Rest in Peace
October 21
Leyu wandered through the forest outside of her new home, at any other point in time she would have found the trees beautiful. Their tops set ablaze by the red, yellows, and oranges of their leaves, the chill air that brushed against her skin, causing the fire inside of her to fight against it, sending a flow of warmth all over her body. But Leyu doesn’t have it in her to admire the life around, instead she thinks only oo the death she had seen just two days earlier.
She had watched John Proudstar end his life, she knew it wasn’t a mistake, wasn’t an accident when John tried to force Nefaria to land his jet, to bring that madman to justice, no. She knew in her heart that John simply wanted bring an end to it all, and he did it.
By god he did, and she felt powerless to stop him, let alone help him.
The only thing left from the jet’s crash was the wreckage of the aircraft itself, as well as the charred remains of both John and Nefaria, if either could even be called remains.
She wondered what Ororo, and Sean thought of her when they found her stunned by what she saw, on her knees, crying staring at the burning crash, not making a sound. Horror, that’s what they felt, what they all felt.
But she, she was only one who felt empty.
Leyu looked at a large group of rocks near her and slumped her body next to them. She thought about all she knew about John, and realized that it was almost nothing. She barely knew his past, his family, his home, his people, his hopes, his dreams, his loves, nothing.
She saw someone who needed help, desperate for it but refused to ask for any, just like her brother. And just like with him, she barely tried to help.
Whenever it counted, she didn’t help, when her brother went a suicide mission to America to hunt down their uncle she let him go alone, when he began his training by the Japanese government she left him alone, when he first became a hero she let him go off alone. The only difference between Shiro and John was that Shiro was luckier and never got the chance John had.
And when John found his chance to take his own life, she couldn’t stop him.
Leyu let out a chuckle as she realized something funny. John had said that his power was strong enough to keep him alive, but not enough to save his friends. Leyu’s chuckle went to a roar of laughter as she realized that Leyu’s power had put her in the same predicament, slow enough to keep her safe, but not fast enough to catch up to John.
As she howled with laughter, beginning to cry as her eyes stung, as she began breaking her laughter with gasps of air, as he laugh turned into a cry of pain and sadness. As she wailed against in the rock in a pitiful display of her own disgust at herself, it took little time for rage to boil in herself, as she began to burn and ignite, the clothes on her bursting on fire, and screamed out, glared at the rock before and blasted with the strong stream of flame she could muster, destroying the pillar of stone in an instant and broke into pieces.
With her rage shot out from her, she was left gasping for air, staring at the destruction she caused to the pillar of stone. Disappointed in herself, she noticed the ash she was turning her coat and pants into and patted away the flame as quick as she could.
When that was done, she looked to the pillar before, realizing it was no mere, but instead something carved by human hand. She wondered where it came from and who made it, but threw the thought away as she felt to humiliated to think properly. Instead she turned around and started heading back to the mansion, unaware of the ruins carved into the pillar, the pink smoke beginning to below from it, or the horror she had unleashed by her actions.
Wolverine snarled as he rushed to Cyclops, his claws dragging along the floor of the Danger Room, scratching the metal underneath. Just as Wolverine leapt at his opponent, Cyclops fired an optic blast that sent Wolverine flying backwards into a wall, slamming his back hard into it before he fell to the floor.
Wolverine jumped to his feet and crouched down, eyes darting at Cyclops, preparing his next move. Wolverine slowly stood up and began side stepping trying to think of a way to either bait Cyclops into an attack or dodge away from his optic blasts. He’d been letting himself get smacked by the ruby red beams of force for a few minutes, and he had to admit, he was impressed.
Cyclops’ power was fairly strong, and he trained himself well, he fired them off with incredible speed and seemed able to pinpoint wherever Wolverine was going to land from blow before he had actually hit the ground. The man also kept his emotions in check, at least on the outside, but on the inside, Cyclops was dealing with the same problem everyone else on the team was faced with.
“Holding back on me slim?” Wolverine asked.
“I don’t know what you mean.” Cyclops replied, his hand resting on his visor, anxious for Wolverine to make his next attack, hoping for it.
“Of course you do bub.” Wolverine smirked. “I know what’s going through your head. Your worried about another one of us going down, don’t want another X-Men kicking the bucket so quickly, one after another.”
Underneath his visor, Cyclops glared at his teammate. “Wolverine, now is not the time.”
“Oh I think it is, you’re spooked, scared. You’re wondering who’s next of us to go huh? Worried it might be yourself right. Keep pulling punches like you are now bub, and I’ll make sure you are.”
