Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2003 06:58:30 -0700 (PDT) From: Lorenzo Cooper Subject: Chapter 6: Feral Awakenings This story contains gay themes, violence, and adult situations. Reader discretion is advised. This story has also been inspired by Marvel Comic's X-Men. The X-Men are a copyright of Marvel comics. SHOUT OUT! MAD LUV TO ALL WHO HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING MY STORY!!! Was Sup DragonMaster: Holler at me on the real, yo!!! You ain't got to be know stranger. Peace Mad Love To B-MORE CITY! EASTSIDE REPPIN IN THE '03 Excuse the typos...I know I make some errors but typing ain't my specialty...if you know what I mean! ============================================================= Red Island...Kyle's Place I laid quietly on my bed replaying last nights events over and over in my head. I didn't go to class today, and some of my instructor's have been calling, but who cares. Stephanie left me a message, but I just wanted to be left alone. After crying and stuffing my face with food, I decided that a complete cleansing process was needed. Isis sat and watched me sulk around the house, but she couldn't understand what I was going through. She is my cat not my therapist. Eventually I decided to take a nice relaxing bath in complete darkness. I was too depressed to face the world, and all I wanted to do was die. There was just too much that was going on. First, I was raped and beaten. Then, I find out that I am a mutant. Then I am taken from my home, and placed in an environment that I am not used to. Then, my only friend who understood and accepted me was killed right in front of me. Finally, the one guy that I wanted to open up to, and experience at least a simulation of love turned on me. I just couldn't bare it all. I had nobody. No friends. No mother. No father. No sister. No brother. I was alone, and all I had was my thoughts. My thoughts ate away at my mind like cancer, and eventually I was too weary to even cry. I lifted myself from the tub, and barely drying my skin laid across the bed and closed my eyes. Slowlly I fell in a deep slumber. Deep into the darkest region of my psyche. Deep into oblivion. And then he spoke. {*Hello Old friend...It's about time...I was beginning to get bored waiting for you* Who are you? What are you? Why do you keep haunting me? *Simple questions from a simple minded individual. Look at me. Who do I look like? You look like me. But you can't be me. *Ahh...I see this is going to take more time then I thought. You aren't the brightest star in the sky are you...but you will have to do. Sweetheart, we are the same...I am a part of you, just like the color of you skin. You can't get rid of me...you can suppress but you can't get rid of me. I am your more aggressive side...you could even say I am dark, but people tend to put labels on things that upset the norm. I am that something that upsets the norm. I am anger. I am hate. I am pain. I am deadly. I am everything that you want to do in the back of your mind, but don't have the balls to do. I am brutally honest, and you lie often. The problem with you is that you would rather fight me then those people that are hurting you. * I am not hurting, and you are just my mind playing tricks on me. There is a reason that you come to me in my sleep. I must be distressed about something. There is always a logical explanation for these kinds of things. *Logical explanation for these kinds of things! What the fuck is wrong with you?* Look I don't need this from you...I am not afraid of you. You need me to listen, but I don't have to. *Bullshit! You need me. You are a fucking faggot. Queer! Whatever! And as long as people know that, they are going to treat you like the bitch you are. You talk too much, and have blind hope for motherfuckers that don't give a flying fuck about you. You do need me! You're just too fucking afraid to admit it. Dumbass, I was the one who masterbated on the patio that night. I was the one who kicked those hoodlum's asses when they raped you. I was the one who made you bold enough to tell Torin how you felt, and I was the one strong enough to hold you together when he fucking rejected you. Ohhh...you don't need me. Your little wimpering ass would be a fucking story in the paper had I not been there with you. I am sick of coming in last. I want us to fully be together, and you are preventing it. I hold your abilities Kyle. We need each other. Fuck this separate shit. Let's do the damn thing. Come on, baby. Come here. Stop crying. I didn't mean to hurt you, but you needed to hear these things from me. I am all the man you need for now. I am all you need. * Why does it hurt so bad? Why? I am afraid of you. I am so afraid. I have never hurt anyone. Why do I always get hurt? I feel so tired. *Now you finally realize what you need me for? You are too passive. I guess that's my fault. I could have been influenced you, but that would have been detrimental. I am your aggressive side. I allow you to be free. I won't hurt you. I promise. I just think we need to be together. I love you. I really love you. Look at me. Do you want to be with me? Yes...but, *Shhhh...don't say a word. Just tell me that you want to be with me and I will make you very happy. I will make you secure. Tell me with a kiss.