Group X
"The Reza Rescue"
(Front cover. We see the members of Group X entering a mysterious
pyramid. Some of them hold torches.)
Cap (N): Into the den of Apocalypse!!
Bander: Lecita, I don’t think this is a good idea.
(Inside front cover. We see the blurbs for Lotus,
Eagle, Starshot, Spyre, Bander, Mindpath, and Sonnos.
Below that, we see this blurb:)
Apocalypse: Having existed since the dawn of man, En
Sabah Nur has observed it all - and he wants to conquer the world, and enforce
his own version of the survival of the fittest!
(Page 1,
panel 1. Team X headquarters,
(Panel 2. They enter the bed together, and pull the sheets over
themselves.) Lotus: Computer, lights.
(Panel 3. The lights go out as Lotus and Eagle put an arm
around each other. ) Cap (N): And with sleep, comes a dream....
(Page 2,
panel 1. Go to Lotus’ dream. We see her and Eagle in a pyramid, walking down a
corridor.)
Lotus: What’s going on here?
Eagle: This is not our usual meeting place of peace.
(Panel 2. They come to a deep hole, which they cannot get
around.) Lotus: Looks like down it is then.
(Panel 3. They jump down the hole. Panel 4.
We see them sliding down a stone slide.) Cap (N): And where they end up is far
from peaceful.
(Panel 4. They land at the feet of a monster. The beast is large, tenticled, armed, and mean looking.) Lotus: A demon from our pasts to confront? Eagle: I think
this one is new to us.
(Panel 5. The demon attacks Lotus and Eagle.) Lotus: Something
is important on the other side. Eagle: I shall keep this beast busy.
(Page 3,
panel 1. Lotus goes around the beast as Eagle punches it.) SFX: WHAM!!
(Panel 2. Lotus comes to a hole in the wall.) Lotus: Where is
the important thing? Hole: Here...
(Panel 3. Lotus faces the hole.) Lotus: What’s going on here?
Hole:
(Panel 4. The beast strikes Lotus from behind, sending her into
a wall.) SFX: POW!!!
(Panel 5. The beast throws Eagle on top of Lotus.) Beast: Stay
away, or die!!!!
(Page 4,
panel 1. Go back to Lotus and Eagle. They are now in bed, sitting up, and
gasping.) Lotus & Eagle (simultaneously): GASP!!
(Panel 2. They face each other.) Lotus: You had the dream too,
didn’t you? Eagle: Such a challenge for the team is too soon. I do not know if
we are ready for such a challenge.
(Panel 3. Lotus is deadpan.) Lotus: Whoever needed rescuing
went halfway around the world and across some serious barriers to deliver that
message to us... we have to save him/her.
(Panel 4. Lotus stands.) Lotus: But let’s start the day off
right - we can’t fight on an empty stomach, can we? Eagle: And we should do our
normal morning routine as well.
(Panel 5. Later. We see Lotus and
Eagle in their uniforms.) Eagle: I have to wonder how the team is going to
react. Lotus: I hope for the best.
(Page 5,
panel 1. Dining area. We see the team sitting down to
breakfast, all 9 of them.) Starshot: I canna put me
finger on it, but I didna sleep well last night. Sonnos: I think we all had
trouble sleeping.
(Panel 2. Lotus and Eagle face the others.) Lotus: Everyone,
the Divine One has commanded us to have a major test
of the team - it has ordered us to the
(Panel 3. Bander, who was drinking some juice, spits it out in
shock and horror.) Bander: Spuitsh!
Lotus: George, what is it?
(Panel 4. Bander faces Lotus.) Bander: You’ve
got to be kidding us. Nobody has come back from the
(Panel 5. Bander is deadpan.) Bander: Lecita, Napoleon sent
over 5,000 of his best troops into that valley. None returned. Aerial
photographs show an ancient pyramid there, that’s all we know about it.
Lotus: Then it’s time we
found out more.
(Page 6,
panel 1. Bander turns.) Bander: Go there - but without me. Lotus: George,
someone or something is there - something that needs rescuing. We need all the
team to be there to get whatever it is out of there.