“Damn it Wolverine, knock it off!” Cyclops shouted back as he fired an optic blast at Wolverine.
With a swift roll Wolverine dodged the blast before rushing towards Cyclops once again. Cyclops fired another frantic blast from his visor, but Wolverine was able to leapt out of it’s way once again. Wolverine thrusted his left claw at the floor, scratching it and creating a wave of sparks forward into Cyclops face. The embers spread onto Cyclops’ mouth causing him to try and cover the unprotected parts of his face.
In that moment Wolverine shot his right claw at Cyclops head, sheathing them just before they came into contact with the man’s face, Wolverine fist connected to Cyclops temple and knocking him to the floor.
For a few silent moment’s Wolverine looked at Cyclops’ prone body.
“You done?” Wolverine asked.
“Yeah,” Scott answered, “I’m done.”
Scott held his hand out and Wolverine helped pull him to his feet, just then a bamf hit both men’s ears as Kurt had teleported in, wearing a pair of trunks and with a first aid kit in hand.
“Need any patching up?” He asked.
“No thank you.” Scott said as he touched his face, feeling a bruise forming, “Just need an ice pack. Had you know we were down here?” Scoot looked at Kurt’s outfit before asking, “And why are you dressed like that?”
“Ah, Piotr, Ororo, and I were planning on spending some time in the pool and wanted to see if either of you wanted to join us. We found the two of you training down here and we’ve been watching up in the control booth for a few minutes now.” Kurt explained as he pointed to the booth tucked away near the ceiling of the Danger Room.
“I assume you made running commentary while we were done here?” Scott asked as he pulled down his mask and visor and put his glasses on.
“Perish the thought mine friend.” Kurt said with mock shame. “Danger you weren't recording us in the booth tight?” he asked aloud.
“Yes.” Came the AI’s voice from the room speakers.
“Ah, do you have audio?”
“Yes.” Danger Said.
“Send me a copy of that would you danger.” Scott said as Wolverine let out a small laugh.
“Yes, Cyclops.”
“So,” the three men turned to look at the door to the Danger Room opened up as Ororo and Piotr, both in their own swimsuits walked into the room. “Why exactly were you sparring on our day off?”
“Ask Slim here, he asked me.” Wolverine said, pulling down his own mask.
“And yet you were psychoanalyzing him the whole time.” Kurt sniped.
“I needed to work off some stress.” Scott admitted, hoping the subject would quickly drop.
“We all know why Scott.” Kurt said. “We’ve all been hit hard with John’s death.”
“Especially you and Leyu.” Piotr added.
Scott clenched his fist, “I know, I saw all of John’s signs while we were training. I should told the Professor to keep from being active until we could find him a therapist, should have stood my ground of keeping him off that mission, but I didn’t.”
“He was a troubled man mein freund, but he’s in the Lord’s hands now. All we can do know is hope he’s in a better place now.”
“Come everyone, let us head to the pool, we can discuss all of this later, some relaxation will help us prepare for the troubles ahead.”
“You’re right Ororo.” Just then Scott remembered what Piotr had said earlier. “Where is Leyu by the way?”
“I saw her heading into the forest outside earlier.” Piotr answered. “We should probably make sure she’s part of our talk later, I believe she really needs it.”
Sean took a deep inhale on his pipe, sucking the tobacco smoke into his lungs before letting out a heavy breath. He tapped his knuckles against the door to Xavier’s office, almost immediately the professor said.
“Come in.”
Sean opened the door and took a step into the office, it looked a bit more cluttered since the last time he was in here over a week ago.
“Ya wanted ta’ see me Professor?” Sean said.
Xavier looked up from whatever document he was filling out, Sean had some of what it pertained to. The man’s face look tired, he must have been taking John’s death even harder than he thought.
“Yes, Sean I’ve been meaning to talk to you for some time.”
“Your not lookin’ so good Charles,” Sean walked to a chair and sat down on it. “Havin’ trouble sleepin’?”
“Yes actually,” Xavier said to slow for Sean’s liking. “I’ve been having bad dreams for a few days now but don’t worry, I’ll figure out were their coming from eventually.”
“Them nightmare’s ‘ave nothing to do wit’ John then?”
“No, no.” Xavier said, sounding very honest to Sean’s ears. “I’ve been having them before…his death.”
“Ah.” Sean grunted out.
