Disclaimer: The X-Men don't belong to me, they're Marvels. OCs are of my own imagination or a reviewer's.
Tiny Author's note: Brace yourself. If you don't like cliff hangers, wait to read this chapter until the next is up. Narrative at the end is Leo. And now, the "breaking point".
Keep reading. Keep enjoying. And please, keep reviewing. (feel free to spectulate)
Two policemen wandered around in the dark.
"A warehouse, always a warehouse!" One grumbled.
Large wooden crates were stacked against the walls and throughout the large room, creating a labyrinth. Bright flashlight beams lit up the crates as well as their spilling-out contents, metal machines with tangled wires sticking out everywhere, and lots and lots of packing peanuts.
"Man this place gives me the willies." The cop shuddered.
The darkness in the warehouse seemed more gray than black and parted easily before the flashlights.
"It was probably just a false alarm," his partner assured. "Seriously, who would plant a bomb in—" He froze.
"What is it?" the first cop shouted, turning the corner after the other. As he saw it he stopped in his tracks.
In a space about eight feet by eight feet walled in by wooden crates that stretched far over their heads was one more additional box in the exact center. The box was metal plated and placed on top of the box was a mysterious device of coiled wires, pipes, and boxy metal. An electronic timer with black background and red glowing numbers at in the front, waiting. It wasn't running down yet. Ninety minutes blinked frozen.
The policemen walked closer, but kept a wide berth of the device.
"What the hell?"
"We need to get the bomb squad here. Look at it, it's huge!"
"An entire city block…" One cop muttered. "That's how much it looks like it could take out."
"We need to go, now!" The older policeman shouted.
The two backed away quickly, but the second one of their feet passed back into the maze the building shuddered. An explosion sounded nearby and the crates toppled, covering their exit. The cops dove out of the way of the falling debris just in time. Flames began to lick some of the crates.
The elder cop swore and dragged his leg out from under a heavy chunk of metal. "My radio's been scrambled!"
The other man brushed himself off and looked at the wreckage of the radio.
"I think I can repair it— shit!" He swore. "The timer's started."
The other grumbled and helped scoop up the smashed radio and some other electronics. "We have to work fast, don't worry about the police frequency, can you have it sweep all of them?"
"Just for radio?" The other asked, already tinkering with the scraps. "If you got a camera on ya I could probably reach some TV stations, the local ones at least."
The cop with a crippled leg fished a digital camera from his pocket. "Can you do that quickly?"
The man smiled ruefully. "Yeah, and since it seems we're about to die… I'm a mutant, a technopath."
"Hm." The other cop grunted. "Larry that could've been nice to know in sooo many other situations."
"Shush, I'm working!"
The pair finally got the device working and their voice and images sliced across the airwaves.
"Attention Bayville!"
A video store downtown was completely overrun by the dark and smokey image of a sweaty and grimy cop.
The Xavier Institute suddenly quieted as the mutants froze or ran toward the nearest television.
Even the Brotherhood was tuning in, a scowl was growing over everyone's faces. Another reason for the X-Men to play heroes.
Clay's squad's late night television watching was sliced short as they crowded around in the common room (They got Bayville's news station due to a lot of crazy wiring).
"We are coming to you with urgent news. We're currently in the warehouse at 64th and Woolworth and have uncovered an explosive device. The bomb squad would be welcome, but we are also ordering an evacuation in a one block radius. Anyone who is able in the area should lend assistance to residents who need it." The picture grew fuzzy and was overlapped with static. "Zzzt- sixty minutes on timer." The officer's voice cracked with emotion. "This is officer Larry David and Micah Simmons, a-and if we don't make it I just want to tell my wife and kids I love the." There was some sniffing behind the camera and the picture fell apart.
Xavier folded his hands under his chin then turned to his students.
"X-Men, this is what we train for. Suit up!"
The teens began to scatter, then Bobby spoke up. "All of us, professor?"
