Disclaimer: I dont own the X-men or Avengers Initiative
for those who have read stories with my OC Soldier in them, he is currently using gadgets and moves that he hasnt used yet.
The Cry of the Phoenix
Chapter 5: Soldier vs. Warrior
Soldier and Slayer both looked at one another, their hands crossing over their weapons while Sieg held his arm out, focusing on summoning his sword. The boy stood there for a moment before he widened his eyes in shock.
'What the hell, I can't summon my sword or my powers, just what the hell is…' But Sieg's thoughts were interrupted as Slayer struck first.
The warrior thrust his sword forward in an amazing burst of speed. Soldier simply moved his neck, only suffering a minor cut to his cheek. He bought his shield upwards, smacking Slayer's sword away. But Jack immediately swung his sword horizontally, striking Soldier's shield so hard that the masked man stumbled to the side, Slayer then took his chance to slash at him again, but Soldier rolled underneath the swing, landing a fist on Jack's chin.
"Pretty good, even without the padding on that glove that was a pretty hard punch, in fact you probably would have bruised me even without the padding" Jack said, rubbing the mark on his chin that would probably later become a bruise.
Soldier remained silent as he threw his shield to the ground. Slayer paused for a moment, his eye glowing as the masked man's hands went towards the rifle on his back. A smile crossed Jack's face as the man aimed his gun. With amazing speed Slayer blocked all the bullets with his sword. Then he thrust his hand forward, releasing a wave of spiritual wind that sent Soldier flying back through the corridor, and slamming straight into the wall.
"I think you're a little out of your league here Soldier, sure you'd make a good black operative but when it comes to super…" But Jack never finished his words as a bullet flew straight passed his head.
Slayer suddenly felt his cheek, and noticed a cut. He then used the abilities of his eye to look across the hallway. Soldier was standing with his rifle at the ready, the sight zooming in on Slayer. Jack couldn't help but smile, for the masked man actually had a shot at his head but didn't take it, this told him two things, one he was facing someone that wasn't looking to kill, and two he had underestimated this opponent.
Jack sheathed his sword and put his hands together. A mystical barrier suddenly surrounded his form and the glow on his eye intensified. The warrior began walking forward and the soldier opened fire.
Mutant Zero roamed through the corridors of the Greymalkin building, but stopped as she came face to face with Domino, X-23 and Dazzler. She paid them little attention as she walked on, however her hand did grip the handle of her sword. X-23 was the first to strike, rushing forward in a berserker rage. She slashed at Mutant Zero, who ducked underneath the blow, landing a quick kick to Laura's neck. Then she flipped onto her feet, slashing Laura's neck. While X-23 recovered, Mutant Zero ran towards Dazzler and Domino. The two women fired at Zero, who slid across the floor, in between the two women. She kicked them both across the back of the head, knocking them to the floor.
X-23 growled as she got up off the floor, only to be impaled by Mutant Zero's sword. The Shadow Initiative operative then began running down the corridors at even more impressive speeds. She suddenly stopped as Nightcrawler ported in front of her, slashing at her with a rapier. Mutant Zero back flipped to avoid a thrust from the swashbuckling hero. Her wrist blade slid out, blocking another wipe from Kurt's sword. An optic blast flew through the corridor and Mutant Zero jumped to narrowly avoid the beam. Kurt then took this as his chance to attack; he teleported behind her but was met with an elbow to the face.
"I've known you for a few minutes and already I hate you" Emma said as she marched towards Mutant Zero in her diamond form.
"Longer" Mutant Zero said as she blocked a punch from the White queen.
Emma again tried to punch Mutant Zero, but she merely flipped backwards to avoid the blow. Then Mutant Zero ran forward, grabbing Emma's neck and belt. She lifted the diamond woman straight off the floor and threw her on top of Domino and Dazzler, who had only just started to regain consciousness. Cyclops ran forward, firing an optic blast at Mutant Zero. She bought her hands up to defend herself from the blast, and was thrown back by the force of the blast. Mutant Zero quickly flipped back onto her feet and jumped into the air. She clung against the wall with her blades and jumped off as Cyclops fired another blast. Mutant Zero landed beside Cyclops, and backhanded him, smashing his face into the wall.