“My sleeping habits are not what I called you in here though.” Xavier moved on, “I’m here to talk about how the team has been doing. Leyu and Scott I’m worried about them the most, they’ve both taken John’s death the hardest.”
“Leyu, she saw John die, watched that jet out speed her and crash into the earth, helpless to save him. She was starting to get attached to him the most out of any of you, reminded her of her brother.”
“Lass has been distant these pass two days.” Sean said. “Barely seen or heard her, Ororo and Kurt have tried to reach out to her but she’s been rebuking them.”
“Yes, I’m worried she may decide to leave. I’m even more worried that I might think that is the best thing for her.” Xavier looked to his desk, a grimace growing on his face. “But Scott, I know he won’t and that makes me even more worried.”
“With the original team leaving, the people he called his friends and family, his and Jean’s relationship, stalling for lack of a better term, and now John’s death…” Xavier stayed silent for a few seconds. “I’m worried that I made a mistake in keeping the X-Men going, that I should simply moved forward with Xavier Institute project.”
“Ah, so that’s I’m here, you need me ta tell ya if you’re right or not.” Sean said.
“Yes…” Xavier admitted, “I want to help them Sean, and I don’t know if I’m able to do that or not. I-” Xavier’s face froze for a second before calm recollection hit him.
“Everything alright?” Sean asked, worried.
“Our new housekeeper has arrived, Sean.”
“Housekeeper?”
“Yes, I called for her soon after the original team left, I thought I would need the help, I wish I wasn’t so right. Her name is Moira MacTaggert, would you mind meeting her at the door, Sean. I have some more paperwork I must do concerning John’s…”
“I understand Xavier.” Sean said sitting up and heading out the office. “We’ll continue this talk some other time eh?”
“Yes of course,” Xavier said grabbing his pen. “Oh and Sean?”
“Yes?”
“Smoking is a terrible way of dealing with grief. It’d be best if you don’t restart a dirty habit.”
With a guilty expression on his face, Sean picked the pipe out of his mouth and blew out the fire. “Thank you Xavier.”
Sean ran as he heard the banging sound against the oak doors of the mansion echo through its halls, mentally cursing at how far Xavier’s office was from the front door. When he finally arrived at the foyer he cried.
“Hol’ your horses all right, I’m coming!”
In response to Sean’s word’s, Miss Moira MacTaggert, Sean presumed, slammed her fist once more against the door. Sean huffed in disbelief as he tried to run down the foyer’s staircase. This MacTaggert woman was starting to get on his nerves. She was probably around eighty years old, and ugly as sin too boot. Probably had forty years of service in the scots guard’s-
“I said I’m coming!” Sean cried as once more the door banged aloud.
Sean grabbed the door and tried to pull it open, almost swearing as he realized that it was still locked. He grabbed the key in his pocket as once more miss MacTaggert banged on the door.
“I’m here you daft lass!” He put the key into the door’s lock and began opening the door. “There’s no need for ye ta try an’ break the door dow-who the bloody blazes are you?
Sean stared at the woman before him, she looked to be around his age and had a thin body with an angular face. She was staring at him with an annoyed expression, her dark red hair cut short, her brown eyes glaring at him.
“Ah beg your pardon!” She said in a thick Scottish accent, “Mah name is Moira MacTaggert! Ah’ve been asked to be a housekeeper here for a time by Professor Charles Xavier.” She leaned forward into Sean’s face. “D’you want to make sonethin’ of it Mr. Cassidy.”
Michael Rossi exited the carrier plane he had been flying in for over four hours now, as he walked down the portable steps the men working at the government facility he had been sent brought in, he thought back to why he was here, and why was so determined to follow through with his mission. The fact that a familiar face had rushed to greet him with a smile on his face, fueled his resolve even more.
“Michael!” Dr. Stephen Lang said as threw a hand out at his brother in law. “”Or should I say, Colonel Rossi.” He said with a hint of pride with his friends new promotion.
Rossi shook Lang’s hand. “It’s good to see you again Stephen. Haven’t seen you in quite some time, Leslie’s told me you’ve been very busy with this project of yours.”
Lang laughed, “That’s right. Funny thing, I’ve been working on this for over six years now but only until I started nearing it’s completion have I started getting nervous.”
“Ain’t that the truth.” Rossi steeled himself for what he had to say next. “I have news from the Pentagon regarding you and your project.”
“Of course.” Lang laughed. “Always business before pleasure with you Michael. Would you like a tour?”
“Yes that would be for the best.”
