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...

34. My 34th Mini

UNCANNY X-MEN MINI #34:  IT HAD TO HAPPEN…

BY: LOGANALPHA30

"" - Words

[ ] – Caption Boxes

( ) – Art Instructions

- Thoughts

- Time, Place Boxes

Tre Magnifico

[Moments before for this quartet of X-men, Warren Worthington III codenamed Archangel, Elizabeth Braddock codenamed Psylocke, Samuel Guthrie codenamed Cannonball, and Tabitha Smith codenamed Meltdown, this night was supposed to be one of culture and relaxation…].  […however this was not to be the case…].  […for they were unfortunate enough to be spotted by a group of highly skilled and trained assault team acting under unknown orders].  [And with great speed and force said assault team puts their plan into action].  (We open with a panel of Warren and the others in the immediate foreground taking to each other while in the background we see the assault team coming towards them quickly by riding on the cables).  (Then we see Betsy turn to Warren and say with a suddenly very serious look on her face), "Warren…there's a problem."  "What…," (We then see Warren start to say with a confused look on his face before we then see Warren catch the sound of the mercenaries and he turns his head just a bit before the mercenaries attack). 

"Look out," (We then see Betsy shout with an alarmed look on her face as she grabs Warren by the shoulder and throws them both behind the table as she throws it up in defense as Sam dives on top of Tabitha and raises his blast shield just as the mercenaries open fire).  (We then see the mercenaries shoot up the place and blow parts of it up as the quartet scrambles to stay alive).  "Sam," (We then see Tabitha shout with a panicked look on her face as she scrunches in closer to Sam).  "Who are these guys," (We then see Sam shout with an angry look on his face as he ducks out from behind one of the pillars and catches one of the mercenaries off guard with a blast that knocks him in the chest and blasts him back and out of the restaurant).  "Who knows," (We then see Warren shout back with an angry look on his face as he's pulling his coat off as Betsy says with an angry and determined look on her face as she's peeking around the corner of the table), "Who cares…damn, never liked this dress anyway." 

(Then we see Betsy grit her teeth and rip the slit up the side of her dress up higher with a loud ripping noise).  "You two take point, you three back them up," (We then see the head mercenary command as he points his gun towards the table that Warren and Betsy are hiding behind).  "In the end it really doesn't matter who they are, they're all still going to end up in the same place…," (We then see Warren say with a very serious look on his face as he gets back to his feet and gets ready to fight as Betsy gets back up to her knees and then says with a very serious and determined look on her face), "In the city morgue."  "Sir," (We then see one of the mercenaries say as he hesitates and turns back to look at their leader).  "Proceed," (We then see the leader yell as he pounds his fist into the side of one of the columns).  (Then we see Warren launch himself into the air and he tackles two of the mercenaries as then we see Betsy follow him up by using the edge of the table to vault herself up into the air and she then lands a kick to the chest of another of the mercenaries before she drops down to a crouched position and knocks the feet out from under another mercenary as before that mercenary hits the ground he gets blasted away out of the restaurant by a plasma blast). 

(We then see Betsy snap her head back around with a confused look on her face before we then see Tabitha firing off another plasma blast and she then say with an energized smile on her face), "No so much fun when we fight back is it huh…hey guys stay low, I'll cover you!"  (Then we see one of the mercenaries duck underneath one of Tabitha's blasts and take aim and then fires off a shot as we see the crosshairs go straight over Tabitha's heart).  "Look out," (We then see Sam shout with a terrified look on his face before we then see him jump towards Tabitha and push her out of the way but he takes the bullet in his shoulder and Tabitha yells with a horrified look on her face), "Sam!"  (We then see a panel of both Warren and Betsy turning back and seeing Sam get shot in the shoulder, both with very shocked and worried looks on their faces before we then see Warren notice another of the mercenaries next to him aim his weapon at the injured Sam but Warren snaps his left wing out and strikes that mercenary in the back, knocking the gun out of his hands and knocking him out). 

(Then we see a mercenary stand up behind Warren and aim his gun at the back of Warren's head as the mercenary then says), "Don't move freak!"  (Then we see a quick cut panel of Warren's eyes as they go wide before we then see that look reflected in Betsy's look before we then see the mercenary cock his gun and prepare to fire).  (Then we see Betsy reach back behind her and then grab the leg of a chair before she hurls it across the room and then Warren ducks and the chair passes over him and takes out the mercenary as his gun goes off and knocks down the chandelier, which when it falls down it takes out a couple more mercenaries).  "I think we're winning," (We then see Tabitha shout with a somewhat relieved look on her face as she then blasts a mercenary away).  "Don't get cocky Tabitha we…," (We then see Warren shout with a very serious look on his face before he's cut off by many more mercenaries that come crashing into the room via the doors and the windows). 

[His words are abruptly interrupted by the arrival of their attacker's reinforcements].  "Not good…so not good," (We then see a now scared Tabitha say as she has her hand overtop of Sam's that is over his wounded shoulder and it's bleeding heavily).  "That all depends…on how you look at it," (We then see Betsy say with a determined and very serious look on her face as she picks her head up before we then see Warren say with a  confidant smile on his face as he decks one of the oncoming mercenaries), "Don't overdue it Betts."  "I know what I'm doing luv…now gentleman…shall we begin," (We then see Betsy say with a happy and confidant smile on her face as she stands up calmly as then we see all of the mercenaries turn towards Betsy).  [Using the momentary pause of their attackers to her utmost she uses the split second provided her to execute her plan]. 

(We then see a close up panel of Betsy's head and upper body as we see her psychic butterfly appear and then we see a wide panel of first one and then all of the mercenaries freeze in their tracks before we then see some start to choke and cough while others start to stagger around like they're in a daze and lightheaded).  "C'mon Sam," (We then see Tabitha say in a panic as she starts to pull Sam back away from the mercenaries as he's gritting his teeth in pain).  "What's she," (We then see Sam ask with a pained look on his face as he and Tabitha make it back to a doorway). 

It's really quite simple Sam, using my telepathy I'm keeping them all sedated so that they won't fight back, and with telekinesis I'm constricting all of their lungs just enough to knock them out of the fight without killing them in the process, (We then see Betsy say telepathically with a very in control look of enjoyment on her face before we then see Warren turn to her and say with a stern but appreciative look on his face), "Now just don't let your control slip dear, we may be fighting for our very lives her but we're not cold blooded killers…at least not the last time that I checked."  "Who cares Warren…she stopped the galloping horde trying to give us about a hundred more holes…except not the good kind, more like making us look like Swiss cheese," (We then see Tabitha say with a nervous and worried look on her face as she's helping Sam up to his feet but it's a struggle for her).  Just get Sam out of here Tabitha…Warren and I can handle things here, (We then see Betsy say telepathically to Tabitha with her arms down at her sides as she turns to look at Tabitha).  "But…," (We then see Sam stutter with a tired look on his face before he coughs painfully).  "Just go Tabitha, take the car and get Sam to Doctor Henderson, we'll meet up with you there later…now go," (We then see Warren say with a fatherly look of unhappiness on his face and his hands on his waist before we then see Tabitha start to argue but then just shrug her shoulders and leave). Well put my love, (We then see Betsy say telepathically to Warren with a sly smile on her face before we then see the two go to work).

The Mansion

Ops Room

[Knee deep in research they have been scouring for every possible hint of information as to the whereabouts of the two select nuclear warheads].  (We open with several panels of Forge sitting in front of three computer screens all hooked up together as he's scanning through the readings of several different radiation monitoring stations while also in the room we see Warpath chewing on a donut while flipping through a bunch of readouts).  (We also see Siryn leaning heavily on Warpath's shoulder with a sleepy yawn while Erica is leaning back in her chair with her feet up on the table, flipping through page after page of medical data and all of the televisions in the wall are on to different stations from all over the world).  "Sorry Forge…I've looked over these reports five times and I can't find any unusually high radiation levels in these patients…the levels are all well within allowable tolerances," (We then see Erica say with a tired sigh as she throws her head back as she tosses the papers forward onto the table). 

"Then check again Erica, keep checking them until you find something," (We then see Forge say with a very serious and stern look on his face as we see the reflections of the computer screens in a close up panel on his eyes).  "Hate t' break it to ya Forge but I have to agree with Erica on this one…so far al of these radiation levels are all well within range…," (We then see Warpath say with an unhappy frown on his face before we then see Siryn lazily point to one of the readings and say with an uncaring scowl on her face), "Except for that one boyo."  "What…," (We then see Warpath say with a shocked look on his face as he then starts to intently scrutinize the readouts).  "Anytime now would be good Mr. Proudstar…anytime, preferably sometime before we're all incinerated by the inferno after Apocalypse jumpstarts the end of life as we know it," (We then see Forge say with a sarcastic look on his face before h then takes a sip of coffee). 

"Please Jimmy…tell him before he brings out the big guns and starts in with the nagging, trust me when I say that five seconds of listening to him and you'll be pulling all of your hair out by the roots," (We then see Erica say with a devilish grin on her face as she leans forward and picks the papers back up off of the table and then shuffles them).  "She'll do it to ya know," (We then see Forge say softly out of the corner of his mouth like he doesn't know who just said that).  "God…okay guys fine, the location that has the outlandish level of radiation is one of your mentoring stations near the border between France and Germany, it's up high in the mountains judging from its elevation," (We then see Warpath say with a bored and serious look on his face as he heavily leans forward onto the table).  "But what good will it do if we only have a vague idea where there's a high radiation spike, there could be like a million reasons…other than a bomb," (We then see Siryn say with a confused look on her face as she hangs her head a bit). 

