X-MEN #23

OUT OF CONTROL PART 3

By:Bodhi Ouellette

New Utopia (Minutes before heading off):

As the X-Men were loading into the X-Jet, Professor Xavier was the last one to load on, until Storm came in.
Storm: Professor Xavier! May I have a word with you?
Professor X: Can it wait?
Storm: I'm afraid it's urgent.
Xavier then turned back and approach Storm.
Professor X: Yes, Ororo?
Storm: Professor, I know this isn't the best of times to ask this, but, may I be excused for this mission?
Professor X: Anything wrong?
Storm: (beat) Personal issues. It has to do with my husband, T'Challa. I think it would interfere with the mission.
Professor X: I see...
Storm: I'll watch over Forge and Havok while you and the others stop the Savage. And I can also take care of David. Would be good for me to do some babysitting.
Professor X: (beat) I understand. Completely. You may be excused.
Storm: Thank you, Charles.
She heads out. Xavier proceeds back into the X-Jet.

Tip of Algeria, Africa:

The X-Jet flies hundreds of feet above the Mediterranean Sea. Flying at a high speed, hoping to reach the Savage and its evolution defying machine as fast as possible. Every member knew what they needed to do. They all had a goal to achieve. Some were there to stop the Savage. Some were there for a loved one. Some were there to protect their friends. But all of them had a similar objective.
The ship begins to lighten with a baby blue color. All the X-Men look over to their closest window and see the machine, engulfed in the color. Looking even closer, they could even see the Savage, sitting on top of the machine. As they got closer and closer to the Savage, the X-Jet descended lower and lower, until finally, it settled on the ground.
The X-Jet doors open, revealing all the X-Men chasing out of the jet. They all stop when they all get there view on the Savage.
Savage: Why must you interfer?! Are you trying to anger the master?!
Beast: Master?
Savage: He has brought you hope! He has the power to make you all gods! His plans will be realised! And I will not let YOU STOP ME!
A wave comes from the machine, hitting the X-Men, knocking them all down. They all get back up. Colossus, Armor, Wolverine, and Thunderbird charge up to the Savage. The Savage hops off from the Machine and approaches them. Colossus makes the first punch, which he swings, but the Savage dodges it, then locks Colossus's arm, and tosses him aside. Armor strikes a powerful punch from the air, which the Savage dodges as well, then rolling to the back of Armor, and then tripping her with his wing. Wolverine and Thunderbird both attack the Savage together. Thunderbird flashes a blinding light. The Savage is temporarily blind. With this time, Wolverine proceeds to give multiple punches to Savage's stomach. The Savage headbutts Wolverine, pushes him down on the ground and pins him down. The Savage opens his mouth as his fangs begin to stick out, giving off a huge growl. Colossus grabs Savage off of Wolverine and holds him up. Where Armor socks Savage in the face a couple of times, and Thunderbird throws a bunch of plasma spheres that attach to the Savage's body, which then explodes on the Savage.

Meanwhile, when all of that was happening, The rest of the X-Men (Danger, Professor X, Shadowcat, Marvel Girl, Beast), sneak their way near the machine. They had passed a force field that Kitty got them all through. Danger raises her hand up. Her fingers extend out from her hands and attach to the Core. Her work was about to begin.
Danger: Protect me.

It didn't take long for the Savage to sense that his machine was being tempered with. He looks over to see the other X-Men near the Core.
Savage: No! My machine!
The Savage quickly manages to escape the grasp of Colossus. He flies over into the shields and speeds down to Danger. Marvel Girl holds Savage up in the air with her telekinesis, Beast jumps up into the air and knocks the Savage down.
Savage: No! I will not let you destroy my masters plan!
Beast punches Savage really hard in the head, knocking him out cold. Danger's fingers detach from the Core.
Danger: It's deactivated.
The blue Core that glowed, dimmed into a dark black, until it was eventually rid of any light it had. The rest of the blue light that radiated off, also disappeared. The machine was powered down. The Savage quickly gets back his conscious.
Savage: Uh... my head. Wha... where am I? What is going on? Who are you?
Beast: Huh?
Savage: What am I doing? Where are we? I don't know what's going on...
Professor Xavier looks down at the Savage, a bit conspicuous. He looks back up at the Machine for a good few seconds, then looks back down at the Savage.
Professor X: Do you remember anything?
Savage: No. All I remember is that I was in an alleyway somewhere in Alabama. And then... nothing.
Beast: So you have no idea why you're here?
Savage: No.
Professor X and Beast look back at each other with a curious expression.

New Utopia:

Storm is watching not only David Summers, but also Havok, and Forge, who are both still out. David swings his sword around, while Storm watches in amusement.
David: I learned that move all on my own. See?
Storm: Yes, yes. Quite enjoyable.
Havok and Forge begin to wake up. They both sit up from there bed. Storm walks over towards the two. David runs towards Havok.
David: Uncle Alex, Uncle Alex!
Havok: (a bit out of it) Hey, kiddo. What's going on.
Storm: Forge, Are you alright?
Forge: A bit dazed, and confused, but other than that, I'm fine.
All of them can hear the X-Jet landing. Storm exits out of the room.
Storm: I'll be back. David watch over your Uncle and Forge.
David: Got it!

Storm enters into the docking bay of the base, where the X-Jet has landed. The X-Men are exiting out of the jet, with the Savage in cuffs, and the Machine they brought back with them.
Storm: How did the mission go?
Wolverine: Successful, I'd say. We stopped a crazy Savage, and brought back it's little toy in.
Beast: We're going to evaluate and see it's function and built.
Storm: Well, at least you all saved the day.
Professor X: How's Alex and Forge?
Storm: They're fine now.
Professor X: They must now have gone through their secondary mutations. Let's check them out and see.

Professor X is followed by Storm and Wolverine in the Medical Room. They find Havok grabbing himself a glass of water. But he is still in his bed. He is using his plasma blasts and formed them into hands to grab himself some water. He takes a sip of water, then stares at the three X-Men, who are speechless.
Havok: (beat) What?
David: Ha ha! Uncle Alex can make baseball gloves!

The threat is over. But there is still much the X-Men need to do. See what happens next in the next issue of X-Men!