"Yes, everyone. We don't have much time and there are a lot of apartment residents in that area. We need everyone."
"Yes sir!"
The X-Men met back up in the garage for a briefing. Since the danger was local the jet was unneeded.
"Cyclops and Storm will be in charge of the rescue operation, from reports that are coming in some fire has spread from the warehouse to the apartments. It is lower income housing so there's a good chance there will be handicapped residents." He turned to Jean. "Jean and Spades will try to get into the warehouse and rescue the two police officers."
"Professor—"
"Scott, they will be fine. Spades has experience with fire rescues. Nightcrawler will also be going with them so they have easy means of escape."
"Professor," Spades spoke up. His hood was over his head, making his expression look dark. "What about the bomb?"
The professor shook his head. "We will leave that to the professionals, our main concern is people's safety."
Tyler's face had a peculiar look on it, but he nodded.
"Alright X-Men, move out!"
The mutants scurried to the variety of vehicles, nearly nothing being excluded.
In all the movement on one noticed Spades grabbing a tool box and attaching it to the Dyson's motorcycle.
Clay's squad blinked at the screen for a few seconds after the cops went off. Clay and Zendi exchanged glances, and Enrique stood.
"We need to help." He stated, looking at his teammates.
"Why? It's not our problem." Sionnach grumbled. "I'm sure the X-Men are all over it."
"That's where Nuju's family lives…" Clay said distractedly. She seemed to be spacing off.
"Who?" The fox mutant asked rudely. He kept hearing about this "Nuju" but he had yet to meet him.
"He was on our team early on…" Cloak answered, nervously glancing at Clay.
"I thought when you joined up here you left your family behind." Sionnach continued.
A sour look crept its way across Nico's face, he knew first-hand how that was.
Clay shook her head. "You do because it's often safer for your family if you were gone." She looked straight at the Wolfes. "But that doesn't mean we don't watch over them. I've been rethinking a lot of policies we have here. It's time for a change…" She groaned. "I doubt Nuju or his little brother know about this." A small smirk grew on her face. "Who wants to play hero?"
There was a loud thud and the door to the squad's area was flung wide open.
"Actually, no one's leaving."
"Jaller!" Clay growled. The squad stood quickly and assumed fighting positions.
Jaller smiled, though he always looked like he was due to his mask, and walked in. He was flanked by three mutants only a few on Clay's squad recognized.
One had white-blonde hair that was gelled like crazy. His eyes were brilliantly blue and he wore a cunning smile on his face. His uniform was electric blue with a white starburst on his chest, light gray fingerless gloves, and matching boots.
The second wore white plated armor on his arms and legs with spikes over ice blue spandex. He had armor plating that ran down his spine that curved up to his shoulders with slightly longer spikes. His head was shaven bald and he wore a bandana tied over his mouth that was painted to look like large spikey teeth. The teen was just as tall as Jaller, but burlier with very wide shoulders. He watched everything with vague interest.
The last appeared to be the youngest. His features were so similar to Portal's someone could be mistaken for thinking that he was her little brother. Fluffy brown hair was on his head, all messed up in that middle-school bedhead look. They boy couldn't have been much older than twelve; his face was in that halfway stage between child and teen. Maybe the most startling feature was his eyes, they kept changing colors, making it hard to look at him.
Kitsune glanced back at Portal to compare their looks, and then back at the new young mutant. If they were related somehow there was no love lost between the two. Portal's eyes were filled with hatred, and when he looked back at the boy his eyes flashed red then yellow and shone gleefully. Even Kitsune, who Portal fought with on a daily basis, never received such a look of pure hatred.
"Pathos." Portal spat.
"Portal." The young mutant, 'Pathos', said almost happily. His eyes switched to red again and Portal sprang forward at the boy.
"ARR!" She screamed, only to be held back by Zendi and Cloak.
Enrique bent down and whispered something in her ear. It only seemed to make her angrier and she struggled more against her friends' hold.
