Excaliber/What If?
In the Beginning
Universe 616 2000 AD
�Have fun on your trip, Kitten!�
�I will! Thanks Ororo!� yelled an excited Kitty Pryde. �Anything you want in
the
city?�
�No, you just have fun.�
With a final wave goodbye, Kitty got behind the wheel of the jeep Logan had
loaned her. With a roar of the engine, she sped down the mansion lane in record
time.
Turning onto the road, she slowed down to the speed limit, and set a leisurely
pace. Life
in the X-men is hectic, and any chance to relax is a welcome change of pace.
Leaning
back and feeling the wind through her hair, Kitty took the time to think over
the events
of the last little while, trying to justify to herself the need for a break.
While she enjoyed
relaxing, she had always welcomed a challenge, and that�s when the trouble had
started.
She was helping an old friend find her father when everything hit the roof. She
thought it
was a simple task, one she could do herself, but when she found her friend�s
father, she
also found Sebastion Shaw. If Ororo and Logan had not found her in time, no
telling
what would have happened. With their help, she was able to help her friend�s
father, but
it was as much of a challenge as she could handle. That was the reason for this
trip into
New York, a chance to get away from the challenges associated with being an
X-man in
particular, and a mutant in general.
It was a beautiful day for a drive, the wind whipping through her hair as she
sped
down the highway. She didn�t think anything could spoil this day!
. . . . . . . . . . .
�Roma, what�s happening? The very realm itself is being torn apart by this
energy
drain. If we can�t stop it, all of creation will be destroyed!�
�Mastrex, settle down.� replied Roma �The Corp will find the cause of this
disruption and put a stop to it!�
�How can the Captain Britain Corp stop it if they become too weak to move! The
energy drain is affecting them as well! Soon, they won�t be able to stop a rogue
gryplak,
let alone what is powerful enough to drain the energy from the realm, AND remain
hidden from us.�
�Do not worry, it won�t stay hidden for long!�
. . . . . . . . . . .
Universe 9487 2000 AD
�Night, Hank. Say hello to that wife of yours for me!�
�I will, Erik, if she hasn�t changed the locks on me yet.�
Laughing all the way out of the building, Erik Josten couldn�t help but think
how
great his life was. Being Henry Pym�s assistant was the greatest job he had ever
had. And
that wasn�t even including the �fringe benefits�. When Hank could no longer
become
Giantman, he took over. With Hank�s help, he became Atlas, the newest superhero
on the
scene. His stint with the Avengers was the best thing he had ever been involved
with.
Traveling the world, soaring through space, it was the most remarkable time of
his life.
But now, he just wanted some time off, to continue the work with the Hank Squad.
With
Pym and McCoy, they were working on a process to help the Genoshan mutates, to
reverse the bonding process that the government had forced upon them, to enslave
them
for the servitude of the state. After 6 months, they were finally making some
headway.
Pulling out his keys, Erik heard a noise behind him. �Stick em up, big guy!�
Turning quickly, Erik grew to 20 feet in an instant. Ready to strike, he looked
down to
see his assailant.
�Hey, bro. A little jumpy, aren�t you?�
�LINDY! When d�ya get into town?�
�About an hour ago. Thought I�d stop by and visit my favorite brother,� replied
an ecstatic Lindy, as she was twirled through the air in Josten�s arms, �try to
ply him out
of that lab long enough to eat. I know how those two like to work long hours,
and I was
hoping to save you from the life of a recluse�
Suddenly, there�s a loud thump behind them. Lindy screamed while Erik spun
around quickly.
�Hey Lindy, good to see you!�
�You Beast, you almost gave me a heart attack!� yelled a very shocked Lindy.
�I�m going to get you for this!�
�Now, now Lindy,� scolded Erik �Didn�t you just do the same thing to me just 5
minutes ago�
�Yeah, yeah you two. Get your laughs in now. I�ll get you both for this.�
Still laughing, Hank opened the car door. �Let�s go grab something to eat, and
we�ll catch up on the way.�
They were all laughing before they pulled out.
. . . . . . . . . . .
�Roma, the Corp�s had no luck�
�Well, have them look harder!�
Looking shocked, Saturnyne took a deep breath and tried to console Roma.
�Don�t worry, we will find it.�
Roma studied the chess board in front of her. Some of the pieces lay broken,
but
the majority remained intact, intricate figures seemingly carved from the finest
crystal.
