Explosive Combination: Parts 9-10

by Verthril

Chapter Nine : Coffee With Jahf

The X-men gathered around the Crystal, looking at it in disbelief. Many years ago the senior members had ventured forth inside the depths of the Crystal when a crack appeared. The Phoenix forced had repaired that crack before the Crystal could have devoured all. Now once more others had ventured forth into the Crystal, yet this time, no crack was there to be the entrance.

・I must say the growth of the Crystal itself is rather remarkable, yet in the same instance it can entirely mundane with the dimensions the crystal reflects. Infinite refraction is possible, while too an entire galaxy rests inside it.・ Hank mused as he looked over the crystal, finding the ratio of the facets of the crystal identical to the last time.

・So, let me guess, all that techno-babble means yer impressed with the ol・ hunk of rock yet don・t know a damn thing about how they got in, or how to get them out?・ Logan inquired as he leaned against the edge of the crystal smoking a cigar.

・I am afraid so my feral cohort. I am entirely at a loss for how this might have happened.・ Hank replied as he ran a clawed hand over the facet where their guests were supposed to have vanished into.

・Well, if that Jahf character is still kicking around in there, I bet that those two probably are at just as much a loss as ya are.・ Logan remarked as he got up and left Hank to his investigation.

On the bridge of the ship, Charles sat with Lilandra as they watched the Shi・ar throne-world near on the view screen. Scott stood next to them, lost to the eternal struggle with finding the flaws with the last mission, and pondering contingencies for the next. Bishop sat at the weapons console, learning about the Shi・ar weaponry incase any future fights lay upon the horizon, while the others had taken to the recreational area of the ship. Suddenly the swish of a door announced the arrival of Logan.

・Hank ain・t got no clue about that hunk o・ rock, and I・m about ready to say we just hit it with something big and hope it cracks again.・ Logan growled as he walked over to Scott.

Scott looked down to the shorter man and gave a nod of recognition before returning his gaze back to the view screen.

・Perhaps the scientists on the Shi・ar Throne-world might be able to find a way, it is their crystal after all.・ Scott remarked.

・It・s everyone・s crystal bub, nexus of all realities. Betcha there・s a universe out there that ain・t even heard o・ the Shi・ar.・ Logan remarked as he chewed on his cigar.

・While you may be right Logan, in this Universe they have guarded the crystal for longer than Humanity has been around. I think they know what they・re doing.・ Scott remarked.

・Oh? Then why is it that this is the second time that we know of when they needed our help with the damn thing eh?・ Logan asked as he looked up to Scott.

Scott merely shrugged as he watched the view screen. Suddenly the red alert came to life as the lights dropped to a flashing red hue, while an annoying siren rang out. The X-men jumped to the stations they had been assigned, and Bishop looked quite eager to test out the might of the weapons onboard the Shi・ar flagship. Lilandra looked to the first officer of the ship, who was furiously typing away at a sensors console. While he was doing so, the other X-men joined them on the bridge.

・It is Deathbird・s ship! I thought she was killed!・ The officer remarked as he identified the ship attacking them, when suddenly several more dropped out of wormholes.

・Seven more ships just dropped out of Quantum-space, they・re charging weapons!・ The officer called out.

・Shields at 78% from that hit, Deathbird was aiming for the deck with our Shield generator, it was damaged and is not at full capacity any longer. A direct hit by those ships might destroy us!・ An alien at the damage console reported.

・Helmsman, evasive maneuvers. Bishop, I hope your as good with this ships weapons as you are with your own, send back return fire at your will. Send out a distress call, we need the Throne-world fleet to our aid!・ Lilandra cried out as she took to standing, the focal point of activity on the bridge.

As the ship lurched away from the pursuing vessels, Bishop had let out a string of magnetic mines in the ships wake. As the mines attached to the magnetic fields of the ships, they drew in closer until they detonated, crippling two vessels, but leaving six more on their tail.

・They・re firing Empress! All hands brace for impact!・ The helmsman called as the crew grabbed a hold on anything to steady them.

Moments after, a blast rocked the ship, sending sparks flying from consoles and static on the view screen.

・Shields are at 8% Empress, the generators are struggling to stay up, but there is no way they will survive another volley from that many vessels. What is your command?・ The helmsman asked as he steered the ship away from laser fire.

・Turn about and head straight for them, all power to frontal shields. Bishop, open fire with everything we have. Phoenix, it might be taxing, but any aid you can supply with your telekinetic ability would be greatly appreciated.・ Lilandra called out in vain a moment before another volley was sent at the ship, crippling it.

Suddenly from the bridge, Xavier vanished in a transport energy signature, while a frantic cry came over the comlink stating that the M,Kraan Crystal had just vanished.

