few buttons and then he stands back and puts his hands into his pockets and the tails of his coat are pushed back behind his pockets).



(Then we see Betsy look at him with a concerned look on her face as she starts to say something but Warren interrupts her as he says), "It just takes a few seconds for it to work its magic.and then we're in like Flynn." (Then we see Betsy cross her arms and look back and forth between the device and Warren with a slightly worried look on her face). (Then we see her say), "How about you just let me slip in and get the information we need.you know without all of the bloody drama of good cop bad cop.unless of course I get to play the bad cop," (with at first a slightly angry look on her face before she ends up with a raised eyebrow and a hopeful smile on her face).



"It's true, you are good at playing the role of the bad cop.but I have a feeling that he'll be more than willing to help us after what's happened to Sarah and Marc," (Warren says at first with a half smile on his face before his face then grows grim and Betsy nods in agreement). (Then we see the little calculator like device beep a few times and then the door unlatches and pops open a bit and then Warren pulls the door fully open and grabs the device as Betsy goes in first, but Warren leaves the door slightly ajar). (Then we see a panel or two of Warren and Betsy as they slowly begin to walk down the corridor and look at the numbers on the various doors until Betsy then finds the right door and turns to Warren and then says with a slight smirk on her face), "Hey over here, I found it."



(Then we see Warren walk over and put the calculator like device onto the lock and then punch in a few more buttons). (Then we see Warren and Betsy looking around as Betsy then slides a long knife out and the light hits it and reflects up against the wall). (Then we see Warren cock an eyebrow and look at Betsy with a concerned look on his face and say), "I'd love to know where you had that thing stashed all this time.and what exactly you're planning to do with it?" "If we make it our of here I'll tell you, but this is just a little bit of added insurance that he'll talk to us," (Betsy says with a smile and a small snicker before the calculator like device beeps a bit and the door then pops open slightly).



(Then we see Warren pull the door open and then grab the calculator like device as he walks into the room with Betsy close behind and she leaves the door slightly open). (Then we see a panel of Sean sitting in the middle of a big room with only one light in the room and Sean is in what looks like a suped up straight jacket and he has a collar on that has a red square that's blinking on and off and he has his head bowed and is asleep as he's snoring lightly). (Then we see Betsy and Warren walk up to Sean as Betsy then kneels down beside him and looks at Sean with a slightly annoyed look on her face as she then says), "Great.we go through all that and here he is off in dreamland."



(Then we see Warren sigh as he squats down beside Betsy and then says with a hurried look on his face), "Well we can't win all the time." (Then we see Warren grimace and then begin to lightly slap Sean around until he then groggily wakes up and all the while Betsy is looking at Warren with a cross between a confused and shocked look on her face). "Hey.c'mon...wake up, we need to talk," (Betsy says with a slightly angry look on her face before we then see Sean blink a couple of times and say with a sleepy look on his face), "Wha.huh.who?" (Then we see Betsy turn to Warren and say with a smile on her face), "Quite the conversationalist isn't he." (Then we see Warren shake his head a bit and then say), "Hey.we need your help.your friends are in trouble.Marc's dead and Sarah.." (And then at the mention of Sarah's name Sean jerks his head up with an alarmed look on his face as he then says), "Wait.Sarah.what?"



"That sure got his attention," (We see Betsy say as she sighs, stands up, and then takes a step back out of the halo of light as then we see Sean looking around with a scared and worried look on his face). (Then we see Warren then reach up and grab Sean by the jaw so that he can look him in the eye before Warren then says), "Now listen to me closely because I'm only going to say this once.we know all about your deal with War and Death, now War killed Marc because he doubted them and Sarah is safe with us.recovering from Death's assault, so I hope that I only have to ask you once where Death and War and the warriors of the Crimson Dawn are based." (Then we see Sean squint his eyes a bit and glare at Warren before he then says), "No.you.you're wrong.that's a lie.War and Death would never do that, we are allies, they.."



"Are you truly that bloody gullible, those two will do anything that their lord and master Apocalypse tells them to do, so them killing someone is far from out of the question," (Betsy then says with an annoyed look on her face as she also crosses her arms and leans up against the wall). (Then we see Sean glare and squint over at Betsy as he then says), "They wouldn't kill Sarah, they promised." "You really are thick headed aren't you, Sarah now looks like a human punching bag.is any of this.any of this getting through," (Warren says with an annoyed look on his face as he shakes his head before he then stands up and steps back out of the halo of light as beside him Betsy flashes the knife). (Then we see Sean eye the flash of the knife with a worried and scared look on his face before he then says), "Wha.what's that for?"



(Then we see Betsy say with a smile on her face as she slightly leans into the halo of light and points the point of the knife at Sean), "I brought this along in case you decided to be stubborn." (Then we Betsy step closer and put the point of the knife mere millimeters away from Sean's eye as we see first a panel of Sean putting his head back with a very scared look on his face and Betsy has a smile on her face and then in the next panel we see a close up side view and then head on view of Sean's eye with the point of the knife almost touching it as Betsy then says from off panel), "Now this is how we're going to play this, Warren is going to ask you again where Death and War are based along with the crimson dawn warriors, and you're going to be a good little boy and answer him so he doesn't have to ask again, and you know what I'll do if you lie to him or keep playing dumb.right?"



(Then we see Sean swallow hard and say), "Oh.okay, I'll tell you.I'll tell you." "Good," (We then see Betsy say as she smiles and pulls the knife back and then turns to Warren and says with a smile on her face as she brushes up against him), "He's all yours luv." "Thank you dear," (Warren says with a slight nod of his head before he then steps up to Sean and puts his hands on the armrests of the chair and he almost goes nose to nose with Sean as he then says with a very serious scowl on his face), "Okay so let's try this again, where are they based.where are they.tell me!" "Easy Warren," (Betsy says with a slightly shocked and surprised look on her face and also with a hand on Warren's shoulder). (Then we see Sean say with a slightly defeated look on his face and his shoulders slumped), "They're based out near the beach, under Pala Pan, the entrance is invisible to the naked eye, it's a hologram covering two large blast door, to find the entrance you have to look for a holographic variance of point seven six four."



"That all, you're sure you're not leaving anything out.forgetting to tell us a little something, that only a few important people would know," (Betsy says with a not completely happy or convinced look on her face as she re- sheathes her knife). (Then we see Sean shake his head and say), "No.I'm telling you everything, I'm not lying to you." (Then we see Betsy and Warren exchange a glance before we then see Betsy cock an eyebrow and tilt her head to one side with a look on her face as if she's silently asking Warren if he's satisfied with Sean's answer). (Then we see Warren sight, and shake his head to indicate that he's satisfied). [They share a quick look]. [And although it only lasts for a brief instance it is all they need to convey their shared thoughts and feelings on the matter at hand]. (Then we see Betsy start to walk past Sean towards the door but Sean then looks up at her with a worried and exasperated look on his face as he says pleading with Warren and Betsy), "Hey.where are you going, you can't leave me here, Sarah's in trouble and I have to help her.I have to.please take me with you."



(Then we see Warren shake his head and start to say something but Betsy quickly steps back behind Sean, activates her psyknife, and then sticks it through Sean's head as he opens his mouth wide as if to scream, and throughout all that all Warren can get out is), "I'm sorry but.Betts what are you.no not like.that," (and as he finishes he sighs and then bows his head). (Then we see Sean slump forward in the chair as Betsy deactivates her psyknife and then follows Warren out of the room as Warren then says with a concerned look on his face), "Was that completely necessary Betts?" "Probably not, but he was getting on my nerves," (Betsy says with a small sigh and shrug of her shoulders as Warren pushes the door shut and then says as he then starts off towards the next door), "Remind me to stay on your good side."



