Episode 2: Decisions

Constant war had more casualties than the loss of human life. Culture was almost destroyed as survival took precedence. Long ago things like reading a book or reciting poetry had been forgotten. Television, entertainment, had been all but erased from humanity's mind. There was no room for culture in a world where only the fit survived. Reading novels and Shakespeare, an example among many, was not what the self- proclaimed fit did, nor what they thought was necessary. Free of Apocalypse's madness, the people of Terra had slowly begun to restore culture. Among them, several people dedicated to rewrite classic books, to recreate chords and classic music, to bring back all that was lost. A special group of youngsters did their best to perpetuate the gift of popular music, their performances being daily, and the favourite of the hidden humans of Terra. As these young musicians began their daily show, using their self-made instruments, a new, borrowed voice sang. Alison Blaire took the microphone in her hands as she approached centre stage. All eyes were on her as she allowed her voice to follow the music. With each note she sang with more confidence, with more passion. And the crowd encouraged her. Her lifelong dream, almost crushed by Apocalypse's mantra, was at last coming true. There was nothing she'd rather do than sing. She allowed her heart to lead her voice, her passion to overwhelm her, and she poured every bit of strength she had into making this performance unforgettable to her audience.
Amidst the audience, a young man sat, his eyes fixed on the stage, on the beautiful woman and the impressive light show that accompanied her. Paris Bennet, Exodus, allowed his mind to wander as the song unfolded before him. An entire week had passed since their arrival on Terra. An entire week of relaxing and learning about their fellow humans' escape from madness, escape from Apocalypse. However, Paris did his best not to think about Earth, or the events that brought them here. The mere mention or remembrance of Lord Magneto was enough for his senses to boil, for his heart to feel the pain. Magneto was not his father, but it was the next best thing. Lord Magneto had rescued him from the Madri, and given him purpose and a life, when he could remember none. Somehow, the Madri, Apocalypse's priests, had erased all his memories, and had created the infernal device, which kept his powers in check, blocking his telepathy and conditioning his telekinesis. Magneto helped him regain a semblance of control, Magneto gave him a place in his X-Men, Magneto was everything to him. And news of his death had been to much for young Paris. However, he forced himself to maintain the rage at bay, to maintain the demon within him. Not truly because he cared about him, but because he was afraid he might hurt his allies. He forced himself to remain in control in order to keep the X-Men safe, and because it was what Lord Magneto would want. Lord Magneto wanted Exodus to have a normal life, he did not want him to become a raving lunatic. That thought, and the regular support of his friends, was all that sustained him, that kept him calm. But he feared what would happen if he just gave in to the demon inside, if he released the beast within. He cleared his mind of such thoughts as he recognized the last chords of the song, and his eyes returned from the light show to the singer, who sang those last notes with all her heart.
And as she finished her first song, she allowed her mind to control her body once more, and she heard the cheering of the crowd, their claiming for a reprise. And Alison Blaire, the Dazzler, smiled. She turned to see the musicians, who were also astounded by the public's reply, and gave them a couple of instructions. She turned to see the audience again, grasping the mic in her hands, carefully caressing it. And she spoke clearly and soothingly.
"This one is a bit old, but I bet you all remember it... feel free to join if you want to..." As she finished her words, the musicians began, and soon she was singing.
"The moment I wake up...
Before I put on my makeup...
I say a little prayer for you...
While combing my hair now...
And wondering what dress to wear now...
I say a little prayer for you...
Forever and ever,
you'll stay in my heart and I will love you,
Together forever,
that's how it'll be.
To be without you,
will only mean heartbreak for me..."
And as she sang, her eyes were fixed on one man, a man who watched her with the same passion she looked at him. His eyes never leaving hers, undistracted by the light show she was making with her powers, side by side with her song.
