Here and Back
Tallus
Briefing:
In the year 1996 the Red Skull captured Doctor Curt Connors
and forced him into becoming the Lizard once more. The two villains proceeded to create an army
of genetically enhanced warriors using homeless people and the science of neogenics.
Meanwhile, the wielder of the Crystal Ruby of Cyttorak
(Charles Xavier) proceeded to gather all Eight Items of Exemplar. After attaining all the items Xavier had
become a powerhouse that none could equal.
He joined with Skull and The Lizard to decimate
the planet.
The Avengers (Fixer, Ogre, Humus Sapien,
New Sun, Firebird, and War Machine) allied themselves with Eugenix
and attacked Red Skull’s stronghold.
Skull and his genetic warriors decimated the two teams. War Machine’s life may have ended in that
battle, but he activated a group of powerful robots before he took his final
breath. This group of robots was lead by
The Vision and took the fight to Skull.
A great deal of damage was done to Skull’s forces, but in the end The Vision
was the last survivor.
Years passed and the world warred with the three villains to
no avail. All of North America and
More years passed and the heroes
began to procreate. Future warriors
rose up and now they fight the dark battle against the three villains who call
themselves The High Council.
Faith walked through the blown out bus and at the back of it was a crusted knife. Bending over she picked it up and slid it in her belt. Looking back to Belladona she shrugged her shoulders, “Might do me better than these stakes.”
“Yes, Ultron nearly had the better
of you,” Belladona said speaking of the last world
from which the Exiles had come. The
robotic Ultron had nearly killed Faith in his attempt
to recreate the planet into some sort of twisted robot paradise.
“I’m use to fighting vampires and demons. Not robots with a bad case of insanity,”
Faith said as she rose to her feet and looked out of the bus. Blink was staring hard at the Tallus.
“She’s waiting for our mission to come in,” Belladona explained thinking she would be answering what
Faith was thinking.
“I knew that already.
I’m just wondering what the hell ever got ol
pink face’s panties in such a bunch.”
Belladona knew the source of Faith’s
comment. On the last world Faith had
decided to venture off on her own to track down Trevor Chase. Faith had found the scientist and succeeded
in defeating him, but it nearly cost her own life at the hands of Ultron. The
so-called slayer was a rebellious one. Belladona had not known Bluestreak
long, but it did remind her of the young woman.
“Blink’s life was a proverbial hell. I think it still tortures her.”
“Eh,” Faith shrugged her shoulders again, “She ain’t got shit on me.
I spent five years in the real Hell with a guy named Xander
along for the ride.”
“You should trust Blink.
She’s been at this longer than all of us,” Belladona
suggested.
“My trust isn’t easily earned,”
Faith said as she walked off the bus and whispered, “Not even by myself.”
“Do you think there is any food nearby?” Stepstone
asked fighting off hunger pangs that threatened to tear her stomach apart. Illyana had never
been one to complain about nourishment, but that last mission had really taken
it out of her. Seeing her beloved
brothers working alongside Trevor Chase and Ultron
really bothered her. It wouldn’t have
normally, but she was having one of her homesick spells that all Exiles went
through.
“Food might be the least of our concerns,” Reed said looking
to Blink who was still staring at the Tallus.
“I sense that something is bothering Blink,” Anakin
commented.
Stepstone sneered at the Jedi, “Who gives a
shit what you sense?!”
Illyana blamed Anakin for the death of Bluestreak. If he
had been more careful in battle Bluesteak wouldn’t
have felt the need to sacrifice herself like
that. The cocky bastard had cost the
Exiles a teammate and Stepstone a friend. It seemed like the numbers from her original
group of Exiles were dwindling. Hardcase, Mistress Strange, and now Bluestreak
were all dead.
“I know why you’re angry with me. Believe me when I say that I never wanted Bluestreak to throw herself in harm’s way,” Anakin promised
half-expecting Illyana to cut his head off. He had dealt with someone in Illyana’s place before.
