Explosive Combination: Parts 7-8

by Verthril

Jubilee looked up and gave a quick wave to Rogue as she floored the gas pedal, sending the car lurching forward as the engine roared. Angelo was screaming curses in Spanish as well as clutching to the upholstery for dear life. He had long since wrapped his excess skin around the seat, fastening himself tightly to it as they sped down the country road. For Angelo, cartoon physics applied as his face stretched back and started flapping in the wind, control lost to the sheer panic he was feeling with the maniac he had freely climbed into the stolen car with.

Jubilee cast a look to Angelo and gave a sigh as she let off the gas, finally as their velocity slowed, she applied the brakes and pulled over to the side of the road she waited for Rogue. Angelo stared off at the road ahead, long since slipping into a slight catatonic state. Rogue soared overhead and then swooped down, picking up her car as she flew back to the mansion. Looking over the door, Jubilee saw that they had to be at least twenty stories into the sky now as Rogue flew back to the mansion.

¡¦Hey Angelo? You afraid of heights?¡¦ Jubilee asked as she looked over to Angelo as he finally drew back to reality.

¡¦Yeah Chica, why?¡¦ Angelo asked, not knowing their situation.

¡¦Well then, just take a look over the door then.¡¦ Jubilee said with a devilish grin on her face.

Angelo shrugged and loved over, letting out a scared yell as he pulled back to the seat, tightening his skins grip on the seat.

¡¦Yeah, Skunky caught us.¡¦ Jubilee replied as she turned off the engine and put it in standby, keeping the tunes blaring as they flew back to the mansion.

Back at the mansion, Remy was sitting on the front porch with a beer resting on the step, and a cigarette pinched between his fingers. Tilting his head, he looked off to a speck on the horizon, as it grew closer. As it did so, he could swear it was a woman carrying a Miata. Finally as the car grew closer, he could recognize the kind of music that Jubilee enjoyed, as well as the form of Rogue underneath the car as she carried it. Setting the car down gently before the steps, Rogue crawled out and looked into the car, glaring as Jubilee as she lounged in the car listening to a song.

¡¦Out!¡¦ Rogue yelled.

¡¦Sec. Fav song.¡¦ Jubilee replied as she turned up the volume.

With an alarming display of speed and strength, Rogue unbuckled Jubilee and plucked her from her car, while Angelo took this instance to peel himself off the car and jump out. Rogue set Jubilee down and jumped into the car, but paused as she looked to the ignition.

¡¦Where are mah keys?¡¦ Rogue inquired in a flat voice as she looked to Jubilee.

¡¦Keys? Like what would I need those for?¡¦ Jubilee asked as she grinned down to Rogue a moment before she joined Remy on the steps.

A shrill shriek was heard as Rogue flew out and picked up her car, walking it back into the garage.

¡¦Her time of the month or something?¡¦ Jubilee inquired with a chuckle as she looked to Remy.

¡¦Eh? Non P¡¦tite, der be some people who don like it too much when you borrow der t¡¦ings. Wit¡¦out de keys. Like sports cars.¡¦ Remy replied, shaking his head a little as he smiled down to Jubilee.

¡¦Oh? Wow. Will wonders never cease¡¦ Jubilee replied with false shock as she lay down on the steps and looked up to the sky.

¡¦Hey Rem, what¡¦s about the size of a football stadium, shiny, metal, and breaking through the cloud?¡¦ Jubilee inquired with the air of a riddle to her voice.

¡¦Don know P¡¦tite, what?¡¦ Remy asked as he took a sip of his beer.

¡¦Dunno, but if you look up, you¡¦ll find out.¡¦ Jubilee said as she pointed to the sky, and as Remy looked up he spit out his beer.

¡¦Like, ew. Scuse me while I go have a shower and change now. Oh, go and ask the X-geeks why they got something outta a bad sci-fi movie floating over their house.¡¦ Jubilee remarked as she got to her feet and walked off.

Minutes later Remy found himself in the War Room of the mansion, with the assembled X-men before him. Charles walked in moments later with a regal looking woman at his side, while he was wearing an odd suit himself. Remy cast a curious glance to the man he knew to be crippled from a war injury. Xavier paid him no heed as he walked to the head of the table with a grim look on his face.

¡¦You may be seated my X-men. We have very important business to discuss.¡¦ Charles said as he sat down, looking about the room.