The woman known as Lila Cheney could not stand the music. It hurt too much. A million years ago, for that is how it felt, she had been a singer, a rock star. However that life was crushed, first by Apocalypse, and then by Remy's death. The death of the love of her life had hit her hard. The main reason she could not withstand music was he used to call her his little songbird. Every note reminded her of him, of her life in the streets, foraging for food and medicine to give to the needy. Modern day Robin Hoods in a world gone mad. It hurt to much to think about those days. Desperately trying to get away from the music, Lila walked right to the entrance of the cave system where the humans resided. The guards did not want her to leave. It was dangerous outside. No one wanted to go to the surface. She insisted and soon they allowed her to exit. As she did she noticed the air outside was not fresher as she had expected. Somehow it felt even better inside the caves. It didn't stop her though. He begun to walk uphill, searching the skies. Could Ororo be out here somewhere? Lila knew Ororo did not like being inside the caves for long, and she often escaped to the surface. She needed to talk with Storm. She was the only one whom she could truly call friend. As her eyes searched the mountainside for the windrider, she saw a rather unexpected sight. Shiro Yoshida, Sunfire, sat on the grass, in an obvious meditation pose. To Lila's surprise, Sunfire's flame was not burning, his body was not covered in flames. It was a first. Since she had known him he had always been burdened with constant flame erupting from his skin. This time it seemed he had finally learnt how to control it. She felt happy for him. Her first thought was to greet him, but she feared it would disrupt his concentration, so she slowly walked away instead.
Shiro's mind wandered once again. Even though Terra was at war, he had not found such calmness and tranquillity in ages. Apparently, the alien factions that laid claim to the planet's ownership, the Kree and the Skrull, were content in fighting each other, and, after their initial attack, did not much care about the humans. It was as if they believed the gathered humans were inconsequential in every conceivable way. It had been a week since their arrival, a week of calmness and meditation for Shiro. And through meditation, and the calming thought of Apocalypse's demise, Sunfire was able to control his powers at last. No longer his skin burned always, no longer did he have that rage that kept his fire blazing. He was a new man. He had been reborn. And he wasn't going to waste this new opportunity like before. He was going to enjoy life, not go through it like a madman seeking revenge. Shiro exhaled, content with his new way of thinking, content in allowing his senses to rest. And then it happened. Some sort of net fell on top of him, covering his entire body. Disconcerted he opened his eyes, and wondered what was going on. A hoarse voice could be heard nearby. The voice said just one word "Now" and Shiro felt his world going mad as thousands of spikes attacked him. He was long unconscious before he realized they were not spikes, but electricity, flowing from the net to his body, straight to his nervous system, incapacitating him. Ironically, his flames could have saved him from the net if they had been on their previous perpetual state of burning.
Three green aliens dressed in purple costumes moved towards him. An elder one spoke in the same hoarse voice as before.
"Good job weaklings. Take him to the camp and keep him sedated." as he spoke, the alien's face and body changed. "I will take his place." It was a matter of seconds before the alien was a perfect copy of Sunfire. Another alien handled him a facsimile of Sunfire's costume.
"Your highness... here it is, just strike this switch to turn it on, be careful not to allow them to see you do that." explained the technician.
The alien resembling Sunfire put it on, and as he did he lifted the technician by grabbing his neck. "Fool. You think I'm stupid enough to discover my own charade? I am a Skrull! A member of the High Command! Never again dare to tell me how to infiltrate a bunch of worthless beings such as these!" he said, throwing the technician, who fell on his back against a tree. "Next time I won't be so merciful." said the High Skrull as he walked downhill, towards the entrance to the human caves.
"I wonder where she gets all that strength from..." wondered Pietro Lensherr out loud, sitting on a wheelchair, looking at young Illyana Rasputin as she played with some local children in one of the underground plazas. Illyana laughed and played, while Quicksilver and Storm watched over her. She had not a care in the world, or so it seemed.
"From the same place Shiro found his peace of mind, beloved, from Freedom. Shiro is free from his thirst for revenge... Illyana is free from imprisonment. At last we're all free of Apocalypse's madness." said Ororo Munroe in her usual calm tone.
"We paid the highest price to be free of him and his stupid way of life. I will never forget it." replied Pietro.
"It would be a very foolish thing to do so... but we cannot let our minds linger on the pain, we have to deal with it and move on..."
An awkward silence followed. The events of the past week had changed their relationship significantly. Especially since Dr Strange told Pietro he may never walk again. He had put his legs under a lot of stress.
"We have to go back." said Pietro at last. "We need to build a memorial for my father and his X-Men...we need to assess the situation, help peo--" but Ororo placed her hand above his mouth, silencing him.
"We will, but for now we depend upon the Defenders' resources. Lila cannot take us back for now." she explained
"I know all of this already." he said, removing her hand. "I'm just saying it again. Maybe we should grab Lila and shake some sense into her. She has the power, she just lacks the will."
"We cannot force her to use the power if she's afraid of it, which she is, you knew that?" Ororo said, her tone loosing her usual calmness.
