Silver Embers

Title: Silver Embers

Author: Lumamistic

Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don’t own the killing machine called Marvel so that means I don’t own their characters. I’d tried making something different from my norm so please tell me if it’s good. Just email me please. I enjoy feedback of any kind even dreadful flames. During the making of this fic I mainly listened to Hooverphonic-"A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular" because its good even if it is old.

Rating: NC-17 (gruesome acts of murder, sex, nudity, and because I know you dirty people will only read the NC-17 ones. Dirty mind Nasty thoughts.)

Summary: A long needed vacation turns to ruin when murder is the sport.

(Warren, Betsy, Logan, Jean, Jubilee, Rogue, Remy, Xavier, Ororo, Scott, and briefly Hank)

He smiled.

It had been a long time since he had smiled. Since he killed.

He loosely placed his hands into his coat pockets then casually strolled down the beach toward the cliffs. He was free now. He was now able to fulfill his wants, his needs, and his desires. But it was his desires that destroyed them. The people he once called friends, maybe at one point in time he could have call family, now were all dead because of him. The team he had been a part of for years was gone…all gone.

************* Days before****************

"Hey watch it, FeatherButt!" Jubilee screamed at her new partner and ducked his razor sharp wings. Warren had trouble attacking the mutant simulated robot with his new ‘wings’. "Sorry Jubilee, it came out of no where." He pushed the simulated fire breather mutant against the wall then turned his back to his enemy. His left wing rose and jutted out across the mutant’s mouth leaving it gasp at it’s now useless weapon. "Warren its gonna blow." She was right. As he turned to face his victim once more its mouth had begun to bulge with pressure from the gas canister in its belly. He snatched Jubilee into his arms and ran fast towards the big metal door that led to their safety. His chest began to ache from the cold air he was taking in and his screaming bundle was weighing him down. He made it through the door seconds before the blast. "What the fuck was that?" Logan came crashing down the hallway while scrambling to secure his hood on. When he saw Jubilee lying under the big blue bat his anger got the best of him. He pulled Warren off Jubilee and threw him against the wall denting it as well. "Mind tellin’ me what the hell happened?"

"It was nothing, just a little bang in my performance. I saved your precious Jubilee o.k?" Warren was dropped but only to receive a beating from another.

* That was very dangerous! * The all too familiar motherly tone appeared into his head and then the pure form itself stepped in front of him. "We were fine, Jean. It was your idea to partner us up anyway plus danger is always around us why would now be any different." He stood up to face his fault but Jubilee sidestepped him. "In battle we can’t plan and follow rules. Warren did what he thought best and saved me from being a burnt roast. He followed his instincts, thanks FeatherButt." She gave him a hug then stalked off with her head held high.

"Glad somebody is appreciative of my outstanding fighting skills." Warren followed Jubilee’s exit and went for his room.

I was careless. She could have died if I hadn’t noticed. Damn these wings. I can’t move as fast. Damn you to hell Apocalypse for what you have done to me. The hours in the Danger Room finally caught up with him and he slipped into some boxers for a long needed restful sleep. He didn’t get it.

High above the trees where the air was fresh he flew. His wings with feathers were flapping endlessly in the dark night. He was free here. Free from all the troubles of his horrid life. He soared high into the night then swooped down into the crisp air. Lower and lower he went till he spotted a deserted plain. He quickly made his dissent onto the ground and sat on his knees. He kneeled down and fell over onto his back. He laid there looking into the night sky wishing for the dream never to end. Then dark clouds bellowed in above him blackening out the bright stars and full moon.

"Come my dark horseman. Come back to me." The voice was unmistakable. It had belonged to his enemy and savior. He had been a fool to seek help from Apocalypse but he was desperate. He had lost his wings. Apocalypse made Warren undergo genetic engineering that turned his skin blue and gave him his metallic wings. Warren became his fourth horseman of the Apocalypse, Death.

"Nooooo, I won’t listen to you." He grabbed his head as if in pain and screamed. "I’m an X-man!"

A dark mist developed above his head then move fluidly in front of his body. Warren crawled to his feet. "If you refuse me then I’ll find another…more worthy to do my bidding." The mist enveloped into thin air.

Warren woke with sweat dripping from his forehead. He patted the cold moisture with his sheets and scrambled out of bed. He dressed in some trousers and a tank top then left his room. It was past midnight and it seemed everyone had gone to bed in the house. He thought of going to Xavier but felt silly enough for letting a dream get to him like this. It was just a nightmare from his past. Apocalypse hadn’t been heard from in years and besides he couldn’t bring back the four horsemen. Pestilence was dead and Warren wasn’t about to join that crazy loon again.

He wasn’t aware of his feet just the prodding notion in his head to find her. His one and only anchor in his wild lustrous life, his Betsy. She had returned from England that afternoon. She had been visiting the countryside for a little relaxation time since absorbing the Shadow King. He found himself in front of her door inches from the handle. He slowly turned the knob and entered. She was asleep in her normal spot taking up only the right side of the huge bed.