“Come then,” Lang gestured for Rossi to follow him as he headed into the compound. “Come see why god put me on this earth.”
Lang took Rossi into the compound and proceeded to showcase everything inside the facility to him. Explaining every detail of everything inside, their use, manufacturing, origin, and power. In intricate detail, Rossi learned everything their was to know about Lang’s project. Finally as Lang finished explain the plan and protocols of the project as well as revealing it’s new base of operations as well as it’s newly finished final set of weapons, he looked to his friend, ecstatic at what he was about to accomplish.
Rossi meanwhile, was nonplussed, stern and emotionless in expression, almost disappointed even.
“You…don’t seem to be a fan Michael.” Lang said, glare in his eyes.
“You’re damn right.” Rossi spit with venom. “What the hell is all this, Rossi said as his pointed to all the machinery Lang had been developing for his project. “Six years of your life, a billion dollars spent, abandoning my sister while you worked on this project! And for what? So you could kill a few lousy Muties?!”
“Not just any Muties!” Lang spat back. “The prime of their species, The X-Men! And not to kill either, to capture, secure them in a prison they can’t escape. Examine them so that at last our species will know everything there is to know about it true enemy. That is what Star Sentinel is all about! To prepare for the inevitable conflict between Homo Sapien and Homo Superiror!”
“This is ridiculous!” Rossi shouted, “There is no threat Lang! Mutant’s are just another type of superpowered freak. The US will stomp out most of them while taking in the rest like we do with every other super, there’s nothing more to it.”
Lang stared at Rossi with shock. “You think this just another conflict between Hero and Villain don’t you? You fool, this isn’t like when the Avengers fight the Wrecking Crew or whoever, this will become an all out war! The mutant race is growing, not just in number but in power as well. Mutant Terrorist and mercenary groups have been popping up all over the world. Even the X-Men have returned with an all new team much more powerful than the last.”
“And you think you can stop them!” Rossi snapped.
“Someone has to. The Trask’s knew about the mutant threat, and look what happened to the both of them, the X-Men killed them.” Lang snapped back.
“Those morons got killed by their own damn weapons!”
“A Lie!” Lang shouted out. “The Sentinels rebellion was a lie the X-Men told to blacklist men like Bolivar Trask, and they did the same with his son too! The only problem with Sentinels were there lack of power! Mine won’t have that problem! There stronger, faster, smarter, and have a more powerful arsenal built in. Nothing on Eath can stop me with them at my control!”
Rossi glared at Lang, resolve deep inside him. “I can stop you. Your wrong Stephen, utterly wrong.”
“No, my friend, you are wrong.” Lang spat. “We are the Neanderthals facing off against the Cromagnon. It’s us or them. Kill or be killed. There is no other way.” He said with slow pace of anger.
“Even if that’s true, your project isn’t the answer. The country can’t survive your type of giant mechanical witchunt without causing a civil war. Project Star Sentinel is over, Stephen, finished!” Rossi turned away and started walking back to the plane he came in, but looked back to Lang one last time before leaving. “I’m sorry it had to be this way.” were his final words before Rossi left the facility.
Lang was sorry too, as he watched the man who walked his bride down the aisle walk away from him for the last time, he knew he had only one option left to him. Michael Rossi could not reach Washington alive.
“You have a wonderful talent here, Piotr.” Kurt said, his body resting on a reclining chair in the mansion’s living room staring at a sketch showing off the Russian country side. “You must do more.”
“I’m not so sure.” Piotr responded with a dour note. “Drawing…it is nothing more than a small hobby I do to past the time. I’m not so sure it should be anything.”
“Don’t be ridiculous Piotr.” Ororo said, “You have something to be proud of here. Isn’t that right everyone?”
“I aint got much eye for art,” Wolverine admitted, “But I’ve seen worse go for a lot of money. If I were you I’d keep at it.”
“You know, Piotr,” Everyone looked at Scott as he entered the living room, they were all surprised, the dip in the pool hadn’t seemed to brighten up his spirits like everyone else. They assumed he would have returned to his room to be alone, or drive off into the city to waste some time before returning for dinner. “I’m sure the professor could contact some art schools around here if your not confident in your work. He’ll probably pay for any expenses himself too.”
“I…see.” Piotr said still unsure. “Maybe I will then.”
“Ah that’s the spirit Piotr.” Kurt said going to Piotr and patting him in the shoulder.
“Hey Slim?” Wolverine said to Scott. “Speaking of expenses, are the rest of us supposed to pay our own bills or what?”
