UNCANNY X-MEN MINI: WAR AND REMEMBERANCE
BY: LOGANALPHA30
""-Words
[ ]-Caption Boxes
( )-Art Instructions
-Thoughts
+ + -Time, Place Boxes
[Two Weeks Later]
+An Abandoned Warehouse+
+On The Waterfront+
+2:00 A.M. +
[The morning is cool and wet]. [But for the lone scared person tearing through the rain slicked alleyways the temperature is of little concern]. (We see a few panels of an early morning view of the warehouses along the waterfront as it's apparent that it just got done raining). (Then we see a shabbily dressed figure running across a street and then into an alley). [Alysson Monroe's life started out normal enough, a home up in the hills, loving parents and even a nice little dog named Fifi]. (We see a couple of panels of Alysson's face as we see that she's wearing a stocking hat with some green and blue hair peeking out form under it and she has an eyebrow ring and one eye is swelled shut and there's some blood running out of her nose). [But upon graduating high school her life hit the rocks]. [Her parents split up and she nearly died in an automobile accident]. [For a brief time thereafter she thought that she had begun to turn her life around when she met a man named Arthur Royce, a man that gave her a job]. [Things went well until the day Alysson got curious and saw more than she ever should have].
(We then cut quickly back and forth between panels of Alysson serving as a courier and then ones of her following Arthur through some tunnels until she sees him meeting with one of Apocalypse's horseman and she gets found out and is forced to run and also panels of her running away). (Then we see her squeeze through a hole in the fence and she then hides under a window as lights flash around). "Oh please don't see me…oh please don't see me," (Alysson then says with a pained look on her face as she's pinning herself up against the wall while trying to make herself as small as possible). (Then we see a door be kicked open and two heavily armed and angry crimson dawn warriors charge in with lights on the end of their weapons). (Then we see Alysson crawl into a nearby box and then pull her knees up to her chest and she's crying and it's cold enough so that we can see her breath). "Come out human bitch," (one of the warriors says with a sinister grin on its face as it blasts one of the boxes nearby it).
"You can't hide from us flatscan, your stench is overwhelming, we will find you," (the other crimson dawn warrior then says as it backs up against the outside wall and starts to move along it towards where Alysson is hiding). (Then we see two large and gloved hands smash through the wall and grab the crimson dawn warrior and pull it back through the wall as then we see Warpath, wearing all black jeans, shoes, gloves, long sleeved black shirt and a stocking hat as he says with a grim look on his face as beside him we see an equally dressed Siryn), "Not before we find you." "Ye should know better than t' gang up on a poor defenseless lass…," (Siryn then says with an almost arrogant smirk on her face and her hands on her hips as Warpath is holding the struggling crimson dawn warrior strong). (Then we see an angry growl come from inside the building and then a weapon blast rockets out as well and hits Warpath in the shoulder, causing him to growl in pain and stagger back and let go of the crimson dawn warrior as Siryn yells as she jumps out of the way). (Then we see a panel of the crimson dawn warrior that blasted Warpath standing in the hole in the wall with its weapon pointed at Warpath and Siryn and the warrior is angry).
"Don' get mad on our account, ye brought this upon yerself," (Siryn then says with a defiant look on her face as she's sitting on the ground as she's also pushing herself up). "Mutant filth," (the crimson dawn warrior that Warpath grabbed yells angrily as it gets up and feverishly starts to look for its weapon before it finds it and picks it up). "That's no way to talk to a lady," (Warpath then growls angrily, with a hand on his injured shoulder, as he takes a step forward towards the crimson dawn warrior that's coming through the hole in the wall). (Then we see a panel of Warpath grab the crimson dawn warrior that he initially grabbed and he throws it into the other one, and both go crashing back into the warehouse). (Then we see Siryn get to Warpath's side and then say with a slightly worried look on his face and a tentative hand near Warpath's injured shoulder), "Are ye okay boyo, that looks bad." "Nah Terry, I'm alright….it's just a scratch," (Warpath then says with a slightly pained grimace on his face and he's looking at his injured shoulder). "You're a horrible liar Jimmy, ye know that right," (Siryn then says with a serious smile on her face as she pats Warpath on the shoulder and he winces in pain).
(Then we see Warpath about to say something when crates and a weapon blast come flying out through the hole in the wall and Warpath then grabs Siryn and pushes her to the ground and he throws himself on top of her). (Then we see in a close up panel Warpath getting up off of Siryn as she says), "Thank ye boyo," (and he says), "Anytime Terry…man these guys are more annoying than Michael Moore's acceptance speech." (Then we see Warpath and Siryn duck down again as the two crimson dawn warriors attack as they charge back out of the building). "Back off ugly," (Siryn then yells angrily before she slams a sonic scream into the two oncoming crimson dawn warriors and they go flying back into the building). (Then in the next panel we see the two crimson dawn warriors go flying back into boxes and they barely miss hitting Erica, who is dressed almost exactly like Siryn, who yells), "Whoa," (as she jumps back out of the way). (Then we see Erica yell as she's standing back up), "Hey, watch it, you almost hit me!" "Almost but didn't," (Warpath then says with a small smile on his face as he and Siryn step back through the hole in the wall).
(Then we see one of the crimson dawn warriors, as the two pull themselves up out of the smashed boxes, punch a few buttons on its wrist mounted computer and then we do a wide panel of the inside of the warehouse as suddenly the entire warehouse is filled with teleporting in crimson dawn warriors and Warpath, Siryn, and Erica quickly become surrounded). "Oh crap…," (Erica then says with an upset and also worried look on her face as she starts backing up towards Warpath and Siryn). "This wasn't part of the plan," (Warpath then says with a more annoyed look on his face as he's wearily looking around as Siryn then says with a very determined scowl on her face), "Well then, we'll just have to improvise…won't we." [The attack starts]. (We then see a wide panel of all of the newly teleported crimson dawn warriors charge at Warpath, Siryn and Erica). (Then we see panels of Warpath, Siryn, and Erica reacting to the attack as Siryn jumps into the air as Warpath runs forwards and dodges the attacks and then takes the fight to the crimson dawn warriors and Erica dives down and does a front roll before she blasts the nearest warrior to her in the face with a quick gust of fire from her hands and she's smiling as she does it and also says), "Here's fire in your eye!"
(Then we see a quick panel of Alysson huddling in her box as the battle rages around her). (Then we go back to the warehouse floor and see the different lesser battles going on). (Then we see a panel of Warpath as he's angrily picking a crimson dawn warrior up over his head and then throwing that warrior as we see a telepathic link appear on his forehead as we do a quick cut in panel of Betsy sitting in a darkened ops room that's only lit by the light from the surrounding screens, she's dressed casually as her hair is pulled back in a ponytail and she has a cup of steaming hot tea at her side, as she thinks telepathically), How are things going James? (Then we see Warpath say out loud but also telepathically back to Betsy), "Like clockwork Psylocke, except for the entire warehouse suddenly filling with warriors, that we could have done without." Alright then, I've sending you some help, (We then see Betsy think telepathically with a tired look on her face and a hand on her temple). (Then we see a double panel of Betsy on the left as she's pushing an intercom button and on the right side we see Tabitha sitting on an oil barrel with a sucker in her mouth and a bored look on her face as she's dressed very closely to Siryn and the others and a similarly dressed Sam is nearby keeping watch).
"Okay Tabitha, playtime's over, you and Sam are needed in the warehouse, it looks like some warriors of the crimson dawn decided to crash the party, so get off of your bloody ass and get over there…quickly," (Betsy then says with a tired look on her face as Tabitha then reluctantly salutes and says), "Yessuh Psylocke, will do." "We get the order," (Sam then says with a serious look on his face and his arms crossed). "Yeah…they need us," (Tabitha then says with a tired look on her face as she hops off of the barrel as Sam walks over and loops an arm around her waist and pulls her close). (Then we see Tabitha smile and giggle a bit as she says), "I love this part." "Ah bet you do," (Sam then says with a smug grin on his face as he's shaking his head). (Then we see a panel of Sam, with Tabitha in his arms, blast up out of the alley). (Then we cut back to Betsy as she takes another sip of tea and then says with a slight wince), You still there James? "For the moment, why," (Warpath then says with a slightly worried look on his face, and with Betsy's psychic butterfly on his forehead). (Then we see Betsy say back telepathically as she's stirring the tea with her tea bag), Just hold for a bit longer James, Sam and Tabitha are on their way.