Her body was in the fetal position with her hands between her thighs. She looked so peaceful and innocent. Warren sat beside her and laid a hand on her forehead. "Betsy? Wake up please." He stared at her eyes waiting for them to open. "Warren, I just got to sleep and now you’re waking me up." She was irritated at the interruption. She had trouble sleeping lately with bad memories invading her mind. Peace will not fall upon this house tonight it seems. She moved for her lamp switch. For a person of the shadows it came easily. The room flooded with a bright yellowish light. Betsy pulled the sheets up closer to her body to hide her nudeness. "I’ve seen you naked before."

"That’s during sex, this is a totally different scenario." Warren turned his head away while she pulled on her black robe. "Its late what do you want?" She sat next to Warren and took his hand in hers. She saw from his expression that he must have had a troubled night as well. She lifted his head towards her and gently kissed his lips. "What happened?"

"Just had a nightmare again that’s all." He didn’t want to worry her with some silly dream and make her nights more restless. Betsy pushed him in her bed and pulled what covers she could get over him. "I’ll be here all night." Then she pulled her robe off and snuggled next to him.

Dream…

Betsy was running along a white beach. Running from the darkness that was close behind her. It was complete blackness in the sky behind her, nothing at all escape the dark enigma. It spreaded out from each of her footsteps, breaching any type of barriers in its course. Then it suddenly stopped. Betsy had run farther when she turned and noticed. Puzzled, she went to inspect the darkness. Out of the black oblivion slid a small hand mirror. It was gold with pearls attached on the sides as a border. The mirror was nine inches long with a handle of four. She took it in her hand and turned it around. The back was plain gold with a small red ruby centered in the middle. Her hands flipped it to the front and dropped it into the sand when a bright light flashed on the mirror. An image blurred in the mirror’s refection. Warren. He was carrying a small package in his arms. Betsy picked up the mirror and looked at him. He was wearing a black uniform with a large white x on the front. The area he was in was much like the beach she was standing on that very moment. She watched Warren set the package that was wrapped in brown paper on the sand. He sat before it and lifted the paper neatly off. He opened the box and screamed. Inside was a head. A head that she knew to well. A head that had been her savior and keeper. Her own.

Her own bodiless head lay before her love and she screamed again. The mirror fell from her hands and soon the darkness moved forward again wrapping itself around her till not a trace was left. Betsy woke up screaming knocking Warren off the bed. He had been dreaming himself but it wasn’t nearly as dreadful as before. He steadied himself on the floor keeping his wings in check. "What the hell? Betsy you were dreaming!"

She pulled the sheets closer to her body, "Something attacked me in my dreams." It was true she could still feel the cold embrace of the darkness. It had reached deep inside her filling her with its gloom and sadness. Betsy rubbed her eyes with her hands and began to shed tears. She cried for the first time in years. It had built up inside her. "Oh, Warren it was dreadful!" He rose off the ground and placed his strong blue arms around her.

"Betsy it was a dream…"

"Yeah I guess so." She nestled down further into his arms and fell asleep.

***************

"Yeah! The beach!" An excited Jubilee was jumping around the airport van screaming her head off.

"Ah never thought she could get happier about anything other than the mall." The buxom brunette proclaimed as she loaded the last of luggage into the back. "Jubilee could you please quiet down and help Jean with her suitcase." Scott gently pushed the teenager back towards the front door where an impatient telepath was waiting. "Fine, the quicker we’ll get there." Jubilee grabbed a case and wearily pulled it to the back. Jean went and stood next to her husband and smiled. "It’s nice that were able to do this. It’s been a long time since any of us have had a vacation."

"Yah, ah say Betsy had a great idea. The warm sun on mah back and the ocean waves breaking underneath me." She was placing the last suitcase in the van.

"Rogue, is the van packed?" The Professor rolled next to her with Ororo behind him.

"Yep."

"Good. Scott I’m sorry I can’t accompany you all but there is business at hand that needs my attention. Ororo and Beast will stay and keep the mansion in check."

"Ororo, are you sure you don’t want to come with us. I thought for sure you would jump at the chance to go to the beach." Jean asked.

"I would so love to go with you but I have other plans to attend to. Have fun." She pushed the Professor back to the house. "Somethings up with her, Scott."

"Relax, Ororo can take care of herself for a couple of days without us." Scott pulled his wife behind the van’s back open door from prodding minds and kissed her softly on the mouth. He pushed her chin and looked at her. Then silently mouthed a single word, ‘Relax’.

Jubilee jumped inside the van and sat in the back with the gruffy looking Logan. He was smoking his cigar filling the vehicle with its stench. "Good Lord, Wolvie this is a rental!"

"Look kid, we paid for it I can do what I please." He looked at her pleading eyes and growled. "Fine." He jumped out and threw down the cigar and stomp on the ashes. He watched with pain as the last flicker of his pleasure faded into a pair of long olive legs. Logan raised his head to the sight of a lavender beauty. "Good morning, Betts. Let me help ya in." Betsy took his hand and slid in the middle row. Logan moved next to her and began to habitually prepare another smoke when a fist hit his head. "No smoking, Wolvie!" He gently placed the cigar back into his plaid shirt pocket. "Logan I called the hotel and reserved a smoking room for you."

"Thanks, Betts. This beach we’re going to…ya been there before right."

"Yes, and I know what your thinking. Lots of bars at Hult Island."

He gave her a shocked look. "Thought ya couldn’t read minds?"

Betsy quickly looked at him. "Oh no, I can’t but…it’s not hard to know what your pleasures lay." She gave him a quick smile then opened up a magazine.