(Then we see Warren and Betsy rush back through the other door and Betsy gets to the stairs as Warren pushes the door shut). (Then we see Warren say to Betsy with a nervous look on his face), "Anything," (as he then leads her up the stairs). "Nothing," (Betsy says with a nervous look on her face before they slip through the first door they went through as suddenly we see that there is a great commotion in the prison as both prisoners and guards are shouting and also running around, but the prisoners are doing it in their cells). "We're in trouble, we can't just slip out of here now," (Betsy says with a worried scowl on her face). (Then we see Warren say with a smile on her face as he pulls a watch-like device out of his pocket and he then hands it to Betsy), "Not like this we can't.here." "An image inducer, Warren what," (Betsy says with a confused look on her face as she takes the device and starts to put it on as Warren says with a very nervous look on his face), "Just put it on Betts, trust me.please."



"Fine, but only because you asked so nicely," (Betsy says with a pout on her face as she looks down at the image inducer and then back up at Warren). "Let's go," (Warren says with a small smile on his face as then he and Betsy activate their image inducers as they change to look like just a couple of prison guards). (Then we see Warren and Betsy take off through the prison as they follow a couple of other guards then through a door that has a sign above it that says that the door leads to the courtyard). (Then we see a panel of Warren and Betsy as they burst out into the courtyard as we see that there's a big fight going on between a large group of prisoners and the guards are struggling to regain control of the situation).



(Then we see a few of the prisoners turn and start to attack Warren and Betsy, who then unlike the other guards more than hold their own in the fight, and in fact they force the prisoners to go on the defensive). (Then we see Betsy say with a smile as she knocks a tooth out of an ugly prisoner's mouth), "This is too easy, what I wouldn't give for.." "Don't get cocky, we're not our of here yet," (Warren says with a grim look on his face as he blocks a punch and then grabs the guy and throws him over his shoulder and down onto a prisoner that's unconscious on the ground). [And just when things are starting to go well]. (We then see a panel of Betsy putting her left arm up to block a punch but the guy has a ring on and he gets a lucky shot in and he hits the image inducer as we suddenly see Betsy again). (Then we see the prisoners and a few guards look at Betsy with shocked and surprised looks on their faces).



(Then we see Warren yell), "Betsy," (as three prisoners then tackle Warren). (Then we see Betsy turn to go and help Warren but she gets knocked to the ground and then a prisoner rears back to then hit her with a crowbar). (Then we see a close up panel of Betsy's face as she has her eyes big in alarm before we then see another small panel of her ass he has an angry look on her face). (Then we see Betsy reach back and grab one of the two sticks out of her hair and she then angrily drives the stick into the prisoner's thigh, making him howl in pain and then drop the crowbar before he then bends down a bit to try and take the stick out of his leg as Betsy takes the opportunity to rear back and kick the guy in the jaw that knocks the prisoner out). (Then we see her grab her other stick and then leap back to her feet).



(Then we see her leap to Warren's defense and her first leap knocks one of the guys off of Warren). (Then we see the guy that Betsy knocked off Warren push her off of him and then tri to get back to his feet as nearby we see the prisoner's knock Warren's image inducer offline and he then turns back to blue and we then see his wings pop out, as his coat is ripped off of him, and a couple of the guys that initially tackled him stumble back off with shocked gasps). (Then we see Warren stagger back to his feet and say with a tired look on his face), "What's wrong, you look like you've never seen a mutant with wings before." (Then we see Warren use his wings to push both the prisoners and the guards away as Betsy then psyknife's a guy from behind as he gawks at Warren's show of force).



(Then we see the prisoners turn towards Warren and Betsy and then start to advance towards them with anti-mutant sentiments being expressed and their weapons drawn and ready to use). (Then we see doors open and heavily armed guards rush out and start to round up the prisoners but a group of armed guards turn towards Warren and Betsy as Betsy then deactivates her psyknife and steps over so that she's beside Warren). (Then we see one of the higher level guards say as then the lower guards drop to a knee and then point their guns at Warren and Betsy), "Halt.identify yourselves!" (Then we see a couple of small panels of Warren and Betsy's faces as they're both of shock and uncertainty). (Then we see a big panel of both Warren and Betsy in the middle of the panel and they're surrounded on all sides by guards with guns and still angry prisoners as Betsy then says in a closer up panel of just Warren and Betsy as they're still looking around), "Bloody hell."



(Then as we see the sound of a gun being cocked in preparation of firing we see Warren say with a nervous look on his face), "I'd say that's our cue to leave Betts." (Then we see a panel that shows the circle around Warren and Betsy growing ever smaller before Warren looks over at Betsy with a small nod of his head before she then leaps up into his arms and says with a sexy smile on her face), "See ya around boys," (also with a wink). (Then we see Warren scowl and squint his eyes before he then flexes his wings a bit and then launches himself and Betsy up into the air and says as he goes up) "I'd like to say that it's been fun.but then I'd be lying." (Then we see a panel of Warren, carrying Betsy, flying up towards us and he's coming out of the panel). (Then we pull away in a series of panels that show Warren flying away from the prison as the guards open fire a bit before their superiors bring that to a halt as they just stare upwards and watch Warren and Betsy fly away).



[Elsewhere]

(We start off with a panel of Sarah in her hospital bed and she's asleep, and near her we see Sam sitting in a chair and he's asleep also). (Then we see the door to the hospital room open a bit and a line of light shine in). (Then we see Tabitha slip into the room and she has a steaming hot cup of coffee in one hand and she looks tired). (Then we see Tabitha walk over and set the cup of coffee down on a table that's next to the chair that Sam is in and she then turns to Sam and smiles as she says with a hand on Sam's shoulder), "Hey Sammy, time to wake up." (Then we see Sam move a bit but he doesn't wake up and he mumbles something as Tabitha then smiles and laughs a bit before she squats down and takes Sam's hand in her one hand and with her other hand she reaches up and softly brushes the back of her hand against his cheek).



(Then we see Sam start to stir and then slowly wake up and then smile big and then say), "Ah.hey there beautiful." "Hey there yourself Mason- Dixon.don't ya think it's about time you got up so that you could spend some quality time with your fiancé before you go out into the big cruel world to look for the bad guys," (Tabitha says with a loving smile on her face before she then stands up and kisses Sam). "Well since ya put it that way," (Sam says with a big smile on his face as he then pulls Tabitha up against him and then wraps an arm around her and then kisses her). (Then we see a couple of panels of Sam and Tabitha as they're kissing and they're getting deeper and deeper into it). (Then we see a panel where they stop kissing and take a breath and are about to kiss again but stop abruptly when someone says from off panel), "You two wanna get a room?"



(Then we see Sam and Tabitha blush with embarrassed looks on their faces before Tabitha then drops her forehead to Sam's chest as then we see a panel of Sarah sitting up in bed with a sad look on her face). (Then we see Sam sigh and say with a repentant look on his face), "Sorry Sarah, we didn't mean to.." "Yeah, guess we kinda just got caught up in it all.although it's not our fault that," (Tabitha says at first as she's sorry to right along with Sam before she frowns as she says the last part before Sam interrupts her as he then says with a scolding but sensitive look on his face), "Tabitha." (Then we see Tabitha look back and forth between Sam and Sarah with a somewhat hurt look on her face as she says), "What?" (Then we see Sarah drop her head and then shake it and says also with her shoulders slumped), "Look.I know.that you two weren't trying to hurt me.but I'm not in the mood for company, so if you don't mind I'd like to be alone."



