My Uncanny XMen Mini's

by LoganAlpha30

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

33. My 33rd Mini

UNCANNY X-MEN MINI #33:  AN ENDING AND A BEGINNING

BY: LOGANALPHA30

""-Words

( ) – Art Instructions

-Thoughts

[ ] – Caption Boxes

+ + - Time, Place Boxes

[They pass through tunnel after tunnel, squeezing into many a tight fit in their pursuit of their quarry].  (We open with a few panels of Warren and Betsy in their attempts to follow the patrol of crimson dawn warriors that we saw earlier).  (Then we see that patrol stop and start to talk to another patrol).  Great…what now, (We then see Betsy say to Warren telepathically with an unhappy frown on her face as she turns back towards him and squats down).  Well unless you know how to turn yourself invisible I'm all out of ideas Betts, (We then see Warren say back with a dopey and slightly sarcastic look on his face as he shrugs his shoulders and squats down beside her and folds his wings around Betsy and himself).  Well I have one idea, that wall save us both from a needless and time consuming fight…, (We then see Betsy say back telepathically with an almost impish grin on her face before we see her activate her powers, with the butterfly as well, and turn her head towards the assembled crimson dawn warriors).  What are you doing, (We then see Warren ask with a confused and concerned look on his face as he lays a hand on her shoulder). 

Watch and learn grasshopper, (We then see Betsy say back telepathically with a sly grin on her face as she cocks an eyebrow and points an index finger towards the crimson dawn warriors).  (Then we see a panel of the warriors suddenly snap into a standing straight up stance before we see them all become suddenly very angry in close up panels of their faces and then they begin to viciously attack each other).  (Then we see a panel of Warren as he has a cheesy smile on his face and Betsy nods her head).  (Then we see a panel of the two sneaking past the crimson dawn warriors before we then see Warren and Betsy stop and Betsy breaks one of the warriors jaw with her foot while Warren then grabs one of the warriors around the neck with both hands, as it tries to break his hold, and smacks two other warriors with his wings). 

"Like…taking candy from a baby," (We then see Warren say with a confidant smile on his face as the warrior that he was strangling passes out).  "Great…now don't get cocky," (We then see Betsy say with a serious frown on her face as she's choking a crimson dawn warrior from behind with her left arm wrapped around the warriors throat with her right arm wrapped around the top of the warriors head).  "I love it when you talk dirty," (We then see Warren say with an odd smirk on his face as he grabs the weapon of the downed crimson dawn warrior and jabs its point into the stomach of the warrior that Betsy is choking out).  "There's still five left luv, plenty for each of us," (We then see Betsy say with a less than impressed look on her face before she squeezes hard and the crimson dawn warrior that she's choking passes out and she lets him drop).  (Then we see Warren start to say something but he gets clocked in the back of the head by the end of one of the weapons of the crimson dawn warriors and he goes down hard).  (Then we see Betsy look on in shock before she recovers and vaults over the downed crimson dawn warrior and uses Warren's back as a springboard and then lunges and drives her shoulder straight into the warrior's midsection in a fierce tackle). 

(Then we see Betsy do a quick handstand before she drives both knees down into the crimson dawn warrior's chin, knocking him out).  (Then we see Betsy spin around and get a leg lock around the head of a crimson dawn warrior that's trying to get back up as she's choking him we see her say with a confidant smile on her face), "Now be a dear and stay down!"  (Then we see a panel of that warrior resisting before we then see Warren stagger back up to his feet and then say to that crimson dawn warrior), "You should listen to the lady…nnh…you don't want to see her angry."  "Stay out of this Warren, or else after I get through with this joker here I'm going to wrap that weapon around your neck so tightly that…," (We then see Betsy say with a grave scowl on her face as she glares back at Warren as he then has to act quickly and ducks down out of the way of a weapons blast). (Then we see Warren spin around and kick a charging crimson dawn warrior in the stomach).  (Then we see a panel of Betsy as she twists her body and that act knocks the warrior out cold).  "This is getting a little out of hand here Betts…I thought that you said that we weren't going to get into a needless and time consuming fight…," (We then see Warren say with a slightly nervous look on his face as he gets that warrior that he just kicked into a tight headlock). 

(Then we see Betsy bounce back up to her feet and kick a can on the ground up into the face of another of the crimson dawn warriors before she grabs that warriors weapon and smashes the end of it into his face before she fires the weapon and the crimson dawn warrior's head gets blown off as she says), "What can I say…I couldn't help myself."  "And that…," (We then see Warren ask with a confused look on his face as we see he and Betsy standing over the dead warrior's body).  "That…well that's…," (We then see Betsy say with a nervous and slightly scared look on her face before she shakes her head and turns away with a hand to her mouth).  "An accident…the heat of the moment thing…," (We then see Warren add with a nervous look on his face before the two turn back and continue the fight).

+ Paris +

+ In Lockup +

(We open with a few panels of the team looking up from their bunks as cocky guards strut past and the team looks demoralized).  (We see that Forge is sitting with Erica and she doesn't look any better than before).  "This sucks," We then see Tabitha grumble with a very unhappy frown on her face as she pulls her feet up onto the cot and turns to Sam).  "I know Tabitha but right now there's not really very much that any of us can do about it…at least until…," (We then see Sam say with an impatient and unhappy frown on his face as he idly runs a hand through Tabitha's hair before Pete cuts in with a very serious look on his face), "At least until we're run ragged and get picked off one by one."  (Then we see Siryn brush some hair off of her face and say), "Ye know what Pete, you'd better be glad that there's about twenty pounds of steel between us and that I can' use my powers…because otherwise I'd be more than happy to ram that smug self righteous smirk straight down your…," (with a very frustrated and angry scowl on her face as she then sneers at Pete and opens her eyes wider and tightly holds onto the bars). 

"I think that's enough for now Terry," (We then see Warpath say with a slightly embarrassed and concerned look on his face as he stands up and gently pulls Siryn away from the bars as Pete starts to stand up and shout something back but Forge lays a restraining hand on his shoulder as he says with a very serious and cold frown on his face), "That's enough Pete."  "Sod off already you giant tinker toy, I…," (We then see Pete growl with an angry scowl on his face as he shoves Forge's hand off of his should and stands up but almost instantly he grabs his left hip and grimaces).  "Can it Pete, we can't turn on each other now," (We then see Sam say with an angry glare aimed at Pete and Forge before we then see Siryn lean back up against Warpath and then say with an unhappy look on her face), "Ye sure told them Sammy, they're quaking with fear."  "Shut up Terry," (We then see Tabitha exclaim with an angry frown on her face as she sits up on her bunk and glares over towards Siryn, who then says with a defiant and frustrated scowl on her face as she breaks away from Warpath and rushes to the bars and is almost physically challenging Tabitha to a fight), "Why you bloody…!" 

"That is…enough," (We then see Warpath shout very loudly with a very angry look on his face as he leaps to his feet with his hands clenched into fists as we see everyone react with shock and they cringe a bit as we see that Siryn looks scared a bit).  "Jimmy…," (We then see Siryn say with a nervous and scared look on her face as she starts to turn around but keeps only half turned).  "What in the hell is going on here…a few minutes in here and we start turning on each other, what are we…children," (We then see an angry and fed up Warpath shout as he storms up to the bars of the cell and rattles them angrily).  (Then we see a quick panel of everyone looking guilty and embarrassed as they avert their eyes and stare sadly at the floor).  (Then we see a panel of Tabitha with a cheesy smile on her face start to lift her hand up like she's back in school and says), "Uh Jimmy…now don't bite my head off or anything for saying this but…lay off!" 

(We then see a panel of Sam looking shocked before we then see Warpath trying his best to keep his calm and not snap as then we see Forge snap his head up and say with a very clear and serious look on his face), "Alright children, obviously none of us are completely in our right minds…something…or someone is clouding our judgment…making us do things…say things that we wouldn't otherwise ever give voice to, we have to put our personal opinions aside and work together if we're ever going to liberate ourselves from this prison and get back home, let alone shut Apocalypse down."  "It's one thing t' own up to the situation Forge…but it's an entirely different matter to break out of this Godforsaken pit…," (We then see a frustrated and bored Siryn say as she leans back up against Warpath and hangs her head a bit).  "Then why don't we figure out how to get our asses out of here instead of bitching at each other," (We then see Erica  say with a pained and angry look on her face as her eyes are but slits and she is running a shaky hand through her hair that's all matted and looking bad). 

"Okay…so anybody got any ideas…," (We then see Pete ask with an almost flippant and carefree smirk on his face as he barely lifts his head up).  "Well…we could always do the old sick and injured prisoner routine, you know the one I mean Sam, one of us pretends to be sick and we get a guard to come into the cell before someone else jumps him from behind," (We then see Tabitha say with an optimistic smile on her face as we then pull back in a side panel as we see Sam and Tabitha a little blurry in the background as in the foreground we see Siryn looking back over her shoulder at Warpath as she frowns and also shrugs her shoulders as we see Warpath smile awkwardly and also shrug his shoulders in response).  (Then we see a panel of Pete cocking an eyebrow as he turns his head towards Forge, who scowls and then turns his head and looks upwards as a pink butterfly appears on his forehead and a telepathic image of Betsy's head appears nearby as she says telepathically), Forge…what's going on…where are you? 