"Then we're going to have to find a way to narrow it down, and quickly…but that can't be the only one Forge, you said that Apocalypse was going to set off two bombs, enough to start a chain reaction that would usher in his new world, we have to find the other one," (We then see Erica say with a concerned look on her face as she pulls her feet off of the table and then turns to Forge).  "I'm already working on it my dear, I'm extrapolating every possible location for the second bomb, it'd have to be somewhere that would act as a yin for the first locations yang, the only problem is that so far I've come up empty," (We then see Forge say with a concerned and downcast frown on his face with the cup of coffee in one hand and he has his hand on his chin in a thoughtful pose all while staring at the computer screens in front of him).  "Maybe we should call Warren now," (We then see Siryn say with an overwhelmed sigh as she shakes her head). 

"No…, this is their night off, I'm not going to interrupt that to…," (We then see Erica say with a somewhat angry scowl on her face as she stands up and glares back at Siryn as she walks towards Forge, who's looking back up at her).  "We'll tell them once we know the locations of the two bombs, until then we let them enjoy their night out…like I told you earlier," (We then see Forge say with a very serious and annoyed frown on his face before we then see one of the computer screens flash and Forge spins back around).  "Yes…," (We then see Erica shout with an excited smile on her face, before she stands behind Forge and puts her hands on his shoulders).  "So where is it Forge," (We then see Siryn ask with an impatient look on her face as she sits up and tilts her head to one side).  "Under Tokyo…although I'm not sure why, it has nothing to do with the location of the first bomb," (We then see Forge say with a confused and unsure look on his face as he shakes his head and then he starts to type away to enter a program to double check the result). 

(Then we see the program run its course and come out with the same result to which Forge scowls and tries again on all three computers, with each time the outcome is the same).  [Unwilling to accept the given outcome of the first run through he tries again and again…].  […but each and every subsequent run through comes out with the same exact conclusion].  "Any change," (We then see Warpath ask with a bored and concerned look on his face as he reaches up and scratches the back of his neck while Siryn yawns and looks up and over at him while Erica is looking back over her shoulder at the two).  "Nyet…no change whatsoever children, other than making this entire affair much more discombobulated and insane than it was a mere five minutes ago," (We then see Forge say with a frustrated and tired sigh as he then rubs his eyes and yawns).  "So what are we waiting for, I call shotgun," (We then see Erica say with an excited smile on her face as she smacks the back of Forge's chair before she then spins around and starts to march off out of the room). 

"Where are you going," (We then see Forge say with a stern and serious look on his face as we see his face in the foreground looking out at us as in the background we see Erica stop dead in her tracks and cringe as both Warpath and Siryn look on with only a passing interest).  "To the X-jet…for the mission," (We then see Eric say with a slightly cheesy smile on her face as she points behind her with her thumb and closed fist).  "The only one in this room going on any sort of mission for the foreseeable future is James, the rest of us are far to incapacitated in one form or another to serve as anything better than cannon fodder," (We then see Forge say with a calm and serious look on his face as he slowly spins around in his chair and clasps his hands together as we then see Siryn start to say something but then catch a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye).  "Hey isn' that…oh no…," (We then see Siryn say with a shocked look on her face as she starts to get up out of her seat and point at one of the television screens but she moves to quickly and has to stop and grit her teeth in pain). 

"That looks like…no…," (We then see Erica say with a look on her face that seems to show that her heart drops down into the bottom of her stomach).  "Tre Magnifico, the restaurant that Warren and the others went to…Erica get Dr. Henderson on the phone just in case something went wrong, James monitor the police scanners, Terry you get some sleep while I get down there and see what I can do," (We then see Forge say with a commanding and serious look on his face as he stands up and gathers up some gadgets out of various drawers).  (Then we see the others start to talk to Forge as we pull away and pan out over the city). 

[Later]

(We open with a few panels of the police sectioning off the area around the restaurant with police tape as some others haul off the mercenaries into patty wagons under heavy guard).  (We also see the press there flashing their cameras and trying to interview people before we then see Betsy sitting on the hood of one of the police cars as Warren is putting a blanket around her shoulders).  (We then see a police officer walk up to Warren and Betsy with pad and pencil as he's going to take their statements).  "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting…shall we begin," (We then see the police officer say with an apologetic mile on his face as he tips his hat to Betsy).  "Forget about it officer, you have your hands full with that lot," (We then see Betsy say with a polite smile on her face as she nods hear head forward a bit with Warren's hands on her shoulders).  "Why don't we start from the beginning," (We then see the police officer say with a tired yawn on his face before we then see Warren say with a calm and serious look on his face), "Elizabeth and I were taking some friends of ours out for a nice dinner when they showed up." 

"And then what happened," (We then see the police officer ask with a calm look on his face as he's writing things down on his notepad). "It's really quite simple officer, we fought…and we won, end of story," (We then see Betsy say with an almost bored look on her face as she pulls the blanket tighter around herself).  "Just like that," (We then see the police officer say with a skeptical and confused look on his face as he pauses from writing things down and looks up at Betsy and Warren).  "Yes just like that, we could give you a demonstration if you want, but Elizabeth is a bit to drained from the battle for that now," (We then see Warren say with a concerned look on his face as he half covers Betsy with one of his wings).  "If you're willing I could play the entire sequence back for you in your mind via telepathy…but I should ask you if you've ever experienced any kind of telepathy before, because it can be quite disconcerting one's first time," (We then see Betsy say with a tired and weary look on her face along with she's rubbing her temple with her right hand). 

"I'm sorry…could you possibly run that by me again," (We then see the police officer ask with a nervous and confused look on his face as he also smiles and scratches the back of his head).  "Alright then…you see my lovely fiancé here will use her mutant, yes she's a mutant…but don't worry it's not contagious, power to take you back into her memory and show you exactly what happened, it'll answer all of your questions without requiring either one of us to submit to hours of police interrogation," (We then see Warren say with a serious look on his face as he's adjusting his coat to keep his wings well hidden).  "Is it painful," (We then see the police officer ask with a hesitant look on his face as he looks back and forth between Warren and Betsy).  "No more so than thong itch…what," (We then see Betsy say with an almost apathetic pout on her face before she notices the odd look that first the cop and then Warren is giving her). 

"Moving on…not it's not painful at all, in fact the experience could wing up being quite cathartic and therapeutic for you, help you get over some childhood trauma or dark secret…God knows she…," (We then see Warren say with at first a slightly cheesy smirk on his face as he buttons up his coat).  "No…thank you, just the facts of this particular case will be fine," (We then see the police officer say with a nervous smile on his face before he then scribbles a bit more in his notebook).  "Alright…here we go," (We then see Betsy say with a calm but determined look on her face before we then see her psychic butterfly appear on her forehead as well as on the police officers forehead).  [A gently application of her powers opens up her memories to him, but solely those memories that directly pertain to the investigation currently underway]. 

(We then see several panels of Betsy going back over her memories of the previous few hours as we see the police officers reactions to the events before at the end we see the police officer hang his head a bit).  "That was…different," (We then see the police officer say with a look of awe on his face before he smiles and then laughs).  "Do you have enough information for your report officer," (We then see Warren ask with a tired sigh as he shrugs his shoulders and yawns).  "I believe so," (We then see the police officer say with a bit of a spaced out look on his face before we then see Betsy cut in with a serious look on her face as she stands up and looks away from Warren), "We need to go Warren, Tabitha needs help at the hospital and I can only sense fear and confusion at home."  "Fear…about what, Apocalypse hasn't been heard from in weeks…," (We then see Warren say with a concerned look on his face as he steps in between Betsy and the police officer).  "I don't know…but we can't dally here any longer," (We then see Betsy say with a very serious and driven look on her face as she stands up, letting the blanket drop, before she walks away from Warren and the police officer). 

[Later]

(We open with a panel or two of Warren walking in through the doors of the hospital and several people in the lobby scatter out of his way as he walks up to the reception desk).  "Hello," (We then see Warren say with a frustrated and impatient scowl on his face as he leans heavily on the counter as we then see the receptionist look up and gasp in shock and awe before her smile spreads from ear to ear).  "H…hi, may I help you," (We then see the receptionist say with a slightly cheesy smile on her face as she drops her pen down on the notebook sitting on the desk in front of her as behind her we see several or the nurses around her stop and stare at Warren with big smiles on their faces).  "I hope so…a friend of mine was brought in here earlier tonight with a gunshot wound to the shoulder," (We then see Warren ask with a forced look of calm on his face as he balls his hands up into fists on the counter).  "Sorry sir but you're going to have to be a bit more specific, we had three people brought in with that same exact injury tonight," (We then see the receptionist say with a regretful frown on her face as she shrugs her shoulders).

"His name is Samuel Guthrie, he came in with a young blonde woman named Tabitha Smith," (We then see Warren say with a growing look of frustration on his face as he unclenches his fists and lays his hands down flat, palms down, on the desk).  "You mean that young lady that nearly had a heart attack in the waiting room because we wouldn't let her be at her boyfriend's side during surgery," (We then see the receptionist say with a slightly cheesy smirk on her face as a sigh ass he shakes her head and closes the notebook on her desk).  "That sounds like Tabitha alright…she didn't…damage anything, did she," (We then see Warren ask with a somewhat worried look on his face as he takes a deep breath in as if he's expecting a really bad answer).  "Just a couple of chairs…but they were old ones anyway, we were going to get rid of them next week anyway," (We then see the receptionist say with a wave of her hand and a smile with a look on her face that seems to say that Warren shouldn't worry about it).  "However much it is I'll pay for it, just send me the bill…but if you'd tell me what room my friend is in," (We then see Warren say with a tired look on his face as he runs a hand through his hair). 

"He's in room 123, but visiting hours are over so if you want to see him then I'm afraid that you'll have to come back tomorrow," (We then see the receptionist say with an apologetic frown on her face as she looks up at Warren).  "They are…okay then," (We then see Warren say with a sly smile on his face before he then turns and walks down the hallway towards us as behind him we see the receptionist jump up and come out into the hallway and shout after Warren), "Hey wait…you can't!"

The Mansion

(We open with a few panels of Betsy's shadowed form in the background in a mirror in her room as the room is dark except for the moonlight).  (We see her slipping out of her dress and she then lets her hair down and then we see her lay her dress down onto the bed).  (Then we see that followed by her underwear before we then see her walk over, in the shadows, to a dresser and take some clothes out).  (Then we cut to a panel of Betsy walking down one of the hallways in the mansion as she pulls a shirt on over her head, a Xavier's Institute For Higher Learning one and we see that she's wearing a black bra so that we don't see anything that we shouldn't).  (Then we see Betsy pause at the door to the ops room, hang her head a bit and take a deep sigh).  (We see word bubbles surround Betsy that say), "We should call Warren and Elizabeth," "No we haven't found it yet," "I'm tired," "What are we supposed to do now," (and) "This is only going to get worse Terry, mark my words." 

[She pauses momentarily to collect herself, telepathically hearing the words of her friend and teammates through the steel reinforced door to the ops room].  (Then we see Betsy shake her head and open the door and enter the ops room).  "What are we obsessing over now people," (We then see Betsy say with an almost bored look on her face before she sits down at the table and clasps her hands together in front of her on the table).  "I'm not sure that obsessing is the correct wording her Elizabeth, I believe that terrified would be a more appropriate word," (We then see Forge say with a very serious and grim look on his face as he turns away from his computers).  "I know I should have gone to the hospital instead of coming back here," (We then see Betsy say with a sarcastic look on her face as she rolls her eyes and then drops her head into her hands in a mock defeated look). "The hospital…what," (We then see Erica ask with a confused look on her face as she pulls out a chair and sits down beside Betsy). 

"Nothing that need concern you at the moment Erica," (We then see Betsy say with a small wave of her hand as she sits back up in her seat and turns to look over at Erica).  "What's that supposed t' mean," (We then see Siryn ask with a confused and now suddenly very apprehensive look on her face as she sits up and leans away from Warpath, who takes a deep breath).  "It means that what the four of you are conspiring is more immediately important than what happened at dinner tonight," (We then see Betsy say with an uneasy look on her face as she reaches over and picks up some of the papers and tries to look like she's studying them).  "What happened at dinner," (We then see Warpath ask with an impatient and tired frown on his face with his hands flat on the table in front of him).  "We just had a little interruption at dinner, a few party crashers…no big deal," (We then see Betsy say with a somewhat relieved smile on her face before we then see Siryn laugh and then say with a skeptical look on her face), "Ye know Psylocke, ye're gonna have t' do better than that, we saw the news." 

"Oh…you did, believe me when I say that we didn't start that fight," (We then see Betsy say with a restrained look of calm on her face as she sits back in her chair and stares at the center of the table).  "I think that's a given, so what really happened, everyone okay," (We then see Erica ask with a  concerned look on her face as she leans forward and scratches the back of her head).  "Sam unfortunately didn't fare as well as we could have hoped for, he pushed Tabitha out of the way and took a bullet himself, he couldn't pull up his shield quickly enough," (We then see Betsy say with a very serious and also semi regretful look on her face as we see her stand up and walk over to end up standing beside Forge with her hands on her hips as she's checking out the readings on Forge's computer screens).  "What," (We then see Erica, Warpath, and Siryn all shout with very shocked looks on their faces as they all nearly jump up out of their seats).  (We then see Forge's face darken a bit before he picks up his coffee mug, that would have either something funny on it or something that would pertain to Forge's area of expertise, and then says with a serious look on his face), "How bad is it?" 

"I'm not entirely sure Forge, however from what I saw it didn't look life threatening, hopefully his shoulder isn't injured to badly," (We then see Betsy say with an optimistic look on her face as she looks down at Forge).  "Okay, so Sam got shot in the shoulder, please tell me that Warren and Tabitha are alright," (We then see Siryn ask with a pleading look on her face as she uses all of her strength to stand up).  "Warren is unhurt except for a few lost feathers and as for Tabitha well other than her concern for Sam she's fine," (We then see Betsy say with a happy and somewhat relieved look on her face as she half turns back to the others and wipes some hair off of her forehead).  "And the mystery deepens," (We then see Forge say with a grim look on his face as he shakes his head).  "So what is Warren doing now," (We then see Erica ask with a concerned look on her face as she turns and looks at Warpath and Siryn). 

"He's getting Sam out of the hospital and all of the information that the police have been able to gather, James I want you ready for a mission by the time Warren and the others get home," (We then see Betsy say with a tired yawn as she starts to walk out of the room).  "Me…," (We then see Warpath say with a slightly shocked look on his face as he sits upright and turns to look after Betsy).  "Yes you James, now I'm going to check on Charles and Moira…I suggest that you don't make me have to come and find you," (We then see Betsy say with a very serious and almost disapproving scowl on her face before she then leaves the room, leaving everyone else in the room to stare at Warpath, as he drops his head into his hands and his shoulders slump).

[Later]

[A mothers touch…].  […stimulates nerve endings underneath the skin]. [With this most intimate of contact the bonding between mother and child only strengthens overtime].  [And this mother is insistent, possibly to a fault, on keeping and cementing the bonds that comprise the beginnings of her new family].  (We start off with a few panels of Betsy with Charles in her arms as she's sitting in a rocking chair and the room is dark except for the moonlight and we see that Betsy's nursing Charles and softly humming a tune).  "Everything go alright at the hospital," (We then see Betsy ask with a content smile on her face ass he picks her head up and looks to the side as then in the next panel we see Warren standing near Moira's crib with the top few buttons on his shirt undone and he's leaning over and gently caressing Moira's cheek).  "Tabitha's getting Sam settled in his room, we're probably going to get a bill in the mail in the next few days from the hospital for Sam's surgery, not to mention the chairs in the waiting room…," (We then see Warren say with a slightly joking smile on his face before we go back to Moira sleeping softly and then we see Betsy putting Charles back in his crib). 

"Unfortunately we have a more pressing matter that is vying for our attention…Forge picked up some disturbing radiation levels in two key locations around the world, unless we do something soon Apocalypse is going to detonate two warheads and…," (We then see Betsy say with a serious and somber look on her face as she walks towards Warren before we see them share a kiss).  "Damn…why didn't Forge or one of the others call us," (We then see Warren say with an angry look on his face as he lightly pounds his fist down onto the top of the crib).  "Because we were on our one night out together in months and they didn't want to interrupt us before they knew anything concrete," (We then see Betsy reply with a tired yawn on her face and a hand on Warren's shoulder and then she walks away from Warren and she then sits back down in the rocking chair and crosses her legs). 

"They still should have said something though Betts," (We then see Warren say with an unhappy look on his face as he paces over to the window and stares out with his hands on his hips and a less than thrilled and unhappy look on his face).  "It doesn't matter now does it Warren, what we should be doing at this moment is devising a plan of attack for making sure that Apocalypse never gets the chance to detonate either one of the warheads," (We then see Betsy say with an uncomfortable frown on her face as she slowly rocks back and forth).  "I agree, but right now our options for operatives runs thin…Sam's out for God knows how long, Erica and Terr are still weeks away from being mission ready…," (We then see Warren says with a very frustrated look on his face as his face looking out at us through the window is in the immediate foreground and Betsy sitting in her rocking chair in the background as she replies), "Which only leaves us with James, Tabitha, and the two of us…well Warren it looks like we're going on a vacation." 

(Then we see Warren turn back slightly and lightly glare at Betsy).  "So pray tell my dear, where are we headed…Miami, South Beach, Cabo…," (We then see Warren say with an optimistic smile on his face as he turns around and leans back up against the wall with his arms crossed).  "Sorry Warren, but we've got a plane to catch…to Tokyo," (We then see Betsy say with a sly smile on her face as she's looking up at Warren as he walks towards her).  "A walk down memory lane eh…," (We then see Warren ask with a cheesy smile on his face as he's standing in front of Betsy before we then cut to a quick small panel of Betsy's eye line as she scowls heavily and then we see Betsy kick Warren in the shin).  (Then we see Warren react in shock and hobble around awkwardly a bit before he turns back to Betsy and lightly glares as he says with a pained look on his face), "What…?" 