This wasn’t the first time he was being held responsible for someone’s
death. On his world he had lead a group
of Jedi into a trap. Anakin blamed
himself a great deal, but the former master of one of those dead Jedi blamed
him more. Skywalker was badgered for
weeks.
Stepstone focused all of her hate into one
stare and Anakin could almost swear he saw something demonic in there, “You
should have never pushed us to the side like we were rookies. We could have tackled Sidrian
together and prevailed, but you didn’t want that! Now Bluestreak is
dead you cocky bastard!”
Anakin clenched his fist tightly, “I will not be held
responsible for Bluestreak’s rashness. I could have beaten Sidrian. I didn’t need any help!”
Reed von Doom laughed, “Sidrian
had you dead by rights you buffoon! Even
Daredevil could have seen that. Bluestreak was rash, but you created the conditions for
it. Don’t try to absolve yourself of
blame.”
“I think everyone needs to lay off his case,” Faith said as
she walked into the middle of the argument.
Of all the Exiles, she had taken the most liking to Anakin. He was cute, edgy, and had bad boy appeal all
over him.
“I agree with Faith.
Anakin did what he felt was best,” Belladona
added.
“He killed Bluestreak. You’d see that if you both weren’t trying to
spread your legs for him,” Stepstone snapped.
Faith returned Illyana’s comment
in kind, “Don’t get pissy with me because you’re all
boo hoo over seeing your brothers!”
Blink walked to her Exiles constantly scanning for trouble,
“If you would all kindly shut the hell up I could tell you what the Tallus has to say.
Unless of course if you want to continue your stupid bickering. Be my guest.
Illyana?”
Stepstone snarled, “We’re listening
Blink. Get to it!”
“So glad to have your approval,” Clarice replied
sarcastically, “The Tallus says we have to take a
group known as Gen X to
“I think you and Summers could be
real close. She likes telling people
what to do too,” Faith remarked.
Clarice ignored the comment, “Since Gen X hasn’t fallen into
our laps yet I suggest we try and find some food.”
“I don’t sense any other life besides for ourselves. This city is completely deserted,” Anakin
reported.
Clarice nodded, “I figured as much. So we grab what we can, see if we can’t learn
anything about this world, and haul ass.
We really don’t need any more trouble than we’re
probably already about to get into.”
“You call what we do trouble? Try facing an army of impenetrable vamps. Then we’ll talk trouble.”
Reed smiled, “You obviously weren’t here for the Sinister mission.
Those of us who survived were lucky.
Of course the blood of Doom will always guarantee me victory.”
“As highly as you talk about your father it’s a wonder you
ever even fought against him.”
Belladona’s comment stung Reed a little; “At
least I stood a chance against my enemy.
How many times should Black Womb have killed you?”
“Does anyone else feel like dishing out anymore low
blows? I mean since we’re out here we
might as well get them all out right?
C’mon! I know someone has
something else to say!” Blink exclaimed as she eyed each Exile. Bluestreak’s death
had divided the team and even her replacement had picked a side. Clarice had felt like the team was finally
coming together and now this.
“Since you asked…I think your outfit is so damn skanky,” Faith said with a hint of a grin.
Clarice’s hard expression softened and turned to a
smile. Laughter from all the team
followed after that. Anakin suddenly
perked up and looked around, “Company is on the way. I sense about five of them.”
“Tense up people. We
got ourselves a potential threat on hand,” Blink ordered.
Anakin unsheathed his lightsaber
and turned to the direction from which he sensed the coming life forms. It didn’t take long until the five were
visible. They were riding motorcycles
that didn’t make a single sound. Skywalker
called out to the coming group, “Make yourselves
known! I would prefer to avoid
violence.”
“Well then you must not be an agent of the High Council,”
the leader of the group said as she bought her motorcycle to a stop in front of
the Exiles.
“Who are you?” Blink asked.
The group of five all took off their helmets and one of
their members made a few of the Exiles gasp.
“Bluestreak?” Illyana asked barely above a whisper.
“I’m Serenity,” the leader of the group said. She looked to be about 22 and had white skin
with long blonde hair. One of her eyes
glowed with psychic energy.
“Blink? My Dad said
you died in the battle of Rio de Janiero,” the woman
next to Serenity said. She had a glowing
yellow jewel in the middle of her head and a short blonde buzz cut.
“I’m not the Blink you know,” Clarice replied.
“What are you all doing out here? It’s completely barren,” Stepstone
said.
“One might ask you the same question petite,” a caramel
colored man with white hair and red pupils smiled.
Reed laughed, “You all must be the children of heroes aren’t
you?”
Serenity nodded, “Domino and Cable are my parents.”
The woman next to Serenity said, “Hawkeye and Moonstone are
my parents. That’s why I’m called
Moonarrow.”
The caramel colored man smiled, “Storm and Gambit knocked up
and got this sexy piece of man in front of you.”
Serenity shook her head, “Forgive Torrent. He’s a bit rough around the edges.”
“Quicksilver and
“Black Cat and Spider-Man were mine. I heard they were great heroes. Never got the chance to meet them, but I took
my mom’s name in honor of her,” Black Cat said.
“Are you guys Gen X?” Faith asked bluntly.
“Yea…how did you know?” Serenity asked suspicion beginning
to creep into her mind.
Blink explained the entire situation regarding the Exiles to
Gen X and it was Torrent who responded to the hefty story first, “And I thought
this world was rough. Sheesh!”
“So you guys are suppose to make
sure we get to LA okay then?” Black Cat asked for confirmation’s sake.
“Yes. We’re to ensure
your safety. Believe me you’re in good
hands…well hand in my case,” Anakin joked.
“That’s actually quite the relief considering who’s been
tailing us,” Bluestreak replied.
“Who has been tailing you?
We need to know what we’re up against,” Blink said.
“Morbius and his Factor X team,” Moonarrow answered. She had the most experience dealing with
Morbius and his group as they had been her torturers when she was being held
captive in
“Morbius leads the group in name, but they really all beckon
to Gabriel. He has the same powers as
his parents, Nova and Namorita. His
lover is a psycho named Vixen. She’s the
daughter of Green Goblin and Typhoid Mary.
That should be enough explanation right there. Creel is the big bruiser. He’s the son of Absorbing Man and
Titania. My favorite one of the bunch is
Blaze. Rumor has it that she’s the
daughter of John Blaze and Silver Sable.
Personally, I just think Sable banged some random biker.”
“So how far do you think Factor X is from you?” Blink asked.
“Honestly…I don’t know.
They’re shielded from my telepathy,” Serenity replied.
Blink nodded, “Well then I suggest we get moving. Where are we now?”
“This use to be
Blink looked around the
destruction and it reminded her of home, “My portals can move us faster than
those bikes. Leave them here and let’s
get moving before Morbius’ team can stick their fangs in us.”
The heroes had decided to stop in
“So what is your world like?” Psi-Borg
asked Reed von Doom as he poured the Exile a glass of ice tea.
“My father rules much of the universe with an iron
fist. I was supposed to be his heir, but
I turned against him. Sometimes I think
I should have just waited till he died,” Reed smirked, but he knew good and
well his father had found immortality.
He couldn’t wait for his father to kill over because it would never have
happened.
“Are there versions of my parents on your world?”
“There use to be, but they died along with most of the other
X-Men when they tried to fight my father head on. Taking on a Doom is usually a feat that
requires more than brute strength and valor I’m afraid.”
“Speaking of your parents how are they Jason?” Bluestreak asked.
“They’re fine. Both
of them are operating in
“And to t’ink I was itchin for a fight,” Torrent smiled.
“Sometimes it’s good to just not fight,” Bluestreak
sighed.
Stepstone had a hard time looking at Bluestreak. It
reminded her all too much of the Bluestreak that they
had lost. Why would Timebroker
send them to world where they would encounter another version of Bluestreak so soon after her death? It seemed almost like a cruel joke on his
part.
“We have a problem!” Anakin yelled out before the door to Psi-Borg’s bunker exploded and sent shrapnel in every
direction.
Blink was able to create tiny portals throughout the room
that caught most of the shrapnel and re-directed it at whoever had intruded
into the bunker.
“No fair! When did
you guys get a teleporter?” a tall, blonde hair man
asked. He was hearing a helmet similar
to the hero Nova, but his long locks reached to his ankles.
“None of your damn business Gabriel, but boy did you pick
the wrong day to want to fight us,” Serenity laughed. She fully expected this to be an easy victory
with the assistance of the Exiles.
“You dishonor your parents by wearing that helmet!” Bluestreak exclaimed.
Gabriel’s parents had been the heroes Nova and Namorita. They had fought against the High Council, but
their son obviously saw things differently.
“Shaddup you dumb beotch! I swear I
could just cut your innocent lil throat,” a lithe
woman said as she wrapped her arms around Gabriel’s neck. She was Vixen. The daughter of Green
Goblin and Typhoid Mary. She had
her mother’s make-up, but her father’s technology.
“Hurting the lil broad is
something I called dibs on back in
“We’re taking this outside!” Blink
exclaimed as she created a portal underneath everyone in the bunker except for Psi-Borg.
“Now that we’re in a more comfortable position…attack!”
Blink ordered as Factor X clashed with Gen X and the Exiles.
Morbius found his way to Clarice and the
two were locked into vicious combat.
Gabriel was finding that his invulnerability didn’t stand up
to Anakin’s lightsaber.
Stepstone, Serenity, and Moonarrow were keeping the relatively dumb Creel confused.
Black Cat was having a tough time dodging the knives and
bombs of Vixen. She laughed maniacally
as she threw pumpkin after explosive pumpkin, “Our parents were always at each
other’s throats. Your Dad may have won
their rivalry, but I’ll win this one.”
“Yea sure whatever you say,” Black Cat joked as he pounced
on Vixen and slammed her to the ground.
“Idiot,” Vixen laughed as a knife popped from the middle of
her breasts and stabbed Black Cat clean through.
Anakin was witness to this death and something quickly
overtook him. An anger he couldn’t
explain. His eyes blackened and he
stared down Gabriel with immense hate.
“This ends now,” Anakin said slow and methodically as he
used his Force abilities to suspend Gabriel in the air and with a swift move he
sliced Gabriel in half.
“No!” Creel yelled as he witnessed Anakin murder his best
friend. He tossed the three women he
were fighting to the side and rushed to Gabriel’s aid.
“Fool,” Anakin said as he entrapped Creel in a whirlwind of
black lightning and disintegrated his body.
“Retreat!” Morbius ordered as he
took the air and was quickly leaving the rest of his team behind.
“No mercy,” Anakin said coldly as he attacked Morbius in the same way he had destroyed Creel.
“Anakin stop!” Faith yelled as she ran to Skywalker and
shook him hard.
“Leave,” Blink said as she looked
to Vixen and teleported her away.
“I can’t believe I did all that,” Anakin sighed as he
pressed his hand against his head in utter despair.
“You really don’t remember anything?” Faith asked.
“No. No I don’t,”
Anakin replied.
“I believe him. But
we have other things to talk about,” Blink said as she walked over to the two.
“Like?” Faith asked.
“Reed is leaving us.
He’s already talked to Timebroker. He’s decided to stay on this world.”
“Is that what he really wants to
do?” Anakin asked taking a moment away from his own anguish.
“Yes this is what I really want to do. My world is already doomed I believe, but I
know I can help this one,” Reed said.
“Well, I’ll miss ya,” Stepstone said as she reached over and gave the son of Doom
a hug.
“Admittedly, I shall miss you and the others as well. Take care of Blink. She’ll need it I think,” Reed replied.
“Just save this world.
I’ll worry about Blink,” Illyana smiled.