Scott looked thoughtfully at Wolverine. “Good question actually. The Professor always gave us allowances while we stayed here, even after we all finished high school and got part time jobs of our own.” He slumped down onto the couch next to Ororo. “But considering everyone here is legally an adult I’m not sure he’ll be doing that still.”
“How does the professor pay for all of this?” Ororo asked.
“He’s never specified.” Scott said, “All he ever said to me and the others that’s he’s good at investing his money.”
“I’ll bet.’ Wolverine smirked.
Scott looked at Wolverine accusingly, “Wolverine?”
“Yeah Bub?”
“Have you ever had something like this happen to you?”
“Like John?” Scott nodded his head as the room went silent. “A few times, never really knew any of them though, they were all Canadian soldiers assigned to work with me on…government work.”
“But no one you could call a teammate.” Scott asked.
“None that I would, no.” Wolverine admitted.
“I see.”
“Forgive me if I’m opening old wounds,” Ororo spoke up. “But haven’t the original X-Men dealt with…a tragedy like this before?”
It took a second a for Scott to realize who Ororo was talking about. “Ah, the Changeling, no not really. You see Kevin Sydney became an honorary member of the X-Men after his death.”
“Go on.” Kurt said, curious.
“Well, originally Changeling was a member of mutant terrorist group known as Factor 3.”
“Never heard of ‘em.” Wolverine said.
“They kept themselves very hidden. The first time we dealt with was after they actually mind controlled Sean. It was the first time me and the old team ever met him actually.”
“What were they using him for?” Ororo asked.
“They just sent him to pick a fight with us, He distracted us while Changeling and another member of Factor 3, the Ogre kidnapped the professor and Changeling took his place, he could transform his body, make himself look like anyone he wanted. We beat Sean of course, it was six on one, but the professor was gone and we were none the wiser, another problem was our newest member, Mimic, battered Sean to half to death.”
“My goodness.” Piotr said. “What happened to this Mimic?”
“Calvin Rankin is…another story entirely.” Scott said through gritted teath, back on Changleing though, after a few fights with some of Factor Three’s operatives we tracked their leader down to a secret base hidden inside a mountain.”
“Lemme guess, Magneto.” Wolverine spat.
“That’s what we all assumed too but it turned about to be someone named the Mutant Master.”
“Was that really the best he could come up with?” Kurt said in disbelief.
“It gets weirder, get this the Mutant Master turned out to be an alien.” Scott said, cracking a grin.
The four others in the room were dead quiet.
“You’re fucking with us.”
“No I’m not. I swear on my parents grave, that man turned out to be an alien bent on enslaving every mutant on earth to form his own personal army.”
“Huh,” Wolverine grunted, “I can see why this Changeling guy joined your side.”
“Yeah,” Scott said, his voice lowering. “When Changeling got wind of the Master’s plot he distracted him, pretended to be the real Xavier and took the Masters Attention while Xavier fought him mentally. Right before The Master was beaten, he mortally wounded Changeling, Angel couldn’t heal him in time before he died of his wounds.
“That…” Ororo said, wishing she hadn’t said anything. “A terrible thing. I’m sorry for asking.”
“Not it’s alright Ororo.” Scott replied. “I think it actually helped me a bit. I’ve always had a fear of death actually, losing people, I lost my parents at a young age and I’ve terrified of it happening again. Kevin and John, I think they may have ended as my wake up calls. I need to deal with this problem, I should have done it earlier.”
“Hello everyone.” The five X-Men turned their head’s to the living room’s entrance where they saw Xavier wheel himself into the room. “Good to see most of you gathered together I have two very important things to tell you all.”
“Should I find Leyu, Professor?” Scott asked.
“No, no. I scanned for her earlier, she’s out in the forest taking a nap I believe. We should leave her be for now, we can wake her before it gets dark.” Xavier said, rubbing his temple. Leyu’s mind had been terribly clouded, she must be a heavy sleeper.
“Now, back to my points. First of all I asked for the assistance of an old friend of ours Scott.”
Scott cracked a smile as he saw a familiar face walk into the living room. “Dr. MacTaggert, it’s good to see you again.”
“Scotty dear.” Moira smiled. “Good ta see ya as well. My goodness look at you, you’ve lost all your boyish charm.”
“Well, I’m not a boy anymore am I.” Scott said blushing. “What are you doing here anyway?”
“Oh I’m just here to help keep this place in, line for a little while, Xavier called for me days ago when he remade the team.” Moira said.
