The Railway tunnel beneath Park Avenue, running from the top of Manhattan Island down the East side to Grand Central Station.

The 20th Century from Chicago is two hours late, as usual. But Tommy couldn't care less as she folded herself flat and slipped out of the baggage car. All that mattered to her was that she was alive . . . and home.

Her clothes were torn, and her skin and hair glistened with bright rainbow colors. Her feet pattered quietly as she moved along at a quick pace. I thought I'd never see these old tunnels again. They've never looked so beautiful! I changed trains so many times . . . it took ages to get cross-country . . . there's no way those creeps could have followed me.

She turned down a side tunnel, and began walking down a long staircase into the Morlock tunnels. She exclaimed with relief, "I'm safe!"

She was not safe. A blast of light energy smashed into her from behind, knocking her down the steps. "Surprise, sweetheart," a woman's voice said. The blast continued, growing stronger, pouring tons of energy out against poor Tommy. She screamed.

"You figure we're chumps, girl?" a man's voice asked.

"No no please," Tommy pleaded weakly. "No don't know no no . . . "

"You should have died in Chicago," the man's voice continued. Tommy could barely make out the figures of a group of people standing above her. "You only prolonged your worthless life, leading us back to the place we had planned to go anyway."

She saw as the man picked up a rifle. She closed her eyes. Her mind was whirling from the pain, and her tears were pouring down her cheek.

"No hard feelings," the man said. "Nothing personal. It's our job. We're pros. The best. Marauders!" He cocked his gun and aimed it at her. "Don't feel sad, youngster. 'Cause where you're going . . . you'll soon have lots of company."

The roar of the gunshot echoed throughout the tunnels, filling the quiet place with more noise than it had heard in years. Seconds later, the echo died away, and the tunnels were once again left silent. Dead silent.

End Prologue.

Young Justice had been through a whole lot lately. Basically, they're in a new base and on their own with a fresh start.

[For all the little details, you can read all the back issues!]

"Man do I love this place," Superboy said as he relaxed in a lazy boy and drank slowly from a cup of hot chocolate. "Chuck, you are a genius . . . way to ring in the new year, man."

"Thanks," Chuck Barnes replied. He still found it strange being called his first name by his teammates. Not as strange as it was for his teammates to call it to him!

"Bart loves it, too," Kon-El continued.

"He should. We've got Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Game Cube, Sega, Sega Genesis, 32X, Sega CD, Dreamcast, Playstation, Playstation 2, X-Box, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance . . . am I forgetting anything?"

"Atari."

"Right . . . got that one, too. And thank god . . . if we didn't have those, these past two weeks of inaction would've driven us insane."

"Us?"

"Yeah . . . imagine dealing with a Bart who doesn't have access to video games."

"Whoa."

"Exactly."

The two exchanged a grin and a small laugh. It was much like a new beginning for the two of them. They had never been friends, really. Teammates, yes. And they respected each others talents and abilities. But during their time on the run from the law, and when Superboy was secretly replaced by an evil clone, something happened. In the times that followed, both when they were under house arrest by the Avengers League and then out on their own, they started to really talk for the first time.

What made it possible was the fact that Chuck had broken all ties with Batman, and his veil of silence could be lifted. It also helped that Kon's time away with a lack of powers made him begin to appreciate life a bit more. The two found they had a lot more in common than either new, and from their mutual respect, a friendship began to form.

Ask Chuck, and he'd still say that Superboy was too hot-headed.

Ask Kon, and he'd say that even Nightwing was still too anal and controlling.

They were just used to it, and they realized that they needed each other to keep the other in check.

"Hey, anybody seen Bart?" Hallie Takahama, the energetic Jolt asked as she walked into the room.

"Haven't seen him recently," Chuck said.

"He's your dog, Charlie Barnes," Superboy laughed.

"Good grief," Chuck shook his head. "He's probably playing video games somewhere."

"Okay, thanks!" Hallie said, turning and exiting.

"Charlie Barnes?"

"Hey, you said 'good grief', didn't you?"

"Hooboy . . . "

"So what do you think it means exactly?" Linda Danvers, a. k. a. Firebird, asked. She sat in what had recently been converted into a med-lab with Cassie Sandsmark, a. k. a. Wonder Girl, Cissie King-Jones, or Arrowette, and Jennifer-Lynn Haden, otherwise known as Jade. "When I sort of lose consciousness and something else takes over . . . when I become this . . . 'Phoenix'?"

"You're asking us?" Cassie asked. "I was hoping you could tell us."

"Yeah, Linda," Jenn spoke softly to her best friend. "I mean, it's kinda freakin' me out that you don't seem to remember doing anything like that."

"It scares me, too," Linda frowned. "And since the whole Hellfire incident, I've been noticing some decreases in power . . . my strength, invulnerability . . . they're both not as up as they used to be. Even my flight's getting to be a strain, to the point where I need the wings to do it when before I didn't. But at the same time, my telekinetics are getting stronger, and, if what you say is true, I'm developing other psionic abilities as well."

[[As seen in YJ 19 against the Point Men - Paul]]

"We might need to call Red Tornado or get in contact with the Avengers League," Cissie frowned. "We're not equipped to really study this stuff. Even with all the data files we have . . . "

[[Data files that Bart and Hallie stole from the AL in YJ 26 - Me again]]

"We can't go crawling back," Cassie said. "After all that just happened, everything Rob--Chuck did to get us out on our own and independent? No way. Whatever it is, we'll get to the bottom of it. We did with my powers, didn't we? Well, for the most part . . . "

"Hey, anyone seen Bart?" Hallie asked, popping her head in the doorway.

"I haven't seen him all afternoon," Cissie said.

"Check with the guys," Jenn said.

"I did," Hallie frowned. "I can't find him. Ah well, he'll turn up sometime . . . "

"Does she really have a crush on Bart?" Cassie asked after she thought Hallie was far enough away.

"Looks like it," Jenn said.

"I think it's cute," Linda grinned. "Little Bart needs a girl to keep an eye on him."

Bart Allen, otherwise known as Impulse, was running around at incredible speeds. He was looking around constantly for something, anything to do. In short: He was bored.

He already played through and beat every video game they had, and he didn't have any money to buy or rent new ones. So he went out looking for people to help.

Just my luck . . . he thought. Spider-Man gets all the excitement in this city! Might as well head home . . . heeeey! Maybe Rob--Chuck got me a new game!!

Bart turned back towards his new home and continued running. To anyone looking, he was just a blur. Since the Flash was pretty famous, a sight like that wasn't something out of the ordinary. Just slightly misplaced in New York.

The Hellfire Club's home base is an illustrious mansion in New York. Currently, it is under the care of Emma Frost, otherwise known as the White Queen of the club's secret Inner Circle. She is also the head of a team of mutants-in-training called the Hellions.

"Gather 'round, children," she said, addressing the Hellions. "I'm giving you a chance to redeem yourselves after your last failure."

[[She's referring to the Hellions one-shot - Guess who]]

"We've picked up what seems to be Cerebro's energy signature," she explained. "I say seems, because it's slightly different . . . altered. I can only assume this robot has been performing its own advancements to itself. But it's in tunnels underneath the city, tunnels which haven't been used in decades. We're going to mount an expedition . . . we'll go into those tunnels, and bring that robot back where it belongs."

End Interlude

I need to find my clone . . . Graviton said that if I don't find the clone, I can't get my powers back. As it is, my tactile telekinesis is pretty weak. If not for Graviton giving me that power boost, I don't know what I'd be doing now. I'm going to have to rely on my shield a bit more, at least.

Man, I still can't believe I gave that loony so much information on super heroes. I just know it's gonna come back to bite me. Maybe I should've told Captain America? Nah . . . but maybe I should at least tell Chuck. He should know about a potential threat like that.

Superboy's eyes, beneath his sunglasses, caught a red streak kicking up a trail of dust approaching their base. He landed quickly, just in time to be run right into by Impulse.

"Umph!" Kon said as he was knocked to his butt.

"Whoa!" Bart exclaimed, being knocked back as well. "Superboy!"

"Watch where you're going, Imp."

"You jumped right out in front of me!"

"Yeah, well . . . work on stopping," Superboy said, standing. He was caught off guard . . . he didn't expect to actually feel that collision through his telekinesis . . . but he did. "Anyway, where've you been? Hallie's been lookin' all over for you."

"She has?" Bart asked. "Does she have a new video game for me? Where is it?"

"Relax, Bart," Supes frowned. "I don't think she has a new video game. She just has a crush on . . . you?"

"Whoa!" Bart exclaimed as the ground beneath the two literally burst upward. Both were knocked back, and watched as a large, half ape, half horse-like being burst from the broken ground. It's purple fur was a contrast from the green grass.

Before the creature could even finish breaking free from the ground, it exclaimed, "Aid us! Young Justice--Beg, implore do I--For salvation! Strangers in the Alley! They kill! Morlocks . . . die!"

The large figure's last words faded, as he collapsed onto the ground.

"What in the world . . . ?" Bart asked.

"Come on, Imp, and fast," Superboy said. "Alert the others, I'll carry him back to the base . . . looks like there's gonna be trouble . . . "

"Multiple blade and gunshot wounds, massive internal trauma, pulverized bone," Nightwing concluded his findings. "It's a miracle he reached us. An even bigger miracle he knew where we were."

"Desperation breeds miracles," Jolt frowned.

"In his dying memory, I saw a cadre of super-beings," Linda said, concentrating. "I'm not sure how I'm able to pick this up, but . . . they were massacring every living thing in the Morlock tunnels."

"We involved, Chuck?" Superboy asked.

"Of course," Nightwing nodded. "We don't have any means of travel, so fliers, take those who can't."

Nightwing led the group to the front door, all suited up and ready to go. As he opened it, he was caught by surprise, seeing a young woman standing there. She had long, black hair and brown eyes. She stood tall and confident, even in the face of a group of super-heroes. "Uh, can we help you?" Nightwing asked.

She replied with three words. "Morlocks . . . help . . . now."

A group of six stood at the entrance to one room inside the tunnels.

"Hi there!" an albino figure said. "I'm Random. We're the Marauders. We kill mutants. Who's next?"

Morlocks are outcasts from society, as they feel their being mutants brands them as outcasts from the human race. They live deep underground, because they believe that here they're safe. In this one room stood six Morlocks, all shocked by these new arrivals.

A large one spoke. "Wha'chu talkin', man . . . this some kinda ha-ha, hey?"

"Nope," Random said, his arm slowly shifting into a hulking weapon of some sort. "I'm a serious man engaged in a serious business. And I never joke with people who're about to die!"

A huge blast came out of Random's arm, blowing up the table that the Morlocks had just moments ago sat around. Shards of wood went everywhere.

"Please allow me to introduce myself," another Marauder stepped forward. His body was almost impossible to see as he was constantly spinning around in a circle at high speeds. "I'm a man of skills and grace . . . Riptide, by name."

He spun so fast that he became a blur, and laughingly released razor-keen stars and spikes from outstretched hands to deadly effect. Blood sprayed the room. Screams filled the air.

"Toys can't hurt me none," the large Morlock said, as the stars bounced off him. He walked towards Riptide. "I grab you, I break you! You got powers, like us . . . maybe you mutants . . . why you do this?"

"It's our job," another Marauder said, approaching the big guy. He was very small and skinny, especially in comparison. "And we take pride in doing very well."

Scrambler's touch instantly disrupted the Morlock's power, and without that invulnerability to protect him, Riptide's spikes chunked into his chest. But amidst the slaughter, a young woman dives for the wall, biting back tears at the pain of a wounded arm and back, the greater pain of loss . . . as acid, exuding like sweat from her pores, sears a path through solid stone.

"Help!" the woman yelled as she broke through tunnel walls. "Callisto, help!! Everyone, come quickly! Murder! Strangers in our tunnels! Hurry, please hurry or they'll kill us all!!"

"They know we're here, Random," a large Inuit man said. His name was Harpoon, and he carried a quiver filled with harpoons over his left shoulder.

"Good," Random said. "That means we won't have to hunt 'em down. Arclight - you handle the wall?"

A woman with purple hair wearing silver body armor turned to it. "No problem." She turned to the wall and slammed it with both fists. A bright burst of white light came forth, exploding the wall outward, smashing bricks on top of the young woman trying to escape.

"Harpoon, the girl's yours," Random said.

Harpoon drew his trademark weapon. "She shall not escape." The Harpoon is metal in the Inuit's hand, transmuted to raw energy the instant he throws it. The impact sends a jolt through her nervous system, one so intense that the girl literally melts away. The young Morlock's life ends before her scream.

"Cybelle!" Callisto, leader of the Morlocks called out. "Dunno who you chumps are - don't care, either - but you're going to die for this!" A small army of Morlocks gathered behind her.

"Do tell?" Random asked. "You're Callisto, huh? Head honcho of this tribe of losers. Babe, you're mine. As for the rest . . . Vertigo, twist 'em inside out!"

"Dope, Random!" a lady with green and white hair said. She also wore a costume of the same color. "Totally straight!" She sends out waves of energy of the same color. Suddenly, for the Morlocks, it's as if the ground has become fluid as water, wild as the ultimate roller-coaster ride.

Then, Arclight made things worse. She slammed her fists down onto the tunnel floor, unleashing another burst of white light that sent a shockwave through the floor. The Morlocks all toppled over.

However, beyond a bend, beyond the reach of Vertigo's influence, Piper played a wicked tune, drawing his pets from their hidey-holes. A team of alligators and bats come forward, and the Piper sent them hurling into the fray.