"No can do mam, ah'm under strict orders to make sure that you are protected from any and all threats, so that's why Tabitha's staying her with you whiles the rest of us try and track down the ba.that did.that hurt you, hopefully Warren and Elisabeth have found something," (Sam says with a stern but soft look on his face as Tabitha then looks at him with a fake pout on her face as she stands up and then hands Sam the cup of coffee). "I don't need a bodyguard.or a buddy, I'll be fine so you really don't have to stay here with me," (Sarah says with a small smile on her face as she runs a hand through her hair). "Well I wish that it mattered what you thought, because I have plenty of better things to do, but it really doesn't matter.it's out of my hands," (Tabitha says with a reluctant sigh as she then crosses her arms and then leans her back up against the wall). (Then we see Sarah shrug her shoulders and then say before lying back down and pulling the blanket back over her), "Fine.you two can do whatever the hell you want, but I'm going back to sleep." (Then we see Sam stand up and shake his head before he and Tabitha then leave the room).



[Outside]

(We see Erica sitting on a park bench under a tree in a park that's situated directly across the street from the hospital). (We see that she's then lying on her back with her hands behind her head and her eyes are closed as she looks like she's sleeping). (Then we see her think with a frown on her face), What have I gotten myself into, sure it's great to finally be somewhere that I don't have to hide my powers.have friends that really understand me, or at least as much of me that I've let them see, (and she then continues), But I'm hiding so much from them, and they've told and taught me so much that they don't deserve how I've treated them. (Then we see Erica open her eyes, frown sadly, and then sit up and look around).



(Then we see a couple walk by and they're carrying two young and smiling children, and they're in the foreground and we see a sad Erica in the background and then in a short series of panels we see her just sit there and watch as that quartet walks away as she then begins to get more and more sad looks on her face and the tears begin to come). (Then we see Erica get overwhelmed by her emotions and she then hangs her head and then tears really start to come). [The memories come flooding back to her like a tidal wave, images of another time.another place, a happier place]. [But scattered in amongst the good memories are the few obligatory bad apples]. [And it is these bad apples that tear at her very heart and soul]. [Using the poignancy of those times to pull her deeper and deeper into despair]. [Until.]. (We first see a few panels of Erica when she was young and her family was still alive, then we see a panel of Erica kissing a guy and then one of her holding a small baby).



(Then we see a few panels of all of the bad times from her past, including one of her fighting angrily with her parents, one of her watching the guy that she was kissing earlier kissing another woman, then one of Erica holding that same baby and crying as the baby is also crying and she's trying to calm the baby down). (Then we see a few panels of Erica on her knees in her room and she's painfully clutching her head and screaming as her frightened parents are trying to help her but then there's small fires all throughout her room suddenly). (Then we see that the house is now being engulfed in flames and her family tries to get out but the fire is stopping them as then we see Erica hear their screams and she's scared out of her mind until her eyes grow really big and she lurches to her feet and runs towards a room in which through the open door we see a baby crying in a basinet).



(Then we see Erica just about reach the door and a wall of flame erupts in front of her and it forces her back as she screams in agony and sadness as she then drops to the floor and curls up into the fetal position and cries until she passes out). (Then in the final bad panel we see her standing alone in the rain in front of her family's and sons graves and she's crying heavily and completely soaked). (Then in the next panel we see Erica crying on the bench with her head in her hands and then a big hand on her shoulder as someone says from off panel), "A lady as pretty as you shouldn't be crying like this." (Then we see Erica jump a bit and then look up and back a bit over her shoulder as she says with then tears streaming down her face), "Huh.James.oh hi." (Then we see Warpath, with his shoulders slumped a bit and a somber look on his face, looking down at her as he then says), "You don't look so good ya know, wanna talk about it?"



"No," (Erica then says with a sad look on her face as she hangs her head a bit and looks away while wiping a tear away). "Ye know as crazy as it sounds it actually does help to talk about it, whatever it may be," (We then see Siryn say as she steps out from behind Warpath, with a sad but serious look on her face, and then leans up against Warpath as she looks over at Erica). (Then we see a close up panel of Erica's face in her hands as she is looking back at Siryn and Warpath through the opening between her head and her thumb and she then says through the tears and with a sarcastic smile on her face), "What is this.you two tag teaming me?"



(Then we see Siryn and Warpath sigh and give each other a calming look before we see Siryn walk over and sit down on one side of Erica as Siryn says), "Aye, I guess you could say we are, but in cases like this it's better if there are two people to talk to," (an Erica then says as she slightly lifts her head up and looks over at Siryn), "Oh.and why is that," (and Warpath says as he's sitting down on the other side of Erica, and this whole short conversation is in two big panels), "Because this way it's harder for you to skip out on us without telling us what's bothering you." (Then we see Erica laugh a bit and sniffle as she then says with the fading remnants of a smile on her face), "You two learn that at baldy's school in New York?" "Nah, Terry and I didn't have the pleasure of studying and learning under Xavier at the mansion, we came into the fold by.other avenues," (Warpath says with a small smile and a shrug of his shoulders as he also wrings his hands). "So then where'd you learn all this," (Erica says with a small frown on her face as she seems to be doing a little better).



"Trial and error my friend, trial and error, we've learned over the years that we can give someone an infinite amount of advice, but in the end.," (Warpath says with a sigh as he leans back a bit and pushes a rock around with his foot, and all that he says with a contemplative frown on his face). (Then we see Siryn turn and put an arm around Erica and then say with a somber look on her face), "In the end all ye can do is give them your advice n' insight and then let them make up their own mind, and do their own thing, choose their own path, and we have to respect their choice, whether we agree with it or not." "So then what's your advice for little old me," (Erica says as she swallows hard and wipes away a tear). "We have to know what's got ye so depressed before Jimmy n' I can offer ye any credible advice," (Siryn says with a concerned look on her face as she pats Erica on the back). "You both know that I don't have any family.right," (Erica says with a somber and downcast look on her face as she looks back and forth between Warpath and Siryn).



"Yeah, ye said that they all died in a really bad fire years ago," (Siryn says with an unhappy scowl on her face as she slowly nods her head before she then says), "And you were the only one to make it out." "Yeah.I was, but I didn't tell you the whole story and that wasn't fair, y'see I started the fire.that killed my family," (Erica says with a sad look on her face as she hangs her head and stares at her feet as both Siryn and Warpath look on with shocked looks on their faces). "What.why," (Warpath says with a very confused look on his face as he scratches his head and looks down at Erica). (Then we see Erica seem to shrink a bit before she then looks up and says), "But you don't understand.I didn't want to.it was the first time that my powers.manifested, it was a really bad time in my life and I tried to just roll with the punches.but that didn't last to long and it all just became to overwhelming and.poof.the fires started, and they only kept getting worse."



"My family tried to help me, but there was nothing that they could do.and because they tried to help me they.died.my son.my little baby boy.to," (Erica then says with a very sad look on her face before she then starts to cry again and she reaches a hand up and she takes hold of her locket). "Ye.ye have a son," (Siryn says with a completely shocked and surprised look on her face as she looks first at Erica and then back up at Warpath, who returns the look). "Had a son Theresa.had a son, now all I have left of him are a few fleeting memories and a couple of pictures that somehow miraculously survived the fire.my favorite I keep with me at all times, near my heart," (Erica says with a small smile as she drops her chin down onto her fist that's clenched around the locket). "I don't really know what to say.I'm sorry," (Warpath says with a sad look on his face as he nervously wrings his hands).



