AUTHOR'S NOTE: This issue, isn't exactly what I would call my best writing. I suppose,
it's due to the lack of feedback, that I'm getting, or more specifically, not getting.
C'mon, give feedback ! It could save someone's life !
Marvel characters belong to Marvel and are borrowed without permission with no profit
made. Visions characters are Visions, and if you want to use them, go ahead, just make us
aware of it.
March 1999
Visions presents X-Men in: The Herald of Change The herald: Tom
"Okay, now this is what I'm planning to do." Cyclops announced as he looked over the room. There were not many people there, much less than he expected. Where were the X-Men when he needed them ? "When we managed to defeat Operation Zero Tolerance, we just escaped, and left the Hulkbuster Base behind. Since then, Bastion died and OZT has been shut down. But of course no one knows what happened to the Hulkbuster base. That's our job."
He paused for effect, as he watched their expressions change from amused to inquiring. "We need to go back there, and check, if maybe there are some prisoners stuck somewhere, or some people that might need our help. Even if they're Bastions men. We will be leaving within an hour, and you could bring any help...." With those words he looked at Sam in the corner. "You never know what we could run into once we're there."
"X-Force is out on a mission." he half whispered, not even caring to look up at Scott. His anger was still there.
"Where is everyone else anyway ?" Bobby asked from his seat.
"Your guess is as good as mine Bobby. I know Rogue is out in NY, and it we would just waste our time trying to call her in. I don't think Psylocke is in the right condition to go into a possible fight yet, and Gambit, Joseph and Bishop are nowhere to be seen and Forge is gone back to X-Factor. But we shouldn't worry too much, in case a fight breaks out, we've got enough man power. I will see you in the hangar bay in an hour then."
The X-Men arose from their seat and began walking out the door. Scott stood behind his hologram desk. They had been using this Danger Room hologram of the mansion for a long time now. Soon it wasn't going to be needed, as the mansions only needed few last touch ups before it could be furnished. And even this time, it was much larger, with extra rooms for classrooms, if any would ever be needed.
Scott noticed his wife waiting for him by the door. He walked up to her, but she turned away and walked through the door. Looking back, she grinned at him. "I've got to put on something different. I bet you'll like it. This red and blue costume got boring."
"Okay, I'll see you soon." Scott said as Jean walked off in the opposite direction of his. ^What got into her again ? And I thought she was acting normally again.^ Scott sighed as he headed for the War Room.
***
Somewhere in the world
Anne Marie sat idly in her chair, watching out the window as clouds passed her with incredible speed. Her thoughts were fixed on getting to the master right now. Yet sometimes she couldn't help but to marvel at the view beneath her, of endless oceans, or later the sandy desert. Not very often did she take notice of those things. So why did she now, when stakes were so high ? That question, she couldn't even answer herself.
***
^Stupid upworlders, why do I even try to mix in with them ?^ the young mutant known as Sarah thought not for the first time. Putting her coat closer around her body, she raised the collar and walked down a corridor. The coat was much larger than needed, but at least it hid her features. With a silent sigh, she raised the collar over her face and turned around the corner. She turned the handle on the nearest door and entered a room soundlessly.
"Are you a healer ?"
The puerto rican woman before her turned around and jumped up from her chair. She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came, as she saw Sarah's face, with bones sticking out from various places.
"Look, I didn't come here to watch you scream, so are you a healer ?"
"A.. a what ?" the terrified woman managed to speak out.
"A healer, you know you help sick people."
"A doctor, you.. mean ? Yes."
"Then, you're coming with me." Sarah said as she moved closer to the woman.
"What.. where ?"
"My friend is dying. You need to help her..."
"But... I can't.. who are you ?"
"I said.. come." Sarah spat out as a bone appeared in her hand out of nowhere. She moved it dangerously close to the doctor's body. "Or they'll have to take you in the coffin."