A look of dread fell over Lilandra・s face as she looked to the X-men and her crew. Crewmen burst into an explosion of activity as they worked to repair the ship, fearful at any moment they would be destroyed.

・They・re・leaving.・ The helmsman called out in disbelief.

・Empress Lilandra, is all well with your vessel?・ A voice asked over the ships transmitter picked up a transmission from the Throne-world fleet.

・All is not well. My sister has taken my consort and the M,Kraan crystal!・ Empress Lilandra called out.

・They have gone into Quantum-space and are masking their signature, I am afraid we cannot track them.・ The voice replied in a sad tone.

・Very well. Tow our ship to the Throne-world, we shall have to decide upon our course there.・ Lilandra replied in defeat.





While inside the Crystal, all that had gone on about it had passed in the time inside taken for Jubilee to stir her cappuccino. Remy was just taking his seat and getting a light from Jahf, needing nicotine to calm his nerves after finding himself inside a crystal which on the outside took up enough space for a tank, yet on the inside appeared to be infinite.

・So, who are you?・ Jubilee asked as she looked to Jahf.

・I am Jahf, blessed and cursed with being the guardian of the crystal.・ Jahf remarked as he took a sip of his coffee after resting his cigar in an ashtray.

・Guardian of the Crystal?・ Jubilee asked.

・Yes, I take care of the place. Get to see everything that is going on too. Like right now while you just decided to stir your coffee, Charles Xavier has been kidnapped along with the crystal by Deathbird.・ Jahf remarked as he pulled up a view of the events.

・Wait. Oh no. Crud. Growl.・ Jubilee grumbled as she looked to the play of events.

・You guessed it kiddo. And I hate reruns, but I can・t do anything. Right now Deathbird is rocketing across Quantum space to get Xavier to control the fate of that battle that cost Deathbird the Empire.・ Jahf remarked as he looked to the events.

・De Professor? He won・t do anyt・ing o・ de sort. He would let dem kill him before he would let dat happen. He is an idealist. Stubborn.・ Remy remarked as he leaned back in his chair.

・You seem to know the man well for having just met him.・ Jahf remarked with a wry grin.

・Met him oui, but Remy follow de news. He kept tabs on de man who played at being human, yet was a Mutant hiding in plain sight. Dat man isn・t going to let de lives of billions fall wit・out his own life first.・ Remy remarked as he revealed the truth of his observation of Xavier.

・Indeed. But the Skrull who is going to copy him along with his abilities has no qualms about billions dying so long as in return the Skrull race gets acceptance into Deathbird・s new Empire.・ Jahf remarked.

・We have to stop them!・ Jubilee yelled as she watched the view vanish.

・It・s already too late. It・s done. But that・s not to say there isn・t help waiting for you on the other side. That chronological anomaly Bishop remembers this fateful mission and your part in it. Just like the last time. He spent twenty years in a world where Xavier had been killed and Apocalypse rose to power over the world.・ Jahf explained as he showed a view of the death of Xavier by the misguided hand of his own son.

・How do we fix dis all?・ Remy asked.

・Travel back in time and stop it all from happening? As much as I hate reruns, that is about the only way I can think of it. The reality that held Deathbird affecting the past has become no more. You can only stop what was changed now, fight against her and let Lilandra prevail to the throne. If you wait a few more minutes, you should arrive at the proper time when Bishop has recreated a time machine to do so.・ Jahf remarked as he pulled out a pocket watch from seemingly nowhere and let it sway like a pendulum.

・So, how do we get out of here?・ Remy asked.

・As your not taking a piece of the crystal this time round, you don・t need to leave any fair trades behind. I・d suggest using the Exit.・ Jahf said with a chuckle as suddenly behind the pair a door with the letters ・W.C・ on it appeared.

・A water closet?・ Jubilee asked.

・Dat be more den a water closet P・tite, trust Remy on dis one. Just tell us when Jahf, my thanks for the hospitality.・ Remy said as he rose to his feet, pulling Jubilee to his side as he opened the door that housed a whirling vortex.

・Stop by anytime Remy, I enjoy your company.・ Jahf said as he watched the watch.

・Well, goodbye and bon voyage, get your butts through that door!・ Jahf yelled at the last swing of the pocket watch.

As the pair leapt through the water closet, Jubilee let a scream ring out over the vastness that they were traveling through, while Remy held her tight to his side as they tumbled. Finally at the end of the vortex, a flash of light signaled their arrival as they fell out into a field behind a warehouse.

・Ow. Remind me to thank that guy for the warning next time.・ Jubilee remarked as she rubbed her head.

・Eh? Remy hope der not be a next time P・tite. Now, where are we?・ Remy remarked as he looked about the desolate field and up to the night sky.

