|
|
Stryfe looked for the source of the voice inside the ball of light. The light floated above him ominously.
Tiara and Tyler stared at the light as well. For a moment they thought it was Zero. Where had the android disappeared to? Instead, the light faded and the Askani appeared where she had previously been.
Stryfe now aimed his weapon at the Askani.
"What do you know of truth?" Stryfe asked the woman. "Your order was crushed long ago in our time-node. And even when you did flourish, you were nothing more than the whispered words of a madwoman!"
Using the distraction to gain their strength, Tiara helped Tyler to his feet. He was badly hurt, but would never admit it. He didn't argue either when Tiara offered her strength. He glanced surprisingly at her. For the first time since he recently met her, Tyler could feel her power, see it in her eyes. She could have killed Stryfe, as well as himself, but did not. It amazed him.
"The order still exists," the Askani said. "We were badly broken by the final assault of the Canaanite Army. But if we no longer existed, how could I have time-slipped back to this node in order to warn the chosen ones of you return?"
Stryfe looked a bit taken aback. "You warned them. . .of my return? Do Scott Summers and Jean Grey know I've returned in Cable's body?"
The Askani nodded and looked at Tiara. "If the chosen mother heard the child's cry of help. Yes."
Stryfe began to get angry again. This was NOT what he had planned.
"You ruinous, time-betraying, hypocritical bitch!" Stryfe shouted and fired his weapon at the Askani. "Your containment field is destroyed, Askani-child. Float away and cause your pain some other day."
With a second flash of golden light, the Askani disappeared for the second time.
"As for you dear children," Stryfe turned his attention back to Tyler and Tiara. "It is only fitting that the children pay for the sins of the father."
Beside Tiara, Tyler had fallen to his knees again. He was convulsing heavily. Tiara glared up at Stryfe, anger flared in her silverish eyes.
"Do you have any idea what you've just done?!" she yelled at him. "Tyler's mutant power is to telepathically affix himself to someone's memories and visually display them. He was affixed to the Askani when you destroyed her containment field!"
"And," Stryfe said nonchalantly blowing the smoke from his gun.
"Fool!" Tyler said as he managed to stand. A strange ball of light emerged from his hands. "All she was -- all she knew -- all those ghosts of what was and what is yet to be are going to form through me!"
Without warning, Stryfe, Tiara, and Tyler were surrounded by images of war, screams of pain, and death.
"What are you showing us?" Stryfe was becoming annoyed.
"The truth old man," Tyler glared at Stryfe. "The truth about your birth, your life, and hopefully your death!"
The images flashed quickly as years of events traveled by.
"Where are these false images coming from, pup?" Stryfe asked.
"I can only show you ACTUAL, historical fact," Tyler countered.
Stryfe watched the images closely. His anger slowly built to a crescendo.
"If this is all true," he mused. "Then everything I was told. . .was a lie!"
The three watched as the clone tanks, where the cloned body of the child from the past slowly draws breath, appear. They watch as the Canaanite soldiers of the Apocalypse crush through the walls of the Temple of the Askani. They see the novitiates of the order fleeing in panic as the mother of them all, the one known as the Bright Lady, cries tears of joy and despair. The horror she knew would one day come to pass has finally arrived.
Stryfe was very much in pain, and Tyler was reveling in it. Tiara only watched. All of this was new to her, yet she somehow remembered it.
"And that is what was left of me?" Stryfe said in despair. "Because my chamber did not open in time, I was the one taken by Apocalypse."
He turned to Tyler and Tiara. Cable's son was worn out from his experience, but he was in way weak. Tiara simply stood beside her brother, helping him the best she could.
"But don't you see," Stryfe said earnestly. "It was destiny! I was created for a reason -- to rule! And those who have sinned against me will pay!"
Without warning, Stryfe was struck by another blast of energy from behind. He recovered quickly and turned to see another flash of light. He wondered what trick the Askani was trying to pull when he noticed Zero, and several of the X-Men, emerging from the portal.
"Be careful, all of you. The amount of temporal electromagnetic and psionic energy building inside this installation is terrifying in its potential for destruction," Tiara heard Professor Xavier explain.
Then she heard the one voice she'd recognize in her sleep.