"Aye.me to, I," (Siryn says with a sad look on her face as she looks at Erica for a bit before it becomes to much and she looks away and leans forward a bit and supports her elbows and forearms on her knees). "It's alright, it's been a few years.five actually.since then.I'm okay," (Erica mumbles with a look on her face that she's trying to look like she actually believes what she's saying, at least in theory). "Ye're fooling yerself if you actually believe that, ye know that right," (Siryn says with a stern look on her face as she looks back at Erica as Erica then looks about ready to say something but Warpath interrupts her as he says), "There's nothing wrong with trying to put painful moments of your past behind you but.."



"I'm not forgetting about it or fooling myself, I know exactly what happened and I've been living with it ever since," (Erica says with an almost angry scowl on her face before we then see Siryn put her hands up in a mock defensive stance and then say with a slightly taken by surprise look on her face), "Easy there Erica.I'm sure that Jimmy didn' mean anything by it, he knows what it's like to have your entire family die horribly." "What," (Erica says with a surprised look on her face). "Yeah, I used to have a large family but years ago while I was away they were all killed, and now like you I'm alone.," (Warpath says with a sad look on his face as he then looks over and sees the odd look that Siryn is giving him as he then quickly adds with an embarrassed look on his face), " 'cept for Terry of course." "Of course.but y'see you're not alone," (Siryn says at first as she's lightly glaring at Warpath but then she frowns a bit and looks up and follows, with her eyes, a small group of people as they walk by).



"Maybe you should talk about some of this with Psylocke, with all of her telepathic prowess I'll bet that she could really help you," (Warpath then says with a hopeful look on his face as he looks over at Siryn and Erica). "I don't know, I get the feeling that I'm not her favorite person," (Erica says with an unsure look on her face as she looks back and forth between Warpath and Siryn). "I wouldn't worry too much about that Erica, she's hard on everyone," (Siryn says with a small sigh and smile as she slowly nods her head). "I'll think about it," (Erica says with a contemplative look on her face as she then shakes her head).



(Then we pull away and rise up into the air and then we see a couple of panels or so of a small bird flying through the air). [To many a small creature and insect this little bird is a menace, terrorizing their existence from on high]. [Untouchable by their limited defenses.it is the mast of its domain]. [At least it was the master of its domain.until today]. (Then we see a few panels that are at first close ups of the birds eye as we see a large blurred image in the reflection before we then pull away till we see the bird and an area right around it as a large shadow comes up on it and the shadow ends up scaring the bird as someone yells at it from off panel), "Look out little birdie!" "Betts.," (We see someone say from off panel as then we see a panel of Warren hovering in midair and he's carrying Betsy and the little bird is frantically flying away and Warren's looking over at Betsy with a sarcastic look on his face).



"Hey, cut me some bloody slack Warren, you told me that you couldn't fly for a few days, and then back there in the prison you make like Peter Pan, what happened," (Betsy says with a slightly angry look on her face). (Then we see Warren lower his gaze and sigh and then say), "Sorry about that Betts, I was planning on walking right back out of the prison through the front gate, but I had to improvise.and my wing healed faster that I thought it would." "You could have told me.it would have been nice if you had," (Betsy says with a smirk on her face). (Then we see a few panels of Warren flying through the air with the sun in the background and Betsy is looking around as she then points to a hilltop as Warren then flies over and lands on the hilltop as Warren says as he's landing), "Okay.I get it, next time I'll tell you."



"See that you do," (Betsy says as she takes a couple of steps away from Warren as behind her we see Warren taking a set of small digital binoculars out of his pants pocket). (Then we see panels of Warren and Betsy as he's looking around through the binoculars and he's scanning the horizon as Betsy then says with a tired look on her face), "Did you make sure to tell the others what they had to do today?" "Of course Betts," (We see Warren says as he's looking through the binoculars). (Then we see Betsy say as she steps up beside Warren), "So how do you want to do this, send Sam and James to check out Pala Pan's west side and Theresa and Tabitha to check out Pala Pan's east side?" "I'm not sure, can we really trust Tabitha to get that close to the ocean and a nice beach and resist the temptation to take a dip or catch a few rays," (Warren says with a questioning and unsure look on his face as he looks over at Betsy).



(Then we see Betsy say with a contemplative frown on her face), "You're right.that would be a bad idea.that is unless.." "Unless.unless what," (Warren says with a slightly confused look on his face as he then looks back through the binoculars). "Unless we have Sam accompany Tabitha on her search, for some reason he seems to be the only one that's able to keep her on task, when they're together she actually works," (Betsy says with a slightly shocked but then oddly sure of what she's saying look on her face). "He does seem to have that ability doesn't he.probably because she's trying to impress him," (Warren says as he's contemplating what to do). "He does indeed, but now we do have other pressing matters that necessitate a response from us," (Betsy says with an overworked look on her face as she has her arms crossed and then in the next panel we see a panel of Warren and Betsy just standing on the hilltop and they're looking around and the wind is blowing Betsy's hair around as Warren then says while still looking through the binoculars), "Oh.don't tell me that we have another problem."



"I don't know if I'd say that, you know as well as I do that Forge isn't going to sit idly by in a hospital bed while we check out War and Death's hideout.what with all the advance technology that Apocalypse no doubt outfitted them with.and unless you gave her some of those bloody fast healing genes of yours Erica will be of absolutely no help to us in this endeavor," (Betsy says with a less than thrilled look on her face as she then walks over towards Warren and then lays a hand on his shoulder). "I'd forgotten about Forge, and Erica will probably want to come with us and try and get a little payback.but she's not ready yet," (Warren says with a look of silent agreement on his face as he lowers the binoculars and turns to face Betsy).



"Yeah.so what do we do about Forge, we can't just lock him in his room, he'd make like MacGyver faster than you or I could blink, maybe we should find something for him to do.use it to distract him," (Betsy then says with a thoughtful look on her face as she then leans in and lays her head on her hand as then both Warren and Betsy just look out over the countryside in front of them). (Then we see Warren say with a deep in thought look on his face), "Alright that'll work, but tell me this then.what problem could we possibly come up with that would hold Forge's interest for the amount of time that we'd need, if the U.S. government couldn't find anything.." "Then what chance do we have right, maybe we should just take the easy way out and sedate him with something that'd keep him out of our hair but wouldn't have any negative side effect," (Betsy then says with an unhappy scowl on her face).



"As for Erica I think that she's well enough to guard Sarah, because I doubt that War and Death will go after her with us attacking their headquarters," (Warren says with an almost bored look on his face as he leans his head over and rests it against Betsy's). "Let's just hope that they forget about her until we're all back home in San Francisco and you and I are snuggled up in front of a nice roaring fire.sipping a nice glass of chardonnay, maybe even a little red or white wine if we have time," (Betsy says with a happy smile on her face as she looks up at Warren out of the corner of her eye). "That sounds good to me Betts, Parlau Pau might be a nice place for a vacation but I certainly wouldn't want to live here.." (Then we see a panel in which Betsy nods her head and then we pull away in a short series of panels that include the last panel and it's of that same small bird that's sitting on a tree branch and it's squawking at Betsy and Warren defiantly).



[At That Moment]

(We start off with a panel of Sam as he's standing on top of one of the tall buildings in downtown Parlau Pau). (We see that he's at the edge and he's looking over it with a grim scowl on his face). (He's also wearing his battle suit and a pair of strap on digital shades). (Then we see a side panel of Sam standing there and he's looking around as he then thinks with a scowl on his face), C'mon where are you, you're always acting so tough, beating up on Sarah n' Erica, why don't you ever.wait, what's that? (And as Sam gets to the end of his little thought we see a scream coming from far down below). (Then we see a panel of Sam straining to see what's going on down below as then there's more screaming and car horns and brakes screeching as well as cars crashing into each other and other things).



