Sorry if this comes twice DISCLAIMER: All characters in this story are property of Marvel Inc., and I'm not making a profit from this, so don't sue me. Barring Helios and Glow, who are my own exclusive property. They may not be used without my expressed permission. X-Men: Yin Yang Part 9/?- Begin Again Morpheus, oneill@cambus.u-net.com Feedback appreciated, as is criticism, if constructive. To anyone who remembers this story: sorry it's been gone so long. School really gets the better of you. {{blahblahbla}} is thoughts ^^blahblahbla^^ is telepathy ============== After a hurricane, there can usually be found an unearthly calm. Now, after the hellish psi-storm, an almost heavenly calm descended upon the remaining members of the Rebellion. Essex stood taking deep breaths, concentrating, trying to reach his telepathy. He knew it was gone, but that didn't stop him from trying. His seething red eyes glanced and saw who was with him, and momentarily panicked. He realised only a quart of the Rebellion were here, and he had no idea where the rest were. == Miles away, Jean Grey was going through a similar problem. For the first time since she was a girl, she felt genuinely afraid. She could not feel her telepathy. The constant stream of voices which she had grown to find comfort in, were gone. Trying a short range scan, her mind did not react. She tried to communicate with Legion, briefly sending out a thought. There was no response. The rest of the Rebellion sat in silence on the barren, rocky surface Blink had teleported them to. The psi-storm had reached their party seconds after it was unleashed, immobilising everyone. At the time, Blink was getting ready to make a jump portal back to the base, and the effects had been devastating. She lost control of her power momentarily, overloading the portal with energy. The feedback had nearly destroyed her mind. Comatose on the ground, Sabra was attempting to make her more comfortable. The first to speak after the storm was Daredevil. He may have been blind, but he was more perceptive than most. From the various screams, and the scars he felt on his own mind, he had formed a rough idea of what had transpired. He spoke up with a quiet voice, almost afraid to pierce the silence that surrounded them. "I...Everyone." Getting a feel for the tension in the air, he boldly said, "Please, may I have your attention." He felt others turn to look at his voice, and he continued. "I know what you must be feeling right now. You're confused. You're upset." His voice rang out over the deserted plains, everyone turning to listen. "From what I've heard, and Jean's silence, I assume that somehow, this mind wave we all felt has negated her telepathy. And Legion and M's too." He heard a murmur of agreement which confirmed his fears. He had been hoping he was wrong. Now, we need to organise someway to contact the rest of the Rebellion. I think it's safe to assume that whatever happened, they were connected with it, and they've suffered similar effects. " == Back at the Rebellion's base, Essex was gathering his remaining forces in a similar effort. Unlike the other telepaths, he wasn't as deeply affected by this event, because he had grown to rely equally on all his powers, but most importantly, on his mind. He had already formulated several outcomes regarding the other Rebellion members, and was forming a plan as to their next plan of action. This would be a hard thing to do, but it was necessary. "Friends. This has been a testing time for us, and we have not come out of this unscathed. Peter was a good man. A good ally. He will be missed. But, we cannot dwell on what was. I know that the Hellfire Club will not. They will be preparing, even now, for the time when next they attack. We wounded them gravely, and they will reconsider their strategy, but they will attack. For now, we must regroup, join with the remaining Rebellion, and prepare. The fight is never over, my friends. And that is why I must leave you again." This brought forth several sharp comments, as well as stunning the rest. "I do not mean forever. But for now, I will be gone. Firstly, as Apocalypse's target, I am too great a risk to you." "One thing ya're missin' bub. I killed that big rat-bastard." "I know you did Logan. And that was an admirable feat. But, I have seen Ennur Sabah die many times over, and still