After giving Scott a quick glance Mutant Zero continued running down the corridor. As she left, Scott got up off the floor, his ruby quarts visor glowing as his anger flared.
Slayer had faced strong opponents in the past, but this Soldier character was perhaps the most intriguing of them all. The bullets from his rifle merely bounced off of Slayer's barrier. But even with that weapon ineffective he still ran towards Jack. Both men drew their swords and clashed them together. Sparks flew from their blades as they leant into them, trying to knock the other off balance. Slayers own enhanced strength started to take affect as he began pushing Soldier back. Soldier narrowed his eyes beneath the mask before stepping back. As Jack stumbled about, soldier stuck his foot out, tripping the warrior flat onto his face.
"That was a dirty move" Jack said as he jumped onto his feet.
"We can't all have honour" Soldier stated.
"What have you got, faith that your mission is the right thing?" Slayer asked.
"Faith…the right thing!" Soldier muttered before rushing forward.
He slashed at Slayer, who bought his blade up to defend. But Soldier altered his blades direction in midswing. Jack again bought his sword up to block, and again Soldier adjusted his stance. The two of them stared at one another, a smile on Jack's face as they danced along the corridor, constantly changing the position of their swords. They both stopped as Slayer's blade touched Soldier's neck.
"I could end you right here, but I don't think its your time to die yet" Slayer said.
"I've died once before" Soldier said.
Jack raised an eyebrow as he felt something rub against his crotch. He looked down and smiled sheepishly as the flat end of Soldier's sword was leaning against his leg, and alls Soldier needed to do was swing the blade upwards to make a very painful mess.
"Touché" Slayer said and Soldier nodded his head before both of them stepped back and relaxed their swords. "How about we kick this up a few notches?" Slayer asked.
Soldier pressed a button on the device on his wrist and a red energy shield suddenly appeared around his arm. Slayer ran a finger across his sword, which began to shine with energy, the glow on his eye intensified as well. The warrior leapt forward, slamming his sword against Soldier's shield. Soldier skidded backwards from the force of the blow, but ran forward, slamming his sword into Slayer's. The two of them stood in place, their weapons deadlocked. Both stepped back and clashed their blades together. Slayer slashed at Soldier horizontally, but only cut off a bit of his hair. Soldier thrust this sword forward, narrowly missing Slayer's cheek.
"AGH COME ON WHY WONT YOU APPEAR AGAIN!!" Sieg yelled as he yelled his hand out, closing his eyes frantically as he focused.
Sieg's yells caught Soldier's attention as he curiously looked over at the boy. Slayer, noticing that the masked man was distracted stopped his sword in midswing. But Soldier went straight back to slashing at him. Soldier blocked one swing from Slayer's sword, but with one more swing his sword snapped in half. Slayer slammed his fist into Soldier's energy shield, and sent him flying through the corridor, smashing into the coffee table by the side of the coach. Jack then used a magic force similar to telekinesis to hit Soldier in the face with the coach. He was sent slamming into the wall, leaving a small crack than ran to the ceiling.
"SIEG WHAT'S WRONG!!" Slayer yelled.
"My sword, and my powers aren't working" Sieg said, staring at his hands.
Slayer had no time to worry about that as his eye sensed activity from Soldier. Hails of bullets were sent towards Slayer, who with amazing speed slashed all the bullets in half. Soldier fired his two gun blades, aiming at Slayer's head and knees. But the warrior easily batted them away as he walked towards Soldier. The masked man reloaded the weapon at outstanding speed and began firing again.
"I'm afraid stuff like that is useless against me, if I unleashed some of my true magical power you wouldn't stand a chance" Slayer said.
"Then why don't you shut up and unleash it you coward?" Soldier asked as he ran forward, slashing at Slayer with the blades on his pistols.
"Coward…I'm no coward!" Slayer growled as he punched Soldier straight in the eye.
The force of the punch was so brutal that a crack appeared in the wall behind Soldier. Slayer looked at the masked man in shock, his right eye lens had been completely shattered, and his eye was actually cracked. Soldier gripped Slayer's wrist and slashed his shoulder with his gun blade. Slayer stepped back, examining his opponent. He almost barfed as Soldier tore out his right eye and squashed it, revealing circuitry and fake blood.