(Panel 2. Bander grits his teeth.) Bander: Lecita, many
powerful people have gone into the place - mutants that make our powers look
pale in comparison. Nobody, absolutely nobody has ever returned from that
place. Ever. Lotus: Whatever is there, we have to go. George,
I’m not a flighty person. This is something that is divinely
guided.
(Panel 3. Lotus is serious.) Lotus: Ask the bright lady - she will tell you that I am right.
(Panel 4. Bander grits his teeth.) Bander: This has the makings
of a disaster, Lecita. Lotus: Then it will be my blame.
(Page 7,
panel 1. The
(Panel 2. Go inside to see Apocalypse there, looking at a
screen.) Apocalypse: I am the stronger of us, and I will use your power as I
see fit. Voice (from off panel): You cannot do this forever. There are people
on the way to save me.
(Panel 3. Go outside to see the Team X plane enter, and land.)
Cap (N1): And into the mouth of danger they go. Cap
(N2): Little knowing what is going to happen.
(Panel 4. Go over to see Ozymandias looking at the pyramid via
a viewscreen.) Cap (N): And meanwhile... Cap (O1): Much have I seen in my
lifetime. Cap (O2): I have seen empires come and go. Cap (O3): I have seen men
great and meek rise and fall.
Cap (O3): But this time is different. Cap (O4): If these people succeed in
their mission, Cap (O5): Horus help us all.
(Page 8,
panel 1. Go back to see the members of Team X enter the valley of death,
landing the plane.) Bander (from the plane): I still say this is a bad idea,
Lecita.
(Panel 2. We see the members of Team X enter the scene.) Lotus:
I know, George. But we did vote on this, and it did
pass.
(Panel 3. They go toward the pyramid.) Lotus: Whatever awaits
us, we have to meet it head on.
(Panel 4. Suddenly the ground springs to life, with metallic
tenticles comeing out of the ground.) Bander: It’s starting! Lotus: We can see
that.
(Panel 5. Diving Eagle tears the tenticles out of the ground
that hold him there.) SFX: RRRIIIPPP!!!
Eagle: They are not strong
ones.
(Panel 6. Bander forms a sword, slashing the tenticles.) SFX:
SLASH!!
(Page 9,
panel 1. The tenticles retreat.) Lotus: That’s part one of the test. I have a
feeling we’re going to have several more.
(Panel 2. They enter the pyramid.) Cap (B1): I can’t believe
I’m doing this. Cap (B2): All my childhood, I was told
to keep out of the valley. Cap (B3): And now, here I am, ignoring the voice of
reason.
(Panel 3. They stop at a juncture.) Lotus: I’m getting a strong
pulling downward - whatever wants us, it’s far below, to only where I can get
it. Eagle: Go ahead, Lecita. I will lead the team.
(Panel 4. Lotus shifts into her spirit form, and goes down.)
Lotus: I should be back soon.
(Panel 5. Suddenly a volley of sharp thorns comes toward the
team.) Eagle: Hit the deck!
(Page 10,
panel 1. Bander forms a shield as
the others dive for cover. The thorns bounce off the shield.) SFX: THWIPP!
(Panel 2. Everyone stands.) Bander: Still
think this is a good idea? Eagle: Come, more awaits us.
(Panel 3. They walk down a corridor.) Voice (from off panel):
Traspassers, leave now or die!!
(Panel 4. They come to a chamber which
is empty.) Bander: I got a bad feeling about this.
(Panel 5. Stone blocks come down, sealing the exits.) Starshot:
You’re nae alone, George.
(Page 11,
panel 1. The room starts filling
with sand.) Bander: Still think this was a good idea? Eagle: Everyone, ram the door on the other side.
(Panel 2. Everyone rams the door on the other side, breaking it
into pieces.) SFX: WHOOM!!!
(Panel 3. The team finds itself in another hallway.) Eagle:
Come. Whatever is waiting us, it is near.