It's here we find a rather large mansion estate, one nearly completed. Construction started this past summer when Warren Worthington III decided he wanted a new home away from home. Plans changed, and the mansion became the home to the world's latest super-heroes, the X-Men. The designed was changed in order to better suit the team. While the structure has been finished, it'll still be a few weeks before all the trimmings can be completed.

Jean Grey woke early this morning. Something had troubled her. Her dreams horrified her. They showed death . . . destruction . . . unspeakable acts and deeds. She woke in a cold sweat and headed immediately to the kitchen, making herself some hot tea.

Her nerves wouldn't calm. The images wouldn't leave her mind. It wasn't until near dawn that she began to fear something worse.

"Jean?" Clark asked, the lights in his bedroom suddenly flicked on. "What . . . ?"

She stood in the doorway, almost shaking. "I had a dream . . . a nightmare . . . a series of nightmares . . . I woke up, I can't shake them . . . and what's worse, I'm beginning to think they might be, I don't know, precognitive . . . "

"What are you talking about?" Clark asked, slowly sitting up.

"There's something terribly wrong in the Morlock Tunnels," Jean said. "Something horribly wrong . . . I can just feel it, I know it. We're needed. The X-Men are needed."

"Alright," Clark said. He had come to trust Jean's intuition over the years. "Wake the others . . . we'll leave immediately."

Clark Kent/Superman, Jean Grey, Morph, Bobby Drake/Iceman, Hank McCoy/Beast, Warren Worthington/Angel, Logan/Wolverine.

They entered the Alley, a giant tunnel running the length of Manhattan Island, the heart of the Morlock's domain.

"I'm getting a lot o' nearby scents," Wolverine said, sniffing the air. "Better brace yourselves, though. It won't be pretty."

"Callisto!" Jean called out, as she saw a body lying on the floor ahead. Not one body . . . many bodies. Dozens of Morlocks lying there, bloody and beaten. "She's wounded . . . but alive!"

"My cousin Kenny works in a slaughter-house," Iceman said. "He took me on a tour once . . . it smelled like this . . . "

"How could this have happened?" Superman asked. "So much death . . . "

"Watch it everyone!" Wolverine exclaimed. "Trouble!"

But even as the X-Men moved, Vertigo struck.

"All yours, Rip!" she exclaimed. "Cut 'em loose from life!"

Riptide began to spin, unleashing his spikes and blades at incredible speeds.

"Behind me!" Clark said, his invulnerability protecting them. Wolverine popped his claws and began deflecting the blades.

"Enough of this," Angel said. He flew above the attack and planted a kick into Riptide's chin. He maneuvered quickly, also kicking Vertigo against the wall. A telekinetic bolt added by Jean slammed Vertigo even harder into the bricks.

Riptide responded with a lightning fast punch to Angel, knocking him down. Riptide picked up Vertigo and sped off, deeper into the tunnels.

"You okay?" Beast asked Angel.

"I'll live . . . unlike too many of these Morlocks," he frowned.

"I've got the creep's scent," Wolverine said. "He can run, but never hide!"

"Amen to that, chum," Morph added.

"We've gotta attend to the wounded," Clark frowned. "I wouldn't normally do it, but Jean, head back to the jet . . . see if you can't get in contact with Sarah. We need an extra hand out here."

Jean nodded. "Be careful." She turned and headed back the way they came.

"There's a greater risk, but we can cover more territory if we separate," Clark said as Callisto slowly stood. "Our primary mission is to save Morlock lives. Afterwards . . . we'll deal with these Marauders."

"Howdy, folks," Random said as he stood in a doorway. "You're Annalee, ain't'cha - projecting Empath? If you're using your power to frighten me off, wasted effort, rag-bag. I don't scare easy."

"Please, do what you like to me," the elderly Morlock said as she shielded two small kids, "but spare these children. They've done nothing."

"They were born, and that's enough," Random said, his arm forming into a gun again. "Wrong plea, old lady. To the wrong man. Didn't work months ago . . . when I nailed a quartet of Morlock brats on the surface. Won't work now."

"Everywhere we look, we find nothing but bodies!" Iceman exclaimed. "Isn't anyone done here alive?"

"I hope so," Angel frowned. The two had partnered off, exploring on their own. "I pray so . . . Are you alright?"

"I don't think I'll ever be all right again," he frowned. "But I won't quit - What's that? A gun shot?"

"I thought this'd be a rougher assignment," she replied.

"Be patient, Arclight. Our day's still young."

"Watch out!" she yelled, responding instinctively. She shattered a huge chunk of rock-solid ice that had been hurled at her.

"Your fists won't save you from my ice!" Iceman yelled, building up the mass of his arms and then punching her.

"Yes they will," she replied, delivering a punch that sent him flying. "That's Iceman! We're up against the X-Men! About time, some real competition!"

"Butchers!" Angel exclaimed, kicking Arclight upside the head.

"You've got guts, Wings," Random said. "Now's the time to spill 'em."

He fired an energy blast that sent Warren into another wall. He fell unconscious.

The young woman with purple hair rushed out of her room, screaming.

"What is it, Psylocke?" an older woman asked her.

"It's horrible, Clea," Psylocke replied, panicking. "We have to get down to the tunnels under Manhattan!"

"What?!" Clea asked.

"Something's wrong. I feel death."

"Then we should get together. See a vision."

"There's no time for a damn vision! People need help now!"

"How can you know?"

"Believe me, the psychic outcry is too loud for any telepath in a reasonable vicinity to ignore!"

The young man know as Rift walked over. "I can help. We can be there in seconds."

"No," Clea said. "We can wait a few minutes to get everyone together."

"What?!" Psylocke shouted.

"I have made my decision. Obey it," Clea commanded, walking away.

"We're movin' too slowly," Wolverine said.

"All the Morlocks are wounded, Wolverine," Clark said. "Some can't travel any faster." He quickly scanned ahead, using his x-ray vision. "The way seems to be clear."

"So many of my people, slaughtered," Callisto said, anger in her words.

"And more to come!" a voice exclaimed. Riptide, Scrambler and Harpoon charged the crowd.

"The one with the claws looks the deadliest," Scrambler said. "Harpoon, send him to join his ancestors!"

"Been tried before, chump!" Wolverine exclaimed, leaping into the fray. "Ain't that easy." Even as Harpoon's slayspear struck, Wolverine's claws drew blood. Both men fell, only one screamed. Neither one died, but that could quickly change.

"My touch'll neutralize your powers," Scrambler said, grabbing hold of Superman's arm.

Maybe if I was an ordinary mutant, Clark thought, slamming a punch into Scrambler's rib cage. He heard bones crack.

"Think you're tough, eh fella?" Callisto asked, leaping at the injured Scrambler. She began striking him with punches. "A real hot number? King of the mountain? Prove it!" Callisto broke his jaw, and Scrambler spat teeth and blood.

"Poor boy needs a rescue," Riptide said as he started spinning. "Comin' right up, sweetheart!"

Another volley of spike tore through the air, followed by screams. Many Morlocks were hit. Too many died. Riptide laughed.

They don't care! Beast thought to himself as he traded punches with Harpoon. This is a sport to them, a game!

"Hang on, big guy!" Morph said. He extended an arm, grabbing Scrambler in an attempt to toss him. Unfortunately, the skin-to-skin contact neutralized Morph's powers, turning him back into his human form.

Harpoon took immediate advantage of the incident, hurtling a spear at the downed Morph. The hit connects, and Morph yells out in pain.

"Noo!" Beast exclaimed, slamming both fists across Harpoon's chin, sending him sprawling back.

The sound of a snikt was barely heard, as Wolverine had managed to sneak up behind Riptide while Clark blocked his assault. The claws popped in, then out. Riptide was dead.

"Morph's really hurting," Clark said. "I can barely feel a pulse."

"Where's Harpoon?" Wolverine asked.

"Gone, and Scrambler with him," Beast frowned. "Is the fight over?"

"Angel and Iceman are still in here somewhere," Superman frowned.

"Morph . . . he might die, trying to save me . . . " Beast said.

"If we X-Men have to fall, Beast, let it be from saving lives," Superman frowned.

"I'm through taking lumps, Clark," Henry McCoy's fancy words failed him. "I want to dish out some vengeance!"

"Vengeance can wait," Clark frowned. "Look around you. If we pursue these guys, most of our own wounded will die. Is that what you want?"

Beast turned around, and picked up Morph, carrying him towards the team's jet.

"Right thing to say . . . too bad that don't help," Wolverine said, standing next to Clark.

"I understand his pain," Clark frowned.

"Price o' leadership is doin' what's necessary, not what you want."

"Looks like my leadership's led us to a bitter defeat . . . "

"Happens. Even to the best."

"I don't like to lose."

"Me neither," Wolverine said. "But one thing I've learned, is that it's the war that counts . . . not the battle."

"Cold comfort," Clark said. "I want you to stay behind. You're our best tracker, and the most likely to survive down here. I want you to find a Marauder . . . Jean's gonna interrogate him."

"No problem. What about the rest?"

"One prisoner'll do. Find Bobby and Warren. Then bring me a prisoner . . . and the rest are yours."

Logan nodded. He turned back around and headed into the darkness of the tunnels.

"Hey, did you hear that, Zeek?" one Morlock with an eye patch and tall, spiky hair asked. He sat in a large room with many Morlocks, cooking dinner over a small fire.

"It was only your cookin' fire poppin'," Zeek replied. "Hey, Erg, put a couple of dogs on the stick for me an' the Dreamer."

"Yeah, sure," Erg replied. "Funny . . . for a second I thought I heard gunfire."

"In the Alley?" Zeek asked. "You got some imagination, Erg . . . makes me believe you really was a painter, back when you was a surface dweller!"

The huge, central shaft, called the Alley, is a mile deep and runs the length of Manhattan. Here, the Morlocks, mutant outcasts, have created their own society, sheltered from the fear and envy of the surface dwellers . . .

"Erg, Zeek?" another Morlock said. "I think maybe I hear it now . . . "

"Yeah, I hear it now, too!" said another. "Poppin' . . . an' . . . an' it sounds like a scream!"

"It's comin' closer," Zeek said. "It -- oh my lord!"

Sharp spikes of metal burst forth, tearing apart Zeek. A blast of energy tore apart the room. Streaks of fire and ice added to the scene.

"Why -- Why are you doing this?" Erg screamed in pain as fire tore through his body.

"We're Marauders," a large man made of metal said. "'Names Mercury, an' I got a philosophy! The only good mutant is a dead mutant! Except us, of course. Come on, Crux, Chaos . . . finish these bozo's off!"

Young Justice was springing into action. Wonder Girl carried Arrowette, Firebird carried Nightwing, Jade carried Jolt, Impulse sped on the ground beneath them, and Superboy carried a young woman with black hair and brown eyes.

"Let me get this straight," Nightwing asked. "First off, you've got telepathy?"

"Seems like it," Firebird said. "It's really limited, and only pops in now and then . . . but yes."

"Okay . . . then you say that this girl who just popped up on our doorstep is not only mute, but . . . ?"

"She's not mute, exactly," Firebird said. "Her mind just doesn't seem capable of grasping language. She's tried, but only knows very little. But from what I can see in her mind, she came to get our help . . . she saw that the Morlocks were in danger, and believes we can help them."

"Is she a Morlock?"

"I don't think so," Linda frowned. "All I can really get is that she wants to help."

"Well, we might be entering a highly dangerous scene soon," Nightwing said, "so we'll soon see whether or not she'll come with."

Soon, the team approached one of the main entrance sewer ducts to the tunnels and landed. They poured in. The smell instantly assaulted them. It wasn't the usual scent of sewage, but one far stronger . . . one of death.

"My God," Arrowette gaped, noticing the bodies lining the floor.

"That guy wasn't kidding with his plead for help," Superboy frowned. "Something horrible's going on here. It's gonna stop now . . . "

"Some new players enter the scene, eh?" a woman's voice said. She emerged, showing dark blue skin and red hair, as well as white angel wings. She wore a white cloth outfit and carried a sword. "I am Rapture, of the Marauders. You, too, shall be cleansed."

"You're responsible for this?" Wonder Girl asked. "How . . . how could you?"

"Simple," she answered. "It's my job."

"Way t'tell 'em, babe!" another voice called. A large man with wild blond hair leapt out, smashing both feet into Superboy and Impulse. "Name's Landslide . . . pleasure to feet your acquaintance! Haw!"

A blast of solid light smashed into Wonder Girl, slamming her back into a wall.

"Don't forget me," a woman with blond hair said. "Name's Malice . . . though the girl's body calls itself Dazzler. We're both pleased to have the chance to kill you."

Arrowette pulled a pair of arrows and fired them, which Rapture's sword easily blocked. Her wings flung her to Cissie, and a kick knocked her back.

One of Nightwing's batarangs was easily shot down by Malice's light blast. "Prepare to die, kiddies . . . "

The mysterious, unnamed girl leapt into action. She plunged a pair of fingers into Dazzler's abdomen, causing the girl to scream in pain. A swift kick to the back of Landslide's head caused him to jerk forward in pain. She easily dodged a slash from Raptures sword and planted a kick of her own.

"Holy crap," Nightwing said, watching it happen.

"To be continued," Malice said. She unleashed a bright blast of light that temporarily blinded YJ. When the light died down, the three Marauders were gone.

"She's quite a little fighter," Linda said. "Quite a rebel."

"Rebel," Superboy said. "That's what we'll call her."

The girl looked at Superboy and shrugged.

"Okay," Nightwing said. "We don't know the situation . . . but these . . . Marauders are in these tunnels, slaughtering innocents. We can't let that happen."

"Some of these people are still alive," Jennifer said.