The others sat down, with only Logan and Bishop choosing to stand out of the X-men. Remy chose to leaning against the wall as he smoked a cigarette, looking to the woman as she leveled her gaze about the room.

¡¦I see you have had some recent additions to your flock my beloved.¡¦ Lilandra said as she glanced at the younger members of the team, composed of Chamber, Blink, and Skin.

¡¦Indeed. And the Gentleman off in the corner is Remy LeBeau, a guest for the time being.¡¦ Charles said as he gestured over to Remy.

¡¦Allo Chere, mind telling Remy where you come from dat you bring a spaceship on house-calls?¡¦ Remy inquired as he looked to Lilandra.

¡¦My pardons. I am Empress Lilandra of the Shi¡¦ar Empire, an Empire spanning a vast area of space, ruling over numerous sentient life-forms.¡¦ Lilandra replied as she gave a slight smile to Remy.

¡¦Ah. Dey X-men keep interesting friends, non?¡¦ Remy mused as he looked back to Charles.

¡¦Indeed, our relationship with the Shi¡¦ar Empire is a thing of pride, though there are more pressing matters to attend to. Empress Lilandra has come to us for our help.¡¦ Charles remarked as he waited to ensure he had everyone¡¦s attention.

All eyes focused on Charles and Lilandra, while Remy merely watched with a casual glance as he smoked on his cigarette. Off in the distance he could hear the sound of heavy footsteps drawing closer to the room. Charles, hearing this, decided to wait a moment longer. Suddenly Jubilee burst into the room, a towel wrapped about her hair and a scowl on her face.

¡¦Your out of hot water! Do you have any idea how hard it is to get shampoo out of your hair with cold water!¡¦ Jubilee shrieked as she glared at Charles, then tilting her head afterwards.

¡¦Hmm, probably not. But it¡¦s freaking hard! Oh, and your spaceship is double parked.¡¦ Jubilee finished as she looked to Lilandra before taking a seat.

Those in the room held expressions of shock, amusement, disbelief, and wide-eyed terror. The wide eyed terror came from Bobby, who had been working with the mansions plumbing during his latest prank, though he had apparently put the delayed shut off for the hot water on the wrong pipe, having aimed for Hank¡¦s shower.

Charles looked up to Lilandra who gave a chuckle at Jubilee¡¦s antics. After a moment to regain composure with the sobering thought of the peril her empire faced, she gave a nod to Charles.

¡¦As I was saying, the Empress has come to us for our help. An Interstellar Civil war has erupted in the Shi¡¦ar galaxy. Supporters of Deathbird, Empress Lilandra¡¦s sister, have gathered under her banner and lead a battle to see her as the Empress. In a final act, they have stolen the M,Kraan Crystal, seeking to use its powers to alter fate.¡¦ Charles explained as all in the room who knew what had just been spoken of looked at him with fear evident.

¡¦M,Kraan Crystal? Deathbird? I¡¦d like to buy a vowel, Y?¡¦ Jubilee asked as she looked to Charles.

¡¦My dear, the M,Kraan Crystal is a thing of immeasurable power, a nexus of all realities. Those whom can exploit it can affect reality.¡¦ Hank explained.

¡¦Oh, so in other words it¡¦s not just some regular hunk of rock. Fine. All reality, I guess that even hits home here eh Remy?¡¦ Jubilee remarked as she looked back to her partner in crime.

¡¦Oui P¡¦tite.¡¦ Remy replied with a nod of his head as he stubbed out his cigarette.

¡¦K, so we¡¦re in. You want us to steal it back or something?¡¦ Jubilee inquired, looking to Lilandra.

¡¦Well, actually that is exactly what we had hoped for.¡¦ Lilandra replied as she looked down to Charles.

¡¦Fine, you X-men get me and Remy in, and we¡¦ll work on stealing the rock. A little compensation wouldn¡¦t be that bad either though, as it¡¦s not often, if ever, that Remy and I have worked for free.¡¦ Jubilee replied as she leaned back in her chair smiling.

¡¦I¡¦m sure we can compensate you for your help. We shall be leaving now. Dithal, please transport us to the bridge.¡¦ Lilandra said as a glow surrounded everyone.

As everyone rematerialized on the bridge of the ship, Jubilee fell onto the ground with a loud thud, while Remy stumbled back as the wall he had been leaning against had vanished. The others had jumped to their feet at the moment of the word ¡¦transport¡¦, leaving them in various states of standing up.