Portal threw out some pretty intense curses. Sionnach nearly smiled. The girl was quite feisty, and at least her anger was pointed at someone else this time.
Well now, what did that kid do? He wondered, watching the girl swear.
Clay stepped closer to the intruding party as they came in farther. She looked back at Portal. "He's messing with your emotions, don't let him."
Portal muttered something about her leader's head being filled with clay.
The gray-skinned mutant turned back to Jaller. "What do you want—"
"Sir."
Stifling a growl she continued. "Sir. We have a job to do." She looked at the tall mutant with the spikes. "Thok, this is about Nuju, you need to let us go."
'Thok' blinked, his expression hazy. "Nuju…"
Cloak stepped up. "We are needed. Thok, why do you do this? Nuju is your friend! His family is at risk!"
The burly mutant blinked like he was trying to rid his mind of something. "Nuju…" He muttered again.
Pathos scowled and turned his attention to Thok. The mutant stopped looking confused.
Portal glanced sideways at Sionnach. "Pathos is controlling him." She muttered.
Sionnach shook his head. Why would she be telling him this? It wasn't like he could do anything! And then he realized how young Pathos appeared to be, and what Portal undoubtedly wanted him to do. He shook his head again, locking eyes with her from behind his shades. He would not use those powers.
Jaller grinned, seeing the situation back under his control. "Good news. We are taking you into isolation."
Clay's squad exploded into argument. Clay held up her hand and they stopped. Sionnach watched with interest. He wasn't exactly "best friends" (or even friends) with Clay by any means, but he couldn't think of any reason why Jaller would be taking her.
"What do you mean?"
"All of your actions have earned you as such." Jaller smirked. "Defying orders, skipping border patrol, engaging the X-Men… you are putting the Haven at risk, Clay Dune. As such we need to remove you and give you time to think."
Clay snorted. "I'm puttin' it in danger? You're nuts Jaller." She folded her arms and sighed. "But I ain't one to cause trouble without reason. I can break out of where ever you put me if needed." She walked up so she was directly in front of Jaller. Extending her arms, she smirked. "Where am I goin'?"
He laughed. "I know you. That's why Fusion is here." The smile vanished from Clay's face. "Did you think I brought him as back up?" He nodded to the mutant on his right, and shoved Clay at him. Fusion, the mutant with white-blonde hair, caught her arms.
Clay was now facing her squad, her arms grasped behind her back by Fusion.
"Go! Go now! Otherwise—" She started.
Suddenly the light faded out of her eyes, the normally neon green color dimming to an almost gray. The light seemed to be absorbed into Fusion's body. In seconds Clay Dune had breathed one last sigh and collapsed. Her body fell to the floor. Fusion's eyes flashed bright green and then returned to normal.
"Clay!" Zendi shouted. She let go of Portal and charged at the group,.
Jaller stepped in front of her and back handed her across the face. It was surprising, Sionnach had seen Zendi dodge things like that before, but luck seemed to be on Jaller's side. With ease he blocked the rest of her movements and grabbed her around her throat.
"No interference." He muttered, tossing her back.
Sionnach caught her before she could slam against the wall and fingered his katana.
"Now everyone is to remain here." Jaller stated. "There will be no heroics."
Cyclops ran down a smoky hallway and kicked a door open,. He glanced inside, and two kids about nine and seven came screaming out. Both latched onto his legs.
"Great." He muttered. He bent down and scooped them up. "Don't worry," he said cheerfully, "we'll get you out of here."
He began making his way back down the hall and pressed the button on the side of his communicator.
"I got two more kids here. No parents inside, someone want to take this hallway while I get them out?"
"Got it!" Leo's voice sounded over the communicator.
Scott turned a corner and nearly ran into him. "Hey! How's Turbulence doing?" He called as Leo began breaking doors in. The X-Man kept walking out of the building and Leo's reply came over the communicator.
"Not good. He's doing his best to try and clear some of the smoke." There was a shattering noise. "But with his asthma… he can't get too close."