"Okay," Chuck continued. "Here's the plan. Impulse . . . you're gonna start running these people back to the mansion, to our med-lab. I don't want to bring in others, but we may be in over our head . . . call the Tornado, get medical help. Bring as many people back as you can, as fast as you can."

"Will do!" Bart exclaimed. He went to a pair that Jenn pointed to that were breathing. He picked them up and sped away towards home.

"Okay, now--"

"Uh, Chuck?" Cissie asked.

"Hmm?"

"Before you continue, I should point something out . . . "

"What is it?"

"Umm . . . I can't see."

"What?" Cassie asked.

"When Malice attacked us with that flash of light . . . it must have affected me a whole lot more since my power is my eyesight . . . and, well . . . all I see is white."

"Well, if you're seeing white, that means it's probably not permanent," Nightwing said. "Blind people see black. But nonetheless, you're not fit for combat. Wait here . . . next time Bart comes back, head back to base. See what you can do."

"All right . . . "

"Hang tight, Cissie," Superboy said.

"Be careful, guys," she replied, placing her bow to the ground and steadying herself with it.

"Okay," Nightwing said. "Let's break into teams. Superboy, take Firebird and . . . Rebel. Search for survivors, bring 'em back here. Wonder Girl, Jolt, Jade . . . we're gonna find these Marauders an' stop 'em."

"You sure it's safe, splittin' up?" Superboy asked.

"Right now, it's these people's only real chance," Nightwing frowned. "Let's go."

"Keep alert," Kon said to Linda. "Last thing we want is to walk into a trap."

Rebel had taken the point, leading the way.

"I've got a theory," Linda said.

"Regarding . . . ?"

"Her. Rebel."

"Okay."

"She doesn't seem able to grasp language," Linda explained. "But did you see the way she fought? It's almost like she new what those Marauders were going to do."

"Telepathy?"

"No . . . it's almost like, where she can't understand spoken language . . . she reads body language."

"Body language?" Superboy asked. "Really?"

"I think so," Linda said. "It would explain how she moved so fluidly, responding to attacks almost before they were made."

Rebel paused in her tracks.

"What is it?" Superboy asked. "Wait, she can't understand us, can she? Is this gonna be like Timmy's mom talking to Lassie?"

"Shh . . . " Linda frowned.

"Welcome, heroes," a voice called. A young woman with greenish skin and purple hair stepped forward. "My name's Fatale. I'm a Marauder. And you three just made the biggest mistakes of your far too short lives . . . "

"Wrong," Linda said. "You're killing these people in cold blood. We're here to stop you."

"It'll take far more than you to stop me," she said. She disappeared, teleporting away, and a second later was behind Superboy. She discharged a powerful energy blast into his back. Kon-El yelled in pain and fell forward. Fatale teleported away again.

Good Lord . . . Superboy thought to himself. I know my powers are on the weaker side . . . but I've never felt so much . . . pain before! I've got to be more careful . . . got to stand, too. Don't want Linda to know about my condition.

Superboy stood despite the strain. He instantly flicked on his photonic 'S' shield, determined to stay and fight. "Maybe if you decided to stay and fight, instead of being a coward . . . "

"Maybe I just like letting you stand up before I cut you down again," Fatale's voice echoed through the tunnels.

"You bi--" Linda started. Fatale's teleport signature appeared, but even as she emerged, Rebel grabbed hold of her leg and threw her into the far wall of the tunnel.

"Wow," Fatale responded. "You've got some quick reflexes. But that won't save you."

Fatale's arms bulked in mass and lunged forward, smashing Rebel into the opposite wall. She was a shapeshifter as well.

Linda kept Fatale pinned against the wall with a hard push of telekinesis.

"A teep, eh?" Fatale asked. "Boy are you in for a surprise . . . "

"She is indeed," another voice said. A man in a green suit and red hair stood behind them. "My name is the Grey King. I am the leader of this band of Marauders. And you will find that I hold give no mercy . . . "

"I found out that one of these tunnels leads almost directly to the mansion's sub-basement!" Impulse exclaimed. "I had to vibrate and turn intangible to get through some layers of earth, but then we're there! It cuts down my travel time. Neat, huh?"

"Sure, Bart," Cissie said, still seeing white. "You call Red Tornado yet?"

"Yup!" Bart exclaimed again. "Believe it or not, I can remember to follow orders! He should be there by now, hopefully treating the wounded."

"Good job, Bart," Cissie said. Soon, the two were in the sub-basement which Bart had designated the med-lab.

"Arrowette, Impulse," the Red Tornado stood before them.

"Thanks for coming, Red," Cissie said. "We've got a major situation here . . . these people need medical help . . . Bart's bringing them in."

"These are the Morlocks?" Red asked.

"Yeah . . . they're being massacred," Cissie said as Bart gently let her to the floor. "YJ's in the tunnels right now, trying to help."

"I'm gonna go back and get some more people," Impulse said before speeding off.

"What happened to you?" Red asked.

"I'm blind," she sighed. "Chuck thinks it's temporary. Chuck . . . I dislike that name. Anyways . . . can you help these people?"

"I'll do what I can," Red frowned. "It would be much better for me to call the Avengers League."

"No," she frowned.

"No?"

"We spent so much time trying to prove ourselves . . . this is our chance . . . our fresh start. We need to prove that we can be on our own . . . even though we may be in over our head."

"Even the Avengers League needs help sometimes."

"All Nightwing asked for was you," Cissie said. "So for now, you'll have to do. I'll help with the wounded any way I can . . . but for now, the team's on it's own."

"Hey!" a voice called.

"Huh?" Bart stopped.

"You a . . . a hero?"

"Yeah! I'm Impulse of Young Justice. Who're you?"

The man crawled forward. He had blue skin, wore red glasses, and had a small streak of white hair on an otherwise bald head. He held a young girl with pink skin in his arms, and was attended by two metal slugs of some sort. "My name's . . . Maggott."

"You're a Morlock?"

"No," he shook his head. "God help me . . . I'm the man responsible for this massacre!"

The Morlocks are mutants, outcasts from society gifted - or in their case, cursed - with paranormal abilities that make it impossible for them to fit in with the surface world. By secluding themselves under ground, they believed they would be safe.

They were wrong.

A group of mutants called the Marauders entered the tunnels and began slaughtering the Morlocks. Young Justice was asked for help, and came instantly. The X-Men, unaware of the other team's involvement, also came running. Both teams were overwhelmed by what they saw. So much death and destruction was overwhelming to them all. First blood was quickly drawn by the Marauders, and the outcome is far from certain. But things look bad.

The final group of players in this massacre of mutants are unwitting, unawares and ill-prepared for what is to come. They are the Hellions, young mutants being trained by the White Queen of the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle.

Emma Frost, the White Queen, is a telepath of a high order. Bedlam, the Hellions' field leader disrupts a person's brainwaves. Magma can summon up hot lava from the very core of the earth. Bevatron could generate bio-electric energy blasts from his hands. Firestar could fly and fire waves of intense heat and radiation. Empath's telepathic abilities allowed him to subjugate others to his will. Tarot could see the future, and her cards could deal out great harm. Roulette could control someone's luck, by throwing out either good or bad luck discs. Lady Mastermind, though not a Hellion, accompanied the team on this mission. She could create illusions and make people believe they saw things that did not exist.

They had been tracking a piece of technology called Cerebro for some time, ever since the Hellfire Club turned it into a robot and gave it sentience. It escaped. The last time the Hellions located it, they were unable to capture it.

[[YJ: Hellions one-shot - Paul]]

They had detected a similar signal to Cerebro in tunnels underneath Manhattan and decided it was time to bring the robot in. They left immediately.

This is foolish, Lady Mastermind thought to herself. We're entering a completely foreign environment that's rumored to house over a hundred mutants . . . and we're tracking a signal that may or may not be our target. And what's worse, I'm involved. I should have left with Bobby and James . . . or when Tessa was revealed as a traitor . . . or when Shaw decided to leave on a business trip.

[[This all happened recently in Young Justice. Bobby and James can both be seen in X-Force. Tessa will be popping up there later, as well. And Shaw did indeed leave on a trip to the other branches of the Hellfire Club, leaving Ms. Frost in charge. Look for him to pop up in Excalibur! - Paul]]

But no, I didn't. I decided to stay around. You're such a fool, Martinique. The Hellfire Club is bad news . . . it hasn't been good for far too long. This mission needs to be your last. Shaw must be at the very least suspicious of my loyalties . . . I need to get out while I still can.

"Prep for a standard search," the White Queen said.

Roulette was the first to act. She tossed good luck discs at everyone, making their chances better. Bevatron and Firestar powered up, gathering invisible energies to their bodies.

"I hate not having Thunderbird anymore," Frost frowned. "He was the perfect point man."

"We'll be fine without him," Bedlam frowned. "Bevatron, take point. See anything that moves, shoot it."

"Maybe we've got some crocodiles to worry about, eh?" Bevatron asked.

"There are rumors of mutants living beneath the city," Firestar said.

"Bull," Empath said. "No mutant would choose to live beneath New York. Mutants are superior to the filthy humans that live above."

"Not everyone thinks so highly of themselves," Tarot said quietly.

"What's in the cards for us?" Bedlam asked.

" . . . " Tarot was silent. She had told Jimmy not too long ago about the terrible future her cards held. Every Hellion was going to die. They would be slaughtered, horribly massacred. And that card just kept coming up more and more . . . and since they entered these tunnels, it was all that she could get. But she told herself she would say nothing. Her powers had haunted her for most of her young life. Always knowing what the future held, forever at the mercy of an unavoidable fate . . . she had made up her mind. This was her time . . . her release from the icy cold grip of destiny. "The cards are . . . favorable for us."

"Good," Frost said. "That means, with any luck--"

Roulette grinned.

"--We'll find Cerebro and be out of here in no time," Frost finished.

"How's the signal?" Bedlam asked.

"It's a little faint," Magma said, reading off a small machine. "But we're heading in the right - hmmm . . . "

"What is it?" Empath asked.

"The signal . . . I've just detected a duplicate," she said.

"A duplicate?" Frost asked. "In the tunnels?"

"Yup," Magma nodded. "Hey, a third . . . and a fourth. That's weird. They're all in slightly different locations, too."

"You broke the damn thing," Bedlam frowned.

"Hey . . . I think I saw something moving," Bevatron said.

"Where?" Frost asked.

"There, on the floor," Bevatron said.

"I'll light it up," Firestar said, emitted a glow. "Oh god . . . "

The Hellions suddenly found the floor up ahead covered with bloody and beaten bodies. Bodies that were clearly mutants.

"Holy Jesus," Empath said. "I'm scanning . . . only a few life signs. Most of these . . . people . . . are dead."

"But . . . " Roulette started, " . . . who . . . ?"

"Easy enough," a voice beyond the bodies said. A man stepped forward. He appeared to be made of crystal. "The name's Prizm. I'm a Marauder. We kill mutants. You unlucky guys are next."

"We'll see about that!" Bevatron said. He cut loose with an intense bio-electric blast. It hit Prizm, but did nothing. "Wha . . . ?"

"Idiot . . . my name is Prizm!" the Marauder said. He raised an arm and fired back Bevatron's energy blast straight back at him, sending him flying.

"How's about a little bad luck?" Roulette asked. "Maybe you'll trip and shatter yourself!"

"I think you should be worried about bad luck," another voice called from behind them. The man was huge. "I'm Blockbuster . . . and you guys are dead."

"I'd think not," the White Queen said. She began to attack Blockbuster with a psi-bolt, trying to fry his mind. Empath and Bedlam quickly joined in in an attempt to completely eradicate his threat.

"I hate telepaths!" Scrambler jumped down from the ceiling. He grabbed hold of Bedlam and the White Queen. His touch instantly disrupted their powers, leaving Empath alone against an incredibly evil mind.

"Keep up the attack!" Lady Mastermind yelled, taking charge.

"Don't bother," another player entered the scene. Her name was Crux, and she controlled both fire and ice.

"Hey!" Magma exclaimed. "This one's giving off the Cerebro signal!"

"What . . . ?" Firestar asked.

"Curiosity kills cats!" Crux said. "Guess it kills dumb muties, too."

Crux lashed out with a blast of ice, encasing Firestar's head completely in an attempt to freeze and suffocate.

"No!" Roulette exclaimed.

"Yes," Prizm said, slamming a diamond hard arm into her back.

Bevatron stood, firing a blast at Crux. "Won't go down . . . that easy . . . "

"Yes, you will," Blockbuster said. He raised a fist and slammed it down into Bevatron's head. The poor boy's skull was crushed. Behind Blockbuster, Empath had collapsed under the strain.

"It . . . it can't end like this," Bedlam said. "Even without powers, I'll . . . I'll . . . "

"You'll nothing," the Marauder Mercury said. His metal fingers extended like razor sharp blades, piercing through Bedlam's body armor and chest, killing him.

"This one's got a Cerebro signal, too," Magma said. "I don't understand . . . but this ends now!"

Magma called upon her power, and the floor began to shake. Columns of lava began to burst forth from the ground. Blockbuster screamed as a column rose up beneath him and burned away all his flesh, killing him in a most painful way. But at the same time, Firestar collapsed. In a panic, she was unable to concentrate enough to use her powers to save her. She suffocated.

Lady Mastermind noticed that Tarot had fled back the way they came. Realizing this was the smartest move, she went after her.

Crux recovered, and sent a blast of ice against Magma. The young girl tried her best to use her heat to keep the ice away, but she was eventually overcome, encased in a solid block of ice.

Magma screamed, calling up a major blast of lava. The blast freed her, but it also killed the unconscious Empath, sweeping over his limp body. She turned on Crux, sending a blast of lava against her. However, Crux was able to control fire as well, and redirected it away from her.