・Merde.・ Remy whispered as he looked up to the sky with a white-faced expression.

Jubilee looked up and let out a stifled gasp. A massive ring ran across the night sky, one that had not been there when they last checked. Lights soared all about the night sky, possibly satellites or starships docking with the massive ring running about the earth. Suddenly their awe was halted as the whine of a plasma pistol could be heard directly from behind them. As they turned, they saw the face of Bishop, aged some ten years since they last recalled, but still as rugged and strong as ever.

・Hey Terminator, ya want to point that thing at something else less someone gets hurt?・ Jubilee asked with a wry grin on her face, charging up her paffs.

Bishop stood frozen in place as he looked at them, fighting against the confusion of yet another timeline fighting in his mind.

・It be us Bishop. We were in de M,Kraan Crystal when it all happened. Jahf sent us to help set t・ings right.・ Remy explained slowly, taking a step away from the man holding a plasma pistol aimed at his head.

・Jahf?・ Bishop asked flatly.

・De Guardian of de M,Kraan Crystal.・ Remy explained.

・To help?・ Bishop asked.

・Oui, he said you ・ad a time machine or somet・ing. Dat you were going to set t・ings right. We be here to help.・ Remy remarked, as he looked Bishop dead in the eyes, calling his hand.

Bishop stared squarely into Remy・s demon eyes, trying to find reason for all that had happened since that failed mission. As the whine of the charge fizzled away and the barrel dimmed, Remy knew that he believed them. Bishop holstered the pistol and waved them on.

・I still need a power source for this thing, and that can only be gained at the Shi・ar stockyards in what is left of Manhattan. I don・t know what it is with villains, but they lave turning that island into anything but the city it was.・ Bishop remarked with rare humor as he led them into the warehouse.

・Eh? You be talking to de best thieves on dis side o・ de galaxy. You need anyt・ing stolen, you talk to us.・ Remy remarked with a grin.

・I thought you were the best thieves on Earth.・ Bishop stated.

・Dat was until we stole de M,Kraan Crystal homme.・ Remy corrected.

・I thought you got sucked into it and vanished for twelve years.・ Bishop remarked as he led them into a small sitting room, the walls covered in various weapons from the ages and from across the galaxy.

・A momentary obstacle, we going ta get dat crystal for de lady friend of Xavier, you trust Remy on dat one. If we set all dis right, Deathbird is still going to steal it and try de whole t・ing over again.・ Remy remarked as he watched a light of recognition flare in Bishops faded eyes.

・What? You・re going to beat her to it or something?・ Bishop asked with disbelief in his voice.

・Oui.・ Remy said with a mad grin on his face.

Bishop merely shrugged as he pulled out plans of the stockyard from a cabinet and sat down before a battered coffee table. Unfurling the map, he tacked down the edges with various conventional rounds of ammunition.

・There is a scan for life-forms every twenty cycles, a cycle being the time it takes for the next orbital thrust of the station resting around the Earth to get the station back in proper orbit. This was Deathbird・s revenge on the Earth for the X-men・s interference. The tides of the planet went off the scales, destroying much of the coastlines of the earth, while massive ecological damage happened. Weather patterns changed too. Cities held by the Shi・ar were protected though, like New York, Toronto, Tokyo, and many other of the worlds leading cities. They wished to take the peak of civilization away from Humanity.・ Bishop explained as he let out a sigh.

・Well, don・t worry, we・re gonna make sure that I・ve got all the best places to shop when we get back from this mission big guy.・ Jubilee said as she gave Bishop a reassuring pat on the hand.

・Indeed. Anyways, I will need a fusion reactor from one of the shuttles used to travel to the space station from the surface. You will need to bring the entire vessel here, and I have a cloaking device for it to jam any forms of tracking the Shi・ar have. With that I shall be able to power this time machine of Forge・s design and we can set history back on the proper track.・ Bishop explained as he pointed to an area on the map marked ・Shuttle Storage・.

・Now, I am afraid that there is no way you can travel to the stockyard on any way other than foot. With the respective skill and prowess either of you possess, you will be able to elude any tracking.・ Bishop said as he pulled out another map from an end table and handed it to them.

・That will lead you to the stockyard. I was going to make the journey myself, though with you two here now, it would be rather pointless. I shall remain here and hold the fort while you two get the power source.・ Bishop said as he let out a weary sigh.

・K, so where is this stealth device thing for the shuttle?・ Jubilee asked.

・Your sitting on it.・ Bishop remarked as he looked to the backpack she had taken to using as a cushion on the crate she had seated herself on.

・Oh. Sorry dude.・ Jubilee remarked as she stood up and checked on the cloaking device.

・So, how long you t・ink it take us to get der and back?・ Remy asked.

・I would wager two and a half hours.・ Bishop remarked.

・Eh? You want to put a wager on dat?・ Remy said with a wry grin.

・You do it in any less and I・ll pay your bar tab when we get back to our proper timeline and back to Westchester.・ Bishop said as he cracked a grin.

Remy reached across and shook the older man・s hand a moment before he stood up and joined Jubilee. Jubilee threw the backpack over her shoulder as the two left, leaving Bishop to keep things on the home front safe. As they exited the warehouse, Jubilee pulled out a compass and got her sense of direction while Remy looked over the map.

・It say we should travel due north ・till we see somet・ing dat looks like a giant squid head coming outta de horizon.・ Remy remarked as he looked to Jubilee, who seemed to be transfixed by something.

・Hey Remy, what・s about the size of a two story building, has lotsa teeth, and something between dog breath and raw sewage for it・s body odor?・ Jubilee asked in a meek voice.

・Eh? Oh merde.・ Remy said as he looked up, recalling the last time Jubilee spoke in a riddle.

Before them stood an odd beast standing upright and wearing a uniform of Imperial design. In his clawed hands a massive plasma rifle sat, and over his eyes a red visor rested.

・Submit to the Imperial Forces of Deathbird or be destroyed as Traitors to the Empire.・ The beast growled out as it stared at the two.

・P・tite, you got any ideas?・ Remy asked as he looked to her.

・Yeah, team up on this mofo and I don・t mean by throwing punches!・ Jubilee screamed as she threw plasma at the beast, while Remy dropped to the earth and grabbed a rock, charging it.

・P・tite, I hope you didn・t make does too strong as I don t・ink we want de entire Imperial forces looking for us!・ Remy yelled as he threw the charged rock at the beast.

At the last second Jubilee took a degree of control over her plasmoids she never used before, creating a spiraling vortex of them as she had them trail the rock. As the rock exploded on the beast, she willed them to form a makeshift sphere around the beast, shaping the explosion to direct the brunt of the explosion inwards. The excess of the blast knocked the two thieves to the ground, but as they rose to their feet, the beast lay unconscious on the ground, with it・s breathing ragged.

・Nice work P・tite.・ Remy said as he pulled Jubilee into a hug.

・Thanks Gumbo, now lets get going. We got a shuttle to steal and I・m calling captain・s chair.・ Jubilee said with an evil look in her eyes.





The pair ran the rest of the way, making it to the stockyards in half an hour. As they looked to the massive wall before them, Jubilee let out a sigh.

・So, how do we scale that thing? It looks like polished steel with no grips. And I don・t see a door anywhere around on this side.・ Jubilee remarked as she looked at it.

・P・tite, Remy wants you to concentrate real hard. De way you make your sparks is by detonating de air around your hands. I want you to detonate a hole in dat wall.・ Remy asked in a serious tone as he looked to Jubilee.

・Your kidding right? Who told you that? Doctor Blue?・ Jubilee asked only to receive a nod.

・Remind me to shave him when we get his furred hide back. I have enough trouble trying to control the damn things when I get mad, as I・m sure that street in Paris found out. Now your trying to have me do something I didn・t even know I was doing for the last six years?・ Jubilee said as she looked to Remy.

・Oui, it be de only way in P・tite. C・mon girl, Remy know you can do it if you put dat mind of yours to it.・ Remy whispered as he drew closer to her and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

・Sure, just blow up the wall. Like I did when I didn・t even know what happened in Paris? Like I could have killed you Remy! You want me to try that again when I don・t even know what I・m doing!・ Jubilee cried out as she took a few anger-ridden steps away.

・C・mon P・tite. It be dey only way in so dat we can help Bishop set dis right. Look around; dis isn・t a place worth livin・. T・ink of de billions of lives destroyed by dat madwoman Deathbird. We gotta do somet・ing about it; we gotta t・ink about someone other den ourselves for once. Dats all we been doing since life dealt us de slush hands.・ Remy said as he drew closer to Jubilee and pulled her into a hug.

Jubilee looked up to him with tear-ridden eyes, confusion drifting about in their sapphire depths.

・Remy, I don・t want to loose you. I have no idea what I・m doing and if I loose control I might kill you, I couldn・t live with that.・ Jubilee whispered in a meek voice.

・Shh P・tite. Remy trust you. Remy trusted you wit his life since de day he met you. I know you can do dis girl. De X-men are countin・ on us, and so is de rest of de world. Dey might not know it, but we can・t fail dem now.・ Remy whispered as he brought his head down to her level.

・I・m scared Remy.・ Jubilee whispered in a broken voice.

・It・s alright to be scared P・tite. We got thrown inta somet・ing we never wanted to be thrown inta. But if we didn・t, den we would have been here when all dis came down, and we wouldn・t be here right now with de way to set t・ings straight.・ Remy whispered and he hugged Jubilee tightly.

Jubilee took a calming breath and stepped towards the wall, pulling free from Remy・s hug. She sat down and got into a cross-legged position while she began to take even breaths. Remy watched as Jubilee meditated the way she did before a heist, ensuring that her stealth-power was working to the utmost degree. Her mental shields never faltered, but occasionally she might slip up for technological detection.

Jubilee slowly called on her power, though instead of filling herself with the emotional charge that seemed to strengthen them, she let herself become calm and serene as she focused on where the plasma came from. After several minutes it was as if she could feel the air around her, beyond that of the breeze that blew across the fields. She then probed further, until she felt the cold metal of the wall. It was an obstruction, but it was as the air was, at her whim. She tried to force her powers to extend to the wall, but could only hear the odd sputter of sparks near her, and the flashes of light as plasmoids came into existence. She needed the strength she had dared not call upon.

She forced the memories of the wrongs of her life to come to her, passing before her eyes while the shouts flickered in the background. The death of her parents, the shuttling from foster home to orphanage that never seemed to end, the way she had to fight for any respect on the street, to be treated as anything beyond some mere child. It never seemed to end, and she just wanted to scream. Just as she was about to, a face appeared before her and she knew it was Remy・s. A look of concern was in his eyes as he stared into her sapphire ones. She drew back to reality and saw that the wall before her was glowing, shifting through the colours of the rainbow as raw plasma had replaced the metal of the wall. With a gesture she sent the plasma out to the field where it vanished in a fizzle of sparkles.

・Remy knew you could do it P・tite.・ Remy whispered as he pulled her to her feet and let her through the hole.

・Just・don・t make me do that again anytime soon. Tiring.・ Jubilee sputtered as she leaned into Remy as the walked through the stockyard.

・Remy promise.・ He whispered back as he wrapped an arm about her to better support her tired form.

After several more minutes they found the unguarded shuttles, and with the aid of their thieving skills and Jubilee・s own natural affinity for technology, they were able to bypass the lockout on the controls. With the cloaking device enabled, they flew the shuttle out and arrived back at Bishops, who had opened the landing area of the warehouse.

・Nice garage door opener ya got der Bishop.・ Remy said as he exited the shuttle with Jubilee in tow.

・This factory used to be a shuttle factory, is why I chose it, along with its proximity to the stockyard. Now we haven・t a moment to waste.・ Bishop remarked as he attacked a power cable to the engine of the shuttle.

・What time you got Bishop?・ Remy asked.

・Time enough that I・ll owe you a night of drinking if we pull this off.・ Bishop said as he waved them to follow.

He led them to a large room with a platform in the middle. A hazy aura was beginning to fill the center of the room, while the machinery sparkled and shined with alien technology.

・Ok, the portal shall be ready in one minute, one way ticket. We either do this or we die, as there is no coming back. I・ve got a small nuclear device on this end to vaporize this place.・ Bishop remarked gravely as he worked a console.

The two thieves looked to one another, taking a calming breath each as the prepared for whatever it was that waited for them on the other side, death or glory, salvation for humanity or three more tombstones to sit atop a lonely hillside. Whatever it was, it was better than living where they now found themselves, on a conquered world ravaged by the Shi・ar.

  Chapter Ten : Wheels Within Wheels


・We ready to do dis mon ami?・ Remy asked as he cast a glance to Bishop.

・The power levels are at their maximum and the coordinates are set. We are ready, I just have to set the nuclear device so that the facility shall be destroyed lest the Shi・ar follow us and prevent our actions.・ Bishop remarked as he walked over to a small suitcase on a table.

As he reached it, a sudden explosion rocked the building. Dust and debris fell from the ceiling while old beams fell down. Remy and Jubilee dodged the falling beams, while Bishop blasted them away with biocharges.

・What was that?・ Jubilee asked as she rose.

・Imperial Traitors, Surrender or be destroyed!・ A voice called out from outside the building.

・Go now! You must! I shall stay here and detonate the bomb manually! You must prevail or all is lost!・ Bishop yelled as he threw a backpack to Remy.

・You・re not coming with us?・ Jubilee asked.

・I have to ensure that the bomb goes off with no interference, the timer cannot be changed now. I will have to hold them off for the minute of the countdown. If I can manage to get to the portal in time I shall, but go now!・ Bishop explained as he took up guard around the bomb.

・C・mon P・tite! We got to go now! Dis be de only chance to set t・ings right!・ Remy said as he tugged on Jubilee・s arm and pulled her through the aura.

・I hate this part!・ Jubilee screamed while her voice carried across the void of time and space, distorted and drawn out as the pair fell.





Meanwhile the X-men found themselves trapped by Deathbird in a horrific realm where tendrils of intelligent plant life confined them. No matter what effort they exerted, the vines held tight or healed just as quickly as they were cut.

・Kythri・s Bloody Claws?・ Deathbird screamed as a glowing portal opened up before the vinery.

Jubilee and Remy tumbled out and flipped to their feet, looking about and finding their bearings. While none recognized them, they all too well recognized many who were lying imprisoned and complacent.

・Yo Remy, isn・t that the bird brained biatch we・re here to stop?・ Jubilee asked as she threw a bolt of focused plasmoids at Deathbird, sending her flying back.

・Oui P・tite, but I t・ink we be in over our head!・ Remy yelled as Deathbird leapt to her feet and drew her spear.

・Interfering youngling and you hairless ape! You shall die!・ Deathbird screamed as she charged.

Jubilee and Remy both drew their Bo staffs and with a twirl, had them extended and ready. Deathbird struck at Remy with her talons, causing Remy to flip back to avoid the hit, while slashing away at Jubilee with the spear.

・Argh! That・s it!・ Jubilee screamed as the spear ran down her calf, drawing a gash in its stead.

Jubilee spun around on her good leg and slammed the end of the Bo staff into Deathbird・s head, sending the present Empress tumbling. As she spun the staff around, plasmoids danced around the shaft of it and focused at the end. With impact into Deathbird・s chest she detonated them, adding to the damage.

Stumbling away, Jubilee pulled closer to Logan who was stretching against his bonds.

・Ya miss us furball?・ Jubilee asked as she paffed the vine, breaking it and freeing Logan.

・Don・t know who ya are kid, as I・d recognize yer scent if I had met ya before.・ Logan remarked as he lunged at Deathbird.

The Empress stumbled to her feet only to be attacked by Logan. As he slashed at her, she grabbed his arm and threw him into a wall with her superior strength. With the distraction Remy threw a fistful of charged throwing knives from a waist sheath he had found in the backpack Bishop had given them. The Empress stumbled back from the attack and fled.

・You two free the rest, I・m going after Deathbird!・ Logan yelled as he ran after the fleeing Empress.

Remy and Jubilee looked to one another and shrugged, quickly freeing the other・s and severely wishing they had even the faintest idea of what was going on. Just as they took to freeing the X-men, an odd band of rogues burst into the room and raised their weapons to them.

・Surrender Imperial Dogs!・ A large green, amphibious man snarled out.

The pairs response was to throw plasma and charged cards at the band of rogues, sending them flying back down the hall they came from, while the X-men stared at them in shock.

・I ・ear de words ・Surrender・ and ・Imperial・ in one more sentence and Remy is going to charge de whole freaking place!・ Remy yelled back down the hall while Jubilee started to free the shocked X-men.

・Hey Remy, I don・t see Skunky here, or any of the other guys.・ Jubilee said as she freed the last X-man with a burst of plasma.

Suddenly from the corridor a team of Imperial guards approached, lead by Gladiator. From the other hall the Starjammers were slowly beginning to stir once more, while in the middle of it all the X-men and their future allies stood their ground.

・Hey Remy, I think I heard that guy yell ・Surrender Imperial Traitors・.・ Jubilee remarked with a feral grin as she looked to Remy, his gaze cold.

・P・tite, what say we show dem dat was no idle threat, non?・ Remy remarked as he pulled a fistful of daggers and began to charge them while Jubilee took to filling the corridor full of plasmoids of varying intensity.

・I would ask you to Surrender, homme! De P・tite just filled de hall you are in with plasmoids dat don react well with dese daggers. You wanna test your luck, non?・ Remy yelled down the corridor.

・We are the Imperial Guards of the Shi・ar Empire! We do not take to threats! In the name of the Empress Attack!・ Gladiator yelled back as the mob approached.

・I warned dem, non?・ Remy said with a sigh as he sent the blades flying.

・I would say get down now!・ Remy yelled as he tackled Jubilee and covered her from the blast, while the other X-men followed suit.

As the first blade struck an errant plasmoids, the devastating chain reaction began where the plasma broke down and began reaching out and detonating whatever molecules it could reach. The energy created ripped through the hallway and into the vinery, twisting the support beams of the ship. As the dust settled, Jubilee and Remy rose to their feet and looked down the hall, finding the Imperial guards unconscious. The X-men joined them and looked down the hallway, letting out shocked gasps.

・By the goddess・・ Storm whispered as she looked down.

・Ach, ye took out the entire Imperial guard with one attack・・ Sean exclaimed as he took a step closer.

From behind the Starjammers and their guest slowly arrived and looked down the hallway. They were more than impressed, but quickly moved to subdue the guards. Suddenly a pain gripped snarl echoed throughout the ship, and the X-men and their future guests took off running to find out what it was. Remy and Jubilee fell behind by about ten paces.