he is reborn. It was one thing in this world you can be sure of. I am also certain that the other Inner Circle members will not be dead either. Apocalypse will most likely lend his associates some regenerative technology." "But what about Sebsastian Shaw?", asked Havok. "How did you manage to replace him?" "It was a simple matter to remove him temporarily, thanks to my knowledge of Ship's systems, and my shape shifting powers. He will have been found by now. Now, I must leave to attempt to find a new base of operations for us. I will leave a basic transmitter that I salvaged from Forge's lab with Maverick. It can only be used once or twice, and will send out a frequency used only by the Rebellion. If you use it, Forge or myself will be able to detect it. Use it only in dire circumstances, or when you have found somewhere sufficient to stay. Your task will to be find the rest of the Rebellion, and on the way, look for any kind of base we could use. Do not expose yourselves to any unnecessary risks. If you're going to separate, do so in groups of three or more. I'm almost certain that the Hellfire Club will be waiting for a chance to catch us offguard." He looked around at his followers, took a breath, and said, "I will leave in one hour. As will you. Search the base for anything you think can be useful, but travel light. You will need your strength." == Back with Daredevil, the group had begun to make a sort of makeshift camp for the night, with Juggernaut tearing up strips of earth with his bare hands, and lining them in a sort of fort around the group. A crude method, but it gave them a twenty-foot wall of solid rock surrounding them. Hawkeye stood watching this impressive feat, and said, "Hey, Juggy! Ain't that sore on yer hands?" "Not -- nngghhhh -- really. It's all in the -- nnggh -- wrist. Just wish I had a -- nngh --different power." "Oh yeah, whaddya mean?" "Well -- nnnnnnnnghh -- I'm so goddamn hot, I'd like ta -- nnggggggggghh - - make it rain -- nnnggghh -- or sumthin'." "So, what would yer name be? Waterman? Rainer?" Hawkeye laughed, already amused at Cain's chosen codename. "Rainer, huh? That -- nnnngghhh -- sounds pretty good to me Hawk. nnngggggghh." This only set Hawkeye off even more, as he turned away from the big red machine, and looked over to Blink. That sobered him up a bit. She was still unconscious, and lying in similar conditions next to her were Forge, Iron Man, Shang Chi, Callisto, and Glow. He felt a bit guilty about enjoying himself, since he was the only one who emerged from Rictor's assualt unscathed. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned to meet; "Banshee. What do you want?" "Kid, I know what yer thinkin. Why should you escape, an yer mates er nearly deed?" "Well," Hawkeye fumbled, "Yeah. I dunno what to do, to say to people. Why did I survive?" "It happened to me, years ago. I was workin in New York wit the polis still, an me an a few boys were doin' a concert in dat big Central Park. Anyways, there was a few nutters dere, with guns an dat. It was that time when I lost my powers, so I was just a normal bloke. But I was the only one who survived. Me mates were all gunned down." "Sean, I...I never knew." "No. No-one does. I kept it a secret, cos I lived in shame for years after it. But, I accepted it, an moved on." "How?" "Ye just have tae learn tae move on, an see life differently. Ah've never been the same, but any time I get doubts, I just think, 'I'll do it for them.' That helps me get through the night. An you will too, if you just remember it wasn't your fault. Any one of us could'a been in the same position. An prob'ly have once." "Thanks Sean." == In the Rebellion's former base, the structure surrounding Chrome, in Forge's quarters, began shaking. Subconsciously, he said, "Computer, re- align..."he swore under his breath briefly, and touched the wall. Concentrating, he formed solid stell beams within the rock formation, stabilising it. Behind him, he heard a shimmer of fluids. "Hey, Iceman. Didn't know you were still here." "I was looking for you. Here, let me help you with that." A small tray of shining grey metal slid in front of him, on tiny tendrils of silver. "You're still in metal form! I thought you would have reverted by now." "So did I. Look, Chrome. I wanted to tell you that you did well back there. Thanks for not screwing