"Your luck's run out, girly," Scrambler said to Roulette. He grabbed her by the hair and flung her into a pile of dead Morlocks. "Someone else, be sure to finish her o--"

"Give me back my powers." Frost had grabbed him by the neck. She was furious.

"Drop him!" Prizm yelled, grabbing hold of Frost's shoulder. The physical contact started a chain reaction, flowing from Scrambler's body, through the White Queen's and into Prizm. All three screamed.

"I refuse to die quietly!" Magma exclaimed. She summoned forth a huge blast of lava that encompassed the entire portion of the tunnel. The blast reached far above the tunnels before erupting in the middle of Central Park.

The blast lasted very briefly. Afterwards, in the tunnel, was silence.

"Tarot?" Lady Mastermind asked as she approached the young red-headed girl.

"I felt it," she responded. "Magma. They are all dead, Martinique. The cards told me they would die."

"Why didn't you tell us?" she asked.

"Because I wanted a release," Tarot frowned. "I wanted to be free. But then the cards told me my fate was different. That I was to live."

"We need to get out of these tunnels . . . "

"No," Tarot said. She pulled a small dagger from her pant leg. "I . . . I have chosen to deny my fate. I damn the cards . . . "

"Marie . . . ?"

"I damn it all!" Tarot exclaimed, plunging the dagger into her chest. Her body contracted, taking in one last sharp breathe. Then, she collapsed.

"My god . . . " Martinique said.

"You'd best make peace with him," a voice said.

Martinique turned her head to behind her, spotting an albino mutant with a gun for a left arm. It was aimed at her.

As the shot was fired, all Martinique Wyngarde could think, was how foolish she was for not leaving when she had the chance.

Arrowette had already been taken out of the fight, blinded by a strobe blast from Dazzler. The Red Tornado and she worked as medics back at YJ's base of operations, an abandoned resort near the Catskill Mountains. It was Impulse's job to cart back wounded Morlocks for treatment. He was doing a good job, too.

But then he came upon someone new . . .

"God help me . . . I'm the man responsible for this massacre!" he exclaimed. He was bleeding badly, and was injured. He had blue skin and clutched a young girl in his arms. Near him slithered two, metallic, maggots.

"You're the Marauder's boss?" Impulse exclaimed.

"No!" the man exclaimed, then coughed up blood. "No . . . "

"I'm confused."

"I'll explain . . . s'best I can," he said. "My name's Maggott, by the way. And my tale starts in Pittsburgh . . . " he coughed. "I was a member of Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants . . . but after a fight with the X-Men, he was killed . . . and I, figurin' there was no reason t'stay, bolted."

[[Following the events of X-Men Secret Files #1 - Paul]]

"I was alone . . . an' kinda scared. I needed work . . . something, anything. I learned of a guy who was looking for mutants for some jobs. I got an interview . . . started doin' some work. Then the guy told me he had only one more job to me. I was supposed ta find the Morlock Tunnels, map 'em out, and watch the people inside. At the time, I didn't know what he was talking about . . . but I did it. For weeks, I was in the tunnels."

[[And that he was . . . didja spot him in issues of YJ and X-Men? - Paul]]

"Then he told me that he had a group of people . . . more mutants that I was supposed to lead into the tunnels. I was to show 'em in . . . tell them about the people . . . and then I should leave the east coast."

Impulse listened to the tale, a dumb look on his face.

"I led 'em into the tunnels . . . I was scared then. The people I was leadin' . . . they were big, they were scary, they were mean . . . they were dangerous. I knew something bad was going to happen. I watched as it started . . . there was so much blood . . . I . . . I was horrified! I tried to stop them . . . Rapture slashed me across my gut with her sword. I didn't know . . . I thought it might be something illegal . . . I didn't know it would be something so awful! Didn't take me long to realize I couldn't stop them . . . I was hurting, bad . . . still am. All I managed to do was grab this girl . . . and run. I made it this far . . . collapsed for awhile. Heard you . . . my god, it's all my fault."

"Umm . . . " Bart said. "I didn't really understand what you said."

" . . . Bollocks," Maggott frowned. "Listen . . . take this girl . . . get her to safety! Then get someone else to me who will understand! I know . . . I know who's responsible for this . . . I know where he is . . . and I know that he needs to be stopped."

"Okay," Bart shrugged, picking up the small girl. "I'll be back!"

Impulse burst off towards YJ's HQ. Maggot clutched his mid-section. He looked to his metal slugs. "No worries, girls . . . daddy's . . . daddy's gonna be okay . . . somehow . . . "

The remainder of Young Justice had broken up into two groups. Superboy, Firebird, and the mysterious Rebel went in search of survivors. Nightwing, Wonder Girl, Jade and Jolt went off to find and stop the Marauders.

"Keep alert," Nightwing said.

"Of course," Jolt nodded.

"Hold on, I . . . I think I'm gonna . . . " Jade started. She turned and threw up. "Oh . . . I'm . . . I'm sorry . . . it's the smell. All the . . . the death . . . "

"It's okay," Nightwing said. "None of us have ever encountered anything like this before. God, I never even imagined encountering anything like this . . . "

"We need to find these Marauders," Wonder Girl said. "Make them pay for what they've done."

"I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing," Nightwing frowned. "By not calling the Avengers League or anyone else . . . this is a major situation. We'll probably need help."

"Maybe," Jolt said. "But we do deserve the chance to prove ourselves."

"Yeah, but this is . . . it's too much," Jade said. "Who could've done this so willingly?"

"Simple," the voice of Dazzler said. She stood with Chaos, Rapture and Landslide behind her. "Us."

A telekinetic pulse from Firebird sent the Grey King back a few feet.

"You'll have to do far better than that," the King said. "Not only am I a telepath of the highest order . . . but I can siphon off the powers of others, leaving me stronger and them defenseless!"

"Big woop," Superboy said. "We'll take you down!"

"Not a chance!" Fatale said, punching at Superboy. Kon-El blocked the blow with his photonic 'S' shield. It absorbed the kinetic energy, and Superboy swung the shield at her as hard as he could.

Rebel followed up the attack with a kick quick to Fatale's spine.

The Grey King began dampening off Firebird's powers. Her super strength and invulnerability began to fade.

I don't understand it . . . I can feel myself getting physically weaker . . . but I can sense my . . . telepathy . . . growing stronger! I can fight him back!

"Umph!" Grey King said, surprised by the sudden psychic assault. "Very nice, birdie . . . but you'll need a lot more than that!"

"I'm sure I've got it!" Linda replied, pressing her attack forward.

Rebel pressed the attack against Fatale. She did not speak; she couldn't, as far as anyone knew. But her ability to read moves before they were made gave her an excellent advantage in the fight. Superboy, on occasion, was able to get in a quick blow or two.

"Backoff!" Fatale exclaimed. She released a small burst of bio-energy, knocking both heroes back.

Linda's thoughts wavered a moment, showing concern for Kon. Grey King took advantage and sucker-punched Firebird across the face.

"Fool," he said. "Now I'll drain Superboy's powers!"

"Oh, great," Superboy said as he felt his powers being drained even more than they already had. It's bad enough my clone has most of my power . . . now this guy's gonna take the ones Graviton gave me?

"And without your powers to protect you . . . " Fatale grinned, "You can die!"

She morphed her fist into a blade and plunged it into Superboy's gut. It broke through his tactile telekinetic field and drew blood.

"Urk!" Superboy exclaimed. Pain . . . I . . . bleeding . . . never . . . bleed . . . ed . . .

"Noooo!!!" Firebird yelled. Her wings appeared bigger and brighter than before. The fiery figure of a bird formed around her. Phoenix had returned. And with it, a psionic assault to such a high degree that it fried every synapse in the brains of the Grey King and Fatale. They were left as nothing more than vegetables. And, as quickly as she had flared up, Linda calmed down again. This time, however, she did not faint. She rushed to Superboy. "Kon!"

He was unconscious.

"Hey!" Impulse exclaimed as he appeared through a wall. "Whoa, what happened to Superboy?"

"Get him back to the med-lab!" Firebird screamed.

"Okay . . . but wait here!" Impulse said. He grabbed Kon and bolted back. Man, Kon . . . I've never seen him hurt before . . . I . . . I hope he'll be okay . . .

Literally moments later, Bart returned to Firebird and Rebel, carrying Maggot back with him. "Kon's in good hands, Linda . . . and I know you're upset, but this is big!"

"Who is this?" she asked, biting back the tears. This time she remembered turning into Phoenix . . . she could feel its persona in the back of her mind, reigning in her emotions.

"His name's Maggott," Impulse said. "And he knows who's behind the Marauders!"

"Yeah, I . . . " Maggott started. His gaze met Rebel's, and his eyes went wide. "I . . . " he turned away. "Yeah. I know where his base is. I can lead you there . . . we can stop him."

"But . . . we can't leave the others," Linda said.

"The Marauders need to be stopped," Bart said. "Chuck and the others can do it. We need to stop their boss!"

"The kid's right," Maggott said. "Please . . . "

"Alright," Linda said. "This okay by you, Rebel?"

The girl nodded.

"Okay," Linda said again. "Bart, carry him . . . listen to his directions. I'll carry Rebel . . . we'll be right behind you."

Bart nodded.

Linda picked up Rebel. "Let's find the bastard responsible for this . . . "

"Duh!" Wonder Girl exclaimed, slamming a punch into Landslide as her body turned into ionic form.

"It's four on four," Jade said. "We can take 'em."

"You can take no one," Rapture said, pulling a sword and approaching Jade.

"A sword, eh?" she asked. With but a thought, she formed a green sword of her own. "Bring it, wings!"

Jolt dodged a solid-light blast from Dazzler with ease. She was super fast with her reflexes, and amazingly agile. Dazzler's aim wasn't perfect, and her firing was too slow to nail her.

"Jade, careful," Nightwing said, dodging a punch from Chaos. "Don't use a sword against her, it's a weapon she's apparently been trained in . . . use your powers and put her d--umph!"

Chuck was caught by surprise as Chaos unleashed a powerful energy blast from his left eye. If not for the body armor he wore with his costume, he might have been killed then and there. As it was, he was knocked onto his back, slightly dizzy.

"Jerks!" Wonder Girl said, slamming another punch into Landslide.

"You ain't gonna hurt me, girly," Landslide said, punching her back. "But I'll hurt you . . . kill you good!"

"Umph!" Jade said, blocking Rapture's sword with her own. "You're pretty strong."

"You're weak," Rapture retorted. "My blade shall cleanse you . . . and send you either to heaven or hell, depending on how you have lived your life."

"Keep dreaming," Jade said, creating a green shield across her left arm for extra protection.

"You don't stand a chance, heroes," Dazzler said. "We'll kill you . . . and then we'll continue on our mission, slaughtering not only every Morlock--but every mutant alive as well!"

"No!" Jade exclaimed. "You'll never get to Sam!"

"You'll never get past us!" Jolt said, planting an electro-shock punch into Dazzler's chest. Dazzler screeched in pain.

"Enough," Rapture said. She began swinging her sword harder and faster. "You cannot stand in our way." The swords clanged. "You are worthless." Contact. "You are pathetic." Again. Harder. "Wannabe heroes and sidekicks." And again. "Foolish children foolishly chasing some noble cause." Jade's sword shattered. She tripped, falling onto her back. "But you . . . " The sword hit the shield. "You . . . " Again. "You are . . . " And again. "Absolutely . . . " It cracks. "Positively . . . " Cracks more. "Worthless!"

Jade's shield shattered. Her eyes widened as Rapture raised the sword above her head.

"And I am doing you a favor." Rapture brought the sword down into Jade's chest with such ease one would think she had done it all her life.

"N . . . no!" Nightwing gasped, suddenly unable to find the air to make words. "NO!"

"Yes," Chaos exclaimed. He turned to Wonder Girl and hit her with a blast. He continued pouring on the energy, enveloping her.

"I'm . . . I'm absorbing it . . . " Cassie said. "But it's . . . too much . . . my god . . . so . . . much..!!"

Wonder Girl blew up. The force sent the Marauders flying one way, and the remaining two YJers back the other. It also caused a large portion of the tunnel to collapse in on itself, sealing the two groups off from each other. Moments later, it was dark and still.

Nightwing and Jolt stirred from beneath the rubble.

"No . . . " was all Chuck could say at first. He was in shock. "Jenn? Cassie? Cassie?!?"

"She . . . she's dead," Hallie said. The tears were welling in her eyes. "They both are . . . "

"No . . . "

"Friend-Robin?"

"Eh?" Nightwing turned.

"It is Caliban!" a Morlock said. "Caliban has . . . some Morlock-Friends with him . . . we are escaping from Marauders. We are lost. Scared. Artie and Leech are children . . . so scared . . . "

"I . . . I . . . " Nightwing started.

"Chuck, we've got . . . we've got to pull it together," Hallie said. "We need to get them out of here . . . to safety. The Marauders could be digging through the rubble right now . . . we need . . . we need to keep moving!"

Chuck nodded, standing slowly. "I . . . you're right. We don't . . . don't have time to mourn. All right, Caliban . . . let's move."

"Friend-Robin . . . will get Caliban to safety?"

"Yeah . . . " Nightwing said. "Everything . . . everything's going to be okay . . . "

Wolverine moved silently through the carnage, alert for the slightest sound, the smallest movement, the faintest scent of life. Violence is in his nature. Murder is not. He means to find those responsible and pay them back - in full measure.

Been a long time since I saw slaughter like this, he thought as he approached another group of bodies. Professional work. Top-Notch . . . as thorough as it was merciless. That sound--Rats!

His reaction is immediate and instinctive. He bares his fangs and growls. The vermin get his message and flee.

Wasted effort, that. They're just doin' what comes naturally. Soon as I'm gone, they'll be back. Too many bodies . . . with no one, no place, no time to bury 'em. He took another look around. How did you get yourself into this mess, Logan? You rescue some mutants from a fight . . . you even shack up with 'em. Talk about joining their crusade . . . and now you're knee deep in a brutal, horrible war. I even took orders from a guy named Superman. Huh. I guess even I can see that, in this situation, something needs to be done.

{You're absolutely right, Logan,} Jean Grey telepathically said.

"Jeez," Logan said, caught off-guard. "Don't go in my thoughts, darlin'. They ain't pretty."

{Sorry to startle you. Clark wanted an update.}

"It's as bad as can be. I've found no survivors. Marauder scents are all stale. I figure they're either long gone, or just about."

{He still wants a prisoner for me to interrogate.}

"I'll get one. But one is all you're gonna get. The rest are mine."

{I understand. We're gonna head into the tunnels again, too . . . try and find more survivors . . . including Bobby and Warren.}

"I gotta go. Got work to do. I'll be in touch."

"How are you doing, Sarah?" Jean asked.

"I'll live," she said. "But unfortunately, most of these people probably won't."

"We . . . We're heading back into the tunnels," Jean said. "Will you be okay here?"

"As okay as I can possibly be under the circumstances," she nodded. "Good luck. And be careful."

Jean nodded. She exited the jet and met up with the rest of the remaining X-Men: Superman and the Beast.

"The three of us will have to do," Clark frowned. "Our main job is to locate Bobby and Warren . . . and bring them back alive."

"We will, Clark," Beast said. "We have to."

Clark nodded. "Let's go."

"Purdy wings, eh?" Arclight asked, holding the unconscious Angel up from the neck.

"He's phat," Vertigo grinned. "Mmmm, too bad we need to kill him . . . I'd sure like a few evenings with him . . . hee hee . . . "

Arclight grinned. "Who says he needs to die so soon?"

"I do," Harpoon frowned. "I cannot listen to your banter much longer." He drew a pair of Harpoons from the case over his left shoulder. "Perhaps we'll use him as a sign . . . hang him on the wall . . . leave him as the Marauders calling card."

"That'll work," Arclight said. "Okay, I . . . brrr . . . did it just get really cold in here?"

"I thought I was just getting excited, but . . . " Vertigo started. "It's really cold."

Bobby Drake sat in hiding. He was hurting. But he would not let his friend die.

"Argh!!"

The Marauder known as Mercury struggled against his pain as he traveled through the tunnels. He had suffered greatly during the fight with the Hellions.*

*(Mutant Massacre Secret Files #1 - Paul)

But he was victorious. And now he had another goal in sight. He crawled from the tunnels to the surface. He saw a jet parked up ahead. He knew his target. It was a refuge for the wounded. It was hope. Hope was something a Marauder couldn't let exist.

"You're still alive?" Arclight asked.

"Drop him, or I swear, I will freeze every molecule of your bodies."

"Whoa . . . kid's got guts," Vertigo grinned. "Or maybe you're just tryin' t'act macho in front of us girls? Trying to impress us, maybe?"

"Or maybe he's bluffing," Harpoon said. "Maybe he's scared witless . . . and thinks words can stop us."

"I'm not bluffing," Bobby said. "Let him go."

"You heard him," Superman said. He, Beast and Jean stood behind Iceman. "Drop Angel . . . or you all die."

"Random, right?" Wolverine asked. "Leader o' this pack o' murderers?"

"That'd be me," Random said.

"You got a lotta guts takin' me on by yourself."

"Or maybe I know you're over-rated," Random said.

"How would know anything about me?"

"Weapon X, old man," Random grinned. "So many things go back to Weapon X. Including myself. You probably don't remember me. Your mind's probably so screwed up you don't know which way is up. But not me . . . I've got a crystal clear memory. And you, shrimp . . . are gonna pay for what you've done."

"Do tell," Wolverine answered, popping his claws. This guy's from Weapon X . . . the program responsible for my claws! He has answers I need . . . this guy's gonna be my prisoner.

Wolverine leapt forward, but Random dodged. Random quickly formed a blade out of his right hand, slashing Wolverine's leg.

"I love the taste of blood," he said. "Especially yours!"

Logan leapt at him again, and Random met him without flinching. Wolverine's claws were proving ineffectual against the shape-shifter's malleable skin.

"You're fast," Random said. "I'm faster. You're strong. I'm stronger. You kill - I'm a killer!" Another hard blow connected into Wolverine, knocking him to the floor. "Your fancy claws can't cut my skin. And your hotsy-totsy healing factor won't save you when I rip out your heart!"

"Cute," Logan said, leap-frogging over Random's charge. "But no cigar."

"What're you doing?" Random asked, as Wolverine's claws began tearing up the tunnel.

"Bringin' down the house," he said. "Tunnel was weak. Figured it wouldn't take much to collapse it!"

More of the tunnel fell, toppling on top of Random. The load was enough to knock him unconscious.

"You were right, Random," Wolverine said. "You're the killer. I'm a man . . . who sometimes kills. We seem evenly matched. It's possible we coulda fought for hours. Maybe if I was younger, I woulda given that a shot. The road was easier back then. But that's past. Sure, I don't remember much . . . but I do know I've changed. I've learned about honor . . . a hard road, more often than not. But worth the effort."

He picked up the unconscious body and began walking back towards the Blackbird jet.

"We won't allow you," Superman said.

"Who said we'd give you that option?" Vertigo asked. She unleashed her powers in a fury, sending waves of nausea through the X-Men.

Arclight followed it up with an intense shockwave to the floor, dropping the X-Men to their butts. Harpoon pulled a pair of slayspears from his quiver and flung them.

Clark acted instinctively, firing his eye beams. He managed to fry one spear. The second was deflected by Jean's telekinesis.

"On the bright side, I dropped 'Wings'," Arclight grinned. She leapt forward, slamming a punch into Clark's chin.

Beast tackled Harpoon. "I owe you, villain! For what you did to Morph!"

"Iceman, check on Angel!" Jean said, using her telepathy to overcome the affects of Vertigo's powers. "I'll deal with her!"

Bobby nodded and quickly ran over. He's got a pulse . . . thank god, thank god. "He's okay! Let's beat the snot out of these guys!"

"Done and Done!" Superman said. He returned a punch to Arclight, breaking her jaw. A second blow cracked a rib. And a third sent her flying down the long stretch of the tunnel.

Jean concentrated, and using her telekinesis, she squeezed some blood vessels in Vertigo's brain, causing a minor aneurysm. It was something the former Marvel Girl would never have tried . . . but circumstances had never been so trying.

Beast and Harpoon continued trading blows, with neither gaining a clear advantage.

"There's only so long I'll sit back," Bobby said. He bulked up the ice on his arms, and, clutching both fists together, swung upside the back of Harpoon's head. The Marauder fell to the ground, unconscious.

" . . . We beat 'em," Beast said.

"Good work, team," Superman said.

The stench was horrible. The site even worse. Dozens upon dozens of Morlocks lay piled up in the tunnels. All dead.

The Visionaries came upon a sight that had become familiar to two groups already, and their reaction was pretty much the same.

"Who could do something like this?" Rift asked, shocked.

"When they say a picture is worth a thousand words, I didn't believe it," Sketch said. "But this . . . oh, man . . . "

"I sense that there is life farther down the tunnel," Psylocke announced. "Perhaps we might learn more."

The Visionaries continued their silent trek through the tunnels that were now full of death.

"So many injured . . . so many more casualties," Sarah shook her head. "God help me for thinking it, but my job would be easier if more of these people were dead . . . "

"That can easily be arranged."

"Huh?" Sarah spun around in time to see Mercury standing in the doorway to the jet. "You . . . you're a Marauder, aren't you?"

"How'd you guess?" Mercury asked, his metallic fingers growing slightly and sharpening.

"Stay back," Sarah said. "I'm warning you. Stay back or I'll make you feel pain!"

"Go ahead, girl," he grinned.

"You asked for it!" Sarah exclaimed. She poured fire from her hands, spreading her flame over Mercury's body. It had no affect.

"I just crawled out of a pool of liquid hot . . . Magma," Mercury laughed to himself. "Flames are nothing compared to that. You are nothing."

"Butcher!" Callisto yelled, popping out from the side and smashing Mercury with an IV stand. It bent upon contact.

"Please, woman," Mercury said. He grabbed Callisto by the throat and flung her into a computer console.

Sarah turned up her flame even more, cutting loose. It had no affect whatsoever. Mercury just took small steps until he was close enough to grab her by the throat.

"Just so you know . . . it's nothing personal," Mercury said. "It's not your fault you were born. And while I do derive lots of thrill from the chase, unlike my other Marauders, I do not take much pleasure in the kill. But I'm afraid it's quite necessary."

"N . . . no . . . "

"Oh, yes," Mercury said. His razor sharp fingers extended, slicing apart her neck in five different spots. Sarah Da'Part was dead.

Mercury dropped her body, looking upon his deed with a solemn face. He turned, seeing all the other bodies lying about. It would take him scant few minutes . . . and then his job would be done.

"I read ya, Jeannie," he said. "I've got your prisoner. Couldn't find Iceman or--"

{It's okay, we did. They're both safe. We're heading back towards the jet, though . . . Warren needs some help. We left three beaten and unconscious Marauders back behind us. We couldn't carry 'em, and didn't want to bring them back to the Morlocks. Any ideas?}

"I'll come up with something later," Wolverine said. "I'm only concerned with my prisoner right now. I'll meet you back at the jet . . . I think things are just about wrapped up. Can't pick up any other Marauder scents."

{Alright. See you in a few.}

"Yeah," Logan huffed. "In a few . . . "

"Silence, girl!" Clea snapped. "I am in charge of this group, and you shall all do what I say."

Several members of the group stopped dead in their tracks.

"Uh, maybe not," Rift said.

"No one orders Aron," the Watcher added.

"Then why are you here?" Clea asked. "You are here under my guidance."

"Still, that doesn't mean that you own our free will," Rift replied.

"Whatever," Clea said. "Let's continue onward."

"Shh," Psylocke whispered. "I sense someone coming."

The six Visionaries pressed themselves against the wall of the tunnel, waiting for whoever it was to come near. They prepared themselves for anything.

The shadows drew closer, and became smaller. Soon, the Visionaries could see five other human-looking beings. However, one had wings, and was being helped along by another one who looked like an ice sculpture. One was hovering above the ground, one was a female with bright red hair, and the other appeared to have abnormally large digits.

"The X-Men!" Psylocke whispered in awe. Ever since seeing a vision of this unusual mutant group, she was fascinated by them. She tried to see visions of them in her spare time, when no one else was around. "It's okay, they're the good guys."

So are we, but I still question our 'good intentions,' Rift thought.

Clea stepped down, and caught the attention of the X-Men. The five mutants tensed up. Even Angel, who was badly injured, was wary of this new arrival.

"I mean no harm," Clea said. "I am Clea, and I lead a group of mutants and mystics known as the Visionaries . . . "

"So you're not a Marauder?" Beast asked.

"No. We just got into the tunnels ourselves, and were wondering what happened."

"What's it look like, lady?" Iceman asked. "Does the word 'massacre' mean anything to you?"

"Bobby!" Jean hissed.

"It's quite alright," Clea replied. "I'm sure you've seen some sights that you will never want to remember."

"And the winner for understatement of the year . . . " Iceman muttered.

"But there really is not much more that can be done here," Clark said. "The attack seems to be over, and there aren't many injured Morlocks to tend to."

"That sounds uplifting."

"That's because the few that aren't dead were able to hide," Clark replied bluntly.

"Oh, I see," Clea said, realizing how inappropriate her comment was.

"There is one thing that you can do to help, though," Jean replied. "We left three Marauders - they're the ones responsible - behind. They were too large for us to carry, especially with an injured teammate."

"We'd be happy to recover them." Clea turned and walked to her group.

"Just bring them to our Blackbird jet," Clark said. "It's just outside of the tunnels, if you keep following this path straight."

"Don't worry," Psylocke said. "I'm a telepath, I'll be able to find it."

He stood beside his prisoner, who was tied to a chair on the Blackbird. Random had been tied up. Wolverine had been able to find a collar on board, which the X-Men kept handy for any uncooperative "guests" they might be giving a ride to. Logan knew that Random fit this description.

Random spit at Logan's feet.

Logan grabbed Random's head and slammed it down against the table. "Look ya no-good pantywaist. I want to know two things. What the hell do you have to do with Weapon X, and how do I find them?"

"Canada. Everything's in Canada. Want more answers?"

"Of course."

"Then you'll have to ask someone else."

Wolverine slammed Random's head against the table, rendering the leader of the Marauders unconscious.

"Gather around," Clea said. "We're going to perform a spell."

"I thought we were going to take these Marauders to the X-Men," Psylocke replied.

"You thought wrong. Now, get over there and help me."

"I don't think we should be doing this," Rift said.

"You're not here to think."

"Clea, calm down," Psylocke said. "We just need to pick these guys up and take them back - OOF!"

Clea had used her power to slam Psylocke against the wall of the tunnel. "Traitor!" she exclaimed.

"That's it," Psylocke said. "I've put up with enough of your crap. I'm not going to stand back and let you send these three to some hell dimension, when they should be turned over for proper justice."

"They deserve nothing better!" Clea shouted back.

"I don't care what you think. I want nothing more to do with the Visionaries!"

"How charming," Beast said. "Looks like you know how to entertain the company."

"Name's Random. He's the so-called leader o' the Marauders. What's up with Wings?"