“So you’re a mutant as well I’d take it, Dr. MacTaggert.” Kurt said, trying to make himself appear as less threatening as possible.
“Me, no.” Moira admitted. “I’m a genetic researcher, met the Professor just as I got my doctorate. I was studying genetic mutations and one thing led to another and I learned quite a few secrets. But please call me Moira, we’re all adults here.” Moira stretched out a hand to Kurt, who gleefully took it, his body quickly relaxing.
“Moira used to run check ups for me and the other X-Men.” Scott added. “You planning on doing that again.”
“I see no reason not to while I’m here.”
“This is all very interesting.” Wolverine said, the man beginning to scratch a doodle into a nearby coffee table nonchalantly. “But what’s the other thing you’ve been wanting to talk to us about, Charlie?”
Xavier glared at Wolverine until he stopped digging his claws into the table. “Well everyone, sadly I will have to be away for some time now.” His tone took a more dour note. “I will have to make arrangements with John’s family for a few days, and after that I must meet with some colleagues of mine to discuss some important decisions regarding the mansion, the future school, and the X-Men in general.”
“How long will you be gone, Professor?” Piotr asked.
“Two weeks at the least.” Xavier answered. “Probably more.”
Just then the sound of rushing feet made their way to the living room as Sean rushed inside and headed to Moira. “Ah, Mistress MacTaggert.”
“Yes Cassidy?” Moira said in a gruff manor.
“I just wanted to let you know that I brough’ yout bags to ya room.” Sean said in as charming a voice as possible. “’Sider it an apolgy for how I acted earlier.”
“Nah necessary, Mr. Cassidy. I’m sure I could have done it easy enough meself.” Moira replied.
“Well why don’t we discuss what else you be doin’ here one to one. There’s a coffee shop nearby that I’ve been dying to return to for weeks now, why don’t you join me.”
Wolverine snorted, “Well seems he’s got the hot’s for the girl.” He whispered to Kurt.
“True,” Kurt replied before looking to Xavier. “So Herr Xavier who exactly are these collwfues of your-”
Just then the glare and sound of blazing inferno coming from out the living room’s window caught everyone’s attention. Before anyone could act or even wonder what was happening outside, Leyu rocketed through the window, her clothes ripped and torn, her body bloody and bruised, and her own flames bellowing from her body in weak displays as she crashed onto the coffee table in the middle of the room.
“Dear God, Leyu!” Xavier screamed in horror.
“Are you alright comrade?” Colossus said as he armored up and grabbed a hold of the flaming woman trying to keep her from igniting the floor
“We need to get her to the infirmary.” Cyclops ordered as he grabbed a visor out of his pocket and put it on.
“Ie!” leyu screamed as she tried to tear herself away from Colossus’ arms.
“Calm down lassie.” Banshee yelled. “What is going on? What happened?”
“Sore ga kuru no! It’s coming!” Leyu scremed in a panic. “We need run before it gets here!”
“Flames what the hell are you-” Wolverine’s tirade was interrupted when an incredible force tore it’s way through the living room wall.
The demon was ten feet tall and rippling with muscle all over it’s thick body, with plated purple scales that looked more like plate armor. Blood red fur appeared patches all over its body. On it’s head lay a single eye almost the size of a humans head, above it two goat like horns laid above, wolf like ears hung at the sides of it head, a snarling nose below the eye, and below that a giant maw filled with razor sharp fangs and a snake like tongue.
A pair of bat like wings splayed out from it’s back, with a twenty foot wingspan, breaking apart the walls and ceiling around the demon, dagger like claws tipped it’s hands as cloven feet crumpled the floor below it, while an eight foot long tail whipped around it’s backside still not inside the mansion.
“What in God’s name is that?!” Kurt cried out in horror.
“God had no hand in the shatterer of souls, the slayer of men, of Kierrok the Damned!” The demon cried out in an infernal voice. “I have come for the burning woman!” He pointed towards Sunpyre as she lay in Colossus’ arms. “Thouth have awakened me before my time! For that I will have your life and soul as my plaything, yours and your allies!”
“Bigger threats have tried.” Cyclops said as he immediately hammered an optic blast into Kierrok’s chest, but that did little to even budge the demon as he charged forth.
Kierrok tried to tear Cyclops’ chest to shred’s with his claws but the X-Men’s leader dodged just in time, allowing Wolverine to leap at Kierrok and plunge his own claws into the demon’s shoulder. With a roar, Kierrok battered Wolverine off his body with his wing, sending the little man flying into Cyclops.