(Then we see Betsy break her telepathic link with Warpath as Warren walks up behind her and lays a hand on her shoulder as he then says with a tired and concerned look on his face), "How are we doing, have they found Ms. Monroe yet?" "Most unfortunately no, although I still believe that she is nearby," (Betsy then says with a big sigh as she reaches a hand up and places it overtop of Warrens and picks up a pen with the other). "Is everyone fully engaged or do we still have reinforcements waiting in the wings," (Warren then says with a grim scowl on his face as he then pulls a chair over and sits down next to Betsy). "James, Theresa, and Erica are already in the fight and I just contacted Sam and Tabitha and told them to get into the fray," (Betsy then says with a serious look on her face before she takes another sip of tea). "Did they know that we were coming, were they tipped off by someone," (Warren then says with a confused scowl on his face as he sits back in his chair and looks over at Betsy). "I don't think so, from what I've gathered the extra crimson dawn warriors teleported in only after one or both of the original combatants verified their location," (Betsy then says with a tired look on her face as she reaches a hand up and runs that hand through her hair).
"Next time we do this we'll have to plan for that contingency," (Warren then says with a serious look on his face as he intently watches the screen in front of Betsy). [Back at the Warehouse]. "A little help here," (We see Erica yell angrily as she ducks under a weapons blast and Siryn then yells back right after she blasts some boxes out from under a trio of crimson dawn warriors, causing them to crash to the ground), "Be right with ya Erica." "Not to worry ladies, because backups on its way," (Warpath then says with a slightly happy look on his face as he smashes one of the boxes down onto the head of a nearby crimson dawn warrior). "They'd better get here fast, because I don't know about you but I…," (Erica then starts to say with a worried look on her face before she gets a fist to her face from one of the crimson dawn warriors). "Erica," (Siryn yells with a slightly scared look on her face in a wide panel in which we see Erica getting thrown back by the punch and slamming into a nearby crate). (Then we see Siryn fly down to Erica's side and she uses her sonic scream to clear the way). "Are ye alright," (Siryn then says as she helps Erica up to a seated position as then we see the crimson dawn warriors begin to get closer and closer to them).
"I will be when this is all over," (Erica then says with a bruise on her left eye and a little blood coming from her nose before she then jumps forward and throws a bag of water at the crimson dawn warriors and the bag of water explodes and hits it in the face as scalding hot water and the warrior howls in pain). "How did you…," (Siryn then says with a shocked look on her face before Erica then says with a smile), "Little trick I've been working on with Psylocke." (Then we see the crimson dawn warriors nearest to Siryn and Erica get smashed like bowling pins by what looks like a wrecking ball). (Then we see a panel of Warpath holding up a crimson dawn warrior in each hand and then he smashes their heads together). "Well this isn't so bad, maybe I should call Psylocke back and…," (Warpath then starts to say with a smile on his face as he's dropping the warriors before we see something huge teleporting in behind him and Warpath notices it and starts to turn around with an unsure look on his face). (Then we see a panel of one of the golems growling angrily as Warpath takes a step back and says), "…tell her to send a lot of backup…along with the army, navy, air force, marines…and even the coast guard."
(Then we see a panel of the golem slamming its fist into Warpath that sends Warpath flying back into a big pile of boxes and is soon lost in the mountain of collapsing boxes). "Jimmy," (Siryn then yells with a scared look on her face as she watches Warpath slam into the mountain of boxes and disappear beneath them). (Then we see two of the crimson dawn warriors grab hold of Erica's arms and she struggles to free herself). (Then we see Siryn pick up a metal bar and smash it into the back of the skull of one of the crimson dawn warriors that's holding Erica). (Then we see that crimson dawn warrior grunt in pain and release its hold on Erica as then Siryn moves on and starts to swing the metal rod at the other crimson dawn warrior as she yells), "Get yer bloody hands off of her!" (Then we see Erica growl in anger and use force to turn the crimson dawn warrior that's holding her so that Siryn can hit it right). "Thanks," (Erica then says with a half smile on her face as the warrior that was holding her drops to the ground). "Don' mention it, we have t' get to Jimmy," (Siryn then says with a very serious look on her face before she and Erica turn and start off towards the mountain of boxes that Warpath is under).
(Then we see a wide panel of the mountain of boxes that Warpath is under as crimson dawn warriors are milling about all over it before then in the next panel we see Siryn leap up into the air and Erica leaps away as the golem smashes a big box where they just were as then we see Warpath angrily erupt out of the debris). (Then we see the golem storm towards Warpath, who is now struggling to stand up, as it gets ready to smash Warpath). (Then we see a panel of the golem, with its arms up in the air, getting blasted in the back that causes it to howl in anger as we then see someone yell from off panel), "That's right pal…." (Then we see a panel of Tabitha in a fighting stance, with her arms and hands out in front of her and a big energized smile on her face and a glint in her eye, as she then yells), "…keep em where I can see em!" (Then we see a slightly wider panel of the hole in the wall as Tabitha is firing away with her plasma blasts and Sam is flying in beside her with a very determined look on his face as he then says), "Keep it simple Tab…hit em hard and fast." "Yeah yeah I hear ya Sam, just having a little fun with these airheads," (Tabitha then says with an excited smile on her face as she's still blasting away).
(Then we see a panel of Sam blasting through all of the crimson dawn warriors, as in the background we see Tabitha still hurling insults at the crimson dawn warriors, and then in a closer up panel we see Sam helping Erica up as he says), "Are you okay," (with a concerned look on his face as Erica then says with a sheepish grin on her face as she's also running a hand through her hair and an arm around Sam), "I am now." (Then we see Sam start to say something back but then he has to raise his blast shield up as he grits his teeth and enough crimson dawn warriors blast him that he and Erica get knocked off of their feet). "Sam," (Tabitha then yells fearfully as she runs forward and blasts any crimson dawn warriors that get in her way). "Smash," (the golem growls angrily as it turns around and throws a punch at Tabitha). [She is so concerned with events happening elsewhere that she fails to notice her immediate danger]. (Then we see the golem almost hit Tabitha but she ells out in fear and shock and moves just in time but not quick enough and she gets clipped in the head by the golems fist in a close up panel and then in a wider panel we see Tabitha flying violently through the air and she then hits a box that's the top one and she and that box go crashing to the ground in a big heap and she's lying still on her side and then we see a close up panel of her face as we set that she has a nasty cut on her temple and it's bleeding pretty freely).
(Then we see the golem turn back towards Warpath and Sam as we see that they both have shocked and worried looks on their faces as Sam then jumps to his feet and he then yells), "Jimmy, now," (as we then see Warpath jump the golem from behind and hold it so that then Sam gets going and he blasts head first into the golems stomach as Siryn is using her sonic scream to keep the crimson dawn warriors away from both Erica and Tabitha as Erica then starts picking things up and throwing them at any and all crimson dawn warriors that come close to her). (Then we see a panel of Warpath as he yells), "Sam, go check on Tabitha, I'll handle twinkle-toes here," (and then he slams the golem into the wall). (Then we see Sam turn around and then over and start to frantically dig through the pile of boxes that Tabitha went crashing through as he yells), "Tabitha…where are you, say something!" (Then we see Siryn land right behind him and say with a very determined look on her face), "She fell through those boxes after the golem hit her, ye have to find her fast." "Ah know," (We then see Sam say with a very worried look on his face as behind him we see Siryn using both her sonic scream and the metal bar that she picked up earlier to keep the crimson dawn warriors away).