"None of that matters, Professor," Cyclops said as he stepped from the portal. "We've got to get Tiara to safety and save my son!"
Stryfe laughed. "Too little too late, 'father'."
He unleashed Cable's telekinetic power, shutting down Zero's portal and temporarily blinded everyone in the room. As everyone tried to regain their ground, Stryfe turned on Zero.
"You brought them here, Zero," Stryfe said in disbelief. "Synthetic Judas! How dare you defy me!." He stepped closer to Zero, anger flashing in his eyes. "I saved you from a scrap heap closet, floating in outer space. You sought to stop me and further your delusional programming as a peace keeper. All you've done is sealed the fates of the very ones you sought to help!"
Zero slowly recovered. He stood and faced Stryfe.
"I think not," Zero said. He raised a hand, and using his own special ability, distracted the Chaos-Bringer. A flowing mist of light enveloped Stryfe.
"Wha--?"
Charles Xavier was the first of his X-Men to recover and witnessed Zero's attempt to hold Stryfe at bay.
"Amazing," Charles said. "Zero is channeling the energy wavelength through which the Askani existed in this time through Stryfe." He switched to his telepathic speech. <<This affords us an opportunity to strike. Jean, link minds with me. Through our telepathic abilities, all of us can work together in trying to purge Stryfe out of Cable's body.>>
<<Professor,>> Jean replied. <<Charles. . .I'm afraid of what I -- what we -- might see inside his mind.>>
Charles shook his head. <<It is for that very reason, Jean -- the fear of the pain and suffering which lies within the minds of both Stryfe and Cable -- that we have no choice but to enter his mind and try to stitch together the tattered remnants of their lives.>>
So inside they went, two of the most powerful minds on Earth, figuratively taking with them the minds of Cyclops and Domino, with Tyler and Tiara in tow. Together, they slipped through the folds of Stryfe's guarded memories.
Wincing in pain, Stryfe tried to fight
against the intrusion, but it only sharpened the sting of the images playing
themselves out around him: The abusive training at the hands of Apocalypse's
dog-soldiers; the emotional and psychological torture used to harden the
child and break his spirit; the development of his mutant abilities, and
the manipulative, horrendous ways
in which they were used against the enemies
of the state; the forging of his armor, crafted and designed to stand as
a shining, silver symbol of the Canaanite rule, and in many ways the final
nail in the coffin -- serving to bury a human soul within a cold shell.
The Askani's voice rang in Stryfe's mind like a bell toll.
"Stryfe, listen to me, listen to all of us! There is no need for your hatred to be directed toward those here. They only seek the truth," she said. "You can begin the process of healing yourself by allowing them the opportunity to help you."
Stryfe struggled with the Askani's words, as well as suppress Cable's own thoughts, for a moment.
"No," Stryfe cried. "No, I can not. But. . ." He thought back to a time when no one cared for him except himself. No one to turn to for help. It hardened him, possibly shaped him into what he was. But then there was one person, a little girl, who saw a different side to him. Perhaps it was time to show that side to all, whether he wanted to or not. "I-I don't know."
"Look at them," the Askani's voice commanded. Reluctantly he did so, taking in first Tyler and Tiara, then Scott and Jean, and the other X-Men. "Feel their pain. Feel the gnawing emptiness in each of their hearts."
A picture appeared. A memory, rather, of two boys clutching on to one another, screaming, as a burning parachute carried them safely to the ground.
"See Scott Summers as he and his brother are pushed out of a burning plane by their parents. Feel their hands on your back, the last touch you will ever know of your parents' love is a rough shove.
"Search the soul and the mind's eye of the body you now inhabit, and understand what it was like for Nathan -- ignorant of his part in a never ending cycle of anguish."
Images appeared for all to see. The X-Men looked on with a great sense of awe and wonderment. How much these men have suffered, they all think. Tyler and Tiara watched in silence, eager to learn more.
The Askani continued, "See Scott Summers as he makes a painful decision to send his only son, barely a year old, into an uncertain future hoping he will survive. Feel the awkward first steps Cable struggled to take with his gnarled, withered limbs -- ravaged as they were in childhood by the techno-organic virus.
"Then play again, the horrific scene you were guilty of causing: Cable, in order to save the life of a troop mate, was forced to cripple his own son! He was stunned at the unexpected retaliation of his daughter, unleashing her mutant ability for the first time -- thanks to your machinations.