"Tokyo was Kwannon's old stomping grounds luv…not mine," (We then see Betsy say with an angry scowl on her face as she crosses her arms and sits fully back in her seat).  "Sorry Betts…but seriously, we're to short on operatives to mount a proper surgical strike against Apocalypse right now and the rest of the X-men back at the mansion in New York are far to busy…," (We then see Warren say with an apologetic look on his face before he scowls and turns back towards the window).  "Actually luv, we have just enough X-men here in this very mansion for just such a surgical strike against Apocalypse, but only if we follow a strict plan of attack," (We then see Betsy say with a somewhat confidant look on her face as she stands up and walks over to the window to stand beside Warren).  "And from that look in your eye I'm guessing that you have such a plan rattling around in that beautiful head of yours," (We then see Warren say with a loving smile on his face as he turns to Betsy and then yawns before Betsy then reaches up and runs her hand along Warren's cheek before she says with a loving smile of her own on her face), "You're correct Warren, I've just the plan for this situation." 

"I only wish that we had more time to think about this before we rush headlong into it," (We then see Warren say with an unhappy frown on his face as he and Betsy leave the nursery and then walk down the hallway before Betsy almost bumps into Tabitha).  "Sorry Elizabeth," (We then see Tabitha say with an embarrassed and apologetic look on her face before she then starts to leave but Betsy stops her).  "You'd better be headed for the locker room Tabitha," (We then see Betsy say with a stern look on her face as Tabitha looks surprised).  "What…the locker room, why," (We then see Tabitha ask with a confused look on her face before we then see Betsy put her arm around Tabitha's shoulders and pull her close in such a way as if to infer that Betsy is telling Tabitha a secret), "You're going with us on the mission tonight, so you'd better get ready, we leave in ten minutes."

Ten Minutes Later

(We see a panel of Tabitha racing through the hanger towards the X-jet with a large duffel bag slung over her shoulder with a frustrated and angry look on her face).  (We then cut to a panel of Warren, in full battle gear, standing in the open doorway and waving at Tabitha to hurry up).  "Come on Tabitha hurry up, the party starts in three hours," (We then see Warren shout at Tabitha with an eager look on his face before we then see Tabitha run up the ramp and plop down in her seat beside Warpath).  "What's the big rush anyway, even if we can get into the party how are we supposed to find the nuke, last I knew radioactive weapons weren't something that rich Japanese businessmen have mounted on the wall like a trophy buck," (We then see Tabitha say with a pessimistic scowl on her face as she's buckling her seatbelt).  "That's where you come in Tabitha, while I keep watch with all of the partygoers you'll be scanning the area for any sign of the nuke," (We then see Betsy say with a half smile on her face as she's looking up at an overhead console, as she's sitting in the pilot's chair, and we're looking straight at her facing us in the foreground and Tabitha in the background as we see that Betsy has her battle gear on but it looks like she just pulled it on pretty loosely). 

"I'm not the one for this job…I'm the ditz…," (We then see Tabitha start to say with a scared look on her face before we then see Betsy turn halfway around in her chair and look straight back at Tabitha with a very serious and honest look on her face and then say) "You're not a ditz Tabitha, stop selling yourself short…I am giving you this assignment because I believe that you're just the woman that can pull it off successfully."  "Really," (We then see Tabitha say with a surprised look on her face as she sits up in her chair and looks up at Betsy).  "Really, besides if worst comes to worst I'm going to need a quick exit and you do have a knack for opening up…possibilities," (We then see Betsy say with a reassuring smile on her face as she turns back around in her chair and then we cut to an outside panel of the X-jet and we see the hatch shut).  "And what am I supposed to do this whole time guys, a part with a bunch of right upper class stiffs…not sure that's really my crowd," (We then see Warpath ask with an unsure look on his face as he's strapping himself in). 

"You'll see when we get there," (We then see Betsy say with a sly grin on her face before she punches the accelerator and we then see the X-jet rocket out of the hanger).

Nguyen Estate

Two Hours From The Outskirts of Tokyo

[A high profile gathering of the elite of the elite in the underground world of crime and nuclear arms trading].  "Winter wonderland this ain't," (We then see Warpath say with an unimpressed pout on his face as he slowly walks down the ramp and into the snow before he then blows on his hands as it's starting to snow).  "Well look on the bright side Jimmy, at least you get to stay back here in the nice warm X-jet while I have to go and freeze my cute little ass off skulking around through the bushes while trying not to get my head blown off by some stupid trigger happy guard trying to impress the boss," (We then see Tabitha say as she unhappily trudges down the steps wearing what looks like a cross between a wet suit and her battle gear and it's all black that's zipped up in the back, with a black stocking cap pulled down low over her ears with some of her hair sticking out and she's pulling a pair of gloves on while shivering). 

"You wouldn't be attempting to copy that dogma now would you," (We then see Warren say with a less than optimistic frown on his face as he steps into the doorway and pulls his collar up around his neck and shivers a bit before we then see Betsy shove him out with a bored look on her face before she adds), "Move it people, we've only just landed, we still have a very long way to go before we rest, and I for one plan on being there to watch Charles and Moira wake up in the morning."  "Preferably without there being any overnight nuclear holocausts right," (We then see Warpath ask with a sly grin on his face as he smiles while his hands are still up at his mouth).  "I think that's a given Jimmy," (We then see Tabitha joke with an amused smirk on her face as she's rubbing her arms to keep warm).  (Then we see Betsy turn to Warren and pull him close and whisper something in his ear before he nods his head).  (Then we see Betsy go back up into the X-jet while Warren walks up to Warpath and Tabitha). 

"Alright you two, she's going to get changed so that'll give me just enough time to fully brief the two of you on your orders for tonight," (We then see Warren say with a wide yawn before he folds his wings around himself with his arms crossed).  "I know already Warren, use the handy dandy scanner that Forge cobbled together for me to scan for any trace of the nukes, and when I find a trace then I'm supposed to sit tight and contact you or Elizabeth and wait for further instructions," (We then see Tabitha say with a calm look on her face as she half turns and looks in the direction of the Nguyen estate).  "And I'm supposed to hold back and run the whole communications network…," (We then see Warpath say with a bored look on his face).  "And only intervene if you or Elizabeth explicitly tell him to, yes Warren, he knows and I know…let's just do this okay," (We then see Tabitha say with an impatient pout on her face as she pats Warren on the shoulder).  "Well…how do I look," (We then see someone say from off panel that makes everyone turn around). 

(Then we see a short panel of Warren, Warpath, and Tabitha's faces as they react with positive surprise as it's obvious that they like what they see).  (Then we panel back around to Betsy as she's posing in the doorway of the X-jet in her dress).  (We see that Betsy is wearing a sleeveless full length Asian dress that's form fitting, slit up the side to her hip, is black with gold trim and a gold dragon on the front with her hair up in a tight bob with small sticks in it and topped off by a bracelet or two on each wrist, hoop earrings, black high heeled shoes, and the dress has a high collar and Betsy is lightly leaning on the doorway of the X-jet with a hand up on one side).  "There aren't words," (We then see Warren say with an awed look on his face before he steps forward and helps Betsy down the stairs while Warpath and Tabitha look at each other as they nod their heads in agreement).  (Then we see Warpath blow on his hands again and turn a bit as we see a black SUV pulling up).  

(We then see Tabitha be surprised by this and jump into a defensive stance before she looks ready to fire off a plasma bomb at the SUV).  "Easy Tabitha, they're friends," (We then see Betsy say with a cautious look on her face as she taps Tabitha on the shoulder).  "Really…," (We then see Tabitha say with an unsure look on her face as she turns back towards Betsy).  "We have ties with organized crime…Warren, I for one am shocked and appalled," (We then see say with an obviously joking look on his face as he turns to Warren and lightly bumps Warren, who gives him a dirty look in response).  "You sudden concern of those that I do my business with is touching…the truth is that there are those in high places want an in with the Yakuza…," (We then see Warren say with a rather scolding look on his face as he turns his head and lightly glares up at Warpath).  "And those fine gentleman gives us that opportunity," (We then see Betsy add with a serious look on her face as several finely dressed Asian men get out of the SUV and open up one of the doors and gesture for Betsy to get in). 

"But are you sure that we can trust these guys Warren…I mean…Yakuza," (We then see Tabitha plead with a worried look on her face as she buddies up next to Warren).  "Yes Tabitha, I would never have ever even begun to agree to this plan had I not believed in their honor and integrity, Elizabeth will be fine, now just remember to do your part in this," (We then see Warren say with at first a loving smile at Betsy before she climbs into the SUV and the door shuts).  (Then we see Warpath, Warren, and Tabitha watch the SUV pull away as we then see Warren smiling with the faint traces of Betsy's butterfly on Warren's forehead).  (Then we see Warren, Tabitha, and Warpath stand around a bit before we then see Tabitha cross her arms and scratch her bottom lip and then say with an almost skittish and scared look on her face), "Uh Warren, got any more of those nifty SUV's, cause I don't really feel like hoofing it all the way over there by myself."  "Easy Tabitha…I'm going to fly you over there before I take my place and wait," (We then see Warren say with a half smile on his face before he heads back into the X-jet with Warpath behind him).

1 Hour Later

[The party in full swing, she does her best to blend into the crowd].  [Keeping watch and mentally cataloguing each and every face in attendance and name that was verbalized].  (We open with several panels of a very lavish party being thrown in a really big house with very finely dressed patrons and servers with plenty of food, music, and dancing).  (We see Betsy standing at the end of one of the very large and long tables as she accepts a glass of champagne with a polite smile on her face before we then see her turn away from the table and begin to scan the interior of the mansion as she checks out every door, staircase, window, and fireplace).  (We then see Betsy use her telepathy selectively to listen in on various conversations around the room). 

(Then we see Betsy watch the crowd and make sure that no one was watching her as she makes her way to one of the very tall vertical windows and leans back and sits down lightly on the windowsill).  "Check one, check one two…are you there luv," (We then see Betsy say in a whisper as she drops her chin down towards her chest, brings her left wrist up until her bracelet is net to her mouth and she rubs her sideburn with her fingers so as to not draw to much unwanted attention to herself, and she cautiously looks out of the window).  (Then we see a quick panel of Betsy's eyes through a set of high powered binoculars).  (Then we pull back and see Warren kneeling on the side of a cliff a ways up looking down at Betsy through a pair of high powered digital binoculars as he then says with a serious look on his face), "I read you loud and clear Betts, now just promise me that you won't do anything that you'll regret later." 

"What have I done that you and I have regretted later, outside of the colossal cock-up that was Neal…but if I'm remembering correctly you did act like a childish wanker back then, blowing your top at the slightest provocation," (We then see Betsy say back with an accusing and somewhat angry look on her face before we then see Warren take the binoculars away from his face and we wait a panel of him with a guilty look on his face before he looks down sullenly and says), "Acting like a jerk is one of my faults I'll admit, I should have handled you talking with Neal that day in his car better…but you know me, I over attach myself to those that I fall in love with and my fear of losing you overshadowed my trust in you, and for that terrible mistake I will continue to apologize and humbly ask for your forgiveness for the rest of my natural life…if not beyond."  "Enough with the apologies Warren I'm serious, if I were just your ordinary run of the mill fiancée of a man such as yourself I'd have good reason to doubt your sincerity…however being the highly intelligent, and telepathic, woman of mystery that I am…I've scanned your mind more times than I should have and know that you're nowhere close to lying to me," (We then see Betsy say back to Warren with a very serious look on her face as she fully turns and looks straight back and up at Warren through the window and the binoculars right at us). 

"Kwannon," (We then see someone say from off panel that makes Betsy jump up and turn away from the window and tries not to look mortified at who is in front of her).  "I had heard of your unfortunate demise…," (We then see an older Japanese man wearing a very expensive looking suit say with a pleased smile on his face as he's surrounded by several also finely dressed bodyguards as well as a few very beautiful young women that all look to be half Betsy's age).  "Well what can I say, reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated," (We then see Betsy say with a very confidant smile on her face as she crosses her arms).  (Then in a quick panel of a close up of Betsy's eye line as she thinks telepathically), James… a little help here, I need an ident on the gentleman that's currently staring at me like I'm a piece of meat.  (Then we cut to a panel of Warpath sitting in the X-jet looking half asleep). 

"Okay…just gimme a second here…," (We then see Warpath say to thin air as he sets about identifying the person that he's getting a picture of via the camera hidden in the collar of Betsy's dress).  I don't have a second James, I need his ident right this bloody minute, (We then see Betsy shoot back telepathically at Warpath with a very stern look on her face as she politely bows to the man in front of her and he bows back to her).  (Then we cut back to Warpath in the X-jet as the information on who Betsy is talking to as we then see a highly detailed profile show up on the screen as we see Warpath clap his hands together and then say with a semi happy smirk on his face), "Okay bosslady I've got it, our mister happy to see you is one Mr. Yoshiro Tan, a high ranking member of the Hong Kong branch of the Yakuza, he's got his hands into everything from racketeering, arms smuggling, drugs, prostitution…even candy, man I bet that this bastard would sell his own mother down the river for a few more yen…come to think of it he probably did, be careful Elizabeth." 

Aren't I always, (We then see Betsy say back to Warpath telepathically as we then see Mr. Tan say with a confidant grin on his face), "How fortunate for me then," (as we see Warren say back via the transceiver in Betsy's ear), "Not since I've known you," (as we then cut to a quick panel of Warren's grinning face as it's obvious that Warren's joking in a light hearted manner).  "How so," (We then see Betsy say back with a fake smile of joy on her face as she tries to look both interested and flattered).  "I have recently come into possession of some very precious cargo and I'm afraid that I am unable to place the full breadth of my trust in those that I have charged with the assignment of delivering it to a buyer that has agreed to pay handsomely for it…and," (We then see Mr. Tan say with a serious and somewhat overtaxed look on his face as he takes a deep breath).  "And you want me…with my, special abilities, to torture your workers until they confess," (We then see Betsy say with a confidant and interested smile on her face as she then follows Mr. Tan and his entourage as we see Warren's words come in via the COM link), "Be careful Betts, I don't care if we lose track of the nukes, but I'll be damned if I'm going to lose you." 

Don't worry Warren, you won't, (We then see Betsy say back telepathically to Warren before she then follows Mr. Tan through a doorway).

[Meanwhile, Outside]

"Oh yeah I got the plum assignment," (We then see Tabitha say with an unhappy pout on her face as she's looking out at us through the bushes outside of the mansion).  (Then we see Tabitha look down and frown at the screen of the device that Forge gave to her before they left and she punches a couple of buttons).  (We see the screen not register anything within the immediate vicinity).  (Then we see Tabitha shake her head and start to get out of the bushes before she has to stop in her tracks as two armed guards walk by).  (Then we see Tabitha creep fully out of the bushes and then mock the one guards walk as she sticks her bottom lip out a bit and we see that the tips of her fingers are crackling with energy).  (Then we see that guard get to a darkened section under the trees before we then see Tabitha stand up straight and as the guard gets near a tree we see Tabitha rush forward and grab the back of the guards head and then smash his face straight into the trunk of the tree).  (Then we see the guard slump to the ground and Tabitha smile proudly). 

"Hey," (We then see the other guard shout angrily before Tabitha's eyes grow wide before she has to hurriedly dive into a snowbank to avoid the bullets that the other guard fires at her).  (Then we see that guard continue to fire at Tabitha as he hurries forward).  (Then we see Tabitha scrambling through the snow with a panicked look on her face before she dives over another snowbank as that snowbank then gets ripped apart by gunfire).  (Then we see a panel of the guard in the background as he hurriedly starts to change the clip while in the foreground we see Tabitha crouching down).  [Deciding that it was now or never…].  "Hey jackass…I've got a surprise for you," (We then see Tabitha say with an energized look on her face as she jumps out from behind the remains of the snowbank, catching the guard in mid action, and fires off a powerful plasma stream out of each hand that hits the guard, making him shout in pain and shock before he gets blasted off of his feet and then fly through the air and he ends up crashing through a garage door).  (Then we see Tabitha dust herself off a bit before she checks Forge's device and then keeps looking down at the device as she walks first towards and the into the garage through the hole that the guard made). 

"Now, if I were a nuclear warhead capable of untold death and destruction…where would I be hiding," (We then see Tabitha wonder aloud with a very overwhelmed half smile on her face as she takes a small flashlight out of one of her pockets, turns it on, and sets about searching through the garage).  (Then after a few panels of Tabitha searching through the garage before she gets frustrated and turns an empty five gallon bucket over and sits down on top of it and takes out the device that Forge gave her).  (She then crosses her legs, props her elbow on her top knee and rests her chin in that arms upturned palm while staring sadly at Forge's device that she's holding with her free hand).  "Need some help Tabitha," (We then see someone ask Tabitha via the comlink).  "Huh…Warren, zat you," (We then see Tabitha exclaim with at first a shocked look on her face before she smiles with an embarrassed smile on her face as she then throws her head back and laughs at herself).  "What's so funny," (We then see someone else ask via the comlink before we see Warpath add), "This isn't the time to get a case of the giggles Tabitha, this is serious." 

"I…don't have a case of the giggles Jimmy, just a little laugh at my own expense," (We then see Tabitha say with an odd smirk on her face as she looks down at the body of the guard that she blasted).  "Let's get back on track here people…alright Tabitha have you picked up any trace of the bomb yet," (We then see Warren ask with a less than thrilled look on his face as he shivers from the cold and pulls his collar up higher as we see that Warren is squatting down on a snowy outcropping up high on the side of the cliff).  "Nothing yet Warren, and for the record I've already exchanged pleasantries with two of the local Gestapo," (We then see Tabitha say with a sarcastic smirk on her face as she shakes her head and stands up in a panel with the guard in the bottom of the panel).  "Did they have the chance to alert anyone," (We then see Warren ask with a concerned scowl on his face as he stands up and then blows on his hands as he shivers).  "I doubt it, they really didn't have much time to do anything after I got through with them," (We then see Tabitha say with a proud smile on her face as she goes to the hole in the garage door and peeks out). 

"Good job Tabitha, now just don't get to caught up in your private victory parade that you don't get a flat tire and get taken by surprise," (We then see Warren say with a very serious look on his face as he folds his wings in tight around him).  "Thanks for the vote of confidence chief," (We then see Tabitha say with a sarcastic pout on her face before we see her catch site of the replacement guards for the ones that Tabitha just beat).  (Then we see those two guards get blasted away just as they're rounding the corner of a set of trees).  "Uh Tabitha….what was that, please tell me that I did not just hear you nearly get caught unawares," (We then see Warpath say with a joking smirk on his face as he leans back in his chair and crosses his arms).  "What…nah James ya got it all wrong, see what happened was…," (We then see a sheepish Tabitha say through her smile before she visibly cringes as we see Warren shout over the comlink), "That's enough…have either of you heard anything from Elizabeth?" 

"Not since she and Mr. Tan left the main room," (We then see Warpath say with a serious look on his face as he sits up in his chair and types in a few commands).  "Did you activate the two way microphone," (We then see Warren ask with a concerned look on his face as he puts his pair of digital binoculars back up to his eyes).  "Uh…sure Warren, of course I did, what do you take me for…the Delhi Dimwit," (We then see Warpath say with a very nervous grin on his face as we see him flip a switch that makes a message appear on one of the screens that says that the microphone is on).  "Don't tempt me James…," (We then see Warren say back with a disapproving scowl on his face as he shakes his head).

[Elsewhere]

"I must say that your proposal is intriguing Mr. Tan, but I still do not fully understand why you are pursuing my involvement in this matter with such fervor, sure you with your vast fortune could garner the employ of any one of several lethal…," (We then see Betsy say with a serious look on her face as we see that she's sitting back in a very fancy and plush high backed chair with her legs crossed and a glass of wine in her hand while we see Mr. Tan sitting comfortably in a nearby chair and all of his associates are scattered throughout the room).  "Please do not make a hasty judgment on this matter my dear Kwannon, at least not until you hear what my terms are, you may just decide that you will benefit greatly from this transaction," (We then see Mr. Tan say with a soft smile on his face as a servant walks over and fills his glass).  "Just for the record, how much money do I stand to make here, my services do not come cheap," (We then see Betsy say with a playing along smile of confidence on her face before she takes a sip of the wine).  "I am well aware of the conditions of your service my dear, this is why I have already made the proper arrangements," (We then see Mr. Tan say with a kind smile on his face as he leans back a bit and then waves one of his assistants forward). 

(Then we see that man set a briefcase down on a coffee table before he opens it to reveal a lot of money).  (We then see Betsy smile in a quick panel before we then see Mr. Tan ask), "Are we good?"  (We then see Betsy smile politely as one of Mr. Tan's assistants starts to close the briefcase before we then see Betsy hold up her index finger and give a sneaky smile and then says), "Not quite…I do have…other expenses, such as…."  "I have foreseen this possibility my dear," (We then see Mr. Tan say with a sly grin on his face before he laughs and then waves another of his assistants forward).  (Then we see that assistant open up a thin rectangular box to reveal a tall thin red jewel that's set into a very ancient looking device with two holes set one on either side of the jewel).  "Please…I've seen far better than that as the prize in a cereal box," (We then see Betsy scoff with an unimpressed pout on her face as she sets the wine glass down on the nearby coffee table before she crosses her arms).  "Appearances can be deceiving my dear Kwannon, this jewel is older than it looks, older indeed even than the great Chinese dynasties," (We then see Mr. Tan say with a delighted and knowing smile on his face before he then takes another sip of wine). 

"From my years of experience in these matters I have learned that older does not always mean better or capable of filling my ever needy bank account," (We then see Betsy say with a skeptical look on her face as she puts a hand to her temple and smiles genuinely).  "That will be taken care of I assure you, I do not let suffer those in my employ, but in this particular case your judgment of my offer is incorrect, this particular jewel is merely the focal point for a reportedly great power that has the ability to rip open a hole…or tear in the fabric of space and time, creating as my lab-rat of an assistant relayed to me only yesterday…a pocket universe, or prison, trapping whatever is caught in the surrounding dispersal field is lost forever," (We then see Mr. Tan say with an optimistic look on his face before he gestures to the jewel in the box and then takes another sip of wine).  "That sounds like quite the fairy tale good sir, tearing a hole in the fabric of space and time…if you ask me this all sounds more like science fiction than science fact, why should I believe anything that you have to say…," (We then see Betsy say with a still unsure and somewhat skeptical frown on her face as she traces the tip of her index finger around the rim of her wine glass). 

"Do this one small and insignificant job for me and you can request anything that you may desire as a reward…that is though if you do not reconsider my old offer," (We then see Mr. Tan say with a very serious look on his face as he nods his head before we then see a great commotion arise in the main room).  "What the devil," (We then see one of Mr. Tan's men say with a startled expression on his face before he and the others rush towards the doors and then throw them open and rush in).  "If you'll excuse me my most honored host, but I believe that I am needed elsewhere," (We then see Betsy say with a very polite smile on her face as she stands up, bows low to Mr. Tan, and then he nods his head and she walks out of the room through a back door).  (Then we see a quick panel of Mr. Tan still sitting in his chair before he then turns towards the darkened corner of the room and says with a relieved smile on his face), "She is as foolish as she is beautiful…kill her."  "Yes my lord," (We then see someone say from the depths of the shadows before we see a dark flash of shadow out of the corner of the room).

[Outside]

"Wait a minute…what the hell's going on here, this wasn't part of the plan," (We then see a very shocked Warren exclaim, as he pulls the digital binoculars away from his face, into the comlink).  (Then we cut to a panel of Tabitha standing beside a tree with wide eyes as we see loud crashes and explosions that are reflected in her eyes).  (Then we see a quick panel of Warpath looking stunned at the screens in front of him).  "Warren…I just wanna say that I did not do this…," (We then see Tabitha say with a shocked and somewhat scared look on her face as she holds her comlink up to her mouth).  "Not now Tabitha…James hold down the fort, I'm going in," (We then see Warren say with a very serious look on his face as he starts to take off his digital binoculars before we then see Warpath start to say), "Warren…," (and then Tabitha jumps in), "You've got to say there Warren, remember the plan…."  "I don't care about the damn plan anymore Tabitha, this has gotten completely out of control I'm…," (We then see Warren say with a very serious and angry scowl on his face as he unfurls his wings and looks like he's ready to take off before we cut to Warpath with a grim look on his face as he then say), "Way t' keep your head about you in a time of crisis boss." 

"What was that  James," (We then see Warren ask with a very concerned, skeptical, and frustrated scowl on his face as he looks as if he was going to crush his comlink between his fingers).  "Nothing boss…don't worry I'm already on my way," (We then see Warpath say with a nervous look on his face before he then rushes out of the X-jet and tears off towards the mansion).  "Yah know Warren, I didn't see anything out of the ordinary before…," (We then see Tabitha say with a  cheesy smile on her face as she kneeling down behind a piece of the garage that she had just been in).  "Just do your part and quit patronizing me…," (We then see an angry Warren say as he steps out to the edge of the cliff, crosses his arms and then thinks with a very grim scowl on his face), Come on Bets…show me a sign that you're alright.

[Later…Inside]

(We open with a long hallway that's cast heavily in shadows with the light coming in through the many windows).  (Then we see a shadow creep down the hallway in a series of panels before we move in closer and see that the shadow is in reality Betsy, dressed all in black like a cat burglar, complete with her hair all tied up in a really tight ponytail that has been wrapped again as well as gloves and a stocking cap).  (Then we see Betsy think with a relieved look on her face), Glad I stashed that duffel bag in the hall closet before the party or else this would have been a horrendously tedious endeavor in heels.  (Then we see Betsy put a hand onto the nearest door flatly as we see her access her powers for a short bit before she lets out the breath that she had been holding in and then moves on down the hallway). 

(Then we see Betsy round a corner as she is squatting down and leaning around the corner with her head pointed down the hallway as we see two guards stationed next to a door at the end of the hallway, both of the guards look like a hi-tech meeting medieval cross as we then see Betsy give a sly smile and think), Thos two are definitely not your run of the mill thugs masquerading as a security force.  For once imposter, you are correct, (We then see someone else say through their thoughts that makes Betsy's eyes grow wide before she then snaps her head back around the corner).  (Then we see Betsy get kicked in the face, causing her to get thrown back into the wall across the hallway).  "Who the bloody hell are you," (We then see an angry Betsy growl as she's using the wall to push herself back up to her feet with one hand while holding her bleeding nose with the other).  "Why Kwannon…why did you do it, you had everything and you threw it all away…," (We then see a woman that's slightly younger and smaller than Betsy say with a vengeful sneer on her face with dark blue hair and eyes as she looks almost like a younger version of Betsy). 

"Throw what away, I don't know what you're talking about," (We then see Betsy ask with a confused and angry look on her face as she keeps an eye on the two guards who have yet to move or show any inclination that they see the fight happening almost right in front of them).  "Have you forgotten us then to…dear sister," (We then see the young woman say with an angry sneer as she draws a sword and points the tip directly into Betsy's face).  "Sister…," (We then see Betsy ask with a very stunned and surprised look on her face as she raises a hand and then lightly pushes the sword away with her index finger on the point of the sword).  (Then we see the young woman pause for a second before she then grows angry again and quickly snaps her sword back so that the point is directly at the tip of Betsy's nose as we see Betsy hiss in pain as her finger gets cut and draws blood). 

"Surely you have not…dear sister, forgotten that…," (We then see the young woman say with a spiteful sneer on her face before we then see Betsy shrug her shoulders as if to say that she could care less).  (Then we see a very quick panel of the young woman looking about ready to cry before she changes moods, rears back and swings her sword widely at Betsy, who ducks easily before she comments with a hearty and rather smug grin on her face), "Silly little girl."  (Then we see Betsy flash a grin as she then first slams one fist into the younger woman's stomach and then she drops down, steadies herself with both hands flat on the ground on either side of herself as she then kicks upwards and slams both feet into the younger woman's chin, sending her flying back and up into the wall across the hallway and her sword goes flying as we see the two ancient slash futuristic guards just remain motionless and act as if they still appear to not have noticed the fight going on in front of them).  "I am not a little girl," (We then see the younger woman yell with a very angry scowl on her face as she gets back to her feet and bull rushes Betsy, quickly enough to catch Betsy off guard as they then go crashing through a door as the door splinters in all directions).

[The Common Room]

[He strikes like a force of nature despite all of those that have amassed to oppose him].  (We open with a few panels of all of those that were in attendance screaming and fleeing from something before we then see Warpath come crashing and charging in through the front doors of the mansion as it's obvious that he's mad as we see that his uniform is very tattered and ripped and he's hurt but isn't going to let that stop or slow him down in the least).  "Keep pushing Jimmy, I'll mop up the stragglers," (We then see Tabitha say with a very excited smile on her face as she blasts away a lot of crimson dawn warriors along with the other guards).  "Fine Tabby…just don't forget to keep your baby blues open for the nukes," (We then see Warpath yell back over his shoulder to Tabitha as he's getting blasted by laser fire).  "Party pooper," (We then see Tabitha shoot back with an angry pout on her face before she kicks a guard in the stomach before then grabbing his collar wit one hand and his belt with the other and then she flings him outside through one of the giant windows). 

(Then we see Tabitha smash open a door and then run downstairs).  "Okay everyone, now that the opening act is out of the way let's seg-way to the very entertaining floor show portion of the evening, I apologize if there are some of you that won't walk away from this…I hope you all got your permission slips signed because my insurance premiums are already high enough without this on my record," (We then see Warpath shout with an energized smile on his face as some of the guests pour away from Warpath as the guards rush in and start to fire on him but Warpath just laughs them off).  "Stop him," (We then see one of Mr. Tan's men shout angrily as he points up towards Warpath as the others start firing away on his orders and mark).  (Then we cut to a few panels of Tabitha trying to blindly make her way through the bowels of the mansion while trying to put on a special pair of infrared glasses).  "Stupid damn glasses…why won't you work," (We then see Tabitha spit out with a frustrated scowl on her face as she continues to fumble with the glasses and she then curses as she bangs her knee on something before we then see her half smile and think to herself), Glad Sam's not here…he heard me cuss like that he'd tan my hide. 

(Then we see Tabitha manage to get the glasses finally on with one hand while rubbing her knee and shin with the other).  (Then we see Tabitha, with the glasses on, smile happily and say), "Cool."  (Then we see the hallway through the glasses as Tabitha slowly makes her way down the darkened hallway as she checks behind paintings and under tables before she then abruptly stops as she rounds a corner and very nearly can't stop as we see at the end of the hallway a number of guards looking anxious but they don't see her).  (Then we see Tabitha crouch down at the edge of the corner and peek around it and she see with the goggles that the door and whatever is behind it is shielded from view as even with the goggles she can't see through it).  "Great, now what," (We then see Tabitha mutter angrily under her breath as she sits down around the corner with her elbows resting on top of her knees as she pulls the shades off and then lets out a depressed sigh). 

Great, now what am I supposed to do…think numbskull think, Psylocke said that I'm not as stupid as I look…she had confidence in me…Sam to, so why can't I, simple…I'm a selfish and materialistic airhead that cheated on the man that she loved with his best friend before figuring out what a huge ass of herself she had…wait…, (We then see Tabitha think with a very self deprecating pout on her face before she then brightens up and quietly gets back to her feet).  (Then we see Tabitha turn around the corner and grin as she notices that the guards were wearing night vision goggles).  (Then we see Tabitha duck back around the corner and turn her back to the corner and then proceed to build up a plasma sphere in the palm of her hand and a grin on her face).  "Let's see what they make of this," (We then see Tabitha mumble to herself before she then leans back around the corner and shouts with a very daring grin on her face), "Hey boys, I got somethin for ya!" 

(Then we see Tabitha pull the very bright plasma ball from behind her back and toss it down the hallway that blasts every one of the guards off of their feet and the door behind them is blasted wide open).  Hope I didn't overdo it, (We then see Tabitha think with a worried look on her face as she slowly creeps out from around the corner and hesitantly takes a few steps down the hallway).  (Then we see Tabitha start to check on the bodies of the different guards before she stops as she hears a sound that stops her as she glances up and tenses up before she then laughs as a cat trots out of the trashed next room).  "Hey there kitty, what are you doing in here all…alone," (We then see Tabitha ask with an embarrassed and confused look on her face before she gets blasted up and off of her feet that also knocks her out as then we see a panel of Tabitha lying beaten, broken, and bloodied amidst the rubble in the foreground and in the background in the darkness we see a pair of red glowing eyes and a haunting laugh).

[Meanwhile]

"Camp town races five miles long…do da…do da…," (We then see Warpath sing with a cheesy smile on his face as he's tearing through the guards and the walls without acting like it's taking much effort).  (Then we see Warpath go through another wall and then go through the guards that were watching Psylocke and the younger woman battle).  (Then we see Warpath start to check on the two guards when a sound causes him to turn and look up and out towards us out of the panel).  "There you are," (We then see Warpath say with a somewhat relieved and somewhat confused look on his face as we see Betsy and the younger woman come brawling back out into the hallway as Betsy throws the younger woman into the wall with a lot of force).  "Nice to know you still care Jimmy," (We then see Betsy say with a very sarcastic and sly grin on her face before she blocks a punch from the younger woman).  "Not so much really…but Warren was going stir crazy out there on his perch…Tabitha came close to…," (We then see Warpath start to say with an almost cheesy grin on his face before he gets cut off by the younger woman who snarls back at him), "I don't give a dam about your twit of a boyfriend dear sister, he sounds a lot like an ugly drunken slo…." 

(Then we see Betsy cut her off with a very angry and quick fist to the younger woman's nose before she angrily adds as she yells down at the younger woman), "It would be in your best interest to not finish that sentence, otherwise I would be forced to utterly ram my fist so far down your bloody throat that you'll be lucky if you can even summon up enough brainpower to remember which end the s$% comes out of!"  "Ouch, good one," (We then see Warpath say with a slightly scared look on his face as he cringes a bit before he then smashes the two guards again with his fists as they start to wake up).  "Foul words from a bitch like you mean nothing to me," (We then see the younger woman shout with an angry sneer on her face before she kicks Betsy in the knee, causing Betsy to cry out in pain and stumble backwards with a hand on her knee while she uses the other hand to brace herself back up against the wall). 

"Stupid little…lucky shot," (We then see Betsy growl with a very angry sneer on her face before she pushes off of the wall and tries to stand on her knee before grimacing in pain and leaning back up against the wall).  (Then we see the younger woman smile with a lot of zeal before she then launches herself at Betsy but gets stopped dead in her tracks as she's blasted away as one of the guards' bodies collides rather forcefully with hers and the two go tumbling down the hallway into the darkness before we then see Betsy let out a sigh of relief and slide down the wall before she hangs her head).  "You okay," (We then see Warpath ask with a worried frown on his face as he kneels down beside Betsy and lays a hand on her shoulder).  "I think so, but we can't rest on our laurels, we have to find the nukes, has Tabitha found anything yet," (We then see Betsy say at first with a very vulnerable and tired look on her face before she then changes her expression to one more fitting of a commanding and confident leader).  "Not yet, but it's been awhile since I checked in with her," (We then see Warpath say with a calm yet concerned look on his face before the younger woman gets angry and shoves the guard off of her before she gets back up to her knees and then yells angrily), "You can't…I won't let it end like this, you still have to answer…!" 

"Can you keep it down, we're trying to do some superhero type stuff at the moment and your uncannily annoying voice is really starting to get on my nerves, so a word of advice, stop talking and act like we never met…okay," (We then see Warpath say with a very serious look on his face as he helps Betsy up and away from the wall as he glares down the hallway at the younger woman as she just stays where she is).  "Don't tell me…," (We then see the younger woman say with a very confrontational and defiant scowl on her face as she gets back up to her feet while picking up her sword and then looking ready to fight).  "Take the hint princess…and turn around and walk out of her while you still have the ability to put one foot in front of the other," (We then see Betsy say with an angry and pointed look on her face as she turns her icy glare straight at the younger woman).  "Princess," (We then see the younger woman growl with a very angry look on her face before she starts to vault forward towards Betsy and Warpath before the wall beside her explodes at her, burying the younger woman in a mountain of rubble). 

"Come on let's go," (We then see Warpath say with an unsure frown on his face as he tries to pull Betsy away from the scene but she stops him).  "Not yet James, there's something that I have to do first," (We then see Betsy say with a determined look on her face as she's pushing away from Warpath).  "But," (We then see Warpath say with a concerned and somewhat worried look on his face as we see Betsy use the wall to support her, with her biting her bottom lip and grimacing in pain, as she limps back towards the younger woman and then Betsy very gingerly kneels down at the younger woman's side and checks for a pulse).  (Then we see Betsy pick something up out of the rubble and we see that it's a necklace with an odd symbol attached to it).  (Then we see Betsy say kneeling beside the younger woman and staring intently at the slowly spinning symbol at the end of the necklace in the foreground and in the intermediate ground we see a bunch of guards rush in through the hole in the wall and then aim their guns at Betsy before then we see an almost exact copy of the previous panel but in this panel in the background we see Warpath jump up into the air and then he lands on top of the guards, smashing them down into the ground with a loud smash as we see the edges of Betsy's lips curl up into the beginnings of a smile as she adds), "Thank you James." 