(Then we see a panel of the golem pulling itself angrily out of the wall and it then throws a punch that sends Warpath flying back in a panel as he goes he takes out a large number of crimson dawn warriors as well as he also clips one of the boxes, and that box goes flying until it crashes into the wall and shatters as Alysson cries out in pain as she then crumbles to the ground, and he slams through the opposite wall). (Then we see all of the crimson dawn warriors turn and glare at Alysson with sinister looks on their faces as we see her trying to frantically look for a place to hide as she's obviously scared out of her wits as the warriors then all says as if they're all in a trance), "The flatscan." (Then we see a panel of Erica fighting the crimson dawn warriors in hand to hand combat as though it's obvious that she's on the losing end of the fight as she's out of breath and throwing bad punches and kicks). (Then we see the warriors that are fighting Erica suddenly turn and leave as she drops to her knees and makes idle threats towards them). (Then we see Sam get through the boxes to Tabitha as we then see him say with a very shocked and worried look on his face), "Tabitha!"
(Then we see Sam kick a box out of the way and rush to Tabitha's side and roll her over). (Then we see a panel of Sam's face as he has a horrified look on his face as he says), "Oh no…." (Then we see a panel of Sam hovering over Tabitha and trying to wake her up). "Sam…hey," (Erica then says with a very tired look on her face as she staggers through the smashed up boxes with one arm wrapped around her midsection). "She's not…ah can't," (Sam then says with a completely overwhelmed look on his face as Erica drops to her knees beside him and tries to help him). "Is she…Sam," (Erica then says fearfully as she grabs Sam's arm and tries to shake Sam out of his stupor). "Ah've got to get her out of here," (Sam then says with a very determined look on his face as he picks Tabitha up and then starts to walk back through the boxes as Erica looks on in surprise). "What are you doing, you can't just walk out of here like that, you're going to need backup," (Erica then says with a concerned look on her face as she's then scrambling to her feet). "He's got it," (We then see someone say from off panel as two laser blasts take out two wildly charging crimson dawn warriors as Erica starts to turn back to see who fired the blasts). (Then we see a quick panel from the side as Sam turns around and looks on with a relieved and encouraged look on his face as beside him we see Erica say as she's turning around), "Who the hell?"
"Who'd you expect…Santa Claus," (We then see Cable say with an almost annoyed scowl on his face as he's standing atop the remains of a bunch of smashed up boxes and their contents and even a few downed crimson dawn warriors as Cable's armed to the teeth and he looks like he's on a hair trigger). "Cable…what," (Sam then says with a slightly confused look on his face as he takes a step forward and Erica turns away to watch Sam's back). "Psylocke isn't the only telepath of merit around here Sam, and now that I'm here the sides are about to be evened out," (Cable then says with an angry grimace on his face as he charges forward until he meets Sam and then says with a worried look on his face as he brushes some hair off of Tabitha's face as he's inspecting Tabitha's wound), "What happened?" (Then we see the golem come charging in and it makes Cable jump back, Erica stumbles backwards over a box and falls down and Sam takes a few steps back and brings up his blast shield as the golem's fist slams into the pile of smashed boxes and their contents go spraying everywhere). "I've had just about enough of you," (Warpath then says as he shoulder checks the golem and it goes flying through the nearby wall as Cable rolls out of the way).
"How is she," (Siryn then says with a concerned look on her face after she finishes smashing another crimson dawn warrior over the head with the metal bar that she picked up earlier). "I think she'll be okay if I can get her out of here quickly enough," (Sam then says with a worried look on his face as around him the battle rages on). "Then let's go," (Erica then says with a very serious look on her face as she ducks under an attack by a crimson dawn warrior and then slams her foot into that warriors chin). "Way ahead of you Erica, find Ms. Monroe and get her out of here," (Sam then says with a very grim look on his face before he blasts off out of the warehouse as Warpath, Siryn, and Erica look around as Cable comes back up beside them and says), "She's over there…James, Theresa…you two go get her, Erica…you and I will stay here and provide covering fire," (with a very determined scowl on his face as we see him fire off a blast and then we see a panel of Alysson crying out in fear and cringing as the blast that Cable fired off knocks out a crimson dawn warrior that is almost ready to grab her).
"Aye," (Siryn then says with a small smile on her face as she looks up at Warpath before the two then tear off and make easy work of the crimson dawn warriors in front of them as they charge towards Alysson). "I'm hoping that you wanted me to stay here beside you because you believe that I'm good in a fight instead of because you think that I'm so bad that I need a chaperone," (Erica then says with an unsure frown on her face as she blasts a nearby crimson dawn warrior with fire). "I plead the fifth," (Cable then says with a frustrated scowl on his face as he continues to blast approaching crimson dawn warriors). "Of course you do old man, it just makes it…easier for you to deny that you have any feelings at all," (Erica then says with a slightly angry scowl on her face as she blocks a fist of one of the crimson dawn warriors and then smashed her elbow into that warriors nose). "A piece of advice Ms. Kalen, don't every try to psycho-analyze an omega level telepath, you'll lose every time," (Cable then says with an almost bored look on his face as he keeps blasting away at the crimson dawn warriors). (Then we cut to panels of Alysson scrambling as best she can to keep away from the crimson dawn warriors along with yelling at them to keep away).
(Then we see one of the warriors manage to grab Alysson's wrist and violently pull her out of a crack in the wall as it yells), "I got you now human filth, your life will soon be over." "Sorry but the lady is coming with us," (Siryn then says angrily in a panel with her arms crossed and a very angry look on her face as behind her we see Warpath standing there popping his knuckles with an almost bored look on his face as he then says), "We can do this one of two way, we can either do this the easy way…or the hard way, and I'm hoping that you want to do this the hard way." (Then we see the few crimson dawn warriors look at each other with confused looks on their faces before they growl and then pick up their weapons and then charge towards Warpath and Siryn all except for the one that's holding Alysson). "I was hoping that ye would say that," (Siryn then says with an almost happy look on her face as she holds the bar that she got earlier up ready for the fight). (Then we see the wave of crimson dawn warrior's crash into Warpath and Siryn and the two fight back). (Then we see Siryn blasting away the warriors with her sonic scream and it looks like she's having fun).
"Get a load of this Terry, I'm going to try something new," (Warpath then says with an excited smile on his face as he's throwing a crimson dawn warrior off of him). (Then we see a panel of Siryn ducking under an attack and then jab the end of the metal rod into the face of an oncoming crimson dawn warrior as she then says), "Great Jimmy, just don' forget that ye have a job t' do here." "Aw Terr…you worry to much," (Warpath then says with a mock hurt look on his face as he slumps his shoulders a bit and uses his elbow to knock away another warrior as he looks down at it and then says with a look of enjoyment on his face), "Oh sorry, was that your face…here let me fix it for you," (and he then pounds that crimson dawn warrior into the ground). "Well someone around her has to be the worrier…because it sure as hell isn' your job," (Siryn then says with an almost motherly scowl on her face before she then uses her sonic scream to keep the crimson dawn warriors at bay). "You're right about that," (Warpath then says with a fake look of hurt on his face as he then spreads his arms wide and then keeps his arms straight and he claps his hands together and the force of it all sends out a kind of shockwave that blasts all of the surrounding crimson dawn warriors away, even the one that was holding Alysson, as she grabs onto an old piece of thick pipe that's sticking up out of the floor).