"A robotic eye?" Slayer asked curiously.
"Synthetic, kind of like the android cloning process that was used on Thor" Soldier said.
"Is that why you were able to keep up with my mystical speed, a device on your eye?"
"Contrary to what you might believe the synthetic eye is to replace something that has been lost, I wont use any kind of technology to augment my performance" Soldier explained.
"That sounds a little noble at least" Slayer said.
Soldier nodded his head before completely squashing the eye. He dropped into a stance with his pistols at the ready. Slayer raised his eyebrows as he felt Mutant Zero fighting Hepzibah and Warpath, and decided to end this fight. He gathered mystical energy into his hand and thrust it at Soldier, the blast consumed the masked man, but it was merely a concussive force that would knock him out. It didn't have that desired effect.
Mutant Zero landed a solid kick to Warpath's neck, knocking him out before she swung around and punched Hepzibah. Angel swooped in, trying to punch Zero, but she merely rolled onto her back and thrust her feet into Warren's chest, sending him flying onto the ceiling. She was suddenly thrown back by a gust of wind. Mutant Zero looked up to see Iceman and storm blocking her path. Storm threw a lighting bolt at Zero, who remained protected because of the rubber on her suit. She ran forward, jumping to the side to dodge an ice blast from Bobby. Mutant Zero kicked both Iceman and Storm across the heads. But Iceman managed to force himself up, firing an ice blast directly into Zero's chest. He pinned her against the wall, her chest covered by eggs. Iceman then blasted her feet and wrists, covering them as well.
"Sorry your little infiltration plan didn't last, man I can't believe all the other X-men had trouble with you" Bobby said cockily.
Meanwhile in the deep reaches of space, on one of the Shiar planets a woman with a strong connection to the Phoenix hid under a cloak in one of the alien markets. Her connection was because she was the daughter, or more correctly the alternate reality daughter of Jean Grey. She was Rachel Grey Summers and her two companions hiding out with her were Lilandra, former empress of the empire and Korvus, the last of his clan and wielder of the Blade of the Phoenix. With Havok and Polaris captures, the remaining Starjammers had to make do with what they had if they were to overthrow Deathbird and Vulcan.
'Damn, I wish some of the others were here' Rachel thought.
Suddenly a blue flaming phoenix symbol appeared over Rachel's eye. She immediately looked up at the sky and Korvus turned his head towards her, concern plastered across his face. His sword suddenly began glowing with its blue shine and he too looked into the sky.
"PEOPLE OF THE SHIAR! LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RULED BY RULERS UNWORTHY OF YOUR LOYALTY! EVIL MEN AND WOMEN WHO NEVER CARED FOR YOUR SAFETY! EXCEPT ONE BUT SHE WILL NOT RISE TO THE THRONE! FOR THIS ENTIRE UNIVERSE WILL BURN!!"
Rachel looked in utter shock at the black masked phoenix floating towards the ground. The Phoenix egg that the corps was contained resembled a red moon (egg shaped albeit) from the view of the planets surface. As the black Phoenix landed on the ground in front of the remaining Starjammers the people around them ran away. The Black Phoenix paid little attention to the people, his eyes focused on Rachel.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Rachel asked.
"I am one of many who seek peace, and I knew your mother!" The Black Phoenix said as he took a few steps towards Rachel.
Korvus immediately into the Phoenix's path, he drew the phoenix blade as he stood defiantly against a true wielder of the force.
"Stay out of my way Korvus, you are no threat"
"Don't drop your guard Rachel, I don't know what it is but I seem to sense this mans intentions" Korvus said and Rachel nodded her head.
"Please just give me what you possess, and spend the last days of existence loving one another!" The Phoenix said with genuine empathy in his voice.
"Your not going to destroy the universe, for you will die here!" Korvus said before charging at the Phoenix.
The leader of the Phoenix army merely held his hands out, firing a blast of energy at Korvus, sending him flying behind Rachel. Marvel Girl's eyes glowed a fiery colour as the aura of a blue flamed Phoenix appeared around her. She flew at the Black phoenix, trying to smack him with her burning wing. He flew into the air, easily dodging the phoenix wing. The halo of the phoenix force surrounded the masked man, and he thrust his hand forward. Both phoenix aura's collided; creating an explosion that shook the very planet.