it up." "Well, it was more Essex who did it, and--" "But without your concentration, I coulda been nuthin more than mush. I'm not sure if I'll be able to turn back, so for the moment, call me Drake. Until then, just know that if anything does go wrong, it's not your fault, kid." "Thanks, Drake," Chrome replied, but before he could turn round, Robert Drake was already melting into the wall's metals. Far above, in a small storage cave, Essex was selecting some trinkets to carry in a bag with him. He was already testing out several shapes to use on this journey. Essex would not be going, but perhaps Jonothon Marken would. Or Thomas Drent. Whoever it was, he wouldn't be noticed by others. He took a modified radio, as well as several small weapons that would come in useful. A couple of smoke grenades, a dagger, and some interesting mini-bombs Forge had constructed long ago. Before he left forever, he made one last check that he had to do what he was about to. Merging with one of the organic computer terminals nearby, he briefly analysed the system. When the psi-wave had hit, even the protected internal brains had been wiped clean. Only he and Forge knew this place's real secrets. Essex had created an organic computer network, complete with psionic capabilities, thanks to culled brains of dead telepaths. They had their psi powers wiped as well, and everything was gone. He tried to transmit a message, but all the functions were gone. If he ever tried something like this again, he would definitely alter his approach to the internal systems. As his mind explored the extent of the damage, he felt a presence nearby, and removed himself from the computer. "Storm." "How did you know?" "During my departing speech, I felt that you were...unhappy with my decision." "Of course I am! You are leaving us here, probably to die. You know what our chances are of finding the others, and some of our party won't last a month without the comforts they had here." "I...I know. But I must do this. I have a way to fix everything. I don't know why I never did so before." "If you leave, then may Goddess preserve what is left of your soul, if anything happens to these children. If you leave, you put them all at risk. They need guidance, that only you can give." "I...My soul is already dead, Ororo. I must do this." Ororo Monroe's eyes glowed a chilling blue for a second, then she enveloped herself in a cocoon of wind, and swept her body away from this sinister man. That man was now lost within a sweeping sand storm, sacrificing his soul for rain. == A few hours later, the seething embers of the sun died out, washing the sky with darkness. Within a fortress of solitude, twenty forgotten heroes huddled round one of their own fires. As the long night descended upon them, none were aware of what their leaders were doing miles away. == Essex slowly turned his back on the family he had built, and slowly walked towards the dying sun. ==================== Well. That's it. Comments anyone? I know there wasn't much action, but it didn't really suit this chapter. Next few issues, I promise there will be some more. And within the next 4, we'll see Essex again. Roll Call ********* Rebellion: Forge[INJ], Jean Grey, Deadpool, Daredevil, Hawkeye, Banshee, Clear- Cut, Blink[INJ], M, Iron Man[INJ], Shang-Chi[INJ], Callisto [INJ], Glow (original)[INJ], Legion, Gambit, Marrow, Juggernaut, Wisdom, Sabra, Speed Demon, Essex, Wolverine, Maverick, Havok, Iceman, Chrome, Doom, Sunfire, Boost, Maggot, Chamber, Abyss, Landscape, Helios (original), Storm Hellfire Club: Angel, Hank McCoy, Shinobi Shaw, Quicksilver, Scarlett Witch, Reed Richards, Emma Frost, Roberto daCosta, Mikhail Rasputin. Paige Guthrie as slave Inner Circle: Ennur Sabah (Apocalypse), Erik Magnus Lehnsherr (Magneto), Charles Francis Xavier (Mutant X), Sebastian Shaw. Marauders: Warpath, Thunderbird, Moonstar, Colossus, Jubilee, Polaris, Wildchild, Omega Red, Scratch, Deflector (Reyes), Fenris, Sack, Vessel, Skin, Nightcrawler, Unuscionne, Caliban, Aurora, Pyro, Avalanche, Spoor, Rictor, Dazzler, Meltdown, Siryn, Black Tom, Shadowcat, Multiple Man, Random, Strong Guy, Firestar, Tusk, Wolfsbane, Feral, Magma. There's loads more, but far too many to go into here. Sabretooth as prisoner Externals: Gideon, Mimic, Cannonball, Nemesis, Exodus, Candra, Selene, Crule, Absalom. ==========