・Hey Remy, Bish didn・t make it・・ Jubilee whispered as she looked up to him, sadness evident in her eyes.

・I know P・tite. But not・ing else came through too. He did what he had to. Now we do what we ・ave to, non? For Bishop and all de others.・ Remy whispered back, taking Jubilee・s hand in his own and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Jubilee let a silent prayer to the fates above, promising that she wouldn・t fail him and all the others on this. Remy had been more than right she now realized, that they had been only thinking of themselves this entire time. She had imagined what the outcome might have been if there had been any hero・s that night when her parents had been senselessly killed. Remy could feel her grip growing weak in his hand and looked down to find his ・P・tite・ with tears in her eyes. Stopping, he pulled her to his chest and looked down into her glistening sapphire eyes.

・What de matter P・tite?・ Remy asked as he brushed an errant strand of hair from her eyes.

・I・I was just thinking what you said back there at the wall. How we・ve been only thinking about ourselves this entire time because we got dealt slush hands. I mean・I never wanted to be a hero or anything when all this started. Just wanted to get that hunk of rock to prove that you and I were the best damn thieves Earth had. But・somewhere in between・it hit the fan, big time.・ Jubilee whispered as she looked up to Remy, a single tear spilling from the sapphire depths of her eyes.

Remy looked down to her and brushed away the tear with a gentle brush of his thumb as he cradled her face in his hands. Reaching down and giving Jubilee a kiss on the forehead, he looked back into her eyes.

・I know P・tite. Remy wanted de same t・ing when all dis started. But den de stakes of de game changed. Rules changed, heck girl, we changed. It opened our eyes to all de t・ings going on around us dat we could ・ave helped. Now be de time to pay up t・ose debts, non?・ Remy whispered as he looked down to Jubilee.

Jubilee hugged Remy and took a step back, taking in a calming breath as she looked around, finding the hallway empty. Casting a glance ahead, she cold see a group of people nearing, with someone held carefully in their arms. As the group of X-men approached, they could see that it was Logan who was carried in the arms, with no sigh of Deathbird anywhere.

・What ・appened?・ Remy asked as he took a step towards the group, looking down to Logan.

・We don・t know. We found him like this outside an escape pod hatch. I fear to give this diagnosis at the moment, but it looks like he・s・brain-dead.・ Forge remarked as he looked down to his longtime ally.

Jubilee and Remy cast a knowing glance to one another, letting out a sigh afterwards. Suddenly from behind the Starjammers rejoined them with a man in Shi・ar battle armor. The man walked up to Logan and placed a hand to his forehead, letting out a shocked gasp. Taking a step back, he looked to the group and slowly took off his helmet, revealing the face of Charles Xavier.

・Professor!・ Storm exclaimed as she looked to the X-men・s mentor and founder, but more than that, the founder of their cause, of human and mutant co-existence.

・I am afraid Deathbird must have used either a form of telepathy or a device, but I am afraid to say that Logan is・indeed・brain-dead.・ Charles said in a flat voice.

Storms eyes began to fill with tears at the man who had saved her from the Shadow King and become a friend and more, having suffered such a grievous wound. Rage filled her eyes then as electricity crackled about her form.

・Deathbird shall pay for this.・ Ororo said in a flat voice as she stormed off, needing to find solitude to regain her calm lest the power of the elements echo her own rage.

・Might I inquire who you two are?・ Charles asked as he looked to the pair.

・Eh? Non, you might not, just t・ink of us as friends. You can call her Spark, while me, Ace.・ Remy remarked as he gave a smirk to Jubilee.

・Ace and Spark?・ Charles inquired, trying to delve into their minds but only finding that Remy・s thoughts were like quicksilver, unable to grasp even a stray thought, while Jubilee・s stealth-power formed impenetrable psi shields.

・Oui.・ Remy said in a flat voice as he felt the Professor trying to delve into his mind, finding it an odd move for the man he had thought to abhor such practices.

・Well then, Ace and Spark. I am Professor Charles Xavier and these are the X-men and the Starjammers. For the moment we shall return to the Throne-world that we might recuperate and have proper treatment for Logan begun, then the hunt for Deathbird shall begin.・ Charles remarked with a wave of his arm, leading the group away.





Back in the future reality where Deathbird was weaving her plot to attain victory in this battle, Charles had been confined in the Matrix allowing the Skrull to copy his physiology and his mental powers. The Skrull duplicate was strapped into the Cerebro unit while beams of psi energy drifted into the M,Kraan Crystal.

・You have subdued the Warrior?・ Deathbird asked as she drew near the Skrull.