"Good work boyo," (Siryn then says with an excited smile on her face before then in the next panel we see Siryn rush over to Alysson's side and then say with a calm look on her face as she's also kneeling beside Alysson), "Are ye alright…Ms. Monroe?" "Who…who are you," (Alysson then says with a very scared look on her face as she starts to cringe and also back away). "It's alright…we're friends, we're here to help you," (Siryn then says with a reassuring look on her face as she edges closer and then we also see that Alysson stops backing away). (Then we see Warpath take a step forward and then say with a very serious look on his face), "We know that you worked for a man named Arthur Royce, who just so happens to work for a madman that wants to take over the world and reshape it in his own twisted and sick image, and we need your help to stop him." "My help…how, how can I help you…I just…," (Alysson then says with a scared and confused look on her face in a close up panel on her before then in the next panel we see Siryn say as beside them we see Warpath keeping away the crimson dawn warriors), "You know where Arthur Royce set up shop, ye can tell us what we need t' know, we can keep you safe…ye just have to trust us."
"I…I don't know, I'm not," (Alysson then says as she starts to back away before Cable and Erica get over to Siryn and Warpath and Erica then says with a worried look on her face), "It doesn't matter right now does it, any place has to be better than here, think about it for a second, if we wanted to kill you we would have done it already." (Then we see Alysson's eyes grow wide as she then lets Erica and Siryn help her up to her feet). (Then we see Siryn and Erica, with Cable and Warpath running interference, start to take off towards the hole in the wall as the golem comes charging towards them from outside of the warehouse). "Uh oh, looks like big ugly's back," (Warpath then says with an annoyed look on his face as he uses a table to hit away some crimson dawn warriors). "It doesn't matter, just keep going, I have a little surprise in store for him," (Cable then says with a slightly angry look on his face as he keeps blasting away). (Then we see Erica say with a slightly worried look on her face), "A little surprise…are you sure you know what you're doing?" "Of course, now go," (Cable then says angrily as we see a panel of the group running away from the warehouse and then in the next panel we see the golem emerging through the hole in the wall before suddenly there's a large explosion that levels the warehouse and causes the entire group to dive for cover).
[Hours Later, The Infirmary]
[He has been at her side ever since he returned from the field with her in his arms]. [Gaining strength from both his faith and his eternal optimism]. [So here he sits, situated in between the love of his life and one with whom he has had a close friendship with ever since he entered into his association with Charles Xavier]. [He prays for them both as he waits]. (We first see panels of Dani and Tabitha lying in two separate bio-beds and Tabitha's head is wrapped up and Dani looks a little better than she did before). (We then see a few panels of Sam sitting in a chair in between the two and he's still wearing his battle suit except that he has unzipped his coat, but he's still wearing I and he's holding Tabitha's hand and his eyes are closed and he's whispering something). (Then we see Sam open his eyes as a tear runs down his check and he turns his head towards Tabitha and then says with a scared look on his face), "C'mon Tab, you gotta wake up." (Then we see a panel of Sam from behind as someone lays a hand on his shoulder and we pull back and see that it's Betsy and she's dressed in black sweatpants, a stretchy black tank-top, a light red sash type belt and her belly is beginning to show, and her hair is down). "Huh…Psylocke," (Sam then says with a concerned look on his face as he then turns slightly and looks up at her).
"She'll be okay Sam, she only suffered a mild concussion, but you know Tabitha better than I do, she'll milk this to get as much bloody sympathy as she can get," (Betsy then says with a sympathetic look on her face as she's looking down at Sam and patting him on the shoulder as she does it). (Then we see Sam scowl angrily and then say back with a hurt look on his face), "You're right, I do know her better than anyone, but she's not…milking it." "I was joking Sam…I know that she would never joke about something as serious as this, I only meant to try and lighten the mood…if I could, it's not good for you to kill yourself over something that wasn't your fault," (Betsy then says with an apologetic look on her face as she then pulls a chair over and sits down next to Sam). "Ah know, but I can't help myself, she's not just my teammate, she's the woman that I'm going to spend the rest of my life with, no matter what happens to her in the future I'll always blame myself, just like whatever you future holds with Warren you'll both blame yourselves for anything and everything that ever happens to the other, it's just how it works," (Sam then says with a very serious and somber frown on his face as he looks at Tabitha and Betsy also looks on with a concerned look on her face).
"Loving someone, giving all of yourself…your entire hear and soul to someone is in the end a risky proposition to say the least, quite possibly the riskiest predicament that one could ever find themselves being a part of…but then again it can be said that love is a fools gambit on the grandest scale of all," (Betsy then says with a look on her face as if love itself was a big joke to her but she does it anyway). "Then call me a fool, perhaps the grand fool himself…because ah don't know if I could live without love…well I guess I could, but it wouldn't be a happy existence I can tell you that much right now," (Sam then says with a sad frown on his face before he then pulls Tabitha's hand up and kisses it). "Unh…hey…what's going on," (We then see someone say from behind Betsy and Sam that makes them both jerk a bit and turn around in shock as we then see Dani slowly waking up with a pained grimace on her face). "Dani…you're awake," (Sam then says with a big smile on his face as he partially turns around but he's still holding onto Tabitha's hand). "What'd I miss," (Dani then says with a pained look on her face and her eyes closed and a hand on her temple as she also tries to start to sit up).
(Then we see Betsy jump up out of her chair and physically stop Dani from moving to much as she then says with a worried look on her face), "Don't try to get up, you haven't recovered enough to do much more than lie there and get better." "Fat chance of…ow," (Dani then says with an angry look on her face as she starts to sit up again but she gets up far enough and then cries out in pain and lays back down). "You've been out for almost two weeks," (Sam then says with a tired look on his face as he's looking at Tabitha). "Two…weeks…man, did we win," (Dani then says with an unhappy look on her face as she turns her head towards Betsy and Sam). "Not exactly, for the past two weeks we've searched almost everywhere for Arthur Royce with little or no positive results, luckily earlier this morning we got a quality tip form one of Warren's sources and we acted up it, giving us our first bits of good news," (Betsy then says with a serious look on her face as she sits back down and crosses her arms and legs). "Is Cable around," (Dani then says as she winces in pain and turns her head back to look up at the ceiling). "He's around here somewhere," (Sam then says with a tired look on his face as beside him we see Betsy nodding her head in agreement). "But more importantly you need to stay here and let him come to you," (Betsy then says with a very serious look on her face as she leans back and checks some of Dani's bio-signs).
"So what's the four one one on my condition, do I get a clean bill of health…or are you going to have to put me out of my misery," (Dani then says with a joking smile on her face as she turns her head back to look over and down at Betsy). "Well unfortunately it appears that you're going to live, sorry," (Betsy then says with a fake look of sadness on her face as she leans forward a bit and lays a hand on the bio-bed). "Yeah, and Forge was really looking forward to getting to use his new gun," (Sam then says with a big smile on his face before then in the next panel we see Tabitha say from behind Sam's back as he has a surprised look on his face), "Nnh…hold it down will ya…some of us are trying to get some sleep here." "Tabitha, you're awake," (Sam then says with a very happy look on his face as he quickly spins back around). "Yeah I'm awake…could you keep it down huh…my head feels like it got run over by a Mack truck," (Tabitha then says with a sickly look on her face as she brings a hand up to her temple). "Well that golem sure did quite a number on you…," (Sam then says with a loving smile on his face as he brushes some hair off of her face and she smiles). "Remind me to send it a thank you note," (Tabitha then says with a slight smile as she sits up despite Sam's objections before then in the next panel we see Tabitha wince strongly in pain and Sam then instantly reaches out to support her as he then says), "Whoa now Tab, no need to overdo things, you need to rest some more." (Then as we pull away we see Sam, Tabitha, Dani, and Betsy all arguing about anything and everything).