"You know I can hear you, right?" Benj's voice grumbled. He coughed for a few long seconds. "Damn… smoke. Sorry Professor X, no cussing."
The blonde mutant stood on the roof of an apartment building next to the one the fire was spreading to. He bent his arms and brought them back before snapping them forward and releasing a gust of air. Smoke from the flames spiraled high into the air, clearing some of it from the ground.
Benj wiped some soot from his flight goggles and pressed his communicator. "Storm, I can't take much more of this, can you take over?"
"Of course child."
"Turbulence, why don't you come back to the X-Van. We don't want to put you at risk." The professor said, concern in his voice.
Turbulence coughed harshly before funning off the side of the building and flinging himself into the air.
"Roger, roger!"
"Rogue to Turbulence. Don't do anythin' stupid, okay?"
Benj smiled. "I'm trying. How's things going at your end?"
"I think we're gettin' close ta clearin' the way for everyone. We are just double checkin' apartments now."
"Good. I see the police lights, they're not too far away." He stated. It was true, red and blue flashes were moving quickly toward the block, the sirens wailing. Everything seemed to be closed in an eerie calm for such a serious situation.
A purple flash on his left drew his attention. He lost concentration for long enough to plummet to the ground. He skidded a few feet, tearing his black and green uniform, and bloodying up his right arm. The street he landed on was a small alleyway between the warehouse and an adjacent apartment.
Stifling a scream he clutched his arm, his blood seeping through his glove and remainder of the sleeve.
"God!" He gasped after several long moments. He sat up slowly and kept pressure on his arm. In attempting to stand he realized he hurt his ankle as well. As soon as he put pressure on it, he buckled over and fell back to his knees. Benj dragged himself over to the wall of the warehouse and leaned back.
He activated his communicator. "Ugh, I hit the ground pretty hard. Someone mind lending a hand?" He asked through gritted teeth.
"What happened?" Xavier asked.
Benj described the flash.
"Sadly we don't have time to investigate." Xavier replied. "Stay where you are Benj, someone will be there soon."
"Like I'm going anywhere." He grumbled, wincing and turning his head to the sky.
Jean, Nightcrawler, and Spades were carefully making their way through the warehouse. It was tough going since every few movements another small explosion went off and a chunk of the roof fell in. Jean protected them from any falling debris with a simple shield, while guiding the party toward the two unconscious police officers.
Spades led the way, absorbing the flames so the other two could follow. The toolbox was now in his hand. Kurt had noticed it on the way in but the man had refused to leave it.
"We all have a job to do, at least let me try." He'd said.
Spades swatted aside a box and they came up to the center of the maze. The floor surrounding the bomb was clear of debris, but the two men were slumped next to it.
"Alright, let's get them out of here." Jean said, running up beside them. Nightcrawler leapt over and touched both of their arms.
"Grab on! The Kurt Express is ready to go!"
"No." Spades said simply, walking around the forms on the ground and going straight for the bomb.
10:03. Just over ten minutes. He'd have to work fast.
Nightcrawler's eyes widened. "Are you crazy? The bomb's about to blow! We need to get out of here!"
Tyler sighed. "Please Kurt, give me a chance." He turned and looked straight at him. "Trust me here. Give me seven minutes, then if I can't do anything we'll go."
Kurt shook his head. "No, Tyler—"
"Come on Kurt." Jean said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Kurt tore his eyes away, a rebel tear falling.
'He's not coming out of here again, is he?' He projected to Jean.
She didn't look at him, couldn't look at him.
"Go."
"Benj!" Leo shouted, dashing toward the still form. His brother lifted his head and smiled. "Boy, am I glad to see you!"
Leo knelt beside his brother. "Yikes." Was all he could say. He scooped his brother up bridal style. "Great, now I have your blood all over my uniform."
Benj couldn't help but laugh. "You have your own blood all over it from all those times with Wolverine."