"Arclight got him," Clark replied as Bobby and Hank took Warren back to the medical cabin.

"Oh my stars and garters!" Beast exclaimed as he entered the cabin. "Everyone get back here!" he shouted.

Clark, Jean, and Logan rushed back.

Jean covered her mouth. Clark put his arm around her. Logan looked away.

Hank and Bobby sat Warren down. Hank squatted over Sarah's battered and shredded body. He didn't even have to reach across her neck to check her pulse. He just turned the body to a more visible position.

Her shredded neck told all.

Clea's losing it. She blew up against Psylocke, and there's no reason for her to be doing this spell. I must stop it.

"Clea, maybe Psylocke was right. After all, won't the X-Men get suspicious if we don't bring these guys to them?"

"They'll get them," Clea replied. "Eventually."

"Something's not right," Matt Ryder said. "One of these Marauders is not as they should be."

"What do you mean, Ryder?" Rift asked.

"I think it's the one in the middle. Arclight, I believe?"

"You are correct," Clea replied. "Something is odd about her."

Suddenly, something started slipping.

"Oh no!" Rift cried out. "The spell isn't working!"

BOOM!

The Marauders fell to the ground. Actually, only two of them did.

Arclight had disappeared.

"So, ya met these 'Visionaries' in the tunnels, and ya trusted 'em t' bring the Marauders back?" Wolverine asked.

"Something like that," Superman replied. "We were in no shape to carry them ourselves. With Warren being injured, and the others being worn out."

"What about you?"

"I seem to have a higher threshold for fatigue. I could probably go another whole day of non-stop action. Not that I'd want to."

Just then, a purple haired young lady ran by. She stopped when she realized that Clark and Logan were standing there.

"You're one of the Visionaries, are you not?" Superman asked.

"I was. My name is Betsy, but in the field, I go by Psylocke."

"Must be mental," Wolverine muttered.

"If this wasn't so dire a situation, I would be able to enjoy your pun," Psylocke said. "As it is, I must ask you for sanctuary."

"From the Visionaries?" Superman asked.

"From Clea, in particular. I have been shunned by that group."

"Where are the Marauders?"

"Clea was trying to do some spell with them to send them to a hell dimension or something."

"No. They must stay here, and be brought to justice on the same terms as they wiped out the Morlocks," Superman said.

"Bit on the melodramatic side, eh?" Wolverine asked.

"Psylocke," Superman began, "if you keep going along this tunnel and do not turn off, you will find the exit. Our Blackbird is parked nearby. You may stay there for now."

"Thank you, Superman. But what about you?"

"Wolverine and I are going to find your old boss."
The Blackbird

Hank was taking care of Morph. Carefully making notes and comparing them to the previous injuries Morph had sustained.

"I don't think he's going to make it," he said. "I fear that whoever attacked Sarah also inflicted more damage to Morph."

"How can you tell?" Jean asked.

"These wounds are fresh," Hank replied, motioned to slashes on Morph's chest. "Not even Morph's shapeshifting abilities have been able to close them."

"This is too much," Bobby said. "Not only do a bunch of Morlocks get killed and Morph gets hurt, but then those bastards nearly rip Warren's wings off, and one of them sneaks onto our plane and kills Sarah."

There was a moment of silence before Beast added, "The most tragic part of it all is that Sarah had left us weeks ago to return to a normal life."

"Guys . . . " Morph whispered, extremely faintly.

"He's conscious?" Bobby wondered, shocked.

"Barely," Hank replied. "Jean, can you use your powers to increase the volume?"

"Sure."

"Standing around here, worrying about me and Sarah . . . " Morph began. " . . . It's not doing you . . . any good. You should be . . . out there . . . finding the one who . . . killed her . . . "

"Do you know who it was?" Jean asked.

" . . . He had claws . . . "

"Do you know his name?" Bobby asked.

" . . . Mercury . . . " With that, Morph laid his head back, falling back into unconsciousness.

"Where's Arclight?" he asked.

"Something happened," Clea replied. "In fact, you never faced Arclight."

"What do you mean? I sure as hell saw someone that looked a lot like Arclight!"

"A temporal construct."

"What th' heck are you talkin' 'bout, lady?" Logan asked as he strolled on up.

"The Arclight you fought was not the real Arclight," Clea explained. "In fact, we might have been responsible for her creation. She might have been a result of one of our visions, manifested into this reality."

"You did it?!" Superman exclaimed.

"Clark, calm down," Wolverine said, putting a hand on Clark's shoulder. "Before you start goin' off half-cocked, use yer flamin' head! Even if they hadn't made Arclight - which they're not sure of - the massacre still would have happened."

Superman calmed down. "I guess you're right."

Clea turned to Rift and Hourman. "You two, carry the Marauders up with the X-Men. Aron, Sketch, and I will return to the mansion."

"Yes, ma'am," Rift said.

"Who's there?" Jean called back, getting defensive, ready for anything.

"A friend. I am Psylocke." Betsy walked farther into the Blackbird. She saw the unconscious Random tied up, and the injured Angel. "How terrible," she whispered.

"Where are the Marauders?" Iceman asked.

"Marauders? I don't have them. You see, I kinda got into a little disagreement with Clea, and left the group."

"So you don't have the Marauders," Iceman concluded.

Psylocke shook her head. She then noticed Sarah's body, and Morph laying on the table.

"Are they two of your own?"

Jean nodded solemnly. "Sarah was killed by the Marauder named Mercury. Morph was injured earlier today."

"Will he make it?"

Jean and Bobby looked over at Hank for the answer.

"I honestly have no idea," Hank replied. "He could go either way."

"We're back!" Wolverine shouted from the front. "And we got company!"

Wolverine, Superman, Rift, and Hourman boarded with the remaining two Marauders in tow.

"Where's Arclight?" Jean asked.

"Long story. Let's just say that we don't have to worry about her for now," Clark replied. "I promise we'll tell you everything later."

"What do we do now?" Bobby asked.

"I think it's pretty clear," Jean replied. "We go after Mercury."

"Mercury?" Clark asked. "I take it that's the one that murdered Sarah?"

"Excellent deduction, astute leader," Hank said. "Will our new friends be helping us against Mercury?"

"If they are willing, and able," Clark said.

"Of course," Rift said. "Hourman and I would be happy to help you."

"As am I," Psylocke added.

"If that is the case then," Hank began, "then I would like Bobby to stay here with me to take care of the injured."

"For once, I won't argue about not seeing the action," Bobby said.

"And if Random wakes up," Wolverine said, "put 'im back to sleep."

"Okay, X-Men and Visionaries, let's roll," Clark said.

Again, everything led back to the tunnels. The seven combatants stood facing each other in the tunnels.

On one side: Superman, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Rift, Hourman, and Psylocke.

On the other side: Mercury.

"Looks like a short fight," Wolverine growled.

"Funny," Mercury said, his fingers extending, and becoming sharper. "I was about to say the same thing."

"Be warned, Mercury," Superman announced. "We've been in these tunnels all day. We're sick, we're tired, and we're mad as hell."

"I faced worse odds."

Enough of this melodrama, Rift thought. He jumped forward and grabbed the air. As he came down, he opened a large rift in front of Mercury.

"What's that supposed to do?" Mercury asked, taunting the Visionary.

"It's called a diversion, sucker!" Wolverine exclaimed as he leapt forward, claws out, slashed everything that got in his way. Of course, the only thing there was Mercury.

Mercury flung Wolverine to the side. The little Canadian hit the wall hard. "Your little claws can't harm me! I'm invincible!"

"Maybe against the normal laws of the universe," Hourman spoke up. "But I don't deal within the limits of the laws of time. Let's see how well you fare against me."

Using his own power, he tapped into the energy of the rift and created a mini vortex. The energy rippled around the large Marauder for a few seconds.

"What's happening?" Mercury cried out.

"Don't worry about it," Hourman replied. "This won't take long." He turned to the X-Men. "Use your powers to pour as much energy into this vortex as possible. I'll take care of the rest."

Clark used his heat rays, while the two women used their powers of telekinesis. The vortex grew slightly larger, and then began to shrink. As it closed, Mercury looked dazed for a second, and then fell down, face first.

Wolverine stood up. "Is it over?"

Superman looked around. "I think so, Logan. At least, I hope so."

"What's wrong?" Jean asked. "How is everyone?"

"Well, Warren . . . except for the wings, he's okay. He's awake, but highly sedated. Bobby's looking after him. I still have no clue what will happen with the wings."

"And Morph?" Superman asked.

Beast looked down and sighed. Looking back up, he said, "I'm sorry, big guy. There was nothing I could do."

Jean turned around and walked out off the jet. Clark followed her. He found her standing by the rear wheels. She was holding her jacket around her tightly. Clark came up and embraced her.

"It's okay, hon," he said.

And then Jean lost it. She cried like a baby.

"I . . . I just can't believe it . . . " she managed to get out between sobs. "I tried holding it in . . . but Warren, then Sarah . . . and now Morph . . . "

"Shh. It's okay," Clark said. "We're still here. We stopped the Marauders."

"But they still killed scores of others."

"There was nothing we could do. We just have to keep on living and remember our departed friends. Come on, it's been a long day . . . one that I'd like to put as far behind me as possible. Let's go home."

"Okay." She started walking back to the Blackbird, holding on to Clark.

All of the X-Men knew that the sights they had seen that day would remain with them and haunt them for the rest of their lives. They just had to persevere, and keep living, thankful that they were still alive.

The tunnels were the Morlocks' home . . . but the Morlocks are dead. Slaughtered by a group of evil mutants called the Marauders, Young Justice responded to their call for help. They were wholly unprepared for what happened.

The amount of Morlock casualties and wounded shocked them. Arrowette was blinded almost immediately by an attack. Impulse was used as an ambulance, carrying the wounded back to their HQ for Red Tornado to try and help them. They broke into two teams.

Superboy suffered grave wounds with his team. Firebird and Rebel, the remaining two, along with Impulse and the mysterious Maggott, left the tunnels in search of the man responsible for the massacre.

Wonder Girl and Jade were dead. Killed by the Marauders. Nightwing and Jolt, barely coping with the events, stumbled upon a group of Morlocks searching for a safe-haven. Chuck Barnes promised to get them to safety. He won't fail . . .

He walked along fast, his mind racing. But no--he couldn't allow himself to think about what had just happened.

"Keep moving," he said. "We're almost back to my base. You'll be safe there."

Jolt hung more towards the rear of the group. She didn't know what to say either. There wasn't really anything to say. All that mattered, at that moment, was getting that group of Morlocks to safety. It was the only thing they could possibly do.

"Friend-Robin?" Caliban asked. "Or . . . Friend-Nightwing?"

"Yes?" Chuck asked.

"Caliban thinks . . . no, Caliban knows! Caliban senses mutants! Coming this way . . . dangerous, powerful mutants . . . Marauders!"

"Heading this way?" Jolt asked.

"Yes," Caliban nodded. "They are coming for us . . . "

"Alright," Nightwing said. He drew his bo-staff. "Morlocks, behind myself and Jolt. Any of you that are capable of fighting, we'd appreciate the assistance. We're going to hold them off here . . . either we stop them now, or we don't stop them at all."

"That's not exactly a cheery attitude."

"Who?" Nightwing asked. "What . . . ? Spoiler?!"

The purple and black costume gave it away. The Spoiler had entered the tunnels.

"Nice way to great me," she said.

"You seem different," Nightwing said to her.

"And you've got a new costume and codename," she replied.

"This is no place for you," Nightwing said. "It's . . . we . . . "

"I've surveyed the situation," she continued. "I've scoured the tunnels. This appears to be the last batch of the Marauders heading for us. It's time to stop them."

Nightwing nodded. "Then let's do it."

Impulse sped, following the directions of the wounded mutant Maggott. In the sky, Firebird flew, carrying the mysterious Rebel in her arms.

"We're approaching it," Maggott said. "Believe it or not, it's a church . . . "

"The bad guy's in a church?" Impulse asked.

"I'm not sure he's exactly a guy," Maggot frowned. "I think . . . I think he might be a robot."

"A robot?" Impulse asked again. "What would a robot have against the Morlocks?"

"I don't know," Maggot shrugged. "Never asked too many questions of him . . . it's usually safest that way. There it is . . . see it?"

"Yeah," Bart replied. "Just our luck . . . fighting in a church. Like we're not in enough trouble as it is . . . "

"How's it look, Reddy?" Cissie King-Jones asked. She was otherwise known as Arrowette. Unfortunately, just after entering the Morlock tunnels, a daze blast from Dazzler blinded her. She's been slowly recovering, but nonetheless sidelined as a medic.

"Terrible," the Red Tornado said. He was Young Justice's mentor. They had wanted to break free from him . . . but then the massacre started. They knew they were in over their heads.

" . . . Call the Avengers League," Cissie said. "They've got medical resources we don't have. They can help these people much better than we can."

The Tornado nodded. "I will make the call."

Cissie sighed. "Bart's stopped dropping off people . . . think they've run out of survivors?"

"I hope not," the Tornado said.

" . . . How's Superboy?"

"He needs to be watched carefully. His powers are slowly returning, but they appear severely weaker than the last scans I have of him . . . if his powers don't return fully, I'm not sure if he'll fully heal."

"But will he live?"

"I . . . I'm not sure. It depends on how the next few hours go."

" . . . "

" . . . "

" . . . Reddy, I'm scared."

" . . . Me too."

"I hope Chuck's alright . . . "

Nightwing stood with his staff ready. Jolt's fists burst with energy. Spoiler drew a staff of her own. Three of the Morlocks stood ready, as well. Skids could manipulate a force field. Rusty could create and control fire. Corsi was a middle-aged man with a rifle. The other Morlocks hid behind them in fear.