¡¦Little warning next time.¡¦ Jubilee grumbled as she climbed to her feet.

¡¦My apologies, but we haven¡¦t a moment to waste. The last time the M,Kraan crystal was involved in a plot by my family, the Phoenix force that guards it caused immeasurable destruction.¡¦ Lilandra replied as she took a seat on the bridge with Charles sitting beside her.

¡¦De last time? You mean to tell Remy dat dis kind of t¡¦ing has happened before?¡¦ Remy asked as he walked up to Lilandra, only to be halted by Imperial guards.

¡¦I¡¦m afraid so, that is why we must hurry.¡¦ Lilandra replied as she waved off the guards.

¡¦Merde. P¡¦tite, when we be done with dis, lets get into a more safe business, like nuclear arms dealing.¡¦ Remy replied with a hint of sarcasm as he walked over to Jubilee and stood behind her protectively.

¡¦I¡¦m with you on that one Gumbo. So, like, you going to leave us fighting your war in house coats and T-shirts?¡¦ Jubilee asked.

¡¦Of course not, we will outfit you as you require. Nessas, please escort the X-men and their guests to the guards quarters that they might find proper armor and whatever they might desire in weaponry.¡¦ Lilandra said, and a guard quickly saluted as he waited for them to follow.

Jubilee and Remy watched as the X-men dressed in replicas of the costumes they had all grown to love. Shaking her head, she tried to hold back a laugh at Logan with the points rising from his cowl. The only one¡¦s who seemed to have any taste were Rogue who was dressed in a skintight forest green cat suit for obvious reasons, Chamber who was dressed in leather with his psonic flame burning strongly, Angelo with a short jacket and pants, and Blink dressed in a simple leather jacket and jeans.

Remy and Jubilee took to their usual attire, trench coats and their body suits that helped to absorb shocks and absorb various energy weapons while too armored against bullets. Jubilee had been able to emulate the body armor that Remy owned a few months after their meeting, and after acquainting herself with the computer program that created the clothing; she was able to do so once more. A few decks of cards and Bo staffs were also replicated, and Jubilee smiled, as she finally owned a copy of the beloved Bo staff Remy owned.

¡¦Ready to go to work buddy?¡¦ Jubilee asked as she did the last fasten on her boots.

¡¦Do ya even need to ask P¡¦tite?¡¦ Remy replied as he shuffled away at his cards.

The assembled X-men watched as their guests with appraising glances, breaking off into their collective teams as the ship traveled through space to the wormhole back to their galaxy. The curious looks did not go unnoticed by Remy and Jubilee.

¡¦So, what¡¦s the plan?¡¦ Jubilee asked to no one in particular.

¡¦Well, since Remy and yourself seem intent on the ¡¦theft¡¦ aspect of this mission, we shall work to provide and entrance and distraction. Logan, Bishop, Chamber, Rogue. You will be the entrance team. You will guard the entrance and ensure a safe exit for them. Storm, Blink, Angelo and Marrow, you will work on a distraction. Phoenix and Hank, your with me on another distraction.¡¦ Scott said in a serious tone as his mind worked through the possible threats they would face, for it had been too long since they had last fought against the Shi¡¦ar Empire.

¡¦So, tell us about dis Deathbird.¡¦ Remy inquired, as he looked Scott square in the eyes with his own demon eyes.

¡¦She was once the Empress of the Shi¡¦ar Empire, possess super strength and incredible speed. Razor-sharp wing-spurs, razor sharp talons, and is prone to berserker rages. By no means nice, and rather psychotic.¡¦ Scott remarked in a ¡¦mater of fact¡¦ tone as he looked to Remy.

¡¦Eh? Dat all, den you haven¡¦t seen de P¡¦tite on a sugar high.¡¦ Remy remarked as he tried to ease the tension in the room created by the younger team members as they listened to the odds they were up against.

Meanwhile Jubilee was peering out a window of the ship as space folded about them and vanished in an odd glow.

¡¦Who went to light speed?¡¦ Jubilee inquired as she looked back to Scott.

¡¦No one. We¡¦ve entered a wormhole, traveling under light speed, though just using a quirk of physics to take a short cut.¡¦ Scott remarked, earning a glare from Jubilee.

¡¦Like, I know what a wormhole is ¡¦Scooter¡¦. Ya don¡¦t need to patronize me like some little kiddy. Before my parents were killed I was pulling straight A¡¦s at Beverly Hill Prep.¡¦ Jubilee growled a moment before she turned back to the window as the light vanished and normal space stretched out before them.