[In a heartbeat the decision to go is made]. Oh well, (We then see Sam think with a sigh and shrug of his shoulders as he then hops over the edge of the building with the thought of), Well the quickest way down there is straight down.so., (and as he starts to fall in a freefall he thinks with a guilty smirk on his face), Glad Tabitha's not here to seem me do this because she'd kill me is she saw me risking my neck like this. (Then after he's fallen a bit further we see Sam turn on his blast shield and then slow his fall and blast down into a scene of a big and violent multi- car pileup). (Then we see the aftermath of the big pileup as Sam lands on the sidewalk in amongst some frightened people and some debris from the crash). (Then we see someone scream in pain from somewhere off panel that makes Sam snap his head around with a concerned look on his face as he then rushes towards a smashed up car as someone that's hurt badly struggles to push the car door open and then Sam rushes in and catches the injured guy as he passes out and falls down).



(Then we see Sam drag the guy over to the sidewalk and then lay him down and check for a pulse). (Then we see Sam grimace angrily and shake his head before he then looks away sadly). (Then we see Sam stand back up and run back towards the pileup as we see from off panel sirens in the far distance). (Then we see Sam get to a car in which we see smoke coming out from under the hood as the woman inside the car is trying desperately to open her door but the door is all smashed in). (Then we see Sam grab the door handle and try to pull it open and he grimaces as he can't get it open as the woman inside frantically slaps the window with a terrified look on her face). (Then we see the woman yell with a terrified look on her face), "Please.help me!" "Ah'm trying to ma'am, but.the door won't budge.alright that's it.get away from the door," (Sam then says with an ever growing look of frustration on his face before he then gives up trying to pull the door open and takes a step back).



(Then we see a quick panel of the woman look at him fearfully and also with a slightly confused look on her face). (Then we see the woman suddenly seem to understand what Sam is planning to do as her eyes grow wide as we see Sam's reflection in the window as there's a bright glow). (Then we see a side panel of Sam, with his feet set, as he has his fists out in front of him and he's powering up as there's a halo of energy around his fists). (Then we see a panel of Sam as he blasts first the front part of the door and then the back part near the door lock). (Then we see the door shudder and then fall off as then we see through the smoke that the woman in the car is cowering away from Sam). (Then we see Sam step over the door and then reach in and say with a frustrated but helpful look on his face), "Don't worry ma'am, ah'm not going to hurt you.I just had to get the door off."



(Then we see the woman struggle against Sam a bit as he helps her out of the car). "Let go of me," (the woman says with a frightened look on her face as she trips over a part of a smashed up car). (Then we see a panel of Sam going to help the woman up as she slowly backs away from him and Sam doesn't seem to be to happy about how the woman is acting). (Then we see Sam just about get to the woman before we see a couple close up panels of several of the cars leaking fuel). (Then we see Sam start to kneel down next to the woman before we then suddenly see a huge explosion erupt out of the big wreck site and we see Sam try to put up his blast shield but he just starts to get it up as then we see him and the woman get blasted through a light pole and then through a brick wall as they have their hands locked as he pulls her right along with him).



[The rescue attempt goes on well enough.]. [But unbeknownst to Cannonball is the simple but extremely dangerous fact that gasoline has begun leaking in large amounts from the broken fuel tanks from several of the cars]. [And when a single spark drops into that ever increasing pool of gasoline.and it ignites.]. [.In a spectacular explosion that most likely would make the evening news]. [The blast almost catches him completely off guard as he's only able to begin to form his blast shield]. [And although it isn't very strong the blast shield is strong enough to protect himself and the young woman that he is attempting to rescue as they're driving back through anything and everything]. [It isn't very pretty.but they're alive.]. [For now.]. (Then we see a panel of the inside of the building with Sam and the woman on the floor with boards and some bricks on top of them).



(Then we see Sam groan in pain and then try to push himself up as he has a nice sized gash on the left side of his head). (Then we see him grimace in pain as he gets back to his hands and knees and we see that his suit has several cuts in it and there's some blood there). (Then we see Sam look over at the woman in a close up panel of his face as one eye is still shut and because some blood has run into it). (Then we see Sam scowl and crawl over to the woman slowly, after pushing some more bricks off of him, and he then checks for a pulse and is pleased to find one). (Then we see Sam struggle back to his feet by using the wall and he then staggers back to where he and the woman went through the wall). (Then we see Sam look through the hole and he's leaning heavily on the wall as he then says with a pained grimace on his face), "Warren's not going to like this."



[Parlau Pau General Hospital Room 325]

(We open with a panel of Erica, Sarah, and Tabitha sitting in Sarah's hospital room and they're all drinking bottled water). (Then we see that they're watching television but only Erica is truly watching the television as Tabitha is playing with her engagement ring and Sarah is watching Tabitha with her arms crossed and a bored look on her face). (Then we see Erica start to take a drink of water but then her eyes grow wide and she almost chokes on the water as Tabitha and Sarah stare at her with confused looks on their faces as Sarah then says), "Hey.you okay?" (Then we see Erica cough a bit before she then angrily slams the water bottle down onto a nearby table and then glare at Sarah and Tabitha and then stand up and turn up the volume on the television).



(Then we see Erica turn back to Tabitha and say with a slightly angry look on her face), "Tabitha.look.it's Sam!" (Then we see Tabitha start off with a look of disbelief on her face before she looks up at the television screen and she then gasps and her eyes grow wide as she then says), "Oh my.Sam!" [Her heart skips a beat and then races as the images flash on the screen]. (We see a few quick panels of the television screen that shows footage of the crash site, and it's a news program, and then we see a very badly wounded Sam staggering around before paramedics rush to his side and help him limp to a waiting ambulance). (And we see the paramedics wheeling the woman that Sam saved, away to an ambulance, and she's on a stretcher). (Then we see a slight close up on Sam as we then see that he's bleeding).



(Then we cut back to a panel of Erica in the foreground as she has a sad and worried look on her face and then in the background we see Tabitha sniffle and bite her bottom lip and she also has a tear running down her cheek and a very sad and worried look on her face as she then mumbles), "Sam.oh no." "Man.he looks like hell," (We see Sarah say in a panel in which we see a side panel of Tabitha and Erica sadly staring at the screen and Sarah says it from behind them). "Hey," (Tabitha yells with a furious look on her face as she whips her head around and glares at Sarah with tears in her eyes and first fists clenched angrily). (Then we see Sarah lean back a bit and say with a slightly sad but also serious look on her face), "Whoa.sorry, I didn't mean.." (Then we see Tabitha turn back to the television but we see that the news has gone on to the weather).



(Then we see Tabitha get mad and turn out of the room as Erica and Sarah watch her go and then look at each other with concerned looks on their faces). (Then we see Sarah sigh and then say with a slightly sad look on her face), "Shouldn't you go after her.she's not in her right mind." "Like you're onto to be giving advice about that right now," (Erica says with a defensive and slightly vindictive look on her face as she glares at Sarah). (Then we see Sarah say with a hurt look on her face), "Hey!" "Whatever.stay here.I'm going to go and make sure that she doesn't do anything stupid," (Erica says with a frustrated sigh before she turns and walks out of the room and slams the door behind her). (Then we see Sarah say with a sarcastic look on her face and her arms crossed), "Better hurry."



[The Slums]

"Why are we here again," (Warpath says with a slightly confused look on his face as we see he and Siryn walking down the sidewalk as people walk past them but we see those people look fearfully at Warpath and we see some people duck back into the shadows and their homes and shut the doors). "Because more often than not the scum that we fight tend to set up shop in places like this," (Siryn says with a serious look on her face as she pats Warpath on the shoulder). "Great, I took a shower before we left and now I'm going to need to take another one when we get back," (Warpath says with an unhappy look on his face as he shrugs his shoulders). (Then we see Siryn smile sweetly and then turn towards Warpath and say), "Ah to bad for you boyo, but if ye're good then maybe I'll join ye for that shower when we get back." (Then we see Warpath smile back at her before we then see the sounds of gunfire coming from off panel that makes both Warpath and Siryn look up with concerned looks on their faces as Siryn then says), "What's that?"