Rachel yelled in pain, as she was shocked with a surge of golden electricity. She began falling towards the ground. But before her back touched the ground, the black phoenix grabbed her by the neck and held her just feet from the ground.
"You didn't give me what you possessed, now I shall take it!" The Black Phoenix said.
Slayer's concussive blast didn't have the desired affect, when the blue energy mist cleared the warrior raised his eyebrows in a mixture of curiosity and shock. Standing in front of him was Soldier, the top half of his mask had been ripped off, but his chin, mouth and chest was now covered by metal body armour. Steel that looked similar to Colossus's organic form or Cable's arm ran up Soldier's arms, while his wrists were covered by metal armour, his lower body was still the same as well as the gloves on his hands.
Jack whistled to himself as he looked over Soldier's new form.
"I thought you said you didn't use technology to increase your performance…hmmm!" Slayer said accusingly.
"This isn't powered armour, its just armour!" Soldier said casually as he put his pistols back in their holsters.
Soldier's hand pressed against his wrist and the red energy shield appeared again. As Slayer dropped into his fighting stance the shield suddenly began spinning around. Jack widened his eyes, not needing his eye to realise what the shield had now become. He ran forward, slashing at Soldier with his sword. Soldier merely ducked underneath the swing and swung his shield. He cut a large gash across Slayer's shoulder and Sieg too widened his eyes, now realising that the energy shield was now a buzz saw.
"Pretty good Soldier, but I'm not done yet!" Jack said as he slashed Soldier across the chest, piercing his armour.
Even with the large cut to his chest Soldier still thought on, clashing his saw with Slayer's sword. Mystical and technological energy sparked across the floor as the two men leant into their attacks. They both cut one another across the forehead. Jack punched Soldier in the chest, cracking his chest armour. But Soldier countered with an elbow to Jack's face. With the steel added to the force of the blow, Slayer was stunned for only a few seconds before he slashed Soldier's right arm, cutting into his armour. Then the warrior punched the soldier in the chest; unprotected by armour Soldier was sent flying into a wall. He coughed as he got up off the floor, to be met with a punch to the face. Slayers punch shattered Soldier's faceplate, revealing the lower part of his mask.
Sieg watched the two men fight, astonished by Soldier's fighting style and need to never give up.
'I don't understand, why wont my powers work, is as if my body doesn't even want to fight this guy…those moves he's using and his weapons, they feel so familiar…I've never felt so useless, I want to help but my body wont move, as if it thinks that Soldier and Slayer fighting and one of them winning would be the right thing' The boy thought as he dropped his hands, giving up trying to summon his blade.
Soldier then suffered another punch to the head, and a knee to the stomach. He was thrown straight through the wall, rolling across the floor. Slayer dragged his sword across the floor. Soldier immediately jumped to his feet and blocked a slash from Slayer. This time Soldier infused his sword with more mystical energy, slashing a hole through the energy shield. Soldier clutched his bleeding wrist, but fought on, releasing his slashed wrist and punching Slayer with his free arm. Slayer blocked the punched and countered, punching Soldier in the chest again. Soldier fell to the ground, coughing, no doubt bleeding internally.
"I admit it was hard at first, but eventually my eye could read your muscles and predict your action before you even made it, now come on, let me get you some medical attention" Slayer said.
Soldier hunched his shoulders as he brushed his hands across the floor. With a burst of speed he used his hands to launch himself at Slayer, kicking him across the head.
'That speed… and the strength, he was never that good before' Jack thought as images ran through his head.
A Black armoured warrior swung a scythe, cleaving two criminals in half. He had lived a hard life, and he was never one to forgive or forget.
A silver haired youth swung around, letting loose a volley of bullets on his opponent. Emotionlessly holding his hand out forward, blue mist began rising from his hand before he unleashed a wave of energy. This kind of life was a hard one to live, but he couldn't have imagined himself doing anything else.
The rain batted against his dull hair as he faced a squad of riflemen. Without hesitation he began walking towards them. His grey eyes suddenly gave off a red shine as the men opened fire.
A young man in red and grey armour fought on like a man possessed, his pupils had disappeared while his red hair spiked outwards. Though he was wounded his resolve could not be broken. His heroic spirit would never die.