[Elsewhere within the mansion]
[The Rec Room]
(We open with a wide panel shot of the mansion's rec room and it's filled with couches, pool tables, foosball tables, a big screen tv, a really nice stereo system, and open area that could serve as a dance floor, a couple of tables with chairs surrounding them and some movie posters on the wall along with a soft drink dispenser). (Then we see Siryn and Erica, both wearing normal comfortable clothes and they're all patched up with bandages on their injuries, and they're both playing pool). (Then we see Warpath, wearing blue jeans with no socks and a beat, as he's walking back to the biggest couch that's flanked by two nice chairs and they're all around a glass topped coffee table, and he's carrying two soda fountain drinks, one that looks like a medium drink and his is a really big gulp drink that's huge). "Here ya go Alysson," (Warpath then says with a polite and cheerful smile on his face as he sits down beside Alysson, who's dressed in over sized Property of Xavier's School For Higher Learning light gray sweatpants and sweatshirt and a pair of bright yellow socks and she's wrapped up in a blanket as she's all cleaned up and meagerly smiling, and hands her the smaller drink as she then says), "Thanks."
"How ye feeling, I hope those clothes weren' to big for ye," (Siryn then says with a happy smile on her face as she's standing beside the pool table with her pool cue in front of her and she's putting the blue stuff on the top of it before then in a closer up panel she blows off the excess). "No…they're fine, thank you," (Alysson then says with a thankful smile on her face before she then takes a drink). (Then we see Erica say with a tired look on her face as beside her we see Siryn taking a shot, and Erica is also slightly leaning on her pool cue), "You ever been in a place this fancy before Alysson?" "Once, but that was for a class field trip back in high school, but no one actually lived there, it was more like a museum," (Alysson then says with an almost bored look on her face before she takes another sip of her drink). "Well this is all still a little new to me to, the house I lived in when I was growing up could have easily fit into this place…and then some," (Erica then says with an almost sad frown on her face as she shakes her head before Siryn looks over and says with a sad look on her face), "It's your turn Erica." "So you guys are the X-men right…like the real X-men," (Alysson then says with a confused look on her face as she looks back over her shoulder at Siryn and Erica, who is now readying her shot).
"Yeah…that's us, well we're some of the X-men, the rest operate out of another mansion in upstate New York, not to mention there's a splinter cell that…well never mind, they're not important right now," (Warpath then says with a calm look on his face as he leans back and puts his feet up on the coffee table). "Hey now boyo, ye know that ye can' put your feet up on the coffee table…get them off," (Siryn then says with a slightly angry scowl on her face as she knocks her pool cue loudly against the table). (Then we see a quick panel of Warpath blush and take his feet off of the coffee table as beside him we see Alysson smile widely and then start to giggle). "Do you X-men still wear those…old suits that you used to wear, the ones that looked like they were taken from a mold," (Alysson then says with a slightly unsure look on her face as she stares at the top of her drink, and therefore doesn't see the shock and confused looks on Warpath, Siryn, and Erica's faces as Siryn is in mid-turn as she's leaning over the pool table). "What do you mean," (Warpath then says with a concerned look on his face as he's looking back over his shoulder at Siryn and Erica).
"Well I was just wondering…I used to see the X-men on tv and it looked like they couldn't be to warm in those suits they were wearing…and some questions came to mind," (Alysson then says with a scared look on her face as she quickly looks up and then back down). "Like what," (Siryn then says with a look on her face as if she's unsure whether or not she wants to her the questions, as she's also leaning on her pool cue). "Well what happened…you know…during that…time…you know…of the month," (Alysson then says with a very embarrassed look on her face as she's looking back towards the pool table as Siryn and Erica look shocked and Siryn then says with an embarrassed look on her face), "It wasn' any fun let me tell ye." (Then we see Alysson turn to Warpath and then say with an equally embarrassed look on her face), "Did…your soldier…ever uh…salute…I mean with some of the costumes that some of the women wore…?" "I plead the fifth on account that…," (Warpath then says at first with a very shocked look on his face before it changes to an unsure look before he hangs his head and scratches the back of his head as then Siryn says as she walks around the pool table and lays a hand on the back of Warpath's neck), "That's good enough Jimmy."
"Alright…since we're on the subject…what about Psylocke, I've seen the outfit that she used to wear…there wasn't enough of that thing to use as dental floss…I've seen bikini's bigger than that thing, I can't believe that she ever wore that," (Erica then says with a bored look on her face as she lightly sits down on the side of the pool table). "Well she did…didn't seem to bother her very much…Warren liked it…I know that much," (Warpath then says with a cheesy smile on his face as he shrugs his shoulders before he stops as Siryn glares at him). "But weren't those old uniforms pretty thin…they couldn't have been to war, what happened when you guys went somewhere cold," (Alysson then says with a slightly confused look on her face before Erica then says with a thoughtful look on her face), "Well in the logs that Warren had me go through they said that Psylocke went on a mission to Siberia, in that uniform with the butfloss…what kept her from well…you know?" "She was smart enough to wear a warm coat," (We then see someone say from off panel that makes everyone in the room jump a bit and turn and look towards the doorway).
(Then we see a panel of Warren wearing a nice blue business suit and he's leaning on the doorframe with his arms crossed and an unhappy scowl on his face as he then says), "I genuinely hope that the three of you are taking good care of our young guest here, I'd hate to have to dream up some punishment to dole out if you weren't." "Don't worry Warren, everything's going fine, we were just talking to Alysson about this and that…you know, making sure that she's comfortable," (Warpath then says with a slightly scared grin on his face before Erica then says with a laugh), "Yeah…before we begin the interrogation." "Interrogation…what…," (Alysson then says with a scared and shocked look on her face as she's staring wide eyed at Warren). "As usual Erica's exaggerating Ms. Monroe, we just want you to tell us everything that you know about Arthur Royce and his business dealings," (Warren then says with a slightly scolding look on his face as he's looking over at Erica, who then we see cringe a bit and look away with a slightly scared look on her face). "Well I don't know how much I can tell you…but I'll help you in whatever way that I can," (Alysson then says with a relieved but slightly unsure look on her face as she's looking around the room).
"That's all we ask of you Ms. Monroe, that and nothing more, but if everything goes as I believe that it will then you will not only help us bring justice to Arthur Royce but stop a nuclear war," (Warren then says with a very serious look on his face as he walks into the room with his hands in his pockets). "A nuclear war…," (Alysson then says with a very worried look on her face before she then takes another sip of her drink). "Is something that we will never allow to transpire," (Cable then says with a very serious scowl on his face as he walks into the room as Warren nods his head in agreement). "But enough of that for now, I would assume the excitement earlier this morning you would be quite in need of a good nights…make that days sleep," (Warren then says with a slightly tired look on his face as he gets to the chair that's beside the glass topped coffee table). "Well I am a little tired…," (Alysson then says with a yawn as she unfurls the blanket from around her). "Of course…if you'll follow me I'll show you a room that you can use," (Warren then says with a polite smile on his face as he starts to turn around as then we see Alysson nod her head to those in the room before she then follows Warren out of the room). "Have she told us anything that we can actually use yet," (Cable then says with an impatient scowl on his face as he picks up the blanket that Alysson left behind and then sits down).
"Not yet…so far we've just been trying to get her to trust us," (Warpath then says with a bored look on his face as he picks up the remote and turns on the TV). "And how is that going," (Cable then says with an impatient scowl on his face as he looks back over his shoulder at Siryn and Erica). (Then we see Siryn walk back and lay her pool cue down on the pool table as she then says), "If I had to hazard a guess I'd say that we're doing as well as we could expect in this situation." "Well that's all and good for now Theresa, but in cause you've forgotten most if not all of the nuclear warheads have already been delivered to their position…waiting only for their detonation orders," (Cable then says with a very serious and slightly angry scowl on his face as he smashes a clenched fist down on the arm of the couch). "Isn't there some other…quicker way, that we could search for the warheads, shouldn't they all be giving off some kind of radiation…couldn't we track them that way…or at least give us a place to start looking," (Erica then says with a frustrated scowl on her face as she then starts to roll the pool balls into the various pockets).