(Panel 4. Go back to Lotus. We see her descending down through
solid rock, in her spirit form.) Cap (N): And meanwhile.... Cap (L1): I’ve
never been so far down in the ground before. Cap (L2): It’s getting hot here.
Cap (L3): Something is down here, however. Cap (L4): Further down.
(Page 12,
panel 1. Go back to the rest of
Team X. They come again to another chamber, in which a large box is at one
end.) Eagle: We have arrived. Bander: I have a very bad feeling about this.
(Panel 2. Enter Famine and War.) Famine: Who dares disturb the
rest of our master!? Bander :
I told you this was a bad idea. Eagle: What is going on here is bigger than the
two of us.
(Panel 3. Famine and War attack.) Famine: DIE!!!
(Panel 4. Starshot hits Famine with a shot from her laser.) Famine: UHN!
(Panel 5. Spyre strikes War, sending him down.) SFX: POW!!! Eagle: This was easy... too easy.
(Page 13,
panel 1. Go back to Lotus. We see
her (solid now) enter a large chamber in which Reza El-Muhammed is being held
on one side, while on the other, Kalona, a female Atlantian with brown hair and
eyes is being held in a tank of water.Both are held down by restraining bands
of energy and of steel.) Cap (L1): I’ve found it. Cap (L2): These are some very
powerful people here. Cap (L3): But they are on the side of the Divine One. Reza: It worked.... even with
our powers dampened, it worked...
(Panel 2. Lotus approaches Reza.) Lotus: Who are you and what’s going on here? Reza: I am Reza El-Muhammed.
In the tank there is my life-mate, Kalona. We have been trapped here for over 2300 years now. Please, set
us free so that we can continue to do our work.
(Panel 3. Lotus looks the setup over.) Lotus: Well, how do I do
that? Reza: You’ll have to disrupt these energy bands. We’ll be able to do the
rest.
(Panel 4. Lotus shifts into her spirit form again.) Lotus:
Well, here goes....
(Page 14,
panel 1. Lotus puts her hand into
one of Reza’s bands, shorting it out, and hurting Lotus.) SFX: FZAPT!! Lotus: AH!
(Panel 2. The energy bands vanish as
Lotus turns solid.) Lotus: That really hurt. Reza: It was a form of evil
energy, Lotus. But now that we are free of it, we can
help the world.
(Panel 3. Reza and Kalona surround themselves with a white
light.) Cap (L1): Woah. Cap (L2): That’s something very powerful.
(Panel 4. Reza and Kalona’s light fade, showing them to be cleaned up, and in their uniforms.) Reza: Your friends
are in trouble. We should help them out first.
(Page 15,
panel 1. Go back to the rest of
Team X. They enter a large chamber, at the end of which is a stone coffin, and
an electronic console. ) Cap (N): Meanwhile... Bander: We’ve really landed in
the dogpiles now, guys.
(Panel 2. The coffin opens to show Apocalypse there.)
Apocalypse: You have violated my inner sanctum. For that, you must die. Bander:
I told you people this was a bad idea.
(Panel 3. Apocalypse advances on Team X.) Apocalypse: Come to
me, my minions. We have much work to do. Cap (E1): We’ve landed in the hornet’s
nest. Cap (E2): This is Apocalypse. Cap (E3): He’s fought the X-Men to a
standstill.
(Panel 4. Enter several people, including Wildside, Famine, Spyne, and others.) Wildside: Death to the trespassers!! Spyre: Wildside?
(Page 16,
panel 1. The others attack Team X.
Bander forms a shield on which T-Ray strikes with a sword.) Bander: Now we’re
in trouble. T-Ray: Be a good little boy and die.
(Panel 2. We see a wide-shot of the people there fighting.) Cap
(N1): They went inside, little knowing what would happen. Cap (N2): And some of
them are regretting it now.
(Panel 3. We see Bander give a sword to Starshot.) Bander : There’s a legend about stopping him.
(Panel 4. Spyne strikes Bander, sending him down.) Spyne: Now now, not so fast.