Logan shoved his body down into the seat and closed his eyes.

Warren peered into the van and noticed someone in his seat. "Move Logan, that’s my seat." Logan only bellowed out a loud snore. Betsy simply smiled, "Warren it’s only an hour’s ride. Let him rest." Warren glanced at her then sat in the back with Jubilee, Rogue, and Jean. Scott moved in the front passenger side and told the driver they were ready.

"Mon ami, wait for Gambit!" An auburn haired man came running out of the house for the van. "Thought ya weren’t comin’, Remy." Rogue yelled through an open window.

"I woke up late. A charmer does need his sleep to keep up with de ladies, non." He leaped in beside Logan and pulled the van door close.

When they touched down in Hult Island everyone was tired with the exception of the only teenager who decided to bounce up and down at the sight of the crystal clear water.

"Come on, Jubilee!" Jean said while pulling her away from the dock, "We have to check in first."

"Can’t you do that without me?" Jean gave a final tug then stepped in front of her view of the ocean. "We could but your suitcase is the heaviest. You’re taking it."

"Hold on everyone, your room numbers. Rogue? You’re with Jubilee. Betsy, I take it you’ll be with Warren?" The purple hair maiden gave a soft giggle. "I think you are mistaken, Scott. I would like to room with myself. Don’t worry I’ve got my room already."

Warren gave her a questionable glance then went and snatched the key. "It’s fine."

He made for the stairs with his suitcase.

"Doesn’t anyone think Warren should wear that transfiguration patch more often. I mean I like the blue skin and all but it’s a little…"

"Charming." Betsy snapped at her. She took her luggage and followed Warren’s lead.

*************

"Warren, I ‘m sorry if I offended you but I want to relax here." She had cornered him on the beach. "I’m not hurt, Betsy, but the past few nights have been nightmares. I can’t get any sleep without you near me."

She sat down on the warm sand and patted the area beside her. He took the suggestion and put his arm around her. "Nights worse for you too?"

"Not as bad." She smiled at him viciously. Betsy moved her eyes off him and watched Jubilee run into the ocean laughing her head off. "Well, I guess you want to be alone then." He paused for a response watching her keep her eyes on the waves.

"We’re over, Warren." He only nodded then left her staring at the brilliantly blue waves crashing on the joyful Jubilation.

************

The night came with a cool breeze so Jean decided to leave the sliding door to her room open. She snuggled into the bed waiting for Scott to return from his speech to Jubilee about being aware of sharks in the ocean. She silently thought back in her mind of all she had been through. Her life with Scott was merely the beginning from what she could tell from her future and quite odd children. Death had even tried to separate the pair but in the end they were placed back into each other’s sweet embrace. Her eyes were getting heavy and slowly she was falling asleep.

Dream…

A white beach developed around her sleeping body. Sand flooding in, filling each niche with its invading grains. She screamed and struggled her arms free from the heavy weight soon freeing her body from the drowning mass. As quickly as the sand appeared it was gone. In a flash she was once again on the hot sand with the familiar red sun above. Something was different. She felt an odd twitch flicker in her mind. Evil. Covering her eyes from the blaring sun she saw a figure in the distance. A woman with lavender hair waving at her. She could see Betsy signaling her from a distance…danger. The figure pointed behind Jean, pointing to something that she must see. Jean turned around to a bright light.

"Jean? You awake?" her lover asked beside her. Scott had come back during her nap. He noticed her moving body pounding the sheets. "Scott, I just had a… nightmare that’s all."

She sat up and touched her forehead lightly and drew back sweat. "Some dream." Scott pulled her shaking body to him. "I had the most horrible sense of evil, Scott."

"You’re here in a beautiful place with people who love you and will protect you till the end. Your safe." She looked back up at him and gave him a grave look of desperation. "Am I? Are we all? I need to get some water." She got up, smoothed down her nightgown, and went to the bathroom. She closed the door behind her and ran some cold water in the sink. What was that feeling? She plunged her hot face into the water. *It was death, luv.* She threw her head back with water dripping from her chin. *Betsy? You know what this is? Death? * A shadow that was created by the shower stall turned a shade darker unnoticed by the shivering telepath. * Yes, it is something I know quite well actually. Soon you will revel in it too. * A bright purple light escaped the darkness and slammed hard into Jean’s temple. Her eyes rolled back and her body shook violently. "Uggghhh," was all the beauty could express verbally. The mysterious blade drew back into the shadow leaving only a dim gray shadow in the corner.

Scott had fallen asleep while waiting for her then the sudden rush of panic engulfed his innocent dream. "Jean!" He found her motionless incoherent on the bathroom floor. He grasped her wrist searching for a pulse. "Faint but alive." He shoveled the body into his arms and ran from the room to Betsy’s. "Betsy! Open up. It’s Jean!" He kicked the door hard to wake her. "Yes. Yes. It’s open." He carried Jean’s body into the room and laid her on the bed. "Something happened to her. I’m not sure what…or who…but could you…" She tightened her robe then sat next to the victim. "I will." Scott watched Betsy close her eyes and saw a purple butterfly rise from her body. It glowed with such beauty such radiating power. Soon it faded. "I don’t know what happened, Scott."