"I've already thought about it…Forge to, he even cobbled together a prototype, but when we tried it out wee didn't pick up anything…Forge concluded that the reason for our failure was because wherever the warheads were located they must be shielded somehow," (Cable then says with a very grim look on his face before he then takes the remote from Warpath and begins to angrily change the channels). "So then she is our only hope…not exactly who I would have expected but…," (Erica then says with an unhappy frown on her face as she puts her pool cue back). "Are ye sure that we can wait very long before we don' have a choice in the matter," (Siryn then says with a worried look on her face and her arms crossed as she's leaning on the pool table and looking over at Cable). "Well the way things are going…who knows," (Warpath then says with a concerned look on his face before he then takes a drink). "Well unfortunately I highly doubt that we'll have to wait very long before Apocalypse tries to remind us that he's still the one pulling the strings…that he's still calling all of the shots," (Cable then says with a very serious look on his face as he then gets fed up with what's on television and he then slams the remote down onto the ground and we see it shatter into a million pieces in a small panel before then we see Cable stand up and storm out of the room as Erica then says with a shocked and unhappy frown on her face as she watches Cable go as she's also leaning forward, supported by keeping her arms straight, on the pool table), "They'd better not expect me to pay for that…what?"
(And we see that as Erica finishes what she's saying Warpath and Siryn turn around and give her a confused look). "Should one of us go and make sure that he doesn't break something else, as in something that Warren or Elizabeth will make us pay for…in more ways than one," (Warpath then says with a look on his face as if he's worried and unsure of exactly what to do). "Maybe ye should…who knows what he'll…ew…that sounded…expensive…Jimmy…," (Siryn then says with a slightly scared look on her face before then in a panel we see a loud crash from another room and Siryn cringes and smiles slightly before she walks back over to Warpath and politely pats him on the shoulder). "I don't suppose that I have a choice…," (Warpath then says with a sigh and shrug of his shoulders as he rolls his eyes). (Then we see Siryn lean down and kiss Warpath on the cheek in a quick panel before then in the next panel we see Siryn say with a big and sweet smile on her face as she's patting Warpath on the shoulder), "Not unless ye want t' sleep alone tonight…no." "You two are terrible, I'm going for a swim," (Erica then says with a slightly disgusted look on her face before she then throws her hands up and leaves the room).
"I should get going…," (Warpath then says with a tired look on his face as he gets up and walks out of the room after setting his big gulp down on the coffee table). (Then we see Siryn purse her lips slightly and then say as she shakes her head), "He's like a bloody two year old." (Then we see Siryn sigh as she puts a coaster under Warpath's mug and then set about picking up the pieces of the shattered television remote control).
[Worthington Industries]
[The Office Of Warren Worthington III]
(We open with panels of the various people in the company as they're walking outside of Warren's office). (Then we move into Warren's office and see that he's being briefed on something by his secretary). (Then we see Warren smile and then nod to his secretary and she then leaves the room). (Then we see a panel of Warren as he picks up a small device off of his desk that looks like a calculator but slightly smaller and it has a blinking light on the top). "First things first," (Warren then says with a calm look on his face as he waves the device slowly around in the air). Good…no bugs, (Warren then thinks with a content look on his face as he lays the device back down on his desk). (Then we see Warren turn slightly in his chair and then push a button as he puts his thumb on a small transparent square that popped up as his finger gets scanned and then a small television screen pops up out of the floor near Warren's desk and it rises up to the same level that Warren's desk is at). (Then we see Warren turn to face the screen and then the screen sparkles to life). [Upstate New York]. (We see a panel of Professor Xavier walking into a room and the lights turn on and the whole room is filled with television screen and one entire wall is made up of one large television screen).
(Then we see Xavier pull a small remote out of his pocket, point it at the screen, and press a button). (Then we see the screen turn on and then we see that Warren's on the screen as Xavier then says with a happy look on his face), "Hello Warren…is this a business call…or do you have time to talk?" "I wish Charles, unfortunately this is an extremely serious call, I've got a situation out here…," (Warren then says with a very concerned scowl on his face as he's leaning back in his chair). "I can see that Warren…you don't look well, how bad is it," (Xavier then says with an equally serious look on his face as he leans on his cane a bit). "I'll put it this way Charles, I really don't see how it could get much worse," (Warren then says with a very grim look on his face before he puts his hand over his mouth in frustration). "You've seen bad times before Warren…we all have, are you sure that you're not overreacting even a little bit," (Xavier then says with a growing look of concern on his face as he slightly leans his head to one side). "Trust me…I'm sure, as if worrying about Betsy and the twins wasn't enough we've figured out what Apocalypse's master plan is…and it'd be enough to make you go bald…if you weren't already," (Warren then says with a very uncomfortable scowl on his face as he sits up in his chair and crosses his hands on his lap). (Then we see a quick panel of Xavier with a shocked look on his face as he also jerks a bit in shock).
"Elizabeth is…pregnant," (Xavier then says with a surprised look on his face as he lifts his head up a bit). "What…oh, yeah she is, about three months along to…but we can talk about that later, what I called to talk to you about was that there are a great number of nuclear warheads that were stolen from an old Soviet army base in Siberia a few months back…and were recently discovered to be being placed under strategic cities all over the world, waiting only for Apocalypse to order their detonation…and I don't think that I have to tell you what happens next…," (Warren then says with a very serious scowl on his face as then we see a panel of first Xavier's shocked then very concerned scowl on his face). "I wish that you had come to me with his earlier Warren, with all of the problems that we've been having here lately we could have still offered you some sort of assistance," (Xavier then says with a very grim scowl on his face as he brings a hand up and tiredly wipes that hand across his face). (Then we see Warren lean forward in his chair a bit and then say with a slightly relieved look on his face), "I thought about it, but we agreed that it was best to not cause a general panic until we knew for sure what happened to the warheads." "Well now that you do know of their location I'm assuming that you want our help to retrieve them," (Xavier then says with a calm look on his face as he's shifting his weight from one leg to another).
"Actually I'm calling to ask for your help in finding them only, I have a plan to deal with them once they're found, one that I feel will put us all at ease," (Warren then says with a serious and slightly nervous look on his face). "Are you sure about that Warren, Apocalypse is not one to leave something like a nuclear warhead unguarded," (Xavier then says with a concerned look on his face as he leans forward on his cane). "We can handle it…luckily everyone on my team is pretty level headed…for the most party anyway, I don't have to worry about Logan slipping into one of his berserker rages and things of that nature," (Warren then says with a restrained laugh as Xavier slowly nods his head). "Well then let's get down to business," (Xavier then says with a serious look on his face in a close up panel of his head).
[Meanwhile]
(We open with panels of Erica swimming laps in the pool with a radio placed on a pool chair near the side of the pool and it's blaring loudly). (Then we see Betsy come walking out of the mansion with a bottle of water and a newspaper). (Then we see Betsy get to a table with an umbrella over it and then sit down as from off panel we see Erica say), "Needed to get some air eh?" "Well…something like that," (Betsy then says with a tired look on her face as she sets her bottled water down and crosses her legs). "Well I definitely needed some, it's why I came out her for a swim, swimming has always helped me cool off and relax," (Erica then says with a content sigh as she climbs out of the pool and she's wearing a pretty skimpy red bikini). "Trying to get a certain someone's attention are we," (Betsy then says with an amused grin on her face as she leans back in her chair and opens the paper). "I don't know what you're talking about," (Erica then says with an amused scowl on her face as she grabs her towel and begins to dry off).
"You might be able to fool Sam and Tabitha with that drivel but not me, I would advise you to drop your infatuation with him before it brings you a lot of trouble," (Betsy then says as we see her peeking around the edge of the newspaper). "Maybe you should mind your own business and let me…," (Erica then says with a forced calm look on her face as she wraps her towel around her neck and passes by Betsy, who doesn't look up). "Oh look there's Sam now," (Betsy then says with an amused smile on her face as she lifts her head back and looks back towards the mansion and Erica has her back to the mansion and in the next panel we see her say), "What," (with an excited look on her face as she turns around). (Then we see Erica get angry and then turn to Betsy and raise a hand to protest but then we see a panel of a close up view of Betsy's face as she's looking back at Erica out of the corner of her eye with also a slight smile curling around the edges of her mouth as she says), "Try it and you'll be in a full body cast by sundown, I may be pregnant but I can still kick your ass if I need to." "Stay out of my head," (Erica then says with an angry grimace on her face as she's pulling her towel off from around her neck). "I didn't have to lift a finger to know what you were going to say, you're like an open book Erica," (Betsy then says with a calm look on her face as she turns to the next page of the paper).