"Yeah, well… that's mine, this is yours." Leo grumbled.
Suddenly an explosion went off inside the warehouse, shaking the ground and causing Leo to lose his footing. A cry of pain pierced the night's quiet.
Leo stumbled back up. He glanced at Benj and the same look of terror passed between them.
"Tyler." The feline mutant gasped. "Can you put any pressure on that ankle?"
Benj shook his head. "Let me lean against you."
"We need to find Tyler." Leo said pathetically. "I-I won't lose someone else in a fiery hell hole!"
Benj picked himself up, standing on one leg. The bleeding was slowing from his arm. Together the two staggered in a back door of the warehouse.
"Woah…"
The place was falling apart. Bits of the roof crumbled in under the intense heat, assisted by the minor explosions. Most of the crates were in flames by now. The two brothers looked at each other. What were they getting themselves into?
Turbulence did a quick mental scan of the room. He pointed straight ahead. "He's in the center."
Leo frowned. It would take forever to get to him. Unless…
"Okay, conjure up some wind when I say so." He said, taking a step back.
"What do you— ahh!" Leo ran forward and jumped high in the air.
"NOW!"
Turbulence did as he was told and swept his arm forward, a blast of air propelled them far into the warehouse over the flames. The two arched downward and miraculously landed in the middle of the crate labyrinth.
"Never… do that… again!" The blonde sputtered, clutching his ribs. The landing hadn't been very soft.
Leo growled. "Just be happy I broke your fall." He shoved his brother off of him and stood up sore.
He glanced around. Tyler was face down a few feet away. He didn't seem injured, just stunned.
"Tyler!" Leo shouted, running over to him. Spades groaned and sat up. He shook his head and rubbed the back of it.
"We don't have much time." He said urgently. He popped back up and ran over to the bomb.
The timer now read 3:27.
The blonde's eyes opened wide from behind his goggles. "Dude, we need to get outa here. They already got most, if not all, the residents out. We've done all we could."
Spades shook his bright red head. "No, we haven't. I… I can do this. We can't be sure everyone is safe, even if they are these people don't need to lose their homes too."
Benj managed to stumble over to Tyler.
"Fine. How can I help?"
Ty handed him a screwdriver. "Take off the panels. I need to see the wiring."
The pair went to work, leaving the last brother to stand there awkwardly. He rubbed his hands and then asked: "What can I do?"
Tyler looked up and met his eyes. "Leo, you managed to murder the microwave. Technology isn't exactly your forte."
Leo swished his tail back and forth. "I could—"
"No." The other two said as they worked fast. They finished removing the metal panels and started untangling the wires. Soon they had it sorted out and Tyler managed to disconnect some of the explosives from the timer.
"It won't matter if the flames ignite it." Benj said seriously.
"Take care of it then."
He nodded and extended his arms. There wasn't much moisture to work with, but as Turbulence found small pockets he expanded them. A low cloud of fog hung from the ceiling soon. Flames stopped spreading. It appeared as though it would work.
Then—
Bang. Something popped above them, a small explosion. There was an ominous metal groaning sound and a support beam fell toward the brothers.
It crashed heavily to the ground. A shriek accompanied it.
As some dust cleared it was obvious what happened. Benj and Tyler were sprawled on the ground, pushed out of the way of the debris. Leo wasn't as lucky. The beam was pinning his pelvis to the concrete. His cheerful face was contorted in pain as he yelled out. There was no doubt in his mind that his legs and pelvis were shattered.
Blood was starting to pool around him and tears streaked his face.
"Leo!" Both soot covered mutants cried. They ran to his sides. Tyler tired lifting the beam, but it was much too heavy for him.
Leo gasped in pain and grabbed Benj's arm. Through the tears in his vision he looked at his adoptive brother.
"Get out… now!" He moaned. "There's nothing you can do!"
"Leo, come on bro… shift! Maybe then—" Benj choked.