(Then we see Warpath shake his head and then say with a worried look on his face), "I'm not sure Terry, but whatever it is I doubt it's friendly." (Then we see a panel of a couple of trucks come flying around a corner a few blocks away from Warpath and Siryn and as they come around the corner there are explosions around them and in the backs of the trucks we see many guys with many different types of guns and they all look like ex-military guys). (Then we see Siryn turn and look at Warpath with a concerned scowl on her face as she then says), "I don't like the looks of this, not at all." (Then we see Warpath start to pull Siryn aside and into an alley but then we see those two trucks flying towards them but then a short distance away we see a small boy chase a ball into the street). (Then we see Siryn notice the small boy as she then yells with a scared look on her face), "No.Jimmy wait.look!"



(Then we see a panel in which Warpath and Siryn turn and look at the boy with worried looks on their faces). (Then we do three groups of small panels that go in-between panels of the two trucks accelerating and of the kid as he finally grabs the ball and then notices the two trucks as he gasps and his eyes grow wide as he then yells in fear and the last panels of Warpath and Siryn as they look on in fear). (Then we see Siryn yell with a horrified look on her face), "Jimmy!" (Then we see Warpath grimace in fear and anger as he clenches his fists and he then yells), "No!" [In the blink of an eye they spring into action]. [Siryn unleashes an extremely powerful and carefully directed sonic scream straight into the grill of the lead truck.]. [.leaving the trailing truck still bearing down on the young boy]. [Until it slams into a brick wall]. [A brick wall by the name of James Proudstar].



(We see a panel of Warpath, as he runs towards the boy, and Siryn as she launches herself into the air at Warpath's side). (Then we see a panel of Siryn as she sends a powerful sonic scream that we then see stop the first truck in its tracks as the scream hits the truck in the grill and stops it there as the guys in the back go flying forward). (Then we see the second truck start to go flying by the first truck before then in the next panel we see the small boy cringe in fear and hunker down and look away as then right behind the boy we see Warpath from behind as he has his back to the boy and he's standing in-between the boy and the truck). (Then we see a panel of the truck slamming into Warpath as he's just standing there with a very angry grimace on his face as the guys in the back of the truck go flying out).



(Then we see Warpath turn around slightly and look down at the boy and then say), "You okay down there kiddo?" (Then we see a panel of the small boy looking up at Warpath in awe and then a big smile on his face as he then says), "Wow.you're strong.are you Superman?" (Then we see Warpath turn back to the boy and smile sheepishly as he then says), "What, me.no I'm not Superman.I've got better hair." (Then we see Siryn come down and land next to Warpath and then say with a pensive look on her face), "If the two of you are done comparing beauty tips we do have work to do.ye know." "Real funny Terry," (Warpath says with a small sigh and shrug of his shoulders before he then says as he leans down and picks up the boy), "Here get him to safety while I have a nice little chat with our new friends," (and then hands the little boy to Siryn). (Then we see Siryn roll her eyes and then say), "Fine, I'll put him somewhere safe and then come back to help you."



(Then we see Siryn walk off towards the open door of one of the old buildings and as she passes through the doorway she looks back and then says over her shoulder), "Just don't kill any of them." (Then we see a group of panels that are side by side and on the left side are panels of Warpath and on the right side are panels of Siryn and the boy). (Then we see Warpath say), "Okay guys, we can do this the easy way or the hard way.your choice, but I've gotta tell you that I have plans later so I'm not in a joking mood." (And beside that panel of Warpath we see Siryn walking through a dilapidated old hallway as she's scowling and looking around for a place to put the boy as she says), "Where's a safe place.where?" "You're scared," (The little boy says with a very straight face as Siryn then looks shocked at what he said as she then says), "No I'm not.what makes ye say that?" "You have the same look on your face that my mom does when she gets a bill," (The boy says with a sad look on his face).



(Then we see Siryn set the boy down under a staircase and she then says), "Okay you have to stay here until I come back to get you.okay?" "Okay," (The boy says as he sadly nods his head and then retreats further underneath the staircase). (Back outside we see Warpath go to help one of the guys up as he says), "Here let me help you.whoa!" (Then we see the guy on the ground yell), "Get away from me ya stinkin mutie," (as he rolls over with a lot of cuts and bruises as he then fires his blaster gun upwards at Warpath). (Then we see Warpath back up a step and say with a disappointed look on his face), "So we're going to do this the hard way, I'd really hoped that I wouldn't have to do this but you forced my hand."



(Then we see Warpath sigh and then grab the guys gun and then crush it with his bare hands as the guy yells), "Hey.my gun!" (Then we see Warpath shrug his shoulders and say as he drops the remains of the gun right beside him as we see the gun drop by the guys face in a close up panel). "Is now as useless and broken as you are," (Warpath then says with a big smile on his face). (Then we go back to Siryn as she's running back out of the old building and she thinks with a slightly scared look on her face), What's there to be scared about.the man of my dreams is out there all alone.up against a virtual swat team and all he's got is that charming smile of his. (Then in the next big panel we see Siryn come running out of the old building and down the steps in the background and in the foreground we see Warpath dodging a blast from one of the guns).



(Then in the next panel we first see a close up of a guy that's badly injured as he's bleeding very heavily and he props his gun up on the smashed up truck and he then says with a suicidal grin on his face), "Yeah mutie, just forget about me." (Then we see a panel of that guy aiming in the foreground and in the background we see Warpath with his back to us). (Then we see a few quick panels of what the guy sees through his scope and the crosshairs are being lined up with the back of Warpath's head). (Then we see a panel of Siryn as she notices that the guy is going to shoot Warpath but Warpath doesn't know it as Siryn has a very shocked and worried look on her face as she then thinks), He doesn' see him. (Then we see Siryn yell), "Jimmy.watch out," (as she then sets her feet and blasts the guy that's aiming his gun at Warpath and the force of the blast, which catches the guy by surprise, knocks him up into the air and then he comes down and takes out a couple more of the gun toting guys).



(Then we see Warpath turn slightly and notice what happened and he then says), "Thanks, glad you got my back." "Till the end of me days," (Siryn says with a happy smile on her face as she then picks up a crowbar sized piece of metal and rushes to help Warpath). (Then we see one of the guys turn and look at Siryn and then smile greedily and arrogantly as he says that makes the two other nearby gun toting guys turn around and join in the merriment), "Hey guys, look who decided to show her ugly face again." (Then we see Warpath growl in anger and then take a step towards the three guys before he then says), "Oh you're a regular laugh riot, but here's a little piece of advice for ya, never make fun of a woman when her boyfriend, who just happens to be the size of a house, is standing right behind you.and can do this."



(Then we see the three guys start to turn around but then Warpath scowls in anger and then backhands all three guys into the air and they then land like two blocks away). (Then we see Siryn get to one of the gun toting guys that laughs and then says), "Little girls got a big stick, whatcha gonna do with it.?" "Oh I don' know, beating ye're ugly face in sounds good t' me right now," (Siryn says with a grim smile on her face as she then gets to the first guy and he takes a swing at her but she blocks it with her left hand and then spins to the right and drives the crowbar sized piece of metal into the guys stomach, causing him to double over in pain and he's out of breath, as she knocked the wind out of him). (Then we see Siryn rear back and then bring the crowbar sized piece of metal down on the back of the guys head, and he drops to the ground).



