psinex@yahoo.com Fires of Tomorrow 11/60 by Phil Hartman DISCLAIMER: They're all Marvel's, except for the ones who are mine. Please don't sue. -------------------------------------------------------- PROLOGUE: 3/8/2004: Muir Island Ruins: 08:00 hrs local: -------------------------------------------------------- The crater was still rimmed with black from where Legion/Farouk had incinerated the ancient Kinross homeland 8 years before. Seabirds and other wildlife had made the artificial cove their home. One such bird landed on the metal shape - torpedo-like, silver and gently humming in an unnatural way - jutting from the side of the west arc of the island. The bird pecked at the shape, and squawked fearfully as it began to crack. Reddish light trickled forth from within, like blood, and a hand reached out. Finally, the object shattered, and a pale, limp form fell to the waves below. It cried out, struggling with the waters, and managed to swim to shore, coughing. The seabird landed beside it, but screamed when the figure reached out. And left the bird dead beside him. "God, nae," the brown-haired teenaged boy, naked and wretching, sobbed from beneath his hands. After a while, he sighed, stood and headed up the beach, looking around. "Mum ?" he called, fearfully. "Anyone ?" #What c'ld've caused this ?# he thought, blushing at his nakedness. #Mum's experiments ?# #Or me ...?# He shivered, looking around, and began to climb the edge of the cliff, biting back curses and sobs as the rocks tore into his hands and feet. "Lord, take pity on me, please," he whispered. "I didnae mean t'kill me da ... suren'is m'name's Kevin MacTaggart." -------------------------------------------------------- Somewhere else: -------------------------------------------------------- ~Well, this just bites.~ A brown-haired boy, clothed only in tattered bits of cloth, sat on a floating chunk of rock as his companion examined their locale. "Deep statement, sweets," he mumbled. "Well ? YOU try getting us out of here. It WAS your bad luck power that got us stuck here, switching us with those fake bodies of ours," the red-haired girl he'd been trapped with for months - although they didn't know that yet - groused. "And now it's gone, with Chthon, and I'm superstrong, really tough, an' I can fly and shoot beams," the boy grinned. "And you're pretty hot too." "Pyrokinesis has its' moments," she agreed. "What I wouldn't give for a temporal power ... there's another one !" She ran, her shift trailing behind her, and peered through a glowing circle as it drifted past. "Over here ! It's the mansion !" she cheered. "OUR mansion ? Remember what happened the last time ?" the boy frowned. "Just trust me - waitaminute, when the heck did - but that IS HIM !" the girl cheered. "C'mon, smartass, get over here !" The boy shrugged, muttering, "Gotta be better 'n bein' stuck in Limbo ..." They dove through the portal - -------------------------------------------------------- X-Mansion: 3/8/2004: 08:00 hrs EST: Danger Room: -------------------------------------------------------- - and landed at the feet of two very shocked teenage boys. "Th-this is a sick sim, Richards !" Joe yelled, fear competing with anger. "It can't be - but I'm gettin' a psi-print -" "Joey ... ?" Gail whispered, standing and looking into his eyes. They gave a tiny scream of joy and hugged each other, while Tom knelt beside Bill and gulped, "Y-you're -" "Yeah, yeah, the dumbass demon's dead and I've got Dad's powers - how long were we away ?" Bill grinned, standing and hugging Tom. "YOU'RE ALIIIVEE !!! YESYESYESYESYES !!!!" Ray shrieked, flying in from the control booth. Nate and the othew New Mutants followed, grinning, while Frank brought a surprised Aidan at the rear of the crowd. "Oh my GOD - you and Frank - oh, Ray, I knew Sinister'd made you - but we couldn't get to you - oh, he's an ANGEL !" Gail blurted, letting Aidan tug on her finger. "Don't you DARE angst," Ray grinned. "We're just happy to see you - what's that ?" "Cerebro, lass," Moira called with a smile from the control booth. She checked it, but went pale at the biosignature. #Naenae not him he was locked AWAY t'wasnae his fault -# "I've got t'get t'Muir," she whispered, leaving Sean and Emma to trade concerned looks. "What was THAT all about ?" Sean asked fearfully. "Go after her," Emma suggested. "And ask her what 'Mutant X' is all about. It was a neon sign in her surface thoughts ..." -------------------------------------------------------- Vault: 07:03 hrs MST: -------------------------------------------------------- "Mornin', 'Doc,'" one of the Guardsmen teased, opening Sinister's cell to deliver a plate of food. He screamed when a liquid-metal tentacle grabbed his neck and began to tighten through the bars. "Open the door," Sinister smiled evilly. Without an inhibitor collar. The hum of the inhibitor field had vanished. And the Guardsman collapsed without opening the cell door. The lock erupted in an energy bolt, and a tiny, shimmering figure jumped out with a grin. "Where to, boss ?" Prism called as Sinister left the cell. "The security center," Sinister said, a smile playing about his lips. "It's time the Marauders - and I, for once - took out our opposition." "ALL AT ONCE." -------------------------------------------------------- NEXT: The Marauders. A prison full of supervillains. BE VERY AFRAID ... -------------------------------------------------------- end _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com