"Well well well," Dazzler said as she approached. "Looks like the little brats gathered up a group of Morlocks for us. Makes it a lot easier than having to track 'em down one by one."

"If you surrender, your deaths will be quick and merciful," Rapture said.

"You killed Wonder Girl," Jolt said. "She was . . . she was my friend!"

Jolt leaped forward, hitting Rapture with a shock punch. And with that, the battle began.

Corsi began firing shots at the Marauders, then ducked back. Skids spread her force field as best she could in an attempt to protect the Morlocks from any attack. Rusty and Corsi stood in front of her, a last line of defense.

Nightwing and Spoiler leaped into the fight after her, both wielding bo-staffs as best they could possibly manage.

"You're possessed," Nightwing said to Dazzler. "Break free!"

"Honey, she is free!" Dazzler exclaimed. "I've set her free. Everyone needs a little Malice in their lives!"

"You're lucky you're not in control of your actions," Nightwing said. "That means I'll have to let you live."

"Bold words, little man," she said. "Bring it!"

The front door burst open as a fiery angel swooped in. Firebird landed, helping Rebel to her feet. Impulse came in after her, setting Maggott down.

"Alright," Firebird said. "I know whoever's responsible for the Marauders is here. Reveal yourself . . . now!"

"Query: You would make demands?" a cold, mechanical voice answered. It echoed off the old stone walls of the decrepit church.

"I would, and did," Linda said. "If you are indeed responsible for the tragedies that have befallen the Morlocks . . . "

"I am responsible, yes," the voice answered. "But it is not a tragedy. It is a necessity. I am programmed to locate mutants. I located a large group. My programming is conflicted, however. I have been instructed to help mutants . . . but also, to destroy them. It is a conflict of interest, if you will. I have come to the conclusion that the best way to protect mutants is to destroy them, and replace them with artificial constructs of my own making that I can watch and monitor at all times."

"That's . . . it's just . . . stupid!" Firebird exclaimed. "It's evil, it's wrong! How can you say that you're protecting a people by committing genocide? Who are you?"

"My name is Cerebro," the robot said. It stepped into the light from the back, near the alter. Its body was a greenish silver. Its head was a red, sphere-like shape with large coils attached to its chest and back. It had orange, glowing eyes, and claws on its hands. "The ultimate mutant tracking device. One of you four is a mutant. He will be catalogued, destroyed, and re-created. The other three are not mutants, and therefore pose a threat to the mutant race. You shall die."

"Umph!" Jolt took a punch from Landslide, sending her onto the hard floor.

"This day is far from over," Spoiler said. "You Marauders won't win!"

"We already have," Dazzler said. "You just don't know it yet."

"Put a sock in it!" Nightwing said. He popped her in the face with his bo-staff, causing her to fall unconscious.

Spoiler went head-to-head with Rapture, using her staff against the winged lady's sword.

"Spoiler, no!" Nightwing said. "Don't go up against her straight on! You won't win!"

"Thanks for the confidence," she said.

"It's just . . . " Nightwing said. He ducked a blow from Chaos. "That's how Jade was killed."

"An' it's how she'll die, too," Landslide said.

"No," Caliban said. "No more death!"

Caliban leapt at Landslide in a fit of rage. His claws began tearing away at the large Marauder's body, drawing blood and causing major damage. A berserker rage had completely taken control over the once gentle Morlock. He had seen enough.

"Die!" Rapture exclaimed, slamming her sword down.

Spoiler met it with her bo-staff. She then pulled her bo-staff apart, exposing two smaller blades. Rapture was surprised by this move. The Spoiler then . . . teleported . . . in a puff of smoke behind Rapture and shoved the blades into her back.

"Holy," Nightwing said, dodging another punch from Chaos. "You can teleport?"

"There's many things about me you don't know," she said, drawing the blades out.

"All that's left is you, Chaos," Nightwing said. "Surrender."

"No," Chaos said. His entire body began to glow red like his left eye. He began to shake.

"Holy crap . . . I think he's gonna self-destruct," Jolt said.

"Skids!" Nightwing exclaimed. "Quick, extend your force field--!"

Impulse launched himself at Cerebro, hitting the robot with a series of lighting-fast punches. Unfortunately, it did more to hurt Bart's hands than the robot. He broke fingers.

"Oww!!" Bart exclaimed.

Cerebro turned a hand to Bart, trying to grab him. Focusing past the pain, Bart vibrated to become intangible. Cerebro's hand past through him.

"Modifying," Cerebro said. It sent a shock-pulse through it's hand, which somehow made contact with Bart, despite his intangibility. Bart screamed in pain, then fell backwards.

"Bart!" Firebird exclaimed. "That's it . . . I've been feeling it build up inside of me . . . I've been holding it back . . . but I'll deny it no longer. I . . . am . . . PHOENIX!"

From Linda's body burst forth a new passion, a new power. A fiery bird appeared all around her body, one whose very existence screamed of energy.

Cerebro's sensors went wild. "Unlike any data ever encountered . . . "

"It is the last data you shall ever receive," Linda said, speaking in her same voice, just one more calm and even toned than usual. From her spewed a huge mass of energy, tearing into Cerebro's body.

The robot cringed as the energy began to tear it apart. "System . . . error . . . sys-sys-sys-t-t-t-t-t--mmmmmmmm err--01010101110001000101101--"

Cerebro exploded. Linda collapsed.

Rebel stood there cautiously, looking around.

"Ungh . . . " Linda said, holding her head. "That was some trip . . . "

Rebel walked over and offered her a hand up. Linda accepted.

"Thanks . . . hey! Maggott . . . he's gone! And . . . Bart?"

"Uhh . . . " he moaned.

Linda sighed with relief. "And . . . Cerebro?"

Rebel walked over to the various remaining scraps. She approached the head piece. She looked it over carefully. Then, raising her leg high, she smashed it.

"Good enough for me," Linda said.

Rebel surveyed what she had done with a strange look in her eyes. Like this wasn't her first encounter with Cerebro . . . almost like she knew it wouldn't be her last.

"Good work, team," Linda said. "I guess. Let's just . . . let's go, okay? We beat the bad guy . . . but there's still lots to be done back home, and in the tunnels. We'll come back for the scraps another day. Let's just make sure that this massacre is over . . . "

The heroes who recently started to call it home, known as Young Justice, had just been involved in the greatest battle of their lives. Not great as in glorious - great as in most dire. A band of murderous mutants called the Marauders decided that they would wipe out every mutant on earth. They were starting with the Morlocks.

The Morlocks were mutants who lived in a network of tunnels, lying one mile beneath Manhattan Island. They sought to live apart from the surface world, thinking they would be safe. Alas, it had been proven that no place is truly safe. The vast majority of the Morlocks are dead.

Young Justice tried their best. And they did do well, under the circumstances. They stopped many Marauders . . . brought many wounded Morlocks to their base . . . and even found and stopped the being behind it all. But it wasn't enough.

In the tunnels stood two members of Young Justice, Firebird and Jolt, as well as the mysterious Rebel, and a surviving Morlock, Corsi.

"When Chaos exploded, he wiped everything clean," Jolt explained. "If Skids hadn't got her force field up, we would've died. We almost did, anyway. I'm sorry, Corsi . . . we did our best."

"I know," he said. "Thank you for taking me. We should . . . we should head back."

Linda nodded. "Follow me."

The four walked slowly through the fire-scorched tunnel. Even the stench of death was gone.

Cissie King-Jones was perhaps better known as Arrowette. She was the first member of the team taken out of the fight when Dazzler blinded the team. The others recovered quickly, but because Cissie's vision was heightened compared to theirs, it had taken longer. She was now able to see, although her eyes were extra sensitive to light, and she walked around wearing sunglasses.

As she walked, she couldn't help but notice how the team's base seemed not only like a hospital - but a morgue.

So many of these Morlocks that we tried to save died . . . we did our best, but it wasn't enough. We even paid the price for it.

She swallowed nervously, keeping herself in check as best she could.

Wonder Girl and Jade . . . Cassie and Jenn . . . they're dead. The Marauders killed them. I . . . She shook her head. I've cried plenty already. I'm not sure I have more tears. And, god, I wish I could say that was it . . . but Chuck, he's bedridden with several cracked ribs and a broken jaw. Kon . . . his powers, they're very, very weak . . . but he is recovering from the blade wound he received in his abdomen. He'll survive . . . but I don't know if he'll have any powers.

Bart . . . poor Bart. Whatever that villain, Cerebro did to him . . . it did it when he was in hyper-speed, intangible. And somehow, he's stuck in it. Bart can't slow down enough to become solid again . . . and we don't have a clue how to help him. Linda's lost her super-strength. Jolt and Rebel, well, they got out all right . . . just minor injuries. They were the lucky ones, I guess.

And then there's . . . the Spoiler.

Cissie stopped at the doorway to the room that held the Spoiler. The girl refused to take off her mask or any piece of her costume, claiming that her identity needed remain a secret, at least at that time.

I am the Spoiler. It was originally an identity my mom fought crime with. Then, when Red Tornado put the team under house arrest, it was an identity I borrowed in order for me to still go out and lend a hand . . . and it was an identity that started to get somewhere with Robin. But then, out of nowhere, she shows up . . . helps Chuck during the fight . . . and now there's a third Spoiler. I'm so confused . . . I need answers. I'll get them, I know . . . it'll just take some time.

She walked over to Chuck's room. He was sitting up in bed, talking to a Morlock named Ever.

"I did a psi-scan as best I could," Ever was saying. "The Marauders appear to be gone."

"Thank God for small favors," Chuck sighed. "What about the one we captured . . . Dazzler?"

"I did a scan on her, as well," Ever continued. "She is indeed possessed by an entity calling itself Malice . . . I believe I can exorcize her, but Malice will need a new host body to be placed into, or else it might break free and start possessing at random."

"I don't want to leave her in Dazzler's body," Chuck frowned. "She's probably an unknowing, unwitting accomplice. I'll talk to Red Tornado . . . see if there's anything we can do. Thank you, Ever."

Ever nodded, then got up and left. Cissie entered. "Hey."

"Hi," Chuck replied. "How're the eyes?"

"Better," she said. "You had us worried there for awhile."

"I'll be okay," he shrugged. "The Avengers League agreed to take care of most of our wounded. Though they can't officially do it, since they're supposed to be anti-mutant, they will help."

"That's good. These people deserve the best we can give them."

"Did Linda and Jolt come back yet?"

"Not yet. They radioed that they were on their way, though," Cissie nodded. "The one guy, Corsi . . . he seems to be taking charge."

"We never found Callisto, their leader."

"He has faith that she made it out," Cissie shrugged. "He says she's a survivor. When a large enough group of the Morlocks are ready for travel, he says he wants to take them back into the tunnels . . . look for survivors."

"Didn't Chaos' plasma blast destroy any trace of what went on?"

"That's what Linda said. Corsi still wants to go in. I figure it's his was of coping, and we should leave him to it. Everyone heals in their own ways."

"This is true," Chuck nodded. "I wonder how we'll cope . . . "

"I'm not sure. But we will. We have before . . . we will now . . . and we'll have to in the future. That's the downside to being a good guy. We win so much . . . that when we finally lose, it nearly destroys us."

"That's why it's good to have friends," Chuck said, taking her hand gently. "So we can all see each other through."

"Yeah," Linda smiled. She and the others had returned a few minutes before. "If Bart hadn't found Maggott, we might never have gotten to Cerebro, the villain behind it all."

"And . . . it's been destroyed?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "Rebel smashed it's skull to be sure. She's quite the little fighter."

"That she is," Kon nodded. "Maybe she'll stay with us?"

"We'll see," Linda frowned. "First we've got to make sure there still is an us."

"We took some hits, Linda, but . . . do you think . . . ?"

"Two of our own are dead, Kon. And not a one of us made it out of there unscathed. Whether the damage was physical or psychological, this . . . this mutant massacre affected us all. What makes you so sure any of us will want to keep going?"

"Because it's the right thing to do," Superboy frowned. "If we give up, then the Marauders would just have gained another victory. No . . . we'll all keep on going. There'll still be an us. Because that's the right thing to do."

"Ah'm gone for a couple o' weeks, and you go an' get Jenn killed?!" Sam Guthrie, former New Mutant, former Young Justice member, was angry. He was hurt. "Ah was killed under your watch, too. Ah got better . . . Jenn won't."

"I'm sorry."

"You damn well should be, Robin. You should be."

The monitor went black as Cannonball cut his link. Chuck sighed heavily.

"Charles?" the Red Tornado asked, knocking at Nightwing's door.

"Yes?" he asked, slowly sitting up in bed.

"You have visitors," Red said. "Captain America and Batman."

Chuck swallowed slowly. "Send them in."

The Tornado stepped back, allowing the two members of the Avengers League to enter.

"How are you?" the Captain asked.

"I'll live," Chuck replied.

"I heard about what went on down there," Captain America continued. "It was a brave thing you and your team did. I'm sorry for you loss. Wonder Girl and Jade died heroes."

Chuck nodded. "I know . . . they died how they had lived."

"I . . . just wanted to come by and tell you that we're taking a lot of the wounded off your hands," the Captain continued. "We're taking as many as we can, and sending more off to Muir Island. Those that are relatively healthy have asked to remain."

Chuck nodded. "I appreciate it."

"We're also taking Dazzler off your hands," he said. "We'll make sure she's freed of the Malice persona. You did good, son. Rest easy."

Captain America turned and left. Batman remained.

"Charles."

"Bruce."

The two looked at each other for a long moment, neither one speaking nor really breathing.

"Nightwing, huh?" Batman asked at last.

"Yup," Chuck nodded.

"I like it," Batman's voice was cool and calm. "Sorry about your loss. Just know that it happens. Don't let it get you down. Keep moving on. You're . . . doing the right thing."

And with that, the world's greatest detective turned and left. Chuck smiled.

Elsewhere, in the tunnels, repair crews had entered after a lava eruption burst through Central Park.

[[Mutant Massacre Secret Files #1 - Paul]]

"Hey, I found someone!" a worker said. "I think she's alive! Call the paramedics, quick!"

It was a woman's body the man stood over. She had blonde hair and wore a battered and torn white outfit. The odd thing was that her body seemed covered in a diamond sheath.

"Whoa, I recognize her!" another guy said. "Dude, that's one of the richest broads alive! Her name's Emma Frost . . . "

End Interlude

Corsi had gathered a group of Morlocks that were in relatively good health.

"Are you sure it's wise for you guys to move so soon?" Linda asked the assembled.

"No," Corsi said. "But it's what we've decided. There must have been other Morlocks that made it out okay . . . we're going to find them and keep on living. The Marauders tried to wipe us out. They failed. Those tunnels are our homes . . . and we're determined to keep them."

"If you're sure . . . " Linda said.

"I thank you for your help, your hospitality, and I am sorry for your loss," he said. "But I'm far more sorry for my own."

"Good luck," Linda said.

"Thanks," Corsi said, turning and leading the way. "We'll need it."

Linda stood quietly and watched the Morlocks depart. Caliban was towards the rear. He paused and looked back at her.

"Goodbye," he said, "Earth-Born Angel."

"And you're sure Maggott's gone?"

"He disappeared during our fight with Cerebro," she shrugged. "I tried to find him afterwards, but he was gone."

"It's probably better that way," Chuck sighed. "Saves us the trouble of deciding what to do with him."

Linda nodded.

"Relax, Linda. I know things are hard . . . and they're not gonna get easier any time soon. You lost a best friend . . . Kon's pretty hurt. All of us are in a bad way. But things will get better . . . and we'll have time to heal. I know you're upset . . . but just relax. Tomorrow's a new day."

"That it is, Chuck," she sighed. "That it is . . . "

This recently built mansion is the home of the mutant super-team called the X-Men. But the team is still fairly new and inexperienced, and just went through the greatest battle of their lives.

It was not glorious.

They fought for the survival of a group of mutants who lived underground, named the Morlocks. Another group of mutant killers, called the Marauders, entered the underground tunnels with one purpose: to massacre.

The X-Men responded . . . too late. Nearly all the Morlocks were killed. The Marauders were very thorough. The X-Men lost two of their own: Sarah Da'Part and Morph. But in the end, they did manage to defeat the villains.

Clark Kent, a.k.a. Superman, got off without a scratch. Mostly due to the fact that he's invulnerable. Jean Grey, a telekinetic and telepath also made it out with only minor injuries, same as Henry McCoy, the Beast. Bobby Drake, Iceman, took a beating, but was healing. Warren, the high-flying Angel, took some of the worst damage. He was beaten around, and nearly had his wings torn off. As it is, he's still very weak. He will live . . . that's for sure. But they don't know if he'll be able to keep the wings.

The mysterious man named Logan, also called Wolverine, saw some of the toughest fights. However, due to an Adamantium-laced skeleton and a healing factor, he was left unscathed. He even managed to bring back a prisoner, the leader of the Marauders: Random. A shape-shifting mutant who also has some connection to Weapon X, a program Logan was once a part of.

And finally, Betsy Braddock, the telepathic mutant Psylocke. She was a member of the Visionaries, but quit during the massacre. She is a friend, and is helping with the vast amount of injured and surviving Morlocks currently staying at the mansion.

A sudden crash burst through the air. A medical tray had been flung over, its instruments clashing on the hard tile floor. The Morlock named Callisto was throwing another fit.

Betsy couldn't really blame her. After all, she was the leader of the Morlocks. It was her job to look out for them . . . and she failed. Callisto cursed.

"Please calm down," Betsy frowned, looking over at her. Callisto ignored her. The two stood in the basement, which had been converted into a medical center to handle the massive amount of people. Those that they could, the X-Men past on to be treated in real hospitals. Most, though, had to remain to be taken care of for fear of mutant hatred.

"They did this to us . . . and Superman keeps their leader locked up all nice and cozy in this very mansion!" Callisto exclaimed.

"He won't break free," Psylocke shrugged.

"If he does, I'll kill him," Callisto growled.

"There's been enough blood shed lately, I'd say," Betsy answered.

"Every one of them must pay!" Callisto yelled, storming out.

Betsy shrugged. There was nothing more for her to do in the med-lab, and decided to go upstairs.

It's an interesting bunch here. All mutants, near as I can tell. They know the world hates and fears them, just for being different. Yet they are still more than willing to risk their lives to protect that very same world. It's either very admirable . . . or very foolish. I hope for the former, rather than the latter.

She sighed and made a turn. And it's definitely been an interesting few days. I had assumed Clea would try to bring me back into the Visionaries . . . but there hasn't been so much of a peep. I'm glad. She's insane . . . and I'd like to have nothing to do with her. Superman has offered for me to stay as long as I like or need. I even believe he's offered me a spot with the X-Men.

I'm not sure I really belong here. I mean, being a mystic seer is one thing . . . but an adventurer? A hero? Doesn't sound like me.

She stopped in front of the door she was looking for.

Ah, the Danger Room. Heard plenty about it. It's supposed to be their training room . . . creates believable holographic surroundings . . . falsified environments and people so that they can hone their various skills in actual combat scenarios.

Of course, at the moment, its only use is to house their prisoner, Random. Jean Grey has tried to pull information from his mind on several occasions . . . but has failed. I doubt that it's her fault, however. She's got more power than I can dream of. I think it's something to do with him being a shape-shifter. And truly, I don't mind that Jean's failed. It's allowing Logan to try the more direct approach.

She stepped into the control room and looked down upon the grey-skinned Random who was chained to a wall. Wolverine was the only person down there. He slammed a fist into Random's stomach.

"You've told me about the Marauders . . . who all was involved, what happened to 'em, your reason for going into the tunnels," Logan said through gritted teeth. "But you won't tell me who sent you."

"You needn't worry about who sent us," Random frowned. "It's of no concern."

Wolverine punched again. Adamantium laced bones packed quiet the punch.

Random coughed. "What you're really after is Weapon X. You know it . . . I know it . . . "

Another punch, this time in the face. "Sooner or later we're gonna turn you over to the proper authorities. Trust me . . . they hate mutants enough as it is. When we provide the proof of your murders--"

"I'll be a public hero," Random grinned. "Personally ended the lives of over two dozen muties, and led a bunch to slaughter hundreds."

Wolverine kicked the man's groin.

Ouch, Psylocke observed. Logan's quite the angry little man. But perhaps, while he's distracted by the beating, I can obtain the information we all want from his mind . . .

Psylocke went to work, scanning Random's elusive mind.

Wolverine punched again. Then he popped his claws. And then he went to work.

It's so hard to get anything . . . almost as if there's nothing solid to lock on to! Psylocke's thoughts were frustrated. Wait . . . got something . . . Weapon X? That's what Wolverine wants to know . . . can't get anything solid . . . images flashing by . . . shouts . . . Salluit, Quebec? What does that mean?

"Ease off him, Logan," Clark Kent had entered the Danger Room.

Wolverine was breathing heavily, and turned sharply to see Superman. "Back of, Supes . . . this is how I do things."

"The man's had enough," Clark frowned.

"Even after all he did to the Morlocks?"

"When we resort to his methods, drop to his level, we're no better than he."

Logan frowned. He retracted the claws. "Fine. You got somethin' outta him."

Logan turned and walked out of the danger room. Clark frowned. Psylocke turned out from the control room and jogged after Logan.

"Logan, wait!" Psylocke exclaimed.

"Later, girl," Wolverine replied harshly. He stormed out of the mansion.

Clea sat alone in her room. Her powers allowed her to observe Psylocke from a distance.

Good girl, she thought. You have gotten their friendship. It makes it all the more easier to take them out when I finally get you back on my side.

There was a knock on the door. Clea waved her hand, and the image of Psylocke disappeared. "Enter," she said.

Rift walked into the room. He noticed the disappear magic that had allowed Clea to keep an eye on the former Visionary. "You were watching Psylocke."

"So what if I was?"

"Will we be retrieving her?"

Clea shook her head. "No. No, we have more pressing issues. When the time comes though, when the time comes . . . "

Henry McCoy was a genius. But he couldn't do anything to save Morph or Sarah. Iceman was still healing, and Warren was bedridden for the time being . . . and heavily drugged on painkillers.

"Warren, I just don't know," Hank frowned. "I can only pray that the wings will be fine . . . that they'll heal. At least the bleeding has stopped . . . "

"You've done all you can," Bobby said. They both stood over Warren's sleeping body. "More than any of us can do."

"But I don't know if that will be enough," Hank sighed. "The X-Rays are hard to tell . . . I know some bones are broken or fractured . . . some are still intact . . . it's just a matter of whether or not his body will repair the wings . . . if his mutant physiology will work with medical science or not . . . "

"If it helps . . . I'll pray for him."

"Huh."

"What?"

"Pray for an Angel," Hank smiled.

Logan walked over into a small forest area on the property. He popped his claws and tore away at trunks, knocking over trees, slicing up bushes and tearing apart flowers. He was mad.

"You teach those innocent plants a lesson."

Logan looked up quickly. "Jeannie."

Jean Grey lowered herself to the ground using her telekinetics. "The gardener's gonna hate you."

"What can I say? Never been too good at makin' friends."

"You don't have to be alone all the time," Jean frowned.

"Sometimes I do," he continued. "Sometimes I can get a little . . . out of hand. I get into a kind of berserker rage . . . and when I do that, well . . . trust me: you don't wanna be around."

"I can help you with your rage," Jean said. "If you'd just let me inside your mind . . . "

"It's no place for a lady," Logan said. "Even a tough girl like you."

"Still," Jean shrugged. "I could do something . . . "

"You shouldn't," Logan frowned. "Jeannie . . . it's probably better if you stay away from me."

"Why?"

"Because . . . sooner or later I'll do something that's gonna piss Clark off royally."

Jean couldn't help but smirk. She forced it away. "Come back inside, Logan. In the company of friends."

Logan sighed, putting his claws away. He followed her in.

"I've made up my mind," Callisto frowned. "No use trying to talk me out of it."

"It's not safe!" Hank exclaimed. "It's too soon!"

"Be reasonable," Clark frowned. "Think of your people . . . "

"That's exactly what I'm thinking of," Callisto frowned. "Exactly why I've made this decision."

"What decision?" Jean asked as she and Logan walked back in.

"Callisto's decided it's time for her and the Morlocks to go back to their tunnels," Clark frowned.

"Not a good idea," Jean frowned as well.

"Why not?" Logan asked. "The place was swept clean . . . the Marauders are gone . . . their job, for the most part, was a success. There's nothing to fear in the tunnels . . . not anymore. If they wanna go, they should be able to go. They're not our prisoners."

The other X-Men looked at Logan with a confused look.

"I'm afraid I'll agree with him," Psylocke said as she walked in alongside Iceman. "Those that are relatively healthy and able to function should be free to move on."

"And those that aren't, Healer will help," Callisto said. "I know there are more of my Morlocks out there . . . and I intend to find them and reclaim our home."

"I still stand strongly against that," Clark frowned.

"Then I guess it's a good thing it's not your decision?" Callisto replied angrily. She turned and walked away.

"She's so wonderfully grateful," Hank frowned.

"I'll at least see to it that they stock up on supplies before heading out," Jean said.

"I'll go and make sure everyone that leaves is medically able to do so," Hank sighed.

"I'll lend a hand," Bobby nodded. The three headed out.

"I'm afraid I'll be leaving, too," Betsy said.

"You are?" Clark asked. "I thought you wanted sanctuary."

"I did," she said. "And I am grateful for it. I do appreciate all your help. But I don't belong here. I can't see myself as being much of a team player. And besides that . . . now that I've left the Visionaries, there's a lot of catching up I need to do. I've got a brother out there . . . and there's a lot I don't know about myself."

"Yourself?" Clark asked.

"Right," she said. "See me? I look Asian. I was born in England . . . and I am one-hundred percent a British woman. I wasn't born Asian. And I'm not sure how I wound up this way."

"Well, that's interesting," Logan said.

"Indeed," she said. "So I'll be leaving for the UK first."

"Well, I wish you good luck," Clark said. "And know that you've always got a friend with the X-Men."

Betsy nodded, then simply turned and walked out the front door. As she was leaving, she called to Logan telepathically. He turned towards her and walked out after her.

"You rang?" Logan asked.

"Yes," Psylocke said. "While you were . . . interrogating your prisoner, I conducted a mind-scan. I didn't learn much . . . but I figured you were entitled to what I did."

In the blink of an eye, Psylocke created a psi-blade, the strongest manifestation of her power. She plunged it into Logan's head. To a normal man, this might cause serious damage. Logan it merely shocks.

The images run through his head. He knows it all: Weapon X. And now he knows . . . Canada . . . Quebec . . . Salluit. Where he'll find answers.

Corsi led his group of Morlocks into the tunnels. They were sad and hurt, but they were still proud. They wouldn't let their spirits be crushed.

Maggott was glad. As he watched them in secret, he was happy that they would continue on. And he would make sure that nothing would ever befall them again. He would be their guardian . . . atoning for his sin in the only way he possibly could.

Fin.