・Yes. His mind has been shattered. He is no more of a threat, and most possibly the Skrull of that era shall claim to heal him while replacing him with a duplicate.・ The Skrull Xavier reported as he took his leave of the machine to rest his powers.

・Excellent.・ Deathbird remarked as she turned to the imprisoned Xavier.

・Oh why Charles. Soon your beloved Lilandra shall be nothing more than dust in the cosmos, while Earth shall be invaded by the Shi・ar Empire. See, you cannot move against the true Empress of the Shi・ar Empire!・ Deathbird yelled as she drew closer to Charles, staring into his eyes and reveling in the torment she saw there.

・A billion deaths Charles, a billion deaths will be held upon your head. Think of it, it would not be possible if it were not for that wonderful mind of yours and Cerebro. Does that not do you proud to know that you are the key to the enslavement of Humanity?・ Deathbird remarked in a gloating tone, gently running a hand down his cheek.

・I do believe this is were you say ・My X-men will stop you!・, but what you do not know is that your X-men are being destroyed as we speak. In fact, once this is done, they shall have been dead or enslaved for years now. And those that remain on Earth at that period will be slain when the invasion fleet is sent to conquer your pathetic little planet.・ Deathbird explained slowly with venom in her voice.

Drawing away, Deathbird took pleasure in knowing the mental anguish she was causing for her captive victim. She only wished he could send his barbed remarks back, but alas that could not be had with the Skrull Matrix having need of the man.





Back in the past, Remy and Jubilee stood in the palace of the Shi・ar Empire, watching as Lilandra took to the thrown with the defeat of Deathbird. Even as they watched this now, Imperial forces sought her out across the Empire.

・So Ace, like, what had ya so bugged out about the Prof?・ Jubilee asked as she leaned in to Remy.

・He was trying to get into Remy・s mind P・tite. De Professor I know abhor dat practice. He would never do it wit・out asking first. Dat got me wondering about de man. What say we go find out what is up wit him, non?・ Remy asked as he whispered down to Jubilee.

・Sure thing Ace.・ Jubilee whispered back with a mocking tone in her voice.

・Follow me Spark.・ Remy whispered back, matching the tone.

As the pair skulked through the depths of the palace, they soon found a grate with the voice of Charles Xavier drifting through. As they drew closer, they could see Charles down there with Gladiator holding Logan・s limp body in his arms.

・I feel the tampering of Xavier on this mind Gladiator, but how can that be with the man entrapped in the Matrix?・ Charles asked as he looked to the puppet Imperial guard.

Charles slowly shook his head in defeat to the mystery before him.

・The Matrix can create another Logan, one who shall be at the control of our every whim. My only concern are the two interlopers, ・Ace and Spark・. Obviously aliases, but I cannot find answers in their minds. Ace・s mind is like quicksilver, while the younglings is as if the entire Imperial guard protect it from attack. Send out guards to keep eyes on these two, we must know their motives in this.・ Charles remarked as he took Logan from Gladiators arms.

・At your command Warlord.・ Gladiator remarked as he stalked off to issue the commands.

As Gladiator stalked up the shadowy corridor, he did not notice the two lurking in the shadows of the vaulted ceiling. After he had left, the two leapt to the ground with feline grace.

・Hey Ace, I think your right. Xavier is acting like a mondo villain right now.・ Jubilee whispered as she looked into Remy・s demon eyes.

・Oui, and what be dis Matrix dat he be talking about eh? You up to seeing if we can・t find a library around here to go look for de answers in, non?・ Remy whispered back to Jubilee as he cast a glance into the dungeon.

・Sure thing, lets go. We don・t got much time since they・ll be looking for us soon.・ Jubilee remarked.

・Skrull.・ A feminine voice whispered from the shadows.

The pair whirled about to find Ororo standing behind them, having followed their retreat from the party.

・Skrull?・ Remy asked as he looked to Ororo.

・A race of doppelgangers. They create exact duplicates by ensnaring the originals in a Matrix. Lilandra is too a powerful telepath, able to reach across the cosmos to seek our aid with Xavier. For her not to know of this deceit by the Skrull lead me to believe that she is either a Skrull herself or under the mental sway of the Xavier Skrull.・ Ororo explained.

・Eh? A Skrull? Dat why de Professor be acting de way he is?・ Remy asked as he looked to Ororo.

・That is my only assumption. A plot for Imperial control is afoot. We must find out who is involved and what their motives are.・ Ororo remarked in a faint voice, ushering the two to follow her.

As the trio of thieves left, a shadowy figure emerged from the embrace of the inky blackness that had disguised her. Psyloke looked up after the trio, a dreadful look on her face.

・So, the rogues have found out about the ploy of the Skrull. The leader must be notified to this at once.・ Psyloke mused as she ran off down the stairs.