"Feel the wheels turn round and round, Stryfe. The circle spins ever onward from father to son, father to daughter, as Tyler -- his mind a withered husk -- lies on the operating table of Parridan Haight's eugenics scientists. His mind being twisted in a killer, programmed to travel back in time for the sole purpose of murdering his own father.
"Watch, as you tried to turn Tiara into that same monster, to worship you as she had her father. A impressionable mind, not knowing what to believe. You found no reason to brainwash her. You raised her at your right hand, keeping her from Tyler and believing she would be your salvation. But being able to think for herself, she eventually found herself, and her family, on the moon."
Jean and Cyclops looked at each other in fear. What horrible trials these children had been forced to face! How could one man -- any man -- be so cruel? Could their futures be much better, or just another sinking hole within this void of anguish?
"And now," the Askani continued. "You threaten Cable's life with no sense of irony intended. The decision must be made here and now, by you and only you. You have shown yourself, Stryfe, to be so able and willing to use your powers to kill and destroy. Do you have the strength to use them in the most noble way imaginable? Do you have the courage to sacrifice yourself, as many of these people have done for you, by using your abilities to close the gaping emotional chasm you have created? Or does it all frighten you, knowing that such an act would serve to help to absolve you of the terrible suffering you have unfairly endured and unfairly caused upon others?"
Stryfe pondered the Askani's words. He looked at all of them: Cyclops, Jean Grey, Charles Xavier, Domino, Tyler, Tiara and Cable. Was the Askani right? Was he afraid to help others after causing so much pain. He glanced at them and his eyes rested on Tiara. Brother and sister had one arm wrapped around each other. She had become as powerful as he had imagined. She had broken free of his hold, broken free of the endless cycle. He really wished her no ill-will, and Stryfe was never afraid. . . .
"I fear nothing, woman!" Stryfe replied to the Askani. He turned away from the others and faced the Askani. "The mantle was mine to take. But if in passing you think I can bring come hope to others, I guess the laugh is on all of you. Because then, a life that never should have been, will continue to wreak havoc. . .even after death."
With a touch of the Askani's hand, Stryfe was gone.
Darkness consumed Cable. He didn't
remember much; the graveyard, Domino,
Mr. Sinister, Tyler, Tiara. What
was happening? What was going on?
"Cable?"
Did he hear. . .was that Cyclops calling to him?
Cyclops ran over to kneel beside the limp figure of Nathan Christopher lying on the floor.
"Nathan?" Cyclops asked.
Cable slowly opened his eyes. His gaze settled first upon Scott Summers.
"Father?" Cable said and reached up to hug his father.
"I'm so sorry," Scott immediately apologized. "Sorry for everything that has happened."
It was a tender moment that Jean Grey wished to hold in her heart forever. It was a rare occasion for Cable to show his feelings -- a trait he inherited from Scott. She smiled warmly at them.
"Wait. . ." Cable realized that he had apologies of his own to make. "Tyler?"
Cable released his father and searched
the room for his son. But he was no
where to be found.
"They're gone," Xavier said. "While
we were still joined inside your --
Stryfe's -- mind, I felt him escape.
Tiara followed willingly. I'm sorry I could not track them and still
maintain the fragile union we forged against Stryfe. But I know they
are safe."
Jean turned away from Scott and Cable to look at Charles.
"Professor, at the end, I reached out to
Stryfe and asked him for some clue to the cure for the Legacy Virus.
All I caught was a piece of. . .I'm not sure. .
.compassion," Jean said. She
paused. "His last thoughts were of Tiara."
"Perhaps he wasn't as heartless as he appeared," Charles replied with a shake of his head. "But we must redouble our efforts to find a solution to the Legacy Virus." He turned toward Cable who know stood beside his father. "As for you, Cable. This isn't the meeting I had envisioned between us. But, having at long last met you, I have the oddest feeling we've met before."
Cable shook his head and winced in pain.
"Xavier, strange as it may be to understand, I've been a part of your ideals for more years than you know." Cable reached down to inspect the weapon Stryfe had dropped earlier. He smiled at Charles. "Just think of me as one of those crazy relatives you don't want visiting too often."