He held Jean’s hand with his own looking at her face for any sign of life. "She’s alive but in a type of coma that I can’t break. I’m sorry, it can’t be broken even by herself." Tears flew down his cheek. He lowered his head to her shallow breathing chest. "I can’t live without her again. Not again." Betsy rose from the bed and prodded away from him to the wall. A smile broke across her face. The deed is done all is won. Without her you are no one. The team shall perish by my wrath. My pain is your pain. Soon you will know all. Heehee HaaHaa. Betsy edged back into the darkness surrounding herself in her growing power. The shadows were her keeper now and forever. She was a ninja. Part of the shadows and now with the ability to control such powers with the ease of a finger.

************

"I can’t believe she’s dead, guys." Jubilee was sitting in the restaurant across the street from the hotel with Rogue. "She’s not dead just not awake." Her southern drawl was thicker than usual maybe because of last night’s cries. Betsy had floated through her wall and waking her by a little tap on the shoulder. Creepy the way she does that. What Rogue found in the room over was a sad sight. Soon everyone was giving his or her suggestions on who and what did this. They had made plans to go back to the mansion but a storm was rolling in. Possible hurricane. Rogue couldn’t fly in that weather even with Jean in her arms. So they decided to wait it out and contact the hospital here. That’s where Scott was at this moment. Grieving over his comatose wife. There wasn’t much the team could do for him but leave him in peace. "Ah never thought this would happen here." Jubilee toyed with her straw. "Ya well, bad things seem to just pop up around us. Maybe we’re cursed." Rogue leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms in the air. "Yah, cursed as mutants."

Jubilee got up and placed her hands on her hips. "Well this happens to be the most beautiful place on earth and I can’t handle being sad around it. Let’s go shopping. I saw some outlets down the road." Rogue put her arms down and stared back up at her. "How can ya shop with Jean and all?"

"I gotta do something to clear my head. Come on!"

*****************

Scott was sitting by her side whimpering into her hand when Warren came in. He had just been notified by Betsy of what had happened. He made his presence known to Scott the moment he walked in. Red eyed and tired, Scott watched Warren move to the other side of the bed. Warren looked at the woman. She was still as gorgeous as before. Vibrant red hair framed her soft youthful face making her look angelic in her tranquil state. "Scott, have you contacted Xavier?"

Scott rubbed his wet nose, "No…we can’t get in touch with him. We’re to far away for Betsy to try to contact and there aren’t any phones here." Warren looked out the room’s window and saw blue sky. "That’s weird. I haven’t seen any bad weather in the air." Scott saw too the clear sky. "We’re on an island maybe it’s out in the ocean.

"I think it’s coming down the coast. Anyway there isn’t anything he could do. Something physical happened to Jean. Betsy couldn’t get in I’m not sure he could either." Warren turned around and saw the pain in his friend’s face. "You want a drink?" Scott shooked his head and returned back to his beloved. "I’m staying here till the storm’s over. The plane will be ready after that."

Warren walked off to the hotel bar to drown his sorrows in a drink. He ordered a gin and tonic then posed against the bar. He spotted Logan at the far end and made his way over. "Hey."

"Hey back," said the gruffy mold of muscle. Logan was puffing on a Cuban and watching the ladies in their skimpiest suits parade by. "I’ve seen better, Logan."

"Yah, I’m sure Betts looks grrreat in a two piece."

Warren gave him a stiff look which made his wings tense up under his coat. "Yeah and she’s mine."

Logan leaned over on the stool and gave him a laugh. "A woman like that belongs to no one, bub."

Warren swallowed the last of his drink then slammed it on the counter. "I’ve had enough!" Logan released a claw in preparation for a fight but only got the back of his teammate. "Punk ass player."

"You really think so, Logan?" A slender arm wounded around his waist and a chin landed on his shoulder. "Ya causing trouble, Betts?"

She moved around and sat where Warren had left unoccupied. "Warren and I are done, luv," she announced with a blazing grin. She patted his thigh hard then snatched his beer from his hand. With eyes met she drained his beer and thrusted the empty bottle back in his hand. "He said I’ve gotten wild. Think you can tame me?" A glass dropped behind the counter and a red faced bartender shied away from the couple. "I don’t know if we should, Betts, with Jeanie hurt. Might be distracting from an on coming battle."

"That’s the point. To be distracted. Besides I could easily kill you with a flick of my wrist." He laughed at her and reached behind the counter for a bottle of whiskey. "No one can easily hurt me not even a vixen like you, Betts." She grinned at him and moved in closer. "Ah we’ll see how sharp my wrath is but now I wish only for your enjoyment."

Logan lifted his hand and cupped her cheek, thumbing her jaw line. Betsy felt a sudden jolt of heat rush through her body. She placed her hands to the sides of the stool and pulled her body down with more force. He could almost hear her purring and the dazed look in her eyes made him realize his own sexuality burning inside. He removed his hand and grabbed her arm, pulling her in close. "If we do this you’ll be mine. Be sure… cuz I can be rough." He searched her lustful eyes for his answer, which then suddenly came as a kiss. Betsy melded her mouth to his. His tongue lashing around hers arousing that sweet scent that drove him mad. He broke the kiss and held her close. Arms intertwined they left with a bar filled with awkward onlookers whose own sexual need making them sigh in desire. Desire for someone to make them yearn for that most intimate touch.