Off in the distance a red planet hung in a set of rings, various starships in orbit as they guarded the home of the dissident Imperial forces. Suddenly the lights on the ship shifted to red and began flashing, while an annoying siren rang.

¡¦Red Alert Mr. Tuvok. We¡¦re going in.¡¦ Jubilee whispered as she stared at the Starships powering up and lurching towards them.

  Chapter Eight : Not in Kansas Anymore

They were merely to steal a crystal from Imperial dissidents, though this crystal was far from ordinary. The M,Kraan Crystal is the nexus of all realities, and therefore it is a thing of immense power, and those who can exploit it can affect all reality. Deathbird, sister to the Empress of the Shi¡¦ar Empire, was one who sought such exploitation of this crystal. Thus the Empress in a final attempt to reclaim the crystal sought out the aid of the X-men, and in so, picked up the aid of two of the Earth¡¦s best thieves. An adventure and a chance for the ultimate heist drew the attention of the pair; while too did they not wish for the reality they held to, to be altered in any form. Right about now, a change of reality might be a change for the better.

¡¦Remy, when we get out of this remind me to paint a big black number eight on that geeks bald head!¡¦ Jubilee yelled as she ducked from an attack by the rebel force.

¡¦Eh? Remy will help hold him down P¡¦tite!¡¦ Remy yelled back as he threw a barrage of charged rocks at the approaching force, having long since depleted the decks of cards he had brought.

They were here merely to steal the crystal, not right against an entire army. But fate always seems to hold different plans than the ones we weave for ourselves

Jubilee fell back and sent a concentrated stream of plasmoids at the ceiling above them, bringing down a rain of stalagmites on a group of men before her, while leaping out of the way before being speared herself. Jumping back, she found herself back to back with her partner; both battle weary and very agitated. Surrounded on all sides, the battle looked grim.

¡¦So, like, where are those X-geeks eh? Back at the gateway having a coffee break?¡¦ Jubilee asked of Remy as she glared at the approaching forces.

¡¦Dey were told to keep an eye on de door. Ensure we have a way out.¡¦ Remy replied.

¡¦Lot of good a way out is when we didn¡¦t even get to the damn crystal!¡¦ Jubilee yelled, letting her anger build, and with it, the strength of her power.

¡¦When I say P¡¦tite, Remy duck and you start spinning off as many and as strong of your sparks as ya can girl, you got dat?¡¦ Remy asked as he looked at the forces all around him.

¡¦Fine by me.¡¦ Jubilee whispered, bringing her rage to the surface as sparks began to sputter from about her hands.

¡¦Now!¡¦ Remy yelled as he dropped to the ground, charging the floor of the cavern they found themselves in.

Jubilee began to twirl, sending off plasma globules, with the rebels falling back and clutching their eyes. The plasmoids danced in the air, bringing a flickering rainbow of colours to the dank world underneath the desert planet they found themselves on. Remy focused on charging the floor everywhere other than within the ten foot radius he enclosed Jubilee and himself in, and finally as all the sand under the troops feet glowed with kinetic energy, Remy let it discharge, causing the cavern to be filled with an explosion on two fronts, the air and the earth.

As the dust settled, Remy and Jubilee rose from the earth, very thankful for their armor. Aside from a few bruises and cuts, they were generally fit, whereas those they had faced lay unconscious on the ground under a light layer of debris.

¡¦Lets now hope that didn¡¦t announce our arrival Gumbo.¡¦ Jubilee whispered as she started down a tunnel.

Remy gave a serious nod at the thought and took chase after her, the pair keeping to the shadows as they traveled down the winding tunnel.

Meanwhile outside the gateway to the old mining facility, the entrance team was caught in a battle for their lives as the local rebels of the planet made their attack. A diversity of the species present in the Shi¡¦ar Empire took up arms, while just as many from those outside the Imperial reaches aided in hopes of gaining the favor of Deathbird. Rogue had made brief contact with Logan, picking up memories and the unique mutation of the man, and she now stood side by side with the feral as they fought the ground troops, both slashing their way through with a set of claws of bone and metal.

Chamber stood alone on a dune, blasting away all who came at him with his psonic flames, while Bishop stood back to back with the younger teammate as he built up his biocharge from the weapon fire of the forces, content with a plasma pistol in one hand and a plasma rifle in the other as he took out distant threats.