Kierrok once more eyed Sunpyre as she stared horrified at the demon she unleashed. “Now for my claws to taste your blood my awakener.”
“Not while I am alive, Demon!” Storm bellowed as lighting danced across her hand’s and the wind’s begin to bellow with her fury.
“I’ll join ye on that!” Banshee wailed as both he and storm fired bolts lighting and waves of sound at Kierrok, buffeting the demon, causing it to step back.
“Moira!” Xavier tried to psychically call out to his friend, but the woman didn’t seem to notice still staring at Kierrok as he begin to withstand Storm and Banshee’s attack. “Moira!” Xavier shouted, getting the woman’s attention. “Grab Leyu, the three of us will head into the panic room. Colossus!”
The Russian turned his head to Xavier as he handed Sunpyre to Moira, “Yes, Professor.”
“Something is weakening my powers, It must be Kierrok!” Xavier said a heavy glaze begin piercing his mind. “I won’t be able to-”
“AAHHHHH!” Storm cried as Kierrok whipped his tail at her sending the woman flying back into a wall.
“Ororo!” Banshee cried before Kierrok delivered a fist into his jaw, breaking it as he slammed into the floor. Kierrok stood above Banshee, raising one of his cloven hooves ready to squash the skull of the man underneath him.
“Your death will be quick wailing one. You may thank me for the kindness!” Kierrok roared as he sent his hoof down, but before it could crush Banshee’s head like a gourd, Colossus tackled right into the demon’s chest, sending the two of them onto the floor below.
“He will thank you for nothing, Monster!” Colossus cried as Kierrok pushed him off his body. “You wish to kill my friends, But I will not allow it!” He cried as he delivered a right fist to the face of Kierrok, breaking the nose and teeth of the demon with the blow before firing his left into the demon’s stomach sending Kierrok flying back into a nearby wall.
Bursting from the rubble of the remains of the wall and furniture behind it he had collapsed on, Kierrok roared out. “You worthless animals believe you can defeat me? Such fools!” He rose to his hooves and grabbed a piece of debris. “I am your master human’s!” He threw the debris at Colossus with all his might before charging at the man. “Remember it as I devouter your souls!” Kierrok slammed into Colossus sending him flying back into another wall, Colossus failing to rise from the rubble.
“Fall! Fall!” Kierrok roared at Colossus prone body. “Fight against as much as you can, delay the inevitable as much as you want! You can never defeat me!”
Just then the familiar scent of brimstone filled Kierrok’s nostrils, mixing with blood, as a cloud of smoke bamfed behind his head.
“Perhaps not Demon!” Nightcrawler shouted as he swiped his own claws onto Kierrok’s face as he clung onto his back. “But we can all die trying!”
“Worthless demonite!” Kierrok growled as he grasped onto Nightcrawler, ripping him from his back and sending him flying. A flight that changed course as Nightcrawler bamfed midway through, and appeared to the left side of Kierrok’s head, delivering a powerful kick, aided by Kierrok’s own throw.
In a fury, Kierrok whipped his tail at Nightcrawler, the tip of it colliding with his ribs just before he bamfed once more a few feet away from Kierrok, the impact of the blow shooting him straight to the floor. Nightcrawler gasped out as he tried to catch his breath but Kierrok roared again and charged at the acrobat but was stopped an animalistic growl ripped out from Wolverine’s lungs as he once more plunged his claws into Kierrok’s back.
As Kierrok yelped in pain as he felt Wolverine’s knuckles hit his back. With great effort, Kierrok grabbed Wolverine by the ankle and ripped him from his body and threw him like the rest of the X-Men, but this time Wolverine plunged his claws into the floor below stopping his flight completely.
With another feral snarl, Wolverine leapt at Kierrok, slashing one of his claws against the demon’s stomach, disemboweling it with the blow. As Kierrok screamed in pain, Wolverine continued mauling against it’s chest, tearing at it with his claws, ripping chunks flesh and entrails out of Kierrok as blood splattered over his body for over a minute until finally Wolverine was unable to continue his assault.
When it was over, Wolverine looked over the carnage he had made, Kierrok was lying motionless his face frozen in a horrified scream. His chest cavity had sliced apart and nearly every organ inside had been cut to ribbons as demon’s vile blood pored onto the floor below him.