(Then we see a couple more of the gun toting guys come charging over towards Siryn and she blocks their advances and then she smashes the metal crowbar sized piece into the first guy's nose and then the next guy's jaw that knocks a tooth out as she made blood shoot out of the first guys nose). (Then we see the first guy drop to his knees and clutch his nose as it continues to bleed profusely and the second guy goes down to one knee and painfully holds his jaw). (Then we see Siryn smile and cross her arms as she says), "Ye're going to have to do better than that." (Then we see one of the trucks blow up and both Warpath and Siryn get hit but Warpath just gets knocked back through a brick wall and Siryn gets knocked out by a chunk of flying debris that catches her off guard and hits her in the head).



(Then we see Siryn crumple to the ground and then we see that there's a cut on her head and it's bleeding and she's unconscious). (Then we see Warpath pull himself up and back through the wall as he's very angry and he then says), "You got lucky there.but now playtime's over and.Terry!" (He finishes in a panel that shows a close up on his face as he sees Siryn lying lifeless on the ground in the midst of the flaming debris). (Then we see Warpath start to run towards Siryn but then he gets stopped by a volley of laser blasts that blow the pavement up in front of him). (Then we see one of the blast gun toting guy's say with a big and annoying grin on his face), "That's far enough Tonto, you're girlfriend's a goner." (Then we see Warpath growl in anger and then lower his shoulder and jump through the flames and he then says), "Over my dead body!" "That's the idea freak," (Another one of the gun toting guys says with a toothy grin). "Sorry boys not today, the only ones dying here will be any of you that get in my way."





(Then we see the gun toting guys look at each other with confused and also somewhat scared looks on their faces before one of them angrily shakes his head and then says), "Don't listen to him you idiots, kill him!" (Then we see panels of the gun toting guys as they start to aim their guns at Warpath but then we see Warpath charge towards them and he just plows through them all as if they're nothing). [They react quickly enough, but up against this particular mutant acting quickly isn't fast enough.]. [.not by a mile]. (Then we see that Warpath has knocked all of the gun toting guys down as he then rushes to Siryn's side and then picks her up). (Then we see some of the gun toting guys sit up and then start to blast Warpath as their energy blasts hit him all over that makes Warpath take a stagger step forward). (Then we see a shoulders up close up panel of Warpath as he turns to look back at the gun toting guys and he's angry). (Then we see Warpath shake his head and then cover Siryn up and then lower his shoulder and he then blasts through the remaining gun toting guys as we then pull away and back up into the air).



[Parlau Pau General Hospital] [Rear Ambulance Bay]

[The convoy of ambulances race through the winding streets that lead around to the back of the hospital]. [Most of the ambulances are ferrying tourists and local citizens from the crash site.]. [.however the leading ambulance is ushering one Samuel Guthrie.]. [.better known to the world at large as Cannonball, a member of the X-men]. [And he also happens to be the fiancé of a very hyperactive and extremely emotional young woman that the world at large knows as Meltdown]. [But she is better known to her friends and adopted family the X-men as Tabitha Smith, soon to be Tabitha Guthrie].



(We open with panels of a long line of ambulances driving towards the hospital and then those panels are cut in with panels that show both the doctors and nurses coming out of the automatic doors and they're ready to receive the wounded and then panels of the insides of the different ambulances as the e.m.t.'s treat the wounded and one of the panels Sam is sitting up mostly with an oxygen mask on and he also has an i.v. in his arm and the e.m.t.'s are also putting bandages and gauze on his cuts). (Then we see a panel of Tabitha as she's at the end of a very long hallway and she's visibly angry as she's arguing with a couple of very impatient security guards). (Then we see a panel in which it's as if we're standing behind the two security guards as Tabitha is facing us and we see a long ways down the hall and we see Erica trying to force her way down the hall to get to Tabitha as Erica is yelling for Tabitha to wait and Tabitha looks very frustrated, worried, and angry).



(Then we see one of the two security guards put his hands up defensively and then say), "I'm sorry miss, but I can't let you by, this is a restricted area." "We have ambulances coming in pretty soon and we have to keep this area clear of any nonessential personnel," (the other security guard says as he looks back and forth between Tabitha and the doors behind him). "I don't care.Sam's coming in, he's in one of those ambulances, I have to see him.please.he's my fiancé," (Tabitha says with a pleading look on her face at first before her look changes to one of her being desperate). "I don't care if he were your husband, you're not getting by us," (The first security guard says a little forcefully now). (Then we see a look of anger flash across Tabitha's face as she then says), "Wanna bet," (as she then starts to power up as she has a small halo of super heated plasma forming around her right hand that's in a fist).



(Then we see Erica finally push herself through the crowd and she then rushes up to Tabitha and grabs her by the wrist of the hand that is in a fist and has the halo of super heated plasma around it, and Erica then says with an embarrassed and slightly scared look on her face), "Hey now there.Tabitha.whoa ease up, calm down." "Calm down.you expect me to calm down when Sam's.when he's.," (Tabitha then says as if she's about ready to either snap and go completely medieval on someone or just simply break down and sob on someone's shoulder). (Then we see a panel of the ambulances as they pull up in the ambulance bay). (Then we see the ambulances open their back doors and the doctors and nurses help the E.M.T.'s get first Sam and then the others out of the backs of the ambulances). (Then we see Sam shake his head and say as he also pulls the oxygen mask away from his face), "No.really, ah'm okay.really I'm fine."



"Says the handsome blond guy who has a giant gas on the side of his head and looks like he just came from a rock concert," (one of the nurses says with a half smile as she puts the oxygen mask back onto Sam's face and she also pushes Sam back down onto the gurney). "But," (Sam says with a slight look of protest on his face as around him we see the other doctors shouting out orders and questions and the nurses and E.M.T.'s responding with patients blood pressures, vital signs, and other things like that). (Then we see a panel of the doctors and nurses as they rush Sam and the other patients back into the hospital through the automatic doors). (Then we go back inside the hospital as we then see all of the patients being brought in and Sam then is brought by a set of double doors that we see Tabitha, Erica, and the two guards through some windows in the doors, but Sam is low enough even on the gurney that Tabitha doesn't see him as she's arguing with Erica and the two guards).



[Later] [30 Minutes To Be Exact]

(We open with panels of Tabitha being held back by Erica in the waiting room where other family and friends of the people injured in the crash have gathered). [The wait has been almost unbearable]. [Made possible by her unshakeable faith that nothing short of the apocalypse could ever take her love down]. [A faith that has been tested a time or two over the years]. "It'll be okay Tabitha, you said so yourself remember, now you and I both know that come hell or high water Sam's never let you down.right," (Erica says with a worried but optimistic and reassuring look on her face). "I know.but it doesn't make the waiting any easier, I feel like.," (Tabitha then says with a shrug of her shoulders and a sad look on her face before we then see her get interrupted as a nurse pushes a nearby pair of double doors open as we then see that Sam is sitting in a wheelchair and he's a little groggy and he's all bandaged up).



(Then we see Tabitha's eyes grow wide as she sees him before she almost yells), "Sam," (and then rushes to his side and almost cries as she throws her arms around him and gives him a really big and hard hug). (Then we see Sam go from having a weak smile on his face to having a very pained look on his face as Tabitha then says while still hugging him), "Sam.you're okay.I'm so happy." (And Sam then says at the same time), "Of course I'm okay.uh Tab.you're squeezing a little.to.." "Huh.oh.sorry, I didn't mean to.wait a minute.do you have any idea how worried I was," (Tabitha says with a repentant look on her face at first that then changes to one that more resembles a scolding look). (Then we see Sam blush slightly and then hang his head a bit and say), "Ah know.sorry Tabitha, I didn't mean to worry you." "Hey.you look terrible," (Erica then says with a slightly cheesy smile on her face as she then gives Sam's shoulder a light squeeze).