"Yes. And it's stupid. How could she be afraid of her own mutant power, it's a part of her, it's essential. She'd really miss it if she lost it. She's just stupid to believe her powers would harm her." He said, looking at nowhere, talking rather fast.
"Oh Pietro..." said Ororo, comprehending how hurt he was at the loss of his legs. She placed an arm around him, ready to hug him and comfort him but the appearance of Strange's astral image in front of them distracted her.
"Storm, Quicksilver, I hope I am not interrupting." said Strange in his eerie, hollow voice.
Pietro hurried and answered before Ororo could open her mouth. "Not at all doctor. What do you want?" he did not care for the harshness of his tone.
"He is ready to see you at last. He apologizes for not doing it before." he spoke in a tone more ominous than usual.
"At last" said Pietro grabbing his wheelchair's wheels, ready to follow, however, Strange lifted his right hand, gathering his attention as he stopped him.
"He said he will speak with Storm first. Alone. I ... am sorry Quicksilver." said Strange.
Ororo turned to see Pietro, a bit astounded at Strange's words, but he avoided her eyes and the former speedster spoke, wheeling his chair nonetheless "Fine, go, I'll watch Illyana." and he moved closer to the young girl, leaving Ororo alone with Strange's astral form.
After a second of silence, Strange spoke. "I will create a trail of light for you to follow, Storm. It will be visible to you and you alone." Strange spoke and his astral self vanished, leaving behind a small thread of light, which led her to the nearest tunnel. Ororo gave on last glance towards Pietro, who refused to look her way, and she followed the light.
As she walked, she could not stop from watching the humans staring at her. Most of them were afraid of mutants, and looked at them with scorn and reject, while others simply pretended they weren't there. She could feel their mumbling, their repressed hatred. She did not care. Let them fear her, let them hate her, she would not change her way of thought. She would still fight to defend them from madmen like Apocalypse, or the aliens that roamed free on this planet. She continued to follow the light thread, sinking deeper and deeper into the mountains. She could feel her claustrophobia rising within. She forced herself to keep it in check. Each step became more difficult than the last. Each step demanded a great deal of concentration, of incredible strength. And yet, despise her fear of being trapped, she still walked on, moving forward as instructed. The bead of light led her to a gigantic set of mechanic doors ending the longest tunnel she had ever walked on. As she reached the doors, they opened with a faint hum. Slowly but with no hesitation, Ororo stepped through them. She did not see what she expected. Somehow she had left the primitive caves to arrive at a futuristic room. She did not know how it was possible. If they had the power to create such rooms, why was the rest of the cave system still so primitive... so barren? She did not know the answer. She hoped she would receive it from the man sitting in a high chair at the end of the room. Ororo walked forward, not looking at the computers around the room, the noise of technology filling her senses. And she arrived in front of the man, who moved his hand and a chair appeared from the floor, and Ororo sat as per his instructions.
"I bid you welcome, Ororo of the X-Men. I am the High Evolutionary, leader of the humans of Terra." said the man, who were a long purple robe and a matching helmet, his face obscured by a face mask of still the same colour.
Ororo did not know how to reply, so she merely nodded. The High Evolutionary caught her eye and stood up, his chair sinking into the floor as he did and the lights dimming while a screen appeared behind him as he began to talk.