"But... I don't know who you even are... you, you could.... this could be a trap." The woman mumbled out. ^I don't even know if it's there, what is she does gut me ?^
"Look healer, either you come with me now, and help my friend or you die right here and right now." Sarah said, fighting to keep her temper. She couldn't loose it, not when Calisto's life was in danger.
"Oh.. okay." the doctor said. "Just let me get some supplies." she said as she grabbed her bag and began filling it with medicine.
"Good. Now we're gonna walk out of here and go the basement. You do not say anything. Understood ?" She was answered with a nod and began putting her coat back on. "What is your name anyway ?"
"Cecilia. Cecilia Reyes."
***
Hong Kong
She sat, in the middle of the room, her eyes closed. Even without them, she could see every part of her surrounding. Her hands were placed on each of her crossed legs, and her breathing was shallow and silent. Concentrating, she opened her mind and let it run, reaching out to hundredths of other minds, touching each one of them, and reading them like a open book. She robbed them of their thoughts, and memories, studying each one of them carefully, growing more and more powerful with every second, the ecstasy of pure energy overflowing her.
As the hand of her master came down onto her shoulder, her eyes did not open, but her link was broken, and she was aware of him standing behind her. At first, his hand just rested there, and then his other hand joined it and began slowly massaging her shoulders. She smiled slightly as his slow moves relaxed her sore shoulders.
"You have done well." he whispered into her ear.
"Thank you master." she replied in a whisper.
"There is still much you need to learn about the art of fighting but you are getting better every minute."
"I've been thought by the best."
Her master laughed. "You have been indeed."
"What about the X-Men ? What about her ?"
"Too many questions my dear Revanche. You will get your revenge on Psylocke when it's time. Until then, you are under my command and you do what you are told. Is that understood ?"
"Yes Matuso." Revanche replied. As she turned around to face him, there was a slight grimace of disagreement on her face, but she hid it well. She had no choice after all, Matuso had all control over her. Turning around fully, her long purple hair swayed like a wave behind her, and her eyes sparkled. She grabbed Matuso's face and pulled it to hers, engaging them in a long passionate kiss, while strange black figures appeared out of the grown around them, and seemed to be not much more than shadows.
***
Somewhere in Iraq
Frank Bohannan, better known to the world as Crimson Commando looked down at the building below him. He had spent an hour sitting on a roof top, observing a Iraqi weapons warehouse. Being all alone, many thoughts came to his head, about why he was here, and how this place did so much damage to him, and his team, and of course all his thoughts ended up with his team, Freedom Force.
^Eh, those were the days.^ he thought. ^We were regarded as public heroes even for a while, until everything went wrong and Luis and Martin died. After that, I was the only veteran left on the team, and soon we pretty much fell apart too. Too bad, because we really had a good thing going, much more interesting than watching the Iraqi all day. Heck...^ his thoughts were interrupted by a voice in his ear, reaching him through a communication system.^
"Crimson Commando, this is base. Over."
"Read you loud and clear base. What's the news ? Over."
"You are to retreat from your position immediately, and return to the base. Over."
"Whoa, what happened ?"
"A word from above, Commando. It's something to do with you."
"Okay, I'm retreating right now. Over."
***
"I've got it !" Eddie Cameron shouted as he entered Warren Woringhton's office out of the sudden.
"You've got... what ?" Warren asked looking up at him, unsure what the newest addition to his staff was talking about.
"Look, at this boss." Eddie said walking over to the TV and turning it on. A news reportage was playing and there was someone speaking at a podium.
"Eddie, what does Senator Kelly, and his Reach Out campaign got to do with me ?" Warren asked little annoyed.
"It's like this." the young man said stopping before Warren. "Remember how I told you that at first we would need to get involved in some public affair, to do something good, so your name can be heard again, and instantly associated with a good thing ?"
"Yes... continue."
"Well I just got it. We are going to support the Reach Out campaign." he announced, proud of himself for coming up with this brilliant idea. The look, on his bosses' face however, put him in doubt.