Betsy shoved Logan in his room locking the door behind her. He pounced on her ripping her sheer white shirt open with his teeth. Beneath the torn blouse was a swimsuit. Logan was about to tear through it when she stopped him. "It’s my only one." Betsy shimmed out from under him and went to the nearby stereo. "Sit on the bed." Logan, unused to having orders, growled slightly then sat on the bed. Betsy took a c.d. from her suitcase and slipped it in the stereo. A slow beat floated out of the speakers. A rhythmic melody soared to his ears but he kept his eyes on his prize. He watched Betsy take hold of the front zipper to her suit and seductively lowering it while swaying her hips to the smooth beats of the music. *Words softly came through the music:

that you’re not the only one who can hurt me.ä

Slowly the zipper moved across her breasts down to her firm tummy to the peak of his desires. With the suit still on, hiding all that was to be revealed, she lightly rubbing her body came back up to peel back the straps. Her hands pulling both straps down letting the suit fall to her feet. Logan only smiled at the ravishing beauty and began to unzip his own fly. Betsy kicked her suit to the side and slowly danced her way to him. Her breasts to his eye level she came close. Logan felt hands on his shoulders pushing him back onto the fresh bed. Legs straddled his waist locking him in place. She leaned down upon his shirtless chest enjoying the rough texture of his hair. Her hands roamed his chest measuring instinctively how huge his body was. Logan grabbed her head and pulled her to his face. Her purple hair flooded around his head cloaking him with its silkiness.

She kissed him for a second then… snap. A thin wire caked with hair was around his throat with a precise amount of pressure to kill him instantly. "Luv you." She released the steel wire from her hair and left it on his throat. Betsy sat back admiring her accomplishment. A face that had once seen the entire world’s best pleasures had now faced its deadliness. His eyes were a bulging mess with a tongue hanging out his mouth. A beauty she had once loved for its roughness was now losing its warmth. "Just in case that ability does bring you back." Out of the cool darkness came a bright flash of purple. She had her psy blade out aimed at his head. "Sharper than any metal in the world, luv, and it belongs to the bitch you once craved for."

Slash. The head rolled to the side leaving a bloody trail to its owner. Betsy moved off the bed and stood by his side. Slash. An arm fell to the floor splattering her body with its deep red blood. She kicked it under the bed then moved to the other side. Slash. The remains of the purple psy blade were visible for spilt second when she cut his torso in half. The blade disappeared leaving her deliriously happy with her final accomplishment.

"Yes, continue." She retrieved her suit and went to the bathroom to rinse off the blood. She then slipped the suit back on and went to her room. There she changed clothes to a black formfitting dress. It wrapped its soft cotton cloth around her breast forming a giant and low v-shape on the front. The bottom half was spilt on the sides revealing her strong legs to the eyes. Then with a spray of jasmine on the neck she left to find another victim.

*************

The sand was losing its warmth as the sun went down. He had spent most of the afternoon spread out on a blanket flipping an ace between his slender fingers. Poor Jean. Again it happens to a lovely lady. Pain oh de pain one feels for their lover.

He tucked the card back into his coat casually and placed his arms behind his head. The stars were beginning to brighten as the fiery orb vanished on the horizon. The moon was shining in the night sky like a beacon for lost travelers. He himself had been lost once and had only the moon as his friend. The stars being his guide he found his way back to a lifestyle that suited him well. An X-man with the ability to charge one’s body and heart with his delicious flavor. The Cajun was a charmer by habit and a mutant by fate. There was one woman he wished would fall for his tricks. A tough woman who could literally drain you, heart and soul. It was beginning to show on him how much he truly desired her. He was in pain to be in love with a woman he could never touch. Remy, feeling the chill of night, rose and grabbed his blanket.

He saw Betsy walking down the beach towards him. From what he could tell she was shoe less walking in the swallow water. She waved at him and he waited for her. Breathless she called out to him, "Remy! Mind if I join you, luv?" He maneuvered the blanket on his side and simply bowed to her. "Of course, mon chere, but I was leaving." She walked up close to him. In a low seductive tone she asked, "Could you stay here with me?" She placed an arm around his thin body and rubbed his back. Remy dropped the blanket and snatched her wrists. "Remy would love to teach you his secrets but he in love wit another." He didn’t walk far off when a voice stopped him. "Remy! Remy wait up!" His southern belle was running behind him. "Where did you come from, chere?" She made it to him and leaned over to catch her breath. "Something happened to me, Remy, I lost my powers!" She touched his bare hand and for a quick second Gambit almost recoiled. "What does this mean?"

"It means ah can touch ya. Ah’ve wanted this so much. To be touched by you and held by you," she grabbed a handful of his flower printed shirt and tugged him closer, "To touch….all of ya." Remy smiled and pulled her in for a kiss.