"Fifteen years ago, the Mystic Muster, a group of sorcerers led by Doctor Strange, perceived the carnage that was imminent upon our world." As he spoke, Ororo was able to see images of a young Strange, surrounded by a group of witches and wizards of various ages. "Our first plan was to oppose Apocalypse, we created a team of super-heroes, devoted men and women with strong powers and stronger hearts. However, our plans were thwarted as Apocalypse captured and tortured our most powerful member, Captain Britain." Ororo saw the image of Captain Britain in the screen, he was a good looking man, though his upper face was covered by a mask, and he had a very fit body. "Knowing it would be impossible to defeat Apocalypse with the power at our disposal without destroying Earth, we decided to flee. We created a religious movement, The Church of Evolution, and I posed as a God among men. Thanks to magickal persuasion, it didn't take long for the Church to receive its firsts acolytes. Soon, they brought their relatives, their friends, and they did it as well, ad infinitum. When we reached the sum of one hundred thousand humans, we boarded a ship, a vessel created by my technology and reinforced by the Mystic Muster's magicks, these are the remains of that vessel..." he said, lifting his hands and showing the room. The screen, however, showed an image of the ship intact, as it flew out of Earth. "We fled our world, looking for a place where peace would reign. Near the Sun, we found a stargate, we do not know yet who placed it there, or why. Nonetheless we crossed through it. After drifting in space for months, Strange sensed this planet, on the fringes of the Andromeda Galaxy." Storm could now see the planet on the screen. "We arrived here. Though it had oxygen and water, it was a desolate land, with barely no vegetation or fauna. I used my gifts, the powers that led people to believe I was a god, and created both. I made the world inhabitable for our people. We did not waste time. Together, with magick and technology yet again, we forged a city, a city of magnificent beauty, and we dubbed this world Terra, in honour of our beloved Earth. For seven years, we lived in peace, our numbers slowly rising, our hopes rising. But it was not meant to be. Our luck had run out." The High Evolutionary paused and as he did, an image of a green-skinned alien Ororo had not seen before appeared on the screen. "The Skrull arrived first. They vowed this planet was within the borders of their Empire. That it belonged to them, and they forced us to pay tribute in order to remain here. We did not agree at first, but after their threats we decided to pay. All we had were crops and animals, and we paid with them, I was always able to grow our crops with ease. Soon, the Skrull began staying here longer than expected, claiming they enjoyed our company and way of life. We accepted them foolishly, welcomed their friendship rather than their tyranny. It was a fatal mistake. The Skrull were, are, at war with a race called the Kree." Ororo recognized the Kree on the screen as the High Evolutionary continued his storytelling. "The Kree came after the Skrulls, claiming this planet was theirs. They slaughtered the Skrulls living among us, they declared we were allies of the Skrulls and enemies of the Imperium. As such they deployed their forces against us. Thousands died during their raids. The Defenders fought back, but the forces of the Kree were overwhelming. Some of our numbers died, Baron Mordo, Moon Knight, Armadillo, Batroc, Mockingbird, El Aguila, Diamondback ... noble men and women who gave their lives for our survival. And then the Skrulls returned, vowing revenge for their dead. And so the Kree and the Skrulls battled each other and we were forced to flee yet again. Our vessel had been almost completely destroyed in one of the earliest attacks, but we managed to salvage its core, and, with Strange and the Mystic Muster's aid, we merged it with the mountains, hid it deep, and we connected the complex caves within, creating this system where we dwell. Our home. It's been a year since. A year since we've lived in the shadows, away from the sun, not even in our world. We fled Earth to avoid war, and war followed us. It is as Madame Web predicted, you cannot escape the workings of time." For a second the High Evolutionary looked weak, tired, and so very old, he sighed, regaining his strength, as the lights came back on and his chair rose from the floor. He sat once more and spoke. "It is all about to change. The Kree sensed your coming, and so did the Skrull.
There was a massive discharge of psionic energies upon your arrival, I believe it was the work of the one called Exodus. Those energies, that power... was off the charts. Both the Kree and the Skrull covet that power. The Kree made the first move, but you stopped them, another reason for them to want you all." He said, but before he could continue, Ororo spoke.
"If you want us to leave your caves, in order to protect your people, I will understand it, you have already given us much more than we could have ever expected--" this time, he interrupted her by lifting his hand.
"You misunderstood me, Ms Munroe. I do not want you to leave. This is an opportunity. For too long we've remained in the shadows. It is time to strike back. What I'm asking for is your cooperation. I want your X-Men aiding my Defenders. Together, we can remove the Kree and the Skrull from this planet."
Ororo did not think, she did not hesitate, she knew what she had to answer. "You have our help, you did not need to ask. Whenever you feel ready we will aid you, we will fight for you even unto our deaths."
"Let us hope it will not come to that." He smiled. "I see in your eyes the same fire I saw on Magneto's twenty years ago... his flesh might be gone, but his spirit lives in you, and in your fellow X-Men's. You are his heirs, his children. I know you will not disappoint me."
Lila Cheney walked through the caves once more, making her best to stay away from where Dazzler was giving her show. She had a vague idea to return to her quarters, maybe she'd find Storm there, or someone to talk to. She passed through the market, through the farms, through the underground lake. It amazed her how the humans had accustomed themselves to living below the mountains. She wondered if living in such places would have an effect on their children. Her mind also remembered the dwarves, characters of a long-forgotten novel, who lived in caves much like these ones, though they did it for the love of mining, instead of the fear that drove these humans here. As she walked towards the nearest exit tunnel, which led to the main plaza and away from the lake area where she was, her eyes caught a weird scene. A man, in his mid- thirties at the very least, sitting on a wheelchair. It was not the man's appearance that impressed her, but his eyes. He had deep black eyes, and she lost herself in them. The man seemed autistic, or catatonic, or maybe even vegetative, for he sat there, not moving, not doing anything, not looking at anything. A woman sat next to him, on a bench, reading a book. She had long blonde hair, although its lower half was of a deep purple colour, same as her eyes. She stared at the man and woman for a second, and then he screamed, quite loudly.
"Starchilde! Come Come! Take us home can't you? Bring us back you can! Why make us stay here?" he looked directly at Lila's eyes as he spoke.
"Never mind him, he's not...well, you know?" said the blonde woman dismissively, barely looking at her through the top of her book, forcing a smile.
Lila did not smile. She felt quite freaked out. She resumed her walk, each step faster than the last, and she turned one last time as she reached the exit tunnel. The man was still looking at her, he sat in his chair, his face turned to see her. She could feel his eyes fixated on hers. Scared, Lila began to run away, failing to see the woman's stare in her direction as well.
"Loved it. I simply loved it." said Exodus entering Dazzler's dressing room.
"Of course you did hon, I'm a freaking diva." replied Dazzler, turning around, giving him her back. "Help me unzip..." she said, slowly turning her head to see him "won't you doll?"
Paris Bennet smiled, moving closer, unzipping the back of her costume, and then turning her around and sinking his lips into hers. After what seemed like hours they broke free of their embrace. Silence followed, and seconds later they kissed again.
A few hours later, the Remnants of Magneto's X-Men assembled in their quarters, a set of personal caves built for their personal use. It had been amazing to witness Dr Strange's work, as he used magick to make the dirt crumble and take the shape he wanted. The quarters were like a house, with rooms for everyone, a living room, a dining room, a kitchen and a couple of bathrooms. Though it was underground it was still far better than what they were used to.
"So... you spoke with their leader..." said Pietro looking at Storm.
"Yes. He asked me for our help, he needs our power to rid the planet of the alien menaces above." She said, looking at the others, who were all sitting around a table.
"And who died and made you boss?" Asked Exodus standing up suddenly. "Who said you could speak for all of us? Why didn't you ask us first?"
"I allowed Ororo to act as leader. My legs are practically destroyed, due to the excessive use of my powers. As the son of Magneto I chose Ororo as our leader. If she has decided to help the humans so we will." He said in a final tone.
"Fine, we'll help them, I have no problem with it... but we won't do it tonight, and I'm kinda tired. See ya all in the morning." Said Dazzler, rising from her chair and heading to her room. Exodus followed her mumbling a soft "Good night." as he left.
"I support your decision Storm. As such I agree with her, let's go to bed." Sunfire said, leaving as well. Illyana's eyes were fixed on him, perhaps the child was astounded to see him without burning flames all over his body, at least that's what Pietro thought.
"Well, you can't fight majority... I'm off to bed as well. Good night." Lila smiled, joining the departees.
Illyana kissed Pietro's cheek and then Storm's and she rushed towards her room, waving goodbye.
Silence fell over them again. Neither Ororo nor Pietro spoke. After a few unbearable seconds of staring at nothing, Ororo said softly.
"Thank you for defending me."
"You need not thank me, Ororo. It is the truth. We didn't do it officially before, but it is so now. You are our leader, and it is how it should be." He began to wheel his chair to the rooms' tunnel, "After all, a cripple can't lead a hero team..."
Ororo looked as he departed in silence. She sighed, asking the goddess for strength, and she went to her room, alone.
Not too far from there, the woman with blonde and purple hair tucked the man in his bed. As she did she softly kissed his forehead.
"You... you won't leave me alone, will you sister?" he asked, his face much like a frightened child's.
"Of course not Jamie... I'll never leave you." she smiled, sitting on his bed next to him. "Now sleep, it is late and you had far too much excitement today ... just close your eyes and I'll help you..."
And as her older brother closed her eyes, young Elisabeth Braddock reached with her mutant power of telepathy, touching his mind slightly, avoiding the blocks she had so carefully placed to protect him from the horrors behind them, and she helped him to fall sleep. It didn't take long. She was used to it by now. For the last twelve years she had been doing it. She returned from the Astral Plane rather quickly, afraid of being discovered by Strange on one of his journeys, and she rose from the bed and walked towards hers, thinking about the woman that crossed their path, and the rumours of new mutants in their midst...

Episode 3: Day of the Defenders