"I don't get it Eddie. How is helping mutants going to give me a good name ? Didn't you notice that everyone hates mutants in this country ?"
"Funny, you should mention that boss, since you're a mutant yourself." Warren looked at him sharp. "Okay okay, I'll shut up about that. Anyway, haven't you been reading the newspapers ? Everyone is going crazy over this. It seems, like after they ran Operation Zero Tolerance, and it was a total disaster, and then they launched Reach Out, everyone suddenly changed their views. Whole of USA is talking about this Warren, discussion whether it's a election trick or a really honest thing. Not only would you give it good press, but it would give you good press too. And initially that's what we want. I can imagine it right now, you appearing on 60 minutes with Trish Tibly, talking about supporting Reach Out, because you're a mutant and you know how it feels to be threatened and hated."
"Whoa, slow down Eddie. You know you have a very good imagination."
"Yeah I know." Eddie said with a grin on his face.
"But I'm not sure if I can go through with this."
"Why not ? You're a mutant, it would be perfect for them, to have a celebrity who's well known and a mutant backing them, and you would be involved in the community, and it's not like you won't earn any money from it."
"I don't know, Eddie, I just don't know." Warren said, sighing.
"What ? What's wrong boss, tell me." Eddie said irritated. Here he was with the best idea he ever came up with, and Warren was "not sure"
"Well, you see.... when I left my mutant life, and decided to run this business again, I promised myself I wouldn't get involved with mutant affairs anymore. They had not done much good to me in my life, and much opposite, they quite succeeded at ruining it. I'm just not sure if I want to go into it again, and if I can survive it this time."
Eddie didn't say anything, as he placed his hands on Warren's desk and leaned on it. He was clearly disappointed.
"I'm not saying no Eddie. I must admit it's a great idea, but it's the matter of me wanting to be involved with mutants, and right now, I want to stay away from them as far as possible. I'm not saying no, or yes, and I'm going to have to think about it. Is that okay ?"
"Yeah, I suppose." Eddie said turning around and heading for the door. "Let me know when you reach your decision."
A brief silence followed, as Eddie opened the door and began leaving the room. Warren's voice stopped him dead in his tracks. "Eddie."
"Yeah ?" he answered in a near whisper.
"It's a great idea, I'm proud of you. I'm glad I've hired you."
"Thank you boss." he answered, smiling. "I hope you consider."
"I will." Warren said as Eddie left and closed the door behind him. "I will."
***
Xaviers
The Blackbird lifted off the ground soundlessly, and soared for the skies, heading south, carrying 5 X-Men towards their destiny. Inside, how ever another person was about to write his own destiny.
The young man, known as Remy LeBeau, stood before the door idly. He wasn't sure if he wanted to go in there, and confront her. He knew he had to, but he had the tendency of getting out of situations like this, when he had to do something. He had been on the run all of his life, always trying to run away from a problem, instead of confronting it. This time, however the decision was made for him.
"I know you're out there Remy, come in." came a voice from inside of the room, occupied by Elizabeth Braddock. She was a telepath, and it wasn't hard for her to sense that Gambit was standing outside of her room.
With not much choice, Remy opened the door and walked into the room, to find Psylocke sitting on her bed, reading a book. For some reason, this image of Betsy did not work well for Remy, as he associated her more with a fighting person, who either fought or worked out in her spare time. Then again, what did he know about Psylocke. "Umm, I see your powers are returning to normal level." he said at an awkward attempt to start a conversation.
"Yes, it seems the Crimson Dawn was intercepting them. Now that it's gone, they're back to full potential again." Psylocke replied, with a stern look. She knew he wasn't here to talk about her, he was here to talk about himself. She decided she would let him start.
"Um, look chere, I really came here to talk. To talk about.... you know..." he stared at her, and she could see his guilt in his eyes.
"Yeah, I know. Sit down." she said motioning the bed. She closed the book and looked at him, while he sat down.