(Page 17,
panel 1. Starshot slashes at
Famine, striking Famine’s hair.) SFX: SLASH!!
Starshot: I hope this legend is what I’m thinking.
(Panel 2. Apocalypse strikes Spyre, sending her into a wall.):
SFX: WHAM!!! Spyre: UHN!
Apocalypse: You are weak... and you deserve to die!
(Panel 3. Suddenly a light comes on in the control panel.) Apocalypse: No... not that! It took
me 500 years to set that up!!
(Panel 4. Distracted, Apocalyse has the cable on his left arm
severed by Starshot’s sword. Both are electrocuted.)
SFX: CRACKLE!!!!
Starshot: AH!
(Page 18,
panel 1. Starshot
falls, hurt.) Bander: Starshot!!
(Panel 2. Go over to see Lifeforce drain the life out of
Mindpath.)
Mindpath: AAAAHHHHH!!!!
(Panel 3. Suddenly, Reza, Kalona and Lotus appear in the
scene.)
Reza: This battle is over,
now.
(Panel 4. Suddenly Apocalypse and his minions freeze. We see
now that all but Lotus from Team X are hurting, with bruises, bleeding, and torn clothing.) Reza: You have done what you
were set out to do. I am free, and so is Kalona.
(Page 19,
panel 1. Team X
briefing room. We see Team X, Reza, and Kalona
sitting around the table. Spyre, Mindpath, and the
others are now healed, and wearing clean uniforms.) Reza: The scales have been balanced again. Cosmic evil now balances with
cosmic good. Lotus: Reza, you are a very powerful person. Teach us of the
Divine ways you know.
(Panel 2. Reza faces Lotus.) Reza: Lotus, you already have your
power. Use it. As for the rest of you, thank you for saving me, and we will
leave you a present.
(Panel 3. Reza and Kalona disappear.) Lotus:
A present? Bander: After all we went through,
it’d better be good.
(Panel 4. Mindpath approaches the computer.) Mindpath:
Hello... Lotus: What is it, Simon?
(Page 20,
panel 1. Mindpath pushes buttons
on the computer.)
Mindpath:
Crikey O’Riley....
Lotus: In
English, Simon.
(Panel 2. Mindpath faces Lotus.)
Mindpath: There’s enough
computing power here to equal 2million Pentium 500 computers.
Lotus:
Interesting....
(Panel 3. The team stands.)
Lotus: Apparently, there has
been an upgrade in our place. I think we’re going to need to explore this
further.
(Panel 4. The team heads out.)
Cap (N1): It is a place of awe and wonder.
Cap (N2): A triumph of technology.
Cap (N3): A place to help them out in their endeavors.
(Page 21,
panel 1. Hangar.
We see Mindpath and Odora there, looking over the Team X jet.) Mindpath: Love,
I can’t explain it. It just happened.
Odora: Ye said the plane was destroyed. What happened?
(Panel 2. They go inside to see the plane is larger on the
inside than on the outside.)
Odora: What
in the world? Mindpath: This...
this is impossible!
(Panel 3. Mindpath pushes some buttons on a keyboard.)
Mindpath: How is this
possible?
(Panel 4. They read the screen.)
Mindpath: We’re inside a microverse?
Odora: Och, this is tae much.
(Panel 5. They exit the plane.)
Mindpath: I don’t think the others wil believe
us, love.
(Page 22,
panel 1. Briefing
room. We see the team gathered again.)
Lotus: Well, we’ve been given a great gift. And
with any great gift, it should be used wisely.
(Panel 2. The screen comes to life, and shows Reza threre.)
Reza: Everyone, I am glad you
have gathered. Allow me to explain what I have done here.
(Panel 3. Reza continues to talk as the others face him.)
Reza: Share this technology
with your friends. In the war to keep the balance, every advantage must be used. I am going to return home for awhile to catch up on what went wrong while I was captured.
When I return, you must do anything I say.
(Panel 4. The screen goes blank.)
Lotus: Well, he has spoken.
--End--