"You're welcome bosslady, always glad to lend a hand…or my massive weight in this case," (We then see Warpath say  with an almost smug grin on his face before Betsy stands up and pockets the necklace).

[Outside]

(We see Warren pacing now back and forth near the edge of a cliff along a guard rail beside a road and he doesn't look happy).  (We see that he keeps checking his watch ever few steps and then getting angry as he can't reach anyone on the comm.).  "Enough," (We then see Warren say with a very spiteful scowl on his face before he picks up a rock and hurls it over the edge of the cliff).  (Then we see Warren stay angry and then start to bend down and pick up another rock but he then stops suddenly and puts his hand to his right ear and holds the earpiece in as we see some radio static appear in a word balloon nearby).  (Then we see another word balloon similar to the just previous one as someone says as Warren half smiles), "Warren…Warren?"  "I'm here, Forge I'm here, where are you," (We then see Warren reply back quickly).  "Right behind you," (We then see someone say from off panel and through the comm. as Warren's bitter look softens up just a bit and he turns around). 

(Then we see a big panel of Forge leaning back against the hill on the other side of the road with a gun in a holster on his hip as he's smiling weakly while we also see a fully ready for battle looking Rictor and Shatterstar standing a few feet away with Rictor blowing on his hands to keep them warm while Shatterstar is checking that his swords are still sharp).  "What are you doing here, I distinctly remember telling you all too…," (We then see Warren say with a  surprised and somewhat angry look on his face as he starts to walk across the road).  "What is the mission objective," (We then see Shatterstar ask with a very serious and bordering on impatient scowl on his face as he sheathes his swords).  "Subtlety is definitely not one of your strong suits is it 'Star…we know that you told us to stay back at the mansion, but…," (We then see Erica say with a slightly guilty smile on her face as she walks out from behind Shatterstar and Rictor as she brushes a lock of hair back away from her eyes). 

"But you intentionally disobeyed the orders given by…," (We then see Warren say with a very angry and disappointed scowl on his face before he glares straight ahead at Erica, who looks very guilty before she hangs her head).  "Ease up Warren, it was my decision to mount this little rescue mission, so if you're going to execute anyone for insubordination it'll be me," (We then see Forge say with a very serious expression on his face as he pushes off of the side of the cliff before he then walks straight away from it towards Warren, and as he goes he lays a reassuring and comforting hand on Erica's shoulder).  "Why should any of us get yelled at, it's not like you haven't done the same bloody thing Worthington, many a time if I'm remembering my X-men history correctly," (We then see Pete Wisdom say with an unhappy and uncomfortable scowl on his face as he uses his mutant power to light a cigarette that is in his mouth). 

"Don't give me a history lesson Pete, you're not such a saint yourself…more akin to the other side of the fence, aren't you, but you're all forgetting something here, I'm still in charge and we're in the middle of something right now so…," (We then see Warren say with a rather pessimistic and unhappy scowl on his face as he walks around, looking everyone in the eye).  "We're not here to circumvent your authority or step on your toes," (We then see Forge say with a calm but yet serious look on his face as he slowly walks past Warren with his head bowed forward a bit).  "Then please explain to me why you're here," (We then see Warren ask as he's grinding his teeth in frustration as he crosses his arms and squints his eyes a bit).  "Yes…please, before that vein in his neck bursts," (We then see Erica add with a sly grin on her face before she's humbled by an angry glare from Pete Wisdom). 

"Because we listened to shortie over there," (We then see Rictor say with an almost bored look on his face as he slightly nods his head towards Erica).  "We meet again my old friend," (We then see a grinning Gomurr say, standing with his hands clasped together behind his back as he looks quite at ease in the cold).  "Gomurr…what are you," (We then see a very startled Warren exclaim as he takes a sudden step back and looks around as we see Erica grin and try to keep from laughing).  "Aiding you in your quest to rid the world of the evil known as Apocalypse and to heal the dimensional rift between our two worlds before it's to late," (We then see Gomurr say with a calm but yet still very serious look on his face as he slowly walks across the road to stare off into the distance).  "And you've just decided to do this now…where were you six months ago when…," (We then see an exasperated and steadily growing look of anger on his face as Warren spins around quickly and storms off after Gomurr).  "When do you think that I could get a little murder and mayhem in here…preferably before I die of old age," (We then see Pete say with an annoyed scowl on his face as he painfully limps forward). 

"You have all of the time in the world Mr. Wisdom, at least unless the world ends tonight…which it very well could," (We then see Gomurr say with a shrug of his shoulders as he's leaning forward slightly on his cane with his left hand placed on top of his right).  (Then we see a silent panel of Warren staring down at Gomurr, who's grinning from ear to ear and looking back up at Warren with out even the slightest amount of fear).  "Listen Gomurr, Elizabeth…the woman that…," (We then see Warren say with a very impatient scowl on his face as he looks about ready to tear Gomurr apart with his bare hands before we then see Gomurr yawn and smirk before he holds a hand up and interrupts).  "I'm well aware of the love of your life infiltrating that fancy mansion down there…and unless I'm mistaken she could really use the help of all of those here assembled in her endeavor…but I'm afraid that I have to keep you from your beloved for a little while longer…."  "Que…," (We then see a surprised Rictor ask as it's very apparent that he was all ready to go and fight, as was an angry Shatterstar). 

"Watch…," (We then see Gomurr say with a very concerned and serious look on his face as we then zoom in on his face as the wind blows the snow and his hair around).  (Then we pull back and see a wide panel of everyone that's there as they stare out into the night sky as the wind picks up and blows a lot of snow around).  (Then we pull back and see another wide shot but this time it's of the sky but the sky is not empty but instead filled with dark shapes, hundreds if not thousands of them).  "Bloody hell…," (We then see an eerily stunned Pete Wisdom exclaim with a confused and not very happy look on his face as he puts his head back a bit).  "What is that," (We then see Erica ask with a growing look of fear and apprehension on her face as she takes a few steps forward and gets closer to Forge, who doesn't look very happy at what he's seeing).  "This does not bode well," (We then see Shatterstar state with more an unhappy and angry scowl on his face rather than a scared one). 

"They are the angels of death, the Aerous," (We then see Gomurr say with a very serious and almost concerned look on his face as the wind whips his robes tightly).  "Well they don't look so…tough," (We then see Rictor start to say with a slightly cheesy grin on his face in a quick panel before we then see Shatterstar scowl heavily at him before we then get a better picture of what the Aerous look like).  (They look like a cross between the crawlers from Morrison's last run and the crimson dawn warriors as they look human for the most part but they don't have mouths, but they have talons on the end of their fingers, bat like wings, what looks like natural armor all over their bodies and some are even holding very painful looking whips and swords and other weapons).  "Uh guys, this plan of ours isn't looking so good anymore, maybe we should uh…you know…," (We then see Erica say with a very skittish and somewhat scared look on her face as she starts to back up before we then see Forge turn back, place a hand on her shoulder and pull her back to be at his side). 

"Our friends are in there, and I for one am not going to let a bunch of overgrown harpies keep me from going to their aid," (We then see Forge say with a very stern and serious look on his face as he draws his gun and primes it).  "Then we are in agreement, the time for talking is over and the time for battle has finally come," (We then see Shatterstar say with a very angry and serious look on his face as he draws his swords and steps forward up to the railing).  "Let's not get hasty here people, Gomurr, do these Aerous have any weaknesses that we could potentially exploit to our advantage," (We then see Warren ask with a very serious look on his face as he leaps up onto the guardrail and half turns back towards Gomurr).  "I am sorry my friends, but if they do have a weakness I am not privy to it," (We then see Gomurr reply with an unhappy look on his face as he sets his feet and prepares for battle with the Aerous). 

"That's encouraging," (We then see a scared Erica say with a sheepish grin on her face as she turns her head to look at Forge).  "What's the plan Warren," (We then see Forge ask with a rough cough after leaning in and lightly giving Erica a kiss).  "Don't die…and take out as many of them as we can…," (We then see Warren reply with a very set and certain look of anger on his face as he spreads his wings).  "But what about the others…," (We then see Rictor ask with a nervous look on his face as he zips his uniform up a bit tighter at his neck).  "Forge, take Rictor and get Betts and the others out, the rest of us will try to cover you as long as we can, no matter what happens to me Forge promise me that you'll get her out," (We then see Warren say with a very commanding look on his face as he lifts up off of the guardrail and up into the air).  "I will, but only if you promise me that you'll make it through all of this in one piece," (We then see Forge say with a very serious look on his face as he starts to turn back away from the guardrail).  "I promise," (We then see Warren reply with a very serious scowl on his face before he takes off in the direction of the oncoming horde of Aerous).  "It begins…," (We then see Shatterstar say with an excited smile on his face before the first few Aerous get to them and the battle begins). -END