"Look, whatever it is running around...." Remy began, but Betsy cut him off.
"Remy, I know what you did. It's right here." she said pointing at her head. "Unlike Rogue I can control it, and understand it, and it doesn't drive me crazy. In fact, it doesn't even bother me. But....."
"But ?" Remy said gulping.
"It's terrible Remy !! How could you do a thing like that ?"
"I... I..." he began talking, but couldn't finish. He looked away for a second, before continuing. "I hear their screams every night, especially, hers."
"Oh." was a near whisper reply from Betsy, as she suddenly felt very cold at the reaction from Remy's memory.
"Ever since then... I did everything, to reform. I even joined the X-Men. I was a pretty bad man before that Betsy, now I'm an angel compared to what I was before. I've worked really hard to make up for it, for myself especially. I know I should tell them, but... I'm not ready to yet. And if it gets out... I don't think I could handle it."
This had to be the most honest thing Remy ever said. "Look, Remy." Betsy said, taking a deep breath. "I'm not going to tell anyone."
"You're... what ?!!!" Remy turned around to her, shocked.
"You've heard me. I made up my mind long before you came here. I think it's terrible, what you did, and it disgusts me, especially, with what you found out afterwards, but I know that you've changed. We all make mistakes Remy, you've just made a hell of a one. I know how hard you've tried to make up for it, and to me that is enough. Everyone probably won't agree with me, but your secret is safe with me."
Remy looked at her, both astonished and shocked, not sure what to say. Then suddenly he reached out for her and embraced her. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you." he whispered countless times. At first hesitant, Betsy returned the embrace, smiling.
"You did save my life Remy. And you knew I'd find out. That's hero enough for me." with those words she pulled away and looked at him, his face grinning fully, his expression so changed from the one he had on just a couple of moments ago.
"Thank you Betsy, it really means a lot. I've got to pay you back for this. A dinner maybe ?" he said looking at her, his charming grin returning to his face.
"So, now you're trying to use this opportunity to get yourself a date, huh ?" Betsy said, chuckling.
"Yeah, kinda."
"Okay, a dinner sounds fine, as long as you don't cook."
Remy looked at her, insulted. "What's wrong with my cooking ??!"
"One of these days, Remy LeBeau, you'll grow up and understand."
***
Downstairs
In the underground complex, which stretched all over the property and beyond it, the man known as Bishop, turned on a computer before him. ^I've never known much about computers.^ he thought to himself while the machine loaded. ^Father tried to teach us something, but we never actually found a computer to practice on.^ His expression saddened, at the memory of his childhood days with his sister and Father. ^But fortunately, I should known enough to do this resear....^ his thoughts were interrupted by a alarm going off. Before he could blink, he was on his feel and running out of the room.
"Computer, identify the location of alarm sounding."
[SCANNING: FRONT DOOR OF THE MANSION]
^Front door ? Whoever this is, didn't bother to hide, just went straight through the front door.^ Bishop thought to himself, as he by now, was more than halfway to the lounge. ^Just one more corner.^ he thought, as the alarm bell still ringed in his ear. Just as he stepped out of the corridor into the lounge, he recognized just what the threat was.
Before him, a woman, he immediately recognized as Anne Marie Cortez, lay on the ground,, the front door smashed into pieced behind her, and Joseph was kneeling next to her, trying to help her up. She was obviously worn out, but against all odds tried talking.
"Ma..ster" she said looking at Joseph. "We...we've been attacked, master. All of Acolytes, have been imprisoned, only I managed to escape."
"Who, Anne ? Who attacked you ?" Joseph asked, furry building up in him.
"Fenris."
Welcome to the beginning of the end.
NEXT ISSUE:
"Some things just have to be done."
Joseph confronts Fenris, but just what do they want ? Plus, more on Sarah, Cyclops's team, Wolvie and Storm. I've been hyping this for long, so I'm just going to leave it at that. It's the last issue where things are still normal. From there on, everything changes.
Or