¡¦Chamber, can you sense if they have made it to the crystal?¡¦ Bishop asked of the youth as he took aim and shot down a distant sniper.

~ Felt them for a brief moment. Caught a flash of a cavern erupting. If it weren¡¦t for the bloody odds against us here, I¡¦d say we should help them. ~ Chamber sent back as he unleashed a devastating blast at an armored division nearing, toppling the unit and it¡¦s crew.

¡¦I wonder how Scott and the others are doing with their efforts at the tropical regions at the poles.¡¦ Bishop inquired as he unleashed a barrage of pistol fire.

~ Can¡¦t be any worse than this mate. ~ Chamber sent back as he threw his arm over Bishop, sending the pair toppling out of the way of a barrage of conventional weapon fire.

¡¦I hope LeBeau hurry¡¦s his Cajun ass up!¡¦ Bishop yelled as he climbed to his feet and unleashed return fire at the men who had just shot at them, hitting his desired target squarely with lethal accuracy.

Down in the midst of the ground troops, Rogue and Logan were a force to be reckoned with as they slashed their way at all who dared oppose them, Logan fueled with his berserker rage and animal instincts, while Rogue¡¦s attacks were fueled with sonic speed and incredible strength. The nigh invulnerability was found to be applying to the bone claws she now embraced, and proved a match for the near indestructible nature of the Adamantium laced bones of Logan. When any of the larger of the opponents approached in mechanoid armor, a quick slash with a burst of flight caused the armor to peel away, leaving the alien inside scurrying away in fear.

¡¦We gotta do this more often Sugah.¡¦ Rogue called out to Logan as she used a suit of armor as a massive club, sending an approaching force flying off into the desert sands.

¡¦Anytime darlin¡¦.¡¦ Logan yelled out as he slashed through melee weapons that the force brought at him, inflicting non-lethal wounds as they tried to flee.

Then just as suddenly as the forces had been there, they vanished. The X-men looked about with confusion and distrust evident on their faces. Logan gave a sniff to the air, and let out a throaty growl.

¡¦Something ain¡¦t right here. We all know we were just fighting them, and now they¡¦re gone. Not even so much as a scent o¡¦ ¡¦em.¡¦ Logan informed in a low voice as he and Rogue regrouped with Bishop and Chamber.

¡¦That wasn¡¦t the energy signature we saw when they teleported in. It is as if they merely vanished.¡¦ Bishop remarked, looking about the horizon.

¡¦I say we quit flapping our gums and get down there. I don¡¦t like this and I don¡¦t like the thought o¡¦ two thieves squaring off with that.¡¦ Logan growled as he ran past the gateway and into the mineshaft, with the others soon following.

Back down in the depths, Jubilee and Remy found their way onto a catwalk above a cavernous facility, with in the center a large pink crystal with various machines centered about it.

¡¦Umm, Remy, how do you steal a crystal the size of a tank?¡¦ Jubilee asked as she looked to her partner in crime.

¡¦I really wish I knew P¡¦tite. But if dey got it here, der be a way to get it out, non?¡¦ Remy asked as he looked to Jubilee, giving her his trademark grin.

¡¦Well, we might as well get a little closer and find out what they¡¦re up to with it.¡¦ Jubilee said as she started to slink across the catwalk until they were above a rather ferocious looking woman and a group of scientists of various races.

¡¦Is the telepath ready?¡¦ Deathbird inquired as she looked to the group before her.

¡¦Yes, we have amplified her powers and she is quiet ready to affect the reality we have come to know. Though with the power of the crystal this close to us, and the advance technology we have embedded in this room, it shall shield us from the shifts in the continuum by keeping us out of phase with time.¡¦ The alien scientist replied as he waved to an aid.

Jubilee and Remy cast a look to one another and then looked down to the aid who was helping a woman out to the center of the machine that housed the crystal. She took a seat and a helmet was lowered over her head.

¡¦How amusing that we use the technology of the vaunted X-men who Lilandra has brought here in an attempt to stop this. With that Cerebro unit amplifying her powers beyond that of even Xavier himself, no one who we affect will be able to stop us.¡¦ Deathbird mused as she signaled for it to begin.

¡¦Indeed, it was genius on your part to think of using a telepath to affect the course of this reality with the crystal, directing the telepathic control through the crystal and into the past, altering the course of this reality based on our causality equations.¡¦ The scientist added as he gave a courtly bow to Deathbird.

