-1Happy Halloween

1 week before Halloween

"Well this is interesting." stated Logan as he looked at all the X-Men. "Freaks dressed as freaks. Whoever came up with this idea deserves to be kicked out." He stomped away from an assorted group of monsters such as Vampires, Werewolves and Frankenstein's Monsters. The only ones not dressed up was Beast, but he didn't really need to.

"I'm actually looking forward to it Professor." Stated Scott as he and Xavier walked (or rolled) along the garden path.

"Me too Scott." said the Professor with a smile. "It's finally a chance for the younger students to relax."

"And Spike and Beast can walk down the street without the weird stares." huffed Wolverine as he walked towards them.

"All we need now is a band." added Scott

"Jean said she would sing with Rouge. Beast said he would play drums. We need a bassist and a lead guitar. Rouge's on rhythm guitar so that's sorted." listed the Professor.

"Rouge can play guitar?"

"Apparently so."

"Who'd of thought it."

"Still doesn't solve the problem of us needing a bassist and another guitarist."

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"Ryan?" asked a voice from on top the institute.

"Kitty." replied a playful voice.

"Didn't you say you play guitar?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well…"

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The band was now ready for their first rehearsal. In the danger room of all places.

Jean and Rouge stood at the front. Rouge with her guitar. Beast had a set of drums at the back. Ryan stood at the side of the singers opposite their new bassist, Spike.

WOW, we're actually pretty good!

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4 Days before Halloween

They were good. They played well together. They knew what they where playing and how. All that was left was to practice and rest up.

Well that was what was supposed to happen.

Ryan was sat in the kitchen eating breakfast (a jam sandwich if you must know). He flicked through the channels of the T.V. Suddenly he saw something that sounded familiar. On the screen was a message. An indiscreet message that could only be meant for him. He dropped his sandwich and walked out of the institute.

The news reporter talked mutely. The image at the side was of a burning skyscraper. Huge grooves and symbols had been etched into the raw steel. Grooves and symbols that only one other person can read.

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Ryan arrived at the school. He had stopped of at a hidden location in town. A place he had kept all his possessions. On his back he wore a broadsword as long as he was. At his waist was a silver dagger and strapped to his arm was a large bronze shield. It was the middle of the night.

"Glad you could make it." hissed a reptilian voice from the shadows.

"The building was a nice touch, how did you manage it?" Ryan replied gripping the sword.

"Oh, you know… acid ball here, acid ball there." rasped the voice. It was followed by the scraping noise of steel on steel.

"Swords at midnight, you haven't changed." chuckled Ryan drawing his own sword and charging his energy through his body. "I thought the military would have changed you?"

"Oh it has!" cackled the voice as it stepped out of the shadows. Ryan would have been horrified by this site if he hadn't seen it before.

It was basically human (and I use this term loosely). Only that it's skin was mostly covered in scales. And were it wasn't covered in scales was grafted steel and mechanics. It covered the entire left side of his face, not unlike Ryan's scar. The monster had an longer snout than what was considered normal. The eyes were red slits and the teeth were pointed. A tail descended from it's back which helped it balance on it's double jointed legs. In one hand in carried a large battle axe. In the other was a short sword.

"The military felt like conducting a couple of upgrades on me!" Screamed the horrible cyber lizard.

"Let me put you out of you misery." Said Ryan flatly

"MISERY! I AM A GOD! HOW CAN I BE MISERABLE! THE MILITARY TELL ME TO KILL SOMETHING AND I DO IT!" Screamed the abomination. "But less of that! Let me kill you before I move on!"

"Where did it all go wrong between us?" Questioned Ryan as he shifted into his fighting stance.

"When I let you live!" Screamed the Reptile lunging forward.

"Reptile!" Screamed Ryan as he charged forward "Happy Halloween…"

Brother…