Sadly, Cable turned to face Cyclops, Jean and Domino. His eyes settled upon Domino and, for what seemed like the first time ever, really SAW her. She was battered, bruised, but still one of the most beautiful things he'd ever seen, and a true friend. Then he turned toward the door.
"Dom," Cable said. "Let's go home."
"Wait!" Scott said. "It can't be
THAT easy for you to just walk away like
this. Isn't there. . .anything you
want to say to me--? Anything you want to know?!"
Cable stopped and turned to look at Scott,
his face sad. He didn't expect to hear this coming from his father.
He wasn't prepared to ask questions. But there was
one. . . .
"After all this time," Cable started. "I don't know if I can. . .I-I'd like to know--. I mean, could you tell me a little more about. . .about my mother?"
XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX
Stryfe turned away from them and Tyler
took his chance. Grabbing Tiara by
the hand, Tyler stepped outside of Cable's/Stryfe's
mind with his sister in tow.
Tiara didn't want to leave. She had learned the truth about her own existence in a single night. But she yearned to be with her family again, and not willing to fight her brother, she followed him silently. She opened her eyes with a start. As they came into focus, she noticed Tyler kneeling above her. He was smiling down at her.
"How do you feel? Are you all right?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm fine. . .I think," Tiara replied with a brief smile. She struggled to sit up. Shaking her head, Tiara took in her surroundings. They were still in Tyler's sanctuary, but everyone else was lying passive on the floor.
"They're still inside father's mind," Tyler explained as he held his hand out to her. "Come. We must get you home safely."
Tiara accepted his hand and he hauled her to her feet quickly, but refused to let go of her hand.
"What about them?" Tiara pointed to the others.
"They will win," Tyler replied with a sad
smile. "You have no reason to
fear."
Tiara looked down at the bodies on the floor.
<<Please come back,>> Tiara said to Cable. <<Come back to us.>>
Tyler gently tugged on his sister's hand. A flash of light signaled the opening of a portal. Tiara glanced at Tyler, then at the widening gap of light. With a final tug, Tyler and Tiara stepped forward into the light.
It seemed like seconds between the time
Tiara entered the portal and the
welcome sight of the boathouse on Spuytin
Devil's Cove came into view. The light got dimmer and smaller the
closer they got to the boathouse. Soon, the dark sky surrounded Tyler
and Tiara as they exited the portal.
"This place," Tyler whispered. "It's beautiful."
The sun began to peak over the horizon.
"Stay," Tiara said to him, still holding his hand.
Tyler turned to Tiara and took her other hand in his.
"I can't, Tia. I don't belong here."
"I didn't either at first. But now, this place is my home. These people care about me, and I them." Tiara looked at her brother earnestly. "I lost you once, I don't--"
"I know." Tyler didn't want to lose his sister again either. But it had been such a long time. Could it ever be the way it was before? "They're your family now. I could never be. . . ." His voice trailed off as he looked toward the horizon.
"What?" Tiara asked. "Happy? Of course you could!"
Tyler shook his head and looked at his sister. She was crying.
"No, you don't understand. Please, don't cry. Things are different now. It can't be as it was. Please. . .what is, is. You belong here now. I must find where I belong."
Tyler released his sister's hands and backed away.
"Just tell me one thing?"
"What's that?" Tyler asked.
"Why?"
Tyler had the reply of 'why not' ready to spit out, but thought better of it. He really wasn't sure why, so he answered, "You wouldn't understand," and looked away from her.
"I already don't understand, Tyler." Tiara noticed a familiar flickering of light as another portal began to form. Tyler turned away and began walking toward it. "Where will you go?"
Tyler stopped in front of the portal. He turned toward his sister, a sad smile on his face. A single tear burned its way down his cheek.
"Trust in me, little sister," he told her. "We will meet again. Of that, I have no doubt."
He was gone in an instant, the light swallowing him quickly and disappearing. Tiara ran for the spot where her brother once stood. A small whisper of his voice remained as it echoed off the waters of the cove.
"Safe Journey, little one."
Tiara stood silently for a moment before bursting into tears. As the sun rose higher over the horizon, Tiara made her way into the mansion. Before entering through the kitchen door, her thoughts reached out to Tyler.
<<Safe Journey, Tyler. We will
meet again.>>