¡¦To the once, future, and proper Empress of the Shi¡¦ar Empire!¡¦ A chorus of voices rang out.

¡¦Oh shit. Oh shit oh shit oh shit.¡¦ Jubilee whined as she glanced to Remy.

¡¦Oui P¡¦tite. Dis be bigger den any theft. De mad lady is going to change de course of history and place her self on de throne wit¡¦out a single battle.¡¦ Remy replied.

¡¦Um, Remy, if that thing makes her more powerful than cue ball, doesn¡¦t that mean she¡¦ll be able to detect us?¡¦ Jubilee inquired suddenly, looking down as the helmet was placed on the woman¡¦s head.

As the generators in the room came to life, energy crackled and the machinery whirled to life. A grunted cry came from the telepath as the power coursed through her mind, while her body fought to rein control of it. Beams of light were shot into the crystal, disappearing into the nexus. Suddenly the telepath looked up to the catwalk where Jubilee and Remy were crouched in the shadows, and a knowing look passed to them.

¡¦Intruders!¡¦ The telepath cried out, and Remy and Jubilee leapt into action as the jumped to the center of the room, their armor taking the brunt of the fall.

¡¦Hey Remy, Nexus of Realities, a center or focal point. You want to find out wants in the center of that damn thing?¡¦ Jubilee asked as she backed towards the crystal, casting a glance back and lashing out at a guard with her Bo staff.

¡¦Beats de odds of dis fight P¡¦tite!¡¦ Remy cried out as he noticed several more platoons of reinforcements charging down the tunnels.

¡¦Exit stage right!¡¦ Jubilee cried as she bolted and ran up to the crystal, tentatively reaching towards it.

¡¦Oh man I hope that wasn¡¦t just some sugar induced theory I had!¡¦ Jubilee cried a moment before her hand reached through a point where a beam of light entered the crystal.

Remy seeing this charged and pushed the pair through, throwing his charged Bo staff at the machinery surrounding the crystal and destroying it. Deathbird let out a shrill scream ring out above the room as her planes were ruined, while the telepaths voice echoed in all the minds of those present on the planet as it became lost to the astral plane.

¡¦While your friends might have stopped me and escaped into the crystal, that will not stop me from my having my vengeance! Kill them!¡¦ Deathbird screamed as she led a charge against the X-men.

¡¦Rogue! You take on Deathbird! You¡¦re the only one who is a match for her! Chamber, your with me on holding them back! Logan, do whatever you damn well please as I sure don¡¦t give a damn!¡¦ Bishop roared as he unleashed a bioblast at the advancing horde, accented by a psonic blast from Chamber.

Rogue leapt into the air and flew full speed at Deathbird, slamming claws and knuckles into the Shi¡¦ar woman¡¦s chest, impaling her into the wall. Deathbird in return gave a swift punch to Rogue and set the woman flying back.

¡¦You have the warrior¡¦s claws. I must say I don¡¦t recognize you girl. But you are no match for me! I was the mentor to Gladiator! The Imperial Guardian of the Empress!¡¦ Deathbird cried out as she slashed at Rogue with her talons, drawing a faint trickle of blood from the nigh invulnerable skin, though the wounds healed shortly after.

¡¦Lady! Ah don¡¦t really give a damn who you said ya trained! And the name¡¦s Rogue! Don¡¦t ya forget it now, Sugah!¡¦ Rogue yelled as she threw a punch at Deathbird, sending the woman flying through the wall and tumbling into the void.

The battle raged on, but soon the X-men prevailed over the rebel forces, forcing them to retreat. Huddled off in a corner of the room, a group of the scientists stood with fear evident in their eyes as Logan and Rogue neared. Bishop came up shortly after, while Chamber was the last to join.

¡¦Tell us what you were doing.¡¦ Bishop remarked in a cold voice as he leveled his plasma pistol at the group.

¡¦Never!¡¦ A scientist yelled, only to be hushed by his associates.

¡¦Deathbird was to be the Empress once more, we were going to use the crystal to alter reality. To change the outcome of the battle that dethroned her. We had created a duplicate of Cerebro, attuned to the mind of our telepath, Siliscorn. But as we were about to proceed, the two shadow lurkers came forth! They had eluded detection until the unit came onto Siliscorn¡¦s head, amplifying her powers to dangerous levels. How they eluded us for so long is unknown! But they destroyed the machinery a moment after they fled inside the heart of the crystal itself!¡¦ A man explained, all too willing to trade off the information for his life.