"No." Tyler stated, ever level-headed. "Even in his lion shift he'll be trapped, perhaps worse." He was fighting emotions himself. This couldn't happen twice to him. He was so close to saving them both.
In the middle of their anguish Kurt ported in behind them, facing away.
"Okay Tyler! Times… up…" He saw Leo. "L-Leo?"
"Hey blue boy… Kurt…" Leo moaned. "Get these two out of here."
"Can you get him out, Kurt?" Benj croaked. Tears were collecting in his goggles.
Nightcrawler could only stare at Leo's predicament.
"Go." Leo commanded. He ignored the blinding pain for a second and managed his lunatic grin. "I'll be fine."
Benj shook his head. "I'm not leaving you!"
Tyler had gotten up and was working furiously on disconnecting the bomb. There was less than two minutes left.
"I think I can kill the detonation sequence. Kurt you need to get help. We aren't leaving Leo here, but if this goes right we'll all be fine."
Turbulence sniffed and mustered up as much physic influence he could and aimed it at Kurt.
"Leave us." He said.
Nightcrawler vanished.
The blonde mutant collapsed. Trying to do something like that took a ton out of him.
"Well we had a pretty good run, eh?" He sighed.
"Three brothers we started…" Ty started, slicing a cord.
"Three we shall end." Leo sighed. "We gave the X-Men a pretty good run for their money. They hadn't factored in on us being so troublesome."
"The two Dysons and the Dents. Three D's of trouble." Benj laughed. "The D-Factor."
"Sixty seconds…" Tyler muttered. He stopped fiddling with the electronics. "Benj, I'm going to throw these disconnected explosives, blast them as far as you can okay?" He wasn't ready to give up. "There's not much left, maybe we'll survive." He said half-heartedly. There was one last thing he could try as well.
Turbulence nodded. When Spades threw them into the air he slashed his arm through the air.
"Air bending slice!" Leo joked as they went flying into the night sky. He smiled as they disappeared.
"It's time to go home…" He sighed.
Tyler and Benj glanced at each other and then went to sit on either side of the trapped teen. Leo grabbed their arms and looked at them both.
"We're ending this journey the way we started it…"
"Together." They all said.
Leo smiled and started at the sky again. The pain was lessening, growing fainter. "Father God, we come to you today at last, broken and scarred. We've made mistakes, but all of it has led us back to You. Forgive us as we prepare to step into Your Kingdom…"
The night sky was navy blue overhead. The X-Men were regrouping at their vehicles.
Wolverine stiffened as they made a head count. "Where's the elf and the brothers?"
No sooner had he spoken had Nightcrawler appeared in front of him.
"Gah! Elf, watch where you're portin'!" Logan grumbled.
The elf shook an empty gaze off his face. "Oh no! They're still in there!"
"What?" The professor exclaimed. "I thought Leo and Turbulence were heading back!"
Kurt turned wildly to the warehouse. "I have to get them out! Leo needs help!"
Logan reached out and grabbed his shoulders. "Hold it there bub, what's going on?"
"They're going to die!" Kurt yelled. The X-Men erupted into chaos, several beginning to run back toward the warehouse.
"Come on!" Cyclops shouted.
Rogue was about to move when a voice came over her communicator. "Turbulence to Rogue. I'm so sorry Rogue. I love you."
She froze. "No…"
While some of the team continued to run forward she stumbled back. Everything seemed to move too slowly. She turned away.
There was a loud crack and flames spilled into the air above the warehouse. It was relatively small, if one looked at the big picture.
The professor cringed. The physic noise from his X-Men was deafening.
"No…" He whispered.
Death is a part of life. It renews the old, severing the useless. It's not something to be taken lightly. It's not just a game. In real life, you don't just respawn.
Society has made it less than it is, but killing and death is more than just something that happens.
Some try to fight it while others embrace their time. It comes for everyone, and sometimes it takes someone strong to realize it. But more than anything else sometimes the death of one thing…
Means the birth of another!