* Just a kiss. Nothing more. A kiss...like....this....... *Yesssss.....just like that...I will always love you...Feral* I will love you too...Feral *Just lay here in my arms and I will protect you from all the evils of the world. No need to worry or cry anymore. Just say yes. Okay...I am trusting you. Yes I love you...yes I want you here with me. Take me...I am yours. *Your wish is my command*} Morning came slowly, but when I woke up I was brand new. Completely brand new, and I loved it. I rose from bed feeling easy and free. I looked at myself in the mirror, and I liked what I saw. My 5'11 185lb. body seemed to shape itself overnight. My legs were strong looking, and shaped giving me a curve that was definitley in my benefit. My skin seemed smoother, and my hair seemed to have a more definite luster. My grey eyes seemed colder as if winter existed in them, and all I had to do was stare at a person, and they would freeze. I felt more confident, and I felt like I didn't owe anyone an explanation about me. I used to be passive as Kyle, but that was then...now I am FERAL ===================================================== The Upper Westside, The Wooden Nickel Bar ShadowWeaver approached the dark figure slowly. As the master of all that's dark, ShadowWeaver's presence seems to get the expected reactions from the bars ruthless clientele. He observed the dark figure as he approached, and took a seat at his table. "You have been summoned by the master." ShadowWeaver informed Seven in a low tone. "I have no master. I am my own master. Go away and leave me." Seven ordered the dark prince. "Ohh, but you do have a master. And he has sent me for you, Seven of D'Aaries. He wants you by his side once more. Either you or your soul." ShadowWeaver stated hoping that the once right hand of Darkoth puts up a fight. He would love to steal his life essence, but Seven is smarter then many think. "If Darkoth has risen. Then why has he sent you? Why didn't he locate me himself?" Seven questioned slightly annoyed. "YOU DARE QUESTION MY REASONS. STEADY YOUR TONGUE AND CHOOSE YOUR WORDS WISELY, MY OLD FRIEND. YOU DO REMEMBER WHAT I SAID WHEN WE LAST SAW ONE ANOTHER." Darkoth spoke through ShadowWeaver. His powers luring the life essence of weak willed patrons in the area. Unshakened, Seven finally looked up and made eye contact with ShadowWeaver smiling wickedly. "I remember clearly what you said. The question now is will you actually keep your end of the bargain?" Seven questioned the dark ruler of Darkseid boldly. "YOU WERE ALWAYS UNTRUSTING. VERY WELL. YOU WILL BE MY VESSEL. YOU WILL BE MINE, AND I WILL SHARE WITH YOU THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GATEKEEPER. YOU WILL BE THE HIGH LORD OF DARKSEID. MY POWERS WILL SHAPE YOU AS DARKSEID'S ANGEL OF DEATH...YOU ARE NOW...SEVEN." Darkoth's presence through ShadowWeaver was awesome. Outside the sky roared with thunder, and flashed wildly with lightning. ShadowWeaver, his robe blowing wildly and his eyes crackling with power, extended his hands to touch Seven's brow. Immediately a flash of light struck the the bar as if a bolt of lightning had hit the building. Instantly a wind rushed in and sucked all the air from the building, and with the force of ten hurricanes rushed back in. Every living creature within the Wooden Nickel was killed. Their life essence ripped instantly away from their bodies into ShadowWeaver...gifts to Darkoth. Surrounded by a dark purple aura stood Seven in all black. The outfit crafted from the essence of Darkoth surrounded his body, but his features had softened... he was now completely androgynous. The only masculine feature was the extremely thin mustache that dressed the top of his lips. The dark ruler had shaped Seven in the image he respected him as...his concubine. ShadowWeaver stood amazed at the sight of Seven who was now smiling wickedly. Seven's duties on Darkseid was to lead an army that would reign terror on the galaxy. Seven's name had been stretched across the stars...he was legendary. The famed blood demon. Notorious for leaving gruesome details to leave most in mental trauma. Headless bodies, gutted bodies, and other grotesque displays of savagery were his trademarks, but Darkoth in his schemes made it so that Seven's lust was consuming. Seven was molded by Darkoth to be the highest appointed leader, The General Of Darkseid. Darkoth psionically manipulated Seven so that he would have unsettling dreams and desires that could only be calmed by sex or death. Darkoth prevented Seven from having sex which fueled his madness and sent him on savage killing sprees. Seven would torture males and females alike with warped sexual fantasies that usually ended in gruesome deaths. As the dark ruler's general, he scourged the skies with an army the never seemed to end. When Darkoth was exiled, and supposedly destroyed. Seven went into hiding. Unable to control his urges, he sought young unsuspecting victims, and used them as sexual toys until they were useless. Then he'd kill them, and discard their bodies in areas that people dared not venture. Seven was definitely ruthless, but he had a soft spot and Darkoth new of it. Therefore, Seven as bold as he was, would never deny his service to Darkoth. Not in a million years. Darkoth's only friend and ally. Seven trusted no one, but he was completely loyal to Darkoth. Now the time had come when Darkoth had promised to cure him of his disease, but with a deadly price. Darkoth gave him the knowledge of an interdimensional demon known as The Gatekeeper. The Gatekeeper's knowledge was the ways of war and an infinite knowledge of dark abilities that aided warriors. Now Seven was even deadlier then before, but the catch now was that he had to be connected to Darkoth psionically. Therefore if Darkoth was ever exiled or even destriyed the same would happen to Seven. Seven agreed without question, and was reborn...Seven the Destroyer. ShadowWeaver looked pleased. His master was happy, and this meant his duties had been completed satisfactorily. ====================================================== Red Island: Main Lobby Stephanie waited patiently for Torin to exit his last period class. She was concerned about Kyle. She hadn't seen him or heard from him in two day. It had also been brought to her attention that he had not attended any of his classes. This was very unusual for Kyle. He was never late, and rarely absent for class. Stephanie had noticed that lately Kyle seemed to be very fond of Torin, and that he had spent some time with Torin. She figured whatever the situation was...hopefully Torin would have some answers. The bell rung and students filed out of class orderly, moving towards lockers, or exiting the building. Torin walked out slowly talking with some other students casually. "Torin...you are just the person I wanted to see." Stephanie stated smiling warmly at the young boy. "Oh...was sup. Is everything cool?" he asked parting with his friends. "Well...that's why I wanted to see you. Have you seen or heard from Kyle today?" she asked in a concerned tone. "No! I haven't seen or heard from Kyle. Is everything okay?" Torin asked growing concerned himself. He knew that he hadn't seen Kyle since the incident, and he was afraid that he might not have taken the outburst well. "I understand. If you see him, can you let him know that it is urgent that he speaks with me. I am concerned, because this is unlike him. I have called several times, left numerous messages, had Circe even try to track his psi-band. I am afraid something is wrong? Please if you know or hear anything call me? Okay" she said now more concerned then ever. She could since something was wrong with Torin, but she didn't pick his mind. Instead, she scanned his feelings, and guilt came across very strong, but what was Torin guilty of she wondered. Her abilities were strong, but she couldn't psionically pick up Kyle's mind. It's as if he wasn't alive, and that frightened her more then anything else. "I will definitely let you know if I see him...better yet I will tell him to give you a call. You got my word." Torin said now feeling like he had to correct his own error, but it was already too late. As soon as Stephanie had turned the corner Torin surrounded himself in a blue aura, and teleported himself right outside of Kyle's place. He rung the bell five times, and no one answered. He scanned the premises psionically, and he was unable to pick up Kyle's mind. Torin didn't want to invade Kyle's privacy, but he was concerned. Without even thinking he instantly teleported from outside to Kyle's room. The room was in disarray. Clothes was everywhere, and the room looked as if a fight had broken out. Torin tapped into his abilities, and touched the dresser and instantly images of what occurred appeared in his head as if he were watching a movie. Kyle seemed angry and very destructive. Even scarier was that Kyle didn't seem like Kyle anymore. Torin felt great pain, but he felt great anger and even hatred. Torin removed his hand from the dresser, and slowly walked upstairs onto the patio. He walked towards the chair Kyle sat in when he had masturbated his first night at Red Island. Torin sat down, and a whirlwind of emotions drowned his mind and his body. Torin could feel great pain. He could feel lust. He could feel turmoil. As if a battle was going on, and the emotions belonged to different people. His eyes widened as he read the feelings Kyle harbored for him. They were strong, and they were real. His astonishment turned to fright as he picked up on the volatile state Kyle was in. Kyle was a ticking time bomb. He felt a presence in the corner like emptiness or death itself. He turned...too late. "Ohhhhh...did I frighten you?" the form in the corner spoke wickedly. "Who are you? What have you done with Kyle?" Torin asked boldly. "Why? Are you concerned? Do you want to see how he is doing? Are you his knight in shining armor?" the figured asked laughing as if Torin's feelings were a joke. "If you have hurt him in anyway...I swear I'll kill you" his voice quivering with anger. "Ohhh...Torin I am scared. Big, bad Torin. Why do you want to save him now? You tried to throw him through a wall the other night. Don't tell me...GOD spoke to you and now you see the err of your ways. Well it's too late...Kyle's dead." the figure said wickedly. What stood out to Torin was the fact that whoever this person or being was...he couldn't pick him up psionically. Their mind was invisible. Technically the person didn't exist. His anger turned to fear quickly. Something that was new even for him. Whoever this was boldly stated that young Kyle was dead, and didn't make an attempt to even flee. He had to strike quickly before this thing took another life. "Who are you? What are you? And how did you know my name?" he asked disguising the fear in his voice. "I am what you created. Too bad it had to come to this. Kyle was such a sweet person. Maybe he'll send you a postcard from heaven...wait a minute...I don't think hell accepts heaven sent cards." the figure laughed wickedly. "I don't believe you killed him...I think you are a fucking liar." Torin said his hand glowing a bright red aura. "Ohh but I did...I buried him deeply...If you don't believe me...read my mind" the figure challenged. Torin tried to touch the figures mind, but was thrown to the floor by some unseen force. The figure laughed loudly obviously amused by his antics. "What are you?" Torin said struggling to his feet. "Torin...I am the darkside" the figure walked from the shadows to reveal Kyle in a black liquid-like outfit studded with silver spikes. "Kyle!!! What...What has happened to you?" Torin asked astonished. "No, Torin. This is not Kyle. My name is Feral. Kyle and I shared a body, but we've made a little deal. He let's me drive and he watches. By the way, I owe you something.", suddenly Feral kicked Torin in the stomach sending him into the wall with a hard thud. Torin threw his hands in the air sending the chair at Feral who dodged it without any effort. Feral moved like lightning. Within seconds he was upon Torin, and they were both rolling around the patio in a fiery scuffle. Feral swung a deadly swipe with his razor sharp claws nicking the sides of Torin's face leaving five scratches and sending him into the wall. Torin was amazed at Feral's strength, and tried to stun Feral with a psi-bolt but Feral had sprung over the balcony. Torin ran to the edge of the balcony, but Feral was gone as if he had disappeared. Torin slid down the rail, and cried silently. He didn't understand, but he knew he had to find out what occurred. His mind was heavy, but what he wanted to do was find Feral. Torin knew that he had something to do with this "Feral" person that looked like Kyle. He wanted Kyle back, but after the fight that occurred he was afraid it was too late. ===================================================== Downtown B-More City: Kahn Warehouse Dr. Spalding rises to a brightly lit room. Mother Mayhem is sitting across the room in her youthful form...her true form. The aged Olympian waits patiently. She knew she would have to speak soon, but she had grown stubborn in her old age. Though she appeared youthful, her wisdom was as old as the dirt that built the building she called home. She turned to Dr. Spalding and smiled softly. Over the years, she had grown cold. Her heart was broken a long time ago, and her aged wrath was finally ceasing. Mother Mayhem had attended her business as usual, but requested that no one approach Dr. Spalding. She wanted to be the only one to deal with him. She wanted him to know the truth. The complete truth about everything. This would allow her a deeper peace. "Good Morning, David. Did you have a good rest?" she asked smiling at the doctor. "Good Morning Gaia, I slept peacefully. Thank you for the hospitality." he said taking a bite of the fruit provided for him at the side of his bed. "I know that you have been patiently waiting for me. You've spent two days, and you definitely have to get back to your students. So I will begin this journey into a dark era. I will let you get situated first." she says moving closer to the bed the doctor was in. He had positioned himself in the bed in an upright manner. His attention focused on the mutant of the Olympian era, and waited for a dose of history that had been lost for centuries. "I guess I'll begin with the era in mutant history known as the Titan era named after the mythological gods of Greece. And it was rightly chosen for that era of mutants. During that time period, mutants were basically super powerhouses able to wield unlimited amounts of power and live almost forever. They were like gods, and this frightened humans immensely. Humans started an all out movement to get rid of these powerful mutants. Many human died in that era, but it was time that helped humans in the end. Eventually mutants born of the Titan era started to dwindle as time progressed, and the next generation of mutants seemed to be powerful but not as powerfull as the generation that proceeded them. They still lived very long lives, but they were able to fit in more with humans. This era of mutants was called the Olympian era...the era in which I was born. During my era the Stargate had just been completed after years of trying to figure it out. During this time period, scientist had discovered that the Stargate had five points and Earth X was the center gateway. Earth X's technology had advanced to the point were we had even discovered the dark planet known as Tartarus. The Alliance had not been created yet. There was no need for the Alliance at this point until intergalactic trading started. The need for galactic trade ethics and galactic policing had become a major concern. The different worlds that now form the Alliance had at one point been in dangerous competition with one another about controlling intergalactic trafficking and trade. The simplest thing for the worlds to do from the beginning was to have Earth X as the planet to maintain Stargate trafficking, but that didn't sit well with many worlds because they felt that Earth X officials would eventually horde all the business for themselves. While the intergalactic bickering was going on, Tartarus had been researched but never explored. The dark planet seemed dead and everything around it seemed to be dead as well. It was mysterious, and scientists were extremely curious, but also very afraid of traversing the planet that received no light. Earth X officials had threatened to use the dark planet as an exile for mutants that had become too dangerous for Earth X. Yet none of the mutants were that dangerous, but many feared the mutants from the Titan era and needed some sort of security blanket. I was young then and as an elemental with other abilities due to my gene pool I was considered a threat. I developed my abilities under a group of seven female mutants known then as the Pleaides. They secluded themselves on this tiny island and did the same thing you do now. House mutant orphans, and help them develop their abilities in a positive manner conducive for blending in with society and better control. That's where I met Darkoth." she paused looking out the window as if viewing the story on a screen. Dr. Spalding watched waiting for the revelations he'd come this far to hear. She took in a deep breath and exhaled as if releasing some unseen demon. She continued slowly. "We were both young then, and he was very handsome. Actually he has always been very charming as well as attractive. We grew close and eventually we grew to love one another deeply. I wanted nothing but happiness for us, but his pain was too deep. He opened up to me once, and that's when I first saw the darkness in him. He was bitter towards humanity for being ostracized and for the cruel treatment of his family and his friends. He had watched as mutant hating humans marched in a modern day witch hunt and murdered countless mutants. He barely escaped the brutal demise, but he did and was sent to the Pleiades for refuge. You could tell that he was destined for great things, but his darkness grew. Yet only I could see it. No one else could see that he was a sleeping volcanoe waiting to erupt. I watched in fear, but I loved him deeply. I figured by showing him that I loved him he would turn away from his hatred, but I was wrong...so wrong. His powers as a psionicist was strong, but nothing extraordinary. So he sought other means of expanding his powers. He meditated deeply in seclusion for days...then weeks and eventually months. I would steal away from my studies and watch him. From what I understood psionicist's alignments couldn't be chaotic, so I figured he'd never reach his full potential as long as he hated so strongly but I was wrong again. I don't believe his intentions were to destroy anyone...I just think he wanted justice for all that had been done in the past. As years proceeded, I fell even deeper in love with him and he became even stronger. Although he was developing his powers with great proficiency, his heart still was never mended. I saw the darkness within him expand, but never had the courage to address it. I thought by showing him my love he would be okay, but it didn't help in the long run. The Mutant Registration Act had finally been passed, and mutants had to register as being mutants. Many who registered were placed in concentration camps...others resisted. They were killed. We lived on the secluded island in peace before this occurred. The first attempts to collect mutants from Burei Island failed. But our day had finally come, and what I feared of Darkoth finally occurred. He exploded. The confines of Burei Island basically kept his anger under wraps because he was secluded. We had been removed from society for so long that he could heal somewhat, but when Manhunters and Borgs finally came to apprehend us. He exploded. Hundreds of people died...mostly humans, manhunters and borgs, but mutants died too. Darkoth had unleashed a powerful attack against them. The psionic attack he unleashed was felt by all. The way he brutally murdered them was unbelieveable. Flesh boiled off of the humans, the borgs systems malfunctioned making them explode, and mutants were basically fried...mentally. He didn't stop there ...he actually sought humans and borgs alike. He went on a rampage. Eventually there was a hunt for Darkoth. After months they finally apprehended him. I remembered that day as if it were yesterday. You could still see the youthfulness in his eyes. He was afraid...for us. In front of a council of representatives from each sector of Earth X, Darkoth was tried. They actually gave him an opportunity to explain his situation, but that was only for media hype. When he was sentenced everyone shuddered. It was brutal in our minds. They had banished him from Earth X to be imprisoned on the dark world Tartarus. They had never explored the planet...just speculated on it. They didn't even know if it had any vegetation or water to support life. Now they were sending the first test subject into a world that was unlike any other. It was dark there. No light at all. No recognizable life essence either. For media purposes to look humane, they constructed a capsule supplied with water and food for one year. If he ate all of the food and water on the ship he would have to survive on his own. If he died then it was a part of his sentencing. I cried deep within, and was given one last opportunity to see him. On my last visit, I allowed him to touch my mind. He had connected us mind, body and soul with a psychic rapport. I could feel him deeply, and as long as I felt him. I knew I could be okay. The day they transported him to the planet Tartarus. I thought I would forever lose that feeling but I didn't. Then what I feared would happen ...happened. After a year, I couldn't feel him anymore. Our minds were severed. Darkoth was dead." she finished as tears began to flow slowly down her face. She was finally releasing a part of her world, and Dr. Spalding himself was in shock. She moved away from the bed, and walked slowly towards the window. Her hair blowing slightly in the wind. She had to finish her story, but she knew that she could only tell him part of it. It was too early to reveal the rest. "So how did he end up this way? I know that it doesn't just end like that. Something else occurred. Something had to have occurred in order for him to be alive. Come on Gaia...this could mean our very existence." Dr. Spalding said pleadingly. She turned and smiled weakly. "Old boy it sounds as if you have reached the end of your rope. We definitely have more to our advantage then before. Believe me. Let me continue. You are absolutely right. Something did happen. Years later I began to have strange dreams about the planet Tartarus. I began to research the dark planet deeply. It seems that this planet once was a beautiful planet, but had been sucked dry by an evil entity. Of course, my sources of information was defintely more reliable, and understood my concerns on another level. The planet was alive in itself. It fed off of the entity until the entity became the planet. Absorbing the essence of all life around it. Darkoth did die. His essence was consumed by The Darkness. Then the Darkness attached itself to Darkoth's anger and fed until it reformed and reshaped Darkoth. Darkoth, in his current form, destroyed the planet by absorbing the last residue of this malignant entity. The explosion was enormous and it was felt throughout the galaxy. All believed that the threat of Darkoth had ended. Until one day, I felt him in my mind as if he was standing right beside me. His powers were so strong not only did I feel my life essence slipping away while he was with me, I noticed that his powers absorbed things through me. It began with my dreams. He would come to me in my dreams and when I would wake up the flowers in my room would all be dead. Then he started to drain me little by little. I would become very ill, and those that cared for me if their will wasn't strong enough he could drain them. I knew he was alive, and I was trying to figure out if he was actually alive or is I was going through some type of trauma. Meanwhile the northern most point of the Stargate was basically controlled by the planet Xylin. It was a thriving world, built on advanced technology. This planet was rivaled only by Earth X. As time progressed Xylin, became a planet destined for extinction. It didn't participate in any of the trading conventions and the representatives from their council seemed to all of a sudden disappear. Slowly Xylin became a planet that was seen ,but not heard from. I was working for the council of Earth X when things began to come to surface. An ambassador of Earth X was sent to Xylin to restore communications. The body of the ambassador was sent back to Earth X in a petrified state...as if sucked dry by some disease or vampiric being. The body was taking by scientist, but they discovered nothing. Investigations began but only tragedy happened. The first shuttle exploded within miles of approaching Xylin. Then the second team disappeared but the ship was discovered, and the third was the most horrid. When we discovered the ship, it looked as is a mad doctor had attacked the crew leaving body parts everywhere. By this time, I had achieved a noticeable degree of rank and was chosen to lead a team of investigators to Xylin. I feared for my life, but I had to be strong. They day came when life as all had come to know it on Earth X and the surrounding galaxies would change. We approached the planet Xylin three days later in hopes of returning to our respective homes in peace. We would soon realize that we would return with nightmares of what was about to happen to the galaxy. As we approached a docking bay located on the northen tip of Xylin, we discovered that we were not controlling the ship any longer. All of our defense mechanisms had been disengaged and we were basically drifting at a rate that was slow and steady. When we finally docked and exited the ship, we came across some hostile units and half of my team was killed. The other half survived but barely. As days continued and we made our way through desolate areas that looked as if war had broken out, my team started to dwindle little by little until it was me and two borgs left. I knew that I wasn't going to make it. We approached Dargon City, Xylin's Imperial city, and it felt as if life ceased to exist there. There was complete nothingness. No animals, no people, no wind, no sound, and no feeling of life whatsoever. It was cold. I tried to figure what disaster could have happened, but none came to mind. Though it looked like war...there was none that occurred. We arrived at the Imperial Palace and there was no soldiers on guard. The place was deserted. When I finally entered the throne room...my nightmare was confirmed. In the middle of the room suspended in air was a sphere with the captured souls of men and women soaring around it. As I looked in horror, Darkoth appeared. That was the beginning of the end. I don't know when he developed his additional abilities. All I know is that his wrath was horrible then. I can't imagine what he will do now. " her eyes now heavy with pain. She looked at Dr. Spalding and tried to smiled. She knew that there was more but she feared that time was not on her side. She knew that Darkoth would build swiftly and deliver a precise attack that would be felt throughout the galaxy. She knew that she didn't have the strength alone to fight Darkoth, but she knew that Dr. Spalding's teams of mutant youth trained to defend would be a better suited regime against Darkoth. She rose slowly and with little effort transformed into the elderly but deadly Mother Mayhem. "There is more...I can sense that there is more, Gaia. Please don't hold out on me. You know what we are dealing with. He will try to kill us all if we don't stop him, and I am afraid that in order to destroy him I have to go to the beginning of his history." Dr. Spalding said sounding desperate. "David I know exactly what we are dealing with, and what I told you can help a lot. But you have to realize that. I can only tell you what occurred. As I stated I encountered him for the first time in years, and though I was afraid of his powers. I was not afraid of him. I will not even begin to say that he treated us with loving kindness. He sent me back to Earth X with a message to everyone. His message was that he was alive, and he was coming for revenge. Though he killed my team. He wasn't at all abusive to me. He still remembered me, and he could sense my deepest feelings. He sent me back with my two borgs in order to navigate me home. As soon as we arrived safely on the planet...they exploded. David that's the truth. The sad, bitter truth. I told you all that I know. You have my support, but I can not get my children involved. I will even have Medea aide you, but that will be only when you need us. I feel we have to be patient and bide our time. I know that you want to move swiftly, but we don't know anything yet. All we have are our suspicions, and those may be wrong." Mother Mayhem said doubting her own statement. She knew he was back, and as much as she tried to shake the idea of her worst nightmare being reborn...she knew the truth. Dr. Spalding listened but deep inside he knew that Mother Mayhem was not being completely honest with him. He wondered what she was hiding, but he knew the aged Olympian unlike anyone else. He knew that in due time she would reveal the secret, but only whne she was ready. He also knew that if she didn't want to say anything she wouldn't...period. ================================================================= Downtown B-More City Evening slowly approached as the first signs of nightlife start to appear. Mutants, droids and humans alike begin to flock downtown to party. In he mist of the awakening nightlife is the newly awakened Feral dressed in the black outfit adorned with spikes walking fearlessly through the streets. He draws some attention, but he fits in with the norm of downtown. Feral walks confidently up to the neon lit sign flashing The Tunnel Club. Cyber music plays loudly as Feral enters the club, and is pulled by the pulsating energy that could be felt strongly in the music pumping its way into the systems of the young crowd as if it is also a drug to them. The scene of heads jumping up and down to music that reeks of chaos and the scent of drugs, sweat, and cheap perfume is the complete picture of The Tunnel Club. Feral, though spinning from the recent change, feels the beats and allows himself to be quickened by them. His animal instincts begin to peak and he starts dancing with a savage lust. His body sweats and his muscles tighten but his curves are eye catching and eventually the wrong eyes are on him. He dances oblivious of the potential danger he is in. The night is young, and he has tasted his wild side, and to him it is the sweetest thing since cotton candy. ================================================================= Red Island, Torin's Dorm Room Torin paces back and forth wondering what to do. Suddenely he rushes to the closet, and puts on his jacket. Torin telepathically felt Kyle's mind and was able to locate the area in which the rapport was coming from. He didn't want to teleport himself into the area, but he was definitely going there with the attentions of bringing Kyle back. Torin had realized the mistake he had made, and he knew that the feelings he had for Kyle were genuine. He only hoped that he had an opportunity to tell Kyle these things. ================================================================== Loving you is what I do best. Bleu Waters