The group of X-men exchanged glances and looked towards the M,Kraan Crystal, now very much larger than the last time they recalled seeing it. Walking up to it, Chamber ran a hand across its surface, finding no way in.

~ Care to tell me again ¡¦ow they got inside a solid crystal bloke? ~ Chamber sent to the compliant scientist, who had gained the more docile of the lot as supporters to aiding their captors.

¡¦I am afraid I do not know. We all were taken aback when the youngling placed her hand through it, and then her man friend charged with the two entering, while throwing a shaft of metal out that exploded, destroying the housing.¡¦ An alien scientist explained.

¡¦So, how do we get them back out?¡¦ Bishop inquired.

¡¦I¡¦m afraid that is entirely up to them to figure out.¡¦ Yet another scientist replied.

Chamber looked back to the crystal, at a loss for what he stood before. The Nexus of all Realities, and two people had just become lost to it.

¡¦Well, I don¡¦t think standing around here and gabbing is gonna be getting us anywhere. Lets get this hunk of junk outta here, and get outta this hot seat Lilandra placed us in. We got the crystal, end o¡¦ mission.¡¦ Logan said as he walked up to Bishop.

¡¦I agree. Bishop to Lilandra, we have secured the crystal, though not in the manner that we had anticipated, can you transport us out of here?¡¦ Bishop asked over the comlink.

¡¦We await your all clear Bishop.¡¦ The Empress¡¦s voice came over the comlink.

Bishop cast a glance to the scientists who had been helpful to this point. They seemed stressed and longing for their freedom. Holstering his pistol, he raised a hand to the lead scientist.

¡¦Do you long to join us and help us free out friends?¡¦ Bishop asked.

The scientists looked to one another and then nodded as the lead scientist took Bishops hand and aid to his feet.

¡¦Empress, we have Logan, Rogue, Chamber and myself to transport along with four scientists who wish to switch sides.¡¦ Bishop informed over the comlink.

¡¦Very well. We shall see you momentarily.¡¦ The voice of Lilandra came back over the link.

After a shift of light and scenery, the entrance team found themselves standing in a loading bay with the Crystal and the team of Scientists, while off further away the other teams stood.

¡¦Where are Remy and Jubilee?¡¦ Scott asked as he joined them.

Rouge merely pointed to the crystal with her claws, letting out a sigh as she could feel the absorbed mutation wearing off. With a scream, the claws fell away while her flesh knit itself back together.

¡¦Never ya mind what ah said about doing that again Logan." Rogue remarked as she rubbed her hands, wincing in pain.

¡¦What did she mean when she pointed to the crystal?¡¦ Scott inquired.

¡¦They¡¦re in it.¡¦ Bishop said flatly, earning a gasp from all.

Inside the Crystal, Remy and Jubilee looked to one another and then out at the deserted city before them. Dead silence stood oppressively all about them, leaving the very sound of their own breath like the beating of a distant drum. Then the silence was broken as a chuckle carried on behind them. Twirling around, they found themselves standing before a short purple main with bluish white hair, wearing a purple and black one piece and smoking a cigar.

¡¦Well if it isn¡¦t Remy LeBeau. Long time no see.¡¦ Jahf said as he raised the cigar to his lips and took a long haul, blowing smoke rings afterwards.

¡¦How do you know my name mon ami?¡¦ Remy asked as he looked down to the stout figure.

¡¦Cause you were the fool who saved the multiverse and all existence the last time danger threatened this crystal. I must say, you nipped it in the bud this time. Deathbird would have brought about the Age of Apocalypse all over again, and frankly I¡¦m sick of reruns.¡¦ Jahf remarked as he lead the two on a tour of the deserted city.

¡¦Eh? Saved de multiverse?¡¦ Remy inquired as he looked down to Jahf, who merely held a cigar out to Remy.

¡¦Sit down, have a smoke, relax. You got all the time in the world, in all the worlds, and yet you don¡¦t have any time whatsoever. Ah I do love paradoxes.¡¦ Jahf said as he led the pair out onto what looked to be a sidewalk caf¡¦ complete with three coffees of their owners choice.

¡¦Yo Rem, something tells me we¡¦re not in Kansas anymore.¡¦ Jubilee remarked as she took a seat and stirred her French Vanilla cappuccino

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