Soldier landed smoothly on his feet and he ran at Slayer. The warrior's eye suddenly began glowing and Jack held his hands out. With this simple gesture Soldier stopped.
"Mutant Zero…she's in danger?" Soldier asked.
"Yeah, no Cyclops wouldn't!" Slayer said, having doubts about what he saw.
"What what's going on?" Sieg asked.
Soldier and Slayer looked at one another and nodded.
"What the hell?" Iceman wondered as a flaming aura surrounded Mutant Zero.
With a yell the ice shattered and the force threw Bobby back. Mutant Zero walked towards the basement elevator. Suddenly an optic blast flew through the corridor, hitting her back. She rolled across the floor and looked back, seeing Cyclops walking towards her. He pressed the button on his visor and shot her right in the face, cracking her helmet and shaking her off balance. Cyclops fired again, this time making the beam much more intense. The beam pinned Mutant Zero to the wall. Even with her screaming Cyclops put the beam on Zero's chest. He grinded his teeth together as Mutant Zero began to walk forward. Scott's hand began to turn the dial on his visor to intensify the beam further. But as soon as his visor touched it he felt cold steel brush against his neck.
"That's enough!" Two stern voices said.
Cyclops turned around and saw Soldier and Slayer standing together. Slayer held his sword defiantly against the X-men leader while Soldier cocked his pistol. Cyclops looked at the two of them and backed off. Soldier walked up to Mutant Zero and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you all right Zero?" he asked.
"Yes Soldier I am fine…please help me up!" She said and Soldier obliged.
Mutant Zero got up off the floor, but then began clutching her head in pain.
Lilandra watched in horror as the Black Phoenix phased his hand straight through Rachel's chest. The daughter of Jean Grey screamed in pain and her psychic cry was felt across the planet. Korvus got up off the floor, his eyes plastered with concern for his lover. The Black Phoenix dug his hand in deeper, bringing his face close to Rachel's before throwing her away. He now held a blue flame in his hand, one similar to the shine of the Phoenix blade and the aura that once covered Rachel. Rachel coughed as she laid out on the floor, looking up at the masked man.
"I'd imagine that was a painful experience for you Rachel Summers, well you wont have to worry about that pain anymore, return to earth and spend the remaining days of existence with the X-men" The Black Phoenix explained.
Korvus swung his sword down on the Black Phoenix. But much to his shock his opponent grabbed the tip of the blade with just two fingers. Rachel got up off the floor as the Phoenix's eyes glowed a fiery orange. Before she could react, a gold optic beam was shot out of the mans eyes. Korvus couldn't even scream as the flames burned his whole face, and eventually his entire being. The charred remains of the Shiar warrior fell the floor and Rachel stared at them in utter shock.
"Go home Rachel, and await our peace!" The Black Phoenix said before he flew into the stars.
Rachel crouched over Korvus's remains and burst into tears.
"ZERO ARE YOU ALL RIGHT!!" Soldier yelled as Mutant Zero continued to scream.
The other X-men, plus Sieg and Slayer gathered around Soldier and Mutant Zero. She recovered with a jolt and looked around. Soldier looked at his former shadow initiative teammate, and closed his eyes as she nodded. He stepped back, giving her some space. Mutant Zero bought her hands up towards her cracked helmet and began loosening the straps that held it together. She dropped her helmet to the floor and let her long red hair flow freely onto her shoulders and back. Scott widened his eyes while Emma frowned at the women behind the helmet.
"So, you're finally moving on?" Soldier asked.
"Maybe you should too" Zero said and Soldier merely lowered his head.
"Mutant Zero…Jean Grey's sorrow!" Slayer said.
Indeed the woman standing before them was Jean Grey, or at least a part of her.
Next Chapter 6: Reunite
The Black Phoenix and his army are on the move, continuing to gather pieces of each sun in the universe. Sieg loosens up revealing some of his true power to the Cuckoos, and makes two promises. Slayer consults his master Yoshinto on how to reunite the pieces of Jean Grey. The X-men gain more allies, both old and new.
The Itallic scenes were pieces of scenes featuring OC's and Oc's I have yet to introduce. Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, took a little longer for me to upload than I thought it would because my Internet went down but now everything's fine, It wasnt plugged in :)