The sensation of her full lips withered his mind to a puddle of erotic pleasure. She slid her hands up his back and gently tugged on his brown hair. She pulled his hair making him break the kiss and letting his head fall back. She roughly nipped his throat with her teeth and lashed his warm skin with her tongue. She felt his hands peel away her swimsuit and then taking her white breasts in hand. He thumbed her rose-colored nipples and pinched them to perk up. Rogue moaned in pleasure and ripped his shirt off. The flowery fabric dropped to the sand as they fell. She moved her hands along his slender arms reaching for his face. She kissed him once more than fumbled for his shorts. Remy’s hands vanished in her long locks of brown then reappearing with a plastic wrapper between his fingers. He pulled his pants down while she watched then applied god’s condom on his strengthening penis. She smiled at the sight of his face as her hands wrapped around his balls. She stroked them, gradually increasing pressure then she pulled her body up his chest. Remy grabbed her thighs and moved his hands back to her butt. He pulled her sweating body closer and nuzzled his mouth in her matted curls. Rogue laid back on his chest and relished in his expertise. She watched the stars above turn a shade brighter when pure escasty shot through her body. Her moans and giggles enchanted the stars making them flash brighter until she noticed it wasn’t the stars that were dancing above her. It was her mind playing tricks. She had had an orgasm. Rogue managed to force her quivering body to sit up. "Good God."

Remy shoved her hot body down to his pulsing member and thrusted inside her. Rocking in time with each other they moved till Remy swung his arms around her waist and pulled her to her side. He withdrew and maneuvered her body on its side and with the bottom leg outstretched he lifted the top leg and inserted once more. He pulled her leg on his shoulder and rocked rough into her deep in the sand. Feverishly, he pounded until breathless and tired he raked his body to lay next to hers. Remy watched her eyes flutter open and the green specks he had come to love had for an instant faded into lavender. Remy’s face constricted quickly then he saw her bleak expression. Now that he had her did he really love the unbreakable beauty? Nonsense. Remy, tired and sleepy, closed his own eyes and fell to a much needed sleep.

Hours later, Rogue roughly shoved his sleeping arms off her naked body. Like a shadow in the night she crept for her clothes and left her sleeping lover shivering in the sand.

**************

Remy woke up by himself later that night. "Chere?" He found only footsteps leading back to the hotel. "She must have wanted a shower. De sand do get in those delicate places." He pulled his pants back on and shoved his colorful shirt over his head. He decided to leave the blanket for their next adventure. He knocked on Rogue’s door and found her awake talking to Jubilee. "Rogue could I talk to you." She left the room and followed him back to the beach. "Mind tellin’ me what ya want? It’s cold." He sat down on the blanket and smiled at her. "I love you, chere, and I want us to be together. Now that we can touch we can be together." Still standing, Rogue slapped him hard on the head. "What’s wrong with you? Ah got my powers so we can’t be together."

Remy rose up angry. She had slapped him and lied directly to his face. "What? We made love and now you turn away and lie," he said viciously. "You can touch!" He grabbed her face and kissed her. The absorption began immediately. Remy’s body began to shrink from being drain.

His hands fought her refusing to let him die but they were stuck. With a last bit of strength he threw his hands on her cheeks. His fingers, like suction cups, fastened to her smooth skin. A red glow radiated from his fingers and blended in with her tan skin. He was charging her body. Rogue, confused and slightly satiated from the contact, tried to push him off and develop his kinetic power herself to stop the process. It was in vain. Within seconds, they exploded into pieces covering the white sand with blood. Out of the blazing mound of flesh a single ace floated on the wind to where the sand was still pure. The card with its burnt edges was all that was left of the Cajun and the southern belle. Out of the night’s breeze came laughter.

************

"Oh my god! An explosion!" Jubilee had heard the loud noise and seen the bright flash from her room. She pulled on her jeans and tucked her nightgown in like a shirt. She ran down the hall to Logan’s room. "Hey Wolvie wake up! Somethings up!" She hammered her fist on the door when she didn’t get a yell back she tried the knob. It turned. She opened the door a crack and in the dark peered in. "Wolvie? How can you sleep through that big bang outside? Are you even in here?" In the dark, her hand reached out for the familiar spot of the light switch. She flipped the switch and light cleared her vision. "Oh god!" She screamed. Her vision wasn’t of the rough man spread out asleep on the bed barely covered as she had hoped. Instead, his head was the first thing she saw and it wasn’t where it was supposed to be. It was at his feet. A bloody arm was covering his nudeness. Bone layered with metal shone in the overhead light. His arm had been severed at the elbow. "God!" Jubilee sank to the floor covering her mouth. She pulled her knees up and her head lowered between. Slowly she breathed in the disgusting smell of death. It wrapped around her defining the whole room. Death had found her friend. Who could have done this and who else had been greeted by the dark visitor. Jubilee raised her hand to her forehead to settle herself. Beneath her pale palm she could see his body. His legs were posed apart so the head would be the first thing you would see. His eyes were barely opened. His face was so calm you could have thought he was just sleeping. She forced her body to move to see what all had happened to her friend her teammate. She slid back up the wall refusing to move from its protective barrier. The wall was outside the death scene to her. It felt she was not here seeing him dead and mutilated as long as she stayed on the wall. She braced herself once more to look at him, the remains of the vicious Wolverine. She saw the torso slit in half and panicked. She grabbed the door handle and ran outside. "I gotta find everybody!"

*******************

Betsy was in her room reading a book when the door opened. "Betsy!" she slammed the book shut and jumped, "Bloody hell, you scared me!" The frightened teenager grabbed her by the arm and pulled her towards the door. "Logan is dead! He was murdered by some sick bastard! Where is everyone? I can’t find Rogue or anybody!" Betsy pulled her arm free and stared at the crazed girl. "He’s dead? I’m not sure where they are? Are you sure he is dead?" Jubilee’s face was streaked from her tears.