�No, we won�t, but I know who can. Unfortunately, I fear that help may be too
late!
. . . . . . . . . . .
Universe 29486 2378 AD
�I don�t know about this Quark�
�Doctor, believe me. I handled Worf�s wedding. Yours will be a snap!�
�Yeah, but do you have to use the same decorations?�
Bashir sat in his usual spot at Quark�s. Usually, he was there for more...
frivolous
reasons, but today, he had to get this out of the way. The wedding arraignments.
All the
little details involved in the planning. What Julian hadn�t anticipated was that
there were
so many of them!
�Hey Hon, how�s it going?�
Whenever Ezri Dax walked into a room, the whole room seemed to light up. She
was just the type of person who could inspire a smile.
�Just fine, dear. I just hate all these little details.�
�Since when� quipped Dax, while bending down to kiss her soon-to-be husband.
�Since I had to go through this list with Quark.�
�It�s not a walk through the latinum for me either� said Quark, smiling wryly.
�Of course, if the lovely Ezri were to work with me on this, I�m sure things
would run a
little more... smoothly.�
Now it was Ezri turn to smile. �Sorry Quark� waving her hand in front of her.
�I�m afraid I�m already spoken for. Now, would you boys be able to finish, so I
can take
my fiancee home for supper?�
�I would say we�re done for tonight.�
Taking Julian�s hand, Ezri led him out of Quark�s, and through the promenade.
During the walk back to their quarters, Julian had time to think about the last
few years.
Ezri was a Trill. That meant she was a symbiotic being, two lifeforms that help
each
other in one being. Ezri was just one half. The other was Dax, a symbiote inside
of her.
The symbiotes can be passed on to new hosts, passing on the knowledge and
memories of
the previous hosts. In Dax�s case, Ezri was the eighth host. But Julian had been
friends
with the previous host as well; Jadzia. Jadzia and Julian had been close
friends. They had
worked together, helped each other, and cared for each other. When Jadzia had
died,
Julian didn�t think that anything would help him get over it. But then Dax had
joined
with Ezri, and it was as if a part of Jadzia lived on, through Ezri. But Ezri
was her own
woman, not just a facsimile of Jadzia. While a few traits of Jadzia showed
through every
so often, Ezri was her own person. He had come to know Ezri as an individual,
and had
come to care deeply for her. And now, he would be joined with her, maybe not as
greatly
as her and the symbiote, but as close as two people could be.
Finally, they arrived at their quarters.
�Hope your ready for tomorrow� asked Ezri, leading Julian through the door.
�Definently!�
Ezri pulled Julian into their quarters. Music was playing lightly in the
background
as they entered the darkened room.
�Ezri, shouldn�t we turn on the lights?�
�Actually, I thought I�d give you a preview of tomorrow night.�
Grinning ear to ear, Julian entered the room, letting the door close behind
him.
. . . . . . . . . . .
�The power drain has become too great! The Corp is also involved in a battle.
It
appears our foe wishes to finish us off directly. Roma, the Corp is weakened!
They�ll
never be able to stop the flood of foes sent against us!�
�Then we must rely on our backup plan�
�But Roma, they are just mortals. They�ll never be able to stop this foe!�
�I think you underestimate them, Saturnyne. They can, and will, surprise you.
But
first, they must be gathered. And for that, we must escape! Do we have enough
power to
open a gateway?�
�Yes, but only for you! I hope you know what you�re doing, trusting all of
reality
to a band of mortals.�
�Believe in me, as I believe in them.�
�THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL SENTIMENT. BUT ONE I�M AFRAID I CAN�T
SHARE!�
Whirling quickly, they turned to confront a dark, cloaked figure, taking up the
entire doorway.
�YOU!!! I should have known! Roma, get out of here!� With a quick flash,
Saturnyne activated the portal. Roma turned quickly, and ran for the portal.
�YES, ROMA, RUN! FLEE! BUT NOT BEFORE ONE FINAL... GIFT.� With a
flick of the figure�s wrist, a projectile shot out, striking Saturnyne as she
moved in to
attack and Roma as she dived through the now shrinking portal. With a flash, the
portal
closed, disappearing as if it had never been there.