Psylocke what…but I thought that you were dead set against Warren coming with me and…, (We then see Forge say back to Betsy with a confused look on his face as he's looking up and around as if he's trying to look for Betsy and the others are oblivious to what's going on).  Things change Forge, what's the situation, (We then see the Betsy head say with a serious and concerned look on her face as we do a quick scan around the cells).  The plan hit a few…snags, somehow the team slipped up and got caught by Apocalypse, (We then see Forge say with a grim frown on his face as he links the fingers of one of his hands with one of Erica's).  Seems like they weren't the only ones…so what's your excuse, (We then see Betsy ask with an amused smirk on her face as Forge's first reaction is to scowl before he answers), I got careless…but we can talk about that later, right now we need to get Erica and the others out of here, Death has set up his own coliseum complete with gladiator fights and him as emperor, deciding the combatants fate, Sam's got a nasty looking wound on his side that he says isn't bothering him but I know that he's lying, Tabitha's all beat up and she's probably got a few broken ribs, Terry and James look okay, and Pete probably pulled something in his hip, generally we more resemble a m.a.s.h. unit than an X-team. 

I'll have Warren contact Doctor Henderson back in San Francisco and have a trauma team awaiting our arrival, (We then see Betsy say with a grim frown on her face as she slightly turns away from looking at Forge to look around the room).  Good, but what about Charles and Moira, (We then see Forge ask with a concerned look on his face as Erica turns her head and looks up at him).  I'm hoping that they're either taking a nap or being fed…and not wondering where Warren and I are, (We then see Betsy say back before Erica cuts in and asks with a confused and somewhat worried look on her face), "Hey Forge…you okay?"  "Huh…yeah, I'm fine, just getting an update," (We then see Forge say with a reassuring smile on his face before the door to their cell opens and we see an angry looking Imol standing in the doorway). 

+Elsewhere+

(We open with a few panels of Warren and Betsy as they're kneeling down amongst a few unconscious crimson dawn warriors as they're looking for something).  "How much time do we have," (We then see Warren ask with a concerned and frustrated look on his face as he shoves the body of a warrior away from him).  "I fear not very much, when my contact with Forge was abruptly broke off the last image that I got was of Imol standing in the doorway of their cell, beckoning for Forge to follow him," (We then see Betsy say with an impatient and frustrated scowl on her face as she stands up and dusts her hands off on her pants).  "Jailbirds again eh…did you get any notion of how close we are to them, Dr. Henderson can only keep his trauma team at the mansion for so long," (We then see Warren add with an almost sarcastic smirk on his face as he also then stands up and dusts his hands off).  "Well we're closer than we were five minutes ago when you asked last luv, but we've got to get down to the cellblock and free them before we're discovered or else none of us will make it out of Paris alive," (We then see Betsy say with a very serious look on her face as she shuffles over to a nearby wall and then hazard's a quick look around the corner). 

"You want me to get to the cellblock while you take out their communications…or should we forego the blackout of the airways and go for the more simplistic jailbreak with a distraction," (We then see Warren ask with an almost sarcastic smirk on his face as he walks past Betsy and into the darkened hallway as we see his silhouette and Betsy's head is peeking around the corner as well).  "I'll free the team while you create a rather convincing…and preferably time consuming diversion, one that'll afford me the time to get the job done, think that you can handle that luv," (We then see Betsy say with an amused smirk on her face as she cocks an eyebrow and tilts her head up to look at Warren, who rolls his eyes and then says as he starts off towards us down the hallway), "I think so…."  (Then we see a panel of Betsy as she's looking down the hallway after Warren as she says with a very serious look on her face), "Just don't go an do anything stupid like getting killed, although come to think of it if you were to perish I would be able to remodel the…."  "I'll try to remember that as I'm being ripped limb from limb in the coliseum Betts," (We then see Warren say with a sarcastic frown on his face as he rolls his eyes and ducks around a corner).

+Meanwhile+

+The Coliseum+

[The rubber match, one could say]

(We open with a panel of the coliseum floor as the two combatants slowly circle around each other).  (Then we move in closer and see that the two fighters are Forge and War, as War is building up a small sphere of energy around each of his fists with a sneer on his face while Forge doesn't have a weapon but yet has a very determined scowl on his face).  "You should have stayed at home Maker," (We then see War shout with a mocking sneer on his face before he fires off a blast aimed at Forge's feet).  "You should know me better than that War, I do what I think is right and let the consequences come as they will," (We then see Forge say back to War with a very serious look on his face as he stands his ground and doesn't flinch as the blast that War fired hits scarily close to his feet).  "Well then tin man, let's see just how well you handle the consequences of your actions," (We then see War say with a cocky smirk on his face before he then rushes towards Forge, who then drops to a knee and avoids War's first attack before he then throws an uppercut that lands on War's jaw, a punch that sends War staggering backwards a few steps). 

(Then we see War recover from Forge's punch before ten we see a few quick panels of the two exchanging punches as they continue to fight all over the coliseum floor as we see that Forge is doing damage with his metal hand and Forge is getting thrown into the walls and then slammed down onto the ground).  (Then we see a panel of right after Forge is thrown over War's shoulder and slammed down to the ground and Forge is looking up and gritting his teeth as War is looking down at him with an arrogant smirk on his face as he then says), "You see mutant…no matter how much you struggle, it is all in vain!"  "In that case…you're really going to hate me after I do this…," (We then see Forge say with an energetic grin on his face before we see his metal arm start to crackle with almost lightning as we see that War is surprised).  (Then we see a panel of Forge as he jabs his metal fist right into War's stomach in a punch to the stomach as War is engulfed in a storm of lightning as War howls in pain and is soon blasted back and crashes hard into the boards before we then see Forge start to stand up but then Imol phases through the wall behind Forge and charges towards Forge before he drives his shoulder into the middle of Forge's back). 

(We then see Forge crash to the ground and then start to roll away but is stopped when one of the golems materializes beside him and grabs Forge, pinning his arms to his side, and picks him up like a rag doll).  "You should have given up Maker…now you're going to pay for your insolence," (We then see Imol say with an angry scowl on his face as in the distance we see War dusting himself off with an angry sneer on his face).  "Giving up…isn't in my…nature," (We then see Forge say through gritted teeth and a very pained look on his face).  "And that fact will be your downfall," (We then see War shout with an angry look on his face as he readies a plasma blast).  (Then we see the golem toss Forge up into the air before we see War blast him with a powerful plasma blast like they're skeet shooting).  (Then we see Forge get blasted and go flying all of the way across the coliseum floor before he smashes down into the crowd as a lot of dust and other things like that are kicked up and the members of the crowd cry out and run away).  (Then we see a panel of Forge buried in the wreckage of the stands as he groans in pain). 

(Then we see Death cackle with delight), "Ha ha yes…now we're getting somewhere!"  "Leave him to me, it's about time that I got to kill one of them," (We then see an energized and delighted Imol say with a big grin on his face as he begins to walk towards the place in the stands that Forge crashed down into).  (Then we see a panel or two of Warren slipping in between the long shadows near the coliseum as he's also pulling his wings in tight to not be seen by any of the crimson dawn warriors that are serving as guards).  (Then we see Warren jump out and grab one of the warriors from behind and choke him out).  (Then we see Warren drag that warrior back into the darkness before he steps back out of the shadows and thinks with a very serious look on his face and a hand up on the wall), Now to cause that distraction that Betsy wanted.  (Then we cut back to Imol as he's climbing up the steps to a very injured Forge with an iron pipe in his hands).  (Then we see Imol standing over Forge, who's just pushed himself up out of the wreckage and he's all bloody, ready to crush his face in with the iron pipe before then in the next panel we see someone say from off panel as we then see a hand reach out and grab the end of the pipe), "I'll take that!" 

"Huh…," (We then see Imol say with a surprised and shocked look on his face as he looks up and then we see Warren pulling the iron pipe out of Imol's hands as he says with a daring smile on his face), "You wouldn't…by some small chance be trying to cave my friends head in would you, because that'd be a bad thing."  "Damn you," (We then see Imol shout with a very angry look on his face as he glares up at Warren before we then see War and several of the crimson dawn warriors begin to try to shoot Warren out of the sky but we see Warren dodge the attacks).  (Then we see Warren swoop down low in between some of the crimson dawn warriors that are firing at him and he flies through quickly enough that they end up blasting each other).  "You guys really should get some new henchman, because that was far to easy," (We then see Warren say with a confidant and even mocking smirk on his face as he stops flying straight and starts to hover).  (Then we see a panel of War as he gets very angry and takes his anger out on some nearby crimson dawn warriors by vaporizing them with a very powerful plasma blast). 

"You are far to arrogant mutant, especially for a failure of our lord Apocalypse," (We then see Death say with an angry and fed up look on his face as he quickly gets to his feet and then walks towards the front of his viewing box).  "Enough with the failure talk already, you all are the failures, for believing in the specist dogma of a self obsessed and psychotic despot," (We then see Warren shout back with a determined and serious look on his face as he lands on the railing of one of the levels and waits for War and Death to make their move).  "Your words mean nothing to us failure, your efforts are in vain, you and all of your compatriots will perish," (We then see War shout with a very angry look on his face before he fires off a few plasma blasts before we then see Imol jump up from behind and grab Warren's ankle).  (Then we see a panel of Imol trying to pull Warren down and Warren is trying his best to pull away but can't as then we see War take the opening and blast Warren in the chest that drives him back through a thin wall).  

(Then we see a quick panel of War reveling in his triumph before we then see a panel of Warren pushing himself up and out of the rubble as his chest is still smoking as we then see him think with a very serious and worried look on his face), I really hope Betsy's having more luck.

+The Prison Cellblock+

(We open with a panel of Sam sitting beside Tabitha, who's standing, on their cot and he's grimacing in pain and holding his side and Tabitha is standing beside him and she doesn't look very happy).  (Then we see Warpath sitting on the floor of his and Siryn's cell and he's pushing some pebbles around on the floor while Siryn is tying her hair back up into a ponytail and staring up at the ceiling).  "Surprisingly that pebble is just about the same size as both of your…," (We then see someone say from off panel that makes Warpath jerk his head up suddenly with both a shocked and surprised look on his face and Siryn stops abruptly in the middle of what she's doing and tilts her head down a bit).  "What the…," (We then see Sam say with a slightly confused look on his face as he stands up).  "Sorry to interrupt all of your fun people but Charles and Moira are waiting for me at home and Warren can't keep those flunkies busy for to much longer," (We then see Betsy say with a pessimistic frown on her face as she lays a hand on the bars).  "Psylocke…how did you," (We then see Pete say with a confused look on his face as he limps towards the bars). 

"What's it matter how she got here…or why, the only thing that matters is that she's here, pulling our collective asses out of the fire…again, God I feel like I'm back in college…or even worse…high school," (We then see Erica say with a pained grimace on her face as she is barely able to push herself up off of her cot with one arm).  "So get us out of here already," (We then see Tabitha say with a frustrated look on her face as she leans on the bars and points to the lock on her and Sam's cell).  "Patience child," (We then see Betsy say to Tabitha with a frustrated look on her face as she turns away and walks over to a nearby wall and cocks an eyebrow and tilts her head to one side and just stares at the wall).  (Then we see a panel of Tabitha staring at Betsy with a very confused look on her face in the background as she says, while we see Pete gingerly standing by the bars of his and Erica's cell), "Okay…it's official, she's lost it, our fearless leader's gone loco."  (Then we cut to a close up of the side of Betsy's face as she has a very serious look on her face as she thinks), Stay calm Elizabeth…remember she's young…impulsive…don't think about her head and a steamroller…think about your children…think about Charles and Moira and getting home to them…think about the objective.

(Then we see Betsy study the wall a bit more before she pulls a small device out of one of her pockets and pushes a button and points it at the wall).  (Then we move back to Siryn and Warpath as she leans in close and says with a very serious look on her face and a hand on his shoulder), "What's she doing?"  "Beats me Terry…maybe she's…," (We then see Warpath say back with a grim look on his face before from the side we see two doors burst open and a steady stream of crimson dawn warriors pour in).  "Psylocke look out," (We then see Pete shout with a very serious look on his face as he pounds his fists against the bars of his and Erica's cell).  (Then we see a panel of Betsy as she stops what she's doing and drops the device that she had been using back into her pocket before she zips the pocket shut).  (Then we see Betsy arc her back forward a bit as the blast from one of the weapons of the crimson dawn warriors strikes the wall close to her).  (Then we see Betsy jump up and grab a hold of the light fixture as one of the crimson dawn warriors dives underneath her). 

(Then we see a panel of Betsy as she then drops down onto that warriors back and then does a spin kick and slams her foot into the first warriors stomach and then she side rolls out of the way as that warrior collapses on top of the warrior that's already on the ground).  (Then we see a close up of Betsy's face as she's glaring straight out at us before we then see one of the crimson dawn warriors swing its weapon at her and she avoids it before she then grabs the weapon on the rebound and keeps the warrior from using it again as she has gritted teeth).  "Didn't your mother ever tell you that it's not nice to play with guns," (We then see Betsy say with a very determined look on her face before she then backhands that warrior across the face, thereby taking control of the weapon).  "Get her," (We then see one of the crimson dawn warriors shout with a very angry look on its face before the rest of the warriors charge towards her).  (Then we see Betsy battle off the crimson dawn warriors with the weapon before then Betsy gets in between some of the warriors and then one of the warriors jabs its weapon at her but she ducks underneath the attack and instead of hitting Betsy the warrior ends up jabbing its weapon into another warriors eye, as that one warrior then screams), "My eye!" 

(Then we move over and see Warpath say with a slightly cheesy and expectant smile on his face as he stands up), "It's always fun until someone gets a staff in the eye."  (Then we see Betsy deflect a blast from one of the warriors weapons into the wall that she was checking out earlier and there's an explosion).  (Then we see Warpath get angry and growl with his hands on the door before he then jerks the bars back and he easily rips the doors off of its hinges).  "What the…," (We then see Pete say with a surprised look on his face as he's watching Warpath before he then looks down at his hands and is delighted as they flame up).  "Alright now we're talking…time to go all Trinity on their candy asses," (We then see Tabitha say with a very energized but pained smile on her face as she blasts open the doors to hers and Sam's cell).  "Ye really need to stop mixing catch phrases Tabitha," (We then see Siryn say with a slightly sarcastic frown on her face as she rushes out of the cell and then fires off a powerful sonic scream at the nearest crimson dawn warriors while behind her we see Warpath charging out of the cell and bending the bars like they're nothing). 

"Less talk more action children," (We then see Betsy say with an almost scolding look on his face before she blocks the swing of another crimson dawn warrior before she then jabs the business end of her weapon into that warriors face and fires off a blast as we see this from behind the warrior as a hole is blasted through that warriors head).  "Well that's certainly one way to get you point across," (We then see Erica say with an approving smile on her face before she then turns her head and notices the heating and ventilation vents with a mischievous smile on her face as then in the background we see Pete blasting their cell open and then the various crimson dawn warriors).  (Then we see one of the crimson dawn warriors throw a punch at Sam but he ducks the punch as that warriors fist goes in between the bars of the door to his and Tabitha's cell and then Sam slams the door shut and smashes the warriors arm in it and the warrior howls in pain).

+Back In The Coliseum+

(We start off with a panel of someone's hand tightly clenched around someone's throat).  (Then we pull back and we see that War has a hand around Warren's neck as he's trying to choke Warren out). (We see that Warren's all beaten up and barely conscious as we then see War say with a very triumphant sneer on his face), "At long last your futile rebellion will now end, now you will have the pleasure of being killed by our lords most powerful horseman…War!"  "Go to hell…," (We then see Warren growl as loudly as he can through gritted teeth and a lot of bruises and blood as he's trying to free himself).  "I thought you'd say something as foolish as that worm," (We then see Imol say with an angry look on his face as he laughs at Warren and crosses his arms).  (Then we see a panel of a couple of crimson dawn warriors drag a semi conscious Forge between them before they throw him to the ground in a rather rude fashion). 

"The patchwork mutant," (We then see War say with a mocking sneer on his face as he looks over his shoulder at Forge, who's picking his head up off of the ground and the side of his face is caked with the dust and dirt of the coliseum floor and there's a trail of blood from his split lip and cut above his eye to the ground).  "This isn't over," (We then see Forge say back with a daring scowl on his face as he turns his head and looks up at War).  "Shut up," (We then see Imol shout with a very angry look on his face as he kicks Forge in the side of the head as Forge crumples into a heap and moans softly in pain).  "Anything to add failure…or are you finally ready to admit defeat," (We then see War ask with an expectant and confidant smirk on his face as he squeezes Warren's neck a bit harder).  "I thought not," (We then see Imol say with a haughty smirk on his face before he then puts his foot on the side of Forge's head and pushes his head down into the coliseum floor, as he's trying to crush Forge's head). 

(Then we see a panel of Warren trying to break War's death grip on his neck as Forge is too weak to free himself).  (Then we see a close up look of Warren's face as he starts off with an almost frantic expression before we then move in a lot closer to Warren's eyes as we see in them Betsy's psychic butterfly).  (Then we pull back out to Warren's full face as he now has a rather confidant smile on his face before he then says with an almost emotionless but very honest look on his face), "I've got something for you War…three words actually…."  "Oh yes, and just what would they be," (We then see War say with a very arrogant and cocky smirk on his face as he squeezes Warren's throat some more).  "Death…from above," (We then see Warren gasp out with a pained grimace on his face as we then see War's face as he has a very confused look on his face before he growls in pain and arches his back and lets go of Warren).  (Then we see a panel of War dropping to the ground in the background as we see Betsy crouched down with a hand in front of her and her psi knife out, in the foreground, as she then says with a confidant look on her face), "He's all yours Samuel, let him have it!" 

(Then we see a panel of Sam streaking down towards War from out of the sky until he slams into the ground).  (Then we see a big panel of a big explosion that throws everyone around).  "Nice entrance kid," (We then see Forge say with an oddly sarcastic smile on his face as he's picking himself up off of the ground as the cloud of dust and dirt is being blown about).  "Well if you like that then you're just gonna love this," (We then see Tabitha say with an excited and daring smile on her face as she then throws out a wide spread of her plasma bombs that hit everyplace that crimson dawn reinforcements are trying to enter the coliseum floor).  (Then we see a panel of Sam as he's getting up out of the crater that he created with an energized look on his face with an unconscious War at his feet).  "Warren," (We then see Betsy say with a very concerned look on her face as she scrambles over to Warren and starts to help him up as he's a bit groggy).  "I'm okay…really," (We then see Warren say with a pained grimace on his face as he's now fully sitting up with a worried Betsy kneeling down beside him).  "If you're fine them I'm a blonde bombshell of a British supermodel," (We then see Betsy say with a sarcastic frown on her face as she helps Warren to his feet before he laughs). 

(Then we cut over to Imol as he's starting to pick himself up off of the floor of the coliseum).  "You will pay for this," (We then see Imol shout at the top of his lungs as he storms forward towards Siryn and he takes a swing at her before she ducks under the swing and fires off a quick sonic scream and then she rolls out of the way before she grabs a hold of a part of a chain that's used to hold two gates shut and is on the ground).  "Heh little lady, what do you think you're going to do with that, hit me…go ahead and try, you don't actually think that you can do any damage to me, I'll just phase right through it," (We then see Imol add with a rather confidant and cocky smile on his face before we see Siryn turn to him and say), "Ye know what…you're right, I couldn' hit you with this if you really didn't want me to…except if my talking with you serves to distract you long enough for Jimmy t' sneak around behind you." 

"What," (We then see Imol say with a confused look on his face as he starts to turn around but stops as Warpath's fist slams into his face, and the punch sends Imol flying all of the way across the coliseum floor and crashes through the boards).  "Were you really going to hit him with that," (We then see a panel of Warpath asking as he has a slightly cheesy smile on his face before we see Siryn shrug her shoulders and then say with an impish smile on her face as we see her wrap the chain around her fist), "Of course…if he didn't phase out and let it pass right through him that is."  "Not that I don't love a spot of conversation kids but can it possibly wait until we're safely on the way home," (We then see Pete say with an angry look on his face as he hobbles into the arena).  "Spoilsport," (We then see Warpath say with a bored and unhappy frown on his face before he turns his head sharply at a loud and low growl).  (Then we see a quick panel of the two golems charging into the coliseum floor).

"Oh great, who invited those two," (We then see Tabitha groan with an unhappy look on her face as she laughs a bit but has to stop because of her injured ribs as she stops what she's doing and drops to her knees and doubles over).  "Tabitha," (We then see Sam yell with a very worried look on his face as he rushes to Tabitha's side and takes her into his arms).  (Then we see a panel of Warpath charging towards the golems as he's charging towards us in the panel as back behind him we see Siryn shout with an alarmed and somewhat worried look on her face), "No…Jimmy wait!"  (Then we see a panel of Warpath entering into the fight with the two golems as he's holding his own at first).  (Then we cut to a panel of Betsy helping Warren over to the boards and we see that Erica is sitting up against the boards as well as she's looking out into the arena and she yells), "Forge!" 

"Stay here, I'll get him," (We then see Betsy say with a serious look on her face while she has a hand on Warren's shoulder).  "I'll help you," (We then see Warren say with a pained grimace on his face as he slowly gets back up to his feet and stretches his wings a bit).  "Forget it Warren," (We then see Betsy say with a restraining hand on his chest before Warren starts to push her hand away but she shoves him back into the wall and then grumbles with an angry look on her face), "Stop now, before I have to hurt you."  "But I can help," (We then see Warren say with a hurt and confused look on his face as he's pushing himself away from the boards).  (Then we see a panel of Betsy as she turns away and takes off towards us, leaving a gasping Warren and a confused Erica, as she thinks with a worried look on her face), Dear God I pray that Charles does not take after his father.  (Then we see a panel of Betsy leaping back into the fray as she psi-knifes a crimson dawn warrior in the head from behind). 

(Then we cut back to Warpath fighting the two golems and not noticing that someone is sneaking up on him).  (Then we see a panel of Siryn as she's pushing herself to her utmost as she races to save Warpath).  "Look out," (We then see Siryn shout in a panic before she lunges in between Warpath and the crimson dawn warrior).  [She strives to protect the one she loves].  [Seeing him in danger of being caught by surprise she does the only thing that she can do…].  […and hopes for the best].  (We then see the warrior rear back and start to jab a wicked looking knife at Warpath but then we see Siryn get in between them and she gets the knife in her stomach instead as she cries out in shock and pain).  (Then we see Warpath shout with a panic-stricken look on his face as he drops to his knees at Siryn's side before he grabs the warrior that stabbed Siryn and picks him up and then angrily crushes him).  "This is insane," (We then see Sam shout with a look of horror and disbelief on his face before he raises his blast shield to protect himself and Tabitha).  (Then we see several haphazardly placed panels that are only one color and the black lines of the different members of the team and others in various shocked looks before there's a giant explosion).

+Weeks Later+

(We start off with a few skyward shots of the sky and the bright sun then a few panels of the breeze softly wafting through the trees).  (Then we see someone say from off panel), "I can't believe it, we finally get a few minutes of free time and you want us to work!"  "I didn't say that at all Tabitha, what I meant was that you really should go back to school, or at least get your G.E.D.," (We then see Warren say with a bored and tired look on his face as he's holding Moira in his arms and leaning back up against a tree).  (We then see some panels of the rest of the team as they're having a picnic out in the apple orchard as we see all are patched up and full of bruises as we see Warpath doting over Siryn as she's wearing a sports bra, jeans, and an open baseball jersey as she's taped up to the nine's).  (Then we see a panel of Siryn a she's reaching for a volleyball but she winces badly and cries out in pain and tears flow as Warpath jumps up and hurries to her side as we see him say with a worried look on his face), "No…don't!"  "No…really, I'm okay," (We then see Siryn say with a relieved look on her face as Warpath kneels down beside her and starts to pick her up but she pushes him back away). 

"Terry…c'mon what's…just let me," (We then see Warpath plead with a worried look on his face as he leans in closer).  "I said no…," (We then see Siryn shout with an angry and fed up sneer on her face as she rears back and smacks Warpath hard on the cheek as we see the rest of the team react in shock).  (Then we cut back to a panel of first Warpath's shocked and stunned reaction before it changes to a heartbroken one as he begins to turn away).  (Then we see a quick panel of Siryn's face with a very shocked and horrified at her actions look on her face as she also shrugs her shoulders up a bit and then says with a very embarrassed and scared look on her face), "No…Jimmy wait, don't do…I, Jimmy!"  (Then we see a panel of Warpath as he walks away a bit before he flies off into the air as the team looks away with nervous looks on their faces).  "Damn," (We then see Siryn growl with an angry grimace on her face as she slams her fist down onto the ground before we then see Siryn turn to Sam and say with a pleading and embarrassed look on her face), "Uh…Sam, a little help here." 

"Sure," (We then see Sam say as he walks over and helps Siryn up before she slowly staggers away).  "That is not going to end well," (We then see Erica say with a sad look on her face as she's eyeing the bandages on her arms with a hand about to tear one of the bandages off but then she half turns her head and we see Forge scowl angrily at her as if to tell her silently to not even think about touching her bandages).  "Oh I don't know about that Erica, sure it looks bad now but I have a feeling that those two will work things out," (We then see Forge say with a serious look on his face as he's looking off after the two).  "Alright children, now that we've gotten this afternoon's entertainment out of the way we can get down to business…," (We then see Betsy say with a serious look on her face, as she's slowly rocking Charles in his car seat, before Tabitha breaks in with an unhappy pout on her face), "Do we have to…it's to nice of a day to waste plotting battle strategy…which by the way I feel has been lacking of late considering what happened in Paris." 

"Your disapproval of my leadership is warranted and duly noted Tabitha, I admit that the debacle in Paris wasn't my best plan and next time I'm going to do it a little different, next time I'm going to lead the first team in myself," (We then see a dour looking Warren say as he's looking down at Moira as he's letting her hold onto his thumb).  "Cool," (We then see Tabitha say with a calm and serious look on her face before we then cut back to Betsy as she furrows her brows and says telepathically to Warren with a surprised and disapproving look on her face), Wait a minute Warren, we never talked about this…you leading the next team in.  I'm sorry Betts, but how can I ask them to do something that I'm not willing to do myself, we nearly lost a couple of them in Paris…who knows what could happen next time,  (We then see Warren say back telepathically with a grim look of worry and concern on his face as he half looks up at Betsy).  You can't keep thinking that way luv, you'll brood yourself into an early grave, and I for one am not going to let that happen, (We then see Betsy say back telepathically with a very concerned look on her face as she looks over at Warren and he looks back at her). 

Neither do I, but I'm not sure that you leading the charge next time is such a brilliant stroke of genius dear, usually the one in front is often the first to fall…and I hope that we're both in complete and total agreement about that being an extremely bad turn of events, (We then see an almost scared Betsy say as she's glaring over at Warren before we then see Sam loudly clear his throat, an act that catches both Warren and Betsy's attention).  "Yes Sam, do you have something to add," (We then see Warren say with a bored look on his face as Betsy only shakes her head).  "I'm just wondering when we're going back to Paris and get some answers about what was really going on there," (We then see Sam say with a serious look on his face as he reaches up and scratches the back of his neck as Tabitha's looking up at him with a look of concern on her face as her head is lying just to the side of his shoulder with her arms holding one of Sam's arms around her). 

"We'll go back there Sam, when we're ready, hopefully we'll find something left of that installation to tell us what Apocalypse was planning to accomplish there," (We then see Forge say with a very serious and angry look on his face as he's holding the ends of some of Erica's hair with his metal hand).  "But we can't do any of that until Terry's knife wound heals, Tabitha's ribs mend and Forge stops resembling Frankenstein's monster," (We then see Betsy say with an unhappy frown on her face ass he sadly looks down at a bandage on her arm).  "So what are we supposed to do until then, crossword puzzles and tic tac toe," (We then see Tabitha joke with a sarcastic smile on her face as she shakes her head and walks her fingers up Sam's arm).  "I always like crosswords, I used to spend hours helping my mother finish them, I haven't done one in years though…not since my son…," (We then see Erica say with at first a nostalgic smile on her face before she looks away and we see Forge pull her closer).  "No…until then we're going to spend the time in the danger room in training sessions so that what happened…what went wrong in Paris never transpires again," (We then see Betsy say with a deadly serious look on her face as she pulls an apple out of the picnic basket and looks directly over at Erica). 

"Are you sure that we'd live through those training sessions of yours, I can only imagine what you're going to put us through, a firefight in the middle of an apocalypse…pardon the pun," (We then see Erica say with a jokingly sarcastic grin on her face before Tabitha joins in with a smile and then the two break out laughing).  "Come to think of it Erica that's not such a bad idea actually…," (We then see Betsy say with an amused look on her face as she cocks an eyebrow and smiles as she looks to be silently pondering the though with her hand up at her chin, her thumb underneath her chin and her index finger lightly tapping her lips).  "Great…way to go Erica, God…we're in for it now," (We then see Tabitha moan with a worried look on her face as she rolls her eyes and smacks her forehead with the palm of her hand).  "Uh…shouldn't one of us go and make sure that Jimmy n' Terry haven't killed each other," (We then see Sam ask with a  concerned look on his face as he turns his head and looks off into the distance).

[Meanwhile]

(We open with a few panels of a worried and weary looking Siryn limping through the front door and then the hallways of the mansion as she's also leaning heavily on the wall the further she travels ass he's then starting to perspire and wince in pain).  (Then we see Siryn get to the darkened ops room ass we see her slump heavily against the doorway ass the door opens for her as we see her looking into the room as she then say with a tired and weary look on her face), "Jimmy…ye in here?"  (We then see a panel of Siryn in the background in a silhouette in the doorway as in the foreground we see Warpath barely visible in the dim light as he's just sitting there).  "Go away," (We then see Warpath say in a close up panel of his face as he has a very grim and somber look of sadness on his face as he's slumped down in the chair a bit).  "No…," (We then see Siryn say with a determined but yet pained and weary look on her face as she takes a couple of steps into the room). 

"Terry please…don't, just go," (We then see Warpath plead with a tense look of frustration and nervousness on his face as he half looks back at Siryn before he shifts in his seat).  "I'm not going anywhere…we need to talk and I'm not leaving until we do, I need you to understand…," (We then see Siryn say with a tired expression on her face as she makes it far enough into the room to use the back of Warpath's chair to keep her standing upright).  "I understand completely Terry…don't worry, I'll stay away…as far away as you want me to be…," (We then see Warpath say with a passive frown on his face as he turns his head away from Siryn, who's slipping around one side of the chair, and also down a bit).  "No…stop saying that right now, I don' want you t' stay away from me Jimmy, I want ye close to me, where ye belong," (We then see Siryn say with a very heartfelt and serious look on her face as she slowly and gingerly kneels down beside the chair and lays a hand on Warpath's knee).  

"But outside, you…I was just trying to help and I took that slap as…," (We then see Warpath say with a confused and unsure look on his face as he slumps his shoulders and hangs his head before we see Siryn move around in front of him and interrupt him with a sad look on her face as she a lone tea runs down her cheek), "As what it was, a mistake…nothing more, you know that I'd never do that t' you…on purpose, right?"  "Yeah…but when you…slapped me, the look in your eyes…it was…," (We then see Warpath say with a regretful frown on his face as he shakes his head).  "Hatred…yes I know, but it wasn' aimed at you, look ever since I caught the business end of that knife in Paris I've been angry and depressed, I'm sorry that I took it all out on you," (We then see Siryn say with a worried look on her face as she stands up and tries to make Warpath look her in the eye).  "I know…but I love you so much and…," (We then see Warpath say with a sad look on his face as he turns his head back towards Siryn as we see a tear starting slide down his cheek). 

"I know," (We then see Siryn say with a nervous smile on her face before she pulls Warpath close and then kisses him).  (Then we see a few panels of the kiss deepening before we then cut away to a hallway of the mansion as we then see Sam and Tabitha entering the kitchen, as Sam's holding the door open for Tabitha, as he then says with a cheerful smile on his face), "You wanna run that by me again, because I'm still not getting it."  "It's simple Mason Dixon…we knock down a few walls, move the furniture around a bit and we'll have one hell of a bitchin honeymoon suite," (We then see Tabitha chide Sam with a happy smile on her face before we then see Sam pull one of the chairs out for Tabitha and she then sits down).  "Any why do we need a…uh…a…," (We then see Sam start to ask with a confused look on his face before he then stutters a bit as he's trying not to swear before we then see Tabitha jump in with a laugh and joking smile on her face), "I think a bitchin honeymoon suite are the words that you're desperately searching for Sam." 

"Thanks…but why do we need a honeymoon suite, I'm sure that Warren has a few big rooms left in this place that we can move into after we're married, besides that I don't think that Warren would be to happy about us smashing giant holes through his walls…," (We then see Sam say with an unhappy frown on his face as he's walking around the table).  "Hey now…this is our house to dam nit," (We then see Tabitha shout with a very determined and proud look on her face as she then pounds her fist onto the table and the items that are on the table bounce around).  "Still…we should wait and talk to Warren or Elizabeth about this before we start making the walls look like Swiss cheese," (We then see Sam say with a hesitant look on his face as he pulls out a chair and then sits down).  "We can't wait that long Sam, the wedding planner is breathing down my neck about where we're going to hold the wedding, and we don't have to always ask for Warren or Elizabeth's permission all of the time," (We then see Tabitha say with an angry and fed up scowl on her face as she looks up and glares across the kitchen table at Sam). 

"They're the leaders here Tabitha…guess I'm still hardwired to…," (We then see Sam start to say with an uncomfortable frown on his face before we then see both Sam and Tabitha turn to look off to one side as someone says from off panel), "Okay children, I think I've heard enough of the two of you bickering…I thought that I trained you better."  (We then see Pete standing near the table and he's leaning heavily on a cane).  "What are you still doing here Pete, I thought that you had places to go…things and people to do…," (We then see Tabitha say with a part sarcastic, part joking, and also part mocking smile on her face as she drops her chin into her upturned palm as we then see Sam leaning casually back in his chair and grins sheepishly).  "I'll go when I'm good and ready…," (We then see Pete growl with an angry look on his face as he limps towards the table).  "She turned you down huh," (We then see Sam say with a huge and easygoing grin on his face as he scratches the back of his head). 

(Then we see a panel of Pete getting very angry at Sam's words as he's glaring angrily towards Sam before Tabitha can't help but start laughing so hard in fact that she almost falls out of her chair from laughing so hard).  "Sod off you git," (We then see Pete say as he turns his angry glare towards Tabitha instead of at Sam).  "Hey now Pete…don't get mad at Tabitha, it's not her fault that you got hurt, mine either, you knew the risks when you showed up in Paris," (We then see Sam say with a very serious look on his face as he suddenly sits up in his seat and looks about ready to leap to Tabitha's defense if it becomes necessary to do so).  "I know damn well whose fault this is old son…and Tabby can speak for herself, she doesn't need you to speak for her…isn't that right Tabitha dear," (We then see Pete say with an almost mocking look on his face as he glares back at Sam before he points his cane at Sam). 

"I think you took a few to many of those painkillers that Dr. Henderson prescribed for you Pete because you should know by now that I can do my own talking when I need to, people usually take things better when they come from Sam though," (We then see Tabitha say with a serious look on her face as she leans forward in her chair and glares at Pete).  "Bloody…," (We then see Pete say with an angry look on his face before he turns around and starts to limp back out of the room).  (Then we see a panel of Sam and Tabitha as they watch Pete slowly limp out of the kitchen before we then see Sam turn to Tabitha and say with a restrained smile on his face), "Ya know what Tabitha, I think that this is the first time that I've ever seen Pete without a witty or pointed remark, you did good."  "Thank you," (We then see Tabitha say with an almost giddy smile on her face before we see Sam and Tabitha crack up laughing as we pull away back through the window).

+Apple Orchard+

(We open with a panel of a worm hole in a bright red apple as someone says from off panel), "To the outside and casual observer a perfect, flawless apple, ripe for consumption, but upon closer inspection…."  "…Its flaws are revealed for all to see," (We then see Betsy say with an almost impish smile on her face as she's looking over Erica's shoulder as Erica is holding an apple up close to her eye).  "Kinda amazing how much damage a little worm can do, ruining an otherwise good apple…," (We then see Erica say with an unhappy pout on her face as she tosses the apple back over her shoulder but not anywhere close to Betsy).  "Like a lot of other things in life I'd say," (We then see Betsy say with an almost let down look on her face before she looks away and brushes some hair off of her face that the wind blew around).  "Always the teacher eh Psylocke," (We then see Erica say with a short laugh as we then pull back and see Erica squat down to pick through the apples that are on the ground around her as Betsy is standing behind her with her arms crossed).  "You should know better than anyone Erica that I'm a horrendous teacher, that's why I'm not in New York with Charles an the others, besides school was never my idea of fun," (We then see Betsy say with a half amused smirk on her face as we then see Betsy telekinetically lift all of the apples up off of the ground and she starts to make them go single file by Erica). 

"Still I've progressed as far as I have because of your help, otherwise I'd still be a sappy pill popping basket case afraid of my own powers," (We then see Erica say with an unimpressed frown on her face as she grabs an apple while she half looks back over her shoulder at Betsy).  "I only helped reinforce your flagging self esteem, you had it in you all along to gain control of your powers and live a better life, you just needed a push in the right direction," (We then see Betsy say with a calm and quiet look on her face as she clasps her hands together behind her back).  "You're probably right, but did you have to get that sword so close to my throat, they were only drills," (We then see Erica say with an unhappy look of nostalgia on her face as she swallows hard with a hand on her throat).  "Don't be such a wuss; I only nicked you a few times, you're not going to hold a few…well in truth those little nicks on your neck are your fault for a lack of conditioning," (We then see Betsy say with an unimpressed frown on her face before she then smiles as she finishes her words). 

"A lack of conditioning…what," (We then see Erica ask with a confused look on her face as she turns around and looks back and up at Betsy).  "Had you spent more time on your conditioning then you wouldn't have had to be breathing so deeply and thus gotten your neck nicked by the honed edge of my blade," (We then see Betsy say with an almost scolding look on her face as she lets the apples drop back to the ground and takes her hands from behind her back).  "Oh yeah, and I suppose that all of the rest of my bumps and bruises are all the result of me being in poor physical condition when compared to you," (We then see a little bit more angry Erica say as she almost jumps back to her feet and glares eye to eye at Betsy).  "Naturally," (We then see Betsy say with a mirth filled wink and smile before she pats Erica on the shoulder and then turns and starts to walk away with the wind blowing her hair all around).  "Wait a minute, what's that supposed to mean," (We then see Erica say with ah hurt and confused look on her face as she then starts off after Betsy). 

"Please Erica, do we have to go over this right now, I have so much work to do that I'll be lucky if I even get a chance to take a bloody shower," (We then see Betsy say with a tired and slightly overwhelmed look on her face as she ducks underneath a branch of one of the apple trees).  "What did you mean by that last bit…exactly, you're in great shape but that can't be the whole story," (We then see Erica ask with an angry and serious look on her face a she hurries off after Betsy and barely misses hitting her head on the same branch that Betsy just ducked under).  "Look Erica, you're well on your way to becoming what I'd consider to be one hell of an X-man, or X-woman in this particular case but you're still lacking the heart for it, sure you have the fight for this line of work but…," (We then see Betsy say with a less than joyful sigh and shrug of her shoulders as she ducks her head down a bit and pushes through the breeze as she heads back towards the mansion). 

"Now you wait a damn minute Miss I've got a body that every supermodel in the world would kill for, I'm not about to let you insinuate that I'm just a lightweight in this fight, that bastard made me believe that it was my fault that my baby…my son…died because of me…that has haunted me every waking moment since then, I still have nightmares about that day…I still hear their screams," (We then see Erica say with a slowly shattering of her confidence and stability as we see her visibly shaking with both fear and anger as she gets in front of Betsy and clenches her hands into fists and looks like she's about ready to punch Betsy).  "Erica, I'm sorry if I made it seem as though you hadn't suffered at the hands of that deranged madman, my only goal was to see if you were truly with us because you were resilient to thwarting each and every one of Apocalypse's many machinations…or whether or not this has all become a simple means by which you may exact the revenge that you crave so dearly," (We then see Betsy say with a calm look of both respect and restraint on her face as she then starts to continue to walk towards the mansion by Erica as the two then walk side by side). 

"A little of both actually, that son of a bitch is going to pay for what he did to me and my family, but now that I've been personally privy to the horrors that he's capable of I'm not going to stand by and let him continue without pause," (We then see Erica say with a very serious frown on her face as she briefly glances down at the bandages on her arms before she shoves her hands into the back pockets of her jeans, slumps her shoulders, and hangs her head a bit).  "Good, that's what I hoped that you'd say, because I'm afraid that the course laid out before us will prove far more treacherous than any of us could possibly fathom," (We then see Betsy say with a worried look on her face as she and Erica walk under the first few pairs of trees and shadows are cast down onto them).  "What…have you become psychic now," (We then see Erica ask with a slightly impish smirk on her face as she turns her head and squints because of the glint from the sun as she's looking towards Betsy).

"Unfortunately yes…to a fault, but with Warren and Forge watching Charles and Moira I think that I'm going to allow myself the luxury of a nice long and relaxing bubble bath before I do any work," (We then see a more relaxed Betsy say with a content smile on her face as we see her and Erica walk into the mansion).  (Then we cut back to Forge and Warren as Warren is holding Moira and Forge is holding Charles).  "He's a regular chip off of the old block isn't he, he even has that overly gullible look in his eye like you do," (We then see Forge say with a joking smile on his face as he's holding Charles up in front of him and looking towards us with the top of Warren's head in the very immediate foreground).  "I don't know if I'd call it a gullible look Forge, more of a hopeful and naïve look," (We then see Warren say with a not amused look on his face as he sets Moira down on his knee and she smiles happily).  (Then we see Forge look up and watch Betsy and Erica storm off). 

"They're not going to tear each other apart my friend," (We then see Warren joke with a cheesy smile on his face as he picks up a dandelion and then taps it on the top of Moira's head).  "I'm aware of that Warren, but ever since we've gotten back from Paris she's been quiet, distant…," (We then see a concerned Forge say with a slightly angry look on his face as he's holding Charles with one arm while he's staring at his metal hand).  "She nearly died in Paris Forge, suffering as serious of injuries as she did will affect a person, and her injuries were significant enough to cause anyone to lose their focus and become depressed, after all if you remember I'm practically the poster boy for being sad and brooding one's heart out after being severely injured, I had so many pity parties back then that I alone was putting the children of many a mental health professional through college, so don't have a meltdown…pardon the pun…about Erica being moody just yet, she'll get better, you just have to give her some more time," (We then see Warren say with a reflective look of sadness on his face as Moira starts to pout just like Warren, as if she's copying his look as best she can). 

"I'm not going to blow my top anytime soon Warren it's just that since Paris everyone seems to get on each others nerves nearly nonstop," (We then see Forge say with a concerned look on his face as we see the sky begin to darken just a little bit).  "Betsy and I were talking about that last night; fortunately we were able to conduct the entire discussion without raising our voices any more so than during one of our usual evening conversations," (We then see Warren say with a deep breath as he looks up into the trees as the breeze blows them around).  "And did either one of you come up with any ideas as to the cause behind the recent rash of shortened tempers around here," (We then see Forge ask with a tired and weary look on his face as he sets Charles back down in his car seat).  "Elizabeth thought that it might have been something to do with some foreign substance that we were all unknowingly exposed to while we were in Paris, although she did say that it was just her best guess, I don't know though if it's even possible to test that theory," (We then see Warren say with an almost hopeless look of worry on his face before he stands back up and walks out into the remaining sunshine as we see that Moira likes it as she starts to smile and laugh). 

"If it were some sort of technical or scientific malady that has befallen us then with my mutant ability I should be able to see…or at the very least detect some sort of energy signature apparent in us all, however at the moment I can't see anything out of the ordinary," (We then see Forge say with a deep look of concern on his face as he begins to lightly rock Charles back and forth with his foot as we then see Warren look back in the next wide panel at Forge with an unhappy frown on his face as he has his wings stretched out to catch the most of the breeze as a few stray feathers get blown out of his wings).  "Would it help you any if Betts gave you a psionic boost, with the added power could you amp your mutant ability up enough to see what it was that's affecting all of us," (We then see Warren ask with a deep in though and tired look on his face as he slowly begins to pace around, pulling a feather from one of his wings and he starts to tickle Moira's nose with it). 

"It might be possible, but I have to warn you Warren, the last time that my powers got amped up like you're describing I couldn't control it, while it was quite possibly the most beautiful sight that my eyes have ever beheld, with the granted exception of…," (We then see Forge reply with a somber look on his face before brightening up a bit at the end before we see Warren jump in with a knowing and understanding smirk on his face), "Ororo of course."  "Yes Ororo, but my experience of being bathed in the light of that new and wondrous creation known as the Phalanx nearly did me in, Warren, I have to warn you that if we were to undertake this endeavor I can offer you no guarantee's of any kind that I wouldn't experience a reaction similar to the one that I had back then…or worse…and if something such as that were to happen then I'm afraid that…," (We then see Forge add with a serious and sad look of nostalgia on his face as he shakes his head and then rubs his temples). 

"Your head would explode and we'd be out our resident technical advisor…and we all know how hard they are to replace, it'd probably take a very long time to find another one, not to mention the fact that Erica would not be in a very happy place were that to happen," (We then see Warren say with a joking and sarcastic look on his face as we see Moira laughing at it all).  "I think that it would be wise if we wait, and use every other opportunity and possibility available to us before we go ahead and infuse me with a potentially dangerous amount of psionic energy," (We then see Forge say with a serious look on his face as we then pull away and up into the sky as a bird flies by).

+Later+

(We start off with Betsy, wearing a bathrobe and we see that her hair is still wet and she is slowly sipping a glass of wine with the bottle nearby and her feet are up on the console of the ops room as she has every one of the tv's on and she looks tired).  (We see that the room is half dark and then we see the door to the ops room slide open and someone step inside).  (Then we see someone say as we see a panel looking down on someone with their arms crossed), "Anything good on?"  (Then we see Betsy say with the wine glass up at her lips), "Define good luv, up in the corner there we have a gold digging blonde bimbo trying to off her much older husband, on the other side there's one of those bloody awful reality shows that Tabitha seems to love so much while Jerry Springer has incest between siblings…I don't know how anyone in their right mind could ever watch any of this drivel." 

"Beats me Betts, my parents were never big on letting me watch to much television, they were far to busy checking the price of their stocks or making sure that I knew my place and that I portrayed the proper image to the help and public alike that my father wanted for the sole heir and beneficiary," (We then see Warren say with a sad pout on his face as we see a panel that shows Warren standing behind Betsy as if we're sitting on top of Betsy's big toe).  "You're brooding again Warren, please stop before you feel more at home perched up on the roof next to the other statues than lying in bed beside me with Moira and Charles softly slumbering nearby in their basinets," (We then see Betsy say with an amused smirk on her face before she then leans back a bit and looks up at Warren while handing him the glass of wine).  "I'll try Betts…I will, but promise me that if I ever reach that point that you'll be there to slap some sense into me," (We then see Warren say with a serious look on his face as he lays one hand on the back of Betsy's chair before we then see him take a drink of the wine). 

"I look forward to it…well that and finally being able to keep every telemarketer from ringing us up on the phone during dinner…," (We then see Betsy say with an impatient smile on her face as she pushes herself up a bit in her chair).  "Don't we all…but moving on to other matters I brought up the subject of letting you imbue Forge with some of your psychic energy to help him to scan us to see if the malady that is currently afflicting us is technological in origin or not," (We then see Warren say with a meek smile on his face before he hands the wine glass back to Betsy and walks back to an open chair).  "I thought that we were not going to bring Forge in on that subject until we had more information," (We then see Betsy say with an unhappy look on her face as she sits up a bit more in her chair and half turns around to glare back at Warren). 

"I think that the little example of our problem that we saw this afternoon with Theresa and James should be proof enough for anyone…including you my love, that we can't keep this problem locked up any longer, for all we know Forge could be the answer that we've been hoping for in this," (We then see Warren say with a tired look on his face as he shakes his head).  "Perhaps…but now we no longer have that option of bringing him in slowly now we may only have a short amount of time that this plan of yours can come to fruition," (We then see Betsy say with an unhappy look on her face as she slouches back in her seat and changes the channel of a few of the televisions).  "I only asked him about it Betts, I didn't say that we were definitely going to go ahead with the plan, I only asked him if it would be possible," (We then see Warren say with a serious look on his face as he lays a hand on the armrest of Betsy's chair). 

"And you're sure that there's something inside the others…something that's making them act out their basest negative emotions without their knowledge," (We then see Betsy ask with a look of not complete belief on her face as she rests her left elbow and forearm on the left armrest of her chair as she leans over towards Warren).  "It's the only explanation that I can come up with, this side of us all being replaced by droids or replicants…yeah," (We then see Warren say with a half joking smirk on his face as he also leans in closer to Betsy and we then see the two staring straight across a side panel at each other, then a copied panel of the two still staring at each other but now they're smiling at each other).  (Then we see them lean in closer and kiss).  (Then we see a panel of the two as they continue and then deepen the kiss as we see one of Betsy's arms reach around the back of Warren's neck and pull him closer).  (Then we pan down and see Betsy let the wine glass slip effortlessly out of her grasp).

+The pool+

[The setting sun brings the surface to life, turning it into a sea of lights, a million different glittering candles of light].  [For the downcast soul staring sadly into that tranquil beauty the aesthetics of the situation matter little].  [Her thoughts are instead focused entirely on the man and relationship that has become the largest cornerstone of the restructuring of her life].  [Having given up her old life and started anew with the X-men Eric Kalen knew that starting over would come with its more than fair share of problems and risks…].  […but she could not have expected anything close to the realizations of the amount of pain and terror that was to come].  [But now after coming so close to death, and swearing her intentions to continue the fight she wonders what is yet to come…].  […what physical, emotional, and psychological pain is still yet to visit her…and if she will be able to handle it as easily as she has boasted of in the past].  (We open with a few panels of a sad looking Erica sitting on the side of the pool, with her feet dangling down into the water). 

(Then we see a panel of someone standing beside Erica with bare legs and sandals, with Erica still sitting with her feet in the pool).  (Then we see that someone say that shocks Erica out of her deep stupor), "A little late for a swim don't ye think?"  "Not really, ole Doc Henderson said that I'm supposed to keep these things dry until they heal, so swimming is most definitely out of the question…and come to think about it where's your bigger and better half," (We then see Erica say with a half smile on her face as she looks up and we see Siryn laugh a bit before she takes off her sandals and then sits down beside Erica before she dangles her feet in the water to).  "Jimmy's inside playing one of his video games, but right now I'm wondering what you're doing sitting out here all by yourself," (We then see Siryn say with a hand on her stomach on her injury and a pained look on her face).  "Just admiring the way that the sun turns the pool into a blanket of light," (We then see Erica say with a slightly cheesy smile on her face as she kicks her feet a bit but makes sure to keep her gaze from coming into contact with Siryn's). 

"You expect me t' believe that line of bull…sorry but it ain't gonna work on me, ye can say whatever you want but I've known you long enough to be able to tell when you're yanking my chain," (We then see Siryn say with a less than thrilled frown on her face before we then see her fake laugh).  "Okay…I don't want to sound all mopey and melodramatic but I nearly died in Paris and I'm still willing to fight the good fight and all but…," (We then see Erica say with an unhappy frown on her face as she leans down and lazily trails her index finger through the water as we see a panel of the trail in the water).  "You're wondering if ye may have gotten in over your head…sorry but you're on your own, this line of work will either make you or break you…and I for one am hoping that you don't break, we're few enough in this fight and most wouldn't choose to undertake our objective…but you have and…," (We then see Siryn say with a serious and heartfelt look on her face as she picks up an old leaf that's fallen by the side of the pool). 

"And let me tell you, at least with us you get more than just one of those stupid novelty t-shirts that you get pretty much everywhere else," (We then see someone say from off panel that makes Siryn and Erica turn and look up as we then see Tabitha walking towards the pool, looking all dressed up and ready for a night out on the town, but all dressed up for a very fancy restaurant instead of ready for a night of going out to clubs).  "What…I get one of those stupid merit badges after being nearly killed instead…I thought you guys weren't the boy scouts," (We then see Erica ask with a half confused and half sarcastic smirk on her face as she looks up from her seat at the pool).  "We're not, but I think Sam still has a few knick knacks from his New Mutant days that would qualify as being very lame…," (We then see Tabitha say with a happy and joking smile on her face as she pulls her shawl back around her bare shoulders).  (Then we see a panel that pans down as we see, along with the fact that Tabitha is wearing high heels and a thin ankle bracelet, Siryn bend over her wound and wince in pain). 

"You sure you're okay Terry, maybe we should get you to the infirmary," (We then see Erica say with a worried look on her face as she puts a hand on Siryn's shoulder).  "No…I'm okay, guess I'm just a little more tired than I thought…," (We then see Siryn say with a weak smile on her face as she straightens back up and politely brushes Erica's hand off of her shoulder).  "So you say…you think that you and Jimmy might have…oh I don't know…overdone it a little bit," (We then see Tabitha joke with a smile and a wink before we see Erica look up at Tabitha with a confused and perplexed look on her face as Siryn just looks up and glares with a hand on her stomach).  "Don't mind her ladies, Tabitha's just a little nervous about tonight, Warren and Elizabeth are taking us out to dinner and she doesn't want anything to go wrong," (We then see Sam say with an amused smile on his face as he's standing beside one of the tables by the pool and we see that he's all dressed up in a tux, complete with tails and gloves). 

"Nothing will go wrong Sam…I won't let it, this is my big chance to prove to them that I…," (We then see Tabitha say with a determined and confidant look on her face as she stomps her foot, puts her hand on her hips-the backs of her hands, and also glares at Sam before we then see someone tap her on the shoulder that makes Tabitha scream with wide eyes in a neck up panel).  (Then we see a panel of Tabitha with her reacting to the act by getting angry and clenching her fists tightly and her hands are down at her sides with her arms tightly clenched to her sides as she grits her teeth).  (Then we see a panel of Warren and Betsy, as Warren is dressed much like Sam but a little finer of a tux and Betsy is dressed in a very form fitting and strapless dark purple dress with blue highlights with a very expensive looking gold necklace around her neck and gold earrings hanging from her ears and her hair is up in a tight bun with a few strategically free hairs let loose as she says with a humorous smile on her face), "Not the self centered annoying child that I've always assumed you to be?" 

"Yeah, that seems about right," (We then see Erica say with a lighthearted smile on her face as she leans back and looks back up at Warren and Betsy).  "Something like that Erica, but I wouldn't have put it so bluntly," (We then see Warren say with a restrained smile on his face as he helps Betsy put her coat on).  "Or so rudely…but then again that was always your forte wasn't it Ms. Kalen," (We then see Betsy say with a very confidant and serious look on her face as she looks back over her shoulder at Warren).  "Okay people we can stop it with the whole laying the verbal smackdown on me…," (We then see Tabitha say with a frustrated look on her face as she starts to walk away from Warren and Betsy and towards Sam as he tries to keep a straight face, and then we see a panel of Tabitha as she gets angry and then threatens Sam with a small plasma bomb, one that causes Sam to get serious very quickly before we then see Tabitha chuck the small plasma bomb into the pool that harmlessly fizzles out as she then smiles and kisses Sam on the cheek). 

"Easy Tabitha, I'm sorry…," (We then see Sam say with a sheepish smile on his face and his hands up in surrender in front of him before Tabitha dons a victorious look and says before walking away), "Good…because I would have hated to have had to…."  "I think that it's best that you don't finish that thought child…," (We then see Betsy start to say with an almost motherly scolding look on her face before we then see Tabitha angrily stop on a dime and turn around and then shout), "Would you please stop calling me child all of the time, I'm almost nineteen for crying out loud!"  "Alright Tabitha, I am truly sorry if my comments offended you in any way, it was never my intention," (We then see Betsy say with a sincere look on her face ass he walks away from Warren and makes sure that Tabitha hears her). 

"Yeah…well, you could have fooled me ya know, this night was supposed to be my big chance…but now…," (We then see Tabitha say with a  frustrated look on her face as she hangs her head and looks away).  "Hey," (We then see Sam say with a very concerned look on his face as he puts his arms around Tabitha and pulls her close).  "Easy Tabitha, this particular night is far from over and you'll have more than an ample opportunity to show us the true metal of your character and dissolve any preexisting negative ideas that we may have about you, but let's not squabble about this right now, I'm hungry and not in the mood," (We then see Warren say with a serious yet hopefully not condescending or mocking look on his face as he walks towards Sam and the others).  "So what are the rest of us supposed to…," (We then see Erica ask with a sad and bored look on her face as she looks up from beside the pool).  "You're a grown woman Erica, you figure it out," (We then see Betsy say with a slightly annoyed look on her face before she walks away from the pool with Warren close behind).

 "Is she always like that," (We then see Erica ask with an angry look on her face as she watches Warren and Betsy walk away).  "Not always, but we'd better hurry or we're going to be late Tabitha," (We then see Sam say with a worried look on his face before we then see the two walk away after Warren and Betsy).

[Inside]

(We open with a panel of a spaceship blasting away a bunch of attacking aliens as it's obvious that it's a video game).  (Then we pull back and see Warpath sitting on the couch in the game room with a game controller in his hands and a hoagie sandwich and a big drink on the coffee table in front of him).  (We see him smiling before Forge walks in and says with an unhappy look on his face as he's holding a p.d.a. in one hand and a beer in the other), "This is how you relax James?"  "Yeah…I had to find some way to relax after Terry and I…uh…you know what Forge, just forget that I eve said anything," (We then see Warpath say with at first a happy smile on his face before we then see him realize what he's saying and laughs with a nervous smile on his face).  "Fair enough, so I take it from the ease of that laugh that things are going well between you and Theresa," (We then see Forge say with a slightly joking smile on his face as he sits down in a chair near Warpath). 

"You could say that…what happened…when she slapped me earlier…it wasn't her, not really, we talked about it and agreed to move on past it," (We then see Warpath say with a serious and optimistic look on his face as he then pauses the game as we see it in a quick panel before he takes a bit out of his sandwich).  "I'm glad…Paris dramatically affect us all and we need to take some time to process it all," (We then see Forge say with a happy smile on his face before he then takes a drink of his beer).  "So what else is new," (We then see Warpath say with a somber frown on his face as he resumes playing his game).  "So then you and Terry are really…okay," (We then see Forge ask with a somewhat worried look on his face with the beer still up near his mouth).  "Yeah, look Forge what's this all about, and don't give me any of that concerned older brother type of bull that you usually do…what's really bugging you," (We then see Warpath ask with a serious look on his face as he sets his game controller down onto the coffee table and turns to Forge). 

"You want the straight answers James…fine…you deserve them, unless I'm dead wrong, and for once I sincerely pray that I am…we have less than twenty four hours before Apocalypse detonates at least two of his remaining warheads and starts his culling of the weak," (We then see Forge say with a very solemn and deadly serious look on his face as he then calmly takes another sip of his beer at the side of the panel as in the middle of the panel we see Warpath's very shocked reaction).  "What, Forge…what the hell," (We then see Warpath ask with a look of total disbelief and horror on his face as he turns to look squarely at Forge).  "I didn't want to ruin their night until I had at least some idea as to the location of one or possibly both of the warheads, I've contacted everyone that I know of that could be of any help to us in this matter and so far I haven't heard anything," (We then see Forge say with a depressed look on his face as he then takes another drink and leans back in his chair and stares up at the ceiling). 

"All the more reason to call Warren and Elizabeth right now and get them back here as soon as possible so that when we find anything we can act on it right away," (We then see Warpath say with an urgent look on his face as he jumps to his feet and starts to leave the room before he stops as we see Forge slam his beer bottle down onto the coffee table as Forge then says with a very stern and concerned look on his face), "We stay here…and do not contact anyone until we have something to say!"  (We see the last bit of Forge's words transposed over the night sky).

+Tre Magnifico+

[A table set apart from the others]

(We open with a few panels of a very fancy looking restaurant  that is overlooking the harbor and we see that that harbor is all aglow with light).  (Then we move in closer, past a group of musicians playing softly in tuxedos).  (We see waiters walking around with plates of food and some with candelabras while others are only walking around to take people's orders).  (Then we go through a set of double doors and see out on a balcony Warren, Betsy, Sam, and Tabitha are sitting at a table and we see that Warren and Betsy are talking to a waiter while Sam is relaxing easily but Tabitha looks nervous, scared, and out of place, looking around constantly as if she expects someone to come and kick her out at any moment).  Calm your nerves child, (We then see Betsy say telepathically to Tabitha with a calm look on her face before we then see a panel of Tabitha looking over at Betsy with an angry look on her face and Betsy with a confused look on her face before Betsy adds), I'm sorry…I shouldn't have called you by that name…but at the moment that's how you're acting you know, so settle down and enjoy yourself already, you're going to have to get used to this lifestyle. 

I know…but it's just all so new and…, (We then see Tabitha say telepathically back with a slightly scared look on her face as she looks around the area as we see Sam and Warren talking to each other with concerned looks on their faces).  I know that it may all seem quite overwhelming at the moment but if you want I could help you to learn to handle all of this, take it in stride…as it were, (We then see Betsy say telepathically with a sincere look on her face before we then see Tabitha sheepishly nod her head).  "You two sure are quiet…everything okay," (We then see Warren ask with a concerned look on his face while Sam has a half smile on his face).  "Huh…what, oh yeah Warren, everything's fine," (We then see Tabitha say with a slightly cheesy smile on her face as she clasps her hands together in front of her on the table before we then see Betsy say with a calm look on her face as she lays a hand on Warren's shoulder), "Yes Warren, Tabitha and I were just making a little bit of small talk while you and Samuel were debating the merits of big floppy clown shoes over the big red nose as to which is funnier, really luv did you suddenly revert to being a five year old on me?" 

"Very funny Betts, for your information what Sam and I were actually talking about was something far more important…," (We then see Warren say with a slightly defensive look on his face as he leans back a bit in his seat and lightly glares at Betsy before we then see Tabitha jump in and say with an excited and goofy smile on her face), "Oh…so then the two of you fine gentlemen were engrossed in a riveting conversation about something very manly like beer, power tools, or which supermodel you'd rather sleep with."  "I already have my supermodel Tabitha…and I am quite handy when it comes to power tools…but as I was saying before that interruption in the wake of Martha Stewart's conviction my lawyers have advised me that I should freeze my stocks and hold off from making any type of large transactions that could draw some unwanted and unneeded attention my way," (We then see Warren say at first with a wink and a smile at Betsy as he interlocks his and Betsy's fingers before bringing her hand up and he kisses the back of her hand and Betsy smiles back lovingly at him). 

(Then we see Tabitha's smile turn into a frown and Sam puts his arm around her a bit).  "Do you think that someone would try to frame you by making it look like you'd done something similar…what, I'm allowed to have a good idea every now and then," (We then see Tabitha start to ask as she picks her napkin up before we then quickly see Sam, Warren, and Betsy look at her with shocked and surprised looks on their faces as then Tabitha gets mad and finishes her statement).  "That's not going to happen Tabitha, but you're right to pose the question," (We then see Betsy say with a thoughtful look on her face before we switch to a panel of someone looking through some hi-tech binoculars at Warren and the group).  "I've spotted them sir, all four of them," (We then see a heavily armed mercenary say, with many others around him as they're all dressed like a paramilitary unit kind of similar to the Navy Seals, before he looks back through the binoculars and we see through the binoculars and see the group sitting at the table and we see their names, powers, and vitals appear on the screen beside them). 

(Then we see the lead mercenary nod his head and then three others launch grappling hooks out towards us before we end by seeing the hooks flying through the air and then slamming into the wall, as Warren, Betsy, Sam, and Tabitha below don't notice).-END