"Cut up and everything. Oh Betsy, what are we gonna do?" Jubilee sniffed and sat on the bed. Betsy paced in front of her letting her know she was worried. What had happened to the team? It was only to be a nice vacation. Now it had turned into a scene of death and horror. Jean was in a coma, Logan is dead, and she had the distinct feeling that Rogue and Remy were in trouble. She tried to scan for them but came up blank. Nothing. They’re dead too. Why do I have the notion that I already knew this? Jubilee’s scream shook her from her thoughts. "We’re all gonna die. If something can kill Wolverine it can easily get us too!" The British beauty sat next to the raving lunatic. She put an arm around her and softly cooed, "Everything is fine. Everything is perfect." What am I saying? Everything is not fine. They’re dead. What am I saying. She could barely hear what the girl was yelling about now. Something was blocking her. Elisabeth, once I said you could be my queen but you refused. Now I wield your power as my own.

Betsy saw her hands move before her eyes and brilliantly between her powerful hands was the psy-blade. She saw it sudden flash of purple slice down on the child’s hands. Jubilee screamed and fell off the bed. Blood spurted across her feet. Inside she was fighting for control but he had her. He had her from the barrier she had captured him in. The Astral Plane had kept the Shadow King prisoner but now he was loose in her mind. Betsy saw her own hands cut the girl’s wrists severing her hands. Jubilee was in shock.

Her body went through tremors of pain. She was unconscious when the unwilling Psylocke plucked her with ease and brought her into the bathroom. Oh God! What now! She dropped the body in the bathtub and went to the sink. Betsy washed her hands of the blood then pulled a plastic container from under the sink. "I’ve been preparing for this, dear one. I’ve been prepared for weeks now to unravel all Xaiver and my sweet jailer have done." Feeling overwhelm, Betsy looked at what she was holding. The smell hit her first. That sweet smelling scent that everyone knows as gasoline.

No! No! She watch her own hands pour the liquid on her friend. Soaked in the fiery liquid, Jubilee woke to her own flesh burning. "I’m sorry, Jubilee." The sad tone of her murderer’s voice was confusing but she had other things to worry about. The girl tried to scream but the smoke was filling her lungs. Betsy floated into the shadows watching the body burst into flames. I’m sorry.

********************

Scott had not moved from her side since it happened. He had remained by her side as the doctors silently came in and checked on her. He remained attached to her bed even while the doctors said there was no hope of recovery. He had faith. They had been through a lot together in the past years. Death had even been an obstacle they had overcome. He knew in his heart that this whatever it was that had happen wouldn’t keep them apart. "We’ll find a way, Jean." He took her hand in his and kissed her palm. She looked like a living statue with her blazing hair and warm touch. She was an idol to him with her silent voice. Her unmovable lovely face kept him expressionless except for the tears that would come. Then the pain in his eyes could be seen. "We’ll find a way."

"Are you sure?" Betsy appeared in front of him in her sheer white suit. The tight fabric heaved up her breasts. Her stance was sexual with her hand on her hip and the other leaning against the wall. She had watched the whole episode occur. Betsy had stayed silent while his prayers went out to the comatose victim. "I think its time you should be aware of you surroundings." He cocked his head to the side. "What’s your meaning, Betts." She simply stepped up behind and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Only that the others are dead and now its your turn." She moved her arm around his neck and swung him into a headlock. With his fighting body she ran into the darkened corner of the room. She phased his head into the wall then releasing him she moved through. Scott’s body slumped to the ground lifeless while Betsy achieved at the other side with his head. She raised Scott’s head to her lips and plucked a kiss on his cold ones. She phased back through the shadows and walked casually to Jean’s bedside. She kissed her forehead then with lips applied she plucked the life support cable from the wall. She lifted her head and watched the red- haired wonder fade into a cold waste.

"Only one left, luv."

****************

The bar had been deserted for some time now. That only left that blond guy and himself the bartender. He watched how the blond guy tapped his glass for another shot of brandy. "Buddy, You’ve had enough." Blue eyes flashed angrily at him. "Another, then I’ll go." The bottle poured and Warren snatched his filled glass. "Some day, huh?" Warren swallowed a big gulp and leaned back on the bar. "Yah, a great day." Warren gave the small man a grin and took another sip. From his stool he could see through the open door a crowd forming on the beach. "What happened?"

"Huh?" the man turned his head where the stranger was eyeing and nodded his head, "Oh, some body parts were found on the beach this morning. Probably some prank some kids are playing." Warren kept his eyes on the scene. Then something was blocking his vision. Long slender legs poised in front of another blocking the bright sun. A shadowy figure with a flare for adventure approached him. "Elisabeth, what are doing?" She stood next to him refusing to give the power of the situation. Keeping eye contact on her level. Making him look up at her and giving in to her powerful presence. "All are dead or otherwise spiritually aware of my doings." Warren’s blue eyes flickered with hate for a quick moment. "Ahhh…you killed the team well I have to say Betsy that you have done more than I thought was possible for you. But now you are done." A confused Betsy shifted her weight to a single leg and placed her hands on her hips. "Your meaning?"