�Fiend! She�ll bring the help we need to stop you!�
Picking up one of the figurines that had fallen on the floor, the figure gazed
at it,
turning it over in it�s hands, paying no attention whatsoever to the struggling
woman on
the floor at it�s feet. �SO, THIS IS WHO YOU HOPE WILL STOP ME?
INTERESTING. I THINK A TRIAL SHOULD BE DONE TO TEST THE...
WORTHINESS... OF THESE INDIVIDUALS. DON�T YOU THINK MY DEAR?�
With a smile, the figure turned and walked away. The figure�s dark laughter
could be
heard echoing throughout the building.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Universe 1478 2000 AD
�Hey, Jason. We have a problem here!�
�What is it Adam?�
�We got a group that looks a little nasty. They aren�t listening to anyone, and
they�re starting to trash the place.�
�Don�t worry about it. I�ll handle it.�
With a sigh, Jason Jones turned to see what the problem was. In this type of
business, there was always problems. But that was mostly at the concerts, a few
rowdies
getting out of hand. But this was a comic convention. What kind of trouble could
happen
there? Jason picked up the pace when he saw one pull out a bat and slam it on a
table,
cracking it in two.
�Is there a problem, gentlemen?�
�Ya, I�d say there is! I can�t get any decent service around this place.� He
turned
to smile at his friends, both of them laughing at there comrade�s comment.
�Well, I�m afraid I�m going to have to ask you to leave.� While not physically
imposing, standing only 5�8� with glasses, Jason knew he could more then handle
himself in a fight. A bad temper early in life, and a few years of football had
ensured
that. But he always preferred the diplomatic approach to life. It left a lot
less bruises.
�Now, if you gentlemen would care to follow security out, I�m sure there will be
no
more need for violence.�
�Sure thing man. We don�t want to cause no more trouble. We�ll go peacefully.�
With a turn, the three turned to go. Unfortunately, the peace lasted only a
couple
of steps. The leader of the group turned and swung his bat rapidly, aiming to
take Jason�s
head off it�s shoulders. But, Jason was ready for it! Ducking quickly, he dove
under the
clumsy swing, and brought his knee up into the punk�s stomach. With the wind
knocked
out of him, Jason quickly grabbed the bat from his hands, and brought it up into
the
guy�s face, dropping him like a stone. Looking up, he saw that the other two had
been
handled just fine, the other security members had taken them down. Wiping a bead
of
sweat from his brow, Jason looked about him. A couple tables had been trashed,
but no
real damage to the comics. Good, thought Jason, insurance forms are murder to
fill out.
After helping the dealer set up a couple new tables, he went back to to the
office, and
looked out over the convention. Life was good, and little surprises like that
made life all
that more interesting.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Universe 616 2000 AD
�Axel Asher, where have you been?�
�Ming, I can explain!�
Ming Kuo-Fan, the love of Axel�s life, was standing at the door to her parent�s
restaurant, a look of anger on her face.
�I�m sorry, Ming. I didn�t think I was gone all that long, thought I had
finally
figured out these powers of mine... if I�m too late, I can go back a bit and...�
Axel was cut short as Ming rushed in, giving him a hug that squeezed the life
from him.
�So are you here for good, Axel, or does Access have more work to do?� laughed
an excited Ming.
�I�m here for at least a while,� smiled Axel. Then, in his most commanding
tone,
he bellowed �but Access� work is never done!�
Laughing together, walking arm in arm, they started walking down the street.
�So, you finally got a handle on those powers of yours?�
�Yup, it took me a bit but I think I have the hang of them. You couldn�t
believe
all the different universes out there, the multitudes of sites...�
Ming smiled up at Axel. �So, I�ll be able to go with you next time?�
�Definently! In fact, I found this amazing little planet...�
Axel was interrupted by a groan from behind him. Looking back, he noticed a
woman lying on the ground. Dashing back, he knelt down and cradled the woman�s
head
in his arms.
�Axel, is she alright?�
�I don�t know. She doesn�t look hurt, but maybe she�s sick.�
With a groan, the woman came to. She started thrashing until Axel was able to
calm her down.
�Axel, we need to get her to a hospital.�
�ACCESS�
The scream came so suddenly that Axel almost dropped her. Cradling her closer,
Axel asked �How do you know who I am?�
Finally calming down enough, she replied, �Axel, my name is Roma. All of
reality is in danger, and only you can help!�
