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#4
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“Old Places and New Horizons” Part Four
Agua Buena, Panama
The town of Agua Buena had an ironic name. It meant ‘god water’, but there wasn’t much of it in sight. Clean water was a life-giving element essential to the comfort of society, but this town was without much of it. That fact was made even more ironic by the fact that the Pacific Ocean was only a few miles to the northeast. Fontanelle figured that the alternate version of New Sun in front of her had long ago stopped needing water.
It was odd looking at a man she had believed to be dead. Her time with her New Sun had revealed a great deal to her about alternate realities. They were as numerous as the sands on a beach and as varied as the many billons across the world. Once, she might have feared a confrontation with New Sun, but things had changed for her. Her powers were no longer limited to her dream-based telepathy; Fontanelle now possessed a new range of powers that would allow her to not be destroyed in an instant.
“Sugar Man has told me about you, Fontanelle, that you once worked for my counterpart’s vision of the world. So why do you work to hamper this one? A new world order is going to be established and you could be a part of it if you so desired,” New Sun said as he floated across the ground toward her, holding out a gentle hand. Fontanelle knew better than to trust the gesture or this New Sun’s assurances of safety. Maggots like Sugar Man did not like being resisted and he would not willingly embrace her with open arms. Besides that, she had already made a mistake serving one madman and Fontanelle had little intention of committing that same sin again.
With a wave of her hand, Fontanelle erected a purple telekinetic bubble around herself. She was still learning to get a grip on her new abilities but it felt good knowing that she had them. Finally, she had the means to stand on her own and to defend herself. “Tell your obnoxious master that no one will ever accept an order he establishes, and the other New Sun I knew would never have bowed to any man.”
Pulling his arm back, New Son launched a powerful blast of kinetic energy at Fontanelle’s shield. “You nasty little woman…I’ll make sure Sugar Man peels the flesh from your bones.”
A massive man ran up behind New Sun and punched him in the back. The kinetic barrage came to an end as the mutant was knocked unconscious by the powerful blow from the Juggernaut. New Sun looked startling similar to Remy as he rolled across the dirt. It was a testament to his power that the Juggernaut’s blow didn’t send him flying a greater distance.
Fontanelle dropped her telekinetic field. “Thank you, Cain. He could have destroyed me at any moment.”
“If he’s that powerful then you might want to take care of him.”
“You can’t be serious?” Fontanelle asked. “Isn’t the whole point of this to stop previous bad habits?”
Juggernaut leaned in closer to her. “I’m not talking about killing him. Just use that noggin of yours and make sure he stays out the fight.”
The Xavier Mansion (Two Weeks Ago)
Emma’s Office
Emma Frost pulled her white jacket a little tighter around her body and took a seat in front of Fontanelle. Gloria felt a bit more insecure than usual around the dazzling woman; everything on her was in its right place and perfectly proportioned…she was a walking, breathing symbol of beauty and Gloria envied her for it. Emma examined her with eyes full of confidence. “Do you know why you’ve been asked to be a part of this team?”
“Gambit. There really is no other explanation is there?”
Emma nodded. “You have a fork in the road in front of you, Ms. Dayne. You choose one way and you go back to the life you’re leading now. Choose the other way and you may find your existence a bit more satisfying.”
“I know the kind of work you X-Men do. I’ve seen enough of Remy’s dreams to know that. Yet too many of you end up dead for my taste.”
Something about those words sunk into Emma’s blood like they were poison. Gloria could see a vein visibly pumping in her neck. What personal button had she jut pressed? “Any X-Men that has ever died has done so knowing they fought for a great purpose.” Relaxing a bit, Emma crossed her legs. “Besides, quite a few of us have cheated death multiple times.”
“You’re not exactly selling me on the deal, Ms. Frost.”
Emma looked down at her manicured nails as if they were the most important thing in the room. “And I figured that would be the case, Ms. Dayne, so I have something else to bargain with. How would you like access to the full range of your mutant abilities?”
She had now earned Fontanelle’s attention. “And just how would that work?”
Emma smiled, having found herself another victory, however small. “All minds have barriers and doors in them, Ms. Dayne. As a dream walker, you should know that most people have urges and desires that they would never act out in public. The same goes for some mutants. Their subconscious suppresses the full breadth of their abilities. This phenomenon seems to be the most common in psionics and energy manipulators, so you would be prime candidate for what I have in mind.”
“You want to remove my barriers?”
“Yes, that would be the long and the short of it,” Emma said. “Think of your mind as a full flask, for lack of a better description. We have a possible idea what’s in that flask and that assumption is your current abilities. Now we open that flask and release its contents to find substance we never suspected was in there. That is the boon and the bane in this process. The promise of new abilities is assured but if you can handle those abilities are what is in question.”
Fontanelle heard the warning and the challenge in Emma’s words. She leaned forward in her chair and looked at her unflinchingly. “I think I would rather like to open that flask.”
Agua Buena, Panama
Angel floated above the townspeople that had been transformed into what looked like sick, twisted clones of Frankenstein. She didn’t want to think of them as dumb freaks because so many people in her own life had thought of her the same way, but they were crude in appearance and seemed to be even cruder in intelligence. The damage that Infectia had done to them was heartbreaking, even more so when she spotted kids who had been altered by her abilities. What was occurring here truly could be called a catastrophe.
Infectia, a tiny Chinese woman, looked up at her flying through the sky. “We are kin, you and I! Why do you dangle around in the air denying it? I saw how you looked upon my creations. You believe yourself superior to them and you should! We are homo superior! They are a dwindling race of cave men. Our people hold the keys to the future.”
Angel ignored Infectia’s words and coasted just low enough to the ground to spit out a glob of acid at the woman. One of Infectia’s mutated townsfolk jumped in the way of the ball and took the acid directly to the face. Angel was horrified both by the result and Infectia’s nonstop laugher. “Really, Angel, all this running is pointless. I can easily level the playing field.”
With but a snap of her fingers, grotesque bat-like wings burst out the back of every person she had mutated. Angel saw the new appendages and knew that her advantage was quickly about to evaporate. Pulling out a dagger from inside her Kevlar vest, Angel prepared herself to hack and slash away at the bulky, disproportioned people. She was absolutely determined not to die here, no matter the cost.
“You sure got a lot of mouth, lady. I don’t even know how your skinny behind knows me, but why don’t you come up here and get some.”
“And miss the chaos that Sugar Man has kindling right beneath the surface of this faux crisis? I think not, my dear Angel. My creatures will handle my lightweight. Please don’t think too badly of me when they’re tearing you apart. I’d try and offer you a way out.”
The creatures were about to start rising into the air, but they came to an abrupt stop. Angel looked at Infectia and saw a spike of purple energy poking through her chest. The tiny woman collapsed to the ground in front of John Wraith and a purple-haired woman who could have been one of the European runway’s most prominent models. She had legs and a frame to kill for in that world.
Landing in front of them, Angel looked at John with a raised eyebrow. “Who’s she?”
“Kwannon, but most know me as Revanche,” the woman said, offering Angel a handshake.
Angel took it tentatively. “Well, thanks for the help.” She pointed at Infectia’s creations. “What do we do about them?”
“If they’re anything like the creations my world’s Infectia creates, then we shouldn’t have anything to worry about,” Revanche said.
John grabbed both of their hands. “We can worry about that later, if we have time. We’ve gotta help the others.”
They were gone without a flash or bust.
The Xavier Mansion (Ten Days Ago)
Emma’s Office
Emma closed her dossier on Angel and slid it back into her desk drawer. “You’re far too beautiful a girl to be involved in strip clubs.”
Angel laughed. “Pot calling the kettle black, huh? I heard about your wild and loose days before you slept your way into the Hellfire Club. A dozen girls want to be just like you.”
“If they knew anything about my life they’d be running far away from any attempt to imitate it. I can assure you of that, darling.”
Looking at the young woman, Emma was reminded of herself as a younger person. Full of spite for everything and everyone around her and that just made Emma wonder what circumstances created the attitude. Whatever light had been in Emma was almost extinguished by the life that she chose. Despite herself, it excited Emma that she could maybe save a young woman from making the same kind of mistakes. “Gambit brought you to or attention because he wants to try and encourage you to pursue a better life.”
Angel laughed again. “I guess the keyword there is ‘try’, huh?” She crossed her legs and rested her chin on a palm. Her eyes alone were arousing. “Probably explains why he was such a bad tipper. Look, Emma, I have a life…it’s not perfect and cheery, but at the least I can say it’s mine. Here, I would just be another cog in the machine, one of Xavier’s little puppets.”
“It seems to me that you’re settling for ordinary, Ms. Salvadore, when you could be reaching for something so much more. I am hardly stupid; I can see the fire in your eyes. You want this…it’s burning inside of you.”
“I’m curious, nothing more.” Angel held up a finger. “So here’s the deal…I’ll do this little gig on a trial basis and see how I like it. But I have a condition: if somehow I end up six feet under you make sure my Dad and Grandma get taken care of. Fair enough?”
Emma knew from the woman’s file that her father and grandmother were the only two living relatives she had left besides for her sister Faith, but it didn’t seem like there was much of a relationship between the later two. “I’m sure Remy and Charles will be heartened to hear about your staying. I’ll have Clarice set up a temporary room for you.”
“Temporary? Thought I was part of some team now or something?”
Emma nodded. “You are, but your team will be stationed elsewhere. I believe Charles and Remy decided on calling it Cavern X.”
Angel’s face fell. “So you’re sticking me in a cave?”
It was Emma’s turn to laugh. “Not in the way you’re thinking, darling. I imagine you’re fancying it being some rocky little canister. Trust me the accommodations are anything but. It is quite the fashionable little pad.”
“I guess it beats the random hotel of the week.”
“Yes, I can say almost with absolute certainty that it does.”
Agua Buena, Panama
Druid’s eyes glowed like balls of flame in the height of night. They were so bright Ulysses Dragonblood half suspected that they would ignite into blazing balls that would consume Druid’s entire body. He imagined that those glowing rods had sparked fear in many a man. Druid looked less like a mutant and more like some ancient warrior mage out of a fantasy book due to the black hood that disguised most of his facial features besides for his sharp cheeks and nose.
Thick, fingerless gloves went up to Druid’s forearms and they looked like they could possibly withstand a blow from Dragonblood’s sword. A black breastplate covered his gray tunic and emblazoned on the piece of armor was a red owl with three black eyes. His boots looked as thick as his gloves and were tied to spiked kneepads. White runic marking were etched all across gloves and boots. Dragonblood imagined they were meant to exalt and activate powers from some dark, ancient deity.
Dragonblood brought out his long sword and held it out in front of him. “What sort of world do you come from, mutant?”
Druid seemed taken aback by the use of the word mutant, probably because he had assumed that Dragonblood as one himself. In actuality, he was part of the ancient race known as the Deviants. They were created by the might Celestials and served as the counterpart to the race known as the Eternals. Mutual hatred had inflamed many conflicts between the two races over the millennia, and those conflicts inspired Dragonblood to be the warrior that he was today.
“My world’s a horror that you could not imagine. You should consider yourself blessed to be from such a kind place.”
Dragonblood was completely insulted by the emasculating comment. It energized his warrior’s sprit. This man obviously knew nothing of the long history of wars that had spilled blood all across this planet. He knew nothing of the ghastly deeds committed by one race against another. “Your comments about his world are false!”
Druid dug his feet into the rich, jungle ground of Panama and two blades popped out from underneath his wrists like fangs ready for blood. He seemed emboldened by Dragonblood’s indignation. “Then come and show me the ferocity of your world.”
Snow Valley (One week Ago)
Domino was here to greet Ulysses and Arcadia along with Storm and Detonator. Having had the most experience with Ulysses and Arcadia, Domino was going to be on the lad on this double recruitment effort. Ulysses had already agreed to the proposal on paper but feelings could have changed on the many miles to get here. It was her job to make sure the deal went through. As they waited in the campus’ long driveway, Domino turned to the other two with her and said, “Let me handle all the talking here. Ulysses is a bit of a paranoid and too many new voices might make him bail.”
Storm nodded. “Charles already informed us to let you handle this matter however you see fit.”
“Good, glad for the confidence.” Domo could hear Ulysses’ motorcycle before she actually saw it start to pull up into the driveway. It roared and shot smoke into the sky to harass the air. Environmentalists probably cried for justice his whole trip here. She waited until the Deviant and his passenger were properly off the bike and had their helmets removed before approaching.
Ulysses grinned with a mouth full of jagged teeth. “So this is the home of the famous and mighty X-Men.”
“One of our homes, Ulysses, but this is the campus Arcadia would be staying on,” Domino said. She could tell by Arcadia’s nervous glance to Ulysses that she wasn’t entirely sold on her impending role as Junior Staff. “This place could really use you, Arcadia. The kids don’t exactly have anyone close to their age.”
Ulysses laughed and wrapped an arm around the much shorter Arcadia. “Yes, you could do a great deal about enlivening this idle place.”
Domino smiled. “I’m sure she could. Are you ready to see your room?
Arcadia gave Ulysses one last big hug and said, “You better come and visit me.”
“I wouldn’t dream of not, but don’t miss me too much. You have good work ahead of you and I’ll know you’ll shine at it.”
Looking to Domino, Arcadia picked p her book bag and said, “I’m ready.”
“Then I’ll take you, child; I do believe Domino still needs to speak with Ulysses,” Storm said, taking the book bag from Arcadia. “You’ve traveled long enough with that burden. My name is Ororo, by the way. Domino and Dani told me you have quit the fierce spirit.”
Arcadia’s eyes lit up. “Is Dani around? I’d love to catch up.”
Storm gave a warm, mother sly smile as they started to walk away. “She said she was coming by in a few hours. She expressed quite a bit of jubilee at hearing you were coming to stay with us.”
Domino waited until they were out of hearing distance. She saw that Ulysses was still watching Arcadia. “She’s going to be fine, you know?”
“I know. It’s just that I’ve looked after her for so long, it’s hard to imagine not having her at my side.”
“She’ll be close. Besides, you’re part of the X-Men and we don’t stay far away from each other for long. I like to think it’s a bit of good karma that brought the two of you to us. You both deserve this.”
Ulysses looked down at her with s light smirk. “Wouldn’t that be in luck, in your case?”
Domino shrugged. “Luck, karma…all the same to me.”
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To Be Continued...
Next: In Dark X-Men #5: Now that you know the team, things are really about to be set into motion. Sugar Man beings in full force his plan to reshape the world. Will the Dark X-Men be able to stop him?
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