(Then we see Erica lean forward a bit before she then grumbles something incoherently before she then tosses her towel over the back of a nearby chair). (Then we see Erica jump back into the pool and dive down deep). "What was that all about," (We then see Forge say with a slightly confused look on his face as he walks up to the table and then lean on his cane as he pulls a chair back and then sits down). "Nothing…you don't look well my friend, did something happen," (Betsy then says with a worried look on her face as she slightly leans forward and drops the newspaper down a bit). "So you noticed eh, today has just not been a good day for me, I don't know how log it'll take me to heal but…," (Forge then says with a concerned and very tired look on his face as he leans back in his chair). "Don't rush it Forge, the injuries that you sustained would have killed most men," (Betsy then says with a very concerned look on her face as she is folding the paper back up). (Then we see Forge say calmly as he wipes some sweat off of his forehead), "Lucky for me that I'm not most men, right?" "Lucky for all of us Forge, we're going to need you to be health if we're going to win this war against Apocalypse, after all we still have to find all of those bloody warheads before they have a chance to be detonated," (Betsy then says with a concerned scowl on her face as she's opening her bottle of water).
"Actually I've spent almost all day trying to think of something that could help us find those warheads," (Forge then says as he leans forward a bit with his elbows on the table and also with a thoughtful scowl on his face). "Oh…have you had any success…we could use some right about now," (Betsy then says with a restrained look of hope on her face as she also leans forward over the table a bit). "Unfortunately I haven't really come up with very much…other than a few things, but to use any of those devices we'd have to actually find the warheads first," (Forge then says with a very disappointed scowl on his face as his hands are clasped together in front of him on the table). "That is unfortunate Forge…most unfortunate, but maybe our luck might soon be changing, right about now Warren should be on a videophone call with Professor Xavier," (Betsy then says with a serious but yet hopeful look on her face as she leans back in her chair). "I hope that meeting goes well," (Forge then says with a very restrained look of hope on his face before he then turns and says with an almost smile on his face), "Erica…how are…you look…." "Uh…hi…Forge," (Erica then says with a kind of childish smile on her face and she's also blushing as she's also propping herself up on the edge of the pool as she's about halfway out of the pool using her crossed arms for support).
"Out for a midday swim," (Forge then says with an uncomfortable look on his face as he hangs his head a bit and shifts in his chair). (Then we see a panel of Betsy with a confused and somewhat startled look on her face as she then says), "Is there…something that I should know about?" "What…no, I just…didn't know that…," (Forge then says with a slightly worried look on his face as he scratches the back of his head). "So what's the story here old man, you aren't talking about me behind my back are you," (Erica then says with an uncomfortable look on her face as she pulls herself up and out of the pool and is sitting on the edge of the pool with her legs still dangling into the pool). "You know us Erica, of course we were talking about you behind your back," (Betsy then says with a joking smile on her face as she looks back over her shoulder at Erica, who gives her a slightly angry look in return). "Actually Elizabeth and I were discussing our most recent attempts to locate and then dispose of the nuclear warheads that we've been trying to find for so long," (Forge then says with a scolding look on his face as Betsy just smiles, rolls her eyes, and shakes her head). "Well then, don't let me stand in your way," (Erica then says with an uncharacteristically cheerful smile on her face as she grabs her towel and then walks by Forge and she winks at him as she does it).
[Some Time Later]
[Even though the bed is soft and the room dark she finds it hard to get any sleep at all]. [For every time that she dares to close her eyes, even but for a split second, horrific and nightmare inducing images bombard her, overwhelming her]. [But through all of that she has persevered, garnering at least a few short precious hours of sleep before being awoken]. (We open with a few quick panels of Alysson's room and then of her asleep in the bed and her hair is all different colors). (Then we see her toss and turn as it's obvious that she's not having a good night's sleep). (Then we see her be able to get some sleep and she's sleeping peacefully). (Then we see a panel of outside of her room as we see Siryn approach the door and then knock on it as she says), "Alysson…are ye awake?" (Then we see Alysson slowly wake up and then throw the covers off). (Then we see Alysson walk to the door as from outside we see Siryn saying), "Hey in there, ye awake?"
(Then we see Alysson get to the door and then throw it open as she then yells out angrily), "What?" "Sorry…just thought that you'd want to have a little bite to eat before ye went outside and had a talk with Forge and Psylocke," (Siryn then says with a shocked and apologetic look on her face before she then smiles). (Then we see Alysson say with an unhappy look on her face as she goes back into the room to get the rest of her stuff), "I'm not going to talk to the hot guy with the wings?" "Ye mean Warren…no, he's way to busy at work right now, talking t' Professor Xavier," (Siryn then says with a slightly cheesy smile on her face as she and Alysson then walk through the mansions halls). "So then you all live here together," (Alysson then says with a slightly unsure look on her face as she's looking around). "Aye, luckily this place is big enough for all of us and then some," (Siryn then says with a small smile as she opens the door for Alysson as they're passing into a study). "You saying that Warren owns all of this…didn't know that he was that rich," (Alysson then says with an impressed look on her face as she stops and looks around again).
"Aye…all of this is his, Warren Worthington III is filthy rich…he has more money than he knows what to do with," (Siryn then says with a calm and appreciative look on her face as they pass into a hallway). "Doesn't it matter that he's a mutant," (Alysson then says with a confused scowl on her face as they pass into the kitchen and find Tabitha sitting at the table with a slightly uncomfortable look on her face and Sam is getting something out of the refrigerator). "Fortunately no," (Siryn then says with a polite smile on her face before Sam then says with an equally polite smile), "Hey Terry, Alysson…can I get you anything while I'm in here?" "Ye want a sandwich or something, I think we should have some loose meat…that is if Jimmy didn' eat it all…again," (Siryn then says with a calm look on her face as she turns back to Alysson, who then waves her off with a smile on her face as she then says), "It's okay…really, I'm a vegetarian anyway, I'll just have a soda." "Coming right up," (Sam then says with a smile on his face as he pulls a few cans of pop and one bottle of juice out of the refrigerator and then hands two of the cans to Alysson and Siryn and then he carries the bottle of juice and one can of pop to Tabitha).
"Why don't I get…," (Tabitha then starts to say with a pout on her face and her arms are crossed). "You're still recovering from the hit that the golem gave you…so until you're better all you get is juice," (Sam then says with a concerned scowl on his face as he hands the juice bottle to Tabitha and then sits down beside her). "So where is this Psylocke that I'm supposed to talk to anyway," (Alysson then says with an almost bored look on her face before she then opens and takes a drink of pop). "Pregnant lady out by the pool, next to the guy that looks kinda like…," (Tabitha then says with an unhappy frown on her face as she nods her head back towards the window). "George Hamilton, only better looking," (We then see Erica say with a slight smirk on her face as she enters the kitchen with her towel still around her neck and she's still pretty much dripping wet). (Then we see Sam stare a bit but he looks away as Tabitha glares at him and slugs him in the shoulder as she then says), "Hey!" "Out for a swim…," (Alysson then says with a slightly confused and shocked look on her face as she's looking back at Erica). (Then we see Siryn say with a disapproving scowl on her face as she's leaning back over the back of her chair as she's looking at Erica), "Ye know that you're dripping water everywhere…ye should go back outside and dry off first."