"Ah feel better than I look," (Sam says with a small sigh as he then starts to try and get up out of the wheelchair). "Oh no you don't buster," (the nurse says with an impatient scowl on her face as she angrily pushes Sam back down into the wheelchair by pushing on his shoulders as she then says), "You seem to be forgetting that the doctors told you to take it easy for a few days.and to get some bed rest." (Then we see Tabitha nod her head and then she gives Sam a scolding look as she then says with her arms crossed), "Oh don't worry.I'm going to make sure that he follows the doctor's orders to the letter." (Then we see the nurse look at Tabitha and Sam with a questioning look on her face before she then rolls her eyes and shakes her head and says), "Alright, I'll leave him here with you, if after an hour his vitals are still good he can be released."



(Then we see the nurse and Tabitha both nod their heads and the nurse then leaves and then Erica and Tabitha share a tired look as Sam looks on before Tabitha then says), "You hungry?" "A little," (Sam then says with a small sigh as he lifts his head up and looks up at Tabitha). (Then we see Erica look back and forth between Sam and Tabitha before she then says with her hands on her hips and a serious look on her face), "Don't you think that we should contact Warren before you two do anything?" "He might be our leader.," (Tabitha then says with a slightly angry scowl on her face as Erica then says with a big and excited grin), "And one hell of a hottie." (Then we see a panel of Sam as he rolls his eyes and shakes his head as Tabitha frowns and then laughs a bit and then says with an equally big smile), "Right.but he's not my dad.or whatever."



(And at the end of that Tabitha's demeanor changes to a much sadder one as Sam then sees her distress and reaches a hand up and then takes her hand in his and squeezes it a little). "I won't ask why you two became sourpusses all of a sudden.but we still should tell Warren about what happened," (Erica says with a slightly angry look on her face as she lightly glares at Sam). "We will, but not until after.," (Sam says with a tired look on his face before we then see someone say from off panel), "After I get some help for Terry," (that makes Erica, Sam, and Tabitha jump a bit and then turn around with shocked looks on their faces as Sam then says), "Jimmy.Terry!" (Then we see a panel of Warpath, who looks like he just went through the wringer as his suit is all ripped and torn up and he looks tired and very worried, as he's holding Siryn in his arms like a baby and she's still unconscious and there's some dried blood on her forehead).



"What happened," (Tabitha says with a shocked and slightly confused look on her face as she looks back and forth between Sam and Warpath). "Those goons that have been shooting up these islands ran over a little boy.but Terry n' I got in their way," (Warpath then says with a very angry and concerned look on his face as he's looking around for a doctor but not finding one). "Where's a doctor when you really need one.they're never around.I wish that this was one of those hospitals from a soap opera, they always have more doctors than they know what to do with," (Tabitha then says with an almost completely desperate look on her face as she's looking around until a doctor then comes slowly walking around a nearby corner and he has a steaming hot cup of coffee in one hand and in the other hand is a jelly doughnut).



(Then we see Erica turn her head a bit and she then notices the doctor as she has a very excited and happy look on her face as she then says), "Hey.you, it's a doctor, Sam.a doctor!" (Then we see the doctor jerk in alarm and do his best to not spill his coffee but he then ends up dropping his jelly doughnut into his cup of coffee). "Hey.don't do that.oh my," (the doctor then says with a slightly angry look on his face before he notices Siryn and then the look on his face changes to one of shock and worry). (Then we see the doctor rush to Warpath's side and set the cup of coffee with the jelly doughnut in it on a nearby counter before he turns back to Siryn and Warpath). "What happened to her," (the doctor then says with a worried look on his face as we see a panel of him brushing some hair off of Siryn's face and he also checks her pulse).



(Then we see the doctor say with a very serious look on his face to a nearby nurse after he grabs her by the arm), "Alyssa, I want a cat-scan and a full workup for.for.Ms.." (Then we see the doctor at a loss for words as he looks back up to Warpath for the answer to his question). "Ms Cassidy.please help her," (Warpath then says as he sets Siryn down on a nearby gurney as two more nurses them come up and start to push Siryn through some doors as Warpath then starts to follow them but the doctor gets in his way and then says), "I'm sorry, but you can't come with us, now don't worry we'll take good care of Ms Cassidy, I need you to stay out here." "But.," (Warpath then says with a sad look on his face before we then see a panel of Warpath as he's standing just on the other side of a set of double doors that have windows in them and he's looking through with a very sad look on his face).



(Then we see Erica step up beside him and then she puts a hand on Warpath's shoulder and she then says as she slips her off hand into his and with a sincere look on her face), "C'mon James, she'll be okay.she's strong, why don't you just come with me over here and sit down.you're in the way in front of those doors." "O.okay, yeah.sure," (Warpath says with a very tired and sullen look on his face as he then allows Erica to lead him over to a large group of chairs and they both sit down). (Then we see Sam look up at Tabitha with a worried look on his face as she returns the look and then pushes Sam over next to Warpath and then Sam says with a concerned look on his face), "What happened to those guys that you two fought.did you.kill them all.or did you?"



(Then we see Warpath hand his head and shake it as he then says with a very serious look on his face), "Kill them.no.we didn't kill any of them, at least not intentionally, we forcibly stopped the two trucks that they were all riding in.then we fought them for awhile until one of the trucks blew up and Terry got hit by a piece of flying debris." "So what happened to the kid that you stopped from getting run over," (Erica then says with a sympathetic look on her face as she looks back and forth between Sam and Warpath). "He's fine, his mother cam and got him just as I was about to check back on him after taking care of the psychos," (Warpath then says with a somber look on his face as he then leans back in his chair and stares at the white ceiling).



"Okay then, so when are we going to tell Warren, we have to tell him soon.because I've only known him for a very short time and it's clear that he's definitely the type of person that absolutely hates to be left out of the loop on anything, and I'd think that he'd want to know if almost a quarter of his team could possibly be out of action for the time being," (Erica then says with a thoughtful look on her face). (Then we see a few panels of Sam, Tabitha, Warpath, and Erica as they just sit there and silently look at each other before we pull away).



[A Few Miles Away]

(We see Warren and Betsy standing on a rooftop of a high-rise of downtown Parlau Pau, and Betsy is actually sitting on a register like box and he's leaning her back up against a central brick wall and she has one leg that from the knee down is hanging over the edge of the register like box and she has the other one crossed over it and she has that foots shoe off and she's rubbing her foot with a slightly painful grimace). My bloody feet are killing me Warren, (Betsy thinks telepathically as she sends that thought to Warren as he then smiles and thinks back), I know Betts, ever since we became psychically linked I've been hearing that exact thought running over and over again in my mind, maybe you should just wear more comfortable shoes.



And maybe you should just sod off and mind your own bloody business, (Betsy then thinks with a sarcastic smirk on her face as she looks up and over at Warren as he cautions a backwards glance over his shoulder). I'll keep that in mind my dear, but moving on to other more pertinent matter than whether or not your feet hurt I wonder why no one has checked back in with us, I specifically remember asking., (Warren starts to think telepathically with a very dour and serious look on his face).



I wish that I could tell you that you're just overreacting, but I fear that something may have gone horribly wrong and that's why we haven't heard from anyone yet, (Betsy then thinks telepathically with a sad and serious look on her face as she's looking at Warren and he's looking back at her with the same look on his face as we then pull back up into the air and see a jet flying overhead).-END