Wolverine shot a head to everyone else, one by one they were all picking themselves up before quickly being horrified by what Wolverine had done to their enemy. He looked to Xavier, the man was sitting in a corner of the living room just as horrified as the others, having been able to escape to panic room due to the battle. Moira stood next to him, a disgusted expression her face, Leyu laid in her arm’s almost nonplussed thanks to whatever Kierrok had done to her before she was beaten into the mansion.
“Years of therapy, hypnotism, drugs, even prayin’.” Wolverine said as he eyed Xavier, “An I still act like an animal. Charlie you got your work cut out for ya if want to put a collar on me, because if I have to face off against trash like this!” Wolverine pointed to Kierrok’s corpse. “Then maybe I’ll keep myself untamed.”
“Logan…I-” Xavier started.
“He’s not dead.” Leyu said.
“What?” Wolverine said in disbelief. “Look at him I carved him like a-”
Wolverine stared at what should have been the corpse of Kierrok, instead of being with a chest of a chest cavity, there was blood, organ, entrails, growing from the remains of Kierrok. The demon was healing.
“…Gotta be fuckin’ kidding…” Wolverine spat.
“I’ve burnt him to ash!” Leyu said as she pulled herself off of Moira. “Watched his remains fly away in the wind, but still he just kept healing from everything I Blasted At Him!” her final word’s were punctuated as Sunpyre let out an inferno at Kierrok.
“How do we stop him then?’ Storm questioned.
“It seems I must do my part.” Xavier said, realizing that his mind was much less clouded. With the demon disemboweled, Xavier plunged into it’s mind, trying to find all that he could learn about the creature and where it came from.
Hell is where Kierrok came from. A Hell known as Limbo. A demonic plane where time has no meaning, ruled by once by a spawn of Satan before he was betrayed by his heir. Kierrok and his mate tried to take control of Limbo themselves, planning on killing their new master as King and Queen, but both were defeated. As punishment the two of them were sealed into two Cairn’s raised on earth. Waiting in torment until their mistress freed them for her eventual invasion of the mortal realm.
Xavier screams as the flood of vile information floods into his head as he collapses from his chair.
“Charles!” Moira says as she watches Kierrok rise to his feet as the remaining X-Men fire whatever they can at the demon. “Are you all right?!”
“Lord in heaven…” Charles gasps. “No…No. But that’s not important right now. Leyu!”
Sunpyre ignored the man. “Leyu!” Xavier screamed at her finally catching her attention.
“What?!” she screamed back.
“You!” Xavier wretched. “only you can stop Kierrok. You summoned by breaking his Cairn, It the only thing keeping him on the mortal plane, you must destroy it fully to send him back to Limbo! Go!” Xavier pleaded “Hurry!”
Sunpyre looked at Xavier in confusion, before it was replaced with resolve. “Hai.” She said as ignited herself and rocketed out of the remains of the mansion. Too afraid to look back at the battle between Kierrok and her allies behind her.
Off she went as fast as she could shoot her flames, faster then she had ever gone before, then she had ever tried before. A half minute later, Sunpyre reached her destination, as she hovered in the air, wreathed with her flames she stared at the Cairn she had broken. The evil that had broken forth from the Cairn did not stop at Kierrok, she noted, all the grass in a ten foot radius of it had died and withered.
Sunpyre ignited the hottest inferno she could in her hand’s before firing it off at the remains of the Cairn, not simply destroying the tower of rock, but melting it, spewing the molten rock across the forest.
Kierrok locked his hand’s around Colossus, attempting to force the metal man down so his rip his heart out with his jaws without any resistance. Just before he could please his blood lust, shadows began to form around his feet, swarming around like a school of piranha hungry for whatever fell into the water that made their mass.
“No!” Kierrok cried as he and Colossus saw the shadows pool, “No Mistress, Please No! Give me just a little more time! You will have my loyalty for your reign I plead to you, just let me have a taste of pleasure with the damned souls that wakened me!”
As Kierrok finished begging, a hand made of bone erupted from the shadow's and pulling him down, deep into the shadows below. Kierrok freed himself from Colossus grip, trying his best to beat back the skeletal hand that held him, before it pulled him into the shadows below.
Colossus, against his better judgment, looked into the shadows, to see if Kierrok had truly been defeated. For the briefest of moment’s, Piotr could see what looked like a demonic women staring back at with, for the barest second, she looked familiar to him, before the shadows disappeared in the light around them.
“Ororo!” Everyone jumped at Xavier’s word’s. “Sean! Go find Leyu, bring her back. It is over.”