"I don't have to…whatever," (Erica then starts to say angrily before she then gets fed up and storms back outside). "Is she…always like that," (Alysson then says with a confused and unsure look on her face as she looks around the room). "Nope, she's just like that when she isn't getting any," (Tabitha then says with a growing smile on her face before everyone else in the room joins in the smile and then laugh). (Then we see Alysson slowly nod her head to those in the room before she then heads out of the kitchen). (Then we cut to a panel of Erica as she's walking outside by a bunch of flowers as she's carrying her towel in between her hands, that are tightly clenched in fists, that are down at her sides as she's leaning forward slightly and she has a very angry look on her face). Who does that little bitch think she is…coming in here…talking to me like that, (Erica then thinks angrily as she kicks a dirt clod and grimaces in anger and frustration as beside her we see the bed of flowers that is made up of mostly tulips with a few rose bushes and then in the next panel we see the flowers, that are underneath a big group of windows, as Erica has just passed by and we see her yell from off panel), "Aargh," (as then all of the flowers burst into flames).
(Then we see Erica open a door and then go in and begin to walk through the halls as she then says with a somber look on her face), "Stupid Psylocke, thinks she knows everything because…because…." "Nnh…wha…no…not now, I can't," (Erica then starts to say as suddenly a trickle of blood begins to flow from her nose and then we see Erica with an ever increasing grimace of pain on her face as it then drives her to her knees and she has to grab a small table to try to steady herself). (The we see Erica stagger back up to her feet and she then stumbles forward until she gets to the right room as she thinks), If I…can just…get to my room. [Struggle as he might she is only able to make it back to her room before…]. (Then we see Erica open the door and then stumble into the room a step or two before she then gets dizzy and looks sick before she then collapses to the floor).
[Out By The Pool]
(We open with a few panels of Betsy and Forge sitting by the pool talking to each other). (Then we see from behind Alysson as she walks out of the mansion and is heading towards the pool as we see that she's taking a drink of pop). (We then see panels of Alysson walking towards us as around her she passes under trees and by bushes). (Then we see a panel of Forge handing something to Betsy as he then says with a serious look on his face), "Here's the new analyzer that Warren asked for…I hope that this one works better for you than the last one did." "So do I," (Betsy then says with a tired look on her face as she takes the device and lays it on top of the folded up newspaper as a timid Alysson approaches the table). "Um excuse me…you're Psylocke and Forge…right," (Alysson then says with a slightly scared look on her face as both Forge and Betsy look up at her). "My codename is Psylocke yes, but my real name is Elizabeth Braddock, and this is Forge…I'm sorry that we didn't get a chance to meet earlier but I had to get up early and I haven't been feeling to well lately," (Betsy then says with a calm and polite smile on her face as she leans back in her chair and takes a drink of water).
(Then we see Alysson say with a serious look on her face as she accepts a chair that is pushed out for her by Forge and she sits down), "Good…so what do you want to know?" "Well pretty much everything," (Forge then says with a tired look on his face as he leans back in his chair). "Okay…well I was born…," (Alysson then starts to say with a somber frown on her face as she clasps her hands together in front of her on the table). (Then we see Betsy hold a hand up with a bored out of her mind look on her face as she says with her eyes closed), "Stop…Ms. Monroe, I doubt that's what Forge meant…why don't you start with your association with Arthur Royce." "Oh…yeah, okay," (Alysson then says with a slightly embarrassed look on her face as she hangs her head a bit). "Don't be embarrassed Ms. Monroe…Elizabeth isn't in to good of a mood today, she's just being hard on you," (Forge then says with a small smile on his face as he's inspecting the top of his cane). "I am not being hard on her, I just don't want to hear her prattle on about her bloody childhood with all of her frilly little dresses and her first kiss," (Betsy then says with an angry scowl on her face with her arms also crossed as Forge is shocked at her words).
"Fine…I first met Mr. Royce when I got kicked out of a bar for being to young," (Alysson then starts to say with a slightly unsure look on her face as she stares at the table in front of her). "I won't even ask what you were doing at that bar," (Betsy then says with an unsure look on her face as she looks over at Alysson). "He helped me out, gave me a place to sleep, all I had to do was deliver a few things for him every now and then, probably because the cops wouldn't give me a second glance," (Alysson then says with a sarcastic laugh as she leans back in her chair and then smiles). "We already know all of that Ms. Monroe…Alysson…may we call you Alysson…," (Forge then says with a small smile on his face as he turns to Alysson who nods her head in agreement and he then continues), "Good, anyway we know all about your past history before you met Arthur Royce and the circumstances of your employment under him, what we don't know is what insider information that you picked up on his businesses along the way, like where his main office is, where he stockpiled all of his resources, if you know any of those places that he used to frequent a lot…or that he used any digging equipment at."
"Digging equipment, I don't…wait a minute yeah…I think he did, there was this one time that I delivered a small package to him at one of the raves that he runs, over the music I could hear something that sounded like drilling, but when I asked him about it he said that it was just some workmen putting in some new pipes," (Alysson then says at first with a confused look on her face and then her whole face brightens up at the end). "Really, where was this rave located…exactly," (Betsy then says with a concerned look on her face as she leans forward intently). "Yeah…I…I think so why," (Alysson then says with a slightly unsure look on her face and her hands in her lap as she suddenly looks like a small child that is awaiting their punishment). "Because we're going to do something that someone should have done a long time ago, that and making this world a far safer place for all of us to live in, not to mention making it a better place to raise children," (Betsy then says with a very serious look on her face in a panel at first where she's looking at Forge and then in the next panel where she stops talking she has a very worried and concerned scowl on her face and a hand or two on her stomach).
"What Elizabeth is trying to say is that we are intent on stopping a man that could very well be the lynchpin that will start the apocalypse," (Forge then says with a very serious and grim look on his face as at first Alysson looks at him with a calm look on her face before she then smiles and laughs a bit as she says), "The next apocalypse…you're joking…right?" "No…we're not," (Forge then says with an extremely cold and serious look on his face as in a close up panel we see his metal hand turned palm towards him that's in front of his face). (Then we see a very scared Alysson say as she turns to look first at Betsy and then at Forge), "You're not…are you…oh God…you're not." "You can give Forge the exact coordinates later, right now I think it best you go back inside and make a full list of every location that you can remember taking a delivery to and then names and things like that about all of those men that Arthur Royce did business with," (Betsy then says with at first a tired look on her face before she then almost jumps up to her feet and then turns towards the mansion as we then see Forge say with a shocked and worried look on his face as he starts to stand up as he says), "Elizabeth, what is it, what's wrong?"
(Then we see Betsy drop her head a bit and then say with a pained look on her face as she also has a hand on her stomach), "Nnh…something's wrong in the mansion, we need to get in there…she needs our help." "Who does, who needs our help…Dani…Tabitha," (Forge then says with a very concerned look on his face as he rushes to Betsy's side as best he can). "No…it's Erica, something's gone wrong with here powers, she couldn't control them…she lost control, became to agitated," (Betsy then says with a pained grimace on her face as she starts to hurry back towards the mansion with Forge at her side and a startled Alysson bringing up the rear). (Then we see Forge and Betsy enter the kitchen as Siryn then says), "Forge…Psylocke, what's wrong," (with a concerned look on her face as she rushes around the island in the kitchen as Betsy goes through the kitchen followed by Forge). "Something's wrong with Erica, where is she," (Forge then says with a worried look on his face as Siryn follows them and then says with an unsure look on her face), "I think she went back to her room, she didn' seem to be very happy."
"Someone should have noticed that fact and done something about it, her powers went out of control and overwhelmed her," (Betsy then says angrily as she storms through a set of double doors). "It's not our fault Psylocke, she was just in one of her moods, she look alright when I saw her last," (Siryn then says with a slightly angry look on her face as she rushes to keep up with Betsy and Forge as they pass through a living room a we see Sam and Warpath battling each other via a video game). "Because Theresa, if we don't get to her in time she could die," (Betsy then says with a very fearful look on her face before as she finishes we see a panel of Erica lying on the floor just inside her room).-END