He stood up and grabbed her hand. He pulled her to the door and thrusted her against the outside wall. "Look around you Elisabeth don’t you think this is weird. Everywhere you look its perfect weather but the news says theirs a hurricane coming up the beach. No one gives a damn about the bodies on the beach or the chopped up man in his hotel room. Isn’t a bit odd?" She watched as a couple smiled at them and continued their stroll. "Very different." He yanked her head to face him. "How do you think you could have possibly killed Logan. The man has adamantine for bones."

"The Shadow King helped me."

"Your wrong. All he wants is for you to die and be free. It was I who let you kill him."

"What?" Shock swept through her body. She threw his hands up and moved away.

"The dreams, Betsy, it was Apocalypse all the time. Through a mutant with the power of dreams he visited me nightly. He wanted me to kill you all but I refused then somehow he sensed you. He saw the power of the Shadow King and wanted to control him. Before we came to this island he came again to me and said if I refuse him I’ll never truly reach the peace as I had once before with my wings. You have to understand. I’m not natural without them even by mutant standards. So I accepted the role as Death once more." Warren flung his coat off and slipped the straps down. Feathers, white feathers escaped the confinement of his coat. His wings were back and shining in pure ominous. They were renewed to a greater beauty and power. "If you accepted then why was I forced to kill them?"

"Stupid, Betsy, it wasn’t just enough to have me at his beck and call. He saw the power of your prisoner and wanted to control that also. So I gave you the gift of death and what grace you possessed with it. Striking Remy by the heart, ahh what ruthlessness you have in that luscious body." He touched her cheek softly with the back of his hand then snapped it around and grabbed her chin. "We no longer need you." A flash of a blade was all she saw as it came at her throat. The cold metal slashed her warm throat spilling her red blood across his chest. He released her and she dropped to the ground grasping at her ripped veins. Her life was leaving her but with one last ounce of strength she called out to him. Charles. Help me. Then she fell at his feet another shell beneath his gaze. "Couldn’t quite keep a body could ya. Oh well." He shoved the dead body off his feet and walked back into the bar.

"Apocalypse! Where are you?"

A deep disembodied voice boomed around him. "You’ve done well, my Dark Horseman, now he will come and all will be glorious. I hope my world has still the power to evade his suspicions."

"He will not be a problem."

*****************

The Professor had heard her cry and began immediately to pack for the voyage. He had tried to contact the others but had failed. Something was blocking him. Ororo came in and brought with her the phone. "Professor, flights aren’t going to Hult Island because of Hurricane Lizzy. I will go with you in the jet."

"Alright, but you stay in the plane." She put the phone down on the bed and helped him pack. "What has happened? Why won’t you tell me?"

"There is something blocking my thoughts to the others. I must go alone."

"Why? If something is preventing your mind then you shouldn’t go. You’ve trained us for combat and this I believe will need my skills."

"The only skills I will need of you is to clear a path for the jet in the hurricane." He closed his bag and placed it on his lap and rolled out of the room. Hours later, with a clear path to the island, they arrived on the tropical ground. "Wait here. If I need your help I’ll contact you," he pointed to the communicator on his lapel. Ororo nodded and watched the sky clear up suddenly. "Odd weather." She walked back inside the jet and sat in the cockpit. Clouds bellowed in the blue sky. A peaceful radiance flooded the cockpit. Then a shadowy presence filled the air. "Psylocke?" She rose from her seat and then a daze came over her eyes. Once again we meet WindRider. Like Ainet you escaped my grasps because of the shadowy one but unlike Africa I have won here. With a loud snap, Ororo’s body craved to the floor. She was dead.

Xavier found the hotel with ease and began to question the bartender. "They would be noticeable…ah…purple hair woman, hairy short man with a drinking problem, man with red sunglasses."

The bartender silently shook his head no and returned to busting the shot glasses. Xavier tried to read his thoughts but came up blank. Then a familiar voice welcomed him. "Professor? Come to join us?"

"Oh good. Have you seen Elisabeth? I can’t find her or any of the others." Warren pulled a chair up and smiled. "Oh they’re here or were here. You’ll see them soon enough."

"What do you mean?" A knife caught him in the chest. His pounding heart ceased at that moment of treachery. "I mean that I’m tired of your endless battle with the humans. I want my life back here even if it is fake and all alone in the world." He left the corpse to the bartender and wandered out to the beach. Alone in the world with only his real savior as a leader. The mutant that gave back his wings his life.

Warren smiled.

It had been a long time since he had smiled. Since he had killed someone who he had loved as family.

He loosely placed his hands into his coat pockets then casually strolled down the beach toward the cliffs. He was free now. He was now able to fulfill his wants, his needs, and his desires. But it was his desires that destroyed them. The people he once called friends, maybe at one point in time he could have call family, now were all dead because of him. The team he had been a part of for years was gone...all gone. Now he had another mentor, one who gave him a gift he could have never truly lived without. His heavenly wings. Now it’s another duty he has. Another war he will have to fight but that doesn’t matter now. He has his wings. He has his life back.

On the cliffs, he felt his wings spread out and lift him into the air where he was meant to be. Soaring into the crisp warm tropical sky he looked back at the island Apocalypse had made for downfall of his teammates. His world lies below. A world of power and destruction. Warren flew a tad higher and burst through a cloud. But that is below and he will forever be above that because he has his wings.